NOTES TO PART IV FOR a French citizen, and especially for Napoleon, the French translation of Barrow is often very suggestive-even where no comment occurs in the Note-Book. Referring to William's strategy (after Hastings) in securing Dover Castle we read, "Thus William became master of the most advantageous and important key of the kingdom, alike for marching inland, or for assuring retreat, as things fell out. On arriving near the capital William did not think it advisable to trust his person to the inhabitants of London, and encamped outside ❞—a custom invariably followed by Napoleon with large towns which, as he once told one of his generals, "you cannot take by the collar." As to the invasion of England itself, Barrow says it was a "rash, almost a desperate enterprise." It was far more so in the early days of last century. -a The Normans are described as colonists, and England as "une Colonie naissante." In pacifying a new country William, like Napoleon later, "destroyed the sources of rebellion as much by diplomacy as by warfare." WILLIAM I A1. Stigand. The promise was not kept. "Old shrivell'd Stigand" had been the main support of the English after Hastings and was not likely to be forgiven, especially as his position as Archbishop was canonically unsound. Carte Carte says, "He was not so much versed in the knowledge of books, as he was of men ; learning not being the favourite taste or distinguishing character of the English in those days: but he had great natural parts, improved by reflection, exercise, and experience, and directed by a clear head and solid judgment. . . . He was a true Englishman, |