Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-17
NAPOLEONIC EVENING" At O'Brien's, Thursday, February
 2l-Society Is IN A NAPOLE0NIC FRENZY. Just Now, and the Latest Craze Is Lecture on Napoleon.
 Living Pictures.
IN A NAPOLEONIC FRENZY.

"Napoleonic Evening",
 When Napoleon was pupil of the mili-- tary school at Brienne as a pensioner of the king b e wrote to his mother in Corsica:. "With Homer in my pocket and my sword by my side hope to carve my way through the world.' Bonaparte was then a youth of but 10 years of age. For nearly thirty five years from this time his life was a se- ries of Achievements, the success of which has rarely been equaled-from a military standpoint never-and dou btless consen- sus of human opinion would probably agree that he was, all in all, the greatest man that ever lived. But not only was he. a soldier, like Hannibal and the Duke of Wellington, but he was leader of men in peace as well as in war. He was moreover a writer and an orator whose extraordi- nary personality verifies every word he ever wrote or spoke. Much light has been thrown upon the domestic and public life of the great em peror by recent revelations, and the very great revival of interest in all that refers to Napoleon and his era has utilized all the current sources of informa- ton and many public archives are reveal ing their treasures of the career of the 'tMan of Destiny,'' and each year new memoirs call forth fresh statements and critiques.
 "Ihe memory. of Napoleon resembles gigantic cliff emerging from the sea of time. The waves of calumny may break against 1t; the lightning's bolt of hatred may descend upon its brow; the cutting winds of sarcasm aud malice may attack its surface; the clouds of misunderstan ding may at times conceal 1t, and even the dis integrating touch of time may strive to mar it's massiveness, but presently the waves are stilled, the tempest disappears, the mists all clear away and To! the cliff is and ind cti hla jt and 1t Is significant of this "Man of Destinyp that thongh buried on a lonely, isolated rock thousands of miles from Europe, ,s he no longer slumbers there. His ashes are brought back to France, and with solemn pageantry and enthusiasm unequaIed in all history are laid beside the Seine and in the midst of the French people he so dearly loved, in the heart of the nation of which he was the consul and the emperor and in the most magnificent sepulcher on earth.
 1t is a matter for real congratulation that Birmingham is to have the rare treat of lecture on this popular and inexhaustible subject by Birmingham's favorite orator, Gen. Fred s. Ferguson, an opportunity that will be eagerly anticipated by all.
 Col. Wilson R. Brown as the Little Corporal'' will lend a Frenchy aud real attractiveness to the reality of the Napo- leonic evening that will be sure to charm, while the rendition of the popular Mar seillaise" will cause genuine enthusiasm; nor will there be lacking Napoleon 's pro. nounced "bravest of the brave,' Marshal Ney, who will be ably presented by the Hon. Bert Porter. An ideal person. ation will be that of Josephine, by Miss Marie Louise Quarles of Virginia, charming and favorite visitor to Birmingham, while our own so- cial favorites will lend picturesqueness and beauty by their kindly participation in rendering the famous women of Napo- leon's time-women celebrated alike for their beauty. wit and vivacity. Miss Kate Rogan as Marie Louise will lend stateiness and queenly grace, and learn also that Misses Arnold, Porter, Roden. Ruffner and Wilson will each claim a share of the even ing's success, assisted ably in manly grace and dignity by Messrs. William J. Hut ton, Mel Drennen and Bert Porter. To view such gathsrng ot Bir. mingham's favorites you may be very sure you will find there with his very best be- loved-- PAUL PRY.