The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-19

MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, HIS CoURr, AND FAMILY.
By the Duchess D'Abrantes, D. Appleton
& Co., New York
These memoirs, covering period commencing
with 1884 and ending with the date of the bat
tie of Waterloo, March goth, 1915, are particu-
larly interesting just now. This time has been
the subject of an immense amount of biography,
but that the interest of the public is not com
pletely exhausted is evidenced by the populari-
ty of the memoirs of Madame de Remusat lady
in waiting to Josephine. This lady had very
delicate sensibilities, her soft skin was bruised
by the rough hand of the great Napoleon, and
she found that his rapid walk annoyed her ex-
tremely in the public PROFESSIONS; she had a
great deal to endure in this way, and her grand
son seems to solicit the sympathy of the world
IN her behalf. The memoirs of the Duchess
D'Abrantes are written in different spirit
She admired Napoleon intensely, and applauds
his whole life. Referring to his early years, she
speaks of his kindness of heart as a child; his
morbid pride as a school boy fretting under the
straitened circumstances his fathers poverty
drew around him; and later, of the indomitable
will which waited the turn his destiny would
bring him. This turn came in 1895, when he
was appointed Commander in Chief of the army
In Italy and here Madame Junot follows him
with the eyes of her husband who was the COM
rade in arms and warm personal friend of Ma
poleon, and for whom Madame, contrary to the
customs of the time, seems to have had most
affectionate regard. This was also the year OF
the marriage of Napoleon to Madame Beauhar-
tO :
the delineation Of the character of the latter
she is pretty and graceful, and soothes Napoleon
after his diplomatic vexations, but beyond this
there is nothing to make us believe her the
guiding star of his destinies OF matters of ETH
quette, costumes, and general social observances,
Madame Junot gives us her own account as an
eye witness, a little diffusely perhaps but she
takes so much pleasure in recountng these de
tails that we are unconsciously pleased in read
ing of them. When she has occasion to refer to
the diplomacy of the times, she gives Junot as
her authority while underneath all that she
says there lies belief on her part in the good
faith and consummate ability of Napoleon this
finds grati6ed expression in her account of his
victorious career in Egypt, and his admin stra.
ton during the consulate. Later she becomes his
apologist, and especially in the matter of his
domestic tyranny, gives such severe and par
tial analysis of the members of his family that
the harshest measures seem iustifable.
On the last page she apostrophizes the day of
Waterloo, and intimates treason in order to
shield the military fame of her hero. The idea
OF NaPoleons being conquered by the superior
address of another General, and that General
an Englshman, seems too improbable to be en-
tertained.
VI course we must read this memorial of Ma
Poieon with the understanding that it was writ
ten by woman who regarded him as a sort of
god but such work about such man, by one
intimately associated with him. cannot fail to
possess profound interest and permanent
historical value