The Romance of Madame Tussaud'sTussaud, John Theodore
History
The Romance of Madame Tussaud's
Tussaud, John Theodore
Madame Tussaud and Sons' Exhibition; Tussaud, Marie, 1761-1850; Waxworks
AND this Deponent saith, that he hath inspected the Carriage,
Horses, Necessaire of Gold and Silver, their respective Cases,
the Pistols, Wearing Apparel, and other Articles now exhibiting
at the London Museum, in Piccadilly (and which this Deponent
hath been informed have been received there from the British
Government), and that they are the same Carriage, Horses,
Necessaire, and other Articles which belonged to the late
Emperor of France, and were personally used by him--
AND that the Carriage is the same in which the Ex-Emperor
proceeded to Moscow; and which Carriage was driven by this
Deponent, with the Ex-Emperor therein, twenty-four leagues
beyond that City, on the road to Chotillowo--
THAT after the French army evacuated Moscow, and in the retreat
toward France, the same Carriage was removed from off the perch
and wheels, and placed on a sledge, and that the Ex-Emperor
travelled therein, and was driven by this Deponent--
AND this Deponent also saith, that he hath seen and examined
the Grey Surtout Coat, lined with Sable Fur, which is also at
the London Museum; and that it is the same which this Deponent
hath frequently seen worn by the said Ex-Emperor during the
Russian campaign; and that the parts of the coat which appear
to have been burnt and scorched were chiefly so burnt and
scorched by the fires, before which it was frequently placed
during that campaign--
AND this Deponent saith, that the Fur Travelling Cap, and the
several other Articles of Wearing Apparel (exclusive of those
which came from the British Government, and which are also at
the London Museum) were parts of the personal Wardrobe of the
Ex-Emperor of France; and were frequently used and worn by him--
AND this Deponent was present when the said Surtout Coat,
Travelling Cap, and other last-mentioned Articles were
purchased by Mr. Bullock, at Paris, of Guste Maitrot, who was
keeper of the Wardrobe to the late Emperor of France.
JEAN HORNN.
Sworn at the Mansion House, London, the 9th day of March, 1816;
having been first interpreted to the Deponent, JEAN HORNN, by
ADAM BRIEFF, who was sworn duly to interpret and explain the
same to him.
Before me, MATTHEW WOOD, Mayor.
CHAPTER XIV
Napoleon’s Waterloo carriage--Description of its exterior.
Some account must be given of this most interesting relic.
Ever since it first came to the Exhibition it has excited the most
lively interest, and, until it was covered in by a glazed case, visitors
enjoyed the privilege of sitting inside--a proceeding which would not
have mattered had not unscrupulous souvenir hunters abused this favour by
pilfering portions of the fabric that lined it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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