The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-19 00:00:00

POLAND.

The following telegram has been received at Mr.
Reuter's office from the Russian Consul-General in
London

,8 WARSAW, OCT. 18.

" This morning the Hotel de Ville was discovered
to be on fire in three places simultaneously in the
interior of the archive department, parts of which
are separated by interior courts.
"No doubt is entertained of this fire being the
work of incendiaries.

"All the treasure chests, securities, account-books,
and valuable objects have been saved."

Napoleon the Great as a Subaltern,

Few people pass through the Rue de l'Universite
without remarking at No. 71 n large gateway at
which a sentinel is stationed. It was formerly the
Hotel de Noailles-Moucby, and is now a depot for
documents connected with the War •office. On the
evening of the 24th of February, 1848, a number
of insurgents, imagining from the inscription
"Depot de la Guerre" over the gateway that fire-
arms were deposited there, were about to force an
entrance, when General Pelet, director of the depot,
explained to the crowd the nature of the establish-
ment and the great importance of the documents
contained init to a number of families. The people
understood the General and withdrew. On the first
and second floors are arranged documents relating
to private individuals. One room is specially devoted
to those referring to Marshals and Generals of the
army. Among them is a book bound in green
morocco leather, bearing the name "Napoleon
Bonaparte." The first document which figures in
it is a statement of his military services prepared in
the usual form, next a copy of his baptismal registry
in Latin, bearing a stamp with the inscription
" Island of Corsica," " One Halfpenny." Next
comes a certificate of poverty—a diploma signed
d'Hozier de Sevigny, countersigned by the judge-
at-arms of French nobility, attesting that Napoleon
de Buonaparte, born the 15th August, 1769, is
possessed of the nobility necessary for being ad-
mitted among the number of gentlemen for whose
education his Majesty provides in the Royal Mili-
tary Colleges. Then follow in succession the
various orders of service addressed to him in his
character of officer and General in the army.
A report addressed to the Committee of
Public Safety, on the 22d Vendomiatre of
the year 4, by the Commissioners for the
organisation and direction of the army and navy,
is of opinion that "General Buonaparte may be
authorized to pass on his demand to the service of
Turkey with two officers of artillery, Major Sougis
and Captain Marmont." Some autograph letters
of the young officer are to be found in this book.
One of them, addressed to M. Lesancquer, first
clerk in the Artillery and Engineer Department
at the War-office, is in the following terms :
" Sir,—A stranger in Paris without any acquaintance, my
only hope is in you. The friendship you expressed for me
induces me to hope that you will use it for me.
"I find that I am about to be removed from my regiment
to another, which afflicts me in every point of view. . .
while there are some officers who follow me immediately
that would exchange without difficulty. . I have a
brother with me who is intended for the regiment. I have
undertaken his education, which would become impossible
in another regiment.
"If the arrangement had been published I would not
have troubled you, because in that case there would be
nothing for me but to obey. But as the matter rests, I
flatter myself that you will please to interest yourself
for me.

"I will retain a grateful recollection of your kindness.
"With respect, Sir, your very hu►uble and very obedient
servant,

" BUONAPARTE, Lieutenant in the Regiment of
Lafere.

"Auxonne, Juno 3, 1791."

Another letter addressed to Messieurs the Ad-
ministrators of Versailles, the Ist of September,
1792, petitions in favour of his sister, Marianne
Bonaparte, of whom he is the guardian, and who is
without an asylum in consequence of the suppression
of the establishment of St. Louis, and who prays for
the allowance of 20 sons a league to which she is
entitled, to take her to the municipality
of Ajaccio,
the place of her birth.

- -
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE MEETING AT EDINBURGH.
—'he Social Science .Review, published last Saturday, con-
tains a complete account of all the papers read in the vari-
ous sections at the above meeting, but more particularly a
verbatim report of the masterly address delivered by Lord
Brougham at the opening of the proceedings.
HEINE'S " BOOK OF SONGS" has just reached its
twentrfieooll(l edition•