Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-08-18
MISCELLANY,
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EMPE-
ROR NAPOLEON,

mrs. ABEL, (LArE MISS ELIZA BALcoME,)
DURING THE TIME SPENT BY HIM IN HER FATHERS
HOUSE AT HELENA
Repubshed in the New York Albion.
NV object in the following memoir is 10 confine
myself a. far as possible, to whai concerns Napo.
leon personally. have many "reminiscences (un
connected with him) OF those happy days Of my
childhood, bur feel that they would be uninter.
estng to the public and have carefully excluded
all but that in which the Emperor took person.
al share.
A Sigh, description, however, of the localities
connected with him, will not be considered de-
viniion from this resolution on INV part, and may
perhaps commence this slight Memoir oil Napole
on mos, properly by a few words upon the gen
eral aspect Of 81 Helena, and the impression coll
veyed by it on first approaching It's shores.
The appearance oil St. Helena, on viewing it
from the sea, is different from, any land | ever
saw, and certainly but little calculated to make
fall in love with at first sight. The rock rs-
ing abruptly from the oc an with its obong 81 ape
and perpendicular sides, suggests to ones mind
more the idea OF huge dark coored ark laying al
anchor, floating on the bosom Of the Atlantic,
than land Intended Tor the habitation and support
oflivng beings.
Nor on a nearer acquaintance does it's character
become more amlabe. II u vessel approached it
during the night the effect OH coming on deck
in The morning is most peculiar, and at first al
most even alarming. From the great depth OF
water, ships are able TO 60 very close into the
land, and The eye long accustomed 10 the expanse
Of sea and atmosphere, is suddenly startled by
coming almost as it seems in contact with the
dark threatning rock, towering hundreds OF feet
in the air, far above the mass of The iaest vessel
] was quite child at the time OF my first visit
and my teirors were increased by being told that
one giant shouted crag which bors some reseiIl.
blHnce TO the head Of negro, WAC 10 eat me up
first when the breakfast bell struck, and then the
rest OF The passengers and crew.
| rushed Immediately below, and hiding my
face in my mothers lap, tremblingly announced
our fate, and was with difficulty soothed by her
assurance OF safety ami projection. But did not
venture from under her wing until the dreaded
Eight bells had sounded, and The appearance OF
breakfast announced better things in store for u.s.
On rounding Munden's battery, James Town
breaks upon The view. 1t is singular aud striking,
and quite in harmony with the rest Of the pecul-
lar scenery of st. Helena. The houses are all
built at the bottom OF a wide ravine, which luoks
az il it had been caused toy some revulson Of ma
ture; II the rock, tired OF its solitary life aud
isolated situation in the midst of the Atlantic, had
given great yawn and could not shut ls mouth
again.
The buildings are confined entirely to the bot.
tom OF this cei or chasm, its sides are too pre-
cipitous TO allow OF the houses being built upon
them.
The position of the town renders il suffocating-
ly hot in summer. The cool ssa breez so deli
cious in most tropical climates, is nImos exclud-
ed by the situation OF the valley the inhabitants
call James Town, and for nine months in tile year
the heat 10 almost uncomfortable.
We were fortunate enough TO reside out of
town; my father possessing beautiful little cot
tage about mile from the valley, called the Bii-
ars; spo. which merits slight description, both
from ts own beauty, and from having been the
residence of Napoleon during the first three
months OF his exile in 81. Helena.
Tho way TO the Brars winds out of the town
by roads cut IN the side OF the mountain. | cannot
say much of this road, or Of the surrounding
scenery, on thy first journey to our distant abode.
i was put into basket and carried on u negros
head, who trudged away with me very msrrily,
suging some joyous air. OccasiOn ally he put me
down TO rest, aud grInning from ear to ear, asked
me II felt comfortable in my little pest. | was
rather frightened, as this was the first time had
seen black man, but soon become reconciied
TO him, and we became great friends.
He told me he generally carried vegetables into
the valley, aud appeared highly honored and
proud OF living burden being con6ded TO his
care. was soon deposited in safety al The door
OF the Brars, and bid adieu to my sable bearer,
who went away quite delighted with some little
present my father gave him for making himself
30 Bmiable TO Inc.
Our cottage was built in The style Of the Bung-
allows in India. Ii was very low, all the rooms
being OH one floor and hut for It's situation, it
would not have been thought pretty. But it's sit
uaiion made II a perfect little paradise; surround
cd by barren mountains, il looked all Eden bloom.
ing IN the midst OF desoalion.
A beautiful avenue of banyan trees led up TO IT,,
and on each side il WAS flanked by the evergreen
aud gigantic LAGOS Interpreted with ponlegranale
and my rifle, and proiusiOn OF large white roses,
more resembling our sweet briar, from which, in
deed, the place derived Its name.
A walk shaded by p0rnegranate trees thirty or
forty feet IN height, conducted TO The garden.-I
must plead the same excuse tor devong q few
lines TO the garden that have for the cottage
that ii was lovely in ITSELF acd the favorlIe retreat
of the Emperor.
Ii would require the pen of a Scott, or the
pencil Of Claude, to do any thing like justice TO
lis beauty.
often WI nder in my dreams through It's myrtle
groves: ana The orange trees with their bright
think that the heart Of Napoleon when he FIRST
his abode, within