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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Private Life of Napoleon, by Constant, v1
+NB#18 in our Napoleon series
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+Title: The Private Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, v1
+
+Author: Constant
+
+Release Date: December, 2002  [Etext #3568]
+[Yes, we are about one year ahead of schedule]
+[The actual date this file first posted = 05/21/01]
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+Edition: 11
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+Language: English
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext Private Life of Napoleon, by Constant, v1
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+
+RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PRIVATE LIFE OF NAPOLEON, V1
+
+By CONSTANT
+
+PREMIER VALET DE CHAMBRE
+
+TRANSLATED BY WALTER CLARK
+
+1895
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+Though this work was first published in 1830, it has never before been
+translated into English.  Indeed, the volumes are almost out of print.
+When in Paris a few years ago the writer secured, with much difficulty,
+a copy, from which this translation has been made.  Notes have been added
+by the translator, and illustrations by the publishers, which, it is
+believed, will enhance the interest of the original work by Constant.
+
+"To paint Caesar in undress is not to paint Caesar," some one has said.
+Yet men will always like to see the great 'en deshabille'.  In these
+volumes the hero is painted in undress.  His foibles, his peculiarities,
+his vices, are here depicted without reserve.  But so also are his
+kindness of heart, his vast intellect, his knowledge of men, his
+extraordinary energy, his public spirit.  The shutters are taken down,
+and the workings of the mighty machinery are laid bare.
+
+The late Prince Napoleon (who was more truly "the nephew of his uncle"
+than was Napoleon III.), in his Napoleon and His Detractors, bitterly
+assails this work of Constants attacking both its authenticity and the
+correctness of its statements.  But there appears no good reason to doubt
+its genuineness, and the truthfulness of many of its details is amply
+supported by other authorities.  Notwithstanding its excesses and
+follies, the great French Revolution will ever have an absorbing interest
+for mankind, because it began as a struggle for the advancement of the
+cause of manhood, liberty, and equal rights.  It was a terribly earnest
+movement; and, after the lapse of a century, interest continues unabated
+in the great soldier who restored order, and organized and preserved the
+new ideas by means of his Civil Code and a firm government.
+
+Countless memoirs have been published by those who lived in those heroic
+times.  Yet everything which will cast new light upon the chief actors in
+that great drama of humanity is still seized upon with avidity,
+especially whatever concerns the Emperor.
+
+This is not merely because he was a great conqueror; for such were, after
+their fashion, Genghis Khan and Timour, and hundreds of others.  But it
+is because of the human interest which attaches to the wonderful career
+of Napoleon and the events of which he was the central figure.
+
+Never did poet or novelist imagine scenes so improbable.  The son of an
+obscure lawyer in an unimportant island becomes Emperor of the French and
+King of Italy.  His brothers and sisters become kings and queens.  The
+sons of innkeepers, notaries; lawyers, and peasants become marshals of
+the empire.  The Emperor, first making a West India Creole his wife and
+Empress, puts her away, and marries a daughter of the haughtiest and
+oldest royal house in Europe, the niece of a queen whom the people of
+France had beheaded a few years before.  Their son is born a king--King
+of Rome.  Then suddenly the pageantry dissolves, and Emperor, kings, and
+queens become subjects again.  Has imagination ever dreamed anything
+wilder than this?  The dramatic interest of this story will always
+attract, but there is a deeper one.  The secret spring of all those rapid
+changes, and the real cause of the great interest humanity will always
+feel in the story of those eventful times, is to be found in Napoleon's
+own explanation--"A career open to talents, without distinction of
+birth."  Till that day the accident of birth was the key to every honor
+and every position.  No man could hold even a lieutenancy in the army who
+could not show four quarterings on his coat of arms.
+
+It was as the "armed apostle of democracy" that Napoleon went forth
+conquering and to conquer.  He declared at St. Helena that he "had always
+marched supported by the opinions of six millions of men."
+
+The old woman who met him incognito climbing the hill of Tarare, and
+replying to his assertion that "Napoleon was only a tyrant like the
+rest," exclaimed, "It may be so, but the others are the kings of the
+nobility, while he is one of us, and we have chosen him ourselves,"
+expressed a great truth.  As long as Napoleon represented popular
+sovereignty he was invincible; but when, deeming himself strong enough to
+stand alone, he endeavored to conciliate the old order of things, and,
+divorcing the daughter of the people, took for a bride the daughter of
+kings and allied himself with them--at that moment, like another Samson,
+"his strength departed from him."  Disasters came as they had come to him
+before, but this time the heart of the people was no longer with him.  He
+fell.
+
+This man has been studied as a soldier, a statesman, an organizer, a
+politician.  In all he was undeniably great.  But men will always like to
+know something about him as a man.  Can he stand that ordeal?  These
+volumes will answer that question.  They are written by one who joined
+the First Consul at the Hospice on Mt. St. Bernard, on his way to
+Marengo, in June, 1800, and who was with him as his chief personal
+attendant, day and night, never leaving him "any more than his shadow"
+(eight days only) excepted until that eventful day, fourteen years later,
+when, laying aside the sceptre of the greatest empire the world had known
+for seventeen centuries, he walked down the horseshoe steps at
+Fontainebleau in the presence of the soldiers whom he had led to victory
+from Madrid to Moscow, once more a private citizen.
+
+That men of Anglo-Saxon speech may have an opportunity to see and judge
+the Emperor from "close at hand," and view him as he appeared in the eyes
+of his personal attendants, these volumes have been translated, and are
+now submitted to the public.  Though the remark of Frederick the Great
+that "No man is a hero to his valet" is not altogether borne out in this
+instance, still it will be seen that there is here nothing of that
+"divinity which doth hedge a king."  In these volumes Napoleon appears as
+a man, a very great man, still a mere man, not, a demigod.  Their perusal
+will doubtless lead to a truer conception of his character, as manifested
+both in his good and in his evil traits.  The former were natural to him;
+the latter were often produced by the exceptional circumstances which
+surrounded him, and the extraordinary temptations to which he was
+subjected.
+
+Certainly a truer and fuller light is cast by these volumes, upon the
+colossal figure which will always remain one of the most interesting
+studies in all human history.
+
+THE TRANSLATOR.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+By Constant.
+
+The career of a man compelled to make his own way, who is not an artisan
+or in some trade, does not usually begin till he is about twenty years of
+age.  Till then he vegetates, uncertain of his future, neither having,
+nor being able to have, any well-defined purpose.  It is only when he has
+arrived at the full development of his powers, and his character and bent
+of mind are shown, that he can determine his profession or calling.  Not
+till then does he know himself, and see his way open before him.  In
+fact, it is only then that he begins to live.
+
+Reasoning in this manner, my life from my twentieth year has been thirty
+years, which can be divided into equal parts, so far as days and months
+are counted, but very unequal parts, considering the events which
+transpired in each of those two periods of my life.
+
+Attached to the person of the Emperor Napoleon for fifteen years, I have
+seen all the men, and witnessed all the important events, which centered
+around him.  I have seen far more than that; for I have had under my eyes
+all the circumstances of his life, the least as well as the greatest, the
+most secret as well as those which are known to history,--I have had, I
+repeat, incessantly under my eyes the man whose name, solitary and alone,
+fills the most glorious pages of our history.  Fifteen years I followed
+him in his travels and his campaigns, was at his court, and saw him in
+the privacy of his family.  Whatever step he wished to take, whatever
+order he gave, it was necessarily very difficult for the Emperor not to
+admit me, even though involuntarily, into his confidence; so that without
+desiring it, I have more than once found myself in the possession of
+secrets I should have preferred not to know.  What wonderful things
+happened during those fifteen years!  Those near the Emperor lived as if
+in the center of a whirlwind; and so quick was the succession of
+overwhelming events, that one felt dazed, as it were, and if he wished to
+pause and fix his attention for a moment, there instantly came, like
+another flood, a succession of events which carried him along with them
+without giving him time to fix his thoughts.
+
+Succeeding these times of activity which made one's brain whirl, there
+came to me the most absolute repose in an isolated retreat where I passed
+another interval of fifteen years after leaving the Emperor.  But what a
+contrast!  To those who have lived, like myself, amid the conquests and
+wonders of the Empire, what is left to-day?  If the strength of our
+manhood was passed amid the bustle of years so short, yet so fully
+occupied, our careers were sufficiently long and fruitful, and it is time
+to give ourselves up to repose.  We can withdraw from the world, and
+close our eyes.  Can it be possible to see anything equal to what we have
+seen?  Such scenes do not come twice in the lifetime of any man; and
+having seen them, they suffice to occupy his memory through all his
+remaining years, and in retirement he can find nothing better to occupy
+his leisure moments than the recollections of what he has witnessed.
+
+Thus it has been with me.  The reader will readily believe that I have
+had no greater pleasure than that of recalling the memories of the years
+passed in the service of the Emperor.  As far as possible, I have kept
+myself informed as to everything that has been written of my former
+master, his family, and his court; and while listening to these
+narrations read by my wife and sister at our fireside, the long evenings
+have passed like an instant!  When I found in these books, some of which
+are truly only miserable rhapsodies, statements which were incorrect,
+false, or slanderous, I, took pleasure in correcting such statements, or
+in showing their absurdity.  My wife, who lived, as I did, in the midst
+of these events, also made her corrections, and, without other object
+than our own satisfaction, made notes of our joint observations.
+
+All who came to see us in our retreat, and took pleasure in having me
+narrate what I had seen, were astonished and often indignant at the
+falsehoods with which ignorance or malevolence had calumniated the
+Emperor and the Empire, and expressing their gratitude for the correct
+information I was able to give them, advised me also to furnish it to the
+public.  But I attached no importance to the suggestion, and was far from
+dreaming that some day I should be the author of a book, until M.
+Ladvocat came to our hermitage, and urged me earnestly to publish my
+memoirs, offering himself to become the publisher.
+
+At the very time my wife and I received this unexpected visit, we were
+reading together the Memoirs of Bourrienne, which the Ladvocat
+publishing-house had just issued; and we had remarked more than once how
+exempt these Memoirs were from both that spirit of disparagement and of
+adulation which we had noticed with disgust in other books on the same
+subject.  M. Ladvocat advised me to complete the sketch of the Emperor,
+which, owing to his elevated position and habitual occupations,
+Bourrienne had been able to make only from a political point of view; and
+in accordance with his advice, I shall relate in simple words, and in a
+manner suited to my relations with the Emperor, those things which
+Bourrienne has necessarily omitted, and which no one could know so well
+as I.
+
+I candidly admit that my objections to M. Ladvocat's advice were entirely
+overcome when he called my attention to this passage in the introduction
+to Bourrienne's memoirs: "If every one who had any relations with
+Napoleon, whatever the time and place, will accurately and without
+prejudice record what he saw and heard, the future historian of his life
+will be rich in materials.  I hope that whoever undertakes that difficult
+task will find in my notes some information which may be useful in
+perfecting his work."
+
+Having re-read these lines attentively, I said to myself that I could
+furnish memoranda and information which would refute errors, brand
+falsehoods, and bring to light what I knew to be the truth.  In a word, I
+felt that I could give in my testimony, and that it was my duty to do so,
+in the long trial which has been held ever since the overthrow of the
+Emperor; for I had been an eye-witness, had seen everything, and could
+say, "I was there."  Others also have been close to the Emperor and his
+court, and I may often repeat what they have said, for the feats which
+they describe I had the same opportunity of witnessing; but, on the other
+hand, whatever I know of private matters, and whatever I may reveal which
+was secret and unknown, no one till this time could possibly have known,
+or consequently have related.
+
+From the departure of the First Consul for the campaign of Marengo,
+whither I went with him, until the departure from Fontainebleau, when I
+was compelled to leave him, I was absent only twice, once for three days
+and once for seven or eight days.  Excepting these short leaves of
+absence, the latter of which was on account of my health, I quitted the
+Emperor no more than his shadow.
+
+It has been said that no one is a hero to his valet de chambre.  I beg
+leave to dissent from this.  The Emperor, as near as I was to him, was
+always a hero; and it was a great advantage also to see the man as he
+was.  At a distance you were sensible only of the prestige of his glory
+and his power; but on getting closer to him you enjoyed, besides, the
+surprising charm of his conversation, the entire simplicity of his family
+life, and I do not hesitate to say, the habitual kindliness of his
+character.
+
+The reader, if curious to learn beforehand in what spirit these Memoirs
+are written, will perhaps read with interest this passage of a letter
+that I wrote to my publisher:
+
+     "Bourrienne had, perhaps, reason for treating Napoleon, as a public
+     man, with severity.  But we view him from different standpoints, and
+     I speak only of the hero in undress.  He was then almost always
+     kind, patient, and rarely unjust.  He was much attached to those
+     about him, and received with kindness and good nature the services
+     of those whom he liked.  He was a man of habit.  It is as a devoted
+     servant that I wish to speak of the Emperor, and in no wise as a
+     critic.  It is not, however, an apotheosis in several volumes that I
+     wish to write: for I am on this point somewhat like fathers who
+     recognize the faults of their children, and reprove them earnestly,
+     while at the same time they are ready to make excuses for their
+     errors."
+
+I trust that I shall be pardoned the familiarity, or, if you will, the
+inappropriateness of this comparison, for the sake of the feeling which
+dictates it.  Besides, I do not propose either to praise or blame, but
+simply to relate that which fell within my knowledge, without trying to
+prejudice the opinion of any one.
+
+I cannot close this introduction without a few words as to myself, in
+reply to the calumnies which have not spared, even in his retirement, a
+man who should have no enemies, if, to be protected from malice, it were
+sufficient to have done a little good, and no harm to any one.  I am
+reproached with having abandoned my master after his fall, and not having
+shared his exile.  I will show that, if I did not follow the Emperor, it
+was because I lacked not the will but the power to do so.  God knows that
+I do not wish to undervalue the devotion of the faithful servants who
+followed the fortunes of the Emperor to the end.  However, it is not
+improper to say that, however terrible the fall of the Emperor was for
+him, the situation (I speak here only of the personal advantages), in the
+island of Elba, of those who remained in his service, and who were not
+detained in France by an inexorable necessity, was still not without its
+advantages; and it was not, therefore, my personal interests which caused
+me to leave him.  I shall explain hereafter my reasons for quitting his
+service.
