YouhavefollowedacoursediametricallyoppositetowhatI
expected.IhavebeenforcedtoprohibityoufromcomingtoFrance，andtotakepossessionofapartofyourterritory.InprovingyourselfabadFrenchmanyouarelesstotheDutchthanaPrinceofOrange，towhosefamilytheyowetheirrankasanation，andalongsuccessionofprosperityandglory.ByyourbanishmentfromFrancetheDutchareconvincedthattheyhavelostwhattheywouldnothavelostunderaSchimmelpenninekoraPrinceofOrange.ProveyourselfaFrenchman，andthebrotheroftheEmperor，andbeassuredthattherebyyouwillservetheinterestsofHolland.Butyouseemtobeincorrigible，foryouwoulddriveawaythefewFrenchmenwhoremainwithyou.Youmustbedealtwith，notbyaffectionateadvice，butbythreatsandcompulsion.Whatmeantheprayersandmysteriousfastsyouhaveordered？Louis，youwillnotreignlong.Youractionsdisclosebetterthanyourconfidentiallettersthesentimentsofyourmind.Returntotherightcourse.BeaFrenchmaninheart，oryourpeoplewillbanishyou，andyouwillleaveHollandanobjectofridicule.
——[Itwas，onthecontrary，becameLouismadehimselfaDutchmanthathispeopledidnotbanishhim，andthatbecarriedawaywithhimtheregretofallthatportionofhissubjectswhocouldappreciatehisexcellentqualitiesandpossessedgoodsenseenoughtoperceivethathewasnottoblamefortheevilsthatweigheduponHolland.——Bourrienne.
TheconductofBonapartetoMuratwasalmostacounterparttothis.WhenMuratattemptedtoconsulttheinterestsofNapleshewascalledatraitortoFrance.——Editorof1836edition.]——
Statesmustbegovernedbyreasonandpolicy，andnotbytheweaknessproducedbyacridandvitiatedhumours.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
AfewdaysafterthisletterwasdespatchedtoLouis，NapoleonheardofapaltryaffraywhichhadtakenplaceatAmsterdam，andtowhichComtedelaRochefoucauldgaveatemporarydiplomaticimportance，beingawarethathecouldnotbetterpleasehismasterthanbyaffordinghimanexcuseforbeingangry.ItappearedthatthehonouroftheCount’scoachmanhadbeenputinjeopardybytheinsultofacitizenofAmsterdam，andaquarrelhadensued，which，butfortheinterferenceoftheguardofthepalace，mighthaveterminatedseriouslysinceitassumedthecharacterofapartyaffairbetweentheFrenchandtheDutch.M.delaRochefoucauldimmediatelydespatchedtotheEmperor，whowasthenatLille，afullreportofhiscoachman’squarrel，inwhichheexpressedhimselfwithasmuchearnestnessastheillustriousauthorofthe"Maxims"evincedwhenhewagedwaragainstkings.TheconsequencewasthatNapoleoninstantlyfulminatedthefollowingletteragainsthisbrotherLouis：
BROTHER——AttheverymomentwhenyouweremakingthefairestprotestationsIlearnthattheservantsofmyAmbassadorhavebeenill—treatedatAmsterdam.Iinsistthatthosewhowereguiltyofthisoutragebedelivereduptome，inorderthattheirpunishmentmayserveasanexampletoothers.TheSieurSerrurierhasinformedmehowyouconductedyourselfatthediplomaticaudiences.Ihave，consequently，determinedthattheDutchAmbassadorshallnotremaininParis;andAdmiralYerhuellhasreceivedorderstodepartwithintwenty—fourhours.Iwantnomorephrasesandprotestations.ItistimeIshouldknowwhetheryouintendtoruinHollandbyyourfollies.IdonotchoosethatyoushouldagainsendaMinistertoAustria，orthatyoushoulddismisstheFrenchwhoareinyourservice.IhaverecalledmyAmbassadorasIintendonlytohaveacharged’affairesinHolland.TheSieurSerrurier，whoremainsthereinthatcapacity，willcommunicatemyintentions.MyAmbassadorshallnolongerbeexposedtoyourinsults.Writetomenomoreofthosesetphraseswhichyouhavebeenrepeatingforthelastthreeyears，andthefalsehoodofwhichisprovedeveryday.
ThisisthelastletterIwilleverwritetoyouaslongasIlive.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
ThusreducedtothecruelalternativeofcrushingHollandwithhisownhands，orleavingthattasktotheEmperor，Louisdidnothesitatetolaydownhissceptre.Havingformedthisresolution，headdressedamessagetotheLegislativeBodyoftheKingdomofHollandexplainingthemotivesofhisabdication.TheFrenchtroopsenteredHollandunderthecommandoftheDukeofReggio，andthatmarshal，whowasmoreakingthantheKinghimself，threatenedtooccupyAmsterdam.Louisthendescendedfromhisthrone，andfouryearsafterNapoleonwashurledfromhis.
InhisactofabdicationLouisdeclaredthathehadbeendriventothatstepbytheunhappystateofhisKingdom，whichheattributedtohisbrother’sunfavourablefeelingstowardshim.Headdedthathehadmadeeveryeffortandsacrificetoputanendtothatpainfulstateofthings，andthat，finally，heregardedhimselfasthecauseofthecontinualmisunderstandingbetweentheFrenchEmpireandHolland.ItiscuriousthatLouisthoughthecouldabdicatethecrownofHollandinfavourofhisson，asNapoleononlyfouryearsafterwishedtoabdicatehiscrowninfavouroftheKingofRome.
LouisbadefarewelltothepeopleofHollandinaproclamation，afterthepublicationofwhichherepairedtothewatersatToeplitz.TherehewaslivingintranquilretirementwhenhelearnedthathisbrotherhadunitedHollandtotheEmpire.Hethenpublishedaprotest，ofwhichIobtainedacopy，thoughitscirculationwasstrictlyprohibitedbythepolice.InthisprotestLouissaid：
TheconstitutionofthestateguaranteedbytheEmperor，mybrother，gavemetherightofabdicatinginfavourofmychildren.Thatabdicationwasmadeintheformandtermsprescribedbytheconstitution.TheEmperorhadnorighttodeclarewaragainstHolland，andhehasnotdoneso.
Thereisnoact，nodissent，nodemandoftheDutchnationthatcanauthorisethepretendedunion.
Myabdicationdoesnotleavethethronevacant.Ihaveabdicatedonlyinfavourofmychildren.
AsthatabdicationleftHollandfortwelveyearsunderaregency，thatistosay，underthedirectinfluenceoftheEmperor，accordingtothetermsoftheconstitution，therewasnoneedofthatunionforexecutingeverymeasurehemighthaveinviewagainsttradeandagainstEngland，sincehiswillwassupremeinHolland.
ButIascendedthethronewithoutanyotherconditionsexceptthoseimposeduponmebymyconscience，myduty，andtheinterestandwelfareofmysubjects.IthereforedeclarebeforeGodandtheindependentsovereignstowhomIaddressmyself——
First，Thatthetreatyofthe16thofMarch1810，whichoccasionedtheseparationoftheprovinceofZealandandBrabantfromHolland，wasacceptedbycompulsion，andratifiedconditionallybymeinParis，whereIwasdetainedagainstmywill;andthat，moreover，thetreatywasneverexecutedbytheEmperormybrother.Insteadof6000FrenchtroopswhichIwastomaintain，accordingtothetermsofthetreaty，thatnumberhasbeenmorethandoubled;insteadofoccupyingonlythemouthsoftheriversandthecoasts，theFrenchcustom—horseshaveencroachedintotheinteriorofthecountry;
insteadoftheinterferenceofFrancebeingconfinedtothemeasuresconnectedwiththeblockadeofEngland，DutchmagazineshavebeenseizedandDutchsubjectsarbitrarilyimprisoned;finally，noneoftheverbalpromiseshavebeenkeptwhichweremadeintheEmperor’snamebytheDuedeCadoretograntindemnitiesforthecountriescededbythesaidtreatyandtomitigateitsexecution，iftheKingwouldreferentirelytotheEmperor，etc.Ideclare，inmyname，inthenameofthenationandmyson，thetreatyofthe16thofMarch1810tobenullandvoid.
Second，IdeclarethatmyabdicationwasforcedbytheEmperor，mybrother，thatitwasmadeonlyasthelastextremity，andonthisonecondition——thatIshouldmaintaintherightsofHollandandmychildren.Myabdicationcouldonlybemadeintheirfavour.
Third，Inmyname，inthenameoftheKingmyson，whoisasyetaminor，andinthenameoftheDutchnation，IdeclarethepretendedunionofHollandtoFrance，mentionedinthedecreeoftheEmperor，mybrother，datedthe9thofJulylast，tobenull，void，illegal，unjust，andarbitraryintheeyesofGodandman，andthatthenationandtheminorKingwillasserttheirjustrightswhencircumstancespermitthem.
