The book of fate, formerly in the possession of Napoleon ... / now first rendered in to English from a German translation of an ancient Egyptian manuscript found in ... 1801 by M. Sonnini in one of the royal tombs near Mount Libycus, in Upper Egypt. By H. Kirchenhoffer.

Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The book of fate, formerly in the possession of Napoleon ... / now first rendered in to English from a German translation of an ancient Egyptian manuscript found in ... 1801 by M. Sonnini in one of the royal tombs near Mount Libycus, in Upper Egypt. By H. Kirchenhoffer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE» ±H E following Work is translated from a Manuscript, in the Ger« man language, which was found among the camp equipage belonging to the late Emperor of France, when he retreated from Leipzic, after the defeat of his army, in the year 1813. It fell to the lot of a Prus- sian officer, who, ignorant of its great value, sold it for a few Napo- leons to a French general officer, then a prisoner of war in the fortress of Koningsburg. This gentleman aware of its great importance, and knowing from Napoleon’s arms, which were emblazoned upon it, that it once belonged to his imperial master, was resolved on his return to France to present it at the Tuilleries; but, alas! he did not live to accomplish this purpose; for, although his medical attendants gave him every hope of recovery from his wounds, their efforts to restore him to health proved unavailing, for he died soon after from mortifica- tion which took place after amputation of the right arm. By will, hastily drawn up, the personal effects of this officer were transmitted to his family, who were enjoined to take the earliest op- portunity of putting the Manuscript in question into the Emperor's own hands; but Napoleon’s manifold occupations, both civil and mili- tary, from time to time, prevented this. During the early part of Napoleon’s ostracism in St. Helena, mean» were found of conveying the Manuscript to the Empress, who unfor- tunately never had an opportunity, although she eagerly sought for it, of sending it to her husband. After his death her Highness gave the Translator her imperial permission for its publication in the English language. Regarding the purpose which Napoleon had in view in the private perusal of this Work, it is riecessary to inform the Reader; but, pre-