InFebruary1815，whileeverythingwaspreparingatElbafortheapproachingdepartureofNapoleon，MuratappliedtotheCourtofViennaforleavetomarchthroughtheAustrianProvincesofUpperItalyanarmydirectedonFrance.Itwasonthe26thofthesamemonththatBonaparteescapedfromElba.Thesetwofactswerenecessarilyconnectedtogether，for，inspiteofMurat’sextravagantideas，henevercouldhaveentertainedtheexpectationofobligingtheKingofFrance，bythemereforceofarms，toacknowledgehiscontinuedpossessionofthethroneofNaples.SincethereturnofLouisXVIII.theCabinetoftheTuilerieshadneverregardedMuratinanyotherlightthanasausurper，andIknowfromgoodauthoritythattheFrenchPlenipotentiariesattheCongressofViennawereespeciallyinstructedtoinsistthattherestorationofthethroneofNaplesinfavouroftheBourbonsoftheTwoSiciliesshouldbeaconsequenceoftherestorationofthethroneofFrance.IalsoknowthatthepropositionwasfirmlyopposedonthepartofAustria，whohadalwaysviewedwithjealousytheoccupationofthreethronesofEuropebythesingleHouseofBourbon.
Accordingtoinformation，fortheauthenticityofwhichIcanvouch，thefollowingweretheplanswhichNapoleonconceivedatElba.AlmostimmediatelyafterhisarrivalinFrancehewastoordertheMarshalsonwhomhecouldbestrelytodefendtotheutmosttheentrancestotheFrenchterritoryandtheapproachestoParis，bypivotingonthetriplelineoffortresseswhichgirdthenorthandeastofFrance.Davoustwas’inpetto’singledoutforthedefenceofParis.He，wastoarmtheinhabitantsofthesuburbs，andtohave，besides，20，000menoftheNationalGuardathisdisposal.Napoleon，notbeingawareofthesituationoftheAllies，neversupposedthattheycouldconcentratetheirforcesandmarchagainsthimsospeedilyastheydid.Hehopedtotakethembysurprise，anddefeattheirprojects，bymakingMuratmarchuponMilan，andbystirringupinsurrectionsinItaly.ThePobeingoncecrossed，andMuratapproachingthecapitalofLombardy，NapoleonwiththecorpsofSuchet，Brune，Grouchy，andMassena，augmentedbytroopssent，byforcedmarches，toLyons，wastocrosstheAlpsandrevolutionisePiedmont.There，havingrecruitedhisarmyandjoinedtheNeapolitansinMilan，hewastoproclaimtheindependenceofItaly，unitethewholecountryunderasinglechief，andthenmarchattheheadof100，000menonVienna，bytheJulianAlps，acrosswhichvictoryhadconductedhimin1797.Thiswasnotall：numerousemissariesscatteredthroughPolandandHungaryweretofomentdiscordandraisethecryoflibertyandindependence，toalarmRussiaandAustria.ItmustbeconfesseditwouldhavebeenanextraordinaryspectacletoseeNapoleongivinglibertytoEuropeinrevengefornothavingsucceededinenslavingher.
BymeansoftheseboldmanoeuvresandvastcombinationsNapoleoncalculatedthathewouldhavetheadvantageoftheinitiativeinmilitaryoperations.Perhapshisgeniuswasnevermorefullydevelopedthaninthisvastconception.Accordingtothisplanhewastoextendhisoperationsoveralineof500leagues，fromOstendtoVienna，bytheAlpsandItaly，toprovidehimselfwithimmenseresourcesofeverykind，topreventtheEmperorofAustriafrommarchinghistroopsagainstFrance，andprobablyforcehimtoterminateawarfromwhichthehereditaryprovinceswouldhaveexclusivelysuffered.SuchwasthebrightprospectwhichpresenteditselftoNapoleonwhenhesteppedonboardthevesselwhichwastoconveyhimfromElbatoFrance.ButthemadprecipitationofMuratputEuropeonthealert，andthebrilliantillusionvanishedlikeadream.
Afterbeingassuredthatallwastranquil，andthattheRoyalfamilywassecureagainsteverydanger，Imyselfsetoutatfouro’clockonthemorningofthe20thofMarch，takingtheroadtoLille.——NothingextraordinaryoccurreduntilIarrivedatthepost—officeofFins，infrontofwhichweredrawnupagreatnumberofcarriages，whichhadarrivedbeforemine，andtheownersofwhich，likemyself，wereimpatientlywaitingforhorses.Isoonobservedthatsomeonecalledthepostmasterasideinawaywhichdidnotappearentirelydevoidofmystery，andIacknowledgeIfeltsomedegreeofalarm.Iwasintheroominwhichthetravellerswerewaiting，andmyattentionwasattractedbyalargebillfixedagainstthewall.ItwasprintedinFrenchandRussian，anditprovedtobetheorderofthedaywhichIhadbeenfortunateenoughtoobtainfromtheEmperorAlexandertoexemptposthorses，etc.，fromtherequisitionsoftheAlliedtroops.
Iwasstandinglookingatthebillwhenthepostmastercameintotheroomandadvancedtowardsme.\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"thatisanorderofthedaywhichsavedmefromruin.\"——\"Thensurelyyouwouldnotharmthemanbywhomitissigned？\"——\"Iknowyou，sir，Irecognisedyouimmediately.
IsawyouinPariswhenyouwereDirectorofthePost—office，andyougrantedajustclaimwhichIhaduponyou.Ihavenowcometotellyouthattheyareharnessingtwohorsestoyourcalash，andyoumaysetoffatfullspeed.\"Theworthymanhadassignedtomyusetheonlytwohorsesathisdisposal;hissonperformedtheofficeofpostilion，andI
setofftothenosmalldissatisfactionofsomeofthetravellerswhohadarrivedbeforeme，andwho，perhaps，hadasgoodreasonsasItoavoidthepresenceofNapoleon.
WearrivedatLilleateleveno’clockonthenightofthe21st.HereI
encounteredanothervexation，thoughnotofanalarmingkind.Thegatesofthetownwereclosed，andIwasobligedtocontentmyselfwithamiserablenight’slodginginthesuburb.
IenteredLilleonthe22d，andLouisXVIII.arrivedonthe23d.HisMajestyalsofoundthegatesclosed，andmorethananhourelapsedbeforeanordercouldbeobtainedforopeningthem，fortheDukeofOrleans，whocommandedthetown，wasinspectingthetroopswhenhisMajestyarrived.
TheKingwasperfectlywellreceivedatLille.Thereindeedappearedsomesymptomsofdefection，butitmustbeacknowledgedthattheofficersoftheoldarmyhadbeensosingularlysacrificedtothepromotionofthereturnedemigrantsthatitwasverynaturaltheformershouldhailthereturnofthemanwhohadsooftenledthemtovictory.IputupattheHoteldeGrand，certainlywithoutforminganyprognosticrespectingthefutureresidenceoftheKing.WhenIsawhisMajesty’sretinueIwentdownandstoodatthedoorofthehotel，whereassoonasLouisXVIII.
perceivedmehedistinguishedmefromamongallthepersonswhowereawaitinghisarrival，andholdingouthishandformetokisshesaid，\"Followme，M.deBourrienne.\"
OnenteringtheapartmentspreparedforhimtheKingexpressedtomehisapprovalofmyconductsincetheRestoration，andespeciallyduringtheshortintervalinwhichIhaddischargedthefunctionsofPrefectofthePolice.Hedidmethehonourtoinvitemetobreakfastwithhim.Theconversationnaturallyturnedontheeventsoftheday，ofwhicheveryonepresentspokeaccordingtohishopesorfears.ObservingthatLouisXVIII.concurredinBerthier’sdiscouragingviewofaffairs，IventuredtorepeatwhatIhadalreadysaidattheTuileries，that，judgingfromthedispositionofthesovereignsofEuropeandtheinformationwhichI
hadreceived，itappearedveryprobablethathisMajestywouldbeagainseatedonhisthroneinthreemonths.BerthierbithisnailsashedidwhenhewantedtoleavethearmyofEgyptandreturntoParistotheobjectofhisadoration.Berthierwasnothopeful;hewasalwaysoneofthosemenwhohavetheleastconfidenceandthemostdepression.IcouldperceivethattheKingregardedmyobservationasoneofthosecomplimentswhichhewasaccustomedtoreceive，andthathehadnogreatconfidenceinthefulfilmentofmyprediction.However，wishingtoseemtobelieveit，hesaid，whathehadmorethanhintedbefore，\"M.deBourrienne，aslongasIamKingyoushallbemyPrefectofthePolice.\"
ItwasthedecidedintentionofLouisXVIII.toremaininFranceaslongashecould，buttheNapoleonicfever，whichspreadlikeanepidemicamongthetroops，hadinfectedthegarrisonofLille.MarshalMortier，whocommandedatLille，andtheDukeofOrleans，expressedtometheirwell—foundedfears，andrepeatedlyrecommendedmetourgetheKingtoquitLillespeedily，inordertoavoidanyfataloccurrence.DuringthetwodaysIpassedwithhisMajestyIentreatedhimtoyieldtotheimperiouscircumstancesinwhichhewasplaced.AtlengththeKing，withdeepregret，consentedtogo，andIleftLillethedaybeforethatfixedforhisMajesty’sdeparture.
