The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-04-20
Brief Revieqv of " ,s
y WatSon'S "MapoJeon. !"

Lovers Of biographical and historical literature will hail
with pleasure the most recent life Of Napoleon Bonapae
by Hon. Thomas L. Watson of Georgia Previously Mr.
Watson had written the Story OF France" in large
volumes which work aroused much literary interest in
America any that has hcen written within the three
last decades Comments from the highest critical authors
ties have bodered upon the cNtavaean in their praise Of
this historical masterpiece sven sage Boston was deeply
stirred by the work Mr. Watsons Napoleon was
necessary sequence his Story France as the last
named work terminated just at the threshold Of the Ma
Voumnous as is Napoeouic literature this work fresh
from the presses OF the Macmilans will excite
the study OF this marvellous character Justly ranked
handling, weighing and wnuowing evidence sub
tltv Mir Watson was really in hi, chosen sphere when
he came through the nuludnots volumes that
both hostile and friendly TO the great Frenchman He
brings his work acute discrimination and ncve
judicial and is evidently in search OF the truth
through the tangled and contradictory OF evidence
before him As he unravels the intricate he CLEANS
the truth from friend and foe alike Each questionable
point is discussed with genuine legal ability and the con-
cusion is reached by mind absolutely unbiased
This gives to the work value that does not seem to
attach any biography of the emperor Between
Abbott on the hand, and Sir Walter Scott the
other the almost worshppine Napoleon demigod
and the other scornng him demdemon there is large
class of bographers English and American that either
hostile friendly Bonapare In reading these works
one is impressed by contradictory statements which are
urged both hands verablo facts according the
bias of the author This has served TO leave the world in
double about the real Napoleon. Bringing his work
legal ability and familiarity with State affairs and
international law, Mr., Watson assumes TO clear up the
ground about disputed points and the great
With tinge OF sadness parts with the traditional
vision of pure lofty and loyal Josephine Tho empress
longer poses before the world with character unsued
though her better self be reaseried the
that gathered about the head OF the Napoleon his star
waned
The unconventional pquaney of style of Watsons Ma
poeon, is positively refreshing No violence is done to
elegance, and yet the quaint prevails every
page This element of quantnes Incorporated in such
way enhance the merit narrative rather than
10 impair it, Studioisly eschewiug dainty aud tradi-
tional dleanesm and the deoatey ctiseed period the
author in refreshing Saxon gives to unvaushed
ratve. The rouudness and smoohness prevail and the
classic often gers but they bear The inevitable stamp Of
the writer and fresh highly toned and frequently rise
to the pitch Of eloquence.
There is AavoE OF genuine throughout the
volume. If the narrative fresh story could bc
fascinating than il is So graphite and vivid the
grazed upon though the reader eyewitness. How
often the reader will be dssusioned viii depend upon his
previous estimate Napoleon Only iu his instance he will
have the satisfaction Of having assigned
for the conclusions reached by the brilliant author
Divested alike OF much praise and blame with which
he has been laden by different schools OF writer's the great
emperor made last stand before the reader the
greatest warrior and Of the greatest statesmen OF
modern history subject fits of dependency and
yet rising to pitch OF superluman demands vastly
the people and yet swayed by the gloousnes pomr
| and paraphernaia pculaut and calm, shrewd and
yet frank generous cuniusy ambitious pompous and
plain quick energetic audacious, alike nm laws aud In
atty. tricky, mcndaoous Shy and yet yentursome
extreme often generous fault and viudictiVe
such the wonderful character OF Napoleon Bouapare
The ampest justice accorded the emperor equally
with respect that which made him great and that whicl
marked the maryeIousy weak points OF his character on,
comes prize the Napoleon bone bone and
flesh of flesh, after reading this attractive bio
graphy, b. i. RllEy