whichwasappointedtoconveytheEmperortotheplaceofhisdestination.InspiteofthewishhehadexpressedtoColonelCampbellhemanifestedconsiderablereluctancetogoonboard.However，onthe28thofAprilhesailedfortheislandofElbaintheEnglishfrigate，inwhichitcouldnotthenbesaidthatCaesarandhisfortunewereembarked.
[Itwasonthe3dofMay1814thatBonapartearrivedwithinsightofPorto—Ferrajo，thecapitalofhisminiatureempire;buthedidnotlandtillthenestmorning.Atfirsthepaidashortvisitincognito，beingaccompaniedbyasergeant’spartyofmarinesfromtheUndaunted.Hethenreturnedonboardtobreakfast，andatabouttwoo’clockmadehispublicentrance，the’Undaunted’firingaroyalsalute.]
IneveryparticularofhisconducthepaidgreatattentiontothemaintenanceofhisImperialdignity.OnlandinghereceivedthekeysofhiscityofPorto—Ferrajo，andthedevoirsoftheGovernor，prefect，andotherdignitaries，andheproceededimmediatelyunderacanopyofStatetotheparishchurch，whichservedasacathedral.ThereheheardTeDeum，anditisstatedthathiscountenancewasdarkandmelancholy，andthatheevenshedtears.
OneofBonaparte’sfirstcareswastoselectaflagfortheElbeseEmpire，andaftersomehesitationhefixedon\"Argent，onabendgules，orthreebees，\"asthearmorialensignofhisnewdominion.ItisstrangethatneitherhenoranyofthosewhomheconsultedshouldhavebeenawarethatElbahadanancientandpeculiarensign，anditisstillmoreremarkablethatthisensignshouldbeonesingularlyadaptedtoBonaparte’ssituation;beingnomorethan\"awheel，——theemblem，\"saysM.Bernaud，\"ofthevicissitudesofhumanlife，whichtheElbesehadborrowedfromtheEgyptianmysteries.\"Thisisascuriousacoincidenceasanyweeverrecollecttohavemet;asthemedalsofElbawiththeemblemofthewheelarewellknown，wecannotbutsupposethatBonapartewasawareofthecircumstance;yetheisrepresentedashavinginvainmadeseveralanxiousinquiriesaftertheancientarmsoftheisland.
Duringthefirstmonthsofhisresidencetherehislifewas，ingeneral，oneofcharacteristicactivityandalmostgarrulousfrankness.Hegavedinners，wenttoballs，rodealldayabouthisisland，plannedfortifications，aqueducts，lazarettos，harbours，andpalaces;andtheveryseconddayafterhelandedfittedoutanexpeditionofadozensoldierstotakepossessionofalittleuninhabitedislandcalledPianosa，whichliesafewleaguesfromElba;onthisoccasionhesaidgood—humouredly，\"Toutel’Europediraquej’aidejafaituneconqute\"
（AllEuropewillsayIhavealreadymadeaconquest）.ThecauseoftheislandofPianosabeingleftuninhabitedwasthemaraudingoftheCorsairsfromthecoastofBarbary，againstwhomBonaparteconsideredhimselffullyprotectedbythe4thArticleoftheTreatyofFontainebleau.
ThegreatestwealthofElbaconsistsinitsironmines，forwhichtheislandwascelebratedinthedaysofVirgil.SoonafterhisarrivalNapoleonvisitedtheminesincompanywithColonelCampbell，andbeinginformedthattheyproducedannuallyabout500，000francsheexclaimedjoyfully，\"These，then，aremyown！\"Oneofhisfollowers，however，remindedhimthathehadlongsincedisposedofthatrevenue，havinggivenittohisorderoftheLegionofHonour，tofurnishpensions，etc.
\"WherewasmyheadwhenImadethatgrant？\"saidhe，\"butIhavemademanyfoolishdecreesofthatsort！\"
SirWalterScott，intellingacuriousfact，makesaverycuriousmistake.\"Todignifyhiscapital，\"hesays，\"havingdiscoveredthattheancientnameofPorto—FerrajowasComopoli（thecityofComo），hecommandedittobecalledCosmopoli，orthecityofallnations.\"NowtheoldnameofPorto—FerrajowasinrealitynotComopoli，butCosmopoli，anditobtainedthatnamefromtheFlorentineCosmode’Medici，towhoseducalhouseElbabelonged，asanintegralpartofTuscany.ThenameequallysignifiedthecityofCosmo，orthecityofallnations，andthevanityoftheMedicihadprobablybeenflatteredbythedoublemeaningoftheappellation.ButBonapartecertainlyrevivedtheoldname，anddidnotaddalettertoittodignifyhislittlecapital.
ThehouseholdofNapoleon，thoughreducedtothirty—fivepersons，stillrepresentedanImperialCourt.TheformsandetiquetteoftheTuileriesandSt，Cloudwereretainedonadiminishedscale，butthefurnitureandinternalaccommodationsofthepalacearerepresentedashavingbeenmeanerbyfarthanthoseofanEnglishgentlemanofordinaryrank.TheBodyguardofhisImperialMajestytheEmperorofElbaconsistedofabout700infantryand80cavalry，andtothishandfuloftroopsNapoleonseemedtopayalmostasmuchattentionashehadformerlygiventohisGrandeArmee.Themenwereconstantlyexercised，particularlyinthrowingshotandshells，andhesoonbegantolookoutforgoodrecruits.
HeearlyannouncedthathewouldholdaCourtandreceiveladiestwiceaweek;thefirstwasonthe7thofMay，andagreatconcourseassembled.
Bonaparteatfirstpaidgreatattentiontothewomen，particularlythosewhopossessedpersonalattractions，andaskedthem，inhisrapidway，whethertheyweremarried？howmanychildrentheyhad，andwhotheirhusbandswere？Tothelastquestionhereceivedoneuniversalanswer;ithappenedthateveryladywasmarriedtoamerchant，butwhenitcametobefurtherexplainedthattheyweremerchantbutchersandmerchantbakers，hisImperialMajestypermittedsomeexpressionofhisdissatisfactiontoescapehimandhastilyretired.Onthe4thofJunetherewasaballonboardtheBritishfrigate，inhonouroftheKing’sbirthday;thewholebeautyandfashionofElbawereassembled，anddancingwithgreatglee，when，aboutmidnight，Bonapartecameinhisbarge，unexpectedly，andmasked，tojointhefestivity.Hewasveryaffable，andvisitedeverypartoftheship，andalltheamusementswhichhadbeenpreparedforthedifferentclassesofpersons.Onhisbirthday，the15thofAugust，heorderedthemayortogiveaball，andforthispurposeatemporarybuilding，capableofholding300persons，wastobeerected，andthewholeentertainment，buildingandall，weretobeattheexpenseoftheinhabitantsthemselves.Thesewerebadauspices，andaccordinglytheballcompletelyfailed.MadameMtire，MadameBertrand，andthetwoladiesofhonour，attended，butnotabovethirtyofthefairislanders，andastheauthoroftheIEineraireremarks，\"LebalfultristequoiqueBonaparten’yparutpas.\"
Havinginanexcursionreachedthesummitofoneofthehighesthillsontheisland，wheretheseawasvisibleallroundhim，heshookhisheadwithaffectedsolemnity，andexclaimedinabanteringtone，\"Eh！ilfautavouerquemonileestbienpetite.\"
Onthismountainoneofthepartysawalittlechurchinanalmostinaccessiblesituation，andobservedthatitwasamostinconvenientsiteforachurch，forsurelynocongregationcouldattendit.\"Itisonthataccountthemoreconvenienttotheparson，\"repliedBonaparte，\"whomaypreachwhatstuffhepleaseswithoutfearofcontradiction.\"
Astheydescendedthehillandmetsomepeasantswiththeirgoatswhoaskedforcharity，Bonapartetoldastorywhichthepresentcircumstancesbroughttohisrecollection，thatwhenhewascrossingtheGreatSt.
Bernard，previouslytothebattleofMarengo，hehadmetagoatherd，andenteredintoconversationwithhim.Thegoatherd，notknowingtowhomhewasspeaking，lamentedhisownhardlot，andenviedtherichesofsomepersonswhoactuallyhadcowsandcornfields.Bonaparteinquiredifsomefairyweretooffertogratifyallhiswisheswhathewouldask？Thepoorpeasantexpressed，inhisownopinion，someveryextravagantdesires，suchasadozenofcowsandagoodfarmhouse.Bonaparteafterwardsrecollectedtheincident，andastonishedthegoatherdbythefulfilmentbfallhiswishes.
Butallhisthoughtsandconversationswerenotaslightandpleasantasthese.Sometimeshewouldinvolvehimselfinanaccountofthelastcampaign，ofhisownviewsandhopes，ofthedefectionofhismarshals，ofthecaptureofParis，andfinallyofhisabdication;onthesehewouldtalkbythehourwithgreatearnestnessandalmostfury，exhibitinginveryrapidsuccessiontraitsofeloquence，ofmilitarygenius，ofindignation;ofvanity，andofselfishness.Withregardtotheaudiencetowhomheaddressedthesetiradeshewasnotveryparticular.
ThechiefviolenceofhisrageseemedtobedirectedagainstMarshalMarmontwhom，aswellasAugereau，hesometimescalledbynamestoogrossforrepetition，andchargedroundlywithtreachery.Marmont，whenhecouldnolongerdefendParisbyarms，saveditbyanhonourablecapitulation;hepreservedhisarmyfortheserviceofhiscountryandwheneverythingelsewasloststipulatedforthesafetyofBonaparte.
