andBonaparte，inallthevigourofhisgenius，wasoftensubjecttoaberrationsofjudgment;forthoughhisimaginationneverfailedhim，hisjudgmentwasfrequentlyatfault.
Thisfactmayservetoexplain，andperhapseventoexcusethefaultswithwhichtheFirstConsulhasbeenmostseriouslyreproached.Theactivityofhismindseldomadmittedofanintervalbetweentheconceptionandtheexecutionofadesign;butwhenhereflectedcoollyonthefirstimpulsesofhisimperiouswill，hisjudgmentdiscardedwhatwaserroneous.Thustheblindobedience，which，likeanepidemicdisease，infectedalmostallwhosurroundedBonaparte，wasproductiveofthemostfataleffects.ThebestwaytoservetheFirstConsulwasnevertolistentothesuggestionsofhisfirstideas，exceptonthefieldofbattle，wherehisconceptionswereashappyastheywererapid.Thus，forexample，MM.Maret，deChampagny，andSavaryevincedareadyobediencetoBonaparte’swishes，whichoftenprovedveryunfortunate，thoughdoubtlessdictatedbythebestintentionsontheirpart.TothisfatalzealmaybeattributedagreatportionofthemischiefwhichBonapartecommitted.Whenthemischiefwasdone，andpastremedy，Bonapartedeeplyregrettedit.HowoftenhaveIheardhimsaythatMaretwasanimatedbyanunluckyzeal！Thiswastheexpressionhemadeuseof.
M.deTalleyrandwasalmosttheonlyoneamongtheministerswhodidnotflatterBonaparte，andwhoreallyservedboththeFirstConsulandtheEmperor.WhenBonapartesaidtoM.deTalleyrand，\"Writesoandso，andsenditoffbyaspecialcourier，\"thatministerwasneverinahurrytoobeytheorder，becauseheknewthecharacteroftheFirstConsulwellenoughtodistinguishbetweenwhathispassiondictatedandwhathisreasonwouldapprove：inshort，heappealedfromPhilipdrunktoPhilipsober.WhenithappenedthatM.deTalleyrandsuspendedtheexecutionofanorder，Bonaparteneverevincedtheleastdispleasure.When，thedayafterhehadreceivedanyhastyandangryorder，M.deTalleyrandpresentedhimselftotheFirstConsul，thelatterwouldsay，\"Well，didyousendoffthecourier？\"——\"No，\"theministerwouldreply，\"ItookcarenottodosobeforeIshowedyoumyletter.\"ThentheFirstConsulwouldusuallyadd，\"UponsecondthoughtsIthinkitwouldbebestnottosendit.\"ThiswasthewaytodealwithBonaparte.WhenM.deTalleyrandpostponedsendingoffdespatches，orwhenImyselfhavedelayedtheexecutionofanorderwhichIknewhadbeendictatedbyanger，andhademanatedneitherfromhisheartnorhisunderstanding，Ihaveheardhimsayahundredtimes，\"Itwasright，quiteright.Youunderstandme：
Talleyrandunderstandsmealso.Thisisthewaytoserveme：theothersdonotleavemetimeforreflection：theyaretooprecipitate.\"FouchealsowasoneofthosewhodidnotonalloccasionsblindlyobeyBonaparte’scommands.Hisotherministers，ontheotherhand，whentoldtosendoffacourierthenextmorning，wouldhavemoreprobablysenthimoffthesameevening.Thiswasfromzeal，butwasnottheFirstConsulrightinsayingthatsuchzealwasunfortunate？
OfTalleyrandandFouche，intheirconnectionswiththeFirstConsul，itmightbesaidthattheonerepresentedtheConstituentAssembly，withaslightperfumeoftheoldregime，andtheothertheConventioninallitsbrutality.BonaparteregardedFoucheasacompletepersonificationoftheRevolution.Withhim，therefore，Fouche’sinfluencewasmerelytheinfluenceoftheRevolution.ThatgreateventwasoneofthosewhichhadmadethemostforcibleimpressiononBonaparte’sardentmind，andheimaginedhestillbehelditinavisibleformaslongasFouchecontinuedattheheadofhispolice.IamnowofopinionthatBonapartewasinsomedegreemisledastothevalueofFouche’sservicesasaminister.
NodoubtthecircumstanceofFouchebeinginofficeconciliatedthoseoftheRevolutionarypartywhowerehisfriends.ButFouchecherishedanunduepartialityforthem，becauseheknewthatitwasthroughthemheheldhisplace.HewaslikeoneoftheoldCondottieri，whoweremadefriendsoflesttheyshouldbecomeenemies，andwhoowedalltheirpowertothesoldiersenrolledundertheirbanners.
SuchwasFouche，andBonaparteperfectlyunderstoodhissituation.Hekeptthechiefinhisserviceuntilhecouldfindanopportunityofdisbandinghisundisciplinedfollowers.ButtherewasonecircumstancewhichconfirmedhisrelianceonFouche.HewhohadvotedthedeathoftheKingofFrance，andhadinfluencedthemindsofthosewhohadvotedwithhim，offeredBonapartethebestguaranteeagainsttheattemptsoftheRoyalistsforraisingupinfavouroftheBourbonsthethronewhichtheFirstConsulhimselfhaddeterminedtoascend.Thus，fordifferentreasons，BonaparteandFouchehadcommoninterestsagainsttheHouseofBourbon，andthemaster’sambitionderivedencouragementfromthesupposedterroroftheservant.
TheFirstConsulwasawareoftheexistenceinParisofaRoyalistcommittee，formedforthepurposeofcorrespondingwithLouisXVIII.
Thiscommitteeconsistedofmenwhomustnotbeconfoundedwiththosewretchedintriguerswhowereofnoservicetotheiremployers，andwerenotunfrequentlyinthepayofbothBonaparteandtheBourbons.
TheRoyalistcommittee，properlysocalled，wasaverydifferentthing.
Itconsistedofmenprofessingrationalprinciplesofliberty，suchastheMarquisdeClermontGallerande，theAbbedeMontesqiou，M.Becquet，andM.RoyerCollard.Thiscommitteehadbeenoflongstanding;therespectableindividualswhosenamesIhavejustquotedacteduponasystemhostiletothedespotismofBonaparte，andfavourabletowhattheyconceivedtobetheinterestsofFrance.KnowingthesuperiorwisdomofLouisXVIII.，andtheopinionswhichhehadavowedandmaintainedintheAssemblyoftheNotables，theywishedtoseparatethatPrincefromtheemigrants，andtopointhimouttothenationasasuitableheadofareasonableConstitutionalGovernment.Bonaparte，whomIhaveoftenheardspeakonthesubject，dreadednothingsomuchastheseideasofliberty，inconjunctionwithamonarchy.Heregardedthemasreveries，calledthemembersofthecommitteeidledreamers，butneverthelessfearedthetriumphoftheirideas.HeconfessedtomethatitwastocounteractthepossibleinfluenceoftheRoyalistcommitteethatheshowedhimselfsoindulgenttothoseoftheemigrantswhosemonarchicalprejudicesheknewwereincompatiblewithliberalopinions.Bythepresenceofemigrantswhoacknowledgednothingshortofabsolutepower，hethoughthemightparalysetheinfluenceoftheRoyalistsoftheinterior;hethereforegrantedallsuchemigrantspermissiontoreturn.
AboutthistimeIrecollecthavingreadadocument，whichhadbeensigned，purportingtobeadeclarationoftheprinciplesofLouisXVIII.
ItwassignedbyM.d’Andre，whoboreevidencetoitsauthenticity.
Theprinciplescontainedinthedeclarationwereinalmostallpointsconformabletotheprincipleswhichformedthebasisofthecharter.
Evensoearlyas1792，andconsequentlyprevioustothefatal21stofJanuary，LouisXVI.，whoknewtheopinionsofM.deClermontGallerande，senthimonamissiontoCoblentztoinformthePrincesfromhim，andtheQueen，thattheywouldberuinedbytheiremigration.Iamaccuratelyinformed，andIstatethisfactwiththeutmostconfidence.IcanalsoaddwithequalcertaintythatthecircumstancewasmentionedbyM.deClermontGallerandeinhisMemoirs，andthatthepassagerelativetohismissiontoCoblentzwascancelledbeforethemanuscriptwassenttopress.
DuringtheConsularGovernmenttheobjectoftheRoyalistcommitteewastoseduceratherthantoconspire.ItwasroundMadameBonaparteinparticularthattheirbatterieswereraised，andtheydidnotproveineffectual.ThefemalefriendsofJosephinefilledhermindwithideasofthesplendouranddistinctionshewouldenjoyifthepowerfulhandwhichhadchainedtheRevolutionshouldraiseupthesubvertedthrone.
ImustconfessthatIwasmyself，unconsciously，anaccompliceofthefriendsofthethrone;forwhattheywishedfortheinterestoftheBourbonsIthenardentlywishedfortheinterestofBonaparte.
