第20章

HisMajestyhadhardlypronouncedtheselastwords，whentheimmensecrowdwhichsurroundedhimmadetheairresoundwithcriesof“Vivel\'Empereur！“andtheirnumbercontinuedtoincreaseallthewayastheEmperorslowlyreturnedtotheTuileries，until，bythetimehereachedthegatesoftheCarrousel，hewasaccompaniedbyaninnumerablecortege。

Weheardthesenoisyacclamations；buttheyweresobadlyinterpretedbythecommandantofthepostatthepalace，thathethoughtitwasaninsurrection，andtheirongatesoftheTuileriesonthatsideofthecourtwereclosed。

WhenIsawtheEmperor，afewmomentsafterhisreturn，heappearedmoreannoyedthanpleased；foreverythinghavinganappearanceofdisorderwasexcessivelydistastefultohim，andapopulartumult，whateveritscause，hadalwaysinitsomethingunpleasanttohim。

Meanwhilethisscene，whichhisMajestymightwellhaverepeated，producedadeepimpressiononthepeople；andthisenthusiasmhadpositiveandimmediateresults，sinceonthatdaymorethantwothousandmenwerevoluntarilyenrolled，andformedanewregimentoftheguard。

OntheanniversaryfeteofthecoronationandofthebattleofAusterlitz，therewereasusualfreerepresentationsinallthetheatersofParis；butatthesetheEmperordidnotappear，ashehadsooftendone。Therewerealsoamusements，afreedistributionofeatables，andalsoilluminations；andtwelveyounggirls，whosemarriagedowriesweregivenbythecityofParis，weremarriedtooldsoldiers。IrememberthatamongeverythingwhichmarkedtheceremonialsoftheEmpire，thecustomofperformingthesemarriageswastheonemostpleasingtotheEmperor，andheoftenspokeofitintermsofapprobation；for，ifImaybeallowedtomaketheobservation，hisMajestyhadwhatmightbecalledakindofmaniaonthesubjectofmarriage。WewerenowsettledattheTuileries，whichtheEmperorhadnotleftsincethe20thofNovemberwhenhehadreturnedfromSaint-Cloud，andwhichhedidnotleaveagainuntilhisdepartureforthearmy。HisMajestyoftenpresidedoverthedeliberationsofthecouncilofstate，whichwereofgraveinterest。I

learnedatthattime，inrelationtoacertaindecree，acircumstancewhichappearedtomeverysingular。TheCommuneofMontmorencyhadlongsincelostitsancientname；butitwasnotuntiltheendofNovember，1813，thattheEmperorlegallytookawaythenameofEmilewhichithadreceivedundertherepublicinhonorofJ。J。Rousseau。ItmaywellbebelievedthatithadretaineditsolongsimplybecausetheEmperor\'sattentionhadnotbeendirectedtoitsooner。

IdonotknowbutIshouldaskpardonforrelatingsotrivialanevent，whensomanygreatmeasureswerebeingadoptedbyhisMajesty。Infact，eachdaynecessitatednewdispositions，sincetheenemywasmakingprogressateverypoint。TheRussiansoccupiedHollandunderthecommandofGeneralWitzengerode，whohadopposedussobitterlyduringtheRussiancampaign；already，even，theearlyreturntoAmsterdamoftheheiroftheHouseofOrangewasdiscussed；inItalyPrinceEugenewasholdingoutonlybydintofsuperiorskillagainstthefarmorenumerousarmyofBellegarde，whohadjustpassedtheAdige；thatofthePrincevonSwarzenbergoccupiedtheconfinesofSwitzerland；thePrussiansandthetroopsoftheConfederationwerepassingtheRhineatseveralpoints。

ThereremainedtotheEmperornotasingleally，astheKingofDenmark，theonlyonewhohaduntilnowremainedfaithful，hadsuccumbedtothenortherntorrent，andconcludedanarmisticewithRussia；andinthesouthallthestrategyofMarshalSoultbarelysufficedtodelaytheprogressoftheDukeofWellington，whowasadvancingonourfrontiersattheheadofanarmyfarmorenumerousthanthatwithwhichwecouldopposehim，andwhich，moreover，wasnotsufferingfromthesameprivationsasourown。IrememberwelltohaveheardseveralgeneralsblametheEmperoratthattime，becausehehadnotabandonedSpain，andrecalledallhistroopstoFrance。Imakeanoteofthis，but，asmaywellbebelieved，amnotwillingtoriskmyjudgmentonsuchmatters。

Atallevents，itisevidentthatwarsurroundedusoneveryside；andinthisstateofaffairs，andwithourancientfrontiersthreatened，itwouldhavebeenstrangeiftherehadnotbeenageneralcryforpeace。

TheEmperordesireditalso；andnoonenowholdsacontraryopinion。

AlltheworkswhichIhaveread，writtenbythosepersonsbestsituatedtolearntheexacttruthoftheseevents，agreeonthispoint。ItisknownthathisMajestyhaddictatedtotheDukeofBassanoaletterinwhichheadheredtothebasisoftheproposalforanewcongressmadeatFrankfortbytheallies。ItisalsoknownthatthecityofMannheimwasdesignatedforthesessionofthisnewcongress，towhichtheDukeofVicenzawastobesent。Thelatter，inanoteofthe2dofDecember，madeknownagaintheadhesionoftheEmperortotheoriginalprinciplesandsummarytobesubmittedtotheCongressofMannheim。TheCountdeMetternich，onthe10th，repliedtothiscommunicationthatthesovereignswouldinformtheiralliesofhisMajesty\'sadhesion。Allthesenegotiationswereprolongedonlyonaccountoftheallies，whofinallydeclaredatFrankfortthattheywouldnotconsenttolaydowntheirarms。Onthe20thofDecembertheyopenlyannouncedtheirintentiontoinvadeFrancebypassingthroughSwitzerland，whoseneutralityhadbeensolemnlyrecognizedbytreaty。AttheperiodofwhichIspeak，mypositionkeptme，Imustadmit，incompleteignoranceoftheseaffairs；but，onlearningthemsince，theyhaveawakenedinmeotherremembranceswhichhavepowerfullycontributedtoprovetheirtruth。Everyone，Ihope，willadmitthatiftheEmperorhadreallydesiredwar，itisnotbeforemehewouldhavetakenthetroubletoexpresshisdesirefortheconclusionofpeace，asIheardhimdoseveraltimes；andthisbynomeansfalsifieswhatIhaverelatedofareplygivenbyhisMajestytothePrinceofNeuchatel，sinceinthisreplyheattributesthenecessityofwartothebadfaithofhisenemies。NeithertheimmenserenownoftheEmperornorhisgloryneedsanysupportfromme，andIamnotdeludingmyselfonthispoint；butIasktobeallowedlikeanyothermantogivemymiteofthetruth。

Ihavesaidpreviously，thatwhenpassingthroughMayencetheEmperorhadconvenedtheCorpsLegislatifforthe2dofDecember；butbyanewdecreeitwaspostponeduntilthe19thofthatmonth，andthisannualsolemnitywasmarkedbytheintroductionofunaccustomedusages。Inthefirstplace，asIhavesaid，totheEmperoralonewasgiventherightofnamingthepresidentwithoutthepresentationofatriplelist，aswasdoneinformertimesbythesenate；moreover，thesenateandthecouncilofstaterepairedinabodytothehalloftheCorpsLegislatiftobepresentattheopeningofthesession。Ialsorememberthatthisceremonywasanticipatedwithmorethanusualinterest；sincethroughoutParisallwerecuriousandeagertoheartheaddressoftheEmperor，andwhathewouldsayonthesituationofFrance。Alas，wewerefarfromsupposingthatthisannualceremonywouldbethelast。

Thesenateandthecouncilofstate，havingtakentheplacesindicatedtotheminthehall，theEmpress，arrived，andenteredthereservedgallery，surroundedbyherladiesandtheofficersofherhousehold。AtlasttheEmperorappeared，aquarterofanhouraftertheEmpress，andwasintroducedwiththeaccustomedceremonials。Whenthenewpresident，theDukeofMassa，hadtakentheoathatthehandsoftheEmperor，hisMajestypronouncedthefollowingdiscourse:

“Senators；CouncilorsofState；DeputiesfromtheDepartmentstotheCorpsLegislatif:

BrilliantvictorieshavemadetheFrencharmsillustriousinthiscampaign，butunexampleddefectionshaverenderedthesevictoriesuseless。Everythinghasturnedagainstus。EvenFrancewouldbeindangerwereitnotfortheenergyandunionoftheFrenchpeople。

Underthesemomentouscircumstancesmyfirstthoughtwastosummonyou。Myheartfelttheneedofthepresenceandaffectionofmysubjects。

Ihaveneverbeenseducedbyprosperity；adversitywillfindmeabovethereachofitsattacks。Ihavemanytimesgivenpeacetonations，evenwhentheyhadlostall。OnapartofmyconquestsI

haveerectedthronesforkingswhohavenowabandonedme。

Ihaveconceivedandexecutedgreatplansforthehappinessoftheworld。BothasamonarchandafatherIfeelthatpeaceaddstothesecurityofthronesandoffamilies。NegotiationshavebeenenteredintowiththeConfederatedPowers。Ihaveadheredtothefundamentalprincipleswhichtheyhavepresented。Ithenhopedthat，beforetheopeningofthissession，theCongressofMannheimwouldhaveassembled；butreneweddelays，whichcannotbeattributedtoFrance，havedeferredthismoment，whichthewholeworldsoeagerlydesires。

IhaveorderedthatalltheoriginalarticlescontainedintheportfolioofForeignAffairsshouldbesubmittedtoyou。Youwillbeinformedofthemthroughacommittee。ThespokesmenofmyCouncilwillinformyouofmywishesonthissubject。

