第19章

WhiletheEmperorgavehimselfuptotheseconjectures，andrecalledhisformerpresentiments，prisonerswhowerebroughtbeforehisMajestyhadbeenquestioned；andhelearnedfromtheirreportsthatthePrincevonSchwarenzberghadnotbeenwounded，butwaswell，andwasdirectingtheretreatoftheAustriangrandarmy。Whowas，then，theimportantpersonagestruckbyaFrenchcannonball？Conjectureswererenewedonthispoint，whenthePrincedeNeuchatelreceivedfromtheKingofSaxonyacollarunfastenedfromtheneckofawanderingdogwhichhadbeenfoundatNothlitz。Onthecollarwaswrittenthesewords，“IbelongtoGeneralMoreau。“Thisfurnished，ofcourse，onlyasupposition；butsoonexactinformationarrived，andconfirmedthisconjecture。

ThusMoreaumethisdeaththefirstoccasiononwhichheborearmsagainsthisnativecountry，——hewhohadsooftenconfrontedwithimpunitythebulletsoftheenemy。Historyhasjudgedhimseverely；nevertheless，inspiteofthecoldnesswhichhadsolongdividedthem，IcanassertthattheEmperordidnotlearnwithoutemotionthedeathofMoreau，notwithstandinghisindignationthatsocelebratedaFrenchgeneralcouldhavetakenuparmsagainstFrance，andworntheRussiancockade。Thisunexpecteddeathproducedanevidenteffectinbothcamps，thoughoursoldierssawinitonlyajustjudgmentfromHeaven，andanomenfavorabletotheEmperor。Howeverthatmaybe，thesearetheparticulars，whichIlearnedashorttimeafter，astheywererelatedbythevaletdechambreofGeneralMoreau。

ThethreesovereignsofRussia，Austria，andPrussiahadbeenpresentonthe27thatthebattleontheheightsofNothlitz，buthadretiredassoonastheysawthatthebattlewaslost。ThatverydayGeneralMoreauwaswoundedbyacannon-ballneartheintrenchmentsinfrontofDresden，andaboutfouro\'clockintheafternoonwasconveyedtoNothlitz，tothecountryhouseofamerchantnamedSalir，wheretheEmperorsofAustriaandRussiahadestablishedtheirheadquarters。Bothlimbsofthegeneralwereamputatedabovetheknee。Aftertheamputation，asherequestedsomethingtoeatandacupoftea，threeeggswerebroughthimonaplate；buthetookonlythetea。Aboutseveno\'clockhewasplacedonalitter，andcarriedtoPassendorfbyRussiansoldiers，andpassedthenightinthecountryhouseofM。Tritschier，grandmasterofforests。

Therehetookonlyanothercupoftea，andcomplainedgreatlyofthesufferingsheendured。Thenextday，the28thofAugust，atfouro\'clockinthemorning，hewasconveyed，stillbyRussiansoldiers，fromPassendorftoDippodiswalde，wherehetookalittlewhitebreadandaglassoflemonadeatthehouseofabakernamedWatz。AnhourafterhewascarriednearertothefrontiersofBohemia，bornebyRussiansoldiersinthebodyofacoachtakenoffthewheels。Duringtheentirerouteheincessantlyutteredcrieswhichtheextremityofhissufferingsdrewfromhim。

ThesearethedetailswhichIlearnedinregardtoMoreau；and，asiswellknown，hedidnotlongsurvivehiswound。ThesameballwhichbrokebothhislegscarriedoffanarmfromPrinceIpsilanti，thenaide-de-camptotheEmperorAlexander；sothatiftheevilthatisdonecanberepairedbytheevilreceived，itmightbesaidthatthecannon-shotwhichtoreawayfromusGeneralKirgenerandMarshalDurocwasthisdaysentbackontheenemy。Butalas！itisasadsortofconsolationthatisdrawnfromreprisals。

Itmaybeseenfromtheabove，andespeciallyfromtheseeminglydecisivebenefitsarisingfromthebattleofDresden，thatsincetheresumptionofhostilities，ineveryplacewhereourtroopshadbeensustainedbytheall-powerfulpresenceoftheEmperor，theyhadobtainedsuccesses；butunfortunatelythiswasnotthecaseatpointsdistantfromthemainlineofoperations。Nevertheless，seeingthealliesroutedbythearmywhichhecommandedinperson，andcertain，moreover，thatGeneralVandammehadheldthepositionwhichhehadindicatedtohimthroughGeneralHaxo，hisMajestyreturnedtohisfirstideaofmarchingonBerlin，andalreadyevenhaddisposedhistroopswiththisintention，whenthefatalnewsarrivedthatVandamme，thevictimofhisownrashness，haddisappearedfromthefieldofbattle，andhistenthousandmen，surroundedonallsides，andoverwhelmedbynumbers，hadbeencuttopieces。ItwasbelievedthatVandammewasdead，anditwasnotuntillaterwelearnedthathehadbeentakenprisonerwithapartofhistroop。ItwaslearnedalsothatVandamme，incitedbyhisnaturalintrepidity，andunabletoresistadesiretoattacktheenemywhomhesawwithinhisgrasp，hadlefthisintrenchmentstomaketheattack。Hehadconqueredatfirst，butwhenafterhisvictoryheattemptedtoresumehisformerpositionhefounditoccupied，asthePrussianshadseizedit；andthoughhefoughtwithalltheabandonofdespair，itwasallinvain，andGeneralKleist，proudofthisfinetrophy，conductedhimintriumphtoPrague。ItwaswhilespeakingofthisaudaciousattackofVandammethattheEmperorusedthisexpression，whichhasbeensojustlyadmired，“Foraretreatingenemyitisnecessarytomakeabridgeofgold，oropposeawallofbrass。“TheEmperorheardwithhisusualimperturbabilitytheparticularsofthelosshehadjustexperienced，butneverthelessrepeatedlyexpressedhisastonishmentatthedeplorablerecklessnessofVandamme，andsaidhecouldnotcomprehendhowthisexperiencedgeneralcouldhaveallowedhimselftobedrawnawayfromhisposition。Butthedeedwasdone，andinsuchinstancestheEmperorneverlosttimeinuselessrecriminations。“Come，“saidhe，addressingtheDukeofBassano，“youhavejustheard——thatmeanswarfromearlyinthemorninguntillateintheevening。“

Aftergivingvariousorderstothearmyandhischiefs，theEmperorleftDresdenontheeveningofthe3dofSeptember，withtheintentionofregainingwhathehadlostfromtheaudaciousimprudenceofGeneralVandamme。Butthisdefeat，thefirstwehadsustainedsincetheresumptionofhostilities，becametheforerunnerofthelongseriesofreverseswhichawaitedus。Itmighthavebeensaidthatvictory，havingmadeonelasteffortinourfavoratDresden，hadfinallygrownweary；

fortheremainderofthecampaignwasbutasuccessionofdisasters，aggravatedbytreacheryofeverydescription，andendinginthehorriblecatastropheatLeipzig。BeforeleavingDresdenwehadlearnedofthedesertiontotheenemyofaWestphalianregiment，witharmsandbaggage。

TheEmperorleftMarshalSaint-CyrinDresdenwiththirtythousandmen，withorderstoholdittothelastextremity，sincetheEmperorwishedtopreservethiscapitalatanyprice。ThemonthofSeptemberwasspentinmarchesandcountermarchesaroundthiscity，withnoeventsofdecidedimportance。Alas！theEmperorwasneveragaintoseethegarrisonofDresden。Circumstancesbecomingstillmoreembarrassed，imperiouslydemandedthathisMajestyshouldpromptlyopposesomeobstacletotheprogressoftheallies。TheKingofSaxony，furnishinganexampleoffidelityrareamongkings，determinedtoaccompanytheEmperor，andenteredhiscarriageincompanywiththequeenandthePrincessAugusta，havingtheheadquarters\'staffasescort。TwodaysafterhisdeparturetheSaxontroopsjoinedtheFrencharmyatEilenburg，onthebanksoftheMulda。TheEmperorexhortedtheseallies，whomhebelievedfaithful，tomaintaintheindependenceoftheircountry，pointedouttothemhowPrussiawasthreateningSaxony，andendeavoringtoacquirehermostbeautifulprovinces，andremindedthemoftheproclamationoftheirsovereign，hisworthyandfaithfulally；finallyhespoketotheminthenameofmilitaryhonor，urgingthem，inclosing，totakeitalwaysastheirguide，andtoshowthemselvesworthyrivalsofthesoldiersofthegrandarmywithwhomtheyhadmadecommoncause，andbesidewhomtheywerenowabouttofight。ThewordsoftheEmperorweretranslatedandrepeatedtotheSaxonsbytheDukeofVicenza；andthislanguagefromthelipsofonewhomtheyregardedasthefriendoftheirsovereignandthesaviouroftheircapitalseemedtoproduceaprofoundimpression。Themarchwasthenbeguninconfidence，withnopremonitionoftheapproachingdefectionoftheseverymenwhohadsooftengreetedtheEmperorwiththeircriesofenthusiasm，swearingtofighttothedeathratherthanabandonhim。

HisMajesty\'splanthenwastofallonBlucherandthePrinceRoyalofSweden，fromwhomtheFrencharmywasseparatedonlybyariver。WethereforeleftEilenburg，wheretheEmperorpartedwiththeKingofSaxonyandhisfamily，theDukeofBassano，thegrandparkofartillery，andalltheconveyances，anddirectedourcoursetowardsDuben。BlucherandBernadottehadretired，leavingBerlinuncovered。ThentheEmperor\'splansbecameknown；anditwasseenthathewasmarchingonBerlin，andnotonLeipzig，andthatDiibenwasonlythemeetingplaceforthevariouscorps，who，whenunited，weretomarchonthecapitalofPrussia，whichtheEmperorhadalreadyseizedtwice。

ThetimewasunfortunatelypastwhenasimpleindicationoftheEmperor\'splanswasregardedasasignalofvictory。Thechiefsofthearmy，whohaduntilnowbeenperfectlysubmissive，begantoreflect，andeventookthelibertyofdisapprovingofplanswhichtheywereafraidtoexecute。