WhileendeavourswerethusmadetogainoverMadameBonapartetotheinterestoftheroyalfamily，brilliantofferswereheldoutforthepurposeofdazzlingtheFirstConsul.ItwaswishedtoretemperforhimtheswordoftheconstableDuguesclin;anditwashopedthatastatueerectedtohishonourwouldatonceattesttoposterityhisspotlessgloryandthegratitudeoftheBourbons.ButwhentheseoffersreachedtheearsofBonapartehetreatedthemwithindifference，andplacednofaithintheirsincerity.ConversingonthesubjectonedaywithM.deLaFayettehesaid，\"Theyoffermeastatue，butImustlooktothepedestal.Theymaymakeitmyprison.\"IdidnothearBonaparteutterthesewords;buttheywerereportedtomefromasource，theauthenticityofwhichmaybereliedon.
Aboutthistime，whensomuchwassaidintheRoyalistcirclesandintheFaubourgSt.Germain，ofwhichtheHoteldeLuyneswastheheadquarters，aboutthepossiblereturnoftheBourbons，thepublicationofapopularbookcontributednotalittletodirecttheattentionofthepublictothemostbrilliantperiodofthereignofLouisXIV.ThebookwasthehistoricalromanceofMadamedelaValloire，byMadamedeGenlis，whohadrecentlyreturnedtoFrance.Bonapartereadit，andIhavesinceunderstoodthathewasverywellpleasedwithit，buthesaidnothingtomeaboutit.ItwasnotuntilsometimeafterthathecomplainedoftheeffectwhichwasproducedinParisbythispublication，andespeciallybyengravingsrepresentingscenesinthelifeofLouisXIV.，andwhichwereexhibitedintheshop—windows.Thepolicereceivedorderstosuppresstheseprints;andtheorderwasimplicitlyobeyed;butitwasnotFouche’spolice.Fouchesawtheabsurdityofinterferingwithtrifles.
IrecollectthatimmediatelyafterthecreationoftheLegionofHonour，itbeingsummer，theyoungmenofParisindulgedinthewhimofwearingacarnationinabutton—hole，whichatadistancehadratheradeceptiveeffect.Bonapartetookthisveryseriously.HesentforFouche，anddesiredhimtoarrestthosewhopresumedthustoturntheneworderintoridicule.Fouchemerelyrepliedthathewouldwaittilltheautumn;andtheFirstConsulunderstoodthattrifleswereoftenrenderedmattersofimportancebybeinghonouredwithtoomuchattention.
ButthoughBonapartewaspiquedattheinterestexcitedbytheengravingsofMadamedeGenlis’romancehemanifestednodispleasureagainstthatcelebratedwoman，whohadbeenrecommendedtohimbyMM.deFontanesandFieveeandwhoaddressedseveralletterstohim.AsthissortofcorrespondencedidnotcomewithintheroutineofmybusinessIdidnotseetheletters;butIheardfromMadameBonapartethattheycontainedaprodigiousnumberofpropernames，andIhavereasontobelievethattheycontributednotalittletomagnify，intheeyesoftheFirstConsul，theimportanceoftheFaubourgSt.Germain，which，inspiteofallhiscourage，wasascarecrowtohim.
BonaparteregardedtheFaubourgSt.GermainasrepresentingthewholemassofRoyalistopinion;andhesawclearlythatthenumerouserasuresfromtheemigrantlisthadnecessarilyincreaseddissatisfactionamongtheRoyalists，sincethepropertyoftheemigrantshadnotbeenrestoredtoitsoldpossessors，eveninthosecasesinwhichithadnotbeensold.
ItwasthefashioninacertainclasstoridiculetheunpolishedmannersofthegreatmenoftheRepubliccomparedwiththemannersofthenobilityoftheoldCourt.Thewivesofcertaingeneralshadseveraltimescommittedthemselvesbytheirawkwardness.Inmanycirclestherewasanaffectationoftreatingwithcontemptwhatarecalledtheparvenus;thosepeoplewho，touseM.deTalleyrand’sexpression，donotknowhowtowalkuponacarpet.AllthisgaverisetocomplaintsagainsttheFaubourgSt.Germain;while，ontheotherhand，Bonaparte’sbrotherssparednoendeavourstoirritatehimagainsteverythingthatwascalculatedtorevivetherecollectionoftheBourbons.
SuchwereBonaparte’sfeelings，andsuchwasthestateofsocietyduringtheyear1802.ThefearoftheBourbonsmustindeedhavehadapowerfulinfluenceontheFirstConsulbeforehecouldhavebeeninducedtotakeastepwhichmayjustlyberegardedasthemostinconsiderateofhiswholelife.AftersufferingsevenmonthstoelapsewithoutansweringthefirstletterofLouisXVIII.，afteratlengthansweringhissecondletterinthetoneofaKingaddressingasubject，hewentsofarastowritetoLouis，proposingthatheshouldrenouncethethroneofhisancestorsinhis，Bonaparte’s，favour，andofferinghimasarewardforthisrenunciationaprincipalityinItaly，oraconsiderablerevenueforhimselfandhisfamily.
——[Napoleonseemstohavealwaysknown，aswithCromwellandtheStuarts，thatifhisdynastyfailedtheBourbonsmustsucceedhim.
\"Iremember，\"saysMetternich，\"Napoleonsaidtome，’DoyouknowwhyLouisXVIII.isnotnowsittingoppositetoyou？ItisonlybecauseitisIwhoamsittinghere.Nootherpersoncouldmaintainhisposition;andifeverIdisappearinconsequenceofacatastrophenoonebutaBourboncouldsithere.’\"（Metternich，tomei.p.248）.Farther，hesaidtoMetternich，\"TheKingoverthrown，theRepublicwasmasterofthesoilofFrance.ItisthatwhichI
havereplaced.TheoldthroneofFranceisburiedunderitsrubbish.Ihadtofoundanewone.TheBourbonscouldnotreignoverthiscreation.Mystrengthliesinmyfortune.Iamnew，liketheEmpire;thereis，therefore，aperfecthomogeneitybetweentheEmpireandmyself.\"——\"However，\"saysMetternich，\"IhaveoftenthoughtthatNapoleon，bytalkinginthisway，merelysoughttostudytheopinionofothers，ortoconfuseit，andthedirectadvancewhichhemadetoLouisXVIII.，in1804seemedtoconfirmthissuspicion.Speakingtomeonedayofthisadvancehesaid，’Monsieur’sreplywasgrand;itwasfulloffinetraditions.Thereissomethinginlegitimaterightswhichappealstomorethanthemeremind.IfMonsieurhadconsultedhismindonlyhewouldhavearrangedwithme，andIshouldhavemadeforhimamagnificentfuture’\"（Metternich，tomei，p.276）.AccordingtoIung’sLucien（tomeii.p.421），theletterwrittenandsignedbyNapoleon，butneversent，anotherdraftbeingsubstituted，isstillintheFrencharchives.MetternichspeaksofNapoleonmakingadirectadvancetoLouisXVIII.in1804.AccordingtoColonelIung（LucienBonaparte，tomeii.pp.4211—426）theattemptwasmadethroughtheKingofPrussiain1802，thefinalanswerofLouisbeingmadeonthe28thFebruary1803，asgiveninthetext，butwithapostscriptofhisnephewinaddition，\"WiththepermissionoftheKing，myuncle，I
adherewithheartandsoultothecontentsofthisnote.
\"（signed）LOUISANTOINE，Dued’Angouleme.\"
ThereaderwillremarkthatthereisnogreatintervalbetweenthisletterandthefinalbreakwiththeBourbonsbythedeathoftheDucd’Enghien.Atthistime，accordingtoSavory（tomeiii.p.241），someoftheBourbonswerereceivingFrenchpensions.ThePrincedeConti，theDuchessedeBourbon，andtheDuchessed’Orleans，whensentoutofFrancebytheDirectory，weregivenpensionsoffrom20，000to26，000francseach.TheylivedinCatalonia.WhentheFrenchtroopsenteredSpainin1808GeneralCanclaux，afriendofthePrincedeConti，broughttothenoticeofNapoleonthatthetiresomeformalitiesinsistedonbythepestilentclerksofallnationswereobservedtowardstheseregalpersonages.Gaudin，theMinisterofFinance，apparentlyonhisowninitiative，drewupadecreeincreasingthepensionsto80，000francs，anddoingawaywiththeformalities.\"TheEmperorsignedatonce，thankingtheMinisterofFinance.\"Thereader，rememberingthepositionoftheFrenchPrincesthen，shouldcomparethisactionofNapoleonwiththefailureoftheBourbonsin1814topaythesumspromisedtoNapoleon，notwithstandingthestrongremonstrancesmadeatViennatoTalleyrandbyAlexanderandLordCastlereagh.SeeTalleyrand’sCorrespondencewithLouisXVIII.，tomeii.pp.27，28;orFrenchedition，pp.285，288.]——
ThereaderwillrecollectthecuriousquestionwhichtheFirstConsulputtomeonthesubjectoftheBourbonswhenwewerewalkingintheparkofMalmaison.TothereplywhichImadetohimonthatoccasionIattributethesecrecyheobservedtowardsmerespectingtheletterjustalludedto.
