CHAPTERI：CORSICATOBRIENNE

1769—1779

Napoleon’sfather，CharlesBonaparte，wasthehonoredprogenitorofthirteenchildren，ofwhomthemanwhosubsequentlybecametheEmperoroftheFrench，bysomecuriousprovisionoffate，wasthesecond。ThattheinfantNapoleonshouldhavefollowedratherthanledtheprocessionissoforeigntothenatureofthemanthatmanyworthypersonsunfamiliarwiththetruefactsofhistoryhavebelievedthatJosephwasapurelyapocryphalinfant，or，assomehavesuggested，merelyanadoptedchild；butthatNapoleondiduponthisoccasioncontenthimselfwithsecondplaceisanincontrovertiblefact。Norisitentirelyunaccountable。Itishardlytobesupposedthatatruemilitarygenius，suchasNapoleonisuniversallyconcededtohavebeen，wouldplungeintothemidstofagreatbattlewithoutfirsthavingacquaintedhimselfwiththepossibilitiesofthefuture。

Areconnoitreofthefieldofactionisthefirstdutyofasuccessfulcommander；andhenceitwasthatNapoleon，notwishingtorushwhollyunpreparedintothebattleoflife，assignedtohisbrotherJosephthearduoustaskoffirstenteringintotheworldtoseehowthelandlay。Josephhavingfoundeverythingtohissatisfaction，NapoleonmadehisappearanceinthelittleislandofCorsica，recentlycomeunderFrenchdominationthe15thdayAugust，1769。Hadhebeenborntwomonthsearlier，wearetold，hewouldhavebeenanItalian。Hadhebeenbornahundredyearslater，itisdifficulttosaywhathewouldhavebeen。Asitwas，hewasbornaFrenchman。Itisnotpleasanttocontemplatewhattheman’sfuturewouldhavebeenhadhebeenbornanItalian，norisiteasytopicturethatfuturewithanyconfidencebornofcertainty。SincethedaysofCaesar，Italyhadnotproducedanygreatmilitarycommander，anditisnotlikelythatthepowerswouldhavechangedtheirscheme，confirmedbysixteencenturiesofobservance，inNapoleon’sbehalf——afactwhichNapoleonhimselfrealized，forheoftensaidinhislatterdays，withashudder："IhatetothinkhowingloriousIshouldhavebecomehadIbeenborntwomonthsearlierandenteredtheworldasanItalian。IshouldhavebeenanotherJoseph——notthatJosephisnotagoodman，butheisnotagreatman。Ah!Bourrienne，wecannotbetoocarefulintheselectionofourbirthdays。"

ItisthetestimonyofallwhoknewhiminhisinfancythatNapoleonwasagoodchild。Hewasobedientandrespectfultohismother，andsometimesatnightwhen，onaccountofsomeindigestiblequalityofhisfoodorothercause，itwasnecessaryforhisfathertomakeaseriesofforcedmarchesupanddownthespaciousnurseryinthebeautifulhomeatAjaccio，holdingtheinfantwarriorinhisarms，certainpremonitionsofhisson’sfuturecareerdawnedupontheparent。Hisanguishwasvoicedincommandingtones；hiswails，likehissubsequentaddressestohissoldiers，wereshort，sharp，clear，anddecisive，norwouldhebrooktheslightesthaltinthesemidnightmarchesuntilthedifficultieswhichstoodinhispathhadbeenovercome。Hisconfidenceinhimselfatthisearlyperiodwasremarkable。Quicktomakeuphismind，hewastenaciousofhispurposetotheveryend。

Itisrelatedthatwhenbarelysevenmonthsold，whilesittinginhisnurse’slap，bymeansofsignswhichshecouldnotfailtocomprehend，heexpressedthedesire，which，indeed，ischaracteristicofmosthealthyChildrenofthatage，topossessthewholeoftheoutsideworld，nottomentionthemoonandothercelestialbodies。

ReachinghislittlehandsoutinthedirectionoftheContinent，lyingnotfardistantoverthewatersoftheMediterranean，hemadethisdemand；andwhile，ofcourse，hisdesirewasnotgrantedupontheinstant，itisthetestimonyofhistorythatheneverlostsightofthatcherishedobject。

AfterprovidingNapoleonwithelevenotherbrothersandsisters，CharlesBonapartedied，andlefthisgoodandfaithfulwifeLetitiatocareforthefuturegreatnessofhisfamily，ataskrenderedsomewhatthemorearduousthanitmightotherwisehavebeenbythelackofincome；butthegoodwoman，whohadmuchofNapoleon’snatureinhermake—up，wasequaltotheoccasion。Shehadhersonstohelpher，andwasconstantlybuoyedupbytheexpresseddeterminationofhersecondchildtoplaceherbeyondthereachofwantinthatfuturedaywhenthewholeworldlaygrovellingathisfeet。

"Donotworry，mother，"Napoleonsaid。"LetJosephandLucienandLouisandJeromeandthegirlsbeeducated；asforme，Icantakecareofmyself。I，whoattheageofthreehavemasteredtheItalianlanguage，haveafuturebeforeme。IwillgotoFrance，andthen——"

"Well!whatthen？"hismotherasked。

"Nousverrons!"Napoleonreplied，turningonhisheelandwalkingoutofthehousewhistlingamilitarymarch。

FromthisitwillbeseenthateveninhisinfancyNapoleonhadhisideasastohisfuturecourse。Anotheranecdote，whichistakenfromtheunpublishedmemoirsofthegrandsonofoneofhisCorsicannurses，illustratesinanequallyvividmannerhow，whileamereinfantinarms，hehadapassionforandaknowledgeofmilitaryterms。EarlyonemorningthesilencewasbrokenbytheincipientEmperorcallingloudlyforassistance。Hisnurse，rushingtohim，discoveredthatthepointofapinwasstickingintohisback。

Hastilyremovingthecauseofthedisturbance，sheendeavoredtocomforthim：

"Nevermind，sweetheart，"shesaid，"it’sonlyanastypin。"

"Nastypin!"roaredNapoleon。"BythereverednameofPaoli，IswearIthoughtitwasabayonet!"

Itwas，nodoubt，thisearlyrealizationoftheconspicuousparthewastoplayinthehistoryofhistimethatmadetheyouthfulBonapartereservedofmanner，gloomy，andtaciturn，andpronetoirritability。Hefeltwithinhimthegermoffuturegreatness，andsobecameimpatientofrestraint。Hecompletelydominatedthehousehold。Joseph，hiselderbrother，becameentirelysubjecttotheimperiouswillofthefutureEmperor；andwheninfancyNapoleondreamedofthosebattlestocome，Josephwasalwayssummonedtotakeanactivepartintheimaginaryfight。NowhewasthebridgeofLodi，and，lyingflatonhisback，wasforcedtopermithisbloodthirstybrothertogallopacrosshim，shoutingwordsofinspirationtoabandofimaginaryfollowers；againhewasforcedtoposeasasnow—cladAlpforNapoleontoclimb，followedlaboriouslybyLucienandJeromeandtheotherchildren。ItcannotbesupposedthatthiswasalwayspleasingtoJoseph，butheneverfalteredwhenthedemandwasmadethatheshouldact，becausehedidnotdare。

"Youbringupthegirls，mother，"Napoleonhadsaid。"LeavetheboystomeandI’llmakekingsofthemall，ifIhavetosendthemovertotheUnitedStates，whereallmenwillsoonbepotentates，andtheirrulersmerelyservants——chosentodotheirbidding。"

Once，Josephventuringtoasserthimselfastheeldestson，Napoleonsmiledgrimly。

"Andwhat，pray，doesthatmean？"heasked，scornfully。

"ThatIandnotyouamtheheadofthefamily，"repliedJoseph。

"Verywell，"saidNapoleon，rushingbehindhim，and，byarapidlyconceivedflankmovement，givingJosephagoodsoundkick。"Howdoestheheadofthefamilylikethefootofthefamily？Don’teverprateofaccidentsofbirthtome。"

FromthattimeonJosephnevermurmuredagain，butobeyedblindlyhisbrother’sslightestbehest。HewouldhavepermittedNapoleontomowhimdownwithgrape—shotwithoutcomplaintratherthanrebelandincurthewrathwhichheknewwouldthenfalluponhishead。

