One day at dinner Napoleon, casting his eye on one of the dishes of his own campaign-service, on which the-arms of the King had been engraved, “How they have spoiled that!” he exclaimed; and he could not refrain from observing that the King was in great haste to take possession of the Imperial plate, which certainly did not belong to him.  Amongst the baggage was also a cabinet in which were a number of medallions, given him by the Pope and other potentates, some letters of Louis XVIII. which he had left behind him on his writing-table in the suddenness of his flight from the Tuileries on the 20th of March, and a number of other letters found in the portfolio of Dia Blacas intended to calumniate Napoleon.

The Emperor never dressed until about four o’clock he then walked in the garden, which was particularly agreeable to him on account of its solitude—­the English soldiers having been removed at Mr. Balcombe’s request.  A little arbour was covered with canvas; and a chair and table placed in it, and here Napoleon dictated a great part of his Memoirs.  In the evening, when he did not go out, he generally contrived to prolong the conversation till eleven or twelve o’clock.

Thus time passed with little variety or interruption.  The weather in the winter became delightful.  One day, his usual task being done; Napoleon strolled out towards the town, until he came within sight of the road and shipping.  On his return he met Mrs. Balcombe and a Mrs. Stuart, who was on her way back from Bombay to England.  The Emperor conversed with her on the manners and customs of India, and on the inconveniences of a long voyage at sea, particularly to ladies.  He alluded to Scotland, Mrs. Stuart’s native country, expatiated on the genius of Ossian, and congratulated his fair interlocutor on the preservation of her clear northern complexion.  While the parties were thus engaged some heavily burdened slaves passed near to them.  Mrs. Balcombe motioned them to make a detour; but Napoleon interposed, exclaiming, “Respect the burden, madam!” As he said this the Scotch lady, who had been very eagerly scanning the features of Napoleon, whispered to her friend, “Heavens! what a character, and what an expression of countenance!  How different to the idea I had formed of him!”

Napoleon shortly after repeated the same walk, and went into the house of Major Hudson.  This visit occasioned considerable alarm to the constituted authorities.

The Governor gave a ball, to which the French were invited; and Las Cases about the same time rode over to Longwood to see what advance had been made in the preparations for their reception.  His report on his return was not very favourable.  They had now been six weeks at the Briars, during which Napoleon had been nearly as much confined as if on board the vessel.  His health began to be impaired by it.  Las Cases gave it as his opinion that the Emperor did not possess that constitution of iron which was