M.deChampagny，havingleftBloiswiththeletterhehadreceivedfromtheEmpress，proceededtotheheadquartersoftheEmperorofAustria，carefullyavoidingthoseroadswhichwereoccupiedbyCossacktroops.
Hearrived，notwithoutconsiderabledifficulty，atChanseaux，whereFrancesII.wasexpected.WhentheEmperorarrivedtheDucdeCadorewasannounced，andimmediatelyintroducedtohisMajesty.TheDukeremainedsomehourswithFrancisII.，withoutbeingabletoobtainfromhimanythingbutfairprotestations.TheEmperoralwaystookrefugebehindthepromisehehadgiventohisAlliestoapprovewhatevermeasurestheymightadopt.TheDukewasnottoleavetheEmperor’sheadquartersthatevening，and，inthehopethathisMajestymightyetreflectonthecriticalsituationofhisdaughter，heaskedpermissiontotakeleavenextmorning.HeaccordinglypresentedhimselftotheEmperor’slevee，whenherenewedhiseffortsinsupportoftheclaimsofMariaLouisa.\"Ihaveagreataffectionformydaughter，andalsoformyson—inlaw，\"saidtheEmperor.\"Ibearthembothinmyheart，andwouldshedmybloodforthem\"——\"Ah，Sire！\"exclaimedM.deChampagny，\"suchasacrificeisnotnecessary.\"——\"Yes，Duke，IsayagainIwouldshedmyblood，Iwouldresignmylifeforthem，butIhavegivenmyAlliesapromisenottotreatwithoutthem，andtoapproveallthattheymaydo.
Besides，\"addedtheEmperor，\"myMinister，M.deMetternich，hasgonetotheirheadquarters，andIwillratifywhateverhemaysign.\"
WhentheDucdeCadorerelatedtometheparticularsofhismission，inwhichzealcouldnotworkanimpossibility，IremarkedthatheregardedasacircumstancefataltoNapoleontheabsenceofM.deMetternichandthepresenceofM.StadionattheheadquartersoftheEmperorofAustria.
Thoughinallprobabilitynothingcouldhavearrestedthecourseofevents，yetitiscertainthatthepersonalsentimentsofthetwoAustrianMinisterstowardsNapoleonwerewidelydifferent.IamnotgoingtoofarwhenIaffirmthat，policyapart，M.deMetternichwasmuchattachedtoNapoleon.InsupportofthisassertionImayquoteafactofwhichIcanguaranteetheauthenticity：
WhenM.deMetternichwascomplimentedontheoccasionofMariaLouisa’smarriagehereplied，\"Tohavecontributedtoameasurewhichhasreceivedtheapprobationof80，000，000menisindeedajustsubjectofcongratulation.\"SucharemarkopenlymadebytheintelligentMinisteroftheCabinetofViennawaswellcalculatedtogratifytheearsofNapoleon，fromwhom，however，M.deMetternichinhispersonalrelationsdidnotconcealthetruth.IrecollectareplywhichwasmadebyM.deMetternichatDresdenafteralittlehesitation.\"Astoyou，\"saidtheEmperor，\"youwillnotgotowarwithme.Itisimpossiblethatyoucandeclareyourselfagainstme.Thatcanneverbe.\"——\"Sire，wearenotnowquiteallies，andsometimehencewemaybecomeenemies.\"ThishintwasthelastwhichNapoleonreceivedfromMetternich，andNapoleonmusthavebeenblindindeednottohaveprofitedbyit.AstoM.Stadion，heentertainedaprofounddislikeoftheEmperor.ThatMinisterknewandcouldnotforgetthathisprecedingexclusionfromtheCabinetofViennahadbeenduetotheall—powerfulinfluenceofNapoleon.
WhetherornottheabsenceofMetternichinfluencedtheresolutionofFrancisII.，itiscertainthatthatmonarchyieldednothingtotheurgentsolicitationsofaMinisterwhoconscientiouslyfulfilledthedelicatemissionconsignedtohim.M.deChampagnyrejoinedtheEmpressatOrleans，whithershehadrepairedonleavingBlois.HefoundMariaLouisaalmostdeserted，alltheGrandDignitariesoftheEmpirehavingsuccessivelyreturnedtoParisaftersendingintheirsubmissionstotheProvisionalGovernment.
IhadscarcelyenteredupontheexerciseofmyfunctionsasPostmaster—
Generalwhen，onthemorningofthe2dofApril，IwassurprisedtoseeaPrussiangeneralofficerentermycabinet.IimmediatelyrecognisedhimasGeneralBlucher.HehadcommandedthePrussianarmyinthebattlewhichtookplaceatthegatesofParis.\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"IconsideritoneofmyfirstdutiesonenteringParistothankyoufortheattentionI
receivedfromyouinHamburg.IamsorrythatIwasnotsoonerawareofyourbeinginPains.IassureyouthathadIbeensoonerinformedofthiscircumstancethecapitulationshouldhavebeenmadewithoutablowbeingstruck.Howmuchbloodmightthenhavebeenspared！\"——\"General，\"
saidI，\"onwhatdoyougroundthisassurance？\"——\"IfIhadknownthatyouwereinParisIwouldhavegivenyoualettertotheKingofPrussia.
Thatmonarch，whoknowstheresourcesandintentionsoftheAllies，would，Iamsure，haveauthorisedyoutodecideasuspensionofarmsbeforetheneighbourhoodofParisbecamethetheatreofthewar.\"——
\"But，\"resumedI，\"inspiteofthegoodintentionsoftheAllies，itwouldhavebeenverydifficulttopreventresistance.Frenchpride，irritatedasitwasbyreverses，wouldhaveopposedinsurmountableobstaclestosuchameasure.\"——\"But，goodheavens！youwouldhaveseenthatresistancecouldbeofnoavailagainstsuchimmensemasses.\"——
\"Youareright，General;butFrenchhonourwouldhavebeendefendedtothelast.\"——\"Iamfullyawareofthat;butsurelyyouhaveearnedgloryenough！\"——\"YetourFrenchsusceptibilitywouldhavemadeuslookuponthatgloryastarnishedifParishadbeenoccupiedwithoutdefence
ButunderpresentcircumstancesIamwellpleasedthatyouweresatisfiedwithmyconductinHamburg，foritinducesmetohopethatyouwillobservethesamemoderationinParisthatIexercisedthere.Thedaysarepastwhenitcouldbesaid，Woetotheconquered.\"——\"Youareright;
yet，\"addedhe，smiling，\"youknowwearecalledthenorthernbarbarians.\"——\"Then，General，\"returnedI，\"youhaveafairopportunityofshowingthatthatdesignationisalibel.\"
SomedaysafterBlucher’svisitIhadthehonourofbeingadmittedtoaprivateaudienceoftheKingofPrussia.ClarkeandBerthierwerealsoreceivedinthisaudience，whichtookplaceatthehote1ofPrinceEugene，wheretheKingofPrussiaresidedinParis.Wewaitedforsomeminutesinthesalon，andwhenFrederickWilliamenteredfromhiscabinetIremarkedonhiscountenanceanairofembarrassmentandausteritywhichconvincedmethathehadbeenstudyinghispart，asgreatpersonagesareinthehabitofdoingonsimilaroccasions.TheKingonenteringthesalonfirstnoticedBerthier，whomheaddressedwithmuchkindness，bestowingpraisesontheFrenchtroops，andcomplimentingtheMarshalonhisconductduringthewarinGermany.Berthierreturnedthanksforthesewell—meritedpraises，forthoughhewasnotremarkableforstrengthofunderstandingorenergyofmind，yethewasnotabadman，andIhaveknownmanyproofsofhisgoodconductinconqueredcountries.
AftersalutingBerthiertheKingofPrussiaturnedtowardsClarke，andhiscountenanceimmediatelyassumedanexpressionofdissatisfaction.
HehadevidentlynotforgottenClarke’sconductinBerlin.HeremindedhimthathehadrenderedtheContinentalsystemmoreodiousthanitwasinitself，andthathehadshownnomoderationintheexecutionofhisorders.\"Inshort，\"saidhisMajesty，\"ifIhaveanyadvicetogiveyou，itisthatyouneveragainreturntoPrussia.\"TheKingpronouncedthesewordsinsoloudanddecidedatonethatClarkewasperfectlyconfounded.
Heutteredsomeunintelligibleobservations，which，however，FrederickWilliamdidnotnotice，forsuddenlyturningtowardsmehesaid，withanairofaffability，\"Ah！M.deBourrienne，Iamgladtoseeyou，andI
takethisopportunityofrepeatingwhatIwrotetoyoufromGonigsberg.
YoualwaysextendedprotectiontotheGermans，anddidallyoucouldtoalleviatetheircondition.IlearnedwithgreatsatisfactionwhatyoudidforthePrussianswhomthefateofwardroveintoHamburg;andIfeelpleasureintellingyou，inthepresenceofthesetwogentlemen，thatifalltheFrenchagentshadactedasyoudidweshouldnot，probably，behere.\"Iexpressed，byaprofoundbow，howmuchIwasgratifiedbythiscomplimentaryaddress，andtheking，aftersalutingus，retired.
AboutthemiddleofAprilBernadottearrivedinParis.Hissituationhadbecomeequivocal，sincecircumstanceshadbanishedthehopeshemighthaveconceivedinhisinterviewwiththeEmperorAlexanderatAbo.
