\"Heisverymuchmistaken，\"resumedtheEmperor，\"ifheconceivesIboreanyill—willtowardshim.AfterhisarrestIsentLauristontotheTemple，whomIchosebecausehewasofanamiableandconciliatingdisposition;IchargedhimtotellMoreautoconfesshehadonlyseenPichegru，andIwouldcausetheproceedingsagainsthimtobesuspended.
Insteadofreceivingthisactofgenerosityasheoughttohavedone，herepliedtoitwithgreathaughtiness，somuchwasheelatedthatPichegruhadnotbeenarrested;heafterwards，however，loweredhistone.Hewrotetomealetterofexcuserespectinghisanteriorconduct，whichIcausedtobeproducedonthetrial.Hewastheauthorofhisownruin;besides，itwouldhaverequiredmenofadifferentstampfromMoreautoconspireagainstme.Amoung，theconspirators，forexample，wasanindividualwhosefateIregret;thisGeorgesinmyhandsmighthaveachievedgreatthings.Icandulyappreciatethefirmnessofcharacterhedisplayed，andtowhichIcouldhavegivenaproperdirection.IcausedRealtointimatetohimthat，ifhewouldattachhimselftome，notonlyshouldhebepardoned，butthatIwouldgivehimthecommandofaregiment.
PerhapsImightevenhavemadehimmyaidedecamp.Complaintswouldhavebeenmade，but，parbleu，Ishouldnothavecared.Georgesrefusedallmyoffers;hewasasinflexibleasiron.WhatcouldIdo？heunderwenthisfate，forhewasadangerousman;circumstancesrenderedhisdeathamatterofnecessity.Examplesofseveritywerecalledfor，whenEnglandwaspouringintoFrancethewholeoffscouringoftheemigration;butpatience，patience！Ihavealongarm，andshallbeabletoreachthem，whennecessary.MoreauregardedGeorgesmerelyasaruffian——Iviewedhiminadifferentlight.YoumayremembertheconversationIhadwithhimattheTuileries——youandRappwereinanadjoiningcabinet.Itriedinvaintoinfluencehim——someofhisassociateswereaffectedatthementionofcountryandofglory;healonestoodcoldandunmoved.Iaddressedmyselftohisfeelings，butinvain;
hewasinsensibletoeverythingIsaid.AtthatperiodGeorgesappearedtomelittleambitiousofpower;hiswholewishesseemedtocentreincommandingtheVendeans.ItwasnottillIhadexhaustedeverymeansofconciliationthatIassumedthetoneandlanguageofthefirstmagistrate.Idismissedhimwithastronginjunctiontoliveretired——
tobepeaceableandobedient——nottomisinterpretthemotivesofmyconducttowardshimself——norattributetoweaknesswhatwasmerelytheresultofmoderationandstrength.’Restassured，’Iadded，’andrepeattoyourassociates，thatwhileIholdthereinsofauthoritytherewillbeneitherchancenorsalvationforthosewhodaretoconspireagainstme：Howheconformedtothisinjunctiontheeventhasshown.RealtoldmethatwhenMoreauandGeorgesfoundthemselvesinthepresenceofPichegrutheycouldnotcometoanyunderstanding，becauseGeorgeswouldnotactagainsttheBourbons.Well，hehadaplan，butMoreauhadnone;
hemerelywishedformyoverthrow，withouthavingformedanyulteriorviewswhatever.Thisshowedthathewasdestituteofevencommonsense.
Apropos，Bourrienne，haveyouseenCorvisart？\"——\"Yes，Sire.\"——\"Well！\"
\"Hedeliveredtomethemessagewithwhichyouentrustedhim.\"——\"AndDesmaisons！——Iwagerthatyouhavenotspokentohiminconformitytomywishes.\"——\"Sire，theestimationinwhichIholdDesmaisonsdeterredmefromacoursesoinjurioustohim;forinwhatotherlightcouldhehaveconsideredwhatIshouldhavesaidtohim？Ihavenevervisitedathishousesincethecommencementofthetrial.\"——\"Well！well！Beprudentanddiscreet，Ishallnotforgetyou.\"Hethenwavedaverygracioussalutewithhishand，andwithdrewintohiscabinet.
TheEmperorhaddetainedmemorethananhour.Onleavingtheaudience—
chamberIpassedthroughtheoutersalon，whereanumberofindividualswerewaiting;andIperceivedthatanobservanceofetiquettewasfastgainingground，thoughtheEmperorhadnotyetadoptedtheadmirableinstitutionofCourtChamberlains.
IcannotdenythatIwasmuchgratifiedwithmyreception;besidesIwasbeginningtobewearyofaninactivelife，andwasanxioustoobtainaplace，ofwhichIstoodingreatneed，fromthelossesIhadsustainedandtheunjustresumptionwhichBonapartehadmadeofhisgifts.BeingdesiroustospeakofNapoleonwiththestrictestimpartiality，IpreferdrawingmyconclusionsfromthoseactionsinwhichIhadnopersonalconcern.Ishallthereforeonlyrelatehere，evenbeforegivinganaccountofmyvisittotheEmpressonleavingtheaudience—chamber，theformerconductofNapoleontowardsmyselfandMadamedeBourrienne，whichwilljustifythemomentaryalarmwithwhichIwasseizedwhensummonedtotheTuileries，andthesatisfactionIfeltatmyreception.IhadaproofofwhatRappsaidoftheEmperorbeingingood—humour，andwasflatteredbytheconfidentialmannerinwhichhespoketomeconcerningsomeofthegreatpoliticalsecretsofhisGovernment.OnseeingmecomeoutRappobserved，\"Youhavehadalongaudience.\"——\"Yes，notamiss;\"andthiscircumstanceprocuredformeacourtlysalutationfromallpersonswaitingintheantechamber.’
IshallnowrelatehowIspentthetwoprecedingyears.ThemonthafterItenderedmyresignationtotheFirstConsul，andwhichherefusedtoaccept，thehouseatSt.CloudbelongingtoMadameDevillewasofferedtome;itwasthatinwhichtheDued’AngoulemeandtheDuedeBerriwereinoculated.Ivisitedthismansion，thinkingitmightbesuitableformyfamily;but，notwithstandingthebeautyofitssituation，itseemedfartoosplendideitherformytasteormyfortune.Excepttheouterwalls，itwasinaverydilapidatedstate，andwouldrequirenumerousandexpensiverepairs.Josephine，beinginformedthatMadamedeBourriennehadsetherfaceagainstthepurchase，expressedawishtoseethemansion，andaccompaniedusforthatpurpose.Shewassomuchdelightedwithitthatsheblamedmywifeforstartinganyobjectionstomybecoming，itspossessor.\"Withregardtotheexpense，\"Josephinerepliedtoher，\"ah，weshallarrangethat.\"OnourreturntoMalmaisonshespokeofitinsuchhightermsthatBonapartesaidtome，\"Whydon’tyoupurchaseit，Bourrienne，sincethepriceissoreasonable？\"
Thehousewasaccordinglypurchased.Anoutlayof20，000francswasimmediatelyrequiredtorenderithabitable.Furniturewasalsonecessaryforthislargemansion，andordersforitwereaccordinglygiven.Butnosoonerwererepairsbegunthaneverythingcrumbledtopieces，whichrenderedmanyadditionalexpensesnecessary.
AboutthisperiodBonapartehurriedforwardtheworksatSt.Cloud，towhichplaceheimmediatelyremoved.Myservicesbeingconstantlyrequired，IfounditsofatiguingtogotwiceorthriceadayfromRueltoSt.CloudthatItookpossessionofmynewmansion，thoughitwasstillfilledwithworkmen.ScarcelyeightdayshadelapsedfromthisperiodwhenBonaparteintimatedthathenolongerhadoccasionformyservices.WhenmywifewenttotakeleaveNapoleonspoketoherinaflatteringmannerofmygoodqualities，mymerit，andtheutilityofmylabours，sayingthathewashimselfthemostunfortunateofthethree，andthatmylosscouldneverbereplaced.Hethenadded，\"Ishallbeabsentforamonth，butBourriennemaybequiteeasy;lethimremaininretirement，andonmyreturnIshallrewardhisservices，shouldIevencreateaplaceonpurposeforhim.
MadamedeBourriennethenrequestedleavetoretaintheapartmentsappropriatedtoherintheTuileriestillafterheraccouchement，whichwasnotfardistant，towhichhereplied，\"Youmaykeepthemaslongasyouplease;foritwillbesometimebeforeIagainresideinParis.\"
Bonapartesetoutonhisjourney，andshortly—afterwardsIwentwithmyfamilytovisitMadamedeCoubertin，mycousin—german，whoreceiveduswithherusualkindness.WepassedthetimeoftheFirstConsul’sabsenceathercountryseat，andonlyreturnedtoSt.CloudonthedayBonapartewasexpected.
ScarcelyaquarterofanhourhadelapsedafterhisarrivalwhenI
receivedanintimationtogiveup，intwenty—fourhours，theapartmentsintheTuileries，whichhehadpromisedmywifeshouldretaintillafterherconfinement.HereclaimedatthesametimethefurnitureofRuel，whichhepresentedtometwoyearsbefore，whenIpurchasedthatsmallhouseonpurposetobenearhim.
