Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-12
NAPOLEON ENJOYED ALL
COMFORTS AT ST. HELENA

A HEN Napoleon, as lifelong royal
w prisoner of the British govern
ment, was sent to the island of
ST. Helena provision for his comfort
was not neglected, as the following
report from the London house which
supplied the furnishings will show.
No stipulation as to price was made,
and the order was for every article of
furniture and household goods to be
''of pure and simple elegance, but
without ornament or initial letters on
them" AS the order had to be filled
within six weeks after it was given
400 men were employed to execute the
work When everything was in readi-
ness for the future home of the exiled
emperor the report read as follows
1.-The whole has been executed in
British materials; the chairs and tables
are formed of the finest British oak,
inlaid with polished brass; the break
fast service is of Wedgwood's most
beautiful pale blue composition, with
a white cameo device in relief, mod
eled by Flaxman, in best style; the
dinner service is in white and gold,
the center of each plate, dish, etc,
containing an elegantly executed land
scape of British scenery; the glass, of
the finest quality, is plainly but ele-
gantly cut, with fancy border of
tablecloths and napkins are of the fin
est damask. The evening service is
white and gold, the imperial plate rem
dering it unnecessary to furnish him
with a service of British manufacture.
but a few dozen of spoons and other
minor articles of that description to
meet the wear and tear of domestic
accidents form a part of the present
supply. The cushions and curtains are
of light blue silk, with a black border
and small black Wreaths. Some are of
blue with rich yellow border. Both
the colors and styles of this part of
the furniture. and, indeed, of the whole,
are admirably suited to the climate for
which they are intended. In Bona
parties wearing apparel his favorite
color dark green) has been preserved.
Shirts, cravats, pocket handkerchiefs,
boots, shoes, stockings Of every de-
Scription, are also provided for him.
From the above we are to understand
that Napoleon lived in quiet elegance
in his island home, but he was like a
bird in a gilded cage and beat himself
against the bars ceaselessly. How
ever, before his real Imprisonment
began and while OF. board the ship
which was carrying him to his long
ended only with
his death-he seemed quite cheerful at
times. The following is quoted from
the book entitled "St Helena:
"Bonaparte ate and drank, convers-
ing familiarly with the officers on
board who could speak the French
language, and playing whist in the
evenings. AT dinner he helped himself
to a mutton outlet, which he ate from
his fingers without the use of either
knife or fork. Indisposition compelled
seclusion in his cabin, but he would.
not acknowledge to seasickness, and
-, Il III II L,
all the attention the most despotic
could desire, were courtiers
too refined to question the Veracity or
1iscernment of their imperial master
when he ascribed his illness to differ
ant causes. But he was soon on deck
again, assailing all whom he met with
questions. To one of the midshipmen
he put the question as to how long he
lad been in his majesty's service, and
on being told Nine years. remarked
IN the length of time. Yes replied
he midshipman, but part was passed
n Imprisonment in France, and / hap
oened to be at Verdun when you, sir
set out on your expedition to Moscow
At this answer Bonaparte shrugged his
shoulders and ended his questioning"
While on the island Napoleon was
,ften entertained by little girl visitor
If whom he became very fond. She
vas a sWeet-faced, merry little maid
# 9 years, and it was custom of the
killed monarch to provide himself with
and fruits to give to her
vhen she called on him. He often
unused himself by giving the child
lrawing lessons, and once, shortly be-
ore his death, he decided on preten-
ious gift to the little lady, whose
lame was Julia. The gift was gold
watch and chain with the inscription,
rudely craven on the watch by Bona
arte himself by means of penknife:
The Emperor, to his little friend,
ulia."