GeneralDupasnotunderstandingthemeaningofthishurrah！supposedittobeasignalforsedition，andinsteadoforderingthegatestobeopenedhecommandedthemilitarytofireuponthepeacefulcitizens，.
whoonlywantedtoreturntotheirhomes.Severalpersonswerekilled，andothersmoreorlessseriouslywounded.Fortunately，afterthisfirstdischargethefuryofDupaswasappeased;butstillhepersistedinkeepingthegatesclosedatnight.Nextdayanorderwaspostedaboutthecityprohibitingthecryofhurrah！underpainofaseverepunishment.Itwasalsoforbiddenthatmorethanthreepersonashouldcollecttogetherinthestreets.ThusitwasthatcertainpersonsimposedtheFrenchyokeupontownsandprovinceswhichwerepreviouslyhappy.
DupaswasasmuchexecratedintheHanseTownsasClarkehadbeeninBerlinwhenhewasgovernorofthatcapitalduringthecampaignof1807.
ClarkehadburdenedthepeopleofBerlinwitheverykindofoppressionandexaction.He，aswellasmanyothers，manifestedareadyobedienceinexecutingtheImperialorders，howevertyrannicaltheymightbe;andHeavenknowswhatepithetsinvariablyaccompaniedthenameofClarkewhenpronouncedbythelipsofaPrussian.
DupasseemedtohavetakenClarkeashismodel.Anartilleryofficer，whowasinHamburgatthetimeofthedisturbanceIhavejustmentioned，toldmethatitwashewhowasdirectedtoplacetwopiecesoflight—
artillerybeforethegateofAltona.Havingexecutedthisorder，hewenttoGeneralDupas，whomhefoundinafuriousfitofpassion，breakinganddestroyingeverythingwithinhisreach.Inthepresenceoftheofficerhebrokemorethantwodozenplateswhichwereonthetablebeforehim：
theseplates，ofcourse，hadcosthimverylittle！
OnthedayafterthedisturbancewhichhadsofatalaterminationIwrotetoinformthePrinceofPorte—Corvoofwhathadtakenplace;andinmyletterIsolicitedthesuppressionofanextraordinarytribunalwhichhadbeencreatedbyGeneralDupas.Hereturnedmeanimmediateanswer，complyingwithmyrequest.Hisletterwasasfollows：
Ihavereceivedyourletter，mydearMinister：itforciblyconveystheexpressionofyourrightfeeling，whichrevoltsagainstoppression，severity，andtheabaseofpower.Ientirelyconcurinyourviewofthesubject，andIamdistressedwheneverIseesuchactsofinjusticecommitted.Onanexaminationoftheeventswhichtookplaceonthe19thitisimpossibletodenythattheofficerwhoorderedthegatestobeclosedsosoonwasinthewrong;andnext，itmaybeasked，whywerenotthegatesopenedinsteadofthe，militarybeingorderedtofireonthepeople？But，ontheotherhand，didnotthepeopleevincedecidedobstinacyandinsubordination？weretheynottoblameinthrowingstonesattheguard，forcingthepalisades，andevenrefusingtolistentothevoiceofthemagistrates？Itismelancholythattheyshouldhavefallenintotheseexcesses，fromwhich，doubtless，theywouldhaverefrainedhadtheylistenedtothecivilchiefs，whooughttobetheirfirstdirectors.Finally，mydearMinister，theSenatorwhodistributedmoneyatthegateofAltonatoappeasethemultitudewouldhavedonebetterhadheadvisedthemtowaitpatientlyuntilthegateswereopened;andhemight，Ithink，havegonetotheCommandantortheGeneraltosolicitthatconcession.
Wheneveranirritatedmobresortstoviolencethereisnosafetyforanyone.Theprotectingpowermastthenexertitsutmostauthoritytostopmischief.TheSenateofancientRome，sojealousofitsprerogatives，assignedtoaDictator，intimesoftrouble，thepoweroflifeanddeath，andthatmagistrateknewnoothercodethanhisownwillandtheaxeofhislictors.Theordinarylawsdidnotresumetheircourseuntilthepeoplereturnedtosubmission.
TheeventwhichtookplaceinHamburgproducedafeelingofagitationofwhichevil—disposedpersonsmighttakeadvantagetostirupopeninsurrection.Thatfeelingcouldonlyberepressedbyaseveretribunal，which，however，isnolongernecessary.GeneralDupashas，accordingly，receivedorderstodissolveit，andjusticewillresumeherusualcourse.
J.BERNADOTTE
DENSEL，4thMay，1808.
WhenBernadottereturnedtoHamburghesent.DupastoLubeck.Thatcity，whichwaspoorerthanHamburg，sufferedcruellyfromthevisitationofsuchaguest.
Dupasleviedallhisexactionsinkind，andindignantlyspurnedeveryofferofacceptingmoney，theveryideaofwhich，hesaid，shockedhisdelicacyoffeeling.ButhisdemandsbecamesoextravagantthatthecityofLubeckwasutterlyunabletosatisfythem.Besideshistable，whichwasprovidedinthesamestyleofprofusionasatHamburg，herequiredtobefurnishedwithplate，linen，wood，andcandles;inshort，withthemosttrivialarticlesofhouseholdconsumption.
TheSenatedeputedtotheincorruptibleGeneralDupasM.Nolting，avenerableoldman，whomildlyrepresentedtohimtheabuseswhichwereeverywherecommittedinhisname，andentreatedthathewouldvouchsafetoaccepttwentyLouisadaytodefraytheexpensesofhistablealone.
AtthispropositionGeneralDupesflewintoarage.Toofferhimmoneywasaninsultnottobeendured！HefuriouslydrovetheterrifiedSenatoroutofthehouse，andatonceorderedhis’aidedecamp’Barreltoimprisonhim.M.deBarrel，startledatthisextraordinaryorder，venturedtoremonstratewiththeGeneral，butinvain;and，thoughagainsthisheart，hewasobligedtoobey.TheaidedecampaccordinglywaitedupontheSenatorNotting，andovercomebythatfeelingofrespectwhichgrayhairsinvoluntarilyinspireinyouth，insteadofarrestinghim，hebesoughttheoldmannottoleavehishouseuntilheshouldprevailontheGeneraltoretracthisorders.ItwasnottillthefollowingdaythatM.deBarrelsucceededingettingtheseordersrevoked——thatistosay，heobtainedM.Notting’sreleasefromconfinement;forDupaswouldnotbesatisfieduntilheheardthattheSenatorhadsufferedatleastthecommencementofthepunishmenttowhichhiscapriciousfuryhaddoomedhim.
InspiteofhisparadeofdisinterestednessGeneralDupasyieldedsofarastoacceptthetwentyLouisadayfortheexpenseofhistablewhichM.NottinghadofferedhimonthepartoftheSenateofLubeck;butitwasnotwithoutmurmurings，complaints，andmenacesthathemadethisgenerousconcession;andheexclaimedmorethanonce，\"Thesefellowshaveportionedoutmyallowanceforme.\"LubeckwasnotreleasedfromthepresenceofGeneralDupesuntilthemonthofMarch1809，whenhewassummonedtocommandadivisionintheEmperor’snewcampaignagainstAustria.Strangeasitmayappear，itisneverthelessthefact，that，oppressiveashadbeenhispresenceatLubeck，theHanseTownssoonhadreasontoregrethim.
CHAPTERXV.
1808.
PromulgationoftheCodeofCommerce——ConquestsbyStatus—consulte——
Threeeventsinoneday——Recollections——ApplicationofalineofVoltaire——CreationoftheImperialnobility——Restorationoftheuniversity——AggrandisementofthekingdomofItalyattheexpenseofRome——CardinalCaprara’adeparturefromParis——TheinterviewatErfurt.
Theyear1808wasfertileinremarkableevents.OccupiedasIwaswithmyownduties，IyetemployedmyleisurehoursinobservingthecourseofthosegreatactsbywhichBonaparteseemeddeterminedtomarkeverydayofhislife.Atthecommencementof1808IreceivedoneofthefirstcopiesoftheCodeofCommerce，promulgatedonthe1stofJanuarybytheEmperor’sorder.Thiscodeappearedtomeanactofmockery;atleastitwasextraordinarytopublishacoderespectingasubjectwhichitwastheeffectofalltheImperialdecreestodestroy.WhattradecouldpossiblyexistundertheContinentalsystem，andtheruinousseverityofthecustoms？Thelinewasalreadyextendedwidelyenoughwhen，bya’Senatus—consulte’，itwasstillfurtherwidened.TheEmperor，towhomalltheContinentsubmitted，hadrecoursetonootherformalityforthepurposeofannexingtotheEmpirethetownsofKehl，CasselnearMayence，Wesel，andFlushing，withtheterritoriesdependingonthem.
