Allthemembersoftheimperialfamilyhadagreatfondnessformusic,andespeciallytheItalian;buttheywerenotmusicians,andmostofthemsangasbadlyashisMajestyhimself,withtheexceptionofthePrincessPauline,whohadprofitedbythelessonsofBlangini,andsangtolerablywell。Inrespectofhisvoice,PrinceEugeneshowedhimselfworthytobetheadoptedsonoftheEmperor;for,thoughhewasamusicianandsangwithfervor,itwasnotinsuchamannerastosatisfyhisauditors。
  Incompensation,however,PrinceEugene'svoicewasmagnificentforcommandingmilitaryevolutions,anadvantagewhichCountLobauandGeneralDorsennealsopossessed;anditwasconsequentlyalwaysoneofthesewhomhisMajestyappointedtocommandunderhisordersongreatreviews。
  NotwithstandingthesevereetiquetteoftheEmperor'scourt,therewerealwaysafewprivilegedpersonswhohadtherighttoenterhisapartment,evenwhenhewasinbed,thoughthenumberwassmall。Theyconsistedofthefollowingpersons:——
  M。deTalleyrand,vicegrandelector;deMontesquiou,grandchamberlain;
  deRemusat,firstchamberlain;Maret,Corvisart,Denon,Murat,Yvan;
  Duroc,grandmarshal;anddeCaulaincourt,grandequerry。
  ForalongtimeallthesepersonagescametotheEmperor'sapartmentalmosteverymorning,andtheirvisitsweretheoriginofwhatwasafterwardscalled'lepetitlever'。M。deLavalettealsocamefrequently,andalsoM。RealandMessieursFoucheandSavarywhileeachofthemwasministerofpolice。
  TheprincesoftheimperialfamilyalsoenjoyedtherighttoentertheEmperor'sapartmentinthemorning。IoftensawtheEmperor'smother。
  TheEmperorkissedherhandwithmuchrespectandtenderness,butIhavemanytimesheardhimreproachherforherexcessiveeconomy。MadameMerelistened,andthengaveasexcusefornotchangingherstyleoflivingreasonswhichoftenvexedhisMajesty,butwhicheventshaveunfortunatelyjustified。
  MadameMerehadbeenagreatbeauty,andwasstillverypretty,especiallywhenIsawherforthefirsttime。Itwasimpossibletofindabettermother;devotedtoherchildren;shelavishedonthemthesagestcounsels,andalwaysintervenedinfamilyquarrelstosustainthosewhomshethoughtintheright;foralongtimeshetookLucien'spart,andI
  haveoftenheardherwarmlydefendJeromewhentheFirstConsulwasmostseveretowardshisyoungbrother。TheonlyfaultinMadameMere'scharacterwasherexcessiveeconomy,andonthispointastonishingthingscouldbesaidwithoutfearofexaggeration,butshewasbelovedbyeveryoneinthepalaceforherkindnessandaffability。
  IrecallinreferencetoMadameMereanincidentwhichgreatlyamusedtheEmpressJosephine。MadamewasspendingseveraldaysatMalmaison,whenonedayoneofherladies,whomshehadcausedtobesentfor,found,onenteringtheroom,tohergreatastonishment,CardinalFeschdischargingthedutyofalady'smaidbylacinguphissister,whohadononlyherunderclothingandhercorset。
  OneofthesubjectsonwhichtheEmperorwouldlistentonoraillerywasthatofcustom-houseduties,andtowardsallcontrabandproceedingheshowedinflexibleseverity;andthisreachedsuchapoint,thatonedayM。Soiris,directorofthecustom-houseatVerceil,havingseizedapackageofsixtycashmereshawls,sentfromConstantinopletotheEmpress,theEmperorapprovedhisaction,andthecashmeresweresoldforthebenefitofthestate。InsuchcasestheEmperoralwayssaid,“Howcanasovereignhavethelawsrespectedifhedoesnotrespectthemhimself?“Irecallanotheroccasion,andIthinktheonlyinstanceinwhichhepermittedaninfractionofthecustom-houseregulations;butweshallseethequestionwasnotthatofordinarysmuggling。
  ThegrenadiersoftheOldGuard,undertheordersofGeneralSoules,returnedtoFranceafterthepeaceofTilsit。OntheirarrivalatMayence,thecustom-houseofficersendeavoredtoperformtheirduty,andconsequentlyinspectedthechestsoftheGuardandthoseofthegeneral。
  Meanwhile,thedirectorofthecustom-house,indoubtwhatproceedingstotake,soughtthegeneraltoinformhimofthenecessityhewasunderofexecutingthelaws,andofcarryingoutthedirectordersoftheEmperor。
  Thegeneral'sreplytothiscourteousoverturewasplainandenergetic:
  “Ifasingleofficerdarestoplacehishandontheboxesofmyoldmustaches,I'llthrowhimintotheRhine!“Theofficerinsisted。Thecustom-houseemployeeswerequitenumerous,andwerepreparingtoproceedwiththeinspection,whenGeneralSouleshadtheboxesputinthemiddleofthesquare,andaregimentdetailedtoguardthem。Thedirectorofthecustom-house,notdaringtoproceedfurther,senttothedirector-
  generalareporttobesubmittedtotheEmperor。Underanyothercircumstancesthecasewouldhavebeenserious;buttheEmperorhadjustreturnedtoParis,wherehehadbeenwelcomedmoreheartilythaneverbeforebytheacclamationsofthepeopleontheoccasionofthefetescelebratedinhonorofpeace,andthisoldGuardwasreturninghomeresplendentwithglory,andaftermostadmirablebehavioratEylau。AllthesethingscombinedtoquelltheEmperor'sanger;andhavingdecidednottopunish,hewishedtorewardthem,andnottotakeseriouslytheirinfractionofhiscustom-houseregulations。GeneralSoules,onreachingParis,presentedhimselfbeforetheEmperor,whoreceivedhimcordially,and,aftersomeremarksrelativetotheGuard,added:“Bytheby,whatisthisyouhavebeendoing?Iheardofyou。What!youreallythreatenedtothrowmycustom-houseofficersintotheRhine!Wouldyouhavedoneit?“——“Yes,Sire,“repliedthegeneral,withhisGermanaccent,“yes;I
  wouldhavedoneit。Itwasaninsulttomyoldgrenadierstoattempttoinspecttheirboxes。“——“Come,now,“saidtheEmperorveryaffably,“Iseejusthowitis。Youhavebeensmuggling。“——“I,Sire?“——“Yes,I
  say。Youhavebeensmuggling。YouboughtlineninHanover。Youwantedtofurnishyourhousehandsomely,asyouimaginedIwouldappointyousenator。Youwerenotmistaken。Goandhaveyoursenator'scoatmade,butdonotrepeatthisperformance,fornexttimeIwillhaveyoushot。“
  DuringourstayatBayonne,in1808,everyonewasstruckwiththeawkwardmannersoftheKingandQueenofSpain,andthepoortastedisplayedintheirtoilets,thedisgracefulappearanceoftheirequipages,andacertainairofconstraintandembarrassmentwhichwasgeneralamongallthepersonsoftheirsuite。TheelegantmannersoftheFrenchandthemagnificenceoftheimperialequipagesfurnishedsuchacontrasttoallthisthatitrenderedthemindescribablyridiculous。TheEmperor,whohadsuchexquisitetactinallmatters,wasnotoneofthelasttoperceivethis,but,nevertheless,wasnotpleasedthatanopportunityshouldbefoundtoridiculecrownedheads。Onemorningathistoilethesaidtome,“Isay,then,Monsieurledrole,you,whoaresowellversedinthesematters,giveafewhintstothevaletdechambreoftheKingandQueenofSpain。Theyappearsoawkwardtheyreallyexcitemypity。“IeagerlydidwhathisMajestysuggested;buthedidnotcontenthimselfwiththis,butalsocommunicatedtotheEmpressJosephinehisobservationsonthequeenandherladies。TheEmpressJosephine,whowastheembodimentoftaste,gaveordersaccordingly;andfortwodaysherhairdressersandwomenwereoccupiedexclusivelyingivinglessonsintasteandelegancetotheirSpanishbrethren。ThisisastrikingevidenceofhowtheEmperorfoundtimeforeverything,andcoulddescendfromhiselevateddutiestothemostinsignificantaffairs。
