第9章

TheparticularsofthissingularpursuitsoonreachedtheEmperor\'sears，andhesummonedthehussarstohispresence，andhavinginstrongtermstestifiedhisdisapprovaloftheimproperjeststhattheyhaddaredtomakeregardingthequeen；atatimewhenhermisfortunesshouldhaveincreasedtherespectduebothtoherrankandhersex，theEmperorthenperformedthedutyofrewardingthesetwobravefellowsforthemannerinwhichtheyhadbornethemselvesonthefieldofbattle。Knowingthattheyhaddonsprodigiesofvalor，hisMajestygavethemthecross，andorderedthreehundredfrancstobegiveneachoneasgratuity。

TheEmperorexercisedhisclemencytowardtheDukeofWeimar，whohadcommandedaPrussiandivision。ThedayafterthebattleofJena，hisMajesty，havingreachedWeimar，lodgedattheducalpalace，wherehewasreceivedbytheduchessregent，towhomhesaid，“Madame，Ioweyousomethingforhavingawaitedme；andinappreciationoftheconfidenceyouhavemanifestedinme，Ipardonyourhusband。“

WhilewewereinthearmyIsleptintheEmperor\'stent，eitheronalittlerug，oronthebearskinwhichheusedinhiscarriage；orwhenithappenedthatIcouldnotmakeuseofthesearticles，Itriedtoprocureabed-ofstraw，andrememberoneeveninghavingrenderedagreatservicetotheKingofNaples，bysharingwithhimthebundleofstrawwhichwastohaveservedasmybed。

IheregiveafewdetailsfromwhichthereadercanformanideaofthemannerinwhichIpassedthenightsonthecampaign。

TheEmperorsleptonhislittleironbedstead，andIsleptwhereIcould。

HardlydidIfallasleepbeforetheEmperorcalledme，“Constant。“——

“Sire。“——“Seewhoisonduty“(itwastheaides-de-camptowhomhereferred)——“Sire，it。isM——“——“Tellhimtocometome。“Ithenwentoutofthetenttosummontheofficer，andbroughthimbackwithme。

OnhisentrancetheEmperorsaidtohim，“Reporttosuchacorps，commandedbysuchamarshal；youwillrequesthimtosendsucharegimenttosuchaposition；youwillascertainthepositionoftheenemy，thenyouwillreturntoreport。“Theaide-de-camp，havingleftonhorsebacktoexecutetheseorders，Ilaydownagain，andtheEmperornowseemedtobegoingtosleep；but，attheendofafewmoments，Iheardhimcallagain，“Constant。“——“Sire。“——“HavethePrincedeNeuchatelsummoned。

“Isentfortheprince，whocameatonce；andduringtheconversationI

mustremainatthedoorofthetent，untiltheprincewroteseveralordersandwithdrew。Theseinterruptionstookplacemanytimesduringthenight，andatlasttowardsmorninghisMajestyslept，whenIalsohadafewmomentsofrepose。

Whenaides-de-camparrived，bringinganynewstotheEmperor，Iawokehim，byshakinghimgently。

“Whatisit？“saidhisMajesty，wakingwithastart；“whato\'clockisit？

Lethimenter。“Theaide-de-campmadehisreport；andifitwasnecessary，hisMajestyroseimmediately，andleftthetent，histoiletneveroccupyingmuchtime。IfabattlewasincontemplationtheEmperorscannedtheskyandthehorizoncarefully，andoftenremarked，“Wearegoingtohaveabeautifulday。“

Breakfastwaspreparedandservedinfiveminutes，andattheendofaquarterofanhourtheclothwasremoved。ThePrincedeNeuchatelbreakfastedanddinedeverydaywithhisMajesty；and，ineightortenminutes，thelongestmealwasover。“Tohorse，“thenexclaimedtheEmperor，andsetout，accompaniedbythePrincedeNeuchatel，andanaide-de-camportwo，withRoustan，whoalwayscarriedasilverflaskofbrandy，which，however，theEmperorrarelyeverused。HisMajestypassedfromonecorpstotheother，spoketotheofficersandsoldiers，questionedthem，andsawwithhisowneyesallthatitwaspossibletosee。

Ifabattlewasonhand，dinnerwasforgotten，andtheEmperorateonlyafterhisreturn；but，iftheengagementlastedtoolong，therewascarriedtohim，withouthisorderingit，acrustofbreadandalittlewine。

M。Colin，chiefoftheculinarydepartment，manytimesbravedthecannontocarryalightrepasttotheEmperor。

Atthecloseofthecombat，hisMajestyneverfailedtovisitthebattle-

field，wherehehadaidgiventhewounded，andencouragedthemwithcheeringwords。

TheEmperorsometimesreturnedovercomebyfatigue；hethentookalightrepast，andlaydownagaintobeginhisinterruptedsleep。

Itwasremarkable，that，eachtimethatunexpectedcircumstancesforcedtheaides-de-camptohavetheEmperorwaked，hewasasreadyforworkashewouldhavebeenatthebeginningorinthemiddleoftheday，andhisawakingwasasamiableashismannerwaspleasant。Thereportofanaide-de-campbeingfinished，Napoleonwenttosleepagainaseasilyasifhissleephadnotbeeninterrupted。

Duringthethreeorfourhoursprecedinganengagement，theEmperorspentmostofthetimewithlargemapsspreadoutbeforehim，theplacesonwhichhemarkedwithpinswithheadsofdifferentcoloredwax。

IhavealreadysaidthatallthepersonsoftheEmperor\'shouseholdemulatedeachotherinseekingthesurestandpromptestmeansofcarryingouthiswishes；andeverywhere，whetherintravelingoronthecampaign，histable，hiscoffee，hisbed，orevenhisbathcouldbepreparedinfiveminutes。Howmanytimeswereweobligedtoremove，instilllesstime，corpsesofmenandhorses，tosetuphisMajesty\'stent。

InoneofthecampaignsbeyondtheRhineweweredelayedinapoorvillage，and，inordertopreparetheEmperor\'slodging，wereobligedtouseapeasant\'shut，whichhadservedasafieldhospital；andwebeganpreparationsbycarryingawaythedismemberedlimbs，andwashingupthestainsofblood，thislaborbeingfinished，andeverythingalmostinorder，inlessthan-halfanhour。

TheEmperor，sometimessleptaquarterorhalfanhouronthefieldofbattlewhenhewasfatigued，orwishedtoawaitmorepatientlytheresultoftheordershehadgiven。

WhileontheroadtoPotsdam，wewereovertakenbyaviolentstorm，whichbecamesosevere，andtherainsoheavy，thatwewereobligedtostopandtakerefugeinaneighboringhouseontheroad。Wellwrappedinhisgrayovercoat，andnotthinkingthathecouldberecognized，theEmperorwasmuchsurprisedtosee，asheenteredthehouse，ayoungwomanwhoseemedtotrembleathispresence。HeascertainedthatshewasanEgyptian，whohadretainedformymasterthereligiousvenerationwhichalltheArabsborehim，andwasthewidowofanofficerofthearmyofEgypt，whomchancehadledtothesamehouseinSaxonywherehehadbeenwelcomed。

TheEmperorgrantedherapensionoftwelvehundredfrancs，andtookuponhimselftheeducationofherson，theonlylegacyleftherbyherhusband。“Thisisthefirsttime，“saidNapoleon，thatIhavealightedtoavoidastorm；Ihadapresentimentthatanopportunityofdoinggoodawaitedmehere。“

ThelossofthebattleofJenahadstruckthePrussianswithsuchterror，andthecourthadfledwithsuchprecipitation，thateverythinghadbeenleftintheroyalresidences；and，consequently，onhisarrivalatPotsdam，theEmperorfoundtheretheswordofthegreatFrederick，hisgorget，thegrandcordonofhisorder，andhisalarm-clock，andhadthemcarriedtoParis，tobepreservedattheHoteldesInvalides。“Ipreferthesetrophies，“saidhisMajesty，“toallthetreasuresoftheKingofPrussia；IwillsendthemtomyoldsoldiersofthecampaignofHanover，whowillguardthemasatrophyofthevictoriesofthegrandarmy，andoftherevengethatithastakenforthedisasterofRosbach。“TheEmperorthesamedayorderedtheremovaltohiscapitalofthecolumnraisedbythegreatFredericktoperpetuatetheremembranceofthedefeatoftheFrenchatRosbach——[AtRosbach，November，1757，theFrench，underPrincedeSoubise，hadbeenshamefullydefeatedbyFredericktheGreat]——

Hemighthavecontentedhimselfwithchangingtheinscription。

NapoleonremainedatthechateauofCharlottenburg，wherehehadestablishedhisheadquarters，untiltheregimentsoftheguardhadarrivedfromallpoints；andassoonastheywereassembled，ordersweregiventoputthemselvesinfulluniform，whichwasdoneinthelittlewoodbeforethetown。TheEmperormadehisentryintothecapitalofPrussiabetweentenandeleveno\'clockinthemorning，surroundedbyhisaides-de-camp，andtheofficersofhisstaff，alltheregimentsfilingbeforehiminthemostperfectorder，drumsandmusicattheirhead；andthefineappearanceofthetroopsexcitedtheadmirationofthePrussians。

HavingenteredBerlininthesuiteoftheEmperor，wearrivedatthetownsquare，inthemidstofwhichabustofthegreatFrederickhadbeenplaced。ThenameofthismonarchissopopularatBerlin，and，infact，throughoutallPrussia，thatonmanyoccasions，whenanyonebychancepronouncedit，eitherinacaf？orinanyotherpublicplace，oreveninprivateassemblies，Ihaveseeneveryonepresentrise，andlifthishatwithanairofthemostprofoundrespectandgenuineadoration。