Iaddressedseveralmemorialstohimonthissubject，statingthatIhadreplacedtheworn—outfurniturewithnewandsuperiorarticles;butthishewhollydisregarded，compellingmetogiveupeverything，eventothegreatesttrifle.ItmayberighttosaythatonhisreturntheEmperorfoundhistablecoveredwithinformationrespectingmyconductinParis，thoughIhadnotheldthesmallestcommunicationwithanyoneinthecapital，noronceentereditduringhisabsence.
AftermydepartureforHamburg，Bonapartetookpossessionofmystablesandcoach—house，whichhefilledwithhorses.Eventheveryavenuesandwalkswereconvertedintostabling.Ahandsomehouseattheentrancetotheparkwasalsoappropriatedtosimilarpurposes;infact，hesparednothing.Everythingwasdoneinthetruemilitarystyle;Ineitherhadpreviousintimationoftheproceedingsnorreceivedanyremunerationformyloss.TheEmperorseemedtoregardthepropertyashisown;butthoughheallbutorderedmetomakethepurchase，hedidnotfurnishthemoneythatwaspaidforit.Inthiswayitwasoccupiedformorethanfouryears.
TherecollectionofthosearbitraryandvexatiousproceedingsonthepartofBonapartehasledmefartherthanIintended.IshallthereforereturntotheimperialresidenceofSt.Cloud.Onleavingtheaudience—
chamber，asalreadystated，IrepairedtotheapartmentsoftheEmpress，who，knowingthatIwasinthePalace，hadintimatedherwishesformyattendance.Nocommandcouldhavebeenmoreagreeabletome，foreveryonewascertainofagraciousreceptionfromJosephine.Idonotrecollectwhichoftheladiesinwaitingwasinattendancewhenmynamewasannounced;butsheimmediatelyretired，andleftmealonewithJosephine.Herrecentelevationhadnotchangedtheusualamenityofherdisposition.Aftersomeconversationrespectingthechangeinhersituation，IgaveheranaccountofwhathadpassedbetweentheEmperorandmyself.
IfaithfullyrelatedallthathehadsaidofMoreau，observingthatatonemomentIimaginedhewasabouttospeakoftheDued’Enghien，whenhesuddenlyrevertedtowhathehadbeensaying，andnevermadetheslightestallusiontothesubject.
MadameBonaparterepliedtome，\"NapoleonhasspokenthetruthrespectingMoreau.Hewasgrosslydeceivedbythosewhobelievedtheycouldbestpaytheircourttohimbycalumniatingthatgeneral.HissilenceonthesubjectoftheDued’Enghiendoesnotsurpriseme;hesaysaslittlerespectingitaspossible，andalwaysinavaguemanner，andwithmanifestrepugnance.WhenyouseeBonaparteagainbesilentonthesubject，andshouldchancebringitforward，avoideveryexpressioninthesmallestdegreeindicativeofreproach;hewouldnotsufferit;youwouldruinyourselfforeverinhisestimation，andtheevilis，alas！
withoutremedy.WhenyoucametoMalmaisonItoldyouthatIhadvainlyendeavouredtoturnhimfromhisfatalpurpose，andhowhehadtreatedme.Sincethenhehasexperiencedbutlittleinternalsatisfaction;itisonlyinthepresenceofhiscourtiersthatheaffectsacalmandtranquildeportment;butIperceivehissufferingsarethegreaterfromthusendeavouringtoconcealthem.Bytheby，Iforgottomentionthatheknewofthevisityoupaidmeonthedayafterthecatastrophe.I
dreadedthatyourenemies，thegreaternumberofwhomarealsomine，mighthavemisrepresentedthatinterview;but，fortunately，hepaidlittleattentiontoit.Hemerelysaid，’SoyouhaveseenBourrienne？
Doeshesulkatme？NeverthelessImustdosomethingforhim.’Hehasagainspokeninthesamestrain，andrepeatednearlythesameexpressionsthreedaysago;andsincehehascommandedyourpresenceto—day，Ihavenotadoubtbuthehassomethinginviewforyouradvantage.\"——\"MayI
presumetoinquirewhatitis？\"——\"Idonotyetknow;butIwouldrecommendtoyou，inthemeantime，tobemorestrictlyonyourguardthanever;heissosuspicious，andsowellinformedofallthatisdoneorsaidrespectinghimself.IhavesufferedsomuchsinceIlastsawyou;
nevercanIforgettheunkindmannerinwhichherejectedmyentreaties！
ForseveraldaysIlabouredunderadepressionofspiritswhichgreatlyirritatedhim，becauseheclearlysawwhenceitproceeded.IamnotdazzledbythetitleofEmpress;Idreadsomeevilwillresultfromthissteptohim，tomychildren，andtomyself.Themiscreantsoughttobesatisfied;seetowhattheyhavedrivenus！Thisdeathembitterseverymomentofmylife.Ineednotsaytoyou，Bourrienne，thatIspeakthisinconfidence.\"——\"Youcannotdoubtmyprudence.\"——\"No，certainlynot，Bourrienne.Idonotdoubtit.Myconfidenceinyouisunbounded.RestassuredthatIshallneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforme，undervariouscircumstances，andthedevotednessyouevincedtomeonyourreturnfromEgypt.——Adieu，myfriend.Letmeseeyousoonagain.\"
Itwasonthe14thofJune1804thatIhadthisaudienceoftheEmperor，andafterwardsattendedtheEmpress.
OnmyreturnhomeIspentthreehoursinmakingnotesofallthatwassaidtomebythesetwopersonages;andthesubstanceofthesenotesI
havenowgiventothereader.
CHAPTERXXVIII.
1804.
CuriousdisclosuresofFouche——RemarkablewordsofBonaparterespectingtheprotestofLouisXVIII——SecretdocumentinsertedintheMoniteur——AnnouncementfromBonapartetoRegnier——FoucheappointedMinisterofPolice——ErrorofRegnierrespectingtheconspiracyofGeorges——UndeservedpraisebestowedonFouche——
IndicationofthereturnoftheBourbons——VariationbetweenthewordsandconductofBonaparte——Theironcrown——Celebrationofthe14thofJuly——Churchfestivalsandlossoftime——GrandceremonialattheInvalides——Recollectionsofthe18thBrumaire——NewoathoftheLegionofHonour——Generalenthusiasm——DepartureforBoulogne——VisitstoJosephineatSt.CloudandMalmaison——JosephineandMadamedeRemusat——PardonsgrantedbytheEmperor——Anniversaryofthe14thofJuly——DepartureforthecampofBoulogne——GeneralerrorrespectingNapoleon’sdesigns——Caesar’sTower——DistributionofthecrossesoftheLegionofHonour——Themilitarythrone——Bonaparte’scharlatanism——IntrepidityoftwoEnglishsailors——ThedecennialprizesandthePolytechnicSchool——MeetingoftheEmperorandEmpress——FirstnegotiationwiththeHolySea——ThePrefectofArrasandComteLouisdeNarbonne——ChangeintheFrenchMinistry.
LouisXVIII.，beingatWarsawwhenhewasinformedoftheelevationofNapoleontotheImperialdignity，addressedtothesovereignsofEuropeaprotestagainstthatusurpationofhisthrone.Fouche，beingthefirstwhoheardofthisprotest，immediatelycommunicatedthecircumstancetotheEmperor，observingthatdoubtlessthecopieswouldbemultipliedanddistributedamongsttheenemiesofhisGovernment，intheFaubourgSt.
Germain，whichmightproducetheworsteffects，andthathethereforedeemedithisdutytoinformhimthatordersmightbegiventoRegnierandRealtokeepastrictwatchoverthoseengagedindistributingthisdocument.
\"Youmayjudgeofmysurprise，\"addedFouche，\"youwhoknowsowellthatformerlytheverymentionoftheBourbonsrenderedBonapartefurious，when，afterperusingtheprotest，hereturnedittome，saying，’Ah，ah，sotheComtedeLillemakeshisprotest！Well，well，allingoodtime.
IholdmyrightbythevoiceoftheFrenchnation，andwhileIwearaswordIwillmaintainit！TheBourbonsoughttoknowthatIdonotfearthem;letthem，therefore，leavemeintranquillity.DidyousaythatthefoolsoftheFaubourgSt.GermainwouldmultiplythecopiesofthisprotestofComtedeLille？well，theyshallreaditattheirease.SendittotheMoniteur，Fouche;andletitbeinsertedto—morrowmorning.’\"
Thispassedonthe30thofJune，andthenextdaytheprotestofLouisXVIII.didactuallyappearinthatpaper.
Fouchewaswhollyindifferentrespectingthecirculationofthisprotest;
hemerelywishedtoshowtheEmperorthathewasbetterinformedofpassingeventsthanRegnier，andtoaffordNapoleonanotherproofoftheinexperienceandinabilityoftheGrandJudgeinpolice;andFouchewasnotlonginreceivingtherewardwhichheexpectedfromthisstep.Infact，tendaysafterthepublicationoftheprotest，theEmperorannouncedtoRegnierthere—establishmentoftheMinistryofGeneralPolice.
Theformula，IPrayGodtohaveyouinHisholykeeping，withwhichthelettertoRegnierclosed，wasanotherstepofNapoleonintheknowledgeofancientusages，withwhichhewasnotsufficientlyfamiliarwhenhewroteCambaceresonthedaysucceedinghiselevationtotheImperialthrone;atthesametimeitmustbeconfessedthatthisformulaassortedawkwardlywiththemonthof\"Messidor，\"andthe\"twelfthyearoftheRepublic！\"
TheerrorswhichRegnierhadcommittedintheaffairofGeorgeswerethecausewhichdeterminedBonapartetore—establishtheMinistryofPolice，andtobestowitonamanwhohadcreatedabeliefinthenecessityofthatmeasure，byamonstrousaccumulationofplotsandintrigues.IamalsocertainthattheEmperorwasswayedbytheprobabilityofawarbreakingout，whichwouldforcehimtoleaveFrance;andthatheconsideredFoucheasthemostproperpersontomaintainthepublictranquillityduringhisabsence，anddetectanycabalathatmightbeformedinfavouroftheBourbons.
