Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 89mained there tillthe 9th of December, when thealterations and enlargement of Longwood werecompleted.The owner of the Briars (Mr. Balcombe) andhis family did all in their powerthe emperor happy,to makeand lessen the discomfortsof his situation. Mrs. Abell (Mr. Balcombe'sdaughter), in her " Recollections of the Emperor,""says,The emperor's habits during the timehe stayed with usHis usualwere very simple and regular.hour for getting up was eight, and heseldom took anything but a cupof coffee until1 o'clock, when he breakfasted. He dined at 9,and retired about 11 to his own rooms. Hismanner was so unaffectedly kind and amiable,that in a few daysI felt perfectlyat ease in hissociety, and looked upon him more as a companionof my own age than the mighty warrior at whosename * the world grew pale.'His spirits werevery good, and he was at times almost boyish inhis mirth, not unmixed at times with a tinge ofmalice."During the time he was at the Briars he onlyleftthe grounds once, but frequently walked forhours in the shady paths and shrubberies, whereevery care was taken to prevent his privacy being