ay
Gornell University Library
Ithaca, New York
LIBRARY OF
LEWIS BINGLEY WYNNE
A.B..A.M.,COLUMBIAN COLLEGE,'71.°73
WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE GIFT OF
MRS. MARY A. WYNNE
AND
JOHN H. WYNNE
CORNELL ‘98
1922
iii
NAPOLEON IN GERMANY
NAPOLEON AND
THE QUEEN OF PRUSSIA
An Historical Novel
BY
L. MUHLBACH, ,
R OF MARIE, ANTOIN! J BERLIN AND SANS-SOUC
K THE GREAT AND HIS FAMILY, ETC.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY
F. JORDAN
NEW YORK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1899
Copvricr, 1867, 1893, I
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY.
CHAPTER
i.
II.
III.
IV.
Vv.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Xx.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XXII.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
CONTENTS,
BOOK I.
Ferdinand von Schill,
The German Song,
The Oath of Vengeance,
In Berlin,
Quiet is the Giizen? 8 First Due
The Faithful People of Stettin,
The Queen’s Flight, .
Napoleon in Potsdam,
Sans-Souci, "
Napoleon’s Entry into Berlin,
Napoleon and Talleyrand,
The Princess von Hatzfeld,
The Suppliant Princes,
Triumph and Defeat,
The Victoria of Brandenburg Gate,
BOOK II.
The Treaty of Charlottenburg,
The Secret Council of State,
Baron von Stein,
The Queen at the Peasant’s Coltazs,
Count Pickler, ;
The Patriot’s Death,
Peace Negotiations,
The Slanderous Articles, .
The Justification, a
Countess Mary Walewska,
The Dantzic Chocolate,
BOOK III.
Tilsit.—Napoleon and Alexander,
Queen Louisa, . . : 7
dit
. 152
- 172
. 191
- 205
PAGE
11
19
32
39
45
54
64
70
82
93
- 108
118
. 122
132
. 187
144
161
181
197
218
- 228
235
. 246
lv
CHAPTER
XXIX.
XXX.
XXXTI.
XXXII.
AXXITI.
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
XXXVII.
XXXVI.
XXXIX.
XL.
XLI.
XLII.
XLITI.
XLIV.
XLV.
XLVI.
XLVII.
XLVIII.
XLIX.
A,
LI.
Ex,
Lill.
LIV.
LV.
LVI.
LVII,
CONTENTS.
Bad Tidings,
Queen Louisa and choleans,
BOOK IV.
Baron von Stein,
The Patriot,
Johannes von Miller,
The Call,
Financial Calamities,
Prince William,
The Genius of Prussia, .
A Family Dinner,
BOOK V.
French Erfurt,
The Conspirators,
The Festivities of Erfurt aiid Wiktwion:
Napoleon and Goethe,
The Chase and the Assassins,
BOOK VI.
The War with Austria,
Josephine’s Farewell,
Ferdinand von Schill,
Schill takes the Field,
Schill’s Death,
The Parade at Scioabnuan,
Napoleon at Schénbrunn, .
Frederick Staps,
An Execution,
BOOK VII.
Homeward Bound,
The Emperor Francis and Mettaauch:
The Archduchess Maria Louisa,
The Queen’s Birthday,
Louisa’s Death,
PAGE
252
. 261
274
» 280
289
. 800
309
- 318
326
« 335
347
. 358
367
. 376
381
. 390
396
- 408
419
427
435
. 440
448
. 456
466
» 472
478
. 487
499
NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I.
FERDINAND VON SCHILL.
Prorounp silence reigned in the valleys and gorges of
Jena and Auerstadt. The battles were over. The victorious
French had marched to Jena to repose for a few days, while
the defeated Prussians had fled to Weimar, or were wandering
across the fields and in the mountains, anxiously seeking for
inaccessible places where they might conceal their presence
from the pursuing enemy. .
A panic had seized the whole army. All presence of mind
and sense of honor seemed to be lost. Every one thought
only of saving his life, and of escaping from the conquer-
ing arms of the invincible French. Mere and there, it is
true, officers succeeded by supplications and remonstrances
in stopping the fugitives, and in forming them into small
detachments, with which the commanders attempted to join
the defeated and retreating main force.
But where was this main army? Whither had the Prince
of Hohenlohe directed his vanquished troops? Neither the
officers nor the soldiers knew. They marched along the high-
roads, not knowing whither to direct their steps. But as soon
as their restless eyes seemed to discern French soldiers at a
distance, the Prussians took to their heels, throwing their
muskets away to relieve their flight, and surrendering at dis-
cretion when there was no prospect of escape. In one in-
stance a troop of one hundred Prussians surrendered to four
French dragoons, who conducted their prisoners to headquar-
ters; and once a large detachment hailed in a loud voice a
few mounted grenadiers, who intended perhaps to escape
2 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
from their superior force, and gave the latter to und erstand,
by signals and laying down their arms, that they only wished
to surrender and deliver themselves to the French.
The Prussians had reached Jena and Auerstadt confident
of victory, and now had left the battle-field to carry the terri-
ble tidings of their defeat, like a host of ominously croaking
ravens, throughout Germany.
The battle-field, on which a few hours previously Death
had walked in a triumphant procession, and felled thousands
and thousands of bleeding victims to the ground, was now
entirely deserted. Night had thrown its pall over the hor-
rors of this Calvary of Prussian glory: the howling storm
alone sang a requiem to the unfortunate soldiers, who, with
open wounds and features distorted with pain, lay in endless
rows on the blood-stained ground.
At length the night of horror is over—the storm dies away
—the thick veil of darkness is rent asunder, and the sun of a
new day arises pale and sad ; pale and sad he illuminates the
battle-field, reeking with the blood of so many thousands.
What a spectacle! How many mutilated corpses lie pros-
trate on the ground with their dilated eyes staring at the sky
—and among them, the happy, the enviable! how many
living, groaning, bleeding men, writhing with pain, unable to
raise their mutilated bodies from the gory bed of torture and
death!
The sun discloses the terrible picture hidden by the pall of
night; it illuminates the faces of the stark dead, but awakens
the living and suffering, the wounded and bleeding, from
their benumbed slumber, and recalls them to consciousness
and the dreadful knowledge of their wretched existence.
With consciousness return groans and wuils ; and the dread-
ful conviction of their wretched existence opens their lips,
and wrings from them shrieks of pain and despair.
How enviable and blissful sleep the dead whose wounds
bleed and ache no longer! How wretched and pitiable are
the living as they lie on the ground, tortured by the wounds
which the howling night wind has dried so that they bleed
no more! Those poor deserted ones in the valley and on the
hills the sun has awakened, and the air resounds with their
moans and cries and despairing groans, and heart-rending
entreaties for relief. But no retief comes to them; no cheer-
ful voice replies to their wails. Hundreds, perhaps thon-
sands, had been placed in the ambulances, and, during the
sudden panic, the surgeons had left the battle-field with them.
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 3
But hundreds, nay thousands, remained behind, and with no
one to succor them!
From among the crowds of wounded and dead lying on the
battle-field of Auerstadt, rose up now an officer, severely in-
jured in the head and arm. The sun, which had aroused
him from the apathetic exhaustion into which he had sunk
from loss of blood and hunger, now warmed his stiffened limbs,
and allayed soniewhat the racking pain in his wounded right
arm, and the bleeding gash in his forehead. He tried to
extricate himself from under the carcass of his horse, that
pressed heavily on him, and felt delighted as he succeeded in
loosing his foot from the stirrup, and drawing it from under
the steed. Holding with his uninjured left arm to the saddle,
he raised himself slowly. The effort caused the blood to
' trickle in large drops from the wound in his forehead, which
he disregarded under the joyful feeling that he had risen
again from his death-bed, and that he was still living and
breathing. For a moment he leaned faint and exhausted
against the horse as a couch; and feeling a burning thirst, a
devouring hunger, his dark, flaming eyes wandered around as
if seeking for a refreshing drink for his parched palate, or a
piece of bread to appease his hunger.
But his eye everywhere met only stiffened corpses, and the
misery and horror of a deserted battle-field. He knew that
no food could be found, as the soldiers had not, for two days,
either bread or liquor in their knapsacks. Hunger had been
the ally that had paved the way for the French emperor—it
had debilitated the Prussians and broken their courage.
“T must leave the battle-field,” murmured the wounded
soldier; “I must save myself while I have sufficient strength ;
otherwise I shall die of hunger. Oh, my God, give me strength
to escape from so horrible a death! Strengthen my feet for
this terrible walk!”
He cast a single fiery glance toward heaven, one in which
his whole soul was expressed, and then set out on his walk.
He moved along slowly and with tottering steps amid the
rows of corpses, some of which were still quivering and moan-
ing, as death drew near, while others writhed and wailed with
their wounds. Unable to relieve their racking pains, and to
assist them in their boundless misery, it only remained for
him to sink down among them, or to avert his eyes, to close
his ears to their supplications, and escape with hurried steps
from this atmosphere of blood and putrefaction, in order to
rescue his own life from the clutches of death.
4 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
He hastened, therefore, but his tearful eyes greeted the
poor sufferers whom he passed on his way, and his quivering
lips muttered a prayer for them.
At length the first and most horrible part of this dreadful
field was passed, and he escaped from the chaos of the dead
and wounded. ‘That part, across which he was walking now,
was less saturated with gore, and the number of corpses scat-
tered. over it was much smaller. Here and there was the
wreck of a cannon besmeared with blood and mire, and empty
knapsacks, fragments of broken wagons and muskets, in the
utmost disorder and confusion.
“Spoils for the marauders,” whispered the wounded officer,
pressing on. “It seems they have not been here yet. God
have mercy on me, if they should come now and look on me,
too, as their spoil!”
He glanced around anxiously, and in doing so his eye be-
held an unsheathed, blood-stained sabre lying near his feet.
He made an effort to take it up regardless of the blood which,
in consequence of the effort, trickled again in larger drops
from his wounds.
“Well,” he said; in a loud and menacing voice, “I shall de-
fend my life at least to the best of my ability; the hateful
enemies shall not capture me as long as Iam alive. For-
ward, then; forward with God! He will not desert a faithful
soldier!”
And supporting himself on his sabre, as if it were a staff,
the officer walked on. Everywhere he met with the same
signs of war and destruction; everywhere he beheld corpses,
blood-stained cannon-balls, or muskets, which the fugitives
had thrown away.
“Oh, for a drop of water!” groaned the officer, while
slowly crossing the field; “my lips are parched!”
Tottering and reeling, with the aid of his sabre, and by his
firm, energetic will, and the resolution of his spirit, he suc-
ceeded once more in overcoming the weakness of his body.
He hastened on with quicker steps, and hope now lent
wings to his feet, for yonder, in the rear of the shrubbery, he
beheld a house; men were there, assistance also.
At length, after untold efforts, and a terrible struggle with
his pain and exhaustion, he reached the peasant’s house.
Looking up with longing eyes to the windows, he shouted:
“Oh, give me a drink of water! Have mercy on a wounded
soldier!”
But no voice responded; no human face appeared behind
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 5
the small green windows. Every thing remained silent and
deserted.
With a deep sigh, and an air of bitter disappointment de-
picted on his features, he murmured:
“My feet cannot carry me any farther. Perhaps my voice
was too weak, and they did not hear me. I will advance
closer to the house.”
Gathering his strength, with staggering steps he approached
and found the door only ajar; whereupon he opened it and
entered.
Within the house every thing was as silent as without; not a
human being was to be seen; not a voice replied to his shouts.
The inside of the dwelling presented a sorry spectacle. All
the doors were open; the clay floor was saturated here and
there with blood; the small, low rooms were almost empty;
only some half-destroyed furniture, a few broken jars and
other utensils, were lying about. The inmates either had fled
from the enemy, or he had expelled them from their house.
“There is no help for me,” sighed the officer, casting a de-
spairing glance on this scene of desolation. “Oh, why was it
not vouchsafed to me to die on the battle-field? Why did
not a compassionate cannon-ball have mercy on me, and give
me death on the field of honor? Then, at least, I should have
died as a brave soldier, and my name would have been honor-
ably mentioned; now Iam doomed to be named only among
the missing! Oh, it is sad and bitter to die alone, unlamented
by my friends, and with no tear of compassion from the eyes
of my queen! Oh, Louisa, Louisa, you will weep much for
your crown, for your country, and for your people, but you
will not have a tear for the poor lieutenant of your dragoons
who is dying here alone uttering a prayer for a blessing on
you! Farewell queen, may God grant you strength, and——”
His words died away; a deadly pallor overspread his fea-
tures, his head turned dizzy, and a ringing noise filled his
ears.
“Death! death!” he murmured faintly, and, with a sigh,
he fell senseless to the ground.
Every thing had become silent again in the humble house;
not a human sound interrupted the stillness reigning in the
desolate room. Only the hum ofa few flies, rushing with
their heads against the window-panes, was heard. Once a
rustling noise was heard in acorner, and a mouse glided
across the floor, its piercing, glittering eyes looked searchingly
around, and the sight of the bloody, motionless form, lying
6 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
prostrate on the floor, seemed to affright it, for it turned and
slipped away even faster than it had approached, and disap-
peared in the corner.
The sun rose higher, and shone down on the dimmed
windows of the house, reflecting their yellow outlines on the
floor, and illuminated the gold lace adorning the uniform of
the prostrate and motionless officer.
All at once the silence was broken by the approach of
hurried steps, and a loud voice was heard near at hand,
shouting:
“Ts there anybody in the house?”
Then every thing was still again. The new-comer was evi-
dently waiting for a reply. After a pause, the steps drew
nearer--now they were already in the hall; and now the tall,
slender form of a Prussian officer, with a bandaged head and
arm, appeared on the threshold of the room. When he be-
held the immovable body on the floor, his pale face expressed
surprise and compassion.
“ An officer of the queen’s dragoons!” he ejaculated, and
in the next moment he was by his side. He knelt down, and
placed his hand inquiringly on the heart and forehead of the
prostrate officer.
“He is warm still,” he murmured, “and it seems to me his
heart is yet beating. Perhaps, perhaps he only fainted from
loss of blood, just as I did before my wounds had been dressed.
Let us see.”
He hastily drew a flask from his bosom, and pouring some
of its contents into his hand, he washed with it the forehead
and temples of his poor comrade.
A slight shudder now pervaded his whole frame, and he
looked with a half-unconscious, dreamy glance into the face
of the stranger, who had bent over him with an air of heart-
felt sympathy.
“ Where am I ?” he asked, in a low, tremulous voice.
“ With a comrade,” said the other, kindly. “With a com-
panion in misfortune who is wounded, and a fugitive like you.
Iam an officer of the Hohenlohe regiment, and fought at
Jena. Since last night I have been wandering about, con-
stantly exposed to the danger of falling into the hands of
the enemy. My name is Piickler—it is a good Prussian
name. You see, therefore, it is a friend who is assisting his
poor comrade, and you need not fear any thing. Now, tell me
what I can do for you?”
“Water, water!” groaned the wounded officer, “ water!”
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 7
“You had better take some of my wine here,” said the
other; “it will quench your thirst, and invigorate you at the
same time.”
He held the flask to the lips of his comrade, and made him
sip a little of his wine.
“Now it is enough,” he said, withdrawing the flask from
his lips. “Since you have quenched your thirst, comrade,
would you not like to eat a piece of bread and some meat ?
Ah, you smile; you are surprised because I guess your wishes
and know your sufferings. You need not wonder at it, how-
ever, comrade, for I have undergone just the same torture as
you. Above all, you must eat something.”
While speaking, he had produced from his knapsack a loaf
of bread and a piece of roast chicken, and cutting a few slices
from both, placed them tenderly in the mouth of the sufferer,
looking on with smiling joy while the other moved his jaws,
slowly at first, but soon more rapidly‘and eagerly.
* Now another draught of wine, comrade,” he said, “and
then, I may dare to give you some more food. Hush! do not
say a word—it is a sacred work you are doing now, a work by
which you are just about to save a human life. You must
not, therefore, interrupt it by any superfluous protestations
of gratitude. Moreover, your words are written in your eyes,
and you cannot tell me any thing better and more beautiful
than what Iam reading therein. Drink! So! And here is
a piece of bread and a wing of the chicken. While you are
eating, I will look around in the yard and garden to find there
some water to wash your wounds.”
Without waiting for a reply, he hastily left the officer alone
with the piece of bread, the wing of the chicken, and the
flask. When he returned, about fifteen minutes later, with a
jar filled with water, the bread and meat had disappeared;
but instead of the pale, immovable, and cadaverous being, he
found seated on the floor a young man with flashing eyes, a
~ faint blush on his cheeks, and a gentle smile on his lips.
“ You have saved me,” he said, extending his hand toward
his returning comrade. “I should have died of hunger and
exhaustion, if you had not relieved me so mercifully.”
“Comrade,” said the officer, smiling, “ you have just re-
peated the same words which I addressed two hours ago to
another comrade whom I met on the retreat; or, to speak
more correctly, who found me lying in the ditch. The lucky
fellow had got a horse; he offered me a seat behind him.
But I saw that the animal was too weak to carry both of us;
8 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
hence I did not accept his offer, but I took the refreshments
which he gave to me, and with which he not only saved my
life, but yours too, You are, therefore, under no obliga-
tions to me, but to him alone.”
“You are as kind as you are generous,” said the other,
gently, involuntarily raising his hand toward his forehead.
“And I see that you are in pain,” exclaimed the officer,
“and that the wound in your head is burning. Mine has
been dressed already, and my shattered arm bandaged—for I
received both wounds yesterday in the early part of the
battle, and the surgeon attended to them while the bullets
were hissing around us.”
“J was wounded only when every thing was lost,” sighed
the other. ‘A member of the accursed imperial guard
struck me down.”
“JT hope you gave him a receipt in full for your wounds ?”
asked the officer, while.tenderly washing the wound with the
water he had brought along in the broken jar.
The other officer looked up to him with flashing eyes.
“T gave him a receipt which he has already shown to God
Himself,” he said, “provided there is a God for these ac-
cursed French. My sword cleft his skull, but I fell together
with him.”
“Your wound here in the forehead is of no consequence,”
said the officer; “the stroke only cut the skin. Let us put
this moistened handkerchief on it.”
“Oh, now I am better,” said the other; “now that the
wound burns less painfully, I feel that life is circulating
again through all my veins.”
“ And what about your arm?”
“A lancer pierced it. I hope he was kind enough not to
touch the bone, so that the arm need not be amputated.
It is true, it pains severely; but, you see, I can move it a
little, which proves that it is not shattered. Now, comrade,
do me still another favor—assist me in rising. ”
“Here, lean firmly on me. There! I will lift you up—now
you are on your legs again. Lean on me still, for you might
become dizzy.”
“No,I shall not. I feel again well and strong enough to take
the burden of life on my shoulders. Thank God! I am able
to stand again. For, however crushed and trampled under
foot we may be, we will submit to our fate manfully, and
stand erect. The conqueror and tyrant shall not succeed in
bending our heads, although he has broken our hearts. Ah,
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 9
oe that was a terrible day when all Prussia sank in
ruins!”
“You were in the thickest of the fray? The regiment of
the queen’s dragoons fought at Auerstadt, I believe ?”
“Yes, it fought at Auerstadt, or rather it did the same as
all the other regiments—it deserted. Only a few squadrons
complied with the urgent exhortations of the king, who led us
against the squares of the enemy near Hassenhausen. His
own horse was shot; we officers stood our ground, but the
dragoons ran away.* Ah, I wept with rage, and if my tears
could have been transformed into bullets, they would not
have been directed against the enemy, but against our own
cowardly dragoons. The battle would have been won if our
soldiers had not disgracefully taken to their heels. All
shouts, orders, supplications, were in vain; the soldiers were
running, although no enemy pursued them; the panic had
rendered them perfectly crazy.”
“And do you really believe, comrade, that we owe the loss
of the battle exclusively to the cowardice of the soldiers?”
asked the officer. “Did our generals do their duty? Ah,
you look gloomy, and do not reply. Then you agree with
me? Let us, however, speak of all these things afterward,
but first of ourselves. ”
“Yes, first of ourselves!” exclaimed the other, starting
from his gloomy reflections. “Count Pickler, you were kind
enough to tell me your name, when you relieved an unknown
sufferer in so humane a manner, and thereby saved his life.
Now permit me to tell you my name, too, so that you may
know at least who will always revere your memory with at-
fection and gratitude. I am Second-Lieutenant Ferdinand
von Schill. You see, it is a very humble name; still I had
solemnly vowed that it should not be unknown in the battles
that were to be fought.”
“And I see it written on your brow, comrade, that you will
at some future time make up for what fate has now pre-
vented you from accomplishing,” said Count Piickler, kindly
offering his hand to Lieutenant von Schill. “ Yet now let
us not think of the future, but of the present. We are dis-
abled, and will be helpless as soon as the wound-fever sets in;
and we may be sure that that will be to-night. We must,
therefore, find a place of refuge; for, if we remain here, with-
out assistance, and without food, we shall surely be lost.”
“You are right; we must leave this house,” said Schill;
* Historical.
2
10 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“we must try to reach a city or village. Come, let us go.
You are armed, and I have got a sabre, too. Let us go, but
previously let us swear that we will not surrender to the
French, but rather die, even should it be necessary to com-
mit suicide! You have a knife, and when you cut some
bread for me, I saw that it was very sharp. Will you give it
to me?”
“What for?”
“T want to stab myself, as soon as I see that I cannot
escape from the enemy!”
“And I? What is to become of me?”
“ Before killing myself, I will stab you with my sabre.
Will that content you?”
“Tt will. Be careful, however, to hit my heart; do not
merely wound, but kill me.”
“Ah, I see that we understand each other, and that the
same heart is pulsating in our breast!” exclaimed Schill, joy-
fully. “ Let us die, rather than be captured by the enemy
and depend on the mercy of the Corsican tyrant! Now,
comrade, let us go! For you areright; the wound-fever will
set in toward evening, and without assistance we shall be
lost. ”
“Come, ” said Pickler, “ place your uninjured arm in mine.
It seems fate has destined us for each other, for it has ruined
your right arm and my left arm; thus we can walk at least
side by side, mutually supporting ourselves. I shall be your
right hand, and you will lend me your left arm when I have
to embrace anybody. But, it is true, no one will now care for
our embrace; every one will mock and deride us, and try to
read in the bloody handwriting on our foreheads: ‘ He is also
one of the vanquished Prussians!’ ”
“Comrade, did you not tell me a little while ago, that it
would be better for us to attend to our own affairs, before
talking about other matters?”
“Tt is true; let us go!”
And, leaning on each other, the two officers left the house,
THE GERMAN SONG. 1k
CHAPTER II.
THE GERMAN SONG.
It was a sunny morning in autumn; the two wounded
officers were inhaling the bracing air in long draughts, and
their eyes were wandering over the transparent sky and the
picturesque landscape.
“And to think that my eyes would never more have seen
all this, if you had not had mercy on me!” said Schill, with
a grateful glance at his companion.
“Ah, my friend,” sighed Pickler, mournfully, “we shall
not always behold the sky and this beautiful, silent scene,
but it may easily happen that we shall see much misery to-
day, and that you will curse your eyes for being compelled
to perceive it! Still you are right—it is better to live, even in
anguish and distress, than to die in anguish and distress; for
he who lives has still a future before him, and is able to strive
in it for revenge and compensation for the past. Let us de-
scry our immediate future from the nill yonder, and there de-
cide on the direction we shall take.”
They walked toward the neighboring hill. Frequently they
had to stop on the way; frequently they sank down exhausted;
but their will and youthful energy overcame their weakness,
and finally they reached their destination: they stood on the
summit, and were able to survey the whole country for miles
around.
“Yonder, where that dreadful smoke is rising, is the
battle-field of Auerstadt!” said Schill, after a long pause,
during which they had taken breath.
“ Yes, and beyond those hills is Jena,” said Ptickler, sadly.
“Those are two melancholy names for a Prussian ear, and,
like Ulysses, I should like to close mine so as not to hear that
siren voice of death any more; for, I tell you, whenever I hear
those two names, I am driven to despair, and would like to
throw myself into that abyss!”
“ My friend, it seems to me we are already in the abyss,
and our first and most earnest endeavors should be directed
toward saving us from it,” said Schill, shrugging his shoul-
ders. “Our first step should be to get safely through the
enemy’s lines, in order to escape from the dangers to which a
12 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
collision with the French would expose us. Whither shall we
turn now? Have you formed already a definite plan, count?”
“ Being disabled from active service by my wounds, I shall
repair to my estates in Silesia, and remain there till I have
recovered. And you, comrade—will you permit me to make
you an offer ? Ifyou have not yet come toa different decision,
you ought to accompany me, and stay at my house till your
wounds are healed. I have splendid woods, and facilities for
angling on my estates; and if you like hunting and fishing,
Iam sure a sojourn at my house will afford you plenty of
amusement. ”
“But you forget that my right arm is wounded, count,”
said Schill, with a melancholy smile; “hence, I shall be but
a poor companion for you, and ought not to accept your
kind offer. I confess, moreover, that my mind is too restless,
and my heart too deeply grieved, to enjoy the peace and quiet
of country life. I must remain in the noise and turmoil of
the world, and see what will become of poor Prussia. I in-
tend going to Kolberg; the fortress is strong and impregna-
ble; it will be an insurmountable bulwark against the enemy,
and I have several intimate friends at the fortress. I will
stay with them till I am well again.”
“Our paths, then, will soon be different. You will go to
the north; I, to the east. But, for a few days, we shall still
remain together, for the wound-fever will compel us to ad-
vance very slowly. Let us look out now for a dinner, and for
a place where we may safely sleep to-night .”
“And, it seems to me, I see a prospect of obtaining both.
Yonder,” said Schill, pointing with his left hand to a small
point on the horizon. ‘‘ Do you perceive that steeple? There
1s a village, and consequently there are men; and, as it is sit-
uated northeast, it is in the right direction for both of us.”
“You are right; we will direct our steps thither,” exclaimed
Count Pickler. “May Fate be propitious to us, and keep
the French out of our path!”
They walked down the hill on the opposite side, and then
commenced crossing, arm in arm, the stubble-field that lay
stretched out before them. All around them nothing what-
ever was stirring—not a sound, not even the chirping of a
bird, or the humming of a beetle, interrupted the profound
silence; neither a house, nor any trace of human life, was to
be seen anywhere.
“Tt is as still here as the grave,” whispered Count Piickler.
“Death probably has already stalked across this field on its
THE GERMAN SONG. 13
way to Jena and Auerstadt, ” said Schill, “and for this reason
all Nature seems to hold its breath lest it should return. ”
“ But it will not return very soon, for I should think Death
itself must be exhausted by the terrible work it had to per-
form on the battle-field. Comrade, now that we know our
destination, and have arranged our affairs, we may converse
w little about the dreadful events which occurred yester-
day. You were at Auerstadt. Do you know that at Jena wo
had no knowledge whatever of the battle that was going on
at Auerstadt, and were informed of it only in the evening,
after we had been completely routed? We did not hear the
reports of your guns!”
“So it was with us, too. At Auerstadt we did not know
that a battle was being fought at Jena; the roar of our own
artillery prevented us from hearing yours. Only when the
king had sent off several orderlies to order the Prince of
Hohenlohe and General Riichel to cover our retreat, we
learned, from the chasseur who returned first, that a battle
had been fought also at Jena, and that Hohenloheand Riichel
were unable to afford us any assistance. I cannot describe to
you the dismay produced by this intelligence. Every one
thought only of saving himself; there was no longer any
obedience, sense of honor, or bravery. The generals were too
confused to issue orders, and the soldiers too frightened to
listen to their officers. ”
“ And the king ?”
“The king was evidently determined to die. His face was
livid, his lips were quivering; wherever the bullets rained down
most murderously, thither he spurred his horse. He had two
horses killed, but remained uninjured. It seems Fate was
too unmerciful toward him: it had decreed that the King of
Prussia should not die, but learn in the stern school of suf-
fering and experience what Prussia needs. ”
“ And the Duke of Brunswick—the commander-in-chief ?”
“ Ah, you do not yet know the terrible fate that befell him?
A bullet passed through his head; it entered on the right side,
and came out on the left. This happened in the early part
of the battle; the duke was brought back to Auerstadt in a
fainting condition; his wound was dressed there, and then
he was carried by some soldiers to Blankenburg. ”
“The duke is not yet dead, then, notwithstanding this ter-
rible wound ?”
“No,” said Schill, solemnly, “God would not let him die
without reaping the fruit of what he had sown. For his
14 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
mental blindness God punished him with physical blindness.
The ball destroyed both his eyes.”
“Dreadful!” muttered Count Pickler.
“You pity him?” asked Schill, harshly. “ You had better
pity the thousands who are lying on the bloody battle-fields
of Jena and Auerstadt, and accusing the duke of having
murdered them! You had better pity Prussia’s misfortunes
and disgrace, which have been brought about by the duke!
For, I tell you, the indecision, vacillation, and timidity of the
duke were the sole causes of our terrible disaster. All of us
felt and knew it. None of the younger officers and generals
had any doubt about it; every one knew that those old gen-
tlemen, who had outlived their own glory, and still believed
that they lived in the days of Frederick the Great, were un-
equal to the occasion, to the present time, and to the present
war. Because we were aware of this, we made the utmost
efforts to bring about a change of commanders. We elected
a deputation of officers, and sent them to General Kalkreuth,
for the purpose of laying our complaints and prayers before
him, and of imploring him to induce the king to deprive the
duke of his command, and to intrust it to younger and more
resolute hands. The deputation consisted of none but skil-
ful, prominent, and highly-esteemed officers, who boldly de-
clared it to be their firm conviction that the king was in
danger of losing his crown and his states, if the Duke of
Brunswick should remain at the head of the army.” *
“ And what did General Kalkreuth reply to them?”
“The general asked, in a harsh tone, for a further explana-
tion of their words, and the officers gave it to him. They
censured the duke’s idea of establishing a camp at Weimar,
and dwelt contemptuously on the reasons that might have
induced him to do so. They proved, by referring to the
whole proceedings of the duke, that he knew neither what
he was doing nor what he wanted to do; neither where he
was, nor whither he was going; and they added that, in con-
sequence of this deplorable state of affairs, the whole army
was filled with the most startling and discouraging rumors.t
But their prayers, their remonstrances, their angry denunci-
ations, and predictions, were unavailing. General Kalkreuth
could not make up his mind to represent the dangers of the
situation to the king, although he himself was just as well
satisfied of its critical character as all the younger officers of
* Vide Frederick von Gentz’s writings, edited by G. Schlesier, vol. ii.
+ Ibid., vol. ii., p. 315. 2 e Pees Bene
THE GERMAN SONG. 15
the army. And thus we were defeated, disastrously defeated
and routed, in spite of all warnings of our consciousness of
the danger, and of all predictions. ‘This time it was not the
inexperience and impetuosity of youth, but the antiquated
method and slowness of age, that brought about our ruin.”
“Yes, you are right,” sighed Count Piickler; “our old gen-
erals are the cause of our misfortunes.”
“Do you know, for instance,” asked Schill, indignantly,
“why we lost the important defile of Késen? In consequence
of the night-sweat of General von Schmettau!”
“Ah, you can jest even now!” said Piickler, sadly.
“T do not jest, by any means; on the contrary, I am in
dead earnest! The Duke of Brunswick had ordered the gen-
eral, on the day before the battle, to start early next morning
with his division, and occupy the defile of Késen. His ad-
jutant, Lieutenant von Pfuel, went repeatedly to his head-
quarters to remind him of the urgent necessity of setting out,
and to implore him to rise from his bed. ‘ But, sir,’ replied
the old general, ‘let me wait at least until my night-sweat is
gone; I understand it isa very chilly morning!’* The old
general did not rise until nine o’clock, and started at ten with
his division toward Koésen. When he reached the defile he
found that Marshal Davoust had caused it to be occupied by
a regiment of infantry scarcely an hour before. That night-
sweat of the old general has become the death-sweat of many
brave Prussians, and the gray hairs of the old chieftain will
now cause the hair of our youth to turn gray with shame and
rief,”
ons Oh, it is a terrible disgrace for us, and I hardly know how
we are to bear it in a manly and dignified manner,” said
Count Pickler, gloomily. “In these hours of melancholy only
we feel the full extent of our ardent love for our country; now
only we perceive the indissoluble ties that attach our hearts
to it! JIshould like to pour out my blood in tears for this
crushed, disgraced, and yet so dearly-beloved country, and I
feel that if we do not rise speedily from our degradation, I
shall die of despair!”
“You will not die,” said Schill, gravely, “for all of us who
love Prussia, and are devoted to her honor, must not think of
dying at the present time; all of us must assist Prussia in ris-
ing again from the dust, so that she may once more boldly meet
the tyrant, and take revenge for herself and for Germany!
For Prussia is Germany now, because she is the only power
* Vide Foérster’s ‘‘ Modern History of Prussia,” vol. i., p. 757.
16 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
in Germany that has resisted and braved the Corsican con-
queror. But God wanted first to arouse her from her arro-
gance and vanity, and make the weakness of her leading
men known to her, that she might rise after a noble regenera-
tion and with redoubled strength. Life springs from death,
and Prussia had to fall so low as to break her old decrepit
limbs that were still kept together by her glory from the
Seven Years’ War; and then the young, vigorous soldier of
the new century will arise and draw the sword to deliver his
subjugated country, and avenge its desecrated honor!”
«Then you hope still fora change for the better?” asked
Count Pickler, mournfully.
“T base my hopes on the propitious star of Prussia,” ex-
claimed Schill, enthusiastically, “on the future, on the wrath
aud grief which will awake now in all Prussian hearts, arousing
the sluggards, strengthening the vacillating, and urging the
timid. I base my hopes on the tears of Queen Louisa, which
will move Heaven to help us and awaken avengers on earth.
And, for ourselves, comrade, with our wounds, with our dis-
grace, we must be like the spirits of vengeance that sweep
across the heath in the howling storm of diversity, and
awaken the sleeper who would give way to dreams of peace
and inaction. Prussia must not make peace in her present
calamitous condition; she must fill the hearts and minds of
all with longings for war, till the whole nation arises in its
rage and expels the enemy from thecountry! My friend, we
have now witnessed the downfall of Prussia, but henceforth
we must exert ourselves in order to witness also her regen-
eration. We ourselves must be the—”
“Hush!” said Pickler, hastily. “Just look there, and
then take your sabre.”
They were’ now near a field-path leading to a small wood
which a slender youth had just left, and was hastily approach-
ing them. As yet, however, he was so far from them that they
were unable to distinguish his features or his dress, and to dis-
cern whether he was an armed soldier or a peaceable wanderer.
“Tt is, doubtless, a French soldier, and his comrades are
lying in ambush,” murmured Piickler, placing his hand on
his sword.
“Tf he wants to attack us, he had better say his death-
prayers,” said Schill, calmly. “There are two of us, and each
has one uninjured arm.”
The youth had meanwhile drawn nearer, and they saw that
he did not wear any uniform.
THE GERMAN SONG. 1?
“ He is very young,” said Pickler, “andacivilian. He has
apparently not yet seen us. That bush yonder is concealing
us from his eyes. Let us stoop a little, and, as the path lies
beyond, he may pass by without noticing us.”
They knelt down behind the bush, but, while doing so, took
their swords, and prepared for an attack. Then they held
their breath and listened.
Profound silence reigned around, and nothing was to be
heard but the quick steps of the wanderer, who drew nearer
and nearer. Suddenly this silence was interrupted by a fresh
and youthful voice, singing the air of a popular song.
“ Ah, he sings,” murmured Schill. “He who can sing to-
dey, must be very harmless, and it is not worth while to kill
im.” :
“Hush! hush! let us listen to his song. He is now sing-
ing words to the melody. Just listen!”
The voice resounded nearer and nearer to the two listeners,
and they could understand the words he was singing:
O Hermann! for thy country’s fall
No tears! Where vanquished valor bled
The victor rules, and Slavery’s pall
Upon these hills and vales is spread.
Shame burns within me, for the brave
Lie mouldering in the freeman’s grave.
No voice! where sturdy Luther spoke
Fearless for men who dared be free!
O would that Heaven’s thunder woke
My people for their liberty!
Must heroes fight and die in vain?—
Ye cowards! grasp your swords again!
Revenge! revenge! a gory shroud
To tyrants, and the slaves that yield'
Eternal honor calls aloud
For courage in the battle-field.
Who loves or fears a conquered land
That bows beneath the despot’s hand ?
And whither flee? Where Winkelried
And Tell and Ruyter bravely broke
Oppression’s power—their country freed—
All—all beneath the usurper’s yoke!
From Alpine fountains to the sea
The patriot dead alone are free.
My people! in this sorrowing night,
The clanking of your chains may be
The sign of vengeance, and the fight
Of former times the world may see,
When Hermann in that storied day
As a wild torrent cleft his way.
No idle song, O youth! thy boast.
In self-born virtue be as one
Who is himself a mighty host
By whose sole arm is victory won.
No blazoned monument so grand
As death for the dear Fatherland.
18 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
To die! how welcome to the brave!
The tomb awakes no coward fear
Save to the wretched, trembling slave
Who for his country sheds no tear.
To crown me with a fadeless wreath
Be thine, O happy, sacred death !
Come, shining sword! avenge my dead!
Alone canst thou remove this shame.
Proud ornament ! with slaughter red
Restore my native land its fame,
By night, by day, in sun or shade,
Be girt around me, trusty blade.
The trumpet on the morning gale !
Arm! forward to the bloody strife!
From loftiest mountain to the vale
Asks dying Freedom for her life.
Our standard raise, to glory given,
And higher still our hearts to Heaven.*
* This is one of Arndt’s soul-stirring, patriotic hymns, published in 1806. It is
difficult to render into readable English this species of German heroic verse so as to
preserve its ya All the thought of the original is however expressed in the
translation. The only change of any importance is the transposition of the seventh
stanza.
Keine Thrine, Hermann, fiir dein Volk ?
Keine Thrane, und die Schande brennet,
Und der Feind gebietet, wo die Freien
Siegten und fielen ?
Keine Stimme laut, wo Luther sprach ?
Alle Donner, die der Himmel sendet,
Sollten rufen: Volk erwache! feiges;
Greife zum Schwerte.
Rache! Rache! heissen, blut’gen Tod
Sklavenfiirsten und dem Knecht der fliehet!
Minnerwort gefiirchtet und gepriesen,
Mannliche Tugend!
Ach wohin ? wo Winkelried erlag,
Wilhelm schlug, und Ruyter tapfer siegte ;
Auf den héchsten Alpen, in den tiefsten
Siimpfen ist Knechtschaft.
Auch du, Hermann’s, auch du, kiihnes Volk ?
Auf ! Erwache ! Schiittle deine Ketten,
Dass die Schmach die Welt vernehme, bald auch
Blutige Rache !
Lieder helfen hier and Miler nicht.
Miler ? Tief im Herzen sei das Denkmal,
An dem Thurm der selbstgebornen Tugend
Hebe dich, Jiingling !
Und voran geworfen ktihn die Brust,
Und empor das Auge zu dem Himmel,
Hoch die Fahne ! Hoch zum Himmel! Héher
Flammende Herzen.
Tod, du siisser, ftir das Vaterland,
Siisser als der Brautgruss, als das Lallen
Auf dem Mutterschooss des ersten Kindes,
Sei mir willkommen |
Was das Lied nicht luset, lost das Schwert,
Blinkend Heil, umgiirte meine Hiiften !
Vor der Schande kannst du Tapfre retten,
Zierde der Tapfern !
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. 19°
Just when the youth had sung the last verse in a ringing
voice, he had reached the bush. And now there arose above
it two pale heads, wrapped in white, blood-stained handker-
chiefs, and sang in enthusiastic tone the last verse of the song
they had heard:
Was das Lied nicht léset, lost das Schwert!
Blinkend Heil, umgiirte meine Htiften |
Vor der Schande kannst du Tapfre retten,
Zierde der Tapfern !
CHAPTER III.
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE,
SPEECHLESS with surprise, the youth had listened to the
song, and fixed his large eyes steadfastly on the two officers,
whose uniforms and wounds revealed to him the melancholy
fute that had befallen them during the last few days.
When the two were silent, he approached them with an air
of profound respect.
“ Bravo, officers of Auerstadt or Jena,” he said, with a voice
trembling with emotion, “permit a poor young wanderer
to present his respects to you, and to thank you, in the name
of the German fatherland, for the wounds on your foreheads.
Such wounds are also an ‘ ornament of the brave.’” *
“ And such words are an ornament of a noble heart,” ex-
claimed Schill, offering his hand to the youth.
He took it with a joyful gesture, and, quickly kneeling
down, imprinted a glowing kiss on the feverish hand of the
wounded officer.
“My God!” exclaimed Schill, surprised, “what are you
doing? How can a man kiss another’s hand and kneel before
him? Rise!” :
“Tam no man,” said the youth, deeply moved. “JI am
but a poor boy, who has not yet done any thing for his coun-
try, and, perhaps, never will be able to do any thing for it,
but who ieels the most profound respect for those who were
more fortunate than he. I, therefore, kiss your hand as
Catholics kiss the hands of their saints and martyrs. For
are you not at the present hour a martyr of German liberty?
Hence, sir, give me your hand, too. Let me press my poor
* An allusion to the last line of the original song.
20 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
lips on it, also. It is the only way for me to manifest my
profound respect for you.” ;
“No,” said Count Pickler, fcelingly, “you shall not kiss
my hand, but my cheeks and my lips. Let me embrace you,
young man, let me embrace you for the boon you have con-
ferred on us by your words. Come, sir!”
The young man uttered a joyous cry, and, rising quickly,
threw himself with youthful impetuosity into the count’s
arms.
“T will and must have my share in the embrace,” exclaimed
Schill, smiling; “did not you before expressly request me,
comrade, to lend you my left arm for every embrace? Well,
then, here it is.”
He quickly wound his left arm around the necks of the
others, and pressed them firmly to his heart. When they
withdrew their arms again, tears were glistening in the eyes
of the officers as well as in those of the youth.
