第25章
加入书架 A- A+
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  ThefactthatCardinalFeschmaintainedthatthereligiousritehadbeendulyperformed,thirteenoftheCardinals(not,howeverincludingFesch)weresoconvincedofthelegalityofthemarriagethattheyrefusedtoappearattheceremonyofmarriagewithMarieLouise,thusdrawingdownthewrathoftheEmperor,andbecomingthe\"CardinalsNoirs,\"frombeingforbidden;toweartheirownrobes,seemstoleavenodoubtthatthereligiousritehadbeenperformed.

  Themarriagewasonlypronouncedtobeinvalidin1809bythelocalcanonicalbodies,notbytheauthorityofthepope.]——

  ItcannotbeexpectedthatIshouldenterintoadetailoftheceremonywhichtookplaceonthe2dofDecember.Theglitterofgold,thewavingplumes,andrichly—caparisonedhorsesoftheImperialprocession;themulewhichprecededthePope’scortege,andoccasionedsomuchmerriment.

  totheParisians,havealreadybeendescribedoverandoveragain.

  Imay,however,relateananecdoteconnectedwiththeCoronation,toldmebyJosephine,andwhichisexceedinglycharacteristicofNapoleon.

  WhenBonapartewaspayinghisaddressestoMadamedeBEAUHARNAIS,neithertheonenortheotherkeptacarriage;andthereforeBonapartefrequentlyaccompaniedherwhenshewalkedout.OnedaytheywenttogethertothenotaryRaguideau,oneoftheshortestmenIthinkIeversawinmylife,MadamedeBeauharnaisplacedgreatconfidence,inhim,andwentthereonpurposetoacquainthimofherintentiontomarrytheyounggeneralofartillery,——theprotegeofBarras.Josephinewentaloneinto,thenotary’scabinet,whileBonapartewaitedforherinanadjoiningroom.

  ThedoorofRaguideau’scabinetdidnotshutclose,andBonaparteplainlyheardhimdissuadingMadamedeBeauharnaisfromherprojectedmarriage.

  \"Youaregoingtotakeaverywrongstep,\"saidhe,\"andyouwillbesorryforit,Canyoubesomadastomarryayoungmanwhohasnothingbuthiscloakandhissword?\"Bonaparte,Josephinetoldme,hadnevermentionedthistoher,andsheneversupposedthathehadheardwhatfellfromRaguideau.\"Onlythink,Bourrienne,\"continuedshe,\"whatwasmyastonishmentwhen,dressedintheImperialrobesontheCoronationday,hedesiredthatRaguideaumightbesentfor,sayingthathewishedtoseehimimmediately;andwhenRaguidesuappeared;hesaidtohim,\"Well,sir!

  haveInothingbutmycloakandmyswordnow?’\"

  ThoughBonapartehadrelatedtomealmostallthecircumstancesofhislife,astheyoccurredtohismemory,heneveroncementionedthisaffairofRaguideau,whichheonlyseemedtohavesuddenlyrecollectedonhisCoronationday.

  ThedayaftertheCoronationallthetroopsinPariswereassembledintheChampdeMarstheImperialeaglesmightbedistributedtoeachregiment,inlieuofthenationalflags.IhasstayedawayfromtheCoronationinthechurchofNotreDame,butIwishedtoseethemilitaryfeteintheChampdeMarsbecauseItookrealpleasureinseeingBonaparteamongsthissoldiers.AthronewaserectedinfrontoftheMilitarySchool,which,thoughnowtransformedintoabarrack,musthaverecalled,toBonaparte’smindsomesingularrecollectionsofhisboyhood.

  Atagivensignalallthecolumnsclosedandapproachedthethrone.ThenBonaparte,rising,gaveordersforthedistributionoftheeagles,anddeliveredthefollowingaddresstothedeputationsofthedifferentcorpsofthearmy:

  Soldiers,Soldiers!beholdyourcolours.Theseeagleswillalwaysbeyourrallying—point!TheywillalwaysbewhereyourEmperormaythankthemnecessaryforthedefenceofhisthroneandofhispeople.Sweartosacrificeyourlivestodefendthem,andbyyourcouragetokeepthemconstantlyinthepathofvictory.——Swear!\"

  Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheacclamationswhichfollowedthisaddress;thereissomethingsoseductiveinpopularenthusiasmthatevenindifferentpersonscannothelpyieldingtoitsinfluence.AndyettheleastreflectionwouldhaveshownhowshamefullyNapoleonforsworethedeclarationhemadetotheSenate,whentheorganic’Senatus—consulte’

  forthefoundationoftheEmpirewaspresentedtohimatSt:Cloud:Onthatoccasionhesaid;\"TheFrenchpeopleshallneverbeMYpeople!\"

  AndyetthedayafterhisCoronationhiseagleswereto,becarriedwherevertheymightbenecessaryforthedefenceofhispeople.

  Byasingularcoincidence,whileonthe2dofDecember1804BonapartewasreceivingfromtheheadoftheChurchtheImperialcrownofFrance,LouisXVIII.,whowasthenatColmar,promptedasitwerebyaninexplicablepresentiment,drewupandsignedadeclarationtotheFrenchpeople,inwhichhedeclaredthathethen,sworenevertobreakthesacredbondwhichunitedhisdestinytotheirs,nevertorenouncetheinheritanceofhisancestors,ortorelinquishhisrights.

  CHAPTERXXX.

  1805

  MyappointmentasMinisterPlenipotentiaryatHamburg——MyinterviewwithBonaparteatMalmaison——Bonaparte’sdesignsrespectingItaly——

  HiswishtorevisitBrienne——InstructionsformyresidenceinHamburg——RegenerationofEuropeansociety——Bonaparte’splanofmakinghimselftheoldestsovereigninEurope——AmedeeJaubert’smission——CommissionfromtheEmperortotheEmpress——MyconversationwithMadameBonaparte.

  Imustnowmentionaneventwhichconcernsmyselfpersonally,namely,myappointmentasMinisterPlenipotentiary,totheDukesofBrunswickandMecklenburg—Schwerin,andtotheHansetowns.

  Thisappointmenttookplaceonthe22dofMarch1806.Josephine,whohadkindlypromisedtoapprisemeofwhattheEmperorintendedtodoforme,assoonassheherselfshouldknowhisintentions,sentamessengertoacquaintmewithmyappointment,andtotellmethattheEmperorwishedtoseeme.IhadnotvisitedJosephinesinceherdepartureforBelgium.

  ThepompaandceremoniesoftheCoronationhad,Imaysay,dazzledme,anddeterredmefrompresentingmyselfattheImperialPalace,whereI

  shouldhavebeenannoyedbytheetiquettewhichhadbeenobservedsincetheCoronation.Icannotdescribewhatadisagreeableimpressionthisparadealwaysproducedonme.IcouldnotallatonceforgetthetimewhenIusedwithoutceremonytogointoBonaparte’schamberandwakehimattheappointedhour.AstoBonaparteIhadnotseenhimsincehesentformeafterthecondemnationofGeorges,whenIsawthatmycandourrelativetoMoreauwasnotdispleasingtohim.MoreauhadsincequittedFrancewithoutNapoleon’ssubjectinghimtotheapplicationoftheodiouslawwhichhasonlybeenrepealedsincethereturnoftheBourbons,andbyvirtueofwhichhewascondemnedtotheconfiscationofhisproperty.

  MoreausoldhisestateofGrosBoistoBertliier,andproceededtoCadiz,whenceheembarkedforAmerica.IshallnotagainhaveoccasiontospeakofhimuntiltheperiodoftheintriguesintowhichhewasdrawnbythesameinfluencewhichruinedhiminFrance.

  OntheeveningofthedaywhenIreceivedthekindmessagefromJosephineIhadanofficialinvitationtoproceedthenextdaytoMalmaison,wheretheEmperorthenwas.IwasmuchpleasedattheideaofseeinghimthereratherthanattheTuileries,orevenatSt.Cloud.OurformerintimacyatMalmaisonmademefeelmoreatmyeaserespectinganinterviewofwhichmyknowledgeofBonaparte’scharacterledmetoentertainsomeapprehension.WasItobereceivedbymyoldcomradeofBrienne,orbyHisImperialMajesty?Iwasreceivedbymyoldcollegecompanion.

  OnmyarrivalatMalmaisonIwasusheredintothetentroomleadingtothelibrary.HowIwasastonishedatthegood—naturedfamiliaritywithwhichhereceivedme!Thisextraordinarymandisplayed,ifImayemploytheterm,acoquetrytowardsmewhichsurprisedme,notwithstandingmypastknowledgeofhischaracter.Hecameuptomewithasmileonhislips,tookmyhand(whichhehadneverdonesincehewasConsul),presseditaffectionately,anditwasimpossiblethatIcouldlookuponhimastheEmperorofFranceandthefutureKingofItaly.YetIwastoowellawareofhisfitsofpridetoallowhisfamiliaritytoleadmebeyondtheboundsofaffectionaterespect.\"MydearBourrienne,\"saidhe,\"canyousupposethattheelevatedrankIhaveattainedhasalteredmyfeelingstowardsyou?No.IdonotattachimportancetotheglitterofImperialpomp;allthatismeantforthepeople;butImuststillbevaluedaccordingtomydeserts.Ihavebeenverywellsatisfiedwithyourservices,andIhaveappointedyoutoasituationwhereIshallhaveoccasionforthem.IknowthatIcanrelyuponyou.\"HethenaskedwithgreatwarmthoffriendshipwhatIwasabout,andinquiredaftermyfamily,etc.Inshort,Ineversawhimdisplaylessreserveormorefamiliarityandunaffectedsimplicity;whichhedidthemorereadily,perhaps,becausehisgreatnesswasnowincontestable.

