Warmedbythecontest，hethusbelievesinsuccess.Themanplacedinrearoradvancingwithreinforcements，havingnothingoftheexcitementofthestruggle，seesonlythelongandincreasingcolumnofwounded，stragglers，andperhapsoffliers.Heseeshiscompanionfallwithoutbeingabletoanswerthefire.Heseesnothingofthecorrespondinglossoftheenemy，andheisapttotakeamostdespondingviewofthesituation.ThusEnglishmenreadingtheaccountsofmenwhofoughtatWaterlooaretooreadytodisbelieverepresentationsofwhatwastakingplaceintherearofthearmy，andtothinkThackeray’slife—likepictureinVanityFairofthestateofBrusselsmustbeoverdrawn.Indeed，inthisverybattleofWaterloo，Zietenbegantoretreatwhenhishelpwasmostrequired，becauseoneofhisaidesdecamptoldhimthattherightwingoftheEnglishwasinfullretreat.\"Thisinexperiencedyoungman，\"saysMuffling，p.248，\"hadmistakenthegreatnumberofwoundedgoing，orbeingtaken，tothereartobedressed，forfugitives，andaccordinglymadeafalsereport.\"Further，reservesdonotsaymuchoftheirpartor，sometimes，nopartofthefight，andfewpeopleknowthatatleasttwoEnglishregimentsactuallypresentonthefieldofWaterloohardlyfiredashottillthelastadvance.
TheDukedescribedthearmyastheworstheevercommanded，andsaidthatifhehadhadhisPeninsularmen，thefightwouldhavebeenovermuchsooner.ButtheDuke，stickingtoideasnowobsolete，hadnopickedcorps.Eachman，trustinginandtrustedbyhiscomrades，foughtunderhisownofficersandunderhisownregimentalcolours.
Whatevertheydidnotknow，themenknewhowtodie，andattheendofthedayaheapofdeadtoldwhereeachregimentandbatteryhadstood.]——
thecareerofbothhadbeenmarkedbysignalvictory;NapoleonhadcarriedhistriumphantlegionsacrossthestupendousAlps，overthenorthofItaly，throughoutPrussia，Austria，Russia，andeventothefootofthePyramids，whileWellington，whohadbeenearlydistinguishedinIndia，hadwonimmortalrenowninthePeninsula，wherehehaddefeated，oneafteranother，thefavouritegeneralsofNapoleon.HewasnowtomaketrialofhisprowessagainsttheirMaster.
AmongthemostcriticaleventsofmoderntimesthebattleofWaterloostandsconspicuous.ThissanguinaryencounteratlaststoppedthetorrentoftheruthlessandpredatoryambitionoftheFrench，bywhichsomanycountrieshadbeendesolated.WiththepeacewhichimmediatelysucceededitconfidencewasrestoredtoEurope.
CHAPTERX.
1815
InterviewwithLavallette——ProceedingsintheFrenchChambers——
SecondabdicationofNapoleon——HeretirestoRochefort，negotiateswithCaptainMaitland，andfinallyembarksinthe’Bellerophon’.
OneofthefirstpublicmentoseeNapoleonafterhisreturnfromWaterloowasLavallette.\"Iflew，\"sayshe，\"totheElyseetoseetheEmperor：hesummonedmeintohiscloset，andassoonashesawme，hecametomeetmewithafrightfulepileptic’laugh.`Oh，myGod！’hesaid，raisinghiseyestoheaven，andwalkingtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom.Thisappearanceofdespairwashoweververyshort.Hesoonrecoveredhiscoolness，andaskedmewhatwasgoingforwardintheChamberofRepresentatives.Icouldnotattempttohidethatpartyspiritwastherecarriedtoahighpitch，andthatthemajorityseemeddeterminedtorequirehisabdication，andtopronounceitthemselvesifhedidnotconcedewillingly.’Howisthat？’hesaid.’IfpropermeasuresarenottakentheenemywillbebeforethegatesofParisineightdays.Alas！’headded，’haveIaccustomedthemtosuchgreatvictoriesthattheyknewnothowtobearoneday’smisfortune？WhatwillbecomeofpoorFrance？IhavedoneallIcouldforher！’Hethenheavedadeepsigh.Somebodyaskedtospeaktohim，andIlefthim，withadirectiontocomebackatalaterhour.
\"Ipassedthedayinseekinginformationamongallmyfriendsandacquaintances.Ifoundinallofthemeitherthegreatestdejectionoranextravagantjoy，whichtheydisguisedbyfeignedalarmandpityformyself，whichIrepulsedwithgreatindignation.NothingfavourablewastobeexpectedfromtheChamberofRepresentatives.Theyallsaidtheywishedforliberty，but，betweentwoenemieswhoappearedreadytodestroyit，theypreferredtheforeigners，thefriendsoftheBourbons，toNapoleon，whomightstillhaveprolongedthestruggle，butthathealonewouldnotfindmeanstosavethemanderecttheedificeofliberty.
TheChamberofPeerspresentedamuchsadderspectacle.ExcepttheintrepidThibaudeau，whotill，thelastmomentexpressedhimselfwithadmirableenergyagainsttheBourbons，almostalltheothersthoughtofnothingelsebutgettingoutofthedilemmawiththeleastlosstheycould.SometooknopainstohidetheirwishofbendingagainundertheBourbonyoke.\"
OntheeveningofNapoleon’sreturntoParishesentforBenjaminConstanttocometohimattheElyseeaboutseveno’clock.TheChambershaddecreedtheirpermanence，andproposalsforabdicationhadreachedtheEmperor.Hewasseriousbutcalm.InreplytosomewordsonthedisasterofWaterloohesaid，\"Thequestionnolongerconcernsme，butFrance.Theywishmetoabdicate.Havetheycalculatedupontheinevitableconsequencesofthisabdication？Itisroundme，roundmyname，thatthearmyrallies：toseparatemefromitistodisbandit.
IfIabdicateto—day，intwodays’timeyouwillnolongerhaveanarmy.
Thesepoorfellowsdonotunderstandallyoursubtleties.Isitbelievedthataxiomsinmetaphysics，declarationsofright，haranguesfromthetribune，willputastoptothedisbandingofanarmy？TorejectmewhenIlandedatCannesIcanconceivepossible;toabandonmenowiswhatI
donotunderstand.Itisnotwhentheenemyisattwenty—fiveleagues’
distancethatanyGovernmentcanbeoverturnedwithimpunity.DoesanyoneimaginethattheForeignPowerswillbewonoverbyfinewords？Iftheyhaddethronedmefifteendaysagotherewouldhavebeensomespiritinit;butasitis，Imakepartofwhatstrangersattack，Imakepart，then，ofwhatFranceisboundtodefend.Ingivingmeupshegivesupherself，sheavowsherweakness，sheacknowledgesherselfconquered，shecourtstheinsolenceoftheconqueror.Itisnottheloveoflibertywhichdeposesme，butWaterloo;itisfear，andafearofwhichyourenemieswilltakeadvantage.AndthenwhattitlehastheChambertodemandmyabdication？Itgoesoutofitslawfulsphereindoingso;ithasnoauthority.Itismyright，itismydutytodissolveit.\"
\"Hethenhastilyranoverthepossibleconsequencesofsuchastep.
SeparatedfromtheChambers，hecouldonlybeconsideredasamilitarychief：butthearmywouldbeforhim;thatwouldalwaysjoinhimwhocanleaditagainstforeignbanners，andtothismightbeaddedallthatpartofthepopulationwhichisequallypowerfulandeasily，ledinsuchastateofthings.AsifchanceintendedtostrengthenNapoleoninthistrainofthought，whilehewasspeakingtheavenueofMarignyresoundedwiththecriesof’Vivel’Empereur！’Acrowdofmen，chieflyofthepoorandlabouringclass，pressedforwardintotheavenue，fullofwildenthusiasm，andtryingtoscalethewallstomakeanoffertoNapoleontorallyroundanddefendhim.Bonaparteforsometimelookedattentivelyatthisgroup.’Youseeitisso，’saidhe;\"thosearenotthemenwhomIhaveloadedwithhonoursandriches.Whatdothesepeopleoweme？I
foundthem——Ileftthem——poor.Theinstinctofnecessityenlightensthem;thevoiceofthecountryspeaksbytheirmonths;andifIchoose，ifIpermitit，inanhourtherefractoryChamberswillhaveceasedtoexist.Butthelifeofamanisnotworthpurchasingatsuchaprice：I
didnotreturnfromtheIsleofElbathatParisshouldbeinundatedwithblood：Hedidnotliketheideaofflight.’WhyshouldInotstayhere？’herepeated.’Whatdoyousupposetheywoulddotoamandisarmedlikeme？IwillgotoMalmaison：Icanlivethereinretirementwithsomefriends，whomostcertainlywillcometoseemeonlyformyownsake.’
\"Hethendescribedwithcomplacencyandevenwithasortofgaietythisnewkindoflife.Afterwards，discardinganideawhichsoundedlikemereirony，hewenton.’IftheydonotlikemetoremaininFrance，whereamItogo？ToEngland？Myabodetherewouldberidiculousordisquieting.