（Signed）LOUIS.
August1，1810.
Thusthereseemedtobeanendofallintercoursebetweenthesetwobrothers，whoweresooppositeincharacteranddisposition.ButNapoleon，whowasenragedthatLouisshouldhavepresumedtoprotest，andthatinenergeticterms，againsttheunionofhisKingdomwiththeEmpire，orderedhimtoreturntoFrance，whitherhewassummonedinhischaracterofConstableandFrenchPrince.Louis，however，didnotthinkpropertoobeythissummons，andNapoleon，mindfulofhispromiseofneverwritingtohimagain，orderedthefollowinglettertobeaddressedtohimbyM.Otto，whohadbeenAmbassadorfromFrancetoViennasincethethenrecentmarriageoftheEmperorwithMariaLouisa——
SIRE：——TheEmperordirectsmetowritetoyourMajestyasfollows：——
ItisthedutyofeveryFrenchPrince，andeverymemberoftheImperialfamily，toresideinFrance，whencetheycannotabsentthemselveswithoutthepermissionoftheEmperor.BeforetheunionofHollandtotheEmpiretheEmperorpermittedtheKingtoresideatToeplitz，isBohemia.Hishealthappearedtorequiretheuseofthewaters，butnowtheEmperorrequiresthatPrinceLouisshallreturn，atthelatestbythe1stofDecembernext，underpainofbeingconsideredasdisobeyingtheconstitutionoftheEmpireandtheheadofhisfamily，andbeingtreatedaccordingly."
Ifulfil，Sire，wordforwordthemissionwithwhichIhavebeenentrusted，andIsendthechiefsecretaryoftheembassytobeassuredthatthisletterisrightlydelivered.IbegyourMajestytoacceptthehomageofmyrespect，etc.
（Signed）OTTO.
——[TheeldestsonofLouis，oneofthefruitsofhisunhappymarriagewithHortenseBeauharnais，thedaughterofJosephine，thewifeofhisbrotherNapoleon，waslittlemorethansixyearsofagewhenhisfatherabdicatedthecrownofHollandinhisfavour.In1830—31thisimprudentyoungmanjoinedtheill—combinedmadinsurrectionintheStatesofthePope.Hewaspresentinoneortwopettyskirmishes，andwas，webelieve，wounded;butitwasamalariafevercaughtintheunhealthyCampagnaofRomethatcarriedhimtothegraveinthetwenty—seventhyearofhisage.——Editorof1836edition.——
ThefirstchildofLouisandofHortensehaddiedin1807.
Thesecondson，NapoleonLouis（1804—1831）inwhosefavourheabdicatedhadbeencreatedGrandDuedeBergetdeClevesbyNapoleonin1809.Hemarriedto1826Charlotte，thedaughterofJosephBonaparte，anddiedin1831，whileengagedinarevolutionarymovementinItaly.OnhisdeathhisyoungerbrotherCharlesLouisNapoleon，thefutureNapoleonIII.，firstcameforwardasanaspirant.]——
Whataletterwasthistobeaddressedbyasubjecttoaprinceandasovereign.WhenIafterwardssawM.OttoinParis，andconversedwithhimonthesubject，heassuredmehowmuchhehadbeendistressedatthenecessityofwritingsuchalettertothebrotheroftheEmperor.HehademployedtheexpressionsdictatedbyNapoleoninthatirritationwhichhecouldnevercommandwhenhiswillwasopposed.
——[WithregardtoLouisandhisconductinHollandNapoleonthusspokeatSt.Helena：
"Louisisnotdevoidofintelligence，andhasagoodheart，butevenwiththesequalificationsamanmaycommitmanyerrors，anddoagreatdealofmischief.Louisisnaturallyinclinedtobecapriciousandfantastical，andtheworksofJeanJacquesRousseauhavecontributedtoincreasethisdisposition.Seekingtoobtainareputationforsensibilityandbeneficence，incapablebyhimselfofenlargedviews，and，atmost，competenttolocaldetails，LouisactedlikeaprefectratherthanaKing.
"NosoonerhadhearrivedinHollandthan，fancyingthatnothingcouldbefinerthantohaveitsaidthatbewasthenceforthatrueDutchman，heattachedhimselfentirelytothepartyfavourabletotheEnglish，promotedsmuggling，andthanconnivedwithourenemies.
Itbecamenecessaryfromthatmomentwatchoverhim，andeventhreatentowagewaragainsthim.Louisthenseekingarefugeagainsttheweaknessofhisdispositioninthemoststubbornobstinacy，andmistakingapublicscandalforanactofglory，fledfromhisthrone，declaimingagainstmeandagainstmyinsatiableambition，myintolerabletyranny，etc.Whatthenremainedformetodo？WasItoabandonHollandtoourenemies？OughtItohavegivenitanotherKing？ButisthatcasecouldIhaveexpectedmorefromhimthanfrommyownbrother？DidnotalltheKingsthatIcreatedactnearlyinthesamemanner？IthereforeunitedHollandtotheEmpire，andthisactproducedamostunfavourableimpressioninEurope，andcontributednotalittletolaythefoundationofourmisfortunes"（MemorialdeSainteHelene）]——
CHAPTERXVIII.
1809.
DemandsforcontingentsfromsomeofthesmallStatesofGermany——
M.Metternich——PositionofRussiawithrespecttoFrance——UnionofAustriaandRussia——ReturnoftheEnglishtoSpain——SoultKingofPortugal，andMuratsuccessortotheEmperor——FirstlevyofthelandwehrinAustria——AgentsoftheHamburg’Correspondent’——
DeclarationofPrinceCharles——Napoleon’smarchtoGermany——Hisproclamation——Bernadotte’sdepartureforthearmy——Napoleon’sdislikeofBernadotte——PrinceCharles’planofcampaign——TheEnglishatCuxhaven——FruitlessnessoftheplotsofEngland——Napoleonwounded——Napoleon’spredictionrealised——MajorSchill——Hamburgthreatenedandsaved——SchillinLubeck——Hisdeath，anddestructionofhisband——SchillimitatedbytheDukeofBrunswick—OEls——
DepartureoftheEnglishfromCuxhaven.
Bonaparte，thefoundationsofwhoseEmpirewerehisswordandhis.
victories，andwhowasanxiouslylookingforwardtothetimewhenthesovereignsofContinentalEuropeshouldbehisjuniors，appliedforcontingentsoftroopsfromtheStatestowhichIwasaccredited.TheDuchyofMecklenburg—Schwerinwastofurnisharegimentof1800men，andtheotherlittleStates，suchasOldenburgandMecklenburg—Strelitz，weretofurnishregimentsoflessamount.AllEuropewasrequiredtoriseinarmstosecondthegiganticprojectsofthenewsovereign.Thisdemandforcontingents，andthepositivewayinwhichtheEmperorinsisteduponthem，gaverisetoanimmensecorrespondence，which，however，wasunattendedbyanyresult.Thenotesandordersremainedintheportfolios，andthecontingentsstayedathome.
M.Metternich，whosetalenthassincebeensoconspicuouslydisplayed，hadbeenforupwardsofayearAmbassadorfromAustriatoParis.Eventhenheexcelledintheartofguidingmen’sminds，andofturningtotheadvantageofhispolicyhisexternalgracesandthefavourheacquiredinthedrawing—room.Hisfather，acleverman，broughtupintheolddiplomaticschoolofThugutandKaunitz，hadearlyaccustomedhimtothetaskofmakingotherGovernmentsbelieve，bymeansofagents，whatmightleadthemintoerrorandtendtotheadvantageofhisownGovernment.
HismanoeuvrestendedtomakeAustriaassumeadiscontentedandhaughtytone;andwishing，asshesaid，tosecureherindependence，shepubliclydeclaredherintentionofprotectingherselfagainstanyenterprisesimilartothoseofwhichshehadsooftenbeenthevictim.Thislanguage，encouragedbythecompleteevacuationofGermany，andthewarinSpain，theunfortunateissueofwhichwasgenerallyforeseen，wasused——intimeofpeacebetweenthetwoempires，andwhenFrancewasnotthreateningwartoAustria.
——[MetternicharrivedinParisasAmbassadoron4thAugust1806，afterAustriahadbeenvanquishedatAusterlitz.Itdoesnotseemprobable，eitherfromhisviewsorhiscorrespondence，thatheadvisedtherashattemptofAustriatoattackNapoleonbyherself;
compareMetternichtome1.p.69，onthemistakeofPrussiain1805
and1806;seealsotomeii.p.221，"ToprovokeawarwithFrancewouldbemadness"（1stJuly1808）.Ontheotherhand，thetoneofhiscorrespondencein1808seamscalculatedtomakeAustriabelievethatwarwasinevitable，andthatherforces，"soinferiortothoseofFrancebeforetheinsurrectioninSpain，willatleastbeequaltothemimmediatelyafterthatevent"（tomeii.p.808）.WhatiscuriousisthatMetternich’sconducttowardsNapoleonwhileAmbassadorhadledevensuchmenasDukeDalbergtobelievethathewasreallysowelldisposedtowardsNapoleonastoservehiscausemorethanthatofAustria.