Atthisperiod，whenBonapartehadgiventhefinishingblowtotheRepublic，whichhadonlybeenashadowsincethe19thBrumaire，itwasnotdifficulttoforeseethattheBourbonswouldonedayremountthethroneoftheirancestors;andthispresentimentwasnot，perhaps，withoutitsinfluenceinrenderingthemajoritygreaterinfavourofthefoundationoftheEmpirethanfortheestablishmentofaConsulateforlife.ThereestablishmentofthethronewasamostimportantstepinfavouroftheBourbons，forthatwasthethingmostdifficulttobedone.
ButBonaparteundertookthetask;and，asifbytheaidofamagicrod，theancientorderofthingswasrestoredinthetwinklingofaneye.Thedistinctionsofrank——orders——titles，thenoblesse——decorations——allthebaublesofvanity——inshort，alltheburlesquetattooingwhichthevulgarregardasanindispensableattributeofroyalty，reappearedinaninstant.Thequestionnolongerregardedtheformofgovernment，buttheindividualwhoshouldbeplacedatitshead.Byrestoringtheancientorderofthings，theRepublicanshadthemselvesdecidedthequestion，anditcouldnolongerbedoubtedthatwhenanoccasionpresenteditselfthemajorityofthenationwouldprefertheancientroyalfamily，towhomFranceowedhercivilisation，hergreatness，andherpower，andwhohadexaltedhertosuchahighdegreeofgloryandprosperity.
ItwasnotoneoftheleastsingulartraitsinNapoleon’scharacterthatduringthefirstyearofhisreignheretainedthefeteofthe14thofJuly.ItwasnotindeedstrictlyaRepublicanfate，butitrecalled.therecollectionoftwogreatpopulartriumphs，——thetakingoftheBastilleandthefirstFederation.Thisyearthe14thofJulyfellonaSaturday，andtheEmperorordereditscelebrationtobedelayedtillthefollowingday，becauseitwasSunday;whichwasinconformitywiththesentimentshedeliveredrespectingtheConcordat.\"Whatrendersme，\"hesaid，\"mosthostiletothere—establishmentoftheCatholicworshipisthenumberoffestivalsformerlyobserved.Asaint’sdayisadayofindolence，andI
wishnotforthat;thepeoplemustlabourinordertolive.Iconsenttofourholidaysintheyear，butnomore;ifthegentlemenfromRomearenotsatisfiedwiththis，theymaytaketheirdeparture.\"
Thelossoftimeseemedtohimsogreatacalamitythatheseldomfailedtoorderanindispensablesolemnitytobeheldonthesucceedingholiday.
ThushepostponedtheCorpusChristitothefollowingSunday.
OnSunday，the15thofJuly1804，theEmperorappearedforthefirsttimebeforetheParisianssurroundedbyallthepompofroyalty.ThemembersoftheLegionofHonour，theninParis，tooktheoathprescribedbythenewConstitution，andonthisoccasiontheEmperorandEmpressappearedattendedforthefirsttimebyaseparateandnumerousretinue.
ThecarriagesinthetrainoftheEmpresscrossedthegardenoftheTuileries，hithertoexclusivelyappropriatedtothepublic;thenfollowedthecavalcadeoftheEmperor，whoappearedonhorseback，surroundedbyhisprincipalgenerals，whomhehadcreatedMarshalsoftheEmpire.
M.deSegur，whoheldtheofficeofGrandMasterofCeremonies，hadthedirectionoftheceremonialtobeobservedonthisoccasion，andwith，theGovernorreceivedtheEmperoronthethresholdoftheHoteldesInvalides.TheyconductedtheEmpresstoatribunepreparedforherreception，oppositetheImperialthronewhichNapoleonaloneoccupied，totherightofthealtar.Iwaspresentatthisceremony，notwithstandingtherepugnanceIhavetosuchbrilliantexhibitions;butasDurochadtwodaysbeforepresentedmewithtickets，Ideemeditprudenttoattendontheoccasion，lestthekeeneyeofBonaparteshouldhaveremarkedmyabsenceifDurochadactedbyhisorder.
IspentaboutanhourcontemplatingtheproudandsometimesalmostludicrousdemeanourofthenewgrandeesoftheEmpire;Imarkedthemanoeuvringoftheclergy，who，withCardinalBelloyattheirhead，proceededtoreceivetheEmperoronhisentranceintothechurch.WhatasingulartrainofideaswascalleduptomymindwhenIbeheldmyformercomradeattheschoolofBrienneseateduponanelevatedthrone，surroundedbyhisbrilliantstaff，thegreatdignitariesofhisEmpire——
hisMinistersandMarshals！Iinvoluntarilyrecurredtothe19thBrumaire，andallthissplendidscenevanished;whenIthoughtofBonapartestammeringtosuchadegreethatIwasobligedtopulltheskirtofhiscoattoinducehimtowithdraw.
Itwasneitherafeelingofanimositynorofjealousywhichcalledupsuchreflections;atnoperiodofourcareerwouldIhaveexchangedmysituationforhis;butwhoevercanreflect，whoeverhaswitnessedtheunexpectedelevationofaformerequal，mayperhapsbeabletoconceivethestrangethoughtsthatassailedmymind，forthefirsttime，onthisoccasion.
Whenthereligiouspartoftheceremonyterminated，thechurchassumed，insomemeasure，theappearanceofaprofanetemple.ThecongregationdisplayedmoredevotiontotheEmperorthantowardstheGodoftheChristians，——moreenthusiasmthanfervour.Themasshadbeenheardwithlittleattention;butwhenM.deLacepede，GrandChancelloroftheLegionofHonour，afterpronouncingaflatteringdiscourse，finishedthecalloftheGrandOfficersoftheLegion，Bonapartecovered，asdidtheancientkingsofFrancewhentheyheldabedofjustice.Aprofoundsilence，asortofreligiousawe，thenreignedthroughouttheassembly，andNapoleon，whodidnotnowstammerasintheCounciloftheFiveHundred，saidinafirmvoice：
\"Commanders，officers，legionaries，citizens，soldiers;swearuponyourhonourtodevoteyourselvestotheserviceoftheEmpire——tothepreservationoftheintegrityoftheFrenchterritory——tothedefenceoftheEmperor，ofthelawsoftheRepublic，andofthepropertywhichtheyhavemadesacred——tocombatbyallthemeanswhichjustice，reason，andthelawsauthoriseeveryattempttoreestablishthefeudalsystem;inshort，sweartoconcurwithallyourmightinmaintaininglibertyandequality，whicharethebasesofallourinstitutions.Doyouswear？\"
EachmemberoftheLegionofHonourexclaimed，\"Iswear;\"adding，\"Vivel’Empereur！\"withanenthusiamitisimpossibletodescribe，andinwhichallpresentjoined.
What，afterall，wasthisnewoath？ItonlydifferedfromthattakenbytheLegionofHonour，undertheConsulate，inputtingthedefenceoftheEmperorbeforethatofthelawsoftheRepublic;andthiswasnotmerelyaform.Itwas，besides，sufficientlylaughableandsomewhataudacious，tomakethemsweartosupportequalityatthemomentsomanytitlesandmonarchicaldistinctionshadbeenre—established.
Onthe18thofJuly，threedaysafterthisceremony，theEmperorleftParistovisitthecampatBoulogne.HewasnotaccompaniedbytheEmpressonthisjourney，whichwasmerelytoexaminetheprogressofthemilitaryoperations.AvailingmyselfoftheinvitationJosephinehadgivenme，IpresentedmyselfatSt.CloudafewdaysafterthedepartureofNapoleon;asshedidnotexpectmyvisit，Ifoundhersurroundedbyfourorfiveoftheladiesinwaiting，occupiedinexaminingsomeoftheelegantproductionsofthefamousLeroiandMadameDespeaux;foramidstthehostofpainfulfeelingsexperiencedbyJosephineshewastoomuchofawomannottodevotesomeattentiontothetoilet.
OnmyintroductiontheywerediscussingtheseriousquestionofthecostumetobewornbytheEmpressonherjourneytoBelgiumtomeetNapoleonatthePalaceofLacken，nearBrussels.Notwithstandingthosediscussionsrespectingtheformofhats，thecolourandshapeofdresses，etc.，Josephinereceivedmeinherusualgraciousmanner.Butnotbeingabletoconversewithme，shesaid，withoutgivingitanappearanceofinvitationbutinamannersufficientlyevidenttobeunderstood，thatsheintendedtopassthefollowingmorningatMalmaison.
Ishortenedmyvisit，andatnoonnextdayrepairedtothatdelightfulabode，whichalwayscreatedinmyminddeepemotion.Notanalley，notagrovebutteemedwithinterestingrecollections;allrecalledtometheperiodwhenIwastheconfidantofBonaparte.ButthetimewaspastwhenheminutelycalculatedhowmucharesidenceatMalmaisonwouldcost，andconcludedbysayingthatanincomeof30，000livreawouldbenecessary.
