&4t& ( &£Q'R(j1 1 ^UVMl'L jYLIA ^ . :ts\ Ml 7 15 V,5 LIBRARY CONTENTS. Pag* LETTER XV. — Madame de Beauharnais to her aunt, madame Fanny de Beauliarnais. 104 CETTER XVI. — Madame de beauharnais to her aunt. — Louis (of the Lower-Rhine). — Insolence of the man who is charged with the police of the prisons. — Reflec- tions concerning- prisons and the galleys. — M. de Cler- mont-Tonnerre. 108 LETTER XVII.— To the same —Visit of M. de Beau- harnais' children to their father. — Their conversation with him. 117 LETTER XVIII.— To citizen Dorat Cubieres. 122 LETTER XIX.— To citizen Prosper Sijas. 125 LETTER XX.— To her children Eugene and Hortense. 128 LETTER XXI. — To citizen Alexander de beauhar- nais. — Toniy's history. — A book containing the gospel is pierced with daggers. — Madame de Soyecourt, abbess of the Carmelite convent. — Praiseworthy conduct of M. de Chevcrus, when bishop of Montauban. — The duke de la Force. — Acts of bene- volence performed by their royal bignesses the Dauphi- ness, Madame and mademoiselle d'Orleans. — The duke de Doudeauville. 130 LETTER XXII. — M. de Beauharnais to his wife. 152 LETTER XXIII.— To Hortense de Beauharnais. 154 LETTER XXIV. — Madame dk beauharnais to her husband. — Hopes entertained by the prisoners. — Madame de Can. ... at the Salpetriere. — She loses her senses. — The duchess de M . . . . and M. de B. . . . become insane in the year 1815. — Madame de C-... — M. (George) Ons 156' LETTER XXV.— To madame Fanny de Beauharnais. 16'2 LETTER XXVI. — Last letter from m. de beauhar- nais to ii is wife. — We return to France a few days before the 18th fructidor. — Our alarm. — Banishment of MM. Lacretelle, Barbe-Marbois and Barthelemy. 165 VI CONTENTS. Page LETTER XXVII.— Madame ***, To madame fanny de beauharnais.— Madame Louis de Girardin. 178 LETTER XXVIII. — Madame de beauharnais to her children. — Monsieur de Gallifet. 181 LETTER XXIX. — To madame fanny de deauiiarnais. — Trait of filial affection in Eugene de Beauharnais. 18!> LETTER XXX. — Madame de beauharnais to ma- dame ***. — She hesitates to accept the hand of general Bonaparte. — Mesdames V*** and D***, Napoleon's mistresses. 192 LETTER XXXI. — Madame bonaparte to general bonaparte. — Napoleon's jealousy. — Junot, due d'A- brantes. — The duchess d'Abrantes. — Her extravagance. — The duke de Raguse. — Reverse of fortune experienced bv the duchess d'Abrantes. — Her daughter turns nun. 201 LETTER XXXII. — To eugene beauharnais in egypt. — Mademoiselle Beauharnais. — Her progress. — MM. Erard, Pape,Pleyel, Petzold, Dietz, Foignet, and Labarre. — Mesdeinoiselles Bertrand and Desargus. — Cachmere shawls sent to Josephine, Mesdames Bourienne, Hamelin, Visconti. — Beauty of the empress'' shawls. — Patterns sent by her to Constantinople.- — Sale at Malmaison. 211 LETTER XXXIII — To the minister of police. — M. Thuriot — MM. de Villeneuve, and Coster-Saint-Victor. — Madame Coster presents a painting to the Consul. — Sharp replv of a counsellor, on the trial of the persons implicated in the conspiracy of the infernal machine. 221 LETTER XXXIV— To the countess de ***. — Made- moiselle *** is refused the situation of dame du palais. — Madame de Montesson. — Mesdeinoiselles de Valence and Ducrest. 227 LETTER XXXV. — To madame ***. 230 LETTER XXXVI.— To the countess ***. —Princess Stephanie. — Mesdeinoiselles de Mackau, Gruau and Bourjoli. — MM. de Foncier, Philidor, and Pradhcr. 232 LETTER XXXVII.— To madame de M***. 236 CONTENTS. Vll Page LETTER XXXVIII.— To madame ***.— Mesdames d'Arberg, d'Audenarde, de Vieil-Castel, de Colbert, de Remusat, de Segur. — MM. Bonplan, Deschamps and Ho • reau. Count Octave de S^gur. 241 LETTER XXXIX. — The empress Josephine to napo- leon.. . Details respecting the establishment at Na- varre — Mesdames d'Audenarde, d'Andlau. — The abbe's de Saint- Albin and Saint-Farre. — The dowager duchess of Orleans. 250 LETTER XL. — The empress Josephine to the empe- ror napoleon. — Birth of the king of Rome. 258 LETTER XLI. — The empress Josephine to the emperor Napoleon, at the island of Elba. 262 LETTER XLII. — From the empress to the emperor.— The emperor's uneasiness concerning Josephine's health. — Family troubles. — Josephine's determination. — The queen of Naples. — Princess Borghcse. — King Joseph. — The princess of Wales. — Her extraordinary conduct during her residence at Naples. — Present made by her to the ladies of honour in attendance about her person. — Harp given by her to madame d'Alincourt. — Princess Charlotte. — General mourning at her death. 265 LETTER XLIII. — From the empress Josephine to the emperor. — M. Pierlot. — Josephine's anxiety to make her will. — The emperor opposes her wish. — The king and queen of Naples, — M. Horeau. — Present made to him by the empress. — He does not avail himself of it. — The countess d'Arberg. 274 LETTER XLIV. — From the empress Josephine to the emperor. — The empress sees the king of Rome at Bagatelle. — Madame de Montesquiou. — The royal infants of France. — His royal highness the duke de Berry and Madame. — Their acts of benevolence. 281 LETTER XLV. — The empress Josephine to thb em- peror. — Defection of the king of Naples. — The em- press defends the queen of Naples against the charge of being an accomplice in her husband's conduct. — Her advice to the emperor Napoleon. 292 Vlll CONTENTS. Page LETTER XLVI. — The empress Josephine to prince EUGENE, vice-roy of Italy. — A stranger delivers to Josephine an autograph letter from general Beauharnais. — The unknown person declines accepting a present. — Copy of the letter. — The prince Primate. — Freyre, Jose- phine's valet de chambre. — M. Mejan, the vice-roy's pri- vate secretary. — Affecting anecdote. 298 LETTER XLVIL— The empress to m. ***.— Entrance of the king. — M. Anatole de la Woestine. 211 Conclusion. — Disgraceful proposals and letters addresse to the author on the subject of these Memoirs. 319 END OF CONTENTS TO THE THIRD AND LAST VOI/UME. MEMOIRS OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, &>c, 8fc, fyc. INTROD U CTION. Correction of some errors in the details previously given con- cerning the empress Josephine's death. — Purport of a note communicated to me. — MM. Horeau, Bourdois, Laserre and B^clard, — Unbecoming conduct of M. de M*** at Malmaison, Anxious to redeem the engagement I have entered into towards the public, of recording with scrupulous accuracy whatever relates to the empress Josephine, I feel the utmost readiness to transcribe a note which has just been di- rected to me by a person of her majesty's house- hold, who was not a single moment absent from her during the closing scene of her existence. Many of the details now furnished to me are at variance with those I had previously collected; VOL. III. li I M E M O I R S F T H E but my present source of information is so un- questionable as to leave no room for doubting the truth of certain facts which I am about to place in their proper light, availing myself of the pre- cise terms in which they are communicated to me. " Her majesty's health had been for a long " time past on the decline, a circumstance evi- " dentlv owing to an anxiety of mind engendered " by the rapid succession of passing events. " On her return from Saint-Leu, she was re- " commended a slight dose of ipecacuanha as a " corrective to her disorder ; but no purgative " was deemed necessary. " On the c 25th of June, M. Horeau who had " at all times an apartment at Malmaison, was " only absent for a couple of hours during the " dinner given by her majesty to the Princes " Royal of Prussia ; and the object of his absence " was to come to an understanding with MM, " Bourdois and Laserre, the physicians of queen " Hortense, respecting a consultation to which " the vice-roy had given his sanction for the fol- u lowing day. M. Horeau having returned to " Malmaison previous to the time when the in- '•' crease of her majesty's complaint placed her • under the necessity of quitting the saloon, the ••' services of the physician of Rueil were of " course dispensed with; and M. Horeau had no EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 3 " occasion, therefore, to reproach him with any " hesitation in prescribing for the patient. " The appointed consultation took place on " the 26th between MM. Horeau, Bourdois and " Laserre 3 they determined the mode of treatment " to be adopted, and agreed to meet at ten o'clock " in the morning, on each succeeding day. M, " Laserre even shared with M. Horeau, during - the last forty-eight hours, the watchful atten- " tions which the state of the patient rendered " necessary. " The empress was not exposed to public " view on a bed of parade in the apartment " leading to the bed-chamber 3 and it is im- " possible that any one could have seen her " veiled. This circumstance was no doubt " invented with a view to give a degree " of plausibility to certain absurd reports which " were circulated at that period. Her majesty " was embalmed by M. Beclard, two days after " her demise, and in M. Horeau's presence ; " the corpse was then laid in a leaden coffin en- " closed in a mahogany case, on the lid of which " was a silver-gilt plate for the intended inscrip- " tion, the wording of which was for a longtime " a matter of embarrassment to courtiers. It was " not difficult, however to anticipate what would " be the result of their labours ; these gentlemen n 2 4 MEMOIRS OF THE '• unanimously determined that existing circum- ' stances, considerations of prudence and so forth, (i made it imperative to abstain from placing - any " inscription ; not the slightest record was en- " graved upon the plate ! " The cenotaph under which the body was u exposed to view until the hour of interment, '■' was placed in the great hall of the palace. " The empress was not interred in the burial '• ground of Rueil, but within the church of that " village, and in the very spot over which the mo- " : nument has recently been erected. The greatest. i: difficulty was experienced in obtaining permis- *• sion from the public authorities for the inter- • ; ment to take place within the church; leave was " at last granted, after considerable discussion or. " the subject." After such positive information, for the ac- curacy of which I can now vouch with as much confidence as if I had been an eye witness of the facts, I have deemed it my duty to correct, as I now do, the statement of the events which occurred on the 25th and 26th. Aware of M. Horeau's deep and unbounded attachment to the empress, who had for tiie preceding ten years honoured him with her unlimited confidence, I never could suspect him guilty of the slightest neglect, than which nothing; could be more foreign from his EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 5 exalted character and generous heart. I have to regret my not being made sooner acquainted with the exact truth. Being at a distance from Malmaison at the fatal period of her majesty's death, I trusted to the report made to me by a friend, who giving way to the poignancy of grief, was thereby pre- vented from calmly beholding what passed before her, and readily believed every circumstance cal- culated to heighten her regret. My friend will not have been sufficiently on her guard against the no less atrocious than absurd reports circu- lated at the time ; and she accordingly related what she supposed to be true, rather than what had come under her personal observation. Be this as it may, it is never too late to acknowledge an error ; Madame .... will no doubt retract it, when she peruses the above statement. Shortly before the empress fell ill., she ex- pressed her intention of retiring to an estate which she had purchased in Switzerland. She asked M. Horeau if he were disposed to accom- pany her there ; and the latter unhesitatingly consented to quit his native country, rather than abandon a sovereign already deserted by many of her most faithful attendants, who hurried away to the Tuileries in order to pay their court to his majesty Louis XVIII, whose well known 6 MEMOIRS OF THE benevolence and sound judgment, had prompted him to forget all the past. At a later period he had to forgive every thing, and he did so with a sincerity, which the annals of future ages cannot fail to record to his praise". M. de M, . . . arrived at Malmaison on the very day of the king's entrance into Paris; holding as he did an important station in her majesty's household, he very properly wore the dress ap- propriate to that station ; the empress no sooner saw him than she came up to ask what was going forward ; on beholding a broad white rib- bond suspended to his button-hole, near the cross of the Legion of Honour : u What new order are you wearing, sir, she inquired, fixing her eyes upon him. .. — It is not an order, madame, he re- plied, it is a rallying sign, which is worn by many people in Paris ; I deemed it prudent to assume it as others have done. — You must admit, sir, re- joined her majesty, that it does not become your present uniform." So saying, she abruptly walked away, and avoided speaking to him the whole day. The truth of this anecdote may be fully relied on, and can be vouched by all those who were at the palace of Malmaison on the occasion. This bold display, in her majesty's presence, of sentiments so recently adopted, evinced a wanton EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. ? reliance upon her good nature. Men who can thus, cameleon-like, change their colours at will, excite no other feeling than that of contempt ; hut out of consideration for their families, we are hound to suppress the names of those who so dis- grace themselves ! a respect for misfortune must ever rank foremost amongst the duties of a gene- rous heart ; and the brand of shame must ever be affixed to those who presume to insult fallen greatness. We may abstain from serving those for whom we feel no affection ; but it behoves us, likewise, not to desert an honourable and exalted station, at the very moment when the exercise of it may be attended with danger. The Bourbons have surrounded themselves with men who had been in the service of Napoleon ; our truly excellent princes have applauded those feelings which drew tears of regret at the period of the demise of a former benefactor ; they would as unequivocally have censured such an act as I have just related. A short time afterwards, M. de M. . . ., who was guilty of it, was put in pos- session of a prefecture !. . . .Happily for him, the ingratitude with which he repaid the generosity of a woman who had won the affection of the very detractors of her husband, had probably not been made public. The letters we are about to lay before our M E MOIRS OF T II E readers will no doubt excite much interest, by the novel details given by Josephine, with respect to certain facts relating to her first husband, Viscount Alexander de Beauharnais, whose ele- vated character commanded the respect of his enemies/ in as great a degree as his gentle qua- lities won him the affection of his numerous friends, As this correspondence, which was an- terior to the period when 1 became acquainted with the empress, formed no part of the plan of the work I had undertaken to write, I deemed it proper that they should be kept wholly distinct from each other. It has occurred to me at the same time, that it would not be irrelevant to my purpose, were I to add to the letters any hitherto unknown facts which I might be possessed of, respecting the personages therein adverted to, as well as occasional reflections suggested by the events which the empress has recorded in such attractive language, and with so much warmth and tenderness of feeling. I have dipped at every source of information which was calculated to give the stamp of authenticity to what I should lay before the public ; and 1 have suppressed those passages in the correspondence which might possibly affect the character of several actors in that frightful drama, who have not yet paid the debt of nature. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 9 If a joke should occasionally escape me, I may at least claim the merit of having neither calum- niated virtuous men, nor added to the remorse of the guilty, by removing the veil which concealed any crimes still hid from public view : the eludings of an uneasy conscience is an incessant punishmentto them; consigning them therefore, to the torments of perpetual self reproach, I abstain from aggravating those torments. Upon many per- sons who have injured me, I have bestowed praises, because they were really entitled to them. A. wrong which was personal to myself could not in other respects detract from their good qualities ; to these I was accordingly bound to give every pub- licity. No other revenge have I resorted to beyond that of bestowing praises upon individuals who had given me personal grounds of complaint ; very seldom have I requited the most unmerited ill-usage, by exposing to public view an acknow- ledged failing ; this is, no doubt, carrying the principle of moderation to an extreme, at a time when publications are daily springing up, which are found to teem with calumnious assertions, wholly destitute of truth, though brought forward with unblushing assurance. They meet with ready contradiction, it is true ; but the first im- pression remains ; and when their refutation B 3 10 MEMOIRS OF T II Ji makes its appearance, the blow is already struck* and is past all remedy. Nothing is more dan- gerous than a hasty accusation, bearing upon matters of serious importance, since an un- guarded expression may disturb the repose of the most lengthened existence ; I feel happy in the consciousness that I am free from such a reproach. The memoirs which emanate from a female pen, are, moreover, so unimportant that they are read as likely to afford, not any historical documents, but enlivening anecdotes, some characteristic por- traits, many real names, and a faithful picture of society. If we have the good fortune to succeed, to a certain extent, in the narrow sphere of ac- tion in which our pen is allowed to range, Ave may rest satisfied, and cheerfully resign to men the more lasting, and more elevated glory which is thrown open for their ambition. Who shall con- test that they already pay too high a price for the acquisition of that glory, by the necessity which it imposes upon them, of describing sanguinary events, of revealing crimes of the most atrocious character, and frequently of rending the veil which shelters from public view the horrid picture of accumulated vices ? Women, destined by nature to administer con- solation and assuage misfortunes, should wield EMPRESS JOSKPHINE. 11 the pen for no other purpose than to pourtray the softer feelings, to hold up modest virtues to admi- ration, to raise noble deeds out of unmerited ob- scurity ; such is their gentle mission, when they appear in the character of authors ; if they aim at more comprehensive objects, they outstep the li- mits which nature has assigned to them. There existed in the public mind an eager cu- riosity to become better acquainted with the em- press Josephine, to be introduced into the domesti- city of her private life, and to be afforded the means of determining whether she was entitled to the ad- miration which has survived her ; feeling satisfied that I could not fail to enhance that admiration by relating every circumstance to which I could bear the authenticity of an eye-witness, I have accom- plished the task with uncompromising frankness and truth ; happy shall I be if success has crowned my efforts ! The following letters, for which I am indebted to a most signal act of kindness, will exhibit in a still more conspicuous light Josephine's elevation of soul and her excellent qualities ; I cannot suffi- ciently express how highly I prize those letters ; the praises I have lavished will be fully borne out by their perusal. The originals have never been in my possession ; but the copies are too creditable to MEMOIRS O F THE the heart and mind of the empress to allow of my doubting for a moment their authenticity. This pre- liminary explanation appears not wholly uncalled for, as it will screen me from the weight of a responsibility from which I deem myself exone- rated, having especially at heart never to be branded with the charge of insincerity. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. LETTER I. TO HER AUNT, MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. She relates the arrestation of M. dc Beauharnais, — Fanaticism of a yonng shoe-maker. — M. de Beauharnais' reflections on the subject of the revolution. " Alas, my clearest aunt, I claim your pity, your consolation, your advice ! Alexander has been arrested ; at the very moment I am writing to you, they are leading him to the Luxembourg ! " As early as the day before yesterday, an ill- looking man was seen lurking about the house. Yesterday, about three o'clock in the afternoon, a person came to enquire of the porter whether citizen Beauharnais had returned from Saint-Ger- main. Now, my husband has not resided at Saint- Germain since the month of May. You were with us, aunt, and you will probably recollect that Cubieres read us some verses concerning the pavil- ion de Luciennes. The same person again made his appearance in the evening, accompanied by a tall old man who put a few questions in a dry and harsh tone of voice : " Is this the house of Beauharnais the viscount ? — Viscount formerly, re- i 4 MEMOIRS OF THE plied the porter. — Who was once president of the assembly? — Ibelieve so.— And is a general officer? —Yes, sir. — Sir ! harshly retorted the querist ; the old adage is true, said he, turning towards his silent companion, what is bred in the bone will never come out of the flesh." He no sooner spoke these words than they withdrew and in a moment were out of sight. " At eight o'clock this morning, a person called and expressed a wish to speak with me ; he was a young man of a mild and honest countenance, and wore a leathern apron containing a few pair of shoes. " The citizen has ordered a pair of grey prunella shoes ?" said the man. Victorine was present when he put this question, which was quite inexplicable to me. I looked at my femme-de-chambre, who was as ignorant as my- self of the matter. The young man's countenance indicated his uneasiness ; he kept twisting a shoe with his fingers, and fixing a mournful look at me. Coming up to me, at last, he said in an under tone ; " Madame, I have something to com- municate for your private hearing. ' ; The sound of his voice, his looks, a suppressed sigh caused me some emotion. " Speak out, 1 quickly replied; Victorine may safely remain. — Alas, he exclaimed, with apparent reluctance, my life is at stake !" I instantly rose, and dismissed Victorine, after de- E M PRESS JOS E V II I N E. 15 siring her to tell my husband what was going forward. '•Madame, said the young journeyman, when we were left alone, you have not a moment to lose in procuring the escape of M. de Beauharnais. The revolutionary committee came last night to the determination of arresting him, and an order to that effect is drawing up this very moment." I turned pale and was on the point of fainting when I heard this intelligence. " How do you know this ; I asked in trembling accents ? — I belong to the committee, he replied, with down-cast eyes ; and as I am by trade a shoe maker, it occurred to me that these shoes would afford mc a favourable pretence for coming to apprise madame of the news." I could have embraced this honest young man out of pure gratitude, He perceived I was crying, and I think I saw tears in his eyes. Alexander came in at this moment, and I rushed into his arms. " You see this is my husband- said I to the shoe maker. — I have the honour of knowing him, was his reply." u Your nephew, on hearing of the service intend- ed to be rendered to him, was desirous of repaying it by an immediate reward ; but the shoe-maker re- sisted with a firmness which greatly enhanced our esteem for him. Alexander held out his hand, which the young man took in a respectful manner, but 1 G MEMOIR S O F THE without the slightest embarrassment. Pray, dear aunt, never employ any one else to make your shoes. " In spite of our intreaties, Alexander refused to seek his safety in flight. " What have they to re- proach me with, he exclaimed ; I am a friend to liberty, have promoted the success of the revolution, and if it had depended upon me, it would before this have terminated in a manner that would have ended to the advantage of the people. — But you are a man of title, replied the shoe- maker ; this, in the eyes of revolutionists is a grievous fault.— It is a misfortune beyond the power of remedy. — They may convert it into a crime, I added, and will then reproach you with having belonged to the Consti- tuent assembly. — My worthy friend, resumed Alexander, with a dignified manner, and in a firm tone of voice,the latter circumstance is my proudest claim to glory ; it is even the only one I have any pretension to assert ; who would not be proud of having proclaimed the nation's rights, the down- fall of despotism and the empire of the laws ? — What laws ! I exclaimed ; they are written in characters of blood! — Madame, said the young man laying an emphasis upon his words which he had not hitherto done, when the tree of liberty is planted in a bad soil, it must be watered with the blood of its enemies." " M. de Beauharnais and I looked at each other, nor could we fail to discover in this E M r R E S S JOSEPHINE. 17 young man whom nature had gifted with tender feelings, the revolutionist who might be converted into a monster by the growth of rising prejudices and popular opinions. " Meanwhile the time was fast flowing ; he took leave of us, renewing to my husband the assurance that after the lapse of another hour it would be too late to evade the search that would be made after him. " I have used my endeavours to save you, said the shoe-maker, because I believe you to be an innocent man ; humanity claimed this duty at my hands ; but if I were ordered to arrest you. . . . pardon me when I tell you that I should obey ; and that you would find in me a true patriot. I shall always consider you in the light of an upright man, possessed of a kind and generous heart ; I am quite confident you will never appear to me in any other character than that of a true citizen." " This, said Alexander to me when the shoe- maker had retired, this is a specimen of the new fangled ideas which are instilled in the minds of our youths. Liberty is only to be upheld by shedding the blood of men of title, even of those who are most devoted to the rising opinions. If they were merely turbulent and cruel in their proceed- ings, this thirst after blood, this despotic fana- ticism would die away ; but they act upon 18 t MEMOIRS OF T H E a regular system, and Robespierre has impart- ed a doctrinal principle to the revolutionary agita- tion, the progress of which will only be check- ed by the total extirpation of its real or fancied enemies, or when its author shall have been swept from the stage of life. Obstinate, however, in his pursuit, he imagines that liberty can only acquire strength when its votaries shall have been satia- ted with blood. — 1 tremble at such language, said I to Alexander; how can you speak in this manner, and yet hesitate to fly ? — Whither am I to fly, he replied? Is there a cellar, a garret, a single spot that can escape the tyrant's search ? Do you forget that he sees through the eyes of forty thousand committees animated with his spirit and strong in the consciousness of his power? The torrent has overflown its banks ; the people, by rushing in, contribute to swell its waters. We must yield to the force of circumstances ; if condemned, I have- no means of escaping my doom ; if acquitted, whether I be free or kept in confinement, I have nothing to apprehend." " Fruitless were my tears and intreaties ; within a quarter of an hour of mid-day, three members of the revolutionary committee made their appearance, and an armed force took posses- sion of our hotel. " You will no doubt suppose that my young EMPRESS J O S E P II I N E. 19 shoe-maker was in the midst of them ; such was actually the case ; and although I could not but lament to see him in the exercise of such functions, nevertheless I must acknowledge that 1 felt some degree of satisfaction at finding that on this occa- sion they had devolved to his lot. He took upon himself the task of signifying to Alexander the or- der which directed his arrest and performed it with no less consideration than firmness. In the midst of a crisis so painful to my feelings, 1 could not help noticing the air of authority, and at the same time the becoming tone assumed by this young man whose condition in life appears to have estranged him from every public employment, but who levels the distinction by great elevation of soul, combined with a strict attention to the rules of propriety. The deportment of his two com- rades who were absolute strangers to its most ordinary notions, exhibited a most revolting con- trast to his own conduct. One of them turns out to be that superannuated inquisitor who made yesterday such particular inquiries res- pecting the person and avocations of my husband ; he is an old Martinico planter who, in spite of the rules of equality, has distinguished the human species into two classes : into masters and slaves. He is of opinion that the revolution will never be completed until its enemies shall have 20 M E M OIRS OF THE been reduced to the condition of the negroes who are exported from Senegal to America ; and in fur- therance of this object, he requires that the trade in priests, nobles, wealthy and learned men, all aris- tocratic people in short should fili up the void occa- sioned in St. Domingo by the extinction of the slave trade which the revolution has suppressed. " Two important results, he added, will be effected by this measure : the repose of the mother country, and the attainment of the object contemplated by the revolution, in other words, the spread of equa- lity will be the first result ; the second is secured by the renewal of the population of the colonies, and the restoration of commerce. You are more-, over paying a signal homage to unoffending nature, by maintaining the abolition of the slave trade on the coasts of Africa, and inflicting a just punishment upon proud and corrupted nature, by transferring that trade to the coasts of France. Thus it is that genuine republicans secure the triumph of morality by measures of an exalted and comprehensive policy." " The sinister glance of the ferocious old man whose sunken eyes were directed towards me when he uttered this expression, evidently shewed that he intended to impress them upon my mind. I j is third colleague, a man of brutal and coarse deportment, was boisterously making EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 2 L an inventory of the principal articles of furniture and of the papers. He selected from the latter whatever documents he thought proper, and sealed them up in a pasteboard case, which he sent to the committee. They consisted, for the most part, of reports and speeches made by Alexander in the Constituent assembly. This as- sembly is held by the revolutionists in utter abhor- rence, and is equally detested by aristocrats of every rank and shade. May not this be a proof that it had solved every problem of the revolution, and that in matters connected with liberty, it had formed every establishment requisite to promote its growth ? it had deprived the administration of 1789 of all its means of action, and that of 1793 of all its hopes. Alexander has frequently re- peated to me that the creation of the one, and the revival of the other could only be effected by violence and by deeds of atrocity. Why are his predictions to be so correctly verified ? Why should he wish to add to the gift of prophecy the merit of dying a martyr ? " MEMOIRS OF Til K LETTER II. TO VICTORINE, HER FEMME DE CHAMBRE. Desk with secret drawers. — Dame Margaret. — Benevolent dispo- sition of Madame de Beauharnais. " I should be wanting in kindness to my wor- thy Victorine were I to recommend zeal, activity and secrecy in her proceedings. When the seals were affixed to the furniture in my husband's apartment, this precaution could not be extended to one of the sides of his large desk, because the open- ing of the drawer on that side went into the grain of the mahogany ; in a line perpendicular to one of the veins which assumes the form of a losenge, of a brown and unpolished gold colour, at the distance of half an inch from the lower projection, is an opening lined with a square flat plate (if iron, nearly resembling the peg of a piano. There is in fact, in the centre of that opening, a small iron rod which is moved and made to turn by means of the keys appertaining to that piece of furniture. Victorine will take the key of my own desk, open the secret drawer, and deposit in a secure and con- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 23 cealed spot, a bundle of papers which is tied with a piece of blue ribband. She will also find in the drawer a snuff box with my portrait on the lid, which she may forward in the next parcel she sends to the Luxembourg. My worthy Victorine will not forget to send also, in the par- cel, the new works which Desenne has left at my hotel ; I particularly wish her not to forget a work entitled Le vieux cordelier. " I take it for granted that my absence has in no manner interfered with the regularity of my dis- tributions ; I wish them to be continued as usual. Victorine will give two portions to Dame Mar- garet, as I am informed that she has lately had an accession of family in a grandson, a circum- stance which her delicacy would not allow her to tell me." This letter proves how much Josephine's mind was bent upon relieving the distressed, at the very moment when she was most harassed by the apprehension of the dangers which threatened her. Dame Margaret, whom I have just men- tioned, was one of the poor people who were re- lieved at their own houses through Madame de Beauharnais' bounty. 24 MEMOIRS O F T H E Persuaded as she was that tlie most effectual way of bestowing alms, was to give them in kind, she economised on her scanty income, so as to have it in her power to dispose of a certain fund towards relieving the wants of those distressed individuals who being too proud to acknowledge their un- merited misfortunes, would have perished in a garret from absolute want, had not charity sought out their abode, and extended a protect- ing hand to them. By a seasonable distribu- tion of bread, broth, and wine, they recovered their strength, which had become exhausted from sheer want ; and madame de Beauharnais after- wards exerted herself to procure them occupa- tions by which they might be relieved from the pain of being a burden to her. Her friends anxiously sought to second her views, satisfied that they could not prove their attachment in a more effectual manner ; and whole families were accordingly indebted to her for their enjoyment of a peaceful existence. A few years afterwards she herself became a prey to that distress which she had ever made it her study to relieve in others, and Providence threw some persons in her way, whose hearts proved congenial to her own. This was the just reward of her charitable deed. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 35 LETTER III. TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. The French character remains unchanged within the precincts of a prison. — Madame de Montesson. — Her gaolers. — Mesde- moiselles Contat, Devienne, and Raucourt. — Mademoiselle Raucourtat Navarre. — The empress makes her a present of a camclia. " My dearest aunt, why do the kind attentions of your friends, and your impaired state of health detain you in the country ? I stand greatly in need of you at this moment. My house is now a wil- derness, and I find myself more forlorn and de- serted still. For the last five days that have elapsed since he* was removed from it, his friends have all, by degrees, disappeared. It is now six o'clock, and no one has yet called. I am wrong when I say no one : my excellent young man is not disheartened ; he calls twice or three times a day with news from the Luxembourg ; as long as his duty docs not keep him away, he is indifferent to the danger of exposing his person ; the contagion which attends on misfortunes has no effect upon him. He is entrusted by Alexander with all the * M. Alexander de 15eauharnais, a prisoner at the Luxembourg. VOL. Ill, C 26 MEMOIRS OF THE letters which are destined for my secret perusal ; the gaolers and the committee have the first reading of the rest. Subjoined I transmit you a copy of one, the original of which shall lie close to my heart during the remainder of my existence, and be consigned with me to the tomb. " You are unreasonable, my dearest love, and I must needs write to console you ; I feel indeed, the less difficulty in so doing, as this is really the abode of peace, for those whose conscience is free from reproach ; it will then suggest to oneself and to others, every sentiment which the heart may avow, every thought on which the mind may delight to rest, all the gentlest affections of human nature ; I should bitterly grieve at our separation, were it likely to be prolonged ; but I was bred to a sol- dier's life, and whilst at a distance from my kind Josephine and our dearest children, I fancy my- self carrying on a campaign ; for the occurrence of an untoward event steels us against misfor- tunes. If you knew how successfully they may be combatted in this dwelling, you would blush at your repining. I can declare with perfect truth, that each detenu leaves his sorrow behind him, and displays nothing but serenity and good humour in this place. We have transferred our social intercourse to the Luxembourg, politics alone excepted ; you will therefore admit that we EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 27 have culled the flowers, and thrown away the thorns. We find here women the most fascinat- ing, and yet free from coquetishness and prudery 5 old men who neither frown at every thing, nor deal in precepts of morality, but are content with gently chiding the defects of others ; young men who are little short of rational beings ; polite, well- behaved men of science,* who are altogether free from pride, and cheer our society by lively traits of wit and entertaining anecdotes ; but what will * Several men of science were in fact taken up, apparently to punish their having evinced sentiments of gratitude, in return for the protection extended to them by the higher nobility ; it was at that time deemed a paramount duty not only to encourage the arts, but to exhibit towards its immediate promoters the most refined politeness, out of pure admiration for tlieir talents; a discrimination was no doubt, exercised in the selection of those whose manners and deportment bespoke the effects of a refined education ; such men as Gluck, Piccini, Sacchini, Dusseck, Pradher, Duport, Garat, Vernet, Menageot, were treated with every mark of kindness and consideration. Jf many artists of the present day have blunted or destroyed, by frequenting coffee- houses, or dangerous societies, those talents which might have handed down their fame to posterity, the fault is perhaps to be ascribed to the indifference shewn for them by the higher classes of society. We might mention several, such as Cherubim, Auber, Fetis, Paer, Boyeldieu, Baillot, Kalkbrenner, Zimmer- mann, Rhein, Gerard, Gros, Ciceri and others who are quite at home in genteel company ; arts and sciences can only prosper and gain proselytes when they are properly encouraged and respected, C 2 MEMOIRS O F T H K more particularly surprise you is, that monied men should have suddenly acquired the most perfect amenity of disposition, the most refined good- breeding, features so contrasting with their usual impertinence and coarseness of manners.* We have here, therefore, the choicest company, and * The pride of wealth has at all times held paramount sway, and we might quote many proofs that this assertion holds good at the present day. It is very true that we no longer see the Mon- dors and Turcarets of old; but if we may boast of many of our fellow-countrymen, wealthy bankers, who make the most splendid use of their fortune, and whose gentleness of manners enhances the value of their meritorious acts, we might also find specimens of that wanton pride in which those men are found to revel who have accumulated millions. The following anecdote will elucidate the correctness of my observation. It is confidently reported, that M. R. one of our richest capi- talists, being in conversation, some eight years ago, with the prince of Denmark, expressed his surprise" at his royal high- ness' having selected that moment for visiting France. " For, monseigneur, said he, Paris is dreadfully dull ; my fall out of a tilbury, and the death of monseigneur the duke of Berry have thrown a gloom over the mirth of society; your royal highness, therefore, cannot as yet form a correct opinion of it." I can hardly credit the truth of this anecdote ; the self- suffi- ciency and folly of the individual in question, must have been carried to the highest pitch, when so absurd an expression could have been ascribed to him. No one in existence would have dreamed of its emanating from such men as MM. Lafitte, I'errier, or Lapanouze, whose conduct will, at all times, suggest '■.'aits highly redounding to their honour. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 29 nothing is wanting to it but my Josephine and our dear children ; what, indeed, could compete with so delightful a trio ! My exceptions, however, must extend to our worthy friend Nevil; his only fault is, that he should consider himself a second Brutus. As to his belonging to the com- mittee, this circumstance has been too favourable to me, to warrant my making it a matter of re- proach. I confide to him, my dearest life, the charge of handing you this letter, which I seal with a thousand kisses, until I am at liberty to bestow them freely and without number." All those who have been confined in a prison, at that frightful period, speak the same language as that uttered by M . de Beauharnais. There can be no doubt that their character remained un-changed, notwithstanding the confinement in which they were held by their tyrannical rulers. Threatened at every moment with the prospect of issuing from those gloomy abodes to proceed to the scaffold, it seemed as if each prisoner felt anxious to dissipate his grief in the indulgence of laughter, and in the delirium of the most absolute indifference ; often- times in the midst of a well-told and cheerful narrative, of a dialogue full of wit, the gaolers came 30 MEMOIRS OF THE to announce the sentence of one of those unhappy prisoners, whose only attachment to life appeared to consist in its social enjoyments. I was at a loss to account for this stoicism, at the disappearance of acquaintances, friends, or relatives ; on a sudden they found themselves surrounded by strange beings coming to replace those who, a few days before, had shared their captivity, and were likely to precede them to the scaffold, or shortly to tread in their footsteps. How then could distraction find its way in the minds of men who had either to deplore their separation from beings to whom they were linked by the dearest ties, or for whose fate they could not but feel the liveliest alarm ! I can more readily account for the indifference of men upon whom the fatal sentence of the law had actually been pronounced, and who proceeded to the scaffold with perfect resignation and serenity of mind, and decked out in their gayest attire. They were about to receive the crown of martyrdom, for a cause to which they were fondly devoted ; they might in their last hour proclaim their wishes for the prosperity of their king and country ; they no longer felt any apprehension for the ob- jects of their affection, and were about to join those who had been torn from them by an un- timelv death. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 31 Madame de Montesson has often related, in our presence, many occurrences of that period, which might appear exaggerated to us who were so far removed from the atrocities of the reign of terror. That lady was a perfect stranger to the spirit of cheerfulness which pervaded the society in which she moved ; of a pious turn of mind, submissive and resigned to the decrees of Providence, she never gave way to discourage- ment ; at the same time she kept aloof from pleasures which justly appeared in her sight as a perfect contrast with the abode of grief in which they were exhibited. The attendants upon the prison were in amaze- ment at her gentleness and patience ; they often said to her with a look expressive of compassion : " Pity it is thou shouldst go to figure away with the rest ; thou art a good woman ; but depend upon it that detestable name of thine will be thy ruin ; the title of Orleans leads straight to .... " ; and they ended with an energetic gesticulation, descriptive of the close of the career they had been anticipating for her. She remained eighteen months in this state of excruciating uneasiness. From that time her health was always on the decline, and her death at last terminated her long protracted sufferings. The female prisoners were not able to contri 3 c i MEMOIRS OF THI bute their share to these social enjoyments. It must be said, however, that many had, according to M. de Beauharnais' expression, become sour, peevish, and bad tempered ; others had grown impertinent on finding themselves suddenly placed on a level with court ladies. Amongst the latter, according to general report, was ma- demoiselle Contat, who assumed all the airs of an ill-bred duchess. Mademoiselle Devienne (now madame Gc- vaudan), whose superior talent has left a void in the Theatre Francais which cannot be easily filled up, was, on the contrary, a polite and agreeable companion ; much sought after by all her fellow prisoners, who remarked in her a graceful and obliging disposition. It is rather strange that the soubrette should have presented the best pattern of good manners. On being released from confinement, mademoi- selle Devienne did not forget those who were still languishing in prison. She was incessant in her exertions on their behalf, which were fre- quently crowned with success. Mademoiselle Raucourt on being restored to liberty, also rendered essential services to her fellow prisoners. She obtained respites for them which were the means of saving their lives. On a particular occasion, which 1 cannot at present EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 33 call to mind, she conferred an obligation upon madame de Beauharnais, who always proved grateful for it. I happened, one day, to enter the dining room of the palace of Navarre, at the time of break- fast, and saw a lady, whom the empress had placed near her person, and to whom she was paying particular attention. 