  ThegrandmarshalofthepalaceDurocwasalmostthesameheightastheEmperor。Hewalkedbadlyandungracefully,buthadatolerablygoodheadandfeatures。Hewasquicktempered,impulsive,andsworelikeasoldier;buthehadmuchadministrativeability,ofwhichhegavemorethanoneproofintheorganizationoftheimperialhousehold,whichwasablyandwiselyregulated。Whentheenemy'scannondeprivedhisMajestyofthisdevotedservitorandsincerefriend,theEmpressJosephinesaidthatsheknewonlytwomencapableoffillinghisplace;thesewereGeneralDrouotandM。deFlahaut,andthewholehouseholdhopedthatoneofthesetwogentlemenwouldbenominated;this,however,wasnotthecase。
  M。deCaulaincourt,DukeofVicenza,wasextremelyseveretowardsthehousehold;buthewasjustandofachivalrousloyalty,andhiswordwasasgoodasacontract:Hewasfearedandyetbeloved。Hehadapiercingeye,spokequicklyandwithgreatease。TheEmperor'sregardforhimwaswellknown,andcertainlynoonewasmoreworthyofitthanhe。
  TheCountdeRemusatwasofmediumheight,withasmooth,whiteface,obliging,amiable,andwithnaturalpolitenessandgoodtaste;buthewasextravagant,lackedorderinmanaginghisownaffairsandconsequentlythoseoftheEmperor。Thislavishexpenditure,whichisadmirablefromonepointofview,mighthavesuitedanyothersovereign;buttheEmperorwaseconomical,andthough,muchattachedtoM。deRemusat,dismissedhimfromtheheadofthewardrobebureau,andputinhisplaceMonsieurdeTurenne,whoexercisedthestrictesteconomy。M。deTurennepossessedperhapsalittletoomuchofwhathispredecessorlacked,butitwasexactlythisthatpleasedtheEmperor。M。deTurennewasquiteaprettyman,thinkingperhapsalittletoomuchofhimself,agreattalkerandAnglo-maniac,whichledtheEmperortogivehimthenameofmylordKinsesterwhocannotbesilent;buthetoldastorywell,andsometimeshisMajestytookpleasureinmakinghimrelatethechroniclesofParis。
  WhentheCountofTurennereplacedtheCountofRemusatintheofficeofgrandmasterofthewardrobe,inordernottoexceedthesumoftwentythousandfrancswhichhisMajestyallowedforhistoilet,heexercisedthegreatestpossibleeconomyinthequantity,price,andqualityofthingsindispensabletothehousehold。Ihavebeentold,butIdonotknowwhetheritistrue,that,inordertoascertainexactlywhatweretheprofitsoftheEmperor'sfurnishers,hewenttothevariousfactoriesofPariswithsamplesofgloves,silkstockings,aloeswood,etc。;but,evenifthisistrue,itonlydoeshonortothezealandprobityofM。deTurenne。
  IknewverylittleofCountSegur,grandmasterofceremonies。Itwassaidinthehouseholdthathewashaughtyandsomewhatabrupt,butperfectlypoliteandintelligent,withadelicateandrefinedface。
  ItwouldbenecessarytohavewitnessedtheperfectorderwhichreignedintheEmperor'shouseholdtocomprehenditfully。FromthetimeoftheConsulate,GeneralDurochadbroughtintotheadministrationoftheinterioraffairsofthepalacethatspiritoforderandeconomywhichespeciallycharacterizedhim。But,greataswastheEmperor'sconfidenceinGeneralDuroc,hedidnotdisdaintothrowtheglanceofamasteroverthingswhichseemedinsignificant,andwithwhich,ingeneral,sovereignsrarelyoccupythemselves。Thus,forexample,inthebeginningoftheEmpiretherewassomelittleextravaganceincertainpartsofthepalace,notablyatSaint-Cloud,wheretheaides-de-campkeptopentable;butthiswas,nevertheless,farfromequalingtheexcessiveprodigalityoftheancientregime。Champagneandotherwinesespeciallywereusedingreatquantities,anditwasverynecessarythattheEmperorshouldestablishregulationsastohiscellar。Hesummonedthechiefofthehouseholdservice,SoupePierrugues,andsaidtohim,“Monsieur,Icommittoyouthekeysofmyimperialcellars;youwilltherehavechargeofthewinesofallkinds;someareneededinmypalacesoftheTuileries,Saint-
  Cloud,Compiegne,Fontainebleau,Marrac,Lacken,andTurin。Establishamoderatepriceatalltheseresidences,andyoualonewillfurnishwinestomyhousehold。“Thisarrangementwasmade,andallkindsoffraudwereimpossible,asthedeputyofM。SoupePierruguesdeliveredwinesonlyonanotesignedbythecontrollerofthekitchen;allthebottlesnotopenedwerereturned,andeacheveninganaccountwasgivenofwhathadbeenusedforthatday。
  Theservicehadthesameregulationswhilewewereoncampaigns。DuringthesecondcampaignofVienna,IrecollectthatthehousedeputyofSoupePierrugueswasM。EugenePierrugues,frank,gay,witty,andmuchbelovedbyusall。Animprudencecosthimdear,forinconsequenceofaheedlessnessnaturalathisagehehadhisarmbroken。WewerethenatSchoenbrunn。Thosewhohaveseenthisimperialresidenceknowthatsplendidavenuesextendinfrontofthepalace,leadingtotheroadtoVienna。AsIoftentookhorsebackridesthroughthetown,M。EugenePierrugueswishedtoaccompanymeoneday,andborrowedahorsefromoneofthequartermastersofthepalace。Hewasforewarnedthatthehorsewasveryfiery;buthepaidnoattentiontothat,andimmediatelyputhimintoagallop。Ireinedminein,inordernottoexcitemycompanion's;
  butinspiteofthisprecautionthehorseranaway,dashedintothewoods,andbrokethearmofhisunfortunateandimprudentrider。
  M。EugenePierrugueswas,however,notunhorsedbytheblow,andkepthisseatashortwhileaftertheinjury;butitwasveryserious,anditwasnecessarytocarryhimbacktothepalace。I,morethananyoneelse,wasdistressedbythisfrightfulaccident;andweestablishedaregularattendanceonhim,sothatoneatleastcouldalwaysbewithhimwhenourdutiesallowed。Ihaveneverseensufferingbornewithmorefortitude;
  anditwascarriedtosucharemarkabledegree,that,findinghisarmbadlyset,attheendofafewdayshehaditagainfractured,anoperationwhichcausedhimhorriblesuffering。
  Myuncle,whowasusheroftheEmperor'scabinet,relatedtomeananecdotewhichisprobablyentirelyunknown;sinceeverything,asweshallsee,occurredundercoverofthemostprofoundmystery。“Oneevening,“hesaidtome,“MarshalDurocgavemeinpersonorderstoextinguishthelightsinthesalooninfrontofhisMajesty'scabinet,andtoleaveonlyafewcandleslighted。Iwassurprisedatsuchanovelorder,especiallyasthegrandmarshalwasnotaccustomedtogivethemthusdirectly,but,nevertheless,executeditprecisely,andwaitedatmypost。Atteno'clockMarshalDurocreturned,accompaniedbyapersonagewhosefeaturesitwasimpossibletodistinguish,ashewasentirelywrappedinalargecloak,hisheadcovered,andhishatpulleddownoverhiseyes。Iwithdrew,leavingthetwoalone,buthadhardlyleftthesaloonwhentheEmperorentered,andMarshalDurocalsoretired,leavingthestrangeralonewithhisMajesty。FromthetoneinwhichtheEmperorspokeitwaseasytoseethathewasgreatlyirritated。Hespokeveryloud;andIheardhimsay,'Well,Monsieur,youwillneverchangethen。