WhenIarrivedMadameBonapartewasinthegardenwithMadamedeRemusat，whowasherfavouritefromthesimilarityofdispositionwhichexistedbetweenthem.
MadamedeRemusatwasthedaughteroftheMinisterVergennes，andsistertoMadamedeNansouty，whomIhadsometimesseenwithJosephine，butnotsofrequentlyashereldersister.IfoundtheladiesintheavenuewhichleadstoRuel，andsalutedJosephinebyinquiringrespectingthehealthofHerMajesty.NevercanIforgetthetoneinwhichshereplied：
\"Ah！Bourrienne，Ientreatthatyouwillsufferme，atleasthere，toforgetthatIamanEmpress.\"AsshehadnotathoughtconcealedfromMadamedeRemusatexceptsomedomesticvexations，ofwhichprobablyIwastheonlyconfidant，weconversedwiththesamefreedomasifalone，anditiseasytodefinethatthesubjectofourdiscourseregardedBonaparte.
AfterhavingspokenofherintendedjourneytoBelgium，Josephinesaidtome，\"Whatapity，Bourrienne，thatthepastcannotberecalled！
Hedepartedinthehappiestdisposition：hehasbestowedsomepardonsandIamsatisfiedthatbutforthoseaccursedpoliticshewouldhavepardonedafargreaternumber.Iwouldhavesaidmuchmore，butI
endeavouredtoconcealmychagrinbecausetheslightestcontradictiononlyrendershimthemoreobstinate.Now，wheninthemidstofhisarmy，hewillforgeteverything.HowmuchhaveIbeenafflictedthatIwasnotabletoobtainafavourableanswertoallthepetitionswhichwereaddressedtome.ThatgoodMadamedeMonteasoncamefromRomainvilletoSt.CloudtosolicitthepardonofMM.deRivi6reanddePolignac;wesucceededingaininganaudienceforMadamedePolignac;howbeautifulsheis！Bonapartewasgreatlyaffectedonbeholdingher;hesaidtoher，’Madame，sinceitwasonlymylifeyourhusbandmenaced，I
maypardonhim.’YouknowNapoleon，Bourrienne;youknowthatheisnotnaturallycruel;itishiscounsellorsandflattererswhohaveinducedhimtocommitsomanyvillainousactions.Rapphasbehavedextremelywell;hewenttotheEmperor，andwouldnotleavehimtillhehadobtainedthepardonofanotherofthecondemned，whosenameIdonotrecollect.HowmuchthesePolignacshaveinterestedme！Therewillbethenatleastsomefamilieswhowillowehimgratitude！Strive，ifitbepossible，tothrowaveiloverthepast;Iamsufficientlymiserableinmyanticipationsofthefuture.Restassured，mydearBourrienne，thatI
shallnotfailtoexertmyselfduringourstayinBelgiuminyourbehalf，andinformyouoftheresult.Adieu！\"
Duringthefestivalincelebrationofthe14thofJuly，whichIhavealreadyalludedto，theEmperorbeforeleavingtheHoteldesInvalideshadannouncedthathewouldgoinpersontodistributethedecorationsoftheLegionofHonourtothearmyassembledinthecampofBoulogne.Hewasnotlongbeforehefulfilledhispromise.HeleftSt.Cloudonthe18thandtravelledwithsuchrapiditythatthenextmorning，whilsteveryonewasbusywithpreparationsforhisreception，hewasalreadyatthatport，inthemidstofthelabourers，examiningtheworks.Heseemedtomultiplyhimselfbyhisinconceivableactivity，andonemightsaythathewaspresenteverywhere.
AttheEmperor’sdepartureitwasgenerallybelievedatParisthatthedistributionofthecrossesatthecampofBoulognewasonlyapretext，andthatBonapartehadatlengthgonetocarryintoexecutiontheprojectofaninvasionofEngland，whicheverybodysupposedhecontemplated.Itwas，indeed，apretext.TheEmperorwishedtoexcitemoreandmoretheenthusiasmofthearmy——toshowhimselftothemilitaryinvestedinhisnewdignity，tobepresentatsomegrandmanoeuvres，anddisposethearmytoobeythefirstsignalhemightgive.Howindeed，onbeholdingsuchgreatpreparations，somanytransportscreated，asitwere，byenchantment，couldanyonehavesupposedthatbedidnotreallyintendtoattemptadescentonEngland？PeoplealmostfanciedhimalreadyinLondon;itwasknownthatallthearmycorpsechellonedonthecoastfromMaplestoOstendwerereadytoembark.Napoleon’sarrivalinthemidstofhistroopsinspiredthem，ifpossible，withanewimpulse.TheFrenchportsontheChannelhadforalongperiodbeenconvertedintodockyardsandarsenals，whereworkswerecarriedonwiththatinconceivableactivitywhichNapoleonknewsowellhowtoinspire.Analmostincredibledegreeofemulationprevailedamongstthecommandersofthedifferentcamps，anditdescendedfromranktoranktothecommonsoldiersandeventothelabourers.
Aseveryonewaseagertotakeadvantageoftheslightesteffectsofchance，andexercisedhisingenuityinconvertingthemintoprognosticsofgoodfortunefortheEmperor，thosewhohadaccesstohimdidnotfailtocallhisattentiontosomeremainsofaRomancampwhichhadbeendiscoveredattheTourd’Ordre，wheretheEmperor’stentwaspitched.
ThiswasconsideredanevidentproofthattheFrenchCaesaroccupiedthecampwhichtheRomanCaesarhadformerlyconstructedtomenaceGreatBritain.Togiveadditionalforcetothisallusion，theTourd’OrdreresumedthenameofCaesar’sTower.SomemedalsofWilliamtheConqueror，foundinanotherspot，where，perhaps，theyhadbeenburiedforthepurposeofbeingdugup，couldnotfailtosatisfythemostincredulousthatNapoleonmustconquerEngland.
ItwasnotfarfromCaesar’sTowerthat80，000menofthecampsofBoulogneandMontreuil，underthecommandofMarshalSoult，wereassembledinavastplaintowitnessthedistributionofthecrossesoftheLegionofHonourimpressedwiththeImperialeffigy.Thisplain，whichIsawwithBonaparteinourfirstjourneytothecoast，beforeourdeparturetoEgypt，wascircularandhollow;andinthecentrewasalittlehill.ThishillformedtheImperialthroneofBonaparteinthemidstofhissoldiers.Therehestationedhimselfwithhisstaffandaroundthiscentreofglorytheregimentsweredrawnupinlinesandlookedlikesomanydivergingrays.Fromthisthrone，whichhadbeenerectedbythehandofnature，BonapartedeliveredinaloudvoicethesameformofoathwhichhehadpronouncedattheHoteldesInvalidesafewdaysbefore.Itwasthesignalforageneralburstofenthusiasm，andRapp，alludingtothisceremony，toldmethatheneversawtheEmperorappearmorepleased.Howcouldhebeotherwise？Fortunethenseemedobedienttohiswishes.Astormcameonduringthisbrilliantday，anditwasapprehendedthatpartoftheflotillawouldhavesuffered.
Bonapartequittedthehillfromwhichhehaddistributedthecrossesandproceededtotheporttodirectwhatmeasuresshouldbetaken，whenuponhisarrivalthestorm——
——[ThefollowingdescriptionoftheincidentwhenNapoleonnearlyoccasionedthedestructionoftheBoulogneflotillawasforwardedtothe’RevuePolitiqueetLitteraire’fromaprivatememoir.Thewriter，whowasaneye—witness，says——
Onemorning，whentheEmperorwasmountinghishorse，heannouncedthatheintendedtoholdareviewofhisnavalforces，andgavetheorderthatthevesselswhichlayintheharbourshouldaltertheirpositions，asthereviewwastobeheldontheopensea.Hestartedonhisusualride，givingordersthateverythingshouldbearrangedonhisreturn，thetimeofwhichbeindicted.HiswishwascommunicatedtoAdmiralBruix，whorespondedwithimperturbablecoolnessthathewasverysorry，butthatthereviewcouldnottakeplacethatday.Consequentlynotavesselwasmoved.OnhisreturnbackfromhisridetheEmperoraskedwhetherallwasready.HewastoldwhattheAdmiralhadsaid.Twicetheanswerhadtoberepeatedtohimbeforehecouldrealiseitsnature，andthen，violentlystampinghisfootontheground，hesentfortheAdmiral.TheEmperormethimhalfway.Witheyesburningwithrage，heexclaimedinanexcitedvoice，\"Whyhavemyordersnotbeenexecuted？\"WithrespectfulfirmnessAdmiralBruixreplied，\"Sire，aterriblestormisbrewing.YourMajestymayconvinceyourselfofit;wouldyouwithoutneedexposethelivesofsomanymen？\"TheheavinessoftheatmosphereandthesoundofthunderinthedistancemorethanjustifiedthefearsoftheAdmiral.\"Sir，saidtheEmperor，gettingmoreandmoreirritated，\"Ihavegiventheordersoncemore;whyhavetheynotbeenexecuted？Theconsequencesconcernmealone.
Obey！\"’Sire，Iwillnotobey，’repliedtheAdmiral.\"Youareinsolent！\"AndtheEmperor，whostillheldhisriding—whipinhishand，advancedtowardstheadmiralwithathreateninggesture.