WhenthearmybecameawareoftheEmperor\'sintentiontomarchonBerlin，itwasthesignalforalmostunanimousdiscontent。ThegeneralswhohadescapedthedisastersofMoscow，andthedangersofthedoublecampaigninGermany，werefatigued，andperhapseagertoreapthebenefitsoftheirgoodfortune，andatlasttoenjoyreposeinthebosomoftheirfamilies。AfewwentsofarastoaccusetheEmperorofbeinganxioustostillextendthewar。“Havetherenotbeenenoughkilled？“saidthey。

“Mustweallsharethesamefate？“Andthesecomplaintswerenotkeptforsecretconfidences，butwereutteredpublicly，andoftenevenloudenoughtoreachtheearsoftheEmperor；butinthatcasehisMajestyseemednottohear。

Amidstthisdisaffectionofalargenumberofthechiefsofthearmy，thedefectionofBavariawaslearned，andgaveanaddedstrengthtotheanxietyanddiscontentinspiredbytheEmperor\'sresolution；andthenoccurredwhathadnevertakenplacebefore:hisstaffunitedtheirentreatiesthatheshouldabandonhisplansinregardtoBerlin，andmarchonLeipzig。IsawhowmuchtheEmperorsufferedfromthenecessityoflisteningtosuchremonstrances，notwithstandingtherespectfullanguageinwhichtheywerecouched。FortwoentiredayshisMajestyremainedundecided；andhowlongtheseforty-eighthourswere！NeverdidabandonedcabinorbivouacpresentamoremournfulsightthanthesadchateauofDuben。InthisdolefulresidenceIsawtheEmperorforthefirsttimeentirelyunemployed；theindecisiontowhichhewasapreyabsorbedhimsoentirelythathischaracterseemedentirelychanged。Whocouldbelieveit？Totheactivitywhichdrovehimon，and，sotospeak，incessantlydevouredhim，hadsucceededaseemingindifferencewhichisperfectlyindescribable。Isawhimlieonthesofanearlyawholeday，thetablebeforehimcoveredwithmapsandpapersatwhichhedidnotevenglance，andwithnootheroccupationforhoursthanslowlytracinglargelettersonsheetsofwhitepaper。Thiswaswhilehewasvacillatingbetweenhisownwillandtheentreatiesofhisgenerals。

Attheendoftwodaysofmostpainfulsuspenseheyielded；andfromthattimeallwaslost。Howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeenhadhenotlistenedtotheircomplaints，buthadagainallowedhimselftobeguidedbythepresentimentswhichpossessedhim！Herepeatedoften，withgrief，whilerecallingtheconcessionshemadeatthattime，“Ishouldhaveavoidedmanydisastersbycontinuingtofollowmyownimpulses；Ifailedonlybyyieldingtothoseofothers。“

Theorderfordeparturewasgiven；andasifthearmyfeltasmuchprideintriumphingoverthewillofitsEmperorastheywouldhavefeltinbeatingtheenemybyobeyingthedictatesofhisgenius，theyabandonedthemselvestooutburstsofjoywhichwerealmostbeyondreason。Everycountenancewasradiant。“Weshallnow，“theyrepeatedonallsides，“weshallnowseeFranceagain，embraceourchildren，ourparents，andourfriends！TheEmperorandMarshalAugereaualonedidnotsharethegenerallight-heartedness。TheDukeofCastiglionehadjustarrivedatheadquarters，afterhavinginsomemeasureavengedonthearmyofBohemia，Vandamme\'sdefeat。He，liketheEmperor，haddarkpresentimentsastotheconsequencesofthisretrogrademovement，andknewthatdesertionsonthewaywouldaddtothenumberoftheenemy，andweresomuchthemoredangeroussincethesedesertershadsorecentlybeenouralliesandknewourpositions。HisMajestyyieldedwithafullconvictionoftheevilwhichwouldresult；andIheardhimattheendofaconversationwiththemarshalwhichhadlastedmorethananhour，utterthesewords，“Theywouldhaveitso。“

TheEmperoronhismarchtoDubenwasattheheadofaforcewhichmightbeestimatedatonehundredandtwenty-fivethousandmen。HehadtakenthisdirectionwiththehopeoffindingBlucheragainontheMulda；butthePrussiangeneralhadrecrossedtheriver，whichcontributedmuchtogivecredittoarumorwhichhadbeencirculatedforsometime。ItwassaidthatinacouncilofthealliedsovereignsheldrecentlyatPrague，andatwhichMoreauandthePrinceRoyalofSwedenwerepresent，ithadbeenagreedthatasfaraspossibletheyshouldavoidengaginginabattlewhenevertheEmperorcommandedhisarmyinperson，andthatoperationsshouldbedirectedonlyagainstsmallerbodiescommandedbyhislieutenants。Itisimpossible，certainly，torendermorestrikinghomagetothesuperiorityoftheEmperor\'sgenius；butitwasatthesametimestoppinghiminhisgloriouscareer，andparalyzinghisusuallyall-

powerfulaction。

Howeverthatmaybe，theevilgeniusofFrancehavingobtainedtheascendencyoverthegoodgeniusoftheEmperor，wetooktheroadtoLeipzig，andreacheditearlyonthemorningofthe15thofOctober。AtthatverymomenttheKingofNapleswasinthemidstofanengagementwiththePrincevonSchwarzenberg；andhisMajesty，onhearingthesoundofcannon，crossedthetown，andvisitedtheplainwheretheengagementwastakingplace。OnhisreturnhereceivedtheroyalfamilyofSaxony，whohadcometojoinhim。DuringhisshortstayatLeipzig，theEmperorperformedanactofclemencywhichmustundoubtedlybeconsideredmostmeritoriousifwetakeintoconsiderationthegravityofthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplaced。AmerchantofthiscitynamedMoldrechtwasaccusedandconvictedofhavingdistributedamongtheinhabitants，andeveninthearmy，severalthousandcopiesofaproclamationinwhichthePrinceRoyalofSwedeninvitedtheSaxonstodesertthecauseoftheEmperor。Whenarraignedbeforeatribunalofwar，M。Moldrechtcouldnotexculpatehimself；and，indeed，thiswasanimpossibility，sinceseveralpackagesofthefatalproclamationhadbeenfoundathisresidence。Hewascondemnedtodeath，andhisfamilyindeepdistressthrewthemselvesatthefeetoftheKingofSaxony；but，thefactsbeingsoevidentandofsuchanaturethatnoexcusewaspossible，thefaithfulkingdidnotdaretograntindulgenceforacrimecommittedevenmoreagainsthisallythanagainsthimself。Onlyonerecourseremainedforthisunhappyfamily，whichwastoaddresstheEmperor；butasitwasdifficulttoreachhim，M。LeborgneD\'Ideville，interpretingsecretary，waskindenoughtoundertaketoplaceanoteontheEmperor\'sdesk，whoafterreadingitorderedapostponementwhichwasequivalenttoafullpardon。Eventsfollowedintheircourse，andthelifeofM。Moldrechtwassaved。

Leipzig，atthisperiod，wasthecenterofacircleinwhichengagementstookplaceatnumerouspointsandalmostincessantly。Engagementslastedduringthedaysofthe16th，17th，and18th；andhisMajesty，asapoorreturnforhisclemencytowardsM。Moldrecht，reapedthebitterfruitsoftheproclamationwhichhadbeenscatteredineverydirectionthroughtheeffortsofthismerchant。OnthatdaytheSaxonarmydesertedourcause，andreportedtoBernadotte。ThislefttheEmperoraforceofonlyonehundredandtenthousandmen，withanopposingforceofthreehundredandthirtythousand；sothatifwhenhostilitieswereresumedwewereonlyasonetotwo，wewerenowonlyonetothree。Thedayofthe18thwas，asiswellknown，thefatalday。IntheeveningtheEmperor，seatedonafoldingstoolofredmoroccointhemidstofthebivouacfires，wasdictatingtothePrinceofNeuchatelhisordersforthenight，whentwocommandersofartillerywerepresentedtohisMajesty，andgavehimanaccountoftheexhaustedconditionoftheammunitionchests。Infivedayswehaddischargedmorethantwohundredthousandcannon-balls，andtheammunitionbeingconsequentlyexhaustedtherewasbarelyenoughlefttomaintainthefirefortwohourslonger；andasthenearestsupplieswereatMadgeburgandErfurt，whenceitwouldbeimpossibletoobtainhelpintime，retreatwasrenderedabsolutelynecessary。

Orderswerethereforegivenforaretreat，whichbegannextday，the19th，attheendofabattleinwhichthreehundredthousandmenhadengagedinmortalcombat，inaconfinedspacenotmorethansevenoreightleaguesincircumference。BeforeleavingLeipzig，theEmperorgaveto。PrincePoniatowski，whohadjustearnedthebatonofamarshalofFrance，thedefenseofoneofthefaubourgs。“Youwilldefendthefaubourgonthesouth，“saidhisMajestytohim。“Sire，“repliedtheprince，“Ihaveveryfewmen。“——“Youwilldefenditwiththoseyouhave。“

“Ah，Sire，wewillremain；weareallreadytodieforyourMajesty。“

TheEmperor，movedbythesewords，heldouthisarmstotheprince，whothrewhimselfintothemwithtearsinhiseyes。Itwasreallyafarewellscene，forthisinterviewoftheprincewiththeEmperorwastheirlast；

andsoonthenephewofthelastkingofPolandfound，asweshallsoonsee，adeathequallyasgloriousasdeplorableunderthewavesoftheElster——

[PrinceJosephAnthonyPoniatowski，bornatWarsaw，1762。NephewofStanislasAugustus，thelastkingofPoland。HecommandedthePolisharmyagainstRussia，1792，andservedunderKosciuszko，1794。

HeledanarmyofPolesunderNapoleon，1807and1809，andcommandedacorpsintheRussiancampaign。HadNapoleonsucceededinthatcampaign，PoniatowskiwouldhavebeenmadekingofPoland。Wounded，andmadeamarshalatLiepzig，hewasdrownedontheretreat。]——

Atnineo\'clockinthemorningtheEmperortookleaveoftheroyalfamilyofSaxony。Theinterviewwasshort，butdistressingandmostaffectionateonthepartofeach。