Thislaststipulation，however，Bonaparteaffectedtotreatwithcontemptandindignation.——Editorof1836edition.]
CHAPTERIII.
1814.
Changesproducedbytime——CorrespondencebetweentheProvisionalGovernmentandHartwell——LouisXVIII’sreceptioninLondon——
HisarrivalatCalais——Berthier’saddresstotheKingatCompiegne——
MypresentationtohisMajestyatSt.Ouen—Louis——XVIII’sentryintoParis——Unexpecteddismissalfrommypost——M.deTalleyrand’sdeparturefortheCongressofVienna——Signsofacommotion——
ImpossibilityofseeingM.deBlacas——TheAbbyFleuriel——Unansweredletters——MylettertoM.deTalleyrandatVienna.
Nopowerissogreatasthatresultingfromthechangesproducedbytime.
Wisepolicyconsistsindirectingthatpower，buttodosoitisrequisitetoknowthewantsoftheage.ForthisreasonLouisXVIII.
appeared，intheeyesofallsensiblepersons，amonarchexpresslyformedforthecircumstancesinwhichwestoodafterthefallofNapoleon.
Inthewinterof1813—14someRoyalistproclamationshadbeencirculatedinParis，andastheycontainedthegermsofthosehopeswhichtheCharter，haditbeenexecuted，wascalculatedtorealise，thepoliceopposedtheircirculation，andIrecollectthat，inordertomultiplythenumberofcopies，myfamilyandIdailydevotedsomehourstotranscribingthem.AfterthedefinitivedeclarationofAlexanderaveryactivecorrespondenceensuedbetweentheProvisionalGovernmentandHartwell，andLouisXVIII.wasevenpreparingtoembarkforBordeauxwhenhelearnedtheeventsofthe31stofMarch.ThatnewsinducedtheKingtoalterhisdetermination，andhesoonquittedhisretirementtoproceedtoLondon.LouisXVIII.andthePrinceRegentofEnglandexchangedtheordersoftheHolyGhostandtheGarter，andIbelieveImayaffirmthatthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichanybutaCatholicPrincewasinvestedwiththeorderoftheHolyGhost.
LouisXVIII.embarkedatDoveronboardtheRoyalSovereign，andlandedatCalaisonthe24thofApril.Ineednotenterintoanydescriptionoftheenthusiasmwhichhispresenceexcited;thatisgenerallyknownthroughthereportsofthejournalsofthetime.ItisverycertainthatallrationalpersonssawwithsatisfactionthePrincesoftheHouseofBourbonreascendthethroneoftheirancestors，enlightenedbyexperienceandmisfortune，which，assomeancientphilosopherobserves，arethebestcounsellorsofkings.
IhadreceivedaletteraddressedtomefromLondonbytheDucdeDuras，pointingouttheroutewhichLouisXVIII.wastopursuefromCalaistoParis：Inthishesaid，\"Afterthezeal，monsieur，youhaveshownfortheserviceoftheKing，IdonotdoubtyouractivitytopreventhissufferinginanywayatamomentsohappyandinterestingforeveryFrenchman.\"TheKing’swishesonthissubjectwerescrupulouslyfulfilled，andIrecollectwithpleasurethezealwithwhichmydirectionswereexecutedbyallthepersonsintheserviceofthePostoffice.HisMajestystoppedforashorttimeatAmiens，andthenproceededtoCompiegne，wheretheMinistersandMarshalshadpreviouslyarrivedtopresenttohimtheirhomageandtheassuranceoftheirfidelity.BerthieraddressedtheKinginthenameoftheMarshals，andsaid，amongotherthings，\"thatFrance，groaningforfiveandtwentyyearsundertheweightofthemisfortunesthatoppressedher，hadanxiouslylookedforwardtothehappydaywhichshenowsawdawning.\"
Berthiermightjustlyhavesaidfor\"tenyears\";butatallevents，evenhadhespokenthetruth，itwasillplacedinthemouthofamanwhomtheEmperorhadconstantlyloadedwithfavours：TheEmperorAlexanderalsowenttoCompiegnetomeetLouisXVIII.，andthetwomonarchsdinedtogether.
IdidnotgotoCompiegnebecausethebusinesswhichIhadconstantlytoexecutedidnotpermitmetoleaveParisforsolonganintervalasthatjourneywouldhaverequired，butIwasatSt.OuenwhenLouisXVIII.
arrivedonthe2dofMay.ThereIhadtocongratulatemyselfonbeingrememberedbyamantowhomIwasfortunateenoughtorendersomeserviceatHamburg.AstheKingenteredthesalonthroughwhichhehadtopasstogotothedining—roomM.HuerecognisingmesaidtohisMajesty，\"ThereisM.deBourrienne.\"TheKingthensteppinguptomesaid，\"Ah！
M.deBourrienne，Iamverygladtoseeyou.IamawareoftheservicesyouhaverenderedmeinHamburgandParis，andIshallfeelmuchpleasureintestifyingmygratitude.\"
AtSt.OuenLouisXVIII.promulgatedthedeclarationwhichprecededtheCharter，andwhichrepeatedthesentimentsexpressedbytheKingtwentyyearsbefore，intheDeclarationofColmar.ItwasalsoatSt，OuenthatprojectofaConstitutionwaspresentedtohimbytheSenateinwhichthatbody，tojustify’inextremis’itstitleofconservative，stipulatedforthepreservationofitsrevenuesandendowments.
Onthe3dofMayLouisXVIII.madehissolemnentranceintoParis，theDuchessd’AngoulemebeinginthecarriagewiththeKing.HisMajestyproceededfirsttoNotreDame.OnarrivingatthePontNeufhesawthemodelofthestatueofHenriIV.replaced，onthepedestalofwhichappearedthefollowingwords：’Ludovicoreduce，Henricusredivivus’，whichweresuggestedbyM.deLally—Tollendal，andweregreatlypreferabletothelongandprolixinscriptioncomposedforthebronzestatue.
TheKing’sentranceintoParisdidnotexcitesomuchenthusiasmastheentranceofMonsieur.IntheplacesthroughwhichIpassedonthe3dofMayastonishmentseemedtobetheprevailingfeelingamongthepeople.
Theabatementofpublicenthusiasmwasmoreperceptibleashorttimeafter，whenLouisXVIII.restored\"theredcorps\"whichLouisXVI.hadsuppressedlongbeforetheRevolution.
ItwasnotalittleextraordinarytoseethedirectionoftheGovernmentconsignedtoamanwhoneitherhadnorcouldhaveanyknowledgeofFrance.FromthecommencementM.deBlacasaffectedministerialomnipotence.WhenIwentonthe11thofMaytotheTuileriestopresent，asusual，myportfoliototheKing，invirtueofmyprivilegeoftransactingbusinesswiththesovereign，M.deBlacaswishedtotaketheportfoliofromme，whichappearedtomethemoresurprisingas，duringthesevendaysIhadthehonourofcomingincontactwithLouisXVIII.，hisMajestyhadbeenpleasedtobestowmanycomplimentsuponme.Iatfirstrefusedtogiveuptheportfolio，butM.deBlacastoldmetheKinghadorderedhimtoreceiveit;Ithen，ofcourse，yieldedthepoint.
However，it，wasnotlongbeforeIhadexperienceofacourtier’srevenge，fortwodaysafterthiscircumstance，thatistosay，onthe13thofMay，onenteringmycabinetattheusualhour，Imechanicallytookupthe’Moniteur’，whichIfoundlyingonmydesk.OnglancinghastilyoveritwhatwasmyastonishmenttofindthattheComteFerrandhadbeenappointedDirectorofthePost—officeinmystead.SuchwasthestrangemodeinwhichM.deBlacasmademefeelthepromisedgratitudeofthesovereign.Certainly，aftermyproofsofloyalty，whichayearafterwardsprocuredformethehonourofbeingoutlawedinquiteaspecialway，Ihadreasontocomplain，andImighthavesaid’Sicvosnonvobis’asjustlyasVirgilwhenhealludedtotheunmeritedfavourslavishedbyAugustusontheMaeviiandBaviiofhistime.
ThemeasuresofGovernmentsoonexcitedcomplaintsineveryquarter.
Theusagesoftheoldsystemweregraduallyrestored，andridiculebeingmingledwithmoreseriousconsiderations，Pariswasspeedilyinundatedwithcaricaturesandpamphlets.However，tranquillityprevaileduntilthemonthofSeptember，whenM.deTalleyranddepartedfortheCongressofVienna.ThenallwasdisorderattheTuileries.Everyonefeelinghimselffreefromrestraint，wishedtoplaythestatesman，andHeavenknowshowmanyfollieswerecommittedintheabsenceoftheschoolmaster.
UnderafeebleGovernmentthereisbutonestepfromdiscontenttoinsurrection，underanimbecileGovernmentlikethatofFrancein1814，afterthedepartureofM.deTalleyrand，conspiracyhasfreeScope.
Duringthesummerof1814wereinitiatedtheeventswhichreachedtheirclimaxonthe20thofMarch1815.IalmostfancyIamdreamingwhenI
lookbackonthemiraculousincapacityofthepersonswhowerethenattheheadofourGovernment.Theemigrants，who，asithasbeentrulysaid，hadneitherlearnednorforgottenanything，camebackwithalltheabsurdpretensionsofCoblentz.TheirsillyvanityremindedoneofacharacterinoneofVoltaire’snovelswhoiscontinuallysaying，\"Unhommecommemoi！\"Thesepeopleweresoengrossedwiththeirpretendedmeritthattheywereblindtoeverythingelse.TheynotonlydisregardedthewishesandthewantsofFrance;whichinoverthrowingtheEmpirehopedtoregainliberty，buttheydisregardedeverywarningtheyhadreceived.
