第12章

Itwasteno\'clockinthemorningwhentheinhabitantsofDresden，nowreducedtodespair，andspeakingfreelyofcapitulation，witnessedhisMajesty\'sarrival。Thescenechangedsuddenly；andtothemostcompletediscouragementsucceededmostentireconfidence，especiallywhenthehaughtycuirassiersofLatour-Maubourgdefiledoverthebridge，holdingtheirheadshigh，andtheireyesfixedontheneighboringhillsidescoveredbytheenemy\'slines。TheEmperorimmediatelyalightedatthepalaceoftheking，whowaspreparingtoseekanasylumninthenewtown，butwhoseintentionswerechangedbythearrivalofthisgreatman。Theinterviewwasextremelytouching。

Icannotundertaketodescribealltheoccurrencesofthosememorabledays，inwhichtheEmperorcoveredhimselfwithglory，andwasmoreexposedtodangerthanhehadeverbeenatanytime。Pages，equerries，andaides-decampfelldeadaroundhim，ballspiercedthestomachofhishorse，butnothingcouldtouchhim。Thesoldierssawthisandredoubledtheirardor，andalsotheirconfidenceandadmiration。IshallsimplystatethattheEmperordidnotre-enterthechateauuntilmidnight，andthenspentthehoursuntildaylightdictatingorders，whilepromenadingupanddowntheroomwithgreatstrides，untilatbreakofdayheremountedhishorse。Theweatherwashorrible，andtherainlastedthewholeday。Intheevening，theenemybeingcompletelyrouted，theEmperorreturnedtothepalaceinafrightfulcondition。Fromthetimehemountedhishorse，atsixo\'clockinthemorning，therainhadnotceasedasingleinstant，andhewassowetthatitcouldbesaidwithoutanyfigureofspeechthatthewaterrandownintohisbootsfromthecollarofhiscoat，fortheywereentirelyfilledwithit。Hishatofveryfinebeaverwassoruinedthatitfelldownoverhisshoulders，hisbuffbeltwasperfectlysoakedwithwater；infactamanjustdrawnoutoftheriverwouldnotbewetterthantheEmperor。TheKingofSaxony，whoawaitedhim，methiminthiscondition，andembracedhimasacherishedsonwhohadjustescapedagreatdanger；andthisexcellentprince\'seyeswerefulloftearsashepressedthesaviourofhiscapitaltohisheart。AfterafewreassuringandtenderwordsfromtheEmperor，hisMajestyenteredhisapartments，leavingeverywheretracesofthewaterwhichdrippedfromeverypartofhisclothing，andIhadmuchdifficultyinundressinghim。KnowingthattheEmperorgreatlyenjoyedabathafterafatiguingday，Ihaditprepared；butashefeltunusuallyfatigued，andinadditiontothisbegantoshiverconsiderably，hisMajestypreferredretiringtohisbed，whichIhurriedlywarmed。HardlyhadtheEmperorretired，however，thanhehadBaronFain，oneofhissecretaries，summonedtoreadhisaccumulatedcorrespondence，whichwasveryvoluminous。Afterthishetookhisbath，buthadremainedinitonlyafewmomentswhenhewasseizedwithasuddensicknessaccompaniedbyvomiting，whichobligedhimtoretiretobed。

HisMajestysaidtome，“MydearConstant，alittlerestisabsolutelyindispensabletome；seethatIamnotawakedexceptformattersofthegravestimportance；saythistoFain。“IobeyedtheEmperor\'sorders，afterwhichItookmypositionintheroominfrontofhisMajesty\'schamber，watchingwiththeattentionofasentinelondutylestheshouldbeawakened，oranyoneshouldevenapproachhisapartment。

ThenextmorningtheEmperorrangveryearly，andIenteredhisroomimmediately，anxioustoknowhowhehadpassedthenight。Ifoundhimalmostentirelyrestored，andinfinespirits。Hetoldme，however，thathehadhadashortattackoffever。ImusthereremarkthatitwastheonlytimetheEmperorhadfever，andduringthewholetimeIwaswithhimIneversawhimillenoughtokeephisbedfortwenty-fourhours。Heroseathisusualhour，andwhenhedescendedwasintenselygratifiedbythefineappearancemadebythebattaliononduty。Thosebravegrenadiers，whotheeveningbeforehadservedashisescort，andreenteredDresdenwithhiminamostpitiablecondition，thismorninghesawrangedinthecourtofthepalaceinsplendidcondition，andbearingarmsasbrilliantasifitwereadayofparadeonthePlaceduCarrousel。Thesebravefellowshadspentthenightpolishingtheirarms，anddryingthemselvesaroundgreatfireswhichtheyhadkindledforthepurpose，havingthuspreferredthesatisfactionofpresentingthemselvesinfaultlessconditionbeforetheirEmperor\'seyestothesleepandrestwhichtheymustsogreatlyhaveneeded。

Onewordofapprobationrepaidthemfortheirfatigue，anditmaybetrulysaidneverwasamilitarychiefsomuchbelovedbyhissoldiersashisMajesty。

ThelastcourierwhohadreturnedfromParistoDresden，andwhosedispatcheswereread，asIhavesaid，totheEmperor，boreseverallettersformewrittenbymyfamilyandtwoorthreeofmyfriends；andallwhohaveaccompaniedhisMajestyonhiscampaigns，inwhateverrankoremployment，wellknowhowwevaluednewsreceivedfromhome。Theselettersinformedme，Iremember，ofafamouslawsuitgoingoninthecourtofassizesbetweenthebankerMichelandReynier，whichscandalousaffaircausedmuchcommentinthecapital，andalmostdividedwiththenewsfromthearmytheinterestandattentionofthepublic；andalsoofthejourneytheEmpresswasabouttomaketoCherbourg，tobepresentattheopeningofthedikes，andfillingtheharborwithwaterfromtheocean。Thisjourney，asmaywellbeimagined，hadbeensuggestedbytheEmperor，whosoughteveryopportunityofputtingtheEmpressforward，andmakingherperformthedutiesofasovereign，asregentoftheEmpire。

Shesummonedandpresidedoverthecouncilofministers，andmorethanonceIheardtheEmperorcongratulatehimselfafterthedeclarationofwarwithAustriathathisLouise，ashecalledher，actedsolelyfortheinterestsofFrance，andhadnothingAustrianbutherbirth。Healsoallowedherthesatisfactionofherselfpublishingandinherownnamealltheofficialnewsofthearmy。Thebulletinswerenolongerissued；

butthenewswastransmittedtoherallreadyforpublication，whichwasdoubtlessanattentiononthepartofhisMajestyinordertorendertheEmpressRegentmorepopular，bymakingherthemediumofcommunicationbetweenthegovernmentandthepublic。Moreover，itisafact，thatwewhowereonthespot，althoughweknewatoncewhetherthebattlewasgainedorlost，oftendidnotknowtheentireoperationsofthedifferentcorpsmaneuveringonanimmenselineofbattle，exceptthroughthejournalsofParis；andoureagernesstoreadthemmaywellbeimagined。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V9

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

1895

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERI。toCHAPTERVII。

CHAPTERI。

InSeptember，1811，theEmperordecidedtomakeajourneyintoFlandersincompanywiththe，Empress，thathemightpersonallyascertainifhisordershadbeencarriedoutinallmattersconcerningboththecivilandreligiousadministration。TheirMajestiesleftCompiegneonthe19th，andarrivedatMontreuil-sur-Meratnineo\'clockintheevening。

IaccompaniedtheEmperoronthisjourney。IhavereadinO\'Meara\'sMemorialthatM。MarchandwasatthattimeintheserviceofNapoleon。

Thisisincorrect；forM。MarchanddidnotentertheEmperor\'sprivateserviceuntil1814，atFontainebleau。HisMajestyatthattimeorderedmetoselectfromthedomesticsoftheserviceanintelligentyoungmantoassistmeinmydutiesnearhisperson，sincenoneoftheordinary\'valetsdechambre\'weretoremainontheislandofElba。ImentionedthenameofM。Marchand，sonofanurseoftheKingofRome，asasuitablepersonfortheplace。HewasacceptedbyhisMajesty，andfromthattimeM。MarchandformedapartoftheprivateserviceoftheEmperor。HemayhavebeenonthisjourneytoHolland；butNapoleonwasnotawareofit，ashisdutiesdidnotbringhimnearhisMajesty\'sperson。

Iwillnowrelatesomeofthecircumstanceswhichoccurredonthisjourney，andarenotgenerallyknowntothepublic，andatthesametimetakeadvantageoftheopportunitytorefuteotherassertionssimilartothoseIhavejustmentioned，andwhichIhavereadwithsurprise，sometimesmixedwithindignation，intheContemporaryMemoirs。Ideemitimportantthatthepublicshouldhavecorrectinformationastoeverythingpertainingtothisjourney，inorderthatlightmaythusbethrownoncertainincidents，bymeansofwhichcalumnyhasattackedthehonorofNapoleon，andevenmyown。AdevotedthoughhumbleservantoftheEmperor，itisnaturalthatIshouldbedeeplyinterestedinexplainingallthatseemsdoubtful，inrefutingallfalsehoods，andingivingminutecorrectionsofmanyincorrectstatementswhichmightinfluencethejudgmentofthepublicconcerningmymasterandmyself。

Ishallfulfilthisdutywithperfectfrankness，asIhavesufficientlyprovedintheforegoingvolumesoftheseMemoirs。

