1800
Greatandcommonmen—PortraitofBonaparte—Thevariedexpressionofhiscountenance—Hisconvulsiveshrug—Presentimentofhiscorpulency—Partialityforbathing—Histemperance—Hisallegedcapabilityofdispensingwithsleep—Goodandbadnews—Shaving, andreadingthejournals—Morningbusiness—Breakfast—Coffeeandsnuff —Bonaparte'sideaofhisownsituation—Hisillopinionofmankind —Hisdislikeofa 'tête-à-tête'—HishatredoftheRevolutionists —Ladiesinwhite—Anecdotes—Bonaparte'stokensofkindness, andhisdrollcompliments—Hisfitsofillhumour—Soundofbells—GardensofMalmaison—Hisopinionofmedicine—Hismemory— Hispoeticinsensibility—Hiswantofgallantry—Cardsandconversation—Thedresscoatandblackcravat—Bonaparte'spayments —Hisreligiousideas—Hisobstinacy.
Inperusingthehistoryofthedistinguishedcharactersofpastages, howoftendoweregretthatthehistorianshouldhaveportrayedtheheroratherthantheman! , orratherisitnotaninvoluntaryfeelingofvanitywhichpromptsustoconsoleourselvesforthesuperiorityofgreatmenbyreflectingontheirfaults, theirweaknesses, theirabsurdities; inshort, allthepointsofresemblancebetweenthemandcommonmen? Forthesatisfactionofthosewhoarecuriousindetailsofthissort, IwillhereendeavourtopaintBonaparte, asIsawhim, inpersonandinmind, todescribewhatwerehistastesandhabits, andevenhiswhimsandcaprices.