Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/953



$$$$$$ Hitherto no book dealing exhaustively with Napoleon's colossal plans for invading the United Kingdom, and our own strenuous measures to resist his coming, has appeared in the English language. This work, which has been in preparation for several years, is a careful study of this neglected phase of Napoleonic history. It not only deals with the military and naval preparations made by both nations, but with the more picturesque side of their campaign. While Napoleon was riding along the sands of Boulogne encouraging the shipbuilders and organising the Army of England which was to conquer half Europe as the Grand Army―Pitt was drilling Volunteers at W aimer Castle, Fox was exercising as a private in the Chertsey Volunteers, and the peace-loving Addington appeared in the House of Commons in military uniform. The churches were stored with arms, and two hours' drilling was undergone every Sunday, to say nothing of week-days. Never before or since has the pencil of the cartoonist played so important a part in the formation of public opinion. Patriotism on paper was rampant. From 1798 till 1805, when Trafalgar lifted the war-cloud which hung over the Kingdom, pen and press were turning out history in pictures by hundreds, as well as popular songs. Caricatures, squibs, and broadsides against Napoleon and the threatened invasion did much to encourage the population to prepare to resist the legions of France. The facile pencils of Gillray, the Cruikshanks, Ansell, Rowlandson, West, Woodward, and a score of lesser lights, were never idle. Many unique cartoons and other illustrations appear in these volumes, which also include important letters, never before published, of George III, the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Brougham, Decies, Richard Cumberland, Thomas Order Powlett, Mrs. Piozzi, and other celebrities.

$$$$$$ The story of the fall of Napoleon has never been adequately written for English readers, and great misconception still exists in this country even with regard to the most material facts. The present volume attempts to supply this omission, and makes use of the copious recent literature on this portion of Napoleon's life, which adds so largely to our knowledge of the subject. The narrative begins with Napoleon's return to Paris after the Russian disaster. It gives a complete account of the campaigns of 1813 and 1814, based very largely upon personal knowledge of the battlefields. The events connected with the abdication at Fontainebleau are carefully described. The life in Elba is painted, and the marvellous march to Paris dealt with in detail. In treating of the Hundred Days the attitude of the English Government has received much attention, and the Waterloo campaign has been dealt with from the point of view of the best and most recent authorities. The book concludes with a minute account of Napoleons surrender at Aix, which has never before been properly presented in an English dress, and leaves Napoleon on board the "Northumberland." The book will form a companion volume to "The Boyhood and Youth of Napoleon," by the same author.