The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-11-05
How q Great Military History Was
Writtcn.

Ono day carly in 1928 he wont for a
walk with Lord Langdale, one of his
intimate friends, over somo fields which
are now covered by tho mansions of
BelgraVia. The conversation turned
on Southey's recently published narra-
4 tive of tho Peninsular war. Lord Lang
dale was greatly struck by Napior's re-
marks on tho events of the struggle
and the characters of the principal act
;ors. Suddenly he asked him what he
was thinking of doing. "Do you
mean," replied Napier, "where am |
going to diner" NO" said Lord
Langdalc; "what arc you thinking of
turning to as an occupationp" Then
no urged him TO turn to literature.
The article on Jomini proved that he
could write. He must not waste his
life in more amusement Why should
ho not write history of the war him
seltP On returning homo Napier told
his wife what Lord Langdale had said.
and added that he himself felt doubtful
whether he was clever enough to write
properly such book as O history of
the war. But she, believing firmly in
her husband, encouraged him to try.
For several nights he lay awake think
ing over the matter. At last his scru-
pies wero overcome by the thought
that he might be able at least to vindi-
cate the illuminated momory of
Moore; and he resolved to make the
attempt. Those of his acquaintanccs
who did not really know him were sur
prised to hear of his intention, and re-
marked that boing comparatively a
young man, he was presumptuous to
think that he could write such q his
tory. Having formed his resolve he
lost no time in proceeding to execute
it. First of all, he called upon the
Duke Of Wellington and asked him for
the loan of his papers. The Duke re-
piled that he had himself thought of
writing plain, didactic history of the
war, which should be published after
his death. Till then it would bo inn
possible to make known the whole
truth without giving pain to many
worthy officers, whose only fault had
beon dullness. For these reasons he
told Napier that he could not lend him
his private papers; but he intrusted
MIN with number of important docu-
ments, and gave him authority to OBJ
tam from tho Quartermastor-G General,
Sir George Murray, all his orders of
Ao'ShiShto' VI Ills own accord he
promised to answer any questions as to
matters of fact which Napier might
wish to ask him i'll tho course of his
work. Murray, however, refused to
let Napier have the orders of move
mcnts, stating that he reserved them
Tor history which he himself intended
to write. After taking these prelimi-
nary steps Napier went to Paris to col
lect materials for the French side. He
walked about tho streets, exploring the
contents Of the bookstalls, and bought
every book that seemed likely to be OF
any use to him. He also won't regular
ly to the Depot de la Gucrre and made
copious extracts from the documents
which were stored on its shelves. On
returning TO England he took up his
abode for Il time at Strathfieldsave for
the purpose of consulting the Duke.
| Marshal Soult, with whom when in
Paris he had struck up an ncuuaint-
ancc, lent him valuable papers; he cor
responded with Marshal Jourdan, and
received information from officers who
had served on the staff of New and
MasSena. He also collected an im-
mcnsc mass of letters and Journals
from British officers. Tile Nutiouuk
| RCUieW.