New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23
.NdPOLEON'S LETTERS.
MOODs-1iORTENsE TO THE PRISONER
AT ST HELENA.

The literary ana artistic revival OF Napoeonlsm
gives n more than purely historical interest 70 the
sale at the Rue Drouot auction rooms. Paris. The
objects brought to the hammer are n collection or
autographs OF Napoleon his relatives, chief Min
listers and Marshas. with few others Of persons
who went with him to Elba and 81. Helena. The
psychologist and the caligraph!st would find much
that is suggested in the different signatures OF Ma
poleon. To begin with. the early ones show him TO
have been tormented with sef-conscousness. the
root Of maencent ambition. The earliest Is let
ter written from the military school OF Brenne.
which he signs "Buonnparts ns. cadet. gentil-.
homme" This might be translated "Buonaparte
Junior - younger brother. esquire" He IL next
"Buonaparte. lieutenant Of artillery. gentle
man" The Revolution takes Jacobin char
acter. lie becomes Buonaparte citizen Of the
French Republic. lieutenant OF artillery" He can
do without handle Of some sort 10 his name
When he Is attacking the English at Toulon he
Frenchines his name. becoming "Bonaparte" but
continues TO write his military rank In Italy he Is
General Bonaparte" or General OF Division Bona
parte" In Egypt he Is General Bonaparte Mem
her Of the Institute" learned scientific body that
had then been recently founded When Emperor he
is simply Napoleon" to resemble the other
erelgns who In signing only used their Christian
names. The signature from the date Of 1906 Is
scarcely legibe Beyond the initial letter. AS his
Empire grows older 1t grows wider and 1t all pivots
him. His will Is supreme and Is. indeed. the
sole will The b.oodshed OF the political gu.lotine
has unstrung the nervous system OF France and
cleared off all the heads which could have with
stood that OF the domneerng and semi-barbarous
Corscan. There Is absolutely no French check
his power A countsrpoisc Is only to be found In
England. for the Continental blood lettings accom-
panied by his armies leaves the nations that with
stood him as nabby as the one which ne has made
the basis Of his operations. lie tires out dozen
secretaries day 10 whom he dictates. and having
no longer time 10 sign his name In full. mercy
err "a n a no hnf Of
OF the DEGREES. lie falls and goes to Elba
There he had to try 10 make work for him.ef. and
Napoleon" but scrabbled and nervous
letter Of Queen Hortense. written at Arenen-
berg. in Switzerland, and dated May Is. 1921. Is ad
dressed to the captive Emperor. She speaks OF her
has received box she sent him years
previously containing portrait Of her mother the
Empress Josephine. She runs on In feminine ana
about the current Of her daily life. Her great
task Is the education OF her son. Napoleon who was
destined to be shot In heading revolt at Ancona
sacrifice to Napoleon who Is now with his father
(the exking Of Holand) at Rome. II have she
adds. lately sent artillery officer. OF
worth and ability. 10 stay there with him and 10
stay with him. for Napoleon ms mnch ina g ma lon
and requires hard study to correct II. Ii would rot
be endurabe for one bearing his name to turn out
a mediocrity Madame Msere sends me word tina,
Napoleon Is charming and that he IL being well
looked after: | am greatly consoled by the renec-
ton. Sire. that children brought up In misfortune
prosperity AZ any rate love for you viii be always
the great motive for exerton In my sons. Louis Is
sweet and affeconate. lie lives more according to
the heart than to the head and. fear. always viii
ssSs: misfortune but 1t renders the boy 50 low