——[Aresolutionofthesenate，ora\"Senatus—consulte\"wasthemeansinventedbyNapoleonforalteringtheimperialConstitutions，andeventheextentoftheEmpire.Byoneofthese，dated21stJanuary1808，thetownsofKehl，Cassel，andWesel，withFlushing，allalreadyseized，weredefinitelyunitedtoFrance.ThelossofWesel，whichbelongedtoMurat’sGrandDuchyofBerg，wasaverysorepointwithMurat.]——
Theseconquests，gainedbydecreesandsenatorialdecisions，hadatleasttheadvantageofbeingeffectedwithoutbloodshed.AllthesethingswerecarefullycommunicatedtomebytheMinisterswithwhomIcorresponded，formysituationatHamburghadacquiredsuchimportancethatitwasnecessaryIshouldknoweverything.
AtthisperiodIobservedamongthenewswhichIreceivedfromdifferentplacesasingularcoincidenceofdates，worthyofbeingnotedbytheauthorsofephemrides.Onthesameday—namely，the1stofFebruaryParis，Lisbon，andRomewerethescenesofeventsofdifferentkinds，but，astheyallhappenedononeday，affordingastrikingexampleoftherapidityofmovementwhichmarkedthereignofBonaparte.AtParisthenieceofJosephine，MademoiselledeTascher，whomNapoleonhadlatelyexaltedtotherankofPrincess，wasmarriedtothereigningPrinceofAhremberg，whileatthesametimeJunotdeclaredtoPortugalthatthehouseofBraganzahadceasedtoreign，andFrenchtroopswere，underthecommandofGeneralMiollis，occupyingRome.Thisoccupationwasthecommencementofprolongedstruggles，duringwhichPinsVII.expiatedthecondescensionhehadshowningoingtoParistocrownNapoleon.
Lookingovermynotes，IseeitwasthedayafterthesethreeeventsoccurredthatBonapartegavetohisbrother—in—law，PrinceBorghese，theGovernorship—GeneralofthedepartmentsbeyondtheAlpswhichhehadjustfounded;andofwhichhemadetheeighthGrandDignitaryoftheEmpire.
GeneralMenou，whomIhadnotseensinceEgypt，wasobligedbythisappointmenttoleaveTurin，wherehehadalwaysremained.Bonaparte，notwishingtopermithimtocometoParis，sentMenoutopresideovertheJuntaofTuscany，ofwhichhesoonafterwardsmadeanotherGeneral—
Governorship，whichheentrustedtothecareofhissisterElisa.
——[PrinceCamillePhilippeLouisBorghese（1755—1832），anItalian，hadmarried，6thNovember1808，PaulineBonaparte，thesisterofNapoleon，andthewidowofGeneralLeclerc.HehadbeenmadePrinceandDukeofGuastallawhenthatduchywasgiventohiswife，30thMarsh1806.Heseparatedfromhiswifeafterafewyears.IndeedPaulinewasimpossibleasawifeifhalfofthestoriesaboutheraretrue.Itwasshewho，findingthataladywassurprisedatherhavingsatnakedwhileastatueofherwasbeingmodelledforCanova，believedshehadsatisfactorilyexplainedmattersbysaying，\"buttherewasafireintheroom.\"]——
MycorrespondencerelativetowhatpassedinthesouthofFranceandofEuropepresentedtome，ifImaysoexpressmyself，merelyananecdotalinterest.Notsothenewswhichcamefromthenorth.AtHamburgIwaslikethesentinelofanadvancedpost，alwaysonthealert.IfrequentlyinformedtheGovernmentofwhatwouldtakeplacebeforetheeventactuallyhappened.IwasoneofthefirsttohearoftheplansofRussiarelativetoSweden.ThecourierwhomIsenttoParisarrivedthereattheverymomentwhenRussiamadethedeclarationofwar.AbouttheendofFebruarytheRussiantroopsenteredSwedishFinland，andoccupiedalsothecapitalofthatprovince，whichhadatalltimesbeencovetedbytheRussianGovernment.IthasbeensaidthatattheinterviewatErfurtBonaparteconsentedtotheusurpationofthatprovincebyAlexanderinreturnforthecomplaisanceofthelatterinacknowledgingJosephasKingofSpainandtheIndies.
TheremovalofJosephfromthethroneofNaplestothethroneofMadridbelongs，indeed，tothatperiodrespectingwhichIamnowthrowingtogetherafewrecollections.MurathadsucceededJosephatNaples，andthisaccessionofthebrother—in—lawofNapoleontooneofthethronesoftheHouseofBourbongaveBonaparteanotherjuniorinthecollegeofkings，ofwhichhewouldhaveinfalliblybecometheseniorifhehadgoneonashebegan.
IwillrelatealittlecircumstancewhichnowoccurstomerespectingthekingsmanufacturedbyNapoleon.IrecollectthatduringtheKingofEtruria’sstayinParis——theFirstConsulwentwiththatPrincetotheComedieFrancaise，whereVoltaire’s’OEdipus’wasperformed.Thispiece，Imayobserve，BonapartelikedbetterthananythingVoltaireeverwrote.
Iwasinthetheatre，butnotintheFirstConsul’sbox，andIobserved，asallpresentmusthavedone，theeagernesswithwhichtheaudienceappliedtoNapoleonandtheKingofEtruriathelineinwhichPhiloctetessays——
\"J’aifaitdessouverainsetn’aipasvoulul’etre.\"
[Ihavemadesovereigns，buthavenotwishedtobeonemyself.\"]
TheapplicationwassomarkedthatitcouldnotfailtobecomethesubjectofconversationbetweentheFirstConsulandme.\"Youremarkedit，Bourrienne？\"\"Yes，General.\"\"Thefools！
Theyshallsee！Theyshallsee！\"Wedidindeedsee.Notcontentwithmakingkings，Bonaparte，whenhisbrowwasencircledbyadoublecrown，aftercreatingprincesatlengthrealisedtheobjecthehadlongcontemplated，namely，tofoundanewnobilityendowedwithhereditaryrights.ItwasatthecommencementofMarch1808thatheaccomplishedthisproject;andIsawinthe’Moniteur’alonglistofprinces，dukes，counts，barons，andknightsoftheEmpire;therewerewantingonlyviscountsandmarquises.
AtthesametimethatBonapartewasfoundinganewnobilityhedeterminedtoraiseuptheoldedificeoftheuniversity，butonanewfoundation.
Theeducationofyouthhadalwaysbeenoneofhisrulingideas，andIhadanopportunityofobservinghowhewaschangedbytheexerciseofsovereignpowerwhenIreceivedatHamburgthestatutesofthenewelderdaughteroftheEmperoroftheFrench，andcomparedthemwiththeideaswhichBonaparte，whenGeneralandFirstConsul，hadoftenexpressedtomerespectingtheeducationwhichoughttobegivenyouth.Thoughtheswornenemyofeverythinglikeliberty，Bonapartehadatfirstconceivedavastsystemofeducation，comprisingaboveallthestudyofhistory，andthosepositivesciences，suchasgeologyandastronomy，whichgivetheutmostdegreeofdevelopmenttothehumanmind.TheSovereign，however，shrunkfromthefirstideasofthemanofgenius，andhisuniversity，confidedtotheelegantsupplenessofM.deFontaines，wasmerelyaschoolcapableofproducingeducatedsubjectsbutnotenlightenedmen.
BeforetakingcompletepossessionofRome，andmakingitthesecondcityoftheEmpire，thevauntedmoderationofBonapartewasconfinedtodismemberingfromitthelegationsofAncona，Urbino，Macerata，andCamerino，whichweredividedintothreedepartments;andaddedtotheKingdomofItaly.ThepatienceoftheHolySeecouldnolongerholdoutagainstthisactofviolence，andCardinalCaprara，whohadremainedinParissincethecoronation，atlastleftthatcapital.ShortlyafterwardstheGrandDuchiesofParmaandPiacenzawereunitedtotheFrenchEmpire，andannexedtothegovernmentofthedepartmentsbeyondtheAlps.ThesetransactionswerecoincidentwiththeeventsinSpainandBayonnebeforementioned.
AfterthesnarelaidatBayonnetheEmperorenteredParisonthe14thofAugust，theeveofhisbirthday.ScarcelyhadhearrivedinthecapitalwhenheexperiencedfreshanxietyinconsequenceoftheconductofRussia，which，asIhavestated，haddeclaredopenwarwithSweden，anddidnotconcealtheintentionofseizingFinland.ButBonaparte，desirousofactivelycarryingonthewarinSpain，feltthenecessityofremovinghistroopsfromPrussiatothePyrenees.HethenhastenedtheinterviewatErfurt，wherethetwoEmperorsofFranceandRussiahadagreedtomeet.HehopedthatthisinterviewwouldinsurethetranquillityoftheContinent，whileheshouldcompletethesubjectionofSpaintothesceptreofJoseph.ThatPrincehadbeenproclaimedonthe8thofJune;andonthe21stofthesamemonthhemadehisentryintoMadrid，buthavingreceived，tendaysafter，informationofthedisasteratBaylen，hewasobligedtoleavetheSpanishcapital.
