第4章

Indeed，Icannotbegintoenumerateallthebenefits，bothpublicandprivate，whichtheFirstConsulandMadameBonapartescatteredalongtheirroute。

AlittlewhileafterourreturntoSaint-Cloud，theFirstConsul，whileridingintheparkwithhiswifeandCambaceres，tookafancytodrivethefourhorsesattachedtothecarriagewhichhadbeengivenhimbytheinhabitantsofAntwerp。Hetookhisplaceonthedriver\'sseat，andtookthereinsfromthehandsofCaesar，hiscoachman，whogotupbehindthecarriage。Atthatinstanttheywereinthehorse-shoealley，whichleadstotheroadofthePavilionBreteuil，andofVilled\'Avray。ItisstatedintheMemorialofSt。Helena，thattheaide-de-camp，havingawkwardlyfrightenedthehorses，madethemrunaway；butCaesar，whorelatedtomeindetailthissaddisasterafewmomentsaftertheaccidenthadtakenplace，saidnotawordtomeabouttheaide-de-camp；and，intruth，therewasneeded，toupsetthecoach，nothingmorethantheawkwardnessofacoachmanwithsolittleexperienceastheFirstConsul。Besides，thehorseswereyoungandspirited，andCaesarhimselfneededallhisskilltoguidethem。Notfeelinghishandonthereins，theysetoutatagallop，whileCaesar，seeingthenewdirectiontheyweretakingtotheright，criedout，“Totheleft，“inastentorianvoice。ConsulCambaceres，evenpalerthanusual，gavehimselflittleconcernastoreassuringMadameBonaparte，whowasmuchalarmed，butscreamedwithallhismight，“Stop，stop！youwillbreakallournecks！“Thatmightwellhappen，fortheFirstConsulheardnothing，and，besides，couldnotcontrolthehorses；andwhenhereached，orratherwascarriedwiththespeedoflightningto，theverygate，hewasnotabletokeepintheroad，butranagainstapost，wherethecarriagefelloverheavily，andfortunatelythehorsesstopped。TheFirstConsulwasthrownabouttensteps，fellonhisstomach，andfaintedaway，anddidnotreviveuntilsomeoneattemptedtolifthimup。MadameBonaparteandthesecondconsulhadonlyslightcontusions；butgoodJosephinehadsufferedhorribleanxietyaboutherhusband。However，althoughhewasbadlybruised，hewouldnotbebled，andsatisfiedhimselfwithafewrubbingswitheaudeCologne，hisfavoriteremedy。Thatevening，onretiring，hespokegaylyofhismisadventure，andofthegreatfrightthathiscolleaguehadshown，andendedbysaying，“WemustrenderuntoCaesarthatwhichisCaesar\'s；lethimkeephiswhip，andletuseachmindhisownbusiness。“

Headmitted，however，notwithstandingallhisjokes，thathehadneverthoughthimselfsoneardeath，andthathefeltasifhehadbeendeadforafewseconds。IdonotrememberwhetheritwasonthisoranotheroccasionthatIheardtheEmperorsay，that“deathwasonlyasleepwithoutdreams。“

InthemonthofOctoberofthisyear，theFirstConsulreceivedinpublicaudienceHaled-Effendi，theambassadoroftheOttomanPorte。

ThearrivaloftheTurkishambassadorcreatedasensationattheTuileries，becausehebroughtalargenumberofcashmereshawlstotheFirstConsul，whicheveryonewassurewouldbedistributed，andeachwomanflatteredherselfthatshewouldbefavorablynoticed。Ithinkthat，withouthisforeigncostume，andwithouthiscashmereshawls，hewouldhaveproducedlittleeffectonpersonsaccustomedtoseeingsovereignprincespaycourttothechiefofthegovernmentathisresidenceandattheirown。HiscostumeevenwasnotmoreremarkablethanthatofRoustan，towhichwewereaccustomed；andastohisbows，theywerehardlylowerthanthoseoftheordinarycourtiersoftheFirstConsul。AtParis，itissaid，theenthusiasmlastedlonger——“ItissooddtobeaTurk！“Afewladieshadthehonorofseeingthebeardedambassadoreat。Hewaspoliteandevengallantwiththem，andmadethemafewpresents，whichwerehighlyprized；hismannerswerenottooMohammedan，andhewasnotmuchshockedatseeingourprettyParisianswithoutveilsovertheirfaces。Oneday，whichhehadspentalmostentirelyatSaint-Cloud，Isawhimgothroughhisprayers。Itwasinthecourtofhonor，onabroadparapetborderedwithastonebalustrade。Theambassadorhadcarpetsspreadonthesideoftheapartments，whichwereafterwardsthoseoftheKingofRome；andtherehemadehisgenuflexions，undertheeyesofmanypeopleofthehouse，who，outofconsideration，keptthemselvesbehindtheircasements。Intheeveninghewaspresentatthetheater，andZaireorMahomet，Ithink，wasplayed；butofcourseheunderstoodnoneofit。

CHAPTERXII。

InthemonthofNovemberofthisyear，theFirstConsulreturnedtoBoulognetovisitthefleet，andtoreviewthetroopswhowerealreadyassembledinthecampsprovidedforthearmywithwhichheproposedtodescendonEngland。IhavepreservedafewnotesandmanyrecollectionsofmydifferentsojournsatBoulogne。NeverdidtheEmperormakeagranderdisplayofmilitarypower；norhasthereeverbeencollectedatonepointtroopsbetterdisciplinedormorereadytomarchattheleastsignaloftheirchief；anditisnotsurprisingthatIshouldhaveretainedinmyrecollectionsofthisperioddetailswhichnoonehasyet，Ithink，thoughtofpublishing。Neither，ifIamnotmistaken，couldanyonebeinabetterpositionthanItoknowthem。However，thereaderwillnowjudgeforhimself。

InthedifferentreviewswhichtheFirstConsulheld，heseemedstrivingtoexcitetheenthusiasmofthesoldiers，andtoincreasetheirattachmentforhisperson，byassiduouslytakingadvantageofeveryopportunitytoexcitetheirvanity。

Oneday，havingespeciallynoticedtheexcellentbearingoftheThirty-

sixthandFifty-seventhregimentsoftheline，andTenthoflightinfantry，hemadealltheofficers，fromcorporaltocolonel，comeforward；and，placinghimselfintheirmidst，evincedhissatisfactionbyrecallingtothemoccasionswhen，inthepastunderthefireofcannon，hehadremarkedthebearingofthesethreebrave，regiments。Hecomplimentedthesub-officersonthegooddrillingofthesoldiers，andthecaptainsandchiefsofbattalionontheharmonyandprecisionoftheirevolutions。Infine，eachhadhisshareofpraise。

Thisflatteringdistinctiondidnotexcitethejealousyoftheothercorpsofthearmy，foreachregimenthadonthatdayitsownshareofcompliments，whethersmallorgreat；andwhenthereviewwasover，theywentquietlybacktotheirquarters。ButthesoldiersoftheThirty-

sixth，Fifty-seventh，andTenth，muchelatedbyhavingbeensospeciallyfavored，wentintheafternoontodrinktotheirtriumphinapublichousefrequentedbythegrenadiersofthecavalryoftheGuard。Theybegantodrinkquietly，speakingofcampaigns，ofcitiestaken，oftheFirstConsul，andfinallyofthatmorning\'sreview。ItthenoccurredtotheyoungmenofBoulogne，whowereamongthedrinkers，tosingcoupletsofveryrecentcomposition，inwhichwereextolledtothecloudsthebraveryandtheexploitsofthethreeregiments，withoutonewordofpraisefortherestofthearmy，notevenfortheGuard；anditwasinthefavoriteresortofthegrenadiersoftheGuardthatthesecoupletsweresung！Theselattermaintainedatfirstagloomysilence；butsoonfindingitunendurable，theyprotestedloudlyagainstthesecouplets，whichtheysaidweredetestable。Thequarrelbecameverybitter；theyshouted，heapedinsultsoneachother，takingcarenottomaketoomuchnoise；however，andappointedameetingforthenextday，atfouro\'clockinthemorning，inthesuburbsofMarquise，alittlevillageabouttwoleaguesfromBoulogne。Itwasverylateintheeveningwhenthesesoldiersleftthepublichouse。

MorethantwohundredgrenadiersoftheGuardwentseparatelytotheplaceofmeeting，andfoundthegroundoccupiedbyanalmostequalnumberoftheiradversariesoftheThirty-sixth，Fifty-seventh，andTenth。

Wastingnotimeinexplanations，hardlyasoundbeingheard，eachsoldierdrewhissword，andformorethananhourtheyfoughtinacool，deliberatemannerwhichwasfrightfultobehold。AmannamedMartin，grenadieroftheGuard，andofgiganticstature，killedwithhisownhandsevenoreightsoldiersoftheTenth。TheywouldprobablyhavecontinuedtillallweremassacredifGeneralSaint-Hilaire，informedtoolateofthisbloodyquarrel，hadnotsentoutinallhastearegimentofcavalry，whoputanendtothecombat。Thegrenadiershadlosttwomen，andthesoldiersofthelinethirteen，withalargenumberofwoundedonbothsides。

TheFirstConsulvisitedthecampnextday，andhadbroughtbeforehimthosewhohadcausedthisterriblescene，andsaidtotheminaseveretone:“Iknowwhyyoufoughteachother；manybravemenhavefalleninastruggleunworthyofthemandofyou。Youshallbepunished。Ihavegivenordersthattheverseswhichhavebeenthecauseofsomuchtroubleshallbeprinted。Ihopethat，inlearningyourpunishment，theladiesofBoulognewillknowthatyouhavedeservedtheblameofyourcomradesinarms。“

