The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
NAPOLEON AS WAR CAPTIVE LIKED BY THE BRITISH Treated With Courtesy of
 Prince. GAVE ACCOUNT OF
 WATERLOO BATTLE Had Hoped Long To Visit
 United States.

One hundred and four years ago today, July 15. 1915, Napoleon Bona parte, the defeated and outlaw ed Corsican, gazed upon the shores of France for the last time. Throw ing himself upon the mercy of Eng land, he boarded the Bellerophon, and began that tragic journey which was to end on St. Helena. During the voyage to England, which occu- pied eight days, Napoleon was treat ed with distinguished respect, by Capt. Maitland and all the other off cers and the members of the crew of the Bellerophon. He was given all the consideration due to foreign
 prince, and although the British gov ernment later ordered that he be treated only as a, general officer, ys- so completely had he won the admir- ation of all on board that there was little change in his treatment.
 During the voyage the deposed Emperor conversed familiarly with the officers, seamen and marines of the Bellerophon. He discussed the details of the battle of Waterloo at great length, and expressed himself freely and without reserve on all questions connected with European politics. He told Capt. Maitland that
 he would have killed himself rather than surrender to the Prussians, Aus trians. or Russians. He expressed
 the opinion that the sovereigns of
 those countries were deSpots and
 would not have hesitated to order
 his immediate execution had he fallen
 into their hands. He added that in
 throwing himself upon the gener-
 osity of the English people and in- vokfng the protection of British laws l. Ia ior11r "a
 to settle in England and there spend
 the remainder of his life. He was
 disappointed, he said, in failing in
 his plans to reach the United States, as he entertained a lively affection for the new republic and it's people,
 and felt sure that he would have been hospitably received.
 In his many conversations he fre-
 quently asserted that he was forever through with politics and ambition. Before he left Rochefort he had re- fused the invitation of the French Army of the Loire to place himself at it's head, and he explained this ac- ton by saying that he was determin- ed that not another drop of blood should be shed on his account. As to his failure at Waterloo. ne inti-
 mated that he had been betrayed by some of his generals. and that their defection left him no chance against
 the bravery of the best troops in the world. He was sometimes bitter in his denunciation of those whom he accused of treachery, but for the most
 part he was philosophic and appar-
 entity content.
 According to his associates on the Bellerophon, Napoleon bore little re- semblance to the thin faced and slender First Consul of France. One of the officers of the Belleropho on wrote: Napoleon is about five feet seven inches in height, very strongly made, and we'll proportioned. He is rather fat, and his stomach protube- rant, but he appears active notwith- standing. His step and demeanor are altogether commanding. His chest is broad and deep, and his legs and thighs are strong and well made. with a small and handsome foot. His countenance Is sallow, as if it were deeply tinged by hot climates but the most commanding I ever saw. His eyes are gray, and the most piercing you can imagine. His glance, you fancy, searches into your inner most thoughts. His hair is dark brown with no appearance of gray"