A LINK WITH NAPOLEON
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—There was living at Weybridge only a few years ago an old lady, Mrs. C—, who was the daughter of Serjeant Cox who served under Wellington in the Peninsular War in the 50th Regiment of Foot and was present at the Battle of Waterloo: Serjeant Cox often told his daughter, Mrs. C—, that later in his career he went to St. Helena with his wife as part of the bodyguard of Napoleon: While there his wife acted as nurse to the children- of Count Bertrand, who was also in attendance on Napoleon on- the island. Mrs. Cox acted' in this capacity for some time, but ultimately left the service of Count Bertrand, because Napo- leon on his numerous visits to the house was in the habit of pinching her ear whenever he. spoke to her and inquired after her young charges. Mrs.. Cox was at this time a young and comely woman, and both she and her husband resented this familiarity on the part of even so-great a figure as Napoleon.
I believe this characteristic- habit on the part of Napoleon is referred to on various occasions -in- some of the numerous memoirs of the times, and I seem to remember that something of the same nature is mentioned by De Vigny in his Grandeur et Servitude Militaire. Perhaps some of your readers can add- further light on the point from their wide reading..
I may add that there are still living in-Weybridge more than one person who can fully testify to the authenticity and cor- rectness of this episode, and who heard it from the,lips of
Mrs. C herself.—I am, Sir, &c., _
CECIL H. S. WiusoN.
Weybridge.
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