However，thetroops，andabovealltheofficers，begantogrowwearyoftheirsojournatBoulogne，atownlesslikely，perhaps，thananyothertorendersuchaninactiveexistenceendurable。Theydidnotmurmur，however，becauseneverwheretheFirstConsulwasdidmurmuringfindaplace；buttheyfumedneverthelessundertheirbreathatseeingthemselvesheldincamporinfort，withEnglandjustinsight，onlynineortenleaguesdistant。PleasureswererareatBoulogne；thewomen，generallypretty，butextremelytimid，didnotdaretoholdreceptionsattheirownhouses，forfearofdispleasingtheirhusbands，veryjealousmen，asareallthoseofPicardy。Therewas，however，ahandsomehallinwhichballsandsoireescouldeasilyhavebeengiven；but，althoughveryanxioustodothis，theseladiesdarednotmakeuseofit。AtlastaconsiderablenumberofParisianbeauties，touchedbythesadfateofsomanybraveandhandsomeofficers，cametoBoulognetocharmawaytheennuiofsolongapeace。TheexampleoftheParisianwomenpiquedthoseofAbbeville，Dunkirk，Amiens；andsoonBoulognewasfilledwithstrangers，maleandfemale，whocametodothehonorsofthecity。Amongalltheseladiestheonemostconspicuousforstyle，intellect，andbeautywasaDunkirklady，namedMadameF——，anexcellentmusician，fullofgayety，grace，andyouth；itwasimpossibleforMadameF——nottoturnmanyheads。ColonelJoseph，brotheroftheFirstConsul，GeneralSoult，whowasafterwardsMarshal，GeneralsSaint-HilaireandAndreOssy，andafewothergreatpersonages，wereatherfeet；thoughtwoalone，itissaid，succeededingainingheraffections，andofthosetwo，onewasColonelJoseph，whosoonhadthereputationofbeingthepreferredloverofMadameF。ThebeautifulladyfromDunkirkoftengavesoirees，atwhichColonelJosephneverfailedtobepresent。Amongallhisrivals，andcertainlytheywereverynumerous，onealoneborehimill-will；thiswasthegeneral-in-chief，Soult。ThisrivalrydidnoinjurytotheinterestsofMadameF——；butlikeaskillfultactician，sheadroitlyprovokedthejealousyofhertwosuitors，whileacceptingfromeachofthemcompliments，bouquets，andmorethanthatsometimes。

TheFirstConsul，informedoftheamoursofhisbrother，concludedoneeveningtogoandmakehimselfmerryinthelittlesalonofMadameF——，whowasveryplainlydomesticatedinaroomonthefirstfloorinthehouseofajoiner，intheRuedesMinimes。Inordernottoberecognized，hewasdressedasacitizen，andworeawigandspectacles。

HetookintohisconfidenceGeneralBertrand，whowasalreadyingreatfavorwithhim，andwhodidallinhispowertorenderhisdisguisecomplete。

Thusdisguised，theFirstConsulandhiscompanionpresentedthemselvesatMadameF——\'s，andaskedforMonsieurtheSuperintendentArcambal。

ThemostperfectincognitowasimpressedonArcambalbytheFirstConsul，whowouldnotforalltheworldhavebeenrecognized；andM。Arcambalpromisingtokeepthesecret，thetwovisitorswereannouncedunderthetitleofcommissariesofwar。

Theywereplayingbouillotte；goldcoveredthetables，andthegameandpunchabsorbedtheattentionofthehappyinmatestosuchadegree，thatnoneofthemtooknoteofthepersonswhohadjustentered。Asforthemistressofthelodging，shehadneverseentheFirstConsulexceptatadistance，norGeneralBertrand；consequently，therewasnothingtobefearedfromher。ImyselfthinkthatColonelJosephrecognizedhisbrother，buthegavenoevidenceofthis。

TheFirstConsul，avoidingasbesthecouldallglances，spiedthoseofhisbrotherandofMadameF。Thinkingsignalswerepassingbetweenthem，hewaspreparingtoquitthesalonoftheprettyDunkirkess，whenshe，veryanxiousthatthenumberofherguestsshouldnotyetbediminished，rantothetwofalsecommissariesofwar，anddetainedthemgracefully，sayingthatallweregoingtoplayforfeits，andtheymustnotgoawaywithouthavinggivenpledges。TheFirstConsulhavingfirstconsultedGeneralBertrandbyaglance，founditagreeabletoremainandplaythoseinnocentgames。

Indeed，attheendofafewmoments，attherequestofMadameF——，theplayersdesertedthebouillotte，andplacedthemselvesinacirclearoundher。TheybeganbydancingtheBoulangere；thentheyounginnocentskepttheballinmotion。TheturnoftheFirstConsulcametogiveaforfeit。

Hewasatfirstverymuchembarrassed，havingwithhimonlyapieceofpaper，onwhichhehadwrittenthenamesofafewcolonels；hegave，however，thispapertoMadameF——，begginghernottoopenit。

ThewishoftheFirstConsulwasrespected，andthepaperremainedfoldedonthelapofthebeautifulwomanuntilthetimecametoredeemtheforfeits。Thenthequeerpenaltywasimposedonthegreatcaptainofmakinghimdoorkeeper，whileMadameF——，withColonelJoseph，madethe\'voyageaCythere\'inaneighboringroom。TheFirstConsulacquittedhimselfwithagoodgraceoftherolegivenhim；andaftertheforfeitshadbeenredeemed，madeasigntoGeneralBertrandtofollowhim，andtheywentout。ThejoinerwholivedonthegroundfloorsooncameuptobringalittlenotetoMadameF。

Thiswasthenote:

Ithankyou，Madame，forthekindwelcomeyouhavegivenme。Ifyouwillcomesomedaytomybarracks，Iwillactasdoorkeeper，ifitseemsgoodtoyou；butonthatoccasionIwillresigntono，otherthepleasureofaccompanyingyouinthe\'voyageaCythre\'。

(Signed)BONAPARTE

Theprettywomandidnotreadthenotealoud；neitherdidsheallowthegiversofforfeitstoremaininignorancethatshehadreceivedavisitfromtheFirstConsul。Attheendofanhourthecompanydispersed，andMadameF——remainedalone，reflectingonthevisitandthenoteofthegreatman。

ItwasduringthissamevisitthatthereoccurredaterriblecombatintheroadsteadofBoulognetosecuretheentranceintotheportofaflotillacomposedoftwentyorthirtyvessels，whichcamefromOstend，fromDunkirk，andfromNieuport，loadedwitharmsforthenationalfleet。

Amagnificentfrigate，carryingthirty-sixpounders，acutter，andabrig，detachedthemselvesfromtheEnglishfleet，inordertointercepttherouteoftheDutchflotilla；buttheywerereceivedinamannerwhichtookawayalldesiretoreturn。

TheportofBoulognewasdefendedbyfiveforts；theFortdelaCreche，theFortenBois，FortMusoir，CastleCroi，andtheCastled\'Ordre，allfortifiedwithlargenumbersofcannonandhowitzers。Thelineofvesselswhichbarredtheentrancewascomposedoftwohundredandfiftygunboatsandothervessels；thedivisionofimperialgunboatsformedapartofthis。

Eachsloopborethreepiecesofcannon，twenty-fourpounders，——twopiecesforpursuit，andoneforretreat；andfivehundredmouthsoffirewerethusopenedontheenemy，independentlyofallthebatteriesoftheforts，everycannonbeingfiredmorethanthreetimesaminute。

Thecombatbeganatoneo\'clockintheafternoon。Theweatherwasbeautiful。AtthefirstreportofthecannontheFirstConsullefttheheadquartersatthePontdeBrique，andcameatagallop，followedbyhisstaff，togiveorderstoAdmiralBruix；butsoonwishingtoexamineforhimselftheoperationsofthedefense，andtoshareindirectingthem，hethrewhimself，followedbytheadmiralandafewofficers，intoalaunchwhichwasrowedbysailorsoftheGuard。ThustheFirstConsulwasborneintothemidstofthevesselswhichformedthelineofdefense，throughathousanddangers，amidatempestofshells，bombs，andcannon-balls。

WiththeintentionoflandingatWimereux，afterhavingpassedalongtheline，heorderedthemtosteerforthecastleofCroi，sayingthathemustdoubleit。AdmiralBruix，alarmedatthedangerhewasabouttoincur，invainrepresentedtotheFirstConsultheimprudenceofdoingthis。“Whatshallwegain，“saidhe，“bydoublingthisfort？Nothing，excepttoexposeourselvestothecannon-balls。General，byflankingitwewillarriveassoon。“TheFirstConsulwasnotoftheadmiral\'sopinion，andinsistedondoublingthefort。Theadmiral，attheriskofbeingreprimanded，gavecontraryorderstothesailors；andtheFirstConsulsawhimselfobligedtopassbehindthefort，thoughmuchirritatedandreproachingtheadmiral。

Thissoonceased，however；for，hardlyhadthelaunchpassed，whenatransport，whichhaddoubledthecastleofCroi，wascrashedintoandsunkbythreeorfourshells。

TheFirstConsulbecamesilent，onseeinghowcorrecttheadmiral\'sjudgmenthadbeen；andtherestofthejourney，asfarasthelittleportofWimereux，wasmadewithouthindrancefromhim。Arrivingthere，heclimbedupontheclifftoencouragethecannoneers，spoketoallofthem，pattedthemontheshoulder，andurgedthemtoaimwell。“Courage，myfriends，“saidhe，“rememberyouarenotfightingfellowswhowillholdoutalongtime。Drivethembackwiththehonorsofwar。“Andnoticingthefineresistanceandmajesticmaneuversofafrigate，heasked，“Canyoubelieve，mychildren，thatcaptainisEnglish？Idonotthinkso。“

Theartillerymen，animatedbythewordsoftheFirstConsul，redoubledtheirzealandtherapidityoftheirfire。Oneofthemsaid，“Lookatthefrigate，General；herbowspritisgoingtofall。“Hespoketruly，thebowspritwascutintwobyhisball。“Givetwentyfrancstothatbraveman，“saidtheFirstConsultotheofficerswhowerewithhim。

