第5章

Oppositethe-bedroomwasasimilarchamber，inwhichwasapeculiarkindoftelescopewhichhadcosttwelvethousandfrancs。Thisinstrumentwasaboutfourfeetlong，andaboutafootindiameter，andwasmountedonamahoganysupport，withthreefeet，theboxinwhichitwaskeptbeingalmostintheshapeofapiano。Inthesameroom，upontwostools，wasalittlesquarechest，whichcontainedthreecompletesuitsandthelinenwhichformedthecampaignwardrobeofhisMajesty。Abovethiswasasingleextrahat，linedwithwhitesatin，andmuchtheworseforwear；

fortheEmperor，asIshallsaylaterinspeakingofhispersonalpeculiarities，havingaverytenderscalp，didnotlikenewhats，andworethesamealongtime。

Themainbodyoftheimperialbarrackwasdividedintothreerooms，asaloon，avestibule，andagranddining-room，whichcommunicatedwiththekitchensbyapassageparalleltothatIhavejustmentioned。Outsidethebarrack，andconnectedwiththekitchen，wasalittleshed，coveredwiththatch，whichservedasawashroom，andwhichwasalsousedasabutler\'spantry。

ThebarrackofAdmiralBruixwasarrangedlikethatoftheEmperor，butonasmallerscale。

Nearthisbarrackwasthesemaphoreofthesignals，asortofmarinetelegraphbywhichthefleetwasmaneuvered。AlittlefartheronwastheTourd\'Ordre，withapowerfulbatterycomposedofsixmortars，sixhowitzers，andtwelvetwenty-fourpounders。

Thesesixmortars，thelargestthathadeverbeenmade，weresixinchesthick，usedforty-fivepoundsofpowderatacharge，andthrewbombsfifteenhundredtoises——[Atoiseissixfeet，andaleagueisthreemiles]——intheair，andaleagueandahalfouttosea，eachbombthrowncostingthestatethreehundredfrancs。Tofireoneofthesefearfulmachinestheyusedport-firestwelvefeetlong；andthecannoneerprotectedhimselfasbesthecouldbybowinghisheadbetweenhislegs，and，notrisinguntilaftertheshotwasfired。TheEmperordecidedtofirethefirstbombhimself。

TotherightoftheheadquartersbatterywasthebarrackofMarshalSoult，whichwasconstructedinimitationofthebutofasavage，andcoveredwiththatchdowntotheground，withglassinthetop，andadoorthroughwhich。youdescendedintotherooms，whichweredugoutlikecellars。Theprincipalchamberwasround；andinitwasalargework-

tablecoveredwithgreencloth，andsurroundedwithsmallleatherfolding-chairs。

ThelastbarrackwasthatofDecres，ministerofthenavy，whichwasfurnishedlikethatofMarshalSoult。FromhisbarracktheEmperorcouldobserveallthemaneuversatsea；andthetelescope，ofwhichIhavespoken，wassogoodthatDoverCastle，withitsgarrison，was，sotospeak，undertheveryeyesofhisMajesty。Thecampoftherightwing，situateduponthecliff，wasdividedintostreets，eachofwhichborethenameofsomedistinguishedgeneral；andthiscliffbristledwithbatteriesfromColognetoAmbleteuse，adistanceofmorethantwoleagues。

InordertogofromBoulognetothecampoftherightwing，therewasonlyoneroad，whichbeganintheRuedesVieillards，andpassedoverthecliff，betweenthebarrackofhisMajestyandthoseofBruix，Soult，andDecres，sothatifatlowtidetheEmperorwishedtogodownuponthebeach，alongdetourwasnecessary。Onedaywhenhewascomplaininggreatlyofthis，itoccurredtoBonnefoux，maritimeprefectofBoulogne，toapplytoSordi，engineerofmilitaryroads，andascertainifitwasnotpossibletoremedythisgreatinconvenience。

TheengineerrepliedthatitwasfeasibletoprovidearoadforhisMajestydirectlyfromhisbarracktothebeach；butthatinviewofthegreatheightofthecliffitwouldbenecessarytomoderatetherapidityofthedescentbymakingtheroadzigzag。“Makeitasyouwish，“saidtheEmperor，“onlyletitbereadyforuseinthreedays。“Theskillfulengineerwenttowork，andinthreedaysandthreenightstheroadwasconstructedofstone，boundtogetherwithironclamps；andtheEmperor，charmedwithsomuchdiligenceandingenuity，hadthenameofSordiplacedonthelistforthenextdistributionofthecrossoftheLegionofHonor，but，owingtotheshamefulnegligenceofsomeone，thenameofthismanoftalentwasoverlooked。TheportofBoulognecontainedaboutseventeenhundredvessels，suchasflatboats，sloops，turkishboats，gunboats，prairies，mortar-boats，etc。；andtheentrancetotheportwasdefendedbyanenormouschain，andbyfourforts，twoontheright，andtwoontheleft。

FortHusoir，placedontheleft，wasarmedwiththreeformidablebatteriesrangedoneabovetheother，thelowerrowbearingtwenty-fourpounders，thesecondandthird，thirty-sixpounders。Ontherightofthisfortwastherevolvingbridge，andbehindthisbridgeanoldtowercalledCastleCroi，ornamentedwithbatterieswhichwerebothhandsomeandeffective。Totheleft，aboutaquarterofaleaguefromFortMusoir，wasFortLaCreche，projectingboldlyintothesea，constructedofcutstone，andcrownedbyaterriblebattery；andfinally，ontherightofFortLaCreche，wastheFortenBois，perfectlymanned，andpiercedbyalargeopeningwhichwasuncoveredatlowtide。

Upontheclifftotheleftofthetown，atnearlythesameelevationastheother，wasthecampoftheleftwing。HerewassituatedthebarrackofPrinceJoseph，atthattimecoloneloftheFourthRegimentoftheline；thisbarrackwascoveredwiththatch。Belowthecamp，atthefootofthecliff，theEmperorhadabasinhollowedout，inwhichworkapartofthetroopswereemployed。

ItwasinthisbasinthatonedayayoungsoldieroftheGuard，whohadstuckinthemuduptohisknees，triedwithallhisstrengthtopullouthiswheelbarrow，whichwasevenworsemiredthanhimself；buthecouldnotsucceed，andcoveredwithsweat，sworeandstormedlikeanangrygrenadier。Bychanceliftinghiseyes，hesuddenlyperceivedtheEmperor，whowaspassingbytheworksonhiswaytovisithisbrotherJosephinthecampontheleft。Thesoldierlookedathimwithabeseechingairandgesture，singinginamostsentimentaltone，“Come，oh，come，tomyaid。“HisMajestycouldnothelpsmiling，andmadesignstothesoldiertoapproach，whichthepoorfellowdid，afterextricatinghimselfwithgreatdifficulty。“Whatisyourregiment“——“Sire，theFirstoftheGuard。“——“Howlonghaveyoubeenasoldier？“——“SinceyouhavebeenEmperor，Sire。“——“Indeed，thatisnotalongtime！Itisnotlongenoughformetomakeyouanofficer，isit？Butconductyourselfwell，andI

willhaveyoumadesergeant-major。Afterthat，thecrossandepauletsonthefirstbattlefield。Areyoucontent？“——“Yes，Sire。“——“ChiefofStaff，“continuedtheEmperor，addressingGeneralBerthier，“takethenameofthisyoungman。Youwillgivehimthreehundredfrancstocleanhispantaloonsandrepairhiswheelbarrow。“AndhisMajestyrodeoninthemidstoftheacclamationsofthesoldiers。

Attheinsideextremityoftheport，therewasawoodenbridgewhichtheycalledtheServicebridge。Thepowdermagazineswerebehindit，containinganimmenseamountofammunition；andafternightfallnoonewasallowedtogouponthisbridgewithoutgivingthecountersigntothesecondsentinel，forthefirstalwaysallowedhimtopass。Hewasnotallowedtopassbackagain，however；forifanypersonenteringthebridgewasignorantofthecountersign，orhadhappenedtoforgetit，hewasstoppedbythesecondsentinel，andthefirstsentinelattheheadofthebridgehadexpressorderstopasshisbayonetthroughthebodyoftherashmanifhewasunabletoanswerthequestionsofthislastsentinel。

Theserigorousprecautionswererenderednecessarybythevicinityoftheseterriblepowdermagazines，whichasinglesparkmightblowup，andwithitthetown，thefleet，andthetwocamps。

AtnighttheportwasclosedwiththebigchainIhavementioned，andthewharveswerepicketedbysentinelsplacedfifteenpacesfromeachother。

Eachquarterofanhourtheycalled，“Sentinels，lookout！“Andthesoldiersofthemarine，placedinthetopsails，repliedtothisby，“All\'swell，“pronouncedin，adrawling，mournfultone。Nothingcouldbemoremonotonousordepressingthanthiscontinualmurmur，thislugubriousminglingofvoicesallinthesametone，especiallyasthosemakingthesecriesendeavoredtomakethemasinspiringaspossible。

WomennotresidinginBoulognewereprohibitedfromremainingtherewithoutaspecialpermitfromtheministerofpolice。Thismeasurehadbeenjudgednecessaryonaccountofthearmy；forotherwiseeachsoldierperhapswouldhavebroughtawomantoBoulogne，andthedisorderwouldhavebeenindescribable。Strangerswereadmittedintothetownwithgreatdifficulty。

Inspiteofalltheseprecautions，spiesfromtheEnglishfleeteachdaypenetratedintoBoulogne。Whentheywerediscoverednoquarterwasgiven；andnotwithstandingthis，emissarieswhohadlanded，nooneknewwhere，cameeacheveningtothetheater，andcarriedtheirimprudencesofarastowritetheiropinionoftheactorsandactresses，whomtheydesignatedbyname，andtopostthesewritingsonthewallsofthetheater，thusdefyingthepolice。Onedaytherewerefoundontheshoretwolittleboatscoveredwithtarpaulin，whichthesegentryprobablyusedintheirclandestineexcursions。

