on the
programme.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Page 112, Vol. I., Franklin Square Library.

GREAT MEN'S SONS.

BY ELBRIDGE S. BROOKS.

THE SON OF NAPOLEON.

"Nineteen--twenty--twenty-one," the people in the Garden of the
Tuileries counted. Then, with open ears, they listened breathlessly.
"Twenty-two! Hurrah! hurrah!" they shouted. "A boy; it is a boy!" they
cried. "Long live the Emperor! Long live the King of Rome!"

It was the 20th of March, 1811. A baby had been born in the palace of
the Tuileries. The booming cannon announced the great event, and the
people knew that for a girl twenty-one guns would be fired; for a boy,
one hundred. So when the twenty-second gun boomed out there was no need
for further counting. All the people knew that an heir to the throne of
France had been born, and with loud acclamations they shouted "welcome"
and "long life" to the son of Napoleon.

[Illustration: "HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ROME."]

He was a bright, pretty little fellow, and his father loved him from the
start. At his very first cry Napoleon caught him up, and hurrying to the
great chamber in which the foremost men of the empire were waiting,
presented to them "his Majesty the King of Rome!"

It was at the height of Napoleon's power. All Europe lay at his feet.
Thrones and principalities were his to give away; but for his son he
reserved the title that would revive the greatness and glory of the
ancient days and recall the widespread sway of Charlemagne; the little
Napoleon was to be King of Rome, and heir to the Empire of France.

But a King must have a royal guard. So one day in September, 1811, a
brigade of boys, none of them over twelve years old, marched into the
Cour du Carrousel, where the Emperor was reviewing his army, and drew up
in line of battle opposite the famous Old Guard of the Emperor. And
Napoleon said: "Soldiers of my guard, there are your children. I confide
to them the guard of my son, as I have confided myself to you." And to
the boys he said: "My children, upon you I impose a difficult duty. But
I rely upon you. You are pupils of the guard, and your service is the
protection of the King of Rome."

There were days of splendor and ceremonial, of fete and display, in the
early life of the little King of Rome. His father was, literally, Kings
of Kings; he made and unmade sovereigns, he carved up nations, and cut
out states.

Suddenly came the collapse. All Europe arrayed itself against this
crown