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MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE.
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A Defence of Napoleon . To the Editor . Sir , January 2 , 1829 . Of all the characters which the wot Id lias produced , either in ancient or modern times , vone hare appeared more conspicuous than Napoleon . His actions are known to the world , and it is probable that there is not a snot on the globe ,
inhabited by man , where his name and his deeds have not been heard . As might be expected , truth and falsehood have been blended together respecting him ; and the whole form such an immense mass , that it becomes difficult , amidst contending prejudices , to separate the one from the
other , and to do full justice to that extraordinary man . During the period of his power and splendour , the world teemed with libels against him of the foulest nature , and the windows of booksellers * aud printsellers' shops were nearly darkened with the most disgusting and hideous caricatures . Even after his fall the
same spirit of hostility was manifested , and much was both written aud said to damn him . to everlasting fame . The " Voice from St . Helena" by Dr . O ' iMeara , and the Journal of Count Las Casas , produced a considerable reaction upon the public mind , and staggered numbers whose prejudices and enmity were the strongest . At length Sir Walter Scott ' s
" Life of Napoleon Bonaparte" made its appearance . From the distinguished talents of the writer , his Life of Napoleon was eagerly expected aud read with considerable avidity . Doubtless it has satisfied many of the Baronet ' s admirers , and induced them to regard Napoleon as the character whom he has represented . But
many of the enlightened part of the public have concluded that his Life is partial and defective , and therefore one which cannot be depended upon as correct . We must , however , ? ay , in justice to Sir Walter Scott , that , all things regarded , he has done well ; and that , considering his political views and Tory connexions , we do not so much wonder that he has
failed in several important points , as that he has softened down many groundless charges , and set in a just aud favourable light many shades in his hero ' s character . In several respects his book will serve as a ground-work for a more impartial historian , but never as an unerring guide . The publication of Sir Walter Scott ' s
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Life , led to a review of it . by Dr . Channing , of North America , a gentleman well known in this country by the liberality of his religious views , as well as by several Sermons and Essays , the productions of his pen . This review the Doctor terms an Analysis , which has not only been published in America , but reprinted in
this country in periodicals , newspapers , and as a separate work both in London and Liverpool . We have read it , we must confess , with much pain . It has all the faults of Sir Walter Scott ' s book , without any of its redeeming qualities . He greatly exceeds the Baronet in vituperation , and has lowered himself in our estimation
by his uncalled-for exaggerations and bitterness of spirit . Our regard for truth , and even for Dr . Chanuing , makes us deeply regret that he should have written aud given it publicity . His friends and admirers may applaud it for its eloquence , but we must condemn it on account of its
misrepresentations ; and farther add , that eloquence can only be loTcly when it supports the cause of truth and justice : if it be employed in the propagation of error , it is no longer the glorious sun which cheers , warms , and vivifies us by its rays , but the horrid glare of a frightful meteor passing wildly over the earth , producing little besides disgust and terror , and suddenly leaving all in darkness and solitary gloom .
It is not our mtention , at present , either ta review Sir Walter Scott ' s Life of Napoleon * or to analyze Dr . Channing ' s Analysis , but merely to consider certain charges brought forwards by the latter against the late French Emperor . In doing this we shall confine ourselves to such charges as are really worthy of notice . We omit several ; such as his association with the Jacobins—the massacre
at Jaffa—the poisoning of his men—the supposed murder of Wright and Pichegru —the disgracing of his own brothersand his not permitting his mother to sit in his presence . Most of these carry their own contradiction ; no well-informed person , in the present day , believes them to be true ; aud we have too high an opinion of Dr . Channing ' s mental energies and means of information to suppose for a moment that he believes them
himself . Napoleon has been accused not ouly as being deficieut in humanity , but even as a ferocious monster delighting in blood ,
Miscellaneous Correspondence.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1829, page 200, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2570/page/48/
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