  \"Youknow,\"addedNapoleon,\"thatIsetoutinaweekforItaly.IshallmakemyselfKing;butthatisonlyastepping—stone.IhavegreaterdesignsrespectingItaly.

  ItmustbeakingdomcomprisingalltheTransalpineStates,fromVenicetotheMaritimeAlps.TheunionofItalywithFrancecanonlybetemporary;butitisnecessary,inordertoaccustomthenationsofItalytoliveundercommonlaws.TheGenoese,thePiedmontese,theVenetians,theMilanese,theinhabitantsofTuscany,theRomans,andtheNeapolitans,hateeachother.Noneofthemwillacknowledgethesuperiorityoftheother,andyetRomeis,fromtherecollectionsconnectedwithit,thenaturalcapitalofItaly.Tomakeitso,however,itisnecessarythatthepowerofthePopeshouldbeconfinedwithinlimitspurelyspiritual.Icannotnowthinkofthis;butIwillreflectuponithereafter.AtpresentIhaveonlyvagueideasonthesubject,buttheywillbematuredintime,andthenalldependsoncircumstances.

  Whatwasittoldme,whenwewerewalkingliketwoidlefellows,aswewere,inthestreetsofParis,thatIshouldonedaybemasterofFrance——mywish——merelyavaguewish.Circumstanceshavedonetherest.Itisthereforewisetolookintothefuture,andthatIdo.WithrespecttoItaly,asitwillbeimpossiblewithoneefforttounitehersoastoformasinglepower,subjecttouniformlaws,IwillbeginbymakingherFrench.AlltheselittleStateswillinsensiblybecomeaccustomedtothesamelaws,andwhenmannersshallbeassimilatedandenmitiesextinguished,thentherewillbeanItaly,andIwillgiveherindependence.ButforthatImusthavetwentyyears,andwhocancountonthefuture?Bourrienne,Ifeelpleasureintellingyouallthis.Itwaslockedupinmymind.WithyouIthinkaloud.\"

  IdonotbelievethatIhavealteredtwowordsofwhatBonapartesaidtomerespectingItaly,soperfect,Imaynowsaywithoutvaniy,wasmymemorythen,andsoconfirmedwasmyhabitoffixinginitallthathesaidtome.AfterhavinginformedmeofhisvagueprojectsBonaparte,withoneofthosetransitionssocommontohim,said,\"Bytheby,Bourrienne,Ihavesomethingtotellyou.MadamedeBriennehasbeggedthatIwillpassthroughBrienne,andIpromisedthatIwill.IwillnotconcealfromyouthatIshallfeelgreatpleasureinagainbeholdingthespotwhichforsixyearswasthesceneofourboyshsportsandstudies.\"

  TakingadvantageoftheEmperor’sgoodhumourIventuredtotellhimwhathappinessitwouldgivemeifitwerepossiblethatIcouldsharewithhimtherevivalofallrecollectionswhichweremutuallydeartous.ButNapoleon,afteramoment’spause,saidwithextremekindness,\"Harkye,Bourrienne,inyoursituationandminethiscannotbe.Itismorethantwoyearssinceweparted.Whatwouldbesaidofsosuddenareconciliation?ItellyoufranklythatIhaveregrettedyou,andthecircumstancesinwhichIhavefrequentlybeenplacedhaveoftenmademewishtorecallyou.AtBoulogneIwasquiteresolveduponit.Rapp,perhaps,hasinformedyouofit.Helikedyou,andheassuredmethathewouldbedelightedatyourreturn.ButifuponreflectionIchangedmyminditwasbecause,asIhaveoftentoldyou,IwillnothaveitsaidthatIstandinneedofanyone.No.GotoHamburg.IhaveformedsomeprojectsrespectingGermanyinwhichyoucanbeusefultome.ItisthereIwillgiveamortalblowtoEngland.IwilldepriveheroftheContinent,——besides,Ihavesomeideasnotyetmaturedwhichextendmuchfarther.ThereisnotsufficientunanimityamongstthenationsofEurope.Europeansocietymustberegenerated——asuperiorpowermustcontroltheotherpowers,andcompelthemtoliveinpeacewitheachother;andFranceiswellsituatedforthatpurpose.FordetailsyouwillreceiveinstructionsfromTalleyrand;butIrecommendyou,aboveallthings,tokeepastrictwatchontheemigrants.Woetothemiftheybecometoodangerous!Iknowthattherearestillagitators,——amongthemallthe’MarquisdeVersailles’,thecourtiersoftheoldschool.Buttheyaremothswhowillburnthemselvesinthecandle.Youhavebeenanemigrantyourself,Bourrienne;youfeelapartialityforthem,andyouknowthatIhaveallowedupwardsoftwohundredofthemtoreturnuponyourrecommendation.Butthecaseisaltered.Thosewhoareabroadarehardened.Theydonotwishtoreturnhome.Watchthemclosely.ThatistheonlyparticulardirectionIgiveyou.YouaretobeMinisterfromFrancetoHamburg;butyourplacewillbeanindependentone;besidesyourcorrespondencewiththeMinisterforForeignAffairs,Iauthoriseyoutowritetomepersonally,wheneveryouhaveanythingparticulartocommunicate.YouwilllikewisecorrespondwithFouche.\"

  HeretheEmperorremainedsilentforamoment,andIwaspreparingtoretire,buthedetainedme,sayinginthekindestmanner,\"What,areyougoingalready,Bourrienne?Areyouinahurry?Let,uschatalittlelonger.Godknows,whenwemayseeeachotheragain!\"Thenaftertwoorthreemoments’silencehesaid,\"ThemoreIreflectonoursituation,onourformerintimacy,andoursubsequentseparation,themoreIseethenecessityofyourgoingtoHamburg.Go,then,mydearfellow,Iadviseyou.Trustme.Whendoyouthinkofsettingout?\"\"InMay.\"——\"InMay?

  Ah,IshallbeinMilanthen,forIwishtostopatTurin.I

  likethePiedmontese;theyarethebestsoldiersinItaly.\"——\"Sire,theKingofItalywillbethejunioroftheEmperorofFrance!\"

  ——[IalludedtoaconversationwhichIhadwithNapoleonwhenwefirstwenttotheTuileries.Hespoketomeabouthisprojectsofroyalty,andIstatedthedifficultieswhichIthoughthewouldexperienceingettinghimselfacknowledgedbytheoldreigningfamiliesofEurope.\"Ifitcomestothat,\"bereplied.\"Iwilldethronethemall,andthenIshallbetheoldestsovereignamongthem.\"——Bourrienne.]——

  ——\"Ah!soyourecollectwhatIsaidonedayattheTuileries;but,mydearfellow,IhaveyetadevilishlongwaytogobeforeIgainmypoint.\"——\"Attherate,Sire,atwhichyouaregoingyouwillnotbelonginreachingit.\"——\"Longerthanyouimagine.Iseealltheobstaclesinmyway;buttheydonotalarmme.Englandiseverywhere,andthestruggleisbetweenherandme.Iseehowitwillbe.ThewholeofEuropewillbeourinstruments;sometimesservingone,sometimestheother,butatbottomthedisputeiswhollybetweenEnglandandFrance.

  \"Apropos,\"saidtheEmperor,changingthesubject,forallwhoknewhimareawarethatthis’apropos’washisfavourite,and,indeed,hisonlymodeoftransition;apropos,Bourrienne,yousurelymusthaveheardofthedepartureofJaubert,——[AmedeeJaubarthadbeenwithNapoleoninEgypt,andwasappointedtothecabinetoftheConsulassecretaryinterpreterofOrientallanguages.HewassentonseveralmissionstotheEast,andbroughtback,is1818,goatsfromThibet,naturalisinginFrancethemanufactureofcashmeres.HebecameapeerofFranceundertheMonarchyofJuly.]——

  andhismission.Whatissaidonthesubject?\"——\"Sire,Ihaveonlyhearditslightlyalludedto.Hisfather,however,towhomhesaidnothingrespectingtheobjectofhisjourney,knowingIwasintimatewithJaubert,cametometoascertainwhetherIcouldallayhisanxietyrespectingajourneyofthedurationofwhichhecouldformnoidea.TheprecipitatedepartureofhissonhadfilledhimwithapprehensionItoldhimthetruth,viz.,thatJauberthadsaidnomoretomeonthesubjectthantohim.\"——\"Thenyoudonotknowwhereheisgone?\"——\"Ibegyourpardon,Sire;Iknowverywell.\"——\"How,thedevil!\"saidBonaparte,suddenlyturningonmealookofastonishment.\"Noone,I,declare,hasevertoldme;butIguessedit.HavingreceivedaletterfromJaubertdatedLeipsic,IrecollectedwhatyourMajestyhadoftentoldmeofyourviewsrespectingPersiaandIndia.IhavenotforgottenourconversationinEgypt,northegreatprojectswhichyouenfoldedtometorelievethesolitudeandsometimesthewearinessofthecabinetofCairo.Besides,I

  longsinceknewyouropinionofAmedee,ofhisfidelity,hisability,andhiscourage.Ifeltconvinced,therefore,thathehadamissiontotheShahofPersia.\"——\"Youguessedright;butIbegofyou,Bourrienne,saynothingofthistoanypersonwhatever.Secrecyonthispointisofgrewimportance.TheEnglishwoulddohimanillturn,fortheyarewellawarethatmyviewsaredirectedagainsttheirpossessionsandtheirinfluenceintheEast.\"——\"Ithink,Sire,thatmyanswertoAnedee’sworthyfatherisasufficientguaranteeformydiscretion.Besides,itwasameresuppositiononmypart,andIcouldhavestatednothingwithcertaintybeforeyourMajestyhadthekindnesstoinformmeofthefact.

