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’