nd, as well as all Europe, to the same expense of blood and
treasure that has just been incurred?"

General Savary made the following reply: "When the Emperor first
abdicated the throne of France, his removal was brought about by a
faction, at the head of which was Talleyrand, and the sense of the
nation was not consulted: but in the present instance he has
voluntarily resigned the power. The influence he once had over the
French people is past; a very considerable change has taken place in
their sentiments towards him, since he went to Elba; and he could
never regain the power he had over their minds: therefore he would
prefer retiring into obscurity, where he might end his days in peace
and tranquillity; and were he solicited to ascend the throne again, he
would decline it."

"If that is the case," I said, "why not ask an asylum in England?" He
answered, "There are many reasons for his not wishing to reside in
England: the climate is too damp and cold; it is too near France; he
would be, as it were, in the centre of every change and revolution
that might take place there, and would be subject to suspicion; he has
been accustomed to consider the English as his most inveterate
enemies, and they have been induced to look upon him as a monster,
without one of the virtues of a human being."

This conversation took place while I was writing my despatches to Sir
Henry Hotham; and the Frenchmen were walking in the cabin, frequently
interrupting me, to enforce their statement of Buonaparte's situation
being by no means so desperate as might be supposed; from which I took
the liberty of drawing a conclusion directly opposite to the one they
were desirous of impressing on my mind.

Captain Knight, of the Falmouth, who carried my despatches to the
Admiral, was present during the whole of this conversation, but did
not join in it. This was the first certain information I had received
of Buonaparte's position since the battle of Waterloo.

Tuesday, the 11th.--About noon, a small boat came off from the Island
of Oleron, to where the ship was at anchor in Basque Roads, rowed by
four men, in which sat two respectable-looking countrymen, who asked
for the Captain; and upon my being pointed out to them, requested to
speak with me in private. When shown into the cabin, where I went
accompanied by Captain Gambier, of the Myrmidon, they acquainted me,
that a message had been sent from Isle d'Aix, early that morning, for
a man who was