ThenewKingofanewkingdomenteredFlorenceonthe12thofApril1801;
butthereceptiongivenhimbytheTuscanswasnotatallsimilartowhathehadexperiencedatParis.ThepeoplereceivedtheroyalpairassovereignsimposedonthembyFrance.TheephemeralkingdomofEtrurialastedscarcelysixyears.TheKingdiedin1803，intheflowerofhisage，andin1807theQueenwasexpelledfromherthronebyhimwhohadconstructeditforher.
AtthisperiodapowerfulpartyurgedBonapartetobreakwiththePope，andtoestablishaGallicanChurch，theheadofwhichshouldresideinFrance.TheythoughttoflatterhisambitionbyindicatingtohimanewsourceofpowerwhichmightestablishapointofcomparisonbetweenhimandthefirstRomanemperors.Buthisideasdidnotcoincidewiththeirsonthissubject."Iamconvinced，"saidhe，"thatapartofFrancewouldbecomeProtestant，especiallyifIweretofavourthatdisposition.
IamalsocertainthatthemuchgreaterportionwouldremainCatholic，andwouldoppose，withthegreatestzealandfervour，theschismofapartoftheirfellow—citizens.Idreadthereligiousquarrels，thefamilydissensions，andthepublicdistractions，whichsuchastateofthingswouldinevitablyoccasion.In，revivingareligionwhichhasalwaysprevailedinthecountry，andwhichstillprevailsintheheartsofthepeople，andingivingthelibertyofexercisingtheirworshiptotheminority，Ishallsatisfyeveryone."
TheFirstConsul，takingasuperiorviewofthestateofFrance，consideredthatthere—establishmentofreligiousworshipwouldproveapowerfulsupporttohisGovernment：andhehadbeenoccupiedeversincethecommencementof1801inpreparingaConcordatwiththePope.ItwassignedinthemonthofJulyinthesameyear.Itrequiredsometimetoenablethepartiestocometoanunderstandingonthesubject.
CardinalConsalviarrived，inthemonthofJune1801，atParis，toarrangemattersonthepartofthePope.CardinalCapraraandM.deSpinaalsoformedpartoftheembassysentbytheHolyFather.Therewere，besides，severalabletheologians，amongwhomDoctorC————wasdistinguished.
——[The"DoctorC————"wasCaselti，laterArchbishopofParma.BonierwasgreentheBishopricofOrleans，notVersailles;seeErreurs，tomei，p.276.ThedetailsofthesurpriseattemptedatthelastmomentbyputtingbeforeCardinalConsalviforhissignatureanalteredcopyoftheConcordatshouldbereadinhisMemoirs（tomei.
p.355），orinLanfrey（tomeii.p.267）.AsforNapoleon’sbeliefthatpartofthenationmightbecomeProtestant，NarbonneprobablyputthemattertrulywhenhesaidtherewasnotreligionenoughinFrancetostandadivision.ItshouldbenotedthattheConcordatdidnotsomuchrestoretheCatholicChurchasdestroytheoldGallicanChurch，withallitsliberties，whichmightannoyeitherPopeorEmperor.ButonthispointseeTheGallicanChurchandtheRevolution，byJervis：London，BeganPaul，TrenchandCo.，1882.Theclergymay，itistrue，haveshownwisdominaccedingtoanytermsofrestoration.
HewasamemberofthePope’schancery;hisknowledgegavehimsomuchinfluenceoverhiscolleaguesthataffairsadvancedonlyasmuchashepleased.However，hewasgainedoverbyhonoursconferredonhim，andpromisesofmoney.Businessthenwentonalittlequicker.TheConcordatwassignedonthe15thofJuly1801，andmadealawoftheStateinthefollowingApril.TheplenipotentiariesonthepartofBonapartewereJosephBonaparte，Cretet，andtheAbbyBernier，afterwardsBishopofVersailles.——[OrleansnotVersailles.D.W.]
AsolemnTeDeumwaschantedatthecathedralofNotreDameonSunday，the11thofApril.Thecrowdwasimmense，andthegreaterpartofthosepresentstoodduringtheceremony，whichwassplendidintheextreme;
butwhowouldpresumetosaythatthegeneralfeelingwasinharmonywithallthispomp？Was，then，thetimeforthisinnovationnotyetarrived？
Wasittooabruptatransitionfromthehabitsofthetwelveprecedingyears？Itisunquestionablytruethatagreatnumberofthepersonspresentattheceremonyexpressed，intheircountenancesandgestures，ratherafeelingofimpatienceanddispleasurethanofsatisfactionorofreverencefortheplaceinwhichtheywere.Hereandtheremurmursaroseexpressiveofdiscontent.Thewhispering，whichImightmoreproperlycallopenconversation，ofteninterruptedthedivineservice，andsometimesobservationsweremadewhichwerefarfrombeingmoderate.
Somewouldturntheirheadsasideonpurposetotakeabitofchocolate—
cake，andbiscuitswereopenlyeatenbymanywhoseemedtopaynoattentiontowhatwaspassing.
TheConsularCourtwasingeneralextremelyirreligious;norcoulditbeexpectedtobeotherwise，beingcomposedchieflyofthosewhohadassistedintheannihilationofallreligiousworshipinFrance，andofmenwho，havingpassedtheirlivesincamps，hadoftenerenteredachurchinItalytocarryoffapaintingthantoheartheMass.Thosewho，withoutbeingimbuedwithanyreligiousideas，possessedthatgoodsensewhichinducesmentopayrespecttothebeliefofothers，thoughitbeoneinwhichtheydonotparticipate，didnotblametheFirstConsulforhisconduct，andconductedthemselveswithsomeregardtodecency.ButontheroadfromtheTuileriestoNotreDame，LannesandAugereauwantedtoalightfromthecarriageassoonastheysawthattheywarebeingdriventoMass，anditrequiredanorderfromtheFirstConsultopreventtheirdoingso.TheywentthereforetoNotreDame，andthenextdayBonaparteaskedAugereauwhathethoughtoftheceremony."Oh！itwasallveryfine，"repliedtheGeneral;"therewasnothingwanting，exceptthemillionofmenwhohaveperishedinthepullingdownofwhatyouaresettingup."Bonapartewasmuchdispleasedatthisremark.
——[ThisremarkhasbeenattributedelsewheretoGeneralDelmas.
Accordingtoagentlemanwhoplayedapartinthisemptypageantry，Lannesatonemomentdidgetoutofthecarriage，andAugereankeptswearinginnolowwhisperduringthewholeofthechantedMass.
MostofthemilitarychiefswhosprangoutoftheRevolutionhadnoreligionatall，butthereweresomewhowereProtestants，andwhowereirritatedbytherestorationofCatholicismasthenationalfaith.——Editorof1896edition.]——
DuringthenegotiationswiththeHolyFatherBonaparteonedaysaidtome，"IneverycountryreligionisusefultotheGovernment，andthosewhogovernoughttoavailthemselvesofittoinfluencemankind.IwasaMahometaninEgypt;IamaCatholicinFrance.Withrelationtothepoliceofthereligionofastate，itshouldbeentirelyinthehandsofthesovereign.ManypersonshaveurgedmetofoundaGallicanChurch，andmakemyselfitshead;buttheydonotknowFrance.Iftheydid，theywouldknowthatthemajorityofthepeoplewouldnotlikearupturewithRome.BeforeIcanresolveonsuchameasurethePopemustpushmatterstoanextremity;butIbelievehewillnotdoso."——"Youareright，General，andyourecalltomymemorywhatCardinalConsalvisaid：
’ThePopewilldoalltheFirstConsuldesires.’"——"Thatisthebestcourseforhim.Lethimnotsupposethathehastodowithanidiot.
Whatdoyouthinkisthepointhisnegotiationsputmostforward？Thesalvationofmysoul！Butwithmeimmortalityistherecollectiononeleavesinthememoryofman.Thatideapromptstogreatactions.Itwouldbebetterforamannevertohavelivedthantoleavebehindhimnotracesofhisexistence."
ManyendeavoursweremadetopersuadetheFirstConsultoperforminpublicthedutiesimposedbytheCatholicreligion.Aninfluentialexample，itwasurged，wasrequired.Hetoldmeoncethathehadputanendtothatrequestbythefollowingdeclaration："Enoughofthis.
Askmenomore.Youwillnotobtainyourobject.Youshallnevermakeahypocriteofme.Letusremainwhereweare."
IhavereadinaworkremarkableonmanyaccountsthatitwasontheoccasionoftheConcordatofthe15thJuly1801thattheFirstConsulabolishedtherepublicancalendarandreestablishedtheGregorian.Thisisanerror.Hedidnotmakethecalendarareligiousaffair.The’Senatus—consulte’，whichrestoredtheuseoftheGregoriancalendar，tocommenceintheFrenchEmpirefromthe11thNivose，yearXIV.（1stJanuary1806），wasadoptedonthe22dFructidor，yearXIII.（9thSeptember1805），morethanfouryearsaftertheConcordat.There—
establishmentoftheancientcalendarhadnootherobjectthantobringusintoharmonywiththerestofEuropeonapointsocloselyconnectedwithdailytransactions，whichweremuchembarrassedbythedecadarycalendar.
