The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-19
NAPOLE0N'S LIFE
DURING EXILE

In Harper's for January is printed
newly discovered account of an Eng
iishman's visit to Elba which gives an
I interesting view Of Napoieon's life
there.
General Count Bertrand's secre-
tary, Nj. Sannonier, said that Napo-
ueon was generally in better humor
with those around him than he used
TO be in Paris; the counts words were
I rnnf he did not give way so much 70
moods. and he added: You will see
~ctc, he sure. He is very gracious TO
-'rnrEcrs. and especially to English
nt'i. Ills own secretary says that he
sometimes very angry and speaks
Grossly, and like an absent man for
gets himself. He walks up and down
the room, debating quickly. The scribe
writes after him as fast as he can
supplying such words as he does not
hear distinctly. He never makes an
observation upon this, taking il Tor
granted, apparently at least. that the
words are written as he uttered them
lie dlps his pen TO the bottom OF the
lnkstand, be IL full or empty. and bIots
the table very much i'm bringing II to
the paper. When he is indisposed
MS remedy is warm bath, in which
he viii stay for hours, and close CON
one. ''o
He INDUCES much, enjoys his bed
like a child, covering himself up al
most entirely
Madame Vantini told us that he
called his own residence mon Tuil-
cries, and his country house mon
Fontainebleau,' with great naivete
She said he took no care of himself
going frequently about his grounds
without hat in the rain, standing i'm
the cold half dressed, regardless of
currents OF air. They upbraid him
for such carelessness. but he does NOT
pay the least attention TO them. She
sad that in August last she went 10
ms hermitage near Marciana with
Cther ladies TO spend the day with
MN. In the course of it. the weather
being very hot, he stepped into a
stream Of limpid water above his
knees. and leaning forward ne
amused himself for sometime in on
posing the current with his hands and
beating the water about. He seemed
absorbed In thought, laid himself on
the bank and slept for two hours.
When he aWoke he seemed dull and
uneasy in his mind, noticing no one.
Ihey urged him to change his dress.
but he refused. At o'clock the even
ing air was cool and induced him to
put on dry suit.
Madame Nantini spoke of him as
Deing very affable and DESTROYS to see
MS visitors amused. He prevailed
Gpoh CheHl 10 uance one evening at the
Rrlncess Pauline's. which greatly de-
lighted him.
He aimed with his mother every
thursday. He called on General Ber-
trand daily, and was DESTROYS to con-
dole with him and his lady on the loss
or child which died just before we
arrived; Napoleon was the only per
son admitted for some days
He frequently conversed with Eng
lishmen whom he met in his morning
rides, and asked them to see what
was doing in his garden. If thew
had travelled much, ne contrived to
d9ta1n them a long time in conversa-
ton. Me always enjoyed- -the-so-I
ciety of those who had been in Egypt.
He did not take wholesome exercise
voluntarily while 1 was in Elba His
friends complained of it. The carriage
went Tor him every day at noon. and
he usually drove out for four or Ave
hours. never saw him on horseback:
he was not fond of riding It was
thought the eXertion was too great
Tor his comfort; he required someone
to assist him TO mount. from weakness
In the loins. His walk was heavy and
labored, almost waddle. Horses |
were placed in his way to tempt him
to ride, but without success.
He frequently forgot or neglected |
TO sign papers left with him for that
purpose. and had sometimes fits of ap- |
parent indifference to all around him |
He occasionally stopped short in die |
taung upon particular subject, and |
never returned to it. His secretary
said that in such cases he did not at |
tempt to recall his memory so that
he might continue the subject
"It,was said that he wrote and read |
a great deal in the summer at his
country residence. He did not appear
TO have any particular pursuit while |
was in Elba."