AlittleincidentoccurredatMontreuil，whichItakepleasureinnarrating，sinceitproveshowcarefullyNapoleonexaminedboththefortificationsandimprovementsbeingmadeinthetowns，eitherbyhispersonalorders，orfromtheimpulsegivenbyhimtotheseimportantdepartmentsofpublicservice。AfterinvestigatingtheworkdoneinthepastyearonthefortificationsofMontreuil，andhavingmadeatourofalltheramparts，theEmperorreturnedtothecitadel，whenceheagainemergedtovisittheexteriorworks。AnarmoftheriverCanche，whichliesatthefootofthewallononesideofthecity，interceptedhisroute。Thewholesuitesettoworktoconstructatemporarybridgeofplanksandlogs；buttheEmperor，impatientatthedelay，walkedthroughthestreaminwateruptohisknees。TheownerofamillontheoppositeshoretookhisMajestybythearmtoassisthiminmountingthebank，andprofitedbythisopportunitytoexplaintotheEmperorthathismill，beinginthelineoftheprojectedfortifications，wouldnecessarilybetorndown；whereupontheEmperorturnedtotheengineersandsaid，“Thisbravemanmustbeindemnifiedforanylosshemaysustain。“Hethencontinuedhisrounds，anddidnotre-enterhiscarriageuntilhehadexaminedeverythingatleisure，andheldalonginterviewwiththecivilandmilitaryauthoritiesofMontreuil。OntherouteasoldierwhohadbeenwoundedatRatisbonwaspresentedtohim；andhisMajestyorderedthatapresentshouldbemadehimonthespot，andthathispetitionshouldbepresentedtohimonhisarrivalatBoulogneonthe20th。

ThiswasthesecondtimeBoulognehadreceivedtheEmperorwithinitswalls。Immediatelyonhisarrivalhewentonboardtheflotillaandheldareview。AsanEnglishfrigatewasevidentlypreparingtoapproachinordertoobservemorecloselywhatwastakingplaceintheroadstead，hisMajestyimmediatelysentoutaFrenchfrigateunderfullsailagainstthehostileship，whereuponthelatter，takingthealarm，atoncedisappeared。Onthe29thofSeptemberhisMajestyreachedFlushing，andfromFlushingwenttovisitthefortificationsatTervueren。Ashewasoverlookingthevariousworksatthatplace，ayoungwomanthrewherselfathisfeet，hercheekswetwithtears，。andextendedapetitiontotheEmperorwithatremblinghand。Napoleonmostgraciouslyassistedhertorise，andinquiredtheobjectofherpetition。“Sire，“saidthepoorwomanbetweenhersobs，？Iamthemotherofthreechildren，whosefatherisconscriptedbyyourMajesty；thechildrenandthemotherareinthedeepestdistress。“——“Monsieur，“saidhisMajestytosomeoneofhissuite，“makeanoteofthisman\'sname；Iwillmakehimanofficer。“Theyoungwomantriedtoexpresshergratitude，butheremotionandtearspreventedtheutteranceofaword，andtheEmperorwentonhisway。

AnotherkindactmarkedhisdeparturefromOstend。OnleavingthattownhefollowedthecourseoftheEstrau，andashedidnotcaretopassthroughthelocks，inordertocrosstheSwine，enteredafishing-boatincompanywiththeDukeofVicenza，hisgrandequerry，CountLobau，oneofhisaides-de-camp，andtwochasseursoftheguard。Thisboat，whichwasownedbytwopoorfishermen，wasworthonlyaboutonehundredandfiftyflorins，includingitsequipment，andwastheironlysourceofwealth。

Thecrossingrequiredabouthalfanhour，andhisMajestyalightedatFortOrange，ontheislandofCadsand，wheretheprefectwithhissuiteawaitedhim；andashewaswetandsufferingwiththecold，alargefirewaskindled，bywhichhewarmedhimselfwithevidentenjoyment。Thefishermenwerethenaskedhowmuchtheychargedforthepassage，andupontheirreplyingaflorinforeachpassenger，Napoleonorderedthatahundrednapoleonsshouldbecountedouttothem，andtheyshouldbegrantedapensionofthreehundredfrancsforlife。Itisimpossibletogiveanideaofthejoyfulsurpriseofthesepoormen，whohadnotintheleastsuspectedtheexaltedrankoftheirpassenger；butnosoonerweretheyinformedthanthewholecountrywastold，andthusmanyheartswerewonforNapoleon；whileatthesametimetheEmpressMarieLouisewasbeingwelcomedonhisaccountatthetheater，andwheneversheappearedonthestreets，withsincereandvociferousapplause。

PreparationshadbeenmadeeverywhereinHollandtwomonthsbeforethearrivaloftheirMajesties，inorderthattheymightbesuitablyreceived；andtherewasnovillageontheEmperor\'sroutesosmallthatitwasnoteagertoearnhisapprobationbytheproportionalmagnificenceofthewelcomeaccordedhisMajesty。AlmostthewholecourtofFranceaccompaniedhimonthisjourney，andgranddignitaries，ladiesofhonor，superiorofficers，aides-de-camp，chamberlains，equerries，ladiesofattire，quartermasters，valetsdechambre，regulatorsofsoldiers\'

quarters，thekitchenservice——nothingwaswanting。NapoleonintendedtodazzletheeyesofthegoodDutchmenbythemagnificenceofhiscourt；

and，intruth，hisgraciousmanner，hisaffability，andtherecitalofthenumerousbenefitshescatteredaroundhispath，hadalreadyhadtheireffectinconqueringthispopulation，inspiteofthefrowningbrowsofafew，who，astheysmokedtheirpipes，murmuredagainsttheimpedimentstocommercecausedbytheContinentalsystem。

ThecityofAmsterdam，wheretheEmperorhaddecidedtoremainsometime，founditselfsuddenlyinaconditionofpeculiarembarrassment，owingtothefollowingcircumstance:Thistownhadaveryextensivepalace，butnocoachesnorstablesattachedtothem，whichforthesuiteofNapoleonwasaprimenecessity；andthestablesofKingLouis，besidestheirinsufficiency，wereplacedtoofarfromthepalacetobeoccupiedbyevenaportionoftheEmperor\'sservice。Consequentlytherewasgreatembarrassmentinthecity，andmuchdifficultywasexperiencedinquarteringtheEmperor\'shorses；sincetoimprovisestablesinafewdays，almostinamoment，wasimpossible，andtobuildcarriage-housesinthemidstofcourtswouldhavehadaludicrouseffect。ButfortunatelythisdifficultsituationwasendedbyoneofthequartermastersofthepalacenamedM。Emery，amanofgreatintelligence，andanoldsoldier，who，havinglearnedfromNapoleonandtheforceofcircumstancesnevertobeovercomebydifficulties，conceivedthehappythoughtofconvertingtheflower-marketintostablesandcoach-houses，andplacingtheequipagesoftheEmperorthereunderimmensetents。

TheEmperoratlastrejoinedhisaugustspouseatBrussels，wheretheenthusiasmexcitedbyhispresencewasunanimous。Onasuggestionfromhim，whichwasasdelicateaspolitic，MarieLouiseduringherstayboughtlacestothevalueofonehundredandfiftythousandfrancs，inordertoencouragethemanufacturers。TheintroductionintoFranceofEnglishmerchandisewasatthattimeseverelyprohibited，andallthatwasfoundwasindiscriminatelyburned。

OfthewholesystemofoffensivepolicymaintainedbyNapoleonagainstthemaritimetyrannyofEngland，nothingmorenearlyarousedopenoppositionthanthevigorousobservanceofprohibitorydecrees。BelgiumthencontainedaquantityofEnglishmerchandise，whichwasmostcarefullyconcealed，andwhicheveryonewasanxioustoobtain，asiseverthecasewithforbiddenfruit。AlltheladiesinthesuiteoftheEmpressmadelargepurchasesofthesearticles；andoneevenfilledseveralcarriageswiththem，notwithoutfear，however，thatNapoleonmightbeinformedofthis，andmightseizeeverythingonitsarrivalinFrance。Thesecarriages，bearingthearmsoftheEmperor，passedtheRhinefilledwiththispreciousluggage，andarrivedatthegatesofCoblentz，whichfurnishedanoccasionofpainfuluncertaintytotheofficersofthecustom-house，whiletheydeliberatedwhethertheyshouldarrestandexaminethecarriages，orshouldpermitaconvoytopassunmolestedbecauseitprofessedtobelongtotheEmperor。Aftermaturedeliberation，themajorityadoptedthisalternative；andthecarriagessuccessfullypassedthefirstlineofFrenchcustom-houses，andreachedportinsafety，——thatistosay，Paris，——withitscargoofprohibitedmerchandise。Ifthecarriageshadbeenstopped，itisprobablethatNapoleonwouldhavehighlyapplaudedthecourageoftheinspectorsofcustoms，andwouldhavepitilesslyburnedtheconfiscatedarticles。

TheirMajestiesarrivedatUtrechtthe6thofOctober，andfoundeveryhouseonthequaysaswellasthestreetsdecoratedwithribbonsandgarlands。Therainwasfallingintorrents；butthisdidnotpreventtheauthoritiesbeingonfootfromearlyinthemorning，andthepopulationfillingthestreets。Assoonashealightedfromhiscarriage，Napoleon，inspiteoftheweather，mountedhishorse，andwenttoholdareviewofseveralregimentsstationedatthegatesofUtrecht，accompaniedbyanumerousstaff，andalargenumberofcuriouspersons，mostofthemwettotheskin。AfterthereviewNapoleonenteredthepalace，wheretheentiredeputationawaitedhiminanimmensehall，stillunfurnished，thoughithadbeenbuiltbyKingLouis，andwithoutchanginghisclothinggaveaudiencetoallwhowereeagertocongratulatehim，andlistenedwithmostexemplarypatiencetotheharanguesaddressedtohim。

TheentranceoftheirMajestiesintoAmsterdamwasmostbrilliant。

TheEmpress，inachariotdrawnbysplendidhorses，wasafewhoursinadvanceoftheEmperor，whomadehisentryonhorseback，surroundedbyabrilliantstaff，glitteringwithgoldandembroideries，whoadvancedataslowpaceamidshoutsofadmirationandastonishmentfromthegoodHollanders。Throughhissimpleandunaffectedbearingthereshoneaprofoundsatisfaction，andperhapsevenanaturalsentimentofpride，inseeingthewelcomeaccordedtohisgloryhereaselsewhere，andtheuniversalsympathyarousedinthemassesbyhispresencealone。Draperyinthreecolors，whichproducedaveryfineeffect，hungfrompostserectedatregularintervalsandformedthedecorationofthestreetsthroughwhichhisMajestywastopass；andhewhothreeyearslaterwastoenterthepalaceoftheTuileriesbynight，andasafugitive，afterhavingwithmuchdifficultygainedadmissionthroughthegatesofthechateau，passedthenunderarchesoftriumph，withagloryyetunsulliedbydefeat，andafortunestillfaithful。Thesereminiscencesarepainfultome，buttheyrecurtomymindevenagainstmywill；fornoyearoftheEmpirewasmarkedbymorefetes，moretriumphantentries，ormorepopularrejoicings，thanthatwhichprecededthedisastrousyearof1812。