Bonaparteatlength，however，consentedtohearMass，andSt.Cloudwastheplacewherethisancientusagewasfirstre—established.Hedirectedtheceremonytocommencesoonerthanthehourannouncedinorderthatthosewhowouldonlymakeascoffatitmightnotarriveuntiltheservicewasended.
WhenevertheFirstConsuldeterminedtohearMasspubliclyonSundaysinthechapelofthePalaceasmallaltarwaspreparedinaroomnearhiscabinetofbusiness.ThisroomhadbeenAnneofAustria’soratory.
Asmallportablealtar，placedonaplatformonestephigh，restoredittoitsoriginaldestination.Duringtherestoftheweekthischapelwasusedasabathing—room.OnSundaythedoorofcommunicationwasopened，andweheardMasssittinginourcabinetofbusiness.Thenumberofpersonsthereneverexceededthreeorfour，andtheFirstConsulseldomfailedtotransactsomebusinessduringtheceremony，whichneverlastedlongerthantwelveminutes.NextdayallthepapershadthenewsthattheFirstConsulhadheardMassinhisapartments.InthesamewayLouisXVIII.hasoftenhearditinhis！
Onthe19thofJuly1801apapalbullabsolvedTalleyrandfromhisvows.
HeimmediatelymarriedMadameGrandt，andtheaffairobtainedlittlenoticeatthetime.Thisstatementsufficientlyproveshowreporthaspervertedthefact.IthasbeensaidthatBonaparteonbecomingEmperorwishedtorestorethatdecorumwhichtheRevolutionhaddestroyed，andthereforeresolvedtoputanendtotheimproperintimacywhichsubsistedbetweenTalleyrandandMadameGrandt.ItisallegedthattheMinisteratfirstrefusedtomarrythelady，butthatheatlastfounditnecessarytoobeytheperemptoryorderofhismaster.ThispretendedresurrectionofmoralitybyBonaparteisexcessivelyridiculous.ThebullwasnotregisteredintheCouncilofStateuntilthe19thofAugust1802.
——[TheFirstConsulhadonseveraloccasionsurgedM.deTalleyrandtoreturntoholyorders.Hepointedouttohimthatthatcourseworldbemostbecominghisageandhighbirth，andpremisedthatheshouldbemadeacardinal，thusraisinghimtoaparwithRichelieu，andgivingadditionallustretohisadministration（MemoirsoftheDukeofRovigo，vol.i.p.426）.
ButM.deTalleyrandvindicatedhischoice，saying，"Acleverwifeoftencompromisesherhusband;astupidoneonlycompromisesherself"（HistoricalCharacters，p.122，Bulwer，LordDulling）.]——
Iwillendthischapterbyastorysomewhatforeigntotheprecedingtransactions，butwhichpersonallyconcernsmyself.Onthe20thofJuly1801theFirstConsul，’expropriomotu’，namedmeaCouncillorofStateextraordinary.MadameBonapartekindlycondescendedtohaveanelegantbutsomewhatidealcostumemadeforme.ItpleasedtheFirstConsul，however，andhehadasimilaronemadeforhimself.Heworeitashorttimeandthenleftitoff.NeverhadBonapartesincehiselevationshownhimselfsoamiableasonthisoccasion.
CHAPTERVI.
1802.
LastchapteronEgypt——AdmiralGantheaume——WaytopleaseBonaparte——
GeneralMenou’sflatteryandhisreward——Davoust——BonaparteregretsgivingthecommandtoMenou，whoisdefeatedbyAbercromby——Otto’snegotiationinLondon——Preliminariesofpeace.
ForthelasttimeintheseMemoirsIshallreturntotheaffairsofEgypt——tothatepisodewhichembracessoshortaspaceoftimeandholdssohighaplaceinthelifeofBonaparte.OfallhisconquestshesetthehighestvalueonEgypt，becauseitspreadthegloryofhisnamethroughouttheEast.Accordinglyheleftnothingunattemptedforthepreservationofthatcolony.InalettertoGeneralKleberhesaid，"YouareasableasIamtounderstandhowimportantisthepossessionofEgypttoFrance.TheTurkishEmpire，inwhichthesymptomsofdecayareeverywherediscernible，isatpresentfallingtopieces，andtheeviloftheevacuationofEgyptbyFrancewouldnowbethegreater，asweshouldsoonseethatfineprovincepassintothepossessionofsomeotherEuropeanpower."TheselectionofGantheaume，however，tocarryassistancetoKleberwasnotjudicious.GantheaumehadbroughttheFirstConsulbackfromEgypt，andthoughthesuccessofthepassagecouldonlybeattributedtoBonaparte’sownplan，hisdeterminedcharacter，andsuperiorjudgment，yethepreservedtowardsGantheaumethatfavourabledispositionwhichisnaturallyfeltforonewhohassharedagreatdangerwithus，anduponwhomtheresponsibilitymaybesaidtohavebeenimposed.
Thisconfidenceinmediocrity，dictatedbyanhonourablefeeling，didnotobtainasuitablereturn.Gantheaume，byhisindecisionandcreepingaboutintheMediterranean，hadalreadyfailedtoexecuteacommissionentrustedtohim.TheFirstConsul，uponfindinghedidnotleaveBrestafterhehadbeenorderedtotheMediterranean，repeatedlysaidtome，"WhatthedevilisGantheaumeabout？"WithoneofthedailyreportssenttotheFirstConsulhereceivedthefollowingquatrain，whichmadehimlaughheartily：
"Vaisseauxlestes，tetesanslest，Ainsipartl’AmiralGantheaume;
Ils’envadeBrestaBertheaume，EtrevientdeBertheaumeaBrest！"
"Withballastonboard，butnoneinhisbrain，AwaywentourgallantGantheaume，OnavoyagefromBresttoBertheaume，AndthenfromBertheaume——toBrestbackagain！"
Gantheaume’shesitation，hisfrequenttergiversations，hisarrivalatToulon，histardydeparture，andhisreturntothatportonthe19thofFebruary1801，onlytendayspriortoAdmiralKeith’sappearancewithSirRalphAbercrombyoffAlexandria，completelyfoiledalltheplanswhichBonapartehadconceivedofconveyingsuccourandreinforcementstoacolonyonthebrinkofdestruction.
BonapartewasthendreamingthatmanyFrenchfamilieswouldcarrybackcivilisation，science，andarttothatcountrywhichwastheircradle.
ButitcouldnotbeconcealedthathisdeparturefromEgyptin1799hadpreparedthewayforthelossofthatcountry，whichwashastenedbyKleber’sdeathandthechoiceofMenouashissuccessor.
AsurewayofpayingcourttotheFirstConsulandgaininghisfavourwastoeulogisehisviewsaboutEgypt，andtoappearzealousformaintainingthepossessionofthatcountry.BythesemeansitwasthatMenougainedhisconfidence.InthefirstyearoftheoccupationofthatcountryhelaidbeforehimhisdreamsrespectingAfrica.HespokeofthenegroesofSenegal，Mozambique，Mehedie，Marabout，andotherbarbarouscountrieswhichwereallatoncetoassumeanewaspect，andbecomecivilised，inconsequenceoftheFrenchpossessionofEgypt.ToMenou’sadulationistobeattributedthefavourablereceptiongivenhimbytheFirstConsul，evenafterhisreturnfromEgypt，ofwhichhisfoolishconducthadallowedtheEnglishtogetpossession.TheFirstConsulappointedhimGovernorofPiedmont，andatmyrequestgavemyelderbrotherthesituationofCommissary—GeneralofPoliceinthatcountry;butIamincandourobligedtoconfessthattheFirstConsulwasobligedtoretractthismarkofhisfavourinconsequenceofmybrother’smakinganabuseofit.
ItwasalsobyflatteringtheFirstConsulonthequestionoftheEastthatDavoust，onhisreturnfromEgyptin1800inconsequenceoftheConventionofEl—Ariah，insinuatedhimselfintoBonaparte’sgoodgracesand，ifhedidnotdeserve，obtainedhisfavour.AtthattimeDavoustcertainlyhadnotitlewhatevertothegoodfortunewhichhesuddenlyexperienced.Heobtained，withoutfirstservinginasubordinaterank，thecommand—in—chiefofthegrenadiersoftheConsularGuard;andfromthattimecommencedthedeadlyhatredwhichDavoustboretowardsme.
AstonishedatthegreatlengthoftimethatBonapartehadbeenonedayconversingwithhimIsaid，assoonashewasgone，"Howcouldyoutalksolongwithamanwhomyouhavealwayscalledastupidfellow？"——"Ah！
butIdidnotknowhimwellenoughbefore.Heisabetterman，Iassureyou，thanheisthought;andyouwillcomeovertomyopinion."——"Ihopeso."TheFirstConsul，whowasoftenextremelyindiscreet，toldDavoustmyopinionofhim，andhishostilityagainstmeceasedbutwithhislife.
