Prussia killed; 1000 men and 30 guns taken._
_October 11th.--French peace negotiations with England broken
off._
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Gera_, _October 13, 1806_, 2 A.M.
_My Dear_,--I am at Gera to-day. My affairs go excellently well, and
everything as I could wish. With the aid of God, they will, I believe,
in a few days have taken a terrible course for the poor King of
Prussia, whom I am sorry for personally, because he is a good man.
The Queen is at Erfurt with the King. If she wants to see a battle,
she shall have that cruel pleasure. I am in splendid health. I have
already put on flesh since my departure; yet I am doing, in person,
twenty and twenty-five leagues a day, on horseback, in my carriage, in
all sorts of ways. I lie down at eight, and get up at midnight. I
fancy at times that you have not yet gone to bed.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 14th.--Battles of Jena and Auerstadt._
No. 4.
_October 15th.--Napoleon at Weimar, He releases 6000 Saxon
prisoners, which soon causes peace with Saxony._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Jena_, _October 15, 1806_, 3 A.M.
_My Dear_,--I have made excellent manoeuvres against the Prussians.
Yesterday I won a great victory. They had 150,000 men. I have made
20,000 prisoners, taken 100 pieces of cannon, and flags. I was in
presence of the King of Prussia, and near to him; I nearly captured
him and the Queen. For the past two days I have bivouacked. I am in
excellent health.
Adieu, dear. Keep well, and love me.
If Hortense is at Mayence, give her a kiss; also to Napoleon and to
the little one.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
_October 16th.--Soult routs Kalkreuth at Greussen; Erfurt and
16,000 men capitulate to Murat._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Weimar_, _October 16, 1806_, 5 P.M.
M. Talleyrand will have shown you the bulletin, my dear; you will see
my successes therein. All has happened as I calculated, and never was
an army more thoroughly beaten and more entirely destroyed. I need
only add that I am very well, and that fatigue, bivouacs, and
night-watches have made me fat.
Adieu, dear. Kindest regards to Hortense and to the great M.
Napoleon.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 17th.--Bernadotte defeats Prussian reserve at Halle._
_October 18th.--Davoust takes Leipsic, and an enormous stock of
English merchandise._
_October 19th.--Napoleon at Halle._
_October 20th.--Lannes takes Dessau, and Davoust Wittenberg._
_October 21st.--Napoleon at Dessau._
No. 6.
_October 23rd.--Napoleon makes Wittenberg central depot for his
army._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Wittenberg, October 23, 1806, Noon._
I have received several of your letters. I write you only a line. My
affairs prosper. To-morrow I shall be at Potsdam, and at Berlin on the
25th. I am wonderfully well, and thrive on hard work. I am very glad
to hear you are with Hortense and Stephanie, _en grande compagnie_. So
far, the weather has been fine.
Kind regards to Stephanie, and to everybody, not forgetting M.
Napoleon.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 7.
_October 24th.--Lannes occupies Potsdam._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Potsdam, October 24, 1806._
_My Dear_,--I have been at Potsdam since yesterday, and shall remain
there to-day. I continue satisfied with my undertakings. My health is
good; the weather very fine. I find Sans-Souci very pleasant.
Adieu, dear. Best wishes to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 25th.--Marshal Davoust enters Berlin; Bernadotte occupies
Brandenburg._
_October 28th.--Prince Hohenlohe surrenders at Prenzlau to Murat
with 16,000 men, including the Prussian Guard._
_October 30th.--Stettin surrenders with 5000 men and 150 cannon._
No. 8.
_November 1st.--Anklam surrenders, with 4000 men, to General
Becker._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 1, 1806_, 2 A.M.
Talleyrand has just arrived and tells me, my dear, that you do nothing
but cry. What on earth do you want? You have your daughter, your
grandchildren, and good news; surely these are sufficient reasons for
being happy and contented.
The weather here is superb; there has not yet fallen during the whole
campaign a single drop of water. I am very well, and all goes
excellently.
Adieu, dear; I have received a letter from M. Napoleon; I do not
believe it is from him, but from Hortense. Kindest regards to
everybody.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 2nd.--Kustrin surrenders, with 4000 men and 90 guns, to
Davoust._
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 2, 1806._
Your letter of October 26th to hand. We have splendid weather here.