IamindeedinclinedtoregardthatletterastheresultofoneofhisprivateconferenceswithLucien;butIknownothingpositiveonthesubject，andmerelymentionthisasaconjecture.However，IhadanopportunityofascertainingthecuriouscircumstanceswhichtookplaceatMittau，whenBonaparte’sletterwasdeliveredtoLouisXVIII.
ThatPrincewasalreadymuchirritatedagainstBonapartebyhisdelayinansweringhisfirstletter，andalsobythetenorofhistardyreply;
butonreadingtheFirstConsul’ssecondletterthedethronedKingimmediatelysatdownandtracedafewlinesforciblyexpressinghisindignationatsuchaproposition.Thenote，hastilywrittenbyLouisXVIII.inthefirstimpulseofirritation，borelittleresemblancetothedignifiedandelegantletterwhichBonapartereceived，andwhichIshallpresentlylaybeforethereader.ThislatterepistleclosedveryhappilywiththebeautifuldeviceofFrancisI.，\"Allislostbuthonour.\"Butthefirstletterwasstampedwithamorechivalroustoneofindignation.
Theindignantsovereignwroteitwithhishandsupportedonthehiltofhissword;buttheAbbeAndre，inwhomLouisXVIII.reposedgreatconfidence，sawthenote，andsucceeded，notwithoutsomedifficulty，insoothingtheangeroftheKing，andprevailingonhimtowritethefollowingletter：
IdonotconfoundM.Bonapartewiththosewhohaveprecededhim.
Iesteemhiscourageandhismilitarytalents.Iamgratefulforsomeactsofhisgovernment;forthebenefitswhichareconferredonmypeoplewillalwaysbeprizedbyme.
Butheerrsinsupposingthathecaninducemetorenouncemyrights;sofarfromthat，hewouldconfirmthem，iftheycouldpossiblybedoubtful，bythestephehasnowtaken.
IamignorantofthedesignsofHeavenrespectingmeandmysubjects;butIknowtheobligationswhichGodhasimposeduponme.
AsaChristian，Iwillfulfilmydutiestomylastbreath——asthesonofSt.Louis，Iwould，likehim，respectmyselfeveninchains——
asthesuccessorofFrancisI.，Isaywithhim——’Toutestperduforsl’honneur’.
MITTAU，1802.LOUIS.
LouisXVIII.’sletterhavingreachedParis，theRoyalistcommitteeassembled，andwerenotalittleembarrassedastowhatshouldbedone.
ThemeetingtookplaceatNeuilly.AfteralongdeliberationitwassuggestedthatthedeliveryofthelettershouldbeentrustedtotheThirdConsul，withwhomtheAbbydeMontesqiouhadkeptupacquaintancesincethetimeoftheConstituentAssembly.Thissuggestionwasadopted.
Therecollectionsofthecommencementofhiscareer，underChancellorMaupeou，hadalwayscausedM.LebruntoberankedinadistinctclassbytheRoyalists.Formypart，Ialwayslookeduponhimasaveryhonestman，awarmadvocateofequality，andanxiousthatitshouldbeprotectedevenbydespotism，whichsuitedtheviewsoftheFirstConsulverywell.
TheAbbedeMontesquiouaccordinglywaiteduponM.Lebrun，whoundertooktodelivertheletter.Bonapartereceiveditwithanairofindifference;butwhetherthatindifferencewererealoraffected，Iamtothisdayunabletodetermine.HesaidverylittletomeabouttheillsuccessofthenegotiationwithLouisXVIII.Onthissubjecthedreaded，aboveall，theinterferenceofhisbrothers，whocreatedaroundhimasortofcommotionwhichheknewwasnotwithoutitsinfluence，andwhichonseveraloccasionshadexcitedhisanger.
TheletterofLouisXVIII.iscertainlyconceivedinatoneofdignitywhichcannotbetoohighlyadmired;anditmaybesaidthatBonaparteonthisoccasionrenderedarealservicetoLouisbyaffordinghimtheopportunityofpresentingtotheworldoneofthefinestpagesinthehistoryofadethronedKing.Thisletter，thecontentsofwhichwereknowninsomecirclesofParis，wastheobjectofgeneralapprobationtothosewhopreservedtherecollectionoftheBourbons，andaboveall，totheRoyalistcommittee.Themembersofthatcommittee，proudofthenoblespiritevincedbytheunfortunatemonarch，whosereturntheyweregenerouslylabouringtoeffect，repliedtohimbyasortofmanifesto，towhichtimehasimpartedinterest，sincesubsequenteventshavefulfilledthepredictionsitcontained.
CHAPTERXVI
1802.
Thedayaftermydisgrace——Renewalofmyduties——Bonaparte’saffectedregardforme——Offerofanassistant——M.deMeneval——MysecondrupturewithBonaparte——TheDuedeRovigo’saccountofit——
LetterfromM.deBarbeMarbois——RealcausesofmyseparationfromtheFirstConsul——PostscripttotheletterofM.deBarbeMarbois——
Theblackcabinet——InspectionoflettersdiningtheConsulate——
IretiretoSt.Cloud——CommunicationsfromM.deMeneval——Aweek’sconflictbetweenfriendshipandpride——Myformaldismissal——Pettyrevenge——MyrequesttovisitEngland——Monosyllabicanswer——Wrongsuspicion——Burialofmypapers——CommunicationfromDuroc——MylettertotheFirstConsul——Thetruthacknowledged.
Ishallnowreturntothecircumstanceswhichfollowedmyfirstdisgrace，ofwhichIhavealreadyspoken.ThedayafterthatonwhichIhadresumedmyfunctionsIwentasusualtoawakentheFirstConsulatseveninthemorning.Hetreatedmejustthesameasifnothinghadhappenedbetweenus;andonmypartIbehavedtohimjustasusual，thoughI
reallyregrettedbeingobligedtoresumelabourswhichIfoundtoooppressiveforme.WhenBonapartecamedownintohiscabinethespoketomeofhisplanswithhisusualconfidence，andIsaw，fromthenumberofletterslyinginthebasket，thatduringthefewdaysmyfunctionshadbeensuspendedBonapartehadnotovercomehisdisinclinationtoperusethiskindofcorrespondence.AttheperiodofthisfirstruptureandreconciliationthequestionoftheConsulateforlifewasyetunsettled.
Itwasnotdecideduntilthe2dofAugust，andthecircumstancestowhichIamabouttoreferhappenedattheendofFebruary.
IwasnowrestoredtomyformerfootingofintimacywiththeFirstConsul，atleastforatime;butIsoonperceivedthat，afterthescenewhichM.deTalleyrandhadwitnessed，mydutiesintheTuileriesweremerelyprovisional，andmightbeshortenedorprolongedaccordingtocircumstances.IsawattheveryfirstmomentthatBonapartehadsacrificedhiswoundedpridetothenecessity（forsuchImay，withoutanyvanity，callit）ofemployingmyservices.Theforcedpreferencehegrantedtomearosefromthefactofhisbeingunabletofindanyoneabletosupplymyplace;forDuroc，asIhavealreadysaid，showedadisinclinationtothebusiness.IdidnotremainlonginthedarkrespectingthenewsituationinwhichIstood.Iwasevidentlystillunderquarantine;buttheperiodofmyquittingtheportwasundetermined.
AshorttimeafterourreconciliationtheFirstConsulsaidtome，inacajolingtoneofwhichIwasnotthedupe，\"MydearBourrienne，youcannotdoeverything.Businessincreases，andwillcontinuetoincrease.
YouknowwhatCorvisartsays.Youhaveafamily;thereforeitisrightyoushouldtakecareofyourhealth.Youmustnotkillyourselfwithwork;thereforesomeonemustbegottoassistyou.Josephtellsmethathecanrecommendasecretary，oneofwhomhespeaksveryhighly.Heshallbeunderyourdirection;hecanmakeoutyourcopies，anddoallthatcanconsistentlyberequiredofhim.This，Ithink，willbeagreatrelieftoyou.\"——\"Iaskfornothingbetter，\"repliedI，\"thantohavetheassistanceofsomeonewho，afterbecomingacquaintedwiththebusiness，may，sometimeorother，succeedme.\"JosephsentM.deMeneval，ayoungmanwho，toagoodeducation，addedtherecommendationsofindustryandprudence.Ihadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwithhim.
ItwasnowthatNapoleonemployedallthosedevicesandcaresseswhichalwayssucceededsowellwithhim，andwhichyetagaingainedtheday，toputanendtotheinconveniencecausedtohimbymyretirement，andtoretainme.HereIcalleveryonewhoknewmeaswitnessesthatnothingcouldequalmygriefanddespairtofindmyselfobligedtoagainbeginmytroublesomework.Myhealthhadsufferedmuchfromit.Corvisartwasaclevercounsellor，butitwasonlyduringthenightthatIcouldcarryouthisadvice.Toresumemydutieswastorenounceallhopeofrest，andevenofhealth.