  InsteadofgoingtoHamburg,ifyourMajestypleases,IwilljoinJaubert,accompanyhimtoPersia,andundertakehalfhismission.\"——

  \"How!wouldyougowithhim?\"——\"Yes,Sire;Iammuchattachedtohim.Heisanexcellentman,andIamsurethathewouldnotbesorrytohavemewithhim.\"——\"ButStop,Bourrienne,this,perhaps,wouldnotbeabadidea.YouknowalittleoftheEast.Youareaccustomedtotheclimate.YoucouldassistJaubertBut

  No.daubertmustbealreadyfaroff——I,fearyoucouldnotovertakehim.Andbesidesyouhaveanumerousfamily.YouwillbemoreusefultomeinGermany.Allthingsconsidered,gotoHamburg——youknowthecountry,and,whatisbetteryouspeakthelanguage.\"

  IcouldseethatBonapartestillhadsomethingtosaytome.Aswewerewalkingupanddowntheroomhestopped;andlookingatmewithanexpressionofsadness,hesaid,\"Bourrienne,youmust,beforeIproceedtoItaly,domeaservice.Yousometimesvisitmywife,anditisright;

  itisfityoushould.Youhavebeentoolongoneofthefamilynottocontinueyourfriendshipwithher.Gotoher.

  ——[ThisemploymentofBourriennetoremonstratewithJosephineisacompleteanswertothechargesometimesmadethatNapoleon,whilescolding,reallyencouragedthefoolishexpensesofhiswife,askeepingherunderhiscontrol.Josephinewasincorrigible.\"Ontheverydayofherdeath,\"saysMadamedeRemusat\"shewishedtoputonaveryprettydressing—gownbecauseshethoughttheEmperorofRussiawouldperhapscometoseeher.Shediedallcoveredwithribbonsandrose—coloredsatin.\"\"Onewouldnot,sure,befrightfulwhenone’sdead!\"AsforJosephine’sgreatfault——herfailuretogiveNapoleonanheir——hedidnotalwayswishforone.In1802,onhisbrotherJeromejokinglyadvisingJosephinetogivetheConsulalittleCaesar.Napoleonbrokeout,\"Yea,thathemayendinthesamemannerasthatofAlexander?Believeme,Messieurs,thatatthepresenttimeitisbetternottohavechildren:Imeanwhenoneiscondemnedtorolenations.\"ThefateoftheKingofRomeshowsthattheexclamationwasonlytootrue!]——

  Endeavouroncemoretomakehersensibleofhermadextravagance.EverydayIdiscovernewinstancesofit,anditdistressesme.WhenIspeaktoher——onthesubjectIamvexed;Igetangry——sheweeps.Iforgiveher,Ipayherbills——shemakesfairpromises;butthesamethingoccursoverandoveragain.Ifshehadonlybornemeachild!Itisthetormentofmylifenottohaveachild.IplainlyperceivethatmypowerwillneverbefirmlyestablisheduntilIhaveone.IfIdiewithoutanheir,notoneofmybrothersiscapableofsupplyingmyplace.Allisbegun,butnothingisended.Godknowswhatwillhappen!GoandseeJosephine,anddonotforgetmyinjunctions\"

  Thenheresumedthegaietywhichhehadexhibitedatintervalsduringourconversation,farcloudsdrivenbythewinddonottraversethehorizonwithsuchrapidityasdifferentideasandsensationssucceededeachothermNapoleon’smind.Hedismissedmewithhisusualnodofthehead,andseeinghiminsuchgoodhumourIsaidondeparting,\"well,Sire,youaregoingtoheartheoldbellofBrienne.IhavenodoubtitwillpleaseyoubetterthanthebellsofRuel.\"Hereplied,\"That’stree——youareright.Adieu!\"

  Sucharemyrecollectionsofthisconversation,whichlastedformorethananhourandahalf.Wewalkedaboutallthetime,forBonapartewasindefatigableinaudiencesofthissort,andwould,Ibelieve,havewalkedandtalkedforawholedaywithoutbeingawareofit.Ilefthim,and,accordingtohisdesire,wenttoseeMadameBonaparte,whichindeedIhadintendedtodobeforeherequestedit.

  IfoundJosephinewithMadamedelaRochefoucauld,whohadlongbeeninhersuite,andwhoashorttimebeforehadobtainedthetitleofladyofhonourtotheEmpress.MadamedelaRochefoucauldwasaveryamiablewoman,ofmilddisposition,andwasafavouritewithJosephine.WhenI

  toldtheEmpressthatIhadjustlefttheEmperor,she,thinkingthatI

  wouldnotspeakfreelybeforeathirdperson,madeasigntoMadamedelaRochefoucauldtoretire.IhadnotroubleinintroducingtheconversationonthesubjectconcerningwhichNapoleonhaddirectedmetospeaktoJosephine,for;aftertheinterchangeofafewindifferentremarks,sheherselftoldmeofaviolentscene,whichhadoccurredbetweenherandtheEmperortwodaysbefore.\"WhenIwrotetoyouyesterday,\"saidshe,\"toannounceyourappointment,andtotellyouthatBonapartewouldrecallyou,Ihopedthatyouwouldcometoseemeonquittinghim,butIdidnotthinkthathewouldhavesentforyousosoon.Ah!howIwishthatyouwerestillwithhim,Bourrienne;youcouldmakehimhearreason.Iknownotwhotakespleasureinbearingtalestohim;butreallyIthinktherearepersonsbusyeverywhereinfindingoutmydebts,andtellinghimofthem.\"

  Thesecomplaints,sogentlyutteredbyJosephinerenderedlessdifficultthepreparatorymissionwithwhichIcommencedtheexerciseofmydiplomaticfunctions.IacquaintedMadameBonapartewithallthattheEmperorhadsaidtome.Iremindedheroftheaffairofthe1,200,000

  francswhichwehadsettledwithhalfthatsum.Ievendroppedsomeallusionstothepromisesshehadmade.

  \"HowcanIhelpit?\"Saidshe.\"Isitmyfault?\"Josephineutteredthesewordsinatoneofsinceritywhichwasatonceaffectingandludicrous.\"Allsortsofbeautifulthingsarebroughttome,\"shecontinued;\"theyarepraisedup;Ibuythem——Iamnotaskedforthemoney,andallofasudden,whenIhavegotnone,theycomeuponmewithdemandsforpayment.ThisreachesNapoleon’sears,andhegetsangry.

  WhenIhavemoney,BourrienneyouknowhowIemployit.Igiveitprincipallytotheunfortunatewhosolicitmyassistance,andtopooremigants.ButIwilltrytobemoreeconomicalinfuture.Tellhimsoifyouseehimagain,ButisitnotmydutytobestowasmuchincharityasIcan?\"——\"Yes,Madame;butpermitmetosaythatnothingrequiresgreaterdiscernmentthanthedistributionofchaxity.Ifyouhadalwayssatuponathroneyoumighthavealwayssupposedthatyourbountyalwaysfallintothehandsofthedeserving;butyoucannotbeignorantthatitoftenerfallstothelotofintriguethantothemeritoriousneedy.

  IcannotdisguisefromyouthattheEmperorwasveryearnestwhenhespokeonthissubject;andhedesiredmetotellyouso.\"——\"Didhereproachmewithnothingelse?\"——\"NoMadame.Youknowtheinfluenceyouhaveoverhimwithrespecttoeverythingbutwhatrelatestopolitics.

  Allowafaithfulandsincerefriendtoprevailuponyouseriouslynottovexhimonthispoint.\"——\"Bourrienne,Igiveyoumyword.Adieu!myfriend.\"

  IncommunicatingtoJosephinewhattheEmperorhadsaidtomeItookcarenottotouchachordwhichwouldhaveawakenedfeelingsfarmorepainfultoherthaneventheEmperor’sharshreproofonaccountofherextravagance.PoorJosephine!howIshouldhaveafflictedherhadI

  utteredawordofBonaparte’sregretatnothavingachild.Shealwayshadapresentimentofthefatethatonedayawaitedher.Besides,Josephinetoldthetruthinassuringmethatitwasnotherfaultthat,shespentasshedid;atleastallthetimeIwaswithbothofthem,orderandeconomywerenomorecompatiblewithherthanmoderationand——

  patiencewithNapoleon.Thesightoftheleastwasteputhimbesidehimself,andthatwasasensationhiswifehardlyeversparedhim.Hesawwithirritationtheeagernessofhisfamilytogainriches;themorehegave,themoreinsatiabletheyappeared,withtheexceptionofLouis,whoseinclinationswerealwaysupright,andhistastesmoderate.Asfortheothermembersofhisfamily,theyannoyedhimsomuchbytheirimportunitythatonedayhesaid,\"ReallytolistentothemitwouldbethoughtthatIhadwastedtheheritageofourfather.\"

  CHAPTERXXXI.

