InsigningthetreatyofAmienstheBritishMinisterwaswellawarethathewouldbethefirsttobreakit.
Aboutthecommencementoftheyear1802Napoleonbegantofeelacutepainsinhisrightside.IhaveoftenseenhimatMalmaison，whensittingupatnight，leanagainsttherightarmofhischair，andunbuttoninghiscoatandwaistcoatexclaim，——WhatpainIfeel！"Iwouldthenaccompanyhimtohisbedchamber，andhaveoftenbeenobligedtosupporthimonthelittlestaircasewhichledfromhiscabinettothecorridor.Hefrequentlyusedtosayatthistime，"IfearthatwhenIamfortyIshallbecomeagreateater：IhaveaforebodingthatIshallgrowverycorpulent."Thisfearofobesity，thoughitannoyedhimverymuch，didnotappeartohavetheleastfoundation，judgingfromhishabitualtemperanceandsparehabitofbody.Heaskedmewhowasmyphysician.
ItoldhimM.Corvisart，whomhisbrotherLouishadrecommendedtome.
AfewdaysafterhecalledinCorvisart，whothreeyearslaterwasappointedfirstphysiciantotheEmperor.HeappearedtoderivemuchbenefitfromtheprescriptionsofCorvisart，whoseopenandgood—humouredcountenanceatoncemadeafavourableimpressiononhim.
ThepainwhichtheFirstConsulfeltatthistimeincreasedhisirritability.Perhapsmanyofthesetsofthisepochofhislifeshouldbeattributedtothisillness.Atthetimeinquestionhisideaswerenotthesameintheeveningastheyhadbeeninthemorning;andofteninthemorninghewouldtearup，evenwithouttheleastremark，noteshehaddictatedtomeatnightandwhichhehadconsideredexcellent.AtothertimesItookonmyselfnottosendtotheMoniteur，ashewishedmetodo，noteswhich，dictatedbyannoyanceandirascibility，mighthaveproducedabadeffectinEurope.Whenthenextdayhedidnotseethearticle，Iattributedthistothenotebeingtoolate，ortothelatearrivalofthecourier.ButItoldhimitwasnoloss，foritwouldbeinsertedthenextday.Hedidnotansweratonce，butaquarterofanhourafterwardshesaidtome，"Donotsendmynotetothe’Moniteur’
withoutshowingittome."Hetookitandrereadit.Sometimeshewasastonishedatwhathehaddictatedtome，andamusedhimselfbysayingthatIhadnotunderstoodhimproperly."Thatisnotmuchgood，isit？
"——"`Ponmyword，Idon’tquiteknow."——"Ohno，itisworthless;whatsayyou？"Thenhebowedhisheadalittle，andtoreupthepaper.OncewhenwewereattheTuilerieshesentmeattwoo’clockinthemorningasmallnoteinhisownwriting，inwhichwas，"ToBourrienne.WritetoMarettomakehimerasefromthenotewhichFleurieuhasreadtotheTribunatethephrase（speltfrase）concerningCostaz，andtosoftenasmuchaspossiblewhatconcernsthereporteroftheTribunate."
Thischange，aftertimeforreflection，arose，asoftenhappenedwithhim，fromobservationsIhadmadetohim，andwhichhehadatfirstangrilyrepulsed.
AfterthepeaceofAmienstheFirstConsul，wishingtosendanambassadortoEngland，casthiseyes——forwhatreasonIknownot——onGeneralAndreossi.Itookthelibertyofmakingsomeobservationonachoicewhichdidnotappeartometocorrespondwiththeimportanceofthemission.Bonapartereplied，"Ihavenotdeterminedonit;IwilltalktoTalleyrandonthesubject."WhenwewereatMalmaisonintheeveningM.deTalleyrandcametotransactbusinesswiththeFirstConsul.TheproposedappointmentofanambassadortoEnglandwasmentioned.AfterseveralpersonshadbeennamedtheFirstConsulsaid，"IbelieveImustsendAndreossi."M.deTalleyrand，whowasnotmuchpleasedwiththechoice，observedinadrysarcastictone，"YoumustsendAndre’aussi’，I
Pray，whoisthisAndre？"——"IdidnotmentionanyAndre;IsaidAndreossi.YouknowAndreossi，thegeneralofartillery？"——"Ah！true;
Andreossi：Ididnotthinkofhim：Iwasthinkingonlyofthediplomaticmen，anddidnotrecollectanyofthatname.Yes，yes;Andreossiisintheartillery！"Thegeneralwasappointedambassador，andwenttoLondonafterthetreatyofAmiens;buthereturnedagaininafewmonths.Hehadnothingofconsequencetodo，whichwasveryluckyforhim.
In1802JeromewasatBrestintherankof’enseignedevaisseau’——[A
rankinthenavyequivalenttothatofourlieutenant.]——Helaunchedintoexpensesfarbeyondwhathisfortuneorhispaycouldmaintain.HeoftendrewuponmeforsumsofmoneywhichtheFirstConsulpaidwithmuchunwillingness.OneofhislettersinparticularexcitedNapoleon’sanger.TheepistlewasfilledwithaccountsoftheentertainmentsJeromewasgivingandreceiving，andendedbystatingthatheshoulddrawonmefor17，000francs.TothisBonapartewrotethefollowingreply：——
Ihavereadyourletter，Monsieurl’EnseignedeVaisseau;andIamwaitingtohearthatyouarestudyingonboardyourcorvetteaprofessionwhichyououghttoconsiderasyourroadtoglory.Dieyoung，andIshallhavesomeconsolatoryreflection;butifyoulivetosixtywithouthavingservedyourcountry，andwithoutleavingbehindyouanyhonourablerecollections，youhadbetternothavelivedatall.
Jeromeneverfulfilledthewishesofhisbrother，whoalwayscalledhimalittleprofligate.Fromhisearliestyearshisconductwasoftenasourceofvexationtohisbrotherandhisfamily.WestphaliawillnotsoonforgetthathewasherKing;andhissubjectsdidnotwithoutreasonsurnamehim"Heliogabalusinminiature."
TheFirstConsulwasharassedbythecontinualdemandsformoneymadeonhimbyhisbrothers.TogetridofJoseph，whoexpendedlargesumsatMortfontaine，asLuciendidatNeuilly，hegaveM.Collotthecontractforvictuallingthenavy，ontheconditionofhispayingJoseph1，600，000
francsayearoutofhisprofits.IbelievethisarrangementansweredJoseph’spurposeverywell;butitwasanythingbutadvantageoustoM.
Collot.Ithinkawholeyearelapsedwithouthispocketingasinglefarthing.HeobtainedanaudienceoftheFirstConsul，towhomhestatedhisgrievances.Hisoutlaysheshowedwereenormous，andhecouldgetnopaymentfromthenavyoffice.UponwhichtheConsulangrilyinterruptedhim，saying，"DoyouthinkIamamerecapuchin？Decresmusthave100，000crowns，Duroc100，000，Bourrienne100，000;youmustmakethepayments，anddon’tcomeheretroublingmewithyourlongstories.ItisthebusinessofmyMinisterstogivemeaccountsofsuchmatters;IwillhearDecres，andthat’senough.Letmebeteasednolongerwiththesecomplaints;Icannotattendtothem."BonapartethenveryunceremoniouslydismissedM.Collot.Ilearnedafterwardsthathedidnotgetasettlementofthebusinessuntilafteragreatdealoftrouble.
M.Collotoncesaidtome，"Ifhehadaskedmeforasmuchmoneyaswouldhavebuiltafrigateheshouldhavehadit.AllIwantnowistobepaid，andtogetridofthebusiness."M.Collothadreasonandhonouronhisside;buttherewasnothingbutshufflingontheother.
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon，V5，1802
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneMemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V6
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERIX.toCHAPTERXVIII.1802—1803
CHAPTERIX.
1802.
Proverbialfalsehoodofbulletins——M.Doublet——CreationoftheLegionofHonour——OppositiontoitintheCouncilandotherauthoritiesoftheState——Thepartisansofanhereditarysystem——
ThequestionoftheConsulshipforlife.
Thehistorianofthesetimesoughttoputnofaithinthebulletins，despatches，notes，andproclamationswhichhaveemanatedfromBonaparte，orpassedthroughhishands.Formypart，Ibelievethattheproverb，"Asgreataliarasabulletin，"hasasmuchtruthinitastheaxiom，twoandtwomakefour.
ThebulletinsalwaysannouncedwhatBonapartewishedtobebelievedtrue;
buttoformaproperjudgmentonanyfact，counter—bulletinsmustbesoughtforandconsulted.Itiswellknown，too，thatBonaparteattachedgreatimportancetotheplacewhencehedatedhisbulletins;thus，hedatedhisdecreesrespectingthetheatresandHamburgbeefatMoscow.