NearthebatteriesofWimereuxtherewasafurnacetoheatthecannon-

balls；andtheFirstConsulnoticedthemoperatingthefurnaces，andgaveinstructions。“Thatisnotredenough，boys；theymustbesentredderthanthat，come，come。“Oneofthemhadknownhim，whenalieutenantofartillery，andsaidtohiscomrades，“Heunderstandstheselittlemattersperfectly，aswellasgreaterones，yousee。“

Thatdaytwosoldierswithoutarmswereonthecliffnoticingthemaneuvers。Theybeganaquarrelinthissingularmanner。“Look，“saidone，“doyouseetheLittleCorporaldownthere？“(theywerebothPicards)。“No；Idon\'tseehim。“——“Doyounotseehiminhislaunch？“——

“Oh，yes，nowIdo；butsurelyhedoesnotremember，thatifanythingshouldstrikehim，itwouldmakethewholearmyweep——whydoesheexposehimselflikethat？“

“Indeed，itishisplace！“——“No，it\'snot“——“Itis——“Itisn\'t。Lookhere，whatwouldyoudoto-morrowiftheLittleCorporalwaskilled？“——

“ButItellyouitishisplace！“Andhavingnootherargumentoneitherside，theycommencedtofightwiththeirfists。Theywereseparatedwithmuchdifficulty。

Thebattlehadcommencedatoneo\'clockintheafternoon，andaboutteno\'clockintheeveningtheDutchflotillaenteredtheportunderthemostterriblefirethatIhaveeverwitnessed。Inthedarknessthebombs，whichcrossedeachotherineverydirection，formedabovetheportandthetownavaultoffire，whiletheconstantdischargeofallthisartillerywasrepeatedbyechoesfromthecliffs，makingafrightfuldin；

and，amostsingularfact，nooneinthecitywasalarmed。ThepeopleofBoulognehadbecomeaccustomedtodanger，andexpectedsomethingterribleeachday。Theyhadconstantlygoingon，undertheireyes，preparationsforattackordefense，andhadbecomesoldiersbydintofseeingthissoconstantly。Onthatdaythenoiseofcannonwasheardatdinner-time；

andstilleveryonedined，thehourfortherepastbeingneitheradvancednordelayed。Menwentabouttheirbusiness，womenoccupiedthemselveswithhouseholdaffairs，younggirlsplayedthepiano，allsawwithindifferencethecannonballspassovertheirheads；andthecurious，whomadesiretowitnessthecombathadattractedtothecliffs，showedhardlyanymoreemotionthanisordinarilythecaseonseeingamilitarypieceplayedatFranconi\'s。

Istillaskmyselfhowthreevesselscouldhaveenduredforninehourssoviolentashock；forwhenatlengththeflotillaenteredthefort，theEnglishcutterhadfoundered，thebrighadbeenburntbythered-hotcannon-balls，andtherewasleftonlythefrigate，withhermastsshiveredandhersailstorn，butshestillremainedthereimmovableasarock，andsoneartoourlineofdefensethatthesailorsoneithersidecouldbeseenandcounted。Behindher，atamodestdistance，weremorethanahundredEnglishships。

Atlength，afterteno\'clock，asignalfromtheEnglishadmiralcausedthefrigatetowithdraw，andthefiringceased。Ourlineofshipswasnotgreatlydamagedinthislongandterriblecombat，becausethebroadsidesfromthefrigatesimplycutintoourrigging，anddidnotenterthebodyofourvessels。Thebrigandthecutter，however，didmoreharm。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V3

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERXIII。toCHAPTERXXII。

CHAPTERXIII。

TheFirstConsulleftBoulognetoreturntoParis，inordertobepresentatthemarriageofoneofhissisters。PrinceCamilleBorghese，descendantofthenoblestfamilyofRome，hadalreadyarrivedatParisto——marryMadamePaulineBonaparte，widowofGeneralLeclerc，whohaddiedofyellowfeverinSanDomingo。IrecollecthavingseenthisunfortunategeneralattheresidenceoftheFirstConsulsometimebeforehisdepartureontheill-starredexpeditionwhichcosthimhislife，andFrancethelossofmanybravesoldiersandmuchtreasure。GeneralLeclerc，whosenameisnowalmostforgotten，orheldinlightesteem，wasakindandgoodman。Hewaspassionatelyinlovewithhiswife，whosegiddiness，toputitmildly，afflictedhimsorely，andthrewhimintoadeepandhabitualmelancholypainfultowitness。PrincessPauline(whowasthenfarfrombeingaprincess)hadmarriedhimwillingly，andofherownchoice；butthisdidnotpreventhertormentingherhusbandbyherinnumerablecaprices，andrepeatingtohimahundredtimesadaythathewasindeedafortunatemantomarrythesisteroftheFirstConsul。IamsurethatwithhissimpletastesandquietdispositionGeneralLeclercwouldhavepreferredlessdistinctionandmorepeace。TheFirstConsulrequiredhissistertoaccompanyherhusbandtoSanDomingo。Shewasforcedtoobey，andtoleaveParis，wheresheswayedthescepteroffashion，andeclipsedallotherwomenbyhereleganceandcoquetry，aswellasbyherincomparablebeauty，tobraveadangerousclimate，andtheferociouscompanionsofChristopheandDessalines。Attheendoftheyear1801theadmiral\'sship，TheOcean，sailedfromBrest，carryingtotheCape(SanDomingo)GeneralLeclerc，hiswife，andtheirson。AfterherarrivalattheCape，theconductofMadameLeclercwasbeyondpraise。

Onmorethanoneoccasion，butespeciallythatwhichIshallnowattempttodescribe，shedisplayedacourageworthyofhernameandthepositionofherhusband。Iobtainedthesedetailsfromaneye-witnesswhomIhadknownatParisintheserviceofPrincessPauline。

ThedayofthegreatinsurrectionoftheblacksinSeptember，1802，thebandsofChristopheandDessalines，composedofmorethantwelvethousandnegroes，exasperatedbytheirhatredagainstthewhites，andthecertaintythatiftheyyieldednoquarterwouldbegiven，madeanassaultonthetownoftheCape，whichwasdefendedbyonlyonethousandsoldiers；foronlythissmallnumberremainedofthelargearmywhichhadsailedfromBrestayearbefore，inbrilliantspiritsandfullofhope。

Thishandfulofbravemen，themostofthemweakenedbyfever，ledbythegeneral-in-chiefoftheexpedition，whowaseventhensufferingfromthemaladywhichcausedhisdeath，repulsedbyunheardofeffortsandheroicvalortherepeatedattacksoftheblacks。

Duringthiscombat，inwhichthedetermination，ifnotthenumberandstrength，wasequalonbothsides，MadameLeclerc，withherson，wasundertheguardofadevotedfriendwhohadsubjecttohisordersonlyaweakcompanyofartillery，whichstilloccupiedthehousewhereherhusbandhadfixedhisresidence，atthefootofthelowhillswhichborderedthecoast。Thegeneral-in-chief，fearinglestthisresidencemightbesurprisedbyapartyoftheenemy，andbeingunabletoforeseetheissueofthestrugglewhichhewasmaintainingontheheightsoftheCape，andagainstwhichtheblacksmadetheirmostfuriousassaults，sentanordertoconveyhiswifeandsononboardthefleet。Paulinewouldnotconsenttothis。Alwaysfaithfultothepridewithwhichhernameinspiredher(butthistimetherewasinherprideasmuchgreatnessasnobility)，shespoketotheladiesofthecitywhohadtakenrefugewithher，andbeggedthemtogoaway，givingthemafrightfulpictureofthehorribletreatmenttowhichtheywouldbeexposedshouldthenegroesdefeatthetroops。“Youcanleave。YouarenotthesistersofBonaparte。“

However，asthedangerbecamemorepressingeverymoment，GeneralLeclercsentanaide-de-camptohisresidence，andenjoinedonhim，incasePaulinestillpersistedinherrefusal，touseforce，andconveyheronboardagainstherwill。Theofficerwasobligedtoexecutethisordertotheletter。ConsequentlyMadameLeclercwasforciblyplacedinanarm-

chairwhichwasbornebyfoursoldiers，whileagrenadiermarchedbyherside，carryinginhisarmsthegeneral\'sson。Duringthissceneofflightandterrorthechild，alreadyworthyofitsmother，playedwiththeplumeofthesoldierwhowascarryinghim。Followedbyhercortegeoftrembling，tearfulwomen，whoseonlysourceofstrengthduringthisperilouspassagewasinhercourage，shewasthusconveyedtotheseashore。Justastheyweregoingtoplaceherinthesloop，however，anotheraide-de-campofherhusbandbroughtnewsofthedefeatoftheblacks。“Youseenow，“saidshe，returningtoherresidence，“I

wasrightinnotwishingtoembark。“Shewasnotyetoutofdanger，however；foratroopofnegroes，formingpartofthearmywhichhadjustbeensomiraculouslyrepulsed，intryingtomakegoodtheirretreattothedikes，metthesmallescortofMadameLeclerc。Astheyappeareddisposedtoattack，itwasnecessarytoscatterthembyshotsatshortrange。ThroughoutthisskirmishPaulinepreservedaperfectequanimity。

Allthesecircumstances，whichreflectedsomuchhonoronMadameLeclerc，werereportedtotheFirstConsul。

Hisself-lovewasflatteredbyit；andIbelievethatitwastoPrinceBorghesethathesaidonedayathislevee，“PaulineispredestinedtomarryaRoman，forfromheadtofootsheiseveryinchaRoman。“

Unfortunatelythiscourage，whichamanmighthaveenvied，wasnotunitedinthePrincessPaulinewiththosevirtueswhicharelessbrilliantandmoremodest，andalsomoresuitableforawoman，andwhichwenaturallyexpecttofindinher，ratherthanboldnessandcontemptofdanger。

