Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-22

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE IN lSl2-HiS MANNER
AND APPEARANCE.
Henry Brevoort, the friend of Washington Irving,
some wears ago wrcte this sketch Of Napoleon Bona
plr,e:
The minutest Circumstance connected with the man
"wdoe deeds have ecpsed all past fame, and rendered
all future doubtful" is become historical Inc VIII
tor OF this sketch happened TO be in Paris during the
sprog Of 1872 when although negotiations were gong
on between Prince Kourakn and the Minister o! For
,,l AT.rs every one knew that war with Russia bad
been decreed in the mind OF Napoleon. Day after dly
large bodies Of troops, OF every arm, arrived snd de-
parted osard the North after having been reviewed Oy
the Emperor
Nonirg could exceed the splendid equipment, martial
bearing and enthusiasm of the Imperial Guard waving
their gtering eagles they defcd by thousands be
fore their invacb!e leader in the Champ de Mars O'n
GERS who had Just returned from the deserted warfare IN
Spain spoke OF the conquest OF Russia as rohc OF
few months, from which they we're to return crowned
with fresh ilurels Of victory.
They INDUCED ia the most absurd specuhtions con-
ceruug the incidents aud pers OF the approaching cam
psgn and seemed ignorant as they were regardless
of ali the horrors which awaited them IN their atal re-
treat through the frozen plains OF Russia. On the morn
ing of the gb May the tTcoored banner OF France no
longer oated above the palace OF the Tulleres. Napo
leon had departed with the Empress for Dresden, play
the part OF King Of Kings"
The evening preceding saw him at the Grand opera,
which tleE m the hue hlCutlCu Luz I4hptiOi ouu
Enprcs occupied the front Of The box; behind them
stood rows of officers of the Imperial household in 6h
liant costumes and the two adjoining boxes we're filled
with danes dhonnetr and distinguished courtiers.
The Emperor entered the theatre in the midst OF the
performance. The whole audience aroe TO salute hl
which he acknowledged by q slight inclination of the
head before be took his seat He remained until the bal
let was nearly ended and then took leave with the same
careless ceremony with which he entered lie appear
ed TO take no interest in what was passing upon the
stage except for few moments, when Girdelie ana
BSottinis danced pas de deus His glass was constant
" in USE directed TO all parts OF the the4re as ii he
were intent upon examining the face OF every individual
present. :,
Occasionally he raised his hand, without turning his
head to receive his snubOx from the chamberlain who
s,ood nm behind him in watchful attendance. No. g
word was uttered by him to the Empress, nor to any
other person in the box 1t evident from the rest
lessness OF his manner that his mind was preoccuped
with far away scenes and the dark curtain OF futu
could have been lifted for moment, what scenes and
events would he not have bel ell
Beipg very near, kept my eyes riveted upon nim-
He was in plain uniform Of blue with red cuifs and
white acnps aud the grand cross OF the Legion Of
Honor His person rather corpulent but seemed
muscular apdactiye His blue grey eye was deep set his
head and occasionally threw ont Vd hisnes OF express
sion His forehead broad and smooth and his tenn
ples tbiply covered with dark brown Lair.
U;s nose was firmly set and finely formed, aud his
mouth and chin were the model OF classical beauty. His
ysags was square and his neck very short. His com.
peIion was healthy but coloress his beard of blush
tinge His face aud expression were calm and grave,
more benignant than commanding, and bore the aspect
of scuptured Grecian marble
Now and then his features relaxed from their habtual
expression of melancholy into smile oexquste sweet
ness and good nature His small triangular cooked hat
Law beside him, and his hand, which small white and
pnmn frequently rested on the cushion before him.
Although had often seen him before, my mind always
recurs to his appearance on that memorable evening"
saw before me the mysterious being whose genius
had exalted him to the summit of human power, and
whose hand swayed the desnies of the civilized world
behcld him at the very apex of his glory, at the mo-
meut Of his departure upon his immortal campaign,
which shattered his power and fastened his downfall
find it icult anayze the sensations which pass.
ed through nv miud while standing in the presence Of
man whose fame filed the universe, and in whom alone
seemed embedded the power oil moving the world l.
excited emotions of submity akin th1se ielt upon
seeing Mount Blanc or ths Falls OF Niagara; but more
intense, more active, more reflective.