Besides，hehadbeenrepresentedinsomeofficialpamphletsasatraitortoFrance，andamongcertainworshippersofourinjuredglorythereprevailedafeelingofirritation，andwhichwasunjustlydirectedtowardsBernadotte.
IevenrememberthatNapoleon，beforehehadfallenfromhispower，hadasortofnationalprotestmadebythepoliceagainstthePrinceRoyalofSweden.ThisPrincehadreservedanhotelintheRued’Anjou，andthewords，\"Downwiththetraitor！downwiththeperjurer，\"wereshoutedthere;butthishadnoresult，asitwasonlyconsideredanoutragecausedbyaspiritofpettyvengeance.
WhileBernadottewasinParisIsawhimeveryday.HebutfaintlydisguisedfrommethehopehehadentertainedofrulingFrance;andinthenumerousconversationstowhichourrespectiveoccupationsledI
ascertained，thoughBernadottedidnotformallytellmeso，thatheoncehadstrongexpectationsofsucceedingNapoleon.
PressedatlastintohisfinalintrenchmentshebrokethroughallreserveandconfirmedallIknewoftheinterviewofAbo.
IaskedBernadottewhathethoughtoftheprojectswhichwereattributedtoMoreau;whetheritwastruethathehadinhimacompetitor，andwhetherMoreauhadaspiredtothedangeroushonourofgoverningFrance：
\"Thosereports，\"repliedthePrinceRoyalofSweden，\"aredevoidoffoundation：atleastIcanassureyouthatintheconversationsIhavehadwiththeEmperorAlexander，thatsovereignneversaidanythingwhichcouldwarrantsuchasupposition.IknowthattheEmperorofRussiawishedtoavailhimselfofthemilitarytalentsofMoreauinthegreatstrugglethathadcommenced，andtoenabletheexiledgeneraltoreturntohiscountry，inthehopethat，shouldthewarprovefortunate，hewouldenjoythehonoursandprivilegesduetohispastservices.\"
BernadotteexpressedtomeastonishmentattherecalloftheBourbons，andassuredmethathehadnotexpectedtheFrenchpeoplewouldsoreadilyhaveconsentedtotheRestoration.IconfessIwassurprisedthatBernadotte，withtheintelligenceIknewhimtopossess，shouldimaginethatthewillofsubjectshasanyinfluenceinchangesofgovernment！
DuringhisstayinParisBernadotteevincedformethesamesentimentsoffriendshipwhichhehadshownmeatHamburg.OnedayIreceivedfromhimaletter，datedParis，withwhichhetransmittedtomeoneofthecrossesofthePolarStar，whichtheKingofSwedenhadleftathisdisposal.
BernadottewasnotverywellsatisfiedwithhisresidenceinParis，inspiteofthefriendshipwhichtheEmperorAlexanderconstantlymanifestedtowardshim.AfterafewdayshesetoutforSweden，havingfirsttakenleaveoftheComted’Artois.IdidnotseehimafterhisfarewellvisittotheCount，sothatIknownotwhatwasthenatureoftheconversationwhichpassedbetweenthetwoPrinces.
EndoftheMemoirsofNapoleon，V12，1814
MemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V13
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERI.toCHAPTERVI.1814—1815
CHAPTERI.
1814.
UnalterabledeterminationoftheAllieswithrespecttoNapoleon——
FontainebleauincludedinthelimitstobeoccupiedbytheAllies——
Alexander’sdeparturefromParis——Napoleoninformedofthenecessityofhisunconditionalabdication——MacdonaldandNeyagainsenttoParis——AllegedattemptofNapoleontopoisonhimself——FarewellinterviewbetweenMacdonaldandNapoleon——ThesabreofMuradBey——
Signatureoftheactofunconditionalabdication——TranquillityofParisduringthechangeofGovernment——UkaseoftheEmperorofRussiarelativetothePost—office——ReligiousceremonyonthePlaceLouisXV.——ArrivaloftheComted’Artois——HisentranceintoParis——
ArrivaloftheEmperorofAustria——SingularassemblageofsovereignsinFrance——VisitoftheEmperorofAustriatoMariaLouisa——HerinterviewwiththeEmperorAlexander——HerdepartureforVienna.
WhenMarmontleftParisonthereceiptoftheintelligencefromEssonne，MarshalsMacdonaldandNeyandtheDukeofVicenzawaitedupontheEmperorAlexandertolearnhisresolutionbeforehecouldhavebeeninformedofthemovementofMarmont’stroops.ImyselfwentduringthemorningtothehotelofM.deTalleyrand，anditwasthereIlearnthowwhatwehadhopedforhadbecomefact：thematterwascompletelydecided.
TheEmperorAlexanderhadwalkedoutatsixinthemorningtotheresidenceoftheKingofPrussiaintheRuedeBourbon.ThetwosovereignsafterwardsproceededtogethertoM.deTalleyrand’s，wheretheywerewhenNapoleon’sCommissionersarrived.TheCommissionersbeingintroducedtothetwosovereigns，theEmperorAlexander，inanswertotheirproposition，repliedthattheRegencywasimpossible，assubmissionstotheProvisionalGovernmentwerepouringinfromallparts，andthatifthearmyhadformedcontrarywishesthoseshouldhavebeensoonermadeknown.\"Sire，\"observedMacdonald，\"that——was——impossible，asnoneoftheMarshalswereinParis，andbesides，whocouldforeseetheturnwhichaffairshavetaken？CouldweimaginethatanunfoundedalarmwouldhaveremovedfromEssonnethecorpsoftheDukeofRagusa，whohasthismomentleftustobringhistroopsbacktoorder？\"Thesewordsproducednochangeinthedeterminationofthesovereigns，whowouldhearofnothingbuttheunconditionalabdicationofNapoleon.BeforetheMarshalstookleaveoftheEmperorAlexandertheysolicitedanarmisticeofforty—eighthours，whichtimetheysaidwasindispensabletonegotiatetheactofabdicationwithNapoleon.Thisrequestwasgrantedwithouthesitation，andtheEmperorAlexander，showingMacdonaldamapoftheenvironsofParis，courteouslypresentedhimwithapencil，saying，\"Here，Marshal，markyourselfthelimitstobeobservedbythetwoarmies.\"——\"No，Sire，\"repliedMacdonald，\"wearetheconqueredparty，anditisforyoutomarkthelineofdemarcation.\"AlexanderdeterminedthattherightbankoftheSeineshouldbeoccupiedbytheAlliedtroops，andtheleftbankbytheFrench;butitwasobservedthatthisarrangementwouldbeattendedwithinconvenience，asitwouldcutParisintwo，anditwasagreedthatthelineshouldturnParis.IhavebeeninformedthatonamapsenttotheAustrianstafftoacquaintPrinceSchwartzenbergwiththelimitsdefinitivelyagreedon，Fontainebleau，theEmperor’sheadquarters，wasbysomeartfulmeansincludedwithintheline.TheAustriansactedsoimplicitlyonthisdirectionthatMarshalMacdonaldwasobligedtocomplainonthesubjecttoAlexander，whoremovedallobstacles.
When，indiscussingthequestionoftheabdicationconformablywiththeinstructionshehadreceived，MacdonaldobservedtotheEmperorAlexanderthatNapoleonwishedfornothingforhimself，\"Assurehim，\"repliedAlexander，\"thataprovisionshallbemadeforhimworthyoftherankhehasoccupied.TellhimthatifhewishestoresideinmyStatesheshallbewellreceived，thoughhebroughtdesolationthere.Ishallalwaysrememberthefriendshipwhichunitedus.HeshallhavetheislandofElba，orsomethingelse.AftertakingleaveoftheEmperorAlexander，onthe5thofApril，Napoleon’sCommissionersreturnedtoFontainebleautorenderanaccountoftheirmission.IsawAlexanderthatsameday，anditappearedtomethathismindwasrelievedofagreatweightbythequestionoftheRegencybeingbroughttoanend.IwasinformedthatheintendedtoquitParisinafewdays，andthathehadgivenfullpowerstoM.Pozzo—di—Borgo，whomheappointedhisCommissionertotheProvisionalGovernment.
Onthesameday，the5thofApril，NapoleoninspectedhistroopsinthePalaceyardofFontainebleau.Heobservedsomecoolnessamonghisofficers，andevenamongtheprivatesoldiers，whohadevincedsuchenthusiasmwhenheinspectedthemonthe2dofApril.Hewassomuchaffectedbythischangeofconductthatheremainedbutashorttimeontheparade，andafterwardsretiredtohisapartments.
Aboutoneo’clockonthemorningofthe6thofAprilNey，Macdonald，andCaulaincourtarrivedatFontainebleautoacquainttheEmperorwiththeissueoftheirmission，andthesentimentsexpressedbyAlexanderwhentheytookleaveofhim.MarshalNeywasthefirsttoannouncetoNapoleonthattheAlliesrequiredhiscompleteandunconditionalabdication，unaccompaniedbyanystipulation，exceptthatofhispersonalsafety，whichshouldbeguaranteed.MarshalMacdonaldandtheDukeofVicenzathenspoketothesameeffect，butinmoregentletermsthanthoseemployedbyNey，whowasbutlittleversedinthecourtesiesofspeech.WhenMarshalMacdonaldhadfinishedspeakingNapoleonsaidwithsomeemotion，\"Marshal，Iamsensibleofallthatyouhavedoneforme，andofthewarmthwithwhichyouhavepleadedthecauseofmyson.TheywishformycompleteandunconditionalabdicationVerywell.
