Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-07-11
NAPOLEON In 1912,

Oeeus heretofore indebted tor, entertain
ment OF no common order. "The min
0test circumstance connected with tn
man whose deeds have eclipsed all pas
fame aud rendered all future doubtful,' i
now become Historical The writer O
this sketch happened 10 be in Paris du
ring the spring Il 1912, when, although
neAbtiatinns were going on between
Kourakin and the Minister OF Foreigl
Affairs, every one tRat var witl
Russia had been declar 4 in the mind o
Napoleon. Day after day, large bodle.
ef'roops, Of every arm, arrived and d
parted toward The narth, ,afler hayint
been reviewed BY the Emperor. Nothing
could exceed the splendid equipment.
martial bearing, and enthusiasm of The
Imperial Guards, waving their glitterinu
eagles as they deiled ~ thousands be-
fore their invincible leader ia th3 Champ
de Mars. Officers who had just return.
ed from the detesied warfare in Spain
spoke OF the conquest Of Russia as a frol.
ic for few months, from which they
were sure 10 reiuln covered with fresh
lanrels Of victory. They INDUCED IN the
most absurd spsculations concerning th O
incidents and Perils Of the approaching
campaign, and seemed as ignorant, as
they were REGARDLESS, of all the horrors
which.awaited than in their fatal retreat
through the frozen plans Of Russia. On
the morning Of the ninth Of May. the tri,
coloFed banner Of France. no longer
foated above the palace Ofthe 1'uillsr.
les. Napoleon had departed with the
Empress Of Dresden, 70 play the part Of
'Aing Of kings The evening prece,
ding saw bin at the Grand Ope.
ra, which was then in the Rue Rirhellen.
The Emperor and the Empress occupied
the front Of The box; behind them stood
rows OF officers, Of the Imperial house.
hold, in briIlianr costumes, and the two
adjoining boxes wersilled with danes
d'nonneur. and distinguished courtiers -
The Emperor entered the theatre in the
midst OF the performance. The whole
audience arose to salnte him, which he
acknowledged.bJ sliaht inclination of
his mead before he took bis seat. He re.
NAMED until the ballet was nearly ended,
and then took leave with the same care
less ceremony with which he entered.-
He appeared 20 take no interest in what
was passing on the stage except for few
moments, when Gradelle and Biggot.
linis danced PAS DE DEUx. His glass
was constantly IN use, directed to all parts
of the theatre, as If he were intent on
examining the face Of every individual
present. Occasionally he raised his hand
without turning his head, TO receive his
snuff box from the chamberlaih, who
stood up behind him in watchful alten-
dance. Not word was uttered by him
to the Empress, nor TO any other person
in the box. 1t was evident from the rest
lessness ofhis manner, that his mind was
pre.occupied with far away sceness and if
the dark curtain Of futurity could have
been lifted for moment, what scenes
and events would he not have behsld!-
Being very near, / kept my eyes rivited
upon him. He was in plain. uniform of
blue, with red cuffs AMI white facings,
and wore the grand cross and ribbon of
the legion of honor. His person was
rather corpulent, but seemed muscular
aud active. His blue gray eye was deep
set in h,s head, and occasionally threw
out vivid flashes Of expression. His
70 rehead was broad and smooth, and his
temples thinly covered with brown hair.
His nose was firmly set and finely form,
ed, and his mouth and chin were the
mOddle Of classical beauty. His vlsage
was square, and his, neck very Short
His complexion was healthy, but color.
less; his beard Of~R blush tinge. His
face and expression were calm and
grave, more benignant than commanding,
and bore the aspect Of a scnlptured Gre
ciqn marble. Now and then his features
relaxed from their habilnal expression of
melancholy into a smile Of exquisite
sweetness and nature. His small trianeu.
Jar cooked hat lay beside him, and his
hand, which was small, white, ,&plump.f fire.
uusntly rested upon the cushion before
him. Although | had often seen him be.
fore, my mind always recurs to his ap.
pearance on that memorable evening.
saw before me the mysterious being
whose genius had exalted him to the
summit of human power, aud whose hand
swaysd the destin les Of the civilized
world. Ibeheld him at the very apex Of
his glory. at the moment Of his departure
upon his immortal campaign which shat
tered his power, and haslened his down
fall. ind Il dificOli TO snalyze the
sensations which passed through nay mind
while standing in the presence oEa mn
whose fame filed the universe, and in
whom alone seemed embodied the pow,
erof moving the world. Itexcieed emo
tions Of sublimity akin to those fel' upon
seeing Mont Blanc Or the falls Of Niaga