98 Singular Account of the Insure at Aversa. [VOL. 4 between the statues of Piety, and Wis- nesses to these experiments, we had dom, who place on his brow a crown an opportunity, says the author, of oboffered him by the love of his subjects. serving the effect which the Galvanic In the adjoining apartments, some young electricity produced on several individmen of distinguished birth, quietly uals, a statement of which will throw amused themselves in playing billiards. the greatest light on the obscure art of Astonished at the urbanity,the deco- treating the infinite variety of mental rum, the tranquillity and the politeness, aberrations.] of this unfortunate family, a stranger It struck twelve, and the experiments could not help saying to my guide, ceased, it being the hour of dinner. As "Where then are the insane?" Wher- we proceeded to the Refectory, the ever you turn your eyes,' answered he. Chevalier Linguiti, the other physician, The peace, the regularity, the good pointed out the dark chamber, the floor temper, which you witness here, are and walls of which are covered with the fruit of vigilance, of order, of a mattresses to confine the maniacs when skilful combination of the different the fit of phrenzy is on them; and the methods of promoting health, and of beds, on which the patients are placed happy application of the means pointed in such a manner, that (the circulation out by medicine, moral philosophy, and a profound knowledge of the human mind. not being impeded) it is impossible for them to injure themselves or others. He likewise shewed us the strait waistIn more than one kind of mental de- coats, which permit the insane to walk rangement, the difficult art of adminis- about at their ease, without being able tering medicines, and, above all, that to commit any excess; the apartment of prescribing the use of them, must destined for the surprise bath; the Occupy the first rank. Hospitals for the insane governed like places of confinement, or, like prisons, destined to secure dangerous patients who must be sequestered from society, are calculated but to multiply the kinds of victims whom they contain. theatre, where these unfortunate persons recreate themselves in representing musical pieces; and lastly, that of the puppets, where their minds are frequently diverted in a very beneficial manner. I saw this whole family again assem-bled at table. Unhappily it was still In this Hospital the ancient rigorous too numerous, notwithstanding the treatment of the patients has been hap- frequent and daily cures which annually pily replaced by tender and affectionate restore a great number of its members cares, by the admirable art of gaining to the state, to their relations, to the the mind, and by a mild and pliant arts, the sciences, and humanity. The firmness. Experience has soon de- bread, the wine, the meat, the soup, all monstrated the advantages of this system, the aliments, were wholesome, of good and every body acknowledges that it quality, well prepared, and well served was inspired, not by the blind empiric up: tranquillity, order, silence, were ism of ill judged pity, but by profound every where observed; but it was then knowledge and enlightened reflections that I first became sensible in what kind on the cause of madness and the means of curing it. of a place I was. The continual agitation of the insane, the motion of their [The writer here gives an account of muscles, which is not interrupted in two eminent physicians, who came to their moments of rage, the animal heat begin a series of Galvanic experiments, which in many of them is much increasapplied to certain species of madness ed, the extraordinary energy of their very frequent in hospitals for the insane. strength, sometimes excite in them an After having chosen the patients, M. extraordinary voracity; and it was Ronchi, one of them, explained in an such, in some of these unfortunate pereloquent and concise manner the reasons sons, that they devoured their food like which convinced him that the remedy ferocious beasts, appearing insatiable, seemed efficacious, and the hopes which whatever quantity the kind Director set might be conceived of it. Being wit- before them. Their physiognomy, VOL. 4.] Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes. 99 their gestures, their secret murmurs, a moment without exciting the most which would cause them to be taken sorrowful reflections on the dreadful less for men than for brutes, evidently evils which assail humanity. proved that in these moments they were deprived of reason, and governed by instinct alone. A melancholy and painful sight, which cannot be beheld Full of these gloomy reflections, I left Aversa to be in the evening at Naples, intending to visit the next day the Royal Establishment for the Poor. From the Literary Gazette, June, 1818. ANECDOTES OF THE BUONAPARTES. NAPOLEON, on his side, appear- quently to land on the coast of Provence, ed closely to adhere to all that his