Ishouldbetranquil;noonewouldbelieveit.Everyfogwouldbesuspectedofconcealingmylandingonthecoast.AtthefirstsignofagreencoatgettingoutofaboatonepartywouldflyfromFrance，theotherwouldputFranceoutofthepaleofthelaw.Ishouldcompromiseeverybody，andbydintoftherepeated\"Beholdhecomes！\"Ishouldfeelthetemptationtosetout.Americawouldbemoresuitable;Icouldlivetherewithdignity.Butoncemore，whatistheretofear？Whatsovereigncan，withoutinjuringhimself，persecuteme？TooneIhaverestoredhalfhisdominions;howoftenhastheotherpressedmyhand，callingmeagreatman！Andastothethird，canhefindpleasureorhonourinhumiliationofhisson—in—law？Wouldtheywishtoproclaiminthefaceoftheworldthatalltheydidwasthroughfear？Astotherest，Ishallsee：Idonotwishtoemployopenforce.Icameinthehopeofcombiningourlastresources：theyabandonedme;theydosowiththesamefacilitywithwhichtheyreceivedmeback.Well，then，letthemefface，ifpossible，thisdoublestainofweaknessandlevity！Letthemcoveritoverwithsomesacrifice，withsomeglory！Letthemdoforthecountrywhattheywillnotdoforme.Idoubtit.To—day，thosewhodeliverupBonapartesaythatitistosaveFrance：to—morrow，bydeliveringupFrance，theywillprovethatitwastosavetheirownheads.’\"
Thehumiliatingsceneswhichrapidlysucceededoneanother;andwhichendedinNapoleon’sunconditionalsurrender，maybebrieflytold.AssoonaspossibleafterhisarrivalatParisheassembledhiscounsellors，whenhedeclaredhimselfinfavourofstillresisting.Thequestion，however，was，whethertheChamberswouldsupporthim;andLafayettebeingtreacherouslyinformed，itissaidbyFouche，thatitwasintendedtodissolvetheChambers，usedhisinfluencetogetthechamberstoadoptthepropositionshelaidbeforethem.Bythesetheindependenceofthenationwasassertedtobeindanger;thesittingsoftheChamberweredeclaredpermanent，andallattemptstodissolveitwerepronouncedtreasonable.Thepropositionswereadopted，andbeingcommunicatedtotheChamberofPeers，thatbodyalsodeclareditselfpermanent.WhatevermighthavebeentheintentionsofBonaparte，itwasnowmanifestthattherewerenolongeranyhopesofhisbeingabletomakehiswillthelawofthenation;aftersomevacillation，therefore，on22dJunehepublishedthefollowingdeclaration：
TOTHEFRENCHPEOPLE
FRENCHMEN！——Incommencingwarformaintainingthenationalindependence，Ireliedontheunionofallefforts，ofallwills，andtheconcurrenceofallthenationalauthorities.Ihadreasontohopeforsuccess，andIbravedallthedeclarationsofthepowersagainstme.Circumstancesappeartomechanged.IoffermyselfasacrificetothehatredoftheenemiesofFrance.Maytheyprovesincereintheirdeclarations，andreallyhavedirectedthemonlyagainstmypower.Mypoliticallifeisterminated，andIproclaimmysonunderthetitleof：
NAPOLEONII.，EMPEROROFTHEFRENCH.
ThepresentMinisterswillprovisionallyformtheCounciloftheGovernment.TheinterestwhichItakeinmysoninducesmetoinvitetheChamberstoformwithoutdelaytheRegencybyalaw.
Uniteallforthepublicsafety，thatyoumaycontinueanindependentnation.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
ThisdeclarationwasconveyedtoboththeChambers，whichvoteddeputationstothelateEmperor，acceptingthisabdication，butintheirdebatesthenominationofhissontothesuccessionwasartfullyeluded.
TheChamberofRepresentativesvotedthenominationofaCommissionoffivepersons，threetobechosenfromthatChamber，andtwofromtheChamberofPeers，forthepurposeofprovisionallyexercisingthefunctionsofGovernment，andalsothattheMinistersshouldcontinuetheirrespectivefunctionsundertheauthorityofthisCommission.ThepersonschosenbytheChamberofRepresentativeswereCarnot，Fouche，andGrenier，thosenominatedbythePeersweretheDukeofVicenza（Caulaincourt）andBaronQuinette.TheCommissionnominatedfivepersonstotheAlliedarmyforthepurposeofproposingpeace.Theseproceedingswere，however，renderedoflittleimportancebytheresolutionofthevictorstoadvancetoParis.
Napoleon’sbehaviourjustbeforeandimmediatelyafterthecrisisiswelldescribedbyLavallette.\"Thenextday，\"heobserves，\"IreturnedtotheEmperor.HehadreceivedthemostpositiveaccountsofthestateoffeelingintheChamberofRepresentatives.Thereportshad，however，beengiventohimwithsomelittlereserve，forhedidnotseemtomeconvincedthattheresolutionwasreallyformedtopronouncehisabdication，Iwasbetterinformedonthematter，andIcametohimwithouthavingtheleastdoubtinmymindthattheonlythinghecoulddowastodescendoncemorefromthethrone.IcommunicatedtohimalltheparticularsIhadjustreceived，andIdidnothesitatetoadvisehimtofollowtheonlycourseworthyofhim.Helistenedtomewithasombreair，andthoughhewasinsomemeasuremasterofhimself，theagitationofhismindandthesenseofhispositionbetrayedthemselvesinhisfaceandinallhismotions.’Iknow，’saidI，’thatyourMajestymaystillkeepthesworddrawn，butwithwhom，andagainstwhom？Defeathaschilledthecourageofeveryone;thearmyisstillinthegreatestconfusion.NothingistobeexpectedfromParis，andthecoupd’etatofthe18thBrumairecannotberenewed.’——’Thatthought，’hereplied，stopping，’isfarfrommymind.Iwillhearnothingmoreaboutmyself.
ButpoorFrance！’AtthatmomentSavaryandCaulaincourtentered，andhavingdrawnafaithfulpictureoftheexasperationoftheDeputies，theypersuadedhimtoassenttoabdication.Somewordsheutteredprovedtousthathewouldhaveconsidereddeathpreferabletothatstep;butstillhetookit.
\"Thegreatactofabdicationbeingperformed，heremainedcalmduringthewholeday，givinghisadviceonthepositionthearmyshouldtake，andonthemannerinwhichthenegotiationswiththeenemyoughttobeconducted.HeinsistedespeciallyonthenecessityofproclaiminghissonEmperor，notsomuchfortheadvantageofthechildaswithaviewtoconcentrateallthepowerofsentimentsandaffections.Unfortunately，nobodywouldlistentohim.SomemenofsenseandcourageralliedfoundthatpropositioninthetwoChambers，butfearswayedthemajority;andamongthosewhoremainedfreefromitmanythoughtthatapublicdeclarationofliberty，andtheresolutiontodefenditatanyprice，wouldmaketheenemyandtheBourbonsturnback.Strangedelusionofweaknessandwantofexperience！Itmust，however，berespected，forithaditssourceinloveoftheircountry;but，whileweexcuseit，canitbejustified？Thepopulationofthemetropolishadresumeditsusualappearance，whichwasthatofcompleteindifference，witharesolutiontocry’LonglivetheKing！’providedtheKingarrivedwellescorted;foronemustnotjudgeofthewholecapitalbyaboutone—thirtiethpartoftheinhabitants，whocalledforarms，anddeclaredthemselveswarmlyagainstthereturnoftheexiledfamily.
\"Onthe23dIreturnedtotheElysee.TheEmperorhadbeenfortwohoursinhisbath.Hehimselfturnedthediscourseontheretreatheoughttochoose，andspokeoftheUnitedStates.Irejectedtheideawithoutreflection，andwithadegreeofvehemencethatsurprisedhim.’WhynotAmerica？’heasked.Ianswered，’BecauseMoreauretiredthere.’Theobservationwasharsh，andIshouldneverhaveforgivenmyselfforhavingexpressedit;ifIhadnotretractedmyadviceafewdaysafterwards.Hehearditwithoutanyapparentill—humour，butIhavenodoubtthatitmusthavemadeanunfavourableimpressiononhismind.IstronglyurgedonhischoosingEnglandforhisasylum.
\"TheEmperorwenttoMalmaison.HewasaccompaniedthitherbytheDuchessedeSt.Leu，Bertrandandhisfamily，andtheDucdeBassano.
Thedaythathearrivedthereheproposedtometoaccompanyhimabroad.
Drouot，’hesaid，’remainsinFrance.IseetheMinisterofWarwisheshimnottobelosttohiscountry.Idarenotcomplain，butitisagreatlossforme;Inevermetwithabetterhead，oramoreuprightheart.Thatmanwasformedtobeaprimeministeranywhere.’Ideclinedtoaccompanyhimatthetime，saying，’Mywifeisenceinte;Icannotmakeupmymindtoleaveher.Allowmesometime，andIwilljoinyouwhereveryoumaybe.IhaveremainedfaithfultoyourMajestyinbettertimes，andyoumayreckonuponmenow.Nevertheless，ifmywifedidnotrequireallmyattention，Ishoulddobettertogowithyou，forIhavesadforebodingsrespectingmyfate.\"
\"TheEmperormadenoanswer;butIsawbytheexpressionofhiscountenancethathehadnobetterauguryofmyfatethanIhad.However，theenemywasapproaching，andforthelastthreedayshehadsolicitedtheProvisionalGovernmenttoplaceafrigateathisdisposal，withwhichhemightproceedtoAmerica.Ithadbeenpromisedhim;hewasevenpressedtosetoff;buthewantedtobethebeareroftheordertothecaptaintoconveyhimtotheUnitedStates，andthatorderdidnotarrive.Weallfeltthatthedelayofasinglehourmightputhisfreedominjeopardy.