Iagainempoweryoutoactonmybehalf.Youshallgoanddefendmyinterestsandthoseofmyfamily.\"Then，afteramoment’spause，headded，stilladdressingMacdonald，\"Marshal，whereshallIgo？\"
MacdonaldtheninformedtheEmperorwhatAlexanderhadmentionedinthehypothesisofhiswishingtoresideinRussia.\"Sire，\"addedhe，\"theEmperorofRussiatoldmethathedestinedforyoutheislandofElba，orsomethingelse.\"——\"Orsomethingelse！\"repeatedNapoleonhastily，\"andwhatisthatsomethingelse？\"——\"Sire，Iknownot.\"——\"Ah！itisdoubtlesstheislandofCorsica，andherefrainedfrommentioningittoavoidembarrassment！Marshal，Ileavealltoyou.\"
TheMarshalsreturnedtoParisassoonasNapoleonfurnishedthemwithnewpowers;CaulaincourtremainedatFontainebleau.OnarrivinginParisMarshalNeysentinhisadhesiontotheProvisionalGovernment，sothatwhenMacdonaldreturnedtoFontainebleautoconveytoNapoleonthedefinitivetreatyoftheAllies，Neydidnotaccompanyhim，andtheEmperorexpressedsurpriseanddissatisfactionathisabsence.Ney，asallhisfriendsconcurinadmitting，expendedhiswholeenergyinbattle，andoftenwantedresolutionwhenoutofthefield，consequentlyIwasnotsurprisedtofindthathejoinedusbeforesomeotherofhiscomrades.
AstoMacdonald，hewasoneofthosegenerousspiritswhomaybemostconfidentlyreliedonbythosewhohavewrongedthemNapoleonexperiencedthetruthofthis.MacdonaldreturnedalonetoFontainebleau，andwhenheenteredtheEmperor’schamberhefoundhimseatedinasmallarmchairbeforethefireplace.Hewasdressedinamorning—gownofwhitedimity，andlieworehisslipperswithoutstockings.Hiselbowsrestedonhiskneesandhisheadwassupportedbyhishands.Hewasmotionless，andseemedabsorbedinprofoundreflection.Onlytwopersonswereintheapartment，theDukeofBassano;
whowasatalittledistancefromtheEmperor，andCaulaincourt，whowasnearthefireplace.SoprofoundwasNapoleon’sreveriethathedidnothearMacdonaldenter，andtheDukeofVicenzawasobligedtoinformhimoftheMarshal’spresence.\"Sire，\"saidCaulaincourt，\"theDukeofTarantumhasbroughtforyoursignaturethetreatywhichistoberatifiedto—morrow.\"TheEmperorthen，asifrousedfromalethargicslumber，turnedtoMacdonald，andmerelysaid，\"Ah，Marshal！soyouarehere！\"Napoleon’scountenancewassoalteredthattheMarshal，struckwiththechange，said，asifitwereinvoluntarily，\"IsyourMajestyindisposed？\"——\"Yes，\"answeredNapoleon，\"Ihavepassedaverybadnight.\"
TheEmperorcontinuedseatedforamoment，thenrising，hetookthetreaty，readitwithoutmakinganyobservation，signedit，andreturnedittotheMarshal，saying;\"Iamnotnowrichenoughtorewardtheselastservices.\"——\"Sire，interestneverguidedmyconduct.\"——\"Iknowthat，andInowseehowIhavebeendeceivedrespectingyou.Ialsoseethedesignsofthosewhoprejudicedmeagainstyou.\"——\"Sire，Ihavealreadytoldyou，since1809Iamdevotedtoyouinlifeanddeath.\"——\"Iknowit.
ButsinceIcannotrewardyouasIwouldwish，letatokenofremembrance，inconsiderablethoughitbe，assureyouthatIshalleverbearinmindtheservicesyouhaverenderedme.\"ThenturningtoCaulaincourtNapoleonsaid，\"Vicenza，askforthesabrewhichwasgivenmebyMuradBeyinEgypt，andwhichIworeatthebattleofMountThabor.\"Constanthavingbroughtthesabre，theEmperortookitfromthehandsofCaulaincourtandpresentedittotheMarshal\"Here，myfaithfulfriend，\"saidhe，\"isarewardwhichIbelievewillgratifyyou.\"
Macdonaldonreceivingthesabresaid，\"IfeverIhaveason，Sire，thiswillbehismostpreciousinheritance.IwillneverpartwithitaslongasIlive.\"——\"Givemeyourhand，\"saidtheEmperor，\"andembraceme.\"
AtthesewordsNapoleonandMacdonaldaffectionatelyrushedintoeachother’sarms，andpartedwithtearsintheireyes.SuchwasthelastinterviewbetweenMacdonaldandNapoleon.IhadtheaboveparticularsfromtheMarshalhimselfin1814.，afewdaysafterhereturnedtoPariswiththetreatyratifiedbyNapoleon.
AftertheclausesofthetreatyhadbeenguaranteedNapoleonsigned，onthe11thofApril，atFontainebleau，hisactofabdication，whichwasinthefollowingterms：——
TheAlliedpowershavingproclaimedthattheEmperorNapoleonistheonlyobstacletothere—establishmentofpeaceinEurope，theEmperorNapoleon，faithfultohisoath，declaresthatherenouncesforhimselfandhisheirsthethronesofFranceandItaly，andthatthereisnopersonalsacrifice，eventhatoflife，whichheisnotreadytomakefortheinterestsofFrance.\"Seetheautographatside.]
ItwasnotuntilafterBonapartehadwrittenandsignedtheaboveactthatMarshalMacdonaldsenttotheProvisionalGovernmenthisrecognition，expressedinthefollowingdignifiedandsimplemanner：——
\"BeingreleasedfrommyallegiancebytheabdicationoftheEmperorNapoleon，IdeclarethatIconformtotheactsoftheSenateandtheProvisionalGovernment.\"
ItisworthyofremarkthatNapoleon’sactofabdicationwaspublishedinthe’Moniteur’onthe12thofApril，theverydayonwhichtheComted’ArtoismadehisentryintoPariswiththetitleofLieutenant—GeneraloftheKingdomconferredonhimbyLouisXVIII.The12thofAprilwasalsothedayonwhichtheImperialarmyfoughtitslastbattlebeforeToulouse，whentheFrenchtroops，commandedbySoult，madeWellingtonpurchasesodearlyhisentranceintothesouthofFrance.——[ThebattleofToulousewasfoughtonthe10thnot12thAprilD.W.]
Politicalrevolutionsaregenerallystormy，yet，duringthegreatchangeof1814Pariswasperfectlytranquil，thankstotheexcellentdisciplinemaintainedbythecommandersoftheAlliedarmies，andthanksalsototheservicesoftheNationalGuardofParis，whoeverynightpatrolledthestreets.MydutiesasDirector—GeneralofthePost—officehadofcourseobligedmetoresignmycaptain’sepaulette.
WhenIfirstobtainedmyappointmentIhadbeensomewhatalarmedtohearthatalltheroadswerecoveredwithforeigntroops，especiallyCossacks，whoevenintimeofpeaceareveryreadytocaptureanyhorsesthatmayfallintheirway.OnmyapplicationtotheEmperorAlexanderhisMajestyimmediatelyissuedaukase，severelyprohibitingtheseizureofhorsesoranythingbelongingtothePost—officedepartment.TheukasewasprintedbyorderoftheCzar，andfiledupatallthepoet—offices，anditwillbeseenthatafterthe20thofMarch，whenIwasplacedinanembarrassingsituation，oneofthepostmastersontheLilleroadexpressedtomehisgratitudeformyconductwhileIwasintheservice.
Onthe10thofAprilaceremonytookplaceinPariswhichhasbeenmuchspokenof;andwhichmusthavehadaveryimposingeffectonthosewhoallowthemselvestobedazzledbymerespectacle.EarlyinthemorningsomeregimentsoftheAlliedtroopsoccupiedthenorthsideoftheBoulevard，fromthesiteoftheoldBastilletothePlaceLouisXV.，inthemiddleofwhichanaltarofsquareformwaserected.ThithertheAlliedsovereignscametowitnessthecelebrationofmassaccordingtotheritesoftheGreekChurch.IwenttoawindowofthehoteloftheMinisteroftheMarinetoseetheceremony.AfterIhadwaitedfromeightinthemorningtillneartwelvethepageantcommencedbythearrivalofhalfadozenGreekpriests，withlongbeards，andasrichlydressedasthehighpriestswhofigureintheprocessionsoftheopera.
Aboutthree—quartersofanhourafterthisfirstscenetheinfantry，followedbythecavalry，enteredtheplace，which，inafewmomentswasentirelycoveredwithmilitary.TheAlliedsovereignsatlengthappeared，attendedbybrilliantstaffs.Theyalightedfromtheirhorsesandadvancedtothealtar.Whatappearedtomemostremarkablewastheprofoundsilenceofthevastmultitudeduringtheperformanceofthemass.Thewholespectaclehadtheeffectofafinely—paintedpanorama.
