The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-08-23
LIFE. oF NAPOLEON.


ing up only the present number of these in
teresting extracts. After his splendid Sc
ries of successes, already detailed and upon
the triumph OF the anti. Bourbon members
of the directory, Buonaparte repaired to Par
is, and his situation and department there,
are thus described by his biographer -
"In the metropolis where all is welcome
that can vary the tedium of ordinary life. the
arrival of anv remarkable persons is spe- |
cies of holiday; but such an eminent charac-
ter as Buonapartc-the conqueror--the sage
the poltician--the undaunted bravcr of
every ditflculty--the inviaclhle victor in ev-
cry battle who had carried the banners of
the Republic from Genoa, till their approach
scared the Pontiff in Rome, and the Empe-
ror in Vienna, was no every day wonder
His youth, too, added to the marvel, and
still more the claim of general superiority
over the society in which he mingled, tho
consisting Of the most distinguished persons
in France, a superiority cloaket itself with
species Of reverse, which inferred, You
may look upon me, but you cannot penetrate
or see through me- Napolcon's general
manner in society, during this part OF his
life, has been described by an observer OF
Grst-ratc power; according to whom ne was
one for whom the admiration which could
not be refused to him, was always mingled
with portion of fear. He WAS different in
his manner from other men, and neither
pleased nor angry, kind nor severe, after the
common fashion of humanity. He appear
ed to live for the execution of his own plans.
and to consider others only in SO far as they
were connected with, and could advance or
oppose them. lie estimated his fellow NOR
tails no otherwise than as they could be use
| full to his views. and, with precision OF in
telligence which seemed intuitivc from its
rapiditv he penetrated the sentiments OF
those whom it was worth his while to study.
| 8uonaparte did not then possess the ordina-
ry tone Of light conversation in society; prob
ably his mind was too much ourthened or
too proud to stoop to adopt that mode OF
pleasing, and there was a Stiffness and re-
serve Of manner which was perhaps adopt
ed for the purpose Of keeping people at dis
tance. His looks had the same character.
When he thought himself closely observed,
he had the power OF discharging from his
countenance all expression, save that OF
vague and indefinite smile, and presenting
to the curious Investigator the fixed eyes and
rigid features ofa bust of marble.
When he talked with the purpose of
pleasing, Buonaparte often told anecdotes OF
his life in very pleasing manner; when 81
lent, he had something dsdaintul IN the ea-
preston of his face; disposed to be
quite at case, he was. in Madam dc Staels
opinion, rather vulgar. his natural tone OF
feeling seemed to be a sense OF internal SUI
perior,ty, and of secret contempt for the
world in which he lived, the men with whom
he acted. and even the very objects which
he pursued. His character and manners
were upon the whole, strongly calculated to
oF
and to excite perpetual interest even from
the very mystery which attached to him, as
we'll MS from the splcndor of his triumphs.
The supreme power was residing III the
Luxembourg ostensiby; but Paris was "a
ware that the means which had raised, and
which must support and extend that power.
were to be found in the humble mansion OF
1.-THE ewlv-christencG Rue des Victories.
Some Of tho features are perhaps rashly
designed, as being drawn recentibus odlis.-
The disagreement between Buonaparte and
Madame de Stac, from whom we have
briefly described them, is we'll known. 1t
originated about this time, when, as first
, rate woman of talent, she was naturally de-
, sirous to attract the notice of the Victor OF
Vctors. They appeared to have misunder-
, stood each ether; for the lady who ought
certainly to know best, has informed US,
"that far from feeling her fear OF buona-
i, parte removed by repeated meetings, II
seemed to increase, and his best exertions to
please, could not overcome her invlnciole
aversion for what she found in his charac-
. ter" His ironical contempt of excellence
! of every kind, operated like the sword IN ro-
nance, which froze while it wounded Buo-
paparte seems never to have suspected the
secret and mysterious terror with which he
impressed the ingenious author of Corinnc
on the contrary, Las Cases tells US that sht
$ combined all her efforts, and all her means
to make an impression on the general. She
, wrote him when distant, and as the Count
ungallantly expresses it, tormented hH
when present. In truth, to use an establish
ed French phrase, they stood in false po
stion with respect to each other.
Madame de Stael might be pardoned fo
a thinking it would be difficult to resist he
wit and her talent, when exerted with thu
n purpose of pleasing; but Buonaparte wa
disposed to repcl. rather than encourage th
L advances of one whose views was SO shrewl
and her observation so keen, while her Sc,
: permitted her TO push her inquiries farthe
than one man might have dared to do in con
j, versing with another. She certainly did de
sire to look into him with considerate eyes,
and on one occasion put his abilities to tn
preof, by asking him rather abruptly, in tn
r middle Of brilliant party at Talleyrand's
Whom he esteemed the greatest woman i