PREFACE

Thoughthisworkwasfirstpublishedin1830，ithasneverbeforebeentranslatedintoEnglish。Indeed，thevolumesarealmostoutofprint。

WheninParisafewyearsagothewritersecured，withmuchdifficulty，acopy，fromwhichthistranslationhasbeenmade。Noteshavebeenaddedbythetranslator，andillustrationsbythepublishers，which，itisbelieved，willenhancetheinterestoftheoriginalworkbyConstant。

“TopaintCaesarinundressisnottopaintCaesar，“someonehassaid。

Yetmenwillalwaysliketoseethegreat'endeshabille'。Inthesevolumestheheroispaintedinundress。Hisfoibles，hispeculiarities，hisvices，areheredepictedwithoutreserve。Butsoalsoarehiskindnessofheart，hisvastintellect，hisknowledgeofmen，hisextraordinaryenergy，hispublicspirit。Theshuttersaretakendown，andtheworkingsofthemightymachineryarelaidbare。

ThelatePrinceNapoleon(whowasmoretruly“thenephewofhisuncle“

thanwasNapoleonIII。)，inhisNapoleonandHisDetractors，bitterlyassailsthisworkofConstantsattackingbothitsauthenticityandthecorrectnessofitsstatements。Butthereappearsnogoodreasontodoubtitsgenuineness，andthetruthfulnessofmanyofitsdetailsisamplysupportedbyotherauthorities。Notwithstandingitsexcessesandfollies，thegreatFrenchRevolutionwilleverhaveanabsorbinginterestformankind，becauseitbeganasastrugglefortheadvancementofthecauseofmanhood，liberty，andequalrights。Itwasaterriblyearnestmovement；and，afterthelapseofacentury，interestcontinuesunabatedinthegreatsoldierwhorestoredorder，andorganizedandpreservedthenewideasbymeansofhisCivilCodeandafirmgovernment。

Countlessmemoirshavebeenpublishedbythosewholivedinthoseheroictimes。Yeteverythingwhichwillcastnewlightuponthechiefactorsinthatgreatdramaofhumanityisstillseizeduponwithavidity，especiallywhateverconcernstheEmperor。

Thisisnotmerelybecausehewasagreatconqueror；forsuchwere，aftertheirfashion，GenghisKhanandTimour，andhundredsofothers。ButitisbecauseofthehumaninterestwhichattachestothewonderfulcareerofNapoleonandtheeventsofwhichhewasthecentralfigure。

Neverdidpoetornovelistimaginescenessoimprobable。ThesonofanobscurelawyerinanunimportantislandbecomesEmperoroftheFrenchandKingofItaly。Hisbrothersandsistersbecomekingsandqueens。Thesonsofinnkeepers，notaries；lawyers，andpeasantsbecomemarshalsoftheempire。TheEmperor，firstmakingaWestIndiaCreolehiswifeandEmpress，putsheraway，andmarriesadaughterofthehaughtiestandoldestroyalhouseinEurope，thenieceofaqueenwhomthepeopleofFrancehadbeheadedafewyearsbefore。Theirsonisbornaking——KingofRome。Thensuddenlythepageantrydissolves，andEmperor，kings，andqueensbecomesubjectsagain。Hasimaginationeverdreamedanythingwilderthanthis？Thedramaticinterestofthisstorywillalwaysattract，butthereisadeeperone。Thesecretspringofallthoserapidchanges，andtherealcauseofthegreatinteresthumanitywillalwaysfeelinthestoryofthoseeventfultimes，istobefoundinNapoleon'sownexplanation——“Acareeropentotalents，withoutdistinctionofbirth。“Tillthatdaytheaccidentofbirthwasthekeytoeveryhonorandeveryposition。Nomancouldholdevenalieutenancyinthearmywhocouldnotshowfourquarteringsonhiscoatofarms。

Itwasasthe“armedapostleofdemocracy“thatNapoleonwentforthconqueringandtoconquer。HedeclaredatSt。Helenathathe“hadalwaysmarchedsupportedbytheopinionsofsixmillionsofmen。“

TheoldwomanwhomethimincognitoclimbingthehillofTarare，andreplyingtohisassertionthat“Napoleonwasonlyatyrantliketherest，“exclaimed，“Itmaybeso，buttheothersarethekingsofthenobility，whileheisoneofus，andwehavechosenhimourselves，“

expressedagreattruth。AslongasNapoleonrepresentedpopularsovereigntyhewasinvincible；butwhen，deeminghimselfstrongenoughtostandalone，heendeavoredtoconciliatetheoldorderofthings，and，divorcingthedaughterofthepeople，tookforabridethedaughterofkingsandalliedhimselfwiththem——atthatmoment，likeanotherSamson，“hisstrengthdepartedfromhim。“Disasterscameastheyhadcometohimbefore，butthistimetheheartofthepeoplewasnolongerwithhim。Hefell。

Thismanhasbeenstudiedasasoldier，astatesman，anorganizer，apolitician。Inallhewasundeniablygreat。Butmenwillalwaysliketoknowsomethingabouthimasaman。Canhestandthatordeal？Thesevolumeswillanswerthatquestion。TheyarewrittenbyonewhojoinedtheFirstConsulattheHospiceonMt。St。Bernard，onhiswaytoMarengo，inJune，1800，andwhowaswithhimashischiefpersonalattendant，dayandnight，neverleavinghim“anymorethanhisshadow“

(eightdaysonlyexcepteduntilthateventfulday，fourteenyearslater，when，layingasidethesceptreofthegreatestempiretheworldhadknownforseventeencenturies，hewalkeddownthehorseshoestepsatFontainebleauinthepresenceofthesoldierswhomhehadledtovictoryfromMadridtoMoscow，oncemoreaprivatecitizen。

ThatmenofAnglo-SaxonspeechmayhaveanopportunitytoseeandjudgetheEmperorfrom“closeathand，“andviewhimasheappearedintheeyesofhispersonalattendants，thesevolumeshavebeentranslated，andarenowsubmittedtothepublic。ThoughtheremarkofFredericktheGreatthat“Nomanisaherotohisvalet“isnotaltogetherborneoutinthisinstance，stillitwillbeseenthatthereisherenothingofthat“divinitywhichdothhedgeaking。“InthesevolumesNapoleonappearsasaman，averygreatman，stillamereman，not，ademigod。Theirperusalwilldoubtlessleadtoatruerconceptionofhischaracter，asmanifestedbothinhisgoodandinhiseviltraits。Theformerwerenaturaltohim；

thelatterwereoftenproducedbytheexceptionalcircumstanceswhichsurroundedhim，andtheextraordinarytemptationstowhichhewassubjected。

Certainlyatruerandfullerlightiscastbythesevolumes，uponthecolossalfigurewhichwillalwaysremainoneofthemostinterestingstudiesinallhumanhistory。

THETRANSLATOR

INTRODUCTION

ByConstant。

Thecareerofamancompelledtomakehisownway，whoisnotanartisanorinsometrade，doesnotusuallybegintillheisabouttwentyyearsofage。Tillthenhevegetates，uncertainofhisfuture，neitherhaving，norbeingabletohave，anywell-definedpurpose。Itisonlywhenhehasarrivedatthefulldevelopmentofhispowers，andhischaracterandbentofmindareshown，thathecandeterminehisprofessionorcalling。Nottillthendoesheknowhimself，andseehiswayopenbeforehim。Infact，itisonlythenthathebeginstolive。

Reasoninginthismanner，mylifefrommytwentiethyearhasbeenthirtyyears，whichcanbedividedintoequalparts，sofarasdaysandmonthsarecounted，butveryunequalparts，consideringtheeventswhichtranspiredineachofthosetwoperiodsofmylife。

AttachedtothepersonoftheEmperorNapoleonforfifteenyears，Ihaveseenallthemen，andwitnessedalltheimportantevents，whichcenteredaroundhim。Ihaveseenfarmorethanthat；forIhavehadundermyeyesallthecircumstancesofhislife，theleastaswellasthegreatest，themostsecretaswellasthosewhichareknowntohistory，——Ihavehad，I

repeat，incessantlyundermyeyesthemanwhosename，solitaryandalone，fillsthemostgloriouspagesofourhistory。FifteenyearsIfollowedhiminhistravelsandhiscampaigns，wasathiscourt，andsawhimintheprivacyofhisfamily。Whateverstephewishedtotake，whateverorderhegave，itwasnecessarilyverydifficultfortheEmperornottoadmitme，eventhoughinvoluntarily，intohisconfidence；sothatwithoutdesiringit，IhavemorethanoncefoundmyselfinthepossessionofsecretsIshouldhavepreferrednottoknow。Whatwonderfulthingshappenedduringthosefifteenyears！ThoseneartheEmperorlivedasifinthecenterofawhirlwind；andsoquickwasthesuccessionofoverwhelmingevents，thatonefeltdazed，asitwere，andifhewishedtopauseandfixhisattentionforamoment，thereinstantlycame，likeanotherflood，asuccessionofeventswhichcarriedhimalongwiththemwithoutgivinghimtimetofixhisthoughts。