Formyownpart，ImustconfessIwasheartilytiredoftheceremony，andwasverygladwhenitwasover.Icouldnotadmiretheforeignuniforms，whichwereveryinferiortoours.Manyofthemappearedfanciful，andevengrotesque，andnothingcanbemoreunsoldier—likethantoseeamanlacedinstaystillhisfigureresemblesawasp.Theceremonywhichtookplacetwodaysafter，thoughlesspompous，wasmuchmoreFrench.Intheretinuewhich，onthe12thofApril，momentarilyincreasedroundtheComted’Artos，therewereatleastrecollectionsfortheold，andhopesforeveryone.
When，onthedepartureoftheCommissionerswhomNapoleonhadsenttoAlexandertotreatfortheRegency，itwasfinallydeterminedthattheAlliedsovereignswouldlistentonopropositionfromNapoleonandhisfamily，theProvisionalGovernmentthoughtittimetorequestthatMonsieurwould，byhispresence，giveanewimpulsetothepartisansoftheBourbons.TheAbbydeMontesquiouwrotetothePrincealetter，whichwascarriedtohimbyViscountSosthenesdelaRochefoucauld，oneoftheindividualswho，inthesedifficultcircumstances，mostzealouslyservedthecauseoftheBourbons.Ontheafternoonofthe11thMonsieurarrivedatacountry—housebelongingtoMadameCharlesdeDames，wherehepassedthenight.ThenewsofhisarrivalspreadthroughPariswiththerapidityoflightning，andeveryonewishedtosolemnisehisentranceintothecapital.TheNationalGuardformedadoublelinefromthebarrierofBondytoNotreDame，whitherthePrincewasfirsttoproceed，inobservanceofanoldcustom，which，however，hadbecomeveryrareinFranceduringthelasttwentyyears.
M.deTalleyrand，accompaniedbythemembersoftheProvisionalGovernment，severalMarshalsandgeneralofficers，andthemunicipalbody，headedbytheprefectoftheSeine，wentinprocessionbeyondthebarriertoreceiveMonsieur.M.deTalleyrand，inthenameoftheProvisionalGovernment，addressedthePrince，whoinreplymadethatobservationwhichhasbeensooftenrepeated，\"NothingischangedinFrance：thereisonlyoneFrenchmanmore.\"
——[ThesewordswereneverreallyutteredbytheComted’Artois，andwecaninthiscasefollowthemanufactureofthephrase.ThereplyactuallymadetoTalleyrandwas，\"Sir，andgentlemen，Ithankyou;I
amtoohappy.Letusgeton;Iamtoohappy.\"Whentheday’sworkwasdone，\"Letussee，\"saidTalleyrand;\"whatdidMonsieursay？I
didnothearmuch：beseemedmuchmoved，anddesirousofhasteningon，butifwhathedidsaywillnotsuityou（Beugnot），makeananswerforhim，andIcananswerthatMonsieurwillacceptit，andthatsothoroughlythatbytheendofacoupleofdayshewillbelievehemadeit，andhewillhavemadeit：youwillcountfornothing.\"Afterrepeatedattempts，rejectedbyTalleyraud，Beugnotatlastproduced，\"Nomoredivisions.PeaceandFrance！AtlastI
seeheroncemore，andnothinginherischanged，exceptthathereisonemoreFrenchman.\"Atlastthegreatcritic（Talleyrand）said，\"ThistimeIyield;thatisrealtyMonsieur’sspeech，andIwillanswerforyouthatheisthemanwhomadeit.\"Monsieurdidnotdisdaintorefertoitinhisreplies，endtheprophecyofM.deTalleyrandwascompletelyrealised（Beugnot，vol.ii，p.119]——
Thisremarkpromisedmuch.TheComteArtoisnextproceededonhorsebacktothebarrierSt.Martin.Imingledinthecrowdtoseetheprocessionandtoobservethesentimentsofthespectators.NearmestoodanoldknightofSt.Louis，whohadresumedtheinsigniaoftheorder，andwhoweptforjoyatagainseeingoneoftheBourbons.Theprocessionsoonarrived，precededbyabandplayingtheair，\"ViveHenriQuatre！\"IhadneverbeforeseenMonsieur，andhisappearancehadamostpleasingeffectuponme.Hisopencountenanceboretheexpressionofthatconfidencewhichhispresenceinspiredinallwhosawhim.Hisstaffwasverybrilliant，consideringitwasgottogetherwithoutpreparation.ThePrinceworetheuniformoftheNationalGuard，withtheinsigniaoftheOrderoftheHolyGhost.
ImustcandidlystatethatwhereIsawMonsieurpass，enthusiasmwaschieflyconfinedtohisownretinue，andtopersonswhoappearedtobelongtoasuperiorclassofsociety.Thelowerorderofpeopleseemedtobeanimatedbycuriosityandastonishmentratherthananyotherfeeling.ImustaddthatitwasnotwithoutpainfulsurpriseIsawasquadronofCossacksclosetheprocession;andmysurprisewasthegreaterwhenIlearnedfromGeneralSackenthattheEmperorAlexanderhadwishedthatonthatdaytheoneFrenchmanmoreshouldbesurroundedonlybyFrenchmen，andthattoprovethatthepresenceof，theBourbonswasthesignalofreconciliationhisMajestyhadordered20，000oftheAlliedtroopstoquitParis.IknownottowhatthepresenceoftheCossacksistobeattributed，butitwasanawkwardcircumstanceatthetime，andonewhichmalevolencedidnotfailtoseizeupon.
TwodaysonlyintervenedbetweenMonsieur’sentranceintoParisandthearrivaloftheEmperorofAustria.ThatmonarchwasnotpopularamongtheParisians.Thelineofconducthehadadoptedwasalmostgenerallycondemned，for，evenamongthosewholeadmostardentlywishedforthedethronementofhisdaughter，throughtheiraversiontotheBonapartefamily，thereweremanywhoblamedtheEmperorofAustria’sbehaviourtoMariaLouisa：theywouldhavewishedthat，forthehonourofFrancisII.，hehadunsuccessfullyopposedthedownfallofthedynasty，whoseallianceheconsideredasasafeguardin1809.Thiswastheopinionwhichthemassofthepeopleinstinctivelyformed，fortheyjudgedoftheEmperorofAustriainhischaracterofafatherandnotinhischaracterofamonarch;andastherightsofmisfortunearealwayssacredinFrance，moreinterestwasfeltforMariaLouisawhenshewasknowntobeforsakenthanwhenshewasintheheightofhersplendour.FrancisII.hadnotseenhisdaughtersincethedaywhensheleftViennatouniteherdestinywiththatofthemasterofhalfofEurope，andIhavealreadystatedhowhereceivedthemissionwithwhichMariaLouisaentrustedtheDucdeCadore.
IwasthentoointentonwhatwaspassinginParisandatFontainebleautoobservewithequalinterestallthecircumstancesconnectedwiththefateofMariaLouisa，butIwillpresenttothereaderalltheinformationIwasabletocollectrespectingthatPrincessduringtheperiodimmediatelyprecedingherdeparturefromFrance.Sheconstantlyassuredthepersonsaboutherthatshecouldrelyonherfather.Thefollowingwords，whichwerefaithfullyreportedtome，wereaddressedbyhertoanofficerwhowasatBloisduringthemissionofM.deChampagny.
\"EventhoughitshouldbetheintentionoftheAlliedsovereignstodethronetheEmperorNapoleon，myfatherwillnotsufferit.WhenheplacedmeonthethroneofFranceherepeatedtometwentytimeshisdeterminationtoupholdmeonit;andmyfatherisanhonestman：IalsoknowthattheEmpress，bothatBloisandatOrleans，expressedherregretatnothavingfollowedtheadviceofthemembersoftheRegency，whowishedhertostayinParis.
OnleavingOrleansMariaLouisaproceededtoRambouillet;anditwasnotoneoftheleastextraordinarycircumstancesofthateventfulperiodtoseethesovereignsofEurope，thedethronedsovereignsofFrance，andthosewhohadcometoresumethesceptre，allcrowdedtogetherwithinacircleoffifteenleaguesroundthecapital.TherewasaBourbonattheTuileries，BonaparteatFontainebleau，hiswifeandsonatRambouillet，therepudiatedEmpressatMalmaisonthreeleaguesdistant，andtheEmperorsofRussiaandAustriaandtheKingofPrussiainParis.
WhenallherhopeshadvanishedMariaLouisaleftRambouillettoreturntoAustriawithherson.ShedidnotobtainpermissiontoseeNapoleonbeforeherdeparture，thoughshehadfrequentlyexpressedawishtothateffect.Napoleonhimselfwasawareoftheembarrassmentwhichmighthaveattendedsuchafarewell，orotherwisehewouldnodoubthavemadeapartinginterviewwithMariaLouisaoneoftheclausesofthetreatyofParisandFontainebleau，andofhisdefinitiveactofabdication.IwasinformedatthetimethatthereasonwhichpreventedMariaLouisa’swishfrombeingaccededtowasthefearthat，byoneofthosesuddenimpulsescommontowomen，shemighthavedeterminedtouniteherselftoNapoleon’sfallenfortune，andaccompanyhimtoElba;andtheEmperorofAustriawishedtohavehisdaughterbackagain.
Thingshadarrivedatthispoint，andtherewasnopossibilityofretractingfromanyofthedecisionswhichhadbeenformedwhentheEmperorofAustriawenttoseehisdaughteratRambouillet.IrecollectitwasthoughtextraordinaryatthetimethattheEmperorAlexandershouldaccompanyhimonthisvisit;and，indeed，thesightofthesovereign，whowasregardedastheheadandarbiterofthecoalition，couldnotbeagreeabletothedethronedEmpress.