InJune，1804，eightEnglishmen，perfectlywelldressed，inwhitesilkstockings，etc。，werearrested，andonthemwasfoundsulphuratedapparatuswithwhichtheyhadintendedtoburnthefleet。Theywereshotwithinanhour，withoutanyformoftrial。

TherewerealsotraitorsinBoulogne。Aschoolmaster，thesecretagentofLordsKeithandMelville，wassurprisedonemorningonthecliffabovethecampoftherightwing，makingtelegraphicsignalswithhisarms；andbeingarrestedalmostintheactbythesentinels，heprotestedhisinnocence，andtriedtoturntheincidentintoajest，buthispapersweresearched，andcorrespondencewiththeEnglishfound，whichclearlyprovedhisguilt。Hewasdeliveredtothecouncilofwar，andshotthenextday。

Oneeveningbetweeneleveno\'clockandmidnight，afire-ship，riggedlikeaFrenchship，flyingFrenchcolors，andineveryrespectresemblingagunboat，advancedtowardsthelineofbattleandpassedthrough。Byunpardonablenegligencethechainhadnotbeenstretchedthatevening。

Thisfire-shipwasfollowedbyasecond，whichexploded，strikingasloop，whichwentdownwithit。Thisexplosiongavethealarmtothewholefleet；andlightsinstantlyshoneineverydirection，revealingthefirstfire-shipadvancingbetweenthejetties，asightwhichwaswitnessedwithinexpressibleanxiety。Threeorfourpiecesofwoodconnectedbycablesfortunatelystoppedherprogress；butsheblewupwithsuchashockthattheglassesofallthewindowsintownwereshattered，andagreatnumberoftheinhabitants，whoforwantofbedsweresleepingupontables，werethrowntothefloor，andawakenedbythefallwithoutcomprehendingwhathadhappened。Intenminuteseverybodywasstirring，asitwasthoughtthattheEnglishwereintheport；andthereensuedsuchconfusion，suchamingledtumultofnoisesandscreams，thatnoonecouldmakehimselfunderstood，untilcriersprecededbydrumsweresentthroughthetowntoreassuretheinhabitants，andinformthemthatalldangerwaspast。

Thenextdaysongswerecomposedonthisnocturnalalarm，andweresoonineverymouth。

Anotheralarm，butofanentirelydifferentkind，upsetallBoulogneintheautumnof1804。Abouteighto\'clockintheeveningachimneycaughtfireontherightoftheport；andthelightofthisfire，shiningthroughthemastsoftheflotilla，alarmedthecommandantofapostontheoppositeshore。Atthistimeallthevesselshadpowderandammunitiononboard；andthepoorcommandant，besidehimselfwithterror，cried，“Boys，thefleetisonfire；“andimmediatelyhadthealarmbeaten。Thefrightfulnewsspreadlikelightning；andinlessthanhalfanhourmorethansixtythousandmenappeareduponthewharves，thetocsinwassoundedinallthechurches，thefortsfiredalarmguns，whiledrumsandtrumpetssoundedalongthestreets，thewholemakinganinfernaltumult。

TheEmperorwasatheadquarterswhenthisterriblecry，“Thefleetisonfire，“cametohisears。“Itisimpossible！“heimmediatelyexclaimed，but，nevertheless，rushedoutinstantly。

Onenteringthetown，。whatafrightfulspectaclewebeheld。Womenintears，holdingtheirchildrenintheirarms，ranlikelunatics，utteringcriesofdespair，whilemenabandonedtheirhouses，carryingoffwhateverwasmostvaluable，runningagainstandknockingeachotheroverinthedarkness。Onallsideswasheard，“Mauvequipeat；wearegoingtobeblownup，wearealllost；“andthemaledictions，lamentations，blasphemies，weresufficienttomakeyourhairstandonend。

Theaides-de-campofhisMajestyandthoseofMarshalSoultgallopedineverydirection，forcingtheirwaythroughthecrowds，stoppingthedrummers，andaskingthem，“Whydoyoubeatthealarm？Whohasorderedyoutobeatthealarm？“——“Wedon\'tknow，“theyreplied；andthedrumscontinuedtobeat，whilethetumultkeptonincreasing，andthecrowdrushedtothegates，struckbyaterrorwhichamoment\'sreflectionwouldhavedissipated。But，unfortunately，feargivesnotimeforreflection。

Itistrue，however，thataconsiderablenumberofinhabitants，lessexcitablethantheseIhavedescribed，remainedquietlyathome，wellknowingthatifthefleethadreallybeenonfire，therewouldhavebeennotimetogiveanalarm。Thesepersonsmadeeveryefforttoquiettheexcitedcrowd。MadameF——，theveryprettyandveryamiablewifeofaclockmaker，wasinherkitchenmakingpreparationsforsupper，whenaneighbor，thoroughlyfrightened，entered，andsaidtoher，“SaveyourselfMadame；youhavenotamomenttolose！“——“Whatisthematter？“——“Thefleetisonfire！“Ah-pshaw！“——“Flythen，Madame，fly！Itellyouthefleetisonfire。“AndtheneighbortookMadameF——bythearm，andendeavoredtopullheralong。MadameF——heldatthemomentafrying-

paninwhichshewascookingsomefritters。“Takecare；youwillmakemeburnmyfritters，“saidshe，laughing。Andwithafewhalfserious，halfjestingwordsshereassuredthepoorfellow，whoendedbylaughingathimself。

Atlastthetumultwasappeased，andtothisgreatfrightaprofoundcalmsucceeded。Noexplosionhadbeenheard；andtheysawthatitmusthavebeenafalsealarm，soeachreturnedhome，thinkingnolongerofthefire，butagitatedbyanotherfear。Therobbersmayhaveprofitedbytheabsenceoftheinhabitantstopillagethehouses，butasluckwouldhaveitnomischanceofthiskindhadtakenplace。

Thenextdaythepoorcommandantwhohadsoinopportunelytakenandgiventhealarmwasbroughtbeforethecouncilofwar。Hewasguiltyofnointentionalwrong；butthelawwasexplicit，andhewascondemnedtodeath。Hisjudges，however，recommendedhimtothemercyoftheEmperor，whopardonedhim。

CHAPTERXVII。

ManyofthebravesoldierswhocomposedthearmyofBoulognehadearnedthecross(oftheLegionofHonor)intheselastcampaigns，andhisMajestydesiredthatthisdistributionshouldbemadeanimpressiveoccasion，whichshouldlongberemembered。Hechosethedayafterhisfete，Aug。16，1804。Neverhastherebeeninthepast，norcantherebeinthefuture，amoreimposingspectacle。

Atsixo\'clockinthemorning，morethaneightythousandmenleftthefourcamps，——attheirheaddrumsbeatingandbandsplaying，——andadvancedbydivisionstowardsthe“Hubertmill“field，whichwasonthecliffbeyondthecampoftherightwing。Onthisplainanimmenseplatformhadbeenerected，aboutfifteenfeetabovetheground，andwithitsbacktowardthesea。Itwasreachedbythreeflightsofrichlycarpetedsteps，situatedinthemiddleandoneachside。Fromthestagethusformed，aboutfortyfeetsquare，rosethreeotherplatforms，thecentralonebearingtheimperialarmchair，decoratedwithtrophiesandbanners，whilethatontheleftheldseatsforthebrothersoftheEmperor，andforthegranddignitaries，andthatontherightboreatripodofantiqueform，surmountedbyahelmet(thehelmetofDuguesclin，Ithink)，coveredwithcrossesandribbons。Bythesideofthetripodhadbeenplacedaseatforthearch-chancellor。

Aboutthreehundredstepsfromthethrone，thelandroseinaslightandalmostcircularascent；andonthisascentthetroopswerearrangedasinanamphitheater。Totherightofthethrone，onaneminence，wereplacedsixtyoreightytentsmadeofnavalflags；thesetentswereintendedfortheladiesofthecity，andmadeacharmingpicture，buttheyweresofarfromthethronethatthespectatorswhofilledthemwereobligedtouseglasses。BetweenthesetentsandthethroneapartoftheImperialGuardwasrangedinlineofbattle。

Theweatherwasperfect；therewasnotacloudinthesky；theEnglishcruisershaddisappeared；andontheseacouldbeseenonlyourlineofvesselshandsomelydecoratedwithflags。

Atteno\'clockinthemorning，adischargeofartilleryannouncedthedepartureoftheEmperor；andhisMajestylefthisbarrack，surroundedbymorethaneightygeneralsandtwohundredaides-decamp，allhishouseholdfollowinghim。TheEmperorwasdressedintheuniformofthecolonel-

generaloftheinfantryoftheguard。Herodeatagalloptothefootofthethrone，inthemidstofuniversalacclamationsandthemostdeafeninguproarmadebydrums，trumpets，andcannon，beating，blowing，androaringalltogether。

HisMajestymountedthethrone，followedbyhisbrothersandthegranddignitaries；andwhenhewasseatedeachonetookhisdesignatedplace，andthedistributionofthecrossesbeganinthefollowingmanner:

Anaide-de-campoftheEmperorcalledbynamethesoldierstobehonored，whoonebyonestoppedatthefootofthethrone，bowed，andmountedthestepsontheright。Theretheywerereceivedbythearch-chancellor，whodeliveredtothemtheircommissions；andtwopages，placedbetweentheEmperorandthetripod，tookthedecorationfromthehelmetofDuguesclin，andhandedittohisMajesty，whofastenedithimselfonthebreastofthebravefellow。Instantlymorethaneighthundreddrumsbeatatattoo；andwhenthesoldierthusdecorateddescendedfromthethronebythestepsontheleft，ashepassedbeforethebrilliantstaffoftheEmperoraburstofmusicfrommorethantwelvehundredmusicianssignaledthereturntohiscompanyoftheKnightoftheLegionofHonor。Itisneedlesstosaythatthecryof\'Vivel\'Empereur\'wasrepeatedtwiceateachdecoration。

