Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-08-25
THE THREE ISLANDS OF .NAPO-
LEON


In glancing over chronological state
| ment OF singular incidents, that marked
| the meteoric career of "the child OF de-
stIny," we notice that three of the most
critical epoehs of his life, we're passed on
three unlmportant islands, that have con
sequentIy become celebrated as the
J scenes of his birth in1769. his exile in
1914, and his death in 1921. These Is
lands are named Corsica, Elba and St.
! Helena.
We give brief sketch of their geo
graphical position, &C., for the enter tain
ment of our youthful readers.
CoRsIcA-has gained its modern cele-
brity by being the natal Island of Napo-
leon Bonaparte, who was born at A jac-
clio, on the 18th August, 1869; it is sit
uated about so miles north from Tusca
ny, and is the third Italian gem that a.
dorns the sea north Of Sardinia. It is of
mountainous aspect, intersperced wi it'll
verdant and undulating valleys, suscepti-
Eble of rich agricultural improvement. In
ancient times it was possessed by the
Carthasinians, Romans, Goths and Sar-
acens. and mere. recently by the Franks,
/ the Pope, Plsanese, Genoese. and
French; in the year 1864 it was ruled
by the English, who shortly after restor-
ed it torrance. The Corsicans exhibit
those varied. traits of character that gem
orally mark people whose rulers have
been often changed without comforting
many benefits on the governed. Corsica
contains at present, nearly 100000 in
habitants.
ELBA.--This is a lovely little island in
the Mediterranean, situated near the
coast of Tuscany, and is owned by the
,Eascan government. 1t contains many
! mines and quarries Of. rare autisvaluable
minerals. &c, among them are the load
stone, silver. iron and marble. The Is
land is blessed with a mild and delight
tul climate, and the gorgeous splendor Of
the autulhnal sunset, enraptures the
travellers, who lorgets the lowly earth,
while gazing on The rainbow hues of EIea-
ven. Elba is the IWa of the anccnts.
and here Napoleon passed the days of his
brief exile after abdicating the throne OF
France in 1914 He escaped from EIba
| with slight retinue. and sailed for
France on the 26th February, 1915.
ST. HELENA.-This is a small foeky
and almost barren Island, in the Allan
tic ocean, situated On the coast Of Sauth-
ern Africa; it is less that'Fl miles long.
& 7 broad, and now belongs to England.
1t is named after the pious Queen, ST..
Helena, the mother of Constantine the
Great. After the disastrous conflict at
Watarloo, Bonaparte surrendered him
self to the British government. and was
sent as prisoner TO the sea grit rock, in
November, 1915. After years of capt.
witty, he died, and w; 5 buried near his re-
sidence, at Longwood, May 9Th. 1921
The sW ord he were on the field of .2uster-
li!z. was placed upon his bosom in the
tomb.
On the 9Th July, 1910. Louis Phillip
pi after obtaining permission from Eng
land, sent the French frigate Belle Poule,
commanded by his favorte son, the
Prince de,Joinville. and had the honored
remains Of Napoleon conveyed from St.
Helena. On the SOth November, they
reached CherboGrg. and 90 tie 18Th De-
cember $40. all that was mortal of the
hero OF a hundred battles. was deposited
*ith civic AID military honors in ;he Hos
pltal tie inva!itls, in Paris.
" Haltered, to rest awhile, there he'll remain.
When the last trumpet sounds he'll rise and
march again.