M.Metternich，whohadinstructionsfromhisCourt，gavenosatisfactoryexplanationofthosecircumstancestoNapoleon，whoimmediatelyraisedaconscription，andbroughtsoldiersfromSpainintoGermany.
Itwasnecessary，also，tocometoanunderstandingwithRussia，who，beingengagedwithherwarinFinlandandTurkey，appeareddesirousneithertoenterintoalliancewithAustrianortoaffordhersupport.
What，infact，wastheEmperorAlexander’ssituationwithrespecttoFrance？HehadsignedatreatyofpeaceatTilsitwhichhefelthadbeenforceduponhim，andheknewthattimealonewouldrenderitpossibleforhimtotakepartinacontestwhichitwasevidentwouldagainberenewedeitherwithPrussiaorAustria.
EverypersonofcommonsensemusthaveperceivedthatAustria，intakinguparms，reckoned，ifnotontheassistance，atleastontheneutralityofRussia.Russiawasthenengagedwithtwoenemies，theSwedesandtheTurks，overwhomshehopedtotriumph.ShethereforerejoicedtoseeFranceagainengageinastrugglewithAustria，andtherewasnodoubtthatshewouldtakeadvantageofanychancesfavourabletothelatterpowertojoinherinopposingtheencroachmentsofFrance.Inevercouldconceivehow，underthosecircumstances，NapoleoncouldbesoblindastoexpectassistancefromRussiainhisquarrelwithAustria.Hemust，indeed，havebeengreatlydeceivedastothefootingonwhichthetwoCourtsstoodwithreferencetoeachother——theirfriendlyfootingandtheirmutualagreementtoopposetheovergrowingambitionoftheircommonenemy.
TheEnglish，whohadbeencompelledtoquitSpain，nowreturnedthere.
TheylandedinPortugal，whichmightbealmostregardedastheirowncolony，andmarchedagainstMarshalSoult，wholeftSpaintomeetthem.
AnyothermanthanSoultwouldperhapshavebeenembarrassedbytheobstacleswhichhehadtosurmount.AgreatdealhasbeensaidabouthiswishtomakehimselfKingofPortugal.Bernadottetoldme，whenhepassedthroughHamburg，thatthematterhadbeenthesubjectofmuchconversationatheadquartersafterthebattleofWagram.Bernadotteplacednofaithinthereport，andIamprettysurethatNapoleonalsodisbelievedit.However，thismatterisstillinvolvedintheobscurityfromwhichitwillonlybedrawnwhensomepersonacquaintedwiththeintrigueshallgiveafullexplanationofit.
SinceIhave，withreferencetoSoult，toucheduponthesubjectofhissupposedambition，IwillmentionherewhatIknowofMurat’sexpectationofsucceedingtheEmperor.WhenRomanzowreturnedfromhisuselessmissionofmediationtoLondontheEmperorproceededtoBayonne.
Bernadotte，whohadanagentinPariswhomhepaidhighly，toldmeonedaythathehadreceivedadespatchinforminghimthatMuratentertainedtheideaofonedaysucceedingtheEmperor.Sycophants，expectingtoderiveadvantagefromit，encouragedMuratinthischimericalhope.
IknownotwhetherNapoleonwasacquaintedwiththiscircumstance，norwhathesaidofit，butBernadottespokeofittomeasacertainfact.
Itwould，however，havebeenverywrongtoattachgreatimportancetoanexpressionwhich，perhaps，escapedMuratinamomentofardour，forhisnaturaltemperamentsometimesbetrayedhimintoactsofimprudence，theresultofwhich，withamanlikeNapoleon，wasalwaystobedreaded.
ItwasinthemidstoftheoperationsoftheSpanishwar，whichNapoleondirectedinperson，thathelearnedAustriahadforthefirsttimeraisedthelandwehr.IobtainedsomeverycuriousdocumentsrespectingthearmamentsofAustriafromtheEditoroftheHamburg’Correspondent’.
Thispaper，thecirculationofwhichamountedtonotlessthan60，000，paidconsiderablesumstopersonsindifferentpartsofEuropewhowereableandwillingtofurnishthecurrentnews.TheCorrespondentpaid6000francsayeartoaclerkinthewardepartmentatVienna，anditwasthisclerkwhosuppliedtheintelligencethatAustriawaspreparingforwar，andthatordershadbeenissuedinalldirectionstocollectandputinmotionalltheresourcesofthatpowerfulmonarchy.IcommunicatedtheseparticularstotheFrenchGovernment，andsuggestedthenecessityofincreasedvigilanceandmeasuresofdefence.Precedingaggressions，especiallythatof1805，werenottobeforgotten.SimilarinformationprobablyreachedtheFrenchGovernmentfrommanyquarters.Bethatasitmay，theEmperorconsignedthemilitaryoperationsinSpaintohisgenerals，anddepartedforParis，wherehearrivedattheendofJanuary1809.HehadbeeninSpainonlysincethebeginningofNovember1808，’
andhispresencetherehadagainrenderedourbannersvictorious.ButthoughtheinsurgenttroopswerebeatentheinhabitantsshowedthemselvesmoreandmoreunfavourabletoJoseph’scause;anditdidnotappearveryprobablethathecouldeverseathimselftranquillyonthethroneofMadrid.
——[ThesuccessesobtainedbyNapoleonduringhisstayofaboutthreemonthsinSpainwerecertainlyverygreat，andmainlyresultedfromhisownmasterlygeniusandlightning—likerapidity.TheSpanisharmies，asyetunsupportedbyBritishtroops，weredefeatedatGomenal，Espinosa，Reynosa，Tudela，andatthepassoftheSomosierraMountains，andatanearlyhourofthemorningofthe4thDecemberMadridsurrendered.Onthe20thofDecemberBonapartemarchedwithfarsuperiorforcesagainsttheunfortunateSirJohnMoore，whohadbeensenttoadvanceintoSpainbothbythewrongrouteandatawrongtime.Onthe29th，fromtheheightsofBenevento，hiseyesweredelightedbyseeingtheEnglishinfullretreat.Butablowstruckhimfromanotherquarter，andleavingSoulttofollowupMoorehetooktheroadtoParis.]——
TheEmperorFrancis，notwithstandinghiscounsellors，hesitatedabouttakingthefirststep;butatlength，yieldingtothesolicitationsofEnglandandthesecretintriguesofRussia，and，aboveall，seducedbythesubsidiesofGreatBritain，Austriadeclaredhostilities，notatfirstagainstFrance，butagainstheralliesoftheConfederationoftheRhine.Onthe9thofAprilPrinceCharles，whowasappointedcommander—
in—chiefoftheAustriantroops，addressedanotetothecommander—in—
chiefoftheFrencharmyinBavaria，apprisinghimofthedeclarationofwar.
AcouriercarriedthenewsofthisdeclarationtoStrasburgwiththeutmostexpedition，fromwhenceitwastransmittedbytelegraphtoParis.
TheEmperor，surprisedbutnotdisconcertedbythisintelligence，receiveditatSt.Cloudonthe11thofApril，andtwohoursafterhewasontheroadtoGermany.Thecomplexityofaffairsinwhichhewastheninvolvedseemedtogiveanewimpulsetohisactivity.WhenhereachedthearmyneitherhistroopsnorhisGuardhadbeenabletocomeup，andunderthosecircumstancesheplacedhimselfattheheadoftheBavariantroops，and，asitwere，adoptedthesoldiersofMaximilian.SixdaysafterhisdeparturefromParisthearmyofPrinceCharles，whichhadpassedtheInn，wasthreatened.TheEmperor’sheadquarterswereatDonauwerth，andfromthenceheaddressedtohissoldiersoneofthoseenergeticandconciseproclamationswhichmadethemperformsomanyprodigies，andwhichwassooncirculatedineverylanguagebythepublicjournals.ThiscomplicationofeventscouldnotbutbefataltoEuropeandFrance，whatevermightbeitsresult，butitpresentedanopportunityfavourabletothedevelopmentoftheEmperor’sgenius.LikehisfavouritepoetOssian，wholovedbesttotouchhislyremidstthehowlingsofthetempest，Napoleonrequiredpoliticaltempestsforthedisplayofhisabilities.