+
+I shall also give the truth as to the alleged abuse of confidence, of
+which, according to others, I was guilty in respect to the Emperor.
+A simple statement of the mistake which gave rise to this falsehood,
+I trust, will clear me of every suspicion of indelicacy; but if it is
+necessary to add other proofs, I could obtain them from those who lived
+nearest to the Emperor, and who were in a condition to both know and
+understand what passed between us; and lastly, I invoke fifty years of a
+blameless life, and I can say: "When I was in a situation to render great
+services, I did so; but I never sold them.  I could have derived
+advantages from the petitions that I made for people, who, in consequence
+of my solicitations, have acquired immense fortunes; but I refused even
+the proper acknowledgment which in, their gratitude (very deep at that
+time) they felt compelled to offer me, by proposing an interest in their
+enterprises.  I did not seek to take advantage, for my own benefit, of
+the generosity with which the Emperor so long deigned to honor me, in
+order to enrich or secure places for my relatives; and I retired poor
+after fifteen years passed in the personal service of the richest and
+most powerful monarch of Europe."
+
+Having made these statements, I shall await with confidence the judgment
+of my readers.
+
+
+
+
+RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PRIVATE LIFE OF NAPOLEON
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+I shall refer to myself very little in these memoirs, for I am aware the
+public will examine them only for details concerning the great man to
+whom fortune attached me for sixteen years, and whom I scarcely quitted
+during the whole of that time.  Notwithstanding, I ask permission to say
+a few words as to my childhood, and the circumstances which made me valet
+de chambre of the Emperor.
+
+I was born Dec. 2, 1778, at Peruelz, a town which became French on the
+annexation of Belgium to the Republic, and which then belonged to the
+Department of Jemmapes.  Soon after my birth at the baths of Saint Amand,
+my father took charge of a small establishment called the Little Chateau,
+at which visitors to the waters were boarding, being aided in this
+enterprise by the Prince de Croi, in whose house he had been steward.
+Business prospered beyond my father's hopes, for a great number of
+invalids of rank came to his house.  When I attained my eleventh year,
+the Count de Lure, head of one of the chief families of Valenciennes,
+happened to be one of the boarders at the Little Chateau; and as that
+excellent man had taken a great fancy to me, he asked my parents
+permission that I should become a companion to his son, who was about.
+the same age.  My family had intended me for the church, to gratify one
+of my uncles, who was Dean of Lessine, a man of great wisdom and rigid
+virtue; and thinking that the offer of the Count de Lure would not affect
+my intended destination, my father accepted it, judging that some years
+passed in a family so distinguished would give me a taste for the more
+serious studies necessary to fit me for the priesthood.  I set out,
+therefore, with the Count de Lure, much grieved at leaving my parents,
+but pleased also at the same time, as is usual with one at my age, with
+new scenes.  The count took me to one of his estates near Tours, where I
+was received with the greatest kindness by the countess and her children,
+with whom I was placed on a footing of perfect equality.
+
+Unfortunately I did not profit very long by the kindness of the count and
+the lessons.  I was taught at his house, for hardly a year had passed at
+the chateau when we learned of the arrest of the king at Varennes.  The
+count and his family were in despair; and child as I was, I remember that
+I was deeply pained at the news, without knowing why, but doubtless
+because it is natural to share the sentiments of those with whom you
+live, when they treat you with as much kindness as the count and countess
+had treated me.  However, I continued to enjoy the happy freedom from
+care natural to youth, till one morning I was awakened by a loud noise,
+and was immediately surrounded by a great number of people, none of whom
+I knew, and who asked me countless questions which I could not answer.
+I then learned that the count and his family had emigrated.  I was
+carried to the town hall, where the same questions were renewed, with the
+same fruitless result; for I knew nothing of the intentions of my late
+protectors, and could only reply by a flood of tears when I saw myself
+abandoned and left to my own resources, at a great distance from my
+family.
+
+I was too young then to reflect on the conduct of the count; but I have
+since thought that his abandonment of me was an act of delicacy on his
+part, as he did not wish to make me an emigre without the consent of my
+parents.  I have always believed that, before his departure, the count
+had committed me to the care of some one, who subsequently did not dare
+to claim me, lest he should compromise himself, which was then, as is
+well known, exceedingly dangerous.  Behold me, then, at twelve years of
+age, left without a guide, without means of support, without any one to
+advise me, and without money, more than a hundred leagues from my home,
+and already accustomed to the comforts of a luxurious life.  It is hardly
+credible that in this state of affairs I was regarded almost as a
+suspect, and was required each day to present myself before the city
+authorities for the greater safety of the Republic.  I remember well that
+whenever the Emperor was pleased to make me relate these tribulations of
+my childhood, he never failed to repeat several times, "the fools,"
+referring to these same city authorities.  However that may be, the
+authorities of Tours, coming to the conclusion, at last, that a child of
+twelve was incapable of overthrowing the Republic, gave me a passport,
+with the injunction to leave the city within twenty-four hours, which I
+proceeded to do with a hearty good-will, but not without deep grief also
+at seeing myself alone, and on foot, with a long journey before me.
+After much privation and many hardships I arrived at last in the
+neighborhood of Saint-Amand, which I found in the possession of the
+Austrians, and that it was impossible for me to reach the town, as the
+French surrounded it.  In my despair I seated myself on the side of a
+ditch and was weeping bitterly, when I was noticed by the chief of
+squadron, Michau,
+
+     [I afterwards had the happiness of obtaining for him, from the
+     Emperor, a position he wished, as a place of retirement, having lost
+     the use of his right arm.--CONSTANT.]
+
+who afterwards became colonel and aide-de-camp to General Loison.  Michau
+approached me, questioned me with great interest, and made me relate my
+sad adventures, which touched him deeply, while he did not conceal his
+inability to send me back to my family.  He had just obtained leave of
+absence, which he was going to spend with his family at Chinon, and
+proposed to me to accompany him, which invitation I accepted with
+gratitude.  I cannot say too much of the kindness and consideration shown
+me by his household during the three or four months I spent with them.
+At the end of that time he took me to Paris, where I was soon after
+placed in the house of M. Gobert, a rich merchant, who treated me with
+the greatest, kindness.
+
+I lately visited M. Gobert; and he recalled to me that, when we traveled
+together, he gave up to me one of the seats of his carriage, upon which I
+was permitted to stretch myself out and sleep.  I mention this
+circumstance, otherwise unimportant, to show the kindness he always
+showed me.
+
+Some years later I made the acquaintance of Carrat, who was in the
+service of Madame Bonaparte while the general was absent on the Egyptian
+expedition.  Before relating how I came to enter her household, it is
+proper to mention how Carrat himself came into her service, and at the
+same time narrate some anecdotes in regard to him, which will show what
+were the pastimes of the inhabitants of Malmaison at that date.
+
+Carrat happened to be at Plombieres when Madame Bonaparte
+
+     [Madame Bonaparte, nee Marie Joseph Rose Tascher de la Pagerie,
+     was born in Martinique, 1763; became the widow of Viscount Alexander
+     de Beauharnais, 1794; married Napoleon Bonaparte March, 1796; became
+     Empress May 18, 1804; was divorced Dec. 16, 1809; died at Malmaison,
+     May 20, 1814.--TRANS.]
+
+went there to take the waters.  Every day he brought her bouquets, and
+addressed to her little complimentary speeches, so singular and so droll,
+that Josephine was much diverted, as were also the ladies who accompanied
+her, among whom were Mesdames de Cambis and de Criguy,  and especially
+her own daughter Hortense, who was convulsed at his oddities.  The truth
+is, he was exceedingly amusing, by reason of a certain simplicity and
+originality of character, which, however, did not prevent him from being
+a person of intelligence; and his eccentricities did not displease Madame
+Bonaparte.  A sentimental scene took place when this excellent lady left
+the springs.  Carrat wept, bemoaned himself, and expressed his lasting
+grief at not being able to see Madame Bonaparte daily, as he had been
+accustomed; and Madame Bonaparte was so kind-hearted that she at once
+decided to carry him to Paris with her.  She taught him to dress hair,
+and finally appointed him her hair-dresser and valet, at least such were
+the duties he had to perform when I made his acquaintance.  He was
+permitted a most astonishing freedom of speech, sometimes even scolding
+her; and when Madame Bonaparte, who was extremely generous and always
+gracious towards every one, made presents to her women, or chatted
+familiarly with them, Carrat would reproach her.  "Why give that?" he
+would say, adding, "See how you do, Madame; you allow yourself to jest
+with your domestics.  Some day they will show you a want of respect."
+But if he thus endeavored to restrain the generosity of his mistress
+towards those around her, he did not hesitate to stimulate her generosity
+towards himself; and whenever he took a fancy to anything, would simply
+say, "You ought to give me that."
+
+Bravery is not always the inseparable companion of wit, and Carrat gave
+more than once proof of this.  Being endowed with a kind of simple and
+uncontrollable poltroonery, which never fails in comedies to excite the
+laughter of the spectators, it was a great pleasure to Madame Bonaparte
+to play on him such pranks as would bring out his singular want of
+courage.
+
+It should be stated, first of all, that one of the greatest pleasures of
+Madame Bonaparte, at Malmaison, was to take walks on the road just
+outside the walls of the park; and she always preferred this outside
+road, in spite of the clouds of dust which were constantly rising there,
+to the delightful walks inside the park.  One day, accompanied by her
+daughter Hortense, she told Carrat to follow her in her walk; and he was
+delighted to be thus honored until he saw rise suddenly out of a ditch; a
+great figure covered with a white sheet, in fact, a genuine ghost, such
+as I have seen described in the translations of some old English
+romances.
+
+It is unnecessary to say, that the ghost was some one placed there by
+order of these ladies, in order to frighten Carrat; and certainly the
+comedy succeeded marvelously well, for as soon as Carrat perceived the
+ghost, he was very much frightened, and clutching Madame Bonaparte, said
+to her in a tremor, "Madame, Madame, do you see that ghost?  It is the
+spirit of the lady who died lately at Plombieres."--"Be quiet, Carrat,
+you are a coward."--"Ah, but indeed it is her spirit which has come
+back."  As Carrat thus spoke, the man in the white sheet advanced toward
+him, shaking it; and poor Carrat, overcome with terror, fell backwards in
+a faint, and it required all the attentions which were bestowed upon him
+to restore him to consciousness.
+
+Another day, while the general was still in Egypt, and consequently
+before I was in the service of any member of his family, Madame Bonaparte
+wished to give some of her ladies an exhibition of Carrat's cowardice;
+and for this purpose there was concerted among the ladies of Malmaison
+a plot, in which Mademoiselle Hortense
+
+     [Hortense Beauharnais, born at Paris, 1783, was then just sixteen
+     years of age.  Married Louis Bonaparte and became Queen of Holland,
+     1806.  Died 1837.  She was the mother of Napoleon III. --TRANS.]
+
+was chief conspirator.  This incident has been so often narrated in my
+presence by Madame Bonaparte, that I am familiar with the ludicrous
+details.  Carrat slept in a room adjoining which there was a closet.
+A hole was made in the wall between these rooms, and a string passed
+through, at the end of which was tied a can filled with water, this
+cooling element being suspended exactly over the head of the patient's
+bed.  This was not all, for they had also taken the precaution to remove
+the slats which supported the mattress; and as Carrat was in the habit of
+going to sleep without a light, he saw neither the preparations for his
+downfall, nor the can of water provided for his new baptism.  All the
+members of the plot had been waiting for some moments in the adjoining
+closet; when he threw himself heavily upon his bed, it crashed in, and at
+the same instant the play of the string made the can of water do its
+effective work.  The victim at the same time of a fall, and of a
+nocturnal shower-bath, Carrat cried out against his double misfortune.
+"This is horrible," he yelled at the top of his voice; while Hortense
+maliciously said aloud to her mother, Madame de Crigny (afterwards Madame
+Denon), Madame Charvet, and to several others in the room, "Oh, Mamma,
+those toads and frogs in the water will get on him."  These words, joined
+to the utter darkness, served only to increase the terror of Carrat, who,
+becoming seriously frightened, cried out, "It is horrible, Madame, it is
+horrible, to amuse yourself thus at the expense of your servants."
+
+I do not say that the complaints of Carrat were entirely wrong, but they.
+served only to increase the gayety of the ladies who had taken him for
+the object of their pleasantries.
+
+However that may be, such was the character and position of Carrat, whom
+I had known for some time, when General Bonaparte returned from his
+expedition into Egypt, and Carrat said to me that Eugene de Beauharnais
+had applied to him for a confidential valet, his own having been detained
+in Cairo by severe illness at the time of his departure.  He was named
+Lefebvre, and was an old servant entirely devoted to his master, as was
+every one who knew Prince Eugene; for I do not believe that there has
+ever lived a better man, or one more polite, more considerate, or indeed
+more attentive, to those who served him.
+
+Carrat having told me that Eugene de Beauharnais
+
+     [Born 1781, viceroy of Italy 1805.  In 1806 married the daughter
+     of the King of Bavaria.  Died 1824.  Among his descendants are the
+     present King of Sweden and the late Emperor of Brazil.--TRANS.]
+
+desired a young man to replace Lefebvre, and having recommended me for
+the place, I had the good fortune to be presented to Eugene, and to give
+satisfaction; indeed, he was so kind as to say to me that my appearance
+pleased him, and he wished me to enter upon my duties immediately.  I was
+delighted with this situation, which, I know not why, painted itself to
+my imagination in the brightest colors, and without loss of time, went to
+find my modest baggage, and behold me valet de chambre, ad interim, of M.
+de Beauharnais, not dreaming that I should one day be admitted to the
+personal service of General Bonaparte, and still less that I should
+become the chief valet of an Emperor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+It was on Oct. 16, 1799, that Eugene de Beauharnais arrived in Paris on
+his return from Egypt; and almost immediately thereafter I had the good
+fortune to be taken into his service, M. Eugene being then twenty-one
+years of age.  I soon after learned a few particulars, which I think are
+little known, relative to his former life, and the marriage of his mother
+with General Bonaparte.