  1805

  NapoleonandVoltaire——DemandsoftheHolySee——CoolnessbetweenthepopeandtheEmperor——Napoleon’sdepartureforItaly——LastinterviewbetweenthePopeandtheEmperoratTurin——Alessandria——ThefieldofMarengo——ThelastDogeofGenoa——Bonaparte’sarrivalatMilan——UnionofGenoatotheFrenchEmpire——ErrorintheMemorialofSt.Helen——

  BonaparteandMadamGrassini——SymptomsofdissatisfactiononthepartofAustriaandRussia——Napoleon’sdeparturefromMilan——

  MonumenttocommemoratethebattleofMarengo——Napoleon’sarrivalinParisanddepartureforBoulogne——Unfortunateresultofanavalengagement——MyvisittoFouche’scountryseat——Sieyes,Barras,theBourbons,andBonaparte——ObservationsrespectingJosephine.

  VoltairesaysthatitisverywelltokissthefeetofPopesprovidedtheirhandsaretied.NotwithstandingtheslightestimationinwhichBonaparteheld\"Voltaire,heprobably,withoutbeingawareofthisirreverentsatire,putitintopractice.TheCourtofRomegavehimtheopportunityofdoingsoshortlyafterhisCoronation.ThePope,orrathertheCardinals,hisadvisers’conceivingthatsogreataninstanceofcomplaisanceasthejourneyofHisHolinesstoParisoughtnottogofornothing;demandedacompensation,which,hadtheybeenbetteracquaintedwithBonaparte’scharacterandpolicy,theywouldneverhavedreamedofsoliciting.TheHolyseedemandedtherestitutionofAvignon,Bologna,andsomepartsoftheItalianterritorywhichhadformerlybeensubjecttothePope’sdominion.ItmaybeimaginedhowsuchdemandswerereceivedbyNapoleon,particularlyafterhehadobtainedallhewantedfromthePope.Itwas,itmustbeconfessed,agreatmistakeoftheCourtofRome,whosepolicyisusuallysoartfulandadroit,nottomakethisdemandtillaftertheCoronation.HaditbeenmadetheconditionofthePope’sjourneytoFranceperhapsBonapartewouldhaveconsentedtogiveup,notAvignon,certainly,buttheItalianterritories,withtheintentionoftakingthembackagain.Bethisasitmay,thesetardyclaims,whichwereperemptorilyrejected,createdanextremecoolnessbetweenNapoleonandPiusVII.Thepublicdidnotimmediatelyperceiveit,butthereisinthepublicaninstinctofreasonwhichthemostablepoliticiansnevercanimposeupon;andalleyeswereopenedwhenitwasknownthatthePope,afterhavingcrownedNapoleonasEmperorofFrance,refusedtocrownhimassovereignoftheregeneratedkingdomofItaly.

  NapoleonleftParisonthe1stofApriltotakepossessionoftheIronCrownatMilan.ThePoperemainedsometimelongerintheFrenchcapital.TheprolongedpresenceofHisHolinesswasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonthereligiousfeelingsofthepeople,sogreatwastherespectinspiredbythebenigncountenanceandmildmannersofthePope.

  WhentheperiodofhispersecutionsarriveditwouldhavebeenwellforBonapartehadPiusVII.neverbeenseeninParis,foritwasimpossibletoviewinanyotherlightthanasavictimthemanwhosetrulyevangelicmeeknesshadbeendulyappreciated.

  BonapartedidnotevincegreatimpatiencetoseizetheCrownofItaly,whichhewellknewcouldnotescapehim.HestayedaconsiderabletimeatTurin,whereheresidedintheStupinisPalace,whichmaybecalledtheSt.CloudoftheKingsofSardinia.TheEmperorcajoledthePiedmontese.GeneralMenou,whowasmadeGovernorofPiedmont,remainedtheretillNapoleonfoundedthegeneralgovernmentoftheTransalpinedepartmentsinfavourofhisbrother—in—law,thePrinceBorghese,ofwhomhewouldhave,founditdifficulttomakeanythingelsethanaRomanPrince.NapoleonwasstillatTurinwhenthePopepassedthroughthatcityonhisreturntoRome.NapoleonhadafinalinterviewwithHisHolinesstowhomhenowaffectedtoshowthegreatestpersonaldeference.

  FromTurinBonaparteproceededtoAlessandria,wherehecommencedthoseimmenseworksonwhichsuchvastsumswereexpended.HehadmanytimesspokentomeofhisprojectsrespectingAlessandria,asIhavealreadyobserved,allhisgreatmeasuresasEmperorweremerelytheexecutionofprojectsconceivedatatimewhenhisfutureelevationcouldhavebeenonlyadreamoftheimagination.HeonedaysaidtoBerthier,inmypresence,duringoursojurnatMilanafterthebattleofMarengo,\"WithAlessandriainmypossessionIshouldalwaysbemasterofItaly.Itmightbemadethestrongestfortressintheworld;itiscapableofcontainingagarrisonof40,000men,withprovisionsforsixmonths.

  Shouldinsurrectiontakeplace,shouldAustriasendaformidableforcehere,theFrenchtroopsmightretiretoAlessandria,andstandasixmonths’siege.Sixmonthswouldbemorethansufficient,whereverI

  mightbe,toenablemetofalluponItaly,routtheAustrians,andraisethesiegeofAlessandria!\"

  AshewassonearthefieldofMarengotheEmperordidnotfailtovisitit,andtoaddtothissolemnityhereviewedonthefieldallthecorpsofFrenchtroopswhichwereinItaly.RapptoldmeafterwardsthattheEmperorhadtakenwithhimfromParisthedressandthehatwhichheworeonthedayofthatmemorablebattle,withtheintentionofwearingthemonthefieldwhereitwasfought.HeafterwardsproceededbythewayofCasaltoMilan.

  Therethemostbrilliantreceptionhehadyetexperiencedawaitedhim.

  HissojournatMilanwasnotdistinguishedbyoutwarddemonstrationsofenthusiasmalone.M.Durszzo,thelastDogeofGenoa,addedanothergemtotheCrownofItalybysupplicatingtheEmperorinthenameoftheRepublic,ofwhichhewastherepresentative,topermitGenoatoexchangeherindependenceforthehonourofbecomingadepartmentofFrance.Thisoffer,asmaybeguessed,wasmerelyaplancontrivedbeforehand.Itwasacceptedwithanairofprotectingkindness,andatthesamemomentthatthecountryofAndreaDoriawaseffacedfromthelistofnationsitslastDogewasincludedamongthenumberofFrenchSenators.Genoa,whichformerlypridedherselfinhersurname,theSuperb,becamethechiefstationofthetwenty—seventhmilitarydivision.TheEmperorwenttotakepossessionofthecityinperson,andsleptintheDoriaPalace,inthebedwhereCharlesV.hadlain.HeleftM.leBrunatGenoaasGovernor—General.

  AtMilantheEmperoroccupiedthePalaceofMonza.TheoldIronCrownoftheKingsofLombardywasbroughtfromthedustinwhichithadbeenburied,andthenewCoronationtookplaceinthecathedralatMilan,thelargestinItaly,withtheexceptionofSt.Peter’satRome.NapoleonreceivedthecrownfromthehandsoftheArchbishopofMilan,andplaceditonhishead,exclaiming,\"Dieumel’adonnee,gareaquilatouche.\"

  ThisbecamethemottooftheOrderoftheIronCrown,whichtheEmperorfoundedincommemorationofhisbeingcrownedKingofItaly.

  NapoleonwascrownedinthemonthofMay1805:andhereIcannotavoidcorrectingsomegrossandinconceivableerrorsintowhichNapoleonmusthavevoluntarilyfallenatSt.Helena.TheMemorialstates\"thatthecelebratedsingerMadameGrasainiattractedhisattentionatthetimeoftheCoronation.\"NapoleonallegesthatMadameGrassinionthatoccasionsaidtohim,\"WhenIwasintheprimeofmybeautyandtalentallI

  wishedwasthatyouwouldbestowasinglelookuponme.Thatwishwasnotfulfilled,andnowyounoticemewhenIamnolongerworthyyourattention.\"