TheFirstConsulcouldnotforgethischerishedconquestintheEast.
Itwasconstantlytheobjectofhisthoughts.HeendeavouredtosendreinforcementstohisarmyfromBrestandToulon，butwithoutsuccess.
HesoonhadcausetorepenthavingentrustedtothehandsofMenouthecommand—in—chief，towhichhebecameentitledonlybyseniority，aftertheassassinationofKleberbySoleimanHeleby.ButBonaparte’sindignationwasexcitedwhenhebecameacquaintedwithMenou’sneglectandmismanagement，whenhesawhimgivingreinstohispassionforreform，alteringanddestroyingeverything，creatingnothinggoodinitsstead，anddreamingaboutformingalandcommunicationwiththeHottentotsandCongoinsteadofstudyinghowtopreservethecountry.
Hispitifulplansofdefence，whichwereuselessfromtheirwantofcombination，appearedtotheFirstConsultheheightofignorance.
Forgetfulofalltheprinciplesofstrategy，ofwhichBonaparte’sconductaffordedsomanyexamples，heopposedtothelandingofAbercrombyafewisolatedcorps，whichwereunabletowithstandtheenemy’sattack，whiletheEnglisharmymighthavebeenentirelyannihilatedhadallthedisposabletroopsbeensentagainstit.
ThegreatadmirationwhichMenouexpressedattheexpeditiontoEgypt;
hisexcessivefondnessforthatcountry，thereligionofwhichhehadridiculouslyenoughembracedunderthenameofAbdallah;theeffortshemade，inhissphere，topreservethecolony;hisenthusiasmandblindattachmenttoBonaparte;theflatteringandencouragingaccountshegaveofthesituationofthearmy，atfirsthadtheeffectofentirelycoveringMenou’sincapacity.
——[ForaludicrousdescriptionofMenouseetheMemoirsofMarmont：—
"Cleverandgay，howasanagreeabletalker，butagreatliar.Hewasnotdestituteofsomeeducation.Hischaracter，oneoftheoddestintheworld，cameveryneartolunacy：Constantlywriting，alwaysinmotioninhisroom，ridingforexerciseeveryday，hewasneverabletostartonanynecessaryofusefuljourney
When，later，Bonaparte，thenFirstConsul，gavehimbyspecialfavourtheadministrationofPiedmont，heputoffhisdeparturefromdaytodayforsixmonths;andthenheonlydidstartbecausehisfriendMarethimselfputhimintohiscarriage，withpost—horsesalreadyharnessedtoitWhenheleftthisposttheyfoundinhiscabinet900letterswhichhehadnotopened.Hewasaneccentriclunatic，amusingenoughsometimes，butacursetoeverythingwhichdependedonhim"（MemoirsoftheDucdeRaguse，tomei.p.410）.]——
ThisalonecanaccountfortheFirstConsul’spreferenceofhim.ButI
amfarfromconcurringinwhathasbeenassertedbymanypersons，thatFrancelostEgyptattheverymomentwhenitseemedmosteasyofpreservation.Egyptwasconqueredbyageniusofvastintelligence，greatcapacity，andprofoundmilitaryscience.Fatuity，stupidity，andincapacitylostit.Whatwastheresultofthatmemorableexpedition？
Thedestructionofoneofourfinestarmies;thelossofsomeofourbestgenerals;theannihilationofournavy;thesurrenderofMalta;andthesovereigntyofEnglandintheMediterranean.Whatistheresultatpresent？Ascientificwork.ThegossipingstoriesandmystificationsofHerodotus，andthereveriesofthegoodRollin，areworthasmuch，andhavenotcostsodear.
TheFirstConsulhadlongbeenapprehensivethattheevacuationofEgyptwasunavoidable.Thelastnewshehadreceivedfromthatcountrywasnotveryencouraging，andcreatedapresentimentoftheapproachofthedreadedcatastrophe.He，however，publishedthecontrary;butitwasthenofgreatimportancethat，anaccountoftheevacuationshouldnotreachEnglanduntilthepreliminariesofpeaceweresigned，forwhichpurposeM.Ottowasexertingallhisindustryandtalent.WemadeagreatmeritofabandoningourconquestsinEgypt;butthesacrificewouldnothavebeenconsideredgreatiftheeventswhichtookplaceattheendofAugusthadbeenknowninLondonbeforethesigningofthepreliminariesonthe1stofOctober.TheFirstConsulhimselfansweredM.Otto’slastdespatch，containingacopyofthepreliminariesreadytobeadoptedbytheEnglishMinistry.NeitherthisdespatchnortheanswerwascommunicatedtoM.deTalleyrand，thenMinisterforForeignAffairs.
TheFirstConsul，whohighlyappreciatedthegreattalentsandknowledgeofthatMinister，neverclosedanydiplomaticarrangementwithoutfirstconsultinghim;andhewasrightinsodoing.Onthisoccasion，however，ItoldhimthatasM.deTalleyrandwas，forhishealth，takingthewatersofBourbon—l’Archambault，fourdaysmustelapsebeforehisreplycouldbereceived，andthatthedelaymightcausethefaceofaffairstochange.IremindedhimthatEgyptwasonthepointofyielding.Hetookmyadvice，anditwaswellforhimthathedid，forthenewsofthecompulsoryevacuationofEgyptarrivedinLondonthedayafterthesigningofthepreliminaries.M.OttoinformedtheFirstConsulbyletterthatLordHawkesbury，illcommunicatingtohimthenewsoftheevacuation，toldhimhewasverygladeverythingwassettled，foritwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtohavetreatedonthesamebasisafterthearrivalofsuchnews.InrealityweconsentedatParistothevoluntaryevacuationofEgypt，andthatwassomethingforEngland，whileEgyptwasatthatverytimeevacuatedbyaconventionmadeonthespot.
ThedefinitiveevacuationofEgypttookplaceonthe30thofAugust1801;
andthustheconquestofthatcountry，whichhadcostsodear，wasrendereduseless，orratherinjurious.
CHAPTERVII.
1802.
ThemostgloriousepochforFrance——TheFirstConsul’sdesireofpeace——Maltacededandkept——BonaparteandtheEnglishjournals——
Mr.Addington’slettertotheFirstConsul——BonaparteprosecutesPeltier——Leclerc’sexpeditiontoSt.Domingo——ToussaintLouverture——
DeathofLeclerc——Rochambeau，hissuccessor，abandonsSt.Domingo——
FirstsymptomsofBonaparte’smalady——Josephine’sintriguesforthemarriageofHortense——Falsehoodcontradicted.
TheepochofthepeaceofAmiensmustbeconsideredasthemostgloriousinthehistoryofFrance，notexceptingthesplendidperiodofLouisXIV.’svictoriesandthemorebrillianteraoftheEmpire.TheConsularglorywasthenpure，andtheopeningprospectwasfullofflatteringhope;whereasthosewhowerebutlittleaccustomedtolookcloselyintothingscoulddiscernmightydisasterslurkingunderthelaurelsoftheEmpire.
TheproposalswhichtheFirstConsulmadeinordertoobtainpeacesufficientlyprovehissinceredesireforit.HefeltthatifinthecommencementofhisadministrationhecouldcouplehisnamewithsohopedforanactheshouldeverexperiencetheaffectionandgratitudeoftheFrench.IwantnootherproofofhissentimentsthantheofferhemadetogiveupEgypttotheGrandSeignior，andtorestorealltheportsoftheGulfofVeniceandoftheMediterraneantotheStatestowhichtheyhadpreviouslybelonged;tosurrenderMaltatotheorderoftheKnightsofSt.John，andeventorazeitsfortificationsifEnglandshouldthinksuchameasurenecessaryforherinterests.IntheIndies，Ceylonwastobelefttohim，——[CeylonbelongedtoHolland，butwasretainedbyEnglandunderthetreatyofAmiens.]——
andherequiredthesurrenderoftheCapeofGoodHopeandalltheplacestakenbytheEnglishintheWestIndies.
EnglandhadfirmlyresolvedtokeepMalta，theGibraltaroftheMediterranean，andtheCapeofGoodHope，thecaravanseraioftheIndies.
ShewasthereforeunwillingtoclosewiththepropositionrespectingMalta;andshesaidthatanarrangementmightbemadebywhichitwouldberenderedindependentbothofGreatBritainandFrance.Weclearlysawthatthiswasonlyalure，andthat，whateverarrangementsmightbeenteredinto，EnglandwouldkeepMalta，becauseitwasnottobeexpectedthatthemaritimepowerwouldwillinglysurrenderanislandwhichcommandstheMediterranean.IdonotnoticethediscussionsrespectingtheAmericanislands，fortheywere，inmyopinion，oflittleconsequencetous.
