Chapter Namous to Narcissus of N by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Boustrapa, a compound of Bou[logne], Stra[s-bourg], and Pa[ris], the places of his noted escapades.

Conscience Tranquelle.

Grosbec. So called from the rather unusual size of his nose.

Man of December. So called because December was his month of glory. Thus, he was elected president December 11, 1848; made his coup d’eétat December 2, 1851; and was created emperor December 2, 1852.

Man of Sedan or Sedantaire. So called because at Sedan he surrendered his sword to the king of Prussia (September, 1870). Also L’homme Sedantaire.

Man of Silence, because he listened to what other said, but made few replies or remarks, as whatever he said flew through Europe and affected the funds.

Ratipole, same as the West of England Rantipole, a harum-scarum, half idiot, half madcap. I myself in 1856 saw a man forbidden to remain a single night in Paris, because he addressed his dog as “Ratipole.” We were dining at the same table.

The Little Victor Hugo gave him this title; but the hatred of Hugo to Napoleon was a monomania.

Verhuel, the name of his supposed father.

(The prince imperial was called “Lulu;” and prince Napoleon “Plon-Plon.”)

Napoleon’s Number. The second of the month was Louis Na poleons day. It was also one of the days of his uncle, the other being the fifteenth.

The coup d’état was December 2; he was made emperor December 2, 1852; the Franco-Prussian was opened at Saarbrük, August 2, 1870; he surrrendered his sword to William of Prussia, September 2, 1870.

Napoleon I. was crowned December 2, 1804; and the victory of Austerlitz was December 2, 1805.

Numerical Curiosities. x. 1869, the last year of Napoleon’s glory; the next year was that of his downfall. As a matter of curiosity, it may be observed that if the day of his birth, or the day of the empress’s birth, or the date of the capitulation of Paris, be added to that of the coronation of Napoleon III., the result always points to 1869. Thus, the was crowned 1852; he was born 1808; the empress Eugénie was born 1826; the capitulation of Paris was 1871. Whence—

birth of Napoleon. 1852 1 8 0 8 1869

birth of Eugénie. 1852 1 8 2 6 1869

coronation 1852 capitulation of Paris. 1 8 7 1 1869

2. 1870, the year of his downfall. By adding the numerical values of the birth-date either of Napoleon or Eugénie to the date of their marriage, we get their fatal year of 1870. Thus, Napoleon was born 1808’ Eugénie, 1826; married, 1853.

birth of Napoleon. 1853 1 8 0 8

1870

birth of Eugénie. 1853 year of marriage. 1 8 2 6 1870