  Itisgoldyouwant,alwaysgold。Youdrawonallforeignbanks,andhavenoconfidenceinthatofParis。YouhaveruinedthebankofHamburg;youhavecausedM。DrouetorDrouaut,forthenamewaspronouncedveryquicklytolosetwomillions:
  “TheEmperor,“myunclecontinued,“conversedinthisstrainforalongwhile,thoughthestrangerdidnotreply,orrepliedinsolowatonethatitwasimpossibletohearaword;andthescene,whichmusthavebeenmosttryingtothemysteriouspersonage,lastedabouttwentyminutes。Atlasthewaspermittedtoleave,whichhedidwiththesameprecautionsasonhisarrival,andretiredfromthepalaceassecretlyashehadcome。“
  NothingofthisscenewasknowninParis;and,moreover,neithermyunclenorIhaveeversoughttoascertainthenameofthepersonwhomtheEmperoroverwhelmedwithsuchnumerousandseverereproaches。
  Whenevercircumstancesallowed,theEmperor'shabitsoflifewereveryregular,histimebeingalmostuniformlydividedasfollows。Everymorning,atnineo'clockprecisely,theEmperorlefttheimperialapartments;hisexactnessinobservinghourswascarriedtoanextreme,andIhavesometimesseenhimwaittwoorthreemomentsinorderthatnoonemightbetakenbysurprise。Atnineo'clockhistoiletwasmadeforthewholeday。Whenhehadreachedthereception-room,theofficersondutywerefirstadmitted,andreceivedhisMajesty'sordersfortheirtimeofservice。
  Immediatelyafterthis,whatwascalledthegrandesentreestookplace。
  Thatistosay,personagesofhighrankwereadmitted,whohadthisrightonaccountoftheirduties,orbythespecialfavoroftheEmperor;andI
  canassertthatthisfavorwasmuchenvied。Itwasgrantedgenerallytoalltheofficersoftheimperialhousehold,eveniftheywerenotonduty;andeveryoneremainedstanding,asdidtheEmperoralso。Hemadethetourofallthepersonspresent,nearlyalwaysaddressedaremarkoraquestiontoeachone;anditwasamusingtoseeafterwards,duringthewholeday,theproudandhaughtybearingofthosetowhomtheEmperorhadspokenalittlelongerthantoothers。Thisceremonyusuallylastedahalf-hour,andassoonasitwasfinishedtheEmperorbowedandeachretired。
  Athalf-pastninetheEmperor'sbreakfastwasserved,usuallyonasmallmahoganystand;andthisfirstrepastcommonlylastedonlysevenoreightminutes,thoughsometimesitwasprolonged,andevenlastedquitealongwhile。This,however,wasonlyonrareoccasions,whentheEmperorwasinunusuallygood-humor,andwishedtoindulgeinthepleasureofaconversationwithmenofgreatmerit,whomhehadknownalongwhile,andwhohappenedtobepresentathisbreakfast。TherehewasnolongertheformalEmperorofthelevee;hewasinamannertheheroofItaly,theconquerorofEgypt,andaboveallthememberoftheInstitute。ThosewhocamemosthabituallywereMessieursMonge,Berthollet,Costazsuperintendentofcrownbuildings,Denon,Corvisart,David,Gerard,Isabey,Talma,andFontainehisfirstarchitect。Howmanynoblethoughts,howmanyelevatedsentiments,foundventintheseconversationswhichtheEmperorwasaccustomedtoopenbysaying,“Come,Messieurs,I
  closethedoorofmycabinet。“Thiswasthesignal,anditwastrulymiraculoustoseehisMajesty'saptitudeinputtinghisgeniusincommunicationwiththesegreatintellectswithsuchdiversitiesoftalent。
  Irecallthat,duringthedaysprecedingtheEmperor'scoronation,M。
  IsabeyattendedregularlyattheEmperor'sbreakfast,andwaspresentalmosteverymorning;andstrange,too,itdidnotseemanabsurdthingtoseechildren'stoysusedtorepresenttheimposingceremonywhichwastoexertsuchagreatinfluenceoverthedestiniesoftheworld。TheintelligentpainterofhisMajesty'scabinetportraitscausedtobeplacedonalargetableanumberofsmallfiguresrepresentingallthepersonageswhoweretotakepartintheceremonyofthecoronation;eachhadhisdesignatedplace;andnoonewasomitted,fromtheEmperortothePope,andeventothechoristers,eachbeingdressedinthecostumehewasexpectedtowear。
  Theserehearsalstookplacefrequently,andallwereeagertoconsultthemodelinordertomakenomistakeastotheplaceeachwastooccupy。Onthosedays,asmaybeimagined,thedoorofthecabinetwasclosed,andinconsequencetheministerssometimes,waitedawhile。ImmediatelyafterthebreakfasttheEmperoradmittedhisministersanddirectorgenerals;
  andtheseaudiences,devotedtothespecialworkofeachministerandofeachdirector,lasteduntilsixo'clockintheevening,withtheexceptionofthosedaysonwhichhisMajestyoccupiedhimselfexclusivelywithgovernmentalaffairs,andpresidedoverthecouncilofstate,ortheministerialcouncils。
  AttheTuileriesandatSaint-Clouddinnerwasservedatsixo'clock;andtheEmperordinedeachdayalonewiththeEmpress,exceptonSunday,whenallthefamilywereadmittedtodinner。TheEmperor,Empress,andMadameMereonlywereseatedinarmchairs;allothers,whetherkingsorqueens,havingonlyordinarychairs。Therewasonlyonecoursebeforethedessert。HisMajestyusuallydrankChambertinwine,butrarelywithoutwater,andhardlymorethanonebottle。TodinewiththeEmperorwasratheranhonorthanapleasuretothosewhowereadmitted;foritwasnecessary,tousethecommonexpression,toswallowinposthaste,ashisMajestyneverremainedattablemorethanfifteenoreighteenminutes。
  Afterhisdinner,asafterbreakfast,theEmperorhabituallytookacupofcoffee,whichtheEmpresspouredout。UndertheConsulateMadameBonapartebeganthiscustom,becausetheGeneraloftenforgottotakehiscoffee;shecontinueditaftershebecameEmpress,andtheEmpressMarieLouiseretainedthesamecustom。
  AfterdinnertheEmpressdescendedtoherapartments,whereshefoundassembledherladiesandtheofficersonduty;andtheEmperorsometimesaccompaniedher,butremainedonlyashortwhile。SuchwasthecustomaryroutineoflifeinthepalaceattheTuileriesonthosedayswhentherewasneitherthechaseinthemorning,norconcertnortheaterintheevening;andthelifeatSaint-ClouddifferedlittlefromthatattheTuileries。Sometimesridesweretakenincoacheswhentheweatherpermitted;andonWednesday,thedaysetforthecouncilofministers,theseofficialswereinvariablyhonoredbyaninvitationtodinewiththeirMajesties。WhentherewasahuntatFontainebleau,Rambouillet,orCompiegne,theusualroutinewasomitted;theladiesfollowedincoaches,andthewholehouseholddinedwiththeEmperorandEmpressunderatenterectedintheforest。Itsometimeshappened,thoughrarely,thattheEmperorinvitedunexpectedlysomemembersofhisfamilytoremaintodinewithhim;andthisrecallsananecdotewhichshouldhaveaplaceinthisconnection。TheKingofNaplescameonedaytovisittheEmperor,andbeinginvitedtodine,accepted,forgettingthathewasinmorningdress,andtherewasbarelytimeforhimtochangehiscostume,andconsequentlynonetoreturntotheElysee,whichhetheninhabited。Thekingranquicklyuptomyroom,andinformedmeofhisembarrassment,whichI