Irecollectonecircumstancewhichwaswellcalculatedtoexcitesuspicion.PrinceEugeneproposedgoingtothewatersofPlombierestojoinhissisterHortense.Thehorses，thecarriages，andoneofthePrince’saidesdecamphadalreadyarrivedatPlombieres，andhisresidencewasprepared;buthedidnotgo.Eugenehad，nodoubt，receivedintimationofhissister’sintrigueswithsomeoftheindividualsofthelateCourtofNapoleonwhowerethenatthewaters，andashehaddeterminedtoresidequietlyattheCourtofhisfather—in—
law;withoutmeddlingwithpublicaffairs，heremainedatMunich.Thisfact，however，passedoffunnoticed.
Attheendof1814unequivocalindicationsofagreatcatastrophewereobservable.Aboutthattimeaman，whomImuchesteem，andwithwhomI
havealwaysbeenontermsoffriendship，saidtome，\"Youseehowthingsaregoingon：theyarecommittingfaultuponfault.Youmustbeconvincedthatsuchastateofthingscannotlastlong.Betweenourselves，IamofopinionthatallwillbeoverinthemonthofMarch;
thatmonthwillrepairthedisgraceoflastMarch.Weshallthen，onceforall，bedeliveredfromfanaticismandtheemigrants.Youseetheintolerablespiritofhypocrisythatprevails，andyouknowthattheinfluenceofthepriestsis，ofallthings，themosthatefultothenation.Wehavegonebackalongwaywithinthelasteightmonths.I
fearyouwillrepentofhavingtakentooactiveapartinaffairsatthecommencementofthepresentyear.Youseewehavegoneaverydifferentwayfromwhatyouexpected.However，asIhaveoftentoldyoubefore，youhadgoodreasontocomplain;andafterall，youactedtothebestofyourjudgment.\"
IdidnotattachmuchimportancetothispredictionofachangeinthemonthofMarch.Ideplored，aseveryonedid，theinconceivableerrorsof\"FerrandandCompany，\"andIhopedthattheGovernmentwouldgraduallyreturntothoseprincipleswhichwerecalculatedtoconciliatethefeelingsofthepeople.Afewdaysafteranotherofmyfriendscalledonme.Hehadexercisedimportantfunctions，andhisnamehadappearedonaproscriptionlist.HehadclaimsupontheGovernment，whichwasbynomeansfavourablydisposedtowardshim.Iaskedhimhowthingsweregoingon，andhereplied，\"Verywell;nooppositionismadetomydemands.I
havenoreasonbocomplain.\"Thisremindedmeofthemaninthe’LettresPersanes’，whoadmiredtheexcellentorderofthefinancesunderColbertbecausehispensionwaspromptlypaid.IcongratulatedmyfriendonthejusticewhichtheGovernmentrenderedhim，aswellasonthejusticewhichherenderedtotheGovernment，andIremarkedthatifthesamecoursewereadoptedtowardseveryoneallpartieswouldspeedilybeconciliated.\"Idonotthinkso，\"saidmyfriend.\"IftheGovernmentpersistinitspresentcourseitcannotpossiblystand，andweshallhavetheEmperorbackagain.\"——\"That，\"saidI，\"wouldbeaverygreatmisfortune;andevenifsuchwerethewishofFrance，itwouldbeopposedbyEurope.YouwhoaresodevotedlyattachedtoFrancecannotbeindifferenttothedangerthatwouldthreatenherifthepresenceofBonaparteshouldbringtheforeignersbackagain.Canyouenduretothinkofthedismembermentofourcountry？\"——\"Thattheywouldneverdaretoattempt.ButyouandIcanneveragreeonthequestionoftheEmperorandyourBourbons.Wetakeatotallydifferentviewofthematter.YouhadcausetocomplainofBonaparte，butIhadonlyreasontobesatisfiedwithhim.Buttellme，whatwouldyoudoifheweretoreturn？\"——
\"Bonapartereturn！\"——\"Yes.\"——\"Uponmyword，thebestthingIcoulddowouldbetosetoffasspeedilyasIcould，andthatiscertainlywhatI
shoulddo.IamthoroughlyconvincedthathewouldneverpardonmeforthepartIhavetakenintheRestoration，andIcandidlyconfessthatI
shouldnothesitateamomenttosavemylifebyleavingFrance.\"——\"Well，youarewrong，forIamconvincedthatifyouwouldrangeyourselfamongthenumberofhisfriendsyoumighthavewhateveryouwished——titles，honours，riches.OfthisIcouldgiveyouassurance.\"——\"Allthis，Imusttellyou，doesnottemptme.IloveFranceasdearly，asyoudo，andI
amconvincedthatshecanneverbehappyunderBonaparte.IfheshouldreturnIwillgoandliveabroad.\"
Thisisonlypartofaconversationwhichlastedaconsiderabletime，and，asisoftenthecaseafteralongdiscussion，myfriendretainedhisopinion，andImine.However，thissecondwarning，thishypothesisofthereturnofBonaparte，mademereflect，andIsoonreceivedanotherhintwhichgaveadditionalweighttotheprecedingones.AnindividualwithwhomIwaswellacquainted，andwhomIknewfromhisprinciplesandconnectionstobeentirelydevotedtotheroyalcause，communicatedtomesomeextraordinarycircumstanceswhichhesaidalarmedhim.Amongotherthingshesaid，\"ThedaybeforeyesterdayImetCharlesdeLabedoyere，who，youknow，ismyintimatefriend.Iremarkedthathehadanairofagitationandabstraction.Iinvitedhimtocomeanddinewithme，buthedeclined，allegingasanexcusethatweshouldnotbealone.Hethenaskedmetogoanddinewithhimyesterday，ashewantedtotalkwithme.
Iacceptedhisinvitation，andweconversedalongtimeonpoliticalaffair’sandthesituationofFrance.Youknowmysentimentsarequitethereverseofhis，sowedisputedandwrangled，thoughwearestillverygoodfriends.Butwhatalarmsmeis，thatatpartingCharlespressedmyhand，saying，’Adieu;to—morrowIsetoffforGrenoble.InamonthyouwillhearsomethingofCharlesdeLabedoyere.’\"
Thesethreesuccessivecommunicationsappearedtomeveryextraordinary.
Thetwofirstweremadetomebypersonsinterestedintheevent，andthethirdbyonewhodreadedit.TheyallpresentedastrikingcoincidencewiththeintriguesatPlombieresafewmonthsbefore.InthemonthofJanuaryIdeterminedtomentionthebusinesstoM.deBlacas，whothenengrossedallcreditandallpower，andthroughwhosemediumaloneanythingcouldreachthesovereign.IneedscarcelyaddthatmyintentionwasmerelytomentiontohimthefactswithoutnamingtheindividualsfromwhomIobtainedthem.Afterall，however，M.deBlacasdidnotreceiveme，andIonlyhadthehonourofspeakingtohissecretary，who，ifthefactdeservetoberecorded，wasanabbenamedFleuriel.Thispersonage，whowasanextraordinaryspecimenofimpertinenceandself—conceit，wouldhavebeenanadmirablestudyforacomicpoet.HehadallthedignitybelongingtothegreatsecretaryofagreatMinister，and，withanairofindifference，hetoldmethattheCountwasnotthere;butM.deBlacaswasthere，andIknewit.
DevotedasIwastothecauseoftheBourbons，IthoughtitmydutytowritethatverydaytoM.deBlacastorequestaninterview;Ireceivednoanswer.TwodaysafterIwroteasecondletter，inwhichIinformedM.deBlacasthatIhadsomethingofthegreatestimportancetocommunicatetohim;thisletterremainedunnoticedlikethefirst.
UnabletoaccountforthisstrangetreatmentIagainrepairedtothePaviliondeFlore，andrequestedtheAbbeFleurieltoexplaintomeifhecouldthecauseofhismaster’ssilence.\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"Ireceivedyourtwoletters，andlaidthembeforetheCount;Icannottellwhyhehasnotsentyouananswer;butMonsieurleComteissomuchengaged
MonsieurleComteissooverwhelmedwithbusinessthat\"——\"MonsieurleComtemay，perhaps，repentofit.Goodmorning，sir！\"
IthushadpersonalexperienceofthetruthofwhatIhadoftenheardrespectingM.deBlacas.Thatfavourite，whosucceededComted’Avaray，enjoyedthefullconfidenceoftheKing，andconcentratedthesovereignpowerinhisowncabinet.TheonlymeansoftransmittinganycommunicationtoLouisXVIII.wastogetitaddressedtoM.deBlacasbyoneofhismostintimatefriends.
ConvincedasIwasofthedangerthatthreatenedFrance，andunabletobreakthroughtheblockadewhichM.deBlacashadformedroundthepersonoftheKing，IdeterminedtowritetoM.deTalleyrandatVienna，’andacquainthimwiththecommunicationsthathadbeenmadetome.M.deTalleyrandcorrespondeddirectlywiththeKing，andIdoubtnotthatmyinformationatlengthreachedtheearsofhisMajesty.ButwhenLouisXVIII.wasinformedofwhatwastohappenitwastoolatetoavertthedanger.