Succeedingthesetimesofactivitywhichmadeone'sbrainwhirl，therecametomethemostabsolutereposeinanisolatedretreatwhereIpassedanotherintervaloffifteenyearsafterleavingtheEmperor。Butwhatacontrast！Tothosewhohavelived，likemyself，amidtheconquestsandwondersoftheEmpire，whatisleftto-day？Ifthestrengthofourmanhoodwaspassedamidthebustleofyearssoshort，yetsofullyoccupied，ourcareersweresufficientlylongandfruitful，anditistimetogiveourselvesuptorepose。Wecanwithdrawfromtheworld，andcloseoureyes。Canitbepossibletoseeanythingequaltowhatwehaveseen？Suchscenesdonotcometwiceinthelifetimeofanyman；andhavingseenthem，theysufficetooccupyhismemorythroughallhisremainingyears，andinretirementhecanfindnothingbettertooccupyhisleisuremomentsthantherecollectionsofwhathehaswitnessed。

Thusithasbeenwithme。ThereaderwillreadilybelievethatIhavehadnogreaterpleasurethanthatofrecallingthememoriesoftheyearspassedintheserviceoftheEmperor。Asfaraspossible，Ihavekeptmyselfinformedastoeverythingthathasbeenwrittenofmyformermaster，hisfamily，andhiscourt；andwhilelisteningtothesenarrationsreadbymywifeandsisteratourfireside，thelongeveningshavepassedlikeaninstant！WhenIfoundinthesebooks，someofwhicharetrulyonlymiserablerhapsodies，statementswhichwereincorrect，false，orslanderous，I，tookpleasureincorrectingsuchstatements，orinshowingtheirabsurdity。Mywife，wholived，asIdid，inthemidstoftheseevents，alsomadehercorrections，and，withoutotherobjectthanourownsatisfaction，madenotesofourjointobservations。

Allwhocametoseeusinourretreat，andtookpleasureinhavingmenarratewhatIhadseen，wereastonishedandoftenindignantatthefalsehoodswithwhichignoranceormalevolencehadcalumniatedtheEmperorandtheEmpire，andexpressingtheirgratitudeforthecorrectinformationIwasabletogivethem，advisedmealsotofurnishittothepublic。ButIattachednoimportancetothesuggestion，andwasfarfromdreamingthatsomedayIshouldbetheauthorofabook，untilM。

Ladvocatcametoourhermitage，andurgedmeearnestlytopublishmymemoirs，offeringhimselftobecomethepublisher。

AttheverytimemywifeandIreceivedthisunexpectedvisit，wewerereadingtogethertheMemoirsofBourrienne，whichtheLadvocatpublishing-househadjustissued；andwehadremarkedmorethanoncehowexempttheseMemoirswerefromboththatspiritofdisparagementandofadulationwhichwehadnoticedwithdisgustinotherbooksonthesamesubject。M。LadvocatadvisedmetocompletethesketchoftheEmperor，which，owingtohiselevatedpositionandhabitualoccupations，Bourriennehadbeenabletomakeonlyfromapoliticalpointofview；andinaccordancewithhisadvice，Ishallrelateinsimplewords，andinamannersuitedtomyrelationswiththeEmperor，thosethingswhichBourriennehasnecessarilyomitted，andwhichnoonecouldknowsowellasI。

IcandidlyadmitthatmyobjectionstoM。Ladvocat'sadvicewereentirelyovercomewhenhecalledmyattentiontothispassageintheintroductiontoBourrienne'smemoirs:“IfeveryonewhohadanyrelationswithNapoleon，whateverthetimeandplace，willaccuratelyandwithoutprejudicerecordwhathesawandheard，thefuturehistorianofhislifewillberichinmaterials。Ihopethatwhoeverundertakesthatdifficulttaskwillfindinmynotessomeinformationwhichmaybeusefulinperfectinghiswork。“

Havingre-readtheselinesattentively，IsaidtomyselfthatIcouldfurnishmemorandaandinformationwhichwouldrefuteerrors，brandfalsehoods，andbringtolightwhatIknewtobethetruth。Inaword，I

feltthatIcouldgiveinmytestimony，andthatitwasmydutytodoso，inthelongtrialwhichhasbeenheldeversincetheoverthrowoftheEmperor；forIhadbeenaneye-witness，hadseeneverything，andcouldsay，“Iwasthere。“OthersalsohavebeenclosetotheEmperorandhiscourt，andImayoftenrepeatwhattheyhavesaid，forthefeatswhichtheydescribeIhadthesameopportunityofwitnessing；but，ontheotherhand，whateverIknowofprivatematters，andwhateverImayrevealwhichwassecretandunknown，noonetillthistimecouldpossiblyhaveknown，orconsequentlyhaverelated。

FromthedepartureoftheFirstConsulforthecampaignofMarengo，whitherIwentwithhim，untilthedeparturefromFontainebleau，whenI

wascompelledtoleavehim，Iwasabsentonlytwice，onceforthreedaysandonceforsevenoreightdays。Exceptingtheseshortleavesofabsence，thelatterofwhichwasonaccountofmyhealth，IquittedtheEmperornomorethanhisshadow。

Ithasbeensaidthatnooneisaherotohisvaletdechambre。Ibegleavetodissentfromthis。TheEmperor，asnearasIwastohim，wasalwaysahero；anditwasagreatadvantagealsotoseethemanashewas。Atadistanceyouweresensibleonlyoftheprestigeofhisgloryandhispower；butongettingclosertohimyouenjoyed，besides，thesurprisingcharmofhisconversation，theentiresimplicityofhisfamilylife，andIdonothesitatetosay，thehabitualkindlinessofhischaracter。

Thereader，ifcurioustolearnbeforehandinwhatspirittheseMemoirsarewritten，willperhapsreadwithinterestthispassageofaletterthatIwrotetomypublisher:

“Bourriennehad，perhaps，reasonfortreatingNapoleon，asapublicman，withseverity。Butweviewhimfromdifferentstandpoints，andIspeakonlyoftheheroinundress。Hewasthenalmostalwayskind，patient，andrarelyunjust。Hewasmuchattachedtothoseabouthim，andreceivedwithkindnessandgoodnaturetheservicesofthosewhomheliked。Hewasamanofhabit。ItisasadevotedservantthatIwishtospeakoftheEmperor，andinnowiseasacritic。Itisnot，however，anapotheosisinseveralvolumesthatI

wishtowrite:forIamonthispointsomewhatlikefatherswhorecognizethefaultsoftheirchildren，andreprovethemearnestly，whileatthesametimetheyarereadytomakeexcusesfortheirerrors。“

ItrustthatIshallbepardonedthefamiliarity，or，ifyouwill，theinappropriatenessofthiscomparison，forthesakeofthefeelingwhichdictatesit。Besides，Idonotproposeeithertopraiseorblame，butsimplytorelatethatwhichfellwithinmyknowledge，withouttryingtoprejudicetheopinionofanyone。

Icannotclosethisintroductionwithoutafewwordsastomyself，inreplytothecalumnieswhichhavenotspared，eveninhisretirement，amanwhoshouldhavenoenemies，if，tobeprotectedfrommalice，itweresufficienttohavedonealittlegood，andnoharmtoanyone。Iamreproachedwithhavingabandonedmymasterafterhisfall，andnothavingsharedhisexile。Iwillshowthat，ifIdidnotfollowtheEmperor，itwasbecauseIlackednotthewillbutthepowertodoso。GodknowsthatIdonotwishtoundervaluethedevotionofthefaithfulservantswhofollowedthefortunesoftheEmperortotheend。However，itisnotimpropertosaythat，howeverterriblethefalloftheEmperorwasforhim，thesituation(Ispeakhereonlyofthepersonaladvantages)，intheislandofElba，ofthosewhoremainedinhisservice，andwhowerenotdetainedinFrancebyaninexorablenecessity，wasstillnotwithoutitsadvantages；anditwasnot，therefore，mypersonalinterestswhichcausedmetoleavehim。Ishallexplainhereaftermyreasonsforquittinghisservice。

Ishallalsogivethetruthastotheallegedabuseofconfidence，ofwhich，accordingtoothers，IwasguiltyinrespecttotheEmperor。

Asimplestatementofthemistakewhichgaverisetothisfalsehood，Itrust，willclearmeofeverysuspicionofindelicacy；butifitisnecessarytoaddotherproofs，IcouldobtainthemfromthosewholivednearesttotheEmperor，andwhowereinaconditiontobothknowandunderstandwhatpassedbetweenus；andlastly，Iinvokefiftyyearsofablamelesslife，andIcansay:“WhenIwasinasituationtorendergreatservices，Ididso；butIneversoldthem。IcouldhavederivedadvantagesfromthepetitionsthatImadeforpeople，who，inconsequenceofmysolicitations，haveacquiredimmensefortunes；butIrefusedeventheproperacknowledgmentwhichin，theirgratitude(verydeepatthattime)theyfeltcompelledtoofferme，byproposinganinterestintheirenterprises。Ididnotseektotakeadvantage，formyownbenefit，ofthegenerositywithwhichtheEmperorsolongdeignedtohonorme，inordertoenrichorsecureplacesformyrelatives；andIretiredpoorafterfifteenyearspassedinthepersonalserviceoftherichestandmostpowerfulmonarchofEurope。“

Havingmadethesestatements，Ishallawaitwithconfidencethejudgmentofmyreaders。

RECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON

CHAPTERI。

Ishallrefertomyselfverylittleinthesememoirs，forIamawarethepublicwillexaminethemonlyfordetailsconcerningthegreatmantowhomfortuneattachedmeforsixteenyears，andwhomIscarcelyquittedduringthewholeofthattime。Notwithstanding，Iaskpermissiontosayafewwordsastomychildhood，andthecircumstanceswhichmademevaletdechambreoftheEmperor。