Thekingmanifestedthemostprofoundindignationattheconductofhistroops。“Icouldneverhaveimaginedit，“saidhe；“IthoughtbetterofmySaxons；theyareonlycowards；“andhisgriefwassointensethattheEmperor，notwithstandingtheimmensedisadvantagewhichhadaccruedtohimfromthedesertionoftheSaxonsduringthebattle，soughttoconsolethisexcellentprince。

AshisMajestyurgedhimtoquitLeipziginorderthathemightnotbeexposedtothedangersattendingthecapitulationwhichhadnowbecomeabsolutelynecessary，thisvenerableprincereplied，“No；youhavealreadydoneenough，anditiscarryinggenerositytoofartoriskyourpersonbyremainingafewminuteslongerinordertoconsoleus。“WhilsttheKingofSaxonywasexpressinghimselfthus，thesoundofheavyfiringofmusketrywasheard，andthequeenandPrincessAugustajoinedtheirentreatiestothoseofthemonarch，intheirexcessivefrightalreadyseeingtheEmperortakenandslainbythePrussians。Someofficersentered，andannouncedthatthePrinceRoyalofSwedenhadalreadyforcedtheentranceofoneofthefaubourgs；thatGeneralBeningsen，GeneralBlucher，andthePrincevonSwarzenbergwereenteringthecityoneveryside；andthatourtroopswerereducedtothenecessityofdefendingthemselvesfromhousetohouse，andtheEmperorwashimselfexposedtoimminentperil。Astherewasnotamomenttolose，heconsentedat。

lasttowithdraw；andtheKingofSaxonyescortedhimasfarasthefootofthepalacestaircase，wheretheyembracedeachotherforthelasttime。

CHAPTERXVI。

ItwasexceedinglydifficulttofindanexitfromLeipzig，asthistownwassurroundedoneverysidebytheenemy。IthadbeenproposedtotheEmperortoburnthefaubourgswhichtheheadsofthecolumnsofthealliedarmieshadreached，inordertomakehisretreatmoresure；butheindignantlyrejectedthisproposal，beingunwillingtoleaveasalastadieutotheKingofSaxonyhiscitiesabandonedtotheflames。Afterreleasinghimfromhisoathoffidelity，andexhortinghimtonowconsideronlyhisowninterests，theEmperorlefthim，anddirectedhiscoursetothegateofRamstadt；buthefounditsoencumberedthatitwasanimpossibilitytoclearapassage，andhewascompelledtoretracehissteps，againcrossthecity，andleaveitthroughthenortherngate，thusregainingtheonlypointfromwhichhecould，asheintended，marchonErfurt；thatis，fromtheboulevardsonthewest。Theenemywerenotyetcompletelymastersofthetown，anditwasthegeneralopinionthatitcouldhavebeendefendedmuchlongeriftheEmperorhadnotfearedtoexposeittothehorrorsofasiege。TheDukeofRagusacontinuedtoofferstrongresistanceinthefaubourgofHalletotherepeatedattacksofGeneralBlucher；whileMarshalNeycalmlysawthecombinedforcesofGeneralWoronzow，thePrussiancorpsundertheordersofGeneralBillow，andtheSwedisharmy，breakthemselvestopiecesagainsthisimpregnabledefenses。

Somuchvalorwasneverthelessatlastcompelledtoyieldtonumbers，andabovealltotreachery；forattheheightofthecombatbeforethegatesofLeipzig，abattalionfromBaden，whichuntilthenhadfoughtvaliantlyintheFrenchranks，suddenlyabandonedthegateSaint-Peter，whichitwascommissionedtodefend，andattheentrancetothecitygaveitselfuptotheenemy。Thereupon，accordingtowhatIhaveheardrelatedbyseveralofficerswhowereinthisterribletumult，thestreetsofLeipzigpresentedamosthorriblesight；andoursoldiers，nowcompelledtoretire，coulddosoonlybydisputingeverystepoftheground。AnirreparablemisfortunesoonfilledtheEmperor\'ssoulwithdespair。

Ishallnowrelatetheeventswhichsignalizedthisdeplorabledayjustasmymemoryrecallsthem。Idonotknowtowhatcausetoattributeit，butnoneofthemanystirringeventswhichIwitnessedpresentthemselvesmoredistinctlybeforemymindthanascenewhichtookplaceunderthewallsofLeipzig。Havingtriumphedoverincredibleobstacles，weatlastsucceededincrossingtheElsteronthebridgeatthemillofLindenau。

IcanstillseetheEmperorashestationedofficersalongtheroadchargedtoindicatetostragglerswheretheymightrejointheirrespectivecommands。Onthisday，aftertheimmenselosssustainedowingtoadisparityofnumbers，heshowedthesamesolicitudeconcerningeverythingasafteradecisivetriumph。Buthewassoovercomebyfatiguethatafewmomentsofsleepbecameabsolutelynecessary，andhesleptprofoundlyunderthenoiseofthecannonwhichthunderedaroundhimonallsides。Suddenlyaterribleexplosionoccurred，andafewmomentsaftertheKingofNaplesenteredhisMajesty\'sbarrackaccompaniedbyMarshalAugereau。Theybroughtsadnews-thegreatbridgeovertheElsterhadjustbeenblownup。Thiswasthelastpointofcommunicationwiththerearguard，whichconsistedoftwentythousandmennowleftontheothersideoftheriverunderthecommandofMarshalMacdonald。“This，then，ishowmyordersareexecuted！“exclaimedtheEmperor，claspinghisheadbetweenhishands。Heremainedamomentburiedinthoughtandabsorbedinhisownreflections。

Thefactwas，hisMajestyhadgivenorderstoundermineallthebridgesovertheElsterandhavethemblownup，butnotuntilaftertheFrencharmyhadcrossedtheriverinsafety。Ihavesinceheardthiseventdiscussedfrommanypointsofview，andhavereadmanycontradictoryaccounts。Itisnotmyprovincetoshedlightonapointofhistorywhichformssuchasubjectofcontroversy，andIhaveconsequentlylimitedmyselftorelatingasIhavedoneonlywhatcamewithinmyownknowledge。Nevertheless，ImaybepermittedtomaketomyreadersonesimpleobservationwhichpresentsitselftomymindwheneverIreadorhearitsaidthattheEmperorhimselfhadthebridgeblownupinordertoshelterhimselffromtheenemy\'spursuit。Iaskpardonforsuchanexpression，butthissuppositionappearedtomeanabsurditysoincredibleastosurpassbelief；foritisveryevidentthatifunderthesedisastrouscircumstanceshecouldthinkonlyofhisownpersonalsafety，hewouldnotashorttimebeforehavevoluntarilyprolongedhisstayinthepalaceoftheKingofSaxony，wherehewasexposedtomuchmoreimminentdangerthanhecouldhaveencounteredafterleavingLeipzig。Moreover，theEmperorwasfarfromenjoyingtheconsternationwhichstruckhimwhenhelearnedthattwentythousandofhisbravesoldierswereseparatedfromhimperhapsforever。

HowmanymisfortunesweretheinevitableresultsofthedestructionofthelastbridgeontheroadfromLeipzigtoLindenau！Andhowmanydeedsofheroism，thegreaterpartofwhichwillremainforeverunknown，markthisdisaster！MarshalMacdonald，seeinghimselfseparatedfromthearmy，plungedonhorsebackintotheElster，andwasfortunateenoughtoreachtheotherbank；butGeneralDumortier，attemptingtofollowhisintrepidchief，disappearedandperishedinthewaveswithagreatnumberofofficersandsoldiers；forallhadswornnottosurrenderthemselvestotheenemy，anditwasonlyasmallnumberwhosubmittedtothecruelnecessityofbeingmadeprisoners。ThedeathofPrincePoniatowskicausedintensesorrowintheheartoftheEmperor；anditmaybesaidthateveryoneatheadquarterswasdeeplydistressedatthelossofourPolishhero，andallwereeagertolearntheparticularsofsogrievousandirreparableamisfortune。Aswaswellknown，hisMajestyhadgivenhimorderstocovertheretreatofthearmy，andallfeltthattheEmperorcouldnothavebestowedthistrustmoreworthily。Itisrelatedthatseeinghimselfpressedbytheenemyagainstthebankoftheriver，withnomeansofcrossing，hewasheardtosaytothosearoundhim，“Gentlemen，herewemustdiewithhonor！“ItisaddedthatputtingintopracticethisheroicresolutionheswamacrossthewatersofthePleisseinspiteofthewoundshehadreceivedinthestubborncombathehadsustainedsincemorning。Thenfindingnolongeranyrefugefrominevitablecaptivity，exceptinthewatersoftheElster，thebraveprincehadthrownhimselfintoitwithoutconsideringtheimpassablesteepnessoftheoppositebank，andinafewmomentshewithhishorsewasingulfedbeneaththewaves。Hisbodywasnotfounduntilfivedaysafterwards，andthendrawnfromthewaterbyafisherman。Suchwastheend，bothdeplorableandglorious，ofoneofthemostbrilliantandchivalrousofofficers，whoshowedhimselfworthytorankamongtheforemostFrenchgenerals。MeanwhilethelackofammunitioncompelledtheEmperortoretirepromptly，althoughinremarkablygoodorder，toErfurt，atownwellfurnishedwithbothprovisionsandforage，aswellasmaterialforarmingandequippingthearmy，——infactwithallthematerialsofwar。HisMajestyarrivedonthe23d，havingengagementseachday，inordertoprotecthisretreatagainstforcesfourorfivetimesasnumerousasthoseremainingathisdisposal。AtErfurttheEmperorremainedonlytwodays，andleftonthe25thafterbiddingadieutohisbrother-in-lawtheKingofNaples，whomhewasnevertoseeagain。

Iwitnessedapartofthislastinterview，andremarkedacertainconstraintinthemanneroftheKingofNaples，which，however，hisMajestyseemednottoperceive。Itistruethatthekingdidnotannouncehisimmediatedeparture，andhisMajestywasignorantthatthisprincehadsecretlyreceivedanAustriangeneral——