AdmiralBruixsteppedbackandputhishandonthesheathofhisswordandsaid，growingverypale，\"sire，takecare！\"Thewholesuitestoodparalysedwithfear.TheEmperorremainedmotionlessforsometime，hishandliftedup，hiseyesfixedontheAdmiral，whostillretainedhismenacingattitude.AtlasttheEmperorthrewhiswhiponthefloor.M.Bruixtookhishandoffhissword，andwithuncoveredheadawaitedinsilencetheresultofthepainfulscene.Rear—AdmiralMagonwasthenorderedtoseethattheEmperor’sorderswereinstantlyexecuted.\"Asforyou，sir，\"saidtheEmperor，fixinghiseyesonAdmiralBruix，youleaveBoulognewithintwenty—fourhoursanddepartforHolland.Go！\"M.MagonorderedthefatalmovementofthefleetonwhichtheEmperorhadinsisted.Thefirstarrangementshadscarcelybeenmadewhentheseabecauseveryhigh.Theblackskywaspiercedbylightning，thethunderrolledandeverymomentthelineofvesselswasbrokenbythewind，andshortlyafter，thatwhichtheAdmiralhadforeseencametopass，andthemostfrightfulstormdispersedthevesselsineachawaythatitseamedimpossibletosavethem.Withbenthead，armscrossed，andasorrowfullookinhisface，theEmperorwalkedupanddownonthebeach，whensuddenlythemostterriblecrieswereheard.Morethantwentygunboatsfilledwithsoldiersandsailorswerebeingdriventowardstheshore，andtheunfortunatemenwerevainlyfightingagainstthefuriouswaves，callingforhelpwhichnobodycouldgivethem.Deeplytouchedbythespectacleandtheheart—rendingcriesandlamentationsofthemultitudewhichhadassembledonthebeach，theEmperor，seeinghisgeneralsandofficerstremblewithhorror，attemptedtosetanexampleofdevotion，and，inspiteofalleffortstokeephimback，hethrewhimselfintoaboat，saying，\"Letmego！letmego！theymustbebroughtoutofthis.\"Inamomenttheboatwasfilledwithwater.
Thewavespouredoveritagainandagain，andtheEmperorwasdrenched.Onewavelargerthantheothersalmostthrewhimoverboardandhishatwascarriedsway.Inspiredbysomuchcourage，officers，soldiers，seamen，andcitizenstriedtosuccourthedrowning，someinboats，someswimming.But，alas！onlyasmallnumbercouldbesavedoftheunfortunatemen.Thefollowingdaymorethan200bodieswerethrownashore，andwiththemthehatoftheconquerorofMarengo.ThatsaddaywasoneofdesolationforBoulogneandforthecamp.TheEmperorgroanedundertheburdenofanaccidentwhichhehadtoattributesolelytohisownobstinacy.
Agentsweredespatchedtoallpartsofthetowntosubduewithgoldthemurmurswhichwarereadytobreakoutintoatumult.]——
——ceasedasifbyenchantment.Theflotillaenteredtheportsafeandsoundandhewentbacktothecamp，wherethesportsandamusementspreparedforthesoldierscommenced，andintheeveningthebrilliantfireworkswhichwereletoffroseinaluminouscolumn，whichwasdistinctlyseenfromtheEnglishcoast.——[ItappearsthatNapoleonwassowellabletocoverupthisfiascothatnotevenBourrienneeverheardthetruestory.D.W.]
Whenhereviewedthetroopsheaskedtheofficers，andoftenthesoldiers，inwhatbattlestheyhadbeenengaged，andtothosewhohadreceivedseriouswoundshegavethecross.Here，Ithink，ImayappropriatelymentionasingularpieceofcharlatanismtowhichtheEmperorhadrecourse，andwhichpowerfullycontributedtoaugmenttheenthusiasmofhistroops.Hewouldsaytooneofhisaidesdecamp，\"AscertainfromthecolonelofsucharegimentwhetherhehasinhiscorpsamanwhohasservedinthecampaignsofItalyorthecampaignsofEgypt.Ascertainhisname，wherehewasborn，theparticularsofhisfamily，andwhathehasdone.Learnhisnumberintheranks，andtowhatcompanyhebelongs，andfurnishmewiththeinformation.\"
OnthedayofthereviewBonaparte，atasingleglance，couldperceivethemanwhohadbeendescribedtohim.Hewouldgouptohimasifherecognisedhim，addresshimbyhisname，andsay，\"Oh！soyouarehere！
Youareabravefellow——IsawyouatAboukir——howisyouroldfather？
What！haveyounotgottheCross？Stay，Iwillgiveityou.\"Thenthedelightedsoldierswouldsaytoeachother，\"YouseetheEmperorknowsusall;heknowsourfamilies;heknowswherewehaveserved.\"Whatastimuluswasthistosoldiers，whomhesucceededinpersuadingthattheywouldallsometimeorotherbecomeMarshalsoftheEmpire！
Lauristontoldme，amongstotheranecdotesrelatingtoNapoleon’ssojournatthecampatBoulogne，aremarkableinstanceofintrepidityonthepartoftwoEnglishsailors.ThesemenhadbeenprisonersatVerdun，whichwasthemostconsiderabledepotofEnglishprisonersinFranceattheruptureofthepeaceofAmiens.TheyeffectedtheirescapefromVerdun，andarrivedatBoulognewithouthavingbeendiscoveredontheroad，notwithstandingthevigilancewithwhichalltheEnglishwerewatchedTheyremainedatBoulogneforsometime，destituteofmoney，andwithoutbeingabletoeffecttheirescape.Theyhadnohopeofgettingaboardaboat，onaccountofthestrictwatchthatwaskeptuponvesselsofeverykind.Thesetwosailorsmadeaboatoflittlepiecesofwood，whichtheyputtogetheraswellastheycould，havingnoothertoolsthantheirknives.Theycovereditwithapieceofsail—cloth.Itwasonlythreeorfourfeetwide，andnotmuchlonger，andwassolightthatamancouldeasilycarryitonhisshoulders，——sopowerfulapassionistheloveofhomeandliberty！Sureofbeingshotiftheywerediscovered，almostequallysureofbeingdrownediftheyeffectedtheirescape，they，nevertheless，resolvedtoattemptcrossingtheChannelintheirfragileskiff.PerceivinganEnglishfrigatewithinsightofthecoast，theypushedoffandendeavouredtoreachher.Theyhadnotgoneahundredtoisesfromtheshorewhentheywereperceivedbythecustom—houseofficers，whosetoutinpursuitofthem，andbroughtthembackagain.
Thenewsofthisadventurespreadthroughthecamp，wheretheextraordinarycourageofthetwosailorswasthesubjectofgeneralremark.ThecircumstancereachedtheEmperor’sears.Hewishedtoseethemen，andtheywereconductedtohispresence，alongwiththeirlittleboat.Napoleon，whoseimaginationwasstruckbyeverythingextraordinary，couldnotconcealhissurpriseatsoboldaproject，undertakenwithsuchfeeblemeansofexecution.\"Isitreallytrue，\"
saidtheEmperortothem，\"thatyouthoughtofcrossingtheseainthis？\"——\"Sire，\"saidthey，\"ifyoudoubtit，giveusleavetogo，andyoushallseeusdepart.\"——\"Iwill.Youareboldandenterprisingmen——I
admirecouragewhereverImeetit.Butyoushallnothazardyourlives.
Youareatliberty;andmorethanthat，IwillcauseyoutobeputonboardanEnglishship.WhenyoureturntoLondontellhowIesteembravemen，evenwhentheyaremyenemies.\"Rapp，whowithLauriaton，Duroc，andmanyotherswerepresentatthisscene，werenotalittleastonishedattheEmperor’sgenerosity.Ifthemenhadnotbeenbroughtbeforehim，theywouldhavebeenshotasspies，insteadofwhichtheyobtainedtheirliberty，andNapoleongaveseveralpiecesofgoldtoeach.ThiscircumstancewasoneofthosewhichmadethestrongestimpressiononNapoleon，andherecollecteditwhenatSt.Helena，inoneofhisconversationswithM.deLasCasas.
NomanwaseversofondofcontrastsasBonaparte.Heliked，aboveeverything，todirecttheaffairsofwarwhilstseatedinhiseasychair，inthecabinetofSt.Cloud，andtodictateinthecamphisdecreesrelativetociviladministration.Thus，atthecampofBoulogne，hefoundedthedecennialpremiums，thefirstdistributionofwhichheintendedshouldtakeplacefiveyearsafterwards，ontheanniversaryofthe18thBrumaire，whichwasaninnocentcomplimenttothedateofthefoundationoftheConsularRepublic.ThismeasurealsoseemedtopromisetotheRepublicancalendaralongevitywhichitdidnotattain.Alltheselittlecircumstancespassedunobserved;butBonapartehadsooftendevelopedtomehistheoryoftheartofdeceivingmankindthatIknewtheirtruevalue.ItwaslikewiseatthecampofBoulognethat，byadecreeemanatingfromhisindividualwill，hedestroyedthenoblestinstitutionoftheRepublic，thePolytechnicSchool，byconvertingitintoapurelymilitaryacademy.HeknewthatinthatsanctuaryofhighstudyaRepublicanspiritwasfostered;andwhilstIwaswithhimhehadoftentoldmeitwasnecessarythatallschools，colleges，andestablishmentsforpublicinstructionshouldbesubjecttomilitarydiscipline.Ifrequentlyendeavouredtocontrovertthisidea，butwithoutsuccess.