AtschoolthesamedefianceofrestraintandcontemptforsuperiorstrengthcharacterizedNapoleon。Here，too，histaciturnnaturehelpedhimmuch。Ifhewereaskedaquestionwhichhecouldnotanswer，hewoulddeclinetospeak，sothathisinstructorswereunabletostatewhetherornothewasinignoranceastothepointunderdiscussion，andcouldmarkhimdownconscientiouslyascontumeliousonly。Henceitwasthathestoodwellinhisstudies，butwasneverremarkablefordeportment。Hisfavoriteplaything，barringhisbrotherJoseph，wasasmallbrasscannonthatweighedsomethirtyoddpounds，andwhichisstilltobeseenontheislandofCorsica。Ofthisheoncesaid："I’dratherhearitsreportthanlistentoaGermanband；thoughifIcouldgetthembothplayingatthesametimethere’dbeoneGermanbandlessintheworld。"

Thisremarkfounditsparallellateronwhen，placedbyBarrasincommandofthedefendersoftheConventionagainsttheattacksoftheSectionists，NapoleonwasaskedthechairmanoftheAssemblytosendthemoccasionalreportsastohowmattersprogressed。Hisreplywasterse。

"Legislators，"hesaid，"youaskmeforanoccasionalreport。Ifyoulistenyouwillhearthereportofmycannon。Thatisallyou’llget，anditwillbeallyouneed。Iamhere。Iwillsaveyou。"

"Itisapoortimeforjokes，"saidarepresentative。

"Itisaworsetimeforpaperreports，"retortedNapoleon。"Itwouldtakemelongertowriteoutalegislativereportthanitwilltocleanoutthemob。Besides，Iwantitunderstoodatthisendofmycareerthatautograph—huntersaregoingtogetleft。"

Asheturned，Barrasaskedhimastohisintentions。

"Whereareyougoing？"heasked。

"Tomakeanoiseintheworld，"criedNapoleon；"aurevoir。"

Thathehadimplantedinhimtheessentialelementsofagreatfighterhisschool—companionswerenotlonginfindingout。

Whennotmorethanfiveyearsofagehefellinlovewithalittleschoolmate，and，beingjeeredatforhisopenlyavowedsentiments，hethreatenedtothrashthewholeschool，addingtothelittlemaidenthathewouldthrashheraswellunlessshereturnedhislove，alineofargumentwhichcompletelywonherheart，particularlyinviewofthefactthatheprovedhissinceritybyfulfillingthatpartofhisassumedobligationswhichreferredtothesubjugationoftherestoftheschool。Itwasuponthisoccasionthatinreferencetohiscarelessnessofdress，hisschoolmatescomposedtherhyme，"NapoleondimezzacalzettaFal’amoreaGiacominetta。"

which，liberallytranslated，means，"Hi!LookatNap!Hissocksdownofhisshin，IsmakinglovetolittleGiacomin。"

TothisNapoleon，ontheauthorityoftheMemoirsofhisFather’sHiredMan，retorted：

"Iwouldadviseyou，benotindiscreet，OrIwillyankYOURsocksrightofyourfeet。"

Allofwhichgoestoshowthatatnotimeinhisyouthwashetobetrifledwith。Inpoetryorapitchedbattlehewasquiteequaltoanyemergency，andhiscompanionswerenotlonginfindingitout。

SopassedtheinfancyofMr。Bonaparte，ofCorsica。Itwas，afterall，muchliketheextremeyouthofmostotherchildren。Ineverythingheundertookhewasfacileprinceps，andinnothingthathesaidordidisthereevidencethathefailedtoappreciatewhatlaybeforehim。Avisitortothefamilyonceventuredtheremark，"I

amsorry，Napoleon，foryoulittleCorsicans。YouhavenoFourthofJulyorGuyFawkesDaytocelebrate。"

"Oh，asforthat，"saidNapoleon，"Iforonedonotmind。IwillmakenationalholidayswhenIgettobeaman，andatpresentIcangetalongwithoutthem。What’stheuseofFourthofJulywhenyoucanshootofffireworkseveryday？"

Itwasapertinentquestion，thevisitordepartedmuchimpressedwiththeboy’sprecocity，whichwasrendereddoublymemorablebyNapoleon’shumorindischargingfifteenpoundsofwaddingfromhiscannonintothevisitor’sbackashewentoutofthefrontgate。

AttheageofsixNapoleonputasideallinfantilepleasures，andateightassumedallthedignityofthatage。HeannouncedhisintentiontoceaseplayingwarwithhisbrotherJoseph。

"Iamnolongerachild，Joseph，"hesaid；"Ishallnolongerthrashyouinplay。Here—afterIshalldoitinsoberearnest。"

Whichnodoubtiswhy，in1779，Napoleonhavingstuckfaithfullytohispromise，Josephheartilysecondedhisyoungerbrother’sdemandthatheshouldleaveCorsicaandtakeacourseofmilitaryinstructionatBrienne。

"IshallnodoubtmissmydearbrotherNapoleon，"Josephsaidtohismother；"butIwouldnotstandinthewayofhisadvancement。Lethimgo，eventhoughbyhisdepartureIamdeprivedofallopportunitytoassisthiminhispleasinggamesofwar。"

CHAPTERII：BRIENNE

1779—1785

Aswehaveseen，theyoungCorsicanwasonlytenyearsofagewhen，throughtheinfluenceofCountMarboeuf，anoldfriendoftheBonapartefamily，hewasadmittedtothemilitaryschoolatBrienne。

ThosewhowerepresentatthehourofhisdeparturefromhomesaythatNapoleonwouldhaveweptlikeanyotherchildhadheyieldedtotheimpulsesofhisheart，andhadbenotdetectedasmileofsatisfactionuponthelipsofhisbrotherJoseph。Itwasthissmilethatdrovealltenderemotionsfromhisbreast。TakingJosephtooneside，herequestedtoknowthecauseofhismirth。

"Iwasthinkingofsomethingfunny，"saidJoseph，palingslightlyasheobservedthesternexpressionofNapoleon’sface。

"Oh，indeed，"saidNapoleon；"andwhatwasthatsomething？I’dliketosmilemyself。"

"H’m!——ah——why，"falteredJoseph，"itmaynotstrikeyouasfunny，youknow。Whatisajokeforonemanisapttobeaseriousmatterforanother，particularlywhenthatotherisofataciturnandirritabledisposition。"

"Verylikely，"saidNapoleon，dryly；"andsometimeswhatisajokeforthemanofmirthislikewiseintheendaseriousmatterforthatsamehumorousperson。Thismayturnouttobethecaseinthepresentemergency。Whatwasthejoke？IfIdonotfinditahumorousjoke，I’llgiveyouapartingcaresswhichyouwon’tforgetinahurry。"

"Iwasonlythinking，"saidJoseph，uneasily，"thatitisaverygoodthingforthatlittleferry—boatyouaregoingawayonthatyouaregoingonit。"

HereJosephsmiledweakly，butNapoleonwasgrimasever。

"Well，"hesaid，impatiently，"whatofthat？"

"Why，"returnedJoseph，"itseemedtomethatsuchatirelesslittleworkerastheboatiswouldfinditveryrestfultotakeaNap。"

ForaninstantNapoleonwassilent。

"Joseph，"saidhe，ashegazedsolemnlyoutofthewindow，"Ithankyoufromthebottomofmyheartforthis。Ihadhadregretsatleavinghome。AmomentagoIwasreadytobreakdownforthesorrowofpartingfrommyfavoriteAlp，frommyhome，frommymother，andmylittlebrasscannon；butnow——nowIcangowithaheartsteeledagainstemotion。Ifyouaregoinginforhumorofthatkind，I’mgladI’mgoingaway。Farewell。"

Withthis，pickingJosephupinhisarmsandconcealinghimbeneaththesofacushions，Napoleonimprintedakissuponhismother’scheek，rushedaboardthecraftthatwastobearhimtofame，andwassoonbutamemoryinthelittlehouseatAjaccio。"Partingissuchsweetsorrow，"murmuredJoseph，ashewatchedthelittlevesselboundingovertheturquoisewatersoftheimprisonedsea。"Ishallmisshim；

buttherearethosewhowaxfatongrief，and，ifIknowmyself，Iamofthatbrand。"

ArrivedatParis，Napoleonwasnaturallyawe—strickenbythesplendorsofthatwonderfulcity。

"IshallneverforgetthefirstsightIhadofParis，"hesaid，yearslater，whenspeakingofhisboyhoodtoMadameJunot，withwhomhewasenjoyingatete—a—teteinthepalaceatVersailles。"IwonderedifI

hadn’tdiedofsea—sicknessonthewayover，asIhadseveraltimeswishedImight，andgottoheaven。Ididn’tknowhowliketheotherplaceitwasatthattime，yousee。Itwaslikeanenchantedland，aWorld’sFairforever，andthepricesIhadtopayforthingsquitecarriedouttheWorld’sFairidea。Theywereenormous。Wearywithwalking，forinstance，Ihiredafiacreanddroveaboutthecityforanhour，anditcostmefiftyfrancs；butIfellinwithpleasantenoughpeople，oneofwhomgavemeaten—francticketentitlingmetoaseatonaparkbench——forfivefrancs。"

