memoirs of napoleon bonaparte, v8-第4章
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he wholly disregarded； compelling me to give up everything； even to the
greatest trifle。 It may be right to say that on his return the Emperor
found his table covered with information respecting my conduct in Paris；
though I had not held the smallest communication with any one in the
capital； nor once entered it during his absence。
After my departure for Hamburg； Bonaparte took possession of my stables
and coach…house； which he filled with horses。 Even the very avenues and
walks were converted into stabling。 A handsome house at the entrance to
the park was also appropriated to similar purposes； in fact； he spared
nothing。 Everything was done in the true military style； I neither had
previous intimation of the proceedings nor received any remuneration for
my loss。 The Emperor seemed to regard the property as his own； but
though he all but ordered me to make the purchase； he did not furnish the
money that was paid for it。 In this way it was occupied for more than
four years。
The recollection of those arbitrary and vexatious proceedings on the part
of Bonaparte has led me farther than I intended。 I shall therefore
return to the imperial residence of St。 Cloud。 On leaving the audience…
chamber； as already stated； I repaired to the apartments of the Empress；
who； knowing that I was in the Palace； had intimated her wishes for my
attendance。 No command could have been more agreeable to me； for every
one was certain of a gracious reception from Josephine。 I do not
recollect which of the ladies in waiting was in attendance when my name
was announced； but she immediately retired； and left me alone with
Josephine。 Her recent elevation had not changed the usual amenity of her
disposition。 After some conversation respecting the change in her
situation； I gave her an account of what had passed between the Emperor
and myself。
I faithfully related all that he had said of Moreau； observing that at
one moment I imagined he was about to speak of the Due d'Enghien； when he
suddenly reverted to what he had been saying； and never made the
slightest allusion to the subject。
Madame Bonaparte replied to me； 〃Napoleon has spoken the truth respecting
Moreau。 He was grossly deceived by those who believed they could best
pay their court to him by calumniating that general。 His silence on the
subject of the Due d'Enghien does not surprise me； he says as little
respecting it as possible； and always in a vague manner； and with
manifest repugnance。 When you see Bonaparte again be silent on the
subject； and should chance bring it forward； avoid every expression in
the smallest degree indicative of reproach； he would not suffer it； you
would ruin yourself for ever in his estimation； and the evil is； alas！
without remedy。 When you came to Malmaison I told you that I had vainly
endeavoured to turn him from his fatal purpose； and how he had treated
me。 Since then he has experienced but little internal satisfaction； it
is only in the presence of his courtiers that he affects a calm and
tranquil deportment； but I perceive his sufferings are the greater from
thus endeavouring to conceal them。 By the by； I forgot to mention that
he knew of the visit you paid me on the day after the catastrophe。 I
dreaded that your enemies； the greater number of whom are also mine；
might have misrepresented that interview； but； fortunately； he paid
little attention to it。 He merely said； 'So you have seen Bourrienne？
Does he sulk at me？ Nevertheless I must do something for him。' He has
again spoken in the same strain； and repeated nearly the same expressions
three days ago； and since he has commanded your presence to…day； I have
not a doubt but he has something in view for your advantage。〃〃 May I
presume to inquire what it is？〃〃I do not yet know； but I would
recommend to you； in the meantime； to be more strictly on your guard than
ever； he is so suspicious； and so well informed of all that is done or
said respecting himself。 I have suffered so much since I last saw you；
never can I forget the unkind manner in which he rejected my entreaties！
For several days I laboured under a depression of spirits which greatly
irritated him； because he clearly saw whence it proceeded。 I am not
dazzled by the title of Empress； I dread some evil will result from this
step to him； to my children； and to myself。 The miscreants ought to be
satisfied； see to what they have driven us！ This death embitters every
moment of my life。 I need not say to you； Bourrienne； that I speak this
in confidence。〃〃You cannot doubt my prudence。〃〃 No； certainly not；
Bourrienne。 I do not doubt it。 My confidence in you is unbounded。 Rest
assured that I shall never forget what you have done for me； under
various circumstances； and the devotedness you evinced to me on your
return from Egypt。Adieu； my friend。 Let me see you soon again。〃
It was on the 14th of June 1804 that I had this audience of the Emperor；
and afterwards attended the Empress。
On my return home I spent three hours in making notes of all that was
said to me by these two personages； and the substance of these notes I
have now given to the reader。
CHAPTER XXVIII。
1804。
Curious disclosures of FoucheRemarkable words of Bonaparte
respecting the protest of Louis XVIIISecret document inserted in
the MoniteurAnnouncement from Bonaparte to RegnierFouche
appointed Minister of PoliceError of Regnier respecting the
conspiracy of GeorgesUndeserved praise bestowed on Fouche
Indication of the return of the BourbonsVariation between the
words and conduct of BonaparteThe iron crownCelebration of the
14th of JulyChurch festivals and loss of timeGrand ceremonial at
the InvalidesRecollections of the 18th BrumaireNew oath of the
Legion of HonourGeneral enthusiasmDeparture for BoulogneVisits
to Josephine at St。 Cloud and MalmaisonJosephine and Madame de
RemusatPardons granted by the EmperorAnniversary of the 14th of
JulyDeparture for the camp of BoulogneGeneral error respecting
Napoleon's designsCaesar's TowerDistribution of the crosses of
the Legion of HonourThe military throneBonaparte's charlatanism
Intrepidity of two English sailorsThe decennial prizes and the
Polytechnic SchoolMeeting of the Emperor and EmpressFirst
negotiation with the Holy SeaThe Prefect of Arras and Comte Louis
de NarbonneChange in the French Ministry。
Louis XVIII。； being at Warsaw when he was informed of the elevation of
Napoleon to the Imperial dignity； addressed to the sovereigns of Europe a
protest against that usurpation of his throne。 Fouche； being the first
who heard of this protest； immediately communicated the circumstance to
the Emperor； observing that doubtless the copies would be multiplied and
distributed amongst the enemies of his Government； in the Faubourg St。
Germain； which might produce the worst effects； and that he therefore
deemed it his duty to inform him that orders might be given to Regnier
and Real to keep a strict watch over those engaged in distributing this
document。
〃You may judge of my surprise；〃 added Fouche； 〃you who know so well that
formerly the very mention of the Bourbons rendered Bonaparte furious；
when； after perusing the protest； he returned it to me； saying； 'Ah； ah；
so the Comte de Lille makes his protest！ Well； well； all in good time。
I hold my right by the voice of the French nation； and while I wear a
sword I will maintain it！ The Bourbons ought to know that I do not fear
them； let them； therefore； leave me in tranquillity。 Did you say that
the fools of the Faubourg St。 Germain would multiply the copies of this
protest of Comte de Lille？ well； they shall read it at their ease。 Send
it to the Moniteur； Fouche； and let it be inserted to…morrow morning。'〃
This passed on the 30th of June； and the next day the protest of Louis
XVIII。 did actually appear in that paper。
Fouche was wholly indifferent respecting the circulation of this protest；
he merely wished to show the Emperor that he was better informed of
passing events than Regnier； and to afford Napoleon another proof of the
inexperience and inabil