InSeptember1814theKinghadappointedmecharged’affairesfromFrancetoHamburg，butnothavingreceivedorderstorepairtomypostIhavenothithertomentionedthisnomination.However，whenLouisXVIII.wasonthepointofleavingFrancehethoughtthatmypresenceinHamburgmightbeusefulforthepurposeofmakinghimacquaintedwithallthatmightinteresthiminthenorthofGermany.Butitwasnottherethatdangerwastobeapprehended.Thereweretwopointstobewatched——theheadquartersofNapoleonandtheKing’sCouncilatGhent.I，however，lostnotimeinrepairingtoacitywhereIwassureoffindingagreatmanyfriends.OnpassingthroughBrusselsIalightedattheHoteldeBellevue，wheretheDucdeBerriarrivedshortlyafterme.HisRoyalHighnesstheninvitedmetobreakfastwithhim，andconversedwithmeveryconfidentially.Iafterwardscontinuedmyjourney.
CHAPTERVI.
1815.
MessagetoMadamedeBourrienneonthe20thofMarch——Napoleon’snocturnalentranceintoParis——GeneralBectonsenttomyfamilybyCaulaincourt——Recollectionofoldpersecutions——GeneralDriesen——
Solutionofanenigma——Sealsplacedonmyeffects——Uselesssearches——Persecutionofwomen——MadamedeStaelandMadamedeRecamier——
ParisduringtheHundredDays——Thefederatesandpatrioticsongs——
DeclarationofthePlenipotentiariesatVienna.
AtLille，andagainatHamburg，Ireceivedlettersfrommyfamily，whichIhadlookedforwithgreatimpatience.TheycontainedparticularsofwhathadoccurredrelativetomesinceBonaparte’sreturntoParis.
TwohoursaftermydepartureMadamedeBourriennealsoleftParis，accompaniedbyherchildren，andproceededtoanasylumwhichhadbeenofferedhersevenleaguesfromthecapital.SheleftatmyhouseinParishersister，twoofherbrothers，andherfriendtheComtessedeNeuilly，whohadresidedwithussinceherreturnfromtheemigration.
Ontheverymorningofmywife’sdeparture（namely，the20thofMarch）aperson，withwhomIhadalwaysbeenontermsoffriendship，andwhowasentirelydevotedtoBonaparte，senttorequestthatMadamedeBourriennewouldcallonhim，ashewishedtospeaktoheronmostimportantandurgentbusiness.Mysister—in—lawinformedthemessengerthatmywifehadleftParis，but，beggingafriendtoaccompanyher，shewentherselftotheindividual，whosenamewillbeprobablyguessed，thoughIdonotmentionit.ThepersonwhocamewiththemessagetomyhouseputmanyquestionstoMadamedeBourrienne’ssisterrespectingmyabsence，andadvisedher，aboveallthings，toconjuremenottofollowtheKing，observingthatthecauseofLouisXVIII.wasutterlylost，andthatI
shoulddowelltoretirequietlytoBurgundy，astherewasnodoubtofmyobtainingtheEmperor’spardon.
NothingcouldbemoregloomythanBonaparte’sentranceintoParis.Hearrivedatnightinthemidstofathickfog.Thestreetswerealmostdeserted，andavaguefeelingofterrorprevailedalmostgenerallyinthecapital.
Atnineo’clockonthesameevening，theveryhourofBonaparte’sarrivalattheTuileries，alady，afriend，ofmyfamily，andwhosesonservedintheYoungGuard，calledandrequestedtoseeMadamedeBourrienne.Sherefusedtoenterthehouselestsheshouldbeseen，andmysister—in—lawwentdowntothegardentospeaktoherwithoutalight.Thislady’sbrotherhadbeenontheprecedingnighttoFontainebleautoseeBonaparte，andhehaddirectedhissistertodesiremetoremaininParis，andtoretainmypostinthePrefectureofthePolice，asIwassureofafullandcompletepardon.
Onthemorningofthe21stGeneralBecton，whohassincebeenthevictimofhismadenterprises，calledatmyhouseandrequestedtospeakwithmeandMadamedeBourrienne.Hewasreceivedbymywife’ssisterandbrothers，andstatedthathecamefromM.deCaulaincourttorenewtheassurancesofsafetywhichhadalreadybeengiventome.Iwas，I
confess，verysensibleoftheseproofsoffriendshipwhentheycametomyknowledge，butIdidnotforasinglemomentrepentthecourseIadopted.
IcouldnotforgettheintriguesofwhichIhadbeentheobjectsince1811，northecontinualthreatsofarrestwhich，duringthatyear，hadnotleftmeamoment’squiet;andsinceInowreverttothattime，Imaytaketheopportunityofexplaininghowin1814IwasmadeacquaintedwiththerealcausesofthepersecutiontowhichIhadbeenaprey.Aperson，whosenameprudenceforbidsmementioning，communicatedtomethefollowingletter，theoriginalcopyofwhichisinmypossession：
MONSIEURLEDUCDEBASSANO——IsendyousomeveryimportantdocumentsrespectingtheSieurBourrienne，andbegyouwillmakemeaconfidentialreportonthisaffair.Keepthesedocumentsforyourselfalone.Thisbusinessdemandstheutmostsecrecy.
EverythinginducesmetobelievethatBourriennehascarriedaseriesofintrigueswithLondon.BringmethereportonThursday.
IprayGod，etc.
（Signed）NAPOLEON
PARIS，25thDecember1811.
Icouldnowclearlyperceivewhattomehadhithertobeenenvelopedinobscurity;butIwasnot，asyet，madeacquaintedwiththedocumentsmentionedinNapoleon’sepistle.Still，however，thecauseofhisanimositywasanenigmawhichIwasunabletoguess，butIobtaineditssolutionsometimeafterwards.
GeneralDriesen，whowastheGovernorofMittauwhileLouisXVIII.
residedinthattown，cametoParisin1814.Ihadbeenwellacquaintedwithhimin1810atHamburg，wherehelivedforaconsiderabletime.
WhileatMittauheconceivedachivalrousandenthusiasticfriendshipfortheKingofFrance.Wewereatfirstdistrustfulofeachother，butafterwardsthemostintimateconfidencearosebetweenus.GeneralDriesenlookedforwardwithcertaintytothereturnoftheBourbonstoFrance，andinthecourseofourfrequentconversationsonhisfavouritethemehegraduallythrewoffallreserve，andatlengthdisclosedtomethathewasmaintainingacorrespondencewiththeKing.
HetoldmethathehadsenttoHartwellseveraldraftsofproclamations，withnoneofwhich，hesaid，theKingwassatisfied.OnallowingmethecopyofthelastofthesedraftsIfranklytoldhimthatIwasquiteoftheKing’sopinionastoitsunfitness.IobservedthatiftheKingshouldonedayreturntoFranceandactasthegeneraladvisedhewouldnotkeeppossessionofhisthronesixmonths.Driesenthenrequestedmetodictateadraftofaproclamationconformablywithmyideas.ThisI
consentedtodoononecondition，viz.thathewouldnevermentionmynameinconnectionwiththebusiness，eitherinwritingorconversation.
GeneralDriesenpromisedthis，andthenIdictatedtohimadraftwhichI
wouldnowcandidlylaybeforethereaderifIhadacopyofit.ImayaddthatinthedifferentproclamationsofLouisXVIII.IremarkedseveralpassagespreciselycorrespondingwiththedraftIhaddictatedatHamburg.
DuringthefouryearswhichintervenedbetweenmyreturntoParisandthedownfalloftheEmpireitseveraltimesoccurredtomethatGeneralDriesenhadbetrayedmysecret，andonhisveryfirstvisittomeaftertheRestoration，ourconversationhappeningtoturnonHamburg，IaskedhimwhetherhehadnotdisclosedwhatIwishedhimtoconceal？\"Well，\"
saidhe，\"thereisnoharmintellingthetruthnow.AfteryouhadleftHamburgtheKingwrotetomeinquiringthenameoftheauthorofthelastdraftIhadsenthim，whichwasverydifferentfromallthathadprecededit.Ididnotanswerthisquestion，buttheKinghavingrepeateditinasecondletter，andhavingdemandedananswer，Iwascompelledtobreakmypromisetoyou，andIputintothepost—officeofGothenberginSwedenaletterfortheKing，inwhichImentionedyourname.\"
Themysterywasnowrevealedtome.IclearlysawwhathadexcitedinNapoleon’smindthesuspicionthatIwascarryingonintrigueswithEngland.Ihavenodoubtastothewayinwhichtheaffaircametohisknowledge.TheKingmusthavedisclosedmynametooneofthosepersonswhosesituationsplacedthemabovethesuspicionofanybetrayalofconfidence，andthusthecircumstancemusthavereachedtheearofBonaparte.Thisisnotamerehypothesis，forIwellknowhowpromptlyandfaithfullyNapoleonwasinformedofallthatwassaidanddoneatHartwell.
