Notes and Reminiscences of a Staff Officer; Chiefly Relating to the Waterloo Campaign and to St. Helena Matters During the Captivity of Napoleon (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1903. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter xiv But I must think of bringing my recollections to a close, and fear I have already tired the reader's patience--indeed, he has to thank me for cutting out many pages; still, I must beg to trespass a little longer upon it, as I could wish those who may not have fallen in with Mr Forsyth's excellent and important work, to become better acquainted with the true character and conduct of Sir Hudson Lowe, so different from the pictures which odious calumny and downright lying have put forth. Perhaps I could not do better than extract portions of Mr Forsyth's preface, with this object. A French gentleman--a Bonapartist--to whom I lent this book, told me, after reading it, that it satisfied him Sir Hudson Lowe had been a much injured man.--"History of the Captivity of Napoleon at St Helena; from the letters and journals of the late Lieut.-Gen. Sir Hudson Lowe, and official documents not before made public. By William Forsyth, M.A. In three volumes. John Murray, Albemarle Street, 183." 103 "When his vast pile of papers was committed to me by Mr Murray, I was not asked to make out a case for Sir Hudson Lowe, nor, had I been asked to do so, would I have consented. I regarded the duty of examining the papers left by him as a solemn trust, for the due and truthful discharge of which I was responsible to the public, and a still more searching tribunal, my own conscience: Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato, sed magis arnica Veritas.... "As to the style and manner in which I have performed the task, it is not for me to judge. That question will be decided by the public for themselves, and every writer must submit himself to their impartial opinion, from which there is no appeal. But I do claim for myself the right to be believed, when I assert that the present volumes ha...