——[ItisstrangethatBourriennedoesnotalludetooneofthefirstarbitraryactsofNapoleon，thediscussionsonwhichformedpartofthoseconversationsbetweenNapoleonandhisbrotherLucienofwhichBourriennecomplainedtoJosephineheknewnothing.In1763FrancehadcededtoEnglandthepartofLouisianaontheeastoftheMississippi，andthepartonthewestofthatriver，withNewOrleans，toSpain.BythetreatynegotiatedwithSpainbyLucienBonapartein1800hersharewasgivenbacktoFrance.Onthe80thApril1803NapoleonsoldthewholetotheUnitedStatesfor80，000，000francs（L3，260，000），totheintenseangerofhisbrothersJosephandLucien.LucienwasespeciallyproudofhavingobtainedthecessionforwhichNapoleonwas，atthattime，veryanxious;butbothbrotherswerehorrifiedwhenNapoleondisclosedhowlittlehecaredforconstitutionalformsbytellingthemthatiftheLegislature，ashisbrothersthreatened，wouldnotratifythetreaty，hewoulddowithouttheratification;seeIung’sLetter，tomeii.p.128.
Napoleon’smostobviousmotiveswerewantofmoneyandthecertaintyoftheseizureoftheprovincebyEngland，astherupturewithherwasnowcertain.Buttherewasperhapsanothercause.TheStateshadalreadybeenonthepointofseizingtheprovincefromSpain，whichhadinterferedwiththeirtrade（Hinton’sUnitedStates，p.
435，andThierstomeiv，p.320）.
Ofthesumtobepaid，20，000，000weretogototheStates，tocovertheillegalseizuresofAmericanshipsbytheFrenchnavy，amatterwhichwasnotsettledformanyyearslater.Theremaining80，000，000wereemployedinthepreparationsfortheinvasionofEngland;seeThiers，tomeiv.pp.320and326，andLanfrey，tomeiii.p.48.Thetransactionisaremarkableone，asformingthefinalwithdrawalofFrancefromNorthAmerica（withtheexceptionofsomeislandsontheNewfoundlandcoast），whereshehadonceheldsuchaproudposition.ItalsoeventuallymadeanadditiontothenumberofslaveStates.
Theycostmorethantheyproduce;andtheywillescapefromus，sometimeorother，asallcoloniesultimatelydofromtheparentcountry.Ourwholecolonialsystemisabsurd;itforcesustopayforcolonialproduceataratenearlydoublethatforwhichitmaybepurchasedfromourneighbours.
WhenLordHawkesburyconsentedtoevacuateMalta，onconditionthatitshouldbeindependentofFranceandGreatBritain，hemusthavebeenawarethatsuchaconditionwouldneverbefulfilled.HecaredlittlefortheorderofSt.John，andheshouldhaveput，bywayofpostscript，atthebottomofhisnote，"WewillkeepMaltainspiteofyou."
IalwaystoldtheFirstConsulthatifhewereinthesituationoftheEnglishhewouldactthesamepart;anditdidnotrequiremuchsagacitytoforetellthatMaltawouldbetheprincipalcauseoftheruptureofpeace.Hewasofmyopinion;butatthatmomenthethoughteverythingdependedonconcludingthenegotiations，andIentirelyagreedwithhim.
Ithappened，aswasforeseen，thatMaltacausedtherenewalofwar.TheEnglish，onbeingcalledupontosurrendertheisland，eludedthedemand，shiftedabout，andatlastendedbydemandingthatMaltashouldbeplacedundertheprotectionoftheKingofNaples，——thatistosay，undertheprotectionofapowerentirelyattheircommand，andtowhichtheymightdictatewhattheypleased.Thiswasreallytoocoolapieceofirony！
IwillherenoticethequarrelbetweentheFirstConsulandtheEnglishnewspapers，andgiveanewproofofhisviewsconcerningthefreedomofthepress.However，libertyofthepressdidoncecontributetogivehiminfinitegratification，namely，whenalltheLondonjournalsmentionedthetransportsofjoymanifestedinLondononthearrivalofGeneralLauriston，thebeareroftheratificationofthepreliminariesofpeace.
TheFirstConsulwasatalltimesthedeclaredenemyofthelibertyofthepress，andthereforeheruledthejournalswithahandofiron.
——[Anincident，illustrativeofthegreatirritationwhichBonapartefeltattheplainspeakingoftheEnglishpress，alsoshowstheimportantcharacterofColeridge’swritingsinthe’MorningPost’.
InthecourseofadebateintheHouseofCommonsFoxassertedthattheruptureofthetraceofAmienshaditsoriginincertainessayswhichhadappearedintheMorningPOST，andwhichwereknowntohaveproceededfromthepenofColeridge.ButFoxaddedanungenerousandmalicioushintthatthewriterwasatRome，withinthereachofBonaparte.Theinformationreachedtheearsforwhichitwasuttered，andanorderwassentfromParistocompassthearrestofColeridge.Itwasintheyear1806，whenthepoetwasmakingatourinItaly.ThenewsreachedhimatNaples，throughabrotheroftheillustriousHumboldt，asMr.Gillmansays——orinafriendlywarningfromPrinceJeromeBonaparte，aswehaveitontheauthorityofMr.
Cottle——andthePopeappearstohavebeenreluctanttohaveahandinthebusiness，and，infact，tohavefurnishedhimwithapassport，ifnotwithacarriageforflight，ColeridgeeventuallygottoLeghorn，wherehegotapassagebyanAmericanshipboundforEngland;buthisescapecomingtotheearsofBonaparte，alook—outwaskeptfortheship，andshewaschasedbyaFrenchcruiser，whichthrewthecaptainintosuchastateofterrorthathemadeColeridgethrowallhisjournalsandpapersoverboard（Andrews’HistoryofJournalism，vol.ii.p.28）.]——
Ihaveoftenheardhimsay，"WereItoslackenthereins，Ishouldnotcontinuethreemonthsinpower."Heunfortunatelyheldthesameopinionrespectingeveryotherprerogativeofpublicfreedom.ThesilencehehadimposedinFrancehewished，ifhecould，toimposeinEngland.HewasirritatedbythecalumniesandlibelssoliberallycastuponhimbytheEnglishjournals，andespeciallybyonewritteninFrench，called’L’Ambigu’，conductedbyPeltier，whohadbeentheeditorofthe’ActesdesApotres’inParis.The’Ambigu’wasconstantlyteemingwiththemoatviolentattacksontheFirstConsulandtheFrenchnation.Bonapartecouldnever，liketheEnglish，bringhimselftodespisenewspaperlibels，andherevengedhimselfbyviolentarticleswhichhecausedtobeinsertedinthe’Moniteur’.HedirectedM.Ottotoremonstrate，inanofficialnote，againstasystemofcalumnywhichhebelievedtobeauthorisedbytheEnglishGovernment.BesidesthisofficialproceedingheappliedpersonallytoMr.Addington，theChancelloroftheExchequer，requestinghimtoprocuretheadoptionoflegislativemeasuresagainstthelicentiouswritingscomplainedof;and，totaketheearliestopportunityofsatisfyinghishatredagainstthelibertyofthepress，theFirstConsulseizedthemomentofsigningthepreliminariestomakethisrequest.
Mr.AddingtonwrotealonganswertotheFirstConsul，whichItranslatedforhim.TheEnglishMinisterrefuted，withgreatforce，alltheargumentswhichBonapartehademployedagainstthepress.HealsoinformedtheFirstConsulthat，thoughaforeigner，itwascompetentinhimtoinstituteacomplaintinthecourtsoflaw;butthatinsuchcasehemustbecontenttoseeallthescandalousstatementsofwhichhecomplainedrepublishedinthereportofthetrial.Headvisedhimtotreatthelibelswithprofoundcontempt，anddoasheandothersdid，whoattachednottheslightestimportancetothem.Icongratulatemyselfonhavinginsomedegreepreventedatrialtakingplaceatthattime.
Thingsremainedinthisstateforthemoment;butafterthepeaceofAmienstheFirstConsulprosecutedPettier，whosejournalwasalwaysfullofviolenceandbitternessagainsthim.PettierwasdefendedbythecelebratedMackintosh，who，accordingtotheaccountsofthetime，displayedgreateloquenceonthisoccasion，yet，inspiteoftheabilityofhiscounsel，hewasconvicted.Theverdict，whichpublicopinionconsideredinthelightofatriumphforthedefendant，wasnotfollowedupbyanyjudgment，inconsequenceoftheruptureofthepeaceoccurringsoonafter.ItismelancholytoreflectthatthisnervoussusceptibilitytothelibelsoftheEnglishpaperscontributedcertainlyasmuchas，andperhapsmorethan，theconsiderationofgreatpoliticalintereststotherenewalofhostilities.Thepublicwouldbeastonishedatagreatmanythingsiftheycouldonlylookunderthecards.
IhaveanticipatedtheruptureofthetreatyofAmiensthatImightnotinterruptwhatIhadtomentionrespectingBonaparte’shatredofthelibertyofthepress.Inowreturntotheendoftheyear1801，theperiodoftheexpeditionagainstSt.Domingo.
TheFirstConsul，afterdictatingtomeduringnearly：thewholeofonenightinstructionsforthatexpedition，sentforGeneralLeclerc，andsaidtohiminmypresence，"Here，takeyourinstructions;youhaveafineopportunityforfillingyourpurse.Go，andnolongerteasemewithyoureternalrequestsformoney."ThefriendshipwhichBonapartefeltforhissisterPaulinehadagooddealofinfluenceininducinghimtotakethisliberalwayofenrichingherhusband.
