BONAPARTE'S REVENGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 19 May 1883, Page 4

BONAPARTE'S REVENGE.

When he was about fifteen years of age and a cadet in the military school at Paris, the Court and the Parisians in general were assembled in the Champs de Mars to witness the ascent of a balloon, Bonaparte made his way through die crowd, and, impeiceived, entered the inner fence, which contained tho apparaaus for inflatin" the silken globe. It was then very nearly filled, and restrained from its flight by the last cord only. The young cadet requested the aeronaut to permit him to mount the car with him, which request was immediately refused, from the apprehension that the feeling of the boy might einbarass the experiment. Bonaparte is reported to have exclaimed; "I am young, it is true; but I neither fear the powers of earth not of air," and sternly added, " Will you; let me ascend?" '." '•./" ' The aeronaut, a little offended at his obtrusion, sharply replied, "No sir, I will not; I beg yon to retire;" Upon which the little enraged .officer drew a small sabre which he wore with his unifo-m, instantly cut the balloon 'in several places, and destroyed the curious apparatus constructed by .the aeronaut with infinite labor and ingenuity for the purpose of trying the possibility of aerial navigation.