Duringthecampaignof1809，andparticularlyatitscommencement，Napoleon’s，coursewasevenmorerapidthanithadbeeninthecampaignof1805.EverycourierwhoarrivedatHamburgbroughtusnews，orratherprodigies.AssoonastheEmperorwasinformedoftheattackmadebytheAustriansuponBavariaordersweredespatchedtoallthegeneralshavingtroopsundertheircommandtoproceedwithallspeedtothetheatreofthewar.ThePrinceofPonte—CorvowassummonedtojointheGrandArmywiththeSaxontroopsunderhiscommandandforthetimeheresignedthegovernmentoftheHanseTowns.ColonelDamassucceededhimatHamburgduringthatperiod，butmerelyascommandantofthefortress;andhenevergaverisetoanymurmurorcomplaint.Bernadottewasnotsatisfiedwithhissituation，andindeedtheEmperor，whowasnevermuchdisposedtobringhimforward，becausehecouldnotforgivehimforhisoppositiononthe18thBrumaire，alwaysappointedhimtopostsinwhichbutlittleglorywastobeacquired，andplacedasfewtroopsaspossibleunderhiscommand.
ItrequiredallthepromptitudeoftheEmperor’smarchuponViennatodefeattheplotswhichwerebrewingagainsthisgovernment，forintheeventofhisarmsbeingunsuccessful，theblowwasreadytobestruck.
TheEnglishforceinthenorthofGermanyamountedtoabout10，000men：
TheArchdukeCharleshadformedtheprojectofconcentratinginthemiddleofGermanyalargebodyoftroops，consistingofthecorpsofGeneralAmEude，ofGeneralRadizwowitz，andoftheEnglish，withwhomweretobejoinedthepeoplewhowereexpectedtorevolt.TheEnglishwouldhavewishedtheAustriantroopstoadvancealittlefarther.TheEnglishagentmadesomerepresentationsonthissubjecttoStadion，theAustrianMinister;buttheArchdukepreferredmakingadiversiontocommittingthesafetyofthemonarchybydepartingfromhispresentinactivityandriskingthepassageoftheDanube，inthefaceofanenemywhoneversufferedhimselftobesurprised，andwhohadcalculatedeverypossibleevent：InconcertinghisplantheArchdukeexpectedthattheCzarwouldeitherdetachastrongforcetoassisthisallies，orthathewouldabandonthemtotheirowndefence.InthefirstcasetheArchdukewouldhavehadagreatsuperiority，andinthesecond，allwaspreparedinHesseandinHanovertoriseontheapproachoftheAustrianandEnglisharmies.
AtthecommencementofJulytheEnglishadvanceduponCuxhavenwithadozensmallshipsofwar.Theylanded400or600sailorsandabout50
marines，andplantedastandardononeoftheoutworks.ThedayafterthislandingatCuxhaventheEnglish，whowereinDenmarkevacuatedCopenhagen，afterdestroyingabatterywhichtheyhaderectedthere.
AlltheschemesofEnglandwerefruitlessontheContinent，forwiththeEmperor’snewsystemofwar，whichconsistedinmakingapushonthecapitals，hesoonobtainednegotiationsforpeace.HewasmasterofViennabeforeEnglandhadevenorganisedtheexpeditiontowhichIhavejustalluded.HeleftParisonthe11thofApril，wasatDonauwerthonthe17th，andonthe23dhewasmasterofRatisbon.IntheengagementwhichprecededhisentranceintothattownNapoleonreceivedaslightwoundintheheel.Heneverthelessremainedonthefieldofbattle.ItwasalsobetweenDonauwerthandRatisbonthatDavoust，byaboldmanoeuvre，gainedandmeritedthetitleofPrinceofEckmuhl.
——[ThegreatbattleofEckmuhl，where100，000Austriansweredrivenfromalltheirpositions，wasfoughtonthe22dofApril.—Editorof1836edition.]——
AtthisperiodfortunewasnotonlybentonfavouringNapoleon’sarms，butsheseemedtotakepleasureinrealisingevenhisboastingpredictions;fortheFrenchtroopsenteredViennawithinamonthafteraproclamationissuedbyNapoleonatRatisbon，inwhichhesaidhewouldbemasteroftheAustriancapitalinthattime.
ButwhilehewasthusmarchingfromtriumphtotriumphthepeopleofHamburgandtheneighbouringcountrieshadaneighbourwhodidnotleavethemaltogetherwithoutinquietude.ThefamousPrussianpartisan，MajorSchill，afterpursuinghissystemofplunderinWestphalia，cameandthrewhimselfintoMecklenburg，whence，Iunderstood，itwashisintentiontosurpriseHamburg.Attheheadof600well—mountedhussarsandbetween1500and2000infantrybadlyarmed，hetookpossessionofthelittlefortofDomitz，inMecklenburg，onthe15thofMay，fromwhencehedespatchedpartieswholeviedcontributionsonbothbanksoftheElbe.
Schillinspiredterrorwhereverhewent.Onthe19thofMayadetachmentof30menbelongingtoSchill’scorpsenteredWismar.ItwascommandedbyCountMoleke，whohadformerlybeeninthePrussianservice，andwhohadretiredtohisestateinMecklenburg，wheretheDukehadkindlygivenhimanappointment.Forgettinghisdutytohisbenefactor，hesenttosummontheDuketosurrenderStralsund.
AlarmedattheprogressofthepartisanSchill，theDukeofMecklenburgandhisCourtquittedLudwigsburg，theirregularresidence，andretiredtoDoberan，ontheseacoast.OnquittingMecklenburgSchilladvancedtoBergdorf，fourleaguesfromHamburg.Thealarmthenincreasedinthatcity.AfewoftheinhabitantstalkedofmakingacompromisewithSchillandsendinghimmoneytogethimaway.Butthefirmnessofthemajorityimposedsilenceonthistimidcouncil.Iconsultedwiththecommandantofthetown，andwedeterminedtoadoptmeasuresofprecaution.Thecustom—housechest，inwhichtherewasmorethanamillionofgold，wassenttoHolsteinunderastrongescort.AtthesametimeIsenttoSchillacleverspy，whogavehimamostalarmingaccountofthemeansofdefencewhichHamburgpossessed.Schillaccordinglygaveuphisdesignsonthatcity，andleavingitonhisleft，enteredLubeck，whichwasundefended.
MeanwhileLieutenant—GeneralGratien，whohadleftBerlinbyorderofthePrincedeNeufchatel，with2500Dutchand3000Swedishtroops，activelypursuedSchill，andtranquillitywassoonrestoredthroughoutalltheneighbouringcountry，whichhadbeengreatlyagitatedbyhisboldenterprise.Schill，afterwanderingforsomedaysontheshoresoftheBaltic，wasovertakenbyGeneralGratienatStralsund，whencehewasabouttoembarkforSweden.Hemadeadesperatedefence，andwaskilledafteraconflictoftwohours.Hisbandwasdestroyed.Threehundredofhishussarsand200infantry，whohadeffectedtheirescape，askedleavetoreturntoPrussia，andtheywereconductedtothePrussiangeneralcommandinganeighbouringtown.AwarofplunderlikethatcarriedonbySchillcouldnotbehonourablyacknowledgedbyapowerhaving，anyclaimtorespect.YettheEnglishGovernmentsentSchillacolonel’scommission，andthefulluniformofhisnewrank，withtheassurancethatallhistroopsshouldthenceforthbepaidbyEngland.
Schillsoonhadanimitatorofexaltedrank.InAugust1809theDukeofBrunswick—OElssoughtthedangeroushonourofsucceedingthatfamouspartisan.Attheheadofatmost2000menheforsomedaysdisturbedtheleftbankoftheElbe，andonthe5thenteredBremen.OnhisapproachtheFrenchVice—ConsulretiredtoOsterhulz.OneoftheDuke’sofficerspresentedhimselfatthehonesoftheVice—Consulanddemanded200Louis.
TheagentoftheVice—Consul，alarmedatthethreatoftheplacebeinggivenuptopillage，capitulatedwiththeofficer，andwithconsiderabledifficultygotridofhimatthesacrificeof80Louis，forwhichareceiptwaspresentedtohiminthenameoftheDuke.TheDuke，whonowwentbythenameof"thenewSchill，"didnotremainlonginBremen.
WishingtorepairwithallpossiblespeedtoHollandheleftBremenontheeveningofthe6th，andproceededtoDehnenhorst，wherehisadvancedguardhadalreadyarrived.TheWestphaliantroops，commandedbyReubell，enteredBremenonthe7th，andnotfindingtheDukeofBrunswick，immediatelymarchedinpursuitofhim.TheDanishtroops，whooccupiedCuxhaven，receivedorderstoproceedtoBremerlehe，tofavourtheoperationsoftheWestphaliansandtheDutch.MeanwhiletheEnglishapproachedCuxhaven，wheretheylanded3000or4000men.Thepersonsinchargeofthecustom—houseestablishment，andthefewsailorswhowereinCuxhaven，fellbackuponHamburg.TheDukeofBrunswick，stillpursuedcrossedGermanyfromthefrontiersofBohemiatoElsfleth，alittleportontheleftbankoftheWeser，wherehearrivedonthe7th，beingonedayinadvanceofhispursuers.HeimmediatelytookpossessionofallthetransportsatElsfleth，andembarkedforHeligoland.