Nothinghasbeeninterposedonmyparttothere-establishmentofpeace；IknowandsharethesentimentsoftheFrenchpeople。I

repeat，oftheFrenchpeople，sincetherearenoneamongthemwhodesirepeaceattheexpenseofhonor。ItiswithregretthatI

demandofthisgenerouspeoplenewsacrifices，buttheyarenecessaryfortheirnoblestanddearestinterests。Ihavebeencompelledtore-enforcemyarmiesbynumerouslevies，fornationstreatwithsecurityonlywhentheydisplayalltheirstrength。Anincreaseofreceiptshasbecomeindispensable。ThepropositionswhichmyministeroffinancewillsubmittoyouareinconformitywiththesystemoffinanceIhaveestablished。Wewillmeetalldemandswithoutborrowing，whichusesuptheresourcesofthefuture，andwithoutpapermoney，whichisthegreatestenemyofsocialorder。

IamwellsatisfiedwiththesentimentsmanifestedtowardsmeunderthesecircumstancesbymypeopleofItaly。

Denmark，andNaplesaloneremainfaithfultotheiralliance。TheRepublicoftheUnitedStatesofAmericasuccessfullycontinuesitswarwithEngland。IhaverecognizedtheneutralityofthenineteenSwisscantons。

Senators；CouncillorsofState；DeputiesoftheDepartmentsintheCorpsLegislatif:

Youarethenaturalorgansofthethrone。Itisyourprovincetodisplayanenergywhichwillholdourcountryuptotheadmirationofallfuturegenerations。Letitnotbesaidofus:\'Theysacrificedthefirstinterestsoftheircountry；theysubmittedtothecontrolwhichEnglandhassoughtinvainforfourcenturiestoimposeonFrance。\'

MypeopleneednotfearthatthepolicyoftheirEmperorwilleverbetraythegloryofthenation；andonmypartIhavetheconvictionthattheFrenchpeoplewilleverproveworthyofthemselvesandofme。“

Thisaddresswasreceivedwithunanimousshoutsof“Vivel\'Empereur；“

and，whenhisMajestyreturnedtothe。Tuileries，hehadanairofintensesatisfaction，althoughhehadaslightheadache，whichdisappearedafterhalfanhour\'srepose。Intheeveningitwasentirelygone，andtheEmperorquestionedmeonwhatIhadheardpeoplesay。I

told，himtruthfullythatthepersonsofmyacquaintanceunanimouslyagreedthatthedesireforpeacewasuniversal。“Peace，peace！“saidtheEmperor，“whocandesireitmorethanI？Go，myson，go。“I

withdrew，andhisMajestywenttotheEmpress。

Itwasaboutthistime，Idonotremembertheexactday，thattheEmperorgaveadecisiononamatterinwhichIhadinterestedmyselfwithhim；

andIaffirmthatitwillbeseenfromthisdecisionwhataprofoundrespecthisMajestyhadfortherightsofalegitimatemarriage，andhisexcessiveantipathytodivorcedpersons。But，inordertosupportthisassertion，Iwillgiveananecdotewhichrecurstomymemoryatthismoment。

DuringtheRussiancampaignGeneralDupont-Dervalwasslainonthebattlefield，fightingvaliantly。Hiswidow，afterhisMajesty\'sreturntoParis，hadoften，butalwaysinvain，endeavoredtopresentapetitiontohisMajestydescribingherunfortunatecondition。Atlengthsomeoneadvisedhertosecuremyservices；and，touchedbyherunhappiness，I

presentedherdemandtotheEmperor。HisMajestybutrarelyrefusedmysolicitationsofthiskind，asIconductedthemwiththeutmostdiscretion；andconsequentlyIwasfortunateenoughtoobtainforMadameDupont-Dervalaveryconsiderablepension。IdonotrememberhowtheEmperordiscoveredthatGeneralDupont-Dervalhadbeendivorced，andhadleftadaughterbyaformermarriage，who，aswellashermother，wasstillliving。HelearnedbesidesthatGeneralDupont-Derval\'ssecondwifewasthewidowofageneralofficerbywhomshehadtwodaughters。

Noneofthesecircumstances，asmaybeimagined，hadbeencitedinthepetition；but，whentheycametotheEmperor\'sknowledge，hedidnotwithdrawthepension，forwhichtheorderhadnotyetbeengiven，butsimplychangeditsdestination，andgaveittothefirstwifeof——GeneralDupont-Derval，makingitrevertibletoherdaughter，thoughshewassufficientlywealthynottoneedit，andtheotherMadameDupont-Dervalwasinactualneed。Meanwhile，asoneisalwayspleasedtobethebearerofgoodtidings，IhadlostnotimeininformingmypetitioneroftheEmperor\'sfavorabledecision。Whenshelearnedwhathadtakenplace，ofwhichIwasstillinentireignorance，shereturnedtome，andfromwhatshesaidIimaginedshewasthevictimofsomemistake。InthisbeliefI

tookthelibertyofagainspeakingtohisMajestyonthesubject，andmyastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhenhisMajestyhimselfcondescendedtorelatetomethewholeaffair。Thenheadded:“Mypoorchild，youhaveallowedyourselftobetakenforasimpleton。Ipromisedapension，andIgaveittothewifeofGeneralDerval，thatistosay，tohisrealwife，themotherofhisdaughter。“TheEmperorwasnotatallangrywithme。Iknowverywellthatthematterwouldnothavebeenpermittedtocontinuethuswithoutmyinterestingmyselffurtherinit；buteventsfollowedeachotherinrapidsuccessionuntiltheabdicationofhisMajesty，andtheaffairfinallyremainedasthussettled。

CHAPTERXX。

ItwasnotonlybyforceofarmsthattheenemiesofFranceendeavoredattheendof1813tooverthrowthepoweroftheEmperor。InspiteofourdefeatstheEmperor\'snamestillinspiredasalutaryterror；anditwasapparentthatalthoughsonumerous，theforeignersstilldespairedofvictoryaslongasthereexistedacommonaccordbetweentheEmperorandtheFrenchpeople。Wehaveseenintheprecedingchapterinwhatlanguageheexpressedhimselftothegreatunitedbodiesofthestate，andeventshaveprovedwhetherhisMajestyconcealedthetruthfromtherepresentativesofthenationastotherealconditionofFrance。Tothisdiscoursewhichhistoryhasrecorded，Imaybeallowedtoopposehereanothermadeatthesameperiod。ThisisthefamousdeclarationofFrankfort，copiesofwhichtheenemiesoftheEmperorcausedtobecirculatedinParis；andIwouldnotdaretowagerthatpersonsofhiscourt，whileperformingtheirdutiesnearhim，didnothaveacopyintheirpockets。Iftherestillremainsanydoubtastowhichpartywasactingingoodfaith，thereadingofwhatfollowsissufficienttodispelthese；forthereisnoquestionhereofpoliticalconsiderations，butsimplythecomparisonofsolemnpromiseswiththeactionswhichsucceeded。

“TheFrenchgovernmenthasjustorderedanewlevyofthreehundredthousandmen；theproclamationsofthesenatecontainachallengetothealliedpowers。Theyfindthemselvescalledonagaintopromulgatetotheworldtheviewsbywhichtheyareguidedinthispresentwar，theprincipleswhichformthebasisoftheirconduct，theirwishes，andtheirintentions。ThealliedpowersarenotmakingwaronFrance，butontheopenlyadmittedpreponderancewhich，tothegreatmisfortuneofEuropeandFrance，theEmperorNapoleonhastoolongmaintainedoutsidethelimitsofhisEmpire。

VictoryhasbroughtthealliedarmiestotheRhine。ThefirstusetheirimperialandroyalMajestieshavemadeofvictoryhasbeentoofferpeacetohisMajestytheEmperoroftheFrench。ApositionreenforcedbytheaccessionofallthesovereignsandprincesofGermanyhashadnoinfluenceontheconditionsofthispeace，fortheseconditionsarefoundedontheindependenceoftheotherstatesofEurope。Theobjectsofthesepowersarejustintheiraims，generousandliberalintheirapplication，reassuringtoall，andhonorabletoeach。

ThealliedsovereignsdesirethatFranceshouldbegreat，strong，andhappy，sinceitsgreatnessandpowerisoneofthefoundationsofthesocialedifice。TheydesirethatFranceshouldbehappy，thatFrenchcommerceshouldrevive，thatthearts，thoseblessingsofpeace，shouldflourish，becauseagreatpeoplearetranquilonlywhensatisfied。ThepowersconfirmtheFrenchEmpireinthepossessionofanextentofterritorywhichFrancehasneverattainedunderherkings，sinceagenerousnationshouldnotbepunishedbecauseithasexperiencedreversesinabloodyandwell-contestedstruggleinwhichithasfoughtwithitsaccustomedbravery。

Butthepowersthemselvesalsowishtobehappyandpeaceful。Theydesireaconditionofpeacewhich，byawisepartitionofforce，byajustequilibrium，mayhereafterpreservetheirpeoplefromtheinnumerablecalamitieswhichhavefortwentyyearsoverwhelmedEurope。

Thealliedpowerswillnotlaydowntheirarmsuntiltheyhaveobtainedthisgrandandbeneficentresult，theworthyobjectofalltheirefforts。TheywillnotlaydowntheirarmsuntilthepoliticalconditionofEuropeisagainsecure；untilimmutableprincipleshaveregainedtheirascendencyovernewpretensions，andthesanctityoftreatieshasfinallyassuredagenuinepeacetoEurope。“

Itneedsonlycommonsensetoascertainwhetherthealliedpowersweresincereinthisdeclaration，theobjectofwhichevidentlywastoalienatefromtheEmperortheaffectionsofhispeoplebyholdinguphisMajestybeforethemasanobstacletopeace，andseparatinghiscausefromthatofFrance；andonthispointIamgladtosupportmyownopinionbythatofM。deBourrienne，whomsurelynoonewillaccuseofpartialityforhisMajesty。

SeveralpassagesofhisMemoirs，aboveallthoseinwhichheblamestheEmperor，havepainedme，Imustconfess；butonthisoccasionhedoesnothesitatetoadmittheinsincerityoftheallies，whichopinionisofmuchweightaccordingtomypoorjudgment。