HavingshownGeneralDrieaenNapoleon’saccusatoryletter，hebeggedthatIwouldentrusthimwithitforadayortwo，sayinghewouldshowittotheKingataprivateaudience.Hisobjectwastoserveme，andtoexciteLouisXVIII.’sinterestinmybehalf，bybrieflyrelatingtohimthewholeaffair.ThegeneralcametomeonleavingtileTuileries，andassuredmethattheKingafterperusingtheletter，hadthegreatkindnesstoobservethatImightthinkmyselfveryhappyinnothavingbeenshot.IknownotwhetherNapoleonwasafterwardsinformedofthedetailsofthisaffair，whichcertainlyhadnoconnectionwithanyintrigueswithEngland，andwhich，afterall，wouldhavebeenamerepeccadilloincomparison，withtheconductIthoughtitmydutytoadoptatthetimeoftheRestoration.
MeanwhileMadamedeBourrienneinformedmebyanexpressthatsealsweretobeplacedontheeffectsofallthepersonsincludedinthedecreeofLyons，andconsequentlyuponmine.AssoonasmywifereceivedinformationofthisshequittedherretreatandrepairedtoParistofacethestorm.Onthe29thofMarch，atnineintheevening，thepoliceagentspresentedthemselvesatmyhouse.MadamedeBourrienneremonstratedagainstthemeasureandtheinconvenienthourthatwaschosenforitsexecution;butallwasinvain，andtherewasnoalternativebuttosubmit.
ButthematterdidnotendwiththefirstformalitiesperformedbyFouche’salguazils.DuringthemonthofMaysevenpersonswereappointedtoexamine，mypapers，andamongtheinquisitorialseptemvirateweretwomenwellknownandfillinghighsituations.Oneoftheseexecutedhiscommission，buttheother，sensibleoftheodiumattachedtoit，wrotetosayhewasunwell，andnevercame.Thenumberofmyinquisitors，’indomo’，wasthusreducedtosix.Theybehavedwithgreatrudeness，andexecutedtheirmissionwitharigourandseverityexceedinglypainfultomyfamily.Theycarriedtheirsearchsofarastorummagethepocketsofmyoldclothes，andeventounripthelinings.AllthiswasdoneinthehopeoffindingsomethingthatwouldcommitmeintheeyesofthenewmasterofFrance.ButIwasnottobecaughtinthatway，andbeforeleavinghomeIhadtakensuchprecautionsastosetmymindperfectlyatease.
However，thosewhohaddeclaredthemselvesstronglyagainstNapoleonwerenottheonlypersonswhohadreasontobealarmedathisreturn.Womeneven，byasystemofinquisitionunworthyoftheEmperor，butunfortunatelyquiteinunisonwithhishatredofallliberty，werecondemnedtoexile，andhadcausetoapprehendfurtherseverity.ItisfortheexclusiveadmirersoftheChiefoftheEmpiretoapproveofeverythingwhichproceededfromhim，evenhisrigouragainstadefencelesssex;itisforthemtolaughatthemiseryofawoman，andawriterofgenius，condemnedwithoutanyformoftrialtothemostseverepunishmentshortofdeath.Formypart，IsawneitherjusticenorpleasantryintheexileofMadamedeChevreuseforhavinghadthecourage（andcouragewasnotcommonthenevenamongmen）tosaythatshewasnotmadetobethegaoleroftheQueenofSpain.OnNapoleon’sreturnfrom.
theisleofElba，MadamedeStaelwasinastateofweakness，whichrenderedherunabletobearanysuddenandviolentemotion.ThisdebilitatedstateofhealthhadbeenproducedbyherflightfromCoppettoRussiaimmediatelyafterthebirthofthesonwhowasthefruitofhermarriagewithM.Rocca.Inspiteofthedangerofajourneyinsuchcircumstancesshesawgreaterdangerinstayingwhereshewas，andshesetoutonhernewexile.Thatexilewasnotoflongduration，butMadamedeStaelneverrecoveredfromtheeffectofthealarmandfatigueitoccasionedher.
ThenameoftheauthoressofCorinne，naturallycallstomindthatofthefriendwhowasmostfaithfultoherinmisfortune，andwhowasnotherselfscreenedfromtheseverityofNapoleonbythejustanduniversaladmirationofwhichshewastheobject.In1815MadameRecamierdidnotleaveParis，towhichshehadreturnedin1814，thoughherexilewasnotrevoked.IknowpositivelythatHortenseassuredherofthepleasureshewouldfeelinreceivingher，andthatMadameRecamier，asanexcusefordecliningtheperiloushonour，observedthatshehaddeterminedneveragaintoappearintheworldaslongasherfriendsshouldbepersecuted.
ThememorialdeSainteHelene，referringtotheoriginoftheill—willoftheChiefoftheEmpiretowardsthesocietyofMadamedeStaelandMadameRecamier，etc.，seemstoreproachMadameRecamier，\"accustomed，\"saystheMemorial，\"toaskforeverythingandtoobtaineverything，\"forhavingclaimednothinglessthanthecompletereinstatementofherfather.
WhatevermayhavebeenthepretensionsofMadameRecamier，Bonaparte，notalittleaddictedtothecustomhecomplainsofinher，couldnothave，withagoodgrace，madeacrimeofheringratitudeifheonhissidehadnotclaimedaverydifferentsentimentfromgratitude.IwaswiththeFirstConsulatthetimeM.Bernard，thefatherofMadameReamier，wasaccused，andIhavenotforgottenonwhatconditionsthere—establishmentwouldhavebeengranted.
ThefrequentinterviewsbetweenMadameRecamierandMadamedeStaelwerenotcalculatedtobringNapoleontosentimentsandmeasuresofmoderation.Hebecamemoreandmoreirritatedatthisfriendshipbetweentwowomenformedforeachother’ssociety;and，ontheoccasionofoneofMadameRecamier’sjourneystoCoppetheinformedher，throughthemediumofFouche，thatshewasperfectlyatlibertytogotoSwitzerland，butnottoreturntoParis.\"Ah，Monseigneur！agreatmanmaybepardonedfortheweaknessoflovingwomen，butnotforfearingthem.\"ThiswastheonlyreplyofMadameRecamiertoFouchewhenshesetoutforCoppet.
ImayhereobservethatthepersonalprejudicesoftheEmperorwouldnothavebeenofaperseveringandviolentcharacterifsomeofthepeoplewhosurroundedhimhadnotsoughttofomentthem.Imyselffellavictimtothis.Napoleon’saffectionformewouldperhapshavegottheupperhandifhisrelentingtowardsmehadnotbeenincessantlycombatedbymyenemiesaroundhim.
IhadnoopportunityofobservingtheaspectofParisduringthatmemorableperiodrecordedinhistorybythenameoftheHundredDays，buttheletterswhichIreceivedatthetime，togetherwithallthat，Iafterwardsheard，concurredinassuringmethatthecapitalneverpresentedsomelancholyspictureas：duringthosethreemonths.NoonefeltanyconfidenceinNapoleon’ssecondreign，anditwassaid，withoutanysortofreserve，thatFouche，whileservingthecauseofusurpation，wouldsecretlybetrayit.Thefuturewasviewedwithalarm，andthepresentwithdissatisfaction.Thesightofthefederateswhoparadedthefaubourgsandtheboulevards，vociferating，\"TheRepublicforever！\"and\"DeathtotheRoyalists！\"theirsanguinarysongs，therevolutionaryairsplayedinourtheatres，alltendedtoproduceafearfultorporinthepublicmind，andtheissueoftheimpendingeventswasanxiouslyawaited.
Oneofthecircumstanceswhich，atthecommencementoftheHundredDays，mostcontributedtoopentheeyesofthosewhowereyetdazzledbythepastgloryofNapoleon，wastheassurancewithwhichhedeclaredthattheEmpressandhissonwouldberestoredtohim，thoughnothingwarrantedthatannouncement.Itwasevidentthathecouldnotcountonanyally;
andinspiteoftheprodigiousactivitywithwhichanewarmywasraisedthosepersonsmusthavebeenblindindeedwhocouldimaginethepossibilityofhistriumphingoverEurope，againarmedtoopposehim.
IdeploredtheinevitabledisasterswhichBonaparte’sboldenterprisewouldentail，butIhadsuchcertaininformationrespectingtheintentionsoftheAlliedpowers，andthespiritwhichanimatedthePlenipotentiariesatVienna，thatIcouldnotforamomentdoubttheissueoftheconflict：ThusIwasnotatallsurprisedwhenIreceivedatHamburgtheminutesoftheconferencesatViennainMay1815.
WhenthefirstintelligenceofBonaparte’slandingwasreceivedatViennaitmustbeconfessedthatverylittlehadbeendoneattheCongress，formeasurescalculatedtoreconstructasolidanddurableorderofthingscouldonlybeframedandadopteddeliberately，anduponmaturereflection.LouisXVIII.hadinstructedhisPlenipotentiariestodefendandsupporttheprinciplesofjusticeandthelawofnations，soastosecuretherightsofallpartiesandavertthechancesofanewwar.
TheCongresswasoccupiedwiththeseimportantobjectswhenintelligencewasreceivedofNapoleon’sdeparturefromElbaandhislandingattheGulfofJuan.ThePlenipotentiariesthensignedtheprotocoloftheconferencestowhichIhaveabovealluded.
[ANNEXTOTHEPRECEDINGCHAPTER.]
