Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-27

Of Jerusalem, which carried with II
neI,-er lands nor power and adding.
You are king of Rome much as 1 am
king of Jerusalem, a title without
power"
The duke of Reichstadt had delicate
features, expressive eyes, and at 1-2
years of age was thought beautiful.
At this age he bad begun to receive
his educstion under tutors. He al
ready spoke French very we'll, but he
offered a violent negative when they
tried to make him learn German.
When, at length, he was persuaded
that it was his duty to learn it he pro-
+ crossed rapidly. Sometimes he grew
tired of his daily reading lesson and
his teacher He was more contented
wnen they invited a young companion,
Emil Goberan, to share his studies
His ambition was stimulated and he
did much better.
He had an exceedingly firm DISPOSE
ton and when once he had made a
resolution no could could shake it. He
3
one wished TO deceive him, and this
dislike of deception led him to disap-
prove of fables When a fable was
read to him he would cry: Don't
read it. 1t is false. What is it good
for?" Robinson Crusoe, although a
fiction, he loved very much, and in the
little playhouse which was set aside
for him and his playtbings, with the
aid of one of his tutors, he built a
mimic cave.
Once somebody showed him a silver
medal with his own head engraved on
one side, asking him, What is it?'
1T is l. he replied, when I was
king of Rome"
For a time he was very curious
about the causes of his change of po-
sition, and really embarrassed his
tutors by his questions. But when
they asked the emperor what ---ey
should do he told them to talk freely
with the boy about France and Napo
leon. Ter a time the chld himself
grew more reserved. Just what he
thought no one knew, but he seemed
to understand his fathers faults
those at least which had caused the
loss of his crown.
In the meantime Napoleon at st.
Helena hungered for news of his
Cid. In 1916 when he received a
lock of his boys hair and letter
written in his almost baby hand he
was overcome with joy. He called
his officers to see it, just as years be-
for he had summoned them to see
Gerards portrait. He kept the duke
of Reichstadt's bust at the head of his
bed and he talked constantly of the
boy.
No difference whatever was made
between the treatment of the duke of
Reichstadt and the other archdukes.
From the beginning he had his own
suite of attendants. Under Count
Dietrichstein, who had charge of his
very young in addition he had two
ladies to look after him.
His education preparatory to the
classics lasted until he was nearly is.
His days were given alternately 10
classics and military studies, and he
was examined at regular intervals Oy
two formidable military commissions.
His neatly written copy books were al
ways signed "FrGnciscuO," and he
showed great ability in all his studies
except, perhaps, those which were
strictly mathematical He had lessons
not only in the ancient and modern
languages but in universal history, es-
pecially in that of Austria, and in pO
litical science. He had an excellent
memory for names and events.
In his military course he studied
civil and military architecture, forth
fications, manufacture of powder, use
of cannon. He made maps and plans
and enjoyed doing this kind of thing
indeed, he had a real thirst for mni-
tary glory. To M. Hummel, who was
painting his portrait one day, he cried:
Il wish to be a soldier. [ would
fight well. I would lead at the as
sault."
But, sir: you would meet the bay
onets of the greDadiers who would
push you hack-whc would perhaps
Kill you
Should I not have q sword to push
back the hayonets?" he replied, and
though he was but little child at the
time, this speech is very characteris-
tic Undoubtedly he had thoughts
about his father much deeper than he
had ever given expression TO.
When, as a child, he met for the
first time the marshal, Prince de
Lighe, he eagerly incurred: Hes Il
marshall"
yes, SIR
''Is he one of those who have aban-
doned my father?'
When he was older Metternich, at
the emperor's request, taught him
fully the history of Napoleon. He
listened attentively, and said to the
emperor and Metternich:
THE essential object Of my life
must be not to be unworthy the glory
of MY father. l should expect to at
tair this high end, ard IS far as it IS
in my power to appropriate to myself
some of his high qualities. In forcing
myself to appropriate some Of his
high qualities I should fail in the
duties that his memory imposes on
he should l become the sport of fac
tons and the instrument Of intrigues.
The son of Napoleon cannot consent to
the miserable role of an adVenturer."
He spoke these words with some