CHAPTERIV.
1814—1815.
EscapefromElba——HislandingnearCannes——MarchonParis.
AboutthemiddleofsummerNapoleonwasvisitedbyhismotherandhissisterthePrincessPauline.Boththeseladieshadveryconsiderabletalentsforpoliticalintrigue，andthennaturalfacultiesinthiswayhadnotlaindormantorbeeninjuredbywantofpractice.InPaulinethisfinessewaspartiallyconcealedbyalanguorandindecisionofmannerandanoccasionalassumptionof’niaiserie’;oralmostinfantinesimplicity;butthisonlythrewpeoplethemoreofftheirguard，andmadeherfinessethemoresureinitsoperation.Paulinewashandsometoo，uncommonlygraceful，andhadallthatpoweroffascinationwhichhasbeenattributedtotheBonapartefamily.Shecouldgainheartswithease，andthosewhomhercharmsenslavedweregenerallyreadytodevotethemselvesabsolutelytoherbrother.ShewentandcamebetweenNaplesandElba，andkeptherbrother—in—law，Murat，inmindofthefactthatthelionwasnotyetdeadnorsomuchassleeping，butmerelyretiringthebettertospringforwardonhisquarry.
Havingtakenthisresolutionandchosenhistime，Napoleonkeptthesecretofhisexpeditionuntilthelastmoment;andmeanswerefoundtoprivatelymaketherequisitepreparations.Aportionofthesoldierswasembarkedinabrigcalledthe’Inconstant’andtheremainderinsixsmallcraft.ItwasnottilltheywereallonboardthatthetroopsfirstconceivedasuspicionoftheEmperor’spurpose：1000or1200menhadsailedtoregainpossessionofanEmpirecontainingapopulationof30，000，000！HecommencedhisvoyageonSundaythe26thofFebruary1815，andthenextmorningatteno’clockwasnotoutofsightoftheisland，tothegreatannoyanceofthefewfriendshehadleftbehind.AtthistimeColonelSirNeilCampbellwasabsentonatourtoLeghorn，butbeinginformedbytheFrenchConsulandbySpanocchi，theTuscanGovernorofthetown，thatNapoleonwasabouttosailfortheContinent，hehastenedback，andgavechasetothelittlesquadroninthePartridgesloopofwar，whichwascruisingintheneighbourhood，but，beingdelayedbycommunicatingwithaFrenchfrigate，reachedAntibestoolate.
Therewerebetween400and500menonboardthebrig（the’Inconstant’）
inwhichBonaparteembarked.OnthepassagetheymetwithaFrenchshipofwar，withwhichtheyspoke.TheGuardswereorderedtopullofftheircapsandliedownonthedeckorgobelowwhilethecaptainexchangedsomewordswiththecommanderofthefrigate，whomheafterwardsproposedtopursueandcapture.Bonaparterejectedtheideaasabsurd，andaskedwhyheshouldintroducethisnewepisodeintohisplan.
AstheystoodovertothecoastofFrancetheEmperorwasinthehighestspirits.Thediewascast，andheseemedtobequitehimselfagain.Hesatuponthedeckandamusedtheofficerscollectedroundhimwithanarrativeofhiscampaigns，particularlythoseofItalyandEgypt.Whenhehadfinishedheobservedthedecktobeencumberedwithseverallargechestsbelongingtohim.Heaskedthemaitred’hotelwhattheycontained.Uponbeingtoldtheywerefilledwithwineheorderedthemtobeimmediatelybrokenopen，saying，\"Wewilldividethebooty.\"TheEmperorsuperintendedthedistributionhimself，andpresentedbottlebybottletohiscomrades，tilltiredofthisoccupationhecalledouttoBertrand，\"GrandMarshal，assistme，ifyouplease.Letushelpthesegentlemen.Theywillhelpussomeday.\"Itwaswiththisspeciesofbonhomiethathecaptivatedwhenhechoseallaroundhim.Thefollowingdayhewasemployedinvariousarrangements，andamongothersindictatingtoColonelRaoultheproclamationstobeissuedonhislandingInoneofthese，afterobserving，\"wemustforgetthatwehavegivenlawtotheneighbouringnations，\"Napoleonstopped.\"WhathaveIsaid？\"
ColonelRaoulreadthepassage.\"Stop！\"saidNapoleon.\"Omittheword’neighbouring;’saysimply’tonations.’\"Itwasthushispriderevealeditself;andhisambitionseemedtorekindleattheveryrecollectionsofhisformergreatness.
Napoleonlandedwithoutanyaccidentonthe1stofMarchatCannes，asmallseaportintheGulfofSt.Juan，notfarfromFrejus，wherehehaddisembarkedonhisreturnfromEgyptsixteenyearsbefore，andwherehehadembarkedtheprecedingyearforElba.AsmallpartyoftheGuardswhopresentedthemselvesbeforetheneighbouringgarrisonofAntibesweremadeprisonersbyGeneralCorsin，theGovernoroftheplace.Someonehintedthatitwasnotrighttoproceedtilltheyhadreleasedtheircomrades，buttheEmperorobservedthatthiswaspoorlytoestimatethemagnitudeoftheundertaking;beforethemwere30，000，000menunitingtobesetfree！He，however，senttheCommissariatOfficertotrywhatbecoulddo，callingoutafterhim，\"Takecareyoudonotgetyourselfmadeprisonertoo！\"
Atnightfallthetroopsbivouackedonthebeach.Justbeforeapostillion，inasplendidlivery，hadbeenbroughttoNapoleon.ItturnedoutthatthismanhadformerlybeenadomesticoftheEmpressJosephine，andwasnowintheserviceofthePrinceofMonaco，whohimselfhadbeenequerrytotheEmpress.Thepostillion，afterexpressinghisgreatastonishmentatfindingtheEmperorthere，stated，inanswertothequestionsthatwereputtohim，thathehadjustcomefromParis;thatallalongtheroad，asfarasAvignon，hehadheardnothingbutregretfortheEmperor’sabsence;thathisnamewasconstantlyechoedfrommouthtomouth;andthat，whenoncefairlythroughProvence，hewouldfindthewholepopulationreadytorallyroundhim.
Themanaddedthathislacedliveryhadfrequentlyrenderedhimtheobjectofodiumandinsultontheroad.Thiswasthetestimonyofoneofthecommonclassofsociety：itwasverygratifyingtotheEmperor，asitentirelycorrespondedwithhisexpectations.ThePrinceofMonacohimself，onbeingpresentedtotheEmperor，waslessexplicit.Napoleonrefrainedfromquestioninghimonpoliticalmatters.Theconversationthereforeassumedamorelivelycharacter，andturnedaltogetherontheladiesoftheformerImperialCourt，concerningwhomtheEmperorwasveryparticularinhisinquiries.
Assoonasthemoonhadrisen，whichwasaboutoneortwointhemorningofthe2d，thebivouacswerebrokenup，andNapoleongaveordersforproceedingtoGrasse.ThereheexpectedtofindaroadwhichhehadplannedduringtheEmpire，butinthishewasdisappointed，theBourbonshavinggivenupallsuchexpensiveworksthroughwantofmoney.
Bonapartewasthereforeobligedtopassthroughnarrowdefilesfilledwithsnow，andleftbehindhiminthehandsofthemunicipalityhiscarriageandtwopiecesofcannon，whichhadbeenbroughtashore.Thiswastermedacaptureinthebulletinsoftheday.ThemunicipalityofGrassewasstronglyinfavouroftheRoyalistcause，butthesuddenappearanceoftheEmperoraffordedbutlittletimeforhesitation，andtheycametotendertheirsubmissiontohim.Havingpassedthroughthetownbehaltedonalittleheightsomewaybeyondit，wherehebreakfasted.Hewassoonsurroundedbythewholepopulationoftheplace;andheheardthesamesentimentsandthesameprayersasbeforehequittedFrance.Amultitudeofpetitionshadalreadybeendrawnup，andwerepresentedtohim，justasthoughhehadcomefromParisandwasmakingatourthroughthedepartments.Onecomplainedthathispensionhadnotbeenpaid，anotherthathiscrossoftheLegionofHonourhadbeentakenfromhim.SomeofthemorediscontentedsecretlyinformedNapoleonthattheauthoritiesofthetownwereveryhostiletohim，butthatthemassofthepeopleweredevotedtohim，andonlywaitedtillhisbackwasturnedtoridthemselvesofthemiscreants.Hereplied，\"Benottoohasty.Letthemhavethemortificationofseeingourtriumphwithouthavinganythingtoreproachuswith.\"TheEmperoradvancedwithalltherapidityinhispower.\"Victory，\"hesaid，\"dependedonmyspeed.TomeFrancewasinGrenoble.Thatplacewasahundredmilesdistant，butI
andmycompanionsreacheditinfivedays;andwithwhatweatherandwhatroads！IenteredthecityjustastheComted’Artois，warnedbythetelegraph，wasquittingtheTuileries.\"
Napoleonhimselfwassoperfectlyconvincedofthestateofaffairsthatheknewhissuccessinnowaydependedontheforcehemightbringwithhim.A’piquet’of’gensd’armes’，hesaid，wasallthatwasnecessary.
