, and at last consented to see Dr. Arnott,
whose first visit was on the 1st of April He was introduced into the
chamber of the patient, which was darkened, and into which Napoleon did
not suffer any light to be brought, examined his pulse and the other
symptoms, and was requested to repeat his visit the next day. Napoleon
was now within a month of his death, and although he occasionally spoke
with the eloquence and vehemence he had so often exhibited, his mind was
evidently giving way. The reported appearance of a comet was taken as a
token of his death. He was excited, and exclaimed with emotion,
"A comet! that was the precursor of the death of Caesar."

On the 3d of April the symptoms of the disorder had become so alarming
that Antommarchi informed Bertrand and Montholon he thought Napoleon's
danger imminent, and that Napoleon ought to take steps to put his affairs
in order. He was now attacked by fever and by violent thirst, which
often interrupted his sleep in the night. On the 14th Napoleon found
himself in better spirits, and talked with Dr. Arnott on the merits of
Marlborough, whose Campaigns he desired him to present to the 20th
Regiment, learning that they did not, possess a copy in their library.

On the 15th of April Napoleon's doors were closed to all but Montholon
and Marchand, and it appeared that he had been making his Will. On the
19th he was better, was free from pain, sat up, and ate a little. He was
in good spirits, and wished them to read to him. As General Montholon
with the others expressed his satisfaction at this improvement he smiled
gently, and said, "You deceive yourselves, my friends: I am, it is true,
somewhat better, but I feel no less that my end draws near. When I am
dead you will have the agreeable consolation of returning to Europe. One
will meet his relations, another his friends; and as for me, I shall
behold my brave companions-in-arms in the Elysian Fields. Yes," he went
on, raising his voice, "Kleber, Desaix, Bessieres, Duroc, Ney, Murat,
Massena, Berthier, all will come to greet me: they will talk to me of
what we have done together. I will recount to them the latest events of
my life. On seeing me they will become once more intoxicated with
enthusiasm and glory. We will discourse of our wars with the Scipios,
Hannibal, Caesar, and Frederick--there will be a satisfaction in that:
unless," he added, laughing bitterly, "they should be alarmed below to
see so many warriors assembled