ThelandingwhichtheEnglisheffectedatCuxhavenwhiletheDanes，whogarrisonedthatport，wereoccupiedinpursuingtheDukeofBrunswick，wasattendedbynoresult.AftertheescapeoftheDuketheDanesreturnedtotheirpostwhichtheEnglishimmediatelyevacuated.
EndoftheMemoirsofNapoleon，V10，1809
MemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V11
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERXIX.toCHAPTERXXVII.1809—1812
CHAPTERXIX.
1809.
ThecastleofDiernstein——RichardCoeurdeLionandMarshalLannes，——TheEmperoratthegatesofVienna——TheArchduchessMariaLouisa——
FacilityofcorrespondencewithEngland——SmugglinginHamburg——Brownsugarandsand——Hearsesfilledwithsugarandcoffee——Embargoonthepublicationofnews——Supervisionofthe’HamburgCorrespondant’——
FestivalofSaintNapoleon——Ecclesiasticaladulation——TheKingofWestphalia’sjourneythroughhisStates——Attempttoraisealoan——
Jerome’spresenttome——Thepresentreturned——Bonaparte’sunfoundedsuspicions.
Rapp，whoduringthecampaignofViennahadresumedhisdutiesasaidedecamp，relatedtomeoneofthoseobservationsofNapoleonwhich，whenhiswordsarecomparedwiththeeventsthatfollowedthem，seemtoindicateaforesightintohisfuturedestiny.Whenwithinsomedays’marchofViennatheEmperorprocuredaguidetoexplaintohimeveryvillageandruinwhichheobservedontheroad.Theguidepointedtoaneminenceonwhichwereafewdecayedvestigesofanoldfortifiedcastle."Those，"
saidtheguide，"aretheruinsofthecastleofDiernstein."Napoleonsuddenlystopped，andstoodforsometimesilentlycontemplatingtheruins，thenturningtoLannes，whowaswithhim，heraid，"See！yonderistheprisonofRichardCoeurdeLion.He，likeus，wenttoSyriaandPalestine.But，mybraveLannes，theCoeurdeLionwasnotbraverthanyou.HewasmorefortunatethanIatSt.Jeand’Acre.ADukeofAustriasoldhimtoanEmperorofGermany，whoimprisonedhiminthatcastle.
Thosewerethedaysofbarbarism.Howdifferentfromthecivilisationofmoderntimes！EuropehasseenhowItreatedtheEmperorofAustria，whomImighthavemadeprisoner——andIwouldtreathimsoagain.Iclaimnocreditforthis.Inthepresentagecrownedheadsmustberespected.A
conquerorimprisoned！"
AfewdaysaftertheEmperorwasatthegatesofVienna，butonthisoccasionhisaccesstotheAustriancapitalwasnotsoeasyasithadbeenrenderedin1805bytheingenuityandcourageofLannesandMurat.
TheArchdukeMaximilian，whowasshutupinthecapital，wishedtodefendit，althoughtheFrencharmyalreadyoccupiedtheprincipalsuburbs.InvainwereflagsoftrucesentoneaftertheothertotheArchduke.Theywerenotonlydismissedunheard，butwereevenill—treated，andoneofthemwasalmostkilledbythepopulace.Thecitywasthenbombarded，andwouldspeedilyhavebeendestroyedbutthattheEmperor，beinginformedthatoneoftheArchduchessesremainedinViennaonaccountofill—
health，orderedthefiringtocease.ByasingularcapriceofNapoleon’sdestinythisArchduchesswasnootherthanMariaLouisa.ViennaatlengthopenedhergatestoNapoleon，whoforsomedaystookuphisresidenceatSchoenbrunn.
TheEmperorwasengagedinsomanyprojectsatoncethattheycouldnotallsucceed.Thus，whilehewastriumphantintheHereditaryStateshisContinentalsystemwasexperiencingseverechecks.ThetradewithEnglandonthecoastofOldenburgwascarpedonasuninterruptedlyasifintimeofpeace.EnglishlettersandnewspapersarrivedontheContinent，andthoseoftheContinentfoundtheirwayintoGreatBritain，asifFranceandEnglandhadbeenunitedbytiesofthefirmestfriendship.Inshort，thingswerejustinthesamestateasifthedecreefortheblockadeoftheBritishIsleshadnotexisted.Whenthecustom—houseofficerssucceededinseizingcontrabandgoodstheywereagaintakenfromthembymainforce.Onthe2dofJulyaseriouscontesttookplaceatBrinskhambetweenthecustom—houseofficersandapartyofpeasantry，inwhichthelatterremainedmastersofeighteenwagonsladenwithEnglishgoods：manywerewoundedonbothsides.
If，however，tradewithEnglandwascarriedonfreelyalongavastextentofcoast，itwasdifferentinthecityofHamburg，whereEnglishgoodswereintroducedonlybyfraud;andIverilybelievethattheartofsmugglingandtheschemesofsmugglerswereneverbeforecarriedtosuchperfection.Above6000personsofthelowerorderswentbackwardsandforwards，abouttwentytimesaday，fromAltonatoHamburg，andtheycarriedontheircontraband，tradebymanyingeniousstratagems，twoofwhichweresocuriousthattheyareworthmentioninghere.
OntheleftoftheroadleadingfromHamburgtoAltonatherewasapieceofgroundwherepitsweredugforthepurposeofprocuringsandusedforbuildingandforlayingdowninthestreets.AtthistimeitwasproposedtorepairthegreatstreetofHamburgleadingtothegateofAltona.Thesmugglersovernightfilledthesandpitwithbrownsugar，andthelittlecartswhichusuallyconveyedthesandintoHamburgwerefilledwiththesugar，carebeingtakentocoveritwithalayerofsandaboutaninchthick.Thistrickwascarriedonforalengthoftime，butnoprogresswasmadeinrepairingthestreet.Icomplainedgreatlyofthedelay，evenbeforeIwasawareofitscause，forthestreetledtoacountry—houseIhadnearAltona，whitherIwentdaily.Theofficersofthecustomsatlengthperceivedthattheworkdidnotproceed，andonefinemorningthesugar—cartswerestoppedandseized.Anotherexpedientwasthentobedevised.
BetweenHamburgandAltonatherewasalittlesuburbsituatedontherightbankoftheElbe.Thissuburbwasinhabited，bysailors，labourersoftheport，andlandowners.TheinhabitantswereinterredinthecemeteryofHamburg.Itwasobservedthatfuneralprocessionspassedthiswaymorefrequentlythanusual.Thecustomhouseofficers，amazedatthesuddenmortalityoftheworthyinhabitantsofthelittlesuburb，insistedonsearchingoneofthevehicles，andonopeningthehearseitwasfoundtobefilledwithsugar，coffee，vanilla，indigo，etc.Itwasnecessarytoabandonthisexpedient，butothersweresoondiscovered.
Bonapartewassensitive，inanextraordinarydegree，toallthatwassaidandthoughtofhim，andHeavenknowshowmanydespatchesIreceivedfromheadquartersduringthecampaignofViennadirectingmenotonlytowatchthevigilantexecutionofthecustom—houselaws，buttolayanembargoonathingwhichalarmedhimmorethantheintroductionofBritishmerchandise，viz.thepublicationofnews.InconformitywiththesereiteratedinstructionsIdirectedespecialattentiontothemanagementofthe’Correspondant’.Theimportanceofthisjournal，withits60，000
readers，mayeasilybeperceived.IprocuredtheinsertionofeverythingIthoughtdesirable：allthebulletins，proclamations，actsoftheFrenchGovernment，notesofthe’Moniteur’，andthesemi—officialarticlesoftheFrenchjournals：thesewereallgiven’inextenso’.Ontheotherhand，Ioftensuppressedadversenews，which，thoughwellknown，wouldhavereceivedadditionalweightfromitsinsertioninsowidelycirculatedapaper.IfbychancetherecreptinsomeAustrianbulletin，extractedfromtheotherGermanpaperspublishedintheStatesoftheConfederationoftheRhine，therewasalwaysgivenwithitasuitableantidotetodestroy，oratleasttomitigate，itsilleffect.Butthiswasnotall.TheKingofWurtemberghavingreproachedthe’Correspondant’，inalettertotheMinisterforForeignAffairs，withpublishingwhateverAustriawishedshouldbemadeknown，andbeingconductedinaspirithostiletothegoodcause，IansweredtheseunjustreproachesbymakingtheSyndiccensorprohibittheHamburgpapersfrominsertinganyAustrianorderoftheday，anyArchduke’sbulletins，anyletterfromPrague;inshort，anythingwhichshouldbecopiedfromtheotherGermanjournalsunlessthosearticleshadbeeninsertedintheFrenchjournals.