Idonotknowifitistrue，ashasbeenwrittensomewhere，thatMadameLeclerc，whenshewasobligedtosetoutforSanDomingo，hadafancyforanactoroftheTheatreFrancais。NoramIabletosaywhetheritistruethatMademoiselleDuchesnoishadthenaivetetoexclaimbeforeahundredpeopleinreferencetothisdeparture，“Lafonwillneverbeconsoled；itwillkillhim！“butwhatImyselfknowofthefrailtyofthisprincessleadsmetobelievethattheanecdoteistrue。

AllParisknewthespecialfavorwithwhichshehonoredM。JulesdeCanouville，ayoungandbrilliantcolonelwhowashandsomeandbrave，withaperfectfigure，andanassurancewhichwasthecauseofhisinnumerablesuccesseswithcertainwomen，althoughheusedlittlediscretioninrespecttothem。TheliaisonofPrincessPaulinewiththisamiableofficerwasthemostlastingthatsheeverformed；andas，unfortunately，neitherofthemwasdiscreet，theirmutualtendernessacquiredinashortwhileascandalouspublicity。Ishalltakeoccasionlatertorelateinitsproperplacetheincidentwhichcausedthedisgrace，banishment，andperhapseventhedeath，ofColoneldeCanouville。Adeathsopremature，andaboveallsocruel，sinceitwasnotanenemy\'sbulletwhichstruckhim，wasdeploredbythewholearmy——

[MonsieurBousquetwascalledtoNeuilly(residenceofthePrincessPauline)inordertoexaminethebeautifulteethofherImperialHighness。Presentedtoher，hepreparedtobeginwork。

“Monsieur，“saidacharmingyoungmaninawrapper，negligentlylyingonasofa，“takecare，Ipray，whatyoudo。IfeelagreatinterestintheteethofmyPaulette，andIholdyouresponsibleforanyaccident。“——“Betranquil，myPrince；IcanassureyourImperialHighnessthatthereisnodanger。“DuringallthetimethatBousquetwasengagedinworkingontheprettymouth，theserecommendationscontinued。Atlength，havingfinishedwhathehadtodo，hepassedintothewaiting-room，wherehefoundassembledtheladiesofthepalace，thechamberlains，etc。，whowereawaitingtoentertheapartmentsofthePrincess。

TheyhastenedtoaskBousquetnewsoftheprincess，“HerImperialHighnessisverywell，andmustbehappyinthetenderattachmentheraugusthusbandfeelsforher，whichhehasshowninmypresenceinsotouchingamanner。Hisanxietywasextreme。ItwasonlywithdifficultyIcouldreassurehimastotheresultofthesimplestthingintheworld；IshalltelleverywherewhatIhavejustwitnessed。Itispleasanttobeabletocitesuchanexampleofconjugaltendernessinsohigharank。Iamdeeplyimpressedwithit。“TheydidnottrytostopgoodM。Bousquetintheseexpressionsofhisenthusiasm。Thedesiretolaughpreventedasingleword；andheleftconvincedthatnowhereexistedabetterhouseholdthanthatofthePrinceandPrincessBorghese。ThelatterwasinItaly，andthehandsomeyoungmanwasM。deCanouville。

Iborrowthiscuriousanecdotefromthe“MemoirsofJosephine，“theauthorofwhich，whosawanddescribedtheCourtofNavarreandMalmaisonwithsomuchtruthandgoodjudgment，issaidtobeawoman，andmustbeintruthamostintellectualone，andinabetterpositionthananyotherpersontoknowtheprivateaffairsofherMajesty，theEmpress——CONSTANT。

HewasslainbyaballfromaFrenchcannon，whichwasdischargedafterthecloseofanactioninwhichhehadshownthemostbrilliantcourage——CONSTANT。

Moreover，howevergreatmayhavebeenthefrailtyofPrincessPaulineinregardtoherlovers，andalthoughmostincredibleinstancesofthiscanberelatedwithoutinfringingonthetruth，heradmirabledevotiontothepersonoftheEmperorin1814shouldcauseherfaultstobetreatedwithindulgence。

Oninnumerableoccasionstheeffronteryofherconduct，andespeciallyherwantofregardandrespectfortheEmpressMarieLouise，irritatedtheEmperoragainstthePrincessBorghese，thoughhealwaysendedbypardoningher；notwithstandingwhich，atthetimeofthefallofheraugustbrothershewasagainindisgrace，andbeinginformedthattheislandofElbahadbeenselectedasaprisonfortheEmperor，shehastenedtoshutherselfuptherewithhim，abandoningRomeandItaly，whosefinestpalaceswerehers。BeforethebattleofWaterloo，hisMajestyatthecriticalmomentfoundtheheartofhissisterPaulinestillfaithful。Fearinglesthemightbeinneedofmoney，shesenthimherhandsomestdiamonds，thevalueofwhichwasenormous；andtheywerefoundinthecarriageoftheEmperorwhenitwascapturedatWaterloo，andexhibitedtothecuriosityoftheinhabitantsofLondon。Butthediamondshavebeenlost；atleast，totheirlawfulowner。

CHAPTERXIV。

OnthedayofGeneralMoreau\'sarresttheFirstConsulwasinastateofgreatexcitement——

[JeanVictorMoreau，bornatMorlaixinBrittany，1763，sonofaprominentlawyer。AtonetimeherivaledBonaparteinreputation。

Hewasgeneral-in-chiefofthearmyoftheRhine，1796，andagainin1800，inwhichlatteryearhegainedthebattleofHohenlinden。

ImplicatedintheconspiracyofPichegru，hewasexiled，andwenttotheUnitedStates。HereturnedtoEuropein1813，and，joiningthealliedarmiesagainstFrance，waskilledbyacannon-shotintheattackonDresdeninAugustofthatyear。]——

Themorningwaspassedininterviewswithhisemissaries，theagentsofpolice；andmeasureshadbeentakenthatthearrestshouldbemadeatthespecifiedhour，eitheratGros-Bois，oratthegeneral\'shouseinthestreetoftheFaubourgSaint-Honore。TheFirstConsulwasanxiouslywalkingupanddownhischamber，whenhesentforme，andorderedmetotakepositionoppositeGeneralMoreau\'shouse(theoneinParis)，toseewhetherthearresthadtakenplace，andiftherewasanytumult，andtoreturnpromptlyandmakemyreport。Iobeyed；butnothingextraordinarytookplace，andIsawonlysomepolicespieswalkingalongthestreet，andwatchingthedoorofthehouseofthemanwhomtheyhadmarkedfortheirprey。Thinkingthatmypresencewouldprobablybenoticed，I

retired；and，asIlearnedwhilereturningtothechateauthatGeneralMoreauhadbeenarrestedontheroadfromhisestateofGros-Bois，whichhesoldafewmonthslatertoMarshalBerthier，beforeleavingfortheUnitedStates，Iquickenedmypace，andhastenedtoannouncetotheFirstConsulthenewsofthearrest。Heknewthisalready，madenoresponse，andstillcontinuedthoughtful，andindeepreflection，asinthemorning。

SinceIhavebeenledtospeakofGeneralMoreau，Iwillrecallbywhatfatalcircumstanceshewasledtotarnishhisglory。MadameBonapartehadgiventohiminmarriageMademoiselleHulot，herfriend，and，likeherself，anativeoftheIsleofFrance。Thisyounglady，gentle，amiable，andpossessingthosequalitieswhichmakeagoodwifeandmother，lovedherhusbandpassionately，andwasproudofthatgloriousnamewhichsurroundedherwithrespectandhonor；but，unfortunately，shehadthegreatestdeferenceforhermother，whoseambitionwasgreat，andwhodesirednothingshortofseeingherdaughterseateduponathrone。

TheinfluencewhichsheexercisedoverMadameMoreausoonextendedtothegeneralhimself，who，ruledbyhercounsels，becamegloomy，thoughtful，melancholy，andforeverlostthattranquillityofmindwhichhaddistinguishedhim。Fromthattimethegeneral\'shousewasopentointriguesandconspiracies；anditwastherendezvousofallthediscontented，ofwhichthereweremany。ThegeneralassumedthetaskofdisapprovingalltheactsoftheFirstConsul；heopposedthereestablishmentofpublicworship，andcriticisedaschildishandridiculousmummerytheinstitutionoftheLegionofHonor。Thesegraveimprudences，andindeedmanyothers，cametotheearsoftheFirstConsul，whorefusedatfirsttobelievethem；buthowcouldheremaindeaftoreportswhichwererepeatedeachdaywithmorefoundation，thoughdoubtlessexaggeratedbymalice？

InproportionastheimprudentspeechesofthegeneralweredeprivinghimoftheesteemoftheFirstConsul，hismother-in-law，byadangerousobstinacy，wasencouraginghiminhisopposition，persuaded，shesaid，thatthefuturewoulddojusticetothepresent。Shedidnotrealizethatshespokesotruly；andthegeneralrushedheadlongintotheabysswhichopenedbeforehim。Howgreatlyhisconductwasinoppositiontohischaracter！HehadapronouncedaversiontotheEnglish，andhedetestedtheChouans，andeverythingpertainingtotheoldnobility；andbesides，amanlikeGeneralMoreau，whohadservedhiscountrysogloriously，wasnottheonetobeararmsagainsther。Buthewasdeceived，andhedeceivedhimself，inthinkingthathewasfittedtoplayagreatpoliticalpart；andhewasdestroyedbytheflatteriesofapartywhichexcitedallpossiblehostilityagainsttheFirstConsulbytakingadvantageofthejealousyofhisformercomradesinarms。IwitnessedmorethanoneproofofaffectionshownbytheFirstConsultoGeneralMoreau。InthecourseofavisitofthelattertotheTuileries，andduringaninterviewwiththeFirstConsul，GeneralCarnotarrivedfromVersailleswithapairofpistolsofcostlyworkmanship，whichthemanufactoryofVersailleshadsentasagifttotheFirstConsul。HetookthesehandsomeweaponsfromthehandsofGeneralCarnot，admiredthemamoment，andimmediatelyofferedthemtoGeneralMoreau，sayingtohim，“Takethem，trulytheycouldnothavecomeatabettertime。“AllthiswasdonequickerthanIcanwriteit；thegeneralwashighlyflatteredbythisproofoffriendship，andthankedtheFirstConsulwarmly。