brother recommended; but, true to his natural character, he commenced by completely deceiving the senator; endeavouring to persuade the latter, that a sense of her own interests would induce Austria to second the enterprise; and that, moreover, he had already received an assurance, that both his wife and child would be sent to Paris in the event of its success. In threatening that power with a general rising of the Italians, headed by Murat, said Napoleon, Austria, rather than run the risk of losing her possessions there, would consent to withdraw from the coalition, if ever so well inclined to oppose his re-establishment. As the execution of this calamitous plan seemed practicable in Lucien's eyes, be left the success of it to the fortunes of his brother: so that, apparent ly, he had merely a secondary part to play in the grand political drama, which was about to throw the cause of European liberty back for so many years. It was Joseph who assumed the most active agency in maturing the plot. This crowned adventurer, tho' destitute alike of talents or vigour of character, contrived, in the rage of disappointed vanity, and stimulated by his love of gold, to lay the first part of the train which produced the final explosion in France. Having previously fixed his residence at the castle of Prangrin, in Switzerland, that place became the head quarters for those conspirators who were employed to conduct the correspondence thro' the south of France, particulary Lyons, Grenoble, Dijon, and even on to the capital. Agents from Elba, despatched by Napoleon himself, used fre and proceed to Paris, without any molestation. The plot was, in fact, civil and military; as persons who had formerly filled the situation of ministers, old counsellors of state, commissaries, clerks, and women of abandoned character, composed the pivot on which the infernal machine was known to move, and constituted its principal support. ***** It was not till the end of December that the generals, who had been initiated into the approaching catastrophe, began to hold their first meetings at Paris. * The plot was divided into two parts, that of Buonaparte's debarkation, and the insurrection of several garrisons in the northern departments, which were to march on the capital, and possess themselves of the royal family: this was to be effected by the aid of perfidy and treason, prepared with a degree of infamy altogether unworthy of the French character. The public is fully aware how amazingly the develope ment of this scheme was favoured by the blind confidence of the court, criminal neglect of an infatuated- ministry, and above all, by the public opinion of nearly all France. In the course now pursued by Buonaparte, of which there appears to be some new and important parts here developed, Lucien took an earnest concern, "Lucien had scarcely heard of the landing, when he suddenly threw off the mask, which had hitherto made his sentiments appear somewhat doubtful, and even indifferent with regard to Napoleon. "On perceiving the Pope's alarm at the idea of that man's return, who had op 100 Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes. [vol. 4 pressed him for so many years, the prince was no longer any chance of dissolving of Canino persuaded his soverign, that the coalition, it was high time to think he could always control the policy of of opening the campaign." Buonaparte, and preserve his holiness Of the performances of Lucien durfrom any future aggression. The pontiff ing this short revolutionay struggle, we had already availed himself of Lucien's think the following character bears the mediation, when Murat was marching evident marks of truth ; and were we to a body of troops towards Rome, and adopt the affected phraseology of the thought he should now confide the in- times, we would say, 'it belongs to histerest of his states, as well as those of tory.' religion, to the same hands. It was by "Installed in his new habitation, Luthis artifice that the senator obtained cien sought for celebrity in three distinct passports to traverse Italy. On procur- capacities, that of prince, minister of ing these, he entered France through state, and poet: all the public authori Switzerland, and arrived at Paris late ties hastened to compliment his highness, in April: here he continued in the ut- who studied to receive them with dignimost secrecy, having also preserved the fied politeness. In this respect the senstrictest incognito on his Journey from ator had a manifest advantage over his Rome. Although not one of his most brother: no one could have a greater intimate friends knew of Lucien's being talent for blending ease and affability in in the capital for some time, he was his official communications than Lucien ; nevertheless frequently at the Tuileries, so that he soon became the object of and had many long conferences with Napoleon, by whom he was charged to conduct a negotiation of great moment with the British goverment: this failed even