Honoring The Dead

Napoleon surely did inspire loyalty in his troops.

Occasionally I wonder why.

It's not as if he could broadcast his message over TV or the radio. At least you can get a sense of a person when you hear him speak. They didn't even have loud speakers. He would have had to have personal contact with thousands of men.

But then again, people do talk. Stories are told, retold and then legends are born.

Hortense writes about something in her memoirs that surely would have contributed to Napoleon's legendary leadership. (This occurred in Boulogne when France appeared to be gearing up to fight the English.)

For the first time in my life I saw, at one of the reviews, an urn carried on a bandoleer by a soldier in one of the grenadier regiments. I was told that the Emperor, in order to honor the memory of a particularly brave soldier named La Tour d'Auvergne, had entrusted the latter's heart in a lead casket to the keeping of the oldest member of his former regiment. Whenever the roll-call took place the hero's name was called as if he were present, and the bearer of the casket replied: "Killed on the field of honor."

FYI. I went online to see what a bandoleer was. It is a belt worn off the shoulder and it usually held ammunition. Easier to reach and off the hips.

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Hortense de Beauharnais

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In the midst of a very tall stack of books I finally started "The Memoirs of Queen Hortense." I found a 1927 edition at a bookstore close to home that constantly surprises me with its Napoleon section. Better known as Hortense de Beauharnais she is Josephine's daughter.

Its so strange to read nice sentiments about Josephine's first husband. I forget sometimes that Hortense was his daughter and that she might actually have fond memories of him.

These books have been difficult to put down. I am just starting the second volume but something in the first book stopped me in my tracks.

Whenever Hortense refers to a letter or jewel or object, she is quick to point out that she still has it in her possession. The memoirs were written when she was still justifying her role in Napoleon history. Many books and articles were being written and she very much wanted to clear up certain misconceptions.
But here is the paragraph that has me really intrigued.
It refers to the trip Napoleon and Josephine made to Belgium. I had read in other books that Napoleon had received a charm that was worn by Charlemagne.


But there was more.

My mother requested that in addition to the charm they add a bit of the bone from Charlemagne's arm which was preserved in a shrine, a little statue of the Virgin supposed to have been carved by Saint Luke and a bit of the four great relics ( a linen robe of the Virgin, the swaddling clothes of the infant Christ, the cloth that had enveloped Christ on the Cross and the hankercheif in which was wrapped the head of John the Baptist). I still have all these objects.

I wonder where they are now? Can you imagine a time in history when these relics would have been cut up and given away?

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Napoleonic Historic Re-enactment 2009

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I have never been to a Napoleon battle re-enactment. The treasurer of the Austerlitz Historical Society sent me this link. I think it would be amazing to see this in person!

Imagine this: The year is 1805. You’re in the small town of Austerlitz. Suddenly, a troop of French cavalry ride into the Village square surprising the British and Austrian soldiers. Skirmishes break out around the Village Square.

Saturday August 15th and Sunday August 16th Linked here.

Cigarette Cards

I don't have all the Player's cards. Napoleon's Abdication is number 25 so I need to find at least 20 more. I love how Napoleon is so easy to recognize, even on a 1 x 2 1/2 inch tiny card.

The reverse of each of these cards has some historical information. I really enjoyed reading them. For example, this card writes about the eve of the battle of Jena. " The Emperor himself assisted in the task, holding a lantern while men brought up the guns."

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You Need Friends To Collect Napoleon

This is a small set of souvenir pictures (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) from the Musee National De Malmaison.

They are turning s wonderful sepia colour with age.

They have certainly traveled. Purchased in Paris in the 50's 60's they ended up in Hong Kong where my girlfriend found them in an antique market. Lucky for me she spotted the Josephine card and knew I would love them. She brought them to Los Angeles and then I took them home to Canada.

I wonder why museums don't sell photo packs anymore. Certainly this set is worthy of purchase. I think Josephine looks great in these sepia tones. In fact, I think there ought to be way more black and white imagery available.

I have stood on the end of this road in the exact same spot many times.
I'll never get tired of this driveway/entry way.

Too bad about the cars in my photo.

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Napoleon Would have Loved the Kindle

The latest Kindle from Amazon can store 1500 books on one unit. It weighs well under a pound. Napoleon would have loved it.

Whenever Napoleon went to war or on any long journey he had to have a crates of books packed to take with him.

He had many special "small size/small edition" copies of some of the great works of literature.

Apparently in 1808 he drafted a memo explaining how he wanted a portable library created. This would have meant a great deal of translation and cost and over time the idea was shelved, so to speak.

I always love any reference to Napoleon reading. When he didn't like a book, he would toss it into the fireplace.

How satisfying that would be. I just drill holes and shut them permanently.

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Vintage Black an White Postcards

This is a postcard you can buy today at any museum in Paris. It's an easy to follow family tree.

But I have to say. Isn't it boring?

This vintage black and white postcard is a fabulous find. I prefer the beautiful illustrations to the oval heads.

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I Do Judge A Book By It's Cover

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Yup, I admit it. If the cover is good, I do usually buy it.

This one was already pretty good.

But the inside pages are what make it really great!

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