  instantlyrelieved,tohisgreatdelight。Ihadatthattimeaveryhandsomewardrobe,almostallthearticlesofwhichwerethenentirelynew;soIgavehimashirt,vest,breeches,stockings,andshoes,andassistedhimtodress,andfortunatelyeverythingfittedasifithadbeenmadeespeciallyforhim。Heshowedtowardsmethesamekindnessandaffabilityhealwaysmanifested,andthankedmeinthemostcharmingmanner。IntheeveningtheKingofNaples,aftertakingleaveoftheEmperor,returnedtomyroomtoresumehismorningdress,andbeggedmetocometohimnextdayatthelaysee,whichIdidpunctuallyafterrelatingtotheEmperorallthathadoccurred,muchtohisamusement。
  OnmyarrivalattheElyseeIwasimmediatelyintroducedintotheking'sapartments,whorepeatedhisthanksinthemostgraciousmanner,andgavemeaprettyBreguetwatch——
  [AbrahamLouisBreguet,thecelebratedwatchmaker,wasbornatNeuchatel,1747;died1823。Hemadenumerousimprovementsinwatchesandinnauticalandastronomicalinstruments。]——
  DuringourcampaignsIsometimeshadoccasiontorenderlittleservicesofthesamenaturetotheKingofNaples;butthequestionwasnotthen,asatSaint-Cloud,oneofsilkstockings,formorethanonceonthebivouacIsharedwithhimabundleofstraw,whichIhadbeenfortunateenoughtoprocure。InsuchcasesImustavowthesacrificewasmuchgreateronmypartthanwhenIhadsharedmywardrobewithhim。Thekingwasnotbackwardinexpressinghisgratitude;andIthoughtitamostremarkablethingtoseeasovereign,whosepalacewasfilledwithallthatluxurycaninventtoaddtocomfort,andallthatartcancreatewhichissplendidandmagnificent,onlytoohappyinprocuringhalfofabundleofstrawonwhichtoresthishead。
  IwillnowgivesomefreshsouvenirswhichhavejustrecurredtomymindconcerningtheCourttheater。AtSaint-Cloud,inordertoreachthetheaterhall,itwasnecessarytocrossthewholelengthoftheOrangery;
  andnothingcouldbemoreelegantthanthemannerinwhichitwasdecoratedontheseoccasions。Rowsofrareplantswerearrangedintiers,andthewholelightedbylamps;andduringthewintertheboxeswerehiddenbycoveringthemwithmossandflowers,whichproducedacharmingeffectunderthelights。
  Theparterreofthetheaterwasusuallyfilledwithgenerals,senators,andcouncilorsofstate;thefirstboxeswerereservedfortheprincesandprincessesoftheimperialfamily,forforeignprinces,marshals,theirwives,andladiesofhonor。InthesecondtierwereplacedallpersonsattachedtotheCourt。Betweentheacts,icesandrefreshmentswereserved;buttheancientetiquettehadbeenre-establishedinoneparticular,whichgreatlydispleasedtheactors,——noapplausewasallowed;andTalmaoftentoldmethatthekindofcoldnessproducedbythissilencewasverydetrimentalatcertainpartswheretheactorfelttheneedofbeingenthused。Nevertheless,itsometimeshappenedthattheEmperor,intestimonyofhissatisfaction,madeaslightsignalwithhishand;andthenandalsoatthegrandestperiodsweheard,ifnotapplause,atleastaflatteringmurmurwhichthespectatorswerenotalwaysabletorepress。
  ThechiefcharmofthesebrilliantassemblieswasthepresenceoftheEmperor;andconsequentlyaninvitationtothetheaterofSaint-Cloudwasanhonormuchdesired。InthetimeoftheEmpressJosephinetherewerenorepresentationsatthepalaceintheabsenceoftheEmperor;butwhenMarieLouisewasaloneatSaint-CloudduringthecampaignofDresden,tworepresentationsaweekweregiven,andthewholerepertoireofGretrywasplayedinsuccessionbeforeherMajesty。Attheendofeachpiecetherewasalwaysalittleballet。
  ThetheaterofSaint-Cloudwas,sotospeak,onmorethanoneoccasionthetheateroffirstattempts。Forinstance,M。Raynouardplayedthereforthefirsttimethe'EtatsdeBlois',aworkwhichtheEmperorwouldnotallowtobeplayedinpublic,andwhichwasnotdone,infact,untilafterthereturnofLouisXVIII。
  'TheVenetians'byM。AmandalsomadeitsfirstappearanceonthetheaterofSaint-Cloud,orratherofMalmaison。Thiswasnothighlyconsideredatthetime;buttheinfalliblejudgmenttheEmperordisplayedinhischoiceofplaysandactorswasmostremarkable。HegenerallygaveM。
  Corvisartthepreferenceindecidingthesematters,onwhichhedescantedwithmuchcomplacencewhenhismoreweightyoccupationsallowed。HewasusuallylesssevereandmorejustthanGeoffroy;anditismuchtobedesiredthatthecriticismsandopinionsoftheEmperorconcerningauthorsandactorscouldhavebeenpreserved。Theywouldhavebeenofmuchbenefittotheprogressofart。
  InspeakingoftheretreatfromMoscow,IrelatedpreviouslyinmymemoirsthatIhadthegoodfortunetoofferaplaceinmycarriagetotheyoungPrinceofAremborg,andassistedhimincontinuinghisjourney。
  Irecallanotheroccasioninthelifeofthisprince,whenoneofmyfriendswasveryusefultohim,someparticularsofwhichmaynotbewithoutinterest。
  ThePrinceofAremberg,anordnanceofficeroftheEmperor,had,asweknow,marriedMademoiselleTascher,nieceoftheEmpressJosephine。
  HavingbeensentintoSpain,hewastheretakenbytheEnglish,andafterwardscarriedaprisonertoEngland。Hiscaptivitywasatfirstverydisagreeable;andhetoldmehimselfthathewasveryunhappy,untilhemadetheacquaintanceofoneofmyfriends,M。Herz,commissaryofwar,whopossessedafinemind,wasveryintelligent,spokeseverallanguages,andwas,liketheprince,aprisonerinEngland。TheacquaintanceformedatoncebetweentheprinceandM。Herzsoonbecamesointimatethattheywereconstantlytogether;andthuspassedthetimeashappilyasitcanwithonefarfromhisnativelandanddeprivedofhisliberty。
  Theywerelivingthus,amelioratingforeachothertheennuiofcaptivity,whenM。Herzwasexchanged,whichwas,perhaps,agreatmisfortuneforhim,asweshallafterwardssee。Atallevents,theprincewasdeeplydistressedatbeingleftalone;but,nevertheless,gaveM。Herzseveralletterstohisfamily,andatthesametimesenthismotherhismustache,whichhehadmountedinamedallionwithachain。
  OnedaythePrincessofArembergarrivedatSaintCloudanddemandedaprivateaudienceoftheEmperor。
  “Myson,“saidshe,“demandsyourMajesty'spermissiontoattempthisescapefromEngland。“——“Madame,“saidtheEmperor,“yourrequestismostembarrassing!Idonotforbidyourson,butIcanbynomeansauthorizehim。“
