Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-02-03


Sound the trumpet, roll the drum,
For Napoleon's nshes comet
The grave had been robbed of its treasury
tho tomb had been despoiled ofits prey
The rockbound ,storm.swept coast of ST. Hele-
na had been too highly honored for many long
years. and France, just returning to her SEN
scs. claimed all that Death had left Of Napoe.
on. The wild bowling Of the blast as 1t swept
wailing by, seemed like mournful voice; and
the white foamng waves, that dashed tempes-
luously against the cragged rocks, seemed to
say.--"Bear your hero back.
But now the willow which for years, had
dropped its long branches mournfully over
the grave of the Corslcan, had been disturbed
lin It's hitherto unbroken rest. The flowers,
which kind hands had planted were rudely
thrust aside by tho workmen in their eager at
rempts to penetrate the mysteries OF that tomb
The friends of the Emperor could scarcely
hope for anything but misshappen remains to
tell of that once high apd noble one But
when the coffin was opened, and the satin
sheet carefully raised, murmur Of astonish-
ment ran round The circle, and tears dimrned
the eyes ofevery one present. There. SEEM
ingly unchanged, lay The form Of that indomit-
able conquoror before whom monarchs had
trembled.
Almost Involuntary the words, ViUeI En-
pcrcnr," rose To their lips but second glanco
at hat pale face told them too plainly that the
spirit " hich once animated tha form was for
ever fled. The tompestuous beaIings of that
proud heart were forever stllled; those hands
would never again wave that bright sword like
finishing fire above his head that clarion voice
would never again ring out above the wild roar
of battle; it was forever hushed IN the dim, un-
broken silence OF death. The clash and clang
of arms, the inpatient neighing ofhis noble war;
horse, the cannon's roarthe trumpet's sound,
and the buge s swell fell alike ins ensible on the
conqueror. The music to which he had march,
ed on the fields Of Marengo and Austerlitz fall
cd to awake him from that last sleep.
Once more Napoleon journeycd back TO his
loved France; but
"Not us in the oden days,
With his forehead bound with bays,
With the bright sword in his hand,
Encirclod by his ancient band
Long the sceptre and the crown
At the grave had he laid down.
| His sacred remains touched the soil of France
at Neuilly, where they were received by an
immense concourse ot people. Grand prepar-
ntions were made for their reception at Paris
at the Hotel des Invalides, in compliance with
his last request Il wish my ashes to repose
on the banks of the Seine"
This spacious building is situated on the riv-
er Seine, and was erected by Louis XIX. as a
residence for veteran soldiers A vast multi
tude of people had assembled both within and
without the building. The aged and infirm
Marshal Money was borne into the Chapel
and placed before the altar. He alone, of all
Napoleons brave band of Marshals, was there
to welcome him back to France. The aisles
were lined with Bonaparte's old soldiers, who
as the coffin was borne in,fell on their knees
and burst into tears. The last ~timo these
brave veterans had seen their Emperor was on
the disastrous field Of Waterloo; and now he
was brought back to them silent and voiceless
cold and moonessl The vast assembly had
involuntarly risen-a last mournful tribute of
respect to the mighty dead There was sol.
emn chant, and then came the burial services.
At last the rites were ended the multitude
| dispersed in few hours, and mid the pomp
/ and pageantry of wo Napoleon was left to his
quiet sleep.
| '"The dead alone doth crave,
Rest and silence in the grave"