Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-05-11
ST. HELENA TO PARIS
THE REMOVAL OF NAPoLEoN's BODY
TO ITS LAST RESTING PLACE.


e. Toars-Improssivo Ceremonies at tho
Church OF the Invnlidos.
The grave in the valley Of Napoleon,
on st. Helena, az the place had come to
be called, was surrounded by an iron
railing set in u heavy stone curb. Over
! tho grave was covering of @ inch stone
which admitted to n vault II feet deep,
feet long and fcet inches broad and
: was apparently filed with earth, but
digging down some seven feet layer Of
Roman cement was found. This broken
laid bare layer of rough hewn stone 10
inches thick and fastened together by
iron clamps 1t took ~ hours to remove
this layer The stone mp, the slab form
ing the lid of the interior sarcophagus
was exposed, inclosed in border of Ro-
man cement strongly attached to the
walls Of the vault So stoutly had all
these various coverings been sealed with
cement and bound by iron bands that it
took the large party of workers ten
hours to reach the coffin.
The outcrmost coffin was slightly in
jurcd, says an eyewitness "Then came
one of lead, which was in good condition
and incloscd two others-one of tin and
one of wood. The last coffin was lined
inside with white satin, which, having
become detached by the effect Of time,
had fallen upon the body and envoloped
it like winding sheet and had become
slightly attached to it
1T is difficult to describe with what
anxiety and emotion those who were
present waited for tho moment which
was to expose to them all that was left
of the Emperor Napoleon. Notwith-
standing tho singular state of preserva-
tion of the tomb and coffins, we could
scarcely hope to find anything but some
misshapen remains of the least perish
able part of the costume to evidence the
identity Of the body. But when Dr.
Guillard raised the sheet of satin, an in
describable feeling Of surprise and affec-
ton was expressed by the spectators,
many of whom burst into tears The
emperor himself was before their eyes
The features Of the face, though changed,
were perfectly recognized; the hands ex-
tremely beautiful; his well known cos
tune had suffered but little, and the
colors were easily distinguished The at
titude itself was full of ease, and but for
the fragments of satin lining which coy-
cred, as with fine gauze, several parts Of
the uniform, we might have believed
we still saw Napoleon lying ON his bed
Of state.
The climax of the pageant in Paris
tho fa,r,r1n nf fhn H.
spacious church was draped i'll the most
magnificent and lavish fashion and
adorned with perfect bewilderment of
imperial emblems. The light was shut
out by hangings of violet velvet; tripods
blazing with colored flames, and thou
sands upon thousands Of waxen candles
in brilliant candelabra lighted the tenn
pie. Under the dome, in the place of the
altar, stood the catafalque which was
to receive the coffin.
1t was O'Clock In the afternoon when
the archbishop Of Paris, preceded by
splendid cross bearer. and followed by
10 incense boys and long rows of white
clad priests, left the church to meet the
procession. They returned soon Fol-
lowing them was the Prince dc Joinville
and select few from the grand cortege
without In their midst Napoleon's s cof-
lin.
The king descended from his throne
and advanced to meet the cortege
Sire, said the Prince de Joinville, II
present to you the body of Napoleon,
which, in accordance with your COM
mands, have brought back to France"
II receive it in the name of France"
replied Louis Philippe.
Such at least is what the "Moniteur'
affirms was said. The Prince dc Join
vile gives different version: "It ap-
pears that little speech which was to
have delivered when met my father.
md also the answer he was to give me,
nad been drawn up in council. only the
authorities had omitted to inform me
concerning it. So when arrived sim
ply saluted with my sword, and then
stood aside. saw indeed that this silent
salute, followed by retreat, had thrown
something ont, but my father, after
moments hesitation, improvised some
appropriate sentence, and the matter
vas afterward arranged i'll the 'Moni-
eur. I"
Beside the king stood an officer, bear
ing cushion. On it lay the sword Of
Austerlitz- Marshal Soult handed it to
ihe king, who, turning to Bertrand,
laid:
General, commission you to place
:he emperor's glorious sword ON the
bier.
And Bertrand, trembling with emo
ion, laid the sword reverently ON his
dolls coffin The great audience watch
Vi the scene in deepest silence. The only
ound which broke the stiffness was the
,alf stified sobs of the gray haired sol
liers Of the Invalides, who stood in
places Of honor near the catafalque.
The king and the procession returned
% their palaces, and then followed n
majestic funeral mass-Ida M. Tarbell
McClnre's Magazine
The Chief End OF Man.