IwasbornDec。2，1778，atPeruelz，atownwhichbecameFrenchontheannexationofBelgiumtotheRepublic，andwhichthenbelongedtotheDepartmentofJemmapes。SoonaftermybirthatthebathsofSaintAmand，myfathertookchargeofasmallestablishmentcalledtheLittleChateau，atwhichvisitorstothewaterswereboarding，beingaidedinthisenterprisebythePrincedeCroi，inwhosehousehehadbeensteward。

Businessprosperedbeyondmyfather'shopes，foragreatnumberofinvalidsofrankcametohishouse。WhenIattainedmyeleventhyear，theCountdeLure，headofoneofthechieffamiliesofValenciennes，happenedtobeoneoftheboardersattheLittleChateau；andasthatexcellentmanhadtakenagreatfancytome，heaskedmyparentspermissionthatIshouldbecomeacompaniontohisson，whowasabout。

thesameage。Myfamilyhadintendedmeforthechurch，togratifyoneofmyuncles，whowasDeanofLessine，amanofgreatwisdomandrigidvirtue；andthinkingthattheofferoftheCountdeLurewouldnotaffectmyintendeddestination，myfatheracceptedit，judgingthatsomeyearspassedinafamilysodistinguishedwouldgivemeatasteforthemoreseriousstudiesnecessarytofitmeforthepriesthood。Isetout，therefore，withtheCountdeLure，muchgrievedatleavingmyparents，butpleasedalsoatthesametime，asisusualwithoneatmyage，withnewscenes。ThecounttookmetooneofhisestatesnearTours，whereI

wasreceivedwiththegreatestkindnessbythecountessandherchildren，withwhomIwasplacedonafootingofperfectequality。

UnfortunatelyIdidnotprofitverylongbythekindnessofthecountandthelessons。Iwastaughtathishouse，forhardlyayearhadpassedatthechateauwhenwelearnedofthearrestofthekingatVarennes。Thecountandhisfamilywereindespair；andchildasIwas，IrememberthatIwasdeeplypainedatthenews，withoutknowingwhy，butdoubtlessbecauseitisnaturaltosharethesentimentsofthosewithwhomyoulive，whentheytreatyouwithasmuchkindnessasthecountandcountesshadtreatedme。However，Icontinuedtoenjoythehappyfreedomfromcarenaturaltoyouth，tillonemorningIwasawakenedbyaloudnoise，andwasimmediatelysurroundedbyagreatnumberofpeople，noneofwhomIknew，andwhoaskedmecountlessquestionswhichIcouldnotanswer。

Ithenlearnedthatthecountandhisfamilyhademigrated。Iwascarriedtothetownhall，wherethesamequestionswererenewed，withthesamefruitlessresult；forIknewnothingoftheintentionsofmylateprotectors，andcouldonlyreplybyafloodoftearswhenIsawmyselfabandonedandlefttomyownresources，atagreatdistancefrommyfamily。

Iwastooyoungthentoreflectontheconductofthecount；butIhavesincethoughtthathisabandonmentofmewasanactofdelicacyonhispart，ashedidnotwishtomakemeanemigrewithouttheconsentofmyparents。Ihavealwaysbelievedthat，beforehisdeparture，thecounthadcommittedmetothecareofsomeone，whosubsequentlydidnotdaretoclaimme，lestheshouldcompromisehimself，whichwasthen，asiswellknown，exceedinglydangerous。Beholdme，then，attwelveyearsofage，leftwithoutaguide，withoutmeansofsupport，withoutanyonetoadviseme，andwithoutmoney，morethanahundredleaguesfrommyhome，andalreadyaccustomedtothecomfortsofaluxuriouslife。ItishardlycrediblethatinthisstateofaffairsIwasregardedalmostasasuspect，andwasrequiredeachdaytopresentmyselfbeforethecityauthoritiesforthegreatersafetyoftheRepublic。IrememberwellthatwhenevertheEmperorwaspleasedtomakemerelatethesetribulationsofmychildhood，heneverfailedtorepeatseveraltimes，“thefools，“

referringtothesesamecityauthorities。Howeverthatmaybe，theauthoritiesofTours，comingtotheconclusion，atlast，thatachildoftwelvewasincapableofoverthrowingtheRepublic，gavemeapassport，withtheinjunctiontoleavethecitywithintwenty-fourhours，whichI

proceededtodowithaheartygood-will，butnotwithoutdeepgriefalsoatseeingmyselfalone，andonfoot，withalongjourneybeforeme。

AftermuchprivationandmanyhardshipsIarrivedatlastintheneighborhoodofSaint-Amand，whichIfoundinthepossessionoftheAustrians，andthatitwasimpossibleformetoreachthetown，astheFrenchsurroundedit。InmydespairIseatedmyselfonthesideofaditchandwasweepingbitterly，whenIwasnoticedbythechiefofsquadron，Michau，——[Iafterwardshadthehappinessofobtainingforhim，fromtheEmperor，apositionhewished，asaplaceofretirement，havinglosttheuseofhisrightarm——CONSTANT。]——

whoafterwardsbecamecolonelandaide-de-camptoGeneralLoison。Michauapproachedme，questionedmewithgreatinterest，andmademerelatemysadadventures，whichtouchedhimdeeply，whilehedidnotconcealhisinabilitytosendmebacktomyfamily。Hehadjustobtainedleaveofabsence，whichhewasgoingtospendwithhisfamilyatChinon，andproposedtometoaccompanyhim，whichinvitationIacceptedwithgratitude。IcannotsaytoomuchofthekindnessandconsiderationshownmebyhishouseholdduringthethreeorfourmonthsIspentwiththem。

AttheendofthattimehetookmetoParis，whereIwassoonafterplacedinthehouseofM。Gobert，arichmerchant，whotreatedmewiththegreatest，kindness。

IlatelyvisitedM。Gobert；andherecalledtomethat，whenwetraveledtogether，hegaveuptomeoneoftheseatsofhiscarriage，uponwhichI

waspermittedtostretchmyselfoutandsleep。Imentionthiscircumstance，otherwiseunimportant，toshowthekindnesshealwaysshowedme。

SomeyearslaterImadetheacquaintanceofCarrat，whowasintheserviceofMadameBonapartewhilethegeneralwasabsentontheEgyptianexpedition。BeforerelatinghowIcametoenterherhousehold，itispropertomentionhowCarrathimselfcameintoherservice，andatthesametimenarratesomeanecdotesinregardtohim，whichwillshowwhatwerethepastimesoftheinhabitantsofMalmaisonatthatdate。

CarrathappenedtobeatPlombiereswhenMadameBonaparte——[MadameBonaparte，neeMarieJosephRoseTascherdelaPagerie，wasborninMartinique，1763；becamethewidowofViscountAlexanderdeBeauharnais，1794；marriedNapoleonBonaparteMarch，1796；becameEmpressMay18，1804；wasdivorcedDec。16，1809；diedatMalmaison，May20，1814——TRANS。]——

wenttheretotakethewaters。Everydayhebroughtherbouquets，andaddressedtoherlittlecomplimentaryspeeches，sosingularandsodroll，thatJosephinewasmuchdiverted，aswerealsotheladieswhoaccompaniedher，amongwhomwereMesdamesdeCambisanddeCriguy，andespeciallyherowndaughterHortense，whowasconvulsedathisoddities。Thetruthis，hewasexceedinglyamusing，byreasonofacertainsimplicityandoriginalityofcharacter，which，however，didnotpreventhimfrombeingapersonofintelligence；andhiseccentricitiesdidnotdispleaseMadameBonaparte。Asentimentalscenetookplacewhenthisexcellentladyleftthesprings。Carratwept，bemoanedhimself，andexpressedhislastinggriefatnotbeingabletoseeMadameBonapartedaily，ashehadbeenaccustomed；andMadameBonapartewassokind-heartedthatsheatoncedecidedtocarryhimtoPariswithher。Shetaughthimtodresshair，andfinallyappointedhimherhair-dresserandvalet，atleastsuchwerethedutieshehadtoperformwhenImadehisacquaintance。Hewaspermittedamostastonishingfreedomofspeech，sometimesevenscoldingher；andwhenMadameBonaparte，whowasextremelygenerousandalwaysgracioustowardseveryone，madepresentstoherwomen，orchattedfamiliarlywiththem，Carratwouldreproachher。“Whygivethat？“hewouldsay，adding，“Seehowyoudo，Madame；youallowyourselftojestwithyourdomestics。Somedaytheywillshowyouawantofrespect。“

Butifhethusendeavoredtorestrainthegenerosityofhismistresstowardsthosearoundher，hedidnothesitatetostimulatehergenerositytowardshimself；andwheneverhetookafancytoanything，wouldsimplysay，“Yououghttogivemethat。“

Braveryisnotalwaystheinseparablecompanionofwit，andCarratgavemorethanonceproofofthis。Beingendowedwithakindofsimpleanduncontrollablepoltroonery，whichneverfailsincomediestoexcitethelaughterofthespectators，itwasagreatpleasuretoMadameBonapartetoplayonhimsuchpranksaswouldbringouthissingularwantofcourage。

Itshouldbestated，firstofall，thatoneofthegreatestpleasuresofMadameBonaparte，atMalmaison，wastotakewalksontheroadjustoutsidethewallsofthepark；andshealwayspreferredthisoutsideroad，inspiteofthecloudsofdustwhichwereconstantlyrisingthere，tothedelightfulwalksinsidethepark。Oneday，accompaniedbyherdaughterHortense，shetoldCarrattofollowherinherwalk；andhewasdelightedtobethushonoreduntilhesawrisesuddenlyoutofaditch；agreatfigurecoveredwithawhitesheet，infact，agenuineghost，suchasIhaveseendescribedinthetranslationsofsomeoldEnglishromances。

