New-York tribune., 1902-10-11


25s John Lane.
Enough 81 the soHed linen Of Napoleons cap
,iyity has been washed in public for the world
10 have made up its mind on the subject LORD
Rosebcrv thought so when ne published, two
years ago, his interesting volume on The Last
Phase" OF the emperor. He had no difficulty an
making out a conclusive case against Sir hud-
SON Lowe and the shortsighted ministry from
which thar stupid gaoler derived authority Tor
his more than stupid acts. But the squahd
aspects Of Napolepn's closing experiences will
doubtless continue TO get themselves talked
about again and again; every one who can
claim to possess the slightest documentary eNl-
dence relating TO the matter viii feel called
upon 10 print il. and II is natural enough
that we should be invited 10 consider the case
Of DR. John Stokoc-though IL is not one OF
much Importance The subtitle Of the oooA
in which il - presented is hardly accurate
NJ Paul Fremeaux, from whom the text Is
translated, speaks in his introduction OF having
had access 10 the memoirs Of Stokoe' ouI IN
stead Of giving us the strictly personal mar
rative which the word prepares us 10 expect h'
offers a composition of his own, based quite as
much on divers well known contributions I"
Napoleonic literature as on the English doctors
manuscript From IL We receive mixed I'M
preston, confirming the accepted vie" ot Ma
poleon's treatment 10y the British, and Al me
same time exhibiting Dr. stokoe in light not
altogether hattering
He was naval surgeon. and had had con-
siderable experience in that capacity when ne
proceeded To 81. Helena ON board the Hrtish
ship Of the line Conqueror In March, lNl''
lie arrived IN the following June, and renamed
at the island until September. 1919 He seems
10 have carried with him something of me lfeJ-
udice toward Napoleon common al HAT time
Nti1-0 he
delighted when an opportunity arose for him
10 see the emperor, and, though he felt a
dread in approaching the man whose fame as
a warrior had reached the remotest corners
Of the earth" ne was soon put al his ease. lie
taciuy testihes TO the soundness Of LORD Keith $
famous tribute 10 the illustrious prisoner
Damn the fellow" said Keith. IL he had
obtained an interview with his royal niehness
Ohe Prince Regent. in half an hour they would
have been the best friends I'm England Here
is Stokoe's impression, set down after his first
meeting with the emperor
During the short time I was in the presence
OF Napoleon my opinion Of his character un-
derwent complete change. had -"rlheu ]"
my own imagination the man 1 expected 10 see,
hut j found him So totally The reverse t;lat
had not been TWO minutes IN conversation Win
him before I felt myself much al my case
as II talking equal. am not ashamed
- confess that this sudden change uc-
companied with such a friendly feeling toward
him that I could have been az that moment MS
ambassador TO Sir Hudson. TO plead ior a
resembling Of those orders that caused him 10
convert his miserable retreat into voluntary
prison.
At this interview Napoleon. usual, asked
questions Among other things ne wanted 10
know whether Stokoe was married or not. The
doctor replied "stupidy," he himself con-
fesses Not Yet" The Emperor seems 10 have
previously heard something about Stokoes pay
ing addresses to young lady then on the
island and few days later ne calmly said 10
her father: why have you refused your daugh-
ter to the surgeon of the flagship? C'est un
brave homme" 'But i have not refused an
swered the astounded parent; "the doctor has
never asked me for my daughter" This is the
only humorous incident however. that StOkoe
has 10 report His relations with Napoleon
promptly involved him in trouble with his own
commanding officer the admiral, Sir Robert
Plampin, and with Sir Hudson Lowe. The last
named individual moved heaven and earth 10
have OMcara recalled from ST Helena and sue
oeeded The only physician ne was willing 10
have attend in his place upon Napoleon was
man whom the invalid objected 10 admitting to
his presence. Napoleon wanted Stokoe, and he
carried his point But he did so only after great
difficulty. and when the doctor al last reached
Longwood il was 10 fnd his patient far
covered for the moment that IL difficult for
him 20 make conclusive diagnosis Unfortu-
nately, he listened too attentiv-ly 10 what Ma
poeon told him, and made himself responsible
Tor report which, however justihable from his
point Of view, extremely eNasperating 10 Sir
Hudson Lowe. Thereafter Stokoe was marked
for something like downright persecution He
was not altogether blameless. A more careful
man would have hestated before giving cur
rency, simply on the authority Of Count Mon
thoon. 10 ideas Of Napoleon's condition well
calculated 10 excite grave apprehensions When
he was court msrtiaed for his indiscretion IL
was stated iG one of the charges that il was
contrary 10 the character ana duty q a British
officer 10 create false impression or belief
that General Bonaparte was in imminent or
considerable danger. and that no medical as
sistance was al hand" Bathurst may well have
shivered al the prospect Of having public SYM
pathy reused tor his captive. through the care
lessness OF British officer and Stokoe was un-
questionably careless. However. il is plain that
ne acted in good faith, and really believed what
he was told We must remember too how
Napoleon had charmed HIM. and consider how
easily any man might have been influenced 10
act he did after an episode like the follow
ing:
The doctor was then taken into the En-
perors room. Napoleon lay on "A sofa; his skin
WAS salloW and his features drawn. The pain in
his side had not abated and the slightest press
Nre on that spot made him cry out. After care
ful examination Stokoe found. he believed
tion of the liver
How long might man live with such a com
plaintF asked the Emperor, al The time
requesting the doctor 10 answer him without
evasion.
There are instances Of men living 70 an ad-
Yes but is one likely TO live to that period
an tropical climate?
ssyVbat is the danger 20 l., ar,,.rshe,das,.,