——[Meneval（tomeii.p.112），thenwithMariaLouisaasSecretary，whogivessomedetailsofherinterviewwiththeEmperorFrancisonthe16thofApril，saysnothingabouttheCzarhavingbeenthere;afacthewouldhavebeensuretohaveremarkedupon.Itwasonlyonthe19thofAprilthatAlexandervisitedher，theKingofPrussiacominginhisturnonthe22d;butBourrienneisrightinsayingthatMariaLouisacomplainedbitterlyofhavingtoreceiveAlexander，andconsideredthatshewasforcedbyherfathertodoso.ThepoorlittleKingofRome，thenonlythreeyearsold，hadalsotobeseenbythemonarchs.Hewasnottakenwithhisgrandfather，remarkingthathewasnothandsome.MariaLouisaseems，accordingtoMeneval，tohavebeenatthistimereallyanxioustojoinNapoleon（Meneval，tomeii.p.94）.SheleftRambouilletonthe28dofAprilstoppedonedayatGrossbois，receivingthereherfatherandBerthier，andtakingfarewellofseveralpersonswhocamefromParisforthatpurpose.Onthe25thofAprilshestartedforVienna，andlaterforParma，whichstateshereceivedunderthetreatyof1814and1815.Sheyieldedtotheinfluencebroughttobearonher，becameestrangedfromNapoleon，andeventuallymarriedherchamberlain，theComtedeNeipperg，anAustriangeneral.]——
ThetwoEmperorssetofffromParisshortlyaftereachother.TheEmperorofAustriaarrivedfirstatRambouillet，wherehewasreceivedwithrespectandaffectionbyhisdaughter.MariaLouisawashappytoseehim，butthemanytearssheshedwerenotalltearsofjoy.Afterthefirsteffusionoffilialaffectionshecomplainedofthesituationtowhichshewasreduced.Herfathersympathisedwithher，butcouldofferhernoconsolution，sincehermisfortuneswereirreparable.Alexanderwasexpectedtoarriveimmediately，andtheEmperorofAustriathereforeinformedhisdaughterthattheRussianmonarchwishedtoseeher.AtfirstMariaLouisadecidedlyrefusedtoreceivehim，andshepersistedforsometimeinthisresolution.Shesaidtoherfather，\"Wouldhetoomakemeaprisonerbeforeyoureyes？IfheentersherebyforceIwillretiretomychamber.There，Ipresume，hewillnotdaretofollowmewhileyouarehere.\"Buttherewasnotimetobelost;FrancisII.
heardtheequipageoftheEmperorofRussiarollingthroughthecourtyardofRambouillet，andhisentreatiestohisdaughterbecamemoreandmoreurgent.Atlengthsheyielded，andtheEmperorofAustriawenthimselftomeethisallyandconducthimtothesalonwhereMariaLouisaremained，indeferencetoherfather.Shedidnot，however，carryherdeferencesofarastogiveafavourablereceptiontohimwhomsheregardedastheauthorofallhermisfortunes.ShelistenedwithconsiderablecoldnesstotheoffersandprotestationsofAlexander，andmerelyrepliedthatallshewishedforwasthelibertyofreturningtoherfamily.AfewdaysafterthispainfulinterviewMariaLouisaandhersonsetoffforVienna.
——[AfewdaysafterthisvisitAlexanderpaidhisrespectstoBonaparte’sotherwife，Josephine.InthisgreatbreakingupofempiresandkingdomstheunfortunateJosephine，whohadbeensufferingagoniesonaccountofthehusbandwhohadabandonedher，wasnotforgotten.OneofthefirstthingstheEmperorofRussiadidonarrivingatPariswastodespatchaguardfortheprotectionofherbeautifullittlepalaceatMalmaison.TheAlliedsovereignstreatedherwithdelicacyandconsideration.
\"AssoonastheEmperorAlexanderknewthattheEmpressJosephinehadarrivedatMalmaisonhehastenedtopayheravisit.Itisnotpossibletobemoreamiablethanhewastoher.WheninthecourseofconversationhespokeoftheoccupationofParisbytheAllies，andofthepositionoftheEmperorNapoleon，itwasalwaysinperfectlymeasuredlanguage：heneverforgotforasingleinstantthatbewasspeakingbeforeonewhohadbeenthewifeofhisvanquishedenemy.Onhersidetheex—Empressdidnotconcealthetendersentiments，thelivelyaffectionshestillentertainedforNapoleonAlexanderhadcertainlysomethingelevatedandmagnanimousinhischaracter，whichwouldnotpermithimtosayasinglewordcapableofinsultingmisfortune;theEmpresshadonlyoneprayertomaketohim，andthatwasforherchildren.\"
ThisvisitwassoonfollowedbythoseoftheotherAlliedPrinces.
\"TheKingofPrussiaandthePrinces，hissons，cameratherfrequentlytopaytheircourttoJosephine;theyevendinedwithherseveraltimesatMalmaison;buttheEmperorAlexandercomemuchmorefrequently.TheQueenHortensewasalwayswithhermotherwhenshereceivedthesovereigns，andassistedherindoingthehonoursofthehouse.TheillustriousstrangersexceedinglyadmiredMalmaison，whichseemedtothemacharmingresidence.Theywereparticularlystruckwiththefinegardensandconservatories.\"
Fromthismoment，however，Josephine’shealthrapidlydeclined，andshedidnotlivetoseeNapoleon’sreturnfromElba.Sheoftensaidtoherattendant，\"Idonotknowwhatisthematterwithme，butattimesIhavefitsofmelancholyenoughtokillme.\"Butontheverybrinkofthegravesheretainedallheramiability，allherloveofdress，andthegracesandresourcesofadrawing—roomsociety.TheimmediatecauseofherdeathwasabadcoldshecaughtintakingadriveintheparkofMalmaisononadampcoldday.SheexpiredonthenoonofSunday，the26thofMay，inthefifty—thirdyearofherage.Herbodywasembalmed，andonthesixthdayafterherdeathdepositedinavaultinthechurchofRuel，closetoMalmaison.Thefuneralceremoniesweremagnificent，butabettertributetothememoryofJosephinewastobefoundisthetearswithwhichherchildren，herservants，theneighbouringpoor，andallthatknewherfollowedhertothegrave.In1826abeautifulmonumentwaserectedoverherremainsbyEugeneBeauharnaisandhissisterswiththissimpleinscription：
TOJOSEPHINE.
EUGENE.HORTENSE.
CHAPTERII.
1814.
ItalyandEugene——SiegeofDantzic—Capitulationconcludedbutnotratified—RappmadeprisonerandsenttoKiow——Davoust’srefusaltobelievetheintelligencefromParis——ProjectedassassinationofoneoftheFrenchPrinces——DepartureofDavoustandGeneralHogendorfffromHamburg——TheaffairofManbreuil——ArrivaloftheCommissionersoftheAlliedpowersatFontainebleau——PreferenceshownbyNapoleontoColonelCampbell——Bonaparte’saddresstoGeneralKohler——Hisfarewelltohistroops——FirstdayofNapoleon’sjourney——TheImperialGuardsucceededbytheCossacks——InterviewwithAugerean——
Thefirstwhitecockades——NapoleonhangedineffigyatOrgon——Hisescapeinthedisguiseofacourier——SceneintheinnofLaCalade——
ArrivalatAix——ThePrincessPauline——NapoleonembarksforElba——HislifeatElba.
ImustnowdirecttheattentionofthereadertoItaly，whichwasthecradleofNapoleon’sglory，andtowardswhichhetransportedhimselfinimaginationfromthePalaceofFontainebleau.EugenehadsucceededinkeepinguphismeansofdefenceuntilApril，butonthe7thofthatmonth，beingpositivelyinformedoftheoverwhelmingreversesofFrance，hefoundhimselfconstrainedtoaccedetothepropositionsoftheMarshaldeBellegardetotreatfortheevacuationofItaly;andonthe10thaconventionwasconcluded，inwhichitwasstipulatedthattheFrenchtroops，underthecommandofEugene，shouldreturnwithinthelimitsofoldFrance.Theclausesofthisconventionwereexecutedonthe19thofApril.
——[LordWilliamBentinckandSirEdwardPellewhadtakenGenoaonthe18thOfApril.MuratwasinthefieldwiththeAustriansagainsttheFrench.]——
Eugene，thinkingthattheSenateofMilanwasfavourablydisposedtowardshim，solicitedthatbodytouseitsinfluenceinobtainingtheconsentoftheAlliedpowerstohiscontinuanceattheheadoftheGovernmentofItaly;butthispropositionwasrejectedbytheSenate.AfeelingofirritationpervadedthepublicmindinItaly，andthearmyhadnotproceededthreemarchesbeyondMantuawhenaninsurrectionbrokeoutinMilan.TheFinanceMinister，Pizna，wasassassinated，andhisresidencedemolished，andnothingwouldhavesavedtheViceroyfromasimilarfatehadhebeeninhiscapital.Amidstthispopularexcitement，andtheeagernessoftheItalianstobereleasedfromthedominionoftheFrench，thefriendsofEugenethoughthimfortunateinbeingabletojoinhisfather—in—lawatMunichalmostincognito.
