Napoleon at St. Helena.

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 49

Napoleon at St. Helena.

Mr Glover gives in his St. Helena diary some curious glimpses of Napoleon's life on the island. While the historical residence at Longwood was being prepared to receive him, be dwelt for two months in a building on the estate of a Mr Balcombe, with whom and his family he became very intimate, and the diarist tells how (he ex-emperor amused himself at their house,

Neither Mr 'nor Mrs Balcombe understood French, but their two daughters — described as " women grown, although the one was but 15 and the other between 13 and I*/' — spoke it tolerably well, and Bonaparte appeared much delighted in their society. These girls, adds Mr Glover, in a few days became perfectly familiar, and the general seemed highly pleased with their naivete, particularly that of the younger, a pretty girl, and a most complete romp when out of sight of her father. He occasionally so completely laid aside his imperial dignity as to romp with the young ladies, who, during such diversions as "blind man's buff," called him by the familiar appellation of "Boney"; indeed, the younger, who appeared his favourite, said anything aud everything to him her lively imagination dictated ; asking every possible" question, and he answering without the slightet apparent reserve.