Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-02-19

to break the cannon IN
"What put such
Come here, Napoleon.
,vgap- want to DESTROY ~
Napoleon came ION ~
conscious innocence. He was then allow
years old his black hair, his complexione
Drowned by the sun, and his sparkling eyes gave
a peculiar character to his intelligent countcn-
ance he was little for his age, but well built and
stout and of a robust constitution.
81 do not want to break the cannon" said he
81 only want to take 1t to pieces to see how it is
made y and he looked up at his mother triumph
antly.
"That is not bad dea," said Madame Bona
parte, 'but, however, in attempting it you may
spoil the toy, or lose some of it, If you are so
curious as to examine the mechanism of the can
non, beg of your father to take it to pieces for
you for he will be able to settle it all right again.
Meanwhile that you may not yield to the temp
tation. and disobey me- you had better give me
the toy."
Napoleon complied with rather bad grace Il but
his good humor soon returned when he perceiv-
ed his nurse, Saverat approaching with a rush
basket, in which was a quantity of brocco,
Cheese made of curdled milky Notwithstand-
ing her ugness amounting almost to hideous-
ness, Saveria was idolized by the children, es-
pecially by Napoleon, by whom she made herself
at once feared and loved
"Here, my Children said the good woman ;
'see what my husband has just brought you.-
You may eat as much as you like"
The feast was soon over, and the little bois-
ferrous guests went off to thank the old peasant,
who so often brought them nice things. Napo-
leon returned to his mother quite out of breath.
Mamma" said he, "my ioster-father is 90.
ing back to his home twill you allow ne to go
with him-he will bring me home the cay al
| ter tomorrow I!
You forget, my child, that tomorrow is
yesterday, and that we are to set off this
evening for Aiaccio. Would not you like to be
present at the blessing of our house, and to
dine afterwords with your grand-uncle, Lu.
Glen 2"
but will be home in two days"
You cannot leave us to-day another time,
perhaps, Twill allow you to take this little excur.
sion."
This prohibition made the little Napoleon very
angry he turned pale with passion, and, stamp.
ing with a most determined air, he said, 4" But
will 60 with my foste,-father, and will not 60
Madame Bonaparte gave him look of the
greatest establishment then resuming her work
said quietly, Go then will not prevent you
but you are going contrary to my wish"
These simple words at once Gained the little
rebel With downcast head and fearful eyes he
threw himself into his mothers arms, crying in
a voice broken with sobs. Pardon me, dear
mother, will never dsobey you any more"
Madame Letita had the greatest power ovel
Napoleon, who tenderly loved her. This supe
rior woman devoted herself to the education o
her children with zeal as remarkable for it:
rare righteousness as for its devotedness. Never
did woman better discharge the duties of wife
mad tbar ~. ,,,l 4
waited mind, she united extraordinary energy o
character-Resigned in misfortune, prosperity
never dezzled her. In the midst of the triumph.
of Napoleon, when her children were dividing
amongst themselves the thrones of Europe, sh(
let fall this characteristic expression: "Wh(
knows but that one day | may be obliged to give
bread to all these kings!'
In this simple rural life Napoleon acquired
that robust constitution and those hardy habit.
which enabled him in after life to support the
fatigues of war. Restless, lively, and agile, he
passed the greater part of his time in roaming
,. through the makis or along the picturesque
vine-clad plains in the neghborhood Of Ajaccio
Dressed in little pelone "a mantle of goat
skin, with hood to it, and a stout stick in hi,
hand, he went with his brother Joseph to hun
for black birds nests, or to get the old shep
: herds to tell him the national legends, in which
his lively Imagination delighted. These ram
: bles, and going to look at the reviews of tn,
French troops in the Alice MarbGnf, cngrosset
him much more than the lessons in reading ant
!, writing given him BY his uncle, the Able FescIi
(who was made cardinal under the empre,) an,
the good old priest named Antonio Duracci.-
Thus did the future emperor pass his first years
, | regret to have to tell, for the sake of thost
who are reluctant to believe in the common
. place prosaic childhood of great men, that Ma
poleon did nothing extraordinary in his infancy
; = | was nothing" said he of himself, " but al
obstinate and curious child" \
The Bonaparte family are all assembled in tn
principal apartment of their honse in Ajaccio
and have gathered ronld the fire, it being tn
month of December. Mr.. Bonaparte seeme
depressed and languid he had already in hin
: tined to carry him off some years after but hi
spirits appeared to revive as he contemplate
!; the peaceful and patriarchal group before him
! By his side is the venerable archdeacon Napo
leon and his elder broder are quietly peen
: some large oranges of Aregno, and dvdn
them IN flakes amongst their little sisters.
G little in the back ground is Madame Lettia
nursing little addition to her numerous famil
: the future king of Holland. AT the lowe
5 end of the room Slverla is laying the table fo
# supper.
Are You not gong to Corte one of thes
c days. Bonaparte ?" said the archdeacon.
o IL am not quite sure it depends, you know
upon a certain answer"
a '" viii you not take me with you, papa p
i and me land me ?'-cred all the children Q
once.
v "If 60, shall probably take Napoleon an
If Lucien wish to show them the house of Ga
!. fori."
d "Gaffori," said Napoleon, " was not he re
1t laton of ours y
If "No, my son." said NJ Bonaparte takin
C the boy upon his knee "we are not fortunat
e enough to reckon him in the number of our al
n cestors. Gailori-and never forget the name
was man who, with the illustrous Paol
ID deserved well of his country. lie was pract
ID ing as physician when, in 1850, our countr!
!" men, once more rising against their tyrant
10 named him one Of the three chiefs electt
is under the title of Protectors of the country
o. Gaffori received orders to march upon Corte, h
a native town, and to drive from it the strange