3rd.—The Emperor sent for me at two o’clock; I found him shaving. He
told me that I beheld in him a man who was on the point of death, on
the brink of the grave. He added that I must have been aware that he
was ill, because he must have waked me often during the night. I had,
indeed, heard him cough and sneeze continually: he had a violent cold
in his head, which he had caught in consequence of staying out too
long in the damp air on the preceding evening. He stated his
determination, in future, always to return in doors at six o’clock.
After he had dressed, he sat down to his English lesson; but he did
not continue at it long, for his head ached severely. He told me to
sit down by him, and made me talk for more than two hours about what I
had observed in London during my emigration. Among other things, he
inquired, “Were the English very much afraid of my invasion? What was
the general opinion at the time?”—“Sire,“ I replied, “I cannot inform
you: I had then returned to France. But in the saloons of Paris we
laughed heartily at the idea of an invasion of England; and the
English who were there at the time did so too. It was said that even
Brunet laughed at the scheme, and that you had caused him to be
imprisoned because he had been insolent enough in one of his parts, to
set some nut-shells afloat in a tub of water, which he called
manœuvring his little flotilla.” “Well!” replied the Emperor, “You
might laugh in Paris, but Pitt did not laugh in London. He soon
comprehended the extent of the danger, and therefore threw a coalition
on my shoulders at the moment when I was raising my arm to strike.
Never was the English oligarchy exposed to greater danger.
“I had taken measures to ensure the possibility of my landing. I had
the best army in the world; I need only say it was the army of
Austerlitz. In four days I should have been in London; I should have
entered the English capital, not as a conqueror but as a liberator. I
should have been another William III.; but I would have acted with
greater generosity and disinterestedness. The discipline of my army
was perfect. My troops would have behaved in London just as they would
in Paris. No sacrifices, not even contributions, would have been
exacted from the English. We should have presented ourselves to them,
not as conquerors but as brothers, who came to restore to them their
rights and liberties. I would have assembled the citizens, and
directed them to labour in the task of their regeneration; because the
English had already preceded us in political legislation; I would have
declared that our only wish was to be able to rejoice in the happiness
and prosperity of the English people; and to these professions I would
have strictly adhered. In the course of a few months, the two nations,
which had been such determined enemies, would have thenceforward
composed only one people, identified in principles, maxims and
interests. I should have departed from England, in order to effect
from south to north, under republican colours (for I was then First
Consul) the regeneration of Europe, which, at a later period, I was on
the point of effecting from north to south under monarchical forms.
Both systems were equally good, since both would have been attended
with the same result, and would have been carried into execution with
firmness, moderation, and good faith. How many ills that are now
endured, and how many that are yet to be experienced, would not
unhappy Europe have escaped! Never was a project so favourable to the
interests of civilization conceived with more disinterested
intentions, or so near being carried into execution. It is a
remarkable fact that the obstacles which occasioned my failure were
not the work of men, but all proceeded from the elements. In the
south, the sea frustrated my plans; the burning of Moscow, the snow
and the winter, completed my ruin in the north. Thus water, air, and
fire, all nature and nature alone, was hostile to the universal
regeneration which nature herself called for!... The problems of
Providence are insoluble!”
After a few moment’s silence, he reverted to the subject of the
English invasion. “It was supposed,” said he, “that my scheme was
merely a vain threat, because it did not appear that I possessed any
reasonable means of attempting its execution. But I had laid my plans
deeply, and without being observed. I had dispersed all our French
ships; and the English were sailing after them to different parts of
the world. Our ships were to return suddenly and at the same time, and
to assemble in a mass along the French coasts. I should have had
seventy or eighty French or Spanish ships in the Channel; and I
calculated that I should continue master of it for two months. Three
or four thousand small vessels were to be ready at a signal. A hundred
thousand men were every day drilled in embarking and landing, as a
part of their exercise. They were full of ardour, and eager for the
enterprise, which was very popular with the French, and was supported
by the wishes of a great number of the English. After landing my
troops, I calculated upon only one pitched battle, the result of which
could not be doubtful; and victory would have brought us to London.
The nature of the country would not admit of a war of monœuvring.
My conduct would have done the rest. The people of England groaned
under the yoke of an oligarchy. On feeling that their pride had not
been humbled, they would have ranged themselves on our side. We should
have been considered only as Allies come to effect their deliverance.
We should have presented ourselves with the magical words of liberty
and equality,” &c.
After adverting to a great number of the minor details of the plan,
which were all admirable, and remarking how very near execution it had
been, he abruptly stopped, and said, “Let us go out, and take a turn.”
We walked for some time; it had been raining for three days, but now
the weather was perfectly fine. The Emperor, not forgetting his
resolution to be in-doors always by six o’clock, immediately ordered
the calash; took a drive, and returned home in good time. My son
followed on horse-back; it was the first time he had enjoyed such an
honour. He acquitted himself very well, and the Emperor complimented
him on the occasion.
The Emperor continued unwell, and retired to rest very early.