——[Thereisconsiderabletruthinthisstatementabouttheeffectonhishealth.Hissuccessor，Meneval，withoutthesameamountofwork，brokedownandhadtoreceiveassistance（Meneval，tomei.p.
149）.]——
IsoonperceivedtheFirstConsul’sanxietytomakeM.deMenevalacquaintedwiththeroutineofbusiness，andaccustomedtohismanner.
Bonapartehadneverpardonedmeforhavingpresumedtoquithimafterhehadattainedsohighadegreeofpower;hewasonlywaitingforanopportunitytopunishme，andheseizeduponanunfortunatecircumstanceasanexcuseforthatseparationwhichIhadpreviouslywishedtobringabout.
Iwillexplainthiscircumstance，whichoughttohaveobtainedformetheconsolationandassistanceoftheFirstConsulratherthantheforfeitureofhisfavour.Myrupturewithhimhasbeenthesubjectofvariousmisstatements，allofwhichIshallnottakethetroubletocorrect;
IwillmerelynoticewhatIhavereadintheMemoirsoftheDucdeRovigo，inwhichitisstatedthatIwasaccusedofpeculation.M.deRovigothusexpresseshimself：
EversincetheFirstConsulwasinvestedwiththesupremepowerhislifehadbeenacontinuedsceneofpersonalexertion.HehadforhisprivatesecretaryM.deBourrienne，afriendandcompanionofhisyouth，whomhenowmadethesharerofallhislabours.Hefrequentlysentforhiminthedeadofthenight，andparticularlyinsisteduponhisattendinghimeverymorningatseven.Bourriennewaspunctualinhisattendancewiththepublicpapers，whichhehadpreviouslyglancedover.TheFirstConsulalmostinvariablyreadtheircontentshimself;hethendespatchedsomebusiness，andsatdowntotablejustastheclockstrucknine.Hisbreakfast，whichlastedsixminutes，wasnosooneroverthanhereturnedtohiscabinet，onlyleftitfordinner，andresumedhiscloseoccupationimmediatelyafter，untiltenatnight，whichwashisusualhourforretiringtorest.
Bourriennewasgiftedwithamostwonderfulmemory;hecouldspeakandwritemanylanguages，andwouldmakehispenfollowasfastaswordswereuttered.Hepossessedmanyotheradvantages;hewaswellacquaintedwiththeadministrativedepartments，wasversedinthelawofnations，andpossessedazealandactivitywhichrenderedhisservicesquiteindispensabletotheFirstConsul.Ihaveknowntheseveralgroundsuponwhichtheunlimitedconfidenceplacedinhimbyhischiefrested，butamunabletospeakwithequalassuranceoftheerrorswhichoccasionedhislosingthatconfidence.
Bourriennehadmanyenemies;somewereowingtohispersonalcharacter，agreaternumbertothesituationwhichheheld.
OtherswerejealousofthecreditheenjoyedwiththeHeadoftheGovernment;others，again，discontentedathisnotmakingthatcreditsubservienttotheirpersonaladvantage.Someevenimputedtohimthewantofsuccessthathadattendedtheirclaims.Itwasimpossibletobringanychargeagainsthimonthescoreofdeficiencyoftalentorofindiscreetconduct;hispersonalhabitswerewatched——itwasascertainedthatheengagedinfinancialspeculations.Animputationcouldeasilybefoundedonthiscircumstance.Peculationwasaccordinglylaidtohischarge.
Thiswastouchingthemosttenderground，fortheFirstConsulheldnothingingreaterabhorrencethanunlawfulgains.Asolitaryvoice，however，wouldhavefailedinanattempttodefamethecharacterofamanforwhomhehadsolongfeltesteemandaffection;othervoices，therefore，werebroughttobearagainsthim.Whethertheaccusationswerewellfoundedorotherwise，itisbeyondadoubtthatallmeanswereresortedtoforbringingthemtotheknowledgeoftheFirstConsul.
Themosteffectualcoursethatsuggesteditselfwastheopeningacorrespondenceeitherwiththeaccusedpartydirect，orwiththosewithwhomitwasfeltindispensabletobringhimintocontact;thiscorrespondencewascarriedoninamysteriousmanner，andrelatedtothefinancialoperationsthathadformedthegroundsofachargeagainsthim.——Thusitisthat，onmorethanoneoccasion，theverychannelsintendedforconveyingtruthtotheknowledgeofasovereignhavebeenmadeavailabletothepurposeofcommunicatingfalseintelligencetohim.Togiveaninstance.
UnderthereignofLouisXV.，andevenundertheRegency，thePostOfficewasorganizedintoasystemofminuteinspection，whichdidnotindeedextendtoeveryletter，butwasexercisedoverallsuchasaffordedgroundsforsuspicion.Theywereopened，and，whenitwasnotdeemedsafetosuppressthem，copiesweretaken，andtheywerereturnedtotheirproperchannelwithouttheleastdelay.Anyindividualdenouncinganothermay，bythehelpofsuchanestablishment，givegreatweighttohisdenunciation.ItissufficientforhispurposethatheshouldthrowintothePostOfficeanylettersowordedastoconfirmtheimpressionwhichitishisobjecttoconvey.Theworthiestmanmaythusbecommittedbyaletterwhichhehasneverread，orthepurportofwhichiswhollyunintelligibletohim.
Iamspeakingfrompersonalexperience.Itoncehappenedthataletteraddressedtomyself，relatingtoanallegedfactwhichhadneveroccurred，wasopened.Acopyofthelettersoopenedwasalsoforwardedtome，asitconcernedthedutieswhichIhadtoperformatthattime;butIwasalreadyinpossessionoftheoriginal，transmittedthroughtheordinarychannel.Summonedtoreplytothequestionstowhichsuchproductionshadgivenrise，Itookthatopportunityofpointingoutthedangerthatwouldaccruefromplacingablindrelianceuponintelligencederivedfromsohazardousasource.Accordingly，littleimportancewasafterwardsattachedtothismeansofinformation;butthesystemwasinoperationattheperiodwhenM.deBourriennewasdisgraced;hisenemiestookcaretoavailthemselvesofit;theyblackenedhischaracterwithM.deBarbeMarbois，whoaddedtotheiraccusationsalltheweightofhisunblemishedcharacter.Theopinionentertainedbythisrigidpublicfunctionary，andmanyothercircumstances，inducedtheFirstConsultopartwithhissecretary（tomei.p.418）.
Peculationisthecrimeofthosewhomakeafraudulentuseofthepublicmoney.Butasitwasnotinmypowertomeddlewiththepublicmoney，nopartofwhichpassedthroughmyhands，IamatlosstoconceivehowIcanbechargedwithpeculation！TheDuedeRovigoisnottheauthor，butmerelytheecho，ofthiscalumny;buttheaccusationtowhichhisMemoirsgavecurrencyaffordedM.deBarbeMarboisanopportunityofaddingonemoretothemanyproofshehasgivenofhisloveofjustice.
IhadseennothingoftheMemoirsoftheDuedeRovigoexcepttheirannouncementinthejournals，whenaletterfromM.deBarbeMarboiswastransmittedtomefrommyfamily.Itwasasfollows：
SIR——Myattentionhasbeencalledtotheenclosedarticleinarecentpublication.Theassertionitcontainsisnottrue，andI
conceiveittobeadutybothtoyouandmyselftodeclarethatI
thenwas，andstillam，ignorantofthecausesoftheseparationinquestion：——Iam，etc.
（Signed）MARBOIS
Ineedsaynomoreinmyjustification.ThisunsolicitedtestimonyofM.
deMarboisisasufficientcontradictiontothechargeofpeculationwhichhasbeenraisedagainstmeintheabsenceofcorrectinformationrespectingtherealcausesofmyrupturewiththeFirstConsul.
M.leDuedeRovigoalsoobservesthatmyenemieswerenumerous.Myconcealedadversarieswereindeedallthosewhowereinterestedthatthesovereignshouldnothaveabouthim，ashisconfidentialcompanion，amandevotedtohisgloryandnottohisvanity.InexpressinghisdissatisfactionwithoneofhisministersBonapartehadsaid，inthepresenceofseveralindividuals，amongwhomwasM.Maret，\"IfIcouldfindasecondBourrienneIwouldgetridofyouall.\"ThiswassufficienttoraiseagainstmethehatredofallwhoenviedtheconfidenceofwhichIwasinpossession.
ThefailureofafirminParisinwhichIhadinvestedaconsiderablesumofmoneyaffordedanopportunityforenvyandmalignitytoirritatetheFirstConsulagainstme.Bonaparte，whohadnotyetforgivenmeforwishingtoleavehim，atlengthdeterminedtosacrificemyservicestoanewfitofill—humour.
Amercantilehouse，thenoneofthemoatrespectableinPatna，hadamongitsspeculationsundertakensomearmycontracts.WiththeknowledgeofBerthier，withwhom，indeed，thehousehadtreated，Ihadinvestedsomemoneyinthisbusiness.Unfortunatelytheprincipalswere，unknowntome，engagedindangerousspeculationsintheFunds，whichinashorttimesoinvolvedthemastooccasiontheirfailureforaheavyamount.ThiscausedarumourthataslightfalloftheFunds，whichtookplaceatthatperiod，wasoccasionedbythebankruptcy;andtheFirstConsul，whonevercouldunderstandthenatureoftheFunds，gavecredittothereport.HewasmadetobelievethatthebusinessoftheStockExchangewasruined.