ThenameandtrialofGeneralMoreaurecalltomethestoryofabraveofficerwhowascompromisedinthisunfortunateaffair，andwhoaftermanyyearsofdisgracewaspardonedonlyonaccountofthecouragewithwhichhedaredexposehimselftotheangeroftheEmperor。TheauthenticityofthedetailswhichIshallrelatecanbeattested，ifnecessary，bylivingpersons，whomIshallhaveoccasiontonameinmynarrative，andwhosetestimonynoreaderwoulddreamofimpeaching。

ThedisgraceofGeneralMoreauextendedatfirsttoallthosewhosurroundedhim；andastheaffectionanddevotionfeltforhimbyalltheofficersandsoldierswhohadservedunderhimwaswellknown，hisaides-

de-campwerearrested，eventhosewhowerenottheninParis。Oneofthem，ColonelDelelee，hadbeenmanymonthsonfurloughatBesancon，restingafterhiscampaignsinthebosomofhisfamily，andwithayoungwifewhomhehadrecentlymarried。Besides，hewasatthattimeconcerninghimselfverylittlewithpoliticalmatters，verymuchwithhispleasures，andnotatallwithconspiracies。ComradeandbrotherinarmsofColonelsGuilleminot，Hugo，Foy，——allthreeofwhombecamegeneralsafterwards，——hewasspendinghiseveningsgaylywiththematthegarrison，orinthequietpleasuresofhisfamilycircle。SuddenlyColonelDeleleewasarrested，placedinapostchaise，anditwasnotuntilhewasrollingalonginagallopontheroadtoParis，thathelearnedfromtheofficerofthegendarmeswhoaccompaniedhim，thatGeneralMoreauhadconspired，andthatinhisqualityasaide-de-camphewascountedamongtheconspirators。

ArrivedatParis，thecolonelwasputincloseconfinement，inLaForceIbelieve。Hiswife，muchalarmed，followedhisfootsteps；butitwasseveraldaysbeforesheobtainedpermissiontocommunicatewiththeprisoner，andthencoulddosoonlybysignsfromthecourtyardoftheprisonwhileheshowedhimself，forafewmoments，andputhishandsthroughthebarsofthewindow。However，therigoroftheseorderswasrelaxedforthecolonel\'syoungchildthreeorfouryearsofage，andhisfatherobtainedthefavorofembracinghim。Hecameeachmorninginhismother\'sarms，andaturnkeycarriedhimintotheprisoner，beforewhichinconvenientwitnessthepoorlittlethingplayedhisrolewithalltheskillofaconsummateactor。Hewouldpretendtobelame，andcomplainofhavingsandinhisshoeswhichhurthimandthecolonel，turninghisbackonthejailer，andtakingthechildinhislaptoremovethecauseofthetrouble，wouldfindinhisson\'sshoeanotefromhiswife，informinghiminafewwordsofthestateofthetrial，andwhathehadtohopeorfearforhimself。Atlength，aftermanymonthsofcaptivity，sentencehavingbeenpronouncedagainsttheconspirators，ColonelDelelee，againstwhomnochargehadbeenmade，wasnotabsolvedashehadarighttoexpect，butwasstruckoffthearmylist，arbitrarilyputundersurveillance，andprohibitedfromcomingwithinfortyleaguesofParis。HewasalsoforbiddentoreturntoBesancon，anditwasmorethanayearafterleavingprisonbeforehewaspermittedtodoso。

Youngandfullofcourage，theColonelsaw，fromthedepthsofhisretirement，hisfriendsandcomradesmaketheirway，andgainuponthebattlefieldfame，rank，andglory，whilehehimselfwascondemnedtoinactionandobscurity，andtopasshisdaysinfollowingonthemapthetriumphantmarchofthosearmiesinwhichhefelthimselfworthytoresumehisrank。InnumerableapplicationswereaddressedbyhimandhisfriendstotheheadoftheEmpire，thathemightbeallowedtogoevenasacommonvolunteer，andrejoinhisformercomradeswithhisknapsackonhisshoulder；butthesepetitionswererefused，thewilloftheEmperorwasinflexible，andtoeachnewapplicationheonlyreplied，“Lethimwait。“TheinhabitantsofBesancon，whoconsideredColonelDeleleeastheirfellow-citizen，interestedthemselveswarmlyintheunmeritedmisfortunesofthisbraveofficer；andwhenanoccasionpresenteditselfofrecommendinghimanewtotheclemency，orrathertothejustice，oftheEmperor，theyavailedthemselvesofit。

Itwas，Ibelieve，onthereturnfromPrussiaandPolandthatfromallpartsofFrancetherecamedeputationschargedwithcongratulatingtheEmperoruponhisseveralvictories。ColonelDeleleewasunanimouslyelectedmemberofthedeputationofDoubs，ofwhichthemayorandprefectofBesanconwerealsomembers，andofwhichtherespectableMarshalMonceywaspresident，andanopportunitywasthusatlastofferedColonelDeleleeofprocuringtheremovalofthelongsentencewhichhadweighedhimdownandkepthisswordidle。HecouldspeaktotheEmperor，andcomplainrespectfully，butwithdignity，ofthedisgraceinwhichhehadbeensolongkeptwithoutreason。Hecouldrenderthanks，fromthebottomofhisheart，forthegenerousaffectionofhisfellow-citizens，whosewishes，hehopedwouldpleadforhimwithhisMajesty。

ThedeputiesofBesancon，upontheirarrivalatParis，presentedthemselvestothedifferentministers。Theministerofpolicetookthepresidentofthedeputationaside，andaskedhimthemeaningofthepresenceamongthedeputiesofamanpubliclyknowntobeindisgrace，andthesightofwhomcouldnotfailtobedisagreeabletothechiefoftheEmpire。

MarshalMoncey，oncomingoutfromthisprivateinterview，paleandfrightened，enteredtheroomofColonelDelelee:

“Myfriend，“saidhe，“allislost，forIhaveascertainedatthebureauthattheyarestillhostiletoyou。IftheEmperorseesyouamongus，hewilltakeitasanopenavowalofdisregardforhisorders，andwillbefurious。“

“Ah，well，whathaveItodowiththat？“

“Butinordertoavoidcompromisingthedepartment，thedeputation，and，indeed，inordertoavoidcompromisingyourself，youwouldperhapsdowell“——theMarshalhesitated。“Iwilldowell？“demandedtheColonel。

“Perhapstowithdrawwithoutmakinganydisplay“——

Herethecolonelinterruptedthepresidentofthedeputation:“Marshal，permitmetodeclinethisadvice；Ihavenotcomesofartobediscouraged，likeachild，beforethefirstobstacle。IamwearyofadisgracewhichIhavenotdeserved，andstillmorewearyofenforcedidleness。LettheEmperorbeirritatedorpleased，heshallseeme；lethimordermetobeshot，ifhewishes。IdonotcountworthhavingsuchalifeasIhaveledforthelastfouryears。Nevertheless，Iwillbesatisfiedwithwhatevermycolleagues，thedeputiesofBesancon，shalldecide。“

Theselatterdidnotdisapproveofthecolonel\'sresolution，andheaccompaniedthemtotheTuileriesonthedayofthesolemnreceptionofallthedeputationsoftheEmpire。AllthehallsoftheTuilerieswerepackedwithacrowdinrichlyembroideredcoatsandbrilliantuniforms。

ThemilitaryhouseholdoftheEmperor，hiscivilhousehold，thegeneralspresentatParis，thediplomaticcorps，ministersandchiefsofthedifferentadministrations，thedeputiesofthedepartmentswiththeirprefects，andmayorsdecoratedwithtricoloredscarfs，wereallassembledinnumerousgroups，andconversedinalowtonewhileawaitingthearrivalofhisMajesty。

Inoneofthesegroupswasseenatallofficerdressedinaverysimpleuniform，cutinthefashionofseveralyearspast。Heworeneitheronhiscollar，norevenonhisbreastthedecorationwhichnoofficerofhisgradethenlacked。ThiswasColonelDelelee。Thepresidentofthedeputationofwhichhewasamemberappearedembarrassedandalmostdistressed。Oftheformercomradesofthecolonel，veryfewdaredtorecognizehim，andtheboldestgavehimadistantnodwhichexpressedatthesametimeanxietyandpity，whilethemoreprudentdidnotevenglanceathim。

Asforhim，heremainedunconcernedandresolute。

Atlastthefoldingdoorswereopened，andanushercried“TheEmperor，gentlemen。“

Thegroupsseparated，andalinewasformed，thecolonelplacinghimselfinthefirstrank。

HisMajestycommencedhistouroftheroom，welcomingthepresidentofeachdelegationwithafewflatteringwords。ArrivedbeforethedelegationfromDoubs，theEmperor，havingaddressedafewwordstothebravemarshalwhowaspresident，wasabouttopassontothenext，whenhiseyesfelluponanofficerhehadnotyetseen。Hestoppedinsurprise，andaddressedtothedeputyhisfamiliarinquiry，“Whoareyou？“

“Sire，IamColonelDelelee，formeraide-de-campofGeneralMoreau。“

Thesewordswerepronouncedinafirmvoice，whichresoundedinthemidstoftheprofoundsilencewhichthepresenceofthesovereignimposed。

TheEmperorsteppedback，andfastenedbotheyesonthecolonel。Thelattershowednoemotion，butbowedslightly。