M。deBourriennewasthenatParisunderthespecialsurveillanceoftheDukeofRovigo。IfrequentlyheardthisministermentionhimtotheEmperor，andalwaysfavorably；buttheenemiesoftheformersecretaryoftheFirstConsulmusthavebeenverypowerful，orhisMajesty\'sprejudicesverystrong，forM。deBourrienneneverreturnedtofavor。

TheEmperor，who，asIhavesaid，sometimescondescendedtoconversefamiliarlywithme，neverspoketomeofM。deBourrienne，whomIhadnotseensincetheEmperorhadceasedtoreceivehim。IsawhimagainforthefirsttimeamongtheofficersoftheNationalGuard，thedaythesegentlemenwerereceivedatthepalace，asweshallseelater，andIhaveneverseenhimsince；butaswewereallmuchattachedtohimonaccountofhiskindconsiderationforus，hewasoftenthesubjectofconversation，and，Imayadd，ofourregrets。Moreover，IwaslongignorantthatattheperiodofwhichIamnowspeaking，hisMajestyhadofferedhimthemissiontoSwitzerland，asIlearnedthiscircumstanceonlyfromreadinghisMemoirs。Iwouldnotconceal，however，thatIwaspainfullyaffectedbyreadingthis，sogreatlywouldIhavedesiredthatBourrienneshouldovercomehisresentmentagainsthisMajesty，whointhedepthsofhisheartreallylovedhim。

Whateverwasdone，itisevidentnowtoallthattheobjectofthedeclarationofFrankfortwastocausealienationbetweentheEmperorandtheFrenchpeople，andsubsequenteventshaveshownthatthiswasfullyunderstoodbytheEmperor，butunfortunatelyitwassoonseenthattheenemyhadpartlyobtainedtheirobject。NotonlyinprivatesocietypersonscouldbeheardexpressingthemselvesfreelyincondemnationoftheEmperor，butdissensionsopenlyaroseeveninthebodyoftheCorpsLegislatif。

Aftertheopeningsession，theEmperorhavingrenderedadecreethatacommissionshouldbenamedcomposedoffivesenatorsandfivemembersoftheCorpsLegislatif，thesetwobodiesconsequentlyassembled。Thiscommission，ashasbeenseenfromhisMajesty\'saddress，hadforitsobjecttheconsiderationofarticlessubmittedrelativetopendingnegotiationsbetweenFranceandthealliedpowers。CountRegnaultdeSaintJeand\'AngelyborethedecreetotheCorpsLegislatif，andsupporteditwithhisusualpersuasiveeloquence，recallingthevictoriesofFranceandthegloryoftheEmperor；buttheballotelectedasmembersofthecommissionfivedeputieswhohadthereputationofbeingmoredevotedtotheprinciplesoflibertythantotheEmperor。ThesewereM。

Raynouard，Laine，Gallois，Flaugergues，andMainedeBiran。TheEmperorfromthefirstmomentappearedmuchdissatisfiedwiththisselection，notimagining，however，thatthiscommissionwouldsoonshowitselfsoentirelyhostile。IrememberwellthatIheardhisMajestysayinmypresencetothePrinceofNeuchatel，withsomeexasperationthoughwithoutanger，“Theyhaveappointedfivelawyers。“

Nevertheless，theEmperordidnotallowtheleastsymptomsofhisdissatisfactiontobeseen；andassoonashehadofficiallyreceivedthelistofcommissioners，addressedtothePresidentoftheCorpsLegislatifthefollowingletterbearingthedateofthe23dofDecember:

“MONSIEUR，DukeofMassa，PresidentoftheLegislativeCorps:

Weaddressyoutheinclosedlettertomakeknowntoyouourintentionthatyoureportto-morrow，the24thinstant，attheresidenceofourcousintheprincearchchancelloroftheEmpire，incompanywiththecommissionappointedyesterdaybytheLegislativeCorpsincompliancewithourdecreeofthe20thinstant，andwhichiscomposedofthefollowinggentlemen:Raynouard，Lain，Galiois，Flaugergues，andMainedeBiran，forthepurposeofconsideringthearticlesrelativetothenegotiations，andalsothedeclarationoftheconfederatedpowers，whichwillbecommunicatedbyCountRegnaultministerofstate，andCountd\'Hauterivecouncilorofstateattachedtothedepartmentofforeignrelations，whowillbethebeareroftheaforesaidarticlesanddeclaration。

Ourintentionalsoisthatourcousinaforesaidshouldpresideoverthiscommission。Withthis“etc。

ThemembersofthesenateappointedonthiscommissionwereM。deFontanel，M。thePrinceofBenevent，M。deSaintMarsan，M。deBarbe-

Marbois，andM，deBeurnonville。

Withtheexceptionofoneofthesegentlemen，whosedisgraceandconsequentoppositionwerepubliclyknown，theotherswerethoughttobesincerelyattachedtotheEmperor；andwhatevermayhavebeentheiropinionsandtheirsubsequentconducttheyhaddonenothingthentodeservethesamedistrustfromtheEmperorasthemembersofthecommitteefromtheCorpsLegislatif。Noactiveopposition，nosignsofdiscontent，hadbeenshownbytheconservativesenate。

AtthistimetheDukeofRovigocamefrequently，orImightrathersayeveryday，totheEmperor。HisMajestywasmuchattachedtohim，andthatalonesufficestoprovethathewasnotafraidtohearthetruth；

forsincehehadbeenminister，theDukeofRovigohadneverconcealedit；whichfactIcanaffirm，havingbeenfrequentlyaneyewitness。InParistherewasneverthelessonlyunanimousoppositiontothisminister。

Ican，however，citeoneanecdotethattheDukeofRovigohasnotincludedinhisMemoirs，andofwhichIguaranteetheauthenticity；anditwillbeseenfromthisincidentwhetherornottheministerofpolicesoughttoincreasethenumberofpersonswhocompromisedthemselveseachdaybytheirgratingsagainsttheEmperor。

Amongtheemployeesofthetreasurywasaformerreceiverofthefinanceswholedaretiredandcontentedlifeinthismodestemployment。Hewasaveryenthusiasticmanofmuchintelligence。HisdevotiontotheEmperoramountedtoapassion，andhenevermentionedhimwithoutasortofidolatry。ThisemployeewasaccustomedtopasshiseveningswithacircleoffriendswhometintheRuedeVivienne。Theregularattendantsofthisplace，whomthepoliceverynaturallyhadtheireyesupon，didnotallholdthesameopinionasthepersonofwhomIhavejustspoken，andbeganopenlytocondemntheactsofgovernment，theopposingpartyallowingtheirdiscontenttobeplainlymanifest；andthefaithfuladorerofhisMajestybecameproportionatelymorelavishofhisexpressionsofadmiration，ashisantagonistsshowedthemselvesreadywithreproaches。

TheDukeofRovigowasinformedofthesediscussions，whicheachdaybecamemoreeagerandanimated；andonefinedayourhonestemployeefoundonreturningtohishomealetterbearingthesealofthegeneralofpolice。Hecouldnotbelievehiseyes。He，agood，simple，modestmanlivinghisretiredlife，whatcouldtheministerofgeneralpolicedesireofhim？Heopenstheletter，andfindsthattheministerordershimtoappearbeforehimthenextmorning。Hereportsthereasmaybeimaginedwiththeutmostpunctuality，andthenadialoguesomethinglikethisensuedbetweenthesegentlemen。“Itappears，Monsieur，“saidtheDukeofRovigo，“thatyouareverydevotedtotheEmperor。“——“Yes，Ilovehim；Iwouldgivehimmyblood，mylife。“——“Youadmirehimgreatly？“——

“Yes，Iadmirehim！TheEmperorhasneverbeensogreat，hisgloryhasnever——“——“Thatisallverywell，Monsieur；yoursentimentsdoyouhonor，andIsharethosesentimentswithyou；butIurgeonyoutoreservetheexpressionofthemforyourself，for，thoughIshouldregretitverymuch，youmaydrivemetothenecessityofhavingyouarrested。“——“I，myLord，havemearrested？Ah！butdoubtless——why？“——“Doyounotseethatyoucausetheexpressionofopinionsthatmightremainconcealedwereitnotforyourenthusiasm；andfinally，youwillforce，manygoodmentocompromisethemselvestoacertainextent，whowillreturntouswhenthingsareinbettercondition。Go，Monsieur，letuscontinuetolove，serve，andadmiretheEmperor；butatsuchatimeasthisletusnotproclaimourfinesentimentssoloudly，forfearofrenderingmanyguiltywhoareonlyalittlemisguided。“Theemployeeofthetreasurythenlefttheminister，afterthankinghimforhisadviceandpromisingtofollowit。Iwouldnotdaretoassertthathekepthiswordscrupulously，butI

canaffirmthatallIhavejustsaidistheexacttruth；andIamsurethatifthispassageinmyMemoirsfallsundertheeyesoftheDukeofRovigoitwillremindhimofanoccurrencewhichhemayperhapshaveforgotten，butwhichhewillreadilyrecall。

Meanwhilethecommission，composedasIhavesaidoffivesenatorsandfivemembersoftheCorpsLegislatif，devoteditselfassiduouslytothedutywithwhichitwascharged。EachofthesetwograndbodiesofthestatepresentedtohisMajestyaseparateaddress。ThesenatehadreceivedthereportmadebyM。deFontanes；andtheiraddresscontainednothingwhichcoulddispleasetheEmperor，butwasonthecontraryexpressedinmostproperterms。Initapeacewasindeeddemanded，butapeacewhichhisMajestycouldobtainbyaneffortworthyofhimandoftheFrenchpeople。“Letthathandsomanytimesvictorious，“theysaid，“laydownitsarmsafterhavingassuredthereposeoftheworld。“Thefollowingpassagewasalsonoteworthy:“No，theenemyshallnotdestroythisbeautifulandnobleFrance，whichforfourteenhundredyearshasborneitselfgloriouslythroughsuchdiversefortunes，andwhichfortheinterestoftheneighboringnationsthemselvesshouldalwaysbearconsiderableweightinthebalanceofpowerinEurope。Wehaveaspledgesofthisyourheroicconstancyandthenationalhonor。“Thenagain，“Fortunedoesnotlongfailnationswhichdonotfailintheirdutytothemselves。“