  ItwasatthetimeIhadthehonorofsavingthePrinceofAremberg'slifethatIlearnedfromhimtheseparticulars。AsformypoorfriendHerz,hislibertybecamefataltohim,owingtoaninexplicablesuccessionofevents。HavingbeensentbyMarshalAugereautoStralsundtoperformasecretmission,hediedthere,suffocatedbythefireofabrassstoveintheroominwhichheslept。Hissecretaryandhisservantnearlyfellvictimstothesameaccident;but,morefortunatethanhe,theirlivesweresaved。ThePrinceofArembergspoketomeofthedeathofM。Herzwithrealfeeling;anditwaseasytoseethat,princeashewasandalliedtotheEmperor,heentertainedamostsincerefriendshipforhiscompanionincaptivity。
  CHAPTER,XXXI。
  MILITARYANECDOTES。
  IhavecollectedunderthetitleofMilitaryAnecdotessomefactswhichcametomyknowledgewhileIaccompaniedtheEmperoronhiscampaigns,andtheauthenticityofwhichIguarantee。Imighthavescatteredthemthroughmymemoirs,andplacedthemintheirproperperiods;mynothavingdonesoisnotowingtoforgetfulnessonmypart,butbecauseI
  thoughtthattheseincidentswouldhaveanaddedinterestbybeingcollectedtogether,sinceinthemweseethedirectinfluenceoftheEmperoruponhissoldiers,andthuscanmoreeasilyformanexactideaofthemannerinwhichhisMajestytreatedthem,hisconsiderationforthem,andtheirattachmenttohisperson。
  Duringtheautumnof1804,betweenthetimeofthecreationoftheempireandthecoronationoftheEmperor,hisMajestymadeseveraljourneystothecampofBoulogne;andfromthisfactrumorsarosethattheexpeditionagainstEnglandwouldsoonsetsail。Inoneofhisfrequenttoursofinspection,theEmperor,stoppingonedayneartheendofthecampontheleft,spoketoacannoneerfromaguardship,andwhileconversingwithhim,askedhimseveralquestions,amongothers,thefollowing,“WhatisthoughthereoftheEmperor?“——“That'sacretondu'putsusoutofbreathassoonashearrives。Eachtimehecomeswehavenotamoment'sreposewhileheishere。ItmightbethoughthewasenragedagainstthosedogsofEnglishwhoarealwaysbeatingus,notmuchtoourowncredit。“
  “Youbelieveinglory,then?“saidtheEmperor。Thecannoneerthenlookedathimfixedly:“Somewhat,Ithink。Doyoudoubtit?“——“No,Idonotdoubtit,butmoney,doyoubelieveinthatalso?“——“Ah!what——Isee——doyoumeantoinsultme,youquestioner?Iknownootherinterestthanthatofthestate。“——“No,no,mybravesoldier;Idonotintendtoinsultyou,butIbetthatatwenty-francpiecewouldnotbedisagreeabletoyouindrinkingacuptomyhealth。“WhilespeakingthustheEmperorhaddrawnaNapoleonfromhispocket,whichhepresentedtothecannoneer,whereuponthelatterutteredashoutloudenoughtobeheardbythesentinelatthewestpostsomedistanceoff;andeventhrewhimselfontheEmperor,whomhetookforaspy,andwasabouttoseizehimbythethroatwhentheEmperorsuddenlyopenedhisgrayovercoatandrevealedhisidentity。Thesoldier'sastonishmentmaybeimagined!HeprostratedhimselfatthefeetoftheEmperor,overcomewithconfusionathismistake;butthelatter,extendinghishand,said,“Rise,mybravefellow,youhavedoneyourduty;butyouwillnotkeepyourword,Iamverysure;youwillacceptthispiece,anddrinktothehealthofthe'sacretondo',willyounot?“TheEmperorthencontinuedhisroundsasifnothinghadoccurred。
  Everyoneadmitsto-daythatnever,perhaps,hasanymanbeengiftedtothesamedegreeastheEmperorwiththeartofaddressingsoldiers。Heappreciatedthistalenthighlyinothers;butitwasnotfinephraseswhichpleasedhim,andaccordinglyheheldthatamaster-pieceofthiskindwastheveryshortharangueofGeneralVandammetothesoldiershecommandedthedayofthebattleofAusterlitz。WhendaybegantobreakGeneralVandammesaidtothetroops,“Mybravefellows!TherearetheRussians!Loadyourpieces,pickyourflints,putpowderinthepan,fixbayonets,readyand——forward!“IrememberonedaytheEmperorspokeofthisorationbeforeMarshalBerthier,wholaughedatit。“Thatislikeyou,“hesaid。“Well,alltheadvocatesofPariswouldnothavesaiditsowell;thesoldierunderstandsthis,andthatisthewaybattlesarewon。“
  WhenafterthefirstcampaignofVienna,sohappilyterminatedbythepeaceofPresburg,theEmperorwasreturningtoParis,manycomplaintsreachedhimagainsttheexactionsofcertaingenerals,notablyGeneralVandamme。Complaintwasmade,amongstothergrievances,thatinthelittlevillageofLantzathisgeneralhadallowedhimselffivehundredflorinsperday,thatistosay,elevenhundredandtwenty-fivefrancs,simplyforthedailyexpensesofhistable。ItwasonthisoccasiontheEmperorsaidofhim:“Pillageslikeamadman,butbraveasCaesar。“
  Nevertheless,theEmperor,indignantatsuchexactions,anddeterminedtoputanendtothem,summonedthegeneraltoParistoreprimandhim;butthelatter,assoonasheenteredtheEmperor'spresence,begantospeakbeforehisMajestyhadtimetoaddresshim,saying,“Sire,Iknowwhyyouhavesummonedme;butasyouknowmydevotionandmybraveryItrustyouwillexcusesomeslightaltercationsastothefurnishingofmytable,matterstoopetty,atanyrate,tooccupyyourMajesty。“TheEmperorsmiledattheoratoricalskillfulnessofGeneralVandamme,andcontentedhimselfwithsaying,“Well,well!saynomore,butbemorecircumspectinfuture。“
  GeneralVandamme,happytohaveescapedwithsogentleanadmonition,returnedtoLantzatoresumehiscommand。Hewasindeedmorecircumspectthaninthepast;buthefoundandseizedtheoccasiontorevengehimselfonthetownforthecompulsoryself-denialtheEmperorhadimposedonhim。OnhisarrivalhefoundinthesuburbsalargenumberofrecruitswhohadcomefromParisinhisabsence;anditoccurredtohimtomakethemallenterthetown,allegingthatitwasindispensabletheyshouldbedrilledunderhisowneyes。Thiswasanenormousexpensetothetown,whichwouldhavebeenverywillingtorecallitscomplaints,andcontinuehisexpensesattherateoffivehundredflorinsperday。
  TheEmperordoesnotfigureinthefollowinganecdote。Iwillrelateit,however,asagoodinstanceofthemannersandtheastutenessofoursoldiersonthecampaign。
  Duringtheyear1806,apartofourtroopshavingtheirquartersinBavaria,asoldierofthefourthregimentoftheline,namedVarengo,waslodgedatIndersdorffwithajoiner。Varengowishedtocompelhishosttopayhimtwoflorins,orfourlivrestensous,perdayforhispleasures。Hehadnorighttoexactthis。Tosucceedinmakingittohisinteresttocomplyhesethimselftomakeacontinualracketinthehouse。Thepoorcarpenter,notbeingabletoendureitlonger,resolvedtocomplain,butthoughtitprudentnottocarryhiscomplaintstotheofficersofthecompanyinwhichVarengoserved。Heknewbyhisownexperience,atleastbythatofhisneighbors,thatthesegentlemenwerebynomeansaccessibletocomplaintsofthiskind。Hedecidedtoaddresshimselftothegeneralcommanding,andsetoutontheroadtoAugsburg,thechiefplaceofthearrondissement。
