are fretting yourself. The bridge of Mayence neither increases nor
decreases the distance which separates us. Remain, therefore, at
Paris. I should be vexed and uneasy to know that you were so miserable
and so isolated at Mayence. You must know that I ought, that I can,
consider only the success of my enterprise. If I could consult my
heart I should be with you, or you with me; for you would be most
unjust if you doubted my love and entire affection.
NAPOLEON.
No. 37.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Willemberg, February 1, 1807, Noon._
Your letter of the 11th, from Mayence, has made me laugh.
To-day, I am a hundred miles from Warsaw; the weather is cold, but
fine.
Adieu, dear; be happy, show character.
NAPOLEON.
No. 38.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_My Dear_,--Your letter of January 20th has given me pain; it is too
sad. That's the fault of not being a little more devout! You tell me
that your glory consists in your happiness. That is narrow-minded; one
should say, my glory consists in the happiness of others. It is not
conjugal; one should say, my glory consists in the happiness of my
husband. It is not maternal; one should say, my glory consists in the
happiness of my children. Now, since nations--your husband, your
children--can only be happy with a certain amount of glory, you must
not make little of it. Fie, Josephine! your heart is excellent and
your arguments weak. You feel acutely, but you don't argue as well.
That's sufficient quarrelling. I want you to be cheerful, happy in
your lot, and that you should obey, not with grumbling and tears, but
with gaiety of heart and a little more good temper.
Adieu, dear; I start to-night to examine my outposts.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_February 5th.--Combats of Bergfriede, Waltersdorf, and Deppen;
Russians forced back._
_February 6th.--Combat of Hof. Murat victorious._
_February 8th.--Battle of Eylau; retreat of Russians._
No. 39.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Eylau, February 9, 1807_, 3 A.M.
_My Dear_,--Yesterday there was a great battle; the victory has
remained with me, but I have lost many men. The loss of the enemy,
which is still more considerable, does not console me. To conclude, I
write you these two lines myself, although I am very tired, to tell
you that I am well and that I love you.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 40.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Eylau, February 9, 1807_, 6 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I write you a line in order that you may not be uneasy.
The enemy has lost the battle, 40 pieces of cannon, 10 flags, 12,000
prisoners; he has suffered frightfully. I have lost many: 1600 killed,
3000 or 4000 wounded.
Your cousin Tascher conducts himself well; I have summoned him near me
with the title of orderly officer.
Corbineau has been killed by a shell; I was singularly attached to
that officer, who had much merit; I am very unhappy about him. My
mounted guard has covered itself with glory. Dahlman is dangerously
wounded.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 41.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Eylau, February 11, 1807_, 3 A.M.
_My Dear_,--I write you a line; you must have been very anxious. I
have beaten the enemy in a fight to be remembered, but it has cost
many brave lives. The bad weather that has set in forces me to take
cantonments.
Do not afflict yourself, please; all this will soon be over, and the
happiness of seeing you will make me promptly forget my fatigues.
Besides, I have never been in better health.
Young Tascher, of the 4th Regiment, has behaved well; he has had a
rough time of it. I have summoned him near me; I have made him an
orderly officer--there's an end to his troubles. This young man
interests me.
Adieu, dear; a thousand kisses.
NAPOLEON.
No. 42.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Preussich-Eylau, February 12, 1807._
I send you a letter from General Darmagnac. He is a very good soldier,
who commanded the 32nd. He is much attached to me. If this Madame de
Richmond be well off, and it is a good match, I shall see this
marriage with pleasure. Make this known to both of them.
NAPOLEON.
No. 43.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Eylau, February 14, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I am still at Eylau. This country is covered with dead and
wounded. It is not the bright side of warfare; one suffers, and the
mind is oppressed at the sight of so many victims. My health is good.
I have done as I wished, and driven back the enemy, while making his
projects fail.
You are sure to be uneasy, and that thought troubles me. Nevertheless,
calm yourself, my dear, and be cheerful.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
Tell Caroline and Pauline that the Grand Duke and the Prince[22] are
in excellent health.
* * * * *
_February 16th.--Savary defeats Russians at Ostrolenka._
No. 44.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Eylau_, _February 17, 1807_, 3 A.M.
Your letter to hand, informing me of your arrival at Paris. I am very
glad to know you are there. My health is good.
The battle of Eylau was very sanguinary, and very hardly contested.
Corbineau was slain. He was a very brave man. I had grown very fond of
him.
Adieu, dear; it is as warm here as in the month of April; everything
is thawing. My health is good.
NAPOLEON.
No. 45.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Landsberg_, _February 18, 1807_, 3 A.M.
I write you two lines. My health is good. I am moving to set my army
in winter quarters.
