PREFACE.

THE history of mankind does not exhibit a more remarkable and important series of events than those which are interwoven with the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Emerging from the greatest obscurity, amidst the convulsions of a terrible revolution, he raised himself to the highest pitch of human elevation. Possessed of an extensive and powerful empire, and directing its resources with unexampled energy and the most consummate policy, he menaced the existence of every political state. He has repeatedly vanquished the best armies and most experienced generals in Europe; the haughty Musselman has bowed to his arms and his policy, and the splendid hierarchy of the Romish church has been overturned and modelled to his pleasure. He has degraded the proud and ancient dynasties of Christendom, trampled on crowns, destroyed republics, and raised thrones on the ruins of his devastating course. Surrounded for some time by tributary princes or trembling allies, meanness and ingenuity were exhausted in panegyrizing his name; but the most unprecedented act of homage was given by the ancient and despised Israelites, who hailed him as the Messiah promised by the prophets. From this pinnacle of glory he has recently been hurled;

and, overwhelmed by an immense combination of enemies, presents now as a prisoner and exile a useful lesson on the subject of unprincipled ambition.

The private character of this celebrated hero is scarcely less remarkable than his public. Concentrated in himself, and always occupied with his glory, he is cold and repulsive in his manner. Unwilling to admit an equal, every thing belonging to him must strike, astonish, and impose upon the imagination. He would keep mankind at a distance, and only approach them the more effectually to direct their movements. Men are nothing to him-they are the means, himself the end: principles are nothing to him, but so far as they facilitate his purposes: he has been a Republican, Terrorist, Moderate, Musselman, and Catholic.

The elevation of individuals, whether by their merits, their crimes, or their intrigues, has always excited malignity, and become the subject of misrepresentation and abuse, especially when calumny acquires a tinge of patriotism. [The writer of the following narrative has therefore rejected all doubtful testimony, and advanced nothing but what is proved by authenticated documents, or the most circumstantial evidence; and to avoid the errors of prejudice, he has simply stated facts which speak for themselves. Let the reader reflect and draw his own conclusions, for these eventual memoirs are pregnant with matter, which must furnish reflections the most serious and instructive.

THE LIFE

OF

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

CHAP. I.

BONAPARTE'S PARENTAGE-SENT TO THE SCHOOL AT BRIENNE-ATTACHMENT TO CORSICA-PECULIARITY OF HIS TEMPER-DEVOTION TO BOOKS--STUDIES IN HIS FORTIFIED GARDEN.

THE circumstances of Bonaparte's education are not much known to the public; but all that are known sufficiently prove that he gave very early indications of superior genius, and propensities of no common strength. He was born on the 15th of August, 1769, at Ajaccio in Corsica, of parents not above the middle rank, and of Italian, though not of noble extraction. His father's name was Charles Buonaparte, and his mother's maiden name Lætitia Ranioli; the former having taken part with the patriots in their struggles for liberty against the French and Genoese, would have left the island with his friend General Paoli, after it was conquered, had he not been prevented by the entreaties of an uncle. Napoleon Bonaparte, his second son, gave strong proofs of very great talents even when a child; he learnt very quickly

whatever he was taught; he wished to know every thing, and suffered nothing to pass him without observation. His father remarking this penetrating disposition of his son, omitted no opportunity to comply with it, and seemed desirous of making him a superior man.

The notions of liberty which the young Bonaparte very early imbibed from all those around him, fermenting with his proud and impatient spirit, produced in him an equal fondness for command, and what was at first the mere love of resistance, became in time the lust of power. Whenever he heard his friends or relations lament the degraded state of their country, he seemed to partake of their feelings; and one day, when not above nine years old; he exclaimed, “Corsica shall be free, but we must wait." His father's former opposition to the French being forgotten on both sides, he was appointed king's proctor of the island, and lived on terms of friendship with the governor, the Marquis de Marbœuf.

Having thus come into favour, he was appointed to represent the noblesse in the deputation of the three orders sent, in 1773, to Louis XV. He died at Montpellier, whither he had gone for the re-establishment of his health. After his death, M. de Marboeuf, the friend and protector of his family, placed the second son, Napoleon, at the college of Antun, and afterwards at the military academy of Brienne. Bonaparte arrived at this place in the year 1779, being then only ten years old.

Among a hundred and fifty scholars Bonaparte was the most distinguished, not only for his wonderful proficiency, but for his singular manners and solitary disposition; he shewed a strong, vigorous, and inflexible mind, mixing very little in the sports and amusements of other boys, and never but in those of a military kind, and he always took the command; sometimes they were attended with bloodshed, and were at last put a stop to by the master of the school, who severely rebuked Bonaparte; on this he betook himself to his garden, and was never again seen among his companions