The Tragedy of St. Helena

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Baron Walter Runciman Runciman. The Tragedy of St. Helena

The Tragedy of St. Helena

Table of Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER I

THE ABODE OF DARKNESS

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER II

THE MAN OF THE REVOLUTION—CRITICISM, CONTEMPORARY AND OTHERWISE

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER III

THREE GENERATIONS: MADAME LA MÈRE, MARIE LOUISE, AND THE KING OF ROME

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER IV

THE OLIGARCHY, THEIR AGENTS AND APOLOGISTS

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER V

MESDAMES DE STAËL AND DE REMUSAT

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER VI

JOSEPHINE

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER VII

RELIGIOUS NOTIONS OF NAPOLEON

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LIST OF EVENTS AND DATES HAVING REFERENCE TO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

FOOTNOTES:

INDEX

Отрывок из книги

Baron Walter Runciman Runciman

Published by Good Press, 2019

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Sir Walter Scott, who cannot be regarded as an impartial historian of the Napoleonic regime, does not, in his unfortunate "Life of Napoleon," produce one single fact or argument that will exculpate the British Government of that time from having violated every humane law. The State papers so generously put at his disposal by the English Ministry do not aid him in proving that they could not have found a more suitable place or climate for their distinguished prisoner, or that he would have died of cancer anyhow. The object of the good Sir Walter is obvious, and the distressing thing is that this excellent man should have been used for the purpose of whitewashing the British Administration.

Why does Scott quote Gourgaud if, as he says, it is probable that the malady was in slow progress even before 1817? The reason is quite clear. He wishes to convey the impression that St. Helena has a salubrious climate, that the Emperor was treated with indulgent courtesy, and had abundance to eat and drink. It will be seen, however, by the records of other chroniclers who were in constant attendance on His Majesty, that Sir Walter Scott's version cannot be relied upon.

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