——[TheimportantbattleofDaylen，wheretheFrench，underGeneralDupont，werebeatenbytheSpaniards，wasfoughtonthe19thofJuly1808.]——
Bonaparte’swishesmustatthistimehavebeenlimitedtothetranquillityoftheContinent，forthestrugglebetweenhimandEnglandwasmoredesperatethanever.EnglandhadjustsenttroopstoPortugalunderthecommandofSirArthurWellesley.TherewasnolongeranyhopeofareconciliationwithGreatBritain：TheinterviewatErfurthavingbeendeterminedon，theEmperor，whohadreturnedfromBayonnetoParis，againleftthecapitalabouttheendofSeptember，andarrivedatMetzwithoutstopping，exceptforthepurposeofreviewingtheregimentswhichwereechelonedonhisroute，andwhichwereontheirmarchfromtheGrandArmytoSpain.
Ihadheardsometimepreviouslyoftheinterviewwhichwasabouttotakeplace，andwhichwassomemorableinthelifeofNapoleon.ItexcitedsomuchinterestinGermanythattheroadswerecoveredwiththeequipagesofthePrinceswhoweregoingtoErfurttowitnessthemeeting.TheFrenchEmperorarrivedtherebeforeAlexander，andwentforwardthreeleaguestomeethim.Napoleonwasonhorseback，Alexanderinacarriage.
Theyembraced，itissaid，inamannerexpressiveofthemostcordialfriendship.ThisinterviewwaswitnessedbymostofthesovereignPrincesofGermany.However，neithertheKingofPrussianortheEmperorofAustriawaspresent.ThelattersovereignsentalettertoNapoleon，ofwhichIobtainedacopy.Itwasasfollows：
SIRE，MYBROTHER，——MyAmbassadorinParisinformsmethatyourMajestyisabouttoproceedtoErfurttomeettheEmperorAlexander.
IeagerlyseizetheopportunityofyourapproachtomyfrontiertorenewthosetestimonialsoffriendshipandesteemwhichIhavepledgedtoyou;andIsendmyLieutenant—General，BaronVincent，toconveytoyoutheassuranceofmyunalterablesentiments.IfthefalseaccountsthathavebeencirculatedrespectingtheinternalinstitutionswhichIhaveestablishedinmymonarchyshouldforamomenthaveexcitedyourMajesty’sdoubtsastomyintentions，I
fattermyselfthattheexplanationsgivenonthatsubjectbyCountMetternichtoyourMinisterwillhaveentirelyremovedthem.BaronVincentisenabledtoconfirmtoyourMajestyallthathasbeensaidbyCountMetternichonthesubject，andtoaddanyfurtherexplanations，youmaywishfor.IbegthatyourMajestywillgranthimthesamegraciousreceptionheexperiencedatParisandatWarsaw.Therenewedmarksoffavouryoumaybestowonhimwillbeanunequivocalpledgeofthereciprocityofyoursentiments，andwillsealthatconfidencewhichwillrenderoursatisfactionmutual.
DeigntoaccepttheassuranceoftheunalterableaffectionandrespectwithwhichIam，Sire，myBrother，YourimperialandroyalMajesty’sfaithfulbrotherandfriend，（Signed）FRANCIS.
PRESBURG，8thSeptember1808.
Thisletterappearstobeamodelofambiguity，bywhichitisimpossibleNapoleoncouldhavebeenimposedupon.However，asyethehadnosuspicionofthehostilityofAustria，whichspeedilybecamemanifest;
hisgrandobjectthenwastheSpanishbusiness，and，asIhavebeforeobserved，oneofthesecretsofNapoleon’sgeniuswas，thathedidnotapplyhimselftomorethanonethingatatime.
AtErfurtBonaparteattainedtheprincipalobjecthehadpromisedhimselfbythemeeting.AlexanderrecognizedJosephinhisnewcharacterofKingofSpainandtheIndies.IthasbeensaidthatasthepriceofthisrecognitionNapoleonconsentedthatAlexandershouldhaveSwedishFinland;butforthetruthofthisIcannotvouch.However，Irememberthatwhen，aftertheinterviewatErfurt，Alexanderhadgiven—orderstohisambassadortoCharlesIV.tocontinuehisfunctionsunderKingJoseph，theSwedishcharged’affairesatHamburgtoldmethatconfidentiallettersreceivedbyhimfromErfurtledhimtofearthattheEmperorAlexanderhadcommunicatedtoNapoleonhisdesignsonFinland，andthatNapoleonhadgivenhisconsenttotheoccupation.Bethisasitmay，assoonastheinterviewwasoverNapoleonreturnedtoParis，wherehepresidedwithmuchsplendourattheopeningoftheLegislativeBody，andsetoutinthemonthofNovemberforSpain.
CHAPTERXVI.
1808.
TheSpanishtroopsinHamburg——Romana’ssiesta——HisdepartureforFunen——CelebrationofNapoleon’sbirthday——Romana’sdefection——
EnglishagentsandtheDutchtroops——FacilityofcommunicationbetweenEnglandandtheContinent——DelayofcouriersfromRussia——
Alarmandcomplaints——ThepeopleofHamburg——MontesquieuandtheMinisteroftheGrandDukeofTuscany——Invitationsatsixmonths——
Napoleon’sjourneytoItaly——AdoptionofEugene——Lucien’sdaughterandthePrinceoftheAsturias——M.AugustedeStael’sinterviewwithNapoleon.
PrevioustotheinterviewatErfurtaneventtookplacewhichcreatedastronginterestinHamburgandthroughoutEurope，aneventwhichwasplannedandexecutedwithinconceivablesecrecy.IalludetothedefectionoftheMarquisdelaRomans，whichIhavenothithertonoticed，inorderthatImightnotseparatethedifferentfactswhichcametomyknowledgerespectingthatdefectionandthecircumstanceswhichaccompaniedit.
TheMarquisdelaRomanshadcometotheHanseTownsattheheadofanarmycorpsof18，000men，whichtheEmperorintheprecedingcampaignclaimedinvirtueoftreatiespreviouslyconcludedwiththeSpanishGovernment.TheSpanishtroopsatfirstmetwithagoodreceptionintheHanseTowns.Thedifferenceoflanguage，indeed，occasionallycauseddiscord，butwhenbetteracquaintedtheinhabitantsandtheirvisitorsbecamegoodfriends.TheMarquisdelaRomanswasalittleswarthyman，ofunprepossessingandrathercommonappearance;buthehadaconsiderableshareoftalentandinformation.HehadtravelledinalmosteverypartofEurope，andashehadbeenacloseobserverofallhesawhisconversationwasexceedinglyagreeableandinstructive.
DuringhisstayatHamburgGeneralRomansspentalmosteveryeveningatmyhouse，andinvariablyfellasleepoveragameatwhist.MadamedeBourriennewasusuallyhispartner，andIrecollectheperpetuallyofferedapologiesforhisinvoluntarybreachofgoodmanners.This，however，didnothinderhimfrombeingguiltyofthesameoffencethenextevening.Iwillpresentlyexplainthecauseofthisregularsiesta.
OntheKingofSpain’sbirthdaytheMarquisdelaRomansgaveamagnificententertainment.Thedecorationsoftheballroomconsistedofmilitaryemblems.TheMarquisdidthehonourswithinfinitegrace，andpaidparticularattentiontotheFrenchgenerals.HealwaysspokeoftheEmperorinveryrespectfulterms，withoutanyappearanceofaffectation，sothatitwasimpossibletosuspecthimofharbouringdisaffection.Heplayedhisparttothelastwiththeutmostaddress.AtHamburgwehadalreadyreceivedintelligenceofthefatalresultofthebattleoftheSierraMorena，andofthecapitulationofDupont，whichdisgracedhimattheverymomentwhenthewholearmymarkedhimoutasthemanmostlikelynexttoreceivethebatonofMarshalofFrance.
MeanwhiletheMarquisdelaRomansdepartedfortheDanishislandofFunen，incompliancewiththeorderwhichMarshalBernadottehadtransmittedtohim.There，asatHamburg，theSpaniardswerewellliked，fortheirgeneralobligedthemtoobservethestrictestdiscipline.
GreatpreparationsweremadeinHamburgontheapproachofSaintNapoleon’sday，whichwasthencelebratedwithmuchsolemnityineverytowninwhichFrancehadrepresentatives.ThePrincedePonte—CorvowasatTravemunde，asmallseaportnearLubeck，butthatdidnotpreventhimfromgivingdirectionsforthefestivalofthe15thofAugust.TheMarquisdelaRomana，thebettertodeceivetheMarshal，despatchedacourier，requestingpermissiontovisitHamburgonthedayofthefeteinordertojoinhisprayerstothoseoftheFrench，andtoreceive，onthedayofthefete，fromthehandsofthePrince，thegrandorderoftheLegionofHonour，whichhehadsolicited，andwhichNapoleonhadgrantedhim.ThreedaysafterBernadottereceivedintelligenceofthedefectionofdelaRomana.TheMarquishadcontrivedtoassembleagreatnumberofEnglishvesselsonthecoast，andtoescapewithallhistroopsexceptadepotof600menleftatAltona.Weafterwardsheardthatheexperiencednointerruptiononhispassage，andthathelandedwithhistroopsatCorunna.InowknewtowhattoattributethedrowsinesswhichalwaysovercametheMarquisdelaRomanawhenhesatdowntotakeahandatwhist.Thefactwas，hesatupallnightmakingpreparationsfortheescapewhichhehadlongmeditated，whiletolullsuspicionheshowedhimselfeverywhereduringtheday，asusual.
