The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-09-12
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From SCOTS Life Of Napoleon.
CHARACTER OF BONAPARTE.


Arrived at the conclusion of this momen-
tuous narrative, the reader may be dispos-
ell to pause moment to reflect on the
character of that wonderful person, on
whom fortune showered so many favors in
the beginning and through the middle of
his career, to oyerwhelm its close with such
deep and unWonted afliiction.
The external appearance of Napoleon
was not imposing at the first glance, his
stature being only five feet six inches, Eng
lish. His person, thin in youth, and some
what corpulent in age, was rather delicate
than robust in outward appearance, but cast
/ in the mould most capable of enduring pri-
vatien and fatigue. He rode ungracefully,
and without the command of his horse
which distinguishes perfect cavalier; so
that he showed to disadvantage when rid
ing beside such horseman as Murat.
But he was fearless, sat firm in his seat,
rode with rapidity, and was capable of en-
during the exercise for a longer time than
most mon. We have already mentioned
| his Indifference to the. quality of his food,
and his power of enduring abstinence. A
morsel of food, and flask of wine hung
at his saddle bow, used in his earlier cam
paigns, to support him for days. In his lat
/ ter wars, he used carriage more frequent
! ly; not as has been surmised, from any
particular illness, but from feeling in a frame
so constantly in exercise, the premature eff
! fects of age.
The countenance of Napoleon is fanil-
lar to almost every one from description,
and portraits which are found every where.
The dark-hrown hair bore little marks of
the attention of the toilette. The shape of
/ the countenance approached more than is
4 usual in the human race to a square. His
/ eyes were grey, and full of expression, the
pupil rather large, and the eyebrows not
very strongly marked. The brow, and up
per part of the countenance was rather of
a stern character. His nose and mouth
were beautifully formed. The upper lip
was very short. The teeth were indiffer-
ent, but were little shown in speaking.%
His smile possessed uncommon sweetness,
and is stated to have been irresistible.
The complexion was q clear olive, other
wise in general colourless. The prevail
] ing character of his countenance was grave,
even to melancholy, but without any signs
of severity or violence. After death, the
4 placidity and dignity of expression which
continued to occupy the features, rendered
them eminently beautiful, and the admira
ton of all who looked on them.
/ Such was Napoleon's exterior. His per-
sonal and private character were perfectly
amiable, excepting in one particular. His
temper, when he received or thought he
received provocation, especially if of a
personal character, was warm and vndic-
tive. He was however, placable in the
case even of his enemies, providing that
they submitted to his march; but he had
not that species of generosity which res
{ re 70 riff Of nd ta1r
ponent. On the other hand, no one was a
more liberal rewarder of the attachment
of his friends. He was an excellent hus-
band, kind relation, and, unless when
state policy interviewed, most affection
ate brother. Gen. Gourgaud, whose COM
munications were not in every case to Ma
poleon's advantage, states him to have been
the best of masters, laboring to assist all
his domestics wherever it lay in his power,
giving them the highest credit for such tai
ents as they actually possessed, and imput-
ing in some instances, good qualities to
such as had them not.
There was gentleness, and even SENSIBLE
ity, in his character. lie was affected
I when he rode over the fields of battle,
/. which his ambition had streWed with The
dead and the dying, and seemed not only
DESTROYS to relieve the victims, issuing FOX
that purpose directions which too often
were not, and could not be obeyed, hut sub
lect to the influence of that more acute
and imaginative species Of sensibillty. he
mentions a circumstance which indicates a
deep sense of feeling. As he passed over
: field of battle in Italy, he saw house
! less dog lying on the body of his slain mas
ter. The creature came towards them,
) then returned to'the dead body, moaned
over it pitifully, and seemed to ask their as
sistance.-' Whether it were the feeling of
the moment continued Napoleon, the
scene, the hour, or the circumstance itself,
: was never so deeply affected by any
+, thing which have seen upon field OF bat
J, tie. That man, l thought, has perhaps had
t a house, friends, comrades, and here he lies
r deserted by every one but his dog. How
t mysterious are the impressions to which
: we are subject. was in the habit, with
: out emotion, Of ordering battles which
:. must decide the fate of u campaign, and
# could look with dry eye on the eXecu-
It ton of maneuvres which must be attended
@ with much loss, and here ! was, moved nay
i painfully affected, by the cries and the gricl
4, of dog. 1t is certain that at that mo-
IF ment | would have been more accessible
70 *When at St. Helena, he was much troubled
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