MarshalMonceywaspaleasdeath。

TheEmperorspoke。“Whatdoyoucometoaskhere？“

“ThatwhichIhaveaskedformanyyears，Sire:thatyourMajestywilldeigntotellmewhereinIhavebeeninfault，orrestoretomemyrank。“

Amongthosenearenoughtohearthesequestionsandreplies，fewcouldbreathefreely。AtlastasmilehalfopenedthefirmlyclosedlipsoftheEmperor；heplacedhisfingeronhismouth，and，approachingthecolonel，saidtohiminasoftenedandalmostfriendlytone，“Youhavereasontocomplainalittleofthat，butletussaynomoreaboutit，“

andcontinuedhisround。HehadgonetenstepsfromthegroupformedbythedeputiesofBescancon，whenhecameback，and，stoppingbeforethecolonel，said，“MonsieurMinisterofWar，takethenameofthisofficer，andbesuretoremindmeofhim。Heistiredofdoingnothing，andwewillgivehimoccupation。“

Assoonastheaudiencewasover，thestrugglewas，whoshouldbemostattentivetothecolonel。Hewassurrounded，congratulated，embraced，andpulledabout。Eachofhisoldcomradeswishedtocarryhimoff，andhishandswerenotenoughtograspallthoseextendedtohim。GeneralSavary，whothatveryeveninghadaddedtothefrightofMarshalMoncey，bybeingastonishedthatanyonecouldhavetheaudacitytobravetheEmperor，extendedhisarmovertheshouldersofthosewhopressedaroundthecolonel，andshakinghishandinthemostcordialmannerpossible，“Delelee，“criedhe，“donotforgetthatIexpectyouto-morrowtobreakfast。“

Twodaysafterthissceneatcourt，ColonelDeleleereceivedhisappointmentaschiefofstaffofthearmyofPortugal，commandedbytheDuked\'Abrantes。Hispreparationsweresoonmade；andjustbeforesettingouthehadalastinterviewwiththeEmperor，whosaidtohim，“Colonel，Iknowthatitisuselesstourgeyoutomakeupforlosttime。

InalittlewhileIhopeweshallbothbesatisfiedwitheachother。“

Oncomingoutfromthislastaudience，thebraveDeleleesaidtherewasnothingwantingtomakehimhappyexceptagoodopportunitytohavehimselfcuttopiecesforamanwhoknewsowellhowtoclosethewoundsofalongdisgrace。SuchwastheswaythathisMajestyexercisedoverthemindsofmen。

ThecolonelhadsooncrossedthePyrenees，passedthroughSpain，andbeenreceivedbyJunotwithopenarms。ThearmyofPortugalhadsufferedmuchinthetwoyearsduringwhichithadstruggledagainstboththepopulationandtheEnglishwithunequalforces。Foodwassecuredwithdifficulty，andthesoldierswerebadlyclothed，andhalf-shod。Thenewchiefofstaffdidallthatwaspossibletoremedythisdisorder；andthesoldiershadjustbeguntofeelthegoodeffectsofhispresence，whenhefellsickfromoverworkandfatigue，anddiedbeforebeingable，accordingtotheEmperor\'sexpression，to“makeupforlosttime。“

IhavesaidelsewherethatuponeachconspiracyagainstthelifeoftheFirstConsulallthemembersofhishouseholdwereatoncesubjectedtoastrictsurveillance；theirsmallestactionswerewatched；theywerefollowedoutsidethechateau；theirconductwasreportedeventothesmallestdetails。AtthetimetheconspiracyofPichegruwasdiscovered，therewasonlyasingleguardianoftheportfolio，bythenameofLandoire；andhispositionwasverytrying，forhemustalwaysbepresentinalittledarkcorridoruponwhichthedoorofthecabinetopened，andhetookhismealsontherun，andhalf-dressed。HappilyforLandoire，theygavehimanassistant；andthiswastheoccasionofit。

Angel，oneofthedoorkeepersofthepalace，wasorderedbytheFirstConsultoplacehimselfatthebarrierofBonshommesduringthetrialofPichegru，torecognizeandwatchthepeopleofthehouseholdwhocameandwentinthetransactionoftheirbusiness，noonebeingallowedtoleavePariswithoutpermission。Augel\'sreportshavingpleasedtheFirstConsul，hesentforhim，wassatisfiedwithhisrepliesandintelligence，andappointedhimassistanttoLandoireinthecustodyoftheportfolio。

Thusthetaskofthelatterbecamelighterbyhalf。In1812AngelwasinthecampaignofRussia，anddiedonthereturn，whenwithinafewleaguesofParis，inconsequenceofthefatigueandprivationswhichwesharedwiththearmy。

However，itwasnotonlythoseattachedtotheserviceoftheFirstConsul，orthechateau，whoweresubjecttothissurveillance。

WhenNapoleonbecameEmperor，thecustodiansofalltheimperialpalaceswerefurnishedwitharegisteruponwhichallpersonsfromoutside，andallstrangerswhocametovisitanyoneinthepalacewereobligedtoinscribetheirnames，withthatofthepersonswhomtheycametosee。

Everyeveningthisregisterwascarriedtothegrandmarshalofthepalace，andinhisabsencetothegovernor，andtheEmperoroftenconsultedit。Heoncefoundthereacertainnamewhich，asahusband，hehadhisreasons，andperhapsgoodones，tosuspect。HisMajestyhadpreviouslyorderedtheexclusionofthisperson；andfindingthisunluckynameagainuponthecustodian\'sregister，hewasangrybeyondmeasure，believingthattheyhaddaredonbothsidestodisobeyhisorders。

Investigationwasimmediatelymade；anditwasfortunatelyascertainedthatthevisitorwasamostinsignificantperson，whoseonlyfaultwasthatofbearinganamewhichwasjustlycompromised。

CHAPTERXV。

Theyear1804，whichwassofullofgloryfortheEmperor，wasalsotheyearwhichbroughthimmorecareandanxietythanallothers，exceptthoseof1814and1815。Itisnotmyprovincetopassjudgmentonsuchgraveevents，nortodeterminewhatpartwastakeninthembytheEmperor，orbythosewhosurroundedandcounseledhim，foritismyobjecttorelateonlywhatIsawandheard。Onthe21stofMarchofthatyearIenteredtheEmperor\'sroomatanearlyhour，andfoundhimawake，leaningonhiselbow。Heseemedgloomyandtired；butwhenIenteredhesatup，passedhishandmanytimesoverhisforehead，andsaidtome，“Constant，Ihaveaheadache。“Then，throwingoffthecovering，headded，“Ihavesleptverybadly。“Heseemedextremelypreoccupiedandabsorbed，andhisappearanceevincedmelancholyandsufferingtosuchadegreethatIwassurprisedandsomewhatanxious。WhileIwasdressinghimhedidnotutteraword，whichneveroccurredexceptwhensomethingagitatedorworriedhim。DuringthistimeonlyRoustanandIwerepresent。Histoiletbeingcompleted，justasIwashandinghimhissnuff-box，handkerchief，andlittlebonbonbox，thedooropenedsuddenly，andtheFirstConsul\'swifeentered，inhermorningnegligee，muchagitated，withtracesoftearsonhercheeks。Hersuddenappearanceastonished，andevenalarmed，Roustanandmyself；foritwasonlyanextraordinarycircumstancewhichcouldhaveinducedMadameBonapartetoleaveherroominthiscostume，beforetakingallnecessaryprecautionstoconcealthedamagewhichthewantoftheaccessoriesofthetoiletdidher。Sheentered，orratherrushed，intotheroom，crying，“TheDuked\'Enghienisdead！Ah，myfriend！whathaveyoudone？“ThenshefellsobbingintothearmsoftheFirstConsul，whobecamepaleasdeath，andsaidwithextraordinaryemotion，“Themiserablewretcheshavebeentooquick！“Hethenlefttheroom，supportingMadameBonaparte，whocouldhardlywalk，andwasstillweeping。Thenewsoftheprince\'sdeathspreadconsternationinthechateau；andtheFirstConsulremarkedthisuniversalgrief，butreprimandednooneforit。Thefactis，thegreatestchagrinwhichthismournfulcatastrophecausedhisservants，mostofwhomwereattachedtohimbyaffectionevenmorethanbyduty，camefromthebeliefthatitwouldinevitablytarnishthegloryanddestroythepeaceofmindoftheirmaster。

TheFirstConsulprobablyunderstoodourfeelingsperfectly；buthoweverthatmaybe，IhavehererelatedallthatImyselfsawandknowofthisdeplorableevent。Idonotpretendtoknowwhatpassedinthecabinetmeeting，buttheemotionoftheFirstConsulappearedtomesincereandunaffected；andheremainedsadandsilentformanydays，speakingverylittleathistoilet，andsayingonlywhatwasnecessary。

DuringthismonthandthefollowingInoticedconstantlypassing，repassing，andholdingfrequentinterviewswiththeFirstConsul，manypersonswhomIwastoldweremembersofthecouncilofstate，tribunes，orsenators。Foralongtimethearmyandagreatnumberofcitizens，whoidolizedtheheroofItalyandEgypt，hadmanifestedopenlytheirdesiretoseehimwearatitleworthyofhisrenownandthegreatnessofFrance。Itwaswellknown，also，thathealoneperformedallthedutiesofgovernment，andthathisnominalcolleagueswerereallyhissubordinates。Itwasthoughtproper，therefore，thatheshouldbecomesupremeheadofthestateinname，ashealreadywasinfact。IhaveoftensincehisfallheardhisMajestycalledanusurper:buttheonlyeffectofthisonmeistoprovokeasmileofpity；foriftheEmperorusurpedthethrone，hehadmoreaccomplicesthanallthetyrantsoftragedyandmelodramacombined，forthree-fourthsoftheFrenchpeoplewereintheconspiracy。Asiswellknown，itwasonMay18thattheEmpirewasproclaimed，andtheFirstConsul(whomIshallhenceforwardcalltheEmperor)receivedatSaint-CloudtheSenate，ledbyConsulCambaceres，whobecame，afewhourslater，arch-chancelloroftheEmpire；

anditwasbyhimthattheEmperorheardhimselfforthefirsttimesalutedwiththetitleofSire。AfterthisaudiencetheSenatewenttopresentitshomagetotheEmpressJosephine。Therestofthedaywaspassedinreceptions，presentations，interviews，andcongratulations；

everybodyinthechateauwasdrunkwithjoy；eachonefeltthathehadbeensuddenlypromotedinrank，sotheyembracedeachother，exchangedcompliments，andconfidedtoeachotherhopesandplansforthefuture。