“Grief and adversity cause men easily to fraternize,”’ said
Schill, “and therefore we shall be brethren henceforward.”
“You will be my brethren?” exclaimed the young man,
joyfully. “You will permit the poor boy to call two heroes
brethren?”
“Teroes!” said Pickler, sighing. “Then you do not
know, my friends, that we were disgracefully defeated and
trampled under foot in yesterday’s battle?”
“T know that, but know also that the duck of battles is not
the true standard for the bravery of warriors. Yow at least
did not run, and, like true heroes, you bear your wounds on
your foreheads; your mothers, therefore, will proudly bid you
welcome; your betrothed or your wives will embrace you with
rapturous tears, and your friends will be proud of your valor.”
“Does it not seem almost as though he had heard our
mournful and despondent words, and wished to comfort us?”
asked Schill, turning to the count. “His blue eyes appar-
ently do not behold only our physical wounds, but also those
which cause our hearts to bleed, and he wishes to apply a
balm to them by his sweet, flattering words.”
“He wishes to console the poor defeated, and reconcile
them to their fate,” said Ptickler, nodding kindly to the youth,
“You have a better and more generous opinion of me than
I deserve,” he said, sadly bowing his head so as to shake its
exuberant mass of long, fair hair. “I simply told you what I
thought, and what every one who looks at both of you will and
must think.”
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. ai
“Would to God you spoke the truth, young man!” said
Count Pickler, mournfully. “Believe me, however, but tew
will think like yourself; a great many will rejoice at seeing
us defeated and humiliated.”
“Instead of bewailing us, they will deride us,” exclaimed
Schill; “instead of weeping with us, they will revile us!”
“Who will dare to do so?” exclaimed the youth, in an out-
burst of generous anger. “Do you forget, then, that you are
in Germany, and that you have shed your blood for your
country? Your German brethren will not deride you; they
will not rejoice at your sufferings; they will hope with you
for a better and more fortunate day when you will get even
with that insolent and hateful enemy, for the battles of Jena
and Auerstadt.”
“Pray to God, my young friend, that that day may speedily
dawn!” said Count Pickler, heaving a sigh.
“Pray!” ejaculated the young man, impetuously. “In
times like ours it is not sufficient to pray and to hope for di-
vine assistance; we ought rather to act and toil, and, instead
of folding our hands, arm them either with the sword or with
the dagger.”
“With the dagger?” asked Schill. “The dagger is the
weapon of assassins.”
“Was Mceros an assassin because he wanted to stab Diony-
sius the tyrant?” asked the youth. “Was he not rather a gen-
erous and high-minded man, whom our great Schiller deemed
worthy of becoming the hero of one of his finest poems?
When the fatherland is in danger, every weapon is sacred,
and every way lawful which a bold heart desires to pursue,
to deliver the country.”
“ Well, I see already that your heart will choose the right,
and not shrink back from dangers,” said Pickler, kindly.
* But, in the first place, tell us which way you are now going
to take, that we may know whether we shall be allowed to
accompany you or not.”
“JT come from Erfurt, where my parents are living,” said
the young man; “last night I was at Weimar, and now I am
going to do what I have sworn a solemn oath to my father to
do. Iam on my way to Leipsic.”
“ And may I inquire what you are going to do in Leipsic?”
The young man was silent, and a flaming blush mantled
for a moment his delicate, innocent face. “ According to my
father’s wishes, I shall become there a merchant’s appren-
tice,” he said, in a low and embarrassed voice.
22 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“ What! Feeling so generous an enthusiasm for the father-
land and its soldiers, you want to become a merchant ?” asked
Schill, in surprise.
The youth raised his blue eyes to him; they were filled
with tears.
“T am ordered to become a merchant,” he said in a low
voice. “ My father is a pious preacher, and hates and detests
warfare; he says it is sinful for men to raise their weapons
against their brethren, as though they were wild beasts,
against which you cannot defend yourself but by killing them.
My mother, in former days, became familiar with the horrors
of war; she fears, therefore, lest her only son should fall
prey to them, and wishes to protect him from such a fate.
With bitter tears, with folded hands, nay, almost on her
knees, she implored me to desist from my purpose of becoming
a soldier, and not to break her heart with grief and anguish.
My mother begged and wept, my father scolded and threat-
ened, and thus I was obliged to yield and be a dutiful son.
Three days ago my father administered the sacrament to me,
and I swore an oath to him at the altar to remain faithful to
the avocation he had selected for me, and never to become a
soldier !””
He paused, and the tears which had filled his eyes rolled
like pearls over his cheeks.
“Poor friend!” murmued Pickler.
“Poor brother!” said Schill, indignantly. “To be doomed
to wield the yardstick in place of the sword! How can a
father be so cruel as to make his son take such a pledge at
the present time?”
“My father is not cruel,” said the youth, gently; “his only
aim is my happiness, but he wishes to bring it about in his
own way, and not in mine. It behooves a son to yield and
obey. Accordingly, I shall not become a soldier, but God
knows whether it will be conducive to my happiness. Many
a one has already been driven to commit a crime by his de-
spair at having chosen an unsuitable uvocation. But let us
speak no more of myself,” he added, shaking his head indig-
nantly, as if he wanted to drive the tears from his eyes; “let
us speak no more of my petty, miserable grief, but of your
great sorrow, which all Germany shares with you. You
know now every thing concerning my affairs, and it only re-
mains for me to mention my name. It is Staps; ‘ Frederick
Staps’ will be my firm one day, if I should live to see it. ”
“ Your name is Frederick, like that of Prussia’s great king,”
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. 23
said Schill, comfortingly, “and who knows whether you will
not one day become a great soldier like him?”
“Bat I have told you already that I have sworn at the altar
never to become a soldier,” said Frederick Staps, sighing.
“T shall never break the oath I have sworn to my father,
nor the one either which I have sworn to myself!”
“The oath that you will become a good and honest man, I
suppose ?” asked Pickler.
“It is unnecessary to take such an oath, because that is a
matter of course,” said Frederick Staps, quickly. “I swore
another oath, but nobody but God must know it. When the
time has come, you shall be informed of it. Do not forget
my name, and when you hear from me one day, remember
this hour and the tears you saw me shed for being compelled
to choose an avocation that is repugnant to me.”
“ Avid in order to remember us, you must know who we
are,” exclaimed Count Piickler, stating his name.
“And my name is Schill,” said the lieutenant. “ We fought
at Auerstadt and Jena, and are now wandering about, and
seeking for a place where we may spend the coming night.”
“You will find it in the village in the rear of the wood,”
said Frederick Staps. “Come, I will guide you back to the vil-
lage and to the country parson, to whom I have on my way
just presented my father’s respects. He is a good and generous
man. You will be kindly received and nursed by him and
his wife; and if French soldiers should come to his house,
he would not betray, but conceal you.”
“Oh, what delightful words you have just uttered!” ex-
claimed Schill, joyously. “ Blessed be your lips which have an-
nounced to us that we shall be saved, for, let me tell you, we
should prefer death to French captivity!”
“T understand that,” said Frederick Staps, quietly. “Come,
I will guide you thither.”
“ And we accept your offer, as friends ought to accept that
of a friend,” said Count Piickler. “ We do not say: ‘ We cause
you trouble and loss of time; let us therefore try to find our
way alone;’ but we say: ‘In these days of affliction we are all
brethren, and we must rely on each other’s assistance.’
Come, therefore, brother, and be our guide.”
They walked slowly toward the small wood from which
Staps had issued. : ;
“You stated you had been in Weimar, and spent a night
there,” asked Count Piickler. ‘“ How does the place look—
what do people say, and who is there?”
24 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Tt looks like a pandemonium,” replied Staps. “ Noth-
ing is to be heard but curses, shouts, threats, and screams:
nothing to be seen but faces pale with terror, and fleeing from
the pursuing soldiers. The streets are crowded with men,
wagons, and horses. The inhabitants want to leave the city;
they know not whither to escape, and are forced back at the
gates by French soldiers making their entry, or by vehicles
filled with wounded.”
“ And how is it at the palace? The duchess has fled from
the wrath of the conqueror, I suppose?”
“No, the duchess has remained to beg Napoleon to have
mercy on her state and her husband. ”
“ But is Napoleon already in Weimar?”
“Yes; hecame over from Jena this morning. The duchess
received him at the foot of the palace staircase, and did not
avert her eyes from his angry and haughty glances, but looked
at him with the proud calmness of a noble German lady.
‘You have not fled, then?’ asked Napoleon, harshly. ‘Then
you do not fear my anger at the senseless and hostile conduct
of your husband?’ The duchess looked quietly at him. ‘You
see, Sire, I have remained because I have confided in your gen-
erosity, and wished to intercede for my husband and my
people.’ Napoleon looked at her during a long pause, and
her quiet dignity seemed to impress him very favorably.
“That was well done,’ he said at last, ‘and for your sake, and
because you have reposed confidence in me, I will forgive
your husband.’* I do not know what occurred afterward, for
I left the palace when Napoleon had retired to the rooms
reserved for his personal use. My cousin, who is lady’s maid
of the duchess, told me what I have just related to you.”
“And you did not hear any thing about our king and his
consort?”
“ Both are said to be on the way to Magdeburg, where they
will remain, if the pursuing enemy will permit them. Na-
poleon’s hatred and wrath are not yet satiated, and his latest
bulletin is written in the same vulgar guard-room style as all
the recent manifestoes in which he dares to revile the noble
and beautiful queen.”
“Then another bulletin has appeared?”
“Tt was just distributed among the troops when I left
Weimar. A soldier, whom I asked for his copy, gave it to
me. Do you wish to read it ?”
* Napoleon’s own words.—Vide ‘‘ Mémoires de Constant,” vol. iv., and “ Hi
of Napoleon,” by * * * r, vol. fi, p. 105. ‘ , istory
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. 25
“Read it to us,” said Count Piickler. “Let us rest a little
in the shade of these trees, for I confess I feel greatly ex-
hausted, and my feet refuse to carry me any farther. And
how do you feel, comrade?”
“Do you believe,” asked Schill, in a faint voice, “do you
believe that I should not have given vent to my anger at the
impudence of that Corsican who dares to revile our noble
queen, if I had had sufficient strength to speak? Let us sit
down and rest. See, there isa splendid old oak. Let us take
breath under its shade.”
They walked toward a large oak, which stood at the en-
trance of the wood, and the foot of which was overgrown
with fragrant green moss. Assisted by Staps, the two officers
seated themselvs, and the roots, covered with soft turf, served
as pillows to their wounded heads.
“Oh, how delightful to rest on German soil under a Ger-
man oak!” sighed Schill. ~“I should like to lie here all my
lifetime, looking up to the rustling leaves, and dreaming!
Amid the stillness surrounding us, it is almost impossible to
believe that we witnessed yesterday such wild strife and blood-
shed. Is all this reality, or have we had merely an evil, fever-
ish dream?”
“Touch your forehead; try to raise your right arm, and
you will see that it is reality,” said Pickler, laughing bitterly,
“and if you should have any doubt, let our young friend read
the latest bulletin issued by our ¢riumphator. But will you
promise not to interrupt him, nor to be angry at what we are
going to hear?”
“J promise you to be perfectly calm, for my weakness com-
pels meto beso. Read, friend Staps. But, pray, let us have the
German translation, for it would be a violation of the peace-
ful silence of the forest, and of the sacredness of the German
oak, if we should use here the language of our enemies.”
Frederick Staps sat down opposite the officers, on the
trunk of a fallen tree. Drawing a paper from his bosom, he
unfolded it, and read as follows:
“The battle of Jena has effaced the disgrace of Rossbach,
and decided a campaign in seven days. Since the ninth of
October we have proceeded from victory to victory, and the
battles of Jena and Auerstadt have crowned all. The Prus-
sian army is dispersed—almost annihilated. The king is wan-
dering about without shelter, and the queen will now regret
with bitter tears that she instigated her husband to this
senseless and unjust war. Admirable was the conduct of our
26 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
whole army, soul-stirring the enthusiasm of the brave soldiers
for their chieftain and emperor. When there was any mo-
mentary difficulty to overcome, the shout of ‘Long live the
emperor!’ resounded, animating all souls, and carrying away
all hearts, ‘The emperor saw at the most critical moment of
the battle that the enemy’s cavalry threatened the flanks of
the infantry. He galloped up to order new manceuvres, and
the front to be transformed into a square. At every step he
was hailed by shouts of ‘Long live the emperor!’ The sol-
diers of the imperial guard were jealous of all the other corps
who participated in the battle, while they alone were inactive.
Several voices were already heard to shout, ‘Forward!’ The
emperor turned and asked, ‘ What is that? He must assuredly
be a beardless youth who wishes to anticipate me as to what
I ought to do. Let him wait until he has commanded in
twenty battles; then he may claim to be my adviser.’ The
whole guard replied to this rebuke by the unanimous shout
of ‘Long live the emperor!’ and rushed toward the enemy,
when, at length, the order was given to charge. The results
of this battle are from thirty to forty thousand prisoners,
three hundred fieldpieces, and thirty standards. Among the
prisoners there are more than twenty generals. The losses
of the Prussian army are very heavy, amounting to more than
twenty thousand killed and wounded. Our losses are esti-
mated at about twelve hundred killed and three thousand
wounded. ” *
Profound silence ensued when Staps had read the bulletin.
The two officers were still lying on the ground, and their
dilated eyes gazing at the roof of foliage above them.
“And we must quietly listen to that,” said Schill, after a
long pause; “and our hearts do not break with grief and
rage! heaven does not grow dark, and earth does not open to
swallow up the degraded, in order to save them compassion-
ately from the sense of their humiliation! These words will
be read by the whole of Europe, and all will know that this
insolent conqueror may dare with impunity to speak in insult-
ing terms of our queen, the purest and best of women!”
“He is the master of the world, and will issue many more
bulletins of this description, und speak in such terms of many
more princes and princesses,” said Count Piickler. “He has
the power to do so. We needs only stretch out his hand, and
kingdoms fall to rnins—nations are at his feet, and ery implor-
ingly: ‘ Let us be your slaves, and lay your hand on us as our
* Fifth bulletin of the Grand Army.
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. Q7
lord and master!’ It is useless to resist him. Let us, there-
fore, submit.”
“No,” exclaimed Schill, rising, “no, let us not submit.
When a whole nation arouses itself, and shakes its lion’s
mane, there is no hand, even though it were an iron one,
that could hold and subdue it.”
“But our nation will not rise again—it has been crushed,”
said Piickler, mournfully. “It is sleeping the sleep of death.”
“No, it has not been crushed. No, it will not die!” ex-
claimed Schill, in an outburst of generous rage. “It is only
necessary to instill genuine vitality into its veins, and to
awaken it from its lethargy by soul-stirring exhortations, as
our young friend here encouraged and strengthened us an
hour ago by his noble song. Oh, sing again, friend Staps!
Purify the air—which is still infected by the words of the
imperial bulletin—purify it by another German song, and
let the native oak, which has listened to our disgrace, now
hear also manly words. Sing! and may your voice reach our
poor soldiers who are closing their eyes on the battle-field;
and may it breathe the consolation into their ears, ‘ You die
for Germany, but Germany does not die—she lives, and will
rise again !’”
“Yes, I will sing,” said Frederick Staps, enthusiastically,
“but I wish that every note issuing from my breast would
transform itself into a sword, and strike around with the
storm’s resistless fury!”
“In that case all of us, and yourself, too, would be the
first victims,” said Pickler, with a melancholy smile.
“Of what consequence are our lives, if they are given up
for the fatherland?” exclaimed Staps, fervently. ‘Oh, be-
lieve me, I could, like Mucius Scevola, lay my hand on the
red-hot iron,and not wince, but sing jubilant hymns, if I
thought that my torture would be useful to my country.
Now, I can only sing, only pray, only weep. But who knows
whether I shall not become one day a modern Mucius Scevola,
a modern Meros, and deliver the world from its tyrant?”
And suddenly raising his voice, with a radiant face, he
began to sing:
Frisch auf ! Es ruft das Vaterland
Die Manner in die Schlacht.
Frisch auf | Zu dimpfen Trug und Schand |
Heran mit Macht, mit Macht !
Heran und braucht den Mannerleib,
Wozu ihn Gott gebaut:
Zum Schirm der Jungfrau und dem Weib,
Dem Saugling und der Braut !
28 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
Denn ein Tyrann mit Ligenwort
‘Und Strick und Henkerschwert,
Uebt in dem Vaterlande Mord,
Und schandet Thron und Heerd,
Und will, so weit die Sonne scheint
Der einz’ge Kénig sein ;
Ein Menschenfeind, ein Freiheitsfeind,
Spricht er: die Welt ist mein !
Verhiit’ es Gott und Hermann’s Blut !
Nie werde solches wabhr !
Erwache, alter deutscher Muth,
Der Recht und Licht gebar !
Erwache !| sonder Rast und Ruh,
Schlag’ Jeden der dir droht,
Und ruf’ ihm deutsche Losung zu:
‘* Sieg gelt’ es, oder Tod 1” *
“ Victory or death!” shouted the two officers, raising their
hands and eyes toward heaven.
“ When will the Germans sing and act in this manner?”
asked Count Pickler, sadly.
“When we have awakened them!” exclaimed Schill, joy-
fully. “For that is now our only task: to arouse the Ger-
mans, and to remind them of their duty and honor. Every
one ought to raise his voice for this purpose, and toil for it.
The time is past when the nation was separated from the
army,and when the civilian hated the soldier. All these sep-
arate interests we buried yesterday on the battle-fields of Jena
and Auerstadt. Heaven permitted our army to be defeated
for the purpose of teaching us that its heart was demoralized
and its vitality entirely gone. But Bonaparte, who believes
his successes to be due solely to his own energy and sagacity,
is, after ‘all, nothing but the scourge that God uses to chastise
us. And, after chastising us sufficiently, the scourge will be
cast aside, and lie on the ground, trampled under foot and
despised, while we shall rise and become again a glorious nation.
But, in order to bring about this change, it is necessary to
arouse the Prussians, and fan the flames of their patriotism.
Every Prussian must feel and know that he is a soldier of the
grand army which we shall one day place in the field against
the so-called grand army of Napoleon, and, when the call of
‘Rally round the flag! resounds, he must take up the sword,
and proudly feel that the holy vengeance of the fatherland is
placed in his hands.”
“But suppose there is no one to utter the cry of ‘ Rally
mound the flag!’ how are the people to appear and take up
arms?”
“We are there, and we shall exhort the people to arms!”
* “Victory or death!" A very popular hymn of that period.
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. 29
said Schill, energetically. ‘“ Henceforth, we must not wait
until the generals call us; we ourselves must be generals, and
organize armies—every one after his own fashion—according
to his influence. We must travel over the country, and enlist
recruits. As we have no standing army, we must form inde-
pendent corps, and, by means of raids, harass and molest the
enemy. The strongest lion succumbs when stung by many
bees. Every Prussian must turn conspirator, and prevail on
his neighbor to join the great conspiracy; secret leagues and
clubs must be instituted everywhere, and work and agitate
until we are united like one man, and, with the resistless
power of our holy wrath, expel the tyrant who enslaves us!”
“Yes, you are right; we must not give way to timid de-
spondency, but hope and dare every thing. Every one must
become a general, and enlist troops, to attack the enemy
whenever and wherever he can!”
“T shall also enlist my troops, and lead them against the
enemy,” exclaimed Staps, with sparkling eyes. “But my
troops will not be made of flesh and blood. They will be
the songs I sing, and one day I shall march out with them,
and challenge the tyrant to mortal combat! Yes, you are
right in saying, ‘ Every one must fight after his own fashion,
and according to his power and influence;’ let me fight, too,
after my fashion !”
“ Go and fight, and may the blessings of all the brave follow
you!” said Schill, placing his hand on the head of the youth,
© Let us take here, under the German oak, a solemn oath that
we will devote our fortunes, our lives, and our sacred honor,
to the fatherland!”
“Yes,” exclaimed Piickler and Staps, “we will take that
oath!”
“ Let us,” said Schill, “ then swear to strive for nothing but
to deliver Germany from the grasp of the tyrant.”
“ We swear,” continued Schill, “to regard ourselves from
this hour as soldiers of the grand army one day to battle for our
liberties—to leave nothing undone in enlisting fresh troops
—that our life shall be nothing but an inexorable and never-
flagging struggle against the usurper—that we will rather die
than submit. We vow vengeance against him, and deliver-
ance to the fatherland !”
When all had repeated this oath, Schill said, solemnly,
“The German oak has heard our words, and they are regis-
tered on high; now, my friends, iet us go and enter into’ a
new life—a new future. Let us take care of the body, in
30 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
order to impart strength to the mind to carry out its schemes.
Come, let us go!” ;
They passed on, and soon reached the village, guided hy
Staps to the parsonage. ;
The clergyman joyfully received the officers; his wife pre-
pared her best rooms for them, and pledged herself, like her
husband, to protect them at the risk of her life, if French
soldiers should arrive, and search the house for wounded
Prussians.
“Now you are safe, and I can go,” said Frederick Staps,
when he was again alone with his friends, their host having
withdrawn to prepare every thing that was necessary for the
comfort of his guests. “I cannot stay here any longer, for
I have promised my father to proceed without delay to
Leipsic, and I must keep my pledge to him, as I shall keep it
to you. Farewell, friends; may God protect you, and may
your deeds fill the world with your glory, so that the poor
merchant’s apprentice in Leipsic may also hear of it!”
“V'he poor merchant’s apprentice is also a soldier of our
grand army of the future,” said Schill; “we have enlisted
him, and he will go and fulfil his duty to his fatherland.”
“Yes, you may depend on it he will do his duty,” exclaimed
Staps, “and you will hear of him one day. Farewell, and,
please God! we shall meet again!”
“ Yes, we shall meet again,” said the two officers, cordially
shaking hands with the youth, and taking leave of him.
Staps left the room hastily. When he turned round once
more at the door, and greeted the friends with a nod, they
saw that his eyes were filled with tears.
The clergyman’s wife now entered to serve up the dinner
she herself had prepared, and there was added a bottle of old
Hock from the wine-cellar.
“Tn the first place, however,” said the clergyman to Schill,
“TI must see and dress your arm, sir; I am quite experienced
in dressing wounds, having taken lessons in surgery in order
to assist our poor peasants in case of injuries, and render it
unnecessary for them to pay large doctors’ bills. Let me,
therefore, be your surgeon, too.”
Schill gratefully accepted his kind offer, and after his wife
had brought every thing necessary for dressing a wound, the
clergyman examined Schill’s arm, and removed the coagulated
blood from it.
“It isa very deep flesh-wound,” he said, “ fortunately the
bone is uninjured.”
THE OATH OF VENGEANCE. 31
“Then I shall soon be able to use my arm again?” asked
Schill, joyfully.
“ Not for a few weeks yet, unless you wish to run the risk
of losing it entirely. Mortification might set in after the
wound has commenced ulcerating. Hence, you must be very
cautious, and live as quietly as possible. Your hands are now
already burning, and your fever will be very severe. Unfor-
tunately, I have brought up my wine in vain. Both of you,
gentlemen, will not be able to drink it to-day, nor to-morrow,
nor the day after to-morrow either. For the first three days
your fever, as I stated already, will be very serious.”
This prediction was fulfilled. For three days the officers
were unable to rise from their couch. They were delirious,
and unaware of the danger menacing them. A French regi-
ment had come to the village to spend the night, and four of
its officers established their headquarters at the parsonage.
But as soon as the French troops had been descried in the
neighborhood of the village, the clergyman, assisted by his
wife and servants, had removed the wounded, and prepared a
safe refuge for them in the hay-loft of his barn, far from the
dwelling-house. He himself remained with them, and, while
his wife received the French officers, and informed them that
her husband was not at home, the good old man was sitting
in the hay-loft beside his guests, nursing them with the kind-
ness of a father and the skill of an experienced physician.
He had locked the door of his asylum, and a loaded gun and
unsheathed sword were within his reach, in order forcibly to
drive back the French, in case they should try to penetrate
into this hiding-place.
But the danger passed, and the fever abated. Four days
afterward the two Prussians were strong enough to continue
their journey. The clergyman himself drove them in his
carriage to the neighboring town, where they bought two
horses and departed—not together, however, but by different
routes. Count Pickler took the road to Breslau; Ferdinand
von Schill turned toward Kolberg.
Before parting, they cordially shook hands once more.
“Let us remember the oath under the German oak,” said
Schill.
“ Yes,” replied Pickler. “ We shall not desert the father-
land, but serve it with our whole strength, and after that is
exhausted, we know how to die.”
32 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
CHAPTER IV.
IN BERLIN.
Tus utmost uneasiness and suspense prevailed in Berlin.
Several rumors had already reached the capital. It was re-
ported that, on the 14th of October, a battle had taken place
between the Prussians and French forces. To-day was the
18th, and no news had been received; nothing definite was
known about the result of the battle. But the people said,
if it had been favorable to the Prussians, the couriers, to
whom joy would have lent wings, would have reached the
capital long since; and this continued silence and incertitude
seemed to the inhabitants of Berlin more discouraging than
any positive intelligence, however disastrous it might be.
No one had the heart to work longer—no one could be
prevailed upon to follow his usual avocation; all felt para-
lyzed by asecret terror; and hastened into the street, as
though they hoped some decisive news would fly through the
air and put an end to this dreadful suspense.
All Berlin seemed to have met in the streets on the morn-
ing of this 18th October, and the people hastened in vast
crowds toward the house of the governor of the capital; they
consisted to-day not only of the lower classes of society but
the noblest and best had united with them. Men of mind
and education, the representatives of art and science, were
to be seen among them. ‘There was no distinction of rank or
position—every one felt that he was united with his fellow-
citizeus by the same care, anxiety, and affection; every one
knew that all the thousands surrounding him entertained the
same wishes and apprehensions, and thus social distinctions
were unnoticed. The high-born and the rich, the poor and
the lowly, all felt only that they were Prussians—that they
were Germans; all were animated by one desire; to learn
what had been the result of the battle, and whether the
Prussians,’ faithful to their ancient military glory, had de-
feated the enemy, or, like the other nations, succumbed to
Napoleon.
Thousands hastened, therefore, to the residence of the
IN BERLIN. 33
governor of Berlin, Count von Schulenburg, and called vocif-
erously for him. When the count appeared on the balcony
and asked what the crowd wanted, hundreds of voices shouted
in thundering chorus: “ We want to know whether the army
has fought a battle, and whether it was defeated!”
Count Schulenburg shrugged his shoulders, and amid the
silence that ensued his ringing voice was heard to say: “I
have not yet received any definite intelligence; but so soon
as [have it, I shall deem it incumbent upon me to commu-
nicate it to the citizens of Berlin.”
The governor returned with tottering steps into his house.
For a moment the people remained silent, and seemed still to
listen to the words they had just heard; but suddenly a loud,
powerful voice shouted: “If the governor does not know
any thing, perhaps Professor Lange does. He has established
a newspaper for the special purpose of communicating to us
the latest news from the seat of war; let us go to his house
and ask him what the Telegraph says.” *
“Yes, yes, let us go to his house and ask him what the
Telegraph says!” yelled the crowd. “Where does Professor
Lange live? Who can guide us to him?”
“T cau do so,” said the same voice that had spoken before.
“ Professor Lange lives at 22 Leipsic Street.”
“Come, come, let us go to Professor Lange! Let us hear
what the Telegraph says!” shouted the crowd, and hastened
across the Opera Place and Gensdarmes Market down Char-
lotte Street to the residence of the journalist.
“The Telegraph / the Telegraph!” yelled the people. “We
want to know what the Telegraph says! Professor Lange,
give us the news from the seat of war!”
A window on the first floor was hastily opened, and the
pale, frightened face of a gentleman looked out. “ What do
you want to see me for?” asked a tremulous and hollow voice.
“Why do you mention the Telegraph?”
“We want newsfrom the army! We want to know whether
it is true that we have lost a battle!”
“God forbid!” said the gentleman at the window. “I have
not received any news whatever for the last three days; I
know only one thing, and that is, that Cabinet Counsellor
Lombard, who was at the headquarters of the army in Wei-
mar, returned last night to Berlin, and is now at his resi-
*The Telegraph was a journal founded by a certain Professor Lange, on the day
when the Prussian army left Berlin. In his prospectus he spoke in the most fulsome
terms of the “invincible army of Frederick the Great,” and promised to publish al-
ways the latest news from the seat of war.
34 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
dence. Counsellor Lombard, therefore, would be the man to
whom you ought to apply.” :
“ Lombard! Lombard!” shouted the crowd, accompanying
the name with bitter imprecations. When this name was
heard, all faces turned gloomy, and every voice assumed an
angry and threatening tone. ‘
“Lombard is to blame for every thing!” grumbled a few
here and there, and “ Lombard is to blame for every thing!”
was repeated louder and louder. The excitement was as
when a storm, sweeping over the sea, lashes its waves, until,
rising higher and higher, they foam with fury.
“Lombard sides with the French!” reiterated the surging
mass. “ He has secretly informed the enemy of all the oper-
ations of our army, and if the Prussians are defeated, he
will be glad of it. We will go to Lombard, and he must tell
us all he knows. But woe to him if the news should be bad!”
And the multitude with savage yells hastened down the
street, back to the Linden, and toward the residence of Cabi-
net Counsellor Lombard.
All the window-blinds of his house were closed, as they had
been for the last two weeks, since this well-known favorite of
Minister von Haugwitz had repaired to the headquarters of
the army at Weimar. But Professor Lange had stated, per-
haps for the sole purpose of diverting the general attention
from himself, and of directing it toward the unpopular cabinet
counsellor, that Lombard had returned, and the people be-
lieved him.
“Lombard! Lombard!” shouted hundreds of voices. Eyes
which had hitherto looked only sad and anxious became
threatening; many a fist was lifted up to the closed windows,
and many an imprecation uttered.
“Tf a disaster has taken place, it is Lombard’s fault,” cried
one of the crowd.
“Tfitis his fault, he shall and must atone for it,” exclaimed
another.
“He has no heart for Prussia’s honor,” said a third. “He
isa German-Frenchman, and would not object if the whole of
Prussia should become a French province. If he knew how
to do it, he certainly would not shrink from it, even should
he bring captivity and distress upon the king and the queen!”
“He has already done much mischief,” shouted another.
“The Russian army which was to support ours ought to have
been here long ago, but he detained the dispatches in which
the king informed the czar that our army had advanced
IN BERLIN. 35
against the French. It is his fault that the Russians have
not yet arrived.”
“It is his fault that the Russians have not yet arrived!”
roared the wild chorus, and the furious men began to rush
toward the house. Many armed themselves with stones,
hurled them at the walls and broke the windows; others
commenced striking with vigorous fists at the closed door.
“Open the door! open the door! We want to see Lom-
bard! He shall account for what he has done!” exclaimed
the enraged men. “ Woe to him if it be true that we have lost
a battle! Woe to him if a
“Silence! silence!’ suddenly thundered a loud, imperious
voice. ‘See, there is a courier!”
“A courier! A courier!” and all rushed back from the
house into the street; every eye turned toward the horseman,
who approached at full gallop.
As if obeying a military command, the multitude made
way for him, but at every step they closed behind him, and,
pressing him on all sides, his progress was exceedingly
slow.
But the courier, with his gloomy mien and pale cheeks,
looked like a bearer of bad news, and when the people had
scanned his features, they murmured, “ He brings bad news!
A disaster is written on his forehead!”
“ Let me pass,” he said in an imploring voice; “in the name
of the king, let me pass!” And as he spurred his horse, the
bystanders fell back in alarm.
“<*Tn the name of the king! the king, then, is still alive?”
“Yes, the king is alive!” replied the courier, sadly. “I
have dispatches from him for the Governor of Berlin and
Cabinet Counsellor Lombard.”
“ And what do these dispatches contain?” asked a thousand
voices.
“T do not know, and even though I did, I am not at liberty
to tell you. The governor will communicate the news to the
inhabitants of Berlin.”
“Tell us the news!” demanded the people.
“T cannot do so; and, moreover, I do not know any thing
about it,” replied the courier, who had now reached Lombard’s
house, and whose horse was again so closely surrounded that
it was scarcely able to move its feet.
“Do not detain me, my friends, I beseech you—let me dis-
mount here,” said the courier. “TJ must deliver my dispatches
to Cabinet Counsellor Lombard.”
36 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Oh, let him deliver his dispatches. We can afterward
compel M. Lombard to communicate their contents.”
“Yes; let him deliver his dispatches,” said all; “ Lombard
shall presently tell us what they contain.”
The crowd stood back on both sides of the door, and busy
hands were ready to assist therider in dismounting. But
before he had been able to do so, a voice from the rear was
heard: “ Ask him where the queen is at present!”
“Yes, yes, where is the queen? where is the queen?”
“The queen?” said he. “I passed her fifteen minutes ago
near the city and delivered dispatches to her, too. The
queen? Look there!” And he pointed to the Brandenburg
ate.
F A carriage, drawn by six horses, was seen rapidly ap-
proaching.
“The queen! Itis the queen!” joyfully shouted every one,
and the thousands who had been amoment before so anxious
to learn the news, and to call Lombard to account, rushed
toward the carriage. Meantime the courier, whose presence
seemed to be entirely forgotten, dismounted, and rapped
softly at the door. It was at once opened in a cautious man-
ner, and a voice whispered: “ Take your horse into the house.
You can afterward ride through the garden, and out of the
back gate to the governor’s residence.”
The door was hastily thrown open, and closed as soon as the
courier had entered with his horse. No notice was taken of
this movement, for every one thought only of the queen, and
looked anxiously through the closed coach windows.
“The queen! It is the queen!” exclaimed the people,
greeting the beloved lady in the most rapturous manner.
All arms were raised in sign of respect, and every voice
uttered a welcome of “ Long live the queen!”
The carriage window was lowered, and Louisa’s beautiful
face appeared; but she looked pale and afflicted; her eyes,
generally so radiant, seemed dimmed and tearful; yet she
tried to smile,and bowed repeatedly to her enthusiastic
friends, who rushed impetuously toward her, and, in their
exultation, forgetful of the rules of etiquette, seized the reins
and stopped the horses.
“We want to see our queen! Long live our Queen Louisa!”
cried thousands of voices. Those who stood nearest the
carriage, and beheld her countenance, fell on their knees in
the fervor of their love, and eyes that never before had wept
were filled with tears; for she seemed as an angel of sorrow
IN BERLIN. 37
and suffering. She rose, and, leaning out of the coach door,
returned the affectionate greetings of her faithful subjects,
and, weeping, stretched out her arms as if to bless them.
“Long live the queen! Long live Louisa!” they cried, and
those who held the horses, in order to stop the carriage,
dropped the reins, rushed toward the coach door, threw up
their hats, and joined in the welcome cry. The coach-
man, profiting by this movement, drove onward. The peo-
ple, whose desire had been satisfied in having seen their
queen, no longer resisted, and permitted the carriage to roll
away.
Louisa closed her coach window, and, sinking back upon
the cushions, exclaimed in a heart-rending tone, “Alas! it is
perhaps the last time that they thus salute me! Soon, per-
haps, I shall be no longer Queen of Prussia!” She buried
her face in her hands, and sobbed aloud.
“Do not weep,” whispered Madame von Berg, the queen’s
intimate friend, who was sitting by her side, “do not weep.
It may be a dispensation of Providence that the crown shall
fall from your head for a moment, but He will replace it
more firmly, and one day you will again be happy.”
“Oh, it is not for the sake of my own majesty, and for my
little worldly splendor, that I am lamenting at this moment,”
said the queen, removing her hands from her face. “I should
gladly plunge into obscurity and death if my husband and
my children were exempted from humiliation, and if these
good people, who love me, and are attached to their king,
should not be compelled to recognize a foreigner as their
master, and bow to him!”
“ Even though the people should be subjugated at present,”
said Madame von Berg, solemnly, “they will rise one day and
avenge their disgrace!”
“Would you werea true prophetess!” exclaimed Louisa.
“T hope the people will remain faithful to us in adversity,
and never forget their love for their king! Yes, I will hope
for that day, and pray that it may come speedily. I will
weep no more; but remember that I am a mother, and shall
see my children again—not to leave them, but to hasten with
them to my husband, who is waiting for me at Kistrin. In
half an hour we must continue our journey.”
Just then the carriage drove past the main guard-house.
The soldiers presented arms, and the drums beat.
A melancholy smile overspread the queen’s features. “Do
you remember what Prince Louis Ferdinand said to his
38 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
mother, on the eve of his departure to the army?” she
asked in a low voice. ;
“No, your majesty, I do not remember, and it is possible
that I never heard of it.”
“The princess believed a defeat of our army to be utterly
impossible,” said the queen. “She thought Prussia was so
strong a bulwark that the proud assault of the French empire
would bein vain. ‘ You are mistaken,’ exclaimed Prince Louis
Ferdinand; ‘you think nothing will change, and the drums
will always be beaten when you ride out at the gate? On the
contrary, I tell you, mamma, one day you will ride out of the
gate, and no drums will be beaten!’ The same will happen
to us, my dear—we will often ride out of the gate, and no
drums will be beaten. But here is our house, and I must
hide my tears. I will show a smiling face to my children.”
The queen’s carriage stopped for the first time at the door-
steps of the palace without meeting there the ladies and gen-
tlemen of the court, the high dignitaries and functionaries
who had formerly never failed to wait on her. She had come
without being expected, but on this day of anxiety and terror
the announcement of her arrival would have made no differ-
ence; for every one thought only of himself, and was occupied
with his own safety. Only a few faithful servants, therefore,
received her, and bade her welcome with tearful eyes.
“Where are my children?” exclaimed the queen, anxiously.
“Why are they not here to receive their mother ?”
“Your majesty,” said the palace-steward, in a low voice,
“a courier, sent hither by the king, arrived last night, unfor-
tunately having failed to meet with your majesty on the road.
The royal princes and princesses set out two hours ago to
Stettin, and thence to Grandenz. Such were his majesty’s
orders.”
The queen suppressed the cry of pain which rose to her
lips, but a deadly pallor overspread her cheeks. “In half an
hour I shall set out,” she said faintly. “Pack up only the
most indispensable articles for me; in half an hour I must
be ready to enter my carriage. I shall, perhaps, overtake my
children in Stettin.” And she retired to her room, struggling
to conceal the emotions that so violently agitated her.
QUIET IS THE CITIZEN’S FIRST DUTY. 59
CHAPTER V.
QUIET IS THE CITIZEN’S FIRST DUTY.
THE people in the meantime, gathering in still greater
numbers in the broad street under the Linden, returned to
the house of Lombard, und saw, to their great disappoint-
ment, that the courier was no longer there.
“Now, we want to know the news contained in the dis-
patches, and Counsellor Lombard must tell us,” shouted one
of the men standing in front of the house; he then com-
menced hammering the door with his powerful fists. Others
joined him, and to the measure of this threatening music the
crowd yelled, “The dispatches! the dispatches! Lombard
must come out! He must tell us what the dispatches con-
tain! We want to know whether our army has been de-
feated, or has won the battle!”
When no voice replied, nor door nor window opened, the
mob, whose anger grew more menacing, seized once more
their former weapons, the stones, and hurled them at the
house. “He shall not escape from us! We will stay here
until he makes his appearance, and replies to our questions!”
they cried. “If he do not come to us, we will go to him and
compel him to hear us!”
“Fortunately, you will not tind him at home,” whispered
Lombard, who was listening at the door. “ Every thing is in
good order,” he added in a low voice. “The dear enraged
people will have to hammer a good while before breaking
these bolts. By that time I shall be far from here, on the
road to Stettin.”
The cabinet counsellor glided away with a sarcastic smile
to the back gate. There stood his wife, weeping piteously
and wringing her hands.
M. Lombard, who had hitherto only smiled, now laughed
outright. “Truly,” he said, “it is really worth while to make
a scene in consequence of this demonstration of the people!
My dear, I should think our family ought to know how to
manage them! Your father has shaved those stupid fiends
40 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
enough, and my father pulled the wool over their eyes,* and,
as good children of our parents, we ought to do so too.”
“Oh, Lombard, just listen,” wailed his wife, “they are,
knocking at the door with heavy clubs; we must perish if
they succeed in forcing it open and entering the house. ‘They
will assassinate you, for you have heard their imprecations
against you.” a
“ Ma chére,” said Lombard, composedly, “this is not the
first time that I discover that the people despise and persecute
me. I knew it longago. These blockheads will never for-
give me for being a Frenchman, and for having, consequently,
a predilection for France and her heroic emperor. And not
only they, but the so-called educated and high-born classes
also, hate me intensely. Throughout all Europe I have been
branded as a traitor in the pay of Napoleon. Conspiracies
were got up everywhere to bring about my removal. All the
princes of the royal house—nay, the queen herself, united
against me.t But you see, my dear, that they did not suc-
ceed after all in undermining my position, and the howling
rabble outside will have no better success. Indeed, the fellows
seem to be in earnest. Their blows shake the whole house!”
“They will succeed in breaking in,” said his wife, anxiously;
“and then they will assassinate all of us.”
“They will do no such thing, for they do not come for
spoils, but only for news,” said Lombard. “And then, my
love, they know just as well as I the German maxim: ‘The
people of Nuremberg do not hang anybody unless they have
got him! but they will not get me, for there comes my faith-
ful Jean across the yard.— Well, Jean, is every thing ready ?”
he said to the approaching footman.
“Yes,” he replied. “The carriage with four excellent
horses is waiting for you, sir. I ordered it, however, not to
stop at the garden gate, but a little farther down, in front of
another house.”
“That was well done, my sagacious Jean. But I hope you
did not forget either to place several bottles of Tokay wine
and some roast fowl in the carriage for me? The ill-man-
nered rabble outside will not permit me to-day to lunch at
_ Hence I must make up my mind to do so on the
road.
*Lombard’s father was a hair-dresser, and his wife’s father a barber. Lombard
liked to jest about his descent, particularly at the dinner-table of some prince or
minister, He always alluded to his father in the following terms: “ Feu mon pere
de poudreuse mémoir
yoy .
