The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-12 00:00:00

THE LATE GENERAL DROUOT.

General Drouot, a year before his death, drew up a
little memoir of his military career. We publish it
here in its brief and noble simplicity, as a new trait
of that character at once so modest and so pure, that
Napoleon compared it to the more striking specimens
of antique virtue. It will be seen by this memoir,
that in the year 1823 Louis Philippe, at that time
Duke of Orleans, offered to General Drouot the post
of governor to his children. It will be seen also,
that the General, unfortunately, leaves no more
leng4hy memoirs relative to the great scenes of
history in which he played a part, and disclaims
beforehand everything that may be hereafter published
n his name :
" I was born at Nancy, 11th January, 1774, of
poor parents, who earned by the sweat of their brow
the bread of a numerous family; they made many
sacrifices, and even submitted to many privations, in
order to procure me the means of instruction. They
endeavoured, above all, to inspire me with religious
feelings, and to inspirit me with the love of industry
and virtue.

" I had just terminated my studies at the College
of Nancy, when the wars of the revolution com-
menced, in the month of April, 1792. On the Ist of
June of the following year I was admitted into the
School of Artillery as Sous Lieutenant Cleve: A
month afterwards (on the Ist of July, 1793), I was
nominated Second Lieutenant in the Ist Regiment of
Artillery, by means of a decree of the Convention,
which gave this rank to the ten first eMves to be
promoted. I then rose through the different ranks
to that of General de Division, to which I was pro-
moted on the 3d of September, 1813.
"I was nominated member of the Legion of Honour
on the sth of August, 1804; Officer of the Legion at
Wagram, and Commander of the Legion at Mos-
, kowa ; Grand Officer, the 23d of March, 1814 ; Great
Cross the 18th of October, 1830; Baron of the Em-
pire, the 14th of March, 1810; Count of the Empire,
the 24th of October, 1813 ; Peer of France, by
Im-
perial decree of the 2d of June, 1815 ; Peer of
France, by royal ordinance of the 19th of November,
1831 ; this last favour my state of ill health no
longer allowed me to accept.
" I have had the, good fortune to serve under men
who encouraged, supported, and protected me; and I
owe my advancement principally to the Generals
Loriboisiere, Ebli, and Gassendi, and to my former
colonel, General Parnety. The kindness they never
failed to show me exercised the most favourable
influence on my destiny : their memory will be dear
to me, to my last breath.
"I had served for several years in the Imperial
Guard, when, on the 26th of January, 1813, the
Emperor attached me to his person ai aide-de-camp.
On the 3d of September following he gave me the
supervision cf the Guard, with the title of Aide-
Major of the Guard. The marks of esteem, confi-
dence, and affection which the Emperor never ceased
to bestow upon me have been the pride and happiness
of my life : they will remain for ever engraven on
my heart, as well as the remembrance of the favours
with which he overwhelmed me. •
" After the abdication of Fontainebleau, the
Emperor granted me the permission to accompany
him to the Isle of Elba, of which he appointed me
the governor. The year following he took me back
to France with him : I was at his side at the battle of

Waterloo.
" The provisionary committee which was placed at
the head of the Government after the second abdica-
tion of the Emperor nominated me Commander of
the Imperial Guard. Under the important circum-
stances of the times, I looked upon it as the first of
my duties to devote myself entirely to my country,
and to shrink back from no personal sacrifice in order
to contribute to its welfare. This duty appeared to
me all the more imperious as I had myself taken a
part in all the events which had brought about our
unhappy position. In consequence, after having
consulted the Emperor, who approved of my resolu-
tion, I accepted the command bestowed upon me by
the Government; and I separated myself for the
time from my benefactor, with the intention and the
hope of joining him once more as soon as the country
should have been saved. The events which followed
destroyed my most dearly cherished hopes. I was
left neither the consolation of endeavouring to miti-
gate the rigours of his captivity, nor the happiness of
dying on the field of battle for the deliverance of my
country.
" Having been included in the ordinance of pro-
scription of the 24th of July, 1815, I left on the Ist
of August the army of the Loire, in order to return
to Paris and render myself up prisoner. On the 6th
of April, 1816, I was taken from the prison of
l'Abbaye and placed before a court-martial, which
was to decide my fate. I was accompanied by my
friend Baron Girod (de l'Ain), who defended gene-
rously and warmly my cause. I was declared not
guilty,' and acquitted.
" The next day Louis XVlll.isent for me to the
Palace of the Tuileries. After having addressed me
in the kindest manner, his Majesty gave orders that
I should be immediately set at liberty. I set off
shortly after for my native town, where ever since
that period I have given myself up to the charms of a
quiet private life.
" I have refused to accept either the half-pay or the
traitement en disponibilite that were offered me under
the Restoration. This refusal arose from my fear of
being obliged to return to active service, or to be
placed in the necessity of taking up my rank and my
duties, while my benefactor was languishing a captive
upon a rock in the Atlantic ocean. I accepted, how-
ever, a retiring pension, which was offered me by the
Government in recompense of my former military

services.
" During my retreat I endeavoured to write an
historical account of the great events which passed
before my eyes ; but my bad health, my utter blind-
ness, and, above all, my want of talent, forced me
to give up an attempt which was beyond my powers;
I threw my manuscript into the fire, and I entirely
disavow everything that may hereafter be published
in my name upon any events of the time, or any other
subject.
"In 1823, the King, who was then Duke of Or-
leans, offered me the post of governor to the young
Princes his sons. So marked a proof of confidence
and esteem has filled me with the deepest gratitude.
But I did not venture to accept the important mis-
sion thus offered me, because I considered myself
unable to fulfil it properly, as possessing neither the
talents nor the qualities it would have required.
" The return of the ashes of the Emperor, in 1840,
fulfilled all my last hopes and wishes. Every day I
bless that royal wisdom to which the country owes
this great act of reparation; and I return thanks to
Providence that I should have been permitted the
consolation of living to be a witness of this great
event.
" Arrived now at the term of my earthly career, I
await in peace until it shall please the Lord to recal
me to Him, and to admit me, as I hope, to that ever-
lasting dwelling, where those who have well loved,
and well served their country will meet their recom-
pense.

" GENERAL DROUOT.
"Nancy, April 13, 1846."

LEAMINGTON, APRIL 7.—The foundation stone of
the Leamington Proprietary College was laid this after-
noon, by Dr. Jephson, amidst a large concourse of
spectators. A grand public dinner took place in honour
of the proceedings of the day, at the Regent Hotel,
which was attended by upwards of oue hundred guests,
offer whom Dr, Jephsou presided,