The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-01-20
(rur tho ilcraid)
VISIT To ~. IIEI.SA

VISIT TO ~. HELSA.
II was about the both of February in the
year 1889, that we came to ancher in the
harbor of jamestown, the only anchorage
(as jamestown is the only place of business
belonging to the Island( As the eye takes
glance towards the landing it is easy to
comprehend the reason that this spot was
chosen by the British Government for the
safe keeping of ths world renowned Napo-
! leon, for the gorge in which the village OF
jamestown is situated is not more than
half mile in width, and has a wall ox-
tending across it. mounted with heavy guns,
and the approach TO which is guarded by
deep moat, over which is thrown draw
bridge, for the convenience Of those passing
in and out of the gate. On either hand
there are strong Notifications, one ofwhich,
called Ladder Hill, is six hundred feet
above the level of the sea, and would of
Itself be a sufficient protection against any
force that might be brought against it,
All other parts of the Island are inaccessi-
Bile from the abruptness with which the
rock nbed shores rise from the water.-
Ladder Hill is approached IN two ways,
frst by road that winds around the hill
IN zig gag course for mile and a half.
the other way is by Il flight of steps GA in
uflt oh ole =, IL q
Hill. The remains of Napoleon had been
removed about four months previous to the
800 "nnun rn"nrInnnn- I'""-.'.'----------- --.-'-'
not think OF leaving without visiting the
place where he passed the last few wears
ct his eveutiul life, and also the spot where
the Willow waved It's branches above him
Tor the space Of nineteen years it was du-
mig the rainy season and the weather was
none of the best when three of US started
on the steeds given us by Dame Nature to
VISIT Longwood, the name of the place
where Napoleon resided while living. Our
road wound around the hills, ever on the
rise for distance of three miles. when wo
arrived at an old dilapidated building,
which for five long years had been the
residence Of one of the greatest men the
world ever saw we procured a guide and
passed through the house. The room in
which his great soul cast of its clay letters
and scared beyond the power of earthly
tyrants, was occupied by threshng ma
chine, and his bed room was converted into
Il stable. Thus it would seem that the
English not content with retaining him n
prisoner for life, would still wish to pursue
course whic h would If not heap contu-
meiy upon him whom they feared while
hvlng) injure the feelings ofevery French
man that should visit the Island. 1t is true
the British Government had built a new
house for his use, but it came too late. be
never lived IN 1t. Longwood is nineteen
hundred and eighty feet above the level Of |
u'e sea- and Is as pleasant as any place on |
the Island, but as my eye roved over the
landscape and behold at short intervals the
sentry boxes which were placed there for
'ne convenience OF those on guard, could
wei believe that the plnce was ANYTHING
Out pleasant to him for whom all these pre-
cautions were taken. Aftor leaving the
mousse, we visited the Tomb, which was
open as II was lefl at the time the remains
were eXhumed 1t is about mile from the
house in lovely vale, a spot chosen by
himself near by Is spring of pure cold
water, called Napoleon's spriag. He used
10 other water for some time before his
death. The tomb was enclosed by an
ron fence, and over il stood in all it,
nourniul beauty, a large Willow, whose
hopping branches kept time to the winds
Is they sung a requiem above the departed.
We we're told number Of anecdotes of
Napoleon by an English Sergeant tho was
N the Island while hc was living, and
'ho saw him after he had been buried for
nineteen years. lie, although an English
nan, did not hesitate 10 say that the con
iuci Of Sir Hudson Lowe who was Gov
rnor at that time, was disgrace TO him
elf as man and 10 the English a. ma
Ion. | secured small sprout from the
Dots Of the parent tree and intended TO see
"ould not flourish 10 Republican soil
'ui ala It received a silt water bath one
lay, and II withered and died. But some
thcr relicts which brough from the tou.b
nei Nth better success. The majority Of
be people Of ST Helena are very poor. liv-
lg mostly upon hsh aud nee. Their I
'"rais would no, compare hyorably with |
bose Of our Pilgrim fsthcrs. We remained
81 Helena ten days, and sl,hough it
as very pleasant % be on shore lflcr hay- :
~ been saoa, for several months, W. I'D I
o' regret oar departure, fer ne were =
ward bOaad. NrrruHH