ThefollowingdespatchofNapoleon’stoMarshalDavoust（giveninCaptainBingham’sTranslation，vo1iii.p.121），thoughnotstrictlybearinguponthesubjectoftheDukeofBassano’sinquiry（p.256），mayperhapsfindaplacehere，asindicativeoftheprivatefeelingoftheEmperortowardsBourrienne.Asthereaderwillremember，ithasalreadybeenalludedtoearlierinthework：
ToMARSHALDAVOUST.
COMPIEGNE，3dSeptember1811.
IhavereceivedyourletterconcerningthecheatingofBourrienneatHamburg.Itwillbeimportanttothrowlightuponwhathehasdone.
HavetheJew，GumprechtMares，arrested，seizehispapers，andplacehiminsolitaryconfinement.HavesomeoftheotherprincipalagentsofBourriennearrested，soastodiscoverhisdoingsatHamburg，andtheembezzlementshehascommittedthere.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
EndoftheMemoirsofNapoleon，V13，1815
MemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V14
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERVII.toCHAPTERX.1815
CHAPTERVII.
——[BytheEditorofthe1836edition]——
1815.
NapoleonatParis——Politicalmanoeuvres——ThemeetingoftheChamp—
de—Mai——Napoleon，theLiberals，andthemoderateConstitutionalists——Hisloveofarbitrarypowerasstrongasever——ParisduringtheCentJours——Preparationsforhislastcampaign——TheEmperorleavesParistojointhearmy——StateofBrussels——ProclamationofNapoleontotheBelgians——EffectivestrengthoftheFrenchandAlliedarmies——TheEmperor’sproclamationtotheFrencharmy.
NapoleonwasscarcelyreseatedonhisthronewhenhefoundhecouldnotresumethatabsolutepowerhehadpossessedbeforehisabdicationatFontainebleau.Hewasobligedtosubmittothecurbofarepresentativegovernment，butwemaywellbelievethatheonlyyielded，withamentalreservationthatassoonasvictoryshouldreturntohisstandardsandhisarmybereorganisedhewouldsendtherepresentativesofthepeoplebacktotheirdepartments，andmakehimselfasabsoluteashehadeverbeen.Histemporarysubmissionwasindeedobligatory.
TheRepublicansandConstitutionalistswhohadassisted，ornotopposedhisreturn，withCarnot，Fouche，BenjaminConstant，andhisownbrotherLucien（aloverofconstitutionalliberty）attheirhead，wouldsupporthimonlyonconditionofhisreigningasaconstitutionalsovereign;hethereforeproclaimedaconstitutionunderthetitleof\"ActeadditionnelauxConstitutionsdel’Empire，\"whichgreatlyresembledthechartergrantedbyLouisXVIII.theyearbefore.AnhereditaryChamberofPeerswastobeappointedbytheEmperor，aChamberofRepresentativeschosenbytheElectoralColleges，toberenewedeveryfiveyears，bywhichalltaxesweretobevoted，ministersweretoberesponsible，judgesirremovable，therightofpetitionwasacknowledged，andpropertywasdeclaredinviolable.Lastly，theFrenchnationwasmadetodeclarethattheywouldneverrecalltheBourbons.
EvenbeforereachingParis，andwhilerestingonhisjourneyfromElbaatLyons，thesecondcityinFrance，andtheancientcapitaloftheFranks，Napoleonarrangedhisministry，andissuedsundrydecrees，whichshowhowlittlehismindwaspreparedforproceedingaccordingtothemajorityofvotesinrepresentativeassemblies.
CambacereswasnamedMinisterofJustice，FoucheMinisterofPolice（aboontotheRevolutionists），DavoustappointedMinisterofWar.DecreesupondecreeswereissuedwitharapiditywhichshowedhowlaboriouslyBonapartehademployedthosestudioushoursatElbawhichhewassupposedtohavededicatedtothecompositionofhisMemoirs.Theywerecouchedinthenameof\"Napoleon，bythegraceofGod，EmperorofFrance，\"andweredatedonthe13thofMarch，althoughnotpromulgateduntilthe21stofthatmonth.ThefirstofthesedecreesabrogatedallchangesinthecourtsofjusticeandtribunalswhichhadtakenplaceduringtheabsenceofNapoleon.ThesecondbanishedanewallemigrantswhohadreturnedtoFrancebefore1814withoutproperauthority，anddisplacedallofficersbelongingtotheclassofemigrantsintroducedintothearmybytheKing.
ThethirdsuppressedtheOrderofSt.Louis，thewhiteflag，cockade，andotherRoyalemblems，andrestoredthetri—colouredbannerandtheImperialsymbolsofBonaparte’sauthority.ThesamedecreeabolishedtheSwissGuardandtheHouseholdtroopsoftheKing.ThefourthsequesteredtheeffectsoftheBourbons.AsimilarOrdinancesequesteredtherestoredpropertyofemigrantfamilies.
ThefifthdecreeofLyonssuppressedtheancientnobilityandfeudaltitles，andformallyconfirmedproprietorsofnationaldomainsintheirpossessions.（ThisdecreewasveryacceptabletothemajorityofFrenchmen）.ThesixthdeclaredsentenceofexileagainstallemigrantsnoterasedbyNapoleonfromthelistpreviouslytotheaccessionoftheBourbons，towhichwasaddedconfiscationoftheirproperty.TheseventhrestoredtheLegionofHonourineveryrespectasithadexistedundertheEmperor;unitingtoitsfundstheconfiscatedrevenuesoftheBourbonorderofSt.Louis.Theeighthandlastdecreewasthemostimportantofall.UnderpretencethatemigrantswhohadbornearmsagainstFrancehadbeenintroducedintotheChamberofPeers，andthattheChamberofDeputieshadalreadysatforthelegaltime，itdissolvedbothChambers，andconvokedtheElectoralCollegesoftheEmpire，inorderthattheymighthold，intheensuingmonthofMay，anextraordinaryassembly——theChamp—de—Mai.
ThisNationalConvocation，forwhichNapoleonclaimedaprecedentinthehistoryoftheancientFranks，wastohavetwoobjects：first，tomakesuchalterationsandreformsintheConstitutionoftheEmpireascircumstancesshouldrenderadvisable;secondly，toassistatthecoronationoftheEmpressMariaLouisa.Herpresence，andthatofherson，wasspokenofassomethingthatadmittedofnodoubt，thoughBonaparteknewtherewaslittlehopeoftheirreturnfromVienna.ThesevariousenactmentswerewellcalculatedtoserveNapoleon’scause.Theyflatteredthearmy，andatthesametimestimulatedtheirresentmentagainsttheemigrants，byinsinuatingthattheyhadbeensacrificedbyLouistotheinterestofhisfollowers.TheyheldouttotheRepublicansaprospectofconfiscation，proscription，and，revolutionofgovernment，while，theImperialistsweregratifiedwithaviewofamplefundsforpensions，offices，andhonorarydecorations.Toproprietorsofthenationaldomainssecuritywaspromised，totheParisiansthegrandspectacleoftheChamp—de—Mai，andto.Francepeaceandtranquillity，sincethearrivaloftheEmpressandherson，confidentlyassertedtobeathand，wastakenasapledgeofthefriendshipofAustria.
Napoleonatthesametimeendeavouredtomakehimselfpopularwiththecommonpeople——the，moboftheFaubourgSt.AntoineandotherobscurequartersofParis.Onthefirsteveningofhisreturn，ashewalkedroundtheglitteringcirclemettowelcomehim，intheStateapartmentsoftheTuileries，hekeptrepeating，\"Gentlemen，itistothepooranddisinterestedmassofthepeoplethatIoweeverything;itistheywhohavebroughtmebacktothecapital.Itisthepoorsubalternofficersandcommonsoldiersthathavedoneallthis.Ioweeverythingtothecommonpeopleandtheranksofthearmy.Rememberthat！Ioweeverythingtothearmyandthepeople！\"SometimeafterhetookoccasionalridesthroughtheFaubourgSt.Antoine，butthedemonstrationsofthemobgavehimlittlepleasure，and，itwaseasytodetectasneerinhisaddressestothem.HehadsomeslightintercoursewiththemenoftheRevolution——thefierce，bloodthirstyJacobins——butevennowhecouldnotconcealhisabhorrenceofthem，and，beitsaidtohishonour，hehadaslittletodowiththemaspossible.
WhenNapoleon，departedforthesummercampaignhetookcarebeforehandtoleavelargesumsofmoneyforthe’federes’;inthehandsofthedevotedReal;underwhosemanagementthemobwasplaced.Thesesumsweretobedistributedatappropriateseasons，tomakethepeoplecryinthestreetsofParis，\"Napoleonordeath.\"HealsoleftinthehandsofDavoustawrittenauthorityforthepublicationofhisbulletins，manyclausesofwhichwerewrittenlongbeforethebattleswerefoughtthattheyweretodescribe.HegavetothesameMarshalaplanofhiscampaign，whichhehadarrangedforthedefensive.Thiswasnotconfidedtohimwithoutaninjunctionofthestrictestsecrecy，butitissaidthatDavoustcommunicatedtheplantoFouche.ConsideringDavoust’scharacterthisisveryunlikely，butifso，itisfarfromimprobablethatFouchecommunicatedtheplantotheAllieswithwhom，andmoreparticularlywithPrinceMetternich，heiswellknowntohavebeencorrespondingatthetime.
