The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-02-18
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY is.

there was wanting 10 confirm this prosperity
and to afford Europe the spectacle and exam
pie of great regenerated people enjoying lib
erty without falling into license, triumphantly
led by capable chiefs, but not becoming the
slave of those chiefs--what was wanting for
this? A Washington. If Bonaparte, on his
victorious return from the field of Marengo,
had taken that iIlustrious citizen as his model,
what might he not have done for the happiness
of France, for his own true glory, and even for
the duration of his authority" Another proof
that Mot does not suit his facts and arguments
to his prejudices will be found in his remarks
about Napoleon's brothers, especially about 20.
seph, to whom he was greatly attached, ana OF
whose kindliness and charm he frequently
speaks 1t appears here that Joseph was con-
tinually urging the divorce from Josephine,
and was almost as bitter as Lucien against what
they held to be the jealousy and monopolizing
spirit of their great brother. Joseph wanted to
be declared Regent in case OF Napoleon's de-
mise without heir. Mot confirms all that has
been urged against Napoleon in respect to Jeal-
ousy of other men, and gives singular in
stance of his fatalistic beliefs. Joseph was urg-
ing him to conclude the treaty with the United
States "You understand nothing about it,
he said. SIN two years time we shall be mas
tiers of the world. If the Kings make peace
they are lost; two years OF prosperity to France
will destroy their power, and IL they continue
the war they are still more surely lost" And
then, coloring his political prophecy with that
tinge of superstition which he mingled with ev-
erything he continued: Nothing has yet hap
pened TO me that have not foreseen; alone
am surprised at nothing that have accomp-
lished. Even SO can also divine the future,
and even SO I shall reach the end propose to
myself" Joseph Bonaparte also told Mot
still more curious fact regarding their father,
Charles Bonaparte, who died in his thirty
seventh year at Montpelier. In his last mo-
ments when partly delirious from pain, he ex-
claimed repeatedly: "Where is he? Where IS
nv son Napoleon? He whose sword will make
Kings tremble He who will change the face of
Europe! He would defend me from my enc
mics; he would save my life" Joseph Bona
parte added: al am almost ashamed of what 1
say to you, and certainly would say it to no
one but yourself. But the thing is certain
There exists, moreover, another witness to this
singular fact-Fesch, my mothers brother. lie
as we'll as / was present at my fathers DEATH
bed, and can confirm what l have just told
you"
Count Mot de Melito had unusual opportun--
tiles for knowing the local characteristics OF
Napoeon's birthplace and the current facts and
reports about his ancestry. he was Governor
of Corsica ON two occasions, and left in these
memoirs one of the few descriptions of that is
land. Like the rest of his remains, it is not
brilliant nor exhaustive but accurate and mod
crate Certainly no autobiographer of that
epoch is less pretentous and carries in his style
more conviction of fairness OF mind than he.
His memoirs belong to those which will not
take the public at first, but will win their way
slowly and surely, perhaps to exist long after
Shower histories are consigned to the grave OF
public libraries.