——[SometimeafterEugenevisitedFranceandhadalongaudienceofLouisXVIII.Heannouncedhimselftothatmonarchbyhisfather’stitleofMarquisdeBeauharnais.TheKingimmediatelysalutedhimbythetitleofMonsieurleMarechal，andproposedthatheshouldresideinFrancewiththatrank.ButthisinvitationEugenedeclined，becauseasaFrenchPrinceunderthefallenGovernmenthehadcommandedtheMarshals，andhethereforecouldnotsubmittobethelastinrankamongthoseillustriousmilitarychiefs.
Bourrienne.]——
Thus，attheexpirationofnineyears，felltheironcrownwhichNapoleonhadplacedonhisheadsaying，\"Dieumel’adonne;gareaquilatouche.\"
IwillnowtakeaglanceattheaffairsofGermany.RappwasnotinFranceattheperiodofthefalloftheEmpire.Hehad，withextraordinarycourageandskill，defendedhimselfagainstayear’ssiegeatDantzic.Atlength，beingreducedtothelastextremity，andconstrainedtosurrender，heopenedthegatesofthecity，whichpresentednothingbutheapsofruins.RapphadstipulatedthatthegarrisonofDantzicshouldreturntoFrance，andtheDukeofWurtemberg，whocommandedthesiege，hadconsentedtothatcondition;buttheEmperorofRussiahavingrefusedtoratifyit，Rapp，havingnomeansofdefence，wasmadeprisonerwithhistroops;andconductedtoKiow，whenceheafterwardsreturnedtoParis，whereIsawhim.
Hamburgstillheldout，butatthebeginningofAprilintelligencewasreceivedthereoftheextraordinaryeventswhichhaddeliveredEuropefromheroppressor.Davoustrefusedtobelievethisnews，whichatonceannihilatedallhishopesofpowerandgreatness.ThisblindnesswaspersistedinforsometimeatHamburg.Severalhawkers，whoweremarkedoutbythepoliceashavingbeenthecirculatorsofParisnews，wereshot.AnagentoftheGovernmentpubliclyannouncedhisdesignofassassinatingoneoftheFrenchPrinces，inwhoseservicehewassaidtohavebeenasapage.HesaidhewouldgotohisRoyalHighnessandsolicittobeappointedoneofhisaidesdecamp，andthat，iftheapplicationwererefused，asitprobablywouldbe，therefusalwouldonlyconfirmhiminhispurpose.
Atlength，whenthestateofthingswasbeyondthepossibilityofdoubt，Davoustassembledthetroops，acquaintedthemwiththedethronementoftheEmperor，hoistedaflagoftruce，andsenthisadhesiontotheProvisionalGovernment.Allthenthoughtoftheirpersonalsafety，withoutlosingsightoftheirhonestly—acquiredwealth.Diamondsandotherobjectsofvalueandsmallbulkwerehastilycollectedandpackedup.TheGovernorofHamburg，CountHogendorff，who，inspiteofsomesignalinstancesofopposition，hadtoooftenco—operatedinsevereandvexatiousmeasures，wasthefirsttoquitthecity.Hewas，indeed，hurriedoffbyDavoust;becausehehadmountedtheOrangecockadeandwishedtotakehisDutchtroopsawaywithhim.AfterconsigningthecommandtoGeneralGerard，DavoustquittedHamburg，andarrivedatParisonthe18thofJune.
IhaveleftNapoleonatFontainebleau.TheperiodofhisdepartureforElbawasnearathand：itwasfixedforthe17thofApril.
OnthatdayMaubreuil，amanwhohasbecomeunfortunatelycelebrated，presentedhimselfatthePost—office，andaskedtospeakwithme.Heshowedmesomewrittenorders，signedbyGeneralSaeken，theCommanderoftheRussiantroopsinPalls，andbyBaronBrackenhausen，chiefofthestaff.TheseorderssetforththatMaubreuilwasentrustedwithanimportantmission，fortheexecutionofwhichhewasauthorisedtodemandtheassistanceoftheRussiantroops;andthecommandersofthosemenwereenjoinedtoplaceathisdisposalasmanytroopsashemightapplyfor.MaubreuilwasalsothebearerofsimilarordersfromGeneralDupont，theWarMinister，andfromM.Angles，theProvisionalCommissary—
GeneralofthePolice，whodirectedalltheothercommissariestoobeytheorderstheymightreceivefromMaubreuil.Onseeingthesedocuments，oftheauthenticityofwhichtherewasnodoubt，IimmediatelyorderedthedifferentpostmasterstoprovideMaubreuilpromptlywithanynumberofhorseshemightrequire.
SomedaysafterIwasinformedthattheobjectofMaubreuil’smissionwastoassassinateNapoleon.Itmayreadilybeimaginedwhatwasmyastonishmentonhearingthis，afterIhadseenthesignatureoftheCommanderoftheRussianforces，andknowingasIdidtheintentionsoftheEmperorAlexander.Thefactis，Ididnot，andnevercan，believethatsuchwastheintentionofMabreuil.ThismanhasbeenaccusedofhavingcarriedoffthejewelsoftheQueenofWestphalia.
NapoleonhavingconsentedtoproceedtotheislandofElba，conformablywiththetreatyhehadratifiedonthe13th，requestedtobeaccompaniedtotheplaceofembarkationbyaCommissionerfromeachoftheAlliedpowers.CountSchouwaloffwasappointedbyRussia，ColonelNeilCampbellbyEngland，GeneralKohlerbyAustria，andCountWaldbourg—TruchessbyPrussia.Onthe16ththefourCommissionerscameforthefirsttimetoFontainebleau，wheretheEmperor，whowasstillattendedbyGeneralsDrouotandBertrand，gavetoeachaprivateaudienceonthefollowingday.
ThoughNapoleonreceivedwithcoldnesstheCommissionerswhomhehadhimselfsolicited，yetthatcoldnesswasfarfrombeingmanifestedinanequaldegreetoall.HewhoexperiencedthebestreceptionwasColonelCampbell，apparentlybecausehispersonexhibitedtracesofwounds.
Napoleonaskedhiminwhatbattleshehadreceivedthem，andonwhatoccasionshehadbeeninvestedwiththeordershewore.Henextquestionedhimastotheplaceofhisbirth，andColonelCampbellhavingansweredthathewasaScotchman，NapoleoncongratulatedhimonbeingthecountrymanofOssian，hisfavouriteauthor，withwhosepoetry，however，hewasonlyacquaintedthroughthemediumofwretchedtranslations.
OnthisfirstaudienceNapoleonsaidtotheColonel，\"IhavecordiallyhatedtheEnglish.Ihavemadewaragainstyoubyeverypossiblemeans，butIesteemyournation.IamconvincedthatthereismoregenerosityinyourGovernmentthaninanyother.IshouldliketobeconveyedfromToulontoElbabyanEnglishfrigate.\"
TheAustrianandRussianCommissionerswerereceivedcoolly，butwithoutanymarkedindicationsofdispleasure.ItwasnotsowiththePrussianCommissioner，towhomhesaidduly，\"ArethereanyPrussiansinmyescort？\"——\"No，Sire.\"——\"Thenwhydoyoutakethetroubletoaccompanyme？\"——\"Sire，itisnotatrouble，butanhonour.\"——\"Thesearemerewords;
youhavenothingtodohere.\"——\"Sire，IcouldnotpossiblydeclinethehonourablemissionwithwhichtheKingmymasterhasentrustedme.\"AtthesewordsNapoleonturnedhisbackonCountTruchess.
TheCommissionersexpectedthatNapoleonwouldbereadytosetoutwithoutdelay;buttheyweredeceived.Heaskedforasightoftheitineraryofhisroute，andwishedtomakesomealterationsinit.
TheCommissionerswerereluctanttoopposehiswish，fortheyhadbeeninstructedtotreathimwithalltherespectandetiquetteduetoasovereign.Theythereforesuspendedthedeparture，and，astheycouldnottakeuponthemselvestoacquiesceinthechangeswishedforbytheEmperor，theyappliedforfreshorders.Onthenightofthe18thofApriltheyreceivedtheseorders，authorisingthemtotravelbyanyroadtheEmperormightprefer.Thedeparturewasthendefinitivelyfixedforthe20th.
Accordingly，attenonthemorningofthe20th，thecarriageswereinreadiness，andtheImperialGuardwasdrawnupinthegrandcourtofthePalaceofFontainebleau，calledtheCourduChevalBlanc.AllthepopulationofthetownandtheneighbouringvillagesthrongedroundthePalace.NapoleonsentforGeneralKohler，theAustrianCommissioner，andsaidtohim，\"IhavereflectedonwhatIoughttodo，andIamdeterminednottodepart.TheAlliesarenotfaithfultotheirengagementswithme.
Ican，therefore，revokemyabdication，whichwasonlyconditional.Morethanathousandaddressesweredeliveredtomelastnight：IamconjuredtoresumethereinsofgovernmentIrenouncedmyrightstothecrownonlytoavertthehorrorsofacivilwar，havingneverhadanyotherabjectinviewthanthegloryandhappinessofFrance.But，seeingasInowdo，thedissatisfactioninspiredbythemeasuresofthenewGovernment，IcanexplaintomyGuardthereasonswhichinducedmetorevokemyabdication.