+
+His father, as is well known, was one of the victims of the Revolution;
+and when the Marquis de Beauharnais had perished on the scaffold, his
+widow, whose property had been confiscated, fearing that her son,
+although still very young, might also be in danger on account of his
+belonging to the nobility, placed him in the home of a carpenter on the
+rue de l'Echelle where, a lady of my acquaintance, who lived on that
+street, has often seen him passing, carrying a plank on his shoulder.  It
+seems a long distance from this position to the colonelcy of a regiment
+of the Consular guards, and the vice-royalty of Italy.
+
+I learned, from hearing Eugene himself relate it, by what a singular
+circumstance he had been the cause of the first meeting between his
+mother and his step-father.  Eugene, being then not more than fourteen or
+fifteen years of age, having been informed that General Bonaparte had
+become possessor of the sword of the Marquis de Beauharnais, took a step
+which seemed hazardous, but was crowned with success.  The general having
+received him graciously, Eugene explained that he came to beg of him the
+restoration of his father's sword.  His face, his bearing, his frank
+request, all made such a pleasant impression on Bonaparte, that he
+immediately presented him with the sword which he requested.  As soon as
+this sword was in his hands he covered it with kisses and tears; and the
+whole was done in so artless a manner, that Bonaparte was delighted with
+him.
+
+Madame de Beauharnais, being informed of the welcome the general had
+given her son, thought it her duty to make him a visit of gratitude.
+Bonaparte, being much pleased with Josephine in this first interview,
+returned her visit.  They met again frequently; and as is well known, one
+event led to another, until she became the first Empress of the French;
+and I can assert from the numerous proofs that I have had of this fact,
+that Bonaparte never ceased to love Eugene as well as if he, had been his
+own son.
+
+The qualities of Eugene were both attractive and solid.  His features
+were not regular, and yet his countenance prepossessed every one in his
+favor.  He had a well-proportioned figure, but did not make a
+distinguished appearance, on account of the habit he had of swinging
+himself as he walked.  He was about five feet three or four inches
+[About five feet six or seven inches in English measurement.--TRANS.]
+in height.  He was kind, gay, amiable, full of wit, intelligent,
+generous; and it might well be said that his frank and open countenance
+was the mirror of his soul.  How many services he has rendered others
+during the course of his life, and at the very period when in order to do
+so he had often to impose privations on himself.
+
+It will soon be seen how it happened that I passed only a month with
+Eugene; but during this short space of time, I recall that, while
+fulfilling scrupulously his duties to his mother and his step-father, he
+was much addicted to the pleasures so natural to his age and position.
+One of his greatest pleasures was entertaining his friends at breakfast;
+which he did very often.  This amused me much on account of the comical
+scenes of which I was often a witness.  Besides the young officers of
+Bonaparte's staff, his most frequent guests, he had also frequently at
+his table the ventriloquist Thiemet, Dugazon, Dazincourt, and Michau of
+the Theatre Francais, and a few other persons, whose names escape me at
+this moment.  As may be imagined, these reunions were extremely gay;
+these young officers especially, who had returned like Eugene from the
+expedition to Egypt, seemed trying to indemnify themselves for the recent
+privations they had had to suffer.  At this time ventriloquists, among
+whom Thiemet held a very distinguished position, were the fashion in
+Paris, and were invited to private gatherings.  I remember on one
+occasion, at one of these breakfasts of Eugene's, Thiemet called by their
+names several persons present, imitating the voices of their servants, as
+if they were just outside the door, while he remained quietly in his
+seat, appearing to be using his lips only to eat and drink, two duties'
+which he performed admirably.  Each of the officers called in this manner
+went out, and found no one; and then Thiemet went out with them, under
+the pretext of assisting them in the search, and increased their
+perplexity by continuing to make them hear some well-known voice.  Most
+of them laughed heartily at the joke of which they had just been the
+victims; but there was one who, having himself less under control than
+his comrades, took the thing seriously, and became very angry, whereupon
+Eugene had to avow that he was the author of the conspiracy.
+
+I recall still another amusing scene, the two heroes of which were this
+same Thiemet, of whom I have just spoken, and Dugazon.  Several
+foreigners were present at a breakfast given by Eugene, the parts having
+been assigned, and learned in advance, and the two victims selected.
+When each had taken his place at table, Dugazon, pretending to stammer,
+addressed a remark to Thiemet, who, playing the same role, replied to
+him, stammering likewise; then each of them pretended to believe that the
+other was making fun of him, and there followed a stuttering quarrel
+between the two parties, each one finding it more and more difficult to
+express himself as his anger rose.  Thiemet, who besides his role of
+stammering was also playing that of deafness, addressed his neighbor, his
+trumpet in his ear:
+
+"Wha-wha-what-do-does he say?"--"Nothing," replied the officious
+neighbor, wishing to prevent a quarrel, and to supply facts while
+defending the other stammerer.--"So-so-he-he-he-he's mamaking fun of me!"
+Then the quarrel became more violent still; they were about to come to
+blows, when each of the two stammerers seizing a carafe of water, hurled
+it at the head of his antagonist, and a copious deluge of water from the
+bottles taught the officious neighbors the great danger of acting as
+peacemakers.  The two stammerers continued to scream as is the custom of
+deaf persons, until the last drop of water was spilt; and I remember that
+Eugene, the originator of this practical joke, laughed immoderately the
+whole time this scene lasted.  The water was wiped off; and all were soon
+reconciled, glass in hand.  Eugene, when he had perpetrated a joke of
+this sort, never failed to relate it to his mother, and sometimes to his
+stepfather, who were much amused thereby, Josephine especially.
+
+I had led for one month a very pleasant life with Eugene, when Lefebvre,
+the valet de chambre whom he had left sick at Cairo, returned in restored
+health, and asked to resume his place.  Eugene, whom I suited better on
+account of my age and activity, proposed to him to enter his mother's
+service, suggesting to him that he would there have an easier time than
+with himself; but Lefebvre, who was extremely attached to his master,
+sought Madame Bonaparte, and confided to her his chagrin at this
+decision.
+
+Josephine promised to assist him; and consoled him by assurances that she
+would suggest to her son that Lefebvre should reassume his former
+position, and that she would take me into her own service.  This was done
+according to promise; and one morning Eugene announced to me, in the most
+gratifying manner, my change of abode.  "Constant," he said to me,
+"I regret very much that circumstances require us to part; but you know
+Lefebvre followed me to Egypt, he is an old servant, and I feel compelled
+to give him his former position.  Besides, you will not be far removed,
+as you will enter my mother's service, where you will be well treated,
+and we will see each other often.  Go to her this morning; I have spoken
+to her of you.  The matter is already arranged, and she expects you."
+
+As may be believed, I lost no time in presenting myself to Madame
+Bonaparte.  Knowing that she was at Malmaison, I went there immediately,
+and was received by her with a kindness which overwhelmed me with
+gratitude, as I was not then aware that she manifested this same
+graciousness to every one, and that it was as inseparable from her
+character as was grace from her person.  The duties required of me, in
+her service, were altogether nominal; and nearly all my time was at my
+own disposal, of which I took advantage to visit Paris frequently.  The
+life that I led at this time was very pleasant to a young man like
+myself, who could not foresee that in a short while he would be as much
+under subjection as he was then at liberty.
+
+Before bidding adieu to a service in which I had found so much that was
+agreeable, I will relate some incidents which belong to that period, and
+which my situation with the stepson of General Bonaparte gave me the
+opportunity of learning.
+
+M. de Bourrienne has related circumstantially in his memoirs the events
+of the 18th Brumaire; [The 18th Brumaire, Nov. 9, 1799, was the day
+Napoleon overthrew the Directory and made himself First Consul.--TRANS.]
+and the account which he has given of that famous day is as correct as it
+is interesting, so that any one curious to know the secret causes which
+led to these political changes will find them faithfully pointed out in
+the narration of that minister of state.  I am very far from intending to
+excite an interest of this, kind, but reading the work of M. Bourrienne
+put me again on the track of my own recollections.  These memoirs relate
+to circumstances of which he was ignorant, or possibly may have omitted
+purposely as being of little importance; and whatever he has let fall on
+his road I think myself fortunate in being permitted to glean.
+
+I was still with Eugene de Beauharnais when General Bonaparte overthrew
+the Directory; but I found myself in as favorable a situation to know all
+that was passing as if I had been in the service of Madame Bonaparte, or
+of the general himself, for my master, although he was very young, had
+the entire confidence of his stepfather, and, to an even greater degree,
+that of his mother, who consulted him on every occasion.
+
+A few days before the 18th Brumaire, Eugene ordered me to make
+preparations for a breakfast he wished to give on that day to his
+friends, the number of the guests, all military men, being much larger
+than usual.  This bachelor repast was made very gay by an officer, who
+amused the company by imitating in turn the manners and appearance of the
+directors and a few of their friends.  To represent the Director Barras,
+he draped himself 'a la grecque' with the tablecloth, took off his black
+cravat, turned down his shirt-collar, and advanced in an affected manner,
+resting his left arm on the shoulder of the youngest of his comrades,
+while with his right he pretended to caress his chin.  Each person of the
+company understood the meaning of that kind of charade; and there were
+uncontrollable bursts of laughter.
+
+He undertook then to represent the Abbe Sieyes,  by placing an enormous
+band of paper inside of his neckcloth, and lengthening thus indefinitely
+a long, pale face.  He made a few turns around the room, astraddle of his
+chair, and ended by a grand somersault, as if his steed had dismounted
+him.  It is necessary to know, in order to understand the significance of
+this pantomime, that the Abbe Sieges had been recently taking lessons in
+horseback, riding in the garden of the Luxembourg, to the great amusement
+of the pedestrians, who gathered in crowds to enjoy the awkward and
+ungraceful exhibition made by this new master of horse.
+
+The breakfast ended, Eugene reported for duty to General Bonaparte, whose
+aide-de-camp he was, and his friends rejoined the various commands to
+which they belonged.
+
+I went out immediately behind them; for from a few words that had just
+been dropped at my young master's, I suspected that something grave and
+interesting was about to take place.  M. Eugene had appointed a
+rendezvous with his comrades at Pont-Tournant; so I repaired to that
+spot, and found a considerable gathering of officers in uniform and on
+horseback, assembled in readiness to escort General Bonaparte to Saint-
+Cloud.
+
+The commandant of each part of the army had been requested by General
+Bonaparte to give a breakfast to their corps of officers; and they had
+done so like my young master.  Nevertheless, the officers, even the
+generals, were not all in the secret; and General Murat himself, who
+rushed into the Hall of the Five Hundred at the head of the grenadiers,
+believed that it was only a question of exemption, on account of age,
+that General Bonaparte intended to propose, in order that he might obtain
+the place of director.
+
+I have learned from an authoritative source, that when General Jube, who
+was devoted to General Bonaparte, assembled in the court of the
+Luxembourg, the guard of the directors of which he was commander, the
+honest M. Gohier, president of the Directory, put his head out of the
+window, and cried to Jube: "Citizen General, what are you doing down
+there?"--"Citizen President, you can see for yourself I am mustering the
+guard."--"Certainly, I see that very plainly, Citizen General; but why
+are you mustering them?"--"Citizen President, I am going to make an
+inspection of them, and order a grand maneuver.  Forward--march!"  And
+the citizen general filed out at the head of his troop to rejoin General
+Bonaparte at Saint-Cloud; while the latter was awaited at the house of
+the citizen president, and the breakfast delayed to which General
+Bonaparte had been invited for that very morning.
+
+General Marmont had also entertained at breakfast the officers of the
+division of the army which he commanded (it was, I think, the artillery).
+At the end of the repast he addressed a few words to them, urging them
+not to alienate their cause from that of the conqueror of Italy, and to
+accompany him to Saint-Cloud.  "But how can we follow him?"  cried one of
+his guests.  "We have no horses."--"If that alone deters you, you will
+find horses in the court of this hotel.  I have seized all those of the
+national riding-school.  Let us go below and mount."  All the officers
+present responded to the invitation except General Allix, who declared he
+would take no part in all this disturbance.
+
+I was at Saint-Cloud on the two days, 18th and 19th Brumaire.  I saw
+General Bonaparte harangue the soldiers, and read to them the decree by
+which he had been made commander-in-chief of all the troops at Paris, and
+of the whole of the Seventeenth Military Division.  I saw him come out
+much agitated first from the Council of the Ancients, and afterwards from
+the Assembly of the Five Hundred.  I saw Lucien Bonaparte brought out of
+the hall, where the latter assembly was sitting, by some grenadiers, sent
+in to protect him from the violence of his colleagues.  Pale and furious,
+he threw himself on his horse and galloped straight to the troops to
+address them; and when he pointed his sword at his brother's breast,
+saying he would be the first to slay him if he dared to strike at
+liberty, cries of "Vive Bonaparte!  down with the lawyers!" burst forth
+on all sides; and the soldiers, led by General Murat, rushed into the
+Hall of the Five Hundred.  Everybody knows what then occurred, and I will
+not enter into details which have been so often related.
+
+The general, now made First Consul, installed himself at the Luxembourg,
+though at this time he resided also at Malmaison.  But he was often on
+the road, as was also Josephine; for their trips to Paris when they
+occupied this residence were very frequent, not only on Government
+business, which often required the presence of the First Consul, but also
+for the purpose of attending the theater, of whose performances General
+Bonaparte, was very fond, giving the preference always to the Theatre
+Francais and the Italian Opera.  This observation I make in passing,
+preferring to give hereafter the information I have obtained as to the
+tastes and habits of the emperor.
+
+Malmaison, at the period of which I speak, was a place of unalloyed
+happiness, where all who came expressed their satisfaction with the state
+of affairs; everywhere also I heard blessings invoked upon the First
+Consul and Madame Bonaparte.  There was not yet the shadow of that strict
+etiquette which it was necessary afterwards to observe at Saint-Cloud, at
+the Tuileries, and in all the palaces in which the Emperor held his
+court.  The consular court was as yet distinguished by a simple elegance,
+equally removed from republican rudeness and the luxuriousness of the
+Empire.  Talleyrand was, at this period, one of those who came most
+frequently to Malmaison.  He sometimes dined there, but arrived generally
+in the evening between eight and nine o'clock, and returned at one, two,
+and sometimes three in the morning.