It rains and thaws as in the month of April. We have not yet had one
cold day.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 46.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Liebstadt_, _February 20, 1807_, 2 A.M.
I write you two lines, dear, in order that you may not be uneasy. My
health is very good, and my affairs prosper.
I have again put my army into cantonments.
The weather is extraordinary; it freezes and thaws; it is wet and
unsettled.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 47.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Liebstadt_, _February 21, 1807_, 2 A.M.
Your letter of the 4th February to hand; I see with pleasure that your
health is good. Paris will thoroughly re-establish it by giving you
cheerfulness and rest, and a return to your accustomed habits.
I am wonderfully well. The weather and the country are vile. My affairs
are fairly satisfactory. It thaws and freezes within twenty-four hours;
there can never have been known such an extraordinary winter.
Adieu, dear; I love you, I think of you, and wish to know that you are
contented, cheerful, and happy.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 48.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Liebstadt, February 21, 1807, Noon._
_My Dear_,--Your letter of the 8th received; I see with pleasure that
you have been to the opera, and that you propose holding receptions
weekly. Go occasionally to the theatre, and always into the Royal box.
I notice also with pleasure the banquets you are giving.
I am very well. The weather is still unsettled; it freezes and thaws.
I have once more put my army into cantonments in order to rest them.
Never be doleful, love me, and believe in my entire affection.
NAPOLEON.
No. 49.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode_, _February 23, 1807_, 2 P.M.
_My Dear_,--Your letter of the 10th received. I am sorry to see you
are a little out of sorts.
I have been in the country for the past month, experiencing frightful
weather, because it has been unsettled, and varying from cold to warm
within a week. Still, I am very well.
Try and pass your time pleasantly; have no anxieties, and never doubt
the love I bear you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_February 26th.--Dupont defeats Russians at Braunsberg._
No. 50.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode, March 2, 1807._
_My Dear_,--It is two or three days since I wrote to you; I reproach
myself for it; I know your uneasiness. I am very well; my affairs
prosper. I am in a wretched village, where I shall pass a considerable
time; it is not as good as the great city! I again assure you, I was
never in such good health; you will find me very much stouter.
It is spring weather here; the snow has gone, the streams are
thawing--which is what I want.
I have ordered what you wish for Malmaison; be cheerful and happy; it
is my will.
Adieu, dear; I embrace you heartily.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_March 9th._--The Grand Sanhedrim, which assembled at Paris on
February 9, terminates its sittings.
No. 51.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode_, _March 10, 1807_, 4 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter of the 25th. I see with
pleasure that you are well, and that you sometimes make a pilgrimage
to Malmaison.
My health is good, and my affairs prosper.
The weather has become rather cold again. I see that the winter has
been very variable everywhere.
Adieu, dear; keep well, be cheerful, and never doubt my affection,--Yours
ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 52.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode, March 11, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I received your letter of the 27th. I am sorry to see from
it that you are ill; take courage. My health is good; my affairs
prosper. I am waiting for fine weather, which should soon be here. I
love you and want to know that you are content and cheerful.
A great deal of nonsense will be talked of the battle of Eylau; the
bulletin tells everything; our losses are rather exaggerated in it
than minimised.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 53.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode_, _March 13, 1807_, 2 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I learn that the vexatious tittle-tattle that occurred in
your salon at Mayence has begun again; make people hold their tongues.
I shall be seriously annoyed with you if you do not find a remedy. You
allow yourself to be worried by the chatter of people who ought to
console you. I desire you to have a little character, and to know how
to put everybody into his (or her) proper place.
I am in excellent health. My affairs here are good. We are resting a
little, and organising our food supply.
Adieu, dear; keep well.
NAPOLEON.
No. 54.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode, March 15, 1807._
I received your letter of the 1st of March, from which I see that you
were much upset by the catastrophe of Minerva at the opera. I am very
glad to see that you go out and seek distractions.
My health is very good. My affairs go excellently. Take no heed of all
the unfavourable rumours that may be circulated. Never doubt my
affection, and be without the least uneasiness.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 55.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
Osterode, March 17, 1807.
_My Dear_,--It is not necessary for you to go to the small plays and
into a private box; it ill befits your rank; you should only go to the
four great theatres, and always into the Royal box. Live as you would
do if I were at Paris.
My health is very good. The cold weather has recommenced. The
thermometer has been down to 8 deg..--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 56.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode_, _March 17, 1807_, 10 P.M.
I have received yours of March 5th, from which I see with pleasure
that you are well. My health is perfect. Yet the weather of the past
two days has been cold again; the thermometer to-night has been at
10 deg., but the sun has given us a very fine day.
Adieu, dear. Very kindest regards to everybody.
Tell me something about the death of that poor Dupuis; have his
brother told that I wish to help him.
