invitation.  The conversation of Napoleon was animated.  He made many inquiries as to the family and connections of Captain Maitland, and in alluding to Lord Lauderdale, who was sent as ambassador to Paris during the administration of Mr. Fox, paid that nobleman some compliments and said of the then Premier, “Had Mr. Fox lived it never would have come to this; but his death put an end to all hopes of peace.”

On one occasion he ordered his camp-bed to be displayed for the inspection of the English officers.  In two small leather packages were comprised the couch of the once mighty ruler of the Continent.  The steel bedstead which, when folded up, was only two feet long, and eighteen inches wide, occupied one case, while the other contained the mattress and curtains.  The whole was so contrived as to be ready for use in three minutes.

Napoleon spoke in terms of high praise of the marines on duty in the Bellerophon, and on going through their ranks exclaimed to Bertrand, “How much might be done with a hundred thousand such soldiers as these!” In putting them through their exercise he drew a contrast between the charge of the bayonet as made by the English and the French, and observed that the English method of fixing the bayonet was faulty, as it might easily be twisted off when in close action.  In visiting Admiral Hotham’s flag-ship, the ‘Superb’, he manifested the same active curiosity as in former instances, and made the same minute inquiries into everything by which he was surrounded.  During breakfast one of Napoleon’s suite, Colonel Planat, was much affected, and even wept, on witnessing the humiliation of his Master.

On the return of Bonaparte from the Superb to the ‘Bellerophon’ the latter ship was got under weigh and made sail for England.  When passing within a cable’s length of the ‘Superb’ Napoleon inquired of Captain Maitland if he thought that distance was sufficient for action.  The reply of the English officer was characteristic; he told the Emperor that half the distance, or even less, would suit much better.  Speaking of Sir Sidney Smith, Bonaparte repeated the anecdote connected with his quarrel at St. Jean d’Acre with that officer, which has already been related in one of the notes earlier in these volumes.  Patting Captain Maitland on the shoulder, he observed, that had it not been for the English navy he would have been Emperor of the East, but that wherever he went he was sure to find English ships in the way.

The ‘Bellerophon’, with Bonaparte on board, sighted the coast of England on Sunday, the 23d of July 1815, and at daybreak on the 24th the vessel approached Dartmouth.  No sooner had the ship anchored than an order from Loral Keith was delivered to Captain Maitland, from which the following is an extract: 

   Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G. C. B., addressed
   to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S.  “Bellerophon,” dated Ville de
   Paris, Hamoaze, 23d July 1815.