  IconfessIamatalosstoconceivewhatcouldinduceNapoleontoinventsuchastory.HemighthaverecollectedhisacquaintancewithMadameGrassiniatMilanbeforethebattleofMarengo.Itwasin1800,andnotin1805,thatIwasfirstintroducedtoher,andIknowthatIseveraltimestookteawithherandBonaparteintheGeneral’sapartmentsI

  rememberalsoanothercircumstance,whichis,thatonthenightwhenI

  awokeBonapartetoannouncetohimthecapitulationofGenoa,MadameGrassinialsoawoke.NapoleonwascharmedwithMadameGrasaini’sdeliciousvoice,andifhisimperiousdutieshadpermittedithewouldhavelistenedwithecstasytohersingingforhourstogether.WhilstNapoleonwasatMilan,pridinghimselfonhisdoublesovereignty,someschemesweresetonfootatViennaandSt.PetersburgwhichIshallhereafterhaveoccasiontonotice.TheEmperor,indeed,gavecauseforjustcomplaintbythefactofannexingGenoatotheEmpirewithinfourmonthsafterhissolemndeclarationtotheLegislativeBody,inwhichhepledgedhimselfinthefaceofFranceandEuropenottoseekanyaggrandisementofterritory.ThepretextofavoluntaryofferonthepartofGenoawastooabsurdtodeceiveanyone.TherapidprogressofNapoleon’sambitioncouldnotescapetheobservationoftheCabinetofVienna,whichbegantoallowincreasedsymptomsofhostility.ThechangewhichwaseffectedintheformoftheGovernmentoftheCisalpineRepublicwaslikewiseanactcalculatedtoexciteremonstranceonthepartofallthepowerswhowerenotentirelysubjecttotheyokeofFrance.HedisguisedthetakingofGenoaunderthenameofagift,andthepossessionofItalyundertheappearanceofamerechangeofdenomination.NotwithstandingtheseflagrantoutragestheexclusiveapologistsofNapoleonhavealwaysassertedthathedidnotwishforwar,andhehimselfmaintainedthatassertionatSt.Helena.Itissaidthathewasalwaysattacked,andhenceaconclusionisdrawninfavourofhisloveofpeace.IacknowledgeBonapartewouldneverhavefiredasinglemusket—shotifallthepowersofEuropehadsubmittedtobepillagedbyhimoneaftertheotherwithoutopposition.Itwasinfactdeclaringwaragainstthemtoplacethemunderthenecessityofbreakingapeace,duringthecontinuanceofwhichhewasaugmentinghispower,andgratifyinghisambition,asifindefianceofEurope.InthiswayNapoleoncommencedallthewarsinwhichhewasengaged,withtheexceptionofthatwhichfollowedthepeaceofMarengo,andwhichterminatedinMoreau’striumphatHohenlinden.AstherewasnolibertyofthepressinFrancehefounditeasytodeceivethenation.Hewasinfactattacked,andthusheenjoyedthepleasureofundertakinghisgreatmilitaryexpeditionswithoutbeingresponsibleintheeventoffailure.

  DuringtheEmperor’sstayinthecapitalofthenewkingdomofItalyhereceivedthefirstintelligenceofthedissatisfactionofAustriaandRussia.Thatdissatisfactionwasnotofrecentdate.WhenIenteredonmyfunctionsatHamburgIlearnedsomecuriousdetails(whichIwillrelateintheirproperplace)respectingthesecretnegotiationswhichhadbeencarriedonforaconsiderabletimepreviouslytothecommencementofhostilities.EvenPrussiawasnostrangertothedissatisfactionofAustriaandRussia;IdonotmeantheKing,buttheCabinetofBerlin,whichwasthenunderthecontrolofChancellorHardenberg;fortheKingofPrussiahadalwayspersonallydeclaredhimselfinfavouroftheexactobservanceoftreaties,evenwhentheirconditionswerenothonourable.Bethatasitmay,theCabinetofBerlin,althoughdissatisfiedin1806withtherapidprogressofNapoleon’sambition,wasneverthelessconstrainedtoconcealitsdiscontent,owingtothepresenceoftheFrenchtroopsinHanover.

  OnreturningfromMilantheEmperororderedtheerection,ofamonumentontheGreatSt.BernardincommemorationofthevictoryofMarengo.

  M.DenonwhoaccompaniedNapoleon,toldmethathemadeauselesssearchtodiscoverthebodyofDesaix,whichBonapartewishedtobeburiedbeneaththemonumentandthatitwasatlengthfoundbyGeneralSavary.

  ItisthereforecertainthattheashesofthebraveDesaixreposeonthesummitoftheAlps.

  TheEmperorarrivedinParisabouttheendofJuneandinstantlysetoffforthecampatBoulogne.ItwasnowoncemorebelievedthattheprojectofinvadingEnglandwouldbeaccomplished.ThisideaobtainedthegreatercreditbecauseBonapartecausedsomeexperimentsforembarkationtobemade,inhispresence.Theseexperiments,however,ledtonoresult.Aboutthisperiodafataleventbuttooeffectuallycontributedtostrengthentheopinionoftheinferiorityofournavy.AFrenchsquadronconsistingoffifteenships,fellinwiththeEnglishfleetcommandedbyAdmiralCalder,whohadonlyninevesselsunderhiscommand,andinanengagement,whichtherewaseveryreasontoexpectwouldterminateinourfavour,wehadthemisfortunetolosetwoships.TheinvasionofEnglandwasaslittletheobjectofthisasofthepreviousjourneytoBoulogne;allNapoleonhadinviewwastostimulatetheenthusiasmofthetroops,andtoholdoutthosethreatsagainstEnglandwhenconceivednecessaryfordivertingattentionfromtherealmotiveofhishostilepreparations,whichwastoinvadeGermanyandrepulsetheRussiantroops,whohadbeguntheirmarchtowardsAustria.SuchwasthetrueobjectofNapoleonslastjourneytoBoulogne.

  IhadbeensometimeatHamburgwhentheseeventstookplace,anditwascurioustoobservetheeffecttheyproduced.ButImustnotforgetonecircumstanceinwhichIampersonallyconcerned,andwhichbringsmebacktothetimewhenIwasinParis.MynewtitleofMinisterPlenipotentiaryobligedmetoseealittlemoreofsocietythanduringtheperiodwhenprudencerequiredmetoliveasitwereinretirement.

  IhadreceivedsincerecongratulationsfromDuroc,Rape,andLauriston,thethreefriendswhohadshownthegreatestreadinesstoservemyinterestswiththeEmperor;andIhadfrequentoccasiontoseeM.

  Talleyrand,asmyfunctionsbelongedtohisdepartment.TheEmperor,onmyfarewellaudience,havinginformedmethatIwastocorresponddirectlywiththeMinisteroftheGeneralPolice,IcalledonFouche,whoinvitedmetospendsomedaysathisestateofPont—Carre.IacceptedtheinvitationbecauseIwantedtoconferwithhim,andIspentSundayandMonday,the28thand29thofApril,atPont—Carre.

  Fouche,liketheEmperor,frequentlyrevealedwhatheintendedtoconceal;buthehadsuchareputationforcunningthatthissortofindiscretionwasattendedbynoinconveniencetohim.Hewassupposedtobesuchaconstantdissemblerthatthosewhodidnotknowhimwelllookeduponthetruthwhenhespokeitmerelyasanartfulsnarelaidtoentrapthem.I,however,knewthatcelebratedpersontoowelltoconfoundhiscunningwithhisindiscretion.Thebestwaytogetoutofhimmorethanhewasawareofwastolethimtalkonwithoutinterruption.TherewereveryfewvisitorsatPont—Carre,andduringthetwodaysIspentthereI

  hadseveralconversationswithFouche.Hetoldmeagreatdealabouttheeventsof1804,andhecongratulatedhimselfonhavingadvisedNapoleontodeclarehimselfEmperor——\"Ihavenopreference,\"saysFouche,\"foroneformofgovernmentmorethananother.Formssignifynothing.ThefirstobjectoftheRevolutionwasnottheoverthrowoftheBourbons,butmerelythereformofabusesandthedestructionofprejudices.However,whenitwasdiscoveredthatLouisXVI.hadneitherfirmnesstorefusewhathedidnotwishtogrant,norgoodfaithtograntwhathisweaknesshadledhimtopromise,itwasevidentthattheBourbonscouldnolongerreignoverFranceandthingswerecarriedtosuchalengththatwewereunderthenecessityofcondemningLouisXVI.andresortingtoenergeticmeasures.Youknowallthatpasseduptothe18thBrumaire,andafter.

  WeallperceivedthataRepubliccouldnotexistinFrance;thequestion,therefore,wastoensuretheperpetualremovaloftheBourbons;andI

  behavedtheonlymeansforsodoingwastotransfertheinheritanceoftheirthronetoanotherfamily.Sometimebeforethe18thBrumaireIhadaconversationwithSieyesandBarras,inwhichitwasproposed,incaseoftheDirectorybeingthreatened,torecalltheDukeofOrleans;andI

  couldseeverywellthatBarrasfavouredthatsuggestion,althoughhealludedtoitmerelyasareportthatwascirculatedabout,andrecommendedmetopayattentiontoit.Sieyessaidnothing,andI

  settledthequestionbyobserving,thatifanysuchthinghadbeenagitatedImusthavebeeninformedofitthroughthereportsofmyagents.Iadded,thattherestorationofthethronetoacollateralbranchoftheBourbonswouldbeanimpoliticact,andwouldbuttemporarilychangethepositionofthosewhohadbroughtabouttheRevolution.IrenderedanaccountofthisinterviewwithBarrastoGeneralBonapartethefirsttimeIhadanopportunityofconversingwithhimafteryourreturnfromEgypt.Isoundedhim;andIwasperfectlyconvincedthatinthestateofdecrepitudeintowhichtheDirectoryhadfallenhewasjustthemanwewanted.IthereforeadoptedsuchmeasureswiththepoliceastendedtopromotehiselevationtotheFirstMagistracy.Hesoonshowedhimselfungrateful,andinsteadofgivingmeallhisconfidencehetriedtooutwitme.Heputintothehandsofanumberofpersonsvariousmattersofpolicewhichwereworsethanuseless.Mostoftheiragents,whoweremycreatures,obeyedmyinstructionsintheirreports;anditoftenhappenedthattheFirstConsulthoughthehaddiscovered,throughthemediumofothers,informationthatcamefromme,andofthefalsehoodofwhichIeasilyconvincedhim.IconfessIwasatfaultonthe3dNivoise;butarethereanyhumanmeansofpreventingtwomen,whohavenoaccomplices,frombringingaplottoexecution?YousawtheFirstConsulonhisreturnfromtheopera;youheardallhisdeclamations.IfeltassuredthattheinfernalmachinewastheworkoftheRoyalists.ItoldtheEmperorthis,andhewas,Iamsure,convincedofit;buthe,nevertheless,proscribesanumberofmenonthemerepretenceoftheiroldopinions.DoyousupposeIamignorantofwhathesaidofmeandofmyvoteattheNationalConvention?MostassuredlyitillbecomeshimtoreproachtheConventionists.Itwasthatvotewhichplacedthecrownuponhishead.