before the necessary passports were signed. The senator went down to the coast to wait for them, but not being allowed to cross the channel,he returned to Paris with the same secresy he had left it." "The journey into Switzerland was concerted with Napoleon; for although "The fact is, that the senator's credit the reconciliation was complete and sin was no less real than his influence was cere, it became necessary for Lucien to active. He was present at all the privy conceal it for the present, lest some ob- councils and other conferences held by stacle should be thrown in the way of the members of the goverment, also his family's leaving Rome. On the other hand, it was of the utmost consequence that his return to power should be so managed, as not to give umbrage to those persons who had seized the reins of administration for the time being, and under whom Napoleon himself had been obliged to serve a species of tutelage, having found it impossible to regain all his power at once. From Lucien's position in Switzerland, the emperor hoped the senator would be able to open the secret negociations with Austria, and have greater facilities in stimulating the exertions of Murat. "But as events soon began to accumulate, and become daily more pressing, particularly when every hope of continuing at peace had vanished, and there general applause in all the circles of the resuscitated court, as well as amongst the public functionaries: nor was adulation spared on this occasion; and a hireling newspaper, the Journal de Paris, which had but a few months before most severely criticised the poem of Charlemagne, now sang a tulsome palinode, containing an unbounded panegyric on the same composition !" whenever the leaders of the two chambers met. To him Napoleon left the difficult task of preparing the public mind, and surmounting difficulties: in a word, Lucien had undertaken the very troublesome and thankless office of a conciliator, between the parties of every cast, which,having at first united to support Napoleon, seemed now desirous of contending the prize of power with him, and at all events of obliging the new government to compromise with themselves. The Prince of Canino fully succeeded in gaining over Carnot, who, of all the ministers, seemed to shew the senator most deference: these grand props of the restored dynasty were frequently together, and used to have very long interviews.' 27 VOL. 4.] Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes. 101 The efforts made by Lucien to sus- LUC.-You deliberate when it is netain his imperial relative were strenuous, cessary to act; while they act without but fruitless;--the decadence of the Buo- deliberating. napartes was inevitable. "Amongst the ministers, Carnot secmed to be the only person who remained a stanch supporter of the new government: a secret council being summoned, it was proposed to dissolve the two chambers; but the very imposing attitude assumed by that of the deputies, under Fouché's management, rendered the success of this scheme extremely improbable." 66 NAP. What can they do? They are mere talkers! LUC.--Public opinion is with them, and they could pronounce your forfeiture to the throne. NAP.-The forfeiture! They dare not! LUC. They will dare every thing, if you dare nothing. NAP. -Let us see Davoust. 66 66 Leaving the garden, Napoleon returned to his cabinet, followed by LuDefeated in the Chamber, Lucien cien: here the emperor remained plungand the ministers retired to the Elysée, ed in a deep reverie, and shewing all the where all was consternation. symptoms of irresolution, notwithstand“On their return to the Elysée,uneasing the pressing instances of the senator, iness and alarm had spread through the palace; and the senator hurried from his carriage to the garden, in which Napoleon happened to be waiking; on perceiving his brother, the emperor turned pale, and as suddenly became flushed. Well!" said be to the senator. This laconic exclamation had scarcely escaped Napoleon's lips, when Lucien conducted him into an adjoining arbour, where a person attached to the emperor's person heard the following dialogue between the two brothers : 66 66 who at length quitted the room,telling a Counteracted by Fouché in the Regency and other questions, the intrigues and zeal of Lucien, he insisted on a LUCIEN. Where is your firmness prompt flight to America, whither all now? Why so irresolute? You must the brothers would follow; and a note, surely know what is the result of not signifying that such was the intention of daring to act under such circumstances? Napoleon, was intercepted on the 26th NAPOLEON. I have dared too much. of June. LUC.