tent, afford the very best means of estimating the true character of one of the most extraordinary men the world has produced, under circumstances well calculated to exhibit his real feelings. The volume, too, contains numerous anecdotes and traits of the ci-devant Emperor of France, which have never before been published.

While Captain Maitland's Narrative carries along with it a most perfect conviction of the truth and accuracy of the facts he relates, it contains complete and triumphant evidence of the honourable conduct, as well as the good sense and judgment of the Captain himself, in a situation of great responsibility, and under circumstances of almost unparalleled delicacy and difficulty. There is likewise a full vindication of the gallant Captain, from a charge often made at the time, that the British officer had broken faith with his fallen foe, and betrayed him to the English Government, in violation of the terms of his surrender.

The Government of this country seem to have been well informed as to Napoleon's movements subsequent to his departure from Paris. Their plans to defeat, what was understood to be his purpose, of going to America, and for intercepting the fugitive on whose captivity they imagined the repose of Europe depended, appear to have been judiciously laid, and most effectually seconded by the vigilance and activity of the commanders of the cruizers in the Channel, and along that part of the coast from which it was thought he would try to effect his escape. Napoleon's object in fleeing from Paris to Rochefort evidently was to escape by some vessel to America. It is beyond doubt, that it must have been for an opportunity of this kind he was waiting, when, by circumstances beyond his control, he was forced to adopt the hasty resolution of going on board the Bellerophon, and throwing himself under the protection of the English. The fallen Emperor's followers had recourse to many schemes and stratagems to secure the flight of their master. The watchful activity, however, of the British cruizers rendered any attempt to venture to sea either dangerous or impracticable.

We find the following recorded as one of the stratagems proposed to be resorted to, to elude our seamen :

Among the rest, "it was the the intention of Buonaparte to escape from Rochefort in a Danish sloop, concealed in a cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so constructed as to convey air for his breathing. The plan had been thought of, and the vessel in some measure prepared; but it was considered too hazard. ous for had we detained the vessel for a day or two, he would have been obliged to make his situation known, and thereby forfeited all claims to the good treatment he hoped to insure by a voluntary surrender."

Besides the Bellerophon, there were so many cruizers in the Channel, in the latitude of Ushant, off Cape Finisterre, and along the whole coast, that it would have been impossible for Napoleon to have put to

sea.

It was when their stratagems had failed them, that various negociations were attempted by the attendants of Napoleon, in which the crafty Las Cases was the chief actor, to elude the penetration, and overcome the skill of the British seamen,-but in vain. The Captain was too much of a statesman, to be betrayed by the hollow dexterity of the Frenchman. Truth was disregarded, and the most barefaced attempts were made, "with authority and show of truth," to impose on the ingenuous mind of the British officer. The following may be taken to prove what we have been saying:

During the above-mentioned conversation, I asked Las Cases where Buonaparte then was ? he replied, "At Rochefort, I left him there yesterday evening." General Lallemand then said, " The Emperor lives at the hotel in the Grand Place, and is now so popular there, that the inhabitants assemble every evening in front of the house, for the purpose of seeing him, and crying, Vive l'Empe reur!" I then asked how long it would take to go there. Las Cases answered, "As the tide will be against us, it will require five or six hours." Why these false statements were made I cannot pre

tend to say, but it is very certain that Buonaparte never quitted the frigates or Isle d'Aix, after his arrival there on the 3d July. General Lallemand took occa sion to ask me if I thought there would be any risk of the people who might ac company Buonaparte, being given up to

the Government of France: I replied, "Certainly not; the British government never could think of doing so, under the circumstances contemplated in the present arrangement."

Defeated in all their attempts at negotiation for a safe conduct to Napoleon, or to have him received on board under conditions as to his reception in England, no alternative remained for his followers or himself but to act as circumstances required. At this time, it was the 13th of July, the white flag was once more hoisted allover Rochelle; the gathering storm was thickening round Napoleon, the blockade most closely kept up at sea, his enemies on shore fast increasing both in power and in strength-The fate of Napoleon was sealed. To avoid falling into the hands of the friends of the Bourbons, which he had reason to fear might happen by the detention of the frigate in which he then was, Napoleon was forced to seek an asylum in an English man-of-war. This line of conduct, one not of choice but of necessity, it has since been ascertained was determined on, in a council held on the night of the 13th July, when the desperate state of Napoleon's circumstances rendered this the best policy he could adopt.

Captain Maitland appears to have been laudably anxious in making due preparation both for the comfort and security of Napoleon, while he was to be on board the Bellerophon. The following passage will illustrate this, while at the same time it serves to refute, what was often repeated, that Napoleon behaved rudely, and even brutally, while on board the Bellerophon:

I said to Monsieur Las Cases, I propose dividing the after-cabin in two, that the ladies may have the use of one part of it.

