LESSON 28
CHARACTER OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
Charles Phillips, 1787-1859, an eminent barrister and orator, was born in Sligo, Ireland, and died in London. He gained much of his reputation as an advocate in criminal cases. In his youth he published some verses; later in life he became the author of several works, chiefly of biography.
He is fallen! We may now pause before that splendid prodigy, which towered among us like some ancient ruin, whose power terrified the glance its magnificence attracted. Grand, gloomy, and peculiar, he sat upon the throne a sceptered hermit, wrapt in the solitude of his own originality. A mind, bold, independent, and decisive; a will, despotic in its dictates; an energy that distanced expedition; and a conscience, pliable to every touch of interest, marked the outlines of this extraordinary character—the most extraordinary, perhaps, that in the annals of this world ever rose, or reigned, or fell.
Flung into life in the midst of a revolution that quickened every energy of a people who acknowledged no superior, he commenced his course, a stranger by birth, and a scholar by charity. With no friend but his sword, and no fortune but his talents, he rushed into the lists where rank, and wealth, and genius had arrayed themselves, and competition fled from him, as from the glance of destiny.
He knew no motive but interest; acknowledged no criterion but success; he worshiped no God but ambition; and, with an eastern devotion, he knelt at the shrine of his idolatry. Subsidiary to this, there was no creed that he did not profess, there was no opinion that he did not promulgate: in the hope of a dynasty, he upheld the crescent; for the sake of a divorce, he bowed before the cross; the orphan of St. Louis, he became the adopted child of the Republic; and, with a parricidal ingratitude, on the ruins both of the throne and the tribune, he reared the throne of his despotism. A professed Catholic, he imprisoned the Pope; a pretended patriot, he impoverished the country; and in the name of Brutus, he grasped without remorse, and wore without shame, the diadem of the Caesars.
The whole continent trembled at beholding the audacity of his designs, and the miracle of their execution. Skepticism bowed to the prodigies of his performance;romance assumed the air of history; nor was there aught too incredible for belief, or too fanciful for expectation, when the world saw a subaltern of Corsica waving his imperial flag over her most ancient capitals. All the visions of antiquity became commonplace in his contemplation: kings were his people; nations were his outposts;and he disposed of courts, and crowns, and camps, and churches, and cabinets, as if they were the titular dignitaries of the chessboard! Amid all these changes, he stood immutable as adamant. It mattered little whether in the field, or in the drawing-room;with the mob, or the levee; wearing the Jacobin bonnet, or the iron crown; banishing a Braganza, or espousing a Hapsburg; dictating peace on a raft to the Czar of Russia, or contemplating defeat at the gallows of Leipsic he was still the same military despot.
In this wonderful combination, his affectations of literature must not be omitted. The jailer of the press, he affected the patronage of letters; the proscriber of books, he encouraged philosophy; the persecutor of authors, and the murderer of printers, he yet pretended to the protection of learning; the assassin of Palm, the silencer of De Staël, and the denouncer of Kotzebue, he was the friend of David, the benefactor of De Lille, and sent his academic prize to the philosopher of England.
Such a medley of contradictions, and, at the same time, such an individual consistency, were never united in the same character. A royalist, a republican, and an emperor; a Mohammedan, a Catholic, and a patron of the synagogue; a subaltern and a sovereign; a traitor and a tyrant; a Christian and an infidel; he was, through all his vicissitudes, the same stern, impatient, inflexible original; the same mysterious, incomprehensible self; the man without a model, and without a shadow.
STUDY NOTE
Napoleon Bonaparte was the emperor of France from 1804-1814 and again in 1815. He founded the modern French legal, administrative, and educational systems. He also established a French empire that extended from Spain to Poland. After his attack on Russia failed in 1812, he was forced into exile in 1814. Although he returned to power a year later, he was defeated at Waterloo in 1815 and again forced into exile on the island of St. Helena.
STUDY GUIDE
A. Vocabulary Power—Answer the following questions related to vocabulary items from the story.
1. A prodigy is someone who has amazing qualities or abilities. Napoleon was an example of a prodigy. Do you know anyone who is a prodigy?
2. It says that Napoleon would always promulgate his opinion. This means he told his opinion to everybody. Do you think it is a good idea to promulgate your opinion? Why or why not? Explain.
3. Napoleon was an adopted child of France. This means that he was from another country. Why do you think he came to France?
4. Many people were amazed at the audacity of Napoleon. This is to be very brave in a negative way. Do you think audacity is important for success? Explain.
5. It is said that Napoleon was immutable (not changed by anyone or anything). Do you think this is a good quality to have? Why or why not?
6. In the last paragraph, Napoleon is described as incomprehensible. This means impossible to understand. Do you know any other famous people who are incomprehensible?
B. True or False—Write T (true) or F (false). Give reasons for your answers.
[ ] 1. Napoleon was born in France.
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[ ] 2. Napoleon was a religious man.
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[ ] 3. Napoleon's army won every battle.
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[ ] 4. Napoleon had a very strong personality.
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[ ] 5. At the end of his life, Napoleon was alone.
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[ ] 6. Napoleon was a simple man.
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C. What do you think? Discuss your opinions with a group.
1. Do you think Napoleon was a happy man? Explain.
2. Was Napoleon a good leader? Explain.
3. Do you think it was a good idea for Napoleon to make the French empire so big? Why or why not?
4. Do you think Napoleon had many friends? Why or why not?
5. What things make Napoleon an interesting person? Explain.