WhentheEmperorarrivedinfrontofthebust，hedescribedasemicircleatagallop，followedbyhisstaff，andloweringthepointofhissword，whileuncoveringhishead，wasthefirsttosalutetheimageofFrederickII。Hisstafffollowedhisexample；andallthegeneralandotherofficerswhocomposeditrangedthemselvesinasemicirclearoundthebust，withtheEmperorinthecenter。HisMajestygaveordersthateachregimentshouldpresentarmsindefilingbeforethebust，whichmaneuverwasnottothetasteofsomegrumblersofthefirstregimentoftheGuard，who，withmoustachesscorched，andfacesstillblackenedwiththepowderofJena，wouldhavebetterlikedanorderforlodgingswiththebourgeoisthanallthisparade，andtooknopainstoconcealtheirill-

humor。Therewasone，amongothers，who，ashepassedinfrontofthebustandbeforetheEmperor，exclaimedbetweenhisteeth，withoutmovingamuscleofhisface，butstillloudenoughtobeheardbyhisMajesty，“Damnthebust。“HisMajestypretendednottohear，butthateveningherepeatedwithalaughthewordsoftheoldsoldier。

HisMajestyalightedatthechateau，wherehislodgingwasprepared，andtheofficersofhishouseholdhadprecededhim。HavinglearnedthattheelectoralprincessofHesse-Cassel，sisteroftheking，wasstillillattheendofherconfinement，theEmperorascendedtotheapartmentofthisprincess，and，afterquitealongvisit，gaveordersthatsheshouldbetreatedwithallthedeferenceduetoherrankandunfortunatesituation。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V5

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERI。toCHAPTERVI。

CHAPTERI。

IlefttheEmperoratBerlin，whereeachday，andeachhouroftheday，hereceivednewsofsomevictorygained，orsomesuccessobtainedbyhisgenerals。GeneralBeaumontpresentedtohimeightyflagscapturedfromtheenemybyhisdivision，andColonelGerardalsopresentedsixtytakenfromBlucheratthebattleofWismar。Madgeburghadcapitulated，andagarrisonofsixtythousandmenhadmarchedoutundertheeyesofGeneralSavary。MarshalMortieroccupiedHanoverinthenameofFrance，andPrinceMuratwasonthepointofenteringWarsawafterdrivingouttheRussians。

Warwasabouttorecommence，orrathertobecontinued，againstthelatter；andsincethePrussianarmycouldnowberegardedasentirelyvanquished，theEmperorleftBerlininordertopersonallyconductoperationsagainsttheRussians。

Wetraveledinthelittlecoachesofthecountry；andaswastherulealwaysonourjourneys，thecarriageofthegrandmarshalprecededthatoftheEmperor。Theseason，andthepassageofsuchlargenumbersofartillery，hadrenderedtheroadsfrightful；butnotwithstandingthiswetraveledveryrapidly，untilatlastbetweenKutowandWarsaw，thegrandmarshal\'scarriagewasupset，andhiscollarbonebroken。TheEmperorarrivedashorttimeafterthisunfortunateaccident，andhadhimborneunderhisowneyesintothenearestpost-house。Wealwayscarried-withusaportablemedicine-chestinorderthatneededhelpmightbepromptlygiventothewounded。HisMajestyplacedhiminthehandsofthesurgeon，anddidnotleavehimtillhehadseenthefirstbandageapplied。

AtWarsaw，wherehisMajestypassedtheentiremonthofJanuary，1807，heoccupiedthegrandpalace。ThePolishnobility，eagertopaytheircourttohim，gaveinhishonormagnificentfetesandbrilliantballs，atwhichwerepresentallthewealthiestandmostdistinguishedinhabitantsofWarsaw。

AtoneofthesereunionstheEmperor\'sattentionwasdrawntoayoungPolishladynamedMadameValevska，twenty-twoyearsofage，whohadjustmarriedanoldnobleofexactingtemperandextremelyharshmanners，moreinlovewithhistitlesthanwithhiswife，whom，however，heloveddevotedly，andbywhomhewasmorerespectedthanloved。TheEmperorexperiencedmuchpleasureatthesightofthislady，whoattractedhisattentionatthefirstglance。Shewasablonde，withblueeyes，andskinofdazzlingwhiteness；ofmediumheight，withacharmingandbeautifullyproportionedfigure。TheEmperorhavingapproachedher，immediatelybeganaconversation，whichshesustainedwithmuchgraceandintelligence，showingthatshehadreceivedafineeducation，andtheslightshadeofmelancholydiffusedoverherwholepersonrenderedherstillmoreseductive。

HisMajestythoughthebeheldinherawomanwhohadbeensacrificed，andwasunhappyinherdomesticrelations；andtheinterestwithwhichthisideainspiredhimcausedhimtobemoreinterestedinherthanhehadeverbeeninanywoman，afactofwhichshecouldnotfailtobeconscious。Thedayaftertheball，theEmperorseemedtomeunusuallyagitated；herosefromhischair，pacedtoandfro，tookhisseatandroseagain，untilIthoughtIshouldneverfinishdressinghim。

Immediatelyafterbreakfastheorderedaperson，whosenameIshallnotgive，topayavisittoMadameValevska，andinformherofhissubjugationandhiswishes。Sheproudlyrefusedpropositionswhichwereperhapstoobrusque，orwhichperhapsthecoquetrynaturaltoallwomenledhertorepulse；andthoughtheheropleasedher，andtheideaofaloverresplendentwithpowerandgloryrevolveddoubtlessoverandoverinherbrain，shehadnoideaofsurrenderingthuswithoutastruggle。

Thegreatpersonagereturnedinconfusion，muchastonishedthathehadnotsucceededinhismission；andthenextdaywhentheEmperorroseI

foundhimstillpreoccupied，andhedidnotutteraword，althoughhewasinthehabitoftalkingtomeatthistime。HehadwrittentoMadameValevskaseveraltimes，butshehadnotreplied；andhisvanitywasmuchpiquedbysuchunaccustomedindifference。AtlasthisaffectingappealshavingtouchedMadameValevska\'sheart，sheconsentedtoaninterviewbetweentenandeleveno\'clockthatevening，whichtookplaceattheappointedtime。Shereturnedafewdaysafteratthesamehour，andhervisitscontinueduntiltheEmperor\'sdeparture。

TwomonthsaftertheEmperorsentforher；andshejoinedhimathisheadquartersinFinkenstein，wheresheremainedfromthistime，leavingatWarsawheroldhusband，who，deeplywoundedbothinhishonorandhisaffections，wishednevertoseeagainthewifewhohadabandonedhim。

MadameValevskaremainedwiththeEmperoruntilhisdeparture，andthenreturnedtoherfamily，constantlyevincingthemostdevotedand，atthesametime，disinterestedaffection。TheEmperorseemedtoappreciateperfectlythecharmsofthisangelicwoman，whosegentleandself-

abnegatingcharactermadeaprofoundimpressiononme。Astheytooktheirmealstogether，andIservedthemalone，Iwasthusinapositiontoenjoytheirconversation，whichwasalwaysamiable，gay，andanimatedontheEmperor\'spart；tender，impassioned，andmelancholyonthatofMadameValevska。WhenhisMajestywasabsent，MadameValevskapassedallhertime，eitherinreading，orviewingthroughthelatticeblindsoftheEmperor\'sroomstheparadesandevolutionswhichtookplaceinthecourtofhonorofthechateau，andwhichheoftencommandedinperson。Suchwasherlife，likeherdisposition，evercalmandequable；andthislovelinessofcharactercharmedtheEmperor，andmadehimeachdaymoreandmoreherslave。

AfterthebattleofWagram，in1809，theEmperortookuphisresidenceatthepalaceofSchoenbrunn，andsentimmediatelyforMadameValevska，forwhomacharminghousehadbeenrentedandfurnishedinoneofthefaubourgsofVienna，ashortdistancefromSchoenbrunn。Iwentmysteriouslytobringhereveryeveninginaclosecarriage，withasingleservant，withoutlivery；sheenteredbyasecretdoor，andwasintroducedintotheEmperor\'sapartments。Theroad，althoughveryshort，wasnotwithoutdanger，especiallyinrainyweather，onaccountofrutsandholeswhichwereencounteredateverystep；andtheEmperorsaidtomealmosteveryday，“Beverycareful，Constant，ithasrainedto-day；

theroadwillbebad。Areyousureyouhaveagooddriver？Isthecarriageingoodcondition？“andotherquestionsofthesamekind，whichevidencedthedeepandsincereaffectionhefeltforMadameValevska。

TheEmperorwasnotwrong，besides，inurgingmetobecareful；foroneevening，whenwehadleftMadameValevska\'sresidencealittlelaterthanusual，thecoachmanupsetus，andintryingtoavoidarut，drovethecarriageovertheedgeoftheroad。IwasontherightofMadameValevskaandthecarriagefellonthatside，insuchapositionthatI

alonefelttheshockofthefall，sinceMadameValevskafallingonme，receivednoinjury。Iwasgladtobethemeansofsavingher，andwhenI

saidthissheexpressedhergratitudewithagracepeculiarlyherown。

Myinjurieswereslight；andIbegantolaughthefirst，inwhichMadameValevskasoonjoined，andsherelatedouraccidenttohisMajestyimmediatelyonourarrival。

IcouldnotundertaketodescribeallthecareandattentionswhichtheEmperorlavisheduponher。HehadherbroughttoParis，accompaniedbyherbrother，averydistinguishedofficer，andhermaid，andgavethegrandmarshalorderstopurchaseforheraprettyresidenceintheChaussee-d\'Antin。MadameValevskawasveryhappy，andoftensaidtome，“Allmythoughts，allmyinspirations，comefromhim，andreturntohim；

heisallmyhappiness，myfuture，mylife！“SheneverleftherhouseexcepttocometotheprivateapartmentsattheTuileries，andwhenthishappinesscouldnotbegranted，wentneithertothetheater，thepromenade，norinsociety，butremainedathome，seeingonlyveryfewpersons，andwritingtotheEmperoreveryday。Atlengthshegavebirthtoason，——[CountWalewski，born1810；ministertoEngland，1852；

ministerofforeignaffairs，1855-1860；died1868。]——whoboreastrikingresemblancetotheEmperor，towhomthiseventwasasourceofgreatjoy；

andhehastenedtoherassoonasitwaspossibletoescapefromthechateau，andtakingthechildinhisarms，andcaressinghim，ashehadjustcaressedthemother，saidtohim，“Imakeyouacount。“LaterweshallseethissonreceivingatFontainebleauafinalproofofaffection。