MadameJunotlaughed。

"AndyettheyclaimthatbuncoisapurelyAmericaninstitution，"shesaid。

"Dame!"criedNapoleon，risingfromthethrone，andwalkingexcitedlyupanddownthepalacefloor，"IneverrealizeduntilthismomentthatIhadbeenswindled!Bourrienne，sendFouchetome。Irememberthemandistinctly，andifheliveshehasyettodie。"

Calmingdown，hewalkedtoMadameJunot’sside，and，takingherbythehand，continued：

"Andthenthetheatres!Whatrevelationsofdelighttheywere!I

usedtogototheTheatreFrancaiswheneverIcouldsneakawayandhadthemoneytoseatmewiththegodsinthegalleries。Bernhardtwasthenplayingjuvenileparts，andCoquelinhadnotbeenheardof。

Ah!mydearMadameJunot，"headded，givingherearadelicatepinch，"thosewerethedayswhenlifeseemedworththeliving——whenoneofataciturnnatureandpronetoirritabilitycouldfindrealpleasureinexistence。Ohtobeunknownagain!"

Andthen，MadameJunot’shusbandhavingenteredtheroom，theEmperoroncemorerelapsedintoamoodysilence。

ButtoreturntoBrienne。Napoleonsoonfoundthatthereisagulfmeasurablebynocalculabledistancebetweenexistenceasthedominatingforceofafamilyandlifeasanewboyataboarding—

school。Hefoundhispositionreversed，andhebeganforthefirsttimeinhislifetoappreciatethevirtuesofhisbrotherJoseph。HewhohadbeenthevictoriousgeneralcrossingtheAlpsnowfoundhimselftheAlp，withadozenvictoriousgeneralscrossinghim；hewhohadbeenthegunnerwasnowthetarget，andhispresentinabilitytoexpresshisfeelingsinlanguagewhichhistormentorscouldunderstand，forhehadnotyetmasteredtheFrenchtongue，kepthiminastateofbeingwhichmaywellbetermedvolcanic。

"Isimplyragedwithininthosedays，"NapoleononcesaidtoLasCasas。"Icouldhaveswallowedmyfoodrawanditwouldhavebeencookedonitswaydown，Iboiledso。Theytookmeforasnow—cladAlp，when，asamatteroffact，IwasasmallVesuvius，withatemperaturethatwouldhavemadeTabascosauceseemlikeicedwaterbycontrast。"

Histreatmentatthehandsofhisfellow—studentsdidmuchtoincreasehisirritability，buthekepthimselfwellinhand，bidingthetimewhenhecouldrepaytheirinsultswithinterest。Theyjeeredhimbecausehewasshort——shortofstatureandshortoffunds；

theytwittedhimonbeinganalien，callinghimanItalian，andaskinghimwhyhedidnotseekoutapositioninthestreet—cleaningbureauinsteadofendeavoringtoassociatewithgentlemen。Tothistheboymadeaspiritedreply。

"Iamfittingmyselfforthat，"hesaid。"I’llsweepyourParisianstreetssomeday，andsomeofyouparticleswillgowiththerestofthedustbeforemybroom。"

Helittleguessedhowpropheticwerethesewords。

Again，theytormentedNapoleononbeingthesonofalawyer，andaskedhimwhohistailorwas，andwhetherornothisgarmentswerethelostsuitsofhisfather’sclients，theresultofwhichwasthat，thoughbornofanaristocraticfamily，theboybecameapronouncedRepublican，andsworeeternalenmitytothehigh—born。Anotherresultofthisattitudetowardshimwasthatheretiredfromthecompanionshipofallsavehisbooks，andhebecameintimatewithHomerandOssianandPlutarch——familiarwiththeriseandfallofemperorsandempires。Challengedtofightaduelwithoneofhisclassmatesforasupposititiousinsult，heaccepted，and，havingthechoiceinweapons，choseanexaminationinmathematics，theonefirstfailinginademonstrationtoblowhisbrainsout。"Thatisthesaferforyou，"hesaidtohisadversary。"Youaresuretolose；buttheafter—effectswillnotbefatal，becauseyouhavenobrainstoblowout，soyoucanblowoutacandleinstead。"

Whatevercameoftheduelwearenotinformed；butitistobepresumedthatitdidnotresultfatallyforyoungBonaparte，forhelivedmanyyearsaftertheincident，asmostofourreadersareprobablyaware。Hadhenotdoneso，thisbiographywouldhavehadtostophere，andcountlessreadersofourowndaywouldhavebeendeprivedofmuchentertainingfictionthatisevennowbeingscatteredbroadcastovertheworldwithNapoleonasitshero。Hisloveofbookscombinedwithhisfondnessformilitarylifewasnevermorebeautifullyexpressedthanwhenhewrotetohismother："WithmyswordatmysideandmyHomerinmypocket，Ihopetocarvemywaythroughtheworld。"

ThebeautyandsimplicityofthisstatementisnotatallaffectedbyJoseph’sflippantsuggestionthatbythisNapoleonprobablymeantthathewouldreadhisenemiestosleepwithhisHomer，andthenusehisswordtocuttheirheadsoff。Joseph，aswehavealreadyseen，hadbeencompletelysubjugatedbyhisyoungerbrother，anditisnottobewonderedat，perhaps，that，withhisyoungerbrotheratasafedistance，heshouldmanifestsomejealousy，andaffecttotreathissentimentswithanunwarrantedlevity。

ForNapoleon’sself—imposedsolitudeeverythingatBriennearrangeditselfpropitiously。Eachofthestudentswasprovidedwithasmallpatchofgroundwhichhecoulddowithashepleased，andNapoleon’suseofhisallottedsharewascharacteristic。Heconverteditintoafortifiedgarden，surroundedbytreesandpalisades。

"NowIcanmopeinpeace，"hesaid——andhedid。

IthasbeensupposedbyhistoriansthatitwasherethatNapoleondidallofhisthinking，mappingouthisfuturecareer，andsomeofthemhavetolduswhathethought。Hedreamedoffuturegloryalways，oneofthemstates；butwhetherupontheauthorityofapalisadeoratiger—lilyisnotmentioned。Othershavegivenushissoliloquiesashepassedtoandfrointhislittleretreatalone，andheardonlybythestarsatnight；butforourselves，wemustbeaccurate，anditisduetothereaderatthispointthatweshouldconfess——havingnostarsinourconfidence——ourentireignoranceastowhatNapoleonBonapartesaid，did，orthoughtwhensittinginsolitudeinhisfortifiedbower；thoughifourcandidimpressionisdesiredwehavenohesitationinsayingthatwebelievehimtohavebeeninParisenjoyingthesightsofthegreatcityduringthoseperiodsofsolitude。Boysareboysinalllands，andaknowledgeofthatpeculiarspeciesofhumanbeings，theboarding—schoolboy，isconvincingthat，givenaprospectoffiveorsixhoursofuninterruptedsolitude，noyouthofproperspiritwouldfailtoavailhimselfoftheopportunitiesthusofferedtoseelife，particularlywithacitylikePariswithineasy"hooky"distance。

ItmustalsoberememberedthattheFrenchhadatthistimeabolishedthehereafter，alongwiththeideaofaDeityandallpertainingthereto，sothattherewasnothingbeyondapurelytemporaldisciplineandlackoffundstointerferewithBonaparte’senjoymentofallthepleasureswhichPariscouldgive。Oftemporaldisciplineheneedhavehadnofear，since，itwasperforcerelaxedwhilehewasmasterofhissolitude；asforthelackoffunds，historyhasshownthatthisneverinterferedwiththefulfilmentofNapoleon’shopes，andhencethebeliefthatthebeautifulpictures，drawnbyhistoriansandpaintedbymastersofthebrush，ofNapoleoninsolitudeshouldberevisedtoincludeafewaccessories，drawnfromsuchportionsofParisianlifeaswillreadilysuggestthemselves。

Inhisstudies，however，Napoleonrankedhigh。Hismathematicalabilitiesweresomarkedthatitwasstatedthathecouldsquarethecirclewithhiseyesclosedandbothhandstiedbehindhisback。