1 told M. de Vieil- Castel that I observed a striking likeness between that lady and mademoiselle Ilaucourt. " I can well account for it," he replied, " for it is her- self." She had come from Paris for the purpose of seeing some new plants, which were highly prized by the empress. They visited the green- house, which was inferior to that of Malmaison. Her majesty explained the means she employed for rearing plants, and gave orders that many of the flowers which excited mademoiselle llau- court's admiration should be packed up in straw, and presented them to her, on her de- parture, as tokens of her gratitude. Mademoiselle Raucourt possessed a handsome estate in the neighbourhood of Orleans, and cultivated a great number of very rare exotics. I saw there a camelia, brought from Navarre and kept with the utmost care. The naturalization of that handsome flower among us, is entirely owing to Josephine. c 3 MEMOIRS OF THB LETTER IV. TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. " Dearest aunt, I stand in need of all my strength of mind to impart to you the catas- trophe which has just befallen us ; you must call your own strength to your aid, to enable you to bear the recital of what follows : " You cannot have failed to pay particular notice to the reflections made by my husband in the presence of his children, which I transmitted to you at the time : " It is not only right that we should offer resistance to oppression, it is even our duty to do so ; our conduct must, however, be guided by the rules of prudence, and who- soever attempts to defeat the views of tyranny, or to crush it altogether, must beware of awaken- ing it from its slumbers." It would be difficult for me to explain to you how these expressions, which we imagined had not been uttered within a stranger's hearing, should have been picked up by spies upon our actions ; and I am yet at this moment at a loss to account for the source EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 35 through which they gained their information. We at first suspected a shameful ahuse of confi- dence when we imagined that Nevil, in whose presence my husband openly speaks his senti- ments, was an ungrateful, treacherous wretch, who, under the most specious and honest ap- pearances, concealed a heart steeped in guilt and atrocity ; for, in fact, we are no longer bound to him by the ties of mere courtesy, but by a sympa- thetic sentiment emanating from the heart, by a combination of kindred feelings, by that delight- ful sense of gratitude, of which a favour neces- sarily imposes the obligation. You will easily understand our readiness indignantly to reject a hypothesis which nevertheless had at first sug- gested itself to our disturbed imagination ; it is one of the most painful consequences of misfor- tune that it makes us unjust, and renders us suspi- cious of the sincerity of friendship ; for how seldom is it continued to those who are in sorrow ! 1 was right in entertaining a favourable opinion of the conduct of this excellent young man, and in re- jecting every idea that was in the least dis- paraging to his character, since I am again in- debted to him for the details I am about to furnish. 1 remain, therefore, in utter ignorance of the means by which we have been betrayed. " The revolutionary committee was no sooner JO MEMOIRS OF THE acquainted with the language uttered by my poor Alexander, than they interdicted all further in- tercourse between him and the other detenus, and what was still more distressing to our feelings, all intercourse between him and his own family. The next day, he was kept confined to his room, which fortunately opens on a second apartment, at present untenanted, by which means, the dis- tance which he is at liberty to pace is increased in a threefold degree. Two days afterwards, his doors M-cre thrown open, and he received the very unexpected visit of a member of the Com- mittee of general safety ; this was Vadier, his colleague in the Constituent assembly, a wild mistrustful old man, who consults in all his ac- tions his habitual misanthropy, and with whom a mere suspicion is equivalent to positive proof. From the tone which he assumed, my husband discovered the workings of his prejudices, readily penetrated the personal animosity he bore to- wards him, and feared to enquire into the object of his visit. For my part, I tremble at the very thought, and were I to dwell on it a moment longer, I should lose all power of writing. " I do not ask, said Alexander, by what means you have obtained a knowledge of my senti- ments ; I am far from disowning the maxim you recall to my mind, or the principles you suppose K M F II K > S JOSEPHINE. ,!7 me to entertain. Do not such ideas form the whole theory of the revolution ? Do they not recommend a practice with which you arc fa- miliar ? arc not those your own principles? — All this I am ready to admit, replied Yadicr : hut the time, the place in which they are uttered, the individuals before who they are avowed, con- stitute the whole difference between us. An axiom, however valuable in a speculative point <>f view, becomes a dangerous weapon when injudi- ciously spoken. Your language is of this nature; it is a two-edged sword which has been very properly wielded against the enemies of libcrtv ; but if it should happen that the latter, though wounded in the struggle, still maintained their ground, and attempted to brandish their weapon against the defenders of that liberty, if in that retrograde and guilty manoeuvre thev were guided by a man who had once opposed them, and who now standing by their side, should attempt to avenge the wounds thev had received in a former conflict, I a^k you, could that man be pro- claimed innocent : Could the motives which ac- tuated him be considered free from blame ? would it be deemed too great a stretch of severity to prevent his designs, rather than to punish their consequences? — 1 recognise in these dangerous and unmerited inferences, the doctrine of vour 38 MEMOIRS OF THE ruler, rejoined M. de Beauharnais : you arbi- trarily raise upon treacherous hypotheses the su- perstructure of the most extravagant supposi- tions ; and concluding that what is barely possible is actually true, you doom the innocent to death in order to prevent his falling into guilt. — Who- soever is an object of suspicion deserves to be suspected. — Speak out more openly, resumed your nephew, the innocent soon becomes sus- pected, and he is then not far removed from the scaffold ; on the bare suspicion that he may cease to be innocent, he is soon consigned to the fate of a criminal. — You see the consequence, retorted Vadier, with less justice than ill-humour ; we pronounce none to be guilty, we treat none as such except those who interfere with, oppose or pervert the principles of the revolution. May you not, possibly, have spoken merely because contrary to our expectation, and unconsciously on our part, this doctrine is applicable to you ? Woe to the guilty one who betrays himself ! — Woe much rather, exclaimed my husband, to the ty- rants who explain, or to speak more correctly, who perplex their murderous system by the obscu- rity and artfulness of their metaphysics : It is easy to parry the thrust of a naked sword ; and as President du Harlay was wont to say, there is an immeasurable distance between the K M P R K S S JOSEPHINE. 3 9 heart of an honest man and the dagger of an assassin ; but how is it possible to escape from the blow of a concealed weapon ? We must be silent and submit to be butchered." He had no sooner spoken these words, of which I cannot but disap- prove, when the old president of the committee of general safety left the room ; and Nevil who was in the corridor remarked, as he fancied, in his naturally forbidding countenance, an equivo- cal expression which forboded nothing favourable to our cause. " I shall keep you daily informed of the conse- quences of this occurrence, which has left me a prey to the most poignant anguish." 4 M K M O IRS OF T H K LETTER V. TO THE SAME. Pretended conspiracy discovered in the prison of the Luxem- bourg — Citizen I.afiotte. — Mme. Fanny de Beauharnais takes the children of her niece under her own care. " An article in this morning's paper has filled me with terror ; as it will reach you to-morrow. I hasten to send you the antidote to it. You will read in that paper, " that a great conspiracy has been discovered in the house of confinement at the Luxembourg ; that it has been found out and made known to the public, adds the editor, is as much as to say that it has been defeated and even destroyed. One of the leaders appears to be the ex-viscount de Beauharnais, a member of the assembly called the Constituent, and one of its pre- sidents. From what has been brought to light by intercepted letters, by the seizure of papers, and by the interrogatories that have taken place, it may be taken for granted, that nothing less was me- ditated than a determined resistance to the acts of the revolutionary government. This resistance, which had not yet proceeded beyond mere in- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 41 tentions, seemed to be on the watch for a fa- vourable opportunity of breaking out into open violence. Such was the doctrine, such was in- tended to be the conduct of the conspirators. Their guilty manoeuvres were promoted by a young man who was attached to Beauharnais, and who appears to have been placed in the revolutionary committee of the section, in order to screen the conspi- rators from suspicion. Thanks, however, to ci- tizen Laflotte, the latter now witness the defeat of the plot they meditated for the destruction of liberty ; in a few days the watchful eye of go- vernment will have completely unravelled it, and its hand raised for the purpose of consolidating the foundations of the republic will have inflicted punishment upon those who seem to exist for no other object than its overthrow." " My dear aunt will bring these high-sounding phrases to their simple and proper meaning. The conspiracy is altogether imaginary ; the informa- tion, which is in fact attributed to an ex-ambas- sador in Tuscany, lias produced the movements I have already noticed but they will probably soon cease. Why in fact should they be kept up ? Nothing has been discovered, for there was nothing to discover ; there can have been no conspirators to punish, since there has been no conspiracy. You might, perhaps, for want of 42 MEMOIRS OF Til B better information, have been alarmed at the pa- ragraph in the newspaper ; such was its first impression upon myself; but after a few mo- ments' reflection, and especially since I have be- gun this letter, I find myself more at ease. Is it necessary to resort to the most exaggerated imposition, when a mere statement of facts would be sufficient to carry conviction ? " P. S. — I re-open my letter to tell you that citizen Nevil has been arrested ; he has sent me a verbal communication of the fact by a young woman to whom he is attached, and who is betrothed to him. This event banishes my security and revives all my former apprehen- sions," Madame Fanny de Beauharnais took under her care the children of madame Alexander de Beau- harnais, during the imprisonment of that most excellent of mothers, who ever retained a lively recollection of this favour. Her gratitude towards her aunt was unbounded, nor did the engage- ments which her elevated rank afterwards imposed upon her, induce her at any time to relax in the demonstration of her sentiments ; she always called her i\ second mother, a title justly due to one who felt a truly maternal tenderness for her. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 43 No doubt can be entertained of Josephine's excellent disposition, when we find the family of her first husband preserving for her a constant and unshaken attachment. They were lavish of their attentions at the time when her sorrow was at its height, and she never suffered the mortifica- tion of being slighted by her husband's relations, who appeared to have adopted her as one of their own family. I have already noticed the sincere friendship entertained for her by her worthy brother-in-law, the marquis de Beauharnais, 44 M EMOias OF T H K LETTER VI. TO THE SAME. Severity exercised towards the prisoners. " Measures of severity which were at first directed against Alexander, have subsequently been extended to five or six of the principal detenus, with whom he is supposed to keep up an intercourse ; they have at last involved all that part of the building, which is separated by a mere partition from the remainder of the palace. The court yard has been forbidden to those who inhabit that portion of the edifice, and they have frequently been examined. Ever since yester- day, they are not allowed to see any one ; and as this prohibition was not made public, the office and the two corridors leading to it have been filled the whole day with their relations and friends, who are in the utmost alarm at their condition. A sinister report was soon spread amongst the first who made their appearance, and who trembling for the fate of beings they held most dear in life, brought back to the bosom of their families the terrors to which they had fallen a prey. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 45 " I am at a loss to guess what all this agitation will lead to \ it appears to me that a government which thus indulges in what may be termed con- vulsions, deems itself very insecure ; such re- peated precautions rather bespeak weakness and fear, than strength and security. " Pending these troubles, my dear aunt, I am almost pleased to learn that you are confined by indisposition ! I recommend you to prolong your absence, however painful it is to my feelings. Your peace of mind, which I so much value, affords me some relief in my sufferings ; and Alexander sends me word that he bears with patience his repeated vexations, as long as he knows us to be free from them." \f, MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER VII. TO THE SAME. Her uneasiness respecting her husband. — Nevil placed in close confinement. " What a pity I am not more inclined to laugh ! for the occurrences that take place here, tlveir atrocity apart, have also their ludicrous side. That wretched story, which merely exists in the imagination, and probably in the interests of those who have invented it, has received a colour- ing which excites my alarm : they begin to talk of the conspiracy of the Luxembourg, in the same manner as the conspiracies of the Gironde, of Sainte- Amaranth e and of Danton had been spoken of; judging from the dreadful results to which these latter have led, what have I not to apprehend in the case in which 1 am so personal- ly interested ; a scandalous solemnity has at- tended the arrest of poor Nevil, and they have given to the motives upon which it Mas ground- ed, a seemingly ludicrous, but, in my mind an intentional importance. 1 dare not dwell too much upon conjectures, which perhaps originate EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 47 in idle fear ; but how could a conspiracy have been discovered where none existed ? for some time past much has been said of the embarrassment occasioned by the prisoners, the uneasiness which torments them, the desires they are found to nourish, the projects they are presumed to medi- tate, their fancied opinions, the means of corres- pondence either premeditated or already esta- blished between them and their connections. Artfully officious paragraphs of newspapers have insinuated the idea that the period was not perhaps far distant, when the severity of our internal po- licy, henceforth tempered by a, spirit of indul- gence, might admit of the prisons being thrown open ; and we are forthwith inundated, in reply with pamphlets no less atrocious by the doctrines they are paid to inculcate, than coarse in their language, wherein it is remarked that there existed more expeditious means of diminishing the numbers of the prisoners. Such is our condition, from which you may readily account for my fears. " I have been for the last five days without any direct news from Alexander ; I have merely learnt from a door- keeper that his peace of mind and his health are unimpaired, and that he reads a great deal, with a view to enliven the solitude of the close confinement in which he is still kept. He has asked for a great number of books, which 4 S M E 3IOIRS OF T II E have been freely allowed to pass ; not so with respect to the writing paper, every sheet of which has been counted ; he will have to give an account of the use he makes of it. " Nevil whom the government has thought it worth while to arrest, in his capacity of a member of the committee, is kept under still closer con- finement. He luis not been allowed to see any one for the last forty eight hours, and it is not known whether he is still in existence. This unexpected measure had so taken him by surprise, that he could not provide himself with any thing, and one is at a loss to send him what he stands in need of, his place of detention being kept a profound secret. His mother, a most respectable woman, displays a resignation which does not banish her grief, but has the effect of moderating its excess. The young and affectionate friend of Nevil gives free vent to her sorrow ; she was on the point of being married to him, and does not blush at evincing her love by the bitter- ness of her affliction. I have promised to make every enquiry respecting this young man, in whom I feel an interest little short of what they bear him. I am grieved to think that he should stand in need of my repaying him any part of the services he has rendered us. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 49 LETTER VIII. TO THE SAME. Madame Alexander de Beauharnais receives a written warning that she is to be immediately taken to prison. — She refuses to avail herself of this intimation. — She is arrested. " I begin this letter at all hazards, not knowing whether it will ever reach your hands. Ere yester- day, Tuesday, Nevil's mother called upon me with a sorrowful coutenance, and a physiognomy which indicated that her mind was greatly agitated ; the recollection of her son immediately occurred to me. " I do not weep for him, said this worthy woman in sobbing accents ; although he is close confined, I have no apprehension for his life 5 he belongs to a class which is easily for- given, or rather easily forgotten ; other persons are in greater danger than he is." Others ? my mind instantly turned to the Luxembourg. " Is Alexan- der before the tribunal ? I exclaimed. — Compose yourself ; there is no question about him." These words at once appeased my alarm. The conside- rate creature then explained to me with the utmost circumspection, that I was the individual in tome in. D 50 MEMOIRS OF THE danger ; my terror immediately subsided. When we have been in a state of anxiety for those we love, how pleasing the reflection that we have only to dread for ourselves ! " I received last night an anonymous letter which warned me of the danger. I might have fled, but where could I go without compromising my husband ? Determined to await the event, I sent for my children, and in their innocent cares- ses I might have forgotten my adversities, had not their very presence more forcibly recalled their father's absence to my mind. Sleep tore them from my arms, to which they seemed instinc- tively to cling with more than usual fondness. Alas ! the love which binds a mother to her chil- dren is not free from superstition, and I know not what unconquerable presentiment plunged me into a state of terror which deprived me of every faculty. You may judge whether, when left alone, I was enabled to resist this painful sensation ! Heaven, nevertheless, can bear me witness that the three fond beings in whom all my happiness is centered are also the exclusive causes of my affliction ; how can I think of self, when their comfort or peace is endangered ! " I was deeply plunged in these reflections, when a loud noise was heard at the door of my hotel. I now understood that my hour was come. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 51 and finding myself fully prepared to meet the una- voidable blow which was about to strike me, I resigned myself to my fate. Whilst the noise went on increasing, I repaired to my children's bed room ; they were fast asleep ; and the con- trast between their peaceful slumbers and their mother's agitation forced tears from my eyes. Alas ! I imprinted on the forehead of my daughter the last kiss I should perhaps ever give her ; she felt the maternal tears upon her cheek, and though fast asleep, threw her caressing arms round my neck ; " Retire to rest, said the child in broken accents, and fear nothing ; they will not come to-night ; I have asked it of God in my prayers." " Meanwhile people were crowding into my apartment, where 1 found at the head of a set of ferocious armed men the old president whose very debility renders him inhuman, and whose indolence gives rise in his mind to such extravagant suspi- cions. Those which he entertained against me were sufficient, in his opinion, to warrant my arrest ; I perceived that without any previous examination, and contrary to all probability, he firmly believed in what is so boldly, and yet so foolishly called the Luxembourg conspiracy. When stupidity and wickedness are combined, there are no limits to the mischief they promote ! u I spare you every useless detail ; what 1 have d 2 o2 MEMOIRS OF THE said is quite enough to distress you. Suffice it tu know, that the seals were affixed to every article of furniture which was under lock and key, and that I was taken to the house of detention of the Carmelites. Great was my terror as I crossed that threshold still reeking with the blood of human victims ! Alas ! dearest aunt, those men are not far from the commission of every crime who have suffered such atrocious ones to go un- punished !" EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 53 LETTER IX. TO MADAME PARKER, LONDON. Narrative of what takes place in the prison in which madame ie Beauharnais is confined. — Her deportment in that abode of grief. " We have here, my dearest friend, two con- trasts which are seldom noticed, notwithstanding that they come under our daily observation ; and I have taken it into my head to converse with you on the subject. Last night I had a good account of my children ; to-day I have hopes respecting my husband's business ; can any thing be better calculated to promote our appetite, our slumbers or our cheerfulness ? I have therefore no reason to complain on the latter score ; and in order to improve my good spirits, I must have some con- versation with your dear self. " You are young, rich, handsome, witty, adored by an amiable husband, and eagerly courted by a circle of society which applauds your talents, and delights in its display ; what, then, can be wanting to your happiness ? I have a very scanty fortune ; am still more deficient in beauty, have 54 MEMOIRS OF THE no pretensions, and very moderate expectations. How then can I enjoy any happiness ? Philoso- phers of grave deportment would enter into a long dissertation to solve this question, and the problem would become still more complicated, were I to add : that the one person, though living in the land of independence and freedom, gives way to des- pondency, whilst the other preserves her peace of mind in a land of slavery and within the walls of a prison. If we attempt to explain this inconsis- tency by the contrast in our dispositions, we do not remove the difficulty, but rather retard its solution. Let us, in fact, consider to what cause may be owing any difference of character between two individuals. " My dear Clara yields to her inclination when she confides to me her troubles, and describes them in exaggerated colours; I, on the other hand, follow my natural impulse when I relate to her what another person would call her sorrows, but Avhat to me appear a motive of satisfaction, since a slight ray of hope has for the last forty- eight hours beamed upon my solitude and dis- tress. " Would you desire to know, my dearest friend, what can possibly convey a keen and heart-felt pleasure to an inmate of this prison ? Two circum- stances, I reply, which naturally suggest them- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 5o selves to the mind, the parody of high life and the simplicity of retirement ; I must explain my meaning. " Men of elevated rank having been the first in- mates of this place, had transferred to its cells the pomp of the old court, and consequently the ennui which attends it. With the increase of inmates, visits went on increasing, as well as set parties, and all the forms and ceremonies of eti- quette, which were invented for no other object than to conceal the weariness ever attendant upon high rank. " On beholding this wretched pomp and ephe- meral dignity, new comers devised the plan of destroying them by holding them up to ridicule. The weapon of exaggeration was sufficient to effect that object ; accordingly, the most indif- ferent acts were wrapped up in a disguise of authori- tative gravity ; the prisoners accosted each other with measured steps, exchanged a good morrow in a declamatory language ; by degrees they raised their tone to the diapason of haughtiness, if 1 may be allowed the expression ; they clothed the most common occurrences of private life in the exaggerated language of romance, which they spoke with the emphasis of tragic actors. Such tiresome pretensions would have been deemed the height of ridicule at Versailles, or in 56 MEMOIRS OF THE the Faubourg St, Germain; you may well sup- pose how little they were relished within the precincts of a small prison. " Some men of sound understanding readily perceived that the only way to banish the ennui which had followed in the train of those chimeri- cal notions, was to restore the ascendancy of reason, with its natural attendants, amiability, wit, good taste, to which modesty and simplicity would soon add their peculiar charm. Head- dresses a crochets and embroidered garments were brought in contact with the revolution now springing up; they kept up for a time a successful struggle against it ; and only yielded after an ob- stinate defense. They had just been defeated when I made my appearance in the prison. 41 From that moment the most unreserved free- dom succeeded to the slavery of etiquette; out- ward appearances were discarded for more sub- stantial marks of friendship. It was felt that all should contribute their share to the pleasures of society; personal feelings gave way to those of fellow-companions in misfortune ; their senti- ments Mere sometimes adopted; or if opposed, the contest was no longer carried on in anger, as had formerly been the case. Names and titles to which habitual deference had for ages been paid, were still treated with the respect they were wont EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 57 to claim ; but the regard which springs from the heart was exclusively bestowed upon social qua- lities, upon talents which promoted the cheerful- ness of our community, and virtues which com- manded its admiration. It is foreign from our purpose to inquire whether those whose lofty pre- tensions were their only claim upon us, inwardly treated as revolutionists, all innovators whose personal merit was their only title to attention. Such is our condition at the present moment ; from an assemblage of a hundred and sixty de- tenus who are the inmates of the prison, five or six private circles have been formed, consisting of persons brought together by uniformity of sen- timents and tempers ; others who live on a still more intimate footing, are united by affections of a more endearing nature; the latter remain isolated and retired within themselves, and seldom join in the general mirth, which they are never found to interrupt. For my part, independently of some friends and acquaintances 1 have fallen in with, I am on terms with every one, and have an ample field for exercising my disposition to console the afflicted and weep with the unfor- tunate. This reminds me, my dear Clara, that you conceive yourself to belong to the latter class, and as such, you have a right to claim some share of the exertions I bestow upon others. Ne» D 3 58 MEMOIRS OF THE vertheleBS, 1 must for the present confine myself to giving you the assurance of an approaching improvement in my condition : may not this have at least the temporary effect of softening your grief ? " Need I tell you how sincerely I parti- cipate in it however imaginary it may appear ? My sufferings on your account correspond in extent with your sorrows. The greatest of mis- fortunes is to doubt the sincerity of those we love ; but this is a mortification we neither of us have to apprehend. Adieu, my dear, and keep up your spirits ; can such an advice proceed from one who is confined in a prison ? would she not seem to stand in need of the consolation she is endeavouring to impart to you ? My children are well ; M. de Beauharnais' case assumes a more favourable turn ; how then could I be wanting in courage ? 1 must now bid vou farewell." I have already observed that madame de Beau- harnais was never dejected from the effects of her imprisonment ; the other inmates of the prison were of a far more desponding turn. Any one acquainted with her tenderness of feel- ing, her constant anxiety to afford assistance to EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 59 others, could not but lament that this excellent woman should have stood in need of the means of relieving her acquaintances who were like her- self deprived of their liberty ; her chief regret at her imprisonment was that it prevented her from being useful. She forgot that her gentle dispo- sition, her lively and fascinating wit were a source of consolation to all her companions. Averse to every kind of discussion, keeping herself aloof from every party, and abhorring every political conversation, she lived on friendly terms with the different circles of society in the prison, divided as they were in opinion, and engaged in angry disputes which were frequently appeased by madame de Beauharnais' conci- liating attentions ; condescending towards her inferiors, even-tempered and amiable in her inter- course with her equals, polite towards those who deemed themselves her superiors, she won the affections of all. In a prison or whether seated on the first throne in the world, she was beloved by all classes, and always held the place amongst them which most became her. She had an innate percep- tion of the rules of propriety, which prevented her been borne down by the insolence of others, in the days of her affliction • and when she afterwards became empress, she cautiously avoided all dis- play of her superior rank. CO MEMOIRS OF THE I never heard Josephine mention the name of madame Parker, who -was probably dead, when I became acquainted with the empress, but who must have been a lady of superior acquirements, since she had inspired so warm an affection to ma- dame de Beauharnais whose distinguished qualities she so fully appreciated. To discriminate real merit proves the possession of it by one who, although in affluent and brillant circumstances, could form a warm attachment for a friend in distress ; this must be allowed on all hands to be no ordinary occurrence. EMPRESS JOS V, P H I N R. 6 1 LETTER X. TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS- Madame de Fontenay in prison. — By what means she communi- cates to Tallien that she is to be shortly brought before the public tribunal. " I have received, my dearest aunt, the beau- tiful fruit you sent me, together with the note you so ingeniously contrived to enclose in one of them. God be praised, my children are now under your care ; this is a great consolation to me. Would that my husband were with them ? I have no tidings of him, any more than of Nevil, whose mother has not yet been allowed to see me. I leave you to judge of my uneasiness ! all my com- panions endeavour to dispel it ; but the wounded feelings of a wife and a mother are not so acces- sible to hope and consolation ! " The prisoners had no means of conveying or receiving any important communication, except by resorting to such extraordinary means as their ingenuity could devise, for the purpose of lulling C2 MEMOIRS OF THE the active vigilance exercised over every object which was introduced into or was taken away from the prison. It is said that madame de Fontenay, (afterwards madame Tallien,*) having obtained positive in- formation that she should, in a few days, be sum- moned before the Convention, wrote a note to T allien, and concealed it in the heart of a cabbage, which she threw to him from a window he was in the habit of approaching, for the purpose of get- ting a glimpse of her through the gratings. She informed him of the fate which was reserved for her, and concluded in these words : " If you love me as sincerely as you profess to do, use every effort to save France and myself along with her." The warmth of Tallicn's affection suggested to him the project which brought the crimes of Robespierre to a close ; thus the fate of our dear country depended upon a piece of cabbage more or less dexterously flung by the weak hand of a woman ! . . , . * Now princess de Chimay. EMPRESS JOSE P H I N E. 63 LETTER XI. TO THE SAME. Examination of M. de Beauharnais. " Alexander was examined yesterday, and I am to-morrow to receive the permission I have applied for. The president of the committee is a tolerably civil man, but of a cold disposition and an absolute nonentity ; his excessive corpulency de- prives him of motion, of thought, and almost of the use of speech. With the best intentions in the world, he has less power than the lowest clerk in office. He comes late, reaches his arm-chair with difficulty, heavily falls into it, and when once seated, remains a quarter of an hour without utter- ing a word. Meanwhile, a secretary reads aloud some reports which the president does not hear, although he has the appearance of listening to them ; he sometimes falls asleep during the peru- sal, and yet he never fails to awake from his slum- bers at the precise moment when he is to sign what he has neither listened to nor understood. With respect to the examinations, which are opened by himself and followed up by each of C'4 MEMOIRS OF T H K his colleagues, some of them are of a most atro- cious character, but the greater part are merely ridiculous ; all are more or less of a singular nature. " What, in fact, can be more extraordinary than that the most valuable members of society should be called upon to explain their thoughts to those who, notwithstanding their sudden elevation, are still its veriest dregs ? My aunt will not under- stand by this that I allude to birth, fortune, or privileges ; by no means, but to principles, feel- ings and individual worth. The president of the committee, for instance, is in his circumstances a gentleman ; he is well off in the world, and is not altogether devoid of education. He is a revolutionist through selfish motives ; and until the presidency restored him to his former good case, he had fallen off through mere fright. Regardless, at present, of the fate of the victims to whose numbers he contributes his share, he grows fat from pure indolence ; I think I have designated him as an upright man : can he be so, however, when he sacrifices men of real worth, in order to secure his own tranquillity ? how much more estimable in my sight is the worthy and considerate Nevil, who has, perhaps, the weakness of carrying too far his already ex- aggerated political ideas ; but who likewise sets EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. Go no bounds to his love of humanity ! what devoted- ness and attachment, when he believes a person to be innocent ! what zeal towards the unfortu- nate ! we owe everything to him. Shall I tell you the motive of his regard for Alexander ? it springs from a respect for his principles. An attentive perusal of the newspapers has instilled into his mind the highest esteem for the Consti- tuent assembly; and he no sooner learnt that a member of that assembly was about to fall into the clutches of his committee, than he sought to be entrusted with the duty of assisting him. You know the rest. "Subjoined, I send you my husband's examina- tion, in which you will find the most atrocious features, coupled with the most ridiculous ones ; these are the two colours of the period Ave live in. Brief Extracts of the Examination of Citizen Alexander Beauharnais. " President. — Who art thou ? " M. de Beauharnais. — A man and a French- man . " President. — Spare us thy jokes ; I ask what is thy name ? " M. de Beauharnais,— Eugene Alexander de Beauharnais. 66 MEMOIRS OF THE " A Member. — Drop the de if you please; it savours too much of the aristocrat. " M. de Beauharnais. — You mean to say that there is something feudal in it. A name without a particle before it, is undoubtedly more consonant with reason. The fault, if there be any, is to be ascribed to times gone by and to my ancestors. " Another Member. — Oh ! thou claimest an ancestry ; it is well that we have heard this frank avowal. Citizens, be pleased to notice that he has ancestors, and does not disguise it. (In this stage of the proceedings, nine members of the committee, out of the twelve composing it, be- took themselves to laughing). One of the nine, in the midst of the prevailing hilarity, assumed a grave countenance, and said with the utmost com- posure : " Fool that he is, does he not know that an ancestry is nothing better than an old parchment ? Is it the man's fault if his patents were not con- signed to the flames ? Citizen, thou art com- manded to deposit them with the committee ; and I can assure thee, that a large bonfire shall soon give us a good account of thy ancestors." " At these words, the worthy council burst into a loud fit of laughter, and the bulky president found great difficulty in restoring it to its gravity and composure. This explosion of mirth had, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. G~ however, the effect of rendering the president more tractable ; he politely addressed the accused, in these words : " Citizen, you may sit dow r n. " A Member rising from his chair exclaimed with great warmth : — I demand to be heard. I vote that the citizen president be called to order, for having voutoye* the suspected citizen. It does not follow, because he is suspected, that he is therefore guilty. So long as the tribunal has not pronounced a sentence of condemnation, every- one has a claim to be addressed by the pronoun thou. " Monsieur Violette should be censured for his want of civility. " On hearing the qualification of monsieur given to the president, the assembly exhibited a fresh scene of laughter, noise, and confusion. The last speaker was for some time at a loss to under- stand how he could have occasioned them. Order was at length restored, and my husband seized the first moment of silence to congratulate the committee on the harmless subjects of its discus- sions, and to express his satisfaction at having for his judges magistrates of so cheerful a temper. * The meaning of which is — for having said you to him, in- stead of thou. — Translator. G8 MEMOIRS OF THE " The "President with an air of importance and gravity. — If thou shouldst mistake our proceed- ings for a mere farce, thou wouldst greatly deceive thyself. The suspected citizen is quite right, colleagues, when he styles us his judges ; this qualification should restore us to our wonted gravity. If it were allowable formerly to indulge in mirth, it now behoves us to comport ourselves with gravity. " M. de Beauharnais. — The latter character distinguishes the new regime from the old. " President. — Let us now proceed seriously to business, and follow up the examination. Ci- tizen Jarbac (one of the secretaries) , art thou ready ? (to M. de Beauharnais.) What are thy titles and qualifications ? " 31. de Beauharnais. — A French citizen, a general in the service of the republic. " A 3Iemher. — President, he docs not tell every thing ; he is an ex " Another 3Iemher. — Prince or baron. " 31. de Beauharnais, smiling. — Viscount, if you please ; it is quite enough. " President. — It is far too much; thou acknow- ledged that thou art a noble ? " 31. de Beauharnais. — 1 acknowledge 1 was l-o considered, and 1 believed it for some time under the regime of ignorance, old habits, and prejudices. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 69 " President. — Confess that thou art not yet wholly undeceived on the subject. " M. de Beauharnais. — The obstinacy with which some men of limited understanding per- sist in fighting a mere shadow, is enough to give it a kind of reality. For my part, I have long since banished the illusion. Common sense had taught me that there could exist no other dis- tinctions than those which are the reward of virtues, public services, or distinguished talents ; considerations of the soundest policy have satisfied me that these alone should be maintained in force. " Citizen Nevil. — This is reasoning upon cor- rect principles ! iC President. — Without disputing the soundness of the consequences, where did the citizen derive those principles in which he prides himself? In the Constituent assembly ? u M. de Beauharnais. — I am proud of having been a member of that assembly. " President.- — You have even presided over it ? " M. de Beauharnais. — Just so, citizen, and at a very memorable epoch. " President. — Was it not at the period of the tyrant's flight ? " M. de Beauharnais. — It was at the time when Louis XVI proceeded to Varennes, and when he returned from thence. " A Member. — I would lay a wager that the 70 MEMOIRS OF THE citizen docs not believe Louis Capet to have been a tyrant. " M. de Beauharnais. — History will explain that point, and posterity will pronounce judgment. " Citizen Nevil. — We have nothing to do with citizen Beauharnais' thoughts, but with his actions. " President. — Very true, most true; let us then inquire into what citizen Beauharnais has done. u M. de Beauharnais. — Nothing whatever ; and in these stormy times, I really think it was the wisest course. " President. — Thou hast not therefore es- poused any party ? " M. de Beauharnais. — I have not, if by party you mean the factions which detest each other, throw the state into convulsion, prevent the laws from holding paramount sway, and retard the con- solidation of the republic ; but if by that word you understand the immense majority of French- men whose wishes are in favour of independence and liberty, to this party I certainly belong. " A Member. — We are yet to be told what course thou wouldst adopt ? " M. de Beauharnais. — I should prefer per- suading by the arguments of reason and convincing by those to which our hearts yield a willing assent: nevertheless I am of opinion that physical force may a M PRESS JOSEPHINE. 71 be resorted against the alternate disguise and violence of anarchical factions. But I could wish that the latter mode of proceeding should not de- generate into abuse, that it were seldom adopted, and that rigorous measures should, as much as possible, be tempered with humanity, whenever the safety of the state permits its exercise. " A Member. (This was the ivicked old man who was directed to arrest my husband). — Hu- manity ! humanity indeed ! I mistrust this lan- guage when spoken by certain people. " M. de Beauharnais. — It ought to be mis- trusted, if it bespeaks pity for criminals of one's own way of thinking ? but it is entitled to every deference when spoken on behalf of error and inexperience. " A Member. — All moderate men utter the same sentiments. " M. de Beauharnais. — Moderation is the offspring of good sense, and the parent of strength. Why should I, when in the enjoyment of good health, give way to violence and agitation, if I find that composure and the exercise of reason add to my physical and moral strength. " Citizen NeviL — I assure you, citizens, that neither Rousseau, Mably, nor Montesquieu have ever written any thing more sensible than what the accused has just spoken. ? 2 M EMOIRS OF THE " A Member. — Who are those people ? do they belong to the section ? " Another Member. — Dost thou not see that they are feuillans ? this is the language of the moderate party, and is most hateful and per- nicious. " President. — Citizens, you are mistaken ; those are the names of authors belonging to the age of Louis XIV, whose tragedies are constantly performed at the Theatre-Francais." " The revolutionary club now divided itself into two parties : some claiming the right of turning the president into ridicule, others maintaining or combating the correctness of the new discovery he had just been adding to the stores of literary knowledge. M. de Beauharnais would have smiled at the blunder, had it not excited a painful sensa- tion in his breast, from a consideration of the cha- racter of those men to whose hands the fate of his fellow citizens was committed. " Nevil endeavoured to bring this ludicrous and pitiful sitting to a close by giving a greater degree of consistency to the examination. u After a few more questions which where either unmeaning or inapplicable, the president, unable to discover any circumstance that could criminate my husband, came to the conclusion, that he should be kept for the present under E M PRESS JOS E P II I N E. 7.3 arrest. " The revolutionary vigilance, said he, will thereby be enabled to find more tangible grounds of charge, and thou, citizen, shalt also have more leisure to enter upon thy defence. If thy country be dear to thee, thou shalt render it as good a service by a spirit of resignation, as by the most active exertions in its behalf; and if liberty is valuable in thy sight, it will become still more so by thy protracted imprisonment. Accord- ingly, I consign thee back again to prison, by no means as a guilty man, but as liable to be- come such. Thou shalt be entered in the re- gisters of the Luxembourg, with this favourable" note in the margin : Accused of hei)ig suspected'' Nothing affords a better proof of the elevation of mind, the calmness and moderation of M. de Beauharnais than the above absurd examination. Will posterity ever believe that men of such pro- found ignorance could have acted for several months in the character of judges over their fellow creatures ? Will it be credited that such cold and atrocious cruelty which trifles with at the moment of condemning its victims could have been tole- rated by a nation proud of its generous feelings : Too young to have witnessed such scenes, I can VOJ,. III. E 74 MEMOIRS OF THE hardly persuade myself that my fellow countrymen do not exaggerate in their description of them. What they relate bears a ressemblance to san- guinary tragedies, the offspring of fanatical minds delighting in the most painful emotions. But, alas ! they are facts of which every family has had to lament the fatal consequences ; mine has borne its share of them ! . . . . I must therefore, however reluctantly, give credit to narratives which our descendants will indignantly reject as fabulous. They will only admit the truth of what may appear in accordance with the better feelings of their fellow countrymen. Why are we so near the period of events which ought to be obliterated from our records, theretofore never sullied by such atrocities ! but we cannot dispute the evidence of facts !... .this is the misfortune of the epoch we live in, which is in other respects so fertile in deeds of glory and in the brightest prospects. KM PRESS JOSEPHINE. 75 LETTER XII. TO CITIZEN ALEXANDER DE BEAUHARNAIS. Citizen Saint-Just, — M. de Saint-Just, author of the Caliph of Bag-dad, of Jean de Paris, &c. — Madame de Saint-Just. — Pen- sion granted to Mademoiselle Robespierre. " Can it be possible that Providence relents in its anger, and that the government, having now acquired more stability, is about to substitute measures of clemency to the system of coercion hitherto pursued ? Since the day before yesterday, there has been some relaxation in the strict vigi- lance exercised over us, and communications from without the prison are admitted after a very su- perficial inspection. The report gains ground that Saint- Just* has had a warm altercation with se- * We must not confound the Saint-Just in question with M. de Saint-Just, the lively author of many delightful comic operas, such as the Caliph of Bagdad, Jean de Paris, &c, who died two years ago. The latter was a man of mild and gentle disposition, who never meddled with politics ; possessed of a large fortune, he was exclusively intent upon promoting the happiness of all around him. His refined and entertaining conversation drew to his house the most distinguished artists and literary characters, whom he felt a pleasure to encourage, and to assist with pecunia- E 2 7 G MEMOIilSOF THE vend members of the committee on the subject of Robespierre : it is further said that the latter is desirous of adopting a different system ; sur- feited with the number of victims he has already immolated, his political ideas have undergone a change ; but he finds in the opinions of his col- leagues, an invincible obstacle to his views. Saint- Just is a young man of very extraordinary merit, and we have often lamented that fatality which drove him into a career of cruelty and danger ; as little could we be sui prised at Robespierre's re- turning to sentiments of humanity. The man who after long wandering from the right road, has ry means, when they happened to be in distress. Amiable in his intercourse, indulgent towards every one, he was gene- rally regretted when an inflammatory complaint deprived li- terature and his friends of so valuable a member of society. J cannot forget his kind attentions to me, and eagerly avail my- self of this opportunity of paying to his memory the homage or' the respect I owed to him. Far greater talents and eloquence will no doubt be exerted in liis praise; but it can never be told i?' language of more unaffected sincerity. Ths second wife of 1M. de Saint -lust was mademoiselle Tou- rette, the sister-in-law of the celebrated Cherubini. This choice is equally creditable to the author of it, and to its object ; for, with the exception of a fortune, mademoiselle Tourette was possessed of every qualification which can recommend a woman. The disin- terestedness of her conduct, at the death of M. de Saint-Jus*:, rei.uered her still more worthy of being the partner of a man v.v. » was always bent upon devisinjr the means of promoting the - ipinessof his fellow creatures. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 7 ? dared to proclaim a God in the face of his impious fellow men cannot harbour a ferocious heart. " It is said, that in consequence of this alterca- tion, which does him great honour, he has with- drawn himself from the committees, thereby throwing upon his colleagues all the odium of their sanguinary deeds. This occurrence has, however, had its due influence upon those who live in hopes, as well as those who give way to despondency. With us, a sensation of joy was experienced, which partook as much of asto- nishment as of enthusiasm. By degrees our first transports subsided, and made way for a no less pleasing, though more calm conviction of security. Are these hopes too sanguine ? I look to my dear Alexander's opinion on the subject, ere I too freely indulge them. " The appearance of a pamphlet by Camille Desmoulins, has just been made knoAvn to us as an extraordinary occurrence ; you are perhaps al- ready apprised of it. " It is said, that under the thin veil of the court of Tiberius, he gives a description of the cruelties of the present day : this is a bold at- tempt ; but he is reported to have written under Robespierre's dictate ; if so, there is no danger in the act, which would otherwise be one of great temerity. 78 MEMOIRS OF THE " Desenne has sent to our hotel two copies of the above work, one of them is for my dear Alexander. May it enable you to pass a good uight I" Madame de Beauharnais, like all those who are afflicted, eagerly laid hold of every circum- stance calculated to calm her intense sufferings, This is, no doubt, the cause of her having so completely mistaken the character of Robespierre, which was, unquestionably, a compound of every vice. Timid young men may have been drawn away from the paths of virtue by the influence of attractive doctrines, and may by degrees have become, through fear, almost as cruel as their lea- ders ; but the man who so long beheld torrents of blood flowing by his orders, and could find rest after signing a series of proscriptions, was a monster whom no one can attempt to justify. His memory must ever be held in abhorrence. It is asserted, that his sister obtained a pension under the different governments which succeeded the one of i 793, and that it is even continued to her under the Bourbons. I can hardly believe it ; faults are, no doubt, purely personal in their application ; can there, however, be any nee-- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 79 sity for rewarding the relations of the tyrant of France ? Would it not be better to devote those funds to the relief of the widows and orphans of the gallant men who have died in the field of glory, bequeathing to the objects dearest to them no other legacy than an honourable name ? SO MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XIII. TO DOCTOR PORTAL. >1M. Magendie, Auvity, Frunet, Heurteloup, &c, M. Horeau. " Lose not a moment, dear doctor ; fly to the committee of surveillance, where you will receive a permission to visit the Luxembourg. You will there find one of your clients who, notwithstand- ing his incarceration, has not forgotten the en- gagement he made with you of being ill for at least a fortnight every year. His illness is now come upon him, and the engagement on his part is about to be fulfilled; but let it not last beyond u fortnight ; you understand me, doctor ; I make you personally answerable for the result. This would be a tedious delay, were he at liberty to enjoy himself; but within the precincts of a pri- son, sickness whiles away the time, provided it is not fatal to the patient ; and an agreeable physician affords a diversion to both," M. Portal was always what he is at the present day, a man of profound learning, of the kindest EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 81 disposition, and generally esteemed. He ren- dered many important services at a time when humanity was considered as a crime, since it might withdraw a victim from the executioner's axe. No danger was ever known to check the zeal of the dean of the Faculty, who in his now advanced age maintains all the cheerfulness of his early days. Honoured with the regard of his sovereign, he has the satisfaction to reflect that he has undeviatingly followed a career the more honourable when, as in his case, it is digni- fied by an adherence to the most exalted virtues. Many of our young physicians may be reckoned in the number of those who promise to follow so proud an example; we particularly notice MM. Magendie, Auvity, Prunet, Roger, Heurteloup, &c. I feel happy at this opportunity of mentioning the names of individuals who are the hopes of the rising generation, which will find in them what we discovered in their great predecessor — science and virtue combined. I pass over the name of M. Horeau, who is frequently mentioned in the course of this work ; he lives in a country retirement, and no longer practices the medical art. E S 3<2 M E M OIRS O F T H El LETTER X IV. M. DE BEAUHARNAIS TO HIS WIFE. His opinion respecting Robespierre ; — His fortitude of mind. — Mademoiselle de Sombreuil. — Mesdames deBellegarde. — Bay- ard, Francis 1st., Duguesclin, Turenne, Cond6, Yauban, Marshal de Saxe, Napoleon, Ney, Murat, \'ictor, Massena, Suchet, Macdonald, Perignon, Kellermann, their serene high- nesses the Dukes of Orleans and Montpensier. — Counts de For- bin d'Oppede, de Juillac, de Marin, d'Aubenton. — Mesdames de Sainte-Marie, Ducrest, de Caquerai. — MM. de la Roche- foucault, Saint Aldegonde, de Kersalun, de Goisson, de Fougy. ■ — Mesdames de Flahault, de Genlis. — Noble act of an intendant. — Death of my father's valet de chambre. — M. Detchement. — Avaricious trait of the marquis d'A " How much you are mistaken, my poor dear wife ! you are led away by hope ; but in our times hope is deceitful, and treacherous. I have atten- tentively read the work of Camille Desmoulins ; it denotes a good heart, but evidently proves him to be a dupe. You tell me that he writes under Robespierre's dictate ; this is very possible ; but after having urged him on, the tyrant will sacrifice him. I well know the obstinacy of that man, who shrinks at no difficulty, and who, to promote the EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 83 triumph of his nefarious system, would act, if necessary, the part of a man of feeling. " Listening to the dictates of pride, Robespierre fancies himself called to regenerate France ; but as he is a man of confined views, and of a cold heart, he sees no effectual regeneration beyond that of shedding torrents of blood ; it is for him the easiest course, as his victims are pent up within a certain space, and the ferocious monster has only to stretch out his hand and drag them to the slaughter. Some of them, however, have been heard to utter piercing exclamations, in their dying agonies ; and the simple Camille Desmou- lins is directed to repeat the words, with a view to sound public opinion. Be the expression of that opinion what it may, some will be found to oppose it, and the tyrant will avail himself of this opportunity to bring fresh victims to the slaughter. Such is, more or less, his mode of proceeding. " It is very painful to me, my dear Josephine, to destroy the illusion to which your heart has given way ; but can I entertain any who have been so close an observer of the manoeuvres to which tyranny is wont to resort ? when wc are unable to crush it by main force, our only means of resistance consists in receiving its blows with a fortitude which is a reproach and disgrace to it. Those who come after us will at least profit by 84 MEMOIRS OF THE our example, and the bequest made to posterity by the victims of proscription, will not be lost to mankind," M. de Beauharnais followed the maxim which he had recommended to his wife. All his actions bore witness that, although he had not been more proof than others against the attractive philan- trophy which prevailed at the beginning of the Revolution, and accordingly longed for altera- tions in the system of government, nevertheless, lofty sentiments, and the love of virtue and of country, were guides from which he never swerved. At his death he evinced the greatest fortitude of mind, and was regretted by those who were least disposed to coincide in his political opinions. Such must ever be the ascendancy of a frank and open character. General esteem cannot fail to be its reward, especially in times of agitation, where everything is eagerly laid hold of which is calculated to afford relief to the mind, so often and so powerfully affected by mean or cruel ac- tions. In the midst of the atrocities committed during the reign of terror, was it not a consolation *o contemplate the sublime act of self-devotedness EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. S5 performed by Mile, de Sombreuil,* the noble con- duct of mesdames de Perigord and de Monaco, and of so many others exposing themselves to al- most certain death, in order to save the objects of their affections ? In our admiration for such acts, we become reconciled to mankind, which so many circumstances would otherwise cause us to abhor. Had it not been for these heroic traits, and the surprising valour of our armies, who defended their territory, but strictly conformed within them- selves to the laws of justice, the name of a Frenchman would be branded with disgrace. Virtue, on the one hand, and honour and bravery on the other, have maintained for us the rank which we claim as a nation, whose happiness and tranquillity are henceforward secured by the wis- dom of the laws. I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of ad- verting in this place to the affectionate attachment shewn by mesdames de Bellegardef who daily vi- * Married at Avignon, mademoiselle de Sombreuil resides there in the midst of friends, who are lavish of those attentions to her, which are so justly due to her gentle and amiable disposi- tion, and to the precarious state of her health, irretrievably des- troyed by the unexampled courage she displayed on the occasion to which I have alluded. •f- One of them was married to her cousin, a general officer in the service of Austria who came to Paris in the year 181 1. SG MEMOIRS OF T II K sited a friend in captivity, and brought her what- ever could contribute to mitigate her distress, Young, handsome and full of wit, they succeeded in exciting the pity of the ferocious keepers, and seldom failed in the objects they were so gene- rously bent upon accomplishing. They seldom went away without satisfying themselves that their friend had received what they brought for her use. The interest displayed by these ladies in the fate of a prisoner was calculated to bring upon them the most cruel persecutions ; never- theless they persisted, and escaped as if by a mi- racle, to the dangers which beset every one pos- sessed of distinguished qualities, and solid merit. Our armies gave at all times signal proofs of valour ; this is a truth -which none would ven- ture to deny ; our annals sufficiently attest that on the field of battle the French were formerly what they are now. The names of Dunois, Bayard, Francis 1st, Duguesclin, Turenne, Con- de, Vauban, Napoleon, Marshals Ney, Murat, Victor, Massena, Perignon, Suchet, Macdonald, Kellermann and of a countless number of other heroes are linked with the victories achieved in every epoch of our history ; but whilst foreigners extolled our glory and our science in the art of warfare, they affected to exaggerate the levity of this nation of conquerors. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 87 There exists no evil without its admixture of good ; thus it is that the revolution, the scourge of our days, has been the means of exhibiting the courage of Frenchmen under every form and aspect. In France, those who were unhappily condemned to death met their honourable doom with a fortitude which can never be sufficiently admired. The emi- grants displayed no less elevation and energy of character, in the protracted agony they had to en- dure ; during their too long exile from their native country, they no doubt encountered less imminent dangers than those who had remained in France ; can it be said however that they evinced less he- roism in bearing with every kind of privation, with misery and want, which threatened to terminate their existence after prolonged and cruel sufferings? So far from being depressed by the misfortunes which assailed them in every way, the nobility whose life had generally been passed in a conti- nued round of pleasures shewed of what exertions they were capable rather than submit to the ne- cessity of soliciting public relief ; the aged alone and the infirm resorted to mechanical occupations, foreign from the habits and inclinations of this wandering and deserted crowd of fugitives ; ta- lents and industry supplied the place of fortune ; and men of high rank did not blush at un- 88 M EM9IRS OF T II K dertaking pursuits which spared them the mor- tification of depending upon the bounty of others. His highness the duke of Orleans became tutor in a public school in Switzerland, and his brother the duke de Montpensier exerted his distinguished talent for painting, by which he earned an ho- nourable livelihood. The counts de Forbin d'Oppede,* de Juillac, de Marin, and d'Aubenton turned their knowledge of music to more or less advantage. The mar- chionesses de Sainte-Marie, Ducrest, de Caque- rai gave public concerts and lessons of singing and of the piano-forte; MM. de la Rochefou- cault and de Sainte-Aldegonde became linen- drapers ; the counts de Kersalun, de Fumel, de Quatrebarbe, de Goisson established furnished hotels and coffee houses, the count de Fougy, a man of acknowledged good taste became a dealer in millinery; others taught french, history &c, manufactured pasteboard cases, and worked era- * M. Forbin d'Oppcde kindly condescended to give me during the emigration, gratuitous lessons on the piano; and he received no other return than the most giddy treatment on my part, which he bore with as much patience as lie did the false notes I played for him ; it is only of late years I have learned the extent of my obligations towards him ; I am happy, therefore, at having this opportunity of acknowledging them. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. S9 broidery ; Mesdames de Genlis and de Flahault wielded their graceful and fertile pens, and com- posed many delightful works ; in short, a crowd of young men engaged themselves as clerks in banking houses. This conduct was rewarded by the admiration it was calculated to excite ; efforts like these could not fail to receive the public ap- probation which became the just reward of such signal acts of perseverance and virtue ! The exiled families were for the most part so fully convinced of the good faith of the powers in alliance with France, and of their intention to coalesce for the purpose of restoring Louis XVI to the throne, that they left their homes with a very scanty supply of money, expecting on their re- turn to recover their fortunes, their jewels and their titles. By and by, we shall see order restored all over France, was a common expression amongst them; and they quitted their country and their families with a confidence which was, how- ever, to be productive of serious evils. This by and by was to put an end to all further emigrations and to heal every wound. Nevertheless, many years elapsed before that wished for moment, and many of those families who have returned from their exile, are still the victims of misfortune; for their paternal hearth is gone from them ! We are reluctantly compelled to bring some 90 MEMOIRS OF THE traits of meanness and bad faith into contrast with this picture of energy, high honour and stoic resignation ; happily however, the latter greatly preponderate, and the pains taken by the emi- grants to conceal the errors of their suffering fellow countrymen threw a veil over every dis- creditable action ; bound by the obligations of mutually defending and assisting each other, a dishonest trait in the character of any one among them appeared improbable, and was buried in oblivion. Nevertheless the two fol- lowing anecdotes were the general topics of con- versation, because they only reflected disgrace upon a man who had succeeded in saving an im- mense fortune, and who was pointed at as a model of the most sordid avarice. So far from endeavouring to relieve the distress of his fellow countrymen, the marquis d'A seemed rather to augment it by lending them small sums of money at an usurious interest, and often obtained reimbursement in a most unfeel- ing, though perfectly legal manner. No one re- sorted to him except from sheer necessity, and certainly no debt of gratitude was contracted ; a sentiment to which he was no doubt perfectly in- different. M. Detchement, a celebrated French dentist, was at this time in very great repute in England, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 91 where he obtained sufficient success to have it in his power to lend money to the emigrants, without ever accepting of any interest for his loans ; he was particularly noted for setting porcelain teeth, which wore a perfect imitation of real ones, and had none of the disadvantage of false teeth. A little old man called one day upon him, with a dress which denoted the most absolute want ; his countenance, moreover, indicated bo- dily pain and severe distress ; this was sufficient to excite the pity of M. Detchement, who asked whether he could be of any assistance to him. " Oh sir, replied the visitor, in weak and broken accents, I am very wretched, and greatly to be pitied. — Pray, sir, do you stand in need of any assistance? I should be too happy to ... . — By no means ; J merely wish for your profes- sional assistance. I have worn for these many years a false set of teeth which is completely destroyed ; as I seldom eat any other bread than what the circumstances of an exile can afford, 1 have great difficulty in breaking it with these wretched false teeth ; and I come to request you will make me a fresh set ; you will charge me as low as you possibly can, for I shall be under the necessity of undergoing still greater privations in order to meet this extra expense, which will 9 2 M K M O I R S OF J' H K always be heavier than I can well afford to incur." During this long and pitiful lamentation, M. Detehement was preparing the requisite apparatus for taking the measure of the mouth which the speaker was holding up to him. On finishing this operation, M. Detehement said, that he would have the set of teeth in readiness for him in the course of the week for the price of ten guineas. "What! ten guineas 5 where do you suppose, sir, that I can find ten guineas ? that sum would support me for the space of two months? — I exceedingly regret, sir, that I cannot take a lower price ; it is what I charge all emigrants who apply to me, and I can assure you that I ask of them no more than the outlay I have to disburse in preparing the teeth. The oven must be heated three times and oftener, for I have frequently to begin the work over again, before I can succeed to my wish. The English pay me more than double that price ; this ena- bles me to charge the French more reasonably. — I will give you five guineas — You mistake me, sir, said M. Detehement with some warmth, if you suppose me capable of thus over-charging a person in distress. I flatter my- self I do not deserve that you should entertain so unfavourable an opinion of me. — 1 beg K M P R E S S JOS K P HIKE. 93 pardon ; will you then take six guineas ? — No, sir, there is no bargaining here ; be pleased therefore to apply elsewhere. — Pray be not offended ; I will give you the ten guineas, mut- tered the marquis with a sigh, and shall bring them to you this day week." He went away, deploring the necessity of incurring so heavy an expense. Count de . . .. met him on the staircase. He owed M. d'A.... a grudge, in consequence of having had to allow very high interest for the accommodation he had received from him. " I pay you my compliments, my dear Detchement, said the count as he entered the room ; you have some excellent customers. — 1 think so too indeed ; but what can I do ? the poor man wants my assistance, and 1 even regret having just now treated him with some degree of rudeness. — How so?— Why he put me out of temper by repeatedly bargaining for a set of teeth • 1 must own 1 was wrong, and 1 intend, therefore, to make an abatement when he calls again. — To whom ? — To the old man you just met, and whom you are pleased to call my good cus- tomer. — 1 am quite in earnest, 1 assure you ; he is worth many thousands. Do you not know him? lie is the marquis d'A...., a miser; a wretch, who lends us money for a short time 9 1 M B M O r R S OF THE and at an exorbitant interest. — Oh ! oh ! he has attempted to deceive me ; I will pay him off." The marquis d'A called on the ap- pointed; day M. Detchement led him to a chair, removed his set of teeth, which he broke and threw into the fire, fixed the new set, which fitted admirably well, and fully answered the expectations of the marquis, who, with apparent reluctance, pulled ten guineas out of a dirty leathern purse, and carefully counted them over. " Here, sir, said he, in a pitiful tone, is the money 1 owe you. — No, sir, it is only half the sum. Ten guineas was the price which I asked of a poor Frenchman, but the marquis d'A.... must pay for those who cannot afford to do so ; 1, therefore, claim twenty guineas of you. — Sir, this is an infamous imposition, which .... — How shall I qualify the imposi- tion you put upon a man who is compelled to earn his livelihood. I advise you, for your own sake, to pay the twenty guineas ; otherwise I will make known what has taken place between us ; the part you have acted cannot redound to your credit." After heaping every abuse and threat upon M. Detchement, the marquis submitted to his fate ; he could not besides act otherwise, since EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 95 his old set had been thrown into the fire. M. Detchement did not keep the story a secret, and all the emigration laughed at the expense of a man who went amongst them by the name of the old jew. The marchioness d'A. ... died in a town of Germany, the name of which has escaped my recollection. It is the custom of that country to communicate deaths through the means of an undertaker. They go from door to door, to make known the occurrence, as well as the hour and place of interment. Anxious to save this trifling expense, M. d'A.... asked his old valet- de-chamb re, who was his jack-of-all- trades, whether he understood German ? " Perfectly well, monsieur le marquis," replied the valet, de- lighted to add the duty of interpreter to the many others which devolved upon him. " I am very glad to hear it ; for thou shalt go to an- nounce every where the death of the mar- chioness, thy late mistress ; beware not to forget any one. — You may depend upon me, M. le marquis/' The valet-de-chambre dressed himself up in a wretched, thread-bare black coat of his master, tore a piece of black crape from an old dress belonging to madame's wardrobe, fixed it to his hat, assumed a countenance of sorrow, 96" II E M O I R S OF T H E and knocking at every door, lie thrust his head forward, bellowed out these words : " Yesterday evening, at six o'clock, madame la marquise d'A .... caput," closed the door, and con- tinued his rounds, always repeating the same phrase. At night, in every private society, the company accosted each other in these terms : So madame la marquise d'A. ... is caput.* This specimen of conjugal economy, appeared so unworthy and ridiculous, that it was made a standing joke against the marquis d'A. ... who was, in consequence, under the necessity of trans- ferring his economical spirit to another town. The class of people the most likely to benefit by a revolution which was intended to level every distinction, and which, nevertheless, was only fertile in destroying, exhibited as well as the privileged class, many acts of sublime virtue ; feeling at a loss which to select, 1 shall relate a trait that was made known to me on the very spot where the anecdote occurred. The marquis de C...., the proprietor of the splendid estate of La Ferte Lowendal, near Orleans, was compelled to emigrate, leaving in his chateau, an old servant, whose long tried * This won 1 ., in Low German, means broken, destroyed, ill/- 'if d td pieces. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 9? and faithful services had obtained him the ap- pointment of steward to the estate, of which he performed the duties with the strictest in- tegrity ; it gave him a great authority over the servants, and even over the inhabitants of the village, who were wont to respect him and to pay every deference to his wishes. On the departure of his master, he made a strict inventory of every thing confided to his charge, carefully concealed every article of value, and affected the most exaggerated dcmo- cratical opinions. Keeping company with none but the wild- est theorists of the country, assuming a lan- guage more violent and outrageous than theirs, adopting their manners, their peculiar expres- sions and costumes, he succeeded in being no- minated by them to a municipal appointment, and nothing thenceforward was ever done with- out his consent. M. de C. . . . had deposited in a place of concealment a round sum of money, which was seized by the steward who, instead of sending it to M. de C. . . . agreeably to the understanding between them, employed it in buying up the estates of his beloved master. Becoming possessed of a considerable fortune, he found means of improving the property, and of conveying money to M. de C. . . . who was at VOL. III. f <)S M K M O [ R S O F T H K a loss to account for the source from whence this assistance was transmitted to him. As soon as tranquillity was restored, M. de C... returned to France, and felt indignant on learning that all his estates had fallen into the hands of that steward in whom he had placed the most unbounded confidence; he repaired to the spot without a moment's delay, hoping to recover some fragments of his extensive property, which had been disposed of for a very trifling pecuniary consideration. He arrived quite unexpectedly, entered the chateau, and saw before him the old servant, whose snow-white locks and faltering steps excited an emotion in him which he was at first unable to controul, as it reminded him of thr> time that had elapsed since the spot he now visited had been deserted by its lawful owner. He checked this rising emotion, quickened his pace, and prepared to load with the bitterest reproaches the faithless steward who had plun- dered him of every thing; the old man startled at the sound of the footsteps, turned round, and on beholding his master, fell at his feet exclaiming with outstretched arms : " God be praised ! 1 mav now die in peace, since 1 have seen you once more, and can now make restitution of the property I have preserved for you unimpaired." EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 99 These words removed the necessity for any further explanation ; the countenance, the look of this model of exemplary gratitude, were suffi- cient to remove every doubt from the mind of M. de C. . . ., who pressed to his heart his faithful steward, who, from that moment, could only appear to him in the character of a generous friend. He delivered up every thing with the most scrupulous minuteness, excepting a silver fork, for the loss of which, greatly to his mortification, lie was unable to account. M . de C . . . . left on his death bed the bulk of his fortune to his niece, now countess Auguste de Talleyrand, whose truly amiable qualities gave her every claim to his affection. She has dis- posed of the estate of La Ferte Lowendal to the young prince of Essling. I claim the reader's indulgence, for quoting two more proofs of the attachment of servants for their masters. When we returned to France, my father's old valet de chambre called to see him, and felt so happy at again beholding his master, that he was unable to express his satisfaction in any other lan- guage than in broken accents. On quitting my father, he proceeded towards the boulevard, and meeting a friend, requested he would procure him F 2 1 00 MEMOIRS OF THE a glass of water, as he felt quite suffocated ; the blood flew so suddenly to his face, that his friend in the utmost alarm inquired what ailed him r "My master has returned ,.. .it has so affected me. . . .1 feel the shock here, said he, pointing to his heart," — and he dropped down dead on the spot. We heard of this dreadful accident from his widow two days afterwards ; she came in the ut- most agitation to relate it to my father, who wept bitterly with the poor afflicted woman. Alas ! he had no longer any thing but tears to offer. On the day of my wedding, (in 1812) we were returning late from a family dinner, and as I wished to avoid any extraordinary expense, which would have been inconsistent with our limited in- come, the bride was on her way home in an hum- ble hackney coach ; my father, however, Mho must fain communicate his happiness to others, gave the coachman much more than his fare, sav- ing : " Come, my honest friend, drink to my daughter's health and happiness. — Oh ! M. le marquis, can it be your voice ? exclaimed the driver with emotion. — How dost thou know me, my man ; why give me a title which no longer belongs to me ? — I will tell you to-morrow. — So saying, he flogged his emaciated horses, and left us in utter astonishment at this meeting. My EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 101 father had become so obscure a personage, that he was at a loss to understand how any one could recollect what he had formerly been. The next day, a message was brought to us that a respectable old man, in a fantastical dress, asked leave to present a nosegay to the young lady who was married on the preceding day. We were, at breakfast, and desired that he should be admitted. He accordingly made his appear- ance ; and I must acknowledge that his proud and contented look made a much slighter im- pression upon me, than his yellow old-fashioned coat, with sky-blue collar and cuffs. Well, M. lc marquis, do you not now recognise your faithful Carpentier, the porter of G .... ? this is the iden- tical dear livery 1 was so proud of wearing in your service. I was compelled to remove the trimmings, otherwise those brigands would have taken it from me. In order to make more sure of the livery, I carefully concealed it from every one ; something told me that I should again behold my master. People laugh at me in the streets ; but what of that ; I carry on my back the badge and patent of my fidelity to him. Madame, he continued, turning to me, deign to accept this nosegay as a pledge of my affection for your family, and accept at the same time my unfeigned wishes for your welfare. May God reward M. le marquis 102 MEMOIRS OF THE for the happiness he has so frequently bestowed on all around him." I flattered myself that this wish was little short of a prediction of what was to happen ; I ventured to look forward to future happiness '..... A venerable head, and long white hair gave to this old man a peculiar expression which excited our sympathy. My father, in particular, was deeply affected, and was reaping at that moment the reward of a kind disposition which stood the test of every vicissitude of fortune. He pressed his old servant to his heart, made him breakfast with us, and pressed him to say in what manner we could be of service to him. The old man's wishes were limited to the obtaining a place in the Hospital of the Incurables. By dint of exertions, my father succeeded in procuring his admission into that hospital, and during many years we regularly heard from him, on new years' day, being the anniversary of my father's birth, and on the 5th of September, the anniversary of the day of his again beholding his beloved master. On one of those occasions, the usual letter of compliments failed to make its appearance, and we began to apprehend that he was dead. The inquiries we made proved to us how correct we were in supposing that death alone could prevent EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 103 the customary expression of the worthy man's gratitude. Two years afterwards, I lost the parent who had excited this sentiment in his breast ! and the tears of a whole village attest that although bereft of his rank and fortune, my father had still found means of being useful to his fellow creatures ! These traits sufficiently attest that the nobility, who have of late years been so much defamed and calumniated, were kind, affable and humane to- wards their inferiors. None but those who possess- ed all the better qualities of our nature, could have inspired so strong an attachment. There would be no difficulty in mentioning many more anecdotes of a similar description. I have exclusively con- fined myself to those for the accuracy of which I could vouch, and which I felt a delight in pub- lishing to the world, as an homage due to the memory of one whose loss is to me a source of the most bitter regret ! 104 MEMOIRS OF T H K LETTER XV. MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS TO HER AUNT, MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. " You would hardly believe, deav aunt, that my children have just undergone a long and minute examination ! That wicked old man, the mem- ber of the committee, whom I have already men- tioned to you, called upon me, and affecting to feel uneasy in regard to my husband, and to con- verse with me respecting him, he opened a con- versation with my children. I acknowledge that I at first fell into the snare ; what sur- prised me, however, was the sudden affability of the man ; he soon betrayed himself, how- ever, by the malignity and even bitterness which he displayed, when the children replied in such a maimer as to give him no advan- tage over their unhappy parents. I soon pene- trated his artful intentions. " When he found me on my guard, he threw off the mask, and admitting that lie was desired to EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 105 procure information from my children, which, he said, might be the more relied on, as it would bear the stamp of candour, he entered upon a formal examination. At that moment I felt an indescribable emotion, and the conflicting effects of fear, anger and indignation alternately at work within me. I was even on the point of openly giving vent to my feelings against the hoary revolutionist, when I reflected that I might, by so doing, materially injure M. de Bcauharnais, against whom that atrocious villain appears to have vowed perpetual enmity ; 1 accordingly checked my angry passions. He desired me to leave him alone with my children ; I attempted to resist : but his ferocious glance compelled me to give way. " He confined Hortense in a closet, and began to put questions to her brother. My daughter's turn came next ; as for this child, in whom he discovered a premature quickness and a pene- tration far above her age, he kept questioning her for a great length of time. After having sounded them respecting our common topics of conversation, our opinions, the visits and letters we were in the habit of receiving, but more particularly the occurrences they might have witnessed, he came to the main point, I mean F 3 106 MEMOIRS OF THE the expressions used by Alexander. My chil- dren gave very proper replies, such in fact as were suited to their respective dispositions, and notwithstanding the artfulness of a mis- chievous man whose object is to discover guilt, the frankness of my son and the quick pene- tration of my daughter disconcerted his low cunning, and even defeated the object he had in view. " What use is it intended to make of the replies of two children, whose language was that of truth ? they can only redound to the triumph of innocence and the disgrace of my husband's accusers ; will they have the courage to bring that examination forward, if it should be pro- ductive of this double check upon their pro- ceedings ? kC I can as yet hear nothing concerning poor Nevil. Notwithstanding the reluctance I feel at adopting such a step, I have determined to solicit an audience of a member of the Committee of general safety, Louis (of the Lower Rhine) who is spoken of in more favourable terms than the rest of his colleagues. Your nephew had ex- pressly forbidden my ever calling upon those men, whom he considers as the destrovers of our country, but he never could mean to forbid my EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 107 applying in a case in which gratitude and friend- ship are concerned. Had he done so, I could have found it in my heart to disobey him. I hold ingratitude in abhorrence, and shall certainly never add to the number of those who are guilty of that failing. 108 MEMOIR! OF THB LETTER XVI. MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS TO HER AUNT. Louis (of the Lower-Rhine). — Insolence of the man who i? charged with the police of the prisons. — Reflections concern- ing prisons and the galleys. — M. de Clermont-Tonnerre. " Louis (of the Lower-Rhine), whom I have only seen for a moment, had the appearance of being a worthy man ; nor do I believe him devoid of feeling ; his heart does not seem insensible to the accents of pity ; he does not turn a deaf ear to misfortunes, and his temper is unruffled at the reproaches in which the afflicted give vent to their grief; but those very qualities which are his best recommendation with the op- pressed are construed into vices, and injure him in the sight of his tyrannical colleagues. He possesses very little influence, and although he listened to my complaint, he was unable to afford any assistance ; but took me to the member who was charged with the police of the prisons. The latter with a look which denoted the cruelty of his heart, assumed a tone of mockery, and paid mo an ironical compliment on the interest I felt EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 109 ill Nevil's fate. " Nevil is a handsome young man, he added ; it is quite natural that he should be patronised by a handsome young woman. If she displays a tender attachment for him, a time may come when he will have it in his power to prove his gratitude. Nevertheless, as his examination is over, his case no longci concerns me. Citizen, you will have to repair to the office of the citizen Prosper Sijas, who will decide whether the permission you solicit can be granted to you. 1 heartily recommend his acceding to your wishes, for it really is a pity to keep so long asunder two young people who are so anxious to meet." " After this insolent language, to which 1 made no reply, he gave me a ticket for the head of office he had just named. The latter treated me in a very different manner; to my agreeable surprise, I found in M. Sijas all the urbanity that might be expected from a man of the world, added to all the minute knowledge of business which might be looked for in a clerk in office. He informed me that notwithstanding the exa- mination which citizen Nevil had undergone, he was still in the custody of the Committee of general safety. ie As it is imagined, said he, that lie has something to reveal, it has been thought proper to keep him there, in order that he might 1 10 MEMOIRS OK THE be within call. I am sorry for it, in the first place on his own account, as he must feel more than others the consequence of his detention, and in the next place on your own, madame, since he has had the happiness to excite your sym- pathy in his favour. Here is the permission to communicate with him ; you are to observe that such communications are only allowed in the pre- sence of a third party ; but the peculiar cut I have just given to the document conveys the privilege of either rendering the witness invisi- ble, if there exists no special circumstance to oppose his becoming so, or in the event of his refusing to turn his back, of obscuring his sight and making him hard of hearing." You must own, my dear aunt, that it is impossible for any man to be more amiable than M. Prosper Sijas ; lie is certainly not at home in that den of thieves, and yet his loss would be greatly felt by those who have to solicit a favour. " From the office of the committee, I repaired to the hotel de Brionne, under the gate of which is established the depot of prisoners. You will hardly credit that they have carried their neglect, I should rather say their atrocious unfeelingness so far as to select for this depot, a low, narrow, and dark room, which barely receives a faint light through a loophole, and which being in EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. Ill the neighbourhood of a main shore, stands lower than the tubes of a pump constantly at work. In this dark, infectious and damp abode, ten or twelve unhappy prisoners, strangers to each other, are confined in a space fifteen feet square ; their only bed consists of some boards raised thirty inches above the floor, and they are poisoned with the pumping of the mephitic exhalations to which they contribute, whilst their mental afflictions are embittered by the painful communications they im- part to each other. In this abode groaned young Nevil, who was brought out to his great surprise, and who recognised me with unfeigned satis- faction. " It is very true that he has been examined ; but the questions related more to what w r as taking place at the Luxembourg, than to what concerned my husband ; but as nothing had occurred there, it is clear that to whatever lengths the ques- tions were carried, the replies were necessarily short and few in number. He expects to be examined on a fresh topic." 1 1 2 MEMOIRS OF TH E It is not to be wondered at that men familiar with deeds of cruelty should have so little at- tended to the comforts of the prisoners whom an atrocious tyranny had confined to loathsome dungeons ! it was, moreover, impossible to find suitable prisons, when the numbers of the victims made it indispensable to resort indiscriminately to infectious cellars and splendid hotels, as places of confinement for subjected persons ; that is to say, for persons doomed to perish ; for their fate was. determined as soon as they became the inmates of those gloomy abodes. Now, however, that the government is strong enough to give effect to the king's wish, that none but those whose guilt is manifest should be punished with all the se- verity of the laws, the opportunity should not be- lost of bestowing more attention than heretofore to the salubrity of our prisons. All participate in the desire that prisoners should be treated with humanity, and yet it escapes the observation of every one, that many places of detention in Paris as well as in the provinces are still deprived of air, and in a condition which is revolting to the feelings. The bagnios are far more clean, and much better ventilated than the prisons re- served for those who have not yet been pro- nounced iruiltv of any crime. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 113 Is this what we should expect as the result of the reports daily drawn up on the subject ? MM. de Laborde, Pastoret, &c. are, no doubt, men of the most upright and humane intentions ; their recommendations cannot be otherwise than in accordance with the benevolent sentiments they manifest towards their suffering fellow-coun- trymen ; it remains to be seen whether their ad- vices are attended to ! I recollect having once called with my mother at the prison of l'Abbaye, to visit some military men of real merit, who had been confined for a slight infringement of the rules of discipline ; they were languishing in obscure narrow cham- bers full of vermin ! a very small yard, sur-= rounded by high walls, scarcely afforded theni tiie means of indulging in that bodily exercise to which they had all their lives been accus- tomed. < Might not another place be selected for the punishment of such transgressions, which may be inadvertently committed by men of the highest honour and courage, who are useful to the coun- try which, whilst it claims their services, is bound to extend its protection to them ? Those who are imprisoned for debt in Sainte- Pelagie, unless they are in easy circumstances, 114 MEMOIRS OF THE are doomed to perish with cold in apartments without fires.