Thedistributionbeganatteno\'clock，andendedaboutthree。Then，accordingtoordersbornebytheaides-decamptothedivisions，avolleyofartillerywasheard，andeightythousandmenadvancedinclosecolumnstowithintwentyorthirtystepsofthethrone。Themostprofoundsilencesucceededthenoiseofdrums；and，theEmperorhavinggivenhisorders，thetroopsexecutedmaneuversforaboutanhour，attheendofwhicheachdivisiondefiledbeforethethroneastheyreturnedtothecamp。Eachchief，onpassing，salutedbyloweringthepointofhissword。SpeciallynoticeableamongthemwasPrinceJoseph，newlyappointedcoloneloftheFourthRegimentoftheline，whomadehisbrotherasalutemoregracefulthanmilitary。TheEmperorfrownedslightlyatthesomewhatcriticalremarkswhichhisoldcompanionsinarmsseemedinclinedtomakeonthissubject；butexceptforthisslightcloud，thecountenanceofhisMajestywasnevermoreradiant。

Justasthetroopswerefilingoff，thewind，whichfortwoorthreehourshadbeenblowingviolently，becameaperfectgale，andanorderlyofficercameinhastetoinformhisMajestythatfourorfivegunboatshadjustbeendrivenashore。TheEmperoratoncelefttheplainatagallop，followedbysomeofthemarshals，andtookhispositionontheshoreuntilthecrewsofthegunboatsweresaved，andtheEmperorthenreturnedtothePontdesBriques。

Thisimmensearmycouldnotregainitsquartersbeforeeighto\'clockintheevening。Thenextdaythecampoftheleftwinggaveamilitaryfete，atwhichtheEmperorwaspresent。

Fromearlyinthemorning，launchesmountedonwheelsranatfullspeedthroughthestreetsofthecamp，drivenbyafavorablewind。Officersamusedthemselvesridingafterthematagallop，andrarelyovertakingthem。Thisexerciselastedanhourortwo；but，thewindhavingchanged，thelaunchesupset，amidshoutsoflaughter。

Thiswasfollowedbyahorsebackrace，theprizebeingtwelvehundredfrancs。Alieutenantofdragoons，verypopularinhiscompany，askedasafavortobeallowedtocompete；butthehaughtycouncilofsuperiorofficersrefusedtoadmithim，underthepretextthathisrankwasnotsufficientlyhigh，but，inreality，becausehehadthereputationofbeingasplendidhorseman。Stungtothequickbythisunjustrefusal，thelieutenantofdragoonsappliedtotheEmperor，whogavehimpermissiontoracewiththeothers，afterhavinglearnedthatthisbraveofficersupportedbyhisownexertionsanumerousfamily，andthathisconductwasirreproachable。

Atagivensignaltheracesbegan。Thelieutenantofdragoonssoonpassedhisantagonists，andhadalmostreachedthegoal，when，byanunfortunatemischance，alittlepoodleranbetweenthelegsofhishorse，andthrewhimdown。Anaide-de-campwhocameimmediatelyafterwasproclaimedvictor。Thelieutenantpickedhimselfupaswellashecould，andwaspreparing，verysadly，toretire，somewhatconsoledbythesignsofinterestwhichthespectatorsmanifested，whentheEmperorsummonedhim，andsaid，“Youdeservetheprize，andyoushallhaveit；Imakeyoucaptain。“Andaddressinghimselftothegrandmarshalofthepalace，“YouwillpaytwelvehundredfrancstotheCaptain“(thenamedoesnotoccurtome)，whileallcried，“Vivel\'Empereur，“andcongratulatedthenewcaptainonhisluckyfall。

Intheeveningtherewerefireworks，whichcouldbeseenfromthecoastofEngland。Thirtythousandsoldiersexecutedallsortsofmaneuvers，firingsky-rocketsfromtheirguns。Thecrowningpiece，whichrepresentedthearmsoftheEmpire，wassofinethatforfiveminutesBoulogne，thecountry，andallthecoast，werelightedupasifitwerebroaddaylight。

Afewdaysafterthesefetes，astheEmperorwaspassingfromonecamptotheother，asailorwhowaswatchingforhiminordertohandhimapetitionwasobliged，astherainwasfallingintorrents，andhewasafraidofspoilingthesheetofpaper，toplacehimselfundershelterinanisolatedbarrackontheshore，usedtostorerigging。Hehadbeenwaitingalongtime，andwaswettotheskin，whenhesawtheEmperorcomingfromthecampoftheleftwingatagallop。JustashisMajesty，stillgalloping，wasabouttopassbeforethebarrack，thebravesailor，whowasonthelookout，sprangsuddenlyfromhishidingplace，andthrewhimselfbeforetheEmperor，holdingouthispetitionintheattitudeofafencing-masterdefendinghimself。TheEmperor\'shorse，startledbythissuddenapparition，stoppedshort；andhisMajesty，takenbysurprise，gavethesailoradisapprovingglance，andpassedonwithouttakingthepetitionwhichwasofferedhiminsounusualamanner。

Itwasonthisday，Ithink，thatMonsieurDecres，ministerofthenavy，hadthemisfortunetofallintothewater，totheverygreatamusementofhisMajesty。ToenabletheEmperortopassfromthequaytoagunboat，therehadbeenasingleplankthrownfromtheboattothequay。Napoleonpassed，orratherleaped，overthislightbridge，andwasreceivedonboardin\'thearmsofasoldieroftheguard；butM。Decres，morestout，andlessactivethantheEmperor，advancedcarefullyovertheplankthathefoundtohishorrorwasbendingunderhisfeet，untiljustashearrivedinthemiddle，theweightofhisbodybroketheplank，andtheministerofthenavywasprecipitatedintothewater，midwaybetweenthequayandtheboat。HisMajestyturnedatthenoisethatM。Decresmadeinfalling，andleaningoverthesideoftheboat，exclaimed，“What！Isthatourministerofthenavywhohasallowedhimselftofallinthewater？Isitpossibleitcanbehe？“TheEmperorduringthisspeechlaughedmostuproariously。Meanwhile，twoorthreesailorswereengagedingettingM。Decresoutofhisembarrassingposition。Hewaswithmuchdifficultyhoistedonthesloop，inasadstate，asmaybebelieved，vomitingwaterthroughhisnose，mouth，andears，andthoroughlyashamedofhisaccident，whichtheEmperor\'sjokescontributedtorenderstillmoreexasperating。

Towardstheendofourstaythegeneralsgaveamagnificentballtotheladiesofthecity，atwhichtheEmperorwaspresent。

Forthispurposeatemporaryhallhadbeenerected，whichwastastefullydecoratedwithgarlands，flags，andtrophies。

GeneralBertrandwasappointedmasterofceremoniesbyhiscolleagues；

andGeneralBisson。Iwasputinchargeofthebuffet，whichemploymentsuitedGeneralBissonperfectly，forhewasthegreatestgluttonincamp，andhisenormousstomachinterferedgreatlywithhiswalking。Hedranknotlessthansixorsevenbottlesofwineatdinner，andneveralone；

foritwasapunishmenttohimnottotalkwhileeating，consequentlyheusuallyinvitedhisaides-de-camp，whom，throughmalicenodoubt，hechosealwaysfromamongthemostdelicateandabstemiousinthearmy。

Thebuffetwasworthyoftheonewhohaditincharge。

Theorchestrawascomposedofmusiciansfromtwentyregiments，whoplayedinturn。Butontheopeningoftheballtheentireorchestraexecutedatriumphalmarch，duringwhichtheaides-de-Camp，mostelegantlyattired，receivedtheladiesinvited，andpresentedthemwithbouquets。

Inordertobeadmittedtothisball，itwasnecessarytohaveatleasttherankofcommandant。Itis，impossibletogiveanideaofthescenepresentedbythismultitudeofuniforms，eachvyinginbrilliancywiththeother。ThefiftyorsixtygeneralswhogavetheballhadorderedfromParismagnificentlyembroidereduniforms，andthegrouptheyformedaroundhisMajestyasheenteredglitteredwithgoldanddiamonds。TheEmperorremainedanhouratthisfete，anddancedtheBoulanyerewithMadameBertrand。Heworetheuniformofcolonel-generalofthecavalryoftheguard。

ThewifeofMarshalSoultwasqueenoftheball。Sheworeablackvelvetdressbesprinkledwiththekindofdiamondscalledrhinestones。

Atmidnightasplendidsupperwasserved，thepreparationofwhichGeneralBissonhadsuperintended，whichisequivalenttosayingthatnothingwaswantingthereto。

TheladiesofBoulogne，whohadneverattendedsuchafete，werefilledwithamazement，andwhensupperwasservedadvisedeachothertofilluptheirreticuleswithdaintiesandsweets。Theywouldhavecarriedaway，Ithink，thehall，withthemusiciansanddancers；andformorethanamonththisballwastheonlysubjectoftheirconversation。

AboutthistimehisMajestywasridingonhorsebacknearhisbarracks，whenaprettyyounggirloffifteenorsixteen，dressedinwhite，herfacebathedintears，threwherselfonherkneesinhispath。TheEmperorimmediatelyalightedfromhishorse，andassistedhertorise，askingmostcompassionatelywhathecoulddoforher。Thepoorgirlhadcometoentreatthepardonofherfather，astorekeeperinthecommissarydepartment，whohadbeencondemnedtothegalleysforgravecrimes。HisMajestycouldnotresistthemanycharmsoftheyouthfulsuppliant，andthepardonwasgranted。

CHAPTERXVIII。

AtBoulogne，aseverywhereelse，theEmperorwellknewhowtowinallheartsbyhismoderation，hisjustice，andthegenerousgracewithwhichheacknowledgedtheleastservice。AlltheinhabitantsofBoulogne，evenallthepeasantsofthesuburbs，wouldhavediedforhim，andthesmallestparticularsrelatingtohimwereconstantlyrepeated。Oneday，however，hisconductgaverisetoseriouscomplaints，andhewasunanimouslyblamed；forhisinjusticewasthecauseofaterribletragedy。Iwillnowrelatethissadevent，anauthenticaccountofwhichIhaveneverseeninprint。