"TheonlycircleIcouldnotsquareatthattime，"saidhe，"wasthefamilycircle，beinginsufficientlyprovidedwithincometodoso。I

mighthavesucceededbetterhadnotJoseph’sappetitegrowntoofastforthestrengthofmypocket；thatwastheonlyrespect，however，inwhichIeverhadanydifficultyinkeepingupwithmydearelderbrother。"Itwashere，too，thathelearnedtheinestimablyimportantmilitaryfactthattheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsisinastraightline；andthathehadfullymasteredthatfactwasoftenpainfullyevidenttosuchofhisschoolmatesasseemedtoforcehimtomeasurewithhisrightarmthedistancebetweenhisshoulderandtheendsoftheirnoses。Norwasheutterlywithoutwit。Askedbyacribbingcomradeinexaminationwhatacorollarywas，Napoleonscornfullywhisperedback：

"Amathematicalcamelwithtwohumps。"

InGermanonlywashedeficient，muchtotheirritationofhisinstructor。

"Willyoueverlearnanything？"askedM。Bouer，theGermanteacher。

"Certainly，"saidNapoleon；"butnomoreGerman。IknowtheonlywordIneedinthatlanguage。"

"Andwhat，pray，isthat？"

"Surrender；that’sallI’lleverwishtosaytotheGermans。ButlestIgetitwrong，praytellmetheimperativeformofsurrenderinyournativetongue。"

M。Bouer’sreplyisnotknowntohistory，butitwasprobablynotonewhichtheMasterofEtiquetteatBriennecouldhaveentirelycommended。

SohelivedatBrienne，thoroughlymasteringthescienceofwar；

acquiringamilitaryspirit；makingnofriends，butcommandingultimatelythefearsomerespectofhisschool—mates。Oneortwoprivateinterviewswithlittlearistocratswhojeeredathimforhisancestryconvincedthemthatwhilehemightnothavehadillustriousancestors，itwasnotunlikelythathewouldintimedevelopillustriousdescendants，andthejeeringsandsneeringssoonceased。

TheclimaxofBonaparte’scareeratBriennewasin1784，whenhedirectedasnowballfightbetweentwoevenlydividedbranchesoftheschoolwithsucheffectthatoneboyhadhisskullcrackedandtherestwerelaidupforweeksfromtheirwounds。

"Itwasawonderfulfight，"remarkedNapoleon，duringhiscampaigninEgypt。"ItookgoodcarethatanoccasionalmissentballshouldbowloffthehatofM。Bouer，andwheneveranyparticularlyaristocraticaristocrat’sheadshoweditselfabovetheramparts，anavalanchefelluponhisfacadewithadull，sickeningthud。IhaveneverseenanAmericancollegefootballgame，butfromallIcanlearnfromaccountsinthePariseditionsoftheAmericannewspaperstheeffectsphysicalinourfightandthatgameareaboutthesame。"

In1784，shortlyafterthisepisode，NapoleonleftBrienne，havinglearnedallthatthoseinauthoritytherecouldteachhim，andin1785heappliedforandreceivedadmissiontotheregulararmy，muchtothereliefofJoseph。

"IfhehadflunkedandcomebacktoCorsicatolive，"saidJoseph，"I

thinkIshouldhaveemigrated。Ilovehimdearly，butI’mfonderofmyself，andCorsica，largeasitis，istoosmalltocontainNapoleonBonaparteandhisbrotherJosephsimultaneously，particularlyasJosephisdistinctlywearyofbeingusedasanunderstudyforagorybattle—field。"

CHAPTERIII：PARIS——VALENCE——LYONS——CORSICA

1785—1793

ThefeelingamongthelargerboysatBrienneatNapoleon’sdeparturewasmuchthesameasthatexperiencedbyJosephwhenhissoonto—be—

famousbrotherdepartedfromCorsica。Thesmallerboysregrettedhisdeparture，sinceithadbeenoneoftheirgreatestpleasurestowatchNapoleondiscipliningtheupperclassmen，butBonapartewasasgladtogoastheeldersweretohavehim。

"Brienneisgoodenoughinitsway，"saidhe；"butwhat’stheuseoffightingchildren？It’smerelyawasteoftimecrackingayoungster’sskullwithasnowballwhenyoucangooutintotherealworldandletdaylightintoaman’swholesystemwithafewouncesofgrape—shot。"

HehadwatcheddevelopmentsatParis，too，withthekeenestinterest，andwassufficientlyfar—seeingtoknowthatthetroublesoftheKingandQueenandtheiraristocraticfriendsbodedwellforamanfondofamilitarylifewhohadsenseenoughtobeontherightside。Thatittookanabnormaldegreeofintelligencetoknowwhichwastherightsideinthosetroublousdayshealsorealized，andhencehecultivatedthattaciturnityandpronenesstoirritabilitywhichwehavealreadymentioned。

"Ifithadnotbeenformytaciturnity，Talleyrand，"heobserved，whenintheheightofhispower，"Ishouldhavegotitintheneck。"

"Gotwhatintheneck？"askedTalleyrand。

"Theguillotine，"rejoinedtheEmperor。"Itwasthefreedomofspeechwhichpeopleofthosesanguinarydaysallowedthemselvesthatlandedmanyafineheadinthebasket。Asforme，Isimplyheldmytonguewithbothhands，andwhenIweariedofthatIcalledsomeoneintoholditforme。IfIhadfilledthenewspaperswith’InterviewswithNapoleonBonaparte，’andarticleson’WhereisFranceat？’withmonographsintheleadingreviewseverymonthon’WhyIamwhatIam，’andallsuchstuffasthat，I’dhavecondensedmycareerintooneortwoyears，andendedbyhavingmyheaddivorcedfrommyshouldersinamostcommonplacefashion。Taciturnityisabigthingwhenyouknowhowtoworkit，andsoispronenesstoirritability。Thelatterkeepsyoufrommakingfriends，andIdidn’twantanyfriendsjustthen。TheywereluxurieswhichIcouldn’tafford。Youhavetolendmoneytofriends；youhavetogivethemdinnersandcigars，andsendbonbonstotheirsisters。Afriendinthosedayswouldhavemeantbankruptcyoftheworstsort。

Furthermore，friendsembarrassyouwhenyougetintopublicoffice，andtrytomakeyouconspicuouswhenyou’dinfinitelyprefertosawwoodandsaynothing。Itookmylonelinessstraight，andthatisoneofthereasonswhyIamnowtheEmperorofFrance，andyourmaster。"

BeforeenteringthearmyayearataParisianmilitaryschoolkeptBonapartebusy。There，asatBrienne，hemadehisinfluencefelt。

Hefoundhisfellow—pupilsatParislivinginastateofluxurythatwasnotinaccordwithhisideasastowhatasoldiershouldhave。

Whetherornothisnewschool—mates，afterthetime—honoredcustom，tossedhiminablanketonthefirstnightofhisarrival，historydoesnotsay，butBonapartehadhardlybeenattheschoolaweekwhenhecomplainedtotheauthoritiesthattherewastoomuchluxuryintheirsystemforhim。

"Cadetsdonotneedfeather—bedsandeider—downquilts，"hesaid；

"andasforthesumptuousviandswehaveservedatmealtime，theyareutterlyinappropriate。I’dratherhaveaplateofBostonbakedbeansorsteamingbuckwheatcakestoputmymindintothatstatewhichshouldcharacterizethethinkingapparatusofasoldierthanadozenoftheboucheesfinancieresandlobsterNewburgsandothermade—

disheswhichyouhaveonyourmenu。Made—dishesanddelicatebeveragesmakeonemellowandgenialofdisposition。Whatweneedisthekindoffoodthatwilldestroyouramiabilityandputusinaframeofmindcalculatedtomakewillingtokillourbestfriends——

nay，ourownbrothersandsisters——ifoccasionarises，withasmilingface。Lookatme。IcouldkillmybrotherJoseph，dearasheistome，andnevershedatear，andit’sbuckwheat—cakesandwafflesthathavedoneit!"

