The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 10

different articles which each had deposited in the coffin, and
remained in the precise position in which they had previously
described them to be.

"The two inner coffins were carefully closed again; the old leaden
coffin was strongly blocked up with wedges of wood, and both were
once more soldered up with the most minute precautions, under the
direction of Dr. Guillard. These different operations being
terminated, the ebony sarcophagus was closed as well as its oak
case. On delivering the key of the ebony sarcophagus to Count de
Chabot, the King's Commissioner, Captain Alexander declared to him,
in the name of the Governor, that this coffin, containing the mortal
remains of the Emperor Napoleon, was considered as at the disposal
of the French Government from that day, and from the moment at which
it should arrive at the place of embarkation, towards which it was
about to be sent under the orders of General Middlemore. The King's
Commissioner replied that he was charged by his Government, and in
its name, to accept the coffin from the hands of the British
authorities, and that he and the other persons composing the French
mission were ready to follow it to James Town, where the Prince de
Joinville, superior commandant of the expedition, would be ready to
receive it and conduct it on board his frigate. A car drawn by four
horses, decked with funereal emblems, had been prepared before the
arrival of the expedition, to receive the coffin, as well as a pall,
and all the other suitable trappings of mourning. When the
sarcophagus was placed on the car, the whole was covered with a
magnificent imperial mantle brought from Paris, the four corners of
which were borne by Generals Bertrand and Gourgaud, Baron Las Cases
and M. Marchand. At half-past three o'clock the funeral car began
to move, preceded by a chorister bearing the cross, and by the Abbe
Coquereau. M. de Chabot acted as chief mourner. All the
authorities of the island, all the principal inhabitants, and the
whole of the garrison, followed in procession from the tomb to the
quay. But with the exception of the artillerymen necessary to lead