ment of
the first importance, not only as a record of "words by an eyewitness"
of an ever-memorable event, but as a vindication of the good faith of
the British Government in its conduct towards Napoleon.

In his Preface to the original edition, published by Henry Colburn in
1826, Sir Frederick Maitland wrote:--

"Immediately after the extraordinary and interesting events took place
which are here recorded, I was, by the earnest solicitations of my
friends, induced to throw together the notes and memoranda in my
possession, of the proceedings in which I bore so prominent a part. I
was further led to undertake this task, so foreign to my usual
occupations, in consequence of the many misrepresentations that
appeared at that time, respecting the conduct of Buonaparte while on
board the ship I commanded, as well as my treatment of him.

"The following Narrative was then written solely for the private
perusal of my friends, and not with a view to publication, many
reasons combining, at that time, in my opinion, to render such a
measure inexpedient.

"I made it my study to state events exactly as they occurred, and, in
doing so, to avoid, as much as possible, all prejudice, either
against or in favour of the extraordinary man whom it was my fortune
to secure and bring to this country. It may appear surprising that a
possibility could exist of a British officer being prejudiced in
favour of one who had caused so many calamities to his country; but to
such an extent did he possess the power of pleasing, that there are
few people who could have sat at the same table with him for nearly a
month, as I did, without feeling a sensation of pity, allied perhaps
to regret, that a man possessed of so many fascinating qualities, and
who had held so high a station in life, should be reduced to the
situation in which I saw him.

"Although many of the causes for withholding my Narrative from the
public eye have long been removed, I had no intention of bringing it
forward, until by accident it fell into the hands of a most celebrated
literary character [Sir Walter Scott]. He did me the honour, on
returning it, to express an opinion which I was not at all prepared to
expect, and so strongly to recommend its being published, that however
averse to appearing as an author, I have been induced, under the
sanction of such high authority, to present it to the public."

* * * * *

The text and notes of the edi