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Author: Fleury de Chaboulon.</title> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- + +body {font-size: 1em; text-align: justify; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + +h1 {font-size: 140%; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} +h2 {font-size: 130%; text-align: center; margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +a {font-size: 80%;} +a:focus, a:active {outline:#ffee66 solid 2px; background-color:#ffee66;} +a:focus img, a:active img {outline: #ffee66 solid 2px; } + +p.dashed {border-bottom: thin dashed; margin-left: 10%; width: 80%;} + +abbr {border: none; text-decoration: none;} + +ul {list-style: none;} +p {text-indent: 1em;} +p.ft {text-indent: 0em;} + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +.pagenum {visibility: hidden; position: absolute; right:0; + font-size: 13px; text-align: right; + color: #C0C0C0; background-color: inherit;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 90%;} +.smaller {font-size: 85%;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.left10 {margin-left: 10%;} +.left20 {margin-left: 20%;} +.left60 {margin-left: 60%;} + +.add4em {margin-left: 4.5em;} +--> +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Private Life, Return, and +Reign of Napoleon in 1815, Vol. I, by Pierre Antoine Edouard Fleury de Chaboulon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Memoirs of the Private Life, Return, and Reign of Napoleon in 1815, Vol. I + +Author: Pierre Antoine Edouard Fleury de Chaboulon + +Release Date: August 17, 2007 [EBook #22345] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON *** + + + + +Produced by StevenGibbs, Christine P. Travers and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="tn"> +<p>Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, all +other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling +has been maintained.</p> +<p><strong>Accessibility:</strong> Expansions of abbreviations have been provided using the <abbr> tag, and changes in language are marked. +Speech rendering will be improved if voices for the following languages are available: Fr +(a few words with De, Pt, Es, Ru, It).</p> +</div> + +<h1>MEMOIRS<br> +OF THE<br> +PRIVATE LIFE,<br> +RETURN, AND REIGN<br> +OF<br> +<span lang="fr">NAPOLEON</span><br> +IN 1815.</h1> + +<p class="center"><i>Ingrata patria, ne ossa quidem habes.</i> <span class="smcap">Scipio</span>.</p> + +<h2>BY M. <span lang="fr">FLEURY DE CHABOULON</span>,</h2> + +<p class="center">Ex-Secretary of the Emperor Napoleon and of his Cabinets, Master of + Requests to the Council of State, Baron, Officer of the Legion of + Honour, and Knight of the Order of Reunion.</p> + +<p class="center p4"><abbr title="Volume 1">VOL. I.</abbr></p> + +<p class="center p4">LONDON:<br> +JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET.<br> +1820.</p> + + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagev" name="pagev"></a>(p. v)</span> <h2>TO THE READER.</h2> + + +<p>The revolution of the 20th of March will form unquestionably the most +remarkable episode in the life of Napoleon, so fertile as it is in +supernatural events. It has not been my intention, to write the +history of it: this noble task is above my powers: I have only +attempted, to place Napoleon on the stage of action, and oppose his +words, his deeds, and the truth, to the erroneous assertions of +certain historians, the falsehoods of the spirit of party, and the +insults of those timeserving writers, who are accustomed to insult in +misfortune those, to whom they have subsequently paid court.</p> + +<p>Hitherto people have not been able to agree on the motives and +circumstances, that determined the Emperor, to quit the island of +Elba. Some supposed, that he had acted of his own accord: others, that +he had conspired with his <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagevi" name="pagevi"></a>(p. vi)</span> partisans the downfal of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. Both these suppositions are equally false. The world will +learn with surprise, perhaps with admiration, that this astonishing +revolution was the work of two individuals and a few words.</p> + +<p>The narrative of Colonel Z***, so valuable from the facts it reveals, +appears to me to merit the reader's attention in other respects. On +studying it carefully, we find in it the exhibition of those defects, +those qualities, those passions, which, confounded together, form the +character, so full of contrasts, of the incomprehensible Napoleon. We +perceive him alternatively mistrustful and communicative, ardent and +reserved, enterprising and irresolute, vindictive and generous, +favourable to liberty and despotic. But we see predominant above all, +that activity, that strength, that ardour of mind, those brilliant +inspirations, and those sudden resolves, that belong only to +extraordinary men, to men of genius.</p> + +<p>The conferences I had at Bâle with the mysterious agent of Prince +<span lang="de">Metternich</span> have remained to this day buried in profound secrecy. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagevii" name="pagevii"></a>(p. vii)</span> The historians, who have preceded me, relate, without any +explanation, that the Duke of Otranto laid before the Emperor, at the +moment of his abdication, a letter from <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de</span> <span lang="de">Metternich</span>; and that +this letter, artfully worded, had determined Napoleon to abdicate, in +the hope that the crown would devolve to his son. The particulars +given in these Memoirs will entirely change the ideas formed of this +letter, and of its influence. They confirm the opinion too, pretty +generally prevalent, that the allied sovereigns deemed the restoration +of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> of little importance, and would willingly have +consented, to place the young Prince Napoleon on the throne.</p> + +<p>It had been supposed, that the famous decree, by which Prince de +<span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span> and his illustrious accomplices were sent before the courts +of justice, was issued at Lyons in the first burst of a fit of +vengeance. It will be seen, that it was the result of a plan simply +political: and the noble resistance, which General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> (now +labouring under a sentence of death) thought it his duty to oppose +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pageviii" name="pageviii"></a>(p. viii)</span> to this measure, will add, if it be possible, to the high +esteem, merited on so many accounts by this faithful friend to the +unfortunate.</p> + +<p>The writings published previously to this work, equally contain +nothing but inaccurate or fabulous reports, with regard to the +abdication of Napoleon. Certain historians have been pleased, to +represent Napoleon in a pitious state of despondency: others have +depicted him as the sport of the threats of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Regnault <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean +d'Angely</span>, and of the artifices of the Duke of Otranto. These Memoirs +will show, that Napoleon, far from having fallen into a state of +weakness, that would no longer permit him to wield the sceptre, +aspired, on the contrary, to be invested with a temporary +dictatorship, and that, when he consented to abdicate, it was because +the energetic attitude of the representatives disconcerted him, and he +yielded to the fear of adding the calamities of a civil war to the +disasters of a foreign invasion.</p> + +<p>It was perfectly unknown too, that Napoleon was detained a prisoner at +<span lang="fr">Malmaison</span> after his abdication. It was presumed, that he deferred +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pageix" name="pageix"></a>(p. ix)</span> his departure, in the hope of being replaced at the head of +the army and of the government. These Memoirs will show, that this +hope, if it dwelt within the breast of Napoleon, was not the real +motive of his stay in France; and that he was detained there by the +committee of government, till the moment when, honour outweighing all +political considerations, it obliged Napoleon to depart, to prevent +his falling into the hands of <span lang="fr">Blucher</span>.</p> + +<p>The negotiations and conferences of the French plenipotentiaries with +the enemy's generals; the proceedings of the Prince of <span lang="de">Eckmuhl</span>; the +intrigues of the Duke of Otranto; the efforts of those members of the +committee, who remained faithful to their trust; the debates on the +capitulation of Paris, and all the collateral facts, connected with +these different circumstances, had been totally misrepresented; These +Memoirs establish or unfold the truth. They bring to light the conduct +of those members of the committee, who were supposed to be the dupes +or accomplices of <span lang="fr">Fouché</span>; and that of the marshals, the army, and the +chambers. <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagex" name="pagex"></a>(p. x)</span> They contain also the correspondence of the +plenipotentiaries, and the instructions given to them; documents +hitherto unpublished, which will make known, what the politics and +wishes of the government of France at that time were.</p> + +<p>Finally I shall observe, in order to complete the account I think it +right to give the reader of the substance of this work, that it +furnishes elucidations of the campaign of 1815, the want of which has +been imperiously felt. The causes, that determined Napoleon, to +separate from his army at <span lang="fr">Laon</span>, were not known: I point them out. +General <span lang="fr">Gourgaud</span>, in his narrative, could give no explanation of the +march of the corps of Count <span lang="fr">Erlon</span> at the battle of <span lang="fr">Ligny</span>, of the +conduct of Marshal Ney on the 16th, of the inactivity of Napoleon on +the 17th, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> All these points, I believe, I have elucidated. I show +also, that it was not, as General <span lang="fr">Gourgaud</span> and other writers assert, +to raise the spirits, and excite the courage of the French army, that +its leader announced to it the arrival of Marshal <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>. It is a +certain fact, that Napoleon was himself deceived by a brisk firing, +which <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexi" name="pagexi"></a>(p. xi)</span> took place between the Prussians and Saxons; and it is +falsely, that he has been charged with having knowingly deceived his +soldiers, at a moment when the laws of war and of humanity presented +to him, to think rather of a retreat, than of continuing the battle.</p> + +<p>I had at first rejected from these Memoirs such official papers, as +had already been made known: but have since thought, that they ought +to be inserted. This work, which embraces all the events of the reign +of a Hundred Days, would be imperfect, if the reader were obliged to +refer to the papers of the day; to read or consult the act of the +congress of Vienna, that placed the Emperor Napoleon out of the pale +of the law of nations; the Additional Act, which occasioned his loss +of popularity; and the eloquent speeches and nervous declarations by +which Napoleon, his ministers, and his counsellors, sought to explain +and justify the 20th of March. I have thought, besides, that perhaps +the reader would not find it uninteresting, to witness the contests +exhibited, at that important <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexii" name="pagexii"></a>(p. xii)</span> period, between the legitimacy +of nations and the legitimacy of sovereigns.</p> + +<p>The colours under which I represent Napoleon, the justice I do him for +the purity of his intentions, will not please all the world. Many +persons, who would blindly have believed any ill I could say of the +ancient sovereigns of France, will give little credit to my eulogies: +they are wrong: if praises lavished on power be suspicious, those +bestowed on the unfortunate will be true; to doubt them would be +sacrilege.</p> + +<p>Neither can I conceal from myself, that the men, who, from principle, +see nothing but a hateful conspiracy in the revolution of the 20th of +March, will accuse me of having embellished facts, and designedly +distorted the truth. No matter: I have depicted this revolution as I +saw it, as I felt it. How many others are pleased, to tarnish the +honour of the nation, to represent their countrymen as composed of +rebels or cowards! For my part, I think it the duty of a good +Frenchman, to prove to all <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexiii" name="pagexiii"></a>(p. xiii)</span> Europe, that the king was not +guilty of abandoning France:</p> + +<p>That the insurrection of the 20th of March was not the work of a few +factious persons, who might have been repressed; but a grand national +act, against which the efforts and volitions of individuals would have +been vain:</p> + +<p>That the royalists were not cowards, and all other Frenchmen traitors:</p> + +<p>Lastly, that the return from the island of Elba was the terrible +consequence of the faults of ministers and the ultras, which called to +France the man of fate, as the conductor draws down the lightning from +heaven.</p> + +<p>This sentiment naturally led me, to conclude these Memoirs by a +philosophical examination of the Hundred Days, and a refutation of the +reproaches daily bestowed on the men of the 20th of March: but +considerations, easy to divine, held my pen. It was my duty, to +content myself with placing a statement of the facts before the eyes +of the grand jury, the public, and leave it to decide. I know, that +the question has been determined in the fields <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexiv" name="pagexiv"></a>(p. xiv)</span> of Waterloo; +but a victory is not a judicial sentence.</p> + +<p>Whatever opinion the impartial reader may form of this work, I can +protest beforehand, that I have not allowed myself to be influenced by +any private consideration, by any feeling of hatred, affection, or +gratitude. I have followed no impulse but that of my conscience, and I +may say with <span lang="fr">Montaigne</span>: "This is an honest book."</p> + +<p>Too young to have participated in the errors or crimes of the +revolution, I began and ended my political career without blot, and +without reproach. The places, titles, and decorations, which the +Emperor deigned to bestow on me, were the reward of several acts of +great devotion to his service, and of twelve years of trials and +sacrifices. Never did I receive from him any favours or gifts: I +entered his service rich, I quitted it poor.</p> + +<p>When Lyons opened to him its gates, I was free: I spontaneously +embraced his cause: it appeared to me, as to the immense number of +Frenchmen, that of liberty, honour, and our <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexv" name="pagexv"></a>(p. xv)</span> country. The laws +of Solon declared infamous those, who took no part in civil troubles. +I followed their maxims. If the misfortunes of the 20th of March must +fall on the heads of the guilty, these guilty, I repeat, will not be +in the eye of posterity, the Frenchmen who abandoned the royal +standard, to return to the ancient colours of their country; but those +imprudent and senseless men, who, by their threats, their acts of +injustice, and their outrages, compelled us to choose between +insurrection and slavery, between honour and infamy.</p> + +<p>During the Hundred Days, there was no person to whom I did an ill +turn; frequently I had an opportunity of doing good, and seized it +with joy.</p> + +<p>Since the return of the regal government, I have lived tranquil and +solitary; and, whether from forgetfulness, or from a sense of justice, +I escaped in 1815 the persecutions, which the partisans and servants +of Napoleon experienced.</p> + +<p>This explanation, or this apology, appeared <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexvi" name="pagexvi"></a>(p. xvi)</span> to me necessary: +it is right the reader should know, who it is that addresses him.</p> + +<p>I could have wished, to abstain from speaking of the royal government +in the first part of this work: but it was impossible. It was +necessary for me, prominently to exhibit the errors and faults of the +king's ministers one by one, to render evident this truth, <i>that they +were the sole authors of the 20th of March</i>. When elsewhere, as here, +I say the government, I mean not to designate the King, but his +ministers. In a constitutional monarchy, in which the ministers are +responsible, we cannot, and ought not to confound them with the King. +"It is from the King," said the keeper of the seals, when he proposed +to the deputies of the nation the project of a law on the +responsibility of ministers, "that every act of equity, protection, +and clemency, and every regular employment of power, emanates: it is +to the ministers alone, that abuses, injustice, and misconduct, are to +be imputed."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page001" name="page001"></a>(p. 001)</span> <h2>MEMOIRS,<br> + +<abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr></h2> + +<p>Until the close of the Spanish war, Napoleon, whether as the First +Consul of the Republic, or as the Chief of the Empire, had never +ceased to be the object of the love, the pride, and the confidence of +the people. But the multitude neither judge, nor can judge of the +actions of their rulers but from appearances which often mislead them +in their judgment; and the loyalty of the nation then became +enfeebled. The conduct of Napoleon was stigmatized as a series of +hateful aggressions; the war, as an unjustifiable act of violence. +Disaffection increased. Napoleon was assailed by the anger of his +subjects, and, for the first time, they upbraided him with having +spilt their blood, and wasted their riches, in gratifying his vain and +culpable ambition.</p> + +<p>At this juncture the public mind became absorbed in the contemplation +of the invasion of Russia, and the general discontent was withdrawn +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page002" name="page002"></a>(p. 002)</span> from the events which had taken place in the peninsula.</p> + +<p>Our arms were crowned with good fortune and glory at the commencement +of the Russian war; but that conflict was ended by a catastrophe which +has no parallel in the annals of the world.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, who escaped almost alone from the perils of the campaign, +returned to the capital. His countenance was that of a hero who defies +adversity. But his firmness was deemed to be the result of heartless +insensibility. Instead of inspiring the people with hope, it +embittered their feelings. Louder murmurs broke forth; their +indignation expressed itself with greater emphasis. Yet such was the +enthusiasm which was even then inspired by the proud recollections of +the triumphs of Napoleon, that France, blushing for her disgrace, +implored him to win new victories. Armies formed themselves as if by +enchantment, and Napoleon stood again in the midst of Germany, more +terrible than ever.</p> + +<p>After we had conquered at <span lang="de">Lutzen</span>, at <span lang="de">Bautzen</span>, and at <span lang="de">Dresden</span>, the +battle of Leipsic was fought<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1" title="Go to footnote 1">[1]</a>. Never before that day had we been +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page003" name="page003"></a>(p. 003)</span> doomed to witness our national armies flying before the +enemy. The scattered wrecks of our battalions, which had been created +by the last hope, by the last effort of our country, at length reached +our frontiers. But our soldiers were no longer the vigorous and +resolute warriors of France; they were bowed down by want, toil, and +humiliation. Soon afterwards they were followed by wandering trains of +military carriages, loaded with diseased and wounded wretches, who +festered beneath the corpses amongst which they were heaped, and who +at once absorbed and diffused the germs of pestilence and contagion. +Even the firmest minds now yielded to despair; and the grief +occasioned by the havoc now made amongst our defenders renewed the +sorrows of the mothers and the wives of those who erewhile had +perished in Russia and in Spain. Curses upon Napoleon, the author of +all these evils, resounded from side to side of the empire.</p> + +<p>As long as good fortune waited upon Napoleon, his most ambitious +attempts commanded the applauses of the nation. We boasted of his +profound political wisdom, we extolled his genius, we worshipped his +courage. When his <span class="pagenum"><a id="page004" name="page004"></a>(p. 004)</span> fortune changed, then his political wisdom +was called treachery, his genius, ambition, and his courage, +fool-hardiness and infatuation.</p> + +<p>Napoleon was not to be depressed by ingratitude or misfortune. He +re-assembled the feeble fragments of his armies, and proclaimed aloud +that he would conquer or die at the head of his soldiery. This +resolution only produced a momentary impression. The French, who so +lately believed that the happiness and salvation of France depended +only upon the life of Napoleon, now coolly considered that his death, +the fate which he was prepared to encounter, afforded the only means +of putting an end to the calamities of war, for peace otherwise +appeared unattainable.</p> + +<p>Napoleon departed. He achieved prodigies, but to no effect. National +spirit no longer existed, and the nation had gradually sunk into that +state of insensibility so fatal to sovereigns, when the public mind +has no perception of their dangers, and abandons them to their +destiny.</p> + +<p>France was thus affected when Napoleon consented to divest himself of +his crown<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2" title="Go to footnote 2">[2]</a>. The <span class="pagenum"><a id="page005" name="page005"></a>(p. 005)</span> apathy of the nation drove him to this +extremity; for it deprived him of the means <span class="pagenum"><a id="page006" name="page006"></a>(p. 006)</span> either of +carrying on the war, or of making peace.</p> + +<p>Hostilities ended with the abdication of Napoleon. The people of +Paris, who had scarcely recovered from the panic with which they were +struck by the marauding hordes of Russia, displayed the most +extravagant gladness when they thought that they were delivered from +the visitation, which again threatened them in the presence of the +allies and the imperial army.</p> + +<p>The neighbouring departments, which the enemy prepared to invade, +rejoiced on being relieved from impending pillage and devastation.</p> + +<p>The departments which had been occupied by the enemy were intoxicated +with joy, when they anticipated the termination of their sufferings.</p> + +<p>Thus almost all the people of France turned away from their discarded +sovereign. And they abandoned themselves to joy when they thought that +they were delivered from the scourge of war, and that they could hope +to enjoy the blessings of peace.</p> + +<p>It was in the midst of this pouring out of the spirit of selfishness, +that the senate raised the brother of Louis <abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr> to the throne. His +election was not in conformity to the expectations of the people, and +it disappointed the wishes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page007" name="page007"></a>(p. 007)</span> which had been uttered in favour +of the Empress and her son; yet the choice of the senate was but +slightly opposed, because the recall of Louis seemed to be necessarily +the pledge of peace. And peace was more the object of the public wish +than any other thing. Besides which, the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> followed the wise +counsels which had been given to them. They lost no time in issuing +their proclamations, couched in fair language, in order to calm the +fears and diminish the antipathies excited by their recall.</p> + +<p>"We will guarantee," said they, "the rank, the honours, and the +rewards of the military.</p> + +<p>"The magistracy and all public functionaries shall retain their +offices and their pre-eminence.</p> + +<p>"To the people we promise a total oblivion of their political conduct; +and we will maintain them in the full enjoyment of their civil rights, +their property, and their social institutions."</p> + +<p>The French nation, whose confidence is so easily abused, considered +these promises as sacred and inviolable, and they delighted in +repeating the happy reply of the Count of <span lang="fr">Artois</span><a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3" title="Go to footnote 3">[3]</a>, +<span lang="fr">"Il n'y aura rien +de changé en France, il n'y aura <span class="pagenum"><a id="page008" name="page008"></a>(p. 008)</span> que quelques Français de +plus."</span> They, the men, who had banished the imperial dynasty, laboured +to foster the growing confidence of the nation. The press was brought +into full play, and the country teemed with publications in which they +represented the sovereign whom they had brought in, as invested with +those attributes which were calculated to conciliate the nation. The +public were carefully informed, that the king "opened and read all the +dispatches himself. It is he who dictates every answer. Where it +becomes necessary to meet the ministers of foreign powers, he +transacts business with them; he receives the reports of their +missions, which he answers either by word of mouth, or in writing. In +short, he alone directs all the concerns of the government, both at +home and abroad. If his virtues and goodness are such as to cause the +French to know that they will now find a kind and affectionate father +in their King, they may also look with confidence to the future fate +of the nation, relying on his brilliant information, his strength of +character, and his aptitude for business<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4" title="Go to footnote 4">[4]</a>."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page009" name="page009"></a>(p. 009)</span> Thus the people congratulated themselves, when they were +assured that their Chief Magistrate was an enlightened sovereign, a +kind sovereign, an equitable sovereign, and one who was determined not +to allow the guiding reins of the state to slip from his paternal +hands into those of his ministers. Our lively imagination gave us a +present enjoyment of the blessings, which, as we anticipated, would +hereafter be diffused over the kingdom by his goodness, his prudence, +and his acquirements. If this glowing vision of hope and loyalty was +slightly dimmed by a few secret doubts, such misgivings were checked +and repelled by the name of our native country; nay, by the name of +the Emperor himself. For when Napoleon bade farewell to his trusty +soldiers, it was in these words: "Be faithful to the new sovereign of +France; do not rend asunder our beloved and long-suffering land."</p> + +<p>These circumstances (nor must the charm of novelty be excluded) united +in favour of the king, and won every head and every heart. He +appeared—he was received with acclamations of love and gladness, +which resounded until he entered the palace of his forefathers.</p> + +<p>No counter revolution ever effected the change of a royal dynasty, +under such favourable auspices.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page010" name="page010"></a>(p. 010)</span> The French nation felt jaded by civil dissensions, by +misfortune—even their victories had weaned them. They longed for the +happiness of repose. Memorable were the words of the king's brother; +"let us forget the past, let us look only towards the future, let us +all unite in the good work of labouring to heal the wounds of our +common country;" and these honoured precepts had become implanted in +every mind. They formed the canon of all our feelings and all our +duties.</p> + +<p>As long as the machinery of the new government did not begin to work, +this loyal harmony subsisted, and no longer. For when it became +necessary to settle the organization of the army, the ministry, and +the magistracy, then self-love gained an easy victory over patriotism, +and the bad passions, pride, ambition, and party-hatred, roused +themselves from their slumber.</p> + +<p>During a quarter of a century, our emigrants had sojourned in a +strange country. Useless and troublesome guests to the strangers by +whom they were fed, their lives had been droned away in shameless and +cowardly idleness. They could not cheat themselves into a belief that +they possessed the talents and experience of the sons of the +revolution. But they imagined that nobility, as in the old time, might +pass for worth; and that their patents and pedigrees still gave +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page011" name="page011"></a>(p. 011)</span> them a right to monopolize all power and all honour.</p> + +<p>The citizens, the soldiers, the nation, relied on the lawfulness of +their rights no less than on the promises of the king. The members of +the old privileged caste, instead of exciting suspicion, were only the +objects of harmless mirth. The people laughed at the grotesque +appearance of some, and at the decrepit sottishness of others. They +never dreamed that these pretended warriors, whose bloodless swords +had rusted in their scabbards, would attempt to snatch the staff of +command from the veteran generals of France; and that nobles who had +grown old in sloth and ignorance would aspire to the direction of +public affairs.</p> + +<p>But though merit and valour were denied to them, they stood upon a +vantage ground, which gave them a direful and incalculable +preponderance in the state. They surrounded the throne. Soon did their +insolence announce that they had craftily availed themselves of the +advantages which they possessed; and we foresaw with affliction that +inveterate prejudice, malignant prepossessions, and old habits of +familiarity, would, sooner or later, crush the principles of justice +and equity, however solemnly proclaimed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page012" name="page012"></a>(p. 012)</span> The emigrants, rendered arrogant by the prospects which +opened upon them, now treated their rivals with contemptuous disdain. +They dared not insult the defenders of our country face to face, +because the scars of the warriors scared them. But they were +spitefully active in disparaging their birth, their services, and +their glory, and these noble retainers of royalty took care to impress +the soldiers of Napoleon with a due sense of the width of the gulf +which was henceforth to separate a gentleman of good family, from an +upstart soldier of the revolution.</p> + +<p>The women of the <i><span lang="fr">ancien régime</span></i> did not share in the timidity which, +to a certain degree, still restrained their husbands. They threw off +all decency and all reserve, and indulged in all the fury of their +spite and pride. Without attempting to disguise their sentiments, they +openly insulted the titled dames belonging to the new nobility, and +such of the latter as were compelled to go to court on account of the +situations held by their husbands, never entered the saloon without +dread, and never quitted it without being bathed in tears.</p> + +<p>Uneasy, harassed, and discontented, the people implored the fulfilment +of the king's promises: they prayed with confidence; but the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page013" name="page013"></a>(p. 013)</span> +government heard them not, and repulsed them harshly. The Doge of +Genoa, speaking of Louis <abbr title="14">XIV</abbr>, said, "his majesty steals our hearts by +his amiability, but his ministers give them back again to us." The +apophthegm of the Doge might have been pertinently applied to Louis +<abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> by the people.</p> + +<p>Hitherto the government appeared to adhere to the resolution of +dealing out impartial justice to both parties, and of performing the +covenant which the new monarch had entered into with the nation. But +now he was bound by an influence which he could not withstand. +Ensnared by the machinations, the threats, and the fears of his +emigrant court, and perhaps believing that the new order of things was +incompatible with the stability of the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> dynasty, the maxims of +his government underwent a total change. He was taught to consider the +equality of civil rights as a revolutionary conquest, the liberties of +the nation as an usurpation of the authority of the throne, the new +constitution as insulting the independence of the sovereign. It was +therefore determined that all "dangerous characters<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5" title="Go to footnote 5">[5]</a>" should be led +quietly out of all <span class="pagenum"><a id="page014" name="page014"></a>(p. 014)</span> civil and military offices. The old +trustworthy nobility of the old kingdom were again to become the sole +depositaries of the power of the state: and by slow but sure degrees +it was resolved to cancel the royal charter, and either by fair means +or by foul, to place the nation again beneath the yoke of absolute +power.</p> + +<p>The government often appealed to the authority of the King's +predecessor on the throne—of Bonaparte. Bonaparte, it was said, had +acknowledged that it was dangerous to concede a representative +government to the people, and that it was fit and proper to rule them +despotically. But Napoleon, he who re-established the authority of +royalty, morality, and religion—who had re-organized society—who had +given tranquillity to France, at the same time that he rendered her +formidable to the world—he had earned his authority by his services +and his victories, and, if I may venture to use the expression, he had +acquired a legitimate right of despotism, which neither belonged, nor +could belong, to a <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>. Besides which, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page015" name="page015"></a>(p. 015)</span> in spite of the +real or pretended despotism of the imperial government, it was still a +national government; a character wholly foreign to the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> +government, and which it had no tendency to acquire.</p> + +<p>The prognostics of the re-action which the ministers intended to bring +about were disclosed in all parts of the body politic. Alarm seized +even the Chamber of Deputies: it hastened to become the organ of the +uneasiness of the people, and to remind the King of the warranty which +he had given to the nation.</p> + +<p>In the address, or rather in the protest presented by the chamber on +the 15th of June, the national representatives say, "The charter +secures to the voice of truth every channel which leads to the throne, +since it consecrates the liberty of the press, and the right of +petition.</p> + +<p>"Amongst the guarantees which it contains, the nation will attend to +that which insures the responsibility of any minister who may betray +the confidence reposed in him by your Majesty, by trespassing on the +public or private rights insured by the constitutional charter.</p> + +<p>"By virtue of this charter, nobility in all future times will only +command the respect of the people as surrounded by proofs of honour +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page016" name="page016"></a>(p. 016)</span> and glory, which the recollections of feudality will not +have the power of tarnishing.</p> + +<p>"The principles of civil liberty are founded upon the independence of +judicial authority, and the retention of trial by jury, that +invaluable guarantee of all our rights."</p> + +<p>If the King had known the truth, this energetic address would have +attained its end. But the truth could not reach him. At first he +intended to bestow his personal confidence upon the greater part of +the leading "notables" of the revolution; but by means of +remonstrances and recriminations, another party contrived to place his +good sense again under the yoke of prejudice, and he surrounded +himself with old nobility alone, with men who had refused to obey the +constitution sanctioned by Louis <abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr>, because it destroyed their +privileges; and who, for the same reason, had refused to acknowledge +the new constitution, against which they had even dared to protest. +His companions were so blinded, so besotted by their presumption, that +they imagined that decrees and ordinances gave them the faculty of +overturning the edifice which the nation had erected during five and +twenty years of revolution. His confidents were those alone who, +instead of wishing to reveal to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page017" name="page017"></a>(p. 017)</span> their sovereign the object +of the projects of the ministry, and of the faction which had rendered +the ministry their tools, had become the accomplices of ministerial +guilt, joint conspirators in the plot which was to destroy the royal +charter.</p> + +<p>The cabinet contained, however, some able and experienced statesmen. +They were convinced that instead of teasing the nation by holding out +the probability of the restoration of ancient privileges, it was the +duty of government to tranquillize the country by guaranteeing the +stability of the new system of polity. These ministers were aware of +the impolicy of attempting to re-establish the monarchy on its ancient +principles; because by such an attempt it would be deprived of the +only advantage which it possessed over the late government—that of +being liberal. And, lastly, they felt that if despotism and violence +had been the distinguishing characteristics of the government of +Napoleon, it was necessary that moderation and justice should be the +attributes of the government of a <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>.</p> + +<p>But they had not sufficient authority or personal influence to enable +them to struggle against the emigrants, and the protectors of the +emigrant faction. In the council chamber their opinions, often well +concerted, and always benevolent, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page018" name="page018"></a>(p. 018)</span> were sanctioned and +approved. Out of the council, each minister acted according to his own +plans; and, unfortunately, those departments which ramify most deeply +into the nation and its affairs were confided to men who seemed to +think that they were bound to irritate and sour the public mind.</p> + +<p>General Dupont obtained the important office of minister of the war +department, as a reward due to his proscription. According to the +government party, the general had been proscribed by the Emperor. An +odious name was thus given to the lenient punishment which had been +inflicted upon Dupont, he who had shuffled off the allegiance which he +owed to his Emperor, and whose cowardice had surrendered into +captivity the legions intrusted to his command<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6" title="Go to footnote 6">[6]</a>. Weak, indolent, +irresolute, devoid of character and resources, he never had the wish +or the ability of becoming any thing else than the pliant functionary +of the court and the ruling courtiers.</p> + +<p>Another, the <span lang="fr">Abbé de Montesquiou</span>, +received the "<span lang="fr">porte-feuille</span>" of the +home department. When a member of the Constituent Assembly <span class="pagenum"><a id="page019" name="page019"></a>(p. 019)</span> +he had been honourably distinguished by his soft and persuasive +eloquence. The temperance of his public conduct seemed to be insured +by his personal character; he was a servant of the altar, his health +was delicate, he had lived long in quiet retirement. But <span lang="fr">Montesquiou</span>, +meek, mild, and timid as long as he was in the background, became +scornful, angry, and overbearing the instant that he stepped into +power. He detested and despised the revolution—I may almost say, he +detested and despised the nation. This sentiment was the principle +which guided him. <span lang="fr">Montesquiou</span> never deigned to inquire whether any +given portion of our polity was sound or useful, whether it had been +formed with difficulty, whether it could be modified, or ameliorated, +or fitted into existing circumstances. He only inquired into the date +of its institution—and the date decided the question.</p> + +<p>A third, <span lang="fr">Dambray</span>, the chancellor, and the chief law officer of the +nation, had distinguished himself in his youth as a Judge of +Parliament. His credit arose from his prudence and his principles no +less than from his talents. He had been long since recalled to his +country. During the reign of Napoleon he fulfilled the duties of a +citizen and a subject with zeal and fidelity. We never doubted but +that he would <span class="pagenum"><a id="page020" name="page020"></a>(p. 020)</span> protect those constitutional forms of +government under which he had flourished in peace and honour. +Scarcely, however, was the Chancellor clothed in his robe, when he +became the oppressor of the magistracy, the antagonist of our new +system of jurisprudence, and the dull partisan of those slavish forms +and barbarous customs and oppressive edicts, which had been long since +annihilated by reason, liberty, and knowledge.</p> + +<p>The trust reposed in this portion of the cabinet was a source of +unhappiness to the nation, but it was not the only one. Louis, +according to the promises held out on his restoration, was to reign in +person; and the more the French have ever been desirous to obey their +sovereign with cheerful alacrity, the greater is the repugnance which +they feel to submit to the orders of his minions. Dismay, therefore, +prevailed throughout the kingdom when we learnt that Louis, weakened +by an obstinate and painful disease, had entirely divested himself of +his royal authority in favour of <span lang="fr">Monsieur de Blacas</span>. And how much more +painful did our consternation become, when we were able to understand +the views and projects of this Mayor of the palace, and when we +ascertained the baneful extent of his ascendancy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page021" name="page021"></a>(p. 021)</span> It was impossible that the royal government, including such +elements in its composition, could retain its hold on public opinion. +It was seen too clearly that the effects of a despicable coterie would +tend either to involve our country in a civil war, or overwhelm us +again with the wretchedness and slavery from which we had been +delivered by the revolution.</p> + +<p>The absolute necessity of rising in opposition to these nefarious +attempts was felt by the entire country. Not a man would remain +neuter.</p> + +<p>During the earliest period of the reign of Louis, the emigrant faction +comprehended nothing but the party composed of the relics of the +ancient privileged cast. The <i>parvenus</i> of the imperial government +alone constituted the so called Bonapartists. Considering their +private gratification and profit as of greater importance than the +public cause, each party had hitherto only wrangled for place and +power. Their war was a matter of calculation and selfishness. But soon +their disputes involved the fate of the main interests created by the +revolution the emigrants directed their attacks not only against +individuals but also against principles, and the people, who had +hitherto only looked on, now shared the quarrel, and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page022" name="page022"></a>(p. 022)</span> all +France was divided into two great hostile parties<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7" title="Go to footnote 7">[7]</a>.</p> + +<p>The court, the courtiers, and the ministry appeared as the central +phalanx of the <i>pure royalists</i>. As their auxiliaries, they had the +old nobility,—the priesthood,—a certain number of apostates who had +skulked away from the imperial government,—and lastly, all those who +had been disqualified by their incapacity and disloyalty from +obtaining employment under Napoleon. It was the undisguised wish of +this party to wash out every stain of the revolution, and to effect a +full and unqualified restoration of the <i><span lang="fr">ancien régime</span></i> in all its +parts, and to all intents and purposes.</p> + +<p>On the other side were arrayed the party designated as that of the +Bonapartists, led on by our most honourable and most virtuous +citizens, and numbering within its ranks the great body of the people; +this party strove to withstand the impending resuscitation of the +privileges and abuses of the old government, and which was to be +effected only by the total subversion of our existing institutions.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page023" name="page023"></a>(p. 023)</span> The pure royalists endeavoured to annihilate the charter, +which their opponents defended, and thus a strange contradiction took +place. The royal charter had the royalists for its enemies, whilst its +defenders were only found amongst those who were stigmatized as the +adherents of Bonaparte.</p> + +<p>Abortive attempts were made by the pure royalists to palliate the +treachery of the government. They tried to persuade the people that +the tranquillity and welfare of the nation depended but on the +re-establishment of an absolute monarch, of a feudal aristocracy, and +of all the trumpery of superstition. Such was the tendency of the +publications which issued from the ministerial press, owing their +birth to writers who had either sold themselves to the government, or +who had denationalized themselves by their political intolerance. But +it must not be supposed that liberty could remain in need of +advocates.</p> + +<p>Each of the earliest stages of the growth of the young government of +royalty had been marked by obscure yet decisive symptoms of bad faith, +not the less mischievous because they were restricted to signs, and +symbols, and phrases. Instead of the constitution voted by the senate, +and which the king had engaged to accept and ratify, he graciously +granted and conceded a charter, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page024" name="page024"></a>(p. 024)</span> by which he gave a new form +to the government; and which, according to its tenor, emanated from +the sovereign in the full and free exercise of his royal authority. +The tricoloured cockade worn by Louis <abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr> and which our armies had +rendered illustrious, was exchanged for the white, though to the +mind's eye the latter was seen drenched in the blood of the people. +Louis took the title of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> King of France and Navarre, and +he dated his proclamations and ordinances in the 19th year of his +reign, and thus it was to be inferred, that the nation had been in a +state of rebellion during five and twenty years. He had disdained to +receive his crown from the will of the people, and rather chose to +hold it by divine right and the good offices of the Prince Regent. +These ungracious affronts wounded the national feelings, but no notice +was taken of them at the time, because it was apprehended that angry +recriminations might endanger the profit which had resulted from the +important sacrifices to which we had consented for the public good. +But when the government unveiled its deformity, the silence of the +patriotic party was at end, and they attacked the government most +unrelentingly. The editors of the <span lang="fr">Censeur</span> were most conspicuous. Every +abuse of power, every violation of the charter, was proclaimed +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page025" name="page025"></a>(p. 025)</span> to France by these young tribunes of the people; and the +country was loud in applauding their zeal, their talents, and their +courage. Other writers of a more lively class stung the emigrants to +the quick by sarcasms and satire, and brought down the chastisement of +contempt and ridicule upon those who had been spared by the gravity of +the <span lang="fr">Censeur</span>.</p> + +<p>The nation also obtained a clear development of the anti-revolutionary +conspiracy of the administration, from the "Memoir" of <span lang="fr">Carnot</span>, and the +pamphlets of <span lang="fr"><span lang="fr">Benjamin Constant</span></span>. The undeniable facts, and the +unwelcome truths which were brought forward and stated by these +writers, apprized the people that their rights and liberties were in +fearful danger.</p> + +<p>A judicial blindness had fallen upon the ministers. All warnings, all +lessons, all reproaches, were lost upon them. Far from being awed by +public opinion, they thought they deserved high honour for defying it. +The ministers had made up their mind. Deceived by the opinions which +they had formed respecting the preponderance of their faction, they +miscalculated the influence and resources of the partizans of the +revolution. Confiding in their power, and in the fear inspired by +their power, they thought it useless to maintain any further reserve; +and that they could charge onwards to the end of the career <span class="pagenum"><a id="page026" name="page026"></a>(p. 026)</span> +which they had in view. Intoxicated by their ignorant enthusiasm, they +insulted the nation in the person of each individual, whilst they +encroached upon the rights which he valued most, and insulted him both +in his interests and his feelings. The imperial guard was removed from +Paris: the emigrants grudged the renown of these troops, and feared +their patriotism. It was given out that the discontent evinced by the +guard when the king came in, was the cause of the punishment which +they received<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8" title="Go to footnote 8">[8]</a>.—But had not the government called forth this +discontent? Surely it was ungenerous to compel those heroes to walk as +attendants in the triumph of a new master. Their grief and fidelity +deserved not to be thus insulted. I then saw these honoured warriors. +Haggard looks and sullen silence revealed their feelings. Absorbed by +grief, they appeared to be insensible to the outward world. "<span lang="fr">Vive la +Garde Impériale</span>" was the shout of the pitying Parisians, who wished +to cheer them. These <span class="pagenum"><a id="page027" name="page027"></a>(p. 027)</span> salutations, which, perhaps, they +despised, were unheeded. Submissive to their superiors, they obeyed +the word of command which told them that they must march: they +marched, and that was all.</p> + +<p>Troops of the line replaced the imperial guards, who were drafted out +of the capital with great expedition. Little time elapsed before the +dissatisfaction of the new troops became manifest. The regiments were +wholly disorganized; officers were thrust upon the soldiers, amongst +whom they stood as complete strangers. In consequence of these changes +the troops were put out of temper; and they became disgusted with +service, because they were wearied by endless parades and reviews +which took place, not to perfect them in their discipline, but for the +instruction of their raw commanders. The government broke their spirit +by affronting them: they were compelled to present arms to the king's +body guard, whom they detested. The re-establishment of the "<span lang="fr">Maison du +Roi</span>" was opposed by the general feeling of the nation, and it +particularly tended to rouse the jealousy and discontent of the +garrison of Paris. The troops of the line and the national guards who +were on duty at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span> could not submit to acknowledge the +"<span lang="fr">gardes du corps</span>" as their superiors, and refused to present arms to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page028" name="page028"></a>(p. 028)</span> them. The "<span lang="fr">gardes du corps</span>" complained, and it was ordered +that the troops of the line should salute them with military honours, +or be punished. After this victory, the young "<span lang="fr">gardes du corps</span>," who +were proud of it, used to walk up and down before the sentinels, in +order to force the latter to worship their epaulettes. It may easily +be imagined how such childish insults, which were never checked, must +have mortified the old soldiers of Napoleon: and we all know that the +self-love of a Frenchman is not to be offended with impunity.</p> + +<p>Self-love is the medium through which the soldier ascends into glory. +When Napoleon earned immortal fame in Italy, he nourished and +dignified this passion by addressing his soldiers in language +breathing the lofty spirit of the heroic age, he rekindled the courage +of his army, and every man became a conqueror. But the royalist +officers sought to destroy all warlike sentiment by expressing their +contempt for our national victories, by displaying the puffed +insolence of birth and rank; and they lost the confidence and the +esteem of the army which they were appointed to command.</p> + +<p>Widely different, indeed, was the example which was set by the most +exalted and most formidable of our enemies. It is needless to name +him. This sovereign never tried to undervalue <span class="pagenum"><a id="page029" name="page029"></a>(p. 029)</span> our glory: he +was only happy when he could bear testimony again and again to the +talents and the courage of the French nation. When he received our +officers he did not treat them with that ill-concealed disdain, so +often lavished on the conquered, but with the honest esteem inspired +by valour; and with that delicacy, I would almost say respect, which +is due to honourable misfortune. The subject of his discourse +sometimes compelled him to allude to our reverses; but he never failed +to allay the smart by lavishing his praises on the efforts which we +had made to deprive him of victory. He seemed to be astonished that he +had been able to withstand us.</p> + +<p>How deeply were our warriors affected when they contrasted his +chivalrous magnanimity with the endeavours of their royalist masters, +who tried incessantly to poison the fond recollection of their former +triumphs, and to deprive them of the only consolation which remained +to them in the hour of affliction.</p> + +<p>Whatever discontent might prevail amongst the troops, yet the greater +part of the staff and regimental officers had transferred themselves +to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> with cordial sincerity. Perhaps a few, who were less +confident than the rest, still appeared distrustful and lukewarm; +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page030" name="page030"></a>(p. 030)</span> but they might have been easily won over, either by those +sugared and alluring phrases which sound so sweetly when pronounced by +royalty, or even by merely leaving them quiet until their resentment +could cool of itself.</p> + +<p>When Henry <abbr title="4">IV.</abbr> recovered his throne, the bigoted partisans of the +league, whom he had pardoned, continued still to threaten and revile +him. It was suggested that he should punish them; but Henry said, +"No,—we must wait, they are yet vexed." Those who were constantly +invoking the memory of good king Henry, never sought to imitate his +conduct. Instead of allowing time to our generals to get over their +vexation, they embittered their temper by daily insults. Our officers +were treated like ruffian bandits; they were branded as rebels, who +were too happy if they obtained a pardon. Praise and favour fell only +to the share of the army of <span lang="fr">Condé</span>, the Vendeans, and the <span lang="fr">Chouans</span>. The +triumphal arches destined to eternize the exploits of our armies were +menaced with sacrilegious ruin; and it was solemnly proposed to erect +a monument to the memory of the Vendeans and the emigrants who fell at +<span lang="fr">Quiberon</span>.</p> + +<p>Certainly our deluded brethren deserved to be regretted and mourned. +Yet they had <span class="pagenum"><a id="page031" name="page031"></a>(p. 031)</span> turned their weapons against the sacred bosom +of their country. They were either the auxiliaries or the hirelings of +our implacable enemies the English, and if honours were paid to them +as illustrious victims, it was equivalent to a declaration that their +conquerors were their murderers.</p> + +<p>Our warriors had been graced with titles of nobility, bought with the +blood which they had shed in the defence of the country. Their honours +were treated with insolent scorn, and the ghost of Georges <span lang="fr">Cadoudal</span>, a +murderer in effect, and a traitor in intent, was ennobled by the +gracious patent which was bestowed upon his father.</p> + +<p>Georges in attempting the life of Napoleon had committed an act +against all law, whether human or divine. If such a crime was decked +out as a virtue, if signal rewards were allotted to the memory of the +criminal, the government abetted assassination and regicide. The +safety of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> and of every other monarch was compromised, and +a sanction was given to the dangerous and antisocial doctrine which +teaches that any individual may sit in judgment on the legitimacy of +the title of the occupier of the throne, and then determine to murder +his sovereign if he doubts the validity of his rights.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page032" name="page032"></a>(p. 032)</span> Other affronts exactly of the same complexion were offered to +France and to the army. Titles, military commissions, and pensions, +were showered, in <span lang="fr">La Vendée</span>, upon the heads of such of the <span lang="fr">Chouans</span> as +were most celebrated for their cruelty<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9" title="Go to footnote 9">[9]</a>, and these marks of favour +were distributed amongst them in the presence of the victims of their +rapine and ferocity.</p> + +<p>The members of the ruling faction thought that they had not done +enough in endeavouring to honour the French enemies of France at the +expense of her defenders, and therefore they compassed the degradation +and destruction of the institutions which reminded the people of the +praises and the glory of our national armies.</p> + +<p>In despite of the most solemn engagements the government robbed the +legion of honour <span class="pagenum"><a id="page033" name="page033"></a>(p. 033)</span> of its prerogatives. Then the ministerial +papers hinted that henceforward the order of St. Louis was to be the +only military order; and that the legion of honour was to be the +reward of civil merit. The blow was aimed at the heart; the army +shuddered, our marshals burned with indignation. The government was +compelled to disclaim and abandon its intent.</p> + +<p>Yet one sure method of debasing the legion of honour was completely in +the power of government; they could make it cheap, and to this plan +they resorted. Under Napoleon the Cross was never granted until it had +been long and truly deserved: now it became the prey of meanness. The +order was prostituted and cast to favourite underlings and intriguers, +to whom it was distributed by caprice or bribery.</p> + +<p>Our soldiers, who had purchased this distinction with their +blood,—the magistrates, the functionaries, the learned, the +manufacturers, who had received it as the reward of the services which +they had rendered to the state, to the arts, to useful industry,—all +were filled with consternation when they found themselves elbowed by a +mean and worthless mob. Yielding to their honest pride, the greater +part of our old legionaries refused to wear the insignia, which, +instead of conferring distinction, could only <span class="pagenum"><a id="page034" name="page034"></a>(p. 034)</span> confound them +with men whom public opinion had branded and proscribed.</p> + +<p>Success encouraged the government, and they did not stop. Richly +endowed asylums for the daughters of the deceased members of the +legion had been founded by the Emperor. Under the pretext of economy, +of saving the annual sum of forty thousand francs, the ministers took +the King by surprise, and hurried the Sovereign into the signature of +an order for turning the orphans out of doors. Marshal Macdonald +declared in vain that the old leaders of the army would never abandon +the children of their companions, and that they were ready to defray +the expense which was falsely assigned as the motive of the expulsion +of the girls. Equally fruitless was the generosity of Madame <span lang="fr">Delchan</span>, +the matron of the establishment of Paris, who offered to continue its +management without any assistance from the government, and to expend +her entire fortune in the support of her pupils. Nor did the ministers +pay the least attention to those who stated that the greater part of +the children had neither friends nor relations, and that if they were +thrown destitute upon the world, they would be inevitably consigned to +misery or vice. No consideration could move the pity of the ministry.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page035" name="page035"></a>(p. 035)</span> But at length the indignation of the public found a voice in +the Lower House, and the representatives of the people were about to +remonstrate with the Sovereign. Ministers were disconcerted and +abashed, and they abandoned their profligate enterprise.</p> + +<p>This check, however, did not amend them. A few days afterwards they +dissolved the military academies of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Cyr</span> and <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Germain</span>, alleging +that they were superfluous; and at the same moment the "<span lang="fr">École Royale +Militaire</span>" was re-established, "in order that the nobility of the +kingdom might enjoy the advantages secured to them by the edict of +January 1757."</p> + +<p>By this impudent violation of the principles of the charter our +representatives were again roused, and the ministers were again +obliged to recede.</p> + +<p>Irritated by these defeats, they sought revenge and actuated by an +ill-judged hope of weakening the resisting obstacles, they dismissed a +countless multitude of military officers, who were turned out of the +army upon half pay, though their full pay had been formally +guarantied. It must be acknowledged that the number of the officers of +the imperial army was much greater than was required by the strength +of the royal army; but as it was alleged that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page036" name="page036"></a>(p. 036)</span> they were +useless and expensive, it was not right to insult them in their +misfortunes by ministerial profusion; for, at the same time, they saw +the government granting rank and pay to a number of emigrants who were +good for nothing in the army. The government raised six thousand +"<span lang="fr">gardes du corps</span>," troops of musketeers and light horse, "<span lang="fr">gendarmes de +la garde</span>," <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> who scandalized Paris, and disgusted the army by their +new epaulettes, and their sumptuous and splendid uniforms. Lastly, the +government, led on by its innovating madness, did not respect those +veterans whom Death had spared on the field of battle. Without pitying +age or infirmities, the ministers, using their accustomed pretext of +economy, withdrew the benefactions which a grateful nation had +bestowed upon two thousand five hundred of these objects of +compassion.</p> + +<p>Since the ministers did not dread giving public offence to the army, +and in matters where the offence would be felt most acutely,—since +they refused to recognize both its services and its rights, it may be +easily supposed that the military were disgusted and oppressed when +they appeared before the ministry as individuals. It is not intended +to detail the complaints and accusations which then justly abounded; +but one <span class="pagenum"><a id="page037" name="page037"></a>(p. 037)</span> fact may be stated as giving a double illustration +of the spirit which prevailed.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Milhaud</span> had distinguished himself in the course of our +national wars, by success and bravery. At the time when France was +invaded by the allies, he "covered himself with glory" at the head of +a handful of dragoons, who cut a considerable corps of the enemy's +troops entirely to pieces. This officer, in consequence of his rank, +his standing, and his services, had been appointed a<span lang="fr"> chevalier de <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> +Louis</span> as a matter of right; but at the moment of his reception, the +cross was taken from him with ignominy, because he had been so +unfortunate as to vote for the death of the King twenty years before.</p> + +<p>Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, when he returned to France, had promised that he would +not inquire into the votes which had been given against his august +brother. This promise, which had been demanded from him, and which he +ratified by his charter, could not be otherwise than a painful victory +over the feelings of his heart. He must have grieved when he found +himself under the necessity of admitting those judges into his court, +who had condemned Louis <abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr> to the scaffold, and to present them to +the daughter of the murdered monarch. But still he had <span class="pagenum"><a id="page038" name="page038"></a>(p. 038)</span> sworn +not to avenge his death, and the oaths by which a monarch binds +himself to his people should be inviolable.</p> + +<p>All resentment was to be repressed. The voters had been pardoned, and +therefore the government could not be justified in reviving the memory +of their crime, and in bringing down vengeance and death upon their +heads. A funeral veil ought to have been drawn over that period of our +revolution, during which we were all equally misled or guilty. +Besides, we must state plainly and distinctly, that the grief excited +by the murder of Louis <abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr>, was not the true cause of the invectives +with which the regicides were assailed by the emigrants. Unfortunately +the effect produced at Coblentz by the trial and execution of the +king, is too well known. If the errors of some of the men of the +revolution were hunted out with so much malignant zeal, it was only +for the purpose of coming to this result—that as the revolution was +the work of crime, it was necessary to root out every thing which had +proceeded from the revolution.</p> + +<p>The insult to which General <span lang="fr">Milhaud</span> was subjected, was therefore +rather a political movement, than a punishment inflicted on an +individual. In selecting <span lang="fr">Milhaud</span> as the object <span class="pagenum"><a id="page039" name="page039"></a>(p. 039)</span> of the first +assault against the regicides, the government gave a proof of their +want of tact; for if they wanted to render the regicides contemptible +or odious, they should have avoided attacking an officer who had long +since washed away the stains of the blood of his King, by imbruing +himself in the blood of our enemies!</p> + +<p>But whilst the military, from the highest to the lowest, were exposed +to the persecution and tyranny of the prevailing faction, the +magistracy, and the civil functionaries of the state, suffered no less +from ill treatment and injustice. Commissioners had been despatched +into the departments, even at the beginning of the new reign, "in +order to consolidate the royal government, and to examine into the +conduct of the public functionaries under existing circumstances;" +that is to say, at the moment of the restoration of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p>Such was the confidence which the nation placed in the promises of the +King, that no jealousy was excited by this measure. On the contrary, +people expected that great good would result from it, that party heat +would be allayed, and public interest and opinion become more speedily +united to the throne.</p> + +<p>This pleasing illusion was soon dispelled. A great number of +emigrants, who had just come <span class="pagenum"><a id="page040" name="page040"></a>(p. 040)</span> in again, were appointed +commissioners. Instead of listening to cool and experienced advisers, +they gave themselves up to the priests and nobles who beset them, and +who were neither moderate nor enlightened.</p> + +<p>The middling classes, who, from their habitual intercourse with the +lower orders, possess so great an influence over the body of the +people, were considered by the commissioners as a rabble multitude of +upstart "<i><span lang="fr">roturiers</span></i>." They treated the middling class with disdain +and contempt. Deceived by the recollection of the excesses of the +revolution, they fancied, that whoever could win the populace, became +the ruler of the country. When money is not to be had, the surest way +of getting over the multitude, is by appealing to its passions. They +therefore announced, that they were sent to do justice to the people, +to listen to their complaints, to reform abuses, and to abolish the +"<i><span lang="fr">droits réunis</span></i>," and the conscription.</p> + +<p>Meetings were announced in the villages and in the country towns. All +persons of respectability kept away; but the populace, who are always +delighted with uproar and novelty, crowded in. There was no end to the +preposterous charges which were preferred against the magistrates, the +prefects, the under-prefects, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page041" name="page041"></a>(p. 041)</span> the mayors, the administrators +of public affairs, the officers of revenue; in short, none of the +depositaries of public authority were spared.</p> + +<p>Instead of despising such accusations, or submitting them to an +impartial inquiry, the commissioners hailed the popular clamour with +transport. They triumphed in the tumult; they were overflowing with +happiness at the fancied success of their efforts; they continued +exclaiming with increasing joy, "that is right, Good People; the King +is your father; these fellows are nothing but <i><span lang="fr">canaille</span></i>; upon our +word of honour, we will kick them out."</p> + +<p>These promises were kept. The public officers and functionaries of all +classes were gradually dismissed, and their places given to informers, +or to the old nobility. As the common people cooled, they became +undeceived, and it was found that they had gained neither in riches +nor in loyalty. The commissioners, instead of adding as they expected +to the popularity of the government, only helped to cry it down. The +cause of royalty was compromised by the scenes of riot which they +encouraged, and they degraded it by acts of injustice and oppression. +The non-emigrant commissioners acted far otherwise. They knew how to +value the lying declamations of the nobles, and of the mob <span class="pagenum"><a id="page042" name="page042"></a>(p. 042)</span> +whom the nobles had set on. From the different conduct pursued by each +party, effects resulted which exhibited the most striking contrast. In +one department the public functionaries retained their situations, in +another they were disgraced and vituperated.</p> + +<p>These scandalous proceedings excited the general indignation of the +country. The government was universally blamed. The important task of +instituting inquiries, which were to affect the honour and the civil +existence of the most respectable characters, had been entrusted to +emigrants who had lived amongst strangers during the best part of +their lives. And these men, who knew nothing of the forms, the +principles, or even the faults of the imperial government, were +consequently wholly unable to appreciate the conduct, whether +praiseworthy or blameable, of the depositaries of public authority.</p> + +<p>The people discovered that they had been cheated, and that this +measure, disguised by specious representations, was in truth adopted +only for the purpose of more effectually displacing the old +functionaries of the nation. And, lastly, it was evident that this +general dismission would carry off those authorities who were the +natural guardians of every individual <span class="pagenum"><a id="page043" name="page043"></a>(p. 043)</span> who had taken a part +in the revolution. And that all who were thus affected would be placed +beneath the sway of their sworn enemies, the nobles, the priests, and +their adherents.</p> + +<p>Indications were given by the government that a "purification" of the +courts of justice was in contemplation; and the public apprehension +increased. The independence and immovability of the judges had been +guaranteed to the nation, and this guarantee was certainly the most +valuable of the rights which we had gained. But on account of its +importance, the government were the more desirous of violating it.</p> + +<p>When the proposed "purification" became known, our national +magistrates trembled in their chairs, and they foresaw that they would +be plucked out for the purpose of making way for the antiquated +survivors of the courts of parliament.</p> + +<p>The nation was alarmed, and protested against the measure. But the +"purification" was not to be stopped in its swoop. The process began +in the supreme tribunal of the kingdom, the Court of Cassation. And, +to remove all doubts respecting the ulterior object of the government, +it was officially announced that the <i>elimination</i>, disguised under +the name of the "<span lang="fr">installation royale</span>," had been deferred only +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page044" name="page044"></a>(p. 044)</span> for the purpose of "obtaining the information which was +necessary to direct or decide the choice of the judges, and that it +would take place successively in all the courts and tribunals of the +kingdom."</p> + +<p>The "installation" was felt to be not only a breach of faith, but an +open conspiracy against the security of the person and property of the +subject. We knew that the tribunals would now be filled with +magistrates whose prejudices, principles, and interest, must be in +perpetual hostility against our national laws, and that the new men +would seek to elude or crush our juridical system. The royal +magistrates, as it was but too evident, would be the relations, the +friends, or the creatures of the nobility, the emigrants, and of all +who claimed to be restored to their rights and privileges. Nor could +we hope that judges so constituted would deal out impartial justice +between the <span lang="fr">ci-devant</span> privileged tribes, whom they would naturally +consider as the victims of revolutionary principles, and the children +of the revolution, who, according to the same mode of reasoning, they +could not fail to consider as the oppressors and robbers of the +privileged tribes.</p> + +<p>The owners of national property were most alarmed by the approaching +expulsion of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page045" name="page045"></a>(p. 045)</span> revolutionary judges. By the charter, the +inviolability of their property had been guaranteed to them. But they +had not forgotten that a violent debate arose on the "redaction" of +this article; and that the ministers had been already accused on +account of the obscurity of the clause, which they refused to correct +into such words as might prevent all future quibbling and special +pleading.</p> + +<p>If the emigrants, the priesthood, and the nobility, did not scruple to +express their hopes aloud that the sales of the national domains might +be declared null and void, it was equally well known to the public +that certain Great Personages entertained the same hopes in secret. +Doubts respecting the legality, and, consequently, of the validity of +the sales, were expressed in the ministerial journals; and various +publications were industriously disseminated, in which the purchases +were directly impugned. The authors of these works were favoured and +protected<a id="footnotetag10" name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10" title="Go to footnote 10">[10]</a>; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page046" name="page046"></a>(p. 046)</span> and it was whispered that the Great +Personages, to whom we have already alluded, had deliberated on the +means of realizing their hopes. All these tokens of the times united +in giving too reasonable a ground for the apprehensions entertained by +the proprietors of the confiscated lands; and the disorganization of +the tribunals was considered as a national calamity.</p> + +<p>It is calculated that the individuals who are interested directly or +indirectly either in the purchases of the national domains, or in the +rights and liabilities arising out of them, amount in number to +somewhat between nine and ten millions.</p> + +<p>An opportunity offered itself when all the uneasiness felt by this +integral portion of the population of France might have been removed. +It was when the law; by which the emigrants recovered possession of +such part of their property as had not been alienated, came under +consideration. It was natural to suppose that the administration would +take advantage of the capability of the proceeding, in order to revive +the confidence of the public, and to renew the guarantee of the +charter. Such was not their conduct. On the contrary, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Ferrand</span>, the +government orator, one of the men who did most mischief to the King +and the kingdom, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page047" name="page047"></a>(p. 047)</span> abandoned himself—we borrow the expression +of the reporter of the committee—to all the acrimony of his passions, +and all the profligacy of his principles. His fury could only be +equalled by his folly. He did not scruple to maintain, in the midst of +the representatives of the nation, that the emigrants had the greatest +right to claim the justice and favour of the royal government, because +they alone had not wandered from the righteous path. And starting with +this position, he represented the forfeiture and sale of their +property, not as the justifiable acts of a legislative body, but as +revolutionary outrages and robberies which the nation ought to hasten +to make good.</p> + +<p>The Chamber of Deputies passed their censure upon the inflammatory +doctrines and language of the royalist orator, and expunged the word +"restitution" from the law. It had not been inserted without design, +for "restitution" supposes a previous robbery, and the emigrants had +not been robbed of the property: it had been confiscated by virtue of +a law sanctioned by the King; and which law was only a new application +of the system of confiscation created and followed up by the King's +predecessors.</p> + +<p>Without travelling into more remote periods, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page048" name="page048"></a>(p. 048)</span> we may ask if +it was not with the spoils of the victims who had been sacrificed to +the murderous policy of <span lang="fr">Richelieu</span>, and the religious intolerance of +Louis <abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr>, that the first families had been enriched? And who can +tell whether the lands which the emigrants reclaimed with so much +pride and bitterness, were not the same which their ancestors had +received without a blush from the bloody hands of <span lang="fr">Richelieu</span> and Louis?</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that the unalterable fidelity of a certain number +amongst the emigrants bound the royal government to reward their +fidelity and to alleviate their misfortunes. But all had not an equal +right to the affection and gratitude of the King. If some had +generously sacrificed their fortunes and their country in the cause of +royalty, yet others only fled from France because they wished to +escape their creditors<a id="footnotetag11" name="footnotetag11"></a><a href="#footnote11" title="Go to footnote 11">[11]</a>, and thought that in strange countries they +might find dupes to feed upon, and thus exist upon swindling resources +to which they could no longer resort with impunity at home.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page049" name="page049"></a>(p. 049)</span> It was therefore necessary to separate the first class of +emigrants from the last; and after establishing this distinction, the +government should have made a fair appeal to the justice and +generosity of the nation. Frenchmen, who yield so readily to every +dignified sentiment, would not have allowed the faithful and virtuous +servants of their King to languish in poverty. We may appeal to the +universal assent which was given to the proposal<a id="footnotetag12" name="footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12" title="Go to footnote 12">[12]</a> made by the +marshal duke of Tarentum, that ten millions of francs should be +annually appropriated for the indemnification of the emigrants who had +been deprived of their property, and of the soldiers who had lost +their "<i>dotations</i>."</p> + +<p>But the government party should not have attempted to assist the +emigrants by resorting to means offensive to the nation, and +derogatory to the charter. And, above all, they should not have puffed +up the emigrants with proud and silly hopes. If they had been left to +themselves, they would have fallen in with the purchasers of their +property, they would have treated for an amicable settlement of their +claims, and they would have regained possession of their hereditary +estates without jarring and without scandal.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page050" name="page050"></a>(p. 050)</span> The partiality which was shown towards the emigrants on all +occasions produced another evil of still greater extent. It +contributed, even more than the efforts of disaffection, in persuading +the peasantry that the government wished to chain them again to the +soil, and to render them once more the tributaries both of the +nobility and of the priesthood.</p> + +<p>The revolution has taught the countryman to know that he is somebody +in the state. After the revolution the peasants became rich, and they +were delivered from the double vassalage of former days, when they +crouched before the priest and the lord: therefore they could not +think of any alteration without horror. Day after day they heard or +they read (in France every body reads now,) that the government +intended to restore the "<i><span lang="fr">ancien régime</span></i>." And the restoration of the +"<i><span lang="fr">ancien régime</span></i>" was interpreted by them, as well as by many others, +to mean the restoration of tithes, vassalage, and feudal rights. They +were confirmed in their dangerous and disquieting opinion by the +outrageous claims of the emigrants, and the declamations of the +priests. It was to no purpose that the government tried to re-assure +them. They had been already deceived and it seldom happens that you +can catch a French peasant twice in the same snare. The abolition of +the conscription had been promised, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page051" name="page051"></a>(p. 051)</span> and the old code was +continued in force with all its harshness, and still the refractory +conscripts were sent away in chains, whilst fines were imposed upon +their families. The abolition of the "<i><span lang="fr">droits réunis</span></i>" had also been +promised, and they were not only levied with greater rigour and +harshness than before, but even some of these imposts had been greatly +increased.</p> + +<p>Such was the fatality which influenced all the actions of the +government, that all proceedings which in themselves were simple and +reasonable, became venomous and corrupted when conducted by the +ministry, and only added to the general disorder and discontent, +instead of producing the good effects which they might have been +justly expected to produce.</p> + +<p>The discontent of the people, the inevitable result of the injuries +inflicted on the feelings and interests of individuals<a id="footnotetag13" name="footnotetag13"></a><a href="#footnote13" title="Go to footnote 13">[13]</a>, was +increased by <span class="pagenum"><a id="page052" name="page052"></a>(p. 052)</span> the open infringement of the rights of the +people, although these rights were secured to the country by a compact +which seemed to be inviolable.