, 1863-02-14
Anecdote of Napoleon the First.


slavery the most rksome. Day and night it was
necessary to be on the spot. Sleep, meals, health,
fatigue-nothing was regarded minutes ab-
scence would have been an objectionable ofense.
Friends, pleasures, public amusements, prone
nades, rest-al must be given up. The Baron
Maineval and the Baron Fan knew this by hard
experience, hut at the same time they enjoyed his
boundless confidence. The most implicit reliance
was placed on their discretion, and truly royal
liberality They both merited the emperor's con-
fdence. One day, at two o'clock, the emperor
went out to hunt.
"Ie will probably be absent, as usual, about
four hours J" so Maineval calculated. 1t was his
fathers birthday and he thought he might surely
leave the palace for a short time; therefore he
would venture. He had bought little illa and
anxiously desired to present the title-deeds to his
father on that festive day. The baron set out,
and found on his arrival that the whole family
were collected, who all received their unexpected
visitor with enthusiasm. The present was given
the parents heart, was full of joy-happness
universally prevailed, and the generous son was
entreated to tarrN that he might be their guest at
dinner which was then announced The baron
refused, saying:
"The emperor may return and ask for me-"
"Oh," was the exclamation, "you are never
away the emperor will not be angry"
The entreaties were redoubled, and the worthy
secretary yielded to the general wish. Time flies
swiftly to men surrounded by those whom they
revere.
In the meantime the emperor retura-even
sooner than usual. He enters his cabinet.
'Maineval-let him be called"
They seek him in vain. Napoleon grows i'm
patient.
"Well where is MainevalP ?"
They fear to tell the emperor that he is absent
but at last it is impossible to concealit. At length
the secretary returns.
"The emperor has inquired for you. He is
angry"
"All is lost" said Maineval to himself He
made up his mind, however, and presented him
self His reception was terrible.
"Where do you come from? Go about your
business" exclaimed the enraged emperor. 81
do not want men that neglect their duty"
Maineval, in a state of distress and excitement
retired he could not sleep that night, but pictur
ed to his mind his fearful position-his prospects
were all destroyed-his fortune ruined and all
hopes of future advancement were banished At
length day arrived. He refected-"the emperor
did not give me formal dismssion' He there
fore dressed himself, and at the usual hour went
to the emperor's cabinet.
Some minutes after Napoleon entered, looked
at him without speaking, wrote a note, and then
walked to and fro in the chamber. Maineval
continued the task he had in hand, without lift
ing his eyes, Napoleon, with his hands behind
his back, stopped before him, and abruptly
said
"What ails youP Are you i'll P7
"No, sire, replied Maineval, rising mp to an
swer
"Sit down you are ill. don't like people
telling me fasehoods insist on knowing"
"Sire-the fea- of having forfeited the kindness
of your Majesty deprived me of my sleep"
"Where were you yesterday ?"
Maineval told him the cause of his absence.
a thought this little property would crafty
my father"
"And pray, where did you get the money to
buy this house ?"
81 saved It. sire ont of the salary which vour
Majesty condescends to assign me"
Napoleon. after looking at him steadily for
few seconds. said. ntake sin of paper. and write
fhe treasurer of nv civil list will nav the bearer
the sum of eighty tousand francs.'" He took the
draft and signed If.
"Tbere mt that in vorr nocket and now LOT nc
cot obort o,,r roo,lor h,.inas.
Tho o.,on;sboI aoo.otor,. f,,nd h;u,.o1s uo..ou
81 nj. oGoo = ,,o.ao..;o. oeouh;. oI..
ments, and richer man by eighty thousand.
francs.
Rru.pKARp WopVs or Ur,T,v r,non
Nneveb was ID miles LONG. g wide and 46 miles
round with wall 1oo feet biob and tbict
erouob for tbree cbariots abreast Robvlon nos
10 miles within tbe walls which ,voro x foot tbioL
and 100 bigb with 100 bra7en oates Tho tom,
,,1o oe D;ooo =. p.,o.,,. 400, 80, -.
MORT of tho roor T. uoo ono bnndrod ,oon. =
brld;rc Tho loro,o.t of t,,o ,,,n.u,id. 40,
fact bigb and e59 feet on tho sidos. tbo bo.o oor
oro olov.or oo.o. NJ - oo r..
in length and the avers are 9os T. on,rIorod
33o o0o men IN b,,;ldjrr Tho lobrr;ntt - Pa.r,