The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 13

had pushed off from the quay, the batteries ashore fired a salute of
twenty-one guns, and our ships returned the salute with all their
artillery. Two other salutes were fired during the passage from the
quay to the frigate; the cutter advancing very slowly, and
surrounded by the other boats. At half-past six o'clock it reached
the 'Belle Poule,' all the men being on the yards with their hats in
their hands. The Prince had had arranged on the deck a chapel,
decked with flags and trophies of arms, the altar being placed at
the foot of the mizzen-mast. The coffin, carried by our sailors,
passed between two ranks of officers with drawn swords, and was
placed on the quarter-deck. The absolution was pronounced by the
Abbe Coquereau the same evening. Next day, at ten o'clock, a solemn
mass was celebrated on the deck, in presence of the officers and
part of the crews of the ships. His Royal Highness stood at the
foot of the coffin. The cannon of the 'Favorite' and 'Oreste' fired
minute-guns during this ceremony, which terminated by a solemn
absolution; and the Prince de Joinville, the gentlemen of the
mission, the officers, and the premiers maitres of the ship,
sprinkled holy water on the coffin. At eleven, all the ceremonies
of the church were accomplished, all the honors done to a sovereign
had been paid to the mortal remains of Napoleon. The coffin was
carefully lowered between decks, and placed in the chapelle ardente
which had been prepared at Toulon for its reception. At this
moment, the vessels fired a last salute with all their artillery,
and the frigate took in her flags, keeping up only her flag at the
stern and the royal standard at the maintopgallant-mast. On Sunday,
the 18th, at eight in the morning, the 'Belle Poule' quitted St.
Helena with her precious deposit on board.

"During the whole time that the mission remained at James Town, the
best understanding never ceased to exist between the population of
the island and the French. The Prince de Joinville and his
companions met in all quarters and at all times with the greatest
good-will and the warmest testimonials of sympathy. The authorities