[ThiswasCountMier，chargedtoguaranteetoMuratthepossessionofhiskingdomifheabandonedthecauseoftheEmperor。Heabandonedhim。Whatdidhegain？——NOTEBYTHEEDITOR。]——

HisMajestywasnotinformedofthisuntilafterwards，andmanifestedlittlesurprise。Moreover(IcallattentiontothisbecauseIsooftenhadoccasiontoremarkit)，somanysevereblowsrepeatedinsuchquicksuccessionhadstrucktheEmperorforsometimepast，thatheseemedtohavebecomealmostinsensible，anditmightwellhavebeensaidthathefelthimselfperfectlyintrenchedinhisideasoffatality。

Nevertheless，hisMajesty，thoughunmovedunderhisownmisfortunes，gavefullventtohisindignationonlearningthatthealliedsovereignsconsideredtheKingofSaxonyastheirprisoner，andhaddeclaredhimatraitor，simplybecausehewastheonlyonewhohadnotbetrayedhim。

Certainlyiffortunehadagainbecomefavorabletohim，asinthepast，theKingofSaxonywouldhavefoundhimselfmasterofoneofthemostextensivekingdomsofEurope；butfortunewashereaftertobealwaysadverse，andevenourvictoriesbroughtusonlyabarrenglory。

Thus，forinstance，theFrencharmysooncovereditselfwithgloryatHanau，throughwhichitwasnecessarytopassbyoverwhelmingtheimmensearmyofAustriansandBavarianscollectedatthispointunderthecommandofGeneralWrede。Sixthousandprisonersweretheresultofthistriumph，whichatthesametimeopenedtoustheroadtoMayence，whichweexpectedtoreachwithoutotherobstacles。Itwasonthe2dofNovember，afteramarchoffourteendaysfromLeipzig，thatweagainbeheldthebanksoftheRhine，andfeltthatwecouldbreatheinsafety。

Havingdevotedfivedaystoreorganizingthearmy，givinghisorders，andassigningtoeachofthemarshalsandchiefsoftheseveralcorpstheposthewastooccupyduringhisabsence，theEmperorleftMayenceonthe7th，andonthe9thsleptatSaint-Cloud，towhichhereturnedprecededbyafewtrophies，asbothatErfurtandFrankfortwehadtakentwentybannersfromtheBavarians。Thesebanners，presentedtotheministerofwarbyM。Lecouteuxaide-de-camptothePrincedeNeuchatel，hadprecededhisMajesty\'sarrivalinParisbytwodays，andhadalreadybeenpresentedtotheEmpress，towhomtheEmperorhaddonehomageinthefollowingterms:

MADAME，ANDMYVERYDEARWIFE，——

Isend。youtwentybannerstakenbymyarmyatthebattlesofWachau，Leipzig，andHanau。Thisisanhomageitgivesmepleasuretorendertoyou。Idesirethatyou-willacceptitasamarkofmyentiresatisfactionwiththemannerinwhichyouhaveadministeredtheregencywhichIconfidedtoyou。“

UndertheConsulateandduringthefirstsixyearsoftheEmpire，whenevertheEmperorhadreturnedtoParisafteracampaign，itwasbecausethatcampaignwasfinished，andthenewsofapeaceconcludedinconsequenceofavictoryhadalwaysprecededhim。ForasecondtimehereturnedfromMayenceunderdifferentcircumstances。Inthiscase，asonthereturnfromSmorghoni，heleftthewarstillinprogress，andreturned，notforthepurposeofpresentingtoFrancethefruitofhisvictories，buttodemandnewsubsidiesofmenandmoneyinordertorepairthedefeatandlossessustainedbyourarmy。Notwithstandingthisdifferenceintheresultofourwars，thewelcomeaccordedtohisMajestybythenationwasstillthesame，apparentlyatleast；andtheaddressesbythedifferenttownsoftheinteriorwerenotlessnumerous，norlessfilledwithexpressionsofdevotion；andthoseespeciallywhowerethepreyoffearsforthefutureshowedthemselvesevenmoredevotedthanallothers，fearinglesttheirfatalpremonitionsshouldbediscovered。Formyownpart，ithadneveroccurredtomethattheEmperorcouldfinallysuccumbinthestrugglehewasmaintaining；formyideashadneverreachedthispoint，anditisonlyinreflectinguponitsincethatI

havebeenabletocomprehendthedangerswhichthreatenedhimattheperiodwehadnowreached。Hewaslikeamanwhohadpassedthenightontheedgeofaprecipice，totallyunawareofthedangertowhichhewasexposeduntilitwasrevealedbythelightofday。Nevertheless，Imaysaythateveryonewaswearyofthewar，andthatallthoseofmyfriendswhomIsawonthereturnfromMayencespoketomeoftheneedofpeace。

WithinthepalaceitselfIheardmanypersonsattachedtotheEmperorsaythesamethingwhenhewasnotpresent，thoughtheyspokeverydifferentlyinthepresenceofhisMajesty。Whenhedeignedtointerrogateme，ashefrequentlydid，onwhatIhadheardpeoplesay，I

reportedtohimtheexacttruth；andwhenintheseconfidentialtoiletconversationsoftheEmperorIutteredthewordpeace，heexclaimedagainandagain，“Peace！Peace！Ah！whocandesireitmorethanI？Therearesome，however，whodonotdesireit，andthemoreIconcedethemoretheydemand。“

AnextraordinaryeventwhichtookplacetheverydayofhisMajesty\'sarrivalatSaint-Cloud，whenitbecameknown，ledtothebeliefthattheallieshadconceivedtheideaofenteringuponnewnegotiations。Infact，itwaslearnedthatM。deSaint-Aignan，hisMajesty\'sministerattheducalcourtofSaxony，hadbeentakenbymainforceandconductedtoFrankfort，wherewerethenassembledM。deMetternich，thePrincevonSchwarzenberg，andtheministersofRussiaandPrussia。Thereoverturesentirelyintheinterestsofpeaceweremadetohimonthepartofthealliedsovereigns，afterwhichM。deSaint-AignanwasallowedtoreturnimmediatelytotheEmperortoinformhimofthedetailsofhisseizureandthepropositionswhichhadbeenmadetohim。Theseoffersmadebytheallies，ofwhichIwasnotinformed，andconsequentlycansaynothing，seemedtostriketheEmperorasworthyofconsideration；andtherewassoonageneralrumorinthepalacethatanewCongresswastobeassembledatManheim；thattheDukeofVicenzahadbeenappointedbyhisMajestyasministerplenipotentiary；andthatinordertogivemoredignitytohismission，theportfolioofforeignaffairshadbeenatthesametimecommittedtohim。Irememberthatthisnewsrevivedthehopesofall，andwasmostfavorablyreceived；foralthoughitwasdoubtlesstheeffectofprejudice，noonecouldbeignorantthatthegeneralpublicdidnotseewithpleasuretheDukeofBassanointheplacetowhichtheDukeofVicenzawascalledtosucceedhim。TheDukeofBassanowassaidtohaveactedinaccordancewithwhathebelievedtobethesecretwishesoftheEmperor，andtobeaversetopeace。Itwillbeseenlater，byananswerwhichhisMajestymadetomeatFontainebleau，howgroundlessandwithoutfoundationweretheserumors。Itseemedthenexceedinglyprobablethattheenemyreallyintendedtotreatforpeace；sinceinprocuringopenlybyforceaFrenchnegotiator，theyhadforestalledanycreditwhichmightaccruetotheEmperorfrommakingoverturesforpeace。

WhataboveallgavegreatweighttothegeneralbeliefinthedispositionofEuropetowardspeacewasthatnotsimplyaContinentalpeacewasinquestionasatTilsitandSchoenbrunn，butalsoageneralpeace，inwhichEnglandwastoenterasacontractingparty；sothatinconsequenceitwashopedthatthegaininthepermanenceofsuchpeacewouldoffsettheseverityofitsterms。Butunfortunatelythishope，whichwasindulgedwiththejoyofanticipation，lastedonlyashorttime；anditwassoonlearnedthatthepropositionsmadetoM。deSaint-Aignanwereonlyabait，andanolddiplomaticrusewhichtheforeignershadmadeuseofsimplyinordertogaintimebydeludingtheEmperorwithvainhopes。

Infact，amonthhadnotpassedaway，therehadnotevenbeentimetocompletethepreliminarycorrespondenceusualinsuchcases，whentheEmperorlearnedofthefamousdeclarationofFrankfort，inwhich，farfromenteringintonegotiationswithhisMajesty，itwasattemptedtoseparatehiscausefromthatofFrance。Whatamassofintrigues！Letoneblesswithathankfulhearthismediocritywhenhecompareshimselfwithmencondemnedtoliveamidthislabyrinthofhighimposturesandhonorablehypocrisies！Asadcertaintywasobtainedthattheforeignerswishedawarofextermination，andrenewedconsternationensuedwherehopehadbeguntoreign；butthegeniusofhisMajestyhadnotyetdesertedhim，andfromthistimeallhiseffortsweredirectedtowardsthenecessityofonceagainmeetingtheenemyfacetoface，nolongerinordertoconquerhisprovinces，buttopreventaninvasionofthesacredsoilofhisowncountry。

CHAPTERXVII。

Inspeakingoftheyear1813，anaccountoftheincrediblenumberofaffiliationswhichtookplaceatthistimebetweensecretsocietiesrecentlyformedinItalyandGermanyshouldnotbeomitted。TheEmperorfromthetimewhenhewasonlyFirstConsul，notonlydidnotopposetheopeningofMasoniclodges，butwehaveeveryreasontobelievesecretlyfavoredthem。Hewasverysurethatnothingoriginatedinthesemeetingswhichcouldbedangeroustohispersonorinjurioustohisgovernment；

sinceFreemasonrycountedamongitsvotaries，andevenhadaschiefs，themostdistinguishedpersonagesofthestate。Moreover，itwouldhavebeenimpossibleinthesesocieties，whereafewfalsebrethrenhadslippedin，foradangeroussecret，hadtherebeenone，toescapethevigilanceofthepolice。TheEmperorspokeofitsometimesaspurechild\'splay，suitabletoamuseidlers；andIcanaffirmthathelaughedheartilywhentoldthatthearchchancellor，inhispositionaschiefoftheGrandOrient，hadpresidedataMasonicbanquetwithnolessdignitythanwouldhavecomportedwiththepresidencyofthesenateorofthecouncilofstate。Nevertheless，theEmperor\'sindifferencedidnotextendtosocietiesknowninItalyunderthenameofCarbonari，andinGermanyundervarioustitles。Wemustadmit，infact，thatsincetheundertakingsoftwoyoungGermansinitiatedinIlluminism，itwasnaturalthathisMajestyshouldnothaveseenwithoutanxietythepropagationofthosebondsofvirtueinwhichyoungfanaticsweretransformedintoassassins。