\"Afterwehadtalkedthesubjectoveramongourselves，Iwenttohimandstronglypointedouttohimhowdangerousitmightbetoprolonghisstay.Heobservedthathecouldnotgowithouttheorder.’Depart，nevertheless，’Ireplied;yourpresenceonboardtheshipwillstillhaveagreatinfluenceoverFrenchmen;cutthecables，promisemoneytothecrew，andifthecaptainresisthavehimputonshore，andhoistyoursails.IhavenodoubtbutFouchehassoldyoutotheAllies.’——
’Ibelieveitalso;butgoandmakethelasteffortwiththeMinisterofMarine.’IwentoffimmediatelytoM.Decres.Hewasinbed，andlistenedtomewithanindifferencethatmademybloodboil.Hesaidtome，’IamonlyaMinister.GotoFouche;speaktotheGovernment.Asforme，Icandonothing.Good—night.’Andsosayinghecoveredhimselfupagaininhisblankets.Ilefthim;butIcouldnotsucceedinspeakingeithertoFoucheortoanyoftheothers.Itwastwoo’clockinthemorningwhenIreturnedtoMalmaison;theEmperorwasinbed.Iwasadmittedtohischamber，whereIgavehimanaccountoftheresultofmymission，andrenewedmyentreaties.Helistenedtome，butmadenoanswer.Hegotup，however，andspentapartofthenightinwalkingupanddowntheroom.
\"Thefollowingdaywasthelastofthatsaddrama.TheEmperorhadgonetobedagain，andsleptafewhours.Ienteredhiscabinetatabouttwelveo’clock.’IfIhadknownyouwerehere，’hesaid，’Iwouldhavehadyoucalledin.’Hethengaveme，onasubjectthatinterestedhimpersonally，someinstructionswhichitisneedlessformetorepeat.
SoonafterIlefthim，fullofanxietyrespectinghisfate，myheartoppressedwithgrief，butstillfarfromsuspectingtheextenttowhichboththerigouroffortuneandthecrueltyofhisenemieswouldbecarried.\"
Allthemorningofthe29thofJunethegreatroadfromSt.Germainrungwiththecriesof\"Vivel’Empereur！\"proceedingfromthetroopswhopassedunderthewallsofMalmaison.Aboutmid—dayGeneralBecker，sentbytheProvisionalGovernment，arrived.HehadbeenappointedtoattendNapoleon.FoucheknewthatGeneralBeckerhadgrievancesagainsttheEmperor，andthoughttofindinhimwillingagent.Hewasgreatlydeceived，fortheGeneralpaidtotheEmperoradegreeofrespecthighlytohishonour.Timenowbecamepressing.TheEmperor，atthemomentofdeparture，sentamessagebyGeneralBeckerhimselftotheProvisionalGovernment，offeringtomarchasaprivatecitizenattheheadofthetroops.HepromisedtorepulseBlucher，andafterwardstocontinuehisroute.UpontherefusaloftheProvisionalGovernmenthequittedMalmaisononthe29th.NapoleonandpartofhissuitetooktheroadtoRochefort.HesleptatRambouilletonthe29thofJune，onthe30thatTours，onthe1stofJulyhearrivedatNiort，andonthe3dreachedRochefort，onthewesterncoastofFrance，withtheintentionofescapingtoAmerica;butthewholewesternseaboardwassovigilantlywatchedbyBritishmen—of—warthat，aftervariousplansanddevices，hewasobligedtoabandontheattemptindespair.Hewaslodgedatthehouseoftheprefect，atthebalconyofwhichheoccasionallyshowedhimselftoacknowledgetheacclamationsofthepeople.
DuringhisstayhereaFrenchnavalofficer，commandingaDanishmerchantvessel，generouslyofferedtosomeofNapoleon’sadherentstofurtherhisescape.HeproposedtotakeNapoleonalone，andundertooktoconcealhispersonsoeffectuallyastodefythemostrigidscrutiny，andofferedtosailimmediatelytotheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Herequirednoothercompensationthanasmallsumtoindemnifytheownersofhisshipforthelossthisenterprisemightoccasionthem.ThiswasagreedtobyBertranduponcertainstipulations.
Ontheeveningofthe8thofJulyNapoleonreachedFouras，receivingeverywheretestimoniesofattachment.HeproceededonboardtheSaale，oneofthetwofrigatesappointedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoconveyhimtotheUnitedStates，andsleptonboardthatnight.Veryearlyonthefollowingmorninghevisitedthefortificationsofthatplace，andreturnedtothefrigatefordinner.Ontheeveningofthe9thofJulyhedespatchedCountLasCasesandtheDukeofRovigotothecommanderoftheEnglishsquadron，forthepurposeofascertainingwhetherthepassportspromisedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoenablehimtoproceedtoAmericahadbeenreceived.Anegativeanswerwasreturned;itwasatthesametimesignifiedthattheEmperorwouldbeattackedbytheEnglishsquadronifheattemptedtosailunderaflagoftruce，anditwasintimatedthateveryneutralvesselwouldbeexamined，andprobablysentintoanEnglishport.LasCasesaffirmsthatNapoleonwasrecommendedtoproceedtoEnglandbyCaptainMaitland，whoassuredhimthathewouldexperiencenoill—treatmentthere.TheEnglishship’Bellerophon’thenanchoredintheBasqueroads，withinsightoftheFrenchvesselsofwar.
Thecoastbeing，aswehavestated，entirelyblockadedbytheEnglishsquadron，theEmperorwasundecidedastothecourseheshouldpursue.
Neutralvesselsand’chasse—marees’，mannedbyyoungnavalofficers，wereproposed，andmanyotherplansweredevised.
Napoleondisembarkedonthe12thattheIsleofAixwithacclamationsringingoneveryside.Hehadquittedthefrigatesbecausetheyrefusedtosail，owingeithertotheweaknessofcharacterofthecommandant，orinconsequenceofhisreceivingfreshordersfromtheProvisionalGovernment.Manypersonsthoughtthattheenterprisemightbeundertakenwithsomeprobabilityofsuccess;thewind，however，remainedconstantlyinthewrongquarter.
LasCasesreturnedtotheBellerophonatfouro’clockinthemorningofthe14th，toinquirewhetheranyreplyhadbeenreceivedtothecommunicationmadebyNapoleon.CaptainMaitlandstatedthatheexpectedtoreceiveiteverymoment，andaddedthat，iftheEmperorwouldthenembarkforEngland，hewasauthorizedtoconveyhimthither.Headded，moreover，thatinhisownopinion，andmanyotherofficerspresentconcurredwithhim，behadnodoubtNapoleonwouldbetreatedinEnglandwithall—possibleattentionandrespect;thatinEnglandneithertheKingnorMinistersexercisedthesamearbitrarypowerasontheContinent;
thattheEnglishindeedpossessedgenerosityofsentimentandaliberalityofopinionssuperioreventothoseoftheKing.LasCasesrepliedthathewouldmakeNapoleonacquaintedwithCaptainMaitland’soffer，andadded，thathethoughttheEmperorwouldnothesitatetoproceedtoEngland，soastobeabletocontinuehisvoyagetotheUnitedStates.HedescribedFrance，southoftheLoire，tobeincommotion，thehopesofthepeoplerestingonNapoleonaslongashewaspresent;thepropositionseverywheremadetohim，andateverymoment;hisdecidedresolutionnottobecomethepretestofacivilwar;thegenerosityhehadexhibitedinabdicating，inordertorendertheconclusionofapeacemorepracticable;andhissettleddeterminationtobanishhimself，inordertorenderthatpeacemorepromptandmorelasting.
ThemessengersreturnedtotheirMaster，who，aftersomedoubtandhesitation，despatchedGeneralGourgaudwiththefollowingwell—knownlettertothePrinceRegent：——
ROCHEFORT，13thJuly1815.
ROYALHIGHNESS——Avictimtothefactionswhichdividemycountry，andtothehostilityofthegreatestPowersofEurope，Ihaveterminatedmypoliticalcareer，andcome，likeThemistocles，tosharethehospitalityoftheBritishpeople.Iplacemyselfundertheprotectionoftheirlaws，andIclaimthatfromyourRoyalHighnessasthemostpowerful，themostconstant，andthemostgenerousofmyenemies.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
AboutfourP.M.LasCasesandSavoryreturnedtothe’Bellerophon’，wheretheyhadalongconversationwithCaptainMaitland，inthepresenceofCaptainsSartoriusandGambler，whobothdeclarethatMaitlandrepeatedlywarnedNapoleon’sadherentsnottoentertaintheremotestideathathewasenabledtoofferanypledgewhatevertotheirMasterbeyondthesimpleassurancethathewouldconveyhiminsafetytotheEnglishcoast，theretoawaitthedeterminationoftheBritishGovernment.
Napoleonhadbeguntoprepareforhisembarkationbeforedaylightonthe15th.Itwastimethathedidso，foramessengerchargedwithorderstoarresthimhadalreadyarrivedatRochefortfromthenewGovernment.