+
+All were admitted at Madame Bonaparte's on a footing of equality, which
+was most gratifying.  There came familiarly Murat,  Duroc, Berthier, and
+all those who have since figured as great dignitaries, and some even as
+sovereigns, in the annals of the empire.
+
+The family of General Bonaparte were assiduous in their attentions; but
+it was known among us that they had no love for Madame Bonaparte, of
+which fact I had many proofs.  Mademoiselle Hortense never left her
+mother, and they were devotedly attached to each other.
+
+Besides men distinguished by their posts under the government or in the
+army, there gathered others also who were not less distinguished by
+personal merit, or the position which their birth had given them before
+the Revolution.  It was a veritable panorama, in which we saw the persons
+themselves pass before our eyes.  The scene itself, even exclusive of the
+gayety which always attended the dinings of Eugene, had its attractions.
+Among those whom we saw most frequently were Volney, Denon, Lemercier,
+the Prince of Poix, de Laigle, Charles Baudin, General Beurnonville,
+Isabey, and a number of others, celebrated in science, literature, and
+art; in short, the greater part of those who composed the society of
+Madame de Montesson.
+
+Madame Bonaparte and Mademoiselle Hortense often took excursions on
+horseback into the country.  On these occasions her most constant escorts
+were the Prince de Poix and M. de Laigle.  One day, as this party was
+reentering the court-yard at Malmaison, the horse which Hortense rode
+became frightened, and dashed off.  She was an accomplished rider, and
+very active, so she attempted to spring off on the grass by the roadside;
+but the band which fastened the end of her riding-skirt under her foot
+prevented her freeing herself quickly, and she was thrown, and dragged by
+her horse for several yards.  Fortunately the gentlemen of the party,
+seeing her fall, sprang from their horses in time to rescue her; and, by
+extraordinary good fortune, she was not even bruised, and was the first
+to laugh at her misadventure.
+
+During the first part of my stay at Malmaison, the First Consul always
+slept with his wife, like an ordinary citizen of the middle classes in
+Paris; and I heard no rumor of any intrigue in the chateau.  The persons
+of this society, most of whom were young, and who were often very
+numerous, frequently took part in sports which recalled college days.
+In fact, one of the greatest diversions of the inhabitants of Malmaison
+was to play "prisoners' base."  It was usually after dinner; and
+Bonaparte, Lauriston,  Didelot, de Lucay, de Bourrienne, Eugene, Rapp,
+Isabey, Madame Bonaparte, and Mademoiselle Hortense would divide
+themselves into two camps, in which the prisoners taken, or exchanged,
+would recall to the First Consul the greater game, which he so much
+preferred.  In these games the most active runners were Eugene, Isabey,
+and Hortense.  As to General Bonaparte, he often fell, but rose laughing
+boisterously.
+
+General Bonaparte and his family seemed to enjoy almost unexampled
+happiness, especially when at Malmaison, which residence, though
+agreeable at that time, was far from being what it has since become.
+This estate consisted of the chateau, which Bonaparte found in bad
+condition on his return from Egypt, a park already somewhat improved, and
+a farm, the income of which did not with any certainty exceed twelve
+thousand francs a year.  Josephine directed in person all the
+improvements made there, and no woman ever possessed better taste.
+
+From the first, they played amateur comedy at Malmaison, which was a
+relaxation the First Consul enjoyed greatly, but in which he took no part
+himself except that of looker-on.  Every one in the house attended these
+representations; and I must confess we felt perhaps even more pleasure
+than others in seeing thus travestied on the stage those in whose service
+we were.
+
+The Malmaison Troupe, if I may thus style actors of such exalted social
+rank, consisted principally of Eugene, Jerome, Lauriston, de Bourrienne,
+Isabey, de Leroy, Didelot, Mademoiselle Hortense, Madame Caroline Murat,
+and the two Mademoiselles Auguie, one of whom afterwards married Marshal
+Ney,
+
+     [Michel Ney, Styled by Napoleon the "bravest of the brave," was
+     born 1769, at Sarre-Louis (now in Prussia), son of a cooper.
+     Entered the army as a private 1787, adjutant-general 1794, general
+     of brigade 1796, general of division 1799, marshal 1804, Duke of
+     Elchingen 1805, Prince of Moskwa 1812, and commanded the rear-guard
+     in the famous retreat from Russia.  On the return from Elba he went
+     over to Napoleon; was at Waterloo.  Was afterwards taken, and in
+     spite of the terms of the surrender of Paris was tried for treason,
+     and shot in the gardens of the Luxembourg, Dec. 8, 1815.--TRANS.]
+
+and the other M. de Broc.  All four were very young and charming, and few
+theaters in Paris could show four actresses as pretty.  In addition to
+which, they showed much grace in their acting, and played their parts
+with real talent; and were as natural on the stage as in the saloon,
+where they bore themselves with exquisite grace and refinement.  At first
+the repertoire contained little variety, though the pieces were generally
+well selected.  The first representation which I attended was the "Barber
+of Seville "in which Isabey played the role of Figaro, and Mademoiselle
+Hortense that of Rosine--and the "Spiteful Lover."  Another time I saw
+played the "Unexpected Wager," and "False Consultations."  Hortense and
+Eugene played this last piece perfectly; and I still recall that, in the
+role of Madame le Blanc, Hortense appeared prettier than ever in the
+character of an old woman, Eugene representing Le Noir, and Lauriston the
+charlatan.  The First Consul, as I have said, confined himself to the
+role of spectator; but he seemed to take in these fireside plays, so to
+speak, the greatest pleasure, laughed and applauded heartily, though
+sometimes he also criticised.
+
+Madame Bonaparte was also highly entertained; and even if she could not
+always boast of the successful acting of her children, "the chiefs of the
+troupe," it sufficed her that it was an agreeable relaxation to her
+husband, and seemed to give him pleasure; for her constant study was to
+contribute to the happiness of the great man who had united her destiny
+with his own.
+
+When the day for the presentation of a play had been appointed, there was
+never any postponement, but often a change of the play; not because of
+the indisposition, or fit of the blues, of an actress (as often happens
+in the theaters of Paris), but for more serious reasons.  It sometimes
+happened that M. d'Etieulette received orders to rejoin his regiment, or
+an important mission was confided to Count Almaviva, though Figaro and
+Rosine always remained at their posts; and the desire of pleasing the
+First Consul was, besides, so general among all those who surrounded him,
+that the substitutes did their best in the absence of the principals, and
+the play never failed for want of an actor.
+
+     [Michau, of the Comedie Francaise, was the instructor of the
+     troupe.  Wherever it happened that an actor was wanting in
+     animation, Michau would exclaim.  "Warmth!  Warmth!  Warmth!"
+     --Note by CONSTANT.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+I had been only a very short time in the service of Madame Bonaparte when
+I made the acquaintance of Charvet, the concierge of Malmaison, and in
+connection with this estimable man became each day more and more
+intimate, till at last he gave me one of his daughters in marriage.
+I was eager to learn from him all that he could tell me concerning Madame
+Bonaparte and the First Consul prior to my entrance into the house; and
+in our frequent conversations he took the greatest pleasure in satisfying
+my curiosity.  It is to him I owe the following details as to the mother
+and daughter.
+
+When General Bonaparte set out for Egypt, Madame Bonaparte accompanied
+him as far as Toulon, and was extremely anxious to go with him to Egypt.
+When the general made objections, she observed that having been born a
+Creole, the heat of the climate would be more favorable than dangerous to
+her.  By a singular coincidence it was on 'La Pomone' that she wished to
+make the journey; that is to say, on the very same vessel which in her
+early youth had brought her from Martinique to France.  General
+Bonaparte, finally yielding to the wishes of his wife, promised to send
+'La Pomone' for her, and bade her go in the meantime to take the waters
+at Plombieres.  The matter being arranged between husband and wife,
+Madame Bonaparte was delighted to go to the springs of Plombieres which
+she had desired to visit for a long time, knowing, like every one else,
+the reputation these waters enjoyed for curing barrenness in women.
+
+Madame Bonaparte had been only a short time at Plombieres, when one
+morning, while occupied in hemming a turban and chatting with the ladies
+present, Madame de Cambis, who was on the balcony, called to her to come
+and see a pretty little dog passing along the street.  All the company
+hastened with Madame Bonaparte to the balcony, which caused it to fall
+with a frightful crash.  By a most fortunate chance, no one was killed;
+though Madame de Cambis had her leg broken, and Madame Bonaparte was most
+painfully bruised, without, however, receiving any fracture.  Charvet,
+who was in a room behind the saloon, heard the noise, and at once had a
+sheep killed and skinned, and Madame Bonaparte wrapped in the skin.  It
+was a long while before she regained her health, her arms and her hands
+especially being so bruised that she was for a long time unable to use
+them; and it was necessary to cut up her food, feed her, and, in fact,
+perform the same offices for her as for an infant.
+
+I related above that Josephine thought she was to rejoin her husband in
+Egypt, and consequently that her stay at the springs of Plombieres would
+be of short duration but her accident led her to think that it would be
+prolonged indefinitely; she therefore desired, while waiting for her
+complete recovery, to have with her her daughter Hortense, then about
+fifteen years of age, who was being educated in the boarding-school of
+Madame Campan.  She sent for her a mulatto woman to whom she was much
+attached, named Euphemie, who was the foster-sister of Madame Bonaparte,
+and passed (I do not know if the supposition was correct) as her natural
+sister.  Euphemie, accompanied by Charvet, made the journey in one of
+Madame Bonaparte's carriages.  Mademoiselle Hortense, on their arrival,
+was delighted with the journey she was about to make, and above all with
+the idea of being near her mother, for whom she felt the tenderest
+affection.  Mademoiselle Hortense was, I would not say, greedy, but she
+was exceedingly fond of sweets; and Charvet, in relating these details,
+said to me, that at each town of any size through which they passed the
+carriage was filled with bonbons and dainties, of which mademoiselle
+consumed a great quantity.  One day, while Euphemie and Charvet were
+sound asleep, they were suddenly awakened by a report, which sounded
+frightful to them, and caused them intense anxiety, as they found when
+they awoke that they were passing through a thick forest.  This ludicrous
+incident threw Hortense into fits of laughter; for hardly had they
+expressed their alarm when they found themselves deluged with an
+odoriferous froth, which explained the cause of the explosion.  A bottle
+of champagne, placed in one of the pockets of the carriage, had been
+uncorked; and the heat, added to the motion of the carriage, or rather
+the malice of the young traveler, had made it explode with a loud report.
+
+When mademoiselle arrived at Plombieres, her mother's health was almost
+restored; so that the pupil of Madame Campan found there all the
+distractions which please and delight at the age which the daughter of
+Madame Bonaparte had then attained.
+
+There is truth in the saying that in all evil there is good, for had this
+accident not happened to Madame Bonaparte, it is very probable she would
+have become a prisoner of the English; in fact, she learned that
+'La Pomone', the vessel on which she wished to make the voyage, had
+fallen into the power of the enemies of France.  General Bonaparte, in
+all his letters, still dissuaded his wife from the plan she had of
+rejoining him; and, consequently, she returned to Paris.
+
+On her arrival Josephine devoted her attention to executing a wish
+General Bonaparte had expressed to her before leaving.  He had remarked
+to her that he should like, on his return, to have a country seat; and he
+charged his brother to attend to this, which Joseph, however, failed to
+do.  Madame Bonaparte, who, on the contrary, was always in search of what
+might please her husband, charged several persons to make excursions in
+the environs of Paris, in order to ascertain whether a suitable dwelling
+could be found.  After having vacillated long between Ris and Malmaison,
+she decided on the latter, which she bought from M. Lecoulteux-Dumoley,
+for, I think, four hundred thousand francs.  Such were the particulars
+which Charvet was kind enough to give me when I first entered the service
+of Madame Bonaparte.  Every one in the house loved to speak of her; and
+it was certainly not to speak evil, for never was woman more beloved by
+all who surrounded her, and never has one deserved it more.  General
+Bonaparte was also an excellent man in the retirement of private life.
+
+After the return of the First Consul from his campaign in Egypt, several
+attempts against his life had been made; and the police had warned him
+many times to be on his guard, and not to risk himself alone in the
+environs of Malmaison.  The First Consul had been very careless up to
+this period; but the discovery of the snares which were laid for him,
+even in the privacy of his family circle, forced him to use precautions
+and prudence.  It has been stated since, that these pretended plots were
+only fabrications of the police to render themselves necessary to the
+First Consul, or, perhaps, of the First Consul himself, to redouble the
+interest which attached to his person, through fear of the perils which
+menaced his life; and the absurdity of these attempts is alleged as proof
+of this.  I could not pretend to elucidate such mysteries; but it seems
+to me that in such matters absurdity proves nothing, or, at least, it
+does not prove that such plots did not exist.  The conspirators of that
+period set no bounds to their extravagance; for what could be more
+absurd, and at the same time more real, than the atrocious folly of the
+infernal machine?
+
+Be that as it may, I shall relate what passed under my own eyes during
+the first month of my stay at Malmaison.  No one there, or, at least, no
+one in my presence, showed the least doubt of the reality of these
+attempts.
+
+In order to get rid of the First Consul, all means appeared good to his
+enemies: they noted everything in their calculations, even his absence of
+mind.  The following occurrence is proof of this:
+
+There were repairs and ornamentations to be made to the mantel in the
+rooms of the First Consul at Malmaison.  The contractor in charge of this
+work had sent marblecutters, amongst whom had slipped in, it seems, a few
+miserable wretches employed by the conspirators.  The persons attached to
+the First Consul were incessantly on the alert, and exercised the
+greatest watchfulness; and it was observed that among these workmen there
+were men who pretended to work, but whose air and manner contrasted
+strongly with their occupation.  These suspicions were unfortunately only
+too well founded; for when the apartments had been made ready to receive
+the First Consul, and just as he was on the eve of occupying them, some
+one making a final inspection found on the desk at which he would first
+seat himself, a snuff-box, in every respect like one of those which he
+constantly used.  It was thought at first that this box really belonged
+to him, and that it had been forgotten and left there by his valet; but
+doubts inspired by the suspicious manner of a few of the marble-cutters,
+leading to further investigation, the tobacco was examined and analyzed.
+It was found to be poisoned.