Theofficialdocumentswerealmostalwaysincorrect.Therewasfalsityintheexaggerateddescriptionsofhisvictories，andfalsityagaininthesuppressionorpalliationofhisreversesandlosses.Awriter，ifhetookhismaterialsfromthebulletinsandtheofficialcorrespondenceofthetime，wouldcomposearomanceratherthanatruehistory.Ofthismanyproofshavebeengiveninthepresentwork.
Anotherthingwhichalwaysappearedtomeveryremarkablewas，thatBonaparte，notwithstandinghisincontestablesuperiority，studiedtodepreciatethereputationsofhismilitarycommanders，andtothrowontheirshouldersfaultswhichhehadcommittedhimself.Itisnotoriousthatcomplaintsandremonstrances，asenergeticastheywerewellfounded，werefrequentlyaddressedtoGeneralBonaparteonthesubjectofhisunjustandpartialbulletins，whichoftenattributedthesuccessofadaytosomeonewhohadverylittletodowithit，andmadenomentionoftheofficerwhoactuallyhadthecommand.ThecomplaintsmadebytheofficersandsoldiersstationedatDamiettacompelledGeneralLanusse，thecommander，toremonstrateagainstthealterationofabulletin，bywhichanengagementwithabodyofArabswasrepresentedasaninsignificantaffair，andthelosstrifling，thoughtheGeneralhadstatedtheactiontobeoneofimportance，andthelossconsiderable.
Themisstatement，inconsequenceofhisspiritedandenergeticremonstrances，wascorrected.
BonapartetookMalta，asiswellknown，inforty—eighthours.TheempireoftheMediterranean，securedtotheEnglishbythebattleofAboukir，andtheirnumerouscruisingvessels，gavethemthemeansofstarvingthegarrison，andofthusforcingGeneralVaubois，thecommandantofMalta，whowascutofffromallcommunicationwithFrance，tocapitulate.
Accordinglyonthe4thofSeptember1800heyieldeduptheGibraltaroftheMediterranean，afteranobledefenceoftwoyears.Thesefactsrequiretobestatedinorderthebettertounderstandwhatfollows.
On22dFebruary1802apersonofthenameofDoublet，whowasthecommissaryoftheFrenchGovernmentatMaltawhenwepossessedthatisland，calleduponmeattheTuileries.HecomplainedbitterlythattheletterwhichhehadwrittenfromMaltatotheFirstConsulonthe2dVentose，yearVIII.（9thFebruary1800），hadbeenalteredinthe’Moniteur’."Icongratulatedhim，"saidM.Doublet，"onthe18thBrumaire，andinformedhimofthestateofMalta，whichwasveryalarming.Quitethecontrarywasprintedinthe’Moniteur’，andthatiswhatIcomplainof.ItplacedmeinaverydisagreeablesituationatMalta，whereIwasaccusedofhavingconcealedtherealsituationoftheisland，inwhichIwasdischargingapublicfunctionthatgaveweighttomywords."IobservedtohimthatasIwasnottheeditorofthe’Moniteur’itwasofnousetoapplytome;butItoldhimtogivemeacopyoftheletter，andIwouldmentionthesubjecttotheFirstConsul，andcommunicatetheanswertohim.Doubletsearchedhispocketfortheletter，butcouldnotfindit.Hesaidhewouldsendacopy，andbeggedmetodiscoverhowtheerrororiginated.Onthesamedayhesentmethecopyoftheletter，inwhich，aftercongratulatingBonaparteonhisreturn，thefollowingpassageoccurs：——"HastentosaveMaltawithmenandprovisions：notimeistobelost."Forthispassagethesewordsweresubstitutedinthe’Moniteur’："HisnameinspiresthebravedefendersofMaltawithfreshcourage;wehavemenandprovisions."
Ignorantofthemotivesofsostrangeaperversion，IshowedthislettertotheFirstConsul.Heshruggeduphisshouldersandsaid，laughing，"Takenonoticeofhim，heisafool;giveyourselfnofurthertroubleaboutit."
Itwascleartherewasnothingmoretobedone.Itwas，however，indespiteofmethatM.Doubletwasplayedthisillturn.IrepresentedtotheFirstConsultheinconvenienceswhichM.Doubletmightexperiencefromthisaffair.ButIveryrarelysawlettersorreportspublishedastheywerereceived.Icaneasilyunderstandhowparticularmotivesmightbeallegedinordertojustifysuchfalsifications;for，whenthepathofcandourandgoodfaithisdepartedfrom，anypretestisputforwardtoexcusebadconduct.Whatsortofahistorywouldhewritewhoshouldconsultonlythepagesofthe’Moniteur’？
AfterthevoteforaddingasecondtenyearstothedurationofBonaparte’sConsulshiphecreated，onthe19thofMay，theorderoftheLegionofHonour.Thisinstitutionwassoonfollowedbythatofthenewnobility.Thus，inashortspaceoftime，theConcordattotranquillizeconsciencesandre—establishharmonyintheChurch;thedecreetorecalltheemigrants;thecontinuanceoftheConsularpowerfortenyears，bywayofpreparationfortheConsulshipforlife，andthepossessionoftheEmpire;andthecreation，inacountrywhichhadabolishedalldistinctions，ofanorderwhichwastoengenderprodigies，followedcloselyontheheelsofeachother.TheBourbons，inrevivingtheabolishedorders，werewiseenoughtopreservealongwiththemtheLegionofHonour.
Ithasalreadybeenseenhow，incertaincircumstances，theFirstConsulalwaysescapedfromtheconsequencesofhisownprecipitation，andgotridofhisblundersbythrowingtheblameonothers——as，forexample，intheaffairoftheparallelbetweenCaesar，Cromwell，andBonaparte.Hewasindeedsoprecipitatethatonemightsay，hadhebeenagardener，hewouldhavewishedtoseethefruitsripenbeforetheblossomshadfallenoff.ThisinconsideratehastenearlyprovedfataltothecreationoftheLegionofHonour，aprojectwhichripenedinhismindassoonashebeheldtheordersglitteringatthebutton—holesoftheForeignMinisters.Hewouldfrequentlyexclaim，"Thisiswell！Thesearethethingsforthepeople！"
Iwas，Imustconfess，adecidedpartisanofthefoundationinFranceofanewchivalricorder，becauseIthink，ineverywell—conductedState，thechiefoftheGovernmentoughttodoallinhispowertostimulatethehonourofthecitizens，andtorenderthemmoresensibletohonorarydistinctionsthantopecuniaryadvantages.Itried，however，atthesametimetowarntheFirstConsulofhisprecipitancy.Heheardmenot;butImustwithequalfranknessconfessthatonthisoccasionIwassoonfreedfromallapprehensionwithrespecttotheconsequencesofthedifficultieshehadtoencounterintheCouncilandintheotherconstitutedordersoftheState.
Onthe4thofMay1801liebroughtforward，forthefirsttimeofficially，intheCouncilofStatethequestionoftheestablishmentoftheLegionofHonour，whichonthe19thMay1802wasproclaimedalawoftheState.Theoppositiontothismeasurewasverygreat，andallthepoweroftheFirstConsul，theforceofhisarguments，andtheimmenseinfluenceofhisposition，couldprocurehimnomorethan14votesoutof24.ThesamefeelingwasdisplayedattheTribunate;wherethemeasureonlypassedbyavoteof56to38.ThebalancewasaboutthesameintheLegislativeBody，wherethevoteswere166to110.Itfollows，then，thatoutofthe394votersinthosethreeseparatebodiesamajorityonlyof78wasobtained.Surprisedatsofeebleamajority，theFirstConsulsaidintheevening，"Ah！Iseeveryclearlytheprejudicesarestilltoostrong.Youwereright;Ishouldhavewaited.Itwasnotathingofsuchurgency.Butthen，itmustbeowned，thespeakersforthemeasuredefendeditbadly.Thestrongminorityhasnotjudgedmefairly."——
"Becalm，"rejoinedI："withoutdoubtitwouldhavebeenbettertowait;
butthethingisdone，andyouwillsoonfindthatthetasteforthesedistinctionsisnotneargoneby.Itisatastewhichbelongstothenatureofman.Youmayexpectsomeextraordinarycircumstancesfromthiscreation——youwillsoonseethem."
InApril1802theFirstConsulleftnostoneunturnedtogethimselfdeclaredConsulforlife.ItisperhapsatthisepochofhiscareerthathemostbroughtintoplaythoseprinciplesofduplicityanddissimulationwhicharecommonlycalledMachiavellian.Neverweretrickery，falsehood，cunning，andaffectedmoderationputintoplaywithmoretalentorsuccess.
InthemonthofMarchhereditarysuccessionandadynastywereineverybody’smouths.Lucienwasthemostviolentpropagatoroftheseideas，andhepursuedhisvocationofapostlewithconstancyandaddress.