MadameValevskarearedhersonatherresidence，neverleavinghim，andcarriedhimoftentothechateau，whereIadmittedthembythedarkstaircase，andwheneitherwassicktheEmperorsenttothemMonsieurCorvisart。Thisskillfulphysicianhadononeoccasionthehappinessofsavingthelifeoftheyoungcountinadangerousillness。

MadameValevskahadagoldringmadefortheEmperor，aroundwhichshetwinedherbeautifulblondehair，andontheinsideoftheringwereengravedthesewords:

“Whenyouceasetoloveme，donotforgetthatIloveyou。“

TheEmperorgavehernoothernamebutMarie。

IhaveperhapsdevotedtoomuchspacetothisliaisonoftheEmperor:butMadameValevskawasentirelydifferentfromtheotherwomenwhosefavorhisMajestyobtained；andshewasworthytobenamedtheLaValliereoftheEmperor，who，however，didnotshowhimselfungratefultowardsher，asdidLouisXIV。towardstheonlywomanbywhomhewasbeloved。Thosewhohad，likemyself，thehappinessofknowingandseeingherintimatelymusthavepreservedmemoriesofherwhichwillenablethemtocomprehendwhyinmyopinionthereexistssogreatadistancebetweenMadameValevska，thetenderandmodestwoman，rearinginretirementthesonsheboretotheEmperor，andthefavoritesoftheconquerorofAusterlitz。

CHAPTERII。

TheRussians，beingincitedtothiscampaignbytheremembranceofthedefeatofAusterlitz，andbythefearofseeingPolandsnatchedfromtheirgrasp，werenotdeterredbythewinterseason，andresolvedtoopentheattackontheEmperoratonce；andasthelatterwasnotthemantoallowhimselftobeforestalled，heconsequentlyabandonedhiswinterquarters，andquittedWarsawattheendofJanuary。Onthe8thofFebruarythetwoarmiesmetatEylau；andtheretookplace，asiswellknown，abloodybattle，inwhichbothsidesshowedequalcourage，andnearlyfifteenthousandwereleftdeadonthefieldofbattle，equallydividedinnumberbetweentheFrenchandRussians。Thegain，orrathertheloss，wasthesametobotharmies；anda\'TeDeum\'waschantedatSt。

PetersburgaswellasatParis，insteadofthe\'DeProfundis\'，whichwouldhavebeenmuchmoreappropriate。HisMajestycomplainedbitterlyonreturningtohisheadquartersthattheorderhehadsenttoGeneralBernadottehadnotbeenexecuted，andinconsequenceofthishiscorpshadtakennopartinthebattle，andexpressedhisfirmconvictionthatthevictory，whichremainedindoubtbetweentheEmperorandGeneralBenningsen，wouldhavebeendecidedinfavoroftheformerhadafresharmy-corpsarrivedduringthebattle，accordingtotheEmperor\'scalculations。Mostunfortunatelytheaide-de-campbearingtheEmperor\'sorderstothePrinceofPonte-CorvohadfallenintothehandsofapartyofCossacks；andwhentheEmperorwasinformedofthiscircumstancethedayafterthebattle，hisresentmentwasappeased，thoughnothisdisappointment。Ourtroopsbivouackedonthefieldofbattle，whichhisMajestyvisitedthreetimes，forthepurposeofdirectingtheassistanceofthewounded，andremovalofthedead。

Generalsd\'Hautpoult，Corbineau，andBoursierweremortallywoundedatEylau；anditseemstomeIcanstillhearthebraved\'HautpoultsayingtohisMajesty，justashedashedoffatagalloptochargetheenemy:

“Sire，youwillnowseemygreatclaws；theywillpiercethroughtheenemy\'ssquaresasiftheywerebutter“Anhourafterhewasnomore。

Oneofhisregiments，beingengagedintheintervalwiththeRussianarmy，wasmoweddownwithgrape-shot，andhackedtopiecesbytheCossacks，onlyeighteenmenbeingleft。Generald\'Hautpoult，forcedtofallbackthreetimeswithhisdivision，leditbacktwicetothecharge；

andashethrewhimselfagainsttheenemythethirdtimeshoutedloudly，“Forward，cuirassiers，inGod\'sname！forward，mybravecuirassiers？“

Butthegrapeshothadmoweddowntoomanyofthesebravefellows；veryfewwerelefttofollowtheirchief，andhesoonfellpiercedwithwoundsinthemidstofasquareofRussiansintowhichhehadrushedalmostalone。

IthinkitwasinthisbattlealsothatGeneralOrdenerlkilledwithhisownhandsageneralofficeroftheenemy。TheEmperoraskedifhecouldnothavetakenhimalive。“Sire，“repliedthegeneralwithhisstrongGermanaccent，“Igavehimonlyoneblow，butItriedtomakeitagoodone。“Ontheverymorningofthebattle，GeneralCorbineau，theEmperor\'saide-de-camp，whileatbreakfastwiththeofficersonduty，declaredtothemthathewasoppressedbythesaddestpresentiments；butthesegentlemen，attemptingtodiverthismind，turnedtheaffairintoajoke。GeneralCorbineauafewmomentsafterreceivedanorderfromhisMajesty，andnotfindingsomemoneyhewishedatMonsieurdeMeneval\'squarters，cametome，andIgaveittohimfromtheEmperor\'sprivatepurse；attheendofafewhoursImetMonsieurdeMeneval，towhomI

renderedanaccountofGeneralCorbineau\'srequest，andthesumIhadlenthim。IwasstillspeakingtoMonsieurdeMeneval，whenanofficerpassingatagallopgaveusthesadnewsofthegeneral\'sdeath。Ihaveneverforgottentheimpressionmadeonmebythissadnews，andIstillfindnoexplanationofthestrangementaldistresswhichgavewarningtothisbravesoldierofhisapproachingend。

PolandwasrelyingupontheEmperortore-establishherindependence，andconsequentlythePoleswerefilledwithhopeandenthusiasmonwitnessingthearrivaloftheFrencharmy。Asforoursoldiers，thiswintercampaignwasmostdistastefultothem；forcoldandwretchedness，badweatherandbadroads，hadinspiredthemwithanextremeaversiontothiscountry。

InareviewatWarsaw，atwhichtheinhabitantscrowdedaroundourtroops，asoldierbegantoswearroundlyagainstthesnowandmud，and，asaconsequence，againstPolandandthePoles。“Youarewrong，Monsieursoldier，“repliedayoungladyofagoodbourgeoisfamilyofthetown，“

nottoloveourcountry，forwelovetheFrenchverymuch。“——“Youaredoubtlessverylovable，mademoiselle，“repliedthesoldier；“butifyouwishtopersuademeofthetruthofwhatyousay，youwillprepareusagooddinner，mycomradeandI。“——“Come，then，messieurs，“saidtheparentsoftheyoungPolenowadvancing，“andwewilldrinktogethertothehealthofyourEmperor。“Andtheyreallycarriedoffwiththemthetwosoldiers，whopartookofthebestdinnerthecountryafforded。

ThesoldierswereaccustomedtosaythatfourwordsformedthebasisofthePolishlanguage，——kleba？niema；“bread？thereisnone；“voia？

sara；“water？theyhavegonetodrawit。“

AstheEmperorwasonedaypassingthroughacolumnofinfantryinthesuburbsofMysigniez，wherethetroopsenduredgreatprivationssincethebadroadspreventedthearrivalofsupplies，“Papa，kleba，“criedasoldier。“Niema，“immediatelyrepliedtheEmperor。Thewholecolumnburstintoshoutsoflaughter，andnofurtherrequestwasmade。

DuringtheEmperor\'ssomewhatextendedstayatFinkenstein，hereceivedavisitfromthePersianambassador，andafewgrandreviewswereheldinhishonor。HisMajestysentinreturnanembassytotheShah，attheheadofwhichheplacedGeneralGardanne，whoitwasthensaidhadanespecialreasonforwishingtovisitPersia。Itwasrumoredthatoneofhisrelations，afteralongresidenceatTeheran，hadbeencompelled，havingtakenpartinaninsurrectionagainsttheFranks，toquitthiscapital，andbeforehisflighthadburiedaconsiderabletreasureinacertainspot，thedescriptionofwhichhehadcarriedtoFrance。Iwilladd，asafinaletothisstory，somefactswhichIhavesincelearned。

GeneralGardannefoundthecapitalinastateofconfusion；andbeingableneithertolocatethespotnordiscoverthetreasure，returnedfromhisembassywithemptyhands。

OurstayatFinkensteinbecameverytiresome；andinordertowhileawaythetime，hisMajestysometimesplayedwithhisgeneralsandaides-de-

camp。Thegamewasusuallyvingt-et-un；andtheGreatCaptaintookmuchpleasureincheating，holdingthroughseveraldealsthecardsnecessarytocompletetherequirednumber，andwasmuchamusedwhenhewonthegamebythisfinesse。Ifurnishedthesumnecessaryforhisgame，andassoonashereturnedtohisquartersreceivedorderstomakeouthisaccount。

Healwaysgavemehalfofhisgains，andIdividedtheremainderbetweentheordinaryvaletsdechambre。

