Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-09-07
4ssGEsS xsEs Ell AEX.
EXTRACT FROM SIR WALTER ScoTT's LIFE OF
NAPOLEON.

The external appearance of Napoleon was i'm
posing at the first glance, his statue being only five
feet six inches English. His person, thin in youth,
and somewhat corpuent in age was rather delicate
than robust in outward appearance, but cast in the
mould most capable of enduring privaions and IA
tigue. He rode ungracefuly, and without the COM
mand of his horse which distinguishes a perfect
cavalier so that he showed to disadvantage when
riding beside such horscman as Murat. But he was
fearless. sat firm in his seat, rode with rapidy and
was capable of enduring the exercise for long
or time than most men. We have already mention
cd his indifference to the quality of his food, ami
his power OF enduring abstinence. morse of food,
and flask of wine hung at his saddles bow, used,
in his earlier campaigns to support him for days.
In his latter wars, he used carriage frequent
ly not as has been surmised, from any particular
illness, but from feeling, in frame constantly in
exercise, the premature effects OF age
The countenance of Napoleon is familiar 10 al
most every one, from description, and the portraits
which are found every where. The dark-brown
hair bore little marks othe attention ofthe toilette.
The shape of the counienance approached more
than is usual in the human race to square. His
eyes were grey, and full of expression, the pupils
rather large, and the eyebrows not very strongly
marked. The brow, and the upper part of the
countenance. was rather of stern character.
His nose and mouth were beautifully formed. The
upper lip was very short. The teeth were ndif-
ierent, but were little shown IN speaking His
smile possessed uncommon sweetness, and is said to
have been irresistible. The complexion was clear
olive, otherwise, in general colourless. The pre-
vailing character of his countenance was grave
evcnto melancholy but without any signs of sever
ty or violence. After death, the placdity and dig
nifty of expression which continued to occupy the
features, rendered them er,ineny beautiful and the
admiration of all who looked on him.
| Such was Napoeon's exterior His personal and
private character was decidedly amiabe. exec tirg
in one particular. His temper. when he received,
ar thought he received. provocation. especially If
OF personal character. was warm and vlndictivc.
He was, however. placable in this case even to his
enemies. provided they submitte, TO his mercy but
he had not that species of generosity which respects
the sincerity of manly and fair opponent. On the
other hand. a more liberal rewarder Of
\ the attachment Of his friends. He excellent
husband. kind relation. and. unless when State
policy interviewed. most affrctionate. brother
General Gourgauh. whose communications were not
in every case, to Napoleons advantage. states him
to have been the best of masters. aboring to assis
all his domestics wherever i'lay in his power. civ
ing them the highest credit for such talents as the'
actually possessed. and mpntIng in some instances
good qualities to such as had them not
There was gentleness, and even sensibllity, in hi
character. He was affected when he rode over tn
fields of battle, which his ambition had strewed witt
the dead and the dying, and seemed not only dcsi
rious to relieve the victims, issuing, for that pur
pose, directions which too often were not, and conl
not he obeyed but subject to the influence Of tina
more accute and Imaginative species of sympath
!, which is termed sensbty. He mentions circum
!. stance which indicates deep sense of feeling. A
), he passed field of battle in Italy, he saw
, houseless dog lying on the body of his slain master
4 The creature came towards them, then returned t
the dead body, moaned over it pitifullv, and seen
!, ed to ask their assistance. " Whether ii were tn
: feeling of the moment continued Napoleon. g tn
! scene, the hour, or the circumstance itself, wa
=. never so deeply affected by any thing which hav
i seen upon a field of battle. That man, though
"a has perhaps had house, friends, comrades, an
n here he lies, deserted by every but his dog
How mysterious are the impressions to which W
are subject. | was in the habit without emotion,
ordering battles which must decide the fate OF
campaign, and could look with dry eve on the e,
= ecution OF manGuvres which must be attended wit
much loss, and here moved--nay, painful
afected--by the cries and the grief of a dog. 1t
3 certain that, at that moment, would have bee
"A more accessible to suppant enemy, and cou
m better understand the conduct of Achilles in resto
ing the body of Hector to the tears of Pram." I'll
# anecdote at once shows that Napoleon possessed
Mt heart amenable to humane feelings, and that the
nj were usually in total subsection to the stern precep
~ of military stoicsm. 1t was his common and e
no pressive phrase, that the heart of politician shon
be in his head, but his feelings sometimes surprise
40 him in gentler mood.
ito Considering his natural disposition. then. it M:
e- be assumed that if Napoleon had continued in Il
il vale of private life, and no strong temptation
e- passion or revenge crossed his path, he must ha
been generally regarded as one whose frendsh
90 was every way desirable, and whose enmity it W
,et not safe to incur.
he But the opportunity afforded by the times. al
w. the elasticity of his great talents, both militia
"a. -