ItwasarrangedthatJosephineandtheEmperorshouldmeetinBelgium.
HeproceededthitherfromthecampofBoulogne，totheastonishmentofthosewhobelievedthatthemomentfortheinvasionofEnglandhadatlengtharrived.HejoinedtheEmpressatthePalaceofLacken，whichtheEmperorhadorderedtoberepairedandnewlyfurnishedwithgreatmagnificence.
TheEmperorcontinuedhisjourneybythetownsborderingontheRhine.
HestoppedfirstinthetownofCharlemagne，passedthroughthethreebishoprics，——[Therearetwoorthreelittlecircumstancesinconnectionwiththisjourneythatseemworthinsertinghere：
MademoiselleAvrillionwasthe’femmedechambre’ofJosephine，andwasconstantlyaboutherpersonfromthetimeofthefirstConsulshiptothedeathoftheEmpressin1814.Inallsuchmattersasweshallquotefromthem，hermemoirsseemworthyofcredit.
AccordingtoMademoiselle，theEmpressduringherstayatAix—la—
Chapelle，drankthewaterswithmucheagernessandsomehope.AsthetheatretherewasonlysuppliedwithsomeGermansingerswhowerenottoJosephine’staste，shehadpartofaFrenchoperaticcompanysenttoherfromParis.Theamiablecreolehadalwaysamostroyaldisregardofexpense.WhenBonapartejoinedher，herenewedhisoldcustomofvisitinghiswifenowandthenathertoilet，andaccordingtoMademoiselleAvrillion，hetookgreatinterestinthesubjectofherdressing.Shesays，\"Itwasamostextraordinarythingforustoseethemanwhoseheadwasfilledwithsuchvastaffairsenterintothemostminutedetailsofthefemaletoiletandofwhatdresses，whatrobes，andwhatjewelstheEmpressshouldwearonsuchandsuchanoccasion.Onedayhedaubedherdresswithinkbecausebedidnotlikeit，andwantedhertoputonanother.Wheneverhelookedintoherwardrobehewassuretothroweverythingtopsy—turvy.\"
Thischaracteristicanecdoteperfectlyagreeswithwhatwehaveheardfromotherpersons.WhentheNeapolitanPrincessdi—————wasattheTuileriesas’damed’honneur’toBonaparte’ssisterCarolineMurat，thenQueenofNaples，onthegrandoccasionofthemarriagewithMariaLouisa，the，Princess，toherastonishment，sawtheEmperorgouptoaladyoftheCourtandaddressherthus：\"Thisisthesamegownyouworethedaybeforeyesterday！What’sthemeaningofthis，madame？Thisisnotright，madame！\"
Josephinenevergavehimasimilarcauseofcomplaint，butevenwhenhewasEmperorsheoftenmadehimmurmurattheprofusionofherexpenditureunderthishead.Thenextanecdotewillgivesomeideaofthequantityofdresseswhichsheworeforadayorso，andthengaveawaytoherattendants，whoappeartohavecarriedonaveryactivetradeinthem.
\"WhilewewereatMayencethePalacewasliterallybesiegedbyJews，whocontinuallybroughtmanufacturedandothergoodstoshowtothefollowersoftheCourt;andwehadthegreatestdifficultytoavoidbuyingthem.Atlasttheyproposedthatweshouldbarterwiththem;
andwhenHerMajestyhadgivenusdressesthatwerefartoorichforustowearourselves，weexchangedthemwiththeJewsforpiecegoods.TherobeswethusbartereddidnotlongremaininthehandsoftheJews，andtheremusthavebeenagreatdemandforthemamongthebellesofMayence，forIrememberaballthereatwhichtheEmpressmighthaveseenalltheladiesofaquadrillepartydressedinhercast—offclothes.——IevensawGermanPrincesseswearingthem\"（MemoiresdeMademoiselleAvrillion）.
——onhiswayCologneandCoblentz，whichtheemigrationhadrenderedsofamous，andarrivedatMayence，wherehissojournwasdistinguishedbythefirstattemptatnegotiationwiththeHolySee，inordertoinducethePopetocometoFrancetocrownthenewEmperor，andconsolidatehispowerbysupportingitwiththesanctionoftheChurch.ThisjourneyofNapoleonoccupiedthreemonths，andhedidnotreturntoSt.CloudtillOctober.AmongsttheflatteringaddresseswhichtheEmperorreceivedinthecourseofhisjourneyIcannotpassoverunnoticedthespeechofM.
delaChaise，PrefectofArras，whosaid，\"GodmadeBonaparte，andthenrested.\"ThisoccasionedComteLouisdeNarbonne，whowasnotyetattachedtotheImperialsystem，toremark\"ThatitwouldhavebeenwellhadGodrestedalittlesooner.\"
DuringtheEmperor’sabsenceapartialchangetookplaceintheMinistry.
M.deChampagnysucceededM.ChaptalasMinisteroftheInterior.AtthecampofBoulognethepacificJosephfoundhimself，byhisbrother’swish，transformedintoawarrior，andplacedincommandofaregimentofdragoons，whichwasasubjectoflaughterwithagreatnumberofgenerals.IrecollectthatonedayLannes，speakingtomeofthecircumstanceinhisusualdownrightandenergeticway，said，\"Hehadbetternotplacehimundermyorders，foruponthefirstfaultIwillputthescampunderarrest.\"
CHAPTERXXIX.
1804.
EnglanddeceivedbyNapoleon——AdmiralsMissiessyandVilleneuve——
CommandgiventoLauriston——Napoleon’sopinionofMadamedeStael——
HerletterstoNapoleon——Herenthusiasmconvertedintohatred——
Bonaparte’sopinionofthepoweroftheChurch——ThePope’sarrivalatFontainebleau——Napoleon’sfirstinterviewwithPiusVII.——
ThePopeandtheEmperoronafootingofequality——HonoursrenderedtothePope——HisapartmentsattheTuileries——HisvisittotheImperialprintingoffice——Paternalrebuke——EffectproducedinEnglandbythePope’spresenceinParis——PreparationsforNapoleon’scoronation——Votesinfavourofhereditarysuccession——ConvocationoftheLegislativeBody——Thepresidentsofcantons——AnecdoterelatedbyMichottheactor——Comparisons——InfluenceoftheCoronationonthetradeofParis——TheinsigniaofNapoleonandtheinsigniaofCharlemagne——ThePope’smule——AnecdoteofthenotaryRaguideau——
DistributionofeaglesintheChampdeMars——Remarkablecoincidence.
EnglandwasneversomuchdeceivedbyBonaparteasduringtheperiodoftheencampmentatBoulogne.TheEnglishreallybelievedthataninvasionwasintended，andtheGovernmentexhausteditselfineffortsforraisingmenandmoneytoguardagainstthedangerofbeingtakenbysurprise.
Such，indeed，istheadvantagealwayspossessedbytheassailant.Hecanchoosethepointonwhichhethinksitmostconvenienttoact，whilethepartywhichstandsonthedefence，andisafraidofbeingattacked，iscompelledtobepreparedineverypoint.However，Napoleon，whowastheninthefullvigourofhisgeniusandactivity，hadalwayshiseyesfixedonobjectsremotefromthosewhichsurroundedhim，andwhichseemedtoabsorbhiswholeattention.Thus，duringthejourneyofwhichIhavespoken，theostensibleobjectofwhichwastheorganisationofthedepartmentsontheRhine，hedespatchedtwosquadronsfromRochefortandBoulogne，onecommandedbyMissiessy，theotherbyVilleneuve——Ishallnotenterintoanydetailsaboutthosesquadrons;Ishallmerelymentionwithrespecttothemthat，whiletheEmperorwasstillinBelgium，Lauristonpaidmeasuddenandunexpectedvisit.HewasonhiswaytoToulontotakecommandofthetroopswhichweretobeembarkedonVilleneuve’ssquadron，andhewasnotmuchpleasedwiththeservicetowhichhehadbeenappointed.
Lauriston’svisitwasapieceofgoodfortuneforme.Wewerealwaysonfriendlyterms，andIreceivedmuchinformationfromhim，particularlywithrespecttothemannerinwhichtheEmperorspenthistime.\"Youcanhavenoidea，\"saidhe，\"howmuchtheEmperordoes，andthesortofenthusiasmwhichhispresenceexcitesinthearmy.Buthisangeratthecontractorsisgreaterthanever，andhehasbeenveryseverewithsomeofthem.\"ThesewordsofLauriatondidnotatallsurpriseme，forI
wellknewNapoleon’sdisliketocontractors，andallmenwhohadmercantiletransactionswiththearmy.Ihaveoftenheardhimsaythattheywereacurseandaleprosytonations;thatwhateverpowerhemightattain，heneverwouldgranthonourstoanyofthem，andthatofallaristocracies，theirswastohimthemoatinsupportable.AfterhisaccessiontotheEmpirethecontractorswerenolongertheimportantpersonstheyhadbeenundertheDirectory，orevenduringthetwofirstyearsoftheConsulate.BonapartesometimesactedwiththemashehadbeforedonewiththeBeyaofEgypt，whenhedrewfromthemforcedcontributions.
——[Lauriston，oneofNapoleon’saidesdecamp，whowaswithhimattheMilitarySchoolofParis，andwhohadbeencommissionedintheartilleryatthesametimeasNapoleon，consideredthatheshouldhavehadthepostofGrandEcuyerwhichCaulaincourthadobtained.
