ST. HELENA 233 



followed by the troops till they took up a position on the 

 road above the grave. At the moment of lowering the body, 

 three discharges were fired from eleven pieces of artillery. 



So by his own wish, in the shady valley close to the 

 spring of water at which he so frequently quenched his 

 thirst, he was laid with last honours. Here his body rested 

 for nearly twenty years, from May 9, 1821, to October 15, 

 1840. The little glen is shaded by beautiful Norfolk pines, 

 cypresses, and firs, and the enclosed portion measures about 

 twenty by thirty yards. 



The vault itself is covered by a large flat stone, twelve by 

 six feet, which at the present time is run over with cement 

 much cracked, bearing no name, no inscrption. Formerly, 

 overhanging it, were two willow trees, but they have long 

 since disappeared. Outside the fencing is a thick-set 

 privet hedge and a wooden hut or sentry-box, in which an 

 attendant keeps a visitor's book. Here a notice is affixed 

 to the effect that the grave and its surroundings are the 

 sole freehold property of the French Republic. 



Sir Hudson Lowe wishing to return to England, the 

 question arose as to who should take command ; Mr. Brooke 

 was senior in Council, but it had been ordered in Council 

 that in the event of death or absence of Sir Hudson Lowe, 

 the custody of Napoleon as well as the Governorship of 

 the island should devolve on the officer commanding the 

 troops. The death of Napoleon was not anticipated or 

 allowed for so Brigadier-General Pine Coffin was appointed 

 Acting Commander-in-Chief, with charge of Longwood 

 House and all properties belonging to the British Govern- 

 ment, while the Civil Authority was vested in Mr. Brooke 

 under the title of Acting-Governor. 



On leaving the island Sir Hudson Lowe was presented 

 with an address signed by the inhabitants generally, stating 

 that as he was on the eve of resigning his authority they 

 could not be suspected of views of an interested nature in 

 respectfully offering their most sincere and grateful ac- 

 knowledgments for the consideration, justice, impartiality, 

 and moderation which had distinguished his Government. 



After his departure the troops which had formed the 

 military establishment were removed, and hard times fell 

 on many who had lived in affluence. 



