abandonment on the island rock which constituted his miniature kingdom
of Elba, shedding tears over 'the brief history of my life, which
I intend to publish.' This view is, like most of the deductions of
satirists, rather beyond the strict veracity of the case. Bonaparte
showed himself during his stay in Elba, as it will be remembered, both
active and cheerful-minded; and it is recorded that he would discuss
with the visitors--who flocked to his miniature kingdom from motives
of curiosity--his present condition and his past state with pleasant
humour and even jocularity.