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30 chapters
PREFACE
PREFACE
This book, chronicling some little known passages in the last few years of Napoleon, is based on the "Recollections of Napoleon at St. Helena," by Mrs. Abell (Elizabeth Balcombe), published in 1844 by John Murray. Her little book is written in an old-fashioned and quiet style, and the present writer, without altering any words of Napoleon's, has, so far as possible, given a vivid form to conversations and incidents related undramatically and has rearranged incidents that Mrs. Abell told without
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GREAT NEWS
GREAT NEWS
Far south in the Atlantic there is an island that at first sight from the deck of a ship seems little more than a great rock. In shape it is oblong, with perpendicular sides several hundred feet high. It is called St. Helena because the Portuguese, who discovered it in 1502, came upon it on the birthday of St. Helena, Constantine's mother. To describe it as the geographies might, we may say that it lies in latitude 15° 55' South, and in longitude 5° 46' West. It is about ten and a half miles lon
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JAMESTOWN
JAMESTOWN
"But it is, indeed it is!" "I wish people wouldn't crowd so." "They've got to move back. I'm glad of it. The sentries are standing with fixed bayonets to keep more people from rushing down from the town." If Napoleon had landed earlier in the day, he would have been greeted by an even greater crowd, for people had been gathering on the Marina from the earliest hours; but disappointed that he was not to land until after sunset, most of them had gone home. Still, however, a large enough crowd had
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A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
The next morning Betsy rose early. The night before the family had sat up later than their custom, talking about the arrival of the ship and the distinguished prisoners. "Are General Bertrand and Count Montholon prisoners too?" asked one of the girls. "No, my dear; I understand that they are at liberty to leave St. Helena whenever they wish. Of course while they are here they must obey whatever rules are made for them, but they would not be here if they had not chosen to share the fate of Napole
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FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
The events that ended in the voyage of the fallen Emperor to St. Helena, if told in full, would make a long story. The battle of Waterloo, however, is a good starting place, the battle that decided the peace of Europe after its long years of war, when the Allied Powers, led by the Duke of Wellington, defeated the French, who had rallied around Napoleon for a last stand. Napoleon, when he saw that the day was lost for him and the French, fought desperately, hoping perhaps to meet death. But he se
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THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE BELLEROPHON
THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE BELLEROPHON
At Rochefort his brother Joseph offered to disguise himself and change places with him, so that the Emperor might get away in the same vessel in which he himself was preparing to escape. Had Napoleon agreed to this plan, he would probably have been as successful as Joseph in reaching America. Some young and brave French officers are said to have offered themselves as the crew of a rowing boat to carry Napoleon safely through the blockading fleet. There would have been some risk in carrying out t
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NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
Napoleon quickly fitted himself into his place in his new surroundings. So adaptable was he that the children soon ceased to regard him as a stranger, nor were they inclined to criticise his habits, although in most respects his ways were quite unlike those of the Balcombe family. For example, he did not breakfast as they did. After rising at eight o'clock, he satisfied himself with a cup of coffee and had his first hearty meal, breakfast or luncheon as they variously called it, at one. It was n
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BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
When the little flurry over the sword had ended, Napoleon seemed lost in thought, and the children wondered what he was thinking of. Perhaps the laughing ways of these young people reminded him of his little son, whose growth from babyhood to youth he was destined never to see. Some such thought must have been in his mind when he turned to one of his attendants, saying: "I believe that these children would like to see some of my bijouterie . Go bring me those miniatures of the King of Rome." In
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A HORSE TAMER
A HORSE TAMER
One morning, not long after the ball, Betsy took a slight revenge on the Emperor. She had a certain favor to ask of him, and she had gone to look for him in his favorite retreat in his garden, the Grapery, near a large pond of clear water, full of gold and silver fish. Though called a grapery, vines of many different kinds twined over the trellis-work, while the grapevines were chiefly over an arbor at the end. In the sultriest weather this little arbor was cool and pleasant, and here Napoleon w
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NAPOLEON
NAPOLEON