  Onhisarrivalatthebureauofthetown,hewasmetbythegeneral,andbegantosubmittohimanaccountofhismisfortunes;butunfortunatelythegeneraldidnotknowtheGermanlanguage,sohesentforhisinterpreter,toldthecarpentertoexplainhimself,andinquiredofwhathecomplained。Now,thegeneral'sinterpretingsecretarywasaquartermasterwhohadbeenattachedtothegeneral'sstaffsincethePeaceofPresburg,andhappenedtobe,asluckwouldhaveit,thefirstcousinofthisVarengoagainstwhomthecomplaintwasmade。Withouthesitationthequartermaster,assoonasheheardhiscousin'sname,gaveanentirelyincorrecttranslationofthereport,assuringthegeneralthatthispeasant,althoughinverycomfortablecircumstances,disobeyedtheorderoftheday,inrefusingtofurnishfreshmeatforthebravesoldierwholodgedwithhim;andthiswastheoriginofthedisagreementonwhichthecomplaintwasbased,noothermotivebeingallegedfordemandingachange。Thegeneralwasmuchirritated,andgaveorderstohissecretarytorequirethepeasant,underseverepenalties,tofurnishfreshmeatforhisguest。Theorderwaswritten;butinsteadofsubmittingittothesupervisionofthegeneral,theinterpretingsecretarywroteoutatlengththatthecarpentershouldpaytwoflorinsperdaytoVarengo。Thepoorfellow,havingreadthisinGerman,couldnotrestrainamovementofanger,seeingwhich,thegeneral,thinkinghehadresistedtheorder,orderedhimout,threateninghimwithhisriding-
  whip。Thus,thankstohiscousin,theinterpreter,Varengoregularlyreceivedtwoflorinsperday,whichenabledhimtobeoneofthejolliestsoldiersinhiscompany。
  TheEmperordidnotlikeduelling。Heoftenpretendedtobeignorantofduels;butwhenhehadtoadmithisknowledgeofone,loudlyexpressedhisdissatisfaction。IrecallinthisconnectiontwoorthreecircumstanceswhichIshallattempttorelate。
  AshorttimeafterthefoundationoftheEmpire,adueloccurred,whichcreatedmuchstirinParis,onaccountoftherankofthetwoadversaries。TheEmperorhadjustauthorizedtheformationofthefirstforeignregimentwhichhewishedtoadmitintotheserviceofFrance,——
  theregimentofAremberg。Notwithstandingthetitleofthiscorps,mostoftheofficerswhowereadmittedwereFrench;andthiswasagoodopening,discreetlymade,forrichandtitledyoungmen,who,inpurchasingcompaniesbytheauthorityoftheministerofwar,couldthuspassmorerapidlythroughthefirstgrades。AmongtheofficersoftheArembergregiment,wereM。CharlesdeSainte-Croix,whohadrecentlyservedintheministryofforeignaffairs,andacharmingyoungmanwhomIsawoftenatMalmaison,M。deMariolles,whowasnearlyrelatedtotheEmpressJosephine。Itseemsthatthesamepositionhadbeenpromisedboth,andtheyresolvedtosettlethedisputebyprivatecombat。M。deMariollesfell,anddiedonthespot,andhisdeathcreatedconsternationamongtheladiesofthesalonatMalmaison。
  HisfamilyandrelationsunitedinmakingcomplainttotheEmperor,whowasveryindignant,andspokeofsendingM。deSainte-CroixtotheTempleprisonandhavinghimtriedformurder。Heprudentlyconcealedhimselfduringthefirstoutburstoverthisaffair;andthepolice,whowereputonhistrack,wouldhavehadmuchdifficultyinfindinghim,ashewasespeciallyprotectedbyM。Fouche,whohadrecentlyre-enteredtheministry,andwasintimatelyconnectedwithhismother,MadamedeSainte-
  Croix。EverythingendedwiththethreatsofhisMajesty;sinceM。Fouchehadremarkedtohimthatbysuchunaccustomedseveritythemalevolentwouldnotfailtosaythathewasperforminglessanactofsovereigntythanoneofpersonalvengeance,asthevictimhadthehonorofbeingconnectedwithhimself。
  Theaffairwasthussufferedtodrop;andIamherestruckwiththemannerinwhichonerecollectionleadsontoanother,forIrememberthatinprocessoftimetheEmperorbecamemuchattachedtoM。deSainte-
  Croix,whoseadvancementinthearmywasbothbrilliantandrapid;since,althoughheenteredtheservicewhentwenty-twoyearsofage,hewasonlytwenty-eightwhenhewaskilledinSpain,beingalreadythengeneralofdivision。IoftensawM。deSainte-CroixattheEmperor'sheadquarters。
  IthinkIseehimstill,small,delicate,withanattractivecountenance,andverylittlebeard。Hemighthavebeentakenforayoungwoman,ratherthanthebraveyoungsoldierhewas;and,infact,hisfeaturesweresodelicate,hischeekssorosy,hisblondhaircurledinsuchnaturalringlets,thatwhentheEmperorwasinagoodhumorhecalledhimnothingbutMademoiselledeSainte-Croix!
  AnothercircumstancewhichIshouldnotomitisaduelwhichtookplaceatBurgos,in1808,betweenGeneralFranceschi,aide-de-camptoKingJoseph,andColonelFilangieri,colonelofhisguard,bothofwhomwereequerriesofhisMajesty。ThesubjectofthequarrelwasalmostthesameasthatbetweenM。deMariollesanddeSainte-Croix;sincebothdisputedforthepositionoffirstequerrytoKingJoseph,bothmaintainingthatithadbeenpromisedthem。
  WehadhardlybeeninthepalaceofBurgosfiveminuteswhentheEmperorwasinformedofthisduel,whichhadtakenplacealmostunderthewallsofthepalaceitself,andonlyafewhoursbefore。TheEmperorlearnedatthesametimethatGeneralFranceschihadbeenkilled,andonaccountofthedifferenceintheirrank,inordernottocompromisemilitaryetiquette,theyhadfoughtintheiruniformsofequerry。TheEmperorwasstruckwiththefactthatthefirstnewshereceivedwasbadnews;andwithhisideasoffatality,thisreallyexcitedagreatinfluenceoverhim。HegaveorderstohaveColonelFilangierifoundandbroughttohim,andhecameinafewmoments。Ididnotseehim,asIwasinanotherapartment;buttheEmperorspoketohiminsoloudandsharpatonethatIhearddistinctlyallhesaid。“Duels!duels!alwaysduels!“criedtheEmperor。“Iwillnotallowit。Iwillpunishit!YouknowhowI
  abhorthem!“——“Sire,havemetriedifyouwill,buthearme。“——“Whatcanyouhavetosaytome,youcraterofVesuvius?IhavealreadypardonedyouraffairwithSaintSimon;Iwillnotdothelikeagain。Moreover,I
  cannot,attheverybeginningofthecampaign,whenallshouldbethoroughlyunited!Itproducesamostunfortunateeffect!“HeretheEmperorkeptsilenceamoment;thenheresumed,althoughinasomewhatsharpertone:“Yes!youhaveaheadofVesuvius。SeewhatafineconditionofaffairsIarriveandfindbloodinmypalace!“Afteranotherpause,andinasomewhatcalmertone:“Seewhatyouhavedone!
  Josephneedsgoodofficers;andhereyouhavedeprivedhimoftwobyasingleblow,——Franceschi,whomyouhavekilled,andyourself,whocannolongerremaininhisservice。“HeretheEmperorwassilentforsomemoments,andthenadded:“Nowretire,leave!GiveyourselfupasaprisoneratthecitadelofTurin。Thereawaitmyorders,orratherplaceyourselfinMurat'shands;hewillknowwhattodowithyou;healsohasVesuviusinhishead,andhewillgiveyouawarmwelcome。Nowtakeyourselfoffatonce。“
  ColonelFilangierineedednourging,Ithink,tohastentheexecutionoftheEmperor'sorders。Idonotknowtheconclusionofthusadventure;
  butIdoknowthattheaffairaffectedhisMajestydeeply,forthateveningwhenIwasundressinghimherepeatedseveraltimes,“Duels!
