The Portland daily press., 1879-12-11
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.
Napoleon.
How He Looked and How He Acted.


From New York Tribune Summary of the Memoirs
of Madame de Remusat
Although very remarkable for certain intel
lectual qualities, nothing was more debased it
must be confessed, than his soul He had no
generosity, no true grandeur. 1 never saw
him admire, and | never saw him comprehend
noble action. He always suspected any trace
of good sentiment; he thought nothing of sim
cerity, and never hesitated to say that he re-
cognized mans superiority by the degree of
ability with which he could manage to lie; on
these occasions he delighted to tell the story
that in his childhood one of his unces had
foretold that he would govern the world be-
cause he had the habit of always lying. MET
ternich,' said he at another time, sis becom-
ing statesman; he lies we'll" All his means
of governing men were chosen by Bonaparte
amongst those which tend to debase them He
feared the ties of affection, he tried to isolate
everyone, he only sold his favors in such way
as to awaken inquietude, thinking that the
true way to attach men to himself was to COM
promise them, and often even disgrace them i'll
public opinion. He never pardoned virtue ex-
cept when he could overwhelm it with ridicule
A part of the information which Madame dc
R6musat has to give respecting the murder OF
the Due d'Enghien-a crime for which few
people at this day of the world have any apol-
ogy to offer in Napoleon behalf-has already
been given in this paper, but in addition to
that the book contains report of conversa-
tions which followed between Napoleon, her
self and her husband on the wisdom and JUS
tice of the act. No one else was present ex-
cept Josephine. The conversation was turned
to the Due d'Enghen by the Emperor him
self, who, as the writer observes, felt that his
conduct needed some justification in their
eyes. Madame de Remusat admitted candidly
thut she disapproved of the murder, to which
Napoleon replied that the conspiracy against
his life needed decisive measures, and then
continued
"This conspiracy aimed at moving Europe;
1 was obliged, therefore, to undeceive Europe
and the royalists. I had to choose between
persecution in detail and a great stroke my
choice could not be doubtful. J have imposed
silence forever both on the royalists and on the
Jacobins. There remain the republicans, those
dreamers who believe that they can build a re-
public upon an old monarchy, and that Europe
will allow Us peaceably to found federal gov
ernment of twenty millions OF men. THESE
men can never WIN over: but they are few
and without credit. You French love mon
archy; it is the only government which pleases
you. L wager that you, NJ de Remusat, are
hundred times more at your ease since you
called me sire and called you monsieur" AS
there was some truth in this observation, my
husband laughed and answered that indeed
the sovereign power seemed to suit him very
well, 'The fact is" continued the emperor,
VIII ose good humor increased, g! believe that |
should be bad hand at obeying. =. j.
have acquired at present great facility Tor
administering France; it is because neither
France nor any longer deceive one another.
Talleyrand wished that should make my
self king; it was the word in his dictionary.
He would have thought himself set up again
as a great lord under a king; but didn't want
any great lords except those of my own crea-
ton Moreover, the title Of king is used up;
it carries with it received ideas OF which
should have to be the heir, and l don't choose
TO be any ones heir. The title which L bear is
grander, and is also little vague; it serves the
Imagination. A revolution has been brought
to an end, and gently, flatter myself. DO you
know why? Because it has displaced no IN
terest and has awakened many new ones. 1t
is necessary always to keep your vanity on the
stretch; the severity of a republican govern
ment would have bored you to DEATH What
caused the Revolution? Your vanity what
will end it? Again, your vanity. Liberty is
pretext. Equality is your hobby, and now the
taken from the ranks OF the soldiers. Men
like the Abbe Sieyes," he added, laughing,
Ght cry y S9t syS DSwn re MAIN PSpiSr roday
1 have the people and the army on my SIDE;
he would indeed be a fool who could not rule
with that
When Napoleon had finished speaking he
arose. and, it IS related, a sudden change took
place in his manner. Up to that time he mad
been very cheerful, and the tone of his voice,
his look and his gestures were simple and en-
o;u hot no had become IL
tirely at their ease. But all at once his lace
took ON a severe expression, and he gave to NJ
de R6musat an insignificant order with an alr
Of dryness and tone of lofty command. "Ihe
sound of his voice, SO different from that which
1 had been listening to for the last hour almost
made me start" When she and her husband
had left the emperorS presence, her husband
confided to her that he had received the same
impression by the change. "You see,D he re-
marked che was afraid lest this moment of ex-
pansion should diminish something of the fear
which he always wishes to inspire. He thought
him self obliged to replace us in the presence
of our master" The author observes that this
observation was both true and fine, and since
then she has frequently had occasion ito Judge
on how true knowledge of Bonaparte's char
acter il was founded The emperor's person.
al appearance is described as follows:-
Bonaparte is of small stature, and not well
proportioned; the upper part OF the body SEEM
ing to press upon the lower portion. He has
scanty chestnut brown hair and gray-blue eyes.
His complexion was yellow as long as he was
thin. but later it became dead-white, without
the least color. The expression of his forehead,
the setting of his eyes, the lines OF the nose
all this is fine and reminds one of antique me-
dallions His rather common mouth becomes
attractive when he laughs. His teeth are reg
ular; his chin somewhat short. He has small
feet and hands, which must be noticed because
he takes good care of them. In standing and
walking he bends little forward. His eyes,
usually dull, give to his face when in repose
melancholy expression, but when he is angry
his glance becomes suddenly sharp and threat
ening. His smile becomes him well; it disarms
and rejuvenates his entire person, and IN such
moments it is difficult to Withstand his winning
expression, so changed and beautiful is his
countenance. His clothing was always sim
pie. Usually he wore the uniform of his
guards Cleanliness was with him more a mat
| frequently, and often in the middle of the
| ninht hecause he thought it good for his health