Napoleon was anxious to place his name on the list of those Emperors of old, whose names are rendered immortal, not so much by their own heroic or noble deeds as by the flattering notices of them in the deathless writings of poets and historians. On the occasion of his statue being first required for the Column which now stands in the Place Vendome, he directed that it should be attired as a senator of ancient Rome, and Chaudet produced the statue, of which the accompanying engraving is a faithful representation. It has since been replaced by one in military uniform. [Illustration: STATUE OF NAPOLEON BY CHAUDET.] APOTHEOSIS. The conclusion of Napoleon’s remarkable history is here well conceived. The mound of earth surmounted by his cap and sword, points out the last earthly tenement of the ex-Emperor; the group upon that point of the rock which juts into the sea adds considerably to the interest of the scene; few have forgotten the faithful companions of Napoleon when prisoner at St Helena. The artist, Horace Vernet, has called poetry to his aid and introduced the shades of several of the departed comrades of Napoleon, who assisted him in gaining that fame which will ever attach to his character in the future history of European nations. Two aged minstrels placed on the right of the engraving, are supposed to be recounting the history of his various exploits. [Illustration: APOTHEOSIS.] NAPOLEON, EMPEROR. [Illustration: NAPOLEON, EMPEROR.] THE DEATH MASK OF NAPOLEON. [Illustration: THE DEATH-MASK OF NAPOLEON.] THE FUNERAL PROCESSION AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE. [Illustration: THE FUNERAL PROCESSION AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE.] ESPLANADE OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES. [Illustration: ESPLANADE OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES.] THE CATAFALQUE, DÔME DES INVALIDES. [Illustration: THE CATAFALQUE, DÔME DES INVALIDES.] THE FUNERAL CAR. [Illustration: THE FUNERAL CAR.] OPENING THE CASKET. [Illustration: OPENING THE CASKET.] ROYAL COURT OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES. [Illustration: ROYAL COURT OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES.] End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Napoleon Gallery, by Achille Reveil