ItistruethatthenumberoftroopsonwhichIcancountwillscarcelyexceed30，000men，butitwillbeeasyformetoincreasetheirnumbersto130，000.Know，then，thatIcanalso，withoutinjuringmyhonour，saytomyGuard，thathavingnothingbutthereposeandhappinessofthecountryatheart，Irenounceallmyrights，andexhortmytroopstofollowmyexample，andyieldtothewishofthenation.\"
IheardthesewordsreportedbyGeneralKohlerhimself，afterhisreturnfromhismission.Hedidnotdisguisetheembarrassmentwhichthisunexpectedaddresshadoccasioned;andIrecollecthavingremarkedatthetimethathadBonaparte，atthecommencementofthecampaignofParis，renouncedhisrightsandreturnedtotherankofcitizen，theimmensemassesoftheAlliesmusthaveyieldedtotheeffortsofFrance.GeneralKohleralsostatedthatNapoleoncomplainedofMariaLouisanotbeingallowedtoaccompanyhim;butatlength，yieldingtothereasonsurgedbythoseabouthim，headded，\"Well，Ipreferremainingfaithfultomypromise;butifIhaveanynewgroundofcomplaint，Iwillfreemyselffromallmyengagements.\"
Ateleveno’clockComtedeBussy，oneoftheEmperor’saidesdecamp，wassentbytheGrandMarshal（GeneralBertrand）toannouncethatallwasreadyfordeparture.\"AmI;\"saidNapoleon，\"toregulatemyactionsbytheGrandMarshal’swatch？IwillgowhenIplease.PerhapsImaynotgoatall.Leaveme！\"
AlltheformsofcourtlyetiquettewhichNapoleonlovedsomuchwereobserved;andwhenatlengthhewaspleasedtoleavehiscabinettoenterthesalon，wheretheCommissionerswerewaiting;thedoorswerethrownopenasusual，and\"TheEmperor\"wasannounced;butnosoonerwasthewordutteredthanheturnedbackagain.However，hesoonreappeared，rapidlycrossedthegallery，anddescendedthestaircase，andattwelveo’clockpreciselyhestoodattheheadofhisGuard，asifatareviewinthecourtoftheTuileriesinthebrilliantdaysoftheConsulateandtheEmpire.
Thentookplaceareallymovingscene——Napoleon’sfarewelltohissoldiers.OfthisImayabstainfromenteringintoanydetails，sincetheyareknowneverywhere，andbyeverybody，butImaysubjointheEmperor’slastaddresstohisoldcompanions—in—arms，becauseitbelongstohistory.ThisaddresswaspronouncedinavoiceasfirmandsonorousasthatinwhichBonaparteusedtoharanguehistroopsinthedaysofhistriumphs.Itwasasfollows：
\"SoldiersofmyOldGuard，Ibidyoufarewell.FortwentyyearsI
haveconstantlyaccompaniedyonontheroadtohonourandglory.Intheselattertimes，asinthedaysofourprosperity，youhaveinvariablybeenmodelsofcourageandfidelity.Withmensuchasyouourcausecouldnotbelost，butthewarwouldhavebeeninterminable;itwouldhavebeencivilwar，andthatwouldhaveentaileddeepermisfortunesonFrance.Ihavesacrificedallmyintereststothoseofthecountry.Igo;butyou，myfriends，willcontinuetoserveFrance.HerhappinesswasmyonlythoughtItwillstillbetheobjectofmywishes.Donotregretmyfate：ifI
haveconsentedtosurvive，itistoserveyourglory.Iintendtowritethehistoryofthegreatachievementswehaveperformedtogether.Adieu，myfriends.WouldIcouldpressyoualltomy，heart！\"
Duringthefirstdaycriesof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"resoundedalongtheroad，andNapoleon，resortingtohisusualdissimulation，censuredthedisloyaltyofthepeopletotheirlegitimatesovereign，whichhedidwithilldisguisedirony.TheGuardaccompaniedhimasfarasBriars.AtthatplaceNapoleoninvitedColonelCampbelltobreakfastwithhim.HeconversedonthelastwarinSpain，andspokeincomplimentarytermsoftheEnglishnationandthemilitarytalentsofWellington.YetbythattimehemusthaveheardofthebattleofToulouse.
Onthenightofthe21stNapoleonsleptatNevers，wherehewasreceivedbytheacclamationsofthepeople，whohere，asinseveralothertowns，mingledtheircriesinfavouroftheirlatesovereignwithimprecationsagainsttheCommissionersoftheAllies.HeleftNeversatsixonthemorningofthe22d.NapoleonwasnownolongerescortedbytheGuards，whoweresucceededbyacorpsofCossacks：thecriesof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"accordinglyceased，andhehadthemortificationtohearinitsstead，\"ViventlesAllies！\"However，IhavebeeninformedthatatLyons，throughwhichtheEmperorpassedonthe23datelevenatnight，thecryof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"wasstillechoedamongthegroupswhoassembledbeforethepost—officeduringthechangeofhorses.
Augereau，whowasstillaRepublican，thoughheacceptedthetitleofDukeofCastiglionefromNapoleon，hadalwaysbeenamongthediscontented.OnthedownfalloftheEmperorhewasoneofthatconsiderablenumberofpersonswhoturnedRoyalistsnotoutoflovefortheBourbonsbutoutofhatredtoBonaparte.HeheldacommandinthesouthwhenheheardoftheforfeitureofNapoleonpronouncedbytheSenate，andhewasoneofthefirsttosendhisrecognitiontotheProvisionalGovernment.Augereau，who，likealluneducatedmen，wenttoextremesineverything，hadpublishedunderhisnameaproclamationextravagantlyviolentandeveninsultingtotheEmperor.WhetherNapoleonwasawareofthisproclamationIcannotpretendtosay，butheaffectedignoranceofthematterifhewasinformedofit，foronthe24th，havingmetAugereauatalittledistancefromValence，hestoppedhiscarriageandimmediatelyalighted.Augereaudidthesame，andtheycordiallyembracedinthepresenceoftheCommissioners.ItwasremarkedthatinsalutingNapoleontookoffhishatandAugereaukeptonhis.
\"Whereareyougoing？\"，saidtheEmperor;\"toCourt？\"——\"No，IamgoingtoLyons.\"——\"Youhavebehavedverybadlytome.\"Augereau，findingthattheEmperoraddressedhiminthesecondpersonsingular，adoptedthesamefamiliarity;sotheyconversedastheywereaccustomedtodowhentheywerebothgeneralsinItaly.\"Ofwhatdoyoucomplain？\"saidhe.
\"Hasnotyourinsatiableambitionbroughtustothis？Haveyounotsacrificedeverythingtothatambition，eventhehappinessofFrance？
IcarenomorefortheBourbonsthanforyou.AllIcareforisthecountry.\"UponthisNapoleonturnedsharplyawayfromtheMarshal，liftedhishattohim，andthensteppedintohiscarriage.TheCommissioners，andallthepersonsinNapoleon’ssuite，wereindignantatseeingAugereaustandintheroadstillcovered，withhishandsbehindhisback，andinsteadofbowing，merelymakingacontemptuoussalutationtoNapoleonwithhishand.ItwasattheTuileriesthatthesehaughtyRepublicansshouldhaveshowntheirairs.TohavedonesoontheroadtoElbawasameaninsultwhichrecoileduponthemselves.
——[Thefollowingletter，takenfromCaptainBingham’srecentlypublishedselectionsfromtheCorrespondenceofthefirstNapoleon，indicatesinemphaticlanguagetheEmperor’srecentdissatisfactionwithMarshalAugereauwhenincommandatLyonsdaringthe\"deathstraggle\"of1814：
ToMarshalAugereau.
NOGENT，21stFebruary，1814，What！sixhoursafterhavingreceivedthefirsttroopscomingfromSpainyouwerenotinthefield！Sixhoursreposewassufficient.IwontheactionofNaugiswithabrigadeofdragoonscomingfromSpainwhich，sinceithadleftBayonne，hadnotunbridleditshorses.ThesixbattalionsofthedivisionofNimeswantclothes，equipment，anddrilling，sayyou？Whatpoorreasonsyongivemethere，Augereau！Ihavedestroyed80，000enemieswithconscriptshavingnothingbutknapsacks！TheNationalGuards，sayyou，arepitiable;Ihave4000hereinroundhats，withoutknapsacks，inwoodenshoes，butwithgoodmuskets，andIgetagreatdealoutofthem.Thereisnomoney，youcontinue;andwheredoyouhopetodrawmoneyfrom！Youwantwaggons;takethemwhereveryoucan.Youhavenomagazines;thisistooridiculous.Iorderyoutwelvehoursafterthereceptionofthislettertotakethefield.
IfyouarestillAugereauofCastiglione，keepthecommand，butifyoursixtyyearsweighuponyouhandoverthecommandtoyourseniorgeneral.Thecountryisindanger;andcanbesavedbyboldnessandalacrityalone
（Signed）NAPOLEON
AtValenceNapoleon，forthefirsttime，sawFrenchsoldierswiththewhitecockadeintheircaps.TheybelongedtoAugereau’scorps.AtOrangetheairresoundedwithtinesof\"ViveleRoi！\"Herethegaiety，realorfeigned，whichNapoleonhadhithertoevinced，begantoforsakehim.
