ness, and pick up their advantages, according to their opportunities and turn of mind, Their faculties (such as they are) shoot out freely and gracefully, like the slender trees in a forest; and are not clipped and cut down, as the understandings of men are, into uncouth shapes and distorted fancies, like yew-trees in an old-fashioned garden. Women in short resemble self-taught men, with more pliancy and delicacy of feeling. The author of Characteristics will discover himself to the general reader almost the moment he opens the book; and any body acquainted with the characteristics of Mr. Hazlitt will be aware that he cannot characteristically dispose of four hundred and thirty-four THOUGHTS, without thinking for the amusement and information of other people. His vinous spirit is certainly not so highly rectified as that of Rochefoucault, and the flavour of the stalk is too frequently perceptible; but what it loses in concentration and unity, it gains in raciness and variety, and will be proportionably attractive. Memoirs of the Reign of Napoleon, dictated to the Generals Gourgaud and Montholon. The Manuscript of 1814, a History of Events which led to the Abdication of Napoleon; written at the command of the Emperor, by Baron Fain. It is singular enough that an exile and captivity which was evidently intended to interpose as thick a veil as possible between Napoleon, personally considered, and posterity, should have tended directly to a different result. It cannot for a moment be doubted, that the residence of this extraordinary individual at St. Helena, in a species of custody which, however far from nationally liberal or honourable, could not, from the nature of things, be made, like a Siberian residence or a German fortress, to quash his existence, will tend to render his history far better known than if he had been allowed to remain in Europe. In what a variety of ways is the unspeakable blessing of liberty beneficial! For without a free press, and a free people in Great Britain (America is too far off)-how much matter-of-fact would be lost to the world! Looking at this dictation of Napoleon. with what eyes we may, it is evident that posterity will regard them as valuable documents. Had the Government of Great Britain been despotic, or even selon la charte, none of them would have seen the light; and the whole Sir Hudson Lowe story would have existed only in whispers among court Botherbys and under gaolers, like the cagings, the ironmaskings, and Bastille immurements of ancient France, and the imperial amours, and murders of modern Russia. In the present instance, national enmity may undervalue the benefit; but even when this is the case, it will amount to a pitiable excess if it prevent a due appreciation of the power of forming our own estimation of it. Besides, if in ultra opinion Bonaparte was only a dethroned usurper in St. Helena, this same power of suppression might affect a Charles Is at Caris→ brook Castle, a Louis at Hartwell, or a Ferdinand at Ceuta,-a consideration which ought to be conclusive; although, if we give in to the sentiment published the other day in the Journal des Debats, it is better for monarchy that kings should lose their heads, than be placed in degrading or ludicrous situations. What heads that are crowned may think of this doctrine we know not; but in the contemplation of such Pepins as Ferdinand of Spain and John of Portugal, with their ready oaths of every sort of calibre, we are half inclined to subscribe to it. We need not enter into any account of the two second volumes forming the continuation of the Memoirs of the Reign of Napoleon; because, in the first place, they are strictly in continuation, and partake of all the characteristics of their predecessors; and in the second, extract of any length from works of this nature is scarcely within the plan of this miscellany. In recommendation to our readers, we will observe that we have been most informed by the account of the battle of Aboukir, and the campaign in Egypt in the one volume; and the continuation of Napoleon's notes, on a work intitled "Considerations on the Art of War," in the Historical Miscellanies,-with the latter, being the work of a great master in his own line, more especially. The Manuscript of 1814 shews the getting up of a more literary hand than those either of Gourgaud or Montholon. It appears to us to be an abstraction from a species of journal either kept by Napoleon, or at his command, and subsequently assuming something like its present form under his direction, we say something like its present form, for it has doubtless been much modified since his death. It tells the story of his adversity with good taste and simplicity, even if we take for granted that occasional colouring may be apparent. We believe it is the first circumstantial narrative of any pretension, which, on competent authority, gives a clear account of the closing of the European history of Napoleon, in reference to which we shall end our remarks by finding room for one striking passage, illustrative of the too purely military spirit and characteristic loftiness and decision of that extraordinary man. We are to suppose Bonaparte, amidst his officers, receiving the extremity of the bad news which led to his conclusive abdication: These movements on the part of the enemy wonderfully assisted those counsellors who maintained that Napoleon had no alternative but to break his sword. "How," said they, "shall we assemble those wrecks of our army on which dependence seems still to be placed. The different corps are so dispersed that even the generals who are nearest each other are, at least, more than a hundred leagues asunder. How, then, can they be made to act together? And are we, who are here, sure of being able to join them ?" Next arrived the news of the night---the appearance of the enemy's scouts on the Loire---the occupation of Pithiviers ;---our communication with Orleans intercepted, &c. &c. Napoleon listened coolly to all this. He appreciated justly the unequal strength of the net which was represented as being drawn around him, and he promised to break through it when the proper moment arrived. "A road that is closed against couriers will soon open before fifty thousand men," said he; and yet notwithstanding his confident tone, it was evident that he hesitated in the execution of his project; being doubtless restrained by a secret dissatisfaction which he could not overcome. He foresaw too well the difference that would exist between his future and his past circumstances. He who had always commanded great armies, who had never manœuvred but to meet the enemy, who in every battle had been accustomed to decide the fate of a capital or a kingdom, and who had hitherto been accustomed to commence and conclude a war in one campaign, saw that he must henceforth assume the character of partizan leader, an adventurer roaming from province to province, skirmishing and destroying without the hope of attaining any decisive success. The horrors of civil war also helped to darken the picture which was exhibited to him in the most unfavourable light. But it is