Likewiseheabhorreddancing。

"Awaywithdancingmen!"hecried，impatiently，atonetimewhenintheheightofhispower，tohisMinisterofWar。"SupposewhenIwascrossingtheAlpsmysoldiershadbeenofyourdancingsort。HowfarwouldIhavegotifeverytimethebandplayedatwo—stepmygrenadiershaddroppedtheirgunstopirouetteoverthosesnow—whitewastes？Letthediplomatsdothedancing。Forsoldiersgivemementowhomthepolkaisaclosedbookandthewaltzanabomination。"

Holdingtheseviews，henaturallyfailedtowinthesympathyofhisfellowsattheParisschoolwho，youngnoblesforthemostpart，couldnotunderstandhispointofview。So，havingnothingelsetodo，heappliedhimselfsolelytohisstudiesandtoreflection，anditwasthehappiestmomentofhislifeuptothattimewhen，havingpassedhisexaminationsforentrancetotheregulararmy，hereceivedhiscommissionasasecondlieutenant。

"Nowwe’reoff!"hesaidtohimself，ashesurveyedhimselfinthemirror，afterdonninghisuniform。

"Itdoesnotsetverywellintheback，"remarkedoneofthemaidsofthepensioninwhichhelived，glancinginatthedoor。

"Itdoesnotmatter，"returnedBonaparte，loftily。"AslongasitsetswellinfrontI’msatisfied；foryoushouldknow，madame，thatatruesoldiernevershowshisback，andthatisthekindofamilitarypersonIam。Afalsefrontwoulddoforme。Iamnotinsoldier，whichinafter—yearsitwillinterestyoutoremember。Whenyouarewritingyourmemoirsthiswillmakeaninterestinganecdote。"

FromthisitistobeinferredthatatthistimehehadnothoughtofMoscow。ImmediatelyafterhisappointmentBonaparterepairedtoValence，wherehisregimentwasstationedandwhereheformedastrongattachmentfortheyoungdaughterofMadameduColombier，withwhom，historyrecords，heatecherriesbeforebreakfast。Thiswashissoledissipationatthattime，buthisfelicitywassoontobeinterrupted。HisregimentwasorderedtoLyons，andBonaparteandhislovewereparted。

"Dutycallsme，mydear，"hesaid，onleavingher。"IwouldstayifIcould，butIcan’t，and，onthewhole，itisjustaswell。IfI

stayedIshouldmarryyou，andthatwouldneverdo。Youcannotsupportme，norIyou。Wecannotliveoncherries，andasyetmyallowanceisaningrowingone——whichistosaythatitgoesfrommetomyparent，andnotfrommyparenttome。Therefore，myonlylove，farewell。Marrysomeoneelse。Thereareplentyofmenwhoarefondofcherriesbeforebreakfast，andthereisnoreasonwhyonesoattractiveasyoushouldnotfindalover。"

Theunhappygirlwassilentforamoment。Then，withanill—

suppressedsob，shebadehimgo。

"Youareright，Napoleon，"shesaid。"Go。Gowheredutycallsyou，andifyougettiredofLyons——"

"Yes？"heinterrupted，eagerly。

"Tryleopards!"shecried，rushingfromhisembraceintothehouse。

Bonaparteneverforgavethisexhibitionofflippancy，thoughmanyyearsafter，whenhelearnedthathisformerlove，whohadmarried，ashehadbadeherdo，andsuffered，wasfacetofacewithstarvation，itissaid，ontheauthorityofoneofhisex—valet’smemoirs，thathesentheraboxofcandiedcherriesfromoneofthemostexpensiveconfectionery—shopsofParis。

AfterabriefsojournatLyons，NapoleonwassummonedwithhisregimenttoquellcertainpopulartumultsatAuxonne。Therehedistinguishedhimselfasahandlerofmobs，andlearnedafewthingsthatwereofinestimableadvantagetohimlater。Speakingofitinafter—years，heobserved："Itismyopinion，mydearEmperorJoseph，thatgrape—shotistheonlypropermedicineforamob。Somepeopleprefertoturnthehoseonthem，butnoneofthatforme。Theyfearwaterastheydodeath，buttheygetoverwater。Deathismorepermanent。I’veseenmanyarioter，maderespectablebyagoodsoaking，returntothefrayafterhehaddriedout，butinallmyexperienceIhaveneverknownamanwhowasoncepuncturedbyadischargeofgrape—shotwhotookanyfurtherinterestinrioting。"

Aboutthistimehebegantoregulatehistaciturnity。Onoccasionshehadopinionswhichheexpressedmostforcibly。In1790，havinggonetoaneveningreceptionatMadameNeckar’s，heelectrifiedhishostessandherguestsbymakingaspeechofsomefivehundredwordsinlength，toolongtobequotedhereinfull，butsofullofimportanddeliveredwithsuchanairofauthoritythatLaFayette，whowaspresent，paledvisibly，andMirabeau，drawingMadamedeStaeltooneside，whispered，tremblingwithemotion，"Whoisthatyoungperson？"

Whetherthisnewlyacquiredtendencytobreakinuponthereservewhichhadhithertobeenthesalientfeatureofhisspeechhadanythingtodowithitornotwearenotaware，butshortlyafterwardsNapoleondeemeditwisetoleavehisregimentforawhile，andtoreturntohisCorsicanhomeonfurlough。Ofcourseanaffectingscenewasenactedbyhimselfandhisfamilywhentheywereatlastreunited。Letitia，hisfondmother，wepttearsofjoy，andJoseph，shakinghimbythehand，rushed，overcomewithemotion，fromthehouse。Napoleonshortlyafterfoundhimweepinginthegarden。

"Whysosad，Joseph？"heinquired。"AreyousorryIhavereturned？"

"No，dearNapoleon，"saidJoseph，turningawayhisheadtohidehistears，"itisnotthat。Iwasonlyweepingbecause——because，inthenatureofthings，youwillhavetogoawayagain，and——the——theideaofpartingfromyouhasforthemomentupsetmyequilibrium。"

"Thenwemustproceedtorestoreit，"saidNapoleon，and，takingJosephbytherightarm，hetwistedituntilJosephsaidthathefeltquiterecovered。

Napoleon’sstayatCorsicawasquiteuneventful。Fearinglestbygivingwaytoloveoffamily，andsittingandtalkingwiththemintheluxuriouslyappointedparlorbelow—stairs，heshouldimbibetoostrongaloveforcomfortandease，andthusweakenhissoldierlyinstincts，aswellasbreakinuponthattaciturnitywhich，aswehaveseen，wasthekeynoteofhischaracter，hehadsetapartforhimselfasmallroomontheatticfloor，wherehespentmostofhistimeundisturbed，andatthesametimemadeJosephsomewhateasierinhismind。

"Whenhe’sup—stairsIamcomparativelysafe，"saidJoseph。"IfhestayedbelowwithusIfearIshouldhaveareturnofmynervousprostration。"

Meantime，Napoleonwaspromotedtoafirstlieutenancy，andshortlyafter，duringtheReignofTerrorinParis，havingoncemoreforthemomentyieldedtoanimpulsetospeakoutinmeeting，hedenouncedanarchyinunmeasuredterms，andwasarrestedandtakentoParis。

"Itwasafortunatearrestforme，"hesaid。"ThereIwasinCorsicawithbarelyenoughmoneytopaymywaybacktothecapital。

Arrested，theStatehadtopaymyfare，andIgotbacktoactivepoliticalscenesonafreepass。Asforthetrial，itwasafarce，andIwastriumphantlyacquitted。Thejurywasoutonlyfifteenminutes。IhadsolittletosayformyselfthatthejudgesbegantodoubtifIhadanyideasonanysubject——or，asoneofthemsaid，havingnoheadtomention，itwouldbeuselesstotryandcutitoff。

Hencemyacquittalandmyfeelingthattaciturnityisthemotherofsafety。"

ThencametheterribleattackofthemobupontheTuileriesonthe20thofJune，1792。NapoleonwaswalkinginthestreetwithBourriennewhentheattackbegan。

"There’snothinglikealamp—postforanoccasionlikethis，itbroadensone’sviewsso，"hesaid，rapidlyclimbingupaconvenientpost，fromwhichhecouldseeallthatwenton。"Ididn’tknowthatthiswastheroyalfamily’sreception—day。DoyouwanttoknowwhatIthink？"

"Mummistheword，"whisperedBourrienne。"Thisisnotimetohaveopinions。"

"Mummmaybetheword，butwateristhebeverage。Mummistoodry。

Whatthiscrowdneedsisagoodwettingdown，"retortedBonaparte。

"IfIwereLouisXVI。I’dturnthehoseonthesetramps，andkeepthematbayuntilIcouldgetmylittlebrasscannonloaded。WhenI

hadthatloaded，I’dletthemhaveafewballshotfromthebat。

Thisiswhatcomesofbeingabornking。Louisdoesn’tknowhowtotalktothepeople。He’sallrightforastate—dinner，butwhenitcomestoamass—meetingheisnotinit。"

AndthenastheKing，togratifythemob，puttheredcapofJacobinismuponhishead，themanwhowasdestinedbeforemanyyearstooccupythethroneofFranceletfallanejaculationofwrath。

"Thewretches!"hecried。"Howlittletheyknow!They’veonlygivenhimanotherhattotalkthrough!They’llhavetodotheirworkalloveragain，unlessLouistakesmyadviceandtravelsabroadforhishealth。"