Onemorning，ashemountedhishorse，theEmperorannouncedthathewouldthatdayreviewthenavalforces，andgaveordersthattheboatswhichoccupiedthelineofdefenseshouldleavetheirposition，asheintendedtoholdthereviewintheopensea。HesetoutwithRoustanforhismorningride，andexpressedawishthatallshouldbereadyonhisreturn，thehourofwhichhedesignated。EveryoneknewthattheslightestwishoftheEmperorwaslaw；andtheorderwastransmitted，duringhisabsence，toAdmiralBruix，whorepliedwithimperturbable\'sangfroid\'，thathemuchregrettedit，butthereviewwouldnottakeplacethatday，andinconsequencenoboatstirred。

Onhisreturnfromhisride，theEmperoraskedifeverythingwasready，andtheadmiral\'sanswerwasreportedtohim。Astonishedbyitstone，sodifferentfromwhathewasaccustomedto，hehaditrepeatedtohimtwice，andthen，withaviolentstampofhisfoot，orderedtheadmiraltobesummoned。Heobeyedinstantly；buttheEmperor，thinkinghedidnotcomequicklyenough，methimhalf-wayfromhisbarracks。ThestafffollowedhisMajesty，andplacedthemselvessilentlyaroundhim，whilehiseyesshotlightning。

“AdmiralBruix，“saidtheEmperorinatoneshowinggreatexcitement，“whyhaveyounotobeyedmyorders？“

“Sire，“respondedBruixwithrespectfulfirmness，“aterriblestormisgathering。YourMajestycanseethisaswellasI；areyouwillingtouselesslyriskthelivesofsomanybravemen？“Intruth，theheavinessoftheatmosphere，andthelowrumblingwhichcouldbeheardinthedistance，justifiedonlytoowelltheadmiral\'sfears。“Monsieur，“

repliedtheEmperor，moreandmoreirritated，“Igavetheorders；onceagain，whyhaveyounotexecutedthem？Theconsequencesconcernmealone。Obey！“——“Sire，Iwillnotobey！“——“Monsieur，youareinsolent！“

AndtheEmperor，whostillheldhisriding-whipinhishand，advancedontheadmiral，makingathreateninggesture。AdmiralBruixretreatedastep，andplacedhishandonthehiltofhissword:“Sire，“saidhe，growingpale，“takecare！“Allthosepresentwereparalyzedwithterror。

TheEmperorremainedforsometimeimmovable，withhishandraised，andhiseyesfixedontheadmiral，whostillmaintainedhisdefiantattitude。

AtlasttheEmperorthrewhiswhipontheground。AdmiralBruixrelaxedhisholdonhissword，and，withuncoveredhead，awaitedinsilencetheresultofthisterriblescene。

“Rear-admiralMagon！“saidtheEmperor，“youwillseethattheorderswhichIhavegivenareexecutedinstantly。Asforyou，sir，“continuedhe，turningtoAdmiralBruix，“youwillleaveBoulognewithin。twenty-

fourhours，andretiretoHolland。Go！“HisMajestyreturnedatoncetoheadquarters；someoftheofficers，onlyasmallnumber，however，pressedinpartingthehandthattheadmiralheldouttothem。

Rear-admiralMagonimmediatelyorderedthefatalmovementcommandedbytheEmperor；buthardlyhadthefirstdispositionsbeenmadewhentheseabecamefrightfultobehold，thesky，coveredwithblackclouds，wasfurrowedwithlightning，thethunderroaredincessantly，andthewindincreasedtoagale。Infact，whatAdmiralBruixhadforeseenoccurred；

afrightfultempestscatteredtheboatsineverydirection，andrenderedtheirconditiondesperate。TheEmperor，anxiousanduneasy，withloweredheadandcrossedarms，wasstridingupanddowntheshore，whensuddenlyterriblecrieswereheard。Morethantwentygunboats，filledwithsoldiersandsailors，hadjustbeendrivenontheshore；andthepoorunfortunateswhomannedthem，strugglingagainstfuriouswaves，wereimploringhelpwhichnonecouldventuretorender。TheEmperorwasdeeplytouchedbythissight，whilehisheartwastornbythelamentationsofanimmensecrowdwhichthetempesthadcollectedontheshoreandtheadjoiningcliffs。Hebeheldhisgeneralsandofficersstandinshudderinghorroraroundhim，andwishingtosetanexampleofself-sacrifice，inspiteofalleffortsmadetorestrainhim，threwhimselfintoalifeboat，saying，“Letmealone；letmealone！Theymustbegottenoutofthere。“Inaninstanttheboatfilledwithwater，thewavesdashedoverit，andtheEmperorwassubmerged，onewavestrongerthantheothersthrewhisMajestyontheshore，andhishatwassweptoff。

Electrifiedbysuchcourage，officers，soldiers，sailors，andcitizensnowbegantolendtheiraid，someswimming，othersinboats；but，alas！

theysucceededinsaving——onlyaverysmallnumberoftheunfortunatemenwhocomposedthecrewsofthegunboats，andthenextdaytheseacastupontheshoremorethantwohundredmen，andwiththemthehatoftheconquerorofMarengo。

Thenextwasadayofmourningandofgrief，bothinBoulogneandthecamp。Theinhabitantsandsoldierscoveredthebeach，searchinganxiouslyamongthebodieswhichthewavesincessantlycastupontheshore；andtheEmperorgroanedoverthisterriblecalamity，whichinhisinmosthearthecouldnotfailtoattributetohisownobstinacy。Byhisordersagentsentrustedwithgoldwentthroughthecityandcamp，stoppingthemurmurswhichwerereadytobreakforth。

ThatdayIsawadrummer，whohadbeenamongthecrewoftheshipwreckedvessels，washedupontheshoreuponhisdrum，whichliehadusedasaraft。Thepoorfellowhadhisthighbroken，andhadremainedmorethantwentyhoursinthathorriblecondition。

InordertocompleteinthisplacemyrecollectionsofthecampofBoulogne，Iwillrelatethefollowing，whichdidnottakeplace，however，untilthemonthofAugust，1805，afterthereturnoftheEmperorfromhisjourneytoItaly，wherehehadbeencrowned。

SoldiersandsailorswereburningwithimpatiencetoembarkforEngland，butthemomentsoardentlydesiredwasstilldelayed。Everyeveningtheysaidtothemselves，“Tomorrowtherewillbeagoodwind，therewillalsobeafog，andweshallstart，“andlaydownwiththathope，butaroseeachdaytofindeitheranuncloudedskyorrain。

Oneevening，however，whenafavorablewindwasblowing，Iheardtwosailorsconversingtogetheronthewharf，andmakingconjecturesastothefuture。“TheEmperorwoulddowelltostarttomorrowmorning，“saidone；“hewillneverhavebetterweather，andtherewillsurelybeafog。“——

“Bah！“saidtheother，“onlyhedoesnotthinkso。Wehavenowwaitedmorethanfifteendays，andthefleethasnotbudged；however，alltheammunitionisonboard，andwithoneblastofthewhistlewecanputtosea。“

Thenightsentinelscameon，andtheconversationoftheoldsea-wolvesstoppedthere；butIsoonhadtoacknowledgethattheirnauticalexperiencehadnotdeceivedthem。Infact，bythreeo\'clockinthemorning，alightfogwasspreadoverthesea，whichwassomewhatstormy，thewindoftheeveningbeforebeganto，blowagain，andatdaylightthefogwassothickastoconcealthefleetfromtheEnglish，whilethemostprofoundsilencereignedeverywhere。Nohostilesailshadbeensignaledthroughthenight，and，asthesailorshadpredicted，everythingfavoredthedescent。

Atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，signalsweremadefromthesemaphore；andinthetwinklingofaneyeallthesailorswereinmotion，andtheportresoundedwithcriesofjoy，fortheordertodeparthadjustbeenreceived。Whilethesailswerebeinghoisted，thelongrollwasbeateninthefourcamps，andtheorderwasgivenfortheentirearmytotakearms；andtheymarchedrapidlyintothetown，hardlybelievingwhattheyhadjustheard。“Wearereallygoingtostart，，“saidallthesoldiers；

“weareactuallygoingtosayafewwordstothoseEnglishmen，“andthejoywhichanimatedthemburstforthinacclamations，whichweresilencedbyarollofthedrums。Theembarkationthentookplaceamidprofoundsilence，andinsuchperfectorderthatIcanhardlygiveanideaofit。

Atseveno\'clocktwohundredthousandsoldierswereonboardthefleet；

andwhenalittleaftermiddaythisfinearmywasonthepointofstartingamidsttheadieusandgoodwishesofthewholecity，assembleduponthewallsanduponthesurroundingcliffs，andattheverymomentwhenallthesoldiersstandingwithuncoveredheadswereabouttobidfarewelltothesoilofFrance，crying，“Vivel\'Empereur！“amessagearrivedfromtheimperialbarrack，orderingthetroopstodisembark，andreturntocamp。AtelegraphicdispatchjustthenreceivedbyhisMajestyhadmadeitnecessarythatheshouldmovehistroopsinanotherdirection；andthesoldiersreturnedsadlytotheirquarters，someexpressinginaloudtone，andinaveryenergeticmanner，thedisappointmentwhichthisspeciesofmystificationcausedthem。

TheyhadalwaysregardedthesuccessoftheenterpriseagainstEnglandasassured，andtofindthemselvesstoppedontheeveofdeparturewas，intheireyes，thegreatestmisfortunewhichcouldhappentothem。