HehadcomplainedangrilytotheEmperor，andafterastormyinterviewwasorderedtojointhefleetofVilleneuve——InconsequencehewasatTrafalgar.OnhisreturnafterAusterlitzhistemporarydisgracewasforgotten，andhewassentasgovernortoVenice.HebecamemarshalundertheRestoration.]——
IrecollectanothersomewhatcuriouscircumstancerespectingthevisitofLauriston，whohadlefttheEmperorandEmpressatAix—la—Chapelle.
Lauristonwasthebesteducatedoftheaidesdecamp，andNapoleonoftenconversedwithhimonsuchliteraryworksashechosetonotice.
\"Hesentformeoneday，\"saidLauriston，\"whenIwasondutyatthePalaceofLacken，andspoketomeofthedecennialprizes，andthetragedyof’CariondeNisas’，andanovelbyMadamedeStael，whichhehadjustread，butwhichIhadnotseen，andwasthereforeratherembarrassedinreplyingtohim.RespectingMadamedeStaelandherDelphine，hesaidsomeremarkablethings.’Idonotlikewomen，’heobserved，’whomakemenofthemselves，anymorethanIlikeeffeminatemen.Thereissproperpartforeveryonetoplayintheworld.Whatdoesallthisflightofimaginationmean？Whatistheresultofit？
Nothing.Itisallsentimentalmetaphysicsanddisorderofthemind.I
cannotendurethatwoman;foronereason，thatIcannotbearwomenwhomakeasetatme，andGodknowshowoftenshehastriedtocajoleme！’\"
ThewordsofLauristonbroughttomyrecollectiontheconversationsIhadoftenhadwithBonaparterespectingMadamedeStael，ofwhoseadvancesmadetotheFirstConsul，andeventotheGeneraloftheArmyofItaly，Ihadfrequentlybeenwitness.BonaparteknewnothingatfirstofMadamedeStaelbutthatshewasthedaughterofM.Necker，amanforwhom，asI
havealreadyshown，hehadverylittleesteem.MadamedeStaelhadnotbeenintroducedtohim，andknewnothingmoreofhimthanwhatfamehadpublishedrespectingtheyoungconquerorofItaly，whensheaddressedtohimlettersfullofenthusiasm.Bonapartereadsomepassagesofthemtome，and，laughing，said，\"Whatdoyouthink，Bourrienne，oftheseextravagances.Thiswomanismad.\"IrecollectthatinoneofherlettersMadamedeStael，amongotherthings，toldhimthattheycertainlywerecreatedforeachother——thatitwasinconsequenceofanerrorinhumaninstitutionsthatthequietandgentleJosephinewasunitedtohisfate——thatnatureseemedtohavedestinedfortheadorationofaherosuchashe，asouloffirelikeherown.TheseextravagancesdisgustedBonapartetoadegreewhichIcannotdescribe.Whenhehadfinishedreadingthesefineepistlesheusedtothrowthemintothefire，ortearthemwithmarkedill—humour，andwouldsay，\"Well，hereisawomanwhopretendstogenius——amakerofsentiments，andshepresumestocompareherselftoJosephine！Bourrienne，Ishallnotreplytosuchletters.\"
Ihad，however，theopportunityofseeingwhattheperseveranceofawomanoftalentcaneffect.NotwithstandingBonaparte’sprejudicesagainstMadamedeStael，whichheneverabandoned，shesucceededingettingherselfintroducedtohim;andifanythingcouldhavedisgustedhimwithflatteryitwouldhavebeentheadmiration，or，tospeakmoreproperly，theworship，whichshepaidhim;forsheusedtocomparehimtoagoddescendedonearth，——akindofcomparisonwhichtheclergy，I
thought，hadreservedfortheirownuse.But，unfortunately，topleaseMadamedeStaelitwouldhavebeennecessarythathergodhadbeenPlutua;forbehindhereulogieslayaclaimfortwomillions，whichM.
Neckerconsideredstillduetohimonaccountofhisgoodandworthyservices.However，BonapartesaidonthisoccasionthatwhatevervaluehemightsetonthesuffrageofMadamedeStael，hedidnotthinkfittopaysodearforitwiththemoneyoftheState.TheconversionofMadamedeStael’senthusiasmintohatrediswellknown，asarealsothepettyvexations，unworthyofhimself，withwhichtheEmperorharassedherinherretreatatCoppet.
LauristonhadarrivedatParis，wherehemadebutashortstay，somedaysbeforeCaffarelli，whowassentonamissiontoRometosoundthePapalCourt，andtoinducetheHolyFathertocometoParistoconsecrateBonaparteathiscoronation.IhavealreadydescribedthenatureofBonaparte’sideasonreligion.Hisnotionsonthesubjectseemedtoamounttoasortofvaguefeelingratherthantoanybelieffoundedonreflection.Nevertheless，hehadahighopinionofthepoweroftheChurch;butnotbecauseheconsidereditdangeroustoGovernments，particularlytohisown.NapoleonnevercouldhaveconceivedhowitwaspossiblethatasovereignwearingacrownandaswordcouldhavethemeannesstokneeltoaPope，ortohumblehissceptrebeforethekeysofSt.Peter.Hisspiritwastoogreattoadmitofsuchathought.Onthecontrary，heregardedthealliancebetweentheChurchandhispowerasahappymeansofinfluencingtheopinionsofthepeople，andasanadditionaltiewhichwastoattachthemtoaGovernmentrenderedlegitimatebythesolemnsanctionofthePapalauthority.Bonapartewasnotdeceived.Inthis，aswellasinmanyotherthings，theperspicacityofhisgeniusenabledhimtocomprehendalltheimportanceofaconsecrationbestowedonhimbythePope;moreespeciallyasLouisXVIII.，withoutsubjects，withoutterritory，andwearingonlyanillusorycrown，hadnotreceivedthatsacredunctionbywhichthedescendantsofHughCapetbecometheeldestsonsoftheChurch.
AssoonastheEmperorwasinformedofthesuccessofCaffarelli’smission，andthatthePope，incompliancewithhisdesire，wasabouttorepairtoParistoconfirminhishandsthesceptreofCharlemagne，nothingwasthoughtofbutpreparationsforthatgreatevent，whichhadbeenprecededbytherecognitionofNapoleonasEmperoroftheFrenchonthepartofalltheStatesofEurope，withtheexceptionofEngland.
OntheconclusionoftheConcordatBonapartesaidtome，\"IshalllettheRepublicangeneralsexclaimasmuchastheylikeagainsttheMass.I
knowwhatIamabout;Iamworkingforposterity.\"HewasnowgatheringthefruitsofhisConcordat.HeorderedthatthePopeshouldbeeverywheretreatedinhisjourneythroughtheFrenchterritorywiththehighestdistinction，andheproceededtoFontainebleautoreceivehisHoliness.ThisaffordedanopportunityforBonapartetore—establishtheexampleofthosejourneysoftheoldCourt，duringwhichchangesofministersusedformerlytobemade.ThePalaceofFontainebleau，nowbecomeImperial，likealltheoldroyalchateaux，hadbeennewlyfurnishedwithaluxuryandtastecorrespondingtotheprogressofmodernart.TheEmperorwasproceedingontheroadtoNemourswhencourtiersinformedhimoftheapproachofPiusVII.Bonaparte’sobjectwastoavoidtheceremonywhichhadbeenpreviouslysettled.Hehadthereforemadethepretextofgoingonahunting—party，andwasinthewayasitwerebychancewhenthePope’scarriagewasarriving.Healightedfromhorseback，andthePopecameoutofhiscarriage.RappwaswiththeEmperor，andIthinkIyethearhimdescribing，inhisoriginalmannerandwithhisGermanaccent，thisgrandinterview，uponwhich，however，heforhispartlookedwithverylittlerespect.Rapp，infact，wasamongthenumberofthosewho，notwithstandinghisattachmenttotheEmperor，preservedindependenceofcharacter，andheknewhehadnoreasontodissemblewithme.\"Fancytoyourself，\"saidhe，\"theamusingcomedythatwasplayed.\"AftertheEmperorandthePopehadwellembracedtheywentintothesamecarriage;and，inorderthattheymightbeuponafootingofequality，theyweretoenteratthesametimebyoppositedoors.Allthatwassettled;butatbreakfasttheEmperorhadcalculatedhowheshouldmanage，withoutappearingtoassumeanything，togetontherighthandsideofthePope，andeverythingturnedoutashewished.AstothePope，\"saidRapp，\"ImustownthatIneversawamanwithafinercountenanceormorerespectableappearancethanPiusVII.\"
AftertheconferencebetweenthePopeandtheEmperoratFontainebleau，PiusVII.setoffforParisfirst.OntheroadthesamehonourswerepaidtohimastotheEmperor.ApartmentswerepreparedforhiminthePaviliondeFloreintheTuileries，andhisbedchamberwasarrangedandfurnishedinthesamemannerashischamberinthePalaceofMonte—
Cavallo，hisusualresidenceinRome.ThePope’spresenceinPariswassoextraordinaryacircumstancethatitwasscarcelybelieved，thoughithadsometimebeforebeentalkedof.What，indeed，couldbemoresingularthantoseetheHeadoftheChurchinacapitalwherefouryearspreviouslythealtarshadbeenoverturned，andthefewfaithfulwhoremainedhadbeenobligedtoexercisetheirworshipinsecret！
ThePopebecametheobjectofpublicrespectandgeneralcuriosity.I
wasexceedinglyanxioustoseehim，andmywishwasgratifiedonthedaywhenhewenttovisittheImperialprintingoffice，thensituatedwheretheBankofFrancenowis.