Everythingturnedoutasheforesaw.Atfirstheownedhewasnotwithoutsomedegreeofuncertaintyandapprehension.Asheadvanced，however，thewholepopulationdeclaredthemselvesenthusiasticallyinhisfavour：buthesawnosoldiers.ItwasnottillhearrivedbetweenMureandVizille，withinfiveorsixleaguesfromGrenoble，andonthefifthdayafterhislanding，thathemetabattalion.Thecommandingofficerrefusedtoholdevenaparley.TheEmperor，withouthesitation，advancedalone，and100grenadiersmarchedatsomedistancebehindhim，withtheirarmsreversed.ThesightofNapoleon，hiswell—knowncostume，andhisgraymilitarygreatcoat，hadamagicaleffectonthesoldiers，andtheystoodmotionless.Napoleonwentstraightuptothemandbaringhisbreastsaid，\"LethimthathastheheartkillhisEmperor！\"Thesoldiersthrewdowntheirarms，theireyesmoistenedwithtears，andcriesof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"resoundedoneveryside.Napoleonorderedthebattaliontowheelroundtotheright，andallmarchedontogether.
AtashortdistancefromGrenobleColonelLabedoyere，whohadbeensentattheheadofthe7thregimenttoopposehispassage，cametojointheEmperor.Theimpulsethusgiveninamannerdecidedthequestion.
Labedoyere’ssuperiorofficerinvaininterferedtorestrainhisenthusiasmandthatofhismen.Thetri—colouredcockades，whichhadbeenconcealedinthehollowofadrum，wereeagerlydistributedbyLabedoyereamongthem，andtheythrewawaythewhitecockadeasabadgeoftheirnation’sdishonour.ThepeasantryofDauphiny，thecradleoftheRevolution，linedtheroadside：theyweretransportedandmadwithjoy.Thefirstbattalion，whichhasjustbeenalludedto，hadshownsomesignsofhesitation，butthousandsofthecountrypeoplecrowdedroundit，andbytheirshoutsof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"endeavouredtourgethetroopstodecision，whileotherswhofollowedinNapoleon’srearencouragedhislittletrooptoadvancebyassuringthemthattheywouldmeetwithsuccess.Napoleonsaidhecouldhavetaken2，000，000ofthesepeasantswithhimtoParis，butthatthenhewouldhavebeencalled\"theKingoftheJaequerie.\"
Napoleonissuedtwoproclamationsontheroad.HeatfirstregrettedthathehadnothadthemprintedbeforeheleftElba;butthiscouldnothavebeendonewithoutsomeriskofbetrayinghissecretdesigns.Hedictatedthemonboardthevessel，whereeverymanwhocouldwritewasemployedincopyingthem.Thesecopiessoonbecameveryscarce;manyofthemwereillegible;anditwasoftillhearrivedatGap，onthe5thofMarch，thathefoundmeanstohavethemprinted.Theywerefromthattimecirculatedandreadeverywherewiththeutmostavidity.
Theaddresstothearmywasconsideredasbeingstillmoremasterlyandeloquent，anditwascertainlywellsuitedtothetasteofFrenchsoldiers，who，asBourrienneremarks，arewonderfullypleasedwithgrandiloquence，metaphor，andhyperbole，thoughtheydonotalwaysunderstandwhattheymean.EvenaFrenchauthorofsomedistinctionpraisesthisaddressassomethingsublime.\"Theproclamationtothearmy，\"sayshe，\"isfullofenergy：itcouldnotfailtomakeallmilitaryimaginationsvibrate.Thatpropheticphrase，’Theeagle，withthenationalcolours，willflyfromchurchsteepletochurchsteeple，tillitsettlesonthetowersofNotreDame，’washappyintheextreme.\"
ThesewordscertainlyproducedanimmenseeffectontheFrenchsoldiery，whoeverywhereshouted，\"Vivel’Empereur！\"VivelepetitCaporal！\"
\"Wewilldieforouroldcomrade！\"withthemostgenuineenthusiasm.
ItwassomedistanceinadvanceofGrenoblethatLabedoyerejoined，buthecouldnotmakequitesureofthegarrisonofthatcity，whichwascommandedbyGeneralMarchand，amanresolvedtobefaithfultohislatestmaster.TheshadesofnighthadfallenwhenBonapartearrivedinfrontofthefortressofGrenoble，wherehestoodforsomeminutesinapainfulstateofsuspenseandindecision.
Itwasonthe7thofMarch，atnightfall，thatBonapartethusstoodbeforethewallsofGrenoble.Hefoundthegatesclosed，andthecommandingofficerrefusedtoopenthem.Thegarrisonassembledontherampartsshouted\"Vivel’Empereur！\"andshookhandswithNapoleon’sfollowersthroughthewickets，buttheycouldnotbeprevailedontodomore.Itwasnecessarytoforcethegates，andthiswasdoneunderthemouthsoftenpiecesofartillery，loadedwithgrapeshot.InnoneofhisbattlesdidNapoleoneverimaginehimselftobeinsomuchdangerasattheentranceintoGrenoble.Thesoldiersseemedtoturnuponhimwithfuriousgestures：foramomentitmightbesupposedthattheyweregoingtotearhimtopieces.Butthesewerethesuppressedtransportsofloveandjoy.TheEmperorandhishorsewerebothbornealongbythemultitude，andhehadscarcelytimetobreatheintheinnwherehealightedwhenanincreasedtumultwasheardwithout;theinhabitantsofGrenoblecametoofferhimthebrokengatesofthecity，sincetheycouldnotpresenthimwiththekeys.
FromGrenobletoParisNapoleonfoundnofurtheropposition.DuringthefourdaysofhisstayatLyons，wherehehadarrivedonthe10th，therewerecontinuallyupwardsof20，000peopleassembledbeforehiswindows;
whoseacclamationswereunceasing.ItwouldneverhavebeensupposedthattheEmperorhadevenforamomentbeenabsentfromthe，country.
Heissuedorders，signeddecrees，reviewedthetroops，asifnothinghadhappened.Themilitarycorps，thepublicbodies，andallclassesofcitizens，eagerlycameforwardtotendertheirhomageandtheirservices.
TheComted’Artois，whohadhastenedtoLyons，astheDucandDuchessed’AugoulemehaddonetoBourdeaux，liketheminvainattemptedtomakeastand.TheMountedNationalGuard（whowereknownRoyalists）desertedhimatthiscrisis，andinhisflightonlyoneofthemchosetofollowhim.Bonaparterefusedtheirserviceswhenofferedtohim，andwithachivalrousfeelingworthyofbeingrecordedsentthedecorationoftheLegionofHonourtothesinglevolunteerwhohadthusshownhisfidelitybyfollowingtheDuke.
AssoonastheEmperorquittedLyonshewrotetoNey，whowithhisarmywasatLons—le—Saulnier，tocomeandjoinhim.NeyhadsetofffromtheCourtwithapromisetobringNapoleon，\"likeawildbeastinacage，toParis.\"ScottexcusesNey’sheartattheexpenseofhishead，andfanciesthattheMarshalwasrathercarriedawaybycircumstances，byvanity，andbyfickleness，thanactuatedbypremeditatedtreachery，anditisquitepossiblethattheseprotestationsweresincerelyutteredwhenNeyleftParis，but，infectedbytheardourofhistroops，hewasunabletoresistacontagionsomuchinharmonywithallhisantecedents，andtoattacknotonlyhisleaderinmanyatimeofperil，butalsothesovereignwhohadforwardedhiscareerthrougheverygradeofthearmy.
Thefactsofthecanewerethese：——
Onthe11thofMarchNey，beingatBesancon，learnedthatNapoleonwasatLyons.Tothosewhodoubtedwhetherhistroopswouldfightagainsttheiroldcomradeshesaid，\"Theyshallfight！Iwilltakeamusketfromagrenadierandbegintheactionmyself！Iwillrunmyswordtothehiltinthebodyofthefirstmanwhohesitatestofire.\"AtthesametimehewrotetotheMinisterofWaratParisthathehopedtoseeafortunateclosetothismadenterprise.\"
HethenadvancedtoLons—le—Saulnier，where，onthenightbetweenthe13thand14thofMarch，notquitethreedaysafterhisvehementprotestationsoffidelity，hereceived，withouthesitation，aletterfromBonaparte，invitinghim，byhisoldappellationofthe\"BravestoftheBrave，\"tojoinhisstandard.WiththisinvitationNeycomplied，andpublishedanorderofthedaythatdeclaredthecauseoftheBourbons，whichhehadsworntodefend，lostforever.