Ihavenointention，inthisjournal，ofconformingtoaveryexactorderofdates；andwheneverthererecurstomymemoryafactorananecdotewhichseemstomedeservingofmention，Ishalljotitdown，atwhateverpointofmynarrativeImayhavethenreached，fearinglest，shouldI

deferittoitsproperepoch，itmightbeforgotten。InpursuanceofthisplanIshallhererelate，inpassing，somesouvenirsofSaint-CloudortheTuileries，althoughwearenowincampatFinkenstein。ThepastimesinwhichhisMajestyandhisgeneralofficersindulgedrecalledtheseanecdotestomyrecollection。Thesegentlemenoftenmadewagersorbetsamongthemselves；andIheardtheDukeofVicenzaonedaybetthatMonsieurJardin，junior，equerryofhisMajesty，mountedbackwardsonhishorse，couldreachtheendoftheavenueinfrontofthechateauinthespaceofafewmoments；whichbettheequerrywon。

MessieursFain，Meneval，andIvanonceplayedasingularjokeonMonsieurB。d\'A——，who，theyknew，wassubjecttofrequentattacksofgallantry。Theydressedayoungmaninwoman\'sclothes，andsenthimtopromenade，thusdisguised，inanavenuenearthechateau。MonsieurB。d\'A——wasverynear-sighted，andgenerallyusedaneyeglass。Thesegentlemeninvitedhimtotakeawalk；andassoonashewasoutsidethedoor，heperceivedthebeautifulpromenader，andcouldnotrestrainanexclamationofsurpriseandjoyatthesight。

Hisfriendsfeignedtosharehisdelight，andurgedhim，asthemostenterprising，tomakethefirstadvances，whereupon，ingreatexcitement，hehastenedafterthepretendedyounglady，whomtheyhadtaughthisroleperfectly。Monsieurd\'A——outdidhimselfinpoliteness，inattentions，inoffersofservice，insistingeagerlyondoingthehonorsofthechateautohisnewconquest。Theotheractedhispartperfectly；andaftermanycoquettishairsonhisside，andmanyprotestationsonthepartofMonsieurd\'A，arendezvouswasmadeforthatveryevening；andthelover，radiantwithhope，returnedtohisfriends，maintainingmuchdiscretionandreserveastohisgoodfortune，whilehereallywouldhavelikedtodevourthetimewhichmustpassbeforethedaywasover。Atlasttheeveningarrivedwhichwastoputanendtohisimpatience，andbringthetimeofhisinterview；andhisdisappointmentandragemaybeimaginedwhenhediscoveredthedeceptionwhichhadbeenpracticedonhim。Monsieurd\'A——wishedatfirsttochallengetheauthorsandactorsinthishoax，andcouldwithgreatdifficultybeappeased。

Itwas，Ithink，onthereturnfromthiscampaign，thatPrinceJeromesawatBreslau，atthetheaterofthattown，ayoungandveryprettyactress，whoplayedherpartbadly，butsangverywell。Hemadeadvances，whichshereceivedcoolly:butkingsdonotsighlonginvain；theyplacetooheavyaweightinthebalanceagainstdiscretion。HisMajesty，theKingofWestphalia，carriedoffhisconquesttoCassel，andattheendofashorttimeshewasmarriedtohisfirstvaletdechambre，Albertoni，whoseItalianmoralswerenotshockedbythismarriage。Somedisagreement，thecause，ofwhichIdonotknow，havingcausedAlbertonitoquittheking，hereturnedtoPariswithhiswife，andengagedinspeculations，inwhichhelostallthathehadgained，andIhavebeentoldthathereturnedtoItaly。OnethingthatalwaysappearedtomeextraordinarywasthejealousyofAlbertonitowardshiswife——anexactingjealousywhichkepthiseyesopentowardsallmenexcepttheking；forI

amwellconvincedthattheliaisoncontinuedaftertheirmarriage。

ThebrothersoftheEmperor，althoughkings，weresometimeskeptwaitingintheEmperor\'santechamber。KingJeromecameonemorningbyorderoftheEmperor，who，havingnotyetrisen，toldmetobegtheKingofWestphaliatowait。AstheEmperorwishedtosleepalittlelonger，I

remainedwiththeotherservantsinthesaloonwhichwasusedasanantechamber，andthekingwaitedwithus；Idonotsayinpatience，forheconstantlymovedfromchairtochair，promenadedbackandforthbetweenthewindowandthefireplace，manifestingmuchannoyance，andspeakingnowandthentome，whomhealwaystreatedwithgreatkindness。

Thusmorethanhalfanhourpassed；andatlastIenteredtheEmperor\'sroom，andwhenhehadputonhisdressing-gown，informedhimthathisMajestywaswaiting，andafterintroducinghim，Iwithdrew。TheEmperorgavehimacoolreception，andlecturedhimseverely，andashespokeveryloud，Iheardhimagainstmywill；butthekingmadehisexcusesinsolowatonethatIcouldnothearawordofhisjustification。Suchsceneswereoftenrepeated，fortheprincewasdissipatedandprodigal，whichdispleasedtheEmperoraboveallthingselse，andforwhichhereprovedhimseverely，althoughhelovedhim，orratherbecausehelovedhimsomuch；foritisremarkable，thatnotwithstandingthefrequentcausesofdispleasurewhichhisfamilygavehim，theEmperorstillfeltforallhisrelationsthewarmestaffection。

AshorttimeafterthetakingofDantzig(May24，1807)，theEmperor，wishingtorewardMarshalLefebvrefortherecentserviceswhichhehadrendered，hadhimsummonedatsixo\'clockinthemorning。HisMajestywasinconsultationwiththechief-of-staffofthearmywhenthearrivalofthemarshalwasannounced。“Ah！“saidhetoBerthier，“thedukedoesnotdelay。“Then，turningtotheofficeronduty，“SaytotheDukeofDantzigthatIhavesummonedhimsoearlyinorderthathemaybreakfastwithme。“Theofficer，thinkingthattheEmperorhadmisunderstoodthename，remarkedtohim，thatthepersonwhoawaitedhisorderswasnottheDukeofDantzig，butMarshalLefebvre。“Itseems，monsieur，thatyouthinkmemorecapableofmakingacount[faireunconte]thanaduke。“

Theofficerwassomewhatdisconcertedbythisreply；buttheEmperorreassuredhimwithasmile，andsaid，“Go，givethedukemyinvitation，andsaytohimthatinaquarterofanhourbreakfastwillbeserved。“

Theofficerreturnedtothemarshal，whowas，ofcourse，veryanxioustoknowwhytheEmperorhadsummonedhim。“MonsieurleDue，theEmperorinvitesyoutobreakfastwithhim，andbegsyoutowaitaquarterofanhour。“Themarshal，nothavingnoticedthenewtitlewhichtheofficergavehim，repliedbyanod，andseatedhimselfonafoldingchaironthebackofwhichhungtheEmperor\'ssword，whichthemarshalinspectedandtouchedwithadmirationandrespect。Thequarterofanhourpassed，whenanotherordnanceofficercametosummonthemarshaltotheEmperor，whowasalreadyattablewiththechief-of-staff；andasheentered，theEmperorsalutedhimwith，“Good-day，MonsieurleDue；beseatednexttome。“

Themarshal，astonishedatbeingaddressedbythistitle，thoughtatfirstthathisMajestywasjesting；butseeingthathemadeapointofcallinghimMonsieurle，Duehewasovercomewithastonishment。TheEmperor，toincreasehisembarrassment，saidtohim，“Doyoulikechocolate，MonsieurleDuc？“——“But——yes，Sire。“——“Well，wehavenoneforbreakfast，butIwillgiveyouapoundfromtheverytownofDantzig；forsinceyouhaveconqueredit，itisbutjustthatitshouldmakeyousomereturn。“ThereupontheEmperorleftthetable，openedalittlecasket，tooktherefromapackageintheshapeofalongsquare，andhandedittoMarshalLefebvre，sayingtohim，“DukeofDantzig，acceptthischocolate；

littlegiftspreservefriendship。“ThemarshalthankedhisMajesty，putthechocolateinhispocket，andtookhisseatagainattablewiththeEmperorandMarshalBerthier。A\'pate\'intheshapeofthetownofDantzigwasinthemidstofthetable；andwhenthiswastobeservedtheEmperorsaidtothenewduke，“Theycouldnothavegiventhisdishaformwhichwouldhavepleasedmemore。Maketheattack，MonsieurleDuc；

beholdyourconquest；itisyourstodothehonors。“Thedukeobeyed；

andthethreeguestsateofthepie，whichtheyfoundmuchtotheirtaste。Onhisreturn，themarshal，DukeofDantzig，suspectingasurpriseinthelittlepackagewhichtheEmperorhadgivenhim，hastenedtoopenit，andfoundahundredthousandcrownsinbank-notes。Inimitationofthismagnificentpresent，thecustomwasestablishedinthearmyofcallingmoney，whetherinpiecesorinbank-notes，Dantzigchocolate；andwhenthesoldierswishedtobetreatedbyanycomradewhohappenedtohavealittlemoneyinhispocket，wouldsaytohim，“Come，now，haveyounoDantzigchocolateinyourpocket？“

ThealmostsuperstitiousfancyofhisMajestytheEmperorinregardtocoincidencesindatesandanniversarieswasstrengthenedstillmorebythevictoryofFriedland，whichwasgainedonJune14，1807，sevenyearstotheverydayafterthebattleofMarengo。Theseverityofthewinter，thedifficultyinfurnishingsupplies(forwhichtheEmperorhadhowevermadeeverypossibleprovisionandarrangement)，addedtotheobstinatecourageoftheRussians，hadmadethisaseverecampaign，especiallytoconquerorswhomtheincrediblerapidityoftheirsuccessesinPrussiahadaccustomedtosuddenconquests。ThedivisionofglorywhichhehadbeencompelledtomakewiththeRussianswasanewexperienceintheEmperor\'smilitarycareer，butatFriedlandheregainedhisadvantageandhisformersuperiority。HisMajesty，byafeignedretreat，inwhichhelettheenemyseeonlyapartofhisforces，drewtheRussiansintoadecoyontheElbe，socompletethattheyfoundthemselvesshutinbetweenthatriverandourarmy。Thisvictorywasgainedbytroopsofthelineandcavalry；andtheEmperordidnotevenfinditnecessarytousehisGuards，whilethoseoftheEmperorAlexanderwasalmostentirelydestroyedinprotectingtheretreat，orrathertheflight，oftheRussians，whocouldescapefromthepursuitofoursoldiersonlybythebridgeofFriedland，afewnarrowpontoons，andanalmostimpassableford。