Thesewordswereprophetic，forbarelytwomonthslaterthesecondandmostterribleandportentousattackuponthepalacetookplace——

anattackwhichNapoleonwitnessed，ashehadwitnessedthefirst，fromaconvenientlamp—post，andwhichfilledhimwithdisgustandshame；anditwasuponthatnightofriotandbloodshedthathegaveutterancetooneofhismostfamoussayings。

"Bourrienne，"saidhe，aswithhisfaithfulcompanionshelaboriouslyclimbedthefiveflightsofstairsleadingtohishumbleapartment，"Ihatethearistocrats，asyouknow；andto—dayhasmademehatethepopulaceaswell。Whatistherelefttolike？"

"Alas!lieutenant，Icannotsay，"saidBourrienne，shakinghisheadsadly。

"What，"continuedNapoleon，"isthegoodofanything？"

"Igiveitup，"returnedBourrienne，withasigh。"Ineverwasgoodatriddles。WhatISthegoodofanything？"

"Nothing!"saidNapoleon，laconically，ashetookoffhisuniformandwenttobed。

CHAPTERIV：SARDINIA——TOULON——NICE——PARIS——BARRAS——JOSEPHINE

1793—1796

GreatnessnowbegantodawnforNapoleon。Practicallypenniless，inagreatandheartlesscity，eventhelowerclassesbegantoperceivethatherewasonebeforewhomtherelayabrilliantfuture。

Restaurateurs，laundresses，confectioners——alltrustedhim。AninstanceoftheregardpeoplewerebeginningtohaveforhimisshowninthepatheticinterviewbetweenNapoleonandMadameSansGene，hislaundress。

"Hereisyourwash，lieutenant，"saidshe，afterclimbingfiveflightsofstairs，basketinhand，tothemiserablelodgingofthefutureEmperor。

Napoleonlookedupfromhisbooksandcountedtheclothes。

"Thereisonesockmissing，"saidhe，sternly。

"No，"returnedSansGene。"Halfofeachsockwaswashedaway，andI

sewedtheremaininghalvesintoone。Onegoodsockisbetterthantwobadones。Ifyoueverlosealeginbattleyoumayfindtheoddonehandy。"

"HowcanIeverrepayyou？"criedNapoleon，touchedbyherfriendlyact。

"I’msureIdon’tknow，"returnedMadameSansGene，demurely，"unlessyouwillescortmetotheCharityBall——I’llbuythetickets。"

"And，pray，whatgoodwillthatdo？"askedBonaparte。

"ItwillmakeLefebvrejealous，"saidMadameSansGene，"andmaybethatwillbringhimtothepoint。Iwanttomarryhim，but，encouragehimasIwill，hedoesnotpropose，andasinrevisingthecalendarthegovernmenthasabolishedleap—year，Ireallydon’tknowwhattodo。"

"Icannotgototheball，"saidNapoleon，sadly。"Idon’tdance，and，besides，Ihaveloanedmydress—suittoBourrienne。ButIwillflirtwithyouonthestreetifyouwish，andperhapsthatwillsuffice。"

Itishardlynecessarytotellthereaderthattherusewassuccessful，andthatLefebvre，thusbroughttothepoint，marriedMadameSansGene，andsubsequently，throughhisownadvancement，madehertheDuchessofDantzig。TheanecdotesufficestoshowhowwretchedlypoorandyethowfullofinterestandusefultothoseabouthimNapoleonwasatthetime。

InFebruary，1793，achangeforthebetterinhisfortunesoccurred。

Bonaparte，incooperationwithAdmiralTurget，wasorderedtomakeadescentuponSardinia。WhatimmediatelyfollowedcanbestbetoldinBonaparte’sownwords。"Mydescentwasallright，"hesaidafterwards，"andIhadtheSardinesallreadytoputinboxes，whenTurgethadafitofsea—sickness，losthisbearings，andleftmeinthelurch。TherewasnothingleftformebuttogobacktoCorsicaandtakeitoutofJoseph，whichIdid，muchtoJoseph’sunhappiness。

ItwaswellforthefamilythatIdidso，forhardlyhadIarrivedatAjacciowhenIfoundmyoldfriendPaoliwrappingCorsicaupinabrown—paperbundletosendtotheKingofEnglandwithhiscompliments。ThisIresisted，withtheresultthatourwholefamilywasbanished，andthosefoolsofCorsicansbrokeintoourhouseandsmashedallofourfurniture。Theylittleknewthatthatfurniture，ifinexistenceto—day，wouldbringmillionsoffrancsascuriosifsoldatauction。ItwasthusthatthefamilycametomovetoFranceandthatIbecameinfactwhatIhadbeenbybirth——aFrenchman。IfIhadremainedaCorsican，Paoli’streacherywouldhavemademeanEnglishman，towhichIshouldneverhavebecomereconciled，althoughhadIbeenanEnglishmanIshouldhavetakenmorerealpleasureoutofthebattleofWaterloothanIgot。

"AfterthisIwasorderedtoToulon。TheFrenchforcesherewerecommandedbyGeneralCartaux，whohadlearnedthescienceofwarpaintingportraitsinParis。HeoughttohavebeencalledGeneralCartoon。HebesiegedTouloninamostimpressionisticfashion。He’dbombardandbombardandbombard，andthenleavethepublictoguessattheresult。It’sallwellenoughtobeanimpressionistinpainting，butwhenitcomestowarthepublicwantmoredecidedeffects。WhenIgotthere，asabrigadier—general，IsawthatCartauxwaswastinghistimeandammunition。HisideaseemedtobethatbyfiringcannonalldayhecouldsodeafentheenemythatatnighttheFrencharmycouldsneakintoToulonunheardandcapturethecity，whichwas，tosaytheleast，unscientific。IsawatoncethatCartauxmustgo，andIsoonmanagedtomakelifesounbearableforhimthatheresigned，andamannamedDoppet，aphysician，wasplacedincommand。DoppetwasworsethanCartaux。Wheneveranybodygothurthe’dstopthewarandprescribefortheinjuredman。Ifhecouldhaveprescribedfortheenemythey’dhavediedingreaternumbersIhavenodoubt，but，liketheidiothewas，hepractisedonhisownforces。Besides，hewasmoreinterestedinsurgerythanincapturingToulon。Healwaysgavetheambulancecorpstherightofline，andIbelievetothisdaythathisplanofroutingtheEnglishinvolvedasuddenrushuponthem，takingthembysurprise，andthesubsequentamputationoftheirlegs。Theworstfeatureofthesituation，asIfoundit，wasthatthesetwomen，fallingbackupontheirrightsasmysuperiorofficers，refusedtotakeordersfromme。

Icalledtheirattentiontothefactthatrankhadbeenabolished，andthatinFranceonemanwasnowasgoodasanother；buttheywerestubborn，soIwrotetoParisandhadthemremoved。ThencameDugommier，whobackedmeupinmyplans，andToulonasaconsequenceimmediatelyfellwithadull，sickeningthud。"

ItwasduringthissiegethatBonapartefirstencounteredJunot。

Havingoccasiontowriteanotewhileunderfirefromtheenemy’sbatteries，Napoleoncalledforastenographer。Junotcametohim。

"Doyouknowshorthand？"askedthegeneral，asabombexplodedathisfeet。

"Slightly，"saidJunot，calmly。

"Takethismessage，"returnedthegeneral，coolly，dictating。

JunottookdownBonaparte’swords，butjustashefinishedanotherbombexplodednearby，scatteringdustandearthandsandalloverthepaper。

"Confoundedboors，interruptingagentlemanathiscorrespondence!"

saidBonaparte，withanangryglanceatthehostilegunners。"I’llhavetodictatethatmessagealloveragain。"

"Yes，general，"returnedJunot，quickly，"butyouneedn’tmindthat。

Therewillbenoextracharge。It’sreallymyfault。Ishouldhavebroughtanumbrella。"

"Youareanoblefellow，"saidNapoleon，graspinghishandandsqueezingitwarmly。"Intheheydayofmyprosperity，ifmyprosperityevergoesa—haying，Ishallrememberyou。Yourname？"

"Junot，General，"wasthereply。

Bonapartefrowned。"Ha!ha!"helaughed，acridly。"Youjest，eh？

Well，Junot，whenIamJupiterI’llrewardyou。"

Lateron，discoveringhiserror，BonapartemadeamemorandumconcerningJunot，whichwasthefirstlinkinthechainwhichultimatelyboundthestenographertofameasamarshalofFrance。

Therehavebeenvariousotherversionsofthisanecdote，butthisistheonlycorrectone，andisnowpublishedforthefirsttimeontheauthorityofM。leComtedeB——，whosegrandfatherwasthebassdrummeruponwhosedrumJunotwaswritingthenowfamousletter，andwhowasafterwardsennobledbyNapoleonforhisservicesinEgypt，where，onedark，drizzlynight，hefrightenedawayfromBonaparte’stentafiercebandofhungrylionsbypoundingvigorouslyuponhisinstrument。

