Resting. An essay reflects on the nature of rest, using Napoleon Bonaparte's post-Waterloo isolation as a metaphor for finding peace amidst the cessation of demands.

The concept of rest is explored through a metaphorical lens, drawing a parallel with Napoleon Bonaparte's situation after the Battle of Waterloo. The author posits that true rest can be found in a state of detachment, where external demands and expectations cease to exist.

Napoleon, surrounded by people, is depicted in a moment where, for the first time in years, no one seeks anything from him, no favors, no advice, no requests. This silence, the article suggests, brings clarity and a profound sense of an ending. It is a rest found not in solitude, but in the absence of obligation, even as he remains an emperor.

This profound stillness is further illustrated by the preparations for his bath, a mundane yet symbolic act signifying the end of an era. The piece contemplates whether one can achieve more by giving their name to ending times or find greater peace in such absolute rest. It questions the ultimate gain versus the ultimate repose.