Note 4 — BRITISH WAR MEDALS.

It is recorded that when Napoleon surrendered himself on board the Bellerophon, he was received by a captain’s detachment of the Royal Marines. After acknowledging the salute, he minutely inspected the men, and having remarked that they were very fine and well appointed, the ex-emperor added, “are there none amongst them who have seen service?” Upon being told that nearly the whole of them had seen much service, he exclaimed, “What! and no marks of merit.” The officer explained that it was not customary to confer medals, except upon officers of the highest ranks. The conversation terminated by Napoleon remarking, “Such is not the way to excite or cherish the military virtues.”