Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-22
REMAINS OF NAPOLEON.

The Paris Messenger has a long detail of pro-
ceedngs connected with the eyhumation Of the
remains of Napoleon, furnished by correspon-
dent, from which the following is an extract -
The works commenced at midnight, and continued
without relaxation upwards Of nine hours At half
past nine in the morning the earth removed from the
vault, all the horizontal strata Of masonry demolish-
3D. and the large slab which covered the internal sar-
cuphagus detached, and raised by means of crane.
The sarcophagns in lagstones perfect and could
scarcely be said to be damp. As soon as the Able
Coqnereau had rectcd the first prayers, the coffin was
removed with the gratest care and carried by the
gneer soldiers bareheaded into tent, which had been
prepared for its reception near the tomb.
II is difficult 10 describe with what anxiety, with
what emotions, those who were present waited for the
moment that was TO expose to them all that death had
left Napoleon Notwithstanding the singular state OF
preservation of the tomb and collins could scarce
ly hope to find anything but some msshapen remains
Of the least perishab parts of the costume 10 evidence
the IDENTITY. But when, by the hand of DR.. Gmlard,
the satin sheet raised, indescrbabe feeling of
surprise and affection expressed by the spectators,
most of whom burst into tears. The Emperor HIM
self was before their eyes The features of his face,
though changed were perfectly cognlzed-lheha hands
perfectly heauiul-his well known costume had sui-
fered but little, and the colors easily distinguished
the cpaulcts, the decorations, and the hat, seemed
to be entirely preserved fiom decayhe attitude itself
full of ease and but for the fragments of the satin
llning which covered as with fine gauze, several
parts of the uniform, might have believed we saw
before us Napoleon still extended on bed of state.
General Bertraui and VI. Marchand, who were pres
en AT the nlemeut, quickly pointed out the different
articles which each had deposited in the coffin and
in the precise post ion which they had previously
desert ed 1t was remarked that the left hand,
which General Bertrand had taken 10 kiss for the last
time, before the coffin closed up still remained
slightly raised Between the legs near the hat, were
the two which contained the heart and entrails
The two inner collins were carefully closed again
the old lealen coffin was strongly blocked up with
wedges of wood and 9th once moro soldered up
with the most minute prccaution under the direction
VI. Gmard. These different operations being termi-
mated, theebony surcophagus was closed well as
the oak case. On delivering the key Of the ebony
surcophagus TO Count de Chabot, the kings commits
ioncr, Captain Alexander declared TO him, in the
name of the Governor that this coffin, containing the
mortal remains oflhc Emperor Napoleon con
sidered at the disposal of the French Government,
from that day and from the moment it should arrive
ut the place Of embarkation TO which it about to
be sent under the order Of General Middlcmore. The
kings commissioner replied that he was charged by
his government, and in lis name 10 accept the coffin
from the hands Of the British Authorities and that he
and the other persons composing the French mission
were ready 10 follow it 10 James Town, where the
Prince de Jonyie, superior commandnn of the expe-
dllon would be ready 10 receive t and conduct it on
board his friga,c.