My affairs here go excellently.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 57.
_March 25th.--Abolition of slave trade in Great Britain by
Parliament._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_March 25, 1807._
I have received your letter of March 13th. If you really wish to
please me, you must live exactly as you live when I am at Paris. Then
you were not in the habit of visiting the second-rate theatres or
other places. You ought always to go into the Royal box. As for your
home life: hold receptions there, and have your fixed circles of
friends; that, my dear, is the only way to deserve my approbation.
Greatness has its inconveniences; an Empress cannot go where a private
individual may.
Very best love. My health is good. My affairs prosper.
NAPOLEON.
No. 58.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode_, _March 27, 1807_, 7 P.M.
_My Dear_,--Your letter pains me. There is no question of your dying.
You are in good health, and you can have no just ground for grief.
I think you should go during May to St. Cloud; but you must spend the
whole month of April at Paris.
My health is good. My affairs prosper.
You must not think of travelling this summer; nothing of that sort is
feasible. You ought not to frequent inns and camps. I long as much as
you for our meeting and for a quiet life.
I can do other things besides fight; but duty stands first and
foremost. All my life long I have sacrificed everything to my
destiny--peace of mind, personal advantage, happiness.
Adieu, dear. See as little as possible of that Madame de P----. She
is a woman who belongs to the lowest grade of society; she is
thoroughly common and vulgar.
NAPOLEON.
I have had occasion to find fault with M. de T----. I have sent him to
his country house in Burgundy. I wish no longer to hear his name
mentioned.
No. 59.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Osterode, April 1, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I have just got your letter of the 20th. I am sorry to see
you are ill. I wrote you to stay at Paris the whole month of April,
and to go to St. Cloud on May 1st. You may go and spend the Sundays,
and a day or two, at Malmaison. At St. Cloud you may have your usual
visitors.
My health is good. It is still quite cold enough here. All is quiet.
I have named the little princess Josephine.[23] Eugene should be well
pleased.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 60.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein, April 2, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I write you a line. I have just moved my headquarters into
a very fine chateau, after the style of Bessieres', where I have
several fireplaces, which is a great comfort to me; getting up often
in the night, I like to see the fire.
My health is perfect. The weather is fine, but still cold. The
thermometer is at four to five degrees.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 61.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein_, _April 6, 1807_, 3 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter, from which I see you have
spent Holy Week at Malmaison, and that your health is better. I long
to hear that you are thoroughly well.
I am in a fine chateau, where there are fireplaces, which I find a
great comfort. It is still very cold here; everything is frozen.
You will have seen that I have good news from Constantinople.
My health is good. There is nothing fresh here.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 62.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein_, _April 10, 1807_, 6 P.M.
_My Dear_,--My health is excellent. Here spring is beginning; but as
yet there is no vegetation. I wish you to be cheerful and contented,
and never to doubt my attachment. Here all goes well.
NAPOLEON.
No. 63.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein_, _April 14, 1807_, 7 P.M.
I have received your letter of April 3rd. I see from it that you are
well, and that it has been very cold in Paris. The weather here is
very unsettled; still I think the spring has come at length; already
the ice has almost gone. I am in splendid health.
Adieu, dear. I ordered some time ago for Malmaison all that you ask
for,--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 64.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein, April 18, 1807._
I have received your letter of April 5th. I am sorry to see from it
that you are grieved at what I have told you. As usual, your little
Creole head becomes flurried and excited in a moment. Let us not,
therefore, speak of it again. I am very well, but yet the weather is
rainy. Savary is very ill of a bilious fever, before Dantzic; I hope
it will be nothing serious.
Adieu, dear; my very best wishes to you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 65.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein_, _April 24, 1807_, 7 P.M.
I have received your letter of the 12th. I see from it that your
health is good, and that you are very happy at the thought of going to
Malmaison.
The weather has changed to fine; I hope it may continue so.
There is nothing fresh here. I am very well.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 66.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein_, _May 2, 1807_, 4 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I have just received your letter of the 23rd; I see with
pleasure that you are well, and that you are as fond as ever of
Malmaison. I hear the Arch-Chancellor is in love. Is this a joke, or a
fact? It has amused me; you might have given me a hint about it!
I am very well, and the fine season commences. Spring shows itself at
length, and the leaves begin to shoot.
Adieu, dear; very best wishes.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 67.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein, May 10, 1807._
I have just received your letter. I know not what you tell me about
ladies in correspondence with me. I love only my little Josephine,
sweet, pouting, and capricious, who can quarrel with grace, as she
does everything else, for she is always lovable, except when she is
jealous; then she becomes a regular shrew.[24] But let us come back to
these ladies. If I had leisure for any among them, I assure you that I
should like them to be pretty rosebuds.