Thislanguage，worthyoftrueFrenchmen，andwhichthecircumstancesatleastrequired，waswellpleasingtotheEmperor，asisevidentfromtheanswerhemadeonthe29thofDecembertothedeputationfromthesenatewiththeprincearchchancelloratitshead:

“Senators，“saidhisMajesty，“Iamdeeplysensibleofthesentimentsyouexpress。YouhaveseenbythearticleswhichIhavecommunicatedtoyouwhatIamdoingtowardsapeace。ThesacrificesrequiredbythepreliminarybasiswhichtheenemyhadproposedtomeIhaveaccepted；andIshallmakethemwithoutregret，sincemylifehasonlyoneobject，——thehappinessoftheFrenchpeople。

“MeanwhileBearn，Alsace，Franche-Comte，andBrabanthavebeenentered，andthecriesofthatpartofmyfamilyrendmysoul。IcalltheFrenchtotheaidoftheFrench！IcalltheFrenchmenofParis，Brittany，Normandy，Champagne，Burgundy，andtheotherdepartmentstotheaidoftheirbrothers。Willtheyabandontheminmisfortune？Peaceandthedeliveranceofourterritoryshouldbeourrallyingcry。Atthesightofthiswholepeopleinarmstheforeignerwillflee，orwillconsenttopeaceonthetermsIhaveproposedtohim。Thequestionisnolongertherecoveryoftheconquestswehavemade。“

ItwasnecessarytobeinapositiontothoroughlyknowthecharacteroftheEmperortounderstandhowmuchitmusthavecosthimtouttertheselastwords；butfromaknowledgeofhischaracteralsoresultedthecertaintythatitwouldhavecosthimlesstodowhathepromisedthantosaythem。ItwouldseemthatthiswaswellunderstoodinParis；forthedayonwhichthe\'Moniteur\'publishedthereplyofhisMajestytothesenate，stocksincreasedinvaluemorethantwofrancs，whichtheEmperordidnotfailtoremarkwithmuchsatisfaction；forasiswellknown，theriseanddeclineofstockswaswithhimtherealthermometerofpublicopinion。

InregardtotheconductoftheCorpsLegislatif，Ihearditcondemnedbyamanofrealmeritdeeplyimbuedwithrepublicanprinciples。Heutteredonedayinmypresencethesewordswhichstruckme:“TheCorpsLegislatifdidthenwhatitshouldhavedoneatalltimes，exceptunderthesecircumstances。“Fromthelanguageusedbythespokesmanofthecommission，itisonlytooevidentthatthespeakerbelievedinthefalsepromisesofthedeclarationofFrankfort。Accordingtohim，orratheraccordingtothecommissionofwhichhewasafterallonlytheorgan，theintentionoftheforeignerswasnottohumiliateFrance；theyonlywishedtokeepuswithinourproperlimits，andannultheeffectsofanambitiousactivitywhichhadbeensofatalfortwentyyearstoallthenationsofEurope。“Thepropositionsoftheconfederatedpowers，“saidthecommission，“seemtoushonorableforthenation，sincetheyprovethatforeignersbothfearandrespectus。“Finallythespeaker，continuinghisreading，havingreachedapassageinwhichallusionwasmadetotheEmpireoftheLily，addedinsetphrasethattheRhine，theAlps，thePyrenees，andthetwoseasinclosedavastterritory，severalprovincesofwhichhadnotbelongedtoancientFrance，andthatneverthelessthecrownroyalofFranceshonebrilliantlywithgloryandmajestyamongallotherdiadems。

AtthesewordstheDukeofMassainterruptedthespeaker，exclaiming，“Whatyousayisunconstitutional；“towhichthespeakervehementlyreplied，“Iseenothingunconstitutionalhereexceptyourpresence，“andcontinuedtoreadhisreport。TheEmperorwaseachdayinformedofwhattookplaceinthesittingoftheCorpsLegislatif；andIrememberthatthedayonwhichtheirreportwasreadhe，appearedmuchdisturbed，andbeforeretiringwalkedupanddowntheroominmuchagitation，likeonetryingtomakesomeimportantdecision。AtlasthedecidednottoallowthepublicationoftheaddressoftheCorpsLegislatif，whichhadbeencommunicatedtohimaccordingtocustom。Timepressed；thenextdaywouldhavebeentoolate，astheaddresswouldbecirculatedinParis，wherethepublicmindwasalreadymuchdisturbed。Theorderwasconsequentlygiventotheministerofgeneralpolicetohavethecopyofthereportandtheaddressseizedattheprintingestablishment，andtobreaktheformsalreadysetup。BesidesthistheorderwasalsogiventoclosethedoorsoftheCorpsLegislatif，whichwasdone，andthelegislaturethusfounditselfadjourned。

IheardmanypersonsatthistimedeeplyregretthathisMajestyhadtakenthesemeasures，and，aboveall，thathavingtakenthemhehadnotstoppedthere。ItwassaidthatsincetheCorpsLegislatifwasnowadjournedbyforce，itwasbetter，whatevermightbetheresult，toconvokeanotherchamber，andthattheEmperorshouldnotrecognizethemembersoftheonehehaddismissed。HisMajestythoughtotherwise，andgavethedeputiesafarewellaudience。TheycametotheTuileries；andtherehisonlytoojustresentmentfoundventinthesewords:

“Ihavesuppressedyouraddress，asitwasincendiary。Eleven-twelfthsoftheCorpsLegislatifarecomposedofgoodcitizenswhomIknowandforwhomIhavemuchregard；theothertwelfthiscomposedofseditiouspersonswhoaredevotedtoEngland。YourCommissionanditschairman，M。Laine，areofthisnumber。HecorrespondswiththePrinceRegent，throughthelawyerDeseze。Iknowit，andhaveproofofit。Theotherfourareofthesamefaction。Ifthereareabusestoberemedied，isthisatimeforremonstrances，whentwohundredthousandCossacksarecrossingourfrontiers？Isthisthemomenttodisputeastoindividuallibertyandsafety，whenthequestionisthepreservationofpoliticallibertyandnationalindependence？Theenemymustberesisted；youmustfollowtheexampleoftheAlsatians，Vosges，andinhabitantsofFranche-

Comte，whowishtomarchagainstthem，andhaveappliedtome-forarms。

Youendeavorinyouraddresstoseparatethesovereignfromthenation。

ItisIwhohererepresentthepeople，whohavegivenmefourmillionoftheirsuffrages。IfIbelievedyouIshouldcedetotheenemymorethanhedemands。YoushallhavepeaceinthreemonthsorIshallperish。

YouraddresswasaninsulttomeandtotheCorpsLegislatif。“

Althoughthejournalswereforbiddentorepeatthedetailsofthisscene，therumorsofitspreadthroughPariswiththerapidityoflightning。

TheEmperor\'swordswererepeatedandcommentedon；thedismisseddeputiessoundedthemthroughallthedepartments。Irememberseeingtheprimearch-chancellornextdaycometotheEmperorandrequestanaudience；itwasinfavorofM。Deseze，whoseprotectorhethenwas。InspiteofthethreateningwordsofhisMajesty，hefoundhimnotdisposedtotakeseveremeasures；forhisangerhadalreadyexhausteditself，aswasalwaysthecasewiththeEmperorwhenhehadabandonedhimselftohisfirstemotionsoffury。However，thefatalmisunderstandingbetweentheCorpsLegislatifandtheEmperor，causedbythereportofthecommitteeofthatbody，producedthemostgrievouseffects；anditiseasytoconceivehowmuchtheenemymusthaverejoicedoverthis，astheyneverfailedtobepromptlyinformedbythenumerousagentswhomtheyemployedinFrance。Itwasunderthesesadcircumstancesthattheyear1813

closed。Wewillseeinfuturewhatweretheconsequencesofit，andinfactthehistory，untilnowunwritten，oftheEmperor\'sinnerlifeatFontainebleau；thatistosay，ofthemostpainfulperiodofmylife。

CHAPTER，XXI。

InordertoneutralizetheeffectswhichmightbeproducedintheprovincesbythereportsofthemembersoftheCorpsLegislatifandthecorrespondenceofthealarmists，hisMajestyappointedfromthemembersoftheconservativesenateacertainnumberofcommissionerswhomhechargedtovisitthedepartmentsandrestorepublicconfidence。Thiswasamostsalutarymeasure，andonewhichcircumstancesimperiouslydemanded；fordiscouragementbegantobefeltamongthemassesofthepopulation，andasiswellknowninsuchcasesthepresenceofsuperiorauthorityrestoresconfidencetothosewhoareonlytimid。Nevertheless，theenemywereadvancingatseveralpoints，andhadalreadypressedthesoilofOldFrance。WhenthisnewsreachedtheEmperor，itafflictedhimdeeplywithoutovercominghim。Attimes，however，hisindignationbrokeforth；aboveall，whenhelearnedfromthereportsthatFrenchemigrantshadenteredtheenemy\'sranks，whomhestigmatizedbythenameoftraitors，infamousandwretchedcreatures，unworthyofpity。IrememberthatontheoccasionofthecaptureofHuningenhethuscharacterizedacertainM。deMontjoie，whowasnowservingintheBavarianarmyaftertakingaGermanname，whichIhaveforgotten。TheEmperoradded，however:“Atleast，hehashadthemodestynottokeephisFrenchname。“

Ingeneraleasytoconciliateonnearlyallpoints，theEmperorwaspitilesstowardsallthosewhoborearmsagainsttheircountry；andinnumerabletimesIhaveheardhimsaythattherewasnogreatercrimeinhiseyes。