  Butforthesituationinwhichwewereplacedbythatevent,whichcircumstanceshadrenderedinevitable,whatshouldwehavecaredforthechanceofseeingtheBourbonsreturn?YoumusthaveremarkedthattheRepublicans,whowerenotConventionists,wereingeneralmoreaversethanwetotheproceedingsofthe18thBrumaire,as,forexample,BernadotteandMoreau.IknowpositivelythatMoreauwasaversetotheConsulate;andthatitwasonlyfromirresolutionthatheacceptedthecustodyoftheDirectory.Iknowalsothatheexcusedhimselftohisprisonersforthedutywhichhaddevolveduponhim.Theythemselvestoldmethis.

  Foucheenteredfurtherintomanydetailsrespectinghisconduct,andthemotiveswhichhadurgedhimtodowhathedidinfavouroftheFirstConsul.Mymemorydoesnotenablemetoreportallhetoldme,butI

  distinctlyrecollectthattheimpressionmadeonmymindbywhatfellfromhimwas,thathehadactedmerelywithaviewtohisowninterests.

  HedidnotconcealhissatisfactionathavingoutwittedRegnier,andobligedBonapartetorecallhim,thathesetinmotioneveryspringcalculatedtounitetheconspirators,orrathertoconvertthediscontentedintoconspirators,isevidentfromthefollowingremarkswhichfellfromhim:\"WiththeinformationIpossessed,hadIremainedinofficeitisprobablethatImighthavepreventedtheconspiracy,butBonapartewouldstillhavehadtofeartherivalryofMoreau.HewouldnothavebeenEmperor;andweshouldstillhavehadtodreadthereturnoftheBourbons,ofwhich,thankGod,thereisnownofear.\"

  DuringmystayatPont—CarryIsaidbutlittletoFoucheaboutmylongaudiencewiththeEmperor.However,IthoughtImightinformhimthatI

  wasauthorisedtocorresponddirectlywithhisMajesty.Ithoughtituselesstoconcealthisfact,sincehewouldsoonlearnitthroughhisagents.IalsosaidafewwordsaboutBonaparte’sregretatnothavingchildren.MyobjectwastolearnFouche’sopiniononthissubject,anditwasnotwithoutafeelingofindignationthatIheardhimsay,\"ItistobehopedtheEmpresswillsoondie.Herdeathwillremovemanydifficulties.Soonerorlaterhemusttakeawifewhowillbearhimachild;foraslongashehasnodirectheirthereiseverychancethathisdeathwillbethesignalforaRevolution.Hisbrothersareperfectlyincapableoffillinghisplace,andanewpartywouldriseupinfavouroftheBourbons;whichmustbepreventedaboveallthings.Atpresenttheyarenotdangerous,thoughtheystillhaveactiveanddevotedagents.Altonaisfullofthem,andyouwillbesurroundedbythem.

  Ibegofyoutokeepawatchfuleyeuponthem,andrendermeastrictaccountofalltheirmovements,andevenoftheirmosttrivialactions.

  Astheyhaverecoursetoallsortsofdisguises,youcannotbetoovigilant;thereforeitwillbeadvisable,inthefirstplace,toestablishagoodsystemofespionage;buthaveacareofthespieswhoservebothsides,fortheyswarminGermany.\"

  ThisisallIrecollectofmy,conversationswithFoucheatPont—Carre.

  IreturnedtoParistomakepreparationsformyjourneytoHamburg.

  CHAPTERXXXII.

  1805.

  CapitulationofSublingen——Preparationsforwar——Utilityofcommercialinformation——Myinstructions——Inspectionoftheemigrantsandthejournals——ApamphletbyKotzebue——OffersfromtheEmperorofRussiatoMoreau——PortraitofGustavusAdolphusbyoneofhisministers——Fouche’sdenunciations——DuelsatHamburg——M.deGimel——TheHamburgCorrespondent——LetterfromBernadotte.

  IleftParisonthe20thofMay1805.Onthe5thofJunefollowingI

  deliveredmycredentialstotheSenateofHamburg,whichwasrepresentedbytheSyndicDoormannandtheSenatorSchutte.M.Reinhart,mypredecessor,leftHamburgonthe12thofJune.

  ThereigningDukesofMecklenburg—SchwerinandBrunswick,towhomIhadannouncedmyarrivalasaccreditedMinistertothem,wrotemelettersrecognisingmeinthatcharacter.GeneralWalmodenhadjustsignedthecapitulationofSublingenwithMarshalMortier,whohadthecommandinHanover.TheEnglishGovernmentrefusedtoratifythis,becauseitstipulatedthatthetroopsshouldbeprisonersofwar.Bonapartehadtwomotivesforrelaxingthishardcondition.HewishedtokeepHanoverasacompensationforMalta,andtoassurethemeansofembarrassingandattackingPrussia,whichhenowbegantodistrust.ByadvancinguponPrussiahewouldsecurehisleft,sothatwhenconvenienthemightmarchnorthward.Mortier,therefore,receivedorderstoreducetheconditionsofthecapitulationtothesurrenderofthearms,baggage,artillery,andhorses.England,whichwasmakinggreateffortstoresisttheinvasionwithwhichshethoughtherselfthreatened,expendedconsiderablesumsforthetransportofthetroopsfromHanovertoEngland.Herprecipitationwasindescribable,andshepaidthemostexorbitantchargesforthehireofships.SeveralhousesinHamburgmadefortunesonthisoccasion.

  Experiencehaslongsinceprovedthatitisnotattheirsourcethatsecrettransactionsaremostreadilyknown.Theintelligenceofaneventfrequentlyresoundsatadistance,whiletheeventitselfisalmostentirelyunknownintheplaceofitsoccurrence.Thedirectinfluenceofpoliticaleventsoncommercialspeculationsrendersmerchantsexceedinglyattentivetowhatisgoingon.Allwhoareengagedincommercialpursuitsformacorporationunitedbythestrongestofallbonds,commoninterest;andcommercialcorrespondencefrequentlypresentsafertilefieldforobservation,andaffordsmuchvaluableinformation,whichoftenescapestheinquiriesofGovernmentagents.

  IresolvedtoformaconnectionwithsomeofthemercantilehouseswhichmaintainedextensiveandfrequentcommunicationswiththeNorthernStates.IknewthatbyobtainingtheirconfidenceImightgainaknowledgeofallthatwasgoingoninRussia,Sweden,England,andAustria.AmongthesubjectsuponwhichitwasdesirabletoobtaininformationIincludednegotations,treaties,militarymeasures——suchasrecruitingtroopsbeyondtheamountsettledforthepeaceestablishment,movementsoftroops,theformationofcampsandmagazines,financialoperations,thefitting—outofships,andmanyotherthings,which,thoughnotimportantinthemselves,frequentlyleadtotheknowledgeofwhatisimportant.

  IwasnotinclinedtoplacerelianceonallpublicreportsandgossipingstoriescirculatedontheExchangewithoutcloseinvestigation;forI

  wishedtoavoidtransmittinghomeastruthswhatmightfrequentlybemerestock—jobbinginventions.Iwasinstructedtokeepwatchontheemigrants,whowereexceedinglynumerousinHamburganditsneighbourhood,Mecklenburg,Hanover,Brunswick,andHolstein;butImustobservethatmyinspectionwastoextendonlytothosewhowereknowntobeactuallyengagedinintriguesandplots.

  Iwasalsotokeepwatchonthestateofthepublicmind,andonthejournalswhichfrequentlygiveitawrongdirection,andtopointoutthosearticlesinthejournalswhichIthoughtcensurable.AtfirstI

  merelymadeverbalrepresentationsandcomplaints,butIcouldnotalwaysconfinemyselftothiscourse.Ireceivedsuchdistinctandpositiveordersthat,inspiteofmyself,inspectionwasspeedilyconvertedintooppression.Complaintsagainstthejournalsfilledone—fourthofmydespatches.

  AstheEmperorwishedtobemadeacquaintedwithallthatwasprintedagainsthim,IsenttoParis,inMay1805,andconsequentlyaveryfewdaysaftermyarrivalinHamburg,apamphletbythecelebratedKotzebue,entitled’RecollectionsofmyJourneytoNaplesandRome’.Thispublication,whichwasprintedatBerlin,wasfullofindecorousattacksandodiousallusionsontheEmperor.

