The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 9

Prince de Joinville could not be present because the workmen were
under English command.

The men worked for nine hours incessantly, when at length the earth
was entirely removed from the vault, all the horizontal strata of
masonry demolished, and the large slab which covered the place where
the stone sarcophagus lay, removed by a crane. This outer coffin of
stone was perfect, and could scarcely be said to be damp.

"As soon as the Abbe Coquereau had recited the prayers, the coffin
was removed with the greatest care, and carried by the engineer-
soldiers, bareheaded, into a tent that had been prepared for the
purpose. After the religious ceremonies, the inner coffins were
opened. The outermost coffin was slightly injured: then came, one
of lead, which was in good condition, and enclosed two others--one
of tin and one of wood. The last coffin was lined inside with white
satin, which, having become detached by the effect of time, had
fallen upon the body and enveloped it like a winding-sheet, and had
become slightly attached to it.

"It is difficult to describe with what anxiety and emotion those who
were present waited for the moment which was to expose to them all
that death had left of Napoleon. Notwithstanding the singular state
of preservation of the tomb and coffins, we could scarcely hope to
find anything but some misshapen remains of the least perishable
part of the costume to evidence the identity of the body. But when
Doctor Guillard raised the sheet of satin, an indescribable feeling
of surprise and affection was expressed by the spectators, many of
whom burst into tears. The Emperor was himself before their eyes!
The features of the face, though changed, were perfectly recognized;
the hands extremely beautiful; his well-known costume had suffered
but little, and the colors were easily distinguished. The attitude
itself was full of ease, and but for the fragments of the satin
lining which covered, as with a fine gauze, several parts of the
uniform, we might have believed we still saw Napoleon before us
lying on his bed of state. General Bertrand and M. Marchand, who
were both present at the interment, quickly pointed out the