ItispleadedinextenuationofNey’sdefectionthatbothhisofficersandmenwerebeyondhiscontrol，anddeterminedtojointheiroldMaster;
butinthatcasehemighthavegivenuphiscommand，andretiredinthesamehonourablewaythatMarshalsMacdonaldandMarmontandseveralothergeneralsdid.ButevenamonghisownofficersNeyhadanexamplesethim，formanyofthem，afterremonstratinginvain，threwuptheircommands.OneofthembrokehisswordintwoandthrewthepiecesatNey’sfeet，saying，\"Itiseasierforamanofhonourtobreakironthantobreakhisword.\"
Napoleon，whenatSt.Helena，gaveaverydifferentreadingtotheseincidents.Onthissubjecthewasheardtosay，\"IfIexceptLabedoyere，whoflewtomewithenthusiasmandaffection，andanotherindividual，who，ofhisownaccord，renderedmeimportantservices，nearlyalltheothergeneralswhomImetonmyrouteevincedhesitationanduncertainty;
theyyieldedonlytotheimpulseaboutthem，ifindeedtheydidnotmanifestahostilefeelingtowardsme.ThiswasthecasewithNey，withMassena，St.Cyr，Soult，aswellaswithMacdonaldandtheDukeofBelluno，sothatiftheBourbonshadreasontocomplainofthecompletedesertionofthesoldiersandthepeople，theyhadnorighttoreproachthechiefsofthearmywithconspiringagainstthem，whohadshownthemselvesmerechildreninpolitics，andwouldbelookeduponasneitheremigrantsnorpatriots.\"
BetweenLyonsandFontainebleauNapoleonoftentravelledseveralmilesaheadofhisarmywithnootherescortthanafewPolishlancers.Hisadvancedguardnowgenerallyconsistedofthetroops（miscalledRoyal）
whohappenedtobebeforehimontheroadwhithertheyhadbeensenttoopposehim，andtowhomcouriersweresentforwardtogivenoticeoftheEmperor’sapproach，inorderthattheymightbequitereadytojoinhimwiththeduemilitaryceremonies.Whiteflagsandcockadeseverywheredisappeared;thetri—colourresumeditsprideofplace.Itwasspring，andtruetoitsseasontheviolethadreappeared！Thejoyofthesoldiersandthelowerorderswasalmostfrantic，butevenamongtheindustriouspoortherewerenotwantingmanywhoregrettedthisprecipitatereturntotheoldorderofthings——toconscription，war，andbloodshed，whileinthesuperiorclassesofsocietytherewasaprettygeneralconsternation.Thevain，volatilesoldiery，however，thoughtofnothingbuttheirEmperor，sawnothingbeforethembuttherestorationofalltheirlaurels，thehumiliationofEngland，andtheutterdefeatoftheRussians，Prussians，andAustrians.
Onthenightbetweenthe19thand20thofMarchNapoleonreachedFontainebleau，andagainpaused，ashadformerlybeenhiscustom，withshort，quickstepsthroughtheantiquatedbutsplendidgalleriesofthatoldpalace.Whatmusthavebeenhisfeelingsonrevisitingthechamberinwhich，theyearbefore，itissaidhehadattemptedsuicide！
LouisXVIII.，leftthePalaceoftheTuileriesatnearlythesamehourthatBonaparteenteredthatofFontainebleau.
ThemostforlornhopeoftheBourbonswasnowinaconsiderablearmypostedbetweenFontainebleauandParis.MeanwhilethetwoarmiesapproachedeachotheratMelun;thatoftheKingwascommandedbyMarshalMacdonald.Onthe20thhistroopsweredrawnupinthreelinestoreceivetheinvaders，whoweresaidtobeadvancingfromFontainebleau.
Therewasalongpauseofsuspense，ofanaturewhichseldomfailstorendermenmoreaccessibletostrongandsuddenemotions.Thegladesoftheforest，andtheacclivitywhichleadstoit，wereinfullviewoftheRoyalarmy，butpresentedtheappearanceofadeepsolitude.Allwassilence，exceptwhentheregimentalbandsofmusic，atthecommandoftheofficers，whoremainedgenerallyfaithful，playedtheairsof\"ViveHenriQuatre，\"\"ORichard，\"\"LaBelleGabrielle，\"andothertunesconnectedwiththecauseandfamilyoftheBourbons.Thesoundsexcitednocorrespondingsentimentsamongthesoldiers.
Atlength，aboutnoon，agallopingofhorsewasheard.Anopencarriageappeared，surroundedbyafewhussars，anddrawnbyfourhorses.Itcameonatfullspeed，andNapoleon，jumpingfromthevehicle，wasinthemidstoftherankswhichhadbeenformedtoopposehim.Hisescortthrewthemselvesfromtheirhorses，mingledwiththeirancientcomrades，andtheeffectoftheirexhortationswasinstantaneousonmenwhosemindswerealreadyhalfmadeuptothepurposewhichtheynowaccomplished.
Therewasageneralshoutof\"ViveNapoleon！\"ThelastarmyoftheBourbonspassedfromtheirside，andnofurtherobstructionexistedbetwixtNapoleonandthecapital，whichhewasoncemore——butforabriefspace——toinhabitasasovereign.
Louis，accompaniedonlybyafewhouseholdtroops，hadscarcelyturnedhisbackonthecapitalofhisancestorswhenLavalettehastenedfromaplaceofconcealmentandseizedonthePost—officeinthenameofNapoleon.BythismeasurealltheKing’sproclamations’wereintercepted，andtherestorationoftheEmperorwasannouncedtoallthedepartments.GeneralExcelmans，whohadjustrenewedhisoathtoLouis，pulleddownwithhisownhandsthewhiteflagthatwasfloatingovertheTuileries，andhoistedthethree—colouredbanner.
Itwaslateintheeveningofthe20ththatBonaparteenteredParisinanopencarriage，whichwasdrivenstraighttothegildedgatesoftheTuileries.Hereceivedtheacclamationsofthemilitaryandofthelowerclassesofthesuburbs，butmostoftherespectablecitizenslookedoninsilentwonderment.Itwasquiteevidentthenthathewasrecalledbyaparty——aparty，intruth，numerousandpowerful，butnotbytheunanimousvoiceofthenation.Theenthusiasmofhisimmediateadherents，however，madeupforthesilenceandlukewarmnessofothers.TheyfilledandcrammedthesquareoftheCarrousel，andthecourtsandavenuesoftheTuileries;theypressedsocloselyuponhimthathewasobligedtocryout，\"Myfriends，youstifleme！\"andhisaidesdecampwerecompelledtocarryhimintheirarmsupthegrandstaircase，andthenceintotheroyalapartments.Itwasobserved，however，thatamongsttheseardentfriendsweremanymenwhohadbeenthefirsttodeserthimin1814，andthattheseindividualswerethemostenthusiasticintheirdemonstrations，theloudestintheirshouts！
AndthuswasNapoleonagainattheTuileries，where，evenmorethanatFontainebleau，hismindwasfloodedbythedeepandpainfulrecollectionsofthepast！AfewnightsafterhisreturnthitherhesentforM.Horan，oneofthephysicianswhohadattendedJosephineduringherlastillness.
\"So，MonsieurHoran，\"saidhe，\"youdidnotleavetheEmpressduringhermalady？\"——\"No，Sire.\"
Whatwasthecauseofthatmalady？\"——\"Uneasinessofmindgrief.\"——
\"Youbelievethat？\"（andNapoleonlaidastrongemphasisonthewordbelieve，lookingsteadfastlyinthedoctor’sface）.Hethenasked，\"Wasshelongill？Didshesuffermuch？\"——\"Shewasillaweek，Sire;herMajestysufferedlittlebodilypain.\"——\"Didsheseethatshewasdying？
Didsheshowcourage？\"——\"AsignherMajestymadewhenshecouldnolongerexpressherselfleavesmenodoubtthatshefeltherendapproaching;sheseamedtocontemplateitwithoutfear.\"——\"Well！well！\"andthenNapoleonmuchaffecteddrewclosetoM.Horan，andadded，\"Yousaythatshewasingrief;fromwhatdidthatarise？\"——\"Frompassingevents，Sire;
fromyourMajesty’spositionlastyear.\"——\"Ah！sheusedtospeakofmethen？\"——\"Veryoften.\"HereNapoleondrewhishandacrosshiseyes，whichseemedfilledwithtears.Hethenwenton.\"Goodwoman！——ExcellentJosephine！Shelovedmetruly——she——didshenot？Ah！ShewasaFrenchwoman！\"——\"Yes，Sire，shelovedyou，andshewouldhaveprovedithaditnotbeenfordreadofdispleasingyou：shehadconceivedanidea.\"
——\"How？Whatwouldshehavedone？\"SheonedaysaidthatasEmpressoftheFrenchshewoulddrivethroughPariswitheighthorsestohercoach，andallherhouseholdingalalivery，togoandrejoinyouatFontainebleau，andneverquityoumare.\"——\"Shewouldhavedoneit——shewascapableofdoingit！\"
Napoleonagainbetrayeddeepemotion，onrecoveringfromwhichheaskedthephysicianthemostminutequestionsaboutthenatureofJosephine’sdisease，thefriendsandattendantswhowerearoundheratthehourofherdeath，andtheconductofhertwochildren，EugeneandHortense.
CHAPTERV.
1815.
MessagefromtheTuileries——MyinterviewwiththeKing——
MyappointmenttotheofficeofPrefectofthePolice——CouncilattheTuileries——Orderforarrests——Fouchesescape——Davoustunmolested——ConversationwithM.deBlacas——Theinterceptedletter，andtimelost——EvidentunderstandingbetweenMuratandNapoleon——
PlanslaidatElba——MydeparturefromParis——Thepost—masterofFins——MyarrivalatLille——LouisXVIII.detainedanhouratthegates——HismajestyobligedtoleaveFrance——MydepartureforHamburg——TheDucdeBerriatBrussels.
ThosewhoopposedtheexecutionofthetreatyconcludedwithNapoleonatthetimeofhisabdicationwereguiltyofagreaterror，fortheyaffordedhimafairpretextforleavingtheislandofElba.Thedetailsofthatextraordinaryenterpriseareknowntoeveryone，andIshallnotrepeatwhathasbeentoldoverandoveragain.Formyownpart，assoonasIsawwithwhatrapidityBonapartewasmarchinguponLyons，andtheenthusiasmwithwhichhewasreceivedbythetroopsandthepeople，I
preparedtoretiretoBelgium，theretoawaitthedenouementofthisnewdrama.