TheexecutionofthisorderwasdelayedbyGeneralBeckerforafewhoursinordertoallowNapoleonsufficienttimetoescape.Atdaybreak，hequittedthe’Epervier’，andwasenthusiasticallycheeredbytheship’scompanysolongastheboatwaswithinhearing.Soonaftersixhewasreceivedonboardthe’Bellerophon’withrespectfulsilence，butwithoutthosehonoursgenerallypaidtopersonsofhighrank.Bonapartewasdressedintheuniformofthe’chasseursacheval’oftheImperialGuard，andworetheGrandCrossoftheLegionofHonour.
Onenteringthevesselhetookoffhishat，andaddressingCaptainMaitland，said，\"IamcometothrowmyselfontheprotectionofthelawsofEngland.\"Napoleon’smannerwaswellcalculatedtomakeafavourableimpressiononthosewithwhomheconversed.Herequestedtobeintroducedtotheofficersoftheship，andputvariousquestionstoeach.Hethenwentroundtheship，althoughhewasinformedthatthemenwerecleaningandscouring，andremarkeduponanythingwhichstruckhimasdifferingfromwhathehadseenonFrenchvessels.Thecleanappearanceofthemensurprisedhim.\"Hethenobserved，\"saysCaptainMaitland，towhoseinterestingnarrativewerefer，\"’IcanseenosufficientreasonwhyyourshipsshouldbeattheFrenchoneswithsomuchease.Thefinestmen—of—warinyourserviceareFrench;aFrenchshipisheavierineveryrespectthanoneofyours;shecarriesmoreguns，andthosegunsareofalargercalibre，andshehasagreatmanymoremen.’\"
Hisinquiries，whichwereminute，provedthathehaddirectedmuchattentiontotheFrenchnavy.
OnthefirstmorningNapoleontookbreakfastintheEnglishfashion，butobservingthathisdistinguishedprisonerdidnoteatmuch，CaptainMaitlandgavedirectionthatforthefutureahotbreakfastshouldbeservedupaftertheFrenchmanner.’TheSuperb’，theAdmiral’sship，whichhadbeenseeninthemorning，wasnowapproaching.ImmediatelyonheranchoringCaptainMaitlandwentonboardtogiveanaccountofallthathadhappened，andreceivedtheAdmiral’sapprobationofwhathehaddone.IntheafternoonAdmiralSirHenryHothamwasintroducedtoNapoleon，andinvitedbyhimtodinner.Thiswasarranged，inordertomakeitmoreagreeabletohim，byBonaparte’smaitred’hotel.OndinnerbeingannouncedNapoleonledtheway，andseatedhimselfinthecentreatonesideofthetable，desiringSirHenryHothamtotaketheseatonhisright，andMadameBertrandthatonhislefthand.OnthisdayCaptainMaitlandtookhisseatattheendofthetable，butonthefollowingday，byNapoleon’srequest，heplacedhimselfonhisrighthand，whilstGeneralBertrandtookthetop.Twooftheship’sofficersdinedwiththeEmperordaily，byexpressinvitation.TheconversationofNapoleonwasanimated.HemademanyinquiriesastothefamilyandconnectionsofCaptainMaitland，andinalludingtoLordLauderdale，whowassentasambassadortoParisduringtheadministrationofMr.Fox，paidthatnoblemansomecomplimentsandsaidofthethenPremier，\"HadMr.Foxliveditneverwouldhavecometothis;buthisdeathputanendtoallhopesofpeace.\"
Ononeoccasionheorderedhiscamp—bedtobedisplayedfortheinspectionoftheEnglishofficers.IntwosmallleatherpackageswerecomprisedthecouchoftheoncemightyruleroftheContinent.Thesteelbedsteadwhich，whenfoldedup，wasonlytwofeetlong，andeighteenincheswide，occupiedonecase，whiletheottercontainedthemattressandcurtains.Thewholewassocontrivedastobereadyforuseinthreeminutes.
NapoleonspokeintermsofhighpraiseofthemarinesondutyintheBellerophon，andongoingthroughtheirranksexclaimedtoBertrand，\"Howmuchmightbedonewithahundredthousandsuchsoldiersasthese！\"
InputtingthemthroughtheirexercisehedrewacontrastbetweenthechargeofthebayonetasmadebytheEnglishandtheFrench，andobservedthattheEnglishmethodoffixingthebayonetwasfaulty，asitmighteasilybetwistedoffwhenincloseaction.InvisitingAdmiralHotham’sflag—ship，the’Superb’，hemanifestedthesameactivecuriosityasinformerinstances，andmadethesameminuteinquiriesintoeverythingbywhichhewassurrounded.DuringbreakfastoneofNapoleon’ssuite，ColonelPlanat，wasmuchaffected，andevenwept，onwitnessingthehumiliationofhisMaster.
OnthereturnofBonapartefromtheSuperbtothe’Bellerophon’thelattershipwasgotunderweighandmadesailforEngland.Whenpassingwithinacable’slengthofthe’Superb’NapoleoninquiredofCaptainMaitlandifhethoughtthatdistancewassufficientforaction.ThereplyoftheEnglishofficerwascharacteristic;hetoldtheEmperorthathalfthedistance，orevenless，wouldsuitmuchbetter.SpeakingofSirSidneySmith，BonaparterepeatedtheanecdoteconnectedwithhisquarrelatSt.Jeand’Acrewiththatofficer，whichhasalreadybeenrelatedinoneofthenotesearlierinthesevolumes.PattingCaptainMaitlandontheshoulder，heobserved，thathaditnotbeenfortheEnglishnavyhewouldhavebeenEmperoroftheEast，butthatwhereverhewenthewassuretofindEnglishshipsintheway.
The’Bellerophon’，withBonaparteonboard，sightedthecoastofEnglandonSunday，the23dofJuly1815，andatdaybreakonthe24ththevesselapproachedDartmouth.NosoonerhadtheshipanchoredthananorderfromLoralKeithwasdeliveredtoCaptainMaitland，fromwhichthefollowingisanextract：
ExtractofanOrderfromAdmiralViscountKeith，G.C.B.，addressedtoCaptainMaitland，ofH.M.S.\"Bellerophon，\"datedVilledeParis，Hamoaze，23dJuly1815.
CaptainSartorius，ofHisMajesty’sship’Slaney’，deliveredtomelastnight，ateleveno’clock，yourdespatchofthe14thinstant，acquaintingmethatBonapartehadproposedtoembarkonboardtheshipyoucommand，andthatyouhadaccededthereto，withtheintentionofproceedingtoTorbay，theretowaitforfurtherorders.
IlostnotimeinforwardingyourletterbyCaptainSartoriustotheLordsCommissionersoftheAdmiralty，inorderthattheirLordshipsmight，throughhim，beacquaintedwitheverycircumstancethathadoccurredonanoccasionofsomuchimportance;andyoumayexpectordersfromtheirLordshipsforyourfurtherguidance.YouaretoremaininTorbayuntilyoureceivesuchorders;andinthemeantime，inadditiontothedirectionsalreadyinyourpossession，youaremostpositivelyorderedtopreventeverypersonwhateverfromcomingonboardtheshipyoucommand，excepttheofficersandmenwhocomposehercrew;norisanypersonwhatever，whetherinHisMajesty’sserviceornot，whodoesnotbelong，totheship，tobesufferedtocomeonboard，eitherforthepurposeofvisitingtheofficers，oronanypretencewhatever，withoutexpresspermissioneitherfromtheLordsCommissionersoftheAdmiraltyorfromme.AsIunderstandfromCaptainSartoriusthatGeneralGourgaudrefusedtodelivertheletterwithwhichhewaschargedforthePrinceRegenttoanypersonexceptHisRoyalHighness，youaretotakehimoutofthe’Slaney’intotheshipyoucommand，untilyoureceivedirectionsfromtheAdmiraltyonthesubject，andorderthatshipbacktoPlymouthSound，whenCaptainSartoriusreturnsfromLondon.
Itwasstatedaboutthistime，insomeoftheEnglishnewspapers，thatSt.Helenawouldbetheplaceofexileoftheex—Emperor，thebarereportofwhichevidentlycausedgreatpaintoNapoleonandhissuite.GeneralGourgaudwasobligedtoreturntothe’Bellerophon’，nothavingbeensufferedtogoonshoretodelivertheletterfromBonapartetothePrinceRegentwithwhichbehadbeenentrusted.TheshipwhichborethemodernAlexandersoonbecameanaturalobjectofattractiontothewholeneighbourhood，andwasconstantlysurroundedbycrowdsofboats.
Napoleonfrequentlyshowedhimselftothepeoplefromshorewithaviewofgratifyingtheircuriosity.Onthe25thofJulythenumberofguard—
boatswhichsurroundedthevesselwasgreatlyincreased;andthealarmofthecaptivesbecamegreaterasthereportwasstrengthenedastotheintentionofconveyingBonapartetoSt.Helena.