</p> + +<p>Liberty of conscience had been promised by the charter, and this +liberty was immediately annihilated. An ordonnance was issued by the +police<a id="footnotetag14" name="footnotetag14"></a><a href="#footnote14" title="Go to footnote 14">[14]</a>, which revived regulations enacted in <i>an age of +intolerance</i>, for enforcing the strict and universal observance of the +Lord's day, and the festivals of the church. Napoleon, anxious to +preserve a strict neutrality between the catholics and the +protestants, prohibited the religious processions of the former in all +towns containing places of worship belonging to the latter communion. +His prohibition was removed, and the catholic priesthood exulted in +their processions, in which they marched in triumph. They ought to +have tranquillized the apprehensions of their opponents, and to have +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page053" name="page053"></a>(p. 053)</span> edified the faithful by humility, or at least by feigning +humility; but they disdained to conciliate the public, whom they +scandalized by their pride and irritated by their violence<a id="footnotetag15" name="footnotetag15"></a><a href="#footnote15" title="Go to footnote 15">[15]</a>.</p> + +<p>The imagination of the priests became fired by the victory which they +supposed they had gained. They dreamt that they were in full +possession of their ancient power; and they wished immediately to +revive it according to their ancient fashion. An actress belonging to +the <span lang="fr">Theatre Français</span> died without being absolved, and without +suspecting that it was necessary to be absolved, from the +excommunication which had been formerly fulminated against stage +players; and which, as every body knows, deprived <span lang="fr">Moliere</span> of Christian +burial.</p> + +<p>Following the same precedents, the clergy would not allow the rites of +sepulture to the actress in question. The populace, who followed the +funeral out of curiosity, learnt the affront which was thus offered to +her remains. Transported by sudden indignation, they rushed to the +hearse, and dragged it onwards. The doors of the interdicted church +were burst open in a moment. They called for a priest; no priest +appeared. The tumult augmented. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page054" name="page054"></a>(p. 054)</span> The church and the +neighbouring streets resounded with the groans and threats of ten +thousand persons. Their agitation became more violent, and there was +no possibility of foreseeing where the effervescence of popular +feeling would stop, when a messenger arrived from the court, who +ordered, in the name of the King, that the funeral should proceed.</p> + +<p>The accounts of this event, and the comments to which it gave rise, +excited the most lively interest in Paris and throughout France: nor +did it fail to give the greatest pleasure to the enemies of religion. +The friends of public decency and good order accused the government of +encouraging the alarming progress of sacerdotal despotism. It was +particularly in the smaller towns, and in the country, that the +priests behaved with the most blamable audacity, abusing the privilege +of speech which had been restored to them<a id="footnotetag16" name="footnotetag16"></a><a href="#footnote16" title="Go to footnote 16">[16]</a>. The pulpit became a +tribunal from whence they pronounced sentence of present infamy, with +the reversion of eternal damnation, upon all who refused to +participate in their opinions and bigotry. Making common cause with +the emigrants, they employed hints, inuendoes, insinuations, +arguments, promises, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page055" name="page055"></a>(p. 055)</span> and threats of every species, for the +purpose of compelling the owners of the national property to yield up +their lands, and of leading the wretched peasantry again beneath the +tyrant yokes of feudality and superstition.</p> + +<p>During the revolution, the priesthood had betrayed its real character. +Contempt had fallen on the clergy, and it was out of the power of the +government to invest them suddenly with the salutary influence which +they had lost. This influence ought to be gained by wise and prudent +conduct, by active and impartial benevolence, by the practice of +sacerdotal virtues. It cannot be gained by ordonnances of police, by +abuse, by violence, by mumming processions, which, in our times, are +out of character and ridiculous.</p> + +<p>By the charter the liberty of the press had been guarantied as well as +the liberty of public worship; yet every day innumerable publications +were seized or suppressed contrary to the laws. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="de">Durbach</span>, a deputy +who never equivocated with his conscience or yielded to danger, +complained on this subject in the chamber: the opinion of the house +went along with him; and the government, pretending to yield to the +feeling of the deputies, presented a bill to the chambers through the +medium of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montesquiou</span>, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page056" name="page056"></a>(p. 056)</span> which, instead of delivering +the press from its slavery, gave full establishment to the censorship, +and legalized the tyranny which had been exercised over the press by +mere force under the former government.</p> + +<p><span lang="fr">Benjamin Constant</span> attacked the bill with vigour: the same side was +taken by the public journals, and by all public writers; but there was +no possibility of putting <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montesquiou</span> out of countenance. It was +demonstrated to him that his law would wholly destroy the liberty of +the press. By holding the charter before his eyes, the advocates of +public rights proved that the charter only declared that the licence +of the press was to be restrained, and that his bill was therefore +radically unconstitutional, because the preliminary censorship was not +intended to restrain abuses, but to prevent their taking place. +<span lang="fr">Montesquiou</span> answered gravely, that the persons with whom such +objections originated did not understand French; that the words +"<i><span lang="fr">prévenir</span></i>" and "<i><span lang="fr">réprimer</span></i>" were perfectly synonymous: and that the +bill, instead of being offensive or unconstitutional, contained a most +complete and a most liberal development of the clause in the charter.</p> + +<p>This unparalleled endeavour of <span lang="fr">Montesquiou</span>, who persuaded himself that +he could convince <span class="pagenum"><a id="page057" name="page057"></a>(p. 057)</span> an assembly of Frenchmen that they did not +understand their own language, was justly considered by the chamber as +a matchless specimen of impudence and folly. Lexicographical +subtleties were employed with bitter mockery for the purpose of +destroying a public right, consecrated by the constitutional compact. +Never had insolence and bad faith been displayed so prominently: +<span lang="fr">Raynouard</span>, the reporter of the committee, exclaimed in the language of +grief and indignation, "Minister of our King, confess, at least, that +your law is contrary to the constitution, since you cannot refute the +evidence adduced against it: your obstinacy in contesting such an +indisputable truth would not then inspire us with such just alarms."</p> + +<p>The law was ultimately adopted by both chambers; ministerial influence +triumphed over reason, and rased the most important bulwark of the +rights guarantied to the nation. The result of the conflict produced +the most lively sensation. No man who was capable of forethought and +reasoning could remain undisturbed. Notwithstanding the patriotism of +<span lang="fr">Dupont</span> (of the department of the Eure), of <span lang="fr">Raynouard</span>, of <span lang="de">Durbach</span>, of +<span lang="fr">Bedoch</span>, of <span lang="fr">Flaugergues</span>, it was seen too clearly that the chamber of +deputies <span class="pagenum"><a id="page058" name="page058"></a>(p. 058)</span> could not oppose any effectual obstacle to the +despotic and anti-constitutional plans of the government; and that the +ministers would have full power, whenever they thought proper, to +interpret the clauses of the charter according to their own way, and +to rob the French nation of the few rights which it yet might promise +to them. "By means of such interpretations," the people said, "the +senate sacrificed the independence of the nation to Napoleon. But at +least the imperial despotism assumed a character by which it was +justified and ennobled. It tended to render our nation the greatest +nation in the world; but the despotism which awaits us has no other +accompaniment but bad faith, and no other end except the degradation +and slavery of France."</p> + +<p>By such reflections, the suspicion and disgust and aversion inspired +by the government, were excited to the utmost pitch. The public +feeling did not stop there: the French people are naturally inconstant +in their opinions and sentiments; and their former prejudices against +Napoleon were changed into transports of admiration. France, under the +royal government, was humiliated, disorganized, and degenerate; and +they contrasted the present state of the country with the influence, +the strength, the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page059" name="page059"></a>(p. 059)</span> compactness, which it enjoyed under the +reign of Napoleon; and He, who had lately been cursed as the root of +all evil, now appeared to be the greatest of men, and the greatest of +heroes, though in misfortune.</p> + +<p>The government knew that Napoleon was again admired by the people, and +that they regretted his loss. To counteract these sentiments, coarse +and vulgar caricatures were exposed to the eyes of the populace; and +his person and his character became the theme of false and scandalous +libels published under the direction of the ministry. No effect was +produced. The mob looked at the caricatures with a smile of contempt; +and the actions of Napoleon, which, under his reign, excited the +greatest censure and disapprobation, now found the most zealous +apologists and defenders.</p> + +<p>If Napoleon was accused of having overthrown the republican +government, and enslaved the country by the revolution of the 18th +<span lang="fr">Brumaire</span>, they answered<a id="footnotetag17" name="footnotetag17"></a><a href="#footnote17" title="Go to footnote 17">[17]</a>:—"At that era, anarchy, emboldened by the +misfortunes of the country, could only be repressed by victory. Civil +war had been organized in twenty departments; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page060" name="page060"></a>(p. 060)</span> insurrections +had taken place in many, rapine infected them all; robbery and murder +took place with impunity on many of the principal high roads. Two +dreadful laws, the law of the hostages, and that of the forced loans, +occasioned greater evils than they could cure. No nation had ever +existed in which the finances of the state were in equal confusion; +and a succession of partial bankruptcies prolonged the opprobrium of +the general bankruptcy of the country. The money of the public was +robbed whilst in transit on the high roads. Robbers even carried it +off from the houses of the receivers, and the deficiency could not be +made good by the most violent exactions. The jacobins were on the +point of recommencing their reign of terror. The royalists had +recourse without scruple to all the measures which might enable them +to satiate their revenge; and the peaceable friends of the law were +placed between the conflicting parties in a state of disgraceful +weakness and neutrality. Such was the desperate situation of France +when Napoleon seized the helm of the state. Instead of imputing the +slavery of the country to him, he ought to have been blessed; for he +delivered us from the spoliations, the murders, and the tyranny which +were consequent upon the reign of anarchy and terror."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page061" name="page061"></a>(p. 061)</span> Was it maintained that Napoleon had reigned despotically? +They held that this accusation was unjust; and they had recourse to +the following reasoning. "Anarchy was silenced by Napoleon." It became +necessary, that order should take the place of disorder; that the +authority of one should be substituted for the authority of all. +Parties were to be restrained within the bound of moderation; traitors +were to be annihilated. It was necessary to curb the prejudices of the +nobility, and the revolutionary habits and manners of the jacobins. +This great work could not be accomplished, without engaging in a +conflict against individual interests and opinions. Napoleon was +considered as a despot; this was inevitable. Whenever the existing +polity of a state has been totally subverted, he who first raises the +edifice of society from its ruins, is necessarily accused of +despotism, because apparently he has no other rule except his own +will. Nor must we forget that Napoleon had been accustomed to command +implicit obedience in the camp. He retained his military attitude on +the throne. He usually addressed his courtiers, his connexions, and +his ministers, in the tone which he had formerly adopted when speaking +to his soldiers or <span class="pagenum"><a id="page062" name="page062"></a>(p. 062)</span> their generals<a id="footnotetag18" name="footnotetag18"></a><a href="#footnote18" title="Go to footnote 18">[18]</a>. An appearance of +despotism was certainly given to his way of reigning and commanding, +by such language which is seldom <span class="pagenum"><a id="page063" name="page063"></a>(p. 063)</span> heard in civil society. And +in almost all cases, appearance is taken for reality.</p> + +<p>At first the imperious tone adopted by Napoleon was blamed, next it +was admired. He soon employed it in his intercourse with foreign +ambassadors, with foreign sovereigns. The wily forms of ancient +diplomacy were discarded. Napoleon did not negociate; he issued his +orders. With one hand he brandished his victorious sword; in the other +he held crowns and sceptres. He bade the sovereigns of Europe make +their choice; he offered his friendship or his hatred, kingdoms or +blows. The monarchs who stood before his throne were taught wisdom by +experience. They knew that Napoleon could reward and punish; they +crowded into the ranks of his allies; and they consoled themselves for +their weakness, by crying out upon his tyranny<a id="footnotetag19" name="footnotetag19"></a><a href="#footnote19" title="Go to footnote 19">[19]</a>.</p> + +<p>When these causes were united, they aided <span class="pagenum"><a id="page064" name="page064"></a>(p. 064)</span> in persuading the +world that Napoleon was really a despot. For, as <span lang="fr">Montesquieu</span> observes, +there are some things which we believe at last, merely because we hear +them continually repeated. But if the government of Napoleon is +considered impartially, we shall feel convinced, that the despotism +attributed to him existed rather in words and forms, than in deeds. +Let the acts of his reign be scrutinized, and none will be found +impressed with the character of real despotism; that is to say, of +despotism founded on the mere arbitrary will and pleasure of the +prince. On the contrary, they all prove that the interest and +aggrandizement of France entered alone into the views of Napoleon, and +that instead of being under a tyrannical government, the people never +enjoyed the benefits of distributive justice with greater equality, +and were never protected more completely against the oppressions of +public functionaries, and of the higher ranks. He may, perhaps, be +censured for having violated certain laws, for violations in which the +senate and the representatives of the people were his accomplices. But +laws are only binding upon sovereigns in the ordinary course of +things, and the most rigid writers on the law of nations acknowledge +this principle. When extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page065" name="page065"></a>(p. 065)</span> take place, it is the duty of the sovereign to be above the +law. In order to judge fairly of the actions of a monarch, we must not +consider them separately. Many an action which, if taken singly, +appears unjustifiable or hateful, loses that character when viewed as +one of the series of events from which it arose, as a connecting link +in the political chain of which it forms a part. Neither should the +conduct of a sovereign be judged according to the principles of +natural equity. In the estimation of those, upon whom the task of +ruling nations has devolved, necessity and the public safety ought to +know no law. Every apprehension of injuring private interest vanishes, +and must ever vanish, before state considerations.</p> + +<p>"After all," continued they, "the real point at issue is, not whether +the government of Napoleon was more or less despotic; but whether it +was such as was required by the character of his people and of his +times,—such as it needed to be, in order that France might become +tranquil, happy, and powerful." Now it is impossible to deny but that, +during the reign of Napoleon, the interior of France enjoyed an +unruffled calm, and that the ascendancy of his genius bestowed upon +the country a degree of power and prosperity, which it never attained +before, and which probably it will never possess again.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page066" name="page066"></a>(p. 066)</span> Was the emperor taxed with boundless ambition? Were the +calamities of Spain and Russia laid to his charge?—his indefatigable +apologists found a ready answer.—The Spanish war, instead of being an +unjust aggression, was an enterprise guided by the soundest political +talent. It had been provoked by the wavering treachery of that allied +government, which, in spite of its engagements, was secretly +negociating with the English; and which, yielding to their +instigations, had endeavoured to take advantage of our difficulties +and of the absence of our armies, in order to invade our territory, +and to become a sharer in the plots of our enemies.</p> + +<p>The detention of Ferdinand ceased to be an odious breach of faith. It +resulted necessarily from his duplicity, his parricidal projects, and +his English connexions. The nomination of Joseph as King of Spain and +the Indies, had been universally attributed to the excessive vanity of +Napoleon, who, as it was supposed, was determined to drop a crown upon +the head of every member of the imperial family. But now opinion +changed. King Joseph's promotion was felt to have been caused by the +necessity of placing Spain for ever out of the reach of English +influence. Had not Napoleon allowed the Cortes of Spain to elect their +monarch of their own uncontrolled authority? Had he not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page067" name="page067"></a>(p. 067)</span> said +to them in public, "Dispose of the throne. Little do I care whether +the king of Spain is called Ferdinand, or whether he is called Joseph; +let him only be the ally of France, and the enemy of England<a id="footnotetag20" name="footnotetag20"></a><a href="#footnote20" title="Go to footnote 20">[20]</a>?"</p> + +<p>It was still more easy to justify the Russian war. A Quixotic love of +the marvellous was no longer supposed to be the passion which excited +it. In making war against Russia, he was actuated by the desire of +avenging the injuries which that power had occasioned to France, at +the moment when the Russian government again opened its ports to the +English, thus snatching from the nation the reward of the sacrifices +which we had made for the establishment and consolidation of the +continental blockade,—of that universal barrier which made England +and her thousand vessels tremble!</p> + +<p>The invasion of Germany was no longer the effect of Napoleon's +insatiate thirst of power and glory<a id="footnotetag21" name="footnotetag21"></a><a href="#footnote21" title="Go to footnote 21">[21]</a>. It was seen, that there was +no other <span class="pagenum"><a id="page068" name="page068"></a>(p. 068)</span> sure method, by which the English, the +irreconcilable enemies of France, could be deprived of their fatal +continental influence, by which they could be compelled to abandon the +empire of the seas. In short, Napoleon was only inflicting a salutary +and equitable punishment, deserved by those sovereigns of all sizes. +After having implored or obtained the alliance of Napoleon, and after +having ratified the bond by engagements and promises upon which he +generously relied, they compelled him to take up arms, in order to +prevent them from receiving <span class="pagenum"><a id="page069" name="page069"></a>(p. 069)</span> the agents of England into their +cabinets, and her merchandizes into their ports.</p> + +<p>Thus the partisans of Napoleon invented arguments by which they +palliated his faults and justified his errors. No objection, no +reproach was left without its answer. After defending him against his +accusers they became his advocates; and, turning to the fairer pages +of his history, their praises knew no bounds; these eulogiums were +certainly more just, and, perhaps, more sincere.</p> + +<p>"Napoleon," said they, "had all the great qualities of the greatest +monarchs, whilst he was exempted from their vices. Napoleon was not +stained by the lechery of Cæsar, nor by the drunkenness of Alexander, +nor by the cruelty of Charlemagne."</p> + +<p>At an age when others scarcely start in life, his years were +outnumbered by his victories; and the kings of Europe, conquered by +his sword or subjugated by his genius, cowered before the imperial +eagle.</p> + +<p>In France, when aggrandized by the conquests of Napoleon, the empire +of ancient Rome was re-produced before the astonished world. The +French name, tarnished by the crimes of the revolution, regained its +ancient honour and its mastery. The nation was feared, admired, and +respected by the entire universe.</p> + +<p>Philosophy graced Napoleon no less than warlike <span class="pagenum"><a id="page070" name="page070"></a>(p. 070)</span> prowess. +After he had covered the nation with glory by his victories, he was +willing to insure our welfare by his laws. He bestowed upon us that +immortal code of jurisprudence which invested him with the title of +the legislator of France, a title to which our former kings had +aspired in vain. He organised that admirable system of finance and +administration, which their subjects, groaning under misrule, implored +but without effect.</p> + +<p>Still he had not accomplished enough to satisfy his noble and +beneficent ardour. Arts, sciences, and industry were to flourish in +our country. The munificent aids<a id="footnotetag22" name="footnotetag22"></a><a href="#footnote22" title="Go to footnote 22">[22]</a> which were granted by Napoleon, +created the thousands and thousands of manufactories from whence +proceeded those finished works of skill and labour which became the +pride of the French, and the despair and ruin of foreign nations. The +sons of Apollo<a id="footnotetag23" name="footnotetag23"></a><a href="#footnote23" title="Go to footnote 23">[23]</a>, on whom he lavished his gifts and favours, seized +the crayon, the compass, and the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page071" name="page071"></a>(p. 071)</span> chisel. Paris became a +second Athens, when adorned by the wonders of art to which his +munificence gave birth. We then saw the venerable Louvre rise, as by +enchantment, from its deserted ruins; the palaces of our Kings became +more gorgeous; the temples of the arts were enriched by productions +which rivalled the relics of antiquity; our native land brought forth +those establishments so proudly useful to the public, and those +monuments destined to transmit the recollections of our fame and glory +to the most distant posterity.</p> + +<p>At the same moment his sovereign will guided the hands which curbed +the waves of the ocean, and caused them to roll over a new abyss. He +directed those labours which substituted wide harbours, superb +dock-yards, and fertilizing canals, in the place of desert shores and +pestilential marshes, restoring commerce and existence to the +innumerable inhabitants of the sea coast, and of the banks of the +<span lang="de">Scheld</span> and the <span lang="fr">Somme</span>. At the same moment his voice created those Roman +highways, branching through all parts of France, and Germany, and +Italy, equally useful and majestic, and which afforded to the +inhabitants of those countries means equally speedy and secure of +communicating with each other, and of exchanging the products of their +industry: and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page072" name="page072"></a>(p. 072)</span> never will the friend or even the enemy of +Napoleon cross the summits of the Alps, or ascend their craggy sides, +without venerating the magnanimous sovereign, who, anxious to guide +the steps and protect the life of the traveller, has enclosed the +precipice, chained the torrent, and linked the great mountains of the +earth, which during so many ages have braved the might of man and +time. When future ages shall gather up in memory the glorious and +transcendent deeds of Napoleon; when they shall number the blessings +which he dispensed, and the victories which he gained, never will they +believe that one man can have worked such miracles in so short a +period. They will rather fancy that the historian was playing with the +credulity of posterity, that he culled out all the great deeds +performed by successive generations of the greatest men during an +infinite series of ages, and that he has attributed them all to his +ideal hero.</p> + +<p>The soldiers who had bled beneath the banners of Napoleon would not +listen in silence to the praises which others bestowed upon his name. +His foreign conquests, which even they had lately considered as the +causes of our misfortunes, became again the sources of inexhaustible +admiration.</p> + +<p>They recollected that Napoleon had ruled as the master of Madrid, of +Lisbon, of Munich, of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page073" name="page073"></a>(p. 073)</span> Warsaw, of Hamburgh, of Berlin, of +Vienna, of Milan, of Amsterdam, of Rome, of Moscow, of Cairo.</p> + +<p>Some recalled the memory of the day of Lodi. They saw him standing on +the bridge re-animating his dispirited followers, defying danger and +death whilst he waved the national flag, and drove the enemy from +their entrenchments, and blasted their glory. Others pointed him out +whilst crossing the perpetual snows and yawning chasms of Mount <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> +Bernard</span>, and then victorious on the plains of Marengo, where he won +that battle which insured the peace and glory of the country.</p> + +<p>Austerlitz had its chroniclers, who described Napoleon as he fell with +the rapidity and violence of the thunderbolt on the battalions of the +Austrian and the Russian, and when he afforded to those trembling +monarchs an example of magnanimity which they knew not how to imitate +when generosity became their duty. Nor did his enthusiastic advocates +omit the field of Jena, where his victorious ensigns chased the flying +troops of Frederic, who, deceived by their recollections, yet held +themselves to be the paragons of military worth. They retraced his +paths amidst the burning sands of Egypt, amidst the icy wastes of +Muscovy; and in either region Napoleon supported fire <span class="pagenum"><a id="page074" name="page074"></a>(p. 074)</span> and +frost without ostentation, and taught resignation and endurance to his +soldiers by his unshaken constancy.</p> + +<p>More recent and more painful victories contributed equally to endear +him. They saw Napoleon in <span lang="fr">Champagne</span>, when his veteran army scarcely +equalled one of the numerous divisions of the enemy. At the head of +his scanty troops he watched, and avoided, and surprised the +Austrians, the Russians, and the Prussians: wounding them on all sides +by his victorious weapons, and with such promptitude, that he seemed +to have bestowed wings upon iron and death. They placed him at <span lang="fr">Arcis +sur Aube</span>, advancing before his squadrons, and rushing forward to meet +the balls and bullets of the enemy; for he sought to sacrifice on the +field of battle that life, which he foresaw he could no longer +dedicate on the throne, to the glory and prosperity of the nation.</p> + +<p>In short, generals, officers, and soldiers, all vied with each other +in calling to mind the marches, the sieges, the conflicts, the +attacks, the days, which had immortalized their general<a id="footnotetag24" name="footnotetag24"></a><a href="#footnote24" title="Go to footnote 24">[24]</a>; and is +there a heart amongst us which does not beat higher at these +recollections?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page075" name="page075"></a>(p. 075)</span> The sentiments thus awakening in favour of Napoleon were +cherished by his friends, and by all those who, wearied of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> or discontented with their government, now wished for his +return. His name, which lately we had scarcely dared to utter, was now +in every mouth, his image in every mind. The nation began to regret +the Emperor, then they longed for him; and every one was impressed by +a secret presentiment that these expectations would soon be realized.</p> + +<p>Whilst this formidable revulsion of opinion was increasing and +appearing throughout the kingdom, it was scarcely heeded by the +ministry, the court, and the emigrants, who reposed with complacent +security on the volcano which they had kindled, and without +entertaining the slightest apprehension of the approaching explosion.</p> + +<p>"If they wish to go out of the kingdom," said <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Chateaubriand</span>, +when alluding to the partisans of the Emperor, "if they wish to return +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page076" name="page076"></a>(p. 076)</span> again, to receive or despatch letters, to send expresses, to +make proposals, to circulate false intelligence, and even to +distribute bribes, to assemble in secret or in public, to menace, to +disseminate libels, in short, to conspire against the +government,—they are at liberty to do their worst. The royal +government, which began but eight months ago, now rests upon so sure a +basis, that, were it now to be obstinate in repeating folly after +folly, it would hold good in spite of all its errors."</p> + +<p>This infatuation, however, soon diminished. Without understanding the +full extent of the evil, the government ascertained that the army and +the nation were agitated and discontented, and they deliberated on the +methods which it would be proper to employ, not for the purpose of +conciliation, but for enforcing silence.</p> + +<p>Acquainted with the uneasiness of the government, certain frantic +<span lang="fr">Chouans</span> gave out that it was full time to despatch the Bonapartists. +One chieftain, celebrated in the annals of <span lang="fr">La Vendée</span>, was even so +audacious as to declare to general Ex..... that he only waited for the +arrival of his faithful Vendeans, and then he would fall upon the +Jacobins.</p> + +<p>The news of this massacre soon reached the ears of the intended +victims. Some quitted Paris, others armed themselves, and prepared +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page077" name="page077"></a>(p. 077)</span> to sell their lives as dearly as they could. It is said that +the government became acquainted with the bloody conspiracy of the +<span lang="fr">Chouans</span>, and that they relieved France and the world from the +spectacle of another <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Bartholomew's day.</p> + +<p>This intended massacre (I have never been able to believe in it,) +persuaded the revolutionists that they could expect neither respite +nor mercy from the royalists, and that one of the two parties would be +compelled to destroy the other. The soldiers of Napoleon began to +unite, and to make themselves ready. The ministers were anxious to +disperse these assemblages, which gave them uneasiness; orders were +issued, by which all officers, whether of the staff or regimental, +were prohibited from residing at Paris without permission; and all who +were not Parisians by birth were ordered to return to their native +provinces. This measure increased the exasperation of the military, +and it did not diminish the danger. The reduced officers, instead of +conforming to the order, encouraged each other in disobedience. +According to the regulations of the war department, their contumacious +residence at Paris would subject them to the loss of their half-pay; +and many of them, though in poverty, preferred independence to +submission. The ministers <span class="pagenum"><a id="page078" name="page078"></a>(p. 078)</span> were irritated by this resistance, +and they determined to make an example. It happened that a letter of +congratulation which General Excelmans addressed to his former +sovereign, the king of Naples, was intercepted. This opportunity was +gladly seized by the new Minister at war<a id="footnotetag25" name="footnotetag25"></a><a href="#footnote25" title="Go to footnote 25">[25]</a>. He put the General on +the half-pay list, and ordered him to retire immediately, and until +further orders, to the distance of sixty leagues from Paris. Excelmans +maintained that the Minister at war had no right to remove an officer, +not being in active service, from his domicile; and he would not go: +upon this he was immediately taken into custody. It was pretended that +he had been guilty of a traitorous intercourse with the enemies of the +King, and that he was also guilty of disobedience to his Majesty's +orders. The government expected that this blow would produce the best +possible effect; but it recoiled against them: Excelmans was known to +all France; he was valued as one of her bravest and most estimable +children. The spite and hatred of the ministers had loaded him with +accusations; but his alleged treasons, far from depriving him of +public esteem and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page079" name="page079"></a>(p. 079)</span> public affection, only endeared him to his +companions in arms, and to the nation at large.</p> + +<p>Excelmans was brought to trial, and the court acquitted him<a id="footnotetag26" name="footnotetag26"></a><a href="#footnote26" title="Go to footnote 26">[26]</a>. The +council of war, by sanctioning the disobedience of the General, +declared that the government did not possess that authority over +reduced officers which they had assumed; and from this moment the +government was ruined. The decision by which the half-pay military +were enfranchised, and which left them at liberty to brave the +commands of the government, was a shock which beat the royal authority +to the ground.</p> + +<p>Here I shall stop. It would be of no further use to lengthen the +history and the investigation of the absurd tyranny of the government. +If we trace the progress of the principles successively enounced by +the ministry, and the actions of which they were the authors, we shall +see that they had formed and executed the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page080" name="page080"></a>(p. 080)</span> project of +re-establishing the old monarchy, and of overturning the +constitutional government either by artifice or by main force. The +royal charter was spurned by them, and they trampled without scruple +on the civil and political rights which it consecrated. Every +guarantee given to the army, the magistracy, the public functionaries, +or the nation, was forgotten, attacked, or violated. Our national +glory was insulted; public feeling was wounded. The manners and +customs and opinions of the new era were all treated with harshness: +all ranks and classes of citizens experienced those vexations which +filled them with discontent. By injustice and bad faith the government +deprived the King of our confidence and love, and caused the +restoration of the Emperor to become the hope of the nation. In spite +of the obstacles experienced by the ministry, in spite of the affronts +to which they had been subjected, in spite of the retrograde steps +which they had been compelled to take, they still clung to the baneful +system which they had fostered; and, bigoted to these plans, they +continued to persevere in those errors which recalled Napoleon from +his exile, just as Napoleon persevered in the errors which recalled +the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> back from theirs.</p> + +<p>But whilst the storm was gathering in France, how was Napoleon +employed? Ambition had <span class="pagenum"><a id="page081" name="page081"></a>(p. 081)</span> taken flight, and he was seen to +prefer a life of unostentatious retirement to all his former +grandeurs. Repose had greater charms for him than the noble turmoil of +war; and his genius, no longer teeming with meditation, yielded to the +pleasures of retirement. The study of botany, the cares of his +household, the plantations which he had made, and those which he was +still planning, beguiled his hours<a id="footnotetag27" name="footnotetag27"></a><a href="#footnote27" title="Go to footnote 27">[27]</a>; and, like the Roman +Diocletian, he might have said to those who suspected that he longed +in secret after the throne, "Come and see me in my retirement: I will +show you the gardens which I have planted, and you will talk no more +to me about the empire."</p> + +<p>Napoleon, during the early part of his retirement in Elba, felt only a +vague desire of reigning. Grieved by the miseries of France, the +country which he loved so truly, wearied by the vicissitudes of +fortune, disgusted with mankind, he feared that, if he attempted to +seize the sceptre again, he should involve France and himself in new +troubles; and, without abandoning <span class="pagenum"><a id="page082" name="page082"></a>(p. 082)</span> his expectation of +re-ascending the throne, he resolved to allow his resolutions to be +guided by futurity.</p> + +<p>The turn taken by public affairs soon roused the Emperor from this +state of indifference and hesitation. At first he hoped, and I have +heard him say so, that the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, instructed by adversity, would +confer liberty and happiness upon the nation. But when he witnessed +the power which was bestowed upon the priesthood, the emigrants, and +the courtiers, he foresaw that the very same causes which had produced +the first revolution, would soon occasion a second. From that period +he watched the continent; nor did he lose sight, even for a moment, of +the congress, or of France, or of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. He could tell the +talents<a id="footnotetag28" name="footnotetag28"></a><a href="#footnote28" title="Go to footnote 28">[28]</a>, the principles, the vices, and the virtues of all those +who had acquired the confidence of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII</abbr>, either by intrusion or +by favour. He could measure the degrees of influence which each was +capable of acquiring and exercising, and he calculated beforehand on +the errors <span class="pagenum"><a id="page083" name="page083"></a>(p. 083)</span> which they would inevitably induce his docile +successor to commit.</p> + +<p>Napoleon now employed himself again in reading the public journals of +France and of foreign countries; he read assiduously all periodical +works of a political tendency; he studied these productions; he +investigated them with acuteness, and he could well divine the meaning +of a writer who was compelled to be silent, and conjecture the nature +of intelligence which an editor was forced to suppress.</p> + +<p>Strangers of distinction, and particularly the English, were received +by Napoleon with affability and kindness, and he used to talk freely +with his visitors on public affairs. He knew how to draw them out, and +to lead them to expatiate on points which he wished to penetrate; and +he seldom failed to obtain much useful information from those +interviews. By these simple methods Napoleon obtained a correct idea +of the events which were taking place on the continent; he was too +well acquainted with revolutions not to be sensible that the sway of +events would open the gates of France, and admit him; and he was too +wary to enter into a private correspondence with his partisans, when +any accident might have revealed his secret wishes, and have afforded +a pretext to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page084" name="page084"></a>(p. 084)</span> his enemies for attacking his independence and +his liberty.</p> + +<p>Napoleon thus waited in silence till the fated time of his +re-appearance in France should arrive, when a French Officer<a id="footnotetag29" name="footnotetag29"></a><a href="#footnote29" title="Go to footnote 29">[29]</a>, +disguised as a sailor, disembarked at <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>.</p> + +<p>Some few days before this Officer set out to join the army in the year +1815, he gave over to me the manuscript narrative of his voyage to the +Isle of Elba. "To you," added he, "I deliver my history, which is also +that of the revolution of the 20th of March. As the Emperor, when +regaining his throne, did not think fit to speak of me, I was +therefore bound to be silent; but I am as eager to live in the memory +of after-ages as he can possibly be<a id="footnotetag30" name="footnotetag30"></a><a href="#footnote30" title="Go to footnote 30">[30]</a>. It is my wish that posterity +may learn, that I too shared <span class="pagenum"><a id="page085" name="page085"></a>(p. 085)</span> in the glorious enterprise of +subverting the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> government, and of bringing back the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page086" name="page086"></a>(p. 086)</span> +Emperor. My mind misgives me. I have a presentiment that I shall die +in this campaign. Keep my manuscript, and promise to publish it when +the time shall arrive." I gave my word accordingly; and the +forebodings of my friend were realised, for he was killed at Waterloo.</p> + +<p>I now fulfil my promise. I have not dared to make any alterations in +the narrative: if I had, I should have felt that I was betraying the +wishes of my friend. But I have suppressed the names of the parties +concerned, and I have expunged some passages, in which the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> +family were treated with disrespect.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page087" name="page087"></a>(p. 087)</span> <h2>HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTION OF THE 20th OF MARCH.</h2> + +<p>When Napoleon resigned his crown, I broke my sword. I swore that I +never more would use it in the service of France, or of the new +Sovereign of the nation. But the generous farewell of the Emperor +could not fail to affect me; and, conquered by the irresistible +influence which the love of glory and of our native land exercises +upon a French soldier, I soon awoke to more praiseworthy and more +tempered feelings. My recollections faded, my regrets were softened, +and I aspired most sincerely to the honour of being again useful to my +country, and to my country's King.</p> + +<p>At first the character which I had earned, procured for me the most +gratifying reception. Dazzling prospects were held out to me. I +believed that I was treated with sincerity. This error was of short +duration. Deceived and baffled, I now understood that they were +cheating the army and myself. They affected to honour us in the +aggregate, because they were afraid of us; and they insulted us +individually, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page088" name="page088"></a>(p. 088)</span> in conformity to their systematic hated. My +character was too proud to allow me to bear with the insults and the +contempt which they wished to pour out upon me. I resigned my +commission. France and her government sickened me; but my military +enthusiasm had not abated. I thought that I should be recollected by +the Emperor, who had distinguished me in the field of battle; and that +he would deign to grant that boon which was dearest to my heart; that +he would allow me to live and die in his service. I therefore made up +my mind to visit the isle of Elba.</p> + +<p>Just, however, as I was on the point of departing, I was stopped by a +sudden thought. Abandoned, betrayed, and denied, by men whom he has +heaped with rewards and honours, will the Emperor really believe that +I am really attached to him? Perhaps he will even suspect that I am a +spy, and that the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> have sent me to watch his words and +actions. I was still in relation with those persons who had formerly +enjoyed the confidence of the Emperor. Since the restoration, their +conduct had been marked by frankness and honesty. Their feelings led +them to be faithful to the person of Napoleon; their patriotism and +their principles led them to be devoted to his cause; and they had not +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page089" name="page089"></a>(p. 089)</span> sought to conceal either their fidelity or their devotion. +Many efforts had been made to gain them over to the royal party, but +they had continued immoveable. I therefore thought, that whatever +recommendation I could obtain from any one of the persons in question, +would protect me from the suspicions of the Emperor; and to them I +therefore confided my plans and the causes of my uneasiness, without +hesitation or reserve.</p> + +<p>The first, and the second, to whom I thus applied, severally assured +me that they took the most lively interest in the undertaking, and +they betrayed the most tender anxiety for its result. They desired me +to express to the Emperor the grief which his loss had occasioned to +them, and their hopes of seeing him once more; but both were afraid to +compromise themselves by writing to him, and I quitted them without +having obtained my wishes. Then I proceeded to the third, whom I shall +call <span lang="fr">Monsieur</span> X. We had known each other in those eventful periods +when men are put to the test, and he had kindly formed and retained a +favourable opinion of my character and courage. I unveiled my projects +and my fears. "Your fears," answered he, "are well founded. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page090" name="page090"></a>(p. 090)</span> +The Emperor will distrust you, and probably he will not allow you to +continue with him. My recommendation would, without doubt, be of great +utility to you, but I cannot give it without danger. Not that I should +be in danger, for my affection towards the Emperor is well known to +all the world, but we might put the Emperor himself in jeopardy; for, +if they were to take my letter from you, they might give it over to a +spy, nay, even to an assassin."</p> + +<p>This argument appeared conclusive to me, but I answered, "A lucky +thought flashes across my mind. You have acted so long and so often in +connexion with the Emperor, that surely you must be able to recollect +some circumstances, some disclosures known only to yourselves, which, +if I relate them to his Majesty, will prove to him that you trust me, +and that I am worthy of his trust."—"Your idea is excellent; yet," +added he, "I must either give you insignificant details, and then the +Emperor will have forgotten them, or I must reveal important secrets +to you, and I am forbidden by my duty to do so; yet I will turn the +matter over in my mind. Call here again to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>I called again. "I have ransacked my memory," <span class="pagenum"><a id="page091" name="page091"></a>(p. 091)</span> said <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** +as he accosted me, "and here is the very thing which you want." He +then delivered a note to me. "I had only considered your expedition to +Elba," continued <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X***, "in relation to your own concerns; but it is +of much greater importance than you imagine, or than I myself thought +it would be. It may produce tremendous consequences. It is impossible +that the Emperor can be indifferent to what is going on in France. If +he was to put any questions to you on that head, how would you answer +him? You must be fully aware how very dangerous it might be if you +were to give him an erroneous idea of our political +situation."—"Though I am a soldier by profession, yet I am not an +utter novice in politics. I have often reflected on the present +position of France. I really think that I understand enough of the +matter to be able to satisfy the curiosity of Napoleon."—"I don't +doubt it: but, come, what is your opinion of affairs?"</p> + +<p>In answer to this interrogatory, I entered into an illustrative +analysis of the faults of government, and of the consequences ensuing +therefrom. Our conversation became warmer, and when, after having +discussed the time present, we began to contemplate futurity, our +thoughts <span class="pagenum"><a id="page092" name="page092"></a>(p. 092)</span> were evolved with so much rapidity; we were carried +so much further than we intended, that we ourselves were astonished, +and we then both continued during a short interval in a kind of +reverie. I was the first who broke silence. "Well," said I, "suppose +the Emperor, after having questioned me, were to ask, Do you think the +time of my re-appearance in France is arrived, what must I +answer?"—"You will tell his Majesty that I could not dare to decide +so important a question; but that he may consider it as a positive and +incontestible fact that our present government (as you have well +observed) has wholly lost the confidence of the people and of the +army; that discontent has increased to the highest pitch; and that it +is impossible to believe that the government can stand much longer +against the universal dislike. You will add, that the Emperor is the +only object of the regret and hope of the nation. He, in his wisdom, +will decide what he ought to do."—"If he asks me whether this opinion +is only yours, or whether <abbr title="Messieurs">Messrs.</abbr> ******* all share in it, what shall +I answer?"—"Tell him that since his abdication those persons have +ceased to be in communication with each other, but that my opinion is +conformable to the general opinion."—"I <span class="pagenum"><a id="page093" name="page093"></a>(p. 093)</span> am now able to +answer all the questions which the Emperor may ask. <span lang="fr">Adieu</span>."</p> + +<p>We embraced each other repeatedly, and we parted.</p> + +<p>As soon as I had quitted <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** all that had passed between us filled +my mind again. I now contemplated at leisure the mission which I was +called upon to fulfil. I measured its extent, and weighed its +consequences, and I could not help feeling astonished, and in some +measure alarmed, by the result of this self-examination. So long as I +merely intended to go to Elba for the sole purpose of offering my +services to the Emperor, my journey appeared to be nothing out of the +common course of things, and I thought that I should not have +hesitated to declare to the government that I was going to rejoin my +former benefactor, the Sovereign of my choice; but since the object of +my journey had become so much more important; since, to use the words +of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X***, it might produce tremendous consequences, it seemed that +the government would not fail to watch me; that it would dog me in my +path, and endeavour to spy out all my words and actions.</p> + +<p>Hence I became suspicious and uneasy. The <span class="pagenum"><a id="page094" name="page094"></a>(p. 094)</span> note of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** +appeared an immense burthen. I got it by heart, and then I threw it in +the fire. Instead of asking at once for a passport to Genoa or +Leghorn, as I had at first intended, I asked for a passport to Milan. +There was a General officer then residing in that city whom I knew; +and I thought that if the Police were to question me, I might then +declare that I was going to Milan in order to settle my accounts with +my friend the General, he being in my debt for money which I had +advanced to him.</p> + +<p>Having thus settled my plan, I went on to the "prefecture de police." +Whilst I was stepping across the threshold of the door, my heart began +to beat so violently that I could hardly move or breathe. If at that +instant any body had cried out to me, "Rascal, what are you about?" I +think I should have dropped, and that I should have let out the whole +secret. It must not be thought that my confusion arose from cowardly +fear; no, it was the impression which every honest man ought to feel, +when, for the first time in his life, he commits an action which he is +under the necessity of concealing.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes I came to myself again. In I went, and presented +myself boldly to <span lang="fr">Monsieur <span class="pagenum"><a id="page095" name="page095"></a>(p. 095)</span> Rivière</span>, the Prefect of Police. He +cross-questioned me at full length, but my answers were clear and +firm. My countenance was unabashed, and appeared to preclude all +suspicion, and he granted my passport. Yet, at all events, I thought +it prudent to ascertain whether I was watched, and to my great +surprise I found that during two days I was closely followed. I did +not give any token by which my spy could ascertain that I was aware of +his company, and, in order to mislead him, I went to the +<i><span lang="fr">messageries</span></i>, where I took and paid for a place in the Lyons +diligence. But when night came I hired post-horses under a feigned +name, and set off as fast as possible, and in a few days I was at +Milan.</p> + +<p>My friend the General was absent: I wrote to him, and he hastened to +meet me. I confessed that I intended to try to obtain employment under +Napoleon.—"You won't get it," said he; "Napoleon has not ready money +enough to pay his body guard. A good many of my old officers have +joined him, and for themselves and their families they only receive +fifty, or perhaps sixty francs a month. They are in a state of +starvation and despair."—"No matter; I love the Emperor, and come +what may, I will <span class="pagenum"><a id="page096" name="page096"></a>(p. 096)</span> join him. Do tell me how I can soonest put +to sea."—"The thing is not easy; there is no place from whence you +can sail, except only from Leghorn or from Genoa; and those two points +are under such close inspection, that you will be sure to be taken up, +if you are known to be a Bonapartist. You might slip through with +greater ease if you could pass for a tradesman of this town. I will +try to get you a passport, but I am afraid it will be a difficult +job."—"Besides, there is another difficulty, which is still greater; +<i><span lang="fr">ma foi</span></i>! I can't speak a dozen words of Italian."—"Is it +possible?"—"Yes, I am in earnest."—"And you would venture on such a +scheme! are you crazy?"—"Crazy or not, I will venture; but can I +really embark no where but at Leghorn or Genoa?"—"There are very many +small ports on the coast of Tuscany, but if you go to any of them you +must stop till there is an opportunity of getting out; and in the mean +time you would be under the <i><span lang="fr">surveillance</span></i> of the authorities, who +are, one and all, exceedingly ill-disposed towards the Emperor and his +people. Perhaps you might be able to embark immediately in the gulf of +<span lang="it">Spezzia</span> at <span lang="it">Lerici</span>; but, in order to get there, you must go through +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page097" name="page097"></a>(p. 097)</span> Genoa, and along the shore; and then there is great reason +to fear that you may be snapped either by the Piedmontese carabineers, +or by the new consul at Genoa, who, according to what I hear, is quite +outrageous. There is another road through the mountains of <span lang="it">Spezzia</span>, +but it has not been used for a long time, and you would run the risk +either of breaking your neck, or of being knocked on the head."—"No +matter, if there is no danger in the victory there is no glory in the +triumph. That road suits me; and to-morrow I will set out on my +expedition."—"Is your passport all right?"—"I will go and get it +marked for Lerici."—"Another piece of stupidity; don't you know that +here you have to deal with our implacable enemies, the Austrians, who +will raise all kinds of difficulties; but I know a Tedesco Colonel (in +Italy an Austrian is called a Tedesco), who will probably be able to +do the needful for us: we will ask him to come and dine with us. +Business or quarrels can all be settled with these gentry when they +are feeding."</p> + +<p>Our Tedesco Colonel really got my passport through the office. I left +my "<span lang="fr">calèche</span>" and my baggage at Milan, and the next day I started in a +"<span lang="it">seggiola</span>," a kind of a little cabriolet, in which you drive along at +an infernal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page098" name="page098"></a>(p. 098)</span> rate. I travelled through cross roads till I +came to the foot of the mountains. As it was impossible to ascend them +in a wheeled carriage, I was compelled, though reluctantly, to +separate myself from my "<span lang="fr">conducteur</span>." I bought two horses, one for +myself, and the other for my new guide; this new guide could not speak +a word of French. I had taken care to provide myself with a pocket +dictionary, French and Italian; but I was completely ignorant, or at +least very nearly so, of the way either of pronouncing Italian words, +or of arranging them; and thus our conversation was reduced on both +sides to a few detached phrases, which were often mutually +unintelligible.</p> + +<p>We set out at break of day. About noon the snow began to fall, and we +had the greatest difficulty imaginable in reaching a hamlet, the name +whereof I have forgotten. The next day the weather became still more +wretched; my guide's horse foundered in the snow, and we lost two +hours in hauling him out again. My guide was an Italian, and, like all +Italians, he was full of superstition, and easily discouraged. He +considered this accident as a bad omen, and he wanted to turn back; I +could only conquer his repugnance by means of a double Napoleon <span lang="fr">d'or</span>. +Scarcely had I given it to him when I <span class="pagenum"><a id="page099" name="page099"></a>(p. 099)</span> felt the extent of my +imprudence; I was exciting his avarice, and perhaps exposing myself to +become his victim. As we advanced, the road became worse and worse; at +every step we encountered pits and holes, or the road was stopped by +rocks which had fallen in, and which forced us to scramble through new +paths. So much snow had fallen in the north of Italy, and particularly +in the district which we were then crossing, that even the muleteers +had deserted the mountains: and my guide, unable to discern the beaten +road, was compelled to make a survey at every step, lest we should +either lose ourselves, or else tumble down the precipices which +bordered our road of danger. The next day we arrived at <span lang="it">Borcetto</span>; the +perils which I had escaped taught me caution: I hired two more horses, +and another guide; and for this addition to my train, I paid out of +all reason. I then met with a custom-house officer, who either out of +kindness, or for the purpose of alarming me, I know not which, warned +me to be particularly on my guard in crossing "<span lang="fr">la Size</span>," a very lofty +and dangerous mountain, for he told me that it swarmed with robbers. I +put fresh priming in my pistols; I turned up my eyes toward Heaven to +implore its protection, and I set out. When we had proceeded <span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>(p. 100)</span> +half way up the mountain, I was accosted by a soldier, who compelled +me to enter the guard-house, and to produce my passport. This post, +which had been lately established for the security of travellers, was +occupied by a subaltern and by six soldiers, who had all served in the +imperial army. They guessed by my looks that I had seen some service, +and, after a short conversation, they asked me to come in and warm +myself by drinking the health of the Emperor Napoleon. I refused at +first, lest I should be entrapped, but they insisted so frankly that I +was compelled to yield. On taking leave I gave them a twenty-franc +piece, in order to drink the health of Napoleon, and mine too; and I +begged them to recommend my guides to take care of me. The commandant +called the guides, and at the same time that he fired a volley of +oaths and curses, he declared that if any accident happened to me, he +would shoot them both on their return. My worthy military friends also +escorted me during a considerable distance, and we separated with +feelings which no one but a soldier can appreciate or understand.</p> + +<p>We were to sleep at <span lang="it">Pontremoli</span>. Our halt retarded us, and night +overtook us. In order to shorten the distance, my guides led me by a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>(p. 101)</span> broad path which wound round the side of the mountain. The +descent was so steep that our horses came down every moment, and we +ourselves were obliged to slide along. I found myself at the foot of +the mountain in a spot which was so dark and dreary, that I fancied my +guides had conducted me thither in order to dispatch me. After having +groped along for some time, my guides stopped. The darkness and the +snow concealed the face of the country to such a degree, that they did +not know where they were, nor which way they ought to turn: their fear +became excessive; they prayed to all the Saints in heaven in their +turn: they shook each other by the hand, and embraced each other like +sailors on the point of being shipwrecked. My <i><span lang="fr">sang froid</span></i> did not +desert me; I took one of the horses which looked like an old roadster; +I dropped the bridle on his neck, and gave him a sound cut with my +whip; he started, I followed, and a few minutes afterwards, to the +inexpressible surprise, and also to the inexpressible satisfaction of +my guides, we found ourselves in the right road, and within half an +hour's ride of <span lang="it">Pontremoli</span>, where we arrived towards midnight.</p> + +<p>From <span lang="it">Pontremoli</span> to <span lang="it">Spezzia</span> there was yet a journey of four-and-twenty +hours; and four-and-twenty hours on such roads as I had gone <span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>(p. 102)</span> +over are equal to four-and-twenty centuries. But how great was my +delight on quitting <span lang="it">Pontremoli</span>, when, instead of the frozen rocks and +deserts, which I had crossed the eve before, I saw nothing as I looked +around, but valleys clothed with verdure, and enamelled with flowers; +and hills surrounded and crowned by evergreens and olive-trees. On the +day before, winter reigned with all his severity; the day after +exhibited spring with all her charms. This pleasing transition +beguiled my impatience; and the agitations which had become habitual +to my soul were succeeded by that happy tranquillity, which is +inspired by the contemplation of the beauties and the gifts of nature.</p> + +<p>A few leagues beyond <span lang="it">Pontremoli</span> the road is interrupted by a deep and +rapid stream. There is a ford across this torrent. It had scarcely +been indicated to me by my guides, beyond whom I had advanced, when I +dashed into the water; but instead of guiding my horse to the right +(as I ought to have done), I took the opposite direction. My guides, +who saw my mistake, screamed out in Italian, "fermate, fermate!" which +means, "stop, stop!" I thought it meant "firm, firm!" so I whipped and +spurred my horse with all my might; he lost his footing, and I +narrowly escaped drowning. When <span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>(p. 103)</span> I reached the opposite shore +my guides treated me with a sermon, which I dare say was very +energetic, and in which the "Devil and the Frenchman" appeared to be +the leading actors.</p> + +<p>I arrived on the **** at Lerici. I rejoiced when I saw the sea before +me, when I saw the last obstacle which was interposed between the +fulfilment of my hopes and the termination of my labours. But +unhappily my joy was of short duration; in the course of the night I +was attacked by an oppression on my chest, accompanied by a burning +fever: this was the result of the cold bath which I had taken in the +river. My mental sufferings were severe: I thought to myself, if I +should be so unlucky as to get an inflammation on my lungs, what will +become of me here without help, without friends, and in a strange +land? Ah, my beloved country! ah, my dear mother! have I left you +both, in order to perish in the arms of hirelings and of strangers! +Have I only reached the long wished-for shores of <span lang="it">Spezzia</span> but to +experience the grief of not being able to sail from them! Ah, if I +could but have reached the Emperor, if I could but have spoken to him, +if I could but have expired at his feet, then I should not have +regretted life! My devoted attachment would have been known; my memory +honoured; my <span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>(p. 104)</span> name, linked to the destiny of the Emperor, +would, perhaps, have descended with his unto posterity.... I sent for +a doctor: by singular good fortune, the medical man who came to attend +me was a retired army surgeon, a worthy man, and a great admirer of +the French. When I was quite out of danger, he expressed a wish to +know the motives which had induced me to cross the mountains to +Lerici: and he gave me to understand that he guessed my views. A man +who speaks is always liable to less suspicion than a man who says +nothing; I therefore thought it right to allay the doctor's curiosity. +After exhorting him to secrecy, and making a great mystery of the +matter, I confessed that I was a Colonel in the French army, and that +an officer who held a high rank in the service of Napoleon had married +my sister. My sister, I proceeded to state, was so afflicted and +broken down by the expatriation of her husband, that her medical +attendants had declared her life to be in the greatest danger. My +sister's illness, and the care of her four small children, prevented +her from rejoining her husband; and therefore, in order to restore +health and happiness to my poor dear sister, I had determined to go to +Elba, for the purpose of reminding my brother-in-law of the duty which +he owed to his wife and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>(p. 105)</span> children, and that I hoped to be +able to induce him to return to France, at least for a short time.</p> + +<p>I took care to diversify my romance with sighs and sentimental +reflections, and it appeared to affect him exceedingly. He condoled +with me, he tried to console me; he gave me the most flattering hopes, +and he promised to serve me to the utmost of his power, and with all +his heart and soul.</p> + +<p>As soon as I was in a state of convalescence, I became more ardent +than before, in search of an immediate opportunity of embarking. My +complaisant doctor introduced me to the captain of a running felucca, +and I hired his vessel for a fortnight.</p> + +<p>The captain asked me for my passport, in order that he might receive +his "<i><span lang="fr">feuille de bord</span></i>" and his "<i><span lang="it">boletta</span></i>" from the port officer. +This was in consequence of regulations of which I was wholly ignorant. +The fact is, that no vessel can clear out of one port, or enter +another, without a "<i><span lang="fr">feuille de bord</span></i>," stating the complement of the +crew, and the number of passengers; and a "<i><span lang="it">boletta</span></i>," or certificate, +delivered by the health officers to each of the passengers and crew +individually, stating that the bearer has not been attacked by any +infectious <span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>(p. 106)</span> disorder. These papers are only delivered on the +production of the passports, to which they must correspond exactly. I +did not expect this proceeding; my plans were all disorganized: my +passport did not authorize me to embark; and I was afraid if I +produced it, (for in such situations we are afraid of every thing), +that difficulties might arise, and that they would refer to the Consul +or his agents.</p> + +<p>The Captain guessed the cause of my uneasiness, and he offered to +procure a passport and a <i><span lang="it">boletta</span></i> under a feigned name. I refused: I +thought it more advisable to run the risk of being punished as a +Bonapartist than as an impostor. "Since you will not do so," said the +captain, "there is but one course which you can pursue: you must get +on board a boat, and pass for a common sailor. I will manage the +business for you."—Some hours afterwards the captain came to me with +a Gallo-Genoese sailor, who offered to take me, without any papers, +wherever I wished to go. He added, that he had a relation who was a +gunner on board the <span lang="fr">Inconstant</span>, a brig belonging to Napoleon, and that +he should be very glad to see him again. I judged that my design of +going to Elba had got wind: I therefore determined, if possible, to +depart that very night. It was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>(p. 107)</span> therefore agreed that +Salviti, so the sailor was called, should fetch me, and that we should +put out to sea, however bad the weather might prove.</p> + +<p>Whilst these arrangements were going on my doctor paid me a visit. The +doctor told me that the commandant of the town, whom he attended, was +going to send a file of his carabineers to bring me before him in +order to ascertain the reason of my arrival, and of my residence on +the shores of the gulf. "I told him," continued the doctor, "that you +are unwell, and that you are going to your family in Corsica, and that +you intend to begin your voyage as soon as you are able to support the +fatigue. I think I have made him easier, yet don't trust him: be off +as quick as you can."—"I shall be off to-night; but as your +commandant or his <span lang="fr">gensdarmes</span> might take a fancy to lay hold of me +between this and then, I therefore think it will be more prudent for +me to go to him of my own accord, and to confirm the story which you +have had the goodness to tell him." Accordingly I went immediately to +the Commandant; and as the doctor had let me into the character of the +man, I easily succeeded in pleasing and tranquillizing him. However, +he made me promise that I would bring my <span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>(p. 108)</span> passport to him +to-morrow. I gave as many promises as he could wish. At midnight we +set sail; and by break of day we had already lost sight of the gulf of +<span lang="it">Spezzia</span>, and of the majestic scenery which surrounds it. The bark +which carried me and all my fortunes was only a common boat with four +oars and a lateen sail. The crew consisted of six men; Salviti could +speak French, and he was a good-looking fellow: the countenances of +the others displayed want and utter profligacy. They examined me with +great curiosity, and they were constantly talking about me. Salviti +interpreted their discourse. I gave them civil language. We even seek +to please sailors when we are in need of their help<a id="footnotetag31" name="footnotetag31"></a><a href="#footnote31" title="Go to footnote 31">[31]</a>. I was +sea-sick without intermission; and to complete my misfortunes I had +omitted to furnish myself with provisions. I was therefore obliged to +mess with my companions; and their food consisted of stinking salt +fish, and chiefly of <i><span lang="it">bacalao</span></i>, or salt cod, which is eaten quite raw.</p> + +<p>The wind was against us, therefore we did not come in sight of the +lighthouse of Leghorn until the morning of the second day. How can I +express <span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>(p. 109)</span> my surprise and anger when I saw that our vessel was +making the mouth of the harbour! "Salviti, where are you taking +me?"—"To Leghorn."—"I won't go to Leghorn," I exclaimed with a great +oath. "It is not to Leghorn that you promised to take me."—Salviti +answered, with confusion, that he was not the owner of the vessel, but +that he hired it in partnership with the rest of the crew, that they +were all smugglers, and that they were going to Leghorn for the +purpose of arranging an expedition of consequence with other smugglers +there. Their business would be soon settled, and then they would take +me to <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>; and he declared that he gave his word of honour +that he would do so, and that I might trust him.—"I will not agree to +all this," I exclaimed, presenting my pistols to his breast: "Let us +go straight on to Elba, or I will shoot you."—"Shoot away, if you +like, but you will not do yourself much good: my companions will heave +you into the sea, or else you will be guillotined at Leghorn." The +coolness of the fellow completely disarmed me. "Well, then," said I, +"swear that you will take me to-morrow to the isle of Elba."—"I have +told you already that I am a scoundrel if I break my word." The +sailors did not understand <span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>(p. 110)</span> a word of our dialogue, nor could +they make out what was the cause of my fury. One of them, who had +deserted from the English navy, seized a big knife in the shape of a +stiletto. The others seemed to wait the result, in order to throw +themselves upon me. When this scene had finished, I endeavoured to +bribe Salviti to turn back, but no; he had given his word of honour to +go to Leghorn, and his word of honour was inviolable. Thus I was +conducted against my will into the trap which I wished to avoid. I was +worked up to the highest pitch of fury and vexation; I foamed with +rage and despair. Thus, thought I, wringing my hands, these ruffians +will deprive me of the reward which I was to obtain for my sufferings. +Alas! the Emperor, the Emperor! so near him—under his eyes—at the +moment that—"Rascal!" I cried out to Salviti, "I will follow you like +your shadow, and sooner than allow myself to be arrested, I will blow +out your brains!"—Salviti shrugged up his shoulders, and answered, +"Well and good; but, in the mean time, strip, and dress yourself like +a sailor."—"Why?"—"Why! why, because you have no passport, and they +will lock you up."—I submitted to this new tribulation. One of the +wretches pulled off a heavy jacket with a hood attached <span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>(p. 111)</span> to +it, in which I arrayed myself. A coloured handkerchief, all drenched +with sweat and filthiness, was taken from the neck of another of them, +and tied round mine. A third gave me his woollen cap; and in spite of +my unavoidable disgust, I was compelled to draw it on my head down to +my eyes. My beard, by good luck, did not disgrace my unshaved +messmates, and in order that the colour of my hands might not betray +me, I washed them in the bilge-water which stagnated beneath the +flooring of our boat. More remained to be done: our "<i><span lang="fr">feuille de +bord</span></i>" stated that our crew consisted of six men: we were seven. It +therefore, became necessary to hide one<a id="footnotetag32" name="footnotetag32"></a><a href="#footnote32" title="Go to footnote 32">[32]</a>. We chose him who was the +shortest, and the most slender. He nestled at the end of the boat, and +we covered him with some old mats and sailors' jackets. These +preparations being terminated, I was told to seat myself in the place +of a rower, and to take an oar in my hand; and at night-fall we came +into the road of Leghorn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>(p. 112)</span> Salviti presented his papers. The date was too old<a id="footnotetag33" name="footnotetag33"></a><a href="#footnote33" title="Go to footnote 33">[33]</a>. The +officers raised objections: he lost his temper; and by way, both of +punishment and precaution, we were ordered to submit to the lesser +quarantine, that is to say, to remain prisoners in the roads during +three days.</p> + +<p>Salviti came with a sorrowful visage and announced this fresh +misfortune; our vessel tacked about, and we reached our station of +exile.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the third day Salviti informed me that, according to +custom, they intended to put an "inspector of health" on board of our +vessel, who would pass the night with us, in order to ascertain +whether we were all well. From the person who had brought, or who, +rather, had thrown us our provisions (for all contact is prohibited +under pain of death), he had ascertained the name of our intended +inspector. He was a gamester and a drunkard. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>(p. 113)</span> Salviti +procured cards and wine; and he assured me that he would manage the +inspector in such a manner as to prevent his taking any notice of me.</p> + +<p>As for me, I was not as easy as Salviti. I was afraid lest the +inspector might discover the sailor whom we had hidden, or that he +might guess by my manner, my looks, and my awkwardness, that I was not +really the character which I seemed to be. Besides, a single question +would have ended the matter. I did not understand a single word of +Italian, and I should have betrayed myself either by answering him, or +by remaining silent. It came into my head to counterfeit deafness: +this would excuse me from taking a part in the conversation: and to +make believe that I had a wound in my hand: this would account for my +inactivity, and prevent his observing how little I knew of my +pretended occupation. I drew a few drops of blood, which I smeared +upon some dirty rags, in which I wrapped my hand. Salviti explained my +stratagem to my companions, and their loud peals of laughter explained +to me that they approved of it. The inspector arrived. I kept myself +to myself. Salviti acted his part admirably. So did I: and to my great +delight the evening closed, and nothing disagreeable had <span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>(p. 114)</span> +happened. Until this night I had always slept separately from the rest +on a tolerable mattress. But the inspector was now accommodated with +my birth and my bed; and I was compelled to lie on the floor with the +sailors; my head being placed even with the feet of my two next +neighbours. The stench and closeness of the atmosphere of my den drove +the blood into my head, and I thought I should have been suffocated. +Early in the morning my companions began to eat and drink: I kept at a +distance. "Come here, and eat," said Salviti.—"I can't."—"The +inspector will fancy that you are ill, and that will be enough to give +us another quarantine."—I ate. At ten o'clock the health-officers +came near us; and as our inspector made a favourable report, we were +allowed to enter the harbour. I remained on board with one of the +crew, whom I kept as a hostage. The smugglers broke up their cabinet +council about two o'clock; and at three o'clock we quitted our +anchorage. A fair wind filled the sail, and I forgot all my sufferings +and my dangers when I perceived the rock where I was to meet with +Napoleon the Great.</p> + +<p>We entered the road of <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span><a id="footnotetag34" name="footnotetag34"></a><a href="#footnote34" title="Go to footnote 34">[34]</a>, without <span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>(p. 115)</span> any +difficulty, at the moment when the cannon fired, announcing that the +harbour was about to close. I heard the French drums sounding the +roll: my heart beat high: I passed the night on the deck of the boat. +Notwithstanding the joy which I felt at my arrival, I could not help +indulging in a certain degree of melancholy, inspired, perhaps, by the +silence of the night, and the aspect of the arid and gloomy mountains +which surrounded me. Ah, how vain is human grandeur! thought I. The +air of that sterile islet is breathed by that incomprehensible man who +lately felt that he had not breathing room in Europe. It is in that +humble hovel that he now dwells with his scanty train of faithful +followers; He whom I have seen in the palace of the Cæsars, receiving +the homage and the worship of the most brilliant court in the world; +He whom I have seen sitting covered, whilst eight Kings stood before +him with their hats in their hands. It is over <span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>(p. 116)</span> this little +tribe alone, not exceeding the population of a village, that Napoleon +the Great is now doomed to reign! Napoleon the Great! He who endowed +the thrones of his allies with the leavings of his conquests—He who +so long was the master and the terror of the universe!</p> + +<p>The sun rose, and put an end to my musings. My joy was inexpressible +when I recognized on the ramparts those old grenadiers whom I had so +often admired and honoured on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>I jumped on shore, and I rushed into the nearest inn for the purpose +of putting off my sailor's dress, and then flying to the palace of +Napoleon. But I had been watched and followed: and the functionaries +despatched by general Cambronne, the Commandant of the town, +immediately appeared to secure me. I tranquillized them, and they +accompanied me to the town-house, where General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> then lodged. +I sent in my name, and the General came out. "Sir, do you come from +France?"—"Yes, <span lang="fr">Monsieur le Maréchal</span>."—"What do you want here?"—"I +wish to see the Emperor, and to solicit employment."—"Does the +Emperor know you?"—"Yes, Sir, and <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** has also given me <span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>(p. 117)</span> +the means of proving to the Emperor that I am not unworthy of his +goodness."—"Do you bring us any news from France?"—"I do, <span lang="fr">Monsieur +le Maréchal</span>; and I think that the intelligence which I bring is +good."—"Well, Heaven hears you; as for us, we are so wretched—I am +dying with impatience to have a talk with you about France; but I must +inform the Emperor of your arrival. Perhaps he may not be able to see +you immediately. To-day the English corvette<a id="footnotetag35" name="footnotetag35"></a><a href="#footnote35" title="Go to footnote 35">[35]</a> is here, and those +people are suspicious of every thing: is it publicly known who you +are?"—"It is known that I am a French officer."—"So much the worse; +hide your decorations, hold your tongue, and remain within doors and +rest yourself at your inn. I will send for you."—Half an hour +afterwards the Marshal desired me to proceed as quickly as possible to +the Emperor's garden-gate: the Emperor, would come there, and speak to +me without appearing to know me. I went accordingly: the Emperor, +according to his custom, was walking with his hands behind his back. +He passed several times before me without lifting up his eyes; at last +he looked at me: he stopped, and asked me in Italian <span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>(p. 118)</span> what +countryman I was. I answered in French that I was a Parisian; that +business had called me to Italy; and that I could not resist the +desire of seeing my old sovereign.—"Well, Sir, talk to me about Paris +and France;"—and as he finished these words he began to walk again. I +accompanied him; and after he had put several indifferent questions to +me aloud, he desired me to enter his apartments: he then ordered +<span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> and <span lang="fr">Drouot</span> to retire, and forced me to sit down by his side. +Napoleon began in a reserved and absent manner: "The grand Marshal +tells me that you have just arrived from France."—"Yes, Sire."—"What +do you want here?"—"Sire, I wish to offer my services to you; my +conduct in 1814—" Napoleon interrupting me,—"Sir, I do not question +but that you are a very good officer, however I have so many officers +with me already, that it will be very difficult for me to assist you; +yet we will see: it appears that you know <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X***."—"Yes, +Sire."—"Has he sent a letter for me by you?"—"No, Sire."