The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-28
From the London Literary GaSeite.
BONAPARTE'S GRAVE.
From the journal of a Gentleman just returned
from India.

From the journal of a Gentleman just returned
from India.
Our touching at St. Helena would have
been an incident devoid Of interest to me,
had it not been for the opportunity of view
ing the tomb of him whose devastating arms
spread terror over the face of Europe. ST..
Helena appeared to me to be frightful ISL
and in itself-a rock of desolation--an en-
blem for the seat of exile-an insulated
prison--a scene, of all others, the most like
! ly to break the heart of one banished to its
abrupt and rugged strand. 1t cost me a
world of trouble and fatigue (Which but FOR
the object | had in view would have been i'll
repaid) to mount up the steep. serpentinc
windings and constant twistings and turn
ings, which relieve the traveller to a certain
degree in the almost perpendicular ascent.
On my way passed by the country house
called the Briars, which was the first habi-
tation of Napoleon on his arrival in the ISL
and. 1t is very sweet spot, when contrast
ed with the surrounding horrors of the place,
and owes much of its attraction to water
fall, which invites to musing and medita-
ton; but the haunts of the living were not
the objects OF my expedition; and at length
gained the tomb.
|
this mansion of the dead, will be wholly dis
appointed; not trophy, not wreath, no
broken trumpet nor fallen spear, no glave
nor helmet;-a plain slab, formed of three
Portland stones, taken for the purpose from
the Fireplace of the ex-emperor's kitchen in
hisnew house, is thelonly covering on his grave:
on this not line, either descriptive or COM
memorativc, is written; no name, no date, as
if he had gone
"And like the baseless fabric of visien,
Left not a wreck behind"
Around the secluded spot, the romantic
aud picturesque prevail IN high degree
1t is situated in green valley, well planted
with outrageous trees and beautiful shrubs
Five willows droop over the blank tablet
and waving in the breeze, throw alternate
light and shade on this unlettered monu.
ment, rusting, at the same time, in sort O.
mournful cadence. On the left side of the
grave are peach trees. which bear fruit; ant
spring, as bright as crystal, glides on th'
outside of the railing which is about the
tomb, and itself encompassed by hedge o
geraniums. A sergeant and private arr
placed here on guard, and have orders t'
prevent people from gathering leaves, ans
cutting pieces of the willow trees. had in
tended to write line, by way of epitaph
: with my pencil, on the stone; but the thins
was impossible. NV attempt was resisted
and / had some difficulty in obtaining
small piece of one of the trees, but was free
. ly allowed to gather some of the peaches
, and the geranium, the hue of which remind
ed me of the riband of the Legion of Homo
, founded BY the deceased, and elevated b,
. the blood of so many a battlefield. nov
prepared to depart, when an inciden
, of some interest arrested my steps tor a
: while.
A young and pretty French lady approach
ed, and was soon leaning in pensive atti
tude over the railing before described, will
+ aer eyes in tears, bent on the grave which
| it enclosed. She was one of party OF ma
t tives of France who had landed from sh'I
in the bay, to visit this memorable sepulchr'
Her companions speedily arrived aud atte
look or two persuaded her to quit the spo
/ to which she seemed almost immovably at
. tached. The only male in the party evinc
ed that trivial disregard which signalizes th'
5 character of his countrymen. lie Shrugged
S up his shoulders, and as they tell again, ut
4 tered something illustrative OF the shortnes
and uncertainty of human glory. Inc youns
lady remained without speaking all the tim!
T. and in few minutes lost sight OF her.
now regained my ship and made sail to-
England; but the barren rock, lone grave
!. and weeping girl, have ever since been II
my thoughts.