You will see by the bulletin that we have taken Stettin--it is a very
strong place. All my affairs go as well as possible, and I am
thoroughly satisfied. One pleasure is alone wanting--that of seeing
you, but I hope that will not long be deferred.
Kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and to the little Napoleon.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 9A.
From the Memoirs of Mademoiselle d'Avrillon (vol. i. 128).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, Monday, Noon._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. I am glad to know that you
are in a place which pleases me, and especially to know that you are
very well there. Who should be happier than you? You should live
without a worry, and pass your time as pleasantly as possible; that,
indeed, is my intention.
I forbid you to see Madame Tallien, under any pretext whatever. I will
admit of no excuse. If you desire a continuance of my esteem, if you
wish to please me, never transgress the present order. She may
possibly come to your apartments, to enter them by night; forbid your
porter to admit her.
* * * * *
I shall soon be at Malmaison. I warn you to have no lovers there that
night; I should be sorry to disturb them. Adieu, dear; I long to see
you and assure you of my love and affection.
NAPOLEON.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 6, 1806_, 9 P.M.
Yours to hand, in which you seem annoyed at the bad things I say about
women; it is true that I hate intriguing women more than anything. I
am used to kind, gentle, persuasive women; these are the kind I like.
If I have been spoilt, it is not my fault, but yours. Moreover, you
shall learn how kind I have been to one who showed herself sensible
and good, Madame d'Hatzfeld. When I showed her husband's letter to her
she admitted to me, amid her sobs, with profound emotion, and frankly,
"Ah! it is indeed his writing!" While she was reading, her voice went
to my heart; it pained me. I said, "Well, madame, throw that letter on
the fire, I shall then have no longer the power to punish your
husband." She burnt the letter, and seemed very happy. Her husband now
feels at ease; two hours later he would have been a dead man. You see
then how I like kind, frank, gentle women; but it is because such
alone resemble you.
Adieu, dear; my health is good.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 6th and 7th.--Blucher and his army (17,000 men)
surrender at Lubeck to Soult, Murat, and Bernadotte._
_November 8th.--Magdeburg surrenders to Ney, with 20,000 men,
immense stores, and nearly 800 cannon._
No. 11.
_November 9th.--Napoleon levies a contribution of 150 million
francs on Prussia and her allies._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 9, 1806._
_My Dear_,--I am sending good news. Magdeburg has capitulated, and on
November 7th I took 20,000 men at Lubeck who escaped me last week. The
whole Prussian army, therefore, is captured; even beyond the Vistula
there does not remain to Prussia 20,000 men. Several of my army corps
are in Poland. I am still at Berlin. I am very fairly well.
Adieu, dear; heartiest good wishes to Hortense, Stephanie, and the two
little Napoleons.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 10th.--Davoust occupies Posen. Hanover occupied by
Marshal Mortier._
No. 12.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 16, 1806._
I received your letter of November 11th. I note with satisfaction that
my convictions give you pleasure. You are wrong to think flattery was
intended; I was telling you of yourself as I see you. I am grieved to
think that you are tired of Mayence. Were the journey less long, you
might come here, for there is no longer an enemy, or, if there is, he
is beyond the Vistula; that is to say, more than three hundred miles
away. I will wait to hear what you think about it. I should also be
delighted to see M. Napoleon.
Adieu, my dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
I have still too much business here for me to return to Paris.
* * * * *
_November 17th.--Suspension of arms signed at Charlottenburg._
_November 19th.--French occupy Hamburg._
_November 20th.--French occupy Hameln._
_November 21st.--French occupy Bremen. Berlin decree. Napoleon
interdicts trade with England._
No. 13.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 22, 1806_, 10 P.M.
Your letter received. I am sorry to find you in the dumps; yet you
have every reason to be cheerful. You are wrong to show so much
kindness to people who show themselves unworthy of it. Madame L----
is a fool; such an idiot that you ought to know her by this time, and
pay no heed to her. Be contented, happy in my friendship, and in the
great influence you possess. In a few days I shall decide whether to
summon you hither or send you to Paris.