InconversationwithCaptainMaitland，Napoleon，whoseemedtobeawarethattheEnglishfishermenunitedtheoccupationofsmugglerstotheirusualtrade;statedthatmanyofthemhadbeenbribedbyhim，andhadassistedintheescapeofFrenchprisonersofwar.TheyhadevenproposedtodeliverLouisXVIII.intohispower，butastheywould.notanswerforthesafetyofhislife，Napoleonrefusedtheoffer.UponthearrivalofdespatchesfromLondonthe’Bellerophon’gotunderweighforPlymouthSoundonthe26thofJuly.Thismovementtendedstillfurthertodisconcerttheex—Emperorandhisfollowers.InpassingthebreakwaterBonapartecouldnotwithholdhisadmirationofthatwork，whichheconsideredhighlyhonourabletothepublicspiritofthenation，and，alludingtohisownimprovementsatCherbourg，expressedhisapprehensionsthattheywouldnowbesufferedtofallintodecay.
CaptainMaitlandwasdirectedbyLordKeithtoobservetheutmostvigilancetopreventtheescapeofhisprisoners，andwiththisviewnoboatwaspermittedtoapproachtheBellerophon;the’Liffey’and’Eurotas’wereorderedtotakeupananchorageoneachsideoftheship，andfurtherprecautionswereadoptedatnight.
Onthe27thofJulyCaptainMaitlandproceededtoLordKeith，takingwithhimBonaparte’soriginallettertothePrinceRegent，which，asGeneralGourgaudhadnotbeenpermittedtodeliveritpersonally，NapoleonnowdesiredtobetransmittedthroughthehandsoftheAdmiral.AsLordKeithhadnowreceivedinstructionsfromhisGovernmentastothemannerinwhichNapoleonwastobetreated，helostnotimeinpayinghisrespectstothefallenchief.
Onthe31stofJulytheanxiously—expectedorderoftheEnglishGovernmentarrived.Inthisdocument，whereintheex—Emperorwasstyled\"GeneralBonaparte，\"itwasnotifiedthathewastobeexiledtoSt.
Helena，theplaceofallothersmostdreadedbyhimandhisdevotedadherents.Itwas，moreover，specifiedthathemightbeallowedtotakewithhimthreeofficers，andhissurgeon，andtwelveservants.Tohisownselectionwasconcededthechoiceofthesefollowers，withtheexclusion，however，ofSavaryandLallemand，whowereonnoaccounttobepermittedanyfurthertosharehisfortunes.Thisprohibitiongaveconsiderablealarmtothoseindividuals，whobecameexcessivelyanxiousastotheirfuturedisposal，anddeclaredthattodeliverthemuptothevengeanceoftheBourbonswouldbeaviolationoffaithandhonour.
Napoleonhimselfcomplainedbitterlyonthesubjectofhisdestination，andsaid，\"Theidea，ofitishorribletome.Tobeplacedforlifeonanislandwithinthetropics，atanimmensedistancefromanyland，cutofffromallcommunicationwiththeworld，andeverythingthatIholddearinit！——c’estpisquelacagedeferdeTamerlan.IwouldpreferbeingdelivereduptotheBourbons.Amongotherinsults，\"saidhe，——
\"butthatisamerebagatelle，averysecondaryconsideration——theystylemeGeneral！TheycanhavenorighttocallmeGeneral;theymayaswellcallme`Archbishop，’forIwasHeadoftheChurchaswellasoftheArmy.IftheydonotacknowledgemeasEmperortheyoughtasFirstCounsul;theyhavesentambassadorstomeassuch;andyourKing，inhisletters，styledme’Brother.’HadtheyconfinedmeintheTowerofLondon，oroneofthefortressesinEngland（thoughnotwhatIhadhopedfromthegenerosityoftheEnglishpeople），Ishouldnothavesomuchcauseofcomplaint;buttobanishmetoanislandwithinthetropics！
Theymightaswellhavesignedmydeath—warrantatonce，foritisimpossibleamanofmyhabitofbodycanlivelonginsuchaclimate.
Havingsoexpressedhimself，hewroteasecondlettertothePrinceRegent，whichwasforwardedthroughLordKeith.ItwastheopinionofGeneralsMontholonandGourgaudthatBonapartewouldsoonerkillhimselfthangotoSt.Helena.Thisideaarosefromhishavingbeenheardemphaticallytoexclaim，\"IwillnotgotoSt.Helena！\"Thegenerals，indeed，declaredthatwerehetogivehisownconsenttobesoexiledtheywouldthemselvespreventhim.InconsequenceofthisthreatCaptainMaitlandwasinstructedbyLordKeithtotellthosegentlementhatastheEnglishlawawardeddeathtomurderers，thecrimetheymeditatedwouldinevitablyconductthemtothegallows.
Earlyonthemorningofthe4thofAugustthe’Bellerophon’wasorderedtobereadyatamoment’snoticeforsea.ThereasonofthiswastracedtoacircumstancewhichisconspicuousamongthemanyremarkableincidentsbywhichBonaparte’sarrivalneartheEnglishcoastwascharacterised.ArumourreachedLordKeiththata’habeascorpus’hadbeenprocuredwithaviewofdeliveringNapoleonfromthecustodyhewasthenin.This，however，turnedouttobeasubpoenaforBonaparteasawitnessatatrialintheCourtofKing’sBench;and，indeed，apersonattemptedtogetonboardtheBellerophontoservethedocument;buthewasfoiledinhisintention;though，hadhesucceeded，thesubpoenawould，inthesituationwhereintheex—Emperorthenstood，havebeenwithoutavail.
Onthe5thCaptainMaitland，havingbeensummonedtotheflag—shipofLordKeith，acquaintedGeneralBertrandthathewouldconveytotheAdmiralanythingwhichBonaparte（whohadexpressedanurgentwishtoseehislordship）mightdesiretosaytohim.Bertrandrequestedthecaptaintodelayhisdepartureuntiladocument，theninpreparation，shouldbecompleted：the\"PROTESTOFHISMAJESTYTHELATEEMPEROROFTHEFRENCH，ETC.\"
CaptainMaitlanddeniedthatanysnarewaslaidforBonaparte，eitherbyhimselforbytheEnglishGovernment，andstatedthattheprecautionsforpreventingtheescapeofNapoleonfromRochefortweresowellorderedthatitwasimpossibletoevadethem;andthatthefugitivewascompelledtosurrenderhimselftotheEnglishship.
Onthe7thofAugustBonaparte，withthesuitehehadselected，wastransferredfromthe’Bellerophon’tothe’Northumberland’.LordKeith’sbargewaspreparedforhisconveyancetothelattervessel，andhislordshipwaspresentontheoccasion.Acaptain’sguardwasturnedout，andasNapoleonleftthe’Bellerophon’themarinespresentedarms，andthedrumwasbeatenasusualinsalutingageneralofficer.WhenhearrivedonboardtheNorthumberlandthesquadrongotunderweigh，andNapoleonsailedfortheplaceofhisfinalexileandgrave.’
——[ForthecontinuationofNapoleon’svoyageseeChapterXIII.]——
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon，V14，1815
MemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V15
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERXI.toCHAPTERXII.1815
CHAPTERXI.
1815.
MydeparturefromHamburg—TheKingatSt.Denis——FoucheappointedMinisterofthePolice——DelayoftheKing’sentranceintoParis——
Effectofthatdelay——Fouche’snominationduetotheDukeofWellington——Impossibilityofresumingmypost——Fouche’slanguagewithrespecttotheBourbons——Hisfamouspostscript——CharacterofFouche——Discussionrespectingthetwocockades——ManifestationsofpublicjoyrepressedbyFouche——CompositionofthenewMinistry——
KindattentionofBlucher——TheEnglishatSt.Cloud——BlucherinNapoleon’scabinet——Myprisonerbecomemyprotector——Blucherandtheinnkeeper’sdog——Mydaughter’smarriagecontract——Rigidetiquette——
MyappointmenttothePresidentshipoftheElectoralCollegeoftheYonne——MyinterviewwithFouche——MyaudienceoftheKing——HisMajestymadeacquaintedwithmyconversationwithFouche——TheDukeofOtranto’sdisgrace——CarnotdeceivedbyBonaparte——Myelectionasdeputy——Mycolleague，M.Raudot——MyreturntoParis——RegretcausedbythesacrificeofNey——NobleconductofMacdonald——AdrivewithRappintheBoisdeBoulogne——Rapp’sinterviewwithBonapartein1815——TheDuedeBerriandRapp——MynominationtotheofficeofMinisterofState——MynameinscribedbythehandofLouisXVIII.——
Conclusion.
Thefulfilmentofmypredictionwasnowathand，fortheresultoftheBattleofWaterlooenabledLouisXVIII.toreturntohisdominions.AssoonasIheardoftheKing’sdeparturefromGhentIquittedHamburg，andtravelledwithallpossiblehasteinthehopeofreachingParisintimetowitnesshisMajesty’sentrance.IarrivedatSt.Denisonthe7thofJuly，and，notwithstandingtheintriguesthatweresetonfoot，IfoundanimmensenumberofpersonsassembledtomeettheKing.Indeed，theplacewassocrowdedthatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultyIcouldprocureevenalittlegarretformylodging.
HavingresumedmyuniformofacaptainoftheNationalGuard，IproceededimmediatelytotheKing’spalace.ThesalonwasfilledwithladiesandgentlemenwhohadcometocongratulatetheKingonhisreturn.AtSt.
DenisIfoundmyfamily，who，notbeingawarethatIhadleftHamburg，weremuchsurprisedtoseeme.
