chief cities of the continent.  In one respect these terms were extraordinarily lenient.  Great Britain, after bearing the chief financial strain of the war, might have claimed some of the French colonies which she restored in 1814, or at least have required the surrender of the French claims on part of the Newfoundland coast.  Even this last was not done, and alone of the States that had suffered loss of valuable lives, we exacted no territorial indemnity for the war of 1815.[552] In truth, our Ministers were content with placing France and her ancient dynasty in an honourable position, in the hope that Europe would thus at last find peace; and the forty years of almost unbroken rest that followed justified their magnanimity.

But there was one condition fundamental to the Treaty of Paris and essential to the peace of Europe, namely, that Napoleon should be securely guarded at St. Helena.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XLII

CLOSING YEARS

After a voyage of sixty-seven days the exiles sighted St. Helena—­“that black wart rising out of the ocean,” as Surgeon Henry calls it.  Blank dismay laid hold of the more sensitive as they gazed at those frowning cliffs.  What Napoleon’s feelings were we know not.  Watchful curiosity seemed to be uppermost; for as they drew near to Jamestown, he minutely scanned the forts through a glass.  Arrangements having been made for his reception, he landed in the evening of the 17th October, so as to elude the gaze of the inhabitants, and entered a house prepared for him in the town.

On the morrow he was up at dawn, and rode with Cockburn and Bertrand to Longwood, the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor.  The orders of our East India Company, to which the island then belonged, forbade his appropriation of Plantation House, the Governor’s residence; and a glance at the accompanying map will show the reason of this prohibition.  This house is situated not far from creeks that are completely sheltered from the south-east trade winds, whence escape by boat would be easy; whereas Longwood is nearer the surf-beaten side and offers far more security.  After conferring with Governor Wilks and others, Cockburn decided on this residence.

“At Longwood,” wrote Cockburn, “an extent of level ground, easily to be secured by sentries, presents itself, perfectly adapted for horse exercise, carriage exercise, or for pleasant walking, which is not to be met with in all the other parts of the island.  The house is certainly small; but ...  I trust the carpenters of the ‘Northumberland’ will in a little time be able to make such additions to the house as will render it, if not as good as might be wished, yet at least as commodious as necessary."[553]

[Illustration:  ST. HELENA]