London: Published for Henry Colburn, Feb. 1836.
]
The Grand Marshal, with his wife and children, had been left at the
distance of two miles behind us, in a place denominated Hut’s-Gate.
General Gourgaud slept under a tent, as did also the Doctor,[27] and
the officer commanding our guard, till such time as their apartments
should be ready, which the crew of the Northumberland were rapidly
preparing.
Footnote 27:
Dr. O’Meara of the Northumberland.
We were surrounded by a kind of garden; but, owing to the little
attention which we had it in our power to bestow on its cultivation,
joined to the want of water and the nature of the climate, it was a
garden only in name. In front, and separated from us by a tolerably
deep ravine, was encamped the fifty-third regiment, different parties
of which were posted on the neighbouring heights.—Such was our new
abode.
On the 12th, Colonel Wilks (formerly Governor for the East India
Company), who had been succeeded by the Admiral, came to visit the
Emperor. I acted as interpreter on the occasion. On the 13th or 14th
the Minden sailed for Europe, and I availed myself of the opportunity
thus afforded to send letters to London and Paris.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE EMPEROR’S ESTABLISHMENT.—FEELINGS OF THE
CAPTIVES WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER.—TRAITS OF THE EMPEROR’S
CHARACTER.—PORTRAIT OF NAPOLEON BY M. DE PRADT, TRANSLATED FROM
AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.—ITS REFUTATION.
15th—16th. The domestic establishment of the Emperor, on his departure
from Plymouth, consisted of twelve persons. I feel pleasure in
recording their names here: it is a testimony due to their
attachment.[28] However numerous this establishment may appear, it may
be truly said that after our departure from England, during the
voyage, and from the time of our landing at St. Helena, it had ceased
to be serviceable to the Emperor. Our dispersion, the uncertainty of
our establishment, our wants, and the irregular way in which they were
supplied, necessarily created disorder.
Footnote 28:
Persons composing the Emperor’s household.