TheyinformedmethattheParisianswereallimpatientforthereturnoftheKing——afactofwhichIcouldjudgebytheoppositionmanifestedtothefreeexpressionofpublicfeeling.Parishavingbeendeclaredinastateofblockade，thegateswereclosed，andnoonewaspermittedtoleavethecapital，particularlybytheBarrieredelaChapelle.Itistruethatspecialpermissionmightbeobtained，andwithtolerableease，bythosewhowishedtoleavethecity;buttheformstobeobservedforobtainingthepermissiondeterredthemassofthepeoplefromproceedingtoSt.Denis，which，indeed，wasthesoleobjectoftheregulation.AsithadbeenresolvedtoforceFoucheandthetri—colouredcockadeupontheKing，itwasdeemednecessarytokeepawayfromhisMajestyallwhomightpersuadehimtoresisttheproposedmeasures.MadamedeBourriennetoldmethatonherarrivalatSt.DenisshecalleduponM.HueandM.
Lefebvre，theKing’sphysician，whobothacquaintedherwiththosefatalresolutions.Thosegentlemen，however，assuredherthattheKingwouldresolutelyholdoutagainstthetri—colouredcockade，butthenominationoftheill—omenedmanappearedinevitable.
FoucheMinisterofthePolice！If，likeDonJuan，Ihadseenastatuemove，IcouldnothavebeenmoreconfoundedthanwhenIheardthisnews.
Icouldnotcreditituntilitwasrepeatedtomebydifferentpersons.
How;indeed，couldIthinkthatatthemomentofareactiontheKingshouldhaveentrustedthemostimportantministerialdepartmenttoamantowhosearresthehadahundreddaysbeforeattachedsomuchconsequence？toaman，moreover，whomBonapartehadappointed，atLyons，tofillthesameoffice！Thiswasinconceivable！Thus，inlessthantwenty—fourhours，thesamemanhadbeenentrustedtoexecutemeasuresthemostopposite，andtoserveintereststhemostcontradictory.Hewasonedaytheministerofusurpation，andthenexttheministeroflegitimacy！HowcanIexpresswhatIfeltwhenFouchetooktheoathoffidelitytoLouisXVIII.whenIsawtheKingclaspinhishandsthehandsofFouche！IwasstandingnearM.deChateaubriand，whosefeelingsmusthavebeensimilartomine，tojudgefromapassageinhisadmirablework，’LaMonarchieselonlaCharte’.\"Aboutnineintheevening，\"hesays，\"I
wasinoneoftheroyalantechambers.Allatoncethedooropened，andI
sawthePresidentoftheCouncilenterleaningonthearmofthenewminister.Oh，Louis—le—Desire！Oh，myunfortunatemaster！youhaveprovedthatthereisnosacrificewhichyourpeoplemaynotexpectfromyourpaternalheart！\"
FouchewasresolvedtohavehisrestorationaswellasM.deTalleyrand，whohadhadhistheyearbefore;hethereforecontrivedtoretardtheKing’sentryintoParisforfourdays.TheprudentmembersoftheChamberofPeers，whohadtakennopartintheKing’sGovernmentin1814，werethefirsttodeclarethatitwasfortheinterestofFrancetohastenhisMajesty’sentranceintoParis，inordertopreventforeignersfromexercisingasortofrightofconquestinacitywhichwasapreytocivildissensionandpartyinfluence.BlucherinformedmethatthewayinwhichFouchecontrivedtodelaytheKing’sreturngreatlycontributedtothepretensionsoftheforeignerswho，heconfessed，wereverywellpleasedtoseethepopulationofParisdividedinopinion，andtohearthealarmingcriesraisedbytheconfederatesoftheFaubourgswhentheKingwasalreadyatSt.Denis.
IknowforafactthatLouisXVIII.wishedtohavenothingtodowithFouche，andindignantlyrefusedtoappointhimwhenhewasfirstproposed.ButhehadsonoblyservedBonaparteduringtheHundredDaysthatitwasnecessaryheshouldberewarded.Fouche，besides，hadgainedthesupportofapowerfulpartyamongtheemigrantsoftheFaubourgSt.
Germain，andhepossessedtheartofrenderinghimselfindispensable.
IhaveheardmanyhonestmensayveryseriouslythattohimwasduethetranquillityofParis.Moreover，WellingtonwasthepersonbywhoseinfluenceinparticularFouchewasmadeoneofthecounsellorsoftheKing.AfterallthebenefitswhichforeignershadconferreduponusFouchewasindeedanacceptablepresenttoFranceandtotheKing.
IwasnotignorantoftheDukeofWellington’sinfluenceupontheaffairsofthesecondRestoration，butforalongtimeIrefusedtobelievethathisinfluenceshouldhaveoutweighedalltheseriousconsiderationsopposedtosuchaperfectanomalyasappointingFouchetheMinisterofaBourbon.ButIwasdeceived.FranceandtheKingowedtohimFouche’sintroductionintotheCouncil，andIhadtothankhimfortheimpossibilityofresumingasituationwhichIhadrelinquishedforthepurposeoffollowingtheKingintoBelgium.CouldIbePrefectofPoliceunderaMinisterwhomashorttimebeforeIhadreceivedorderstoarrest，butwhoeludedmyagents？Thatwasimpossible.TheKingcouldnotoffermetheplaceofPrefectunderFouche，andifhehadIcouldnothaveacceptedit.Iwasthereforerightinnotrelyingontheassuranceswhichhadbeengivenme;butIconfessthatifIhadbeentoldtoguessthecausewhytheycouldnotberealisedInevershouldhavethoughtthatcausewouldhavebeentheappointmentofFoucheasaMinisteroftheKingofFrance.Atfirst，therefore，Iwasofcoursequiteforgotten，asisthecustomofcourtswhenafaithfulsubjectrefrainsfromtakingpartintheintriguesofthemoment.
IhavealreadyfrequentlystatedmyopinionofthepretendedtalentofFouche;butadmittinghistalenttohavebeenasgreataswassupposed，thatwouldhavebeenanadditionalreasonfornotentrustingthegeneralpoliceofthekingdomtohim.Hisprinciplesandconductwerealreadysufficientlyknown.NoonecouldbeignorantofthelanguageheheldrespectingtheBourbons，andinwhichbeindulgedasfreelyafterhebecametheMinisterofLouisXVIII.aswhenhewastheMinisterofBonaparte.ItwasuniversallyknownthatinhisconversationtheBourbonsweretheperpetualbuttforhissarcasms，thathenevermentionedthembutintermsofdisparagement，andthatherepresentedthemasunworthyofgoverningFrance.EverybodymusthavebeenawarethatFouche，inhisheart，favouredaRepublic，wherethepartofPresidentmighthavebeenassignedtohim.CouldanyonehaveforgottenthefamouspostscripthesubjoinedtoaletterhewrotefromLyonstohisworthyfriendRobespierre：\"TocelebratethefeteoftheRepublicsuitably，Ihaveordered250personstobeshot？\"Andtothisman，themostfuriousenemyoftherestorationofthemonarchy，wasconsignedthetaskofconsolidatingitforthesecondtime！ButitwouldrequireanotherClaudiantodescribethisnewRufinus！
Foucheneverregardedabenefitinanyotherlightthanasthemeansofinjuringhisbenefactor.TheKing，deceived，likemanyotherpersons，bythereputationwhichFouche’spartisanshadconjuredupforhim，wascertainlynotawarethatFouchehadalwaysdischargedthefunctionsofMinisterinhisowninterest，andneverfortheinterestoftheGovernmentwhichhadtheweaknesstoentrusthimwithapoweralwaysdangerousinhishands.Fouchehadopinions，buthebelongedtonoparty，andhispoliticalsuccessisexplainedbythereadinesswithwhichhealwaysservedthepartyheknewmusttriumph，andwhichhehimselfoverthrewinitsturn.HemaintainedhimselfinfavourfromthedaysofbloodandterroruntilthehappytimeofthesecondRestorationonlybyabandoningandsacrificingthosewhowereattachedtohim;anditmightbesaidthathisrulingpassionwasthedesireofcontinualchange.Nomanwasevercharacterisedbygreaterlevityorinconstancyofmind.Inallthingshelookedonlytohimself，andtothisegotismhesacrificedbothsubjectsandGovernments.SuchwerethesecretcausesoftheswayexercisedbyFoucheduringtheConvention，theDirectory，theEmpire，theUsurpation，andafterthesecondreturnoftheBourbons.HehelpedtofoundandtodestroyeveryoneofthosesuccessiveGovernments.Fouche’scharacterisperfectlyunique.Iknownoothermanwho，loadedwithhonours，andalmostescapingdisgrace，haspassedthroughsomanyeventfulperiods，andtakenpartinsomanyconvulsionsandrevolutions.
Onthe7thofJulytheKingwastoldthatFouchealonecouldsmooththewayforhisentranceintoParis，thathealonecouldunlockthegatesofthecapital，andthathealonehadpowertocontrolpublicopinion.ThereceptiongiventotheKingonthefollowingdayaffordedanopportunityofjudgingofthetruthoftheseassertions.TheKing’spresencewasthesignalforafeelingofconcord，whichwasmanifestedinaverydecidedway.Isawupontheboulevards，andoftenincompanywitheachother，persons，someofwhomhadresumedthewhitecockade，whileothersstillretainedthenationalcolours，andharmonywasnotintheleastdisturbedbythesedifferentbadges.