IknownothingremarkableinrelationtotheCarbonari，sincenocircumstanceconnectedouraffairswiththoseofItaly。InregardtothesecretsocietiesofGermany，IrememberthatduringourstayatDresdenI

heardthemmentionedwithmuchinterest，andnotwithoutfearsforthefuture，byaSaxonmagistratewithwhomIhadthehonorofassociatingfrequently。Hewasamanaboutsixtyyearsofage，whospokeFrenchwell，andunitedinthehighestdegreeGermanstoliditywiththegravitynaturaltoage。InhisyouthhehadlivedinFrance，andpartofhiseducationhadbeenreceivedattheCollegeofSoreze；andIattributedthefriendshipwhichheshowedformetothepleasureheexperiencedinconversingaboutacountrythememoryofwhichseemedverydeartohim。

Irememberperfectlywellto-daytheprofoundvenerationwithwhichthisexcellentmanspoketomeofoneofhisformerprofessorsofSoreze，whomhecalledDonFerlus；andImusthavehadadefectivememoryindeedhadI

forgottenanamewhichIheardrepeatedsooften。

MySaxonfriendwasnamedM。Gentz，butwasnorelationofthediplomatofthesamenameattachedtotheAustrianchancellery。HewasoftheReformedreligion，veryfaithfulintheperformanceofhisreligiousduties；andIcanassertthatIneverknewamanwithmoresimpletastes，orwhowasmoreobservantofhisdutiesasamanandamagistrate。I

wouldnotliketorisksayingwhatwerehisinmostthoughtsconcerningtheEmperor；forherarelyspokeofhim，andifhehadanythingunpleasanttosayitmaybereadilyunderstoodthathewouldnothavechosenmeashisconfidant。OnedaywhenweweretogetherexaminingthefortificationswhichhisMajestyhaderectedatmanypointsontheleftbankoftheElbe，theconversationforsomereasonhappenedtofallonthesecretsocietiesofGermany，asubjectwithwhichIwasperfectlyunacquainted。AsIwasquestioninghiminordertoobtaininformation，M。Gentzsaidtome，“ItmustnotbebelievedthatthesecretsocietieswhicharemultiplyinginGermanyinsuchanextraordinarymannerhavebeenprotectedbythesovereigns；forthePrussiangovernmentseesthemgrowwithterror，althoughitnowseekstousetheminordertogiveanationalappearancetothewarithaswagedagainstyou。Societieswhichareto-daytoleratedhavebeen，eveninPrussia，theobjectofbitterpersecutions。Ithasnotbeenlong，forinstance，sincethePrussiangovernmentusedseveremeasurestosuppressthesocietycalled\'Tugendverein\'，takingtheprecaution，nevertheless，todisguiseitunderadifferenttitle。DoctorJahnputhimselfattheheadoftheBlackChevaliers，whoweretheprecursorsofabodyofpartisansknownunderthenameoftheBlackChasseurs，andcommandedbyColonelLutzow。InPrussiathestillvividmemoryofthelatequeenexercisedagreatinfluenceoverthenewdirectiongiventoitsinstitutions，inwhichsheoccupiedtheplaceofanoccultdivinity。DuringherlifetimeshegavetoBaronNostitzasilverchain，whichashergiftbecamethedecoration，orwemightrathersaytherallyingsignal，ofanewsociety，towhichwasgiventhenameoftheConederationofLouise。Andlastly，M。LangdeclaredhimselfthechiefofanorderofConcordists，whichheinstitutedinimitationoftheassociationsofthatnamewhichhadforsometimeexistedintheuniversities。

“Mydutiesasmagistrate，“addedM。Gentz，“havefrequentlyenabledmetoobtainexactinformationconcerningthesenewinstitutions；andyoumayconsidertheinformationwhichIgiveyouonthissubjectasperfectlyauthentic。ThethreechiefswhomIhavejustmentionedapparentlydirectthreeseparatesocieties；butitisverycertainthatthethreeareinrealityonlyone，sincethesegentlemenengagethemselvestofollowineveryparticularthevagariesoftheTugendverein，andarescatteredthroughoutGermanyinorderthatbytheirpersonalpresencetheymayhaveamoredirectinfluence。M。JahnismoreespeciallyincontrolofPrussia；M。Langofthenorth，andBarondeNostitzofthesouth，ofGermany。Thelatter，knowingperhapstheinfluenceofawomanoveryoungconverts，associatedwithhimselfabeautifulactressnamedMadameBrede；

andshehasalreadybeenthemeansofmakingaveryimportantacquisitiontotheConfederationofLouise，andonewhichmightbecomestillmoresointhefutureiftheFrenchshouldmeetwithreverses。TheformerElectorofHesse，admittedthroughtheinfluenceofMadameBrede，acceptedalmostimmediatelyafterhisreceptionthegrandchieftancyoftheConfederationofLouise，andtheverydayofhisinstallationplacedinthehandsofM。deNostitzthesumnecessarytocreateandequipafreecorpsofsevenhundredmendestinedtoentertheserviceofPrussia。

Itistruethathavingonceobtainedpossessionofthissumthebarondidnothingtowardstheformationofthecorps，whichgreatlyincensedtheex-elector；butbydintofskillanddiplomacyMadameBredesucceededinreconcilingthem。Ithasbeenproved，infact，thatM，deNostitzdidnotappropriatethefundsdepositedwithhim，butusedthemforotherpurposesthanthearmingofafreecorps。M。deNostitzisbeyonddoubtthemostzealous，ardent，andcapableofthethreechiefs。Idonotknowhimpersonally，butIknowheisoneofthosemenbestcalculatedtoobtainunboundedinfluenceoverallwithwhomhecomesincontact。HesucceededingainingsuchdominionoverM。Stein，thePrussianminister，thatthelatterplacedtwoofhissecretariesatthedisposalofBarondeNostitztoprepareunderhisdirectionthepamphletswithwhichGermanyisflooded；butIcannottoooftenrepeat，“continuedM。Gentz，“thatthehatredagainsttheFrenchavowedbythesevarioussocietiesissimplyanaccidentalthing，asingularcreationofcircumstances；sincetheirprimeobjectwastheoverthrowofthegovernmentasitexistedinGermany，andtheirfundamentalprincipletheestablishmentofasystemofabsoluteequality。ThisissotruethatthequestionhasbeenearnestlydebatedamongstthemembersoftheTugendvereinofproclaimingthesovereigntyofthepeoplethroughoutGermany；andtheyhaveopenlydeclaredthatthewarshouldnotbewagedinthenameofthegovernments，whichaccordingtotheirbeliefareonlytheinstruments。Idonotknowwhatwillbethefinalresultofallthesemachinations；butitisverycertainthatbygivingthemselvesanassumedimportancethesesecretsocietieshavegiventhemselvesaveryrealone。AccordingtotheirversionitistheyalonewhohavedecidedtheKingofPrussiatoopenlydeclarehimselfagainstFrance，andtheyboastloudlythattheywillnotstopthere。Afterall，theresultwillprobablybethesameasinnearlyallsuchcases，——iftheyarefoundusefultheywillbepromisedwonderfulthingsinordertogaintheirallegiance，andwillbeabandonedwhentheynolongerservetheintendedpurposes；foritisanentireimpossibilitythatreasonablegovernmentsshouldlosesightoftherealendforwhichtheyareinstituted。“

Thisis，Ithink，anexactsummary，notofallM。GentzsaidtomeconcerningthesecretsocietiesofGermany，butofwhatIrecall；andI

alsorememberthatwhenIgavetheEmperoranaccountofthisconversation，hisMajestydeignedtogivemostearnestattention，andevenmademerepeatcertainparts，which，however，Idonotnowrememberpositively。AstotheCarbonari，thereiseveryreasontothinkthattheybelongedbysecretramificationstotheGermansocieties；butasI

havealreadysaid，Ihavenotbeenabletoobtainexactinformationastothem。Nevertheless，IwillendeavortorepeatherewhatIheardconcerningtheinitiationofaCarbonari。

Thisstory，whichmayperhapsbeonlyimaginary，struckmyattentiondeeply。Moreover，Igiveitherewithmuchhesitation，notknowingwhethersomeonehasnotalreadyprofitedbyit，asIwasbynomeanstheonlyauditorofthisnarration。IobtaineditfromaFrenchmanwholivedinthenorthofItalyatthetimemyconversationwithM。Gentzoccurred。

“AFrenchofficer，formerlyattachedtoGeneralMoreau，amanofenthusiasticbutatthesametimegloomyandmelancholycharacter，lefttheserviceafterthetrialinstitutedagainsthisgeneralatParis。Hetooknopartintheconspiracy；butunalterablyattachedtorepublicanprinciples，thisofficer，whosetasteswereverysimple，andwhopossessedanamplecompetence，leftFrancewhentheEmpirewasestablished，andtooknopainstodisguisehisaversiontotheheadofanabsolutegovernment。Finally，althoughofmostinoffensiveconduct，hewasoneofthosedesignatedunderthenameofmalcontents。AftertravelingseveralyearsinGreece，Germany，andItaly，hesettledhimselfinalittlevillageintheVenetianTyrol。Therehelivedaveryretiredlife，holdinglittlecommunicationwithhisneighbors，occupiedinthestudyofnaturalscience，givenuptomeditation，andnolongeroccupyinghimself，sotospeak，withpublicaffairs。Thiswashisposition，whichappearedmysterioustosomepersons，atthetimetheinstitutionoftheventesoftheCarbonariweremakingsuchincredibleprogressinmostoftheItalianprovinces，especiallyinthoseonthebordersoftheAdriatic。Severalnotableinhabitantsofthecountry，whowereardentCarbonari，conceivedtheplanofenrollingintheirsocietythisFrenchofficer，whomtheyknew，andbeingawareofhisimplacableresentmentagainstthechiefoftheImperialgovernment，whomheregardedasagreatman，infact，butatthesametimeasthedestroyerofhisbelovedrepublic。Inordernottorousethesupposedsusceptibilitiesofthisofficer，theyorganizedahunting-partytomeetinthelocalitywhereheusuallytookhissolitaryrambles。Thisplanwasadopted，andsowellcarriedoutthattheintendedmeetingtookplaceapparentlybychance。