AboutthistimeNapoleon，whohadbeenspellinghisnameinvariousways，andparticularlywitha"u，"asBuonaparte，decidedtosettlefinallyupononeformofdesignation。

"Peoplearebeginningtobotherthelifeoutofmewithrequestsformyautograph，"hesaidtoBourrienne，"anditisjustaswellthatI

shouldsettleonone。IfIdon’t，they’llwantmetowriteoutacompletesetofthem，andIhaven’ttimetodothat。"

"Buonaparteisagood—lookingname，"suggestedBourrienne。"ItisbetterthanBonaParte，asyousometimescallyourself。IfyousettleonBonaParte，you’dhavereallythreenames；andasyoudon’twritesocietyverseforthecomicpapers，what’stheuse？NewspaperreporterswillrefertoyouasNapoleonB。ParteorN。BonaParte，andthepublichatesamanwhopartshisnameinthemiddle。Parteisagoodnameinitsway，butit’stooshortandabrupt。Fewmenwithshort，sharp，decisivenameslikethatevermaketheirmark。

LetitbeBuonaparte，whichissortofhigh—sounding——itmakesamouthful，asitwere。"

"IfIdropthe’u’theautographwillbeshorter，andI’llgaintimewritingit，"saidNapoleon。"ItshallbeBonapartewithout’u。’"

"Humph!"ejaculatedBourrienne。"Bonapartewithoutme!Ilikethat。

MightaswelltalkofDr。JohnsonwithoutBoswell。"

BonapartenowwenttoNiceaschiefofbatallioninthearmyofItaly；buthavingincurredthedispleasureofasuspicioushomegovernment，hewasshortlysuperseded，andlivedinretirementwithhisfamilyatMarseillesforabrieftime。Herehefellinloveagain，andwouldhavemarriedMademoiselleClery，whomheafterwardsmadeQueenofSweden，hadhenotbeensowretchedlypoor。

"This，mydear，"hesaid，sadly，toMademoiselleClery，"isthebeastlypartofbeingtheoriginalancestorofafamilyinsteadofadescendant。I’vegottomakethefortunewhichwillenrichposterity，whileI’dinfinitelypreferhavingarichunclesomewherewho’dhavethekindnesstodieandleavemeamillion。There’sJoseph——luckyman。He’sgoneandgotmarried。Hecanaffordit。Hehasmetofallbackon，butI——Ihaven’tanybodytofallbackon，andso，forthesecondtimeinmylife，mustgiveuptheonlygirlIeverloved。"

WiththesewordsNapoleonleftMademoiselleClery，andreturnedtoParisinsearchofemployment。

"Ifthere’snothingelsetodo，IcandisguisemyselfasaChinamanandgetemploymentinMadameSansGene’slaundry，"hesaid。"There’snodisgraceinwashing，andinthatwayImaybeabletoprovidemyselfwithdecentlinen，anyhow。ThenIshallbelongtothelaunderedaristocracy，astheEnglishhaveit。"

ButgreaterthingsthanthisawaitedNapoleonatParis。FallinginwithBarras，amemberoftheConventionwhichruledFranceatthistime，helearnedthatthefeelingfortherestorationofthemonarchywasdailygrowingstronger，andthattheroyalistsofPariswereagreatmenacetotheConvention。

"They’llmobusthefirstthingweknow，"saidBarras。"Thememberslooktometosavethemincaseofattack，butImustconfessI’dliketosubletthecontract。"

"Giveittome，then。I’mtemporarilyoutofajob，"saidNapoleon，"andthelifeI’mleadingiskillingme。Ifitweren’tforTalma’skindnessinlettingmeleadhisarmiesonthestageattheOdeon，withaturnatscene—shiftingwhentheyarenotplayingwardramas，I

don’tknowwhatI’ddoformymeals；andevenwhenIdogetasandwichaheadoccasionallyIhavetosendittoMarseillestomymother。Givemeyourcontract，andifIdon’tsaveyourConventionyouneedn’tpaymearedfranc。Ihatearistocrats，andIhatemobs；

andthisbeinganaristocraticmob，I’llgointotheworkwithenthusiasm。"

"You!"criedBarras。"Amanofyoursize，orlackofit，savetheConventionfromamoboffiftythousand？Nonsense!"

"DidyoueverhearthatlittleslangphrasesomuchinvogueinAmerica，"queriedNapoleon，coldlyfixinghiseyeonBarras——"aphrasewhichinFrenchruns，’Petit，maisOMoi’——or，astheyhaveit，’Little，butOMy’？Well，thatisme。{1}Besides，ifIamsmall，thereislesschanceofmybeingkilled，whichwillmakememorecourageousinthefaceoffirethanoneofyourbiggermenwouldbe。"

"Iwillputmymindonit，"saidBarras，somewhatwonoverbyNapoleon’sself—confidence。

"Thanks，"saidNapoleon；"andnowcomeintothecafeandhavedinnerwithme。"

"Saveyourmoney，Bonaparte，"saidBarras。"Youcan’taffordtopayforyourowndinner，muchlessmine。"

"That’spreciselywhyIwantyoutodinewithme，"returnedNapoleon。

"IfIgoalone，theywon’tservemebecausetheyknowIcan’tpay。

IfIgoinwithyou，they’llgivemeeverythingthey’vegotonthesuppositionthatyouwillpaythebill。Come!Enavant!"

"Vousetesunbouchonnier，vraiment!"saidBarras，withalaugh。

"Awhat？"askedNapoleon，notfamiliarwiththeidiom。

"Acorker!"explainedBarras。

"Verygood，"saidNapoleon，hisfacelightingup。"Ifyou’llorderabottleofBurgundywiththebirdIwillshowyouthatIamlikewisesomethingofanuncorker。"

ThisreadinessonNapoleon’spartinthefaceofdifficultycompletelycapturedBarras，andasaresulttheyoungadventurerhadhisfirstrealchancetomakeanimpressiononParis，where，onthe13thVendemiaire（orOctober4，1795），heliterallyobliteratedtheforcesoftheSectionists，whosesuccessintheirattackupontheConventionwouldhavemeanttherestorationoftheBourbonstothethroneofFrance。PlacedincommandofthedefendersoftheConvention，Napoleonwithhiscannonsweptthemobfromthefourbroadavenuesleadingtothepalaceinwhichthelegislatorssat。

"Don’tfireovertheirheads，"saidhetohisgunners，asthemobapproached。"Bringourargumentsrightdowntotheircomprehension，andrememberthatthecomprehensionofaroyalistislargelyaffectedbyhisdigestion。Therefore，gunners，letthemhaveitthere。IftheseassassinswouldescapeappendicitistheywouldbetteravoidthegrapeIsendthem。"

Theresultistoowellknowntoneeddetaileddescriptionhere。

SufficeittosaythatBonaparte’sattentionstothedigestiveapparatusoftheriotersweresoeffectivethat，intokenoftheirappreciationofhisservices，theConventionsoonafterwardsplacedhimincommandoftheArmyoftheInterior。

HoldingnowthechiefmilitarypositioninParis，Bonapartewasmuchcourtedbyeveryone，buthecontinuedhissimplemanneroflivingasofyore，overlookinghislaundryandotherbillsasunostentatiouslyaswhenhehadbeenapoorandinsignificantsubaltern，anddailywaxingmoretaciturnandpronetoirritability。

"Youarebecominggloomy，General，"saidBarrasonemorning，asthetwomenbreakfasted。"Itistimeforyoutomarryandbecomeafamilyman。"

"Peste!"saidNapoleon，"manoffamily!Ittakestoolong——itistedious。Familiesaredelightfulwhenthechildrenaregrownup；butIcouldnotenduretheminastateofinfancy。"

"Ah!"smiledBarras，significantly。"ButsupposeItoldyouofaplacewhereyoucouldfindafamilyreadymade？"

Napoleonatoncebecameinterested。

"Ishouldmarryit，"hesaid，"fortrulyIdoneedsomeonetolookaftermyclothing，particularlynowthat，asamanofhighrank，myuniformsholdsomanybuttons。"

ThusithappenedthatBarrastooktheyoungherotoareceptionatthehouseofMadameTallien，whereheintroducedhimtothelovelywidow，JosephinedeBeauharnais，andhertwobeautifulchildren。

"Thereyouare，Bonaparte，"hewhispered，astheyenteredtheroom；

"thereisthefamilycomplete——onewife，oneson，onedaughter。Whatmorecouldyouwant？Itwillbeyoursifyouaskforit，forMadamedeBeauharnaisisverymuchinlovewithyou。"

