PATRIOTIC HANDBILLS 183 CHAPTER XXVIII. ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION BY RUSSIA--MARTIAL ENTHUSIASM IN ENGLAND-- ENROLMENT OF VOLUNTEERS--PATRIOTIC HANDBILLS AND SONGS 192 CHAPTER XXIX. PATRIOTIC HANDBILLS, ETC. 199 CHAPTER XXX. INVASION SQUIBS, _continued_--BONAPARTE’S TEN COMMANDMENTS, ETC. 205 CHAPTER XXXI. INVASION, _continued_--‘BRITONS, STRIKE HOME’--BONAPARTE’S WILL 213 CHAPTER XXXII. INVASION SQUIBS, _continued_--‘BRITONS TO ARMS’--BRAGGADOCIO-- NAPOLEON’S EPITAPH 222 CHAPTER XXXIII. INVASION SQUIBS, _continued_--‘HARLEQUIN INVASION’--‘BOB ROUSEM’S EPISTLE’--NAPOLEON’S TOUR TO BELGIUM 232 CHAPTER XXXIV. INVASION SQUIBS, _continued_--THE BOTTLE CONJUROR--PIDCOCK’S MENAGERIE 244 CHAPTER XXXV. INVASION SQUIBS AND CARICATURES, _continued_ 254 CHAPTER XXXVI. INVASION SQUIBS, _continued_--TALLEYRAND’S DISINCLINATION TO INVADE ENGLAND 266 CHAPTER XXXVII. INVASION SQUIBS--VOLUNTEERS 279 THE EXILE _Frontispiece_ [Illustration] ENGLISH CARICATURE AND SATIRE ON NAPOLEON THE FIRST. CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND GENEALOGY--HIS OWN ACCOUNT--MAJORCAN OR GREEK EXTRACTION--ENGLISH BIOGRAPHIES. Curiously enough, it has never been practically settled whence the ancestors of Napoleon Bonaparte came. He, himself, cared little for the pride of birth, and when, during his Consulate, they manufactured for him a genealogy descending from a line of kings, he laughed at it, and said that his patent of nobility dated from the battle of Montenotte. But, still, one would think he ought to know, for family tradition is strong; and if it can be trusted, this is his own account. ‘One day Napoleon questioned Canova about Alfieri, and Canova found an opportunity to render an important service to Florence, &c. “Sire,” said he, “authorise the President of the Academy of Florence to take care of the frescoes and pictures. I heartily wish it. That will reflect great honour on your Majesty, who, I am assured, is of a noble Florentine family.” At these words the Empress (Maria Louisa) turned towards her husband and said:--“What! are you not Corsican?” “Yes,” replied Napoleon, “but of Florentine origin.” Canova then said:--“The President of the Academy of Florence, the Senator Allessandria, is of one of the most illustrious houses in the country, which has had one of its ladies married to a Bonaparte, thus you are Italian, and we boast of it.” “I am, certainly,” added Napoleon.’[1]