  Iwasinformedatthattime,throughacertainchannel,thattheEmperorAlexanderhadsolicitedGeneralMoreautoenterhisservice,andtakethecommandoftheRussianinfantry.Heofferedhim12,000roublestodefrayhistravellingexpenses.AtasubsequentperiodMoreauunfortunatelyacceptedtheseoffers,anddiedintheenemy’sranks.

  Onthe27thofJuneM.BoulignyarrivedatHamburg.HewasappointedtosupersedeM.d’OcarizatStockholm.ThelatterministerhadleftHamburgonthe11thofJuneforConstantinople,wherehedidnotexpecttostaythreemonths.Ihadseverallongconversationswithhimbeforehisdeparture,andhedidnotappeartobesatisfiedwithhisdestination.

  WefrequentlyspokeoftheKingofSweden,whoseconductM.d’Ocarizblamed.Hewas,hesaid,ayoungmadman,who,withoutreflectingonthechangeoftimeandcircumstances,wishedtoplaythepartofGustavusAdolphus,towhomheborenoresemblencebutinname.M.d’OcarizspokeoftheKingofSweden’scampinatoneofderision.ThatPrincehadreturnedtotheKingofPrussiathecordonoftheBlackEaglebecausetheorderhadbeengiventotheFirstConsul.IunderstoodthatFrederickWilliamwasverymuchoffendedatthisproceeding,whichwasasindecorousandabsurdasthereturnoftheGoldenFleecebyLouisXVII.

  totheKingofSpainwasdignifiedandproper.GustavusAdolphuswasbrave,enterprising,andchivalrous,butinconsiderateandirascible.HecalledBonaparteMonsieurNapoleon.HisfolliesandreversesinHanoverwerewithoutdoubtthecauseofhisabdication.Onthe31stofOctober1805hepublishedadeclarationofwaragainstFranceinlanguagehighlyinsultingtotheEmperor.

  Foucheoverwhelmedmewithletters.IfIhadattendedtoallhisinstructionsIshouldhaveleftnobodyunmolested.HeaskedmeforinformationrespectingamannamedLazoret,ofthedepartmentofGard,agirl,namedRosineZimbenni,havinginformedthepolicethathehadbeenkilledinaduelatHamburg.IrepliedthatIknewbutoffourFrenchmenwhohadbeenkilledinthatway;one,namedClement,waskilledbyTarasson;asecond,namedDuparc,killedbyLezardi;athird,namedSadremont,killedbyRevel;andafourth,whosenameIdidnotknow,killedbyLafond.ThislatterhadjustarrivedatHamburgwhenhewaskilled,buthewasnotthemansoughtfor.

  LafondwasanativeofBrabant,andhadservedintheBritisharmy.HeinsultedtheFrenchmanbecauseheworethenationalcockade——Aduelwastheconsequence,andtheoffendedpartyfell.M.Reinhart,mypredecessorwishedtopunishLafond,buttheAustrianMinisterhavingclaimedhimasthesubjectofhissovereign,hewasnotmolested.LafondtookrefugeinAntwerp,wherehebecameaplayer.

  DuringthefirstmonthswhichsucceededmyarrivalinHamburgIreceivedordersforthearrestofmanypersons,almostallofwhomweredesignatedasdangerousandilldisposedmen.WhenIwasconvincedthattheaccusationwasgroundlessIpostponedthearrest.Thematterwasthenforgotten,andnobodycomplained.

  Atitle,orarankinforeignservice,wasasafeguardagainsttheParisinquisition.Ofthisthefollowingisaninstance.CountGimel,ofwhomIshallhereafterhaveoccasiontospeakmoreatlength,setoutaboutthistimeforCarlsbad.CountGrotethePrussianMinister,frequentlyspoketomeofhim.OnmyexpressingapprehensionthatM.deGimelmightbearrested,astherewasastrongprejudiceagainsthim,M.Grotereplied,\"Oh!thereisnofearofthat.HewillreturntoHamburgwiththeraukofanEnglishcolonel.\"

  Onthe17thofJulythereappearedintheCorrespondentanarticleexceedinglyinsultingtoFrance.IthadbeeninsertedbyorderofBaronNovozilzow,whowasatBerlin,andwhohadbecomeveryhostiletoFrance,thoughitwassaidhehadbeensentfromSt.PetersburgonaspecificmissiontoNapoleon.ThearticleinquestionwastransmittedfromBerlinbyanextraordinarycourier,andNovozilzowinhisnotetotheSenatesaiditmightbestatedthatthearticlewasinsertedattherequestofHisBritannicMajesty.TheRussianMinisteratBerlin,M.Alopaeus,despatchedalsoan’estafette’totheRussiancharged’affairesatHamburg,withorderstoapplyfortheinsertionofthearticle,whichaccordinglyappeared.InobediencetotheEmperor’sinstructions,I

  complainedofit,andtheSenaterepliedthatitneveropposedtheinsertionofanofficialnotesentbyanyGovernment;thatinsultswouldredoundagainstthosefromwhomtheycame;thatthereplyoftheFrenchGovernmentwouldbepublished;andthattheSenatehadneverdeviatedfromthismodeofproceeding.

  IobservedtotheSenatethatIdidnotunderstandwhytheCorrespondentshouldmakeitselfthetrumpetofM.Novozilzow;towhichtheSyndicreplied,thattwogreatpowers,whichmightdothemmuchharm,hadrequiredtheinsertionofthearticle,andthatitcouldnotberefused.

  ThehatredfeltbytheforeignPrinces,whichthedeathoftheDucd’Enghienhadconsiderablyincreased;gaveencouragementtothepublicationofeverythinghostiletoNapoleon.ThiswascandidlyavowedtomebytheMinistersandforeignersofrankwhomIsawinHamburg.TheKingofSwedenwasmostviolentinmanifestingtheindignationwhichwasgenerallyexcitedbythedeathoftheDued’Enghien.M.Wetterstadt,whohadsucceededM.LaGerbielskeintheCabinetofStockholm,senttotheSwedishMinisteratHamburgalongletterexceedinglyinsultingtoNapoleon.Itwasinreplytoanarticleinsertedinthe’Moniteur’

  respectingthereturnoftheBlackEagletotheKingofPrussia.

  M.Peyron,theSwedishMinisteratHamburg,whowasveryfarfromapprovingallthathismasterdid,transmittedtoStockholmsomeveryenergeticremarksontheilleffectwhichwouldbeproducedbytheinsertionofthearticleinthe’Correspondent’.Thearticlewasthenalittlemodified,andM.Peyronreceivedformalorderstogetitinserted.

  However;onmyrepresentationstheSenateagreedtosuppressit,anditdidnotappear.

  MarshalBernadotte,whohadthecommandoftheFrenchtroopsinHanover,keptupafriendlycorrespondencewithmeunconnectedwiththedutiesofourrespectivefunctions.

  OntheoccupationofHanoverMr.Taylor,theEnglishMinisteratCassel,wasobligedtoleavethatplace;buthesoonreturnedinspiteoftheoppositionofFrance.Onthissubjectthemarshalfurnishedmewiththefollowingparticulars:

  Ihavejustreceived,mydearBourrienne,informationwhichleavesnodoubtofwhathastakenplaceatCasselwithrespecttoMr.

  Taylor.ThatMinisterhasbeenreceivedinspiteoftherepresentationsofM.Bignon,which,however,hadpreviouslybeenmerelyverbal.IknowthattheElectorwrotetoLondontorequestthatMr.Taylorshouldnotreturn.InanswertothistheEnglishGovernmentsenthimback.OurMinisterhasdoneeverythinghecouldtoobtainhisdismissal;butthepecuniaryinterestsoftheElectorhavetriumphedovereveryotherconsideration.HewouldnotriskquarrellingwiththeCourtfromwhichheexpectstoreceivemorethan12,000,000francs.TheBritishGovernmenthasbeenwrittentoasecondtime,butwithouteffect.TheElectorhimself,inaprivateletter,hasrequestedtheKingofEnglandtorecallMr.

  Taylor,butitisveryprobablethattheCabinetofLondonwillevadethisrequest.

  UnderthesecircumstancesourtroopshaveapproachednearertoCassel.HithertothewholedistrictofGottingenhadbeenexemptfromquarteringtroops.Newarrangements,tenderednecessarybythescarcityofforage,haveobligedmetosendasquadronof’chasseursdecheval’toMunden,alittletownfourleaguesfromCassel.ThismovementexcitedsomealarmintheElector,whoexpressedawishtoseethingsrestoredtothesamefootingasbefore.HehasrequestedM.Bignontowritetome,andtoassuremeagainthathewillbedelightedtobecomeacquaintedwithmeatthewatersofNemidorff,whereheintendstospendsometime.ButonthissubjectIshallnotalterthedeterminationIhavealreadymentionedtoyou.

  ——Yours,etc.,(Signed)BERNADOTTE.

  STADE,10thThermidor(29thJuly,1805).

  CHAPTERXXXIII.

  1805.

  TreatyofalliancebetweenEnglandandRussia——Certaintyofanapproachingwar——M.Forshmann,theRussianMinister——Duroc’smissiontoBerlin——NewprojectoftheKingofSweden——SecretmissiontotheBaltic——AnimosityagainstFrance——FalloftheexchangebetweenHamburgandParis——DestructionofthefirstAustrianarmy——TakingofUlm——TheEmperor’sdispleasureattheremarkofasoldier——BattleofTrafalgar——Duroc’spositionattheCourtofPrussia——ArmamentsinRussia——LibeluponNapoleonintheHamburg’Corespondent’——

  EmbarrassmentoftheSyndicandBurgomasterofHamburg——TheconductoftheRussianMinistercensuredbytheSwedishandEnglishMinisters.

