Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-04-13
NAPOlEON'S TABLE.
How the Exiled Emperor Of the French
Jared at st. Helena.

How the Exiled Emperor of the French
Jared at st. Helena.
NJ Charles Monselet has discovered
in the memoirs of Careme. famous
cook, some interesting details of the
life of Napoleon at st. Helena. He has
given these to the world. after express.
ing q conviction that it is not without
interest ito know what tyrant can
eat" Napoleon's household staff.
taken with him from France. included
maitre h hotel, a chef d office, head
cook and pastry cook. Four Chinese
servants were added on the arrival OF
the exile and his attendants at the
island. The nationality Of this sup.
Elementary staff is cause Of grief tc
Careme. who says: IN. Lcpage (the
chief cook) was doubtless the first
French cook to find himself in such 3
difficult positio. -four Chinese men t.
assist him in his work! l repeat it,
the position is the worst thai
could try a purveyor for the table;
still. they set to work with the four
Chinese. Apparently Napoleon was
not a troublesome animal to feed. H.
had a particular liking for blood pud-
ding. and they let him have all he
wanted. Other favorite dishes were
fowls la Mcrcngo. such entries as
could be fried vol-au-vent, and, being
an Italian, maccaroni in all styles OF
serving. He had also weakness fol
pastry and side dishes composed OF
sweetmeats His breaifas usually
consisted of porridge made from
sorrel or from any thing else, provided
it was cooling; breast of lamb well
broiled and served with thin gravy; a
small roast, fowl or two outlets, and
sometimes vegetables, but those
raised on the island were good fol
nothing. For dinner. partridge,
one relieve. two entrees, a
roast, and the indispensable
sweetmeats and pastry. Sir Hudson
Low provided the materials. and, OF
course, these were detestable. accord
ing TO Careme. who says: 1.-THE poor
cook for the Emperor was often made
unhappy by receiving lean fore-quar-
ter of beef, while the Governor kept the
hind-quarter for himself There was
no game on the island. Two or three
times year cartridges and pheasants
would come but the Governor would
grab them for his own table, and SEN
very few to the Emperor. Napoleon
had his whims One day he ordered &
soldiers soup" The cook, astonish
ed. did not think it necessary to answer
the demand literally, and made a soup
with very little bread, and so ligh
that the beans could be seen. M
polean was not so easily humbugged
He sent for the cook.
II believe that you were a soldierP'
Eyes. sire.
"Then you must know very wei
that this is not n soldiers SOUP"
Excuse me sire. l believe
thought"
That will do. Make me bette
one tomorrow.
The cook did not repeat the per
formance. and tn, next day served ;
soup so thick with bread and bean
that a spoon could be stood erect in it
Napoleon was satisfied. but he at
very little of it and never called 70
it again. And then Careme pro
pounded this philosophical query
What was the purpose of this grea
Captain in ordering a soldiers soupP'
Another time Napoleon ordered from
his Chinese retainers dinner o
Chinese viands. BIT he could no
touch it, -Scrib7er's Magazine.