—Napoleon, +interrupting me, "I see he forgets me just like the rest; since I have +been here, I have not heard a word of him or of any body."—I +interrupted the Emperor in my turn, "Sire, he has never ceased to +entertain those sentiments <span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>(p. 119)</span> of devotion and attachment +towards your Majesty which are still cherished by all true Frenchmen; +and—" Napoleon, with disdain; "What, do they still think of me in +France?"—"Never will they forget you."—"Never! that is a strong +expression; the French have another Sovereign, and they are commanded +both by their duty and their tranquillity to think on him alone." This +answer did not please me: the Emperor, thought I to myself, is out of +humour because I have not brought him any letters; he mistrusts me: it +was not worth while to come so far for the sake of such an ungracious +reception.—Napoleon, continuing, "What do they think about me in +France?"—"There, your Majesty is universally deplored and +regretted."—"Yes, and there, also, they manufacture all sorts of lies +concerning me. Sometimes they say that I am mad, sometimes that I am +ill, and you may see (here the Emperor looked at his <i><span lang="fr">embonpoint</span></i>), if +I look like an ailing man. It is also given out that they intend to +transport me either to <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Helena or to Malta. I would not advise them +to try. I have provisions for six months, and brave followers to +defend me: but I cannot think that Europe will be so dishonourable as +to rise in arms against a single man, who has neither the power nor +the inclination <span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>(p. 120)</span> of hurting others. The emperor Alexander has +too much love for posterity to lend himself to such a crime. They have +guaranteed the sovereignty of the isle of Elba to me by a solemn +treaty. Here I am in my own home; and as long as I do not go out to +pick a quarrel with my neighbours, they have no right to come and +disturb me ... have you served in the grand army?"—"Yes, Sire, I had +the felicity of distinguishing myself under your Majesty's eyes in the +plains of <span lang="fr">Champagne</span>; your Majesty appeared to take such particular +notice of me, that I had dared to hope that your Majesty would +recollect me."—"Why, yes; I thought, somehow, that I knew your face +when I saw you, but I have only a confused recollection of you."—Poor +mortals! thought I to myself, go and expose your lives for the sake of +Kings, go and sacrifice your youth, your repose, your happiness for +their sake!—"In what affairs have you distinguished +yourself?"—"Sire, at *****, and at ***** Marshal Ney there presented +me to your majesty, saying, 'Sire, here is the intrepid S.... P..... +of whom I have spoken to your Majesty.'"—"Ah! ah! I really do +recollect—yes, I was very well pleased indeed, with your behaviour at +**** and at ****; you showed much resolution, much strength of +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>(p. 121)</span> character. Did I not 'decorate' you on the field of +battle?"—"Yes, Sire."—Napoleon, with greater warmth and confidence, +"<i><span lang="fr">Eh bien!</span></i> how are they all treated in France by the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>?"—"Sire, the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> have not realized the expectations of +the French, and the number of malcontents increases every +day."—Napoleon, sharply; "So much the worse, so much the worse: but +how, has not X. sent me any letters?"—"No, Sire; he was afraid lest +they might be taken from me; and as he thought that your Majesty, +being now compelled to be vigilant, and to distrust all the world, +might distrust me also, he has revealed several circumstances to me, +which are only known to your Majesty and to himself; thus enabling me +to give a proof that I am worthy of your Majesty's confidence."—"Let +us hear them." I began my detail, but he exclaimed, without allowing +me to finish, "that's enough; why did you not begin by telling me all +that? there is half an hour that we have lost." This storm<a id="footnotetag36" name="footnotetag36"></a><a href="#footnote36" title="Go to footnote 36">[36]</a> +disconcerted <span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>(p. 122)</span> me. He perceived my confusion, and resumed his +discourse with mildness.—"Come, make yourself easy, and repeat to me, +with the greatest minuteness, all that has passed between you and +X****." I then related the circumstances which had induced me to have +an interview with <span lang="fr">Monsieur</span> X****. I repeated our conversation word for +word. I gave him a complete account of all the faults and excesses of +the royal government; and I was going to draw the inferences which had +occurred to <span lang="fr">Monsieur</span> X**** and me. But the Emperor, who, when he was +affected, was incapable of listening to any recital without +interrupting it, and making his comments at every moment, stopped my +mouth. "I thought so, too," said he, "when I abdicated, that the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, instructed and disciplined by adversity, would not fall +again into the errors which ruined them in 1789. I thought that +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>(p. 123)</span> the King would govern you '<i><span lang="fr">en bon homme</span></i>.' This was the +only way by which he could obtain a pardon from you, for having been +put upon you by foreigners. But since they have stepped into France, +they have done nothing but acts of madness. Their treaty of the +twenty-third of April," (raising his voice,) "has made me deeply +indignant: with one stroke of the pen they have robbed France of +Belgium, and of all the territory acquired since the revolution. They +have deprived the nation of its docks, its arsenals, its fleets, its +artillery, and the immense <i>materiel</i> which I had collected in the +fortresses and the ports which they have ceded. <span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span> has led +them into this infamous business: he must have been bribed. Peace is +easy upon such terms. If, like them, I had consented to the ruin of +France, they would not now be on my throne:" (with energy,) "I would +sooner have cut off my right hand. I preferred renouncing my throne +rather than to retain it by staining my glory, and the honour of the +French nation.... A degraded crown is an intolerable burthen. My +enemies have published everywhere, that I obstinately refused to make +peace. They have represented me as a wretched madman, eager only for +blood and carnage: this language answered their turn. When you wish +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>(p. 124)</span> to hang your dog, you give out that he is mad: <span lang="fr"><i>Quand on +veut tuer son chien, il faut bien faire accroire qu'il est enragé.</i></span> +But Europe shall know the truth: I will let the world know all that +was said and done at <span lang="fr">Chatillon</span>. I will unmask the Austrians, the +Russians, and the English with a powerful hand. Europe shall judge: +Europe shall say who was the rogue, and who was wishing to shed human +blood. If I had been mad for war, I might have retired with my army +beyond the <span lang="fr">Loire</span>, and I might have enjoyed mountain warfare to my +heart's content. I would not; I was tired of carnage ... my name, and +the brave fellows who remained faithful to me, yet made the allies +tremble, even in my capital. They offered Italy to me as the price of +my abdication: I refused it. After once reigning over France, one +ought not to reign anywhere else. I chose the isle of Elba. They were +too happy to give Elba to me. This position suited me. I can watch +France and the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. All that I have done has been only for +France. It is for her sake and not for mine that I wished to render +her the first nation in the universe. My glory is made for myself<a id="footnotetag37" name="footnotetag37"></a><a href="#footnote37" title="Go to footnote 37">[37]</a> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>(p. 125)</span> *******. If I had only thought of myself, I would have +returned to a private station, but it was my duty to retain the +imperial title for my family and my son.... Next to France, my son is +the dearest object in the world to me."</p> + +<p>During the whole of this discourse, the Emperor continued striding up +and down, and appeared violently agitated. He paused a little while, +and then he began again. "They (i.e. the emigrants) know too well that +I am here, and they would like to assassinate me. I discover new +plots, new snares every day. They have sent to Corsica one of the +assassins of Georges, a wretch whom the English journals themselves +have pointed out to Europe as a blood-thirsty assassin; but let us be +on the alert. If he misses me, I won't miss him. I shall send my +grenadiers after him, and he shall be shot as an example to others."</p> + +<p>After a few moments of silence, he said, "Do my generals go to court? +they must cut a sad figure there." I waited for the end of this +digression, in order to resume the thread of my discourse. As I was +convinced that I could not possibly lead the conversation, I resolved +to let the Emperor have it according to his own way, and I answered, +"Yes, Sire, and they <span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>(p. 126)</span> are furious to see themselves +superseded in favour by emigrants who have never heard the sound of a +cannon."—"The emigrants will never alter. As long as they were only +required to dance attendance in my anti-chamber, I had more than +enough of them. When it was necessary to show any heart, they slunk +away like.... I committed a great error, when I recalled that +anti-national race into France. If it had not been for me, they would +have died of starvation abroad; but then I had great motives. I wanted +to reconcile Europe to us, and to close the revolution.... What do my +soldiers say about me?"—"The soldiers, Sire, talk constantly about +your immortal victories. They never pronounce your name but with +respect, admiration, and grief. When the Princes give money to the +soldiers, they drink it out to your health, and when they are forced +to cry <i><span lang="fr">Vive le Roi</span>!</i> they add in a whisper, <i>de Rome</i>."—"And so they +still love me?" (smiling.)—"Yes, Sire, and I may even venture to say, +more than ever."—"What do they say about our misfortunes?"—"They +consider them as the effect of treachery; and they constantly repeat, +that they never would have been conquered, if they had not been sold +to their enemies. They are particularly <span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>(p. 127)</span> indignant with +respect to the capitulation of Paris."—"They are right: had it not +been for the infamous defection of the Duke of Ragusa, the allies +would have been lost. I was master of their rear, and of all their +resources; not a man would have escaped. They too would have had their +twenty-ninth bulletin. <span lang="fr">Marmont</span> is a wretch; he has ruined his country, +and delivered up his sovereign. His convention with <span lang="de">Schwartzenburg</span> +would alone suffice to dishonour him. If he had not known when he +surrendered, that he compromised my person and my army, he would not +have found it necessary to make stipulations in favour of my liberty +and life. This piece of treachery is not the only one. He has +intrigued with <span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span> to take the regency from the Empress, and +the crown from my son. <span lang="fr">Caulincourt</span>, Macdonald, and the rest of the +marshals, have been cheated and gulled by him in the most shameful +manner. All his blood would not be sufficient to expiate the harm +which he has done to France.... I will devote his name to the +execration of posterity. I am glad to learn that my soldiers retain +the feeling of their superiority, and that they attribute our great +misfortunes to the right authors. I collect with great pleasure, from +the intelligence which you <span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>(p. 128)</span> have brought, that the opinion +which I had formed respecting the situation of France, is correct. The +family of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> is not fit to reign. Their government may be +good for priests, nobles, and old fashioned countesses: it is good for +nothing for the present generation. The revolution has taught the +people to know their rank in the state. They will never consent to +fall back into their former nullity, and to be tied up by the nobility +and the clergy. The army can never belong to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. Our +victories and our misfortunes have established an indissoluble tie +between the army and myself. It is only through me that the soldiers +can earn vengeance, power, and glory. From the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> they can get +nothing but insults and blows. Kings can only retain their power by +the love of their subjects or by fear. The <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> are neither loved +nor feared. At last they will throw themselves off their throne; but +they may yet retain their position for a long time. Frenchmen do not +know how to conspire."</p> + +<p>In pronouncing these words, the Emperor continued walking hastily, and +using many gestures. He rather appeared to be soliloquizing than +addressing any one else; he then continued, looking at me aside, "Does +<abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** <span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>(p. 129)</span> think that those people can stand much +longer?"—"His opinion on this point is exactly conformable to the +general opinion; that is to say, it is now the general impression and +conviction, that the government is hastening to its fall. The priests +and the emigrants are its only partisans; every man of patriotism or +soul is its enemy."—Napoleon (with energy), "Yes, all men in whose +veins any national blood is flowing must be its enemies; but how will +all this end? Is it thought that there will be a new +revolution?"—"Sire, discontent and irritation prevail to such an +extent, that the slightest partial effervescence would inevitably +cause a general insurrection, and nobody would be surprised if it were +to take place to-morrow."—"But what would you do were you to expel +the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>: would you re-establish the republic?"—"The republic, +Sire! nobody thinks about it; perhaps they would create a +regency."—Napoleon (with vehemence and surprise), "A regency! And +wherefore? am I dead?"—"But your absence...."—"My absence makes no +difference. In a couple of days I would be back again in France, if +the nation were to recal me. Do you think it would be well, if I were +to return?" The Emperor turned away his eyes, and I could <span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>(p. 130)</span> +easily remark, that to this question he attached more importance than +he cared to manifest, and that he expected my answer with anxiety. +"Sire, I dare not personally attempt to answer such a question, +but...."—Napoleon (abruptly), "That's not what I am asking you; +answer yes or no."—"Why then, Sire,—yes."—Napoleon (with +tenderness), "You really think so?"—"Yes, Sire, I am convinced, and +so is <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X****, that the people and the army would receive you as +their deliverer, and that your cause would be embraced with +enthusiasm."—Napoleon (appearing agitated and impatient), "Then X*** +advises me to return?"—"We had foreseen that your Majesty would make +inquiries on this point, and the following is literally his answer. +You will tell his Majesty that I would not dare to decide so important +a question, but that he may consider it as a positive and +incontrovertible fact, that our present government has wholly lost the +confidence of the people and of the army; that discontent has +increased to the highest pitch, and that it is impossible to believe +that the government can stand much longer against the universal +dislike. You will add, that the Emperor is the only object of the +regret and hope of the nation. He, in his wisdom, will decide what he +ought to do."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>(p. 131)</span> The Emperor became silent and pensive; and, after a long +meditation, he said, "I will reflect upon it; I will keep you with me. +Come here to-morrow at eleven o'clock."</p> + +<p>On leaving the Emperor, I met the Grand Marshal, who said, "the +Emperor has detained you a long time. I am in terror lest this +interview should have been noticed. We are surrounded by English +spies. The slightest indiscretion might cost us dear. I do not ask you +to relate to me any thing which was reserved for the Emperor; but if, +without violating your duty, you could give me any details relating to +France, you would be doing me a great favour. We hear nothing of what +is going forward, except from the journals and a few commercial +travellers; and the intelligence which we thus obtain is so trifling +and so contradictory, that we do not know what to make of it."—"I can +satisfy you, <span lang="fr">Monsieur le Maréchal</span>, and without acting indiscreetly: +what I have told to the Emperor is known to all France. Discontent is +at its greatest height, and the royal government is on its last +legs."—"I cannot tell what futurity promises to us; but whatever our +fate may be, we cannot be worse off than we are at present. Our +resources are dwindling away daily; we are becoming home-sick. If we +were not a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>(p. 132)</span> little upheld by hope, I really do not know what +would become of us. Has the Emperor allowed you to remain with +us?"—"Yes, <span lang="fr">Monsieur le Maréchal</span>."—"I give you joy, but I pity you. +There is no happiness out of one's own country. I do not regret having +followed the Emperor—this step was dictated to me by my duty and my +gratitude; but I regret France, like an infant who has lost its +mother; like a lover who has lost his mistress." The Grand Marshal's +eyes were filled with tears; he pressed my hand affectionately, and +then said, "Come and breakfast with us to-morrow morning. I will +introduce you to my wife; it will be as good as a <span lang="fr">fête</span> to her when she +has an opportunity of receiving a Frenchman, and above all, a true +Frenchman."</p> + +<p>It was soon known all over the town, that a Frenchman had arrived from +the continent. My inn was besieged by a crowd of officers and +grenadiers, who overwhelmed me with inquiries after their friends and +relations. They seemed to think that I must be acquainted with every +living creature in France. Many inquired respecting the state of +public affairs. I evaded their interrogatories, by declaring that I +had quitted France five months since.</p> + +<p>I waited on the Grand Marshal according to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>(p. 133)</span> his invitation. +He resided in one wing of the building occupied by the municipality. +In his apartment, there was hardly any thing to be seen except the +four walls. He took notice that I was surveying its appearance.—"You +are contemplating our misery," said he: "Perhaps it contrasts itself +with the opinion which you may have formed respecting our situation. +It is supposed throughout Europe, that the Emperor carried off immense +treasures; but his camp-plate, his camp bed, and a few broken down +horses, are the only objects which he has preserved, or which he +wished to preserve. Like Saladin, he could cause an outcry to be made +at his door, whilst he exposes our tatters,—behold all that Napoleon +the Great, the conqueror of the universe, has retained from his +conquests!"</p> + +<p>The General was as good as his word: he introduced me to <span lang="fr">Madame la +Maréchale</span>. I was enchanted by her manners and her amiability. Our +conversation turned upon France and the Isle of Elba, the present and +the future; and on quitting Madame <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, I did not know what I +ought most to admire—the lively graces of her mind, or the dignity +and energy of her character.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock I attended, to present myself <span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>(p. 134)</span> to the +Emperor. They made me wait in his saloon on the ground floor. The +striped silk hangings were half worn out and faded; the carpet was +threadbare, and patched in several places; a few shabby arm chairs +completed the furniture of the apartment. I thought upon the splendour +of the imperial palaces, and I drew a deep and melancholy sigh. The +Emperor arrived: he had assumed a degree of calmness in his manner, +which was belied by his eyes. It was easy to see that he had been +violently agitated. "Sir," said he, "I declared to you yesterday, that +I retained you in my service. I repeat the same to you to-day. From +this instant you belong to me, and I hope you will fulfil your duties +towards me like a good and faithful subject: you swear that you +will—is it not so?"—"Yes, Sire, I swear."—"That's right." After a +pause, "I had foreseen the crisis to which France would come, but I +did not think that things were so ripe. It was my intention not to +interfere any longer in political affairs. The intelligence which you +have brought to me has changed my resolutions. I have caused the +misfortunes of France; therefore I must remove them: but before I +commit myself, I wish to have a thorough knowledge <span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>(p. 135)</span> of the +state of our affairs. Sit down: repeat to me all that you told me +yesterday; I like to hear you."</p> + +<p>Re-assured by these words, and by a look full of kindness and +benignity, I abandoned myself without reserve to all the inspirations +of my heart and soul. The picture which I drew of the sufferings and +hopes of the nation, which I presented to the Emperor, was so touching +and so animated, that he was astonished. "You are a noble young +fellow," said he, "you have truly the soul of a Frenchman; but are you +not carried away by your imagination?"—"No, Sire; the recital which I +have made to your Majesty is quite faithful. I may have expressed +myself with warmth, because I cannot express my feelings otherwise; +but all that I have told you is exact and true. Under such important +circumstances, I should have thought it a crime to substitute the +inspirations of my imagination in the place of truth."—"You therefore +think that France awaits her redemption from me; that I shall be +received as a deliverer."—"Yes, Sire; I will even say more: the royal +government is so exceedingly hateful and disgusting to the French, the +government weighs so very heavily on the nation and the army, that not +only your Majesty, but <span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>(p. 136)</span> any body else who would endeavour to +liberate the French would find them disposed to second him."—Napoleon +(with dignity): "Repeat that to me again."—"Yes, Sire, I do repeat +it. The French are so wearied, and degraded, and incensed, by the +anti-national yoke of the emigrants and the priests, that they are +ready to join any one who will promise to deliver them."—"But if I +were to disembark in France, is there not reason to fear that the +patriots may be massacred by the emigrants and the <span lang="fr">chouans</span>?"—"No, +Sire, I do not think so; we are the most numerous and the bravest +party."—"Yes, but they may heap you in the prisons, and cut your +throats."—"Sire, the people will not let them do that."—"I hope you +may not be deceived; to be sure, I shall get to Paris so speedily, +that they won't have time to consider where they are to hide their +heads. I shall be there as soon as the news of my disembarkation.... +Yes," the Emperor continued, after taking a few steps, "I have +resolved.... It was I who gave the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> to France, and it is I who +must rid France of them.... I will set off.... The enterprise is vast, +it is difficult, it is dangerous, but it is not beyond me. On great +occasions fortune has never abandoned me.... I shall <span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>(p. 137)</span> set +off, but not alone; I won't run the risk of allowing myself to be +collared by the <span lang="fr">gensdarmes</span>. I will depart with my sword, my Polanders, +my grenadiers ... all France is on my side. I belong to France; and +for her I will sacrifice my repose, my blood, my life, with the +greatest joy." After this speech, the Emperor stopped; his eyes +sparkled with hope and genius: his attitude announced energy, +confidence, victory; he was grand, he was beautiful, he was +adorable!—he resumed his discourse, and said, "Do you think that they +will dare to wait for me?"—"No, Sire."—"I don't think so, either: +they will quake when they hear the thunder of my name; and they will +know that they can only escape me by a speedy flight. But what will be +the conduct of the national guards? Do you think they will fight for +them?"—"I think, Sire, that the national guards will remain +neutral."—"Even that's a great deal; as to their '<span lang="fr">gardes du corps</span>,' +and their red regiments, I am not afraid of them: they are either old +men or boys: they will be frightened by the mustachios of my +grenadiers. I will make my grenadiers hoist the national flag;" +lifting up his voice and his hand: "I will appeal to my old soldiers; +I will speak to them. None of them will refuse to hear the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>(p. 138)</span> +voice of their old general.... It is certain that the soldiers cannot +hesitate to choose between the white flag and the tricoloured flag; +between me, by whom they have been covered with rewards and glory, and +the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, who wish to dishonour them.... And the Marshals, what +will they do?"—"The Marshals, who are full of money and titles, have +nothing to wish for but repose. They would fear to compromise their +existence by embracing a doubtful party; and perhaps they will +continue merely spectators of the crisis. Perhaps even the fear lest +your Majesty may possibly punish them for their defection or treason +in 1814 may induce them to adhere to the king."—"I will punish no +one. Do you take me rightly? Tell <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> **** clearly, that I will forget +every thing. We have all reason to reproach each other."—"Sire, I +will tell him so with the greatest joy. This assurance will completely +gain all opinions over to your side; because even amongst your +partisans there are men who dread your return; lest you should revenge +yourself."—"Yes, I know that it is thought that I am revengeful, and +even sanguinary; that I am considered as a kind of ogre, as a +man-eater. They are mistaken: I will make every one do his duty, and +I will be obeyed; and that's all. A weak sovereign <span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>(p. 139)</span> is a +calamity to his subjects. If he allows criminals and traitors to fancy +that he does not know how to punish, there is no longer any security +either for the state or for individuals. More crimes are prevented +than repressed by severity. A sovereign must govern by his head, and +not by his heart. Yet, tell X*** that I except <span lang="fr">Talleyrand, Augereau</span>, +and the Duke of Ragusa, out of the general pardon. They caused all our +misfortunes. The country must be revenged."—"But why exclude them, +Sire? Is there not reason to fear that this exclusion may deprive you +of the fruits of your clemency, and may even raise doubts as to your +sincerity in future?"—"It would be much more exposed to doubt were I +to pardon them."—"But, Sire...."—"Don't you trouble your head about +it ... what is the strength of the army?"—"Sire, I do not know; I +only know that it has been much weakened by desertion and by +discharges, and that few of the regiments consist of more than three +hundred men."—"So much the better; those who are good for nothing +have probably left the army; the good soldiers will have remained. Do +you know the names of the officers who command the maritime districts, +and the eighth division?"—"No, Sire."—Napoleon (out of temper), +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>(p. 140)</span> "Why did not X*** give you that information?"—"Sire, both <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +X*** and myself were far from supposing that your Majesty would +immediately embrace the glorious resolution of re-appearing in France; +besides which, he might believe, according to the common report, that +your agents did not allow you to remain in ignorance of any +circumstance which might interest you."—"I do know that the +newspapers gave out that I had agents.... It is an idle story. It is +true that I sent some of my people to France, in order to learn what +was going on; but they stole my money, and only treated me with the +gabble of the canaille. C**** has been to see me, but he knew nothing. +You are the first person from whom I have ascertained the situation of +France and the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> under all its extensive bearings. Had it not +been for you, I should never have known that the hour of my return had +struck. Had it not been for you, they would have left me here to dig +in my garden. I have received—I do not exactly know from what +quarter—the description of certain assassins, hired against me; and +one or two anonymous letters besides—all from the same hand, in which +I was told to remain quiet, that the embroideries were coming into +fashion, and other <span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>(p. 141)</span> nonsense in the same style; but that's +all. It is not upon such data that one is induced to attempt a crash. +But how do you think foreigners will like my return: there is the +great question?"—"Foreign nations, Sire, have been compelled to +confederate against us in order to protect themselves; allow me to say +it...."—"Speak out, speak out."—"In order to protect themselves +against the effects of your ambition, and the abuse of your strength. +Now that Europe has recovered her independence, and that France has +ceased to be dangerous, foreign powers will probably be unwilling to +run the risk of a new war, which may end by restoring to us that +ascendancy which we have lost."—"If the allied sovereigns were at +home in their capitals they would certainly consider the matter twice +before they would take the field again; but they are yet face to face; +and it is to be feared that war may become an affair of vanity. Do you +think it is true that they are on ill terms with each other?"—"Yes, +Sire, it appears that discord reigns in the congress; that each of the +great powers wishes to seize the largest share of the booty."—"It +appears, also, that their subjects are discontented: is it not +so?"—"Yes, Sire; kings and people, every thing seems to unite in our +favour. The Saxons, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>(p. 142)</span> the Genoese, the Belgians, the +inhabitants of the banks of the Rhine, the Polanders, all refuse the +new sovereigns to whom they are to be given. Italy, tired of the +avarice and the grossness of the Austrians, pants for the moment of +withdrawing from their sovereignty. Experience has taught the King of +Naples that you are his surest protector, and he will assist the +rising of the Italians whenever you wish it. The princes of the +confederation of the Rhine, warned by the example of Saxony, will +become the allies of your majesty after the first victory. Prussia and +Russia will sit quiet, if you will only allow them to retain their new +acquisitions. The Emperor of Austria, who has every thing to fear from +Russia and Prussia, and nothing to hope for from the King of France, +will easily consent, if you only guarantee Italy to him, to allow you +to do what you think best with the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. In short, all the powers +of Europe, England only excepted, are more or less interested in not +declaring themselves against you; and before England can have +corrupted, or raised the continent, your Majesty will be so firmly +fixed on the throne, that your Majesty's enemies may try in vain to +make you totter."</p> + +<p>Napoleon (shaking his head), "All this is very fine; ... however, I +consider it as <span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>(p. 143)</span> certain, that the Kings who have fought +against me are no longer guided by the same unity, the same views, the +same interests. The Emperor Alexander must esteem me: he must be able +to estimate the difference which exists between Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> and +myself. If he were to understand his policy rightly, he would rather +see the French sceptre in the hands of a powerful sovereign, the +relentless enemy of England, than in the hands of a weak sovereign, +the friend and vassal of the Prince Regent. I would give him Poland, +and a great deal more, if he wished it: he knows that I have been +always more inclined to tolerate his ambition than to restrain it. If +he had continued my friend and my ally, I would have made him greater +than he ever will be now. Prussia, and the petty Kings of the Rhenish +confederation, will follow the lot cast by Russia. If I had Russia on +my side, she would secure me all the second-rate powers. As to the +Austrians, I do not know what they would do: they have never treated +me candidly. I suppose I could keep Austria in order by threatening to +deprive her of Italy. Italy is yet very grateful to me, and much +attached to me: if I were to ask that country for an hundred thousand +men, and an hundred millions, I should have the men and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>(p. 144)</span> the +money. If they were to force me to make war, I could easily +revolutionize the Italians; I would grant them whatever they might +wish, independence or Eugene. <span lang="fr">Mejean</span> and some others have done him +harm, but, in spite of that, he is warmly loved, and highly esteemed: +he deserves to be so; he has shown that he possesses a noble mind. +<span lang="fr">Murat</span> is ours. I have had great reason to complain of him. Since I +have been here, he has wept for his errors, and has done his utmost to +repair the injuries which he has inflicted upon me. He has regained my +friendship and my confidence: his assistance, if I were engaged in +war, would be very useful to me. He has little brains; he has nothing +but hand and heart; but his wife would direct him. The Neapolitans +like him tolerably well; and I have yet some good officers amongst +them who would keep them in the right way. As to England, we should +have shaken hands from Dover to <span lang="fr">Calais</span>, if Mr. Fox had lived; but as +long as that country continues to be governed by the principles and +passions of Mr. Pitt, we must always be as hostile as fire and +water.... From England I expect no quarter, no truce.... England knows +that the instant I place my foot in France, her influence will be +driven back across the seas ... as long as I live I will wage a war +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>(p. 145)</span> of extermination against her maritime despotism. If the +continental powers had seconded me; if they had not been afraid of me; +if they had understood my ambition, their flags would have floated +from the mast-head throughout the universe, and the world would have +enjoyed peace. All things considered, foreign powers have great +reasons to declare war against me; whilst there are also great reasons +to induce them to remain at peace with me. It is to be feared, as I +have already said to you, that they may turn the war into an affair of +vanity, or that they make it a point of honour. On the other hand, it +is possible that they may renounce their coalition, which has now no +longer any object, in order to watch their subjects; preserving at the +same time an armed neutrality, until I shall have given them +sufficient guarantees.</p> + +<p>"Their determinations, whatever they may be, will not influence mine. +France speaks, and that is sufficient for me. In 1814 I had to deal +with all the powers in Europe, but they should not have laid down the +law to me if France had not left me to wrestle alone, against the +entire world. Now the French know my value; and, as they have regained +their courage and their patriotism, they will triumph over the enemies +who may attack them, just as they triumphed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>(p. 146)</span> in the good days +of the revolution. Experience has shown that armies cannot always save +a nation; but a nation defended by the people is always invincible.</p> + +<p>"I have not settled the day of my departure: by deferring it I should +have the advantage of allowing the Congress to run out; but then, on +the other hand, I should run the risk of being kept here as a close +prisoner by the vessels of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> and of the English, if, as +every thing appears to indicate, there should be a rupture amongst +foreign powers. <span lang="fr">Murat</span> would lend me his navy if I wanted it; but if we +do not succeed he would be compromised. We must not be anxious about +all these matters: we must allow some room for destiny to come into +play.</p> + +<p>"I think we have considered all the points upon which it was important +that I should be settled, and that we should understand each other. +France is tired of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>; she demands her former sovereign. The +people and the army are for us: foreign powers will be silent. If they +speak, we shall be able to reply: this, in short, is the state of the +present time and of the future.</p> + +<p>"Depart. Tell X*** that you have seen me, and that I have determined +to expose myself to every danger for the purpose of yielding to the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>(p. 147)</span> prayers of France, and of ridding the nation of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.... Say also that I shall leave this place with my guard, on +the first of April—perhaps sooner. I pardon every thing. I will give +to France and to Europe all the guarantees which can be expected or +demanded of me. I have renounced all my plans of aggrandizement, and I +wish to repair the evils which war has caused to us, by a permanent +peace.</p> + +<p>"You will also tell X*** and the rest of my friends to nourish and +strengthen the good disposition of the people and the army by all +possible means. Explain to X*** that if the excesses of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> +should hasten their fall, if the French should drive them out before +my disembarkation, then I will not allow of a regency, or any thing in +the shape of it; but let them establish a provisional government, +composed of ... of ... of ... of ... and of.... Go, Sir, I hope that +we shall soon meet again."—"Sire, where shall I land?"—"You must +proceed to Naples; here is a passport of the island, and a letter for +****. Pretend to place great trust in him, but do not trust him with +any thing. You will give him a loose account of the French news; and +you may tell him that I <span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>(p. 148)</span> send you there to explore the +soundings, and settle some concerns of moment. I have directed **** to +furnish you with a passport, in order that you may be able to return +to Paris without meeting with any obstacle or danger."—"Your Majesty +has then determined to send me back to France?"—"It must absolutely +be so."—"Your Majesty knows my attachment, and that I am ready to +prove it in any way which may be required. But, Sire, deign to +consider, both for your interest and for that of France, that my +departure has been remarked, and that my return will excite still more +notice, and that it may give rise to suspicion, and perhaps induce the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> to put themselves on their guard, and cause them to watch the +coasts and the island of Elba."—"Bah! do you suppose that fellows of +the police know every thing, and can foresee every thing? More is +invented than is discovered by the police. The agents of our police +were decidedly as good as those of the present people, and yet they +frequently knew nothing of what was going on but at the end of a week +or a fortnight; and then they found it out only by chance, or +incaution, or treason. I don't fear that any disclosures will be +obtained <span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>(p. 149)</span> from you by any of these means. You are clever and +decided, and, if they were to work upon you, you would easily get +clear. Besides, when you once arrive at Paris, don't show yourself; +creep into a corner, and nobody will think of ferreting you out. I +could certainly confide this mission to some of the people who are +about me; but I do not wish to make any additional confidant: you are +trusted by X***: I trust you; and, in one word, you are exactly the +man whom I want. Your return is certainly exposed to objections, but +they are as nothing when compared to its advantages. All that we have +said about the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and about France, and about myself, is mere +talk, and talk won't overturn a throne. In order that my enterprise +may not be rendered abortive, it must be seconded, and the patriots +must prepare to attack the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> on one side, whilst I shall occupy +them on the other. And, above all, it is necessary that they should +know that they may depend upon me; that they may know my sentiments, +my views, and the resolution which I have made of submitting to every +sacrifice, and exposing myself to every danger, for the purpose of +saving the country."—The Emperor stopped to look at me. He certainly +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>(p. 150)</span> thought that I was one of those men who only appear +reluctant to obey, in order to enhance the price of their services; so +he said, "Money is always wanted in travelling; I will order them to +pay you a thousand Louis, and then you may set off."—"A thousand +Louis!" I exclaimed with indignation, "Sire, I must answer your +Majesty in the words with which the soldier answered his general, +'These actions are not performed for pay.'"—"That's very right; I +like to see pride."—"Sire, I am not proud, but I have a soul; and if +I thought that your Majesty could believe that I embraced your +Majesty's cause for the sake of filthy lucre, I should request your +Majesty to cease to rely on my services."—"If I had believed that to +be the case, I should not have trusted you. No person ever received a +more honourable and splendid proof of my confidence, than that which I +am now bestowing upon you, in deciding, merely on the strength of your +word, to quit the isle of Elba, and in directing you, as my precursor, +to announce my speedy arrival in France. But do not let us talk any +more on that head; and tell me if you recollect fully all that I have +told you."—"I have not lost one of your Majesty's expressions. They +are all engraven <span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>(p. 151)</span> on my memory."—"Then I have only to wish +you a pleasant journey. I have directed that everything should be got +ready for your departure.</p> + +<p>"This evening, at nine o'clock, you will find a guide and horses at +the gate of the town: you will be taken to <span lang="it">Porto Longone</span>. The +commandant has been authorised to furnish you with the necessary +quarantine documents. He knows nothing; say nothing to him. At +midnight a felucca will leave the port, by which you will reach +Naples. I am sorry to have hurt your feelings by offering money to +you, but I thought you might be in want of it. <span lang="fr">Adieu, Monsieur</span>; be +cautious. I hope we shall soon meet again, and I shall acknowledge, in +a manner worthy of your merits, your exertions in favour of the +country and of myself."</p> + +<p>Hardly had I gone down to the town, when he sent for me again. "I have +considered," said he, "that it is desirable that I should know what +regiments are stationed in the eighth and tenth military divisions, +and the names of the commanding officers. You will take care to +procure this information during your journey, and transmit it to me +without the slightest delay. Write triplicates of your letters. Send +one by way of Genoa, the second by Leghorn, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>(p. 152)</span> and the third by +Civita Vecchia. You will take care to write this name legibly, (here +he gave me a memorandum containing the name of an inhabitant of the +island). Fold your letters in a business-like way. In order that the +secret of your correspondence may not be discovered, should any +accident happen, you will put your intelligence in the shape of +commercial transactions, and you will imitate the usual style of +bankers. I will suppose, for example, that between <span lang="fr">Chambery</span> and <span lang="fr">Lyon</span>, +going by the way of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, there are five regiments. You will write +to me ... in my way I have seen the five merchants whom you mentioned; +their views continue the same: your credit is increasing daily. The +concern will turn out well ... do you understand me?"—"Yes, Sire; but +how am I to send the names of the colonels and the generals in +command?"—"Transpose the letters of their names, and nothing will be +more easy. There is not a single colonel or general whom I do not +know, and I shall soon be able to recompose their names."—"But, Sire, +the anagrams which I shall make will perhaps be so uncouth, that it +will be seen at the post-office, that the names are disguised on +purpose."—"Do you think then, that they amuse themselves at the +post-office <span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>(p. 153)</span> by opening and reading all the letters of +business which pass through? They could not get through them. I have +attempted to unravel the correspondence carried on under the disguise +of banking transactions, but I could never succeed. The post-office is +like the police, only fools are caught; yet think of any other method: +I shall have no objection."</p> + +<p>After I had considered a little while, I said to the Emperor, "Sire, +there is a method which perhaps will do. Your majesty has the imperial +calendar."—"Yes, sure."—"Well, Sire, the calendar contains the lists +of the general officers and colonels of the army. Now, I will suppose, +for example, that the regiment quartered at <span lang="fr">Chambery</span> is commanded by +Colonel Paul. I look into the calendar, and I find that Paul stands +forty-seven in the list of colonels. I will also suppose that, between +ourselves, 'bill of exchange' means 'colonel' or 'general.' Then I +shall write to your Majesty, I have seen your correspondent at +<span lang="fr">Chambery</span>; he has paid me the amount of your bill of exchange, <abbr title="Number">No.</abbr> 47. +Your Majesty will turn to your Majesty's calendar, and then your +Majesty will see, that the 47th colonel who commands the regiment of +<span lang="fr">Chambery</span>, is called 'Paul.' And, lastly, in order that your Majesty +may be able to tell <span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>(p. 154)</span> when I speak of a colonel, a general, or +a marshal, I shall take care to indicate the rank of the officer by +one, two, or three dots, placed after the '<abbr title="Number">No.</abbr>' The colonel will have +one dot, <abbr title="Number">No.</abbr> .; the general two, <abbr title="Number">No.</abbr> .., <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>"—"Very good, very good. +Here is a calendar for you. <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> has one which I will take."</p> + +<p>The calendar given to me by the Emperor was richly bound, and stamped +with the imperial arms. I tore off the binding. The Emperor kept +walking up and down, and saying, as he laughed, "It is really +excellent; they will never be able to see through it." When I had +finished, he said, "One thought brings on another. I have asked myself +how you would manage to write to me, if you should have any thing of +unexpected importance to communicate. For instance, suppose any +extraordinary event should make you think that my disembarkation ought +to be accelerated or retarded; if the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> were to be on their +guard; in short, I know not what." He remained silent, and then began +again. "I only know one way to provide for it: the confidence which I +place in you ought to be unbounded. I will give you the key to a +cipher which was composed for my use, in order that I might employ it +in corresponding with my family under the most <span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>(p. 155)</span> important +circumstances. I need not tell you that you must keep it with care: +always carry it about you, lest it should be lost: and if the smallest +danger arises, burn it or tear it at the slightest suspicion. With +this cipher you may write any thing to me which you like. I would +rather that you should use it, than be under the necessity of coming +back, or of sending any messenger to me. If they intercept a letter +written in my cipher, it will take them three months to read it; +whilst the capture of an agent might ruin all in an instant." He then +went and looked out his cipher; he made me employ it under his eyes, +and delivered it to me, exhorting me not to use it unless all other +modes of communication should become insufficient.</p> + +<p>The Emperor continued, "I do not suppose that you will have occasion +to return here before my departure, unless the sudden overthrow of our +projects should force you to seek an asylum here. In such a case, +apprise me of your intended return, and I will send for you to any +place which you may name. But we must hope that victory will declare +for us. She loves France.... You have not spoken to me about the +affair of Excelmans: if such a thing had happened in my time, I should +have thought <span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>(p. 156)</span> myself lost: when the authority of the master +is not recognised, all is over. The more I think upon the matter (here +he displayed a sudden emotion), the more I am convinced that France is +mine, and that the patriots and the army will receive me with open +arms."—"Yes, Sire, I swear to you, upon my soul, the people and the +army will declare for you as soon as they hear your name, as soon as +they see the caps of your grenadiers."—"Provided the people do seek +to do themselves justice before my arrival, a popular revolution would +alarm foreign powers: they would dread the contagion of example. They +know that royalty only hangs by a thread, that it does not agree with +the ideas of the age; they would rather see me seize the throne, than +allow the people to give it to me. They have re-established the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> in order to convince the people that the rights of sovereigns +are sacred and inviolable. They have blundered. They would have done +more for the cause of legitimacy by leaving my son there, than by +re-establishing Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> My dynasty had been recognised by France +and by Europe; it had been consecrated by the Pope. They ought to have +respected it. By abusing the rights of victory, it was in their power +to deprive me of the throne: but it was unjust, odious, impolitic, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157"></a>(p. 157)</span> to punish the son on account of the wrongs of his father, +and to deprive him of his inheritance. I was not an usurper: they may +say so as long as they like; nobody will believe them. The English, +the Italians, the Germans, are now too enlightened to allow themselves +to be crammed with old ideas, with antiquated notions. In the eyes of +nations, the Sovereign who is chosen by the entirety of the nation, +will always be the legitimate Sovereign.... The sovereigns who sent +their ambassadors to me with servile solemnity; who placed in my bed a +girl of their breed; who called me their brother, and who, after doing +all this, have stigmatized me as an usurper, they have spit in their +own faces by trying to spit at me. They have degraded the majesty of +kings. They have covered majesty with mud. What is the name of an +emperor? A word like any other. If I had no better title than that, +when I shall present myself to future ages they would scorn me. My +institutions, my benefactions, my victories—these are the true titles +of my glory. Let them call me a Corsican, a corporal, an usurper.... I +don't care.... I shall not be less the object of wonder, perhaps of +veneration, in all future time. My name, new as it is, will live from +age to age, whilst the names of all these kings, and their royal +progeny, will <span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158"></a>(p. 158)</span> be forgotten before the worms will have had +time to consume their carcases." The Emperor stopped, and then +continued; "I forget that time is precious; I will not detain you any +longer. <span lang="fr">Adieu, Monsieur</span>; embrace me, and depart; my thoughts and good +wishes follow you."—Two hours afterwards I was at sea. My attention, +my faculties were wholly absorbed by the Emperor, his words, his +disclosures, his plans. I had neither leisure nor opportunity to think +of myself. As soon as I was quite out at sea, my ideas were filled by +the extraordinary part which chance had assigned to me. I contemplated +it with pride, and I returned my thanks to destiny for having selected +me as the instrument by which its impenetrable decrees were to be +accomplished. Perhaps no man was ever placed in so "imposing" a +situation. I was the arbiter of the fate of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and of the +Emperor, of France and Europe. With one word I could destroy Napoleon; +with one word I could save Louis. But Louis was nothing to me: in him +I only saw a sovereign who had been forced upon the throne by foreign +hands still imbrued with French blood. In Napoleon I saw the sovereign +to whom France had freely offered the crown as the reward of twenty +years of danger and of glory. The perspective of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159"></a>(p. 159)</span> evils +which the attempt of Napoleon might bring upon France did not arise +before my imagination. I was persuaded that all foreign powers +(England excepted), would remain neutral; and that the French would +receive Napoleon as a deliverer, and as a father. Still less did I +consider myself as engaged in treason or conspiracy against the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. Since I had taken the oath of allegiance to Napoleon, I +considered him as my legitimate sovereign; and I rejoiced to think +that the confidence which Napoleon reposed in me had induced him to +call upon me to concur in restoring to France the liberty, the power, +and the glory of which the country had been unjustly deprived. I +enjoyed, by anticipation, the public eulogiums, which, after his +success, he would bestow upon my courage, my self-devotion, my +patriotism. In short, I abandoned myself with rapture and with pride +to all the thoughts, and all the generous resolutions which can be +inspired by the love of fame and the love of our country.</p> + +<p>The dialogues which had taken place between me and the Emperor +continued impressed on my memory; yet, lest I might vary them, or omit +any part, I employed my time during the voyage in recalling his own +expressions, and in classing his questions and my answers. I +afterwards <span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160"></a>(p. 160)</span> got the whole by heart, just as a scholar learns +his lesson, in order that I might be able to affirm to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** that I +was making a faithful and literal report to him of all that the +Emperor had said, and of all that he had ordered me to tell him.</p> + +<p>The weather being tolerably favourable, we soon reached Naples. I went +immediately to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> ****: he put a great number of indiscreet questions +to me; and I replied by an equal number of unmeaning answers. He +probably thought that I knew no better, and therefore my caution did +not offend him. When our preliminary conversation was exhausted, I +desired him to give me my passport; he did so immediately: it was a +Neapolitan passport. "This won't do for me," said I; "I must have a +French passport."—"I have not got one."—"The Emperor told me that +you could get one."—"That is just like the Emperor; he thinks every +thing is possible: where does he suppose that I can procure it? I am +doing a great deal in giving you a passport as a subject of his +Majesty. It is already known that we are in relation with the isle of +Elba. If they were to find out that you are attached to Napoleon, and +that you are going back to France by his directions, and with the +assistance of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161"></a>(p. 161)</span> King, all Europe would hear of it, and the +King would be committed. Why does not the Emperor keep himself quiet? +he will ruin himself, and ruin us all along with him."—"It is not fit +that I should examine the conduct of his Majesty, much less that I +should censure it. I am in his service; and my duty commands me to +obey him. I want a French passport: can you, or can you not get me +one?"—"I tell you again that it is impossible: it is doing too much +if I give you one as a Neapolitan subject."—"Then I must return to +<span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>: but I cannot conceal from you that the Emperor is very +desirous that I should return to France; and he will certainly be very +much displeased, both with you and with the King."—"Then he will act +unfairly: the King has done, and will do, every thing in his power for +him: but the Emperor should know what the King may do under his +present critical situation, and what he may not. But why won't you +take the passport which I offer you?"—"Because I do not understand +Italian, and consequently your passport would expose me to greater +suspicion than my own."—"Then why don't you try to push on as far as +Rome? there you will find the family of the Emperor. Louis <span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162"></a>(p. 162)</span> +<abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> has a legation there; and perhaps money may get you a +passport."—"Your idea is excellent: I will go. Inform the Emperor of +the delay which I have experienced, in order that he may send another +agent, if he thinks it advisable so to do."</p> + +<p>When the mind is in perpetual activity, and constantly assailed by new +feelings, there is no time for reflection. I thus went to Rome, full +of the idea that I should visit the family of the Emperor, and request +their help to aid me out of my difficulties. But when the time came, +and I was to present myself, it then struck me that the Emperor, +though aware that I was to pass through Rome, had not directed me to +see them; and I concluded that he had his reasons. I therefore +determined to continue my route. From Naples I have proceeded to Rome +without any obstacle; and I shall proceed, thought I to myself, from +Rome to Milan without any greater obstacle: there I shall meet my +friend and his Tedesco; I will get them to legalize my French passport +for the second time, and destiny will accomplish the rest.</p> + +<p>I therefore presented myself boldly to the police at Rome, in order to +have my Elba passport indorsed for Milan. I was introduced to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163"></a>(p. 163)</span> his Eminence the Director-general, who, as I believe, had +been shut up at <span lang="fr">Vincennes</span> under the imperial government. He received +me with great rudeness; and he wished to compel me to present myself +to the French embassy. I would not consent. I answered, firmly, "The +King of France is no longer my sovereign; I am the subject of the +Emperor Napoleon: the allied sovereigns have proclaimed and recognized +him as the sovereign of the isle of Elba: he therefore reigns at <span lang="it">Porto +Ferrajo</span> like the Pope at Rome, George at London, and Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> at +Paris. The Emperor and his Holiness are on good terms with each other. +The subjects and the vessels of the Roman states are well received in +the isle of Elba<a id="footnotetag38" name="footnotetag38"></a><a href="#footnote38" title="Go to footnote 38">[38]</a>, and therefore you are bound to afford aid and +protection to the Elbese, so long as the holy father shall not become +the enemy of Napoleon."</p> + +<p>This reasoning produced its effect; and his Eminence ordered, though +he continued grumbling, that my demand was to be granted. "What are +you going to do at Milan?" said he, and I think he muttered an oath +between his teeth: "I am going," I answered, "relative to the +dotations which were assigned to us <span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164"></a>(p. 164)</span> upon the '<span lang="fr">Mont +Napoléon</span>.'" He was satisfied with my answer, and so was I. I wrote to +<abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> ****, the Neapolitan consul, transmitting my letter; and I +requested him to send to the island an account of my new route.</p> + +<p>I continued my journey. My passport was headed by the imperial arms. +The name of Napoleon, and his title of Emperor, were inscribed in +large letters. I was the first Frenchman from the island who had been +able or who had dared to traverse Italy. How many things there were +which roused curiosity and commanded attention! I was overwhelmed with +questions relative to <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span> and its illustrious sovereign. I +answered as fully as they wished. Whilst they were busying themselves +about the Emperor, they did not think of me, and that was what I +wanted. In order to avoid troublesome examinations, I took care to +pass through the towns at night, and never to stop in them. At length, +thanks to my address and good fortune, I arrived safe and sound at +Milan; there I found my friend and his colonel, and every thing was +settled admirably.</p> + +<p>I set off again for Turin with all possible speed. When I arrived on +the Place of ... I perceived several numerous groups of persons, who +appeared exceedingly animated. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165"></a>(p. 165)</span> How great was my surprise when +I found that they were talking of Napoleon, and his escape from the +isle of Elba. This piece of intelligence, which had been just +received, put me in a violent passion: I accused the Emperor of +perfidiousness. I reproached him with having misled, deceived, and +sacrificed me.</p> + +<p>When my first fit of ill humour was calmed, I considered the conduct +of the Emperor under another aspect. I thought that unexpected +considerations might have induced him to embark precipitately. I was +ashamed of my suspicions and of my violence, and I only wished to fly +to his footsteps; but already orders had been given to prevent +communication. I passed eight days, which appeared so many ages, in +soliciting permission to return to France; and at last I obtained it. +I arrived at Paris on the 25th of March: on the 26th <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** presented +me to the Emperor: he embraced me, and said, "I have weighty reasons +for wishing that you and X*** may both forget whatever passed at the +isle of Elba. I alone will not forget it. Rely on my esteem and +protection on all occasions<a id="footnotetag39" name="footnotetag39"></a><a href="#footnote39" title="Go to footnote 39">[39]</a>."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166"></a>(p. 166)</span> <p>Here ends the memoir of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Z****.</p> + +<p>This officer had scarcely quitted the island of Elba, when the Emperor +(and I had the particulars from his Majesty himself) acknowledged +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167"></a>(p. 167)</span> and deplored the imprudence of which he had been guilty, in +sending Z*** to the continent. The character and firmness of this +faithful servant were sufficiently known to him, to prevent his +feeling any anxiety on his account. He was certain (I use his own +words), that he would suffer himself to be cut to pieces, before he +would open his mouth: but he was afraid, that the inquiries he had +directed him to make on the road, the letters he might address to him, +or the conferences he might have at Paris with <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> X*** and his +friends, would excite the suspicions of the police; and that the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> would station cruizers, so as to render an escape from the +island of Elba, and a landing on the coast of France, altogether +impossible.</p> + +<p>Thus the Emperor felt that there was but one way of preventing the +danger, that of departing immediately.</p> + +<p>On this point he did not hesitate. From that moment every thing +assumed a different aspect in the island of Elba.</p> + +<p>This island, but the moment before the abode of philosophy and peace, +became in an instant the imperial head-quarters. Couriers, orders, and +counter-orders, were incessantly going and returning from <span lang="it">Porto +Ferrajo</span> to <span lang="it">Longone</span>, and from <span lang="it">Longone</span> to <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>. Napoleon, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168"></a>(p. 168)</span> whose fiery activity had been so long enchained, gave +himself up, with infinite delight, to all the cares, that his +audacious enterprise demanded. But in whatever mystery he fancied he +had shrouded himself, the unusual accounts he had caused to be +delivered in, the particular attention he had paid to his old +grenadiers, had excited their suspicion; and they scarcely doubted, +that he had it in contemplation to quit the island. Every one +supposed, that he would land at Naples, or in some other port of +Italy: no one ventured even to imagine, that his plan was to go and +expel Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> from the throne.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of February, at one o'clock, the guard and the officers of +his household received orders to hold themselves in readiness to +depart. Every thing was in motion: the grenadiers with joy resumed +their arms, that so long had lain idle, and spontaneously swore, never +to quit them but with life. The whole population of the country, +crowds of old men, women, and children, eagerly rushed to the shore; +the most affecting scenes were exhibited on all sides. They thronged +round the faithful companions of Napoleon in his exile, and contended +with each other for the pleasure, the honour, of touching them, seeing +them, embracing them for the last time. The younger members of the +families <span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169"></a>(p. 169)</span> of the first distinction in the island solicited as +a favour, the danger of sharing in the perils of the Emperor. Joy, +glory, hope, sparkled in every eye. They knew not whither they were +going, but Napoleon was present, and with him could they doubt of +victory?</p> + +<p>At eight in the evening a gun gave the signal for departure. A +thousand times embraces were immediately lavished and returned. The +French rushed into their boats; martial music struck up; and Napoleon +and his followers sailed majestically from the shore, amid the shouts +of "Long live the Emperor!" a thousand times repeated<a id="footnotetag40" name="footnotetag40"></a><a href="#footnote40" title="Go to footnote 40">[40]</a>.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, when he set foot on board his vessel, exclaimed with Cæsar, +"The die is cast!" His countenance was calm, his brow serene: he +appeared to think less of the success of his enterprise, than of the +means of promptly attaining his object. The eyes of Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> +sparkled with hope and joy: General <span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170"></a>(p. 170)</span> <span lang="fr">Drouot</span> was pensive and +serious: <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> appeared to care little about the future, and to +think only of doing his duty well. The old grenadiers had resumed +their martial and menacing aspect. The Emperor chatted and joked with +them incessantly: he pulled their ears and their mustachios, reminded +them of their dangers and their glory, and inspired their minds with +that confidence, with which his own was animated.</p> + +<p>All were burning to know their destination: respect did not allow any +one to ask the question: at length Napoleon broke silence. +"Grenadiers," said he, "we are going to France, we are going to +Paris." At these words every countenance expanded, their joy ceased to +be mingled with anxiety, and stifled cries of "France for ever!" +attested to the Emperor, that in the heart of a Frenchman the love of +his country is never extinct.</p> + +<p>An English sloop of war, commanded by Captain Campbell, appeared to +have the charge of watching the island of Elba<a id="footnotetag41" name="footnotetag41"></a><a href="#footnote41" title="Go to footnote 41">[41]</a>: she was +continually <span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171"></a>(p. 171)</span> sailing from <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span> to Leghorn, and from +Leghorn to <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>. At the moment of embarkation she was at +Leghorn, and could occasion no alarm; but several vessels were +descried in the channel, and their presence gave room for just +apprehensions. It was hoped, however, that the night breeze would +favour the progress of the flotilla, and that before daybreak it would +be out of sight. This hope was frustrated. ""Scarcely had it doubled +Cape <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Andrew, in the island of Elba, when the wind fell and the sea +became calm. At daybreak it had advanced only six leagues, and was +still between the islands of Elba and Capræa.</p> + +<p>""The danger appeared imminent: several of the seamen were for +returning to <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>. The Emperor ordered them to hold on their +course, as, at the worst, he had the chance either of capturing the +French cruiser, or of taking refuge in the island of Corsica, where he +was assured of being well received. To facilitate their manœuvres, +he ordered all the luggage embarked to be thrown overboard, which was +cheerfully executed at the instant.""</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172"></a>(p. 172)</span> About noon the wind freshened a little. At four o'clock they +were off Leghorn. One frigate was in sight five leagues to leeward, +another on the coast of Corsica, and a man-of-war brig, which was +perceived to be <span lang="fr">Le Zéphir</span>, commanded by Captain <span lang="fr">Andrieux</span>, was coming +down upon the imperial flotilla right before the wind. It was first +proposed to speak to him, and make him hoist the three-coloured flag. +"The Emperor, however, gave orders to the soldiers of the guard to +take off their caps and conceal themselves below, choosing rather to +pass by the brig without being known, and reserving himself in case of +necessity, for the alternative of making him change his colours. At +six o'clock the two brigs passed alongside of each other, and their +commanders, who were acquainted, spoke together. The captain of <span lang="fr">Le +Zéphir</span> inquired after the Emperor, and was answered through a speaking +trumpet by the Emperor himself, that he was extremely well.</p> + +<p>""The two brigs, steering opposite courses, were soon out of sight of +each other, without Captain <span lang="fr">Andrieux</span> having any suspicion of the +valuable prize, that he had allowed to escape.</p> + +<p>""In the night of the 27th the wind continued to freshen. At day-break +a seventy-four was descried, which appeared steering for <span lang="it">San <span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173"></a>(p. 173)</span> +Fiorenzo</span> or Sardinia, and it was soon perceived, that she took no +notice of the brig<a id="footnotetag42" name="footnotetag42"></a><a href="#footnote42" title="Go to footnote 42">[42]</a>.""</p> + +<p>The Emperor, before he quitted the island of Elba, had prepared with +his own hand two proclamations, one addressed to the French people, +the other to the army; and he was desirous of having them copied out +fairly. His secretary and General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, being neither of them able +to decipher them, carried them to Napoleon, who, despairing of doing +it himself, threw them into the sea from vexation. Then, after +meditating for a few moments, he dictated to his secretary the two +following proclamations on the spot.</p> + +<p class="p2 center"><i>Proclamation.</i></p> +<p class="left60">Gulf of Juan, March the 1st, 1815.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, by the grace of God and constitution of the +empire, Emperor of the French, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera etcetera">&c. &c. &c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="p2 center"><i>To the Army.</i></p> + +<p class="left10">Soldiers!</p> + +<p>We have not been vanquished: two men, who issued from our ranks, +betrayed our <span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174"></a>(p. 174)</span> laurels, their country, their prince, their +benefactor.</p> + +<p>Shall they, whom we have seen for five and twenty years traversing all +Europe, to stir up enemies against us—who have spent their lives +in fighting against us in the ranks of foreign armies, and cursing our +lovely France—now pretend to command us, and to enchain our +eagles, the looks of which they could never withstand? Shall we suffer +them to inherit the fruits of our glorious toils? to seize upon our +honours, and our property, and calumniate our fame? Should their reign +continue, all would be lost, even the remembrance of our memorable +victories.</p> + +<p>With what virulence do they distort them! They endeavour to poison +what is the admiration of the world; and if any defenders of our glory +still remain, it is among those very enemies whom we combated in the +field.</p> + +<p>Soldiers! in my exile I heard your voice: I am arrived through every +obstacle, through every danger.</p> + +<p>Your general, called to the throne by the voice of the people, and +raised on your shields, is restored to you. Come and join him.</p> + +<p>Tear down those colours, which the nation has proscribed, and which +for five and twenty years served as a signal to rally all the enemies +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175"></a>(p. 175)</span> of France. Mount that tricoloured cockade, which you wore in +our great victories. We must forget, that we have been the masters of +other nations; but we must not suffer any to interfere in our affairs. +Who shall pretend to be our master? Who is able to be so? Resume the +eagles you bore at Ulm, at Austerlitz, at Jena, at Eylau, at Wagram, +at <span lang="de">Friedland</span>, at Tudela, at <span lang="fr">Eckmuhl</span>, at <span lang="de">Essling</span>, at Smolensko, at +Moscow, at Lutzen, at <span lang="de">Wurtchen</span>, at <span lang="fr">Montmirail</span>. Think you that handful +of Frenchmen, now so arrogant, can support their sight? They will +return whence they came; and there, if they please, they may reign, as +they pretend to have reigned for nineteen years.</p> + +<p>Your property, your rank, your glory—the property, the rank, the +glory of your children—have no greater enemies than those +princes, who have been imposed on us by foreigners. They are the +enemies of our glory; since the recital of so many glorious actions, +which have rendered illustrious the French people, fighting against +them to emancipate themselves from their yoke, is their condemnation.</p> + +<p>The veterans of the armies of the <span lang="fr">Sambre</span> and <span lang="fr">Meuse</span>, of the Rhine, of +Italy, of Egypt, of the west, of the grand army, are humiliated; their +honourable scars are disgraced; their successes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176"></a>(p. 176)</span> would be +crimes, the valiant would be rebels, if, as the enemies of the people +assert, legitimate sovereigns were among the foreign armies. Their +honours, rewards, affections, are for those who have served them, +against us and against our country.</p> + +<p>Soldiers, come and arrange yourselves under the standards of your +chief: his existence consists only of yours; his rights are only those +of the people and of you; his interest, his honour, his glory, are no +other than your glory. Victory will march forward with the charge +step: the eagle, with the national colours, will fly from steeple to +steeple till it reaches the towers of <span lang="fr">Notre Dame</span>. You may then display +your scars with honour, you may then boast of what you have done: you +will be the deliverers of your country.</p> + +<p>In your old age, surrounded and respected by your fellow citizens, +they will listen with veneration to the recital of your noble deeds: +you may proudly say, I too was in that grand army which twice entered +the walls of Vienna, and those of Rome, of Berlin, of Madrid, and of +Moscow, and which cleansed Paris from the stain inflicted on it by +treason and the presence of the enemy. Honour to those brave soldiers, +the glory of their country! and eternal shame to those guilty +Frenchmen, in whatever <span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177"></a>(p. 177)</span> rank it was their fortune to be born, +who fought for five and twenty years in company with foreigners, to +wound the bosom of their country.</p> + +<p class="left60">Signed, <span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>.</p> +<p class="left10">By the Emperor.</p> +<p>The grand marshal, executing the functions of major-general + of the grand army.</p> +<p class="left60">Signed, <span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">Bertrand</span></span>.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center"><i>Proclamation.</i></p> +<p class="left60">Gulf of Juan, March 1, 1815.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, by the grace of God and the constitution of the + empire, Emperor of the French, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera etcetera">&c. &c. &c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="p2 center"><i>To the French People.</i></p> + +<p class="left10">Frenchmen!</p> + +<p>The defection of the Duke of <span lang="it">Castiglione</span> gave up Lyons without defence +to our enemies. The army, the command of which I had entrusted to him, +was capable, from the bravery and patriotism of the troops of which it +was formed, of beating the Austrian army opposed to it, and taking in +the rear the left flank of the enemy's army, that threatened Paris.</p> + +<p>The victories of <span lang="fr">Champ Aubert</span>, of <span lang="fr">Montmirail</span>, of <span lang="fr">Château Thierry</span>, of +<span lang="fr">Vauchamp</span>, of <span lang="fr">Mormane</span>, of <span lang="fr">Montereau</span>, of <span lang="fr">Craone</span>, of Rheims, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178"></a>(p. 178)</span> of +<span lang="fr">Arcy-sur-Aube</span>, and of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Dizier</span>; the insurrection of the brave +peasantry of <span lang="fr">Lorraine</span>, of <span lang="fr">Champagne</span>, of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span>, of <span lang="fr">Franche Comté</span>, and +of Burgundy; and the position I had taken in the rear of the enemy's +army, cutting it off from its magazines, its parks of reserve, and +convoys, and all its waggons, had placed it in a desperate situation. +The French were on the point of being more powerful than ever, and the +flower of the enemy's army was lost without resource; it would have +found its grave in those vast countries, which it had so pitilessly +ravaged, when the treachery of the Duke of Ragusa delivered up the +capital, and disorganized the army. The unsuspected conduct of these +two generals, who betrayed at once their country, their prince, and +their benefactor, changed the fate of the war: the situation of the +enemy was such, that, after the affair that took place before Paris, +he was without ammunition, in consequence of being separated from his +parks of reserve<a id="footnotetag43" name="footnotetag43"></a><a href="#footnote43" title="Go to footnote 43">[43]</a>.</p> + +<p>Under these new and important circumstances, my heart was torn, but my +mind remained unshaken: I consulted only the interests of our country, +and banished myself to a rock surrounded by the seas: my life was +useful to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page179" name="page179"></a>(p. 179)</span> you, and was destined still to be so. I would not +permit the great number of citizens, who were desirous of accompanying +me, to share my fate: I deemed their presence advantageous to France, +and I took with me only the handful of brave fellows necessary for my +guard.</p> + +<p>Raised to the throne by your choice, every thing that has been done +without you is illegal. Within these five and twenty years France has +acquired new interests, new institutions, new glory, to be guarantied +only by a national government, and a dynasty born under these new +circumstances. A prince who should reign over you, who should be +seated on my throne by the power of the same armies, that have ravaged +our territories, would seek in vain to support himself by the +principles of feudal right; he could secure the honour and the rights +only of a small number of individuals, enemies to the people, who have +condemned them in all our national assemblies for five and twenty +years. Your tranquillity at home, and estimation abroad, would be lost +for ever.</p> + +<p>Frenchmen! in my exile I heard your complaints and wishes: you called +for that government of your own choice, which alone is legitimate; you +blamed my long slumber; you reproached me with sacrificing the great +interests of the country to my own repose.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page180" name="page180"></a>(p. 180)</span> I have crossed the seas amid perils of every kind: I arrive +among you to resume my rights, which are also yours. Every thing that +individuals have done, written, or said, since the taking of Paris, I +shall consign to everlasting oblivion; it shall have no influence on +the remembrance I retain of the important services they have rendered, +for there are events of such a nature, that they are above the frame +of man.</p> + +<p>Frenchmen! there is no nation, however small, that has not possessed +the right of withdrawing, and that has not withdrawn itself, from the +disgrace of obeying a prince imposed upon it by an enemy temporarily +victorious. When Charles <abbr title="7">VII.</abbr> re-entered Paris, and overturned the +ephemeral throne of Henry <abbr title="6">VI.</abbr>, he acknowledged, that he held his crown +from the valour of his brave people, and not from the Prince Regent of +England.</p> + +<p>It is to you only, and to the brave men of the army, that I make, and +shall always make it my glory, to owe every thing.</p> + +<p class="left60">Signed, <span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>.</p> + +<p class="left10">By the Emperor.</p> + +<p>The grand marshal, executing the functions of major-general + of the grand army.</p> + +<p class="left60">Signed, <span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">Bertrand</span></span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page181" name="page181"></a>(p. 181)</span> The Emperor, while he dictated these proclamations, appeared +to be animated with the most profound indignation. He seemed to have +before his eyes, both the generals, whom he accused of having given up +France, and the enemies, who had subjugated it. He incessantly +repeated the names of <span lang="fr">Marmont</span> and <span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, and they were always +accompanied with threats and with epithets, suited to the idea he had +conceived of their treachery.