Ithasalreadybeenmentionedthat，byhisbrother’sconfession;hepublishedin1800apamphletenforcingthesameideas;whichworkBonaparteafterwardscondemnedasaprematuredevelopmentofhisprojects.M.deTalleyrand，whoseideascouldnotbeotherwisethanfavourabletothemonarchicalformofgovernment，wasreadytoenterintoexplanationswiththeCabinetsofEuropeonthesubject.Thewordswhichnowconstantlyresoundedineveryearwere"stabilityandorder，"undercloakofwhichthedownfallofthepeople’srightwastobeconcealed.
AtthesametimeBonaparte，withtheviewofdisparagingtherealfriendsofconstitutionalliberty，alwayscalledthemideologues，——[IhaveclassedallthesepeopleunderthedenominationofIdeologues，which，besides，iswhatspeciallyandliterallyfitsthem，——searchersafterideas（ideasgenerallyempty）.TheyhavebeenmademoreridiculousthanevenIexpectedbythisapplication，acorrectone，ofthetermideologuetothem.Thephrasehasbeensuccessful，Ibelieve，becauseitwasmine（NapoleoninIung’sLucien，tomeii.p，293）.Napoleonwelcomedeveryattackonthisdescriptionofsage.MuchpleasedwithadiscoursebyRoyerCollard，hesaidtoTalleyrand，"Doyouknow，MonsieurisGrandElecteur，thatanewandseriousphilosophyisrisinginmyuniversity，whichmaydousgreathonouranddisembarrassuscompletelyoftheideologues，slayingthemonthespotbyreasoning？"ItiswithsomethingofthesamesatisfactionthatRenan，writingof1898，saysthatthefinerdreamshadbeendisastrouswhenbroughtintothedomainoffacts，andthathumanconcernsonlybegantoimprovewhentheideologuesceasedtomeddlewiththem（Souvenirs，p.122）.]——
orterrorists.MadameBonaparteopposedwithfortitudetheinfluenceofcounselswhichshebelievedfataltoherhusband.Heindeedspokerarely，andseldomconfidentially，withheronpoliticsorpublicaffairs."Mindyourdistafforyourneedle，"waswithhimacommonphrase.TheindividualswhoappliedthemselveswithmostperseveranceinsupportofthehereditaryquestionwereLucien，Roederer，RegnaultdeSt.
Jeand’Angely，andFontanel.TheireffortswereaidedbytheconclusionofpeacewithEngland，which，byre—establishinggeneraltranquillityforatime，affordedtheFirstConsulanopportunityofforwardinganyplan.
WhiletheFirstConsulaspiredtothethroneofFrance，hisbrothers，especiallyLucien，affectedaridiculousprideandpretension.TakeanalmostincredibleexampleofwhichIwaswitness.OnSunday，the9thofMay，LuciencametoseeMadameBonaparte，whosaidtohim，"WhydidyounotcometodinnerlastMonday？"——"Becausetherewasnoplacemarkedforme：thebrothersofNapoleonoughttohavethefirstplaceafterhim."——
"WhatamItounderstandbythat？"answeredMadameBonaparte."IfyouarethebrotherofBonaparte，recollectwhatyouwere.Atmyhouseallplacesarethesame.Eugeneworldneverhavecommittedsuchafolly."
——[OnsuchpointstherewasconstanttroublewiththeBonapartistfamily，aswillbeseeninMadamedeRemusat’sMemoirs.Foraninstance，in1812，whereJosephinsistedonhismothertakingprecedenceofJosephineatadinnerinhishouse，whenNapoleonsettledthematterbyseizingJosephine’sarmandleadingherinfirst，totheconsternationoftheparty.ButNapoleon，rightinthiscase，hadhisownideasonsuchpoints，"TheplaceofthePrincessElisa，theeldestofhissisters，hadbeenputbelowthatofCaroline，QueenofNaples.ElisawasthenonlyprincessofLucca.TheEmperorsuddenlyrose，andbyashifttotherightplacedthePrincessElisaabovetheQueen.’Now，’saidhe，’donotforgetthatintheimperialfamilyIamtheonlyKing’（Iung’sLucien，tomeii.p.251），Thisruleheseemstohaveadheredto，forwhenheandhisbrotherswentinthesamecarriagetotheChampdeMaiin1815，Jerome，titularKingofWestphalia，hadtotakethefrontseat，whilehiselderbrother，Lucien，onlybearingtheRomantitleofPrincedeCanino，satononeoftheseatsofhonouralongsideNapoleon.Jeromewasdisgusted，andgrumbledataKinghavingtogivewaytoamereRomanPrince，SeeIung’sLucien，tomeii.p，190.]——
Atthisperiod，whentheConsulateforlifewasonlyinembryo，flatteringcounselspouredinfromallquarters，andtendedtoencouragetheFirstConsulinhisdesignofgraspingatabsolutepower.
Libertyrejectedanunlimitedpower，andsetboundstothemeanshewishedandhadtoemployinordertogratifyhisexcessiveloveofwarandconquest."Thepresentstateofthings，thisConsulateoftenyears，"saidhetome，doesnotsatisfyme;Iconsideritcalculatedtoexciteunceasingtroubles."Onthe7thofJuly1801，heobserved，"ThequestionwhetherFrancewillbeaRepublicisstilldoubtful：itwillbedecidedinfiveorsixyears."Itwasclearthathethoughtthistoolongaterm.WhetherheregardedFranceashisproperty，orconsideredhimselfasthepeople’sdelegateandthedefenderoftheirrights，IamconvincedtheFirstConsulwishedthewelfareofFrance;butthenthatwelfarewasinhismindinseparablefromabsolutepower.ItwaswithpainIsawhimfollowingthiscourse.Thefriendsofliberty，thosewhosincerelywishedtomaintainaGovernmentconstitutionallyfree，allowedthemselvestobeprevailedupontoconsenttoanextensionoftenyearsofpowerbeyondthetenyearsoriginallygrantedbytheconstitution.
Theymadethissacrificetogloryandtothatpowerwhichwasitsconsequence;andtheywerefarfromthinkingtheywerelendingtheirsupporttoshamelessintrigues.Theywerefirm，butforthemomentonly，andthenominationforlifewasrejectedbytheSenate，whovotedonlytenyearsmorepowertoBonaparte，whosawthevisionofhisambitionagainadjourned.
TheFirstConsuldissembledhisdispleasurewiththatprofoundartwhich，whenhecouldnotdootherwise，heexercisedtoanextremedegree.ToamessageoftheSenateonthesubjectofthatnominationhereturnedacalmbutevasiveandequivocatinganswer，inwhich，nourishinghisfavouritehopeofobtainingmorefromthepeoplethanfromtheSenate，hedeclaredwithhypocriticalhumility，"ThathewouldsubmittothisnewsacrificeifthewishofthepeopledemandedwhattheSenateauthorised."
Suchwasthehomagehepaidtothesovereigntyofthepeople，whichwassoontobetrampledunderhisfeet！
AnextraordinaryconvocationoftheCouncilofStatetookplaceonMonday，the10thofMay.Acommunicationwasmadetothem，notmerelyoftheSenate’sconsultation，butalsooftheFirstConsul’sadroitandinsidiousreply.TheCouncilregardedthefirstmerelyasanotification，andproceededtoconsideronwhatquestionthepeopleshouldbeconsulted.NotsatisfiedwithgrantingtotheFirstConsultenyearsofprerogative，theCouncilthoughtitbesttostriketheironwhileitwashot，andnottostopshortinthemiddleofsopleasingawork.Infine，theydecidedthatthefollowingquestionshouldbeputtothepeople："ShalltheFirstConsulbeappointedforlife，andshallhehavethepowerofnominatinghissuccessor？"Thereportsofthepolicehadbesidesmuchinfluenceontheresultofthisdiscussion，fortheyoneandalldeclaredthatthewholeofParisdemandedaConsulforlife，withtherightofnamingasuccessor.Thedecisionsonthesetwoquestionswerecarriedasitwerebystorm.Theappointmentforlifepassedunanimously，andtherightofnamingthesuccessorbyamajority.TheFirstConsul，however，formallydeclaredthathecondemnedthissecondmeasure，whichhadnotoriginatedwithhimself.OnreceivingthedecisionoftheCouncilofStatetheFirstConsul，tomaskhisplanforattainingabsolutepower，thoughtitadvisabletoappeartorejectapartofwhatwasofferedhim.Hethereforecancelledthatclausewhichproposedtogivehimthepowerofappointingasuccessor，andwhichhadbeencarriedbyasmallmajority.
CHAPTERX.
1802.
GeneralBernadottepacifiesLavendeeandsuppressesamutinyatTours——Bonaparte’sinjusticetowardshim——Apremeditatedscene——
AdvicegiventoBernadotte，andBonapartedisappointed——TheFirstConsul’sresidenceatSt.Cloud——HisrehearsalsfortheEmpire——
Hiscontemptofmankind——Mr.FoxandBonaparte——Informationofplansofassassination——AmilitarydinnergivenbyBonaparte——Moreaunotoftheparty——Effectofthe’Senates—consultes’ontheConsulateforlife——JourneytoPlombieres——PreviousscenebetweenLucienandJosephine——TheatricalrepresentationsatNeuillyandMalmaison——
Lossofawatch，andhonestyrewarded——CanovaatSt.Cloud——
Bonaparte’sreluctancetostandforamodel.