SomeoftheactorsoftheFrenchTheateratParishadaccompaniedthecourttoHolland，andTalmathereplayedtherolesofBayardandd\'Orosmane；andM。AlissandeChazetdirectedatAmsterdamtheperformancebyFrenchcomediansofavaudevilleinhonoroftheirMajesties，thetitleofwhichIhaveforgotten。Here，again，Iwishtorefuteanotherassertionnolessfalsemadebytheauthorofthese\'ContemporaryMemoirs\'，concerningafictitiousliaisonbetweentheEmperorandMademoiselleBourgoin。Icitethepassageinquestion:

“MademoiselleBourgoin，oneofthedelegatesfromthecourtofThalia，inordertobepermittedtoaccompanythepartyonthisjourney，hadthoughtlesslysuccumbedtothetemptationofmakingindiscreetrevelations；evenboastingaloudthatsheattractedtheEmperortothetheaterinwhichsheplayed；andtheseboasts，whichwerebynomeansvirtuous，havingreachedtheEmperor\'sears，hewouldnolongerattendthetheater。HechargedTalma，forwhomhehadmuchconsideration，tourgetheprettyactresstobesilent；andtoinformherthatontheslightestindiscretionshewouldbereconductedtoFranceundergoodescort。“

ThisbynomeansagreeswithwhathisMajestysaidonedayinregardtothisactresswhileatErfurt。Thesewords，whichtheauthoroftheMemoirswoulddowelltorecall，provethattheEmperorhadnoviewsinregardtoher；andthemostimportantproofofall，isthegreatdiscretionwhichtheEmperoralwaysexercisedinregardtohisamours。

DuringtheentirepassagethroughHolland，theEmperorshowedhimselfcordialandaffable，welcomingeveryonemostkindly，andaccostingeachinasuitablemanner，andatnotimewasheevermoreamiableoranxioustoplease。Hevisitedthemanufactures，inspecteddock-yards，reviewedtroops，addressedthesailors，andattendedtheball\'sgiveninhishonorinallthetownsthroughwhichhepassed；andamidthislifeofseemingpleasureanddistraction，heexertedhimselfalmostmorethaninthequiet，monotonouslifeofthecamp，andwasaffable，gracious，andaccessibletoallhissubjects。Butintheseprocessions，intheverymidstofthesefetes，amidallthisacclamationofwholecitiesrushingouttomeethim，eagertoserveashisescort，underthesearchesoftriumphwhichwereerectedtohimsometimesevenattheentranceofanobscurevillage，hisabstractionwasdeeperthanever，andhisheartmoreoppressedwithcare；forhisthoughtswerefromthistimefilledwiththeexpeditiontoRussia。Andperhapsintothisamenityofmanner，thisfriendliness，andtheseactsofbenevolence，mostofwhichwereforeigntohischaracter，thereenteredthedesignoflesseninginadvancethediscontentwhichthisexpeditionwouldproduce；andperhapsinattachingallheartstohimself，inexhaustingeverymeansofpleasing，heimaginedhewasobtainingpardoninadvance，bymeansoftheenthusiasmofhissubjects，forawarwhich，whatevermightbetheresult，wastocosttheEmpiresomuchbloodandsomanytears。

DuringtheirMajesties\'stayatAmsterdam，therewasplacedintheapartmentsoftheEmpressapianosoconstructedastoappearlikeadeskwithadivisioninthemiddle，andinthisspacewasplacedasmallbustoftheEmperorofRussia。Soonafter，theEmperorwishedtoseeiftheapartmentsoftheEmpressweresuitable，andwhilevisitingthemperceivedthisbust，whichheplacedunderhisarmwithoutaword。

HeafterwardssaidtooneoftheladiesoftheEmpress，thathewishedthisbustremoved；andhewasobeyed，thoughthiscausedconsiderableastonishment，asitwasnotthenknownthatanycoolnesshadarisenbetweenthetwoEmperors。

AfewdaysafterhisarrivalatAmsterdam，theEmperormadeseveralexcursionsintothecountry，accompaniedbyasomewhatnumeroussuite。

HevisitedatSaardamthethatchedcottagewhichshelteredPetertheGreatwhenhecametoHollandunderthenameofPierreMichaelofftostudyship-building；andafterremainingtherehalfanhour，theEmperor，asheleft，remarkedtothegrandmarshalofthepalace。“ThatisthefinestmonumentinHolland。“Theeveningbefore，herMajestytheEmpresshadvisitedthevillageofBroek，whichistheprideofthewholenorthofHolland。Almostallthehousesofthevillagearebuiltofwood，andareofonestory，thefrontsornamentedwithnumerouspaintingsinaccordancewiththecapriceoftheowners。Thesepaintingsarecaredformostzealously，andpreservedinastateofperfectfreshness。ThroughthewindowsofclearestglassareseencurtainsofembroideredChinasilk，andofpaintedmuslinandbeautifulIndiastuffs。Thestreetsarepavedwithbrickandveryclean，andarewashedandrubbeddaily，andcoveredwithfinewhitesand，inwhichvariousfiguresareimitated，especiallyflowers。Placardsattheendofeachstreetforbidtheentranceofcarriagesintothevillage，thehousesofwhichresemblechildren\'stoys。Thecattlearecaredforbyhirelingsatsomedistancefromthetown；andthereis，outsidethevillage，aninnforstrangers，fortheyarenotpermittedtolodgeinside。InfrontofsomehousesI

remarkedeitheragrassplotoranarrangementofcoloredsandandshells，sometimeslittlepaintedwoodenstatues，sometimeshedgesoddlycut。Eventhevesselsandbroom-handleswerepaintedvariouscolors，andcaredforliketheremainderoftheestablishment；theinhabitantscarryingtheirloveofcleanlinesssofarastocompelthosewhoenteredtotakeofftheirshoes，andreplacethemwithslippers，whichstoodatthedoorforthissingularpurpose。IamremindedonthissubjectofananecdoterelatingtotheEmperorJosephtheSecond。Thatprince，havingpresentedhimselfinbootsatthedoorofahouseinBroek，andbeingrequestedtoremovethembeforeentering，exclaimed，“IamtheEmperor！“——

“EvenifyouweretheburgomasterofAmsterdam，youshouldnotenterinboots，“repliedthemasterofthedwelling。ThegoodEmperorthereuponputontheslippers。

DuringthejourneytoHollandtheirMajestieswereinformedthatthefirsttoothoftheKingofRomehadjustmadeitsappearance，andthatthehealthofthisaugustchildwasnotimpairedthereby。

InoneofthelittletownsinthenorthofHolland，theauthoritiesrequestedtheEmperor\'spermissiontopresenttohimanoldmanagedonehundredandoneyears，andheorderedhimbroughtbeforehim。Thismorethancentenarianwasstillvigorous，andhadservedformerlyintheguardsoftheStadtholder；hepresentedapetitionentreatingtheEmperortoexemptfromconscriptiononeofhisgrandsons，thesupportofhisoldage。HisMajestyassuredhim，throughaninterpreter，thathewouldnotdeprivehimofhisgrandson，andMarshalDurocwasorderedtoleavewiththeoldmanatestimonialofImperialliberality。InanotherlittletowninFriesland，theauthoritiesmadetheEmperorthissingularaddress:

“Sire，wewereafraidyouwouldcomewiththewholecourt；youarealmostalone，andtherebyweseeyouthebetter，andthemoreatourease。“TheEmperorapplaudedthisloyalcompliment，andhonoredtheoratorbymosttouchingthanks。Afterthislongjourney，passedinfetes，reviews，anddisplaysofallkinds，wheretheEmperor，undertheguiseofbeingentertained，hadmadeprofoundobservationsonthemoral，commercial，andmilitarysituationofHolland，observationswhichborefruitafterhisreturntoParis，andevenwhileinthecountry，inwiseandusefuldecrees，theirMajestiesleftHolland，passingthroughHaarlem，TheHague，andRotterdam，wheretheywerewelcomed，astheyhadbeeninthewholeofHolland，byfetes。TheycrossedtheRhine，visitedCologneandAix-la-Chapelle，andarrivedatSaint-CloudearlyinNovember，1811。

CHAPTERII。

MarieLouiswasaveryhandsomewoman。Shehadamajesticfigureandnoblebearing，freshcomplexion，blondhair，andblueeyesfullofexpression；herhandsandfeetweretheadmirationofthecourt。

Herfigurewas，perhaps，atrifletoostout；butshelostsomeofthissuperfluousfleshduringherstayinFrance，thoughtherebyshegainedasmuchingraceandbeauty。Suchwasherappearance。Inherintercoursewiththoseimmediatelyaroundhershewasaffableandcordial；andtheenjoymentshefeltinthefreedomoftheseconversationswasdepictedonhercountenance，whichgrewanimated，andtookonaninfinitegrace。

Butwhenshewasobligedtoappearinpublicshebecameextremelytimid；

formalsocietyservedofitselftoisolateher；andaspersonswhoarenotnaturallyhaughtyalwaysappearsowithapoorgrace，MarieLouise，beingalwaysmuchembarrassedonreceptiondays，wasoftenthesubjectofunjustcriticism；for，asIhavesaid，hercoldnessinrealityarosefromanexcessivetimidity。

ImmediatelyafterherarrivalinFrance，MarieLouisesufferedfromthisembarrassmenttoaverygreatdegree，whichcanbeeasilyunderstoodinayoungprincesswhofoundherselfsosuddenlytransportedintoanentirelynewsociety，towhosehabitsandtastesshefeltobligedtoconform，andinwhich，althoughherhighpositionmustnaturallyattracttheworldtoher，thecircumstancesofthispositionrendereditnecessarythatsheshouldtaketheinitiativeinanyadvancesmade，afactwhichexplainstheawkwardnessofherearlyrelationswiththeladiesofhercourt。

