Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

BUONAPARTE.

The following traits of this extraordinary personage have been communicated by a gentleman who had frequently seen him in Italy.

Whenever he condescended to dine with any family or republic functionary he paid not the slightest attention to etiquette or ceremony. Without any regard to the dinner hour he came as it suited him, always attended by a number of his officers. By the side of his plate there was always placed a portfolio with pens and ink - and at intervals he wrote orders which were dispatched by messengers in waiting; sometimes he wrote letters and immediately answered any that was brought him. These letters orders and answers seldom consisted of more than three or four lines, and in such occupation he seemed so abstracted as not to appear in the least disturbed by the conversation of the company in which he took but very little part.

Though of a diminutive stature he feeds most voraciously and eats without distinction of any thing that is set before him. This carelessness or want of discrimination is generally attributed to his attention being otherwise directed and buried in meditation. Of wine he was very sparing and when he thought proper, rose abruptly from the table even of prince. His officers did the same and very little formality was used at their departure.

His pockets were always supplied with several lumps of chalk and with these when on horseback or much employed it was his custom to make memorandums on his jack boots. It was remarked that wherever he appeared, these boots were always observed to have some inscriptions on them.

He seemed perfectly aware of the treacherous disposition of his countrymen; and never employed any Italian cook or other servants. His precautions were not less against the murderous stiletto. When he went to the theatre at Milan he was constantly surrounded with a numerous troop of his confidential officers. He seemed not at all to regard the acclamations with which he was always received by the audience and in coming in, or going out, marched on with his generals, taking no notice whatever of the crowds which thronged on every side to have a view of him.