HIS VOICE LIKE THUNDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3461, 28 February 1912, Page 8

HIS VOICE LIKE THUNDER.

NEW LIGHT ON NAPOLEON’S LIFE AT ST. HELENA. Apropos the supposed death drawing of Napoleon, details of which appeared in last week’s “News of the World, there appears an extremely interesting letter in the “Times” from Canon Egerton Leigh, who writes: —“As I see a notice in the Press about a drawing of Napoleon after death, I think that the following letter from mv greatuncle, Admiral Leigh, then a midshipman, may be of interest: — “Newcastle, St. Helena, June 28, ISI7. “I saw Buonoparte with a number of the officers of the Newcastle who Sir Pulteny Malcolm was good enough to take with him. Passes are not now granted to people to see them. When he heard the Government had confined his expenses to 801)0 a year he wanted to sell his plate: he has a great quantity, and being valuable, but this was not allowed, so he sent for the aimourer of the 58th Regiment and made him break it .all up before him, sating it was not of any use if he could not do what he wished with it. He wished to make the Government tired of keeping him by being as extravagant as possible. He ordered for dinnei one day the brains of three bullocks. He is a short and very stout man of about sft Gin. His complexion is very sallow

and he had the appearance of a man very far gone in dropsy; undei the eyes that bloated expression which I believe people have in that situation, though in general his health is very good; vhen unwell the bath and spare diet are his remedies, he never takes any medicine, his voice is like thunder, I think I never heard so strong a one, the eye piercing, the countenance contemplative, and lie is acknowledged to have the talent of knowing a man pretty well at first sight. His appearance is not very kingly, you would take him for a servant. Enclosed I send you a like-

ness taken from memory after returning to the ship hv Major Boyse of the Marines. He was quite ready to ask any of the middies a few questions who could talk French, those who could not slunk behind. “I have this water-color drawing, about 7in high, blue coat with star large cocked hat, white breeches and stocking, shoes with buckles.