The Enquirer

THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.

It has frequently been mentioned, that Bonaparte had refused his consent that any statues should be erected to him during his life.—That this is not correct, the following Address and Answer will prove.

The Institute, here mentioned, is in France, a body of learned men, which answers to the Royal Society, in England; and the "Academy of Arts and Sciences" in the United States.

ADDRESS,

Of the INSTITUTE, to his Majesty the EMPEROR and KING.

SIRE!

"TRANSPORTED with gratitude as much as with admiration for the new prodigies which France owes to your courage and genius, the Institute begs your Majesty will be graciously pleased to permit them to raise a public and lasting monument of the sentiments with which they are penetrated.

"It is their wish that your Statue may adorn the Great Hall of the Palace which Y. M. has just granted them.

"As Citizens and Frenchmen we celebrate with all your Countrymen, the Restorer, Legislator, and Defender of the Empire.

"But the Members of the Institute owe a particular homage to the Prince who encourages the sciences by his example; the belles lettres by his advice, and the arts by his benefits; to the General who in the midst of the tumult of arms, maintains repose in the asylums set apart for study, and to the warrior whose powerful arm preserves civilized nations from a new irruption of ignorance and barbarism.

"We say more, all enlightened men throughout the world share this duty with us; they all render you this homage in their hearts and envy us the happiness of rendering it with splendor.

"It is in the midst of the images of our great writers and of our great artists that we wish to place yours. Their names will take a pleasure in contemplating it. Happier than the ages of antiquity, their works will neither be destroyed nor mutilated; the flambeau they have lit will never be extinguished by barbarians; its light will always burn bright and pure, and it will be to the happiness of your arms in a great measure that they will be indebted for the duration of their glory, and posterity for that of their benefits.

"As for us, weak competitors, but faithful disciples of those great men, the favor which we this day implore of Y. M. will be for our zeal a never-ending encouragement: if the aspect of the inimitable models sometimes discourages us in reminding us too strongly how much reason we have to envy their talents, yours will animate us, by reminding us in its turn, how much they would have envied us our hero.

Institute, 15th Brumaire, year 14.

"The Presidents and Secretaries of the Classes of the Institute.

(Signed) "Desfontaines, Regnault (of St. Jean Angely) Durnell, Menut, President:

Delambre, Cuvier, Suard, Dacier,

Le Breton, Secretaries"

Copy of a letter written by His Excellency the Minister of the Interior, to the President of the Institute, dated the 15th February, 1806.

MR. PRESIDENT,

I have laid before H. M. the Emperor and King, the deliberations of the Institute, for the purpose of erecting a statue in the hall of the sittings of that Body and at the expense of its members. If H. M. has beheld with satisfaction this homage of the first literary and learned body in Europe, to which it belongs as much as contemporaries can do, to anticipate the judgment of posterity, he has been still more affected at this proof of attachment from those whom he is fond of calling his colleagues, and for whom the relations he has had, in this quality, have inspired him with a particular esteem.

He consents therefore to the execution of this deliberation of the Institute, which gives him the assurance that men distinguished by their talents and knowledge, are also good citizens and faithful and devoted subjects. I have H. M's commands to make it known to the Institute, and in discharging this honorable mission, I feel proud of being the interpreter of those sentiments of esteem and benevolence with which the Emperor has honored the Institute, & of having such an occasion of renewing to you, Mr. President, the assurance of my respect and attachment.

(Signed)

CHAMPAGNY.