+
+The authors of this perfidy had, it is said, at this time, communication
+with other conspirators, who engaged to attempt another means of ridding
+themselves of the First Consul.  They promised to attack the guard of the
+chateau (Malmaison), and to carry off by force the chief of the
+government.  With this intention, they had uniforms made like those of
+the consular guards, who then stood sentinel, day and night, over the
+First Consul, and followed him on horseback in his excursions.  In this
+costume, and by the aid of signals, with their accomplices (the pretended
+marble-cutters) on the inside, they could easily have approached and
+mingled with the guard, who were fed and quartered at the chateau.  They
+could even have reached the First Consul, and carried him off.  However,
+this first project was abandoned as too uncertain; and the conspirators
+flattered themselves that they would succeed in their undertaking more
+surely, and with less danger, by taking advantage of the frequent
+journeys of the First Consul to Paris.  By means of their disguise they
+planned to distribute themselves on the road, among the guides of the
+escort, and massacre them, their rallying-point being the quarries of
+Nanterre; but their plots were for the second time foiled.  There was in
+the park at Malmaison a deep quarry; and fears being entertained that
+they would profit by it to conceal themselves therein, and exercise some
+violence against the First Consul on one of his solitary walks, it was
+decided to secure it with an iron door.
+
+On the 19th of February, at one in the afternoon, the First Consul went
+in state to the Tuileries, which was then called the Government palace,
+to install himself there with all his household.  With him were his two
+colleagues; one of whom, the third consul,  was to occupy the same
+residence, and be located in the Pavilion de Flore.  The carriage of the
+consuls was drawn by six white horses, which the Emperor of Germany had
+presented to the conqueror of Italy after the signature of the treaty of
+peace of Campo-Formio.  The saber that the First Consul wore at this
+ceremony was magnificent, and had also been presented to him by this
+monarch on the same occasion.
+
+A remarkable thing in this formal change of residence was that the
+acclamations and enthusiasm of the crowd, and even of the most
+distinguished spectators, who filled the windows of rue Thionville and of
+the quai Voltaire, were addressed only to the First Consul, and to the
+young warriors of his brilliant staff, who were yet bronzed by the sun of
+the Pyramids or of Italy.  At their head rode General Lannes and Murat;
+the first easy to recognize by his bold bearing and soldierly manners;
+the second by the same qualities, and further by a striking elegance,
+both of costume and equipments.  His new title of brother-in-law of the
+First Consul contributed, also, greatly to fix upon him the attention of
+all.  As for myself, all my attention was absorbed by the principal
+personage of the cortege, whom, like every one around me, I regarded with
+something like a religious reverence; and by his stepson, the son of my
+excellent mistress, himself once my master,--the brave, modest, good
+Prince Eugene, who at that time, however, was not yet a prince.  On his
+arrival at the Tuileries, the First Consul took possession at once of the
+apartments which he afterwards occupied, and which were formerly part of
+the royal apartments.  These apartments consisted of a bed-chamber, a
+bathroom, a cabinet, and a saloon, in which he gave audience in the
+forenoon; of a second saloon, in which were stationed his aides-de-camp
+on duty, and which he used as a dining-room; and also a very large
+antechamber.  Madame Bonaparte had her separate apartments on the ground
+floor, the same which she afterwards occupied as Empress.  Beneath the
+suite of rooms occupied by the First Consul was the room of Bourrienne,
+his private secretary, which communicated with the apartments of the
+First Consul by means of a private staircase.
+
+Although at this period there were already courtiers, there was not,
+however, yet a court, and the etiquette was exceedingly simple.  The
+First Consul, as I believe I have already said, slept in the same bed
+with his wife; and they lived together, sometimes at the Tuileries,
+sometimes at Malmaison.  As yet there were neither grand marshal, nor
+chamberlains, nor prefects of the palace, nor ladies of honor, nor lady
+ushers, nor ladies of the wardrobe, nor pages.  The household of the
+First Consul was composed only of M. Pfister, steward; Venard, chief
+cook; Galliot, and Dauger, head servants; Colin, butler.  Ripeau was
+librarian; Vigogne, senior, in charge of the stables.  Those attached to
+his personal service were Hambard, head valet; Herbert, ordinary valet;
+and Roustan, mameluke of the First Consul.  There were, beside these,
+fifteen persons to discharge the ordinary duties of the household.  De
+Bourrienne superintended everything, and regulated expenses, and,
+although very strict, won the esteem and affection of every one.
+
+He was kind, obliging, and above all very just; and consequently at the
+time of his disgrace the whole household was much distressed.  As for
+myself, I retain a sincerely respectful recollection of him; and I
+believe that, though he has had the misfortune to find enemies among the
+great, he found among his inferiors only grateful hearts and sincere
+regrets.
+
+Some days after this installation, there was at the chateau a reception
+of the diplomatic corps.  It will be seen from the details, which I shall
+give, how very simple at that time was the etiquette of what they already
+called the Court.
+
+At eight o'clock in the evening, the apartments of Madame Bonaparte,
+situated, as I have just said, on the ground floor adjoining the garden,
+were crowded with people.  There was an incredible wealth of plumes,
+diamonds, and dazzling toilets.  The crowd was so great that it was found
+necessary to throw open the bedroom of Madame Bonaparte, as the two
+saloons were so full there was not room to move.
+
+When, after much embarrassment and difficulty, every one had found a
+place as they could, Madame Bonaparte was announced, and entered, leaning
+on the arm of Talleyrand.  She wore a dress of white muslin with short
+sleeves, and a necklace of pearls.  Her head was uncovered; and the
+beautiful braids of her hair, arranged with charming negligence, were
+held in place by a tortoise-shell comb.  The flattering murmur which
+greeted her appearance was most grateful to her; and never, I believe,
+did she display more grace and majesty.
+
+Talleyrand,
+
+     [Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, born at Paris, 1754, was
+     descended from the counts of Perigord.  Rendered lame by an
+     accident, he entered the clergy, and in 1788 became Bishop of Autun.
+     In the States-General he sided with the Revolution.  During the
+     Reign of Terror he visited England and the United States.  Recalled
+     in 1796, he became minister of foreign affairs under the Directory,
+     which post he retained under the Consulate.  In 1806 he was made
+     Prince of Benevento.  He soon fell into disgrace.  Sided with the
+     Bourbons in 1814, and was minister at the congress of Vienna,
+     president of the council, and minister under the king.  Died 1838.
+     --TRANS.]
+
+giving his hand to Madame Bonaparte, had the honor of presenting to her,
+one after another, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, not according to
+their names, but that of the courts they represented.  He then made with
+her the tour of the two saloons, and the circuit of the second was only
+half finished when the First Consul entered without being announced.  He
+was dressed in a very plain uniform, with a tricolored silk scarf, with
+fringes of the same around his waist.  He wore close-fitting pantaloons
+of white cassimere, and top-boots, and held his hat in his hand.  This
+plain dress, in the midst of the embroidered coats loaded with cordons
+and orders worn by the ambassadors and foreign dignitaries, presented a
+contrast as striking as the toilette of Madame Bonaparte compared with
+that of the other ladies present.
+
+Before relating how I exchanged the service of Madame Bonaparte for that
+of the chief of state, and a sojourn at Malmaison for the second campaign
+of Italy, I think I should pause to recall one or two incidents which
+belong to the time spent in the service of Madame Bonaparte.  She loved
+to sit up late, and, when almost everybody else had retired, to play a
+game of billiards, or more often of backgammon.  It happened on one
+occasion that, having dismissed every one else, and not yet being sleepy,
+she asked if I knew how to play billiards, and upon my replying in the
+affirmative, requested me with charming grace to play with her; and I had
+often afterwards the honor of doing so.  Although I had some skill, I
+always managed to let her beat me, which pleased her exceedingly.  If
+this was flattery, I must admit it; but I would have done the same
+towards any other woman, whatever her rank and her relation to me, had
+she been even half as lovely as was Madame Bonaparte.
+
+The concierge of Malmaison, who possessed the entire confidence of his
+employers, among other means of precaution and watchfulness conceived by
+him in order to protect the residence and person of the First Consul from
+any sudden attack, had trained for the chateau several large dogs, among
+which were two very handsome Newfoundlands.  Work on the improvements of
+Malmaison went on incessantly, and a large number of workmen lodged there
+at night, who were carefully warned not to venture out alone; but one
+night as some of the watchdogs were with the workmen in their lodgings,
+and allowed themselves to be caressed, their apparent docility encouraged
+one of these men to attempt the imprudence of venturing out.  Believing
+that the surest way to avoid danger was to put himself under the
+protection of one of those powerful animals, he took one of them with
+him, and in a very friendly manner they passed out of the door together;
+but no sooner had they reached the outside, than the dog sprang upon his
+unfortunate companion and threw him down.  The cries of the poor workman
+brought some of the guard, who ran to his aid.  Just in time; for the dog
+was holding him fast to the ground, and had seized him by the throat.  He
+was rescued, badly wounded.  Madame Bonaparte, when she was informed of
+this accident, had him nursed till perfectly cured, and gave him a
+handsome gratuity, but recommended him to be more prudent in the future.
+
+Every moment that the First Consul could snatch from affairs of state he
+passed at Malmaison.  The evening of each decadii
+
+     [Under the Republic, Sunday was abolished.  A decade of ten days
+     was substituted for the week; and the decadi, or tenth day, took the
+     place of the Sabbath.--TRANS.]
+
+was a time of expectation and joy at the chateau.  Madame Bonaparte sent
+domestics on horseback and on foot to meet her husband, and often went
+herself, accompanied by her daughter and her Malmaison friends.  When not
+on duty, I went myself and alone:  for everybody felt for the First
+Consul the same affection, and experienced in regard to him the same
+anxiety; and such was the bitterness and boldness of his enemies that the
+road, though short, between Paris and Malmaison was full of dangers and
+snares.  We knew that many plans had been laid to kidnap him on this
+road, and that these attempts might be renewed.  The most dangerous spot
+was the quarries of Nanterre, of which I have already spoken; so they
+were carefully examined, and guarded by his followers each day on which
+the First Consul was to pass, and finally the depressions nearest the
+road were filled up.  The First Consul was gratified by our devotion to
+him, and gave us proofs of his satisfaction, though he himself seemed
+always free from fear or uneasiness.  Very often, indeed, he mildly
+ridiculed our anxiety, and would relate very seriously to the good
+Josephine what a narrow escape he had on the road; how men of a sinister
+appearance had shown themselves many times on his way; how one of them
+had had the boldness to aim at him, etc.  And when he saw her well
+frightened, he would burst out laughing, give her some taps or kisses on
+her cheek and neck, saying to her, "Have no fear, little goose; they
+would not dare."  On these "days of furlough," as he called them, he was
+occupied more with his private affairs than with those of state; but
+never could he remain idle.  He would make them pull down, put up again,
+build, enlarge, set out, prune, incessantly, both in the chateau and in
+the park, while he examined the bills of expenses, estimated receipts,
+and ordered economies.  Time passed quickly in all these occupations; and
+the moment soon came when it was necessary to return, and, as he
+expressed it, put on again the yoke of misery.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Towards the end of March, 1800, five or six months after my entrance into
+the service of Madame. Bonaparte, the First Consul while at dinner one
+day regarded me intently; and having carefully scrutinized and measured
+me from head to foot, "Young man," said he, "would you like to go with me
+on the campaign?"  I replied, with much emotion, that I would ask nothing
+better.  "Very well, then, you shall go with me!" and on rising from the
+table, he ordered Pfister, the steward, to place my name on the list of
+the persons of his household who would accompany him.  My preparations
+did not require much time; for I was delighted with the idea of being
+attached to the personal service of so great a man, and in imagination
+saw myself already beyond the Alps.  But the First Consul set out without
+me.  Pfister, by a defect of memory, perhaps intentional, had forgotten
+to place my name on the list.  I was in despair, and went to relate, with
+tears, my misfortune to my excellent mistress, who was good enough to
+endeavor to console me, saying, "Well, Constant, everything is not lost;
+you will stay with me.  You can hunt in the park to pass the time; and
+perhaps the First Consul may yet send for you."  However, Madame
+Bonaparte did not really believe this; for she thought, as I did,
+although out of kindness she did not wish to say this to me, that the
+First Consul having changed his mind, and no longer wishing my services
+on the campaign, had himself given the counter orders.  However, I soon
+had proof to the contrary.  In passing through Dijon, on his way to Mt.
+St. Bernard, the First Consul asked for me, and learning that they had
+forgotten me, expressed his dissatisfaction, and directed Bourrienne to
+write immediately to Madame Bonaparte, requesting her to send me on
+without delay.
+
+One morning, when my chagrin was more acute than ever, Madame Bonaparte
+sent for me, and said, holding Bourrienne's letter in her hand,
+"Constant, since you have determined to quit us to make the campaign, you
+may rejoice, for you are now about to leave.  The First Consul has sent
+for you.  Go to the office of Maret, and ascertain if he will not soon
+send a courier.  You will accompany him."  I was inexpressibly delighted
+at this good news, and did not try to conceal my pleasure.  "You are very
+well satisfied to leave us," said Madame Bonaparte with a kind smile.
+"It is not leaving Madame, but joining the First Consul, which delights
+me."--"I hope so," replied she.  "Go, Constant; and take good care of
+him."  If any incentive had been needed, this injunction of my noble
+mistress would have added to the zeal and fidelity with which I had
+determined to discharge my new duties.  I hurried without delay to the
+office of Maret,  secretary of state, who already knew me, and had shown
+his good-will for me.  "Get ready at once," said he; "a courier will set
+out this evening or to-morrow morning."  I returned in all haste to
+Malmaison, and announced to Madame Bonaparte my immediate departure.  She
+immediately had a good post-chaise made ready for me, and Thibaut (for
+that was the name of the courier I was to accompany) was directed to
+obtain horses for me along the route.  Maret gave me eight hundred francs
+for the expenses of my trip, which sum, entirely unexpected by me, filled
+me with wonder, for I had never been so rich.  At four o'clock in the
+morning, having heard from Thibaut that everything was ready, I went to
+his house, where the post-chaise awaited me, and we set out.
