Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-06-02

II dare affirm that few men, in their
domestic life, have been more eq,able
in temper. more kindly in manner"
Prince Metternich, the Austrian min
lister and a lifelong political enemy, de-
clares:
I'm his private life Napoleon was
simple and often even inclined to spoil
people. He pushed his indulgence some
times to the verge Of weakness"
Nine. de Kemusat, who is always
conspicuous among Napolcon's critics.
gives an uncompiimentary view of his
everyday manner. The following ex-
tracts are taken from her memoirs,
translated by Mrs. Cashel Hoey and
Mr.. John Lille. Describing his mp
pearance at public functions and fetes,
Nine. de Rernusat says:
HE could never get over the pre-
cipitation which gave him an III bred
air I am not made for pleasure he
would shy in melancholy tone.
THE emperor walked about every
where, preceded by chalnbcrlains who
announced his presence. On his APP
proach every voice wac hushed; no ono
left bis place; the ladies stood up,
waiting for the insignificant and fire.
Qlently upgracious remarks which he
would address to them. He never re-
membored name. and his first Ques-
ton almost invariably was, And what
do YOU call yourself" There was not n
woman present on those occasions who
= Il f,t,, ,t,,xa l,x,
from her vicinity. This reminds me Of
an anecdote about Grctry. One day
Grctry. who was tired of this perpetual
question and perhaps little annoyed
at not having produced more lasting
impression. answered to tho cmpcror's
rudely uttered And you-who are
you?' in sharp, inpatient tone. Sire.
emperor recognized him perfectly.
''After 1850 he almost always dincd
alone with his wife, except when tho
court was at FontainebleGu. He would
then invite guests to his table. He had
all courses of the dinner placed before
him at once, and he ate without paying
any attention TO bis food, helping HIM
He had not any of tho delicacy that
is ordinarily impaired by training and
education and would make his toilet
In the most thorough fashion in the
presence of any person whopsoever
In the same way, if he got impatient
while his valet was dressing him, he
would fly into passion. needless OF all
respect for himself or others. He would
throw any garment that did not please
him on the floor or into the fire.
among other destructive habits he
had that of stirring the wood fires with
his foot, thereby scorchng his shoes
and boots. This generally happened
times he would violently kick the blaz-
ing logs in the nearest fireplace.
"Hc could not bear any restraint.
and being obliged to appear affable and
in good humor on a certain day and
at certain hour was II yoke which he
fastened to shake Off.
lie never missed an opportunity Of
carrying ont his favorite system. which
was to keep ones mind what lie allied
'breathless' -that is to say, constantly
anxious"
On the intellectual side, however.
Nine. de Remusat is forced to confess
that Napoleon WAS most remarkable
and in ordinary times pleasing.
1T was always a great pleasure to
me to hear him talk" she says. "or,
rather. to hear him hold forth. for his
conversation was composed generally
of long monologues; not that he OBJ
| Jccted to replies when he was in good
humor, but. for many reasons. it was
not always easy to answer him. He
spoke badly, but his language was gen
orally animated and brilliant. His
grammatical inaccuracies lent his SEN
fences an unexpected strength"
To the same purpose speaks Meter
mich and also another enemy, whom
! Napoleon once imprisoned, Gohler. the
president of the directory.
"Conversaton with him" says Prince
Metternich, always had for me- II
charm difficult to define. He listened to
all the remarks and objections adj