Afterintimacieshadbeenformed，andtheyoungEmpresshadchosenherfriendswithalltheabandonofheryoungheart，thenhaughtinessandconstraintvanished，orreappearedonlyonoccasionsofceremony。

MarieLouisewasofacalm，thoughtfulcharacter；ittooklittletoarousehersensitivespirit；andyet，althougheasilymoved，shewasbynomeansdemonstrative。TheEmpresshadreceivedaverycarefuleducation，hermindwascultivatedandhertastesverysimple，andshepossessedeveryaccomplishment。

Shedetestedtheinsipidhourspassedinidleness，andlikedoccupationbecauseitsuitedhertastes，andalsobecauseinaproperemploymentofhertimeshefoundtheonlymeansofdrivingawayennui。Ithinkshewas，infact，amostcongenialwifefortheEmperor。Shewastoomuchinterestedintheconcernsofherownprivatelifetoevermingleinpoliticalintrigues，and，althoughshewasbothEmpressandQueen，veryoftenwasinentireignoranceofpublicaffairs，exceptwhatknowledgesheobtainedfromthejournals。TheEmperorattheendofdaysfilledwithagitationcouldfindalittlerelaxationonlyinaquietdomestichearth，whichrestoredtohimthehappinessoffamilylife；and，consequently，anintriguingwomanoratalkativepoliticianwouldhaveannoyedhimexceedingly。

Nevertheless，theEmperorsometimescomplainedofthewantofaffabilitytheEmpressshowedtotheladiesofhercourt，andsaidthatthisexcessivereservewasinjurioustohiminacountrywheretheoppositeextremeismostcommon。

Thiswasbecausehewasrecallingthepastsomewhat，andthinkingoftheEmpressJosephine，whoseconstantgayetywasthechiefcharmofthecourt。Hewasnecessarilystruckbythecontrast；butwastherenotsomeinjusticeatthefoundationofthis？TheEmpressMarieLouisewasthedaughterofanEmperor，andhadseenandknownonlycourtiers，and，havingnoacquaintancewithanyotherclass，knewnothingofanyworldoutsidethewallsofthepalaceofVienna。ShearrivedonefinedayattheTuileries，inthemidstofapeoplewhomshehadneverseenexceptassoldiers；andonthisaccounttheconstraintofhermannertowardsthepersonscomposingthebrilliantsocietyofParisseemstometoacertainpointexcusable。Itseemstome，besides，thattheEmpresswasexpectedtoshowafranknessandsimplicitywhichwereentirelymisplaced；and，bybeingcautionedoverandoveragaintobenatural，shewaspreventedfromtheobservanceofthatformalityalsosuitableonthepartofthegreat，whoshouldbeapproachedonlywhentheythemselvesgivethesignal。TheEmpressJosephinelovedthepeoplebecauseshehadbeenoneofthem；andinmountingathroneherexpansivenaturehadeverythingtogain，forshefounditwasonlyextendingherfriendshipamongalargercircle。Inspiredbyherownkindheart，theEmpressMarieLouisesoughttomakethosearoundherhappy；andherbenevolentdeedswerelongthesubjectofconversation，and，aboveall，thedelicatemannerinwhichtheywereperformed。Eachmonthshetookfromthesumallottedforhertoilettenthousandfrancsforthepoor，whichwasnotthelimitofhercharities；forshealwayswelcomedwiththegreatestinterestthosewhocametotellherofdistressestobealleviated。Fromtheeagernesswithwhichshelistenedtothosesolicitingaid，itwouldseemthatshehadbeenrecalledsuddenlytoaduty；andyetitwassimplyanevidencethatthechordsofhersensitivehearthadbeentouched。Idonotknowifanyoneeverreceivedfromherarefusalofademandofthissort。TheEmperorwasdeeplytouchedeachtimethathewasinformedofabenevolentactoftheEmpress。Ateighto\'clockinthemorningthecurtainsandblindswerehalfopenedintheapartmentsoftheEmpressMarieLouise，andthepaperswerehandedher；afterreadingwhich，chocolateorcoffeewasserved，withakindofpastrycalledtongue。Thisfirstbreakfastshetookinbed。Atnineo\'clockMarieLouisearose，madehermorningtoilet，andreceivedthosepersonsprivilegedtoattendatthishour。

EverydayintheEmperor\'sabsence，theEmpressascendedtotheapartmentofMadamedeMontebello，herladyofhonor，followedbyherservice，composedofthechevalierofhonor，andsomeoftheladiesofthepalace；

andonherreturntoherapartments，alightbreakfastwasserved，consistingofpastryandfruits。Afterherlessonsindrawing，painting，andmusic，shecommencedhergrandtoilet。Betweensixandseveno\'clockshedinedwiththeEmperor，orinhisabsencewithMadamedeMontebello，thedinnercomprisingonlyonecourse。Theeveningwasspentinreceptions，oratconcerts，plays，etc。；andtheEmpressretiredateleveno\'clock。Oneofherwomenalwayssleptintheroominfrontofherbedroom，anditwasthroughthistheEmperorwasobligedtopasswhenhespentthenightinhiswife\'sroom。

ThiscustomaryroutineoftheEmpresswaschanged，however，whentheEmperorwasatthechateau；butwhenaloneshewaspunctualinallheremployments，anddidexactlythesamethingsatthesamehours。Herpersonaldomesticsseemedmuchattachedtoher；forthoughcoolanddistantinhermanner，theyalwaysfoundhergoodandjust。

IntheEmperor\'sabsencetheportraitoftheDuchessofMontebelloornamentedtheEmpress\'sroomwiththoseoftheentireImperialfamilyofAustria；butwhentheEmperorreturned，theportraitoftheduchesswasremoved；andduringthewarbetweenNapoleonandtheEmperorsofAustriaandRussia，theportraitofFrancisII。wasremovedfromhisdaughter\'sroom，byorderofhisMajesty，andwas，Ithink，consignedtosomesecretspot。

TheKingofRomewasaveryfinechild；andthoughheresembledtheEmperorlessthanthesonofHortensehaddone，hisfeatureswereanagreeableunionofthoseofhisfatherandmother。Ineverknewhimexceptinhisinfancy，andwhatwasmostremarkableinhimatthatagewasthegreatkindnessandaffectionheshowedtothosearoundhim。HewasmuchdevotedtoayoungandprettypersonnamedFannySoufflot，daughterofthefirstladyofthebedchamber，whowashisconstantcompanion；and，ashelikedtoseeheralwayswelldressed，hebeggedofMarieLouise，orhisgoverness，MadametheCountessofMontesquiou，anyfinerythatstruckhisfancy，whichhewishedtogivetohisyoungfriend。Hemadeherpromisetofollowhimtothewarwhenhewasgrown，andsaidmanycharmingthingswhichshowedhisaffectionatedisposition。

Therewaschosenascompanionforthelittleking(ashestyledhimself)

ayoungchildnamedAlbertFroment，Ithink，thesonofoneoftheladiesofhonor。OnemorningastheywereplayingtogetherinthegardenonwhichtheapartmentsofthekingopenedatSaint-Cloud，MademoiselleFannywaswatchingthemwithoutinterferingwiththeirgames，Alberttriedtotaketheking\'swheelbarrow；and，whenthelatterresisted，Albertstruckhim，whereuponthekingexclaimed，“Oh，supposesomeonehadseenyou！ButIwillnottell！“Iconsiderthisafineevidenceofcharacter。

Onedayhewasatthewindowsofthechateauwithhisgoverness，amusinghimselfbylookingatthepassers-by，andpointingoutwithhisfingerthosewhoattractedhisattention。Whilestandingtherehesawbelowawomanindeepmourning，holdingbythehandalittleboyalsodressedinmourning。Thelittlechildcarriedapetition，whichhewavedfromadistancetotheprince，andseemedtobeentreatinghimtoreceive。

Theirblackclothingmadeadeepimpressionontheprince，andheaskedwhythepoorchildwasdressedallinblack。“Doubtlessbecausehispapaisdead，“repliedthegoverness，whereuponthechildexpressedanearnestdesiretospeaktothelittlepetitioner。MadamedeMontesquiou，whoespeciallydesiredtocultivateinheryoungpupilthisdispositiontomercy，gaveordersthatthemotherandchildshouldbebroughtup。Sheprovedtobethewidowofabravemanwhohadlosthislifeinthelastcampaign；andbyhisdeathshehadbeenreducedtopoverty，andcompelledtosolicitapensionfromtheEmperor。Theyoungprincetookthepetition，andpromisedtopresentittohispapa。Andnextdaywhenhewentasusualtopayhisrespectstohisfather，andhandedhimallthepetitionspresentedtohimtheeveningbefore，onealonewaskeptapart；

itwasthatofhislittleprotege。“Papa，“saidhe，“hereisapetitionfromalittleboywhosefatherwaskilledonyouraccount；givehimapension。“Napoleonwasdeeplymoved，andembracedhisson，andordersforthepensionweregiventhatday。Thisconductinsoyoungachildgivesundeniableevidenceofanexcellentheart。

Hisearlytrainingwasexcellent；asMadamedeMontesquiouhadanunboundedinfluenceoverhim，owingtothemanneratoncegentleandgraveinwhichshecorrectedhisfaults。Thechildwasgenerallydocile，but，nevertheless，sometimeshadviolentfitsofanger，whichhisgovernesshadadoptedanexcellentmeansofcorrecting，whichwastoremainperfectlyunmoveduntilhehimselfcontrolledhisfury。Whenthechildreturnedtohimself，afewsevereandpertinentremarkstransformedhimintoalittleCatofortheremainderoftheday。Onedayashewasrollingonthefloorrefusingtolistentotheremonstrancesofhisgoverness，sheclosedtiewindowsandshutters；andthechild，astonishedbythisperformance，forgotwhathadenragedhim，andaskedherwhyshedidthis。“IdiditbecauseIwasafraidyouwouldbeheard；doyousupposetheFrenchpeoplewouldwantyouastheirprince，iftheyknewthatyougavewaytosuchfitsofanger？“——“Doyouthinktheyheardme？“

heinquired；“Iwouldbeverysorryiftheyhad。Pardon，MammaQuiou[thiswashisnameforher]，Iwillnotdoitagain。“

