The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-02-08
attempted Suicide Of Buondpdrte an 1914,
al Fontainbleau.

In the new work published at Paris by
NJ. NJ Arnaut, Jay, and Jouy, on contcm-
poraneous biography, the life of Napoleon
Bnonaparte Is given. Several original an
ecdotes are comprised in this narrative, a
m0ngst which perhaps the most int r"st-
Ing is the account of his attempted suicldc
at Fontainbledu, on his abdIcallon IN 1914.
Hitherto this fact has been doubted, but it
now seems to be- fully established. The
circumstances are related, We are informed,
On the authority of an eye witness. As
CaulaincOnrt Was the ouly party prlyy 10
them, we suppose the authors of the con
temporaneous biography have obtained the
particulars from him -
On the 18th April, 1914, Napoleon
spent the evening with the Duke of Vi
cenza, aud withdrew at eleven O'Clock.
The palace of Fontainbl eau was buried in
the most profound silence perhaps no
one was actually sleeping, bat yet this i'm
nense edlice appeared 10 be resigned to
that state at rtpose which generally follows
great agItatious. Within, there WAS not the
slightest noise without, only that of the
French spntnrls, who were guarding the
captive of Europe. In the distance, Moth
ing could be heard hut the repeated aud
irregular hu2zing of the qua rire Of the
foreign troops, whose monotonOus chal
lenges in the several dialects of Europe g.
Asia, ran unintcrruptedly through the
French camp. In the midst of this awful
silence, in that palace which had been at
one time disturbed by the ssngulnary ven
geance of northern Queen, g. frequently
d tl., f..tn Of n. pf
late sovereign at one o'clock
in the morning seat for the Duke vi Flcen
IA.
" When this Minister entered. Napoleon
threw an empty cup on the table. The
Emperor told him Ia take with him into
the Cabinet the portfolio, which contained
the portrait and letters of the Empress
Take care of them sai5 Napoleon To him
He then inloimed HIM the rest OF hIs"ish.
es, and presented him with his portrait on
d cameo.-Whlle he was yet speaking he
was seized suddenly in manner which
harmed the Duke of Vicenza d'maess
came over his eyes, which seemed to threa
ten the termination of an agony az dreadful
10 the sufferer AS il was frlghttui to the wit
ness. He presently brca,Ie 50 drowsy as
s II ne Nbulu UthtT * tIii W dhf- h'''' ~ N'
h. fell into a cold sweat, and was seized
with violent couvulsions and somillnSs,
that all his limbs trrmhlcd. He kept fast
hold of the Duke Vicenzt. in order that he
might DOT get away, teiIiog him that 1t he
was his friend be would not prevent the
/ termination of his existence, and that ne
! did not desire tn have any other ~ltnrss OF
! his sutirrings.--Itls struggle between
/ life and death lasted for three quarters ot
! an hour, when the vomitings having ceas
ed, Napoleon exciaimed--' It's OF no USE
death will not relieve me- He then allow
ed the Duke to cali valet, whom he seni
for a surgeon. NJ. WAN came, and Napo
leon insisted, With earnestness, nay, even
With authority, that he SHOULD give him "a
dose of poison. Thunderstorm at ms
strange request, NJ. WAN fled prrcipila'eiy'
Jumped On his horse, and quilted t"ntaIn
i beau. The Duke of Vicenza sent for Der
trand, the Grand Marshal, and Count 4u