The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-27
NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA.
How He Was Guarded and Prevented
From Flight-His Bad Table Man
From the New York Trlbune

Among the contributions which the
reawakened interest in Napoleon I. have
called forth is a letter heretofore IN
published. written by the Marquis de
Mouohenu, one OF the commissioners sent
10 81. Helena at the time of the exile of
the great conqaeror After an introduce
ton IN Which the author describes in
pessimlstlc Language the condition of
analrs IN the island, be continues:
Now, as you all know my trials, let
me speak of our great man, of his position
and the way in which he'll guarded. The
garrison of ST. Helena is composed of
lou men Many pieces of artillery and
score OF mortars defend the coast.
Bonaparte occupies the country house of
the acknowledgement situated in the
only plain on the island and known by
the name of SongroOd This plain is sur
rounded BY high rocks, and no one can
approach 1t by only one path. About the
house is the Eifty-third regiment. and
further on are companies of artillery; 50
that the entire plain is guarded by troops.
Napoleon has fifty men 10 serve him, but
taxes advantage of his liberty TO walk
ABOUT alone, without being annoyed by
his guardians. But if he desires TO leave
the lutte plain Bonaparte is accompanied
by an officer in uniform. VINO does not
leave him an instant and who must re-
port everything that he has done during
the day.
The persons composing the suite of
the emperor are watched by officers of
OF ordnance, and his Wallets by under
officers. AT every hour of the night the
governor is informed by means OF mill
tary telegraph of what happens on the
island. few minutes are sufficient to
alarm the garrison if necessary. and have
II under arms. Such are the precautions
taken to guard NAPOLEON, as far as the
land itself IS concerned
As to the seaside, still greater care is
taken. Two frigates ride atanchor. and
two briggs course necessarily about The
island, and from 8 o'clock at night until
b clock IN the morning two armed bands
patrol the mountains overlooking the sea
1t Is forbidden to row on the waters of
the island without permission, otherwise
one runs the risk of being arrested and
shot. No strange boat is allowed
to land. A reward of five
francs and a half is given to anv
one who signals the approach of a boat
within twenty leagues of the coast. 1t
must also be remembered that the coast
is very dangerous. The breakers are so
heavy that one must often wait several
days without being able to leave his ship,
II permission is granted. You can under
stand from this that escape is impossible
Admitting even that the governor wished
to favor the flight of Bonaparte, it would
be necessary that the admiral connive at
his plan. Now, if the admiral should aid
III deceivtng the superior authorities and
on favorable night should allow two or
three sloops to approach for the purpose
OF carrying away our prisoner, what
would be the fate of these vessels? They
would have to Withstand "A formidable
fire, and their crews would be certainly
arrested, as the approaches are so per-
fectly guarded Nothing happens of
which am not informed.
when evening comes" adds the Mar
quis, "BOnaparte and his attendants must
enter the house and are not allowed to
leave II until the following morning. The
house at night is surrounded by sentinels,
who have orders to draw on any person
who appears, and the emperor and his
followers have learned that these orders
will certainly be carried out, as proof has
already been given.
"Bonaparte, on arriving at St. Helena,
had lodgings with family named Bal
combe, one of whose daughters, IA years
old is called Betty. This little one is
very.PrettS and charming, because of the
impetuousness of her character, and she
pleased the emperor exceedingly. Yes
terday in talking to her, said
Miss Betty, / am not astonished that
you speak French so well, as ] am told
that you have chosen Napoleon as your
teacher.
"'Not at ALL was the reply. He is too
cross and rude for that
" But have heard, continued. that
you have undertaken 10 teach him better
manners, and that he is very much inter
ested in you.
But she asked, do you know him at
alll He is not in the least gallant
AT this point of our conversation Bet
tvs sister appeared and told me that one
day when Bonaparte was alone with the
child, he plnched her ear, causing her
some pain:
I" And what did you do with this little
handH | asked, turning to the child.
- J gave him box on the ear, and he
became so angry that he pulled my nose
so hard that it was red almost the entire
day.. Another time took a sword
from my fathers room. | drew it from
its scabbard and pounced upon the en-
peror But he ran into corner and
cried aloud. The guard came to his aid
and disarmed me-
" But did you want to kill him.
No, but wished TO prick him and
see the color of his blood
But enough OF these incidents Napo-
leon is almost always in bad humor,
vexes all those about him, and continues
to demand that he be treated as an en-
peror. He imposes upon every one"
In recent article in the ''Figaron de-
tails are given regarding the dishes which
Napoleon ate, and. his execrable table
manners. ,.....-. .N AS .t-
The emperor says she writer, who
understood how to tickle the palates Of
his foreign guests with the finest dinners
was himself too material to
enjoy the pleasures of fine table and
too lively to'devoCe the time necessary to
them. La Guipere, the rival of Boucher
and Careme, was in the service OF the
emperor as chef The emperor almost
made him desperate by the irregularity
of his meals. AS soon as ne was hungry
his appetite had to be satisfied. and the
service had to be so arranged that at
every place and at any time game, cut
let's, co1ee, etc. could be placed before
him. Ten or twelve minutes were neces-
sary for Napoleon to take breakfast: his
dinner lasted at the longest one-half an
hour. He ate quickly and in very bad
form. His custom to swallow his meals
without proper mastication caused him
much trouble with his stomach. He was
often afflicted with pains. As a rule he
breaktasted at 10 o'clock. and diued be-
tween Z and $ O'Clock; He usually ate
his meals alone at a mahogany gueridou
"a small round ia Die with one leg
He never used a napkin, and often in
his hurry used his fingers instead of
spoons and forks. He also even used his
fingers to help himself from the large
dishes served and loved In din nieces ~