The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-29
The Little Corporal Not an I'M
posing Figure on Dress
Parade.
Below Middle Stature, Of Sickly
Yellow Complexion, and
Melancholy Cast.
Brilliant Spectacle on the Champ de
Mars, the Like of Which is Rarely
vouched Mortal Eyes.

uAA~OotoAE
are often fertile sources whence come rare
bits of quaint description and acute com.
ment on men and times, and they possess
the destinations of romance and the utility
of history. Indeed, the historian spurns
not, but he rather eagerly seeks the aid Of
unpublished memoirs, in which, all I'M
suspected by the writer, he finds the vivid
lights and shades of character and events
of which his history is but the faithful re-
fex. The unpublished diary of Mr.. Viii
liam Brisbane, wealthy citizen of South
Carolina, has recently come into the pos.
session of Mr.. Clarence Deming, and ex.
cerpts from its pages form the major part
of an article by him in the May Scribner
In 1901 Mr.. Brisbane disposed of his pos
sessions and began an itinerary that en-
braced 20, 294 miles, including, of course
France, where he arrived in 1904, Just be
fore the papal coronation of the first
Napoleon as emperor of the French. FIRST
views are often most comprehensive, as first
judgments offspring of impulse, are often
most correct. Let Mr.. Brisbane tell in his
own words his first view of Napoleon:
On the 2Sth there was grand review of
the imperial guard and several regiments of
the line in the courtyard of the Tuileries,
amounting to eight or ten thousand men.
composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery;
and here we had the satisfaction of seeing
for the first time the celebrated conqueror
of Italy. His appearance was far from dig
nified or inspiring beholders with that awe
which one would expect in such charac-
ter. However he might be in action, he
our situation we had an excellent opportu-
nifty of observing him. We were within eight
or ten yards of the spot on which ne took
his station while reviewing the troops. His
stature is something below the middle size,
his complexion of a yellow, sickly hue, a
His conntenance has a melancholy, serious
cast. Yet, notwi outstanding these disad-
vantages, his face is by no means hOmely.
He was surrounded by group of generals
whose brilliant uniforms rendered his plain
dress the more conspicuous. Except his
epaulets, his whole dress was perfectly
plain, without either lace or embroidery.
He wore his hair cut short, without pow
der. and plain cooked hat with national
cockade. AS soon as he descended into the
courtyard he mounted handsome white
steed, and Immediately set off full gallop,
inspecting every corps, passing through the
which were presented by the soldiers. He
is a very bold rider, but not very good,
Fro From f His bad horsemanaBp (by i inn.
properly checking) he brought him
self and horse to the ground. He then dis
mounted while the mud was washed off the
poor animal, but he disdained changing his
own dress, and appeared at the levee after
the parade in his muddy uniform, where
the diplomatic corps and number OF
sprucely attired strangers had the honor OF
being thus received by him.
On the third day after the coronation
Mars one of the most brilliant spec
tacles perhaps ever seen. Facing this
place is the military school, to the front
of which three pavilions had been erect
ed. The grand or center one was sup
ported by columns and connected with
the Others by covered gallery, the
whole richly gilt and ornamented with
emblematic figures and imperial eagles.
In the center pavilion superb throne
was erected under very rich canopy.
The emperor sat on his throne having
on his head crown of gold in the form of
sented with. In his right hand ne held
golden sceptre. In front was an army of
twenty Thousand men. :.
Nothing could exceed the magnificence of
the scene: On the principal side of the
square their imperial ma jesties, surrounded
ing the centre; the foreign ambassadors on
the right wing; ON the left foreign princes
in their court dress, and the whole line con-
nected by senators, tribunes and legislators
judges and counsellors ranged five and six
deep, all in rich attire. The opposite side
OF this immense square was open to the
river, but having its prospect bounded by
the beautiful village of Passy, which rose
in majestic grandeur on slope the other
side of the Seine, while the two sides
were enclosed by an immense crowd of
people on each rampant; and in the centre
of the whole a well-appointed army of 90
600 men, of the flower of the French troops,
assembled to receive their imperial colors
surmounted by gilded eagles. and take
their oath of allegiance to the new order of
things. Of what consequence can such
oath be, when the emperor Napoleon him
self, and principal officers of the army.
have annually sworn on this very field of
Mars eternal hatred to royalty, and fidelity
to the constitution of the day! The army
was by no means pleased with resignine
their ancient standards, under which many
of them had engaged with such success, in
exchange for these splendid eagles.