The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 17

to deliberate on an event so unexpected and important.

"The council of war having expressed its opinion that it was
necessary at all events to prepare for an energetic defence,
preparations were made to place in battery all the guns that the
frigate could bring to bear against the enemy. The provisional
cabins that had been fitted up in the battery were demolished, the
partitions removed, and, with all the elegant furniture of the
cabins, flung into the sea. The Prince de Joinville was the first
'to execute himself,' and the frigate soon found itself armed with
six or eight more guns.

"That part of the ship where these cabins had previously been, went
by the name of Lacedaemon; everything luxurious being banished to
make way for what was useful.

"Indeed, all persons who were on board agree in saying that
Monseigneur the Prince de Joinville most worthily acquitted himself
of the great and honorable mission which had been confided to him.
All affirm not only that the commandant of the expedition did
everything at St. Helena which as a Frenchman he was bound to do in
order that the remains of the Emperor should receive all the honors
due to them, but moreover that he accomplished his mission with all
the measured solemnity, all the pious and severe dignity, that the
son of the Emperor himself would have shown upon a like occasion.
The commandant had also comprehended that the remains of the Emperor
must never fall into the hands of the stranger, and being himself
decided rather to sink his ship than to give up his precious
deposit, he had inspired every one about him with the same
energetic resolution that he had himself taken 'AGAINST AN EXTREME
EVENTUALITY.'"

Monseigneur, my dear, is really one of the finest young fellows it
is possible to see. A tall, broad-chested, slim-waisted, brown-
faced, dark-eyed young prince, with a great beard (and other martial
qualities no doubt) beyond his years. As he strode into the Chapel
of the Invalides on Tuesday at the head of his men, he made no small
impression, I can tell you, upon the ladies assembled to witness the
ceremony. Nor are the crew of the "Belle Poule" less agreeable to