第 9 节
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上网找工作 更新:2021-03-16 00:37 字数:9322
her anchoring Captain Maitland went on board to give an account of all
that had happened; and received the Admiral's approbation of what he had
done。 In the afternoon Admiral Sir Henry Hotham was introduced to
Napoleon; and invited by him to dinner。 This was arranged; in order to
make it more agreeable to him; by Bonaparte's maitre d'hotel。 On dinner
being announced Napoleon led the way; and seated himself in the centre at
one side of the table; desiring Sir Henry Hotham to take the seat on his
right; and Madame Bertrand that on his left hand。 On this day Captain
Maitland took his seat at the end of the table; but on the following day;
by Napoleon's request; he placed himself on his right hand; whilst
General Bertrand took the top。 Two of the ship's officers dined with the
Emperor daily; by express invitation。 The conversation of Napoleon was
animated。 He made many inquiries as to the family and connections of
Captain Maitland; and in alluding to Lord Lauderdale; who was sent as
ambassador to Paris during the administration of Mr。 Fox; paid that
nobleman some compliments and said of the then Premier; 〃Had Mr。 Fox
lived it never would have come to this; but his death put an end to all
hopes of peace。〃
On one occasion he ordered his camp…bed to be displayed for the
inspection of the English officers。 In two small leather packages were
comprised the couch of the once mighty ruler of the Continent。 The steel
bedstead which; when folded up; was only two feet long; and eighteen
inches wide; occupied one case; while the otter contained the mattress
and curtains。 The whole was so contrived as to be ready for use in three
minutes。
Napoleon spoke in terms of high praise of the marines on duty in the
Bellerophon; and on going through their ranks exclaimed to Bertrand;
〃How much might be done with a hundred thousand such soldiers as these!〃
In putting them through their exercise he drew a contrast between the
charge of the bayonet as made by the English and the French; and observed
that the English method of fixing the bayonet was faulty; as it might
easily be twisted off when in close action。 In visiting Admiral Hotham's
flag…ship; the 'Superb'; he manifested the same active curiosity as in
former instances; and made the same minute inquiries into everything by
which he was surrounded。 During breakfast one of Napoleon's suite;
Colonel Planat; was much affected; and even wept; on witnessing the
humiliation of his Master。
On the return of Bonaparte from the Superb to the 'Bellerophon' the
latter ship was got under weigh and made sail for England。 When passing
within a cable's length of the 'Superb' Napoleon inquired of Captain
Maitland if he thought that distance was sufficient for action。 The
reply of the English officer was characteristic; he told the Emperor that
half the distance; or even less; would suit much better。 Speaking of Sir
Sidney Smith; Bonaparte repeated the anecdote connected with his quarrel
at St。 Jean d'Acre with that officer; which has already been related in
one of the notes earlier in these volumes。 Patting Captain Maitland on
the shoulder; he observed; that had it not been for the English navy he
would have been Emperor of the East; but that wherever he went he was
sure to find English ships in the way。
The 'Bellerophon'; with Bonaparte on board; sighted the coast of England
on Sunday; the 23d of July 1815; and at daybreak on the 24th the vessel
approached Dartmouth。 No sooner had the ship anchored than an order from
Loral Keith was delivered to Captain Maitland; from which the following
is an extract:
Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith; G。 C。 B。; addressed
to Captain Maitland; of H。 M。 S。 〃Bellerophon;〃 dated Ville de
Paris; Hamoaze; 23d July 1815。
Captain Sartorius; of His Majesty's ship 'Slaney'; delivered to me
last night; at eleven o'clock; your despatch of the 14th instant;
acquainting me that Bonaparte had proposed to embark on board the
ship you command; and that you had acceded thereto; with the
intention of proceeding to Torbay; there to wait for further orders。
I lost no time in forwarding your letter by Captain Sartorius to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; in order that their Lordships
might; through him; be acquainted with every circumstance that had
occurred on an occasion of so much importance; and you may expect
orders from their Lordships for your further guidance。 You are to
remain in Torbay until you receive such orders; and in the meantime;