HavingarrivedatnearlythemiddleofthecareerwhichIhaveundertakentotrace，beforeIadvancefartherImustgobackforafewmoments，asI
havealreadyfrequentlydone，inordertointroducesomecircumstanceswhichescapedmyrecollection，orwhichIpurposelyreserved，thatI
mightplacethemamongstfactsanalogoustothem：Thus，forinstance，I
haveonlyreferredinpassingtoamanwho，sincebecomeamonarch，hasnotceasedtohonourmewithhisfriendship，aswillbeseeninthecourseofmyMemoirs，sincethepartwehaveseenhimplayintheeventsofthe18thBrumaire.Thisman，whomtheinexplicablecombinationofeventshasraisedtoathroneforthehappinessofthepeopleheiscalledtogovern，isBernadotte.
ItwasevidentthatBernadottemustnecessarilyfallintoakindofdisgracefornothavingsupportedBonaparte’sprojectsattheperiodoftheoverthrowoftheDirectory.TheFirstConsul，however，didnotdaretoavengehimselfopenly;buthewatchedforeveryopportunitytoremoveBernadottefromhispresence，toplacehimindifficultsituations，andtoentrusthimwithmissionsforwhichnopreciseinstructionsweregiven，inthehopethatBernadottewouldcommitfaultsforwhichtheFirstConsulmightmakehimwhollyresponsible.
AtthecommencementoftheConsulatethedeplorablewarinLaVendeeragedinallitsintensity.TheorganizationoftheChouanswascomplete，andthiscivilwarcausedBonapartemuchmoreuneasinessthanthatwhichhewasobligedtoconductontheRhineandinItaly，because，fromthesuccessoftheVendeansmightariseaquestionrespectinginternalgovernment，thesolutionofwhichwaslikelytobecontrarytoBonaparte’sviews.TheslightestsuccessoftheVendeansspreadalarmamongsttheholdersofnationalproperty;and，besides，therewasnohopeofreconciliationbetweenFranceandEngland，hereternalandimplacableenemy，aslongastheflameofinsurrectionremainedunextinguished.
Thetaskofterminatingthisunhappystrugglewasobviouslyadifficultone.BonapartethereforeresolvedtoimposeitonBernadotte;butthisgeneral’sconciliatorydisposition，hischivalrousmanners，histendencytoindulgence，andahappymixtureofprudenceandfirmness，madehimsucceedwhereotherswouldhavefailed.Hefinallyestablishedgoodorderandsubmissiontothelaws.
SometimeafterthepacificationofLaVendeearebelliousdispositionmanifesteditselfatToursamongstthesoldiersofaregimentstationedthere.Themenrefusedtomarchuntiltheyreceivedtheirarrearsofpay.Bernadotte，ascommander—in—chiefofthearmyofthewest，withoutbeingalarmedatthedisturbance，orderedthefifty—seconddemi—brigade——
theoneinquestion——tobedrawnupinthesquareofTours，where，attheveryheadofthecorps，theleadersofthemutinywerebyhisordersarrestedwithoutanyresistancebeingoffered.CarnotwhowasthenMinisterofWar，madeareporttotheFirstConsulonthisaffair，which，butforthefirmnessofBernadotte，mighthavebeenattendedwithdisagreeableresults.Carnet’sreportcontainedaplainstatementofthefacts，andofGeneralBernadotte’sconduct.Bonapartewas，however，desiroustofindinitsomepretextforblaminghim，andmademewritethesewordsonthemarginofthereport："GeneralBernadottedidnotactdiscreetlyinadoptingsuchseveremeasuresagainstthefifty—seconddemi—brigade，henothavingthemeans，ifheheadbeenunsuccessful，ofre—establishingorderinatownthegarrisonofwhichwasnotstrongenoughtosubduethemutineers."
Afewdaysafter，theFirstConsulhavinglearnedthattheresultofthisaffairwasquitedifferentfromthatwhichheaffectedtodread，andbeingconvincedthatbyBernadotte’sfirmnessaloneorderhadbeenrestored，hefoundhimselfinsomemeasureconstrainedtowritetotheGeneral，andhedictatedthefollowinglettertome：
PARIS，11thVendemiaire.YearXI.
CITIZEN—GENERAL——Ihavereadwithinteresttheaccountofwhatyoudidtore—establishorderinthefifty—seconddemi—brigade，andalsothereportofGeneralLiebert，datedthe5thVendemiaire.
TellthatofficerthattheGovernmentissatisfiedwithhisconduct.
HispromotionfromtherankofColoneltothatofGeneralofbrigadeisconfirmed.IwishthatbraveofficertocometoParis.Hehasaffordedanexampleoffirmnessandenergywhichdoeshonourtoasoldier.
（Signed）BONAPARTE.
ThusinthesameaffairBonaparte，inafewdays，fromthespontaneousexpressionofblamedictatedbyhate，wasreducedtothenecessityofdeclaringhisapprobation，whichhedid，asmaybeseen，withstudiedcoldness，andeventakingpainstomakehispraisesapplytoColonelLiebert，andnottothegeneral—in—chief.
TimeonlyservedtoaugmentBonaparte’sdislikeofBernadotte.Itmightbesaidthatthefartherheadvancedinhisrapidmarchtowardsabsolutepowerthemoreanimosityhecherishedagainsttheindividualwhohadrefusedtoaidhisfirststepsinhisadventurouscareer.AtthesametimethepersonsaboutBonapartewhopractisedtheartofflatteringfailednottomultiplyreportsandinsinuationsagainstBernadotte.
Irecollectoneday，whentherewastobeagrandpubliclevee，seeingBonapartesomuchoutoftemperthatIaskedhimthecauseofit."Icanbearitnolonger，"herepliedimpetuously."IhaveresolvedtohaveascenewithBernadotteto—day.Hewillprobablybehere.Iwillopenthefire，letwhatwillcomeofit.Hemaydowhathepleases.Weshallsee！Itistimethereshouldbeanendofthis."
IhadneverbeforeobservedtheFirstConsulsoviolentlyirritated.
Hewasinaterriblepassion，andIdreadedthemomentwhentheleveewastoopen.WhenheleftmetogodowntothesalonIavailedmyselfoftheopportunitytogettherebeforehim，whichIcouldeasilydo，asthesalonwasnottwentystepsfromthecabinet.BygoodluckBernadottewasthefirstpersonIsaw.HewasstandingintherecessofawindowwhichlookedonthesquareoftheCarrousel.TocrossthesalonandreachtheGeneralwastheworkofamoment."General！"saidI，"trustmeandretire！——Ihavegoodreasonsforadvisingit！"Bernadotte，seeingmyextremeanxiety，andawareofthesinceresentimentsofesteemendfriendshipwhichIentertainedforhim，consentedtoretire，andI
regardedthisasatriumph;for，knowingBernadotte’sfranknessofcharacterandhisnicesenseofhonour，IwasquitecertainthathewouldnotsubmittotheharshobservationswhichBonaparteintendedtoaddresstohim.MystratagemhadallthesuccessIcoulddesire.TheFirstConsulsuspectednothing，andremarkedonlyonething，whichwasthathisvictimwasabsent.Whentheleveewasoverhesaidtome，"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Bourrienne？———Bernadottedidnotcome."——"Somuchthebetterforhim，General，"wasmyreply.Nothingfurtherhappened.TheFirstConsulonreturningfromJosephinefoundmeinthecabinet，andconsequentlycouldsuspectnothing，andmycommunicationwithBernadottedidnotoccupyfiveminutes.BernadottealwaysexpressedhimselfmuchgratifiedwiththeproofoffriendshipIgavehimatthisdelicateconjuncture.Thefactis，thatfromadispositionofmymind，whichI
couldnotmyselfaccountfor，themoreBonaparte’aunjusthatredofBernadotteincreasedthemoresympathyandadmirationIfeltforthenoblecharacterofthelatter.
Theeventinquestionoccurredinthespringof1802.ItwasatthisperiodthatBonapartefirstoccupiedSt.Cloud，whichhewasmuchpleasedwith，becausehefoundhimselfmoreatlibertytherethanattheTuileries;whichpalaceisreallyonlyaprisonforroyalty，asthereasovereigncannoteventaketheairatawindowwithoutimmediatelybeingtheobjectofthecuriosityofthepublic，whocollectinlargecrowds.
AtSt.Cloud，onthecontrary，Bonapartecouldwalkoutfromhiscabinetandprolonghispromenadewithoutbeingannoyedbypetitioners.OneofhisfirststepswastorepairthecrossroadleadingfromSt.CloudtoMalmaison，betweenwhichplacesBonaparterodeinaquarterofanhour.
