On the 15th of April Napoleon’s doors were closed to all but Montholon and Marchand, and it appeared that he had been making his Will.  On the 19th he was better, was free from pain, sat up, and ate a little.  He was in good spirits, and wished them to read to him.  As General Montholon with the others expressed his satisfaction at this improvement he smiled gently, and said, “You deceive yourselves, my friends:  I am, it is true, somewhat better, but I feel no less that my end draws near.  When I am dead you will have the agreeable consolation of returning to Europe.  One will meet his relations, another his friends; and as for me, I shall behold my brave companions-in-arms in the Elysian Fields.  Yes,” he went on, raising his voice, “Kleber, Desaix, Bessieres, Duroc, Ney, Murat, Massena, Berthier, all will come to greet me:  they will talk to me of what we have done together.  I will recount to them the latest events of my life.  On seeing me they will become once more intoxicated with enthusiasm and glory.  We will discourse of our wars with the Scipios, Hannibal, Caesar, and Frederick—­there will be a satisfaction in that:  unless,” he added, laughing bitterly, “they should be alarmed below to see so many warriors assembled together!”

He addressed Dr. Arnott, who came in while he was speaking, on the treatment he had received from England said that she had violated every sacred right in making him prisoner, that he should have been much better treated in Russia, Austria, or even Prussia; that he was sent to the horrible rock of St. Helena on purpose to die; that he had been purposely placed on the most uninhabitable spot of that inhospitable island, and kept six years a close prisoner, and that Sir Hudson Lowe was his executioner.  He concluded with these words:  “You will end like the proud republic of Venice; and I, dying upon this dreary rock, away from those I hold dear, and deprived of everything, bequeath the opprobrium and horror of my death to the reigning family of England.”

On the 21st Napoleon gave directions to the priest who was in attendance as to the manner in which he would be placed to lie in state after his death; and finding his religious attendant had never officiated in such a solemnity he gave the most minute instructions for the mode of conducting it.  He afterwards declared that he would die, as he was born a Catholic, and desired that mass should be said by his body, and the customary ceremonies should be performed every day until his burial.  The expression of his face was earnest and convulsive; he saw Antommarchi watching the contractions which he underwent, when his eye caught some indication that displeased him.  “You are above these weaknesses; but what would you have?  I am neither philosopher nor physician.  I believe in God; I am of the religion of my fathers; every one cannot be an atheist who pleases.”  Then turning to the priest—­“I was born in the Catholic religion.  I wish to fulfil the