+ Lombard’s own Words.—Vide Gentz’s Diary in his ‘‘ Miscellanies,” edited by G.
Schlesier, vol. iv.
QUIET IS THE CITIZEN’S FIRST DUTY. 41
“T have not forgotten the wine nor the roast pheasant,
your excellency.”
“You have packed up a pheasant!” exclaimed Lombard.
“Tf the noisy gentlemen outside there knew that, they would
be sure to assert that the Emperor Napoleon had sent it to
me asabribe. Now, Jean, come, we will set out. The street
1s quiet, I suppose ?”
“Perfectly so. All those who have legs have gathered in
front of the house.”
** And all those who have fists are hammering at the door,”
wailed Mde. Lombard. “Make haste, Lombard—make haste
lest it be too late!”
“You are right. I must go,” said Lombard, quietly.
“ Now listen to what I am going to tell you. So soon as you
hear my carriage roll away, be kind enough to repair to the
balcony of the first floor and address the people. Their
surprise at seeing you will cause them to be silent for a
moment.”
“But, good Heaven! what am I to say to them?” asked
Mde. Lombard, in dismay.
“You are to say to them, ‘ My husband, Cabinet-Counsellor
Lombard, is not at home. He has gone to the governor of
Berlin, Count von Schulenburg-Kehnert, and the bearer of
dispatches has accompanied him.’ Your words will have the
same effect as though a pistol were discharged among a num-
ber of sparrows—all of them will fly away. You see, my
dear, there is a very impressive and dramatic scene in store
for you, and my father, de poudreuse mémotre, and your father,
the barber, would rejoice in their graves if they could see you
haranguing the people from the balcony. Farewell, my
dear, and manage the affair as skilfully as possible.”
He embraced her hurriedly, and was about to leave the
garden, leaning on his servant’s arm, and as fast as his gouty
feet would permitit; but his wife suddenly held him back.
“JT cannot go to the parlor,” she said in terror, convulsively
clinging to Lombard. ‘ Remember, that they are continually
hurling stones at our house. Suppose a stone should be
thrown into the window and strike my head?”
“ My dear,” said Lombard, laughing, “I do not believe any
stone passing through the window would be immediately
dangerous, for you have a hard head, as I have found out
often enough. Farewell, aud do as I have told+you, unless
you want the rabble to penetrate into your room. Farewell!”
He disengaged himself rather roughly, and hastened, as
42 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
fast as his aching and stiffened feet would permit, to the
street contiguous to the garden.
His wife waited until the departure of the carriage an-
nounced to her that her husband had gone. At the same
time the voices outside shouted with redoubled fury, “‘ Lom-
bard! We want to see Lombard!” And their blows thun-
dered louder than ever at the door.
Mde. Lombard sighed; and, commending her body and
soul to God, she proceeded to comply with her husband’s in-
structions, and went to the balcony.
Lombard had prophesied correctly; profound silence en-
sued when the wife of the cabinet counsellor appeared;
hence, every one was able to understand her words, and no
sooner had she uttered them, than the crowd dispersed, as
her husband had told her.
“To the governor! Let us go to the governor!” they
cried, as they moved up the Linden; but they were attracted
by a carriage, drawn by six fiery horses at full gallop. It
was the queen, who was about to leave the capital. She
looked even paler and sadder than before, and greeted her
friends on both sides with a heart-rending, melancholy smile.
But they had not time to greet even the queen, or to be sur-
prised at her speedy departure, as they rushed toward the
house of the governor, Count Schulenburg.
At his residence, also, the windows were covered up, and
the gate of the court-yard closed. Buta large white hand-
bill, containing a few lines in gigantic letters, was posted on
the side wall. Thousands of piercing eyes were fixed on the
paper, and an imperious demand was made to the fortunate
man who stood close to the handbill: “Read! Read aloud!”
“T will read it!” answered a loud, powerful voice. “Be
quiet, so as to be able to hear me!”
Profound silence reigned immediately, and every one heard
distinctly the words, which ran as follows:
“The wing has lost a battle. Quiet is the citizen’s first
duty. I request all the inhabitants of Berlin to maintain
good order. The king and his brothers are alive.”
The vast multitude burst into a wail of despair; and when
silence ensued, every one seemed paralyzed and stared mourn-
fully at his neighbor. Suddenly the side-gate of the count’s
court-yard opened, and a carriage, followed by a large bag-
gage-wagon, made its appearance.
At first, the people timidly stepped back, and looked on
wonderingly. But no sooner had they recognized in it the
QUIET IS THE CITIZEN’S FIRST DUTY. 45
governor of Berlin, Count von Schulenburg-Kehnert—no
sooner had they discovered that his carriage contained a large
number of trunks:and boxes, and that the wagon was also
filled with baggage, and had satisfied themselves that the
governor intended to leave the capital at this hour of terror,
than attempts were made to prevent him from setting out.
The people stopped the horses, and cried, in tones of exas-
peration, that it did not behoove the governor to leave the
city while it was in danger, and the inhabitants without ad-
vice and protection.
Count Schulenburg rose in his carriage. Stretching out
his arms in an imperious manner, he demanded silence.
When the clamor had ceased, he said, in a conciliatory tone:
“ My friends! duty calls me hence, for the orders of the king
must be obeyed. But you shall not say that I have left the
city of Berlin without adequate protection, and that I did
not devote my particular attention to its welfare. I have
appointed my son-in-law, the Prince von Hatzfeld, civil gov-
ernor, and he will zealously provide for the security and in-
terests of the people of the capital. Forward, coachman!”
The coachman was about to comply with his master’s orders,
but some of the crowd still dared to resist, and refused to let
the horses proceed.
“The governor must stay here!” they shouted; “it is in-
cumbent on him not to desert the inhabitants of Berlin, but
to assist them in the hour of danger!”
“In the hour of danger ?” asked the count, with a wonder-
ing air. “ Why, I leave my whole family here—my children
and grandchildren! Would I do so if the enemy threatened
the city ?”
No one could combat this argument, and reply to the gov-
ernor’s question. The men, therefore, dropped the reins and
fell back, when the coachman whipped the horses into a
allop.
: They gazed after the escaping count, and looked sadly at
each other, asking anxiously: “What shall we do now?
What shall we do when the French come ?”
“ We will meet them sword in hand and drive them back!”
exclaimed a young man, with a noble face.
“Yes, we will do so,” saidanother. “ There are no soldiers
here; hence we ourselves must look out for our own defence.
We will form volunteer companies, occupy the gates, and
patrol the streets.”
“Our army being defeated, a new one has, of course, to be
44 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
organized,” said another. “We must do this; we must hand
in our names, and enlist. Let every one who thinks and
feels like myself, follow me to the new governor. We will
apply to him for permission to organize ourselves for the de-
fence of the city. Come!’ Many hastened with ardent im-
petuosity from all parts of the crowd to join him. Others,
seized with admiration and respect, opened a passage, through
which the quickly-gathered company of more than three
hundred young men marched to the residence of the Prince
von Hatzfeld.
But he did not admit the deputation of these brave men.
He sent word to them, by his adjutant, that they would re-
ceive his definite reply at alater hour. At present he wished
them to go home, and avoid, above all, any riotous proceed-
ings in the streets.
The reply which the Prince yon Hatzfeld had promised to
the deputation soon appeared on handbills posted at all the
street corners. It was as follows: “It would be improper
to conceal from the inhabitants of Berlin that French troops
may shortly occupy the capital. This unexpected event
cannot fail to produce a most painful impression among all
classes. Only the most implicit confidence in those who take
upon themselves the arduous task of alleviating the inevitable
consequences of snch an event, as well as of maintaining or-
der, which has become more desirable than ever, will be able
to avert the terrible fate which the slightest resistance, or any
disorderly conduct, would bring upon the city. The course
recently pursued by the inhabitants of Vienna, under similar
distressing circumstances, must have taught those of Berlin
that the conqueror only respects quiet and manly resigna-
tion after such a defeat. Hence I forbid all gatherings and
clamor in the streets, as well as any public manifestation of
sympathy in relation to the rumors from the seat of war.
For quiet submission is our first duty; we should only think
of what is going on within our own walls; it is the highest
interest to which we ought to devote our whole attention.”
THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF STETTIN. 45
CHAPTER VI.
THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF STETTIN.
THE hope of the queen had not been fulfilled. Her chil-
dren had left Stettin an hour before she reached the city.
“T shall immediately continue my journey,” said she, reso-
lutely.
“ Your majesty, I beseech you to remain here,” said Madame
von Berg. “You have scarcely had any sleep for the last
three nights; last night you did not leave the carriage at all,
and hardly took any food. Oh, think of the king, of your
children, and economize your strength! Take some rest.”
“Rest!” repeated the queen, with a melancholy smile.
“There will be, perhaps, no more rest for me on earth! My
heart is filled with grief—how, then, can I sleep? But you
have reminded me of my husband, of my children, and you
are right; I must live for them. Therefore, I will stop here
for an hour and take some refreshment, in order not to give
way under the heavy burden weighing down my mind.
Come, we will alight and go into the house.”
Madame von Berg made a sign to the footman to open the
coach door, and followed Louisa into the royal villa, to the
rooms usually occupied by their majesties during their visits
to Stettin. “ When I was last in this room,” whispered the
queen, “ the king and the crown prince were with me. There
was nothing but joy in my heart. I was a happy wife, a
happy mother, and a happy queen! And, to-day, what am
I?” She heaved a profound sigh, and, sinking down on the
sofa, pressed her face upon the cushions. “Into what an
abyss I have been hurled from my heaven!” she murmured
in alow voice. “Once a happy sovereign—now a poor, flee-
ing woman, who can excite only pity. Oh, mother, mother,
God be praised that you do not behold my distress!” She
clasped her hands, and her trembling lips whispered prayers
to heaven. Her large blue eyes were raised with an expres-
sion of fervent supplication, and tears rolled like pearls over
her cheeks. She sat a long while pondering over her misfor-
tunes, and shuddering at the prospects of the future.
46 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA
Finally, Madame von Berg ventured to approach and arouse
her from her meditation.
“Your majesty,” she said, in an imploring voice, “you
promised to take rest, for the sake of the king and of your
children. Remember the burden of care weighing down the
heart of his majesty. Remember that his grief would be
more intense if he should see your eyes reddened with weep-
ing, and find you prostrated in your distress.”
“He shall not seeit,” said Lousia. ‘In his presence I will
conceal my tears, and seem hopeful and courageous. Let
me, therefore, now at least, pour out my overwhelming sor-
row, for tears are the only consolation of the afflicted. When
I am with my husband once more, I shall try to smile, and
only weep in secret. Are you now satisfied, my faithful
friend °”
“Your majesty had graciously promised me to take some
refreshment, but the footman has long since announced’that
dinner is ready.”
“Come, Caroline, we will eat,” said the queen, rising has-
tily, and laying her hand on her friend’s shoulder.
She kept her word, and did eat a little, trying to become
more cheerful by conversing with Madame von Berg about
her children and her approaching reunion with her hus-
band.
“ Believe me, Caroline,” she then said gravely, “it is not
vanity and longing for worldly splendor that causes me to
bewail our present trouble. For my part, I would gladly lead
a private life, and be contented in retirement and obscurity,
if I could only see my husband and my children happy at
my side. But the king is not allowed to be as other men
are—merely a husband and father; he must think of his
people, of his state, and of his royal duties. He is not at
liberty to lay down his crown any more than we to destroy
voluntarily the life we have received from God. ‘ With it or
on it, said the heroic mothers of Sparta to their sons, when
delivering to them the shield with which they went into battle.
And thus the king’s ancestors, who have bequeathed the crown
to him, call from their graves: ‘ With it, or buried under it!’
It is the inheritance of his fathers, which he must leave to
his children; he must fight for it, and either triumph or per-
ish with it. That is the reason why I weep, and see nothing
but years of disaster and bloodshed in store for me. Prussia
must not make peace with Napoleon; she must not, in hypo-
critical friendship, give her hand to him who is her mortal
THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF STETTIN. 4”
enemy. She must remain faithful to the alliance which her
king has sworn on the coffin of Frederick the Great to main-
tain; and France will resent this constancy as though it were
a crime. But, in spite of her anger, we must not recede; we
must advance on our path if we do not wish to lose also our
honor, and if history is not tou mention the name of Frederick
William III. in terms of reproach. Germany hopes that
Prussia will save her—the whole of Europe expects us to do
our duty to the fatherland, and this duty is to wage war
against the tyrant who wants to subjugate Germany, and
transform her into a French province—to resist him as long
as we have an inch of territory or a drop of blood in our
veins! See, my friends, such are the thoughts that move my
heart so profoundly, and cause me to weep. I clearly foresee
the great misfortunes that will crush us in case we should
proceed on the path which we have entered, but I am not
allowed to wish that Prussia should turn back, for we may be
permitted to be unfortunate, but never to act dishonorably.
And I know these to be the king’s views, too—he—but hark,
what is that ?”” she interrupted herself. “Did it not sound
as if a noisy crowd were approaching? ‘The tumult draws
nearer and nearer! If they are French soldiers, I am lost!”
She rushed to the window, and looked anxiously down on the
street. A vast multitude approached, yelling with rage, and
threatening with their hands a pale, trembling man walking
between two others who had seized him, and whose eyes
closely watched every motion he made. That man was Cab-
inet-Counsellor Lombard, who, on his escape from Berlin, had
safely reached Stettin.
Just as he was about entering his carriage, in order to leave
the latter city, a few of the bystanders recognized and de-
tained him. ‘Those who were in the streets soon gathered
around and curiously looked on during his altercation with
the men who had stopped him.
Suddenly one of them turned to the crowd and exclaimed
in aloud voice: “Do not permit this fellow to depart. It
is Lombard, the Frenchman, the traitor; he bas assuredly
come to Stettin in order to prevent the queen from continu-
ing her journey, or to inform the enemy whither she is going.
Let us arrest him, that he may not betray her!” -
“Yes, yes, arrest him; do not release him until long after
the queen’s departure,” cried the people. Threatening men
surrounded the traitor on all sides, and anxiously scanned
his pale, cowardly face.
48 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Tet me go, kind friends, let me go!” begged Lombard,
and now all his arrogance and haughtiness had disappeared.
“ You do me the greatest injustice; I am a faithful servant
of the king, and have come to Stettin in order to wait on
her majesty, and to offer my services to her.”
“He lies! he lies!” said those who had recognized him.
“Let us go with him to the royal villa; the queen is there.
If she wants to see him, she will order him to be admitted;
if not, he shall witness her departure.”
“Yes, he shall witness her departure,” exclaimed the rest
approvingly; “let us go to the royal villa |” ;
Dragged, pushed, and carried along, Lombard arrived,
followed by thousands, at the royal residence, which was
situated at the lower end of Broad Street, near the parade-
grounds. |
The carriage and horses stood in front of the house, and
every thing was ready for the queen’s departure. But Lonisa
was still at the window, and looked from behind the curtains
down on the vast mass which filled the whole street. Sud-
denly she uttered a low cry; and hastily placing her hand on
her friend’s shoulder, she pointed to the street. “Look,”
she whispered, trembling, “look! there is the evil demon
who has done so much to bring about the present calamities
of our country; it is Lombard, my most dangerous, nay, I
must say, my only enemy! He hates me, because he knows
that I distrusted him, and asked the king for his dismission.
He has dealt treacherously with Prussia—I know and feel it,
and felt convinced of it long before this time. The presence
of this man proves that some new calamity is menacing me,
for he is plotting my ruin. I wonder what brought him
here?”
“Let me go!” cried Lombard just then, in a loud and
ringing voice. “Let me go! I will and must see the queen !”
“See me?” said Lousia, in terror. “No, I will not see
him; I have nothing to do with him.”
In her excitement, and anxious to see what would occur,
she came forth from behind the curtain, and appeared in full
view at the window. The people greeted her with loud
cheers, and then turned their eyes again toward Lombard.
He had also seen her, and now raised his hands ina suppliant
manner, saying: “Oh, I beseech your majesty, call me up to
your room! I have come to offer my services and to com-
municate important news. Grant me an audience !”
But she did not stir; she had apparently not heard his
THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF STETTIN. 49
words, and her eyes, usually so gentle, now looked gloomy
and angry.
“The queen does not call him !” exclaimed hundreds of
voices on the street. ‘She does not want to have any thing
to do with him! He is a traitor.”
“What have I done, then, kind friends, that you should
call me a traitor?” asked Lombard. “State the crimes you
charge me with, so that I may justify myself !”
“We will state them to you !’”? said the men who had de-
tained him and who were wealthy and highly-esteemed mer-
chants of Stettin.
“Yes, yes, Mr. Grunert, and Mr. Pufahl, state his crimes
to him, and prove to him that he is a traitor !”
“We will; be quiet and listen!” replied Mr. Grunert.
“The people are going to sit in solemn judgment over
him,” whispered the queen; “they will ferret out his crimes
and punish him for them !”
Breathless silence reigned now. A chair was brought from
one of the adjoining houses, and Lombard compelled to
mount on it, so that every one might be able to see him. It
was a strange sight, that of his tottering, feeble form, with a
pale and terror-stricken face, rising above the crowd, whose
eyes were all turned toward him, and who cast glances like
daggers at him.
“ He is a traitor, and I will prove it to him,” repeated Mr.
Grunert, closely approaching Lombard. “In 1803, when the
king sent him to Brussels to negotiate with Bonaparte, about
an honorable peace between Prussia and France, he allowed
himself to be bribed. He exercised an influence humiliating
and disadvantageous to us; but Bonaparte bribed him by
paying him the sum of six thousand Napoleons d’or. Deny
it if you can |”
“J deny it,” replied Lombard. “It is true, I suffered my-
self to be duped by that monster fora moment. When I saw
Bonaparte in 1803 in Brussels, he managed to inspire me
with confidence in his magnanimity and greatness of char-
acter. But the deception did not last long, and soon I per-
ceived that this incarnate fiend would not stop in his career
until he had destroyed all existing thrones and states.* But
I deny ever having received money from him—lI deny ever
having accepted any presents from him. And the best
proof of it is that I have not any property whatever, but I
am as poor as a church mouse. My wife has scarcely a
*Lombard’s own words.—Vide Gentz's ‘‘ Miscellanies,” vol. ii., p. 194.
50 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
decent parlor for the reception of her friends; and as for
myself, 2 plain arm-chair and a tobacco-pipe were always the
goal of my wishes.” :
“You are poor, because you squander at the gaming-table
and in secret orgies what you obtain by your intrigues,” said
Grunert, sternly. “ Your poverty does not absolve you, for
it is the direct consequence of your dissipated life. You are
a traitor. It was owing to your machinations in the interest
of Napoleon that our army, last year, when it ought to have
taken the field with the Austrian and Russian forces against
France, was placed so late on the war-footing, and finally
returned to its garrisons without having drawn the sword.
You are to blame for the disgraceful treaty of Vienna, for
Count Haugwitz is merely a tool in your hands. You rule
over him. You laughed and rejoiced when the treaty of
Vienna had been concluded, for you are a descendant of the
French colony of Berlin, and you have no heart for the honor
of Germany and Prussia.”
“He is a traitor!” cried the people; “do not let him go!
Detain him! He shall not betray the queen !”
The crowd approached Lombard in the most menacing man-
ner, and were about to drag him from his chair, but Grunert
and Pufahl warded them off, and protected him with their
broad and vigorous bodies.
“You do not yet know all he has done,” exclaimed Mr.
Pufahl, in a powerful voice. “I will tell you about the last
and most infamous instance of his treachery. It is his fault
that we lost the battle of Jena—his fault alone.”
“What am I to hear?” whispered Louisa.
Perfectly beside herself, she approached closer to the
window, and listened in breathless suspense to every word
that was uttered.
“Well, let me tell you what Iombard has done,” added
Mr. Pufahl. “In the middle of last month our king sent
Lieutenant-Colonel von Krusemark with an autograph letter
to St. Petersburg, in which he informed the czar that he in-
tended to declare war against France, and requested the
latter to send him the assistance that had been agreed upon
between them. Lientenant-Colonel von Krusemark was ac-
companied by a single footman only, whom he had taken inte
his service for this special purpose, and who had been warmly
recommended to him. During the whole journey the colone)
kept the dispatches on his bare breast. Jt was only when he
had arrived at St. Petersburg that he laid them for a little
THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF STETTIN. 51
while upon the table, in order to change his dress, and deliver
them immediately to the czar. The servant was engaged in
arranging his clothes. M. von Krusemark went for a minute
into an adjoining room, and when he returned, the footman
had disappeared with the dispatches. All the efforts made
by Krusemark and the police to recover the important papers
were fruitless. They found neither them nor the servant.
Krusemark, therefore, had to send a courier to Berlin, and
ask for new instructions. This caused a delay of several
weeks, in consequence of which the Russian army was unable
to be here in time to join our troops and assist them in at-
tacking the French. We would not have lost the battle of
Jena, if the king’s dispatches had been delivered to the Em-
peror of Russia at an earlier moment, and if his army had set
out in time for the seat of war. We would not have lost the
battle, if the dispatches had not been stolen. Now listen to
what I am going to tell you: That footman had been recom-
mended by Lombard to Lteutenant-Colonel von Krusemark,
and was a near relative of the former!”
“He is a traitor !” cried the people, “it is his fault that
we lost the battle of Jena! But he shall atone for it!
Woe to the traitor !”
“ Oh, your majesty!’ exclaimed Madame von Berg, in terror,
“just see! the furious men are dragging him from his chair.
They will assassinate him. Have mercy on him and save his
life !”
“Yes,” said the queen, stepping back from the window,
“yes, I will protect him, but I will also protect myself.”
And hurrying across the apartment, she opened the door
of the anteroom, where the major of the garrison of Stettin
and a few staff-officers were assembled.
“Major,” said she, in a commanding voice, “hasten down-
stairs, and arrest Cabinet-Counsellor Lombard. Take him to
the guard-house, where you will detain him until the king
sends you further orders. I will report in person to his
majesty what I commanded you to do.”
It was high time to interfere, in order to save Lombard’s
life. The enraged people had already thrown him down,
and, regardless of the supplications of the two merchants,
commenced belaboring him unmercifully, when the major
appeared with a few soldiers and police officers. .
“ Order ! order !” he called in a loud voice. “ Order, in the
name of the queen !”
The noise immediately died away; and those who had
52 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
already seized Lombard turned around and stepped respect-
fully aside to let the major pass. ;
“In the name of the queen,” he repeated, placing his hand
on Lombuard’s shoulder, and assisting him to rise, “I arrest
you, Cabinet-Counsellor Lombard! You will accompany
me to the guard-house.”’
But Lombard, unable to stand, had sunk down on the
chair, half dead with terror.
“You see, sir, 1 am unable to accompany you,” he groaned,
faintly, “I cannot walk.”
“My soldiers will carry you, then,” said the major; mak-
ing a sign to them, he added, “Take the prisoner in your
arms, and carry him to the guard-house.”
Amid the loud applause of the crowd the order was im-
mediately obeyed. The soldiers seized Lombard, and started
off with him. Sire,” said Daru, “ M. von Goethe has also translated Vol-
taire’s ‘Mohammed.’ ”
“That is not a good tragedy,” said Napoleon. “ Voltaire
has sinned against history and the human heart. He has
prostituted the character of Mohammed by petty intrigues.
He makes a man, who revolutionized the world, act like an
infamous criminal deserving the gallows. Let us rather speak
of Goethe’s own work—of the ‘Sorrows of Werther.’ I have
read it many times, and it has always afforded me the highest
enjoyment; it accompanied me to Egypt, and during my
campaigns in Italy, and it is therefore but just that I should
return thanks to the poet for the many pleasant hours he has
afforded me.”
“Sire, your majesty, at this moment, amply rewards me,”
said Goethe, bowing slightly.
“ Your ‘Werther’ is indeed a work full of the most exalted
ideas,” added Napoleon; “it contains noble views of life, and
depicts the weariness and disgust which all high-minded
characters must feel on being forced to leave their sphere and
come in contact with the gross world. You have described
the sufferings of your hero with irresistible eloquence, and
never, perhaps, has a poet made a more artistic analysis of
love. Let me tell you, however, that you have not been en-
tirely consistent in the work. You make your hero die not
only of love, but of wounded ambition, and you mention ex-
pressly that the injustice he met with at the hands of his
official superiors was a wound always bleeding, of which he
suffered even in the presence of the lady whom he loved so
passionately. That is not quite natural, and weakens in the
mind of the reader the comprehension of that influence which
love exerted on Werther. Why did you do so?”
Goethe looked almost in astonishment at the emperor; this
unexpected censure, and the quick, categorical question, had
equally surprised him, and momentarily disturbed the calm-
ness of the poet. ‘‘Sire,” he said, after a brief pause, “ your
majesty has found fault with something with which no one
380 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
has reproached me heretofore, and I confess that your criti-
cism has struck me. But it is just, and I deserve it. How-
ever, a poet may be pardoned for using an artifice which
cannot easily be detected, in order to produce a certain effect
that he believes he is unable to bring about in a simple and
natural way.”
Napoleon nodded assentingly. “Your ‘Werther’ is a
drama of the heart, and there are none to be compared with
it,” he said. “After reading it, I am persuaded that it is
your vocation to write in this style; for the tragic muse is the
favorite companion of the greatest poet. Tragedy was at all
times the school of great men. It is the duty of sovereigns
to encourage, patronize, and reward it. In order to appreci-
ate it correctly, we need nct be poets ourselves; we only need
knowledge of human nature, of life, and of a cultivated mind.
Tragedy fires the heart, elevates the soul, and can or rather
must create heroes. J am convinced that France is indebted
to the works of Corneille for many of her greatest men. If
he were living I would make a prince of him.”
“Your majesty, by your words, has just adorned his mem-
ory with the coronet of a prince,” said Goethe. “ Corneille
would assuredly have deserved it, for he was a poet in the
noblest sense, and imbued with the ideas and principles of
modern civilization. He never makes his heroes die in con-
sequence of a decree of fate, but they always bear in them-
selves the germ of their ruin or death; it isa natural, rational
death, not an artificial one.”
“ Let us say no more about the ancients and their fatalism,”
exclaimed Napoleon; “they belong toa darker age. Political
supremacy is our modern fatalism, and our tragedies must
be the school of politicians and statesmen. That is the highest
summit which poets are able to reach. You, for instance,
ought to write the death of Cesar; it seems to me you could
present a much more exalted view of it than Voltaire did.
That might become the noblest task of your life. It ought to
be proved to the world how happy and prosperous Cesar
would have made it if time had been given him to carry his
comprehensive plans into effect. What do you think of it,
M. von Goethe?”
“Sire,” said Goethe, with a polite smile, “I should prefer to
write the life and career of Cesar, and in doing so I should not
be at a loss for a model.”” His eyes met those of the emperor,
and they well understood each other. Both of them smiled.
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS. 381
_ “You ought to go to Paris,” exclaimed Napoleon. “I in-
sist on your doing so. There you will find abundant matter
for your muse.”
“Your majesty provides the poets of the present time,
wherever they may be, with abundant matter,” said Goethe,
not in the tone of a courtier, but with the tranquillity of a
prince who confers a favor.
“You must go to Paris,” repeated Napoleon. “We shall
meet again.”
Goethe, who was an experienced courtier, understood the
delicate hint, and stepped back from the table. Napoleon
addressed a question to Marshal Soult, who entered at
this moment. The poet withdrew without further ceremony.
The eyes of the emperor followed the tall, proud figure, and
oo to Berthier, he repeated his exclamation, “ Voila un
omme |”
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS.
THE two emperors made their entry into the decorated city
of Weimar amidst pealing bells, and the cheers of the people.
The Duchess of Weimar, just as she had done two years be-
fore, received the French conqueror at the head of the palace
staircase; this time, however, she was not alone, but her hus-
band, whom the emperor had formerly hated and reviled
so bitterly, stood at her side. Napoleon greeted the ducal
couple with his most winning smile.
The events of those terrible days of the past had been well-
nigh forgotten. A short time had sufficed to veil their mem-
ory, and Napoleon was a welcome and highly-honored guest
two years after the battle of Jena. No vestige of the former
distress remained; but the laurels of the victor had not
withered.
A vast number of carriages, horsemen, and pedestrians,
filled the streets. The whole country had sent its representa-
tives to greet the emperors. All the houses were ornamented
with flags, festoons, busts, and laudatory inscriptions. But
no one cared to stay at home. The inhabitants and strangers
hastened to the forest of Ettersburg, to witness the great
chase which the Duke of Weimar had arranged in honor of
382 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
the imperial guests.—Several hundred deer had been driven
up and fenced in, close to the large clearing which was to be
the scene of this day’s festivities. In the middle rose a huge
hunting-pavilion, the roof of which rested on pillars twined
with flowers. Here the two emperors were to witness the
chase, and the two wings of the structure were assigned to the
kings, dukes, and princes. All eyes and thoughts, therefore,
were turned in that direction; and yet no one noticed partic-
ularly two youthful forms, wrapped in cloaks and leaning
against an oak near the gamekeepers. The merry clamor and
the bugle-calls of the hunters drowned the conversation of
these young meu. No one was surprised at seeing rifles in
their hands; they might be hunters or gamekeepers—who
could tell?
“T believe,” said one of them, in a whisper, “we shall ac-
complish nothing. My rifle does not carry far enough to hit
him, and we are not allowed to approach nearer.”
“It is impossible to take a sure aim from here,” replied the
other. “My eye does not reach so far; I could fire only at
random into the pavilion.”
“The order says, however, to strike him alone, and not to
endanger other lives,” said the first speaker. ‘‘ The president
said, if we kill him, it would be an act of justice; but if we
are so unfortunate as to kill another, it would be murder.”
“Oh, what sophistries to lull the warning voice of con-
science!’” murmured the second speaker; “ I—”
Loud cheers interrupted him; the notes of bugles and the
roll of drums mingled with the general uproar. The people
seemed wild with excitement, ana the deer in the enclosure
huddled together in terror. The two emperors with their
suites had just arrived.
“Look at him, brother,” whispered the young man to his
companion; “look at the weird contrast of his gloomy coun-
tenance with the merry faces around him. He stands like
some incarnate spirit of evil in the midst of laughing fools.”
“Yes, but he is himself merry, brother Alfred, or seems to
be,” said his companion.
“The groans of poor Germania are not heard in the flatter-
ies of her princes, who are fawning around him, and guarding
him so well that the hand of a true German cannot reach him.”
“ But the sword is hanging over him, brother Conrad,” said
Alfred, “and if it do not fall on him to-day, it will to-mor-
row. Let us wait and watch for an opportunity.”
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS. 383
“Yes, Alfred, let us wait. We know not what favorable
chance may aid us.”
The chase commenced; amidst deafening shouts the game
were driven from the enclosure. Whenever a deer passed
near the pavilion, the two emperors fired, and when the noble
animal fell at perhaps ten yards’ distance, the spectators
cheered, the bugles sounded, and the two imperial sportsmen
congratulated each other on their skill.
“Tt is in vain to stand here any longer,” said Conrad, im-
patiently. “We shall be unable to reach him, and it is
repugnant to my feelings to witness this butchery.”
“ Let us go, brother,” whispered Alfred. “ We must try to
find another opportunity. Let us reflect. Do you know the
programme of the day’s festivities?”
“T do. After the chase there will be a gala-dinner, and
the sovereigns will then ride to the theatre, where the ‘Death
of Cesar’ will be performed. After the representation of the
tragedy, there will be a grand supper and ball at the palace.”
“The ‘Death of Cesar?’”’ asked Conrad, musingly. ‘‘ Does
fate intend giving us a hint thereby? Does it show us where
to find him and to strike the blow? Let us be the actors in a
similar play, and perform our part at the entrance of the
theatre! Are you ready, brother?”
“T am ready,” replied Alfred, sighing. “We have sworn
to do every thing the league orders us to do—we must obey.”
“Yes,” said Conrad, sighing, “obey or die. Let us take
our daggers to-night, and use them well. Let us place our-
selves in front of the theatre, you on the right, and myself on
the left. We must strike at the same time, when he alights
from his carriage. While all are gazing at him, let us
stealthily slip through the crowd. When you hear me shout
‘One,’ you will shout ‘Two!’ We will then simultaneously
rush forward.”
“ At what time do we meet?”
“At seven o’clock, and if we escape death and arrest, we
shall meet again at the tavern outside the gate. Farewell,
brother Alfred!”
“Farewell, brother Conrad!”
On the same evening, a thousand lights illuminated Wei-
mar. That part of the city between the palace and the
theatre, where the emperors would pass, was especially brill-
iant. When after the chase they had withdrawn to rest a
little, and the high dignitaries of the court were waiting in
384 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
the large reception-halls, Grand-Marshal Duroc approached
General von Miffling, who had left the Russian service; he
was now vice-president in Weimar, and had been charged by
the duke with the supervision of the court festivities.
“Tell me, sir,” said Duroc, in a low voice, “I suppose you
have a good police here?”
“Of course, we have,” replied Miiffling, smiling, “that is
to say, we have a police to attend to sweeping the chimneys
and cleaning the streets, but as to a haute police, we still live
in a state of perfect innocence.”’
“The emperor, then, is to go to the theatre, and your police
have taken no precautions for his safety?’ asked Duroc,
anxiously.
“I believe it is so, M. Grand Marhsal. If you wish to
make any arrangements, pray do so, and I shall approve
them.”
“Thank you,” said Duroc, bowing. “I have secretly sent
for a brigade of French gendarmes. Will you permit them to
guard the doors of the theatre, and keep the populace from
the streets along which the emperors will ride?”
“Do as you please, M. Grand Marshal,” said General von
Miffling, with a slightly sarcastic smile. “A detachment of
the imperial guard will be drawn up in frout of the theatre,
and hence I deemed any further precautions entirely super-
fluous.”
“The grenadiers are posted there only asa guard of honor,”
said Duroc; “I hasten to send the gendarmes thither.”
Fifteen minutes afterward the whole route from the palace
to the theatre was guarded by gendarmes, who pushed back
all who tried to cross the narrow sidewalks, or to step into the
street along which the carriages were rolling. A double line
of grenadiers was drawn up in front of the theatre. An officer
walked up and down, gazing anxiously along the street, in
order to command the drummers to beat according to the rank
of the sovereigns arriving. For the emperors they were to
roll thrice, for the kings twice, and but once for the sovereign
dukes and princes. The drummers had just rolled three
times, for the Emperor Alexander had arrived. Another
magnificent carriage approached; the coachman on the box
was covered with gold lace, and two runners, entirely clad in
gold brocade, accompanied. ‘Two rolls had already been
beaten, a third was about to commence, when the command-
ing officer waved his hand angrily, and shouted, “Silence! It
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS. 385
is only a king!” The stout form of the King of Wiirtemberg
appeared, and hastened into the theatre. Another carriage
approached. The drummers beat louder than before. Once,
twice! And then a third roll. he grenadiers presented
arms, and the people rushed forward. It was the Emperor
Napoleon.
At this moment a young man elbowed himself through the
crowd. He was already close to the emperor. Only a single
gendarme was in front of him.
“One!” he shouted in a ringing voice, pushing aside the
gendarme. “One!” he repeated. No voice replied.
“Stand back!” cried the guard.
The emperor walked past. He had heard the shout. At
the door he turned his stern face, while his eyes flashed for
a mowent searchingly over the crowd. He then slowly walked
on. Noaccident disturbed the representation, and the daggers
that had been lurking outside for the modern Caesar had
failed to strike him.
On the same evening the two conspirators met at the place
agreed on. With disappointed faces they seemed to read each
other’s secret thoughts.
“Why did you not reply to me, brother?” asked Conrad.
“Why were you silent when I gave the signal?”
“IT was unable to get through the crowd,” said Alfred.
“The gendarmes refused to let me pass, and it appeared to
me they were eying me suspiciously. It was impossible to
penetrate to the spot indicated. I heard you call, but could
not reply; I was too far from you.”
“The work, then, must be done to-morrow,” said Conrad,
gravely and sadly.
“Remember, brother, that the order of the president was
to strike the blow within a week. To-morrow is the last
day!”
Yes, to-morrow we must desecrate the sacred cause of the
fatherland by an assassination,” said Alfred, sighing. “ But
we have sworn not to shrink from death if the league requires
it, and must obey!”
“We must obey or die,” murmured Conrad. “Do you
know the programme of to-morrow?”
“JT do, brother. Napoleon wishes to show the battle-field
of Jena to the Emperor Alexander, and to the kings and
princes; and the Duke of Weimar, who participated in the
battle at the head of a Prassian division, has arranged, in
386 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
harmless self-irony, a hare-hunt. That will be a highly
dignified celebration of the anniversary of that battle.”
“Oh, Germania! how thou must suffer!” groaned Conrad.
“Tt is time for us to place a bloody offering on thy altar! It
must be done to-morrow. The road to Jena crosses the small
forest of the Webicht. Let us place ourselves there close to
the road, armed with our muskets. One of their balls will
surely hit him. We must both shoot at the same time.”
“To-morrow, then, in the forest of the Webicht!”
On the following day the imperial and royal visitors re-
paired to Jena, in order to hunt hares on the battle-field of
Napoleon’s famous victory. On the Landgrafenberg, where
Napoleon two years ago had spent the night before the battle
at a bivouac-fire, a magnificent tent had been erected, and the
Duke of Weimar begged leave to call it henceforth “ Napo-
leonsberg.” Napoleon granted the request, smilingly, and
then asked the company to take a walk with him across the
battle-field, that he might explain to them the various oper-
ations of the great struggle. This request of course was re-
ceived with general joy, and the party descended into the
valley. Napoleon led the way; on his right Alexander, on
his left Prince William of Prussia, whom he had taken care
to have by his side. All listened in breathless silence to his
words, which were growing more and more enthusiastic. He
disclosed to his audience his own plans and motives, as well
as the disastrous dispositions of his enemies. Alexander lis-
tened to him musingly; the German kings and princes, in
breathless suspense. The French marshals, however, looked
discontented while their sovereign was speaking. Once, when
the emperor was just expatiating in glowing words on the
correct mode of warfare, his eyes happened to meet the coun-
tenance of Berthier, Prince of Neufchatel, and noticed the
dissatisfied expression of his features.
When Napoleon repaired to his tent, he ordered Marshal
Berthier to follow him. “Berthier, why did you look so
angry?”
“Sire,” faltered Berthier, in confusion, “I do not know
that I did.”
“But I know it. Why were you dissatisfied? Speak! I
command you!”
“Well, if your majesty insists, I will speak,” exclaimed
Berthier. “Your majesty apparently forgot what you have
repeated to us so often: that we ought always to treat our
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS. 387
allies as though they afterward might become our enemies.
Is your majesty not afraid lest the sovereigns should profit
hereafter by the excellent lessons given them to-day?”
The emperor smiled. “Berthier,” he said, kindly, “ that
is truly a bold rebuke, and hence I likeit. I believe you take
me for a babbler. You think, then, Prince of Neufchatel,”’
he added, bending over Berthier and pulling his ear, “that I
have put whips into the hands of the German princes which
they might use against us! Be not alarmed; I do not tell
them every thing.” And Napoleon opened the door of the
tent with a laugh, and gave the signal for the hunt to begin.
Not a human voice was to be heard in the forest of We-
bicht, which was generally much frequented. It was but a
bird’s song that broke the deep silence. Suddenly there was
a rustling noise in the autumnal leaves covering the ground,
and quick footsteps approached the road crossing the middle
of the forest.
Two young men, wrapped in cloaks, glided through the
woods, and _ stationed themselves behind a couple of large
beeches. They looked searchingly along the road; opened
their cloaks, and raised thei weapons to examine them, that
they might make sure work.
“All right,” said Conrad.
“ All right,” echoed Alfred.
“When I call out ‘One,’ we must both fire!”
“Yes, but we have been ordered to kill none but him,”
said Alfred, hesitatingly. “What if he does not ride alone?
If one of the balls should strike an innocent man?”
“Tf one of his marshals or adjutants sits beside him he
would not be an innocent man, for he has assisted in making
our country unhappy! Let German soil drink his blood!
He must not prevent us from carrying out our purpose. We
cannot shrink from it, because we have sworn obedience to
the league, and this is the last day. We must do or die!”
“Hush! let us listen and watch for him, brother Conrad.”
Soon the roll of wheels was heard. The two conspirators
raised their muskets as the carriage approached. It could be
seen that it contained two persons. ;
“Tt is he,” whispered Alfred. “But who is seated by his
side?”
“One of his adjutants,” said Conard; “no matter! Let us
aim, brother.” The large trunks of the beeches concealed
the forms of the conspirators.
388 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“When I command, we fire!” whispered Conrad.
So close were they now that the persons seated in the coach
could be recognized, The man sitting on the right was Na-
poleon. But who was the young man with the fine but down-
cast face?
“Stop,” whispered Alfred. “Do not shoot, brother! He
is no Frenchman! He is a German prince, the brother of
the King of Prussia! We cannot fire!”
“No, we must not fire at the brother of the unfortunate
King of Prussia!” murmured Conrad, lowering his arm. As
the carriage passed by, the conspirators could distinctly hear
the words of Napoleon and his companion. “A fine, fragrant
forest,” said the former, in his sonorous voice, “ just the thing
for German poets and dreamers. For I suppose, prince, the
Germans like to dream?” 3
“Sire,” said Prince William, mournfully, “I believe your
majesty has at last disturbed them in their visionary musings.”
Napoleon burst into laughter, which resounded through
the forest, and startled the pale men standing behind the
trees, and gazing gloomily after him. He chatted gayly be-
side Prince William, without su@pecting that he, the brother
of the King of Prussia, whom Napoleon had humbled so often
and so grievously, had just saved his life.
“We have failed again,” said Alfred, when the noise of the
wheels was dying away in the distance. “The last day is
nearly gone. What shzll we reply to the brethren when they
ask us how we have carried out the order which our country
sent us? What shall we reply when they call us to account?”
