CONVERSATION WITH LORD LOWTHER, &c. 347

ate manner, the nephew of Josephine, who was not to accompany him to St. Helena, and then retired to the after cabin. Here, besides his own companions, was lord Keith, sir George Cockburn, lord Lowther, and the Hon. Mr. Lyttleton. Lord Keith took leave of Bonaparte in the afternoon, and returned on board the Tannant.

The ex-emperor entered into a very earnest and free conversation with lord Lowther and Mr. Lyttleton, which continued for two hours. They asked many questions, leading to a review of his public conduct: how he came to involve himself in the protracted and disastrous war with Spain, which seemed to have no adequate objecthis motives for the Berlin and Milan decrees-for the disastrous war against Russia? What induced him to refuse the terms of peace offered by the allied sovereigns before the capture of Paris in 1814? To all these enquiries he gave answers which partook of a review and defence of his public conduct; and he appeared disposed to encourage the discussion. At length lord Lowther and Mr. Lyttleton took leave of him, and went ashore.

His cabin was fitted up in great elegance, and his furniture had a magnificence which might have reminded the beholder that he had once been an emperor. His bed was covered with the richest linen; his toilet was of silver; among other superb articles was a magnificent snuff-box, ornamented with an eagle embossed in gold with a crown, flying from Elba to the coast of France. His valet de chambres were sprightly, active, and fine looking men; one had formerly been a servant to the Duke of York. They and all his followers treated him with the greatest respect, always addressing him by the title of emperor.

CHAPTER XX.

The Northumberland sails for St. Helena..... His deportment on Board....His inquisitiveness....Dialogue with the chaplain....Wishes to learn the English language....Of the council held at Rochfort.... Of his leaving Elba....First appearance of St. Helana.... Napoleon views the dark speck with composure.... The Birars....Is removed to Longwood....The limits and guard.... His conversation with a countryman....Receives the news from Europe....Napoleon communicates various facts concerning his public life, as to his marriage, the birth of his son....Of the count de Lille, the present King of France.

On the 11th of August, the Northumberland and the vessels which were to accompany that ship set sail for the island of St. Helena-The voyage is usually about two months-during the voyage the conduct of Bonaparte was conciliatory and accommodating; he conformed to his situation, had few wants, and occasioned less trouble, as the crew of the Northumberland declared, than many lieutenants would have done. He usually passed the evening and morning in writing and reading in his apartment. He breakfasted about ten; at four in the afternoon he usually went into the great cabin and played at chess until five, when the Admiral commonly made his appear ance, and Bonaparte accompanied him to dinner. He appeared to have been in the habit of remaining not more than a quarter of an hour at his meals; but to conform to the practice of the English, he now usually continued half an hour at the table. He then left the table and usually walked upon the quarter-deck, accompanied with Bertrand and Count Las Casas, occasionally seating himself on one of the guns, for an hour or more, until the of ficers of the ship and the rest of his suit rose from the table. A short conversation then usually ensued, and between nine and ten o'clock he retired to his own apartment. This course of life, he observed with great uniformity. He is represented to have ate heartily and extremely fast. His usual drink was claret diluted with two thirds water; he drank very little spirit, merely scenting and moistening his lips with the liquor when it was presented to him. This he is supposed to have done in con

HE CATECHISES THE CHAPLAIN.

349

sequence of his sense of smelling, which was extremely acute. He was generally inquisitive and talked with all classes upon their own particular profession or employment with the chaplain he talked of religion, and put various interrogatories concerning the different sects in England, their dogmas and forms of worship; with the surgeon he talked of medical subjects, and his professional experience and practice; and with the different officers of the description of service to which they belonged. He was very particular in returning the salutations of the lowest class of people, which is said to have been his invariable custom; he declared that it was the duty of a Sovereign to return the salutes of all men, because he regarded all men as equals by nature and as having the same rights.

On one occasion he catechised the chaplain in the following curious manner :

"How many sacraments does the Church of England acknowledge?

Two--Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Does not the Church of England consider marriage as a sacrament?

No.

What are the tenets of the Church of England?

The tenets of the Church of England are Lutheran, or Episcopal Protestant.

How often is the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered? In the Churches, of the metropolis and other cities and large towns, the eucharist is observed monthly; but in the country Churches, where the population is not so large, quarterly. The festivals of the nativity of our Saviour or Christmas Day; of the resurrection, or Easter Sunday; the descent of the Holy Ghost, or Whitsunday; and the feast of St. Michael, are the quarterly observations of the eucharist.