Theofficerdidnothesitatetoengageinconversationwiththehunters，someofwhomhealreadyknew；andaftersomedesultoryremarkstheconversationturnedontheCarbonari，thosenewvotariesofsecretliberty。Themagicwordlibertyhadnotlostitspowertostirtoitsdepthstheheartofthisofficer，andconsequentlyproduceduponhimtheexacteffecttheydesired，byawakingenthusiasticmemoriesofhisyouth，andajoytowhichhehadlongbeenastranger；andconsequentlywhentheyproposedtoaddhisnametothebrotherhoodwhichwasnowaroundhim，nodifficultywasexperienced。Theofficerwasreceived，thesecretsignsandwordsofrecognitionweregivenhim，andhetooktheoathbywhichheengagedtobealwaysandateveryhouratthedisposalofhisbrethren，andtoperishratherthanbetraytheirsecrets；andwastheninitiatedandcontinuedtoliveasinthepast，butexpectingeverymomentasummons。

TheadventurouscharacteroftheinhabitantsoftheVenetianTyrolaffordastrikingcontrasttothecharacteroftheinhabitantsofItaly；buttheyhaveincommonsuspiciousnatures，andfromsuspiciontorevengethedescentisrapid。TheFrenchofficerhadhardlybeenadmitted，thantherewerefoundamongthemsomewhocondemnedthisaction，andregardeditasdangerous；andthereweresomewhoevenwentsofarastosaythathisbeingaFrenchmanshouldhavebeenasufficientimpediment，andthat，besides，atatimewhenthepolicewereemployingtheirbestmentouncoveralldisguises，itwasnecessarythatthefirmnessandconstancyofthenewlyelectedshouldbeputtosomeotherproofthanthesimpleformalitiestheyhadrequired。Thesponsorsoftheofficer，thosewhohad，sotospeak，earnestlydesiredhimasabrother，raisednoobjections，beingperfectlysatisfiedastothecorrectnessoftheirchoice。

ThiswasthestateofaffairswhennewsofthedisasteroftheFrencharmyatLeipzigwerereceivedintheneighboringprovincesoftheAdriatic，andredoubledthezealoftheCarbonari。AboutthreemonthshadpassedsincethereceptionoftheFrenchofficer；andhavingreceivednonewsfromhisbrethren，hethoughtthatthedutiesoftheCarbonarimustbeveryinconsiderable，whenonedayhereceivedamysteriousletterenjoininghimtobethefollowingnightinaneighboringwood，atacertainspotexactlyatmidnight，andtowaitthereuntilsome，onecametohim。Theofficerwaspromptlyattherendezvousattheappointedhour，andremaineduntildaylight，thoughnooneappeared。Hethenreturnedtohishome，thinkingthatthishadbeensimplyaproofofhispatience。Hisconvictions，inthisrespect，weresomewhatchanged，however，whenafewdaysafterwardshereceivedanotherletterorderinghimtopresenthimselfinthesamemanneratthesamespot；andheagainpassedthenightthereinvainexpectation。

Nothingfurtherhadoccurred，whenathirdandsimilarrendezvouswasappointed，atwhichtheFrenchofficerpresentedhimselfwiththesamepunctualityandinexhaustiblepatience。Hehadwaitedseveralhours，whensuddenly，insteadofwitnessingthearrivalofhisbrethren，heheardtheclashofswords；andmovedbyirresistibleimpulse，herushedtowardsthespotfromwhichthenoiseissuedandseemedtorecedeasheadvanced。Hesoonarrivedataspotwhereafrightfulcrimehadjustbeencommitted，andsawamanwelteringinhisblood，attackedbytwoassassins。Quickaslightninghethrewhimself，swordinhand，onthetwomurderers；but，astheyimmediatelydisappearedinthethickwoods，hewasdevotinghisattentiontotheirvictim，whenfourgendarmesarrivedonthescene；andtheofficerthenfoundhimselfalonewithunsheathedswordnearthemurderedman。Thelatter，whostillbreathed，madealastefforttospeak，andexpiredwhileindicatinghisdefenderashismurderer，whereponthegendarmesarrestedhim；andtwoofthemtookupthecorpse，whiletheothersfastenedthearmsoftheofficerwithropes，andescortedhimtoaneighboringvillage，oneleaguedistant，wheretheyarrivedatbreakofday。Hewasthereconductedbeforeamagistrate，questioned，andincarceratedintheprisonoftheplace。

Imaginethesituationofthisofficer，withnofriendsinthatcountry，notdaringtorecommendhimselftohisowngovernment，bywhomhiswell-

knownopinionshadrenderedhimsuspected，accusedofahorriblecrime，wellawareofalltheproofsagainsthim，and，aboveall，completelycrushedbythelastwordsofthedyingman！Likeallmenoffirmandresolutecharacter，heacceptedthesituationwithoutcomplaint，sawthatitwaswithoutremedy，andresignedhimselftohisfate。Meanwhile，aspecialcommissionhadbeenappointed，inordertomakeatleastapretenseofjustice；butwhenhewasledbeforethiscommission，hecouldonlyrepeatwhathehadalreadysaid；thatistosay，giveanexactaccountoftheoccurrence，protesthisinnocence，andadmitatthesametimethatappearanceswereentirelyagainsthim。Whatcouldhereplywhenaskedwherefore，andwithwhatmotive，hehadbeenfoundaloneinthenight，armedwithasword，inthethickestofthewood？HerehisoathasCarbonarisealedhislips，andhishesitationwastakenasadditionalproof。Whatcouldhereplytothedepositionofthegendarmeswhohadarrestedhimintheveryact？Hewasconsequentlyunanimouslycondemnedtodeath，andreconductedtohisprisonuntilthetimefixedfortheexecutionofhissentence。

Apriestwasfirstsenttohim。Theofficerreceivedhimwiththeutmostrespect，butrefusedtomakeconfession，andwasnextimportunedbythevisitofabrotherhoodofpenitents。Atlasttheexecutionercametoconducthimtotheplaceofpunishment；andwhilehewasontheway，accompaniedbyseveralgendarmesandalonglineofpenitents，thefuneralprocessionwasinterruptedbytheunexpectedarrivalofthecolonelofthegendarmerie，whomchancebroughttothescene。ThisofficerborethenameofColonelBoizard，amanwellknowninallupperItaly，andtheterrorofallmalefactors。Thecolonelorderedahalt，forthepurposeofhimselfquestioningthecondemned，andmadehimgiveanaccountofthecircumstancesofthecrimeandthesentence。Whenhewasalonewiththeofficer，hesaid，“Youseethatallisagainstyou，andnothingcansaveyoufromthedeathwhichawaitsyou。Ican，nevertheless，saveyou，butonlyononecondition。IknowthatyoubelongtothesocietyoftheCarbonari。Givemethenamesofyouraccomplicesintheseterribleconspiraciesandyourlifeshallbethereward。“——“Never！“——“Consider，nevertheless。“——“Never，Itellyou；leadmetoexecution。“

Itwasthennecessarytosetoutanewfortheplaceofexecution。Theexecutionerwasathispost；andastheofficerwithafirmstepmountedthefatalscaffold，ColonelBoizardrusheduptohimandbeggedhimstilltosavehislifeontheconditionshehadoffered。“No！no！never！“

Instantlythescenechanged；thecolonel，theexecutioner，thegendarmes，thepriest，penitents，andspectators，allgatheredroundtheofficer，eachoneeagertopresshimtotheirhearts，andhewasconductedintriumphtohisdwelling。Allthathadpassedwassimplyaninitiation。

Theassassinsintheforestandtheirvictim，aswellasthejudgesandthepretendedColonelBoizard，hadbeenplayingarole；andthemostsuspiciousCarbonarinowknewhowfartheirnewbrotherwouldcarrytheconstancyofhisheroismandtheobservanceofhisoath。

ThisisalmostexactlytherecitalwhichIheard，asIhavesaid，withthedeepestinterest，andwhichItakethelibertyofrepeating，thoughI

wellunderstandhowmuchitwilllosebybeingwritten。Canitbeimplicitlybelieved？ThisiswhatIwouldnotundertaketodecide；butI

canaffirmthatmyinformantgaveitasthetruth，andwasperfectlycertainthattheparticularswouldbefoundinthearchivesofMilan，sincethisextraordinaryinitiationwasatthetimethesubjectofacircumstantialreportaddressedtothevice-king，whomfatehaddeterminedshouldnevermoreseetheEmperor。

CHAPTERXVIII。

Idigressedconsiderably，intheprecedingchapter，frommyrecollectionsofParissubsequenttoourreturnfromGermanyafterthebattleofLeipzig，andtheEmperor\'sshortsojournatMayence。IcannotevennowwritethenameofthelattertownwithoutrecallingthespectacleoftumultandconfusionwhichitpresentedafterthegloriousbattleofHanau，wheretheBavariansfoughtsobravelyonthisthefirstoccasionwhentheypresentedthemselvesasenemiesbeforethoseinwhoserankstheyhadsorecentlystood。Itwas，ifIamnotmistaken，inthislastengagementthattheBavariangeneral，Wrede，was，withhisfamily，theimmediatevictimsoftheirtreachery。Thegeneral，whomtheEmperorhadoverwhelmedwithkindness，wasmortallywounded，allhisrelativesintheBavarianarmywereslain，andhisson-in-law，PrinceofOettingen，metthesamefate。ItwasoneofthoseeventswhichneverfailedtomakeadeepimpressiononthemindofhisMajesty，sinceitstrengthenedhisideasoffatality。ItwasalsoatMayencethattheEmperorgaveordersfortheassemblingoftheCorpsLegislatifonthe2dofDecember。Theopeningwasdelayed，asweshallsee；andfarbetterwouldithavebeenhaditbeenindefinitelypostponed；sinceinthatcasehisMajestywouldnothaveexperiencedthemisfortunesheafterwardsenduredfromtheiropposition，symptomsofwhichnowmanifestedthemselvesforthefirsttimeinamannerwhichwas，tosaytheleast，intemperate。