</p> + +<p>When the proclamations were transcribed, the Emperor directed them to +be read aloud, and invited all those who could write a good hand to +copy them. In an instant, benches and drums were converted into +tables; and soldiers, sailors, and officers, set themselves gayly to +work.</p> + +<p>After a certain time, his Majesty said to the officers around him, +"Now, gentlemen, it is your turn, to speak to the army: you must tell +it what France expects of it under the important circumstances in +which we shall soon find ourselves. Come, <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, take your pen." +The grand marshal excused himself. The Emperor then resumed his +discourse, and dictated, without stopping, an address to the generals, +officers, and soldiers of the army, in which the imperial guard +conjured them, in the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page182" name="page182"></a>(p. 182)</span> name of honour and their country, to +shake off the yoke of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers," said they to them, "the drum beats the general, and we +march: run to arms, come and join us, join your Emperor, and our +eagles.</p> + +<p>"And if these men, now so arrogant, who have always fled at the sight +of our weapons, dare wait for us, where can we find a fairer occasion +of shedding our blood, and chanting the hymn of victory?</p> + +<p>"Soldiers of the seventh, eighth, and nineteenth military divisions, +garrisons of <span lang="fr">Antibes</span>, <span lang="fr">Toulon</span>, and <span lang="fr">Marseilles</span>, retired officers, +veterans of our army, you are called to the honour of setting the +first example: come with us to conquer that throne, which is the +palladium of your rights; and let posterity some day tell, +'Foreigners, seconded by traitors, had imposed a disgraceful yoke on +France; the brave arose, and the enemies of the people, of the army, +disappeared, and returned to their original nothingness.'"</p> + +<p>This address was scarcely finished, when the coast of <span lang="fr">Antibes</span> was +descried at a distance. Immediately on this, the Emperor and his brave +fellows saluted the land of their country with shouts of "France for +ever! Success to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page183" name="page183"></a>(p. 183)</span> French!" and at the same instant +resumed the tricoloured cockade<a id="footnotetag44" name="footnotetag44"></a><a href="#footnote44" title="Go to footnote 44">[44]</a>.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of March, at three o'clock, they entered the Gulf of Juan. +General <span lang="fr">Drouot</span>, and a certain number of officers and soldiers, who +were on board the felucca Caroline, landed before the Emperor, who was +still at a considerable distance from the shore. At this moment they +perceived to the right a large vessel, which appeared to them (though +they were mistaken in this) to be steering with all sails towards the +brig. Suddenly they were seized with the greatest disquiet; they +walked backward and forward, testifying by their gestures and their +hurried steps, the emotion and fear with which they were agitated. +General <span lang="fr">Drouot</span> ordered the Caroline to be unloaded, and to hasten to +meet the brig. In an instant cannons, carriages, chests, baggage, +every thing was thrown out upon the sand, and already the grenadiers +and brave sea officers of the guard were rowing away with all their +strength, when acclamations from the brig saluted their ears and their +affrighted eyes. It was the Emperor: whether from prudential motives +or impatience, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page184" name="page184"></a>(p. 184)</span> he had got into a simple boat. Their alarms +ceased; and the grenadiers, stretching out their arms to him, received +him with the most affecting demonstrations of devotedness and joy. At +five o'clock he landed. I have heard him say, that he never felt an +emotion so profound.</p> + +<p>""His quarters for the night were taken up in a field surrounded by +olive-trees. This, he exclaimed, is a happy omen: may it be +realized!""</p> + +<p>A few peasants were seen: the Emperor ordered them to be called, and +interrogated them. One of them had formerly served under him: he knew +his old general, and would not quit him. Napoleon, turning to the +grand marshal, said to him, with a smile, "Well, <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, you see we +have a reinforcement already." He spent the evening chatting and +laughing familiarly with his generals and the officers of his +household. "I see from this spot," said he, "the fright I shall give +the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and the embarrassment of all those who have turned their +backs upon me." Then, continuing to joke on the same subject, he +defined, with his wonted sagacity, the characters of the marshals and +great personages, who had formerly served him; and was much amused +with the endeavours they would make ""to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page185" name="page185"></a>(p. 185)</span> save appearances, +and prudently await the moment for declaring themselves for the +strongest party.""</p> + +<p>The success of his enterprise appeared less to employ his thoughts, +than the dangers to which his friends and partisans, whom he no longer +called by any other name than that of patriots, were going to be +exposed. "What will become of the patriots before my arrival at +Paris?" he frequently exclaimed: "I tremble lest the Vendeans and +emigrants should massacre them. Wo betide those who touch them! I will +have no mercy on them."</p> + +<p>Immediately after he landed, the Emperor had despatched a captain of +the guard with five and twenty men to <span lang="fr">Antibes</span>: their instructions +were, to present themselves as deserters from the island of Elba; to +sound the disposition of the garrison; and, if this appeared +favourable, to seduce it: but, led away by their imprudent ardour, +they entered the city, shouting, "Long live the Emperor!" and the +commandant caused the drawbridge instantly to be raised, and detained +them as prisoners. Napoleon, finding they did not return, sent for a +civil officer of the guard, and said to him, ""You will immediately +repair to the walls of <span lang="fr">Antibes</span>: you will deliver this despatch, or +cause it to be delivered <span class="pagenum"><a id="page186" name="page186"></a>(p. 186)</span> to General Corsin: you will not +enter the place, as you might be detained: you will draw together the +soldiers, you will read to them my proclamations, and you will +harangue them. Do you not know, you will say to them, that your +Emperor is here? that the garrisons of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and Lyons have marched +to join him with the charge step? What do you wait for? Will you leave +to others the honour of joining him before you? the honour of marching +at the head of his advanced guard? Come, and salute our eagles and our +tricoloured flags. The Emperor and your country command it; then +come.""</p> + +<p>This officer, on his return, said, that the gates of the town and +harbour were closed, and that it was not possible for him to see +General Corsin, or to speak to the soldiers. Napoleon appeared +disappointed, though but little disturbed by the disappointment. At +eleven in the evening he began his march, with four small pieces of +artillery in his train. The Poles, though unable to embark their +horses, had brought with them their accoutrements, and gayly marched +in the advanced guard, bending beneath the weight of their enormous +luggage. Napoleon purchased for them every horse he met with, and thus +remounted his handful of cavalry one by one.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page187" name="page187"></a>(p. 187)</span> He proceeded to <span lang="fr">Cannes</span>, thence to <span lang="fr">Grasses</span>, and, in the +evening of the 2d, arrived at the village of <span lang="fr">Cerenon</span>, having marched +twenty leagues this first day. Every where he was received with +sentiments, that presaged the success of the enterprise.</p> + +<p>On the 3d the Emperor slept at <span lang="fr">Bareme</span>, and on the 4th at <span lang="fr">Digne</span>. The +report of his landing, which preceded him from place to place, excited +every where a mingled feeling of joy, surprise, and anxiety. The +peasants blessed his return, and expressed their good wishes to him in +their simple language; but when they saw his little troop, they looked +on him with tender pity, and had no hope of his being triumphant with +such feeble means.</p> + +<p>On the 5th Napoleon slept at <span lang="fr">Gap</span>, and retained with him only six +horsemen, and forty grenadiers.</p> + +<p>In this city he printed, for the first time, his proclamations: they +were diffused with the rapidity of lightning, and inflamed every head +and every heart with such violent and prompt devotedness, that the +whole population of the country was desirous of rising in a body, and +marching as his advanced guard.</p> + +<p>In these proclamations he did not borrow, as has been asserted, the +title of general in chief, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page188" name="page188"></a>(p. 188)</span> or of lieutenant general of his +son. Before he quitted the island of Elba, he had determined to resume +the style of Emperor of the French as soon as he landed.</p> + +<p>He was aware, that any other title would diminish his strength, and +his ascendancy over the people and the army; would render his +intentions doubtful; would give rise to scruples and hesitation; and +besides, would place him in a state of hostility against France. In +short, he was aware, that it would always be in his power to give +legitimacy to his title of Emperor of the French, should the suffrages +of the nation prove necessary, to restore to him in the eyes of +Europe, and even of France, those rights, which might have been +temporarily lost by his abdication.</p> + +<p>The superior authorities of <span lang="fr">Gap</span> had retired at his approach: he had to +receive the congratulations only of the mayor, the municipal council, +and the half-pay officers. He discoursed with them on the benefits of +the revolution, the sovereignty of the people, liberty, equality, and +particularly of the emigrants and the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. Before he left them, +he addressed his public thanks to the inhabitants of the Upper and +Lower Alps, in the following words:</p> + +<p class="p2 left10"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page189" name="page189"></a>(p. 189)</span> Citizens,</p> + +<p>I have been strongly touched by all the sentiments that you have +testified towards me: your prayers will be heard; the cause of the +nation will still triumph. You have reason to call me your father; I +live only for the honour and happiness of France. My return dissipates +your disquietudes; it guarantees the preservation of every one's +property, the equality of all classes; and those rights, which you +have enjoyed for twenty-five years, and for which our forefathers so +frequently sighed, now form a part of your existence.</p> + +<p>In whatever circumstances I may be placed, I shall always remember, +with a lively interest, what I have seen in traversing your country.</p> + +<p class="p2"><a id="footnotetag45" name="footnotetag45"></a><a href="#footnote45" title="Go to footnote 45">[45]</a>""On the 6th, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the Emperor left +<span lang="fr">Gap</span>, and the whole city went out to see him set off.</p> + +<p>""At <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Bonnel</span> the inhabitants, seeing the small number of his +soldiers, were full of fears, and proposed to him to sound the +alarm-bell, in order to collect the neighbouring villagers, and +accompany him in a body. 'No,' said the Emperor, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page190" name="page190"></a>(p. 190)</span> 'your +sentiments convince me, that I have not deceived myself; they are a +sure guarantee of the sentiments of my soldiers; those whom I meet +will range themselves on my side; and the more they are, the more +certain will be my success. Remain, therefore, tranquil at home.'""</p> + +<p>The same day the Emperor came to sleep at <span lang="fr">Gorp</span>; General <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> and +forty men, forming the advanced guard, pushed on as far as <span lang="fr">Mure</span>.</p> + +<p><span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> most commonly proceeded alone before his grenadiers to +explore the road, and cause quarters and subsistence to be provided +for them. Scarcely had he pronounced the name of the Emperor, when +every one was eager to testify to him the most lively and tender +solicitude. One mayor alone, the <span lang="fr">Marquis de</span> ***, mayor of <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span>, +tried to raise the inhabitants of that <i><span lang="fr">commune</span></i>, describing to them +the soldiers of Napoleon as robbers and incendiaries. Confounded by +the sudden appearance of General <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> alone, and with no other +weapon than his sword, he changed his language, and pretended to have +had no fear but that of being paid<a id="footnotetag46" name="footnotetag46"></a><a href="#footnote46" title="Go to footnote 46">[46]</a>. <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> coolly threw him his +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page191" name="page191"></a>(p. 191)</span> purse, and said, "Pay yourself!" The indignant people were +eager to furnish more provision than was demanded; and when the +battalion of Elba appeared, they offered it a tricoloured flag, as a +sign of their esteem and devotedness.</p> + +<p>On quitting the mayor, General <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> and his forty grenadiers met +a battalion sent from <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> to block up their passage. <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span> +wished to parley with them, but they would not listen to him. The +Emperor, informed of this resistance, immediately went forward: his +guard, exhausted by a long march through the snow and rough roads, had +not all been able to follow him; but when it heard of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page192" name="page192"></a>(p. 192)</span> the +affront offered to <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span>, and the dangers the Emperor might run, +it forgot its fatigues, and hastened after him. Those soldiers, who +could no longer support themselves on their galled or wounded feet, +were assisted by their comrades, or carried by them on litters formed +with their musquets: all swore, like the soldiers of Fabius, not to +conquer or die, but to be victors. When the Emperor perceived them, he +held out his hand to them, and said, "With you, my brave soldiers, I +should not be afraid of ten thousand men."</p> + +<p>Meantime the troops come from <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> had retreated, and taken a +position three leagues from <span lang="fr">Gorp</span>, between the lakes, and near a +village. The Emperor went to reconnoitre them. He found in the line +opposed to him a battalion of the fifth regiment, a company of +sappers, and a company of miners; in all seven or eight hundred men. +He sent to them <i><span lang="fr">chef d'escadron</span></i> Roul: they refused to listen to him. +On this, Napoleon, turning to Marshal <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, said, "<i>Z. has +deceived me; no matter, forwards</i>!" Immediately, alighting from his +horse, he marched straight to the detachment, followed by his guard, +with arms secured (<i><span lang="fr">l'arme baissée</span></i>): "What, my friends!" said he to +them, "do you not know me? I am your Emperor: if there be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page193" name="page193"></a>(p. 193)</span> a +soldier among you, who is willing to kill his general, his Emperor, he +may do it: here I am!" and he placed his hand upon his breast....</p> + +<p>The unanimous shout of "Long live the Emperor!" was the answer.</p> + +<p>""Immediately they requested permission, to be the first to march +against the division, that covered <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>. The march commenced amid +a crowd of the inhabitants, which increased every instant. Vizille +distinguished itself by its enthusiasm: "It is here the revolution is +born," said these brave fellows: "we are the first who have dared to +claim the privileges of men: it is here, too, that French liberty +revives, and that France recovers its honour and independence."</p> + +<p>""Between <span lang="fr">Vizille</span> and <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, an adjutant-major of the seventh of +the line came to announce, that <span lang="fr">Colonel Labedoyère</span>, deeply wounded by +the dishonour that affected all France, and governed by the noblest +sentiments, had separated from the division of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, and with his +regiment was hastening with all speed to meet the Emperor.""</p> + +<p>Soon after, numerous acclamations were heard at a distance: they were +from <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, and the seventh. The two troops, impatient to join, +broke their ranks: embraces, and shouts a thousand <span class="pagenum"><a id="page194" name="page194"></a>(p. 194)</span> times +repeated, of "The guard for ever! the seventh for ever! long live the +Emperor!" became the pledge of their union, and of their sentiments.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, who saw his forces and the public enthusiasm increase at +every step, resolved to enter <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> that very evening.</p> + +<p>Before he reached the city he was stopped by a young merchant, an +officer of the national guard. "Sire," said he, "I come to offer your +Majesty a hundred thousand francs, and my sword."—"I accept both: +remain with us." Farther on he was joined by a party of officers, who +confirmed to him what he had learned from <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, that General +<span lang="fr">Marchand</span> and the prefect had declared against him, and that neither +the garrison, nor the national guard, had yet displayed any favourable +disposition.</p> + +<p>""In fact, General <span lang="fr">Marchand</span> had caused the troops to re-enter +<span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, and closed the gates: the ramparts were covered by the third +regiment of engineers, composed of two thousand sappers, all veterans, +covered with honourable scars; by the fourth of artillery of the line, +the very regiment in which the Emperor had been made a captain five +and twenty years <span class="pagenum"><a id="page195" name="page195"></a>(p. 195)</span> before; then the two battalions of the +fifth of the line, and the faithful hussars of the fourth.""</p> + +<p>Never did a besieged town exhibit a similar spectacle; the besiegers, +with arms reversed, and marching in joyful irregularity, approached +the walls singing. No noise of arms, no warlike shouts from the +soldiers, rose to affright the air: nothing was heard but repeated +acclamations of "<span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> for ever! France for ever! Napoleon for +ever!" no cries but those of the most unrestrained gaiety, and the +purest enthusiasm. The garrison, the national guard, the +town's-people, spread over the ramparts, beheld at first with +surprise, with emotion, these transports of joy and attachment. It was +not long before they shared them; and the besiegers and besieged, +united by the same thoughts, the same sentiments, uttered at once the +rallying words, "Long live the Emperor!" The people and the soldiers +repaired to the gates, which were in an instant beaten down, and +Napoleon, surrounded, thronged by an idolizing crowd, made his +triumphant entry into <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>. A few moments after, the people came +and brought him the fragments of the gates with trumpets sounding, and +said, "For want of the keys of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page196" name="page196"></a>(p. 196)</span> the good town of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, +here are the gates for you."</p> + +<p>The possession of this place was of the highest importance to +Napoleon: it afforded him a point of support, ammunition, arms, and +artillery. He could not conceal his extreme satisfaction, and said +repeatedly to his officers, "All is now decided; we are sure of +getting to Paris." He questioned <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span> at large on the state of +Paris, and the situation of France in general. This young colonel, +full of the noblest sentiments, expressed himself with a frankness +that sometimes staggered Napoleon. "Sire," he said, "the French will +do every thing for your Majesty; but then your Majesty must do every +thing for them: <i>no more ambition, no more despotism: we are +determined to be free and happy</i>. It is necessary, Sire, to renounce +that system of conquest and power which occasioned the misfortunes of +France, and of yourself."—"If I succeed," answered Napoleon, "I will +do every thing requisite to fulfil the expectations of the nation: its +happiness is dearer to me than my own: it is to render it free and +happy, that I have embarked in an undertaking, which might not +succeed, and might cost me my life; but we shall have the consolation +of dying in our <span class="pagenum"><a id="page197" name="page197"></a>(p. 197)</span> native land."—"And of dying," added +<span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, "for its honour and its liberty."</p> + +<p>The Emperor gave orders to have his proclamations printed in the +course of the night, and despatched emissaries in every direction to +announce his having entered <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>; that Austria was for him; that +the king of Naples was following him with eighty thousand men; ... +and, in short, to discourage, intimidate, and curb, by false alarms +and false confidences, the partisans and agents of the regal +government.</p> + +<p>The proclamations, posted up in abundance, produced the most lively +sensation, as at <span lang="fr">Gap</span>. In fact, never had the national pride, +patriotism, and the noblest passions of the mind, been addressed with +more fascination, strength, and eloquence. The soldiers and citizens +were never tired of reading and admiring them. Every person was +desirous of having them. Travellers, and the inhabitants of the +neighbouring country, received an immense quantity, which they took +upon themselves to spread abroad on their road, and to send to all +parts.</p> + +<p>The next day, the 8th, the clergy, the staff-officers, the imperial +court, the tribunals, and the civil and military authorities, came to +acknowledge Napoleon, and to offer him their <span class="pagenum"><a id="page198" name="page198"></a>(p. 198)</span> +congratulations. He conversed familiarly with the judges on the +administration of justice; with the clergy on what was necessary to +public worship; with the soldiery on the armies; with the municipal +officers on the sufferings of the people, the towns, and the country +places; and delighted them all by the variety of his knowledge, and +the benevolence of his intentions. He then said to them: "I knew that +France was unhappy; I heard its groans and its reproaches; I am come +with the faithful companions of my exile, to deliver her from the yoke +of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> ... their throne is illegitimate ... my rights were +conferred on me by the nation, by the unanimous will of the French +people: they are no other rights than theirs.... I am come to resume +them; not to reign, the throne is nothing to me: not to revenge +myself, for I shall forget every thing that has been said, done, or +written, since the capitulation of Paris; but to restore to you the +rights, which the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> have taken from you, and to emancipate you +from the subscription to the glebe, the vassalage, and the feudal +system, with which you are threatened by them.... I have been too fond +of war; I will make war no more: I will leave my neighbours at rest: +we must forget, that we have been masters of the world.... I wish to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page199" name="page199"></a>(p. 199)</span> reign, in order to render our lovely France free, happy, and +independent; and to place its happiness on foundations not to be +shaken; <i>I wish to be less its sovereign than the first and best of +its citizens.</i> I might have come to attack the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> with ships and +numerous fleets; but I would have no assistance from <span lang="fr">Murat</span> or from +Austria. I know my fellow citizens, and the defenders of my country, +and I reckon on their patriotism."</p> + +<p>The audience ended, the Emperor reviewed the garrison, consisting of +five or six thousand men. As soon as he appeared, the sky was darkened +by the multitude of sabres, bayonets, grenadier-caps, <i><span lang="fr">chacos</span></i>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>, +which the people and the soldiers raised in the air, amid the most +lively demonstrations of attachment and love.</p> + +<p>He said a few words to the people, which could not be heard, and +repaired to the front of the fourth of artillery. "It was among you," +said he, "that I began my career in arms. I love you all as old +comrades; I have observed you in the field of battle, and I have +always been satisfied with your conduct. But I hope, that we shall +have no occasion for your guns: France has need of moderation and +repose. The army will enjoy, in the bosom of peace, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page200" name="page200"></a>(p. 200)</span> the +benefits I have already conferred on it, and those I shall yet bestow. +In me the soldiers have found again their father: they may reckon upon +the rewards they have deserved."</p> + +<p>After this review, the garrison set out on its march to Lyons.</p> + +<p>In the evening Napoleon wrote to the Empress and Prince Joseph. He +directed him to make known at Rome, at Naples, and at <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>, +that his enterprise had every appearance of being crowned with the +most speedy and brilliant success. The couriers departed with great +noise; and care was taken to make known, that they were carrying to +the Empress the news of the Emperor's return, with orders to come +immediately, with her son, and join him.</p> + +<p>On the 9th the Emperor declared the establishment of the imperial +power by three decrees.</p> + +<p>The first directed all public acts, and the administration of justice, +to be executed in his name from the 15th of March.</p> + +<p>The two others organized the national guards of the five departments +of the Upper and Lower Alps, <span lang="fr">la Drôme, Mont Blanc</span>, and the <span lang="fr">Izère</span>, and +entrusted to the honour and patriotism of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page201" name="page201"></a>(p. 201)</span> inhabitants of +the seventh division the fortified towns of <span lang="fr">Briançon, Grenoble, Fort +Barreaux, Colmar</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>The moment he set off, he addressed to the inhabitants of the +department of the <span lang="fr">Izère</span> the following proclamation:</p> + +<p class="p2 left10">Citizens,</p> + +<p>When in my exile I learned all the misfortunes, that oppressed the +nation; that all the rights of the people were disregarded, and that I +was reproached with the state of repose in which I lived: I lost not a +moment: I embarked on board a slight vessel, crossed the sea in the +midst of ships of war belonging to various nations, landed alone on +the shores of our country, and thought of nothing but of arriving with +the rapidity of an eagle in this good city of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, of the +patriotism of which, and its personal attachment to me, I was well +aware. Men of Dauphiny, you have answered my expectation.</p> + +<p>I have endured, not without a wounded heart, but without being +dejected, the misfortunes to which for a twelvemonth I have been a +prey. The spectacle displayed to my eyes by the people on my journey +has inspired me with the most lively emotions. Though a few clouds +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page202" name="page202"></a>(p. 202)</span> have altered the high opinion I entertained of the French +people, what I have seen has convinced me, that they are still worthy +of the name of the Great People, which I gave them twenty years ago.</p> + +<p>Men of Dauphiny, about to quit your country, to repair to my good city +of Lyons, I could not refrain from expressing to you all the esteem, +with which your lofty sentiments have inspired me. My heart is filled +with the emotions, that you have excited in it, and I shall never +forget them.</p> + +<p class="p2">The news of the Emperor's landing did not reach Paris till the 5th of +March, at night. It transpired on the 6th; and on the 7th a royal +proclamation appeared in the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span>, convoking the chambers +immediately; and a decree, that placed Napoleon, and all who should +join or assist him, out of the protection of the law<a id="footnotetag47" name="footnotetag47"></a><a href="#footnote47" title="Go to footnote 47">[47]</a>; without any +farther particulars.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page203" name="page203"></a>(p. 203)</span> On the 8th the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span> and other newspapers announced, that +Bonaparte had landed with eleven hundred men, most of whom had already +deserted him; that he was wandering in the mountains, accompanied only +by a few individuals; that he had been refused provision, was in want +of every thing, and, pursued and on the point of being surrounded by +the troops sent against him from <span lang="fr">Toulon, Marseilles, Valence</span>, and +<span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, he must speedily expiate his rash and criminal enterprise.</p> + +<p>This news struck all parties with astonishment, and made different +impressions on them, according to their different sentiments and +opinions.</p> + +<p>The discontented had no doubt of the success of the Emperor, and the +ruin of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page204" name="page204"></a>(p. 204)</span> The courtiers regretted that there was not sufficient danger +in this mad and audacious enterprise, to give at least some value to +their attachment.</p> + +<p>The emigrants looked at it with pity, turned it into ridicule; and, if +they had wanted nothing more than jests, abuse, and swaggering, to +beat Napoleon, there could have been no doubt of their victory.</p> + +<p>The government itself participated in their boasting and security.</p> + +<p>Fresh despatches soon made known the progress of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>The Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, and Marshal Macdonald, set +off hastily for Lyons.</p> + +<p>The royalists were uneasy, the government removed their fears.</p> + +<p>The Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, they said, at the head of fifteen thousand +national guards, and ten thousand of the troops of the line, must stop +him before Lyons.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Marchand</span>, General <span lang="fr">Duverney</span>, the Prince of <span lang="de">Essling</span>, and the +Duke <span lang="fr">d'Angoulême</span>, were getting into his rear, and would cut off his +retreat.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Le Courbe</span> was manœuvring on his flanks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page205" name="page205"></a>(p. 205)</span> Marshal <span lang="fr">Oudinot</span> was arriving with his faithful royal +grenadiers.</p> + +<p>The national guards of <span lang="fr">Marseilles</span>, and the whole population of the +south, were marching from all quarters in pursuit of him; and it was +impossible for him to escape.</p> + +<p>This was the 10th of March.</p> + +<p>The next day an officer of the King's household appeared in the +balcony of the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>, and, waving his hat, announced, that the +King had just received an official account of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, at +the head of twenty thousand men of the national guard of Lyons, having +attacked Bonaparte on the side towards <span lang="fr">Bourgoing</span>, and completely +beaten him.</p> + +<p>The same day information was given, that Generals <span lang="fr">d'Erlon, Lefevre +Desnouettes</span>, and <span lang="fr">Lallemand</span>, who had attempted to seduce the troops +under their orders, had completely failed, and taken flight<a id="footnotetag48" name="footnotetag48"></a><a href="#footnote48" title="Go to footnote 48">[48]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page206" name="page206"></a>(p. 206)</span> The malecontents were in doubt: the royalists were +intoxicated.</p> + +<p>On the 12th, the victory of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span> was contradicted. The +official paper announced, that Bonaparte must have slept at <span lang="fr">Bourgoing</span>; +that he was expected to enter Lyons on the evening of the 10th of +March; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page207" name="page207"></a>(p. 207)</span> and that it appeared certain, that <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> had not +yet opened its gates to him.</p> + +<p>The Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span> soon arrived, and confirmed by his return the +taking of Lyons, and the inutility of his efforts.</p> + +<p>The alarm was renewed.</p> + +<p>The King, whose countenance was at the same time dignified and +affecting, invoked by eloquent proclamations the attachment of the +French, and the courage and fidelity of the army.</p> + +<p>The army maintained silence. The judicial bodies, the civil +authorities, the order of advocates, and a number of individual +citizens, answered the King's appeal by addresses testifying their +love and fidelity.</p> + +<p>The two chambers equally laid at the foot of the throne the expression +of their sentiments: but their language differed.</p> + +<p>"Sire," said the Chamber of Peers, "hitherto paternal goodness has +marked all the acts of your government<a id="footnotetag49" name="footnotetag49"></a><a href="#footnote49" title="Go to footnote 49">[49]</a>. If it be necessary that +the laws should be rendered more severe, you would no doubt lament it; +but the two chambers, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page208" name="page208"></a>(p. 208)</span> animated with the same spirit, would +be eager to concur in every measure that the importance of +circumstances, and the safety of the people, may require."</p> + +<p>"Whatever faults may have been committed," said the Chamber of +Deputies, "the present is not the moment for inquiring into them. It +is the duty of all of us, to unite against the common enemy, and +afterwards endeavour, to render this crisis beneficial to the security +of the throne and its public liberty."</p> + +<p>The King did not stop at empty proclamations. He decreed,</p> + +<p>That a new army should be assembled in front of Paris, under the +orders of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Berri</span> and the command of Marshal Macdonald:</p> + +<p>That all the soldiers on furlough, or conditionally discharged, should +rejoin their corps:</p> + +<p>That all the half-pay officers should be called out:</p> + +<p>That the three millions of national guards of the kingdom should take +up arms, in order to check the factious and disperse their meetings, +<i>while the army took the field</i>:</p> + +<p>That the young national guards, who were desirous of forming a part of +the acting army, should be armed and accoutred, and sent to the parts +that were threatened.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page209" name="page209"></a>(p. 209)</span> That to render useful the services of those brave Frenchmen, +who on all sides were demanding to be led against the enemy, +battalions of royal volunteers should be formed, and make a part of +the army of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Berri</span>.</p> + +<p>Marshal Ney, whose popularity and influence were well known, was +appointed to take the command of the troops of the east.</p> + +<p>The Duke <span lang="fr">de Feltre</span> took the place of Marshal <span lang="fr">Soult</span>.</p> + +<p>In short, the King omitted nothing, that could concur in protecting +his throne from the dangers, with which it was threatened.</p> + +<p>Such measures, sufficient to stop an army of three hundred thousand +men, could only attest the success of Napoleon; and yet the ministry +daily caused the most encouraging reports to be spread among the +people, and confirmed by the newspapers.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montesquiou</span>, faithful to the system of deception he had adopted, +continued to mislead the deputies, cheating them by false +intelligence, and lulling them with hopes, which he himself no longer +entertained. He knew the intoxication, which was excited in every +place by the approach and passage of Napoleon. He knew, that he was +master of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and Lyons; that the troops attempted to be opposed +to him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page210" name="page210"></a>(p. 210)</span> had joined his with enthusiasm: and nevertheless he +announced to the chamber, "that the population of all the departments +invaded by the adventurer of the island of Elba loudly manifested +their indignation against this audacious robber; that they may have +been surprised, but not subjugated; that all his summonses of places, +and the orders he had attempted to issue to the local authorities, had +been rejected with firmness; that the Lyonese had displayed the +attachment, that was to be expected from their noble character; that +the departments of Burgundy, <span lang="fr">Franche Comté, Lorraine, Champagne</span>, +Picardy, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr> rivalled each other in their attachment and energy; +that the good disposition of the troops was answerable to that of the +citizens; and that all together, generals, officers, soldiers, and +citizens, concurred in the defence of their country and of their +King."</p> + +<p>These political juggleries were not without effect. They satisfied +some credulous men, and inflamed the courage and imaginations of a few +youths. The enrolments of volunteers were more numerous: a certain +number of pupils of the schools of law and physic offered their +services, and traversed the streets of Paris, shouting "Long live the +King! Down with the Corsican! Down with the tyrant! <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page211" name="page211"></a>(p. 211)</span> This effervescent movement could not be durable; and whatever +pains were taken to deceive the metropolis, the truths announced by +travellers and private letters opposed these ministerial falsehoods.</p> + +<p>The defection of Marshal Ney soon came to tear off the veil, and +spread affright and consternation among the ministers and their +partisans.</p> + +<p>The King repaired to the Chamber of Deputies, in the hope of +confirming their attachment, and of dissipating by a solemn oath those +doubts of his adherence to the charter, and of his intention to +maintain it, which his ministers occasioned. Never was a more imposing +and pathetic spectacle exhibited. What heart could steel itself +against the sorrows of that august and aged man, against the sound of +his mournful voice? Those prophetic words, "I fear nothing for myself, +but I fear for France: at sixty years of age can I better close my +career, than by dying in defence of the state?" These words of the +King excited the most lively emotion, and tears in abundance fell from +every eye.</p> + +<p>The oath pronounced by the King, to maintain the charter, was +immediately repeated by the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, who had hitherto refrained +from it. "We swear," said he, "on our <span class="pagenum"><a id="page212" name="page212"></a>(p. 212)</span> honour, I and my +family, to live and die faithful to our King, and to the +constitutional charter, which assures the happiness of France." But +these tardy protestations could not repair the mischief, that the +disloyal conduct of the government had done to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> and their +cause.</p> + +<p>In vain did the words country, liberty, and constitution, recur in +every discourse, and in every proclamation.</p> + +<p>In vain was it solemnly promised, that France, as soon as it was +delivered, should receive all the securities claimed by the public +voice, and that the press should recover perfect freedom.</p> + +<p>In vain was the lustre and the prerogative, of which the legion of +honour had been despoiled, offered to be restored to it.</p> + +<p>In vain were pompous eulogies and brilliant promises lavished on the +army.</p> + +<p>The time was past.</p> + +<p>The minister had robbed the King of confidence, which is the prime +agent of the ascendancy of princes over the people; and of strength, +which can alone supply the place of confidence, and command fear and +obedience.</p> + +<p>The approach of Napoleon;</p> + +<p>The desertion of Marshal Ney;</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page213" name="page213"></a>(p. 213)</span> The declaration made by those generals, who still retained +their fidelity, that the troops would not fight against the Emperor, +left the government no doubt of the fate that awaited it.</p> + +<p>From that moment there was no longer harmony in their designs, or +concert in the means of executing them.</p> + +<p>Orders and counter-orders were given on the one hand, and revoked on +the other. Schemes of every kind, all equally inconsiderate and +impracticable, were approved and rejected, resumed and abandoned.</p> + +<p>The chambers and the government had ceased to act in unison. The +ministers complained of the deputies; the deputies publicly demanded +of the King the dismissal of his ministers, and that he would place +around himself men, "who have been the constant defenders of justice +and liberty, and whose names shall be a guarantee for the interest of +all<a id="footnotetag50" name="footnotetag50"></a><a href="#footnote50" title="Go to footnote 50">[50]</a>."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page214" name="page214"></a>(p. 214)</span> The same disorder, the same disunion, manifested themselves +every where at the same time: there was only one point in which people +agreed; that all was lost.</p> + +<p>In fact so it was.</p> + +<p>The people, whom the nobles had humbled, vexed, or terrified by +haughty and tyrannical pretensions;</p> + +<p>They who had acquired national domains, whom they had wished to +dispossess;</p> + +<p>The protestants, who had been sacrificed;</p> + +<p>The magistrates, who had been turned out;</p> + +<p>The persons in office, who had been reduced to want;</p> + +<p>The soldiers, officers, and generals, who had been despised and +ill-treated;</p> + +<p>The revolutionists, who had been incessantly insulted and menaced;</p> + +<p>The friends of justice, and of liberty, who had been abused;</p> + +<p>All the French, whom the government had reduced, as it were, in spite +of themselves, to wish for another order of things; eagerly embraced +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page215" name="page215"></a>(p. 215)</span> the cause of Napoleon, which had become the national cause +through the faults of the government.</p> + +<p>Royalty had no defenders left but women <i>and their handkerchiefs</i>; +priests without influence; nobles without courage; body guards without +youth, or without experience.</p> + +<p>The legions of the national guard, on which such great reliance had +been placed, were reviewed by their colonel-general: he harangued them +on the charter, and the tyranny of Bonaparte; he told them, that he +would march at their head, and said: "Let those, who love their King, +come out from their ranks, and follow me." Scarcely two hundred obeyed +the order.</p> + +<p>The royal volunteers, who had made so much noise, when they expected +to be victors without incurring any peril, had gradually dispersed; +and those, whom the approach of danger had neither intimidated nor +cooled, were too few to have any weight in the balance.</p> + +<p>The government had one sole and last hope remaining: it was, dare I +say it? that Napoleon would be assassinated.</p> + +<p>The same men who had preached up a civil war, <i>and declared, that it +would be shameful not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page216" name="page216"></a>(p. 216)</span> to have one</i>; soiled the walls of +Paris with provocations to murder, and fanatic praises bestowed +beforehand on murderers. Emissaries, mixing in the various groups of +the people, endeavoured to put the poniard into the hands of the new +<span lang="fr">Jacques Clements</span>. A public act had proscribed Napoleon; a reward was +publicly offered for his head. This call for a crime, which indignant +France first heard from the assassins of <span lang="fr">Coligny</span>, was repeated by men, +who, like them, had the sacred words of morality, humanity, and +religion, continually in their mouths, and who, like them, thirsted +only after vengeance and blood.</p> + +<p>But while they were conspiring at Paris to assassinate Napoleon, he +peaceably pursued his triumphant march.</p> + +<p>Quitting <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> on the 9th, he came that night and slept at +<span lang="fr">Burgoing</span>. <a id="footnotetag51" name="footnotetag51"></a><a href="#footnote51" title="Go to footnote 51">[51]</a>""The crowd and the enthusiasm continued to increase: +"We have long expected you," said all these brave fellows to the +Emperor; "at length you are come, to deliver France from the insolence +of the nobility, the pretensions of the priests, and the disgrace of a +foreign yoke."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page217" name="page217"></a>(p. 217)</span> ""The Emperor, being fatigued<a id="footnotetag52" name="footnotetag52"></a><a href="#footnote52" title="Go to footnote 52">[52]</a>, was in his calash, the +horse walking, surrounded by a crowd of peasants, singing songs, that +expressed the noble sentiments of these brave Dauphinese. "Ah!" said +the Emperor, "I here find again the sentiments, which twenty years ago +led me to hail France by the name of the great nation! Yes, you are +still the great nation, and you shall ever be so."""</p> + +<p>They approached Lyons: the Emperor had sent his emissaries before him, +who informed him, that the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, and +Marshal Macdonald, had determined to defend the city, and that they +were going to break down the bridges <span lang="fr">de la Guillotière</span> and <span lang="fr">Moraud</span>. +""The Emperor laughed at these ridiculous preparations: he could not +doubt the disposition of the Lyonese, still less those of the +soldiers; yet he gave orders to General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, to collect boats at +the <span lang="fr">Mirbel</span>, intending to cross the river in the night, and cut off the +roads to <span lang="fr">Moulins</span> and <span lang="fr">Macon</span> for the Prince, who wanted to prevent his +passing the Rhone. At four o'clock a reconnoitring party of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page218" name="page218"></a>(p. 218)</span> fourth hussars arrived at <span lang="fr">la Guillotière</span>, and were received +with shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" by the immense population of +the suburb, that has always been distinguished for its attachment to +its country.""</p> + +<p>The Emperor immediately countermanded the passage at <span lang="fr">Mirbel</span>, and +desirous of availing himself of this first enthusiastic movement, as +at <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, galloped forward to the suburb of <span lang="fr">Guillotière</span>.</p> + +<p>The Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, less fortunate, could not even succeed in opposing +to his adversary a shadow of defence.</p> + +<p>He was desirous of destroying the bridges, but the city opposed it.</p> + +<p>The troops, whose attachment he fancied he could purchase by the +distribution of money, or the bait of rewards, had remained deaf to +his words, his entreaties, his promises. Passing before the thirteenth +regiment of dragoons, he said to a brave fellow, decorated with three +chevrons and with scars: "Come, comrade, shout Long live the +King!"—"No, Sir," answered the brave dragoon, "No soldier will fight +against his father; I can only answer you by saying Long live the +Emperor!" Confused and in despair, he exclaimed in a sorrowful tone, +"All is lost!" and these words, instantly spreading <span class="pagenum"><a id="page219" name="page219"></a>(p. 219)</span> from one +to another, only strengthened the prevailing ill will or +discouragement<a id="footnotetag53" name="footnotetag53"></a><a href="#footnote53" title="Go to footnote 53">[53]</a>.</p> + +<p>Marshal Macdonald, however, who was well known to the troops, had +succeeded in barricading the bridge of <span lang="fr">la Guillotière</span>, and led two +battalions of infantry thither in person; when the hussars of Napoleon +came out from the suburb, and presented themselves before the bridge, +preceded, surrounded, and followed, by all the youth of the place.</p> + +<p>The marshal restrained the soldiers a few minutes: but moved, seduced, +borne away, by the incitements of the people and the hussars, they +rushed to the barricadoes, burst them, and were quickly in the arms +and in the ranks of the soldiers of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>The Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, foreseeing this defection, had quitted Lyons, +unaccompanied by a single <span lang="fr">gendarme</span>, but escorted by a detachment of +the thirteenth dragoons, commanded by lieutenant <span lang="fr">Marchebout</span>. It is due +to the troops to say, that they did not cease to respect him, and that +he ran no risk<a id="footnotetag54" name="footnotetag54"></a><a href="#footnote54" title="Go to footnote 54">[54]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page220" name="page220"></a>(p. 220)</span> At five in the evening the whole garrison rushed out to meet +Napoleon.</p> + +<p>An hour after, the imperial army took possession of the city.</p> + +<p>At seven Napoleon made his solemn entry, proceeding alone before his +troops, but preceded and followed by an immense crowd, expressing, by +incessant acclamations, the intoxication, happiness, and pride, they +felt at seeing him again. He alighted at the archbishop's palace, and +quietly took his rest in the very places, which the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, +yielding to despair, had just watered with his tears.</p> + +<p>Napoleon immediately entrusted the guarding of his person, and the +interior charge of the palace, to the national guard. He would not +accept the services of the horse-guards. "Our institutions," said he +to them, "know nothing of national guards on horseback; besides, you +behaved so ill with the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, that I will have nothing to +say to you."</p> + +<p>In fact the Emperor, who had always respected misfortune, had made +inquiries concerning the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span> on his arrival; and had +learned, that the nobles, of whom the horse-guards <span class="pagenum"><a id="page221" name="page221"></a>(p. 221)</span> were +chiefly composed, after having sworn to the prince to die for him, had +deserted him; one excepted, who remained faithfully attached to his +escort, till the moment he thought his life and liberty out of all +danger.</p> + +<p>The Emperor did not confine himself to commendation of the conduct of +this generous Lyonese. "I never left a noble action," said he, +"without reward:" and he appointed him a member of the Legion of +Honour.</p> + +<p>I was at Lyons the moment when Napoleon arrived. He knew it, and sent +for me that very evening. "Well!" said he to me with a smile, "you did +not expect to see me again so soon<a id="footnotetag55" name="footnotetag55"></a><a href="#footnote55" title="Go to footnote 55">[55]</a>."—"No, Sire; your Majesty +alone is capable of occasioning such surprises."—"What do they say of +all this at Paris?"—"Why, Sire, there, as here, they are rejoiced, no +doubt, at your Majesty's happy return."—"And public opinion, how is +that?"—"Sire, it is greatly changed: formerly we thought of nothing +but <span class="pagenum"><a id="page222" name="page222"></a>(p. 222)</span> glory, now we think only of liberty. The struggle that +has arisen between the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> and the nation has revealed to us our +rights; it has engendered in men's minds a number of liberal ideas, +that did not exist in your Majesty's time; people feel, people +experience, the necessity of being free; and the most certain means of +pleasing the French would be to promise, and to give them, laws truly +popular."—"I know that the discussions they<a id="footnotetag56" name="footnotetag56"></a><a href="#footnote56" title="Go to footnote 56">[56]</a> have suffered to take +place, have diminished the respect for power, and enfeebled it. +Liberal ideas have resumed all the ground I had gained for it. I shall +not attempt to reconquer it: no one should attempt to contend with a +nation; it is the earthen pot against the iron pot. The French shall +have reason to be satisfied with me. I know, that there is both +pleasure and glory in rendering a great people free and happy. I will +give pledges to France: I did not stint it in glory, I will not stint +it in liberty. I will retain no farther power than is necessary to +enable me to govern. Power is not incompatible with liberty: on the +contrary, liberty is never more entire, than when power is well +established. When it is weak, it is captious: <span class="pagenum"><a id="page223" name="page223"></a>(p. 223)</span> when it is +strong, it sleeps in tranquillity, and leaves the reins loose on the +neck of liberty. I know what is requisite for the French; we shall +settle that point: but no licentiousness, no anarchy; for anarchy +would lead us to the despotism of the republicans, the most fertile of +all despotisms in tyrannic acts, because every body takes a share in +it.... Do they suppose we shall come to a battle?"—"They do not think +it: the government have never had confidence in the soldiery; it has +made itself detested by the officers; and all the troops that may be +opposed to your Majesty's, will be so many reinforcements sent +you."—"I think so too: and the marshals?"—"Sire, they cannot but be +apprehensive, that your Majesty will remember Fontainbleau; and +perhaps it will be well to remove their fears, and to make known to +them personally your Majesty's intention of consigning every thing to +oblivion."—"No, I will not write to them; they would consider me as +under obligations to them; and I will be obliged to no person. The +troops are well disposed, the officers are good, and if the marshals +wished to restrain them, they would be hurried along by them ... where +is my guard?"—"I believe at <span lang="fr">Metz</span> and at <span lang="fr">Nancy</span>."—"Of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page224" name="page224"></a>(p. 224)</span> that I +am sure, do what they will, they will never corrupt it. What are +<span lang="fr">Augereau</span> and <span lang="fr">Marmont</span> about?"—"I do not know."—"What is Ney doing? On +what terms is he with the king?"—"Sometimes good, sometimes bad: I +believe he has had reason to complain of the court on account of his +wife."—"His wife is an affected creature; no doubt she has attempted +to play the part of a great lady, and the old dowagers have ridiculed +her. Has Ney any command?"—"I do not think he has, Sire."—"Is he one +of us?"—"The part he took in your abdication"--"Ay, I read that at +<span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>: he boasted of having ill-treated me, of having laid his +pistols on my table: it was all false. Had he dared to fail of respect +to me, I would have ordered him to be shot. A heap of tales has been +spread respecting my abdication. I abdicated, not in consequence of +their advice, but because my army was out of its senses: besides, I +would not have a civil war. It was never to my taste. It was said, +that <span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, when I met him, loaded me with reproaches ... it was a +lie: no one of my generals would have dared, in my presence, to forget +what was due to me. Had I known of the proclamation of <span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, I +would have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page225" name="page225"></a>(p. 225)</span> forbidden him my presence<a id="footnotetag57" name="footnotetag57"></a><a href="#footnote57" title="Go to footnote 57">[57]</a>: cowards only +insult misfortune. His proclamation, which I was reported to have had +in my pocket, was unknown to me till after our interview. It was +General Koller who showed it me; but let us quit these popular +rumours. What has been done at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>?"—"Nothing has been +altered, Sire; even the eagles have not yet been removed."—(Smiling) +"They must have thought my arrangement of them admirable."—"So I +presume, Sire: it has been said, that the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span> went through +all the apartments immediately after his arrival, and could not cease +to admire them."—"I can readily believe it. What have they done with +my pictures?"—"Some have been taken away, but that of the battle of +Austerlitz is still in the council-chamber."—"And the theatre?"—"It +has not been touched: it is no longer used."—"What is Talma +doing?"—"Why, Sire, he continues to deserve and obtain public +applause."—"I shall see him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page226" name="page226"></a>(p. 226)</span> again with pleasure. Have you +been at court?"—"Yes, Sire, I have been presented."—"I am told, they +all have the air of upstarts of yesterday; that they know not how to +utter a word, or take a single step, with propriety: have you seen +them on grand public days?"—"No, Sire, but I can assure your Majesty, +that people pay as little regard to ceremony at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>, as at +their own homes: they go thither in dirty boots, common frock-coats, +and round hats."—"That must have a very majestic appearance. But how +do all those old <i>thicksculls</i> spend their money? for every thing has +been restored to them."—"But, probably, Sire, they wish to wear out +their old clothes."—"Poor France! into what hands hast thou thrust +thyself! And the king, what sort of a countenance has he?"—"He has a +tolerably fine head."—"Is his coin handsome?"—"Of this your Majesty +may judge: here is a twenty-franc piece."—"What! they have not +re-coined louis: I am surprised at this. (Turning the piece over) He +does not look as if he would starve himself: but observe, they have +taken away <i><span lang="fr">Dieu protège la France</span></i> (God protect France), to restore +their <i><span lang="it">Domine, salvum fac regem</span></i> (Lord, preserve the King). This is as +they always were: every thing for themselves, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page227" name="page227"></a>(p. 227)</span> nothing for +France. Where is <span lang="fr">Maret</span>? where is <span lang="fr">Caulincourt</span>? where is <span lang="fr">Lavalette</span>? +where is <span lang="fr">Fouché</span>?"—"They are all at Paris."—"And <span lang="fr">Môlé</span>?"—"He, too, is +at Paris; I observed him a short time ago at the Queen's."—"Have we +any persons hereabout, who were nearly attached to me?"—"I do not +know, Sire."—"You must inquire, and bring them to me. I should be +glad to be thoroughly acquainted with the spirit of the times, and +know something of the present state of affairs. What does Hortense +do?"—"Sire, her house is still the resort of men, who know how to +appreciate wit and elegance: and the Queen, though without a throne, +is not less an object of the respect and homage of all Paris."—"She +did a very foolish thing, in exhibiting herself as a spectacle before +the tribunals. They who advised her to it were blockheads. Why, too, +did she go and demand the title of duchess?"—"She, Sire, did not +demand it, it was the Emperor Alexander...."—"No matter, she ought +not to have accepted, any more than demanded it: she should have +called herself Madame Bonaparte: this name is full as good as any +other. Besides, what right had she to have her son made a duke of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> +Leu</span>, and a peer of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>? Louis was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page228" name="page228"></a>(p. 228)</span> in the right to +oppose it: he was sensible, that the name of her son was sufficiently +honourable, not to suffer himself to change it. If Josephine had been +alive, she would have prevented her from engaging in such a foolish +piece of business. Was she much regretted?"—"Yes, Sire, your Majesty +knows how much she was beloved and honoured by the French."—"She +deserved it. She was an excellent woman: she had a great deal of +sense. I greatly regretted her too, and the day when I heard of her +death was one of the most unhappy of my life. Was there a public +mourning for her?"—"No, Sire. Indeed I think she would have been +refused the honours due to her rank, had not the Emperor Alexander +insisted on their being paid her."—"So I heard at the time, but I did +not believe it. He was no way interested in it."—"The generosity of +Alexander was not confined within any limits: he showed himself the +protector of the Empress, the Queen, Prince Eugene, the Duke of +Vicenza, and a number of other persons of distinction, who, but for +him, would have been persecuted or ill treated."—"You love him, it +seems."—"Sire...."—"Is the national guard of Paris well +disposed?"—"I cannot positively affirm it; but of this at least I am +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page229" name="page229"></a>(p. 229)</span> certain, that if it do not declare for your Majesty, at +least it will not act against us."—"I imagine so too. What is it +supposed, that the foreigners will think of my return?"—"It is +thought, that Austria will connect itself with your Majesty, and that +Russia will behold the disgrace of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> without regret."—"Why +so?"—"It is said, Sire, that Alexander was not pleased with the +princes while at Paris. That the predilection of the king for England, +and his attributing his crown to the Prince Regent, offended +him."—"It is well to know that. Has he seen my son?"—"Yes, Sire: I +have been assured, that he embraced him with a tenderness truly +paternal, and exclaimed: He is a charming fellow: how have I been +deceived!"—"What did he mean by that?"—"They say he had been +informed, that the young prince was rickety and imbecile."—"Wretches! +he is an admirable child: he gives every indication of becoming a +distinguished character. He will be an honour to his age. Is it true, +that so much was made of Alexander at Paris?"—"Yes, Sire, nobody else +was attended to but he: the other sovereigns appeared as if they were +his <span lang="fr">aides-de-camp</span>."—"In fact, he did a great deal for Paris: but for +him the English would have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page230" name="page230"></a>(p. 230)</span> ruined it, and the Prussians +would have set it on fire.—He acted his part well ... (with a smile) +if I were not Napoleon, perhaps I would be Alexander."</p> + +<p>The next day he reviewed the division of Lyons in <span lang="fr">Bellecour</span> Square. "I +shall see that square again with pleasure," said he, to the chiefs of +the national guard, who stood round him: "I remember, that I raised it +from its ruins, and laid the first stone of it fifteen years ago." He +went out merely preceded by a few hussars. A crowd of men, old men, +women and children, thronged the bridges, the quays, and the streets. +They rushed under the horses' feet to hear him, to see him, to have a +closer view of him, to touch his garments ... it was an actual +delirium. Scarcely had he proceeded a few steps, when the crowd, that +had already seen him, ran to another spot, to see him again. The air +rung with uninterrupted acclamations. It was a rolling volley of "The +nation for ever! The Emperor for ever! Down with the priests! Down +with the royalists!" <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>The division of <span lang="fr">Brayer</span>, as soon as reviewed, set out on its march to +Paris.</p> + +<p>When the Emperor returned to the archiepiscopal palace, the great +gallery was crowded with generals, colonels, magistrates, and public +officers <span class="pagenum"><a id="page231" name="page231"></a>(p. 231)</span> of all ranks and kinds. You might have thought +yourselves in the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>.</p> + +<p>The Emperor stopped a few minutes: he embraced Generals <span lang="fr">Mouton +Duvernay, Girard</span>, and other officers, whom Paris supposed to be in +pursuit of him; and after having distributed on the right and left a +few smiles and many compliments, he proceeded to his saloon, and +admitted to be presented to him the imperial court, the municipal +body, and the chiefs of the military corps and the national guard.</p> + +<p>He conversed a long time with them on the faults of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and +the deplorable situation in which he found France. He confessed to +them with noble frankness, that he was not altogether inculpable for +its misfortunes. "I was hurried on," said he, "by the course of +events, into a wrong path. But, taught by experience, I have abjured +that love of glory, so natural to the French, which has had such fatal +consequences to them and to me.... I was mistaken in supposing, that +the time was arrived for rendering France the metropolis of a great +empire: I have renounced for ever that grand enterprise; we have +enough of glory, we want repose.</p> + +<p>"It is not ambition, that has brought me back to France: it is the +love of the country. I <span class="pagenum"><a id="page232" name="page232"></a>(p. 232)</span> could have preferred the tranquillity +of the island of Elba to the cares of a throne, had I not known, that +France was unhappy, and had need of me.</p> + +<p>"On setting foot on our dear France," continued he, after a few +unimportant answers from his auditors, "I made a vow to render it free +and happy: I bring nothing to it but benefits. I am returned to +protect and defend those interests, to which our revolution has given +birth: I return to concur with the representatives of the nation in a +family compact, that shall preserve for ever the liberty and the +rights of every Frenchman: henceforward it will be my ambition, and my +glory, to effect the happiness of the great people from whom I hold +every thing. I will not, like Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, grant you a revocable +charter; I will give you an inviolable constitution, and it shall be +the work of the people, as well as of myself."</p> + +<p>Such were his words. He pronounced them with an air of such +satisfaction, he appeared so confident of himself and of the future, +that a man would have thought himself criminal to suspect the purity +of his intentions, or to doubt the happiness he was about to secure to +France.</p> + +<p>The language he held at Lyons we perceive was not the same, as that he +had uttered at <span class="pagenum"><a id="page233" name="page233"></a>(p. 233)</span> <span lang="fr">Gap</span> and at <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>. In the last-mentioned +towns he sought principally to excite in men's minds hatred of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and the love of liberty: he had spoken as a citizen, rather +than a monarch. No formal declaration, not a single word, revealed his +intentions. It might as well have been supposed, that he thought of +restoring the republic, or the consulship, as the empire. At Lyons, +there was no longer any thing vague, any thing uncertain: he spoke as +a sovereign, and promised to give a national constitution. The idea of +the <span lang="fr">Champ de Mai</span> had recurred to him.</p> + +<p>Not one of us suspected the sincerity of the promises and resolves of +Napoleon.</p> + +<p>Time, reflection, misfortune, the grand teacher of mankind, had +effected the most favourable changes in the principles of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>Formerly, when unforeseen obstacles arose, suddenly to thwart his +projects, his passions, accustomed to no restraint, to respect no +bridle, burst forth with the fury of a raging sea: he spoke, he +ordered, he decided, as if he had been master of the earth and of the +elements; nothing appeared to him impossible.</p> + +<p>After his reverse of fortune, he had learned in the calm of solitude +and meditation, to control the violence of his will, and to subject it +to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page234" name="page234"></a>(p. 234)</span> the yoke of reason and prudence. He had read attentively +the writings, pamphlets, and even libels, published against him: and +amid the revilings, calumnies, and absurdities, which they frequently +contained, he had found useful truths, judicious observations, and +profound views, of which he knew how to benefit himself.</p> + +<p>"Princes," observes the learned author of the Spirit of Laws, "have in +their lives periods of ambition to which other passions, and even +indolence, succeed." Napoleon's hour of indolence was not yet come: +but to the ambition of increasing his power without limit, had +succeeded the desire of rendering France happy, and of repairing by a +durable peace, and a paternal government, all the evils that had been +brought upon it by war.</p> + +<p>The Emperor spent the evening of the 11th in his closet: his first +thought was for the Empress. He wrote her a very tender letter, which +began with these remarkable words. "Madam and dear wife, I have +re-ascended my throne."</p> + +<p>He informed Prince Joseph<a id="footnotetag58" name="footnotetag58"></a><a href="#footnote58" title="Go to footnote 58">[58]</a> also, that he had resumed his crown; and +directed him to make known to foreign powers, through their ministers +to the Helvetic Confederation, that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page235" name="page235"></a>(p. 235)</span> he intended never more +to disturb the tranquillity of Europe, and faithfully to maintain the +treaty of Paris. He particularly recommended to him, strongly to +impress upon Austria and Russia, how desirous he was of +re-establishing his former connexions with them in the most intimate +manner.</p> + +<p>He appeared to set a particular value on the alliance of Russia. His +predilection was founded, no doubt, on political motives not difficult +to guess; yet I believe he was equally induced to it by Alexander's +generous conduct towards the French. The popularity and renown, which +this prince had acquired in France, excited, and could not but excite, +the jealousy of Napoleon: but this jealousy, the attribute of great +minds, did not render him unjust; he knew how to estimate Alexander.</p> + +<p>Hitherto Napoleon has been engaged only in depriving the King of his +army; he now thought the time was come, to take from him also the +sceptre of civil government. "On this I have resolved," said he to me: +"I will now annihilate the royal authority, and dismiss the chambers. +Since I have resumed the government, no authority but mine ought to +exist. The public must be taught from this moment, that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page236" name="page236"></a>(p. 236)</span> they +are to obey me alone." He then dictated to me in succession the +following decrees, known by the name of the decrees of Lyons.</p> + +<p class="p2 left60">Lyons, 13th of March, 1815.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, Emperor of the +French, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr></p> + +<p>Considering, that the Chamber of Peers is partly composed of persons +who have borne arms against France, and who are interested in the +re-establishment of feudal rights, in the destruction of the equality +of the different classes, in the nullification of the sale of the +national domains, and finally in depriving the people of the rights +they have acquired by fighting for five and twenty years against the +enemies of the national glory:</p> + +<p>Considering, that the powers of the deputies of the legislative body +have expired, and that from that moment the Chamber of Commons has no +longer a national character; that a part of this chamber has rendered +itself unworthy the confidence of the nation, by assenting to the +re-establishment of the feudal nobility, abolished by the constitution +accepted by the people; by making France pay debts contracted with +foreign powers for negotiating coalitions, and paying armies, against +the French people; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page237" name="page237"></a>(p. 237)</span> by giving to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> the title of +legitimate King, which was declaring the French people and the armies +rebels, proclaiming those emigrants, who for five and twenty years +have been wounding the vitals of their country, the only good +Frenchmen, and violating all the rights of the people, by sanctioning +the principle, that the nation is made for the throne, not the throne +for the nation:</p> + +<p>We have decreed, and do decree, as follows:</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="1">I.</abbr></p> + +<p>The Chamber of Peers is dissolved.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="2">II.</abbr></p> + +<p>The Chamber of Commons is dissolved: it is ordered, that every one of +the members convened and arrived at Paris since the 7th of March last +shall repair to his home without delay.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="3">III.</abbr></p> + +<p>The electoral colleges of the departments of the empire shall assemble +at Paris in the course of the month of May next, in order to take +proper measures for correcting and modifying our constitutions +agreeably to the interests and will of the nation; and at the same +time to assist at the coronation of the Empress, our <span class="pagenum"><a id="page238" name="page238"></a>(p. 238)</span> dear +and well-beloved wife, and that of our dear and well-beloved son.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="4">IV.</abbr></p> + +<p>Our Grand Marshal, executing the functions of Major-general of the +grand army, is appointed to take necessary measures for making public +the present decree.</p> + +<p class="p2 center">SECOND DECREE.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="1">I.</abbr></p> + +<p>All the emigrants, whose names have not been erased, amnestied, or +eliminated, by us, or by the governments that have preceded us; and +who have returned to France since the 1st of January, 1814, shall +immediately quit the territory of the empire.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="2">II.</abbr></p> + +<p>Those emigrants, who shall be found in the territory of the empire +fifteen days after the promulgation of the present decree, shall be +arrested and tried conformably to the laws decreed by our national +assemblies: unless however <span class="pagenum"><a id="page239" name="page239"></a>(p. 239)</span> it be proved, that they had no +knowledge of the present decree; in which case, they shall merely be +arrested, and conducted out of the territory by the <span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span>.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="3">III.</abbr></p> + +<p>All their property, moveable and immoveable, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr> shall be +placed in sequestration.</p> + +<p class="p2 center">THIRD DECREE.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="1">I.</abbr></p> + +<p>The nobility is abolished, and the laws of the Constituent Assembly +shall be put in force.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="2">II.</abbr></p> + +<p>Feudal titles are suppressed.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="3">III.</abbr></p> + +<p>Those individuals, who have obtained from us national titles, as +national rewards, and whose letters patent have been verified before +the council by the seal of state, shall continue to bear them.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page240" name="page240"></a>(p. 240)</span> Article <abbr title="4">IV.</abbr></p> + +<p>We reserve to ourselves the power of giving titles to the descendants +of those men, who have rendered the French name illustrious in various +ages, whether in the command of armies by land and sea, in the +councils of sovereigns, in the administration of justice or of civil +authority, or finally in the arts and sciences, commerce, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="p2 center">FOURTH DECREE.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="1">I.</abbr></p> + +<p>All those generals and officers by land and sea, of whatever rank, who +have been introduced into our armies since the 1st of April, 1814, who +had emigrated; or who, not having emigrated, had quitted the service +at the period of the first coalition, when the country had the +greatest need of their services; shall immediately cease their +functions, relinquish the marks of their rank, and repair to their +homes, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="p2 center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page241" name="page241"></a>(p. 241)</span> FIFTH DECREE.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>Considering, that by our constitutions the members of the judicial +order are not removable, we decree:</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="1">I.</abbr></p> + +<p>All the arbitrary changes made in our inferior tribunals and courts +are null, and to be considered as having never taken place.</p> + +<p class="center">Article <abbr title="2">II.</abbr></p> + +<p>The presidents of the court of cassation, our <span lang="fr">procureur-général</span> +(attorney-general), and the members who have been unjustly, and from a +spirit of reaction, dismissed from the said court, are restored to +their functions, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="p2">By four other decrees the Emperor ordered, that the property of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> family should be placed in sequestration.</p> + +<p>That all the property of emigrants, which belonged to the Legion of +Honour, hospitals, communes, the sinking fund, or the national +domains, should be restored to these different establishments.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page242" name="page242"></a>(p. 242)</span> That the King's household and the Swiss should be dismissed, +and that no foreign corps should be admitted as a guard to the +sovereign.</p> + +<p>And that the decoration of the lily, and the orders of <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Louis, the +Holy Ghost, and <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Michael, should be abolished.</p> + +<p>These decrees, which embraced at once every part of the political, +civil, and military administration of the state, succeeded each other +so rapidly, that Napoleon had scarcely time to interpose a few words +between them.</p> + +<p>By restoring to their seats those magistrates, who had been expelled +from them, he gained with a stroke of the pen all the members of the +judicial order; but I know not why he did not extend this beneficial +measure to the functionaries of the administrative order, particularly +to the prefects and sub-prefects, whom <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montesquiou</span> had so +cruelly persecuted. Among these functionaries there were +unquestionably some, who, from the weakness or incapacity they had +shown during the last moments of the imperial government, merited no +confidence: but the greater part of them had remained worthy of it; +and Napoleon, by placing them at the head of their former offices, +would have added to the advantage of publicly repairing an act of +royal injustice, that of entrusting the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page243" name="page243"></a>(p. 243)</span> administration to +experienced men, and who, already knowing the partisans of the +revolution and those of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, had only to show themselves, to +intimidate the latter, and render effective the patriotism of the +former.</p> + +<p>With this exception, every thing he did at Lyons appeared to me a +master-piece of wisdom and address.</p> + +<p>It was necessary, to overturn the Chamber of Peers: he did it at one +stroke. "It is composed," said he, "only of men who have borne arms +against their country, and who are interested in restoring feudal +rights, and annulling the national sales."</p> + +<p>The Chamber of Deputies had shown some resistance to the ministers, +and attachment to liberal doctrines; it was difficult, therefore, to +render it unpopular, yet the Emperor did it by a word: "It has shown +itself unworthy of the confidence of the nation, by making the people +pay debts contracted with foreigners for the shedding of French +blood."</p> + +<p>It was necessary, to remove the apprehensions of France respecting the +future: he called the electors to the <span lang="fr">Champ de Mai</span>. It was necessary, +to excite the belief, that he had a good understanding with Austria, +and that Maria Louisa would be restored to him: he announced <span class="pagenum"><a id="page244" name="page244"></a>(p. 244)</span> +the approaching coronation of the Empress and her son.</p> + +<p>It was necessary, to seduce the patriots, the republicans: he +abolished the feudal nobility; and declared, that the throne was made +for the nation, not the nation for the throne. It was necessary, to +tranquillize those, who had acquired national domains; he expelled the +emigrants not erased from the lists, and resumed their property: to +please the peasantry and the poor, he restored to the hospitals the +property of which they had been despoiled: to flatter the guard and +the army, he expelled from their ranks foreigners and emigrants, +dismissed the King's household, and restored to the Legion of Honour +its endowments and prerogatives.</p> + +<p>Men may censure his conduct at Lyons; may represent it as that of a +madman, resolved to alter, to destroy, to overturn every thing: no +matter ... they who judge with impartiality, I believe, will find, +that he conducted himself with all the skill of a consummate +politician. He knew how to inspire confidence, dissipate +apprehensions, confirm attachments, and fill the people and the army +with enthusiasm: what could he do more?</p> + +<p>The steps taken at Paris against him were known to him on the 12th. He +appeared delighted, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page245" name="page245"></a>(p. 245)</span> that a command was given to Marshal Ney; +not that he held any intelligence with him; but because he knew the +weakness and fickleness of his character. He directed the Grand +Marshal to write to him. "You will inform him," said he, "of the +delirium excited by my return, and of all the forces sent against me +having joined my army in succession. You will tell him, that the +troops under his command will infallibly follow the example of their +brave comrades, sooner or later: and that the efforts he might make +would have no farther effect, than at most to retard the fall of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> a few days. Give him to understand, that he will be +responsible to France, and to me, for the civil war and bloodshed, of +which he would be the cause. <i>Flatter him</i>," added the Emperor, "but +do not <i>caress</i> him too much; he would think me afraid of him, and +require to be entreated."