for the French people.”  He seems to have predicted that after his death they would require his “ashes” to tranquillise an enraged people.  Of the other contracting party he says in the fifth paragraph of his will:—­“I die prematurely, assassinated by the English oligarchy and its deputy; the English nation will not be slow in avenging me.”

Well, it is requested that his ashes shall be given up to France so that peace may prevail.  And now follows the great act of condescension:—­

“My lord,—­Her Majesty’s Government having taken into consideration the request made by the French Government for an authorisation to remove the remains of the Emperor Napoleon from St. Helena to France, you are instructed to inform M. Thiers that Her Majesty’s Government will with pleasure accede to the request.  Her Majesty’s Government entertains hopes that its readiness to comply with the wish expressed will be regarded in France as a proof of Her Majesty’s desire to efface every trace of those national animosities which, during the life of the Emperor, engaged the two nations in war.  Her Majesty’s Government feels pleasure in believing that such sentiments, if they still exist, will be buried for ever in the tomb destined to receive the mortal remains of Napoleon.  Her Majesty’s Government, in concert with that of France, will arrange the measures necessary for effecting the removal.

   —­(Signed) Palmerston.”

One of the chief features of this State document is its veiled condition that in consideration of H.B.M.  Government giving up the remains of Napoleon, it is to be understood that every trace of national animosity is to be effaced.  Another is, now that his mortal remains are in question, he is styled “the Emperor Napoleon.”  Twenty-five years before, when the atrocious crime of captivity was planned, Lord Keith, in the name of the British Government, addressed a communication to “General Bonaparte.”  The title of Emperor which his countrymen had given to him was, until his death, officially ignored, and he was only allowed to be styled “General” Bonaparte—­the rank which the British Government in that hour of his misfortune thought best suited to their illustrious captive.  He was, in fact, so far as rank was concerned, to be put on a level with some and beneath others who followed him into captivity.  Well might he “protest in the face of Heaven and mankind against the violence that was being enacted” towards him.  Well might he appeal to history to avenge him.  There is nothing in history to equal the malignancy of the conquerors’ treatment of their fallen foe.  We shall see now and hereafter prejudices making way, reluctantly it may be, but surely, for the justice that should be done him.

Three days after the gracious reply of the British Government, May 20, 1840, the French King signified his desire to carry out the wishes of the Chambers by putting the following document before them:—­