Itisunnecessarytosay，thattheghostwassomeoneplacedtherebyorderoftheseladies，inordertofrightenCarrat；andcertainlythecomedysucceededmarvelouslywell，forassoonasCarratperceivedtheghost，hewasverymuchfrightened，andclutchingMadameBonaparte，saidtoherinatremor，“Madame，Madame，doyouseethatghost？ItisthespiritoftheladywhodiedlatelyatPlombieres。“——“Bequiet，Carrat，youareacoward。“——“Ah，butindeeditisherspiritwhichhascomeback。“AsCarratthusspoke，themaninthewhitesheetadvancedtowardhim，shakingit；andpoorCarrat，overcomewithterror，fellbackwardsinafaint，anditrequiredalltheattentionswhichwerebestoweduponhimtorestorehimtoconsciousness。

Anotherday，whilethegeneralwasstillinEgypt，andconsequentlybeforeIwasintheserviceofanymemberofhisfamily，MadameBonapartewishedtogivesomeofherladiesanexhibitionofCarrat'scowardice；

andforthispurposetherewasconcertedamongtheladiesofMalmaisonaplot，inwhichMademoiselleHortense——[HortenseBeauharnais，bornatParis，1783，wasthenjustsixteenyearsofage。MarriedLouisBonaparteandbecameQueenofHolland，1806。Died1837。ShewasthemotherofNapoleonIII——TRANS。]——

waschiefconspirator。ThisincidenthasbeensooftennarratedinmypresencebyMadameBonaparte，thatIamfamiliarwiththeludicrousdetails。Carratsleptinaroomadjoiningwhichtherewasacloset。

Aholewasmadeinthewallbetweentheserooms，andastringpassedthrough，attheendofwhichwastiedacanfilledwithwater，thiscoolingelementbeingsuspendedexactlyoverthehead，ofthepatient'sbed。Thiswasnotall，fortheyhadalsotakentheprecautiontoremovetheslatswhichsupportedthemattress；andasCarratwasinthehabitofgoingtosleepwithoutalight，hesawneitherthepreparationsforhisdownfall，northecanofwaterprovidedforhisnewbaptism。Allthemembersoftheplothadbeenwaitingforsomemomentsintheadjoiningcloset；whenhethrewhimselfheavilyuponhisbed，itcrashedin，andatthesameinstanttheplayofthestringmadethecanofwaterdoitseffectivework。Thevictimatthesametimeofafall，andofanocturnalshower-bath，Carratcriedoutagainsthisdoublemisfortune。

“Thisishorrible，“heyelledatthetopofhisvoice；whileHortensemaliciouslysaidaloudtohermother，MadamedeCrigny(afterwardsMadameDenon)，MadameCharvet，andtoseveralothersintheroom，“Oh，Mamma，thosetoadsandfrogsinthewaterwillgetonhim。“Thesewords，joinedtotheutterdarkness，servedonlytoincreasetheterrorofCarrat，who，becomingseriouslyfrightened，criedout，“Itishorrible，Madame，itishorrible，toamuseyourselfthusattheexpenseofyourservants。“

IdonotsaythatthecomplaintsofCarratwereentirelywrong，butthey。

servedonlytoincreasethegayetyoftheladieswhohadtakenhimfortheobjectoftheirpleasantries。

Howeverthatmaybe，suchwasthecharacterandpositionofCarrat，whomIhadknownforsometime，whenGeneralBonapartereturnedfromhisexpeditionintoEgypt，andCarratsaidtomethatEugenedeBeauharnaishadappliedtohimforaconfidentialvalet，hisownhavingbeendetainedinCairobysevereillnessatthetimeofhisdeparture。HewasnamedLefebvre，andwasanoldservantentirelydevotedtohismaster，aswaseveryonewhoknewPrinceEugene；forIdonotbelievethattherehaseverlivedabetterman，oronemorepolite，moreconsiderate，orindeedmoreattentive，tothosewhoservedhim。

CarrathavingtoldmethatEugenedeBeauharnais——[Born1781，viceroyofItaly1805。In1806marriedthedaughteroftheKingofBavaria。Died1824。AmonghisdescendantsarethepresentKingofSwedenandthelateEmperorofBrazil——TRANS。]——

desiredayoungmantoreplaceLefebvre，andhavingrecommendedmefortheplace，IhadthegoodfortunetobepresentedtoEugene，andtogivesatisfaction；indeed，hewassokindastosaytomethatmyappearancepleasedhim，andhewishedmetoenteruponmydutiesimmediately。Iwasdelightedwiththissituation，which，Iknownotwhy，painteditselftomyimaginationinthebrightestcolors，andwithoutlossoftime，wenttofindmymodestbaggage，andbeholdmevaletdechambre，adinterim，ofM。

deBeauharnais，notdreamingthatIshouldonedaybeadmittedtothepersonalserviceofGeneralBonaparte，andstilllessthatIshouldbecomethechiefvaletofanEmperor。

CHAPTERII。

ItwasonOct。16，1799，thatEugenedeBeauharnaisarrivedinParisonhisreturnfromEgypt；andalmostimmediatelythereafterIhadthegoodfortunetobetakenintohisservice，M。Eugenebeingthentwenty-oneyearsofage。Isoonafterlearnedafewparticulars，whichIthinkarelittleknown，relativetohisformerlife，andthemarriageofhismotherwithGeneralBonaparte。

Hisfather，asiswellknown，wasoneofthevictimsoftheRevolution；

andwhentheMarquisdeBeauharnaishadperishedonthescaffold，hiswidow，whosepropertyhadbeenconfiscated，fearingthatherson，althoughstillveryyoung，mightalsobeindangeronaccountofhisbelongingtothenobility，placedhiminthehomeofacarpenterontheruedel'Echellewhere，aladyofmyacquaintance，wholivedonthatstreet，hasoftenseenhimpassing，carryingaplankonhisshoulder。ItseemsalongdistancefromthispositiontothecolonelcyofaregimentoftheConsularguards，andthevice-royaltyofItaly。

Ilearned，fromhearingEugenehimselfrelateit，bywhatasingularcircumstancehehadbeenthecauseofthefirstmeetingbetweenhismotherandhisstep-father。Eugene，beingthennotmorethanfourteenorfifteenyearsofage，havingbeeninformedthatGeneralBonapartehadbecomepossessoroftheswordoftheMarquisdeBeauharnais，tookastepwhichseemedhazardous，butwascrownedwithsuccess。Thegeneralhavingreceivedhimgraciously，Eugeneexplainedthathecametobegofhimtherestorationofhisfather'ssword。Hisface，hisbearing，hisfrankrequest，allmadesuchapleasantimpressiononBonaparte，thatheimmediatelypresentedhimwiththeswordwhichherequested。Assoonasthisswordwasinhishandshecovereditwithkissesandtears；andthewholewasdoneinsoartlessamanner，thatBonapartewasdelightedwithhim。

MadamedeBeauharnais，beinginformedofthewelcomethegeneralhadgivenherson，thoughtitherdutytomakehimavisitofgratitude。

Bonaparte，beingmuchpleasedwithJosephineinthisfirstinterview，returnedhervisit。Theymetagainfrequently；andasiswellknown，oneeventledtoanother，untilshebecamethefirstEmpressoftheFrench；

andIcanassertfromthenumerousproofsthatIhavehadofthisfact，thatBonaparteneverceasedtoloveEugeneaswellasifhe，hadbeenhisownson。

ThequalitiesofEugenewerebothattractiveandsolid。Hisfeatureswerenotregular，andyethiscountenanceprepossessedeveryoneinhisfavor。Hehadawell-proportionedfigure，butdidnotmakeadistinguishedappearance，onaccountofthehabithehadofswinginghimselfashewalked。Hewasaboutfivefeetthreeorfourinches——

[AboutfivefeetsixorseveninchesinEnglishmeasurement——TRANS。]——

inheight。Hewaskind，gay，amiable，fullofwit，intelligent，generous；anditmightwellbesaidthathisfrankandopencountenancewasthemirrorofhissoul。Howmanyserviceshehasrenderedothersduringthecourseofhislife，andattheveryperiodwheninordertodosohehadoftentoimposeprivationsonhimself。

ItwillsoonbeseenhowithappenedthatIpassedonlyamonthwithEugene；butduringthisshortspaceoftime，Irecallthat，whilefulfillingscrupulouslyhisdutiestohismotherandhisstep-father，hewasmuchaddictedtothepleasuressonaturaltohisageandposition。