ItwasinsinuatedthatIwasaccusedoftakingadvantageofmysituationtoproducevariationsintheFunds，thoughIwassounfortunateastolosenotonlymyinvestmentinthebankrupthouse，butalsoasumofmoneyforwhichIhadbecomebound，bywayofsurety，toassistthehouseinincreasingitsbusiness.IincurredtheviolentdispleasureoftheFirstConsul，whodeclaredtomethathenolongerrequiredmyservices.
Imight，perhapshavecooledhisirritationbyremindinghimthathecouldnotblamemeforpurchasinganinterestinacontract，sincehehimselfhadstipulatedforagratuityof1，500，000francsforhisbrotherJosephoutofthecontractforvictuallingthenavy.ButIsawthatforsometimepastM.deMenevalhadbeguntosupersedeme，andtheFirstConsulonlywantedsuchanopportunityasthisforcomingtoarupturewithme.
SuchisatruestatementofthecircumstanceswhichledtomyseparationfromBonaparte.Idefyanyonetoadduceasinglefactinsupportofthechargeofpeculation，oranytransactionofthekind;Ifearnoinvestigationofmyconduct.WhenintheserviceofBonaparteIcausedmanyappointmentstobemade，andmanynamestobeerasedfromtheemigrantlistbeforethe’Senatus—consulte’ofthe6thFloreal，yearX.;
butInevercountedupongratitude，experiencehavingtaughtmethatitwasanemptyword.
TheDucdeRovigoattributedmydisgracetocertaininterceptedletterswhichinjuredmeintheeyesoftheFirstConsul.Ididnotknowthisatthetime，andthoughIwasprettywellawareofthemachinationsofBonaparte’sadulators，almostallofwhomweremyenemies，yetIdidnotcontemplatesuchanactofbaseness.ButaspontaneousletterfromM.deBarbeMarboisatlengthopenedmyeyes，andleftlittledoubtonthesubject.Thefollowingisthepostscripttothatnoblepeer’sletter：
IrecollectthatoneWednesdaytheFirstConsul，whilepresidingataCouncilofMinistersatSt.Cloud，openedanote，and，withoutinforminguswhatitcontained，hastilylefttheBoard，apparentlymuchagitated.Inafewminuteshereturnedandtoldusthatyourfunctionshadceased.
WhetherthesuddendispleasureoftheFirstConsulwasexcitedbyafalserepresentationofmyconcerninthetransactionwhichprovedsounfortunatetome，orwhetherBonapartemerelymadethatapretenceforcarryingintoexecutionaresolutionwhichIamconvincedhadbeenpreviouslyadopted，Ishallnotstoptodetermine;buttheDuedeRovigohavingmentionedtheviolationofthesecrecyoflettersinmycase，I
shalltaketheopportunityofstatingsomeparticularsonthatsubject.
BeforeIwrotetheseMemoirstheexistenceinthePostOfficeofthecabinet，whichhadobtainedtheepithetofblack，hadbeendenouncedinthechamberofdeputies，andtheanswerwas，thatitnolongerexisted，whichofcourseamountedtoanadmissionthatithadexisted.Imaytherefore，withoutindiscretion，statewhatIknowrespectingit.
The\"blackcabinet\"wasestablishedinthereignofLouisXV.，merelyforthepurposeofpryingintothescandalousgossipoftheCourtandthecapital.Theexistenceofthiscabinetsoonbecamegenerallyknowntoeveryone.Thenumerouspostmasterswhosucceededeachother，especiallyinlattertimes，thestillmorenumerousPostOfficeclerks，andthatportionofthepublicwhoareeveronthewatchforwhatisheldupasscandalous，soonbanishedallthesecrecyoftheaffair，andnonebutfoolsweretakeninbyit.AllwhodidnotwishtobecommittedbytheircorrespondencechosebetterchannelsofcommunicationthanthePost;butthosewhowantedtoruinanenemyorbenefitafriendlongcontinuedtoavailthemselvesoftheblackcabinet，which，atfirstintendedmerelytoamuseamonarch’sidlehours，soonbecameamediumofintrigue，dangerousfromtheabusethatmightbemadeofit.
Everymorning，forthreeyears，Iusedtoperusetheportfoliocontainingthebulletinsoftheblackcabinet，andIfranklyconfessthatInevercoulddiscoveranyrealcauseforthepublicindignationagainstit，exceptinasmuchasitprovedthechannelofvileintrigue.Outof30，000
letters，whichdailyleftParistobedistributedthroughFranceandallpartsoftheworld，tenortwelve，atmost，werecopied，andoftenonlyafewlinesofthem.
Bonaparteatfirstproposedtosendcompletecopiesofinterceptedletterstotheministerswhomtheircontentsmightconcern;butafewobservationsfrommeinducedhimtodirectthatonlytheimportantpassagesshouldbeextractedandsent.Imadetheseextracts，andtransmittedthemtotheirdestinations，accompaniedbythefollowingwords：\"TheFirstConsuldirectsmetoinformyouthathehasjustreceivedthefollowinginformation，\"etc.Whencetheinformationcamewaslefttobeguessedat.
TheFirstConsuldailyreceivedthroughthischannelaboutadozenpretendedletters，thewritersofwhichdescribedtheirenemiesasopponentsoftheGovernment，ortheirfriendsasmodelsofobedienceandfidelitytotheconstitutedauthorities.Butthesecretpurposeofthisvilecorrespondencewassoondiscovered，andBonapartegaveordersthatnomoreofitshouldbecopied.I，however，sufferedfromitatthetimeofmydisgrace，andwaswell—nighfallingavictimtoitatasubsequentperiod.
ThelettermentionedbyM.deMarbois，andwhichwastheoccasionofthisdigressionontheviolationofprivatecorrespondence，derivedimportancefromthecircumstancethatWednesday，the20thofOctober，whenBonapartereceivedit，wasthedayonwhichIlefttheConsularpalace.
IretiredtoahousewhichBonapartehadadvisedmetopurchaseatSt.
Cloud，andforthefittingupandfurnishingofwhichhehadpromisedtopay.Weshallseehowhekeptthispromise！IimmediatelysenttodirectLandoire，themessengerofBonaparte’scabinet，toplaceallletterssenttomeintheFirstConsul’sportfolio，becausemanyintendedforhimcameundercoverforme.InconsequenceofthismessageI
receivedthefollowingletterfromM.deMeneval：
MYDEARBOURRIENNE——IcannotbelievethattheFirstConsulwouldwishthatyourlettersshouldbepresentedtohim.Ipresumeyoualludeonlytothosewhichmayconcernhim，andwhichcomeaddressedundercovertoyou.TheFirstConsulhaswrittentocitizensLavalletteandMolliendirectingthemtoaddresstheirpacketstohim.IcannotallowLandoiretoobeytheorderyousent.
TheFirstConsulyesterdayeveningevincedgreatregret.Herepeatedlysaid，\"HowmiserableIam！Ihaveknownthatmansincehewassevenyearsold.\"Icannotbutbelievethathewillreconsiderhisunfortunatedecision.Ihaveintimatedtohimthattheburdenofthebusinessistoomuchforme，andthathemustbeextremelyatalossfortheservicesofonetowhomhewassomuchaccustomed，andwhosesituation，Iamconfident，nobodyelsecansatisfactorilyfill.Hewenttobedverylow—spirited.Iam，etc.
（Signed）MENEVAL.
19Vendemiaire，anX.
（21stOctober1802.）
NextdayIreceivedanotherletterfromM.Menevalasfollows：——
Isendyouyourletters.TheFirstConsulprefersthatyoushouldbreakthemopen，andsendherethosewhichareintendedforhim.I
enclosesomeGermanpapers，whichhebegsyoutotranslate.
MadameBonaparteismuchinterestedinyourbehalf;andIcanassureyouthatnoonemoreheartilydesiresthantheFirstConsulhimselftoseeyouagainatyouroldpost，forwhichitwouldbedifficulttofindasuccessorequaltoyou，eitherasregardsfidelityorfitness.Idonotrelinquishthehopeofseeingyouhereagain.
AwholeweekpassedawayinconflictsbetweentheFirstConsul’sfriendshipandpride.Theleastdesirehemanifestedtorecallmewasopposedbyhisflatterers.Onthefifthdayofourseparationhedirectedmetocometohim.Hereceivedmewiththegreatestkindness，andafterhavinggood—humouredlytoldmethatIoftenexpressedmyselfwithtoomuchfreedom——afaultIwasneversolicitoustocorrect——headded：\"Iregretyourabsencemuch.Youwereveryusefultome.Youareneithertoonoblenortooplebeian，neithertooaristocraticnortooJacobinical.Youarediscreetandlaborious.Youunderstandmebetterthananyoneelse;and，betweenourselvesbeitsaid，weoughttoconsiderthisasortofCourt.LookatDuroc，Bessieres，Maret.