Therewasnosubalterntoohumbletobeinspiredwithambition；inaword，theantechamber，savingthedifferenceofpersons，furnishedanexactrepetitionofwhatpassedinthesaloon。NothingcouldbemoreamusingthantheembarrassmentofthewholeservicewhenitwasnecessarytoreplytohisMajesty\'squestions。Theywouldbeginwithamistake，thenwouldtryagain，anddoworse，sayingtentimesinthesameminute，“Sire，general，yourMajesty，citizen，FirstConsul。“ThenextmorningonenteringasusualtheFirstConsul\'sroom，tohiscustomaryquestions，“Whato\'clockisit？Whatistheweather？“Ireplied，“Sire，seveno\'clock；fineweather。“AsIapproachedhisbed，heseizedmebytheear，andslappedmeonthecheek，callingme“Monsieurledrole，“whichwashisfavoriteexpressionwhenespeciallypleasedwithme。HisMajestyhadkeptawake，andworkedlateintothenight，andIfoundhimseriousandpreoccupied，butwellsatisfied。Howdifferentthisawakeningtothatofthe21stofMarchpreceding！OnthisdayhisMajestywenttoholdhisfirstgrandleveeattheTuileries，whereallthecivilandmilitaryauthoritieswerepresentedtohim。ThebrothersandsistersoftheEmperorweremadeprincesandprincesses，withtheexceptionofLucien，whohadquarreledwithhisMajestyontheoccasionofhismarriagewithMadameJouberton。Eighteengeneralswereraisedtothedignityofmarshalsoftheempire。Datingfromthisday，everythingaroundtheirMajestiestookontheappearanceofacourtandroyalpower。

Muchhasbeensaidoftheawkwardnessofthefirstcourtiers，notyetaccustomedtothenewdutiesimposeduponthem，andtotheceremonialsofetiquette；andtherewas，indeed，inthebeginningsomeembarrassmentexperiencedbythoseintheimmediateserviceoftheEmperor，asIhavesaidabove；butthislastedonlyashortwhile，andthechamberlainsandhighofficialsadaptedthemselvestothenewregimealmostasquicklyasthevaletsdechambre。Theyhadalsoasinstructorsmanypersonagesoftheoldcourt，whohadbeenstruckoutofthelistofemigresbythekindnessoftheEmperor，andnowsolicitedearnestlyforthemselvesandtheirwivesemploymentinthenewimperialcourt。

HismajestyhadnolikingfortheanniversariesoftheRepublic；someofwhichhadalwaysseemedtohimodiousandcruel，othersridiculous；andI

haveheardhimexpresshisindignationthattheyshouldhavedaredtomakeanannualfestivaloftheanniversaryofthe21stofJanuary，andsmilewithpityattherecollectionofwhathecalledthemasqueradesofthetheo-philanthropists，who，hesaid，“wouldhavenoJesusChrist，andyetmadesaintsofFenelonandLasCasas——Catholicprelates。“

Bourrienne，inhisMemoirs，saysthatitwasnotoneoftheleastsingularthingsinthepolicyofNapoleon，thatduringthefirstyearsofhisreignheretainedthefestivalof14thJuly。Iwillobserve，astothis，thatifhisMajestyusedthisannualsolemnitytoappearinpompinpublic，ontheotherhand，hesochangedtheobjectofthefestivalthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttorecognizeinittheanniversaryofthetakingoftheBastileandoftheFirstFederation。Idonotthinkthattherewasonewordinallusiontothesetwoeventsinthewholeceremony；

andtoconfusestillfurthertherecollectionsoftheRepublicans，theEmperororderedthatthefestivalshouldbecelebratedonthe15th，becausethatwasSunday，andthustherewouldresultnolossoftimetotheinhabitantsofthecapital。Besides，therewasnoallusionmadetohonoringthe，captorsoftheBastile，thisbeingmadesimplytheoccasionofagranddistributionofthecrossoftheLegionofHonor。

ItwasthefirstoccasiononwhichtheirMajestiesshowedthemselvestothepeopleinalltheparaphernaliaofpower。

ThecortegecrossedthegrandalleyoftheTuileriesontheirwaytotheHoteldesInvalides，thechurchofwhich(changedduringtheRevolutionintoaTempleofMars)hadbeenrestoredbytheEmperortotheCatholicworship，andwasusedforthemagnificentceremoniesoftheday。ThiswasalsothefirsttimethattheEmperorhadmadeuseoftheprivilegeofpassinginacarriagethroughthegardenoftheTuileries。Hiscortegewassuperb，thatoftheEmpressJosephinenotlessbrilliant；andtheintoxicationofthepeoplereachedsuchaheight，thatitwasbeyondexpression。ByorderoftheEmperorImingledinthecrowd，tolearninwhatspiritthepopulacewouldtakepartinthefestival；andIheardnotamurmur，sogreatwastheenthusiasmofallclassesforhisMajestyatthattime，whatevermayhavebeensaidsince。TheEmperorandEmpresswerereceivedatthedooroftheHoteldesInvalidesbythegovernorandbyCountdeSegur，grand-masterofceremonies，andattheentranceofthechurchbyCardinalduBelloyattheheadofanumerousclergy。Afterthemass，deLacepede，grandchancelloroftheLegionofHonor，deliveredaspeech，followedbytheroll-callofthegrandofficersoftheLegion，afterwhichtheEmperortookhisseat，andputtingonhishat，repeatedinafirmvoicetheformulaoftheoath，attheendofwhichallthemembersoftheLegioncried，“Jelejure！“(Iswearit)；andimmediatelyshoutsof“Vivel\'Empereur，“repeatedathousandtimes，wereheardinthechurchandoutside。

Asingularcircumstanceaddedstillmoretotheinterestwhichtheceremonyexcited。WhilethechevaliersoftheneworderwerepassingonebyonebeforetheEmperor，whowelcomedthem，amanofthepeople，wearingaroundabout，placedhimselfonthestepsofthethrone。HisMajestyshowedsomeastonishment，andpausedaninstant，whereupontheman，beinginterrogated，showedhiswarrant。TheEmperoratonceandwithgreatcordialitybadehimadvance，andgavehimthedecoration，accompaniedbyasharpaccolade。Thecortege，onitsreturn，followedthesameroute，passingagainthroughthegardenoftheTuileries。

Onthe18thofJuly，threedaysafterthisceremony，theEmperorsetoutfromSaint-CloudforthecampofBoulogne。BelievingthathisMajestywouldbewillingtodispensewithmypresenceforafewdays，andasitwasanumberofyearssinceIhadseenmyfamily，Ifeltanaturaldesiretomeetthemagain，andtoreviewwithmyparentsthesingularcircumstancesthroughwhichIhadpassedsinceIhadleftthem。

Ishouldhaveexperienced，Iconfess，greatjoyintalkingwiththemofmypresentsituationandmyhopes；andIfelttheneedoffreelyexpressingmyself，andenjoyingtheconfidencesofdomesticprivacy，incompensationfortherepressionandconstraintwhichmypositionimposedonme。ThereforeIrequestedpermissiontopasseightdaysatPerueltz。

Itwasreadilygranted，andIlostnotimeinsettingout；butmyastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhen，theverydayaftermyarrival，acourierbroughtmealetterfromtheCountdeRemusat，orderingmetorejointheEmperorimmediately，addingthathisMajestyneededme，andI

shouldhavenootherthoughtthanthatofreturningwithoutdelay。Inspiteofthedisappointmentinducedbysuchorders，Ifeltflatteredneverthelessathavingbecomesonecessarytothegreatmanwhohaddeignedtoadmitmeintohisservice，andatoncebadeadieutomyfamily。HisMajestyhadhardlyreachedBoulogne，whenhesetoutagainimmediatelyonatourofseveraldaysinthedepartmentsofthenorth。

IwasatBoulognebeforehisreturn，andhadorganizedhisMajesty\'sservicesothathefoundeverythingreadyonhisarrival；butthisdidnotpreventhissayingtomethatIhadbeenabsentalongtime。

WhileIamonthissubject，Iwillnarratehere，althoughsomeyearsinadvance，oneortwocircumstanceswhichwillgivethereaderabetterideaoftherigorousconfinementtowhichIwassubjected。Ihadcontracted，inconsequenceofthefatiguesofmycontinualjourneyingsinthesuiteoftheEmperor，adiseaseofthebladder，fromwhichIsufferedhorribly。ForalongtimeIcombatedthediseasewithpatienceanddieting；butatlast，thepainhavingbecomeentirelyunbearable，in1808

IrequestedofhisMajestyamonth\'sleaveofabsenceinordertobecured，Dr。Boyerhavingtoldmethatamonthwastheshortesttimeabsolutelynecessaryformyrestoration，andthatwithoutitmydiseasewouldbecomeincurable。IwenttoSaint-Cloudtovisitmywife\'sfamily，whereYvan，surgeonoftheEmperor，cametoseemeeveryday。Hardlyaweekhadpassed，whenhetoldmethathisMajestythoughtIoughttobeentirelywell，andwishedmetoresumemyduties。Thiswishwasequivalenttoanorder；itwasthusIunderstoodit，andreturnedtotheEmperor，whoseeingmepale，andsufferingexcruciatingly，deignedtosaytomemanykindthings，without，however，mentioninganewleaveofabsence。Thesetwoweremyonlyabsencesforsixteenyears；therefore，onmyreturnfromMoscow，andduringthecampaignofFrance，mydiseasehavingreacheditsheight，IquittedtheEmperoratFontainebleau，becauseitwasimpossibleforme，inspiteofallmyattachmenttosokindamaster，andallthegratitudewhichIfelttowardshim，toperformmydutieslonger。Evenafterthisseparation，whichwasexceedinglypainfultome，ayearhardlysufficedtocureme，andthennotentirely。

