'Besides the highland impediment we have had daily visitors for a whole fortnight so I have got nothing read except Turnadot and Napoleon's memoirs - I assure you I have made a violent effort to keep my temper-'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Baillie Welsh Print: Book
Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, 6-[8] January 1845: 'As to Napoleon, if he had walked less in blood, I could have given him a fuller sympathy -- but there were fine things in him [...] Las Casas [sic] I read years ago, & will read soon over again.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
'As for reading, I have much to say of the "Memoires de l'Europe sous Napoleon", but not time for it till quiet in my own house. I piously believe them genuine; they have the [italics] sceau [end italics] of his genius and of his profound art. I am also reading "Journal de Las Cases". I shut one book where he himself details the precautions taken to secure personal liberty under his government, the strict laws for the purpose, no person could be kept in prison a day without so, and so, and so, judges, privy council, and I know not what. I opened the other where Las Cases says that on looking over papers at St Helena, the Emperor was himself surprised to see the number of books prohibited and of [italics] persons arrested by the police [end italics], whom he had never heard of and knew nothing about'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Louisa, Lady Stuart Print: Book