Inordernottoaddtothecomplicationofsomanyconflictinginterestswhichencounteredandrancontrarytoeachotherstillmoreeachday，theEmperoralreadyhadthethoughtofsendingFerdinandVII。backintoSpain。IhavethecertaintythathisMajestyhadevenmadesomeoverturestohimonthissubjectduringhislaststayinParis；butitwastheSpanishprincewhoobjectedtothis，notceasing，onthecontrary，todemandtheEmperor\'sprotection。Hedesiredmostofalltobecometheally，ofhisMajesty，anditwaswellknownthatinhisletterstohisMajestyheurgedhimincessantlytogivehimawifeoftheEmperor\'sselection。TheEmperorhadseriouslythoughtofmarryinghimtotheeldestdaughterofKingJoseph，whichseemedameansofconciliatingatthesametimetherightsofPrinceJosephandthoseofFerdinandVII。，andKingJosephaskednothingbetterthantobemadeapartytothisarrangement；andfromthemannerinwhichhehadusedhisroyaltysincethecommencementofhisreign，wemaybepermittedtothinkthathisMajestydidnotgreatlyobjecttothis。PrinceFerdinandhadacquiescedinthisalliance，whichappearedveryagreeabletohim，whensuddenlyattheendoftheyear1813hedemandedtime；andthecourseofeventsplacedthisaffairamongthenumberofthosewhichexistedonlyinintention。PrinceFerdinandleftValencayatlast，butlaterthantheEmperorhadauthorizedhimtodo，andforsometimehispresencehadbeenonlyanadditionalembarrassment。However，theEmperorhadnoreasontocomplainofhisconducttowardshimuntilaftertheeventsofFontainebleau。

Atanyrate，intheserioussituationofaffairs，mattersconcerningthePrinceofSpainwereonlyanincidentalmatter，nomoreimportantthanthestayofthePopeatFontainebleau；thegreatpoint，theobjectwhichpredominatedeverything，wasthedefenseofthesoilofFrance，whichthefirstdaysofJanuaryfoundinvadedatmanypoints。ThiswastheonethoughtofhisMajesty，whichdidnotpreventhim，nevertheless，fromenteringaccordingtocustomintoallthedutiesofhisadministration；

andwewillsoonseethemeasureshetooktore-establishthenationalguardofParis。Ihaveonthissubjectcertaindocumentsandparticularswhicharelittleknown，fromapersonwhosenameIamnotpermittedtogive，butwhosepositiongavehimtheopportunityoflearningalltheintricaciesofitsformation。AsallthesedutiesstillrequiredformorethanamonththepresenceofhisMajestyatParis，heremainedthereuntilthe25thofJanuary。

Butwhatfatalnewshereceivedduringthosetwenty-fivedays！

FirsttheEmperorlearnedthattheRussians，asunscrupulousastheAustriansinobservingtheconditionsofacapitulationwhichareusuallyconsideredsacred，hadjusttrampledundertheirfeetthestipulationsmadeatDantzic。InthenameoftheEmperorAlexander，thePrinceofWurtembergwhocommandedthesiegehadacknowledgedandguaranteedtoGeneralRappandthetroopsplacedunderhiscommandtherighttoreturntoFrance，whichagreementwasnomorerespectedthanhadbeenafewmonthsbeforethatmadewithMarshalSaint-CyrbythePrinceofSchwarzenberg；thusthegarrisonofDantzicweremadeprisonerswiththesamebadfaithasthatofDresdenhadbeen。Thisnews，whichreachedhimatalmostthesametimeasthatofthesurrenderofTorgau，distressedhisMajestysomuchthemoreasitcontributedtoprovetohimthatthesepowerfulenemieswishedtotreatofpeaceonlyinname，witharesolutiontoretirealwaysbeforeadefiniteconclusionwasreached。

AtthesameperiodthenewsfromLyonswasinnowisereassuring。ThecommandofthisplacehadbeenconfidedtoMarshalAugereau，andhewasaccusedofhavinglackedtheenergynecessarytoforeseeorarresttheinvasionofthesouthofFrance。FurtherIwillnotnowdwellonthiscircumstance，proposinginthefollowingchaptertocollectmysouvenirswhichrelatemoreespeciallytothebeginningofthecampaigninFrance，andsomecircumstanceswhichprecededit。Ilimitmyselfconsequentlytorecalling，asfarasmymemoryserves，eventswhichoccurredduringthelastdaystheEmperorpassedinParis。

Fromthe4thofJanuaryhisMajesty，althoughhavinglost，asIsaidawhilesince，allhopeofinducingtheinvaderstoconcludeapeace，whichthewholeworldsomuchneeded，gavehisinstructionstotheDukeofVicenza，andsenthimtotheheadquartersoftheallies；buthewascompelledtowaitalongtimeforhispassports。Atthesametimespecialordersweresenttotheprefectsofdepartmentsintheinvadedterritoryastotheconducttheyshouldpursueundersuchdifficultcircumstances。Thinkingatthesametimethatitwasindispensabletomakeanexampleinordertostrengthenthecourageofthetimid，theEmperororderedthecreationofacommissionofinquiry，chargedtoinquireintotheconductofBaronCapelle，prefectofthedepartmentoftheLemanatthetimeoftheentranceoftheenemyintoGeneva。FinallyadecreemobilizedonehundredandtwentybattalionsoftheNationalGuardoftheEmpire，andorderedalevyenmasseonallthedepartmentsoftheeastofallmencapableofbearingarms。Excellentmeasuresdoubtless，butvain！Destinywasstrongerthaneventhegeniusofagreatman。

Meanwhileonthe8thofJanuaryappearedthedecreewhichcalledoutforactivedutythirtythousandmenoftheNationalGuardofParisontheverydaywhenbyasingularandfatalcoincidencetheKingofNaplessignedatreatyofalliancewithGreatBritain。TheEmperorreservedforhimselfthechiefcommandoftheNationalParisianGuard，andconstitutedthestaffasfollows:avice-commander-in-chief，fouraideswhoweremajor-generals，fouradjutantcommandants，andeightassistantcaptains。

Alegionwasformedineachdistrict，andeachlegionwasdividedintofourbattalionssubdividedintofivecompanies——NexttheEmperorappointedthefollowingtosuperiorgrades:

Generalvice-commander-in-chief——MarshaldeMoncey，DukeofConegliano。

Aides——major-generals——Generalofdivision，CountHullin；CountBertrand，grandmarshalofthe。palace；CountofMontesquieu，grandchamberlain；CountdeMontmorency，chamberlainoftheEmperor。

Adjutant-commandants——BaronLaborde，adjutant-commandantofthepostofParis；CountAlbertdeBrancas，chamberlainoftheEmperor；CountGermain，chamberlainoftheEmperor；M。Tourton。

Assistantcaptains——CountLariboisiere；ChevalierAdolphedeMaussion；

MessieursJulesdeMontbreton，sonoftheequerryofthePrincessBorghese；Collin，junior，theyounger；Lecordier，junior；Lemoine，junior；Cardon，junior；Malet，junior。

ChiefsofthetwelveLegions——Firstlegion，CountdeGontaut，senior；

secondlegion，CountRegnaultdeSaintJeand\'Angely；thirdlegion，BaronHottinguer，banker；fourthlegion，CountJaubert，governorofthebankofFrance；fifthlegion，M。DauberjondeMurinais；sixthlegion，M。deFraguier；seventhlegion，M。LepileurdeBrevannes；eighthlegion，M。

RichardLenoir；ninthlegion，M。DevinsdeGaville；tenthlegion，theDukeofCadore；eleventhlegion，CountdeChoiseul-Praslin，chamberlainoftheEmperor；twelfthlegion，M。Salleron。

Fromthenameswehavejustread，wemayjudgeoftheincredibleinsightbywhichhisMajestywasenabledtochoose，amongthemostdistinguishedpersonsofthedifferentclassesofsociety，thosemostpopularandmostinfluentialfromtheirpositions。BythesideofthenameswhichhadgainedgloryundertheeyesoftheEmperor，andbysecondinghiminhisgreatundertakings，couldbefoundthosewhoseclaimtodistinctionwasmoreancientandrecallednoblememories，andfinallytheheadsoftheprincipalindustriesinthecapital。ThisspeciesofamalgamationdelightedtheEmperorgreatly；andhemusthaveattachedtoitgreatpoliticalimportance，forthisideaoccupiedhisattentiontosuchanextentthatIhaveoftenheardhimsay，“Iwishtoconfoundallclasses，allperiods，allglories。IdesirethatnotitlemaybemoregloriousthanthetitleofFrenchman。“WhyisitfatedecreedthattheEmperorshouldnotbeallowedtimetocarryouthisextensiveplansforthegloryandhappinessofFranceofwhichhesooftenspoke？ThestaffoftheNationalGuardandthechiefsofthetwelvelegionsbeingappointed，theEmperorleftthenominationoftheotherofficers，aswellastheformationofthelegions，totheselectionofM。deChabrol，prefectoftheSeine。Thisworthymagistrate，towhomtheEmperorwasmuchattached，displayedunderthesecircumstancesthegreatestzealandactivity，andinashorttimetheNationalGuardpresentedanimposingappearance。Theywerearmed，equipped，andclothedinthebestpossiblemanner；andthisardor，whichmightbecalledgeneral，wasintheselastdaysoneoftheconsolationswhichmostdeeplytouchedtheheartoftheEmperor，sincehesawinitaproofoftheattachmentoftheParisianstohisperson，andanadditionalmotiveforfeelingsecureastothetranquillityofthecapitalduringhisapproachingabsence。Bethatasitmay，thebureauoftheNationalGuardwassoonformed，andestablishedintheresidencewhichMarshalMonceyinhabitedontheRueduFaubourgSaint-Honore，nearthesquareBeauveau；andonemasterofrequestsandtwoauditorsofthecouncilofstatewereattachedtoit。Themasterofrequests，asuperiorofficerofengineers，theChevalierAllent，soonbecamethesoulofthewholeadministrationoftheNationalGuard，noonebeingmorecapablethanheofgivingalivelyimpulsetoanorganizationwhichrequiredgreatpromptness。ThepersonfromwhomIobtainedthisinformation，whichIinterminglewithmypersonalsouvenirs，hasassuredmethatfollowingupon，thatistosay，afterourdepartureforChalons-

sur-Marne，M。AllentbecamestillmoreinfluentialintheNationalGuard，ofwhichhewastherealhead。Infact，whenKingJosephhadreceivedthetitleoflieutenant-generaltotheEmperor，whichhisMajestyconferredonhimduringthetimeofhisabsence，M。AllentfoundhimselfattachedononehandtothestaffofKingJosephasofficerofengineers，andontheothertothevice-general-in-chiefinhisqualityofmasterofrequests。Itresultedthathewasthemediatorandcounselorinallcommunicationswhichwerenecessarilyestablishedbetweenthelieutenant-

generaloftheEmperorandMarshalMoncey，andthepromptnessofhisdecisionswasasourceofgreatbenefittothatgoodandgravemarshal。