Oneofthethingswhichastonishedmemostatthetime，andwhichstillastonishesmewhenIrecallitnow，wastheincredibleactivityoftheEmperor，which，farfromdiminishing，seemedtoincreaseeachday，asiftheveryexerciseofhisstrengthredoubledit。AttheperiodofwhichI

nowspeak，itisimpossibletodescribehowcompletelyeverymomentofhisMajesty\'stimewasfilled。SincehehadagainmettheEmpressandhisson，theEmperorhadresumedhisaccustomedserenity；andIrarelysurprisedhiminthatopenabandonmenttodejectiontowhichhesometimesgaveway，intheretirementofhischamber，immediatelyafterourreturnfromMoscow。HewasoccupiedmoreostensiblythanusualinthenumerouspublicworkswhichwerebeingprosecutedinParis，andwhichformedausefuldistractiontohisengrossingthoughtsofwarandthedistressingnewswhichreachedhimfromthearmy。Almosteveryday，troops，equippedasifbymagic，werereviewedbyhisMajesty，andorderedimmediatelytotheRhine，nearlythewholecourseofwhichwasthreatened；andthedanger，whichwethenscarcelythoughtpossible，musthaveappearedmostimminenttotheinhabitantsofthecapital，notinfatuated，likeourselves，bythekindofcharmtheEmperorexercisedoverallthosewhohadthehonorofapproachinghisaugustperson。Infact，forthefirsttimehewascompelledtodemandofthesenatetoanticipatethelevyfortheensuingyear，andeachdayalsobroughtdepressingnews。Theprincearch-treasurerreturnedthefollowingautumn，forcedtoquitHollandaftertheevacuationofthiskingdombyourtroops；whilstMarshalGouvionSaint-CyrwascompelledatDresdentosignacapitulationforhimselfandthethirtythousandmenwhomhehadheldinreserveatthatplace。

ThecapitulationofMarshalSaint-Cyrwillnever，surely，occupyanhonorableplaceinthehistoryofthecabinetofVienna。Itisnotmyprovincetopassjudgmentonthesepoliticalcombinations；butIcannotforgettheindignationwhichwasgenerallymanifestedatthepalacewhenitwaslearnedthatthiscapitulationhadbeenshamelesslyviolatedbythosewhohadnowbecomethestrongerparty。ItwasstatedinthiscapitulationthatthemarshalshouldreturntoFrancewiththetroopsunderhiscommand，carryingwithhimapartofhisartillery，andthatthesetroopsshouldbeexchangedforalikenumberofthealliedtroops；

thatthewoundedFrenchwhoremainedatDresdenshouldbereturnedtoFranceontheirrestorationtohealth；andthat，finally，themarshalshouldbeginthesemovementsonthe16thofNovember。Nopartofthisagreementwascompliedwith。Imagine，then，theindignationoftheEmperor，alreadysodeeplyafflictedbythecapitulationofDresden，whenhelearnedthat，contrarytoeverystipulationagreedupon，thesetroopshadbeenmadeprisonersbythePrincevonSwarzenberg。IrememberonedaythePrincedeNeuchatelbeinginhisMajesty\'scabinet，whichI

happenedtoenteratthemoment，theEmperorremarkedtohim，withconsiderablevehemence，“Youspeaktomeofpeace。HowcanIbelieveinthegoodfaithofthosepeople？YouseewhathappenedatDresden。No，Itellyou，theydonotwishtotreatwithus；theyareonlyendeavoringtogaintime，anditisourbusinessnottoloseit。“Theprincedidnotreply；or，atleast，Iheardnomore，asIjustthenleftthecabinet，havingexecutedthedutywhichhadtakenmethere。Moreover，Icanadd，asanadditionalproofoftheconfidencewithwhichhisMajestyhonoredme，thatwhenIenteredheneverinterruptedhimselfinwhathewassaying，howeverimportantitmightbe；andIdaretoaffirmthatifmymemorywerebetter，thesesouvenirswouldcontainmuchmorevaluableinformation。

SinceIhavespokenoftheeviltidingswhichoverwhelmedtheEmperorinsuchquicksuccessionduringthelastmonthsoftheyear1813，thereisoneIshouldnotomit，sinceitaffectedhisMajestysopainfully。I

refertothedeathofCountLouisdeNarbonne。OfallthosewhohadnotbeguntheircareersundertheeyesoftheEmperor，M。deNarbonnewastheoneforwhomhefeltthedeepestaffection；anditmustbeadmittedthatitwasimpossibletofindamaninwhomgenuinemeritwasunitedtomoreattractivemanners。TheEmperorregardedhimasamostproperpersontoconductanegotiation，andsaidofhimoneday，“Narbonneisabornambassador。“ItwasknowninthepalacewhytheEmperorhadappointedhimhisaide-decampatthetimeheformedthehouseholdoftheEmpressMarieLouise。TheEmperorhadatfirstintendedtoappointhimchevalierofhonortothenewEmpress，butaskillfullyconcoctedintriguecausedhimtorefusethisposition；anditwasinsomedegreetomakeamendsforthisthathereceivedtheappointmentofaide-de-camptohisMajesty。

TherewasnotatthattimeapositionmorehighlyvaluedinallFrance；

manyforeignandevensovereignprinceshadsolicitedinvainthishighmarkoffavor，andamongsttheseIcannamePrinceLeopolddeSaxe-

Coburg，——[LaterhebecameKingoftheBelgians(in1831)，andthenextyearmarriedthedaughterofLouisPhilippe。Hisfirstwife，PrincessCharlotteofEngland，whomhemarriedin1816，diedthesameyear。

Leopoldwasborn1790，anddied1865。]——

whomarriedPrincessCharlotteofEngland，andwhorefusedtobeKingofGreece，afterfailingtoobtainthepositionofaide-de-camptotheEmperor。

Iwouldnotdaretosay，accordingtomyrecollection，thatnooneatthecourtwasjealousonseeingM。deNarbonneappointedaide-de-camptotheEmperor；butiftherewereanyIhaveforgottentheirnames。Howeverthatmayhavebeen，hesoonbecameverypopular，andeachdaytheEmperorappreciatedmorehighlyhischaracterandservices。IrememberononeoccasiontohaveheardhisMajestysay——IthinkitwasatDresden——thathehadneverthoroughlyknownthecabinetofViennauntilthefinenoseofNarbonne——thatwastheEmperor\'sexpression——hadscentedoutthoseolddiplomats。Afterthepretendednegotiations，ofwhichIhavespokenabove，andwhichoccupiedtheentiretimeofthearmisticeatDresden，M。deNarbonnehadremainedinGermany，wheretheEmperorhadcommittedtohimthegovernmentofTorgau；anditwastherehedied，onthe17thofNovember，inconsequenceofafallfromhishorse，inspiteofalltheattentionslavishedonhimbyBaronDesgenettes。WiththeexceptionofthedeathofMarshalDurocandPrincePoniatowski，IdonotremembertohaveeverseentheEmperorshowmoresinceresorrowthanonthisoccasion。Meanwhile，almostattheverymomenthelostM。deNarbonne，butbeforehehadheardofhisdeath，theEmperorhadmadearrangementstofilltheplacenearhispersonofthemanhehadlovedmost，notevenexceptingGeneralDesaix。HehadjustcalledGeneralBertrandtothehighpositionofgrandmarshalofthepalace；andthischoicewasgenerallyapprovedbyallwhohadthehonorofCountBertrand\'sacquaintance。ButwhatisthereformetosayhereofamanwhosenameinhistorywillneverbeseparatedfromthatoftheEmperor？ThissameperiodhadseenthefalloftheDukeofIstria，oneofthefourcolonel-

generalsoftheguard，andMarshalDuroc:andthissameappointmentincludedthenamesoftheirsuccessors；forMarshalSuchetwasappointedatthesametimeasGeneralBertrand，andtooktheplaceofMarshalBessieresascolonel-generaloftheguard——

[LouisGabrielSuchet，bornatLyons，1770。ServedintheItaliancampaignin1796。Brigadier-general，1797；generalofdivision，1799。GovernorofGenoa，1800，andservedatAusterlitz，1805。ForhisbrilliantservicesinSpainhewascreatedDukeofAlbuferaandmarshal，1811。AtSt。Helena，Napoleonstatedhewastheablestofhisgeneralsthensurviving。SuchetmarriedthenieceofthewivesofJosephBonaparteandBernadotte，andhiswidowdiedasrecentlyas1891。Suchetdied1826。]——

AtthesametimehisMajestymadeseveralotherchangesinthehigherofficesoftheEmpire。AcommitteeofthesenatehavingconferredontheEmperortherighttoappoint，ofhisownchoice，thepresidentoftheCorpsLegislatif，hisMajestybestowedthispresidencyontheDukeofMassa，whowasreplacedinhisformerpositionasgrandjudgebyCountMole，theyoungestoftheEmperor\'sministers。TheDukeofBassanobecamethesecretaryofstate，andtheDukeofVicenzareceivedtheportfolioofforeignrelations。

AsIhavesaid，duringtheautumnof1813hisMajestyfrequentlyvisitedthepublicworks。Heusuallywentalmostunattended，andonfoot，tovisitthoseoftheTuileriesandtheLouvre，andafterwardsmountedhishorse，accompaniedbyoneortwoofficersatmost，andM。Fontaine，andwenttoexaminethosewhichweremoredistant。Oneday，——itwasabouttheendofNovember，havingseizedtheopportunityofhisMajesty\'sabsencetotakeawalkthroughtheFaubourgSaintGermain，IunexpectedlyencounteredhisMajestyonhiswaytotheLuxembourg，justashearrivedattheentranceoftheRuedeTournon；anditisimpossibletodescribetheintensesatisfactionwithwhichIheardshoutsof“Vivel\'Empereur“

breakforthasheapproached。IfoundmyselfdrivenbythecrowdveryneartheEmperor\'shorse，andyetIdidnotimagineforamomentthathehadrecognizedme。Onhisreturn，however，Ihadproofstothecontrary。