Whenorderhadagainbeenrestored，theEmperorrepairedtothecampoftherightwing，andmadeaproclamationtothetroops，whichwassentintotheothercamps，andpostedeverywhere。Thiswasverynearlythetenorofit:“BravesoldiersofthecampofBoulogne！youwillnotgotoEngland。EnglishgoldhasseducedtheEmperorofAustria，whohasjustdeclaredwaragainstFrance。Hisarmyhaspassedthelinewhichheshouldhaverespected，andBavariaisinvaded。Soldiers！newlaurelsawaityoubeyondtheRhine。Letushastentodefeatoncemoreenemieswhomyouhavealreadyconquered。“Thisproclamationcalledforthunanimousacclamationsofjoy，andeveryfacebrightened，foritmatteredlittletotheseintrepidmenwhethertheyweretobeledagainstAustriaorEngland；theysimplythirstedforthefray，andnowthatwarhadbeendeclared，everydesirewasgratified。

ThusvanishedallthosegrandprojectsofdescentuponEngland，whichhadbeensolongmatured，sowiselyplanned。Thereisnodoubtnowthatwithfavorableweatherandperseverancetheenterprisewouldhavebeencrownedwiththegreatestsuccess；butthiswasnottobe。

AfewregimentsremainedatBoulogne；andwhiletheirbrethrencrushedtheAustrians，theyerectedupontheseashoreacolumndestinedtorecallforalltimethememoryofNapoleonandhisimmortalarmy。

ImmediatelyaftertheproclamationofwhichIhavejustspoken，hisMajestygaveordersthatallshouldprepareforimmediatedeparture；andthegrandmarshalofthepalacewaschargedtoauditandpayalltheexpenseswhichtheEmperorhadmade，orwhichhehadorderedtobemade，duringhisseveralvisits，notwithoutcautioninghim，accordingtocustom，tobecarefulnottopayfortoomuchofanything，nortoohighaprice。IbelievethatIhavealreadystatedthattheEmperorwasextremelyeconomicalineverythingwhichconcernedhimpersonally，andthathewasafraidofspendingtwentyfrancsunlessforsomedirectlyusefulpurpose。Amongmanyotheraccountstobeaudited，thegrandmarshalofthepalacereceivedthatofSordi，engineerofmilitaryroads，whomhehadorderedtodecoratehisMajesty\'sbarrack，bothinsideandout。Theaccountamountedtofiftythousandfrancs。Thegrandmarshalexclaimedaloudatthisfrightfulsum。HewasnotwillingtoapprovetheaccountofSordi，andsentitbacktohim，sayingthathecouldnotauthorizethepaymentwithoutfirstreceivingtheordersoftheEmperor。

Theengineerassuredthegrandmarshalthathehadoverchargednothing，andthathehadcloselyfollowedhisinstructions，andadded，thatbeingthecase，itwasimpossibleforhimtomaketheslightestreduction。ThenextdaySordireceivedinstructionstoattendhisMajesty。TheEmperorwasinhisbarrack，whichwasthesubjectunderdiscussion，andspreadoutbeforehimwas，nottheaccountoftheengineer，butamap，uponwhichhewastracingtheintendedmarchofhisarmy。Sordicame，andwasadmittedbyGeneralCaffarelli。Thehalf-opendoorpermittedthegeneral，aswellasmyself，toheartheconversationwhichfollowed。

“Monsieur，“saidhisMajesty，“youhavespentfartoomuchmoneyindecoratingthismiserablebarrack。Yes；certainlyfartoomuch。Fiftythousandfrancs！Justthinkofit，monsieur！Thatisfrightful；Iwillnotpayyou！“Theengineer，silencedbythisabruptentranceuponbusiness，didnotatfirstknowhowtoreply。HappilytheEmperor，againcastinghiseyesonthemapwhichlayunrolledbeforehim，gavehimtimetorecoverhimself；andhereplied，“Sire，thegoldencloudswhichornamentthisceiling“(forallthistookplaceinthecouncil-chamber)，“andwhichsurroundtheguardianstarofyourMajesty，costtwentythousandfrancsintruth；butifIhadconsultedtheheartsofyoursubjects，theimperialeaglewhichisagainabouttostrikewithathunderbolttheenemiesofFranceandofyourthrone，wouldhavespreaditswingsamidtherarestdiamonds。“——“Thatisverygood，“repliedtheEmperor，laughing，“verygood；butIwillnothaveyoupaidatpresent，andsinceyoutellmethatthiseaglewhichcostssodearwillstriketheAustrianswithathunderbolt，waituntilhehasdoneso，andIwillthenpayyouraccountinrixdollarsoftheEmperorofGermany，andthegoldfredericsoftheKingofPrussia。“HisMajesty，resuminghiscompass，begantomovehisarmiesuponthemap；andtruthtotell，theaccountoftheengineerwasnotpaiduntilafterthebattleofAusterlitz，andthen，astheEmperorhadsaid，inrixdollarsandfrederics。

AbouttheendofJuly(1804)，theEmperorleftBoulogneinordertomakeatourthroughBelgiumbeforerejoiningtheEmpress，whohadgonedirecttoAix-la-Chapelle。Everywhereonthistourhewaswelcomed，notonlywiththehonorsreservedforcrownedheads，butwithheartyacclamations，addressedtohimpersonallyratherthantohisofficialposition。Iwillsaynothingofthefeteswhichweregiveninhishonorduringthisjourney，noroftheremarkablethingswhichoccurred。Descriptionsofthesecaneasilybefoundelsewhere；anditismypurposetorelateonlywhatcamepeculiarlyundermyownobservation，oratleastdetailsnotknowntothegeneralpublic。Letitsuffice，then，tosaythatourjourneythroughArras，Valenciennes，Mons，Brussels，etc。，resembledatriumphalprogress。AtthegateofeachtownthemunicipalcouncilpresentedtohisMajestythewineofhonorandthekeysoftheplace。

WestoppedafewdaysatLacken；andbeingonlyfiveleaguesfromAlost，alittletownwheremyrelativeslived，IrequestedtheEmperor\'spermissiontoleavehimfortwenty-fourhours，anditwasgranted，thoughreluctantly。Alost，liketheremainderofBelgiumatthistime，professedthegreatestattachmentfortheEmperor，andconsequentlyIhadhardlyamomenttomyself。IvisitedatthehouseofMonsieurD——，oneofmyfriends，whosefamilyhadlongheldpositionsofhonorinthegovernmentofBelgium。ThereIthinkallthetownmusthavecometomeetme；butIwasnotvainenoughtoappropriatetomyselfallthehonorofthisattention，foreachonewhocamewasanxioustolearneventhemostinsignificantdetailsconcerningthegreatmannearwhomIwasplaced。

OnthisaccountIwasextraordinarilyfeted，andmytwenty-fourhourspassedonlytooquickly。Onmyreturn，hisMajestydeignedtoaskinnumerablequestionsregardingthetownofAlostanditsinhabitants，andastowhatwasthoughtthereofhisgovernmentandofhimself。Iwasgladtobeabletoanswerwithoutflattery，thathewasadored。Heappearedgratified，andspoketomemostkindlyofmyfamilyandofmyownsmallinterests。

WeleftthenextdayforLacken，andpassedthroughAlost；andhadI

knownthistheeveningbefore，Imightperhapshaverestedafewhourslonger。However，theEmperorfoundsomuchdifficultyingrantingmeevenoneday，thatIwouldnotprobablyhavedaredtolosemore，evenhadIknownthatthehouseholdwastopassbythistown。

TheEmperorwasmuchpleasedwithLacken；heorderedconsiderablerepairsandimprovementstobemadethere，andthepalace，owingtothispreference，becameacharmingplaceofsojourn。

ThisjourneyoftheirMajestieslastednearlythreemonths；andwedidnotreturntoParis，orrathertoSaint-Cloud，untilNovember。TheEmperorreceivedatCologneandatCoblentzthevisitsofseveralGermanprincesandprincesses；butasIknowonlyfromhearsaywhatpassedintheseinterviews，Ishallnotundertaketodescribethem。

CHAPTERXIX。

Nothingistootrivialtonarrateconcerninggreatmen；forposterityshowsitselfeagertolearneventhemostinsignificantdetailsconcerningtheirmanneroflife，theirtastes，theirslightestpeculiarities。WhenIattendedthetheater，whetherinmyshortintervalsofleisureorinthesuiteofhisMajesty，Iremarkedhowkeenlythespectatorsenjoyedthepresentationonthestage，ofsomegrandhistoricpersonage；whosecostume，gestures，bearing，evenhisinfirmitiesandfaults，weredelineatedexactlyastheyhavebeentransmittedtousbycontemporaries。Imyselfalwaystookthegreatestpleasureinseeingtheselivingportraitsofcelebratedmen，andwellrememberthatonnooccasiondidIeversothoroughlyenjoythestageaswhenIsawforthefirsttimethecharmingpieceofTheTwoPages。

FleuryintheroleofFredericktheGreatreproducedsoperfectlytheslowwalk，thedrytones，thesuddenmovements，andeventheshort-

sightednessofthismonarch，thatassoonasheappearedonthestagethewholehouseburstintoapplause。Itwas，intheopinionofpersonssufficientlywellinformedtojudge，amostperfectandfaithfulpresentation；andthoughformyownpart，Iwasnotabletosaywhethertheresemblancewasperfectornot，Ifeltthatitmustbe。Michelot，whomIhavesinceseeninthesamerole，gavemenolesspleasurethanhispredecessor；anditisevidentthatboththesetalentedactorsmusthavestudiedthesubjectdeeply，tohavelearnedsothoroughlyanddepictedsofaithfullythecharacteristicsoftheirmodel。

ImustconfessafeelingofprideinthethoughtthatthesememoirsmayperhapsexciteinmyreaderssomeofthesamepleasurableemotionswhichIhavehereattemptedtodescribe；andthatperhapsinafuture，whichwillinevitablycome，thoughfardistantnowperhaps，theartistwhowillattempttorestoretolife，andholduptotheviewoftheworld，thegreatestmanofthisage，willbecompelled，inordertogiveafaithfuldelineation，totakeforhismodeltheportraitwhichI，betterthananyoneelse，havebeenabletodrawfromfife。Ithinkthatnoonehasdonethisasyet；certainlynotsomuchindetail。

