NAPOLEON’S SCENT BILLS

Evening Star, Issue 19666, 20 September 1927, Page 1

NAPOLEON’S SCENT BILLS

“ Let us look at the scent bills of Napolcu ” (writes a correspondent- m ‘John o’ London’s Weekly’). “Ho had an almost feminine fondness tor perfumes, and a special liking for the odor of Aloes Wood and can do cologne, which lie used in great quantities. He poured can de cologne over his neck and .shoulders, and used sixty bottles a month. In a quarterly account from his perfumer dated 1806 are the following items;—l62 bottles of eau dc cologne, 423 francs; 20 superfine sponges, 462 francs; 26 ornamental pots of almond paste, 366 Irancs. Alter his return from Elba he appears to have lound a cheaper perfumer. The prices of eau de cologne and sponges were rc-r dneed. Wo feel curious about the cntrv ‘ two rheumatism brushes (mahogany). 21 francs.’ What were these! The Empress Josephine also liked violent perfumes, and particularly musk. Napoleon disliked rnnsk, and he protested—one of the minor quarrels between this strangely scented and illassorted couple. Dumas might have made a great scene out of this, though perhaps Mr Bernard Shaw would do it better.”