OnthedefectionoftheSpanishtroopsIreceivedlettersfromGovernmentrequiringmetoaugmentmyvigilance，andtoseekoutthosepersonswhomightbesupposedtohavebeenintheconfidenceoftheMarquisdelaRomans.IwasinformedthatEnglishagents，dispersedthroughtheHanseTowns，wereendeavouringtofomentdiscordanddissatisfactionamongtheKingofHolland’stroops.ThesemanoeuvreswereconnectedwiththetreasonoftheSpaniardsandthearrivalofDanicaninDenmark.
Insubordinationhadalreadybrokenout，butitwaspromptlyrepressed.
TwoDutchsoldierswereshotforstrikingtheirofficers，butnotwithstandingthisseveritydesertionamongthetroopsincreasedtoanalarmingdegree.IndefatigableagentsinthepayoftheEnglishGovernmentlabouredincessantlytoseducethesoldiersofKingLouis（ofHolland）fromtheirduty.Someoftheseagentsbeingdenouncedtomeweretakenalmostintheact，andpositiveproofbeingadducedoftheirguilttheywerecondemnedtodeath.
TheseindispensableexamplesofseveritydidnotcheckthemanoeuvresofEngland，thoughtheyservedtocoolthezealofheragents.IusedeveryendeavourtosecondthePrinceofPonte—CorvointracingoutthepersonsemployedbyEngland.ItwaschieflyfromthesmallislandofHeligolandthattheyfoundtheirwaytotheContinent.Thiscommunicationwasfacilitatedbythenumerousvesselsscatteredaboutthesmallislandswhichliealongthatcoast.FiveorsixpiecesofgolddefrayedtheexpenseofthepassagetoorfromHeligoland.ThustheSpanishnews，whichwasprintedandoftenfabricatedatLondon，wasprofuselycirculatedinthenorthofGermany.Packetsofpapersaddressedtomerchantsandwell—knownpersonsintheGermantownswereputintothepost—officesofEmbden，Kuipphausen，Varel，Oldenburg，Delmenhorst，andBremen.Generallyspeaking，thispartofthecoastwasnotsufficientlywellwatchedtopreventespionageandsmuggling;withregardtosmuggling，indeed，nopowercouldhaveentirelypreventedit.TheContinentalsystemhadmadeitanecessity，sothatagreatpartofthepopulationdependedonitforsubsistence.
InthebeginningofDecember1808weremarkedthattheRussiancourierwhopassedthroughKonigsbergandBerlin，wasregularlydetainedfour，five，andevensixhoursonhiswaytoHamburg.Thetradingportionofthepopulation，alwayssuspicious，becamealarmedatthischanceinthecourier’shours，intowhichtheyinquiredandsoondiscoveredthecause.
ItwasascertainedthattwoagentshadbeenstationedbythepostmasteroftheGrandDuchyofBergatHamburg，inavillagecalledEschburgbelongingtotheprovinceofLauenburg.TherethecourierfromBerlinwasstopped，andhispacketsandlettersopened.AssoonasthesefactswereknowninHamburgtherewasageneralconsternationamongthetradingclass—thatistosay，theinfluentialpopulationofthecity.Importantandwell—groundedcomplaintsweremade.Somelettershadbeensuppressed，enclosureshadbeentakenfromoneletterandputintoanother，andseveralbillsofexchangehadgoneastray.TheintelligencesoonreachedtheearsofthePrinceofPonte—Corvo，andwasconfirmedbytheofficialreportofthecommissionerfortheImperialandRoyalPost—
office，whocomplainedofthedelayofthecourier，oftheconfusionofthepackets，andofwantofconfidenceintheImperialPost—office.Itwasimpolitictoplacesuchagentsinavillagewheretherewasnotevenapost—office，andwheretheletterswereopenedinaninnwithoutanysupervision.Thisexaminationoftheletters，sometimes，perhaps，necessary，butoftendangerous，andalwaysextremelydelicate，createdadditionalalarm，onaccountofthepersonstowhomthebusinesswasentrusted.IftheEmperorwishedtobemadeacquaintedwiththecorrespondenceofcertainpersonsinthenorthitwouldhavebeennaturaltoentrustthebusinesstohisagentsandhiscommissioneratHamburg，andnottotwounknownindividuals——anotherinconvenienceattendingblackcabinets.AtmysuggestionthePrinceofPonte—CorvogaveordersforputtingastoptotheclandestinebusinessatEschburg.ThetwoagentsweretakentoHamburgandtheirconductinquiredinto.Theywereseverelypunished.Theydeservedthis，however，lessthanthosewhohadentrustedthemwithsuchanhonourablemission;butleadersnevermakemuchscrupleaboutabandoningtheiraccomplicesinthelowerranks.
Butforthepainofwitnessingvexationsofthissort，whichIhadnotalwayspowertoprevent，especiallyafterBernadotte’sremoval，myresidenceatHamburgwouldhavebeendelightful.ThosewhohavevisitedthattownknowtheadvantagesitpossessesfromitscharmingsituationontheElbe，andaboveall，thedelightfulcountrywhichsurroundsitlikeagarden，andextendstothedistanceofmorethanaleaguealongthebanksoftheEyder.Themannersandcustomsoftheinhabitantsbearthestampofpeculiarity;theyarefondofpursuingtheiroccupationsintheopenair.Theoldmenareoftenseensittingroundtablesplacedbeforetheirdoorssippingtea，whilethechildrenplaybeforethem，andtheyoungpeopleareattheirwork.Thesegroupshaveaverypicturesqueeffect，andconveyagratifyingideaofthehappinessofthepeople.OnseeingtheworthycitizensofHamburgassembledroundtheirdoorsIcouldnothelpthinkingofabeautifulremarkofMontesquieu.WhenhewenttoFlorencewithaletterofrecommendationtothePrimeMinisteroftheGrandDukeofTuscanyhefoundhimsittingatthethresholdofhisdoor，inhalingthefreshairandconversingwithsomefriends.\"Isee，\"saidMontesquieu，\"thatIamarrivedamongahappypeople，sincetheirPrimeMinistercanenjoyhisleisuremomentsthus.\"
AsortofpatriarchalsimplicitycharacterisesthemannersoftheinhabitantsofHamburg.Theydonotvisiteachothermuch，andonlybyinvitation;butonsuchoccasionstheydisplaygreatluxurybeneaththeirsimpleexterior.Theyaremethodicalandpunctualtoanextraordinarydegree.OfthisIrecollectacuriousinstance.IwasveryintimatewithBaronWoght，amanoftalentandinformation，andexceedinglyamiablemanners.OnedayhecalledtomakeusafarewellvisitasheintendedtosetoutonthefollowingdayforParis.OnMadamedeBourrienneexpressingahopethathewouldnotprotracthisabsencebeyondsixmonths，theperiodhehadfixedupon，hereplied，\"Beassured，madame，nothingshallpreventmegettinghomeonthedayIhaveappointed，forIhaveinvitedapartyoffriendstodinewithmeonthedayaftermyreturn.\"TheBaronreturnedattheappointedtime，andnoneofhisguestsrequiredtoberemindedofhisinvitationatsixmonths’
date.
NapoleonsowellknewtheeffectwhichhispresenceproducedthatafteraconquesthelovedtoshowhimselftothepeoplewhoseterritoriesheaddedtotheEmpire.Duroc，whoalwaysaccompaniedhimwhenhewasnotengagedonmissions，gavemeacuriousaccountofNapoleon’sjourneyin1807toVeniceandtheotherItalianprovinces，which，conformablywiththetreatyofPresburg，wereannexedtotheKingdomofItaly.
InthisjourneytotheKingdomofItalyNapoleonhadseveralimportantobjectsinview.Hewasplanninggreatalliances;andheloadedEugenewithfavoursforthepurposeofsoundinghimandpreparinghimforhismother’sdivorce.AtthesametimeheintendedtohaveaninterviewwithhisbrotherLucien，because，wishingtodisposeofthehandofhisbrother’sdaughter，hethoughtofmakinghermarrythePrinceoftheAsturias（Ferdinand），whobeforetheSpanishwar，whenthefirstdissensionsbetweenfatherandsonhadbecomemanifest，hadsolicitedanalliancewiththeEmperorinthehopeofgettinghissupport.ThiswasshortlyaftertheeldestsonofLouishaddiedinHollandofcroup.IthasbeenwronglybelievedthatNapoleonhadanaffectionforthischildbeyondthatofanuncleforanephew.Ihavealreadysaidthetruthaboutthis.
Howeverthismaybe，itiscertainthatNapoleonnowseriouslycontemplatedadivorcefromJosephine.IftherehadbeennootherproofofthisI，whofromlonghabitknewhowtoreadNapoleon’sthoughtsbyhisacts，foundasufficientoneinthedecreeissuedatMilanbywhichNapoleonadoptedEugeneashissonandsuccessortothecrownofItaly，indefaultofmaleandlegitimatechildrendirectlydescendedfromhim.