HadtheEmperorarrivedatAvignonthreehourslaterthanhedidthereisnodoubtthathewouldhavebeenmassacred.——[TheRoyalistmobofAvignonmassacredMarshalBrunein1816.]——HedidnotchangehorsesatAvignon，throughwhichhepassedatfiveinthemorning，butatSt.Andiol，wherehearrivedatsix.TheEmperor，whowasfatiguedwithsittinginthecarnage，alightedwithColonelCampbellandGeneralBertrand，andwalkedwiththemupthefirsthill.Hisvaletdechambre，whowasalsowalkingalittledistanceinadvance，metoneofthemailcouriers，whosaidishim，\"ThosearetheEmperor’scarriagescomingthisway？\"——\"No，theyaretheequipagesoftheAllies.\"——\"IsaytheyaretheEmperor’scarriages.
Iamanoldsoldier.IservedinthecampaignofEgypt，andIwillsavethelifeofmyGeneral.\"——\"ItellyouagaintheyarenottheEmperor’scarriages.\"——\"Donotattempttodeceiveme;IhavejustpassedthroughOrgan，wheretheEmperorhasbeenhangedineffigy.ThewretcheserectedascaffoldandhangedafiguredressedinaFrenchuniformcoveredwithblood.PerhapsImaygetmyselfintoascrapebythisconfidence，butnomatter.Doyouprofitbyit.\"Thecourierthensetoffatfullgallop.
ThevaletdechambretookGeneralDrouotapart，andtoldhimwhathehadheard.DrouotcommunicatedthecircumstancetoGeneralBertrand，whohimselfrelatedittotheEmperorinthepresenceoftheCommissioners.
Thelatter，justlyindignant，heldasortofcouncilonthehighway，anditwasdeterminedthattheEmperorshouldgoforwardwithouthisretinue.
Thevaletdechambrewasaskedwhetherhehadanyclothesinthecarriage.Heproducedalongbluecloakandaroundhat.Itwasproposedtoputawhitecockadeinthehat，buttothisNapoleonwouldnotconsent.Hewentforwardinthestyleofacourier，withAmaudru，oneofthetwooutriderswhohadescortedhiscarriage，anddashedthroughOrgon.WhentheAlliedCommissionersarrivedtheretheassembledpopulationwereutteringexclamationsof\"DownwiththeCorsican！Downwiththebrigand！\"ThemayorofOrgon（the，samemanwhomIhadseenalmostonhiskneestoGeneralBonaparteonhisreturnfromEgypt）
addressedhimselftoPelard，theEmperor’svaletdechambre，andsaid，\"Doyoufollowthatrascal？\"——\"No，\"repliedPelard，\"IamattachedtotheCommisairiersoftheAlliedpowers.\"——Ah！thatiswell！Ishouldliketo’hangthevillainwithmyownhands.
Ah！ifyouknew，sir，howthescoundrelhasdeceivedus！ItwasIwhoreceivedhimonhisreturnfromEgypt.Wewishedtotakehishorsesoutanddrawhiscarriage.IshouldliketoavengemyselfnowforthehonoursIrenderedhimatthattime.\"
Thecrowdaugmented，andcontinuedtovociferatewithadegreeoffurywhichmaybeimaginedbythosewhohaveheardtheinhabitantsofthesouthmanifest，bycries，theirjoyortheirhatred.SomemoreviolentthantherestwishedtoforceNapoleon’scoachmantocry\"ViveleRoi！\"
Hecourageouslyrefused，thoughthreatenedwithastrokeofasabre，when，fortunately;thecarriagebeingreadytostart，hewhippedthehorsesandsetoffatfullgallop.TheCommissionerswouldnotbreakfastatOrgon;theypaidforwhathadbeenprepared，andtooksomerefreshmentsawaywiththem.ThecarriagesdidnotovertaketheEmperoruntiltheycametoLaCalade，wherehehadarrivedaquarterofanhourbeforewithAmaudru.
Theyfoundhimstandingbythefireinthekitchenoftheinntalkingwiththelandlady.Shehadaskedhimwhetherthetyrantwassoontopassthatway？\"Ah！sir，\"saidshe，\"itisallnonsensetosaywehavegotridofhim.Ialways，havesaid，andalwayswillsay，thatweshallneverbesureofbeingdonewithhimuntilhebelaidatthebottomofawell，coveredoverwithstones.Iwishwehadhimsafeinthewellinouryard.Yousee，sir，theDirectorysenthimtoEgypttogetridofhim;buthecamebackagain！Andhewillcomebackagain，youmaybesureofthat，sir;unless——\"Herethegoodwoman，havingfinishedskimmingherpot，lookedupandperceivedthatallthepartywerestandinguncoveredexcepttheindividualtowhom，shehadbeenspeaking.Shewasconfounded，andtheembarrassmentsheexperiencedathavingspokensoilloftheEmperortotheEmperorhimselfbanishedallheranger，andshelavishedeverymarkofattention，andrespectonNapoleonandhisretinue.AmessengerwasimmediatelysenttoAixtopurchaseribbonsformakingwhitecockades.Allthecarriageswerebroughtintothecourtyardoftheinn，andthegatewasclosed;thelandladyinformedNapoleonthatitwouldnotbeprudentforhimtoventureonpassingthroughAix，whereapopulationofmorethan20，000werewaitingtostonehim.
Meanwhiledinnerwasserved，andNapoleonsatdowntotable.Headmirablydisguisedtheagitationwhichhecouldnotfailtoexperience，andIhavebeenassured，bysomeoftheindividualswhowerepresentonthatremarkableoccasion，thathenevermadehimselfmoreagreeable.Hisconversation，whichwasenrichedbytheresourcesofhismemoryandhisimagination，charmedeveryone，andheremarked，withanairofindifferencewhichwasperhapsaffected，\"IbelievethenewFrenchGovernmenthasadesignonmylife.\"
TheCommissioners，informedofwhatwasgoingonatAix，proposedsendingtotheMayoranorderforclosingthegatesandadoptingmeasuresforsecuringthepublictranquillity.Aboutfiftyindividualshadassembledroundtheinn，andoneamongthemofferedtocarryalettertotheMayorofAixTheCommissionersacceptedhisservices，andintheirletterinformedtheMayorthatifthegatesofthetownwerenotclosedwithinanhourtheywouldadvancewithtworegimentsofuhlansandsixpiecesofartillery，andwouldfireuponallwhomightopposethem.Thisthreathadthedesiredeffect;andtheMayorreturnedforanswerthatthegatesshouldbeclosed，andthathewouldtakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofeverythingwhichmighthappen.
ThedangerwhichthreatenedtheEmperoratAixwasthusaverted;buttherewasanothertobebraved.DuringthesevenoreighthourshepassedatLaCaladeaconsiderablenumberofpeoplehadgatheredround—
theinn，andmanifestedeverydispositiontoproceedtosomeexcess.
Mostofthemhadintheirhandsfive—francpieces，inordertorecognisetheEmperorbyhislikenessonthecoin.Napoleon，whohadpassedtwonightswithoutsleep，wasinalittleroomadjoiningthekitchen，wherehehadfallenintoaslumber，recliningantheshoulderofhisvaletdechambre.Inamomentofdejectionhehadsaid，\"Inowrenouncethepoliticalworldforever.Ishallhenceforthfeelnointerestaboutanythingthatmayhappen.AtPorto—FerrajoImaybehappy——morehappythanIhaveeverbeen！No！——ifthecrownofEuropewerenowofferedtomeIwouldnotacceptit.Iwilldevotemyselftoscience.Iwasrightnevertoesteemmankind！ButFranceandtheFrenchpeople——whatingratitude！Iamdisgustedwithambition，andIwishtorulenolonger！\"
WhenthemomentfordeparturearriveditwasproposedthatheshouldputonthegreatcoatandfurcapofGeneralKohler，andthatheshouldgointothecarriageoftheAustrianCommissioner.TheEmperor，thusdisguised，lefttheinnofLaCalade，passingbetweentwolinesofspectators.OnturningthewallsofAixNapoleonhadagainthemortificationtohearthecriesof\"Downwiththetyrant！DownwithNicolas！\"andthesevociferationsresoundedatthedistanceofaquarterofaleaguefromthetown.
Bonaparte，dispiritedbythesemanifestationsofhatred，said，inatoneofmingledgriefandcontempt，\"TheseProvencalsarethesamefuriousbrawlersthattheyusedtobe.TheycommittedfrightfulmassacresatthecommencementoftheRevolution.EighteenyearsagoIcametothispartofthecountrywithsomethousandmentodelivertwoRoyalistswhoweretobehanged.Theircrimewashavingwornthewhitecockade.Isavedthem;butitwasnotwithoutdifficultythatIrescuedthemfromthehandsoftheirassailants;andnow，yousee，theyresumethesameexcessesagainstthosewhorefusetowearthewhitecockade.\".AtaboutaleaguefromAixtheEmperorandhisretinuefoundhorsesandanescortofgendarmerietoconductthemtothechateauofLuc.
ThePrincessPaulinewasatthecountryresidenceofM.Charles，memberoftheLegislativeBody，nearthecastleofLuc.OnhearingofthemisfortunesofherbrothershedeterminedtoaccompanyhimtotheisleofElba，andsheproceededtoFrejustoembarkwithhim.AtFrejustheEmperorrejoinedColonelCampbell，whohadquittedtheconvoyontheroad，andhadbroughtintotheporttheEnglishfrigatethe’Undaunted’