</p> + +<p>Letters were written also to all the commanders of corps, that were +known to be quartered in the neighbouring departments. None of them +were in a supplicatory style: the Emperor already spoke as a master; +he did not entreat, he commanded.</p> + +<p>Every thing being finished, on the 13th Napoleon departed; and +profoundly moved with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page246" name="page246"></a>(p. 246)</span> the affection the Lyonese had shown +him, he bade them adieu in the following words:</p> + +<p class="p2 left10">"Lyonese,</p> + +<p>"At the moment of quitting your city to repair to my capital, I feel +it necessary, to make known to you the sentiments with which you have +inspired me: you have always ranked with the foremost in my +affections. On the throne or in exile, you have always displayed the +same feelings towards me: the lofty character that distinguishes you, +has merited my entire esteem: in a period of greater tranquillity, I +shall return, to consider the welfare of your manufactures, and of +your city.</p> + +<p>"Lyonese, I love you."</p> + +<p class="p2">These last words were the ingenuous expression of his feelings: in +dictating, he pronounced them with that indefinable charm, that was +impressed on his words when they came from the heart.</p> + +<p>So much has been said of the hardness of Napoleon's heart, and the +harshness of his language, that whatever is at variance with the +received opinion must appear fabulous. Yet it is a truth, and they who +have been about the Emperor's person will vouch for it, that he was +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page247" name="page247"></a>(p. 247)</span> far from being so unfeeling, as he was commonly thought. His +military education, and the necessity of commanding fear and respect, +had rendered him grave, severe, and inflexible; and had accustomed +him, to check and despise the suggestions of his sensibility. But when +nature resumed her rights, he felt a delight in yielding to the +movements of his soul, and he then expressed the emotions or +sentiments, that had overpowered him, in an ardent and impassioned +tone, and with a sweetness and grace, as seducing as it was +inimitable.</p> + +<p>Indeed the Lyonese merited the esteem and love, that Napoleon avowed +for them. Though yet young, I have more than once seen popular +displays of enthusiasm and infatuation; yet never did I see any thing +comparable to the transports of joy and tenderness, that burst from +the Lyonese. Not only the quays, and the places near the palace of the +Emperor, but even the most distant streets rung with perpetual +acclamations<a id="footnotetag59" name="footnotetag59"></a><a href="#footnote59" title="Go to footnote 59">[59]</a>. Workmen and their <span class="pagenum"><a id="page248" name="page248"></a>(p. 248)</span> masters, the common +people and the citizens, rambled about the city arm in arm, singing, +dancing, and giving themselves up to the impulse of the most ardent +gaiety. Strangers stopped one another, shook hands, embraced, and +congratulated each other on the return of the Emperor, as if he had +conferred on them fortune, life, and honour.</p> + +<p>The national guard, affected by the confidence he had shown it, by +entrusting to it the care of his person, participated with equal +ardour the general intoxication; and the day of Napoleon's departure +was a day of sorrow and regret to the city of Lyons, as that of his +arrival had been a day of real festivity.</p> + +<p>We slept at <span lang="fr">Macon</span>. The Emperor would not alight at the prefect's, but +went to lodge at the sign of the Savage. He found it was no longer +necessary, to wait at the gates of the towns, as at <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and +Lyons: the people <span class="pagenum"><a id="page249" name="page249"></a>(p. 249)</span> and the magistrates ran out to meet him, +and disputed the honour of being foremost, to do him homage, and +express their good wishes.</p> + +<p>The next morning he received the felicitations of the national guard, +the municipal body, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> One of the colleagues of the mayor gave us a +long, ridiculous harangue, which amused us much. When he had finished, +the Emperor said to him: "You were much astonished, then, at hearing +of our having landed?"—"Yes, faith:" answered the orator: "when I +knew you had landed, I said to every body, the man must be mad, he +will never be able to escape."—Napoleon could not help laughing at +this simplicity. "I know," said he, with a sarcastic smile, "that you +are all a little inclined to be frightened; you gave me a proof of +this last campaign; you should have behaved as the men of <span lang="fr">Chalons</span> did; +you did not maintain the honour of the Burgundians."—"It was not our +fault, Sire," said one of the party: "we were badly commanded; you had +not given us a good mayor."—"That is very possible; we have all been +guilty of foolish actions, and they must be forgotten: the safety and +happiness of France are henceforward the only objects, to which we +ought to attend." He dismissed them in a friendly manner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page250" name="page250"></a>(p. 250)</span> The prefect had taken flight. The Emperor asked me his name. +It was one Germain, whom he had made a count, and a gentleman of the +bedchamber, without well knowing why. "What!" said he to me, "does +that little Germain fancy it necessary to shun me? he must be brought +back:" and he thought no more of him.</p> + +<p>He directed me, to cause an account of the events at <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and +Lyons to be inserted in the newspaper of the department. The editor, a +furious royalist, had hidden himself. I entrusted to the new +subprefect the business of fulfilling the Emperor's orders; but, +whether it were carelessness or incapacity on his part, he had +recourse to the printer of the paper, who supplied him with an article +far from answering our views.</p> + +<p>It began with a very just, but ill-timed eulogy of the goodness of +Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>; and ended with declaring in substance, that so good a +king was not fitted to reign over the French, and that they required a +sovereign such as Napoleon, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>The Emperor, who would read every thing, asked me for the paper. I +pretended I could not lay my hand upon it: but, after a thousand +attempts to put him off from seeing it, I was at <span class="pagenum"><a id="page251" name="page251"></a>(p. 251)</span> length +obliged to bring it him. I thought he would have given me a severe +reprimand, but he contented himself with saying: "Change that man, he +is a fool; and desire him for the future, never to attempt a eulogy of +me." I sent for him, scolded him, and, like me, he was let off for the +fright.</p> + +<p>It was at <span lang="fr">Macon</span>, that we first received official news of what was +going on at Paris. It was brought us by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> ***. The unskilful manner +in which the royalist party superintended the police of the roads, was +truly astonishing. Not one of its emissaries escaped us, while ours +went and came without any obstruction. Rage or fear must have turned +the brains of all the royalists. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> *** assured the Emperor, that the +national guard appeared determined to defend the king, and that the +king had declared, he would not quit the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>. "If he choose to +wait for me there," said Napoleon, "I have no objection: but I doubt +it much. He suffers himself to be lulled by the boastings of the +emigrants; and when I get within twenty leagues of Paris, they will +abandon him, as the nobles of Lyons abandoned the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>. What +indeed could he do with the old puppets that are about him? One of our +grenadiers would knock down a hundred of them with the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page252" name="page252"></a>(p. 252)</span> +butt-end of his musket.... The national guard shouts at a distance; +when I am at the barriers it will be silent. Its business is not to +raise a civil war, but to maintain peace and order in the country. The +majority is sound; there is nothing rotten in it but a few officers; +and them I will expel. Return to Paris; tell my friends not to +implicate themselves, and within ten days my grenadiers will mount +guard at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>: go."</p> + +<p>We arrived at <span lang="fr">Chalons</span> on the 14th, at an early hour. It was terrible +weather, yet the whole population had come out of the city, to see the +Emperor a few minutes the sooner. On approaching the walls, he +perceived artillery and ammunition waggons, and was surprised at it. +"They were intended," said the people, "to act against you; but we +have stopped them on their way, and present them to you."—"That's +right, my lads; you have always been good citizens."</p> + +<p>He was well pleased, to find himself among the Chalonese, and received +them with much affection and regard. "I have not forgotten," said he, +"that you resisted the enemy for forty days, and valiantly defended +the passage of the <span lang="fr">Saône</span>. Had all the French possessed your courage +and patriotism, not a single foreigner <span class="pagenum"><a id="page253" name="page253"></a>(p. 253)</span> would have escaped +out of France." He expressed to them his desire of knowing the brave +men, who had most distinguished themselves; and on their unanimous +testimony, he granted on the spot the decoration of the Legion of +Honour to the mayor of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean Delonne</span>. "It was for the brave men +like him and you," said he to them, "that I instituted the Legion of +Honour, and not for emigrants pensioned by our enemies." When the +audience was ended, he said to me: "The mayor of <span lang="fr">Chalons</span> is not come; +yet it was I who appointed him: but he is related to an ancient +family, and probably has his scruples. The inhabitants complain of +him, and will make him suffer for it. You must go and see him. If he +object to you his oath, tell him, that I absolve him from it; and make +him sensible, that, if he wait till he is freed from it by Louis +<abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, he will wait a long time. Say to him, in short, what you +please; I care little about his visit; it is for his own sake I wish +him to come. If he do not come, the people will stone him to death +after I am gone. Germain was lucky to escape<a id="footnotetag60" name="footnotetag60"></a><a href="#footnote60" title="Go to footnote 60">[60]</a>; let his example be a +lesson to him."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page254" name="page254"></a>(p. 254)</span> I repaired immediately to the municipality, where I found the +mayor, and a few municipal counsellors. He appeared to me a man of +merit. I informed him, that it was my usual office, to introduce to +his Majesty the municipal authorities; that I had observed with +surprise, he had not been as eager as the mayors of other cities, to +pay his duty to the Emperor; and that I was come to remove his fears, +<abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> He answered me frankly, that he had great respect and admiration +for Napoleon; but, having sworn fealty to Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, he thought it +his duty to keep his oath, till he was absolved from it. I had my +answer ready. "I, like you," said I, "consider perjury as the most +degrading act, of which man can be guilty. But it is necessary, to +make a distinction between a voluntary oath, and the stipulated oath, +which people take to their government. In the eye of reason, this oath +is merely an act of local submission; a pure and simple formality, +which the monarch, whoever he may be, has a right to require of his +subjects; but which cannot, as it ought not, enchain their persons and +faith to perpetuity. France, since 1789, has sworn by turns to be +faithful to royalty, to the convention, to the republic, to the +directory, to the consulship, to the empire, to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page255" name="page255"></a>(p. 255)</span> the charter: +if those Frenchmen, who had taken an oath to royalty, had sought to +oppose the establishment of a republic, by way of acquitting +themselves of their oaths; if those, who had taken an oath to the +republic, had opposed the establishment of the empire, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>; into what +a state of anarchy and disorder, into what a deluge of blood and +evils, would they not have plunged our unhappy country? On similar +occasions, the national will ought to be the sole guide of our +conscience and our actions: the moment it is manifested, it is the +duty of good citizens, to yield and obey."</p> + +<p>"These principles," replied he, "may be very good as a general rule; +but our present case is an exception, never before known. When the +governments, that have existed since the revolution, were overturned, +the new government seized the authority, and it ought to be presumed, +that the assent of the nation was on its side: but here it is a +different affair; the royal government subsists; the Emperor abdicated +voluntarily; and till the king has renounced the crown, I shall +consider him as the sovereign of France."</p> + +<p>"If you wait for the king's renunciation," rejoined I, "before you +acknowledge the Emperor, you will wait a long time. Has not the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page256" name="page256"></a>(p. 256)</span> king pretended, that he has not ceased to reign over France +these five-and-twenty years? And if he thought himself sovereign of +France at a time, when the imperial government was rendered legitimate +by the unanimous suffrages of France, and acknowledged by all Europe, +do you think he will renounce the crown at present?</p> + +<p>"The time when kings reigned in virtue of right divine is far removed +from us: their rights are no longer founded on any thing but the +formal or tacit consent of nations: the moment nations reject them, +the contract is broken; the conditional oaths taken to them are +annulled in law and in fact, without their intervention or consent +being necessary; for, as the proclamations of Napoleon say, kings are +made for the people, not the people for kings.</p> + +<p>"As to the abdication of Napoleon, whether voluntary or compulsive, +and the rights newly acquired by Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, it would be requisite, +in order to answer this part of your objections, to inquire, whether +the chief of a nation have a right to relinquish the authority +entrusted to him, without the consent of that nation; and whether a +government imposed by foreigners, either through influence or force of +arms, unite those characters of legitimacy, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page257" name="page257"></a>(p. 257)</span> which you +ascribe to it. I have read in our publicists, that we owe obedience to +a government <i>de facto</i>: and since the Emperor has in fact resumed the +sceptre, I think we cannot do better, than submit to his laws; with +the proviso," added I jocularly, "of leaving to posterity the task of +deciding the question of right between Napoleon and Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr></p> + +<p>"However," continued I, "I leave you perfectly at liberty to embrace +which side you judge best: it is not my intention to take you by +surprise, or to put any violence on your conscience; and I beg you to +consider the attempts I have made to convince you, only as a proof of +my desire to bring you over to my opinion by the force of reason."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said he, "I yield to your observations: be so good as to +announce me to his Majesty."</p> + +<p>The next day he was displaced!</p> + +<p>On the 16th we slept at <span lang="fr">Avalon</span>. Napoleon was received there as he had +been every where; that is to say, with demonstrations of joy, that +were actually bordering on madness. People crowded, thronged, to see, +to hear, to speak to him; his quarters were instantly surrounded, +besieged, by such a numerous and obstinate multitude, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page258" name="page258"></a>(p. 258)</span> that +it was impossible for us to enter or go out, without walking on the +heads of all the population of the country. Those men who made part of +the national guard would remain on duty from morning to night. Women +of the greatest distinction in the place spent the day and night on +the stairs and in the passages, to watch for his going by. Three of +them, tired with standing the whole day for want of seats, requested +permission to sit down by us: it was in the hall (adjoining the +Emperor's chamber), in which some mattresses had been laid on the +floor, in order that we might gain a few minutes' rest. It was +pleasant enough, to see these three young and elegant Bonapartists +timidly huddling together on a little couch in the midst of our dirty +guardroom. We endeavoured to keep them company but our eyes closed in +spite of us. "Go to sleep," said they to us, "we will watch over the +Emperor." In fact, fatigue got the better of gallantry; and, to our +shame be it spoken, we were soon asleep at their feet. When we awoke, +we found one of these ladies keeping guard at Napoleon's door. We +heard of it, and thanked her for her attachment, in very polite and +pleasing terms.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page259" name="page259"></a>(p. 259)</span> I think it was at <span lang="fr">Avalon</span><a id="footnotetag61" name="footnotetag61"></a><a href="#footnote61" title="Go to footnote 61">[61]</a>, that an officer of the staff +came and brought us Marshal Ney's submission, and his orders of the +day<a id="footnotetag62" name="footnotetag62"></a><a href="#footnote62" title="Go to footnote 62">[62]</a>. These <span class="pagenum"><a id="page260" name="page260"></a>(p. 260)</span> orders of the day were printed that night; +but the Emperor, after having read them over, directed them to be +changed and reprinted. I know not whether his Majesty judged it proper +to alter them, or whether the printer had made any mistake.</p> + +<p>On the 17th the Emperor arrived at <span lang="fr">Auxerre</span>, where he was received for +the first time by a prefect. He alighted at the prefect's house. On +the mantel-piece of the first saloon were the busts of the Empress, +and of her son; and in the next was a whole-length portrait of +Napoleon, in his imperial robes: it might have been supposed, that the +reign of the Emperor had never been interrupted.</p> + +<p>Napoleon immediately received the congratulations of all the +authorities, and of the tribunals. These congratulations began to be +no longer a mark of attachment in our eyes, but the fulfilment of a +duty. After having discoursed with them on the grand interests of the +state, the Emperor, whose good humour was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page261" name="page261"></a>(p. 261)</span> inexhaustible, +began to joke about the court of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> "His court," said he, +"has the air of that of King Dagobert: we see nothing in it but +antiques; the women are old and frightfully ugly; there were no pretty +women in it but mine, and those were so ill-treated, that they were +obliged to desert it. All those people are made up of nothing but +haughtiness and pride: I have been reproached with being proud; I was +so to strangers; but never did any one see me suffer my chancellor to +set one knee to the ground to receive my orders, or oblige my prefects +and mayors to wait at table on my courtiers and dowagers<a id="footnotetag63" name="footnotetag63"></a><a href="#footnote63" title="Go to footnote 63">[63]</a>. They +say, that the men about the court are little better than the women; +and that, to distinguish them from my generals, whom I had covered +with gold lace, they are dressed like beggars. My court, it is true, +was superb: I was fond of magnificence; not for myself, a plain +soldier's coat was sufficient for me; I was fond of it, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page262" name="page262"></a>(p. 262)</span> +because it encourages our manufactures: without magnificence there is +no industry. I abolished at Lyons all that parchment nobility; it was +never sensible of what it owed me: it was I that exalted it, by making +counts and barons of my best generals. Nobility is a chimera; men are +too enlightened to believe, that some among them are noble, others +not: they all spring from the same stock; the only distinction is that +of talents, and of services rendered the state: our laws know no +others."</p> + +<p>The Emperor imagined, that he should find Ney at <span lang="fr">Auxerre</span> on his +arrival: "I cannot conceive," said he to General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, "why Ney is +not here: I am surprised at it, and uneasy: has he changed his +opinions? I cannot think so; he would never have suffered <span lang="fr">Gamot</span><a id="footnotetag64" name="footnotetag64"></a><a href="#footnote64" title="Go to footnote 64">[64]</a> to +implicate himself. Yet we must know on what we are to depend; see to +it." A few hours after, the marshal arrived. It was about eight +o'clock, and Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> came to inform the Emperor of it. "The +marshal, before he comes into your Majesty's presence," said he, "is +desirous of collecting his ideas, and justifying in writing his +conduct both previous and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page263" name="page263"></a>(p. 263)</span> subsequent to the events of +Fontainbleau."—"What need is there of any justification to me?" +answered Napoleon: "tell him, that I love him still, and that I will +embrace him to-morrow." He would not receive him the same day, as a +punishment for having had to wait for him.</p> + +<p>The next day the Emperor, as soon as he perceived him, said: "Embrace +me, my dear marshal; I am glad to see you. I want no explanation or +justification: I have honoured and esteemed you as the bravest of the +brave."—"Sire, the newspapers have told a heap of lies, which I wish +to confute: my conduct has ever been that of a good soldier, and a +good Frenchman."—"I know it, and accordingly never doubted your +attachment."—"You were right, Sire. Your Majesty may always depend +upon me, when my country is concerned.... <i>It is for my country I have +shed my blood, and for it I would still spill it to the last drop. I +love you, Sire, but my country above all! above all.</i>"—(The Emperor +interrupting him) "It is patriotism too, that brings me to France. I +learned, that our country was unhappy, and I am come to deliver it +from the emigrants and the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. I will confer upon it all that it +expects from me."—"Your Majesty may be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page264" name="page264"></a>(p. 264)</span> assured, that we +will support you: he who acts with justice, may do what he pleases +with the French. The <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> have ruined themselves, by having wished +to act as they thought proper, and thrown aside the army."—"Princes +who never saw a naked sword could not honour the army: its glory +humbled them, and they were jealous of it."—"Yes, Sire, they +incessantly sought to humiliate us. I am still enraged, when I think, +that a marshal of France, an old warrior like me, was obliged to kneel +down before that ... of a Duke of B..... to receive the cross of <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> +Louis. It could not last; and, if you had not come to expel them, we +should have driven them out ourselves<a id="footnotetag65" name="footnotetag65"></a><a href="#footnote65" title="Go to footnote 65">[65]</a>."—"How <span class="pagenum"><a id="page265" name="page265"></a>(p. 265)</span> are your +troops disposed?"—"Very well, Sire; I thought they would have stifled +me, when I announced to them, that they were about to march to meet +your eagles."—"What generals are with you?"—"<span lang="fr">Le Courbe</span> and +<span lang="fr">Bourmont</span>."—"Are you sure of them?"—"I will answer for <span lang="fr">Le Courbe</span>, but +I am not so sure of <span lang="fr">Bourmont</span>."—"Why are they not come hither?"—"They +showed some hesitation, and I left them."—"Are you not afraid of +<span lang="fr">Bourmont</span>'s bestirring himself, and embarrassing you?"—"No, Sire, he +will keep himself quiet: besides, he would find nobody to second him. +I have expelled from the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page266" name="page266"></a>(p. 266)</span> ranks all the light infantry of +Louis <abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr><a id="footnotetag66" name="footnotetag66"></a><a href="#footnote66" title="Go to footnote 66">[66]</a>, who had been given to us, and all the country is fired +with enthusiasm."—"No matter, I shall not leave him any possibility +of disturbing us: you will direct him and the royalist officers to be +secured till we enter Paris. I shall be there without doubt by the +20th or 25th, and sooner. If we arrive, as I hope, without any +obstacle, do you think they will defend themselves"—"I do not think +they will, Sire: you know what the Parisians are, more noise than +work."—"I have received despatches from Paris this morning: the +patriots expect me with impatience, and are on the point of rising. I +am afraid of some quarrel taking place between them and the royalists. +I would not for the world, that my return should be stained with a +single drop of blood. It is easy for you, to hold communication with +Paris: write to your friends, write to <span lang="fr">Maret</span>, that our affairs go on +well, that I shall arrive without firing a single musket; and let them +all unite, to prevent the spilling of blood. Our triumph should be as +pure, as the cause we serve." Generals <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> and <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, who +were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page267" name="page267"></a>(p. 267)</span> present, then mixed in the conversation; and after a +few minutes the Emperor left them, and retired into his closet.</p> + +<p>He wrote to the Empress for the third time. This letter finished, +Napoleon turned his thoughts to the means of embarking a part of his +army, harassed by forced marches. He sent for the chief of the boat +department, required an account of the number of boats, the means of +preventing accidents, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> He entered so minutely into particulars with +him, that the man could scarcely recover from his surprise, or +comprehend how an Emperor should know so much as a boatman. Napoleon +persisted in the speedy departure of his troops. Several times he +ordered me to go and hasten the embarkation: he was in the habit of +employing those about him for every thing that came into his head. His +genius knowing no bounds, he imagined, that we poor mortals ought +equally to know every thing, and do every thing.</p> + +<p>The Emperor had given orders to his scouts, to bring him all the +mails; and he had appointed me, to examine their contents. I waged +implacable war with the correspondence of ministers; and if I +frequently found in it threats and abuse, of which I came in for my +share, it <span class="pagenum"><a id="page268" name="page268"></a>(p. 268)</span> presented me at least with matters as important as +curious. I particularly remarked two secret instructions, the +publication of which, even now, would cover their authors with eternal +disgrace. The letters <i><span lang="fr">comme il faut</span></i> were equally revolting. Most of +them, dictated by frantic hatred, might have sanctioned the rigours of +the law: but I considered them as the offspring of brains to be pitied +for their diseased state, and contented myself with writing on them in +large letters, before I returned to the post-boy, a <i>Seen</i>; which, +like the head of Medusa, no doubt petrified more than one noble +reader.</p> + +<p>The darksome conspiracies of the enemies of Napoleon were not the only +objects, that met my indiscreet eyes. Sometimes I found myself +unintentionally initiated into gentler mysteries and my pen, by +mistake, traced the fatal <i>Seen</i> at the bottom of epistles, which +should have charmed the sight only of the happy mortals, for whom love +had destined them.</p> + +<p>It was from the newspapers, and the private correspondence, we +learned, that some Vendeans were set off from Paris, according to +their own account, with the design of assassinating the Emperor. A +paper, which it is unnecessary to name, even said, that these +gentlemen <span class="pagenum"><a id="page269" name="page269"></a>(p. 269)</span> were disguised as soldiers, and as women, and that +most assuredly the Corsican could not escape them.</p> + +<p>Though Napoleon did not appear to be uneasy about these criminal +plots, we were under apprehensions for him. Previously, when +travellers were desirous of telling him news, I stepped aside to enjoy +a few minutes' liberty: but from that time I never quitted him, and, +with my hand on my sword, I never for a moment lost sight of the eyes, +attitude, and gesture of the persons I admitted to his presence.</p> + +<p>Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, General <span lang="fr">Drouot</span>, and the officers of his household, +equally redoubled their care and attention. But it seemed as if the +Emperor made a point of setting his murderers at defiance. That very +day he reviewed the 14th of the line in the public square, and +afterwards mixed with the people and the soldiers. In vain did we +endeavour to surround him; we were jostled with so much perseverance +and impetuosity, that it was impossible for us to remain close to him +for two minutes together. The way in which we were elbowed amused him +extremely: he laughed at our efforts, and, in order to brave us, +plunged himself still deeper amid the crowd that besieged us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page270" name="page270"></a>(p. 270)</span> Our mistrust was nearly fatal to two of the enemy's +emissaries.</p> + +<p>One of them, a staff officer, came to offer us his services. Being +questioned, he scarcely knew what answers to make. His embarrassment +had already excited violent suspicions, when it was unfortunately +perceived, that he had on green pantaloons. This was sufficient to +convince every body, that he was one of the Artois guards in disguise. +Interrogated anew, he answered still more awkwardly; and, attainted +and convicted of being a highly suspicious person, and of wearing +green pantaloons to boot, he was on the point of being thrown out of +the window, when fortunately Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> happened to pass by, and +ordered him merely to be turned out at the door.</p> + +<p>This officer of the new batch had not come to kill Napoleon; he had +only been sent to spy what passed at his head-quarters.</p> + +<p>The same day witnessed another scene. A <span lang="fr">chef d'escadron</span> of hussars, +adorned with a sabre-cut in the face, came also to join us. He met an +extraordinarily good reception, and was even invited to breakfast at +the table of the great officers of the household. In wine there is +truth; and the new comer, forgetting his part, explained himself so +clearly, that it was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page271" name="page271"></a>(p. 271)</span> easy to distinguish in him a false +brother. He told us, that the national guard of Paris, and all the +imperial guard, were for the King: that every soldier, who retained +his fidelity, had a gift of a hundred francs, every officer a +thousand, and was promoted a step, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c</abbr>; that Napoleon had been +outlawed, and that if he were taken.... At these words Colonel ***, +who sat next him, seized him by the collar; every body was for +knocking him on the head at once; I alone was against it. "Gentlemen," +said I, "the Emperor will not hear of any blood being shed; you have +sworn to give no quarter to assassins, but this man is not one; he is +no doubt a spy. We are not afraid of them; let them go, and report +what they have seen to those who have sent them: let us all drink the +health of our Emperor, Long live the Emperor!" He was spitten upon, +turned out, and we saw him no more.</p> + +<p>Another deserter from the royal army presented himself, to reveal an +important secret, as he said, to the Emperor. The Emperor, who knew no +secret but strength, would not waste time in listening to him, and +sent him to me. He was an officer of hussars, the friend and +accomplice of <span lang="fr">Maubreuil</span>. He did not think me worthy of his secrets, +and I introduced him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page272" name="page272"></a>(p. 272)</span> to the grand Marshal. The substance of +what he said was, that he, as well as <span lang="fr">Maubreuil</span>, had been commissioned +by the provisional government, and by very great persons, to +assassinate the Emperor, at the time of his departure for the island +of Elba: that he held in execration such an execrable crime, and would +not commit it; and that, after having once saved the life of Napoleon, +he came to place himself near his person, to make a rampart for him +with his body in case of necessity. He delivered to the grand Marshal +a memorial of <span lang="fr">Maubreuil</span>'s, and divers papers, of which the Emperor +directed me to give him an account. I examined them all with the +greatest care. They proved incontestably, that mysterious rendezvous +had been given to <span lang="fr">Maubreuil</span> in the name of the provisional government; +but they contained no clue, that could enable any one to penetrate the +object and end of these secret conferences: the names of those +illustrious personages, whom some persons have since been desirous of +implicating in this odious plot, were not even mentioned in them. This +officer reaped no benefit from his disclosures, real or pretended, and +disappeared.</p> + +<p>From hearing so much of plots against his life, however, a painful +impression was at length <span class="pagenum"><a id="page273" name="page273"></a>(p. 273)</span> made on the Emperor. "I cannot +conceive," said he to me, "how men liable to fall into my hands can be +incessantly urging my assassination, and setting a price upon my head. +Had I wished to get rid of them by similar means, they would long ago +have been mingled with the dust. Like them, I could have found +<span lang="fr">Georges</span>, <span lang="fr">Brularts</span>, and <span lang="fr">Maubreuils</span>. Twenty times, if I had wished it, +persons would have brought them to me bound hands and feet, dead or +alive. I had always the foolish generosity, to despise their rage: I +despise it still; but wo betide them, wo to all their infernal gang, +if they dare touch one of my people! My blood boils, when I think, +that they have dared, in the face of nations, to proscribe without +trial the thousands of Frenchmen, who are marching with us: is this +known to the army?"—"Yes, sire, some persons have had the imprudence, +to spread the report, that we are all proclaimed out of the protection +of the laws, and that some of the body guards and <span lang="fr">Chouans</span> have set out +to assassinate you: accordingly, the troops have sworn, to give them +no quarter, and already two spies have with difficulty escaped being +knocked on the head before my eyes."—"So much the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page274" name="page274"></a>(p. 274)</span> worse, so +much the worse; such are not my intentions. I wish not a single drop +of French blood to be shed, not a single gun to be fired. <span lang="fr">Girard</span><a id="footnotetag67" name="footnotetag67"></a><a href="#footnote67" title="Go to footnote 67">[67]</a> +must be desired to restrain his soldiers; write: "General <span lang="fr">Girard</span>, I am +informed, that your troops, being acquainted with the decrees of +Paris, have resolved, by way of reprisals, to kill all the Royalists +they meet: you will meet none but Frenchmen; I forbid you to fire a +single musket: calm your soldiers; contradict the reports by which +they are exasperated; tell them, that I will not enter Paris at their +head, if their weapons be stained with French blood<a id="footnotetag68" name="footnotetag68"></a><a href="#footnote68" title="Go to footnote 68">[68]</a>.""</p> + +<p>Ministers of the King, guilty authors of the parricidal ordinance of +the 6th of March, read this and blush!</p> + +<p>The moment he was quitting <span lang="fr">Auxerre</span>, the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page275" name="page275"></a>(p. 275)</span> Emperor heard, that +the Marseillese appeared to have an intention of annoying his rear. He +gave orders to the general posted in <span lang="fr">échelon</span> on the road, and set out +without fear.</p> + +<p>In advance of Fossard, he perceived, drawn up in order of battle, the +dragoons of the King's regiment, who had deserted their officers, to +come and join him. He alighted, saluted them with that military +gravity, which so well became him, and bestowed on them compliments +and promotions. No regiment could escape us. When the officers +demurred, the soldiers came without them. I am wrong, however: there +was one regiment, the third of hussars, that the Emperor could not +bring over to him. The brave <span lang="fr">Moncey</span>, who commanded it, was a man of +sound understanding, and his attachment to Napoleon, his ancient +benefactor, could not be doubted: but all men do not see with the same +eyes; some made their duty consist in running to meet Napoleon, <span lang="fr">Moncey</span> +thought himself obliged to avoid him.</p> + +<p>He had conjured his regiment, not to subject him to the disgrace of +being deserted. His officers and his hussars, by whom he was adored, +followed him, while they made the air ring with shouts of Long live +the Emperor! thinking thus to reconcile their respect for their +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page276" name="page276"></a>(p. 276)</span> colonel with their devotion to the cause and person of +Napoleon.</p> + +<p>We were informed on the road, that two thousand of the body guards +were posted in the forest of Fontainbleau. Though this account was +improbable, it was thought necessary, not to cross the forest without +precaution. At our urgent solicitation, the Emperor took about two +hundred horse to accompany him. Hitherto his only escort had been the +carriage of General <span lang="fr">Drouot</span>, which preceded his, and mine, which closed +the march. Colonels <span lang="ru">Germanouski</span> and <span lang="fr">Du Champ</span>, Captain <span lang="fr">Raoul</span>, and three +or four Polanders, galloped by the side of them. Our horses, our +postillions, our couriers, with tricoloured ribands, gave our +peaceable party an air of festivity and happiness, that formed a +singular contrast to the proscription suspended over our heads, and to +the mourning and despair of the men who had proscribed us.</p> + +<p>We marched almost all night, as the Emperor was desirous of reaching +Fontainbleau at break of day. I observed, that I thought it would be +imprudent in him, to alight at the castle. "You are a child," answered +he; "if any thing be to happen to me, all these precautions would be +of no avail. Our fate is <span class="pagenum"><a id="page277" name="page277"></a>(p. 277)</span> written above:" and he pointed with +his finger to the sky<a id="footnotetag69" name="footnotetag69"></a><a href="#footnote69" title="Go to footnote 69">[69]</a>.</p> + +<p>I had imagined, that the sight of the palace of Fontainbleau, the +place where he had so lately descended from the throne, and where he +now re-appeared as conqueror and sovereign, would make some impression +on him, and impel him to think of the fragility of human grandeur. I +watched him attentively; but he did not appear to me, to experience +any emotion. Immediately on his arrival, he rambled over the gardens +and the palace with as much pleasure and curiosity, as if he came to +take possession of them for the first time. Napoleon occupied the +little apartments, and complaisantly made me notice their extreme +elegance. He then led me to his library, and in going up, said with an +air of satisfaction, "We shall be very well here."—"Yes, sire," +answered I, "people are always well at home." He smiled, and I believe +was pleased with my well-timed compliment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page278" name="page278"></a>(p. 278)</span> At eleven o'clock he dictated to me the orders of the day; +and these orders announced, that we should sleep at <span lang="fr">Essonne</span>. It was +not till noon, that the news of the King's departure was brought at +once by a courier from <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Lavalette</span>, by a letter from Madame +<span lang="fr">Hamalin</span>, and by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> de Ség.... He sent for me immediately. "You will +set out first," he said, "to get every thing ready."—"It is to +<span lang="fr">Essonne</span>, I presume, your Majesty orders me to repair?"—"No, to Paris. +The King and the Princes have fled. I shall be at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span> this +evening." He gave me some secret directions, and I quitted +Fontainbleau with a heart full of happiness and joy. I had never +doubted Napoleon's triumph; but from hope to reality how great the +distance!</p> + +<p>In fact the King had quitted Paris.</p> + +<p>The aspect of affairs had never changed since the royal session of the +17th of March. The minister, persevering in his system of falsehood +and dissimulation, still distorted the truth with the same impudence, +and did not cease to predict the approaching destruction of Napoleon +and his adherents. At length, after a thousand subterfuges, it became +necessary to confess, that Napoleon was within a few leagues of Paris. +The King, whom the minister had not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page279" name="page279"></a>(p. 279)</span> been afraid to deceive, +had scarcely time to think of retreating. In this painful situation, +he displayed a strength of mind above all praise. His courage was not +that of a warlike prince, who defends his capital inch by inch, and +trembles with rage and despair when forced to quit it; but that of a +good father, who separates himself with regret from his children, and +from the roof under which they were born. The Bonapartists themselves, +who made a great distinction between the king and his family, were not +insensible to the tears of that august and unfortunate monarch, and +sincerely prayed, that his flight might be exempted from danger and +trouble.</p> + +<p>It was supposed, that Napoleon would make a triumphal entry into his +capital. His old grenadiers, who had marched in seventeen days a +distance that would commonly require five-and-forty, seemed, as they +approached their object, to acquire fresh strength at every step. On +the road you might see them in agitation, pressing upon and +encouraging one another. They would have marched twenty leagues in an +hour, if necessary, not to be deprived of the honour of entering Paris +by the side of Napoleon. Their hopes were disappointed: the Emperor, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page280" name="page280"></a>(p. 280)</span> who had witnessed their fatigues, ordered them to take a +day's rest at Fontainbleau.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock on the 20th of March, Napoleon set out for Paris. +Retarded by the crowd, that accumulated on his way, and by the +felicitations of the troops and the generals, who had run to meet him, +he could not reach it till nine in the evening. As soon as he +alighted, the people rushed on him; a thousand arms lifted him up, and +carried him along in triumph. Nothing could be more affecting than the +confused assembly of the crowd of officers and generals, who had +pressed into the apartments of the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span> at the heels of Napoleon. +Happy to see themselves once more triumphant, after so many +vicissitudes, humiliations, and disgusts, they forgot the majesty of +the place, to give themselves up without constraint to the desire of +expressing their happiness and joy. They ran to one another, and +hugged each other again and again. The halls of the palace seemed +metamorphosed into a field of battle, where friends, brothers, +unexpectedly escaped from death, found and embraced one another after +victory.</p> + +<p>We had been so spoiled on the road, however, that the Emperor's +reception by the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page281" name="page281"></a>(p. 281)</span> Parisians did not answer our expectations. +Multiplied shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" saluted him on his way; +but they wanted those characters of unanimity and frenzy, which were +displayed by the acclamations, that had accompanied him from the gulf +of Juan to the gates of Paris. It would be a mistake, however, to +infer, that the Parisians did not behold the return of Napoleon with +pleasure. We must only conclude, therefore, that the Emperor missed +the proper time for his entrance.</p> + +<p>The people of great cities are eager for sights: to move their hearts, +you must astonish their eyes. If Napoleon, instead of traversing Paris +in the evening, and without being announced or expected, had put it +off till the next day, and allowed the disquietudes inseparable from +such a crisis time to be allayed; if he had given his entrance the +pomp and splendour it ought to have had; if he had caused the troops +and half-pay officers, who had hastened to his call, to march before +him; if he had presented himself at the head of his grenadiers of the +island of Elba, with all their decorations; if he had been surrounded +by Generals <span lang="fr">Bertrand, Drouot, Cambronne</span>, and the faithful companions +of his exile; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page282" name="page282"></a>(p. 282)</span> this grand and affecting train would have +produced the most lively sensation, and the whole population of Paris +would have applauded the return and the triumph of Napoleon. Instead +of those unanimous transports, he received only the applauses of the +populous part of the capital, that he had occasion to traverse; and +his detractors did not fail, to compare this reception with that of +Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr>, and to publish, that he was obliged to enter Paris by +night, in order to escape the maledictions and vengeance of the +public. Napoleon, who had just travelled two hundred and fifty leagues +amid the acclamations of two millions of Frenchmen, could not be +agitated by any such fears; but it is well known with what confidence, +what intoxication, he was inspired by the anniversary of a victory or +happy event; and as the 20th of March was the birthday of his son, he +determined at all events to enter the capital under such fortunate +auspices.</p> + +<p>The very evening of his arrival, Napoleon had a long conversation with +the Duke of Otranto, and the other dignitaries of the state, on the +situation of France. They all appeared intoxicated with happiness and +hope. The Emperor himself could not disguise his rapture: <span class="pagenum"><a id="page283" name="page283"></a>(p. 283)</span> +never did I see him so madly gay, or so prodigal of boxes on the +ear.<a id="footnotetag70" name="footnotetag70"></a><a href="#footnote70" title="Go to footnote 70">[70]</a> His conversation savoured of the agitation of his heart: the +same words incessantly recurred to his tongue; and, it must be +confessed, they were not very flattering to the crowd of courtiers and +great personages, who already besieged him: he was continually saying: +"It was the disinterested persons, who brought me back to Paris; the +sub-lieutenants and soldiers did every thing; I owe all to the people +and the army."</p> + +<p>That night and the following morning the Emperor was busied in the +choice and nomination of his ministers.</p> + +<p>At their head Prince <span lang="fr">Cambacérès</span> found himself placed. The system of +defamation directed against him had not altered the high +consideration, which he had acquired by his great wisdom, and constant +moderation. The Emperor offered him the port-folio of the minister of +justice, and was obliged to command him to accept it. His sagacity and +foresight, no doubt, presaged the fatal issue of the new reign of +Napoleon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page284" name="page284"></a>(p. 284)</span> The Prince of <span lang="fr">Eckmuhl</span> was named minister of war. By the +harshness of his manners, by acts of severity almost barbarous, he had +formerly drawn upon himself universal animadversions; his fidelity to +the Emperor, and his defence of Hamburgh, had subsequently conciliated +public opinion. The feebleness and versatility of his character indeed +excited some apprehensions; but it was hoped, that the Emperor would +know how to master him, and that the army would derive happy +advantages from his indefatigable zeal, and his strict probity.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Vicenza<a id="footnotetag71" name="footnotetag71"></a><a href="#footnote71" title="Go to footnote 71">[71]</a> was placed at the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page285" name="page285"></a>(p. 285)</span> helm of foreign +affairs. The rectitude of his principles, the firmness, nobleness, and +independence of his character, had justly acquired him the esteem of +France and of Europe; and his appointment was considered as a pledge +of the loyal and pacific intentions of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Gaëta and Count <span lang="fr">Mollie</span>n became again ministers of the +finances and the treasury. They had obtained the confidence of the +public by the ability, prudence, and integrity of their preceding +administration; and the choice of them met with general applause.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Otranto had the charge of the police. He had been at the +helm of the state in circumstances of difficulty and peril; he had +learned to form a sound judgment of the public mind, and to foresee, +prepare, and guide events. Having belonged to all parties in +succession, he knew their tactics, their resources, their pretensions; +and the whole nation, convinced of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page286" name="page286"></a>(p. 286)</span> his experience, talents, +and patriotism, hoped, that he would successfully concur in the safety +of the Emperor and the empire.</p> + +<p>The recall of the Duke of Bassano to the ministry, as secretary of +state, displeased the court, and also those credulous people, who, +having no opinions but what are suggested to them, adopt praise and +blame without discernment.</p> + +<p>Few men have been so ill treated, as this minister.</p> + +<p>Every one has taken pleasure in disfiguring his character and even his +features.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Bassano had an open countenance, an agreeable manner of +conversation, a politeness always uniform, a dignity sometimes +affected, but never offensive, with a natural propensity to esteem +men, courtesy in obliging them, and perseverance in serving them. The +favour he enjoyed was at first the reward of unexampled readiness in +business; of indefatigable activity; of pure intentions, lofty views, +probity, proof against all temptation, and I will even add an iron +constitution; for physical strength also was a quality in the eyes of +Napoleon. Subsequently it became the just return for an attachment not +to be shaken; an attachment, which, by its force, vivacity, and +constancy, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page287" name="page287"></a>(p. 287)</span> seemed to be a compound of love and friendship.</p> + +<p>I must own, I believe, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> de Bassano most frequently shared and +approved without exception the opinions of the Emperor; but it was not +from interested or base motives: the Emperor was the idol of his +heart, the object of his admiration: with such sentiments, how was it +possible for him, to perceive the errors and faults of Napoleon? +Besides, having continually to express the ideas of the Emperor, and +to imbue himself as it were with the emanations of his spirit, he had +identified himself with his way of thinking and of viewing things, and +saw and thought as he did with the most perfect sincerity. Not but +that he sometimes differed from him in opinion; yet whatever efforts +he made, he always yielded ultimately to the irresistible ascendancy, +that the genius of Napoleon exercised over him, as it did over every +other person.</p> + +<p>The Duke of <span lang="fr">Decrès</span> was called anew to the post of minister of the +navy, and this unexpected choice was completely disapproved. This +minister was not deficient in understanding, talents, or bravery; but +from the little importance he appeared to set on acting with justice +or injustice, his cynicism, and his brutal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page288" name="page288"></a>(p. 288)</span> contempt for +those under him, he had acquired the aversion of all who came near +him; and, as evil spreads readily, this aversion, though unjust, had +become general.</p> + +<p>The discontent this appointment excited was repaired by the good +effect, which was produced by that of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Carnot</span> to the ministry of the +home department. The soldiery did not forget, that he had paved the +way to victory for many years; and the citizens remembered with what +zeal, this courageous patriot had shown himself the defender of public +liberty under Napoleon, both when consul and when Emperor, and under +Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> To be a real patriot, says one of our celebrated writers, +it is requisite, to possess greatness of soul; to have knowledge, to +have probity, to have virtue. In <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Carnot</span> all these rare and valuable +qualities were combined: and, far from acquiring any personal lustre +from this great name of patriot, he seemed on the contrary to +embellish the name by wearing it; so well had he preserved it in its +primitive purity, amid the debasement into which it had been plunged +by the excesses of the revolution, and the abuses of despotism.</p> + +<p>The choice of such a minister was considered as a pledge to the +nation. The sovereign, who was not afraid to introduce this +illustrious <span class="pagenum"><a id="page289" name="page289"></a>(p. 289)</span> citizen into the government of the state, could +not but entertain the generous design of securing the happiness of his +subjects, and respecting their rights.</p> + +<p>The same day the Emperor gave the chief command of the <span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span> to +the Duke of Rovigo.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Rovigo, an old <span lang="fr">aide-de-camp</span> of Napoleon, had sworn him an +eternal attachment, both from feeling and gratitude. This attachment, +born in a camp, had retained the character of military obedience: a +word, a gesture, was sufficient to call it into action. But however +great its strength, or, if you will, its fanaticism, it never affected +the rectitude and frankness, which were the base and ornament of the +duke's character.</p> + +<p>From no other person, except the Duke of Vicenza, did the Emperor hear +more bold and useful truths. Twenty times did he venture to say to +him, as his ministerial correspondence testifies, that France and +Europe were tired of shedding blood; and that, if he did not renounce +his system of war, he would be abandoned by the French, and +precipitated from the throne by foreigners.</p> + +<p>The command of the <span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span> was taken from Marshal <span lang="fr">Moncey</span>, not from +disgust or dissatisfaction, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page290" name="page290"></a>(p. 290)</span> but because the marshal showed +little eagerness to retain it. On this occasion he wrote to the +Emperor a letter full of fine sentiments, in which he requested him, +to continue to his son the kindness he had formerly conferred on +himself: it was difficult to reconcile the gratitude he owed Napoleon +with the fidelity he had promised the King: in this he was so happy as +to succeed.</p> + +<p>All the marshals were not so fortunate.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montalivet</span>, formerly minister of the home department, became +intendant of the civil list, an office that suited him better. In +administration, as in many other things, endeavours to do better +prevent people from doing so well; and <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montalivet</span>, from a desire +to neglect no minute particular, and seeking to carry every thing to +perfection, lost in empty trifles that time, which he might have +employed in promoting the general good on a large scale.</p> + +<p>The strangest metamorphosis was that of the Duke <span lang="fr">de Cadore</span>: he was +made a surveyor of buildings.</p> + +<p class="left10"><span lang="fr">"Soyez plutôt maçon, si c'est votre métier."</span><a id="footnotetag72" name="footnotetag72"></a><a href="#footnote72" title="Go to footnote 72">[72]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page291" name="page291"></a>(p. 291)</span> This place, hitherto the modest portion of auditors or +masters of request, who had interest at court, was astonished at the +honour of belonging to a duke and peer, ex-ambassador, ex-minister, +ex-grand chancellor, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera etcetera">&c. &c. &c.</abbr> But so much was his excellency then +devoted to the sovereign of the day, that he would readily have +accepted the post of a gentleman usher, had there been no other to +offer him.</p> + +<p>The council of state was re-established on the ancient footing, and +composed of nearly the same members.</p> + +<p>The Emperor was neither politic nor prudent in ostensibly bestowing +his confidence on some of them, who were obnoxious to the public. The +usurpations of the imperial power were ascribed to their servile +counsels, and their presence near the throne could not but revive +recollections and anxieties, which it was of importance to destroy for +ever. If their merit and experience rendered them necessary, they +should have been consulted in private, but not held up to public view. +A government firmly established may sometimes brave opinion, but a +rising government ought to respect and submit to it.</p> + +<p>All the <span lang="fr">aides-de-camp</span> of the Emperor, with the exception, I believe, +of General <span lang="fr">Lauriston</span>, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page292" name="page292"></a>(p. 292)</span> whom he would not employ again, were +recalled. He could not place around him officers more worthy of his +confidence for their noble-mindedness and superior talents. Generals +<span lang="fr">Le Tort</span> and <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span> were added to their number. The Emperor, +deceived by false appearances<a id="footnotetag73" name="footnotetag73"></a><a href="#footnote73" title="Go to footnote 73">[73]</a>, had taken from the former the +command of the dragoons of the guard, and to compensate for this +involuntary injustice, he made him his <span lang="fr">aide-de-camp</span>. The same favour +was conferred on <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, as a recompense for his conduct at +<span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>; but he answered the kindness of Napoleon by a formal +refusal. "I will not allow it to be thought," said he proudly, "that I +joined the Emperor for the sake of reward. I espoused his cause, +simply because it was that of liberty, and of my country; the honour +of having served it is enough for me: I desire nothing more; the +Emperor personally owes me nothing."</p> + +<p>This noble refusal will not surprise those, who had an opportunity of +knowing and esteeming the patriotism and disinterestedness of that +brave and unfortunate young man.</p> + +<p>Introduced to society at an early age, he conducted himself at first +as those generally do, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page293" name="page293"></a>(p. 293)</span> who have a handsome face, elegance of +manners, wit, a name, wealth, and no experience. Soon brought to +himself, he felt, that he was not born to lead a life of dissipation; +and his conduct became as honourable, as it had been irregular. His +mind, turned to serious occupation, engaged in political speculations: +his soul, naturally proud and independent, matured and enlarged +itself, and expanded to those liberal ideas and noble sentiments, that +the love of glory and of our country inspires. Nature, in giving him a +lofty, firm, and daring character, unquestionably destined him to act +an important part in the world; and if death, and what a death! had +not struck him in the flower of his years, he would assuredly have +fulfilled his shining destiny, and done honour to France.</p> + +<p>The Emperor set several persons to speak to him, and after three days +negotiations <span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span> yielded. Napoleon persisted in recompensing +him. In ordinary cases, the Emperor looked with indifference on the +endeavours made to please him; never was he known to say, I am +pleased; and a person conjectured he had given him satisfaction, when +he did not show any marks of discontent. If, on the other hand, the +services rendered him made a noise, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page294" name="page294"></a>(p. 294)</span> like those of +<span lang="fr">Labedoyère</span>, he was lavish of his praises and rewards: and in this he +had two objects; the one, that of appearing not only just, but +generous; the other, that of inspiring emulation. But frequently on +the very day, on which he had bestowed on you praises, and proofs of +his satisfaction, he would treat you with disdain and harshness, to +prevent your attaching too much importance to the service you might +have rendered him, or believing, that he had contracted a debt of +obligation to you.</p> + +<p>The Emperor replaced about his person most of the gentlemen of the +bedchamber, equerries, and masters of ceremonies, who were with him in +1814. He had retained his unfortunate predilection for the great lords +of former times, and must have them at any price: had he not been +surrounded by ancient nobles, he would have fancied himself in a +republic.</p> + +<p>Most of these (for there were some who were most honourably excepted, +as the Prince <span lang="fr">de Beauveau, <abbr title="Messieurs">Messrs.</abbr> de Turenne, de Montholon, de +Lascases, Forbin de Janson, Perregaux</span>, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr>) had meanly renounced +him in 1814, and become the common valets of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>; but he +would not believe a word of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page295" name="page295"></a>(p. 295)</span> it. He had the weakness, common +to all princes, of considering his most cringing courtiers as his most +devoted subjects.</p> + +<p>He would also form an establishment for the Empress, and re-appointed +<span lang="fr">Mesdames de Bassano, de Vicenza, de Rovigo, Duchâtel</span>, and <span lang="fr">Marmier</span>, +ladies of the bedchamber. The Duchess of M*** was not recalled. He +heard from Prince Joseph, that after the events of Fontainbleau, she +had abused the confidence of the Empress, and betrayed the secret of +her correspondence.</p> + +<p>It was said, but falsely, that the gracefulness and beauty of the +Duchess had formerly obtained the homage of Napoleon; and her disgrace +did not fail to be urged as a fresh proof of the inconstancy of men; +but I have assigned the true and only cause.</p> + +<p>The corruption of courts often sanctions a number of lying +suppositions, against which few reputations can stand. This justice +however must be done Napoleon; no prince was ever a man of purer +manners, or took so much pains to avoid and even check scandal: he was +never seen, to be followed to the army by his mistresses, like Louis +<abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr>; or disguised in the dress of a porter, or of a small-coal man, +like <span class="pagenum"><a id="page296" name="page296"></a>(p. 296)</span> Henry <abbr title="4">IV.</abbr>, to carry disgrace and despair into the +houses of his most faithful servants.</p> + +<p>As a pretty remarkable contrast, Napoleon, at the moment when he +resumed with delight his own upper servants, sent about their business +without pity the lacqueys, who had served Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> and the +princes.</p> + +<p class="left10">"<span lang="fr">De tout tems les petits ont payé pour les grands</span>."<a id="footnotetag74" name="footnotetag74"></a><a href="#footnote74" title="Go to footnote 74">[74]</a></p> + +<p>These poor people were left destitute. It has been said and repeated a +hundred times, that Napoleon ill-treated and struck all those who came +near him, right or wrong. Nothing can be more false. He had his +moments of impatience and warmth; and what honest citizen has not? But +in general, the officers and even subalterns of his household were in +easy circumstances with him, and he was more frequently in a gay than +in a serious humour. He very easily became attached to a person; and +when he liked any one, he could not do without him; and treated him +with a kindness, that frequently degenerated into weakness. It is +true, it would have been very difficult for him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page297" name="page297"></a>(p. 297)</span> to find +servants more able, or more devotedly attached to him: every one of +them had made it his particular study, to become, not what he did +wish, but what he might wish.</p> + +<p>Tacitus has observed, that voluntary slaves make more tyrants, than +tyrants make slaves. When we recollect the officiousness, the +meannesses, and the adulation, of certain nobles, who had become the +courtiers of Napoleon, we are astonished, that it never entered his +head to follow the example of Alexander, and cause himself to be +adored as a god.</p> + +<p>Counts <span lang="fr">Drouot</span> and <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> were retained in their posts of grand +marshal of the palace, and major-general of the guards. It had been +imagined, that the Emperor would have conferred on them the titles of +Duke of <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>, and Duke of <span lang="it">Porto Longone</span>, as memorials of +their fidelity. He did no such thing. They were fully recompensed, +however, by the veneration, with which Frenchmen and foreigners were +inspired for them both. Still, for what reason, I cannot conceive, a +higher value was generally set on the devoted attachment of General +<span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>.</p> + +<p>When the Emperor had laid down his crown, Count <span lang="fr">Drouot</span> did not +hesitate an instant, to preserve that fidelity to him in adversity, +which <span class="pagenum"><a id="page298" name="page298"></a>(p. 298)</span> he had sworn in his prosperity: and this fidelity was +not in his eyes a proof of attachment, still less a sacrifice; it +appeared to him only the natural fulfilment of a duty imposed on him +by the kindnesses and misfortunes of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>To follow him, he abandoned all that is most dear to a well-born mind, +his family and his country, as well as the military career, in which +he had acquired the most glorious renown.</p> + +<p>Transported into the midst of the seas, he frequently cast his looks +towards the land of his birth: but no regret, no complaint, escaped +from his heart. His conscience was satisfied, how could he be unhappy? +As disinterested in the service of the sovereign of the island of +Elba, as he had been in that of the Emperor of the French<a id="footnotetag75" name="footnotetag75"></a><a href="#footnote75" title="Go to footnote 75">[75]</a>, though +poor, he would receive no reward from Napoleon: "Give me food and +clothing," said he, "I want nothing more." The most seducing offers +were lavished on him, to draw him over to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. To these he +was insensible; and he felt no difficulty in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page299" name="page299"></a>(p. 299)</span> preferring the +rock of Napoleon to the lustre of their throne.</p> + +<p>Such was General <span lang="fr">Drouot</span>; and such also was his worthy rival, Count +<span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>; for there existed no difference in the generosity of their +conduct, and none ought to exist in the admiration they deserve.</p> + +<p>The Emperor himself was not free from this injustice: he seemed to +give the preference to Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>. This difference proceeded, I +believe, from that degree of intimacy, which the functions of the +grand Marshal established between the Emperor and him, and perhaps +from the suitableness of their characters.</p> + +<p><span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, amiable, witty, insinuating, united the agreeable and +polished manners of a courtier with an air of distinction. Feeble, +irresolute, in the ordinary conduct of life; he yielded to no one in +courage and firmness, on occasions of difficulty and danger. A +stranger to intrigue, inaccessible to seduction, he was in the camp, +as in the palace, a man of honour, a man of probity.</p> + +<p><span lang="fr">Drouot</span>, simple in his manners, affectionate in his speech, displayed +that rare assemblage of virtues, which compel us to love the sages of +antiquity, and the heroes of the days of chivalry. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page300" name="page300"></a>(p. 300)</span> He had +the wisdom, the prudence of Aristides, the valour, the modesty, the +loyalty of <span lang="fr">Bayard</span>. The favour he enjoyed, the military power with +which he was invested, inspired him with no pride: he was not less +humble and timid at court, than he was terrible and daring in the +field of honour.</p> + +<p><span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, when he was consulted, delivered his opinion with the +caution and skill of a courtier; <span lang="fr">Drouot</span>, with the precision and +frankness of a soldier: but neither was false to his conscience. Their +language, though different in structure, was the same in substance; it +was always that of truth and honour.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, though greatly fatigued by nocturnal marches, reviews, +perpetual harangues, and his labours in the closet, which for the last +thirty-six hours had occupied all his moments, would nevertheless +review the troops, that previously composed the army of the Duke of +<span lang="fr">Berri</span>.</p> + +<p>He caused them to be assembled in the court of the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>; and, to +use his own words, "The whole capital was witness to the sentiments of +enthusiasm and attachment, by which those brave troops were animated: +they seemed to have reconquered their country, and found <span class="pagenum"><a id="page301" name="page301"></a>(p. 301)</span> +again in the national colours the remembrance of all those generous +sentiments, which have ever distinguished the French nation."</p> + +<p>After having gone through the ranks, he made the troops form square +battalions, and said to them:</p> + +<p>"Soldiers, I came to France with six hundred men, because I reckoned +on the love of the people, and the remembrance of the old soldiers. I +have not been deceived in my expectations: soldiers, I thank you. The +glory of what we have just done belongs wholly to you and to the +people, mine is only that of having known you, and judged you rightly.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers, the imperial throne only can guarantie the rights of the +people, and more especially the first of our interests, that of our +glory. Soldiers, we are going to march, to chase from our territories +those princes, who are the auxiliaries of foreigners. The nation will +not only second us with its good wishes, but will follow our impulse. +The French people and myself depend upon you: we will not interfere +with the affairs of foreign nations; and wo to the nation, that shall +interfere with ours!"</p> + +<p>At this moment General <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span>, and some officers of the guards of +the battalion of the island of Elba, appeared with the ancient +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page302" name="page302"></a>(p. 302)</span> eagles of the guard: the Emperor resumed his harangue, and +said<a id="footnotetag76" name="footnotetag76"></a><a href="#footnote76" title="Go to footnote 76">[76]</a>: "Here are the officers of the battalion, who accompanied me +in my adversity: they are all my friends, they were dear to my heart! +Whenever I saw them, they reminded me of the different regiments of +the army; for among these six hundred brave fellows are men from every +regiment. They recalled to my mind those great victories, the +remembrance of which is so dear; for they are all well covered with +honourable scars received in those memorable battles! In loving them, +it was all of you, soldiers, of the whole French army, whom I loved. +They bring back to you these eagles; let them serve you as a rallying +point: in giving them to the guards, I give them to the whole army."</p> + +<p>"Treason and unfortunate circumstances had covered them with a +funereal veil: but, thanks to the French people and to you, they +appear again resplendent with all their glory. Swear, that they shall +always be found, wherever the interests of our country call them! that +traitors, and those who would invade our territories, shall never +stand their appearance."</p> + +<p>"We swear it," answered all the soldiers with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page303" name="page303"></a>(p. 303)</span> enthusiasm. +They then filed off with shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" and to the +sound of military music, playing the favourite tunes of the +revolution, and the Marseillese march, so celebrated in the annals of +our crimes and our victories.</p> + +<p>When the review was over, the Emperor returned to his closet, and +applied himself immediately to business. His situation rendered it +necessary, that he should ascertain without delay the precise state of +the country, of the government of which he had resumed the reins. This +was so vast an undertaking, that the faculties of any other man would +have been overwhelmed by it. He found the writing table covered with +mystic authors<a id="footnotetag77" name="footnotetag77"></a><a href="#footnote77" title="Go to footnote 77">[77]</a>; and substituted <span class="pagenum"><a id="page304" name="page304"></a>(p. 304)</span> for them plans and maps. +"The closet of a French monarch," said he, "should resemble the tent +of a general, not an oratory." His eyes rested on the map of France. +After having contemplated its recent limits, he exclaimed in a tone of +profound sorrow, "<i>Poor France</i>!" He kept silence a few minutes, and +then began to hum in a low voice one of his usual burdens of songs:</p> + +<p class="left10 ft"><span lang="fr">"S'il est un tems pour la folie,<br> + Il en est un pour la raison<a id="footnotetag78" name="footnotetag78"></a><a href="#footnote78" title="Go to footnote 78">[78]</a>."</span></p> + +<p>The Emperor entered his closet habitually <span class="pagenum"><a id="page305" name="page305"></a>(p. 305)</span> before six in the +morning, and seldom quitted it till night.</p> + +<p>Impatience and vivacity are almost always incompatible with order and +precision. Napoleon, destined to be like no other person, added to the +fire of genius the methodical habits of cold and little minds. For the +most part, he took care to arrange his numerous papers himself. Each +of them had its settled place. Here was found whatever related to the +war department: there, the budgets, the daily statements of the +treasury and finances: farther on, the reports of the police, his +secret correspondence with his private agents, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> He carefully +returned every thing to its place, after having used it: compared with +him the most methodical clerk would have been but a bungler.</p> + +<p>His first business was to read his correspondence, and the despatches +that had arrived in the night. He put aside the interesting letters, +and threw the rest on the floor: this he called his <i>answered</i>.</p> + +<p>He afterwards examined the copies of letters opened at the post +office, and burnt them immediately. It seemed, as if he wished to +annihilate all traces of the abuse of power, of which he had been +guilty.</p> + +<p>He finished by casting an eye over the newspapers. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page306" name="page306"></a>(p. 306)</span> Sometimes +he said, "That's a good article; whose is it?" He must know every +thing.</p> + +<p>These several readings ended, he set to work; and it may be said +without exaggeration, that he was then as extraordinary, as +incomparable, as at the head of his armies.</p> + +<p>As he would entrust to nobody the supreme care of the government, he +saw every thing himself; and it is easy to conceive, on what a +multiplicity of objects he had to fix his eyes. Independently of his +ministers, the Duke of Bassano, the commandant of the first division +of Paris, the prefect of the police, the inspector general of the +<span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span>, the major-general of guards, the grand marshal of the +palace, the great officers of the crown, the <span lang="fr">aides-de-camp</span>, and the +orderly officers (<i><span lang="fr">officiers d'ordonnance</span></i>) on missions, daily sent +him circumstantial reports, which he examined, and answered +immediately: it being a maxim with him, to put nothing off till +to-morrow. And let it not be supposed, that he satisfied himself with +a superficial judgment of affairs: he read every report through, and +examined every voucher attentively. Frequently the super-human +sagacity, with which he was gifted, enabled him to perceive errors and +imperfections, that had escaped <span class="pagenum"><a id="page307" name="page307"></a>(p. 307)</span> the scrutinizing eyes of his +ministers; and then he corrected their labours. But still more +frequently he fashioned them anew from beginning to end; and what was +a fortnight's work to a whole ministry, scarcely cost the genius of +Napoleon a few minutes.</p> + +<p>The Emperor rarely sat down, but dictated as he walked about. He did +not like to repeat his words; and if you asked him a word not clearly +understood, he answered impatiently, "<i>I said</i>," and went on.</p> + +<p>When he had to treat a subject worthy of himself, his style, +habitually nervous and concise, rose to the level of his grand +conceptions: it became majestic and sublime.</p> + +<p>If the possibility of expressing his ideas was shackled by the want of +the proper word; or if the customary terms did not appear to him +sufficiently strong, sufficiently animated, he brought together words, +that were astonished to find themselves in each other's company, and +created a language of his own, a language rich and impressive, that +might sometimes infringe established rules, but compensated this happy +fault, by giving more loftiness and vigour to his thoughts<a id="footnotetag79" name="footnotetag79"></a><a href="#footnote79" title="Go to footnote 79">[79]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page308" name="page308"></a>(p. 308)</span> Sometimes, hurried away by the impetuosity of his character, +and eager to arrive more quickly at his object, he did not take time +to weigh his words, his ideas, his desires. When his orders had been +dictated to us in such a fit of hastiness, we were careful, as far as +possible, not to present them for signing the same day. The next day, +they were almost always modified, softened, or torn. Napoleon was +never displeased with us, for endeavouring to guard him against the +dangers of precipitancy. They who think, that he never corrected a +false step, are mistaken: if under certain circumstances his +determinations were inflexible, in a number of others he yielded to +remonstrance, and relinquished his projects and resolves without +difficulty.</p> + +<p>The Emperor seldom wrote with his own hand. Words of many syllables +were tedious to him; and, not having patience to write them at length, +he mutilated them. This habit, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page309" name="page309"></a>(p. 309)</span> added to the defective +formation of his letters, rendered his writing altogether illegible. +Frequently, too, from carelessness, or absence of mind, he infringed +the laws of orthography; and people have not failed thence to infer, +that he was completely ignorant.</p> + +<p>Most assuredly the ignorance of Napoleon, were it proved, would +detract nothing from his glory and renown. Charlemagne could scarcely +sign his own name. Louis <abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr>, and I quote him by choice, though born +on a throne, was unacquainted with <i>the rules of grammar</i>. Yet +Charlemagne and Louis were nevertheless great kings. The imputation, +however, is as false as it is absurd. Napoleon, educated at the school +of <span lang="fr">Brienne</span>, was distinguished there by that facility of comprehension, +that disdain of pleasure, that fondness for study, that enthusiastic +regard for models of greatness, which commonly indicate superior +minds. Destined for the profession of arms, he would not aspire to +become a man of letters, a man of reading, a learned man: his object, +for he had an object in his earliest years, was to become some day a +distinguished officer, perhaps even a great captain. It was to the +military sciences, therefore, he bent his genius ... the universe +knows the rest.</p> + +<p>But do I say his genius? the detractors of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page310" name="page310"></a>(p. 310)</span> Napoleon also +assert, that his mind was too subject to irregularities, for the +possession of genius to be granted him: do they not know, or do they +pretend to be ignorant, that such irregularities are on the contrary +the proof, the distinguishing characteristics, of this precious gift +of nature.</p> + +<p>"Genius," says one of our philosophers, "rises and stoops by turns; it +is often imperfect, because it does not take the trouble to improve +itself. It is great in great things, because they are adapted to +excite its sublime instinct, and call it into action. It is negligent +in ordinary things, because they are beneath it, and have nothing in +them to stir it up: if, however, it do turn its attention to them, it +fertilizes them, aggrandizes them, and gives them a new and unexpected +appearance, that had escaped vulgar eyes."