However，Iamverymuchinclinedtotakeyouback;butbysodoingI
shouldconfirmthereportthatIcannotdowithoutyou.\"
MadameBonaparteinformedmethatshehadheardpersonstowhomBonaparteexpressedadesiretorecallmeobserve，\"Whatwouldyoudo？Peoplewillsayyoucannotdowithouthim.Youhavegotridofhimnow;thereforethinknomoreabouthim：andasfortheEnglishnewspapers，hegavethemmoreimportancethantheyreallydeserved：youwillnolongerbetroubledwiththem.\"Thiswillbringtomindascene——whichoccurredatMalmaisononthereceiptofsomeintelligenceinthe’LondonGazette’.
IamconvincedthatifBonapartehadbeenlefttohimselfhewouldhaverecalledme，andthisconvictioniswarrantedbytheintervalwhichelapsedbetweenhisdeterminationtopartwithmeandtheformalannouncementofmydismissal.Ourrupturetookplaceonthe20thofOctober，andonthe8thofNovemberfollowingtheFirstConsulsentmethefollowingletter：
CITIZENBOURRIENNE，MINISTEROFSTATE——Iamsatisfiedwiththeserviceswhichyouhaverenderedmeduringthetimeyonhavebeenwithme;buthenceforththeyarenolongernecessary.Iwishyoutorelinquish，fromthistime，thefunctionsandtitleofmyprivatesecretary.Ishallseizeanearlyopportunityofprovidingforyouinawaysuitedtoyouractivityandtalents，andconducivetothepublicservice.
（Signed）BONAPARTE.
IfanyproofoftheFirstConsul’smalignitywerewantingitwouldbefurnishedbythefollowingfact：——AfewdaysafterthereceiptoftheletterwhichannouncedmydismissalIreceivedanotefromDuroc;but，toaffordanideaofthepettyrevengeofhimwhocausedittobewritten，itwillbenecessaryfirsttorelateafewprecedingcircumstances.
When，withtheviewofpreservingalittlefreedom，IdeclinedtheofferofapartmentswhichMadameBonapartehadpreparedatMalmaisonformyselfandmyfamily，IpurchasedasmallhouseatRuel：theFirstConsulhadgivenordersforthefurnishingofthishouse，aswellasonewhichI
possessedinParis.FromthemannerinwhichtheordersweregivenIhadnottheslightestdoubtbutthatBonaparteintendedtomakemeapresentofthefurniture.However，whenIlefthisserviceheappliedtohaveitreturned.AsatfirstIpaidnoattentiontohisdemand，asfarasitconcernedthefurnitureatRuel，hedirectedDuroctowritethefollowinglettertome：
TheFirstConsul，mydearBourrienne，hasjustorderedmetosendhimthiseveningthekeysofyourresidenceinParis，fromwhichthefurnitureisnottoberemoved.
HealsodirectsmetoputintoawarehousewhateverfurnitureyoumayhaveatRuelorelsewherewhichyouhaveobtainedfromGovernment.
Ibegofyoutosendmeananswer，soastoassistmeintheexecutionoftheseorders.YoupromisedmetohaveeverythingsettledbeforetheFirstConsul’sreturn.ImustexcusemyselfinthebestwayIcan.
（Signed）DUROC.
24Brumaire，anX.
（15thNovember1802.）
Believingmyselftobemasterofmyownactions，IhadformedthedesignofvisitingEngland，whitherIwascalledbysomeprivatebusiness.
However，Iwasfullyawareofthepeculiarityofmysituation，andIwasresolvedtotakenostepthatshouldinanywayjustifyareproach.
Onthe11thofJanuaryIthereforewrotetoDuroc：
MyaffairsrequiremypresenceinEnglandforsometime.Ibegofyou，mydearDuroc，tomentionmyintendedjourneytotheFirstConsul，asIdonotwishtodoanythinginconsistentwithhisviews.
Iwouldrathersacrificemyowninterestthandispleasehim.Irelyonyourfriendshipforanearlyanswertothis，foruncertaintywouldbefataltomeinmanyrespects.
Theanswer，whichspeedilyarrived，wasasfollows：——
MYDEARBOURRIENNE——IhavepresentedtotheFirstConsultheletterIjustreceivedfromyou.Hereadit，andsaid，\"No！\"
ThatistheonlyanswerIcangiveyou.（Signed）DUROC.
Thismonosyllablewasexpressive.ItprovedtomethatBonapartewasconscioushowillhehadtreatedme;and，suspectingthatIwasactuatedbythedesireofvengeance，hewasafraidofmygoingtoEngland，lestI
shouldtheretakeadvantageofthatlibertyofthepresswhichhehadsoeffectuallyputdowninFrance.Heprobablyimaginedthatmyobjectwastopublishstatementswhichwouldmoreeffectuallyhaveenlightenedthepublicrespectinghisgovernmentanddesignsthanallthescandalousanecdotes，atrociouscalumnies，andridiculousfabricationsofPelletier，theeditorofthe’Ambigu’.ButBonapartewasmuchdeceivedinthissupposition;andiftherecanremainanydoubtonthatsubject，itwillberemovedonreferringtothedateoftheseMemoirs，andobservingthetimeatwhichIconsentedtopublishthem.
IwasnotdeceivedastothereasonsofBonaparte’sunceremoniousrefusalofmyapplication;andasIwellknewhisinquisitorialcharacter，Ithoughtitprudenttoconcealmynotes.IacteddifferentlyfromCamoens.Hecontendedwiththeseatopreservehismanuscripts;Imadetheearththedepositoryofmine.Icarefullyenclosedmymostvaluablenotesandpapersinatinbox，whichIburiedunderground.Ayellowtinge，thecommencementofdecay，hasinsomeplacesalmostobliteratedthewriting.
Itwillbeseeninthesequelthatmyprecautionwasnotuseless，andthatIwasrightinanticipatingthepersecutionofBonaparte，provokedbythemaliceofmyenemies.Onthe20thofAprilDurocsentmethefollowingnote：
Ibeg，mydearBourrienne，thatyouwillcometoSt.Cloudthismorning.IhavesomethingtotellyouonthepartoftheFirstConsul.
（Signed）DUROC.
Thisnotecausedmemuchanxiety.Icouldnotdoubtbutthatmyenemieshadinventedsomenewcalumny;butImustsaythatIdidnotexpectsuchbasenessasIexperienced.
AssoonasDurochadmademeacquaintedwiththebusinesswhichtheFirstConsulhaddirectedhimtocommunicate，IwroteonthespotthesubjoinedlettertoBonaparte：
AtGeneralDuroc’sdesireIhavethismomentwaiteduponhim，andheinformsmethatyouhavereceivednoticethatadeficitof100，000
francshasbeendiscoveredintheTreasuryoftheNavy，whichyourequiremetorefundthisdayatnoon.
CitizenFirstConsul，Iknownotwhatthismeans！Iamutterlyignorantofthematter.Isolemnlydeclaretoyouthatthischargeisamostinfamouscalumny.ItisonemoretobeaddedtothenumberofthosemaliciouschargeswhichhavebeeninventedforthepurposeofdestroyinganyinfluenceImightpossesswithyou.
IaminGeneralDuroc’sapartment，whereIawaityourorders.
DuroccarriedmynotetotheFirstConsulassoonasitwaswritten.Hespeedilyreturned.\"All’sright！\"saidhe.\"癏ehasdirectedmetosayitwasentirelyamistake！——thatheisnowconvincedhewasdeceived！
thatheissorryforthebusiness，andhopesnomorewillbesaidaboutit.\"
ThebaseflattererswhosurroundedBonapartewishedhimtorenewhisEgyptianextortionsuponme;buttheyshouldhaverecollectedthatthefusilladeemployedinEgyptforthepurposeofraisingmoneywasnolongerthefashioninFrance，andthatthedaysweregonebywhenitwasthecustomto’greasethewheelsoftherevolutionarycar.’
CHAPTERXVII.
1803.
TheFirstConsul’spresentimentsrespectingthedurationofpeace——
England’suneasinessattheprosperityofFrance——Bonaparte’srealwishforwar——ConcourseofforeignersinParis——BadfaithofEngland——BonaparteandLordWhitworth——RelativepositionofFranceandEngland—Bonaparte’sjourneytotheseaboarddepartments——
BreakfastatCompiegne——FatherBerton——IrritationexcitedbythepresenceofBouquet——FatherBerton’sderangementanddeath——Rapporderedtosendforme——Ordercountermanded.
TheFirstConsulneveranticipatedalongpeacewithEngland.Hewishedforpeacemerelybecause，knowingittobeardentlydesiredbythepeople，aftertenyearsofwarhethoughtitwouldincreasehispopularityandaffordhimtheopportunityoflayingthefoundationofhisgovernment.PeacewasasnecessarytoenablehimtoconquerthethroneofFranceaswarwasessentialtosecureit，andtoenlargeitsbaseattheexpenseoftheotherthronesofEurope.ThiswasthesecretofthepeaceofAmiens，andoftherupturewhichsosuddenlyfollowed，thoughthatrupturecertainlytookplacesoonerthantheFirstConsulwished.