Everypreparationformydeparturewascompletedontheeveningofthe13thofMarch，andIwasreadytodepart，toavoidthepersecutionsofwhichIexpectedIshouldbetheobject，whenIreceivedamessagefromtheTuileriesstatingthattheKingdesiredtoseeme.IofcourselostnotimeinproceedingtothePalace，andwentstraighttoM.HuetoinquireofhimwhyIhadbeensentfor.HeoccupiedtheapartmentsinwhichIpassedthethreemostlaboriousandanxiousyearsofmylife.
M.Hue，perceivingthatIfeltacertaindegreeofuneasinessatbeingsummonedtotheTuileriesatthathourofthenight，hastenedtoinformmethattheKingwishedtoappointmePrefectofthePolice.HeconductedmetotheKing’schamber，wherehisMajestythusaddressedmekindly，butinanimpressivemanner，\"M.deBourrienne，canwerelyuponyou？Iexpectmuchfromyourzealandfidelity.\"——\"YourMajesty，\"
repliedI，\"shallhavenoreasontocomplainofmybetrayingyourconfidence.\"——\"Well，Ire—establishthePrefectureofthePolice，andI
appointyouPrefect.Doyourbest，M.deBourrienne，inthedischargeofyourduties;Icountuponyou.\"
Byasingularcoincidence，ontheveryday（the13thofMarch）whenI
receivedthisappointmentNapoleon，whowasatLyons，signedthedecreewhichexcludedfromtheamnestyhehadgrantedthirteenindividuals，amongwhosenamesminewasinscribed.ThisdecreeconfirmedmeinthepresentimentsIhadconceivedassoonasIheardofthelandingofBonaparte.OnreturninghomefromtheTuileriesafterreceivingmyappointmentamultitudeofideascrowdedonmymind.AtthefirstmomentIhadbeenpromptedonlybythewishtoservethecauseoftheKing，butIwasalarmedwhenIcametoexaminetheextentoftheresponsibilityI
hadtakenuponmyself.However，Ideterminedtomeetwithcouragethedifficultiesthatpresentedthemselves，andImustsaythatIhadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichIwassecondedbyM.
Foudras，theInspector—GeneralofthePolice.
EvennowIamfilledwithastonishmentwhenIthinkoftheCouncilthatwasheldattheTuileriesontheeveningofthe13thofMarchinM.deBlacas’apartments.TheignoranceofthemembersofthatCouncilrespectingoursituation，andtheirconfidenceintheuselessmeasurestheyhadadoptedagainstNapoleon，exceedallconception.
Willitbebelievedthatthosegreatstatesmen，whohadthecontrolofthetelegraph，thepost—office，thepoliceanditsagents，money—inshort，everythingwhichconstitutespower——askedmetogivetheminformationrespectingtheadvanceofBonaparte？WhatcouldIsaytothem？IcouldonlyrepeatthereportswhichwerecirculatedontheExchange，andthosewhichIhadcollectedhereandthereduringthelasttwenty—fourhours.Ididnotconcealthatthedangerwasimminent，andthatalltheirprecautionswouldbeofnoavail.ThequestionthenaroseastowhatcourseshouldbeadaptedbytheKing.ItwasimpossiblethatthemonarchcouldremainattheCapital，andyet，wherewashetogo？
OneproposedthatheshouldgotoBordeaux，anothertoLaVendee，andathirdtoNormandy，andafourthmemberoftheCouncilwasofopinionthattheKingshouldbeconductedtoMelun.Iconceivedthatifabattleshouldtakeplaceanywhereitwouldprobablybeintheneighbourhoodofthattown，butthecouncillorwhomadethislastsuggestionassuredusthatthepresenceoftheKinginanopencarriageandeighthorseswouldproduceawonderfuleffectonthemindsofthetroops.Thisprojectwasmerelyridiculous;theothersappearedtobedangerousandimpracticable.
IdeclaredtotheCouncilthat，consideringthesituationofthings，itwasnecessarytorenounceallideaofresistancebyforceofarms;thatnosoldierwouldfireamusket，andthatitwasmadnesstoattempttotakeanyotherviewofthings.\"Defection，\"saidI，\"isinevitable.
Thesoldiersaredrinkingintheirbarracksthemoneywhichyouhavebeengivingthemforsomedayspasttopurchasetheirfidelity.TheysayLouisXVIII.，isaverydecentsortofman，but’VivelepetitCaporal！’\"
ImmediatelyonthelandingofNapoleontheKingsentanextraordinarycouriertoMarmont，whowasatChatillonwhitherhehadgonetotakealastleaveofhisdyingmother.IsawhimonedayafterhehadhadaninterviewwiththeKing;Ithinkitwasonthe6thor7thofMarch.
AftersomeconversationonthelandingofNapoleon，andthemeansofpreventinghimfromreachingParis，Marmontsaidtome，\"ThisiswhatI
dweltmoststronglyuponintheinterviewIhavejusthadwiththeKing.
’Sire，’saidI，’IdoubtnotBonaparte’sintentionofcomingtoParis，andthebestwaytopreventhimdoingsowouldbeforyourMajestytoremainhere.ItisnecessarytosecurethePalaceoftheTuileriesagainstasurprise，andtoprepareitforresistingasiege，inwhichitwouldbeindispensabletousecannon.Youmustshutyourselfupinyourpalace，withtheindividualsofyourhouseholdandtheprincipalpublicfunctionaries，whiletheDued’AngoulomeshouldgotoBordeaux，theDucdeBerritoLaVendee，andMonsieurto，theFranche—Comte;buttheymustsetoffinopenday，andannouncethattheyaregoingtocollectdefendersforyourMajesty.——[Monsieur，thebrotheroftheKing，theComted’ArtoislaterCharlesX.]
ThisiswhatIsaidtotheKingthismorning，andIaddedthatI
wouldanswerforeverythingifmyadvicewerefollowed.Iamnowgoingtodirectmyaidedecamp，ColonelFabvier，todrawuptheplanofdefence.\"IdidnotconcurinMarmont’sopinion.ItiscertainlyprobablethathadLouisXVIII.remainedinhispalacethenumerousdefectionswhichtookplacebeforethe20thofMarchwouldhavebeencheckedandsomepersonswouldnothavefoundsoreadyanexcuseforbreakingtheiroathsofallegiance.Therecanbelittledoubt，too，butBonapartewouldhavereflectedwellbeforeheattemptedthesiegeoftheTuileries.
——[Marmont（tomevii.p.87）givesthefulldetailsofhisschemeforprovisioningandgarrisoningtheTuilerieswhichtheKingwastoholdwhilehisfamilyspreadthemselvesthroughouttheprovinces.
Theideahadnothingstrangeinit，forthesameadvicewasgivenbyGeneralMathieuDumas（Souvenirs，tomeiii.p.564），amannotlikelytosuggestanyrashschemes.Jaucourt，writingtoTalleyrand，obviouslybelievedinthewisdomoftheKing’sremaining，asdidtheCzar;seeTalleyrand’sCorrespondence，vol.
ii.pp.94，122，129.Napoleonwouldcertainlyhavebeenplacedinastrangedifficulty，butakingcapableofadoptingsucharesolutionwouldneverhavebeenrequiredtoconsiderit.
MarmontsupportedhisopinionbyobservingthattheadmirationandastonishmentexcitedbytheextraordinaryenterpriseofNapoleonandhisrapidmarchtoPariswouldbecounterbalancedbytheinterestinspiredbyavenerablemonarchdefyinghisboldrivalandcourageouslydefendinghisthrone.WhileIrenderedfulljusticetothegoodintentionsoftheDukeofRagusa，yetIdidnotthinkthathisadvicecouldbeadopted.I
opposeditasIopposedallthepropositionsthatweremadeintheCouncilrelativetothedifferentplacestowhichtheKingshouldretire.
ImyselfsuggestedLilleasbeingthenearest，andaspresentingthegreatestdegreeofsafety，especiallyinthefirstinstance.
ItwasaftermidnightwhenIlefttheCounciloftheTuileries.Thediscussionhadterminated，andwithoutcomingtoanypreciseresolutionitwasagreedthatthedifferentopinionswhichhadbeenexpressedshouldbesubmittedtoLouisXVIII.inorderthathisMajestymightadoptthatwhichshouldappeartohimthebest.TheKingadoptedmyopinion，butitwasnotacteduponuntilfivedaysafter.
MyappointmenttothePrefectureofthePolicewas，aswillbeseen，alatethoughtofmeasure，almostaslateindeedasNapoleon’spropositiontosendmeashisMinisterPlenipotentiarytoSwitzerland.InnowacceptingofficeIwaswellconvincedoftheinutilityofanyeffortthatmightbemadetoarresttheprogressofthefastapproachingandmenacingevents.BeingintroducedintotheKing’scabinethisMajestyaskedmewhatIthoughtofthesituationofaffairs.\"Ithink，Sire，thatBonapartewillbehereinfiveorsixdays.\"——\"What，sir？\"——\"Yes，Sire.\"
——\"Butpropermeasuresaretaken，thenecessaryordersgiven，andtheMarshalsarefaithfultome.\"——\"Sire，Isuspectnoman’sfidelity;butI
canassureyourMajestythat，asBonapartehaslanded，hewillbeherewithinaweek.Iknowhim，andyourMajestycannotknowhimaswellasI
do;butIcanventuretooassureyourMajestywiththesameconfidencethathewillnotbeheresixmonthshence.Hewillbehurriedintoactsoffollywhichwillruinhim.\"DeBourrienne，Ihopethebestfromevents，butifmisfortuneagaincompelmetoleaveFrance，andyoursecondpredictionbefulfilled，youmayrelyonme.\"DuringthisshortconversationtheKingappearedperfectlytranquilandresigned.