Hesignedallletters，“TheMarshal，DukedeConegliano；“andwrotesoslowlythatM。Allenthad，sotospeak，timetowritethecorrespondencewhilethemarshalwassigninghisname。Theauditorstothecouncilofstatedutiesofthetwowerenothing，ornearlyso；butthesemenwerebynomeansnobodies，ashasbeenasserted，thoughafewofthatcharacterofcourseslippedintothecouncil，sincethefirstconditionforholdingthisofficewassimplytoproveanincomeofatleastsixthousandfrancs。ThesewereMessieursDucancel，thedeanoftheauditors，andM。

RobertdeSainte-Croix。Ashellhadbrokenthelatter\'slegduringthereturnfromMoscow；andthisbraveyoungman，acaptainofcavalry，hadreturned，seatedastrideacannon，fromthebanksoftheBeresinatoWilna。Havinglittlephysicalstrength，butgiftedwithastrongmind，M。RobertdeSainte-Croixowedittohismoralcouragenottosuccumb；

andafterundergoingtheamputationofhisleg，lefttheswordforthepen，anditwasthushebecameauditortothecouncilofstate。

TheweekaftertheNationalGuardofthecityofParishadbeencalledintoservice，thechiefsofthetwelvelegionsandthegeneralstaffwereadmittedtotaketheoathoffidelityattheEmperor\'shands。TheNationalGuardhadalreadybeenorganizedintolegions；butthewantofarmswaskeenlyfelt，andmanycitizenscouldprocureonlylances，andthosewhocouldnotobtaingunsorbuythemfoundthemselvestherebychilledintheirardortoequipthemselves。Nevertheless，theCitizenGuardsoonenrolledthedesirednumberofthirtythousandmen，andbydegreesitoccupiedthedifferentpostsofthecapital；andwhilstfathersoffamiliesandcitizensemployedindomesticworkwereenrolledwithoutdifficulty，thosewhohadalreadypaidtheirdebtstotheircountryonthebattlefieldalsodemandedtobeallowedtoserveheragain，andtoshedforherthelastdropoftheirblood。Invalidedsoldiersbeggedtoresumetheirservice。Hundredsofthesebravesoldiersforgottheirsufferings，andcoveredwithhonorablewoundswentforthagaintoconfronttheenemy。Alas！veryfewofthosewhothenlefttheHoteldesInvalideswerefortunateenoughtoreturn。

MeanwhilethemomentoftheEmperor\'sdepartureapproached；butbeforesettingouthebadeatouchingadieutotheNationalGuard，asweshallseeinthenextchapter，andconfidedtheregencytotheEmpressashehadformerlyintrustedittoherduringthecampaigninDresden。AlasthistimeitwasnotnecessarytomakealongjourneybeforetheEmperorwasattheheadofhisarmy。

CHAPTERXXII。

Wearenowabouttobeginthecampaignofmiracles；butbeforerelatingtheeventswhichIwitnessedonthiscampaign，duringwhichI，sotospeak，neverlefttheEmperor，itisnecessarythatIhereinscribesomesouvenirswhichmaybeconsideredasanecessaryintroduction。ItiswellknownthattheSwisscantonshadsolemnlydeclaredtotheEmperorthattheywouldnotallowtheirterritorytobeviolated，andthattheywoulddoeverythingpossibletoopposethepassageofthealliedarmieswhoweremarchingonthefrontiersofFrancebywayoftheBreisgau。TheEmperor，inordertostopthemontheirmarch，relieduponthedestructionofthebridgeofBale；butthisbridgewasnotdestroyed，andSwitzerland，insteadofmaintainingherpromisedneutrality，enteredintothecoalitionagainstFrance。TheforeignarmiespassedtheRhineatBale，atSchaffhausen，andatMannheim。CapitulationsmadewiththegeneralsoftheconfederatedtroopsinregardtotheFrenchgarrisonsofDantzic，Dresden，andotherstrongtownshadbeen，aswehaveseen，openlyviolated。ThusMarshalGouvionSaint-Cyrandhisarmycorpshadbeen，contrarytothestipulationscontainedinthetreaties，surroundedbysuperiorforces，disarmed，andconductedasprisonerstoAustria；andtwentythousandmen，theremainsofthegarrisonofDantzic，werethusarrestedbyorderoftheEmperorAlexander，andconveyedtotheRussiandeserts。GenevaopeneditsgatestotheenemyinthefollowingJanuary。

Vesoul，Epinal，Nancy，Langres，Dijon，Chalons-sur-Saone，andBar-sur-

Aubewereoccupiedbytheallies。

TheEmperor，inproportionasthedangerbecamemorepressing，displayedstillmorehisenergyandindefatigableactivity。Heurgedtheorganizationofnewlevies，andinordertopaythemosturgentexpensesdrewthirtymillionsfromhissecrettreasuryinthevaultsofthepavilionMarsan。Theleviesofconscriptswere，however，madewithdifficulty；forinthecourseoftheyear1813alone，onemillionfortythousandsoldiershadbeensummonedtothefield，andFrancecouldnolongersustainsuchenormousdrains。Meanwhileveteranscamefromallpartstobeenrolled；andGeneralCarnotofferedhisservicestotheEmperor，whowasmuchtouchedbythisproceeding，andconfidedtohimthedefenseofAntwerp。Thezealandcouragewithwhichthegeneralacquittedhimselfofthisimportantmissioniswellknown。Movablecolumnsandcorpsofpartisansplacedthemselvesunderarmsinthedepartmentsoftheeast，andafewrichproprietorsleviedandorganizedcompaniesofvolunteers，whileselectcavalryformedthemselvesintocorps，thecavaliersofwhichequippedthemselvesattheirownexpense。

InthemidstofthesepreparationstheEmperorreceivednewswhichmovedhimdeeply，——theKingofNapleshadjustjoinedtheenemiesoftheFrench。Onapreviousoccasion，whenhisMajestyhadseenthePrinceRoyalofSweden，afterhavingbeenmarshalandprinceoftheEmpire，enterintoacoalitionagainsthisnativecountry，Iheardhimbreakforthintoreproachesandexclamationsofindignation，althoughtheKingofSwedenhadmorethanonereasontoofferinhisowndefense，beingaloneinthenorth，andshutinbypowerfulenemiesagainstwhomhewasentirelyunabletostruggle，evenhadtheinterestsofhisnewcountrybeeninseparablefromthoseofFrance。ByrefusingtoenterintothecoalitionhewouldhavedrawnonSwedentheangerofherformidableneighbors，andwiththethronehewouldhavesacrificedandfruitlesslyruinedthenationwhichhadadoptedhim。ItwasnottotheEmperorheowedhiselevation。ButKingJoachim，onthecontrary，owedeverythingtotheEmperor；foritwashewhohadgivenhimoneofhissistersasawife，whohadgivenhimathrone，andhadtreatedhimaswellas，andevenbetterthan，ifhehadbeenabrother。ItwasconsequentlythedutyoftheKingofNaplesaswellashisinterestnottoseparatehiscausefromthatofFrance；foriftheEmperorfell，howcouldthekingsofhisownfamily，whomhehadmade，hopetostand？BothKingJosephandJeromehadwellunderstoodthis，andalsothebraveandloyalPrinceEugene，whosupportedcourageouslyinItalythecauseofhisadoptedfather。IftheKingofNapleshadunitedwithhimtheycouldtogetherhavemarchedonVienna，andthisaudaciousbutatthesametimeperfectlypracticablemovementwouldhaveinfalliblysavedFrance。

ThesearesomeofthereflectionsIheardtheEmperormakeinspeakingofthetreacheryoftheKingofNaples，thoughinthefirstmoments，however，hedidnotreasonsocalmly。Hisangerwasextreme，andwithitwasmingledgriefandemotionsnearakintopity:“Murat！“criedhe，“Muratbetrayme！MuratsellhimselftotheEnglish！Thepoorcreature！

HeimaginesthatifthealliessucceedinoverthrowingmetheywouldleavehimthethroneonwhichIhaveseatedhim。Poorfool！Theworstfatethatcanbefallhimisthathistreacheryshouldsucceed；forhewouldhavelesspitytoexpectfromhisnewalliesthanfromme。“

Theeveningbeforehisdepartureforthearmy，theEmperorreceivedthecorpsofofficersoftheNationalParisianGuard，andthereceptionwasheldinthegreathalloftheTuileries。Thisceremonywassadandimposing。HisMajestypresentedhimselfbeforetheassemblywithherMajestytheEmpress，whoheldbythehandtheKingofRome，agedthreeyearslackingtwomonths。Althoughhisspeechonthisoccasionisdoubtlessalreadywellknown，Irepeatithere，asIdonotwishthatthesebeautifulandsolemnwordsofmyformermastershouldbewantinginmyMemoirs:

“GENTLEMEN，OfficersoftheNationalGuard，——ItiswithmuchpleasureIseeyouassembledaroundme。Ileaveto-nighttoplacemyselfattheheadofthearmy。OnleavingthecapitalIplacewithconfidenceinyourcaremywifeandmysononwhomrestssomanyhopes。Ioweyouthisproofofmyconfidence，inreturnforalltheinnumerableproofsyouhaverepeatedlygivenmeintheimportanteventsofmylife。Ishalldepartwithmymindfreefromanxiety，sincetheywillbeunderyourfaithfulprotection。Ileavewithyouwhatisdearesttomeintheworld，nexttoFrance，andIfreelycommitittoyourcare。

ItmayoccurthatinconsequenceofthemaneuversIamabouttomake，theenemymayfindtheopportunityofapproachingyourwalls。

Ifthisshouldtakeplace，rememberthatitwillbeanaffairofonlyafewdays，andIwillsooncometoyourassistance。I

recommendtoyoutopreserveunityamongyourselves，andtoresistalltheinsinuationsbywhicheffortswillbemadetodivideyou。

Therewillnotbewantingendeavorstoshakeyourfidelitytoduty，butIrelyuponyoutorepeltheseperfidiousattempts。“

Attheendofthisdiscourse，theEmperorbenthislooksontheEmpressandtheKingofRome，whomhisaugustmotherheldinherarms，andpresentingbothbyhislooksandgesturestotheassemblythischildwhoseexpressivecountenanceseemedtoreflectthesolemnityoftheoccasion，headdedinanagitatedvoice，“Iconfidehimtoyou，Messieurs；IconfidehimtotheloveofmyfaithfulcityofParis！“AtthesewordsofhisMajestyinnumerableshoutswereheard，andinnumerablearmswereraisedswearingtodefendthispricelesstrust。TheEmpress，bathedintearsandpalewiththeemotionbywhichshewasagitated，wouldhavefalleniftheEmperorhadnotsupportedherinhisarms。Atthissighttheenthusiasmreacheditsheight，tearsflowedfromalleyes，andtherewasnotonepresentwhodidnotseemwillingasheretiredtoshedhisbloodfortheImperialfamily。OnthisoccasionIagainsawforthefirsttimeM。deBourrienneatthepalace；hewore，ifIamnotmistaken，theuniformofcaptainintheNationalGuard。

Onthe25thofJanuarytheEmperorsetoutforthearmy，afterconferringtheregencyonherMajestytheEmpress；andthatnightwereachedChalons-sur-Marne。Hisarrivalstoppedtheprogressoftheenemy\'sarmyandtheretreatofourtroops。Twodaysafterhe，inhisturn，attackedthealliesatSaint-Dizier。HisMajesty\'sentranceintothistownwasmarkedbymosttouchingmanifestationsofenthusiasmanddevotion。TheverymomenttheEmperoralighted，aformercolonel，M。Bouland，anoldmanmorethanseventyyearsold，threwhimselfathisMajesty\'sfeet，expressingtohimthedeepgriefwhichthesightofforeignbayonetshadcausedhim，andhisconfidencethattheEmperorwoulddrivethemfromthesoilofFrance。HisMajestyassistedtheoldveterantorise，andsaidtohimcheerfullythathewouldsparenothingtoaccomplishsuchafavorableprediction。ThealliesconductedthemselvesinthemostinhumanmanneratSaint-Dizier:womenandoldmendiedorweremadeillunderthecrueltreatmentwhichtheyreceived；anditmaybeimaginedwhatacauseofrejoicinghisMajesty\'sarrivalwastothecountry。

TheenemyhavingbeenrepulsedatSaint-Dizier，theEmperorlearnedthatthearmyofSilesiawasbeingconcentratedonBrienne，andimmediatelysetoutonthemarchthroughtheforestofDeo，thebravesoldierswhofollowedhimappearingasindefatigableashe。HehaltedatthevillageofEclaron，wherehisMajestypaidacertainsumtotheinhabitantstorepairtheirchurch，whichtheenemyhaddestroyed。ThesurgeonofthistownadvancedtothanktheEmperor；andhisMajestyexamininghimattentivelysaidtohim，“Youhaveservedinthearmy，Monsieur？“——“Yes，Sire；IwasinthearmyofEgypt。“——“Whyhaveyounocross？“——“Sire，becauseIhaveneveraskedforit。“——“Monsieur，youareonlythemoreworthyofit。IhopeyouwillweartheoneIshallgiveyou。“AndinafewmomentshiscertificatewassignedbytheEmperor，andhandedtothenewchevalier，whomtheEmperorrecommendedtogivethemostcarefulattentiontothesickandwoundedofourarmywhomightbecommittedtohiscare——

[ItisknownthattheEmperorwasnotlavishinthedistributionoftheCrossofHonor。OfthisfactIheregiveanadditionalproof。HewasmuchpleasedwiththeservicesofM。Veyrat，inspectorgeneralofpolice，andhedesiredtheCross。IpresentedpetitionstothiseffecttohisMajesty，whosaidtomeoneday，“IamwellsatisfiedwithVeyrat。Heservesmewell，andIwillgivehimasmuchmoneyashewishes；buttheCross，never！“——

CONSTANT。]——

OnenteringMeziereshisMajestywasreceivedbytheauthoritiesofthecity，theclergy，andtheNationalGuard。“Messieurs，“saidtheEmperortotheNationalGuardwhopressedaroundhim，“wefighttodayforourfiresides；letusdefendtheminsuchamannerthattheCossacksmaynotcometowarmthemselvesbesidethem。Theyarebadguests，whowillleavenoplaceforyou。LetusshowthemthateveryFrenchmanisbornasoldier，andabraveone！“HisMajestyonreceivingthehomageofthecurate，perceivingthatthisecclesiasticregardedhimwithextremeinterestandagitation，consequentlyconsideredthegoodpriestmoreattentively，andsoonrecognizedinhimoneoftheformerregentsofthecollegeofBrienne。“What！isityou，mydearmaster？“criedtheEmperor。“Youhave，then，neverleftyourretirement！Somuchthebetter，sinceforthatreasonyouwillbeonlythebetterabletoservethecauseofyournativeland。Ineednotaskifyouknowthecountryaroundhere。“——“Sire，“repliedthecurate，“Icouldfindmywaywithmyeyesshut。“——“Comewithus，then；youwillbeourguide，andwewillconverse。“Theworthypriestimmediatelysaddledhiswell-brokenhorse，andplacedhimselfinthecenteroftheImperialstaff。

ThesamedaywearrivedbeforeBrienne。TheEmperor\'smarchhadbeensosecretandsorapidthatthePrussianshadheardnothingofituntilhesuddenlyappearedbeforetheireyes。Afewgeneralofficersweremadeprisoners；andBlucherhimself，whowasquietlycomingoutofthechateau，hadonlytimetoturnandflyasquicklyashecould，underashowerofballsfromouradvanceguard。TheEmperorthoughtforamomentthatthePrussiangeneralhadbeentaken，andexclaimed，“Wehavegotthatoldswash-buckler。Nowthecampaignwillnotbelong。“TheRussianswhowereestablishedinthevillagesetitonfire，andanengagementtookplaceinthemidstoftheflames。Nightarrived，butthecombatstillcontinued；andinthespaceoftwelvehoursthevillagewastakenandretakenmanytimes。TheEmperorwasfuriousthatBluchershouldhaveescaped。Ashereturnedtoheadquarters，whichhadbeenestablishedatMezieres，hisMajestynarrowlyescapedbeingpiercedthroughwiththelanceofaCossack；butbeforetheEmperorperceivedthemovementofthewretch，thebraveColonelGourgaud，whowasmarchingbehindhisMajesty，shottheCossackdeadwithhispistol。

TheEmperorhadwithhimonlyfifteenthousandmen，andtheyhadwagedanequalstrugglewitheightythousandforeignsoldiers。AtthecloseofthecombatthePrussiansretreatedtoBar-sur-Aube；andhisMajestyestablishedhimselfinthechateauofBrienne，wherehepassedtwonights。IrecalledduringthisstaytheonethatIhadmadetenyearsbeforeinthissamechateauofBrienne，whentheEmperorwasonhiswaytoMilanwiththeintentionofaddingthetitleofKingofItalytothatofEmperoroftheFrench。“To-day，“Isaidtomyself，“notonlyisItalylosttohim，buthereinthecenteroftheFrenchEmpire，andafewleaguesfromhiscapital，theEmperorisdefendinghimselfagainstinnumerableenemies！“ThefirsttimeIsawBrienne，theEmperorwasreceivedasasovereignbyanoblefamilywhofifteenyearsbeforehadwelcomedhimasaprotege。Hehadthererevivedthehappiestremembrancesofhischildhoodandyouth；andincomparinghimselfin1805

withwhathehadbeenattheEcoleMilitairehadspokenwithprideofthepathhehadtrod。In1814，onthe31stofJanuary，theendtowhichthispathwastendingbegantobeseen。ItisnotthatIwishtoannouncemyselfashavingforeseentheEmperor\'sfall，forIdidnotgosofarasthat。Accustomedtoseehimtrusttohisstar，thegreaterpartofthosewhosurroundedhimtrusteditnolessthanhe；butneverthelesswecouldnotconcealfromourselvesthatgreatchangeshadtakenplace。Todeludeourselvesinthisrespectitwouldhavebeennecessarytocloseoureyesthatwemightneitherseenorhearthismultitudeofforeigners，whomwehaduntilnowseenonlyintheirowncountry，andwho，intheirturn，werenowinourmidst。