ShortlyaftertheEmperor’sarrivalinParisBenjaminConstant，amoderateandcandidman，wasdeputedbytheconstitutionalpartytoascertainNapoleon’ssentimentsandintentions.Constantwasaloverofconstitutionalliberty，andanoldopponentofNapoleon，whoseheadlongcareerofdespotism，cutoutbythesword，hehadvainlyendeavouredtocheckbytheeloquenceofhispen.
TheinterviewtookplaceattheTuileries.TheEmperor，aswashiswont，begantheconversation，andkeptitnearlyalltohimselfduringtherestoftheaudience.Hedidnotaffecttodisguiseeitherhispastactionsorpresentdispositions.
\"Thenation，\"hesaid，\"hashadarespiteoftwelveyearsfromeverykindofpoliticalagitation，andforoneyearhasenjoyedarespitefromwar.
Thisdoublereposehascreatedacravingafteractivity.Itrequires，orfanciesitrequires，aTribuneandpopularassemblies.Itdidnotalwaysrequirethem.ThepeoplethrewthemselvesatmyfeetwhenItookthereinsofgovernmentYououghttorecollectthis，whomadeatrialofopposition.Wherewasyoursupport——yourstrength？Nowhere.IassumedlessauthoritythanIwasinvitedtoassume.Nowallischanged.A
feeblegovernment，opposedtothenationalinterests，hasgiventotheseintereststhehabitofstandingonthedefensiveandevadingauthority.
Thetasteforconstitutions，fordebates，forharangues，appearstohaverevived.Neverthelessitisbuttheminoritythatwishesallthis，beassured.Thepeople，orifyoulikethephrasebetter;themultitude，wishonlyforme.Youwouldsaysoifyouhadonlyseenthismultitudepressingeagerlyonmysteps，rushingdownfromthetopsofthemountains，callingonme，seekingmeout，salutingme.OnmywayfromCanneshitherIhavenotconquered——Ihaveadministered.Iamnotonly（ashasbeenpretended）theEmperorofthesoldiers;IamthatofthepeasantsoftheplebeiansofFrance.Accordingly，inspiteofallthathashappened，youseethepeoplecomebacktome.Thereissympathybetweenus.Itisnotaswiththeprivilegedclasses.Thenoblessehavebeeninmyservice;theythrongedincrowdsintomyantechambers.Thereisnoplacethattheyhavenotacceptedorsolicited.IhavehadtheMontmorencys，theNoailles，theRohans，theBeauveaus，theMontemarts，inmytrain.Butthereneverwasanycordialitybetweenus.Thesteedmadehiscurvets——hewaswellbrokenin，butIfelthimquiverunderme.
Withthepeopleitisanotherthing.Thepopularfibrerespondstomine.
Ihaverisenfromtheranksofthepeople：myvoicesetamechanicallyuponthem.Lookatthoseconscripts，thesonsofpeasants：Ineverflatteredthem;Itreatedthemroughly.Theydidnotcrowdroundmetheless;theydidnotonthataccountceasetocry，`Vivel’Empereur！’
Itisthatbetweenthemandmethereisoneandthesamenature.Theylooktomeastheirsupport，theirsafeguardagainstthenobles.Ihavebuttomakeasign，oreventolookanotherway，andthenobleswouldbemassacredineveryprovince.Sowellhavetheymanagedmattersinthelasttenmonths！butIdonotdesiretobetheKingofamob.Iftherearethemeanstogovernbyaconstitutionwellandgood.Iwishedfortheempireoftheworld，andtoensureitcompletelibertyofactionwasnecessarytome.TogovernFrancemerelyitispossiblethataconstitutionmaybebetter.Iwishedfortheempireoftheworld，aswhowouldnothavedoneinmyplace？Theworldinvitedmetoruleoverit.
Sovereignsandsubjectsalikeemulouslybowedtheneckundermysceptre.
IhaveseldommetwithoppositioninFrance，butstillIhaveencounteredmoreofitfromsomeobscureandunarmedFrenchmenthanfromalltheseKingssoresolute，justnow，nolongertohaveamanofthepeoplefortheirequal！Seethenwhatappearstoyoupossible;letmeknowyourideas.Publicdiscussion，freeelections，responsibleministers，thelibertyofthepress，Ihavenoobjectiontoallthat，thelibertyofthepressespecially;tostifleitisabsurd.Iamconvincedonthispoint.
Iamthemanofthepeople：ifthepeoplereallywishforlibertyletthemhaveit.Ihaveacknowledgedtheirsovereignty.ItisjustthatI
shouldlendaneartotheirwill，nay，eventotheircapricesIhaveneverbeendisposedtooppressthemformypleasure.Iconceivedgreatdesigns;butfate’hasbeenagainstme;Iamnolongeraconqueror，norcanIbeone.Iknowwhatispossibleandwhatisnot.——IhavenofurtherobjectthantoraiseupFranceandbestowonheragovernmentsuitabletoher.Ihavenohatredtoliberty，Ihavesetitasidewhenitobstructedmypath，butIunderstandwhatitmeans;Iwasbroughtupinitsschool：besides，theworkoffifteenyearsisoverturned，anditisnotpossibletorecommenceit.Itwouldtaketwentyyears，andthelivesof2，000，000ofmentobesacrificedtoit.Asfortherest，I
desirepeace，butIcanonlyobtainitbymeansofvictory.Iwouldnotinspireyouwithfalseexpectations.Ipermitittobesaidthatnegotiationsaregoingon;therearenone.Iforeseeahardstruggle，alongwar.TosupportitImustbesecondedbythenation，butinreturnIbelievetheywillexpectliberty.Theyshallhaveit：thecircumstancesarenew.AllIdesireistobeinformedofthetruth.
Iamgettingold.Amanisnolongeratforty—fivewhathewasatthirty.Thereposeenjoyedbyaconstitutionalkingmaysuitme：itwillstillmorecertainlybethebestthing，formyson.\"
Fromthisremarkableaddress.BenjaminConstantconcludedthatnochangehadtakenplaceinBonaparte’sviewsorfeelingsinmattersofgovernment，but，beingconvincedthatcircumstanceshadchanged，hehadmadeuphismindtoconformtothem.Hesays，andwecannotdoubtit，thathelistenedtoNapoleonwiththedeepestinterest，thattherewasabreadthandgrandeurofmannerasbespoke，andacalmserenityseatedonabrowcoveredwithimmortallaurels.\"
WhilstbelievingtheutterincompatibilityofNapoleonandconstitutionalgovernmentwecannotinfairnessomitmentioningthatthecauseswhichrepelledhimfromthealtarandsanctuaryoffreedomwerestrong：therealloversofarationalandfeasibleliberty——theconstitutionalmonarchymenwerefew——themadultra—Liberals，theJacobins，therefuseofonerevolutionandtheprovokersofanother，werenumerous，active，loud，andinpursuingdifferentendsthesetwoparties，therespectableandthedisreputable，thegoodandthebad，gotmixedandconfusedwithoneanother.
Onthe14thofMay，whenthe’federes’weremarshalledinprocessionalorderandtreatedwithwhatwascalledasolemnfestival，astheymovedalongtheboulevardstotheCourtoftheTuileries，theycoupledthenameofNapoleon，withJacobincursesandrevolutionarysongs.TheairsandthewordsthathadmadeParistrembletoherverycentreduringtheReignofTerror——the\"Marseillaise，\"the\"Carmagnole，\"the\"Jourdudepart，\"
theexecrableditty，theburdenofwhichis，\"Andwiththeentrailsofthelastofthepriestsletusstranglethelastofthekings，\"wereallroaredoutinfearfulchorusbyadrunken，filthy，andfuriousmob.Manyadayhadelapsedsincetheyhaddaredtosingtheseblasphemousandantisocialsongsinpublic.Napoleonhimselfassoonashehadpowerenoughsuppressedthem，andhewasasproudofthisfeatandhistriumphoverthedregsoftheJacobinsashewasofanyofhisvictories;andinthishewasright，inthisheprovedhimselfthefriendofhumanity.AsthetumultuousmassapproachedthetriumphalarchandthegrandentrancetothePalacehecouldnotconcealhisabhorrence.HisGuardsweredrawnupunderarms，andnumerouspiecesofartillery，alreadyloadedwereturnedoutonthePlaceduCarrousel.Hehastilydismissedthesedangerouspartisanswithsomepraise，somemoney，andsomedrink.Oncomingintoclosecontactwithsuchamobhedidnotfeelhisfibrerespondtothatofthepopulace！LikeFrankenstein，heloathedandwasafraidofthemightymonsterhehadputtogether.
ButitwasnotmerelythemobthatcheckedtheliberalismorconstitutionofNapoleon，adelicateanddoubtfulplantinitself，thatrequiredthemostcautioustreatmenttomakeitreallytakerootandgrowupinsuchasoil：Someofhiscouncillors，whocalledthemselves\"philosophicalstatesmen，\"advisedhimtolayasidethestyleofEmperor，andassumethatofHighPresidentorLordGeneraloftheRepublic！AnnoyedwithsuchpuerilitieswhiletheenemywaseverydaydrawingnearerthefrontiershewithdrewfromtheTuileriestothecomparativelysmallandretiredpalaceoftheElysee，whereheescapedthesetalking—dreamers，andfelthimselfagainasovereign：ShutupwithBenjaminConstantandafewotherreasonablepoliticians，hedrewupthesketchofanewconstitution，whichwasneithermuchbetternormuchworsethantheroyalcharterofLouisXVIII.Wegiveanepitomeofitsmainfeatures.