Oneofhisgreatestpleasureswasentertaininghisfriendsatbreakfast；

whichhedidveryoften。ThisamusedmemuchonaccountofthecomicalscenesofwhichIwasoftenawitness。BesidestheyoungofficersofBonaparte'sstaff，hismostfrequentguests，hehadalsofrequentlyathistabletheventriloquistThiemet，Dugazon，Dazincourt，andMichauoftheTheatreFrancais，andafewotherpersons，whosenamesescapemeatthismoment。Asmaybeimagined，thesereunionswereextremelygay；

theseyoungofficersespecially，whohadreturnedlikeEugenefromtheexpeditiontoEgypt，seemedtryingtoindemnifythemselvesfortherecentprivationstheyhadhadtosuffer。Atthistimeventriloquists，amongwhomThiemetheldaverydistinguishedposition，werethefashioninParis，andwereinvitedtoprivategatherings。Irememberononeoccasion，atoneofthesebreakfastsofEugene's，Thiemetcalledbytheirnamesseveralpersonspresent，imitatingthevoicesoftheirservants，asiftheywerejustoutsidethedoor，whileheremainedquietlyinhisseat，appearingtobeusinghislipsonlytoeatanddrink，twoduties'

whichheperformedadmirably。Eachoftheofficerscalledinthismannerwentout，andfoundnoone；andthenThiemetwentoutwiththem，underthepretextofassistingtheminthesearch，andincreasedtheirperplexitybycontinuingtomakethemhearsomewell-knownvoice。Mostofthemlaughedheartilyatthejokeofwhichtheyhadjustbeenthevictims；buttherewasonewho，havinghimselflessundercontrolthanhiscomrades，tookthethingseriously，andbecameveryangry，whereuponEugenehadtoavowthathewastheauthoroftheconspiracy。

Irecallstillanotheramusingscene，thetwoheroesofwhichwerethissameThiemet，ofwhomIhavejustspoken，andDugazon。SeveralforeignerswerepresentatabreakfastgivenbyEugene，thepartshavingbeenassigned，andlearnedinadvance，andthetwovictimsselected。

Wheneachhadtakenhisplaceattable，Dugazon，pretendingtostammer，addressedaremarktoThiemet，who，playingthesamerole，repliedtohim，stammeringlikewise；theneachofthempretendedtobelievethattheotherwasmakingfunofhim，andtherefollowedastutteringquarrelbetweenthetwoparties，eachonefindingitmoreandmoredifficulttoexpresshimselfashisangerrose。Thiemet，whobesideshisroleofstammeringwasalsoplayingthatofdeafness，addressedhisneighbor，histrumpetinhisear:

“Wha-wha-what-do-doeshesay？“——“Nothing，“repliedtheofficiousneighbor，wishingtopreventaquarrel，andtosupplyfactswhiledefendingtheotherstammerer——“Soso-he-he-he-he'smamakingfunofme！“

Thenthequarrelbecamemoreviolentstill；theywereabouttocometoblows，wheneachofthetwostammerersseizingacarafeofwater，hurleditattheheadofhisantagonist，andacopiousdelugeofwaterfromthebottlestaughttheofficiousneighborsthegreatdangerofactingaspeacemakers。Thetwostammererscontinuedtoscreamasisthecustomofdeafpersons，untilthelastdropofwaterwasspilt；andIrememberthatEugene，theoriginatorofthispracticaljoke，laughedimmoderatelythewholetimethisscenelasted。Thewaterwaswipedoff；andallweresoonreconciled，glassinhand。Eugene，whenhehadperpetratedajokeofthissort，neverfailedtorelateittohismother，andsometimestohisstepfather，whoweremuchamusedthereby，Josephineespecially。

IhadledforonemonthaverypleasantlifewithEugene，whenLefebvre，thevaletdechambrewhomhehadleftsickatCairo，returnedinrestoredhealth，andaskedtoresumehisplace。Eugene，whomIsuitedbetteronaccountofmyageandactivity，proposedtohimtoenterhismother'sservice，suggestingtohimthathewouldtherehaveaneasiertimethanwithhimself；butLefebvre，whowasextremelyattachedtohismaster，soughtMadameBonaparte，andconfidedtoherhischagrinatthisdecision。

Josephinepromisedtoassisthim；andconsoledhimbyassurancesthatshewouldsuggesttohersonthatLefebvreshouldreassumehisformerposition，andthatshewouldtakemeintoherownservice。Thiswasdoneaccordingtopromise；andonemorningEugeneannouncedtome，inthemostgratifyingmanner，mychangeofabode。“Constant，“hesaidtome，“Iregretverymuchthatcircumstancesrequireustopart；butyouknowLefebvrefollowedmetoEgypt，heisanoldservant，andIfeelcompelledtogivehimhisformerposition。Besides，youwillnotbefarremoved，asyouwillentermymother'sservice，whereyouwillbewelltreated，andwewillseeeachotheroften。Gotoherthismorning；Ihavespokentoherofyou。Thematterisalreadyarranged，andsheexpectsyou。“

Asmaybebelieved，IlostnotimeinpresentingmyselftoMadameBonaparte。KnowingthatshewasatMalmaison，Iwentthereimmediately，andwasreceivedbyherwithakindnesswhichoverwhelmedmewithgratitude，asIwasnotthenawarethatshemanifestedthissamegraciousnesstoeveryone，andthatitwasasinseparablefromhercharacteraswasgracefromherperson。Thedutiesrequiredofme，inherservice，werealtogethernominal；andnearlyallmytimewasatmyowndisposal，ofwhichItookadvantagetovisitParisfrequently。ThelifethatIledatthistimewasverypleasanttoayoungmanlikemyself，whocouldnotforeseethatinashortwhilehewouldbeasmuchundersubjectionashewasthenatliberty。

BeforebiddingadieutoaserviceinwhichIhadfoundsomuchthatwasagreeable，Iwillrelatesomeincidentswhichbelongtothatperiod，andwhichmysituationwiththestepsonofGeneralBonapartegavemetheopportunityoflearning。

M。deBourriennehasrelatedcircumstantiallyinhismemoirstheeventsofthe18thBrumaire；——[The18thBrumaire，Nov。9，1799，wasthedayNapoleonoverthrewtheDirectoryandmadehimselfFirstConsul-TRANS。]——

andtheaccountwhichhehasgivenofthatfamousdayisascorrectasitisinteresting，sothatanyonecurioustoknowthesecretcauseswhichledtothesepoliticalchangeswillfindthemfaithfullypointedoutinthenarrationofthatministerofstate。Iamveryfarfromintendingtoexciteaninterestofthis，kind，butreadingtheworkofM。Bourrienneputmeagainonthetrackofmyownrecollections。Thesememoirsrelatetocircumstancesofwhichhewasignorant，orpossiblymayhaveomittedpurposelyasbeingoflittleimportance；andwhateverhehasletfallonhisroadIthinkmyselffortunateinbeingpermittedtoglean。

IwasstillwithEugenedeBeauharnaiswhenGeneralBonaparteoverthrewtheDirectory；butIfoundmyselfinasfavorableasituationtoknowallthatwaspassingasifIhadbeenintheserviceofMadameBonaparte，orofthegeneralhimself，formymaster，althoughhewasveryyoung，hadtheentireconfidenceofhisstepfather，and，toanevengreaterdegree，thatofhismother，whoconsultedhimoneveryoccasion。

Afewdaysbeforethe18thBrumaire，Eugeneorderedmetomakepreparationsforabreakfasthewishedtogiveonthatdaytohisfriends，thenumberoftheguests，allmilitarymen，beingmuchlargerthanusual。Thisbachelorrepastwasmadeverygaybyanofficer，whoamusedthecompanybyimitatinginturnthemannersandappearanceofthedirectorsandafewoftheirfriends。TorepresenttheDirectorBarras，hedrapedhimself'alagrecque'withthetablecloth，tookoffhisblackcravat，turneddownhisshirt-collar，andadvancedinanaffectedmanner，restinghisleftarmontheshoulderoftheyoungestofhiscomrades，whilewithhisrighthepretendedtocaresshischin。Eachpersonofthecompanyunderstoodthemeaningofthatkindofcharade；andtherewereuncontrollableburstsoflaughter。

HeundertookthentorepresenttheAbbeSieyes，byplacinganenormousbandofpaperinsideofhisneckcloth，andlengtheningthusindefinitelyalong，paleface。Hemadeafewturnsaroundtheroom，astraddleofhischair，andendedbyagrandsomersault，asifhissteedhaddismountedhim。Itisnecessarytoknow，inordertounderstandthesignificanceofthispantomime，thattheAbbeSiegeshadbeenrecentlytakinglessonsinhorseback，ridinginthegardenoftheLuxembourg，tothegreatamusementofthepedestrians，whogatheredincrowdstoenjoytheawkwardandungracefulexhibitionmadebythisnewmasterofhorse。

Thebreakfastended，EugenereportedfordutytoGeneralBonaparte，whoseaide-de-camphewas，andhisfriendsrejoinedthevariouscommandstowhichtheybelonged。

Iwentoutimmediatelybehindthem；forfromafewwordsthathadjustbeendroppedatmyyoungmaster's，Isuspectedthatsomethinggraveandinterestingwasabouttotakeplace。M。EugenehadappointedarendezvouswithhiscomradesatPont-Tournant；soIrepairedtothatspot，andfoundaconsiderablegatheringofofficersinuniformandonhorseback，assembledinreadinesstoescortGeneralBonapartetoSaint-

Cloud。

ThecommandantofeachpartofthearmyhadbeenrequestedbyGeneralBonapartetogiveabreakfasttotheircorpsofofficers；andtheyhaddonesolikemyyoungmaster。Nevertheless，theofficers，eventhegenerals，werenotallinthesecret；andGeneralMurathimself，whorushedintotheHalloftheFiveHundredattheheadofthegrenadiers，believedthatitwasonlyaquestionofexemption，onaccountofage，thatGeneralBonaparteintendedtopropose，inorderthathemightobtaintheplaceofdirector。

