The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
NAPOLEON IN HIS TUB.
Exciting Tilt with His Brothers Over
the Snle of Louisiana.

Kansas City Star.
A vivid account of Napoleon in his pri-
vate life has recently appeared in connec-
ton with the discussion of the Louisiana
Purchase. The author is Lucien Bonaparte.
next to Napoleon probably the ablest or
that remarkable family. The story is con-
tanned in his Memories" and had not been
translated in full until DR.. James X. Hos
mer used it in his recent volume, The
History of the Louisiana Purchase" 1t
relates to the bitter quarrel over the pro-
posed purchase between Napoleon on the
one side and his brothers Lucien and
Joseph on the other. In the course of the
dispute Napoleon splashed Joseph with
water and hurled snuff box on the floor.
The brothers barely missed coming to
blows.
Joseph brought to Lucien the news of the
plan to sell the province. you'll not be-
lieve it, he said, ''but it's true. The gen.
eral means to give up Louisiana" Bah!
Who'll buy it of him?" 1.-The Americans
II stood for moment stupefed." continues
Lucien. Come now, said i, after
moment, suppose this were his plan, the
chambers would never consent He means
TO get along without their consent What!
did he really say that? That's rather
strong. No; it's impossible. 1t was only
a bit of brag for your benefit No, no.,
insisted Joseph. he was talking very Sc
riously- And. what is more, he added that
this sale would furnish him money for a
war. Do you know, l begin TO think he Is
going 10 like war too we'll: They talked
at length of the coup d'etat. And all
this remarked Joseph with an elder
brothers patronizing air, sis going to take
place under the direction of this callow
youngster!'
Their objection to the sale seems to have
been chiefly on personal grounds. Joseph
was convinced ii would bring revolution
that would ''set them all adrift at once"
Any other man. he said. would have con-
sderation for his relatives. But Napoleon
was heartless. Both agreed that something
/ must be done to stop the transaction. so
| they decided to visit their brother the next
| day. Lucien arrived at the Tuieries first,
and found the first consul in his tub. His
| courage faded and he recountS the desul-
| tory conversation i'm which he vainly tried
| to bring himelf to speak Of Louisiana.
| Napoleon was just ready to leave the bath
| when Roustan, the Marmeluke, scratched
| on the door and announced Joseph Bona
parte. Let him come in" said Napoleon.
II shall stay in the bath a quarter of an
| dulge inordately in the bath when bust
ness did not press" remarks Lucen.
The first consul brought up the question
by asking Joseph whether he had told
| Lucien "of our plan as to Louisiana" "Of
| your plan, you mean. my dear brother. You
cannot have forgotten" We'll, well,
need to discuss that with you. you are so
| obstinate" Lucien expressed his disapprov-
al by the remark: II undertake to say that
the Chambers will not assent What fol-
| lowed is told in the Memories: You
| undertake to say! Napoleon said this with
an air and tone of contemptuous surprise.
| a pretty piece of busiNessr And / under
! take to say, said Joseph, in a tone OF
| triumph, that it will be So And that Is
what told the first consul before And
what did 1 say?' said our brother his
wrath rising. looking at us by turns, as
| if not to lose any change in our counte-
nances. You declared said Joseph. you
| Of al will n- ~ he Of
| Chambers. Exactly. That is what / took
the liberty to say to Monsieur Joseph. and
what l repeat here 70 citizen Lucien.,
| brothers were leavilg. when Napoleon
shouted after them that he should do as
| he pleased. ending with contemptuous
retort that he would lead the opposition
| in the Chambers. which brought Il burst of
himself. Lucen says, Joseph rushed to the
tub. and bending over Ii, s'reamed:
| Laugh, laugh. laugh. then! All the same
| shall do what ! say" He continued his
ton that If the first consul carried out
his plans. he and the rest of the family
| innocent devils" whom Napoleon had $50
| legally. so humanely." exiled TO Cayenne.
| At this Napoleon tried TO spring out of
the tub after Joseph. but he slipped and
plunged back. deluging his brother with
water. Lucien remarks that in their rage
| Joseph had Redeemed, while NAPOLEON had
| Kept growing winter. 1ne OutDurSt SObered
them. The valet who had witnessed the
scene. stepped up TO dry Joseph. but
tainted from the fright. The brothers went
to his help and Napoleon instructed a SER
want who was called TO take good care of
the poor fellow" Then he advised Joseph
to change his clothes IN his dressing room.
But the offer was refused. Joseph said
rather coldly that he preferred To go home.
After the first consul had dressed he re-
newed the discussion with Lucien alone re-
marking that Joseph always was irascible
The conversation began pleasantly, but
when Napoleon found Lucien persisted In
his OPPOSITION he grew angry. 1T Is not
from you that l expect lessons I'm govern
ment," he exclaimed. "A precious we'll
disposed pair of brothers you are.' I.ucien
smothcred his wrath and went on TO speak
Of the unconstitutionality OF the sale. Here
Napoleon sprang up. Clear OUT" he thun-
dered Unconstitutional, Republic, Great
words, Fine phrascs Do you think we are
still at the club OF st. Maximin? We are
past that you better believe. IL becomes
you well. Sir knight of the Constitution. to
talk that way TO me. You hadn't the same
! reset for the Chambers on the eighteenth