TheEmperorwastohaveexecutivepower，andtoexerciselegislativepowerinconcurrencewiththetwoChambers.TheChamberofPeerswastobehereditary，andnominatedbytheEmperor，anditsnumberwasunlimited.TheSecondChamberwastobeelectedbythepeople，andtoconsistof629members;nonetobeundertheageoftwenty—five.ThePresidentwastobeappointedbythemembers，butapprovedofbytheEmperor.MembersweretobepaidattheratesettledbytheConstituentAssembly，whichwastoberenewedeveryfiveyears.TheEmperormightprorogue，adjourn，ordissolvetheHouseofRepresentatives，whosesittingsweretobepublic.TheElectoralCollegesweremaintained.
Landtaxanddirecttaxesweretobevotedonlyforayear，indirecttaxesmightbeimposedforseveralyears.Nolevyofmenforthearmynoranyexchangeofterritorywastobemadebutbyalaw.TaxesweretobeproposedbytheChamberofRepresentatives.Ministerstoberesponsible.Judgestobeirremovable.Juriestobeestablished.Rightofpetition，freedomofworship，inviolabilityofproperty，wererecognised.Libertyofthepresswasgivenunderlegalresponsibility，andpressoffencesweretobejudgedwithajury.Noplaceorpartoftheterritorycouldbeplacedinastateofsiegeexceptincaseofforeigninvasionorciviltroubles.Finally，theFrenchpeopledeclaredthatinthedelegationitthusmadeofitspowersitwasnottobetakenasgivingtherighttoproposethere—establishmentoftheBourbons，orofanyPrinceofthatfamilyonthethrone，evenincaseoftheextinctionoftheimperialdynasty.AnysuchproposalwasformallyinterdictedtotheChambersortothecitizens，aswellasanyofthefollowingmeasures，.viz.there—establishmentoftheformer，feudalnobility，ofthefeudalandseignorialrights，oftithes，ofanyprivilegedanddominantreligion，aswellasofthepowerofmakinganyattackontheirrevocabilityofthesaleofthenationalgoods.
ShortlyafterthereturnofNapoleonfromElba，believingittobeimpossibletomaketheEmperorofAustriaconsenttohiswife’srejoininghim（andMariaLouisahadnoinclinationtoarenewalofconjugalintercourse），NapoleonhadnotbeenmanydaysinPariswhenheconcoctedaplanforcarryingofffromViennabothhiswifeandhisson：Inthisprojectforcewasnolessnecessarythanstratagem.AnumberofFrenchofbothsexesmuchdevotedtotheEmperor，who，hadgiventhemrankandfortune，hadaccompaniedMariaLouisain1814fromParistoBloisandthencetoVienna.Acorrespondencewasopenedwiththesepersons，whoembarkedheartandsoulintheplot;theyforgedpassports，procured—
relays，ofhorses;andaltogetherarrangedmatterssowellthatbutaforasingleindividual——onewhorevealedthewholeprojectafewdayspreviouslytothatfixeduponforcarryingitintoeffect——thereislittleroomtodoubtthattheplanwouldhavesucceeded，andthatthedaughterofAustriaandthetitularKingofhomewouldhavegivensuch，prestigeastheirpresencecouldgiveattheTuileriesandheChamps—de—
Mai.NosoonerhadtheEmperorofAustriadiscoveredthisplot，which，haditbeensuccessful，wouldhaveplacedhiminaveryawkwardpredicament，thanhedismissedalltheFrenchpeopleabouthisdaughter，compelledhertolayasidethearmorialbearingsandliveriesofNapoleon，andeventorelinquishthetitleofEmpressoftheFrench：Noforce，noart，nopolicecouldconcealthesethingsfromthepeopleofParis;who，moreover，andatnearlythesametime;weremadeveryuneasybythefailureofMurat’sattemptinItaly，whichgreatlyincreasedthepowerandpoliticalinfluenceofAustria.Muratbeingdisposedof，theEmperorFranciswasenabledtoconcentrateallhisforcesinItaly，andtoholdtheminreadinessforthere—invasionofFrance.
\"Napoleon，\"saysLavallette，\"hadundoubtedlyexpectedthattheEmpressandhissonwouldberestoredtohim;hehadpublishedhiswishesasacertainty，andtopreventitwas，infact，theworstinjurytheEmperorofAustriacouldhavedone，him.Hishopewas，however，soondestroyed.
\"OneeveningIwassummonedtothepalace.IfoundtheEmperorinadimly—lightedcloset，warminghimselfinacornerofthefireplace，andappearingtosufferalreadyfromthecomplaintwhichneverafterwardslefthim.’Hereisaletter，’hesaid，’whichthecourierfromViennasaysismeantforyou——readit.’OnfirstcastingmyeyesontheletterIthoughtIknewthehandwriting，butasitwaslongIreaditslowly，andcameatlasttotheprincipalobject.ThewritersaidthatweoughtnottoreckonupontheEmpress，asshedidnotevenattempttoconcealherdislikeoftheEmperor，andwasdisposedtoapproveallthemeasuresthatcouldbetakenagainsthim;thatherreturnwasnottobethoughtof，assheherselfwouldraisethegreatestobstaclesinthewayofit;
incaseitshouldbeproposed;finally，thatitwasnotpossibleforhimtodissemblehisindignationthattheEmpress，whollyenamouredof————，didnoteventakepainstohideherridiculouspartialityforhim.Thehandwritingoftheletterwasdisguised，yetnotsomuchbutthatIwasabletodiscoverwhoseitwas.Ifound;however，inthemannerinwhichthesecretwasexpressedawarmthofzealandapicturesquestylethatdidnotbelongtotheauthoroftheletter.Whilereadingit，Iallofasuddensuspecteditwasacounterfeit，andintendedtomisleadtheEmperor.Icommunicatedmsideatohim，andthedangerIperceivedinthisfraud.AsIgrewmoreandmoreanimatedIfoundplausiblereasonsenoughtothrowtheEmperorhimselfintosomeuncertainty.’Howisitpossible，’Isaid，’that—————shouldhavebeenimprudentenoughtowritesuchthingstome，whoamnothisfriend，andwhohavehadsolittleconnectionwithhim？HowcanonesupposethattheEmpressshouldforgetherself，insuchcircumstances，sofarastomanifestaversiontoyou，and，stillmore，tocastherselfawayuponamanwhoundoubtedlystillpossessessomepowertoplease，butwhoisnolongeryoung，whosefaceisdisfigured，andwhoseperson，altogether，hasnothingagreeableinit？’
’But，’answeredtheEmperor，—————isattachedtome;andthoughheisnotyourfriend，thepostscriptsufficientlyexplainsthemotiveoftheconfidenceheplacesinyou.’Thefollowingwordswere，infact，writtenatthebottomoftheletter：’IdonotthinkyououghttomentionthetruthtotheEmperor，butmakewhateveruseofityouthinkproper.’
Ipersisted，however，inmaintainingthattheletterwasacounterfeit;
andtheEmperorthensaidtome，’GotoCaulaincourt.Hepossessesagreatmanyothersinthesamehandwriting.Letthecomparisondecidebetweenyouropinionandmine.’
\"IwenttoCaulaincourt，whosaideagerlytome，’Iamsuretheletterisfrom—————，andIhavenottheleastdoubtofthetruthoftheparticularsitcontains.ThebestthingtheEmperorcandoistobecomforted;thereisnohelptobeexpectedfromthatside.’
\"SosadadiscoverywasverypainfultotheEmperor，forhewassincerelyattachedtotheEmpress，andstillhopedagaintoseehisson，whomhelovedmosttenderly.’
\"FouchehadbeenfarfromwishingthereturnoftheEmperor.Hewaslongtiredofobeying，andhad，besides，undertakenanotherplan，whichNapoleon’sarrivalhadbrokenoff.TheEmperor，however，puthimagainattheheadofthepolice，becauseSavarywaswornoutinthatemployment，andaskillfulmanwaswantedthere.Foucheacceptedtheoffice，butwithoutgivinguphisplanofdeposingtheEmperor，toputinhisplaceeitherhissonoraRepublicunderaPresident.HehadneverceasedtocorrespondwithPrinceMetternich，and，ifheistobebelieved，hetriedtopersuadetheEmperortoabdicateinfavourofhisson.Thatwasalsomyopinion;but;comingfromsuchaquarter，theadvicewasnotwithoutdangerforthepersontowhomitwasgiven.
Besides，thatadvicehavingbeenrejected，it：wasthedutyoftheMinistereithertothinknomoreofhisplanortoresignhisoffice.
Fouche，however，remainedintheCabinet;andcontinuedhiscorrespondence.TheEmperor，whoplacedbutlittleconfidenceinhim;
keptacarefuleyeuponhim.OneeveningtheEmperor：hadagreatdealofcompanyattheElysee，hetoldmenottogohome，becausehewishedtospeaktome.WheneverybodywasgonetheEmperorstoppedwithFoucheintheapartmentnexttotheoneIwasin.Thedoorremainedhalfopen.