OnhisreturnfromEgypttheEmperorwasverythinandsallow，hisskinwascopper-colored，hiseyessunken，andhisfigure，thoughperfect，alsoverythin。ThelikenessisexcellentintheportraitwhichHoraceVernetdrewin。hispicturecalled“AReviewoftheFirstConsulonthePlaceduCarrousel。“Hisforeheadwasveryhigh，andbare；hishairthin，especiallyonthetemples，butveryfineandsoft，andarichbrowncolor；hiseyesdeepblue，expressinginanalmostincrediblemannerthevariousemotionsbywhichhewasaffected，sometimesextremelygentleandcaressing，sometimessevere，andeveninflexible。Hismouthwasveryfine，hislipsstraightandratherfirmlyclosed，particularlywhenirritated。Histeeth，withoutbeingveryregular，wereverywhiteandsound，andheneversufferedfromthem。HisnoseofGrecianshape，waswellformed，andhissenseofsmellperfect。Hiswholeframewashandsomelyproportioned，thoughatthistimehisextremeleannesspreventedthebeautyofhisfeaturesbeingespeciallynoticed，andhadaninjuriouseffectonhiswholephysiognomy。

Itwouldbenecessarytodescribehisfeaturesseparately，onebyone，inordertoformacorrectideaofthewhole，andcomprehendtheperfectregularityandbeautyofeach。Hisheadwasverylarge，beingtwenty-twoinchesincircumference；itwayalittlelongerthanbroad，consequentlyalittleflattenedonthetemples；itwassoextremelysensitive，thatI

hadhishatspadded，andtookthetroubletowearthemseveraldaysinmyroomtobreakthem。Hisearsweresmall，perfectlyformed，andwellset。

TheEmperor\'sfeetwerealsoverytender；andIhadhisshoesbrokenbyaboyofthewardrobe，calledJoseph，whoworeexactlythesamesizeastheEmperor。

Hisheightwasfivefeet，twoinches，threelines。Hehadarathershortneck，slopingshoulders，broadchest，almostfreefromhairs，wellshapedlegandthigh，asmallfoot，andwellformedfingers，entirelyfreefromenlargementsorabrasions；hisarmswerefinelymolded，andwellhungtohisbody；hishandswerebeautiful，andthenailsdidnotdetractfromtheirbeauty。Hetookthegreatestcareofthem，asinfactofhiswholeperson，withoutfoppishness，however。Heoftenbithisnailsslightly，whichwasasignofimpatienceorpreoccupation。

Lateronhegrewmuchstouter，butwithoutlosinganyofthebeautyofhisfigure；onthecontrary，hewashandsomerundertheEmpirethanundertheConsulate；hisskinhadbecomeverywhite，andhisexpressionanimated。

TheEmperor，duringhismoments，orratherhislonghours，oflaborandofmeditation，wassubjecttoapeculiarspasmodicmovement，whichseemedtobeanervousaffection，andwhichclungtohimallhislife。Itconsistedinraisinghisrightshoulderfrequentlyandrapidly；andpersonswhowerenotacquaintedwiththishabitsometimesinterpretedthisasagestureofdisapprobationanddissatisfaction，andinquiredwithanxietyinwhatwaytheycouldhaveoffendedhim。He，however，wasnotatallaffectedbyit，andrepeatedthesamemovementagainandagainwithoutbeingconsciousofit。

OnemostremarkablepeculiaritywasthattheEmperorneverfelthisheartbeat。HementionedthisoftentoM。Corvisart，aswellastome；andmorethanoncehemadeuspassourhandsoverhisbreast，inordertoprovethissingularexception。Neverdidwefeeltheslightestpulsation——[Anotherpeculiaritywasthathispulsewasonlyfortytotheminute。]——

TheEmperorateveryfast，andhardlyspentadozenminutesatthetable。

Whenhehadfinishedhearose，andpassedintothefamilysaloon；buttheEmpressJosephineremained，andmadeasigntothegueststodothesame。

Sometimes，however，shefollowedhisMajesty；andthen，nodoubt，theladiesofthepalaceindemnifiedthemselvesintheirapartments，wherewhatevertheywishedwasservedthem。

OnedaywhenPrinceEugenerosefromthetableimmediatelyaftertheEmperor，thelatter，turningtohim，said，“Butyouhavenothadtimetodine，Eugene。“——“Pardonme，“repliedthePrince，“Idinedinadvance！“

Theotherguestsdoubtlessfoundthatthiswasnotauselessprecaution。

ItwasbeforetheConsulatethatthingshappenedthus；forafterwardstheEmperor，evenwhenhewasasyetonlyFirstConsul，dinedtete-a-tetewiththeEmpress，exceptwhenheinvitedsomeoftheladiesofthehousehold，sometimesone，sometimesanother，allofwhomappreciatedhighlythismarkoffavor。Atthistimetherewasalreadyacourt。

MostfrequentlytheEmperorbreakfastedalone，onalittlemahoganycandle-standwithnocover，whichmeal，evenshorterthantheother，lastedonlyeightortenminutes。

Iwillmention，lateron，thebadeffectswhichthehabitofeatingtooquicklyoftenproducedontheEmperor\'shealth。Besidesthis，anddueinagreatmeasuretohishaste，theEmperorlackedmuchofeatingdecently；

andalwayspreferredhisfingerstoaforkorspoon。Muchcarewastakentoplacewithinhisreachthedishhepreferred，whichhedrewtowardhiminthemannerIhavejustdescribed，anddippedhisbreadinthesauceorgravyitcontained，whichdidnot，however，preventthedishbeinghandedround，andthoseeatingfromitwhocould；andtherewerefewguestswhocouldnot。

Ihaveseensomewhoevenappearedtoconsiderthissingularactofcourageameansofmakingtheircourt。IcaneasilyunderstandalsothatwithmanytheiradmirationforhisMajestysilencedallrepugnance，forthesamereasonthatwedonotscrupletoeatfromtheplate，ordrinkfromtheglass，ofapersonwhomwelove，eventhoughitmightbeconsidereddoubtfulonthescoreofrefinement；thisisnevernoticedbecauseloveisblind。ThedishwhichtheEmperorpreferredwasthekindoffriedchickentowhichthispreferenceoftheconquerorofItalyhasgiventhenameofpouletalaMarengo。Healsoatewithrelishbeans，lentils，cutlets，roastmutton，androastchicken。Thesimplestdisheswerethosehelikedbest，buthewasfastidiousinthearticleofbread。

Itisnottrue，asreported，thathemadeanimmoderateuseofcoffee，forheonlytookhalfacupafterbreakfast，andanotherafterdinner；

thoughitsometimeshappenedwhenhewasmuchpreoccupiedthathewouldtake，withoutnoticingit，twocupsinsuccession，thoughcoffeetakeninthisquantityalwaysexcitedhimandkepthimfromsleeping。

Italsohappenedfrequentlythathetookitcold，orwithoutsugar，orwithtoomuchsugar。Toavoidallwhichmischances，theEmpressJosephinemadeitherdutytopourouttheEmperor\'scoffeeherself；andtheEmpressMarieLouisealsoadoptedthesamecustom。WhentheEmperorhadrisenfromthetableandenteredthelittlesaloon，apagefollowedhim，carryingonasilvergiltwaiteracoffee-pot，sugar-dishandcup。

HerMajestytheEmpresspouredoutthecoffee，putsugarinit，triedafewdropsofit，andofferedittotheEmperor。

TheEmperordrankonlyChambertinwine，andrarelywithoutwater；forhehadnofondnessforwine，andwasapoorjudgeofit。ThisrecallsthatonedayatthecampofBoulogne，havinginvitedseveralofficerstohistable，hisMajestyhadwinepouredforMarshalAugereau，andaskedhimwithanairofsatisfactionhowhelikedit。TheMarshaltastedit，sippeditcritically，andfinallyreplied，“Thereisbetter，“inatonewhichwasunmistakable。TheEmperor，whohadexpectedadifferentreply，smiled，asdidalltheguests，attheMarshal\'scandor。

EveryonehashearditsaidthathisMajestyusedgreatprecautionsagainstbeingpoisoned，whichstatementmustbeplacedbesidethatconcerningthecuirassproofagainstbulletanddagger。Onthecontrary，theEmperorcarriedhiswantofprecautiononlytoofar。Hisbreakfastwasbroughteverydayintoanantechamberopentoalltowhomhadbeengrantedaprivateaudience，andwhosometimeswaitedthereforseveralhours，andhisMajesty\'sbreakfastalsowaitedalongtime。Thedisheswerekeptaswarmaspossibleuntilhecameoutofhiscabinet，andtookhisseatatthetable。TheirMajesties\'dinnerwascarriedfromthekitchentotheupperroomsincovered，hampers，andtherewaseveryopportunityofintroducingpoison；butinspiteofallthis，neverdidsuchanideaenterthemindsofthepeopleinhisservice，whosedevotionandfidelitytotheEmperor，evenincludingtheveryhumblest，surpassedanyideaIcouldconvey。

ThehabitofeatingrapidlysometimescausedhisMajestyviolentpainsinhisstomach，whichendedalmostalwaysinafitofvomiting。