“We shall tell them that Heaven refused to allow the sacred
cause of Germany to be desecrated by murder!” exclaimed
Conrad, gravely; “that, faithful to our obligation, although
with reluctant hearts, we tried to accomplish our mission,
but that we were restrained and our strength was paralyzed.
You will tell them so, brother—you alone. Tell them that I
was not forgetful of the oath I took on the day I joined the
league. Having been unable to obey, I die! Farewell,
brother!” A shot reéchoed in the silent forest.
Not long after, a man, with livid cheeks and wild eyes,
might have been seen hastening across the distant heath on
the other side of the woods. As he ran he whispered, “ Un-
happy Germany!” These were the last words of his com-
panion Conrad, who lay dead on the fallen leaves.
Two days after their return from Weimar, on the 10th of
THE CHASE AND THE ASSASSINS. 389
October, the emperors signed the treaty about which they had
agreed, and in which Romanzoff had been obliged to acqui-
esce. France consented in this treaty that Russia should take
possession of Moldavia and Wallachia. Russia also agreed to
whatever changes Napoleon had made, and would hereafter
make, in regard to the government of Spain, and engaged to
assist him in a war against Austria.
On the 14th of October they left Erfurt, and returned to
their states. The object of their meeting had been attained;
both had derived benefit from it. Alexander had gained
Moldavia and Wallachia; Napoleon, a powerful friend and
ally. Europe received tremblingly the news of this alliance
of the West and the East. What hopes remained to Ger-
many !—to that dismembered country, over whose battle-fields
Russia and France had joined hands and concerted measures
against the most powerful of its states—Austria!
BOOK VI
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE WAR WITH AUSTRIA.
NApoLeEon, in ill-humor, was pacing his cabinet, while
Minister Champagny was standing at the large desk, covered
with papers and maps, where he was engaged in folding and
arranging several documents.
“They are bent on having war, those insolent Austrians,”
said Napoleon, after a pause, “and they want it now, because
they believe that I am not prepared for it. What an unheard-
of presumption, to arrest my couriers, and take their papers
from them! And now that I am taking reprisals—that I on
my part have issued orders to arrest their couriers on all high-
ways, and in all cities, and to take their papers from them,
the Austrians are raising a hue-and-cry about the violation of
international law; and if war should break out, the blame, as
usual, will be laid at my door!” He paused, but added
immediately:
“T wished to remain at peace with Germany for the present,
for I have enough to do with those wretched Spaniards, who
are rising against my troops like a vast band of guerillas.
But that is just what is giving the Austrians courage. They
believe me to be weakened, isolated, and unable to wage war
with any other power, and hence the cowards take heart, and
think they can obtain spoils from the lion. But, patience!
the lion retains his former strength and vigor, and will finally
destroy his enemies. Champagny, I suppose you have already
sent the Austrian ambassador his passports?”
“Yes, sire, Count Metternich has departed with all the
members of his legation.”
“Very well; let him go to Vienna and announce my speedy
arrival to the Emperor Francis,” exclaimed Napoleon, im-
patiently.
THE WAR WITH AUSTRIA. 391
a Sire, Count Metternich will meet the emperor no longer
in Vienna,” said Champagny calmly.
“No longer in Vienna!” exclaimed Napoleon, laughing
scornfully. “Does Francis II. suspect already that I am
about to come, and has he taken to his heels even before I
have left Paris?”
a No, sire; it seems, on the contrary, that the Emperor
Francis intends to put himself at the head of his troops.”
Napoleon burst into a loud laugh. “The Austrians, then,
believe my soldiers to be sparrows, and think they can drive
them out by setting up a scarecrow! If the Emperor Francis
himself intends to command, he will command the army only
to retreat, for the word ‘forward’ is not to be found in his
dictionary. Have you looked over the dispatches from Ger-
many, and can you report to me what they contain?”
“Tam ready, sire,” said Champagny, glancing at the papers.
“Then commence,” ordered the emperor, sitting down,
and taking from the table a penknife, with which he whittled
the back of the chair.
“The four corps of the Austrian army, with the two reserve
corps, moved on the first of April toward the frontier of Ba-
varia,” said Champagny.
“As soon as they cross the Inn and enter the territory of
my ally, war will break out,” exclaimed Napoleon. “ Pro-
ceed !”
“ On the evening of the 9th of April, the Archduke Charles
and his brother, the emperor, arrived with the army at Linz.
Thence he sent one of his adjutants to the King of Bavaria,
to whom was to be delivered an autograph letter, in which
the archduke announced to the king that he had received
orders to advance, and would regard and treat as enemies all
that would resist his progress, no matter whether they were
German or foreign troops.”
“Why, that is a regular declaration of war,” said the em-
peror, piercing the velvet cushion of the chair with his pen-
knife.
“Yes, sire, it is,” said Champagny, taking up another
paper. “We have received, moreover, a copy of the war
manifesto which the Emperor of Austria has published in the
Vienna Court Gazette, and which was drawn up by Gentz, the
well-known pampbleteer.’’
“Gentz!” ejaculated Napoleon. “Do not those warlike
Austrians see that that is their death-knell, and that it is a
392 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
bad omen for them that Gentz had to blow the war-trumpet?
Is it not the same Gentz who drew up the high-sounding
manifesto for the King of Prussia, previous to the battle of
Jena?”
“Yes, sire, the same.”
“Well, that was in 1806; the six has been transformed into
a nine—that is all the difference,” exclaimed Napoleon.
“Every thing else has remained unchanged. I suppose the
same language of self-reliance, of a wounded sense of honor,
and of noble patriotism, is to be found in the manifesto of
1809 as in that of 1806? Oh, I know it! Those Germans
ever remain the same; they always believe their cause just;
they always want peace, and find war, without any fault of
theirs. Those Austrians have irritated me for about a year
past; they have secretly armed during that time. The busier
they believed me to be in Spain, the more energetically they
continued their preparations; and whenever I had them ques-
tioned about their motives and objects, they made evasive and
unsatisfactory replies. The natural consequence of all this
was, that I.moved my troops toward the German frontier;
that Davoust, Lannes, and Massena, with three corps, had to
approach Austria, and hold themselves in readiness to cross
its boundaries when the Austrians enter Bavarian territory ;
and that, finally, I issued orders to the princes of the Con-
federation of the Rhine to place their federal quota on a war-
footing, and prepare for the outbreak of hostilities. No
sooner had this been done, than the Austrians arrested my
courier contrary to international law, and compelled me to
retaliate. Nevertheless, I suppose, they are entirely innocent
now, and the manifesto of the Emperor Francis proves clearly
that France, by her incessant insults and encroachments, by
her insatiable thirst after new territories, and by her bound-
less ambition, compelled Austria to take up arms. Is it not
so?”
“Yes, sire, it is so. There are at the conclusion of this
manifesto words and ideas that are almost identical with those
your majesty uttered just now.”
- Read this conclusion,” said Napoleon, leaning back in his
chair.
Champagny read: “The Emperor Francis will never deem
himself authorized to meddle with the domestic affairs of for-
eign states, or to arrogate to himself a controlling influence
on their system of government, on their legislative and ad-
THE WAR WITH AUSTRIA. 393
ministrative affairs, or on the development of their military
strength. He demands a just reciprocity. Far from being
actuated by motives of ambition or jealousy, the emperor will
envy no other sovereign his greatness, his glory, his legitimate
influence; the exclusive assumption of such advantages alone
is the source of general apprehensions and the germ of ever-
lasting wars. Not France, in the preservation and welfare of
which his majesty will always take the liveliest interest, but
the uninterrupted extension of a system which, under the
name of the French Empire, acknowledges no other law in
Europe than its own, has brought about the present confu-
sion; it will be removed, and all the wishes of his majesty will
be fulfilled, when that exclusive system will be replaced by
one of moderation, self-restraint, the reciprocal independence
of all the states, respect for the rights of every power, the
sacred observance of treaties, and the supremacy of peace.
Then alone can the Austrian monarchy and the whole political
fabric of Europe be maintained in a prosperous condition.”
“Enough!” exclaimed Napoleon, rising from his chair, and
throwing the penknife into a distant corner of theroom. “I
shall pay Austria for this insolence, and there will be a day
when the Emperor Francis and his scribbler Gentz will repent
of this miserable pamphlet! I will have to treat the former
as I have treated the kings of Naples and Spain. The house
of the Hapsburgs must cease to reign. Or, if in my patience,
I should allow the imperial throne of Austria to exist further
under their rule, it shall not be occupied by this dull and
obstinate man, but by his brother, the Elector of Wtirzburg !*
But woe to this M. Gentz, who has dared to irritate me anew!
Once already I gave orders to arrest and punish him. He
succeeded in making his escape. My police will be more cau-
tious this time. When I have made my entry into Vienna, I
shall remember M. Gentz! Ah, somebody is coming!”
The door opened, and one of the imperial adjutants entered.
“Sire,” he said, handing a sealed letter to Napoleon, “the
director of the Paris telegraph-office has just brought this.”
“At last!” exclaimed Napoleon, seizing the letter, and
then motioning him to leave the room.
“ At last!” he repeated, breaking the seal. His eyes passed
over the paper with an expression of uncontrollable im-
patience. His countenance brightened, and a faint blush
* After Napoleon had made his entry into Vienna, he really requested the Em-
peror Trans ¢ abdicate in favor of the latter’s brother. The battle of Aspern pre-
vented this plan from being carried into effect.
ae
24
394 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
care to his cheeks. He raised his eyes toward the minister.
“Champagny,” he said, in a joyful voice, “war has com-
menced; the Austrians have crossed the Inn and invaded the
states of my ally the King of Bavaria. The decisive moment
is at hand. I shall set out this very night. To-day is the
12th of April; on the 17th I shall be at Donauwérth and put
myself at the head of my army. Now let us go to work and
make our dispositions. — What is the matter now?”
The door opened again, and the court-marshal appeared on
the threshold to announce dinner.
Napoleon cast a hasty glance at the clock. “ Indeed, it is
six o’clock!”’ he exclaimed. “But I cannot go yet. Have
every thing kept in readiness. Tell the empress I wish she
would wait for me in the dining-room. I will soon be with
her. Send for the Prince de Benevento and the Duke
d’Otranto. I want to see them immediately. Now come,
Champagny,” he said, when the court-marshal had with-
drawn; “let us go towork. We have a great many things to
attend to, and there is but little time left, for, as I told you
before, I will set out this very night.”
Fifteen minutes afterward Talleyrand and Fouché entered
the cabinet agreeably to the emperor’s orders. They found
him amid his maps, on which he marched the various armies
by means of the colored pins which Champagny handed to him.
“Gentlemen,” exclaimed Napoleon, saluting the the new-
comers, “the Austrians have commenced war; come hither
and see!”
In the mean time the empress, according to the wishes of
her consort, had repaired with her ladies of honor to the din-
ing-room, and waited for the arrival of Napoleon. The dishes
had already been served up; for, owing to the hasty manner
in which the emperor liked to dine, the various courses could
‘not successively be brought from the kitchen, but had to be
placed on the table before dinner commenced. A number of
silver warming-vessels, filled with hot water, always stood on
the imperial table. Only the roast chicken, which every day
made the last course, and was one of the emperor’s favorite
dishes, had remained in the kitchen; it was still turning on
the spit, and waiting for the moment when it was to be carried
up. But this moment was delayed an unusually long time to-
day. The first chicken had long ago been replaced by a sec-
ond, a third, and a fourth, and this one had been roasting so
much that it was tough and juiceless. It had not yet been
THE WAR WITH AUSTRIA. 395
called for. The waiters returned from time to time into the
kitchen for boiling water, to fill anew the silver vessels on
which the dishes were kept warm.
“Tf that goes on in the same manner we shall depopulate
the whole poultry-yard,” grumbled the chief cook, ordering a
fresh half-dozen of young chickens to be brought in and _pre-
pared for roasting.
The emperor did not come. The clock struck seven, eight,
nine, and ten, and Napoleon had not yet made his appearance
in the dining-room. But this long delay did not cause the
least impatience or anger to appear on the face of the em-
press; not for a single moment did she lose her temper.
Graceful and gay, she conversed with her cavaliers and ladies
of honor, and her eyes but occasionally glanced at the door by
which Napoleon had to enter.
At last the emperor appeared. He walked toward the
empress with a hasty nod, and offering her his hand to con-
duct her to the table, he said: “I believe it is a little late.
LThave kept you waiting, I suppose?”
Josephine laughed. “The question is rather naive, my
friend,” she said; “I have been waiting ever since six o’clock,
and it is now past eleven.”
“Ah, that is late, indeed,’ said the emperor abstractedly.
“JT thought I had already dined; Champagny, however, re-
minded me that this was not the case. Well, Josephine, let
us eat!” And he commenced eating the soup which the
grand-marshal placed before him.
Thanks to the warming-vessels, the dishes had remained
palatable; but the chief cook, when the gratifying announce-
ment was made that the emperor had at length made his ap-
pearance, had just ordered the twenty-third chicken to be
put on the spit for the purpose of having a juicy and freshly-
roasted wing in readiness.
The emperor, who was very reticent and abstracted, took
his dinner even more rapidly than usual, and no sooner had
he finished than he rose impetuously from his chair and left
the table. Without addressing a word to the empress, he
walked across the room.
Josephine gazed after him with a long and mournful look,
and her face was sad. “He is cruel,’ she muttered to her-
self. “ After waiting so many hours, he has scarcely a word
for me, and leaves me without salutation!”
But when Napoleon was near the door, he turned round
396 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
and walked hastily toward the empress. “ Good-night, my
dear Josephine,” he said, giving his hand to her. “It is
already late—near midnight—retire. We shall not meet
again to-day; farewell, and aw revoir!”
He nodded to her, and then left the room for his cabinet.
On arriving there, he bolted the small door leading into the
corridor, and thence into the apartments of the empress, call-
ing in a loud voice, “Constant!” The valet de chambre
entered immediately. “Constant!’’ said the emperor, “ come
hither close to me, and listen. You will quickly set in order
my travelling-coach, so that I shall be able to set out in an
hour. MRoustan and you will accompany me—no one else.
But you must not say a word about my departure. I want it
to be known at the Tuileries, as well as in Paris, to-morrow
only, that I hare left the capital, and it is of the highest im-
portance that it should remain a secret until then. Do you
understand me? And now make haste! In an hour every
thing must be ready!”
Constant bowed in silence and withdrew. “ Yes, yes,” he
murmured, while hastily passing on, “I understood the em-
peror very well. His departure is to remain a secret; that is
to say, especially for the empress. Ah! the poor, good em-
press! How she will weep when she hears to-morrow that the
emperor has again set out without her! Formerly he always
took her with him; she had to share the triumphs and troubles
of the journey; but now she must stay at home. Poor
Josephine! she is so good, and loves him intensely! But I
must obey the emperor’s order. I cannot tell her any thing!
I cannot, but it would be no fault of mine if some one else
should! Ah! a good idea strikes me! The empress had the
gold travelling-case of the emperor brought to her yesterday
in order to have one like it made for the viceroy of Italy. I
must go immediately and get it from her maid, and she is
fortunately tenderly devoted to the empress!”
CHAPTER XLV.
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL.
THE empress in the mean time had returned to her rooms,
sad and absorbed in her reflections. She had dismissed her
ladies of honor; only her mistress of ceremonies, Madame de
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 397
Rémusat, was still with her, and her maids were in the adjoin-
ing room to await her orders until she retired.
No sooner had Josephine reached her room than she sat
down slowly and abstractedly, and, throwing back her head,
fixed her eyes on the ceiling. An expression of profound
grief was visible in her features, and darkened the shade with
which age was veiling her countenance. When smiling,
Josephine was still a graceful and fascinating woman, but
when melancholy it was but too plainly to be seen that her
charms were fading, and neither the flattering rouge nor the
skill of the artist could conceal this fact.
Josephine’s brow was now often clouded, and her youthful
beauty was fast losing its charms. Gloomy forebodings were
constantly passing over her heart; she felt that she was stand-
ing as on the brink of a precipice, and that the days of her
happiness were numbered. She awoke every morning in ter-
yor, for before the evening she might be cast into an abyss of
sorrow—removed from the Tuileries and the side of her hus-
band—replaced by another, a younger woman, the daughter
of an ancient sovereign house, who was to become the wife of
Napoleon and the mother of his sons. Josephine knew that
the brothers and sisters of the emperor were constantly impor-
tuning him to disown his childless wife, and to secure his
throne and dynasty, as well as their own, by choosing another
consort giving an heir to his crown. She knew that Talley-
rand was representing this to him daily as a political necessity,
without which his empire and his greatness would be endan-
gered. She knew also that Napoleon no longer, as formerly,
closed his ears against these insinuations, but, eagerly listen-
ing, held them in serious consideration.
Josephine was aware of all this, and sat in her room a prey
to well-grounded suspicion and sorrowful presentiments.
Madame de Rémusat looked at her awhile, sighing and in
silence; she now softly approached the empress, and, taking
her hand, said in an affectionate voice, ‘““ Your majesty ought
to retire! You need sleep; it is long past midnight, and
your eyes are weary.” Z
“Not from waking—from weeping, my dear Rémusat,” said
the empress, pressing the hand of her confidante. “But you
areright, I willretire. Insleep we forget our grief. Rémusat,
in my dreams I always see Napoleon as affectionate, as loving
as he ever was—in my dreams he loves me still and looks at
me, not with the stern eyes of the emperor, but of a tender
398 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
husband. When I awake, Rémusat, his fine face still before
my mind, and remember that his love is now gone and lost
forever—oh, then a sword seems to pierce my heart, and I
shed scalding tears in spite of myself! And yet I will retire.
He commanded me, and I will obey.”
“How discouraged your majesty is again to-day!” ‘said
Madame de Rémusat, sighing. “Still it seems to me there is
less cause than ever. The emperor was more cordial and
affectionate than usual. He was evidently abstracted, and
occupied with important plans, and yet he returned; his ex-
pression was unusually gentle, and his voice trembled when
he bade farewell to your majesty.”
“But why did he bid me farewell?” exclaimed the empress.
“This is what fills me with anxiety. Heretofore he only said
to me, ‘Good-night!’ and, ‘we shall meet again to-morrow,
Josephine!’ But to-day he said, ‘Farewell, and au revoir!’
Rémusat, there was a hidden meaning in these words. Some-
thing unusual is to happen, for the emperor never took leave
of mein this manner. ‘Aw revoir!’ You never say that to
one whom you meet again in the morning. It means as-
suredly something! But you are right—I need repose, for my
limbs are trembling, and my head is burning, as if I had
fever! Call my maids!” ;
Josephine sighed deeply, and rose to be undressed. She
was so absorbed in her reflections that she, who always ad-
dressed a pleasant word to her servants, did not apparently
notice their presence. In silence she allowed her jewels to be
removed, which Madame de Rémusat carefully put away into
their caskets; in silence she suffered herself to be divested of
her blue satin dress, embroidered with silver, and her white
‘satin underskirt, without observing that her first maid was
absent. When her wrapper was brought by the second maid,
she noticed that the first was not present.
“Where is Dufour?” she asked, hesitatingly.
“Your majesty, she has just been called out to attend to
something urgently required by his majesty the emperor,”
said the second maid, approaching the empress.
But Josephine pushed her back. “To attend to something
urgently required by the emperor?” she asked, breathlessly.
“What does that mean? Ah, there is Dufour! What could
have detained her?” And she rushed toward her and grasped
her hand.
“Dufour, where have you been? What is the matter?”
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 399
“Your majesty, Constant wished to see me. I beg pardon
for coming so late, but it was something very urgent.”
“Urgent! There is the same word again,” exclaimed
Josephine. “ What was it that was ‘urgent?’ ”
“Your majesty, M. Constant wanted the golden travelling-
case of the emperor, which your majesty showed to the jewel-
ler to-day. As it was in my keeping, he applied to me for
it.”
“Well, could he not wait until to-morrow?” asked the
empress.
“No, your majesty, for the emperor needs the travelling-
case, and at once.”
Josephine uttered acry. “He is about to depart! Oh, I
feel he is going to leave me!” she exclaimed, almost beside
herself. And without reflecting and hesitating, regardless of
the fact that she was undressed, her shoulders bare, and her
feet incased in small slippers of crimson velvet—forgetful of
every thing but the distracting thought that the emperor was
leaving her, without even a farewell, she ran across the room
toward the door.
Vainly did Madame de Rémusat try to detain her. Jose-
phine pushed her aside, opened the door, andran out. Breath-
less, bathed in tears, her dishevelled locks streaming in the
air, she hastened through the rooms and magnificent halls in
which she was accustomed to appear in a gorgeous toilet, and
receive the homage of princes. On crossing the threshold of
the first reception-room she lost one of her slippers; but this
modern Atalanta did not know it as she rushed along the corri-
dor and down the stairs. Having reached the palace-yard,
she found that she was not mistaken—there stood the em-
peror’s travelling-carriage. Roustan and Constant were wait-
ing in front of it, but she passed them before they knew what
had happened. Trembling and weeping, she sat down in the
carriage. .
The emperor at that moment entered the palace-yard, while
the two servants were still standing near, speechless, and as if
paralyzed with terror. He took no notice of them, and as-
cending the steps of the carriage beheld the strange white
figure within. .
“What is that?” exclaimed the emperor, standing still.
“Who is there?”
“Tt is I,” exclaimed the empress, in asuppliant voice. “I,
Josephine! You wished to depart again without me, Bona-
400 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
parte; but I will not suffer you; I will cling to you! I can-
not leave you!”
She threw her arms around his neck, but Napoleon pushed
her back. “You are a fool, Josephine!” he said, angrily.
“This is childish; you ridiculously retard my departure. I
do not wish to hear any more! Be kind enough to leave the
carriage! It is necessary that I set out immediately.”
“But, Bonaparte, you cannot be in earnest,” cried Jose-
phine, sobbing aloud. “Havemercyonme! Donotdrive me
from you! I tell you, you must use violence to remove me!
Oh, have pity on me—on my poor, painful heart, and let me
go along with you! Remember that you promised me the
other day that I should accompany you on your next journey.
Oh, Bonaparte, keep your word! Keep your word only this
time! Have pity on me, and let me accompany you!” She
covered his lips and cheeks with her kisses and tears. Na-
poleon’s heart seemed to be softened, for he involuntarily
raised his arms and wound them around Josephine’s neck.
“How cold you are!” he exclaimed. “And your shoulders
are bare! What does this mean?”
“Ti means,” said the empress, half laughing, half weeping,
“that I was just about retiring when—when I heard the car-
riage drive up to the door. My heart told me that you in-
tended to leave me, and that I would not have time to dress
if I wished to see you, and therefore I came at once.”
“And indeed you were right; if you had come a minute
later, I would certainly have been gone.”
‘The emperor entered the carriage, closed the door, and
shouted in a powerful voice out of the window: “ Have every
thing the empress needs for her toilet sent to the first station,
that she may find it on her arrival. Order the mistress of
ceremonies to set out immediately with her majesty’s ladies
of honor. They must be at Strasburg on the 18th. For-
ward!”
Josephine uttered a joyous cry, and sat down on the em-
peror’s knees, pressing his head with her arms against her
bosom. He laughed, and did not resist her. Roustan and
Constant ascended, and the carriage started.
“Bouaparte, thanks! a thousand thanks!” whispered the
empress. “Never shall I forget this hour, for it proves to
me that you still love your poor Josephine, or that at least you
pity her!”
“Oh, you know full well, traitress, that I cannot withstand
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 401
your tears,” said Napoleon, half angrily, half smilingly.
“But you are almost naked!”
“Yes, I am naked, as it behooves a beggar-woman who begs
for love at the palace-gate,” said the empress, smiling. “I
hope, my emperor and lord will give me something to cover
my nakedness.”
“Here is what you want, you impulsive beggar!” exclaimed
Napoleon, throwing the sable robe, which the Emperor Alex-
ander had presented to him, over her shoulders, and wrapping
it carefully around her.
“ Accept my thanks!” exclaimed Josephine, laughing; “I
will wear it as a token of your kindness.”
“You will not,” quickly replied Napoleon. “TI merely lend
it to you until our arrival at the next station, where, I hope,
we shall meet a courier with your wardrobe.”
“But he will not be able to overtake us there, Bonaparte,
and you will have to leave me the robe for some time yet.”
“No; he will travel faster on horseback than we in our
carriage. I would have no objection to the robe myself, for
the night is cold!”
“Tt is cold; come, I will let you have part of it,” wrapping
it around the emperor, and clinging closely to him. Napo-
leon laughed, and winding his arms around the slender waist
of Josehpine, pressed her to his breast. She laid her wearied
head silently on his shoulder. The carriage continued the
journey without interruption, and, exhausted by her previous
excitement, she closed her eyes and slept.
Suddeualy the voice of the emperor aroused her. They had
reached the first station; it was already daylight. The mu-
nicipal officers of the small town were standing in front of the
post-office to present their respects. A man, mounted on a
horse covered with foam, was near them. It was the courier
who had brought the wardrobe of the empress.
“There is your luggage,” said the emperor, pointing smil-
ingly at a small leather trunk which had been placed an the
back seat. “The empress has set out as a travelling ad-
venturer!”’ ; ae
“Yes, you are right,” exclaimed Josephine. “It is just
like a fairy-story. Some poor, disowned princess is met on
her journey by a handsome son of a king, who takes her in
his arms, gives her magnificent dresses, and marries her.
I thank you, my friend, and now I will attend to my toilet.
“T hope not here in the carriage?” asked Napoleon, in sur-
402 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
prise. “We shall have the trunk carried into the house; I
believe the postmaster has a room where you can dress, and a
servant-girl who can assist you.”’
“But, Bonaparte,” exclaimed Josephine, “do you not see
that that is impossible? It is daylight; is, then, the car-
riage to open and the empress to alight with one slipper on
her feet, to be triumphantly conducted into the house? Ah,
my friend, all Europe would smile at the idyllic empress who
accompanied her husband on his journey in such a dishabille.”
“Jt is true,” said Napoleon, moodily, “it would be a fine
anecdote for the so-called legitimate princes, and they would
proudly laugh at the violation of the dehors, committed by
imperial upstarts. As though it were so difficult to learn the
ridiculous rules of their etiquette, if one should deem it
worth while!”
Josephine gently patted the emperor’s forehead with her
white hand. “No clouds must darken my morning sun,” she
said, “for they would foretell a gloomy day. I wish you
could transform yourself into my maid.”
“What!” exclaimed the emperor, laughing. “Transform
myself into your maid?”
“ And why not, Bonaparte?” asked Josephine. “Did not
your brother, the great Jove, transform himself into an ox
for the sake of Europa? The carriage is moving again!
Draw the curtains, and then, my dear maid, we shall com-
mence dressing.” She hastily opened the small travelling-
trunk, which had carefully been filled with every thing
required for her toilet—small velvet gaiters, a comfortable
velvet cloak, one of her large cashmere shawls, and a beauti-
ful red satin dress with lace trimmings.
“You will have but little trouble with me,” said the em-
press, busily examining the contents of the trunk. “ Dear
Madame Rémusat has arranged every thing as judiciously as
possible, and forgotten nothing. There are warm gloves, em-
broidered handkerchiefs—in short, all I need. Ah! there is
but one thizg she has forgotten.”’
“Well, and what is that?”
“It isa mirror. Bonaparte, you must be my mirror to-day.
But come now, my dear maid! enter upon your duties. In
the first place, assist me in putting on my gaiters.”
“What admirable ones they are!” said the emperor. “ Are
these tiny things really large enough for your feet?”
“Yes. Did you forget that your Josephine has the smallest
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 403
and prettiest foot in all France? Formerly, when you were
not the all-powerful Napoleon, but the brave and illustrious
General Bonaparte, you knew it. Ah, I wish you were still
General Bonaparte, and we lived at our small house in the
Rue Chantereine!”
“Indeed, Iam glad that I am no longer there,” said Napo-
leon. “It seems to me General Bonaparte did not forfeit his
glory; he only changed his title and position. That of an
emperor is not so bad, and the Tuileries a very pleasant resi-
dence. But, Josephine, let me see whether this fairy-shoe is
really large enough for human foot!”
“ Bonaparte, envy and jealousy prompt you to say so,” said
Josephine, laughing. “You cannot comprehend how any foot
could be even smaller than yours. But just take into con-
sideration that you are the great Bonaparte, and that I am
but poor little Josephine—the insignificant creature that de-
rives only from you light and life. Bonaparte, you have the
largest foot that man ever had.”
“What! I have the largest foot?” exclaimed Napoleon, in
surprise. “Why, I have always been told that my foot was
very small.”
“Oh, that was a mistake,” said Josephine, gravely, “for
how would it otherwise be possible for you to trample down
the whole of Europe as you are doing?”
Napoleon laughed. “ Very good,” he said, “you are right;
I have put my foot on the neck of Europe, and shall crush all
who resist me!”
“ Bonaparte,” exclaimed Josephine, menacingly, “ no politics
now, no threatening imperial face! Remember that, at the
present moment, you are nothing but my maid. There is
my foot! Put on my gaiter, and see whether it is large
enough!”
Napoleon at once obeyed, his wife’s toilet commenced, and
the first day of their journey passed in laughter and affection-
ate chatting. The empress had not enjoyed so happy a day
for years. All cares and apprehensions were forgotten.
What did light-hearted Josephine care for the future? |
But, alas! the second day was different. ‘The smiles of
the unfortunate woman met with no reply. The emperor was
taciturn and gloomy. Wrapped in his sable robe, he was lean-
ing in a corner of the carriage, and made only stern and brief
answers to Josephine’s questions. The heart and countenance
of the empress grew heavy and anxious.
404 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
When they arrived at Strasburg on the evening of the fourth
day, each of them sat silent—the empress with tearful eye;
the emperor frowning and stern. Napoleon offered his arm
to his consort, and conducted her into the palace. ‘‘ Good-
night, Josephine,” he said, standing still at the entrance of
the rooms destined for her, “ good-night!”
“You will not take supper with me?” asked the empress
in a low, imploring voice.
“No, I have business to attend to. Good-night!” And
he walked away without saluting or even looking at her.
Josephine went into her rooms. She refused to partake of
refreshment, and avoided the necessity of admitting the
officials, who wished to pay their respects to her, by sending
them word that she was too fatigued to receive any one.
Alone she could weep without being disturbed.
At an unusually early hour on the following morning Na-
poleon entered her room. Josephine was just about to dress,
assisted by her Parisian maids. He motioned them to with-
draw, and then commenced pacing the room in his usual man-
ner, when excited.
“Napoleon,” said Josephine, in a tremulous voice, “you
have come with bad news. My heart tells me so, and I read
it on your gloomy brow. Speak, and tell me every thing at
once. Iam prepared, for it.”
“Well, then, I must say,” replied Napoleon, vehemently,—
“you cannot, Josephine, accompany me farther. We must
part this hour. I yielded to your wishes in spite of myself,
but only thus far! A new campaign is about to begin; days
of battles, troubles, and fatigues, are awaiting me. You must
not and cannot share them. You must remain here.”
Josephine cast a melancholy look on him. “But when you
have conquered, when you have made again your triumphant
entry into Vienna, will you then call me, Napoleon? Shall I
then share your triumphs as I used todo? Bonaparte, do not
now make an evasive reply! Tell me the truth, for I can bear
it. Tell me, when the fortune of war has favored you—when
you have vanquished Austria, as you have hitherto every other
enemy—will you then call me to you? The truth, my friend,
the truth!”
“Very well, I will tell you the truth,” exclaimed Napoleon,
after a brief hesitation. “No, Josephine—I will not. You
can share my triumphs no more!”
Josephine uttered a cry, and her eyes filled with tears. “TI
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 405
doomed, then,” shesaid, “and what Fouché told me was
rue!”
“What did he tell you?” asked the emperor, hastily.
“He told me to prepare for a heavy blow—that you, Napo-
leon, had secretly applied to the Emperor Alexander for the
hand of his sister, and that only the resistance of the dowager
prevented you from accomplishing your purpose.”
“Yes,” exclaimed Napoleon, moodily, and, as if absent-
minded, “yes, the proud empress-dowager hates me, and
hastened to marry her daughter to a petty German prince
rather than let her become the consort of the Emperor of the
French.* Well, no matter! other princes have daughters,
too, and one of them will assuredly be only too happy to be-
come my wife!”
“ Napoleon, and you dare tell me so?” exclaimed J osephine,
reproachfully. “You admit, then, that you are about to
disown me?”
The emperor started. “Pardon me, Josephine,” he said,
in confusion, “I was absent-minded, I—”
“Yes, you were,” interrupted the empress, “and while so,
you betrayed your thoughts. It is true, then! Cruel man!
You have forgotten every thing, and the whole past has been
blotted out. You can seriously think of parting with me,
your best friend?”
“No, not now, Josephine,” exclaimed Napoleon. “You
have nothing to fear. I shall not enter Germany as a wooer,
but as a soldier, and I do not desire to seek myrtle-crowns, but
laurels!”
“But, my husband, when you have gained fresh laurels and
new territories with the blood of your soldiers, then, I sup-
pose, Josephine is to be sacrificed ?”’
Napoleon did not reply. He paced the room slowly and
with a bowed head. Standing still, he looked with sad eyes
in his consort’s tearful face.
“ Josephine,” he said, in a grave voice, “you have a noble
heart, and it will bear the truth. Yes, there may be a day
when we shall have to part, although I love you, and I know
well that you are the only faithful friend on whom I can rely!
* Napoleon ordered Talleyrand at Erfurt to inquire of the Emperor Alexander
whether he would permit him to marry his sister. Alexander replied that nothing
could afford him greater pleasnre than that Napoleon should become his brother-in-
Jaw, but the matter did not depend on his decision alone. The empress-dowager
must also be consulted. No sooner had she heard of Napoleon’s wishes than she in-
duced her daughter to marry the Duke of Oldenburg. The notification of the mar-
riage of the grand-duchess to this German prince was the only reply that was ever
made to Napoleon’s inquiring wish.
406 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
Judge, therefore, what pangs it will cost me when obliged to
come to the terrible resolution to separate from you, my
guardian angel! But I belong to my people—I belong to my
glory! My power has assumed such gigantic proportions that
I must support it with foundations that cannot be overthrown.
The Emperor Napoleon must have a successor; if you had
given birth to one, I should never have parted from you.
Now all hope is gone, and I shall, perhaps, be compelled one
day to look for a consort among the daughters of kings. I
really do not wish to do so, but my duty to my people makes
it imperative.”
“No, not your duty, but your ambition!” cried Josephine,
with streaming eyes. “You have sacrificed every thing for
that—your tranquillity, your conscience, the blood of your
soldiers, and now your wife!”
“Yes, it is as you say, Josephine,” exclaimed Napoleon;
“it is my ambition that separates me from you, and compels
me to part with her who has been my glory and my life for
sixteen years! Itis ambition that points its iron arm at my
imperial crown, and commands me to look for another em-
press, that I and my son may enter the ranks of legitimate
princes. I have formed vast plans; I shall soon effect new
convulsions: I shall vanquish all my enemies, and Europe will
have to recognize me as her master. But when nothing re-
mains to wish for—when I have so ascended as to leave no
heights above me, then I shall think of securing the happiness
and peace of ny people and of my empire. To doso, Iam
in need of a direct heir. For myself, I ask and wish for
nothing; but my glory belongs to France. After my death
my contemporaries will say of me, ‘He was the only one who
could strive for universal good, while his individual wishes had
been gratified; others thought only of themselves—Bonaparte’s
wishes and deeds were for his country. There was cne thing
that was dear to him personally, and that was his wife! But
the welfare of his people requiring it, he sacrificed this beloved
wife to their interests.’ ”’
“Words!” exclaimed Josephine. “You are vainly trying
to conceal your innermost thoughts from me. J know you,
Bonaparte, and can read your soul! You wish to connect
yourself with the foremost sovereign houses of Europe, because
such a union will flatter your pride and your insatiable am-
bition. When you are the son-in-law of an emperor or a
king, you will believe that you arc at liberty to do every thing
JOSEPHINE’S FAREWELL. 407
with impunity. You will deem yourself a demi-god, and,
accompanied by your victorious legions, you will march to
the conquest of the whole world. But that will not be your
destiny. You believe you can enslave the nations. Beware
lest they one day awake, break their chains, and take a terri-
ble revenge on the tyrant whom they allowed so long to op-
press them! Seduced by your illusive ambition, you will
disown Josephine? Infatuated man! you will perceive too
late that you walk near a volcano. Oh, Bonaparte, I tremble
and weep for you! Remember that you have often called me
your guardian angel. Believe me, when you disown me, you
disown your good fortune. It will forsake the faithless man,
and your star will sink in an eternal night! That is what
wounds my heart, and drives me to despair. You will be
alone in the midst of traitors and false friends. When Jose-
phine is with you no more, no one will have good intentions
toward you. No one will dare tell you the truth, when you
lose your best friend. Falsehood will flatter you, but only to
lead you to the verge of the precipice!’ ‘The empress, with
quivering limbs and pale features, sank on a chair, and cov-
ered her face.
A long pause ensued. Napoleon gloomily continued walk-
ing the room. At last hé approached Josephine, and gently
laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘“ Do not weep,” he said, im-
ploringly. ‘‘ We have once more allowed phantoms to frighten
us, and quarrelled about things that belong to the future.
You are still my wife, and who knows whether you will not
always remain mine? Who knows whether you will not soon
be my widow? Iam about to enter into another war, and it
will be a desperate, obstinate struggle, in which old Austria
will try to wrest the palm of victory from young France.
Victory will perch on my banners. I have no doubt of that,
but who knows whether I shall not have to pay for it with my
blood! for I must not spare myself—I shall always be at the
head of my troops, and, like my private soldiers, with them
bare my own breast to the hail of bullets. In so decisive a
struggle as will take place now, the emperor will be nothing
but a soldier, and do his duty.” ;
“Qh, Bonaparte!” cried Josephine, rising in dismay and
clinging to him, “oh, have mercy on my heart! Do not
rashly expose yourself to the accidents of battle! Remember
that the fate of millions depends on your life! Remember
that I should die if an accident befall you! Oh, my dearest
408 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
husband, be kind and generous—spare yourself, and spare my’
love!”
“Then you love me in spite of your gloomy forebodings?”’
asked Napoleon, with a gentle smile. “Oh, I know my
Josephine is my most faithful and best friend, and whatever
may happen, her heart will always be mine. Let this be our
farewell, Josephine! I must go; I must depart this very
hour. To-morrow J join my army, and my cannon will soon
announce to Germany that the victor of Austerlitz and Jena
is demonstrating his right to rule, and at his own pleasure to
destroy or create kingdoms.”
CHAPTER XLVI.
FERDINAND VON SCHILL.
A TRAVELLING carriage stopped in front of the house on
Frederick Street in which Major von Schill had established
his headquarters since his regiment had been sent to Berlin.
The horses were wet with perspiration, and the carriage was
covered with mud. Every thing indicated that the young
man seated in it had made a long and hurried journey, and
his exhausted and anxious face induced the belief that the ob-
ject could not but be highly important. He alighted hastily,
and approached the house, in front of which a crowd of idlers
were staring at the windows. Addressing one of them, he
asked, “Can you tell me whether Major von Schill lives in
this house?”
“Yes,” said the man, proudly; “every good citizen of Ber-
lin can tell you that Major Ferdinand von Schill, the favorite
of our people and of all partriotic Germans, lives here.”
The young man smiled. “And can you tell me whether
Major von Schill is at home?”
“Well, what should we stand here for, if Schill were not at
home? We are only here to see and salute him when he ap-
pears at the window, and to escort him when he leaves the
house. He is always surrounded by a guard of honor, com-
posed of citizens of Berlin, and the cheers never cease wher-
ever he may be. I myself have not yet seen him, for I was ill.
But yesterday was my birthday, and my wife presented me
with a pipe-bowl with Schill’s portrait; my daughter says he
is the best-looking man in the world, and she has bought a
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 409
locket with his portrait, which she is wearing on herneck. I
have come to see whether the portraits so much in vogue are
like him, and whether he is not only the bravest soldier, but,
as the girls pretend, the finest-looking man. I will cheer so
vigorously as to shake the statues on the arsenal. I suppose
you have also come to see him?”
“That is all I have come for,” said the young man, and,
turning to the postilion, who had just unhitched his horses,
he shouted:
“ Postilion, when you arrive at the post-office, order im-
mediately some fresh horses for me and send them hither.
I shall set out for home in half an hour!”
He then walked toward the house, elbowing himself through
the constantly increasing crowd, and reached the door. After
rapidly crossing the hall, he went upstairs. A footman,
dressed in a rich livery, who was pacing the corridor on the
upper floor, looked inquiringly at the young stranger.
“Does Major von Schill live here?” :
“Yes, sir.”
“ And is he at home?”
“T am not quite sure—I rather believe he has gone out.
He is subjected to visits and invitations to such an extent,
that I really do not know whether there are persons with him
at present, or whether some of his admirers have taken him to
another banquet to be given in his honor. The people of Ber-
lin are perfectly infatuated with my master, and if an angel
should appear upon earth, they could not pay more deference
to him. The fuss they are making about him has positively
made him ill. Day and night he must attend parties, listen,
and reply to a thousand speeches, and take wine with every-
body; and then, again, the ladies are not the least active in
demonstrating his popularity. Oh, the people of this city
will certainly kill my dear, good master in this way, and I
must see to it that he gets occasionally a little rest, and is able
to take a peaceful nap on his sofa, I think I must tell you
now, sir, that Major von Schill is not at home. He returned
only at daybreak from a ball which the city of Berlin gave in
his honor; at noon he will have to attend a banquet to which
the governor of Berlin, General von Lestocq, has invited him,
and which is in fact another testimonial of the public respect
for him. Major von Schill must have some repose, or his
popularity will be the death of him. Please return some
other time. You cannot see him to-day.”
27
410 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUJISA.
“But, my friend, I cannot return,” said the stranger. “TI
am not one of the citizens of Berlin, but I am an enthusiastic
admirer of Schill, and have travelled three days and nights
without interruption, in order to bring important news to
him.”