LucienwenttoMantuaonhisbrother’sinvitation，andthiswasthelastinterviewtheyhadbeforetheCentTours.LucienconsentedtogivehisdaughtertothePrinceoftheAsturias，butthismarriagedidnottakeplace.IlearnedfromDuroctowhataheighttheenmityofLucientowardstheBeauharnaisfamily，anenmitywhichIhaveoftenhadoccasiontospeakof，hadbeenrenewedonthisoccasion.LuciencouldnotpardonJosephinefortherebuffofthecounselswhichhehadgivenher，andwhichshehadrejectedwithsuchproperindignation.LucienhadbesidesanotherspecialreasonforgivinghisdaughtertothePrinceoftheAsturias.HeparticularlywishedtopreventthatPrincemarryingMademoiselledeTascher，thenieceofJosephine，amarriageforwhichM.
deBeauharnais，thenAmbassadorofFranceatMadrid，wasworkingwithallhismight.Lucienalso，withhisRepublicanstolidity，submittedwithouttoomuchscrupletotheideaofhavingaBourbonKingasson—in—law.ItwasalsoduringthisjourneyofNapoleonthatheannexedTuscanytotheEmpire.
BonapartereturnedtoParisonthe1stofJanuary1808.OnhiswayhestoppedforashorttimeatChambery，whereayoungmanhadbeenwaitingforhimseveraldays.ThiswasMadamedeStael’sson，whowasthennotmorethanseventeenyearsofage.M.AugustedeStaellodgedatthehouseofthepostmasterofChambery，andastheEmperorwasexpectedinthecourseofthenight，hegaveordersthatheshouldbecalleduponthearrivalofthefirstcourier.Thecouriers，whohadbeendelayedontheroad，didnotarriveuntilsixinthemorning，andwerealmostimmediatelyfollowedbytheEmperorhimself，sothatM，deStaelwasawakenedbythecriesofVivel’Empereur！Hehadjusttimetodresshimselfhastily，andflytomeetNapoleon，towhomhedeliveredaletter，whichhehadpreparedbeforehandforthepurposeofsolicitinganaudience.Lauriston，theaidedecamponduty，tooktheletter，itbeinghisbusinesstoreceiveallthelettersandpetitionswhichwerepresentedtoNapoleononhisway.BeforebreakfasttheEmperoropenedtheletterswhichLauristonhadlaidonthetable;hemerelylookedatthesignatures，andthenlaidthemaside.OnopeningM.deStael’sletterhesaid，\"Ah！ah！whathavewehere？aletterfromM.deStael！
Hewishestoseeme：Whatcanhewant？CantherebeanythingincommonbetweenmeandtherefugeesofGeneva？\"——
\"Sire，\"observedLauriston，\"heisaveryyoungman;and，aswellasI
couldjudgefromthelittleIsawofhim，thereissomethingveryprepossessinginhisappearance.\"——\"Averyyoungman，sayyou？
Oh，thenIwillseehimRustan，tellhimtocomein.\"
M.deStaelpresentedhimselftoNapoleonwithmodesty，butwithoutanyunbecomingtimidity.WhenhehadrespectfullysalutedtheEmperoraconversationensuedbetweenthem，whichDurocdescribedtomeinnearlythefollowingmanner.
AsM.deStaeladvancedtowardstheEmperorthelattersaid，\"Whencedoyoucome？\"——\"FromGeneva，Sire.\"——\"Whereisyourmother？\"——\"SheiseitherinViennaorwillsoonbethere.\"——\"AtVienna！Well，thatiswheresheoughttobe;andIsupposesheishappyShewillnowhaveagoodopportunityoflearningGerman.\"——\"Sire，howcanyouimaginemymotherishappywhensheisabsentfromhercountryandherfriends？IfIwerepermittedtolaybeforeyourMajestymymother’sconfidentialletteryouwouldseehowunhappysheisinherexile.\"——
\"Ah，bah！yourmotherunhappy，indeed！However，IdonotmeantosaysheisaltogetherabadwomanShehastalent——perhapstoomuch;andhersisanunbridledtalent.ShewaseducatedamidstthechaosofthesubvertedmonarchyandtheRevolution;andoutoftheseeventsshemakesanamalgamationofherown！Allthismightbecomeverydangerous.Herenthusiasmislikelytomakeproselytes.Imustkeepwatchuponher.Shedoesnotlikeme;andfortheinterestsofthosewhomshewouldendangerImustprohibithercomingtoParis.\"
YoungDeStaelstatedthathisobjectinseekingtheinterviewwiththeEmperorwastopetitionforhismother’sreturntoParis.Napoleonhavinglistenedwithoutimpatiencetothereasonsheurgedinsupportofhisrequest，said，\"ButsupposingIweretopermityourmothertoreturntoPairs，sixmonthswouldnotelapsebeforeIshouldbeobligedtosendhertotheBicetreortotheTemple.ThisIshouldbesorrytodo，becausetheaffairwouldmakeanoise，andinjuremeinpublicopinion.
Tellyourmotherthatmydeterminationisformed，thatmydecisionisirrevocable.SheshallneversetfootinParisaslongasIlive.\"——
\"Sire，Icannotbelievethatyouwouldarbitrarilyimprisonmymotherifshegaveyounoreasonforsuchseverity.\"——\"Shewouldgivemeadozen！
Iknowherwell.\"——\"Sire，permitmetosaythatIamcertainmymotherwouldliveinParisinawaythatwouldaffordnogroundofreproach;shewouldliveretired，andwouldseeonlyaveryfewfriends.
InspiteofyourMajesty’srefusalIventuretoentreatthatyouwillgiveheratrial，wereitonlyforsixweeksoramonth.Permither，Sire，topassthattimeinParis，andIconjureyoutocometonofinaldecisionbeforehand.\"——\"DoyouthinkIamtobedeceivedbythesefairpromises？Itellyouitcannotbe.ShewouldserveasarallyingpointfortheFaubourgSt.Germain.Sheseenobody，indeed！
Couldshemakethatsacrifice？Shewouldvisitandreceivecompany.Shewouldbeguiltyofathousandfollies.Shewouldbesayingthingswhichshemayconsiderasverygoodjokes，butwhichIshouldtakeseriously.
Mygovernmentisnojoke：Iwishthistobewellknownbyeverybody.\"——
\"Sire，willyourMajestypermitmetorepeatthatmymotherhasnowishwhatevertomingleinsociety？Shewouldconfineherselftothecircleofafewfriends，alistofwhomshewouldgivetoyourMajesty.You，Sire，wholoveFrancesowell，mayformsomeideaofthemiserymymothersuffersinherbanishment.IconjureyourMajestytoyieldtomyentreaties，andletusbeincludedinthenumberofyourfaithfulsubjects.\"——\"You！\"——\"Yes，Sire;orifyourMajestypersistinyourrefusal，permitasontoinquirewhatcanhaveraisedyourdispleasureagainsthismother.Somesaythatitwasmygrandfather’slastwork;butIcanassureyourMajestythatmymotherhadnothingtodowiththat.\"——
\"Yes，certainly，\"addedNapoleon，withmoreill—humourthanhehadhithertomanifested.\"Yes，certainly，thatworkisveryobjectionable.
Yourgrandfatherwasanideologist，afool，anoldlunatic.Atsixtyyearsofagetothinkofformingplanstooverthrowmyconstitution！
Stateswouldbewellgoverned，truly，undersuchtheorists，whojudgeofmenfrombooksandtheworldfromthemap.\"——\"Sire，sincemygrandfather’splansare，inyourMajesty’seyes，nothingbutvaintheories，Icannotconceivewhytheyshouldsohighlyexciteyourdispleasure.Thereisnopoliticaleconomistwhohasnottracedoutplansofconstitutions.\"——\"Oh！astopoliticaleconomists，theyaremere—
visionaries，whoaredreamingofplansoffinancewhiletheyareunfittofulfilthedutiesofaschoolmasterinthemostinsignificantvillageintheEmpire.Yourgrandfather’sworkisthatofanobstinateoldmanwhodiedabusingallgovernments.\"——\"Sire，mayIpresumetosuppose，fromthewayinwhichyouspeakofit，thatyourMajestyjudgesfromthereportofmalignantpersons，andthatyouhavenotyourselfreadit.\"
\"Thatisamistake.Ihavereaditmyselffrombeginningtoend.\"——
\"ThenyourMajestymusthaveseenhowmygrandfatherrendersjusticetoyourgenius.\"——\"Finejustice，truly！Hecallsmetheindispensableman，but，judgingfromhisarguments，thebestthingthatcouldbedonewouldbetocutmythroat！Yes，Iwasindeedindispensabletorepairthefolliesofyourgrandfather，andthemischiefhedidtoFrance.ItwashewhooverturnedthemonarchyandledLouisXVI.tothescaffold.\"——\"Sire，youseemtoforgetthatmygrandfather’spropertywasconfiscatedbecausehedefendedtheKing.\"——\"DefendedtheKing！Afinedefence，truly！YoumightaswellsaythatifIgiveamanpoisonandpresenthimwithanantidotewhenheisintheagoniesofdeathIwishtosavehim！YetthatisthewayyourgrandfatherdefendedLouisXVI
Astotheconfiscationyouspeakof，whatdoesthatprove？Nothing.