Myrecollectionsoftheyear1809atHamburgcarrymebacktothecelebrationofNapoleon’sfete，whichwasonthe15thofAugust，forhehadinterpolatedhispatronsaintintheImperialcalendaratthedateofhisbirth.ThecoincidenceofthisfestivalwiththeAssumptiongaverisetoadulatoryrodomontadesofthemostabsurddescription.CertainlytheEpiscopalcircularsundertheEmpirewouldformacuriouscollection.
——[Itwillperhapsscarcelybebelievedthatthefollowingwordswereactuallydeliveredfromthepulpit："GodinhismercyhaschosenNapoleontobehisrepresentativeonearth.TheQueenofHeavenhasmarked，bythemostmagnificentofpresents，theanniversaryofthedaywhichwitnessedhisgloriousentranceintoherdomains.HeavenlyVirgin！asaspecialtestimonyofyourlovefortheFrench，andyourall—powerfulinfluencewithyourson，youhaveconnectedthefirstofyoursolemnitieswiththebirthofthegreatNapoleon.Heavenordainedthattheheroshouldspringfromyoursepulchre，——"Bourrienne.]——
CouldanythingbemorerevoltingthanthesycophancyofthoseChurchmenwhodeclaredthat"GodchoseNapoleonforhisrepresentativeuponearth，andthatGodcreatedBonaparte，andthenrested;thathewasmorefortunatethanAugustus，morevirtuousthanTrajan;thathedeservedaltarsandtemplestoberaisedtohim！"etc.
SometimeaftertheFestivalofSt.NapoleontheKingofWestphaliamadeajourneythroughhisStates.OfallNapoleon’sbrotherstheKingofWestphaliawastheonewithwhomIwasleastacquainted，andhe，itisprettywellknown，wasthemostworthlessofthefamily.Hiscorrespondencewithmeislimitedtotwoletters，oneofwhichhewrotewhilehecommandedthe’Epervier’，andanothersevenyearsafter，dated6thSeptember1809.Inthislatterhesaid：
"IshallbeinHannoveronthe10th.Ifyoucanmakeitconvenienttocomethereandspendadaywithmeitwillgivemegreatpleasure.IshallthenbeabletosmoothallobstaclestotheloanIwishtocontractintheHanseTown.Iflattermyselfyouwilldoallinyourpowertoforwardthatobject，whichatthepresentcrisisisveryimportanttomyStates.Morethanamplesecurityisoffered，butthemoneywillbeofnousetomeifIcannothaveitatleastfortwoyears."
JeromewantedtocontractatHamburgaloanof3，000，000francs.
However，thepeopledidnotseemtothinklikehisWestphalianMajesty，thatthecontractpresentedmorethanamplesecurity.Noonewasfoundwillingtodrawhispurse—strings，andtheloanwasneverraised.
ThoughIwouldnot，withouttheEmperor’sauthority，exerttheinfluenceofmysituationtofurtherthesuccessofJerome’snegotiation，yetIdidmybesttoassisthim.IsucceededinprevailingontheSenatetoadvanceoneloanof100，000francstopayaportionofthearrearsduetohistroops，andasecondof200，000francstoprovideclothingforhisarmy，etc.ThisscantysupplywillceasetobewonderedatwhenitisconsideredtowhatastateofdesolationthewholeofGermanywasreducedatthetime，asmuchinthealliedStatesasinthoseoftheenemiesofFrance.IlearntatthetimethattheKingofBavariasaidtoanofficeroftheEmperor’shouseholdinwhomhehadgreatconfidence，"Ifthiscontinuesweshallhavetogiveup，andputthekeyunderthedoor."
Thesewerehisverywords.
AsforJerome，hereturnedtoCasselquitedisheartenedattheunsuccessfulissueofhisloan.SomedaysafterhisreturntohiscapitalIreceivedfromhimasnuffboxwithhisportraitsetindiamonds，accompaniedbyaletterofthanksfortheserviceIhadrenderedhim.
Ineverimaginedthatatokenofremembrancefromacrownedheadcouldpossiblybedeclined.Napoleon，however，thoughtotherwise.Ihadnot，itistrue，writtentoacquaintourGovernmentwiththeKingofWestphalia’sloan，butinaletter，whichIaddressedtotheMinisterforForeignAffairsonthe22dofSeptember，ImentionedthepresentJeromehadsentme.WhyNapoleonshouldhavebeenoffendedatthisIknownot，butIreceivedorderstoreturnJerome’spresentimmediately，andtheseorderswereaccompaniedwithbitterreproachesformyhavingaccepteditwithouttheEmperor’sauthority.Isentbackthediamonds，butkepttheportrait.KnowingBonaparte’sdistrustfuldisposition，IthoughthemusthavesuspectedthatJeromehademployedthreats，oratanyrate，thathehadusedsomeillegalinfluencetofacilitatethesuccessofhisloan.
Atlast，aftermuchcorrespondence，Napoleonsawclearlythateverythingwasperfectlyregular;inaword，thatthebusinesshadbeentransactedasbetweentwoprivatepersons.Astothe300，000francswhichtheSenatehadlenttoJerome，thefactis，thatbutlittlescruplewasmadeaboutit，forthissimplereason，thatitwasthemeansofremovingfromHamburgtheWestphaliandivision，whosepresenceoccasionedamuchgreaterexpensethantheloan.
CHAPTERXX.
1809.
VisittothefieldofWagram.——MarshalMacdonald——UnionofthePapalStateswiththeEmpire——ThebattleofTalavera——SirArthurWellesley——EnglishexpeditiontoHolland——AttempttoassassinatetheEmperoratSchoenbrunn——StapsInterrogatedbyNapoleon——Pardonofferedandrejected——Fanaticismandpatriotism——Corvisart’sexaminationofStaps——Secondinterrogatory——Tiradeagainsttheilluminati——AccusationoftheCourtsofBerlinandWeimar——FirmnessandresignationofStaps——Particularsrespectinghisdeath——
InfluenceoftheattemptofStapsontheconclusionofpeace——
M.deChampagny.
NapoleonwenttoinspectallthecorpsofhisarmyandthefieldofWagram，whichashorttimebeforehadbeenthesceneofoneofthosegreatbattlesinwhichvictorywasthemoregloriousinproportionasithadbeenvaliantlycontested.
——[ThegreatbattleofWagramwasfoughtonthe6thofJuly1809.
TheAustrians，whocommittedamistakeinover—extendingtheirline，lost20，000menasprisoners，besidesalargenumberinkilledandwounded.Therewasnoday，perhaps，onwhichNapoleonshowedmoremilitarygeniusormorepersonalcourage.Hewasinthehottestofthefight，andforalongtimeexposedtoshowersofgrapeshot.—
Editorof1836edition.]——
Onthatday[thetype]ofFrenchhonour，Macdonald，who，afterachievingasuccessionofprodigies，ledthearmyofItalyintotheheartoftheAustrianStates，wasmadeamarshalonthefieldofbattle.Napoleonsaidtohim，"Withusitisforlifeandfordeath."ThegeneralopinionwasthattheelevationofMacdonaldaddedlesstothemarshal’smilitaryreputationthanitredoundedtothehonouroftheEmperor.FivedaysafterthebombardmentofVienna，namely，onthe17thofMay，theEmperorhadpublishedadecree，byvirtueofwhichthePapalStateswereunitedtotheFrenchEmpire，andRomewasdeclaredanImperialCity.Iwillnotstoptoinquirewhetherthiswasgoodorbadinpointofpolicy，butitwasameanusurpationonthepartofNapoleon，forthetimewaspassedwhenaJuliusII.laiddownthekeysofSt.PeterandtookuptheswordofSt.Paul.Itwas，besides，aninjustice，and，consideringthePope’scondescensiontoNapoleon，anactofingratitude.ThedecreeofuniondidnotdeprivethePopeofhisresidence，buthewasonlytheFirstBishopofChristendom，witharevenueof2，000，000.
NapoleonwhileatViennaheardoftheaffairofTalaveradelaReyna.I
wasinformed，byaletterfromheadquarters，thathewasmuchaffectedatthenews，anddidnotconcealhisvexation.IverilybelievethathewasbentontheconquestofSpain，preciselyonaccountofthedifficultieshehadtosurmount.AtTalaveracommencedthecelebrityofamanwho，perhaps，wouldnothavebeenwithoutsomegloryevenifpainshadnotbeentakentobuildhimupagreatreputation.ThatbattlecommencedthecareerofSirArthurWellesley，whoseafter—success，however，hasbeenattendedbysuchimportantconsequences.
