The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-09-08
The Last Days of the King of Rome.

ISL. Methodist
A few more words will sum up the last days
Of him who had been "the little King" He
became Colonel in the Austrian service, and
sought by reckless daring to prove false the
slurs of those who thought him efeminate.
He hunted, rode, studied exercised-did what
ever he could to show himself brave and hardy.
Brave and ambitious he was but he had not
the bodily constitution to bear the strain of the
tasks he set himself. At last his health failed,
and he was compelled to give up all active pur-
suits; and soon he learned thathe had not long
to live. He bore his last illness with the utmost
fortitude, and seemed anxious only that no one
should see him overcome by suffering.
He died on the 22d of July, 1892.
He had lived just Il years. He had won no
battles and had caused the death of no soldier; /;
he had won no great glory, and had done no
great wrong. Without repining he had ac-
cepted as inevitable his helpless and hopeless
captivity-a captivity he could not even resent.
for his jailer was his dearly loved grandfather.
What he conld accomplish he did we'll. He
had many excellent talents. He knew several
living languages, but showed less aptitude for
science. AS might be expected, his memory
him of the military life for which he longed
continually, believing no happiness equal to
that of the successful soldier.
Though never muscular, he was athletic and
skilled in sports--above all, in hovsemanship.
1t is limited that he was not always truthful /;
but his strange situation would necessarily
have caused him to be accused of this fault.
We must remember that he could hardly ex-
press his opinions freely without risk of giving
offense in some quarter.
A visitor to the Austrian Court once stupidity
asked whether he had any messages for friends
in Paris What could he reply to so tactless a
question?
Paris9" he. repeated 81 know no one
there. My only acquaintance in the city is the
column in the Place Vendome."
The next morning the traveller received from
the Duke little note containing only these
words: When you see the column, pray give
il my regards"
He gave little evidence of an ambition to
urge his claims to the French throne. The
son of Napoleon should be too great to become
a mere tool" are his own words And, in case
of an opportunity to assert his claim lie said
he did not wish :" to be in advance but in re-
serve. That is to say, to come to the rescue by
recalling former glories." He was as shrewd
as he was sensible. Once Marfnont quoted a
saying OF Napoleon's about trusting secrets to
few, and only to those who must be used" The
young Napoleon added that it would be well
sometimes to intrust secrets to those who
have guessed them pa clever comment for q
boy of 10.
Inbert de Saint Armand, from whose recent
studies of the Empire many of these facts are
taken, says: His sumptnous cradle he had
given to the Imperial Treasury of Vienna,
which Is near the Church Of the Capuchins,
where he was to be buried. My cradle and
my grave will be near each other, he said; my
birth and my dcath-that is my whole story"
He composed for his tomb this epitaph:
Here lies the Son of the Great Napoleon.
He was born King of Rome.
He died IN Austrian Colonel.
1t is only 60 years ago that his short life
came to an end AS he himself summed it up,
it began with grandeufand ended in petty use-
lessness. But Marmont says he had the gift OF
winning the affection of those who were
brought into contact with him, and that his
appearance Oh horseback upon parade made
his soldiers forget their rigid discipline and
burst into wild cheering as the martial young
officer galloped along the line. Surely there
was nobility of character in the boy who thus
brayely made the best of his sorry lot.