Why，thepropertyofRobespierrewasconfiscated！AndletmetellyouthatRobespierrehimself，Marat，andDantondidmuchlessmischieftoFrancethanM.Necker.ItwashewhobroughtabouttheRevolution.You，MonsieurdeStael，didnotseethis;butIdid.Iwitnessedallthatpassedinthosedaysofterrorandpubliccalamity.ButaslongasI
livethosedaysshallneverreturn.YourspeculatorstracetheirUtopianschemesuponpaper;foolsreadandbelievethem.Allarebabblingaboutgeneralhappiness，andpresentlythepeoplehavenotbreadtoeat;thencomesarevolution.Suchisusuallythefruitofallthesefinetheories！YourgrandfatherwasthecauseofthesaturnaliawhichdesolatedFrance.HeisresponsibleforallthebloodshedintheRevolution！\"
DurocinformedmethattheEmperorutteredtheselastwordsinatoneoffurywhichmadeallpresenttrembleforyoungDeStael.Fortunatelytheyoungmandidnotlosehisself—possessionintheconflict，whiletheagitatedexpressionofhiscountenanceevidentlyshowedwhatwaspassinginhismind.HewassufficientlymasterofhimselftoreplytotheEmperorinacalmthoughratherfalteringvoice：\"Sire，permitmetohopethatposteritywilljudgeofmygrandfathermorefavourablythanyourMajestydoes.DuringhisadministrationhewasrankedbythesideofSullyandColbert;andletmerepeatagainthatItrustposteritywillrenderhimjustice.\"——\"Posteritywill，probably，saylittleabouthim.\"——
\"Iventuretohopethecontrary，Sire.\"
Then，addedDuroc，theEmperorturningtoussaidwithasmile，\"Afterall，gentlemen，itisnotformetosaytoomuchagainsttheRevolutionsinceIhavegainedathronebyit.\"ThenagainturningtoM.deStaelhesaid，\"Thereignofanarchyisatauend.Imusthavesubordination.
Respectthesovereignauthority，sinceitcomesfromGod.Youareyoung，andwelleducated，therefore;followabettercourse，andavoidthosebadprincipleswhichendangerthewelfareofsociety.\"——\"Sire，sinceyourMajestydoesmethehonourtothinkmewelleducated，yououghtnottocondemntheprinciplesofmygrandfatherandmymother，foritisinthoseprinciplesthatIhavebeenbroughtup.\"——\"Well，Iadviseyoutokeeprightinpolitics，forIwillnotpardonanyoffencesoftheNeckerkind.Everyoneshouldkeeprightinpolitics.\"
Thisconversation，Durocinformedme，hadcontinuedthewholetimeofbreakfast，andtheEmperorrosejustashepronouncedtheselastwords：
\"Everyoneshouldkeeprightinpolitics.\"AtthatmomentyoungDeStaelagainrenewedhissolicitationsforhismother’srecallfromexile.
Bonapartethensteppeduptohimandpinchedhisearwiththatairoffamiliaritywhichwascustomarytohimwhenhewasingoodhumourorwishedtoappearso.
\"Youareyoung，\"saidhe;\"ifyouhadmyageandexperienceyouwouldjudgeofthingsmorecorrectly.Iamfarfrombeingdispleasedwithyourfrankness.Iliketoseeasonpleadhismother’scause.Yourmotherhasgivenyouadifficultcommission，andyouhaveexecuteditcleverly.
IamgladIhavehadthisopportunityofconversingwithyou.Ilovetotalkwithyoungpeoplewhentheyareunassumingandnottoofondofarguing.ButinspiteofthatIwillnotholdoutfalsehopestoyou.
Murathasalreadyspokentomeonthesubject，andIhavetoldhim，asI
nowtellyou，thatmywillisirrevocable.IfyourmotherwereinprisonIshouldnothesitatetoliberateher，butnothingshallinducemetorecallherfromexile.\"——\"But，Sire，isshenotasunhappyinbeingbanishedfromhercountryandherfriendsasifshewereinprison？\"——
\"Oh！theseareyourmother’sromanticideas.Sheisexceedinglyunhappy，andmuchtobepitied，nodoubt！WiththeexceptionofParisshehasallEuropeforherprison.\"——\"But，Sire，herfriendsareinParis.\"——\"Withhertalentsshemaymakefriendsanywhere.Afterall，I
cannotunderstandwhysheshouldbesoanxioustocometoParis.Whyshouldshewishtoplaceherselfimmediatelywithinthereachofmytyranny？CanshenotgotoRome，toBerlin，toVienna，toMilan，ortoLondon？Yes，lethergotoLondon;thatistheplaceforher.Thereshemaylibelmeasmuchasshepleases.Inshort，shehasmyfulllibertytobeanywherebutinParis.Yousee，MonsieurdeStael，thatistheplaceofmyresidence，andthereIwillhaveonlythosewhoareattachedtome.IknowfromexperiencethatifIweretoallowyourmothertocometoParisshewouldspoileverybodyaboutme.ShewouldfinishthespoilingofGarat.ItwasshewhoruinedtheTribunate.Iknowshewouldpromisewonders;butshecannotrefrainfrommeddlingwithpolitics.\"——\"IcanassureyourMajestythatmymotherdoesnotnowconcernherselfaboutpolitics.Shedevotesherselfexclusivelytothesocietyofherfriendsandtoliterature.\"——\"Ah，thereitis！
Literature！DoyouthinkIamtobeimposeduponbythatword？Whilediscoursingonliterature，morals，thefinearts，andsuchmatters，itiseasytodabbleinpolitics.Letwomenmindtheirknitting.IfyourmotherwereinParisIshouldhearallsortsofreportsabouther.
Thingsmight，indeed，befalselyattributedtoher;but，bethatasitmay，IwillhavenothingofthekindgoingoninthecapitalinwhichI
reside.Allthingsconsidered，adviseyourmothertogotoLondon.Thatisthebestplaceforher.Asforyourgrandfather，Ihavenotspokentooseverelyofhim.M.Neckerknewnothingoftheartofgovernment.
Ihavelearnedsomethingofthematterduringthelasttwentyyears.
\"Alltheworld，Sire，rendersjusticetoyourMajesty’sgenius，andthereisnoonebutacknowledgesthatthefinancesofFrancearenowmoreprosperousthanevertheywerebeforeyourreign.ButpermitmetoobservethatyourMajestymust，doubtless，haveseensomemeritinthefinancialregulationsofmygrandfather，sinceyouhaveadoptedsomeofthemintheadmirablesystemyouhaveestablished.\"——\"Thatprovesnothing;fortwoorthreegoodideasdonotconstituteagoodsystem.
Bethatasitmay，Isayagain，IwillneverallowyourmothertoreturntoParis.\"——\"But，Sire，ifsacredinterestsshouldabsolutelyrequireherpresencethereforafewdayswouldnot——\"——\"How！Sacredinterests！
Whatdoyoumean？\"——\"Yes，Sire，ifyoudonotallowhertoreturnIshallbeobligedtogothere，unaidedbyheradvice，inordertorecoverfromyourMajesty’sGovernmentthepaymentofasacreddebt.\"——\"Ah！bah！
Sacred！ArenotallthedebtsoftheStatesacred？\"——\"Doubtless，Sire;
butoursisattendedwithcircumstanceswhichgiveitapeculiarcharacter.\"——\"Apeculiarcharacter！Nonsense！DoesnoteveryStatecreditorsaythesameofhisdebt？Besides，Iknownothingofyourclaim.Itdoesnotconcernme，andIwillnotmeddlewithit.Ifyouhavethelawonyoursidesomuchthebetter;butifyouwantfavourI
tellyouIwillnotinterfere.IfIdid，Ishouldberatheragainstyouthanotherwise.\"——\"Sire，mybrotherandmyselfhadintendedtosettleinFrance，buthowcanweliveinacountrywhereourmothercannotvisitus？\"——\"Idonotcareforthat.Idonotadviseyoutocomehere.GotoEngland.TheEnglishlikewranglingpoliticians.Gothere，forinFrance，Itellyoucandidly，thatIshouldberatheragainstyouthanforyou.\"
\"Afterthisconversation，\"addedDuroc，\"theEmperorgotintothecarriagewithmewithoutstoppingtolooktotheotherpetitionswhichhadbeenpresentedtohim.Hepreservedunbrokensilenceuntilhegotnearlyoppositethecascade，ontheleftoftheroad，afewleaguesfromChambery.Heappearedtobeabsorbedinreflection.Atlengthhesaid，’IfearIhavebeensomewhattooharshwiththisyoungman
Butnomatter，itwillpreventothersfromtroublingme.ThesepeoplecalumniateeverythingIdo.Theydonotunderstandme，Duroc;theirplaceisnotinFrance.HowcanNecker’sfamilybefortheBourbons，whosefirstduty，ifevertheyreturnedtoFrance，wouldbetohangthemall.’\"
Thisconversation，relatedtomebyDuroc，interestedmesomuchthatI
noteditdownonpaperimmediatelyaftermyinterview.
CHARXVII.
1808.