Thisproximitytothecountry，whichheliked，madestayingatSt.Cloudyetpleasantertohim.ItwasatSt.CloudthattheFirstConsulmade，ifImaysoexpressit，hisfirstrehearsalsofthegranddramaoftheEmpire.Itwastherehebegantointroduce，inexternalforms，thehabitsandetiquettewhichbroughttomindtheceremoniesofsovereignty.
Hesoonperceivedtheinfluencewhichpompofceremony，brilliancyofappearance，andrichnessofcostume，exerciseoverthemassofmankind.
"Men，"heremarkedtomeathisperiod，"welldeservethecontemptIfeelforthem.IhaveonlytoputsomegoldlaceonthecoatsofmyvirtuousrepublicansandtheyimmediatelybecomejustwhatIwishthem."
Irememberoneday，afteroneofhisfrequentsalliesofcontemptforhumankind，Iobservedtohimthatalthoughbaublesmightexcitevulgaradmiration，thereweresomedistinguishedmenwhodidnotpermitthemselvestobefascinatedbytheirallurements;andImentionedthecelebratedFoxbywayofexample，who，previoustotheconclusionofthepeaceofAmiens，visitedParis，wherehewasremarkedforhisextremesimplicity.TheFirstConsulsaid，"Ah！youarerightwithrespecttohim.Mr.Foxisatrulygreatman，andpleasesmemuch."
Infact，BonapartealwaysreceivedMr.Fox’svisitswiththegreatestsatisfaction;andaftereveryconversationtheyhadtogetherheneverfailedtoexpresstomethepleasurewhichheexperiencedindiscoursingwithamaneverywayworthyofthegreatcelebrityhehadattained.
Heconsideredhimaverysuperiorman，andwishedhemighthavetotreatwithhiminhisfuturenegotiationswithEngland.ItmaybesupposedthatMr.Fox，onhispart，neverforgotthetermsofintimacy，Imaysayofconfidence，onwhichhehadbeenwiththeFirstConsul.Infact，heonseveraloccasionsinformedhimintimeofwaroftheplotsformedagainsthislife.Lesscouldnotbeexpectedfromamanofsonobleacharacter.Icanlikewiseaffirm，havingmorethanoncebeeninpossessionofproofsofthefact，thattheEnglishGovernmentconstantlyrejectedwithindignationallsuchprojects.IdonotmeanthosewhichhadfortheirobjecttheoverthrowoftheConsularorImperialGovernment，butallplansofassassinationandsecretattacksonthepersonofBonaparte，whetherFirstConsulorEmperor.IwillhererequesttheindulgenceofthereaderwhilstIrelateacircumstancewhichoccurredayearbeforeMr.Fox’sjourneytoParis;butasitreferstoMoreau，Ibelievethatthetranspositionwillbepardonedmoreeasilythantheomission.
Duringthesummer1801theFirstConsultookafancytogiveagrandmilitarydinneratarestaurateur’s.TherestaurateurhefavouredwithhiscompanywasVeri，whoseestablishmentwassituatedontheterraceoftheFeuillanswithanentranceintothegardenoftheTuileries.
BonapartedidnotsendaninvitationtoMoreau，whomImetbychancethatdayinthefollowingmanner：——TheceremonyofthedinneratVeri’sleavingmeatlibertytodisposeofmytime，Iavailedmyselfofittogoanddineatarestaurateur’snamedRose，whothenenjoyedgreatcelebrityamongstthedistinguishedgastronomes.IdinedincompanywithM.
Carbonnet，afriendofMoreau’sfamily，andtwoorthreeotherpersons.
WhilstwewereattableintherotundawewereinformedbythewaiterwhoattendedonusthatGeneralMoreauandhiswife，withLacueeandtwoothermilitarymen，wereinanadjoiningapartment.Suchet，whohaddinedatVeri’s，wherehesaideverythingwasprodigiouslydull，onrisingfromthetablejoinedMoreau’sparty.ThesedetailswelearnedfromM.Carbonnet，wholeftusforafewmomentstoseetheGeneralandMadameMoreau.
Bonaparte’saffectationinnotinvitingMoreauatthemomentwhenthelatterhadreturnedaconquerorfromthearmyoftheRhine，andatthesametimetheaffectationofMoreauingoingpubliclythesamedaytodineatanotherrestaurateur’s，affordedgroundforthesuppositionthatthecoolnesswhichexistedbetweenthemwouldsoonbeconvertedintoenmity.ThepeopleofParisnaturallythoughtthattheconquerorofMarengomight，withoutanydegradation，havegiventheconquerorofHohenlindenaseatathistable.
Bythecommencementoftheyear1802theRepublichadceasedtobeanythingelsethanafiction，oranhistoricalrecollection.AllthatremainedofitwasadeceptiveinscriptiononthegatesofthePalace.
EvenatthetimeofhisinstallationattheTuileries，Bonapartehadcausedthetwotreesoflibertywhichwereplantedinthecourttobecutdown;thusremovingtheoutwardemblemsbeforehedestroyedthereality.
ButthemomenttheSenatorialdecisionsofthe2dand4thofAugustwerepublisheditwasevidenttothedullestperceptionsthatthepoweroftheFirstConsulwantednothingbutaname.
Afterthese’Consultes’BonapartereadilyaccustomedhimselftoregardtheprincipalauthoritiesoftheStatemerelyasnecessaryinstrumentsfortheexerciseofhispower.Interestedadvisersthencrowdedroundhim.Itwasseriouslyproposedthatheshouldrestoretheancienttitles，asbeingmoreinharmonywiththenewpowerwhichthepeoplehadconfidedtohimthantherepublicanforms.Hewasstillofopinion，however，accordingtohisphrase，that"thepearwasnotyetripe，"andwouldnothearthisprojectspokenofforamoment."Allthis，"hesaidtomeoneday，"willcomeingoodtime;butyoumustsee，Bourrienne，thatitisnecessaryIshould，inthefirstplace，assumeatitle，fromwhichtheothersthatIwillgivetoeverybodywillnaturallytaketheirorigin.Thegreatestdifficultyissurmounted.Thereisnolongeranypersontodeceive.EverybodyseesasclearasdaythatitisonlyonestepwhichseparatesthethronefromtheConsulateforlife.However，wemustbecautious.TherearesometroublesomefellowsintheTribunate，butIwilltakecareofthem."
Whilsttheseseriousquestionsagitatedmen’smindsthegreaterpartoftheresidentsatMalmaisontookatriptoPlombieres.Josephine，Bonaparte’smother，MadameBeauharnais—Lavallette，Hortense，andGeneralRapp，wereofthisparty.Itpleasedthefancyofthejocundcompanytoaddresstomeabulletinofthepleasantandunpleasantoccurrencesofthejourney.Iinsertthislettermerelyasaproofoftheintimacywhichexistedbetweenthewritersandmyself.Itfollows，preciselyasI
havepreservedit，withtheexceptionoftheblots，forwhichitwillbeseentheyapologised.
ANACCOUNTOFTHEJOURNEYTOPLOMBIERES.
TotheInhabitantsofMalmaison.
ThewholepartyleftMalmaisonintears，whichbroughtonsuchdreadfulheadachesthatalltheamiablepersonswerequiteovercomebytheideaofthejourney.MadameBonaparte，mere，supportedthefatiguesofthismemorabledaywiththegreatestcourage;butMadameBonaparte，Consulesse，didnotshowany.Thetwoyoungladieswhosatinthedormouse，MademoiselleHortenseandMadameLavallette，wererivalcandidatesforabottleofEaudeCologne;andeverynowandthentheamiableM.Rappmadethecarriagestopforthecomfortofhispoorlittlesickheart，whichoverflowedwithbile：infine，hewasobligedtotaketobedonarrivingatEpernay，whiletherestoftheamiablepartytriedtodrowntheirsorrowsinchampagne.Theseconddaywasmorefortunateonthescoreofhealthandspirits，butprovisionswerewanting，andgreatwerethesufferingsofthestomach.ThetravellerslivedonthehopeofagoodsupperatToul;butdespairwasatitsheightwhen，onarrivingthere，theyfoundonlyawretchedinn，andnothinginit.
Wesawsomeodd—lookingfolksthere，whichindemnifiedusalittleforspinachdressedinlamp—oil，andredasparagusfriedwithcurdledmilk.
WhowouldnothavebeenamusedtoseetheMalmaisongourmandsseatedatatablesoshockinglyserved！
InnorecordofhistoryistheretobefoundadaypassedindistresssodreadfulasthatonwhichwearrivedatPlombieres.OndepartingfromToulweintendedtobreakfastatNancy，foreverystomachhadbeenemptyfortwodays;butthecivilandmilitaryauthoritiescameouttomeetus，andpreventedusfromexecutingourplan.Wecontinuedourroute，wastingaway，sothatyoumight，seeusgrowingthinnereverymoment.
Tocompleteourmisfortune，thedormouse，whichseemedtohavetakenafancytoembarkontheMoselleforMetz，barelyescapedanoverturn.