OnedaythevaletondutycameingreathastetotellmethattheEmperordesiredmypresenceimmediately。Hisdinnerhadcausedindigestion，andhewassufferinggreatly。IhurriedtohisMajesty\'sroom，andfoundhimstretchedatfulllengthontherug，whichwasahabitoftheEmperorwhenhefeltunwell。TheEmpressJosephinewasseatedbyhisside，withthesickman\'sheadonherlap，whilehegroanedorstormedalternately，ordidbothatonce:fortheEmperorborethiskindofmisfortunewithlesscomposurethanathousandgravermischanceswhichthelifeofasoldiercarrieswithit；andtheheroofArcola，whoselifehadbeenendangeredinahundredbattles，andelsewherealso，withoutlesseninghisfortitude，showedhimselfunequaltotheenduranceoftheslightestpain。HerMajestytheEmpressconsoledandencouragedhimasbestshecould；andshe，whowassocourageousherselfinenduringthoseheadacheswhich，onaccountoftheirexcessiveviolence，wereagenuinedisease，would，haditbeenpossible，havetakenonherselfmostwillinglytheailmentofherhusband，fromwhichshesufferedalmostasmuchashedid，inwitnessinghissufferings。“Constant，“saidshe，asIentered，“comequick；theEmperorneedsyou；makehimsometea，anddonotgoouttillheisbetter。“HisMajestyhadscarcelytakenthreecupsbeforethepaindecreased，whileshecontinuedtoholdhisheadonherknees，pressinghisbrowwithherwhite，plumphands，andalsorubbinghisbreast。“Youfeelbetter，doyounot？Wouldyouliketoliedownalittlewhile？I

willstaybyyourbedwithConstant。“Thistendernesswasindeedtouching，especiallyinoneoccupyingsoelevatedarank。

Myintimateserviceoftengavemetheopportunityofenjoyingthispictureofdomesticfelicity。WhileIamonthesubjectoftheEmperor\'sailments，Iwillsayafewwordsconcerningthemostseriouswhichheendured，withtheexceptionofthatwhichcausedhisdeath。

AtthesiegeofToulon，in1793，theEmperorbeingthenonlycolonelofartillery，acannoneerwaskilledathisgun；andColonelBonapartepickeduptherammerandrammedhomethechargeseveraltimes。Theunfortunateartillerymanhadanitchofthemostmalignantkind，whichtheEmperorcaught，andofwhichhewascuredonlyaftermanyyears；andthedoctorsthoughtthathissallowcomplexionandextremeleanness，whichlastedsolongatime，resultedfromthisdiseasebeingimproperlytreated。AttheTuilerieshetooksulphurbaths，andworeforsometimeablisterplaster，havingsufferedthuslongbecause，ashesaid，hehadnottimetotakecareofhimself。Corvisartwarmlyinsistedonacautery；buttheEmperor，whowishedtopreserveunimpairedtheshapelinessofhisarm，wouldnotagreetothisremedy。

ItwasatthissamesiegethathewaspromotedfromtherankofchiefofbattaliontothatofcolonelinconsequenceofabrilliantaffairwiththeEnglish，inwhichhereceivedabayonetwoundintheleftthigh，thescarofwhichheoftenshowedme。ThewoundinthefootwhichhereceivedatthebattleofRatisbonneleftnotrace；andyet，whentheEmperorreceivedit，thewholearmybecamealarmed。

WewereabouttwelvehundredyardsfromRatisbonne，whentheEmperor，seeingtheAustriansfleeingonallsides，thoughtthecombatwasover。

HisdinnerhadbeenbroughtinahampertoaplacewhichtheEmperorhaddesignated；andashewaswalkingtowardsit，heturnedtoMarshalBerthier，andexclaimed，“Iamwounded！“TheshockwassogreatthattheEmperorfellinasittingposture，abullethaving，infact，struckhisheel。FromthesizeofthisballitwasapparentthatithadbeenfiredbyaTyroleanrifleman，whoseweaponeasilycarriedthedistancewewerefromthetown。Itcanwellbeunderstoodthatsuchaneventtroubledandfrightenedthewholestaff。

Anaide-de-campsummonedme；andwhenIarrivedIfoundDr。YvancuttinghisMajesty\'sboot，andassistedhimindressingthewound。Althoughthepainwasstillquitesevere，theEmperorwasnotwillingtotaketimetoputonhisbootagain；andinordertoturntheenemy，andreassurethearmyastohiscondition，hemountedhishorse，andgallopedalongthelineaccompaniedbyhiswholestaff。Thatday，asmaybebelieved，noonedelayedtotakebreakfast，butalldinedatRatisbonne。

HisMajestyshowedaninvinciblerepugnancetoallmedicine；andwhenheusedany，whichwasveryrarely，itwaschickenbroth，chicory，orcreamoftartar。

Corvisartrecommendedhimtorefuseeverydrinkwhichhadabitterordisagreeabletaste，whichhedid，Ibelieve，inthefearthatanattemptmightbemadetopoisonhim。

AtwhateverhourtheEmperorhadretired，Ienteredhisroomatsevenoreighto\'clockinthemorning；andIhavealreadysaidthathisfirstquestionsinvariablywereastothehourandthekindofweather。

Sometimeshecomplainedtomeoflookingbadly；andifthiswastrue，I

agreedwithhim，andifitwerenot，Itoldhimthetruth。Inthiscasehepulledmyears，andcalledme，laughing，“grossebete，“andaskedforamirror，sometimessayinghewastryingtofoolmeandthathewasverywell。Hereadthedailypapers，askedthenamesofthepeopleinthewaiting-room，namedthosehewishedtosee，andconversedwitheachone。

WhenCorvisartcame，heenteredwithoutwaitingfororders；andtheEmperortookpleasureinteasinghimbyspeakingofmedicine，whichhesaidwasonlyaconjecturalart，thatthedoctorswerecharlatans，andcitedinstancesinproofofit，especiallyinhisownexperience，thedoctorneveryieldingapointwhenhethoughthewasright。Duringtheseconversations，theEmperorshavedhimself；forIhadprevailedonhimtotakethisdutyonhimself，oftenforgettingthathehadshavedonlyonesideofhisface，andwhenIcalledhisattentiontothis，helaughed，andfinishedhiswork。Yvan，doctor-in-ordinary，aswellasCorvisart，cameinforhisshareinthecriticismsandattacksonhisprofession；

andthesediscussionswereextremelyamusing。TheEmperorwasverygayandtalkativeatsuchtimes，andIbelieve，whenhehadathandnoexamplestociteinsupportofhistheories，didnotscrupletoinventthem；consequentlythesegentlemendidnotalwaysrelyuponhisstatements。OnedayhisMajestypulledtheearsofoneofhisphysicians(Halle，Ibelieve)。Thedoctorabruptlydrewhimselfaway，crying，“Sire，youhurtme。“Perhapsthisspeechwastingedwithsomeirritation，andperhaps，also，thedoctorwasright。Howeverthatmaybe，hisearswereneverindangeragain。

Sometimesbeforebeginningmylabors，hisMajestyquestionedmeastowhatIhaddonetheeveningbefore，askedmeifIhaddinedinthecity，andwithwhom，ifIhadenjoyedmyself，andwhatwehadfordinner。Heofteninquiredalsowhatsuchorsuchapartofmyclothingcostme；andwhenItoldhimhewouldexclaimattheprice，andtellmethatwhenhewasasub-lieutenanteverythingwasmuchcheaper，andthathehadoftenduringthattimetakenhismealsatRoze\'srestaurant，anddinedverywellforfortycents。Severaltimeshespoketomeofmyfamily，andofmysister，whowasanunbeforetheRevolution，andwhohadbeencompelledtoleaveherconvent；andonedayaskedmeifshehadapension，andhowmuchitwas。Itoldhim，andadded，thatthisnotbeingsufficientforherwants，Imyselfgaveanallowancetoher，andalsotomymother。HisMajestytoldmetoapplytotheDukeofBassano，andreportthemattertohim，ashewishedtotreatmyfamilyhandsomely。

IdidnotavailmyselfofthiskindintentionofhisMajesty；foratthattimeIhadsufficientmeanstobeabletoassistmyrelatives，anddidnotforeseethefuture，whichIthoughtwouldnotchangemycondition，andfeltadelicacyinputtingmypeople，sotospeak，onthechargeofthestate。IconfessthatIhavebeenmorethanoncetemptedtorepentthisexcessivedelicacy，whichIhaveseenfewpersonsaboveorbelowmyconditionimitate。Onrising，theEmperorhabituallytookacupofteaororangewater；andifhedesiredabath，haditimmediatelyongettingoutofbed，andwhileinithadhisdispatchesandnewspapersreadtohimbyhissecretary(Bourriennetill1804)。Ifhedidnottakeabath，heseatedhimselfbythefire，andhadthemreadtohimthere，oftenreadingthemhimself。Hedictatedtothesecretaryhisreplies，andtheobservationswhichthereadingofthesesuggestedtohim；ashewentthrougheach，throwingitonthefloorwithoutanyorder。Thesecretaryafterwardsgatheredthemallup，andarrangedthemtobecarriedintotheEmperor\'sprivateroom。HisMajesty，beforemakinghistoilet，insummer，putonpantaloonsofwhitepiqueandadressing-gownofthesame，andinwinter，pantaloonsanddressing-gownofswanskin，whileonhisheadwasaturbantiedinfront，thetwoendshangingdownonhisneckbehind。WhentheEmperordonnedthisheaddress，hisappearancewasfarfromelegant。Whenhecameoutofthebath，wegavehimanotherturban；

fortheoneheworewasalwayswetinthebath，whereheturnedandsplashedhimselfincessantly。Havingtakenhisbathandreadhisdispatches，hebeganhistoilet，andIshavedhimbeforehelearnedtoshavehimself。WhentheEmperorbeganthishabit，heusedatfirst，likeeveryone，amirrorattachedtothewindow；buthecameupsoclosetoit，andlatheredhimselfsovigorouslywithsoap，thatthemirror，window-panes，curtains，hisdressing-gown，andtheEmperorhimself，wereallcoveredwithit。Toremedythisinconvenience，theservantsassembledincouncil，anditwasdecidedthatRoustanshouldholdthelooking-glassforhisMajesty。WhentheEmperorhadshavedoneside，heturnedtheothersidetoview，andmadeRoustanpassfromlefttoright，orfromrighttoleft，accordingtothesideonwhichhecommenced。