Hardly ever before had Betsy heard Napoleon speak so severely. She saw that he was in earnest and that she must obey. She saw, too, that she was in danger of losing his regard, and even without looking far ahead she realized that he might not go to her friend, if her own foolishness continued longer. So, giving up her trophies, she seized the Emperor's hand and led him to the house. Now that he had yielded to Betsy's wishes, Napoleon was most courteous to her guest. He talked graciously to the y
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OFF FOR LONGWOOD
OFF FOR LONGWOOD
New Year's Day was approaching, the day which French people love to celebrate by making gifts to their friends and paying compliments. On this first New Year's morning of Napoleon's exile on St. Helena, Betsy, looking from her window, saw young Tristram Montholon and Henri Bertrand approaching. "Look, Jane," she cried excitedly, "they are carrying something; do you suppose—" But without finishing her question or waiting for Jane to answer, Betsy had taken the shortest way to gratify her curiosit
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THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
After Napoleon had been at St. Helena a few months, newspapers from England began to arrive with narratives of many of the happenings at The Briars. One journal contained a letter from the Marquis de Montchenu, describing all the romping games at The Briars, such as the game of blindman's buff, the sword scare, and other things in which the children had taken part. Special comments were made on the manners of Betsy, and the writer said, "She is the wildest little girl I have ever met; she seems
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ALL KINDS OF FUN
ALL KINDS OF FUN
Any one who had looked in on the sisters one day would have seen that they were greatly excited. Just at this time they were visiting Madame Bertrand, and during their stay a ball was to be given. Plans that promised much pleasure for them had been made. They were to dine with the Emperor, and then go on to Deadwood in his carriage. "Don't jerk so, please," cried Betsy, while the maid was arranging her hair. "But you must have this Chinese coiffure, if you are going to the ball. You would not wi
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THE BRIARS. From an old print
THE BRIARS. From an old print
Mrs. Balcombe at once understood the situation, for at the moment of the figure's appearance she had heard a smothered laugh that she recognized as Napoleon's. Advancing to the white figure, she turned back the covering, and underneath appeared the black face of a little slave, grinning from ear to ear. "What brought you here?" asked Mrs. Balcombe sternly. "To frighten Miss Betsy;" and the black girl pointed toward Napoleon, who had now come forward to see what effect his trick had had upon his
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THE SERIOUS SIDE
THE SERIOUS SIDE
As Betsy grew to know Napoleon better, she sometimes observed in his conversation and manner a sadness that she had not noticed earlier. This slight melancholy was especially evident when the conversation touched on Josephine or the little King of Rome. Often Napoleon gazed intently at Mrs. Balcombe, explaining as he did so that it was because she reminded him strongly of Josephine. He loved to talk of Josephine, especially with Madame Bertrand, who was a native of Martinique and was said also t
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THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
"Who danced the best at the Governor's ball?" Napoleon asked Betsy one day. "Mrs. Wilks, the Governor's lady." This was before the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe. "What sort of dances are in fashion there?" "Quadrilles, country dances. Mr. C. brought them to St. Helena." "Oh, he is a great dandy!" "Yes; he will sit with his feet above his head an hour before dressing, the more readily to squeeze them into tight shoes. He wore an epaulette nearly down to his elbow, and his sword hilt was embroidered
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THOUGHTLESS BETSY
THOUGHTLESS BETSY
Sometimes, without intending to hurt Napoleon's feelings, heedless Betsy must often have come near wounding him. One day, for example, she showed him a toy that had lately come to St. Helena from Europe. It represented a toy emperor climbing a ladder, each rung of which was a country. When he reached the top he sat for an instant astride the world, and then went headlong down the other side, until he landed at last on St. Helena. Napoleon himself did not reprove Betsy for her rudeness, but Mr. B
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LONGWOOD DAYS
LONGWOOD DAYS
Many a time when in the company of Napoleon and the members of his suite, Betsy must have realized that this pleasant intercourse could not last always. Few people remained indefinitely long at St. Helena,—few people, indeed, besides the natives and the one life prisoner, the Emperor Napoleon. Betsy, however, had no desire to leave her beloved island. She loved its climate and its scenery, and she was happy with the many people who were her friends. It was a gay little place, with numerous offic
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LONGWOOD
LONGWOOD
Almost every day some form of amusement offered itself—races, balls, picnics, and sham fights. There was also a pretty little theatre on the island, established by the popular Commissary General, where amateur plays were performed by the officers, to the great entertainment of all who saw them. Madame Montholon and Madame Bertrand and, to a certain extent, the gentlemen of the Emperor's suite entered more or less into the festivities of the place. It was only Napoleon who always stayed at home a
