Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-17

f" he hrst wish OF a stranger in Paris is /
TO view the individual whose name is i'm eve
ry mouth, and whose image seems to be con-
stantly present to every imagination. sought |
with great eageraess, an opportunity OF in
speeding the features of Bonapayte at my lei
sure and was soon fully gratihcd in this
respect.
''One of my friends procured for me tick
CT OF admission. or rather a forHAl invitation
to tho private In perial Theatre of the Pa
lace at st Cloud, which was the residence of
the Court. The best actors and singers Of
the Capital performed at this theatre twice
week for the entertainment of their impe-
rial maiestes, WHO themselves selected the
pieces representation, and rarely failed to
attend.
"fhc Empress, Jerome Bonaparte, and
| the Princess Murat. made their appearance
about o'clock. The whole body of specta-
tors rose IT the entrance OF each member of
the imperial family. The emperor followed
soon a.tcr, ON his return from reviewing n
body os troops, who were cncamped IT the
village OF Moudon. lie entered with very
! brisk step, accompanied by the three Cham
berlains-Gcneral Ofiiccrs-who remained
| standing behind his. fauteM during the whole
performance. He had in the next box, on
| his right hand, the princess Murae and Je-
| rome Bonaparte. The empress was placed
in box Immediately opposite, on the other
side of the Theatre. withher principal maids
of honor seated by her side, and two officers
| in waiting behind her chair. The entrance
ofthe emperor was the signal for raising the
curtain.
Ills first occupation was to survey the
| whole asscmblage about him very attentive
| ly, with an opera glass, which he received
from the hand of one of his generals behind
He returned it without locking back, and re-
ceived his snuff box from another, of the con-
tents of which he made as liberal use as
the great Frederick himself co0ld have done
in the same period of time he returned the
| snutf-box ashe had dismissed the opera glass,
over his shoulder, and without turning his
head He appeared attentive to the first
part of the representation which was a lit
tie comedy of Picard, and occasionally nod
ded appreciation to the princess Murat, as the
| actor or the author Glanced to excel Du-
| ring the astcrpiece, which was an opera seria,
he seemed buried in thought, and retired at
the termination Of it as briskly as he had en-
tered.
The person of Bonaparte has so often
been described, that l need not enter into
particulars upon this point. He was quite
corpulent at this period, and is now, as am
informed, still more robust. He wore on this
| occasion plain uniform coat with the i'm
perial insignia, and the cross of the legion of
honor. Ills hair was without powder, and
cropped short-I saw him in various situa-
tions afterwards, and received uniformly the
same impressions from his countenance. 1t
IS full OF meaning, but does not altogether in
dictate the true character of his soul. His
eye is solemn and gloomy, and exceedingly
penetrating; but it has less of savage fierce
ness, and of fire than one could expect. The
whole physical head, however, is not insult
aoie TO the station and nature of the individu-
al.
lie was not without social qualities in the
earlier stages of his military career. and
even after his elevation to the first posts
OF the army, could occasionally soften the ma
tural sternness and solemnity of his manner.
into an affable & communicative ease. which
rendered his conversation somewhat attrac-
tive. Heotten INDUCED himself, when 1st con-
sui, attef the public repast of the ThuilIe-
RES, IN copious narratives concerning his cam
paigns IN Egypt, about which he was ex-
tremely fond of talking. But on his acces-
sion to the imperial dignity, these g1immer-
lngs OF the spirit of gentleness and courtesy
were seen no more, and the innate DISPOSE
ton OF the man were displayed without dis
curse or coEtroul. Since that period he has
been, at the Thuilleries, almost uniformity
austere, gloomy, and uspicious-makine ali
those who belong to his household, the vic
TINS OF the most tyrannical caprice and of
the most impetuous gust of passion. | have
1t from good authority, that for two or three
days subsequent to the murder of the Duke
DEnghein, he rescmbled rather famished
Tiger than the monarch of civilized nation.
scarcely an individual dared approach him.
except his chief fayorite gen. Savary. whom
he has made minister ofpolice, and whose an
polntment to that Office has occasioned the
Parisians to remark, that they have now a
superintendent who mends his pen with his |
sword.-When the execution Of D'Fuphein |
was announced in the Thuilleries, every in |
habitant OF that place wore countenance of
terror and dismay, and this circumstance
contributed to exasperate the rage, and to
darken the gloom of their irritable tyrant.
Doubtless he thought he read in the aspect
OF those about him, the same language Of re-
proach which conscience uttered within his |
own breast"
AucUsr 26
# seems TO be clear, that for some time 70
come, nothing will be attempted by the French |
against Our army in poifuTo1 Me-, - \