“Ah, that alters the case,” said thefootman. “If you bring
important news for my master, I will go and see whether he is
at home.”
“Do so, my friend, and tell the major that Referendary
von Bothmar has come from Cassel expressly to see him.”
The footman nodded, and hastened into the room, the door
of which he had hitherto guarded with the affection of a
friend and the obstinacy of a faithful sentinel. He returned
in a few minutes, opened the door, and exclaimed: “The
major requests you to come in!”
M. von Bothmar entered. In obedience to the sign the
footman made to him, he crossed the anteroom and opened
the door of the one adjoining. A fine-looking man in the
uniform of a major, with a fresh, florid countenance, and high
forehead adorned with a broad scar, came to meet him. It
was Ferdinand von Schill, the lieutenant of the queen’s
dragoons, who, ever since the disastrous battle of Jena, had
given such brilliant proofs of his courage and patriotism at
Kolberg (and during the guerilla warfare he had afterward
entered into on his own responsibility), that the people hoped
he would become the savior of the country. The King of
Prussia had promoted him to a majority, and conferred on
his regiment the honorary distinction that it should be the
first Prussian regiment that was to make its entry into Berlin
after the French had evacuated the cepital.
“Let me welcome you, my dear sir,” said Schill, kindly
offering his hand to the young man. “ You told my footman
you had come from Cassel to bring important news to me.
You are, therefore, a good German patriot, and I may greet
M. von Bothmar asa friend and brother. But let me hear
what you bring—glad tidings, I suppose?”
“No, majer, but important,” said M. von Bothmar.
Schill became uneasy, and a deep blush crimsoned his
cheeks fora moment. “ You know Dérnberg?” he inquired.
“T know him, and I was also aware of his plan, and of the
day and hour when his blow was to be struck.”
“Then he has commenced already?” asked Schill.
“Yes, commenced and ended,” said Bothmar, mourn-
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 411
fully. “Our noble Dérnberg expected too much of the
patriotism of the Hessians. He arrived with the legion of
his peasants as far as Cassel, and called upon the soldiers to
join him in order to expel King Jerome and his French min-
ions. But the soldiers did not listen to him; they obeyed the
orders of their officers, and turned their arms against their
German brethren, who were soon routed and dispersed.”
“This is really dreadful!” ejaculated Schill. ‘And
Dornberg?”
“ Dérnberg succeeded in making his escape; he will prob-
ably go to Prague, where the Elector of Hesse is at present
residing.”
“Well, I am glad that he is at least safe,” exclaimed Schill,
breathing more freely. “The defeat is a disastrous blow, to
be sure, but the good news that we have just received will
afford us consolation for it. The Archduke Charles has
gained a glorious victory over the French at Hof.”
“Can that be positively true?” exclaimed Bothmar. ‘“ Dur-
ing my whole journey I did not hear a word about it. On the
contrary, I learned everywhere only the mournful intelligence
that Napoleon had put himself at the head of his army, and
was advancing victoriously in the direction of Vienna.”
“And yet my statement is perfectly true. General Lestocq,
governor of Berlin, in joyful commemoration of this victory,
issued to-day the countersign of ‘Charles and Hof!”
“Heaven grant that you are correctly informed, and that
the general is not mistaken!’ said M. von Bothmar, sighing.
“ Pardon me for not sharing your confidence. The deplorable
turn our affairs have taken in Hesse has discouraged me, and
then—but I am not through yet with the news which brought
me to you.”
“Speak, sir,—what else has happened?” exclaimed Schill.
“Excuse me,” said M. von Bothmar, “should I assume the
semblance of one of your most trusted confidants, and take the
liberty of speaking to you about your most secret plans. You
intrusted to your faithful friend and follower, Romberg, let-
ters and proclamations to be circulated in Westphalia. Am
T right?”
“You are.”
“You gave to him private letters for Counsellor von
Ledebour, at Bielefeld, and for Colonel von Sobbe, who were
to head the insurrection in that part of the country?”
“T did, sir; you are right.”
412 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Well, then, major, Romberg was arrested at Magdeburg;
all his papers, letters, and proclamations, were Seized, and
General Michaud sent him under guard to Cassel.”
“Romberg imprisoned! My dear, faithful Romberg in
danger!” exclaimed Schill, mournfully.
“No,” said M. von Bothmar, solemnly, “Romberg is no
longer imprisoned; he is not now in danger.”
“What do you mean?”
“T mean that Romberg, immediately after his arrival at
Cassel, was tried by a court-martial, and that sentence of
death was at once passed upon him.”
“He has been shot?”
“Yes, Schill, Romberg has been shot.”
Schill uttered a cry, and covered his face with his hands.
“Oh!” he murmured, “I have lost my most faithful friend,
and Germany one of her noblest sons. He was an humble
peasant, but the heart of a great patriot was throbbing under
his blouse. He was the Andrew Hofer of the North, and his
death is a terrible disaster! But I will not complain,” added
Schill—“ no, I will not complain. Blessed are the dead, and
who knows how soon we ourselves shall have to bid farewell to
life? The storm is threatening us on all sides.”
“Andit is threatening our noble Schill, the hope of Ger-
many,” exclaimed M. von Bothmar. “JI have told you that
all Romberg’s papers were seized, and among them the letters
which you wrote to your friends Ledebour andSobbe. Your
proclamations were read by the French authorities, and as they
thereby became aware of your plans, they will at once take
steps to put a stop to your agitation, and, if possible, put you to
death. Would Prussia be powerful and courageous enough
to protect you, if the King of Westphalia should charge you
with beinga traitor and demagogue, andif Napoleon should
insist on your punishment?”
“Tt is true,” said Schill, “you point out to me an imminent
danger, from which I can only escape by striking immediately.
If we give our enemies time to mature their plans, all will be
lost. We must, therefore, act at once. We must hesitate no
longer, but begin even before my comrades here have learned
that Romberg did not succeed in his enterprise. We may be
more successful, for God will perhaps be merciful to me: He
has decreed, perhaps, that Schill shall first of all break the
chains imposed on us by the foreign despot.”
“Germany hopes in Schill,”’ exclaimed Bothmar, enthusias-
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 413
tically, “and hence I was bold enough to violate the oath of
allegiance which I had taken to King Jerome, and disclose to
the German hero the danger menacing him. I am a refer-
endary at the department of state in Cassel, and accordingly
I soon heard of the danger to which you are exposed. Under
the pretext that I intended to enforce tranquillity and obe-
dience among the peasants on my estate, situated a few
miles from Cassel, I obtained leave of absence for six days, -
and hastened hither. I set out from there three days
ago, and, thank God! I have found you in time to give you
warning.”
“Thanks to you,” exclaimed Schill, affectionately embracing
M. von Bothmar; “you have saved my life, perhaps; at all
events, you have rendered an important service to the sacred
cause of the fatherland.”’
“Every one must serve the fatherland in his own way, and
according to his ability,” said Bothmar, gently; “you are
serving it by your heroic arm and soul-stirring example; I am
doing so by trying at least to prevent mischief, and to assist
my brethren as much asI can. My task now is accomplished!
Farewell! and may Heaven grant victory to your patriotic
zeal !”’
“Where are you going?” said Schill, grasping Bothmar’s
arm and detaining him. “ You must not leave me yet; you
must remain here at least to-day, that—but what is the mean-
ing of this bugle-call?”
“It means that the postilion has arrived with horses, and
calls me,” said M. von Bothmar, smiling.
“What! You have travelled three days and three nights,
and are departing so soon?”
“ave I not told you that I obtained leave of absence only
for six days? Well, then, three days hence I shall be in Cas-
sel again, and, I believe, I have improved my six days in a
highly commendable manner.”
“Farewell, noble young man! when we meet again, Ger-
many, if it please God, will be free and happy!” __
“Oh, may it be so!” said M. von Bothmar, sighing. “Be
prudent, sir, do not endanger your life; remember that it
does not belong to you, but to the fatherland, and now fare-
well! The impatient postilion is sounding his bugle again.
Farewell!” :
He quickly left the room, but Schill accompanied to the
staircase the friend he had gained so suddenly. He returned
414 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
to his room and hastened to the window, to wave his hand
once more to M. von Bothmar. Loud cheers greeted him as
soon as his countenance was recognized behind the window-
panes; the crowd in front of the house constantly increased,
and when he appeared to the longing eyes of the citizens, they
could not suppress their loud huzzas.
“They do me too much honor,” said Schill to himself, smil-
ing, and stepping back from the window. ‘But their love
and its boisterous demonstrations are not exactly intended for
myself individually. These kind people greet in me the first
hope dawning to them after a long period of darkness; and,
therefore, I will joyfully indulge them, and I will thank
them by bravedeeds. Yes, by deeds! The time of procrasti-
nation isover. I must hesitate no longer: I must act!”
His servant entered and handed him some letters just
brought for him. He opened and read them rapidly. The
perfume of the firs, written on rose-colored note-paper, made
him smile. “It is the sixth declaration of love that I have
received to-day,” he said, in a low voice, “and the sixth re-
quest for a rendezvous to-night. Oh, women! how innocent
in your enthusiasm for poor Schill! You imagine you love
me, and do not know that it is the fatherland that you love in
me! I will reconquer your country, and bring back that
sweet liberty which the tyrant has taken from us. Until
then, no Cupid’s love! My heart must belong wholly to
Germany!”
He read the second letter. “ Another painter asks me to
sit to him! Why, have not the people already portraits
enough of poor Schill? Has not every old citizen my head on
his pipe or his snuff-box? Does not every pretty girl wear my
scarred face in her locket? I have no time to spare for
painters; I must take the field!”
He opened the third; but while he read it, his eyes were
sad. “ Again the same admonition which I have so often re-
ceived. Do they doubt my patriotism? Do they believe
that I am a traitor, and will suffer the opportunity to pass
by without improving it?”
He looked at the letter again, which contained only the
following words: “Brutus, thou sleepest, awake!” *
“No,” he exclaimed, in a powerful voice, “I do not sleep.
* Schill received almost daily, from various parts of Germany, letters containin
nothing but those words. A secret soviety, extending thronghout Germany, seeme
to have made it a special duty to instigate Schill to strike the blow, lest the homage
he received in Berlin should render him forgetful of his mission.
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 415
I am awake, and behold the golden dawn of freedom! O
Germany, my arm and my honor belong to thee! To thee—
and to her!” he whispered, almost inaudibly. “‘ Yes, to her—
the genius of Prussia! For her I will sacrifice my life!”
The door opened again, and the footman entered. “ Major,
there is another gentleman who desires to see you on pressing
business. I wanted to turn him off, but he said it was indis-
pensable for him to see you. He told me he wished to deliver
to the major something that would gladden his heart. His
name is High-Chamberlain von Schladen, and he said he had
just arrived from Kénigsberg.”’
“Show him in at once,” exclaimed Schill, but, in his im-
petuosity, he himself led the way and opened the door.
“Come in, Mr. High-Chamberlain, and forgive me for mak-
ing you wait even a moment,” he said, offering his hand to
M. von Schladen, and conducting him into his sitting-room.
“You come from Kénigsberg?”
“Yes, major, and I bring you greetings from your friends,
from the brethren of the great league, and also from the king
and the queen.”
“She really told you to greet me in her name?” asked
Schill. ‘Oh, do not deceive me; tell me the truth! Did the
queen really tell you that?”
“She did more than that, major,” said M. von Schladen,
smiling; “she intrusted to me a present for you, which I am
to deliver to yourself, and which she made for you with her
own hands.”
At this moment Schill was a truly handsome man. If the
ladies and the painters of Berlin had seen him just then, they
would have been transported at his noble countenance, as
his black eyes sparkled with joy. “The queen sends me a
present!” he exclaimed—“a present which she herself has
made!”
“Yes, and on which she inscribed your name with her own
hand, that it might be to you a plain and undeniable proof of
her favor.”
“Oh, give it to me, sir!” exclaimed Schill, stretching out
his hands.
M. von Schladen drew a small package, wrapped in paper,
from his bosom, and handed it to Schill. ‘
“On my knees will I receive this present from my queen!”
exclaimed Schill. “Oh, it seems to me as though she were
standing before me, looking at me with that sad smile which
416 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
brings tears into the eyes of all who behold her! When I was
at Koénigsberg the other day, it was permitted me to speak to
her, and press my lipson her hand. With that kiss I devoted
myself to her for my whole life, and she is ever before my
eyes, clothed in a sort of divine beauty—as a Madonna hold- .
ing the Messiah of Freedom in her arms! And the noble
queen, to whom I pray every night as to a saint, sends me a
present which she has made for me with her own hands? Oh,
am I worthy of such kindness; have I done any thing entitling
me to such a proof of condescension on her part, and am [
thus honored by her who is the guardian angel of Prussia!—
whom Napoleon hates, because he fears her zeal and fidelity.
As a vestal, she has kept alive the fire of patriotism on the
altar of her country. When all despair, she still hopes for the
redemption of her people from a victorious but merciless
enemy. I will consecrate my life anew to her, though un-
worthy of the distinguished regard she bestows on me by this
present, the work of her own royal hands.”
“Yes, but you are worthy of the favor of our noble queen,”
said M. von Schladen, solemnly, “for you are the representa-
tive hero of Germany, and Heaven has decreed, perhaps, that
you should break the first link of the chain with which the
usurper has fettered our country. As soon as that link is
broken, it will be easy to break the rest. You, Major von
Schill, are the hope of Germany—the hope of Queen Louisa.
Take, then, the present which she sends you, worthy cham-
pion of the cause of her country!”
He handed the package to the major. Schill, kneeling,
took it and unfolded the wrapper. It contained a magnificent
memorandum-book, embroidered in gold, and closed with a
gold pencil. Schill admired the rich art displayed in the
book, and, opening it, looked for the autograph of the queen.
He uttered a joyful cry. The queen had written these words,
in small, neat characters: “For brave Major von Schill.
Louisa.”
Schill pressed his lips on the words, and then, closing the
book, put it into his bosom, and rose from his knees. “It
will rest on my heart as long as I live,” he said; “its every
pulsation belongs to her! And now, M. von Schladen, what
is the state of affairs at Kénigsberg? What hopes are enter-
tained there?”
“Hopes!” exclaimed M. von Schladen, with a mournful
smile; “ none—only apprehensions.”
FERDINAND VON SCHILL. 417
“And they do not yet think of bidding defiance to the
tyrant, and of recalling noble Baron von Stein?”
“No, they dare not do so. Stein, proscribed by Napoleon,
forsaken by his king, who sacrificed him at the emperor’s be-
hest, is living in exile, deprived of his whole property, which
Napoleon confiscated; he is without employment, without
influence, far from his country, far from his friends. The
Emperor of Austria did what the King of Prussia dare not do:
he gave an aslynm to the proscribed patriot; Baron von Stein
is now with his family at Briinn.”’
“And the king?” asked Schill. “Does he not feel it as a
wound to bow to the tyrant’s behest, and dismiss his noblest
and ablest servant?”
“He does, perhaps,” replied M. von Schladen, hesitatingly;
“but he does not say so. The afflictions of the past years
have broken his courage, and rendered him irresolute and
timid. As soon as he received Napoleon’s orders, he dis-
missed Baron von Stein, without bestowing any token of
kindness or gratitude. Every true Prussian deeply felt this
treatment; one of the most faithful and upright servants of
the king, District-Councillor Scheffner, who has every day
interviews with the queen, dared even to write a letter to the
king, informing him of the indignation prevailing every-
where. He asked the king to gladden the hearts of all good
Prussians, and to give a courageous proof of his royal grati-
tude toward the eminent minister, by conferring the order of
the Black Eagle upon Baron von Stein.”
“ And what did the king say to him?”
“He replied that he was very sorry that he was unable to
comply with this request. Although he entertained the high-
est respect for Baron von Stein, and would be glad to confer
this exalted distinction on him, it would be highly improper
at the present time to make so dangerous a demonstration.”
“Such is the gratitude of kings toward their faithful ser-
vants!’’ exclaimed Schill, in a tone of bitter reproach; “such
is the manner in which they reward those who have sacrificed
for them their property and life! But we do not struggle for
kings and princes; we are serving the adored fatherland; we
are fighting for liberty, and the death which we find on the
field of honor is an order of the Black Eagle which the great
fatherland confers on us! O Germany, one day I shall also
receive this honor at thy hands; free Germany will adorn my
corpse with it!”
418 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Oh, what desponding words you are now uttering!” said
M. von Schladen, anxiously. “Who can be courageous and
hopeful when Schill talks of death?”
“T am not desponding,” exclaimed Schill, smiling, “but I
have a foreboding that I am to seal my love for Germany with
my heart’s blood. Iam almost glad of it, for friendships so
sealed are said to be eternal, and Germany will, perhaps, re-
vere my memory when I die for her.—And Louisa! What
says the queen? How does she bear these days of humili-
ation?”
“Like a heroine! Like a queen whose kingdom is not of
this world. Her cheeks are pale, but a spirt of resignation
pervades her countenance, and when she turns her blue eyes
upward, there is an expression in them that plainly reveals
her yearning for a home in heaven!”
“But her health is good?” inquired Schill, anxiously.
“She is not ill?”
“That is to say, she is not positively ill, but her whole life
is that of a martyr. Her heart is broken; she suffers men-
tally, while she is not altogether free from physical pain.
But she never complains, and, alas! the physicians know of
no remedy. There is but one for our smiling, suffering
queen, and that is the deliverance of her country!”
“Germany must and shall be delivered,” exclaimed Schill,
enthusiastically. “Something must be done! We must arouse
the sleepers; we must compel them to act!”
“You are right! The nation must wake and rise. That
is the opinion of all patriots, as well as of the queen. And
we are looking with trusting hearts toward you; we hope
that you will give this impetus to our countrymen. It is
out of the question to hesitate longer; we must act. Austria
is inthe field; her people are exultingly marching to vanquish
the tyrant, who, with his proud armies, has again penetrated
intoGermany. The report that the Archduke Charles has
gained a victory is as though it were the first herald announc-
ing to us safety and restoration. Hope fills every heart. As
soon as Schill unfurls his banner and calls upon his brethren
to commence the holy struggle for the liberation of the father-
land, patriotic men from all the states of Prussia and North
Germany willrally around him; the enthusiasm of the people
will rush like a torrent carrying away the king and his minis-
ters in spite of themselves; their hesitations, fears, and
cowardice, will be overwhelmed by the public determination.
SCHILL TAKES THE FIELD. 419
The hope of the queen is in Schill’s heroic example; it is the
ae es Gneisenau, Bliicher, and Scharnhorst; it is the hope
of all!
“ And it shall be fulfilled,” exclaimed Schill. “Brutus does
not sleep. He is awake, and ready for action. I swear it by
this precious gift of my queen!” “He drew the memorandum-
book from his bosom. Solemnly laying his hand on it, and
raising his eyes toward heaven, he said: “I swear that I will
draw my sword now for the fight of liberty—that I will not
sheath it until this sacred cause has been carried to a glorious
conclusion, unless forbidden by death longer to serve my
queen and country!” He pressed the book against his lips,
and then opening it read again Louisa’s words. As he turned
over the leaves, a scrap of paper fell upon the floor. Picking
it up, he saw that it contained a single line written in the
same small handwriting: “Der Kénig schwankt; Schill,
ziehen sie mit Gott!” * “ Yes, Heaven is on our side, to fight
for Germany and her noble queen!” exclaimed Schill. “I
will depart to-morrow!”
CHAPTER XLVII.
SCHILL TAKES THE FIELD.
THE following afternoon (March 28, 1809) Major Ferdi-
nand von Schill proceeded with his regiment through the
streets of Berlin to the Halle gate. The people saluted him
everywhere with loud cheers and waving of hats.
Schill thanked them more gravely than he had hitherto
done, and marched his soldiers out of the gate. No one was
surprised at this; all supposed that he only intended to-day,
as he had often done, to drill his troops and to encamp near
the city. His adjutants, Barsch and Liitzow, were, however,
aware of his plans, and had secretly made preparations to carry
them into effect. ;
The regiment took the road to Potsdam. Major von Schill
and his two adjutants rode at its head, and patriotic songs
from the soldiers resounded along their march. About half-
way between Berlin and Potsdam, near the village of Steglitz,
the major stopped his horse, and, with a wave of his sword,
ordered the regiment to halt; then to move from the road
* ‘The king hesitates ; Schill, march with God!”
420 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
into the adjoining field, and form in square. The command
was obeyed in a few minutes; and Major von Schill, resting
in the centre on his chestnut charger, surveyed his men with
evident pleasure.
All eyes were turned toward him—all hearts were beating
with affection for that man of indomitable courage towering
above them. Addressing them, his sonorous voice rang over
the welkin as the first notes of a trumpet summoning to the
field of blood.
“Soldiers,” he said, “comrades! the moment has come to
fight the enemy, against whom all our souls are filled with
hatred—the despoiler of thrones, who has plunged our father-
land into such distress; who has trampled under foot all the
rights of man; to whom no treaty, no peace is sacred, and
who is only waiting for an opportunity utterly to destroy the
constitution of our country. The perfidious oppressor thus
treated Spain, after she had made numerous sacrifices to him
in order to preserve peace. He intends to degrade Prussia in
the same manner, and not to rest until he has dethroned our
beloved king and prostrated the illustrious dynasty of the
Hohenzollerns. But never shall he succeed in carrying out
so nefarious a plan! Austria, Germany, every patriotic heart
is rising against him, and we Prussians cannot remain behind.
It is a sacred obligation to fight for the fatherland, for our
beloved king, for the queen whom we all worship, a precious
token from whom I am now holding in my hand, and for
whom we are ready at any hour to die!”
While uttering these words, Schill waved the embroidered
memorandum-book, which flashed in the sunbeams as a
trophy and pledge of victory.
Shouts burst from the soldiers. ‘“ Hurrah!” they cried,
“long live the king and the queen! long live Major von
Schill!”
“Boys,” exclaimed Schill, “ will you follow me, and fight
for Germany and our king?”
“Yes, we will, we will!” shouted the hussars, drawing their
sabres and waving them over their heads.
“Will you swear to stand by your commander to the last
extremity?”
“We swear to stand by you to the last!” was the enthusias-
tic answer, while the soldiers looked exultantly at each other,
and exchanged congratulations at the opening of the cam-
paign. But no one had thought of future dangers or the
‘SCHILL TAKES THE FIELD. 421
necessities of a soldier’s life. They had nothing but their
uniforms; leaving in Berlin all their money and clothing,
and, unaware of this sudden movement, they had not even
taken leave of their parents, wives, and children. Every
thing was forgotten in their partiotism, so soon and un-
expectedly tested—in their glowing desire to save their coun-
try, and gain a name on the field of honor.
The march was continued to Potsdam. There they rested
over night, and the servants of the officers joined them in the
morning, bringing from the governor of Berlin passports for
Schill. The brave little regiment soon after left for an as-
sault on the fortress of Wittenberg. It was not taken, but
the commander of Wittenberg concluded an armistice with
Schill, and permitted him and his soldiers, with their drums
beating, to march under the cannon of the fortress, and to
pass the bridge built at that place over the Elbe.
On the 2d of May the regiment reached Dessau. The duke
had fled, but the inhabitants received the Prussian hussars in
the most ardent manner, and hailed Schill as the hero who
would free the people from the yoke under which they were
groaning.
The expedition was no longer a secret. The joyful news
spread: “Schill has taken the field against Napoleon; he has
called the Germans to arms, and they will rally around his
banner!” He himself believed in success, firmly convinced
that it was only necessary for him to issue a proclamation, and
the people would rise en masse. He resolved to do so from
his headquarters at Dessau. No sooner had he reached that
city than he hurriedly prepared his call “To the Germans!”
The ink was not yet dry, when he took the paper, and, ac-
companied by his adjutants, went to the house of M. Hor-
muth, printer to the court, and asked to see him. The
printer soon made his appearance, and anxiously asked Schill
his business.
“ You will please print this proclamation, sir,” said Schill,
handing him the paper; “it must be ready in an hour.”
“Major,” said Hormuth, glancing despairingly at_ the
scarcely legible handwriting, “I cannot print it, for I am
unable to read it.”
“Oh, I will read it to you,” exclaimed Schill, and he com-
menced:
“To THE GuRMANS!—Brethren, groaning under the yoke
‘of a foreign nation! the moment has arrived when you are
422 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
able to break your chains, and to regain the constitution
under which you have lived in happiness and prosperity for
centuries, un til the boundless ambition of a conqueror brought
incalculable calamities upon our country. Rise! Be men!
Follow me, and we shall again be what we were! Ring the
tocsin! Let this signal fan the flame of patriotism in your
hearts, and be the death-knell of your oppressors! Take up
arms! Scythes and pikes may take the place of muskets.
They will soon be replaced by English weapons already arrived.
Wielded by strong arms, even the peaceful scythe becomes
fatal. Let every one arm himself, and share the glory of the
liberators of the fatherland, fighting not only for himself but
for the safety and happiness of future generations! He who
is cowardly enough to disobey this call, will be consigned to
contempt and infamy. No noble German girl will ever bestow
her hand upon such a traitor. Courage! God is with us and
our just cause. Let the old men pray for us! The armies of
Austria are advancing victoriously, notwithstanding the
boasts of the French; the brave Tyroiese have already broken
their chains; the courageous Hessians have risen, and I am
hastening to you at the head of well-tried and skilful soldiers.
The just cause will soon conquer, and the ancient glory of our
country will be restored. To arms! to arms! ScCHILL.”
“Now, sir,” said Schill, “I suppose you will be able to read
my handwriting and to print it?”
“Now that I know the contents,” said M. Hormuth, shak-
ing his head, “I know also that he who prints this proclama-
tion endangers his life, and that he may lose it just as soon
as Palm. Sir, I have a wife and children; I am happy with
my family; hence life is dear to me, and I should not like to
lose it like poor Palm. He did much less than you ask me to
do. He only circulated a pamphlet hostile to the French, but
I am to print a proclamation calling upon all Germans to rise
in arms against the Emperor of the French. Major, I risk
my life by complying with your order.”
“What!” exclaimed Schill, angrily; “you are a German,
and refuse to serve the holy cause of your country? You re-
fuse to print this proclamation?”
“No, I will print it,” said M. Hormuth, slowly; “I will
print it, but only on one condition.”
“Well, and that condition is—”
“That you, major, be kind enough to hold a pistol to my
breast and threaten to shoot me, in case I refuse. You must
SCHILL TAKES THE FIELD. 423
do so in the presence of my compositors, and give me a writ-
ten certificate that I yielded only to violence.”
“M. Hormuth, you are a very prudent man, and it will
afford me great pleasure to fulfil your wishes,” said Schill,
smilingly, drawing his pistol and aiming at the printer.
“Pray, major, do not cock it, for the pistol might go off,”
said Hormuth, anxiously. “Now be kind enough to hold it
to my breast, and shout in a loud and menacing voice that
you will shoot me like a dog if I refuse to print this paper.
Distribute also some insulting epithets—call me a coward, a
renegade, any thing you can think of, and as loud and
threatening as you can.”
“Very well, I will do all that,” said Schill, laughing, and
his adjutants, as well as M. Hormuth himself, joined in the
sport.
“Now, let us go to work,” said Schill.
“Will you print this proclamation, you miserable coward?
Why, you have not pluck enough to bea German! Task you,
for the last time, will you print the proclamation?”
“Sir, have mercy upon me!” wailed M. Hormuth, in a
terrified tone. “I cannot print it. It is impossible, sir;
impossible!”
“You villain, I will kill you on the spot if you dare resist
me,” cried Schill. “I—”
“My compositors will be here presently,” said M. Hormuth.
“Please go on in the same strain.”
“T will shoot you like a dog if you do not obey!”
“Help! help! oh, major, have mercy!”
The doors opened, and there appeared at one door the com-
positors and pressmen; at the other, Madame Hormuth with
her children.
“Will you print my proclamation, you infamous scoun-
drel?” shouted Schill. “Say no, and I will put a bullet
through your cowardly heart!”
“Sir, I cannot; I—”
“Husband, I beseech you!” cried Madame Hormuth, rush-
ing toward him. “Husband, consider what you are doing;
think of your children, think of me, and comply with the
wishes of the major.”
“No! I will die rather than print so seditious a paper!”
“Very well, then, you shall die,” said Schill. “ You refuse
to print, and I will assuredly shoot you.”
“M. Hormuth, you may as well yield,” said the compos-
424 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
itors. “Itis prudent to submit to necessity. Besides, we are
somewhat interested, for your death would throw us out of
work.”
“J will yield,” said M. Hormuth, sighing. “Take away
your pistol, major. Iwill print your proclamation; but be
so good as to certify that I consent only on account of your
threats and violence. My workmen will sign the certificate
as witnesses, will you not?”
“Yes, certainly, we will cheerfully witness what is true.”
“Very well,” said M. Hormuth. “Now quick, boys; go
to work! Here is the manuscript. Let four compositors
take it. Divide the copy into four parts; the composition
must be done in fifteen minutes, and the printing in two
hours. How many copies do you want, major?”
“Ten thousand.”
“Very well, ten thousand copies to be done in two hours.
We must remember my life is at stake; for I suppose you will
shoot me, major, if we should disappoint you?”
“You may be sure of that. Now give me the pen and ink
that I may draw up that certificate for you.”
The ten thousand printed copies arrived exactly two hours
afterward at the headquarters of Major von Schill, and M.
Hormuth, who refused to take any payment for them, re-
ceived in return a certificate that he had been forcibly com-
pelled to print them.
The brave regiment left Dessau on the following day, still
in the joyful hope that the German people would rise, and
that a host of warriors would respond to the call for the de-
liverance of the fatherland. But alas! this hope was not to
be fulfilled. The population of the cities and villages received,
Schill’s hussars and their heroic chieftain in the most gratify-
ing manner. His proclamation was read everywhere with
unbounded pleasure, but no one dared to follow him; no
scythes or pikes were to be seen in the array of this little band
of patriots. There was but one glad day for Schill; that was
on the 12th of May, when Lieutenant von Quistorp, from
Berlin, joined him with a hundred and sixty men, who had
left their colors and came with him to reénforce “ brave
Schill, the liberator of Germany.”
But Quistorp brought at the same time bad news. The
report of a victory of the Austrians had proved unfounded.
The Archduke Charles had obtained no advantages; on the
contrary, after a succession of desperate engagements, he was
SCHILL TAKES THE FIELD. 425
beaten on the 23d of April at Ratisbon, and escaped with the
remnant of his army into the Béhmerwald. The Emperor
Napoleon had advanced with his victorious forces in the direct
road to Vienna.
“Tf Napoleon takes Vienna,” said Schill to himself, “then
we shall all perish! But we will still hope and trust; the
fortune of war may turn yet. The Emperor of Austria is still
in Vienna, and the citizens have sworn to be buried under the
ruins of their city rather than open its gates again to the
enemy. Let us hope, therefore, and fight.” Turning to
Quistorp, he continued: “Every thing may yet turn out
well. My proclamation may find an echo in the hearts of my
Prussian comrades, and they may unite with us. To-day,
you, Lieutenant von Quistorp, have arrived with one hundred
and sixty men; to-morrow another friend may join us with
several thousand. Before long we shall have a considerable
army, and this will inspire those still hesitating, and make
the timid bold. The larger our force, the firmer will be the
confidence of the king, and finally he will freely and openly
order all the regiments to join us and commence the struggle.”
“Do not hope in the king, major,” said Lieutenant von
Quistorp, sadly. “The failure of Dérnberg’s rising, the de-
feat of the Archduke Charles, and the new victories of Napo-
leon, have made him more resolute than ever; he is afraid of
Napoleon’s anger and vengeance, and, more indisposed than
ever to incur them, he has publicly and solemnly repudiated
your bold movement.”
“What has the king done?” exclaimed Schill, turning
pale; “what do you know?”
“JT now that the king has also issued a proclamation, in
which he says that he cannot find words sufiiciently forcible
to express his disapproval of your illegal and criminal con-
duct; he calls upon the army not to be seduced by your ex-
ample, and orders you, and all with you, to be tried by a
court-martial.”
“That is impossible!” cried Schill, in great excitement;
“the king cannot forsake me in so shameful a manner! You
have been misinformed, Quistorp; certain persons have tried
to deter you from joining me by false reports.”
“No,” said Quistorp, “you are mistaken. I was already
on the march to Arneburg, when, a few miles from here, a
courier, under instructions from General Chassot, overtook
me. In order to warn me, the general sent me the proclama-
28
426 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
tion of the king, and ordered me to face about immediately
and return to my regiment. He added that this was the last
order he would issue, for he, as well as General Lestocq, gov-
ernor of Berlin, had been called, by order of the king, to
Konigsberg, where both of them were to be tried by a military
commission. Here are the papers, major.”
Schill glanced over them, and, while reading, his hands
trembled. ‘‘ Thisisa terrible blow,” he said, sighing. “The
king proscribes me, and brands me as a traitor and deserter.
It is all in vain! Germany is asleep, and our voice will not
awaken her; Germany lies in the dust before the French
tyrant, and the King of Prussia will punish as traitors those
who act courageously! Oh, my country, thou art lost, for
thy own princes betray thee!”
He sank despairingly on a chair, and hid his face with his
hands. In this attitude he remained, groaning piteously, a
prey to his anguish. The adjutants entered the room, but
Schill did not notice them. Absorbed in his reflections and
forebodings, his mind, as it were, had passed from the con-
templation of the present, and beheld nothing but the awful
future.
The three young officers, Liitzow, Quistorp, and Biarsch,
well known for their intrepidity, stood sad and dejected be-
fore their brave major.
Suddenly rising from his chair, he said: “I thank you,
Lieutenant von Quistorp, for having joined me with your
faithful men. Germany will see at least that there are still
brave men who do not forsake their country, and if we sacri-
fice our lives for her, she will at least engrave our names on
the tablets of her martyrs. We cannot retrace our steps, my
friends; we must advance, though death stare us in the face.
This very night we leave Arneburg, and continue our march.
We may still succeed in what Dérnberg and Charles have been
unahle to accomplish. We shall appeal again to the patriot-
ism of the Germans. Perhaps their hearts will practically
yespond—they may hear our voice and follow us. But if
fortune have decided against us, if we succumb without
delivering our country, very well! ‘An end with terror
is better than terror without end!’ Before us is honor,
and at the worst, a glorious death; behind us, contumely
and disgrace. Therefore, forward!”
SCHILL’S DEATH. 427
CHAPTER XLVIII.
SCHILL’S DEATH.
SCHILL was sitting, sad and deserted, at his lonely quarters
in Rostock, where, after many adventures, he arrived on the
20th of May. He had succeeded in nothing; fortune had not
once been favorable to him. He had intended to turn toward
Magdeburg, in hope that its garrison of Westphalian troops
would joyously open the gates of the fortress, and declare
against King Jerome, who had been forced upon them. But,
at a distance of a German mile from the city the columns of
the enemy had met him, and an engagement had taken place
at Dodendorf. It wasin vain that Schill had sent a flag of
truce to his German brethren to request them to join him,
imploring them not to betray the fatherland for the sake of a
French king.
The Westphalians shot the bearer of the flag of truce, and
a murderous fire was their only reply. Now began the des-
perate struggle of brethren against brethren—of Germans
against Germans!
Schill was victorious in this battle. He mortally wounded
the French commander of the Westphalians, Colonel Vautier ;
his hussars fought like lions and dispersed the enemy; a hun-
dred and sixty prisoners, several stands of colors, and a large
number of small-arms, were the trophies of this brilliant
affair. But he was unable to derive any benefit from the
Dodendorf victory; fearing lest a larger corps should leave
Magdeburg and attack him, he retreated, overwhelmed with
grief, for he at last understood that the German soldiers were
deaf to his appeals, and that the Westphalians, faithful to
their French king, refused to desert him.
Nor had Schill’s second victory, the occupation of Dénritz,
been advantageous to him. Moreover, dissensions had arisen
among the officers themselves; the regiment, so enthusiastic
at first, commenced gradually to lose faith in his ability to
succeed in his bold enterprise; the officers insisted on
being consulted as to future operations. They refused
to yield obedience, and demanded that he should listen
to their advice and remonstrances. But resistance ren-
dered him only more determined, and in his obstinacy he fre-
428 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
quently rejected prudent counsel, that he might accomplish
his own plans. His mind was confused by disappointment,
and at length by despair. He was, in fact, unequal to the
dangers surrounding him.
Schill was sitting, sad and deserted, at his lonely quarters
in Rostock, absorbed in discouraging thoughts, and sighing
at the frustration of his hopes. In his hand he held the
memorandum-book the queen had presented to him, and read
again and again the words she had written: “'To brave Major
von Schill.” Suddenly the door behind him opened, and
Lieutenant von Liitzow, with his uniform covered with dust,
entered the room.
Schill slowly turned his head. “ Well, Liitzow, have you
returned?” he asked. “Were you at Doberan? Did you see
the duke?”
“Yes, I was at Doberan.”
“And what news do you bring? Bad news, of course!
Did you see the Duke of Mecklenburg?”
“No, the duke had given orders to admit neither you nor
any of your delegates. He says he will have nothing to do
with insurgents and rebels.”
“Of course,” exclaimed Schill, laughing scornfully, “he is
a German prince, and, therefore, cannot adhere to the cause
of Germany, but must side with France! Oh, I ought to
have known it before. Well, it is all right. What other
news do you bring, Littzow?”’
“Here, major, is a paper issued by King Jerome of West-
phalia. His majesty does you the honor to call you in this
proclamation a chief of robbers, a pirate, and a deserter, and
commands the military and civil authorities to hunt you
down. He also offers a reward of ten thousand francs to him
who will bring you dead or alive to Cassel.”
“Ts that so?” exclaimed Schill, laughing. “Well, M.
Jerome attaches a tolerably high value to my head. Iam
sorry that I am unable to return the compliment. I shall re-
ply this very day to Jerome’s proclamation by issuing one to
the Germans, and by promising a reward of five dollars for his
delivery, living or dead.—What else, lieutenant?”
“The Emperor Napoleon has also issued an edict against
Schill and his men. He says in this document: ‘A certain
Schill, a sort of highway robber, who committed crime upon
crime during the last campaign in Prussia, and was rewarded
with a captaincy, has deserted with his whole regiment from
SCHILL’S DEATH. 429
Berlin, marched to Wittenberg, and surrounded that place.
General Lestocq, governor of Berlin, has declared Schill a
deserter, and the King of Prussia has given orders to arrest
him wherever he can be found, and to put the insurgent on
trial before a court-martial.’ ”
“Yes,”’ murmured Schill, musingly, “the German patriot
has become an insurgent, and is to be punished for what he at-
tempted in the salvation of his country. It was quite un-
necessary for the emperor to abuse and revile him who boldly
opposed his tyranny; the King of Prussia and the governor of
Berlin had already doneso. And what else does Napoleon say?”
“ He orders a corps of observation to be formed on the Elbe,
to be commanded by the marshal, Duke of Valmy, and to be
sixty thousand strong.”
“Sixty thousand men!” exclaimed Schill. “Ah! it seems
M. Napoleon has a pretty good opinion of ‘that deserter
Schill,’ inasmuch as he considers him dangerous enough to
oppose to him an army of sixty thousand men. Thank you,
M. Bonaparte, thank you for this acknowledgment. Itisa
delightful balm to the tortured heart of the poor Prussian de-
serter; it restores his courage. Let us advance undauntedly—
we may conquer yet. The Germans may awake and rally
round the standard of liberty!”
“ Alas, Schill, I am afraid your hopes are in vain,” said
Liitzow, sadly. “Iam not yet done with my bad news.”
“Not yet?” asked Schill, mournfully. “ Proceed!”
“Vienna has fallen!’
“Vienna fallen!” cried Schill, in dismay. “Is that really
true?”
“Tt is. The Emperor Francis and his family have fled to
Hungary, and the Emperor of the French has again made his
triumphant entry.”
“ And the Viennese did not even try to defend their city?”
“They did try, but soon laid down their arms and sub-
mitted quietly to the conqueror. Napoleon has established
his headquarters at Schénbrunn, and issued a proclamation to
the Austrians. He calls upon them to be faithful and obedi-
ent to him, and disbands the militia of Vienna. A general
amnesty is granted to those who surrender their arms.”
“ A general amnesty,” exclaimed Schill, “for the crime they
committed in complying with the request of their sovereign
to take up arms and defend their country! And what is to
be done with those who do not surrender?”
430 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“The houses of both officers and privates of the militia who
do not return home within a specified time, are to be burned
down, their property confiscated, and themselves tried and
punished as rebels.”
“Oh,” exclaimed Schill, raising his hands, “is there still
justice in heaven, or isit alsoasleep! Is there no ear for our
wails, no compassion for our disgrace? What is natural,
grows unnatural; honor becomes dishonor; patriotism, rebel-
lion—and Heaven seems to permit it!”
“Yes,” said Liitzow, with a melancholy smile. “ What
Ovid said of Cato now becomes true of you: ‘The victorious
cause pleases the gods, but the vanquished one pleases you!’”
“Yes,” murmured Schill, “the vanquished cause pleased
Cato! and it shall also please Schill as long as he breathes.
It shall please him though his king call him a deserter, and
a court-martial pass sentence of death upon him. ‘The peo-
ple of Nuremberg hang none but those they have in custody,’
is a proverb often repeated, and I think the people of Kénigs-
berg will not shoot a man they cannot catch! I would rather
be trampled to death by the horses of the enemy, than pierced
by the bullets of my German brethren. The matter is settled,
Liitzow; let us continue the struggle.”
“Continue the struggle?” asked Litzow. “I beseech you,
take my advice and do not follow the dictates of courage
alone; listen also to those of prudence. It will be utterly use-
less, Schill; we should husband our strength for better times.
We are threatened either by military force, or the rigor of
the law. Prussia has drawn up a corps on her frontier to re-
pulse us, if need be, should we come armed; and, if unarmed,
she would have us tried by a court-martial. Napoleon’s corps
of observation is stationed on the boundaries of Saxony and
Westphalia, and even the King of Denmark has ordered Gen-
eral von Ewald to march against us.”