HisMajestyhadseenme；andasIassistedhimtochangehisclothingtheEmperorgaylyremarkedtome，“Well，M。leDrole！Ah！ah！whatwereyoudoingintheFaubourgSaintGermain？Iseejusthowitis！Afinethingreally！YouspyonmewhenIgoout，“andmanyotherjestsofthesamekind；foronthatdaytheEmperorwasinsuchfinespiritsthatI

concludedhehadbeenmuchpleasedwithhisvisit。

WheneveratthistimetheEmperorexperiencedanyunusualanxiety，I

noticedthatinordertodispelithetookpleasureinexhibitinghimselfinpublicmorefrequently，perhaps，thanduringhisothersojournsinParis，butalwayswithoutanyostentation。Hewentfrequentlytothetheater；and，thankstotheobligingkindnessofCountdeRemusat，I

myselffrequentlyattendedtheseassemblies，whichatthattimealwayshadtheappearanceofafete。Assuredly，whenontheoccasionofthefirstrepresentationoftheballetofNina，theirMajestiesenteredtheirbox，itwouldhavebeendifficulttoimaginethattheEmperorhadalreadyenemiesamonghissubjects。Itistruethatthemothersandwidowsinmourningwerenotthere；butIcanaffirmthatIhaveneverseenmoreperfectenthusiasm。TheEmperorenjoyedthisfromthedepthsofhisheart，evenmore，perhaps，thanafterhisvictories。TheconvictionthathewasbelovedbytheFrenchpeopleimpressedhimdeeply，andintheeveninghecondescendedtospeaktomeofit——shallIdaretosaylikeachildpuffedupwithprideattherewardhehasjustreceived？Thenintheperfectfreedomofprivacyhesaidrepeatedly，“Mywife！mygoodLouise！Truly，sheshouldbewellsatisfied。“Thetruthis，thatthedesiretoseetheEmperoratthetheaterwassogreatinParis，thatashealwaystookhisplaceintheboxattheside，openingontheproscenium，eachtimethathemadehisappearancetheretheboxessituatedontheoppositesideofthehallwererentedatincrediblefigures，andeventheuppermosttierswerepreferredtothosefromwhichtheycouldnotseehimeasily。NoonewholivedinParisatthattimecanfailtorecognizethecorrectnessofthisstatement。

SometimeafterthefirstrepresentationoftheballetofNina，theEmperoragainattendedthetheater，andIwasalsopresent。Asformerly，theEmperoraccompaniedherMajesty；andIcouldnotkeepbackthethought，astheplayproceeded，thattheEmperorhadsomememoriessufficienttodistracthisattentionfromtheexquisitemusic。ItwasattheItaliantheaterthenoccupyingtheOdeon。TheCleopatraofNazzoliniwasplayed；andtherepresentationwasamongthenumberofthosecalledextraordinary，sinceitwasontheoccasionofMadameGrassini\'sbenefit。

Ithadbeenonlyashortwhilesincethissinger，celebratedinmorewaysthanone，hadfirstappearedinpubliconaParisianstage，Ithinkthiswasreallyonlythethirdorfourthtime；andIshouldstate，inordertobeexactlycorrect，thatshedidnotproduceontheParisianpublicexactlytheimpressionwhichhadbeenexpectedfromherimmensereputation。IthadbeenlongsincetheEmperorhadreceivedherprivately；but，nevertheless，hervoiceandCrescentini\'shadbeenreserveduntilthenfortheprivilegedearsofthespectatorsofSaint-

CloudandthetheateroftheTuileries。On，thisoccasiontheEmperorwasverygeneroustowardsthebeneficiary，butnointerviewresulted；

for，inthelanguageofapoetofthatperiod，theCleopatraofParisdidnotconqueranotherAntony。

Thus，aswesee，theEmperoronafewoccasionslaidasidetheimportantaffairswhichoccupiedhim，lesstoenjoythetheaterthanforthepurposeofshowinghimselfinpublic。Allusefulundertakingsweretheobjectsofhiscare；andhedidnotdependentirelyevenontheinformationofmentowhomhehadmostworthilycommittedthem，butsaweverythingforhimself。AmongtheinstitutionsespeciallyprotectedbyhisMajesty，therewasoneinwhichhetookanespecialinterest。IdonotthinkthatinanyoftheintervalsbetweenhiswarstheEmperorhadcometoPariswithoutmakingavisittotheinstitutionoftheDaughtersoftheLegionofHonor，ofwhichMadameCampanwasincharge，firstatEcouen，andafterwardsatSaint-Denis。TheEmperorvisiteditinthemonthofNovember，andIrememberananecdotewhichIheardrelatedtohisMajestyonthisoccasionwhichdivertedhimexceedingly。

Nevertheless，Icannotrememberpositivelywhetherthisanecdoterelatestothevisitof1813，oronemadepreviously。

Inthefirstplace，itmustbeexplainedthat，inaccordancewiththeregulationofthehouseholdoftheyoungladiesoftheLegionofHonor，noman，withtheexceptionoftheEmperor，wasadmittedintotheinterioroftheestablishment。ButastheEmperorwasalwaysattendedbyanescort，hissuiteformedinsomesortapartofhimself，andenteredwithhim。Besideshisofficers，thepagesusuallyaccompaniedhim。IntheeveningonhisreturnfromSaintDenis，theEmperorsaidtome，laughing，asheenteredhisroom，whereIwaswaitingtoundresshim，“Well，mypageswishtoresemblethepagesofformertimes！Thelittleidiots！

Doyouknowwhattheydo？WhenIgotoSaint-Denis，theyhaveacontestamongthemselvesastowhoshallbeonduty。Ha！ha！“TheEmperor，whilespeaking，laughedandrubbedhishandstogether；andthen，havingrepeatedseveraltimesinthesametone；“Thelittleidiots，“headded，followingoutoneofthosesingularreflectionswhichsometimesstruckhim，“I，Constant，wouldhavemadeaverypoorpage；Iwouldneverhavehadsuchanidea。Moreover，thesearegoodyoungmen；goodofficershavealreadycomefromamongthem。Thiswillleadonedaytosomemarriages。“

Itwasveryrare，infact，thatathing，thoughfrivolousinappearance，didnotlead，ontheEmperor\'spart，tosomeseriousconclusion。

Hereafter，indeed，withtheexceptionofafewremembrancesofthepast，Ishallhaveonlyseriousandoftenverysadeventstorelate；forwehavenowarrivedatthepointwhereeverythinghastakenaseriousturn，andclotheditselfinmostsombertints。

CHAPTERXIX。

ForthelasttimewecelebratedinParistheanniversaryfeteofhisMajesty\'scoronation。ThegiftstotheEmperoronthisoccasionwereinnumerableaddressesmadetohimbyallthetownsoftheEmpire，inwhichoffersofsacrificesandprotestationsofdevotionseemedtoincreaseinintensityinproportiontothedifficultyofthecircumstances。Alas！infourmonthsthefullvalueoftheseprotestationswasproved；and，nevertheless，howwasitpossibletobelievethatthisenthusiasm，whichwassouniversal，wasnotentirelysincere？ThiswouldhavebeenanimpossibilitywiththeEmperor，who，untiltheveryendofhisreign，believedhimselfbelovedbyFrancewiththesamedevotionwhichhefeltforher。Atruth，whichwaswellprovedbysucceedingevents，isthattheEmperorbecamemorepopularamongthatpartoftheinhabitantscalledthepeoplewhenmisfortunesbegantooverwhelmhim。HisMajestyhadproofsofthisinavisithemadetotheFaubourgSaint-Antoine；anditisverycertainthat，ifunderothercircumstanceshehadbeenabletobendfromhisdignitytopropitiatethepeople，ameanswhichwasmostrepugnanttotheEmperorinconsequenceofhisremembrancesoftheRevolution，allthefaubourgsofPariswouldhavearmedthemselvesinhisdefense。HowcanthisbedoubtedaftertheeventwhichIheredescribe？

TheEmperor，towardstheendof1813orthebeginningof1814，ononeoccasionvisitedtheFaubourgSaint-Antoine。Icannotto-daygivetheprecisedateofthisunexpectedvisit；butatanyrateheshowedhimselfonthisoccasionfamiliar，eventothepointofgoodfellowship，whichemboldenedthoseimmediatelyaroundtoaddresshim。InowrelatetheconversationwhichoccurredbetweenhisMajestyandseveraloftheinhabitants，whichhasbeenfaithfullyrecorded，andadmittedtobetruebyseveralwitnessesofthisreallytouchingscene。

AnInhabitant——“Isittrue，asIamtold，thattheconditionofaffairsissobad？“

TheEmperor——“Icannotsaythattheyareinaverygoodcondition。“

TheInhabitant——“Buthow，then，willallthisend？

TheEmperor——“Bymyfaith，Godaloneknows。“

TheInhabitant——“Butwhat！IsitpossibletheenemycouldreallyenterFrance？“

TheEmperor——“Thatmightoccur，andtheymightevenpenetrateasfarasthisplace，ifyoudonotcometomyaid。Ihavenotamillionarms。I

cannotdoeverythingalone。“

NumerousVoices——“Wewillupholdyou，wewillupholdyou。“

StillmoreVoices——“Yes，yes。Countonus。“

TheEmperor——“Inthatcasetheenemywillbebeaten，andwewillpreserveourgloryuntarnished。“

SeveralVoices——“Butwhat，then，shallwedo？“

TheEmperor——“Beenrolledandfight。“

ANewVoice——“Wewoulddothisgladly，butwewouldliketomakecertainconditions。“

TheEmperor——“Well，speakoutfrankly。Letusknow；whataretheseconditions？“

SeveralVoices——“Thatwearenottopassthefrontiers。“

TheEmperor——“Youshallnotpassthem。“

SeveralVoices——“Wewishtoentertheguard。“

TheEmperor——“Well，then，youshallentertheguard。“