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THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN...
...falls on the bicentenary of the very day that UK Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated by businessman John Bellingham in the lobby of the Houses of Parliament in London. Naturally this occupies our account of what happened 200 years ago. There also a nice piece related to this on 'lone gunmen', which you can read via "Seen on the web" (here to the right). In '150 years ago', we bring you grumpy Merimée's dislike of the Universal Exhibition in London. As for the rest of the bulletin, it ranges throughout Europe and across the Atlantic, even reaching China. Our article of the month is an extract from a book recounting a disappointed British diplomat's mission to China. Of greater interest to us, however, is his account of the interview he had with Napoleon at Longwood, which you can read on the site. Next we bring you news of the latest issue of Napoleonica La Revue, now out. Included are two articles in English, one of which St Helena related. We then step out to Italy and the First Italian Campaign with an exhibition of outstanding early 19th-century cartography. Rushing north, we bring you details of an interesting conference on 1812 and film in Russia, and then there's a retrospective of Ridley Scott in New York which might be worth dropping in on, if you happen to be nearby. We're also continuing our St Helena appeal, so don't forget to make your tax-deductible donation again in 1812. Next week we'll be bringing you further details of the up-coming Fondation-Napoléon collection exhibition in Melbourne Australia.
Enjoy your read on napoleon.org.
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NAPOLEONICA. LA REVUE
Issue n° 13 available now
Since 2008, the twelve issues of Napoleonica. La Revue have run the gamut of Napoleonic subjects, themes and figures. Issue thirteen, the latest edition of the Fondation Napoléon's academic review, turns its sights on the historiography of the two empires, with three new articles on publications contemporary to the period. Whilst Peter Hicks takes a look at political theory during the Consulate, Josée Bloquet offers an analysis of the reception reserved for the Acte additionnel of 1815. Thierry Lentz, for his part, offers an enlightening introduction to the Memoirs of Napoleon, the deposed French emperor's own thoughts on his reign which were dictated during his period in exile. Issue thirteen is rounded off with Patrick Le Carvèse's Second Empire article on the curious delay in naming the future Napoleon III, and Patrice Gueniffey's text on the Consulate's initial reforms - financial, administrative and judicial.
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WHAT'S ON
"Carte d'Italie: La prima campagna d'Italia di Napoleone Bonaparte nella carta geografica di Bacler d'Albe", Rome, Italy
On display at the Museo Napoleonico in Rome until November 2012 is a series of six maps designed by Louis-Albert-Bacler-Ghislain d'Albe covering Napoleon Bonaparte's first Italian campaign. These maps were donated to the museum by Count Pompeo Campello, a descendent of Maria Bonaparte Campello. Bacler d'Albe was a designer, cartographer and painter who worked at Bonaparte's side between 1796 and 1814. In 1804, he became head of the state topographical department and was one of the few citizens to be made privy to the emperor's strategic planning sessions. The maps are some of the best examples of early 19th century cartography still in existence and have been mounted onto a single wall in the museum in order to allow the visitor to grasp the full extent and scope of d'Albe's work.
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Russian conference: "The Patriotic War of 1812: Screening Memory", Moscow, Russia
The conference "The Patriotic War of 1812: Screening Memory" set to take place in Moscow between 24 and 26 May now has a finalised programme. The three-day event will feature papers on the varying cinematic, literary and interactive representations of the Patriotic War of 1812. The evening of 24 May will also include screenings of La Trompette de la Bérésina (1966), War and Peace (1972) and Hundert Tage (1935), whilst on 26 May, the conference organisers have scheduled a visit to the Borodino memorial and historical centre. The full programme can be found in our What's on file.
Ridley Scott Retrospective: The Duellists at the Film Society Lincoln Center, New York, USA
The Film Society Lincoln Center in New York, USA, is holding a Ridley Scott retrospective event between 25 May and 3 June 2012. Amongst the nineteen films on offer is The Duellists, Scott's debut feature length film, which sees Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine play Napoleonic soldiers fighting out a lifelong feud. The film will be screened on 25 May at 6.30pm, on 29 May at 3.30pm and on 31 May at 1pm.
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OPERATION ST HELENA
The campaign goes on...
Operation St Helena, the international fund-raising campaign organised by the Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien, will continue to run over the summer until the end of 2012. This means that there is still time to make a donation if you missed the call the first time around or simply feel like contributing further to the appeal. All the details on donating, including the campaign's goals, bank transfer information, and fiscal incentives for residents in certain countries, can be found on the foundation's St Helena Appeal pages.
