LONG WOOD. — TOMB OF NAPOLEON. 



93 



In viewing tlie miserable building where, for more than five years, this extraordinary man 

 resided, and where he ])reathed his last, it is difficult to sujipress a deep feeling of the 

 instability of earthly glory. The palaces of France and the farm house of Longwood, Napoleon 

 in his splendor and Napoleon on his death bed, are suggestive of reflections which will tempt the 

 thoughtful silently to moralize. But, humble as was this residence of the dethroned Emperor, 

 it had been the abode of fallen greatness, and that should have protected it from desecration. 

 Longwood has been permitted to fall into decay, and the apartments which the Emperor once 

 occupied are now but a common stable. The property has been rented by the crown to a 

 farmer of the island, and he seems to have been permitted to make what use he pleased of the 

 tenements upon it. 



Old House, Longwood, St. Helena. 



Without here questioning the necessity, as a measure of state policy, for confining the great 

 and ambitious disturber of the peace of Europe in a place whence escape was impossible ; 

 admitting the force of all the arguments by which the act at the time was justified to the 

 world, yet one cannot look on Longwood without feeling that there was more of annoyance and 

 insult in executing the purjioses of the Engli.sh government than was necessary, or than the 

 government probably intended. At this day there are many Englishmen who think that 

 England was singularly unfortunate in the choice of her jailors. 



A view of the grounds forcibly suggests this thought. Surrounded as the pre.scribed limits 

 were by successive lines of sentinels, with a regiment encamped within musket shot of the 

 dwelling, with every avenue to it closely guarded by pickets of soldiers, and with the clifis 

 which bound the ground toward the sea perfectly inaccessible, it is impossible not to see at a 