TheregimentsofthelineintheFrencharmycoveredtheplain；andtheEmperor，occupyingapostofobservationonaheightwhencehecouldoverlookthewholefieldofbattle，wasseatedinanarmchairnearamill，surroundedbyhisstaff。Ineversawhiminagayermood，asheconversedwiththegeneralswhoawaitedhisorders，andseemedtoenjoyeatingtheblackRussianbreadwhichwasbakedintheshapeofbricks。

Thisbread，madefrominferiorryeflourandfulloflongstraws，wasthefoodofallthesoldiers；andtheyknewthathisMajestyateitaswellasthemselves。Thebeautifulweatherfavoredtheskillfulmaneuversofthearmy，andtheyperformedprodigiesofvalor。ThecavalrychargesespeciallywereexecutedwithsomuchprecisionthattheEmperorsenthiscongratulationstotheregiments。

Aboutfouro\'clockintheafternoon，whenthetwoarmieswerepressingeachotheroneveryside，andthousandsofcannoncausedtheearthtotremble，theEmperorexclaimed，“Ifthiscontinuestwohourslonger，theFrencharmywillbeleftstandingontheplainalone。“AfewmomentsafterhegaveorderstotheCountDorsenne，generalofthefootgrenadiersoftheOldGuard，tofireonabrick-yard，behindwhichmassesofRussiansandPrussianswereintrenched；andinthetwinklingofaneyetheywerecompelledtoabandonthisposition，andahordeofsharpshooterssetoutinpursuitofthefugitives。

TheGuardmadethismovementatfiveo\'clock，andatsixthebattlewasentirelywon。TheEmperorsaidtothosewhowerenearhim，whileadmiringthesplendidbehavioroftheGuard，“Lookatthosebravefellows，withagood-willtheywouldrunoverthestone-slingersandpop-

gunsoftheline，inordertoteachthemtochargewithoutwaitingforthem；butitwouldhavebeenuseless，astheworkhasbeenwelldonewithoutthem。“

HisMajestywentinpersontocomplimentseveralregimentswhichhadfoughtthewholeday。Afewwords，asmile，asaluteofthehand，evenanod，wassufficientrecompensetothesebravefellowswhohadjustbeencrownedwithvictory。

Thenumberofthedeadandprisonerswasenormous；andseventybanners，withalltheequipmentsoftheRussianarmy，wereleftinthehandsoftheFrench。

Afterthisdecisiveday，theEmperorofRussia，whohadrejectedtheproposalsmadebyhisMajestyafterthebattleofEylau，foundhimselfmuchdisposedtomakethegameonhisownaccount；andGeneralBennigsenconsequentlydemandedanarmisticeinthenameofhisEmperor，whichhisMajestygranted；andashorttimeafteratreatyofpeacewassigned，andthefamousinterviewbetweenthetwosovereignsheldonthebanksoftheNiemen。Ishallpassoverrapidlythedetailsofthismeeting，whichhavebeenpublishedandrepeatedinnumerabletimes。HisMajestyandtheyoungCzarconceivedamutualaffectionfromthefirstmomentoftheirmeeting，andeachgavefetesandamusementsinhonoroftheother。Theywereininseparableinpublicandprivate，andpassedhourstogetherinmeetingsforpleasureonly，fromwhichallintruderswerecarefullyexcluded。ThetownofTilsitwasdeclaredneutral；andFrench，Russians，andPrussiansfollowedtheexamplesetthembytheirsovereigns，andlivedtogetherinthemostintimatebrotherhood。

TheKingandQueenofPrussiasoonafterjoinedtheirImperialMajestiesatTilsit；thoughthisunfortunatemonarch，towhomthereremainedhardlyonetownofthewholekingdomhehadpossessed，wasnaturallylittledisposedtotakepartinsomuchfestivity。Thequeenwasbeautifulandgraceful，thoughperhapssomewhathaughtyandsevere，whichdidnotpreventherbeingadoredbyallwhosurroundedher。TheEmperorsoughttopleaseher，andsheneglectednoneoftheinnocentcoquetriesofhersexinordertosoftentheheartoftheconquerorofherhusband。Thequeenseveraltimesdinedwiththesovereigns，seatedbetweenthetwoEmperors，whoviedwitheachotherinoverwhelmingherwithattentionsandgallantries。ItiswellknownthattheEmperorNapoleonofferedheronedayasplendidrose，whichaftersomehesitationsheaccepted，sayingtohisMajestywithamostcharmingsmile，“WithMagdeburg，atleast。“

AnditiswellknownalsothattheEmperordidnotacceptthecondition。

Theprincesshadamongherladiesofhonoraveryoldwoman，whowasmosthighlyesteemed。Oneeveningasthequeenwasbeingescortedintothedining-hallbythetwoEmperors，followedbytheKingofPrussia，PrinceMurat，andtheGrandDukeConstantine，thisoldladyofhonorgavewaytothetwolatterprinces。GrandDukeConstantinewouldnottakeprecedenceofher，butentirelyspoiledthisactofpolitenessbyexclaiminginarudetone，“Pass，madame，passon！“AndturningtowardstheKingofNaples，added，loudenoughtobeheard，thisdisgracefulexclamation，“Theoldwoodcock！“

OnemayjudgefromthisthatPrinceConstantinewasfarfromexhibitingtowardsladiesthatexquisitepolitenessandrefinedgallantrywhichdistinguishedhisaugustbrother。

TheFrenchImperialGuardononeoccasiongaveadinnertotheguardoftheEmperorAlexander。Attheendofthisexceedinglygayandfraternalbanquet，eachFrenchsoldierexchangeduniformswithaRussian，andpromenadedthusbeforetheeyesoftheEmperors，whoweremuchamusedbythisimpromptudisguise。

AmongthenumerousattentionspaidbytheRussianEmperortoourown，IwouldmentionaconcertbyatroopofBaskirmusicians，whomtheirsovereignbroughtovertheNiemenforthispurpose，andnevercertainlydidmorebarbarousmusicresoundintheearsofhisMajesty；andthisstrangeharmony，accompaniedbygesturesequallyassavage，furnishedoneofthemostamusingspectaclesthatcanbeimagined。Afewdaysafterthisconcert，Iobtainedpermissiontomakethemusiciansavisit，andwenttotheircamp，accompaniedbyRoustan，whowastoserveasinterpreter。WeenjoyedthepleasureofbeingpresentatarepastoftheBaskirs，wherearoundimmensewoodentubswereseatedgroupsconsistingoftenmen，eachholdinginhishandapieceofblackbreadwhichhemoistenedwithaladlefulofwater，inwhichhadbeendilutedsomethingresemblingredclay。Aftertherepast，theygaveusanexhibitionofshootingwiththebow；andRoustan，towhomthisexerciserecalledthescenesofhisyouth，attemptedtoshootanarrow，butitfellatafewpaces，andIsawasmileofscorncurlthethicklipsofourBaskirs。I

thentriedthebowinmyturn，andacquittedmyselfinsuchamannerastodomehonorintheeyesofourhosts，whoinstantlysurroundedme，congratulatingmebytheirgesturesonmystrengthandskill；andoneofthem，evenmoreenthusiasticandmoreamicablethantheothers，gavemeapatontheshoulderwhichIlongremembered。

Thedaysucceedingthisfamousconcert，thetreatyofpeacebetweenthethreesovereignswassigned，andhisMajestymadeavisittotheEmperorAlexander，whoreceivedhimattheheadofhisguard。TheEmperorNapoleonaskedhisillustriousallytoshowhimthebravestgrenadierofthishandsomeandvalianttroop；andwhenhewaspresentedtohisMajesty，hetookfromhisbreasthisowncrossoftheLegionofHonor，andfasteneditonthebreastoftheMuscovitesoldier，amidtheacclamationsandhurrahsofallhiscomrades。ThetwoEmperorsembracedeachotheralasttimeonthebanksoftheNiemen，andhisMajestysetoutontheroadtoKoenigsberg。

AtBautzentheKingofSaxonycameouttomeethim，andtheirMajestiesenteredDresdentogether。KingFrederickAugustusgaveamostmagnificentreceptiontothesovereignwho，notcontentwithgivinghimascepter，hadalsoconsiderablyincreasedthehereditaryestatesoftheelectorofSaxony。ThegoodpeopleofDresden，duringtheweekwepassedthere，treatedtheFrenchmoreasbrothersandcompatriotsthanasallies。

ButitwasnearlytenmonthssincewehadleftParis；andinspiteofallthecharmsofthesimpleandcordialhospitalityoftheGermans，IwasveryeagertoseeagainFranceandmyownfamily。

CHAPTERIII。

ItwasduringthegloriouscampaignofPrussiaandPolandthattheimperialfamilywasplungedinthedeepestsorrowbythedeathoftheyoungNapoleon，eldestsonofKingLouisofHolland。Thischildboreastrikingresemblancetohisfather，andconsequentlytohisuncle。Hishairwasblond，butwouldprobablyhavedarkenedashegrewolder。Hiseyes，whichwerelargeandblue，shonewithextraordinarybrilliancywhenadeepimpressionwasmadeonhisyoungmind。Gentle，lovable，andfullofcandorandgayety，hewasthedelightoftheEmperor，especiallyonaccountofthefirmnessofhischaracter，whichwassoremarkablethat，notwithstandinghisextremeyouth，nothingcouldmakehimbreakhisword。