ThenextdayIagainvisitedtheTuileries，whitherIhadatthoseperiloustimesfrequentoccasiontorepair.OnthatdayIreceivedalistoftwenty—fivepersonswhomIwasorderedtoarrest.Itookthelibertytoobservethatsuchaproceedingwasnotonlyuselessbutlikelytoproduceaveryinjuriouseffectatthatcriticalmoment.ThereasonsIurgedhadnotalltheeffectIexpected.However，somerelaxationastotwenty—threeofthetwenty—fivewasconceded，butitwasinsistedthatFoucheandDavoustshouldbearrestedwithoutdelay.TheKingrepeatedlysaid，\"IwishyoutoarrestFouche.\"——\"Sire，IbeseechyourMajestytoconsidertheinutilityofsuchameasure.\"——\"IamresolveduponFouchesarrest.ButIamsureyouwillmisshim，forAndrecouldnotcatchhim.\"
MynocturnalinstallationasPrefectofthePolicetookplacesometimeaftermidnight.IhadgreatrepugnancetothearrestofFouche，buttheorderhavingbeengiven，therewasnoalternativebuttoobeyit.I
communicatedtheordertoM.Foudras，whoverycoollyobserved，\"Sincewearetoarresthimyouneednotbeafraid，weshallhavehimfasttomorrow.\"
ThenextdaymyagentsrepairedtotheDukeofOtranto’shotel，intheRued’Artois.OnshowingtheirwarrantFouchesaid，\"Whatdoesthismean？Yourwarrantisofnoforce;itismerewaste—paper.ItpurportstocomefromthePrefectofthePolice，butthereisnosuchPrefect.\"
InmyopinionFouchewasright，formyappointment，whichtookplaceduringthenight，hadnotbeenlegallyannounced.Bethatasitmay，onhisrefusaltosurrender，oneofmyagentsappliedtothestaffoftheNationalGuard，requestingthesupport，incaseofneed，ofanarmedforce.GeneralDessollesrepairedtotheTuileriestotaketheKing’sordersonthesubject.MeanwhileFouche，whoneverlosthisself—
possession，aftertalkingtothepoliceofficerswhoremainedwithhim，pretendedtostepasideforsomeindispensablepurpose，butthedoorwhichheopenedledintoadarkpassagethroughwhichheslipped，leavingmyunfortunateagentsgropingaboutintheobscurity.Asforhimself，hespeedilygainedtheRueTaitbout，wherehesteppedintoacoach，anddroveoff.ThisisthewholehistoryofthenotablearrestofFouche.
AsforDavoust，Ifeltmyhandstiedwithrespecttohim.Idonotmeantoaffectgenerosity，forIacknowledgetheenmityIborehim;butIdidnotwishittobesupposedthatIwasactingtowardshimfromaspiritofpersonalvengeance.Ithereforemerelyorderedhimtobewatched.Theothertwenty—threeweretomeinthismatterasiftheyhadneverexisted;andsomeofthem，perhaps，willonlylearninreadingmyMemoirswhatdangerouscharacterstheywerethoughttobe.
Onthe15thofMarch，aftertheconversationwhich，asIhavealreadyrelated，IhadwithLouisXVIII，IwenttoM.deBlacasandrepeatedtohimwhatIhadstatedtotheKingonthecertaintyofBonaparte’sspeedyarrivalinParis.ItoldhimthatIfounditnecessarytodevotetheshorttimestillinourpowertopreventareactionagainsttheRoyalists，andtopreservepublictranquillityuntilthedepartureoftheRoyalfamily，andthatIwouldprotectthedepartureofallpersonswhohadreasonsforwithdrawingthemselvesfromthesceneofthegreatandperhapsdisastrouseventsthatmightensue.\"Youmayreadilybelieve，Count，\"addedI，\"thatconsideringthegreatinterestswithwhichIamentrusted，IamnotinclinedtolosevaluabletimeinarrestingthepersonsofwhosenamesIhavereceivedalist.Theexecutionofsuchameasurewouldbeuseless;itwouldleadtonothing，orratheritwouldservetoirritatepublicfeeling.Myconvictionofthisfacthasbanishedfrommeallideaofkeepingunderrestraintforfourorfivedayspersonswhoseinfluence，whetherrealorsupposed，isnil，sinceBonaparteisatAuxerre.Meresupervisionappearstomesufficient，andtothatIproposeconfiningmyself.\"——\"TheKing，\"repliedM.deBlacas，\"reliesonyou.Heknowsthatthoughonlyforty—eighthourshaveelapsedsinceyouentereduponyourfunctions，youhavealreadyrenderedgreaterservicesthanyouareperhapsawareof.\"IthenaskedM.deBlacaswhetherhehadnotreceivedanyintimationofBonaparte’sintendeddeparturefromtheislandofElbabylettersorbysecretagents.\"Theonlypositiveinformationwereceived，\"answeredtheMinister，\"wasaninterceptedletter，datedElba，6thFebruary.ItwasaddressedtoM.—————，nearGrenoble.Iwillshowityou.\"M.deBlacasopenedadrawerofhiswriting—tableandtookouttheletter，whichhegavetome.
Thewriterthankedhiscorrespondentfortheinformationhehadtransmittedto\"theinhabitantofElba.\"Hewasinformedthateverythingwasreadyfordeparture，andthatthefirstfavourableopportunitywouldbeseized，butthatitwouldbedesirablefirsttoreceiveanswerstosomequestionscontainedintheletter.Thesequestionsrelatedtotheregimentswhichhadbeensentintothesouth，andtheplacesoftheircantonment.ItwasinquiredwhetherthechoiceofthecommanderswasconformabletowhathadbeenagreedoninParis，andwhetherLabedoyerewasathispost.TheletterwasratherlonganditimpressedmebythewayinwhichtheplanofalandingonthecoastofProvencewasdiscussed.Preciseanswerswererequestedonallthesepoints.OnreturningthelettertoM.deBlacasIremarkedthatthecontentsofthelettercalledfortheadoptionofsomedecidedmeasures，andIaskedhimwhathadbeendone.Heanswered，\"IimmediatelysentacopyofthelettertoM.d’Andre，thathemightgiveordersforarrestingtheindividualtowhomitwasaddressed.\"
HavinghadtheopportunityofcloselyobservingthemachineryofavigilantandactiveGovernment，Iwas，Imustconfess，notalittleamazedattheinsufficiencyofthemeasuresadoptedtodefeatthiswell—
plannedconspiracy.WhenM.deBlacasinformedmeofallthathadbeendone，Icouldnotrepressanexclamationofsurprise.\"Well，\"saidhe，\"andwhatwouldyouhavedone？\"——\"InthefirstplaceIwouldnothavelosttwenty—fourhours，whichwereanageinsuchacrisis.\"IthenexplainedtheplanIwouldhaveadopted.AquarterofanhourafterthereceiptoftheletterIwouldhavesenttrustworthymentoGrenoble，andaboveallthingsIwouldhavetakencarenottoletthematterfallintothehandsofthepolice.HavingobtainedallinformationfromthecorrespondentatGrenoble，IwouldhavemadehimwritealettertohiscorrespondentatElbatoquiettheeagernessofNapoleon，tellinghimthatthemovementoftroopshespokeofhadnotbeenmade，thatitwouldtakeeightdaystocarryitout，andthatitwasnecessarytothesuccessoftheenterprisetodelaytheembarkationforsomedays.WhileBonapartewasthusdelayedIwouldhavesenttothecoastofProvenceasufficientbodyofmendevotedtotheRoyalcause，sendingoffinanotherdirectiontheregimentswhosechiefsweregainedoverbyNapoleon，asthecorrespondenceshouldrevealtheirnames.\"Youareperhapsright，sir，\"
saidM.deBlacas，\"butwhatcouldIdo？Iamnewhere.Ihadnotthecontrolofthepolice，andItrustedtoM.d’Andre.\"——\"Well，\"saidI，\"Bonapartewillbehereonthe20thofMarch.\"WiththesewordsIpartedfromM.deBlacas.Iremarkedagreatchangeinhim.Hehadalreadylostavastdealofthathauteuroffavouritismwhichmadehimsomuchdisliked.
WhenIentereduponmydutiesinthePrefectureofPolicetheevilwasalreadypastremedy.Theincorrigibleemigresrequiredanotherlesson，andthetemporaryresurrectionoftheEmpirewasinevitable.But，ifBonapartewasrecalled，itwasnotowingtoanyattachmenttohimpersonally;itwasnotfromanyfidelitytotherecollectionsoftheEmpire.Itwasresolvedatanypricetogetridofthoseimbecilecouncillors，whothoughttheymighttreatFrancelikeacountryconqueredbytheemigrants.ThepeopledeterminedtofreethemselvesfromaGovernmentwhichseemedresolvedtotrampleonallthatwasdeartoFrance.InthisstateofthingssomelookeduponBonaparteasaliberator，butthegreaternumberregardedhimasaninstrument.InthislastcharacterhewasviewedbytheoldRepublicans，andbyanewgeneration，whothoughttheycaughtaglimpseoflibertyinpromises，andWhowereblindenoughtobelievethattheidolofFrancewouldberestoredbyNapoleon.