Adieu, dear; you can go at once, if you like, to Darmstadt, or to
Frankfort; that will make you forget your troubles.
Kindest regards to Hortense.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 25th.--Napoleon leaves Berlin._
No. 14.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Kustrin, November 26, 1806._
I am at Kustrin, making a tour and spying out the land a little; I
shall see in a day or two whether you should come. You can keep ready.
I shall be very pleased if the Queen of Holland be of the party. The
Grand Duchess of Baden must write to her husband about it.
It is 2 A.M. I am just getting up; it is the usage of war.
Kindest regards to you and to every one.
NAPOLEON.
No. 15.
_November 27th.--Napoleon arrives at Posen._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Meseritz, November 27, 1806_, 2 A.M.
I am about to make a tour in Poland. This is the first town there.
To-night I shall be at Posen, after which I shall send for you to come
to Berlin, so that you can arrive there the same day as I. My health
is good, the weather rather bad; it has rained for the past three
days. My affairs prosper. The Russians are in flight.
Adieu, dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and the little
Napoleons.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 28th.--Murat enters Warsaw. French occupy Duchies of
Mecklenburg._
No. 16.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, November 29, 1806, Noon._
I am at Posen, capital of Great Poland. The cold weather has set in; I
am in good health. I am about to take a circuit round Poland. My
troops are at the gates of Warsaw.
Adieu, dear; very kindest regards, and a hearty embrace.
No. 17.
_December 2nd.--Glogau surrenders to Vandamme._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 2, 1806._
To-day is the anniversary of Austerlitz. I have been to a city ball.
It is raining; I am in good health. I love you and long for you. My
troops are at Warsaw. So far the cold has not been severe. All these
fair Poles are Frenchwomen at heart; but there is only one woman
for me. Would you know her? I could draw her portrait very well;
but I should have to flatter it too much for you to recognise
yourself;--yet, to tell the truth, my heart would only have nice
things to say to you. These nights are long, all alone.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 18.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_December 3, 1806, Noon._
Yours of November 26th received. I notice two things in it. You say I
do not read your letters: it is an unkind thought. I take your bad
opinion anything but kindly. You tell me that perhaps it is a mere
phantasy of the night, and you add that you are not jealous. I found
out long ago that angry persons always assert that they are not angry;
that those who are afraid keep on repeating that they have no fear;
you therefore are convinced of jealousy. I am delighted to hear it!
Nevertheless, you are wrong; I think of nothing less, and in the
desert plains of Poland one thinks little about beauties....
I had yesterday a ball of the provincial nobility--the women
good-looking enough, rich enough, dowdy enough, although in Paris
fashions.
Adieu, dear; I am in good health.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 19.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 3, 1806_, 6 P.M.
Yours of November 27th received, from which I see that your little
head is quite turned. I am reminded of the verse--
"Desir de femme est un feu qui devore."
Still you must calm yourself. I wrote you that I was in Poland; that,
when we were established in winter quarters, you could come; you will
have to wait a few days. The greater one becomes, the less one can
consult one's wishes--being dependent on events and circumstances. You
can come to Frankfort or Darmstadt. I am hoping to send for you in a
few days; that is, if circumstances will permit. The warmth of your
letter makes me realise that you, like other pretty women, know no
bounds. What you will, must be; but, as for me, I declare that of all
men I am the greatest slave; my master has no pity, and this master is
the nature of things.
Adieu, dear; keep well. The person that I wished to speak to you about
is Madame L----, of whom every one is speaking ill; they assure me
that she is more Prussian than French woman. I don't believe it, but I
think her an idiot who talks nothing but trash.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 6th.--Thorn (on the Vistula) occupied by Ney._
No. 20.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 9, 1806._
Yours of December 1st received. I see with pleasure that you are more
cheerful; that the Queen of Holland wishes to come with you. I long to
give the order; but you must still wait a few days. My affairs
prosper.
Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you happy.
NAPOLEON.
No. 21.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 10, 1806_, 5 P.M.
An officer has just brought me a rug, a gift from you; it is somewhat
short and narrow, but I thank you for it none the less. I am in fair
health. The weather is very changeable. My affairs prosper pretty
well. I love you and long for you much.