"If you allow me to give an opi. nion," said he, "the Emperor will be better pleased to have the whole of the after-cabin to himself, as he is fond of walking about, and will by that means be able to take more exercise." I answered, "As it is my wish to treat him with every possible consideration while he is on board the ship I command, I shall make any arrangement you think will be most agreeable to him." This is the only conversation that ever passed on the subject of the cabin; and I am the more

particular in stating it, as Buonaparte has been described, in some of the public journals, as having taken possession of it in a most brutal way, saying, "Tout ou rien pour moi"-all or nothing for me. I here, therefore, once for all, beg to state most distinctly, that, from the time of his coming on board my ship, to the period of his quitting her, his conduct was invariably that of a gentleman: and in no one instance do I recollect him to have made use of a rude expression, or to have been guilty of any kind of illbreeding.

We will now present to the reader, in the words of the narrator himself, the account of the reception of Napoleon on board the Bellerophon :

At break of day, on the 15th of July, 1815, l'Epervier French brig of war was

discovered under sail, standing out to and at the same time the Superb, bearwards the ship, with a flag of truce up; ing Sir Henry Hotham's flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebbtide failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a mile of us, made no farther progress; while the Superb was advancing with the wind and the tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near a conclusion, previous to the Admiral's arrival, I sent off Mr Mott, the First Lieutenant, in the barge, who returned soon after six

o'clock, bringing Napoleon with him. he was received without any of the ho On coming on board the Bellerophon, rank; the guard was drawn out on the nours generally paid to persons of high break of the poop, but did not present arms. His Majesty's Government had merely given directions, in the event of his being captured, for his being removed into any one of his Majesty's ships that might fall in with him, but no instructions had been given as to the light in which he was to be viewed. As it is not customary, however, on board a British ship of war, to pay any such honours before the colours are hoisted at eight o'clock in the morning, or after sunset, I made the early hour an excuse for withholding them upon this occasion.

Buonaparte's dress was an olive coloured great-coat over a green uniform, with scarlet cape and cuffs, green lapels turned back, and edged with scarlet, skirts booked back with bugle horns embroidered in gold, plain sugar-loaf buttons and gold epaulettes, being the uniform of the Chasseur a Cheval of the Imperial Guard. He wore the star, or grand cross of the Legend of Honour, and the small cross of

that order, the Iron Crown and the Union, appended to the button-hole of his left lapel. He had on a small cocked hat, with a tri-coloured cockade, plain goldhilted sword, military boots, and white waistcoat and breeches. The following day he appeared in shoes, with gold buckles and silk stockings-the dress he al

ways wore afterwards while with me.

On leaving the Epervier, he was cheer. ed by her ship's company as long as the boat was within hearing; and Mr Mott informed me that most of the officers and men had tears in their eyes.

General Bertrand came first up the ship's side, and said to me, "The Em peror is in the boat." He then ascended, and, when he came on the quarter-deck, pulled off his hat, and, addressing me in a firm tone of voice, said, "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your

Prince and laws." When I showed him into the cabin, he looked round and said, "Une belle chambre," (this is a handsome cabin.) I answered, “Such as it is, Sir, it is at your service while you remain on board the ship I command." He then looked at a portrait that was hanging up, and said, "Qui est cette jeune personne ?" (Who is that young lady?)" My wife," I replied. "Ah! elle est très jeune et très jolie," (Ah! she is both young and pretty.) He then asked what country-woman she was, begged to know if I had any children, and put a number of questions respecting my country, and the service I had seen.

He next requested I would send for the officers, and introduce them to him:

which was done according to their rank. He asked several questions of each, as to the place of their birth, the situation he held in the ship, the length of time he had served, and the actions he had been in. He then expressed a desire to go round the ship; but as the men had not done cleaning, I told him it was customary to clean the lower decks immediately after breakfast, that they were then so employed, and, if he would defer visiting the ship until they had finished, he would see her to more advantage.

At this time I proposed to him to allow me to address him in English, as I had heard he understood that language, and I had considerable difficulty in expressing myself in French. He replied in French, "The thing is impossible; I hardly understand a word of your lan guage:" and from the observations I had an opportunity of making afterwards, I am satisfied he made a correct statement, as, on looking into books or newspapers, he frequently asked the meaning of the most common word. He spoke his own language

with a rapidity that at first made it difficult to follow him; and it was several days before I got so far accustomed to his man. ner of speaking, as to comprehend his meaning immediately.

No sooner on board, than Napoleon displays that activity of disposition and inquisitive nature which must have so strongly characterised him at one period of life. He minutely examines all parts of the ship,— at once discovers wherein its construction and management differ from those of the French ships. Having discussed with Captain Maitland the subject of naval tactics, in which Napoleon displays much skill and judgment, he proceeds to state his opinion on the comparative merits of English and French seamen, and shews that the topics had previously employed his active and penetrating mind.

