Southern telegraph., 1837-10-17
NAPOLEON'S TOMB.


spent all, save the dawning of a long
day of hard service, far from the din Of
European strife, uEder the scorchng sun of
the east Even amidst the forests of Ne
paul the name of Blnaparte sounded like a
spell. While his ambition was condemned
his genius was admired his mis(1riunes de-
plored. | have often wished to encounter
him face TO face. The closest approach.
however, that fortune enabled me to mike
to him,was pilgrimage to his tomb. When
at ~. Helena, started one morning with
a small party of brother officers, to survey
the spot where the remains Of the worlds
agitator arc deposited. The pecuiartes of
The loo lton have bccen laid before the
public SD often and so amply, on canvass
and on paper, that further description was
needless. The character of the scene is
profound and awful loneliness, dell grit in
huge naked hills, not an object of Vegetable
life to relieve the general aspect of deserted
ness, except the few weeping willows which
droop over the grave. The feeling of soil
lude is heightened by an echo that responds
on the least elevation Of the voice. With
what singular emotions took my stand up
on the slab which now sheltered the dust of
him for whom the crowns, thrones and scep-
tres he wrung from their possessOrs would
of themselves have furnished materials for
a monument! There the restes was at
rest! There the Emperor of the French,
King Of Italy, Protector Of the Confedera-
ton of the Rhine, and Grand Master Of the
Legion of Honor, reposed with almost as
little scpulcheral pomp as the humble ten
ant of country churchyard.
Withdrew my foot, removed with my
handkerchief the traces it had left on the
stone, and gave tear to the fate of the
exile. !, also, was a soldier of fortune.
Ourpariy quilted the place with detected
faces, and scarcely word was spoken
all we relched oIr quarters.
Ga the following morning n French fri
rate arrived from the Isle of Bourbon, hav-
inr on board a regiment Of artillery. The
officers solicited and Obtained permission to
pay a tribute OF respect to the ashes OF their
old leader. accompanied them TO the
ground, and rarely have | been witness to
enthusiasm like theirs. Ga the way not an
eye was dry, and some who had served i'm
mcdiately un Ter the Emperor wept aloud.
Ashley drew near TO the spot their steps
became hurried and irregular, but the mo-
moni they saw the tomb, they formed two
deep and advanced with uncovered heads
folded arms, and slow and pensive pace
When within five or six yards OF their dcstl'
nation, they broke of into single files, and
surrounding the grave nj uniform intervals
knelt silently down. The commander o
the lrgltc, and all the others in succession
according to their rank, then kissed the slab
When they arose every lip was tixod-cve
ry bosom fall. In fow days the officers o
both countries met together at SnimlnS
table and after dinner the first taost was
"rho King OF EugIand: three times three J!
lreally thought the ship, hip,hnrrah!' OF on
sHncient enemies would never have an end
An Eenslish gentleman returned th2nks
mud proposed-"'Hhe mcmorv of that grca
warrior, Napoleon Bonapar!" The pledg
went suIcmlly round, each wearing. IL
honor of the mighty dead, sprig OF HI
guardian willow. The evening was spcn
in concord, and the sincerity of friendship
presided over our Dartnr