TheEmperorwaspassionatelydevotedtohisson；tookhiminhisarmseverytimehesawhim，andjumpedhimupanddownmostmerrily，andwasdelightedwiththejoyhemanifested。Heteasedhimbycarryinghiminfrontoftheglassandmakinggrimaces，atwhichthechildlaughedtillhecried。Whileatbreakfasthetookhimonhisknee，dippedhisfingerinthesauceandmadehimsuckit，andsmearedhisfacewithit；andwhenthegovernessscolded，theEmperorlaughedstillmoreheartily，andthechild，whoenjoyedthesport，beggedhisfathertorepeatit。Thiswasanopportunemomentforthearrivalofpetitionsatthechateau；fortheywerealwayswellreceivedatsuchtimes，thankstotheall-powerfulcreditofthelittlemediator。

TheEmperorinhistendermoodswassometimesevenmorechildishthanhisson。Theyoungprincewasonlyfourmonthsoldwhenhisfatherputhisthree-corneredhatontheprettyinfant。

Thechildusuallycriedagooddeal，andatthesetimestheEmperorembracedhimwithanardoranddelightwhichnonebutatenderfathercouldfeel，sayingtohim，“What，Sire，youcrying！Akingweeping；fie，then，howuglythatis！“

HewasjustayearoldwhenIsawtheEmperor，onthelawninfrontofthechateau，placehissword-beltovertheshouldersoftheking，andhishatonhishead，andholdingouthisarmstothechild，whototteredtohim，hislittlefeetnowandthenentangledinhisfather\'ssword；anditwasbeautifultoseetheeagernesswithwhichtheEmperorextendedhisarmstokeephimfromfalling。

OnedayinhiscabinettheEmperorwaslyingonthefloor，thekingridinghorsebackonhisknee，mountingbyjumpsuptohisfather\'sface，andkissinghim。Onanotheroccasionthechildenteredthecouncilchamberafterthemeetinghadended，andranintohisfather\'sarmswithoutpayingattentiontoanyoneelse，uponwhichtheEmperorsaidtohim，“Sire，youhavenotsalutedthesegentlemen。“Thechildturned，bowedmostgracefully，andhisfatherthentookhiminhisarms。

SometimeswhengoingtovisittheEmperor，heransofastthatheleftMadamedeMontesquioufarbehind，andsaidtotheusher，“Openthedoorforme，Iwanttoseepapa。“Theusherreplied，“Sire，Icannotdoit。“——

“ButIamthelittleking。“——“No，Sire，Icannotopenit。“Atthismomenthisgovernessappeared；andstronginherprotectionheproudlyrepeated，“Openthedoor，thekingdesiresit。“

MadamedeMontesquiouhadaddedtotheprayerswhichthechildrepeatedmorningandevening，thesewords:“MyGod，inspirepapatomakepeaceforthehappinessofFrance。“OneeveningtheEmperorwaspresentwhenhissonwasretiring，andhemadethesameprayer，whereupontheEmperorembracedhiminsilence，smilingmostkindlyonMadamedeMontesquiou。

TheEmperorwasaccustomedtosaytotheKingofRomewhenhewasfrightenedatanynoiseorathisgrimaces，“Come，come！akingshouldhavenofear。“

IrecallanotheranecdoteconcerningtheyoungsonoftheEmperor，whichwasrelatedtomebyhisMajestyhimselfoneeveningwhenIwasundressinghimasusual，andatwhichtheEmperorlaughedmostheartily。

“Youwouldnotbelieve，“saidhe，“thesingularrewardmysondesiredofhisgovernessforbeinggood。Wouldshenotallowhimtogoandwadeinthemud？“Thiswas，true，andproves，itseemstome，thatthegreatnesswhichsurroundsthecradleofprincescannoteradicatefromtheirmindsthesingularcapricesofchildhood。

CHAPTERIII。

AlltheworldisfamiliarwiththenameoftheAbbeGeoffroyofsatiricalmemory，whodrovethemostpopularactorsandauthorsofthetimetodesperation。ThispitilessAristarchusmusthavebeenmostardentlyenamoredofthisdisagreeableprofession；forhesometimesendangeredthereby，nothislife，whichmanypersonswouldhavedesiredearnestlyperhaps，butatanyratehishealthandhisrepose。Itiswell，doubtless，toattackthosewhocanreplywiththepen，asthentheconsequencesoftheencounterdonotreachbeyondtheridiculewhichisoftentheportionofbothadversaries。ButAbbeGeoffroyfulfilledonlyoneofthetwoconditionsbyvirtueofwhichonecancriticise，——hehadmuchbitternessinhispen，buthewasnotamanofthesword；andeveryoneknowsthattherearepersonswhomitisnecessarytoattackwithboththeseweapons。

AnactorwhomGeoffroyhadnotexactlyflatteredinhiscriticismsdecidedtoavengehimselfinapiquantstyle，andoneatwhichhecouldlaughlongandloud。Oneevening，foreseeingwhatwouldappearinthejournalofthenextday，hecouldthinkofnothingbetterthantocarryoffGeoffroyashewasreturningfromthetheater，andconducthimwithbandagedeyestoahousewhereaschoolboy\'spunishmentwouldbeinflictedonthismanwhoconsideredhimselfamasterintheartofwriting。

Thisplanwascarriedout。Justastheabberegainedhislodging，rubbinghishandsperhapsashethoughtofsomefinepointfortomorrow\'spaper，threeorfourvigorousfellowsseizedhim，andconveyedhimwithoutawordtotheplaceofpunishment；andsometimelaterthatevening，theabbe，wellflogged，openedhiseyesinthemiddleofthestreet，tofindhimselfalonefarfromhisdwelling。TheEmperor，whentoldofthisludicrousaffair，wasnotatallamused，but，onthecontrary，becameveryangry，andsaidthatifheknewtheauthorsofthisoutrage，hewouldhavethempunished。“Whenamanattackswiththepen，“

headded，heshouldbeansweredwiththesameweapon。“ThetruthisalsothattheEmperorwasmuchattachedtoM。Geoffroy，whosewritingshedidnotwishsubmittedtocensurelikethoseofotherjournalist。ItwassaidinParisthatthispredilectionofagreatmanforacausticcriticcamefromthefactthatthesecontributionstotheJournaloftheEmpire，whichattractedmuchattentionatthisperiod，wereausefuldiversiontothemindsofthecapital。Iknownothingpositivelyinregardtothis；

butwhenIreflectonthecharacteroftheEmperor，whowishednoonetooccupythemselveswithhispoliticalaffairs，theseopinionsseemtomenotdevoidoffoundation。

DoctorCorvisartwasnotacourtier，andcamerarelytotheEmperor，exceptonhisregularvisiteachWednesdayandSaturday。HewasverycandidwiththeEmperor，insistedpositivelythathisdirectionsshouldbeobeyedtotheletter，andmadefulluseoftherightaccordedtophysicianstoscoldtheirnegligentpatient。TheEmperorwasespeciallyfondofhim，andalwaysdetainedhim，seemingtofindmuchpleasureinhisconversation。

AfterthejourneytoHollandin1811，M。CorvisartcametoseetheEmperoroneSaturday，andfoundhimingoodhealth。Helefthimafterthetoilet，andimmediatelywenttoenjoythepleasuresofthechase，ofwhichhewasexceedinglyfond。Hewasinthehabitofnotannouncingwherehewasgoing，solelyinorderthathemightnotbeinterruptedforsomeslightcause，ashadhappenedtohimsometimes，forthedoctorwasmostobligingandconsiderate。Thatdayafterhisbreakfast，which，accordingtocustom，hehaddevouredrapidly，theEmperorwastakensuddenlywithaviolentcolic，andwasquiteill。HeaskedforM。

Corvisart，andacourierwasdispatchedforhim，who，notfindinghiminParis，hastenedtohiscountryhouse；butthedoctorwasatthechase，nooneknewwhere，sothecourierwasobligedtoreturnwithouthim。TheEmperorwasdeeplyvexed，andashecontinuedtosufferextremely，atlastwenttobed，andMarieLouisecameandspentafewmomentswithhim；

atlastM。Yvanwassummoned，andadministeredremedieswhichsoonrelievedtheEmperor。

M。Corvisart，somewhatanxiousperhaps，cameonMondayinsteadofWednesday；andwhenheenteredNapoleon\'sroom，thelatter，whowasinhisdressing-gown，rantohim，andtakinghimbybothears，said，“Well，Monsieur，itseemsthatifIwereseriouslyill，Ishouldhavetodispensewithyourservices。“M。Corvisartexcusedhimself，askedtheEmperorhowhehadbeenaffected，whatremedieshehadused，andpromisedalwaystoleavewordwherehecouldbefound，inorderthathemightbesummonedimmediatelyonhisMajesty\'sorders，andtheEmperorwassoonappeased。Thiseventwasreallyofadvantagetothedoctor；forhethusabandonedabadhabit，atwhichitisprobablehispatientsrejoiced。

M。CorvisarthadaverygreatinfluencewiththeEmperor，somuchsothatmanypersonswhoknewhimgavehimthesoubriquetofdoctorofpetitions；

anditwasveryrarelyhefailedtoobtainafavorableanswertohisrequests。Nevertheless，IoftenheardhimspeakwarmlyinfavorofM。deBourrienne，inordertoimpressupontheEmperor\'smindthathewasmuchattachedtohisMajesty；butthelatteralwaysreplied，“No，BourrienneistoomuchofanEnglishman；andbesides，heisdoingverywell；IhavelocatedhimatHamburg。Helovesmoney，andhecanmakeitthere。“

