Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-06-09
MISCELLANEOUS.

Napoieon's opinion of the Poles
The late Emperor Of the French was
ab acute observer of mankind; and
perhaps no one possessed better oppor.
tunitics of forming correct opinion Of
the Poles. In O'MEARA's work, ".3
Voice from 81. Helena" vol. I, p.I23,
we fiud the following tribute from Ma
poleon to their military characters:
81 made a few remarks upon the
Poles who had served in his army. who
i observed were greatly attached to
his person. "Ah." replied the Empe-
ror, they ,cere attached to me-Most
Of my old Polish Guard are now EN-.
ployed through policy by Alexander.
They are n brave nation, and make
good soldiers. In the cold which pre-
walls in the Northern countries, the
Pole is better than the Freedman
The Commandant o. Dantzic informed
me, that during the severity Of the
winter, when the thermometer sunk
18 deg, it was impossible to make the
French soldiers keep their posts as
sentinels, while the Poles suffered no.
thing" " Poniaiowsky," continued
he, "was a noble character, full of ho-
nor and bravery-it was my intention
to have made him King Of Poland, had
j succeeded in Russia"
In the memoirs Of Napoleon recent
Iy published from the pen Of Fauvelet
de Bourienne, formerly private Seere-
tary to the Emperor, il is stated, that,
during the campaign Of Egypt, Bona
parte, when accommodating, was saved
from death only by the hcroism Of
fayorite aid.de-eamp, SuIkowski, a
Pole. who, perceiying Turkish sol
dier aiming from an entertainment at
his General. threw himself in front and
receiving the ball in his bosom, fell
dead.
Napoleon was affected by the rccol-
lection Of this event till the last mo
incnt Of his life. In the midst Of his
straDgest change Of fortune he would
frequently heave a sigh to the memory
OF Sulkowski.
The other circumstance, perhaps
still more affecting. is this. Bona
parte. when first Consul. promised u
commission IN the army 10 young
gentleman Of tho name Of NiacZcncZki.
SON OF the Polish General Of that
name, who fell beneath the guillotine
during the reign OF terror. IL was
promised him tn DC sent az the expira-
ton Of six months, the time requisite
for him to complete his studies and
pass the necessary examination. Sc
rem months elapsed. and from some
delay on the part of the War Minis.
ter, thr commission was not forward
ed. MiacZencZki wrote 20 Napoleon
20 this effect: "My father was man
Of honor; he lived a. such. and though
bc died on the scafiiold, he died as such;
will do so, though die by suicide
You have deceived nc"
The unhappy man blew out his brains,
and that at the very time an express
was conveying hiss commission TO him.
Bonaparte manifested great sorrow
at hearing of the event, and exclaimed.
"ah, these Poles. they are the very
soul OF honour; DE rrai esprit d'hon-
nt"r My friend Solkowski would
have done the same" Tie never Tor.
gave Marshal Clarke, the Minister Of
War Telegraph.
wednesday the 22d dag of Febrna.
~, 1889, will complete one hundred
years since GEORGE WAsnixoTo~ vas
born. A writer in the Boston Cent.
mel suggests, that tho religious services
OF the Sunday previous, Feb. 10, ''be
devoted throughout our whole country.
TO arcview Of the Life and Character
Of Washington. III connection with the
wonderful display Of Gods Providence
towards this country"
To square the circle. il a thing Of
nothing. when compared with tie dif.
hcu'ty OF "sqgaEiug accounts"