Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-02-02
EXPLANATION OF THE REMAINS OF NAPO.
LEON


The particulars of the exhumation Of the remains Of
Napoleon at St Helena, and the removal Of the body,
by the order Of the French government, the frgae
Belle Poule published length, aud officially, in
the Paris journals. They consist Of the reports of
Count Rohon Chabei and Capt Alexander. the French
and English commissioners appointed to supcincnd
the exhumation. of Prince de Joinve, who received
the body board the Belle Poule, and Dr.. GuillarJ,
surgeon major of the friga,e. We select the more
eral parts of the journals reports and give them to
readers the details of one of the most striking
events of the day, that will be read with profound in
erest.
The n Y. Sun thus up the results OF the
port OF the commissioners
at is difficult 10 describe with what anxiety, with
what emotions, those who present waited for the
moment that TO expose TO them all that death had
left of Napoleon Notwithstanding the singular state
OF preservation OF the tomb and collins, we could
scarcely hope TO find any thing but mlsshapen
mains OF the least perishabo parts OF the costume TO
evidence the identity But when, by the Inland OF Dr.
Gulard, the satin sheet raised, an Undesirable
feeling OF surprise and affection expressed by the
spectators, most of whom burst into tears. The LIN
peror himself was before their eyes The features Of
his face, though changed perfectly recognised
the hands perfectly beautitul-hs well known costume
had suffered but little, and the colors were easily dis
tnguishedhe epauets the decorations, and the hat,
seemed TO be entirely preserved from dccay-iho nl-
tude itself was full of ease, and but for the fragments
ofthe satin lining which covered as with fine gau2e
several parts of the uniform, might have believed
we before Napoleon still extended on a bed Of
state General Bertrand and NJ. Marchand, who were
present at the nterment, quickly pointed out the diff
feren articles which each had deposited in the coffin,
and in the precise position which they had previously
described 1t remarked that the left hand
which General Bertrand had taken to kiss for the last
time before the coffin was closed up, still remained
slightly raised"
One ofhe most interesting of the documents, is the
process verbal of opening the collins, drawn up by
DR.. Guard. This report, after relating the precau'
tons mentioned above which were taken In opening
the lids of the several collins, contains follows
"Something white, which appeared to have become
detached from the lining, covered as with thin eauze
, all that the coffin contained The Uranium and tore
head, which adhered strongly to the satin, were par
TALLY stained with it, but very little was seen on the
hands, or on the toes. The body of the Emperor was
In an easy position, as when it placed in the coffin
the upper members laid at length, the LETT arm
and hand resting the left thigh and the lower limbs
slightly bent The head little raised, rested or
! a cushion. The volumnous skull the high and broad
forehead; presented themselves covered with hard ant
yellow teguments closely adherng to them. Such ap
peared also the of the orbits the upper edges
which furnished with the eyebrows. Under tn
eyelds stto be distinguished the occuar globes
which had lost very little Of their volume or form m
eyeleds completely closed, adhered 10 the suba
cent parts, and hard under the pressure OF the I'm
ger Some evelashes to be seen on their edges
The bones of the nose and the teguments which GOV
cred them, well preserved, the tucs and nosiril
I, alone had suffered The cheeks full The tie
gumenIs of this part of the face were remarkable 10
y, Those of the chin slightly blue, tint they ha
. borrowed from the beard which had grown after deat
The chin itself had undergone change and still pre-
>, served the peculiar type Of the face Of Napoleon.
y "The thin lips were parted, and three ofthe incusv
- teeth very white, appeared under the upper lip whc
~ was a litlle raised towards the left The hand, wcr
. perfect not having undergone the least change.
- though the Joints stiff, the skin preserved that pc
= culiar color which is only be found in the lyn
" man. The nails Of the fingers were long and adht
rent, and very white. The eg' were m boots b'
~ the consequent opening Of the sams the last four toe
= a dead white, and furnished with nails, The aneric
. region of the thorax was mitch depressed IN the m'
,, die and the sides OF the belly hard aud sunk. All ii
~ members covered by the clothing appeared 10 ha'
=, preserved their shapes pressed the left arg, whiC
"A found to be hard and diminished IN thickness, 4
to the clothes, they appeared with their coors 50 III
, the uniform OF the horse chasseurs OF the old guard WI
to be recognized by the dark green OF the coat and
~ bright red lacings. The grand Gordon OF the legion
-, honor the wastcoat, and the white hreec
were partly covered by the hat, which was placed
49, the thighs. The epauletcs the star aud other decor
r lions attached the breast had lost their brl!ianc
and turned black. The gold crown OF the cross Of
n, officer Of Legion Of Honor had alone preserved
polish. Vases Of silver appeared between the le1
r., one surmOunted by eagle, which rose above Il
" knees they found entire, and closed. As the
were adhcsons between these vases and the paris ~
, touched uncovered them little, the King commit
sioncr not thinking it right that they should De remOy
10 for the purpose Of a closer examination.
o. Arful Tragedy-- SUICIDE ola HusLdHa and We.