ThefollowinganecdotewhichIrecallfurnishesaninstanceofthis。

Hewasveryfondofstrawberries；buttheycausedhimsuchlongandfrequentattacksofvomitingthathismotherbecamealarmed，andpositivelyforbadehiseatingthem，expressingawishthateveryprecautionshouldbetakentokeepoutoftheyoungprince\'ssightafruitwhichwassoinjurioustohim。ThelittleNapoleon，whomtheinjuriouseffectsofthestrawberrieshadnotdisgustedwiththem，wassurprisedtonomoreseehisfavoritedish；butborethedeprivationpatiently，untilonedayhequestionedhisnurse，andveryseriouslydemandedanexplanationonthissubject，whichthegoodwomanwasunabletogive，forsheindulgedhimeventothepointofspoilinghim。Heknewherweakness，andoftentookadvantageofit，asinthisinstanceforexample。Hebecameangry，andsaidtohisnurseinatonewhichhadasmuchandevenmoreeffectonherthantheEmperorortheKingofHollandcouldhavehad，“Iwillhavethestrawberries。Givethemtomeatonce。“

Thepoornursebeggedhimtobequiet，andsaidthatshewouldgivethemtohim，butshewasafraidthatifanythinghappenedhewouldtellthequeenwhohaddonethis。“Isthatall？“repliedNapoleoneagerly。Havenofear；Ipromisenottotell。“

Thenurseyielded，andthestrawberrieshadtheirusualeffect。Thequeenenteredwhilehewasundergoingthepunishmentforhisself-

indulgence；andhecouldnotdenythathehadeatentheforbiddenfruit，astheproofsweretooevident。Thequeenwasmuchincensed，andwishedtoknowwhohaddisobeyedher；shealternatelyentreatedandthreatenedthechild，whostillcontinuedtoreplywiththegreatestcomposure，“Ipromisednottotell。“Andinspiteofthegreatinfluenceshehadoverhim，shecouldnotforcehimtotellherthenameoftheguiltyperson。

YoungNapoleonwasdevotedtohisuncle，andmanifestedinhispresenceapatienceandself-controlveryforeigntohisusualcharacter。TheEmperoroftentookhimonhiskneeduringbreakfast，andamusedhimselfmakinghimeatlentilsonebyone。Theprettyfaceofthechildbecamecrimson，hiswholecountenancemanifesteddisgustandimpatience；buthisMajestycouldprolongthissportwithoutfearingthathisnephewwouldbecomeangry，whichhewouldhaveinfalliblydonewithanyoneelse。

Atsuchatenderagecouldhehavebeenconsciousofhisuncle\'ssuperioritytoallthosewhosurroundedhim？KingLouis，hisfather，gavehimeachdayanewplaything，chosenexactlytosuithisfancy:butthechildpreferredthosehereceivedfromhisuncle；andwhenhisfathersaidtohim，But，seehere，Napoleon，thoseareuglythings；mineareprettier。“——“No，“saidtheyoungprince，“theyareverynice；myunclegavethemtome。“

OnemorningwhenhevisitedhisMajesty，hecrossedasaloonwhereamidmanygreatpersonageswasPrinceMurat，atthattime，Ithink，GrandDukeofBerg。Thechildpassedthroughwithoutsalutinganyone，whentheprincestoppedhimandsaid，“Willyounottellmegoodmorning？“——“No，“

repliedNapoleon，disengaginghimselffromthearmsoftheGrandDuke；

“notbeforemyuncletheEmperor。“

AttheendofareviewwhichhadtakenplaceinthecourtoftheTuileries，andonthePlaceduCarrousel，theEmperorwentuptohisapartments，andthrewhishatononesofa，hisswordonanother。LittleNapoleonentered，tookhisuncle\'ssword，passedthebeltroundhisneck，putthehatonhishead，andthenkeptstepgravely，hummingamarchbehindtheEmperorandEmpress。HerMajesty，turninground，sawhim，andcaughthiminherarms，exclaiming，“Whataprettypicture！“Ingeniousinseizingeveryoccasiontopleaseherhusband，theEmpresssummonedM。

Gerard，andorderedaportraitoftheyoungprinceinthiscostume；andthepicturewasbroughttothepalaceofSaint-CloudtheverydayonwhichtheEmpressheardofthedeathofthisbelovedchild。

Hewashardlythreeyearsoldwhen，seeinghisshoemaker\'sbillpaidwithfive-francpieces，hescreamedloudly，notwishingthattheyshouldgiveawaythepictureofhisUncleBibiche。ThenameofBibichethusgivenbytheyoungprincetohisMajestyoriginatedinthismanner。TheEmpresshadseveralgazellesplacedintheparkofSaint-Cloud，whichwereverymuchafraidofalltheinhabitantsofthepalaceexcepttheEmperor，whoallowedthemtoeattobaccooutofhissnuff-box，andthusinducedthemtofollowhim，andtookmuchpleasureingivingthemthetobaccobythehandsofthelittleNapoleon，whomhealsoputonthebackofoneofthem。ThelatterdesignatedtheseprettyanimalsbynoothernamethanthatofBibiche，andamusedhimselfbygivingthesamenametohisuncle。

Thischarmingchild，whowasadoredbybothfatherandmother，usedhisalmostmagicalinfluenceovereachinordertoreconcilethemtoeachother。Hetookhisfatherbythehand，whoallowedhimselftobethusconductedbythisangelofpeacetoQueenHortense，andthensaidtohim，“Kissher，papa，Ibegyou；“andwasperfectlyoverjoyedwhenhehadthussucceededinreconcilingthesetwobeingswhomhelovedwithanequalaffection。

Howcouldsuchabeautifulcharacterfailtomakethisangelbelovedbyallwhoknewhim？HowcouldtheEmperor，wholovedallchildren，failtobedevotedtohim，evenhadhenotbeenhisnephew，andthegodsonofthatgoodJosephinewhomheneverceasedtoloveforasingleinstant？

Attheageofsevenyears，whenthatmalady，thecroup，sodangeroustochildren，snatchedhimfromhisheart-brokenfamily，healreadygaveevidenceofremarkabletraitsofcharacter，whichwerethefoundationofmostbrillianthopes。Hisproudandhaughtycharacter，whilerenderinghimsusceptibleofthenoblestimpressions，wasnotincompatiblewithobedienceanddocility。Theideaofinjusticewasrevoltingtohim；buthereadilysubmittedtoreasonableadviceandrightfulauthority。

First-bornofthenewdynasty，itwasfittingheshouldattractashedidthedeepesttendernessandsolicitudeofthechief。Malignityandenvy，whicheverseektodefameandvillifythegreat，gaveslanderousexplanationsofthisalmostpaternalattachment；butwiseandthoughtfulmensawinthisadoptivetendernessonlywhatitplainlyevinced，——thedesireandhopeoftransmittinghisimmensepower，andthegrandestnameintheuniverse，toanheir，indirectitistrue，butofimperialblood，andwho，rearedundertheeyes，andbythedirectionoftheEmperor，wouldhavebeentohimallthatasoncouldbe。ThedeathoftheyoungNapoleonappearedasaforerunnerofmisfortunesinthemidstofhisgloriouscareer，disarrangingalltheplanswhichthemonarchhadconceived，anddecidedhimtoconcentrateallhishopesonanheirinadirectline。

Itwasthenthatthefirstthoughtsofdivorcearoseinhismind，thoughitdidnottakeplaceuntiltwoyearslater，andonlybegantobethesubjectofprivateconversationduringthestayatFontainebleau。TheEmpressreadilysawthefatalresultstoherofthedeathofthisgodson，andfromthattimeshedweltupontheideaofthisterribleeventwhichruinedherlife。Thisprematuredeathwastoheraninconsolablegrief；

andsheshutherselfupforthreedays，weepingbitterly，seeingnooneexceptherwomen，andtakingalmostnonourishment。Itevenseemedthatshefearedtobedistractedfromhergrief，asshesurroundedherselfwithasortofaviditywithallthatcouldrecallherirreparableloss。

SheobtainedwithsomedifficultyfromQueenHortensesomeoftheyoungprince\'shair，whichhisheart-brokenmotherreligiouslypreserved；andtheEmpresshadthishairframedonacushionofblackvelvet，andkeptitalwaysnearher。IoftensawitatMalmaison，andneverwithoutdeepemotion。

ButhowcanIattempttodescribethedespairofQueenHortense，ofthatwomanwhobecameasperfectamotherasshehadbeenadaughter。Sheneverlefthersonamomentduringhisillness；andwhenheexpiredinherarms，stillwishingtoremainnearhislifelessbody，shefastenedherarmsthroughthoseofherchair，inorderthatshemightnotbetornfromthisheartrendingscene。Atlastnaturesuccumbedtosuchpoignantgrief:theunhappymotherfainted；andtheopportunitywastakentoremovehertoherownapartment，stillinthechairwhichshehadnotleft，andwhichherarmsclaspedconvulsively。Onawaking，thequeenutteredpiercingscreams，andherdryandstaringeyesandwhitelipsgavereasontofearthatshewasnearherend。Nothingcouldbringtearstohereyes，untilatlastachamberlainconceivedtheideaofbringingtheyoungprince\'sbody，andplacingitonhismother\'sknees；andthishadsuchaneffectonherthathertearsburstforthandsavedherlife，whileshecoveredwithkissesthecoldandadoredremains。AllFrancesharedthegriefoftheQueenofHolland。

