Even since he has been Emperor, although he has been never in an English prison, like Theodore, nor in English pay, like Maximilian, he has known what it is to suffer from scantiness of revenue; for, in the latter days of his abode at Elba, the grand master of his little palace retrenched the expenses of his table, by changing his favourite chambertin for the wine of the country; an economy to which he consented readily, and with a smile. Officers of all nations, who had belonged to his armies, resorted to his rock, and begged to serve him with such earnestness, that although he stated to them frankly the smallness of his means, some accepted of twentyfive and thirty francs a month, rather as a pledge of his regard, than as a remuneration of their offices. He will now be obliged to exert whatever philosophy nature or experience may have enabled him to lay up in store for a reverse. Already he has recovered his wonted calm, even in the midst of the embarrassments of Malmaison, and in the uncertainties of his fate. I learnt from his friend Madame V-, who breakfasted with him yesterday, that he was perfectly tran quil, and played and talked with her infant Alexander with his usual kindness. A fondness for children is another of his peculiarities: he

was accustomed, at Elba, to invite Mde. Bertrand's young family to dine with him almost every Sunday, and seldom suffered them to depart without a small present of money or sweetmeats, which he put in his pocket for the occasion. I do not think these feelings incompatible with the appearance of the utmost unconcern, and all the demonstrations of the coldest heart, when his situation is such as to make indifference not only justifiable, but to give it an air of heroism. Napoleon was exceedingly affected when he took leave of his mother and sister on quitting Elba, so much so, indeed, as to say, "I must go now, " or I shall never go." But the same man, when the beautiful Duchess of took leave of him

for the last time, after his abdication, and burst into tears at bidding him adieu, looked at her unmoved, and saw her depart without a single expression of sorrow or regard. He received the intimation of the faithful Bertrand, that he would never quit him, but follow him into exile or to death, with the same unthankful silence; thinking, perhaps, the acknowledgments of gratitude have neither value nor dignity in the day of distress. His friends here say now, what was said last year in England, he ought not to have survived his defeat. Those who think

their own characters somewhat implicated in the conduct of their hero would fain have seen him close his career in a manner worthy of their champion and their king, and which should not belie their admiration of his person, and their allegiance to his cause. Finding that he has been deserted both by victory and death, they think that he should renew his search for the only one of the two blessings now within his reach they see in his captivity or flight a compromise of their own characters; and though they must consent to survive his glory, would lament to be the sharers of his shame. It is impossible but that the thought of exerting that convenient privilege of ancient heroism must have suggested itself to his mind. In fact, it has, for he said to his aide-de-camp, Count

"I will not destroy myself, for I think it very wrong to endeavour to make any change in "our destinies."

Without examining whether his destinies do not seem to point out the present period as the term of his existence, one may be allowed to suspect, that suicide, when adopted, would not find so many admirers as one would think, from the number of those who now consider that last resource as the only honourable extrication from

calamities such as he is called upon to bear. For my part, I should be in exceeding consternation to learn, that the friends of " the ancient social system" could be able to point their moral by annexing the disgraceful exit of a gamester to the life of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Measures have been taken to provide, according to his own desire, for his retreat to the United States; and, for this purpose, orders were sent down to Rochefort, on the 25th, to procure two frigates for his conveyance across the Atlantic. Application is also to be made, by the commissioners sent to treat with the Duke of Wellington, for a safeguard for his person. This, however, is not publicly known; indeed the most absurd rumours continue to prevail respecting him, one of which is, that his Grace has written to the chambers, telling them, that he holds them responsible for securing Napoleon, and that if he escapes it will be at their peril. Another report, this day at the exchange, was, that the Emperor of Austria had recognized his grandson: again it is said that Napoleon was on Montmartre this morning, and that he takes the command of the army to-morrow. An intimate friend of mine is just come from Malmaison, and hints this will probably be the case.

A gentleman now arrived from the palace of the legislative body tells, that Paris is declared in a state of siege, by a law proposed by the government, and passed, after a division in the representatives, by the two chambers. There were 332 votes for, and only 13 against the measure. We did not expect this so soon, some of us not at all; hopes having been entertained that the Duke of Wellington would be stopped by a letter written to him on the 27th, by the Duke of Otranto: but it seems that the enemy being in force at Compiegne, Marshal Grouchy was obliged to retreat from Soissons on the 27th, to Dammartin, that the corps of General Reille has taken up its position at Gonesse, and that of General Vandamme at Nanteuil. We know nothing for a certainty, except that the enemy must be advancing rapidly on the capital. A cannonading was heard all the morning towards St. Denis. A report prevails that Louis has been proclaimed by the chambers; and a journal of this evening says, Il faut elire un roi Français. Louis is at Cambray, and is called an august personage in some of the journals, endowed, like M. Boissy d'Anglas, with the spirit of prophecy. I do not, however, think so meanly of the chambers, as to suppose they will behave