——[ThebattleofTalaveratookplaceonthe28thofJuly，twenty—twodaysafterthefataldefeatoftheAustriansatWagram.]——
WhilstweexperiencedthischeckinSpaintheEnglishwereattemptinganexpeditiontoHolland，wheretheyhadalreadymadethemselvesmastersofWalcheren.Itistruetheywereobligedtoevacuateitshortlyafter;
butasatthattimetheFrenchandAustrianarmieswereinastateofinaction，inconsequenceofthearmisticeconcludedatZnaim，inMoravia，thenewsunfavourabletoNapoleonhadtheeffectofraisingthehopesoftheAustriannegotiators，whopausedintheexpectationthatfreshdefeatswouldaffordthembetterchances.
Itwasduringthesenegotiations，theterminationofwhichseemedeverydaytobefartherdistant，thatNapoleonwasexposedtoamorerealdangerthanthewoundhehadreceivedatRatisbon.Germanywassufferingunderadegreeofdistressdifficulttobedescribed.Illuminismwasmakinggreatprogress，andhadfilledsomeyouthfulmindswithanenthusiasmnotlessviolentthanthereligiousfanaticismtowhichHenryIV.fellavictim.AyoungmanformedthedesignofassassinatingNapoleoninordertoridGermanyofonewhomheconsideredherscourge.
RappandBerthierwerewiththeEmperorwhentheassassinwasarrested，andinrelatingwhatIheardfromthemIfeelassuredthatIamgivingthemostfaithfulaccountofallthecircumstancesconnectedwiththeevent.
"WewereatSchoenbrunn，"saidRapp，"whentheEmperorhadjustreviewedthetroops.Iobservedayoungmanattheextremityofoneofthecolumnsjustasthetroopswereabouttodefile.HeadvancedtowardstheEmperor，whowasthenbetweenBerthierandme.ThePrincedeNeufchatel，thinkinghewantedtopresentapetition，wentforwardtotellhimthatI
wasthepersontoreceiveitasIwastheaidedecampfortheday.TheyoungmanrepliedthathewishedtospeakwithNapoleonhimself，andBerthieragaintoldhimthathemustapplytome.Hewithdrewalittle，stillrepeatingthathewantedtospeakwithNapoleon.HeagainadvancedandcameveryneartheEmperor;Idesiredhimtofallback，tellinghiminGermantowaittillaftertheparade，when，ifhehadanythingtosay，itwouldbeattendedto.Isurveyedhimattentively，forIbegantothinkhisconductsuspicious.Iobservedthathekepthisrighthandinthebreastpocketofhiscoat;outofwhichapieceofpaperappeared.
Iknownothowitwas，butatthatmomentmyeyesmethis，andIwasstruckwithhispeculiarlookandairoffixeddetermination.Seeinganofficerofgendarmerieonthespot，Idesiredhimtoseizetheyoungman，butwithouttreatinghimwithanyseverity，andtoconveyhimtothecastleuntiltheparadewasended.
AllthispassedinlesstimethanIhavetakentotellit，andaseveryone’sattentionwasfixedontheparadethescenepassedunnoticed.I
wasshortlyafterwardstoldthatalargecarving—knifehadbeenfoundontheyoungman，whosenamewasStaps.IimmediatelywenttofindDuroc，andweproceededtogethertotheapartmenttowhichStapshadbeentaken.
Wefoundhimsittingonabed，apparentlyindeepthought，butbetrayingnosymptomsoffear.Hehadbesidehimtheportraitofayoungfemale，hispocket—book，andpursecontainingonlytwopiecesofgold.Iaskedhimhisname，butherepliedthathewouldtellittonoonebutNapoleon.Ithenaskedhimwhatheintendedtodowiththeknifewhichhadbeenfounduponhim？Butheansweredagain，’IshalltellonlyNapoleon.’——’Didyoumeantoattempthislife？’——`Yes.’——`Why？’——`IcantellnoonebutNapoleon.’
"ThisappearedtomesostrangethatIthoughtrighttoinformtheEmperorofit.WhenItoldhimwhathadpassedheappearedalittleagitated，foryouknowhowhewashauntedwiththeideaofassassination.
Hedesiredthattheyoungmanshouldbetakenintohiscabinet;whitherhewasaccordinglyconductedbytwogensd’armes.Notwithstandinghiscriminalintentiontherewassomethingexceedinglyprepossessinginhiscountenance.Iwishedthathewoulddenytheattempt;buthowwasitpossibletosaveamanwhowasdeterminedtosacrificehimself？TheEmperoraskedStapswhetherhecouldspeakFrench，andheansweredthathecouldspeakitveryimperfectly，andasyouknow（continuedRapp）thatnexttoyouIamthebestGermanscholarinNapoleon’sCourt，Iwasappointedinterpreteronthisoccasion.TheEmperorputthefollowingquestionstoStaps，whichItranslated，togetherwiththeanswers：
"`Wheredoyoucomefrom？’——’FromNarremburgh.’——`Whatisyourfather？’
——`AProtestantminister.’——`Howoldareyou？’——`Eighteen.’——’Whatdidyouintendtodowithyourknife？’——`Tokillyou.’——’Youaremad，youngman;youareoneoftheilluminati？’——’Iamnotmad;Iknownotwhatismeantbytheilluminati！’——’Youareill，then？’——’Iamnot;Iamverywell.’——’Whydidyouwishtokillme？’——’Becauseyouhaveruinedmycountry.’——’HaveIdoneyouanyharm？’——’Yes，youhaveharmedmeaswellasallGermans.’——’Bywhomwereyousent？Whourgedyoutothiscrime？’
——’Noone;IwasurgedtoitbythesincereconvictionthatbykillingyouIshouldrenderthegreatestservicetomycountry.’——’Isthisthefirsttimeyouhaveseenme？’——’IsawyouatErfurt，atthetimeofyourinterviewwiththeEmperorofRussia.’——’Didyouintendtokillmethen？’——’No;IthoughtyouwouldnotagainwagewaragainstGermany.I
wasoneofyourgreatestadmirers.’——’HowlonghaveyoubeeninVienna？’
——’Tendays.’——’Whydidyouwaitsolongbeforeyouattemptedtheexecutionofyourproject？’——’IcametoSchoenbrunnaweekagowiththeintentionofkillingyou，butwhenIarrivedtheparadewasjustover;I
thereforedeferredtheexecutionofmydesigntilltoday.’——’Itellyou，youngman，youareeithermadorinbadhealth.’
"TheEmperorhereorderedCorvisarttobesentfor.StapsaskedwhoCorvisartwas？Itoldhimthathewasaphysician.Hethensaid，’Ihavenoneedofhim.’Nothingfurtherwassaiduntilthearrivalofthedoctor，andduringthisintervalStepsevincedtheutmostindifference.WhenCorvisartarrivedNapoleondirectedhimtofeeltheyoungman’spulse，whichheimmediatelydid;andStapsthenverycoollysaid，’AmInotwell，sir？’CorvisarttoldtheEmperorthatnothingailedhim.’Itoldyouso，’saidSteps，pronouncingthewordswithanairoftriumph.
"IwasreallyastonishedatthecoolnessandapathyofStaps，andtheEmperorseemedforamomentconfoundedbytheyoungman’sbehaviour.——
Afterafewmoments’pausetheEmperorresumedtheinterrogatoryasfollows：
"`Yourbrainisdisordered.Youwillbetheruinofyourfamily.Iwillgrantyouyourlifeifyouaskpardonforthecrimeyoumeditated，andforwhichyououghttobesorry.’——’Iwantnopardon.Ionlyregrethavingfailedinmyattempt.’——’Indeed！thenacrimeisnothingtoyou？’
——’Tokillyouisnocrime：itisaduty.’——’Whoseportraitisthatwhichwasfoundonyou？’——’ItistheportraitofayoungladytowhomIamattached.’——’Shewilldoubtlessbemuchdistressedatyouradventure？’——
’ShewillonlybesorrythatIhavenotsucceeded.SheabhorsyouasmuchasIdo.’——’ButifIweretopardonyouwouldyoubegratefulformymercy？’——’IwouldneverthelesskillyouifIcould.’
"Inever，"continuedRapp，"sawNapoleonlooksoconfounded.TherepliesofStapsandhisimmovableresolutionperfectlyastonishedhim.Heorderedtheprisonertoberemoved;andwhenhewasgoneNapoleonsaid，’ThisistheresultofthesecretsocietieswhichinfestGermany.Thisistheeffectoffineprinciplesandthelightofreason.Theymakeyoungmenassassins.Butwhatcanbedoneagainstilluminism？Asectcannotbedestroyedbycannon—balls.’
