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