and myself. The men were drawn up at
divisions, and every thing was in the nicest order. He appeared much
pleased with all he saw, and drew many comparisons between French and
English ships of war. On going through the wings and storerooms, he
said to General Savary, "Our ships have nothing of this sort:" who
answered, "All the new ones, built at Antwerp, were constructed on
this plan." When he returned to the quarter-deck, he questioned the
Admiral and myself very minutely, about the clothing and victualling
of the seamen. It was then, on being told that all that department
was under the charge of the purser, he said in a facetious way, "Je
crois que c'est quelquefois chez vous, comme chez nous, le commissaire
est un peu coquin." "I believe it happens sometimes with you, as it
does with us, that the purser is a little of a rogue." This was
addressed to the Admiral and me, with whom he was conversing, and not
to the people, as has been represented; nor was there a man that could
have understood it, as it was spoken in French, and not within their
hearing. He asked to see the Chaplain, put a few questions to him as
to the number of Catholics and foreigners in the ship, and whether any
of them spoke the French language. A Guernsey man was pointed out to
him, but he had no conversation with him.

He was then shown into the cabin, where breakfast was prepared: during
which meal he talked a good deal, but ate little, the breakfast being
served in the English manner. I observed, during the whole time of
breakfast, that Colonel Planat, who was much attached to him, and of
whom Buonaparte always expressed himself in terms of affection, had
tears running down his cheeks, and seemed greatly distressed at the
situation of his master. And, from the opportunities I afterwards had
of observing this young man's character, I feel convinced he had a
strong personal attachment to Buonaparte;--and this, indeed, as far as
I could judge, was the case also with all his other attendants,
without exception.

On rising from the breakfast-table, the whole party went into the
after-cabin, where a discussion took place about Buonaparte's horses
and carriages, which had been left at Rochefort, and which he was
desirous of having forwarded to England. I had formerly agreed, in the
event of their arriving, to receive two carriages, and five or six
horses, as many as the ship could conveniently stow; but as they had
not come, the Admiral now consen