napoleon bonaparte, v10-第1章
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RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PRIVATE LIFE OF NAPOLEON； V10
BY CONSTANT
PREMIER VALET DE CHAMBRE
TRANSLATED BY WALTER CLARK
1895
CONTENTS：
CHAPTER VIII。 to CHAPTER XIV。
CHAPTER VIII。
During the whole Russian campaign； the Emperor was nearly always badly
lodged。 It was necessary； however； to accommodate himself to
circumstances； though this was a somewhat difficult task to those who
were accustomed to lodge in palaces。 The Emperor accepted the situation
bravely； and all his followers consequently did the same。 In consequence
of the system of incendiarism adopted as the policy of Russia； the
wealthy part of the population withdrew into the country； abandoning to
the enemy their houses already ruined。 In truth； on the whole road
leading to Moscow； with the exception of a few unimportant towns； the
dwellings were very wretched； and after long and fatiguing marches； we
were very happy if we found even a hut at the place the Emperor indicated
as headquarters。 The owners of these miserable hovels on quitting them
left there sometimes two or three seats and wooden beds； in which were an
abundant supply of vermin that no invasion could drive out。 The least
filthy place was chosen； which was usually the most airy； and we knew
when the cold came； icy breezes would not fail us。 When the location had
been chosen； and we decided to halt there； a carpet was spread on the
ground； the Emperor's iron bedstead set up； and a dressing…case
containing everything necessary in a bedroom placed open on a small
table。 This case also contained a breakfast service for several persons；
which luxury was displayed when the Emperor entertained his marshals。 It
was necessary； at all events； to bring ourselves down to the habits of
the humblest citizens of the province。 If the house had two rooms； one
served as sleeping and dining room； the other for his Majesty's cabinet。
The box of books； geographical maps； the portfolio； and a table covered
with green cloth； were the entire furniture。 This was also the council
chamber； and from these beggarly huts were sent forth those prompt and
trenchant decisions which changed the order of battle and often the
fortunes of the day； and those strong and energetic proclamations which
so quickly reanimated the discouraged army。 When our residence was
composed of three rooms；an extremely rare occurrence； then the third
room； or closet； was occupied by the Prince de Neuchatel； who always
slept as near by as possible。 We often found in these wretched dwellings
old decayed furniture of singular shapes； and little images in wood or
plaster of male or female saints which the proprietors had left。
Frequently； however； we found poor people in these dwellings； who； having
nothing to save from conquest； had remained。 These good people seemed
much ashamed to entertain so badly the Emperor of the French； gave us
what they had； and were not； on that account； less badly esteemed by us。
More of the poor than rich received the Emperor into their houses； and
the Kremlin was the last of the foreign palaces in which the Emperor
slept during the Russian campaign。
When there were no houses to be found； we erected the Emperor's tent；
and； in order to divide it into three apartments curtains were hung； in
one of these apartments the Emperor slept； the next was the Emperor's
cabinet； and the third was occupied by his aides…de…camp and officers of
the service； this latter room being ordinarily used as the Emperor's
dining…room； his meals being prepared outside。 I alone slept in his
room。 Roustan； who accompanied his Majesty on horseback； slept in the
entrance room of the tent； in order that the sleep which was so necessary
to him should not be disturbed。 The secretaries slept either in the
cabinet or the entrance room。 The higher officers and those of the
service ate where and when they could； and； like the simple soldiers；
made no scruple of eating without tables。
Prince Berthier's tent was near that of the Emperor； and the prince
always breakfasted and dined with him。 They were like two inseparable
friends。 This attachment was very touching； and points of difference
rarely arose between them。 Nevertheless； there was； I think； a little
coolness between him and the Emperor at the time his Majesty left the
army of Moscow。 The old marshal wished to accompany him； but the Emperor
refused； and thereupon ensued an animated but fruitless discussion。
The meals were served on the campaign by M。 Colin； controller of the
kitchen service； and Roustan； or a bedroom servant。
During this campaign more than any other the Emperor rose often in the
night； put on his dressing…gown； and worked in his cabinet： frequently he
had insomnia； which he could not overcome； and when the bed at last
became unbearable； he sprang from it suddenly； took a book and read；
walking back and forth； and when his head was somewhat relieved lay down
again。 It was very rarely he slept the whole of two nights in
succession； but often he remained thus in the cabinet till the hour for
his toilet； when he returned to his room and I dressed him。 The Emperor
took great care of his hands； but on this campaign he many times
neglected this species of coquetry； and during the excessive heat did not
wear gloves； as they inconvenienced him so greatly。 He endured the cold
heroically； though it was easy to see he suffered much from it
physically。
At Witepsk the Emperor； finding the space in front of the house in which
he had his quarters too small to hold a review of the troops； had several
small buildings torn down in order to enlarge it。 There was a small
dilapidated chapel which it was also necessary to destroy in order to
accomplish this； and it had been already partly torn down； when the
inhabitants assembled in large numbers； and loudly expressed their
disapprobation of this measure。 But the Emperor having given his consent
to their removing the sacred objects contained in the chapel； they were
pacified； and； armed with this authority； several among them entered the
sacred place； and emerged bearing with great solemnity wooden images of
immense height； which they deposited in the other churches。
We were witnesses while in this town of a singular spectacle； and one
well calculated to shock our sense of decency。 For many days during the
intense heat we saw the inhabitants； both men and women； rushing to the
banks of the river； removing their clothing with the greatest
indifference to spectators； and bathing together； most of them nearly
naked。 The soldiers of the guard took pleasure in mingling with these
bathers of both sexes； but as the soldiers were not so decorous as the
inhabitants； and as the imprudencies committed by our men soon went too
far； these worthy people relinquished the pleasures of their bath； very
much displeased because sport was made of an exercise they had enjoyed
with so much gravity and seriousness。
One evening I was present at a grand review of the foot grenadiers of the
guard； in which all the regiments seemed to take much delight； since it
was in honor of the installation of General Friant
＇Louis Friant； born in Picardy； 1758； brigadier…general； 1794；
served on the Rhine and in Italy； accompanied Napoleon to Egypt； and
became general of division； wounded at Austerlitz （1805）； and was at
Jena and Wagram； commanded the grenadiers of the guard in Russian
campaign； and was severely wounded at Waterloo； died 1829＇
as commander of the corps。 The Emperor gave him the accolade； which was
the only occasion on which I saw this done during the campaign； and as
the general was much beloved by the army； it was amidst the acclamations
of all that he received this honor from the Emperor。
Promotions were usually welcomed by the soldiers with great enthusiasm；
for the Emperor required that they should take place with much pomp and
ceremony。
Many persons thought that to be near the Emperor was a proof of being
well provided for on the campaign。 This is a great mistake； as even the
kings and princes who accompanied his Majesty on his campaigns could
easily prove； a