Itwasduringtheyear1811thatCardinalFeschcamemostfrequentlytotheEmperor\'sapartments，andtheirdiscussionsseemedtomeveryanimated。Thecardinalmaintainedhisopinionsmostvehemently，speakinginaveryloudtoneandwithgreatvolubility。Theseconversationsdidnotlastmorethanfivemomentsbeforetheybecameverybitter，andI

heardtheEmperorraisehisvoicetothesamepitch；thenfollowedanexchangeofharshterms，andeachtimethecardinalarrivedIfeltdistressedfortheEmperor，whowasalwaysmuchagitatedatthecloseoftheseinterviews。OnedayasthecardinalwastakingleaveoftheEmperor，Iheardthelattersaytohimsharply，“Cardinal，youtakeadvantageofyourposition。“

AfewdaysbeforeourdepartureforRussiatheEmperorhadmesummonedduringtheday，andorderedmetobringfromthetreasurytheboxofdiamonds，andplaceitinhisroom，andnottogofaraway，ashehadsomeimportantbusinessforme。Aboutnineo\'clockintheeveningIwasagainsummoned，andfoundM。deLavalette，director-generalofthepost，intheEmperor\'sroom。HisMajestyopenedtheboxinmypresence，andexaminedthecontents，sayingtome，“Constant，carrythisboxyourselftothecount\'scarriage，andremaintheretillhearrives。“ThecarriagewasstandingatthefootofthegrandstaircaseinthecourtoftheTuileries；andIopenedit，tookmyseat，andwaiteduntilhalf-pasteleven，whenM。deLavalettearrived，havingspentallthistimeinconversationwiththeEmperor。IcouldnotunderstandtheseprecautionsindeliveringthediamondstoM。deLavalette，buttheywerecertainlynotwithoutamotive。

Theboxcontainedthesword，onthepommelofwhichwasmountedtheregentdiamond，thehandlealsosetwithdiamondsofgreatvalue；thegrandcollaroftheLegionofHonor；theornaments，hatcord，shoulder-

piece，andbuttonsofthecoronationrobes，withtheshoe-bucklesandgarters，allofwhichwereofimmensevalue。

AshorttimebeforewesetoutfortheRussiancampaign，Josephinesentforme，andIwentatoncetoMalmaison，wherethisexcellentwomanrenewedherearnestrecommendationstowatchmostcarefullyovertheEmperor\'shealthandsafety；andmademepromisethatifanyaccident，howeverslight，happenedtohim，Iwouldwritetoher，asshewasexceedinglyanxioustoknowtherealtruthconcerninghim。Sheweptmuch；talkedtomeconstantlyabouttheEmperor，andafteraconversationofmorethananhour，inwhichshegavefullventtoheremotions，presentedmewithherportraitpaintedbySaintonagoldsnuff-box。I

feltmuchdepressedbythisinterview；fornothingcouldbemoretouchingthantoseethiswomandisgraced，butstillloving，entreatingmycareoverthemanwhohadabandonedher，andmanifestingthesameaffectionateinterestinhimwhichthemostbelovedwifewouldhavedone。

OnenteringRussia，athingofwhichIspeakheremoreaccordingtotheorderofmyreminiscencesthanintheorderoftime，theEmperorsentout，onthreedifferentroads，detailsofselectpolicetoprepareinadvancelodgings，beds，supplies，etc。TheseofficerswereMessieursSarrazin，adjutant-lieutenant，Verges，Molene，andLieutenantPachot。I

willdevotefartheronanentirechaptertoouritineraryfromParistoMoscow。

AshorttimebeforethebattleofLaMoskwa，amanwasbroughttothecampdressedintheRussianuniform，butspeakingFrench；atleasthislanguagewasasingularmixtureofFrenchandRussian。Thismanhadescapedsecretlyfromtheenemy\'slines；andwhenheperceivedthatoursoldierswereonlyashortdistancefromhim，hadthrownhisgunontheground，cryinginaverystrongRussianaccent，“IamFrench，“andoursoldiershadatoncetakenhimprisoner。

Neverwasprisonermorecharmedwithhischangeofabode。Thispoorfellow，whoseemedtohavebeenforcedtotakearmsagainsthiswillintheserviceoftheenemiesofhiscountry，arrivedattheFrenchcamp，calledhimselfthehappiestofmeninfindingagainhisfellow-

countrymen，andpressedthehandofallthesoldierswithanardorwhichdelightedthem。HewasbroughttotheEmperor，andappearedmuchover-

awedatfindinghimselfinthepresenceoftheKingoftheFrench，ashecalledhisMajesty。TheEmperorquestionedhimclosely，andinhisreplyhedeclaredthatthenoiseoftheFrenchcannonhadalwaysmadehisheartbeat；andthathehadfearedonlyonething，whichwasthathemightbekilledbyhiscompatriots。FromwhathetoldtheEmperoritappearedthathebelongedtothatnumerousclassofmenwhofindthemselvestransplantedbytheirfamilytoaforeignland，withoutreallyknowingthecauseoftheiremigration。HisfatherhadpursuedatMoscowanunremunerativeindustrialprofession，andhaddiedleavinghimwithoutresourcesforthefuture，and，inordertoearnhisbread，hehadbecomeasoldier。HesaidthattheRussianmilitarydisciplinewasoneofhisstrongestincentivestodesert，addingthathehadstrongarmsandabraveheart，andwouldserveintheFrencharmyifthegeneralpermitted。

HisfranknesspleasedtheEmperor，andheendeavoredtoobtainfromhimsomepositiveinformationonthestateofthepublicmindatMoscow；andascertainedfromhisrevelations，moreorlessintelligent，thattherewasmuchdisturbanceinthatancientcapital。

Hesaidthatinthestreetcouldbeheardcriesof，“NomoreofBarclay！——

[PrinceMichaelBarclaydeTolly，borninLivonia，1755，ofScottishextraction；distinguishedhimselfinwarsagainstSweden，Turkey，andPoland，1788and1794，andagainsttheFrench，1806；

commandedRussianarmyagainstNapoleonin1812，untilsuperseded，afterbattleofSmolensk，byKutusoff，andcommandedtherightwingatBorodino；afterwardscommandedatBautzenandLeipsic；died1818]——

Downwiththetraitor！dismisshim！LongliveKutusoff！“Themerchantclass，whichpossessedgreatinfluenceonaccountofitswealth，complainedofasystemoftemporizingwhichleftmeninuncertainty，andcompromisedthehonoroftheRussianarms；anditwasthoughtunpardonableintheEmperorthathehadbestowedhisconfidenceonaforeignerwhenoldKutusoff，withthebloodandtheheartofaRussian，wasgivenasecondaryposition。TheEmperorAlexanderhadpaidlittleattentiontotheseenergeticcomplaints，untilatlast，frightenedbythesymptomsofinsurrectionwhichbegantobemanifestinthearmy，hehadyielded，andKutusoffhadbeennamedgeneralissimo，overwhichimportanteventtherehadbeenrejoicingsandilluminationsatMoscow。AgreatbattlewiththeFrenchwastalkedof；enthusiasmwasatitsheightintheRussianarmy，andeverysoldierhadfastenedtohiscapagreenbranch。

TheprisonerspokewithaweofKutusoff，andsaidthathewasanoldman，withwhitehairandgreatmustaches，andeyesthatstruckhimwithterror；thathelackedmuchofdressingliketheFrenchgenerals；thatheworeveryordinaryclothes——hewhocouldhavesuchfineones；thatheroaredlikealionwhenhewasangry；thatheneverstartedonamarchwithoutsayinghisprayers；andthathecrossedhimselffrequentlyatdifferenthoursoftheday。“ThesoldierslovehimbecausetheysayhesomuchresemblesSuwarrow。IamafraidhewilldotheFrenchmuchharm，“saidhe。TheEmperor，satisfiedwiththisinformation，dismissedtheprisoner，andgaveordersthatheshouldbeallowedthefreedomofthecamp；andafterwardshefoughtbravelybesideoursoldiers。TheEmperormadehisentranceintoGjatskwithamostsingularescort。

SomeCossackshadbeentakeninaskirmish；andhisMajesty，whowasatthistimeveryeagerforinformationfromeveryquarter，desiredtoquestionthesesavages，andforthispurposehadtwoorthreebroughttohisheadquarters。Thesemenseemedformedtobealwaysonhorseback，andtheirappearancewhentheyalightedonthegroundwasmostamusing。

Theirlegs，whichthehabitofpressingtheirhorses\'sideshaddrivenfarapart，resembledapairofpincers，andtheyhadageneralairofbeingoutoftheirelement。TheEmperorenteredGjatsk，escortedbytwoofthesebarbariansonhorseback，whoappearedmuchflatteredbythishonor。IremarkedthatsometimestheEmperorcouldwithdifficultyrepressasmileashewitnessedtheawkwardappearancemadebythesecavaliersfromtheUkraine，aboveallwhentheyattemptedtoputonairs。

Theirreports，whichtheinterpreteroftheEmperorhadsomedifficultyincomprehending，seemedaconfirmationofallhisMajestyhadheardconcerningMoscow。ThesebarbariansmadetheEmperorunderstandbytheiranimatedgestures，convulsivemovements，andwarlikepostures，thattherewouldsoonbeagreatbattlebetweentheFrenchandtheRussians。TheEmperorhadbrandygiventhem，whichtheydranklikewater，andpresentedtheirglassesanewwithacoolnesswhichwasveryamusing。Theirhorsesweresmall，withcroppedmanesandlongtails，suchasunfortunatelycanbeseenwithoutleavingParis。

ItisamatterofhistorythattheKingofNaplesmadeamostfavorableimpressiononthesebarbarians。WhenitwasannouncedtotheEmperoronedaythattheydesiredtoappointhimtheirhetman，theEmperorwasmuchamusedbythisoffer，andsaidjestinglythathewasreadytoindorsethischoiceofafreepeople。TheKingofNapleshadsomethingtheatricalinhisappearancewhichfascinatedthesebarbarians，forhealwaysdressedmagnificently。Whenhissteedborehiminfrontofhiscolumn，hisbeautifulhairdisorderedbythewind，ashegavethosegrandsaberstrokeswhichmoweddownmenlikestubble，Icanwellcomprehendthedeepimpressionhemadeonthefancyofthesewarlikepeople，amongwhomexteriorqualitiesalonecanbeappreciated。ItissaidthattheKingofNaplesbysimplyraisingthispowerfulswordhadputtoflightahordeofthesebarbarians。Idonotknowhowmuchtruththereisinthisstatement，butitisatleastpossible。

