doubt that the most unremitting vigilance was necessary on the part of the governor. What letters the party at Longwood succeeded in sending off secretly, it were vain to enquire, but it is known that Count Las Cases was

The following is given as B's. opin ion of Moreau :

'Moreau,' said he, was an excellent

land a letter written on silk. When, in consequence of this, he was removed from Longwood, B. only disapproved of the bungling manner in which his attempt was made: adding, I am sorry for it, because people will accuse me of having been privy to the plan, and will have a poor opinion of my understanding, supposing me to have consented to so shallow a plot.'

Afterwards Mr. O'M. adds:

Napoleon very much concerned about the treatment which Las Cases suffered, and the detention of his own papers. He observed, that if there had been any plot in L. C's. letter, the governor could have perceived it in ten minutes' perusal. That in a few moments he could also see that the campaigns of Italy, &c. contained nothing treasonable; and that it was contrary to all law to detain papers belonging to him (Napoleon). Perhaps,' said he, he will come up here some day, and say that he has received intimation that a plot to affect my escape is in agitation. What guarantee have I, that when I have nearly finished my history, he will not come up and seize the whole of it? It is true that I can keep my manuscripts in my own room, and with a couple of brace of pistols I can dispatch the first who enters. I must burn the whole of what I have written. It served as an amusement to me in this dismal abode, and might perhaps have been interesting to the world; but with this Sicilian catchpole there is no guarantee nor security. He violates every law, and tramples under foot decency, politeness, and the common forms of society. He came up with a savage joy beaming from his eyes, because he had an opportunity of insulting and tormenting us. While surrounding the house with his staff, he reminded me of the savages of the South Sea islands, dancing round the prisoners whom they were going to devour. Tell him,' continued he, what I said about his conduct. For fear that I should forget,

would divide his army in different positions, a large army. With 100,000 men, Moreau covering roads, and would not do more than if he had only 30,000. He did not know how to profit either by the number of his troops, or by their positions. Very calm and cool in the field, he was more collected and better able to command in the heat of an action than to make dispositions prior to it. He was often seen smoking his pipe in battle, Moreau was not naturally a man of a bad heart; Un bon vivant, but he had not much character.He was led away by his wife and another intriguing Creole.'

It was

'Massena,' said he, was a man of superior talent. He generally, however, made bad dispositions previous to a battle; and it was not until the dead began to fall about him that he began to act with that judgement which he ought to have displayed before. In the midst of the dying and the dead, of balls sweeping away those who encircled him, then Massena was himself; gave his orders, and made his dispositions with the greatest sang froid and judgement. This is true nobleness of blood. truly said of Massena, that he never began to act with judgement until the battle was going against him. He was, however, un voleur. He went halves along with the contractors and commissaries of the army. I signified to him often, that if he discontinued his peculations, I would make him a present of 800,000, or a 1,000,000 of francs; but he had acquired such a habit, that he could not keep his hands from money. On this account he was hated by the soldiers, who mutinied against him three or four times. However, considering the circumstances of the times, he was precious; and had not his bright parts been soiled with the vice of avarice, be would have been a great man.

The following passage is sufficiently am using:

5th-Had a long conversation with the emperor in his bath. Asked his opinion of the Emperor Alexander, he is a man not to be depended on,' replied Napoleon.

He is the only one of the three,* who has any talent. He is plausible, a great dissimulator, very ambitious, and a man who studies to make himself popular. It is his foible to believe himself skilled in the art of war, and he likes nothing so well as to be complimented on it, though every thing that originated with himself relative to military operations was ill-judged and absurd. At Tilsit, Alexander and the King of Prussia used frequently to occupy themselves in contriving dresses for dragoons; debating on what button the crosses of the orders ought to he hung, and such other fooleries. They fancied themselves on an equality with the best generals in Europe, because they knew how many rows of buttons there were on a dragoon's jacket. I could scarcely keep from laughing sometimes, when I heard them discussing these trifles with as much gravity and earnestness as if they were planning an impending action between 200,000 men.However, I encouraged them in their argument as I saw it was their weak point. We rode out every day together. The king of Prussia was un bete, et nous a tellement ennuye; that Alexander and myself frequently galloped away in order to get rid of him.'

At p. 252, B. is represented as declaring that the French Police had in pay many English spies, some of high quality, among whom there were many ladies. There was one lady in particular of very high rank, who furnished considerable information, and was sometimes paid so high as 3,000/, in one month."

He spoke (says Mr. O'M.) in very high terms of Lord Nelson, and indeed attemptted to palliate that only stigma to his memory, the execution of Carraccioli; which he attributed entirely to his having been deceived by that wicked woman, Queen Caroline, through Lady Hamilton, and to the influence which the latter had Over him.

There may be persons to whom this may appear a proof of magnanimity, to us, it seems but one proof, among many, of the utter disregard of moral principle in Bonaparte.

Poetry.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

Why flaunts thou thus from flower to flower While every tulip forms a bower

Of odorous repose. With wings trimm'd up, and eye askance, Thou darts a supercilious glance On "creeping things," tho' late perchance A sharer in their woes.

What gone! well, while thou hast the power, 'Tis wisdom to enjoy the hour

Ungall'd by distant cares : For when the chilling showers invade, Thou'lt hide thy poor diminished head; And every flower and grassy blade

Shall be bedew'd with tears.

Gadzooks! my little bobbing friend,
How merrily thou dost ascend

Amid the liquid sky.
Thou ducks and dives and mounts in air,
As earth alone were full of care;
would that I thy joys could share,

I

But zds I cannot fly.

'Tis plain, thou little vagrant wight, No thrifty errand shapes thy flight

As devious thou dost rise

But hap'ly to some neighb'ring grove
Thou goest, a messenger of love,
And marv'ling if thyself might prove
The bappiest of flies,

Or goest thou to the peaceful bower
Of her, who counts each tedious hour

That lengthens out thy stay;
And every passing sound she hears
Awakens all her tender fears,
Whilst thou, unheedful of her tears,
Vain trifler,away !

While yet I hear thy "sullen horn,"
O say what hand did thus adorn

1

Prussia,

These surely thou may'st tell.

Amid the dancing rays of light

Thou lessens on my straining sight, And now thou art evanished quite ;Poor insect farethee well.

To the magic of smiles it may first owe its birth,

But the soul of its sweetness is drawn out by tears.

A.

RUE AFFECTION.

NOTICES

TO CORRELI ONDINIS.

We ought to have acknowledged sooner our obligations to the writer of the Sketches, whose valuable communications have given so much satisfaction to the readers of the Melange. We trust he will continue to favor us with his correspondence."

Our poetical correspondents are so numerous that we cannot possibly insert one tenth part of the productions that are received; and besides, few of them possess sufficient merit to entitle them to a place in the Melange.

Verus is a true friend, and we will be happy to hear from him as soon as possible. Amaro has infused too much acid in his composition.

The Hermit's Death will appear in our

next.

From the increasing demand for the Melange, some of the early numbers are nearly out of print; we will endeavour to supply their place as soon as we can.

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