Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-02-19
From Chambers Journal
The Percentage and Childhood Of Napoleon
FROM THE FRENCH OF C. RIcHoMME.

It was IL o'clock in the morning of the 18th
of Aug, 1863; the bells of the old cathedral of
Aiaccio were ringing full peal. for it was the
Feast of the Assumption; and the inhabitants in
holiday garb, were fastening to the church,
Seated near the window ola house in St. Charles
street were two men. whose distracted air show
ell that their minds were far from the scene upon
which their eyes seemed fixed in apparent obser-
walton of the picturesque costume of the passing
crowd. One of them was an old man, in the
garb of an ecclesastic, with ODE features, and
a profusion of long white hair. Few could ga re
on that venerable form without involuntary res
pect. The other was in the prime of life, of lof-
ty statue and martial bearing, with counten-
ance strikingly expressive of great energy of
character. His attire was that OF gentleman of
good family.
so you see, Bonaparte,' said the old man, at
length breaking silence, you must give up this
foolish notion of emigrating. | say nothing of
the wretched life you would lead in England.
far from your country and your friends. | would
rather remind you of interests sacred, dear to
your heart, inevitably compromised by such
step. TO quit Corsica would be to complete the
ruin of already shattered fortunes and to reduce
your family to utter poverty"
"What can be worse" replied the other, vehe-
mently, ethan to live upon our native soil, ell
shaved as it is"
81 comprehend ndrespect your grief Charles
Believe me, it is with little short of despair see
Corsica in the power of the French. But we
have all done our duty, we have fought many
| long year in the sacred cause of liberty, and it
was not till after a hard struggle that we Weld
ed to numerical weight. We have now but to
resign ourselves to the inscrutable DEGREES of
Providence. Tranquility is re-established. and
God will doubtless yet have pity on our unhap-
py country, and restore it to prosperity. Re-
main amongst us, Charles the interests of yonr
family demand it. Besides, why may you not
be useful to Corsica; you, one of its most honor
ed sons p
"Pao has been obliged to quit his country in
order to escape prosecution. Will the French.
think you, spare his faithful companion in arms?"
"You have nothing to fear on that head BO-
naparte the time of prosecution is past. But
even should they attempt to modest you, flatter
myself the Archdeacon Lucien has influence
enough to make you respected"
The old nun who spoke-the Archdeacon Lu-
Glen, man of great talent, and highly esteemed
in the country-was member of the ancient
and illustrous family Of Bonapartes, which had
left Italy to settle in Corsica about the middle of
the 9Th century. His relative and FRIEND Charles
Marie Bonaparte, was then the head of the fam
lily. Full of courage and energy, he had strug-
gled to the last for the national independence. |,
is well known that the Genoese driven out from
Corsica had several times applied to the French
to aid them in maintaining possession of the is.
. land but the Corsicans, under the command OF
very superior man, Pascal Paoli repealed every
attack, and after a war of nearly 80 years, the
, republic of Genoa, weary of the mnrlcrous con.
test, left to France its pretended conquest. This
, took place in July, 1868. Pao refused to sub
nit to this foreign yoke: and Chanvelin, wlt
came at the head of 1000 men to take posses
sion of the island in the name of the king Louis
/, XIV, was completely defeated. But the Count
t de Vanx landed with 10000 soldiers, and, aftel
heroic resistance, Corsica was subjugated, ant
reunited to France in the first month of the veal
1863, under the command Of governor, the
Count de MarbGuf. Paoli took refuge in Eng
, land Charles Bonaparte had powerfully aidet
the illustrous general, whose secretary he was
being ever by his side throughout the whole OF
the last campaign, together with his young wife
Lettia Ramoline. He had returned to the homt
Of his fathers in Alaccio, short time before thu
conversation which we have just repeated.
Bonaparte rose and was pacing he room, cast
). ing now and again melanc holy glances upon hi
y good sword, which was suspended over the book
case, and already covered with dust Suddenl,
great hustle seemed to arise in the house-ex
clamations hurryings to and fro, and at last tin
maid-servant made her appearance. swell
n Cothsrine," said Bonaparte, "what has happened
n Is the house on tirc?"
r my mistress" said the almost breathless wo
@ man was brought home from church i'll. w
q were going to call you when she brought into tn
4 world & fine boy, who is as well as you or l."
e At the instant the clock struck twelve, Bona
o parte, with face beaming with delight, and hi
eyes full Of tears, threw himself into the arms @
j. the archdeacon.
It ''Let Us go see the motherand child" said tn
old man. "Well Charles, what say you now t
l. going to England ?"
n Madame Letitia had already two children
e boy, Joseph, and girl named Eliza Accord
S, ing to an old family usage, the new born nfan
'r received the name of Napoleon that name, nov
IS so celebrated, being given to the youngest son
the family, in honor of one OF his ancestors, Ma
ID poeon Ursin distinguished for his prowess an
? military talent. The little Napoleon was nc
2 baplised till he was two years DID, on the 2 st @
, July, lila delay ofnot unfrequent occ urrenc
N in Corsica The large marble font in which h
N received the baptsmal waters is still to be see
$, in the cathedral of Ajaccio.
,g ''Poor child" said the father, as he returne
" from the ceremony, "what destiny is reserve
TX for thee, thus born when the country is ruined
he "When we have two honses the rain gets inl
in one," says an old Corsican proverb AT III
a period OF simple and patriarchal manners, the n
an best families Of the island were satisfied with