Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-10
NAPOLEON RONApARTE.
A Lady Replies to Mr. Royals Recent
Lecture.
To The Editor Of The Dispatch

To me Editor Of The Dispotch:
Having heard Mr.. Royals Interesting
but very one-sided lecture q devoted stu
dent Of French History would like to say
that those memorable words which shall
live for ages, The guard dies, but does
not surrender" were almost lite
rally true. General Cambronne, their
heroic leader, had fallen almost
| mortally wounded and remained
living upon the ground, for he would not
allow his men TO leave their ranks to bear
him away. The enemy's artillery dis
charged volley after vOlley upon the four
| angles of the square, but as fast as the
angles were beaten down the guard formed
again, each time the square smaller and
more compressed. At last, when reduced
to one hundred and fifty men, they dis
charged their muskets for the last time
| and rushed upon the cavalry which pur-
! sued them. killing both men and horses,
until they sank in this last sublime effort.
The English, more civilized on this fearful
day than the Prussians, had respected and
succored General Cambronne, who had
been left on the field grievously wounded.
Far from Nspoleon's powers having de-
cined at this period. never had his combi-
nations been finer OF his man9uyres more
skilful. Although suffering from the
disease which finally caused his death,
utNtl llAh llt bftAA iAOlt uilANt, lfllldiuluE
eighteen hours in the saddle at one time.
But fog the fatal, incomprehensiblem mistake
| of GTouchy, who renamed at Wavre with
"a 900 troops (men and officers alike clamor-
inc TO be led TO the scene of action, the
18th Of June would have had a different
ending.
But posterity will remember more of the
great Emperor than his military glory, I'M
equalled as it is He said himself: NO
Nol- ha. rnafN M h ltl
works which / have executed. the roads
which / have made, the Alps and the seas
| which | have united, the code of laws
which j have formed" Napoleon caused
the construction of the superb harbor and
| quays at Antwerp, the canal connecting
Belgium with France, so valuable TO COM
! merce; also. the canals connecting the
Saone with the Rhone, tho Meuse with the
Seine. The Simplon Pass over the Alps
was his work He established the Hospi-
| CHS on Mt. Gents and on the great Mt. st.
Bernard. The beautiful Cornice road
running along the base Of the Maritime
Alps, which is the delight and admiratlo on
of modern tourists, was planned by MN.
His ever thoughtful announcement OF
! literature and the arts must not be over
looked,
And what can be SAID of one who at.
tached 10 himself with so absolute devo-
Bassano, Ney, Sayary, Berthier, Lavallette
Lallemand, La BGdoyGre. Cambaceres, Cou'
laincourt, Carnot, who were faithful TO the
very last, and those self-sacriticlng friends
Gourcand, BeT .rand, Las Cases, Montho-
/, Ion, who remained besides this modern
Prometheus chained TO the rocks OF 81:
Helena until his glorious intellect and
splendid genius were stilled forever. Was
this the man without a heart, with nc
lOvable QuahtiesY
Let the alteration of his soldiers, his
careful provision for the orphans or ms
officers, his tears for DurOc and Desal1
e. Duroc was an angel" he sald) be the
answer to this accusation.
Who can forget those touching WORDS III
his will Il desire that my ashes shall re-
nose by the banks of the Seine, amid the
French people, whom l have 50 deeply
! loved"
like to think Of the return of the hero
10 France. when in December, 1870, escort
ed by the Prince de Joinville. received ~
tbecenerous King Louis Philippe, and FOL
lowed by all that was greatest IN france
he was LAID TO rest IN his magnificent tomu
under the dome Of the lnvahdes.
A wreath Of laurel in mosaic surrounds
the massive red granite tomb, and {
golden glow, like sunshine, tro1 tht
beautiful painted windows of the chape
falls ALWAYS on the spot. The sarcophagl
of Duroc and Bertrand, the Emperor tWe
dearest friends, are on either sue Oh Ih'
entrance to the crypt. $780,.
Standing by this monument, the mos
impressive in Europe, It 10 Impossible tC
fail TO do Justice to Napoleon.
April 2Sth. fRANoAlSh'