Not less than 10,000 persons, chiefly of course of the higher classes of society, thus found themselves condemned to captivity in a hostile land. Had Napoleon adopted less violent measures, his reclamations against the English government might have been favourably attended to throughout Europe. But this despotic and unparalleled infliction of exile and misery on a host of innocent private individuals, was productive of far different effects. It moved universal sympathy, indignation, and disgust.
[Footnote 42: See Wordsworth's verses, "written at Calais the 15th Aug. 1802," in which the indifference of the people is contrasted with their enthusiasm in the early days of the Revolution.
"Festivals have I seen that were not names:-- This is young Buonaparte's natal day; And his is henceforth an established sway, Consul for life. With worship France proclaims Her approbation, and with pomps and games Heaven grant that other cities may be gay! Calais is not: and I have bent my way To the sea coast, noting that each man frames His business as he likes. Another time That was, when I was here long years ago, The senselessness of joy was then sublime!" &c. ]
[Footnote 43: Witness, among other evidences, the noble sonnet of Wordsworth:--
"TOUSSAINT, the most unhappy Man of Men! Whether the all-cheering sun be free to shed His beams around thee, or thou rest thy head Pillowed in some dark dungeon's noisome den O, miserable chieftain! where and when Wilt thou find patience! Yet die not; do thou Wear rather in thy bonds a cheerful brow: Though fallen Thyself, never to rise again, Live and take comfort. Thou hast left behind Powers that will work for thee--Air, Earth, and Skies; There's not a breathing of the common Wind That will forget thee; thou hast great Allies; Thy friends are Exultations, Agonies, And Love, and Man's unconquerable Mind." ]
[Footnote 44: See Wordsworth's sonnet, "22nd Sept. 1802."
"We had a fellow-passenger who came From Calais with us, gaudy in array,-- A Negro Woman like a Lady gay, Yet silent as a woman fearing blame; Dejected, meek, yet pitiably tame, She sate, from notice turning not away, But on our proffered kindness still did lay A weight of languid speech, or at the same Was silent, motionless in eyes and face, She was a Negro Woman, driven from France-- Rejected, like all others of that race, Not one of whom may now find footing there; Thus the poor outcast did to us declare, Nor murmured at the unfeeling Ordinance." ]