  AtthebeginningofAugust1805atreatyofalliancebetweenRussiaandEnglandwasspokenof.Somepersonsofconsequence,whohadthemeansofknowingallthatwasgoingoninthepoliticalworld,hadreadthistreaty,theprincipalpointsofwhichwerecommunicatedtome.

  Article1ststatedthattheobjectofthealliancewastorestorethebalanceofEurope.Byart.2dtheEmperorofRussiawastoplace36,000

  menatthedisposalofEngland.Art.3dstipulatedthatneitherofthetwopowerswouldconsenttotreatwithFrance,nortolaydownarmsuntiltheKingofSardiniashouldeitherberestoredtohisdominionsorreceiveanequivalentindemnityinthenortheastofItaly.Byart.4thMaltawastobeevacuatedbytheEnglish,andoccupiedbytheRussians.

  Byart.5ththetwopowersweretoguaranteetheindependenceoftheRepublicoftheIonianIsles,andEnglandwastopledgeherselftoassistRussiainherwaragainstPersia.Ifthisplanofatreaty,oftheexistenceofwhichIwasinformedonunquestionableauthority,hadbeenbroughttoanyresultitisimpossibletocalculatewhatmighthavebeenitsconsequences.

  AtthattimeanimmediateContinentalwarwasconfidentlyexpectedbyeverypersoninthenorthofEurope;anditisverycertainthat,hadnotNapoleontakenthehintintimeandrenouncedhisabsurdschemesatBoulogne,Francewouldhavestoodinadangeroussituation.

  M.Forshmann,theRussiancharged’affaires,wasintriguingtoexcitethenorthofEuropeagainstFrance.Herepeatedlyreceivedorderstoobtaintheinsertionofirritatingarticlesinthe’Correspondent’.Hewasanactive,intriguing,andspitefullittleman,andadeclaredenemyofFrance;butfortunatelyhisstupidityandvanityrenderedhimlessdangerousthanhewishedtobe.Hewasuniversallydetested,andhewouldhavelostallcreditbutthattheextensivetradecarriedonbetweenRussiaandHamburgforcedtheinhabitantsandmagistratesofthatcitytobearwithamanwhomighthavedonethem,individually,considerableinjury.

  TherecollectionofDuroc’ssuccessfulmissiontoBerlinduringtheConsulateinducedNapoleontobelievethatthatgeneralmightappeasetheKingofPrussia,whocomplainedseriouslyoftheviolationoftheterritoryofAnspach,whichBernadotte,inconsequenceoftheordershereceived,hadnotbeenabletorespect.DurocremainedaboutsixweeksinBerlin.

  ThefollowingletterfromDurocwillshowthatthefacilityofpassingthroughHesseseemedtoexcusethesecondviolationofthePrussianterritory;buttherewasagreatdifferencebetweenapettyPrinceofHesseandtheKingofPrussia.

  Isendyou,mydearBourrienne,twodespatches,whichIhavereceivedforyou.M.deTalleyrand,whosendsthem,desiresmetorequestthatyouwilltransmitGeneralVictor’sbyasureconveyance.

  IdonotyetknowwhetherIshallstaylonginBerlin.BythelastaccountsIreceivedtheEmperorisstillinParis,andnumerousforcesareassemblingontheRhine.Thehopesofpeacearevanishingeveryday,andAustriadoeseverythingtopromotewar.

  IhavereceivedaccountsfromMarshalBernadotte.HehaseffectedhispassagethroughHesse.MarshalBernadottewasmuchpleasedwiththecourtesyheexperiencedfromtheElector.

  ThejunctionofthecorpscommandedbyBernadottewiththearmyoftheEmperorwasveryimportant,andNapoleonthereforedirectedtheMarshaltocomeupwithhimasspeedilyaspossible,andbytheshortestroad.

  ItwasnecessaryheshouldarriveintimeforthebattleofAusterlitz.

  Gustavus,KingofSweden,whowasalwaysengagedinsomeenterprise,wishedtoraiseanarmycomposedofSwedes,Prussians,andEnglish;andcertainlyavigorousattackinthenorthwouldhavepreventedBernadottefromquittingthebanksoftheElbeandtheWeser,andreinforcingtheGrandArmywhichwasmarchingonVienna.ButtheKingofSweden’scoalitionproducednootherresultthanthesiegeofthelittlefortressofHameln.

  PrussiawouldnotcometoarupturewithFrance,theKingofSwedenwasabandoned,andBonaparte’sresentmentagainsthimincreased.ThisabortiveprojectofGustavuscontributednotalittletoalienatetheaffectionsofhissubjects,whofearedthattheymightbethevictimsoftherevengeexcitedbytheextravagantplansoftheirKing,andtheinsultshehadheapeduponNapoleon,particularlysincethedeathoftheDued’Enghien.

  Onthe13thofSeptember1805IreceivedaletterfromtheMinisterofPolicesolicitinginformationaboutSwedishPomerania.

  AstonishedatnotobtainingfromthecommercialConsulsatLubeckandStettinanyaccountsofthemovementsoftheRussians,Ihadsenttothoseports,fourdaysbeforethereceiptofthePoliceMinister’sletter,aconfidentialagent,toobservetheBaltic:thoughwewereonly64leaguesfromStralsundthemostuncertainandcontradictoryaccountscametohand.Itwas,however,certainthatalandingoftheRussianswasexpectedatStralsund,oratTravemtinde,theportofLubeck,atthemouthofthelittleriverTrave.IwaspositivelyinformedthatRussiahadfreightedaconsiderablenumberofvesselsforthoseports.

  ThehatredoftheFrenchcontinuedtoincreaseinthenorthofEurope.

  AbouttheendofSeptemberthereappearedatKiel,inDenmark,alibellouspamphlet,whichwasboughtandreadwithinconceivableavidity.

  Thispamphlet,whichwasveryablywritten,wastheproductionofsomefanaticwhoopenlypreachedacrusadeagainstFrance.TheauthorregardedthebloodofmillionsofmenasatriflingsacrificeforthegreatobjectofhumiliatingFranceandbringingherbacktothelimitsoftheoldmonarchy.ThispamphletwascirculatedextensivelyintheGermandepartmentsunitedtoFrance,inHolland,andinSwitzerland.ThenumberofincendiarypublicationswhicheverywhereaboundedindicatedbuttooplainlythatifthenationsofthenorthshouldbedrivenbacktowardstheArcticregionstheywouldintheirturnrepulsetheirconquerorstowardsthesouth;andnomanofcommonsensecoulddoubtthatiftheFrencheagleswereplantedinforeigncapitals,foreignstandardswouldonedaywaveoverParis.

  Onthe30thofSeptember1805Ireceived,byan’estafette’,intelligenceofthelandingatStralsundof6000Swedes,whohadarrivedfromStockholmintwoshipsofwar.

  AbouttheendofSeptembertheHamburgexchangeonParisfellalarmingly.

  Thelosswastwentypercent.Thefallstoppedatseventeenbelowpar.

  ThespeculationforthisfalloftheexchangehadbeenmadewithequalimprudenceandanimositybythehouseofOsyandCompanyTheheadofthathouse,aDutchemigrant,whohadbeensettledatHamburgaboutsixyears,seizedeveryopportunityofmanifestinghishatredofFrance.AnagentofthatrichhouseatRotterdamwasalsoveryhostiletous,acircumstancewhichshowsthatifmanypersonssacrificetheirpoliticalopinionstotheirintereststhereareotherswhoendangertheirinterestsforthetriumphoftheiropinions.

  Onthe23dofOctober1805IreceivedofficialintelligenceofthetotaldestructionofthefirstAustrianarmy:GeneralBarbou,whowasinHanover,alsoinformedmeofthateventinthefollowingterms:\"ThefirstAustrianarmyhasceasedtoexist.\"HealludedtothebrilliantaffairofUlm.Iimmediatelydespatchedtwelveestafettestodifferentparts;amongotherplacestoStralsundandHusum.Ithoughtthattheseprodigies,whichmusthavebeenalmostincredibletothosewhowereunacquaintedwithNapoleon’smilitarygenius,mightarresttheprogressoftheRussiantroops,andproducessomechangeinthemovementsoftheenemy’sforces.Asecondeditionofthe’Correspondent’waspublishedwiththisintelligence,and6000copiesweresoldatfourtimestheusualprice.

  IneednotdetainthereaderwiththedetailsofthecapitulationofUlm,whichhavealreadybeenpublished,butImayrelatethefollowinganecdote,whichisnotgenerallyknown.AFrenchgeneralpassingbeforetheranksofhismensaidtothem,\"Well,comrades,wehaveprisonersenoughhere.\"——\"yesindeed,\"repliedoneofthesoldiers,\"weneversawsomanycollectedtogetherbefore.\"Itwasstatedatthetime,andIbelieveit,thattheEmperorwasmuchdispleasedwhenheheardofthis,andremarkedthatitwas\"atrocioustoinsultbravementowhomthefateofarmshadprovedunfavourable.\"

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