TheexpeditionlefttheportsofFranceonthe14thofDecember1801，andarrivedoffCapeSt.Domingoonthe1stofFebruary1802.Thefatalresultoftheenterpriseiswellknown，butwearenevertobecuredofthefollyofsuchabsurdexpeditions.IntheinstructionsgiventoLeclerceverythingwasforeseen;butitwaspainfultoknowthatthechoiceofoneoftheyoungestandleastcapableofallthegeneralsofthearmyleftnohopeofasuccessfulresult.TheexpeditiontoSt.
DomingowasoneofBonaparte’sgreaterrors.Almosteverypersonwhomheconsultedendeavouredtodissuadehimfromit.HeattemptedajustificationthroughthemediumofhishistoriansofSt.Helena;butdoeshesucceedwhenhesays，"thathewasobligedtoyieldtotheadviceofhisCouncilofState？"He，truly，wasalikelymantosubmitaquestionofwartothediscussionoftheCouncilofState，ortobeguidedinsuchanaffairbyanyCouncil！WemustbelievethatnoothermotiveinfluencedtheFirstConsulbutthewish，bygivinghimthemeansofenrichinghimself，togetridofabrother—in—lawwhohadthegiftofspeciallyannoyinghim.TheFirstConsul，whodidnotreallymuchlikethisexpedition，shouldhaveperhapsreflectedlongeronthedifficultiesofattemptingtosubduethecolonybyforce.Hewasshakenbythisargument，whichIoftenrepeatedtohim，andheagreedwithit，buttheinconceivableinfluencewhichthemembersofhisfamilyexercisedonhimalwaysovercamehim.
BonapartedictatedtomealetterforToussaint，fullofsoundingwordsandfinepromises，informinghimthathistwochildren，whohadbeeneducatedinParis，weresentbacktohim，offeringhimthetitleofvice—
governor，andstatingthatheoughtreadilytoassistinanarrangementwhichwouldcontributetoreconnectthecolonywiththemother—country.
Toussaint，whohadatfirstshownadispositiontoclosewiththebargain，yetfeelingafraidofbeingdeceivedbytheFrench，andprobablyinducedbyambitiousmotives，resolvedonwar.Hedisplayedagreatdealoftalent;but，beingattackedbeforetheclimatehadthinnedtheFrenchranks，hewasunabletoopposeafresharmy，numerousandinuredtowar.
Hecapitulated，andretiredtoaplantation，whichhewasnottoleavewithoutLeclerc’spermission.AfeignedconspiracyonthepartoftheblacksformedapretenceforaccusingToussaint，andhewasseizedandsenttoFrance.
ToussaintwasbroughttoPainsinthebeginningofAugust.Hewassent，inthefirstinstance，totheTemple，whencehewasremovedtotheChateaudeJoux.Hisimprisonmentwasrigorous;fewcomfortswereallowedhim.Thistreatment，hisrecollectionofthepast，hisseparationfromtheworld，andtheeffectsofastrangeclimate，acceleratedhisdeath，whichtookplaceafewmonthsafterhisarrivalinFrance.Thereportswhichspreadconcerninghisdeath，theassertionthatitwasnotanaturalone，andthatithadbeencausedbypoison，obtainednocredit.IshouldaddthatToussaintwrotealettertoBonaparte;butIneversawinittheexpressionattributedtohim，"Thefirstmanoftheblackstothefirstmanofthewhites"Bonaparteacknowledgedthattheblackleaderpossessedenergy，courage，andgreatskill.IamsurethathewouldhaverejoicediftheresultofhisrelationswithSt.DomingohadbeensomethingelsethanthekidnapingandtransportationofToussaint.
Leclerc，afterfruitlesseffortstoconquerthecolony，washimselfcarriedoffbytheyellowfever.Rochambeausucceededhimbyrightofseniority，andwasasunsuccessfulasMenouhadbeeninEgypt.Thesubmissionoftheblacks，whichcouldonlyhavebeenobtainedbyconciliation，heendeavouredtocompelbyviolence.Atlast，inDecember1803，hesurrenderedtoanEnglishsquadron，andabandonedtheislandtoDessalines.
Bonaparteoftenexperiencedseverebodilypain，andIhavenowlittledoubt，fromthenatureofhissufferings，thattheywereoccasionedbythecommencementofthatmaladywhichterminatedhislifeatSt.Helena.
Thesepains，ofwhichhefrequentlycomplained，affectedhimmostacutelyonthenightwhenhedictatedtometheinstructionsforGeneralLeclerc.
ItwasverylatewhenIconductedhimtohisapartment.Wehadjustbeentakingacupofchocolate，abeverageofwhichwealwayspartookwhenourbusinesslastedlongerthanoneo’clockinthemorning.Henevertookalightwithhimwhenhewentuptohisbedroom.Igavehimmyarm，andwehadscarcelygotbeyondthelittlestaircasewhichleadstothecorridor，whenhewasrudelyrunagainstbyamanwhowasendeavouringtoescapeasquicklyaspossiblebythestaircase.TheFirstConsuldidnotfallbecauseIsupportedhim.Wesoongainedhischamber，wherewe，foundJosephine，who，havingheardthenoise，awokegreatlyalarmed.Fromtheinvestigationswhichwereimmediatelymadeitappearedthattheuproarwasoccasionedbyafellowwhohadbeenkeepinganassignationandhadexceededtheusualhourforhisdeparture.
Onthe7thofJanuary1802MademoiselleHortensewasmarriedtoLouisBonaparte.Asthecustomwasnotyetresumedofaddingthereligiousceremonytothecivilcontract，thenuptialbenedictionwasonthisoccasionprivatelygivenbyapriestatthehouseRuedelaVictoire.
BonapartealsocausedthemarriageofhissisterCaroline，——[ThewifeofMurat，andthecleverestofBonaparte’ssisters.]——whichhadtakenplacetwoyearsearlierbeforeamayor，tobeconsecratedinthesamemanner;
butheandhiswifedidnotfollowtheexample.Hadhealready，then，anideaofseparatingfromJosephine，andthereforeanunwillingnesstorenderadivorcemoredifficultbygivinghismarriageareligioussanction？Iamratherinclinedtothink，fromwhathesaidtome，thathisneglectingtotakeapartinthereligiousceremonyarosefromindifference.
BonapartesaidatSt.Helena，speakingofLouisandHortense，that"theylovedeachotherwhentheymarried：theydesiredtobeunited.ThemarriagewasalsotheresultofJosephine’sintrigues，whofoundheraccountinit."Iwillstatetherealfacts.LouisandHortensedidnotloveoneanotheratall.Thatiscertain.TheFirstConsulknewit，justashewellknewthatHortensehadagreatinclinationforDuroc，whodidnotfullyreturnit.TheFirstConsulagreedtotheirunion，butJosephinewastroubledbysuchamarriage，anddidallshecouldtopreventit.Sheoftenspoketomeaboutit，butratherlateintheday.
Shetoldmethatherbrothers—inlawwereherdeclaredenemies，thatI
wellknewtheirintrigues，andthatIwellknewtherewasnoendtotheannoyancestheymadeherundergo.Infact，Ididknowallthisperfectly.Shekeptonrepeatingtomethatwiththisprojectedmarriageshewouldnothaveanysupport;thatDurocwasnothingexceptbythefavourofBonaparte;thathehadneitherfortune，fame，norreputation，andthathecouldbenohelptoheragainstthewell—knownill—willofthebrothersofBonaparte.Shewantedsomeassuranceforthefuture.
SheaddedthatherhusbandwasveryfondofLouis，andthatifshehadthegoodfortunetounitehimtoherdaughterthiswouldbeacounterpoisetothecalumniesandpersecutionsofherotherbrothers—in—
law.Iansweredherthatshehadconcealedherintentionstoolongfromme，andthatIhadpromisedmyservicestotheyoungpeople，andthemorewillinglyasIknewthefavourableopinionoftheFirstConsul，whohadoftensaidtome，"Mywifehasdonewell;theysuitoneanother，theyshallmarryoneanother.IlikeDuroc;heisofgoodfamily.IhaverightlygivenCarolinetoMurat，andPaulinetoLeclerc，andIcanwellgiveHortensetoDuroc，whoisafinefellow.Heisworthmorethantheothers.Heisnowgeneralofadivisionthereisnothingagainstthismarriage.Besides，IhaveotherplansforLouis."InspeakingtoMadameBonaparteIaddedthatherdaughterburstintotearswhenspokentoabouthermarriagewithLouis.
TheFirstConsulhadsentabrevetofgeneralofdivisiontoDurocbyaspecialcourier，whowenttoHolland，throughwhichthenewly—madegeneralhadtopassonhisreturnfromSt.Petersburg，where，asIhavealreadysaid，hehadbeensenttocomplimenttheEmperorAlexanderonhisaccessiontothethrone.TheFirstConsulprobablypaidthiscomplimenttoDurocinthebeliefthatthemarriagewouldtakeplace.