TheCossacks，incommonwithallracesstillintheirinfancy，believeinmagicians。AveryamusinganecdotewastoldofthegreatchiefoftheCossacks，thecelebratedPlatoff。PursuedbytheKingofNaples，hewasbeatingaretreat，whenaballreachedoneoftheofficersbesidehim，onwhicheventthehetmanwassomuchirritatedagainsthismagicianthathehadhimfloggedinpresenceofallhishordes，reproachinghimmostbitterlybecausehehadnotturnedawaytheballsbyhiswitchcraft。

Thiswasplainevidenceofthefactthathehadmorefaithinhisartthanthesorcererhimselfpossessed。

Onthe3dofSeptember，fromhisheadquartersatGjatsk，theEmperororderedhisarmytoprepareforageneralengagement。Therehadbeenforsomedaysmuchlaxityinthepoliceofthebivouacs，andhenowredoubledtheseverityoftheregulationsinregardtothecountersigns。Somedetachmentswhichhadbeensentforprovisionshavingtoogreatlyprolongedtheirexpedition，theEmperorchargedthecolonelstoexpresstothemhisdissatisfaction，addingthatthosewhohadnotreturnedbythenextdaycouldnottakepartinthebattle。Thesewordsneedednocommentary。

ThecountrysurroundingGjatskwasveryfertile，andthefieldswerenowcoveredwithryereadyforthesickle，throughwhichwesawhereandtherebroadgapsmadebytheCossacksintheir，flight。IhaveoftensincecomparedtheaspectofthesefieldsinNovemberandSeptember。

Whatahorriblethingiswar！Afewdaysbeforethebattle，Napoleon，accompaniedbytwoofhismarshals，madeavisitofinspectiononfootintheoutskirtsofthecity。

Ontheeveofthisgreateventhediscussedeverythinginthecalmestmanner，speakingofthiscountryashewouldhavedoneofabeautiful，fertileprovinceofFrance。Inhearinghimonemightthinkthatthegranaryofthearmyhadherebeenfound，thatitwouldconsequentlyfurnishexcellentwinterquarters，andthefirstcareofthegovernmenthewasabouttoestablishatGjatskwouldbetheencouragementofagriculture。Hethenpointedouttohismarshalsthebeautifulwindingsoftheriverwhichgivesitsnametothevillage，andappeareddelightedwiththelandscapespreadbeforehiseyes。IhaveneverseentheEmperorabandonhimselftosuchgentleemotions，norseensuchserenitymanifestedbothinhiscountenanceandconversation；andatthesametimeIwasnevermoredeeplyimpressedwiththegreatnessofhissoul。

Onthe5thofSeptembertheEmperormountedtheheightsofBorodino，hopingtotakeinataglancetherespectivepositionsofthetwoarmies；

buttheskywasovercast。Oneofthosefine，coldrainssoonbegantofall，whichsooftencomeintheearlyautumn，andresemblefromadistanceatolerablythickfog。TheEmperortriedtousehisglasses；

butthekindofveilwhichcoveredthewholecountrypreventedhisseeinganydistance，bywhichhewasmuchvexed。Therain，drivenbythewind，fellslantingagainsthisfield-glasses，andhehadtodrythemoverandoveragain，tohisverygreatannoyance。Theatmospherewassocoldanddampthatheorderedhiscloak，andwrappedhimselfinit，sayingthatasitwasimpossibletoremainthere，hemustreturntoheadquarters，whichhedid，andthrowinghimselfonthebedsleptashortwhile。Onawakinghesaid，“Constant，Ihearanoiseoutside；goseewhatitis。“Iwentout，andreturnedtoinformhimthatGeneralCaulaincourthadarrived；atwhichnewstheEmperorrosehastily，andrantomeetthegeneral，askinghimanxiously，“Doyoubringanyprisoners？“Thegeneralrepliedthathehadnotbeenabletotakeprisoners，sincetheRussiansoldiers，preferreddeathtosurrender。TheEmperorimmediatelycried，“Letalltheartillerybebroughtforward。“Hehaddecidedthatinhispreparationstomakethiswaroneofextermination，thecannonwouldsparehistroopsthefatigueofdischargingtheirmuskets。

Onthe6th，atmidnight，itwasannouncedtotheEmperorthatthefiresoftheRussiansseemedlessnumerous，andtheflameswereextinguishedatseveralpoints；andsomefewsaidtheyhadheardthemuffledsoundofdrums。Thearmywasinastateofgreatanxiety。TheEmperorsprangwildlyfromhisbed，repeatedlyexclaiming，“Itisimpossible！“

Itriedtohandhimhisgarments，thathemightclothehimselfwarmly，asthenightwassocold；buthewassoeagertoassurehimselfpersonallyofthetruthofthesestatements，thatherushedoutofthetentwithonlyhiscloakwrappedaroundhim。Itwasafactthatthefiresofthebivouachadgrownpaler，andtheEmperorhadreasonforthegravestsuspicions。WherewouldthewarendiftheRussiansfellbacknow？Here-enteredhistentmuchagitated，andretiredtobedagain，repeatingmanytimes，“Wewillknowthetruthto-morrowmorning。“

Onthe7thofSeptember，thesunroseinacloudlesssky，andtheEmperorexclaimed，“ItisthesunofAusterlitz！“ThesewordsoftheEmperorwerereportedtothearmy，andrepeatedbythemamidgreatenthusiasm。Thedrumswerebeaten，andtheorderofthedaywasreadasfollows:

SOLDIERS，——Beholdthebattleyouhavesolongdesired！Henceforththatvictorydependsonyouwhichissonecessarytous，sinceitwillfurnishusabundantprovisions，goodwinterquarters，andapromptreturntoournativeland。ConductyourselvesasatAusterlitz，atFriedland，atWitepsk，atSmolensk，andletthemostremoteposterityreferwithpridetoyourconductonthisday；letitbesaidofyou，“HetookpartinthegreatbattleunderthewallsofMoscow。“

Thearmyrepliedbyreiteratedacclamations。TheEmperor，afewhoursbeforethebattle，haddictatedthisproclamation，anditwasreadinthemorningtothesoldiers。NapoleonwasthenontheheightsofBorodino；

andwhentheenthusiasticcriesofthearmystruckhisear，hewasstandingwithfoldedarms，thesunshiningfullinhiseyes，reflectedfromtheFrenchandRussianbayonets。Hesmiled，thenbecamemoreseriousuntiltheaffairwasterminated。

OnthatdaytheportraitoftheKingofRomewasbroughttoNapoleon。Heneededsomegentleemotiontodiverthismindfromthisstateofanxioussuspense。Heheldthisportraitlongonhisknees，contemplatingitwithdelight，andsaidthatitwasthemostagreeablesurprisehehadeverreceived，andrepeatedseveraltimesinalowtone，“MygoodLouise！

Thisisacharmingattention！“OntheEmperor\'scountenancethererestedanexpressionofhappinessdifficulttodescribe，thoughthefirstemotionsexcitedwerecalmandevenmelancholy。“Thedearchild，“wasallthathesaid。ButheexperiencedalltheprideofafatherandanEmperorwhenbyhisordersofficers，andevensoldiers，oftheoldguardcametoseetheKingofRome。Theportraitwasplacedonexhibitioninfrontofthetent；anditwasinexpressiblytouchingtoseetheseoldsoldiersuncoverthemselveswithrespectbeforethisimage，inwhichtheysoughttofindsomeofthefeaturesofNapoleon。TheEmperorhadatthismomenttheexpansivejoyofafatherwhoknowswellthatnexttohimhissonhasnobetterfriendsthanhisoldcompanionsinenduranceandglory。

Atfouro\'clockinthemorning，thatistosayonehourbeforethebattleopened，Napoleonfeltagreatexhaustioninhiswholeperson，andhadaslightchill，withoutfever，however，andthrewhimselfonhisbed。

Nevertheless，hewasnotasillasM。deSegurstates。Hehadhadforsometimeaseverecoldthathehadsomewhatneglected，andwhichwassomuchincreasedbythefatigueofthismemorabledaythathelosthisvoicealmostentirely。Hetreatedthiswiththesoldier\'sprescription，anddranklightpunchduringthewholenight，whichhespentworkinginhiscabinetwithoutbeingabletospeak。Thisinconveniencelastedtwodays；butonthe9thhewaswell，andhishoarsenessalmostgone。

Afterthebattle，ofeverysixcorpsesfound，onewouldbeFrenchandfiveRussian。Atnoonanaide-de-campcametoinformtheEmperorthatCountAugustedeCaulaincourt，brotheroftheDukeofVicenza，hadbeenstruckbyaball。TheEmperordrewadeepsigh，butsaidnotaword；forhewellknewthathisheartwouldmostlikelybesaddenedmore，thanoncethatday。Afterthebattle，heexpressedhiscondolencestotheDukeofVicenzainthemosttouchingmanner。

CountAugustedeCaulaincourtwasayoungmanfullofcourage，whohadlefthisyoungwifeafewhoursafterhismarriagetofollowtheFrencharmy，andtofindagloriousdeathatthebattleofLaMoskwa。HewasgovernorofthepagesoftheEmperor，andhadmarriedthesisterofoneofhischarges。Thischarmingpersonwassoyoungthatherparentspreferredthatthemarriageshouldnottakeplaceuntilhereturnedfromthecampaign，beinginfluencedinthisdecisionbythefateofPrinceAldobrandiniafterhismarriagewithMademoiselledelaRochefoucaultbeforethecampaignofWagram。GeneralAugustedeCaulaincourtwaskilledinaredoubttowhichhehadledthecuirassiersofGeneralMontbrun，whohadjustbeenfatallywoundedbyacannon-ballintheattackonthissameredoubt。