“The stag has been surrounded, but not yet captured,” ex-
claimed Schill. “There is still a place where he may escape.
The King of Sweden has not yet a corps in the field against
us, and Stralsund is occupied only by a garrison of scarcely
three hundred men, commanded by General Candras. Let
us march thither and surprise the fortress. When Stralsund
is ours, we are on the sea-shore, and in communication with
the British; we have ships in the harbor, on which, if every
thing else should fail, we could find an asylum, and hasten
to England.”
SCHILL’S DEATH. 431
“But suppose we should not take Stralsund?” asked Liit-
zow. “How could we escape? I beseech you, listen to
reason, consider our hopeless situation; save yourself—save
the poor soldiers who have reposed confidence and hope in
you! Let us embark for England. There are well-nigh
thirty ships in the harbor of Warnemiinde; if they refuse to
take us on board, we can compel them.”
“No,” exclaimed Schill, vehemently. ‘“ We shall do just
as I said—march to Stralsund and take the fortress. But
Lieutenant Birsch is to seize twenty of the ships at Warne-
miinde and embark on them our baggage, the sick, and the
military chest, and convey them to the island of Riigen. We
start to-morrow and take Stralsund. That is my plan, and it
must be accomplished!”
And Schill’s plan was accomplished. He marched his hus-
sars to Stralsund, and for a moment fortune smiled on him.
The French commander, General Candras, preferred to meet
the enemy in the open field instead of awaiting him behind
the half-decayed fortifications. He marched against Schill
with the whole garrison and a battery of light artillery; but
the Prussian hussars, with a shout attacked the enemy, and
dispersed them, took six hundred prisoners, and made their
triumphant entry into Stralsund.
“ And here let us conquer or die,” said Schill to his officers,
who were standing around him. “Friends, brethren! the
day of success is at hand, and: Stralsund is the first taken.
Let us remain here; throw up intrenchments against the
enemy, and wait for the succor which England has so often
promised.’’
“Let us not wait for this succor,” said one of the officers;
“let us meet it.”
“Every hour of delay increases the danger,” exclaimed
another. “If we do not now embrace the opportunity—if we
do not start without delay, and meet the English squadron in
the open sea, or hasten to the Swedish shore, we must inevit-
ably perish.”
“Tt would be foolhardiness to remain here for the enemy's
superior force to attack us,” said a third. “To struggle
against such odds is folly, and prudent men submit to the
decrees of fortune, instead of resisting them in a spirit of
childish petulance.”’
“Tet us husband our resources for a future day,” said a
fourth. “It will come when Germany, which is repudiating
432 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
us now, will stand in need of our assistance, and call us to her
side. Let us preserve ourselves for more favorable prospects,
and a greater probability of success.”
Schill looked angrily on his officers. “Is there no one who
will raise his voice against these opinions?” he asked. “Is
there no one who will reply to the timid and desponding, in
the name of honor, courage, and patriotism?”
All were silent; a murmur of indignation was the cnly
reply. “Well, then,” exclaimed Schiil, ardently, “T will
myself speak against you all; I will tell you that it is cowardly
to flee from danger, and to think of defeat instead of victory;
that it is perfidious to desert our country when in danger, to
save one’s own miserable life. Accursed be he who thinks of
flight and of forsaking the great cause which we are serving!
We must hold Stralsund to the last man. We must make it
a German Saragossa, and lie dead beneath the ruins of the
city rather than surrender. Let us repair the fortifications,
throw up new earthworks, and await the enemy behind the
intrenchments. This is my resolution; I will not suffer con-
tradiction, but treat as rebels and mutineers those who dare
to act contrary to my orders! The soldiers obey me, and I
am their commander. But such of the officers as do not wish
to participate longer in the struggle; who, instead of remain-
ing true to their duty, prefer to save their lives by flight, are
at liberty to do so. I will not prevent them from making
their escape; they may embark on one of the ships in the har-
bor, and flee whither they desire. Let them remember, how-
ever, that they will leave their dishonor here, and will not
participate in the glory which posterity may grant as the only
conquerors’ crown to poor Schill and his faithful men. Let
such as desire to flee step forth and receive their discharge.”
A long pause ensued. No one advanced.
“We agreed to serve under the leadership of Major von
Schill,” at last said the oldest officer, in a grave, solemn voice;
“we have sworn to fight under him against the enemies of our
country, to remain with him to the last, and to obey his
orders. We shall fulfil our oath, and not faithlessly desert
the banner which we have hitherto followed. Let Major von
Schill consider, however, that he is responsible for the lives of
all those who have united their destiny with his own, and that
his conscience, God, and posterity, will judge him, if instead
of preserving them he should lead them to an inglorious death
or captivity. If Major von Schill is unwilling to listen to
SCHILL’S DEATH 433
prudence—if he refuses to embark and escape with us, we will
all remain, and, with him, await our fate. Speak, then,
major, will you go with us or remain?”
“1 will remain,” exclaimed Schill, energetically. “I will
await the enemy; I will conquer or die on German soil. Oh,
friends, comrades, do not speak to me of flight or submission ;
Schill does not flee, Schill does not submit! I have tried to
arouse my country; I have stretched out my hand toward my
countrymen, and said to them, ‘I will assist you in shaking
the sleep from your half-closed eyes. Rise! and I will lead
you in the path of liberty and honor. My arm is strong, and
my sword is sharp; unite with me, and let us expel the
tyrant!’ But Germany did not listen to my appeal; she is
still sleeping too soundly, and God did not decree that I should
accomplish my task. Perhaps Providence may intend that
you and I shall strengthen the cause of liberty by shedding
our blood—our death will awaken the sleepers, that they may
avenge us. The Germans entertain great admiration for the
dead. It is only toward the living that they are cold and re-
served. Brethren, let us die for liberty if we cannot live for
it. Let us remain united in life and death!”
“Yes, united in life and death!” exclaimed all the officers,
and they thronged around Schill to shake hands with him,
and to assure him of their fidelity.
Four days of repose and peace followed.—Schill profited by
them to repair the decayed intrenchments and fortifications,
and made all necessary preparations for an obstinate defence
against the approaching enemy.
On the 31st of May, early in the morning, while the major
was reviewing his troops in the market-place, wild shouts
were heard in the streets. They drew nearer and nearer.
Soldiers were rushing toward Schill, and behind them, at
some distance, others in red uniforms became visible.
A flash of joy kindled the patriot’s face. “The English,”
he exclaimed, in a loud voice, “see their red coats! The
English have landed, and are coming to our assistance!”
“The English are coming!” echoed the exultant soldiers.
“No, no,” gasped one of the guards, who had just reached
the market-place, “the Dutch are coming—it is the enemy!
They surprised us at the Knieper gate, dispersed our infantry,
and penetrated into the city. See! their assaulting columns
are already advancing! Let every one escape as he can!”
“Tt isthe enemy!” exclaimed Schill, vaulting on his horse.
434 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Come, brethren, let us meet them. The cavalry will remain
here as our reserve. The other troops will follow me to the
T'riebseer gate!” And he galloped into the narrow street
leading to the gate, followed by his men. He was a picture
of heroism as he rode at the head of his band, with his hair
streaming in the wind, aud his countenance beaming with
courage. Turning with a smile to Lieutenant Alvensleben,
who was riding at his side, “Oh,” he said, “it seems to me as
though a heavy load had been removed from my breast, and I
could breathe freely again. The decisive struggle is at hand,
and burdensome life will be resigned with joy. I shall die,
my friend, die. Hurrah! forward! liberty is beckoning to
me, glorious liberty!”
He spurred his horse and galloped more rapidly, Alvensle-
ben remaining at his side.
“Friend,” exclaimed Schill, further on, “when I am no
more, defend me against my enemies, and greet my friends!
Take my last oath of fealty to the queen, and my last love-
greeting to Germany, when she isfree. Hurrah! there comes
the enemy! Let us sing an inspiring song!” And he sang
in a loud voice:
“Tod du siisser, fiir das Vaterland !
Siisser als der Brautgruss, als das Lallen
Auf dem Mutterschooss des ersten Kindes,
Sei mir willkommen !”
“ Willkommen!” he cried again, and galloped more rapidly
past the Dutch soldiers, who were just emerging from a side-
street and cut him off from Alvensleben and his other follow-
ers. The enemy, commanded by the Dutch General Carteret,
was also approaching from the opposite street. The patriot
galloped into the midst of the staff—his sabre flashed, and the
general fell from his horse as if struck by lightning. Schill
turned when he was unable to penetrate through this body of
men obstructing the street. But another battalion had
already formed behind him and cut him hopelessly off from
assistance. Hisown men tried to reach him. Shouts, oaths,
cries of defiance and fury, with the groans of the dying, rent
the air.
Schill saw that he was lost, that he was no longer able to
save himself, his faithful men, or his fatherland! There was
no escape for him. Death was howling around him on all
sides, panting for its prey. Suddenly the column of the
enemy opened; he saw the gap, and spurred his horse with a
desperate effort, making him leap into the midst of the
THE PARADE AT SCHONBRUNN. 435
enemy. The Dutch soldiers fell back in dismay, and Schill
galloped by them into Fihr Street. Forward, as on the wings of
a tempest, he hastened to the assistance of his men. A bullet
hissed past him—another shot was fired. He wavered in the
saddle; the bullet had struck him! A detachment of Dutch
soldiers were just coming up the street. The man heading
them saw the pale Prussian officer, who was scarcely able to
retain his seat.
“Tt is Schill! it is Schill!” he cried out, rushing forward.
“Hurrah, it is Schill!” shouted the others, aiming their
muskets at him. Three shots were fired. The brave Prussian
still kept the saddle, but his hand dropped the bridle, and
the horse stood still. The Dutch chasseurs surrounded and
cut him. He lay helpless on the ground—that herculean
man. He was still alive; his eyes, that had so beamed with
courage, cast their last glance toward heaven, and his lips,
that smiled so sweetly, murmured, “ Tod dw siisser fiir das
Vaterland!” A powerful sabre-stroke at last ended his life.
His enemies despoiled his body, tearing off his decorations,
and robbing him of a small crown of pearls and the memoran-
dum-book, both gifts of the queen whom he loved so well, and
for whom he fought so bravely. They seized the corpse and
dragged it along the street in order to present it to their
general. His hands were besmeared with mire; his uniform
torn by the brutal grasp of the conquerors, and his gory head
trailed along the pavement. He was at last deposited in the
vestibule of the city hall, where the meat-merchants of Stral-
sund trade on market days.
A butcher’s bench was the catafalque of unfortunate Ferdi-
nand von Schill, the martyr of German liberty! There he
lay, a horrible spectacle, with broken limbs, a face deformed
by bruises and sabre-gashes, and his eyes glaring to heaven as
if in accusation of the ignominy of his death and the brutality
of his enemies.
CHAPTER XLIX.
THE PARADE AT SCHONBRUNN.
NAPoLEon’s great victory at Wagram had put an end to
the war with Austria, and destroyed only too speedily the
hopes which the battle of Aspern or Hsslingen had awakened
in the hearts of the Germans.
436 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
The Archduke Charles had gained at Aspern half a vic-
tory; and the fact that the Austrians had not been beaten—
that Napoleon had been compelled to fall back with his army
and to take refuge on the island of Lobau, was regarded as a
victory, which was announced in the most boastful manner.
But if it was a victory, the Austrians did not know how to
profit by it. Instead of uniting their forces and attacking
Lobau, where the French army was encamped, huddled _to-
gether, and exhausted by the long and murderous struggle—
where the French grenadiers were weeping over the death of
their brave leader, Marshal Lannes, Duke of Montebello—
where the wounded and defeated were cursing for the first
time the emperor’s insatiable thirst for conquest—instead of
surrounding the French army, or opening a cannonade upon
them, the Archduke Charles fell farther back from the right
bank of the Danube, and allowed his exhausted troops to rest
and recover from the fatigue of the terrible battle that had
lasted two days. While the Austrians were dressing their
wounds, the French profited by the delay, and built new
bridges, procured barges, left the island that might have been
a graveyard for them, and reorganized their shattered forces.
On the 6th of July, Napoleon took revenge at Wagram for
the two days of Aspern, and wrested again from the Archduke
Charles the laurels won at the latter place. Germany was in
ecstasies after the battle of Aspern, but she bowed her head
mournfully after that of Wagram.
Napoleon was again the master of Germany; and Austria,
like the rest of the country, had to bow humbly to his im-
perious will. The “first soldier of Aspern,” brave Prince
John of Lichtenstein, was sent to Napoleon’s headquarters at
Znaim to request an armistice and the opening of peace ne-
gotiations. Napoleon, whose armies were exhausted, whose
attention, besides, was absorbed by the war in Spain, and who
had found out at his late battles what resistance was now be-
ginning to be made in Germany, granted the request, con-
sented to a cessation of hostilities, and that the envoys of
France and Austria should agree upon terms of peace.
These negotiations had already been carried on for months,
and no conclusion had yet been arrived at. Vienna was still
a French city, and the Viennese had to submit to the rule
of a new governor, and to the galling yoke imposed on them
by a foreign police, who kept a close surveillance over every
action—nay, every expression and look. They had to bow to
THE PARADE AT SCHONBRUNN. 437
stern necessity, and to celebrate Napoleon’s birthday, the 15th
of August, by festivities and an illumination, as though it
were the birthday of their own sovereign.
Napoleon was still residing at Schénbrunn, at the palace
which Maria Theresa had built, and where she had signed the
marriage-contract of her daughter Marie Antoinette with the
Dauphin of France. Marie Antoinette had been guillotined,
and the heir of the Revolution and of the French crown was
dwelling at her mother’s palace.
Every morning the French Emperor reviewed his guards in
the large palace-yard, and thousands of the inhabitants of
Vienna hastened regularly to Schénbrunn in order to see him
and witness the parade. These morning reviews had become
a favorite public amusement, and, when listening to the
music of the French bands, and beholding the emperor (in his
gray coat, with his broad brow covered with the three-
cornered hat) gallop down the ranks of his troops, followed
by the brilliant staff of his marshals and generals, amid shouts
of “ Vive ’ Hmpereur,” the kind-hearted citizen sometimes
forgot that it was their enemy who was displaying his power,
and rejoicing in his ambition; instead of cursing, they ad-
mired him and his veterans, whose scars were the signs of many
a victory.
Napoleon was but too well aware of the influence which
these parades were exerting on the minds of the people; he
knew the fascination which his person produced not only on
his soldiers, but the public generally, and he wished to profit
by it, in order to conquer the civilians after conquering their
army. Every one, therefore, had free access, and the subtle
invader had always a kind glance and an affable smile with
which to win their hearts.
On the 13th of October, as usual, a parade was to be held;
and the road leading to Vienna was early covered with car-
riages, horsemen, and pedestrians, hastening to Schénbrunn.
Among those hurrying along the high-road was a man of whom
no one took any notice, with whom no one was conversing,
and who, while all around were laughing, and speaking of the
parade, was pursuing his way in grave silence. His youthful
countenance was sad and pale; long, light hair was waving
round his oval face. His eyes seemed on fire, and his thin,
half-parted lips were quivering as though he were a prey to
intense emotion. He was wrapped in a large black cloak
reaching nearly to his feet; a small black velvet cap covered
438 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
his head. ‘This strange figure looked like an apparition in
the midst of the chatting crowd, the elegant carriages, and
dashing horsemen. All were too busily engaged with them-
selves, with the review, which was to be particularly brilliant,
and with the emperor, who was not only to be present, but to
command the troops.
A few persons referred also to the hopes entertained of a
speedy conclusion of peace, and regretted that they had not
yet been fulfilled, while others conversed stealthily about the
victories of the Tyrolese, and of noble and brave Andrew
Hofer, who, with his faithful mountaineers, still dared to re-
sist the French conqueror. The young man listened gravely
and silently to all this conversation. ‘i
It was yet early when he reached the palace; for the Vien-
nese were anxious to get good places, and to be as near the
emperor as possible, and therefore they had set out several
hours before the parade was to commence.
The young man glanced with an evident air of disappoint-
ment over the large, unoccupied space which lay before him,
and on which as yet not a man of the imperial guard was to
be seen. “ Will there be no parade to-day?” he asked a cor-
pulent citizen of Vienna, who was standing at his side.
“Certainly, sir, there will be one,” said the citizen, with a
self-important air. “But it is very early yet, and an hour
may elapse before the emperor makes his appearance.”
“An hour yet!” exclaimed the young stranger, indignantly.
“T was told I had to be here early in order to witness the
spectacle.”
“You were correctly informed, sir. For if you want to
see any thing, it is necessary to be here at this hour to secure
a good place. Besides, the time you will have to wait will
not be very tedious. The various regiments that are to par-
ticipate in the parade will soon make their appearance; then,
come the imperial guards, who form in line, and, finally, the
emperor with his marshals. Oh, you ought to hear the shouts,
the music of the band, and the roll of the drums when he ap-
pears! You will certainly hear the noise, provided it does
not make you deaf.”
“T think it will not,” said the young man, with a mourn-
ful smile. “But tell me, shall we be able to see the emperor
very near? From which door will he make his appearance,
and where does he generally take his position?”
“He comes generally from the large portal yonder; it is
THE PARADE AT SCHONBRUNN. 4389
there that he mounts on horseback; he then rides down the
front of the soldiers, and halts a short time just there, where
we are standing. ‘Those who desire to say any thing to him,
or to deliver petitions, had better do so on this very spot.
But come, let us go a little farther into the palace-yard, that
we may see better.”
“Very well, lead the way. I will follow,” said the young
man.
“Come, then, sir.” And the kind-hearted citizen of
Vienna elbowed himself through the crowd.
The young conspirator followed him a few steps, and then
halted. Instead of advancing farther he slipped back to his
former place.
“No,” he muttered to himself, “I must not stand close
to, or converse with any one. I must be alone and an utter
stranger, so as to cast suspicion on no one else, and not to en-
danger the lives of innocent persons. The glory of the deed
will belong to me alone, if it should succeed; let the penalty
be inflicted on me alone, if it should fail.” He withdrew
farther from the citizen who had spoken to him so courteously,
and when he had entirely lost sight of him, he approached
the palace cautiously and from the opposite side. “The blow
must be struck at once,” he muttered. ‘Every delay will
involve me in fresh dangers, and my fate might be the same
as that of the two brethren who drew the black balls last year.
I drew the lot this time, and must accomplish what they were
unable to perform.”
The youthful stranger raised his eyes toward heaven, and a
solemn earnestness beamed from his countenance. ‘“ Yes, I
swear it by the memory of Anna, and the tears she will soon
shed for me, that I will not, like those two brethren, shrink
from striking the blow. I drew the lot, and the president
must repair the fault committed by them. I must destroy
the tyrant! Heaven, hear my oath and let my plan succeed!”
He elbowed himself quickly through the crowd, and ap-
proached closer to the entrance of the palace. Once, in the
midst of the surging mass, his cloak was accidentally dis-
placed, and something likea dagger-blade flashed from under
it; but hastily arranging his cloak he glanced around with an
air of uneasiness. No one paid any attention to him, for all eyes
were fixed on the imperial guard marching into line with a
proud step, conscious that they were the favorites of the
greatest general of the age, and the terror of the battle-field.
440 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.,
CHAPTER L.
NAPOLEON AT SCHONBRUNN.
Wuite the regiments were forming in the palace-yard
below, and the spectators were thronging about them, Napo-
leon was still in his cabinet. But he was not alone. Some
of his adjutants and marshals were with him, and stood, like
the emperor, in front of a table covered with strange articles.
There lay a leg encased in a magnificent boot, a hand covered
with a white glove, an arm clad in the sleeve of a uniform,
by the side of which was a foot cut off close above the ankle,
and encased in a neat shoe.
Napoleon contemplated these things with grave glances,
and then turned his eyes toward a small man who was stand.
ing in humble attire and attitude, and who was no other than
the celebrated mechanician and inventor of the metronome,
Leonard Malzl. “You are a genius indeed!” said the em-
peror, with an air of genuine admiration; “people did not
say too much in calling you the most skilful member of your
profession. You really suppose that it is possible to walk
with such a leg?” And the emperor pointed at that lying on
the table.
“Sire, I do not only suppose it, I know it,” said M. Malzl,
gravely; “a man may use these limbs and feet as easily and
naturally as though he were born with them. Please be so
kind, your majesty, as to look at this.” M. Malzl took the
article and placed it in front of a chair. “ Your majesty sees
that it is a foot with about half a leg. It is fastened with
these two suspenders, that are thrown over the shoulders, and
aman may then walk with it.”
“Yes, walk, but he would not be able to sit down.”
“Yes, he would, sire; you touch this spring, and—your
majesty sees, the knee bends and the upper part drops on the
chair.”
“So it does!” exclaimed Napoleon, joyously, but suddenly
his brow became dark and his eyes gloomy. “ Alas,’’ he said,
thoughtfully, “were Lannes still alive, I might have at least
offered him a substitute for the limbs he lost.’’ He stared at
the ingenious work, and stroking his face quickly said, “ You
assert, also, sir, that a man may use that hand, and hold any
NAPOLEON AT SCHONBRUNN. 441
ee with it?” asked Napoleon, lifting up the neatly-gloved
and.
Sire, it is just_as good as one new-grown. The human
will controls every limb and moves these artificial fingers just
as well as the natural ones.’ Will your majesty be so kind as
to order me to take something from the table with this hand
which you see now stretched out?”
The emperor drew a ring, adorned with a large diamond,
from his finger, and laid it on the table. “Let the machine
pick up this ring,” he said.
Milzl took the hand, and, touching the spring fixed at the
wrist, the fingers bent immediately and seized the ring. Na-
poleon looked humorously at his astonished marshals and gen-
erals. “ Now, gentlemen,” he said, “we need no longer be
afraid of bullets, for if we lose the hands and feet that God
He Buen us, we can replace them by thuse made by Mr.
alzl.”
“Sire,” said Mr. Malzl, smiling, “will you convince your-
self that my artificial hand cannot merely pick up, but also
retain an object? Will your majesty try to take the ring
from it?”
Napoleon seized the ring, but the fingers held it with irre-
sistible tenacity. ‘Indeed, these are very sensible fingers,”
exclaimed Napoleon; “they do not give up what they once
get hold of.”
“Yes, sire, they will. I touch this spring, and the fingers
open again.”
“No, no,” exclaimed the emperor, “let them keep this time
what they have, and wear the ring asa memento. I will allow
them only to deliver it to their maker, who knows not only
how to use his own hands so skilfully, but also to manufacture
serviceable ones for others. No thanks, sir! we are greatly
indebted to you, and not you to us, and it certainly behooves
me to thank you in the name of the brave soldiers whose lost
limbs you replace so ingeniously. When the precious day of
peace will come, people will be able to do without your inven-
tion, but I am afraid we shall not live to see that day. We
are, I fear, always exposed to the horrors of war. Hence,
your invention is a blessing that cannot be appreciated too
highly, for, thanks to you, there will be fewer cripples and
unsightly wooden legs. I shall issue orders to select five of
the bravest and most deserving invalids from every regiment
of my army, and you will restore to them their lost arms, legs
29
442 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
and hands, at my expense. Indeed, sir, you imitate the
Creator, and the wonder would be complete if you knew also
how to replace lost heads.”
“Sire, I do know that, too,” said MAlzl, smiling.
“Yes, a head of wax or painted wood!”
“No, sire, a head that moves, opens, and closes its eyes,
and—thinks.”
“A head that thinks?” exclaimed Napoleon, laughing.
“Ah, that isa pretty strong assertion, which you could hardly
rove.”
a: Pardon me, your majesty, I engage to furnish the proof.”
“ How so?”
“Tf your majesty will acknowledge that one must think in
order to play a game of chess, then the artificial man in my
possession is able to think.”
“Where have you that man with the thinking head?”
“Sire, I have caused my assistants to set it up in the ad-
joining room. But I must observe that this man was not
made by myself; it is the master-piece of the late Mr. Kem-
peler, a well-known mechanician, of whose son I bought my
slave.”
“ Ah,” said Napoleon, laughing,“ do you not know that the
trade in human chattels is now prohibited in our civilized
states? But let us see your slave.—Come, gentlemen,” added
Napoleon, turning toward his marshals and adjutants, “let us
look at the work of this modern Prometheus.” He walked
toward the door, but, before leaving the cabinet, he turned to
the chamberlain. “When the Duke de Cadore comes bring
me word immediately.”” He then stepped into the adjoining
room and the marshals and Mr. MAlzl followed him.
In the middle of the room, at a small table, on which was
a chess-board, sat a neatly-dressed male figure, looking like a
boy fourteen years old.
“That, then, is the celebrated chess-player,” remarked Na-
poleon, advancing quickly. “The face is made of wax, but
who will warrant that there is not a human countenance con-
cealed under it, and that this prepossessing and well-propor-
tioned form does not really consist of flesh and blood?”
“Sire, this will convince your majesty that such is not the
case,” said Milzl, touching a spring on the neck of the au-
tomaton, and taking the head from the trunk.
“You are right,” exclaimed Napoleon, laughing, “I am
fully convinced. It is true men are walking about without
NAPOLEON AT SCHONBRUNN. 443
heads, but they are not so honest as to reveal the fact so
openly as your automaton does.”
“Sire, will your majesty grant the favor of playing a game
of chess with him?” asked Milzl, fastening on again the head
of the automaton.
ne the thing will dare to play a game of chess with
me?
“With your majesty’s permission.”
“ And alone?”
“Yes, sire; your majesty will permit me, however, to take
position behind the chair?”
“Certainly. I see the chessmen are already on the board;
let us commence.” The emperor sat down opposite the au-
tomaton, and saluted it with a pleasant nod.
“Well, comrade, let us commence,” said Napoleon.
The automaton made a graceful bow, and beckoned to the
emperor with its uplifted right hand, as though he wished
him to commence.
“Well, I shall commence,’
awn. ‘
The automaton took the pawn in front of the king and ad-
vanced it two squares. The emperor made another move, and
so did his opponent. Looking smilingly at the figure, Napo-
leon played his black bishop as a knight, occupying the
oblique white square. The automaton, shaking its head, put
the bishop on the square it ought to occupy.
“Ah, it does not like cheating,” exclaimed Napoleon,
laughing; “it is a very earnest and conscientious player.”
And the emperor made another move. The automaton con-
tinued the game. Another attempt was made to cheat by
moving the castle in an oblique direction. His adversary
took the castle with an impetuous gesture and placed it aside
like a pawn it had won.
“Tt very properly punishes me,” said the emperor, “We
must play seriously.”
The game proceeded. It became more and more intricate;
the chances were soon in favor of the automaton, and the em-
peror was in danger of losing the game. Forgetting who was
his antagonist, he remembered only that he was about to lose
a game, and became serious. He played hastily, and for the
third time tried to cheat by moving a knight contrary to the
rules. The automaton shook its head vehemently, and upset
the whole chess-board,
’
said Napoleon, advancing a
444 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Ah, it refuses to continue the game,” exclaimed Napo-
leon; “it despises my swindling, and forgets that it is itself
aswindle. You may be thankful, M. Malzl, that we are no
longer in the middle ages; formerly they would have burned
you at the stake as a sorcerer, attempting to do what God
alone is able to do.”
“Sire, permit me to repeat that this machine was nut made
by myself, but by Kempeler. But I hope your majesty will .
permit me to show you my own automaton, and allow it to
indulge in a little music before you.”
“Where is it?”
“Here,” said Milzl, opening the closed curtains of one of
the windows, and pointing at the handsome figure visible be-
hind them.
“Ah, a postilion!” exclaimed Napoleon, “and it will blow
us a tune on the bugle?”
“Sire, it begs leave to play the Marseillaise to your majesty,”
said Malzl, moving the figure on rollers into the middle of the
room.
“ Let it commence,” said Napoleon.
The postilion raised its arm, seized the bugle hanging on a
silken string around its neck, put it to its mouth and com-
menced blowing.
At this moment the door of the cabinet opened; the cham-
berlain entered and approached the emperor. “Sire,” he
said, the “Duke de Cadore has just arrived and begs to be
admitted.”
“Conduct him immediately into my cabinet,” replied Na-
poleon, rising hastily. He then beckoned the mechanician to
his side. “ Let your postilion still play to the marshals. As
to your chess-player, I must buy it of you. You may apply
to Grand-Marshal Duroc for the money. In order to punish
the automaton for nearly beating me at the game, I will buy
it, and it is henceforth to be my slave.” *
“Sire, that is no punishment, but a reward, for which I
beg leave to thank you in the name of my chess-player.”
“You have invented a most acceptable substitute for such
of my invalids as have lost arms or legs,” said the emperor ;
“now you must invent something else for me, and come to
the assistance of the wounded on the battle-field. Make me
the model of an ambulance into which the disabled can be
*This chess-player, which Napoleon bought of Mulzl, remained at the Villa Bona-
ae near Milan, until 1812, when it was removed to Paris, where it is at the pres:
ent time.
“NAPOLEON AT SCHONBRUNN. 445
placed safely and comfortably, and which is arranged in such
a manner that it may be taken asunder and transported on
horseback with the train of the army. You are an inventive
genius, and I shall expect you with your model in the course
of a week. Now let your postilion blow again. Good-by!”
He waved his hand kindly to the mechanician, and then has-
tened back into his cabinet. The Duke de Cadore was there
already, and saluted the emperor with a low bow.
“Well, Champagny,” exclaimed Napoleon, quickly, “do
you not yet bring us peace?”
“No, sire, the ambassadors of Austria refuse peremptorily
to accept the terms proposed to them.”
“Ah,” exclaimed the emperor, menacingly, “those Aus-
trians believe they can bid me defiance. They have not yet
been humbled enough, although I have defeated their army,
foiled the plans of their commander-in-chief, expelled their
emperor from his capital, and am residing at his palace.
They wish for further humiliations, and they shall have them.
If they do not change their mind very speedily, I shall send
for the Grand-duke of Wtrzburg and adorn his head with the
imperial crown of Austria.”
“Sire, that would be replacing one puppet by another, but
not removing the men pulling the wires; and they are all
animated by the same spirit. Prince Lichtenstein and Count
Bubna are no less inflexible than was Count Metternich. It is
true they have already yielded in some points, and declared
to-day that the Emperor Francis had authorized them to ac-
cept some of the conditions proposed.”
“Which?” asked Napoleon, hastily.
“The emperor is ready to cede to France Dalmatia and
Croatia, the territories demanded by your majesty.”
“Well!” exclaimed Napoleon, “we obtain thereby the chief
point. Ishall extend the territory of France to the Save, and
become the immediate neighbor of Turkey. Let the Emperor
of Russia try then to carry his plans against Constantinople
into effect: France will know how to protect her neighbor,
and her troops will always be ready to defend the Porte.
When I have extended my frontiers into the interior of Dal-
matia and Croatia, Russia’s influence in the Orient is para-
lyzed, and France will be all-powerful in Constantinople.
What is it that Austria refuses after granting our principal
demands?”
“Sire, she consents further to cede to Bavaria part of Upper
446 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
Austria, namely: Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, and part of the
district of the Inn and Hausruck, but she refuses to give up
one-half of Upper Austria, which we claimed; she refuses
further to cede to Saxony such large territories in Bohemia,
and to Russia in Galicia, as was demanded by your majesty.”
“We may yield a little as to these points,” said Napoleon.
“Tt is always better to make exorbitant demands, because it
is easier then to abate, and appear accommodating. I do not
attach, moreover, any great value to the enlargement of Ba-
varia, Saxony, and Russia. Only the aggrandizement of
France by the extension of our frontiers to the boundaries of
Turkey was to be the object of our ambition. Having at-
tained this, we will yield as to the cession of other territories,
and be satistied with less, provided that Austria accept un-
reservedly and fully the two other conditions I refer to.”
“Your majesty refers to the reduction of the Austrian
army, and the war contribution of one hundred millions of
francs, which we have demanded.”
“Which we have demanded, and which must be paid, un-
less they wish me to resume hostilities,’ said Napoleon,
menacinugly.
“Sire, these are the two points as to which Austria shows
the greatest reluctance,” said Champagny, shrugging his
shoulders. “She contends that a reduction of her army,
brought about by the imperious demands of France, is in-
compatible with the honor and dignity of her emperor; and
further, that she is unable to pay a war contribution of one
hundred millions of francs.”
“She dares then to reject my demands!” exclaimed Napo-
leon, with a gloomy air. “She will compel me to recom-
mence the war for the sake of a few miserable millions of
francs!”
“Sire, Austria makes counter-propositions, and hopes that
an understanding will be arrived at. She promises to reduce
her army considerably in the course of six months, to disband
the militia, and to place the regiments on a peace footing.
She further offers one-half of the sum which we have de-
manded, namely, fifty millions.”
“And she believes that I will be satisfied with that?” said
Napoleon. ‘‘She attempts to beat me down as though I were
a British shopkeeper! She dares to offer me one-half, and
talks to me about the honor and dignity of her emperor! As
if it did not depend on me to trample under foot his honor
NAPOLEON AT SCHONBRUNN. 447
and dignity, and to cast the imperial crown of Austria into
the waves of the Danube, or to place it on my own head, just
as I prefer!” :
“Sire, I believe the Emperor Francis js fully aware of the
danger menacing him, and he igs conscious, too, that his
dynasty is at stake in these negotiations. I do not believe,
therefore, that hostilities will break out again, owing to his
reluctance to submit to these two conditions.”
“T shall not yield,” said Napoleon, “although it seems to
me disgraceful to commence another war for the sake of fifty
millions, and when I know that my own army is in need of
repose. I—” The emperor interrupted himself, and listened
‘to the clock, which struck twelve. “Indeed, it is already
twelve o’clock! My guard must have been waiting for me in
the palace-yard for some time.” He stepped to the window
and looked down. “My splendid guard has already formed
in line,” he said, “and there is a vast crowd of spectators
from Vienna to see the parade.”
“To see your majesty,” corrected Champagny, approaching
the window at a sign made by Napoleon.
“Just look at that crowd!” said the emperor, smiling.
“There are at least three thousand men who have come hither
to see me and my soldiers, and they do not belong exclusively
to the lower classes, as is proved by the large number of car-
riages, the numerous elegant horsemen, and by the windows
yonder.” He pointed at the windows of the opposite wing of
the palace; and when the minister turned his eyes, he beheld
a large number of ladies, whose toilet seemed to indicate that
they belonged to the higher classes of society.
“See!” said the emperor, “that beautiful lady in the
ermine dress; it is the Princess von Fiirstenberg, and the lady
at her side is the wife of Field-Marshal von Bellegarde. They
requested Bausset to lend them one of his windows, that they
might witness the parade. The ladies at their side are all
.members of the highest aristocracy, and the citizens and the
populace generally are in the yard below. You see, these
good people regard us no longer as enemies; they love and
esteem us, and perhaps it would be wisest and best for me to
claim the crown of Austria in order to put an end to all
further quarrels. The Austrians, it seems to me, would be
content with it. Well, we shall see further about it! I will
not make the ladies, the populace, and, above all, my sol-
diers, wait longer. You may remain here in my cabinet.
ee
448 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
There is a note on the table which I want you to finish. I
shall return soon.
The emperor took his hat, and, opening the door leading
into the adjoining room, he called out: “Gentlemen of the
stafi—to the parade!”
CHAPTER LI.
FREDERICK STAPS.
Tue bands played, and shouts of “ Vive ? Empereur!”
burst from the troops. Napoleon had emerged from the pal-
ace door, and the welcome was as a sunbeam brightening his
cold and emotionless face. He slowly descended the steps of
the outside staircase, with his eyes on the soldiers, and he did
not notice the young man who stood below, presenting to him
a petition with his left hand, while he concealed his right
under his cloak.
“Sire,” said the young man, loudly and urgently, “sire,
here is a petition, and I request your majesty to listen to me
fora moment. J—”
Napoleon passed on the other side without having heard
these words. The youth, holding the petition still in his hand,
was about to follow him, but Marshal Bessiéres, who walked
behind, kept him back. “If you present a petition to the
emperor,” he said, “wait here until the parade is over, when
he will return this way.” The marshal proceeded, but the
young man took no notice of his order, and mingled boldly
with the emperor’s suite.
General Rapp at length laid his hand on the youth’s shoul-
der, and said:
“Sir, you must withdraw. This is no place for you.”
“T have to present a petition to the emperor which cannot
be delayed,” said the young man, in a gentle voice, “ pray
permit me to give it to him at once.”
“T tell you it is out of place here,” exclaimed the general,
vehemently. Beckoning to one 6f the second lieutenants,
he said: “Conduct this man away from here.”
“Come, sir,” said the lieutenant; “stand back, soldiers;
let this man pass.” In spite of himself, he was soon hurried
to the rear.
FREDERICK STAPS. 449
“T must attain my object—I must fulfil my oath,” he mut-
tered to himself. “ Napoleon must die to-day, and Frederick
Staps shall be his executioner. Forward!” He elbowed him-
self through the crowd that had assembled behind the soldiers,
and, standing on tiptoe, tried to descry the emperor and his
marshals while walking into the semicircle formed by the
troops.
No one noticed that, seeing a passage in the ranks of the
soldiers, Staps advanced, cautiously and quickly as a snake,
until he was again inside the semicircle. ‘Fate is favorable
to me,” he muttered, “and the moment is at hand when I
will deliver Germany!” He approached the emperor, who
was just coming down the front from the other side. “ Sire,”
he exclaimed, stretching out his paper toward Napoleon,
“take my petition, and listen to me a few minutes.”
The emperor looked for a moment on the pale countenance
of the young man. “I do not understand you,” he said;
“apply to General Rapp.”
Staps apparently had not heard Napoleon’s words; he ap-
proached still closer, and put his right hand under his cloak.
“Sire, listen to me,” he exclaimed, “I—’ A strong hand
grasped his arm and pushed him back.
“Did you not hear that you are to apply to General Rapp?”
asked Marshal Bessiéres. ‘Why did you come the second
time to a place where you do not belong? Leave immedi-
ately, or you will be arrested!”
“Tam going,” muttered Staps, and turned to pass through
the ranks of the soldiers.
At this moment a dark suspicion arose in the mind of Bes-
siéres, for which he was unable to give any good reasons, but
which alarmed him. He beckoned to two soldiers, and,
pointing at Staps, who was pressing his way outside, he
said, “ Arrest that man, and bring him hither!” His order
was obeyed in a moment, and the soldiers, holding Staps by
the arms, dragged him to the marshal, whom the Duke de
Rovigo and General Rapp had now joined. ;
“Why did you have me arrested, general?” asked Staps, in
a firm, calm voice. ;
“Because I distrust you,” replied Bessiéres. “Take off
your cloak!’ -
Staps hesitated. “Take off your cloak! repeated Bes-
siéres; and, not obeying, the soldiers violently tore the cloak
from his shoulders, and, as they did so, something flashed.
450 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
It was the blade of a large knife, in a belt with which he had
fastened his black velvet coat.
“He is saved and I am lost!” muttered Staps to himself,
and dropped his head on his breast.
“ What is the meaning of this knife?” asked General Rapp.
“What did you want to do with it?”
Staps slowly raised his head and lifted up his arm to point
at the emperor, who was standing but a few steps from them.
“J intended to punish him,” he said, solemnly.
“ An assassin! an assassin!” cried the marshals, in dismay,
thronging around him.
The emperor, perhaps, had heard these cries, for he ap-
roached. /
“ What is going on here?” he asked, as his eyes turned to the
pale face of the young man.
“Sire,” said Bessiéres, with an air of horror, “ you see here
a criminal who was about to assassinate you! Here is the
knife with which he intended to perpetrate the deed.”
Not a feature of the emperor’s countenance changed; not
a muscle quivered or betrayed any inward emotion. “Hush,”
he said, in a low, imperious voice. “Take the man into the
palace! Iwill examine him after the parade is over. Let
Savary and Rapp accompany him.—Come, marshals!”
While Savary and Rapp, with the soldiers who surrounded
Staps, hastened into the palace, Napoleon, escorted by his
marshals, walked slowly down the front. He did not finish
the parade a minute earlier than usual. Ascending the stair-
case, he stood on the landing, and received again the saluta-
tions of the military. He then stepped into the lower hali of
the palace. But there he accelerated his steps, and, hurrying
through the anterooms, entered the apartment contiguous to
his cabinet.
An hour had passed since he had admired, in this room,
M. Milzl’s chess-player and postilion, and now he looked
wonderingly at the young man who had tried to assassinate
him. “He is really but a child, and looks very innocent,”
exclaimed the emperor, shrugging his shoulders; “I do not
believe that he is an assassin.”
“Sire, here is the knife that was found on his person,” said
Savary, handing it to the emperor.
“That is, indeed, a strong proof of his intention,” replied
Napoleon. “But who tells you that this knife was designed
for me? I will myself speak to the man. Rapp, are you
FREDERICK STAPS. 451
sufficiently familiar with the German language to be my in-
terpreter?”
“Yes, sire, I speak German.”
“Come, then,” said the emperor, quickly approaching
Staps, whose hands had been tied behind him.
“Whence do you come, and what is your name?”
“T come from Naumburg, and my name is Frederick
Staps,’”’ was the calm reply.
“What is your father?”
“He is a clergyman.”
“A clergyman! and he has taught his son so little religion!
For IJ am told you intended to assassinate me. Is that
true?”
“It was the last means that I had resolved upon to save my
unfortunate native land,” replied Staps, in a gentle voice.
“ But before doing so, I was determined to try another.”
“What?”
“To implore you, in the name of my country, humanity,
and your own future, to give peace to the world,” responded
Staps, enthusiastically. “I hoped that Heaven would impart
strength to my words, so that they would be able to move
your heart; that your eyes would see the fountains of blood
your accursed hand has opened on the peaceful plains of Ger-
many; that the armies of the dead lying in our fields might
satisfy your desire for war. Sire, have mercy on Germany
and on yourself! There are thousands of unburied corpses
accusing Napoleon as their murderer! Our cities and vil-
lages are filled with weeping mothers, and widows, and chil-
dren, arraigning you as the destroyer of their sons, husbands,
and fathers. Sire, have mercy on your own conscience, and
restore peace to the world!”
