Letter written in English by Napoleon put on display at museum ahead of auction

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. exile / ˈɛg zaɪl / (v.) – to force someone to leave his/her home and live in a far or foreign place
    Example:

    The senator was exiled to another country for speaking against the government.


  2. narwhal / ˈnɑr wəl / (n.) – a small white whale, of which males have a long, enlarged tooth
    Example:

    I didn’t realize that narwhals were real animals until I saw a photo of one last year.


  3. bicentenary / ˌbaɪ sɛnˈtɛn ə ri / (n.) – the 200th anniversary of an important event
    Example:

    This year, our university is celebrating the bicentenary of its founding.


  4. dictate / ˈdɪk teɪt / (v.) – to say or read something out loud to a person who will write it down
    Example:

    My mom dictated what food we need to buy, and I wrote it all down in a list.


  5. fetch / fɛtʃ / (v.) – to be sold for a particular price
    Example:

    The famous painting fetched more than $100 million at the auction.


Article

Read the text below.

A shirt worn by Napoleon and a letter he wrote to practice his English have gone on display at a museum in Belgium. They will be auctioned later this year in Britain.


They are part of a collection of items the former French emperor used when he was exiled on Saint Helena island beginning in 1815. Other items include a silk scarf and a walking stick made from a narwhal tooth.


The exhibition at the Battle of Waterloo memorial museum, near Brussels, is part of commemorations of the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death on the island at the age of 51 on May 5, 1821.


Very few English texts written by Napoleon have survived. Historians think Napoleon’s secretary dictated the letter to the emperor to help him improve his English.


The letter is expected to fetch the highest price out of all the items that will be sold at auction at Bonhams in London on Oct. 27. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Out of all the items that will be sold at the auction, the letter is expected to fetch the highest price. Why do you think some people are willing to pay such a high price for it? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should items belonging to important people like Napoleon be auctioned off for anyone to own, or should they just be displayed in museums? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Very few English texts written by Napoleon have survived. Would you be interested in reading them? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Historians think Napoleon’s secretary dictated the letter to the emperor to help him improve his English. Do you think it’s still important for leaders nowadays to improve their English? Why or why not? Discuss.