TheEmperoroftensaid，inspeakingofgeneralskilledinthearmy，“Suchanoneishappyinhavingdiedonthefieldofhonor，whileIshallperhapsbesounfortunateastodieinmybed。“HewaslessphilosophicalontheoccasionofMarshalLannes\'sdeath，whenIsawhim，whileatbreakfast，weepingsuchlargetearsthattheyrolledoverhischeeks，andfellintohisplate。HemourneddeeplyforDesaix，Poniatowski，andBessieres，butmostofallforLannes，andnexttohimDuroc。

DuringthewholeofthebattleoftheMoskwatheEmperorhadattacksresemblingstoneinthebladder。Hehadbeenoftenthreatenedwiththisdiseaseunlesshewasmoreprudentinhisdiet，andsufferedmuch，althoughhecomplainedlittle，andonlywhenattackedbyviolentpainutteredstifledgroans。Now，nothingcausesmoreanxietythantohearthosecomplainwhoareunaccustomedtodoso；forthenoneimaginesthesufferingmostintense，sinceitisstrongerthanastrongman。AtAusterlitztheEmperorsaid，“Ordeneriswornout。Thereisonlyonetimeformilitaryachievementinaman\'slife。Ishallbegoodforsixyearslonger，andafterthatIshallretire。“

TheEmperorrodeoverthefieldofbattle，whichpresentedahorriblespectacle，nearlyallthedeadbeingcoveredwithwounds；whichprovedwithwhatbitternessthebattlehadbeenwaged。Theweatherwasveryinclement，andrainwasfalling，accompaniedbyaveryhighwind。Poorwoundedcreatures，whohadnotyetbeenremovedtotheambulances，halfrosefromthegroundintheirdesirenottobeoverlookedandtoreceiveaid；whilesomeamongthemstillcried，Vivel\'Empereur！“inspiteoftheirsufferingandexhaustion。ThoseofoursoldierswhohadbeenkilledbyRussianballsshowedontheircorpsesdeepandbroadwounds，fortheRussianballsweremuchlargerthanours。Wesawacolor-bearer，wrappedinhisbannerasawinding-sheet，whoseemedtogivesignsoflife，butheexpiredintheshockofbeingraised。TheEmperorwalkedonandsaidnothing，thoughmanytimeswhenhepassedbythemostmutilated，heputhishandoverhiseyestoavoidthesight。Thiscalmlastedonlyashortwhile；fortherewasaplaceonthebattlefieldwhereFrenchandRussianshadfallenpell-mell，almostallofwhomwerewoundedmoreorlessgrievously。AndwhentheEmperorheardtheircries，hebecameenraged，andshoutedatthosewhohadchargeofremovingthewounded，muchirritatedbytheslownesswithwhichthiswasdone。Itwasdifficulttopreventthehorsesfromtramplingonthecorpses，sothicklydidtheylie。AwoundedsoldierwasstruckbytheshoeofahorseintheEmperor\'ssuite，andutteredaheartrendingcry，uponwhichtheEmperorquicklyturned，andinquiredinamostvehementmannerwhowastheawkwardpersonbywhomthemanwashurt。Hewastold，thinkingthatitwouldcalmhisanger，thatthemanwasnothingbutaRussian。“RussianorFrench，“heexclaimed，“Iwisheveryoneremoved！“

Pooryoungfellowswhoweremakingtheirfirstcampaign，beingwoundedtothedeath，lostcourage，andweptlikechildrencryingfortheirmothers。

Theterriblepicturewillbeforeverengravenonmymemory。

TheEmperorurgentlyrepeatedhisordersforremovingthewoundedquickly，thenturnedhishorseinsilence，andreturnedtohisheadquarters，theeveningbeingnowfaradvanced。Ipassedthenightnearhim，andhissleepwasmuchdisturbed；or，rather，hedidnotsleepatall，andrepeatedoverandover，restlesslyturningonhispillow，“PoorCaulaincourt！Whataday！Whataday！“

CHAPTERIV。

AsIhaveannouncedpreviously，IshallendeavortorecordinthischaptersomerecollectionsofeventspersonaltotheEmperorwhichoccurredduringthejourneybetweenthefrontiersofFranceandPrussia。

Howsadacontrastresults，alas！asweattempttocompareourjourneytoMoscowwiththatofourreturn。OnemusthaveseenNapoleonatDresden，surroundedbyacourtofprincesandofkings，toformanideaofthehighestpointwhichhumangreatnesscanreach。TheremorethaneverelsewheretheEmperorwasaffabletoall；fortunesmileduponhim，andnoneofthosewhoenjoyedwithusthespectacleofhisglorycouldevenconceivethethoughtthatfortunecouldsoonproveunfaithfultohimandinsostrikingamanner。Iremember，amongotherparticularsofourstayatDresden，aspeechIheardtheEmperormaketoMarshalBerthier，whomhehadsummonedataveryearlyhour。Whenthemarshalarrived，Napoleonhadnotyetrisen，butIreceivedorderstobringhiminatonce；sothatwhiledressingtheEmperor，Iheardbetweenhimandhismajor-generalaconversationofwhichIwishIcouldrememberthewhole，butatleastIamsureofrepeatingcorrectlyonethoughtwhichstruckme。TheEmperorsaidinnearlythesewords:——

“IwishnoharmtoAlexander；itisnotonRussiathatIammakingwar，nomorethanonSpain；Ihaveonlyoneenemy，——England，anditisherI

amstrivingtoreachinRussia；Iwillpursuehereverywhere。“Duringthisspeechthemarshalbithisnails，aswashisconstanthabit。Onthatdayamagnificentreviewwasheld，atwhichalltheprincesoftheConfederationwerepresent，surroundingtheirchiefasgreatvassalsofhiscrown。

Whenthevariousarmy-corpsmarshaledfromtheothersideoftheElbehadadvancedtotheconfinesofPoland，weleftDresden，meetingeverywherethesameenthusiasmontheadventoftheEmperor。Wewereasaresultsumptuouslyentertainedineveryplaceatwhichwehalted，soanxiousweretheinhabitantstotestifytheirregardforhisMajesty，eveninthepersonofthosewhohadthehonorofservinghim。

Atthistimetherewasageneralrumorinthearmy，andamongthepersonsoftheEmperor\'shousehold，thathisintentionwastore-establishthekingdomofPoland。IgnorantasIwas，andfrommypositionshouldnaturallybe，ofallpoliticalmatters，Iheardnolessthanotherstheexpressionofanopinionwhichwasuniversal，andwhichwasdiscussedopenlybyall。SometimestheEmperorcondescendedtoaskmewhatI

heard，andalwayssmiledatmyreport，sinceIcouldnottellthetruthandsayanythingthatwouldhavebeendisagreeabletohim；forhewasthen，andIdonotspeaktoostrongly，universallyadoredbythePolishpopulation。

Onthe23dofJunewewereonthebanksoftheNiemen，thatriveralreadybecomesofamousbytheinterviewbetweenthetwoEmperors，undercircumstancesverydifferentfromthoseinwhichtheynowfoundthemselves。

Thepassageofthearmybeganintheevening，andlastedforforty-eighthours，duringwhichtimetheEmperorwasalmostconstantlyonhorseback，sowellheknewthathispresenceexpeditedmatters。ThenwecontinuedourjourneytoWilna，thecapitaloftheGrandDuchyofLithuania，andonthe27tharrivedinfrontofthistown，occupiedbytheRussians；anditmaytrulybesaidthatthere，andtherealone，militaryoperationsbegan，foruptothistimetheEmperorhadtraveledashewouldhavedoneinthedepartmentsoftheinteriorofFrance。TheRussians，beingattacked，werebeatenandfellback，sothattwodaysafterweenteredWilna，atownofconsiderablesize，whichseemedtometocontainaboutthirtythousandinhabitants。Iwasstruckwiththeincrediblenumberofconventsandchurcheswhicharethere。AtWilnatheEmperorwasmuchgratifiedbythedemandoffiveorsixhundredstudentsthattheyshouldbeformedintoaregiment。ItisneedlesstosaythatsuchsolicitationswerealwayseagerlygrantedbyhisMajesty。

WerestedforsometimeatWilna；theEmperorthencefollowedthemovementofhisarmies，andoccupiedhimselfalsowithorganizingtheGrandDuchyofLithuania，ofwhichthistown，asiswellknown，isthecapital。AstheEmperorwasoftenonhorseback，Ihadsufficientleisuretoacquaintmyselfthoroughlywiththetownanditsenvirons。TheLithuanianswereinastateofenthusiasmimpossibletodescribe；andalthoughIhaveseenduringmylifemanyfetes，IshallneverforgetthejoyousexcitementofthewholepopulationwhenthegrandnationalfeteoftheregenerationofPolandwascelebrated，whichowingeithertoasingularcoincidence，orthecalculationoftheEmperor，wasappointedforthe14thofJuly。ThePoleswerestilluncertainastotheultimatefatewhichtheEmperorreservedfortheircountry；butafuturebrightwithhopeshonebeforetheireyes，untilthesevisionswererudelydispelledbytheEmperor\'sreplytothedeputationfromthePolishconfederationestablishedatWarsaw。Thisnumerousdeputation，withacountpalatineatitshead，demandedtheintegralre-establishmentoftheancientkingdomofPoland。ThiswastheEmperor\'sreply:——

“Messieurs，deputiesoftheConfederationofPoland，Ihaveheardwithinterestwhatyouhavejustsaid。WereIaPole，Ishouldthinkandactasyouhavedone，andIshouldhavevotedlikeyouintheassemblyatWarsaw；forloveofcountryisthefirstvirtueofcivilizedman。

InmypositionIhavemanyopposingintereststoreconcile，andmanydutiestofulfill。IfIhadreignedatthetimeofthefirst，second，orthirddivisionofPoland，Iwouldhavearmedallmypeopletosustainyou。Assoonasvictorypermittedmetorestoreyourancientlawstoyourcapitalandtoapartofyourprovinces，Ihavedonesoreadily，without，however，prolongingawarwhichwouldhaveshedthebloodofmysubjects。