ButatPlombiereswehavebeenwellcompensatedforthisunluckyjourney，foronourarrivalwewerereceivedwithallkindsofrejoicings.Thetownwasilluminated，thecannonfired，andthefacesofhandsomewomenatallthewindowsgiveusreasontohopethatweshallbearourabsencefromMalmaisonwiththelessregret.
Withtheexceptionofsomeanecdotes，whichwereserveforchit—chatonourreturn，youhavehereacorrectaccountofourjourney，whichwe，theundersigned，herebycertify.
JOSEPHINEBONAPARTE.
BEAUHARNAIS—LAPALLETTE.
HORTENSEBEAUHARNAIS.
RAPP.
BONAPARTE，mere.
Thecompanyaskpardonfortheblots.
21stMessidor.
Itisrequestedthatthepersonwhoreceivesthisjournalwillshowittoallwhotakeaninterestinthefairtravellers.
ThisjourneytoPlombiereswasprecededbyascenewhichIshouldabstainfromdescribingifIhadnotundertakentorelatethetruthrespectingthefamilyoftheFirstConsul.TwoorthreedaysbeforeherdepartureMadameBonapartesentforme.Iobeyedthesummons，andfoundherintears."Whataman—whatamanisthatLucien！"sheexclaimedinaccentsofgrief."Ifyouknew，myfriend，theshamefulproposalshehasdaredtomaketome！’Youaregoingtothewaters，’saidhe;’youmustgetachildbysomeotherpersonsinceyoucannothaveonebyhim.’ImaginetheindignationwithwhichIreceivedsuchadvice.’Well，’hecontinued，’ifyoudonotwishit，orcannothelpit，Bonapartemustgetachildbyanotherwoman，andyoumustadoptit，foritisnecessarytosecureanhereditarysuccessor.Itisforyourinterest;youmustknowthat.’——
’What，sir！’Ireplied，’doyouimaginethenationwillsufferabastardtogovernit？Lucien！Lucien！youwouldruinyourbrother！Thisisdreadful！WretchedshouldIbe，wereanyonetosupposemecapableoflistening，withouthorror，toyourinfamousproposal！Yourideasarepoisonous;yourlanguagehorrible！’——’Well，Madame，’retortedhe，’allI
cansaytothatis，thatIamreallysorryforyou！’"
TheamiableJosephinewassobbingwhilstshedescribedthisscenetome，andIwasnotinsensibletotheindignationwhichshefelt.Thetruthis，thatatthatperiodLucien，thoughconstantlyaffectingtodespisepowerforhimself，wasincessantlylabouringtoconcentrateitinthehandsofhisbrother;andheconsideredthreethingsnecessarytothesuccessofhisviews，namely，hereditarysuccession，divorce，andtheImperialGovernment.
LucienhadadelightfulhousenearNeuilly.SomedaysbeforethedeplorablescenewhichIhaverelatedheinvitedBonaparteandalltheinmatesatMalmaisontowitnessatheatricalrepresentation.’Alzire’
wasthepieceperformed.EliseplayedAlzire，andLucien，Zamore.Thewarmthoftheirdeclarations，theenergeticexpressionoftheirgestures，thetoofaithfulnudityofcostume，disgustedmostofthespectators，andBonapartemorethananyother.Whentheplaywasoverhewasquiteindignant."Itisascandal，"hesaidtomeinanangrytone;"Ioughtnottosuffersuchindecencies——IwillgiveLucientounderstandthatI
willhavenomoreofit."Whenhisbrotherhadresumedhisowndress，andcameintothesalon，headdressedhimpublicly，andgavehimtounderstandthathemustforthefuturedesistfromsuchrepresentations.
WhenwereturnedtoMalmaison;heagainspokeofwhathadpassedwithdissatisfaction."What！"saidhe，"whenIamendeavouringtorestorepurityofmanners，mybrotherandsistermustneedsexhibitthemselvesupontheboardsalmostinastateofnudity！Itisaninsult！"
Lucienhadastrongpredilectionfortheatricalexhibitions，towhichheattachedgreatimportance.Thefactis，hedeclaimedinasuperiorstyle，andmighthavecompetedwiththebestprofessionalactors.ItwassaidthattheturbanofOrosmane，thecostumeofAmerica，theRomantoga，ortherobeofthehighpriestofJerusalem，allbecamehimequallywell;
andIbelievethatthiswastheexacttruth.TheatricalrepresentationswerenotconfinedtoNeuilly.WehadourtheatreandourcompanyofactorsatMalmaison;butthereeverythingwasconductedwiththegreatestdecorum;andnowthatIhavegotbehindthescenes，IwillnotquitthemuntilIhaveletthereaderintothesecretsofourdrama.
BythedirectionoftheFirstConsulaveryprettylittletheatrewasbuiltatMalmaison.OurusualactorswereEugeneBEAUHARNAIS，Hortense，MadameMurat，Lauriston，M.Didelot，oneoftheprefectsofthePalace，someotherindividualsbelongingtotheFirstConsul’shousehold，andmyself.Freedfromthecaresofgovernment，whichweconfinedasmuchaspossibletotheTuileries，wewereaveryhappycolonyatMalmaison;and，besides，wewereyoung，andwhatistheretowhichyouthdoesnotaddcharms？ThepieceswhichtheFirstConsulmostlikedtoseeusperformwere，’LeBarbierdeSeville’and’DefianceetMalice’.InLeBarbierLauristonplayedthepartofCountAlmaviva;Hortense，Rosins;Eugene，Basil;Didelot，Figaro;I，Bartholo;andIsabey，l’Aveille.Ourotherstockpieceswere，ProjetsdeMariage，LaGageltre，theDapitAnloureux，inwhichIplayedthepartofthevalet;andL’ImpromptudeCampagne，inwhichIenactedtheBaron，havingformyBaronesstheyoungandhandsomeCarolineMurat.
Hortense’sactingwasperfection，Carolinewasmiddling，Eugeneplayedverywell，Lauristonwasratherheavy，Didelotpassable，andImayventuretoassert，withoutvanity，thatIwasnotquitetheworstofthecompany.Ifwewerenotgoodactorsitwasnotforwantofgoodinstructionandgoodadvice.TalmaandMichotcametodirectus，andmadeusrehearsebeforethem，sometimesaltogetherandsometimesseparately.HowmanylessonshaveIreceivedfromMichotwhilstwalkinginthebeautifulparkofMalmaison！AndmayIbeexcusedforsaying，thatInowexperiencepleasureinlookingbackuponthesetrifles，whicharemattersofimportancewhenoneisyoung，andwhichcontrastedsosingularlywiththegreattheatreonwhichwedidnotrepresentfictitiouscharacters？Wehad，toadopttheatricallanguage，agoodsupplyofproperty.Bonapartepresentedeachofuswithacollectionofdramasverywellbound;and，asthepatronofthecompany，heprovideduswithrichandelegantdresses.
——[WhileBourrienne，belongingtotheMalmaisoncompany，consideredthattheactingatNeuillywasindecent，Lucien，whorefusedtoactatMalmaison，naturallythoughttheMalmaisontroupewasdull."HortenseandCarolinefilledtheprincipalparts.Theywereverycommonplace.InthistheyfollowedtheunfortunateMarieAntoinetteandhercompanions.
LouisXVI.，notnaturallypolite，whenseeingthemact，hadsaidthatitwasroyallybadlyacted"（seeMadameCampan’sLifeofMarieAntoinette，tomei.p.299）."TheFirstConsulsaidofhistroupethatitwassovereignlybadlyactedMurat，Lannes，andevenCarolineranted.
Elisa，who，havingbeeneducatedatSaintCyr，spokepurelyandwithoutaccent，refusedtoact.Janotactedwellthedrunkenparts，andeventheothersheundertook.Therestweredecidedlybad.Worsethanbad——
ridiculous"（Iung’sLucien’s，tomeii.p.256）.Rivalactorsarenotfaircritics.LetushearMadameJunot（tomeii.p.103）."ThecleverestofourcompanywasM.deBourrienne.Heplayedthemoredignifiedcharactersinrealperfection，andhistalentwasthemorepleasingasitwasnottheresultofstudy，butofaperfectcomprehensionofhispart."Andshegoesontosaythateventhebestprofessionalactorsmighthavelearntfromhiminsomeparts.Theaudiencewasnotapleasantonetoface.ItwastheFirstConsul’shabittoinvitefortypersonstodinner，andahundredandfiftyfortheevening，andconsequentlytohear，criticise，andbanteruswithoutmercy"（MemoirsofDuchessed’Abrantes，tomeii.p.108）.]——
Bonapartetookgreatpleasureinourperformances.Helikedtoseeplaysactedbypersonswithwhomhewasfamiliar.Sometimeshecomplimentedusonourexertions.AlthoughIwasasmuchamusedwiththethingasothers，Iwasmorethanonceobligedtoremindhimthatmyoccupationsleftmebutlittletimetolearnmyparts.Thenhewouldassumehiscoaxingmannerandsay，"Come，donotvexme！Youhavesuchamemory！
Youknowthatitamusesme.YouseethattheseperformancesrenderMalmaisongayandanimated;Josephinetakesmuchpleasureinthem.Riseearlierinthemorning.——Infact，Isleeptoomuch;isnotthatthecaf？——Come，Bourrienne，doobligeme.Youmakemelaughsoheartily！
Donotdeprivemeofthispleasure.Ihavenotovermuchamusement，asyouwellknow."——"All，truly！Iwouldnotdepriveyouofanypleasure.