DuringDuroc’sabsencethecorrespondenceoftheloverspassed，bytheirconsent，throughmyhands.EverynightIusedtomakeoneinapartyatbilliards，atwhichHortenseplayedverywell.WhenItoldher，inawhisper，thatIhadgotaletterforher，shewouldimmediatelyleaveoffplayingandruntoherchamber，whereIfollowedandgaveherDuroc’sepistle.Whensheopenedithereyeswouldfillwithtears，anditwassometimebeforeshecouldreturntothesalon.Allwasuselessforher.
Josephinerequiredasupportinthefamilyagainstthefamily.Seeingherfirmresolution，Ipromisedtonolongeropposeherwishes，whichI
couldnotdisapprove，butItoldherIcouldonlymaintainsilenceandneutralityintheselittledebates，andsheseemedsatisfied.
WhenwewereatMalmaisonthoseintriguescontinued.AttheTuileriesthesameconductwaspursued，butthentheprobabilityofsuccesswasonDuroc’sside;Ievencongratulatedhimonhisprospects，buthereceivedmycomplimentsinaverycoldmanner.InafewdaysafterJosephinesucceededinchangingthewholefaceofaffairs.HerheartwasentirelysetonthemarriageofLouiswithherdaughter;andprayers，entreaties，caresses，andallthoselittleartswhichshesowellknewhowtouse，wereemployedtowintheFirstConsultoherpurpose.
Onthe4thofJanuarytheFirstConsul，afterdinner，enteredourcabinet，whereIwasemployed."WhereisDuroc？"heinquired.——"Hehasgonetotheopera，Ibelieve."——"Tellhim，assoonashereturns，thatI
havepromisedHortensetohim，andheshallhaveher.ButIwishthemarriagetotakeplaceintwodaysatthelatest.Iwillgivehim500，000francs，andnamehimcommandantoftheeighthmilitarydivision;
buthemustsetoutthedayafterhismarriagewithhiswifeforToulon.
Wemustliveapart;Iwantnoson—in—lawathome.AsIwishtocometosomeconclusion，letmeknowto—nightwhetherthisplanwillsatisfyhim."——"Ithinkitwillnot."——"Verywell！thensheshallmarryLouis."
——"Willshelikethat？"——"Shemustlikeit."Bonapartegavemethesedirectionsinaveryabruptmanner，whichmademethinkthatsomelittledomesticwarfarehadbeenraging，andthattoputanendtoithehadcometoproposehisultimatum.Athalf—pasttenintheeveningDurocreturned;Ireportedtohim，wordforword，thepropositionoftheFirstConsul."Sinceithascometothat，mygoodfriend，"saidhe，"tellhimhemaykeephisdaughterforme.Iamgoingtoseethe—————，"and，withanindifferenceforwhichIcannotaccount，hetookhishatandwentoff.
——[DuroceventuallymarriedaMademoiselleHervaed’Almenara，thedaughterofaSpanishbanker，whowaslaterMinisterofJoseph，andwascreatedMarquisofAbruenara.Theladywasneitherhandsomenoramiable，butshepossessedavastfortune，andBonapartehimselfsolicitedherhandforhisaidedecamp.AfterthedeathofDurochiswidowmarriedaM.Fabvier，andNapoleongavehisDuchyofFrioultohisdaughter.]——
The，FirstConsul，beforegoingtobed，wasinformedofDuroc’sreply，andJosephinereceivedfromhimthepromisethatLouisandHortenseshouldbemarried.Themarriagetookplaceafewdaysafter，tothegreatregretofHortense，andprobablytothesatisfactionofDuroc.
Louissubmittedtohaveforcedonhimasawifeawomanwhohadhithertoavoidedhimasmuchaspossible.Shealwaysmanifestedasmuchindifferenceforhimashedisplayedrepugnanceforher，andthosesentimentshavenotbeeneffaced.
——[ThemarriageofLouisBonapartetookplaceonthe7thJanuary.
Thebrideandbridegroomwereexceedinglydull，andMademoiselleHortenseweptdaringthewholeoftheceremony.Josephine，knowingthatthisunion，whichcommencedsoinauspiciously，washerownwork，anxiouslyendeavouredtoestablishamorecordialfeelingbetweenherdaughterandson—in—law.Butallhereffortswerevain，andthemarriageprovedaveryunhappyone（MemoirsdeConstant）.
NapoleonIII.wasthesonoftheQueenofHolland（HortenseBeauharnais）.]——
NapoleonsaidatSt.HelenathathewishedtouniteLouiswithanieceofTalleyrand.IcanonlysaythatIneverheardawordofthisniece，eitherfromhimself，hiswife，orhisdaughter;andIratherthinkthatatthattimetheFirstConsulwaslookingafteraroyalallianceforLouis.Heoftenexpressedregretattheprecipitatemarriagesofhissisters.ItshouldberecollectedthatwewerenowintheyearwhichsawtheConsulshipforlifeestablished，andwhich，consequently，gavepresageoftheEmpire.Napoleonsaidtrulytothecompanionsofhisexilethat"Louis’marriagewastheresultofJosephine’sintrigues，"butIcannotunderstandhowhenevermentionedtheintentionheoncehadofunitingHortensetoDuroc.IthasbeenerroneouslystatedthattheFirstConsulbelievedthathereconciledthehappinessofhisdaughterwithhispolicy.HortensedidnotloveLouis，anddreadedthismarriage.Therewasnohopeofhappinessforher，andtheeventhasprovedthis.AsforthepolicyoftheFirstConsul，itisnoteasytoseehowitwasconcernedwiththemarriageofLouistoHortense，andinanycasethegrandpolicywhichprofessedsoloudlytobefreefromallfeminineinfluenceswouldhavebeenpowerlessagainsttheintriguesofJosephine，foratthistimeattheTuileriestheboudoirwasoftenstrongerthanthecabinet.HereIamhappytohaveitinmypowertocontradictmostformallyandmostpositivelycertaininfamousinsinuationswhichhaveprevailedrespectingBonaparteandHortense.ThosewhohaveassertedthatBonaparteeverentertainedtowardsHortenseanyothersentimentsthanthoseofafather—in—lawforadaughter—in—lawhave，astheancientknightsusedtosay，"liedintheirthroats."Weshallseefartheronwhathesaidtomeonthissubject，butitisnevertoosoontodestroysuchabasecalumny.Authorsunworthyofbeliefhavestated，withoutanyproof，thatnotonlywastherethiscriminalliaison，buttheyhavegonesofarastosaythatBonapartewasthefatheroftheeldestsonofHortense.Itisalie，avilelie.AndyettherumourhasspreadthroughallFranceandallEurope.Alas！hascalumnysuchpowerfulcharmsthat，oncetheyaresubmittedto，theiryokecannotbebroken？
——[Bourrienne’saccountofthismarriage，andhisdenialofthevilecalumnyaboutNapoleon，iscorroboratedbyMadameRemusat.AftersayingthatHortensehadrefusedtomarrythesonofRewbellandalsotheComtedeNun，shegoeson："AshorttimeafterwardsDuroc，thenaidedecamptotheConsul，andalreadynotedbyhim，fellinlovewithHortense.Shereturnedthefeeling，andbelievedshehadfoundthatotherhalfofherselfwhichshesought.Bonapartelookedfavourablyontheirunion，butMadameBonaparteinherturnwasinflexible.’Mydaughter，’saidshe，’mustmarrysgentlemanoraBonaparte.’Louiswasthenthoughtof.HehadnofancyforHortense;defeatedtheBeauharnaisfamily，andhadasupremecontemptforhissister—in—law.Butashewassilent，hewasbelievedtobegentle;andashewasseverebycharacter，hewasbelievedtobeupright.MadameLouistoldmeafterwardsthatatthenewsofthisarrangementsheexperiencedviolentgrief.Notonlywassheforbiddentothinkofthemansheloved，butshewasabouttobegiventoanotherofwhomshehadasecretdistrust"（Remusat，tomei.p.l56）.ForthecrueltreatmentofHortensebyLouisseethesucceedingpagesofRemusat.AsforthevilescandalaboutHortenseandNapoleon，thereislittledoubtthatitwasspreadbytheBonapartistfamilyforinterestedmotives.MadameLouisbecameenceintesoonafterhermarriage.TheBonapartists，andespeciallyMadameMurat（Caroline）;haddislikedthismarriagebecauseJosephhavingonlydaughters，itwasforseenthatthefirstsonofLouisandthegrandsonofMadameBonapartewouldbetheobjectofgreatinterest.TheythereforespreadtherevoltingstorythatthiswastheresultofaconnectionoftheFirstConsulwithhisdaughter—in—
law，encouragedbythemotherherself.’Thepublicwillinglybelievedthissuspicion.’MadameMurattoldLouis，"etc.（Remusat，tomei，p.169）.ThislastsentenceiscorroboratedbyMiotdeMelito（tomeii.p.170），who，speakingofthelaterproposalofNapoleontoadoptthischild，saysthatLouis"rememberedthedamagingstorieswhichill—willhadtriedtospreadamongthepublicconcerningHortenseBeauharnaisbeforebemarriedher，andalthoughacomparisonofthedateofhismarriagewiththatofthebirthofhissonmusthaveshownhimthatthesetaleswereunfounded，hefeltthattheyworldberevivedbytheadoptionofthischildbytheFirstConsul."Thusthiswretchedstorydidharmineveryway.