</p> + +<p>And with how vast a genius must he have been endowed! he, who, +occupied by the torments of ambition, military calculations, political +schemes, and the anxieties inspired by the enemies of his crown and of +his life, still found sufficient time, sufficient calmness, sufficient +power, to command his numerous armies; to govern twenty foreign +nations, and forty millions of subjects; to enter solicitously into +all the particulars of the administration of his <span class="pagenum"><a id="page311" name="page311"></a>(p. 311)</span> states; to +see every thing; to sift every thing to the bottom; to regulate every +thing; in fine, to conceive, create, and realize those unexpected +improvements, those bold innovations, those noble institutions, and +those immortal codes, that raise the civil glory of France to a degree +of superiority, which alone can match its military glory. But I know +not why I attempt to combat such adversaries: they who are blind to +the genius of Napoleon, have never known genius itself, and I ought to +give them no answer, but that of <span lang="fr">Rousseau</span>: "Silence, ye uninitiated!"</p> + +<p>The Emperor, by his decrees issued at Lyons, had in some degree +repaired the wrongs imputed to the royal government. One grievance +still remained for him; the slavery of the press. The decree of the +24th of March<a id="footnotetag80" name="footnotetag80"></a><a href="#footnote80" title="Go to footnote 80">[80]</a>, by suppressing <span class="pagenum"><a id="page312" name="page312"></a>(p. 312)</span> the censors, the +censorship, and the superintendance of the bookselling trade, +completed the imperial restoration.</p> + +<p>This last concession was unquestionably the greatest, that Napoleon +could make to public opinion. A press in the general interest of the +people is the surest protection of their rights. It is the most noble +conquest liberty can gain over despotism: to honest men it gives +dignity; it inspires them with the love of their country, and of the +laws; in fine, according to the English definition, it is the mother +of all liberty: but in times of trouble and of revolution, it is a +dangerous weapon in the hands of the wicked; and the Emperor foresaw, +that the royalists would employ it in the cause of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>; and +the Jacobins, to calumniate his sentiments, and render his designs +suspected. But, a declared enemy of half-measures, he resolved, since +he had set thought at liberty, that it should circulate +unshackled<a id="footnotetag81" name="footnotetag81"></a><a href="#footnote81" title="Go to footnote 81">[81]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page313" name="page313"></a>(p. 313)</span> This decree, and those that preceded it, were undoubtedly +sufficient to testify to the nation the liberal disposition of +Napoleon: but no speech from the throne had yet declared with +solemnity the positive intentions of the Emperor.</p> + +<p>At length he fixed on Sunday, the 26th of March, as the day, on which +he would make his new profession of faith in the face of the +nation<a id="footnotetag82" name="footnotetag82"></a><a href="#footnote82" title="Go to footnote 82">[82]</a>.</p> + +<p>The ministers, the council of state, the court of cassation, the court +of accounts, the imperial court, the prefect, and the municipal +council of Paris, were admitted to the foot of the throne.</p> + +<p>The prince arch-chancellor, speaking in the name of the ministers, +said:</p> + +<p>"Sire, Providence, that watches over our destiny, has re-opened to +your Majesty the road to that throne, to which you had been raised by +the free choice of the people, and the national gratitude. Our country +raises its majestic <span class="pagenum"><a id="page314" name="page314"></a>(p. 314)</span> brow, and for the second time salutes +with the name of deliverer the prince, who destroyed anarchy, and +whose existence alone is at present capable of consolidating our +liberal institutions.</p> + +<p>"The most just of revolutions, that which will restore to men their +dignity, and all their political rights, has hurled from the throne +the dynasty of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. After five and twenty years of war and +troubles, all the efforts of foreigners have proved unable, to awaken +affections that are extinct, or wholly unknown to the present +generation. The struggle of the interests and prejudices of a few +against the enlightened state of the age, and the interests of a great +nation, is at length terminated.</p> + +<p>"Our destinies are accomplished: the only legitimate cause, the cause +of the people, has triumphed. Your Majesty has yielded to the wishes +of the French; you have seized anew the reins of the state, amid the +benedictions of the people and of the army.</p> + +<p>"France, Sire, has as a guarantee of it her will, and her dearest +interests; she has as a guarantee of it all that your Majesty has said +to the population of the different parts of the country, which +assembled in crowds on your passage. Your Majesty will keep your word, +you will remember only the services rendered your country; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page315" name="page315"></a>(p. 315)</span> +you will prove, that in your eyes, and in your heart, whatever the +different opinions and exasperations of parties may have been, all +citizens are equal, as they are in the eye of the law.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty will also forget, that we have been the masters of the +nations around us. Generous idea! that adds another glory to the glory +already acquired.</p> + +<p>"Already has Your Majesty traced out to your ministers the path they +have to pursue: already have you made known to all the people by your +proclamations the maxims, by which you would have your empire governed +for the future. No war without, unless to repel unjust aggression; no +re-action within, no arbitrary proceedings; security of person, +security of property, and the free circulation of opinions, are the +principles you have sanctioned.</p> + +<p>"Happy those, Sire, who are called to cooperate in so many sublime +acts! Such benefits will ensure to you from posterity, when the days +of adulation are at an end, the name of Father of your country: they +will be guarantied to our children by the august heir, whom your +Majesty is preparing to crown in the <span lang="fr">Champ de Mai</span>."</p> + +<p>The Emperor answered:</p> + +<p>"The sentiments you have expressed to me <span class="pagenum"><a id="page316" name="page316"></a>(p. 316)</span> are mine. 'Every +thing agreeably to the sense of the nation, and every thing for +France:' such is my motto.</p> + +<p>"I and my family, whom this great people has raised to the French +throne, and maintained on it in spite of vicissitudes and political +tempests, will not, ought not, cannot, ever claim any other title to +it."</p> + +<p class="p2">The Count <span lang="fr">Défermon</span>, father of the presidents of the council of state, +delivered to the Emperor the following declaration, tending to prove +the nullity of the abdication of Fontainbleau:</p> + +<p>"The council of state, in resuming its functions, thinks it necessary +to make known the principles, by which its conduct and opinions are +guided.</p> + +<p>"The sovereignty resides in the people, who are the only legitimate +source of power.</p> + +<p>"In 1789 the nation recovered its rights, which had long been usurped, +or misunderstood.</p> + +<p>"The National Assembly abolished the feudal monarchy, and established +a constitutional monarchy, and a representative government.</p> + +<p>"The resistance of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> to the wishes of the people occasioned +their downfal, and their banishment from the French territories.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page317" name="page317"></a>(p. 317)</span> "Twice the people sanctioned by its votes the new form of +government established by its representatives.</p> + +<p>"In the year 8th, Bonaparte, already crowned by victory, found himself +raised to the government by the assent of the nation. A constitution +created the consular magistracy.</p> + +<p>"The senatus consultum of the 16th of <span lang="fr">Thermidor</span>, year 10, named +Bonaparte consul for life.</p> + +<p>"The senatus consultum of the 28th of <span lang="fr">Floréal</span>, year 12, conferred on +Napoleon the imperial dignity, and made it hereditary in his family.</p> + +<p>"These three solemn acts were laid for acceptance before the people, +who sanctioned them by nearly four millions of votes.</p> + +<p>"Accordingly, the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> had ceased to reign in France for two and +twenty years; they were forgotten there by their contemporaries; +strangers to our laws, our institutions, our manners, our glory; and +the present generation knew nothing of them.</p> + +<p>"In 1814 France was invaded by the armies of the enemy, and the +capital occupied. The foreigners created a pretended provisional +government. They assembled a minority of the senators, and compelled +them, in opposition to their delegated powers and to their will, to +destroy the existing establishments, to overturn <span class="pagenum"><a id="page318" name="page318"></a>(p. 318)</span> the +imperial throne, and to recall the family of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p>"The senate, which had been instituted solely to maintain the +constitution of the empire, acknowledged itself, that it had no power +to alter it. It decreed, that the scheme of a constitution, which it +had prepared, should be submitted to the people for their acceptance, +and that Louis Stanislas Xavier should be proclaimed King of the +French, as soon as he had accepted the constitution, and sworn to +observe it, and cause it to be observed.</p> + +<p>"The abdication of the Emperor Napoleon was solely the result of the +unfortunate situation, to which France and the Emperor had been +reduced by the events of the war, by treason, and by the occupation of +the capital. The only object of the abdication was, to avoid a civil +war, and the shedding of French blood. Unsanctioned by the will of the +people, this act could not annul the solemn contract, that was +established between them and the Emperor. And if Napoleon possessed +the power of abdicating the throne in his own person, he had none to +sacrifice the rights of his son, appointed to reign after him.</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p>"The Emperor, therefore, by re-ascending <span class="pagenum"><a id="page319" name="page319"></a>(p. 319)</span> the throne, to +which the people had elevated him, restored the people to their most +sacred rights: he only called into execution the decrees of the +Representative Assemblies, sanctioned by the nation: he returns to +reign on the only legitimate principle, that France acknowledges and +has acknowledged for five and twenty years, and to which all the +authorities bound themselves by oaths, that they can be released from +by the will of the people alone.</p> + +<p>"The Emperor is called upon, to guaranty anew, by institutions, as he +has engaged to do in his proclamations to the nation and the army, all +the principles of liberty: personal freedom, and equality of rights; +the freedom of the press, and abolition of the censorship; freedom of +religious worship; the voting of laws and contributions by the +representatives of the nation lawfully chosen; national property, from +whatever source arising; the independence and stability of our +tribunals; the responsibility of ministers, and of all the agents of +authority.</p> + +<p>"The more perfectly to sanction the rights and obligations of the +people and the monarch, the national institutions should be revised in +a grand assembly of the representatives already announced by the +Emperor.</p> + +<p>"Previous to the meeting of this grand representative <span class="pagenum"><a id="page320" name="page320"></a>(p. 320)</span> +assembly, the Emperor ought to exercise, and cause to be exercised, +conformably to the existing laws and constitution, the authority they +have delegated to him, which could not be taken from him, which he +could not abdicate without the consent of the nation, and which the +wishes and general interest of the French people render it his duty to +resume."</p> + +<p class="p2">The Emperor answered:</p> + +<p>"Princes are the first citizens of the state: their authority is more +or less extensive according to the interests of the nations they +govern: the sovereignty itself is hereditary only because the interest +of the people requires it. I know nothing of a legitimacy extraneous +to these principles.</p> + +<p>"I have renounced the idea of that grand empire, of which in the +course of fifteen years I had merely laid the foundations: +henceforward the happiness and consolidation of the French empire will +be the object of all my thoughts."</p> + +<p>The court of cassation expressed the same principles and the same +sentiments as the council of state.</p> + +<p>To this the Emperor answered:</p> + +<p>"In the earliest ages of the French monarchy, rude tribes made +themselves masters of Gaul. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page321" name="page321"></a>(p. 321)</span> The sovereignty, of course, was +not framed for the benefit of the Gauls, who were slaves, or destitute +of political rights; but for the benefit of the conquering tribe. It +can never have been said with truth, therefore, in any period of +history, in any nation, even in the east, that the people exist for +kings. Every where it has been established, that kings exist only for +the people. A dynasty created under circumstances, that have created +so many new interests, being itself interested in the maintenance of +the rights and properties of all, can alone be natural and legitimate, +and in possession of strength and confidence, the two leading +characters in all government."</p> + +<p>The court of accounts, and the imperial court, held the same language +as the preceding authorities.</p> + +<p>To these the Emperor answered:</p> + +<p>"What particularly distinguishes the imperial throne is, that it has +been raised by the nation, that it is consequently natural, and that +it guaranties the interests of all. This is the true character of +legitimacy. It is the interest of this throne, to consolidate all that +at present exists, and all that has been done in France during the +twenty-five years of revolution. It comprises <span class="pagenum"><a id="page322" name="page322"></a>(p. 322)</span> all interests, +and particularly that of the national glory, which is not the least +among them.</p> + +<p>"Whatever has returned with the foreign armies, whatever has been done +without consulting the nation, is null. The courts of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and +Lyons, and all the tribunals of the judicial order, which I met with +while the success of events was yet uncertain, have shown me, that +these principles are engraved on the heart of every Frenchman."</p> + +<p class="p2">The reception of these public bodies being over, there was a grand +audience in the apartments of the palace. The answers of the Emperor, +repeated with embellishments, had produced the most profound +sensation. The words national glory, liberty, country, so long unknown +and proscribed within these walls, resounded on every side. When the +emigrants re-appeared, and the most illustrious servants of the state +were expelled, to make room for men, who had become strangers to our +manners, our institutions, and our triumphs; you would have said, that +France existed no longer, that it had passed under the dominion of +foreigners. When Napoleon returned, our country appeared to have +returned with him: he seemed to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page323" name="page323"></a>(p. 323)</span> have brought it back from +exile, and he might then exclaim with just pride: "I am the nation."</p> + +<p>The example set by the magistrates of Paris soon found numerous +imitators in the departments. The public functionaries, the judicial +and administrative authorities, which but a few days before had +offered up prayers to Heaven and to the King for the extermination of +the Corsican, the tyrant, and the usurper, were eager to congratulate +<i>the Emperor</i> on his miraculous return; and to confer on him the +titles of hero, deliverer, and more especially of legitimate +sovereign.</p> + +<p>Napoleon's progress had been so rapid, that many addresses to the King +did not reach Paris before the King was gone; and all these were +delivered at the same time with the new addresses voted to his +successor<a id="footnotetag83" name="footnotetag83"></a><a href="#footnote83" title="Go to footnote 83">[83]</a>! I remarked this to the Emperor; who answered me with a +smile of pity: "<i>See what men are</i>!"</p> + +<p>The favourites of Apollo did not fail to offer up their obsequious +incense to the god of the day. We received from the Countess de G*** +some very pretty verses in honour of the violet. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page324" name="page324"></a>(p. 324)</span> Another +woman, still more celebrated, the Baroness de S***, took occasion from +some flattering words said for her to M. B. C., to write an epistle to +the Emperor, which would make a curious figure at the head of her last +work.</p> + +<p>The most rigid writers and lecturers on the common law, who the +evening before, with Cujas and Bartholi in their hands, had formally +impleaded Napoleon, were eager to testify their admiration of him, and +proclaim him the sovereign of sovereigns.</p> + +<p>Thus Napoleon was more honoured and lauded than ever; and it must be +confessed, that he conducted himself so as to deserve it: on one hand +he caressed the nation, and on the other private interests, which it +is much more difficult to conciliate than what is called the public +interest.</p> + +<p>The decrees of Lyons had sequestrated anew the estates restored to +emigrants since 1814. Part of these had been sold by those who had +recovered them; and it was necessary, to quiet the apprehensions of +the purchasers. The Emperor declared irrevocable all the sales, that +had been completed; and confirmed those, that had taken place +subsequently to the decree, when it could be proved, that they were +not collusive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page325" name="page325"></a>(p. 325)</span> On the other hand, the emigrants, who had returned, had +purchased property, the price of which might not have been entirely +paid: and in order to do justice both to the emigrants and to the +sellers, he ordered, that estates recently acquired should not be +subject to sequestration, on condition of being re-sold within a +certain period.</p> + +<p>Another decree from Lyons had indiscriminately abolished all +promotions in the legion of honour, and in the army, made since the +royal restoration. He subjected to revision the nominations, that +appeared to him the result of favour, intrigue, and venality; and +confirmed all, that had been the reward of real and meritorious +services. He would not even allow men's opinions, to constitute a line +of demarcation and directed the minister, to pay regard to ancient +services rendered by officers since incorporated in the King's +household.</p> + +<p>He confirmed also the decorations granted to the national guard; and +distributed new ones among the brave pupils of the polytechnical +school, whose noble conduct had so much excited the admiration of +Paris, and of foreigners, at the time of the occurrences of 1814.</p> + +<p>The daughters of the members of the legion <span class="pagenum"><a id="page326" name="page326"></a>(p. 326)</span> of honour had +claims to his remembrance, and his consolation, too sacred, not to +participate in his favours. He went to visit them. His presence +excited inexpressible enthusiasm among these young orphans: they threw +themselves at his feet, embraced his knees, and watered them with +their tears. He had taken a spoon, to taste their food: after he was +gone, as every one wished to have it, they broke it to pieces, and +shared it amongst them. Most of them had braided rings of hair, on +which were traced patriotic devices, or the ingenious expression of +their sentiments for Napoleon. The Emperor having condescended to +accept some of these, and place them on his fingers, every one of the +orphans was desirous of obtaining the same favour: they rushed on him, +seized his hands, and in an instant covered them with these innocent +pledges of love and gratitude. The Emperor, moved, enchanted, +submitted with kind complaisance to the gentle fetters of these +amiable infants. They ingeniously intreated him, not to give away the +rings they had presented to him; and he promised to keep them, +assuring them, that they would be as valuable in his eyes as the +jewels of his crown.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page327" name="page327"></a>(p. 327)</span> The working class, who had surnamed Napoleon <i><span lang="fr">le grand +entrepreneur</span></i><a id="footnotetag84" name="footnotetag84"></a><a href="#footnote84" title="Go to footnote 84">[84]</a>, also received its share of the imperial favours. +The works commenced in his reign, and buried in dust under that of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, were resumed with activity. The capital became, as before, a +vast workshop: and the Parisians, who had learned from strangers to +perceive the beauty of their edifices, saw with a mingled sentiment of +gratitude and pride, that new marvels were still more to embellish +their majestic city.</p> + +<p>In fine, all classes received testimonies of the solicitude and +justice of Napoleon. Must it be said? his old companions in the island +of Elba alone were forgotten.</p> + +<p>While Napoleon had no throne but his rock, they had shown themselves +as disinterested as faithful: when he had recovered his crown, they +flattered themselves, that they should be recompensed with generosity.</p> + +<p>Some, whom honour alone had attached to Napoleon, enjoyed in prospect +the praises, titles, ribands, that would be bestowed on them: others, +inspired with less lofty sentiments, expected <span class="pagenum"><a id="page328" name="page328"></a>(p. 328)</span> benefits more +solid. The guard and its worthy chiefs were ambitious only of the +favour of retaining the glorious title of grenadiers of the island of +Elba. Vain illusions! the Emperor's thoughts, entirely absorbed by +other cares, were no longer turned to those brave fellows, who had +shared his exile and his misfortunes. The moment of forgetfulness, +however, had not time to degenerate into ingratitude: it was repaired: +promotions, endowments, indemnifications, were bestowed on them; and, +if they did not feel themselves completely satisfied with the conduct +of Napoleon, they had at least no reason to complain.</p> + +<p>The Emperor would have wished from feeling, and perhaps too from +ostentation, to have had it in his power, to acknowledge in a manner +more worthy of himself their services and attachment: but he was +deterred by the fear of being charged with imitating the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and +of preferring those Frenchmen, who had gone into exile with him, to +those who had retained their fidelity in their mother country.</p> + +<p>These scruples appear to me unfounded.</p> + +<p>The emigrants had sullied their native land with blood, shed either by +their own weapons, or in the civil wars they had fomented and +cherished; and the indignant nation had long <span class="pagenum"><a id="page329" name="page329"></a>(p. 329)</span> combated them, +and pursued them with its maledictions, as the enemies of its +happiness and tranquillity.</p> + +<p>The Frenchmen who returned from the island of Elba with Napoleon, on +the contrary, had spilt their blood in the defence of their country. +They were beloved, honoured, respected and the recompenses the Emperor +might have bestowed upon them, instead of tending to alienate France, +would have fulfilled her wishes. She would have enjoyed it with that +feeling of pride and pleasure, which a mother experiences, when she +hears the triumphs of her children proclaimed in the lists opened for +youth, and sees their heads adorned with the rewards of their success.</p> + +<p>Policy, no less than justice, required, that Napoleon should confer, +even with prodigality, his favours and benefits on men, who had +sacrificed themselves for him. In his situation it would have been +better, to have been deemed prodigal than ungrateful: but fortune +favoured him so highly, that he might be allowed, in some degree, to +neglect the means of securing the feeble support of men.</p> + +<p>The re-establishment of the imperial government, which appeared as if +it would experience some obstacles, took place on all sides with a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page330" name="page330"></a>(p. 330)</span> promptitude and facility truly extraordinary. Marshal +<span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, who had endeavoured in his proclamation of 1814 to disgrace +the Emperor, was eager to make his public recantation in a fresh +proclamation.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Belluno, and Count <span lang="fr">Gouvion <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Cyr</span>, after attempting in +vain to curb their insurgent troops, were forced to shun their +resentment by flight.</p> + +<p>The troubles excited in <span lang="fr">La Vendée</span> and <span lang="fr">Calvados</span> by a few royal +volunteers had been appeased, and the perturbators disarmed.</p> + +<p>The military household of the King had submitted to their discharge, +and readily surrendered their horses and arms.</p> + +<p>In fine, the royal family had evacuated the imperial territory.</p> + +<p>The Emperor thought proper, to acquaint his army in person with these +happy results. "Thanks to the French people and you," said he, on +reviewing the troops on the 27th of March, "the imperial throne is +re-established. It is acknowledged throughout the empire, and not a +single drop of blood has been spilt. The Count <span lang="fr">de Lille</span>, the Count +<span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, the Duke <span lang="fr">de Berri</span>, the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, have passed our +northern frontier, and sought an asylum among foreigners. The +tricoloured flag waves on the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page331" name="page331"></a>(p. 331)</span> towers of <span lang="fr">Calais</span>, Dunkirk, +<span lang="fr">Lille, Valenciennes, Condé</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> A few bands of <span lang="fr">Chouans</span> had attempted +to form themselves in <span lang="fr">Poitou</span> and <span lang="fr">La Vendée</span>: popular opinion, and the +march of a few battalions, were sufficient to disperse them. The Duke +of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>, who came to excite disturbances in the provinces, has +embarked at <span lang="fr">Nantes</span>.</p> + +<p>"How senseless were they," continued the Emperor, "and how little did +they know of the nation, who imagined, that the French would consent +to receive a prince from those very hands, that had ravaged our +territory, and, aided by treason, had for a moment obscured our +laurels!"</p> + +<p>The King, who at first took refuge at <span lang="fr">Lille</span>, had in fact just retired +to Ghent. His Majesty had given orders to his household and the +princes, to join him in the former city, where it had been apparently +his intention, to take up his residence, and convene the chambers. But +marshal the Duke of Treviso, governor of that division, declared to +him, that he would no longer answer for his troops, if the musketeers, +the body guards, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>, entered the place; and advised him to repair to +Dunkirk, which, from its geographical position, and the attachment of +its inhabitants, afforded him an opportunity <span class="pagenum"><a id="page332" name="page332"></a>(p. 332)</span> of awaiting the +issue of events without danger. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span> and the emigrants with +the King remonstrated with him strongly, that he would not be out of +danger there; and that he could no longer be safe from the pursuit of +Napoleon, except in a foreign country. The Duke of Treviso still +insisted on the contrary: and the King, in spite of the alarm and +entreaties of the Count <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span> and the other courtiers, had +resolved to follow the advice of the marshal, when some despatches +from the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span>, received in the course of the night, +determined him to pass the frontier.</p> + +<p>The Emperor thought at first, that the design of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> was to +return to England. He was glad of this: and it was not without extreme +vexation, that he learned the intention of this Prince, to remain on +the Belgic frontiers, observing the course of affairs. But if this +resolution, to which perhaps the King was indebted for the recovery of +his throne, was displeasing to Napoleon, it never inspired him with +the criminal desire, as some wicked writers have pretended, of making +any attempts against the lives or liberty of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p>The orders given to General Excelmans merely were, to drive the King +and the Princes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page333" name="page333"></a>(p. 333)</span> out of France step by step. He was never +commanded, "either to secure their persons, or to kill them in case of +resistance."</p> + +<p>The instructions given at the same time to Marshal Ney, sent on a +mission to the frontiers of the North and East, directed him also in +express words, "to cause the royal family to be respected, and +facilitate its procuring the means of quitting France freely and +quietly<a id="footnotetag85" name="footnotetag85"></a><a href="#footnote85" title="Go to footnote 85">[85]</a>."</p> + +<p>It has been asserted, that the Duke of Bassano, who had the temporary +charge of the port-folio <span class="pagenum"><a id="page334" name="page334"></a>(p. 334)</span> of the home department, had sent +orders to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Siméon</span>, then royal prefect at <span lang="fr">Lille</span>, to arrest the King. +The Duke of Bassano, indignant at such an odious charge, would not +quit France, without having refuted it. He proposed, to summon <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">Siméon</span> to declare the truth; and his declaration would have been made +public through the means of the newspapers and the press, if the +police had not opposed it.</p> + +<p>The King quitted <span lang="fr">Lille</span> on the 23d of March. The Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, who +had attended his Majesty, and whom the King on his departure had +invested with the command of that place, did not quit it till +twenty-four hours after; when he addressed the following letter to +Marshal <span lang="fr">Mortier</span>.</p> + +<p class="p2">"I commit entirely to your hands, my dear Marshal, the command which I +was so happy as to exercise with you in the department of the North. I +am too good a Frenchman, to sacrifice the interests of France, because +fresh misfortunes compel me to quit it. I go to bury myself in +retirement and oblivion. The King being no longer in France, I cannot +issue orders in his name: and nothing remains for me, but to absolve +you from all obedience to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page335" name="page335"></a>(p. 335)</span> the orders I have already +transmitted to you; requesting you, to do whatever your own excellent +judgment, and pure patriotism, shall suggest to you as most conducive +to the interests of France, and most agreeable to the duties you have +to fulfil."</p> + +<p class="p2">The Emperor, after having read this letter, turned to the Duke of +Bassano, and said: "See what the Duke of <span lang="fr">Orléans</span> writes to <span lang="fr">Mortier</span>; +this letter does him honour. <i>His heart was always French.</i>"</p> + +<p>I then informed him, that I had been assured, that the Duke of +<span lang="fr">Orléans</span>, when he parted from his officers, said to one of them, +Colonel <span lang="fr">Athalin</span>: "Go, sir, resume the national cockade: I take a pride +in having worn it, and I wish I could wear it still." The Emperor +appeared struck with these words, and made no reply. A few minutes +after he asked me, if I had not a letter from Madame the Duchess of +<span lang="fr">Orléans</span>. I delivered it to him: he read it, and said: "Let his mother +<i>be treated with the regard he merits</i>." And he ordered, that the +duchess, whose property had just been sequestrated, should receive +annually from the public treasury three hundred thousand francs as an +indemnification. At the same time another indemnification <span class="pagenum"><a id="page336" name="page336"></a>(p. 336)</span> of +a hundred and fifty thousand francs was granted to the Duchess of +<span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>.</p> + +<p>The Duke of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>, though the Emperor had announced his embarkation, +did not sail however till several days afterward. His presence and his +proclamation had produced a partial rising in the circle of <span lang="fr">Beaupréau</span>; +but convinced by his own eyes, and by the reports of his principal +officers, that the great body of the Vendeans would not stir, he +yielded to the wishes of Colonel <span lang="fr">Noirot</span>, commandant of the +<span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span>, expressed in the following letter:</p> + +<p class="p2 left10">"<span lang="fr">Monseigneur</span>,</p> + +<p>"It will not be in vain, I am persuaded, that I make an appeal to your +magnanimity. It is in your power, with a single word, to calm an +effervescence, the first results of which may once more stain with +blood the fields of the too unhappy <span lang="fr">Vendée</span>: this word your Highness +will pronounce, and every thing will be restored to order. You will be +aware likewise, <span lang="fr">Monseigneur</span>, that a longer stay in the circle of <span +lang="fr">Beaupréau</span>, while it endangers the internal security of the +country, will also endanger the personal safety of your Highness.</p> + +<p>"Deign then, I conjure you, <span lang="fr">Monseigneur</span>, to yield to the wishes I +entertain for your happiness, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page337" name="page337"></a>(p. 337)</span> and for that of my country. +For all the means of safety, which your Highness may desire, to repair +to the place of destination you may choose, I will engage."</p> + +<p class="p2">This letter, which I take a pleasure in quoting, to prove what was the +language of the men of the 20th of March, was not without effect. The +Duke of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> directed his <span lang="fr">aide-de-camp</span> to have an interview with +Colonel <span lang="fr">Noirot</span> and it was determined, that his Highness should quit <span lang="fr">la +Vendée</span>, and embark at <span lang="fr">Nantes</span> for England.</p> + +<p>For reasons with which I am unacquainted, the prince did not fulfil +his engagements. In fact, he quitted <span lang="fr">Beaupréau</span>, but still roamed about +the coast some time with a fictitious passport, and under a borrowed +name. General—<a id="footnotetag86" name="footnotetag86"></a><a href="#footnote86" title="Go to footnote 86">[86]</a> recognised him, but respected his disguise. The +Emperor approved this deference, and gave orders, that he should +merely be obliged to depart: the father of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Enghien</span> was +become sacred to him, and to France.</p> + +<p>Of all the family of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> the Duke <span class="pagenum"><a id="page338" name="page338"></a>(p. 338)</span> and Duchess of +<span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> alone persisted in struggling against their ill-fortune.</p> + +<p>She was at <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span> at the time of the landing. The entrance of +Napoleon into Paris, the flight of the King, and the general defection +of the army, did not abate her courage. She made the national guard +take up arms: she hastened to the barracks, to harangue the soldiers, +and remind them of what they owed to their oaths and to their King. +Numerous battalions of volunteers were instantly formed, and directed +by her orders, to defend the avenues to the city, intercept all +communication, and prevent popular commotions.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span>, however, appointed by the Emperor head commandant of +the 11th division, had advanced as far as <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> André de Cubsac</span>, six +leagues from <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>, at the head of about five and twenty <span lang="fr">gendarmes</span> +collected on the road, and of a hundred and fifty men from the +garrison of <span lang="fr">Blayes</span>, who, informed of his arrival by his emissaries, +had come to meet him.</p> + +<p>On his approach, a battalion of volunteers, posted at <span lang="fr">Cubsac</span> with two +pieces of cannon, retreated hastily to <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Vincent, and there joined +some other volunteers, to defend with them the passage of the +<span lang="fr">Dordogne</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page339" name="page339"></a>(p. 339)</span> The soldiers of General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> attempted to seize the flying +bridge, and were saluted with several discharges of artillery and +small arms, which they received without returning. Their chief, +desirous of avoiding a civil war, requested, that some person might be +sent, to hold a parley with him. The Bordelese having deputed their +commandant, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Martignac</span>, for this purpose, he charged this +officer, to make known to them, that he had no design of making any +attempts against their persons or property; and that he conjured them, +in the name of their country, not to spill the blood of Frenchmen to +no purpose.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless some hostile appearances were continued on both sides; +but the royal volunteers were alarmed at the sight of three boats, +which they supposed to be filled with troops, and took flight.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span>, thus become master of the <span lang="fr">Dordogne</span>, was preparing to +cross it, when <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Martignac</span> returned to inform him, that Madame the +Duchess of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> consented to retire, and that the city should be +delivered up to him in twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>Madame, instead of fulfilling this double promise, allowed herself to +yield to the desire and hope of prolonging the defence. She assembled +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page340" name="page340"></a>(p. 340)</span> the national guard, and made fresh attempts to bring over +the troops of the garrison to the royal party.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> perceived her at a distance reviewing the national +guards and volunteers: he ordered <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Martignac</span> to be called back, +and complained of the promises made him not being fulfilled. He urged +in excuse, that the national guard and the garrison were no longer +disposed to surrender the city. The general, perceiving that the +Bordelese flattered themselves with being seconded by the troops of +the line, assured <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Martignac</span>, that, on the contrary, they only +waited for a concerted signal, to declare themselves in favour of the +imperial cause. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Martignac</span> appearing to doubt this, the general +ordered a flag to be waved in the air, and immediately the tricoloured +standard was hoisted on Trompette castle<a id="footnotetag87" name="footnotetag87"></a><a href="#footnote87" title="Go to footnote 87">[87]</a>.</p> + +<p>The Bordelese, astonished and affrighted, requested a capitulation. +General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> was eager to grant all their proposals, and the next +day they opened the gates of the city to him.</p> + +<p>The Emperor was well pleased with the happy issue of this affair. He +gave orders, to publish <span class="pagenum"><a id="page341" name="page341"></a>(p. 341)</span> the report of General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> +immediately: but as this report was a mere military statement, he +added to it himself the supplementary particulars below, which he +directed to be inserted in the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span> under the head of <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>.</p> + +<p>"The firm and courageous conduct of General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> has prevented +great evils: the passage of the <span lang="fr">Dordogne</span> made a strong impression +here. Before he reached <span lang="fr">la Bastide</span>, the Duchess of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, feeling +an alarm she was unable to conceal, sent him a promise, that she would +quit <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span> in the morning of the 1st of April; which induced +General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span>, to halt at <span lang="fr">la Bastide</span>, in front of <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>, on the +right bank of the <span lang="fr">Garonne</span>, where he arrived on the 31st of March in +the evening. The Duchess of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> thought proper, to avail herself +of this delay, and break her promise: she went to the barracks, caused +the troops to be assembled, and endeavoured to persuade them, to +oppose the entrance of General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span> into <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>. The officers of +all ranks told her plainly, that they would pay her all the respect +due to her unfortunate situation, and to her sex, but that, being +Frenchmen themselves, no motive could induce them, to take up arms +against Frenchmen. The Duchess shed abundance of tears: she requested, +that the troops <span class="pagenum"><a id="page342" name="page342"></a>(p. 342)</span> would at least remain neutral, if the +national guards should be willing to fight for her. The officers +answered, that they would not fire on the national guard; but they +would not suffer the national guard, to fire on the troops of General +<span lang="fr">Clausel</span>: they would not allow a single drop of French blood to be +spilt. The soldiers joined with one voice in the sentiments of their +officers: the Duchess retired with alarm in her heart, and threats in +her mouth: she was all trembling. When she reached the quay, where the +national guard was under arms, she was received in profound silence. A +murmur pervaded the ranks of "No fighting! no civil war!" The Duchess +hastened to retire to the imperial palace, where she gave orders for +her departure<a id="footnotetag88" name="footnotetag88"></a><a href="#footnote88" title="Go to footnote 88">[88]</a>. At eight o'clock she had quitted <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>. The fire +she had kindled was not extinguished in every bosom. The national +guard, which had just conducted itself so prudently, had in company +with it some unruly persons. These were the dregs of the people, +forming the bulk of the companies of royal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page343" name="page343"></a>(p. 343)</span> volunteers, who +had been bribed to enlist, and reckoned upon plunder. Their hopes were +already disappointed by the firmness of the national guard. A small +number of the most outrageous fired on the company of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Troplong</span>, who +was reputed to be of the soundest principles. The national guard +returned the fire. The volunteers fled, but Captain <span lang="fr">Troplong</span> had +received a mortal wound. He has just been interred with military +honours. More than ten thousand persons attended the funeral of this +excellent citizen; the regret occasioned by his death suspended for a +moment the gaiety of the people, happy in being at length freed from +the evils, with which they were threatened."</p> + +<p>The energy and intrepidity, which the granddaughter of Maria Theresa +displayed on this occasion, excited the praise of the Emperor, and +drew from him the well known phrase: "She is the only man in the +family."</p> + +<p>He no less admired the firm and respectful demeanour maintained by the +regiments of the garrison, amid the provocations and reproaches of the +Duchess. "Every thing that passed at <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>," said he, "is truly +extraordinary; and I know not which most demands our astonishment, the +noble boldness of Madame <span lang="fr">d'Angoulême</span>, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page344" name="page344"></a>(p. 344)</span> or the magnanimous +patience of my soldiers."</p> + +<p>The effervescence of the Bordelese having subsided, <span lang="fr">Provence</span> and +<span lang="fr">Languedoc</span>, where the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> had excited and maintained the +flames of insurrection, still remained to be pacified.</p> + +<p>This prince, having heard at <span lang="fr">Toulouse</span>, that the Emperor had landed in +the gulf of Juan, repaired immediately to the principal towns in the +South, and made the partisans of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> and of royalty take up +arms.</p> + +<p>Three thousand two hundred Marseillese, and three thousand five +hundred volunteers from <span lang="fr">Nismes, Avignon</span>, and <span lang="fr">Montpelier</span>, ranged +themselves under his standards.</p> + +<p>The 10th, 53d, and 83d, regiments of the line, containing about nine +hundred men each;</p> + +<p>The depôts of the 9th and 87th of foot, about five hundred and fifty +strong;</p> + +<p>Two hundred and fifty <span lang="fr">chasseurs à cheval</span> of the 14th regiment, a +hundred and fifty artillerymen, and three hundred soldiers of the +royal regiment of foreigners, were drawn from their respective +garrisons; and formed, with the royal volunteers, an army of twelve +thousand men; which must necessarily be increased by <span class="pagenum"><a id="page345" name="page345"></a>(p. 345)</span> the +levies daily made in the provinces, that continued subject to the +royal government, and by the succours, which the Prince had hastened +to demand from the King of Sardinia, and from Switzerland, and which +he hoped to obtain from them.</p> + +<p>The Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> divided his army into two corps.</p> + +<p>The first, commanded by General <span lang="fr">Ernouf</span>, under whose orders were +Major-Generals <span lang="fr">Gardanne</span> and Loverdo, proceeded through <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span> for +<span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>.</p> + +<p>The second, commanded by the Prince in person, and under his orders by +Lieutenant-general <span lang="fr">Monnier</span>, Baron <span lang="fr">Damas</span>, and Viscount <span lang="fr">Descars</span>, took +the road of <span lang="fr">Valence</span>.</p> + +<p>These two corps, after having reduced the country to submission, and +rallied the royalists, were to join at <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, and march together to +Lyons.</p> + +<p>The advanced guard of the second corps, conducted by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Descars</span>, met +no serious resistance, till it came to pass the <span lang="fr">Drôme</span>.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">De Belle</span>, at the head of a few hussars of the 4th, a battalion +of the 39th, and about eight hundred national guards, had suffered +himself to be driven from <span lang="fr">Loriol</span>, and retired as well as he could +behind the <span lang="fr">Drôme</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page346" name="page346"></a>(p. 346)</span> The volunteers of <span lang="fr">Vaucluse</span>, covered by the royal artillery, +forded the river, and came and took post on the left flank of the +national guards. At the same moment the Prince directed the 10th of +the line, to attack the bridge. This manœuvre did not intimidate +the national guards; they stood firm; and the 10th, notwithstanding +the ardour, with which it was inspired by the example of the Duke of +<span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, was on the point of giving way; when several of the light +infantry, who were at their head, discovered among their antagonists +some of their ancient comrades. They began with a mutual cessation of +firing, and finished with embracing amid shouts of Long live the +Emperor.</p> + +<p>During this conversation and embracing, the rest of the 10th regiment +recovered ground. The imperials, supposing they were coming to join +them, advanced without distrust: a volley undeceived them: the troops +of General <span lang="fr">De Belle</span> were thrown into disorder, he made no attempt to +rally them, and the rout became complete. Part of the imperials were +made prisoners by the royalists; others took refuge in the mountains, +or went to carry the news of their defeat to <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> or <span lang="fr">Valence</span>.</p> + +<p>The next day, the 3d of April, the Duke of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page347" name="page347"></a>(p. 347)</span> <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> and his +victorious army entered <span lang="fr">Valence</span>, and proceeded without loss of time to +Romans on the <span lang="fr">Isère</span>.</p> + +<p>The first corps, after having occupied <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span>, separated into two +columns: one, with General Loverdo at its head, proceeded to <span lang="fr">Lamure</span>; +the other, commanded by General <span lang="fr">Gardanne</span>, having taken <span lang="fr">Gap</span> in its way, +advanced as far as Travers; where the garrison of <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span>, and the +national guards of <span lang="fr">Vizille, Lamure</span>, and the surrounding communes, had +just taken up a position.</p> + +<p>Hitherto every thing had proved favourable to the wishes of the royal +army: it marched from one success to another; and the noise of its +victories, swelled by fear and rumour, had spread consternation and +dismay as far as <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> and Lyons.</p> + +<p>The Emperor himself was uneasy. On leaving Lyons he had foreseen the +possibility of a partial rising in the south; and, relying on the +energy and patriotism of the Dauphinese, he had entrusted to them the +care of defending their territory and their capital. But, if they were +strong enough to repel the aggressions of the royalists, they were not +in a condition to resist four thousand soldiers, who had embraced +their cause, and fought in their ranks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page348" name="page348"></a>(p. 348)</span> General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span> had orders, to hasten to Lyons, and raise in +mass the national guards of Dauphiny, the <span lang="fr">Lyonnais</span>, and Burgundy.</p> + +<p>At the name of the Emperor and of their country all were in motion: +the patriots of <span lang="fr">la Drôme</span> and the <span lang="fr">Isère</span> descended from their mountains; +the Lyonese quitted their workshops; the Burgundians spontaneously +began their march with half-pay officers at their head.</p> + +<p>This patriotic burst was so unanimous, that the roads were instantly +covered with national guards; and General <span lang="fr">Corbineau</span>, whom the Emperor +had despatched to accelerate their march, was obliged, on the +contrary, to retard it. But all these arrangements, sad presages of a +civil war, were happily unnecessary.</p> + +<p>The troops of General <span lang="fr">Gardanne</span>, during their stay at <span lang="fr">Gap</span>, became +acquainted with the Emperor's proclamations. These had awakened their +remembrances, electrified their minds, and the 58th mounted the +tricoloured cockade.</p> + +<p>The defection of this regiment was soon known to the division of +General Loverdo; and, in spite of this general's efforts, a part of +the 14th <span lang="fr">chasseurs</span>, and the whole of the 83d, equally embraced the +imperial cause. On the other soldiers, though faithful in appearance, +the generals could no longer confide: "they <span class="pagenum"><a id="page349" name="page349"></a>(p. 349)</span> could not speak +to a single inhabitant of the country, without receiving impressions +absolutely inimical to the party of the King<a id="footnotetag89" name="footnotetag89"></a><a href="#footnote89" title="Go to footnote 89">[89]</a>," and they expected +every moment, to see them go over to the enemy.</p> + +<p>General Loverdo, impatient to give battle, and imagining, that he +could dispense with their assistance, attempted to force the defile of +<span lang="fr">Saulces</span>, in advance of <span lang="fr">Gap</span>, supported only by his royal volunteers: +but this attack, as rash as it was useless, did not succeed, and he +was forced to fall back to <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span>.</p> + +<p>The second corps, restrained by the presence of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, +had lost but a small number of soldiers. The order to advance had just +been given, when the Prince received the most disheartening news from +all parts at once.</p> + +<p>On one hand he was informed of the defection of the regular troops +under General <span lang="fr">Ernouf</span>, and his forced retreat to <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span>.</p> + +<p>On another he heard, that General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span> was advancing to meet him +with a formidable force.</p> + +<p>From a third source of intelligence he learned, that the royal party +at <span lang="fr">Nismes</span>, and at <span lang="fr">Toulouse</span>, had dispersed without resistance: that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">Vitrolles</span>, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page350" name="page350"></a>(p. 350)</span> the head of the committee of insurrection, had +been arrested; and that the patriots, and the troops of the 9th +division, united under the orders of General <span lang="fr">Gilly</span>, having marched to +take him in the rear, had retaken the bridge of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Esprit</span> by assault, +and passed the Rhone.</p> + +<p>In fine, despatches from Turin announced to him, that he must no +longer reckon upon any assistance from the Swiss, or upon the promises +of the King of Sardinia.</p> + +<p>The Prince in consequence ordered a retreat to be sounded, and retired +to <span lang="fr">Valence</span>.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, who, according to custom, took the trouble to compose +himself the articles in the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span> relative to this little war, gave +the following account of the evacuation of <span lang="fr">Valence</span>.</p> + +<p>"<i>Valence, the 7th of April.</i> The Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> has made a sad +figure here. The alarm bell sounded throughout Dauphiny, and numerous +battalions of the national guards departed for Lyons. The Duke of +<span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, informed of their arrival, set off helter skelter with the +four thousand insurgents, who are under his orders. The troops of the +line, informed by our citizens, that we were engaged in the cause of +the nation against a few privileged families, of the people against +the nobility, and in short <span class="pagenum"><a id="page351" name="page351"></a>(p. 351)</span> of the revolution against the +counter-revolution, suddenly changed sides. The army however reckons +three traitors, who appear to have taken the part of the enemies of +their country: they are Generals <span lang="fr">Ernouf, Monnier</span>, and <span lang="fr">D'Aultannie</span>." He +forgot General Loverdo.</p> + +<p>The Emperor was equally careful, to make public the correspondence, +that was intercepted: and as some announced <i>the intention of +separating the chaff from the wheat, and throwing it into the fire</i>; +others, <i>of hanging all the rebels, without exception, and without +mercy</i>; and, in fine, others, <i>invited Spain, Switzerland, and the +King of <span lang="fr">Piedmont</span>, to come and reduce France to reason</i>; they +contributed not less powerfully than the success of the imperial army, +to detach from the cause of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> every Frenchman, who was an +enemy to treachery, hanging, and foreigners.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>, informed of the retreat of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, +sent some light troops in pursuit of him. Most of the <span lang="fr">chasseurs</span> of the +14th, and of the artillerymen, joined the imperialists. The volunteers +of the south, who had hitherto set no bounds to their presumptuous +hopes, now found none to their fears. As cowardly in adversity, as +they were arrogant in prosperity, they abandoned their general at the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page352" name="page352"></a>(p. 352)</span> approach of danger; and all, with the exception of a few +hundreds of brave fellows, sought safety in flight.</p> + +<p>The Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, surrounded by the feeble remnants of their +battalions, and by the 10th of the line, which still remained +faithful, continued his retrograde march night and day; and traversed +in silence the places, which his army had made ring with the shouts of +victory but a few days before. The mountaineers, who had suffered so +much from the exactions and ill treatment of the royal volunteers, now +repeated in their turn "Wo to the vanquished!" and did not allow a +moment's rest to the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> and his followers. Pressed on +one side by the columns of <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>, on the other by the troops of +General <span lang="fr">Gilly</span>; shut in, without hope of succour, between the <span lang="fr">Drôme</span>, +the <span lang="fr">Rhone</span>, the <span lang="fr">Durance</span>, and the mountains, the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> had +only two resources: one was, to abandon his army, and get over the +mountains to <span lang="fr">Marseilles</span> or <span lang="fr">Piedmont</span>; the other, to submit, with his +companions in misfortune, to the law of the conqueror.</p> + +<p>The Prince would not separate his fate from that of his army. He +consented to surrender. Baron <span lang="fr">de Damas</span> and General <span lang="fr">Gilly</span> regulated +the conditions of the capitulation. It was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page353" name="page353"></a>(p. 353)</span> agreed, that the +Prince should disband his army, and have liberty to embark at <span lang="fr">Cette</span>. +As soon as this intelligence was announced by a telegraphic despatch, +it was immediately made known to the Emperor by the Duke of Bassano, +who prevailed on him, though opposed by several distinguished persons, +to return an answer, by the same mode of conveyance, approving of the +capitulation. At the same instant a second despatch announced, that +General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span> refused to sign the treaty, unless he had the consent +of the Emperor, and the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> was deemed a prisoner. Upon +this the Duke of Bassano hastened to transmit the first orders of +Napoleon, and delayed informing him of the impediment to the +ratification, till night rendered any new orders by telegraph +impracticable. Being made acquainted with this noble daring of his +minister, instead of reprimanding him, the Emperor dictated to him the +following letter:</p> + +<p>"<abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">le</span> Count <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>, the ordinance of the king, dated on the 6th of +March, and the declaration signed at <span lang="fr">Vienne</span> on the 13th by his +ministers, would authorize me to treat the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, as that +ordinance, and that declaration, would have had me and my family +treated: but, persevering in that disposition, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page354" name="page354"></a>(p. 354)</span> which induced +me to ordain, that the members of the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> family might have free +egress from France, my intention is, that you give orders for the Duke +of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> to be conducted to <span lang="fr">Cette</span>, where he shall be embarked, and +that you watch over his safety, and prevent him from receiving any ill +treatment. You will only take care to recover the money that has been +taken from the public offices, and to require the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> to +engage to restore the diamonds of the crown, which are the property of +the nation<a id="footnotetag90" name="footnotetag90"></a><a href="#footnote90" title="Go to footnote 90">[90]</a>. You will at the same time make known to him the +provisions of the laws of the national assemblies, which have been +renewed, and which apply to those members of the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> family, who +shall re-enter the French territories," <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>While awaiting the decision of Napoleon, the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> was +strictly watched. He <span class="pagenum"><a id="page355" name="page355"></a>(p. 355)</span> supported this fresh disgrace with +firmness and tranquillity. The <span lang="fr">Marquis de Rivière</span>, informed of his +detention, threatened Count <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>, if he did not restore him to +liberty, to surrender <span lang="fr">Marseilles</span> to the English, and raise up all +<span lang="fr">Provence</span>. These empty threats had no effect. The fate of the duke did +not depend on Count <span lang="fr">de Grouchy</span>: it was in opposition to his own +feelings, that he had ventured to lay a sacrilegious hand on this +prince; and he prayed sincerely, that the decision of the Emperor +would allow him to break his chains.</p> + +<p>As soon as the decision reached him, the general hastened to insure +the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> the means of embarking speedily; and with +religious zeal took the necessary measures, for his being treated on +the passage with due respect.</p> + +<p>The prince, on his arrival at <span lang="fr">Cette</span>, embarked immediately, and sailed +for Cadiz.</p> + +<p>His capitulation and departure soon led to the submission of +<span lang="fr">Marseilles</span>: and, thanks to the prudence and firmness of the Prince of +<span lang="de">Essling</span>, governor of that division, the royal standard was hauled +down, and the tricoloured flag hoisted in its stead, without any +disturbance or effusion of blood.</p> + +<p>The Emperor named General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span> marshal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page356" name="page356"></a>(p. 356)</span> of the empire; not +because he entertained any great admiration of his conduct, for he was +aware, that he had but faintly pressed the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>; but in +order to give some splendor to the disgrace of the prince, and +discourage the royalists in other parts of France. Resolving at the +same time to punish the treason committed by the 10th at the passage +of the <span lang="fr">Drôme</span>, he decreed, that this regiment should wear a piece of +crape on its colours, till it had washed in the blood of the enemy +those arms, which it had stained with the blood of Frenchmen<a id="footnotetag91" name="footnotetag91"></a><a href="#footnote91" title="Go to footnote 91">[91]</a>.</p> + +<p>By the telegraph the Emperor was informed of the submission of +<span lang="fr">Marseilles</span>, and the entire pacification of the south, just as he was +going to review the national guard of Paris. It was always in similar +circumstances, that great news reached the Emperor: it seemed as if +fortune, attentive to please him, sought to enhance her gifts by +bestowing them <i>apropos</i>. Ever since his arrival he had been intending +to have this review, but the successive inspections of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page357" name="page357"></a>(p. 357)</span> +troops of the line had prevented him. Some persons did not fail to +ascribe this delay, so easily to be accounted for, to his fear of the +sentiments and bayonets of the legions of Paris. Meantime some +grenadiers of the royal ex-volunteers indulged in threats and +imprecations against him. This was enough to terrify some of the +alarmists of the court; and they requested Napoleon to mix a few +battalions of his guards in the review, by way of precaution. The +Emperor rejected their entreaties, and was angry at their fears: +nevertheless, they caused him to be attended, without his knowledge, +by ten or a dozen grenadiers, who were directed not to lose sight of +him for a moment.</p> + +<p>While the Emperor was walking his horse along the ranks, his escort +had followed him without his paying any attention to it: but when he +set off at a gallop, he perceived, that his grenadiers were galloping +after him, and stopped. "What do you do there?" said he to one of +them: "Go about your business!" The old grumbler<a id="footnotetag92" name="footnotetag92"></a><a href="#footnote92" title="Go to footnote 92">[92]</a>, who knew that +apprehensions were entertained for the life of his general, appeared +disposed not to obey. The Emperor <span class="pagenum"><a id="page358" name="page358"></a>(p. 358)</span> then took hold of him by +his hairy cap, and, giving it a hearty shake, repeated with a smile +his order to him to retire: "Go all of you away: I am surrounded by +none but good Frenchmen; I am as safe with them as with you." The +national guards, who heard these words, cried out spontaneously, "Yes, +yes, Sire, you are right; we would all defend your life at the expense +of our own." Encouraged by the familiarity which the Emperor displayed +towards them, they quitted their ranks, and crowded round him: some +pressed his hands, others kissed theirs to him; all expressed their +satisfaction and attachment by continued shouts of "Long live the +nation! Long live the Emperor!"</p> + +<p>After this unexpected scene, the Emperor proceeded with his review: he +then caused a circle of officers to be formed, alighted, and addressed +them nearly in the following terms:</p> + +<p>"Soldiers of the national guard of Paris, I am well pleased to see +you. Fifteen months ago I formed you for the preservation of +tranquillity in the capital, and for its security. You have fulfilled +my expectations. You have shed your blood in defence of Paris; and if +hostile troops entered your walls, the blame falls not on you, but on +treason, and above all on that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page359" name="page359"></a>(p. 359)</span> fatality, which attaches +itself to our affairs under adverse circumstances.</p> + +<p>"The royal throne was not adapted to France: it gave the people no +security for its most valuable interests; it was imposed upon us by +foreigners. I am arrived, equipped with all the strength of the people +and of the army, to obliterate this stain, and restore the honour and +glory of France to all their lustre.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers of the national guard, this very morning the telegraph of +Lyons has informed me, that the tricoloured flag is waving at <span lang="fr">Antibes</span> +and at <span lang="fr">Marseilles</span>. The discharge of a hundred cannon on our frontiers +will proclaim to foreign nations, that our civil discords are at an +end: <i>I say foreign nations, because we yet know of none that are +enemies.</i> If they assemble their troops, we will assemble ours. All +our armies are composed of brave men, who have distinguished +themselves in various battles, and who will display to foreigners a +barrier of iron; while numerous battalions of grenadiers and <span lang="fr">chasseurs</span> +of the national guards will secure our frontiers. I shall not +interfere with the affairs of foreign nations: wo to those +governments, that shall interfere with ours! Misfortunes have tempered +anew the character of the French people: it has resumed that youth, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page360" name="page360"></a>(p. 360)</span> that vigour, which astonished Europe twenty years ago.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers, you have been obliged to wear colours proscribed by the +nation. But the national colours remained in your hearts: you now +swear, to take them always for your rallying signal, and to defend the +imperial throne, the only and natural guarantie of our rights; you +swear never to suffer foreigners, in whose country we have appeared +repeatedly as masters, to interfere with our constitution or +government. In fine, you swear, to sacrifice every thing to the honour +and independence of France."</p> + +<p>This oath was pronounced with enthusiasm. The national guard showed, +that it was not afraid of being taken at its word.</p> + +<p>Apprehensions had been entertained, that the guards, who had long +borne the Parisians a grudge for having surrendered so promptly in +1814, would indulge in some offensive reproaches: but Napoleon had +enjoined his grenadiers to maintain silence; and, in order to complete +the reconciliation, he caused it to be cemented by a dinner, to which +the imperial guards invited the national guard and the garrison of +Paris.</p> + +<p>Fifteen thousand soldiers of every description <span class="pagenum"><a id="page361" name="page361"></a>(p. 361)</span> assembled at +the <i><span lang="fr">Champ de Mars</span></i> under the eyes of the people of Paris: the joyous +songs of the soldiers and citizens answered each other by turns, and +gave a truly national character to this festival.</p> + +<p>When the repast was over, a numerous crowd of soldiers, officers, and +national guards, set off for the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>, carrying the bust of +Napoleon crowned with laurels. When they arrived before his Majesty's +windows, they saluted him with thousands and thousands of +acclamations; and then they repaired to <span lang="fr">la Place Vendôme</span>, where they +devoutly deposited at the foot of the monument raised to the glory of +our armies the image of the hero, who had led them to victory. The +Emperor, as soon as he was informed of it, ordered me to write to the +minister of the police, to have the bust removed in the night. "It is +not after bacchanalian orgies," said he, proudly, "that my image +should be placed on the column."</p> + +<p>Every body, in fact, knows, that the statue of Napoleon, by which this +monument was formerly surmounted, had been pulled down in the early +days of the restoration; and it was not for individual and +unauthorized citizens to repair this affront.</p> + +<p>A few royalists, at the head of whom figured <span class="pagenum"><a id="page362" name="page362"></a>(p. 362)</span> <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Maubreuil</span> +and <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Sostène de la Rochefoucault</span>, were guilty of this profanation. +<abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Rochefoucault</span>, whose family had shared so largely in the gifts +and favours of Napoleon, himself put a rope about the neck of his +benefactor, with intention to have it dragged through the mud by some +vagabonds, whom he had hired: but the statue mocked his endeavours; +and the only fruit he reaped from them was the reprobation of honest +men, and the contempt of foreigners<a id="footnotetag93" name="footnotetag93"></a><a href="#footnote93" title="Go to footnote 93">[93]</a>.</p> + +<p>The column itself was long offensive to the jealous eyes of the +enemies of our glory. They conspired its destruction; and would have +accomplished it, had they dared. History, which leaves nothing +unpunished, will brand, I trust, these unworthy Frenchmen, these new +Vandals, with eternal disgrace. It will inscribe their names, and +their sacrilegious wishes, on the foot of the immortal column, which +they wanted to overturn. No doubt it will also tell, that the +federates, the half-pay officers, and all the partisans of Napoleon, +whom some have been pleased to represent as madmen, as robbers, +respected during the hundred days the statue <span class="pagenum"><a id="page363" name="page363"></a>(p. 363)</span> of Henry <abbr title="4">IV.</abbr>; +though this statue, placed within reach of their blows, and +constructed of frail materials, would have fallen with the slightest +shock.</p> + +<p>Napoleon had said to the national guard of Paris, "We yet know of none +that are enemies:" and these words were true. It had been remarked, +that the foreign troops concentrated themselves on our frontiers, but +none of their dispositions appeared hostile, and Napoleon might still +reasonably hope, that his care to maintain peace would not be +fruitless.</p> + +<p>On the very day of his entry into Lyons, he had hastened to commission +Prince Joseph, to declare to the Austrian and Russian ministers at the +Helvetic diet, that he was ready to ratify the treaty of Paris.</p> + +<p>When he arrived in the capital, he found that the foreign ministers, +particularly Baron <span lang="fr">de Vincent</span>, the Austrian minister, and <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">Boudiakeen</span>, Russian <span lang="fr">chargé d'affaire</span>, had not yet quitted it, for want +of passports.</p> + +<p>He caused the departure of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Vincent</span> and <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Boudiakeen</span> to be +delayed; and directed the Duke of Vicenza to see them, and assure them +anew of his pacific disposition.</p> + +<p>Baron de Vincent at first refused all kind of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page364" name="page364"></a>(p. 364)</span> communication +or conferences; but at length he consented to meet <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> de Vicenza at +the house of a third person. They had a conference together at Madame +de Souza's. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Vincent</span> did not conceal the resolution of the +allies, to oppose Napoleon's retaining the throne: but he hinted, that +in his opinion there might not be the same repugnance to his son. He +engaged, however, to make known the sentiments of Napoleon to the +Emperor of Austria; and consented to take charge of a letter for the +Empress Marie Louise<a id="footnotetag94" name="footnotetag94"></a><a href="#footnote94" title="Go to footnote 94">[94]</a>.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Boudiakeen</span>, after having equally refused the conference proposed +by the Duke of Vicenza, finished also with accepting it. It was +agreed, that they should meet at the house of <span lang="fr">Mademoiselle Cauchelet</span>, +lady of the bedchamber to the Princess Hortense.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Jaucourt</span> had forgotten to take out of the port-folio of foreign +affairs a secret treaty, by which England, Austria, and France, had +mutually engaged to oppose, peaceably or by <span class="pagenum"><a id="page365" name="page365"></a>(p. 365)</span> force, the +dismemberment of Saxony, which Russia and Prussia openly conspired.</p> + +<p>The Emperor thought, that this treaty might perhaps alienate these two +powers from the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> interest, and generate distrust and discord +between the allies. He directed the Duke of Vicenza, to show it to the +Russian minister; and represent it to him as a fresh proof of the +ingratitude, with which the court of the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span> repaid the numerous +benefits of Alexander. The existence of this triple alliance was +wholly unknown to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Boudiakeen</span>, and appeared to cause him as much +surprise as dissatisfaction. But he declared, that he was too well +acquainted with the principles of his sovereign, to venture to flatter +himself, that the circumstance of this treaty, or any other, could +produce a favourable change in his disposition. He promised, however, +to make a faithful report to him of the conference he had had with <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +de Vicenza; and to express to him the desire, manifested by the +Emperor Napoleon, of becoming again the ally and friend of Russia.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, in order to give more efficacy to his proposals, directed +the Princess Hortense, to confirm them in person to the Emperor +Alexander. He also caused letters to be written to Prince Eugene, and +to the Grand <span class="pagenum"><a id="page366" name="page366"></a>(p. 366)</span> Duchess Stéphanie of Baden, to request them, to +renew the same assurances to that sovereign, and to neglect no means +of detaching him from the coalition.</p> + +<p>In fine, the Emperor directed overtures to be made to the cabinet of +London, by means of a person pointed out by the Duke of Otranto; and +in order to gain the suffrage of the parliament, and give the English +ministry a pledge of his good intentions beforehand, he abolished the +slave trade by a spontaneous decree.</p> + +<p>After having taken these indirect steps, Napoleon thought his duty as +well as his dignity required him, to give a solemn and authentic +character to the manifestation of his pacific intentions.</p> + +<p>Accordingly he wrote to the foreign sovereigns a letter couched in the +following terms:</p> + +<p class="p2 left10">"Sire, my brother,</p> + +<p>"You will have heard in the course of last month of my return to the +French coast, my entering Paris, and the departure of the <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> +family. The true nature of these events must now be known to your +Majesty: they are the work of an irresistible power, the work and the +unanimous will of a great nation, who knows its duties and its +rights. The dynasty, which force <span class="pagenum"><a id="page367" name="page367"></a>(p. 367)</span> had bestowed on the French +people, was not formed for them: the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> would not accommodate +themselves either to their sentiments, or to their manners. France +could not but separate itself from them. Her voice called for a +deliverer: the expectations, that had induced me, to make the greatest +of all sacrifices, had been frustrated. I came, and from the spot +where I touched the shore I was conducted by the love of my people to +the bosom of my capital. The first wish of my heart is, to repay such +great affection by the maintenance of an honourable tranquillity. The +re-establishment of the imperial throne being necessary to the +happiness of the French, nothing can be more pleasing to my thoughts, +than to render it at the same time advantageous to the consolidation +of the tranquillity of Europe. Sufficient glory had crowned the +standards of the different nations by turns; the vicissitudes of fate +have occasioned a sufficient succession of great successes and great +defeats: a nobler career now opens itself to sovereigns, and I am the +first to enter it. After having exhibited to the world the spectacle +of great battles, it will be more pleasing, henceforth to know no +rivalry but that of the advantages of peace, no strife but the sacred +striving after the happiness of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page368" name="page368"></a>(p. 368)</span> nations. France takes a +pleasure in frankly proclaiming this noble end of all her wishes. +Jealous of her own independence, the invariable principle of her +politics will be the most absolute respect for the independence of +other nations. If such be the personal sentiments of your Majesty, as +I am happy to persuade myself, the general tranquillity is ensured for +a long time to come; and justice, sitting on the confines of states, +will be sufficient alone to guard their frontiers.</p> + +<p class="left10 smaller">"Paris, the 4th of April."</p> + +<p class="p2">The Duke of Vicenza received orders, personally to express to the +foreign ministers the sentiments, with which the Emperor was animated: +but the couriers, who carried his despatches, could not reach the +places of their destination; one was arrested at Kehl, another at +Mayence; a third, sent off for Italy, could not get beyond Turin; the +communications were interrupted. The arrangements of the declaration +of the congress of Vienna of the 13th of March were acted upon +already.</p> + +<p>This declaration, transmitted directly by the emissaries of the King +to the prefects of the frontier cities, and distributed by the +royalists, was in circulation at Paris. The inferior papers <span class="pagenum"><a id="page369" name="page369"></a>(p. 369)</span> +had announced its appearance, and united in asserting, that such an +act was unworthy of the allied sovereigns, and could only be the work +of calumny and malevolence.</p> + +<p>However, when it became impossible to question its legitimacy, it was +necessary to come to the resolution of no longer making a mystery of +it to the French people; and accordingly the following account was +given of it in the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span> on the 13th of April.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">"Council of Ministers.</span></p> + +<p class="left10">"<i>Sitting of the 29th of March.</i></p> + +<p>"The Duke of Otranto, minister of the general police, states, that he +is about to read to the council a declaration, dated Vienna the 13th, +which is supposed to have been issued by the congress:</p> + +<p>"That this declaration, as it contains an incentive to the +assassination of the Emperor, appears to him apocryphal: that, if it +should prove genuine, it would be unexampled in the history of the +world: that the libellous style, in which it is written, gives room to +suppose, it ought to be classed among the papers fabricated by +party-spirit, and by those pamphleteers, who of late years have +foisted themselves uncommissioned <span class="pagenum"><a id="page370" name="page370"></a>(p. 370)</span> into all state affairs: +that it pretends to be signed by the English ministers; but it is +impossible to suppose, that the ministers of a free nation, and +particularly Lord Wellington, could have taken a step inconsistent +with the legislation of their country, and with their own characters: +that it pretends to be signed by the ministers of Austria; but it is +impossible to conceive, whatever political dissensions may subsist +between them, that a father could call for the assassination of his +son: that, contrary to every principle of religion and morality, it is +derogatory to the honourable character of the sovereigns, whose +mandates are thus compromised by the libellists: that this declaration +has been known several days, but, from the considerations +abovementioned, it could not be considered otherwise than as deserving +the profoundest contempt: that it was not deemed fit to engage the +attention of the ministry, till official reports from <span lang="fr">Metz</span> and <span +lang="de">Strasburg</span> made known, that it had been brought into France +by couriers from the Prince of <span lang="it">Benevento</span>; a fact confirmed by the +result of the investigation that took place, and the interrogatories +put: in fine, that it is proved, that this paper, which could not have +been signed by the ministers of Austria, Russia, and England, was +issued by the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page371" name="page371"></a>(p. 371)</span> legation of the Count of <span lang="fr">Lille</span> at Vienna; +which legation had added to the crime of provoking assassination that +of falsifying the signature of the members of the congress.