Daily National Intelligencer

Perhaps it would not be very satisfactory to analyze too critically the nature of the anxiety we all feel, in this Republican country, respecting the illustrious Exile of St. Helena. We content ourselves with believing that this interest is excited in our bosoms, only by the adverse fate of a man of gigantic mind and admirable genius, now confined and circumscribed by the power of those with whom he came in conflict. Whatever be the motive, which is probably of a mixed character, all classes of people in this country take a particular interest in every authentic narrative of the circumstances which led to the abdication of power, and the present habits and pursuits of the late ruler of France. No modern publication has therefore been received with more avidity than the letters of Dr. Warden, Surgeon of the Northumberland, a British ship of war, whose situation placed him on a more accessible footing than any other Englishman with Napoleon, and enabled him to gather and record, with much minuteness, and, as he avers, with much correctness, the Emperor's casual remarks on men and things. These letters are supported by strong testimony as to their general truth; but for which, certainly, the extraordinary frankness said to have been displayed by the late Emperor, and his freedom of communication, would subject their authenticity to just suspicion. This work has obtained credit, however, & extensive extracts have been made from it in the American papers, which are read with satisfaction. We propose occasionally to extract from the work such portions as tend to illustrate the recent portentous periods of European history, and such as strongly portray the character of the most extraordinary man, of the present generation, who has filled any prominent public station. This explanation is necessary to introduce a letter on the subject of Warden's work, addressed to us by a French emigrant of great consideration. Desiring nothing more than that our columns may become the medium of dispassionate discussions on all public topics, we are obliged by this communication, which shall find a place in our next.