vain to attempt to describe this interval of painful anxiety and hesitation. Suffice it to say that those who represented to Napoleon the possible chances of a civil war, had most influence in inducing him form his resolution." Well, since I must renounce the hope of defending France," cried Napoleon, " does not Italy offer a retreat worthy of me? Will you follow me once more across the Alps?" This proposal was received in profound silence. If at this moment Napoleon had quitted his saloon and entered the hall of the secondary officers, he would have found a host of young men eager to follow wheresoever he might lead them! But a step further, and he would have been greeted at the foot of the stairs by the acclamation of all his troops!. Napoleon however was swayed by the habits of his reign: He thought success could not attend him if he marched without the great officers whom his Imperial dignity had created. He conceived that General Bonaparte himself could not renew his career without his old train of lieutenants. But they had received his summons in silence! He found himself compelled to yield to their apathy, though not without addressing to them these prophetic words: ---" You wish for repose; take it then! Alas! You know not how many troubles and dangers will await you on your beds of down. A few years of that peace which you are about to purchase so dearly, will cut off more of you than the most sanguinary war would have done!"* Napoleon declared himself to have been subdued less by his enemies than by the defection of his friends; and, taking up his pen, he drew up the second formula of his abdication in the following terms:-- "The Allied Powers having proclaimed that the Emperor is the only obstacle to the re-establishment of the peace of Europe, the Emperor, faithful to his oath, renounces for himself and his heirs, the thrones of France and Italy, and declares that there is no sacrifice, not even that of life, which he is not ready to make for the interests of France." Baron Fain was the Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet; if the annotation be his own, it is calm and liberal. Memorable Days in America; or, Journal of a Tour to the United States, 1818, 1819, 1820. By W. Faux, an English Farmer. Mr. W. Faux is one of those comprehensive tourists who adopt the form of a diary, and write down their personal adventures at large, without much consideration of relative value. The consequence is, that what is really to be learned from his labours is to be sought for, like Gratiano's wit, amidst a multitudinous assemblage of nothing. This is unfortunate in respect to a journey undertaken to ascertain "the condition and probable prospects of British emigrants;" for few disposed to emigrate can do what the author evidently could not do himselfseparate the wheat from the chaff. We need not say that it is only certain kind of people who can deduce exact information from travellers of this class; amusement is another affair, and in this way our English Farmer is not without his merit; for we have laughed a little with, and an immense deal at, him. The Quarterly Review may be more grave upon the book, seeing that his general impressions are against America; and he abounds in a variety of odd incidents, which prove the infinite inferiority of republicans to honest Englishmen. What strikes us most, is the deficiency in accuracy and clearness in that sort of information which he principally travelled to acquire. On this subject he gives us every thing in generals, and nothing beyond what we knew before. He visited Birkbeck's settlement, and sketches some account of his visit, but conveys little new information, and that little not worth knowing, although the gossips of the former English neighbourhoods of Messrs. Birkbeck and Flower may think differently. In a word, precise information of any kind is not to be expected from our desultory farmer; but stray points may be picked up occasionally, and "Seven years have not yet elapsed since these words were uttered, and where now are Berthier, Murat, Ney, Massena, Augereau, Lefebvre, Brune, Serrurier, Kellermann, Perignon, Béurnonville, Clarke, and many others?" there is no dearth of entertainment, an observation which will not spoil the sale of the book. This work by the bye is prefaced by a list of subscribers, and dedicated, without express permission it seems, to the Duke of Bedford and Mr. Coke. We guess, as Jonathan says, that we know all about it. LONDON:-Printed for and published by H. L. HUNT, 38, Tavistock-street, Covent-gården, by C. W. REYNELL, Broad-street, Golden-square.Price 5d. THE LITERARY EXAMINER. No. III.-SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1823. THE INDICATOR. No. LXXIX. There he arriving, round about doth fly, (For the Indicator.) WILLIAM LENTILE AND THOMAS WALT. So, William Lentile is dead, and, as the "unitell newspapers us, versally lamented." Now I see no harm in his death. He was one of the anomalies in our social system, and could therefore be spared. I mean one of those cold-blooded, heartless, selfish beings, who, under different disguises, solemn or trifling, canting or whining, prey on the kindness of others. Something may be said in their favour, as adding to the varieties of the human species, on the same principle that I tolerate the sight of a cat, though I never allow one to enter my house. Still, as the greatest feline amateur can without pity drown a brood of kittens, no one ought to regret the loss of a few of these Blifils, lest we should be overrun by them. I could better endure them if they did not pass for respectable characters. The world is merciless towards a "gallant bold-faced villain," though he may possess some almost redeemable qualities; while they countenance these skulking vampyres, because, being a prudent, fearful race, they commit no Old Bailey offence, nor open scandal. Yet they will be guilty, if the law is on their side, of all sorts of questionable wrong, and if occasion serves, would set a neighbour's house on fire to roast their own eggs, and think there is reason in it. They cannot be called peaceable, for when it is their interest to quarrel, they take offence at a straw. You may tread on their toes, and obtain pardon for asking; but should a friend surpass them in the world, he can never hope to be forgiven. When they wish to cut an old acquaintance, they tell every body they do not think his conduct quite right, and seriously decline giving a reason. Expect their condolence, earnestly and for an hour, on the score of tooth-ache, and not their "how d'ye do" if your name appears in the Gazette; for, as they argue, what is the use of it under the circumstances? Love for their wives is of course out of the question; though, as it looks well, they like to appear conjugal. Their children must behave with implicit submission, especially the daughters, because they are the less able to contend. If you are overtaken in a shower, their umbrella is at your service; but as for stepping forward in your defence, should you be calumniated, that is another matter: for they have read Don Quixote, VOL I. 3 |