Theywalkedupanddowntogethertalkingverycalmly.Iwasthereforegreatlyastonishedwhen，afteraquarterof，anhour，IheardtheEmperorsaytohim’gravely，’Youareatraitor！WhydoyouremainMinisterofthePoliceifyouwishtobetrayme？Itrestswithmetohaveyouhanged，andeverybodywouldrejoiceatyourdeath！’IdidnothearFouche’sreply，buttheconversationlastedabovehalfanhourlonger，thepartiesallthetimewalkingupanddown.WhenFouchewentawayhebademecheerfully，good—night，andsaidthattheEmperorhadgonebacktohisapartments.
\"ThenextdaytheEmperorspoketomeofthepreviousnight’sconversation.’Isuspected，’hesaid，’thatthewretchwasincorrespondencewithVienna.Ihavehadabanker’sclerkarrestedonhisreturnfromthatcity.HehasacknowledgedthathebroughtaletterforFouchefromMetternich，andthattheanswerwastobesentatafixedtimetoBale，whereamanwastowaitforthebeareronthebridge：I
sentforFoucheafewdaysago，andkepthimthreehourslonginmygarden，hopingthatinthecourseofafriendlyconversationhewouldmentionthatlettertome，buthesaidnothing.Atlast，yesterdayevening，Imyselfopenedthesubject.’（HeretheEmperorrepeatedtomethewordsIhadheardthenightbefore，’Youareatraitor，’etc.）Heacknowledged，infact，continuedtheEmperor，’thathehadreceivedsuchaletter，butthatitwasnotsignedandthathehadlookeduponitasamystification.Heshoweditme.Nowthatletterwasevidentlyananswer，inwhichthewriteragaindeclaredthathewouldlistentonothingmoreconcerningtheEmperor，butthat，hispersonexcepted，itwouldbeeasytoagreetoalltherest.IexpectedthattheEmperorwouldconcludehisnarrativebyexpressinghisangeragainstFouche，butourconversationturnedonsomeothersubject，andhetalkednomoreofhim.
\"TwodaysafterwardsIwenttoFouchetosolicitthereturntoParisofanofficerofmusqueteerswhohadbeenbanishedfarfromhisfamily.I
foundhimatbreakfast，andsatdownnexttohim.Facinghimsatastranger.’Doyouseethisman？’hesaidtome;pointingwithhisspoontothestranger;’heisanaristocrat，aBourbonist，aChouan;itistheAbbe—————，oneoftheeditorsoftheJournaldesDebats——aswornenemytoNapoleon，afanaticpartisanoftheBourbons;heisoneofourmen.
Ilooked，athim.AteveryfreshepithetoftheMinistertheAbbebowedhisheaddowntohisplatewithasmileofcheerfulnessandself—
complacency，andwithasortofleer.Ineversawamoreignoblecountenance.Foucheexplainedtome，onleavingthebreakfasttable，inwhatmannerallthesevaletsofliteratureweremenofhis，andwhileIacknowledgedtomyselfthatthesystemmightbenecessary，Iscarcelyknewwhowerereallymoredespicable——thewretcheswhothussoldthemselvestothehighestbidder，ortheministerwhoboastedofhavingboughtthem，asiftheiracquisitionwereagloriousconquest.JudgingthattheEmperorhadspokentomeofthesceneIhavedescribedabove，Fouchesaidtome，’TheEmperor’stemperissouredbytheresistancehefinds，andhethinksitismyfault.HedoesnotknowthatIhavenopowerbutbypublicopinion.TomorrowImighthangbeforemydoortwentypersonsobnoxioustopublicopinion，thoughIshouldnotbeabletoimprisonforfour—and—twentyhoursanyindividualfavouredbyit.
AsIamneverinahurrytospeakIremainedsilent，butreflectingonwhattheEmperorhadsaidconcerningFoucheIfoundthecomparisonoftheirtwospeechesremarkable.Themastercouldhavehisministerhangedwithpublicapplause，andtheministercouldhang——whom？Perhapsthemasterhimself，andwiththesameapprobation.Whatasingularsituation！——andIbelievetheywerebothintheright;sofarpublicopinion，equitableinregardtoFouche，hadswervedconcerningtheEmperor.\"
ThewrathofNapoleonwasconfinedtotheLowerHouse，thePeers，fromthenatureoftheircomposition，beingcomplacentandpassiveenough.
ThevastmajorityofthemwereinfactmereshadowsgatheredroundthesolidpersonsofJoseph，Lucien，Louis，andJeromeBonaparte，andSieyes，Carnot，andthemilitarymenoftheRevolution.AsapoliticalbodyNapoleondespisedthemhimself，andyethewantedthenationtorespectthem.Butrespectwasimpossible，andthevolatileParisiansmadethePeersaconstantobjectoftheirwitticisms.ThepunstersofParismadethefollowingsomewhatingeniousplayuponwords.Lallemand，Labedogure，Drouot，andNeytheycalledLasQuatrePairsfides（perfides），whichinpronunciationmayequallymeanthefourfaithfulpeersorthefourperfidiousmen.TheinfamousVandammeandanotherwerecalledPair—
siffles，thebiasedpeers，orthebiasedpair，or（persiffles）menmadeobjectsofderision.Itwasthusthelowerordersbehavedwhilethe，existenceofFrancewasatstake.
Bythistimethethunder—cloudofwarhadgatheredandwasreadytoburst.ShortasthetimeathisdisposalwasNapoleonpreparedtomeetitwithhisaccustomedenergy.Firearmsformedoneofthemostimportantobjectsofattention.Thereweresufficientsabres，butmusketswerewanting.TheImperialfactoriescould，inordinarytimes，furnishmonthly20，000standsofnewarms;bytheextraordinaryactivityandinducementsofferedthisnumberwasdoubled.Workmenwerealsoemployedinrepairingtheoldmuskets.Therewasdisplayedatthismomentousperiodthesameactivityinthecapitalasin1793，andbetterdirected，thoughwithoutthesameultimatesuccess.Theclothingofthearmywasanotherdifficulty，andthiswasgotoverbyadvancinglargesumsofmoneytotheclothmanufacturersbeforehand.Thecontractorsdelivered20，000cavalryhorsesbeforethe1stofJune，10，000trainedhorseshadbeenfurnishedbythedismountedgendarmerie.Twelvethousandartilleryhorseswerealsodeliveredbythe1stofJune，inadditionto6000whichthearmyalreadyhad.
ThefacilitywithwhichtheMinistersofFinanceandoftheTreasuryprovidedforalltheseexpensesastonishedeverybody，asitwasnecessarytopayforeverythinginreadymoney.ThesystemofpublicworkswasatthesametimeresumedthroughoutFrance.\"Itiseasytosee，\"saidtheworkmen，\"that’thegreatcontractor’isreturned;allwasdead，noweverythingrevives.\"
\"Wehavejustlearnt，\"saysawriterwhowasatBrusselsatthistime，\"thatNapoleonhadleftthecapitalofFranceonthe12th;onthe15ththefrequentarrivalofcouriersexcitedextremeanxiety，andtowardseveningGeneralMuffingpresentedhimselfatthehoteloftheDukeofWellingtonwithdespatchesfromBlucher.Wewereallawarethattheenemywasinmovement，andtheignorantcouldnotsolvetheenigmaoftheDukegoingtranquillytotheballattheDukeofRichmond’s——hiscoolnesswasabovetheircomprehension.Hadheremainedathisownhotelapanicwouldhaveprobablyensuedamongsttheinhabitants，whichwouldhaveembarrassedtheintendedmovementoftheBritishdivisionofthearmy.
\"Ireturnedhomelate，andwewerestilltalkingoverouruneasinesswhenweheardthetrumpetssound.BeforethesunhadriseninfullsplendourIheardmartialmusicapproaching，andsoonbeheldfrommywindowsthe5threserveoftheBritisharmypassing;theHighlandbrigadewerethefirstinadvance，ledbytheirnoblethanes，thebagpipesplayingtheirseveralpibrochs;theyweresucceededbythe28th，theirbugles’notefallingmoreblithelyupontheear.Eachregimentpassedinsuccessionwithitsbandplaying.\"
ThegallantDukeofBrunswickwasataballattheassembly—roomsintheRueDucaleonthenightofthe15thofJunewhentheFrenchguns，whichhewasoneofthefirsttohear，wereclearlydistinguishedatBrussels.
\"UponreceivingtheinformationthatapowerfulFrenchforcewasadvancinginthedirectionofCharleroi.’Thenitishightimeformetobeoff，’heexclaimed，andimmediatelyquitted，theball—room.\"
\"AtfourthewholedisposableforceundertheDukeoffWellingtonwascollectedtogether，butinsuchhastethatmanyoftheofficershadnotimetochangetheirsilkstockingsanddancing—shoes;andsome，quiteovercomebydrowsiness，wereseenlyingasleepabouttheramparts，stillholding，however，withafirmhand，thereinsoftheirhorses，whichweregrazingbytheirsides.