Aftershaving，theEmperorwashedhisfaceandhands，andhadhisnailscarefullycleaned；thenItookoffhisflannelvestandshirt，andrubbedhiswholebustwithanextremelysoftsilkbrush，afterwardsrubbinghimwitheau-de-cologne，ofwhichheusedagreatquantity，foreverydayhewasrubbedanddressedthus。ItwasintheEasthehadacquiredthishygieniccustom，whichheenjoyedgreatly，andwhichisreallyexcellent。

Allthesepreparationsended，Iputonhimlightflannelorcashmereslippers，whitesilkstockings，theonlykindheeverwore，andveryfinelinenorfustiandrawers，sometimesknee-breechesofwhitecassimere，withsoftriding-boots，sometimespantaloonsofthesamestuffandcolor，withlittleEnglishhalf-bootswhichcametothemiddleoftheleg，andwerefinishedwithsmallsilverspurswhichwerenevermorethansixlinesinlength。Allhis，bootswerefinishedwiththesespurs。Ithenputonhimhisflannelvestandshirt，aneck-clothofveryfinemuslin，andoverallablacksilkstock；finallyaroundvestofwhitepique，andeitherachasseur\'sorgrenadier\'scoat，usuallytheformer。Histoiletended，hewaspresentedwithhishandkerchief，histobacco-box，andalittleshellbogfilledwithaniseedandlicorice，groundveryfine。ItwillbeseenbytheabovethattheEmperorhadhimselfdressedbyhisattendantsfromheadtofoot。Heputhishandtonothing，butlethimselfbedressedlikeaninfant，hismindfilledwithbusinessduringtheentireperformance。

Ihadforgottentosaythatheusedboxwoodtoothpicks，andabrushdippedinsomeopiate。TheEmperorwasborn，sotospeak，tobewaitedon(hommedvaletsdechambre)。Whenonlyageneral，hehadasmanyasthreevalets，andhadhimselfservedwithasmuchluxuryasattheheightofhisfortunes，andfromthattimereceivedalltheattentionsIhavejustdescribed，andwhichitwasalmostimpossibleforhimtodowithout；

andinthisparticulartheetiquettewasneverchanged。Heincreasedthenumberofhisservants，anddecoratedthemwithnewtitles，buthecouldnothavemoreservicesrenderedhimpersonally。Hesubjectedhimselfveryrarelytothegrandetiquetteofroyalty，andnever，forexample，didthegrandchamberlainhandhimhisshirt；andononeoccasiononly，whenthecityofParisgavehimadinneratthetimeofhiscoronation，didthegrandmarshalhandhimwatertowashhishands。Ishallgiveadescriptionofhistoiletonthedayofhiscoronation；anditwillbeseenthatevenonthatdayhisMajesty，theEmperoroftheFrench，didnotrequireanyotherceremonialthanthattowhichhehadbeenaccustomedasgeneralandFirstConsuloftheRepublic。

TheEmperorhadnofixedhourforretiring:sometimesheretiredattenoreleveno\'clockintheevening；oftenerhestayedawaketilltwo，three，orfouro\'clockinthemorning。Hewassoonundressed；foritwashishabit，onenteringtheroom，tothroweachgarmentrightandleft，-

hiscoatonthefloor，hisgrandcordonontherug，hiswatchhap-hazardatthebed，hishatfaroffonapieceoffurniture；thuswithallhisclothing，onepieceafteranother。Whenhewasinagoodhumor，hecalledmeinaloudvoice，withthiskindofacry:“Ohe，oh！oh！“atothertimes，whenhewasnotingoodhumor，“Monsieur，MonsieurConstant！“

Atallseasonshisbedhadtobewarmedwithawarming-pan，anditwasonlyduringtheveryhottestweatherthathewoulddispensewiththis。

Hishabitofundressinghimselfinhasterarelyleftmeanythingtodo，excepttohandhimhisnight-cap。Ithenlightedhisnight-lamp，whichwasofgildedsilver，andshadeditsothatitwouldgivelesslight。

Whenhedidnotgotosleepatonce，hehadoneofhissecretariescalled，orperhapstheEmpressJosephine，toreadtohim；whichdutynoonecoulddischargebetterthanherMajesty，forwhichreasontheEmperorpreferredhertoallhisreaders，forshereadwiththatespecialcharmwhichwasnaturaltoherinallshedid。ByorderoftheEmperor，therewasburntinhisbedroom，inlittlesilverperfume-boxes，sometimesaloeswood，andsometimessugarorvinegar；andalmosttheyearrounditwasnecessarytohaveafireinallhisapartments，ashewashabituallyverysensitivetocold。Whenhewishedtosleep，Ireturnedtotakeouthislamp，andwentuptomyownroom，mybedroombeingjustabovethatofhisMajesty。RoustanandavaletonservicesleptinalittleapartmentadjoiningtheEmperor\'sbedroom；andifheneededmeduringthenight，theboyofthewardrobe，whosleptinanantechamber，cameforme。Waterwasalwayskepthotforhisbath，foroftenatanyhourofthenightaswellasthedayhemightsuddenlybeseizedwithafancytotakeone。

DoctorYvanappearedeverymorningandevening，attherisingandretiringofhisMajesty。

ItiswellknownthattheEmperoroftenhadhissecretaries，andevenhisministers，calledduringthenight。DuringhisstayatWarsaw，thePrincedeTalleyrandoncereceivedamessageaftermidnight；hecameatonce，andhadalonginterviewwiththeEmperor，andworkwasprolongedlateintothenight，whenhisMajesty，fatigued，atlastfellintoadeepslumber。ThePrinceofBenevento，whowasafraidtogoout，fearinglesthemightawakentheEmperororberecalledtocontinuetheconversation，castinghiseyesaround，perceivedacomfortablesofa，sohestretchedhimselfoutonit，andwenttosleep。Meneval，secretarytohisMajesty，notwishingtoretiretillaftertheministerhadleft，knowingthattheEmperorwouldprobablycallforhimassoonasTalleyrandhadretired，becameimpatientatsuchalonginterview；andasforme，Iwasnotinthebesthumor，sinceitwasimpossibleformetoretirewithouttakingawayhisMajesty\'slamp。MenevalcameadozentimestoaskmeifPrinceTalleyrandhadleft。“Heisthereyet，“saidI。“Iamsureofit，andyetIhearnothing。“AtlastIbeggedhimtoplacehimselfintheroomwhereIthenwas，andonwhichthestreet-dooropened，whilstI

wenttoactassentinelinavestibuleonwhichtheEmperor\'sroomhadanotheropening；anditwasarrangedthattheoneofuswhosawtheprincegooutwouldinformtheother。Twoo\'clocksounded，thenthree，thenfour；nooneappeared，andtherewasnottheleastmovementinhisMajesty\'sroom。Losingpatienceatlast，Ihalfopenedthedoorasgentlyaspossible；buttheEmperor，whosesleepwasverylight，wokewithastart，andaskedinaloudtone:“Whoisthat？Whocomesthere？

Whatisthat？“Ireplied，that，thinkingthePrinceofBeneventohadgoneout，IhadcomeforhisMajesty\'slamp。“Talleyrand！Talleyrand！“

criedouthisMajestyvehemently。“Whereishe，then？“andseeinghimwakingup，well，Ideclareheisasleep！Come，youwretch；howdareyousleepinmyroom！ah！ah！“Ileftwithouttakingoutthelamp；theybegantalkingagain，andMenevalandIawaitedtheendofthetete-a-

tete，untilfiveo\'clockinthemorning。

TheEmperorhadahabitoftaking，whenhethusworkedatnight，coffeewithcream，orchocolate；buthegavethatup，andundertheEmpirenolongertookanything，exceptfromtimetotime，butveryrarely，eitherpunchmildandlightaslemonade，orwhenhefirstawoke，aninfusionoforange-leavesortea。

TheEmperor，whosomagnificentlyendowedthemostofhisgenerals，whoshowedhimselfsoliberaltohisarmies，andtowhom，ontheotherhand，Franceowessomanyandsuchhandsomemonuments，wasnotgenerous，anditmustevenbeadmittedwasalittleniggardly，inhisdomesticaffairs。

Perhapsheresembledthosefoolishlyvainrichpersons，whoeconomizeverycloselyathome，andintheirownhouseholds，inordertoshinemoreoutside。Hemadeveryfew，nottosayno，presentstomembersofhishousehold；andthefirstdayoftheyearevenpassedwithoutlooseninghispurse-strings。WhileIwasundressinghimtheeveningbefore，hesaid，pinchingmyear，“Well，MonsieurConstant，whatwillyougivemeformypresent？“ThefirsttimeheaskedthisquestionIrepliedIwouldgivehimwhateverhewished；butImustconfessthatIverymuchhopeditwouldnotbeIwhowouldgivepresentsnextday。Itseemedthattheideaneveroccurredtohim；fornoonehadtothankhimforhisgifts，andheneverdepartedafterwardsfromthisruleofdomesticeconomy。Aproposofthispinchingofears，towhichIhaverecurredsooften，becausehisMajestyrepeateditsooften，itisnecessarythatIshouldsay，whileI

thinkofit，andinclosingthissubject，thatanyonewouldbemuchmistakeninsupposingthathetouchedlightlythepartyexposedtohismarksoffavor；hepinched，onthecontrary，veryhard，andpinchedasmuchstrongerinproportionashehappenedtobeinabetterhumor。

Sometimes，whenIenteredhisroomtodresshim，hewouldrunatmelikeamadman，andsalutingmewithhisfavoritegreeting，“Well，Monsieurledrole，“wouldpinchmyearsinsuchamannerastomakemecryout；heoftenaddedtothesegentlecaressesoneortwotaps，alsowellapplied。

Iwasthensureoffindinghimalltherestofthedayinacharminghumor，andfullofgood-will，asIhaveseenhim，sooften。Roustan，andevenMarshalBerthier，receivedtheirdueproportionoftheseimperialtendernesses。