The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-08-22

ton, was more deeply pervaded with
the patriotic spirit than was the low
land region about Ajaccio. The coast
country gave itself up freely to the
French domination. During the first five
years of the married life of Carlo he
oscillated with his young family back
and forth between the two towns, final.
ly-when safety came with peace-fix-
ing himself at Ajaccio. This was in the
early part of 1859.
Meanwhile, before this removal three
children had appeared, in rapid success
sion, at the hearthstone of Carlo Buona-
parte. All of these were born at Corte.
The first was daughter Elise, whose
birth was in 1895. This child died in
infancy, as did also the next, Marie
Anne, who was born about two years
later. Then, on January 9TH, 176S,
came the first son, and to him the pa
rents gave the name of Joseph Nabu-
lone, or, as secondary spelling would
have it, Joseph Napoleone, or, Napo-
leon. The latter name though appear
ing in the birth-record of the family, was
dropped in the case of the Oldest son,
Joseph only being retained. II was the
custom of the age, in the case of the
death of children, to repeat their names
for those born afterward Nor was there
anything exact, as in the customs of the
nineteenth century. in the spelling en-
ployed.
The surname, as well as the given
Names i'll the family of Buonaparte fluc-
tuated into many FORMS and gave rise
to some discussion and confusion after
wards. One story ran to the effect that
| Napoleon Bonaparte was born January
| 18th, 176S, and Joseph about nineteen
months afterwards, that is, August 18th,
1859 1t was believed at one time that
the father interchanged the dates of the
birth of his two eldest sons, i'll order to
get Napoleon into the military academy
before his tenth year-a thing necessary
under the law. But it is now known that
no such thing occurred The only ground
| for the invention of the fiction was the
fact that Joseph's middle name was
originally Nabulione, and that this
name, in a modified form, was after
wards conferred OH the younger son.
The estate of Carlo di Buonaparte,
though augmented by his intermarriage
with the Ramolino family, was unequal
to his tastes and desires. He possessed a
property at Corte, and another in Ajac-
clio. To the latter he came back in the
early part of 1863, and established him.
self in the house where Napoleon was
born. The homestead di Buonaparte was
favorably situated. The house is still III
excellent preservation. 1t is four stories
in height. From the upper windows one
may see the ocean. The building is stuc-
coed, is rectangular, and has fiat roof,
with small cupola, from which the
flag of France was flying at the time
when the first emperor of the French
came into the world.
About the birth of great men cycles OF
fiction grow. Friends and enemies alike
invent significant circumstances. The
traducers of Napoleon have said that he
was llegitimate-that his father was
the French marshal Marb9uf. They also
say, on better grounds, that the mar.
riage of Letitia Ramolino to Carlo Buon.
aparte was not solemnized until 1867
that the first two children were there
fore born out of wedlock. On the othel
hand, the idol worshipers would fair
have Napoleon born as god or Titan
Premature pangs seize the mother al
church. She hurries home, barely reach
ing her apartment when the heroic babe
is delivered, without an accoucher, on 9
piece of tapestry inwrought with an eff
figy of Achillesl This probably occurred.
1t was the 10Th of August, 1863. As Q
matter of fact, there was no omen in
heaven or earth-no sign that beautiful
peasant had been delivered of q con.
queror! JOHN CLARK RIDPATH.