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THE PARTING
THE PARTING
At last the time came when Napoleon and his young neighbor must part. The health of Betsy's mother, Mrs. Balcombe, was not good, and the family decided to go home to England. Mr. Balcombe obtained six months' leave, but, although the family professed to expect to return, in their secret hearts they felt that they were bidding good-bye to St. Helena. A day or two before sailing Betsy and Jane went over to Longwood to say farewell to Napoleon. They found him in the billiard-room, as usual, surroun
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THE PANORAMA
THE PANORAMA
Who can blame Betsy for Being Heavy-hearted on that day in early spring when she sailed away from St. Helena, toward the colder country that was her real home? Even though her parents and her brothers and sister were with her, she felt that she was leaving behind much that was dear. She loved the lonely, mountainous island where she had lived so long. She believed that no other flowers or fruits could equal those produced on its tropical soil. She felt that no new friends could compare with thos
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THE LAST PICTURES
THE LAST PICTURES
Our pictures change little as they show the next stage of Napoleon's progress. For when in the summer of 1801 he is made Consul for life, he appears still to be the same ardent lover of liberty that he was when he became First Consul. He is still the idol of the French people—as well he may be—for what ruler has ever done so much for them? When once things are in his own hands he codifies the laws, gives security to all forms of religion, and organizes the educational system of France. He does e
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THE END.
THE END.
The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and wholesome.— The Outlook, New York. Miss Reed's girls have all the impulses and likes of real girls as their characters are developing, and her record of their thoughts and actions reads like a chapter snatched from the page of life.— Boston Herald....
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BRENDA, HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
BRENDA, HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
One of the most natural books for girls. It is a careful study of schoolgirl life in a large city, somewhat unique in its way.— Minneapolis Journal....
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BRENDA'S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
BRENDA'S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
It is a wholesome book, telling of a merry and healthy vacation.— Dial , Chicago....
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BRENDA'S COUSIN AT RADCLIFFE A College Story for Girls Illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens.
BRENDA'S COUSIN AT RADCLIFFE A College Story for Girls Illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens.
No better college story has been written.— Providence News. Miss Reed is herself a Radcliffe woman, and she has made a sympathetic and accurate study of the woman's college at Cambridge.— Chicago Evening Post. The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and wholesome.— The Outlook , N. Y. The book has the background of old Cambridge, a little of Harvard, and Boston in the distance.... The heroine is a fine girl, and the o
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BRENDA'S BARGAIN Illustrated by Ellen Bernard Thompson.
BRENDA'S BARGAIN Illustrated by Ellen Bernard Thompson.
The story deals with social settlement work, under conditions with which the author is familiar.— The Bookman , New York....
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AMY IN ACADIA Illustrated by Katherine Pyle.
AMY IN ACADIA Illustrated by Katherine Pyle.
A splendid tale for girls, carefully written, interesting and full of information concerning the romantic region made famous by the vicissitudes of Evangeline.— Toronto Globe....
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BRENDA'S WARD Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.
BRENDA'S WARD Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.
The story details the experience of a Chicago girl at school in Boston, and very absorbing those experiences are—full of action and diversity.— Chicago Post. Pictures a Western girl's school life in Boston, and the story is told with spirit and fine sentiment.... The girls whose lives are told of are merry and of wholesome temperament.— Portland (Ore.) Oregonian . The story is full of seeing, doing, enjoying, and accomplishing.— Kansas City Star. The tale throughout is sweet and wholesome.... Th
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IRMA AND NAP A Story for Younger Girls Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood.
IRMA AND NAP A Story for Younger Girls Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood.
A brightly written story about children from eleven to thirteen years of age, who live in a suburban town, and attend a public grammar school. The book is full of incident of school and home life. The story deals with real life, and is told in the simple and natural style which characterized Miss Reed's popular "Brenda" stories.— Washington Post. There are little people in this sweetly written story with whom all will feel at once that they have been long acquainted, so real do they seem, as wel
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