Social England under the Regency, Vol. 2 (of 2). Ashton John

checks before, for his presumption in addressing letters to the British Government, ever to have hazarded the experiment again; but all reproofs are thrown away upon his callous heart; – not that we should object to his humbly addressing the British throne for mercy, if he has anything to urge in extenuation of his crimes; but the time has not yet come; a momentary gleam of resolution on the part of his own government, indicated by the imprisonment of Labédoyère, and others, led us to hope that his trial might have been safely entrusted to those to whom it primarily, and of natural right, belongs; but, though this hope may have proved transitory, he is not, therefore, above the criminal justice of other countries, where established law, and a regular execution of it, prevails.

      "The first procedure, we trust, will be a special Commission, or the appointment of a Court Martial to try him for the murder of Captain Wright. It is nonsense to say, as some have, that Courts Martial are instituted only to try offences committed by soldiers of the country to which they belong: it was an American Court Martial that tried and shot Major André as a spy; and Buonaparte himself appointed commissions of all kinds, and in all countries, to try offences committed against himself."

      In a letter from on board the Bellerophon, Napoleon's personel is thus described:

      "I observed his person particularly, and can describe him thus: – He is about 5 feet 7 inches in height, very strongly made, and well proportioned; very broad and deep chest; legs and thighs proportioned with great symmetry and strength, a small, round, and handsome foot. His countenance is sallow, and, as it were, deeply tinged by hot climates; but the most commanding air I ever saw. His eyes grey, and the most piercing you can imagine. His glance, you fancy, searches into your inmost thoughts. His hair dark brown, and no appearance of grey. His features are handsome now, and when younger, he must have been a very handsome man. He is rather fat, and his belly protuberant, but he appears active, notwithstanding. His step, and demeanour altogether commanding. He looks about 45 or 46 years of age. In fact, he is very like the picture exhibited of him in the Adelphi, and also several of the prints.

      "He is extremely curious, and never passes anything remarkable in the ship, without immediately demanding its use, and inquiring minutely into the manner thereof. He also stops and asks the officers divers questions relative to the time they have been in the service, what actions, &c.; and he caused all of us to be introduced to him, the first day he came on board. He also asked several questions about the marines, particularly those who appeared to have been some time in the service, and about the warrant officers, midshipmen, seamen, &c. He was but a very short time on board when he asked that the boatswain might be sent for, in order that he might look at him, and was very inquisitive as to the nature of his duty. He dresses in green uniform, with red facings and edged with red, two plain gold epaulettes, the lapels of the coat cut round and turned back, white waistcoat and breeches, and military boots and spurs, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on his left breast. He professes his intention (if he is allowed to reside in England) to adopt the English customs and manners, and declares that he will never meddle with politics more. The Army, which left Paris, and united with others on the Loire, wanted him to rejoin them and resume his title, which he refused to do. He declares that not another 'goutte de sang' shall be shed on his account. Fortunate, indeed, it would have been if he had really been of this opinion some years back.

      "His followers still treat him with the greatest respect, not one of them, not even the Duke of Rovigo himself, ever speaking to him, without being uncovered the whole time. He does not appear out until about half-past ten, though he rises about seven. He breakfasts in the French fashion at eleven, and dines at six. He spends most of the day alone in the after-cabin, and reads a great deal. He retires to bed about eight. He has not latterly been much upon the quarter-deck. His suite is composed of fifty people."

      I give an illustration of "Bonaparte on the Quarter-deck of H.M.S. Northumberland, drawn during his passage to St. Helena," which fully bears out the above description.

      On July 26th orders came for the Bellerophon to go to Plymouth, which being reached, two frigates, the Liffey, and Eurotas, were anchored, one on either side of her, and kept strict guard over her. No boat from the shore was allowed to come within a cable's length6 of her, and ships' boats continually rowing round her, kept that space clear.

      Visitors from London, and all parts of England, came to get a glimpse of him, and the sea was literally alive with boats of every description. The following is by an eye witness7: —

      "There is nothing so dull as mere fact, you'll admit,

      While you read my detail, unenlivened by wit.

      My friends will believe, though they're told it in rhyme,

      That I thought to return in a far shorter time.

      When at once we're resolv'd, by half past on the move,

      And by two, but a trio, we reach Mutton Cove;

      When approaching the quay, such a rabble and rout,

      That we ask, 'My good friend, what is all this about?'

      'They are rowing a race, and some boats are come in,

      While these people are waiting till t'others begin.'

      Well aware of our folly, with risible lip,

      The boatman we told to make haste to the ship;

      On the colours of fish,8 here by hampers-full landing,

      We gaze for amuzement, while still we're kept standing;

      At length to the Admiral's stairs we have got,

      See his party on board, and hear tunes from his yacht.

      The day is delightful, the gale just enough

      For the sea to look lively, without being rough.

      With those first at the ship, our sight costs the dearer,

      As we've longer to wait, and not in the end, nearer;

      For by land, and by water, so different the case is,

      'Twas long before we were jam'd into our places;

      But on further advice, we'll at present be dumb,

      For half the spectators, you know, are now come.

      In one boat, a bevy, all sarcenet and veil,

      In the next some good fellows are toping their ale.

      'Avast! here's the gun boat.' 'Aye, here it come smack.'

      And the ladies cry, 'Captain, they'll drive us all back.'

      Then some bully our men, with 'Skull out there, skull out.'

      And others check these with, 'Mind what you're about.'

      Here's a crazy old boat, laded dry with a shoe,

      There, a gay painted barge is forced on our view;

      In this, while Don Solus is jeered by the mob,

      'See that empty boat, turn it out.' 'Here's a fine job.'

      Cries one, of some dozens squeezed into the next,

      'I've left the pork pie, Oh dear, I'm so vex'd.'

      In the long boat, that shows a profusion of oar,

      From the Captain bursts forth a most terrible roar

      At his men; but the anger about whom, or what,

      Though they may remember, we soon had forgot.

      Here, infants were crying, mothers scolding outright,

      While the next party laughs at some comical sight.

      Now, watches and spy-glasses make their appearance,

      And Impatience, that vixen, begins interference;

      To beguile her, through portholes we eagerly stare,

      For the nobles on deck are all taking the air.

      'Hey-dey, what a bustle!' then 'All safe, all safe.'

      The

6

A measure of about one hundred fathoms. In all marine charts a Cable is deemed 607.56 feet, or one-tenth of a Sea Mile.

7

"A Visit to Bonaparte in Plymouth Sound," by a Lady. Plymouth, 1815.

8

Mackerel.