"Thisevent，thoughpainsweretakentokeepitsecret，becamethesubjectofconversationinthecastleofSchoenbrunn.IntheeveningtheEmperorsentformeandsaid，’Rapp，theaffairofthismorningisveryextraordinary.Icannotbelievethatthisyoungmanofhimselfconceivedthedesignofassassinatingme.Thereissomethingunderit.IshallneverbepersuadedthattheintriguersofBerlinandWeimararestrangerstotheaffair.’——’Sire，allowmetosaythatyoursuspicionsappearunfounded.Stapshashadnoaccomplice;hisplacidcountenance，andevenhisfanaticism，areeasiestproofsofthat.’——’Itellyouthathehasbeeninstigatedbywomen：furiesthirstingforrevenge.IfIcouldonlyobtainproofofitIwouldhavethemseizedinthemidstoftheirCourt.’——’Ah，Sire，itisimpossiblethateithermanorwomanintheCourtsofBerlinorWeimarcouldhaveconceivedsoatrociousadesign.’——
’Iamnotsureofthat.DidnotthosewomenexciteSchillagainstuswhilewewereatpeacewithPrussia;butstayalittle;weshallsee.’——
’Schill’senterprise;Sire，bearsnoresemblancetothisattempt.’
YouknowhowtheEmperorlikeseveryonetoyieldtohisopinionwhenhehasadoptedonewhichhedoesnotchoosetogiveup;sohesaid，ratherchanginghistoneofgood—humouredfamiliarity，’Allyousayisinvain，MonsieurleGeneral：IamnotlikedeitheratBerlinorWeimar.’Thereisnodoubtofthat，Sire;butbecauseyouarenotlikedinthesetwoCourts，isittobeinferredthattheywouldassassinateyou？’——’Iknowthefuryofthosewomen;butpatience.WritetoGeneralLauer：directhimtointerrogateStaps.Tellhimtobringhimtoaconfession.’
"IwroteconformablywiththeEmperor’sorders，butnoconfessionwasobtainedfromStaps.InhisexaminationbyGeneralLauerherepeatednearlywhathehadsaidinthepresenceofNapoleon.Hisresignationandfirmnessneverforsookhimforamoment;andhepersistedinsayingthathewasthesoleauthoroftheattempt，andthatnooneelsewasawareofit.Staps’enterprisemadeadeepimpressionontheEmperor.OnthedaywhenweleftSchoenbrunnwehappenedtobealone，andhesaidtome，’IcannotgetthisunfortunateStapsoutofmymind.ThemoreIthinkonthesubjectthemoreIamperplexed.Inevercanbelievethatayoungmanofhisage，aGerman，onewhohasreceivedagoodeducation，aProtestanttoo，couldhaveconceivedandattemptedsuchacrime.
TheItaliansaresaidtobeanationofassassins，butnoItalianeverattemptedmylife.Thisaffairisbeyondmycomprehension.InquirehowStapsdied，andletmeknow.’
"IobtainedfromGeneralLauertheinformationwhichtheEmperordesired.
IlearnedthatStaps，whoseattemptontheEmperor’slifewasmadeonthe23dofOctober;wasexecutedatseveno’clockinthemorningofthe27th，havingrefusedtotakeanysustenancesincethe24th.Whenanyfoodwasbroughttohimherejectedit，saying，’Ishallbestrongenoughtowalktothescaffold.’Whenhewastoldthatpeacewasconcludedheevincedextremesorrow，andwasseizedwithtrembling.Onreachingtheplaceofexecutionheexclaimedloudly，’Libertyforever！Germanyforever！
Deathtothetyrant！’"
SucharethenoteswhichIcommittedtopaperafterconversingwithRapp，aswewerewalkingtogetherinthegardenoftheformerhotelofMontmorin，inwhichRappresided.IrecollecthisshowingmetheknifetakenfromStaps，whichtheEmperorhadgivenhim;itwasmerelyacommoncarving—knife，suchasisusedinkitchens.Tothesedetailsmaybeaddedaveryremarkablecircumstance，whichIreceivedfromanotherbutnotlessauthenticsource.IhavebeenassuredthattheattemptoftheGermanMutiusScaevolahadamarkedinfluenceontheconcessionswhichtheEmperormade，becausehefearedthatStaps，likehimwhoattemptedthelifeofPorsenna，mighthaveimitatorsamongtheilluminatiofGermany.
ItiswellknownthatafterthebattleofWagramconferenceswereopenatRaab.Althoughpeacewasalmostabsolutelynecessaryforbothpowers，andthetwoEmperorsappearedtodesireitequally，itwasnot，however，concluded.ItisworthyofremarkthatthedelaywasoccasionedbyBonaparte.Negotiationswerethereforesuspended，andM.deChampagnyhadceasedforseveraldaystoseethePrinceofLichtensteinwhentheaffairofStapstookplace.ImmediatelyafterNapoleon’sexaminationoftheyoungfanatichesentforM.deChampagny："Howarethenegotiationsgoingon？"heinquired.TheMinisterhavinginformedhim，theEmperoradded，"Iwishthemtoberesumedimmediately：Iwishforpeace;donothesitateaboutafewmillionsmoreorlessintheindemnitydemandedfromAustria.Yieldonthatpoint.Iwishtocometoaconclusion：Ireferitalltoyou."TheMinisterlostnotimeinwritingtothePrinceofLichtenstein：onthesamenightthetwonegotiatorsmetatRaab，andtheclausesofthetreatywhichhadbeensuspendedwerediscussed，agreedupon，andsignedthatverynight.NextmorningM.deChampagnyattendedtheEmperor’sleveewiththetreatyofpeaceasithadbeenagreedon.
Napoleon，afterhastilyexaminingit，expressedhisapprobationofeveryparticular，andhighlycomplimentedhisMinisteronthespeedwithwhichthetreatyhadbeenbroughttoaconclusion.’
——[Thisdefinitivetreatyofpeace，whichissometimescalledtheTreatyofVienna，Raab，orSchoenbrunn，containedthefollowingarticles：
1.AustriacededinfavouroftheConfederationoftheRhine（thesefelltoBavaria），Salzburg，Berchtolsgaden，andapartofUpperAustria.
2.ToFrancedirectlyAustriacededheronlyseaport，Trieste，andallthecountriesofCarniola，Friuli，thecircleofVilach，withpartsofCroatiaendDalmatia.（BythesecessionsAustriawasexcludedfromtheAdriaticSea，andcutofffromallcommunicationwiththenavyofGreatBritain.）Asmalllordship，enenclaveinthe，territoriesoftheGrieveLeague，wasalsogivesup.
3.TotheconstantallyofNapoleon，totheKingofSaxony，inthatcharacterAustriacededsomeBohemianenclavesinSaxonyend，inhiscapacityofGrandDukeofWarsaw，sheaddedtohisPolishdominionstheancientcityofCracow，andallWesternGalicia.
4.Russia，whohadenteredwithbutalukewarmzealintothewarasanallyofFrance，hadaverymoderateshareofthespoilsofAustria.AportionofEasternGalicia，withapopulationof400，000
souls，wasallottedtoher，butinthisallotmentthetradingtownofBrody（almosttheonlythingworthhaving）wasspeciallyexcepted.ThislastcircumstancegavenosmalldegreeofdisgusttotheEmperorAlexander，whoseadmirationofNapoleonwasnotdestinedtohavealongduration，——Editorof1836edition.
CHAPTERXXI.
1809.
ThePrincessRoyalofDenmark——DestructionoftheGermanEmpire——
NapoleonsvisittotheCourtsofBavariaandWurtemberg——HisreturntoFrance——Firstmentionofthedivorce——IntelligenceofNapoleon’smarriagewithMariaLouisa——Napoleon’squarrelwithLouis——JourneyoftheEmperorandEmpressintoHolland——RefusaloftheHanseTownstopaytheFrenchtroops——DecreeforburningEnglishmerchandise——
M.deVergennes——Planforturninganinevitableeviltothebestaccount——FallontheexchangeofStPetersburgAboutthistimeIhadthepleasureofagainseeingthesonofthereigningDukeofMecklenburg—Schwerin，whosearrivalintheHanseTownswasspeedilyfollowedbythatofhissister，PrincessFredericaCharlotteofMecklenburg，marriedtothePrinceRoyalofDenmark，ChristianFrederick.InNovemberthePrincessarrivedatAltanafromCopenhagen，thereportscirculatedrespectingherhavingcompelledherhusbandtoseparatefromher.ThehistoryofthisPrincess，who，thoughperhapsblamable，wasneverthelessmuchpitied，wasthegeneralsubjectofconversationinthenorthofGermanyatthetimeIwasatHamburg.TheKingofDenmark，grievedatthepublicityoftheseparation，wrotealetteronthesubjecttotheDukeofMecklenburg.Inthisletter，whichIhadanopportunityofseeing，theKingexpressedhisregretatnothavingbeenabletopreventthescandal;for，onhisreturnfromajourneytoKiel，theaffairhadbecomesonotoriousthatallattemptsatreconciliationwerevain.InthemeantimeitwassettledthatthePrincesswastoremainatAltonauntilsomethingshouldbedecidedrespectingherfuturecondition.