TheconductofJosephinemastbejudgedwithleniency，engagedasshewasinadesperatestraggletomaintainherownmarriage，——astruggleshekeptupwithgreatskill;seeMetternich，tomeii.p.
296."shebaffledallthecalculations，allthemanoeuvresofheradversaries."ButshewasfoolishenoughtotalkinherangerasifshebelievedsomeofthedisgracefulrumoursofNapoleon."Hadhenotseducedhissisters，oneaftertheother？"（Remusat，tomei.p.
204）.AstohowfarthisscandalwasreallybelievedbythebrothersofNapoleon，seeIung’sLucien（tomeii.pp.268—269），whereLuciendescribesLouisascomingthreetimestohimforadviceastohismarriagewithHortense，bothbrothersreferringtothisrumour.ThethirdtimeLouisannouncesheisinlovewithHortense.
"Youareinlove？Whythedevil，then，doyoucometomeforadvice？Ifso，forgetwhathasbeenrumoured，andwhatIhaveadvisedyou.Marry，andmayGodblessyou."
Thiers（tomeiii.p.308）followsBourrienne’saccount.Josephine，alludingtoLouisBonaparte，said，"Hisfamilyhavemaliciouslyinformedhimofthedisgracefulstorieswhichhavebeenspreadontheconductofmydaughterandonthebirthofherson.HateassignsthischildtoNapoleon."（Remusat，tomei，p.206）.ThechildinquestionwasNapoleonCharles（1802—1807）.
CHAPTERVIII.
1802—1803.
BonapartePresidentoftheCisalpineRepublic——MeetingofthedeputationatLyons——MaltaandtheEnglish——Myimmortality——FetegivenbyMadameMurat——Erasuresfromtheemigrantlist——Restitutionofproperty——GeneralSebastiani——LordWhitworth——Napoleon’sfirstsymptomsofdisease——Corvisart——InfluenceofphysicalsufferingonNapoleon’stemper——ArticlesfortheMoniteur——GeneralAndreossi——
M.Talleyrand’spun——JeromeBonaparte—ExtravaganceofBonaparte’sbrothers——M.Collotandthenavycontract.
BonapartewasanxioustoplacetheCisalpineRepubliconafootingofharmonywiththeGovernmentofFrance.ItwasnecessarytoselectaPresidentwhoshouldperfectlyagreewithBonaparte’sviews;andinthisrespectnoonecouldbesosuitableasBonapartehimself.ThetwoPresidenciesunitedwouldserveasatransitiontothethrone.NotwishingtobelongabsentfromParis，andanxioustoavoidthetroubleofthejourneytoMilan，hearrangedtomeetthedeputationhalf—wayatLyons.BeforeourdepartureIsaidtohim，"IsitpossiblethatyoudonotwishtorevisitItaly，thefirstsceneofyourglory，andthebeautifulcapitalofLombardy，whereyouweretheobjectofsomuchhomage？"——"Icertainlyshould，"repliedtheFirstConsul，"butthejourneytoMilanwouldoccupytoomuchprecioustime.IpreferthatthemeetingshouldtakeplaceinFrance.MyinfluenceoverthedeputieswillbemorepromptandcertainatLyonsthanatMilan;andthenIshouldbegladtoseethenoblewreckofthearmyofEgypt，whichiscollectedatLyons."
Onthe8thofJanuary1802wesetout.BonapartewhowasnowreadytoascendthethroneofFrance，wishedtopreparetheItaliansforonedaycrowninghimKingofItaly，inimitationofCharlemagne，ofwhominanticipationheconsideredhimselfthesuccessor.HesawthatthetitleofPresidentoftheCisalpineRepublicwasagreatadvancetowardsthesovereigntyofLombardy，asheafterwardsfoundthattheConsulateforlifewasadecisivesteptowardsthethroneofFrance.HeobtainedthetitleofPresidentwithoutmuchdifficultyonthe36thofJanuary1802.
ThejourneytoLyonsandtheconferenceswereonlymattersofform;buthighsoundingwordsandsolemnproceedingswererequiredforthepublicmind.
TheattemptswhichhadbeenmadeonthelifeoftheFirstConsulgaverisetoareportthatbetookextraordinaryprecautionsforhissafetyduringthisjourneytoLyons.Ineversawthoseprecautions，andBonapartewasatalltimesaversetoadoptany.Heoftenrepeated"Thatwhoeverwouldriskhisownlifemighttakehis."Itisnottruethatguardsprecededhiscarriageandwatchedtheroads.TheConsultravelledlikeaprivateperson，andveryrarelyhadarmsinhiscarriage.
——[Bonapartemayhavebeencarelessofhisownsafety，butthathetookgreatpainsinregardtohisbrother’smaybeinferredfromthefollowingletter，writtenafewyearslater：
"Takecarethatyourvaletsdechambre，yourcooks，theguardsthatsleepinyourapartments，andthosewhocomeduringthenighttoawakenyouwithdespatches，areallFrenchmen.Nooneshouldenteryourroomduringthenightexceptyouraidesdecamp，whoshouldsleepinthechamberthatprecedesyourbedroom.Yourdoorshouldbefastenedinside，andyououghtnottoopenit，eventoyouraidedecamp，untilyouhaverecognisedhisvoice;hehimselfshouldnotknockatyourdooruntilhehaslockedthatoftheroomwhichheisin，tomakesureofbeingalone，andofbeingfollowedbynoone.
Theseprecautionsareimportant;theygivenotrouble，andtheyinspireconfidence——besides，theymayreallysaveyourlife.Youshouldestablishthesehabitsimmediatelyendpermanently;Yououghtnottobeobligedtohaveresourcetothemonsomeemergency，whichwouldhurtthefeelingsofthosearoundyou.Donottrustonlytoyourownexperience.TheNeapolitancharacterhasbeenviolentineveryage，andyouhavetodowithawoman[QueenofNaples]whoistheimpersonationofcrime"（NapoleontoJoseph，May31，1806.——DuCasse，tomeii.p.260）.]——
Atthistime，whentheambitionofBonaparteeverydaytookafartherflight，GeneralClarketookitintohisheadtogointotheboxoftheFirstConsulatthe"Francais，"andtoplacehimselfinthefrontseat.
BychancetheFirstConsulcametothetheatre，butClarke，hardlyrising，didnotgiveuphisplace.TheFirstConsulonlystayedashorttime，andwhenhecamebackheshowedgreatdiscontentatthisaffectationofprideandofvanity.Wishingtogetridofamanwhomhelookedonasablunderingflattererandaclumsycritic，hesenthimawayascharged’affairestotheyoungextemporizedKingofEtruria，whereClarkeexpiatedhisfollyinasortofexile.Thisisallthe"greatdisfavour"whichhasbeensomuchspokenabout，IntheendGeneralClarkereturnedtofavour.Berlinknowsandregretsit.
Onthe25thofMarchofthesameyearEnglandsigned，atAmiens，asuspensionofarmsforfourteenmonths，whichwascalledatreatyofpeace.Theclausesofthistreatywerenotcalculatedtoinspirethehopeofaverylongpeace.Itwasevident，asIhavealreadysaid，thatEnglandwouldnotevacuateMalta;andthatislandultimatelyprovedthechiefcauseoftheruptureofthetreatyofAmiens.ButEngland，heretoforesohaughtyinherbearingtotheFirstConsul，hadatlengthtreatedwithhimastheHeadoftheFrenchGovernment.This，asBonapartewasaware，bodedwellfortheconsolidationofhispower.
Atthattime，whenhesawhisgloryandpoweraugmenting，hesaidtomeinoneofourwalksatMalmaison，inamomentofhilarity，andclappingmeontheshoulder，"Well，Bourrienne，youalsowillbeimmortal！"——
"why，General？"——"Areyounotmysecretary？"——"TellmethenameofAlexander’s，"saidI.
——[BonapartedidnotknowthenameofAlexander’ssecretary，andI
forgotatthemomenttotellhimitwasClallisthenes.HewroteAlexander’sMemoirs，asIamwritingBonaparte’s;but，notwithstandingthiscoincidence，Ineitherexpectnordesiretheimmortalityofmyname.——Bourrienne.]——
Bonapartethenturnedtomeandlaughing，said，"Hem！thatisnotbad."
Therewas，tobesure，alittleflatteryconveyedinmyquestion，butthatneverdispleasedhim，andIcertainlydidnotinthatinstancedeservethecensureheoftenbestowedonmefornotbeingenoughofacourtierandflatterer.
