memoirs of napoleon bonaparte, v8-第7章
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same form of oath which he had pronounced at the Hotel des Invalides a
few days before。 It was the signal for a general burst of enthusiasm；
and Rapp； alluding to this ceremony； told me that he never saw the
Emperor appear more pleased。 How could he be otherwise？ Fortune then
seemed obedient to his wishes。 A storm came on during this brilliant
day； and it was apprehended that part of the flotilla would have
suffered。
Bonaparte quitted the hill from which he had distributed the crosses and
proceeded to the port to direct what measures should be taken； when upon
his arrival the storm
＇The following description of the incident when Napoleon nearly
occasioned the destruction of the Boulogne flotilla was forwarded to
the 'Revue Politique et Litteraire' from a private memoir。 The
writer； who was an eye…witness； says
One morning； when the Emperor was mounting his horse； he announced
that he intended to hold a review of his naval forces； and gave the
order that the vessels which lay in the harbour should alter their
positions； as the review was to be held on the open sea。 He started
on his usual ride； giving orders that everything should be arranged
on his return； the time of which be indicted。 His wish was
communicated to Admiral Bruix； who responded with imperturbable
coolness that he was very sorry； but that the review could not take
place that day。 Consequently not a vessel was moved。 On his return
back from his ride the Emperor asked whether all was ready。 He was
told what the Admiral had said。 Twice the answer had to be repeated
to him before he could realise its nature； and then； violently
stamping his foot on the ground； he sent for the Admiral。 The
Emperor met him halfway。 With eyes burning with rage； he exclaimed
in an excited voice； 〃Why have my orders not been executed？〃 With
respectful firmness Admiral Bruix replied； 〃Sire； a terrible storm
is brewing。 Your Majesty may convince yourself of it； would you
without need expose the lives of so many men？〃 The heaviness of the
atmosphere and the sound of thunder in the distance more than
justified the fears of the Admiral。 〃Sir； said the Emperor； getting
more and more irritated； 〃I have given the orders once more； why
have they not been executed？ The consequences concern me alone。
Obey！〃 'Sire； I will not obey；' replied the Admiral。 〃You are
insolent！〃 And the Emperor； who still held his riding…whip in his
hand； advanced towards the admiral with a threatening gesture。
Admiral Bruix stepped back and put his hand on the sheath of his
sword and said； growing very pale； 〃sire； take care！〃 The whole
suite stood paralysed with fear。 The Emperor remained motionless
for some time； his hand lifted up； his eyes fixed on the Admiral；
who still retained his menacing attitude。 At last the Emperor threw
his whip on the floor。 M。 Bruix took his hand off his sword； and
with uncovered head awaited in silence the result of the painful
scene。 Rear…Admiral Magon was then ordered to see that the
Emperor's orders were instantly executed。 〃As for you； sir；〃 said
the Emperor； fixing his eyes on Admiral Bruix； you leave Boulogne
within twenty…four hours and depart for Holland。 Go！〃 M。 Magon
ordered the fatal movement of the fleet on which the Emperor had
insisted。 The first arrangements had scarcely been made when the
sea because very high。 The black sky was pierced by lightning； the
thunder rolled and every moment the line of vessels was broken by
the wind； and shortly after； that which the Admiral had foreseen
came to pass； and the most frightful storm dispersed the vessels in
each a way that it seamed impossible to save them。 With bent head；
arms crossed； and a sorrowful look in his face； the Emperor walked
up and down on the beach； when suddenly the most terrible cries were
heard。 More than twenty gunboats filled with soldiers and sailors
were being driven towards the shore； and the unfortunate men were
vainly fighting against the furious waves； calling for help which
nobody could give them。 Deeply touched by the spectacle and the
heart…rending cries and lamentations of the multitude which had
assembled on the beach； the Emperor； seeing his generals and
officers tremble with horror； attempted to set an example of
devotion； and； in spite of all efforts to keep him back； he threw
himself into a boat； saying； 〃Let me go！ let me go！ they must be
brought out of this。〃 In a moment the boat was filled with water。
The waves poured over it again and again； and the Emperor was
drenched。 One wave larger than the others almost threw him
overboard and his hat was carried sway。 Inspired by so much
courage； officers； soldiers； seamen； and citizens tried to succour
the drowning； some in boats； some swimming。 But； alas！ only a small
number could be saved of the unfortunate men。 The following day
more than 200 bodies were thrown ashore； and with them the hat of
the conqueror of Marengo。 That sad day was one of desolation for
Boulogne and for the camp。 The Emperor groaned under the burden of
an accident which he had to attribute solely to his own obstinacy。
Agents were despatched to all parts of the town to subdue with gold
the murmurs which ware ready to break out into a tumult。＇
ceased as if by enchantment。 The flotilla entered the port safe and
sound and he went back to the camp； where the sports and amusements
prepared for the soldiers commenced； and in the evening the brilliant
fireworks which were let off rose in a luminous column； which was
distinctly seen from the English coast。 ＇It appears that Napoleon was
so well able to cover up this fiasco that not even Bourrienne ever heard
the true story。 D。W。＇
When he reviewed the troops he asked the officers； and often the
soldiers； in what battles they had been engaged； and to those who had
received serious wounds he gave the cross。 Here； I think； I may
appropriately mention a singular piece of charlatanism to which the
Emperor had recourse； and which powerfully contributed to augment the
enthusiasm of his troops。 He would say to one of his aides decamp；
〃Ascertain from the colonel of such a regiment whether he has in his
corps a man who has served in the campaigns of Italy or the campaigns of
Egypt。 Ascertain his name； where he was born； the particulars of his
family； and what he has done。 Learn his number in the ranks； and to what
company he belongs； and furnish me with the information。〃
On the day of the review Bonaparte； at a single glance； could perceive
the man who had been described to him。 He would go up to him as if he
recognised him； address him by his name； and say； 〃Oh！ so you are here！
You area brave fellowI saw you at Aboukirhow is your old father？
What！ have you not got the Cross？ Stay； I will give it you。〃 Then the
delighted soldiers would say to each other； 〃You see the Emperor knows us
all； he knows our families； he knows where we have served。〃 What a
stimulus was this to soldiers； whom he succeeded in persuading that they
would all some time or other become Marshals of the Empire！
Lauriston told me； amongst other anecdotes relating to Napoleon's sojourn
at the camp at Boulogne； a remarkable instance of intrepidity on the part
of two English sailors。 These men had been prisoners at Verdun； which
was the most considerable depot of English prisoners in France at the
rupture of the peace of Amiens。 They effected their escape from Verdun；
and arrived at Boulogne without having been discovered on the road；
notwithstanding the vigilance with which all the English were watched
They remained at Boulogne for some time； destitute of money； and without
being able to effect their escape。 They had no hope of getting aboard a
boat； on account of the strict watch that was kept upon vessels of every
kind。 These two sailors made a boat of l