200 YEARS AGO
The assassination of UK Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval
On Monday 11 May 1812, the UK Prime minister, Spencer Perceval, entered the lobby of the Houses of Parliament just after 5pm. Behind the closed part of the double doors stood John Bellingham, a disappointed and vengeful merchant, who aimed his pistol down into the chest of the short politician at close range. Shot though the heart, Perceval succumbed shortly later. Bellingham himself, though naturally agitated, sat down on a bench and made no real attempt to flee, shoot anyone else or indeed himself – he had been carrying two pistols, and the one not used was still loaded and lodged in a pocket specially sewn into his great coat. Bystanders then overpowered him and removed his papers and weapons. It was soon ascertained that he was no longer a threat and he had no accomplices. He was not taken immediately to prison since a mob had gathered outside parliament, and it was feared that they would try to release him. Around midnight, a strong guard of soldiers escorted Bellingham to Newgate prison. Immediately on hearing the news of the shooting, the House of Lords petitioned the Prince Regent "to take the speediest measures for bringing the perpetrator of the crime to justice". On the following day - Tuesday - the Prince's message of assent to the petition was read in the Lords and the Commons, as was the Prince's demand that Parliament provide for Perceval's widow and twelve children – there was cross-party agreement to allocate £50,000 for the children and an annuity of £2,000 for his wife (to pass to the eldest son on her death). After lying in 10 Downing Street for four days, Perceval's mortal remains were taken in high pomp to be buried in the family vault in Charlton in Kent. According to Charles Verulam Williams, in his Life of Perceval published a year after the minister's death, the cortège comprised: "Mutes and attendants on horseback, Hearse and Six with the Body, Six mourning coaches, followed by 25 carriages, Relatives of the deceased, his own carriage, etc." Perceval's coffin "was very superb. The inscription was as follows: right Honorable SPENCER PERCEVAL. Chancellor of the Exchequer, first Lord of the Treasury, Prime Minister of England, Fell by the hand of an ASSASSIN, in the Commons House of Parliament, May 11, A. D. 1812, in the 50th year of his age; born Nov. 1st A.D. 1762." Coming next week: the back story – Bellingham's account, the swift trial and execution.
150 YEARS AGO
Grumpy old man
Prosper Mérimée, who by now was nearly sixty and increasingly grouchy (if his correspondence is anything to go by), had reluctantly headed to London as a member of the French jury for the 1862 International Exhibition. Writing to his friend Jenny Dacquin from the British Museum on 12 May, he noted grumpily:
"As far as this exhibition is concerned, frankly, it has nothing on the first one. Up to now, it has been very much a fiasco. It is true that there is still much to be exhibited, but the building is awful. Although extremely large, it does not seem it. One must wander about and get lost in it just to assure oneself of its size. [...] Our jury is presided over by a German who thinks he speaks English but who is almost completely incomprehensible. There is nothing more absurd than our conferences: no-one has any idea whatsoever of what is being discussed. Yet we still vote. [...] I have seen some absolutely beautiful ladies and some absolutely abominable [ones]. Both [sorts] were showing their shoulders and their charms, some quite admirable, others utterly odious, but all with the same lack of modesty. I fear that the English do not consider such things."
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" week,
Peter Hicks & Hamish Davey Wright
Historians and web-editors
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N° 626, 11 - 17 MAY 2012
Interested in the work of the Fondation Napoléon? Why not participate, either generally or in a specific project, by making a donation?
© This Napoleon.org weekly bulletin is published by the Fondation Napoléon. Reproduction or all or part of this bulletin is forbidden, without prior agreement of the Fondation Napoléon.
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OPERATION ST HELENA
The Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien, in association with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have announced an international fund-raising campaign to restore and save Napoleon I's residence on the island of St Helena. All the details regarding the campaign as well as donation forms and advice for donating from outside France, can be found on napoleon.org.
FONDATION NAPOLEON ON THE WEB
Each week we offer you a "mystery link" to somewhere on napoleon.org. Click on the link to discover a part of the website you might not have visited before...
MAGAZINE
Just published
- Marching to the Drums: A History of Military Drums and Drummers, by John Norris
Seen on the web (external links)
- Article by Jon Kelly (BBC) "The spectre of the lone gunman" on (inter alia) the assassination of British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval
- The Voice of Russia podcast: "The year 1812. An epoch in sound"
- The Voice of Russia podcast: "Special Forces of the 1812 war"
EVENTS
On now and coming up
A selection of events taking place now or in the coming weeks, taken from our What's on listings.
Exhibitions
- Carte d'Italie: La prima campagna d'Italia di Napoleone Bonaparte nella carta geografica di Bacler d'Albe, Rome, Italy [20/04/2012 - 4/11/2012]
Full details
Festivals
- European Museums at Night 2012, Europe [18/05/2012 - 20/05/2012]
Full details
Film
- Ridley Scott Retrospective: The Duellists at the Film Society Lincoln Center, New York, USA [25/05/2012 - 31/05/2012]
Full details
Talks
- "The Patriotic War of 1812: Screening Memory", Moscow, Russia [24/05/2012 - 26/05/2012]
Full details
NAPOLEON.ORG
The best of the month:
- Book of the month
- Painting of the month
- Objet d'Art of the month
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NAPOLEONICA.LA REVUE
Available free on Cairn.info
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