Adieu, dear; I shall write for you to come with at least as much
pleasure as you will have in coming.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
A kiss to Hortense, Stephanie, and Napoleon.
* * * * *
_December 11th.--Davoust forces the passage of the Bug._
No. 22.
_December 12th.--Treaty of peace and alliance between France and
Saxony signed at Posen._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 12th, 1806_, 7 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I have not received any letters from you, but know,
nevertheless, that you are well. My health is good, the weather very
mild; the bad season has not begun yet, but the roads are bad in a
country where there are no highways. Hortense will come then with
Napoleon; I am delighted to hear it. I long to see things shape
themselves into a position to enable you to come.
I have made peace with Saxony. The Elector is King and one of the
confederation.
Adieu, my well-beloved Josephine.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
A kiss to Hortense, Napoleon, and Stephanie.
Paeer, the famous musician, his wife, a virtuoso whom you saw at Milan
twelve years ago, and Brizzi are here; they give me a little music
every evening.
No. 23.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_December 15, 1806_, 3 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I start for Warsaw. In a fortnight I shall be back; I hope
then to be able to send for you. But if that seems a long time, I
should be very glad if you would return to Paris, where you are
wanted. You well know that I am dependent on events. All my affairs go
excellently. My health is very good; I am as well as possible.
Adieu, dear. I have made peace with Saxony.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 17th._--Turkey declares war on Russia. (_So Montgaillard;
but Napoleon refers to it in the thirty-ninth bulletin, dated
December 7th, while Haydn dates it January 7th._)
No. 24.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, December 20, 1806_, 3 P.M.
I have no news from you, dear. I am very well. The last two days I
have been at Warsaw. My affairs prosper. The weather is very mild, and
even somewhat humid. It has as yet barely begun to freeze; it is
October weather.
Adieu, dear; I should much have liked to see you, but trust that in
five or six days I shall be able to send for you.
Kindest regards to the Queen of Holland and to her little
Napoleons.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 22nd.--Napoleon crosses the Narew, and the next day
defeats Russians at Czarnowo; also_
_December 24th.--At Nasielsk._
_December 26th.--Ney defeats Lestocq at Soldau; Lannes defeats
Beningsen at Pultusk_;
_December 28th.--And Augereau defeats Buxhowden at Golymin._
No. 25.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Golymin, December 29, 1806_, 5 A.M.
I write you only a line, my dear. I am in a wretched barn. I have
beaten the Russians, taken thirty pieces of cannon, their baggage,
and 6000 prisoners; but the weather is frightful. It is raining; we
have mud up to our knees.
In two days I shall be at Warsaw, whence I shall write you.--Yours
ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 26.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Pultusk, December 31, 1806._
I have had a good laugh over your last letters. You idealise the fair
ones of Great Poland in a way they do not deserve. I have had for two
or three days the pleasure of hearing Paeer and two lady singers, who
have given me some very good music. I received your letter in a
wretched barn, having mud, wind, and straw for my only bed. To-morrow
I shall be at Warsaw. I think all is over for this year. The army is
entering winter quarters. I shrug my shoulders at the stupidity of
Madame de L----; still you should show her your displeasure, and
counsel her not to be so idiotic. Such things become common property,
and make many people indignant.
For my part, I scorn ingratitude as the worst fault in a human heart.
I know that instead of comforting you, these people have given you
pain.
Adieu, dear; I am in good health. I do not think you ought to go to
Cassel; that place is not suitable. You may go to Darmstadt.
NAPOLEON.
No. 27.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 3, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. Your grief pains me; but one
must bow to events. There is too much country to travel between
Mayence and Warsaw; you must, therefore, wait till circumstances
allow me to come to Berlin, in order that I may write you to come
thither. It is true that the enemy, defeated, is far away; but I have
many things here to put to rights. I should be inclined to think that
you might return to Paris, where you are needed. Send away those
ladies who have their affairs to look after; you will be better
without people who have given you so much worry.
My health is good; the weather bad. I love you from my heart.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_January 5th.--Capture of Breslau, with 7000 men, by Vandamme and
Hedouville._
No. 28.