* Thus it may happen that the father of a family, after being ruined by the con- fidence he reposed in a common sharper, may be plunged into distress and exposed to every pri- vation, whilst a man whose guilt is manifest to all may, thanks to his pecuniary means, enjoy within the bounds of the same prison all the comforts which the most fastidious could de- sire ! * A friend of mine, count de Gr...., having gone, during one of the coldest days of the present winter, to visit a young man confined for debts which he had contracted with usurers who took every advantage of his distress, he found the un- happy man in bed, where he constantly remained in order to avoid being frozen to death in his narrow cell, the door anj window of which could never be closed in such a manner as to protect him from the wind. iVl. de Gr.... was informed that the most indispensable articles were sold in the prison at a price four times higher than their real vahvj ; and as the prisoner was at a distance from his family, who resided in the country, his means were too scanty to afford him a stock of wood. M. de Gr.... lent him some money, and had the satis- faction, previously to taking leave of his friend, to see a cheer- ful blaze sparkling in the fire-place of that obscure cell. Ought not the public authorities to give such directions as would prevent the gaolers from earning higher profits than the retail furnishers ? ought they not to forbid a speculation which is the more revolting as it is always carried on at the expense of distressed prisoners ? EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 115 Might it not be possible to save the prisoners from the infirmities likely to result from a pro- tracted confinement in that prison, by having spacious, well-heated rooms, where those whose only fault is their excessive poverty might escape the consequences of a damp and severe winter ? can nothing but the possession of a large fortune save one from perishing at Sainte- Pelagic, or be- coming, on leaving it, a martyr to the conse- quences of so rigorous an imprisonment r would it not be consistent with justice to fix a tarif for every article sold by the gaoler to the prisoners ? the high price he sets upon whatever he deals out is an abuse which, in my opinion, calls loudly for redress ; it is but fair he should make a profit on what he supplies ; but I ask whether it is proper that such profit should be four times the real value of the article supplied, and that he should deprive the unfortunate of many little comforts which he compels them to relinquish ? The establishment of a military bagnio has con- ferred an important service upon humanity; but is it indispensably necessary that the unhappy men confined in it should be deprived of the wretched mattress formerly granted to them r* ought not • On His way through Lorient, M. de Clermont-Tonnerre, the then minister of war, is said to have given orders for burn- I L G M E M O I R S O F T H B some distinction to be drawn between soldiers punished for errors frequently committed in a state of drunkenness, and absolute murderers ? ing all the mattresses in the bagnio, which had been procured, 1 believe, by means of a public subscription, for the benefit of the military confined in that prison. The prisoners now sleep upon boards, like the galley-slaves of Brest, Toulon and Roche- fort ! EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 11 7 LETTER XVII. TO THE SAME. Visit of M. de Beauharnais' children to their father. — Their conversation with him. " My feelings were yesterday a prey to alter- nate sensations of pain and pleasure. My husband had expressed a desire to see his children ; and thanks to our guardian-angel his wish was com- plied with ; but in order to spare their youthful feelings, 1 determined to send them at once, and Nevil undertook to usher them in. For some days past they had been told that their father having fallen ill, had placed himself under the care of a celebrated physician, who finding the air more pure in the palace of the Luxembourg, and plenty of vacant space, had taken up his abode in that edifice, The first interview went off very well, if we except the remark made by Hortense, that her papa's apartments were very small, and that the patients were very numerous. When it came to my turn, the children had already left their father, a worthy door-keeper having, at I in M E M O I R S O F T H E Nevil's instigation, removed them out of sight, and left them with some neighbours whose notice they had attracted by their youth, their position and their innocent manners. I dreaded their being witnesses to our tender meeting, which took place during their absence. Alexander, who bears his imprisonment with great fortitude, was not, at first, proof against my tears ; alarmed however at his excessive emotion, I used my endeavours to calm it, and began in my turn to console him. Our children again made their appearance, and this proved a fresh crisis which was the more painful, as we had to disguise from their know- ledge the cause of our emotion. " Hortense, who is all candour, was for a long time the dupe of it ; and in the warmth of her affection she wanted to persuade us that we were wrong to give way to sorrow, and that her papa's illness was not a dangerous one. Hortense had put on that little peevish and negative manner which, as you know, so well becomes her : " Do you believe that papa is ill, said she to her bro- ther ? at any rate, his complaint is not such as doctors can cure. — What do you mean, my child, said I, interrupting her ; do you think that your father and I have connived to deceive you ? — Pardon me, mamma, but I do think so. — Oh! sister, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 119 what you are saying is very odd, observed Eugene with warmth. — It is on the contrary quite plain and natural. — What do you mean, mademoiselle, I again gaid, assuming a severe look ? — Surely, continued the arch little girl, affectionate parents may be allowed to deceive their children, when they wish to spare their feelings ?" So saying she rushed into my arms, and threw her own round her father's neck. Smiles and tears added to the effect of this family scene, which my Eugene rendered still more affecting by his caresses. Sweet child ! he is as endearing as his sister is witty ; both have hitherto been a source of de- light to us ; why are they, in the present crisis, to excite our liveliest anxiety, and to occasion me in particular an indescribable sensation of pain which 1 am unable to conquer, and find it very difficult to contend with ? I have no apprehension on my own account ; but I am in the utmost terror and alarm concerning them and my dearest Alexander ! " The occasional visits of my children and the words overheard and picked up by my daughter had enabled her to guess that her father was a prisoner. We acknowledged to her what it was no longer in our power to conceal. " What has he done r" enquired Hortense. Her brother laying 120 MEMOIRS O F T H K his usual timidity aside, was also anxious to know the motive of this act of severity. We should have found it very difficult to assign any. Singular abuse of power, guilty and contemptible stretch of arbitrary authority, which does not escape a child's penetration, which all the world should oppose, though no one ever ventures to complain. " Oh ! we will punish your accusers, exclaimed Hortense, as soon as we are strong enough — Be si- lent, my child, said her father ; if you are overheard I am lost ; you and your mother would be made to suffer for speaking this language, and we might not then enjoy the consolation of having afforded no pretence for their unjust treatment. — Have you not often told us, observed Eugene, that it was proper to resist an act of oppression ? ^— And I again repeat it, rejoined my husband ; our conduct must, however, be guided by the rules of prudence, and whosoever attempts to defeat the views of tyranny, must beware of awakening it from its slumbers." By degrees, the conversation took a more cheer- ful turn. We forgot our present misfortunes, and indulged in tender recollections, and in plans for the future. You will readily suppose that you came in for a share of them. " I wish my aunt every happiness, said Alexander, with a smiling coun- tenance : nevertheless, as the muses are never so EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 1*2 1 interesting as when under the excitement of sor- row, I could wish that for a few days my aunt's inspiring goddess were familiarised with captivity ; it would suggest to her pen a splendid elegy. and the poet's imagination, whilst immortalizing her prison, would readily console her for having been one of its inmates/' "What think you of this wish, my dearest aunt r you will perhaps sec in it my husband's anxiety for your welfare ; for my part, as I love you more than I do your poetry, J must form a contrary wish ; and at the risk of your never sharing the glory of Ovid or of madame de la Suze, 1 recom- mend you to write on in prose and retain the enjoyment of your liberty, in order that you may also indulge in the inclination you have most at heart, that of doing good to your fellow-creatures," VOL. Ill 1 22 M. BMOIRS OF TH K LETTER XVIII. TO CITIZEN DORAT CUBIERES. " To you, my excellent friend, I am bound to trive the first account of an occurrence in which you have taken so lively an interest, since I am indebted to your friendly offices for the result I have now to communicate. " Prosper Sijas, who was appointed five days ago to the rank of chief assistant in the war depart- ment, had succeeded in obtaining that my hus- band should be heard in full committee ; he was unwilling, however, that Alexander's innocence should derive any advantage from his presence, or create a decisive impression on the members of the government, who are, for the most part, his old colleagues in office. You, my kind friend, had requested, on the other hand, that I should be examined before the same committee, and your efforts were attended with success. You must, however, bear in mind that 1 was ignorant of both those steps on our behalf, and that Alexander was not aware of their having been contemplated. Removed from the prison of the Carmelites to the office of the committee, I was waiting in an ante- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 123 room until summoned to appear, when, to my utter astonishment, Alexander was ushered in ; he was no less surprised at seeing me ; but we neither of us suspected that there existed the slightest prospect of a mitigation in the severity of our condition. Nevertheless, the happiness of this unexpected meeting procured us some of those moments of unalloyed delight which are calculated to assuage and even to erase a year's sorrows from the memory. We were luxuriating in the enjoyment of each other's company, a pleasure which a stoic mind might call puerile, when it was interrupted by the very man who had been the unintentional cause of it. This was citizen Sijas, whose new functions have brought about a change in the administration of the com- mittee, which proved, for a short time, detrimen- tal to our prospects. The duty of reporting is no longer confided to Louis ; and it would have been unsafe for us to appear before a new reporter who was not per- fectly conversant with the facts. This is what the newly appointed assistant to the minister of war came to communicate to my husband. I applied the hint to my own case, and resolved not to so- licit an audience until a more favourable oppor- tunity should offer. We derived, however, some advantage from the present disappointment, since g 2 124 MEMOIRS OF THB it was the occasion of our meeting. But in what place, and at what moment ! I know not what my poor Alexander may have thought of me ; for my part, I found him pale, much reduced, and greatly altered for the worse ; but his temper is un- changed ; he is still the most amiable, the most dignified of men ; full of courage and resignation, his language is truly heroic, and his conduct even more magnanimous than his sentiments. He had shed tears of joy on again beholding me ; when it became necessary to part, he evinced the ut- most calmness and fortitude. He embraced me rather as a friend than as a husband, and recom- mended his children to my tender care. So much innocence is in perfect keeping with such extra- ordinary composure. I cannot but regret, how- ever, that these committee-men should not have seen him ; they never could have resisted the ascendancy of his lofty virtues.'* EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 125 LETTER XIX. TO CITIZEN PROSPER SIJAS. c ' ; I am informed, citizen, that you are instructed to draw up the report which the representative Louis (of the Lower Rhine) is to make to the Committee of general safety respecting the case of general Beauharnais : heaven be praised for the change ! were I acquainted with the individual who has transferred the business to your hands, J should thank him for the act in still warmer lan- guage. Had I been allowed to select a judge, your name, citizen, would have instantly occurred to me. It was already familiar to my mind, dnd had always been coupled with those honourable epithets which the heart alone can suggest ; flat- tery would seek for them in vain ; they can only be inspired by gratitude, and must, therefore, be in strict concordance with the truth. Since that time, a fortunate chance, or rather a benign Pro- vidence has placed me in a direct intercourse with you which, although it lasted but a moment, was sufficient to satisfy me that those whom you have go kindly protected bore testimony to no more than 1 26 M K HOIKS O F T H E what you were entitled to at their hands. I am also of the number of those whose sorrows you have endeavoured to mitigate ; and J join my tribute of praise to that of the unfortunate, of whose bitter affliction you would have willingly removed the cause, had it been in your power to do so. You arc aware, however, that my sor- rows have experienced no diminution, and that so long as my husband's case is not brought before the tribunal, they acquire additional weight ; for he no longer solicits to be set at liberty ; he de- mands to be tried ; this is due to a gallant soldier who is accused of a crime which compromises his honour. " Alexander de Beauharnais a conspirator ! one of the founders of liberty accused of meditating its ruin ! he who was chosen among a crowd of other citizens to pave the way for the republic, arraigned of attempting to compass its downfall ! You, citizen, never credited the charge, and those who preferred were no less convinced of its false- hood. But it behoves us to impress his judges with the conviction of his innocence. Let them but hear your report, and they will readily dismiss the false impression from their minds. It will even be needless to say that his wife, as innocent as he is, pines away at a distance from him ; that a prisoner herself, she is not allowed the in- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 127 diligence of being immured in the prison of her husband : I mention my own case with no other view than to give you the measure of the unjust persecution hitherto directed against Alexander. Dismiss from your mind the recollection of the persecuted mother, and of her children wander- ing at a distance from her ; and direct all your thoughts to the father and the husband, or rather to the soldier and the citizen worthy of being restored to honour and liberty." 128 M KMOIRS OF T H E LETTER XX. TO HER CHILDREN, EUGENE AND HORTENSE. " Both your notes, although bearing the same date, reached me at the distance of three days from each other. They are every thing I could wish, my dearest children, for they express your unaltered affection for me ; and had I not re- ceived the assurance from your aunt that she had nothing to do with their composition, I should have found in them some indication of the fairy's wand. At any rate, IP she has not dictated the notes, she vouches to me for your uniform good behaviour ; in her attentions to you I can discern her genuine kindness of heart and amiable dis- position. Your father will be no less delighted than 1 am at hearing from you. Your duty and fond attachment have suggested the consolations you tender to us, at a time when we arc perse- cuted by the wicked. These shall pass away and receive- the chastisement of their crimes -, you, my dearest children, will be rewarded for your ten- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 1 '29 derness of heart, by promoting your parents' hap- piness. " Repair instantly to the presence of the obliging fairy, and placing yourselves on each side of her, load her with kisses in your father's name and in mine." <> 3 130 m e M O 1 R 5 OF T II E LETTER XXI. TO CITIZEN ALEXANDER DE BEAUHARXAIS. Tomy's history. — A bonk containing the gospel is pierced through and through with daggers. — Madame de Soyecourt, abbess of the Carmelite convent. — Praiseworthy conduct of M. de Cheverus, v.-hen bishop of Montauban. — The duke de la Force — Acts of benevolence performed by their royal highnesses the Dauphiness, Madame, and Mademoiselle d'Orleans. — The duke de Doudcauville. " Wk have not forgotten that unhappy bar-maid of the neighbourhood of Rouen who, deserted by her seducer, became insane, and went every day to demand of the travellers on the high road that they would restore to her the wretch who had made so ungrateful a return for her attachment. The worthy Marsollier made us shed bitter tears, some years ago, when he related the sorrows of the poor and forlorn wanderer; and our amiable Dalayrac has rendered them popular by clothing them in a poetical language which can never grow out of vogue. Well then, my dear Alexander, we have a young man in this prison who might excite a still livelier interest than Nina herself, EMPRESS JOSEPHINB. 131 and become the interesting hero of a dramatic production. He is an Englishman known by the name of Tomy, One has often to deplore the fatal effects of an ill-fated love, which removes from its victim the very sense of its oppressive grief, by depriving him of reason ; but the sense of gratitude is seldom so deeply inlaid in our breasts as to be productive of such results. The unfortunate Tomy is an affecting proof of the excess of that attachment which is in every one's mouth, though felt by very few. This history appears to me so fraught with interest that I cannot resist telling it to you. It will not be lost upon your feel- ings ; and whilst attending for a few moments to the sorrows of others, you may be disposed to forget your own. To pity a fellow creature, and participate in his sorrows, is alas ! the only dis- traction to which the human heart is accessible in times of bitter trials. " A worthy curate of Saint- Sulpice had felt a particular affection for Tomy, and reared him up in the principles of a christian education. 1 say a christian education in its most comprehensive meaning, for the worthy abbe Capdeville, who was as tolerant in his opinions as he was a model of piety himself, had merely brought up this young man as his pupil, and had not even dreamed of 132 ME M OiitS OF T H E making a proselyte of him, persuaded as he was that, in a conscience free from guilt, religion insi- nuates itself by the force of good example, and is not to be inculcated by mere precepts. Those which he instilled in Tomy were drawn from the source of unbounded charity towards all his fellow creatures, a charity of which the curate exhibited in his own person an affecting example. " A witness to the numerous alms-deeds per- formed by Ids tutor with no less benevolence than discrimination, Tomy could not hesitate to believe that true religion had charity for its groundwork ; lie was no less persuaded that indulgence towards others, and a toleration of their errors were pre- cepts emanating from that supreme God whose representative he beheld in the respectable curate. The priest barely reserved for himself what was indispensable for his daily wants. Lavish of his bounty to others, lie denied himself many things which might almost bv considered as abso- lutely necessary to him at his advanced age. His composure and placidity of countenance were indicative of the unruffled serenity of his heart. It never seemed obscured by the slightest cloud, except when he found it impossible to relieve a fellow creature or soften the remorse of a guilty conscience. " Gifted with quick penetration, and a tender EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 133 heart, Tomy felt towards his benefactor an attach- ment the more sincere as he had hitherto been a stranger to every affection ! He had lost his mother ere he could have known her, and he was only eight years of age when Providence threw this protecting angel in his way ; a deserted orphan, he had received from M. Capdeville the protection of a home, and a parental education ; lie felt no much delight in obeying him that he succeded in whatever he undertook ; it was sufficient that his father (the name by which he called the abbe) should give him an advice, he managed by the most persevering application to overcome in a short time the most serious difficulties. This amiable and worthy young man possessed a re- markable talent for music. His melodious though feeble voice adapted itself to many instruments, and his daily progress on the harp offered a presage that he would soon instruct others in a science in which he was becoming so great a proficient. " M. Capdeville being a man of much infor- mation, undertook to give instruction to the chil- dren of several artists, who delighted in testifying their gratitude by teaching in return their friend's pupil ; thus it happened, that without laying out upon him what he did not conceive himself at liberty to withdraw from the poor, this worthy 134 MEMOIRS OF THE clergyman found means of providing bis dear Tomy with the most celebrated masters ; and a man who was so modest in whatever was personal to himself, felt proud of the success of his adopted child. But the happiness he experienced was destined, alas ! to be of short duration. " One of the consequences of the fatal 10th of August, was the incarceration of almost every priest who had not taken the oath to the constitu- tion. Abbe Capdeville, from an intimate convic- tion that the clergy should obey the temporal power, according to the precepts of the gospel, had taken the required oath, and submitted, if not cheerfully, at least as a point of duty to the existing authority. He had, therefore, nothing to appre- hend on that score. Being, however, the diocesan of the venerable archbishop of Aries, who was at all times his protector, he could not take upon himself to desert his patron in so pressing a danger. In consequence of this display of attachment, the re- volutionists of the section, who had either seen or were determined to see in it a proof of complicity, had decreed his imprisonment in the Carmelite convent, where, a few days afterwards, Tomy had by dint of exertions, obtained leave to remain with him, at a time when a i-inu-le word, a look, were sufficient to consign any one to a dungeon; the poor youth was denied the favour he so warmly EMPRESS J O S E P II I N E. 135 solicited, of tending in his turn the old man who had protected him from his earliest infancy. " Hard-hearted men refused him, for a time, what they considered as a favour, because it fell short of an act of cruelty. One of the members of the committee, being under some obligations to M. Capdeville, succeeded at last in obtaining for Tomy the object of his solicitations; he was confined with his benefactor, "I must spare my friend the recital of the horrid massacre committed on the 2nd of September in that prison which will be for ever memorable from the sublime resignation displayed by the nu- merous victims put to death. The chapel in parti- cular was selected by the executioners as the most appropriate place for slaughtering the clergy.* They appeared to be drawn as it were to that spot, in order, no doubt, that the expiring looks of the dying might be directed towards their cru- * Large spots of blood may yet be seen impregnated in the stone floor of the chapel of the Carmelite convent. One of those clergymen, who was an honour to the priesthood, had in his side pocket a small book containing the gospel, which had the effect of protecting his life for a few moments ; at la»;t, however, the assassins dispatched a victim whom Providence seemed anxious to save from their blows. This book received twenty- two stabs from daggers, and was covered with, blood, it is now the property of madame de Soyecourt, the respectable abbess of that convent. 13 6 MEMOIRS OF THE eified Saviour, who persecuted like them, had set them the example of forgiving their enemies ; and the last sighs of these unfortunate men might almost be considered as hymns of glory ; they were praying for their assassins, when the hord of frenzied wretches burst in upon them ! " The archbishop of Aries, who was seated in an arm-chair, in consequence of his advanced age, was giving his last blessing to his companions kneeling before him. Capdeville on bended knees recited in a calm and clear tone of voice the prayers of persons in the last agony, which were answered from the interior of the sacred edifice by a choir of martyrs, and from without, by the vociferations and hootings of a troop of wild mis- creants, eager to imbrue their hands in blood ! " Tomy flew about the house in the utmost agi- tation, stopping to listen, and alternately bursting into tears and uttering the most mournful lamen- tations. Some neighbours attracted to the spot by a courageous sense of compassion, used every en- deavour to save him, and to promote his escape ; but he no sooner beheld his master, or rather his friend, than he felt himself rivetted to the spot, and obstinately refused to be separated from him. The ferocious monsters having broke open the doors and forced in the windows, penetrated into several parts of the building, and the pavement EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 13? of the chapel, as well as the steps leading to the sanctuary, were soon covered with blood. " Capdeville received the fatal blow immediately- after his archbishop; he fell at his feet, and stretch- ing his half-fractured hand towards Tomy, fixed a last look upon him, and expired. That look was a parting benediction. . . . " Already this young man, or rather this boy, for he was not yet sixteen years of age, had exhi- bited evident symptoms of mental aberration ; but his malady appeared to reach its height when his friend fell to the ground. The unfortunate Cap- deville was apart from his companions in martyr- dom ; his head rested on the step nearest the altar, and his body on the lower ones ; his left hand pointed to his heart, and his right towards his pupilj as already mentioned. The blow under which he expired had not effaced the habitual expres- sion of kindness depicted on his placid physio- gnomy, so that owing to his sudden aliena- tion of mind, Tomy felt impressed with the conviction that his friend had merely fallen asleep. Immediately, as if by sudden enchant- ment, all this scene of slaughter disappeared from his bewildered sight ; he knelt down near the bleeding corpse, and awaited its arising from its fancied slumbers. After remaining for three hours in this position, Tomy ran for his harp. 138 M E M OIRS OF T H E took his station near the mangled remains of his friend, and struck up some plaintive tunes, in order to accelerate his awakening, which appeared to him delayed beyond a reasonable time. At last, he was overtaken by sleep, and the cha- ritable hands which had removed the bodies of the martyrs from the grasp of their assassins, extended the same office to Tomy, and bore him to his bed. He remained during forty-eight hours in a lethargic sleep, out of which he awoke with all the appearance of health and of sound mind ; but if lie retained the full enjoyment of the for- mer, the latter was never restored to him. " Out of commiseration for a state of insanity which arose from so virtuous a cause, he was allowed the free range of this house, where he remains in contemplative silence until the daily return of the evening hour of three. The clock has no sooner told that hour, than Tomy, who generally paces the prison with slow and mea- sured steps, suddenly runs for his harp, and lean- ing against the fragments of the altar, strikes up the tunes which his friend delighted to hear. His countenance indicates hope ; his attitude denotes that he is awaiting a word from the friend who is ever present to his mind ; and his hope does not vanish until the hour of six, when he abruptly closes the melancholy scene with these words : EMPRESS JOSKPHINK. ] 30 11 Well then, not yet ; but he will soon speak to his child." He kneels down, prays with the utmost fervour, utters a sigh on rising from the ground, walks away on tip-toes for fear of awak- ing his friend, and falls into a complete mental absorption until the next day. Although a prisoner in this house, I had not yet had an opportunity of seeing the young man until this moment, when I have just had, for the first time a glimpse of his countenance, which reflects his deep-felt sorrow and exalted virtues. 1 should to-day find it impossible to dwell upon any other topic. Farewell then, my friend, until to-mor- row ; more fortunate however than Tomy, I have the certainty of being enabled to repeat to the object of my dearest affection and solicitude, the sentiments I entertain for him." It would be difficult to find a clergyman more perfect than M. Capdeville appears to us, accord- ing to Josephine's description of him. Many others afforded a signal proof of virtue during the period of the revolution, when they repeatedly exposed themselves to death, not only to save the lives of their fellow creatures, but in endeavour- ing to provide them with the consolations of re- 140 MEMOIRS OFT H E ligion, and in exercising their holy avocations, notwithstanding the numberless dangers which stood in the way of their attending to the duties of their ministry. In our own days, several members of the clergy are entitled to the public admiration which they strive to elude by concealing the most honourable acts. We might quote a multitude of traits, which would effectually destroy the calumnies so unceasingly levelled at men in holy orders. Suf- fice it for the purpose Ave have in view, that we furnish some details concerning M. de Cheverus, archbishop of Bordeaux, in order to prove that acts of the mo.-t sublime virtue are the inspirations of true piety ! Having been appointed bishop of Montauban, M. de Cheverus won the affection of catholics and protectants, in a town in which the latter formed a very numerous body. When it was question of con; eimg the afflicted, he forgot all differences of religion, and succeeded in mitigating the sorrows of hi.-; fellow creatures, without even uttering a word which might lead to the inference, that as a rewar i for his kind offices he had the least idea of urging them to change their creed. r l his trulv apostolic man was wont to offer up fervent prayers for the conversion of hen-tics ; but he was satis- iied with awaiting that event, without accelerat- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 141 ing it by any measure of intolerance ! his own example was best calculated to prove on which side the truth was to lie found. Being informed that the mayor of M...., a small town in the neighbourhood of Montauban, had been for the last fifteen years on bad terms with the curate, M. de Cheverus paid a visit to the former, without giving him any previous notice of his intention. He was recognized by the poor who were receiving daily proofs of the charitable feelings of their bishop, and had often been admitted into his presence ; they collected in crowds round the mayor's residence, and rent the air with acclamations. The mayor hastened to greet the prelate, who rushed into his arms and said to him : " If it be true that I have rendered some slight assistance to the people over whom you preside, reward me by becoming reconciled to the curate. I have no desire to know which of you is in the wrong ; your misunderstanding affects the welfare of the inhabitants of this district, and creates a kind of schism which I grievously deplore. Give me a proof of your regard for me, by exchanging with him the kiss of peace I now tender to you." The venerable countenance of the bishop, his language of supplication, created so deep an im- pression on the person whom he addressed, that 149 M E M O lit S OF T fl E without answering a word, he tore himself from M. cle Cheverus, hurried away to the curate, frankly acknowledged his error, requested he would forget what had taken place, and consent to take part in the humble fare he had just offered to their bishop ; from that moment these two men live on terms of the most friendly understanding, the beneficial effects of which have already been generally felt. A dreadful inundation which desolated a part of France, principally extended its ravages over the department of which Mont auban is the chief town. The Tarn had completely overflown its banks, and spread itself over many villages, tan- yards and mills. The shrieks of the unfortunate victims of the inundation excited the deep sym- pathy of the whole population : but the danger of conveying relief to many huts which were built upon small islands in front of the town, pre- vented any one from running the risk of so pe- rilous an undertaking. M. de Cheverus had repaired to the scene of this awful calamity ; he assisted in throwing out ropes, and drawing up the unfortunate people who clung to them ; he recalled their suspended animation by the application of salts, and advised what could best be done for them ; but his heart was penetrated with the deepest affliction when EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 143 he found that no one would venture to approach the habitations surrounded and nearly covered with Mater. He offered large sums of money as an inducement for the boatmen to fly to the relief of those despairing families, which were threatened at every moment with the danger of being carried away and plunged into the abyss ; none would venture into a boat, from a con- viction that it would be instantly upset : " Well then ! exclaimed M. de Chcverus, Providence plainly reserves to myself the consolation of sav- ing my children." Notwithstanding the efforts and entreaties of the by-standers, the holy bishop threw himself into a boat, accompanied by the duke de la Force, who had for many hours been bestowing the most effectual assistance ; several men, spurred on by such examples of courage, determined to brave a death at the aspect of which they had shrunk a few moments before ; to share the glory of such self-devotedness was now the wish of every one, and the bishop found himself compelled to de- cline the services of many. Endeavours were still exerted to dissuade him from his enterprise ; but he persisted, seized one of the oars, plied it with all the vigour of his youthful days, and the boats rapidly flew from the bank, leaving behind a crowd of people who, on bended knees offered 144 MEMOIRS O F T H E up the most fervent prayers for the safety of one who appeared in their eyes as the messen- ger of Providence. After the most incredible efforts, and dangers which would appear exaggerated were I to detail them, hundreds of individuals were saved who had given up all prospect of escaping. They were no sooner landed, than M. de Cheverus addressed them as follows : " Happy am I, my dear children, to find myself thus surrounded at this moment ; my only regret is, that I should not have it in my power to repair your losses ; but the king is all goodness ; he Arid do what it is out of my power to accomplish. Meanwhile, until his bounty shall have reached you, come to the episcopal residence, where you shall receive shelter and nourishment. Your more fortunate fellow- townsmen will come to your assistance; follow me." During several weeks, the bishop's palace af- forded shelter to this distressed population. In order to support these poor people, M. dc Che- verus deprived himself of every superfluous com- fort, and shared their daily meal. IJe collected numerous alms, and his appeals were the means of affording considerable relief to the objects of his solicitude. The duke de la Force wrote to the king, who sent six thousand francs, and fur- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 145 thcr sums at a later period which put an end to the most dreadful wretchedness and misery. M. de Chcverus was afterwards appointed to the archbishopric of Bordeaux, which he at first de- clined, owing to the reluctance he felt at quitting Montauban. Nothing could be more natural than his attachment to a town in which he had con- ferred so much happiness ! but the king having written to him, and signified his commands that he should go to Bordeaux, where he would have a wider field and ampler means for doing good, M. de Cheverus gave way. The greatest re- gret was felt at his departure. His conduct at Bordeaux is but a continuation of those acts of benevolence which he had previously displayed at Montauban. What better eulogium can be passed upon it !* The dreadful inundation just mentioned also * Having- been lately summoned as a witness by the Court of Assize held at Saint-Omer, in the department of the Pas-de- Calais, M. de Cheverus repaired to that town ; and his reply to a question put to him, which has been quoted in all the papers, atfords so correct an estimate of his dignified character, that I feel it my duty to record it in this place. " The accused having caused a variety of questions to be put to the archbishop, by the organ of the president of the court ; — Monseigneur, said the latter, the accused calls for an answer to all these questions ; I am therefore bound to put VOL. III. H {-16 MEMOIRS OF THE extended its ravages to the department of the Loiret. Windmills were swept away; a hundred boats heavily laden broke their cables at the town of Orleans, and in their rapid course down the stream, destroyed several houses, and occa- sioned the death of a great number of their in- habitants. I was then residing at Meung, a small town on the banks of the Loire, and shall never forget the scene of desolation on the quay, where all the houses were filled with water. Women and chil- dren were seen on the roofs imploring a relief which it was dangerous to convey to them, as owing to the rapid current of the Loire, any boat that ventured out was in danger of being upset. Several inhabitants devoted themselves to danger on the occasion, and carried provisions to the unfortunate sufferers by the inundation, who must have died of want had it not been for the courage of these gallant men. The most dreadful wret- chedness was the deplorable consequence of that calamity. The idea occurred to me of writing to the them to you — M. le president, replied the archbishop, it is my duty to answer them ; in the far too elevated condition in which 1 am placed, 1 owe the example of deference to the law." {Journal 'ties Debuts, 26th February, 182^.) EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 147 princesses who never turned a deaf ear to distress, and I was fortunate enough to receive from them a sum of money which allayed much of the pre- vailing misery. When an obscure individual like myself could receive assistance for these people at a moment when applications were pour- ing upon their royal highnesses from all parts of France, some idea may be formed of the ex- tent of their generous disposition. I doubt that any relief was ever more needed, or was ever received with more lively gratitude. Encouraged by this success, I solicited as- sistance from the same humane quarter on an- other occasion, and had reason to congratulate myself for not having dreaded to become im- portunate when my applications to the Dau- phiness, the duchess de Berry, and Mademoi- selle d'Orleans, had the afflicted for their ob- ject. The duke de Doudeauviile, at that time minister of the king's household, sent me two hundred francs which were applied for, at my request, by his nephew M. Anatole de Montesquiou. These joint sums afforded the means of rebuilding the cottage of two interesting female orphans which had been completely destroyed by fire. The workmen I engaged for rebuilding the H 2 ] 4 S MEMOIRS OF THE cottage refused to be paid the price of their hire : so noble a trait ought to be recorded in the me- moirs of a female. Having already adverted to the duke de la Force, I must not conclude this chapter without furnishing some details respecting his praise- worthy conduct during our political troubles. Flattering himself that he might be allowed access to his august godfather (Louis XVIII) and risk his life in that prince's service, he emigrated. After having fought in the army of Conde with the utmost gallantry, he returned to France in the year 1800, and led a retired life until 1809, at which period he was appointed a deputy from the department of the Tarn and Garonne. He re-entered the service with a view to share the dangers and glory of the campaigns about to be undertaken, distinguished himself at the battles of Essling, Wagram and the Moskwa, was wound- ed in the latter engagement, had two horses killed under him, and obtained the cross of an officer of the Legion of Honour. The emperor named the duke de la Force one of the officers of tin 1 sacred battalion, on the fatal retreat from Moscow. Idolising his country, he was anxious to serve it, not in the ante-chamber of a palace, but on the field of EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 149 battle ', this noble ambition found its reward in the esteem and attachment of the whole army. Appointed inspector-general of cavalry at the restoration, he joined the duke d'Angouleme at Nimes, during the hundred days. The civil and military command of several departments having been assigned to him, he received advices inti- mating that the public mind was in a state of excitement at the town of Cahors, where the people had determined to shake off the king's authority ; he repaired to the spot with no other attendant than his secretary, and displayed the white cockade in his hat, though well aware that the tri-colourcd flag had been unfurled during the night on every public building of the town. On his arrival at the prefecture, he was arrested and hurried away to the barracks. Every bayonet was pointed at his breast to which all his decorations were suspended. Threats were thrown out to him by some young soldiers who, joining in the clamour of a licentious mob, sought to elicit from him the exclamation of Long live the emperor ! His coolness rescued him from this imminent danger, without any sacrifice of the oath he had taken to his king. He exclaimed in a firm tone of 1 50 MEMOIRS OF THE voice, but with perfect composure : " When you will have uttered that exclamation, as I have done, whilst covered with wounds on the field of battle, vou Avill then have a right to dictate laws to me. Till then, conscripts, hold your tongues, and abstain from cowardly assassinating an officer who had fought the battles of France before you were born." He had no sooner spoken, than the bayonets were raised and the crowd made way for him : but a kind of council of war was assembled, and within two hours from that time, the duke de la Force was proceeding on the road to Paris, escorted from brigade to brigade by an officer of gendarmerie, a quarter-master and four gen- darmes. Marshal Davoust, then minister of war, deprived him of his liberty which he only re- covered at the second restoration. He has always distinguished himself in the Chamber of Peers by sound and moderate opi- nions. Appointed, in 1R20, to the command of the department of the Tarn and Garonne, he won the esteem of every one by the kindness of his disposition, his uniform impartiality, constant acts of benevolence, and at the time of the inun- dation to which I have adverted, by an act of ~elf-devotedness which can never be sufficiently EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 151 appreciated. In short, the duke de la Force has succeeded in preserving unsullied a name as ho- nourable as it is celebrated in our annals, which his personal renown might have illustrated for the first time, if his ancestors had not spared him the necessity of any exertion beyond that of perpetuating its splendour. 152 MEMOIRS OFT H E LETTER XXII. M. DE BEAUHARNAIS TO HIS WIFE. " Your account of young Tomy is as affecting, my dearest friend, as its hero is an object of deep interest. After privately and repeatedly reading your letter, I have communicated its con- tents to our circle of society ; and all have joined me in bestowing a just meed of praise on that victim of the noblest sentiment of our nature ; in other words, all have shed tears at the recital ; all France would do the same, if his history were made public : how much it is entitled to this distinction ! what a contrast to the crimes of the present day ! but with the greatest atrocities are found to spring up the most exalted virtues ; the example afforded by Tomy's conduct should not be lost to the world. We have talents in this place which will delight in perpetuating his fame : one individual amongst us is preparing to draw a portrait of him ; another will compose verses to his praise ; and this trifling monument which is unpretendingly offered to a public natu- rally well-disposed, may perhaps lay the foun- dation of the orphan's future comforts. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. lo;> " Happy should I be, for my part, if by contri- buting my mite I could bind him to my son's for- tunes ! Eugene carries in his heart the germ of every virtue ; how much it would improve by set- ting the example constantly before him of one whose attachment and gratitude exceeded all bounds ! Pray cherish this idea, dearest Josephine ; it will perfectly harmonize with your benevolent disposi- tion ; and if it should ever be realised, the most bitter moment of our life will have enabled us to treasure up the most extraordinary monument, and the most affecting recollection. " The oppression which I felt is daily wearing away; it was only a heavy cold on my chest, occasioned by the state of irritation which is inseparable from my present situation. The doctor's appearance dispels my complaint, and when I read my dear Josephine's letters, I fancy myself recovered and almost happy !... .When- ever we are again re-united, happiness will no longer be a mere illusion ; I am sure you will be disposed to join in giving reality to this senti- ment." H 3 i 54 M E M O IRS CF T II 11 LETTER XXIII. TO HORTEXSE DE BEAUHARNAIS. " The excellent heart displayed by my Hortense would claim from me every praise, were I not displeased at her self-will. Is it possible, my child, that you have come to Paris without my aunt's permission ! worse than that, you have done so in opposition to her wish ! this is ex- tremely wrong. You will no doubt urge as a reason that you were desirous of seeing me ; but you must be aware that I am not allowed to be visited, except by express permission ; this can only be obtained after some delay, and by means of constant applications which my pocr Victorine must be heartily tired of making. I find moreover that you placed yourself in M. Darcet's chaise, without considering whether you might not subject him to inconvenience, and delay the transport of his goods ; all this shews a great want of sense. My dear child, it is not enough to do good ; it should moreover be well done, and at your age, the first of virtues is a confidence in and docility towards one's parents E MP It ESS JOSEPHINE. 155 1 am therefore under the necessity of telling you, that I prefer the quiet attachment of your brother to your misplaced anxiety on my account. Nevertheless I embrace you, though with less tenderness, methinks, than I shall feel dis- posed to do when J learn your return to Fon- tainebleau." i 56 M KMOIRS OF THE LETTER XXIV, MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS TO HER HUSBAND, Hopes nourished by the prisoners. — Madame de Can.... at the Salpetriere — She loses her senses. — The duchess de M . . . . and SI. de B.... become insane in the year 1815. — Madame de C — M. (George; Ons.... " J answer for it, my dear Alexander; you will now be disposed to read my almanacks ! the third and fourth number of the vieiuv Cordelier have already created some impression upon your mind ; but what will yon say to the present number ? 