The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-11-30
LAST DAYS OF THE KING OF ROME.

A few more words will sum up the
last days of him who had been "the
little King" He became a colonel in
the Austrian service, and sought by
reckless daring to prove false the slurs
of those who thought him effeminate.
He hunted, rode, studied, exercised
did whatever he could to show himself
brave and hardy. Brave and ambi-
tious 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 pursuits; and soon he
learned that he had not long to live.
He died on the 22d of July, 1882.
He had lived just twenty-one 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 captivity he
could not even resent, for his jailer
was his dearly loved grandfather.
What he could accomplish, he did
well. He had many excellent talents.
He knew several living languages, but
showed less aptitude for science. AS
might be expected, his memory for
history was exceptional, for history
told him of the military life for which
he longed continually, believing no
happiness equal to that of the success
full soldier.
Though never muscular, he was ath-
letic, and skilled in sports-above all,
in horsemanship. 1t is limited that he
was not always truthful; but his
strange situation woald necessarily
have caused him to be accused of this
fault. We must remember that he
could hardly express his opinions free
ly 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 ques-
ton?
"Paris?" he repeated; 81 know no
one there. My only acquaintance in
the city is the column in the Place
Vendome."
And next morning the traveller re-
ceived from the Duke little note con-
tanning only these words: when you
see the column, pray give it my re-
CARDS."
He gave little evidence of an ambi-
ton to urge his claims to the French
throne. "The son of Napoleon should
be too great to become mere tool, "
are his own words. And, in case OF
an opportunity to assert his claim, he
said he did not wish "to be in advance,
but in reserve. That is to say, to come
to the rescue by recalling former glo-
ries." He was as shrewd as he was
sensible. Once Marmont 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 was well sometimes to
intrust secrets to those who have
guessed themw-a clever comment
for boy of nineteen.
Imbert de Saint-Amand, from whose
recent studies of the Empire many OF
these facts are taken, says: His
sumptuous 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 era
die and my grave will be near each
other he said; my birth and my
death-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 an Austrian Colonel.
1t is only sixty years ago that his
short life came to an end. AS he him.
self summed it up, it began with
grandeur and ended in petty useless
ness. But Marmont says he had the
gift of winning the affection of those
who were brought into contact with
him, and that his appearance on horse
back 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 bravely made the
best of his sorry lot.-Tmdor Je'sks, IN
st. Nicholas.