"Ha!"saidNapoleon。"Howdoyouknowthat？"

"Shetoldmeso，"returnedBarras。

"Verywell，"saidNapoleon，makinguphismindontheinstant。"I

willseeifIcaninvolveherinamilitaryengagement。"

Which，astheworldknows，hedid；andonthe9thofMarch，1796，NapoleonandJosephinewereunited，andthehappygroom，writingtohismother，announcinghismarriageto"theonlywomanheeverloved，"said："SheistenyearsolderthanI，butIcansoonovercomethat。TheopportunitiesforafastlifeinParisareunequalled，andIhaveanideathatIcancatchupwithherinsixmonthsiftheConventionwillincreasemysalary。"

CHAPTERV：ITALY——MILAN——VIENNA——VENICE

1796—1797

AfterahoneymoonoftendaysNapoleonreturnedtowork。AssumingcommandofthearmyofItaly，hesaid："Iamatlastinbusinessformyself。Keepyoureyesonme，Bourrienne，andyou’llwearbluegoggles。You’llhaveto，you’llbesodazzled。WewillsetoffatonceforItaly。Thearmyisinwretchedshape。Itlacksshoes，clothes，food。Itlackseverything。Idon’tthinkitevenhassense。Ifithaditwouldstrikeforlowerwages。"

"Lowerwages？"queriedBourrienne。"Youmeanhigher，don’tyou？"

"NotI，"saidBonaparte。"Theycouldn’tcollecthigherwages，butiftheirpaywasreducedtheymightgetitonceinawhile。Wecanchangeallthis，however，byinvadingItaly。Italyhasallthingstoburn，fromstatuarytoLeghornhats。InthreemonthsweshallbeatMilan。Therewecanatleastprovideourselveswithfinecollectionsofoil—paintings。Meantimeletthearmyfeedonhopeandwrapthemselvesinmeditation。It’spoorstuff，butthere’splentyofit，andit’scheap。Onholidaysgivethepoorfellowsextrarations，andifhopedoesnotsustainthem，cheerthemupwithpromisesofdrink。

TellthemwhenwegettoItalytheycandrinkinthesceneryinunstintedmeasure，andmeanwhilekeepthebandplayingmerrily。

There’snothinglikemusictodriveawayhunger。Iunderstandthatthelamentedking’sappetitewasseriouslyaffectedbytheMarseillaise。"

Tohissoldiershespokewithequalvigor。

"Soldiers，"hesaid，"sartoriallyspeaking，youareapoorlot；butFrancedoesnotwantatailor—madearmyatthisjuncture。Wearenotabouttogoondressparade，butintogrim—visagedwar，andthepatchesonyourtrousers，ifyoupresentaboldfronttotheenemy，needneverbeseen。Youarealsohungry，butsoamI。Ihavehadnobreakfastforfourhours。TheRepublicowesyoumuch；butmoneyisscarce，andyoumustwhistleforyourpay。Theemigreshavegoneabroadwithallthecirculatingmediumtheycouldlaytheirhandson，andtheGovernmenthasmuchdifficultyinmaintainingthegoldreserve。Formypart，Ipreferfightingforglorytowhistlingformoney。Fightingisthebetterprofession。Youaremen。Leavewhistlingtoboys。FollowmeintoItaly，wheretherearefertileplains——plainsfromwhosepregnantsoiltheolivespringsattherateofamillionbottlesayear，plainsthroughwhoselovelylengthsthereflowriversofChianti。FollowmetoItaly，wherethereareopulenttownswithclothing—storesoneveryblock，andchurchesgalore，withtheirpoor—boxesburstingwithgold。Soldiers，canyouresistthealluringprospect？"

"Vivel’Empereur!"criedthearmy，withonevoice。

Napoleonfrowned。

"Soldiers!"hecried，"Rememberthis：youaremakinghistory；

therefore，praybeaccurate。IamnotyetEmperor，andyouareguiltyofananachronismofamostembarrassingsort。Somemenmakehistoryinawarmroomwithpenandink，aidedbyguide—booksandcollectionsofanecdotes。Leaveanachronismsandinaccuraciestothem。Forourselves，wemustcarveitoutwithourswordsandcannon；wemustrubricateourpageswithourgore，andpunctuateourperiodswithourbayonets。Letitnotbesaidbyfutureagesthatweheldourresponsibilitieslightlyandwerecarelessoffacts，andtothatenddon’trefertomeasEmperoruntilyouaremorefamiliarwithdates。WhenwehavefinishedwithItalyI’lltakeyoutothelandwheredatesgrow。Meanwhile，resteztranquille，astheysayinFrench，andbreathealltheairyouwant。Francecanaffordyouthatinunstintedmeasure。"

"ViveBonaparte!"criedthearmy，takingtherebukeingoodpart。

"Nowyou’reshouting，"saidNapoleon，withasmile。"You’reagoodarmy，andifyoustickbymeyou’llweardiamonds。"

"Wehaveforgottenonething，"saidBarrasafewdayslater，ontheeveofNapoleon’sdeparture。"Wehaven’tanycasusbelli。"

"What’sthat？"saidNapoleon，whohadbeensobusywithhispreparationsthathehadforgottenmostofhisGreekandLatin。

"Causeforwar，"saidBarras。"Wherewereyoueducated？IfyouaregoingtofighttheItaliansyou’vegottohavesomeprincipletofightfor。"

"That’spreciselywhatwearegoingtofightfor，"saidNapoleon。

"We’reabankruptpeople。We’regoingtogetsomeprincipaltosetusupinbusiness。WemaybeabletofloatsomebondsinVenice。"

"True，"returnedBarras；"butthat，afterall，ismerehighwayrobbery。"

"Well，allI’vegottosay，"retortedNapoleon，withasneer——"allI’vegottosayisthatifyourDirectorycan’tfindsomethingintheattitudeofItalytowardstheRepublictotakeoffenceat，thesooneritgoesoutofbusinessthebetter。I’llleavethatquestionentirelytoyoufellowsatParis。Ican’tdoeverything。Youlookafterthecasus，andI’lltakecareofthebelli。"

Thisplanwasadopted。TheDirectory，afterdiscussingvariouscausesforaction，finallydecidedthatanattackonItalywasnecessaryforthreereasons。First，becausethealliancebetweenthekingsofSardiniaandAustriawasamenacetotheRepublic，andmustthereforebebroken。Second，theAustriansweretooneartheRhineforFrance’scomfort，andmustbedivertedbeforetheyhaddrunkallthewineofthecountry，ofwhichtheFrenchwereveryfond；and，third，HisHolinessthePopehadtakenlittleinterestinthenowinfidelFrance，andmustthereforebehumiliated。Thesewerethereasonsforthewarsettleduponbythegovernment，andastheywereassatisfactorytoNapoleonasanyothers，hegavetheorderwhichsetthearmyofItalyinmotion。

"Howshallwego，General？"askedAugereau，oneofhissubordinates。

"OvertheAlps？"

"Notthistime，"returnedNapoleon。"Itistoocold。Thearmyhasnoear—tabs。We’llskirttheAlps，andmaybetheskirtwillmakethemwarmer。"

Thisthearmyproceededatoncetodo，andwithinamonththefirstobjectofthewarwasaccomplished。

TheSardiniankingwascrushed，andthearmyfounditselfinpossessionoffood，drink，andclothestoasurfeit。Bonaparte’sprideathissuccesswasgreatbutnotover—weening。

"Soldiers!"hecried，"youhavedonewell。SohaveI。HannibalcrossedtheAlps。Wedidn’t；butwegotherejustthesame。Youhaveprovidedyourselveswithfoodandclothes，anddeclaredadividendfortheTreasuryofFrancewhichwillenabletheDirectorytobuyitselfanewhatthroughwhichtoaddressthepeople。Youhavereasontobeproudofyourselves。Patyourselvesonyourbackswithmycompliments，butrememberonething。OurticketsaretoMilan，andnostop—oversareallowed。Therefore，donotasyetrelaxyourefforts。Milanisanimperialcity。Theguide—bookstellusthatitscathedralisabeauty，theplaceisfullofpictures，andtheopera—housefinishedin1779isthelargestintheworld。Itcanbedoneintwodays，andthehotelsaregood。Canyou，therefore，sleephere？"

"No，no!"criedthearmy。

"Then，"criedNapoleon，tighteninghisreinsandliftinghishorseontoitshind—legsandholdinghisswordaloft，"AMilan!"

"Howlikeastatuehelooks，"saidLannes，admiringly。

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