Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851 — John Shaqi
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
HARPER'S
NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
No. XVII.--OCTOBER, 1851.--Vol. III.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.
BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.
III. FIRST CAMPAIGN IN ITALY.
The discomfiture of the insurgent sections at Paris, and the energy,
tact, and humanity which Napoleon displayed in the subsequent government
of the tumultuous city, caused his name to be as familiar as a household
word in all parts of the metropolis. His slight and slender figure, so
feminine and graceful in its proportions; his hand, so small and white
and soft that any lady might covet it; his features, so mild and
youthful in their expression, and all these combined in strange alliance
with energies as indomitable, and a will as imperious as were ever
enshrined in mortal form, invested the young general with a mysterious
and almost supernatural fascination.
Famine was rioting in the streets of Paris. All industry was at an end.
The poor, unemployed, were perishing. The rich were gathering the wrecks
of their estates, and flying from France. There was no law but such as
was proclaimed by the thunders of Napoleon's batteries. The National
Guard he immediately reorganized, and soon efficient order was
established. Napoleon was incessantly occupied in visiting all parts of
the city, and words of kindness and sympathy with suffering he combined
with the strong and inexorable arm of military rule. More than a hundred
families, says the Duchess of Abrantes, were saved from perishing by his
personal exertions. He himself climbed to the garrets of penury, and
penetrated the cellars of want and woe, and, with a moistened eye, gazed
upon the scenes of fearful wretchedness with which Paris was filled. He
caused wood and bread to be distributed to the poor, and totally
regardless of ease or self-indulgence, did every thing in his power to
alleviate suffering.
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