CHAPTERIV。

WearrivedatSaint-Cloudonthe27thofJuly；andtheEmperorpassedthesummerpartlyinthisresidence，andpartlyatFontainebleau，returningtoParisonlyonspecialoccasions，andneverremaininglongerthantwenty-fourhours。DuringhisMajesty\'sabsence，thechateauofRambouilletwasrestoredandfurnishedanew，andtheEmperorspentafewdaysthere。Thefirsttimeheenteredthebathroom，hestoppedshortatthedoorandglancedaroundwitheveryappearanceofsurpriseanddissatisfaction；andwhenIsoughtthecauseofthis，followingthedirectionofhisMajesty\'seyes，Isawthattheyrestedonvariousfamilyportraitswhichthearchitecthadpaintedonthewallsoftheroom。Theywerethoseofmadamehismother，hissisters，QueenHortense，etc。；andthesightofsuchagallery，insuchaplace，excitedtheextremedispleasureoftheEmperor。“Whatnonsense！“hecried。“Constant，summonMarshalDuroc！“Andwhenthegrandmarshalappeared，hisMajestyinquired，“Whoistheidiotthatcouldhaveconceivedsuchanidea？

Orderthepaintertocomeandeffaceallthat。Hemusthavelittlerespectforwomentobeguiltyofsuchanindecency。“

WhenthecourtsojournedatFontainebleau，theinhabitantsindemnifiedthemselvesamplyforhisMajesty\'slongabsencesbythehighpriceatwhichtheysoldallarticlesoffood。Theirextortionsbecamescandalousimpositions，andmorethanoneforeignermakinganexcursiontoFontainebleauthoughthimselfheldforransombyatroopofBedouins。

Duringthestayofthecourt；awretchedsacking-bedinamiserableinncosttwelvefrancsforasinglenight；thesmallestmealcostanincredibleprice，andwas，notwithstanding，detestable；infact，itamountedtoagenuinepillageoftravelers。CardinalCaprara，——[GiovanniBattistaCaprara，bornofanoblefamilyatBologna，1733；countandarchbishopofMilan；cardinal，1792；NegotiatedtheConcordat，1801；died1810]——

whoserigideconomywasknowntoallParis，wentonedaytoFontainebleautopayhiscourttotheEmperor，andatthehotelwherehealightedtookonlyasinglecupofbouillon，andthesixpersonsofhissuitepartookonlyofaverylightrepast，asthecardinalhadarrangedtoreturninthreehours；butnotwithstandingthis，ashewasenteringhiscarriage，thelandlordhadtheaudacitytopresenthimwithabillforsixhundredfrancs！Theprinceofthechurchindignantlyprotested，flewintoarage，threatened，etc。，butallinvain；andthebillwaspaid。

SuchanoutrageousimpositioncouldnotfailtoreachtheEmperor\'sears，andexcitedhisangertosuchadegreethatheatonceorderedafixedscheduleofprices，whichitwasforbiddentheinnkeeperstoexceed。

ThisputanendtotheexactionsofthebloodsuckersofFontainebleau。

Onthe21stofAugust，therearrivedatParisthePrincessCatharineofWurtemberg，futurewifeofPrinceJeromeNapoleon，KingofWestphalia。

Thisprincesswasabouttwenty-fouryearsofage，andverybeautiful，withamostnobleandgraciousbearing；andthoughpolicyalonehadmadethismarriage，nevercouldloveorvoluntarychoicehavemadeonethatwashappier。

ThecourageousconductofherMajestytheQueenofWestphaliain1814，herdevotiontoherdethronedhusband，andheradmirableletterstoherfather，whowishedtotearherfromthearmsofKingJerome，aremattersofhistory。Ihaveseenitstatedthatthisprinceneverceased，evenafterthismarriage，whichwassoflatteringtohisambition，tocorrespondwithhisfirstwife，MademoisellePatterson，andthatheoftensenttoAmericahisvaletdechambre，Rico，toinquireafterthisladyandtheirchild。Ifthisistrue，itisnolesssothattheseattentionstohisfirstwife，whichwerenotonlyveryexcusable，buteven，accordingtomyopinion，praiseworthyinPrinceJerome，andofwhichherMajestytheQueenofWestphaliawasprobablywellaware，didnotnecessarilypreventherbeinghappywithherhusband。

Notestimonymorereliablethanthatofthequeenherselfcanbegiven；

andsheexpressesherselfasfollowsinhersecondlettertohisMajesty，theKingofWurtemburg:——

“Forcedbypolicytomarrytheking，myhusband，fatehaswilledthatIshouldfindmyselfthehappiestwomanintheuniverse。I

feeltowardsmyhusbandtheunitedsentimentsoflove，tenderness，andesteem。Inthispainfulmomentcanthebestoffatherswishtodestroymydomestichappiness，theonlykindwhichnowremainstome？Idaretosaythatyou，mydearfather，youandallmyfamily，dogreatinjusticetotheking，myhusband；andItrustthetimewillcomewhenyouwillbeconvincedthatyouhavedonehiminjustice，andthenyouwilleverfindinhim，aswellasinmyself，themostrespectfulandaffectionateofchildren。“

HerMajestythenspokeofaterriblemisfortunetowhichshehadbeenexposed。Thisevent，whichwasindeedterrible，wasnothinglessthanviolenceandrobberycommittedonafugitivewomandefenselessandalone，byabandattheheadofwhichwasthefamousMarquisdeMaubreuil，——[AFrenchpoliticaladventurer，borninBrittany，1782；died1855。]——

whohadbeenequerryoftheKingofWestphalia。Iwillrecurintreatingoftheeventsof1814tothisdisgracefulaffair，andwillgivesomeparticulars，whichIthinkarenotgenerallyknown，inregardtotheprincipalauthorsandparticipantsinthisdaringactofbrigandage。

InthefollowingmonthofSeptember，acourierfromtheRussiancabinetarrivedfromSt。Petersburg，bearingalettertohisMajestyfromtheEmperorAlexander；andamongothermagnificentgiftsweretwoveryhandsomefurpelissesofblackfoxandsablemartin。

DuringtheirMajestiesresidenceatFontainebleau，theEmperoroftenwentoutinhiscarriagewiththeEmpressinthestreetsofthecitywithneitherescortnorguards。Oneday，whilepassingbeforethehospitalofMontPierreux，herMajestytheEmpresssawatawindowaveryagedclergyman，whosalutedtheirMajesties。TheEmpress，havingreturnedtheoldman\'ssalutationwithherhabitualgrace，pointedhimouttotheEmperor，whohimselfsalutedhim，andorderinghiscoachmantostop，sentoneofthefootmenwitharequesttotheoldpriesttocomeandspeaktothemamoment，ifitwerenottoogreatanexertion。Theoldman，whostillwalkedwithease，hastenedtodescend；andinordertosavehimafewstepstheEmperorhadhiscarriagedrivenveryclosetothedoorofthehospital。

HisMajestyconversedforsometimewiththegoodecclesiastic，manifestingthegreatestkindnessandrespect。HeinformedtheirMajestiesthathehadbeen，previoustotheRevolution，theregularpriestofoneoftheparishesofFontainebleau，andhaddoneeverythingpossibletoavoidemigrating；butthatterrorhadatlengthforcedhimtoleavehisnativeland，althoughhewasthenmorethanseventy-fiveyearsold；thathehadreturnedtoFranceatthetimeoftheproclamationoftheConcordat，andnowlivedonamodestpensionhardlysufficienttopayhisboardinthehospital。“Monsieurl\'Abbe，“saidhisMajestyafterlisteningtotheoldpriestattentively，“Iwillorderyourpensiontobedoubled；andifthatisnotsufficientIhopeyouwillapplytotheEmpressortome。“ThegoodecclesiasticthankedtheEmperorwithtearsinhiseyes。“Unfortunately，Sire，“saidheamongotherthings，“IamtoooldtolongenjoyyourMajesty\'sreignorprofitbyyourkindness。“——

“YOU？“repliedtheEmperor，smiling，“why，youareayoungman。LookatM。deBelloy；heismuchyoursenior，andwehopetokeephimwithusforalongtimeyet。“TheirMajestiesthentookleaveoftheoldman，whowasmuchaffected，leavinghiminthemidstofacrowdoftheinhabitantswhohadcollectedbeforethehospitalduringthisconversation，andwhoweremuchimpressedbythisinterestingsceneandthegenerouskindnessoftheEmperor。

M。deBelloy，cardinalandarchbishopofParis，whosenametheEmperormentionedintheconversationIhavejustrelated，wasthenninety-eightyearsofage，thoughhishealthwasexcellent；andIhaveneverseenanoldmanwhohadasvenerableanairasthisworthyprelate。TheEmperorhadtheprofoundestrespectforhim，andneverfailedtogiveevidenceofitoneveryoccasion。DuringthissamemonthofSeptember，alargenumberofthefaithfulhavingassembledaccordingtocustomonMountValerien，thearchbishoplikewiserepairedtothespottohearmass。Ashewasabouttowithdraw，seeingthatmanypiouspersonswereawaitinghisbenediction，headdressedthembeforebestowingitinafewwordswhichshowedhiskindnessofheartandhisevangelicalsimplicity:“Mychildren，IknowthatImustbeveryoldfromthelossofmystrength，butnotofmyzealandmytendernessforyou。PrayGod，mychildren，foryouroldarchbishop，whoneverfailstointercedeonyourbehalfeachday。“

DuringhisstayatFontainebleau，theEmperorenjoyedmorefrequentlythaneverbeforethepleasuresofthechase。ThecostumenecessarywasaFrenchcoatofgreendragoncolor，decoratedwithbuttonsandgoldlace，whitecashmerebreeches，andHessianbootswithoutfacings；thiswasthecostumeforthegrandhuntwhichwasalwaysastaghunt；thatforahuntwithgunsbeingaplain，greenFrenchcoatwithnootherornamentthanwhitebuttons，onwhichwerecutsuitableinscriptions。Thiscostumewasthesameforallpersonstakingpartinthishunt，withnodistinguishingmarks，evenforhisMajestyhimself。