HavingreturnedtoprivatelifesolelyonaccountofFouche’spresenceintheMinistry，Iyieldedtothatconsolationwhichisalwayslefttothediscontented.Iwatchedtheextravaganceandinconsistencythatwerepassingaroundme，andthenewfollieswhichwereeverydaycommitted;
anditmustbeconfessedthatarichandvariedpicturepresenteditselftomyobservation.TheKingdidnotbringbackM.deBlacas.HisMajestyhadyieldedtoprudentadvice，andonarrivingatMonssenttheunluckyMinisterashisambassadortoNaples.Vengeancewastalkedof，andthereweresomepersonsinconsiderateenoughtowishthatadvantageshouldbetakenofthepresenceoftheforeignersinordertomakewhattheytermed\"anendoftheRevolution，\"asiftherewereanyothermeansofeffectingthatobjectthanfranklyadoptingwhatevergoodtheRevolutionhadproduced.Theforeignersobservedwithsatisfactionthedispositionoftheseshallowpersons，whichtheythoughtmightbeturnedtotheirownadvantage.Thetruthis，thatonthesecondRestorationourpretendedalliesprovedthemselvesourenemies.
Butforthem，butfortheirbadconduct，theirinsatiableexactions，butforthehumiliationthatwasfeltatseeingforeigncannonplantedinthestreetsofParis，andbeneaththeverywindowsofthePalace，thedayswhichfollowedthe8thofJulymighthavebeenconsideredbytheRoyalFamilyastheseasonofafestival.EverydaypeoplethrongedtothegardenoftheTuileries，andexpressedtheirjoybysinginganddancingundertheKing’swindows.
Thisebullitionoffeelingmightperhapsbethoughtabsurd，butitatleastboreevidenceofthepleasurecausedbythereturnoftheBourbons.
Thismanifestationofjoybynumbersofpersonsofbothsexes，mostofthembelongingtothebetterclassesofsociety，displeasedFouche，andhedeterminedtoputastoptoit.Wretcheswerehiredtominglewiththecrowdandsprinklecorrosiveliquidsonthedressesofthefemalessomeofthemwereeveninstructedtocommitactsofindecency，sothatallrespectablepersonsweredrivenfromthegardensthroughthefearofbeinginjuredorinsulted：AsitwaswishedtocreatedisturbanceundertheveryeyesoftheKing，andtomakehimdoubttherealityofthesentimentssoopenlyexpressedinhisfavour，theagentsofthePolicemingledthecryof’Vivel’Empereur！\"withthatof\"ViveleRoi！\"andithappenedoftenerthanoncethatthemostrespectablepersonswerearrestedandchargedbyFouche’sinfamousagentswithhavingutteredseditiouscries.Afriendofmine，whoseRoyalistopinionswerewellknown，andwhosefatherhadbeenmassacredduringtheRevolution，toldmethatwhilewalkingwithtwoladiesheheardsomeindividualsnearhimcryingout\"Vivel’Empereur！\"Thiscreatedagreatdisturbance.Thesentineladvancedtothespot，andthoseveryindividualsthemselveshadtheaudacitytochargemyfriendwithbeingguiltyofutteringtheoffensivecry.Invainthebystandersassertedthefalsehoodoftheaccusation;hewasseizedanddraggedtotheguard—house，andafterbeingdetainedforsomehourshewasliberatedontheapplicationofhisfriends.BydintofsuchwretchedmanoeuvresFouchetriumphed.Hecontrivedtomakeitbebelievedthathewastheonlypersoncapableofpreventingthedisordersofwhichhehimselfwasthesoleauthor：HegotthePoliceoftheTuileriesunderhiscontrol.Thesinginganddancingceased，andthePalacewastheabodeofdulness.
WhiletheKingwasatSt.DenisherestoredtoGeneralDessolesthecommandoftheNationalGuard.TheGeneralorderedthebarrierstobeimmediatelythrownopen.OnthedayofhisarrivalinParistheKingdetermined，asaprinciple，thatthethroneshouldbesurroundedbyaPrivyCouncil，themembersofwhichweretobetheprincesandpersonswhomhisMajestymightappointatafutureperiod.TheKingthennamedhisnewMinistry，whichwasthuscomposed：
PrinceTalleyrand，peerofFrance，PresidentoftheCouncilofMinisters，andSecretaryofStateforForeignAffairs.
BaronLouis，MinisterofFinance.
TheDukeofOtranto，MinisterofthePolice.
BaronPasquier，MinisterofJustice，andKeeperoftheSeals.
MarshalGouvionSt.Cyr，WarMinister.
ComtedeJaucourt，peerofFrance，MinisteroftheMarine.
TheDucdeRichelieu，peerofFrance，MinisteroftheKing’sHousehold.
TheportfoliooftheMinisteroftheInterior，whichwasnotimmediatelydisposedof，wasprovisionallyentrustedtotheMinisterofJustice.ButwhatwasmostgratifyingtothepublicinthecompositionofthisnewministrywasthatM.deBlacas，whohadmadehimselfsoodioustoeverybody，wassupersededbyM.deRichelieu，whosenamerevivedthememoryofagreatMinister，andwho，byhisexcellentconductthroughoutthewholecourseofhiscareer，deservestobedistinguishedasamodelofhonourandwisdom.
GeneralsatisfactionwasexpressedontheappointmentofMarshalMacdonaldtothepostofGrandChancelloroftheLegionofHonourinlieuofM.dePradt.M.deChabrolresumedthePrefectureoftheSeine，which，duringtheHundredDays，hadbeenoccupiedbyM.deBondi.，M.deMolewasmadeDirector—Generalofbridgesandcauseways.IwassupersededinthePrefectureofPolicebyM.Decazes，andM.BeugnotfollowedM.FerrandasDirector—GeneralofthePost—office.
Ithinkitwasonthe10thofJulythatIwenttoSt.CloudtopayavisitofthankstoBlucher.IhadbeeninformedthatassoonashelearnedIhadahouseatSt.Cloudhesentaguardtoprotectit.Thisspontaneousmarkofattentionwaswelldeservingofgratefulacknowledgment，especiallyatatimewhentherewassomuchreasontocomplainoftheplunderpractisedbythePrussians.MyvisittoBlucherpresentedtoobservationastrikinginstanceoftheinstabilityofhumangreatness.IfoundBlucherresidinglikeasovereigninthePalaceofSt.Cloud，whereIhadlivedsolongintheintimacyofNapoleon，ataperiodwhenhedictatedlawstotheKingsofEuropebeforehewasamonarchhimself.
——[TheEnglishoccupiedSt.CloudafterthePrussians.Mylargehouse，inwhichthechildrenoftheComted’Artoiswereinoculated，wasrespectedbythem，buttheyoccupiedasmallhomeformingpartoftheestate.TheEnglishofficerwhocommandedthetroopsstationedaguardatthelargehouse.Onemorningwewereinformedthatthedoorhadbeenbrokenopenandavaluablelooking—glassstolen.Wecomplainedtothecommandingofficer，andontheaffairbeinginquiredintoitwasdiscoveredthatthesentinelhimselfhadcommittedthetheft.Themanwastriedbyacourt—martial，andcondemnedtodeath，acircumstancewhich，asmaynaturallybesupposed，wasverydistressingtous.MadamedeBourrienneappliedtothecommandingofficerfortheman’spardon，butcouldonlyobtainhisreprieve.Theregimentdepartedsomeweeksafter，andwecouldneverlearnwhatwasthefateofthecriminal.——Bourrienne.]——
InthatcabinetinwhichNapoleonandIhadpassedsomanybusyhours，andwheresomanygreatplanshadtheirbirth，IwasreceivedbythemanwhohadbeenmyprisoneratHamburg.ThePrussianGeneralimmediatelyremindedmeofthecircumstance.\"Whocouldhaveforeseen，\"saidhe，\"thatafterbeingyourprisonerIshouldbecometheprotectorofyourproperty？YoutreatedmewellatHamburg，andIhavenowanopportunityofrepayingyourkindness.Heavenknowswhatwillbetheresultofallthis！Onething，however，iscertain，andthatis，thattheAllieswillnowmakesuchconditionsaswillbanishallpossibilityofdangerforalongtimetocome.TheEmperorAlexanderdoesnotwishtomaketheFrenchpeopleexpiatetoodearlythemisfortunestheyhavecausedus.
HeattributesthemtoNapoleon，butNapoleoncannotpaytheexpensesofthewar，andtheymustbepaidbysomeone.Itwasallverywellforonce，butwecannotpaytheexpenseofcomingbackasecondtime.
However，\"addedhe，\"youwilllosenoneofyourterritory;thatisapointonwhichIcangiveyoupositiveassurance.TheEmperorAlexanderhasseveraltimesrepeatedinmypresencetotheKingmymaster，’IhonourtheFrenchnation，andIamdeterminedthatitshallpreserveitsoldlimits.’\"
TheabovearetheverywordswhichBlucheraddressedtome.ProfitingbythefriendlysentimentsheexpressedtowardsmeItooktheopportunityofmentioningthecomplaintsthatwereeverywheremadeofthebaddisciplineofthetroopsunderhiscommand.\"WhatcanIdo？\"saidhe.\"Icannotbepresenteverywhere;butIassureyouthatinfutureandatyourrecommendationIwillseverelypunishanymisconductthatmaycometomyknowledge.\"
SuchwastheresultofmyvisittoBlucher;but，inspiteofhispromises，histroopscontinuedtocommitthemostrevoltingexcesses.
