The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-17

pressive bow. Well drawled the un-
Flushing speaker. under these conditions
think / may as well take the book.
WHAT'S the price," The clerk calmly took
Up his pencil and began to figure indus.
tricusIy. Then he announced the result
with the greatest obsequiousness. las
near as can calculate said he, I'VE
owe you the book and about So IL cents.
Gail again
Napoicon's L utter TO Josephine 1796-1S12
Collected and translated by Henry
Foliambe Hall. For sale by the Bell
Book and Stationery Co.
Whatever is published concerning Ma
poleon I. First Consul and Emperor of
France, foremost soldier of the world.
the man without a model and without a
shadow, must engage the interest of the
thinking ahd reading public. Viewed in
the light OF the influence which he eX-
erted upon the history of his own period
and upon the succeeding desnnies and
boundary lines of nations, Napoleon is
curiously like Caesar, the great Roman
who first united the tribes of Gaul and
laid the basic principles of an organized
government within the limits of a coun-
try which. after the lapse of centuries
willingly bowed to the great Corsican' s
sway and yielded him ungrudging and
answering allegiance.
An old proverb quoted by Bulwer Lyt-
ton makes the statement that God in
the beginning. created human naure-
then French nature an after-thought"
However this may be- 1t is certain that
Caesar first and Napoleon second under
stood the French as no others have ever
Gone.
Under one man was witnessed the in
Cipiency OF French national fame and
glory, under the other 1t was carried to
the highest pitch OF development.
Every incident in Napoleon's career.
from his childish years in Corsica,
through his career IN a military school
his winning laureIs as commander of the
army in Italy, his appointment as Con-
sui. his rule as Emperor. his Punishment
to Elba, his final overthrow at Waterloo,
his death at st Heena-has been exploit
ed for the qualification of the curious and
the hunter after knowledge. The search
light of closest investigation has been
turned upon every nook and Granny of
his life and the interpretations of mo-
tives and actions in connection with
character which has largely baftled the
scrutiny of mankind have been as va
rous as the pens which have recorded
them.
The twentieth century however finds
the public still unsatis1ied. The clash
of battle triumph has rung In their ears.
The spectacle of Napoleon, wrapped IN
his gray surcoat crossing the Alps. or rid
ing at the head of his army on its re-
treat from MOSCOW; Napoleon triumphant
in the midse of his officers at Fried!and,
and finally Napoleon standing on the des-
olate shores of his island tomb with his
eyes turned yearnfngly across the seas
to France-these phases arc familiar,
they are no longer desirable Humanity
must be occupied in seeing or hearing
some new thing and, like the horse
techs daughter" humanity cries for
more
That more has taken the shape of a
demand for Intimate personal and pri-
waite details. reserves being wholly out
OF fashion nowadays. Therefore, the
letters. not of Napoleon, the head of the
French army or the French government,
but OF Napoleon, the man and the hus-
hand, written to his wife Josephine in the
full flow of unrestrained affection and
Intimate confidence, pathetic witnesses of
the browning happiness and the most
scrrowful tragedy IN the Napoleonic dy-
nasty have been catalogued. ticketed and
given up to inspection, revision and cold
hiooded criticism.
The tomb Of the first French Emperor
in the Hotel des 1nyalides holds all that
the empress Josephine as its mistress.
The brain that dictated and the hand
that penned letters to her between the
years of l196-lSi2 rests quietly enough after
their laoorS. But the sentiment of life
time was embodied in the words
which Napoleon uttered standing beside
the grave of Josephine at AIalmaison
Just before fatal Waterloo, when he said.
his thoughts revertins TO Marie Louise's
contrasting conduct: Josephine would
mover have abandoned me-
All of romance. or youth, of tenderness
and of Abandonment which Napoleon ever
knew was centered in his attachment for
Josephine. It seems the most wanton
Dissertation TO pry into the pages which
eembody the testimony Of all he felt for
ambitions, the woman who not only
consoled but encouraged as WE'LL
Laying aside other considerations, Mr..
Halls compilation is a piece Of work SO
de praise. The arrangement of the let
tiers effectually bridges the gulf of years
over which they extend; the last is dis
patched from Fontainbleau. April Is. 1914,
and the postscript is very touching, for
it SAYS to josephine:
II expect to hear from You when / shall
have reached the island OF Elba l am
far from being in good health" Napoleon
reached Elba May .th; Josephines death
occurred at Malmaison. May &c
The notes and appendices which form
an important part OF Mr.. Halls book are
unusually fun and being gathered from
unouestioned sources. throw much light
on the letters themselves and events
mentioned in them. The volume is des-
tined TO prove a great success. "A. NJ. /.
A Brief OF Microscopy and It's Meaico-Legai
Relations. BY Gustav schmitt, NJ D..
3s.xsA in, leather, lS6 PIP sl.oo, net.
Funk and Wagnalls Company, New
York and London.
This valuable little pocket manual is
one which should meet the special needs
of physicians lawyers and expert wit
nesses. 1t supplies in brief form, and yet
with every essential detail, all practical
facts connected with the study, diagno-
sis technique, and the medico-legal as
pect OF q post-mortem examination.
To the physician the advantage of the
book is apparent. The suddenness Of call
to make a postmortem examination leaves
little time for him to post himself on
the subject By reason of it's size, DR..