1 hasten to send it to you ; all arc eager after it ; the leaves are torn asunder to be read by many at one and the same time; it brings tears to the eyes of everyone; the prisoners embrace each other after reading it; many of them have already ordered re- joicings, country excursions, and new furniture. Yesterday, madame de S * * * sent for a horse- dealer and came to an understanding with him for the renewal of her stud. On the other hand, the old du Merbion with whom you recollect having enjoyed some field-sports at the Raincy, has order- ed from Scotland six pair of the finest ferrets that EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 157 can be obtained. In short, all kind of trades- people are engaged for a month; and when we leave this, I doubt whether we shall find a morcel of bread on sale. Nevil's mother shares our hopes and satisfaction ; as for you, my dear Alexander, I trust you will not destroy them by cruel anti- cipations, by unfounded mistrust, or the dark forebodings suggested by too long an experience, by the recollection of your sorrowing family and the sight of your prison bars. " Adieu, for the present, my dearest friend ; I do not send you to day an embrace imprinted on a cold piece of paper, as I reserve to myself the pleasure of shortly lavishing them in reality. •' P.S. — I am writing to acquaint my aunt with the joyful tidings; I shall also write to my children, and announce to my Eugene a compa- nion worthy of him. Tomy consents to remain with us, but under the express condition, that on the 2nd of every month, at the hour of three in the afternoon, he may come to charm with the chords of his harp, the dreams of his slumbering friend, as long as the revolution lasts! Poor Tomy ! who would not be affected at so touching an insanity ?" The revolution assumed a turn very different j 58 MEMOIRS OF THE from that which madame de Beauharnais anti- cipated ; the events consequent upon the reign of terror having deprived the nobility of every resource, it is probable that madame de Beau- harnais' benevolent plan of taking the unfortunate Tomy under her care was never realised ; at least I have never heard her make the slightest allu- sion to this young man whose alienation of mind will no doubt have shortened his existence, after he had been left wholly to his own resources and found himself bereft of a protector and of every consolation ! In those disastrous times, many persons were attacked with that cruel complaint to which death is comparatively preferable. The pious and kind Madame de C,..,..was confined in the Salpe- triere. She was so dreadfully affected at being separated from her husband, who had just emi- grated, and from her two sons who were still in their tenderest infancy, that she lost her senses. I have often seen her since ; she had frequent at- tacks of folly, during the prevalence of which, her conversation was exclusively turned to the sub- ject of the unfortunate prisoners she was desirous of relieving. Her noble mind displayed itself in all its excellence during those cruel moments ; she appeared completely to forget that she had been a victim to the very sufferings she was so bent upon mitigating in others. She never spoke of self, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 159 but was wholly engaged with the concerns of her fellow sufferers. To these fits succeeded a deep melancholy ; but her gentleness remained unimpaired. I have learnt with unfeigned plea- sure that this excellent lady, with whom I am connected by ties of relationship, has since com- pletely recovered health, thanks to her husband's unremitting attentions. Her restoration to her senses must redound to the advantage of the poor who will no longer experience >&ny interruption in the bounties she so much delighted to lavish upon them. In 1815, the charming duchess de M. . .who was remarked as a model of grace, wit, and ele- gance, lost her senses when she became ac- quainted with the landing of Napoleon, supposing that he intended to persecute her mother for whom she felt the most tender attachment and who was most ardent in the expression of her royalist sen- timents. M. de B. ,a young Corsican officer of great promise was indebted to the emperor for his suc- cess in the service. He was so much affected at not being allowed to accompany him to St. He- lena, as he had earnestly solicited, that he became mad. He died shortly afterwards at Charenton, to the inexpressible regret of all his friends. ) GO MEMOIRS OF THE When I was first introduced into the world, a young lady of great personal and mental accom- plishments was compelled by her parents to re- nounce all idea of a marriage which they had pre- viously determined upon, and which perfectly coin- cided with her inclinations, and to contract another with a man of sterling merit, no doubt, though not the object of her choice. Shortly after its celebra- tion, M. de C became blind, and his wife, in the height of her grief at this misfortune, lost her senses which she has never since recovered, notwithstanding the skill of our most eminent physicians and the attentions of her family who repented too late their having changed their ori- ginal intentions on her behalf. The despair of this young lady will be readily accounted for, when it is known that M. George Ons.... a man highly spoken of for his talents, his amiable disposition, and handsome looks was the object of this unhappy passion, although, ac- cording to report, lie did not return it by a kin- dred attachment. M. Ons has since married mademoiselle de Font. . . .a lady of great personal attractions. The number of persons labouring under mental derangement is said to be much greater than be- fore the revolution. This is not surprising, when EMPRESS JOSKPH1NB. 161 we consider how many events, accumulated within the space of a few years, have overturned private fortunes and wounded the dearest affec- tions ! if to these causes we add the fatigues of a state of warfare, the wounds received in the head, we may perhaps wonder that those fatal accidents have not been of more frequent occurrence. 162 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XXV. TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARXAIS. :i Yesterday was comparatively speaking, a day of happiness for me, my dearest aunt, since it brought me a letter from you. Well then ! the night which followed it was happier still ; and although this happiness was not altogether un- alloyed, no circumstance has occurred since my husband's death which has contributed so much to renew my attachment to life. Yes, I must live to cherish his memory, to educate my children, to enjoy the uninterrupted society of my excellent aunt, and partly to mix with our friends. For these few hours past, my faculties arc undergoing a gentle revolution ; I have now to tell you the cause of it. I had hitherto been familiar with the humilia- tion of misfortune, the bitterness of grief ; I begin to feel that neither grief nor misfortune are wholly without their attraction, and that when we add to the balm which time conveys to our minds the delight of cherishing the memory of an adored object, the soul may expand in such EMPRESS* JOSEPHINE. 1 G3 an enjoyment. To Nevil's recent visit I am in- debted for taking this view of my condition. " You have not forgotten the name, the services, the gentle and honest countenance of that worthy young man. Last night, just as I was about to retire to rest, after indulging in my son's endear- ing caresses, Nevil sent up his name ; he has, and ought to have, at all hours immediate access to me. His appearance however greatly sur- prised me ; you know him to be grave and solemn in his deportment ; he was still more so on the present occasion. "This day, madame, said he, can never be erased from your recollec- tion ; to me, it will be no less hallowed. On this day was assassinated an upright man ; but that man has left traces behind him, and con- fided their safe delivery to my care. This is what he wrote to you a few hours previously to sealing with his blood the most sacred of causes ; this is what he confided to my mother with injunctions that she should consign it into my hands : this is what it behoved me to give up to you without delay." Whilst uttering these words, Nevil presented a letter to me : it was Alexander's hand writing ! a shivering paleness came upon me ; I trembled with agitation, and my tears flowed in copious abundance when I found under the cover a lock of my husband's 164 MEMOIRS OF THE hair. Eugene kneeling by my side loaded with kisses and watered with his tears those precious tokens of his departed father. After allowing me to indulge for a few minutes in the most heart- rending and yet most delightful emotion, Nevil took upon himself to prolong its duration, by reading in a calm and composed tone the letter confided to his charge, which runs as follows." EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 16; LETTER XXVI. LAST LETTER FROM M. DE BEAUHARXAIS TO HIS WIFE. We return to Trance some days before the 18th fructidor — Our alarm. — Banishment of M.M, Lacretelle, Barbe-Marbois and Barthelemy. Concierg-ericj Night of the 7 th thermidor, year 2. "I have yet a few minutes to devote to affec- tion, tears and regret ; and then I must wholly give myself up to the glory of my fate and to thoughts of immortality. When you receive this letter, my dear Josephine, your husband will have ceased to live and will be tasting true ex- istence in the bosom of his Creator. Do not weep for him ; the wicked and senseless beings who survive him are more worthy of your tears, for they arc doing mischief which they can never repair. But let us not cloud the present moments by any thoughts of their guilt, I wish on the contrary to brighten them by the reflection that I have enjoyed the affections of a lovely woman, and that our union would have been an uninter- rupted course of happiness, but for errors which I was too late to acknowledge and atone for. This ] 66 MEMOIRS OF T H K thought wrings tears from my eyes ; though yo»r generous heart pardons me. I3ut this is no time to revive the recollection of my errors and your wrongs. What thanks I owe to Providence who will reward you ! " That Providence now disposes of me before my time. This is another blessing for which I am grateful. Can a virtuous man live happy when he sees the whole world a prey to the wicked ? I should rejoice in being taken away, were it not for the thought of leaving those I love behind me. But if the thoughts of the dying are presentments, something in my heart tells me that these horrible butcheries are drawing to a close;— that executioners will in their turn be- come victims, that the arts and sciences will again flourish in France ; that wise and moderate laws will take place of cruel sacrifices ; and that you will at length enjoy the happiness which you have always deserved. Our children will discharge the debt for their father. " I resume these incoherent and almost illegi- ble lines, which were interrupted by the entrance of my jailors. "I have just submitted to a cruel ceremony, which, under any other circumstances I would have resisted, at the sacrifice of my life. Yet why should we rebel against necessity ? reason tells us to make the best of it we can. My hair EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 167 has been cut off. I had some idea of buying a part of it in order to leave to my wife and children, an unequivocal pledge of my last recol- lection of them. Alas ! my heart breaks at the very thought, and my tears bedew the paper on which I am writing. Adieu, all that I love ! — Think of me and do not forget that to die the victim of tyrants and the martyr of liberty, sheds lustre on the scaffold." M. de Beauharnais foresaw the happy revolu- tion of the 9th thermidor, which restored to li- berty a multitude of interesting victims, and put a period to the sanguinary executions which deso- lated the country, France was released from the tyrannical yoke which had so long oppressed her. However, the reign of persecution was not en- tirely at an end. I recollect, that in 1797, my parents, like many other emigrants, determined to take advantage of the interval of repose, and return home to see their families and friends. For a very trifling sum my father procured a passport, under a fictitious name, and set out from Hamburgh with me, my mother, and a little girl an infant, eighteen months old, whom we undertook to convey to her uncle, her only 1 CS MEMOIRS CF THE remaining relative, the rest of the family having died in emigration. My father took the name of M. von Rozen, and described himself as a mer- chant of Valengin in Switzerland. At every fortified town in Germany our pass- ports were demanded, and as neither my father nor my mother understood German, I was obliged to act as interpreter. This gave me an air of importance which was, of course, calculated to please a child. But my learning was sometimes a source of annoyance to me : for whenever we approached a drawbridge, I was roused out of a sound sleep to answer the questions of the sen- tinels. My first exclamation on opening my eyes was Herr von Rozen, Kuuff'mann ; * and such is the effect of habit, that long after that period, I used to utter the same words whenever I awoke. 1 recollect an honest old invalid, whose business it was to examine our passports at the last Ger- man town on the frontier, said to me with a smile : " My little miss, Valengin seems to be a large city, and a place of extensive trade ? — Yes sir. — Why it must be the capital of the world, for 1 am sure that no less than twenty thousand mer- chants from that place have passed this way." I did not know much about Switzerland, and * M. dc Rozen, merchant. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 169 these remarks occasioned me a degree of embar- rassment, which must have been visibly marked in my countenance. On one occasion, when I had gone through my regular lesson, a question was asked, to which I knew not what answer to give. My father and mother observed my con- fusion, and finding that my parley with the sen- tinel was continued longer than usual, they began to fear all was not right. The old soldier, how- ever, soon removed their alarm, by advising them, in a friendly tone, to quit the mercantile profes- sion on reaching Paris, where they might find people more rigid than he. " We Germans, said he. are very good fellows, but the French ! .... He accompanied this remark by such a droll grimace, that I found it impossible to repress a burst of laughter, in which I was joined by my father and mother, and in this manner we entered France. Our merriment seemed a presage of good fortune, and my parents ventured, once again, to indulge hopes which they had long since relinquished. Alas ! these happy anticipations were but of short duration. On our arrival in Paris, we alighted at the Hotel de V Infant ado 3 now the residence of prince Talleyrand. We engaged very pleasant apart- ments, the windows of which looked partly into the Rue Saint Florentin, and partly into the VOL. III. I 170 MEMOIRS OF THE Place Louis XV, the hotel being a corner house. I was quite dazzled by the mirrors and the gilding that decorated the drawing room, for I had never been accustomed to so elegant a residence. It was ten o'clock at night, and the moon shone magnificently. My mother who was going about, giving directions to the servants, happened to turn her eyes towards one of the windows, which looked to the Place Louis XV, in the centre of which stood a colossal statue of Li- berty. She immediately burst into tears. I ran to her, and throwing myself into her arms, said : " What is the matter, mother ? why do you weep when we are in this fine room ? Papa has just gone to order supper. Look at these beau- tiful houses ; they are larger than any in Altona. I do not know why you grieve, mamma, but for my part I am quite happy. — Oh, my child, she re- plied, do you see that statue ? It is called the statue of liberty ; and it stands on the spot where barbarians sacrificed the best of kings, the most courageous of queens, and the mo^t heroic of sisters ! It is a monument to commemorate the most odious of crimes. I cannot endure to be thus near a place doomed to execration." I could not understand this violent emotion, and I flew to rejoin my nurse, who like me was overjoyed to see France ; — but I never shall for- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 17 I get the grief that overwhelmed my mother when she cast her eyes on the fatal Place Louis XV.* A lady, one of our relations was intimately acquainted with madame Tallien, to whom my father by this means obtained an introduction. Madame T allien who was then in the height of her influence, promised to do any thing to serve my father and to obtain for him speedily the documents without which he could not be certain of remaining undisturbed in Paris. On the day after this visit we had a serious alarm : just as we had sat down to breakfast, we heard a great noise of horses prancing about in the street. My mother, who was always ap- prehensive, peeped through the blind of one of the windows that looked to the Place Louis XV, where she saw a company of dragoons, whose commanding officer was ranging them at the entrance of the Rue Saint Florentin. "Let no one pass this way, he exclaimed. The second picquet is at the other end of the street, therefore they cannot escape." * The statue was shortly after destroyed. During the consulate it was replaced by a temporary monument not more appropriate than that of liberty. It represented the hundred and six French departments dancing in a ring. The good taste and the feeling of propriety which distinguished Napoleon, induced him to re- nounce the completion of the plan. He indignantly rejected the idea of a dance on the Place Louis XV. I 2 17*2 MEMOIRS OFTHE My poor mother was dreadfully frightened. She doubted not that our false passports had been discovered, and that they had come to arrest us all. She therefore entreated my father to burn all the letters he had brought from the emigrants to their relations in France. Our host, who was an honest worthy man, guessing the situation of his lodgers came up stairs with the view of comforting us. "I have closed the 2>orte cochere said he, and if as I suspect, they are coming to make a domiciliary visit here, I have a place of concealment in reserve for you." He then touched a little spring which was art- fully concealed behind one of the ornaments in the frame of the looking glass, that hung over the chimney. The pannel opened and we beheld a little staircase leading to a closet. 1 was highly amused at the bustle and con- fusion which pervaded the whole house. I was but six years of age, and consequently I could form no idea of the danger that threatened my parents. I was wholly engaged in admiring the uniforms of the soldiers, and in burning my father's papers which made an admirable bonfire ; and I was above all delighted at the idea of play- ing at hide and seek in the secret pannel behind the chimney glass. However, tranquillity was gradually restored. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 173 The military did not demand, admittance, and one of the servants came to inform us that the domiciliary visit was not intended for us. My parents now began to entertain fears for the safety of one of their friends, M. d'Auhenton, who resided in the house which the servant said was about to be visited. M. d'Aubcnton had just returned to France, where he hoped to spend the remainder of his days ; but he was compelled once again to absent himself from his country, where momentary dangers assailed the emigrants who were under surveillance, or whose papers were not regular. After an interval of painful anxiety, my father and mother learned that the military had come to arrest M. Lacretelle, who lodged in the same house with M. d'Aubenton. The latter was imt molested that day, A crowd immediately filled the street, for at that time an arrest was a sort of spectacle. The dragoons with difficulty succeeded in quelling the disorder, but the mob continued shouting furious- ly. M. Lacretelle appeared at his balcony ; he was applauded, hissed and finally arrested and conveyed to prison whence he was banished to Cayenne with M.M. Barbe-Marbois,* Bar- * M. Barbe-Marbois lias written an account of all he saw and all that happened to him during his banishment. He placed 174 MEMOIRS OF THE thelemy, &c. They had opposed some rigorous measures, for which the Directory thought proper to send them out of the way. This circumstance redounds more to their honour than even the high talents for which they are so justly cele- brated. My father got over this last trouble with no other loss than that of some letters, which Avere destined to administer comfort to several anxious families. But this was an unavoidable misfortune. I saw at Madame de V 's a man who was very celebrated at the time. I allude to M. Ribbing who was known in Paris by no other appellation than that of the hel assassin, because he was supposed to have been one of the persons concerned in the murder of the unfortunate king of Sweden. At a period when all kings were regarded as tyrants and objects of public hatred, to rid the world of them was a meritorious action in the eyes of republicans. Men connected with the govern- ment eagerly sought M. Ribbing's acquaintance, his manuscript in the hands of madame de Montesson, who read it to her friends at Romainville. I never heard a more pleasing and interesting narrative, and I cannot conceive whv the author should hesitate to present it to the public. It contains some highly curious and useful details on an island which has now become an agreeable place of abode, after having been ex- ceedingly insalubrious. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 1 ~5 and women vied with each other in their endea- vours to please him. On the public promenades and in the theatres he was constantly pointed at as the bel assassin, a title which inspired me with so much terror that when 1 first saw M. Ribbing I ran to hide myself, lest I should become one of his victims. I was not of an age to comprehend the diffe- rence which the world has agreed to establish be- tween political and civil crimes. Whenever I was in the presence of M. Ribbing I was al- most afraid to breathe ; and his countenance, which was mild and dignified appeared to me per- fectly ferocious. I do not know how far he was entitled to the reputation which he enjoyed at that time, when the crime was imputed to him by way of recommendation ; the fact is, that M. Ribbing is an excellent husband and father and a most devoted friend. I saw him a short time ago in Paris with his family amidst whom he appeared to enjoy that happiness which certainly he could never know if his conscience reproached him with the crime that is laid to his charge. We had just begun to enjoy tranquillity when the law of the 18th fructidor obliged all the emi- grants to quit Paris within three days, and France 1*6 MEMOIRS OF THE within eight under pain of death.* We were therefore obliged to pack up and set off leaving my father's affairs quite unsettled. On the same day, the 18th fructidor, my brother happening to go out in a coat with a black velvet collar, was attacked and pursued by an infuriated mob, who accused him of being a Chouan. He would in all probability have been murdered had it not been for the courageous in- terference of one of his friends (I believe M. de Pontecoulant, peer of France) who succeeded in making the misguided people understand that it was possible to wear a black velvet collar without being a Chouan; — and that my brother had mere- ly neglected to banish from his costume that which was reasonably offensive to all true republicans, since it was a part of the uniform adopted by the enemies of good Frenchmen. This complimen- tary speech gained the suffrages of the multitude and was received with loud cries of Fire la Ile- publique ! My brother returned home immediately and * M. de Mesnard, brother of the count de Mesnard, chief equerry to the duchess de Berry, would not leave France and hoped by concealing; himself, to evade pursuit. His re- treat was however discovered, and he was shot on the plain de Grenelle. Like his brother, he was distinguished for cou- >asre, and every estimable quality. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 177 begged my mother to take off the fatal collar. 1 took it to dress my doll, never dreaming that it had well nigh cost my brother his life. The fresh troubles which were now rising up induced my brother to accompany us abroad. He had emigrated with my parents, and had even served courageously in the French army. Madame Tallien* used every endeavour to enable us to remain in France. But the law was peremptory and she could obtain no exception in our favour. We accordingly returned to Altona, three weeks after we had left it. It was not until the year 1800 that we were permitted to return home for a permanency. Public tranquillity was then disturbed only by the events of a glorious war ; the arts and literature were protected and encouraged ; exiles were recalled, and all seemed to promise durable repose, but alas ! our trials were not yet at an end. * Before the revolution, my father's family wished to ar- range a marriage between him and .Mademoiselle Cabarus, who was a rich and beautiful heiress. He however was pas- sionately attached to my mother, and he experienced no lit- tle trouble in evading the marriage that was projected for him. This circumstance was generously forgotten and for- given by Mademoiselle Cabarus, afterwards Madame Tallien, and she always proved herself ready to serve the man who had declined accepting her hand. I 3 178 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XXVII. MADAME * * * *, TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. Madame Louis dc Girardin. " In common with every one in France who can read, I have, madame, the happiness of know- ing you, but I have not the honour of being known to you. When I ought to open this correspon- dence with pleasure, why do I begin it with tears ? Alas ! at this moment yours are flowing ; for you have seen the newspapers, and the fate of M. de Beauharnais is known to you. The situation of his unfortunate wife doubtless fills you with anxiety and redoubles your sorrow. Be assured, madame, that the health of that charming woman, though greatly affected by so dreadful a shock, is however, less menaced than the tranquillity of her mind, and the sensibility of her heart. She con- tinued, during two days, ignorant of the terrible catastrophe. A. letter written to her by your nephew, informed her of his removal to the Con- eiergerie, and that he was soon to appear before the Tribunal ; but hope had absorbed all her fa- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 179 culties, and there "was no longer room for fear. While everyone else trembled, she was confident ; she remained long under this illusion, which fresh events speedily dissipated. It was extremely painful for us to hear her talk with warmth of affection and tenderness of her future projects, when he, who was the object of them, never could enjoy them, We could not appear joyful ; we were silent ; we often turned aside to give vent to our sighs, and more than one involuntary tear dropped from our eyes. The horrible papers of the 8th had been kept from your niece ; she asked for them, at first, without attaching im- portance to their non-appearance, and only in- sisted upon seeing them in consequence of the pretexts made for withholding them ; she now suspected the cruel truth, which our silence and our sighs confirmed. " The first effect was a long fainting fit, from which she only recovered to be plunged into a more regular and violent despair. So many hopes frustrated ! So much felicity vanished ! We did not try to console her, persuaded that grief could find its term in its excess ; in fact, that of madame de Beauharnais, fed as it were upon itself, and changed gradually into melancholy, that sad be- nefit of time, which only lessens our sufferings to render them permanent ! ISO M E M O I R S O F T H E " We often spoke to her about her children. The best way to make her value her life, was to prove to her that it was necessary to beings whom she so dearly loved ; to mention this is to say, that we also talked to her of the happiness which you would experience from her attentions when she should leave the prison. " To try to divert madame de Beauharnais from her sorrow would be useless, but we may hope to diminish its bitterness, not by argument, but by suggesting the duties which remain to be fulfilled by a heart such as hers. You may be certain, madame, that we neglect nothing. Could it be possible to know your niece and be indiffer- ent to her distress ? kt I have the honour to be, &c* * It is supposed that the devoted friend who wrote this letter was madame d'Aiguillon, afterwards madame Louis de Girardin. She was a lady of whom the empress often spoke, and with th srreatest affection. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. IS1 LETTER XXVIII. MADAME DE BEAUHARXAIS TO HER CHILDREN. Monsieur de Gallifot. " The hand which will deliver this to you is faithful and sure. You will receive it from a friend who knows and has shared my sorrows. I know not by what accident she has hitherto been spared. I call this accident fortunate ; she regards it as a calamity. u Is it not disgraceful to live, said she yesterday, when all who are good have the honour of dying?" May heaven, as the reward of her courage, refuse her the fatal honour she desires ! " As for me, I am qualified for that honour, and I am preparing myself for receiving it. Why has disease spared me so long ? But I must not mur- mur. As a wife, I ought to follow the fate of my husband ; and can there now be any fate more glorious than to ascend the scaffold ? It is a patent of immortality purchased by a prompt and pleas- ing death ! " My children, your father is dead, and your 182 MEMOIRS OF THE mother is about to follow him ; but, as before that final stroke, the assassins leave me a few moments to myself, I wish to employ them in writing to you. Socrates, when condemned, phi- losophised with his disciples : a mother, on the point of undergoing a similar fate, may discourse with her children. " My last sigh will be for you, and I wish to make my last words a lasting lesson. Time was when I gave you lessons in a more pleasing way ; but the present will not be the less useful that it is given at so serious a moment. I have the weak- ness to water it with my tears ; I shall soon have the courage to seal it with my blood. " Hitherto it was impossible to be happier than I have been ; while to my union with your father I owed my felicity, I may venture to think and to say that to my character I was indebted for that union.* It met with many difficulties, but without artifice or effort I overcame them. * Josephine could not relate to her children the faults of a father who had just been taken from them in so tragical a manner. His cruel death had perhaps buried in oblivion, the circumstances which disunited two persons whom misfortune had reconciled. When pity finds a place in the female heart, there is no longer any room for anger. The pride of inadame de Beauharnais was flattered by her husband's success in the Constituent assembly ; her love for him returned and his suf- ferings made her pardon every thing. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 7 83 I found in my heart the means of winning the affection of my husband's relations; patience and gentleness always succeed at last in gaining the goodwill of others. You also, my dear children, possess natural advantages which cost little and are of great value ; but you must learn how to employ them, and that is what I still feel a pleasure in teaching you by my example. " When you recollect where I was born, you w T ill readily perceive how 7 useful such qualities must have been to me, in my early years. It may be supposed that they could not but be ad- vantageous to others. " In the first period of my life which I passed in Martinique, 1 had before my eyes the singular spectacle of slavery, rendered more frightful by the despotism which accompanied it. Imagine to yourself from seven to eight hundred unfor- tunate beings to whom nature had given com- plexions of ebony and wool for hair, and whom cupidity, (rendered ferocious by the danger in- curred in satisfying itself,) had torn from their country and brought in bondage to a foreign land. There, separated as families, but assembled in factories, or grouped as labourers in the field, they toil under a burning sun and the lash of the driver ; they till a soil which their sweat, even their blood, never fertilizes for them. To 1 84 MEMOIRS OF T H E enrich barbarous masters these unfortunate beings have been cut off from the common law of humanity ! To satiate the avarice of planters they thus vegetate, without property and liberty ! To feed the luxury of Europe they are from child- hood condemned without hope to a life and state of dreadful suffering. Meanwhile the tyrants of whom they are the slaves, or rather the beasts of burden, are gorged with wealth, intoxicated with enjoyments, surfeited with pleasure. Vain of a colour which is a mere accident of nature, proud of their superiority in knowledge, in which re- spect however they stand at a far greater distance from well informed Europeans than the Negroes do from them, they forget their duty as christians or even as men. To complete their cruelty they make their impious conduct the foundation of a system of law, and justify by the sophisms of inquisitors a government of canibals. " I have thus sket2hed the general picture of the colony during the period of my infancy : that of our plantation is very different. Masters and slaves, it is true, were also there; the former were just and humane, the latter cheerful and industrious. Though nominally slaves, our negroes enjoyed the advantages of free society and many of the pleasures of life : love was not denied them, and well assorted marriages rewarded mu- EMPRESS .JOSEPHINE. 185 tual affection. Far from their countries, they saw young families growing up around them and as their alliances extended, felt all the sympathy of new attachments. In the evening when the tambourine was heard and they joined in their national dances among groves of palm-trees, they fancied themselves again in their country, and wept for joy.* " I was no stranger to their sports, because I was neither insensible to their sorrows, nor in- different to their labours. " I lived with our aunt Renaudin, that excel- lent woman, that kind parent, that worthy soul, of whom we have so often spoken, and who has died * Notwithstanding the constant declamations on the barharity of the colonists, it is certain that many of them were adored by their negroes, from whom they received proofs of boundless affection, at the horrible period of ths massacres. Several planters used to be quoted as examples of humanity : " Happy as one of Gallifet's negroes," used to be a proverb among- the slaves. M. de Gallifet who possessed a large fortune was beloved on account of the humanity with which his plantations were managed ; his negroes were always well feci, and received some money when they distinguished themselves in the per- formance of their duty; and after a few years became owners of a piece of land which they cultivated for their own profit. When sick the greatest care was taken of them. This example was followed by several colonists, whose memory is cherished by their slaves. 186 MEMOIRS OF THE with grief at seeing her niece sacrificed, as she long lamented, when her foresight separated us. I say her foresight, though perhaps it was then only her fondness. " Circumstances brought to Martinique a hand- some and meritorious young officer. I may be proud to praise him, he was your father, who after making me a happy wife was destined to render me a mother at once blessed and unfortunate. i( The husband of madame Renaudin managed not only his own plantations, but those which the MM. Beauharnais inherited. The propriety of our union appeared unquestionable, especially as the marriage, planned by the two families for your uncle, had not his approbation, he having made another choice. " Here I must record the gratitude I owe to my excellent brother in law, who has under va- rious circumstances given me proofs of the most sincere friendship, though he was of quite a dif- ferent opinion from your father, who embraced the new ideas with all the enthusiasm of a lively imagination. He fancied liberty was to be se- cured by obtaining concessions from the king whom he venerated ; but all was lost, and nothing gained but anarchy. Who will arrest the torrent, O God ? unless thy powerful hand controul and restrain it we are undone ! EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 187 " For my part, my children, I am about to die as your father died a victim of the fury he always opposed, but to which he fell a sacrifice. I leave life without hatred of France and its assassins, whom I despise ; but I am penetrated with sor- row for the misfortunes of my country. Honour my memory in sharing my sentiments. I leave for your inheritance the glory of your father, and the name of your mother, whom some who have been unfortunate will bear in remembrance. Love, regret and benediction.'"' Madame de Beauharnais when relieved from prison resumed the care of her children. Not being then in France I have no knowledge of the cir- cumstances which attended her release. As my purpose is to relate only what I have seen, or have been informed of on unquestionable authority, I shall not attempt to speak on a fact so strictly his- torical, lest I should incur the risk of representing it to the public incorrectly ; this could not fail to happen were I to consult different persons. I believe that madame de Beauharnais was set at liberty on the ninth thermidor, along with many others who then languished in prison. The following letters which are posterior to 1S8 MEMOIRS OF THE that epoch have been transmitted to me by a person in no way connected with the deposit men- tioned at the commencement of this volume. I have not seen the originals, but I have no reason to suspect the good faith of the friend who has enabled me to lay them before the public. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 189 LETTER XXIX. TO MADAME FANNY DE BEAUHARNAIS. Trait of filial affection in Eugene de Beauharnais. " I must, my dear aunt, acquaint you with a charming trait in our Eugene. To-day, the 7th thermidor, which is a melancholy anniversary, I sent for him and presenting him with the engraved portrait of his unfortunate father, I said : " There my son is the reward of six months of attentive study and good conduc : that portrait is yours. Hang it up in your chamber and look at it often. Let him, whose features are here delineated be your constant model. He Avas the most amiable and most affectionate of men ; had he been spared, he would have been the best of fathers." " Eugene uttered not a word. His eyes were cast down ; a glow suffused his countenance, and his painful emotion was visible. He covered the picture with kisses, and as my son and I embraced and mingled our tears together, the portrait of Alexander seemed to smile complacently on us. " This evening when all my friends had retired, except Cubiere and Saint , my son entered, followed by six of his young companions all 190 MEMOIRS OF THE having the portrait of Alexander suspended from their neeks by a black and white ribbon. " Mother, said Eugene, I have founded a new order of knighthood. There is the hero, added he, point- ing to his father's portrait, and here are the first members, introducing his young friends. It is called the order of filial love, and if you will come into the little drawing room, you shall see the first inauguration." " My dear aunt, I leave you to judge of my feelings. The little drawing room was tastefully hung with draperies intermingled with wreaths of ivy, roses and laurel. There I recognized the handy work of Victorine. At intervals were little inscriptions extracted from the remarkable speeches of M. de Beauharnais, and above these were wax tapers in branch candlesticks. This heroic and simple decoration served as a frame to a sort of altar, on which, among bunches of flowers and wax lights, was placed the full length portrait of my unfortunate husband. Three crowns, one of white and red roses, another of laurel and a third of cypress, were suspended above the frame, and before the picture were two little vases containing perfume. Six other young friends of my son were ranged round the altar in respectful silence. All were armed with swords, which on our entrance, they drew, and swore to love their EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 191 parents, to assist each other, and to defend their country. My son then unfurled a little flag and waved it over the portrait of his father. We em- braced each other with mingled smiles and tears. u Oh ! my dear aunt, if any thing can console me for my irreparable loss it is surely my chil- dren, whose amiable qualities compensate me for all 1 feel on their account. How 1 regretted the absence of Hortense ! But she is with you. She will read my letter, and will recognize her own affections in those of her brother. Eugene, I am certain, will always bear in mind his father's vir- tues and courage, and will prove himself worthy of the name he bears, both as a soldier and a citi- zen. His heart is animated by every good and noble sentiment. " You will aid me, my dear aunt, in the im- portant task that has devolved upon me. Can I entertain the least doubt respecting the result of my children's education ? I cannot complain of my loss when I think of you and them." 19% MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XXX. MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS TO MADAME*** She hesitates to accept the hand of general Bonaparte — Mes- dames V.... and D.... Napoleon's mistresses. " I am urged, my dear, to marry again, by the advice of all my friends, (1 may almost say,) by the commands of my aunt, and the prayers of my children. Why arc you not here to help me by your advice on this important occasion and to tell me whether I ought or ought not to consent to a union, which certainly seems calculated to relieve me from the discomfort of my present situa- tion. Your friendship would render you clear- sighted to my interests, and a word from you would suffice to bring me to a decision. " Among my visitors you have seen general Bonaparte : he is the man who wishes to become a father to the orphans of Alexander de Beauhar- nais and a husband to his widow. " Do you love him? is naturally your first ques- tion. My answer is, perhaps., .no. — Do you dislike him ? — No, again ; but the sentiments 1 entertain towards him are of that luke-warm kind which true devotees think worst of all in matters of re- EMPRESS J O S E P H I N E. 193 ligion. Now love being a sort of religion, my feelings ought to be very different from what they really are. This is the point on which I want your advice, which would fix the wavering of my irresolute disposition. To come to a decision has always been too much for my Creole inertness, and I find it easier to obey the wishes of others. " I admire the general's courage ; the extent of his information on every subject on which he con- verses ; his shrewd intelligence, which enables him to understand the thoughts of others, before they are expressed ; but I confess I am somewhat fearful of that control which he seems anxious to exercise over all about him. There is something in his scrutinizing glance that cannot be described ; it awes even our directors, therefore it may well be supposed to intimidate a woman. He talks of his passion for me with a degree of earnestness which renders it impossible to doubt his sincerity, yet this very circumstance, which you would suppose likely to please me, i> precisely that which has withheld me from giving the consent which I have often been on the very point of uttering. " My spring of life is past. Can I then hope to preserve, for any length of time that ardour of affection which, in the general, amounts almost to madness? If his love should cool, as it certainly VOL. III. K 194 MEMOIRS OF THE will, after our marriage, will he not reproach me for having prevented him from forming a more ad- vantageous connection ? What then shall I say ? What shall I do ? I may shut myself up and weep. Fine consolation, truly! methinks I hear you say. But unavailing as I know it is, weeping is, I assure you, my only consolation whenever my poor heart receives a wound. Write to me quickly, and pray scold me if you think me wrong. You know every thing is welcome that comes from you. " Barras assures me if I marry the general he will get him appointed Commander in Chief of the army of Italy. This favour, though not yet granted, occasions some murmuring among Bonaparte's brother officers. When speaking to me yesterday on the subject, the general said : " Do they think I cannot get forward without their patronage. One day or other they will all be too happy if I grant them mine. I have a good sword by my side which will carry me on." " What do you think of this self-confidence ? Does it not savour of excessive vanity ? a general of brigade to talk of patronizing the chiefs of the government ? It is very ridiculous ! Yet I know not how it happens, his ambitious spirit some- times wins upon me so far that 1 am almost EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 195 tempted to believe in the practicability of any project he takes into his head ; — and who can foresee what he may attempt ! " All here regret your absence ; and we only console ourselves by constantly speaking of you, and by endeavouring to follow you step by step in the beautiful country in which you are journey- ing. Were I sure of finding you in Italy, I would consent to be married to-morrow, on con- dition of being permitted to accompany the general. But we might cross each other on the way, therefore 1 think it most prudent to await your answer ; pray send it speedily. " Madame Tallien desires me to present her love to you. She is still fair and good as ever. She employs her immense influence only for the benefit of the unfortunate ; and when she per- forms a favour she appears as pleased and satis- fied as though she herself were the obliged party. Her friendship for me is most affectionate and sincere, and of my regard for her, I need only say that it is equal to that which I entertain for you. " Hortense grows more and more interesting every day. Her pretty figure is getting fully developed, and if I were so inclined, I should have ample reason to rail at time, who confers k 2 106 MEMOIRS OFT H E charms on the daughter at the expence of the mother. But truly I have other things in my head. I try to hanish gloomy thoughts, and look forward to a more propitious future, for we shall soon meet never to part again. But for this marriage, which harasses and unsettles me, I could be gay in spite of every thing; were it once over, happen what might, I could resign myself to my fate. I am inured to suffering, and if I be destined to taste fresh sorrow I can sup- port it, provided my children, my aunt and you remain to comfort me, " You know we have agreed to dispense with all formal terminations to our letters. So adieu, my friend !" In fact madame de Beauharnais long hesitated before she resolved to espouse the man who was destined to raise, her to so high a station. Her first marriage had not been a happy one, and she was not without apprehension as to the conse- quences of entering into that state again. She often told us that she was alarmed at words which occasionally dropped from Bonaparte, and which indicated an ambition, incapable, us she thought, of even being satisfied. Her family and EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 1 97 friends at last determined her ; and she became the wife of the general who soon subdued Europe with that sword which he expected was to be for ever triumphant. Josephine had not at first that tender affec- tion for her second husband which she after- wards felt. To give a protector to her daughter, a guide to her son, were the sole reasons which induced her to yield to the wishes of those who took an interest in her fate. Letters from Napoleon to Josephine have been published, and they prove how fond he was of his wife, and how vexed he was to find that her senti- ments were not as passionate as his own. He was extremely jealous : his distrust shewed itself on every occasion and was not confined to one person but extended to every man who visited Madame Bonaparte. For the sake of domestic tranquillity she was gradually obliged to shut her door against all her old friends, whose company was displeasing to her husband. She endured unjust suspicions and violent scenes with astonish- ing patience and mildness. This conduct at last won for her the most sincere and durable attachment on the part of Napoleon, who before he consented to renounce her, long combated the counsel of his ministers and his relations. 198 MEMOIRS OF THE to contract a union with some sovereign family. As if any thing could farther elevate the extra- ordinary man, who had subjugated all the crowned heads whose alliance he now courted ! It was with the greatest pain and reluctance that he consented to the divorce which was really the first of his misfortunes. 1 have already stated what relations he afterwards maintained, with this excellent woman, who never regretted the throne until there appeared to he danger in sharing it. In the familiar conversations at Navarre the empress used often to say that the emperor was, without contradiction, the most agreeahle of men, when he chose to take the trouble of trying to please a sex which he loved ; but that he had in general a very unfavourable opinion of women. He had numerous adventures which confirmed his notions in this respect. He related his ad- ventures to Josephine, who received his confi- dence with the indulgence of a friend, though often not without much chagrin. In this way she always succeeded in reclaiming him, and he used constantly to say, that there was no woman like Josephine, though his actions often proved that this sentiment was not always strongly impressed on his mind. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 1 99 Nothing could equal the attention he paid to the empress, when the effervescence which had made him withdraw from her went off, and he returned full of repentance. He often made her unhappy, but she was consoled almost as soon as she was afflicted, for his phantasies were as fleeting as they were violent. The empress believed that Napoleon never had a real regard for any woman but herself, Madame V.... * and Madame D. ...,t who were all worthy of sincere love on account of their amiable character and boundless attachment to him. It ought to be besides observed that he never offended against decorum by making a display of irregular conduct or publicly avowing impro- per connexions. Such connexions might some- times be conjectured from the insolence of fa- vourites and the sort of publicity which they studiously gave to what they ought to have sought to conceal ; but nothing could be suspected from the conduct of Napoleon, for he was always polite and respectful towards them and never said a word by which any one could be compromised. Those women then who were pointed out as * After being married to a general she died in child-bed. t Madame D. . . . still lives, and it is said has not ceased to be handsome. 300 MEMOIRS OF THE his mistresses, must have obtained that distinc- tion in consequence of their own wish, or on account of the sudden elevation of husbands who may have been base enough to accept brilliant or lucrative places, in return for loss of honour and domestic happiness. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 201 LETTER XXXI. MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS TO GENERAL BONAPARTE. Napoleon's jealousy. — Junot, due d'Abrantes. — The duchess d'Abrantes. — Her extravagance. — The duke de Rag-use. — Re- verse of fortune experienced by the duchess d'Abrantes, — Her daughter turns nun. " Is it possible, genera], that the letter 1 have just received comes from you? I can scarcely credit it when I compare that letter with others now before me, to which your love imparts so many charms ! My eyes indeed would persuade me that your hand traced these lines ; but my heart refuses to believe that a letter from you could ever have caused the mortal anguish I ex- perience on perusing these expressions of your displeasure, which afflict me the more when I consider how much pain they must have cost you. " I know not what I have done to provoke some malignant enemy to destroy my peace by disturbing your's; but certainly a powerful mo- tive must influence some one in continually re- newing calumnies against me and giving them a sufficient appearance of probability to impose k ?> 202 MEMOIRS OF THE on the man who has hitherto judged me worthy of his affection and confidence. These two senti- ments are necessary to my happiness, and if they are to be so soon withdrawn from me, I can only regret that I was ever blest in possessing them or knowing you. " On my first acquaintance with you, the afflic- tion with which I was overwhelmed led me to believe that my heart must ever remain a stranger to any sentiment resembling love. The sangui- nary scenes of which I had been a witness and a victim constantly haunted my thoughts. I there- fore apprehended no danger to myself from the frequent enjoyment of your society, still less did I imagine that 1 could for a single moment have fixed your choice- " I, like every one else, admired your talents and acquirements ; and better than any one else, I foresaw your future glory ; but still 1 loved you only for the services you rendered to my country. Why did you seek to convert admiration into a more tender sentiment by availing yourself of all those powers of pleasing with which you are so eminently gifted, since, so shortly after having united your destiny with mine, you regret the felicitv vou have conferred upon me? " Do vou think I can ever forget the love you once cherished for me? Can I ever become in- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 203 different to the man who has blest me with the most enthusiastic and ardent passion ? Can I ever efface from my memory your paternal affection for Hortense, the advice and example you have set before Eugene? If all this appears impossible. how can you for a moment suspect me of bestow- ing a thought on any but yourself ? " Instead of listening to traducers who, for rea- sons which I cannot explain, seek to disturb our happiness, why do you not silence them by enu- merating the benefits you have bestowed on a woman whose heart could never be reproached with ingratitude ? The knowledge of what you have done for my children would check the mali- gnity of these calumniators, for they would then see that the strongest link of my attachment for you depends on my character as a mother. Your subsequent conduct which has claimed the admi- ration of all Europe could have no other effect than to make me adore the husband who gave me his hand when I was poor and unfortunate. Every step you take adds to the glory of the name I bear : yet this is the moment that has been selected for persuading you that I no longer love you ! Surely nothing can be more wicked and absurd than the conduct of those who are about you, and are jealous of your marked supe- riority ! 20 1 MEMOIRS OF THE " Yes, I still love you, and no less tenderly than ever. Those who allege the contrary know- that they speak falsely. To those very persons I have frequently written to enquire about you and to recommend them to console you by their friendship, for the absence of her who is your best and truest friend. " Yet, what has been the conduct of the men in whom you repose confidence and on whose testimony you form so unjust an opinion of me ? They conceal from you every circumstance calcu- lated to alleviate the anguish of our separation, and they seek to fill your mind with suspicion in order to drive you from a country with which they are dissatisfied. Their object is to make you unhappy. I see this plainly ; though you are blind to their perfidious intentions. Being no longer their equal you have become their enemy, and every one of your victories is a fresh ground of envy and hatred. " I know their intrigues, and I disdain to avenge myself by naming the men whom I des- pise, but whose valour and talents may be useful to you in the great enterprise which you have so propitiously commenced. When you return, I will unmask these enemies of your glory — but no ; the happiness of seeing you again will banish from my recollection the misery they are EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 205 endeavouring to inflict upon me, and I shall think only of what they have done to promote the suc- cess of your projects. " I acknowledge that I see a great deal of company ; for every one is eager to compliment me on your success, and I confess I have not resolution to close my door against those who speak of you. I also confess that a great portion of my visitors are gentlemen. Men understand your bold projects better than women, and they speak with enthusiasm of your glorious achieve- ments, while my female friends only complain of you for having carried away their husbands, bro- thers or fathers. I take no pleasure in their society if they do not praise you ', yet there are some among them whose hearts and understand- ings claim my highest regard, because they en- tertain sincere friendship for you. In this num- ber I may distinguish Mesdames d'Aiguillon, Tallien and my aunt. They are almost constantly with me and they can tell you, ungrateful as you are, whether / have been coquetting with every body. These are your words, and they would be hateful to me were I not certain that you have disavowed them and are sorry for having written them. " I am terrified at the numerous perils which surround you and of the extent of which I should 206 MEMOIRS OF THE have had no idea, had not Eugene insisted on my writing to entreat that you will not fly in the face of danger and unnecessarily expose a life which is precious not merely to your family and friends. Remember that on you depends the destiny of your companions in arms and of millions of soldiers who would not have fortitude to endure the hardships to which they are ex- posed, but for the encouragement which your presence affords them. " Do not, I conjure you, over exert your strength. Listen not to the dictates of your own ever-active mind, but to the advice of those who love you. Berthier, Bourienne, Eugene and Caf- farelli, who are more cool than you, may some- times view things more justly. They are devoted to you, therefore, listen to them ; but to them only, and you and 1 shall be happy. " I sometimes receive honours here which cause me no small degree of embarrassment. I am not accustomed to this sort of homage, and I sec it is displeasing to our authorities, who are always suspicious and fearful of losing their newly gotten power. Never mind them, you will say ; and I should not, but that I know they will try to injure you, and I cannot endure the thought of contributing in any way to those feelings of enmity which your triumphs sufficiently account KMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 207 for. If they are envious now, what will they be when you return crowned with fresh laurels ? Heaven knows to what lengths their malignity will then carry them ! But you will be here, and then nothing can vex me. " But I will say no more of them nor of your suspicions, which 1 do not refute one by one because they are all equally devoid of probability ; and to make amends for the unpleasant com- mencement of this letter, I will tell you something which I know will please you. " Hortense, in her efforts to console me, en- deavours as far as possible to conceal her anxiety for you and her brother, and she exerts all her ingenuity to banish that melancholy, the existence of which you doubt, but which I assure you, never forsakes me. If by her lively conversation and interesting talents, she sometimes succeeds in drawing a smile from me, she joyfully exclaims : " Dear mamma, that will be known at Cairo." The fatal word immediately calls to my mind the distance which separates me from you and my son, and restores the melancholy which it was intended to divert. I am obliged to make great efforts to conceal my grief from my daughter, who, by a word or a look, transports me to the very place which she would wish to banish from my thoughts. 208 MEMOIRS OF THE " Hortense's figure is daily becoming more and more graceful. She dresses with great taste, and though not quite so handsome as your sisters, she may certainly be thought agreeable, when even they are present. " My good aunt passes her life in suffering without complaining, consoling the distressed, speaking of you and writing poetry. For my part, my time is occupied in writing to you, hearing your praises, reading the journals, in which your name appears in every page, think- ing of you, looking forward to the time when I may see you hourly, complaining of your absence and longing for your return ; and when my task is ended I begin it over again. Are all these proofs of indifference ? You will never have any others from me, and if I receive no worse from you, I shall have no great reason to complain, in spite of the ill natured stories I hear about a certain lady, in whom you are said to take a lively interest. But why should I doubt you ? You assure me that you love me, and judg- ing of your heart by my own, I believe you. "Heaven knows when or where you will receive this letter. May it restore you to that confidence which you ought never to have lost, and con- vince you more than ever, that as long as I live I shall love you as dearlv as I did on the day of EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. "209 our separation. Adieu — believe me — love me, and receive a thousand kisses." It is well known, that when in Egypt Napoleon's jealousy was powerfully excited by the reports of Junot, who pretended to receive from Paris, po- sitive accounts of the coquetry of Josephine. I knew nothing of these circumstances, to which the empress alluded, but rarely and vaguely. I however observed, that she disliked the duke d'Abrantes. She frequently laughed at his un- cultivated manners, observing, that he behaved with no more ceremony to a duchess, than to a sutler's wife, and that he could not divest himself of the habits of his early life. Her majesty ren- dered full justice to his courage and military talents. The duke and duchess d'Abrantes lived in a style of splendour which pleased Napoleon. He was anxious that his court should be distinguished for brilliance and magnificence ; and far from checking the extravagant expenditure of his no- bility, he encouraged it by his approval. He nicknamed the duke de Raguse kitig Marmont I and Junot Marmont !!> because these two gene- 210 MEMOIRS OF THE rals lived in greater magnificence than any others in the army. The duchess d'Abrantes, who was young, beau- tiful, and accomplished, was one of the brightest ornaments of the Imperial Court. Her graceful and elegant form, imparted peculiar elegance to every thing she wore, and any new fashion which she introduced, immediately became general among other ladies of rank. It is said that the expence of her toilet amounted to two hundred thousand francs. I know not whether she was really guilty of this enormous extravagance ; but if so, it must be a source of painful regret to her, in her present straightened circumstances. Her eldest daughter who was exceedingly beau- tiful, took her vows as a nun of la charite. This young lady, though endowed with graces and accomplishments, which would have rendered her a distinguished ornament of society, chose to bury herself in a convent, on the loss of her for- tune, of which she would, doubtless, have made a benevolent use. The cruel vicissitudes of fate of which she had herself been the victim, will qualify her for the task of soothing the distress of others ; and in her humble asylum she is attended by the blessings of the poor and unfortunate. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 211 LETTER XXXII. TO EUGENE BEAUHARNAIS, in Egypt. Mademoiselle Beauharnais. — Her progress. — MM. Erard, Pape, Pleyel, Petzold, Dietz, Foignet, and Labarre. — Mesdemoiselles Bertrand, and Desargus, — Caclimere shawls sent to Josephine, Mesdames Bourienne, Hamelin, \ isconti. — Beauty of thu empress's shawls. — Patterns sent by her to Constantinople. — Sale at Malmaison. " 1 learn with great pleasure, my clear Eu- gene, that your conduct is worthy of the name you hear, and of the protector under whom it is so easy to learn to become a great captain. " Bonaparte has written to me that you are every thing he can wish, and as he is no flatterer my heart is proud to read your eulogy, sketched by a hand which is usually far from being lavish in praise. You well know I never doubted your capability to undertake great things, or the bril- liant courage which you inherit ; but you, alas, know how much I disliked your removal from me, fearing that your natural impetuosity might carry you too far, and that it might prevent you from submitting to the numerous petty details of dis- c 2 12 MEMOIRS OF THE cipline, which must be very disagreeable when the rank is only subaltern. " Judge then of my joy on learning that you remember my advice, and that you are as obe- dient to your superiors in command, as you are kind and humane to those beneath, you. This conduct, my child, makes me quite happy, and these words, I know, will reward you more than all the favours you can receive. Read them often, and repeat to yourself that your mother, though far from you, complains not of her lot, since she knows that yours will be brilliant, and will de- serve so to be. " Your sister shares all my feelings, and will tell you so herself. But that of which I am sure she will not speak, and which it is therefore my duty to tell, is her attention to me and to her aunt ! Love her my son, for to me she brings consolation, and she overflows with affection for you ! She prosecutes her studies with uncom- mon success, but music, I believe, will be the art which she will carry to the highest perfection. With her sweet voice, which is now well cultiva- ted, she sings romances in a manner that would surprise you. I have just bought her an excellent piano from the best maker, Erard,* which re- * MM. Erard were at that time the only piano forte manufac- turers who could compete with the celebrated Broadwood of KM PRESS JOSEPHINE. 213 doubles her passion for that charming art, which you prefer to every other ; that, perhaps, ac- counts for your sister applying to it with so much assiduity. " I am not afraid of wearying you with this little family gossip, which would appear puerile to many men, surrounded as you are with objects of the greatest curiosity and importance ; but you love your family, I know you do, even more than you love glory, and for that reason I dwell on such subjects. " Were you here you would be telling me a thousand times a day, to beware of the men who pay particular attention to Hortense. Some there are who do so, whom you do not like, and whom you seem to fear she may prefer. Set your mind at rest ; she is a bit of a coquette, is pleased with her success, and torments her victims ; but London ; but their reputation is now shared with AIM. Pleycl, Pape, Petzold, and Diet/.. The latter is the inventor of a new instrument called the jjoli/piectron, which is much patronized by the royal family and nobility of Paris MM. Erard, however, still retain their superiority in the manufacture of the pedal harp, and by an invention equally simple and ingenious, they have brought to perfection that hitherto defective instrument. Artists who have attained the proficiency of MM. Foignet and Labarre, and mesdemoiselles Bertrand and Desargus, may now perform on the harp any music composed for the piano, and may extemporize with the facility of the pianist. 214 MEMOIRS OF THE her heart is free. I am the confident of all her thoughts and feelings, which have hitherto been just what they ought to be. She now knows that when she thinks of marrying, it is not my consent alone she has to seek, and that my will is subordinate to that of the man to whom we owe every thing. The knowledge of this fact must prevent her from fixing her choice in a way that may not meet the approval of Bonaparte, and the latter will not give your sister in marriage to any one to whom you can object. " Our circle of friends is exceedingly agreeable. It consists of eminent artists, literary men, and politicians. The latter would, perhaps, weary us, if they were not obliged to talk on other sub- jects besides the affairs of government, which we women do not understand. All we wish, is to see France happy without caring for the means by which that happiness is brought about . that is the business of the magistrates who rule us, and the brave soldiers who defend us ; ours is the agreeable task of encouraging them to fulfil their duty by our approval, and that we do very rea- dily, I assure you. " As it has always been the custom, my dea Eugene, for ladies to crown conquerors, we have a thousand surprises in store for you against your return, and we are all preparing for you wuch gifts KM PRESS JOSEPHINE. 215 as were formerly lavished on the preux chevaliers of old. In exchange, we expect you to bring home abundance of Egyptian antiquities, to prove that you thought of us amidst the great monu- ments which surround you. A token of recollec- tion from such scenes of glory will possess in- expressible charms, and I know you are too gal- lant to neglect these little compliments to the lady of your heart, from whom I shall hear of them. " I know 1 cannot always hold the first place in your affections ; this is not agreeable to me, but it cannot be otherwise. And to convince you that I submit to this hard necessity, I will tell you that she is well, that she talks only of you, and that she takes no interest in any conversation of which Egypt is not the subject. Here is con- solation for you in your absence. As for me, I think I shall never have patience to wait for your return, and if you know at what port of Fiance you are likely to land, it will be kind to inform me of it, that I may go and watch the vessel as it nears the shore. What happiness will that be ! " I was lately at Tillet, and madame de Mon- L.esson inquired after you with a degree of interest, which makes me love her more than ever. This, 1 am sure, will be very gratifying to you, for she 216 MEMOIRS OF THE is a person of no ordinary stamp, and her good opinion, which is always the result of reflection and sound judgment, is a nattering compliment. " Tell me every thing that concerns yourself, Bonaparte, and your friends. Only conceal from me any thing which may lead me to suspect you have enemies among your own countrymen. It would be adding fresh pangs to the grief of separation from you, to make me fear quarrels which, though they spring up in trifles, often end tragically. I wish to persuade myself that your adopted father is surrounded only by ad- mirers, and you only by protectors and ad- visers. " Adieu ! my dear son. I know it is useless to repeat that my affection for you exceeds all bounds. Of that you are well assured : yet it affords me so much pleasure to dwell on the sub- ject, and I know you will excuse my tediousness. So, my dear Eugene, receive a thousand assurances of your mother's love, and all the kisses she en- closes in her letter. Write to me as often as you can : it will never be often enough. '•' P. S. — I have received the shawls. They may be very costly, but I really think them ugly. Their chief merit is the lightness of their texture. I doubt whether the fashion will take. However. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 217 their rarity and, above all, their warmth, suf- ficiently recommend them to me." I know not the names of the young gentlemen who were so eager to pay homage to mademoi- selle Hortense de Beauharnais. The prospect of her future destiny was brilliant, and she was surrounded by a crowd of admirers, all zealously endeavouring to please her ; but encouragement was given to none. When I saw her for the first time, which was six months before her marriage, no individual was yet pointed out as having fixed the choice of this young lady, whom so many parents anxiously wished to make their daughter- in-law. Since then it has been reported that she had a partiality for general P. . . ., but at that time no such thing was mentioned, and I believe there is no truth in the story. General P. , . . was very handsome, but the other members of his family were far from pos- sessing the like advantage. The following anec- dote of their remarkable plainness may be related here They were emigrants at the same period as my family. One evening the duke de Fleuri, who, in despite of the privations of exile was full of VOL. III. L 2 IS MEMOIRS O F T H E life and gaiety, visited the princess de Vaude- mont, after an absence of some months. He was acquainted with old M. de P . . . . and, after sa- luting him, said : " Pray, who is this horrible looking woman sitting beside the charming ma- dame de Fougy, as it were for the purpose of producing a contrast? — That lady is my wife, answered M. de P with rather a lengthened countenance. — Oh ! no, replied the duke, I know madame de P.... very well; (it was to her, however, his question referred) she is very agree- able .... I mean that one on the other side of madame de Fougy. . . . she is really frightful. — Ah ! that is my sister. — Well, my dear P. . . . this is quite distressing, there is no extricating ones-self from such an embarrassment with you, for there never was so extraordinary a family." Madame Bonaparte received two cashmere shawls which were sent to her by her husband. Mesdames Bourienne, Hamelin, and Visconti also received similar presents. At that time these la- dies only wore the shawls because they were uncommon ; and they were, by many, considered frightful and not fit to be adopted. However the ugly shawls, as they were called, soon became fashionable, and it would have been a dreadful misfortune to a lady to be without one. The empress Josephine had quite a passion for EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 219 shawls and I question whether any collection of them was ever as valuable as hers. At Navarre she had one hundred and fifty, all extremely beautiful and high priced. She sent designs to Constantinople, and the shawls made after these patterns were as beautiful as they were valuable. Every week M. Lenormant came to Navarre and sold her whatever he could obtain that was cu- rious in this way. I have seen white shawls co- vered with roses, bluebells, perroquets, peacocks, &c, which I believe were not to be met with any where else in Europe; they were valued at 15 and 20,000 francs each. The empress also wore cashmere dresses. One day M. Portales after admiring a dress of that kind very much, observed that the pattern would do well for a waistcoat. Her majesty immediately took a pair of scissars, cut up her dress, and gave pieces to MM. Portales, de Turpin, and de Vieil-Castel. She retained for herself only the body which, worn with the white petticoat below it set off her fine form to greater advantage than be- fore. Thus, what was with her only a sponta- neous act of kindness might have been mistaken for studied coquetry ; for I never saw any dress become her better than this impromptu spencer. The shawls were at length sold by auction at Malmaison, at a rate much below their value.' L 2 220 MEMOIRS OF THE Ali Paris went to the sale ; but I staid away. 1% would have been extremely painful to me to look on while avaricious dealers were contending for the spoils with which I had once seen the empress adorned. I cannot conceive why it was deter- mined to dispose, in this manner, of things which ought to have been divided among her children, to whom all that belonged to such a mother must have been invaluable. EM PRESS JOSEPHINE. 221 LETTER XXXIII. TO THE MINISTER OF POLICE. M. Thuriot — MM. de Villeneuve, and Coster-Saint-Victor. — Madame Coster presents a painting to the Consul. — Sharp re- ply of a counsellor on the trial of the persons implicated in the conspiracy of the infernal machine. 41 Citizen Minister, " While the shock of the awful event which has just happened is still fresh upon my mind,* I cannot help feeling distressed and uneasy beyond measure at the prospect of the dreadful punish- ments which must await the perpetrators of the crime who belong-, I am told, to families with whom I have formerly been in habits of intimacy. I shall be appealed to by mothers, sisters, and dis- consolate wives, and I shall be grieved at my in- ability to grant all the favours I would wish. "The consul's mercy is great, and his attach- ment to me extreme. I know this ; but the crime is of so black a die, that it will be deemed neces- sary to make awful examples. It is not the head of the government only whose life was * The explosion of the infernal machine, on the 3rd nivose is here alluded to. c 222 MEMOIRS OF THE indangered, and this circumstance will render him severe, I fear inflexible. " I conjure you, then, citizen minister, to prevent as far as lies in your power the investi- gations being pushed to the extreme, for the dis- covery of the accomplices of this odious plot. France has been too long appalled by executions ; let her not shudder at new ones. Is it not more politic to endeavour to pacify the public mind than to irritate it by fresh horrors ? Ln a word, when the ringleaders of the conspiracy are ap- prehended, should not the severity of justice yield to the gentler emotions of pity, towards the subordinate agents, who have probably been misled by dangerous sophistry and erroneous opinions ? " The consul who was but the other day in- vested with power, ought, methinks to endeavour to conciliate friends, rather than to triumph over slaves. That punishment should attend crime, is alas ! necessary ; but be merciful, and let the number of your pardons exceed your condemnations. Befriend the unfortunate who by timely repentance, may expiate at least a part of their crime. " Having myself narrowly escaped the dangers of the revolution, it is perfectly natural that 1 EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 2 C 23 should feel interested in behalf of those whose lives may be spared without danger to the ex- istence of my husband, which is so precious to me and to France. This it is which makes me anxious you should draw a distinction between the instigators of the crime and those who either from imbecillity or fear, have been induced to parti- cipate in it. As a woman, a wife, and a mother, 1 must deeply feel the distress of those families who will appeal for my intercession. cc Endeavour, citizen minister, to diminish the number of victims. I can never turn a deaf ear to the cry of the distressed, but on this occasion you can do infinitely more than I, and this con- sideration will I am sure excuse my importunity. " Rely on my sincere gratitude and acknow- ledgements." In the course of these Memoirs I have mention- ed the efforts made by Josephine to save many of the individuals tried before the tribunal of which M. Thuriot presided as judge. She suc- ceeded in obtaining the commutation of the punishment of death to which MM. de Polignac, de Riviere and Charles d'Hozier were sentenced ; but she was not so fortunate in getting the consular clemency extended to the 224 MEMOIRS OF THE most guilty of the parties concerned, nine of whom I believe, expiated their crime in the Place de Greve. They all evinced extreme fortitude, especially MM. de Villeneuve, and Coster-Saint- Victor, who were celebrated for their courage in the field, and the coolness and intrepidity with which they had managed several hazardous en- terprises, at different times entrusted to them. They were exceedingly handsome men, and dis- played remarkable talent on their trial. Madame Coster, the aunt of M. Coster- Saint- Victor, who had acquired great reputation as a flower painter, addressed a petition to Madame Bonaparte, who evinced the activity she was ever wont to exert, when her object was to assist the unfortunate. On those occasions, her Creole indolence entirely forsook her. Unhappily she had not sufficient influence to stop the torrent of tears she saw flowing ; she could only soothe and console the distress which she had no power to prevent. Madame Coster knowing the consul's passion for the fine arts, conceived the idea of presenting him with one of her best productions ; in the hope that moved by the distress of a woman of talent who was about to see severed the only tie M'hich attached her to life, he would grant the pardon she so earnestly solicited. The painting was EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, 225 sent, admired and accepted; but young Coster was nevertheless led to the scaffold, where he nobly ended a life devoted to the Bourbons. Many incidents, connected with this ever memorable conspiracy, added interest to the trials. I have in the course of these Memoirs related two.* The following circumstance was the general talk of Paris for some days. M. Thuriot, they say, showed himself so very unfavourable to the accused that it was easy to perceive he wished for their condemnation. He assumed towards them a sternness of demeanour, which had the effect of confusing them in their replies to his insidious questions. Georges Ca- doudal behaved with singular presence of mind, and in his replies to the president, he never failed to call him by his name which he converted into Tue-Moi.f This excited a great sensation in the court, and the president was so discon- certed by, it that for several days he got some one else to take his place. It is said that M. Thuriot declared it would be necessary, as a matter of policy, to condemn all the persons arraigned on these trials, not * The anecdote of marshal Macdonald and the extempore couplet composed by M. de Riviere. t M. Thuriot voted in the most positive way for the death of the king. L 3 226 MEMOIRS OF THE excepting Moreau ; upon which a counsellor in court, replied, " If you condemn them, who will pardon you ?" I have forgotten the name of this noble-minded man who, at the risk of losing his place, expressed an opinion in opposition to the sentiments of the government. I am sorry I am not able to record his name here. Fouche was believed to be averse to the mea- sures of severity adopted. On this memorable occasion, however, the opinions of others pre- vailed over his, which was in favour of a sentence of perpetual imprisonment. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, 227 LETTER XXXVI. TO THE COUNTESS DE * * *. Mademoiselle * * * is refused the situation of dame du palais. — Ma- dame de Montesson. — Mcsdemoiselles de Valence and Ducrest. " I cannot, my dear madame, request the emperor to give your daughter the appointment you seek. He has positively declared his de- termination to have none hut married ladies about the court. Madame de Montesson can tell you that she solicited a similar favour for mademoi- selle de Valence without success ; the place of dame du palais is promised her as soon as she shall he married. The friendship which both the emperor and I cherish for madame de Mon- tesson suggested to us this mode of eluding the difficulty. " I can only express by my regret the pleasure I should have experienced in complying with your wishes." The emperor objected to the appointment of young unmarried ladies to situations about the 2 L 28 MEMOIRS OF THE court for fear of any renewal of the irregularities which characterised the conduct of the maids of honour at the court of Louis XIV. Mademoi- selle d'Arberg was, I believe, the only exception to this rule.* Her mother, if I recollect right, being at the time dame du palais obtained per- mission to have her daughter with her. Madame de Montesson, as stated in the letter quoted above, had obtained the promise that mademoiselle de Valence should enter the em- press's service on her marriage. She had like- wise obtained for her niece the promise of the situation of maid of honour to the queen of Spain on a similar condition. However, the sudden death of madame de Montesson deranged all the views of her family. Mademoiselle de Valence, about twenty years ago married count de Celles formerly a French prefect, and now ambassador from the king of the Netherlands at the court of Rome. His wife some months since fell a victim to an affection of the lungs from which she had long suffered. The countess de Celles was a woman of exalted * Mademoiselle Guillebeau was afterwards appointed reader to the empress ; but that was a post very inferior to that of maid of honour. Had it not been for the high favour Madames Gazani and Guillebeau enjoyed, they would not have been admit- ted to the court circle. It was in direct opposition to etiquette. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 229 and cultivated mind, and her society was courted by men of intelligence. Her talents and virtues drew around her a numerous circle of friends. She filled a situation in the household of the duchess of Orleans by whom her loss was deeply regretted, a circumstance which speaks volumes in her praise. She was a grand-daughter of the countess de Genlis and sister to the countess Gerard, wife of the celebrated general of that name. 230 MEMOIRS OF T H K LETTER XXXV. TO MADAME *** " I am sorry, my dear friend, that my wishes cannot be fulfilled, as you and my other old friends imagine they can, and who seem to think, that if I do not see them, it is because I have for- gotten them. Alas ! no, on the contrary, my memory is more tenacious than I wish. The more I think of what I am, the more I am morti- fied at not being able to obey the dictates of my heart. The empress of France is the veriest slave in the empire, and she cannot acquit the debt which madame de Beauharnais owes. This ren- ders me miserable, and it will explain why you are not near me ; why I do not see madame Tallien ; why, in short, many of my former friends would be unknown to me, but that my memory is faithful. " The emperor, displeased at the prevailing laxity of morals, and anxious to check its pro- gress, wishes that his palace should present an example of virtuous and religious conduct. Anx- ious to consolidate the religion which lie has restored, and having no power to alter laws to EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. '231 which he has given his assent ; he has determined to exclude from court all persons who have taken advantage of the law of divorce. He has given this promise to the Pope, and he cannot break it. This reason alone has obliged him to refuse the favour I solicited, of having you about me. His refusal afflicts me, but it is too positive to admit of any hope of its being retracted. " I must, therefore, my friend, renounce all idea of the pleasure I had promised myself, of having you constantly near me, when I should have made you forget the empress in the society of the faithful friend. — Alas! my high station precludes me from exercising my own will. Pity me, and preserve for me that friendship, the re- collection of which is as great a blessing to me now as its reality was a consolation to me in cap- tivity. How often do I look back with regret to the little gloomy chamber which we shared toge- ther. There, at least, I had a friend who sin- cerely loved me !...." 232 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XXXVI. TO THE COUNTESS ***. Princess Stephanie. ■ — Mesdemoiselles de Mackau, Gruau, and Bourjoli. — MM. de Foncier, Philidor, and Pradher. " I send you, my dear friend, a trifle which will serve to prove that I do not cease to think of you. When Foncier brought it in, I was pleased with it at first glance, and fancied how well it would become your beautiful neck. Accept it then as the pledge of an attachment of which you ought not to doubt, when you think of your kind- ness to me, at a time when I had nothing but your friendship to console me. " My high rank is a source of gratification to me, only when it affords me the pleasure of serving my old friends. Your happy lot de- prives me of the happiness of being useful to you, for you have nothing to wish for. J there- fore console myself for my inability to serve you, by seizing every opportunity of doing what is agreeable to you. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 233 " My dear Stephanie,* whom the emperor has adopted, is to be immediately united to a German prince. His name is as yet a secret; but when I am at liberty to disclose it, you shall be the first to know it. " You know my attachment to my niece, and you may imagine the happiness I experience in seeing hers secured. Her unambitious character makes her regard this marriage with some degree of pain, because it will remove her from me, and her other relations. By and bye, she will taste the purest joy this world affords, that of making others happy. " You remember, my dear, we found means to taste this pleasure in our captivity, when we used to share with the poor prisoners what we re- ceived from the bounty of our friends ! . . . . " The wish to be kind is all that is necessary ; we may always find means to be so ; and Stephanie is preeminently endowed with this disposition. " We are now fully engaged in ordering the finery necessary for the adornment of a bride. I am delighted at the emperor's liberality towards my little favourite. She is, I believe, less happy than I am at the costly presents she receives ; and her only consolation on quitting France is, * The princess of Baden, <234 MEMOIRS OF THE the privilege of taking along with her some of her young companions.* By the bye, since you wish something to be done for your protegee, I can get her an appointment with Stephanie, who, I assure you, will be a better mistress than me. Tell mademoiselle *** this, and persuade her to accept what I am sure will be advantageous to her. " Farewell, my dear, I am told Foncier t is waiting. You see there are duties to which even friendship must be sacrificed. You, 1 know, will pardon me for thus abruptly breaking off my letter, in consideration of an object of such im- portance. The pleasure of writing to you has * The princess took with her mcsdemoiselles de Mackau, Gruau, and Bourjoli. I have already mentioned that mademoi- selle Mackau had quitted her royal highness, to enter the service of the empress, who arranged a marriage for her with general Watticr de Saint-Alphonse. The princess of Baden was re- luctant to part with her, but she yielded to the wishes of Jose- phine and of the young lady herself, who was anxious to return to her father in Paris. Her royal highness consoled herself for the loss of her companion by redoubling, if possible, her kind- ness to the two young ladies who remained with her. Mademoi- selle Bourjoli has made an advantageous marriage. I have not heard what has become of mademoiselle Gruau, but the amiable character of the princess affords no room to doubt the happiness of any one in whose welfare she took an interest. f A celebrated jeweller, then no less"patronised than Philidor and 1'radher now are. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. ^35 made me overcome my natural indolence, and dispense with the services of Deschamps. A third party is always unwelcome between friends like you and me. I am sure you think so. " Adieu ! my dear, and be assured that whether empress or prisoner, I remain, your ever faithful " Josephine." 236 M E M O I R S O F T H K LETTER XXXVII. TO MADAME DE M * * *. " Not having it in my power, dearest mam- ma, to present to you in person my compli- ments and good wishes, I console myself from this disappointment by feeling assured that you are perfectly convinced of their sincerity. I send you two vases, which will occasionally recall me to your mind, although the flowers that ornament them are far from rivalling those you have painted on my beautiful white marble table. I take all the care of it which is due to any thing coming from you, and once more return you thanks for the gift. " Marshal Berthier told me that he was going to dine with you to-day. He is greatly attached to you ; I therefore give him the commission to say how much I regret not being at liberty to follow my inclination, which would, as a matter of course, take me to Romainville and to the bosom of your family and numerous friends, fore- most amongst whom I have the presumption to place myself, although I can seldom participate EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 237 in the enjoyment they derive from your conversa- tion, instructive and useful as it is to many, and captivating to all. " The poor lady you have recommended to me is contented with the trifling situation which has been granted to her son. This will afford leisure to look out for a better one. Rest assured I shall not forget it. " Pray return my best thanks to your ladies for the handsome works I have received from them. " There is no approaching you without be- coming a gainer by the contract. Why then am I so far away ? " Farewell, dearest mamma ; continue to love me and to aid me with your advice ; for I find it extremely difficult to discharge the duties of my station in such a manner as to give satisfac- tion to every one ; and yet I could wish to ac- complish so desirable an object. 5 ' Madame de Montesson, the lady to whom this letter was addressed received on the day of her festival two magnificent vases of Se- vres porcelain, as a present from Josephine. Ma- dame de Montesson was then residing at Ro- =23 S MEMOIRS OF THE mainville, where the old and new nobility vied with each other in paying their court to her. The society was enlivened by a continued round of charming fetes, and the severities of winter did not check the desire of enjoying her delightful society. Marshal Berthier was one of the most assidu- ous in his attentions. He gave a dinner to ma- dame de Montesson at the Raincy on the day of his appointment to the rank of a French marshal. Madame Visconti, who was delighted at the new dignity conferred upon the man whom she still hoped to call her husband, constantly gave him the name of the hatchelor marshal, fancying, no doubt, that in a short time it would no longer be applicable to him. He had, in fact, to drop it very soon afterwards, in consequence of his mar- riage with the princess of Bavaria. I recollect that madame de Montesson being desirous of making a present to the empress which might be acceptable to her, although of no intrinsic value, set to work in various ways, all the ladies who habitually resided with her. One embroidered a sultana, the others either knit purses, strung necklaces, or made a bouquet of artificial flowers, &c. and the whole collection was sent to the Tuileries, where it was, perhaps, K M I'RESS JOSEl'IIIN E. 239 more admired than the most brilliant dresses, so complete was the surfeit felt for objects of mere splendour; the plainness of the gift formed its chief ornament. A table-cover paint- ed in oil was the production of madame de Montesson herself, and was added to the sultana above mentioned. Madame de Latour, aunt of M. de Polignac, contributed the greatest share towards the gift. Completely ruined by the revolution, she had no other means of subsistence than what she derived from her exertions and those of her daughter ; those two ladies were never heard to complain ; on the contrary, by their cheerful disposition and amiable manners, they promoted the happiness enjoyed by the society at llomainville, where they resided the greater part of the year. The commutation of the sentence passed upon their nephews inspired with the liveliest grati- tude two hearts accessible to the most generous feelings ; and those ladies eagerly sought an op- portunity of expressing to their benefactress the sense they entertained of her generosity. They were subsequently appointed ladies in the estab- lishment at St. Denis. Whether they still remain there, is more than I can pretend to say ; but their condition is pro- 240 MEMOIRS OF THE bably far different at the present day from what it was during the period 1 am speaking of. Their family have been reinstated into court favour, and have recovered their property, which there can be no doubt of their sharing with their less fortu- nate relatives. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 241 LETTER XXXVIII. TO MADAME * * *. Mesdames d'Arberg, d'Audenarde, de Vieil-Castel, de Colbert, de Remusat and de Segur. — MM. Bonplan, Deschamps and Horeau. — Count Octave de Segur. " Madame, " I have been informed how kindly you have participated in the deep afflictions which overwhelmed me a twelvemonth ago ;* and my heart, whilst a prey to the bitterest sorrow, de- rived from the constancy of your attachment a consolation to which it was not insensible, but which is now the more welcome, as my mind has recovered some composure. I have received with feelings of gratitude the letter you were pleased to address me, and you will ascribe my delay in answering it to my being wholly wrapped up in my sorrows. " I am much affected at your only recalling our former intimacy to my mind when I am fallen from that height which excited so much envy. Rest assured, madame, that you were * A year had elapsed since the emperor's divorcing from her. VOL. III. M l 242 MEMOIRS OF THE never forgotten for a single moment by one who could have wished to attach you to her person, had she not known that your inclination coincided with the duty which compelled you to reside in the country near an infirm husband who had resolved never to revisit Paris. " You are now free from this restraint ; I am also at liberty to surround myself with persons of my own choice ; shall we not both take ad- vantage of this opportunity to meet again ? The education of your daughter may be better com- pleted at Malmaison than any where else. If you consent to accept a place of dame du pa- lais, we shall meet never more to part. " The emperor, who evinces for me the utmost consideration and attachment, allows me the se- lection of the persons who are to compose my household ; it rests, therefore, with yourself whe- ther or no you will raise any obstacle to the wishes 1 am forming, that we may once more meet. We have both experienced such severe reverses of fortune, that we cannot but feel a kindred de- sire of reposing our sorrows in each other's breast. You will listen to the narrative of my troubles, which are far greater than you can suspect them to be, and from your description of the prolonged sufferings of your husband, which caused you to suffer even more keenly than he did, of the cares EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 243 you bestowed upon him, I shall derive the sin- cerest of all pleasures — that of admiring the ob- ject of my unfeigned regard. " You will find here the most amiable and de- lightful society ; nothing can exceed the kind- ness of disposition of Mines. d'Arberg, d'Aude- narde, de Vieil-Castel et de Colbert; their lives have also been checkered by misfortunes ; they will accordingly make allowances for your habitual melancholy, and abstain from forcing you to partake of pleasures from which your heart might recoil. Mines, de Remusat and de Segur will create a distraction to your grief by the charm of their playful wit ; and you may converse with Bonplan, Deschamps and Iioreau respecting subjects on which you delight to converse and with which you are so familiar. Some young ladies in whom I take a lively interest will study with your amiable daughter; she will promote their instruction by imparting to them what she has acquired ; and will receive in return that assistance in music and dancing which she could obtain but imperfectly in the chateau of her excellent father. " The combination of comforts which my resi- dence will present to you ought to fix your de- termination ; but I so far venture to rely upon your affection as to feel satisfied that the certainty M 1 244 MEMOIRS OF THE of contributing to my happiness in this retreat will operate more powerfully upon you than every other consideration. " I have hitherto been afforded the strongest proofs of the general interest taken in my wel- fare j 1 have been visited by all the court of Na- poleon, who has constantly expressed the wish that I should on every occasion be treated as an empress ; there is besides felt the utmost curiosity to discover, by personal observation, with what degree of fortitude I bear my new condition. When the emperor's courtiers shall have re- peatedly told him that they have paid a visit to Malmaison, when they shall have carefully watched my countenance, and scrutinised my deportment, they will cease to travel a distance of eight leagues for the mere purpose of visiting a person who no longer possesses any influence ; I shall then be left to the undisturbed enjoyment of the society of my true friends, and must therefore insist upon adding you to their number. " The word insist has unguardedly escaped me ; you must ascribe it to an old habit which I shall endeavour to correct ; there is one, however, which I cannot consent to relinquish : I allude to my sincere affection for you. Come, then, I beseech you, and rely upon the attachment of " Josephine." EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 245 I never met at Malmaison any one whose po- sition bore the least analogy to that of madame de ***, to whom the above letter appears to have been addressed. This lady will, no doubt, have preferred the solitude of retirement, rather than expose a daughter, the objeet of her solicitude, to the dangers of a court where she would have derived great enjoyment from the society com- posing it, although not without some drawbacks to its pleasures. The correct judgment of so tender a parent will have suggested to her that a quiet course of life, when surrounded with de- voted and grateful friends, and beyond the reach of envy and calumny, afforded far better prospects of happiness. I have already had occasion to advert to the persons named in Josephine's letter. T have paid every homage to the wit of madame de Remusat, to her solid information, and especially to her gen- tleness of manners ; nevertheless, I feel so much pleasure in holding up to admiration a woman graced with every perfection, that I gladly seize this opportunity of repeating that no one ever com- bined in her person such powers of pleasing, with so total an absence of pretensions ; a more irre- proachable conduct, with less intolerance and severity towards others. She gave advice with 246 MEMOIRS OF THE meekness whenever it was solicited, but was never forward in tendering it ; I never once heard her criticise or blame any one. Some idea may, however, be formed of her disposition by any one acquainted with her amiable sister,* who forcibly recalls her to mind. The countess de Segur possessed great per- sonal attractions, which were much heightened by a countenance strongly expressive of melan- choly. She had not, for ten years, received the least tidings of her husband who had suddenly disap- peared without any clue being afforded that might lead to a discovery of what had become of him. The most active search was unattended with any result, and all his family bewailed his death, although without any certainty that he had ceased to live. Count Octave de Segur, the son, nephew and brother of men alike distinguished by their su- perior wit, and the rank they have held in the walks of literature, was himself a man of no com- mon stamp. To a heart susceptible of the most ardent pas- sions, and an imagination overstepping all bounds. * The countess de Nansoutv. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 247 are to be ascribed the sorrows which befell him and all those who were attached to him. Deeply in love with his wife, he fancied he did not receive from her a corresponding return; so that, unable to endure a frigidity of deportment which was intolerable to him, he determined to fly for ever from the presence of this idolized wife. He dis- appeared without reflecting that he was about to plunge a wife, a father, a mother, a brother and three children into the deepest grief. He left them in this state of despair during a period of fourteen years, without once writing to them, and enlisted as a common hussar in a regiment on the eve of inarching to join in the first cam- paign in Germany. Whilst courting death at every step, he reluctantly found that glory alone awaited him; and rising from rank to rank on the very iiekl of battle, he attained the post of lieutenant, I believe, and was decorated with the cross reserved for gallant men. Disappointed at this series of successes which were foreign from his ambition, and compelled to admit that the enemies' shot could not reach him, though ever foremost in courting them, he at last felt the want of revisiting that afflicted family which was ever present to his mind; he returned to France, and wrote a letter to his wife expressive of his regret at having occasioned her 248 MEMOIRS OF T H E so much sorrow. He told her that the progress of age, and the fatigues of war had calmed the warmth of his imagination and of his heart; that he could thenceforth rest contented with a sincere attachment, and in short, that in a few hours he would join the ohjects of his dearest affections. He accordingly returned to the society of those who were tenderly attached to him ; but so far from delighting in the enjoyment of his restored happiness, he appeared dissatisfied and gloomy, and was unable to overcome that sus- pecting disposition which he represented him- self as having entirely shaken off. In vain were the most affectionate attentions lavished upon him; he once more disappeared !... .This time alas ! there was not left the slightest hope of his again returning to his family ! The unhappy man drowned himself!, „ . , As I was never on terms of intimacy with count de Segur's family, some trifling inaccuracy may possibly have crept into my narrative; but this tragical story is, in the main, in perfect ac- cordance with the truth; I do not even think that I have erred in the details, though I can- not altogether vouch for every part of them. Count Octave de Segur wrote a work entitled Flore des demoiselles, an instructive and en- tertaining book which had a great run. All EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. '-*49 kinds of literary productions were destined to emanate from tho pen of a Segur !* His eldest son was married to mademoiselle Rostopschin, daughter of the celebrated general of that name. * Count Octave de Segur, was the son of count de Segur, grand master of the ceremonies under the Empire (who has written such interesting Memoirs), and nephew to the viscount de Segur who had the character of being formerly the most amiable coxcomb of the French court, the same who published twenty eighty years ago a work entitled Les Femmes ; lastly, he was brother to general count Philip de Segur, the author of the Camyagne de Russie, an admirable and imposing narrative of one of the most memorable epochs of our history ! Few families can exhibit such titles to the gratitude of posterity. M 3 250 MEMOIRS OF T H if LETTER XXXIX. THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO NAPOLEON. Details respecting- the establishment at Navarre. — Mesdames d'Audenarde, d'Andlau. — The abbes de Saint- Albin and Saint - Farre. — The dowager duchess of Orleans. Navarre. " SlRE, " I have received this morning the amiable note you wrote to me at the moment of your departure for Saint- Cloud, and hasten to return thanks for the truly considerate and friendly expressions which it contains. I have been ra- ther disappointed at its only reaching me a fort- night after my arrival at this place, persuaded as I was that your attachment would suggest to vou to console me under a separation rendered necessary for the happiness of both. I almost feel a pleasure in my retirement, when I con- sider the interest you still take in whatever con- cerns me. " After having experienced the delight of a requited love, and the sufferings to which the loss of that love has left me a prey, indulged EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 251 without restraint in the enjoyments conferred by the highest rank, and in the happiness of lis- tening to the enthusiastic praises bestowed upon the object of my affection, what else can I now wish for than the calm of retirement ? To what illu- sions can I further yield? They have all vanished from my sight, the instant I had to renounce the possession of your heart. Accordingly, I no lon- ger hold to life except by the sentiments I en- tertain for you and for my children, the possi- bility of still doing good, and the conviction that you are happy. Do not then pity me for being at a distance from a court for which you are mistaken in supposing I can feel the least regret. " Surrounded by friends who are much at- tached to me, and free to indulge my taste for the fine arts, I give the preference to Navarre over every other residence, as 1 enjoy here the society of the former without restraint, and me- ditate a variety of plans calculated to improve the latter, and to embellish the estates which your bounty has assigned to me. There is much to be done at Navarre, where traces of ruin and deso- lation are met with at every step; it shall be my endeavour to repair them, so that nothing may remain to recall to mind the frightful calamities of which your genius has nearly obliterated the remembrance. Whilst engaged in repairing what- 252 MEMOIRS OF THE ever the most savage barbarity has endeavoured to destroy, I shall at the same time spread cheerfulness and comfort around me, and the blessing's of the poor will be far more grateful to my heart than the false adulations of courtiers. " I have already written my sentiments to you, concerning the public functionaries of this de- partment ; but my praises of the worthy bishop,* have fallen short of his deserts. I hear every day some fresh anecdote concerning him, which greatly enhances my opinion of a man who combines the most enlightened benevolence with the most amiable accomplishments. He will undertake to distribute the alms which I wish to reserve for the town of Evreux ; and as he frequently visits the habitations of the poor, I have the conviction that they will be well applied. " I cannot sufficiently thank you, sire, for having left me at liberty to select the persons of my household, who all contribute their share to- wards the enjoyment of a delightful society. The only thing that distresses me is, that you should require a rigid etiquette in dress, which operates as a drawback to the charms of a country life. " You are apprehensive of any deviation from the respect due to the rank i still retain, if * M Bourlier, bishop of Evreux- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 253 1 permit the slightest falling off in the costume of the gentlemen of my household ; but I con- ceive you are in error when you suppose that any one could forget, for a single moment, the consideration hitherto shewn to a female who was formerly your wife. The respect which is felt for you, and the attachment evinced towards me, (the sincerity of which I have no reason to call in question) will always spare me from the necessity of reminding any one of a circumstance which you desire shall never be forgotten. 1 value my having been selected for your partner, as a far prouder title than that which I derive from having been crowned ; it will amply suffice to immortalise my name. " 1 am in hourly expectation of seeing Eu- gene, and the more anxious to meet him as he will, no doubt, bring me some fresh proof of your kind remembrance ; I may then freely indulge in questions respecting various matters which I am anxious to be made acquainted with, though it would be as unbecoming in me to make the in- quiries of you, as it woidd be in you to answer them. My daughter's visit will be delayed some time longer; her health does not yet allow her to undertake the journey. I beseech you, sire, to impress her with the danger of trifling with 254 MEMOIRS OF THE her health ; tell her, that since I am to remain here, she ought at least to spare me the mortifi- cation and distress which prey upon me, when- ever she is in pain. I am alarmed beyond mea- sure at her increased sufferings, and exceedingly anxious that Corvisai't should write to me, without disguise, his opinion concerning her. " The arrival of mesdames (Charles) d'Aude- narde and dAndlau, with their husbands, has brought an accession to my society. I also re- ceive visits from several of the inhabitants of Evreux and of the vicinity, and am much pleased with their manners, and with the admiration they express for you, although you are aware I am rather difficult to please on these points ; in short, I feel quite happy in the midst of my solitude, and request your majesty will dismiss the idea from your mind, that there is no happiness beyond the precincts of a court. You are the only object in it for which I entertain any regret, since I shall be soon joined by my children, and am already surrounded by the few friends who have remained faithful to me. Continue to retain a kind recol- lection of your friend ; give her the consolation of occasionally hearing from you that you still pre- serve that attachment for her, which alone con- stitutes the happiness of her existence ; repeat to EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. <255 her that you are happy ; and rest assured that her future life will be as calm and peaceable as her past life was stormy, and often embittered by the severest trials." The empress undertook, in fact, very consi- derable improvements at Navarre, and restored to that residence its former splendour. She cau- tiously avoided every tasteless ornament, but raised many plantations, caused the marshes to be dried up, public buildings to be erected, and by procuring occupation for the peasantry, substi- tuted a state of comfort to that frightful misery -which prevailed in the province previously to her taking up her residence in it. The roads of the forest of Evreux, which were wholly inaccessible until the moment of her arrival, were converted into handsome avenues ; every thing, in short, assumed a new aspect as soon as her majesty obtained the acquisition of the ancient domain of the princes of the house of Bouillon, which had afterwards become the property of M. Roy,* by whom it was totally neglected, except in so far as it could be made to yield a higher income. * rii',- present count Roy, minister of finances. 256 MEMOIRS OF THE I have already observed that the empress was constantly surrounded by the inhabitants of Evreux ; many landed proprietors of the neigh- bourhood also came to pay their court to her majesty. Amongst the number were the abbe de Saint-Albin* and madame d'Ambert, who frequently called at the palace of Navarre during the period of my visit. Her majesty delighted to converse with the former on the subject of the duchess dowager of Orleans and her daughter, for whom she felt the liveliest interest. She frequently inquired whether the pension assigned by the government to those unfortunate princesses was punctually paid, and whenever the case required it, she wrote to ac- celerate the transmission of their funds. These were the means by which she secured the public esteem ; such noble traits in her character will cause her name to be handed down to posterity as a model for female sovereigns to imitate. * He was the natural son of his hichness the duke of Orleans, grandfather to the present duke. L'abbt de Saint-Farre, bro- ther to M. de Saint-Albin, was at that time in Spain, near her serene highness the dowager duchess of Orleans, who, al- though under the necessity of living with the strictest economy, contrived to make him a pension ; this is an additional proof of the generosity of that princess. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. <257 Party spirit never stood in the way of her re- lieving the distressed ; she considered that the French had all an equal claim to her bounty, and was persuaded, that as long as she had it in her power to indulge her inclination to be useful, they would cheerfully forgive her elevation to the highest rank. 258 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XL. THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON. Birth of the king of Rome. Navarre. " SlREj " Amidst the numerous congratulations which pour in upon you from all quarters of Europe, from every town in the French empire, and every regiment in the army, is there a chance that the weak voice of a woman shall ever reach your ears ? will you deign to listen to her who so often held out the language of consolation to your heart when a prey to affliction, now that she lias only to speak of the happiness which has crowned your most sanguine wishes ? Having ceased to be your wife, shall I venture to congratulate you on your being a father ? unquestionably 1 will ; for my heart can do full justice to your own, and you are no less acquainted with the workings of mine ; I can as well understand your sentiments as you can form an idea of those which I experience at this moment ; and separated as w; are, we are EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 259 nevertheless united by that sympathy of feelings which no circumstance can affect, " I could have wished to have been made ac- quainted by yourself with the birth of the king of Rome, and not by the courier from the prefect, or by the report of the cannon fired at Evrcux ;* but I am aware that you owe your first attention to the different corporations of the state, to the mem- bers of the diplomatic body, to your family, and, above all, to the happy princess who has just realised your dearest hopes. She cannot bear you a more devoted attachment than I do ; but she has contributed more towards your happiness, whilst securing thr.t of France ; she has there- fore the first claim to your affection and tender- ness ; J, who was your companion only in times of * M. dc Saint-Hilaire, the emperor's page, came to Navarre some time afterwards, with a letter from the emperor Napoleon to the empress Josephine, Previously to her being furnished with details respecting the health of the king of Rome, the empress repeatedly manifested, in mv presence, her apprehension that the child would suffer from the effects of Maria Louisa's confinement, which had been of a most painful nature, She no sooner acquired a certainty that the prince was in the best possible state of health, than she came to announce the circumstance to the company who had met in the saloon, and gave vent to expressions of delight on the occasion, which I always considered as emanating from the heart. 260 MEMOIRS OF THE trial and danger, must yield to the empress Maria Louisa that place in your heart which belongs to her without a rival, " It is only, therefore, when you shall have be- stowed those attentions upon her which her con- dition requires, when you shall have embraced your son, that you will feel at leisure to write to your sincerest friend. I shall wait ! " Feeling, however, more rejoiced than any one else at the bare contemplation of your hap- piness, I must give vent to my sentiments ; and I trust you will entertain no doubt of my sin- cerity when 1 assure you, that so far from re- gretting a sacrifice which was required by a con- sideration for the repose and welfare of all, I actually rejoice at having submitted to it, since I am the only sufferer. Let me recall this ex- pression, for I cannot suffer if you are happy ; and my only regret arises from a conviction that I have not yet done enough to prove how much I valued your affection. " I am still without any information on the subject of her majesty's health ; but have suffi- cient reliance upon you, sire, to feel assured that you will not be sparing of details relating to the important event which will be the means of per- petuating a name already rendered illustrious by your noble achievements. Eugene and Hortense EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 261 will, of course, write to communicate to me the glad tidings ; but I wish to learn from yourself, if your child promises to be strong, if he resembles his father, if I may one day look forward to the pleasure of seeing him ; in short, I trust, sire, you will evince a confidence in me the more un- limited, as I feel myself entitled to it by the un- bounded attachment I bear to you, an attach- ment which can only cease with my existence." 262 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XL I. THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON, AT THE ISLAND OF ELBA. Malmaison. " Sire, " It is only from this moment that I am en- abled to estimate in its fullest extent the misfor- tune which befel us when the laws gave their sanction to our divorce ; and feel the mortifica- tion of being prevented acting any other part towards you than that of a friend who can do no more than bewail a calamity as great as it is un- expected. " I do not condole with you on the loss of a throne, aware as I am from personal experience that it admits of consolation ; but I am distressed beyond measure at the grief you must have ex- perienced when taking leave of the old partners of your glory. You will not only have regretted your officers, but your soldiers also, whose coun- tenanc names, and splendid achievements were so familiar to you, whom you often expressed your inability to reward, because of their numbers. To tear yourself from such heroes, who are hence- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 263 forward to be deprived of a chief who constantly shared their hardships, must have been for vour heart an effort almost beyond endurance ; this is the sorrow in which above all others I partici- pate. " You will also have had to bewail the ingra- titude and desertion of friends upon whom you were justified in placing the fullest reliance. Ah ! sire, why cannot I fly to your presence and prove to you that a state of exile is appalling to none but vulgar souls, and that misfortune, so far from lessening a sincere attachment, greatly adds to its warmth ! (i I was on the eve of quitting France, on my way to share your exile with the intention of devoting to you the remainder of an existence of which you so long promoted the happiness. One motive alone has kept me back ; you will have no difficulty in guessing it. " Should I rind that, contrary to all appearances, 7 am the only one anxious to fulfil a sacred duty, nothing shall prevent my repairing to the only spot where I can ever enjoy happiness, since I shall now have it in my power to console you when you are leading an isolated and un. ..ppy life ! Speak but the word, and I instantly proceed to join you. " Farewell, sire, whatever more I might add, 2C4 MEMOIRS OF THE would be superfluous. It is no longer by mere words that you can receive proofs of the attach- ment you have inspired ; but with respect to actions, I must have your previous consent. " Josephine," " My residence of Malmaison has been res- pected ; the allied sovereigns have evinced the highest consideration for me ; but I heartily wish to quit the spot. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 265 LETTER XL 1 1. FROM THE EMPRESS TO THE EMPEROR. The emperor's uneasiness concerning Josephine's health. — Family troubles. — Josephine's determination. — The queen of Naples. — Princess Borghese. — King- Joseph — The princess of Wales. — Her extraordinary conduct during her residence at Naples. — Present made by her to the ladies of honour in attendance about her person. — Harp given by her to madame d'Arlincourt. — Princess Charlotte. — General mourning at her death. " Though my illness has occasioned you some anxiety, it hits not heen attended with any serious consequences ; and I am inclined to rejoice at the event since it has procured me a note which evinces that your affectionate regard remains undiminished. I cannot adequately express how delighted I am to find that absence has not im- paired that sentiment, notwithstanding the un- ceasing exertions made in order to induce you to forget me. This assurance of your attachment will contribute to strengthen my health which lias already shown signs of improvement. " i am the more mortified at what you relate VOL. III. N 2(30 IM E M O I R S OF THE to me respecting your family troubles as I cannot, as heretofore, adopt any means for dispelling them. I have come to the firm resolution no longer to interfere in what concerns your sisters ; and I apprehend that were 1 to attempt any infringe- ment of that rule, I should be a very unwelcome visitor amongst them. Were 1 to hazard any advice in hopes of rendering them what thev ought to be, I should rather exasperate than calm their feelings. li I was never a favourite with those ladies, for whom I could not avoid feeling a lively interest, since your happiness depended upon their conduct. Envy and jealousy were, unfortunately, the only sentiments they could entertain for me ; and now that L am fallen from a rank which gave them umbrage, they freely indulge in their ill-humour at having been so long obliged to conceal those sentiments. 1 cannot but think you exaggerate their wrongs towards you ; and your expectations at their hands are naturally commensurate with your affection for them. They bear you a sincere attachment, though without any infusion of that enthusiasm of which all your actions bear the stamp; neither are they fully sensible of the mortification you experience at any steps or actions on their part which are often imposed upon them by their elevated rank. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 267 " For instance, was not the queen of Naples under the necessity of not only receiving the princess of Wales when travelling through her do- minions, but of paying her every mark of respect to which her rank entitled her ? You would have blamed the queen had she acted otherwise, be- cause her royal highness was unhappy; this in your estimation, gives a much higher claim to respect than the most illustrious birth. " Why then should you feci indisposed against J J to the queen for having given a hospitable reception to an afflicted woman who was perhaps the victim of injustice and calumny ? Separated from her husband, from a daughter in whom she delighted, had she not cause enough for sorrow ? Was she to be denied the melancholy consolation of being surrounded with honours and attentions ? Rest assured that the consideration shewn by the queen to the princess of Wales was not prompted by any desire to mortify you, but by the feeling of compassion entertained for a princess who is banished from the kingdom where she ought to hold paramount sway. Do not suspect an\ po- litical motive in all this, but place every reliance upon the queen's assurances on the subject. She is quick-minded and ambitious, but full of tender- ness for you, and too proud of the title of your N 2 : Q S M E M O 1 R S O F T H E sister ever to do any tiling calculated to throw discredit upon it. " With respect to princess Pauline, she is a pretty child whom we have all vied with each other in spoiling ; we ought not therefore to wonder or complain at her giddiness ; indulgence will have much more effect upon her than severity, which the bare contemplation of her fascinating countenance is sufficient to disarm. You must carefully abstain from scolding her ; a gentle remonstrance will be sufficient to operate a change. " Joseph is under the necessity of consulting the feelings of the Spaniards ; this will satisfac- torily account for the apparent misunderstand- ing between you. Time will repair this evil by consolidating a power of which he is but just laying the foundations, and which had so many obstacles to contend with. I shall be anxious to learn from you that you are better pleased with your family ; rest assured, sire, that no one will more sincerely rejoice at the restoration of that harmony which should always subsist between you. " Farewell, sire ; calm the flights of your ima- gination, but give a free vent to the feelings of your heart ; I am proud of retaining that place EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. c 269 in it which it is my anxious wish to preserve unimpaired, and which I shall hope to merit at all times by my unbounded attachment. " Josephine." The emperor was generally displeased with his family for whom he had done so much, though he failed to satisfy their cravings. He was de- sirous of enforcing that submission from his sisters which they were not always disposed to evince ; and his wishes were no sooner resisted than he suspected their indifference, and frequent- ly conversed with Josephine on this mortifying subject. At the time when she was reigning empress, she frequently restored harmony in a domestic circle too often agitated by the slightest preference shewn by its chief. The gentleness and engaging manners of the empress generally succeeded in reconciling the pretensions and interest of all parties, and whenever she took part in those quarrels, she sel- dom failed in calming the feelings of every one, and giving general satisfaction. Ever since her divorce, she declined interfering in the discus- 27,0 MEMOIRS O F T H E sions between the members of the imperial family, with whom she seldom held any intercourse. The princess of Wales sojourned for some time at Naples, and was received with great distinction by the queen (Madame Murat), who ordered four of her ladies of honour to attend her royal high- ness during her residence at Naples. I learnt from one of them that the conduct of the princess was as remarkable at that, period as it has since been unbecoming and improper. Her royal highness attended the court in the most fantastic style. Her ball dress generally con- sisted of a cambric gown and muslin turban, form- ing a most perfect contrast with the splendour of the queen who perhaps overlooked this affected carelessness, because she appeared to greater ad- vantage near a princess who so little attended to outward appearances. The latter gave a free loose to her conversation, reluctantly submitted to rules of etiquette, and gave indications of that improper conduct which was afterwards laid to her charge. On quitting Naples, she returned many thanks to the ladies who had been in attendance about her person, and expressed her intention of leaving them a token of her remembrance, by offering a present to each. She opened a large casket full of jewels, and presented them with ear-rings, clasps EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 27.1 for waistbands, &c. topazes, emeralds, and sa- phirs of extraordinary sizes. " As to you, said her royal highness to the amiable madame d'Arlin- court,* you play the harp in such perfection, that I cannot do better than offer you mine which is of no inconsiderable value. No ornaments could enhance the beauty of a countenance which nothing could tend to embellish, and your taste for the fine arts will no doubt induce you to prize this instru- ment far above any useless ornament. You will therefore oblige me by accepting this harp. The meanness of the present made to ma- dame d'Arlincourt created general mirth at her expence, as it appeared, in fact, of much less value than what the other ladies had received. They went to the court jeweller to procure fresh mount- ings for the jewels which were very indifferently set ; great however was their astonishment when they were told that they were a mere imitation ! The princess had presented them with fine glaan ornamentsf set in a metal imitating the colour of vermillion ! This anecdote would suffice to pourtray the whimsical character of a woman whose least fault * Sister in law of the viscount d'xVrlincourt, the author of so many celebrated novels. f An English composition which imitates every colour of nrecious stones. 272 MEMOIRS OF T H K was that of a giddiness bordering upon extrava- gance ; her greatest claim to the affection of the English (amongst whom she found many a talented and upright defender), was that which she derived from being the mother of the princess Charlotte, the idol of the English nation who were unanimous in the expression of their regret at her painful and premature death. I visited England about this time, and had an opportunity of collecting certain details which sa- tisfied me that the national spirit of the English will make them sacrifice their opinions and preju- dices, whenever the tranquillity of their country is threatened by any public calamity. At the death of the princess Charlotte, evert/ one without excep- tion bore some token of grief. The poor wore black paper upon their clothes ; children were not allowed to play in the streets ; the theatres were closed, and the stage-coaches were covered with sable drapery : in short, the emblem of death was to be seen in all directions ; and the tears which dropped from every eye, the praises uttered by every tongue, conveyed the idea that the whole population were united by kindred sentiments and opinions. Nevertheless, there is no where to be found so determined an opposition to the government, a more perfect liberty to manifest it, greater EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 2~H respect for royalty, and generally speaking, less affection for the persons of the king and of his fa- mily ; but death had just snatched away the prin- cess who was to inherit the throne ; her firm cha- racter, her enlightened mind, the dignified popu- larity of her manners, had held out the prospect of her becoming a mighty queen ; and from that moment all party distinctions were blended. All united in deploring the loss of the charming prin- cess who had been so unexpectedly torn from them ; all joined with the king her father in be- wailing her untimely end ! N 3 274 MEMOIRS OF THE LETTER XLIII. FROM THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR. M. Pierlot. — Josephine's anxiety to make her will. — The emperor opposes her wish. — The king- ami queen of Naples. — M. Horcau. — Present made to him by the empress. — He does not avail himself of it. — The countess d'Arbere. " £ IRE. " Your considerate kindness towards me gives you an undoubted claim to exercise a full controul in whatever concerns my household, and to regulate any augmentations, retrenchments, and alterations you think proper. I do not, therefore, attempt to alter your determination in respect to the ac- cident which has befallen M. Pierlot; * knowing, however, as 1 do, his strict integrity, his devoted attachment to me. I may be allowed to remove, if possible, the prejudices against him which will be attempted to instil into your mind by persons who ambition an honourable and lucrative em- ployment. The place can only be granted to a trustworthy man ; this is the very reason which * M. Pierlot, chief superintendant of her majesty's house- hold, had just become a bankrupt. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. IJo makes me so desirous of preserving it to one whose character stands unimpeached, as there can be no doubt that the deranged state of M. Pierlot's affairs is to be ascribed to losses which it was beyond his power to avert. I am confi- dent lie will pay all his debts ; for I believe him honest in the strictest acceptation of the term. " Would it not, then, be possible, sire, to avoid replacing him ? I should find it advantageous for my interests, to retain near my person, a man who has at all times done me faithful service ; nor do I think that an unfortunate accident should be visited with dismissal from employment ; a measure of severity which could only be war- ranted by a dishonourable act. " Previously, sire, to adopting a determination calculated to destroy the happiness of a family to which I am much attached, I beseech you to make every possible inquiry concerning M. Pierlot, and if you should discover no circum- stance rendering it indispensable to remove him from his place, I trust you will yield to my re- quest that he may not be disturbed in the posses- sion of it. " The last time you condescended to visit IVIal- maison, I ventured to speak to you of my anxiety to make a will ; this would be the means of secur- c i76 MEMOIRS OF TH15 ing the independence of the persons to whom 1 am attached, and whose zeal in my service give them a claim to my grateful recollection. " By confiding my last intentions to the august protection of your majesty, I should feel assured of their being carried into effect, and should, at the same time, dismiss from my mind all appre- hension of being called away from the world with- out having done the good which I meditated to accomplish. You prevented me, sire, from con- tinuing a conversation rendered irksome to your feelings by the attachment you retain for me ; but on reflection you will acknowledge that nothing could be more rational than my wish to regulate every thing, whilst I am still in the enjoyment of health, so as to spare my family any painful sen- timent which such a measure of precaution might otherwise occasion them. " Who knows whether a premature and sudden death may not tear me from their affections ? Were even a protracted malady to afford me leisure for ai tending to so important an act, could 1 wish, when death is near at hand to bestow my attention to so heart-rending a duty ? could I command sufficient strength for it ? Now, sire, is the proper moment for drawing up my will, in order that my mind may thenceforward EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 277 be at ease, until the close of an existence which, thanks to your kindness, is rendered compara- tively happy. " I shall, therefore, lose no time in sending you the draft of that intended document, in the margin of which I request your majesty will condescend to favour me with your observations or commands. Need I say how strictly I should attend to them ? this would be the last signal proof of my perfect submission to your wishes, and you are well satisfied of my readiness to afford it. Nothing could be more distressing to my feelings than the reflection that my memory could ever be visited with the charge of ingratitude ; but I feel confident that your majesty will spare me such a mortifying apprehension. " I beseech you, sire, not to mention this plan to my children, who would only view it under a painful aspect, without dwelling upon the soothing and delightful reflection I should derive from having secured a reward for those who have given me proofs of the tenderest attachment. " I perceive you have grounds of complaint against the king and queen of Naples ; Alas ! sire, though superior to mankind by such lofty qualities, you must be assimilated to it by those sorrows which fall to the lot of all ! 1 must, however, be circumspect in alluding to persons 2*3 MEMOIRS OF THE whose conduct is so distressing to you at the present moment ; they have given me too much cause of complaint, to warrant my passing en- comiums upon them to which they can lay no claim ; and you are aware I have never boasted of any affected generosity. Though I have sincerely forgiven the mortification they have occasioned me, I cannot view their ingratitude towards you with the same composure and indifference. I still venture to hope that your domestic peace and harmony will be restored through the powerful in- terference of the empress-mother. You place too much value upon the affection of your family, not to make me extremely desirous that the king and queen should alter their mode of proceeding in your regard. I could derive no gratification from beholding any departure from their duty which would justify the opinion I had formed of them ; nor would it compensate the distress I should feel at knowing that your mind was a prey to sorrow. £t 1 subscribe myself now, what I was fifteen vears ago, your sincercst friend, " Josephine." The desire expressed by the empress to pro- vide for the due fulfilment of her last wishes EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 279 could not be carried into effect. The events which succeeded each other with such incredible rapidity called her exclusive attention to the ca- lamities impending over France, and to the em- peror's unparalleled misfortunes. The painful malady which closed her existence left her no leisure to provide for her friends, or give effect to the intentions which her ge- nerous heart had suggested to her. Some months previously to her last illness, she determined to give M. Horeau a proof of her grateful remembrance. Aware of his wish to purchase a small estate near Malmaison, she said to him, in M. Corvisart's presence, that she placed 60,000 francs at his disposal towards pro- moting the plan he had in view. " As soon as you shall have found any thing suitable to your wishes, added Josephine, 3VI. de AJontlivault will lodge that sum in your hands. In the mean- while, I request you will draw up notes of hand, so worded as to secure the fulfilment of my pro- mise ; I shall sign them, and whatever may come to pass, you will receive the amount of those obligations, which will afford to you the surest pledge of my esteem, M. Horeau's delicacy prompted him to decline this measure of precaution, which his knowledge of Josephine's generosity made him consider unne- 280 MEMOIRS OF THE cessary ; ere the close of the year, he had to regret his error ; for the empress died, and he only re- ceived a trifling pension which, to the best of my recollection, was only paid to him for a very short period of time. Several persons attached to her majesty were equally disappointed. Madame d'Arberg, who had been her confidential adviser and most faith- ful friend, was offered a carriage and a pair of horses, of which she declined the acceptance. Her unbounded attachment and uniform disin- terestedness of conduct gave her an undoubted claim to a very different reward. After Jose- phine's death, madame d'Arberg was left no other consolation than that of having served her with a zeal which no circumstances had ever impaired, and which on several occasions proved of mate- rial advantage to the interests of the property de- volving to her majesty's heirs ; thanks to the system of economy established in Josephine's household by her lady of honour, that property was not burdened with a single debt. EMPRESS JOSEPH/XE. 38 1 LETTER XLIV. FROM THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR. The empress sees the king- of Rome at Bagatelle. — Madame de Montesquieu. — The royal infants of France. — His royal highness the duke de Berry and Madame. — Their acts of benevolence. Malmaison. " Sire, " With a mind still a prey to the emotion occasioned by yesterday's interview with your majesty, engrossed with the recollection of the lovely and amiable child* you brought to see me, and penetrated with gratitude for the step you have taken in my behalf, of the possible unplea- sant consequences of which in respect to your- self I am fully aware, I cannot resist the pleasure of addressing you, and again conversing on a subject of such unfeigned delight, as to have left me at a loss for words to describe it at the moment of our interview. The heart, which out of consideration for my feelings prompted you to run a risk calculated to endanger your peace * The empress had gone to Bagatelle, where she was met by the emperor and the king- of Rome. <2S2 MEMOIRS OF THE of mind, cannot fail to appreciate the eagerness of my desire to convey to your majesty how deep- ly sensible I am of the favour you have conde- scended to grant me. " My anxiety to meet the king of Rome did not assuredly proceed from a mere motive of cu- riosity ; bis countenance, as pourtrayed in the most striking likenesses of him, had become fa- miliar to me. I was, however, desirous of study- ing his physiognomy, of hearing the sound of a voice so much resembling your own, and seeing you caressing that child whose birth has crowned all your hopes ; I longed in short to return to him all those marks of endearment which you formerly bestowed upon my Eugene. When you call to mind you: - warm attachment for the latter, you will not wonder at my tenderness for the child of a stranger, since you are also its parent; you will not deem those sentiments insincere or ex?g ^crated in which, from personal experience, you can so fully participate. " The moment you entered the apartment, leading young Napoleon by the hand, that mo- ment was indeed one of the happiest of my life. It obscured every other, because it afforded me the most affecting proof of your regard. Your com- pliance with my wishes was not the effect of an ardent passion, but of a sincere esteem and at- KMPRKSS JOSEPHINE. L 283 tachment. My happiness is now the more com- plete as I am satisfied those sentiments can never undergo a change. " I could not avoid shuddering at the idea of the dissolution of our marriage, being justly apprehen- sive, at the time, that a young, handsome and high- ly accomplished wife would make you completely forget one who, possessing none of those advan- tages, would be pining away at a distance from you. The estimate I had formed of Maria- Louisa's qualities made me dread that I should soon have to discover how perfectly indifferent I had become to you ; this suspicion proved how erroneous was my conception of your lofty and generous soul, which retains so lively a remembrance of my de- voted attachment, and of an enthusiastic ten- derness on my part, so fully justified by those distinguished qualities on yours which excite the astonishment of Europe, command the af- fections of all those who surround you, and force your very enemies to do you justice. " Yes, sire, I am compelled to own it ; you have even surprised me, habituated as I am to admire you ; the delicacy of your conduct towards me, your assiduous endeavours to surround me with the most marked attentions, and in short, the step which you adopted yesterday, prove still more powerfully to my mind how far su- 284 MEMOIRS OF THE perior you are to the favourable idea I had formed of you. " How great was my delight at pressing the young prince to my heart ! how happy I felt at beholding the blooming health of his counte- nance ! at seeing the satisfaction pictured in yours whilst engaged in contemplating us both ! Methouglit I was no stranger to this child ; and whilst he was loading me with the most endear- ing caresses, I quite forgot I was not his mother ! I no longer envied the fate of any other being; mine appeared to surpass the felicity reserved for poor mortals. When compelled to quit you, to tear myself away from an infant I was so slightly acquainted with, the excess of my sorrow baffles all description. i( You will not have failed to notice the little tone of authority assumed by your son when he insisted upon my residing with him at the Tui- leries, and the displeasure marked on his coun- tenance when I answered that it would be im- possible for me to comply with his wishes. "Why not, replied the child, since, papa and I iit.