al and indescribable sensations. To all Antommarchi's
medical prescriptions, he opposed the like determination. "Doctor," he
said (14th October 1820), "no physicking; we are a machine made to live;
we are organised for that purpose, and such is our nature; do not
counteract the living principle--let it alone--leave it the liberty of
self-defence--it will do better than your drugs. Our body is a watch,
intended to go for a given time. The watchmaker cannot open it, and must
work at random. For once that he relieves or assists it by his crooked
instruments, he injured it ten times, and at last destroys it."

With the health of Napoleon his mind sank also. Some fishes in a pond in
the garden at Longwood had attracted his notice; a deleterious substance
happened to mix with the water--they sickened and died. "Everything I
love," said Napoleon, "everything that belongs to _me_--is stricken.
Heaven and mankind unite to afflict me." Fits of long silence and
profound melancholy were now frequent. "In those days," he once said
aloud, in a reverie, "In those days I was Napoleon. Now I am nothing--my
strength, my faculties forsake me--I no longer live, I only exist."

When Sir Hudson Lowe was made aware of the condition of the captive, he
informed the government at home; and by his Majesty's desire, authority
was immediately given for removing to St. Helena from the Cape, any
medical officer on whom Napoleon's choice might fall. This despatch did
not, however, reach St. Helena, until Napoleon had breathed his last.

About the middle of April, 1821, the disease assumed such an appearance,
that Dr. Antommarchi became very anxious to have the advice of some
English physician, and the patient at length consented to admit the
visits of Dr. Arnott, already referred to. But this gentleman also was
heard in vain urging the necessity of medical applications. "Quod
scriptum scriptum," once more answered Napoleon; "our hour is marked,
and no one can claim a moment of life beyond what fate has predestined."

From the 15th to the 25th of April, Napoleon occupied himself with
drawing up his last will--in which he bequeathed his orders, and a
specimen of every article in his wardrobe, to his son. On the 18th he
gave directions for opening his body after death, expressing a special
desire that his stomach should be scrutinised, and its appearances
communicated to his son. "The vomitings," he said, "which succeed one
another without interruption