The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-08
Napoleon,s Villa In Elb..

The villa of Napoleon is at Saint MARITIME, a small
hamlet about four miles distant from the city. IL
is situated in the bosom of Of the most beaut-
full valleys in the island; the front view comma nds
the harbor and the entire city of Porto Ferrajo,
while upon the right and left mountains of exceed
ing majesty lift their lofty SUBMITS for it, protec-
ton. The adjacent grounds are embellshed with
groves of the orange, the olive and the lemon, all
burdened with golden fruit, while in the garden
flowers of every hue unfold their PROJECTIONS, and
perfume the air with the aroma of an earthly Para
disc.
The villa itself is plain low, white stone ouse,
with unusual number Of windows which are all
supplied with green Venetian blinds The first story
Is Of no account, being merely intended as base
ment accommodation. The second, which is only
few feet above the ground, contains two grand
rooms in the centre, (front and rear,) and three
smaller rooms on each side thereof, making eight
In all upon that floor The walls Of the front grand
centre room are painted IN graceful imitation of
drapery, ingcniously represented supported by
spears, the heads of which are crowned with gar
lands Of evergreen. Upon the Iaantelpiece I no
ticed marble busts of Prince Bacciochi and the
Princess Eliza, his consort.
The ceiling Of the grand centre room APP
pears covered with clouds, full Of mystery and
grandeur, while the surrounding walls are embel
lished in thorough oriental style. Egypt be-
fore with her pyramids, pillars obelsks, hero
glyphics, camels palms, priests and sacred birds.
These views transported me 10 the banks Of the
Nile, and lived again among the Egyptian victo-
rics Of the French conqueror The sleeping apart
out upon the hills and forts of the city The walls
are Of pale slate color, and ornamentcd with
eagles which bear IN their beaks the glory and ci
pher of the Emperor. The villa is still the proper
iy of the Bonapsrte family, but the original furni
ture has long since been conveyed 10 Paris the few
things that remain are of subsequent introduction.
As turned TO take long lingering look at the
premises the aged gardener approached, and pre-
sented me with branch Of myrtle. He could not
have selected a more judicious seasonable offer
ing; and need scarcely say that II received
with emotions of unspcakable qualification.
The residence and reign Of Napoleon upon the
island of Elba continued about ten months; but
those few months have sufficed 10 embalrn his mem
ory among the most affection recoections Of this
estimable people. Upon his arrival on the 4th of
May, 1914, in the haven Of Porto Ferrsjo, an inn
mense multitude FASTENED from all the cantons Of
the island, 10 greet their emperor. The British
frigato q" Undsunted," which had conveyed him TO
the port, was Immediately surrounded by great
number Of small boats, filled with musicians and
decorated with banners. As her cannon
announced his departure for the city, the artillery of
the forts responded, and the cry Vipe Emperor
assembled from her yards to be repeated by the bos
and prolonged by the shores and hills adjacent 10
the capital. Upon landing at the pier the civic au-
thorities and chief citizens formally submitted TO
him, aud at the same time presented him with the
KEYS of the city, In a basin Of silver. The clergy
then advanced aud received the person of the new
sovereign under grand baldaquino, Canopy
and proceeded In state TO the cathedral, through a
double file of National Guards. The balconies were
all hung with rich tapestry, and special services
were performed in the church. He was afterward
conducted To tho municipal palace, where pre-
scented b. him in n rich basin map and plan Of
Eliza, and other things connected with the illustra
ton of its affairs In the evening the city was bril-
liantly illuminated which was repeated for two
nights, while fires of JOY were simultaneously kim
died throughout the country. In the midst Of these
joyful festivities the artillery of the forts announced
the elevation Of the new national standard; con
sistng of "A red bend dexter, in n white field the
bend bearing three bees. Those days formed the
golden-age of Elba. Under the sceptre Of Napo-
leon the island became the nucleus of action and
enterprise. Hills, harbors, and highways were i'm
proved, and new life diffuscd into thc social and po-
hticsl institutions Of the pcople-N. v Commercial.