\"Aboutfiveo’clockthewordmarch’washeardinaildirections，andinstantlythewholemassappearedtomovesimultaneously.Iconversedwithseveraloftheofficersprevioustotheirdeparture，andnotoneappearedtohavetheslightestideaofanapproachingengagement.
\"TheDukeofWellingtonandhisstaffdidnotquitBrusselstillpasteleveno’clock，anditwasnottillsometimeaftertheyweregonethatitwasgenerallyknownthewholeFrencharmy，includingastrongcorpsofcavalry，waswithinafewmilesofQuatreBras.\"
CHAPTERVIII.
——[Likethepreceding，thischapterfirstappearedinthe1836
edition，andisnotfromthepenofM.deBourrienne.]——
1815.
THEBATTLESOFLIGNYANDQUATREBRAS.
Themomentforstrikingadecisiveblowhadnowcome，andaccordingly，earlyonthemorningofthe15th，thewholeoftheFrencharmywasinmotion.The2dcorpsproceededtoMarchiennestoattackthePrussianoutpostsatThuinandLobes，inordertosecurethecommunicationacrosstheSambrebetweenthoseplaces.The3dcorps，coveredbyGeneralPajol’scavalry，advanceduponCharleroi，followedbytheImperialGuardandthe6thcorps，withthenecessarydetachmentsofpontoniers.Theremainderofthecavalry，underGrouchy，alsoadvanceduponCharleroi，ontheflanksofthe3dand6thcorps.The4thcorpswasorderedtomarchuponthebridgeofChatelet.
OntheapproachoftheFrenchadvancedguardsanincessantskirmishwasmaintainedduringthewholemorningwiththePrussians，who，afterlosingmanymen，werecompelledtoyieldtosuperiornumbers.GeneralZieten，findingitimpossible，fromtheextentoffrontierhehadtocover，tocheektheadvanceoftheFrench，fellbacktowardsFleurusbytheroadtoCharleroi，resolutelycontestingtheadvanceoftheenemywhereveritwaspossible.Intherepeatedattackssustainedbyhimhesufferedconsiderableloss.Itwasnearlymid—daybeforeapassagethroughCharleroiwassecuredbytheFrencharmy，andGeneralZietencontinuedhisretreatuponFleurus，wherehetookuphispositionforthenight.
UponZieten’sabandoning，inthecourseofhisretreat，thechausseewhichleadstoBrusselsthroughQuatreBras，MarshalNey，whohadonlyjustbeenputincommandontheleftoftheFrencharmy，wasorderedtoadvancebythisroaduponGosselies，andfoundatFrasnespartoftheDukeofWellington’sarmy，composedofNassautroopsunderthecommandofPrinceBernardofSaxe—Weimar，who，aftersomeskirmishing，maintainedhisposition.\"NotwithstandingalltheexertionsoftheFrenchatamomentwhentimewasofsuchimportance，theyhadonlybeenabletoadvanceaboutfifteenEnglishmilesduringtheday，withnearlyfifteenhoursofdaylight.\"
ItwastheintentionofNapoleonduringhisoperationsonthisdaytoeffectaseparationbetweentheEnglishandPrussianarmies，inwhichhehadnearlysucceeded.Napoleon’splanforthispurpose，andtheexecutionofitbyhisarmy，werealikeadmirable，butitishardlyprobablethattheAlliedgeneralsweretakenbysurprise，asitwastheonlylikelycoursewhichNapoleoncouldhavetaken.HislineofoperationwasonthedirectroadtoBrussels，andtherewerenofortifiedworkstoimpedehisprogress，whilefromthenatureofthecountryhisnumerousandexcellentcavalrycouldbeemployedwithgreateffect.
IntheFrenchaccountsMarshalNeywasmuchblamedfornotoccupyingQuatreBraswiththewholeofhisforceontheeveningofthe16th.\"NeymightprobablyhavedrivenbacktheNassautroopsatQuatreBras，andoccupiedthatimportantposition，buthearingaheavycannonadeonhisrightflank，whereGeneralZietenhadtakenuphisposition，hethoughtitnecessarytohaltanddetachadivisioninthedirectionofFleurus.
HewasseverelycensuredbyNapoleonfornothavingliterallyfollowedhisordersandpushedontoQuatreBras.\"ThisaccusationformsacuriouscontrastwiththatmadeagainstGrouchy，uponwhomNapoleonthrewtheblameofthedefeatatWaterloo，becausehestrictlyfulfilledhisorders，bypressingthePrussiansatWavre，unheedingthecannonadeonhisleft，whichmighthaveledhimtoconjecturethatthemoreimportantcontestbetweentheEmperorandWellingtonwasatthatmomentraging.
Itwasatsixo’clockintheeveningofthe16ththattheDrakeofWellingtonreceivedthefirstinformationoftheadvanceoftheFrencharmy;butitwasnot，however，untilteno’clockthatpositivenewsreachedhimthattheFrencharmyhadmoveduponthelineoftheSambre.
ThisinformationinducedhimtopushforwardreinforcementsonQuatreBras，atwhichplacehehimselfarrivedatanearlyhouronthe16th，andimmediatelyproceededtoBry，todevisemeasureswithMarshalBlucherinordertocombinetheirefforts.FromthemovementofconsiderablemassesoftheFrenchinfrontofthePrussiansitwasevidentthattheirfirstgrandattackwouldbedirectedagainstthem.ThatthiswasNapoleon’sobjectonthe16thmaybeseenbyhisorderstoNeyandGrouchytoturntherightofthePrussians，anddrivetheBritishfromtheirpositionatQuatreBras，andthentomarchdownthechausseeuponBryinordereffectuallytoseparatethetwoarmies.Neywasaccordinglydetachedforthispurposewith43，000men.IntheeventofthesuccessofMarshalNeyhewouldhavebeenenabledtodetachaportionofhisforcesforthepurposeofmakingaflankattackuponthePrussiansintherearofSt.
Amend，whilstNapoleoninpersonwasdirectinghismaineffortsagainstthatvillagethestrongestinthePrussianposition.Ney’sreservewasatFrasnes，disposableeitherforthepurposeofsupportingtheattackonQuatreBrasorthatatSt.Amand;andincaseofNey’scompletesuccesstoturnthePrussianrightflankbymarchingonBry.
CHAPTERIX.
1815
THEBATTLEOFWATERLOO.
Oneofthemostimportantstrugglesofmoderntimeswasnowabouttocommence——astrugglewhichformanyyearswastodecidethefateofEurope.NapoleonandWellingtonatlengthstoodoppositeoneanother.
Theyhadnevermet;themilitaryreputationofeachwasofthehighestkind，——[ForfulldetailsoftheWaterloocampaignseeSiborne’sHistoryoftheWarinFranceandBelgiumin1815，givingtheEnglishcontemporaryaccount;Chesney’sWaterlooLectures，thebestEnglishmodernaccount，whichhasbeenacceptedbythePrussiansasprettynearlyrepresentingtheirview;andWaterloobyLieutenant—ColonelPrinceEdouarddelaTourd’Auvergne（Paris，Plon，1870），whichmaybetakenastheFrenchmodernaccount.
Injudgingthiscampaignthereadermustguardhimselffromlookingonitasfoughtbytwodifferentarmies—theEnglishandthePrussian—whoseachievementsaretobeweighedagainstoneanother.
WellingtonandBlucherwereactinginacompleteunisonrareevenwhentwodifferentcorpsofthesamenationareconcerned，butpracticallyunexampledinthecaseoftwoarmiesofdifferentnations.Thusthetwoforcesbecameonearmy，dividedintotwowings，one，theleft（orPrussianwing）havingbeendefeatedbythemainbodyoftheFrenchatLignyonthe16thofJune，theright（orEnglishwing）retreatedtoholdthepositionatWaterloo，wheretheleft（orPrussianwing）wastojoinit，andtheunitedforcewastocrashtheenemy.ThusthereisnoquestionastowhetherthePrussianarmysavedtheEnglishbytheirarrival，orwhethertheEnglishsavedthePrussiansbytheirresistanceatWaterloo.Eacharmyexecutedwellandgallantlyitspartinaconcertedoperation.
TheEnglishwouldneverhavefoughtatWaterlooiftheyhadnotreliedonthearrivalofthePrussians.HadthePrussiansnotcomeupontheafternoonofthe18thofJunetheEnglishwouldhavebeenexposedtothesamegreatperilofhavingalonetodealwiththemassoftheFrencharmy，asthePrussianswouldhavehadtofaceiftheyhadfoundtheEnglishinfullretreat.ToinvestigatetherelativeperformancesofthetwoarmiesislunchthesameastodecidetherespectivemeritsofthetwoPrussianarmiesatSadowa，whereoneheldtheAustriansuntiltheotherarrived.Alsoinreadingthemanyinterestingpersonalaccountsofthecampaignitmostberememberedthatopinionsaboutthechanceofsuccessinadefensivestruggleareapttowarpwiththeobserver’sposition，asindeedGeneralGranthasremarkedinanswertocriticismsonhisarmy’sstateattheendofthefirstdayofthebattleofShilohor’PittsburgLanding.Themanplacedinthefrontrankorfightinglineseesattackafterattackbeatenoff.Heseesonlypartofhisownlosses，ammostofthewoundeddisappear，andhealsoknowssomethingoftheenemy’slossbyseeingthedeadinfrontofhim.