Napoleon appears to have indulged the hope that he was to find an asylum in England, and very soon after coming on board, he endeavours to impress on Captain Maitland the belief that his (Napoleon's) understanding was, that England was to be his future home:

We had breakfast about nine o'clock, in the English style, consisting of tea, coffee, cold meat, &c. He did not eat much, or seem to relish it: and when, on inquiry, I found he was accustomed to have a hot meal in the morning, I immediately ordered my steward to allow his maitre d'hotel to give directions, that he might invariably be served in the manner he had been used to do; and after that we always lived in the French fashion, as far as I could effect that object.

During breakfast he asked many ques tions about English customs, saying, "I must now learn to conform myself to them, as I shall probably pass the remainder of my life in England."

A right and honourable feeling marks the whole tenor of Captain Maitland's conduct to Napoleon while on board the Bellerophon :

When dinner was announced, Buonaparte, viewing himself as a royal personage, which he continued to do while on board the Bellerophon, and which, under the circumstances, I considered it would have been both ungracious and uncalledfor in me to have disputed, led the way into the dining-room. He seated himself in the centre at one side of the table,

on the beach at Caiffa. My reply was, that when Marlborough appeared for that purpose, I should be at his service, but I had other duties to fulfil besides fighting a duel with an English commodore." He pursued the subject of Syria, and said, patting me (who was sitting next him) on the head, "If it had not been for you, English, I should have been Emperor of the East; but wherever there is water to float a ship, we are sure to find you in our way."

We have a great many very lively and interesting details of the conduct of Napoleon,-graphical representations of his manner,-all so minutely and faithfully recorded, as to furnish us with a perfect vraisemblance of the hero of Marengo in the gloom of his glory. But as great part of these have been often before the public, we make room only for the follow ing:

Sunday, 23d July, (1815,) we passed very near to Ushant; the day was fine, and Buonaparte remained upon deck great part of the morning. He cast many a melancholy look at the coast of France, but made few observations on it. He asked several questions about the coast of England, whether it was safe to approach, its distance, and the part we were likely to make. About eight in the evening the high land of Dartmoor was discovered, when I went into the cabin and told him of it. I found him in a flannel dressing-gown, nearly undressed, and preparing to go to bed. He put on his great-coat, came out upon deck, and remained some time looking at the land, asking its distance from Torbay, and the probable time of our arrival there.

At day-break of the 24th of July, we were close off Dartmouth. Count Bertrand went into the cabin, and informed Buonaparte of it, who came upon deck about half-past four, and remained on the poop until the ship anchored in Torbay. He talked with admiration of the boldness of the coast, saying, "You have in that respect a great advantage over France, which is surrounded by rocks and dangers." On opening Torbay, he was much struck with the beauty of the

scenery, and exclaimed, "What a beautiful country! it very much resembles the bay of Porto Ferrajo, in Elba."

At dinner he conversed as usual, was inquisitive about the kinds of fish produced on the coast of England, and ate part of a turbot that was at table with inuch relish. He then spoke of the character of the fishermen and boa'men on

VOL. XVIIL.

our coast, saying, "They are generally smugglers as well as fishermen; at one time a great many of them were in my pay, for the purpose of obtaining intelligence, bringing money over to France, and assisting prisoners of war to escape. They even offered, for a large sum of money, to seize the person of Louis, and deliver him into my hands, but as they could not guarantee the preservation of his life, I would not give my consent to the measure."

Hitherto Napoleon's situation seems to have been one of compara tive happiness and comfort; and it is but justice to Captain Maitland to state, that every thing was done by him, which circumstances would permit, to continue both to his distinguished captive. We cannot refuse ourselves the pleasure of giving the following extract, which will shew how humanely studious the Captain was to second Napoleon's wishes :

He (Napoleon) complained of the two frigates being placed as guard-ships over him, as if," said he, “I were not perfectly secure on board a British line-ofbattle ship;" and added, "the guardship's boats have been firing musquetry all the evening, to keep the shore-boats at a distance; it disturbs and distresses me, and I shall be obliged to you to prevent it, if it lies in your power." I immediately sent to the captains of the frigates, to put a stop to the firing.

Napoleon, it would appear, maintained his temper with great equanimity, even amid all the disagremens of his situation. Whether this is to be attributed to a certain lethargy of mind, which some have alleged had possession of Napoleon, or to the firm manliness of his nature, it is now impossible to determine. But certain it is, that his conduct in this respect was not imitated or followed by his attendants. In no part of his conduct, during the time he remained on board the Bellerophon, is the equanimity more strongly pourtrayed than on the announcement of the determination of our Government to send him to St. Helena. We have the following from Captain Maitland :—

His mind had by this time been so much prepared by the newspapers for that event, that he did not shew any very strong emotion at receiving the intimation, though he complained, in strong 4 Y