Chapter I: Front Matter

LIFE OF NAPOLEON

POCKET EDITION

VOL. V.

LIFE OF

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

BY SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.

VOL. 5.

EDINBURGH; A. & C. BLACK,

1876

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAP. LXXV.--Buonaparte marches upon Blucher, who is in possession of
Soissons--Attacks the Place without success--Battle of
Craonne--Blucher Retreats on Laon--Battle of Laon--Napoleon is
compelled to withdraw on the 11th--He attacks Rheims, which is
evacuated by the Russians--Defeat at Bar-sur-Aube of Oudinot and
Gerard, who, with Macdonald, are forced to Retreat towards
Paris--Schwartzenberg wishes to Retreat behind the Aube--but the
Emperor Alexander and Lord Castlereagh opposing the measure, it is
determined to proceed upon Paris--Napoleon occupies Arcis--Battle of
Arcis--Napoleon is joined, in the night after the Battle, by
Macdonald, Oudinot, and Gerard--and Retreats along the Aube, 1

CHAP. LXXVI.--Plans of Buonaparte--Military and Political Questions
regarding Paris--Napoleon crosses the Marne on 22d March--Retrospect
of Events in the Vicinity of Lyons, &c.--Defeats of the French in
various Quarters--Marmont and Mortier Retreat under the walls of
Paris--Joseph Buonaparte--Maria Louisa, with the Civil Authorities,
leave the City--Attack of Paris on the 30th--A Truce accorded--Joseph
flies, 11

CHAP. LXXVII.--State of Parties in Paris--Royalists--Revolutionists--
Buonapartists--Talleyrand--Chateaubriand--Mission to the Allied
Sovereigns--Their Answer--Efforts of the Buonapartists--Feelings of
the Lowest Classes--of the Middling Ranks--Neutrality of the National
Guard--Growing confidence of the Royalists--Proclamations and White
Cockades--Crowds assemble at the Boulevards--The Allies are received
with shouts of welcome--Their Army retires to quarters--and the
Cossacks bivouac in the Champs-Elysées, 28

CHAP. LXXVIII.--Fears of the Parisians--Proceedings of
Napoleon--Operations of the French Cavalry in rear of the
Allies--Capture of Weissemberg--The Emperor Francis is nearly
surprised--Napoleon reaches Troyes on the night of the 29th
March--Opinion of Macdonald as to the possibility of relieving
Paris--Napoleon leaves Troyes, on the 30th and meets Belliard, a few
miles from Paris, in full Retreat--Conversation betwixt them--He
determines to proceed to Paris, but is at length dissuaded--and
Despatches Caulaincourt to receive terms from the Allied
Sovereigns--He himself returns to Fontainbleau, 35

CHAP. LXXIX.--The Allied Sovereigns issue a Proclamation that they
will not treat with Buonaparte--A Provisional Government is named by
the Conservative Senate, who also decree the Forfeiture of
Napoleon--This decree is sanctioned by all the Public Bodies in
Paris--The Legality of these Proceedings discussed--Feelings towards
Napoleon, of the Lower Classes, and of the Military--On 4th April,
Buonaparte issues a document Abdicating the Throne of France--His
subsequent agitation, and wish to continue the War--The deed is
finally dispatched, 40

CHAP. LXXX.--Victor, and other Maréchals give in their adhesion to the
Provisional Government--Marmont enters into a separate Convention; but
assists at the Conferences held at Paris, leaving Souham second in
command of his Army--The Commanders have an Interview with the Emperor
Alexander--Souham enters with his Army into the lines of the Allies;
in consequence, the Allied Sovereigns insist upon the unconditional
Submission of Napoleon--His reluctant acquiescence--The Terms granted
to him--Disapprobation of Lord Castlereagh--General Desertion of
Napoleon--Death of Josephine--Singular Statement made by Baron Fain,
Napoleon's Secretary, of the Emperor's attempt to commit
Suicide--After this he becomes more Resigned--Leaves Fontainbleau,
28th April, 53

CHAP. LXXXI.--Commissioners appointed to escort Napoleon--He leaves
Fontainbleau on the 20th April--His Interview with Augereau at
Valence--Expressions of Popular dislike towards Napoleon in the South
of France--Fears for his Personal safety--His own agitation and
Precautions--He arrives at Frejus, and embarks on board the Undaunted,
with the British and Austrian Commissioners--Arrives at Elba on 4th
May, 66

CHAP. LXXXII.--Elba--Napoleon's mode of Life and occupation
there--Effects of his Residence at Elba upon the adjoining Kingdom of
Italy--He is visited by his Mother and the Princess Pauline--and by a
Polish lady--Sir Niel Campbell the only Commissioner left at
Elba--Napoleon's Conversations on the State of Europe--His pecuniary
Difficulties--and fears of Assassination--Symptoms of some approaching
Crisis--A part of the Old Guard disbanded--Napoleon escapes from
Elba--Fruitless pursuit by Sir Neil Campbell, 72