MadameMuratgaveagrandfeteinhonourofBonaparteatherresidenceatNeuilly.AtdinnerBonapartesatoppositeMadameMuratattheprincipaltable，whichwasappropriatedtotheladies.Heatefast，andtalkedbutlittle.However，whenthedessertwasserved，heputaquestiontoeachlady.Thisquestionwastoinquiretheirrespectiveages.WhenMadameBourrienne’sturncamehesaidtoher，"Oh！Iknowyours."Thiswasagreatdealforhisgallantry，andtheotherladieswerefarfrombeingpleasedatit.
Nextday，whilewalkingwithmeinhisfavouritealleyatMalmaison，hereceivedoneofthosestupidreportsofthepolicewhichweresofrequentlyaddressedtohim.ItmentionedtheobservationswhichhadbeenmadeinParisaboutagreenliveryhehadlatelyadopted.SomesaidthatgreenhadbeenchosenbecauseitwasthecolouroftheHouseofArtois.Onreadingthataslightsneerwasobservableinhiscountenance，andhesaid，"Whataretheseidiotsdreamingof？Theymustbejoking，surely.AmInobetterthanM.d’Artois？Theyshallsoonseethedifference."
Untilthemiddleoftheyear1801theerasuresfromtheemigrantlisthadalwaysbeenproposedbytheMinisterofPolice.TheFirstConsulhavingbeeninformedthatintrigueandevenbriberyhadbeenemployedtoobtainthem，determinedthatinfutureerasuresshouldbepartofthebusinessofhiscabinet.Butotheraffairstookuphisattention，andadozenorfifteenerasuresaweekwerethemostthatweremade.AfterTeDeumhadbeenchantedatMalmaisonfortheConcordatandthepeace，ItookadvantageofthatmomentofgeneraljoytoproposetoBonapartethereturnofthewholebodyofemigrants."Youhave，"saidIinahalf—
jokingway，"reconciledFrenchmentoGod——nowreconcilethemtoeachother.Therehaveneverbeenanyrealemigrants，onlyabsentees;andtheproofofthisis，thaterasuresfromthelisthavealwaysbeen，andwillalwaysbe，madedaily."Heimmediatelyseizedtheidea."Weshallsee，"
saidhe;"butImustexceptathousandpersonsbelongingtohighfamilies，especiallythosewhoareorhavebeenconnectedwithroyaltyortheCourt."
IsaidintheChamberofDeputies，andIfeelpleasureinrepeatinghere，thattheplanofthe’Senatus—consults’，whichBonapartedictatedtome，exceptedfromrestitutiononlysuchmansionsaswereusedforpublicestablishments.Thesehewouldneithersurrendernorpayrentfor.WiththoseexceptionshewaswillingtorestorealmostallthatwaspossessedbytheStateandhadnotbeensold.
TheFirstConsul，assoonashehadfinishedthisplanofadecree，convokedaGrandCounciltosubmitittotheirconsideration.Iwasinanadjoiningroomtothatinwhichtheymet，andasthedeliberationswerecarriedonwithgreatwarmth，thememberstalkingveryloudly，sometimesevenvociferating，Iheardallthatpassed.Therevolutionarypartyrejectedallpropositionsofrestitution.Theywerewillingtocallbacktheirvictims，buttheywouldnotpartwiththespoil.
WhentheFirstConsulreturnedtohiscabinet，dissatisfiedwiththeillsuccessofhisproject，Itookthelibertyofsayingtohim，"youcannotbutperceive，General，thatyourobjecthasbeendefeated，andyourprojectunsuccessful.TherefusaltorestoretotheemigrantsallthattheStatepossessestakesfromtherecallallitsgenerosityanddignityofcharacter.Iwonderhowyoucouldyieldtosuchanunreasonableandselfishopposition."——"Therevolutionaryparty，"repliedhe，"hadthemajorityintheCouncil.WhatcouldIdo？AmIstrongenoughtoovercomeallthoseobstacles？"——"General，youcanrevivethequestionagain，andopposethepartyyouspeakof."——"Thatwouldbedifficult，"hesaid;"theystillhaveahighhandinthesematters.Timeisrequired.
However，nothingisdefinitivelyarranged.Weshallseewhatcanbedone."The’Senatus—consulte’，publishedonthe6thFloreal，yearX.
（26thofApril1802），afortnightaftertheaboveconversationtookplace，iswellknown.Bonapartewasthenobligedtoyieldtotherevolutionaryparty，orhewouldhaveadheredtohisfirstproposition.
——[TheSenatus—consulteretainedthewoodsandforestsoftheemigrants，andmadetheirrecallan"amnesty."IntheendthisretentionoftheforestswasusedbyNapoleonwithgreatdexterityasameansofplacingthemunderpersonalobligationtohimforrestoringthisspeciesofproperty.SeeThierstomeiii，p.458，livrexiv.]——
NapoleonreferredtothismatteratSt.Helena.Hehimselfsaysthathe"wouldhavebeenable"（heshouldhavesaidthathewished）togranteverything，thatforamomenthethoughtofdoingso，andthatitwasamistakenottodoso."Thislimitationonmypart，"headds，"destroyedallthegoodeffectofthereturnoftheemigrants.ThemistakewasthegreatersinceIthoughtofdoingit，butIwasalone，surroundedbyoppositionsandbyspies：allwereagainstyourparty，youcannoteasilypicturethemattertoyourself，butimportantaffairshurriedme，timepressed，andIwasobligedtoactdifferently."Afterwardshespeaksofasyndicatehewishedtoform，butIhaveneverheardawordofthat.I
havesaidhowthingsreallyhappened，andwhathasbeenjustreadconfirmsthis.
——[ThiswasbynomeanstheonlytimethatNapoleon’swisheswereopposedsuccessfullyinhisCouncilofState.Onsuchoccasionsheusedtodescribehimselfas"repulsedwithlosses."SeetheinterestingworkofSt.Hilaire，NapoleonauConseild’Etat.]——
TheRoyalists，dissatisfiedwiththestateofpoliticalaffairs，werenotbetterpleasedwiththeilliberalconditionsoftherecalloftheemigrants.Thefriendsofpublicliberty，ontheotherhand，werefarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththeotheractsoftheFirstConsul，orwiththeconductofthedifferentpublicauthorities，whowerealwaysreadytomakeconcessionstohim.Thusallpartiesweredissatisfied.
BonapartewasmuchpleasedwithGeneralSebastiani’sconductwhenhewassenttoConstantinople，afterthepeaceofAmiens，toinducetheGrandSeigniortorenewamicablerelationswithFrance.
Attheperiodherealludedto，namely，beforethenewsoftheevacuationofEgypt，thatcountrygreatlyoccupiedBonaparte’sattention.HethoughtthattosendamanlikeSebastianitravellingthroughNorthernAfrica，Egypt，andSyriamightinspirethesovereignsofthosecountrieswithamorefavourableideaofFrancethantheynowentertained，andmightremovetheillimpressionswhichEnglandwasendeavouringtoproduce.OnthismissionSebastianiwasaccordinglydespatched.HevisitedalltheBarbaryStates，Egypt，Palestine，andtheIonianIsles.
Everywherehedrewahighly—colouredpictureofthepowerofBonaparte，anddepreciatedthegloryofEngland.
——[ThisGeneral，orCountSebastian，wasafterwardsambassadorforLouisPhilippeatourCourt.]——
Hestrengthenedoldconnections，andcontractednewoneswiththechiefsofeachcountry.HedeclaredtotheauthoritiesoftheIonianIslesthattheymightrelyonthepowerfulprotectionofFrance.Bonaparte，inmyopinion，expectedtoomuchfromthelaboursofasingleindividualfurnishedwithbutvagueinstructions.StillSebastianididallthatcouldbedone.Theinterestingdetailsofhisproceedingswerepublishedinthe’Moniteur’.ThesecretinformationrespectingthemeansofsuccessfullyattackingtheEnglishestablishmentsinIndiawasverycurious，thoughnotaffordingthehopeofspeedysuccess.
ThepublishedabstractofGeneralSebastiani’sreportwasfullofexpressionshostiletoEngland.AmongotherthingsitwasstatedthatEgyptmightbeconqueredwith6000men，andthattheIonianIsleswheredisposedtothrowofftheyoke.TherecanbelittledoubtthatthispublicationhastenedtheruptureofthetreatyofAmiens.
EnglandsuspendedalldiscussionsrespectingMalta，anddeclaredthatshewouldnotresumethemtilltheKingofGreatBritainshouldreceivesatisfactionforwhatwascalledanactofhostility.Thiswasalwaysputforwardasajustification，goodorbad，forbreakingthetreatyofAmiens，whichEnglandhadnevershownherselfveryreadytoexecute.
Bonaparte，waivingtheusualformaofetiquette，expressedhiswishtohaveaprivateconferencewithLordWhitworth，theambassadorfromLondontoParis，andwhohadbeentheEnglishambassadoratSt.PetersburgprevioustotherupturewhichprecededthedeathofPaulI.Bonapartecountedmuchontheeffecthemightproducebythatcaptivatingmannerwhichhesowellknewhowtoassumeinconversation;butallwasinvain.