Apamphlet，dedicatedtothePope，containingthe\"PaterNoster，\"inonehundredandfiftydifferentlanguages，wasstruckoffinthepresenceofhisHoliness.Duringthisvisittotheprintingofficeanill—bredyoungmankepthishatoninthePope’spresence.Severalpersons，indignantatthisindecorum，advancedtotakeofftheyoungman’shat.Alittleconfusionarose，andthePope，observingthecauseofit，steppeduptotheyoungmanandsaidtohim，inatoneofkindnesstrulypatriarchal，\"Youngman，uncover，thatImaygivetheemyblessing.Anoldman’sblessingneveryetharmedanyone.\"Thislittleincidentdeeplyaffectedallwhowitnessedit.ThecountenanceandfigureofPopePiusVII.
commandedrespect.David’sadmirableportraitisalivinglikenessofhim.
ThePope’sarrivalatParisproducedagreatsensationinLondon，greaterindeedtherethananywhereelse，notwithstandingtheseparationoftheEnglishChurchfromtheChurchofRome.TheEnglishMinistrynowsparednoendeavourstoinfluencepublicopinionbythecirculationoflibelsagainstBonaparte.TheCabinetofLondonfoundatwofoldadvantageinencouragingthissystem，whichnotmerelyexcitedirritationagainstthepowerfulenemyofEngland，butdivertedfromtheBritishGovernmenttheclamourwhichsomeofitsmeasureswerecalculatedtocreate.
Bonaparte’sindignationagainstEnglandwasrousedtotheutmostextreme，andintruththisindignationwasinsomedegreeanationalfeelinginFrance.
NapoleonhadheardofthesuccessofCaffarelli’snegotiationsprevioustohisreturntoParis，afterhisjourneytotheRhine.OnarrivingatSt.Cloudhelostnotimeinorderingthepreparationsforhiscoronation.Everythingaidedthefulfilmentofhiswishes.On28thNovemberthePopearrivedatParis，andtwodaysafter，viz.onthe1stofDecember，theSenatepresentedtotheEmperorthevotesofthepeoplefortheestablishmentofhereditarysuccessioninhisfamily：forasitwaspretendedthattheassumptionofthetitleofEmperorwasnowayprejudicialtotheRepublic，thequestionofhereditarysuccessiononlyhadbeenproposedforpublicsanction.SixtythousandregistershadbeenopenedindifferentpartsofFrance，——attheofficesoftheministers，theprefects，themayorsofthecommunes，notaries，solicitors，etc.
Franceatthattimecontained108departments，andtherewere3，574，898
voters.Oftheseonly2569votedagainsthereditarysuccession.
Bonaparteorderedalistofthepersonswhohadvotedagainstthequestiontobesenttohim，andheoftenconsultedit.TheyprovedtobenotRoyalist，butforthemostpartstaunchRepublicans.TomyknowledgemanyRoyalistsabstainedfromvotingatall，notwishingtocommitthemselvesuselessly，andstilllesstogivetheirsuffragestotheauthoroftheDuod’Enghien’sdeath.Formypart，IgavemyvoteinfavourofhereditarysuccessioninBonaparte’sfamily;mysituation，asmaywellbeimagined，didnotallowmetodootherwise.
SincethemonthofOctobertheLegislativeBodyhadbeenconvokedtoattendtheEmperor’scoronation.Manydeputiesarrived，andwiththemaswarmofthosepresidentsofcantonswhooccupiedaconspicuousplaceintheannalsofridiculeatthecloseoftheyear1804.Theybecametheobjectsofallsortsofwitticismsandjests.Theobligationofwearingswordsmadetheirappearanceverygrotesque.Asmanydroll，storiesweretoldofthemasweretenyearsafterwardsrelatedofthosewhowerestyledthevoltigeursofLouisXIV.Oneoftheseanecdoteswassoexceedinglyludicrousthat，thoughitwasprobablyamereinvention，yetIcannotrefrainfromrelatingit.AcertainnumberofthesepresidentswereonedayselectedtobepresentedtothePope;andasmostofthemwereverypoortheyfounditnecessarytocombineeconomywiththeetiquettenecessarytobeobservedundertheneworderofthings.TosavetheexpenseofhiringcarriagestheythereforeproceededtothePaviliondeFloreonfoot，takingtheprecautionofputtingongaiterstopreservetheirwhitesilkstockingsfromthemudwhichcoveredthestreets，foritwasthenthemonthofDecember.OnarrivingattheTuileriesoneofthepartyputhisgaitersintohispocket.IthappenedthatthePopedeliveredsuchanaffectingaddressthatallpresentweremovedtotears，andtheunfortunatepresidentwhohaddisposedofhisgaitersinthewayjustmentioneddrewthemoutinsteadofhishandkerchiefandsmearedhisfaceoverwithmud.ThePopeissaidtohavebeenmuchamusedatthismistake.Ifthisanecdoteshouldbethoughttoopueriletoberepeatedhere，ImayobservethatitaffordednosmallmerrimenttoBonaparte，whomadeMichottheactorrelateittotheEmpressatParisoneeveningafteraCourtperformance.
Napoleonhadnowattainedtheavowedobjectofhisambition;buthisambitionrecededbeforehimlikeaboundlesshorizon.Onthe1stofDecember;thedayonwhichtheSenatepresentedtotheEmperortheresultofthevotesforhereditarysuccession，FrancoisdeNeufchateaudeliveredanaddresstohim，inwhichtherewasnowantofadulatoryexpressions.
AsPresidentoftheSenatehehadhadsomepracticeinthatstyleofspeechmaking;andheonlysubstitutedtheeulogyoftheMonarchicalGovernmentforthatoftheRepublicanGovernment’asemprebene’，astheItalianssay.
IfIwishedtomakecomparisonsIcouldhereindulgeinsomecuriousones.IsitnotextraordinarythatFontainebleaushouldhavewitnessed，attheintervalofnearlytenyears，Napoleon’sfirstinterviewwiththePope，andhislastfarewelltohisarmy，andthattheSenate，whohadpreviouslygivensuchreadysupporttoBonaparte，shouldin1814havepronouncedhisabdicationatFontainebleau.
ThepreparationsfortheCoronationprovedveryadvantageoustothetradingclassesofParis.Greatnumbersofforeignersandpeoplefromtheprovincesvisitedthecapital，andthereturnofluxuryandtherevivalofoldcustomsgaveoccupationtoavarietyoftradespeoplewhocouldgetnoemploymentundertheDirectoryorConsulate，suchassaddlers，carriage—makers，lacemen，embroiderers，andothers.BythesepositiveinterestswerecreatedmorepartisansoftheEmpirethanbyopinionandreflection;anditisbutjusttosaythattradehadnotbeensoactiveforadozenyearsbefore.TheImperialcrownjewelswereexhibitedtothepublicatBiennaisthejeweller’s.Thecrownwasofalightform，and，withitsleavesofgold，itlessresembledthecrownofFrancethantheantiquecrownoftheCaesars.Thesethingswereafterwardsplacedinthepublictreasury，togetherwiththeimperialinsigniaofCharlemagne，whichBonapartehadorderedtobebroughtfromAix—la—Chapelle.ButwhileBonapartewasthuspridinghimselfinhiscrownandhisimaginedresemblancetoCharlemagne，Mr.Pitt，latelyrecalledtotheMinistry，wasconcludingatStockholmatreatywithSweden，andagreeingtopayasubsidytothatpowertoenableittomaintainhostilitiesagainstFrance.Thistreatywasconcludedonthe3dofDecember，thedayaftertheCoronation.
——[ThedetailsofthepreparationfortheCoronationcausedmanystormyscenesbetweenNapoleonandhisfamily.ThePrincesses，hissistersandsisters—in—law，wereespeciallyshockedathavingtocarrythetrainoftheImperialmantleofJosephine，andevenwhenJosephinewasactuallymovingfromthealtartothethronethePrincessesevincedtheirreluctancesoplainlythatJosephinecouldnotadvanceandanaltercationtookplacewhichhadtobestoppedbyNapoleonhimself.Josephwasquitewillinghimselfgiveupappearinginamantlewithatrain，buthewishedtopreventhiswifebearingthemantleoftheEmpress;andheopposedhisbrotheronsomanypointsthatNapoleonendedbycallingonhimtoeithergiveuphispositionandretirefromallpolitics，orelsetofullyaccepttheimperialregime.HowtheeconomicalCamberceresuseduptheerminehecouldnotwearwillbeseeninJunottomeiii.p.
196.JosephineherselfwasinthegreatestanxietyastowhetherthewishoftheBonapartefamilythatsheshouldbedivorcedwouldcarrythedaywithherhusband.WhenshehadgainedhercauseforthetimeandafterthePopehadengagedtocrownher，sheseemstohavemostcleverlymanagedtogetthePopeinformedthatshewasonlyunitedtoNapoleonbyacivilmarriage.ThePopeinsistedonareligiousmarriage.Napoleonwasangry，butcouldnotrecede，andthereligionsritewasperformedbyCardinalFeschtheday，ortwodays，beforetheCoronation.ThecertificateofthemarriagewascarefullyguardedfromNapoleonbyJosephine，andevenplacedbeyondhisreachatthetimeofthedivorce.Suchatleastseemstobethemostprobableaccountofthismysteriousanddoubtfulmatter.