“He is assuredly insane,” murmured Napoleon to himself.
At this moment he cast his eyes on a miniature, fastened to a
string, and lying on the table.
“What locket is that?” he asked.
“Sire,” replied Rapp, “we took it from the assassin; he
wore it on his neck.”
Napoleon examined it. It contained the portrait of a beau-
tiful woman. “ Whose portrait is it?” i
“ Sire,” said Staps, in a solemn voice, “it is the portrait of
my betrothed—my dearly belovec Anna.”
“What!” exclaimed the emperor. “You have a sweet-
heart—you have a mother and a father—yov are in the flower
452 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
of your life—and yet you intended to commit so horrible a
crime! For you will not deny that murder is a crime.”
“Murder in ordinary cases is one of the greatest crimes,”
said Staps, in his calm, gentle voice. “But to take your life
—to rid the world of Napoleon—is no murder and no crime;
it is an act of justice—nay, it is a sacred duty! If I had
killed you, no one would have called me an assassin; my at-
tempt is criminal because it did not succeed. That is what
one of our own great poets says concerning certain actions:
‘ Conceived and unsuccessful—there’s the crime !
Accomplished, it becomes a deed immortal.
And what succeeds will surely be forgiven,
For God’s own verdict lies in the result !*’’*
“ And God, then, has decided against you,” said Napoleon,
quickly.
“No, God delays only the execution of the blow, and per-
haps Iam not the right instrument. He will choose another,
aud my successors will know better how to find your heart,
Believe me, the Germans know how to do their duty; and to
rid Germany of her tyrant, and restore peace to her people, is
their duty.”
“You have read a good deal, I suppose?” asked the em-
peror. ‘‘ And it seems books have excited your imagination.
What were your favorite works?”
“Sire, historical works,” said Staps, calmly. “I derived
from them the courage required for my deed.”
_“ You know something of Brutus, then?” asked Napoleon,
with a compassionate smile.
“There were two Brutuses. The last Brutus killed the
tyrant, and died for liberty. Mankind have not ceased ad-
miring him, as France has not ceased admiring the Maid of
Orleans. She delivered her country from its enemies, but she
was captured, and perished. I intended to do what that
heroic maid did—save my native land from oppression, but
God decreed that her destiny, and not her deed, should be
mine.”
“Does your father know of your folly?”
“Neither he nor my betrothed, nor any one else, knew of
my purpose. Icame hither alone, and alone I intended to ac-
complish it. Not until I had succeeded was its revelation to
* “ Gedacht bloss und missgltickt—ist’s nur ein Frevel,
Vollbracht, ist’s ein unsterblich Tnternehmen,
Und was nur gliickt, das wird dann auch verziehen,
Denn jeder Ausgang—ist ein Gottes-Urtheil !*”
SCHILLER.
FREDERICK STAPS. 453
be made. And the news would have come to those I love as a
pledge of peace—that the deluge of blood was over, and Ger-
many saved!”
“Your father and your betrothed will now receive bad tid-
ings of you. Are you not afraid of grieving them?”
“Both of them will weep for me—so will many other Ger-
mans, and their tears will water the flowers upon my grave.”
“You believe, then, that I shall have you executed ?”
“T should consider it but natural for you.”
“But it may please me to pardon you. Tell me, in that
case, what you would do?”
“ Accomplish my purpose,” replied Staps, calmly. “I have
sworn to kill you. I must fulfil my oath or die!”
“Ah, you have either a morbid mind or a morbid body!”
exclaimed Napoleon, vehemently.
“No, I have neither one nor the other,” replied Staps, com-
posedly; “my mind is healthy, and so is my body.”
“Send for Corvisart,” ordered the emperor, turning to his
suite. “But let no one dare tell him what is transpiring
here.”
An adjutant hastened out, and Napoleon turned again to
Staps. “ Are you a freemason or one of the Illuminati?”
“ Neither.”
“Did you ever hear of Moreau and Pichegru?”
“T did.”
“And what do you think of these men, who tried to take
my life?”
“T think that they were afraid of death.”
“Did you know Schill and Dérnberg?”’
Staps hesitated a moment, and replied: “I knew Schill.
I saw him on the day after the battle of Jena, and we swore
to devote our thoughts, our energies, and our lives, to the
German fatherland, and never to grow weary in our struggle
against the tyrant. There were three of us who took this
oath. The first was Count Pickler, who shot himself; the
second was shot, Fredinand von Schill; the third will also
be shot, Frederick Staps!”
“He igs insane,” repeated Napoleon, shuddering involun-
tarily at the tranquillity of the prisoner.
The door opened, and the emperor’s physician, M. de Cor-
visart, entered.
“Qorvisart, come hither,” the emperor said, vehemently.
“Examine this young man, and tell me what is the matter
454 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
with him.” The marshals and generals stepped aside, and
the physician approached the prisoner, whose hands had been
untied a moment previously. “ Hxamine his pulse, Corvisart;
examine him carefully and tell me whether he has a fever, or
is insane.” : ,
Staps quietly stretched out his hand; Corvisart took it and
laid his fingers on the pulse. Silence reigned in the room.
The marshals and generals in full uniform surrounded the
group; in the midst stood the emperor, whose face was sadder
to-day than usual; at his side was Staps, with his gentle
countenance and radiant look turned toward heaven, his right
hand resting in that of the physician, who marked every pul-
sation with profound attention.
It was a scene worthy an artist’s pencil. All were looking
at the physician and waited breathlessly for his decision.
“Sire,” said Corvisart, after a long pause, “this young man
is in perfectly good health; his pulse is regular; there is
nothing indicative of insanity in his eyes; his complexion is
good, and in fact there is nothing in his appearance to denote
the slightest indisposition.”’
“Ah,” exclaimed Staps, with a triumphant smile, “ you see
that I was right. I am neither insane nor ill.”
Napoleon stamped with anger, as his eyes flashed fire.
“Te is insane, Corvisart!’ he exclaimed; “examine him
again.”
Corvisart, did so, and in a short time said: “Sire, I can-
not but repeat my previous statement; I do not find a trace
of fever or insanity. His pulse is perfectly regular.”
“Well, then,” said Napoleon, frowning, “this healthy per-
son just tried to assassinate me!”
“ Assassinate you!” ejaculated Corvisart in dismay. “Un-
fortunate young man, what could induce you to attempt such
a crime?”
“The misfortunes and sufferings of my country,” replied
Staps. ‘I desired to deliver it from the tyrant who has been
bringing misery, disgrace, and degradation on Germany for
the last ten years. My attempt was vain, but some one else
will succeed in what I have failed to accomplish, I have no
actual accomplices, but the heart of every German is my ac-
complice, and the knife which dropped from my hand to-day
will fall into another’s. All Germany is in conspiracy. You
may kill me, but thousands are ready to do what I failed to
accomplish,”’
FREDERICK STAPS. 455
‘ The emperor indeed listened to such words, but with a
dark and angry countenance. He beckoned the Duke de
Rovigo to his side.
“Savary,” he said, “ take this boy away, and subject him to
a close examination. ‘Try to discover his accomplices. If he
name them, I will pardon him.”
“Sire, you have the right to execute me, but I do not give
you the right to despise me,” exclaimed Staps.
“Take him away!” repeated the emperor, “and report to
me what he says.” Saluting the marshals with a wave of his
hand, and, casting a last glance on Staps, he walked by and
opened the door of the cabinet, where Minister Champagny
was awaiting his return.
“Champagny,” said the emperor, wearily sitting down on
an easy-chair, “did you not tell me the Prince von Lichten-
stein had informed you that frequent propositions to assassi-
nate me had been made to him?”
“Yes, sire,” replied Champagny, “and the prince told me
he had invariably rejected them with horror.”
“ Nevertheless, an attempt has been made. A young man,
scarcely twenty years old, with the face of a sick girl, came
hither to-day to stab me with a kitchen-knife, as he would a
goose or a calf.”
“ Merciful Heaven, that is terrible!” exclaimed Champagny,
turning pale. “The life of your majesty was really endan-
gered, then?” ,
“Tf the knife which an assassin aims at your breast endan-
gers your life, mine was endangered,” said the emperor, with
a gloomy smile. “It seems my marshals were somewhat dis-
trustful, and did not believe so confidently in the love and
admiration of the spectators as I did, and that saved my life.”
“Tt is, perhaps, only a false suspicion, sire; the knife, it
may be, was not intended for your majesty.”
“Oh, it was! I personally examined the young man. He
confesses his purpose; he boasts of it, and says if I pardoned
him he would attempt the same thing.”
“ Horrible!” exclaimed Champagny.
“Yes, horrible!” repeated the emperor, musingly, “the
more so as he assures me with the utmost tranquillity that
every German shares his hatred of me; that the whole land is
but a hotbed of conspiracy, and that thousands of hands are
already armed to pierce my heart. And this young man 1s in
perfect health, bodily and mentally, according to Corvisart,
456 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
who twice examined him; his pulse is regular, and not in the
least feverish. Ah, these Germans have gall in their veins
instead of blood! They are fanatics, and of such we ought to
beware.” He dropped his head on his breast. After some
time he turned toward the minister, who was sitting opposite
him in respectful silence. “‘Champagny,” he said, hastily,
“we must make peace. I am bent on putting an end to the
war, and on leaving the country. Return to Vienna, and
send immediately for the Austrian plenipotentiaries. You
have already agreed as to the chief points; it is the war con-
tribution alone that still prevents both sides from coming to
a definite understanding. You ask for fifty millions more
than the Austrians offer to pay; well, compromise with them;
induce the ambassadors to assent to the payment of seventy-
five millions, and make peace. I am satisfied with the stipu-
lations of the last draft of the treaty; add to it whatever you
may deem prudent. I rely altogether on you; but, at all
events, make peace! Hasten to Vienna. Good-by.”
The Duke de Cadore left the emperor’s cabinet. Napoleon
was still moodily sitting in his easy-chair, when he mur-
mured: “Ah, these Germans! They cannot be trusted!
They are dangerous fanatics, capable of perpetrating the
foulest and most cowardly crime, and of sanctifying it on the
altar of duty.”
CHAPTER LII
AN EXECUTION.
NApoLeon had passed a sleepless night. The image of this
pale youth, with his determined patriotism, who frankly con-
fessed that his object had been assassination, and regretted
that the attempt was unsuccessful, stood as a grim sentinel by
the emperor’s couch, forbidding sleep to his eyes or peace to
his mind.
It was scarcely dawn when he rose, sad and weary, and
called his valet de chainbre to dress him. His lips scarcely
touching the cup of chocolate presented to him, he pushed it
impatiently aside. Contrary to his usual manner with the
servants, he left his bedroom without a pleasant glance or a
kind word, and repaired to his cabinet. The candelabrason
AN EXECUTION. 45?
the mantel-piece were lit, for it was still dark; and a bright
fire was burning, but the room was not yet warm.
“Germany is a cold, disagreeable country,” exclaimed Na-
poleon, shuddering, and warming his feet at the fire. “We
are only in the early part of October, but it is already like
mid-winter. The sun himself seems to put on the sheep-skin
which every German pulls over his ears. In truth, it is a
wretched country; I wish I could turn my back on it to-
morrow, and bid adieu to these wild dreamers. When so slow
and cold-blooded a nation gets excited, it resembles a bull in
the arena, whose fury is kindled by a red handkerchief.
Such is Germany at this time, and I must step out of the way
if I do not wish to be pierced or trampled to death. That
would be inglorious!”
A low rapping at the door was heard. The emperor
started. “Come in!” he shouted, in an imperious voice.
The door opened immediately, and Constant appeared.
“Pardon me, sire, but it is so early that none of the chamber-
lains are yet in the anteroom.”
“Well; what is it?” asked Napoleon, impatiently. “Quick,
what is the matter?”
“Sire, the Duke de Cadore has just arrived from Vienna
and desires to be admitted.”
“ Show him in immediately,” ordered the emperor, who, in
his impatience, hurried to the door to receive the minister.
Champagny entered, carrying under his arm a large
portfolio.
“Well, Champagny, what brings you hither at so early an
hour? What has occurred? What did you do last night?”
“Sire,” said Champagny, composedly, “ I have made peace.”
“What? Peace!” exclaimed Napoleon, and his counte-
nance brightened, as if the morning had suddenly cast on him
its earliest golden beams. “Peace! And the treaty has
already been signed?”
“Yes, sire, and I bring it to your majesty.”
“Signed! But how did you do that?”
“ Sire, as soon as I reached Vienna last night, I sent for the
Prince von Lichtenstein and Count Budna, and locked myself
with them in my room. We had a long and exciting discus-
sion; but I saw that the plenipotentiaries had received fresh
instructions from their emperor, and that he had ordered
them to make peace. I extorted million by million from
them; at one o’clock in the morning I had already made
30
i
458 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
them consent to the payment of seventy-five millions, the sum
demanded by your majesty; but I saw that I could go farther,
and I did. At two o’clock I succeeded in a war contribution
of eighty-five millions, and with that I was satisfied.”
“What!” exclaimed the emperor, gayly; “you have ob-
tained eighty-five millions when I told you I would be content
with seventy-five millions! That was well done, Champagny,
and I am highly pleased with your conduct. Give me the
treaty. I wish to read it.”
Champagny handed the emperor the papers, and he read
them attentively. “Very well,” he said, when he had fin-
ished, and with a smile—“we have accomplished, indeed, a
very favorable peace. Austria has concluded four treaties
with me within the last twelve years, but I must confess that
this is the most advantageous to us—more so than the treaties
of Campo Formio, Luneville, and Presburg. Austria loses
two thousand square leagues, with three millions and a half
of inhabitants, and pays us a war contribution of eighty-five
millions of francs. I think France may be thankful, for,
from this campaign, we bring her territory, money, and
glory. We have done with Austria; and the insurgents of
the Tyrol, headed by their peasant-prince, Andrew Hofer,
will likewise have to submit. Their own emperor will com-
mand the insurgents to lay down their arms. But I will
make an example, and show the world how such people ought
to be chastised. Andrew Hofer must be delivered to me; he
must be punished as a demagogue! Come, Champagny, let
us lose no time. I will sign the treaty. It is very good.
am content with it.” He stepped to his desk and hastily
affixed his signature. He then cast the pen aside, and his
features assumed an expression of proud scorn. ‘“ Henceforth
Austria is nothing but a vassal of France, and I can annihilate
her whenever I please. Her frontiers are open and unpro-
tected on all sides; she is weakened within and without, and
hemmed in everywhere by French territories. She dares no
longer breathe freely, or raise her arm against us. If, how-
ever, she should, we shall crush her, and reconstruct the
throne of Charlemagne on the ruins of Austria. His crown
belongs to me already; I have it at Aix-la-Chapelle, and I do
not see what should prevent me from placing it on my brow
in Vienna.”
“Sire,” said Champagny, smilingly, “it would, perhaps,
be more desirable for your majesty tc allow the throne of the
AN EXECUTION. 459
Hapsburgs to exist, and to render Austria harmless, not by
destroying her, but by attaching the imperial family to your
majesty by intimate and sacred ties. A vanquished enemy is
always dangerous; but an ally, even though weak, will
strengthen your own power, and Austria is able to give to the
throne of your majesty the last and only jewel that, to the
infinite regret of your subjects, it still lacks.”
“Ah?!” exclaimed the emperor. “ You do not mean to say
that Austria, bleeding from a thousand wounds that I have
inflicted upon her, could make up her mind to put an end to
her hatred by concluding an alliance of love with me?”
“Sire,” said Champagny, “I do not believe that your
majesty is hated by all the members of the imperial family of
the Hapsburgs.”
“What do you mean?” asked Napoleon, casting a quick
glance on the smiling countenance of the minister.
“T suppose your majesty still remembers that, during the
bombardment of Vienna last May, a flag of truce was sent
with the request that no more bombshells be fired at the
palace, because one of the archduchesses had remained there,
having been prevented by sickness from leaving the capital
with the imperial family?”
“T remember the incident,” said Napoleon. “A few shells
had already struck the palace, and I gave orders that it should
be spared. One of the little daughters of the emperor, the
Archduchess Maria Louisa, then a mere child, had been left
there with her nurse.”
“Sire, this child is seventeen years old, and, as everybody
assures me, she is very beautiful, with light hair, blue eyes,
and charming figure. She was deeply moved at the gener-
osity manifested by your majesty; she is filled with admiration
for the hero to whom indeed the whole world is doing hom-
age, and before whose power the mightiest princes pass away:
she is possessed of sufficient energy and courage to give utter-
ance to her sentiments, even in presence of her father the
emperor.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Napoleon, joyfully. “But who told
you so, Champagny?”
“Sire, the Prince von Lichtenstein, during our confidential
interview yesterday; and he added that the Emperor Francis,
notwithstanding the short time that has elapsed since the con-
clusion of the recent bloody war, and the many fresh humili-
ations he has had to undergo, seemed himself tov be an admirer
460 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
of your majesty, for he listened to the eulogy of the arch-
duchess with smiling tranquillity.”
“That is strange,” said Napoleon, slowly pacing the room;
“but the Austrian marriages were always pernicious to
France.”’
“ Sire, it was, however, an Austrian princess, Queen Anne,
who gave to France one of her greatest kings, Louis XIV.”
“That is true,” said Napoleon; “and I should be happy if
my son resembled the great Louis.”
“Sire, he will resemble his great father,” said Champagny.
“ A son—an heir to my throne,” said the emperor, passion-
ately—‘‘a legitimate inheritor of my glory, and a descendant
of an ancient and imperial house, who would dare doubt the
purity of his blood, and his right to reign? His throne I
would have established; and he would confirm by the highest
title the fourth dynasty of France. Champagny, I must have
such a son, and—poor Josephine!”
He paced the apartment with rapid steps, and, halting in
front of his minister, he said: “I shall set out to-morrow;
this air is oppressive. I can hardly breathe it; and besides
I have no longer any business here. You will remain for the
purpose of exchanging the treaties of peace. Immediately
after the arrival of the Austrian plenipotentiary, bringing
the copy of the treaty signed by the Emperor Francis, you
will attend to the exchange of the ratifications, and inform
me that it has been carried into effect. I shall go from here
to Munich, and reach Fontainebleau in the course of a week.
You may tell the Prince von Lichtenstein, in the same confi-
dential manner in which he spoke to you of the archduchess,
that IJ am now firmly determined to separate from the Em-
press Josephine; that a divorce from her had been irrevocably
resolved upon, and that it would be publicly proclaimed in
the course of the present year. That is all that you will tell
him for the present. Champagny, I am determined to make
this sacrifice for the sake of France, however painful it may
be to my heart. The welfare of my country and the stability
of my throne render it incumbent. After the divorce has
taken place, I shall demand a final and categorical reply from
Russia, and if Alexander is unable to give it—if his mother
still refuse to place her daughter on the most powerful throne
in the world—well, then, I shall break off the negotiations,
and remember that the Archduchess Maria Louisa has some
respect and sympathy for me. For the present we may be
AN EXECUTION. 461
content with Austria, and I think the treaty of Vienna is a
work of which we may well be proud. The genius of France
will give it a glorious place on the tablets of history!”
Two days afterward the emperor’s travelling-carriage was
in front of the palace gate of Schénbrunn. Every thing was
in readiness for his departure, and he was about to leave his
cabinet. He only wished to see Grand-Marshal Duroc, who
had just arrived from Vienna.
The door opened, and Duroc entered. Napoleon quickly
met him. “Well, Duroc,” he asked, “did you see him?
Did he name his companions in this crime?”
“Sire, I have, and conversed with him,” said Duroc,
gravely. “He refuses to confess any thing, and talks like a
madman.” :
“What does he say?” exclaimed Napoleon. “Conceal
nothing from me. This young man interests me. I desire
to know all.”
“Sire, he affirms that your majesty is his only accomplice;
the misery brought by you on Germany, he contends, insti-
gated him to attempt the deed, and you ought to blame none
but yourself.” :
“THe does not repent, then? He does not ask for mercy?”
“He regrets only that he did not succeed, and he asks
merely the favor of being permitted to keep the portrait of
his Anna, which he contemplates continually; and he im-
plores her in touching words to forgive him the grief he has
brought upon her.”
“What a strange mixture of ferocity and gentleness!” said
the emperor, thoughtfully. “Has he been closely watched
during these two days?”
“Two gendarmes were locked up with him all the time, and
they speak with astonishment of the unruffled tranquillity of
the young man. For the most part he paces the cell with
slow steps; at times he kneels down and prays in silence.
Not a word of despair has escaped his lips, not a tear dropped
from his eyes. Yesterday, when his dinner was brought, he
took the knife and looked at it musingly. One of the gen-
darmes intended to take it from him, but Staps handed it at
once, and said, smilingly, ‘Fear nothing, I will not hurt my-
self with it; I will not waste my blood; it is reserved for the
altar of my country, and must be shed by my enemies.’
“Did he take any food?” asked the emperor. -
“No, sire, he has not eaten or drunk any thing these two
462 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
days. He says he has done with life, and will have strength
enough left to meet his death with a firm step.”
“ He knows, then, that he is to be shot?”
“Yes, sire, he knows that the court-martial passed sentence
of death upon him last night.”
“But L hope you told him, Duroc, that I had sent you to
him, and that I wished to pardon him, as soon as he repents
of his deeds, implores my forgiveness, and takes an oath to
give up his evil designs? Did you tell him all that, Duroc?”
“T did, sire.”
“ And what did he reply? Tell me every thing!”
“Sire, he replied, that if he could repent of the deed, he
would not have attempted it; that if he accepted pardon, all
Germany would curse him, while he now descends into the
grave, accompanied by the blessings and tears of his country;
in fine, that his death will arouse the Germans, and urge
them to renewed efforts for liberty.”
The emperor made no reply. His whole frame shuddered,
and if Corvisart had felt his pulse then, he would not have
said that it was quite regular. The large drops of perspira-
tion on the emperor’s brow might have alarmed the physician.
“T am sure he is insane,” said Napoleon, after a pause.
“T want him to be looked upon as a lunatic. I hope that the
whole affair will remain a secret, and that the world will hear
nothing of it; but if it should be talked about, we must in-
sist that the man was insane.”
Duroc bowed in silence.
“When is Staps to be shot?” asked the emperor, after a
pause.
“Sire, this morning, at seven o’clock.”
Napoleon glanced at the clock. “It is half-past six,” he
said; “I will set out. Well, the Viennese will not hear the
report of the muskets, for the cannon that is to announce to
them the conclusion of peace will render inaudible the volley
at the execution. Come, Duroc! Iam tired of this fantas-
tic Germany! Let us return to France!”
Quickly crossing the room and approaching the door, he
stood on the threshold and glanced again at the clock. “It
is a quarter to seven,” he said; “in fifteen minutes there will
be one lunatic less in Germany!” A few minutes afterward
a carriage rolled down the avenue of the palace of Schén-
brunn. The emperor had departed.
At the same time the room opened in which Staps had been
AN EXECUTION. 463
confined for three days, under the close surveillance of two
gendarmes. An officer entered; eight soldiers, shouldering
their muskets, drew up in front of the door. Frederick
Staps met the officer with a serene smile. He still wore the
short black velvet coat, fastened around his slender waist by a
broad leather belt, his neck surrounded by a white collar, on
which his long hair fell in dense masses. During the three
days of his captivity he had not undressed, taken no food, and
even abstained from sleep. His time was occupied in prepar-
ing for death, and in writing letters to his beloved Anna and
his old father. These Jetters, folded and carefully directed,
he placed in the belt which the fatal knife had adorned three
days before.
“Sir,” said Staps, offering his hand to the officer, “I sup-
pose you come for me?”
“Tt will soon be seven o’clock,” replied the officer, in a sad,
compassionate tone.
“Oh, sir,” exclaimed Staps, ‘do not pity me! Ishall die
joyfully. But I havea favor to ask of you. I should like
to send my last love-greetings to my father, and the young
lady to whom I was engaged. Will you be kind enough to
send my letters to them? ‘You hesitate? Reply to me, and
consider that a dying man always should be told the truth.”
“Well, sir,” replied the officer, “I am not permitted to
forward these letters to them. Nota word is to be said about
your fate; it must remain a secret.”
“Ah, the tyrant is afraid lest my destiny should become
generally known. He wishes to hide it in obscurity ; but my
name, and that for which I die, will not sink into oblivion.
The day of freedom will dawn yet on my native land, and my
grave will be known and visited by my German brethren.
You will not forward my letters?”
“T am not allowed to do so, sir.”
“Well, then I will forward them myself,” exclaimed Staps,
drawing the letters from his belt and_tearing them into small
pieces, which he threw away. “Go! my greetings and
adieus!” he said; “let the winds bear ye into the quiet par-
sonage of my old father, and the chamber of my faithful
Anna! Tell my countrymen of poor Frederick Staps, who
wished to save Germany, and could only die for it!—Now
come, sir, let us go!” :
“You have no other wish?” asked the officer. “There is
nothing that you desire, and that I could grant you o”
464 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Yes, sir, there is. I do not wish to be tied like a wild
beast, but conducted to the place of execution with my arms
free; I do not wish to be blindfolded. I would like to see
the soil and the sky of my country in the last moment!”
_“That wish will be granted. You shall be executed with
your eyes open, and your arms unfettered.”
“Thank you,” said Staps, cordially grasping the officer’s
hand. “I suppose it is time for us to go?”
“Yes,” said the officer, mournfully, “we must go!”
“T am ready,” responded Staps, and he walked with firm
steps toward the dvor.
The soldiers stepped aside, and then surrounded him and
the officer. The procession moved slowly and silently through
the long and gloomy corridors. Emerging into the open air,
they came to a square inside the bastions. High ramparts
surrounded it on three sides; on the fourth rose the rear wall
of the barracks in which the condemned had spent the three
days of his imprisonment. A few French soldiers were stand-
ing here and there at the open windows, gazing with indiffer-
ent face on the young stranger led to execution, and of whose
crime they knew nothing. He was conducted across the
square to the opposite rampart, and placed in front of the
newly-dug grave which was to receive his body.
A detachment of French soldiers marched from the gate of
the barracks and formed in line, just as the sun cast his first
rays over the rampart, and shone upon the head of the pale
youth. At this moment the earth seemed to tremble as be-
neath a peal of thunder.
“What is that?” asked Staps of the officer who was stand-
ing by his side.
“Tt is the salute announcing that peace has been con-
cluded.” /
“Peace!” exclaimed the dying youth, joyfully. “Oh, tell
me the truth, sir, do not deceive me? Has peace really been
concluded ?”
“Yes, a treaty has been signed. The Emperor Napoleon
leaves Schénbrunn this very day to return to France. Three
months hence there will not be a single French soldier to be
seen in all Austria.”
“Peace restored to Germany!” cried Staps, and, sinking
on his knees, he raised his arms toward heaven; joy beamed
from his countenance, and his eyes filled with tears. “I
thank Thee, my God, I thank Thee!” he exclaimed aloud.
AN EXECUTION. 465
“Thou allowest me to depart amid the booming of cannon
proclaiming peace to Germany! I die happy!”
“Attention! Aim!” ordered the officer.
The young man rose from his knees. “Give me another
minute,” he cried; “let me sing my death-hymn!”
The officer nodded assent. Staps, stretching his arms up-
ward, sang in a joyous voice:
“Tod du siisser ftir das Vaterland,
Siisser als der Brautgruss, als das Lallen
Auf dem Mutterschooss des ersten Kindes,
Sei mir willkommen !
Was das Lied nicht léset, lést—”
“Fire!” said the commanding officer, and twelve soldiers
discharged their muskets.
Frederick Staps immediately fell dead, and the blood
streaming from his breast reddened his native soil. While
Napoleon’s cannon was proclaiming the conclusion of peace,
this youthful martyr breathed his last sigh!
BOOK VII.
CHAPTER LIII.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
THE 15th of December, 1809, was dawning. Queen Louisa
had long looked for this day with a throbbing heart, and now
that it had come, she felt embarrassed and anxious. It was
the day when the royal family were to leave Kénigsberg and
return to Berlin, where the court was again to reside. Since
the 3d of October the French troops and authorities had left
the capital, and Berlin was once more a Prussian cjty, yearn-
ing for the return of its king and queen.
The carriages were at the door; the princesses, wrapped in
fur robes, were in the anteroom and awaited the queen, whose
toilet had long since been finished. But Louisa had not yet
left her sitting-room. The king made his appearance, ready
to set out, and was somewhat surprised at not finding her with
her daughters.
“The queen does not know, perhaps, that the carriages are
at the door,” said the king. “I will inform her that it is
time for us to start.” He walked rapidly through the adjoin-
ing rooms and noiselessly opened the door of the queen’s sit-
ting-room.
Louisa, wrapped in her travelling-robe, sat on the sofa, her
hands folded, her face bathed in tears, and her eyes uplifted
with an imploring expression. She did not immediately
notice the king, who, as if in profound reverence, stood at the
door. The queen was praying—how could he dare to disturb
her!
At last she lowered her eyes, and suddenly saw that her
husband was present. “Oh, my friend,” she exclaimed, ris-
ing hastily, “my thoughts were with you, and on taking leave
of these rooms where, owing to your love, I have enjoyed,
these last years, so much calm and sacred happiness, I prayed
that God cause it to accompany us to our future residence.”
HOMEWARD BOUND. 467
“But while praying you wept, Louisa?” asked the king.
“I hoped that the days of tears were past, and that my Louisa
would become again as merry and light-hearted as she used to
be. Do you not like to return to Berlin?”
The queen looked down musingly. “TI cannot tell you,”
she said, thoughtfully. ‘ When I think that I shall soon be
in Berlin, and meet again the faithful people, my heart is
joyful, and then again I shed many tears when I consider
that, while I may find every thing there as formerly, there
may in reality be sad changes, and I do not know how I may
be affected. Dismal forebodings are troubling me; I should
like best to sit always alone, behind my little lamp, and in-
dulge in my reflections. I am longing for Berlin, and yet I
am almost afraid to go there.”
“What are you afraid of?” asked the king, pressing his
wife tenderly against his breast.
“T believe I am afraid of prosperity,” she said, with a gen-
tle smile. “I had become entirely resigned, and forever bid-
den farewell to outward splendor, so that its return surprises
and almost alarms me. Oh, my beloved friend, will it not
destroy the humbled, inward repose, which, during the time
of privation, was our support, and the only source of our hap-
piness ?”
“It is true,” said the king, smiling, “during these quiet
years here at Kénigsberg, I was so happy as to have my wife,
the charming consoler of my afflictions, always at my side;
henceforth, the queen will often take my wife from me, and
thousands of hearts which will welcome you so rapturously,
will separate me often enough from my ideal. But I am not
jealous, and the more my beautiful queen is honored, the
greater will be my happiness. Come, my Louisa, let us go!
the carriages are in readiness, and the children are waiting
for us; but, before we leave this quiet room, accept again my
thanks for the fidelity and kindness you have manifested
toward me during my misfortunes. J am indebted to you for
many alleviations of the sorrows which weighed me down. i
am not aman of many words and cannot make fine phrases,
but here in my soul I feel fervently that God has placed you
at my side as an angel of consolation for the days of adversity,
and of happiness for those of prosperity. Because I love you,
I gave your name to our youngest daughter, born here at
Kénigsberg. May she become a Louisa!” ;
“ And may our sons inherit the noble spirit and the faith-
468 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
ful and devout heart of their father!” exclaimed the queen,
deeply moved. “May they bear adversity like him, without
despondency, and enjoy prosperity without haughtiness! Oh,
my friend, why will we say, then, that we are returning to
Berlin poorer and less powerful than when we left the city
three years ago? No, we return richer and more powerful:
for we left with five children, and we return with seven—
seven hearts that love us, and belong to us. Do they not
constitute wealth and power? Come, my husband, let us
hasten to our children! and with what a mother’s pride shall
I show our treasures to the good people of Berlin!” She
smiled and drew the king along; her eyes, from which the
tears had long since disappeared, were now radiant with love
and joy—not a shade of melancholy was to be seen in her
countenance when she embraced her children.
The journey to Berlin could be performed but slowly and in
short stages. The snow-clad roads were almost impassable.
Besides, every city and village through which the royal family
journeyed, would have its share of congratulation. They
were greeted with triumphal arches, and hymns and addresses
of welcome. No one had escaped the miseries of war; mourn-
ing mothers and wives, amid the ruins of a former prosperity,
were everywhere to be seen; but all this was forgotten during
those happy hours when the people, delivered at length from
foreign oppression, rejoiced again in the presence of the
sovereigns who had endured the same afflictions. The whole
journey resembled a triumphal procession—everywhere en-
thusiastic receptions and love-offerings!
On the eighth day at noon they arrived at the village of
Weissensee, a league from Berlin. The shouts of thousands
of happy people received them. The whole population had
gathered at the roadside in order to greet the returning king
and his family, and at the entrance of the village were halting
fifty young citizens of Berlin mounted on fine horses. They
had been commissioned by the inhabitants of the capital to
escort the carriage in which Louisa was to make her entry,
and which the citizens desired to present to her. It was a
splendid gift, richly decorated with silver, and lined with
violet velvet, the favorite color of the queen. The eight mag-
nificent horses attached to the carriage wore violet harness,
adorned with silver rings and buckles. The queen entered it
with her daughter Charlotte and her third son, Prince Charles;
the king and the two oldest princes mounted on horseback.
HOMEWARD BOUND. 469
“Now, Louisa,” said the king, riding up, “we have nearly
reached our destination. There are the spires of Berlin; in
half an hour we shall be there. But how pale you are, and
your lips quiver! Are you unwell? Are you suffering?”
“No,” she said; “I live only in my heart, which is throb-
bing as though it were ready to burst. Oh, I believe that one
may die of joy. But such a death must be very happy!”
“ But you shall live in joy,” said the king, smiling. “ Fare-
well now, Louisa; I must leave you. According to the cere-
monial, I must be with the princes at the head of the proces-
sion. Aw revoir at our house in Berlin!”
“Au revoir,” said the queen, leaning back on the cushions
of the carriage. ‘‘ Charlotte,” she said to the princess sitting
at her side, “‘ when we are near the gate, tell me. I want to
be surprised, and, until I have reached the dear city, I will
look at the sky, and remember that it is the same sky that
was over us at Memel in the days of our deepest affliction.”
She threw back her head. Her eyes, blue and pure as heaven
itself, were looking up, and the bright firmament seemed to
inspire her with devout and grateful thoughts. Prayers were
in her heart, and the memories of other days mingled with
her prayers. It was exactly sixteen years since she made her
entry into Berlin as a happy young bride. At that time, life
was as the flowery spring, and she saw before her in her hope-
ful dreams only a world of happiness, love, and glory. She
was then a. bride, beautiful, loving, and beloved by her young
husband, the inheritor of a kingdom. Now, at her second
entry, she was sixteen years older, a matron of thirty-four,
and a mother of seven children. The storms of life had passed
over her, destroying many of her hopes. Her heart had been
shaken as well as the throne of her husband. The ills of
common mortals had befallen the king and his consort, and
it was not their innate dignity and majesty that had enabled
them to bear up, but their warm human feeling; it was not
their self-reliance that had consoled them, but the faith that
God, the Father of all, would be merciful to them, if, con-
scious of their impotence, they recognized His providence and
believed in His wisdom and goodness.
The queen thought of all this, and compared the entry of
the bride, rejoicing in the dreams of her young love and in
the reality of worldly power, with the entry of the mother and
queen, disappointed in her hopes and robbed of her dominion.
“ And yet it is better to-day,” she murmured, “T am richer
470 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
now than I was then. My heart is richer, my soul is stronger,
7p
“Mamma,” exclaimed the Princess Charlette, “I see already
the Bernauer gate! Oh, hear the shouts, look at that tri-
umphal arch!”
The queen turned her eyes toward the city. The cheers of
the people sounded in her ears like the early greetings of her
happiness, and filled her soul with ecstasy. As the king, be-
tween his sons, rode into the gateway, the bells rang, and the
cannon shook the ground. When the queen’s carriage en-
tered, the soldiers formed in line on both sides of the street,
and behind them surged a dense crowd of men and women.
Nothing was to be seen but happy, smiling faces; love was
beaming from every eve, and with bells, cannon, waving
hands, and the cheers of her citizens, Berlin greeted the re-
turn of her sovereigns.
The king acknowledged these demonstrations with a grave,
thoughtful face; he saluted the people affectionately, but his
countenance grew sad. He thoughtof the many faithful sub-
jects whom he had lost, of the cities and provinces which
had been taken from him, of the grievous and bloody sacri-
fices of the last years; he remembered that he was returning to
his ancestors, possessed only of the smaller portion of the in-
heritance which they had left him, and these reflections over-
shadowed his joy. :
The queen only felt and thought of the happiness of ber
return. These thousands of hearts throbbing for her, this
crowd of greeting men about her carriage to see her and shout
words of welcome, filled her soul with profound emotion.
She did not restrain her tears, and was not ashamed of this
expression of her feelings. She wept, smiled, and rejoiced
with her people.
When the cheers reéchoed through the street as she passed,
the queen exclaimed aloud: “ What grateful music this is!
It sounds in my ears as sacred, and the city seems a vast
cathedral! Charlotte, my beloved daughter, listen! but with
a devout heart. There is hardly any thing more solemn and
yet delightful to a princess than the cheers of her subjects.
She who deserves them must return the people’s love, and
sympathize in their joys and sufferings. My daughter, if you
yourself should one day wear a crown, think of this hour, and
let the affection of the people now occupy your heart.—But,
my child, there is our house, the dear old house where you
HOMEWARD BOUND. 471
children were born! What persons are standing in front of
it? Who are they waving their handkerchiefs toward us?
The beloved sisters of your father, the Princesses of Orange
and Hesse! Who is that tall gentleman at their side? It is
my father, my honored father!” The carriage drove up to
the portal of the royal palace. “Welcome!” cried the prin-
cesses. “Welcome!” shouted the crowd, filling the large
square in front.
The queen did not utter a word; but, stretching out her
arms toward her father, she greeted him with a smile, while
the tears rolled over her cheeks.
The duke pushed the footmen aside and opened himself the
door of her carriage, when the queen, disregarding all eti-
quette, threw her arms round his neck, and kissed him. The
people who witnessed this touching scene, became silent.
With folded hands and tearful eyes they admired her who had
ever been an affectionate and grateful daughter as well as a
beneficent sovereign, and their prayers ascended to heaven for
her welfare. Half carried in the arms of her father, Louisa
entered the palace, and ascended the staircase. The doors of
the large reception-room were open. The king met her; her
two oldest sons stood behind him, and her two youngest chil-
dren, held up by their nurses, stretched ont their little arms
toward her. She joyfully hastened into the room. “Come,
my children,” she exclaimed with a smile, “come, my seven
radiant stars!”
She took the two youngest children, Albert, not yet three
years, and Louisa, one year old, in her arms; the five other
children walking by her side, and thus, in the midst of these
“seven stars,’’ she approached her father. Bending her knee
before him, she exclaimed: “Grandfather! here are your
grandchildren; here is your daughter, who, with her chil-
dren, asks for your blessing, and here is the most faithful and
beloved man, my husband! Oh, father, honor him, for he
has preserved to your daughter her happiness!” She placed
the two youngest ones at the feet of the duke, and took the
king’s hand, which she pressed to her bosom.
The king, who was afraid lest this excitement should be-
come injurious to the feeble health of his wife, after saluting
the duke and his own sisters in a cordial manner, proposed an
inspection of the rooms of their so long deserted house.
“Yes! exclaimed Louisa, “let us show my beloved father
the temple of our happiness; and the good spirits around us
479, NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
no doubt welcome him and us. Come!” Walking between her
father and her husband, and followed by the princesses and
her oldest sons, the queen hastened through the suite of
rooms, hallowed by the remembrances of other days, and
which now seemed to her as beautiful as the halls of a fairy-
palace. “How tasteful, how brilliant!” exclaimed Louisa.
“Formerly, the magnificence of these rooms did not strike me
at all; but now I am able to perceive and appreciate it. Our
houses at Memel and Koénigsberg were much plainer, and I
thought of the beauty of our residence at Berlin.—Ah, and
there is my piano! Oh, how often have I longed for it!
Will you grant me a favor, my king and husband?”
“The queen is in her own rooms; she has to ask no favors
here, but only to command,” said the king.
“You will then permit me to salute the good spirits of our
house with music, and to sing a hymn of welcome to them?”
asked the queen.
The king smilingly nodded, and Louisa, hastening to the
piano, quickly took off her gloves, and sat down on a chair in
front of the instrument. Her fingers swept over the keys in
many brilliant cadences. Her face was cheerful, but grad-
ually she became grave, and, turning her large eyes toward
heaven, her concords were slow and solemn. She thought of
the past—of the day when, seized with forebodings, she sang
here a hymn which she repeated at the peasant’s cottage dur-
ing her flight to Koénigsberg, when her presentiments were
fulfilled. Her hands played almost spontaneously that simple
and beautiful air, and again she sang with emotion:
‘* Who never ate his bread with tears,
Who never in the sorrowing hours
Of night, lay sunk in gloomy fears,
He knows you not, ye Heavenly Powers 1" *
CHAPTER LIV.
THE EMPEROR FRANCIS AND METTERNICH.
Tue Emperor Francis was pacing his cabinet in evident
uneasiness and excitement. Count Clement Metternich,
since Stadion’s withdrawal from the cabinet, prime minister
*‘ Wer nie sein Brot mit Thriénen ass,
Wer nie die kummervollen Nichte
Auf seinem Bette weinend sass,
Der kennt Euch nicht, Ihr himmlischen Michte )”
THE EMPEROR FRANCIS AND METTERNICH. 473
and confidential adviser, was standing at the emperor’s desk,
and whenever Francis, in walking up and down, turned his
back to him, a scornful smile overspread his handsome coun-
tenance; this manifestation of contempt disappeared, how-
ever, aS soon as his master turned again toward him.
“Tt will stir up a great deal of ill-feeling throughout Ger-
many,’ said the Emperor Francis, hastily. “No one will
believe that I, who was hitherto the most implacable enemy
of Bonaparte, should have suddenly done him so much honor.”