+
+I traveled very comfortably, sometimes in the postchaise, sometimes on
+horseback; I taking Thibaut's place, and he mine.  I expected to overtake
+the First Consul at Martigny; but his traveling had been so rapid, that I
+caught up with him only at the convent of Mt. St. Bernard.  Upon our
+route we constantly passed regiments on the march, composed of officers
+and soldiers who were hastening to rejoin their different corps.  Their
+enthusiasm was irrepressible,--those who had made the campaign of Italy
+rejoiced at returning to so fine a country; those who had not yet done so
+were burning with impatience to see the battlefields immortalized by
+French valor, and by the genius of the hero who still marched at their
+head.  All went as if to a festival, and singing songs they climbed the
+mountains of Valais.  It was eight o'clock in the morning when I arrived
+at headquarters.  Pfister announced me; and I found the general-in-chief
+in the great hall, in the basement of the Hospice.  He was taking
+breakfast, standing, with his staff.  As soon as he saw me, he said,
+"Here you are, you queer fellow! why didn't you come with me?"  I excused
+myself by saying that to my great regret I had received a counter order,
+or, at least, they had left me behind at the moment of departure.  "Lose
+no time, my friend; eat quickly; we are about to start."  From this
+moment I was attached to the personal service of the First Consul, in the
+quality of ordinary valet; that is to say, in my turn.  This duty gave me
+little to do; Hambard, the head valet of the First Consul, being in the
+habit of dressing him from head to foot.
+
+Immediately after breakfast we began to descend the mountain, many
+sliding down on the snow, very much as they coast at the garden Beaujon,
+from top to bottom of the Montagnes Russes, and I followed their example.
+This they called "sledding."  The general-in-chief also descended in this
+manner an almost perpendicular glacier.  His guide was a young
+countryman, active and courageous, to whom the First Consul promised a
+sufficiency for the rest of his days.  Some young soldiers who had
+wandered off into the snow were found, almost dead with cold, by the
+dogs sent out by the monks, and carried to the Hospice, where they
+received every possible attention, and their lives were saved.  The First
+Consul gave substantial proof of his gratitude to the good fathers for a
+charity so useful and generous.  Before leaving the Hospice, where he had
+found tables loaded with food already prepared awaiting the soldiers as
+soon as they reached the summit of the mountain, he gave to the good
+monks a considerable sum of money, in reward for the hospitality he and
+his companions in arms had received, and an order on the treasury for an
+annuity in support of the convent.
+
+The same day we climbed Mount Albaredo; but as this passage was
+impracticable for cavalry and artillery, he ordered them to pass outside
+the town of Bard, under the batteries of the fort.  The First Consul had
+ordered that they should pass it at night, and on a gallop; and he had
+straw tied around the wheels of the caissons and on the feet of the
+horses, but even these precautions were not altogether sufficient to
+prevent the Austrians hearing our troops.  The cannon of the fort rained
+grape-shot incessantly; but fortunately the houses of the town sheltered
+our soldiers from the enemy's guns, and more than half the army passed
+without much loss.  I was with the household of the First Consul, which
+under the care of General Gardanne flanked the fort.
+
+The 23d of May we forded a torrent which flowed between the town and the
+fort, with the First Consul at our head, and then, followed by General
+Berthier and some other officers, took the path over the Albaredo, which
+overlooked the fort and the town of Bard.  Directing his field-glass
+towards the hostile batteries, from the fire of which he was protected
+only by a few bushes, he criticised the dispositions which had been made
+by the officer in charge of the siege of the fort, and ordered changes,
+which he said would cause the place to fall into our hands in a short
+time.  Freed now from the anxiety which this fort had caused him, and
+which he said had prevented his sleeping the two days he had passed in
+the convent of Maurice, he stretched himself at the foot of a fir-tree
+and took a refreshing nap, while the army was making good its passage.
+Rising from this brief interval of repose, he descended the mountain and
+continued his march to Ivree, where we passed the night.
+
+The brave General Lannes, who commanded the advance guard, acted somewhat
+in the capacity of quartermaster, taking possession of all the places
+which barred the road.  Only a few hours before we entered he had forced
+the passage of Ivree.
+
+Such was this miraculous passage of St. Bernard.  Horses, cannon,
+caissons, and an immense quantity of army stores of all kinds,
+everything, in fact, was drawn or carried over glaciers which appeared
+inaccessible, and by paths which seemed impracticable even for a single
+man.  The Austrian cannon were not more successful than the snow in
+stopping the French army.  So true is it that the genius and perseverance
+of the First Consul were communicated, so to speak, to the humblest of
+his soldiers, and inspired them with a courage and a strength, the
+results of which will appear fabulous to posterity.
+
+On the 2d of June, which was the day after the passage of the Ticino, and
+the day of our entrance into Milan, the First Consul learned that the
+fort of Bard had been taken the evening before, showing that his
+dispositions had led to a quick result, and the road of communication by
+the St. Bernard was now free from all obstructions.  The First Consul
+entered Milan without having met much resistance, the whole population
+turned out on his entrance, and he was received with a thousand
+acclamations.  The confidence of the Milanese redoubled when they learned
+that he had promised the members of the assembled clergy to maintain the
+catholic worship and clergy as already established, and had compelled
+them to take the oath of fidelity to the cisalpine republic.
+
+The First Consul remained several days in this capital; and I had time to
+form a more intimate acquaintance with my colleagues, who were, as I have
+said, Hambard, Roustan, and Hebert.  We relieved each other every twenty-
+four hours, at noon precisely.  As has always been my rule when thrown
+into association with strangers, I observed, as closely as circumstances
+permitted, the character and temper of my comrades, so that I could
+regulate my conduct in regard to them, and know in advance what I might
+have to fear or hope from association with them.
+
+Hambard had an unbounded devotion for the First Consul, whom he had
+followed to Egypt, but unfortunately his temper was gloomy and
+misanthropic, which made him extremely sullen and disagreeable; and the
+favor which Roustan enjoyed perhaps contributed to increase this gloomy
+disposition.  In a kind of mania he imagined himself to be the object of
+a special espionage; and when his hours of service were over, he would
+shut himself up in his room, and pass in mournful solitude the whole time
+he was not on duty.  The First Consul, when in good humor, would joke
+with him upon this savage disposition, calling him Mademoiselle Hambard.
+"Ah, well, what were you doing there in your room all by yourself?
+Doubtless you were reading some poor romances, or some old books about
+princesses carried off and kept under guard by a barbarous giant."  To
+which Hambard would sullenly reply, "General, you no doubt know better
+than I what I was doing," referring in this way to the spies by which he
+believed himself to be always surrounded.  Notwithstanding this
+unfortunate disposition, the First Consul felt very kindly to him.  When
+the Emperor went to camp at Boulogne, Hambard refused to accompany him;
+and the Emperor gave him, as a place of retreat, the charge of the palace
+of Meudon.  There he showed unmistakable symptoms of insanity, and his
+end was lamentable.  During the Hundred Days, after a conversation with
+the Emperor, he threw himself against a carving-knife with such violence
+that the blade came out two inches behind his back.  As it was believed
+at this time that I had incurred the anger of the Emperor, the rumor went
+abroad that it was I who had committed suicide, and this tragic death was
+announced in several papers as mine.
+
+Hebert, ordinary valet, was a very agreeable young fellow, but very
+timid, and was, like all the rest of the household, devotedly attached to
+the First Consul.  It happened one day in Egypt that the latter, who had
+never been able to shave himself (it was I who taught him how to shave
+himself, as I shall relate elsewhere at length), called Hebert to shave
+him, in the absence of Hambard, who ordinarily discharged that duty.  As
+it had sometimes happened that Hebert, on account of his great timidity,
+had cut his master's chin, on that day the latter, who held a pair of
+scissors in his hand, when Hebert approached him, holding his razor,
+said, "Take care, you scamp; if you cut me, I will stick my scissors into
+your stomach."  This threat, made with an air of pretended seriousness,
+but which was in fact only a jest, such as I have seen the Emperor
+indulge in a hundred times, produced such an impression on Hebert, that
+it was impossible for him to finish his work.  He was seized with a
+convulsive trembling, the razor fell from his hand, and the general-in-
+chief in vain bent his neck, and said to him many times, laughing "Come,
+finish, you scamp."  Not only was Hebert unable to complete his task that
+day, but from that time he had to renounce the duty of barber.  The
+Emperor did not like this excessive timidity in the servants of his
+household; but this did not prevent him, when he restored the castle of
+Rambouillet, from giving to Hebert the place of concierge which he
+requested.
+
+Roustan, so well known under the name of Mameluke, belonged to a good
+family of Georgia; carried off at the age of six or seven, and taken to
+Cairo, he was there brought up among the young slaves who attended upon
+the mamelukes, until he should be of sufficient age to enter this warlike
+militia.  The Sheik of Cairo, in making a present to General Bonaparte of
+a magnificent Arab horse, had given him at the same time Roustan and
+Ibrahim, another mameluke, who was afterwards attached to the service of
+Madame Bonaparte, under the name of Ali.  It is well known that Roustan
+became an indispensable accompaniment on all occasions when the Emperor
+appeared in public.  He was with him in all his expeditions, in all
+processions, and, which was especially to his honor, in all his battles.
+In the brilliant staff which followed the Emperor he shone more than all
+others by the richness of his Oriental costume; and his appearance made a
+decided impression, especially upon the common people and in the
+provinces.  He was believed to have great influence with the Emperor;
+because, as credulous people said, Roustan had saved his master's life by
+throwing himself between him and the saber of an enemy who was about to
+strike him.  I think that this belief was unfounded, and that the
+especial favor he enjoyed was due to the habitual kindness of his Majesty
+towards every one in his service.  Besides, this favor affected in no
+wise his domestic relations; for when Roustan, who had married a young
+and pretty French girl, a certain Mademoiselle Douville, whose father was
+valet to the Empress Josephine, was reproached by certain journals in
+1814 and 1815 with not having followed to the end of his fortunes the man
+for whom he had always expressed such intense devotion, Roustan replied
+that the family ties which he had formed prevented his leaving France,
+and that he could not destroy the happiness of his own household.
+
+Ibrahim took the name of Ali when he passed into the service of Madame
+Bonaparte.  He was of more than Arabic ugliness, and had a wicked look.
+I recall in this connection a little incident which took place at
+Malmaison, which will give an idea of his character.  One day, while
+playing on the lawn of the chateau, I unintentionally threw him down
+while running; and furious at his fall, he rose up, drew his poniard,
+which he always wore, and dashed after me to strike me.  I laughed at
+first, like every one else, at the accident, and amused myself by making
+him run; but warned by the cries of my comrades, and looking back to see
+how close he was, I perceived at the same time his dagger and his rage.
+I stopped at once, and planted my foot, with my eye fixed upon his
+poniard, and was fortunate enough to avoid his blow, which, however,
+grazed my breast.  Furious in my turn, as may be imagined, I seized him
+by his flowing pantaloons, and pitched him ten feet into the stream of
+Malmaison, which was barely two feet deep.  The plunge brought him at
+once to his senses; and besides, his poniard had gone to the bottom,
+which made him much less dangerous.  But in his disappointment he yelled
+so loudly that Madame Bonaparte heard him; and as she had quite a fancy
+for her mameluke, I was sharply scolded.  However, this poor Ali was of
+such an unsocial temperament that he got into difficulties with almost
+every one in the household, and at last was sent away to Fontainebleau,
+to take the place of manservant there.
+
+I now return to our campaign.  On the 13th of June the First Consul spent
+the night at Torre-di-Galifolo, where he established his headquarters.
+From the day of our entry into Milan the advance of the army had not
+slackened; General Murat had passed the Po, and taken possession of
+Piacenza; and General Lannes, still pushing forward with his brave
+advance guard, had fought a bloody battle at Montebello, a name which he
+afterwards rendered illustrious by bearing it.  The recent arrival of
+General Desaix, who had just returned from Egypt, completed the joy of
+the general-in-chief, and also added much to the confidence of the
+soldiers, by whom the good and modest Desaix was adored.  The First
+Consul received him with the frankest and most cordial friendship, and
+they remained together three consecutive hours in private conversation.
+At the end of this conference, an order of the day announced to the army
+that General Desaix would take command of the division Boudet.  I heard
+some persons in the suite of General Desaix say that his patience and
+evenness of temper were rudely tried during his voyage, by contrary
+winds, forced delays, the ennui of quarantine, and above all by the bad
+conduct of the English, who had kept him for some time a prisoner in
+their fleet, in sight of the shores of France, although he bore a
+passport, signed by the English authorities in Egypt, in consequence of
+the capitulation which had been mutually agreed upon.  Consequently his
+resentment against them was very ardent; and he regretted much, he said,
+that the enemy he was about to fight was not the English.
+
+In spite of the simplicity of his tastes and habits, no one was more
+ambitious of glory than this brave general.  All his rage against the
+English was caused by the fear that he might not arrive in time to gather
+new laurels.  He did indeed arrive in time, but only to find a glorious
+death, alas, so premature!
+
+It was on the fourteenth that the celebrated battle of Marengo took
+place, which began early in the morning, and lasted throughout the day.
+I remained at headquarters with all the household of the First Consul,
+where we were almost within range of the cannon on the battlefield.
+Contradictory news constantly came, one report declaring the battle
+completely lost, the next giving us the victory.  At one time the
+increase in the number of our wounded, and the redoubled firing of the
+Austrian cannon, made us believe that all was lost; and then suddenly
+came the news that this apparent falling back was only a bold maneuver of
+the First Consul, and that a charge of General Desaix had gained the
+battle.  But the victory was bought at a price dear to France and to the
+heart of the First Consul.  Desaix, struck by a bullet, fell dead on the
+field; and the grief of his soldiers serving only to exasperate their
+courage, they routed, by a bayonet charge, the enemy, who were already
+shaken by the brilliant cavalry charge of General Kellermann.  The First
+Consul slept upon the field of battle, and notwithstanding the decisive
+victory that he had gained, was very sad, and said that evening, in the
+presence of Hambard and myself, many things which showed the profound
+grief he experienced in the death of General Desaix.  He said, "France
+has lost one of her bravest defenders, and I one of my best friends; no
+one knew how much courage there was in the heart of Desaix, nor how much
+genius in his head."  He thus solaced his grief by making to each and all
+a eulogy on the hero who had died on the field of honor.
