fort with the intention of embarking for the United States. But it was no easy matter for him to perform the voyage at such a time as this; for the sea was full of English cruisers which might capture him in his attempt to escape, and bring him back a prisoner, Some young midshipmen, however, who were much attached to the interests of the fallen Emperor, undertook to equip two fishing-vessels, and to convey him in these across the ocean. It

was a hazardous scheme, but Napoleon was now driven to extremities, and this seemed to be the only way of escape. He resolved therefore to adopt the plan proposed. The vessels accordingly were purchased, the crews appointed, his luggage was put on board, everything was ready for embarkation at night, and the moment of departure had almost arrived, when the mind of Napoleon began to waver. His friends had represented to him the great risk to which he would expose himself in such an undertaking; they had talked to him of the dangers of the sea, during the voyage, and of the dangers of a strange country when he should reach land. And all these apprehended difficulties, as I said, made him hesitate; for though his future prospects were so hopeless, though dominion and power were gone from him for ever, yet the conquered warrior still clung to life, and he finally determined not to hazard it in

this desperate adventure. The scheme therefore was abandoned.

And now Napoleon adopted a different course. He wrote a letter to the Prince Regent, (a remarkable letter it was) in which he said, that his political career was ended, and that he surrendered himself into the hands of the English. He came, he added, to claim the hospitality of the British people, the most powerful, constant, and generous of his enemies. This was bestowing high praise indeed upon our nation, and it was praise the more remarkable because it came from an enemy, and such an enemy as Napoleon Bonaparte. May our beloved country ever continue to deserve this high character, of being not only "powerful," but "generous" too!

On the 15th of July, Napoleon was conducted on board the English ship Bellerophon, conveyed in it to the British shores, and landed, a few days after, at Torbay. And now, the rulers of our country were busily engaged in conferring and deciding upon the future residence of the extraordinary man who had thus come into their power. To restore him to his throne, to re-establish him as a sovereign,could not be thought of. He had shown himself too dangerous an enemy to Europe and to the world, ever to be again entrusted with power. And to retain him in this country, -that too was impracticable. And so at last

it was determined, that the great Napoleon,— he who had so long and so vigorously striven for universal empire,-should be conveyed across the wide ocean, thousands of miles distant from the scene of his former victories, and there be landed in a little rocky island,-the obscure, almost unknown island of St. Helena ! There he was to live, surrounded indeed with every necessary comfort that he might require, and that enemies so generous, as he acknowledged the British to be, could grant; but without territory, without dominion, fallen from his high estate; and though unfettered, yet watched and guarded,-constantly reminded by all around him, that he was a prisoner, and that a prisoner he must remain.

The announcement was made to him, that such was to be his future lot; and however unwelcome the intelligence, Napoleon's only alternative was to submit. The voyage soon commenced, and the succeeding October found him safely landed in his island prison. He had there the society of some of his former friends who accompanied him; and he had too, every gratification which was consistent with his circumstances, as a prisoner; but notwithstanding these alleviations, the years of Napoleon's exile were years of unavailing sorrow and discontent. It was not, however, the rocky island, the obscure spot to which he was now

coufined, nor even the guards that surrounded it, that formed the chief, the real cause of Napoleon's vexation. It is quite possible to be in obscurity, an exile and a prisoner too, and yet to feel happy and contented. I dare say you can remember an instance of one who was banished to a solitary island, (for a cause indeed far different from that which led to Napoleon's banishment,) and who found in that lonely spot such happiness as he would not have exchanged for all the treasures of the world. The reason of his happiness was,-his mind was at peace; and the reason of Napoleon's unhappiness was,-his mind was not at peace. For true it is that,

The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.

It was Napoleon's unsubdued will, which occasioned him so much unavailing discontent. His ambition was strong as ever, but the power of gratifying it was departed; and he had no higher principle, no better feelings to console. him, and reconcile him to his lot. He died at St. Helena, in the year 1821, after a captivity of six years.

But it is time for us to leave the rocky isle of St. Helena, and to go back to our own happy land, now relieved from those wars which had so long disturbed her tranquillity,

but which had ended so much to her honour and renown. The lines which head our chapter, may have appeared hitherto not very suitable to the stories of battle and conquest of which I have been telling you. Indeed these matters have allowed us no opportunity of saying any thing about the good king to whom they allude with so much loyalty and affection. Let us now change our subject, and talk a little about him, and his private history and character.

During a great part of the reign of George III, he suffered from a mental malady which incapacitated him from managing the affairs of. the kingdom, and the government was then conducted, as I told you before, by his son George, Prince of Wales, as Regent. This circumstance of the illness of the king was deeply felt by his affectionate people; for perhaps no sovereign of England ever possessed so much of the love of his subjects as did George III. He was beloved as a man, as well as a king; for he was distinguished for true kindness of heart, and real benevolence of disposition; qualities which are far more likely to gain the affections of a nation than mere political skill or military glory. There was a simplicity of manners and habits too in this good king, which particularly endeared him to the people. Sometimes he would lay