My poor boy is at Woolwich, and finds the apprenticeship somewhat hard.
Receive the renewed assurance of my sincere friendship.
Napoléon.
This was probably one of the last letters written by the Emperor, who passed away within two months. When writing to his foster-sister he had evidently no presentiment that his end was so rapidly approaching.
CHAPTER XVIII
CITIZEN—PRESIDENT—EMPEROR.
The date is December 20, 1848, and. M. Marrast, President of the National Assembly, invites Citizen Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte to take the oath required by the Constitution on his election as President of the French Republic.
The Citizen, in evening dress, with the riband of the Légion d’Honneur en sautoir, ascends the tribune, raises his right hand, and, with the slightest tremor in his voice, says, “I swear.”
What is his record?
1836.—Deported to America for attempting to procure a military rising in his favour at Strasburg.
1840.—Sentenced to perpetual confinement in the fortress of Ham for a similar attempt at Boulogne.