  Whatadisgracefulthing!Itisthekindofcouragecannibalshave!“
  If,moreover;theEmperor'sangerwassoftenedonthisoccasion,itwasonaccountofhisaffectionforyoungFilangieri;atfirstonaccountofhisfather,whomtheEmperorhighlyesteemed,andalso,becausetheyoungmanhavingbeeneducatedathisexpense,attheFrenchPrytanee,heregardedhimasoneofhischildrenbyadoption,especiallysinceheknewthatM。Filangieri,godsonofthequeenofNaples,hadrefusedaregiment,whichthelatterhadofferedhimwhilehewasstillonlyasimplelieutenantintheConsularGuard,andfurther,becausehehadnotconsentedtobecomeaNeapolitanagainuntilaFrenchprincehadbeencalledtothethroneofNaples。
  WhatremainstobesaidonthesubjectofduelsundertheEmpire,andtheEmperor'sconductregardingthemwhichcametomyknowledge,somewhatresemblesthelittlepiecewhichisplayedonthetheaterafteratragedy。IwillnowrelatehowithappenedthattheEmperorhimselfplayedtheroleofpeacemakerbetweentwosub-officerswhowereenamoredofthesamebeauty。
  WhentheFrencharmyoccupiedVienna,sometimeafterthebattleofAusterlitz,twosub-officersbelongingtotheforty-sixthandfiftiethregimentsoftheline,havinghadadispute,determinedtofightaduel,andchosefortheplaceofcombataspotsituatedattheextremityofaplainwhichadjoinedthepalaceofSchoenbrunn,theEmperor'splaceofresidence。Ourtwochampionshadalreadyunsheathedandexchangedblowswiththeirshortswords,whichhappilyeachhadwardedoff,whentheEmperorhappenedtopassnearthem,accompaniedbyseveralgenerals。
  TheirstupefactionatthesightoftheEmperormaybeimagined。Theirarmsfell,sotospeak;fromtheirhands。
  TheEmperorinquiredthecauseoftheirquarrel,andlearnedthatawomanwhograntedherfavorstobothwastherealmotive,eachofthemdesiringtohavenorival。
  ThesetwochampionsfoundbychancethattheywereknowntooneofthegeneralswhoaccompaniedhisMajesty,andinformedhimthattheyweretwobravesoldiersofMarengoandAusterlitz,belongingtosuchandsuchregiments,whosenameshadalreadybeenputonthelistfortheCrossofHonor;whereupontheEmperoraddressedthemafterthisstyle:“Mychildren,womaniscapricious,asfortuneisalso;andsinceyouaresoldiersofMarengoandAusterlitz,youneedtogivenonewproofsofyourcourage。Returntoyourcorps,andbefriendshenceforth,likegoodknights。“Thesetwosoldierslostalldesiretofight,andsoonperceivedthattheiraugustpeacemakerhadnotforgottenthem,astheypromptlyreceivedtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor。
  InthebeginningofthecampaignofTilsit,theEmperor,beingatBerlin,onedaytookafancytomakeanexcursiononfoottothequarterwhereoursoldiersinthepublichousesindulgedinthepleasuresofthedance。
  Hesawaquartermasterofthecavalryofhisguardwalkingwithacoarse,rotundGermanwoman,andamusedhimselflisteningtothegallantremarksmadebythisquartermastertohisbeautifulcompanion。“Letusenjoyourselves,mydear,“saidhe;“itisthe'tondu'whopaysthemusicianswiththe'kriches'ofyoursovereign。Letustakeourowngait;longlivejoy!andforward“——“Notsofast,“saidtheEmperor,approachinghim。“Certainlyitmustalwaysbeforward,butwaittillIsoundthecharge。“ThequartermasterturnedandrecognizedtheEmperor,and,withoutbeingatalldisconcerted,puthishandtohisshako,andsaid,“Thatisuselesstrouble。YourMajestydoesnotneedtobeatadrumtomakeusmove。“ThisreparteemadetheEmperorsmile,andsoonaftergainedepauletsforthesub-officer,whoperhapsmighthavewaitedalongwhileexceptforthisfancyofhisMajesty。But,atallevents,ifchancesometimescontributedthustothegivingofrewards,theywerenevergivenuntilafterhehadascertainedthatthoseonwhomhebestowedthemwereworthy。
  AtEylauprovisionsfailed;foraweek,thebreadsupplybeingexhausted,thesoldiersfedthemselvesastheycould。Theeveningbeforethefirstattack,theEmperor,whowishedtoexamineeverythinghimself,madeatourofthebivouacs,andreachingonewhereallthemenwereasleep,sawsomepotatoescooking,tookafancytoeatthem,andundertooktodrawthemoutofthefirewiththepointofhissword。Instantlyasoldierawoke,andseeingsomeoneusurpingpartofhissupper,“Isay,youarenotveryceremonious,eatingourpotatoes!“——“Mycomrade,Iamsohungrythatyoumustexcuseme。“——“Well,takeoneortwothen,ifthatisthecase;butgetoff。“ButastheEmperormadenohasteingettingoff,thesoldierinsistedmorestrongly,andsoonaheateddiscussionarosebetweenhimandtheEmperor。Fromwordstheywereabouttocometoblows,whentheEmperorthoughtitwastimetomakehimselfknown。Thesoldier'sconfusionwasindescribable。HehadalmoststrucktheEmperor。
  HethrewhimselfathisMajesty'sfeet,begginghispardon,whichwasmostreadilygranted。“ItwasIwhowasinthewrong,“saidtheEmperor;
  “Iwasobstinate。Ibearyounoillwill;riseandletyourmindbeatrest,bothnowandinthefuture。“
  TheEmperor,havingmadeinquiriesconcerningthissoldier,learnedthat-
  hewasagoodfellow,andnotunintelligent。Onthenextpromotionhewasmadesub-lieutenant。Itisimpossibletogiveanideaoftheeffectofsuchoccurrencesonthearmy。Theywereaconstantsubjectofconversationwiththesoldiers,andstimulatedtheminexpressibly。Theonewhoenjoyedthegreatestdistinctioninhiscompanywasheofwhomitcouldbesaid:“TheEmperorhasspokentohim。“
  AtthebattleofEsslingthebraveGeneralDaleim,commandingadivisionofthefourthcorps,foundhimselfduringthehottestpartoftheactionataspotsweptbytheenemy'sartillery。TheEmperor,passingnearhim,said:“Itiswarminyourlocality!“——“Yes,Sire;permitmetoextinguishthefire。“——“Go。“Thisonewordsufficed;inthetwinklingofaneyetheterriblebatterywastaken。IntheeveningtheEmperor,seeingGeneralDaleim,approachedhim,andsaid,“Itseemsyouonlyhadtoblowonit。“
  HisMajestyalludedGeneralDaleim'shabitofincessantwhistling。
  AmongthebravegeneralofficersaroundtheEmperor,afewwerenothighlyeducated,thoughtheirotherfinequalitiesrecommendedthem;somewerecelebratedforotherreasonsthantheirmilitarymerit。ThusGeneralJunotandGeneralFournierwereknownasthebestpistolshots;
  GeneralLasellettewasfamousforhisloveofmusic,whichheindulgedtosuchanextentastohaveapianoalwaysinoneofhisbaggagewagons。
  Thisgeneraldrankonlywater;but,onthecontrary,itwasverydifferentwithGeneralBisson。Whohasnotheardofthehardestdrinkerinallthearmy?OnedaytheEmperor,meetinghimatBerlin,saidtohim,“Well,Bisson,doyoustilldrinkmuch?“——“Moderately,Sire;notmorethantwenty-fivebottles。“Thiswas,infact,agreatimprovement,forhehadmorethanoncereachedthenumberoffortywithoutbeingmadetipsy。Moreover,withGeneralBissonitwasnotavice,butanimperiousneed。TheEmperorknowingthis,andbeingmuchattachedtohim,allowedhimapensionoftwelvethousandfrancsoutofhisprivypurse,andgavehimbesidesfrequentpresents。
  Amongtheofficerswhowerenotverywelleducated,wemaybepermittedtomentionGeneralGros;andthemannerinwhichhewaspromotedtothegradeofgeneralprovesthisfact。Buthisbraverywasequaltoeveryproof,andhewasasuperbspecimenofmasculinebeauty。Thepenalonewasanunaccustomedweapontohim,andhecouldhardlyuseittosignhisname;anditwassaidthathewasnotmuchmoreproficientinreading。
  Beingcoloneloftheguard,hefoundhimselfonedayaloneattheTuileriesinanapartmentwherehewaiteduntiltheEmperorcouldbeseen。Therehedelightedhimselfwithobservinghisimagereflectedintheglass,andreadjustinghiscravat;andtheadmirationhefeltathisownimageledhimtoconversealoudwithhimselforratherwithhisreflection。“Ah!“saidhe,“ifyouonlyknew'bachebachiques'
  mathematics,suchamanasyou,withasoldier'sheartlikeyours,ah!
