Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-12-18
MISCELLANY.

400 IA L ~ " ~ ~ ~ IA IN i -.
The last Interview Of Napoleon
-7 s'-s with his Soldiers. uoy ,.gi
With measured step and slow, followed BY
the guard and by his friends, he passed through
the long gallery of Francis L. He stood for a
moment on the landing Of the grand staircase,
and looked around on the troops drawn mp in
the court of the guard Of honor, and on the in
Vulnerable mullitudes from the surrounding
country, which had assembled 10 witness this
grand historical event, that they might recount
it to their children. What contending feelings
agitated the breasts Of that vast crowd. in
which there were more accusers than defend
ers! But the greatness of the fall in some,
the sorrow for misfortune in others, regard
to decorum in all, produced universal silence.
Insult at such moment would have been cow
ardly,-the cries Of Viue I Emperor a mock
cry. The soldiers themselves experienced a
feeling too solemn, of too religious an awe, to
think of reclamation; they felt deep sense of
honor in their consciousness of fidelity even in
adverse fortune, and felt that now the sun of
their glory was about to set, and with their
chief to sink for ever behind the trees of their
forest, and the waters Of the Mediterranean
They enyied the lot Of those of their comrades
whom fate or choice had favored by allowing
them to be the companions of the cxied en-
peror. Their heads were bowed low, their
looks mournful, and tears rolled down the fur
rowed cheeks of the warriors. Had the drums
been covered with Grape, it would have ap-
peared like an army performing The obsequies
of their General. -....... .
Napoleon, after casting martial and pene-
trating glance at his ba,talions and squadrons,
had IN his countenance an expression of tender
regard unusual for him. What days of battle,
Of glory, and of power, did not the sight of
that army call to his mind Where now were
they who had composed it, when it traversed
with him the continents of Europe, Africa, and
Asa! How many now remained of those
millions in the remnant before his eyes1 And
yet those few were faithful; and he was going
to leave them for ever. The army was him
self. When he should no longer behold it,
what would he be! He owed all TO the sword
and with the sword he had lost ALL He hesi-
tated moment before descending, and seemed
as IT about to re-enter the palace mechanically.
He rallied, however, and recovering himself,
descended the stairs to approach his soldiers.
The drums beat the salute. With gesture
he imposed silence, and advancing in front of
the battalions, he made sign that he wished
to speak. The drums ceased, the arms were
still 4; and the almost breathless silence allowed
his voice, re-cchoed by the high wall of The
palace, to be heard to the remotest ranks.
Officers, subal,erns, and soldiers of my old
guard, he said, i bid you farewell. For five
and-twenty years | ever found you walking in
the path of honor and glory. In these latter
days, as in those Of onr prosperity, you have
never ceased to be models Of fidelity and bra
very. With men such as you, our cause would
not have been lost; but the war was interim
nable; it might have been civil war, and then
1t would have been worse for France. have
therefore sacrificed our interests to those of the
country. leave you do you, my
friends, continue TO serve France; her honor
was my only thought; it shall ever be the OBJ
Ject of my most fervent prayers. Grieve not
for my lot! If ] have consented to outlive
myself, it is with The hope of still promoting
your glory. trust to write the deeds we
have achieved together Adieu, my
children; would fain embrace you all.
Let me at least embrace your general and COL
ors!'
Al these words the soldiers were deeply af-
fected; shudder ran through the ranks, and
their arms quivered General Petit, who
commanded the old guard in the absence of the
marshals-a man of martial bearing but of
sensitive feellngs-at second signal from Ma
poleon, advanced between the ranks of the sol
diers and their emperor. Napoleon embraced
him for long time, and the two chiefiains
sobbed alond. At this spectacle one stihed
sob was heard through all the ranks. Grena-
diers brushed away the tears from their eyes
with their left hands. Bring me the eagles,
resumed the emperor, who desired to imprint
upon his heart and these standards the memo
ry of Caesar. Some grenadiers advanced,
bearing before them the eagles of the regiment.
He grasped these trophies so dear to the SOL
der he pressed them to his breast, and plac-
ing his lips to them, exclaimed, in a manly
but broken accent, Dear eagle, may this las,
embrace vibrate forever in the hearts of all INV
soldiers! Farewell again, my old compan-
ions, farewelln The whole army burst into
tears, and the only reply was one ong-con,in-
ued groan. An open carriage, in which Cen
eral Bertrand awaited his master and friend.
received the emperor, who hurried in, and COW
cred his face with both his hands. The car
rage rolled away towards the first stage Of
Napoleon's exile.-Ldmartine History.
Capture of the Whale.