Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/566

 528 Readings in European History more monotonous than the time we now passed. ... It is well known that Napoleon was wont to be scarcely more than fifteen minutes at his dinner. Here the two courses alone occupied from an hour to an hour and a half. This was to him a most serious annoyance, though he never mentioned it ; his features, gestures, and manner always evinced perfect indifference. Neither the new system of cookery, the difference, or the quality of the dishes ever met with his censure or approbation. . . . I need scarcely observe that the English are accustomed to remain a long time at table after the dessert, drinking and conversing. The emperor, already wearied by the tedious dinner, could never have endured this custom ; he rose, therefore, from the first day, immediately after coffee had been handed around, and went out on deck, followed by the grand marshal and myself. This disconcerted the admiral, who took occasion to express his surprise to his officers; but Madame Bertrand, whose maternal language was English, warmly replied, "Do not forget, Admiral, that your guest is a man who has governed a large portion of the world, and that kings once contended for the honor of being admitted to his table." "Very true," rejoined the admiral ; and this officer, who possessed good sense, a becoming pliability of manners, and sometimes much ele- gance, did his utmost from that moment to accommodate the emperor in his habits. He shortened the time of sitting at the table, ordering coffee for Napoleon and those who accompanied him even before the rest of the company had finished their dinner. . . . October 23-24. The Emperor Napoleon, who but lately possessed such boundless power and disposed of so many crowns, now occupies a wretched hovel, a few feet square, which is perched upon a rock, unprovided with furniture, and without either shutters or curtains to the windows. This place must serve him for bedchamber, dressing room, dining room, study, and sitting room ; and he is obliged to go out when it is necessary to have this one apartment cleaned. His meals, consisting of a few wretched dishes,