Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-07-11
TFoR THE ADVERTISER.
Extracts from a private Journal.


4 visit TO the Tomb Of Napoleon-lS42.
Early in The year l641 the remains Of
Napoleon were landed on the banks of the
river Seine at Paris, and i'll presence Of a
vast cuncourse of people were carried into
the "Ilolcl des Invalides." In aHside
chapel of the Eastern wing Of this exIen-
siye building, elegantly fitted up, they
have been deposited for Time, until a
more suitable place can be arranged"-
The little chapel is gorSeously decorated
with crimson velvet set with golden stars
aud beautfed above head with richly
gided ornaments. Around the walls, half.
way up to the ceiling, are tho names Of
Napolcon's most distinguished battles,
(Auslcrlirz. Wagram, Jena, etc,) with
devices ingeniously wrought of arms taken
at these battles. At the head OF The tomb,
in an erect posture, are placed various
banners seized from different armies, and
at The foot, enclosed in small glass case
is Napoeon's military hal with his sl0ord
lying at its side. Upon the sarcophasus,
made Of polished black marble, is thrown
the robe with which he was crowned-a
broad mantle of crimson velvet, bordered
with golden fringe aud inierwoven with
various ornaments of rich and costly
nature.
The entrance 10 The tomb is separated
from the large Rotunda Of the building by
a massive iron gate, constructed Of round
bars, beyond which no vsilo! is alowed-t to
inIrude. On tho exterior Of the gate are
attached two large golden letters, initials of
Napoleon's name. A perpetual lamp. is
suspended in the short passage from the
gale 10 the Rotunta, which, amidst the
heavy curlaining around, adds much So
lemnily to The scene. AT the entrance TO
the passage are always stationed during
the day two old soldiers Of Napoleon with
banners in their hands, guarding with
deep concern The sancti,y of The place.
II has been now nearly two years since
the remains of the Emperor were placed
in this chapel, and the crowd every day is
still so considerable, it is difficult 10 view
the scene to ones desire. There is a con.
linual passing and repassiug of persons
around The spot from 10 o'clock in The
morning to 4 o'clock in the alternoon-
The lime allowed for visiting. And what
strikes the stranger with asIonisfImcnt is
The solemn silence observed by every
one who approaches the scene. A word
spoken even in 1UhiSper seems 10 dis
order The whole crowd, and 10 break a
spell by which every one was unconscious,
ly bound. A dozen eyes Indignantly glance
upon the speaker and make him 10 know
that he is doing violence 10 the deep So
lemnity Of The occasion.
Many devoleo of tho great conqueror
brings with him his well-wrough, wreath,
and while secretly ulterins his pious ejac.
ulalions casts il in silence at The foot Of
the tomb. Large numbers Of wreahs are
carefully preserved, in heaps around The
sepulchre; and fresh supplies arc every
day added. Every thing atlests he blind
admiration of aa infatuated people tor their
fallen hcroi
Thoughts suggested at tic Tomb of Napoleon!
Stranger, 1'anse and wiih.hoIy awe ssnluto 4
Tie spot on which thou stantSt: lis llallowed
Here lies robd in tn hubilinlents Of death,
The God Of genius! the worlds Amaze!
Great spirit! aye-low in death ) iron grasp,
In regal pomp aud glorious circumstance
OF human spIendor, richly inurned,
Thy curse en.baln'd doth quietly repose!
Thy tomb is rcv'renccd unto holiness
One ccaseless lhIong of wond'rng devotees,
With deep sulemn'ty fll'd of llis h respect,
Thy CONS Grated altar mears and dghast
PaIlsiug Is fore some super-human cause
Or Lun,up tyu in ilaura c,.t
Their wclI-wronght wrealhs around thy sa-
cred urn.
The proud foe that ncars The spot. and gazes
On Thy burnish'd tomb by the Genii
AVID that over thy sacred relics guard,
His naughty mien lays low; and inward bends
In humblc reverence to thy holy shrine!
Giant soul mighty form of human pride
Terror Of malinns wonder Of the world!
Where rests the fury of thy God.Iike mind
All !. that arm Of pow'r which with wizard spell
Did guide to victory thy car of war
The rod Of Empire nagic.like did WELD
Ger crowds amaz'd, and into submission
AVID the haushtiest hearts of crowned heads,
Is palsied Ayc-slrckcn low in deah
No longer it doth beat the pulse uf life
Til hu'nblest babe with life und motion gifted,
Could now keep cncllained that wizard arm -
How was the mighty laIrn from tn height Of
pow'I
Strange fate of man! one day. huge Linn.
Dashing with ronqur's pride his golden mane
His eye fierce darling oil world Of prey:
With "brazcn thruat of war" roaring hugely
Enmity 10 all uankind-siriGe .etcrnaI!-
The nt1t-a meek and gentle lamb sripp d clean
or all sho,o Of pow'r: harmless rs the babe,
That draws its mothers brcast-and rs docile.
Oncc-a God! fcar'd reverencd and ador'd;
The thunder Of whose mighty voice made
treinble,
On thrones Of ad'mant, the proud souls of
kingS:-
In full sllbjec,ion to his will creating.
A hos. of monarchs, kneeling to his throne;
And Kingdoms razins at his god.ikc nod -
Aud nO,o-a child of dust! Il worm nothing!
Thus sinks 10 nausht the brightest hupcs of
man!
Frail humanity! the stouiest heart, that on
a gold'n throne Of powr sils and 10 hrohsd
hosts
Their rule of action gives, though strong upheld
In greatest self conccit, like tII' llumbest worm,
That on the lowIy earth doth creep, in dust
Is doom'd TO lie-ils sister element =
Hear then yc dcspoIs! natures firm dccrec
Tic mightst monarch, that ocr ,oorld amazd
His golden sccptre s,cays. and by his deeds