Iamdelightedtobeabletocontributetoyouramusement."AfteraconversationofthissortIcouldnotdolessthansetaboutstudyingmypart.
Atthisperiod，duringsummer，IhadhalftheSundaytomyself.Iwas，however，obligedtodevoteaportionofthispreciousleisuretopleasingBonapartebystudyinganewpartasasurpriseforhim.Occasionally，however，IpassedthetimeatRuel.Irecollectthatoneday，whenIhadhurriedtherefromMalmaison，IlostabeautifulwatchmadebyBreguet.
Itwasfouro’clockintheafternoon，andtheroadwasthatdaythrongedwithpeople.ImademylosspubliclyknownbymeansofthecrierofRuel.Anhourafter，asIwassittingdowntotable，ayoungladbelongingtothevillagebroughtmemywatch.Hehadfounditonthehighroadinawheelrut.Iwaspleasedwiththeprobityofthisyoungman，andrewardedbothhimandhisfather，whoaccompaniedhim.I
reiteratedthecircumstancethesameeveningtotheFirstConsul，whowassostruckwiththisinstanceofhonestythathedirectedmetoprocureinformationrespectingtheyoungmanandhisfamily.Ilearnedthattheywerehonestpeasants.Bonapartegaveemploymenttothreebrothersofthisfamily;and，whatwasmostdifficulttopersuadehimto，heexemptedtheyoungmanwhobroughtmethewatchfromtheconscription.
WhenafactofthisnaturereachedBonaparte’searitwasseldomthathedidnotgivetheprincipalactorinitsomeproofofhissatisfaction.
Twoqualitiespredominatedinhischaracter——kindnessandimpatience.
Impatience，whenhewasunderitsinfluence，gotthebetterofhim;itwasthenimpossibleforhimtocontrolhimself.Ihadaremarkableproofofitaboutthisveryperiod.
CanovahavingarrivedinPariscametoSt.CloudtomodelthefigureoftheFirstConsul，ofwhomhewasabouttomakeacolossalstatue.Thisgreatartistcameoften，inthehopeofgettinghismodeltostandintheproperattitude;butBonapartewassotired，disgusted，andfrettedbytheprocess，thatheveryseldomputhimselfintherequiredattitude，andthenonlyforashorttime.BonapartenotwithstandinghadthehighestregardforCanova.WheneverhewasannouncedtheFirstConsulsentmetokeephimcompanyuntilhewasatleisuretogivehimasitting;buthewouldshruguphisshouldersandsay，"Moremodeling！
GoodHeavens，howvexatious！"Canovaexpressedgreatdispleasureatnotbeingabletostudyhismodelashewishedtodo，andthelittleanxietyofBonaparteonthesubjectdampedtheardourofhisimagination.
Everybodyagreesinsayingthathehasnotsucceededinthework，andI
haveexplainedthereason.TheDukeofWellingtonafterwardspossessedthiscolossalstatue，whichwasabouttwicehisownheight.
CHAPTERXI.
1802.
Bonaparte’sprincipleastothechangeofMinisters——Fouche——HisinfluencewiththeFirstConsul——Fouche’sdismissal——ThedepartmentsofPoliceandJusticeunitedunderRegnier——MadameBonaparte’sregretforthedismissalofFouche——Familyscenes——MadameLouisBonaparte’spregnancy——FalseandinfamousreportstoJosephine——
Legitimacyandabastard——RaedererreproachedbyJosephine——HervisittoRuel——Longconversationwithher——AssertionatSt.Helenarespectingagreatpoliticalfraud.
Itisaprincipleparticularlyapplicabletoabsolutegovernmentsthataprinceshouldchangehisministersasseldomaspossible，andneverexceptuponseriousgrounds.BonaparteactedonthisprinciplewhenFirstConsul，andalsowhenhebecameEmperor.Heoftenallowedunjustcausestoinfluencehim，butheneverdismissedaMinisterwithoutcause;
indeed，hemorethanonce，withoutanyreason，retainedMinisterslongerthanheoughttohavedoneinthesituationsinwhichhehadplacedthem.
Bonaparte’stenacityinthisrespect，insomeinstances，producedveryoppositeresults.Forinstance，itaffordedM.Gaudin’timetoestablishadegreeoforderintheadministrationofFinancewhichbeforehistimehadneverexisted;andontheotherhand，itenabledM.DecrestoreducetheMinistryofMarinetoanunparalleledstateofconfusion.
Bonapartesawnothinginmenbuthelpsandobstacles.Onthe18thBrumaireFouchewasahelp.TheFirstConsulfearedthathewouldbecomeanobstacle;itwasnecessary，therefore，tothinkofdismissinghim.
Bonaparte’smostsincerefriendshadfromthebeginningbeenopposedtoFouche’shavinganyshareintheGovernment.Buttheirdisinterestedadviceproducednootherresultthantheirowndisgrace，soinfluentialapersonhadFouchebecome.Howcoulditbeotherwise？FouchewasidentifiedwiththeRepublicbythedeathoftheKing，forwhichhehadvoted;withtheReignofTerrorbyhissanguinarymissionstoLyonsandNevers;withtheConsulatebyhisrealthoughperhapsexaggeratedservices;withBonapartebythecharmwithwhichhemightbesaidtohavefascinatedhim;withJosephinebytheenmityoftheFirstConsul’sbrothers.Whowouldbelieveit？FoucherankedtheenemiesoftheRevolutionamongsthiswarmestpartisans.Theyoverwhelmedhimwitheulogy，tothedisparagementevenoftheHeadoftheState，becausethecunningMinister，practisinganinterestedindulgence，sethimselfupastheprotectorofindividualsbelongingtoclasseswhich，whenhewasproconsul，hehadattackedinthemass.Directorofpublicopinion，andhavinginhishandsthemeansathispleasureofinspiringfearorofentanglingbyinducements，itwasallinhisfavourthathehadalreadydirectedthisopinion.ThemachineryhesetinmotionwassocalculatedthatthepolicewasratherthepoliceofFouchethanthatoftheMinisteroftheGeneralPolice.ThroughoutParis，andindeedthroughoutallFrance，Foucheobtainedcreditforextraordinaryability;andthepopularopinionwascorrectinthisrespect，namely，thatnomaneverdisplayedsuchabilityinmakingitbesupposedthathereallypossessedtalent.
Fouche’ssecretinthisparticularisthewholesecretofthegreaterpartofthosepersonswhoarecalledstatesmen.
Bethisasitmay，theFirstConsuldidnotbeholdwithpleasurethefactitiousinfluenceofwhichFouchehadpossessedhimself.Forsometimepast，totherepugnancewhichatbottomhehadfelttowards.
Fouche，wereaddedothercausesofdiscontent.InconsequenceofhavingbeendeceivedbysecretreportsandcorrespondenceBonapartebegantoshruguphisshoulderswithanexpressionofregretwhenhereceivedthem，andsaid，"Wouldyoubelieve，Bourrienne，thatIhavebeenimposedonbythesethings？Allsuchdenunciationsareuseless——scandalous.
Allthereportsfromprefectsandthepolice，alltheinterceptedletters，areatissueofabsurditiesandlies.Idesiretohavenomoreofthem."Hesaidso，buthestillreceivedthem.However，Fouche’sdismissalwasresolvedupon.ButthoughBonapartewishedtogetridofhim，still，undertheinfluenceofthecharm，hedarednotproceedagainsthimwithoutthegreatestcaution.HefirstresolveduponthesuppressionoftheofficeofMinisterofPoliceinordertodisguisethemotivefortheremovaloftheMinister.TheFirstConsultoldFouchethatthissuppression，whichhespokeofasbeingyetremote，wascalculatedmorethananythingelsetogivestrengthtotheGovernment，sinceitwouldaffordaproofofthesecurityandinternaltranquillityofFrance.OverpoweredbytheargumentswithwhichBonapartesupportedhisproposition，Fouchecouldurgenogoodreasonsinoppositiontoit，butcontentedhimselfwithrecommendingthattheexecutionofthedesign，whichwasgoodinintention，should，however，bepostponedfortwoyears.