+
+"My brave Desaix," he further said, "always wished to die thus;" and then
+added, almost with tears in his eyes, "but ought death to have been so
+prompt to grant his wish?"
+
+There was not a soldier in our victorious army who did not share so just
+a sorrow.  Rapp and Savary, the aides-de-camp of Desaix, remained plunged
+in the most despairing grief beside the body of their chief, whom they
+called their father, rather to express his unfailing kindness to them
+than the dignity of his character.  Out of respect to the memory of his
+friend, the general-in-chief, although his staff was full, added these
+two young officers in the quality of aides-de-camp.
+
+Commandant Rapp (for such only was his rank at that time) was then, as he
+has ever been, good, full of courage, and universally beloved.  His
+frankness, which sometimes bordered on brusqueness, pleased the Emperor;
+and I have many times heard him speak in praise of his aide-de-camp, whom
+he always styled, "My brave Rapp."  Rapp was not lucky in battle, for he
+rarely escaped without a wound.  While thus anticipating events, I will
+mention that in Russia, on the eve of the battle of La Moskwa, the
+Emperor said, in my presence, to General Rapp, who had just arrived from
+Dantzic, "See here, my brave fellow, we will beat them to-morrow, but
+take great care of yourself.  You are not a favorite of fortune."--"That
+is," said the general, "the premium to be paid on the business, but I
+shall none the less on that account do my best."
+
+Savary manifested for the First Consul the same fervid zeal and unbounded
+devotion which had attached him to General Desaix; and if he lacked any
+of the qualities of General Rapp, it was certainly not bravery.  Of all
+the men who surrounded the Emperor, no one was more absolutely devoted to
+his slightest wishes.  In the course of these memoirs, I shall doubtless
+have occasion to recall instances of this unparalleled enthusiasm, for
+which the Duke de Rovigo I was magnificently rewarded; but it is just to
+say that he did not bite the hand which rewarded him, and that he gave to
+the end, and even after the end, of his old master (for thus he loved to
+style the Emperor) an example of gratitude which has been imitated by
+few.
+
+A government decree, in the month of June following, determined that the
+body of Desaix should be carried to the Hospice of St. Bernard, and that
+a tomb should be erected on that spot, in the country where he had
+covered himself with immortal glory, as a testimonial to the grief of
+France, and especially that of the First Consul.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+The victory of Marengo had rendered the conquest of Italy certain.
+Therefore the First Consul, thinking his presence more necessary at Paris
+than at the head of his army, gave the command in chief to General
+Massena, and made preparations to repass the mountains.  On our return to
+Milan, the First Consul was received with even more enthusiasm than on
+his first visit.
+
+The establishment of a republic was in accordance with the wishes of a
+large number of the Milanese; and they called the First Consul their
+Savior, since he had delivered them from the yoke of the Austrians.
+There was, however, a party who detested equally these changes, the
+French army which was the instrument of them, and the young chief who was
+the author.  In this party figured a celebrated artist, the singer
+Marchesi.
+
+During our former visit, the First Consul had sent for him; and the
+musician had waited to be entreated, acting as if he were much
+inconvenienced, and at last presented himself with all the importance of
+a man whose dignity had been offended.  The very simple costume of the
+First Consul, his short stature, thin visage, and poor figure were not
+calculated to make much of an impression on the hero of the theater; and
+after the general-in-chief had welcomed him cordially, and very politely
+asked him to sing an air, he replied by this poor pun, uttered in a tone
+the impertinence of which was aggravated by his Italian accent: "Signor
+General, if it is a good air which you desire, you will find an excellent
+one in making a little tour of the garden."  The Signor Marchesi was for
+this fine speech immediately put out of the door, and the same evening an
+order was sent committing the singer to prison.  On our return the First
+Consul, whose resentment against Marchesi the cannon of Marengo had
+doubtless assuaged, and who thought besides that the penance of the
+musician for a poor joke had been sufficiently long, sent for him again,
+and asked him once more to sing; Marchesi this time was modest and
+polite, and sang in a charming manner.  After the concert the First
+Consul approached him, pressed his hand warmly, and complimented him in
+the most affectionate manner; and from that moment peace was concluded
+between the two powers, and Marchesi sang only praises of the First
+Consul.
+
+At this same concert the First Consul was struck with the beauty of a
+famous singer, Madame Grassini.  He found her by no means cruel, and at
+the end of a few hours the conqueror of Italy counted one conquest more.
+
+The following day she breakfasted with the First Consul and General
+Berthier in the chamber of the First Consul.  General Berthier was
+ordered to provide for the journey of Madame Grassini, who was carried to
+Paris, and attached to the concert-room of the court.
+
+The First Consul left Milan on the 24th; and we returned to France by the
+route of Mont Cenis, traveling as rapidly as possible.  Everywhere the
+Consul was received with an enthusiasm difficult to describe.  Arches of
+triumph had been erected at the entrance of each town, and in each canton
+a deputation of leading citizens came to make addresses to and compliment
+him.  Long ranks of young girls, dressed in white, crowned with flowers,
+bearing flowers in their hands, and throwing flowers into the carriage of
+the First Consul, made themselves his only escort, surrounded him,
+followed him, and preceded him, until he had passed, or as soon as he set
+foot on the ground wherever he stopped.
+
+The journey was thus, throughout the whole route, a perpetual fete; and
+at Lyons it amounted to an ovation, in which the whole town turned out to
+meet him.  He entered, surrounded by an immense crowd, amid the most
+noisy demonstrations, and alighted at the hotel of the Celestins.  In the
+Reign of Terror the Jacobins had spent their fury on the town of Lyons,
+the destruction of which they had sworn; and the handsome buildings which
+ornamented the Place Belcour had been leveled to the ground, the hideous
+cripple Couthon,  at the head of the vilest mob of the clubs, striking
+the first blow with the hammer.  The First Consul detested the Jacobins,
+who, on their side, hated and feared him; and his constant care was to
+destroy their work, or, in other words, to restore the ruins with which
+they had covered France.  He thought then, and justly too, that he could
+not better respond to the affection of the people of Lyons, than by
+promoting with all his power the rebuilding of the houses of the Place
+Belcour; and before his departure he himself laid the first stone.  The
+town of Dijon gave the First Consul a reception equally as brilliant.
+
+Between Villeneuve-le-Roi and Sens, at the descent to the bridge of
+Montereau, while the eight horses, lashed to a gallop, were bearing the
+carriage rapidly along (the First Consul already traveled like a king),
+the tap of one of the front wheels came off.  The inhabitants who lined
+the route, witnessing this accident, and foreseeing what would be the
+result, used every effort to stop the postilions, but did not succeed,
+and the carriage was violently upset.  The First Consul received no
+injury; General Berthier had his face slightly scratched by the windows,
+which were broken; and the two footmen, who were on the steps, were
+thrown, violently to a distance, and badly wounded.  The First Consul got
+out, or rather was pulled out, through one of the doors.  This occurrence
+made no delay in his journey; he took his seat in another carriage
+immediately, and reached Paris with no other accident.  The night of the
+2d of July, he alighted at the Tuileries; and the next day, as soon as
+the news of his return had been circulated in Paris, the entire
+population filled the courts and the garden.  They pressed around the
+windows of the pavilion of Flora, in the hope of catching a glimpse of
+the savior of France, the liberator of Italy.
+
+That evening there was no one, either rich or poor, who did not take
+delight in illuminating his house or his garret.  It was only a short
+time after his arrival at Paris that the First Consul learned of the
+death of General Kleber.  The poniard of Suleyman had slain this great
+captain the same day that the cannon of Marengo laid low another hero of
+the army of Egypt.  This assassination caused the First Consul the most
+poignant grief, of which I was an eyewitness, and to which I can testify;
+and, nevertheless, his calumniators have dared to say that he rejoiced at
+an event, which, even considered apart from its political relations,
+caused him to lose a conquest which had cost him so much, and France so
+much blood and expense.  Other miserable wretches, still more stupid and
+more infamous, have even gone so far as to fabricate and spread abroad
+the report that the First Consul had himself ordered the assassination of
+his companion in arms, whom he had placed in his own position at the head
+of the army in Egypt.  To these I have only one answer to make, if it is
+necessary to answer them at all; it is this, they never knew the Emperor.
+
+After his return, the First Consul went often with his wife to Malmaison,
+where he remained sometimes for several days.  At this time it was the
+duty of the valet de chambre to follow the carriage on horseback.  One
+day the First Consul, while returning to Paris, ascertained a short
+distance from the chateau that he had forgotten his snuff-box, and sent
+me for it.  I turned my bridle, set off at a gallop, and, having found
+the snuff-box on his desk, retraced my steps to overtake him, but did not
+succeed in doing so till he had reached Ruelle.  Just as I drew near the
+carriage my horse slipped on a stone, fell, and threw me some distance
+into a ditch.  The fall was very severe; and I remained stretched on the
+ground, with one shoulder dislocated, and an arm badly bruised.  The
+First Consul ordered the horses stopped, himself gave orders to have me
+taken up, and cautioned them to be very careful in moving me; and I was
+borne, attended by-him, to the barracks of Ruelle, where he took pains
+before continuing his journey to satisfy himself that I was in no danger.
+The physician of his household was sent to Ruelle, my shoulder set, and
+my arm dressed; and from there I was carried as gently as possible to
+Malmaison, where, good Madame, Bonaparte had the kindness to come to see
+me, and lavished on me every attention.
+
+The day I returned to service, after my recovery, I was in the
+antechamber of the First Consul as he came out of his cabinet.  He drew
+near me, and inquired with great interest how I was.  I replied that,
+thanks to the care taken of me, according to the orders of my excellent
+master and mistress, I was quite well again.  "So much the better," said
+the First Consul.  "Constant, make haste, and get your strength back.
+Continue to serve me well, and I will take care of you.  Here," added he,
+placing in my hand three little crumpled papers, "these are to replenish
+your wardrobe;" and he passed on, without listening to the profuse thanks
+which, with great emotion, I was attempting to express, much more for the
+consideration and interest in me shown by him than for his present, for I
+did not then know of what it consisted.  After he passed on I unrolled my
+papers: they were three bank-bills, each for a thousand francs!  I was
+moved to tears by so great a kindness.  We must remember that at this
+period the First Consul was not rich, although he was the first
+magistrate of the republic.  How deeply the remembrance of this generous
+deed touches me, even to-day.  I do not know if details so personal to me
+will be found interesting; but they seem to me proper as evidence of the
+true character of the Emperor, which has been so outrageously
+misrepresented, and also as an instance of his ordinary conduct towards
+the servants of his house; it shows too, at the same time, whether the
+severe economy that he required in his domestic management, and of which
+I will speak elsewhere, was the result, as has been stated, of sordid
+avarice, or whether it was not rather a rule of prudence, from which he
+departed willingly whenever his kindness of heart or his humanity urged
+him thereto.
+
+I am not certain that my memory does not deceive me in leading me to put
+in this place a circumstance which shows the esteem in which the First
+Consul held the brave soldiers of his army, and how he loved to manifest
+it on all occasions.  I was one day in his sleeping-room, at the usual
+hour for his toilet, and was performing that day the duties of chief
+valet, Hambard being temporarily absent or indisposed, there being in the
+room, besides the body servants, only the brave and modest Colonel
+Gerard Lacuee, one of the aides-de-camp of the First Consul.  Jerome
+Bonaparte, then hardly seventeen years of age, was introduced.  This
+young man gave his family frequent cause of complaint, and feared no one
+except his brother Napoleon, who reprimanded, lectured, and scolded him
+as if he had been his own son.  There was a question at the time of
+making him a sailor, less with the object of giving him a career, than of
+removing him from the seductive temptations which the high position of
+his brother caused to spring up incessantly around his path, and which he
+had little strength to resist.  It may be imagined what it cost him to
+renounce pleasures so accessible and so delightful to a young man.  He
+did not fail to protest, on all occasions, his unfitness for sea-service,
+going so far, it is said, that he even caused himself to be rejected by
+the examining board of the navy as incompetent, though he could easily
+have prepared himself to answer the few questions asked.  However, the
+will of the First Consul must be obeyed, and Jerome was compelled to
+embark.  On the day of which I have spoken, after some moments of
+conversation and scolding, still on the subject of the navy, Jerome said
+to his brother, "Instead of sending me to perish of ennui at sea, you
+ought to take me for an aide-de-camp."--"What, take you, greenhorn,"
+warmly replied the First Consul; "wait till a ball has furrowed your face
+and then I will see about it," at the same time calling his attention to
+Colonel Lacuee,  who blushed, and dropped his eyes to the floor like a
+young girl, for, as is well known, he bore on his face the scar made by a
+bullet.  This gallant colonel was killed in 1805 before Guntzbourg; and
+the Emperor deeply regretted his loss, for he ways one of the bravest and
+most skillful officers of the army.
+
+It was, I believe, about this time that the First Consul conceived a
+strong passion for a very intelligent and handsome young woman, Madame D.
+Madame Bonaparte, suspecting this intrigue, showed jealousy; and her
+husband did all he could to allay her wifely suspicions.  Before going to
+the chamber of his mistress he would wait until every one was asleep in
+the chateau; and he even carried his precautions so far as to go from his
+room to hers in his night-dress, without shoes or slippers.  Once I found
+that day was about to break before his return; and fearing scandal, I
+went, as the First Consul had ordered me to do in such a case, to notify
+the chambermaid of Madame D. to go to her mistress and tell her the hour.
+It was hardly five minutes after this timely notice had been given, when
+I saw the First Consul returning, in great excitement, of which I soon
+learned the cause.  He had discovered, on his return, one of Madame
+Bonaparte's women, lying in wait, and who had seen him through the window
+of a closet opening upon the corridor.  The First Consul, after a
+vigorous outburst against the curiosity of the fair sex, sent me to the
+young scout from the enemy's camp to intimate to her his orders to hold
+her tongue, unless she wished to be discharged without hope of return.