</p> + +<p>"The pretended declaration of the congress, the reports from <span lang="fr">Metz</span> and +<span lang="de">Strasburg</span>, as well as the investigation and interrogatories conducted +by order of the minister of the general police, which ascertain, that +the said declaration proceeded from the plenipotentiaries of the Count +of <span lang="fr">Lille</span> at Vienna, will be sent to the presidents of the sections of +the council.</p> + +<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">"Declaration.</span></p> + +<p>"The powers, who signed the treaty of Paris, assembled in Congress at +Vienna, being informed of the escape of Napoleon Bonaparte, and of his +entering France by force of arms, owe to their own dignity, and to the +interests of society, a solemn declaration of the sentiments, with +which this event has inspired them.</p> + +<p>"By thus infringing the convention, which settled him in the island of +Elba, Bonaparte has destroyed the only legal title he had to his +situation in life (<i><span lang="fr">auquel son existence se trouvait attachée</span></i>.) By +re-appearing in France, with the design of disturbing and subverting +it, he has <span class="pagenum"><a id="page372" name="page372"></a>(p. 372)</span> deprived himself of the protection of the laws, +and has made manifest to the universe, that there can be neither peace +nor truce with him.</p> + +<p>"The powers declare in consequence, that Napoleon Bonaparte has thrown +himself out of all the relations of civilized society; and that, as an +enemy and disturber of the world, he has rendered himself obnoxious to +public vengeance.</p> + +<p>"At the same time they declare, that, firmly resolved to maintain +unbroken the treaty of Paris of the 30th of March, 1814, and the +arrangements sanctioned by that treaty, as well as those they have +decreed, or may yet decree, for completing and consolidating it; they +will employ all their means, and unite all their efforts, to prevent +the general peace, the object of the wishes of all Europe, the +constant aim of their labours, from being disturbed anew; and to guard +it from every attempt, that would threaten to replunge nations into +the disorders and calamities of revolutions.</p> + +<p>"And though intimately persuaded, that all France, rallying round its +legitimate sovereign, will annihilate without delay this last attempt +of a criminal and impotent delirium, all the sovereigns of Europe, +animated with the same sentiments, and guided by the same principles, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page373" name="page373"></a>(p. 373)</span> declare, that if, contrary to all calculation, any real +danger whatever should arise from this event, they will be ready to +furnish the King of France and the French nation, or any other +government that may be attacked, with the succours necessary to +restore the public tranquillity, as soon as they shall be demanded, +and to make common cause against all, who may attempt to disturb it.</p> + +<p>"The present declaration, inserted in the register of the congress +assembled at Vienna, in the sitting of the 13th of March, 1815, shall +be made public.</p> + +<p>"Done and certified as true by the plenipotentiaries of the eight +powers, who signed the Treaty of Paris, at Vienna, the 13th of March, +1815.</p> + + +<p class="p2">Here follow the signatures in the alphabetical order of the courts.</p> +<div class="left10"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Signatures."> +<colgroup> + <col width="35%"> + <col width="5%"> + <col width="60%"> +</colgroup> +<tr> +<td rowspan="2" class="td-center">"Austria</td> +<td> </td> +<td>The Prince <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Metternich</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Baron <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Wessemberg</span></span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="td-center">"Spain<br>(<i><span lang="fr">Espagne</span></i>)</td> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap"><span lang="es">P. Gomez Labrador.</span></span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td rowspan="4" class="td-center">France</td> +<td> </td> +<td>The Prince <span lang="fr">de <span class="smcap">Talleyrand</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Duke <span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">D'Alberg</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">Latour Dupin</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Count <span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">Alexis de Noailles</span></span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td rowspan="4" class="td-center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page374" name="page374"></a>(p. 374)</span>Great Britain</td> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap">Wellington</span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap">Clancarty</span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap">Cathcart</span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap">Stewart</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td rowspan="3" class="td-center">Portugal</td> +<td> </td> +<td>The Count <span class="smcap"><span lang="pt">Palmela</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap"><span lang="pt">Saldanha</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap"><span lang="pt">Lobo</span></span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td rowspan="2" class="td-center">Prussia</td> +<td> </td> +<td>The Prince <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Hardenberg</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Baron <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Humboldt</span></span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td rowspan="3" class="td-center">Russia</td> +<td> </td> +<td>The Count <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="ru">Rasoumowski</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Count <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Stakelberg</span></span>,</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td>The Count <span lang="fr">de</span> <span class="smcap"><span lang="de">Nesselrode</span></span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="td-center">Sweden</td> +<td> </td> +<td><span class="smcap"><span lang="fr">Lowenhielm</span></span>."</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>This declaration, which no doubt will hereafter excite the +astonishment of posterity, was commented upon and victoriously refuted +by the Emperor himself. Count <span lang="fr">Boulay</span>, to whom the following report is +ascribed, had no farther share in it, than condensing it a little, and +softening some of its expressions.</p> + +<p>Report of the committee of presidents of the council of state.</p> + +<p class="p2">"In consequence of the reference made to it, the committee, composed +of the presidents of the sections of the council of state, has +examined the declaration of the 13th of March, the report of the +minister of the general police, and the papers added to them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page375" name="page375"></a>(p. 375)</span> "The declaration is in an unusual form, composed in such +strange terms, and expresses such anti-social ideas, that the +committee was led to consider it as one of those supposititious +productions, by means of which despicable men endeavour to impose upon +people's minds, and mislead the public opinion.</p> + +<p>"But the verification of the examinations taken at <span lang="fr">Metz</span>, and of the +interrogatories of the couriers, admit no doubt, that the declaration +was sent by members of the French legation at Vienna; and consequently +it must be considered as adopted and signed by them.</p> + +<p>"It is under this last point of view, that the committee imagines it +ought first to examine this production, which has no precedent in the +annals of diplomacy, and in which Frenchmen, men invested with the +most respectable of public characters, begin with a sort of outlawry, +with a provocation to assassinate the Emperor Napoleon.</p> + +<p>"We say with the minister of the police, that this declaration is the +work of the French plenipotentiaries: because those of Austria, +Prussia, Russia, and England, could not have been capable of signing a +paper, which the sovereigns and people, to whom they belong, will be +eager to disavow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page376" name="page376"></a>(p. 376)</span> "And in the first place these plenipotentiaries, most of them +coadjutors in the treaty of Paris, know, that Napoleon was there +acknowledged as retaining the title of Emperor, and as sovereign of +the island of Elba: they would have mentioned him by these titles, and +would not have deviated, either in matter or in manner, from the +respect they impose.</p> + +<p>"They would have felt, that, agreeably to the laws of nations, a +prince, however trifling the extent or population of his state, +enjoys, as far as regards his political and civil character, the +rights belonging to every sovereign prince in respect to the most +powerful monarch; and Napoleon, acknowledged under the title of +Emperor, and in quality of a sovereign prince, by all the powers, was +no more amenable to the congress of Vienna than any of them.</p> + +<p>"The forgetfulness of these principles, impossible to be supposed in +plenipotentiaries, who weigh the rights of nations maturely with +wisdom and consideration, has nothing astonishing in it when +manifested by French ministers, whose conscience reproaches them with +more than one act of treason, in whom fear has engendered rage, and +whose remorse leads their reason astray.</p> + +<p>"Such men as these may have risked the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page377" name="page377"></a>(p. 377)</span> fabrication and the +publication of a piece like the pretended declaration of the 13th of +March, in the hope of stopping the progress of Napoleon, and +misleading the French people with regard to the real sentiments of +foreign powers.</p> + +<p>"But they cannot judge like these powers of the merits of a nation, +which they have misunderstood, betrayed, and delivered up to the arms +of foreigners.</p> + +<p>"This nation, brave and generous, revolts against every thing that +bears the marks of cowardice and oppression: its affections are +heightened, when the object of them is threatened or affected by a +great injustice; and assassination, which the commencement of the +declaration of the 13th of March is intended to excite, will find not +a single hand to execute it, either among the twenty-five millions of +Frenchmen, the majority of whom attended, guarded, and protected +Napoleon from the Mediterranean to the capital; nor among +the eighteen millions of Italians, the six millions of Belgians or +inhabitants of the banks of the Rhine, and the numerous nations of +Germany, who, on this solemn occasion, have not pronounced his name +without respectful remembrance; nor a single individual of the +indignant English nation, whose honourable sentiments disavow the +language, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page378" name="page378"></a>(p. 378)</span> that those men have dared to attribute to the +sovereigns.</p> + +<p>"The people of Europe are enlightened; they judge the rights of +Napoleon, the rights of the allied princes, and those of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.</p> + +<p>"They know, that the convention of Fontainbleau was a treaty between +sovereigns. Its violation, the entrance of Napoleon into the French +territory, like any other infraction of a diplomatic act, like any +hostile invasion, could only bring on an ordinary war; the result of +which can only be, to the person, that of being conqueror or +conquered, free or a prisoner of war; to possessions, that of being +lost or preserved, diminished or increased; and that every thought, +every threat, every attempt, against the life of a prince at war with +another, is a thing unheard of in the history of nations, and of the +cabinets of Europe.</p> + +<p>"In the violence, the rage, the forgetfulness of principle, that +characterize the declaration of the 13th of March, we recognize the +envoys of the same prince, the organs of the same councils, who, by +the ordinance of the 6th of March, also put Napoleon out of the pale +of the law, also invoked for him the daggers of assassins, and also +promised a reward to whoever would bring his head.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page379" name="page379"></a>(p. 379)</span> "Yet what has Napoleon done? By his confidence he has +honoured the men of all nations, who were insulted by the infamous +office to which they were invited: he has shown himself temperate, +generous, a protector, even toward those who had devoted his head to +destruction.</p> + +<p>"When he spoke to General Excelmans, marching toward the column that +closely pressed <span lang="fr">Louis Stanislas Xavier</span>; to General Count <span lang="fr">Erlon</span>, who +was to receive him at <span lang="fr">Lille</span>; to General <span lang="fr">Clausel</span>, who was going to +<span lang="fr">Bourdeaux</span>, where the Duchess of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> was; to General <span lang="fr">Grouchy</span>, who +marched to put a stop to the civil disturbances excited by the Duke of +<span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>; every where, in short, orders were given by the Emperor, +that their persons should be respected, and sheltered from all attack, +from all danger, from all violence, during their progress on the +French territories, and to the moment of their quitting them.</p> + +<p>"Contemporary nations and posterity will judge, on which side respect +has been paid in this grand conjuncture to the rights of nations and +of sovereigns, to the laws of war, the principles of civilization, and +the maxims of law civil and religious: they will pronounce between +Napoleon and the house of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page380" name="page380"></a>(p. 380)</span> "If, after having examined the pretended declaration of the +congress in this first point of view, we discuss it in its relations +to diplomatic conventions, to the treaty of Fontainbleau of the 11th +of April, ratified by the French government, we shall find, that their +violation is imputable only to those very persons who charge it on +Napoleon.</p> + +<p>"The treaty of Fontainbleau has been violated by the allied powers, +and by the house of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>, in what regards the Emperor Napoleon and +his family, in what affects the rights and interests of the French +nation:</p> + +<p>"1st. The Empress Marie Louise and her son were to obtain passports +and an escort, to enable them to repair to the Emperor: but, far from +performing this promise, the wife was separated by force from her +husband, the son from his father, and this under painful +circumstances, when the strongest mind finds it necessary to seek +consolation and support in the bosom of its family and domestic +affections.</p> + +<p>"2d. The safety of Napoleon, of the imperial family, and of their +suite, was guarantied (<abbr title="Article">Art.</abbr> 14 of the treaty) by all the powers: yet +bands of assassins were organized in France under the eyes of the +French government, and even by its orders, as the solemn proceedings +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page381" name="page381"></a>(p. 381)</span> against the <span lang="fr">Sieur de Maubreuil</span> will shortly prove, to attack +both the Emperor, his brothers, and their wives: this first branch of +the plot failing of the expected success, a tumult was planned at +Orgon, on the road taken by the Emperor, in order to make an attempt +against his life by the hands of some brigands: one of the cut-throats +of Georges, the Sieur <span lang="fr">Brulart</span>, raised for the purpose to the rank of +major-general, known in Brittany, in <span lang="fr">Anjou</span>, in Normandy, in <span lang="fr">la Vendée</span>, +throughout all England, by the blood he has shed, was sent to Corsica +as governor, in order to prepare and insure the crime; and, in fact, +several solitary assassins attempted, in the island of Elba, to gain, +by the murder of Napoleon, the culpable and disgraceful salary which +was promised them.</p> + +<p>"3d. The duchies of Parma and Placentia were given in full propriety +to Marie Louise, for herself, her son, and his descendants: yet, after +long refusal to put them into possession, the injustice was +consummated by an absolute spoliation, under the illusory pretext of +an exchange without valuation, without proportion, without +sovereignty, without consent; and the documents existing in the office +of foreign affairs, of which we have had an account presented to us, +prove, that it was at the instance <span class="pagenum"><a id="page382" name="page382"></a>(p. 382)</span> and through the intrigues +of the Prince of <span lang="it">Benevento</span>, that Marie Louise and her son were +despoiled.</p> + +<p>"4th. A suitable establishment, out of France, had been given to +Prince Eugene, the adopted son of Napoleon, who has done honour to +France, where he was born, and gained the affection of Italy, where he +was naturalized; yet he has obtained nothing.</p> + +<p>"5th. The Emperor had stipulated (<abbr title="Article">Art.</abbr> 3 of the treaty) in favour of +his brave soldiers the preservation of their salaries from the +Napoleon fund (<i><span lang="fr">sur le mont Napoléon</span></i>); he had reserved out +of the extraordinary domain, and the funds remaining of the civil +list, the means of recompensing his servants, and of paying the +soldiers, that attached themselves to his fate. The whole was taken +away and kept back by the ministers of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>. An agent of the +French soldiers went in vain to Vienna, to claim for them the most +sacred of all property, the price of their valour and their blood.</p> + +<p>"6th. The preservation of the property, movable and immovable, of the +Emperor's family, is stipulated by the same treaty (<abbr title="Article">Art.</abbr> 6); yet it +has been despoiled of both: in France, with force of arms, by +commissioned brigands; in Italy, by the violence of military +commanders; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page383" name="page383"></a>(p. 383)</span> in both countries by seizures and sequestrations +solemnly appointed.</p> + +<p>"7th. The Emperor Napoleon was to receive two millions of francs a +year, and his family two millions and a half, agreeably to the +distribution fixed by <abbr title="Article">Art.</abbr> 6 of the treaty: but the French government +has constantly refused to fulfil these engagements, and Napoleon would +have soon seen himself reduced to the necessity of dismissing his +faithful guard, for want of the means of ensuring its pay, if he had +not found in the grateful remembrances of the bankers and merchants of +Genoa and Italy the honourable resource of a loan of twelve millions, +which was offered him.</p> + +<p>"8th. In fine, it was not without a motive, that certain persons were +desirous of separating from Napoleon, by any means, the companions of +his glory, models of attachment and constancy, unshaken guaranties of +his life and safety. The island of Elba was secured to him in full +property (<abbr title="Article">Art.</abbr> 3 of the treaty): yet the resolution to deprive him of +it, desired by the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and solicited by their agents, had been +taken at the Congress.</p> + +<p>"And if Providence in its justice had not interposed, Europe would +have seen attempts made against the person, the liberty of Napoleon, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page384" name="page384"></a>(p. 384)</span> banished for ever at the mercy of his enemies, far from his +family, separated from his servants, either to <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Lucie, or to <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> +Helena, which was assigned him as a prison.</p> + +<p>"And when the allied powers, yielding to the imprudent wishes, or +cruel instigations, of the agents of the house of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>, have +stooped to violate a solemn contract, on the faith of which Napoleon +had absolved the French nation from its oaths; when himself, and all +the members of his family, saw themselves menaced and attacked in +their persons, in their property, in their affections, in all the +rights stipulated in their favour as princes, and even in those +secured by the laws to simple citizens; how ought Napoleon to act?</p> + +<p>"Ought he, after having endured so many insults, and suffered so many +acts of injustice, to consent to the complete violation of the +engagements entered into with him; and, resigning himself to the fate +prepared for him, abandon also to their fearful destiny, his wife, his +son, his relations, and his faithful servants?</p> + +<p>"Such a resolution seems to require more than human strength of mind: +yet Napoleon was capable of taking it, if the peace and happiness of +France could have been purchased by this new sacrifice. He would again +have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page385" name="page385"></a>(p. 385)</span> devoted himself for the French people, from whom, as he +wishes to declare in the face of all Europe, he makes it his glory to +hold every thing, to whom he refers every thing, and to whom alone he +will hold himself responsible for his actions and devote his life.</p> + +<p>"It was for France alone, and to save her from the calamities of an +intestine war, that he abdicated the crown in 1814. He restored to the +French people the rights he held from them; he left them free to +choose a new master, and to found their liberty and happiness on +institutions, that would protect both.</p> + +<p>"He hoped, that the nation would preserve all it had acquired by five +and twenty years of glorious fighting; and the exercise of its +sovereignty in the choice of a dynasty, and in stipulating the +conditions, on which it should be called to the throne.</p> + +<p>"He expected from the new government respect for the glory of the +armies, and for the rights of the brave; the guaranty of all the new +interests, interests generated and maintained during a quarter of a +century, resulting from all the civil and political laws, observed and +revered during that time, because they are identified with the +manners, habits, and wants of the nation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page386" name="page386"></a>(p. 386)</span> "Far from all this, every idea of the sovereignty of the +people has been discarded.</p> + +<p>"The principle, on which all public and civil legislation has been +founded since the revolution, has been equally discarded.</p> + +<p>"France has been treated as a revolted country, reconquered by the +armies of its ancient masters, and subjugated anew to a feudal +domination.</p> + +<p>"A constitutional law has been imposed on France, as easy to be eluded +as revoked; and in the form of royal ordinances simply, without +consulting the nation, without even hearing those bodies, become +illegal, the phantoms of national representation.</p> + +<p>"The violation of this charter has been checked only by the timidity +of the government; the extent of the abuses of its authority has been +limited only by its weakness.</p> + +<p>"The disjointing of the army, the dispersion of its officers, the +exile of several, the debasement of the soldiers, the suppression of +their endowments, the privation of their pay or pensions; the +reduction of the pay of the legionaries, the despoiling them of their +honours, the pre-eminence given to the decorations of the feudal +monarchy, the contempt of the citizens, designated anew under the name +of <i><span lang="fr">tiers-état</span></i> <span class="pagenum"><a id="page387" name="page387"></a>(p. 387)</span> (third estate); the spoliation of the +purchasers of national property, prepared and already begun, the +actual diminution of value of such as was obliged to be sold; the +return of the feudal system in its titles, privileges, and useful +rights, the re-establishment of tramontane principles, the abolition +of the liberties of the Gallican church, the annihilation of the <span +lang="fr">Concordat</span>, the re-establishment of tithes, the reviving +intolerance of an exclusive form of worship; the domination of a +handful of nobles over a people accustomed to equality: are what the +ministers of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> have done, or wished to do, for the people +of France.</p> + +<p>"It was under such circumstances, that the Emperor Napoleon quitted +the island of Elba: such were the motives of the resolution he took, +and not the consideration of his own personal interests, so trivial in +his opinion compared with the interests of the nation, to which he has +devoted his existence.</p> + +<p>"He has not brought war into the bosom of France: on the contrary, he +has extinguished the war, which the possessors of national property, +constituting four fifths of the landholders throughout France, would +have been compelled to make upon their despoilers; the war, which the +citizens, oppressed, degraded, humiliated <span class="pagenum"><a id="page388" name="page388"></a>(p. 388)</span> by the nobles, +would have been forced to declare against their oppressors; the war, +which the Protestants, the Jews, and the people of different sects, +would have been obliged to maintain against their persecutors.</p> + +<p>"He came to deliver France; and as a deliverer he has been received.</p> + +<p>"He arrived almost alone; he travelled two hundred and twenty leagues, +without meeting any obstacle, without a battle; and has resumed +without resistance, in the midst of the capital, and of the +acclamations of an immense majority of the citizens, the throne +relinquished by the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>; who, from among the army, their own +household, the national guards, or the people, could not raise a +single person in arms, to endeavour to maintain them in it.</p> + +<p>"Yet, replaced at the head of the nation, which had already chosen him +three times, and has just elected him a fourth time by the reception +it gave him on his march, and his triumphant arrival; of that nation, +by which, and for the interest of which, he wishes to reign;</p> + +<p>"What is the desire of Napoleon? What the French people desire, the +independence of France, peace within, peace with all nations, the +execution of the treaty of Paris, of the 30th of May, 1814.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page389" name="page389"></a>(p. 389)</span> "What is there, then, changed in the future state of Europe, +and in the hope of repose promised it? What voice is raised, to demand +those succours, which, according to the declaration, are to be granted +only when claimed?</p> + +<p>"There is nothing changed, if the allied powers recur, as we have a +right to expect from them, to just and temperate sentiments; if they +acknowledge, that the existence of France in a respectable and +independent state, as far from conquering as from being conquered, +from domineering as from being held in subjection, is necessary to the +balance of great realms, as well as to the guaranty of smaller states.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing changed, if, not attempting to compel France to +resume with a dynasty, which she can no longer desire, the feudal +chains she has broken, and to submit to the seigneurial or +ecclesiastical pretensions, from which it has emancipated itself, +those powers do not attempt to impose on her laws, to interfere in her +internal concerns, to assign her a particular form of government, to +give her masters suited to the interests and passions of her +neighbours.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing changed, if, while France is occupied in preparing +the new social compact, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page390" name="page390"></a>(p. 390)</span> that shall guaranty the liberty of +her citizens, and the triumph of those generous ideas, that prevail in +Europe, and can no longer be stifled; she be not compelled, to call +off her attention from these pacific ideas, and from the means of +domestic prosperity, to which the people and their chief are desirous +of devoting themselves in happy concord, in order to prepare for +battle.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing changed, if, while the French nation demands +nothing, but to remain at peace with all Europe, an unjust coalition +do not oblige her to defend, as it did in 1792, her will, and her +rights, and her independence, and the sovereign of her choice."</p> + +<p class="p2">This eloquent refutation, full of irrefragable facts, and reasonings +not to be refuted, was no longer necessary. French honour had judged +and condemned the Congress of Vienna and its Declaration.</p> + +<p>When this declaration appeared, France grew pale: she was astonished, +affrighted at the calamities, which the future boded; and groaned at +the idea of being exposed to a war for the sake of one single man.</p> + +<p>This first impression over, her pride, her virtue, felt indignant, +that the allies should dare <span class="pagenum"><a id="page391" name="page391"></a>(p. 391)</span> to conceive the thought, that +she would yield to their menaces, and cowardly consent, to give +Napoleon up to them.</p> + +<p>Had Napoleon been no more than a simple citizen, the attempt to +violate by authority the rights of men and nations in his person would +have been sufficient, to induce the French, or at least all worthy of +the name, to think themselves obliged to protect and defend him.</p> + +<p>But Napoleon was not merely a simple citizen, he was the head of the +French nation: it was for having aggrandized it by his conquests, and +ennobled it by his victories, that he was proscribed by foreigners; +and the most timid as well as the most generous made it their sacred +duty to place him under the safeguard of the nation, and of French +honour.</p> + +<p>Thus the declaration of the Congress, instead of intimidating France, +heightened its courage; instead of separating Napoleon from the +French, drew still more close the bands that united them; instead of +calling down on his head the public vengeance, rendered him more +estimable and more dear in the eyes of the people.</p> + +<p>If Napoleon, availing himself of these generous sentiments, had said +to the French: "You have restored to me the crown, foreigners +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page392" name="page392"></a>(p. 392)</span> are desirous of tearing it from me; I am ready, either to +defend it, or to lay it down; say which I shall do:" the whole nation +would have understood Napoleon, and would have risen in a body, to +cause the sovereign of its heart and its choice to be respected.</p> + +<p>But Napoleon had other ideas: he considered the declaration of the +Congress merely as a paper adapted to the circumstances of the day, +the object of which was, at the time when it was subscribed by the +allies, to support the courage of the royalists, and to restore to the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> the confidence and moral strength they had lost.</p> + +<p>He thought, that his entrance into Paris, and the entire pacification +of the South, would have completely changed the state of things; and +he hoped, that foreign nations would ultimately acknowledge him, when +they were convinced, that he had been re-established on the throne by +the unanimous consent of the French, and that his ideas of conquest +and dominion had given place to the real desire of respecting the +tranquillity and independence of his neighbours, and of living in +harmony with them.</p> + +<p>In fine, he considered, that prudence would induce the allies, as it +was their interest, not to engage in a war, the results of which could +not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page393" name="page393"></a>(p. 393)</span> be favourable to them: "They will feel, that they will +not this time have to do with the France of 1814; and that their +successes, if they gain any, will be no longer decisive, but will +merely serve to render the war more obstinate and bloody; while, if +victory favour me, I may become as formidable as ever. I have for me +Belgium and the Rhenish provinces, and with a tricoloured flag and a +proclamation I could revolutionize them in four-and-twenty hours."</p> + +<p>The treaty of the 25th of March, by which the great powers, renewing +the arrangements of the treaty of <span lang="fr">Chaumont</span>, engaged themselves anew +not to lay down their arms, as long as Napoleon should be on the +throne, appeared to him merely the natural consequence of the act of +the 13th of March, and of the erroneous opinions the allies had formed +of France. He thought, that it would not alter the state of the +question; and resolved, notwithstanding this treaty, and the +affronting manner in which his first overtures were received, to +endeavour repeatedly to make the voice of truth, of reason, and of +peace, heard at Vienna.</p> + +<p>Baron <span lang="fr">de Stassart</span>, late auditor to the council of state and prefect, +had been made chamberlain of Austria, or of Bavaria, since the +restoration. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page394" name="page394"></a>(p. 394)</span> He was at Paris. The Emperor, hoping he might +be able to reach Vienna under favour of his quality of chamberlain, +charged him with a mission for the Empress Marie Louise, and fresh +despatches for the Emperor of Austria. Napoleon at the same time had +recourse to other means: he was aware of the intimacy and connexions +of <abbr title="Messieurs">MM.</abbr> D. de <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> L** and <span lang="fr">de Mont</span>** with Prince <span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span>; and +persuaded, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Talleyrand</span> would procure for them authority to +repair to Vienna, he resolved, to send them thither. He did not +deceive himself with the idea, that they would accept their mission +for any other purpose than that of more easily serving the royal +cause; but he paid little regard to their intrigues with the King, +provided they delivered and brought back with exactness the +despatches, that should be entrusted to them<a id="footnotetag95" name="footnotetag95"></a><a href="#footnote95" title="Go to footnote 95">[95]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page395" name="page395"></a>(p. 395)</span> About the King, however, and what passed at Ghent, he took +little concern: his anxious eyes were turned to Vienna; and convinced +of the influence, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Talleyrand</span> might exert there, he +particularly directed <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> ****, to offer him his favour, and money +also, if he would abandon the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, and employ his talents and +experience for the benefit of the imperial cause.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, who did not cease to hope, that his exertions, time, and +reflection, might effect some changes in the resolutions of the +allies, heard with extreme displeasure, that the King of Naples had +commenced hostilities.</p> + +<p>This prince had long been dissatisfied with the complaisance, with +which the allied sovereigns listened to the protests of France, Savoy, +and Spain: and, though his crown had been guarantied to him by a +solemn compact with Austria, and by the formal declarations of Russia +and England, he foresaw, that the doctrine <span class="pagenum"><a id="page396" name="page396"></a>(p. 396)</span> of legitimacy +would carry the point against the faith of treaties, and that Austria, +though interested in not allowing another crown to be transferred to +the house of <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>, would be obliged to submit to the unanimous will +of the other powers.</p> + +<p>Thus the fear of being driven from the throne, and the resolution to +maintain himself in it, possessed Joachim, when the news of the +successful landing of Napoleon reached Naples.</p> + +<p>The horror with which the Austrian sway inspired the Italians, the +attachment they retained to Napoleon, and the joy they displayed on +hearing of his departure from the island of Elba, persuaded the King, +that he should find no difficulty in raising Italy; and he flattered +himself with bringing the allies, either by force of arms, or by way +of negotiation, to guaranty to him irrevocably the possession of his +kingdom.</p> + +<p>Desirous on the other hand of securing the protection of Napoleon, in +case of failure of success, he secretly despatched an emissary to +congratulate him; and announce, that, with a view of seconding his +operations, he was about to attack the Austrians, and, if his wishes +were answered by victory, he would soon join him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page397" name="page397"></a>(p. 397)</span> with a +formidable army: "in fine," he wrote, "the moment of atoning for the +wrong I have done your Majesty, and of proving my attachment, is now +arrived; I will not let it escape."</p> + +<p>This letter, which I deciphered, reached the Emperor at <span lang="fr">Auxerre</span>; and +he immediately enjoined the King, to continue his preparations, but +wait for his giving him the signal, before he commenced hostilities. +The natural impetuosity and impatience of this Prince did not allow +him, to wait for the answer of Napoleon, and when his despatches +arrived, the gauntlet had been thrown down.</p> + +<p>The better to disguise his intentions, Joachim had summoned the +ambassadors of Austria and England, immediately on hearing of the +landing of Napoleon, and had assured them, that he would remain +faithful to his engagements. When he had assembled his army (put in +motion under pretence of reinforcing his troops in the March of +<span lang="it">Ancona</span>), he fell unexpectedly on the Austrians; and announced to the +Italians, by a proclamation dated at Rimini the 31st of March, that he +had taken up arms to liberate Italy from a foreign yoke, and restore +its ancient freedom and independence.</p> + +<p>"Italians," said he to them, "the moment is arrived, when the great +decrees of destiny are <span class="pagenum"><a id="page398" name="page398"></a>(p. 398)</span> to be fulfilled. Providence at length +calls you, to become an independent people: one cry resounds from the +Alps to the straits of Scylla, the independence of Italy. By what +right would foreigners rob you of your independence, the first right, +and the first good, of all nations?</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p>"Formerly masters of the world, you have expiated this fatal glory by +an oppression of twenty centuries. Let your glory now be, to have no +more masters.</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p>"Fourscore thousand Italians hasten to you under the command of their +king. They swear not to rest, till Italy is free. Italians of all +countries, second their magnanimous efforts ... let those, who have +borne arms, resume them, let the unpractised youth exercise themselves +in the use of them, let all the friends of their country raise up one +generous voice for liberty.</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p>"Can England refuse you her suffrages, she whose noblest claim to +glory is to spend her blood and treasure for the independence and +freedom of nations?</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page399" name="page399"></a>(p. 399)</span> "I call on all the brave, to come and fight with me; I call +on all men of enlightened understandings, to prepare, while the +passions are silent, the constitution and laws, that ought +henceforward to govern happy and independent Italy."</p> + +<p class="dashed"> </p> + +<p>This proclamation, to the great astonishment of Italy and France, did +not once mention the name of Napoleon. It kept the most profound +silence respecting his return, his intercourse with Joachim, and the +hopes their combined efforts must inspire.</p> + +<p>Joachim however was not ignorant of the ascendancy, which the name of +Napoleon had on the spirit and courage of the Italians. But he knew +also, that this name was odious to the English, and dared not invoke +it, for fear of displeasing them. He thought he was sufficiently +powerful of himself, to act independently of the Emperor; and that it +would be enough, if he showed himself in arms to the Italian nation, +and offered it independence, to raise it at his pleasure. He deceived +himself: all his strength was borrowed from Napoleon: personally he +enjoyed no weight, no influence, in Italy. The Italians could not +forgive him for having betrayed his brother-in-law and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page400" name="page400"></a>(p. 400)</span> +benefactor in 1814, or for having revealed to Austria the patriotic +conspiracy of Milan in 1815<a id="footnotetag96" name="footnotetag96"></a><a href="#footnote96" title="Go to footnote 96">[96]</a>.</p> + +<p>Thus prejudiced, they durst not confide in him; his intentions +appeared doubtful, his promises vague, his resources uncertain; and +they remained quiet spectators of the combat.</p> + +<p>It is not, in fact, by concealments, that people are reduced or +hurried away: to subjugate them, it is necessary, to convince their +hearts and their understandings; and the heart and the understanding +comprehend no language but the straight forward voice of truth. +Unhappily this language was no longer known to <span lang="fr">Murat</span>. Since his +accession to the throne, he had adopted the system of dissimulation +and duplicity, which pretty generally characterise Italian politics. +These narrow politics, which support themselves by cunning and +temporizing, were incompatible with the French blood, that circulated +in his veins; and the continual conflicts, that arose between his +novel inclinations and his natural petulance, were incessantly +rendering his words and actions at variance, and leading him into +devious paths, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page401" name="page401"></a>(p. 401)</span> where he could not fail, to go astray and +meet his ruin.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, such is the magic power of the sacred words of liberty +and our country, that <span lang="fr">Murat</span> did not utter them in vain. Bologna and a +few cities declared for him; and a number of young Italians ran to +enlist under his standards. Victory favoured their first steps; but +Napoleon did not deceive himself: the moment had been ill-chosen, he +foresaw the defection or ruin of <span lang="fr">Murat</span>, and what passed beyond the +Alps no longer inspired him with any thing but disgust. From that time +he turned his attention with more ardor than ever to the means of +struggling alone against his adversaries, whose proceedings began to +assume a threatening appearance.</p> + +<p>The royal government, partly through fear, partly from economy, had +disorganized the army, reduced the regiments one half, changed their +denominations, and dispersed the soldiers among new battalions.</p> + +<p>Napoleon re-established the regiments on their ancient footing; +restored to them their glorious surnames of <span lang="fr">Invincible</span>, <span lang="fr">Incomparable</span>, +<span lang="fr">Terrible</span>, One to Ten, <abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr>, which they had acquired and merited in +the field of battle. He recalled to their standards the brave men who +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page402" name="page402"></a>(p. 402)</span> had been banished from them; and the army, which was +scarcely fourscore thousand strong, soon reckoned on its lists near +two hundred thousand fighting men.</p> + +<p>The marines<a id="footnotetag97" name="footnotetag97"></a><a href="#footnote97" title="Go to footnote 97">[97]</a> and guards of the coasts, who so brilliantly +signalized their courage in the plains of <span lang="de">Lutzen</span> and <span lang="de">Bautzen</span>, were +united under the command of their officers, and formed a body of +fifteen or eighteen thousand men, who were appointed to protect our +maritime establishments, or, in case of necessity, reinforce the +active army.</p> + +<p>The cavalry of the imperial guard and the old grenadiers opened their +ranks to ten thousand soldiers selected from the flank companies; the +light artillery was re-organized; and the young guard received an +addition of several regiments.</p> + +<p>But it was not sufficient to restore to the army the forces, of which +it had been deprived; it was equally necessary, to repair its +destitution: the foot wanted arms and clothing, the cavalry had +neither saddles nor horses.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page403" name="page403"></a>(p. 403)</span> The Emperor looked to all these things.</p> + +<p>Levies and purchases of horses were made at once in all the +departments.</p> + +<p>The <span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span>, by giving up the ten thousand horses belonging to it, +which it replaced immediately, supplied the heavy cavalry with so many +horses already trained, which in ten days rendered its numerous +squadrons complete.</p> + +<p>Spacious manufactories of clothing, arms, and equipage, were opened at +once in all parts.</p> + +<p>The Emperor caused an account of the number of workmen, and the +produce of their labour, to be delivered to him every morning. He knew +how long it took a tailor to finish a soldier's dress, a wheelwright +to construct a carriage, or an armourer to fit up a musket. He knew +the quantity of arms, in a good or bad state, contained in the +arsenals. "You will find," he wrote to the minister at war, "in such +an arsenal, so many old muskets, and so many broken up. Set a hundred +men at work there, and arm me five hundred men a week." Such was the +extent and variety of Napoleon's genius, that he soared without effort +to the loftiest abstractions of the art of governing, and descended +with the same facility to the minutest details of management.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page404" name="page404"></a>(p. 404)</span> Extraordinary commissioners were employed at the same time to +direct the repairing and fortifying of the frontier towns. They +employed themselves day and night on this important business. But the +slightest delay appeared to the Emperor an age of expectation, and +frequently he put his hand to the work himself. He was perfectly +acquainted with the nature of the fortifications of every place, the +number of men it ought to contain, and the approaches necessary to be +defended; and in a few hours he settled what the most experienced +engineer would have found it difficult to conceive and determine in +several days. And let it not be supposed, that the works he thus +ordered bore any marks of precipitancy. At the head of his +topographical cabinet he had one of the first engineer officers in +France, General <span lang="fr">Bernard</span>; and this general, too brave, too loyal, to be +a flatterer, could never enough admire the profound knowledge the +Emperor possessed of the art of fortification, and his happy and +prompt application of it.</p> + +<p>The zeal and joint efforts of these committees, and of the Emperor, +produced, in a short time, effects truly miraculous. All France seemed +an intrenched camp. Napoleon, in the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page405" name="page405"></a>(p. 405)</span> articles he wrote<a id="footnotetag98" name="footnotetag98"></a><a href="#footnote98" title="Go to footnote 98">[98]</a>, +frequently gave an account of the progress of his armament, of the +fortified places, and of the works of defence. I will transcribe here +one of these articles, which, exclusive of the merit of depicting the +aspect of France at that period, in a better manner than I could, +appears to me well adapted to convey an idea of the fervid activity of +Napoleon, and the immensity of the objects his eye embraced.</p> + +<p>"All the strong places on the northern frontier, from Dunkirk to +<span lang="fr">Charlemont</span>, are furnished with ordnance, provision, and stores: the +sluices are put into order, and the country will be inundated at the +first hostile movement: field-works have been laid out in the forest +of <span lang="fr">Mormale</span>: measures are taken for throwing up intrenchments in the +different passes of the forest of <span lang="fr">Aregonne</span>: all the strong places of +<span lang="fr">Lorraine</span> are prepared: intrenchments are formed at the five passes of +the <span lang="fr">Vosges</span>: the fortresses of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span> are equipped: orders are given +for the defence of the pass of <span lang="fr">Jura</span>, and all the frontiers of the +Alps. The passes of the <span lang="fr">Somme</span>, which are in the third line, are +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page406" name="page406"></a>(p. 406)</span> putting into order. In the interior, <span lang="fr">Guise, la Ferté, Vitry, +Soissons, Château Thierry</span>, and <span lang="fr">Langres</span>, are equipping and fortifying. +Orders have been issued even for constructing works on the heights of +<span lang="fr">Montmartre</span> and <span lang="fr">Ménilmontant</span>, and furnishing them with three hundred +pieces of ordnance: they will be formed at first of earth, and the +solidity of permanent fortifications will be given them in succession.</p> + +<p>"His Majesty has ordered, that Lyons should be put into a state of +defence: a <i>tête-de-pont</i> will be established at <span lang="fr">Broteaux</span>. The +drawbridge at <span lang="fr">La Guillotière</span> is replacing. The space between the <span lang="fr">Saône</span> +and the Rhone will be fortified: some redoubts are preparing to be +constructed in advance of this space. A redoubt will be constructed on +the height of <span lang="fr">Pierre en Size</span>, to support a work, that closes the city +on the right bank. The heights, that command the quarter of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean</span>, +on the right bank of the <span lang="fr">Saône</span>, will be defended by several redoubts: +a train of eighty pieces of cannon, with the necessary stores, is sent +off for Lyons. <span lang="fr">Sisteron</span> and the bridge of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Esprit</span> will be placed in +a state of defence. Eight armies or corps of observation are formed: +namely</p> + +<p>"The army of the North;</p> + +<p>"The army of the <span lang="fr">Moselle</span>;</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page407" name="page407"></a>(p. 407)</span> "The army of the Rhine;</p> + +<p>"The corps of observation of the <span lang="fr">Jura</span>, which is assembling at <span lang="fr">Befort</span>;</p> + +<p>"The army of the Alps, which is assembling at <span lang="fr">Chambery</span>;</p> + +<p>"The corps of observation of the <span lang="fr">Pyrenees</span>, which is assembling at +<span lang="fr">Perpignan</span> and at <span lang="fr">Bordeaux</span>;</p> + +<p>"And the army of reserve, which is assembling at Paris and at <span lang="fr">Laon</span>.</p> + +<p>"The old soldiers are every where on the march, animated with the +greatest enthusiasm, and come to complete our hundred and twenty +regiments of infantry. The purchases made for remounting the cavalry +have been going on rapidly for this month, and will soon render our +seventy regiments of cavalry fully complete. Regiments of volunteer +cavalry are forming in many parts: <span lang="fr">Alsace</span> has already furnished two +regiments of lancers, of a thousand men each. We have reason to think, +that this example will be followed in Brittany, Normandy, and +<span lang="fr">Limousin</span>, the province in which the greatest number of horses are +bred.</p> + +<p>"Parks of artillery, forming more than a hundred and fifty batteries, +are already harnessed, and on the march for the different armies. The +corps of artillery for the defence <span class="pagenum"><a id="page408" name="page408"></a>(p. 408)</span> of Lyons is composed of +two companies formed in the school of <span lang="fr">Alfort</span>. The corps for serving +the three hundred pieces of ordnance, that will be placed on the +heights of Paris, will consist of twelve companies of marine +artillery, two companies of invalids, two companies of the school of +<span lang="fr">Alfort</span>, two companies of the polytechnic school, two companies of the +school of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Cyr</span>, and six companies of foot artillery.</p> + +<p>"Corps of partisans and free corps are forming in a great number of +departments. An adjutant-general, stationed with each general +commanding in chief, will conduct the correspondence with these corps; +which, if the enemy be rash enough to penetrate into our territories, +will fall upon his communications in the mountains and forests, and +find support in the fortified towns.</p> + +<p>"The organization of the levy in mass of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span>, <span lang="fr">Lorraine</span>, the county +of <span lang="fr">Messin</span>, <span lang="fr">Franche Comté</span>, Burgundy, Dauphiny, and Picardy, is +prepared.</p> + +<p>"All the cities will arm in defence of their vicinity: they will +follow the example of <span lang="fr">Chalons sur Saône, Tournus</span>, and <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean de +Losne</span>. Every unfortified town even would betray the national honour, +if it surrendered to light troops, and did not make the best defence +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page409" name="page409"></a>(p. 409)</span> its means will allow, till the arrival of infantry and +artillery in such force, that its resistance would cease to be +prescribed by the laws of war.</p> + +<p>"Every thing is in motion in all parts of France. If the coalition +persist in the designs they have announced of making war on us, if +they violate our frontiers, it is easy to foresee, what fruits they +will reap from their attempt on the rights of the French nation: all +the departments will emulate in zeal those of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span>, the <span lang="fr">Vosges</span>, +<span lang="fr">Franche Comté</span>, Burgundy, and the Lyonese; every where the people are +animated with a patriotic spirit, and ready to make any sacrifice, to +maintain the independence of the nation, and the honour of the +throne."</p> + +<p>In fine, to complete his means of resistance and attack, the Emperor +remodelled the national guard, and divided it into three thousand one +hundred and thirty battalions, forming a body of two millions two +hundred and fifty thousand men. All the national guards from twenty +years old to forty were classed in active companies of light infantry +and grenadiers, and fifteen hundred of these companies, or a hundred +and eighty thousand men, were immediately placed at the disposal of +the minister at <span class="pagenum"><a id="page410" name="page410"></a>(p. 410)</span> war, to form the garrisons of the frontier +places, and reinforce the armies of reserve.</p> + +<p>The general officers sent to the frontier departments, to accelerate +the raising and departure of this national militia, had need only to +show themselves, to accomplish their mission. Every citizen aspired +beforehand to the honour of making a part of it; and in the provinces +of the east, the north, and the centre, it was found necessary to form +supernumerary companies<a id="footnotetag99" name="footnotetag99"></a><a href="#footnote99" title="Go to footnote 99">[99]</a>. The father would have renounced his son, +the wife her husband, the girl her betrothed lover, if they had been +deaf to the voice of honour and their country. The mothers themselves, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page411" name="page411"></a>(p. 411)</span> who at other times had so bitterly deplored the departure of +their children, encouraged them, like the Spartans, to march against +the enemy, and fall, if it must be so, in the sacred cause of their +country. This picture is not an exaggeration, it is faithful, it is +true. Never was a more beautiful spectacle exhibited to the eyes of +any man, to whom the glory and independence of his country were dear, +than that of the enthusiasm and martial joy, with which the warlike +inhabitants of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span>, <span lang="fr">Lorraine</span>, Burgundy, <span lang="fr">Champagne</span>, and the <span lang="fr">Vosges</span>, +were animated. The roads were covered with waggons loaded with young +warriors, who hastened, gaily singing, to the post of honour assigned +them by Napoleon: the population of the towns and villages received +them on their way with applauses, which inflamed their minds with +fresh ardor, and made them enjoy by anticipation the praises and +acclamations, that their friends, parents, and fellow-citizens would +lavish on them at their return.</p> + +<p>France seemed to call aloud, to see her eclipsed greatness restored. +She had recovered all her energy: an evident proof, that the strength +of a nation is always the work of the prince, by whom it is governed. +It is he, who enervates the public spirit, and bastardizes his +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page412" name="page412"></a>(p. 412)</span> subjects, by the effeminacy of his government: or it is he, +who inspires them with the love of their country, with priding +themselves in it, and leads them to undertake, whatever can augment +its glory and its power.</p> + +<p>To draw still more closely the bonds of union between the French +people, and impart greater intensity to their patriotism, Napoleon +authorized the re-establishment of popular clubs, and the formation of +civic confederations. This time his expectations were not answered by +success. The major part of the clubs were filled with men, who +formerly composed the revolutionary tribunals and societies; and their +imprecations against kings, and their liberticide motions, made the +Emperor fear, that he had revived the spirit of anarchy.</p> + +<p>The sentiments manifested by the federates equally disquieted him. He +perceived, that he did not occupy the first place in their thoughts +and affections; that the primary wish of their hearts was liberty; +and, as this liberty was in his eyes synonimous with republicanism, he +exerted all his endeavours to moderate, restrain, and repress, the +development of these patriotic associations. Perhaps there were men +among the federates, whose principles might be dangerous, and their +intentions criminal: but in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page413" name="page413"></a>(p. 413)</span> general they consisted of pure +patriots, who had taken up arms to defend the imperial government, and +not to overturn it.</p> + +<p>Napoleon had never been able to surmount the aversion, which he felt +for the veterans of the revolution. He dreaded their constancy, and +their daring spirit; and he would have thought himself in danger, if +not lost, had they become consolidated, and resumed their ascendancy. +This panic fear was the cause, that he did not reap from the +confederations the advantages he promised himself; and which they +would unquestionably have afforded him, if he had not clogged their +wings. It was also the cause of his committing a perhaps still greater +fault, that of putting a stop to the popular movements, that had shown +themselves in most of the departments. In the critical state in which +he found himself, and into which he had drawn France, he should not +have disregarded any means of security; and the most efficacious, the +most analogous to his situation, was indisputably that of engaging the +people most intimately in his fate, and in his defence. It was +necessary, therefore, while preventing them from spilling a single +drop of blood, to let them compromise themselves with some of those +incorrigible ultras, who had harassed, ill-treated, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page414" name="page414"></a>(p. 414)</span> and +insulted them, since the restoration. The people would then have been +more sensible, that it was no longer the personal cause of Napoleon +alone, that they had to defend; and the dread of chastisement, and of +the yoke, would have restored to them that ancient enthusiasm, which +had proved so fatal to the first coalition.</p> + +<p>The moderation adopted by Napoleon on this occasion was honourable, +but not politic. He conducted himself, as he might have done at a +time, when all parties, confounded together and reconciled, +acknowledged him for their sole and only sovereign. But things had +changed: he had no longer the whole of France in his favour; and hence +it was necessary, that he should conduct himself rather as the head of +a party, than as a sovereign; and that he should display as it were +all the vigour and energy of the leader of a faction. Energy unites +men, by taking from them all uncertainty, and hurrying them with +violence toward their object. Moderation, on the contrary, divides and +enervates them, because it leaves them to their own irresolution, and +allows them leisure, to listen to their interests, their scruples, and +their fears.</p> + +<p>The attention paid by the Emperor to his military preparations did not +prevent his continuing <span class="pagenum"><a id="page415" name="page415"></a>(p. 415)</span> to occupy himself on the welfare of +the state, and endeavour more and more to conciliate the confidence +and affection of the public.</p> + +<p>Already, in other days, he had drawn out from its ruins the ancient +University. A new basis, more broad, more extensive, more majestic, +had raised this noble institution to a level with the age, and with +France. But the first stage of education did not answer the efforts +made to improve it, and to diffuse it among the younger classes of +society.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Carnot</span>, in a report that combined the most pleasing philanthropy +with the most sage and lofty views, taught the Emperor the advantages +of the methods of Bell and Lancaster, and the monarch and the minister +made a present to France, to morality, to humanity, of the system of +mutual instruction.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, on removing his eyes from this interesting youth, the +hope of the country, turned them to those old soldiers, who had +formerly been its pride and support.</p> + +<p>A royal ordinance had expelled from their asylum a considerable number +of invalids, and had taken from them a portion of their endowments: a +decree restored them to their rights; and a visit, which the Emperor +paid these <span class="pagenum"><a id="page416" name="page416"></a>(p. 416)</span> veterans in glory, added a kindness to the +benefit.</p> + +<p>He also repaired to the Polytechnic school. It was the first time of +his showing himself to its pupils. Their love of perfect liberty, +their inclination for republican institutions, had long alienated from +them the affections of the Emperor: but the striking bravery they had +displayed under the walls of Paris had restored to them his esteem and +friendship; and it was satisfactory to him (these are his own words), +to have such a fine occasion of reconciling himself with them.</p> + +<p>The suburb of <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Antoine</span>, that cradle of the revolution, was not +forgotten. The Emperor traversed it from one end to the other. He had +the doors of all the workshops opened to him, and examined them very +minutely. The numerous workmen of the manufactory of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Lenoir</span>, who +retained a grateful remembrance of what the Emperor had done for their +master and for themselves, loaded him with expressions of their +attachment. The commissary of police of the quarter had followed +Napoleon into this manufactory; and, willing to set the example, +opened his mouth to its utmost extent, to holla as loud as he could +bawl "Long live the Emperor!" but, by a terrible slip of the tongue, a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page417" name="page417"></a>(p. 417)</span> very distinct "Long live the King!" on the contrary issued +from it. This caused great confusion: but the Emperor, turning to him, +said in a rallying tone: "So, Mr. Commissary, you are determined then +not to get rid of your bad habits." This sally was the signal for a +general laugh: and the commissary, plucking up his spirits, convinced +Napoleon by many a vigorous "Long live the Emperor!" that we never +lose any thing by a little patience.</p> + +<p>The Emperor was accompanied only by three officers of his household. +It was impossible for them to defend him from the approaches and +caresses of the people: the women kissed his hands; the men squeezed +them, till they made him cry out; both expressed to him in a thousand +ways, which I cannot transcribe, the difference they made between him +and his predecessor. At all times he had been much beloved by the +class of workmen and artisans. He had enriched it: and interest is the +prime mover of regard among the people, as well as among the +great<a id="footnotetag100" name="footnotetag100"></a><a href="#footnote100" title="Go to footnote 100">[100]</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page418" name="page418"></a>(p. 418)</span> The Emperor received a great number of petitions during his +excursions. Unable to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page419" name="page419"></a>(p. 419)</span> read them all, he ordered me, to +examine them carefully, and give him an account of them. He loved to +repay the confidence that the people reposed in him; and frequently +granted to the request of an obscure and unknown citizen, what he +would perhaps have refused to the entreaties of a marshal or a +minister. The utility of these familiar communications between the +nation and the sovereign was not confined, in his eyes, to the +solitary interests of the petitioner. He considered them as +efficacious means of coming at the knowledge of abuses and acts of +injustice, and of keeping the depositaries of authority within the +limits of their <span class="pagenum"><a id="page420" name="page420"></a>(p. 420)</span> duty. He was fond of encouraging them, that +the phrase, If the Emperor knew it, or The Emperor shall know it, +might solace the heart of the oppressed, and make the oppressor +tremble.</p> + +<p>In former days he had appointed a special commission, to receive +petitions, and give them suitable effect. This benefit not appearing +to him sufficiently complete, he would have them subjected to a +preliminary examination, under his own eye. He decided himself the +method to be followed: and directed me, to make known to him every +day, without disguise, the complaints, wants, and wishes, of the +French people. I made it a point of duty, of honour, to execute this +task in a proper manner, and to become the zealous protector of those +who had none. Every morning I laid before the Emperor an analytical +report of the requests capable of demanding his attention: he examined +them with care, made marginal notes on them with his own hand, and +sent them to his ministers with a favourable decision, or an order to +verify them, and give him an account of the result.</p> + +<p>In fine, to fulfil, as much as in him lay, the public expectation, the +Emperor made numerous changes in the laws relating to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page421" name="page421"></a>(p. 421)</span> +consolidated taxes (<i><span lang="fr">droits réunis</span></i>), which, while they diminished the +impost, freed it from its abuses and tyrannical forms, and rendered it +less odious, and more supportable. These beneficial meliorations, +though incomplete, were received with gratitude; and the Emperor was +thanked for his endeavours to reconcile the interests of individuals +with the wants of the public treasury.</p> + +<p>But the satisfaction Napoleon derived from the happy effects of his +solicitude was frequently disturbed by the disquietude and perplexity, +which the cabals and manœuvres of the royalists occasioned him. +"The priests and the nobles," said he one day in a fit of ill-humour, +"are playing a deep game. If I were to let loose the people upon them, +they would all be devoured in the twinkling of an eye<a id="footnotetag101" name="footnotetag101"></a><a href="#footnote101" title="Go to footnote 101">[101]</a>."</p> + +<p>By a decree of the 25th of March, he had already ordered the ministers +of the King, and the civil and military officers of his household, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page422" name="page422"></a>(p. 422)</span> as well as of those of the princes, as also the chiefs of +the <span lang="fr">Chouans</span>, of the Vendeans, and of the royal volunteers, to remove +to a distance of thirty leagues from Paris. This prudent precaution +was but imperfectly executed. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Fouché</span>, to secure himself a refuge in +the King's party, had sent for the principal of the proscribed persons +to his house; expressed to them how much he felt interested for their +situation, and the efforts he had made, to prevent their banishment; +and finally authorised them pretty generally, to remain at Paris.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, not aware that their audacity was owing to the protection +of his minister, watched for an opportunity of intimidating them by an +act of severity. While things were in this state, a <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Lascours</span>, a +colonel, was arrested at Dunkirk, where he had introduced himself as +an emissary from the King. Napoleon, deceived by the similarity of the +name, supposed this officer to be the person, who pretended, in 1814, +to have received orders, to blow up the powder magazine at <span lang="fr">Grenelle</span>, +and refused to execute them. "I should be sorry," said he, "to +sacrifice by way of example a worthy man; but an impostor like this +deserves no pity. Write to the minister at war, to have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page423" name="page423"></a>(p. 423)</span> him +taken before a military commission, and tried as an instigator to +civil war, and to the overturning of the established government."</p> + +<p>The Emperor, turning towards me, added: "How is it, that the absurd +fable of this man has not been contradicted?"—"Sire," I answered, +"<span lang="fr">Gourgaud</span> has often assured me, that all your officers had publicly +avowed their sentiments on it; and that it had been the intention of +several generals, and particularly of general <span lang="fr">Tirlet</span>, to unmask this +odious lie to the King; but...." "Enough," said the Emperor, "I make +no account of intentions: send the order, and let me hear no more of +him."</p> + +<p>I lost sight of this business: but I have since learned, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de +Lascours</span> was acquitted.</p> + +<p>If <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Lascours</span> had been so unfortunate, as to fall a victim to his +zeal, the Emperor would have been accused of barbarity; yet he was +neither cruel nor sanguinary, for cruelty must not be confounded with +severity. I know but one single act, the result of the most fatal +counsels, for which, alas! he may be reproached by posterity<a id="footnotetag102" name="footnotetag102"></a><a href="#footnote102" title="Go to footnote 102">[102]</a>. +Who besides have been the victims <span class="pagenum"><a id="page424" name="page424"></a>(p. 424)</span> of his pretended ferocity? +Will the death of Georges, and his obscure accomplices, be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page425" name="page425"></a>(p. 425)</span> +considered as a judicial murder? Are the infernal machine and its +terrible ravages forgotten? <span class="pagenum"><a id="page426" name="page426"></a>(p. 426)</span> Georges, at the head of the +<span lang="fr">Chouans</span>, was a misled Frenchman, to be pitied, and to be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page427" name="page427"></a>(p. 427)</span> +spared. Georges, at the head of a band of assassins, was undeserving +of pity, and the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page428" name="page428"></a>(p. 428)</span> cause of morality, as well as of humanity, +demanded his punishment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page429" name="page429"></a>(p. 429)</span> Will it be said, that <span lang="fr">Pichegru</span> was strangled by his orders? +The designs of <span lang="fr">Pichegru</span> were so clearly substantiated, and the laws so +clear, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page430" name="page430"></a>(p. 430)</span> that he could not escape the scaffold: why, then, +should he cause him to be murdered? The greatest criminals themselves +do not commit useless crimes. Were apprehensions entertained of the +disclosures he might make?... What could he disclose to the French +people? That Napoleon aspired to the throne? Of this no one was +ignorant.</p> + +<p>A man, that Napoleon had reason to dread, was <span lang="fr">Moreau</span>: was his life +attempted? Yet it was less dangerous, to assassinate him, than to send +to a tribunal, where guilt presided, a warrior at that time so dear to +France and to the army.</p> + +<p>No, Napoleon was not cruel, he was not sanguinary. If he were +sometimes inexorable, it was because there are circumstances, in which +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page431" name="page431"></a>(p. 431)</span> the monarch must shut his heart to compassion, and leave the +law free to act: but, if he knew how to punish, he was also capable of +pardoning; and, at the moment when he gave up Georges<a id="footnotetag103" name="footnotetag103"></a><a href="#footnote103" title="Go to footnote 103">[103]</a> to the +sword of justice, he spared the lives of Messrs. <span lang="fr">de Polignac</span> and the +<span lang="fr">Marquis de Rivière</span>, whose courage and zeal he respected.</p> + +<p>The Emperor did not stop at the rigorous trial, to which he had +delivered over the person of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Lascours</span>: by a decree, dated the +18th of March, and published the 9th of April, he ordered the +condemnation, and the sequestration of the property of</p> + +<ul> +<li>The Prince of <span lang="it">Benevento</span>,</li> +<li>The Duke of <span lang="it">Ragusa</span>,</li> +<li>The Duke of <span lang="de">Alberg</span>,</li> +<li>The <span lang="fr">Abbé de Montesquiou</span>,</li> +<li>The Count <span lang="fr">de Jaucourt</span>,</li> +<li>The Count <span lang="fr">de Bournonville</span>, and</li> +<li>The Sieurs <span lang="fr">Lynch</span>,</li> +<li><span lang="fr" class="add4em">Vitrolles</span>,</li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="page432" name="page432"></a>(p. 432)</span> <span lang="fr" class="add4em">Alexis de Noailles</span>,</li> +<li><span lang="fr" class="add4em">Bourienne</span>,</li> +<li><span lang="fr" class="add4em">Bellard</span>,</li> +<li><span lang="fr" class="add4em">La Roche-Jaquelin</span>, and</li> +<li><span lang="fr" class="add4em">Sostène de la Rochefoucault</span><a id="footnotetag104" name="footnotetag104"></a><a href="#footnote104" title="Go to footnote 104">[104]</a>;</li> +</ul> + +<p>All of whom, as members of the provisional government, or agents of +the royal party, had concurred in the subversion of the imperial +government, previous to the abdication of Napoleon.</p> + +<p>This decree, though supposed to have originated at Lyons, first saw +the light at Paris; and was, as I have just said, the result of the +ill humour, into which the plots of the royalists had thrown Napoleon. +The terms, in which it was originally couched, too clearly attested +its source: the first article said; "are declared traitors to their +country, and shall be punished as such, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>"</p> + +<p>It was I, who wrote this decree, from the dictation of the Emperor. +When I had finished it, he ordered me, to go and get it signed by +Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>, who had countersigned the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page433" name="page433"></a>(p. 433)</span> decrees of Lyons. +I went to the marshal. He read the decree, and returned it to me, +saying: "I will never sign it: this is not what the Emperor promised +us; they who advise him, to take such measures, are his bitterest +enemies; I will speak to him about it." I related this firm and +courageous answer to Napoleon word for word. He ordered me, to return +to the grand Marshal, to endeavour to overcome his repugnance, and, if +he still persisted, to bring him to him. Count <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> instantly +followed me, with head erect, into the Emperor's closet. "I am +astonished," said Napoleon to him in a dry tone, "that you make such +difficulties about it to me. The severity I wish to display is +necessary for the good of the state."—"I do not think so, Sire."—"I +do, I tell you: and it is my business alone to judge of it. I did not +ask your advice, but your signature, which is only a matter of form, +and cannot in any way compromise you."—"Sire, a minister, who +countersigns the act of a sovereign, is morally responsible for that +act; and I should think myself wanting in my duty to your Majesty, and +perhaps to myself, if I were weak enough to set my hand to such +measures. If your Majesty choose to reign by the laws, you have no +right, arbitrarily to pronounce, by a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page434" name="page434"></a>(p. 434)</span> simple decree, +sentence of death, and forfeiture of property, against your subjects. +If you choose to act as a dictator, and to have no law but your own +will, you have no need of the addition of my signature. Your Majesty +has declared, by your proclamations, that you would grant a general +amnesty. I countersigned them most cordially; and I will not +countersign the decree, that revokes them."—"But you well know, I +always told you, that I never would pardon <span lang="fr">Marmont, Talleyrand</span>, and +<span lang="fr">Augereau</span>; and that I promised only to overlook, what had passed since +my abdication. I know better than you, what I ought to do, to keep my +promises, and ensure the tranquillity of the state. I begun with being +indulgent, even to weakness and the royalists, instead of appreciating +my moderation, have abused it: they bestir themselves, they conspire, +and I ought and will bring them to their senses. I would rather have +my blows fall on traitors, than on men who are misled. Besides, all +those who are on the list, <span lang="fr">Augereau</span> excepted, are out of France, or in +concealment. I shall not seek for them: my intention is to terrify +them more than harm them. You see, therefore," continued the Emperor, +softening his voice, "you have not rightly considered the business: +sign this for <span class="pagenum"><a id="page435" name="page435"></a>(p. 435)</span> me, my dear <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span>: you must."—"I cannot, +Sire. I request your Majesty's permission, to submit my observations +to you in writing."—"All that, my dear sir, will make us lose time: +you are startled, I assure you, without any reason; sign, I tell you; +I request you, you will do me pleasure."—"Permit me, Sire, to wait, +till your Majesty has seen my observations." The marshal went away. +This noble resistance did not offend the Emperor: the language of +truth and honour never displeased him, when it issued from a pure +heart.</p> + +<p>General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> delivered to Napoleon a statement of his reasons. It +did not alter his resolution; it only determined him, to give it a +legal form.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, persuaded that General <span lang="fr">Bertrand</span> would equally retain his +opinion, would not have this new decree presented to him, and it +appeared without being countersigned.</p> + +<p>The effect it produced justified the apprehensions of the grand +Marshal. It was considered as an act of despotism and vengeance; as +the first infraction of the promises made to the nation. The murmurs +of the public were echoed even within the walls of the imperial +palace. Labedoyère, at a moment when Napoleon was passing by, said +loud enough to be heard, "If <span class="pagenum"><a id="page436" name="page436"></a>(p. 436)</span> the system of proscriptions and +sequestrations begin again, all will soon be over."</p> + +<p>The Emperor, according to his custom on such occasions, affected to be +perfectly satisfied with himself, and appeared no way apprehensive of +the storm. Being at table with several personages and ladies of +distinction belonging to the court, he asked the Countess <span lang="fr">Duchâtel</span>, if +her husband, who was director-general of the domains, had executed the +order for sequestrating the estates of <span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span> and company. "There +is no hurry for that," answered she drily. He made no reply, and +changed the conversation.</p> + +<p>The persons about him are incessantly reproached, with having basely +crouched to his will and opinions: this anecdote, and many others that +I might relate, prove, that all of them at least did not deserve this +reproach. But, supposing it to be just with regard to some, is it as +easy, as is commonly thought, to overcome the will of a sovereign?</p> + +<p>From pride, and perhaps from a conviction of superiority, Napoleon did +not readily endure counsel.</p> + +<p>In affairs of state, he imposed upon himself the law of consulting his +counsellors, and his ministers. Endowed by nature with the faculty +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page437" name="page437"></a>(p. 437)</span> of knowing every thing, or of divining every thing, he almost +always took an active part in the discussion: and I must say, to the +honour of the Emperor, his ministers, and his counsellors, in common, +an inexpressible degree of confidence, frankness, and independence, +prevailed in these discussions, highly animated as for the most part +they were. The Emperor, far from being shocked when any one +contradicted him, endured, nay provoked contradiction and adopted +without resistance the advice of his opponents, when he thought it +preferable to his own opinion.</p> + +<p>When the question concerned those grand decisions, that influence the +fate of empires, the case was different. He listened for a certain +time to the objections of his ministers: but, when his attention had +reached its bounds, he interrupted them, and supported his own opinion +with so much fire, force, and perseverance, that he reduced them to +silence.</p> + +<p>This silence was less the effect of their passive obedience to the +intentions of the monarch, than the result of the lessons taught by +experience. They had seen, that the most rash, the most +incomprehensible, I had almost said the most senseless, enterprises of +Napoleon were invariably crowned with success; and they <span class="pagenum"><a id="page438" name="page438"></a>(p. 438)</span> were +convinced, that reason could not contend against the inspirations of +genius, and the favours of fortune.</p> + +<p>In fine, Napoleon often consulted only his own will; and his ministers +then knew nothing of his resolves, till they received orders, to carry +them into execution.</p> + +<p>Such was, and such always will be the situation of ministers, in a +monarchy, where the Prince governs for himself; and more especially +when this Prince, like Napoleon, owes his throne merely to the +ascendancy of his genius and his sword.</p> + +<p>Besides, the time of flatterers and flattery was past with Napoleon. +Every one was interested in telling him the truth, and no one was +sparing of it to him.</p> + +<p>The security inspired by this rare and valuable veracity was +strengthened by the arrival of Prince Joseph and Prince Lucien. The +moderation of the one, and the patriotism of the other, were well +known; and the care of maintaining the liberal and pacific intentions +of the Emperor was laid on them both.</p> + +<p>Prince Lucien had been deeply afflicted in 1814 at the misfortunes of +his brother, and was eager to offer him his fortune and his services. +This, generous offer did not entirely efface from <span class="pagenum"><a id="page439" name="page439"></a>(p. 439)</span> the heart +of Napoleon the remembrance, of their ancient differences, but it +softened the asperity of them; and it might be foreseen, that their +enmity would not be eternal.