Ihavelearnedfromanauthoritativesource，thatwhenGeneralJube，whowasdevotedtoGeneralBonaparte，assembledinthecourtoftheLuxembourg，theguardofthedirectorsofwhichhewascommander，thehonestM。Gohier，presidentoftheDirectory，puthisheadoutofthewindow，andcriedtoJube:“CitizenGeneral，whatareyoudoingdownthere？“——“CitizenPresident，youcanseeforyourselfIammusteringtheguard。“——“Certainly，Iseethatveryplainly，CitizenGeneral；butwhyareyoumusteringthem？“——“CitizenPresident，Iamgoingtomakeaninspectionofthem，andorderagrandmaneuver。Forward——march！“AndthecitizengeneralfiledoutattheheadofhistrooptorejoinGeneralBonaparteatSaint-Cloud；whilethelatterwasawaitedatthehouseofthecitizenpresident，andthebreakfastdelayedtowhichGeneralBonapartehadbeeninvitedforthatverymorning。

GeneralMarmonthadalsoentertainedatbreakfasttheofficersofthedivisionofthearmywhichhecommanded(itwas，Ithink，theartillery)。

Attheendoftherepastheaddressedafewwordstothem，urgingthemnottoalienatetheircausefromthatoftheconquerorofItaly，andtoaccompanyhimtoSaint-Cloud。“Buthowcanwefollowhim？“criedoneofhisguests。“Wehavenohorses。“——“Ifthatalonedetersyou，youwillfindhorsesinthecourtofthishotel。Ihaveseizedallthoseofthenationalriding-school。Letusgobelowandmount。“AlltheofficerspresentrespondedtotheinvitationexceptGeneralAllix，whodeclaredhewouldtakenopartinallthisdisturbance。

IwasatSaint-Cloudonthetwodays，18thand19thBrumaire。IsawGeneralBonaparteharanguethesoldiers，andreadtothemthedecreebywhichhehadbeenmadecommander-in-chiefofallthetroopsatParis，andofthewholeoftheSeventeenthMilitaryDivision。IsawhimcomeoutmuchagitatedfirstfromtheCounciloftheAncients，andafterwardsfromtheAssemblyoftheFiveHundred。IsawLucienBonapartebroughtoutofthehall，wherethelatterassemblywassitting，bysomegrenadiers，sentintoprotecthimfromtheviolenceofhiscolleagues。Paleandfurious，hethrewhimselfonhishorseandgallopedstraighttothetroopstoaddressthem；andwhenhepointedhisswordathisbrother'sbreast，sayinghewouldbethefirsttoslayhimifhedaredtostrikeatliberty，criesof“ViveBonaparte！downwiththelawyers！“burstforthonallsides；andthesoldiers，ledbyGeneralMurat，rushedintotheHalloftheFiveHundred。Everybodyknowswhatthenoccurred，andIwillnotenterintodetailswhichhavebeensooftenrelated。

Thegeneral，nowmadeFirstConsul，installedhimselfattheLuxembourg，thoughatthistimeheresidedalsoatMalmaison。Buthewasoftenontheroad，aswasalsoJosephine；fortheirtripstoPariswhentheyoccupiedthisresidencewereveryfrequent，notonlyonGovernmentbusiness，whichoftenrequiredthepresenceoftheFirstConsul，butalsoforthepurposeofattendingthetheater，ofwhoseperformancesGeneralBonaparte，wasveryfond，givingthepreferencealwaystotheTheatreFrancaisandtheItalianOpera。ThisobservationImakeinpassing，preferringtogivehereaftertheinformationIhaveobtainedastothetastesandhabitsoftheemperor。

Malmaison，attheperiodofwhichIspeak，wasaplaceofunalloyedhappiness，whereallwhocameexpressedtheirsatisfactionwiththestateofaffairs；everywherealsoIheardblessingsinvokedupontheFirstConsulandMadameBonaparte。TherewasnotyettheshadowofthatstrictetiquettewhichitwasnecessaryafterwardstoobserveatSaint-Cloud，attheTuileries，andinallthepalacesinwhichtheEmperorheldhiscourt。Theconsularcourtwasasyetdistinguishedbyasimpleelegance，equallyremovedfromrepublicanrudenessandtheluxuriousnessoftheEmpire。Talleyrandwas，atthisperiod，oneofthosewhocamemostfrequentlytoMalmaison。Hesometimesdinedthere，butarrivedgenerallyintheeveningbetweeneightandnineo'clock，andreturnedatone，two，andsometimesthreeinthemorning。

AllwereadmittedatMadameBonaparte'sonafootingofequality，whichwasmostgratifying。TherecamefamiliarlyMurat，Duroc，Berthier，andallthosewhohavesincefiguredasgreatdignitaries，andsomeevenassovereigns，intheannalsoftheempire。

ThefamilyofGeneralBonapartewereassiduousintheirattentions；butitwasknownamongusthattheyhadnoloveforMadameBonaparte，ofwhichfactIhadmanyproofs。MademoiselleHortenseneverlefthermother，andtheyweredevotedlyattachedtoeachother。

Besidesmendistinguishedbytheirpostsunderthegovernmentorinthearmy，theregatheredothersalsowhowerenotlessdistinguishedbypersonalmerit，orthepositionwhichtheirbirthhadgiventhembeforetheRevolution。Itwasaveritablepanorama，inwhichwesawthepersonsthemselvespassbeforeoureyes。Thesceneitself，evenexclusiveofthegayetywhichalwaysattendedthediningsofEugene，haditsattractions。

AmongthosewhomwesawmostfrequentlywereVolney，Denon，Lemercier，thePrinceofPoix，deLaigle，CharlesBaudin，GeneralBeurnonville，Isabey，andanumberofothers，celebratedinscience，literature，andart；inshort，thegreaterpartofthosewhocomposedthesocietyofMadamedeMontesson。

MadameBonaparteandMademoiselleHortenseoftentookexcursionsonhorsebackintothecountry。OntheseoccasionshermostconstantescortswerethePrincedePoixandM。deLaigle。Oneday，asthispartywasreenteringthecourt-yardatMalmaison，thehorsewhichHortenserodebecamefrightened，anddashedoff。Shewasanaccomplishedrider，andveryactive，sosheattemptedtospringoffonthegrassbytheroadside；

butthebandwhichfastenedtheendofherriding-skirtunderherfootpreventedherfreeingherselfquickly，andshewasthrown，anddraggedbyherhorseforseveralyards。Fortunatelythegentlemenoftheparty，seeingherfall，sprangfromtheirhorsesintimetorescueher；and，byextraordinarygoodfortune，shewasnotevenbruised，andwasthefirsttolaughathermisadventure。

DuringthefirstpartofmystayatMalmaison，theFirstConsulalwayssleptwithhiswife，likeanordinarycitizenofthemiddleclassesinParis；andIheardnorumorofanyintrigueinthechateau。Thepersonsofthissociety，mostofwhomwereyoung，andwhowereoftenverynumerous，frequentlytookpartinsportswhichrecalledcollegedays。

Infact，oneofthegreatestdiversionsoftheinhabitantsofMalmaisonwastoplay“prisoners'base。“Itwasusuallyafterdinner；andBonaparte，Lauriston，Didelot，deLucay，deBourrienne，Eugene，Rapp，Isabey，MadameBonaparte，andMademoiselleHortensewoulddividethemselvesintotwocamps，inwhichtheprisonerstaken，orexchanged，wouldrecalltotheFirstConsulthegreatergame，whichhesomuchpreferred。InthesegamesthemostactiverunnerswereEugene，Isabey，andHortense。AstoGeneralBonaparte，heoftenfell，butroselaughingboisterously。

GeneralBonaparteandhisfamilyseemedtoenjoyalmostunexampledhappiness，especiallywhenatMalmaison，whichresidence，thoughagreeableatthattime，wasfarfrombeingwhatithassincebecome。

Thisestateconsistedofthechateau，whichBonapartefoundinbadconditiononhisreturnfromEgypt，aparkalreadysomewhatimproved，andafarm，theincomeofwhichdidnotwithanycertaintyexceedtwelvethousandfrancsayear。Josephinedirectedinpersonalltheimprovementsmadethere，andnowomaneverpossessedbettertaste。

Fromthefirst，theyplayedamateurcomedyatMalmaison，whichwasarelaxationtheFirstConsulenjoyedgreatly，butinwhichhetooknoparthimselfexceptthatoflooker-on。Everyoneinthehouseattendedtheserepresentations；andImustconfesswefeltperhapsevenmorepleasurethanothersinseeingthustravestiedonthestagethoseinwhoseservicewewere。

TheMalmaisonTroupe，ifImaythusstyleactorsofsuchexaltedsocialrank，consistedprincipallyofEugene，Jerome，Lauriston，deBourrienne，Isabey，deLeroy，Didelot，MademoiselleHortense，MadameCarolineMurat，andthetwoMademoisellesAuguie，oneofwhomafterwardsmarriedMarshalNey，——[MichelNey，StyledbyNapoleonthe“bravestofthebrave，“wasborn1769，atSarre-Louis(nowinPrussia)，sonofacooper。

