No wonder Napoleon was impatient to learn more about Fulton and willingly admitted that his invention might “change the face of the world.” Bignon, the French historian, wrote in 1829 that had Napoleon listened to Fulton this important letter might have changed the history of Europe. He supposes that had there existed a single steamboat in France at that time, the workshops would have immediately been busied in ‘multiplying the original.’ In a few years one or two hundred steamships, towing behind them transports filled with soldiers, would have been ready with their leader for the boldest of enterprises. Bignon declared that the men and the times alike were ready for the novelty. England would have been forced to submit to the terms of peace laid down by France. “Thus may the fate of nations depend upon a new idea; thus nature conceals within her bosom many unknown forces of which a single one is sufficient to change the destiny of the world.” But Napoleon did not embrace the opportunity. His secretary said that when he presented Fulton’s memorial to him he exclaimed disdainfully, “Bah! Away with your visionists!” And Bignon, who took the trouble later to talk with the members of Napoleon’s commission, said that they excused their lack of appreciation by the statement that Fulton’s plan was accompanied by a number of “foolish ideas” which obscured their view of the great underlying truth. “Put not your trust in scientists,” exclaims Bignon, in the light of Fulton’s success. However, Lord Acton, the English authority upon this period of the world’s history, when asked what event he considered of greatest importance in the 19th century, replied, “The sinking of Fulton’s boat on the Seine,” meaning that accident alone turned Napoleon from its acceptance. The words of several historians prove that the sunny day when Fulton’s steamboat voyaged back and forth upon the waters of the Seine, riding in triumph over the hidden wreck of its ill-fated predecessor, was really a great moment in French history! Fulton was master of its movement and supremely happy in his accomplishment. He saw, with unshaken faith, as it is easy for us to see to-day, in a review of the history of the past century, that his twice-built boat on the river Seine was the forerunner of all the gigantic fleets of steamboats which now ride upon the waters of the world. CHAPTER X IN HOLLAND AND ENGLAND I have said that Fulton gave up his art, but only as a profession, for during the years he spent with Mr. and Mrs. Barlow he painted not only the panorama but several fine portraits. He made two oil portraits of Barlow, one as a gift to him, the other to keep for himself; as is proved by the fact that one is now owned, through inheritance, by a member of the Barlow family, the other by a descendant of Fulton. He mentions in a letter having painted a portrait of Mrs. Barlow, but this cannot now be found.