t an authority as would in any degree justify their action.
Gourgaud, in fact, was more knave than fool, as his subsequent
beseeching appeals on behalf of Napoleon to Marie Louise and other
personages in France very clearly prove.

But take these men and women as a whole, view the circumstances and
conditions of life on this rock of vile memory, inquire as minutely as
you may into their conduct, and you see, towering above all, that
their supreme interest is centred on him whom they voluntarily
followed into exile. He is their ideal of human greatness, their
friend, and their Emperor.

They view Sir Hudson Lowe as they would a distracted phenomenon. The
introduction of new and frivolous vexations is occasionally ignored or
looked upon with despairing amusement. At other times, when their
master's rights, dignity, and matchless personality are assailed, they
resent it with fierce impulse, and this gives Lowe further
opportunities of reminding them of his goodness. But during the long,
weary years of incessant provocation, criminal retaliation was never
thought of except on one occasion, when some new arbitrary rules were
put in force.

Santini, a Corsican, and one of the domestics, brooded over his
master's wrongs. He was generally of a cheerful temperament, but since
the new regulations were enforced it had been noticed that his whole
disposition had changed. He became thoughtful and dejected, and one
day made known to Cipriani his deliberate intention to shoot the
Governor the first time he came to Longwood. Cipriani used all his
influence to dissuade him from committing so rash an act, and finding
that Santini was immovable, he reported the matter to Napoleon, who
had the devoted keeper of his portfolio brought to him, and commanded
him as his Emperor to cease thinking of injuring Sir Hudson. It took
the Emperor some time to persuade Santini, and when he did give his
promise it was with marked reluctance. Santini is spoken of as being
as brave as a lion, an expert with the small sword, and a deadly shot.
He was subsequently sent off the island, the Emperor granting him a
pension of L50 per annum.

Santini was the only one who refused to sign a document put forward
by Lowe in which all the officers and domestics pledged themselves to
conform to the new regulations, which were, as usual, senseless and
severe. They insisted on the words "Emperor Napoleon" being inserted,
but Lowe, with inherent stupid pleasure, woul