BonaparteappearedtolistenfavourablytoFouche’srecommendation，who，asavariciousformoneyasBonaparteofglory，consoledhimselfbythinkingthatforthesetwoyearstheadministrationofthegamingtableswouldstillbeforhimaPactolusflowingwithgold.ForFouche，alreadythepossessorofanimmensefortune，alwaysdreamedofincreasingit，thoughhehimselfdidnotknowhowtoenjoyit.WithhimtheambitionofenlargingtheboundsofhisestateofPont—CarrewasnotlessfeltthanwiththeFirstConsultheambitionofextendingthefrontierofFrance.
NotonlydidtheFirstConsulnotlikeFouche，butitisperfectlytruethatatthistimethepoliceweariedandannoyedhim.Severaltimeshetoldmehelookedonitasdangerous，especiallyforthepossessorofpower.InaGovernmentwithoutthelibertyofthepresshewasquiteright.TheveryserviceswhichthepolicehadrenderedtotheFirstConsulwereofanaturetoalarmhim，forwhoeverhadconspiredagainsttheDirectoryinfavouroftheConsulatemightalsoconspireagainsttheConsulateinfavourofanyotherGovernment.ItisneedlesstosaythatIonlyalludetothepoliticalpolice，andnottothemunicipalpolice，whichisindispensableforlargetowns，andwhichhasthehonourablemissionofwatchingoverthehealthandsafetyofthecitizens.
Fouche，ashasbeenstated，hadbeenMinisterofPolicesincethe18thBrumaire.Everybodywhowasacquaintedwith，theFirstConsul’scharacterwasunabletoexplaintheascendencywhichhehadsufferedFouchetoacquireoverhim，andofwhichBonapartehimselfwasreallyimpatient.HesawinFoucheacentrearoundwhichalltheinterestsoftheRevolutionconcentratedthemselves，andatthishefeltindignant;
but，subjecttoaspeciesofmagnetism，hecouldnotbreakthecharmwhichenthralledhim.WhenhespokeofFoucheinhisabsencehislanguagewaswarm，bitter，andhostile.WhenFouchewaspresent，Bonaparte’stonewassoftened，unlesssomepublicscenewastobeactedlikethatwhichoccurredaftertheattemptofthe3dNivose.
ThesuppressionoftheMinistryofPolicebeingdeterminedon，Bonapartedidnotchoosetodelaytheexecutionofhisdesign，ashehadpretendedtothinknecessary.Ontheeveningofthe12thofSeptemberwewenttoMortfontaine.Wepassedthenextday，whichwasMonday，atthatplace，anditwasthere，farremovedfromFouche，andurgedbythecombinedpersuasionsofJosephandLucien，thattheFirstConsulsignedthedecreeofsuppression.ThenextmorningwereturnedtoParis.FouchecametoMalmaison，wherewewere，intheregularexecutionofhisduties.TheFirstConsultransactedbusinesswithhimasusualwithoutdaringtotellhimofhisdismissal，andafterwardssentCambacerestoinformhimofit.
Afterthisact，respectingwhichhehadhesitatedsolong，Bonapartestillendeavouredtomodifyhisrigour.HavingappointedFoucheaSenator，hesaidintheletterwhichhewrotetotheSenatetonotifytheappointment：
"Fouche，asMinisterofPolice，intimesofdifficulty，hasbyhistalent，hisactivity，andhisattachmenttotheGovernmentdoneallthatcircumstancesrequiredofhim.PlacedinthebosomoftheSenate，ifeventsshouldagaincallforaMinisterofPolicetheGovernmentcannotfindonemoreworthyofitsconfidence."
FromthismomentthedepartmentsofJusticeandPoliceunitedwereconfidedtothehandsofRegnier.’Bonaparte’saversionforFouchestrangelyblindedhimwithrespecttothecapabilitiesofhissuccessor.
Besides，howcouldtheadministrationofjustice，whichrestsonfixed，rigid，.andunchangeablebases，proceedhandinhandwithanotheradministrationplacedonthequicksandofinstantaneousdecisions，andsurroundedbystratagemsanddeceptions？Justiceshouldneverhaveanythingtodowithsecretpolice，unlessitbetocondemnit.
——[M.Abrial，MinisterofJustice，wascalledtotheSenateatthesametimeasFouche.UnderstandingthattheassimilationofthetwomenwasmoreadisgracetoAbrialthanthemerelossoftheMinistry，theFirstConsulsaidtoM.Abrial："InunitingtheMinistryofPolicetothatofJusticeIcouldnotretainyonintheMinistry，youaretoouprightamantomanagethepolice."NotaflatteringspeechforRegnier.——Bourrienne.]——
WhatcouldbeexpectedfromRegnier，chargedashewaswithincompatiblefunctions？What，undersuchcircumstances，couldhavebeenexpectedevenfromamangiftedwithgreattalents？SuchwastheexacthistoryofFouche’sdisgrace.NopersonwasmoreafflictedatitthanMadameBonaparte，whoonlyleanedthenewswhenitwasannouncedtothepublic.
Josephine，onalloccasions，defendedFoucheagainstherhusband’ssallies.ShebelievedthathewastheonlyoneofhisMinisterswhotoldhimthetruth.ShehadsuchahighopinionofthewayinwhichFouchemanagedthepolicethatthefirsttimeIwasalonewithherafterourreturnfromMortfontaineshesaidtome，"MydearBourrienne;speakopenlytome;willNapoleonknowallabouttheplotsfromthepoliceofMoncey，Duroc，Junot，andofDavoust？YouknowbetterthanIdothattheseareonlywretchedspies.HasnotSavaryalsoeventuallygothispolice？Howallthisalarmsme.Theytakeawayallmysupports，andsurroundmeonlywithenemies."——"TojustifyyourregretsweshouldbesurethatFouchehasneverbeeninagreementwithLucieninfavourofthedivorce."——"Oh，Idonotbelievethat.Bonapartedoesnotlikehim，andhewouldhavebeencertaintotellmeofitwhenIspokefavourablytohimofFouche.Youwillseethathisbrotherswillendbybringinghimintotheirplan."
IhavealreadyspokenofJosephine’stroubles，andofthebadconductofJoseph，butmoreparticularlyofLucien，towardsher;Iwillthereforedescribehere，asconnectedwiththedisgraceofFouche，whomMadameBonaparteregrettedasasupport，somesceneswhichoccurredaboutthisperiodatMalmaison.Havingbeentheconfidantofbothparties，andaninvoluntaryactorinthosescenes，nowthattwenty—sevenyearshavepassedsincetheyoccurredwhatmotivecaninducemetodisguisethetruthinanyrespect？
MadameLouisBonapartewasenceinte.Josephine，althoughshetenderlylovedherchildren，didnotseemtobeholdtheapproachingeventwhichthesituationofherdaughterindicatedwiththeinterestnaturaltotheheartofamother.ShehadlongbeenawareofthecalumniousreportscirculatedrespectingthesupposedconnectionbetweenHortenseandtheFirstConsul，andthatbaseaccusationcosthermanytears.PoorJosephinepaiddearlyforthesplendourofherstation！AsIknewhowdevoidoffoundationtheseatrociousreportswere，Iendeavouredtoconsoleherbytellingherwhatwastrue，thatIwasexertingallmyeffortstodemonstratetheirinfamyandfalsehood.Bonaparte，however，dazzledbytheaffectionwhichwasmanifestedtowardshimfromallquarters，aggravatedthesorrowofhiswifebyasillyvanity.Heendeavouredtopersuadeherthatthesereportshadtheiroriginonlyinthewishofthepublicthatheshouldhaveachild，sothattheseseemingconsolationsofferedbyself—lovetoJosephine’sgriefgaveforcetoexistingconjugalalarms，andthefearofdivorcereturnedwithallitshorrors.UnderthefoolishillusionofhisvanityBonaparteimaginedthatFrancewasdesirousofbeinggovernedevenbyabastardifsupposedtobeachildofhis，——asingularmodetrulyoffoundinganewlegitimacy！
Josephine，whosesusceptibilityappearstomeevennowexcusable，wellknewmysentimentsonthesubjectofBonaparte’sfoundingadynasty，andshehadnotforgottenmyconductwhentwoyearsbeforethequestionhadbeenagitatedontheoccasionofLouisXVIII.’sletterstotheFirstConsul.Irememberthatoneday，afterthepublicationoftheparallelofCaesar，Cromwell，andBonaparte，Josephinehavingenteredourcabinetwithoutbeingannounced，whichshesometimesdidwhenfromthegoodhumourexhibitedatbreakfastshereckoneduponitscontinuance，approachedBonapartesoftly，seatedherselfonhisknee，passedherhandgentlythroughhishairandoverhisface，andthinkingthemomentfavourable，saidtohiminaburstoftenderness，"Ientreatofyou，Bonaparte，donotmakeyourselfaKing！ItisthatwretchLucienwhourgesyoutoit.Donotlistentohim！"Bonapartereplied，withoutanger，andevensmilingashepronouncedthelastwords，"Youaremad，mypoorJosephine.ItisyourolddowagersoftheFaubourgSt.Germain，yourRochefoucaulds，whotellyouallthesefables！Comenow，youinterruptme——leavemealone."