Enteredthearmyasaprivate1787，adjutant-general1794，generalofbrigade1796，generalofdivision1799，marshal1804，DukeofElchingen1805，PrinceofMoskwa1812，andcommandedtherear-guardinthefamousretreatfromRussia。OnthereturnfromElbahewentovertoNapoleon；wasatWaterloo。Wasafterwardstaken，andinspiteofthetermsofthesurrenderofPariswastriedfortreason，andshotinthegardensoftheLuxembourg，Dec。8，1815——TRANS。]——

andtheotherM。deBroc。Allfourwereveryyoungandcharming，andfewtheatersinPariscouldshowfouractressesaspretty。Inadditiontowhich，theyshowedmuchgraceintheiracting，andplayedtheirpartswithrealtalent；andwereasnaturalonthestageasinthesaloon，wheretheyborethemselveswithexquisitegraceandrefinement。Atfirsttherepertoirecontainedlittlevariety，thoughthepiecesweregenerallywellselected。ThefirstrepresentationwhichIattendedwasthe“BarberofSeville“inwhichIsabeyplayedtheroleofFigaro，andMademoiselleHortensethatofRosine——andthe“SpitefulLover。“AnothertimeIsawplayedthe“UnexpectedWager，“and“FalseConsultations。“HortenseandEugeneplayedthislastpieceperfectly；andIstillrecallthat，intheroleofMadameleBlanc，Hortenseappearedprettierthaneverinthecharacterofanoldwoman，EugenerepresentingLeNoir，andLauristonthecharlatan。TheFirstConsul，asIhavesaid，confinedhimselftotheroleofspectator；butheseemedtotakeinthesefiresideplays，sotospeak，thegreatestpleasure，laughedandapplaudedheartily，thoughsometimeshealsocriticised。

MadameBonapartewasalsohighlyentertained；andevenifshecouldnotalwaysboastofthesuccessfulactingofherchildren，“thechiefsofthetroupe，“itsufficedherthatitwasanagreeablerelaxationtoherhusband，andseemedtogivehimpleasure；forherconstantstudywastocontributetothehappinessofthegreatmanwhohadunitedherdestinywithhisown。

Whenthedayforthepresentationofaplayhadbeenappointed，therewasneveranypostponement，butoftenachangeoftheplay；notbecauseoftheindisposition，orfitoftheblues，ofanactress(asoftenhappensinthetheatersofParis)，butformoreseriousreasons。ItsometimeshappenedthatM。d'Etieulettereceivedorderstorejoinhisregiment，oranimportantmissionwasconfidedtoCountAlmaviva，thoughFigaroandRosinealwaysremainedattheirposts；andthedesireofpleasingtheFirstConsulwas，besides，sogeneralamongallthosewhosurroundedhim，thatthesubstitutesdidtheirbestintheabsenceoftheprincipals，andtheplayneverfailedforwantofanactor——

[Michau，oftheComedicFrancaise，wastheinstructorofthetroupe。Whereverithappenedthatanactorwaswantinginanimation，Michauwouldexclaim。“Warmth！Warmth！Warmth！“——

NotebyCONSTANT。]——

CHAPTERIII。

IhadbeenonlyaveryshorttimeintheserviceofMadameBonapartewhenImadetheacquaintanceofCharvet，theconciergeofMalmaison，andinconnectionwiththisestimablemanbecameeachdaymoreandmoreintimate，tillatlasthegavemeoneofhisdaughtersinmarriage。

IwaseagertolearnfromhimallthathecouldtellmeconcerningMadameBonaparteandtheFirstConsulpriortomyentranceintothehouse；andinourfrequentconversationshetookthegreatestpleasureinsatisfyingmycuriosity。ItistohimIowethefollowingdetailsastothemotheranddaughter。

WhenGeneralBonapartesetoutforEgypt，MadameBonaparteaccompaniedhimasfarasToulon，andwasextremelyanxioustogowithhimtoEgypt。

Whenthegeneralmadeobjections，sheobservedthathavingbeenbornaCreole，theheatoftheclimatewouldbemorefavorablethandangeroustoher。Byasingularcoincidenceitwason'LaPomone'thatshewishedtomakethejourney；thatistosay，ontheverysamevesselwhichinherearlyyouthhadbroughtherfromMartiniquetoFrance。GeneralBonaparte，finallyyieldingtothewishesofhiswife，promisedtosend'LaPomone'forher，andbadehergointhemeantimetotakethewatersatPlombieres。Thematterbeingarrangedbetweenhusbandandwife，MadameBonapartewasdelightedtogotothespringsofPlombiereswhichshehaddesiredtovisitforalongtime，knowing，likeeveryoneelse，thereputationthesewatersenjoyedforcuringbarrennessinwomen。

MadameBonapartehadbeenonlyashorttimeatPlombieres，whenonemorning，whileoccupiedinhemmingaturbanandchattingwiththeladiespresent，MadamedeCambis，whowasonthebalcony，calledtohertocomeandseeaprettylittledogpassingalongthestreet。AllthecompanyhastenedwithMadameBonapartetothebalcony，whichcausedittofallwithafrightfulcrash。Byamostfortunatechance，noonewaskilled；

thoughMadamedeCambishadherlegbroken，andMadameBonapartewasmostpainfullybruised，without，however，receivinganyfracture。Charvet，whowasinaroombehindthesaloon，heardthenoise，andatoncehadasheepkilledandskinned，andMadameBonapartewrappedintheskin。Itwasalongwhilebeforesheregainedherhealth，herarmsandherhandsespeciallybeingsobruisedthatshewasforalongtimeunabletousethem；anditwasnecessarytocutupherfood，feedher，and，infact，performthesameofficesforherasforaninfant。

IrelatedabovethatJosephinethoughtshewastorejoinherhusbandinEgypt，andconsequentlythatherstayatthespringsofPlombiereswouldbeofshortdurationbutheraccidentledhertothinkthatitwouldbeprolongedindefinitely；shethereforedesired，whilewaitingforhercompleterecovery，tohavewithherherdaughterHortense，thenaboutfifteenyearsofage，whowasbeingeducatedintheboarding-schoolofMadameCampan。Shesentforheramulattowomantowhomshewasmuchattached，namedEuphemie，whowasthefoster-sisterofMadameBonaparte，andpassed(Idonotknowifthesuppositionwascorrect)ashernaturalsister。Euphemie，accompaniedbyCharvet，madethejourneyinoneofMadameBonaparte'scarriages。MademoiselleHortense，ontheirarrival，wasdelightedwiththejourneyshewasabouttomake，andaboveallwiththeideaofbeingnearhermother，forwhomshefeltthetenderestaffection。MademoiselleHortensewas，Iwouldnotsay，greedy，butshewasexceedinglyfondofsweets；andCharvet，inrelatingthesedetails，saidtome，thatateachtownofanysizethroughwhichtheypassedthecarriagewasfilledwithbonbonsanddainties，ofwhichmademoiselleconsumedagreatquantity。Oneday，whileEuphemieandCharvetweresoundasleep，theyweresuddenlyawakenedbyareport，whichsoundedfrightfultothem，andcausedthemintenseanxiety，astheyfoundwhentheyawokethattheywerepassingthroughathickforest。ThisludicrousincidentthrewHortenseintofitsoflaughter；forhardlyhadtheyexpressedtheiralarmwhentheyfoundthemselvesdelugedwithanodoriferousfroth，whichexplainedthecauseoftheexplosion。Abottleofchampagne，placedinoneofthepocketsofthecarriage，hadbeenuncorked；andtheheat，addedtothemotionofthecarriage，orratherthemaliceoftheyoungtraveler，hadmadeitexplodewithaloudreport。

WhenmademoisellearrivedatPlombieres，hermother'shealthwasalmostrestored；sothatthepupilofMadameCampanfoundthereallthedistractionswhichpleaseanddelightattheagewhichthedaughterofMadameBonapartehadthenattained。

Thereistruthinthesayingthatinallevilthereisgood，forhadthisaccidentnothappenedtoMadameBonaparte，itisveryprobableshewouldhavebecomeaprisoneroftheEnglish；infact，shelearnedthat'LaPomone'，thevesselonwhichshewishedtomakethevoyage，hadfallenintothepoweroftheenemiesofFrance。GeneralBonaparte，inallhisletters，stilldissuadedhiswifefromtheplanshehadofrejoininghim；and，consequently，shereturnedtoParis。

OnherarrivalJosephinedevotedherattentiontoexecutingawishGeneralBonapartehadexpressedtoherbeforeleaving。Hehadremarkedtoherthatheshouldlike，onhisreturn，tohaveacountryseat；andhechargedhisbrothertoattendtothis，whichJoseph，however，failedtodo。MadameBonaparte，who，onthecontrary，wasalwaysinsearchofwhatmightpleaseherhusband，chargedseveralpersonstomakeexcursionsintheenvironsofParis，inordertoascertainwhetherasuitabledwellingcouldbefound。AfterhavingvacillatedlongbetweenRisandMalmaison，shedecidedonthelatter，whichsheboughtfromM。Lecoulteux-Dumoley，for，Ithink，fourhundredthousandfrancs。SuchweretheparticularswhichCharvetwaskindenoughtogivemewhenIfirstenteredtheserviceofMadameBonaparte。Everyoneinthehouselovedtospeakofher；anditwascertainlynottospeakevil，forneverwaswomanmorebelovedbyallwhosurroundedher，andneverhasonedeserveditmore。GeneralBonapartewasalsoanexcellentmanintheretirementofprivatelife。

