8l>2 ST. HELENA. 



Immediately the royal captive was delivered over to Sir 

 Hudson Lowe, who was made responsible for his security. 

 This officer received all his orders relative to the treatment 

 of Napoleon from the ministry, and was not allowed to exer- 

 cise any discretion in the execution of them. 



On the 5th of May, 1821, the great man departed this life; 

 his body was subjected to a post mortem examination, and it 

 was discovered that he died of cancer of the stomach. 



He expired amidst a tempest of wind and rain. 



« Dark was the night, and wild the storm, 



And loud the torrents roar ; 

 And loud the sea was heard to dash 

 Against the distant shore." 



Many trees were laid prostrate by the storm, and among 

 the rest his favorite willow, beneath whose shade he often sat 

 reading, or wrapt up in meditation. 



On the 9th of May, he was buried with military honors. 

 It was his dying wish to repose in France. After a lapse of 

 nearly twenty years his request was complied with ; England 

 then gave her consent to his removal, and the frigate " Belle 

 Poule," under the command of Prince Joinville, was dis- 

 patched to St. Helena by the French Government to fulfill 

 the mission. Among the men that accompanied the Prince, 

 were four who were devoted friends of the Emperor, and lived 

 with him in his captivity — Marchand, Gourgaud, Las Casses, 

 and Bertrand. 



After the coffin was disinterred, it was conveyed to a tent 

 prepared for its reception. There it was opened, and the 

 mortal remains of Napoleon were found unchanged. He 

 seemed asleep, so perfect were all his features. His old 

 friends beheld him there just as they had placed him some 