TheRepublicofBatavia——ThecrownofHollandofferedtoLouis——
OfferandrefusalofthecrownofSpain——Napoleon’sattempttogetpossessionofBrabant——NapoleonbeforeandafterErfart——
AremarkablelettertoLouis——LouissummonedtoParis——Hishonestyandcourage——Hisboldlanguage——Louis’returntoHolland，andhislettertoNapoleon——HarshletterfromNapoleontoLouis——AffrayatAmsterdam——Napoleon’sdispleasureandlastlettertohisbrother——
Louis’abdicationinfavourofhisson——UnionofHollandtotheFrenchEmpire——ProtestofLouisagainstthatmeasure——LetterfromM.
OttotoLouis.
WhenBonapartewasthechiefoftheFrenchRepublichehadnoobjectiontotheexistenceofaBatavianRepublicinthenorthofFrance，andheequallytoleratedtheCisalpineRepublicinthesouth.ButafterthecoronationalltheRepublics，whichweregroupedlikesatellitesroundthegrandRepublic，wereconvertedintokingdomssubjecttotheEmpire，ifnotavowedly，atleastinfact.InthisrespecttherewasnodifferencebetweentheBatavianandCisalpineRepublics.ThelatterhavingbeenmetamorphosedintotheKingdomofItaly，itwasnecessarytofindsomepretextfortransformingtheformerintotheKingdomofHolland.ThegovernmentoftheRepublicofBataviahadbeenforsometimepastmerelytheshadowofagovernment，butstillitpreserved，eveninitssubmissiontoFrance，thoseinternalformsoffreedomwhichconsoleanationforthelossofindependence.TheEmperorkeptupsuchanextensiveagencyinHollandthatheeasilygotupadeputationsolicitinghimtochooseakingfortheBatavianRepublic.ThissubmissivedeputationcametoParisin1806tosolicittheEmperor，asafavour，toplacePrinceLouisonthethroneofHolland.Theaddressofthedeputation，theanswerofNapoleon，andthespeechofLouisonbeingraisedtothesovereigndignity，haveallbeenpublished.
LouisbecameKingofHollandmuchagainsthisinclination，forheopposedthepropositionasmuchashedared，allegingasanobjectionthestateofhishealth，towhichcertainlytheclimateofHollandwasnotfavourable;butBonapartesternlyrepliedtohisremonstrance，\"Itisbettertodieakingthanliveaprince.\"Hewasthenobligedtoacceptthecrown.HewenttoHollandaccompaniedbyHortense，who，however，didmotstaylongthere.ThenewKingwantedtomakehimselfbelovedbyhissubjects，andastheywereanentirelycommercialpeoplethebestwaytowintheiraffectionswasnottoadoptNapoleon’srigidlawsagainstcommercialintercoursewithEngland.Hencethefirstcoolnessbetweenthetwobrothers，whichendedintheabdicationofLouis.
IknownotwhetherNapoleonrecollectedthemotiveassignedbyLouisforatfirstrefusingthecrownofHolland，namely，theclimateofthecountry，orwhetherhecalculatedupongreatersubmissioninanotherofhisbrothers;butthisiscertain，thatJosephwasnotcalledfromthethroneofNaplestothethroneofSpainuntilaftertherefusalofLouis.
IhaveinmypossessionacopyofaletterwrittentohimbyNapoleononthesubject.Itiswithoutdateoftimeorplace，butitscontentsproveittohavebeenwritteninMarchorApril1808.Itisasfollows：——
BROTHER：——TheKingofSpain，CharlesIV.，hasjustabdicated.TheSpanishpeopleloudlyappealtome.CertainofobtainingnosolidpeacewithEnglandunlessIcauseagreatmovementontheContinent，IhavedeterminedtoplaceaFrenchKingonthethroneofSpain.
TheclimateofHollanddoesnotagreewithyou;besides，Hollandcannotrisefromherrains.Inthewhirlwindofevents，whetherwehavepeaceornot，thereisnopossibilityofhermaintainingherself.InthisstateofthingsIhavethoughtofthethroneofSpainforyou.Givemeyouropinionscategoricallyonthismeasure.
IfIweretonameyouKingofSpainwouldyouaccepttheoffer？MayIcountonyou？Answermethesetwoquestions.Say，\"Ihavereceivedyourletterofsuchaday，IanswerYes，\"andthenIshallcountonyourdoingwhatIwish;orsay\"No\"ifyoudeclinemyproposal.Letnooneenterintoyourconfidence，andmentiontonoonetheobjectofthisletter.Thethingmustbedonebeforeweconfesshavingthoughtaboutit.
（signed）NAPOLEON.
BeforefinallyseizingHollandNapoleonformedtheprojectofseparatingBrabantandZealandfromitinexchangeforotherprovinces，thepossessionofwhichwasdoubtful，butLouissuccessfullyresistedthisfirstactofusurpation.Bonapartewas，toointentonthegreatbusinessinSpaintoriskanycommotioninthenorth，wherethedeclarationofRussiaagainstSwedenalreadysufficientlyoccupiedhim.Hethereforedidnotinsistupon，andevenaffectedindifferenceto，theproposedaugmentationoftheterritoryoftheEmpire.Thisatleastmaybecollectedfromanotherletter，datedSt.Cloud，17thAugust，writtenuponhearingfromM.AlexandredelaRochefoucauld，hisAmbassadorinHolland，andfromhisbrotherhimself，theoppositionofLouistohisproject.
Theletterwasasfollows：——
BROTHER——IhavereceivedyourletterrelatingtothatoftheSieurdelaRochefoucauld.Hewasonlyauthorisedtomaketheproposalsindirectly.Sincetheexchangedoesnotpleaseyou，letusthinknomoreaboutit.Itwasuselesstomakeaparadeofprinciples，thoughIneversaidthatyououghtnottoconsultthenation.Thewell—informedpartoftheDutchpeoplehadalreadyacknowledgedtheirindifferencetothelossofBrabant，whichisconnectedwithFranceratherthanwithHolland，andinterspersedwithexpensivefortresses;itmighthavebeenadvantageouslyexchangedforthenorthernprovinces.But，onceforall，sinceyoudonotlikethisarrangement，letnomorebesaidaboutit.Itwasuselesseventomentionittome，fortheSieurdelaRochefoucauldwasinstructedmerelytohintthematter.
Thoughill—humourhereevidentlypeepsoutbeneathaffectedcondescension，yetthetoneofthisletterissingularlymoderate，——Imayevensaykind，incomparisonwithotherletterswhichNapoleonaddressedtoLouis.Thisletter，itistrue，waswrittenpreviouslytotheinterviewatErfurt，whenNapoleon，toavoidalarmingRussia，madehisambitionappeartoslumber.ButwhenhegothisbrotherJosephrecognised，andwhenhehadhimselfstruckanimportantblowinthePeninsula，hebegantochangehistonetoLouis.Onthe20thofDecemberhewroteaveryremarkableletter，whichexhibitstheunreservedexpressionofthattyrannywhichhewishedtoexerciseoverallhisfamilyinordertomakethemtheinstrumentsofhisdespotism.HereproachedLouisfornotfollowinghissystemofpolicy，tellinghimthathehadforgottenhewasaFrenchman，andthathewishedtobecomeaDutchman.Amongotherthingshesaid：
YourMajestyhasdonemore：youtookadvantageofthemomentwhenI
wasinvolvedintheaffairsoftheContinenttorenewtherelationsbetweenHollandandEngland——toviolatethelawsoftheblockade，whicharetheonlymeansofeffectuallydestroyingthelatterpower.
IexpressedmydissatisfactionbyforbiddingyoutocometoFrance，andIhavemadeyoufeelthatevenwithouttheassistanceofmyarmies，bymerelyclosingtheRhine，theWeser，theScheldt，andtheMeuseagainstHolland，IshouldhaveplacedherinasituationmorecriticalthanifIhaddeclaredwaragainsther.YourMajestyimploredmygenerosity，appealedtomyfeelingsasbrother，andpromisedtoalteryourconduct.Ithoughtthiswarningwouldbesufficient.Iraisedmycustom—houseprohibitions，butyourMajestyhasreturnedtoyouroldsystem.
