The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 23

In seeing its hero return, the nation seemed to have found its
Palladium again,--the sainted relics of victory."

At length, on the 14th, the coffin was transferred from the "Dorade"
steamer on board the imperial vessel arrived from Paris. In the
evening, the imperial vessel arrived at Courbevoie, which was the
last stage of the journey.

Here it was that M. Guizot went to examine the vessel, and was very
nearly flung into the Seine, as report goes, by the patriots
assembled there. It is now lying on the river, near the Invalides,
amidst the drifting ice, whither the people of Paris are flocking
out to see it.

The vessel is of a very elegant antique form, and I can give you on
the Thames no better idea of it than by requesting you to fancy an
immense wherry, of which the stern has been cut straight off, and on
which a temple on steps has been elevated. At the figure-head is an
immense gold eagle, and at the stern is a little terrace, filled
with evergreens and a profusion of banners. Upon pedestals along
the sides of the vessel are tripods in which incense was burned, and
underneath them are garlands of flowers called here "immortals."
Four eagles surmount the temple, and a great scroll or garland, held
in their beaks, surrounds it. It is hung with velvet and gold; four
gold caryatides support the entry of it; and in the midst, upon a
large platform hung with velvet, and bearing the imperial arms,
stood the coffin. A steamboat, carrying two hundred musicians
playing funereal marches and military symphonies, preceded this
magnificent vessel to Courbevoie, where a funereal temple was
erected, and "a statue of Notre Dame de Grace, before which the
seamen of the 'Belle Poule' inclined themselves, in order to thank
her for having granted them a noble and glorious voyage."

Early on the morning of the 15th December, amidst clouds of incense,
and thunder of cannon, and innumerable shouts of people, the coffin
was transferred from the barge, and carried by the seamen of the
"Belle Poule" to the Imperial Car.


And, now having conducted our hero almost to the gates of Paris, I
must tell you what preparations were made in the capital to receive