+I do not know whether I added a milder argument to these threats to buy
+her silence; but, whether from fear or for compensation, she had the good
+sense not to talk.  Nevertheless, the successful lover, fearing another
+surprise, directed me to rent in the Allee des Ireuves a little house
+where he and Madame D. met from time to time.  Such were, and continued
+to be, the precautions of the First Consul towards his wife.  He had the
+highest regard for her, and took all imaginable care to prevent his
+infidelities coming to her knowledge.  Besides, these passing fancies did
+not lessen the tenderness he felt for her; and although other women
+inspired him with love, no other woman had his confidence and friendship
+to the same extent as Madame Bonaparte.  There have been a thousand and
+one calumnies repeated of the harshness and brutality of the First Consul
+towards women.  He was not always gallant, but I have never seen him
+rude; and, however singular it may seem after what I have just related,
+he professed the greatest veneration for a wife of exemplary conduct,
+speaking in admiring terms of happy households; and he did not admire
+cynicism, either in morals or in language.  When he had any liaisons he
+kept them secret, and concealed them with great care.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+The 3d Nivose, year IX.  (Dec.  21, 1800),
+
+     [Under the Republican regime the years were counted from the
+     proclamation of the Republic, Sept.  22, 1792.  The year was divided
+     into twelve months of thirty days each, re-named from some
+     peculiarity, as Brumaire (foggy); Nivose (snowy); Thermidor (hot);
+     Fructidor (fruit), etc.; besides five supplementary days of
+     festivals, called 'sans-culottides'.  The months were divided into
+     three decades of ten days instead of weeks, the tenth day (decadi)
+     being in lieu of Sunday.  The Republican calendar lasted till Jan.
+     1, 1806, as to the years and months at least, though the Concordat
+     had restored the weeks and Sabbaths.--TRANS.]
+
+the Opera presented, by order, The Creation of Haydn; and the First
+Consul had announced that he would be present, with all his household, at
+this magnificent oratorio.  He dined on that day with Madame Bonaparte,
+her daughter, and Generals Rapp, Lauriston, Lannes, and Berthier.  I was
+on duty; but as the First Consul was going to the Opera, I knew that I
+should not be needed at the chateau, and resolved, for my part, to go to
+the Feydeau, occupying the box which Madame Bonaparte allowed us, and
+which was situated under hers.  After dinner, which the First Consul
+bolted with his usual rapidity, he rose from the table, followed by his
+officers, with the exception of General Rapp, who remained with Madame
+Josephine and Hortense.  About seven o'clock the First Consul entered his
+carriage with Lannes, Berthier, and Lauriston, to go to the Opera.  When
+they arrived in the middle of Rue Sainte-Nicaise, the escort who preceded
+the carriage found the road obstructed by a cart, which seemed to be
+abandoned, and on which a cask was found fastened strongly with ropes.
+The chief of the escort had this cart removed to the side of the street;
+and the First Consul's coachman, whom this delay had made impatient,
+urged on his horses vigorously, and they shot off like lightning.
+Scarcely two seconds had passed when the barrel which was on the cart
+burst with a frightful explosion.  No one of the escort or of the
+companions of the First Consul was slain, but several were wounded; and
+the loss among the residents in the street and the passers-by near the
+horrible machine was much greater.  More than twenty of these were
+killed, and more than sixty seriously wounded.  Trepsat, the architect,
+had his thigh broken.  The First Consul afterwards decorated him, and
+made him the architect of the Invalides, saying that he had long enough
+been the most invalid of architects.  All the panes of glass at the
+Tuileries were broken, and many houses thrown down.  All those of the
+Rue Sainte-Nicaise, and even some in the adjacent streets, were badly
+damaged, some fragments being blown into the house of the Consul
+Cambaceres.  The glass of the First Consul's carriage was shivered to
+fragments.  By a fortunate chance, the carriages of the suite, which
+should have been immediately behind that of the First Consul, were some
+distance in the rear, which happened in this way: Madame Bonaparte, after
+dinner, had a shawl brought to wear to the opera; and when it came,
+General Rapp jestingly criticised the color, and begged her to choose
+another.  Madame Bonaparte defended her shawl, and said to the general
+that he knew as much about criticising a toilet as she did about
+attacking a fort.  This friendly banter continued for some moments; and
+in the interval, the First Consul, who never waited, set out in advance,
+and the miserable assassins and authors of the conspiracy set fire to the
+infernal machine.  Had the coachman of the First Consul driven less
+rapidly, and thereby been two seconds later, it would have been all over
+with his master; while, on the other hand, if Madame Bonaparte had
+followed her husband promptly, it would have been certain death to her
+and all her suite.
+
+It was, in fact, the delay of an instant which saved her life, as well as
+that of her daughter, her sister-in-law, Madame Murat, and all who were
+to accompany them, since the carriage of these ladies, instead of being
+immediately behind that of the First Consul, was just leaving the Place
+Carrousel, when the machine exploded.  The glass was shivered; and though
+Madame Bonaparte received no injury except the terrible fright, Hortense
+was slightly wounded in the face by a piece of glass, and Madame Caroline
+Murat, who was then far advanced in pregnancy, was so frightened that it
+was necessary to carry her back to the Tuileries.  This catastrophe had
+its influence, even on the health of her child; for I have been told that
+Prince Achille Muratz is subject, to this day, to frequent attacks of
+epilepsy.  As is well known, the First Consul went on to the opera, where
+he was received with tumultuous acclamations, the immobility  of his
+countenance contrasting strongly with the pallor and  agitation of Madame
+Bonaparte's, who had feared not so much for herself as for him.  The
+coachman who had driven the First Consul with such good fortune was named
+Germain.  He had followed  him in Egypt, and in a skirmish had killed an
+Arab, with his own hand, under the eyes of the general-in-chief,  who,
+struck with his courage, had cried out, "Diable! that's a brave man, he
+is a Caesar."  The name had clung to him.  It has been said that this
+brave man was drunk at the time of this explosion; but this is a mistake,
+which his conduct under the circumstances contradicts in the most
+positive manner.  When the First Consul, after he became Emperor, went
+out, incognito, in Paris, it was Caesar who was his escort, without
+livery.  It is said in the Memorial de Sainte Helene that the Emperor,
+in speaking of Caesar, stated that he was in a complete state of
+intoxication, and took the noise of the explosion for an artillery
+salute, nor did he know until the next day what had taken place.  This is
+entirely untrue, and the Emperor was incorrectly informed in regard to
+his coachman.  Caesar drove the First Consul very rapidly because he had
+been ordered to do so, and because he considered his honor interested in
+not allowing the obstacle which the infernal machine placed in his way
+before the explosion to delay him.  The evening of the event I saw
+Caesar, who was perfectly sober, and he himself related to me part of the
+details that I have just given.  A few days after, four or five hundred
+hackney-coachmen clubbed together to honor him, and gave him a
+magnificent dinner at twenty-four francs per head.
+
+While the infernal plot was being executed, and costing the lies of many
+innocent citizens, without attaining the object the assassins proposed,
+I was, as I have said, at the Theatre Feydeau, where I had prepared
+myself to enjoy at my leisure an entire evening of freedom, amid the
+pleasures of the stage, for which I had all my life a great liking.
+Scarcely had I seated myself comfortably, however, when the box-keeper
+entered in the greatest excitement, crying out, "Monsieur Constant, it is
+said that they have just blown up the First Consul; there has been a
+terrible explosion, and it is asserted that he is dead."  These terrible
+words were like a thunderbolt-to me.  Not knowing what I did, I plunged
+down-stairs, and, forgetting my hat, ran like mad to the chateau.  While
+crossing Rue Vivienne and the Palais Royal, I saw no extraordinary
+disturbance; but in Rue Sainte Honore there was a very great tumult, and
+I saw, borne away on litters, many dead and wounded, who had been at
+first carried into the neighboring houses of Rue Sainte Nicaise.  Many
+groups had formed, and with one voice all were cursing the still unknown
+authors of this dastardly attempt.  Some accused the Jacobins of this,
+because three months before they had placed the poniard in the hands of
+Cerrachi, of Arena, and of Topino Lebrun; whilst others, less numerous
+perhaps, thought the aristocrats, the Royalists, could alone be guilty of
+this atrocity.  I could give no time to these various accusations, except
+as I was detained in forcing my way through an immense and closely packed
+crowd, and as rapidly as possible went on, and in two seconds was at the
+Carrousel.  I threw myself against the wicket, but the two sentinels
+instantly crossed bayonets before my breast.  It was useless to cry out
+that I was valet de chambre of the First Consul; for my bare head, my
+wild manner, the disorder, both of my dress and ideas, appeared to them
+suspicious, and they refused energetically and very obstinately to allow
+me to enter.  I then begged them to send for the gatekeeper of the
+chateau; and as soon as he came, I was admitted, or rather rushed into
+the chateau, where I learned what had just happened.  A short time after
+the First Consul arrived, and was immediately surrounded by his officers,
+and by all his household, every one present being in the greatest state
+of anxiety.  When the First Consul alighted from his carriage he appeared
+calm and smiling; he even wore an air of gayety.  On entering the
+vestibule he said to his officers, rubbing his hands, "Well, sirs, we
+made a fine escape!  "They shuddered with indignation and anger.  He then
+entered the grand saloon on the ground floor, where a large number of
+counselors of state and-dignitaries had already assembled; but hardly had
+they begun to express their congratulations, when he interrupted them,
+and in so vehement a manner that he was heard outside the saloon.  We
+were told that after this council he had a lively altercation with
+Fouche,  Minister of Police, whom he reproached with his ignorance of
+this plot, openly accusing the Jacobins of being the authors.
+
+That evening, on retiring, the First Consul asked me laughingly if I was
+afraid.  "More than you were, my general," I replied; and I related to
+him how I had heard the fatal news at the Feydeau, and had run without my
+hat to the very wicket of the Carrousel, where the sentinels tried to
+prevent my entering.  He was amused at the oaths and abusive epithets
+with which they had accompanied their defense of the gate, and at last
+said to me, "After all, my dear Constant, you should not be angry with
+them; they were only obeying orders.  They are brave men, on whom I can
+rely."  The truth is, the Consular Guard was at this period no less
+devoted than it has been since as the Imperial Guard.  At the first rumor
+of the great risk which the First Consul had run, all the soldiers of
+that faithful band had gathered spontaneously in the court of the
+Tuileries.
+
+After this melancholy catastrophe, which carried distress into all
+France, and mourning into so many families, the entire police were
+actively engaged in searching for the authors of the plot.  The dwelling
+of the First Consul was first put under surveillance, and we were
+incessantly watched by spies, without suspecting it.  All our walks, all
+our visits, all our goings and comings, were known; and attention was
+especially directed to our friends, and even our liaisons.  But such was
+the devotion of each and all to the person of the First Consul, such was
+the affection that he so well knew how to inspire in those around him,
+that not one of the persons attached to his service was for an instant
+suspected of having a hand in this infamous attempt.  Neither at this
+time, nor in any other affair of this kind, were the members of his
+household ever compromised; and never was the name of the lowest of his
+servants ever found mixed up in criminal plots against a life so valued
+and so glorious.
+
+The minister of police suspected the Royalists of this attempt; but the
+First Consul attributed it to the Jacobins, because they were already
+guilty, he said, of crimes as odious.  One hundred and thirty of the most
+noted men of this party were transported on pure suspicion, and without
+any form of trial.  It is now known that the discovery, trial, and
+execution of Saint Regent and Carbon, the true criminals, proved that the
+conjectures of the minister were more correct than those of the chief of
+state.
+
+The 4th Nivose, at noon, the First Consul held a grand review in the
+Place Carrousel, where an innumerable crowd of citizens were collected to
+behold, and also to testify their affection for his person, and their
+indignation against the enemies who dared attack him only by
+assassination.  Hardly had he turned his horse towards the first line of
+grenadiers of the Consular Guard, when their innumerable acclamations
+rose on all sides.  He rode along the ranks, at a walk, very slowly,
+showing his appreciation, and replying by a few simple and affectionate
+words to this effusion of popular joy; and cries of "Vive Bonaparte!
+Vive the First Consul!" did not cease till after he had re-entered his
+apartments.
+
+The conspirators who obstinately persisted, with so much animosity, in
+attacking the life of the First Consul, could not have chosen a period in
+which circumstances would have been more adverse to their plans than in
+1800 and 1801, for then the Consul was beloved not only for his military
+deeds, but still more for the hope of peace that he gave to France, which
+hope was soon realized.  As soon as the first rumor spread abroad that
+peace had been concluded with Austria, the greater part of the
+inhabitants of Paris gathered under the windows of the Pavilion of Flora.
+Blessings and cries of gratitude and joy were heard on all sides; then
+musicians assembled to give a serenade to the chief of state, and
+proceeded to form themselves into orchestras; and there was dancing the
+whole night through.  I have never seen a sight more striking or more
+joyous than the bird's-eye view of this improvised jubilee.
+
+When in the month of October, the, peace of Amiens having been concluded
+with England, France found herself delivered from all the wars that she
+had maintained through so many years, and at the cost of so many
+sacrifices, it would be impossible to form an idea of the joy which burst
+forth on all sides.  The decrees which ordered either the disarmament of
+vessels of war, or the placing of the forts on a peace footing, were
+welcomed as pledges of happiness and security.  The day of the reception
+of Lord Cornwallis, Ambassador of England, the First Consul ordered that
+the greatest magnificence should be displayed.  "It is necessary," he had
+said the evening before, "to show these proud Britons that we are not
+reduced to beggary."  The fact is, the English, before setting foot on
+the French continent, had expected to find only ruins, penury, and
+misery.  The whole of France had been described to them as being in the
+most distressing condition, and they thought themselves on the point of
+landing in a barbarous country.  Their surprise was great when they saw
+how many evils the First Consul had already repaired in so short a time,
+and all the improvements that he still intended to carry out; and they
+spread through their own country the report of what they themselves
+called the prodigies of the First Consul, by which thousands of their
+compatriots were influenced to come and judge with their own eyes.  At
+the moment that Lord Cornwallis entered the great hall of the Ambassadors
+with his suite, the eyes of all the English must have been dazzled by the
+sight of the First Consul, surrounded by his two colleagues, with all the
+diplomatic corps, and with an already brilliant military court.
+
+In the midst of all these rich uniforms, his was remarkable for its
+simplicity; but the diamond called the Regent, which had been put in pawn
+under the Directory, and redeemed a few days since by the First Consul,
+sparkled on the hilt of his sword.
+
+
+
+
+End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of The Private Life of Napoleon, V1
+by Constant.
+
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