tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post3137804966497235127..comments2024-03-29T15:04:20.549+11:00Comments on ART and ARCHITECTURE, mainly: Napoleon's island idyll on Elba 1814-15Helshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-42847427463587714892014-05-12T15:22:18.173+10:002014-05-12T15:22:18.173+10:00Jane and Lance
When Napoleon was to be sent into ...Jane and Lance<br /><br />When Napoleon was to be sent into exile for the first time, he was apparently given a choice of three lovely Mediterranean islands. He chose Elba. Wise man.<br /><br />For the second exile, he was not given a choice. The French Commissioner wrote about St Helena that it was the most isolated, the more unaffordable, the most difficult to attack, the poorest and the most unsociable place in the world (June 1816).Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-47980491179598259372014-05-12T05:39:22.408+10:002014-05-12T05:39:22.408+10:00Hello Helen,
We do wonder why it is that we conti...Hello Helen,<br /><br />We do wonder why it is that we continue to be fascinated by Napoleon and other figures of history whilst still others, many, many more in number are just consigned to the dusty history books never to be read? This is an intriguing account which poses as many questions as it answers. Whatever, it is amazing how well he was treated there given what had taken place and his part in it all.<br /><br />Elba looks to be a delightful island, made more beguiling now through your post. We shall go there ourselves one day, perhaps.Jane and Lance Hattatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831890261259302647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-24596662894976791242014-05-11T09:03:46.609+10:002014-05-11T09:03:46.609+10:00Train Man
one thing I didn't mention was that...Train Man<br /><br />one thing I didn't mention was that Napoleon built a good library of thousands of books, taken from French libraries or bought from Italian bookshops. See it in his villa.<br /><br />The Mineral Museum displays the history of the industry with mining equipment, workers' tools and amazing images. Mining existed before and after Napoleon's time, but he was the leader who fully supported the industry.<br /><br />The Church of the Misericordia and its museum next door are connected to the story. They have two rooms full of Napoleonic relics. <br /><br /><br /><br />Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-40305190287995485962014-05-11T08:11:05.651+10:002014-05-11T08:11:05.651+10:00Apart from the two villas, are there any other Nap...Apart from the two villas, are there any other Napoleon related places to visit in Elba? Next time we visit Tuscany, I want to know if it is worth making the special effort and how long to allocate.Train Mannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-81373271002338951892014-05-11T00:13:04.214+10:002014-05-11T00:13:04.214+10:00You'd be perfect travelling companions for me ...You'd be perfect travelling companions for me then!!Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-12063433632078085312014-05-10T21:49:40.750+10:002014-05-10T21:49:40.750+10:00Mandy
Agreed totally. All our friends travel in g...Mandy<br /><br />Agreed totally. All our friends travel in groups but I do not want to look at shops, eat endlessly or admire mountain views. Joe and I want to see everything built since the First Crusade of 1096 AD - cathedrals, castles, monuments, stately homes, art galleries, city parks, parliaments, museums etc etc. <br /><br />Oh yes ..and I don't want someone to say that we have to be back at the hotel by 5 pm. The time is ours!Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-45534651530518082662014-05-10T16:06:49.543+10:002014-05-10T16:06:49.543+10:00I thought these were your own photos Hels. This is...I thought these were your own photos Hels. This is what I love about my own travels - when history comes alive for me. In fact, it is what I didn't like about travelling with friends and family - they don't allow me time to study and read exhibits. Le husband knows me by now - he allows me to read <i>and</i> take notes!Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-53659727762113392542014-05-10T15:02:36.585+10:002014-05-10T15:02:36.585+10:00John
I tried to be as balanced as I possibly coul...John<br /><br />I tried to be as balanced as I possibly could, especially since the good citizens of Elba seemed very proud of their progress during Napoleon's stay on their island. <br /><br />But yes I realise we are still some way apart. There is a book I read years ago that will be helpful... let me look at my old files.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-116354134984210722014-05-10T14:56:46.197+10:002014-05-10T14:56:46.197+10:00Joseph
the flag is interesting because apparently...Joseph<br /><br />the flag is interesting because apparently Napoleon designed it _before_ he landed on the island. It was created as part of his ceremonial welcome to his new land, along with a canon salute, welcome speeches by dignitaries and a tour of inspection.<br /><br />Depending on which source you believe, Elbans still love the flag because the bees are their symbol of intelligence and industry.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-41230229839961298092014-05-10T14:35:32.729+10:002014-05-10T14:35:32.729+10:00Parnassus
that is so true. I saw an analysis of L...Parnassus<br /><br />that is so true. I saw an analysis of Lord Kitchener's orders in the Boer War - he definitely needed to be brought before a military court for opening concentration camps for Boer women and children, and ordering the deaths of Boer prisoners.<br /><br />Instead he was given more titles and a higher rank, and by the First World War, Lord Kitchener was given the top cabinet position in Parliament.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-74199512432564240532014-05-10T14:29:45.275+10:002014-05-10T14:29:45.275+10:00Mandy
I knew all about Elba in theory but had nev...Mandy<br /><br />I knew all about Elba in theory but had never been there until a couple of years ago. We went on a cruise from Rome to Barcelona, stopping one day at each of the islands en route. Longer stays would have been more satisfying, but at least for Elba I saw most of what I wanted to see. Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-33906422893187102352014-05-10T12:17:01.115+10:002014-05-10T12:17:01.115+10:00Our tour guide showed us the flag of Elba which wa...Our tour guide showed us the flag of Elba which was originally designed by Napoleon. White with Napoleon's bees in a red stripe. The locals must have liked him since they kept his flag.Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-72041208654085259032014-05-10T08:06:12.820+10:002014-05-10T08:06:12.820+10:00Well Hels I am sure you expected me to disagree wi...Well Hels I am sure you expected me to disagree with what you have written!<br /><br />I doubt whether the citizens of Elba asked the questions that Stephen Cooper did! Why should they think the same way as a twenty first century British historian?<br /><br />Also I don't think that Napoleon murdered 3 million people, and threatening to invade Britain was hardly a crime, certainly not in the context of the revolutionary wars in which Britain was at war with France, was supporting the Bourbons and financing all Napoleon's enemies! <br /><br />cheers<br /><br />John<br /><br />John Tyrrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14840928923304125310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-548745434911942014-05-10T07:35:17.999+10:002014-05-10T07:35:17.999+10:00Hello Hels, It seems that political/military lead...Hello Hels, It seems that political/military leaders often escape the harshest penalties. Perhaps the captors worry about raking up old wounds and sentiments. Jefferson Davis, the defeated president of the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War, for example, was released after a short term following his capture, never really brought to trial, and returned to being a private citizen.<br />--JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-47723932049825899592014-05-10T06:27:35.949+10:002014-05-10T06:27:35.949+10:00I know the story of Napolean on Elba but I wonder ...I know the story of Napolean on Elba but I wonder where I read about it - have you perhaps mentioned it before? I can't think where else I would have read it. In any event, I quite like that part of Napolean's story - i find the attempt to censure him interesting given his actions. Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11931248631361366673noreply@blogger.com