</p> + +<p>As soon as Prince Lucien heard of the entry of Napoleon into Paris, he +wrote him a letter of congratulation. "Your return," said he, "fills +up the measure of your military glory. But there is another glory +still greater, and above all more desirable, civil glory. The +sentiments and intentions, which you have solemnly promulgated, +promise France, that you know how to acquire it," <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>Prince Lucien, however, notwithstanding his desire of revisiting that +country, the cause of which he pleaded, did not venture to approach +it. But the invasion of the King of Naples having rendered his +services necessary to the Sovereign Pontiff, the gratitude he owed to +the Holy Father triumphed over his apprehensions. He departed under +the title of secretary to the Pope's nuncio, and crossed the Alps +without any obstacle. Arrived in the French territory, he wrote to +Napoleon, to inform him of his mission, and to ask if his coming to +Paris would be agreeable to him. Napoleon's first feeling was that of +hesitating to receive him: his second, that of opening to him his +arms. The <span class="pagenum"><a id="page440" name="page440"></a>(p. 440)</span> intention of the Prince was to return quickly to +Home, whither he was called by the concerns entrusted to him: but the +interruption of the communications did not allow this. Obliged to +return to Paris, he laid aside his incognito. His return was then +publicly announced, and made an advantageous and agreeable impression +on every mind.</p> + +<p>A few days before, the Emperor had made the acquisition of another +personage; less illustrious, it is true, but equally renowned for his +patriotism and intelligence: I mean <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Benjamin Constant</span>.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, knowing the experience and reputation of this learned +civilian, sent for him, to converse with him "on liberty and the +constitution." Their conversation continued more than two hours. The +Emperor, willing to attach <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Constant</span> to his party, employed all his +means of seduction; and I leave it to those Frenchmen, and those +foreigners, who have had access to him, to say, whether it were +possible to resist him.</p> + +<p>When he wished to fix any one in his train, he studied and penetrated +with extreme sagacity his way of thinking, his principles, his +character, his ruling passions; and then with that familiar grace, +that affability, that force <span class="pagenum"><a id="page441" name="page441"></a>(p. 441)</span> and vivacity of expression, +which gave so much value and such a charm to his conversations<a id="footnotetag105" name="footnotetag105"></a><a href="#footnote105" title="Go to footnote 105">[105]</a>, +he insinuated himself imperceptibly into your heart, made himself +master of your passions, gently excited them, and artfully flattered +them: then, displaying at once the magic resources of his genius, he +plunged you into intoxication, into admiration, and subdued you so +rapidly, so completely, that it seemed the effect of enchantment.</p> + +<p>Thus <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Benjamin Constant</span> was subjugated: he arrived at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span> +with repugnance, he quitted the palace an enthusiast.</p> + +<p>The next day he was named counsellor of state: and this favour he owed +to no base submissions, as his enemies have pretended, but to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page442" name="page442"></a>(p. 442)</span> his learning, and to the desire the Emperor had of giving to +public opinion, and to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> B. <span lang="fr">Constant</span> himself, a pledge of his having +forgotten the past; a pledge so much the more meritorious, as the +Emperor, independently of the Philippic launched against him by this +writer on the 19th of March, had besides before his eyes a letter in +his own hand to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span>, the subject and expressions of which +were of a nature, to inspire Napoleon with something more than +aversion for its author.</p> + +<p><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span> had left in his boxes a great number of papers. The +Emperor directed the Duke of Otranto to examine them. Of this he +immediately repented, and sent for them again. Part fell to our share: +the rest were delivered to the Duke of Vicenza. Their examination +afforded nothing interesting. The Emperor, disappointed, accused <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">Fouché</span> of having removed the important papers. Those we inspected +consisted only of private reports, and confidential and anonymous +notes. The hatred of the revolution pervaded every line, every word. +The writers did not dare to propose plainly the revocation of the +Charter, and the abolition of the new institutions; but they declared +without any circumlocution, that the dynasty of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> would +never be secure <span class="pagenum"><a id="page443" name="page443"></a>(p. 443)</span> with the existing laws; and that it was +necessary, to distrust and get rid of the men of the revolution. More +effectually to know and persecute these, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span> had caused to be +disinterred from the archives of the cabinet, and of the ministers, +the documents that might serve to make known their conduct ever since +1789, and he had directed biographical notices of each to be composed, +which might easily have been taken for indictments drawn up by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">Bellart</span><a id="footnotetag106" name="footnotetag106"></a><a href="#footnote106" title="Go to footnote 106">[106]</a>.</p> + +<p>We found also a number of minutes of laws and ordinances, written by +the hand of this minister, and attesting by their laborious +corrections, how destitute he was of readiness and of imagination. +Frequently he made three or four foul copies, before he could give any +consistency or connection to his ideas. His familiar style was dry and +turgid: if the style exhibit the man, how I pity <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas</span>! He took +extreme pains to vary, himself, the form of his appointments +(<i><span lang="fr">rendez-vous</span></i>): and the trouble he gave himself, to say the same +thing in several different ways, wonderfully reminded us of the +<span lang="fr">billet-doux</span> of the <span lang="fr">Bourgeois Gentilhomme</span>: <span class="pagenum"><a id="page444" name="page444"></a>(p. 444)</span> "<i><span lang="fr">Belle Marquise, +vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour; d'amour mourir me font, belle +Marquise, vos beaux yeux</span></i><a id="footnotetag107" name="footnotetag107"></a><a href="#footnote107" title="Go to footnote 107">[107]</a>."</p> + +<p>In fine, we collected from the cabinet of this minister an ample +collection of royal denunciations, petitions, justifications, and +confessions, of those men, who, like Lockard, are always "the most +humble servants of circumstances."</p> + +<p>These humble servants, when the Emperor returned from the island of +Elba, did not fail to prostrate themselves before him anew. They +assured him, after the example of a certain Marquis well known, that +they had denied, insulted, calumniated him, only that they might +remain faithful to him, without being suspected by the royal +government: they conjured him, to grant them the happiness and glory +of serving him; but he disdained their supplications, as he had +disdained their insults: they gained nothing but his contempt. Always +as devoid of shame as of faith, they were eager, immediately after the +fall of Napoleon, to turn round anew, and carry back to the King their +faded homage. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page445" name="page445"></a>(p. 445)</span> Some, as <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> the Count de M***, whose hands are +still reeking with the blood of his assistants (<span lang="fr"><i>administrés</i></span>), +contrived, with the help of their lying fidelity, to surprise his easy +confidence. Others, as <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> F***, became in their writings the virulent +persecutors of men, whose lot they had envied, and whose support they +had begged. All arrogated to themselves exclusively the title of pure +royalists: the title of honest men.... I know them ... the mask, with +which they cover themselves, the honours, the dignities, with which +they are invested, cannot disguise them to my eyes.... Shall I name +them? And the Emperor is accused of despising mankind! ah, where is +the sovereign, that can esteem them?</p> + + +<h2>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</h2> + + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> +<strong>Footnote 1:</strong> The misfortunes of that eventful day, and of the +remainder of the campaign, were caused by the treachery of the Saxons +and the defection of the Princes of the Confederation of the +Rhine.<a href="#footnotetag1">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> +<strong>Footnote 2:</strong> Napoleon, according to the common report, was frequently +heard to repeat, after his abdication, "I have been ruined by liberal +ideas." I do not think that he ever expressed himself in this manner. +I do not intend to doubt the irresistible force which liberal ideas +have now acquired; but I do not think, that they contributed to effect +the first downfal of the imperial throne. Nobody thought about liberal +ideas at that period. France had been trained to the government of +Napoleon, and his despotism gave rise to no complaints. She was not +free in the manner according to which the nation now wishes to enjoy +liberty. But the liberty which France then possessed was enough for +the French. Napoleon would often exercise unlimited authority, but the +country had only one master, and <i>he</i> was the master of all. If it is +true that the French abandoned Napoleon in 1814, it was not because we +were tired of Napoleon or discontented with his government, but +because the nation was exhausted, discouraged, and demoralized by an +uninterrupted succession of calamitous wars. The people would still +have been delighted to obey him, but they had neither strength nor +soul.</p> + +<p class="ft">The real causes of the downfal of Napoleon are to be found in his +hatred towards England, and in the continental system, which resulted +from that hatred. This gigantic system, which oppressed all Europe, +could not fail to raise the entire continent against Napoleon and +France, and thus to bring on the ruin of both. "Rome," as it is said +by <span lang="fr">Montesquieu</span>, "extended her empire because her wars only followed in +succession. Each nation, such was her inconceivable good fortune, +waited till another had been conquered, before beginning the attack." +Rome fell as soon as all the nations assailed and penetrated on every +side.<a href="#footnotetag2">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> +<strong>Footnote 3:</strong> He arrived at Paris before his august brother, and by +these pleasing expressions he replied to the addresses of +congratulation presented to him by the municipality of +Paris.<a href="#footnotetag3">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> +<strong>Footnote 4:</strong> Extracted from the <span lang="fr">Journal des Débats</span>. The principal +proprietor and editor of this paper was <span lang="fr">Monsieur Laborie</span>, one of +<span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span>'s creatures, and private secretary to the provisional +government.<a href="#footnotetag4">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> +<strong>Footnote 5:</strong> This expression was one of those of which the ministers +made the worst use. If they were told that any magistrate, any +officer, any functionary, whom they had turned out, had fulfilled his +duties with honour and distinction, that he was loved and regretted by +the people, they answered, "he is a dangerous character," and there +was an end of the business.<a href="#footnotetag5">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a> +<strong>Footnote 6:</strong> When Dupont capitulated to the Spaniards, the insurgents +refused to acknowledge the Emperor. Dupont therefore only took the +title of general in the French service.<a href="#footnotetag6">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a> +<strong>Footnote 7:</strong> I speak only of acting and thinking beings. In all +countries there is to be found a class of cyphers, who are so +careless, stupid, or selfish, that they belong to no party, and indeed +to no nation.<a href="#footnotetag7">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a> +<strong>Footnote 8:</strong> The accusation that a spirit of mutiny prevailed amongst +them cannot be refuted more effectually than by quoting the +expressions used by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Montesquiou</span> on the 14th of March. "In the +last two months," said he, "not <i>one</i> of the soldiers or officers +belonging to the corps of the old guard composing the garrison of +<span lang="fr">Metz</span>, has been <i>once</i> +reprimanded."<a href="#footnotetag8">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a> +<strong>Footnote 9:</strong> The <span lang="fr">Chouans</span> never allowed the opportunity of committing +murder to escape them. They carried their muskets as they walked by +the side of the plough, and the furrows which they trod were +frequently sprinkled with blood. The priests who had taken the oaths, +and the purchasers of national domains, were particularly the objects +of the refinements of their cruelty. They seldom entered a town +without plundering the inhabitants, and without slaughtering those who +had been pointed out to their vengeance.—<i><span lang="fr">Lacretelle, Précis de la +Revolution</span>.</i><a href="#footnotetag9">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote10" name="footnote10"></a> +<strong>Footnote 10:</strong> <abbr title="Messieurs">M.M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">David</span> and <span lang="fr">Falconnet</span>. In order to appease the public +indignation, a summons was issued against these writers, it being +stated in the process that they had endeavoured to excite civil war. +There was no difficulty in guessing that this proceeding was a farce, +and that by overcharging the crime it was the intention of the +government to favour the acquittal of the accused; and accordingly +they were acquitted.<a href="#footnotetag10">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote11" name="footnote11"></a> +<strong>Footnote 11:</strong> Before the revolution it was customary for "<i><span lang="fr">les grands +seigneurs</span></i>" to obtain what were called "<i><span lang="fr">lettres de surséance</span></i>," by +means of which they avoided the payment of their debts, and defeated +their creditors.<a href="#footnotetag11">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote12" name="footnote12"></a> +<strong>Footnote 12:</strong> This proposal was not carried into +execution.<a href="#footnotetag12">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote13" name="footnote13"></a> +<strong>Footnote 13:</strong> There are times when a government may attack general +principles without danger. But men and their personal interests can +never be assailed with impunity. Personal interest is the prime mover +of public opinion and feeling; and however degrading the truth may +appear, it is not to be disputed. After a great national catastrophe +this baleful egotism is particularly evident. Dignified passions +become extinct for want of fuel; and the human mind, destitute of +external occupation, works inward upon itself, and begets selfishness, +the true pestilence of the soul. When this disease affects a nation, +the government is lost if it attacks the interests of +individuals.<a href="#footnotetag13">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote14" name="footnote14"></a> +<strong>Footnote 14:</strong> By means of ordonnances the ministers legislated +according to their pleasure in matters which ought only to have been +regulated by the law, so that the greater part of the bills presented +to the chambers "had been already enacted and executed in the shape of +ordonnances; and the legislature had no other function except that of +giving a legal sanction to the arbitrary decrees of the +ministers."—<i><span lang="fr">Censeur</span>.</i><a href="#footnotetag14">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote15" name="footnote15"></a> +<strong>Footnote 15:</strong> Even in Paris several persons were ill treated and +bayoneted, because they refused to pull off their hats and kneel, +whilst the processions were passing +by.<a href="#footnotetag15">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote16" name="footnote16"></a> +<strong>Footnote 16:</strong> Under the reign of Napoleon, if a priest had ventured to +utter any opinion contrary to the system of government, he would have +been immediately removed.<a href="#footnotetag16">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote17" name="footnote17"></a> +<strong>Footnote 17:</strong> I cannot express their thoughts more forcibly than by +copying the passage, which I have quoted in my text, from the View of +the Revolution by <span lang="fr">Lacretelle</span>.<a href="#footnotetag17">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote18" name="footnote18"></a> +<strong>Footnote 18:</strong> From his early youth, it may be even said from his days +of boyhood, Napoleon felt an inward presentiment that he was not +destined to live in mediocrity. This persuasion soon taught him to +treat others with disdain, and to entertain the highest opinion of +himself. Scarcely had he obtained a subaltern command in the +artillery, when he considered himself as the superior of his equals, +and the equal of his superiors. In his 20th year he was placed at the +head of the army of Italy. Without appearing to be in the slightest +degree surprised by his elevation, he passed from a secondary station +to the chief command. He immediately treated the old generals of the +army—they who were so proud of the laurels—with an air of dignity +and authority, which placed them in a situation which was probably new +to them. But they did not feel humiliated, and their inferiority +seemed to result as a matter of course, for the ascendancy exercised +by Napoleon was irresistible; and he was thoroughly endued; with that +instinct of authority, that talent of ensuring obedience, with those +faculties which are usually confined to those who are kings by birth. +Napoleon could probably have attained to supreme authority in any +country in the world. Nature had formed him for command, and she never +creates such men for the purpose of leaving them in obscurity. It +seems, according to the remark of a writer whose name I have +forgotten, that she is proud of her own work, and that she wishes to +offer it to admiration, by placing it at the head of human +society.<a href="#footnotetag18">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote19" name="footnote19"></a> +<strong>Footnote 19:</strong> The continental system induced Napoleon to exercise a +real tyranny over Europe. We do not pretend to deny the fact; but we +only wish to add, that this exterior despotism always induced a belief +amongst foreigners, that Napoleon, who tyrannized so violently over +nations which did not belong to him, must necessarily be the tyrant of +his own subjects.<a href="#footnotetag19">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote20" name="footnote20"></a> +<strong>Footnote 20:</strong> The Emperor thus addressed the Spanish Cortes; when +assembled at <span lang="fr">Bayonne</span>.<a href="#footnotetag20">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote21" name="footnote21"></a> +<strong>Footnote 21:</strong> Napoleon was accused of having aspired to universal +monarchy. In all ages, this desire has been imputed to powerful and +ambitious sovereigns. Let us confess that no monarch was ever better +justified in yielding to the seductions of this brilliant phantom than +Napoleon. From the summit of his throne he held the reins which guided +the greater part of Europe, whose docile monarchs instantly obeyed any +direction which he chose to give them. At the first word, at the +slightest signal, their subjects were arrayed beneath the imperial +eagle. Their continual intercourse with us, the obligation of obeying +Napoleon, an obligation imposed upon them by their own princes, had +accustomed them to consider the Emperor as their chieftain. But +whatever ambition may have been attributed to Napoleon, his good sense +restrained him from aspiring to universal monarchy. He had another +plan; he intended to re-establish the eastern and western empires. It +would now be useless to reveal the lofty and powerful considerations +by which this grand and noble idea was suggested to Napoleon. Then, +France might have been allowed to grasp again the sceptre of +Charlemagne: but now, we must forget that we have been the masters of +the world.<a href="#footnotetag21">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote22" name="footnote22"></a> +<strong>Footnote 22:</strong> Neither the nature nor the extent of these aids has been +well understood out of France. Napoleon revived our industry by the +loans, which he never hesitated to grant to any enterprising +manufacturer who needed capital; and this assistance was always +liberal and well-timed.<a href="#footnotetag22">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote23" name="footnote23"></a> +<strong>Footnote 23:</strong> Louis <abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr>, who has been so much praised for his +liberality, only distributed 52,300 francs per annum to the literati +and artists of France, and 14,000 francs to +foreigners.<a href="#footnotetag23">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote24" name="footnote24"></a> +<strong>Footnote 24:</strong> The soldiers identified the name of Napoleon with their +country and their honour. When the accession of Louis <abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr> put an +end to the sufferings and captivity of those who were imprisoned in +England, they returned to France, cursing the cause of their liberty, +and exclaiming, "<span lang="fr">Vive l'Empereur</span>!" Even in the deserts of Russia, +neither threats of ill treatment, nor promises of assistance offered +to the French prisoners at the moment when they were starving, could +extort a single complaint against +Napoleon.<a href="#footnotetag24">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote25" name="footnote25"></a> +<strong>Footnote 25:</strong> Marshal <span lang="fr">Soult</span> had just +succeeded General <span lang="fr">Dupont</span>.<a href="#footnotetag25">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote26" name="footnote26"></a> +<strong>Footnote 26:</strong> <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Comte</span>, one of the acute and courageous editors of the +Censor, was chosen by the general as his "counsel." General <span lang="fr">Fressinet</span> +was his advocate. (According to the forms of the French courts of +judicature, the counsel assists by his advice, the advocate pleads.) +This officer, equally distinguished by his firmness, his talents, and +his bravery, was afterwards punished and exiled on account of the +generous assistance which he gave on this important occasion to +General Excelmans, his fellow soldier and friend.<a href="#footnotetag26">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote27" name="footnote27"></a> +<strong>Footnote 27:</strong> It has been alleged, but without foundation, that he +retained his taste for military exercises. Not one review took place +during his residence at <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span>; arms seemed to have no +attractions for him.<a href="#footnotetag27">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote28" name="footnote28"></a> +<strong>Footnote 28:</strong> It is well known that there was not a single individual +of note in the service, either of his allies or of his enemies, whose +strong and weak points were not perfectly understood by +Napoleon.<a href="#footnotetag28">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote29" name="footnote29"></a> +<strong>Footnote 29:</strong> This officer is the person who is named in the +declaration made on the 15th of March to the prince of <span lang="de">Essling</span>, then +governor of the 8th military division, by <span lang="fr">Monsieur</span> P*****, who landed +with Napoleon from the Isle of Elba, and was arrested at <span lang="fr">Toulon</span> by +order of the prefect of the department of the +<span lang="fr">Var</span>.<a href="#footnotetag29">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote30" name="footnote30"></a> +<strong>Footnote 30:</strong> At <span lang="fr">Malmaison</span> the Emperor asked me what had become of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +Z***. I answered that he had been killed on Mount <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean</span>: "Well," +answered the Emperor, "he is happy. But pray did he tell you that he +had been at Elba?"—"Yes, Sire; he even entrusted me with the +narrative of his voyage, and of the conversations which he had with +your Majesty."—"You must give me this narrative: I will take it with +me: it will help me in the composition of my memoirs."—"Sire, it is +no longer in my possession."—"What have you done with it? you must +get it back, and let me have it to-morrow."—"I have deposited it with +a friend, who happens to be absent from Paris."—"So the narrative +will be handed about at the mercy of the world."—"No, Sire. It is +inclosed in an envelope, and deposited in a box of which I keep the +key; but if I should not be able to deliver it to your Majesty, before +your Majesty's departure, it will yet come to your knowledge, for I +intend to publish it according to the last wishes of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Z***, unless +your Majesty forbids me."—"No; I allow you to print it, only leave +out whatever may tend to compromise those who have displayed their +attachment towards me. If Z*** has made a faithful report of all that +passed, the people will know that I sacrificed myself for their good; +and that it was not the love of power which brought me again into +France, but that I yielded to the desire of restoring to the French +those gifts which are dearest to great nations—independence and +glory. Take care lest they should get hold of your manuscript—they +will falsify it. Send it to England to *****; he will print it; he is +devoted to me, and he may be very useful to you. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> *** will give you +a letter for him: do you understand me?"—"Yes, Sire."—"But do your +utmost to recover your manuscript before my departure. I see that you +are anxious to keep it, and I will leave it with you. I only wish to +read it." The Emperor read the manuscript, and he returned it to me, +saying, "Z*** has told the truth, and nothing but the truth; keep his +manuscript for future generations."<a href="#footnotetag30">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote31" name="footnote31"></a> +<strong>Footnote 31:</strong> <span lang="fr">On cherche à plaire même à des matelots quand on a +besoin d'eux.</span><a href="#footnotetag31">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote32" name="footnote32"></a> +<strong>Footnote 32:</strong> As only six were noted in the "<i><span lang="fr">feuille de bord</span></i>" they +took an extra sailor, in order that there might be six on board after +my landing, otherwise, on landing, they would have been obliged to +account for the sailor whom I represented.<a href="#footnotetag32">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote33" name="footnote33"></a> +<strong>Footnote 33:</strong> The time required for sailing from one port to another +is pretty well ascertained; if this period is exceeded, and no +sufficient reason can be assigned for the delay, it is assumed that +the vessel may have touched at some infected port; and, by excess of +caution, they compel you to undergo the lesser quarantine. The lesser +quarantine is also ordered as a punishment when the master of a vessel +does not behave with due respect and submission to the health +officers.<a href="#footnotetag33">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote34" name="footnote34"></a> +<strong>Footnote 34:</strong> I had believed, according to the statements in the +ministerial journals, that the sea was covered by French and English +ships, by which all vessels and passengers, proceeding to the island, +were intercepted. I did not meet with a single ship of this +description. The ports were placed under a "<span lang="fr">surveillance</span>," equally +brutal and tyrannical, but the sea was free. All vessels went in and +out of <span lang="it">Porto Ferrajo</span> without experiencing the slightest +obstacle.<a href="#footnotetag34">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote35" name="footnote35"></a> +<strong>Footnote 35:</strong> The corvette commanded by Captain +Campbell.<a href="#footnotetag35">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote36" name="footnote36"></a> +<strong>Footnote 36:</strong> Napoleon usually liked to intimidate and disconcert +those who approached him. Sometimes he feigned that he could not hear +you, and then he would make you repeat in a very loud tone what he had +heard perfectly well before. However, he was really deaf in a slight +degree. At other times he would overwhelm you with such rapid and +abrupt interrogatories, that you had not time to understand him, and +were compelled to give your answers in confusion. He used then to +laugh at your embarrassment; and when he had driven you out of your +presence of mind and confidence, he amused himself at your +expense.—<i>Note of the author of the +work.</i><a href="#footnotetag36">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote37" name="footnote37"></a> +<strong>Footnote 37:</strong> <span lang="fr">"Ma gloire est faite à moi. <i>Mon nom vivra autant que +celui de Dieu!!!</i>"</span><a href="#footnotetag37">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote38" name="footnote38"></a> +<strong>Footnote 38:</strong> I obtained this information in the course of my +voyage.<a href="#footnotetag38">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote39" name="footnote39"></a> +<strong>Footnote 39:</strong> This narrative evidently shows, that the revolution of +the 20th of March was not the effect of a conspiracy, but, strange to +say, the work of two men, and a few words.</p> + +<p class="ft">The share that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Z*** had in the return of Napoleon will, perhaps, +call down upon his head the censures of those who judge events only +from their results. Will this opinion be well founded? Are men +responsible for the caprice of fate? Is it not to fortune, rather than +to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Z***, that we must impute the disastrous end of this revolution, +begun under such happy auspices?</p> + +<p class="ft">More fortunate than Napoleon, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Z*** was killed on Mount <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Jean</span>, +the moment when our troops penetrated thither amidst the plaudits of +the army. He was permitted to draw his last breath on the standards, +which the conquerors of <span lang="fr">Ligny</span> had just snatched from the English; and, +far from foreseeing that his visit to the island of Elba would at some +future day be a reproach to his memory, he died with the persuasion, +that victory had irrevocably fixed his destiny, and that his name, +cherished by the French, cherished by the hero whom he had restored to +them, would be for ever hallowed by the gratitude of France, become +once more the great nation.</p> + +<p class="ft">I shall not prematurely rob his manes of this consoling illusion; I +shall not inform them, that ... no! it will be time enough hereafter +to disturb their repose, and I shall await the attack before I begin +the defence.<a href="#footnotetag39">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote40" name="footnote40"></a> +<strong>Footnote 40:</strong> The flotilla of Napoleon consisted of the brig +<span lang="fr">Inconstant</span>, carrying twenty-six guns and four hundred grenadiers, and +six other light vessels, on board which were two hundred foot, two +hundred Corsican <span lang="fr">chasseurs</span>, and about a hundred Polish light horse. +The feluccas and the brigs had been so fitted up, as to show no signs +of the troops, and to have the appearance of mere +merchantmen.<a href="#footnotetag40">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote41" name="footnote41"></a> +<strong>Footnote 41:</strong> People are pretty generally of opinion, that the escape +of the Emperor from the Island of Elba was favoured by Captain +Campbell. I do not think so: but every thing leads to the belief, that +this officer had received orders from his government, not to prevent +such a step.—(<i>Note by the author of the +Memoirs.</i>)<a href="#footnotetag41">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote42" name="footnote42"></a> +<strong>Footnote 42:</strong> The passages between two sets of inverted commas are +copied from the official account published on the 22d of March. This +account was drawn up by Napoleon, and I thought I could not do better +than borrow his words.<a href="#footnotetag42">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote43" name="footnote43"></a> +<strong>Footnote 43:</strong> They had fled precipitately as far as +Basil.<a href="#footnotetag43">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote44" name="footnote44"></a> +<strong>Footnote 44:</strong> The cockade adopted by Napoleon, as sovereign of the +island of Elba, was white and amaranth powdered with +bees.<a href="#footnotetag44">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote45" name="footnote45"></a> +<strong>Footnote 45:</strong> The passages marked with two sets of inverted commas +continue to be extracts from the official +account.<a href="#footnotetag45">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote46" name="footnote46"></a> +<strong>Footnote 46:</strong> The public papers, since the second restoration, have +not failed to assert, that the troops of the Emperor disgracefully +pillaged the <i><span lang="fr">communes</span></i> through which they passed. This imputation, +like many others, is a cowardly slander. The Emperor had recommended +to his grenadiers, and it is well known that they never disobeyed him, +to exact nothing from the inhabitants; and in order to prevent the +least irregularity, he took care himself to arrange the means of +ascertaining every thing that was furnished, and paying for it. He had +given this in charge to an inspector in chief of reviews, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Boinot</span>, +and a commissary at war, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Ch. <span lang="fr">Vauthier</span>, for whose zeal and integrity +he had the highest esteem. Whatever was furnished was paid for on +delivery by the treasurer, <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Peyruse</span>, on an account authenticated by +<abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Vauthier</span>, and at the prices fixed by the +mayors themselves.<a href="#footnotetag46">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote47" name="footnote47"></a> +<strong>Footnote 47:</strong> This mode of proceeding, worthy of the barbarous ages, +was a new infraction of the law of nations, and of the constitutional +laws of France, on the part of the ministry. No article of the charter +conferred on the monarch the right of life and death over his +subjects; and consequently he had no authority to proscribe those who +accompanied and assisted Napoleon. If they were considered as robbers, +it was the office of the tribunals to judge and to punish them.</p> + +<p class="ft">Neither was he authorized, to order Napoleon to be murdered. He had +preserved the title of Emperor, legally enjoyed the prerogative of +sovereignty, and might make war or peace as he pleased.</p> + +<p class="ft">The title of Emperor of the French, which he arrogated to himself, +could not be a title to proscription. George <abbr title="3">III.</abbr>, previous to the +treaty of <span lang="fr">Amiens</span>, styled himself King of France and Navarre. Had he +made a descent in arms on our territory, would any one have had a +right, to proclaim him out of the pale of the law, and order the +French people to murder him?<a href="#footnotetag47">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote48" name="footnote48"></a> +<strong>Footnote 48:</strong> These four generals had agreed, to repair together to +Paris. The troops of Count <span lang="fr">d'Erlon</span>, quartered at <span lang="fr">Lisle</span>, deceived by +supposititious orders, were on their march, when they were met by the +Duke <span lang="fr">de Trévise</span>, who was going to take the command of his government. +He interrogated them, perceived the plot, and ordered them back.</p> + +<p class="ft">Count <span lang="fr">Lefevre Desnouettes</span>, ignorant of this unlucky circumstance, put +in motion his regiment, which was in garrison at <span lang="fr">Cambrai</span>. When he +reached <span lang="fr">Compiègne</span>, he did not find the troops he expected, and showed +some hesitation. The officers of his corps, and particularly Major +<span lang="fr">Lyon</span>, questioned him, and finally abandoned him.</p> + +<p class="ft">On the other hand, the brothers <span lang="fr">Lallemand</span>, one of whom was general of +artillery, had marched to <span lang="fr">Fère</span> with a few squadrons, intending to +seize the park of artillery. The resistance they met from General +<span lang="fr">d'Aboville</span> disconcerted them, and, after they had attempted in vain to +seduce the garrison, they fled, but were shortly after arrested.</p> + +<p class="ft">It was supposed, that this rising in arms had been concerted with +Napoleon; but I know from good authority, that it was solely the +result of an evening spent at General ***'s. A few bowls of punch had +heated their brains; they complained of their situation; they were +indignant, that a handful of cowardly emigrants should prescribe laws +to them; they were persuaded it would be easy to displace them; and, +proceeding from one step to another, they concluded by agreeing to +march to Paris, and compel the King to change his ministry, and banish +from France all those whom the public voice denounced as enemies to +the charter, and disturbers of the public tranquillity and happiness. +Such was their true and only object.<a href="#footnotetag48">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote49" name="footnote49"></a> +<strong>Footnote 49:</strong> The chancellor, no doubt, had forgotten the +proscription, that delivered over to death all those Frenchmen who +joined or assisted Bonaparte.<a href="#footnotetag49">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote50" name="footnote50"></a> +<strong>Footnote 50:</strong> It is asserted, that on this occasion a conference took +place, at which <span lang="fr"><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Lainé, <abbr title="Messieurs">MM.</abbr> de Broglie, la Fayette, d'Argenson, +Flaugergue, Benjamin Constant</span>, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr> were present, where it was decided, +that the King should be required in the name of the public safety:</p> + +<p class="ft">1. To dismiss <abbr title="Messieurs">MM.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Blacas, Montesquiou, +Dambray</span>, and <span lang="fr">Ferrand</span>:</p> + +<p class="ft">2. To call to the Chamber of Peers forty new members, chosen +exclusively from men of the revolution:</p> + +<p class="ft">3. To confer on <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de la Fayette</span>, the command of the national guard: +and</p> + +<p class="ft">4. To despatch patriotic commissioners, to stimulate the attachment, +the zeal, and the fidelity of the troops.<a href="#footnotetag50">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote51" name="footnote51"></a> +<strong>Footnote 51:</strong> The double sets of inverted commas are still used to +distinguish passages extracted from the official +account.<a href="#footnotetag51">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote52" name="footnote52"></a> +<strong>Footnote 52:</strong> He had travelled from <span lang="fr">Cannes</span> to <span lang="fr">Grenoble</span> partly on +horseback, but chiefly on foot.<a href="#footnotetag52">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote53" name="footnote53"></a> +<strong>Footnote 53:</strong> It was a great oversight, to send the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span> to +face Napoleon. It was easy to foresee, that, if this prince should +fail in a city of a hundred thousand inhabitants against eight hundred +men, the business would be decided.<a href="#footnotetag53">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote54" name="footnote54"></a> +<strong>Footnote 54:</strong> Marshal Macdonald was not so happy. Two hussars, one of +whom was drunk, pursued him, and would have arrested him, if he had +not been extricated by his +<span lang="fr">aide-de-camp</span>.<a href="#footnotetag54">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote55" name="footnote55"></a> +<strong>Footnote 55:</strong> Those who have been about Napoleon's person know, that +he recommended to his secretaries, and the officers of his household, +to take notes of what he said and did on his journeys. A number of +notes of this nature must have been found at the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>, most of +which contained particulars that were highly interesting. I preserved +mine, and from them I have composed, in great measure, the present +work.<a href="#footnotetag55">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote56" name="footnote56"></a> +<strong>Footnote 56:</strong> The +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>.<a href="#footnotetag56">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote57" name="footnote57"></a> +<strong>Footnote 57:</strong> The newspapers of the day asserted, that Napoleon, +though he had in his pocket the proclamation of <span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, filled with +reproaches and invectives, had thrown himself into his arms, and heard +the cutting reprehensions of the marshal, without saying a +word.<a href="#footnotetag57">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote58" name="footnote58"></a> +<strong>Footnote 58:</strong> He had retired to Switzerland.<a href="#footnotetag58">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote59" name="footnote59"></a> +<strong>Footnote 59:</strong> The author of a libel entitled <i><span lang="fr">Les Quinze Semaines</span></i>, +"The Fifteen Weeks," asserts, that shouts were heard of "Death for +ever! Guilt for ever! Down with virtue! Down with God!" Such a charge +requires no refutation: I mention it here only to show, to what a +point the spirit of party, and the rancorous passions, have misled +writers, who call themselves royalists. It has been equally asserted, +that the people plundered and destroyed a number of shops and +warehouses. This, too, is false: no disorder occurred, except in +<span lang="fr">Bellecour</span> Square, where the people broke the windows and tables of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbon</span> coffee-house, known to be the place where the ultra-royalists +assembled; and this disorder was quieted and suppressed +immediately.<a href="#footnotetag59">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote60" name="footnote60"></a> +<strong>Footnote 60:</strong> He attempted to harangue the Chalonese, but they allowed +him only time to take to his heels.<a href="#footnotetag60">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote61" name="footnote61"></a> +<strong>Footnote 61:</strong> I dare not positively affirm it, for in my memorandums I +have confounded together <span lang="fr">Chalons, Avalon</span>, +<abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr><a href="#footnotetag61">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote62" name="footnote62"></a> +<strong>Footnote 62:</strong></p> + +<p class="ft center">ORDERS OF THE DAY.</p> + +<p class="ft center"><i>The Marshal Prince of the Moskowa, to the troops of his + Government.</i></p> + +<p class="ft">Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers!</p> + +<p class="ft">The cause of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> is lost for ever. The legitimate dynasty, +which the French nation has adopted, is about to re-ascend the throne: +it belongs to the Emperor Napoleon alone, our sovereign, to reign over +our fine country. Whether the nobility of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> take the step +of expatriating itself again, or consent to live among us, is no +concern of ours. The sacred cause of liberty, and of our independence, +will no longer suffer from their fatal influence. They have +endeavoured to debase our military glory; but they have found +themselves mistaken. This glory is the fruit of labours too noble for +us to lose the remembrance of it. Soldiers! those days are no more, +when nations were governed by stifling their rights. Liberty is at +length triumphant and Napoleon, our august Emperor, is about to +confirm it for ever. Henceforth let this lovely cause be ours, and +that of all Frenchmen: let all the brave fellows, whom I have the +honour to command, be thoroughly imbued with this grand truth.</p> + +<p class="ft">Soldiers! I have often led you to victory; I am now going to conduct +you to that immortal phalanx, which the Emperor Napoleon is conducting +to Paris, and which will be there in a few days, and our hopes and our +happiness will be for ever realized. Long live the Emperor!</p> + +<p class="ft left10"><span lang="fr">Lons le Saulnier</span>, the 13th of March, 1815.<br> +<span class="left10">The marshal of the empire,</span><br> +<span class="left20 smcap">Prince of the Moskowa</span>.<a href="#footnotetag62">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote63" name="footnote63"></a> +<strong>Footnote 63:</strong> He alluded to the installation of the council of state, +where the chancellor actually dropped on one knee, to ask and receive +the King's orders.</p> + +<p class="ft">And to the city entertainment, where the prefect, his wife, and the +municipal body, waited at table on the King and his suite, consisting +of forty ladies of the old court, and only four ladies of the new +nobility, two of whom were the wives of the marshals on +duty.<a href="#footnotetag63">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote64" name="footnote64"></a> +<strong>Footnote 64:</strong> <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Gamot</span>, prefect of <span lang="fr">Auxerre</span>, had married the sister of +Madame Ney.<a href="#footnotetag64">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote65" name="footnote65"></a> +<strong>Footnote 65:</strong> It is indisputable, in fact, that a general +insurrection, provoked by the oppressive and senseless conduct of the +government, was ready to burst out, at the moment when Napoleon +re-appeared.</p> + +<p class="ft">It is known, that France, wearied, disgusted, and discontented with +the new order of things, wished heartily for a new revolution; and +people had united and concerted measures for preparing the crisis, and +causing it to turn to the advantage of the country.</p> + +<p class="ft">Some of the malecontents maintained, that the first step should be, to +shake off the insupportable yoke, under which they were groaning, and +then see what was to be done: the majority formally declared for the +immediate recall of the Emperor, and were desirous, that emissaries +should be deputed to him, or that vessels should be sent, to take him +off from the island of Elba.</p> + +<p class="ft">The necessity of a change was unanimously agreed upon, and they were +endeavouring to settle the rest, when the sudden arrival of Napoleon +put an end to the discussion.</p> + +<p class="ft">After the 20th of March, the Emperor was made acquainted with these +projects of insurrection; and knew that certain chiefs hesitated about +having any thing to do with him. "The leaders," said he, "wished to +take the business into their own hands, and labour for themselves; now +they pretend, that they opened the way for me to Paris: I know better; +it was the nation, the people, the soldiers, and the sub-lieutenants, +who did all. It is to these, and to these only, that I owe every +thing."<a href="#footnotetag65">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote66" name="footnote66"></a> +<strong>Footnote 66:</strong> A nickname given to the emigrant +officers.<a href="#footnotetag66">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote67" name="footnote67"></a> +<strong>Footnote 67:</strong> He had just been appointed to the command of the +advanced guard.<a href="#footnotetag67">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote68" name="footnote68"></a> +<strong>Footnote 68:</strong> Napoleon had already given similar orders to General +<span lang="fr">Cambronne</span>. The following is his letter, which I reproach myself with +not having quoted. "General <span lang="fr">Cambronne</span>, to you I entrust my noblest +campaign: all the French expect me with impatience: every where you +will find none but friends: do not fire a single musket; I will not +have my crown cost the French a drop of +blood."<a href="#footnotetag68">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote69" name="footnote69"></a> +<strong>Footnote 69:</strong> Napoleon was a fatalist, and superstitious; and made no +secret of it. He believed in lucky and unlucky days. We might be +astonished at this weakness, if we did not know, that it was common to +the greatest men both of ancient and modern +times.<a href="#footnotetag69">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote70" name="footnote70"></a> +<strong>Footnote 70:</strong> This was Napoleon's favourite compliment. The fonder he +was of a person, the more he gave him, and the harder he +struck.<a href="#footnotetag70">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote71" name="footnote71"></a> +<strong>Footnote 71:</strong> The Duke of Vicenza, convinced of the inutility of the +efforts Napoleon might make, to establish any diplomatic connexion +with foreign powers, refused to accept the post. The Emperor offered +it to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span>. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span> objected, that he was an entire stranger to +diplomacy, and requested Napoleon, to make another choice. Napoleon +and his other ministers were then so pressing with the Duke of +Vicenza, that he considered it his duty to yield. He would have +preferred the Emperor's giving him a command in the army, where he +would at least have found an opportunity of usefully serving his +country and the Emperor.</p> + +<p class="ft">The ministry of the interior, intended at first for <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Costaz, was +also offered to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span>, and ultimately given to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Carnot</span>, at the +recommendation of the Duke of Bassano.</p> + +<p class="ft">The Emperor was not pleased with the obstinate refusals of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span>: he +was fond of his name, and valued his talents. He had intended to +appoint him governor of the Imperial Prince; and it was to this +intention that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span> was chiefly indebted for the high rank, to +which he had been so rapidly raised.</p> + +<p class="ft">Nevertheless <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Môlé</span> solicited and obtained the general +superintendance of highways and bridges, a post which he occupied in +1813, before he was appointed minister of justice.<a href="#footnotetag71">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote72" name="footnote72"></a> +<strong>Footnote 72:</strong></p> + +<p class="ft left10">"Make him, nor think his genius check'd,<br> + A herald, or an architect."—<span class="smcap">Gay.</span><a href="#footnotetag72">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote73" name="footnote73"></a> +<strong>Footnote 73:</strong> General <span lang="fr">Le Tort</span>'s address to the +King.<a href="#footnotetag73">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote74" name="footnote74"></a> +<strong>Footnote 74:</strong> "In all ages the poor have suffered for the faults of +the great."<a href="#footnotetag74">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote75" name="footnote75"></a> +<strong>Footnote 75:</strong> He constantly refused the emoluments and allowances of +considerable offices, attached to the rank of major-general of the +guards. The appointments of a lieutenant-general and <span lang="fr">aide-de-camp</span> +appeared to him, to pay him more than his services +deserved.<a href="#footnotetag75">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote76" name="footnote76"></a> +<strong>Footnote 76:</strong> I cannot avoid remarking the beauty of this +passage.<a href="#footnotetag76">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote77" name="footnote77"></a> +<strong>Footnote 77:</strong> The king departed with such suddenness, that he had not +time to carry away his private papers. In his writing table was found +his family port-folio. It contained a great number of letters from +Madame the Duchess of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span>, and from some of the princes. +Napoleon cast his eye over several of them, and gave me the +port-folio, with orders, that it should be scrupulously preserved. +Napoleon would have respect paid to royal majesty, and to every thing +that pertained to the person of kings.</p> + +<p class="ft">The king habitually used a small table, that he had brought from +Hartwell. Napoleon took pleasure in writing on it for a few hours: he +afterwards ordered it to be removed, and the greatest care to be taken +of it.</p> + +<p class="ft">The Merlin's chair used by the king, not being suited to Napoleon, +whose limbs and health were in full strength and vigour, was banished +to the back closet. Some person being found sitting in it, when the +Emperor passed through unexpectedly, he gave him an angry look, and +the chair was removed.</p> + +<p class="ft">One of his valets <span lang="fr">de chambre</span>, thinking to please him, ventured to +place over his mantel-piece some insulting caricatures of the +<span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>: these he disdainfully threw into the fire, and severely +enjoined the valet, never in future to be guilty of such an +impertinence.<a href="#footnotetag77">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote78" name="footnote78"></a> +<strong>Footnote 78:</strong></p> + +<p class="ft left10">"If we sometimes play the fool,<br> + Reason should resume her rule."<a href="#footnotetag78">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote79" name="footnote79"></a> +<strong>Footnote 79:</strong> I have been assured, that Napoleon in his youth composed +a history of Paoli, and of the war of liberty: may he realize the +design of writing the history of his own reign, for the instruction of +future ages! This reign is so fertile in extraordinary events, and +unforeseen catastrophes, and displays to our view such numerous +examples of human vicissitudes, that its history may supply the place +of all others, and become itself alone a lesson for kings and +people.<a href="#footnotetag79">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote80" name="footnote80"></a> +<strong>Footnote 80:</strong> This decree, and all those previously dated from the +palace of the <span lang="fr">Tuileries</span>, contained no title but simply that of +"Emperor of the French." The "<abbr title="etcetera etcetera">&c. &c.</abbr>," noticed with anxiety in the +proclamations and decrees from Lyons, were suppressed. They had been +inserted without reflection, without object, and merely from custom. +The Emperor, too, would not have his familiar letters continue to be +concluded in the usual form: "On which I pray God, to have you in his +holy keeping, <abbr title="etcetera">&c.</abbr>" "All those antiquated things," said he, "must be +laid aside; they are well enough for kings by the grace of +God."<a href="#footnotetag80">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote81" name="footnote81"></a> +<strong>Footnote 81:</strong> Never, in fact, at any period of the revolution, did +writers enjoy such complete liberty and impunity. The seizure of the +<i><span lang="fr">Censeur Européen</span></i>, which made such noise, was the work of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Fouché</span>. +The Emperor knew nothing of this infringement of the law, till it had +been carried into effect; and he immediately ordered, that the copies +seized should be returned to the editors of the <i><span lang="fr">Censeur</span></i>, and that +they should be at liberty to circulate them +freely.<a href="#footnotetag81">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote82" name="footnote82"></a> +<strong>Footnote 82:</strong> The audience was to take place at noon; and at nine +o'clock his Majesty had not prepared his answers. They were dictated +in haste, and we had scarcely time to copy them out +fairly.<a href="#footnotetag82">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote83" name="footnote83"></a> +<strong>Footnote 83:</strong> I am speaking here only of the addresses of bodies +corporate, and of certain generals and +prefects.<a href="#footnotetag83">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote84" name="footnote84"></a> +<strong>Footnote 84:</strong> We have no single word in our language answering to +this: it implies one who undertakes works of different kinds, +including our architect and civil +engineer.—<span class="smcap"><abbr title="Translator">Tr.</abbr></span><a href="#footnotetag84">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote85" name="footnote85"></a> +<strong>Footnote 85:</strong> It was this mission, that became the source of the +disgrace, in which the marshal lived, till the day of his being +recalled to the army. The Emperor had ordered him, to set off +immediately: he answered, that he could not go, till he was paid some +twenty thousand francs, which were owing to him. The Emperor, +swearing, ordered them to be paid.</p> + +<p class="ft">The next day General <span lang="fr">Le Courbe</span>, to whom the Emperor had just entrusted +an important command, wrote to him, to demand several favours, and in +addition a hundred and fifty thousand francs, as arrears of pay, in +order to discharge his debts.</p> + +<p class="ft">Two other generals, less known, were equally desirous of being paid +for their services. He was disgusted at their claims. "Do these men +think," said he, "that I throw away my money? I am not inclined to +suffer myself to be plundered like Henry <abbr title="4">IV</abbr>; if they be not inclined +to fight, let them put on petticoats, and go and take an +airing."<a href="#footnotetag85">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote86" name="footnote86"></a> +<strong>Footnote 86:</strong> I regret, that I did not learn his +name.<a href="#footnotetag86">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote87" name="footnote87"></a> +<strong>Footnote 87:</strong> The fortress in which the garrison was +quartered.<a href="#footnotetag87">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote88" name="footnote88"></a> +<strong>Footnote 88:</strong> She set off in the evening for <span lang="fr">Pouillac</span>; where, having +bidden adieu to the volunteer cavalry, who had escorted her, she went +on board an English vessel, and sailed for England on the 2d of +April.<a href="#footnotetag88">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote89" name="footnote89"></a> +<strong>Footnote 89:</strong> Report of General +<span lang="fr">Ernouf</span>.<a href="#footnotetag89">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote90" name="footnote90"></a> +<strong>Footnote 90:</strong> The diamonds that were sought to be obtained in exchange +for the Duke of <span lang="fr">Angoulême</span> were worth fourteen millions. The Duke of +Otranto proposed to the Emperor, to throw <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Vitrolles</span> into the +bargain, if they were restored; to which the Emperor readily +consented. The Duke of Otranto opened a negotiation on this point, +which had no farther result, than procuring him an opportunity of +corresponding more at his ease with Ghent.<a href="#footnotetag90">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote91" name="footnote91"></a> +<strong>Footnote 91:</strong> It was discovered by the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Albufera</span>, that this +supposed treason was the consequence of the mistake, which I have +related above, and the decree was not carried into +effect.<a href="#footnotetag91">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote92" name="footnote92"></a> +<strong>Footnote 92:</strong> A nickname given by Napoleon to his old +grenadiers.<a href="#footnotetag92">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote93" name="footnote93"></a> +<strong>Footnote 93:</strong> The Emperor Alexander, in particular, expressed the most +generous indignation.<a href="#footnotetag93">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote94" name="footnote94"></a> +<strong>Footnote 94:</strong> <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Vincent</span> set out before this letter was written, +and it was entrusted to his secretary. The Emperor of Austria ordered +it to be delivered into his hands, and contented himself with +informing the Empress Marie, that he had received news of her husband, +and that he was well.<a href="#footnotetag94">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote95" name="footnote95"></a> +<strong>Footnote 95:</strong> It was a laughable singularity, that, of all the +double-faced men employed by the Emperor, there was no one, in whom he +had more confidence, than he had in <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Mont</span>**. He had formerly +ill-treated, persecuted, and banished him: he knew, that he detested +him, and was the most intimate, the most devoted friend of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de +Talleyrand</span>: but he knew also the bent of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Mont</span>**'s mind; and he +thought, that he would feel an infinite pleasure, in executing his +mission well, and <i>humming</i> [<i><span lang="fr">rouer</span></i>] <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Talleyrand</span>, who flattered +himself, that he had never been hummed by any person. I know not +whether <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Mont</span>** found it pleasant, or not, to take in <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> de +<span lang="fr">Talleyrand</span>; what I know is, that he justified the expectations of +Napoleon, and brought back to him intact the letters, that were +delivered to him by <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> +<span lang="fr">de Mont</span>**.<a href="#footnotetag95">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote96" name="footnote96"></a> +<strong>Footnote 96:</strong> I know not whether the fact be true: but, true or false, +it had the same effect on the minds of the +Italians.<a href="#footnotetag96">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote97" name="footnote97"></a> +<strong>Footnote 97:</strong> <i><span lang="fr">Les marins</span>.</i> Properly, perhaps, the seamen, whom +Napoleon took from the ships of war, and converted into +soldiers.—<i><abbr title="Translator">Tr.</abbr></i><a href="#footnotetag97">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote98" name="footnote98"></a> +<strong>Footnote 98:</strong> For the <span lang="fr">Moniteur</span>, I +presume.—<i><abbr title="Translator">Tr.</abbr></i><a href="#footnotetag98">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote99" name="footnote99"></a> +<strong>Footnote 99:</strong> I cannot avoid here making a comparison. On the 15th of +March, the Count <span lang="fr">d'Artois</span> wished to form a legion from the light +infantry and grenadiers of the national guard of Paris. He reviewed +the twelve legions, harangued them, and announced, that he would march +at the head of the volunteer national guards: a hundred and fifty +turned out.</p> + +<p class="ft">Napoleon from his closet called the national guard to the defence of +the imperial cause: 150,000 men took up arms, and hastened to battle.</p> + +<p class="ft">What must we conclude from this coldness on the one hand, and this +enthusiasm on the other? I leave the question to be answered by those, +who pretend, that the revolution of the 20th of March obtained the +assent only of a handful of factious persons.<a href="#footnotetag99">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote100" name="footnote100"></a> +<strong>Footnote 100:</strong> The reverses of Napoleon's fortune had been so rapid, +that the possessors of great places, and of great preferment, had not +had time to retrench their way of living. When the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span> were +recalled, they were obliged to come to a reckoning with their means, +and all these extravagant expenses ceased at once.</p> + +<p class="ft">On the other hand, the new court, in order to distinguish itself from +the imperial court, substituted the most offensive simplicity for the +useful pomp of Napoleon. The richest emigrants imitated this +pernicious example; and, as Napoleon remarked, the luxury of the table +was almost the only kind, on which encouragement was not spared. The +result of this economical system was, that the produce of our +manufactories remained unemployed, and industry was suddenly +paralyzed.</p> + +<p class="ft">Thus commerce, which had loudly called for peace, was almost totally +annihilated by it: and the manufacturers, the mechanics, the merchants +(those of the sea-ports excepted), greatly regretted those <i>happy</i> +times, when we were at war.</p> + +<p class="ft">In fact, it must be admitted, that our industry was indebted to the +war, and to our conquests, for its progress, and its prodigious +increase. The war, by depriving us of the products of the English +manufactories, had taught us, to manufacture for ourselves. The +continual prohibition of these articles protected our rising +manufactures from the danger of competition; and allowed them to +engage with safety in the trials and expenses necessary for equalling +or surpassing in perfection foreign manufactures. In all parts of the +empire were seen manufactories for spinning and weaving cotton; and +this branch of trade, almost unknown before, employed three hundred +thousand work people, and produced goods to the value of more than two +hundred and fifty millions.</p> + +<p class="ft">The other products of our industry equally received improvements and +extension; and France, in spite of the conscription, reckoned in its +numerous workshops nearly twelve hundred thousand workpeople.</p> + +<p class="ft">If this flourishing state of our continental trade were the effect of +the enlargement of our territory, and the scope the war had given to +our industry, we must say, that it was also the result of the succour, +encouragement, and honorary distinctions, which Napoleon knew how to +bestow appropriately on our manufacturers; and the return for those +enormous sacrifices he made, to create, repair, and keep in order, +those superb roads, and those numerous canals, which rendered the +communications between France, and the countries subjected to its +empire, equally easy, safe, and pleasant.<a href="#footnotetag100">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote101" name="footnote101"></a> +<strong>Footnote 101:</strong> These words, and several others that I have quoted, +prove Napoleon not to have been ignorant of the use he might make of +the people. If he did not have recourse to them, no doubt it was +because he feared, that the remedy might prove worse than the +disease.<a href="#footnotetag101">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote102" name="footnote102"></a> +<strong>Footnote 102:</strong> Napoleon, during the hundred days, entertained for a +moment the design of issuing a demi-official note on the arrest and +death of the Duke of <span lang="fr">Enghien</span>. + +<p class="ft">The following memorandums are taken from papers, from which the note +was to have been compiled.</p> + +<p class="ft">Reports from the police had informed Napoleon, that there were +conspiracies of the royalists beyond the Rhine, and that they were +conducted and supported,</p> + +<p class="ft">1st, by Messrs. Drake and Spencer Smith, the English ministers at +<span lang="de">Stutgard</span>, and at <span lang="de">Munich</span>;</p> + +<p class="ft">2dly, by the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> and General <span lang="fr">Dumourier</span>:</p> + +<p class="ft">The central point of the former was at <span lang="fr">Offenbourg</span>; where were some +emigrants, some English agents, and the Baroness de Reich, so noted +for her political intrigues:</p> + +<p class="ft">The central point of the latter was given out to be at the castle of +<span lang="de">Ettenheim</span>, where the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>, <span lang="fr">Dumourier</span>, an English colonel, +and several agents of the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, resided.</p> + +<p class="ft">The hundred and twenty thousand francs given by the minister Drake to +the Sieur Rosey, <span lang="fr">chef de bataillon</span>, to excite an insurrection,</p> + +<p class="ft">The declarations of <span lang="fr">Mehée</span>;</p> + +<p class="ft">And the reports of <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Sh***, prefect of <span lang="fr">Strasbourg</span>, and brother-in-law +of the Duke de Fel....; leave no doubt of the existence of the +intrigues at <span lang="fr">Offenbourg</span> and <span lang="de">Ettenheim</span>, to which <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Sh*** ascribes in +particular the agitation, and symptoms of discontent, that prevail at +<span lang="fr">Weissembourg</span>, and in several parts of <span lang="fr">Alsace</span>.</p> + +<p class="ft">On the other hand, the conspiracy of the 3d of <span lang="fr">Nivôse</span> had just broken +out. The discoveries made by the servant of Georges, and by other +individuals, led to the belief, that the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> had been sent +by England to the borders of the Rhine, in order to place himself at +the head of the insurrection, as soon as Napoleon was made away with.</p> + +<p class="ft">The necessity of putting an end to these plots, and strike terror into +their instigators by a grand act of reprisal, squared in an incredible +degree with the political considerations, that led Napoleon to attempt +a bold stroke, in order to give the revolution, and the +revolutionists, those guaranties, which circumstances demanded:</p> + +<p class="ft">Napoleon, named consul for life (I borrow here the language of the +Manuscript from <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> Helena), felt the weakness of his situation, the +ridiculousness of his consulship. It was necessary to establish +something solid, to serve as a support to the revolution. The +republicans were alarmed at the height, on which circumstances had +placed him: they were suspicious of the use he might make of his +power: they dreaded his renewing an antiquated royalty by the help of +his army. The royalists fomented this rumour, and took a delight in +representing him as an ape of the ancient monarchs: other royalists, +more adroit, whispered about, that he was enamoured of the part of +Monk, and that he would take the pains to restore the power, only to +make a present of it to the <span lang="fr">Bourbons</span>, when it should be in a proper +state to be offered them.</p> + +<p class="ft">Ordinary minds, unacquainted with his powers, credited these reports; +they sanctioned the tales of the royalist party, and decried him to +the people, and to the army; for they began to suspect him, and his +attachment to their cause. He could not allow such an opinion to pass +current, because it tended to unhinge every thing. It was necessary, +at all events, to undeceive France, the royalists, and Europe at +large, in order that they might know, what they had to reckon upon in +him. A persecution of reports in detail never produces any thing but a +bad effect, for it does not attack the root of the evil.</p> + +<p class="ft">The death of the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> would decide the question, that +agitated France; it would decide the character of Napoleon beyond +return; in fine, it might intimidate and punish the authors of the +plots incessantly contriving against his life, and against the state: +accordingly he determined on it.</p> + +<p class="ft">He sent for Marshal <span lang="fr">Berthier</span>, and this minister directed General +Ord**, by an order which the Emperor dictated, and which I have +<i>seen</i>, to set off post for <span lang="fr">Strasbourg</span>; to cause General Lev** to +place under his orders fifteen boatmen, three hundred dragoons from +the garrison of <span lang="de">Schelstadt</span>, and thirty <span lang="fr">gendarmes</span>; to pass the Rhine at +Rheinan, to proceed to <span lang="de">Ettenheim</span>, to surround the town, and <i>to carry +off the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien, Dumourier</span>, an English colonel, and all the +persons in their suite</i>.</p> + +<p class="ft"> +The Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>,<br> +General <span lang="fr">Thumery</span>,<br> +Colonel <span lang="fr">de</span> <span lang="de">Grunstein</span>,<br> +Lieutenant <span lang="de">Schmidt</span>,<br> +<span lang="fr">Abbé</span> <span lang="de">Weinburn</span>, and five other inferior persons, were arrested by a +<span lang="fr">chef d'escadron</span> of the <span lang="fr">gendarmerie</span>, named Ch**, who was charged with +this part of the expedition.</p> + +<p class="ft">Then, and then only, it became certain, that <span lang="fr">Dumourier</span> was not at +<span lang="de">Ettenheim</span>. General Thumery had been mistaken for him. This mistake, +occasioned by the similarity of their rank, and some likeness of sound +between their names, which the Germans pronounced nearly alike, had +heightened the importance and criminality of the pretended plots at +<span lang="de">Ettenheim</span> in the mind of Napoleon, and had the most fatal influence on +his determination.</p> + +<p class="ft">The Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> was brought from <span lang="fr">Strasbourg</span> to Paris, and carried +before a military commission.</p> + +<p class="ft">The Empress Josephine, the Princess Hortense, fell at Napoleon's feet +in tears, and conjured him to spare the life of the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>. +Prince <span lang="fr">Cambacérè</span>s and the Prince of <span lang="fr">Neufchâtel</span> strongly remonstrated +to him on the horrible inutility of the blow he was about to strike. +He appeared to hesitate, when the information was brought him, that +the prince was no more.</p> + +<p class="ft">Napoleon had not expected so speedy a catastrophe. He had even given +orders to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">Réal</span>, to repair to <span lang="fr">Vincennes</span>, to interrogate the Duke +<span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>: but his trial and execution had been hastened by <span lang="fr">Murat</span>; +who, urged by some regicides, at the head of whom was <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> Fou***, +thought he should render a service to Napoleon, to his family, and to +France, by insuring the death of a <span lang="fr">Bourbon</span>.</p> + +<p class="ft">The Prince de T***, whom the Emperor often publicly reproached with +having advised the seizure and death of the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>, was +directed to pacify the court of Baden, and to justify the violation of +its territory in the eyes of Europe. <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> de <span lang="fr">Caulincourt</span> being at +<span lang="fr">Strasbourg</span>, the Emperor thought him more proper than any other person, +to follow up a negotiation, if the turn of affairs should require it; +and he was directed to send to the minister of Baden the despatch of +the Prince de T***. But there was no need of having recourse to +negotiations: the court, far from complaining of the violation of its +territory, expressed itself well contented, that the step taken had +saved it the disgrace of consenting, or the embarrassment of a +refusal.</p> + +<p class="ft">This is an exact and true recital of the circumstances, that preceded, +followed, and accompanied, the carrying off and death of the last of +the house of <span lang="fr">Condé</span>.</p> + +<p class="ft">The seizure of the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> was long imputed to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de +Caulincourt</span>, and is still imputed to him by persons uninformed of the +truth.</p> + +<p class="ft">Some assert, that he arrested him with his own hands:</p> + +<p class="ft">Others, that he gave orders for the seizure of his person: both these +imputations are equally false.</p> + +<p class="ft">He did not arrest the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>, for his seizure was executed and +consummated by <span lang="fr">chef d'escadron</span> Ch***.</p> + +<p class="ft">Neither directly, nor indirectly, did he give orders for seizing the +prince: for the particular mission, to carry him off, was confided to +General Ord**, and this general had no orders to receive from <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de +Caulincourt</span> his equal, perhaps even his inferior.</p> + +<p class="ft">What made it be supposed, at a time when it was not possible to +explain the facts, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Caulincourt</span> had been employed to seize +the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>, or cause him to be seized, was, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de +Caulincourt</span> received, at the same moment as General Ord**, orders to +repair to <span lang="fr">Strasbourg</span>, to cause the emigrants and English agents, who +had fixed the seat of their intrigues at <span lang="fr">Offenbourg</span>, to be carried +off. But this mission, for which it would be requisite to take +measures in concert with General Ord**, and perhaps even to assist him +in case of need; for a simultaneous proceeding was necessary, that one +expedition might not cause the failure of the other; this mission, I +say, though analogous to that of General Ord**, had no real connexion +with it.</p> + +<p class="ft">Their objects were different:</p> + +<p class="ft">That of one was to carry off the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> from Ettenheim;</p> + +<p class="ft">That of the other, to seize the conspirators at <span lang="fr">Offenbourg</span>, which was +eight or ten leagues distant.</p> + +<p class="ft">Perhaps it will be objected, that <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Caulincourt</span> was not ignorant +of General Ord**'s being directed, to seize the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span>. Be it +so: I cannot perceive the consequence, attempted to be drawn from +this. But what I have <i>seen</i> in the cabinet, and what I attest, is, +that the order given to <abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Caulincourt</span> said nothing of <span lang="de">Ettenheim</span>, +and that the name of the Duke <span lang="fr">d'Enghien</span> was not even mentioned in it: +it related solely, in the first place, to the construction of a +flotilla, that was preparing on the Rhine; and, secondly, to the +expedition of <span lang="fr">Offenbourg</span>; an expedition that terminated, as no doubt +is still remembered, in the laughable flight of the minister Drake and +his agents.</p> + +<p class="ft">I have thought it my duty as a Frenchman and an historian, to enter +into these details, and destroy for ever an error, which malevolence +and the spirit of party have laid hold of, in order to tarnish the +political life of one of the men, who do the greatest honour to the +imperial government and to France.</p> + +<p class="ft"><abbr title="Monsieur">M.</abbr> <span lang="fr">de Caulincourt</span> would not have been less irreproachable, had he +committed the fatal seizure ascribed to him: he would have done his +duty, as General Ord** did his. A soldier is not the judge of the +orders he is to execute. The great <span lang="fr">Condé</span>, covered with the laurels of +<span lang="fr">Rocroy</span>, <span lang="de">Fribourg, Norlinguen</span>, and <span lang="de">Lenz</span>, was arrested, in spite of the +faith pledged to him, in the apartments of the King; yet neither his +contemporaries, nor posterity, have charged Marshal <span lang="fr">d'Albret</span> with this +arrest as a crime.<a href="#footnotetag102">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote103" name="footnote103"></a> +<strong>Footnote 103:</strong> I have been assured, that Georges was three times +offered his pardon by Napoleon, if he would promise, not to engage in +any conspiracy again; and that it was not till after his third +refusal, that his sentence was ordered to be carried into +execution.<a href="#footnotetag103">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote104" name="footnote104"></a> +<strong>Footnote 104:</strong> Marshal <span lang="fr">Augereau</span>, Duke <span lang="fr">de</span> <span lang="it">Castiglione</span>, was also in this +list. His name was struck out at the request of the duchess, and in +consideration of the proclamation, which he published on the 23d of +March.<a href="#footnotetag104">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<div><p class="ft"><a id="footnote105" name="footnote105"></a> +<strong>Footnote 105:</strong> These conversations with persons, whose merit and +opinion Napoleon esteemed, were always pleasing, instructive, +interesting, always marked with strong thoughts, and bold, ingenious, +or sublime expressions. With persons indifferent to him, or whose +nullity he discerned, his phrases, scarcely begun, were never +finished: his ideas turned only on insignificant, common-place +matters, which, by way of amusing himself, he was apt to season with +biting sarcasm, or jokes more whimsical than witty.</p> + +<p class="ft">This explains the contradictions between the different opinions given +of Napoleon's understanding by foreigners introduced at his +court.<a href="#footnotetag105">(Back to main text)</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote106" name="footnote106"></a> +<strong>Footnote 106:</strong> Attorney-general to the king, employed on certain +occasions, to prosecute political crimes and +misdemeanors.<a href="#footnotetag106">(Back to main text)</a></p> + +<p class="ft"><a id="footnote107" name="footnote107"></a> +<strong>Footnote 107:</strong> "Beautiful Marchioness, your beautiful eyes make me die +of love; of love make me die, beautiful Marchioness, your beautiful +eyes."<a href="#footnotetag107">(Back to main text)</a></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Private Life, Return, +and Reign of Napoleon in 1815, Vol. I, by Pierre Antoine Edouard Fleury de Chaboulon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON *** + +***** This file should be named 22345-h.htm or 22345-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/3/4/22345/ + +Produced by StevenGibbs, Christine P. 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