Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None — John Shaqi
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: NoneVarious
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Las Casas, who shared with Napoleon his weary years of imprisonment at
St. Helena, says of him: "He views the complicated circumstances of his
fall from so high a point that individuals escape his notice. He never
evinces the least symptom of virulence toward those of whom it might be
supposed he has the greatest reason to complain. His strongest mark of
reprobation, and I have had frequent occasions to notice it, is to
preserve silence with respect to them whenever they are mentioned in his
presence. But how often has he been heard to restrain the violent and
less reserved expressions of those about him?"
"And here I must observe," says Las Casas, "that since I have become
acquainted with the Emperor's character, I have never known him to
evince, for a single moment, the least feeling of anger or animosity
against those who had most deeply injured him. He speaks of them coolly
and without resentment, attributing their conduct, in some measure, to
the perplexing circumstances in which they were placed, and throwing the
rest to the account of human weakness."
Marmont, who surrendered Paris to the allies, was severely condemned by
Las Casas. Napoleon replied: "Vanity was his ruin. Posterity will justly
cast a shade upon his character, yet his heart will be more valued than
the memory of his career." "Your attachment for Berthier," said Las
Casas, "surprised us. He was full of pretensions and pride." "Berthier
was not without talent," Napoleon replied, "and I am far from wishing to
disavow his merit, or my partiality; but he was so undecided!" "He was
very harsh and overbearing," Las Casas rejoined. "And what, my dear Las
Casas," Napoleon replied, "is more overbearing than weakness which feels
itself protected by strength? Look at women, for example." This Berthier
had, with the utmost meanness, abandoned his benefactor, and took his
place in front of the carriage of Louis XVIII. as he rode triumphantly
into Paris. "The only revenge I wish on this poor Berthier," said
Napoleon at the time, "would be to see him in his costume of captain of
the body-guard of Louis."
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