  theEmperorwouldmakeyouageneral!“——“Youareone,“saidtheEmperor,strikinghimontheshoulder。HisMajestyhadenteredthesaloonwithoutbeingheard,andhadamusedhimselfwithlisteningtotheconversationColonelGroshadcarriedonwithhimself。Suchwerethecircumstancesofhispromotiontotherankofgeneral,andwhatismoretobeageneralintheguard。
  Ihavenowarrivedattheendofmylistofmilitaryanecdotes。Ihavejustspokenofageneral'spromotion,andwillclosewiththestoryofasimpledrummer,butadrummerrenownedthroughoutthearmyasaperfectbuffoon,infact,thefamousRata,towhomGeneralGros,asweshallsee;
  wasdeeplyattached。
  ThearmymarchedonLintzduringthecampaignof1809。Rata,drummerofthegrenadiersofthefourthregimentoftheline,andfamousasabuffoon,havinglearnedthattheguardwastopass,andthatitwascommandedbyGeneralGros;desiredtoseethisofficerwhohadbeenhischiefofbattalion,andwithwhomhehadformerlytakenallsortsofliberties。Ratathereuponwagedhismustache,andwenttosalutethegeneral,addressinghimthus:“Ah,hereyouare,General。Howareyou?“——
  “Verywell,indeed,Rata;andyou?“——“Alwayswell,butnotsowellasyou,itseemstome。Sinceyouaredoingsoverywell,younolongerthinkofpoorRata;forifhedidnotcometoseeyou,youwouldnoteventhinkofsendinghimafewsoustobuytobacco。“Whilesaying,“Youdosowell,“RatahadquicklyseizedGeneralGrosshat,andputit,onhisheadinplaceofhisown。AtthismomenttheEmperorpassed,andseeingadrummerwearingthehatofageneralofhisguard,hecouldhardlybelievehiseyes。Hespurreduphishorse,andinquiredthecause。
  GeneralGrosthensaid,laughing,andinthefrankspeechhesooftenusedeventotheEmperor,“Itisabravesoldierfrommyoldbattalion,accustomedtoplayprankstoamusehiscomrades。Heisabravefellow,Sire,andeveryinchaman,andIrecommendhimtoyourMajesty。
  Moreover,Sire,hecanhimselfdomorethanawholeparkofartillery。
  Come,Rata,giveusabroadside,andnoquarter。“TheEmperorlistened,andobservedalmoststupefiedwhatwaspassingunderhisveryeyes,whenRata,innowiseintimidatedbythepresenceoftheEmperor,preparedtoexecutethegeneral'sorder;then,stickinghisfingerinhismouth,hemadeanoiselikefirstthewhistlingandthentheburstingofashell。
  TheimitationwassoperfectthattheEmperorwascompelledtolaugh,andturningtoGeneralGros,said,“Come,takethismanthisveryeveningintotheguard,andremindmeofhimonthenextoccasion。“InashortwhileRatahadthecross,whichthosewhothrewrealshellsattheenemyoftenhadnot;solargelydoescapriceenterintothedestinyofmen!
  L'ENVOI。
  BYTHEEDITOROFTHEFRENCHEDITIONOF1830。
  Thelifeofanyonewhohasplayedadistinguishedpartoffersmanypointsofview,thenumberofwhichincreasesinproportiontotheinfluencehehaswieldeduponthemovementofevents。ThishasbeengreaterinthecaseofNapoleonthanofanyotherpersonageinhistory。
  Theproductofaneraofconvulsions,inallofwhosechangeshetookpart,andwhichheatlastclosedbysubjectingallideasunderarule,whichatonetimepromisedtobelasting,he,likeCatiline,requiresaSallust;likeCharlemagne,anEginhard;andlikeAlexander,aQuintusCurtius。M。deBourriennehas,indeed,afterthemannerofCommines,shownhimtousundisguisedinhispoliticalmanipulationsandintheprivatelifeofhisCourt。Thisisagreatsteptowardsaknowledgeofhisindividuality,butitisnotenough。Itisinathoroughacquaintancewithhisprivatelifethatthisdisillusionedagewillfindthesecretspringsofthedramaofhismarvelouscareer。ThegreatmenofformerageswereveiledfromusbyacloudofprejudicewhicheventhegoodsenseofPlutarchscarcelypenetrated。Ourage,moreanalyticalandfreerfromillusions,inthegreatmanseekstofindtheindividual。Itisbythissearchingtestthatthepresentputsasideallillusions,andthatthefuturewillseektojustifyitsjudgments。Inthecouncilofstate,thestatesmanisinhisrobe,onthebattlefieldthewarriorisbeneathhisarmor,butinhisbedchamber,inhisundress,wefindtheman。
  Ithasbeensaidthatnomanis,aherotohisvalet。Itwouldgivewidelatitudetoawittyremark,whichhasbecomeproverbial,tomakeittheepigraphofthesememoirs。Thevaletofaherobythatveryfactissomethingmorethanavalet。Amberisonlyearth,andBolognastoneonlyapieceofrock;butthefirstgivesouttheperfumeoftherose,andtheotherflashestheraysofthesun。Thecharacterofawitnessisdignifiedbythesolemnityofthesceneandthegreatnessoftheactor。
  EvenbeforereadingthemanuscriptofM。Constant,wewerestronglypersuadedthatimpressionssounusualandsostrikingwouldraisehimtotheleveloftheoccasion。
  Thereadercannowjudgeofthisforhimself。ThesearethememoirsofM。Constant,——autographicmemoirsofonestillliving,whohaswrittenthemtopreservehisrecollections。Itistheprivatehistory,thefamiliarlife,theleisuremoments,passedinundress,ofNapoleon,whichwenowpresenttothepublic。ItisNapoleontakenwithoutamask,deprivedofhisgeneral'ssword,theconsularpurple,theimperialcrown,——Napoleonrestingfromcouncilandfrombattle,forgetfulofpowerandofconquest,Napoleonunbendinghimself,goingtobed,sleepingtheslumberofacommonman,asiftheworlddidnothanguponhisdreams。
  Thesearestrikingfacts,sonaturalandofsuchsimplicity,thatthoughabiasedjudgmentmay,perhaps,exaggeratetheircharacter,andamplifytheirimportance,theywillfurnishtoanimpartialandreflectivemindawealthofevidencefarsuperiortothevainspeculationsoftheimaginationortheprejudicedjudgmentsofpoliticalparties。
  Inthislighttheauthorofthesememoirsisnotanauthor,butsimplyanarrator,whohasseenmorecloselyandintimatelythananyoneelsetheMasteroftheWest,whowasforfifteenyearshismasteralso;andwhathehaswrittenhehasseenwithhisowneyes。
  End