OnthegreatquestionsofpeaceandwarBonaparteentertainedelevatedideas;butindiscussionsonthesubjecthealwaysdeclaredhimselfinfavourofwar.Whentoldofthenecessitiesofthepeople，oftheadvantagesofpeace，itsinfluenceontrade，thearts，nationalindustry，andeverybranchofpublicprosperity，hedidnotattempttodenytheargument;indeed，heconcurredinit;butheremarked，thatallthoseadvantageswereonlyconditional，solongasEnglandwasabletothrowtheweightofhernavyintothescaleoftheworld，andtoexercisetheinfluenceofhergoldinalltheCabinetsofEurope.Peacemustbebroken;sinceitwasevidentthatEnglandwasdeterminedtobreakit.
Whynotanticipateher？Whyallowhertohavealltheadvantagesofthefirststep？WemustastonishEurope！WemustthwartthepolicyoftheContinent！Wemuststrikeagreatandunexpectedblow.ThusreasonedtheFirstConsul，andeveryonemayjudgewhetherhisactionsagreedwithhissentiments.
TheconductofEnglandtoowelljustifiedtheforesightofBonaparte’spolicy;orratherEngland，byneglectingtoexecutehertreaties，playedintoBonaparte’shand，favouredhisloveforwar，andjustifiedthepromptdeclarationofhostilitiesintheeyesoftheFrenchnation，whomhewishedtopersuadethatifpeacewerebrokenitwouldbeagainsthiswishes.Englandwasalreadyatworkwiththepowerfulmachineryofhersubsidies，andtheveilbeneathwhichsheattemptedtoconcealhernegotiationswasstillsufficientlytransparentforthelynxeyeoftheFirstConsul.Itwasinthemidstofpeacethatallthoseplotswerehatched，whilemillionswhohadnoknowledgeoftheirexistenceweresecurelylookingforwardtouninterruptedrepose.
SincetheRevolutionParishadneverpresentedsuchaspectacleasduringthewinterof1802—3.AtthattimetheconcourseofforeignersintheFrenchcapitalwasimmense.Everythingworetheappearanceofsatisfaction，andtheexternalsignsofpublicprosperity.ThevisibleregenerationinFrenchsocietyexceedinglyannoyedtheBritishMinistry.
TheEnglishwhoflockedtotheContinentdiscoveredFrancetobeverydifferentfromwhatshewasdescribedtobebytheEnglishpapers.ThiscausedseriousalarmontheothersideoftheChannel，andtheEnglishGovernmentendeavouredbyunjustcomplaintstodivertattentionfromjustdissatisfaction，whichitsownsecretintriguesexcited.TheKingofEnglandsentamessagetoParliament，inwhichhespokeofarmamentspreparingintheportsofFrance，andofthenecessityofadoptingprecautionsagainstmeditatedaggressions.ThisinstanceofbadfaithhighlyirritatedtheFirstConsul，whooneday，inafitofdispleasure，thusaddressedLordWhitworthinthesalon，wherealltheforeignAmbassadorswereassembled：
\"Whatisthemeaningofthis？Areyouthentiredofpeace？MustEuropeagainbedelugedwithblood？Preparationsforwarindeed！Doyouthinktooveraweusbythis？YoushallseethatFrancemaybeconquered，perhapsdestroyed，butneverintimidated——never！\"
TheEnglishAmbassadorwasastoundedatthisunexpectedsally，towhichhemadenoreply.HecontentedhimselfwithwritingtohisGovernmentanaccountofaninterviewinwhichtheFirstConsulhadsofarforgottenhimself，—whetherpurposelyornotIdonotpretendtosay.
ThatEnglandwishedforwartherecouldbenodoubt.SheoccupiedMalta，itistrue，butshehadpromisedtogiveitup，thoughsheneverhadanyintentionofdoingso.ShewastohaveevacuatedEgypt，yetthereshestillremained;theCapeofGoodHopewastohavebeensurrendered，butshestillretainedpossessionofit.Englandhadsigned，atAmiens，apeacewhichshehadnointentionofmaintaining.SheknewthehatredoftheCabinetsofEuropetowardsFrance，andshewassure，byherintriguesandsubsidies，ofarmingthemonhersidewheneverherplansreachedmaturity.ShesawFrancepowerfulandinfluentialinEurope，andsheknewtheambitiousviewsoftheFirstConsul，who，indeed，hadtakenlittlepainstoconcealthem.
TheFirstConsul，whohadreckonedonalongerdurationofthepeaceofAmiens，foundhimselfattheruptureofthetreatyinanembarrassingsituation.Thenumerousgrantsoffurloughs，thedeplorableconditionofthecavalry，andthetemporaryabsenceofartillery，inconsequenceofaprojectforrefoundingallthefield—pieces，causedmuchanxietytoBonaparte.Hehadrecoursetotheconscriptiontofillupthedeficienciesofthearmy;andtheprojectofrefoundingtheartillerywasabandoned.Suppliesofmoneywereobtainedfromthelargetowns，andHanover，whichwassoonafteroccupied，furnishedabundanceofgoodhorsesformountingthecavalry.
Warhadnowbecomeinevitable;andassoonasitwasdeclaredtheFirstConsulsetouttovisitBelgiumandtheseaboarddepartmentstoascertainthebestmeansofresistingtheanticipatedattacksoftheEnglish.InpassingthroughCompiegnehereceivedavisitfromFatherBerton，formerlyprincipalofthemilitaryschoolofBrienne.HewasthenrectoroftheschoolofartsatCompiegne，asituationinwhichhehadbeenplacedbyBonaparte.IlearnedtheparticularsofthisvisitthroughJosephine.FatherBerton，whoseprimitivesimplicityofmannerwasunchangedsincethetimewhenheheldusundertheauthorityofhisferule，cametoinviteBonaparteandJosephinetobreakfastwithhim，whichinvitationwasaccepted.FatherBertonhadatthattimelivingwithhimoneofouroldcomradesofBrienne，namedBouquet;butheexpresslyforbadehimtoshowhimselftoBonaparteoranyoneofhissuite，becauseBouquet，whohadbeenacommissaryatheadquartersinItaly，wasindisgracewiththeFirstConsul.BouquetpromisedtoobserveFatherBerton’sinjunctions，butwasfarfromkeepinghispromise.AssoonashesawBonaparte’scarriagedriveup，herantothedoorandgallantlyhandedoutJosephine.Josephine，asshetookhishand，said，\"Bouquet，——youhaveruinedyourself！\"Bonaparte，indignantatwhatheconsideredanunwarrantablefamiliarity，gavewaytooneofhisuncontrollablefitsofpassion，andassoonasheenteredtheroomwherethebreakfastwaslaid，heseatedhimself，andthensaidtohiswifeinanimperioustone，\"Josephine，sitthere！\"Hethencommencedbreakfast，withouttellingFatherBectontositdown，althoughathirdplatehadbeenlaidforhim.FatherBectonstoodbehindhisoldpupil’schairapparentlyconfoundedathisviolence.ThesceneproducedsuchaneffectontheoldmanthathebecameincapableofdischarginghisdutiesatCompiegne.HeretiredtoRheims，andhisintellectsoonafterbecamederanged.IdonotpretendtosaywhetherthisalienationofmindwascausedbytheoccurrenceIhavejustrelated，andtheaccountofwhichI
receivedfromJosephine.Shewasdeeplyafflictedatwhathadpassed.
FatherBertondiedinsane.WhatIheardfromJosephinewasafterwardsconfirmedbythebrotherofFatherBecton.Thefactis，thatinproportionasBonaparteacquiredpowerhewasthemoreannoyedatthefamiliarityofoldcompanions;and，indeed，Imustconfessthattheirfamiliarityoftenappearedveryridiculous.
TheFirstConsul’svisittothenortherncoasttookplacetowardstheendoftheyear1803，atwhichtimetheEnglishattackedtheDutchsettlementsofSurinam，Demerara，andEssequibo，andaconventionofneutralitywasconcludedbetweenFrance，Spain，andPortugal.RappaccompaniedtheFirstConsul，whoattentivelyinspectedthepreparationsmakingforadescentonEngland，whichitwasneverhisintentiontoeffect，aswillbeshortlyshown.
OntheFirstConsul’sreturnIlearnedfromRappthatIhadbeenspokenofduringthejourney，andinthefollowingway：——Bonaparte，beingatBoulogne，wantedsomeinformationwhichnoonetherecouldgive，him.