ThusthePrussiantroopshaveleftintheneighbourhoodofParisrecollectionsnolessodiousthanthoseproducedbytheconductofDavoust’scorpsinPrussia.——Ofthisaninstancenowoccurstomymemory，whichIwillrelatehere.Inthespringof1816，asIwasgoingtoChevreuse，IstoppedatthePetitBicetretowatermyhorse.Iseatedmyselfforafewminutesnearthedooroftheinn，andalargedogbelongingtotheinnkeeperbegantobarkandgrowlatme.Hismaster，arespectable—lookingoldman，exclaimed，\"Bequiet，Blucher！\"——\"Howcameyoutogiveyourdogthatname？\"saidI.——\"Ah，sir！itisthenameofavillainwhodidagreatdealofmischiefherelastyear.Thereismyhouse;theyhaveleftscarcelyanythingbutthefourwalls.Theysaidtheycameforourgood;butletthemcomebackagainwewillwatchthem，andspearthemlikewildboarsinthewood.\"Thepoorman’shousecertainlyexhibitedtracesofthemostatrociousviolence，andheshedtearsasherelatedtomehisdisasters.
BeforetheKingdepartedforGhenthehadconsentedtosignthecontractofmarriagebetweenoneofmydaughtersandM.MassieudeClerval，thoughthelatterwasatthattimeonlyalieutenantinthenavy.ThedayappointedforthesignatureofthecontracthappenedtobeSunday，the19thofMarch，anditmaywellbeimaginedthatinthecriticalcircumstancesinwhichwethenstood，amatterofsolittleimportancecouldscarcelybethoughtabout.InJulyIrenewedmyrequesttohisMajesty;whichgaverisetoseriousdiscussionsintheCouncilofCeremonies.Lestanydeviationfromthelawsofrigidetiquetteshouldcommitthefateofthemonarchy，itwasdeterminedthatthemarriagecontractofalieutenantinthenavycouldbesignedonlyatthepettylevee.However，hisMajesty，recollectingthepromisehehadgivenme，decidedthatthesignatureshouldbegivenatthegrandlevee.Thoughallthismayappearexceedinglyludicrous，yetImustconfessthatthetriumphoveretiquettewasverygratifyingtome.
AshorttimeaftertheKingappointedmeaCouncillorofState;atitlewhichIhadheldunderBonaparteeversincehisinstallationattheTuileries，thoughIhadneverfulfilledthefunctionsoftheoffice.
InthemonthofAugust;theKinghavingresolvedtoconvokeanewChamberofDeputies，IwasappointedPresidentoftheElectoralCollegeofthedepartmentoftheYonne.AssoonasIwasinformedofmynominationI
waitedonM.deTalleyrandformyinstructions，buthetoldmethat，inconformitywiththeKing’sintentions，IwastoreceivemyordersfromtheMinisterofPolice.IobservedtoM.deTalleyrandthatImustdeclineseeingFouche，onaccountofthesituationinwhichwestoodwithreferencetoeachother.\"Gotohim，gotohim，\"saidM.deTalleyrand，\"andbeassuredFouchewillsaytoyounothingonthesubject.\"
IfeltgreatrepugnancetoseeFouche，andconsequentlyIwenttohimquiteagainstmyinclination.Inaturallyexpectedaverycoldreception.Whathadpassedbetweenusrenderedourinterviewexceedinglydelicate.IcalledonFoucheatnineinthemorning，andfoundhimalone，andwalkinginhisgarden.Hereceivedmeasamanmightbeexpectedtoreceiveanintimatefriendwhomhehadnotseenforalongtime.OnreflectionIwasnotverymuchsurprisedatthis，forIwaswellawarethatFouchecouldmakehishatredyieldtocalculation.Hesaidnotawordabouthisarrest，anditmaywellbesupposedthatIdidnotseektoturntheconversationonthatsubject.IaskedhimwhetherhehadanyinformationtogivemerespectingtheelectionsoftheYonne.
\"Noneatall，\"saidhe;\"getyourselfnominatedifyoucan，onlyuseyourendeavourstoexcludeGeneralDesfouinaux.Anythingelseisamatterofindifferencetome.\"——\"WhatisyourobjectiontoDesfournaux？\"——\"TheMinistrywillnothavehim.\"
IwasabouttodepartwhenFouche;calledmebacksaying，\"Whyareyouinsuchhaste？Cannotyoustayafewminuteslonger？\"HethenbegantospeakofthefirstreturnoftheBourbons，andaskedmehowIcouldsoeasilybringmyselftoactintheirfavour.HethenenteredintodetailsrespectingtheRoyalFamilywhichIconceiveittobemydutytopassoverinsilence：Itmaybeadded，however，thattheconversationlastedalongtime，andtosaytheleastofit，wasbynomeansinfavourof\"divineright.\"
IconceivedittobemydutytomaketheKingacquaintedwiththisconversation，andastherewasnownoComtedeBlacastokeeptruthandgoodadvicefromhisMajesty’sear，Iwas;onmyfirstsolicitation，immediatelyadmittedto，theRoyalcabinet.Icautiouslysuppressedthemoststartlingdetails，for，hadIliterallyreportedwhatFouchesaid，LouisXVIII.couldnotpossiblyhavegivencredittoit.TheKingthankedmeformycommunication，andIcouldperceivehewasconvincedthatbylongerretainingFoucheinofficehewouldbecomethevictimoftheMinisterwhohadbeensoscandalouslyforceduponhimonthe7thofJuly.ThedisgraceoftheDukeofOtrantospeedilyfollowed，andIhadthesatisfactionofhavingcontributedtorepaironeoftheevilswithwhichtheDukeofWellingtonvisitedFrance.
Fouchewassoevidentlyatraitortothecausehefeignedtoserve，andBonapartewassoconvincedofthis，——thatduringtheHundredDays，whentheMinistersoftheKingatGhentwereenumeratedinthepresenceofNapoleon，someonesaid，\"ButwhereistheMinisterofthePolice？\"
\"E—h！Parbleu，\"saidBonaparte，\"thatisFouche？\"ItwasnotthesamewithCarnot，inspiteoftheindeliblestainofhisvote：ifhehadservedtheKing，hisMajestycouldhavedependedonhim，butnothingcouldshakethefirmnessofhisprinciplesinfavourofliberty.I
learned，fromapersonwhohadtheopportunityofbeingwellinformed，thathewouldnotacceptthepostofMinisteroftheInteriorwhichwasofferedtohimatthecommencementoftheHundredDaysuntilhehadaconversationwithBonaparte，toascertainwhetherhehadchangedhisprinciples.CarnotplacedfaithinthefairpromisesofNapoleon，whodeceivedhim，ashehaddeceivedothers.
SoonaftermyaudiencewiththeKingIsetofftodischargemydutiesinthedepartmentoftheYonne，andIobtainedthehonourofbeingelectedtorepresentmycountrymenintheChamberofDeputies.MycolleaguewasM.Raudot，amanwho，inverytryingcircumstances，hadgivenproofsofcouragebyboldlymanifestinghisattachmenttotheKing’sGovernment.
ThefollowingarethefactswhichIlearnedinconnectionwiththisepisode，andwhichIcirculatedasspeedilyaspossibleamongtheelectorsofwhomIhadthehonourtobePresident.Bonaparte，onhiswayfromLyonstoParis，afterhislandingatthegulfofJuan，stoppedatAvalon，andimmediatelysentforthemayor，M.Raudot.Heinstantlyobeyedthesummons.OncomingintoNapoleon’spresencehesaid，\"Whatdoyouwant，General？\"ThisappellationdispleasedNapoleon，whoneverthelessputseveralquestionstoM.Raudot，whowaswillingtoobligehimasatraveller，butnottoservehimasanEmperor.Napoleonhavinggivenhimsomeorders，thisworthyservantoftheKingreplied，\"General，Icanreceivenoordersfromyou，forIacknowledgenosovereignbuttheKing，towhomIhaveswornallegiance.\"NapoleonthendirectedM.Raudot，inatoneofseverity，towithdraw，andIneednotaddthatitwasnotlongbeforehewasdismissedfromthemayoraltyofAvalon.
TheelectionsoftheYonnebeingover，IreturnedtoParis，whereItookpartinpublicaffairsonlyasanamateur，whilewaitingfortheopeningofthesession.IwasdeeplygrievedtoseetheGovernmentresorttomeasuresofseveritytopunishfaultswhichitwouldhavebeenbetterpolicytoattributeonlytotheunfortunatecircumstancesofthetimes.
NoconsiderationcanevermakemeceasetoregretthememoryofNey，whowasthevictimoftheinfluenceofforeigners.Theirobject，asBlucherintimatedtomeatSt.Cloud，wastodisableFrancefromengaginginwarforalongtimetocome，andtheyhopedtoeffectthatobjectbystirringupbetweentheRoyalGovernmentandthearmyoftheLoirethatspiritofdiscordwhichthesacrificeofNeycouldnotfailtoproduce.Ihavenopositiveproofsofthefact，butinmyopinionNey’slifewasapledgeofgratitudewhichFouchethoughthemustoffertotheforeigninfluencewhichhadmadehimMinister.