YourMajestyreceivedalltheAmericanshipsthatpresentedthemselvesintheportsofHollandafterhavingbeenexpelledfromthoseofFrance.IhavebeenobligedasecondtimetoprohibittradewithHolland.Inthisstateofthingswemayconsiderourselvesreallyatwar.InmyspeechtotheLegislativeBodyI
manifestedmydispleasure;forIwillnotconcealfromyouthatmyintentionistouniteHollandwithFrance.ThiswillbethemostsevereblowIcanaimagainstEngland，andwilldelivermefromtheperpetualinsultswhichtheplottersofyourCabinetareconstantlydirectingagainstme.ThemouthsoftheRhineandoftheMeuseought，indeed，tobelongtome.Theprinciplethatthe’Thalweg’
（towing—path）oftheRhineistheboundaryofFranceisafundamentalprinciple.YourMajestywritestomeonthe17ththatyouaresureofbeingabletopreventalltradebetweenHollandandEngland.IamofopinionthatyourMajestypromisesmorethanyoucanfulfil.Ishall，however，removemycustom—houseprohibitionswhenevertheexistingtreatiesmaybeexecuted.Thefollowingaremyconditions：——First，TheinterdictionofalltradeandcommunicationwithEngland.Second，Thesupplyofafleetoffourteensail—oftheline，sevenfrigatesandsevenbrigsorcorvettes，armedandmanned.Third，Anarmyof25，000men.Fourth，Thesuppressionoftherankofmarshals.Fifth，TheabolitionofalltheprivilegesofnobilitywhicharecontrarytotheconstitutionwhichIhavegivenandguaranteed.YourMajestymaynegotiateonthesebaseswiththeDuedeCadore，throughthemediumofyourMinister;butbeassuredthatontheentranceofthefirstpacketboatintoHollandIwillrestoremyprohibitions，andthatthefirstDutchofficerwhomaypresumetoinsultmyflagshallbeseized，andhangedatthemainyard.YourMajestywillfindinmeabrotherifyouproveyourselfaFrenchman;butifyonforgetthesentimentswhichattachyoutoourcommoncountryyoucannotthinkitextraordinarythatIshouldlosesightofthosewhichnaturecreatedbetweenus.Inshort，theunionofHollandandFrancewillbeofallthings，mostusefultoFrance，toHolland，andthewholeContinent，becauseitwillbemostinjurioustoEngland.Thisunionmustbeeffectedwillinglyorbyforce.Hollandhasgivenmesufficientreasontodeclarewaragainsther.However，IshallnotscrupletoconsenttoanarrangementwhichwillsecuretomethelimitoftheRhine，andbywhichHollandwillpledgeherselftofulfiltheconditionsstipulatedabove.
——[MuchofthemannerinwhichNapoleontreatedoccupiedcountriessuchasHollandisexplainedbythespiritofhisanswerwhenBeugnotcomplainedtohimoftheharmdonetotheGrandDuchyofBergbythemonopolyoftobacco.\"ItisextraordinarythatyoushouldnothavediscoveredthemotivethatmakesmepersistintheestablishmentofthemonopolyoftobaccointheGrandDuchy.ThequestionisnotaboutyourGrandDuchybutaboutFrance.Iamverywellawarethatitisnottoyourbenefit，andthatyouverypossiblylosebyit，butwhatdoesthatsignifyifitbeforthegoodofFrance？Itellyou，then，thatineverycountrywherethereisamonopolyoftobacco，butwhichiscontiguoustoonewherethesaleisfree，aregularsmugglinginfiltrationmustbereckonedon，supplyingtheconsumptionfortwentyortwenty—fivemilesintothecountrysubjecttotheduty.ThatiswhatIintendtopreserveFrancefrom.Youmustprotectyourselvesaswellasyoncanfromthisinfiltration.Itisenoughformetodriveitbackmorethantwentyortwenty—fivemitesfrommyfrontier（Beugnot，vol.ii.p.26）.]——
Herethecorrespondencebetweenthetwobrotherswassuspendedforatime;butLouisstillcontinuedexposedtonewvexationsonthepartofNapoleon.Abouttheendof1809theEmperorsummonedallthesovereignswhomightbecalledhisvassalstoParis.AmongthenumberwasLouis，who，however，didnotshowhimselfverywillingtoquithisStates.HecalledacouncilofhisMinisters，whowereofopinionthatfortheinterestofHollandheoughttomakethisnewsacrifice.Hedidsowithresignation.Indeed，everydaypassedonthethronewasasacrificemadebyLouis.
HelivedveryquietlyinParis，andwascloselywatchedbythepolice，foritwassupposedthatashehadcomeagainsthiswillhewouldnotprotracthisstaysolongasNapoleonwished.Thesystemofespionageunderwhichhefoundhimselfplaced，addedtotheothercircumstancesofhissituation，inspiredhimwithadegreeofenergyofwhichhewasnotbelievedtobecapable;andamidstthegeneralsilenceoftheservantsoftheEmpire，andevenoftheKingsandPrincesassembledinthecapital，heventuredtosay，\"Ihavebeendeceivedbypromiseswhichwereneverintendedtobekept.HollandistiredofbeingthesportofFrance：TheEmperor，whowasunusedtosuchlanguageasthis，washighlyincensedatit.LouishadnownoalternativebuttoyieldtotheincessantexactionsofNapoleonortoseeHollandunitedtoFrance.Hechosethelatter，thoughnotbeforehehadexertedallhisfeeblepowerinbehalfofthesubjectswhomNapoleonhadconsignedtohim;buthewouldnotbetheaccompliceofthemanwhohadresolvedtomakethosesubjectsthevictimsofhishatredagainstEngland.Who，indeed，couldbesoblindasnottoseethattheruinoftheContinentwouldbethetriumphofBritishcommerce？
Louiswas，however，permittedtoreturntohisStatestocontemplatethestagnatingeffectoftheContinentalblockadeoneverybranchoftradeandindustryformerlysoactiveinHolland.Distressedatwitnessingevilstowhichhecouldapplynoremedy，heendeavouredbysomeprudentremonstrancestoaverttheutter，ruinwithwhichHollandwasthreatened.
Onthe23dofMarch1810hewrotethefollowinglettertoNapoleon：——
IfyouwishtoconsolidatethepresentstateofFrance，toobtainmaritimepeace，ortoattackEnglandwithadvantage，thoseobjectsarenottobeobtainedbymeasuresliketheblockadingsystem，thedestructionofakingdomraisedbyyourself，ortheenfeeblingofyourallies，andsettingatdefiancetheirmostsacredrightsandthefirstprinciplesofthelawofnations.Yonshould，onthecontrary，wintheiraffectionsforFrance，andconsolidateandreinforceyourallies，makingthemlikeyourbrothers，inwhomyoumayplaceconfidence.ThedestructionofHolland，farfrombeingthemeansofassailingEngland，willserveonlytoincreaseherstrength，byalltheindustryandwealthwhichwillflytoherforrefuge.Thereare，inreality，onlythreewaysofassailingEngland，namely，bydetachingIreland，gettingpossessionoftheEastIndies，orbyinvasion.Thesetwolattermodes，whichwouldbethemosteffectual，cannotbeexecutedwithoutnavalforce.ButI
amastonishedthatthefirstshouldhavebeensoeasilyrelinquished.Thatisamoresecuremodeofobtainingpeaceongoodconditionsthanthesystemofinjuringourselvesforthesakeofcommittingagreaterinjuryupontheenemy.
（Signed）LOUIS.
WrittenremonstranceswerenomoretoNapoleon’stastethanverbalonesatatimewhen，asIwasinformedbymyfriendswhomfortunechainedtohisdestiny，noonepresumedtoaddressawordtohimexceptinanswertohisquestions.Cambaceres，whoalonehadretainedthatprivilegeinpublicashisoldcolleagueintheConsulate，lostitafterNapoleon’smarriagewiththedaughterofImperialAustria.Hisbrother’sletterhighlyrousedhisdispleasure.Twomonthsafterhereceivedit，beingonajourneyinthenorth，herepliedfromOstendbyaletterwhichcannotbereadwithoutafeelingofpain，sinceitservestoshowhowweakarethemostsacredtiesofbloodincomparisonwiththeinterestsofaninsatiablepolicy.Thisletterwasasfollows：
BROTHER——Inthesituationinwhichweareplaceditisbesttospeakcandidly.Iknowyoursecretsentiments，andallthatyoucansaytothecontrarycanavailnothing.Hollandiscertainlyinamelancholysituation.Ibelieveyouareanxioustoextricateherfromherdifficulties：itisyou;andyoualone，whocandothis.
WhenyouconductyourselfinsuchawayastoinducethepeopleofHollandtobelievethatyouactundermyinfluence，thatallyourmeasuresandallyoursentimentsareconformablewithmine，thenyouwillbeloved，youwillbeesteemed，andyouwillacquirethepowerrequisiteforre—establishingHolland：whentobemyfriend，andthefriendofFrance，shallbecomeatitleoffavouratyourcourt，Hollandwillbeinhernaturalsituation.SinceyourreturnfromParisyouhavedonenothingtoeffectthisobject.Whatwillbetheresultofyourconduct？Yoursubjects，bandiedaboutbetweenFranceandEngland，willthrowthemselvesintothearmsofFrance，andwilldemandtobeunitedtoher.Youknowmycharacter，whichistopursuemyobjectunimpededbyanyconsideration.What，therefore，doyouexpectmetodo？IcandispensewithHolland，butHollandcannotdispensewithmyprotection.If，underthedominionofoneofmybrothers，butlookingtomealoneforherwelfare，shedoesnotfindinhersovereignmyimage，allconfidenceinyourgovernmentisatanend;yoursceptreisbroken.LoveFrance，lovemyglory——thatistheonlywaytoserveHolland：ifyouhadactedasyououghttohavedonethatcountry，havingbecomingapartofmyEmpire，wouldhavebeenthemoredeartomesinceIhadgivenherasovereignwhomIalmostregardedasmyson.InplacingyouonthethroneofHollandIthoughtIhadplacedaFrenchcitizenthere.