Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 3 March 1934, page 6


THE LEON and THE ASS

Napoleon’s Last Days at Longwood

By HELENA CASS

IN his interesting article last

Saturday about the sale in New York of a lock of Napoleon’s hair given to Betsy Balcombe,

St. Helena, Professor Ernest Scott refers to the suspicions and jealousies of the Gover-

nor, Sir Hudson Lowe. No more unfortunate choice could have been made than this man, who lacked the chief characteristic of the Briton — considera-tion for the vanquished. It seems ___________________________________

BETSY BALCOMBE ___________________________________

singularly unfortu-nate that one whose only com-mand had been renegade Corsicans and Sicilian mercenaries should have been placed in charge of the great Corsican. In an English copy of

“ Æsop’s Fables,”

which Napoleon was reading to im-prove his English

was an illustration of the sick lion kicked in the face by an ass. “ It is me and your Governor,” said Napoleon.

When, shortly after the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon went on board the British ship Bellerophon with members of his suite and a large number of ser-vants, he placed himself under the protec-tion of the Prince Regent, hoping to settle in England. The ship sailed for Ply-mouth, cast anchor there, and waited for orders. It is interesting to see the change of tone in the English press during the few days in which the ship lay at Plymouth, when Napoleon was not even permitted to land. His personal dominance was so great that of the thousands of interested specta-tors in small craft about the Bellerophon who saw him not one remained with his head covered. Even the officers of the ship remained bareheaded while he was on deck, a fact which “ The Times” records with two exclamation marks. From being a “ monster” and “ an example of every crime,” Napoleon becomes “ this ex-traordinary man, and a reporter from Plymouth writes that “ It is high time that he was removed, as it is shocking to see the court and attention paid to him.” In four days Napoleon’s fate was decided ; he was to be taken as a prisoner to St. Helena. He issued a bitter, formal pro-test against the disposal of his person and his liberty. He protested also against the rank of “ Generaltest allotted to him : “ You have sent ambassadors to me as a foreign potentate ; you have acknowledged me as First Consul.test

Protests were unavailing ; the ship and her escort set sail. The press became interested in the building and furnishing of Longwood. It was intended that Long-wood should be a comfortable home of 24 rooms, each measuring 24ft. by 18ft., and the framework of the house was ordered from the Ordnance department, Wool-wich. Exquisite glass, china, domestic furniture, personal clothing of every de-scription for Napoleon himself and his suite, musical instruments — “ everything, in short, for the ease and elegance of the ex-Emperor were ordered, regardless of expense. “ It is right to add,” remarks “ The Times,” “ that this extraordinary man, for whom this extraordinary order is fitting up, has no knowledge whatever of the preparations.”

At The Briars

So quickly was the decision executed, however, for his removal to St. Helena, that Napoleon arrived there before any ar-rangements had been made for his ac-commodation. He rode out with his suite ____________________________________

The room in a which Napoleon died at Longwood. The bust is that of his

son, the King of Rome. ________________________________________

to see the dreary, wind-swept tableland where the troops were hurriedly running up a house on the site of an old stable. He noticed about a mile and a half from Jamestown, a comfortable house, delight-fully situated in extensive gardens. It was The Briars, belonging to Mr Bal-___________________________________

A view of Longwood, Napoleon’s home on St. Helena. ___________________________________

combe who for some years had been pur-veyor to the ships which sailed on the long run from the Cape. On its return to Jamestown the little cavalcade turned into the beautiful avenue of banyan trees. Betsy Balcombe in her memoirs writes that Napoleon rode a superb animal, jet black in colour, and that his appearance on horseback was noble and imposing. He wore a green uniform covered with

orders, and his saddle and housings were of crimson velvet richly embroidered with gold. When he began to speak, his fas-cinating smile and kind manner removed every vestige of fear which Betsy, and all English children, felt of “ The Ogre."

There he stayed while the 53rd Regiment

was building Longwood. The shady garden walks, the tropical fruits, and a waterfall which cooled the air on the most sultry days made The Briars a little

Eden on that gloomy mass of volcanic rock. He was a most considerate guest,

and he attended a party given while he was there delighting everyone with his social gifts and tact. Occasionally he corrected the children’s French exercises,

and he asked Betsy to improve his

English, “ the oddest in the world.”

His removal to Longwood annoyed him extremely, he had hoped that The Briars would be bought for him, or that he would be allowed to buy it himself. The cottage which he inhabited during his six years of captivity, and which is now being made into a museum, was very different from the Longwood planned in London. “ Come and see my palace,” he welcomed Mrs Balcombe, kissing her on both cheeks and tweaking Betsy’s ear. It is a one-storied building with drawing and dining rooms, and Napoleon’s bed-room, with bath and dressing room ad-joining The bedroom, hung with white nankeen, had the small tent bed, with green silk hangings, which he used on all his campaigns. His own personal articles were of gold or silver ; there was a beautiful silver lamp and magnificent silver wash basin and ewer. He even showed them the kitchen, in a building apart. The Admiral in charge until the arrival of Lowe, Sir George Cockburn, had added a billiard-room, the only large room. The members of Napoleon’s suite were housed separately, but they dined formally with the Emperor, the servants wearing the Napoleonic green and white

livery.

The Tyranny of Lowe

Sir George Cockburn was a very differ-

ent man from Sir Hudson Lowe. Napoleon admired the Navy, and liked the Admiral.

“ The English,” he said, “ are kings upon the sea.” Once he asked the admiral

jokingly what he thought of his chances

of escape, and was told “ I don’t know what you may be tempted to do on shore, sir, but keep away from the sea, for that

is my province.” With the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe a reign of petty tyranny began. The riding which Napoleon so enjoyed, and which was necessary to his health, came to an end, for he refused to have an English escort, upon which the Governor was insistent. His every move-ment was watched through a telescope,

semaphores constantly reported, “ He is accompanied” ; “ he is alone.” The strict-est surveillance was maintained over the

whole household. The wife of a member of his staff took her baby son to Napoleon, “ Permit me to present to your majesty a subject who has dared to enter the gates of Longwood without a permit from Sir Hudson Lowe,” she said. The French Commissioner, the Marquis de Montchenu, was warned that he should not receive both green and white beans from a friend’s garden ; green was the colour of Napoleon’s uniforms, white of his standard “ Je dois vous remercier,” replied the marquis “ parceque l’ile le plus sinistre devient l’ile le plus joyeuse.” A marble bust of the Emperor’s little son

reached the island, and Lowe content-

plated destroying it. “ A message may be hidden within,” he said Even little Betsy was reprimanded ; her birthday cake, sent from England, bore an eagle.

Lowe’s tyranny, the unhealthy climate,

or personal claims drove away in turn most of Napoleon’s entourage. Among the last few followers were two Corsican servants, linking up the island of his birth with the island of his latter days. When

the tragedy was ended a grave was dug in a secluded valley, beside a spring shaded

by two weeping willows. For many years ships sailing to Australia called at St. Helena for water, and some of them brought slips of those willows which you will find in different parts of Australia, grown into beautiful trees.

Britain did honour to the dead. For 19 years a sentry was posted at Napo-leon’s grave. Then the Emperor was buried where he had asked to be — on the banks of the Seine, in his beloved Paris.