THE cameo, an engraving from which is given in the frontispiece, was executed before the battle of Marengo, previous to the time when Napoleon became corpulent. Madame Mère,* when she presented it to me, informed me that it was then considered to be an excellent likeness: and indeed its resemblance to what he was when I saw him, was striking, making allowance for his features having lost much of the sharpness shewn in the cameo.

The following is a translation of the fac-simile of Napoleon's handwriting under the cameo-" If he sees my good Louise, I beg of her to permit him to kiss her hand." I have never seen a perfect resemblance of what Napoleon was, when I was with him. The medal from which the engraving in front of the second volume was made, I consider to be the best that has come under my observation.

Explanation of the Figures in the Representation of the House, in front of the Appendix, Volume II.

The Commissioners were allowed to come as far as the gate represented in the plate.

* Napoleon's mother.
b

Vol i. page 1.

157,

273,

ERRATA.

A doubt arises as to the day on which Napoleon was removed on board of the Northumberland.

line 17 from the top, for “ma cotê," read mes côtes. 11 from the top, for "ont," read avons.

PREFACE.

PLACED by peculiar circumstances arising from my profession, about the person of the most extraordinary man perhaps of any age, in the most critical juncture of his life, I determined to profit by the opportunities afforded me, as far as I could consistently with honour. The following volumes are the result. The reader will see in the very outset of the work, how it was that I became attached as a medical officer to the household of Napoleon. That it was in consequence of his own application, by the advice of my superiors, and with the full concurrence of the lords of the admiralty. I never sought the situation; it was in some degree assigned me; and most assuredly I should have shrunk from the acceptance of it, had I contemplated the possibility of