-Too much and too little. Do so now for the last time. From this moment every hour became more pregnant with danger to the Corsican dynasty. Lucien, under the name of Count de Chatillon, fled to Boulogne, with the design of embarking for the United States. A courier caused him to change his resolution ; and, full of apprehensions, he took the road to Italy as Count de Casali. After wandering some time on the frontiers of Savoy, the dread of being arrested by the Royalists induced him to surrender to Count Bubna, the commander of the Austrian corps marching on Lyons. He was not ungraciously received by that officer, who dispatched an Austrian aiddu-camp to accompany him to Turin, where he arrived 12th July, with the intention of proceeding to Rome. But no sooner had he alighted at the hotel de l'Univers, than he was arrested and carried prisoner to the citadel. 102 Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes.—Lucien's Treasures. [vol. 4 66 Having thus fulfilled the task proposed, and conducted our hero to the last eventful scene of his political life, we trust the pledge given in the introduction to these Memoirs, has been amply "Lucien's wonted firmness seemed now to fail him. "I cannot conceive," cried the Prince of Canino, "why they should treat me as a prisoner: I, who have always opposed the ambitious designs of my brother, and who in this last instance redeemed; and that the authentic sourwas only induced to revisit France for the purpose of bringing him back to more moderate views." ces from whence our materials have been drawn, will tend in no trifling degree to the elucidation of a subject which The clemency of the Allies reassur- has hitherto created opinions with respect ed him, and he awaited their decision to the Buonaparte family as foreign to in a captivity rendered as little painful truth as they are injurious to the best inas possible by King Victor Emanuel, terests of society. It is also hoped that whose brother was under some former pecuniary obligation to the prisoner, in regard to the receipt of his pension of 50,000 crowns allowed to the abdicated monarch by the French government. The close of Lucien's career we transcribe in the words of the author: while the minor details of this work have contributed to the reader's amusement, the historical records and reflections which accompany them will not be altogether without their effect in aiding the great cause of morals aud public liberty: by holding vice up to well merited re"A decision of those ministers who proach, exemplifying its short-lived tri-. represented the four principal powers, umph, and above all, shewing the real England, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, motives that have actuated the conduct at Paris, soon led to Lucien's release, of a family which might have still enjoyand enabled him to proceed to Rome; ed the highest dignities in Europe, had where it was stipulated, that he should the individuals composing it betrayed a remain under the superintendence of the greater regard for virtue, and listened to papal police, and on the express condi- the prophetic voice of that PUBLIC OPINtion of his not quitting the Roman states. ION to which their fall can alone be atThe intervention of Pius VII. was par- tributed!" ticularly favourable to Lucien in this dilemma: indeed the holy father seems to have exhausted Christian charity in favour of the senator. 66 Leaving Turin on the 15th of September 1815, accompanied by a Piedmontese officer, and passing through Modena, the Prince of Canino was once more restored to the arms of his anxious wife and family. "Here Lucien seemed at first resigned to his fate, and even appeared to ineditate somewhat philosophically on the vanity of human wishes. The senator's conduct was also exceedingly circumspect; but whether he did not consider himself as sufficiently free at Rome, or that his ardent mind began to indulge in some new projects of ambition, a most pressing application for passports to the United States of America was made by him towards the end of 1816. Soon after which it was discovered, that having deliberated on this request, the allied ministers sent a qualified refusal, deciding that he should still continue under the inspection of the police at Rome. When Lucien left France in 1804,the author says he had an income of 200,000 livres ; a capital of 500,000 francs in Spain; the Hotel de Brienne, at Paris, and 200 pictures there, sold to his mother for 900,000 francs. He had also his salary as senator, and the revenue of the seignory of Poppelsdorp, making together 65,000 francs per ann.; and 1500 as a Member of the Institute. The latter payments were, however, stopped when he was ordered to quit France in 1810, and his income consequently reduced from about 12,000l. to 8,500l. a year. Thus it is stated, but from his style of living he must have had much more. His expense in the purchase of works of art were immense his collection was valued at 2 millions of francs. When in Italy he treated for the purchase of Bassano, the chateau of the Giustiniani family, where the fine works of Dominichino are to be seen, but its owner asked too high a price. He next tried to buy the Villa Hongroise on the site of the Baths of Dioclesian, celebrated for its vast gardens, but the |