• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Conditions and Terms of Use FOREWORD There is no more marvellous story in human history Copyright © Heritage History 2010 than that of Napoleon I., Emperor of the French. His career is Some rights reserved one long demonstration of the reality of the proverb, "Truth is This text was produced and distributed by Heritage History, an stranger than fiction." So fascinating are the details of a life in organization dedicated to the preservation of classical juvenile history books, and to the promotion of the works of traditional history authors. which so much was attempted and accomplished that many thousands of volumes have been published dealing with its The books which Heritage History republishes are in the public various phases. The demand is by no means exhausted, the domain and are no longer protected by the original copyright. They may therefore be reproduced within the United States without paying a royalty supply continuous, as witness the present work. Busy pens are to the author. still employed in reviewing the almost superhuman activities of the once obscure Corsican, whose genius for war and The text and pictures used to produce this version of the work, however, are the property of Heritage History and are subject to certain conquest upset many a throne, secured for him the restrictions. These restrictions are imposed for the purpose of protecting the Overlordship of Europe, and eventually consigned him to an integrity of the work, for preventing plagiarism, and for helping to assure island prison. Indeed, there seems little likelihood of a lull in that compromised versions of the work are not widely disseminated. interest while the chief source of instruction and amusement of In order to preserve information regarding the origin of this text, a human nature is humanity—in other words itself. Most of us copyright by the author, and a Heritage History distribution date are are content to be pupils in the school of experience, willing to included at the foot of every page of text. We require all electronic and sit at the feet of such a master as Napoleon, and learn the printed versions of this text include these markings and that users adhere to the following restrictions. lessons he has to teach. The result cannot be other than profitable. 1. You may reproduce this text for personal or educational purposes as Napoleon has now been dead for a century, but the long as the copyright and Heritage History version are included. dazzling brilliancy of his exploits has left a rich afterglow 2. You may not alter this text or try to pass off all or any part of it as your which enables us to get a much less distorted view of him than own work. did our forefathers who were his contemporaries. A subdued light is more useful than one so strong that it almost blinds. 3. You may not distribute copies of this text for commercial purposes. With the former we can see details more distinctly, note faults and flaws if there be any, get a clearer idea of an object in 4. This text is intended to be a faithful and complete copy of the original document. However, typos, omissions, and other errors may have every way. Within living memory the name of Napoleon, occurred during preparation, and Heritage History does not guarantee a particularly in Great Britain, was associated with everything perfectly reliable reproduction. that was base and vile, now we know that he was neither the Borgia of his enemies nor the Arch-Patriot of his friends. Permission to use Heritage History documents or images for Nevertheless it is easier for a sightless person to thread a commercial purposes, or more information about our collection of needle than for the most conscientious historian to arrive at an traditional history resources can be obtained by contacting us at [email protected] absolutely just summing-up of the case. The "Memoirs" of those with whom the Emperor was intimately acquainted are seldom impartial; the majority of the writers are either Original Copyright 1911 by Harold Wheeler. 2 Distributed by Heritage History 2010 definitely for or against him. Take those of Baron Meneval as may be perused in English, represents a school of thought a typical example. The author was one of Napoleon's which has no place in an age which refuses to listen or to read secretaries, and every page of his work is a defence of his only of the evil in a man. Special attention has been paid in the master. In the matter of the execution of the Duc d'Enghien, present work to the genesis of Napoleon's career, because it is for instance, he takes up the cudgels on behalf of the man who in what is known as the formative period that we plant the was responsible for the tragedy at Vincennes, boldly stating seeds of future success. To-day and to-morrow are inextricably that "One is forced to admit that Napoleon fulfilled a painful interblended, although we so often fail to appreciate what is duty, as Head of the Government, and that instead of charging assuredly one of the most vital facts of life. Periods of time are him with a crime, one should rather pity him for having been no more real boundaries than periods of history, which are placed in the necessity of accepting all the odium of an act, the merely make-believe divisions for purposes of clearness and deplorable consequences of which, in the future, his foresight reference. Of course, one reign may be more enlightened than only too clearly pointed out to him." another, one Statesman may confer more benefits on his Far from Napoleon being concerned as to probable country than his predecessor, but there is always a previous political consequences, he asserted it would teach the foundation on which to build. Napoleon did not create his vast Bourbons a lesson. On the other hand, the "Memoirs" of Empire from nothing. A mosaic-worker who is given a pile of Barras, a prominent figure in the French Revolution, might vari-coloured marble chips with which to glorify a cathedral have been of considerable service to us in gathering pavement does not disdain the fragments because they are in information as to Bonaparte's early career, had it not been confusion and appear of little worth. With infinite patience and proved beyond question that much he tells us is sheer skill he sorts them into their various grades, then combines barefaced untruth, and he everywhere seeks to belittle the them again, but giving each its proper order in the scheme. accomplishments of the young soldier. Presently from apparent chaos he produces a work of beauty. "Bonaparte, on the 13th of Vendemiaire," he says, Napoleon came on the scene when the giant upheaval "performed no functions but those of an aide-de-camp of mine. known as the French Revolution had thrown the whole nation I was on horseback, he was on foot; he could not follow my out of gear. He brought the scattered masses together, movements. The only order he received from me was to go to recreated Government and the army, made laws, re-established the Pont Royal, and to report to me what was taking place. He religion—in a word, led the people back from anarchy and did not give, and had not to give, a single order, and was seen savagery to civilisation and order. Napoleon's true place in history is as an organiser. Conqueror he undoubtedly was, and at only one point of the attack, at the Carrousel. He did not stir from thence; Brune was in command." The statements of his overgrown ambition in this direction was the cause of his Thiebault, Marmont, and many others prove beyond question downfall. Had he chosen to rule France solely all would have that Napoleon, and he alone, saved the day. been well; neighbouring nations could not have raised legitimate objections. As it was they owe a debt of gratitude to Books which unduly eulogise or condemn should be him. Although no part of his scheme to awaken dormant ideals read therefore with a certain amount of reserve. Of partisans of nationality and of liberty, he unwittingly did so in the such as Jung there are many, and they doubtless fulfil a useful archaic Holy Roman Empire, Italy, Spain, and Tyrol, to purpose provided always that a representative of the other side mention the more important. A century ago, Europe hated the is given a similar hearing. Lanfrey, whose vitriolic volumes Man of Destiny, and not without cause; to-day, she has every Original Copyright 1911 by Harold Wheeler. 3 Distributed by Heritage History 2010 reason, if not to revere his memory, to be thankful for having research has added to our knowledge of the epoch, Mr Oscar felt the iron grip of Napoleon. Surgical operations are Browning's interesting Boyhood and Youth of Napoleon, 1769- extremely painful whether individual or national. 1793, and Mr Hereford B. George's Napoleon's Invasion of Napoleon cannot be called a "good" man in the usually Russia. A host of other volumes dealing with the same accepted sense of so latitudinarian a word. He was the inexhaustible subject which line the shelves of my crowded instigator of more than one political crime, yet he had a heart library have also been utilised, I trust, to good purpose. that could beat for the afflicted; he would say the most unkind It may not be considered inappropriate that a new and cruel things of Sir Hudson Lowe, to whose care he was edition of this book should be called for in the year of the committed at St Helena, and play at bears with little Betsy centenary of the death of the great soldier and statesman.

Load more

  141

Copy Link