_January 7th.--English Orders in Council against Berlin Decree._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 7, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I am pained by all that you tell me; but the season being
cold, the roads very bad and not at all safe, I cannot consent to
expose you to so many fatigues and dangers. Return to Paris in order
to spend the winter there. Go to the Tuileries; receive, and lead the
same life as you are accustomed to do when I am there; that is my
wish. Perhaps I shall not be long in rejoining you there; but it is
absolutely necessary for you to give up the idea of making a journey
of 750 miles at this time of the year, through the enemy's country,
and in the rear of the army. Believe that it costs me more than you to
put off for some weeks the pleasure of seeing you, but so events and
the success of my enterprise order it.
Adieu, my dear; be cheerful, and show character.
NAPOLEON.
No. 29.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 8, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I received your letter of the 27th with those of M.
Napoleon and Hortense, which were enclosed with it. I had begged you
to return to Paris. The season is too inclement, the roads unsafe and
detestable; the distances too great for me to permit you to come
hither, where my affairs detain me. It would take you at least a month
to come. You would arrive ill; by that time it might perhaps be
necessary to start back again; it would therefore be folly. Your
residence at Mayence is too dull; Paris reclaims you; go there, it is
my wish. I am more vexed about it than you. I should have liked to
spend the long nights of this season with you, but we must obey
circumstances.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 30.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 11, 1807._
Your letter of the 27th received, from which I note that you are
somewhat uneasy about military events. Everything is settled, as I
have told you, to my satisfaction; my affairs prosper. The distance is
too great for me to allow you to come so far at this time of year. I
am in splendid health, sometimes rather wearied by the length of the
nights.
Up to the present I have seen few people here.
Adieu, dear. I wish you to be cheerful, and to give a little life to
the capital. I would much like to be there.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
I hope that the Queen has gone to the Hague with M. Napoleon.
No. 31.
_January 16th.--Capture of Brieg by the French._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_January 16, 1807._
MY DEAR,--I have received your letter of the 5th of January; all that
you tell me of your unhappiness pains me. Why these tears, these
repinings? Have you then no longer any fortitude? I shall see you
soon. Never doubt my feelings; and if you wish to be still dearer to
me, show character and strength of mind. I am humiliated to think that
my wife can distrust my destinies.
Adieu, dear. I love you, I long to see you, and wish to learn that you
are content and happy.
NAPOLEON.
No. 32.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 18, 1807._
I fear that you are greatly grieved at our separation and at your
return to Paris, which must last for some weeks longer. I insist on
your having more fortitude. I hear you are always weeping. Fie! how
unbecoming it is! Your letter of January 7th makes me unhappy. Be
worthy of me; assume more character. Cut a suitable figure at Paris;
and, above all, be contented.
I am very well, and I love you much; but, if you are always crying, I
shall think you without courage and without character. I do not love
cowards. An empress ought to have fortitude.
NAPOLEON.
No. 33.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 19, 1807._
_My Dear_,--Your letter to hand. I have laughed at your fear of fire.
I am in despair at the tone of your letters and at what I hear. I
forbid you to weep, to be petulant and uneasy; I want you to be
cheerful, lovable, and happy.
NAPOLEON.
No. 34.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Warsaw, January 23, 1807._
Your letter of January 15th to hand. It is impossible to allow women
to make such a journey as this--bad roads, miry and unsafe. Return to
Paris; be cheerful and content there. Perhaps even I shall soon be
there. I have laughed at what you say about your having taken a
husband to be with him. I thought, in my ignorance, that the wife was
made for the husband, the husband for his country, his family, and
glory. Pardon my ignorance; one is always learning from our fair
ladies.
Adieu, my dear. Think how much it costs me not to send for you. Say to
yourself, "It is a proof how precious I am to him."
NAPOLEON.
No. 35.
_January 25th.--Russians defeated at Mohrungen by Bernadotte._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_January 25, 1807._
I am very unhappy to see you are in pain. I hope that you are at
Paris; you will get better there. I share your griefs, and do not
groan. For I could not risk losing you by exposing you to fatigues and
dangers which befit neither your rank nor your sex.
I wish you never to receive T---- at Paris; he is a black sheep. You
would grieve me by doing otherwise.
Adieu, my dear. Love me, and be courageous.
NAPOLEON.
No. 36.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Warsaw, January 26, 1807, Noon._