The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-10-05
MtseeIlanp.
From the Loajon Literary Gazette.
BONAPARTE'S GRAVE.

I a
ed from India.
Our touching at 81. Helena would have
been an incident devoid Of interest 10 me,
had il 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 10 be in itself
| frightful island--a rock Of desoation-a an
emblem for the seat Of exile-an insulated
prison--a scene of all others the most like
| ly 10 break the heart Of one banished to its
abrupt and rugged strand. II cost me a
world Of trouble and fatigue which but 70.
the object had in view would have been
i'll repaid) to mount up the steep, serpen-
tine windings and constant twistings and
turnings, which relieve the traveller to
certain decree in the almost perpendicular
ascent. On my way 4 passed by the coun-
try house called the Briars, which was the
first habitation of Napoleon on his arrival
in the Island. II very sweet spot, when
contrasted with the surrounding horrors Of
the place, and owes much of its attraction
to waterfall, which invites to muslng and
meditation; but the haunts of the living
were not the objects of my expedition; and
at length gained the tomb.
lie who looks for the lofty or sublime in
this mansion of the dead, will be wholly
disappointed not trophy, not wreath,
no broken trumpet or fallen spear, no glaive
nor helmet: plain slab, formed of three
Portland flag stones, taken for the purpose
from the fire place Of the ex-emperor's
kitchen in his new house, ls the only cover
ing on his grave on this not line, either
descriptive or commemorative ~ written (;
no name, no date, as ifhe had gone
"And like the baseless fabric Of vision
| Left not a wreck behind
Around the secluded spot, the romantic
and picturesque prevail in high degree.
II is situated in green valley, we'll plant
ed with outrageous trees and beautiful
shrubs Five willows drooB over the blauk
tablet, and waving in the breeze, throw al
tcrnate hight and shade on this uhlettered
monnuent. rustlina, at the Same time, IN
sort Of rpournful cadence. On the len side
e lie grave are peach trees, which bear
S-T1f Nd q sPrinFs as bright as crystal,
r.iIiss.r .rr .ts cE.s-@e Of the railing which
y Ihaur 1is <-r-r!.- az Itself accompanied
iy litatlra VI TsrsslI---L A sergeant and
a lr,wtf l.v. lin..,t aers c1 gHsEd, and
IIvn ugtela g lrsusur lseptis Sro1z gather
np HaveS. anu rIr.aI;r liensE o. ta~ gslgog
ttres y iiau intt.iiis;; ~ Wras : lEne, by
,gay. q 'emtnnh. WITH nv J.s,l.il, 20 -1s E.oDe-
bu, tiIe ttnnll wax npUssliis- VIZ attempt
yns resisie,t uud lad Scr.s sI-sl-Tlsy in
obtaining a anall peGe af sne Ct the trees.
INT van i.eeip fildvsG 90 gather sone Of
tic jeaciiss iad 5ie gsrsagIr1, the hue Of
vucii rsu,ndeS nle af tho r.3oaAc Of the
Leyoi af FF5l6r, ss.a9es BY the deceased,
.,ut si.,pasea y tie blood Of 80 ,E.auy g bat
lie sel6. ! Eo,V prepared % depart, when
AZ NC aeEc of scs2s interest arrested my
stsps f3r a Ski,s, a young and pretty
French ls6g approached, and was soon
.eanlsg IN a ysasIge attitude over the rail-
lag Gsfsrs described with her eyes in tears,
ben, IN the grave which il enclosed. She
was one Of a party Of natives Of France.
who had landed from ship in the bay, to
visit tbis memorable sepulchrc. Her com
panous speedily arrived, and after look
or two persuaded her to quit the spot to
which she seemed almost immovably attach.
cd. The pnly male in the party evinced
that trivial disregard which signalizes the
character ofhis countrymen. He shrugged
up hs shoulders, and as they fell again,
uttered something illustrative of tho short
ness and uncertainty ofhuman glory. Then
| (spcaking Of the island) he said, Ma .fot,
c'est ur cndroit erecrobie.-The young la
dy remained without speaking all the time,
und in u few minutes lost sight OF her. !
now rcgained my ship and made sail for
England but the barren. rock, lone grave,
and weeping girl have ever since been in
my thoughts.