“ But at last every one will have to believe it, your majesty,”
said Metternich, in his gentle, melodious voice. “The facts
will refute the surmises of the incredulous.”
“But it is outrageous,” cried the emperor, “and I can
hardly think it possible that I am to assist Bonaparte in mak-
ing a decent match, and that I am to stoop so low as to call
the son of the Corsican lawyer my son-in-law! Let me tell
you, it will never do; I should ever after be afraid of passing
the church of the Capuchins; I should always imagine that
the tombs of my ancestors opened, and their ghosts arose and
asked me, ‘How could you permit the imperial blood of the
Hapsburgs to mingle with that of the little Corsican lawyer’s
son, the insurgent and revolutionary captain, who chances to
be a successful warrior?’ Yes, and I ask myself the question,
How can I permit an archduchess, my daughter, to be mar-
ried to a man seated on a throne which does not belong to
him, and which the Bourbons, the legitimate rulers of France,
will one day take from him? How can I permit it, I ask,
and how am I to bear it, if this fellow without a pedigree
should some day take the liberty to call me his dear father-in-
law? How is it possible for me to expose myself to such risk?”
“Will your majesty permit me to answer these just ques-
tions of your imperial conscience?” asked Metternich.
“Do so,” exclaimed Francis. “Explain the whole matter
to me as though I were not the emperor, but a common citi-
zen offended at the idea that the Emperor of Austria should
permit his daughter to be married to the revolutionary leader
who has the impudence to assume the imperial title. What
would you say? How would you excuse me?”
Metternich advanced a step toward the emperor, and re-
plied: “I would say the Emperor Francis has acted as a wise
statesman and ruler, and as a father of his people. In order
to preserve Austria from new wars, he has sacrificed his most
precious treasure, his only child. It is a pledge securing
31
474 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
peace to his exhausted people. Austria is not now able to resist
Napoleon in case he should again attack her. Our frontiers
are defenceless; our finances are exhausted. Hitherto every
war has caused us grievous losses in money, men, and territory;
and so long as we stand alone, so long as Russia persists in
her absurd policy of being the cat’s-paw of France, it would
be senseless and criminal again to endanger the existence of
the monarchy. We have suffered such immense losses, that
we must have peace to recover what we have lost. Hence we
must be reconciled with France, and this reconciliation
strengthens us against Russia. The very fact that Napoleon
desires to conclude an alliance with Austria indicates a change
in his political system, by which we should try to profit, and
if (what is unavoidable) a rupture with Russia ensues, Austria
ought to derive as much benefit therefrom as possible, and
enlarge her territories. We ought to render our present
position toward France as profitable as possible. The arch-
duchess will be a precious guaranty to Napoleon, for he will
feel convinced that the emperor will be unwilling to sacrifice
his child, and this conviction will fill him with confidence
and a feeling of security. Austria becomes closely connected
with the political interests of Napoleon, and shares the
hatred which all Europe feels against the Emperor of the
French. But this very hatred incurred by Austria will be
regarded by Napoleon as another surety for his fidelity. He
will ally himself more closely with us, and become more hos-
tile to Russia, the natural enemy of Austria; hence it is bet-
ter for us to fight in company with France against Russia
than to allow Russia and France to fight against us. More-
over, our finances are in such a deplorable condition, that a
bankruptcy of the state would be the inevitable consequence
of another war; not only the future of the emperor’s dynasty,
but the fortunes of his subjects would be endangered. In
consideration of this, the emperor, in his wisdom, has pre-
ferred to secure peace, the source of prosperity, to his beloved
subjects, and, like the patriarch, he sacrifices his own child
willingly and joyously. The noble emperor ought to be
blessed and praised for this, and his wisdom, which despises
prejudice, and only weighs and respects the benefits to be
secured by such a measure, should be gratefully acknowledged.
That, sire,” said Metternich, concluding his speech, “is what
I would reply to him who would dare in my presence censure
the marriage of the archduchess to the Emperor Napoleon.”
THE EMPEROR FRANCIS AND METTERNICH. 475
“Tt Sounds well enough,” said the emperor, thoughtfully,
“but it is still an unpalatable dish for me, and my tongue
will cling to the roof of my mouth when T am to say, ‘My
son-in-law the Emperor Napoleon!’ He is no real emperor,
although he has placed three crowns on his head, and even
had the impudence of dividing my order of the Golden Fleece,
contrary to law, into three classes; he can never become a
real emperor; he must always remain the son of a Corsican
lawyer.”
“Whom the pope, however, has anointed and crowned em-
peror,” said Metternich, with a sneer.
“Yes, and, in return, this ungrateful fellow has deprived
the holy father of his throne, and imprisoned him! In short,
I detest the usurper. It always deeply pained me to hear of
Bonaparte and his new victories; and since I saw him on that
day after the battle of Austerlitz, he is more hateful to me
than ever. Oh, how superciliously this fellow then looked at
me! He talked to me so haughtily that I felt quite miser-
able, and did not know what to say. Ishall never forgive M.
Bonaparte, and yet I am to allow him to become my son-in-
law! I tell you, Metternich, it will not do, for the end will
be bad.”
“ But the commencement,” said Metternich, smiling, “ will
be good for Austria, and that is the chief point. We shall
take care that the end will not be bad for us either, and that
Austria will not be the loser by it.”
“Tt is all right,” said Francis, nodding, “but the mischief
is, that when the unhappy time comes, M. Bonaparte will be
my son-in-law, and that it may be necessary for me to support
him and his cause.”
“Your majesty,” said Metternich, in a low voice, and
glancing cautiously over the room, “if you do not now hesi-
tate to sacrifice your own child for the welfare of your coun-
try, at a later time you will not shrink from sacrificing your
son-in-law. There are no relatives in politics; Austria has
no sisters and brothers, no daughters and sons-in-law; that is
what the august uncle of your majesty, the Emperor Joseph,
often said, and he was right.”
“Yes, indeed, my great uncle Joseph was right,” exclaimed
the emperor, laughing; “there are no sons-in-law in politics!
Oh, it would do my heart good if I could revenge myself one
day on M. Bonaparte for all the humiliations that I have to
bear now.”
476 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
“Your majesty,” said Metternich, in a lower voice than
before, “ there is an excellent Italian proverb, ‘Revenge must
be eaten cold.’ Your majesty knows it?”
“Of course I do,” whispered the emperor. “I know it,
and shall surely remember it. ‘Revenge must be eaten cold;’
he who wants to eat it hot, will burn his tongue. Let us
wait, therefore.”
“Yes, let us wait,” whispered Metternich. He then added
in a loud voice: “ Your mafjesty, then, will graciously accept
the proposals of the Emperor Napoleon as to his union with
the archduchess, order the marriage contracts to be made out,
and permit the Prince de Neufchatel, Marshal Berthier, to
apply to your majesty and the archduchess for the hand of
the imperial princess?”
“Yes, I will,” said Francis, hesitatingly, “but let me tell
you, I am afraid of what the empress, my consort, will say
about the matter, and also of Maria Louisa herself. The
empress never liked Bonaparte, and I do not know how I shall
break the news to her, that the man for whose sake, but a few
months since, so much Austrian blood was shed, and to whom
I had to sacrifice the brave Tyrolese, Andrew Hofer, is to be-
come my son-in-law. And Maria Louisa will be greatly
surprised; I am afraid she will weep a good deal on hearing
the news,”
“T believe the archduchess will cheerfully submit to her
fate,” said Metternich. “I heard her imperial highness
speak in terms of intense admiration of the heroism and mar-
vellous deeds of the Emperor Napoleon.”
“Yes, she did,” rephed Francis, “but I commanded her
not to give expression to such sentiments. Iexplained to her
how much misery and ignominy Bonaparte had brought upon
Austria and our house, and what a cruel, tyrannical, and
bloodthirsty man he is; and my words made so deep an im-
pression on the mind of my dutiful daughter, that she has
detested Bonaparte ever since, and is afraid of him, as though
he were a monster.”
“Perhaps, if your majesty were to tell the archduchess that
the Emperor Napoleon is not so bad after all,” said Metter-
nich, smiling—“if you were to assure her imperial highness
that he is a very great and admirable man, and that his lau-
rels are as good as a long line of ancestors, the words of your
majesty would not fail to impress themselves on her mind, and
her hatred would disappear, particularly if you should show
THE EMPEROR FRANCIS AND METTERNICH. 4t7
her a correct likeness of the emperor, for care has been
hitherto taken to exhibit to the imperial princes and prin-
cesses only those representations of Napoleon in which he is
horribly caricatured. I know that the mistress of ceremonies
of the archduchess, Countess Colloredo, in her passionate
hatred against him, and against France generally, tried this
remedy to cure the imperial princess of her admiration for
the conqueror, and the archduchess sees, hears, and reads noth-
ing but what has been previously examined by the countess.
I repeat, that if your majesty could have a really correct like-
ness of Napoleon brought to the young lady’s notice, her
ideas of him would be somewhat changed.”
“But I have no good likeness of Bonaparte,” said the em-
peror, somewhat embarrassed.
“Marshal Berthier brought one, which he is to present to
the archduchess on solemnly applying for her hand. It is
very costly and correct. The frame consists of twenty very
large diamonds, for which one might buy a whole principality.
I requested the marshal to let me have it an hour, when he
permitted me to see it during the visit I paid to him. JI told
him frankly I wished to take it to the emperor, who would
show it to the archduchess, that she might have some notion
of the real emperor, and receive his suit. The marshal
granted my request, and intrusted the miniature to me.”
“Did you bring it with you?”
“JT did, your majesty. Here it is.” Metternich drew a
morocco case from his bosom and handed it to the emperor.
Francis opened it hastily, and contemplated the precious
locket a good while. ‘“ These are splendid diamonds, indeed,”
he said, “and I am convinced Bonaparte did not inherit them
of his father. Not the slightest blemish, not a single imper-
fection in them; I believe I have no more beautiful diamonds
in my crown!”
“And the resemblance?” asked Metternich. “ Does not
your majesty think that it is excellent?”
“Yes, yes,” exclaimed Francis, langhing. “I had almost
forgotten that, in admiring the precious stones. Yes, it is a
good likeness; he looks precisely like that, but you must
admit it is a revolting face, looking as though there were but
one man in the world, and he were that man.”
“But the expression of so much haughtiness impresses the
ladies very favorably,” said Metternich. ‘‘ They like the man
who loves to consider himself a god, and he is one in their
478 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
eyes. ITreally believe it would be a good idea for your majesty
to show this to the archduchess, and tell her afterward that
it is the likeness of her future husband. If your majesty has
no objection, I will, in the mean time, request an audience
of the Empress Ludovica, and try to convince her majesty of
the necessity of this marriage.”’
“Do so,” exclaimed the emperor, joyously, “it will be very
agreeable to me, and as soon as possibie. In the mean time I
will go to the archduchess, show her the miniature, and tell
her plainly that it is that of her future husband. It is better
to tell her so without circumlocution. The princess will not
dare to oppose my wishes; she knows that it is the duty of an
obedient daughter to accept the husband her father has
selected for her. Go to the empress, Metternich; I shall go
to the Archduchess Maria Louisa.”
CHAPTER LV.
THE ARCHDUCHESS MARIA LOUISA.
THE imperial princes and princesses had just dined to-
gether, as had been their custom since the reign of the
Emperor Joseph, and were still in the large dining-hall,
which was also the play-room of the imperial children. The
Emperor Francis, who had recently married his fourth wife,
had children by his second marriage only, but numerous
enough to secure the continued existence of the dynasty, and,
at the same time, furnish beautiful princesses to other sover-
eign houses. Of these five daughters and two sons, Maria
Louisa, who was seventeen years old, was the eldest. But
though a grown young lady, she liked to be together with her
younger brothers and sisters, and remained sometimes with
them after dinner, in order to participate in their merry play
and conversation. On this occasion, instead of returning
with the mistress of ceremonies to her room, she remained
with her brothers and sisters in the dining-hall. While the
younger princes and princesses were engaged in playing round
a large table, the two oldest, the archduchesses Maria Louisa
and Leopoldine, retired into one of the bay-windows to con-
verse without being disturbed.
It was a charming sight—those two young ladies standing
in the niche, surrounded by curtains as in a frame, and whose
THE ARCHDUCHESS MARIA LOUISA. 479
beauty seemed to have caught a celestial radiance from the
light beaming through the windows. Both were in the morn-
ing of their age, but Maria Louisa, the older sister, was even
more attractive than Leopoldine. Thick ringlets of light-
brown hair floated around her forehead. She had large azure
eyes, telling of her happiness and the kindly emotions of her
soul. Her finely-cut nose gave an aristocratic expression to
her countenance, while her crimson lips, in their voluptuous
fulness, contrasted not unfavorably with the remarkable re-
finement of the rest of her features. An enchanting smile
played about her mouth, and spoke of her noble simplicity
and innocence.
She encircled the neck ef her younger sister With her arms,
and was gazing at her with a tender expression. “ Ah, Leo-
poldine,” she said to her in a sweet voice, “how happy Iam
that we are at length together again! When I remained here
ill and alone, and the enemy was besieging our capital, I was
always thinking of none but you, and yearned to be again
with you. But when the shells struck our palace, I thanked
Heaven that you were not here, and had not to undergo the
fear and anguish which I was enduring. When this Bona-
parte arrived, I was suffering of the scarlet fever, but the ter-
ror brought on an attack of intermittent fever. I shall
never forgive him. But, thank God, these evil times are
over! Now we need not be afraid of being expelled again
from the palace of our ancestors by this bad man, and of see-
ing our dear Schénbrunn degraded by the presence of his
marshals. Now we can live happily and delightfully in un-
disturbed tranquillity.”
“Yes, we can,” said the Archduchess Leopoldine, smiling.
“But do you not think, sister, that our life is indescribably
monotonous and tedious at the present time? Our third
mother, the Empress Ludovica, is certainly a very amiable,
virtuous, and pious lady, but she really believes us still to be
small children, who ought to remain in the nursery, and it
does not occur to her that amusements are sometimes neces-
sary for young princesses of our age. We have passed the
whole winter in an intolerably quiet and wearisome manner ;
we are already in the latter part of February, and have not
had a single ball at court. Ah, Louisa, it is, after all, not so
very pleasant to be a princess. Other girls of our age are at
liberty to indulge in a little pleasure, to attend balls, concerts,
and parties, where they see new faces and interesting persons.
480 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
We are forbidden all this. We must wait until diversion
comes to us, and unfortunately we are not thought of at all!
We are never allowed to pay visits or accept invitations. A
formal court ball, where we may appear for a few hours, and
dance with the most aristocratic cavaliers, is our only amuse-
ment, and at present we are deprived of that. We are guarded
in our apartments like prisoners.”
“ Yes, it is true,” sighed Maria Louisa, “and we have a very
rigorous jailer in the Countess of Colloredo. Do you know,
Leopoldine, that I have had a violent scene with the mistress
of ceremonies to-day?”
“Ah, I am glad of it,” exclaimed Leopoldine, laughing.
“What was tle matter?”
“T wanted to read, and suacatea the mistress of ceremo-
nies to give me new books. She deferred it until to- -day and
brought me then one of the works I had asked for, ‘the Maid
of Orleans,’ by Schiller, but it was mutilated and disfigured
like all books that are given tous. Whole pages had been
cut out, and on those remaining were to be found black spots
rendering whole lines and words illegible—a liberty which the
mistress of ceremonies is in the habit of indulging in, in
reference to all the books we read.”
“Yes, it is true,” sighed the younger archduchess, “ we
cannot read a single good book from beginning to end; and
we are thus deprived of much pleasure. What did you do,
dear sister?”
“T cast the book aside with horror, and requested her to let
me have the latest newspapers. She brought them to me, but
everywhere the same foul marks; not only all the news from
France, but even the local Vienna items were almost illegible
to-day; lines had been cut out, words erased, and half a col-
umn had entirely disappeared. I was almost beside myself at
this treatment. I returned the papers and said, ‘Madame,
this is doubtless a mistake. J am sure these papers were in-
tended for the nursery, that the little archduchesses might
learn to spell; as for myself, I can both spell and read, and I
request you, therefore, to give me legible books and news-
papers.”
“Qh,” exclaimed Leopoldine, merrily clapping her hands,
“that was glorious! You acted like a heroine, my dear
sister!”
Maria Louisa smiled and added, “ ‘Madame,’ I went on to
say, ‘I cannot bear any longer this system of surveillance. It
f THE ARCHDUCHESS MARIA LOUISA. 481
is insulting and repugnant to me to be treated like a child,
and considered so weakminded as to be forbidden books which
thousands of girls of my age are allowed to read. Or do you
want to make me believe that all books and newspapers come
to Austria in this mutilated condition? Oh, I know full
well that the people would not submit to such a system of
tyranny, and that, in case such efforts should be made to de-
prive them of their mental food, assuredly a revolution would
break out, as in France at the time when my unfortunate
aunt, Marie Antoinette, was on the throne.’ ”
“Did you say so?” asked Leopoldine, in surprise. ‘“ But
where did you find the courage and the words?”
“T must avow to you that I had reflected about the matter
for three days, and drawn up, and learned by heart, this little
speech in order to address it to the mistress of ceremonies at
the first opportunity. Jam really tired of being treated so
childishly, when I am a woman, and may expect soon to be
married.”
“ Ah, married!” sighed Leopoldine. “ Who knows to what
dreadful princes we may be married? For, as a matter of
course, we shall not be asked whether we like the match or
not, and we shall not be as well off as the daughters of com-
mon citizens, who, as my maid told me, marry only those
whom they love. We princesses must marry men whom we
have never seen, with whom we exchange the first word only
after our marriage, and whom perhaps we may not like at
all.”
“No matter, our marriage makes us free,” exclaimed Maria
Lonisa, impatiently. “We are then at least our own mis-
tresses, and need submit no longer to the restraints imposed on
us. The example of our third mother, the Empress Ludo-
vica, shows it. She has taken the liberty to pay no attention
to etiquette, and holds a reception at her rooms every night
from eight to ten o’clock, when she does not admit the ladies
and gentlemen of the court, but invited persons, among whom
there are frequently those who do not even belong to the
aristocracy.”
mn . ey ‘
“She does not invite us to the evening parties,” exclaimed
Leopoldine, sneeringly. ‘‘ Maybe we are too aristocratic for
her. But you are right, Louisa—as soon as we are married,
we shall also have the right to change rules of etiquette and
live as we please.” :
“Do you know the first thing I am going to do after my
482 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
marriage?” asked Maria Louisa, quickly. “I shall buy all
the books that I have now, and peruse the cut-out and illegi-
ble passages. JI am sure they are the most interesting and
beautiful in the books, and I believe they all treat of love.
Ah, Leopoldine, I should like to read for once a work con-
taining a very romantic love-story, and over which one might
dream. But, good Heaven! what makes the children shout
so merrily? Come, let us see what they are doing.”
“Come, let us play with them,” exclaimed Leopoldine.
The princesses stepped arm in arm from the bay-window
and hastened to the table. The little archduchesses and their
brothers, it seemed, were engaged in a highly-interesting
game, which their governesses were witnessing with smiling
attention. They were standing about the large round table,
on which a small army of wax figures in green and blue uni-
forms had been placed in neatly-arranged rows. At the head
of this army stood a somewhat larger figure of the most re-
volting appearance. It was a little fellow with hunched
shoulders, a rotund stomach and an unnaturally large head.
The face was of a black-and-green color, and had eyes of a
ferocious expression, and a tremendous mouth without lips,
showing rows of ugly yellow teeth. This figure was dressed
in a green uniform, with broad white facings, and on his head
was a little cocked hat. Opposite this army of wax figures a
row of small brass cannon was placed, and at their side lay
diminutive bows, and arrows furnished with pins. The am-
munition-wagons were filled with black peas.
The game had just commenced. The imperial children had
opened the campaign against the hostile army of wax-figures.
The little Archdukes Ferdinand and Francis Charles stood as
gunners at the field. pieces, while the Archduchesses Caroline,
Clementine, and Amelia, were armed with small bows. The
gunners fired at the ranks of the soldiers; the archduchesses
aimed at the terrible captain of the little army. Whenever
an arrow hit him, or a cannon-ball struck down one of the
soldiers, the children burst into loud cheers.
“What game is this?” asked Maria Louisa, contemplating
with evident delight the blushing cheeks and bright eyes of
her young brothers and sisters.
“That is the Bonaparte game,” exclaimed little Archduke
Francis Charles. “ Papa emperor presented the game to me
when we were at Ofen, and taught me how to play it. It is
a long while since we played it, but to-day we will try it again.
THE ARCHDUCHESS MARIA LOUISA. 483
Look, sister Louisa, that horrible fellow in front of the sol-
diers is the villain Bonaparte, who is stealing the states of all
the princes. He is made entirely of brass, and no arrow can
injure him, but he has a vulnerable spot on the breast, where
the heart is, that is made of wax. On shooting at him, you
always have to aim there; if you hit it, the arrow remains,
and you win the game and obtain the reward. Oh, I am well
versed in the Bonaparte game; papa emperor was so gracious
as to play it often with me at Ofen, when we were fleeing
from that man; and his majesty taught me also how to insult
Bonaparte. See, sisters!” and he took the little bow from
the hands of the Archduchess Marianne, and laid an arrow on
the string. “Now, you miserable fellow,” he shouted in an
angry voice and with flashing eyes, “now I will kill you with-
out mercy! You thief, you stole Venice and Milan from us
—you must die!” He discharged the arrow, but it glanced
off from the figure.
“You missed him! you missed him!” shouted the little
group.
“Tt is my turn now,” exclaimed the little archduchess,
taking the bow from her brother. She put an arrow on it,
and, contracting her eyebrows and making her laughing little
face assume an angry and menacing air, shouted, ‘‘ Now trem-
ble, you bad man! for I will put you to death because you
drove us twice from Vienna, and frightened us so badly that
you compelled us to escape, while you were enjoying yourself
in our fine palaces. Yes, I will kill you, because you shot our
soldiers and took our cannon. You are a wretch, a miserable
thief, and I will now shoot you that you may no longer mur-
der our men and expel our princes, you robber and assassin!”
She discharged her arrow, but with no better success than the
little archduke, and the laughter of her brothers and sisters
punished her for her lack of skill.
“Why, this is a very pretty game,” exclaimed the Arch-
duchess Maria Louisa, langhing. “Come, Leopoldine, let us
try it, and see whether we are able to hit the monster.” The
princesses sat down laughingly between the little archdukes,
and each took one of the bows.
“Pray let me shoot first, dear sister,” exclaimed Leopol-
dine, eagerly. “ Look, my arrow lies already on the string.
Now I will aim at you, miserable Bonaparte, and take revenge
for all the sufferings you have brought upon us. Your last
hour has come; fold your hands and pray, if you can. But
484 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
you cannot pray, for you have a conscience burdened with
crimes; you have sinned grievously against God by insulting
and imprisoning His representative on earth. The Holy
Father has excommunicated you for this, and you are ac-
cursed, delivered over to the tortures of hell, and every honest
Christian turns away from the wretch against whom the bolt
of excommunication has been hurled. You must die without
confession and absolution—in the midst of your sins.” She
discharged the arrow, but, like those of her little brother
and sister, it glanced from the figure and dropped at its
feet.
The little archduchesses and princes, who, on hearing the
imprecations uttered by their sister, had assumed a very grave
air, felt as though they had been relieved of an oppressive
burden, and burst into loud laughter.
“Tt is my turn now!” exclaimed Maria Louisa. She took
the bow and fixed her blue eyes with an expression of pro-
found contempt on the repulsive figure. “ You must die—
ay, die!” she said, gravely. “Bonaparte, I will deliver the
world from you, for you are as insatiable as the Minotaur,
that required every day a human victim for breakfast. You
devour men and countries, and the wails of whole nations are
music to your ears. You must die, also, because you look so
horrible! God has marked you, and given you a monstrous
body, because your soul is that of a monster. I will kill you,
therefore, that you may no longer frighten mankind!” She
put the arrow on the string and shot.
Aloud shoutresounded. The arrow remained in the figure.
Maria Louisa had hit Bonaparte.
“Hurrah, the Archduchess Maria Louisa has killed Bona-
parte!’ cried the little ones. ‘‘ The monster is dead! The
robber lives no more! The wretch and villain!”
“Why, what is going on here? Whom are you abusing so
shockingly?” asked a voice behind them, and the children,
turning around, saw their father, the Emperor Francis, who
had entered unnoticed by them.
“We are abusing the malicious robber, papa emperor,” ex-
claimed the Archduchess Marianne, pointing at the figure.
“Your majesty, dear papa emperor,” exclaimed little Fran-
cis Charles, eagerly—“ only think of it, Maria Louisa has hit
the heart of Bonaparte. The monster is dead; he is unable
now to steal any thing more from us!”
“Sancta Maria!” cried the emperor, “how can you use such
THE ARCHDUCHESS MARIA LOUISA. 485
language, my son? How can you utter such disrespectful
epithets about the illustrious Emperor Napoleon?”
The boy looked at his father in dismay. “ Your majesty,”
he said, timidly, “you yourself told me Napoleon could not
be abused enough, and a genuine Hapsburg ought to execrate
the infamous robber. Those were your majesty’s own words,
papa!”
“Oh, I was only joking,” exclaimed the emperor, angrily,
“and a clever prince, like you, ought to have noticed it at
once. But I am talking in earnest now, and forbid you play-
ing this stupid game any more, or uttering another word
against the Emperor Napoleon. He isa very illustrious, and
moreover an excellent man—a very great emperor—whom
every one loves and praises.”
“Papa emperor,” cried the Archduke Francis Charles,
wonderingly, “but your majesty told me at Ofen that every
one was abhorring Bonaparte, and—”
“You are a pert little fool!’ replied the emperor, vehe-
mently. “What I said then has no sense now. For at that
time we were at war, and Napoleon was our enemy. But now
we have made peace, and he is our friend, and so deara
friend, that I would willingly intrust to him my most precious
treasure; I am sure he would honor and cherish it! Listen
to my orders, therefore, all of you: do not utter another word
against the Emperor Napoleon. Weall loveand admire him,
and that stupid game must never be played again. It must
be laid aside forever.”
The children were frightened and downcast; the emperor
turned from them, and beckoned to the Archduchess Maria
Louisa to follow him. “I came to see you at your rooms,” he
said; “the mistress of ceremonies told me that I would find
you here. J want to speak to you.”
“Your majesty was very gracious to come to me instead of
sending for me,” said the archduchess, bowing to her father.
“Does your majesty command me to follow you to your
cabinet?” :
“No, just step with me into this window-niche,” said the
emperor; “I will not detain you long. I wish to show you
something.” He stepped with the princess into the last win-
dow-niche, and closed the curtain. “Now look,” he said, “I
want to show you a miniature, and you must tell me how you
like it.” He opened the locket and presented it to the arch-
duchess. She gazed at it long and musingly, and a blush
486 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
suffused her cheeks. “Well! what do you think of this
man?”
“Your majesty, he must be a very great and distinguished
man,” exclaimed the archduchess. “It is a countenance that
makes my heart throb; it is more than merely fine-looking,
it is sublime! How much majesty is enthroned on that brow,
and yet the smile seems petulant and childlike; but the eyes
are magnificent.”
“Took at him carefully,” said the emperor, “and do not
restrain your feelings, but fall in love with him. For let me
tell you a secret, Louisa; it is the likeness of your future
husband.”
A deeper blush crimsoned the face of the archduchess, and
half ashamed, half anxious, she fixed her eyes again on the
miniature.
“Yes,” added the emperor, in a graver tone, “it is the
portrait of your husband, and you wiil receive this very day
his ambassador, who will apply to you for your hand. He
has already received my consent, and I am sure my daughter
knows her duty, and will accept obediently the husband I have
destined for her.”
“Yes,’’ whispered the archduchess, “I know that to be my
duty, and shall humbly submit to the will and commands of
my emperor and father.”
“And it is a grand destiny that Providence offers you,”
said the emperor, gravely. “You are to preserve peace to
the world, my daughter; you are to be the bond of reconcili-
ation between those who have hitherto hated and waged war
with each other.”
“Sire,” exclaimed the archduchess, anxiously, “ your maj-
esty did not tell me whose likeness this is?”
“And whom I have determined to become your husband,”
added the emperor. “TI will tell you now, but be courageous
and brave, my daughter, and remember that you must obey
me unconditionally.”
“T shall not forget to do so, your majesty.”
“Well, then, did I not, on entering this room, hear the
children rejoice at your having hit the heart of the Emperor
Napoleon?”
“T was playing with the children, your majesty, and—”
“And your play is to become earnest now, and you are to
take pains to conquer Bonaparte’s heart, that he may love and
trust you. For, my daughter, this miniature, which you
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. 487
pronounced so fine-looking, is a correct likeness of the Em-
peror Napoleon, who will become your husband.”
The Archduchess Maria Louisa uttered a cry, and tottered
to the wall.
Her father clasped her in his arms, and placed her gently
on the easy-chair standing in the niche. The cheeks of Maria
Louisa had turned livid, her eyes were closed, and her arms
hung down by her side.
“It is strange how easily women faint!” muttered the em-
peror. “I found that to be the case with all my wives.
When they do not know how to do any thing better; they
faint. All four of mine did, but they always revived, and so
will Louisa. I like it much better that she should faint than
that she should weep. She knows now what she had to know,
and will act accordingly.” He opened the curtain, and
stepped back into the room. “Leopoldine!” he shouted to
the archduchess, “step in here to your sister, Maria Louisa.
She has swooned, but it is of no consequence! Tell her to
wake up, and conduct her to her room. She will tell you
what has happened to her.”
CHAPTER LVI.
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THERE were great rejoicings in Berlin. It was the 10th of
March, the queen’s birthday, and she celebrated it again at
the capital for the first time in three years. Every one has-
tened to manifest his love and sympathy for the queen, and
all classes had sent in requests for permission to choose com-
mittees to present their congratulations to her majesty. The
queen had cheerfully granted these requests, and the deputa-
tions of the old aristocracy, the states, the clergy, the munici-
pality, the academy, the painters, and other artists, the
mechanics, and citizens, were assembled in the large hall of
the royal palace, waiting her arrival.
The folding-doors at length opened, and the queen, pre-
ceded by the grand-marshal of the court, entered. She looked
pale and exhausted, but received with affability and gracc the
cheers given by the assembly at her appearance, and walked
slowly down the long line of the deputations, addressing
a kind word or casting a grateful glance to every one, and
488 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUJISA.
charming all by her beauty, gentleness, and majesty. Sud-
denly her countenance brightened, and she approached a tall,
stout gentleman standing in the midst of the committee of
the artists. “ M. Manager Iffland,”* she said, “let me bid
you welcome. I expected to see you here to-day, in order to
express once more my thanks for the joy you afforded me on
my last birthday, and for the sufferings you underwent for my
sake. But I should like to hear an account of the event from
your own lips, and I ask of you, as a birthday present, to re-
late to me what happened to you last year on this day.”
While uttering these words, the queen stepped back into the
middle of the hall, and thereby compelled Iffland to leave the
committee, and follow her. “ Your majesty is really too kind
to remember so insignificant an occurrence,” said Iffland,
bowing respectfully. “I was on that day only so happy as to
give expression to the feelings animating all. ‘Queen Louisa,
our royal lady!’ that was the motto encouraging us to bear
up under the foreign yoke; it was our consolation when we
thought of his majesty, our beloved king. However galling
our chains might have been, we felt comfort, ‘The royal
lady is with him!’ we said to each other, and with grateful
tears every one remembered his queen.”
“Yes, it is true,” exclaimed the queen with feeling, “we
met with much love and fidelity during the years of affliction,
and to-day I thank from the bottom of my heart all those who
were faithful to us.” Her eyes gazed long and affectionately
on the brilliant circle of those assembled, and she then turned
again to Iffland. “ Well, how was it on my birthday last
year?” she asked. “Tell me, but speak loudly, that every
one may hear.”
“Last year on this day we were not as happy as we are to-
day,” said Iffland. “Our queen was not with us, and we
could not let her read in our eyes the love and fidelity which
we had been forbidden from manifesting toward her by word
or deed. The French authorities had issued stringent orders
everywhere, that the citizens should abstain from any allusions
to or recollections of our queen’s birthday, and that no
demonstrations whatever should be made. We were obliged
to submit to the petty tyranny, but our hearts were filled with
anger, and the love which we could not assert was strength-
ened in its concealment. It needed only a spark to bring
abont an explosion, and the theatre was so fortunate as to
* The celebrated German actor.
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. 489
kindle this spark in the hearts of the loyal Prussians. On
the evening of that 10th of March, a small family drama
which I had written was to be performed. It was the simple
and affecting history of a family celebrating happily the re-
union of a mother and her children. ‘The mother’s name was
Louisa, and this name was sufficient to fill the house with a
distinguished audience. All felt that the theatre was on that
day the only place where the public heart, devoted to the
queen, was allowed to throb for her; where glances could be
exchanged and understood, and where it was permitted to
whisper, ‘It is her birthday to-day! Heaven bless her!’
Every seat was occupied in the galleries as well as in the
dress-circle, in the orchestra stalls as well as in the pit, every-
where reigned the same joyous commotion. Only in the boxes
of the French, faces were seen that cast an angry and hostile
expression on that audience.—The curtain rose, and the per-
formance commenced. The actor Lange and myself appeared
in the first scene. Lange had to play the part of a friend of
the house, happening to arrive there on that day. I repre-
sented the son of Louisa, the mother, and appeared on the
stage with a large bouquet on my breast. ‘Why do you look
so happy and well-dressed to-day?’ said Lange. ‘I suppose
you are celebrating a family festival?’ ‘Yes!’ I exclaimed in
a loud and joyous voice, ‘we are celebrating a family festival,
and it is a beautiful festival; we are celebrating the return of
our beloved mother, God bless her! God bless the dear lady
who is to receive these flowers!’ Carried away by my enthusi-
asm, I tore the bouquet from my breast, and held it out toward
the audience. Moved by one and the same feeling of love
and admiration, the whole assembly rose, and thousands of
voices shouted, as it were with one mouth and from one
heart, ‘God bless her! God bless the dear lady—the adored
mother!’ Oh, queen, it was a sublime moment, and God
counted the tears and understood the prayers that we addressed
to Him. He has restored to us our queen, the beloved mother
of her country and people!”
The queen at first listened smilingly: gradually, however,
her countenance became grave. She was standing with pro-
found emotion in front of Iffland, when he concluded his nar-
rative, and tears dropped from her downcast eyes. Silence
reigned in the vast hall, and all faces were turned to the
queen. She raised her eyes slowly, and directed them toward
Iffland with an expression of indescribable kindness. “I
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490 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
thank you,” said Louisa; “ you stood faithfully by your queen
at a time when many were deserting’ her. You have been a
faithful knight of mine, and the king, therefore, wants you
to retain always the title of knight. He permits me to give
you to-day another decoration instead of the bouquet you wore
on your breast a year ago. In the name of his majesty I have
to present to you the insignia of the order of the Red Eagle.”
A pallor overspread. Iffand’s countenance, while he received
the order which the queen handed to him. ‘“O queen,” he
said, deeply affected, “such an honor to me, the actor! I
thank your majesty in the name of all my colleagues, from
whom you have removed at this moment the interdict exclud-
ing them from the honors and dignities of other men.”
The queen smiled. “It is true,” she said, “I believe you
are the first actor who ever received an order in Prussia.
And are you not indeed the first actor? However, you owe
us still the conclusion of your narrative. You described to us
the scene at the theatre, but not the disagreeable consequences
of the occurrence.”
“Ah! your majesty,” exclaimed Iffland, smiling, “the con-
sequences were easy to bear after the sublime moment which
I had witnessed. I was imprisoned for forty-eight hours at
the French guard-house, where they put me on a diet of bread
and water. That was all.” ;
“T thank you for suffering so cheerfully for me,” said the
queen, dismissing Iffland with a pleasant nod. ‘Would I
were able to reward all those who have suffered for us, and
endured persecution in love and patience, and to return days
of joy for days of sorrow!”
Iffland, who looked proud and happy, stepped back among
the members of his committee, and Louisa continued her
walk, uttering words of gratitude and acknowledgment, and
charming all by her winning and withal queenly bearing.
After the reception was over, she returned to her apart-
ments. The smile disappeared from her lips, and her coun-
tenance assumed a melancholy expression. She motioned to
her two ladies of honor to leave her, and remained alone with
her confidante, Madame von Berg. “Oh, Caroline,” sighed
the queen, “I can bear it no longer. My heart succumbs
under these tortures. They call this day a holiday, but to
me it isa day of terror. To-night a party at the palace—a
banquet previous to it,—and I must be gay, though suffering
severe pain! My heart is bleeding, and yet I am to dance,
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. 491
address pleasant words to every one, and assume an appear-
ance of happiness. I do not know whither to escape with my
grief! To whom will Prussia belong a year hence? Whither
shall we all be scattered? God have mercy on us!”
“Your majesty views the situation in too gloomy a light,”
said Madame von Berg, consolingly. “No further events
have occurred that need alarm you.”
“No further events!” exclaimed the queen, vehemently.
“You do not know, then, Caroline, that Count Krusemark
arrived from Paris this morning?”
“No,” replied Madame von Berg, anxiously; “I do not
know any thing about it. What is the meaning of this un-
expected arrival of the ambassador?”
“A new calamity is threatening us. Count Krusemark is
the bearer of a letter from Napoleon to the king. Oh, Caro-
line, what a letter it is! One cannot help blushing with
shame and anger on reading it, and yet it is necessary for us
to be silent. Napoleon menaces because the war contributions
are not promptly paid: he talks as a superior to his inferior
who neglects his duty; he scolds as a schoolmaster does his
pupil who has not learned his task: And we must bear it, we
must stoop so low as to beg him to be indulgent! Caroline,
we must now solicit the forbearance of the man who has in-
sulted us by every word he addressed to us, and by every look
he cast upon us. For do you really know what he threatens
to do? He writes that if the king does not immediately pay
up the arrears of the war contributions, he will send an army
to Prussia, to collect the money, and punish the king for his
breach of faith. He will send another army to Prussia !—that
is to say, the war is to begin anew, and, as we have become
powerless, and cannot defend our frontiers, he means to crush
us. He will take every thing, and Prussia will cease to exist.
And we cannot pay, we have no means to obtain those mill-
ions so unjustly claimed!”
“But the ministers will devise means to pay the contribu-
tion, dearest queen; the minister of finance will be able to
suggest a scheme to fulfil the engagements that have been en-
tered into, and to discharge the claims which Napoleon has
against us.” ;
The queen laughed scornfully. “Baron von Altenstein, the
minister of finance, is not of your opinion,” she said. ‘“‘ The
king asked him to suggest measures by which the liabilities
we had incurred might be discharged. But Altenstein re-
492 NAPOLEON AND QUEEN LOUISA.
plied that he did not know of any, and he then proposed to
the king to pay the debt by ceding the province of Silesia to
Napoleon.”
“Dreadful!” exclaimed Madame von Berg, indignantly.
“A Prussian minister does not shrink from advising the king,
although we are at peace, to sacrifice the best province that
has remained, and which even the defeats of Jena and Fried-
land, and the intriguing days of Tilsit did not endanger!”
“ And if we do not consent to such a sacrifice (and we shall
not), what next?” exclaimed the queen, despairingly. ‘“‘ Na-
poleon wil! send his army and expel or imprison us, as he
treated the unfortunate royal family of Spain. Oh, Curoline,
I shall be uneasy night and day. Dreadful apprehensions are
constantly meeting me. I think of Spain, and fears oppress
me lest my husband have the same fate as King Charles. Be-
lieve me, his life, his liberty is threatened, and he is every
day in danger of being suddenly seized and taken away as a
hostage, until we have fulfilled the behests of the tyrant, and
given him all that still belongs to us—our honor, our crown,
and, perhaps, our lives. We are surrounded by French spies:
every word, every look, is watched; only a pretext is sought
to ruin us, and it will be found, as it was in Spain. Oh, he
will take my husband from me! he will drag him as a prisoner
from one place to another as he did the King of Spain; he
will sow the seeds of discord in our family as he did in that
unhappy country. He, the tyrant Napoleon, brought about
a quarrel between the Infante and his father; he compelled,
with his iron hand, the unfortunate King Charles to write
that his son’s guilt had raised a barrier between father and
son. But whose hand was it that constructed it? Can there
be any doubt? It was his alone! Oh, will there be a time,
and shall I live to see it, when the hand of God will at length
write the ‘Mene, mene, tekel,’ on his wall?”
“Your majesty will live to see that time,” exclaimed Ma-
dame von Berg. “You will witness the judgment of Heaven
and of the nations overthrowing the tyrant.”
The queen shook her head. “No,” she whispered, “I shall
not live to see it. I think this will be the last time that I
celebrate my birthday here.” *
“Oh, Louisa,” cried Madame von Berg, bursting into tears,
“donot utter such cruel, heart-rending words. You will live,
you must live, for the consolation and joy of usall. It would
*The queen's own words,
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. 493
be an injustice, and we should despair of divine equity, if our
queen depart without having seen again the days of deliver-
ance and happiness.”
“My dear, Providence permits such acts of injustice,” said
Louisa, with a mournful smile. “Was it just that noble
Palm should be shot, that Schill had to fall, and to be stig-
matized as a deserter for his heroic actions? Was it just that
Andrew Hofer had to expiate his glorious struggle for free-
dom by his death? The Emperor of Austria was in the same
position as we were. He had to sacrifice Andrew Hofer as
we Ferdinand von Schill. The cruel hand of the tyrant
rested on him as it did on us. And now they have shot the
brave, heroic leader of the Tyrolese at Mantua! My soul
mourns for him, for I hoped in him. It is but recently that
I understood Schiller’s words, ‘On the mountains there is
freedom!’ They resounded in my heart like a prophecy,
when in my thought I looked over to the mountaineers who
had risen at Hofer’s call, My heart fought at his side! And
what a man this dear, honest, simple Andrew Hofer was!