Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-14
DAILY EVENING STAR.
apoleon's ATTEMPTS 70 Commit Suicide

Napoleon's Attempts TO Commit Suicide.
In Montholon's history of the captivity
OF Napoleon at St. Helena, it is recorded
that he twice attempted self-deStruction
once early In his career, and again in
1918. On the first occasion his life was
saved by Demasis, former comrade in
an artillery regiment. Napoleon was
then IN Paris, depressed and suffering Ill
ness. His mother having fed to Corsica,
was at Marsellles, without means of SUBJ
SIstence, and had written to him for aid
Napoleon had nothing but an assignat for
an hundred sous. Relating this adventure
to Montholon, Napoleon says:
- In state of detection | went out, as
ifurged to suicide by an animal instinct,
and walked along the quays, feeling my
weakness, but unable to conquer 1t. In
a few more moments should have thrown
myself into the water, when | ran against
an individual dressed like simple me-
cIanic, and who recognized me, threw
himself upon my neck, and cried, Is it
you, Napoleon What joy to see you
again. 1t was Demasis, former COM
rade of mine in the artillery regiment
to see his aged mother. He was about to
go, when stopping, he said, What is the
matter You do not listen to me. You
did not seem glad to see me. What mis-
fortune threatens You look to me like
mailman about to kill himself
3. This direct appeal awake Napoleon's
feelings. and he told him everything. is
that ALL said he, opening his coarse
waistcoat, and detachinga bolt, he added,
here are thirty thousand frances in gold:
take them and save your mother L
cannot said Napoleon, ito this day ex-
plain to myself my motives for so doing.
but seized the gold as if by convulsive
movement, and run like mailman to send
1t to my mother. 1t was not until it was
out of my hands that thought of what I
had done. FASTENED back to the spot
where had left Demasis, but he was no
longer there. For several days | went
out in the morning, returned not until
evening, searching every place where l
hoped TO find him.
The end of this romance is as eccen-
trio as the beginning. For fifteen years
Napoleon saw no more of his creditor
At the end of that time he discovered him,
and asked, why he had not applied to the
Emperor. The answer was, that he had
no necessity for the money. but was
afraid OF being compelled to leave his
retirement, where he lived happily prac-
Using horticulture
g Napoleon now paid his debt, as may
be presumed, magnificently made him
accept, three hundred thousand francs as a
reimbursement from the Emperor for the
thirty thousand francs lent to the subal-
tern of artillery and besides, made him
director-general of the gardens of the
crown, with salary OF thirty thousand
francs. He also gave government place
TO his brother.
g In April, 1915, when Napoleon was
at the head of his army, preparing to at
tack the allies, his NIarshals demanded an
interview with him. They were opposed
to his plan of operations, and looked upon
an attempt to re-enter Paris as hopeless.
They proposed that he should abdicate in
favor of his son. This was also the advice
of the Emperor Alexander. Napoleon did
as was proposed but Marmont and his
army had surrendered on that day. After
this, the allies rejected all negotiation.
The propositions and offers of Napoleon
TO his officers and soldiers were UNDECIDED
by them, and he at length signed an une-
qulvocal abdication forhimself and family.
This ledaD- the second attempt on his life.
He thus narrateS it
:. From the time of the retreat from
Russia, " said he, II had constantly car
RED round my neck, in a silken bag, a
portion OF poisonous powder which
Ivan had prepared to my orders when I
was in fear of being carried off by the
Cossacks. Ny life no longer belonged to
my country; the events of the last few
days had again rendered me master of it.
Why should [ endure so much suffering
and who knows that my death may not
place the crown upon the head of my son
France was saved. | hesitated no longer
but leaping from my bed, mixed the poi
son In a little water, and drank it with a
sort Of happiness. But time had taken
away its strength; fearful pains drew
forth some groans from me; they were
heard and medical assistance arrived. It
was not Heavens will that / should die
so soon. St. Helena was my desting."