ButIshalltakeoccasionfartherontospeakofthismelancholyevent。

Inowreturntotherecitaloffacts，whichprovethatIcould，withmorereasonthanmanyothers，believemyselfapersonofgreatimportance，sincemyhumbleservicesseemedtobeindispensabletothemasterofEurope，andmanyfrequentersoftheTuilerieswouldhavehadmoredifficultythanIinprovingtheirusefulness。IstheretoomuchvanityinwhatIhavejustsaid？andwouldnotthechamberlainshavearighttobevexedbyit？Iamnotconcernedwiththat，soIcontinuemynarrative。TheEmperorwastenaciousofoldhabits；hepreferred，aswehavealreadyseen，beingservedbymeinpreferencetoallothers；

nevertheless，itismydutytostatethathisservantswereallfullofzealanddevotion，thoughIhadbeenwithhimlongest，andhadneverlefthim。OnedaytheEmperoraskedforteainthemiddleoftheday。M。

Seneschalwasonduty，consequentlymadethetea，andpresentedittohisMajesty，whodeclaredittobedetestable，andhadmesummoned。TheEmperorcomplainedtomethattheyweretryingtopoisonhim(thiswashisexpressionwhenhefoundabadtasteinanything)；sogoingintothekitchen，Ipouredoutofthesameteapot，acup，whichIpreparedandcarriedtohisMajesty，withtwosilver-giltspoonsasusual，onetotastetheteainthepresenceoftheEmperor，andtheotherforhim。

Thistimehesaidtheteawasexcellent，andcomplimentedmeonitwithakindfamiliaritywhichhedeignedattimestousetowardshisservants。

Onreturningthecuptome，hepulledmyears，andsaid，“Youmustteachthemhowtomaketea；theyknownothingaboutit。“DeBourrienne，whoseexcellentMemoirsIhavereadwiththegreatestpleasure，sayssomewhere，thattheEmperorinhismomentsofgoodhumorpinchedthetipoftheearsofhisfamiliars。Imyselfthinkthathepinchedthewholeear，often，indeed，bothearsatonce，andwiththehandofamaster。HealsosaysinthesesameMemoirs，thattheEmperorgavelittlefriendlyslapswithtwofingers，inwhichDeBourrienneisverymoderate，forIcanbearwitnessinregardtothismatter，thathisMajesty，althoughhishandwasnotlarge，bestowedhisfavorsmuchmorebroadly；butthiskindofcaress，aswellastheformer，wasgivenandreceivedasamarkofparticularfavor，andtherecipientswerefarfromcomplainingthen。I

haveheardmorethanonedignitarysaywithpride，likethesergeantinthecomedy，——

“Sir，feelthere，theblowuponmycheekisstillwarm。“

InhisprivateapartmentstheEmperorwasalmostalwayscheerfulandapproachable，conversingfreelywiththepersonsinhisservice，questioningthemabouttheirfamilies，theiraffairs，andevenastotheirpleasures。Histoiletfinished，hisappearancesuddenlychanged；

hebecamegraveandthoughtful，andassumedagainthebearingofanemperor。Ithasbeensaid，thatheoftenbeatthepeopleofhishousehold，whichstatementisuntrue。Isawhimonceonlygivehimselfuptoatransportofthiskind；andcertainlythecircumstanceswhichcausedit，andthereparationwhichfollowed，oughttorenderit，ifnotexcusable，atleasteasilyunderstood:Thisistheincident，ofwhichI

wasawitness，andwhichtookplaceinthesuburbsofVienna，thedayafterthedeathofMarshalLannes。TheEmperorwasprofoundlyaffected，andhadnotspokenawordduringhistoilet。Assoonashewasdressedheaskedforhishorse；andasanunluckychancewouldhaveit，Jardin，superintendentofthestables，couldnotbefoundwhenthehorsewassaddled，andthegroomdidnotputonhimhisregularbridle，inconsequenceofwhichhisMajestyhadnosoonermounted，thantheanimalplunged，reared，andtheriderfellheavilytotheground。JardinarrivedjustastheEmperorwasrisingfromtheground，besidehimselfwithanger；andinhisfirsttransportofrage，hegaveJardinablowwithhisriding-whipdirectlyacrosshisface。Jardinwithdrew，overwhelmedbysuchcrueltreatment，sounusualinhisMajesty；and:fewhoursafter，Caulaincourt，grandequerry，findinghimselfalonewithhisMajesty，describedtohimJardin\'sgriefandmortification。TheEmperorexpresseddeepregretforhisanger，sentforJardin，andspoketohimwithakindnesswhicheffacedtheremembranceofhisilltreatment，andsenthimafewdaysafterwardthreethousandfrancs。IhavebeentoldthatasimilarincidenthappenedtoVigogne，senior，inEgypt。Butalthoughthismaybetrue，twosuchinstancesaloneintheentirelifeoftheEmperor，whichwaspassedamidsurroundingssowellcalculatedtomakeaman，eventhoughnaturallymostamiable，departfromhisusualcharacter，shouldnotbesufficienttodrawdownuponNapoleontheodiousreproachofbeatingcruellythoseinhisservice。

CHAPTERXVI。

InhisheadquartersatthePontdesBriquestheEmperorworkedasregularlyasinhiscabinetattheTuileries。Afterhisridesonhorseback，hisinspections，hisvisits，hisreviews，hetookhismealsinhaste，andretiredintohiscabinet，whereheoftenworkedmostofthenight，thusleadingthesamelifeasatParis。InhishorsebackridesRoustanfollowedhimeverywhere，alwaystakingwithhimalittlesilverflaskofbrandyfortheuseofhisMajesty，whorarelyaskedforit。

ThearmyofBoulognewascomposedofaboutonehundredandfiftythousandinfantryandninetythousandcavalry，dividedintofourprincipalcamps，thecampoftherightwing，thecampoftheleftwing，thecampofWimereux，andthecampofAmbleteuse。

HisMajestytheEmperorhadhisheadquartersatPontdeBriques；thusnamed，Iwastold，becausethebrickfoundationsofanoldcampofCaesar\'shadbeendiscoveredthere。ThePontdeBriques，asIhavesaidabove，isabouthalfaleaguefromBoulogne；andtheheadquartersofhisMajestywereestablishedintheonlyhouseoftheplacewhichwasthenhabitable，andguardedbyadetachmentofthecavalryoftheImperialGuard。

Thefourcampswereonaveryhighcliffoverlookingthesea，sosituatedthatinfineweatherthecoastofEnglandcouldbeseen。

InthecampontherighttheyhadestablishedbarracksfortheEmperor，AdmiralBruix，MarshalSoult，andDecres，whowasthenministerofthenavy。

TheEmperor\'sbarrackwasconstructedunderthedirectionofSordi，engineer，performingthefunctionsofengineer-in-chiefofmilitaryroads；andhisnephew，LecatdeRue，attachedatthattimetothestaffofMarshalSoultasaide-de-camp，hasbeenkindenoughtofurnishmewithinformationwhichdidnotcomewithinmyprovince。

TheEmperor\'sbarrackwasbuiltofplank，liketheboothsofacountryfair；withthisdifference，thattheplankswereneatlyplaned，andpaintedagrayishwhite。Informitwasalongsquare，havingateachendtwopavilionsofsemicircularshape。Afenceformedofwoodenlatticeinclosedthisbarrack，whichwaslightedontheoutsidebylampsplacedfourfeetapart，andthewindowswereplacedlaterally。Thepavilionnexttotheseaconsistedofthreeroomsandahall，theprincipalroom，usedasacouncil-chamber，beingdecoratedwithsilver-

graypaper。Ontheceilingwerepaintedgoldenclouds，inthemidstofwhichappeared，uponthebluevaultofthesky，aneagleholdingthelightning，andguidedtowardsEnglandbyastar，theguardianstaroftheEmperor。Inthemiddleofthischamberwasalargeovaltablewithaplaincoverofgreencloth；andbeforethistablewasplacedonlyhisMajesty\'sarmchair，whichcouldbetakentopieces，andwasmadeofnaturalwood，unpainted，andcoveredwithgreenmoroccostuffedwithhair，whileuponthetablewasaboxwoodwriting-desk。Thiswastheentirefurnitureofthecouncil-chamber，inwhichhisMajestyalonecouldbeseated。Thegeneralsstoodbeforehim，andhadduringthesecouncils，whichsometimeslastedthreeorfourhours，noothersupportthanthehandlesoftheirsabers。

Thecouncil-chamberwasenteredfromahall。OntherightofthishallwashisMajesty\'sbedroom，whichhadaglassdoor，andwaslightedbyawindowwhichlookedoutuponthecampoftherightwing，whiletheseacouldbeseenontheleft。InthisroomwastheEmperor\'sironbed，withalargecurtainofplaingreensarsenetfastenedtotheceilingbyagildedcopperring；anduponthisbedweretwomattresses，onemadeofhair，twobolsters，oneatthehead，theotheratthefoot，nopillow，andtwocoverlets，oneofwhitecotton，theotherofgreensarsenet，waddedandquilted；bythesideofthebedtwoverysimplefolding-seats，andatthewindowshortcurtainsofgreensarsenet。

Thisroomwaspaperedwithrose-coloredpaper，stampedwithapatterninlace-work，withanEtruscanborder。