CHAP. LXXXIII.--Retrospect--Restoration of the Bourbons displeasing to
the Soldiery, but satisfactory to the People--Terms favourable to
France granted by the Allies--Discontent about the manner of conceding
the Charter--Other grounds of Dissatisfaction--Apprehensions lest the
Church and Crown Lands should be resumed--Resuscitation of the Jacobin
Faction--Increased Dissatisfaction in the Army--The Claims of the
Emigrants mooted in the Chamber of Delegates--Maréchal Macdonald's
Proposal--Financial Difficulties--Restriction on the
Press--Reflections on this Subject, 85

CHAP. LXXXIV.--Carnot's Memorial on Public Affairs--Fouché joins the
Jacobins--Projects of that Party; which finally joins the
Buonapartists--Active Intrigues--Congress of Vienna--Murat, alarmed at
its Proceedings, opens an Intercourse with Napoleon--Plans of the
Conspirators--Buonaparte's Escape from Elba--He Lands at Cannes--Is
joined at Grenoble, by 3000 Troops--Halts at Lyons, appoints a
Ministry, and issues several Decrees--Dismay of the
Government--Intrigues of Fouché--Treachery of Ney--Revolt of the Royal
Army at Melun--The King leaves Paris, and Buonaparte arrives
there--His Reception, 108

CHAP. LXXXV.--Various attempts to organise a defence for the Bourbons
fail--Buonaparte, again reinstated on the throne of France, is
desirous of continuing the peace with the Allies--but no answer is
returned to his letters--Treaty of Vienna--Grievances alleged by
Buonaparte in justification of the step he had taken--Debates in the
British House of Commons, on the renewal of War--Murat occupies Rome
with 50,000 men--his proclamation summoning all Italians to arms--He
advances against the Austrians--is repulsed at Occhio-Bello--defeated
at Tolentino--flies to Naples, and thence, in disguise, to
France--where Napoleon refuses to receive him, 134

CHAP. LXXXVI.--Buonaparte's attempts to conciliate Britain--Plot to
carry off Maria Louisa fails--State of feeling in France--The
Army--The Jacobins--The Constitutionalists--Fouché and Siêyes made
Peers--Freedom of the Press granted, and outraged--Independent conduct
of Comté, editor of Le Censeur--Disaffections among the lower
orders--Part of these assemble before the Tuileries, and applaud the
Emperor--Festival of the Federates--New Constitution--It is received
with dissatisfaction--Meeting of the Champ de Mai to ratify
it--Buonaparte's Address to the Chambers of Peers and Deputies--The
spirit of Jacobinism predominant in the latter, 144

CHAP. LXXXVII.--Preparations for War--Positions of the Allied Forces,
amounting in whole to One Million of men--Buonaparte's Force not more
than 200,000--Conscription not ventured upon--National Guard--their
reluctance to serve--Many Provinces hostile to Napoleon--Fouché's
Report makes known the Disaffection--Insurrection in La
Vendée--quelled--Military Resources--Plan of Campaign--Paris placed in
a Complete State of Defence--Frontier Passes and Towns
fortified--Generals who accept Command under Napoleon--He Announces
his Purpose to measure himself with Wellington, 157

CHAP. LXXXVIII.--Army of Wellington covers Brussels--that of Blucher
on the Sambre and Meuse--Napoleon reviews his Grand Army on 14th
June--Advances upon Charleroi--His plan to separate the Armies of the
two opposing Generals fails--Interview of Wellington and Blucher at
Bric--British Army concentrated at Quatre-bras--Napoleon's plan of
attack--Battle of Ligny, and defeat of Blucher on the 16th
June--Action at Quatre-bras on the same day--The British retain
possession of the field--Blucher eludes the French pursuit--Napoleon
joins Ney--Retreat of the British upon Waterloo, 164

CHAP. LXXXIX.--Strength of the two Armies--Plans of their
Generals--THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO commenced on the forenoon of the 18th
June--French attack directed against the British centre--shifted to
their right--Charges of the Cuirassiers--and their reception--Advance
of the Prussians--Ney's charge at the head of the Guards--His
repulse--and Napoleon's orders for retreat--The Victorious Generals
meet at La Belle Alliance--Behaviour of Napoleon during the
engagement--Blucher's pursuit of the French--Loss of the British--of
the French--Napoleon's subsequent attempts to undervalue the military
skill of the Duke of Wellington answered--His unjust censures of
Grouchy--The notion that the British were on the point of losing the
Battle when the Prussians came up, shown to be erroneous, 174

CHAP. XC.--Buonaparte's arrival at Paris--The Chambers assemble, and
adopt Resolutions, indicating a wish for Napoleon's Abdication--Fouché
presents Napoleon's Abdication, which stipulates that his Son shall
succeed him--Carnot's Report to the Peers, of the means of
defence--Contradicted by Ney--Stormy Debate on the Abdication
Act--Both Chambers evade formally recognising Napoleon
II.--Provisional Government--Napoleon at Malmaison--His offer of his
services in defence of Paris rejected--Surveillance of General
Beker--Means provided at Rochefort for his departure to the United
States--He arrives at Rochefort on 3d July--The Provisional Government
attempt in vain to treat with the Allies--The Allies advance to
Paris--Chamber of Peers disperse--Louis XVIII. re-enters Paris on 8th
July, 195

