The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-09-15
Napoleon Us a PLAYMATE.

|
is heard of those who have seen him in
his 'off moments when his dignity is
laid aside, and he abandons himselfto
simple and natural influences. The in
| tercourse of great men with children is
a study more amusing than their State
conversations, although less imposing.
1t is easy TO understand why the Eng
lish people arc intensely interested in
the daily occupations of Louis Napol.
con, now powerless and an exile in their
land. 1t is easier TO imagine how great
was the interest of the world in the life
OF the Great Napoleon on 81. Helena.
Volumes Were written concerning him,
and were sought and read with even
more avidity than the histories Of his
campaigns. Among these records there is
a brief statement, now little known, the
impressions of Il child concerning Ma
| poeon. 1t was written In her later
year,, and describes with charming
simplicity what she felt as a. child, and
what She SAW, how the great man look
cd aud what he did. Tho author is
Miss Eliza Balcombe, daug liter of the
gentleman at whose house Napoleon
was guest for short time, while tho
residence at LongwOod was being fitted
up. Miss BalcOmbe's earliest and truly
English idea of Napoleon was that of
an ogre, with one fiery eye and great
teeth, with which lie devoured naughty
children who did not know their les-
sons. She had somewhat outgr own this
when he arrived at St. Helena ; but her
opinion of him was, that he was the
worst human being who had ever ex-
isted. She first saw him with terror,
mingled with admiration, a5 he sat on
his horse. But when the great Emperor
drew nearer the simple assurance Of
child enabled little Miss BalcOmbc to
make the close observation, from which
, she paints the following pen and
ink portrait: "IIe was deadly pale,
and thought his features. though cold
and immovable and somewhat stern,
I were very beautiful. When once
he began TO speak his fascinating smile
and kind manner removed every Vestige
of the fear with which l had regarded
him, While he was talking to mamma
t l had an opportunity Of scrutinizing
v his features, which l did with the keen
g est interest, and certainly have never
!. seen any one with so remarkable and
d striking physiognomy. The portraits
v Of him give a good general idea of his
n features, but his smile and the express
A. sion of his eye could not be transmitted
10 to canvas, and these constituted NOpo-
ID leon's chief charm. His hair was dark
T. brown, and as fine and silky as child's;
u rather too much so, indeed, for a man,
rs it caused it to look thin. His teeth
- were even, but dark, and afterwards
q found that this arose from his constant
4 habit of eating liquorice, Of which he
n kept supply in his waistcoat pocket"
rs in the very first hour Of his residence
10 in the house he commenced questioning
le Miss BalcOmbe: You speak French?'
rs Upon her reply in the affirmative, he
r- examined her in geography, asking the
In capitals of the different countries in
RS Europe. When he came to Russia she
ut answered Petersburg now, Moscow
to formerly" lie then sternly asked
in 4" Who burned Nosco,C '' The poor
se child, frightened, said she did not
py know. "Yes, yes" he answered,
IN laughing violently, "you know very
TO we'll that it was T." Miss Balcombc,
n. rclssu ed said :" 1 believe, sir, the Rus
slams burned ittogct rid of the French"
:. lie again laughed and changed the CON
~ vcr3atinn,
w MAI lolcon called his young friend Miss
co Botsee and amused himself constantly
nj with her. There was lady who thought
,b she could sing italian music, and who
V was q frequent visitor at tho house.
,d Napoleon always invited her to sing.
Iv and preserved grave face during her
h absurd attempts. As soon as she was
~. gone he would persuade Miss BetSee to
initiate her. lie would close his eyes
and pretend 10 listcn TO " our departed
- friend," as he called her, and finish the
ho entertainment by paying Miss Betsee
~ elaborate compliments.
he Learning one day that there was q
al child in the house who was afraid Of
is him, Napoleon brushed his hair awry,
TO contorted his face, frightened the child
ne almost into Mysteries. lie then tried
ly the same performance on Miss BetSce,
he who only laughed ut him. Las Casas
a did not like the young lady, and called
m. her rude hoyden. She tried to amend
.Iy but Napoleon invariably teased her out
te. of her prOpriety. lie stole her dresses
I and she his papers; he pinchod hei
not ears, and she pushed his attendants
against him as they walked together
}. On one occasion she cornered him will
his own sword. not desisting from hel
4 e..
mia mere exhaustion. lIe corrected he
w. French exercises for her. He seemoC
N n to enter into every sort of mirth or fur
) as with the glce OF child, aud though,
j in saws Miss Balcombe, ~ have Otter
,tlv tried his patience severely, l neve
70. knew him to lose his temper, or fal
ing back upon his rank or age to shiel
* himself from the consequences of hi
, on own familiarity and indulgence 10 me
ose, l looked upon him, indeed, when wit
In him, almost as brother or cOmpauio
lain of my own age, and all the cautions
of received, and my own resolutions
TO a treat him with more respect and fol
hat, mality, were put 10 flight the momer
| of | came within the influence of his arc
sov smile and laugh !" Miss BetSee wUul
own evidently have made better Custodia
n In for the prisoner than Sir Hudson Low
ops. And if the exile had remained at he
d 10 fathers house, his last years woul,
now perhaps, not have been embitterod b
city puerile quarrels with man who ev
ntry dently did not understand the exile
nan well as This child did.
and ---" - -
ll of THE Lancaster IhttttigCHCeT ASK