in addition to the directions already in your possession; you are
most positively ordered to prevent every person whatever from coming
on board the ship you command; except the officers and men who
compose her crew; nor is any person whatever; whether in His
Majesty's service or not; who does not belong; to the ship; to be
suffered to come on board; either for the purpose of visiting the
officers; or on any pretence whatever; without express permission
either from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty or from me。 As
I understand from Captain Sartorius that General Gourgaud refused to
deliver the letter with which he was charged for the Prince Regent
to any person except His Royal Highness; you are to take him out of
the 'Slaney' into the ship you command; until you receive directions
from the Admiralty on the subject; and order that ship back to
Plymouth Sound; when Captain Sartorius returns from London。
It was stated about this time; in some of the English newspapers; that
St。 Helena would be the place of exile of the ex…Emperor; the bare report
of which evidently caused great pain to Napoleon and his suite。 General
Gourgaud was obliged to return to the 'Bellerophon'; not having been
suffered to go on shore to deliver the letter from Bonaparte to the
Prince Regent with which be had been entrusted。 The ship which bore the
modern Alexander soon became a natural object of attraction to the whole
neighbourhood; and was constantly surrounded by crowds of boats。
Napoleon frequently showed himself to the people from shore with a view
of gratifying their curiosity。 On the 25th of July the number of guard…
boats which surrounded the vessel was greatly increased; and the alarm of
the captives became greater as the report was strengthened as to the
intention of conveying Bonaparte to St。 Helena。
In conversation with Captain Maitland; Napoleon; who seemed to be aware
that the English fishermen united the occupation of smugglers to their
usual trade; stated that many of them had been bribed by him; and had
assisted in the escape of French prisoners of war。 They had even
proposed to deliver Louis XVIII。 into his power; but as they would 。not
answer for the safety of his life; Napoleon refused the offer。 Upon the
arrival of despatches from London the 'Bellerophon' got under weigh for
Plymouth Sound on the 26th of July。 This movement tended still further
to disconcert the ex…Emperor and his followers。 In passing the
breakwater Bonaparte could not withhold his admiration of that work;
which he considered highly honourable to the public spirit of the nation;
and; alluding to his own improvements at Cherbourg; expressed his
apprehensions that they would now be suffered to fall into decay。
Captain Maitland was directed by Lord Keith to observe the utmost
vigilance to prevent the escape of his prisoners; and with this view no
boat was permitted to approach the Bellerophon; the 'Liffey' and
'Eurotas' were ordered to take up an anchorage on each side of the ship;
and further precautions were adopted at night。
On the 27th of July Captain Maitland proceeded to Lord Keith; taking with
him Bonaparte's original letter to the Prince Regent; which; as General
Gourgaud had not been permitted to deliver it personally; Napoleon now
desired to be transmitted through the hands of the Admiral。 As Lord
Keith had now received instructions from his Government as to the manner
in which Napoleon was to be treated; he lost no time in paying his
respects to the fallen chief。
On the 31st of July the anxiously…expected order of the English
Government arrived。 In this document; wherein the ex…Emperor was styled
〃General Bonaparte;〃 it was notified that he was to be exiled to St。
Helena; the place of all others most dreaded by him and his devoted
adherents。 It was; moreover; specified that he might be allowed to take
with him three officers; and his surgeon; and twelve servants。 To his
own selection was conceded the choice of these followers; with the
exclusion; however; of Savary and Lallemand; who were on no account to be
permitted any further to share his fortunes。 This prohibition gave
considerable alarm to those individuals; who became excessively anxious
as to their future disposal; and declared that to deliver them up to the
vengeance of the Bourbons would be a violation of faith and honour。
Napoleon himself complained bitterly on the subject of his destination;
and said; 〃The idea; of it is horrible to me。 To be placed for life on
an island within the tropics