“_Honneur au courage malheureux!_” said Napoleon, in passing a party of wounded enemies. Debret has made an agreeable picture from a rather disagreeable subject; though it is certainly gratifying to find the leader of an army rendering due respect to those who, in their courageous efforts to overcome an opposing force, have unfortunately received wounds and injuries which, perhaps, disable them for life. The admirers of Napoleon maintain that the above incident did actually occur, while others assert that he was by nature cruel and unmerciful. We take upon ourselves to support neither the one nor the other; amid the mass of conflicting evidence we cannot see how it is possible to arrive at a conclusion. That Napoleon was a great man none can deny; that he was a good man, few will be hardy enough to maintain. [Illustration: NAPOLEON SALUTING WOUNDED FOES.] NAPOLEON IN 1815. Horace Vernet has admirably conveyed in the countenance of Napoleon all the sentiments which animated the soul of “_le Grande Homme_” in the last moments of his military glory. Those who saw Napoleon at Waterloo have not failed to admire this painting, as well as the beautiful copy of it by M. Marin Levinge. Reveil has reproduced it admirably in the accompanying engraving. [Illustration: NAPOLEON IN 1815.] TAKING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. After the distribution of the eagles at the Champ de Mars, Napoleon administered the following oath to the army:-- “Soldiers! behold your banners! These eagles shall always serve you for rallying points. They shall be ever where your Emperor shall judge it necessary for the defence of his throne and of his people. Do you swear to sacrifice your life in their defence, and constantly to maintain them by your courage in the way of victory? Do you swear it?” All the army answered by acclamation: “We swear it! Long live the Emperor!” [Illustration: TAKING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.] A SOLDIER’S FAREWELL. The brave corporal has received a mortal wound, and takes his last farewell of a young comrade. How many a scene like this has been witnessed on the battle-field. How many of the strong and the powerful among mankind, have the murder-working engines of war brought to a premature death. Belangé’s figures are true to nature; there is nothing startling in them; nor anything of the conventional mannerism of the studio, which throws so much coldness into ordinary compositions. “It will be seen,” says the French critic, “that M. Belangé will take the place of Vernet and Charlet, if those gentlemen are content to rest on their laurels, or become indifferent to the art which they have so worthily exercised.” [Illustration: A SOLDIER’S FAREWELL.] A SOLDIER AT WATERLOO.