The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-05
Conversation with Napoleon at Longwood.


From the st. James's Magazine.l
Before leaving the Briars, Napoleon went
to Mr. Bslcombe's apartment, and invited
the young ladies to Longwood, where he said
be would always be happy to see them. We
reached Longwood in safety, Napoleon
evincing no feeling Of any kind that night re-
specting the change. Next day, however, he
seemed irritable, and it was some days before
he could reconcile himself to the place. By
degrees his irritability wore off, but his anger
was aroused when he learned that an order
had been given forbidding any person to enter
Longwood gates without pass signed by the
admiral; that sentinels were posted all round
Longwood; and that Lieutenant {? Captain)
P0ppleton was to live in the house as his
orderly officer.
Sir George Cockburn treated him with
marked kindness; allowed him to 90 to q GER
tain distance from Longwood alone, and per-
mitted him to visit any part Of the island he
thought proper, provided that if he went be-
yond certain bounds the orderly officer was to
attend him. Much about this time ship ar.
rived from England with dispatches, and in
formed us that the 66lh regiment had en-
barked for ST. Helena. Sir George came to
Longwood with the orders he had received
from England, and read them to Napoleon
and his generals He also informed Napoleon
that Gen. Sir Hudson Lowe was appointed
governor of tha island, and had taken bis pas.
sage on board Of 81. Ms frigate Phgdon,
which was expected to arrive in about
months time. At this news Napoleon was
greatly chagrined, as he appeared to know Sir
Hudson Lowe we'll.
Napoleon remarked to the Admiral: 81
hope Sir Hudson Lowe will act in the same
manner as you have done. then shall be
comfortable" Sir George bowed and re-
manned silent Mr.. JONES' having q standing
pass from Sir George, often came to L, ng-
wood. In conversation about the war with
Bonaparte the latter spoke very highly of
some of his own generals, saying that none
could exceed them in their art Mr.. Jones
replied: "You we're lucky to fall in with
such clever men," "Not at ALL" said Napo.
leon. "My maxim was never to promote any
man unless he deserved it. No matter how
humble q mans origin might be, if he pos
sessed merit or any good qualities, I always
him, and by experience he pro-
NOTED himself To make thoroughly good
general q man should go regularly through
all grades in the army-that is, he 6Aould rise
from the ranks.
"If q man had talent developed it. Now
the practice in the English army is always to
promote persons of high birth, money easily
purchasing the commission Of lieutenant
colonel for q man with little or no military
experience the sons of noblemen can be
capita MS and majors without ever having had
. days march with regiment, while good
soldiers, who have fought for their country
and experienced the fatigues and hardships
Of war, if they happen to be Of obscure birth,
in low circumstances, and to lack wealthy OF
influential friends, are totally and most I'M.
Justly neglected" Mr.. Jones then asked
Napoleon what he thought OF Lord Yelling
ton.
"Why," said Napoleon, wellington is q |
good soldier and brave man; but he does |
not possess that experience which is requisitd |
IN field marshal. Sir Rowland Hill shoule |
have been your commander-in-chief. He is |
far superior to Wellington, and SO was Gen. |
Picton. During the latter part of the war l |
am convinced that Wellington only followed |
Gen. Hills directions. Poor old Hhl is gen. |
eral who fought hard and we'll for his coun- |
try, and he ought to have had the honors |
that have been given to Wellington. The
English had several old officers more expe-
rienced in the field and who were better CON-
handlers than Wellington. I had read an &C
,ount of Waterloo, written BY an Englishman,
rom which it appears that Wellington did the |
,ole business himself; but let any man read q
rue account of the battle, and then he will see
Who was really the conqueror. lido not wish to )
lisparags Wellington-far from it-but what
would have become Of him and his army If
Butcher had not come to his assistance 80
oon 2" Mr.. Jones remarked that the action
y. FL T. 4