The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-19

Throughout these memoirs Meneval expresses
a high opinion Of Joseph Bonaparte. through
whose recommendation he became secretary n
Napoleon. Finding himself in Geneva in Sep
TENDER, 1914. he went TO spend the day at Pran.
gins, an estate situated some four leagues from
the town, on the shore ofthe lake, where the ex.
Queen of Spain. Julia, wife Of Joseph Bonaparte,
had recently arrived with her children. The au-
thor tells us that he found King Joseph, just as
he had always been. amiablc and unpretentious
returned. like Cincinnatus, to his plough, much
more taken up with the details Of his rustic life
and his brothers future fate than with the
remembrance Of the brilliant and stormy
career which he himself had passed
through. Meneval assures us that Jo-
seph Bonaparte loved Napoleon as much
as he admired him, and that there existed
between the two brothers a sympathy which the
difference In their characters may have helped
10 strengthen. This difference of character Is
disclosed by n remark sometimes addressed to
his secretary by Napoleon when First Consul,
before Joseph Bonaparte had consented to take
an active part in government: d" Why Ia j Joseph,
with all his talent, so lazy ?' The term lazi-
ness was applied by Napoleon to the modera-
ton which kept his brother away from the
cares and chains Of a rank which is an object
Of envy to almost all mankind. But, while the
kIVTy vi tHltTHTlSPb winch might nave Deen
above his capacity did not tempt Joseph
Bonaparte's ambition. he is credited with
knowing how TO display In business. when
once he was engaged in 1t, the sagacity
and energy which II demanded. Menevsl. who
knew him at both epochs, insists that to
the negotiations which occupied the first period
Of his political career, Joseph brought the lights
Of a keen and profound mind, a gift for lucid
discussion. and a Observation-Disclosures which was
proof against any attempt TO warp It.: he dis
played the same talents in his administration Of
the two countries, Naples and Spain, which he
was called upon successfully to govern. A gen.
tie philosophy, the qualities OF q gentleman, an
upright heart, and n noble character would have
drawn attention to him in any condition Of life.
and. as the Emperor used to say, would have
made him the ornament Of society.
Some doubts have been cast by Taine and
others on the genuineness OF Napoleon's pro-
LESSONS OF fraternal affection and upon his ten
der heartedness. Meneval reproduces the fol-
lowing letter to show how little those who thus
Judge him knew him. The original letter ia ad-
dressed to Joseph Bonaparte, and dated Messi-
dor, year ILL.,; IL bears traces Of the tears which
fell from the writer's eyes as he was penning It:
I'm whatever position fortune and events
may place you, you know we'll, my friend,
that you can have no better friend,
dearer to you, or more sincerely desir-
ing your happiness. Life is a light dream
which fades away. II you are leaving.
and you think It will be for some time. send me
your portrait. We have lived so many years to-
gether. so closely united that our hearts have
melted into one. Better than anybody you know
how entirely my heart is yours. / feel as l write
these lines an emotion which 1 have rarely ex-
perienced in the course of my life. l feel sure It
will be a long time before j see you again. I
cannot continue my letter. Farewell, my friend.
Napoleon" Meneval AYERS that the sentiments
here expressed with so much tenderness never
proofs OF this.