^/'sf upon it ?" u This already indicates that a tone of com- mand will be familiar to him ; so far from re- gretting this early indication of a disposition which, in private individuals, would be attended EMPRESS .JOSEPHINE. 285 with serious inconvenience, we ought, in my opinion, to rejoice at its display in a prince des- tined to reign during a period so closely bordering upon the horrors of a protracted revolution. After a convulsion of so frightful a nature as that to which we have all been witnesses, a sovereign cannot ensure the repose of his dominions by the mere exercise of a gentle sway over his subjects. The country over whose destinies he presides, and which still retains traces of the volcano that once shook it to its centre, must be impressed with the conviction that a crime should be pu- nished as soon as perpetrated. k ' It is only> as you have so often repeated to me, it is only ivhen you shall have inspired in others the dread, not of arbitrary punishment, hut of strict uncom- promising justice, that you are warranted in courting their affection." iC You have frequently availed yourself of the privilege of performing an act of grace ; but you have also given proofs that you would never tole- rate an infraction of laws dictated by yourself. Thus it is that you have succeeded in con- troling the jacobins, in softening the ran- cour of the royalists, and in giving satisfaction to the moderate party. Your son will have your example to guide him ; and more fortunate 28G M EMOIKS O F T H E than you, he will be enabled to exercise a greater degree of clemency towards the guilty. " I had a conversation with him which proves that he is gifted with very tender feelings. After playing with my charivari : " This is very hand- some, said he ; but does it not seem to you, madame, that if you were to give it to a poor man, it would make him rich ? No doubt it would. — Well, then, I saw a poor man in the wood ; shall I send for him ? I have no money, and he wants a, fine coat. — The emperor will have great pleasure in doing what you wish on this subject ; why does not your imperial highness ask him for his purse ?— <1 have done so already, madame, and he gave it to me on our leaving Paris ; but you appear so good-natured, I thought you would not refuse to contribute your share towards an act of kindness." " I promised accordingly to be of service to the poor man, and shall certainly keep my word. I have sent a message to him Ly one of my ser- vants, who is to bring him to-morrow to Mal- maison, when we shall see what can be done for him. I cannot but feel great delight in per- forming a deed of charity recommended by a child only four years of age. 1 request, sire, that you will tell him that his poor man is no longer poor. EMPRESS JOS E P H I N E, 287 " I feel assured you will be pleased to hear these details of a conversation kept up in whis- pers, whilst you were examining an atlas at the end of the apartment. They will prove to you how fortunate it is for the king of Rome to have a governess who can inspire him with feelings of compassion which are the more to be admired, as they are uncommon in princes, who generally hear no other language than that of constant adulation, and thus acquire the right of supposing that every thing is intended for their convenience, and that they arc not called upon to consider their fellow-creatures. The virtues of madame de Montcsquiou render her worthy of the difficult and painful task you have confided to her ; and the sentiments nourished by the prince, fully es- tablish the correctness of your choice. How could he fail to exhibit a gentle disposition, hav- ing been reared by one who is a perfect model of kindness ? " I fear that, notwithstanding your orders, his imperial highness may have spoken of this inter- view, which ought, however, to remain a profound secret. 1 cautioned him on the subject, assuring him that if my visit to Bagatelle became known, it would be impossible for me ever to renew it. "In that case, madame, you need not be uneasy ; I shall not mention a word of it, because 1 am very fond -SS MEMOIRS OF T II E of you ;. only promise that you will return to see me, if I obey your wishes." J assured him that he could never long so impatiently as I should for the moment of our next meeting ; never was language more sincere. " Nevertheless, sire, I am well aware that these interviews, which are to me a source of unfeigned delight, cannot he of frequent occurrence ; and I shall not prove insensible to your considerate at- tention, by drawing too largely upon it. The sacrifice I shall make to your domestic tranquillity, will afford you a fresh proof of my anxiety for your happiness ; this idea will console me for the regret I shall experience at being debarred the satisfaction of embracing unj adopted son. Can any thing be more affecting in your sight than this exchange of children between us ? For my part, sire, I feel mortified at being deprived of doing more for your son, than giving him this title, and at the necessity of checking my incli- nation to promote his welfare. What a contrast between this conduct, and your kind treatment of my Eugene ! The lapse of time only increases your disposition to serve him, and adds to the weight of obligations for which I am more and more at a loss to make a suitable return ! at all events, I rely upon the vice-roy for mitigating the distress of mind which your family occasions EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 2S9 you ; if your suspicions regarding the king of Naples were unfortunately to be realised, you would stand more than ever in need of Eugene's assistance ; and I feel confident that he will prove himself alike worthy of you by his conduct as a military man, and of me by his attachment to you. " This letter, sire, is written at great lengths ; but I was imperceptibly led on by the pleasure of conversing on the subject of our two sons ; this motive will plead my excuse for having taken up so much of your time. Our emotions of joy ac- quire as much expansion as those of grief are wont to shrink from observation ; 1 can account in no other way for this long epistle ; I cannot close it, however, without renewing the assurance of my respectful gratitude. " Josephine." The praises bestowed by Josephine upon young Napoleon are strictly applicable to the royal in- fants of France. Her royal highness Mademoi- selle, in her most tender years, always evinced an anxiety to solicit the pardon of any soldiers who chanced to be reprimanded or punished in her presence, for breaches of discipline, during her daily excursions to Bagatelle. VOL. III. O 29C MEMOIRS OF THE I have been assured that whenever she hap- pened to see any poor persons on the road, she threw money to them from the carriage window, as well as her sweetmeats and play- things, which at her age were of far greater importance to her. This innate benevolence of disposition, cannot excite our astonishment ; the wonder would be, on the contrary, if the children of Madame and of the unfortunate duke de Berry were to appear in other colours ! Many traits have been related to me respecting that unhappy prince, which confirmed my previous knowledge of the generosity of his heart. The fol- lowing anecdote is not generally known, and ap- pears calculated, more than any other, to add to the regret experienced at the loss of a prince who, whilst he protected the fine arts, was not forgetful of the unfortunate. Beloved by his household, he took a pleasure in rewarding the good conduct of his servants ; he assembled them all on a certain occasion, and after addressing a few kind questions to several amongst them, he recommended that they should try to economise and place their money in the savings' bank. " By this means, said his royal highness, you will secure a small independence for your more advanced age ; and as I wish you to rear up your children in sentiments of attachment to EMPRESS JOSBPIIIN E. 291 us, I must contribute to the future comforts which 1 am desirous you should enjoy ; you will, therefore, bring me every month what you may have had in your power to lay aside ; I will add to it an equal sum, and we will immediately lodge the whole amount in the savings' bank. You must, continued the prince, with a smile, carefully avoid paying too many visits to the gates of Paris ; because those who shall lay out the whole of their wages, will have nothing to expect from me." The duke de Berry punctually kept his pro- mise, and I believe that his august widow conti- nues to give effect to this benevolent object, which is attended with the double advantage of securing a comfortable independence to old ser- vants, and preventing the indulgence of any excess on their part which would interfere with their punctual attendance to their respective duties. The idea of such a reward is well worthy of the descendant of the Good Henry. o 2 593 MEMOIRS OF T H K LETTER XLV. FROM THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR. Defection of the king of Naples. — The empress defends the queen against the charge of being an accomplice in her husband's conduct. — Her advice to Napoleon. Malmaison. " Sire, " I have just been informed that your worst suspicions are realised, and that the king of Naples, disregarding the ties of relationship, which bind him to your cause, and the duties imposed upon him by the exalted station he owes to your bounty, has swelled the number of your enemies, and betrayed the most sacred obliga- tions ! I have, unfortunately, nothing to urge in his defence, and my heart suggests no pallia- tive that I could offer in mitigation of the over- whelming sorrow to which you must be a prey. This will sufficiently prove to you that my own sorrow admits of no consolation ! nevertheless, 1 cannot consent to remain silent at such a mo- ment, feeling apprehensive that many of your immediate attendants will aggravate your grief by EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 293 "exciting your animosity against the guilty cause of it. Sensible of the extraordinary affection you bear your sisters, I fully share in your feelings, and can anticipate the violent course your well- founded anger will suggest to you, encouraged as it will be by those obsequious advisers who are prepared to obey your slightest wishes, and de- termined to laud all your actions with indiscrimi- nate praise. " You must acknowledge that I have never resisted your will, though I have sometimes pre- sumed to contradict you by observations which were not wholly disregarded, since they induced vou to alter your plans, and to adopt those which a frail woman had suggested. I must continue to act a part which becomes me as much at the present day as it did at an earlier period. " There is not a shadow of excuse for the conduct of the king of Naples ; but I beseech you, sire, not to extend your revenge to his wife, by depriving her of an attachment upon which she always sets a high value, and to which she is still entitled, if, as I firmly believe to be the case, this unfortunate princess is entirely opposed to her husband's criminal proceedings ; so far from overwhelming her with the weight of an anger she has probably not deserved at your hands, make an appeal to her heart, and prevail upon 294 MEMOIRS O F T II E her to exert every means at her command, for the purpose of preventing the king from injuring you, or disgracing his own character. " If matters have gone too far, and you are under the necessity of considering in the light of an enemy a brother who is indebted to you for the crown he is on the point of sullying, do not dis- card the queen from your affections, whenever she shall be left with no other protection to look up to ; for you have often repeated an expression, the justice of which is exemplified in every page of history, traitors cannot succeed. The king, who is now considered by foreign powers in the character of an ally, will be sacrificed, if his down- fall should be made the price of a peace with you ; if, contrary to all appearances, you should happen to be defeated, Murat would also fall a victim in the struggle. They would no longer permit the existence of a king, who would thence- forth be treated as a usurper, and they would hurl him from a throne which he endeavours to retain by the most blameable, the moiet injudi- cious conduct, and even by an act of dishonour. " Pity your sister, sire ; she has too much discernment not to have anticipated the dreadful futurity which threatens her. Should she ever be- come an unhappy wanderer, afford her shelter and protection ; and console her of her husband's EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 295 ingratitude, whilst your moderation will inspire her with the warmest affection for you. " Should you yield to first impressions, and in- dulge in the melancholy satisfaction of returning evil for evil, you will punish your innocent ne- phew 5 and sooner or later will deplore a seve- rity which will be a source of constant regret to you. I intreat you, sire, for your own sake, ma- turely to reflect ere you adopt a final determina- tion on this subject. Consult not those advisers whose suppleness yields to every impression of your mind ; but take counsel from the devoted attendants about your person, from those gallant and honest companions in arms, who never com- promised with their conscience, and would have preferred incurring your displeasure rather than recommend a course at variance with their sense of honour. Defer to the opinion of the empress- mother ; in short, do not visit with your ven- geance until you shall have acquired a conviction that there exists no claim to your forgiveness. " Deign, sire, to excuse the freedom of this letter. The apprehension I feel of your one day repenting an over-precipitancy in condemning, has armed me with courage to incur the risk of displeasing you. The knowledge that I am per- forming a sacred duty has increased my resolution to speak out at this painful crisis. The sincerity 29G MEMOIRS O F T II E and warmth of my zeal will plead my apology for presuming to offer advice ; and you will confess that Josephine has not departed from her wonted candour when addressing the man who, of all others, can hest appreciate the language of truth which is so seldom spoken to him. " I expect to see Eugene to-morrow ; and 1 heseech you, sire, to inform him whether I have your forgiveness for writing a letter dictated by that anxiety for your welfare which predominates in my mind over every other sentiment. With a heart so open to the gentle affections of fraternal love, you would fail to promote your happiness by venting your revenge upon a sister. Con- descend to yield to my advice, and preserve that friendship for me which I prize above all other gifts. " Josephine." The empress, as I have already observed, was not partial to the queen of Naples ; the noble generosity with which she took her part at a moment when Napoleon had so much cause to be irritated against his sister, who had not pre- vented her husband from betraying him, is en- titled to the highest praise, and appears to me EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 297 one of those instances in which her character displayed itself under the most favourable aspect. I am wholly unacquainted with the real senti- ments entertained by the queen of Naples at the period alluded to ; nor does it enter into my plan to investigate the subject. If free from guilt on the occasion, nothing can have exceeded her distress of mind. She must have bitterly deplored the ingratitude of the king her husband, if her own conduct was exempt from reproach, o 3 298 MEMOIRS OK T H K LETTER XL VI. THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO PRINCE EUGENE, VICE-ROY OF ITALY. A stranger delivers to Josephine an autograph letter from general Beauharnais. — The unknown person declines accepting a present. — Copy of the letter. — The prince Primate. — Freyre, Josephine's valet de chambre. — M. Mejan, the vice-roy's private secretary. — Affecting anecdote. iVfalnmison. U I am this moment informed, my dearest son, of the dreadful affliction with which the emperor has just been visited, by his acquiring a certainty of the defection of the king of Naples ; and feel- ing convinced that you will be deeply mortified at the event, I lose not a moment in writing to tender those maternal consolations to you which may operate as a sedative to your sorrow. u You will not only deplore a revolting ingrati- tude so calculated to compromise the emperor's plans in respect to his armies of Italy, of which you are one of the chief commanders, but will also regret being deprived by another's fault, of some brilliant opportunities of acquiring fresh glory, and you may perhaps, with a view to calm EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 299 the sorrows of your benefactor, attempt by your- self the task which, conjointly with the king of Naples, you had been destined to accomplish. " I have therefore to request, my dear Eugene, that you will strictly conform to the emperor's orders ; it is more than ever essential at this moment, when his forces are reduced by treachery and defection from his cause, that you should act with the utmost circumspection, and forbear to give way to that over-ardent zeal which might prompt you to attempt retrieving the king of Naples' ingratitude by exceeding the strict limits of your duty. Recollect you are bound at this time to curb your inclination to perform those deeds of valour which, however calculated to raise your fame, might in their consequences, and contrary to your wishes, obstruct the success of operations emanating from the genius who pre- sides over our destinies, and deliberately medi- tated in the cabinet of the Tuileries. " The emperor neither doubts your attachment nor your military talents ; you cannot therefore afford him a better proof of both than by paying implicit obedience to his wishes ; let him find in you, my son, what he seeks for in vain within the bosom of his own family ; let him perceive that all your thoughts and actions are directed to the object of evincing the sincerity of the grati- 300 MEMOIRS OFTHK tude we owe to him. At no time can we feel a greater desire to display it than at this moment of danger ; I am confident, therefore, that you never was more anxious to manifest your attach- ment. " I am perfectly ignorant of the part taken in these events by the queen of Naples ; should you possess any positive information on the subject, I request you will make it known to me. I have written a letter to the emperor which is calculated to calm rather than to irritate him in respect to Caroline ; I am satisfied he sus~ pects that he has more cause to complain of her than of her husband ; but I can hardly believe that a woman can be so accessible to the violence of ambition as to depart from those gentler duties of her nature which emanate from the heart. Until it can be proved to me that the queen is «*n accomplice in the late conduct of her husband, I must persist in believing that she has exerted every means at her command to prevent his defection from the emperor's cause. " Give me some details respecting the vice- queen, your children, and even the prince primate ; the latter is so sincerely attached to you that he has won my affection ; pray acquaint him with my sentiments. " I was forgetting to apprise you that a very EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 301 ill-dressed man called a few days ago at Mal- maison, and insisted so much upon speaking to me ; saying he had something of importance to communicate, that I was immediately informed of the message. Several persons represented that his external appearance rendered it unsafe for me to receive him, and that I should merely send my chamberlain to the stranger. You are aware, my dear Eugene, of my inveterate habit of never taking any one's advice on such an occasion ; 1 accordingly insisted on conversing with the man, and received him in the small saloon adjoin- ing my private apartment. Being desirous, how- ever, of calming the apprehensions of those who felt interested in my safety, respecting what they considered an act of imprudence on my part, I desired my faithful Freyre and Dargeance to remain in the ante-chamber ; they ushered in the poor man, whose coarse apparel could not disguise his dignified countenance and his freedom of de- portment as he approached me. " He observed, with becoming reserve, but without any timidity, that he did not present himself for the purpose of asking, but on the con- trary of rendering me a service. " Though far, added he, from being rich, nevertheless, I am by no means an object of distress ; nor do I come to solicit assistance from your majesty ; I well SOS MEMOIRS OF THE know the pleasure you feel in bestowing it upon all those who are in affliction ; but I repeat that I am perfectly contented with my humble lot. Aware, madame, of the respect entertained by your august son for the memory of his estimable father, I come to request your majesty will be pleased to forward to him this autograph letter of general Beauharnais, which fell into my hands by a concatenation of circumstances too intricate to detail to your majesty ; here it is." " Accordingly, on concluding these words, he handed me a letter which is certainly in your father's hand writing. Feeling apprehensive of confiding it to any one without your previous sanction, I content myself with sending you a copy of it, and retain the original at your dis- posal, until you shall have informed me by what means 1 am to forward it to you. This is one more document to be added to those you pre- serve with such hallowed care ; and I think you will l)e delighted to possess it. " Unwilling to wound the feelings of the stranger who had just delivered into my hands so valuable an object, I abstained from offering him any money ; but in order to compel his acceptance of a reward which might prove useful to him, 1 presented him with your portrait set in diamonds : i( Ah ! madame, said he, with tears in his eyes, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 30S what an erroneous opinion your majesty has formed of me ; condescend to give me the prince's portrait, but without any mounting. I shall then be truly happy." " 1 was much affected at his request, and complied, to his inexpressible satisfaction. He refused to mention his name, and I was unwilling to outstep the bounds of discretion by desiring any one to follow him. We must learn to respect the secrets of others, if we are anxious that our own should never be betrayed. " No words can convey a just idea of the emotion 1 experienced on beholding your father's hand-writing. Events the most extraordinary and heart-rending, happy and unfortunate, pleas- ing and unaccountable by turns, have occurred in such rapid succession since the date of this letter, that I could hardly pronounce, when it was handed to me, whether I felt regret or otherwise, at having survived it. Nevertheless, in spite of the many sorrows that have oppressed me of late, I doubt whether I should consent to forego the recollection of the last twenty years of my life. During this long period of time, you, my dearest Eugene, have always been a most affectionate son ; you have exceeded my most sanguine ex- pectations, and taught me to what height a 304 MEMOIRS OF THE mother's happiness may be carried ; what grounds could I then have for complaining ? " Farewell, my dear and excellent Eugene ; pray let me hear from you, if you write but two lines ; or if you feel at a loss for time, desire Mejan to give me news of all who are dear to me. " I embrace you with the warmest affection, " Josephine." Copy of a Letter from General Alexander Beau- hamais, Commander of the Army of the Rhine to the National Convention ; dated head -quar- ters at Landau, 9,0th. July 1793. " I think it right to apprise you, citizens re- presentatives, that I quitted the position of the heights of Menfeld during the night of yesterday, the 19th, in order to take up a position at Landau, and to attack, at the same time, the enemy who had established himself in the vicinity of this place. I moved the army upon six columns, three of which were intended to effect false attacks ; the chief object I had in view, was to take possession of the defiles of EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 305 Anweiller and the heights of Franckweiller which are in advance of those defiles^ and in which the enemy had strongly intrenched himself. " Every thing has suceeded to my wishes ; ge- neral Arlandes with the 10th regiment of infan- try took possession of the gorge of Anweiller; general Meynier at the head of the 67th occupied at the same time Alberwiller and the ramifications of the gorges leading to it; the advanced guard, headed by generals Landremont, Loubat, and Delmas drove the enemy with loss from the heights of Franckweiller which were defended by the emigrants and the free corps of general Wurmser. " General Gilot having sallied with 5000 men of the brave garrison of Landau, which was in- tended to draw off the enemy's attention towards the wood, was equally successful in that direction. The false attacks of general Ferriere and of the brigades of general Lafarelle and Mequillet upon several points of the lines of the Queich operated as a very useful diversion to my real attacks, by compelling them to evacuate the villages of Bel- heim, Kintelsheim and Ottersheim. The enemies of the republic were repulsed with loss in every direction ; and contrary to custom they left the ground covered with their dead and 306 MEMOIRS OF THE wounded. We have taken some prisoners and seized upon many redoubts in which our soldiers found no cannon, it is true, but a supply of bread, great coats and ammunition. " This event, which was so far fortunate for the troops of the republic, as they successfully accom- plished the object I had in view, promises to be attended with the most important results. " My communications with the army of the Moselle are now established through the country of the Deux-Ponts, and the courage of the re- publicans composing the army of the Rhine affords a pledge that this army will prove itself more and more worthy of the public confidence, by fulfilling the engagements which its position, its strength, and the interests of an important town in a gtate of siege have imposed upon it as a duty towards the common country. I cannot, as yet, furnish any details respecting those partial engagements which claim the attention of the re- presentatives of the people, and demand on the part of a free country the expression of the na- tional gratitude ; but my next letter will dwell at lengths upon the subject. I beg to tender once more the homage of the fidelity of all the republicans composing the army of the Rhine towards the republic, one and undi- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 307 videcl, of their attachment to the constitution, and of their gratitude towards the worthy legislators to whom they are indebted for its blessings. " The general in chief of the army of the Rhine, " Alexander Beauharnais." Freyre was the first valet de chambre of the empress, and gave her at all times the most signal proofs of his unbounded attachment. I believe him to be now employed in the household of the princess Eugene de Leuchtenberg ; but he comes regularly to France for the purpose of attending the funeral service which is performed every year in the church of Rueil on the anniver- sary of Josephine's death. It is painful to find that this is perhaps the only servant who displays such an affecting respect for the memory of his benefactress. I have heard from a peasant of Rueil that this funeral service was seldom numerously attended, except by the country people of the vicinity, who make it a point to assist, and a few strangers who are attracted by the ceremony, as well as by the 308 MEMOIRS OF THE curiosity of seeing the monument under which are deposited Josephine's remains. What mortal can flatter himself of leaving an imperishable regret behind him, when we find the tomb of Josephine deserted by those whose happiness she had at all times so warmly con- sulted ! M. Mejan, the vice-roy's private secretary, was in constant attendance upon him during his campaigns, and evinced the most assiduous attachment to the prince until the last moment of his existence. I frequently met him at the palace of Navarre, where he always accompanied the prince, and contributed to the enjoyments of the social circle by his amiability of temper, and his cheerful and polished wit. He once related to us the following anecdote : He had, according to custom, followed the vice-roy to Russia ; during the disastrous retreat from Moscow, he lost his equipage, and found himself alone on a road strewed with dead and dving soldiers. He was beginning to feel the effects of the cold which had already performed such frightful havoc, and afforded him a presenti- ment of his being about to share the fate of the unfortunate beings lie was at every moment leaving behind him ; he had still a long league to EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 309 walk ere he could reach a village in which he might hope for assistance, and he despaired of being able to perform the distance. On a sudden he was startled by a faint groan ; he looked round, and perceiving an officer stretch- ed at full length on the snow, he could not take upon himself to abandon the unfortunate man without attempting some efforts to restore him to animation. He approached, raised the hat which concealed his features, and fell on his knees, exclaiming : My son, my son ! It was in fact his own son who was on the point of death. M. Mejan felt such a shock on recognizing the being most dear to him in life, that his blood recovered a more active circulation. He tried in vain to lead forward the young man who was exhausted with cold, want and fatigue. Finding in his paternal tenderness that strength and courage which were wanting to him a few moments before, he placed his fond son across his shoulders, and endeavoured to reach the long- wished for village. After incredible exertions he overtook a few soldiers who assisted him, and he succeeded at last, after a most painful march, in reaching the spot. Providence completed the work he had begun ; the attentions and presence of his father were the means of saving young Mejan, 310 MEMOIRS OF THE who was thus indebted to him a second time for his life ! Previously to being attached to the vice-roy of Italy, M. Mejan had been chief secretary to the prefecture of the Seine, in which situation he rendered important services. He is brother to the editor of the Causes Celebres. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 311 LETTER XL VI I. THE EMPRESS TO M***. Entrance of the king, — M. Anatole de la Woestine. Malmaison. " Sir, " I was yesterday furnished with the most minute details respecting the entrance of Louis XVIII, by M. Anatole de la Woestine, who called at Malmaison and related to me the occurrences of a day so joyful to the one party, so painful to the other, so unexpected and novel to all. u I had hoped to learn from you the parti- culars of that ceremony, which from the enthu- siasm displayed on the occasion, was nothing more than a copy of those to which I had already been an eye-witness ! You probably could not find a leisure moment for giving me an account of it ; it would now be superfluous, since I have heard every thing I wished to know, and it is better no longer to advert to a subject which can only bring to my mind a distressing recollection of the past, when the same transports, the same mani- 312 MEMOIRS OF THE estations of attachment were displayed towards a hero who is never mentioned at this moment but in terms of reproach ; who is represented as a tyrant after having been worshipped as an idol, and who may perhaps hereafter be arraigned as a coward ! " This language may appear to you exagge- rated ; you are too young to have seen to what extremes the versatility of the French will hurry them 5 but I have passed through our revolution ; its victim at first, afterwards raised beyond its reach, I have acquired the conviction that our fellow - countrymen are incapable of moderate ideas, and must always run into extremes. En- thusiasm for one man is now of twenty years' standing ! they will atone for such constancy !. . . " M. de la Woestine, with a talent peculiar to himself, found means to relate to us in so inge- nious a manner what could not fail to distress our feelings, that he succeeded in exciting our mirth, by describing every character in the most ludicrous colours. I was just now alluding to the French levity of character ; but was wrong in criticising it, for 1 have my full share of that character, since I could put on a cheerful coun- tenance at such a moment. It is very true that no one could have refrained from it, who listened to and beheld that pleasant madman mimicking E M P R E S S JOS E P II I N E. 3 13 all the actors in the scene he was endeavouring to represent. " After indulging in this vein of mirth of which we had all caught the infection r " The die is cast, said he, I quit France for ever. I have served under a standard now about to be dis- carded ; I should be compelled to resign a uni- form I have worn with some share of glory ; my mind can never submit to it. I shall not be- tray the new sovereign, for 1 never will enlist in his service." I endeavoured to remonstrate with him by observing that he could not give effect to his intentions, as he had no fortune to depend on. " Can your majesty suppose, he replied with great gravity of countenance, that I could ever be induced, by selfish motives, to com- mit a dishonourable act ? I flatter myself you never entertained such a thought, and I shall have it in my power to prove how unmerited would be the aspersion." " There was an end, from that moment, to all further attempt at mimicking ; and I believe that M. de la Woestine is fully determined upon fulfilling his intentions. I esteem him the more for it, though few will be found to follow his example. All will be eager to serve under the new government, will vie with one another in anxiety to reach the hall of the Tuileries, as VOL. III. P 314 MEMOIRS OF THE they had formerly done at the time of the coro- nation ; all will indignantly repel the bare sup- position of their having ever solicited places which they will pretend have been reluctantly forced upon them ! " It is in your power to say whether, with few exceptions, the emperor ever found it necessary to offer the places of chamberlains or pages to the proudest nobles of the old monarchy ; if on the contrary, he was not under the necessity of selecting persons from amongst the numerous rivals who were anxious to approach his person ! May the king never be betrayed like Napoleon ! May France enjoy at last the calm of undisturbed tranquillity ! This is the warmest of my wishes, since I am no longer ambitious to see her hap- py under the sway of a man who had saved her from crime and anarchy. " I find myself, at this moment, nearly in the same position in which I happened to be on the occasion of that famous ball which I attended a few days before the declaration of my divorce ! My fate was then as uncertain as it is now ; the countenances around me bore the impress of curiosity, instead of indicating that benevolence 1 had been wont to read in them. I was no longer looked at ; I was closely examined! Whilst I kept up the deportment of a sovereign, EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 315 I no longer fulfilled my destiny ; I was perform- ing a part which would soon be brought to a close ; and the crown I still wore had become a mere costume which 1 was about to lay aside for ever ! With a heart oppressed with grief, 1 was compelled to put on the smile of content. The emperor has preserved for me the title apper- taining to a crowned head ; but how dear was the price ? . . . . Is not every sensation 1 then felt what I experience at the present moment ? Will the diadem be torn from my brows, or be still allowed to ornament them ? At any rate, [ value it as nothing, since it is no longer shared with another mortal. " I have seen very few visitors these days past, nor am I surprised at it ; for a visit to the Jirst wife of Napoleon would be a proof of courage which few friends would venture to manifest until they knew in what light the king might consider their conduct. When the allied sove- reigns were in the possession of absolute sway here, all continued to pay their regular court to me ; their attentions, the constancy of their visits were noticed as worthy of imitation and calcu- lated to prove beneficial. Every thing has now assumed another aspect, and I can assure you that I am under no apprehension of being in- p 2 316 MEMOIRS OF TH E commoded by a crowd of acquaintances ; this is a relief to which I attach some importance. " I find it necessary to reflect in the calm of retirement upon the part which it most becomes me to adopt at the present moment ; the course most consonant to my feelings will probably encounter obstacles which I must not attempt to overcome. Certain it is that I neither can, nor ought to remain so near a court where every thing will form a perfect contrast to my ideas, my recollections and my feelings ! " I am awaiting the commands of him, who has the greater right to expect my obedience, as he is now a proscribed individual. His will alone shall guide my proceedings, and I shall deem myself not wholly unfortunate if I can assuage misfortunes far greater in their extent than the extraordinary successes which preceded them. Call on Eugene and Hortensc ; consult them in regard to the course I should adopt, without at- tempting to bias their opinions ; and let me know their sentiments. " Farewell, sir, do not come to see me ; I fear such an act on your part might be injurious to your interests, and 1 have nothing so much at heart as to avoid doing any one an injury ; you may write to me, however, on the subject to EMPRESS JOSEPHISK SI? which I have just alluded, as well as concerning my affairs in general, assuring me at the same time of your friendship, upon which I always set the highest value. " Josephine." M. de la Woestine whose name I have already had occasion to mention, has always displayed as much frankness in his private character, as bravery on the field of battle. His conduct is no doubt open to the serious charge of turning into ridicule a class of men who had long suffered in defence of a cause which, although in opposition to the one he had espoused, was entitled to his respect ; but a young man's giddiness is excusable at a moment of public agitation. M. de la Woestine proved true to his opinions, and accordingly renounced many advantageous prospects. His distinguished name, and high rank in the service might have held out to him the prospect of a rapid promotion, and his career could not fail to have been as brilliant in France, as it has become obscure at Bruxelles. He is con- soled on the other hand, by the satisfaction that his conscience is free from the reproach of having courted fortune and followed in its train, whatever forms it assumed. He was faithful to the cause 318 MEMOIRS OF THE of misfortune, and when deprived of the society of his relatives, he has acquired friends who, although they cannot altogether make up to him for his absence from his family and native coun- try, prove at least by their respect and attach- ment the sense every where entertained of his dignified conduct. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 319 CONCLUSION. Disgraceful proposals and letters addressed to me on the subject of these Memoirs. I have now reached the close of these Memoirs which, though commenced with some degree of reluctance, were continued under more encourag- ing prospects, owing to the welcome reception given by the public to a work faithfully descrip- tive of the empress Josephine's character, replete with anecdotes highly redounding to the credit of several distinguished personages of our own days, and withal perfectly free from pretensions or party spirit. I am the more delighted at the termination of the work, when I reflect that shall be relieved from anxieties and vexations beyond number, which I never could have fore- seen when I undertook the task. I could not in fact have suspected that any- one would have condescended to solicit my suf- frage, or done me the far more painful honour of dreading my attacks ; neither could it occur to me that 1 ran the risk of being confounded with those who stoop to the degrading trade of selling their praises or their silence. Having abstained from naming myself, I could not suppose that any 520 MEMOIRS OF THE one would attempt to raise the veil of incognito I had assumed for no other purpose than to es- cape the compliments of my friends, and to secure my family from the insults which its enemies would heap upon it. As every line of these Memoirs bears the stamp of truth, the above were the only motives that induced me to conceal my name, which I should have felt no hesitation in inserting in the title page, had I merely to apprehend the attacks of an impartial criticism, to which I no doubt laid myself suffi- ciently open to justify me in hoping that no other weapons would have been resorted to. I mis- trusted the partiality shewn by the public towards the person dearest to my heart, to whom I am still more attached by sentimental feelings than by the ties of relationship, and I wished to prevent that person the mortification of being involved in the aspersions which would so readily be cast upon a work calculated to excite some degree of interest ; in short, I was not ambitious of a celebrity which is foreign from my taste, and still more so from my position in life. The protracted misfortunes which have embittered my existence have made it necessary for me to seek happiness in a state of repose, which I flat- tered myself would not be disturbed by the mere attempt on my part to consign this work to the EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 321 press. The result shews that I have been sadly mistaken. Having announced the intention of rigidly adhering to truth in my narratives, the public must have expected that I could only relate facts to which I had been an eye witness, and have felt persuaded that leading, as I do an obscure though independent life, void of all ambition (as the whole course of my existence can attest) and in circumstances not above mediocrity, I could never be accessible to any offer calculated to make me deviate from the path I had resolved to follow; any one might therefore have spared himself the disgrace of making a contemptible request, and have also spared me the regret that such a proposal should ever have been made. Great were my surprise and mortification when I found myself overwhelmed with letters containing numberless admirable traits of character furnished by men who were bold enough to affix their signa- tures to narratives of their own honourable acts;" they were desirous of seeing them recorded in these Memoirs, not, as they pretended, through any personal gratification they could derive from it, but out of respect for their distinguished mimes ! Presents, and even money were offered to me as an inducement to publish anecdotes calculated to increase their celebrity ! . . . , 322 MEMOIRS OF TH E A feeling of indignation might have induced me to divulge the names of those -who could thus suspect my sentiments to be in unison with their own low-mindedness ; but I abstain from taking so signal a vengeance of them. I content myself with observing in this place that all those letters are in my possession, and might, if I thought pro- per, be made public, a course I will never resort to, unless the parties concerned should have the assurance of addressing to me any further epistles of that description. With respect to those which contain reproaches and threats in reference to real anecdotes inserted in this work, I disdain replying to them, and I pity any person capable of wielding such weapons against a female who being compelled to maintain a rigid adherence to truth, has extenuated as much as possible any facts calculated to do injury ; those very persons who wish to inspire me with a dread of the consequences of my candour are well aware that I have not told every thing. I have been deeply penetrated at many obliging letters in which thanks are given to me for my oc- casional observations respecting affectionate pa- rents, brothers or husbands. In penning these Memoirs, 1 did not anticipate the gratitude of per- sons who had long become absolute strangers to me. I rejoice at the circumstance of my having proved to them that neither the ingratitude, in- EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 323 justice nor forgetfulness of friends could effect a change in my sentiments, that I have forgotten every thing, with the exception of former acts of kindness. Nevertheless, these letters as well as those couched in very different language, have all re- mained unanswered; had I acted otherwise, I should have been forced into a correspondence with a crowd of individuals whose names were al- luded to, as I must again repeat it, merely be- cause truth and the force of circumstances imposed it as a duty upon me to do so. No motive of personal interest, no feeling of re- sentment has induced me to bestow praises, or to cast reflections upon any one ; accordingly, no thanks are due to me in the former case, and in the latter, I must claim indulgence if my pen has been reluctantly compelled to record them. I must not lay it aside without expressing my gratitude to the public journals who have given an account of my first setting out in a career so successfully and creditably commenced. I have, generally speaking, been treated with a spirit of lenity, which is calculated to afford me encouragement, though in a less degree than a kind, polished and fair criticism ; men distinguish- ed by their talents have not disdained to assist 324 MEMOIRS, E T C. me with their advice, thereby shewing that they considered me not unworthy of adopting it. Should I ever undertake any other work, I trust it will not be lost upon me. To that advice I shall as- cribe my successful efforts, if my anticipations be not over-sanguine. To direct the pen of a novice in the career of literature who may thus far lay claim to praise as to assert that she has never yielded to any other impressions than the dictates of a heart capable of appreciating virtuous and honourable actions, and recoiling at the bare idea of promoting the views of intrigue, insincerity and ambition, is to place within its reach those means of success which are too often overlooked — they are no others than sincerity and good faith. THE END. LONDON : PRINTED BY G SCIIULZE 13, POLAND STREET. Dc V 3 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482 A A 000 168 604 7 • / «•.-.. / •: • •«