CHAP. XCI.--Disposition of the British Fleet along the Western Coast
of France, in order to prevent Buonaparte's Escape--the Bellerophon
off Rochefort--Orders under which Captain Maitland acted--Plans
agitated for Napoleon's Escape--Savary and Las Cases open a
Negotiation with Captain Maitland--Captain Maitland's Account of what
passed at their Interviews--Las Cases' Account--The Statements
compared--Napoleon's Letter to the Prince Regent--He surrenders
himself on board the Bellerophon, on 15th July--His arrival off
Plymouth--All approach to the Ship prohibited--Final determination of
the English Government that Buonaparte shall be sent to St.
Helena--His Protest, 219

CHAP. XCII.--Napoleon's real view of the measure of sending him to St.
Helena--Allegation that Captain Maitland made terms with
him--disproved--Probability that the insinuation arose with Las
Cases--Scheme of removing Napoleon from the Bellerophon, by citing him
as a witness in a case of libel--Threats of self-destruction--Napoleon
goes on board the Northumberland, which sails for St. Helena--His
behaviour on the voyage--He arrives at St. Helena, 16th October, 234

CHAP. XCIII.--Causes which justify the English Government in the
measure of Napoleon's Banishment--Napoleon's wish to retire to
England, in order that, being near France, he might again interfere in
her affairs--Reasons for withholding from him the title of
Emperor--Sir George Cockburn's Instructions--Temporary Accommodation
at Briars--Napoleon removes to Longwood--Precautions taken for the
safe custody of the Prisoner, 245

CHAP. XCIV.--Buonaparte's alleged grievances considered--Right to
restrict his Liberty--Limits allowed Napoleon--Complaints urged by Las
Cases against Sir George Cockburn--Sir Hudson Lowe appointed Governor
of St. Helena--Information given by General Gourgaud to
Government--Agitation of various Plans for Buonaparte's
Escape--Writers on the subject of Napoleon's Residence at St.
Helena--Napoleon's irritating Treatment of Sir Hudson Lowe--Interviews
between them, 255

CHAP. XCV.--Instructions to Sir Hudson Lowe--Sum allowed for the
Ex-Emperor's Expenses--Napoleon's proposal to defray his own
Expenses--Sale of his Plate--made in order to produce a false
impression: he had at that time a large sum of Money in his
strong-box--Wooden-House constructed in London, and transported to St.
Helena--Interview between Sir H. Lowe and Napoleon--Delays in the
Erection of the House--The Regulation that a British Officer should
attend Napoleon in his Rides--Communication with Europe carried on by
the Inmates of Longwood--Regulation respecting Napoleon's Intercourse
with the Inhabitants of St. Helena--General Reflections on the
Disputes between him and Sir H. Lowe, 279

CHAP. XCVI.--Napoleon's Domestic Habits--Manner in which he spent the
day--His Dress--Nature of the Fragments of Memoirs he dictated to
Gourgaud and Montholon--His admiration of Ossian--He prefers Racine
and Corneille to Voltaire--Dislike of Tacitus--His Vindication of the
Character of Cæsar--His behaviour towards the Persons of his
Household--Amusements and Exercises--His Character of Sir Pulteney
Malcolm--Degree of his Intercourse with the Islanders, and with
Visitors to the Island--Interview with Captain Basil Hall--with Lord
Amherst and the Gentlemen attached to the Chinese Embassy, 297

CHAP. XCVII.--Napoleon's Illness--viz. Cancer in the Stomach--Removal
of Las Cases--Montholon's Complaints brought forward by Lord
Holland--and replied to by Lord Bathurst--Effect of the failure of
Lord Holland's motion--Removal of Dr. O'Meara from his attendance on
Buonaparte--who refuses to permit the visits of any other English
Physician--Two Priests sent to St. Helena at his desire--Dr.
Antommarchi--Continued Disputes with Sir Hudson Lowe--Plans for
Effecting Buonaparte's Escape--Scheme of a Smuggler to approach St.
Helena in a Submarine Vessel--Seizure of the Vessel--Letter expressing
the King of England's interest in the Illness of Napoleon--Consent of
the latter to admit the visits of Dr. Arnott--Napoleon employs himself
in making his Will--and gives other directions connected with his
Decease--Extreme Unction administered to him--HIS DEATH, on 5th May,
1821--Anatomization of the Body--His Funeral, 313

APPENDIX--

No. I.--Remarks on the Campaign of 1815, 353

No. II.--Buonaparte's Protest, 373

No. III.--States of Thermometer, 377

No. IV.--Interview betwixt Napoleon Buonaparte and Henry Ellis, Esq.,
third Commissioner of Lord Amherst's Embassy to China, 377

No. V.--Memorandum of the Establishment at Longwood, 381

No. VI.--Interview between Buonaparte and the Widow of Theobald Wolfe
Tone, 382

No. VII.--Buonaparte's last Will and Testament, 384