VexedatreceivingnosatisfactoryanswertohisinquirieshecalledRapp，andsaid，\"Doyouknow，Rapp，whereBourrienneis？\"——\"General，heisinParis.\"——\"Writetohimtocomehereimmediately，andsendoffoneofmycourierswiththeletter.\"TherumouroftheFirstConsul’ssuddenrecollectionofmespreadlikelightning，andthetimerequiredtowritetheletteranddespatchthecourierwasmorethansufficientfortheeffortsofthosewhommyreturnwascalculatedtoalarm.Artfulrepresentationssooncheckedthesespontaneoussymptomsofareturntoformerfeelingsandhabits.WhenRappcarriedtotheFirstConsultheletterhehadbeendirectedtowritetheorderwascountermanded.
However，RappadvisedmenottoleaveParis，orifIdid，tomentiontheplacewhereImightbefound，sothatDurocmighthaveitinhispowertoseizeonanyfavourablecircumstancewithoutdelay.IwaswellawareofthefriendshipofbothRappandDuroc，andtheycouldasconfidentlyrelyonmine.
CHAPTERXVIII.
1803.
Vastworksundertaken——TheFrenchandtheRomansoldiers——ItineraryofBonaparte’sjourneystothecoast——Twelvehoursonhorseback——
DiscussionsinCouncil——OppositionofTruguet——Bonaparte’aopiniononthepointunderdiscussion——Twodivisionsoftheworld——Europeaprovince——Bonaparte’sjealousyofthedignityofFrance——TheEnglishmaninthedockyardofBrest——PublicaudienceattheTuilleries——TheFirstConsul’sremarksuponEngland——HiswishtoenjoythegoodopinionoftheEnglishpeople——BallatMalmaison——
LinesonHortense’sdancing——Singularmotiveforgivingtheball.
AtthetimeoftherupturewithEnglandBonapartewas，asIhavementioned，quiteunpreparedinmostbranchesoftheservice;yeteverythingwascreatedasifbymagic，andheseemedtoimparttoothersashareofhisownincredibleactivity.Itisinconceivablehowmanythingshadbeenundertakenandexecutedsincetheruptureofthepeace.
ThenorthcoastofFrancepresentedtheappearanceofonevastarsenal;
forBonaparteonthisoccasionemployedhistroopslikeRomansoldiers，andmadethetoolsoftheartisansucceedtothearmsofthewarrior.
OnhisfrequentjourneystothecoastBonaparteusuallysetoffatnight，andonthefollowingmorningarrivedatthepostofficeofChantilly，wherehebreakfasted.Rapp，whomIoftensawwhenhewasinParis，talkedincessantlyofthesejourneys，forhealmostalwaysaccompaniedtheFirstConsul，anditwouldhavebeenwellhadhealwaysbeensurroundedbysuchmen.IntheeveningtheFirstConsulsuppedatAbbeville，andarrivedearlynextdayatthebridgeofBrique.\"Itwouldrequireconstitutionsofirontogothroughwhatwedo，\"saidRapp.
\"Wenosooneralightfromthecarriagethanwemountonhorseback，andsometimesremaininoursaddlesfortenortwelvehourssuccessively.
TheFirstConsulinspectsandexamineseverything，oftentalkswiththesoldiers.Howheisbelovedbythem！WhenshallwepayavisittoLondonwiththosebravefellows？\"
NotwithstandingthesecontinualjourneystheFirstConsulneverneglectedanyofthebusinessofgovernment，andwasfrequentlypresentatthedeliberationsoftheCouncil.IwasstillwithhimwhenthequestionastothemannerinwhichthetreatiesofpeaceshouldbeconcludedcameundertheconsiderationoftheCouncil.Somemembers，amongwhomTruguetwasconspicuous，wereofopinionthat，conformablywithanarticleoftheConstitution，thetreatiesshouldbeproposedbytheHeadoftheGovernment，submittedtotheLegislativeBody，andafterbeingagreedtopromulgatedaspartofthelaws.Bonapartethoughtdifferently.Iwasentirelyofhisopinion，andhesaidtome，\"ItisforthemerepleasureofoppositionthattheyappealtotheConstitution，foriftheConstitutionsayssoitisabsurd.Therearesomethingswhichcannotbecomethesubjectofdiscussioninapublicassembly;forinstance，ifI
treatwithAustria，andmyAmbassadoragreestocertainconditions，canthoseconditionsberejectedbytheLegislativeBody？Itisamonstrousabsurdity！Thingswouldbebroughttoafinepassinthisway！
LucchesiniandMarkowwouldgivedinnerseverydaylikeCambaceres;
scattertheirmoneyabout，buymenwhoaretobesold，andthuscauseourpropositionstoberejected.Thiswouldbeafinewaytomanagematters！\"
WhenBonaparte，accordingtohiscustom，talkedtomeintheeveningofwhathadpassedintheCouncil，hislanguagewasalwayscomposedofasingularmixtureofquotationsfromantiquity，historicalreferences，andhisownideas.HetalkedabouttheRomans，andIrememberwhenMr.FoxwasatParisthathetriedtodistinguishhimselfbeforethatForeignMinister，whomhegreatlyesteemed.InhisenlargedwayofviewingtheworldBonapartedivideditintotwolargestates，theEastandtheWest：
\"Whatmatters，\"hewouldoftensay，\"thattwocountriesareseparatedbyriversormountains，thattheyspeakdifferentlanguages？WithveryslightshadesofvarietyFrance，Spain，England，Italy，andGermany，havethesamemannersandcustoms，thesamereligion，andthesamedress.Inthemamancanonlymarryonewife;slaveryisnotallowed;andthesearethegreatdistinctionswhichdividethecivilisedinhabitantsoftheglobe.WiththeexceptionofTurkey，Europeismerelyaprovinceoftheworld，andourwarfareisbutcivilstrife.Thereisalsoanotherwayofdividingnations，namely，bylandandwater.\"ThenhewouldtouchonalltheEuropeaninterests，speakofRussia，whosealliancehewishedfor，andofEngland，themistressoftheseas.Heusuallyendedbyalludingtowhatwasthenhisfavouritescheme——anexpeditiontoIndia.
WhenfromthesegeneraltopicsBonapartedescendedtotheparticularinterestsofFrance，hestillspokelikeasovereign;andImaytrulysaythatheshowedhimselfmorejealousthananysovereigneverwasofthedignityofFrance，ofwhichhealreadyconsideredhimselfthesolerepresentative.HavinglearnedthatacaptainoftheEnglishnavyhadvisitedthedockyardofBrestpassinghimselfoffasamerchant，whosepassporthehadborrowed，heflewintoaragebecausenoonehadventuredtoarresthim.——[seeJames’NavalHistoryforanaccountofSirSidneySmith’sdaringexploit.]——NothingwaslostonBonaparte，andhemadeuseofthisfacttoprovetotheCouncilofStatethenecessityofincreasingthenumberofcommissary—generalsofpolice.AtameetingoftheCouncilhesaid，\"IftherehadbeenacommissaryofpoliceatBresthewouldhavearrestedtheEnglishcaptainandsenthimatoncetoParis.
AshewasactingthepartofaspyIwouldhavehadhimshotassuch.
NoEnglishman，notevenanobleman，ortheEnglishAmbassador，shouldbeadmittedintoourdockyards.Iwillsoonregulateallthis.\"Heafterwardssaidtome，\"ThereareplentyofwretcheswhoaresellingmeeverydaytotheEnglishwithoutmybeingsubjectedtoEnglishspying.\"
——[DuringtheshortandhollowpeaceofAmiensBonapartesentovertoEnglandasconsulsandvice—consuls，anumberofengineersandmilitarymen，whowereinstructedtomakeplansofalltheharboursandcoastsoftheUnitedKingdom.Theyworkedinsecrecy，yetnotsosecretlybutthattheyweresoonsuspected：thefactswereproved，andtheyweresentoutofthecountrywithoutceremony.——
Editorof1836edition.]——
Hehadononeoccasionsaidbeforeanassemblageofgenerals，senators，andhighofficersofState，whowereatanaudienceoftheDiplomaticBody，\"TheEnglishthinkthatIamafraidofwar，butIamnot.\"Andherethetruthescapedhim，inspiteofhimself.\"Mypowerwilllosenothingbywar.InaveryshorttimeIcanhave2，000，000ofmenatmydisposal.Whathasbeentheresultofthefirstwar？TheunionofBelgiumandPiedmonttoFrance.Thisisgreatlytoouradvantage;itwillconsolidateoursystem.Franceshallnotberestrainedbyforeignfetters.Englandhasmanifestlyviolatedthetreaties！ItwouldbebettertorenderhomagetotheKingofEngland，andcrownhimKingofFranceatParis，thantosubmittotheinsolentcapricesoftheEnglishGovernment.If，forthesakeofpreservingpeace，atmostforonlytwomonthslonger，Ishouldyieldonasinglepoint，theEnglishwouldbecomethemoretreacherousandinsolent，andwouldenactthemoreinproportionasweyield.Buttheylittleknowme！WerewetoyieldtoEnglandnow，shewouldnextprohibitournavigationincertainpartsoftheworld.
Shewouldinsistonthesurrenderofparships.Iknownotwhatshewouldnotdemand;butIamnotthemantobrooksuchindignities.SinceEnglandwishesforwarsheshallhaveit，andthatspeedily！\"