TheprincessessetoutfortherendezvousinaSpanishcarriagewitheitherorfoursixhorses，andthusfollowedthechase，theircostumebeinganelegantriding-habit，andahatwithwhiteorblackplumes。

OneoftheEmperor\'ssisters(Idonotnowrecallwhich)neverfailedtofollowthehunt，accompaniedbymanycharmingladieswhowerealwaysinvitedtobreakfastattherendezvous，aswasalwaysthecustomonsimilaroccasionswiththepersonsofthecourt。Oneoftheseladies，whowasbothbeautifulandintelligent，attractedtheattentionoftheEmperor，ashortcorrespondenceensued，andatlasttheEmperoragainorderedmetocarryaletter。

InthepalaceofFontainebleauisaprivategardencalledthegardenofDiana，towhichtheirMajestiesalonehadaccess。Thisgardenissurroundedonfoursidesbybuildings；ontheleftwasthechapelwithitsgloomygalleryandGothicarchitecture；ontherightthegrandgallery(aswellasIcanremember)；inthemiddlethebuildingwhichcontainedtheirMajesties\'apartments；finally，infrontofandfacingthesquarewerebroadarcades，andbehindthemthebuildingsintendedforthevariouspersonsattachedtohouseholdoftheprincesortheEmperor。

MadamedeB——，theladywhomtheEmperorhadremarked，lodgedinanapartmentsituatedbehindthesearcadesonthegroundfloor；andhisMajestyinformedmethatIwouldfindawindowopen，throughwhichImustentercautiously，inthedarkness，andgivehisnotetoapersonwhowouldaskforit。Thisdarknesswasnecessary，becausethiswindowopenedonthegarden，andthoughbehindthearcades，wouldhavebeennoticedhadtherebeenalight。Notknowingtheinterioroftheseapartments，Ienteredthroughthewindow，thinkingIcouldthenwalkonalevel，buthadaterriblefalloverahighstepwhichwasintheembrasureofthewindow。IheardsomeonescreamasIfell，andadoorwassuddenlyclosed。Ihadreceivedseverebruisesonmyknee，elbow，andhead，andrisingwithdifficulty，atoncebeganasearcharoundtheapartment，gropinginthedark；buthearingnothingmore，andfearingtomakesomefreshnoisewhichmightbeheardbypersonswhoshouldnotknowofmypresencethere，IdecidedtoreturntotheEmperor，andreporttohimmyadventures。

Findingthatnoneofmyinjurieswereserious，theEmperorlaughedmostheartily，andthenadded，“Oh，oh，sothereisastep；itiswelltoknowthat。WaittillMadameB——isoverherfright；Iwillgotoher，andyouwillaccompanyme。“Attheendofanhour，theEmperoremergedwithmefromthedoorofhiscabinetwhichopenedonthegarden。Iconductedhiminsilencetowardsthewindowwhichwasstillopenandassistedhimtoenter，andhavingobtainedtomycostacorrectideaofthespot，directedhimhowtoavoidafall。

HisMajesty，havingenteredthechamberwithoutaccident，toldmetoretire。IwasnotwithoutsomeanxietyasIinformedtheEmperor；butherepliedthatIwasachild，andtherecouldbenodanger。ItappearedthathisMajestysucceededbetterthanIhaddone，——ashedidnotreturnuntildaybreak，andthenjestedaboutmyawkwardness，admitting，however，thatifhehadnotbeenwarned，asimilaraccidentwouldhavebefallenhim。

AlthoughMadamedeB——wasworthyofagenuineattachment，herliaisonwiththeEmperorlastedonlyashortwhile，andwasonlyapassingfancy。

IthinkthatthedifficultiessurroundinghisnocturnalvisitscooledhisMajesty\'sardorgreatly；fortheEmperorwasnotenoughinlovetobewillingtobraveeverythinginordertoseehisbeautifulmistress。HisMajestyinformedmeofthefrightwhichmyfallhadcausedher，andhowanxiousthisamiableladyhadbeenonmyaccount，andhowhehadreassuredher；thisdidnot，however，preventhersendingnextdaytoknowhowIwas，byaconfidentialperson，whotoldmeagainhowinterestedMadamedeB——hadbeeninmyaccident。

OftenatFontainebleautherewasacourtrepresentation，inwhichtheactorsofthefirsttheatersreceivedorderstoplaybeforetheirMajestiesscenesselectedfromtheirvariousrepertoires。MademoiselleMarswastoplaytheeveningofherarrival；butatEssonne，whereshewasobligedtostopamomentonaccountoftheroadbeingfilledwithcattlegoingorreturningfromFontainebleau，hertrunkhadbeenstolen，afactofwhichshewasnotawareuntilshehadgonesomedistancefromthespot。Notonlywerehercostumesmissing，butshehadnootherclothingexceptwhatshewore；anditwouldbeatleasttwelvehoursbeforeshecouldgetfromPariswhatsheneeded。Itwasthentwoo\'clockintheafternoon，andthatveryeveningshemustappearinthebrilliantroleofCelimene。Althoughmuchdisturbedbythisaccident，MademoiselleMarsdidnotloseherpresenceofmind，butvisitedalltheshopsofthetown，andinafewhourshadcutandmadeacompletecostumeinmostexcellenttaste，andherlosswasentirelyrepaired。

CHAPTERV。

InthemonthofNovemberofthisyearIfollowedtheirMajestiestoItaly。WeknewafewdaysinadvancethattheEmperorwouldmakethisjourney；butashappenedonallotheroccasions，neitherthedaynorthehourwasfixed，untilweweretoldontheeveningofthe15ththatwewouldsetoutearlyonthemorningofthe16th。IpassedthenightlikeallthehouseholdofhisMajesty；forinordertocarryouttheincredibleperfectionofcomfortwithwhichtheEmperorsurroundedhimselfonhisjourneys，itwasnecessarythateverybodyshouldbeonfootassoonasthehourofdeparturewasknown；consequentlyIpassedthenightarrangingtheserviceofhisMajesty，whilemywifepackedmyownbaggage，andhadbutjustfinishedwhentheEmperoraskedforme，whichmeantthattenminutesafterwewouldbeontheroad。Atfouro\'clockinthemorninghisMajestyenteredhiscarriage。

AsweneverknewatwhathourorinwhatdirectiontheEmperorwouldbeginhisjourney，thegrandmarshal，thegrandequerry，andthegrandchamberlainsentforwardacompleteserviceonallthedifferentroadswhichtheythoughthisMajestymighttake。Thebedroomservicecomprisedavaletdechambreandawardrobeboy。Asforme，IneverlefthisMajesty\'sperson，andmycarriagealwaysfollowedimmediatelybehindhis。

Theconveyancebelongingtothisservicecontainedanironbedwithitsaccessories，adressing-casewithlinen，coats，etc。Iknowlittleoftheserviceofthestables，butthatofthekitchenwasorganizedasfollows:TherewasaconveyancealmostintheshapeofthecoucousonthePlaceLouisXV。atParis，withadeepbottomandanenormousbody。ThebottomcontainedwinesfortheEmperor\'stableandthatofthehighofficers，theordinarywinebeingboughtattheplaceswherewestopped。

Inthebodyofthewagonwerethekitchenutensilsandaportablefurnace，followedbyacarriagecontainingasteward，twocooks，andafurnace-boy。Therewasbesidesthis，abaggage-wagonfullofprovisionsandwinetofilluptheotherasitwasemptied；andalltheseconveyancessetoutafewhoursinadvanceoftheEmperor。Itwasthedutyofthegrandmarshaltodesignatetheplaceatwhichbreakfastshouldbetaken。Wealightedsometimesatthearchbishop\'s，sometimesatthehoteldeville，sometimesattheresidenceofthesub-prefect，orevenatthatofthemayor，intheabsenceofanyotherdignitaries。

Havingarrivedatthedesignatedhouse，thestewardgaveordersfortheprovisions，thefurnaceswerelighted，andspitsturned；andiftheEmperoralightedandpartookoftherepastprepared，theprovisionswhichhadbeenconsumedwereimmediatelyreplacedasfaraspossible，andthecarriagesfilledagainwithpoultry，pastry，etc。；beforeleavingallexpenseswerepaidbythecontroller，presentsweremadetothemasterofthehouse，andeverythingwhichwasnotnecessaryfortheserviceleftfortheuseoftheirservants。ItsometimeshappenedthattheEmperor，findingthatitwastoosoonforbreakfast，orwishingtomakealongerjourney，gaveorderstopasson，andeverythingwaspackedupagainandtheservicecontinueditsroute。SometimesalsotheEmperor，haltingintheopenfield，alighted，tookhisseatunderatree，andorderedhisbreakfast，uponwhichRoustanandthefootmenobtainedprovisionsfromhisMajesty\'scarriage，whichwasfurnishedwithsmallcookingutensilswithsilvercovers，holdingchickens，partridges，etc。，whiletheothercarriagesfurnishedtheirproportion。M。PfisterservedtheEmperor，andeveryoneateahastymorsel。Fireswerelightedtoheatthecoffee；andinlessthanhalfanhoureverythinghaddisappeared，andthecarriagesrolledoninthesameorderasbefore。

TheEmperor\'sstewardandcookshadnearlyallbeentrainedinthehouseholdofthekingandtheprinces。ThesewereMessieursDunau，Leonard，Rouff，andGerard。M。Colinwaschiefincommand，andbecamesteward-controllerafterthesadafflictionofM。Pfister，whobecameinsaneduringthecampaignof1809。Allwerecapableandzealousservants；and，asisthecaseinthehouseholdofallsovereigns，eachdepartmentofthedomesticaffairshaditschief。MessieursSoupeandPierrugueswereinchargeofthewines，andthesonsofthesegentlemancontinuedtoholdthesameofficewiththeEmperor。