English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. John Ashton

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      CHAPTER I.

       Table of Contents

      BIRTH AND GENEALOGY—HIS OWN ACCOUNT—MAJORCAN OR GREEK EXTRACTION—ENGLISH BIOGRAPHIES.

      Curiously enough, it has never been practically settled whence the ancestors of Napoleon Bonaparte came. He, himself, cared little for the pride of birth, and when, during his Consulate, they manufactured for him a genealogy descending from a line of kings, he laughed at it, and said that his patent of nobility dated from the battle of Montenotte.

      But, still, one would think he ought to know, for family tradition is strong; and if it can be trusted, this is his own account. ‘One day Napoleon questioned Canova about Alfieri, and Canova found an opportunity to render an important service to Florence, &c. “Sire,” said he, “authorise the President of the Academy of Florence to take care of the frescoes and pictures. I heartily wish it. That СКАЧАТЬ