Ateachstep，infact，wefoundterribleproofsoftheenemy\'spresence。

Aftertakingpossessionofthetownsandvillages，theyhadarrestedtheinhabitants，maltreatedthemwithsaber-strokesandthebuttendsoftheirguns，strippingthemoftheirclothing，andcompellingthosetofollowthemwhomtheythoughtcapableofservingasguidesontheirmarch；andiftheywerenotguidedastheyexpectedtheykilledwiththeswordorshottheirunfortunateprisoners。Everywheretheinhabitantsweremadetofurnishprovisions，drink，cattle，forage，inaword，everythingthatcouldbeusefultoanarmymakingenormousrequisitions；

andwhentheyhadexhaustedalltheresourcesoftheirvictims，theyfinishedtheirworkofdestructionbypillageandburning。ThePrussians，andabovealltheCossacks，wereremarkablefortheirbrutalferocity。Sometimesthesehideoussavagesenteredthehousesbymainforce，sharedamongthemselveseverythingthatfellintotheirhands，loadedtheirhorseswiththeplunder，andbroketopieceswhattheycouldnotcarryaway。Sometimes，notfindingsufficienttosatisfytheirgreed，theybrokedownthedoorsandwindows，demolishedtheceilinginordertotearoutthebeams，andmadeofthesepiecesandthefurniture，whichwastooheavytobecarriedaway，afire，whichbeingcommunicatedtotheroofsofneighboringhousesconsumedinamomentthedwellingsoftheunhappyinhabitants，andforcedthemtotakerefugeinthewoods。

Sometimesthemorewealthyinhabitantsgavethemwhattheydemanded，especiallybrandy，ofwhichtheydrankeagerly，thinkingbythiscompliancetoescapetheirferocity；butthesebarbarians，heatedbydrink，thencarriedtheirexcessestothelastdegree。Theyseizedgirls，women，andservants，andbeatthemunmercifully，inordertocompelthemtodrinkbrandyuntiltheyfellinacompletestateofintoxication。Manywomenandyounggirlshadcourageandstrengthtodefendthemselvesagainstthesebrigands；buttheyunitedthreeorfouragainstone，andoftentoavengethemselvesfortheresistanceofthesepoorcreaturesmutilatedandslewthem，afterhavingfirstviolatedthem，orthrewthemintothemidstofthebivouacfires。Farmswereburnedup，andfamiliesrecentlyopulentorincomfortablecircumstanceswerereducedinaninstanttodespairandpoverty。Husbandsandoldmenwereslainwiththeswordwhileattemptingtodefendthehonoroftheirwivesanddaughters；andwhenpoormothersattemptedtoapproachthefirestowarmthechildrenattheirbreasts，theywereburnedorkilledbytheexplosionofpackagesofcartridges，whichtheCossacksthrewintentionallyintothefire；andthecriesofpainandagonywerestifledbytheburstsoflaughterfromthesemonsters。

IshouldneverendifIattemptedtorelatealltheatrocitiescommittedbytheseforeignhordes。ItwasthecustomatthetimeoftheRestorationtosaythatthecomplaintsandnarrationsofthosewhowereexposedtotheseexcesseswereexaggeratedbyfearorhatred。IhaveevenheardverydignifiedpersonsjestpleasantlyovertheprettywaysoftheCossacks。Butthesewitsalwayskeptthemselvesatadistancefromthetheaterofwar，andhadthegoodfortunetoinhabitdepartmentswhichsufferedneitherfromthefirstnorsecondinvasion。IwouldnotadvisethemtoaddresstheirpleasantriestotheunfortunateinhabitantsofChampagne，orofthedepartmentsoftheeastingeneral。IthasbeenmaintainedalsothatthealliedsovereignsandthegeneralofficersoftheRussianandPrussianarmyseverelyforbadeallviolenceintheirregulartroops，andthattheatrocitieswerecommittedbyundisciplinedandungovernablebandsofCossacks。Ihavebeeninapositiontolearn，onmanyoccasions，especiallyatTroves，proofstothecontrary。Thistownhasnotforgotten，doubtless，howthePrincesofWurtembergandHohenloheandtheEmperorAlexanderhimselfjustifiedtheburnings，pillage，violations，andnumerousassassinationscommittedundertheirveryeyes，notonlybytheCossacks，butalsobyregularlyenlistedanddisciplinedsoldiers。Nomeasuresweretakenbythesovereignsorbytheirgeneralstoputanendtosuchatrocities，andneverthelesswhentheyleftatowntherewasneededonlyanorderfromthemtoremoveatoncethehordesofCossackswhodevastatedthecountry。

ThefieldoftheLaRothierewas，asIhavesaid，therendezvousofthepupilsofthemilitaryschoolofBrienne。ItwastherethattheEmperor，whenachild，hadforeshadowedinhisengagementwiththescholarshisgiganticcombats。TheengagementatLaRothierewashotlycontested；andtheenemyobtained，onlyatthepriceofmuchblood，anadvantagewhichtheyowedentirelytotheirnumericalsuperiority。Inthenightwhichfollowedthisunequalstruggle，theEmperororderedtheretreatfromTroves。Onreturningtothechateauafterthebattle，hisMajestynarrowlyescapedanimminentdanger。Hefoundhimselfsurroundedbyatroopofuhlans，anddrewhisswordtodefendhimself。M。Jardin，junior，hisequerry，whofollowedtheEmperorclosely，receivedaballinhisarm。Severalchasseursoftheescortwerewounded，buttheyatlastsucceededinextricatinghisMajesty。IcanassertthathisMajestyshowedthegreatestself-possessioninallencountersofthiskind。Onthatday，asIunbuckledhissword-belt，hedrewithalfoutofthescabbard，saying，“Doyouknow，Constant，thewretcheshavemademecutthewindwiththis？Therascalsaretooimpudent。Itisnecessarytoteachthemalesson，thattheymaylearntoholdthemselvesatarespectfuldistance。“

ItisnotmyintentiontowritethehistoryofthiscampaigninFrance，inwhichtheEmperordisplayedanactivityandenergywhichexcitedtothehighestpointtheadmirationofthosewhosurroundedhim。

Unfortunately，theadvantageswhichhehadobtainedgraduallyexhaustedhisowntroops，whileonlycreatinglossesintheenemy\'s，whichtheyeasilyrepaired。Itwas，asM。Bourriennehaswellsaid，acombatofanAlpineeaglewithaflockofravens:“Theeaglemaykillthembyhundreds。Eachblowofhisbeakisthedeathofanenemy；buttheravensreturninstillgreaternumbers，andcontinuetheirattackontheeagleuntiltheyatlastovercomehim。“AtChamp-Aubert，atMontmirail，atNangis，atMontereau，andatArcis，andintwentyotherengagements，theEmperorobtainedtheadvantagebyhisgeniusandbythecourageofourarmy；butitwasallinvain。Hardlyhadthesemassesoftheenemybeenscattered，beforefreshoneswereformedagaininfrontofoursoldiers，exhaustedbycontinuousbattlesandforcedmarches。Thearmy，especiallythatwhichBluchercommanded，seemedtoreviveofitself，andwheneverbeatenreappearedwithforcesequal，ifnotsuperior，tothosewhichhadbeendestroyedordispersed。Howcansuchanimmensesuperiorityofnumbersbeindefinitelyresisted？

CHAPTERXXIII。

TheEmperorhadnevershownhimselfsoworthyofadmirationasduringthisfatalcampaigninFrance，when，strugglingagainstmisfortunes，heperformedoveragaintheprodigiesofhisfirstwarsinItaly，whenfortunesmiledonhim。Hiscareerhadbegunwithanattack，andtheendwasmarkedbythemostmagnificentdefenserecordedintheannalsofwar。

AnditmaybesaidwithtruththatatalltimesandeverywherehisMajestyshowedhimselfboththeperfectgeneralandthesoldier，underallcircumstancesfurnishinganexampleofpersonalcouragetosuchanextent，indeed，thatallthosewhosurroundedhim，andwhoseexistencewasdependentonhisown，wereseriouslyalarmed。Forinstance，asiswellknown，theEmperor，atthebattleofMontereau，pointedthepiecesofartilleryhimself，recklesslyexposedhimselftotheenemy\'sfire，andsaidtohissoldiers，whoweremuchalarmedathisdangerandattemptedtoremovehim，“Letmealone，myfriends；thebulletwhichistokillmehasnotyetbeenmolded。“

AtArcistheEmperoragainfoughtasacommonsoldier，andmorethanoncedrewhisswordinordertocuthiswaythroughthemidstoftheenemywhosurroundedhim。Ashellfellafewstepsfromhishorse。Theanimal，frightened，jumpedtooneside，andnearlyunhorsedtheEmperor，who，withhisfield-glassinhishand，wasatthemomentoccupiedinexaminingthebattlefield。HisMajestysettledhimselfagainfirmlyinhissaddle，stuckhisspursinthehorse\'ssides，forcedhimtoapproachandputhisnosetoit。Justthentheshellburst，and，byanalmostincrediblechance，neithertheEmperornorhishorsewasevenwounded。

InmorethanonesimilarcircumstancetheEmperorseemed，duringthiscampaign，toputhislifeataventure；andyetitwasonlyinthelastextremitythatheabandonedthehopeofpreservinghisthrone。ItwasapainfulsacrificetohimtotreatwiththeenemysolongastheyoccupiedFrenchterritory；forhewishedtopurgethesoilofFranceofthepresenceofforeignersbeforeenteringintoanyagreementwiththemwhatever。Andthisfeelingwasthereasonofhishesitationandrefusaltoacceptthepeacewhichwasofferedhimonvariousoccasions。

Onthe8thofFebruary，theEmperor，attheendofalongdiscussionwithtwoorthreeofhisintimateadvisers，retiredverylate，andinastateofextremepreoccupation。Hewokemeoftenduringthenight，complainingofbeingunabletosleep，andmademeextinguishandrelighthislampagainandagain。Aboutfiveo\'clockinthemorningIwascalledagain。

Iwasalmostfaintingwithfatigue，whichhisMajestynoticed，andsaidtomekindly，“Youarewornout，mypoorConstant；wearemakingaseverecampaign，arewenot？Butholdoutonlyalittlelonger；youwillsoonrest。“