AfterthereturnoftheFirstConsulfromhiscampaigninEgypt，severalattemptsagainsthislifehadbeenmade；andthepolicehadwarnedhimmanytimestobeonhisguard，andnottoriskhimselfaloneintheenvironsofMalmaison。TheFirstConsulhadbeenverycarelessuptothisperiod；butthediscoveryofthesnareswhichwerelaidforhim，evenintheprivacyofhisfamilycircle，forcedhimtouseprecautionsandprudence。Ithasbeenstatedsince，thatthesepretendedplotswereonlyfabricationsofthepolicetorenderthemselvesnecessarytotheFirstConsul，or，perhaps，oftheFirstConsulhimself，toredoubletheinterestwhichattachedtohisperson，throughfearoftheperilswhichmenacedhislife；andtheabsurdityoftheseattemptsisallegedasproofofthis。Icouldnotpretendtoelucidatesuchmysteries；butitseemstomethatinsuchmattersabsurdityprovesnothing，or，atleast，itdoesnotprovethatsuchplotsdidnotexist。Theconspiratorsofthatperiodsetnoboundstotheirextravagance；forwhatcouldbemoreabsurd，andatthesametimemorereal，thantheatrociousfollyoftheinfernalmachine？

Bethatasitmay，IshallrelatewhatpassedundermyowneyesduringthefirstmonthofmystayatMalmaison。Noonethere，or，atleast，nooneinmypresence，showedtheleastdoubtoftherealityoftheseattempts。

InordertogetridoftheFirstConsul，allmeansappearedgoodtohisenemies:theynotedeverythingintheircalculations，evenhisabsenceofmind。Thefollowingoccurrenceisproofofthis:

TherewererepairsandornamentationstobemadetothemantelintheroomsoftheFirstConsulatMalmaison。Thecontractorinchargeofthisworkhadsentmarblecutters，amongstwhomhadslippedin，itseems，afewmiserablewretchesemployedbytheconspirators。ThepersonsattachedtotheFirstConsulwereincessantlyonthealert，andexercisedthegreatestwatchfulness；anditwasobservedthatamongtheseworkmenthereweremenwhopretendedtowork，butwhoseairandmannercontrastedstronglywiththeiroccupation。Thesesuspicionswereunfortunatelyonlytoowellfounded；forwhentheapartmentshadbeenmadereadytoreceivetheFirstConsul，andjustashewasontheeveofoccupyingthem，someonemakingafinalinspectionfoundonthedeskatwhichhewouldfirstseathimself，asnuff-box，ineveryrespectlikeoneofthosewhichheconstantlyused。Itwasthoughtatfirstthatthisboxreallybelongedtohim，andthatithadbeenforgottenandlefttherebyhisvalet；butdoubtsinspiredbythesuspiciousmannerofafewofthemarble-cutters，leadingtofurtherinvestigation，thetobaccowasexaminedandanalyzed。

Itwasfoundtobepoisoned。

Theauthorsofthisperfidyhad，itissaid，atthistime，communicationwithotherconspirators，whoengagedtoattemptanothermeansofriddingthemselvesoftheFirstConsul。Theypromisedtoattacktheguardofthechateau(Malmaison)，andtocarryoffbyforcethechiefofthegovernment。Withthisintention，theyhaduniformsmadelikethoseoftheconsularguards，whothenstoodsentinel，dayandnight，overtheFirstConsul，andfollowedhimonhorsebackinhisexcursions。Inthiscostume，andbytheaidofsignals，withtheiraccomplices(thepretendedmarble-cutters)ontheinside，theycouldeasilyhaveapproachedandmingledwiththeguard，whowerefedandquarteredatthechateau。TheycouldevenhavereachedtheFirstConsul，andcarriedhimoff。However，thisfirstprojectwasabandonedastoouncertain；andtheconspiratorsflatteredthemselvesthattheywouldsucceedintheirundertakingmoresurely，andwithlessdanger，bytakingadvantageofthefrequentjourneysoftheFirstConsultoParis。Bymeansoftheirdisguisetheyplannedtodistributethemselvesontheroad，amongtheguidesoftheescort，andmassacrethem，theirrallying-pointbeingthequarriesofNanterre；buttheirplotswereforthesecondtimefoiled。TherewasintheparkatMalmaisonadeepquarry；andfearsbeingentertainedthattheywouldprofitbyittoconcealthemselvestherein，andexercisesomeviolenceagainsttheFirstConsulononeofhissolitarywalks，itwasdecidedtosecureitwithanirondoor。

Onthe19thofFebruary，atoneintheafternoon，theFirstConsulwentinstatetotheTuileries，whichwasthencalledtheGovernmentpalace，toinstallhimselftherewithallhishousehold。Withhimwerehistwocolleagues；oneofwhom，thethirdconsul，wastooccupythesameresidence，andbelocatedinthePaviliondeFlore。Thecarriageoftheconsulswasdrawnbysixwhitehorses，whichtheEmperorofGermanyhadpresentedtotheconquerorofItalyafterthesignatureofthetreatyofpeaceofCampo-Formio。ThesaberthattheFirstConsulworeatthisceremonywasmagnificent，andhadalsobeenpresentedtohimbythismonarchonthesameoccasion。

Aremarkablethinginthisformalchangeofresidencewasthattheacclamationsandenthusiasmofthecrowd，andevenofthemostdistinguishedspectators，whofilledthewindowsofrueThionvilleandofthequaiVoltaire，wereaddressedonlytotheFirstConsul，andtotheyoungwarriorsofhisbrilliantstaff，whowereyetbronzedbythesunofthePyramidsorofItaly。AttheirheadrodeGeneralLannesandMurat；

thefirsteasytorecognizebyhisboldbearingandsoldierlymanners；

thesecondbythesamequalities，andfurtherbyastrikingelegance，bothofcostumeandequipments。Hisnewtitleofbrother-in-lawoftheFirstConsulcontributed，also，greatlytofixuponhimtheattentionofall。Asformyself，allmyattentionwasabsorbedbytheprincipalpersonageofthecortege，whom，likeeveryonearoundme，Iregardedwithsomethinglikeareligiousreverence；andbyhisstepson，thesonofmyexcellentmistress，himselfoncemymaster，——thebrave，modest，goodPrinceEugene，whoatthattime，however，wasnotyetaprince。OnhisarrivalattheTuileries，theFirstConsultookpossessionatonceoftheapartmentswhichheafterwardsoccupied，andwhichwereformerlypartoftheroyalapartments。Theseapartmentsconsistedofabed-chamber，abathroom，acabinet，andasaloon，inwhichhegaveaudienceintheforenoon；ofasecondsaloon，inwhichwerestationedhisaides-de-camponduty，andwhichheusedasadining-room；andalsoaverylargeantechamber。MadameBonapartehadherseparateapartmentsonthegroundfloor，thesamewhichsheafterwardsoccupiedasEmpress。BeneaththesuiteofroomsoccupiedbytheFirstConsulwastheroomofBourrienne，hisprivatesecretary，whichcommunicatedwiththeapartmentsoftheFirstConsulbymeansofaprivatestaircase。

Althoughatthisperiodtherewerealreadycourtiers，therewasnot，however，yetacourt，andtheetiquettewasexceedinglysimple。TheFirstConsul，asIbelieveIhavealreadysaid，sleptinthesamebedwithhiswife；andtheylivedtogether，sometimesattheTuileries，sometimesatMalmaison。Asyettherewereneithergrandmarshal，norchamberlains，norprefectsofthepalace，norladiesofhonor，norladyushers，norladiesofthewardrobe，norpages。ThehouseholdoftheFirstConsulwascomposedonlyofM。Pfister，steward；Venard，chiefcook；Galliot，andDauger，headservants；Colin，butler。Ripeauwaslibrarian；Vigogne，senior，inchargeofthestables。ThoseattachedtohispersonalservicewereHambard，headvalet；Herbert，ordinaryvalet；

andRoustan，mamelukeoftheFirstConsul。Therewere，besidethese，fifteenpersonstodischargetheordinarydutiesofthehousehold。DeBourriennesuperintendedeverything，andregulatedexpenses，and，althoughverystrict，wontheesteemandaffectionofeveryone。

Hewaskind，obliging，andaboveallveryjust；andconsequentlyatthetimeofhisdisgracethewholehouseholdwasmuchdistressed。Asformyself，Iretainasincerelyrespectfulrecollectionofhim；andI

believethat，thoughhehashadthemisfortunetofindenemiesamongthegreat，hefoundamonghisinferiorsonlygratefulheartsandsincereregrets。

Somedaysafterthisinstallation，therewasatthechateauareceptionofthediplomaticcorps。Itwillbeseenfromthedetails，whichIshallgive，howverysimpleatthattimewastheetiquetteofwhattheyalreadycalledtheCourt。

Ateighto'clockintheevening，theapartmentsofMadameBonaparte，situated，asIhavejustsaid，onthegroundflooradjoiningthegarden，werecrowdedwithpeople。Therewasanincrediblewealthofplumes，diamonds，anddazzlingtoilets。ThecrowdwassogreatthatitwasfoundnecessarytothrowopenthebedroomofMadameBonaparte，asthetwosaloonsweresofulltherewasnotroomtomove。

When，aftermuchembarrassmentanddifficulty，everyonehadfoundaplaceastheycould，MadameBonapartewasannounced，andentered，leaningonthearmofTalleyrand。Sheworeadressofwhitemuslinwithshortsleeves，andanecklaceofpearls。Herheadwasuncovered；andthebeautifulbraidsofherhair，arrangedwithcharmingnegligence，wereheldinplacebyatortoise-shellcomb。Theflatteringmurmurwhichgreetedherappearancewasmostgratefultoher；andnever，Ibelieve，didshedisplaymoregraceandmajesty。

Talleyrand，——[CharlesMauricedeTalleyrand-Perigord，bornatParis，1754，wasdescendedfromthecountsofPerigord。Renderedlamebyanaccident，heenteredtheclergy，andin1788becameBishopofAutun。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读