Do all the communicants drink out of the same cup?
They do.

Is the bread made use of in the sacrament, common bread? The bread is of wheat, and the best that can be conveniently procured.

Supposing that wine could not be procured in the administration of the sacrament, would any other liquor be allowed as its substitute?

It is not at all probable that a case of this kind ever occurred: wine being to be procured in every part of the kingdom.

Do the Bishops frequently preach

Seldom but on extraordinary occasions.

350

HE CATECHISES THE CHAPLAIN.

Do they wear the mitre ?

I believe I may venture to say never. Though I cannot affirm whether the Arch-Bishops do or do not wear the mitre, when they crown the King.

Have not the Bishops a seat in the House of Peers?

They have.

How long is it requisite for persons who are candidates for holy orders at the university, to have resided there?

Four years-but previous to their becoming members of the university, they are generally seven or eight years at a classical school. Of how long standing must a person be before the degree of Doctor of Divinity?

Nineteen years from the time of his matriculation.

Which are the most approved places of education for the candidates for holy orders ?

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Are there many Puritans (meaning Presbyterians) in England? There are a great many.

What are the religious tenets of the Church of Scotland?

The tenets of that Church are Calvinistic. They do not allow Episcopacy, or the government by Bishops. They are Presbyterians, because they hold the government of Priests, and Presbyters or Elders.

To whose custody are the registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths committed?

They are generally entrusted to the care of the minister; but it is a more regular proceeding to keep them in a strong chest, which remains in the vestry room of the parish church. This chest is guarded by three locks of different construction; so that it cannot, or at least ought not, to be opened, without the concurrence of three persons-the minister and the two church wardens; who, each of them, possess their official and separate key. The idea of keys and locking up, might not excite sensations altogether pleasing to the extraordinary captive, for here he closed his enquiries."

The followers of Bonaparte asserted that he did not betray the least ill-humour, impatience, or depression of mind, from his fatal disasters at Waterloo, to the period of his arrival off St. Helena. That battle was fought for the crown of France, and fortune declared against the Imperial diadem. But he submitted without a complaint and with dignity and complacency, to so dreadful a reverse, so overwhelming a calamity. Bonaparte spoke with captain Beatty of the marines, and being informed that he had served under Sir Sydney Smith, at the siege of Acre, he approached, and seizing him by the, ear, with much good humour, exclaimed, "Oh, you rogue, was you there?" He then inquired for Sir Sydney Smith. He experienced some difficulty from not understanding the

HIS IDEAS OF SUICIDE.

351

English language, and wished to be made acquainted with the English Newspapers. The Count Las Casas proposed to him to learn the language, and declared that he could qualify him in the course of one month to read an English Newspaper. Bonaparte replied to him: "I well know that you think me a very clever fellow-but be that as it may, I cannot do every thing; and among other things which I should find impracticable, is that of making myself master of the English language in a few weeks." In speaking of his son, Napoleon is represented to have said that he resembled him only in the upper part of his form; "he has one grand big head," was his English expression. A son of Sir Robert Wilson, with whose writings and violent invectives against him, Bonaparte was well acquainted, was pointed out to him-he looked at the young man with a smile, but made no remark. The very absurd and ridiculous reproaches made against Bonaparte in the English papers, because he did not avoid the degradation which awaited him, by the convenient remedy of cutting his own throat, having come to his ears, he observed:-"No, no, I have not enough of the Roman in me, to destroy myself. Suicide is a crime the most revolting to my feelings; nor does any reason present itself to my understanding by which it can be justified. It certainly originates in that species of fear, which we denominate cowardice. For what claims can that man have to courage, who trembles at the frowns of fortune. True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life, in whatever shape they may challenge him to the combat."

It was stated by Las Casas that the night preceding the voluntary surrender of Napoleon and his followers, to Capt. Maitland, a grand council was held to discuss and decide what course should be adopted in the critical situation in which they found themselves. Previously to this, two small one mast vessels had been purchased, with which it was meditated to hazard a voyage across the Atlantic; and sixteen midshipmen had volunteered their services to man them. In this appaling emergency, it remained to be decided what was to be done--further delay would be fatal. A deep anxiety was depicted on the