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240
Recollections of
[Ch. XXI.

Napoleon, on his first arrival, showed an inclination to mix in what little society St. Helena afforded, and would, I think, have continued to do so, but for the unhappy differences with Sir Hudson Lowe. These at length grew to such a height, that the emperor seemed to consider it almost a point of honour to shut himself ups, and make himself as miserable as possible, in order to excite indignation against the governor. Into the merits of these quarrels, it is not my intention to eater. With all my feeling of partiality for the emperor, I have often doubted whether any human being could have filled the situation of Sir Hudson Lowe, without becoming embroiled with his unhappy captive. The very title by which he was accosted, and the manner of addressing him, when contrasted with the devotion of those around hm, must have seemed almost insulting; and the emperor was most brusque and uncompromising in showing his dislike to any one who did not please

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