Article No. 2073

Written by London swaminathan

Date : 15  August  2015

Time uploaded in London :–  18-51

(Pictures are used from various sources)

1.How did Napoleon win the Hearts of his Soldiers?

Napoleon used many tricks to boost the morale of his troops. He would say to one of hi aides-de-camp, “Ascertain from the colonel of a regiment, whether he has in his corps a man, who has served in the campaigns of Italy, or the campaigns of Egypt. Ascertain his name, where he was born, the particulars of his family, and what he has done. Learn his number in the ranks, and to what company he belongs, and furnish me the information.”

On the day of the review, Napoleon, at a single glance, could spot the man who had been described to him. He would go up to him as if he recognised him, address him by his name and say – “Oh, so you are here! You are a brave fellow – I saw you at Aboukir – How is your old father! What! Have you not got the cross? Stay, I will give it to you.”

Then the delighted soldiers would say to each other, “You see the Emperor knows us all; he knows our families; he knows where we have served.”

What a stimulus this was to the soldiers whom he succeeded in persuading that they would all, sooner or later, become marshals of the Empire.

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2.Aversion to Commerce

Napoleon openly expressed his aversion to commerce and those engaged in it. When a deputation of businessmen came out from Antwerp to welcome him on his approach to the city, he met them with the words: “I don’t like merchants! A merchant is a man who would sell his country for a shilling.”

“England is a country of shop keepers” – said Napoleon according to French Newspapers.

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3.Procrastination

Napoleon instructed his secretary, Bourrienne, to leave all his letters unopened for three weeks, and then observed with satisfaction how large a part of correspondence thus disposed of itself and no longer required an answer.

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4.On George Washington  

On the reception of the news of the death of Washington, Napoleon addressed the following letter to the consular guard and the army:

“Washington is dead! That great man who fought against tyranny, and consolidated his country’s freedom. His memeory will be always dear to Frenchmen, and to all freemen in both the worlds – but especially to the French soldiers, who like him, and the American soldiers, have struggled for liberty and equality. The First Consul, therefore, orders that for ten days black crepe shall be suspended from all the flags and standards of the Republic.”

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5.Mussolini and Napoleon

According to story circulating in Rome, Mussolini dies and goes to Paradise, where he is greeted warmly by Napoleon. “God will be here in a few minutes,” says Napoleon “Since you are new here, you should probably warned that we rise when he enters.”

“What! I get up? Don’t forget I am the Duce.” (Duce=Duke)

“I am Caesar,” states a voice. “Yet I have the manners to rise.”

“Not I”, says Mussolini. The argument is becoming warm when Machiavelli approaches.

“Peace, friends” he exclaims. “I will arrange everything”

Three solemn knock announce the coming of God.

“Attention!” thunders Machiavelli “Here come the photographer!”

Whereupon Mussolini hops to his feet, folds his arms, sticks out his chin and chest.

Peace reigns.

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6.Great Butcher!

When Napoleon, after a series of victories, came to visit annexed Belgium, he found, on entering, Ghent, a triumphal arch erected by the Guild of Butchers. It was inscribed:

“The little butchers of Ghent to Napoleon the Great (butcher).”

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7.Shortness

Napoleon was one day searching for a book in his library, and at last discovered it on a shelf somewhat above his reach. Marshall Moncey, one of the tallest men in the army, stepped forward, saying:

“Permit me, Sire, I am higher than your Majesty”

“You are longer, Marshal,” said the emperor with a frown.

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8.Hair will Grow!

When General Leclerc, unloved husband of Pauline Bonaparte, died in Haiti, she had him placed in a costly coffin and cut off her beautiful hair and buried it with him.

“What a touching tribute to her dead husband!” said someone to her brother Napoleon.

The emperor smiled cynically:

“Hm! Of course she knows that her hair will come in longer and thicker for being cropped.”

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9.Knowledge of Latin

One time when Louise Napoleon was racking his brains over a pile of Latin dictionaries and grammars, Napoleon the Third entered the room. He looked at him with sympathy and said, “It is a grind, translating Latin. I never could.

The tutor spoke up in astonishment, “But your Majesty’s translation of Caesar’s ‘commentaries’?”

“It was not mine,” said the Emperor and went off.

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10.First among Women

Mme. De Stael (to  Napoleon ): General who is the woman you would love the most?

Napoleon : My own

Mme. De Stael: But what would woman would you admire the most?

Napoleon: The best housekeeper.

Mme. De Stael: But with you, who would be the first among women?

Napoleon: She who has had the most babies.

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11.Persuasion

The leading nobles of Poland addressed a petition to Marie Walewska to accept Napoleon as her lover. They quoted scripture to reinforce their argument:

“Did Esther, do you think, give herself to Ahasueros out of the fullness of her love for him? So great was the terror with which he inspired her that she fainted at the sight of him.  We may therefore conclude that affection had but little to do with her resolve. She sacrificed her own inclinations to the salvation of her country and that salvation it was her glory to achieve. May we be enabled to say the same to you, to your glory and our own happiness!”

–End—