New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-13
NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA
MARQUIS DE MoUCHENU's ANECDOTES
HOW HE WAS GUARDED AND PREVENTED FROM
FIJGHT-IIIs FAD TABLE MANNERS.

FLIGHT-IIIs BAD TABLE MANNERS.
Among the contributions which the reawakened
interest in Napoleon have called forth is let
ter heretofore unpublished. written by the Marquis
de Mouchenu one of the Commissioners sent TO
ST. Helena at the time OF the exile OF the great
conqueror. After an Introduction In which the
author describes in pessimistc language the con-
diton of affairs in the island he continues:
Now you know all my trials. let me speak
OF great man. of his position and the way
in which he Is guarded. The garrison of 81 He
lena is composed OF 900 men. Many pieces OF
artillery and score of mortars defend the coast
Bonaparte occupies the country house OF the Lieu
tenant Governor situated in the only plain on the
island, and known by the of Songrood. This
plain IS surrounded by high rocks, and one can
approach ii by only one path. About the mouse
is the sd Regiment, and further on are companies
OF artillery so that the entire plain Is guarded by
troops Napoleon has nifty men to serve him. but
takes advantage of his liberty TO walk about
alone without being annoyed by his guardians.
But II ne desires 10 leave the little plain Bona
parte Is accompanied by an officer in UNIFORM
who does not leave him an instant and who must
report everything that he has done during the day
1.-THE persons composing the suite OF the En-
peror' are watched by officers OF ordnance ana his
Wallets by under officers. AT every hour or the
night the Governor is Informed by means or MIL
itary telegraph of what happens on the island.
few minutes sufficient to alarm the garrison II
precautions taken to guard Napoleon as Ear as
the land Itself is concerned.
AS TO the seaside. still greater care Is taken.
Two frigatcs ride at anchor, and two briggs course
necessarily about the island and from D O'CLOCK al
night until o'clock in the morning two armed banis
patrol the mountains overlooking the sea II Is ior-
hidden TO row on the waters OF the Island without
permission otherwise one runs the risk OF being ar
rested and shot 40 strange boat IS allowed 10 land.
A reward OF five francs and a half Is given to any
one who signals the approach OF "A boat wlthin
twenty leagues OF the coast. 1t must also he re-
membercd that the coast is very dangerous The
breakers are so heavy that must often wait
several days without being able 70 leave his ship.
II permission is granted. You can understand
from this tina. escape IS impossible Admitting
even that the Governor wished to favor the hlgh'
OF Bonaparie. It would be necessary that ~" Al
miral connive at his plan. Now. " the Adm'rnI
should aid in dcceiving the superior authorities
and on a favorable night should allow two or
three sloops to approach for the purpose OF car
ryinC away our prisoner what would be the fate
OF these vessels? They would have 10 Withstand
a formidable fire. and their crews would be cor
talnly arrested. the approaches are so perfectly
guarded Nothing happens OF which | am not in
formed
when evening comes" adds the Marquis
.Bonaparte and his attendants must enter the
house and not allowed TO leave II unuI inc
following morning. The house AT night IS sur
rounded BY sentlncls. who have orders 10 draw on
any person who appears. and the Emperor ana
his followers have learned that those orders Will
certainly be carried out as proof has already been
given
'Bonaparte on arriving at St Helena. had lodg-
ings with a family named Balcombe one OF whose
daughters fourteen years old, was called Betty.
This little one Is very pretty AMI charming be-
cause OF the impetuousncss OF her character ana
she pleased the Emperor exceedingly. Yesterday
In talking - her. | said.
Miss Betty l am not astonlshed that you
speak French so well. as am told that you nave
Not At an was the reply. He Is too cross
But have heard / continued. that you have
undertaken 20 teach him better Manners ana that
but she asked. do you not know him at Nll'
lie is not In the least gallant, ,.,.... ...o-
appeared and told that one day when Roma "a,
And VIVA, dld You DO with this little hand
81 gave him box on the ear. AMI he became
80 angry that he pulled my nose 50 hard IA, !
a sword from my fathers room. drew II from
it's scabbnrd and pounced upon the Emperor ~. ~,
guard I'd came ;i1 to his ala and disarmci me-
But did you want e. Kill him
.'Hut enough Of these Incidents. Napoleon is al
mos, always In a bad humor. vcHcr all those about
him and continues to demand that b" be treated
as an EmpeT9r .-i g ''Io tss raro details are
given regarding the dishes which Napoleon ate.
and his cxecrable table manners.
"Tbe Fmperor' says the writer. who under
stood how to tickle the palates Of his foreign
loo material H. enjoy the pleasures Of q fine table
and too lively to devote the time necessary 10
RENE was IN he service Of he Emperor a. ch.f
The Emperor almost made him desperate by me
hungry his appetite had 70 be- satisfied. ana ne
service had 70 be 80 arrangei mat nj every o aIG
and at any time game Outlets. 'oll'., ',., 'DIri
be placed before HIN. Ten to twelve minutes were
necessary for Napoleon TO take ereaKiha,' M On.
ner lasted At the longest ono. nan an houi u" ~"
quickly aud In very bad form. His custom 70
caused him much trouol" WIN ms oman. re
was often afflicted with pains. A. rue ne bronx
o'clock lie usually ate his meals atone a, M ~
hogany gucrldon a small round tabIe WIN one !rs.
used his fingers instead Of spoons and forks He
also even used his fingers 10 help hlnseIt rom
the nI 3Ts9 G'9F se Trsng o even l MS at
times when h. had guests. and then allowed th9
dish 70 be passed t. M ,. others NO one 'o"'u
'Thc Emperor usually ate three or four different
dishes and ended his meal Win a cup or coH"r
All the dishes served 10 him AZ one tlm" he
did not seem to pay any atiention to %ha' h WAS
sand Other L9'ng ry ,be T' bcfora h@ SOUP When
es ne IN compa2y he paid lttle attention his
ncighbors As soon as he had finished he arose
allowed him TO go ami remained at the table. tell
ing her guests with sign to pay no attention 10
meal shorter than usual Prince Eugene left the
table al the same time az the Emperor Turn
ing about, the Emperor said: al
But YOU have not had time 10 eat
Excuse me- came the answer, ! have ALREADY
d,ncd' And there was surprise at TINS wise
course on the part OF Eugene. ,
'Napoeon always wished 10 have nne bread;
lie dlsliked highly seasoned dishes lie manifested
a slight preference for leg OF lamb and outlets
or vegetables he cared only for beans and lentilS
lie ate from silver plates. and In 1906 ordered lw'
Of them nj once. He often visited the markets
with Duroc 10 learn the price Of sugar ana other
things He drank little Half bottle Of wine
with ice, was sufficient for him. He was not n
wine expert. Champagne enlivcned him. but he
touched Il seldom At night time h" liked coffee
with milk chocolate, punch or lemonade. ON me
neld OF battle he ate. as far as possible as he did
In the Tuiler!es"