Are those of whom you speak of this kind?
I wish you to have only those persons to dinner who have dined with
me; that your list be the same for your assemblies; that you never
make intimates at Malmaison of ambassadors and foreigners. If you
should do the contrary, you would displease me. Finally, do not allow
yourself to be duped too much by persons whom I do not know, and who
would not come to the house, if I were there.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 68.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.
_Finckenstein, May 12, 1807._
I have just received your letter of May 2nd, in which I see that you
are getting ready to go to St. Cloud. I was sorry to see the bad
conduct of Madame ----. Might you not speak to her about mending her
ways, which at present might easily cause unpleasantness on the part
of her husband?
From what I hear, Napoleon is cured; I can well imagine how unhappy
his mother has been; but measles is an ailment to which every one is
liable. I hope that he has been vaccinated, and that he will at least
be safe from the smallpox.
Adieu, dear. The weather is very warm, and vegetation has begun; but
it will be some days before there is any grass.
NAPOLEON.
No. 69.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Finckenstein, May 14, 1807._
I realise the grief which the death of this poor Napoleon[25] must
cause you; you can imagine what I am enduring. I should like to be by
your side, in order that your sorrow might be kept within reasonable
bounds. You have had the good fortune never to lose children; but it
is one of the pains and conditions attached to our miseries here
below. I trust I may hear you have been rational in your sorrow, and
that your health remains good! Would you willingly augment my grief?
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 70.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Finckenstein, May 16, 1807._
I have just received your letter of May 6th. I see from it how ill you
are already; and I fear that you are not rational, and that you are
making yourself too wretched about the misfortune which has come upon
us.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 71.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.
_Finckenstein, May 20, 1807._
I have just received your letter of May 10th. I see that you have gone
to Lacken. I think you might stay there a fortnight; it would please
the Belgians and serve to distract you.
I am sorry to see that you have not been rational. Grief has bounds
which should not be passed. Take care of yourself for the sake of your
friend, and believe in my entire affection.
NAPOLEON.
No. 72.
_May 24th.--Dantzic surrenders to Lefebvre after two months'
siege, with 800 guns and immense stores._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.
_Finckenstein, May 24, 1807._
Your letter from Lacken just received. I am sorry to see your grief
undiminished, and that Hortense has not yet come; she is unreasonable,
and does not deserve our love, since she only loves her children.
Try to calm her, and do not make me wretched. For every ill without a
remedy consolations must be found.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 73.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.
_Finckenstein, May 26, 1807._
I have just received your letter of the 16th. I have seen with
pleasure that Hortense has arrived at Lacken. I am annoyed at what you
tell me of the state of stupor in which she still is. She must have
more courage, and force herself to have it. I cannot imagine why they
want her to go to take the waters; she will forget her trouble much
better at Paris, and find more sources of consolation.
Show force of character, be cheerful, and keep well. My health is
excellent.
Adieu, dear. I suffer much from all your griefs; it is a great trouble
to me not to be by your side.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_May 28th.--Lefebvre made Duke of Dantzic by Napoleon._
_May 29th._--Selim III. deposed in Turkey by Mustapha IV., his
nephew.
_June 1st.--22,000 Spanish troops, sent by Charles IV., join the
French army in Germany._
No. 74.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.
_Dantzig, June 2, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I note your arrival at Malmaison. I have no letters from
you; I am vexed with Hortense, she has never written me a line. All
that you tell me about her grieves me. Why have you not found her some
distractions? Weeping won't do it! I trust you will take care of
yourself in order that I may not find you utterly woebegone.
I have been the two past days at Dantzic; the weather is very fine, my
health excellent. I think more of you than you are thinking of a
husband far away.
Adieu, dear; very kindest regards. Pass on this letter to Hortense.
NAPOLEON.
No. 75.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Marienburg, June 3, 1807._
This morning I slept at Marienburg. Yesterday I left Dantzic; my
health is very good. Every letter that comes from St. Cloud tells me
you are always weeping. That is not well; it is necessary for you to
keep well and be cheerful.
Hortense is still unwell; what you tell me of her makes me very sorry
for her.
Adieu, dear; think of all the affection I bear for you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 5th.--Russians defeated at Spanden; Bernadotte wounded._
No. 76.
_June 6th.--Russians defeated at Deppen by Soult._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Finckenstein, June 6, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I am in flourishing health. Your yesterday's letter pained
me; it seems to me that you are always grieving, and that you are not
reasonable. The weather is very fine.
Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you cheerful and contented.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 9th.--Russians defeated at Guttstadt by Napoleon, and_
_June 10th.--At Heilsberg._
_June 14th.--Battle of Friedland, completing the "Campaign of Ten
Days."_
No. 77.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Friedland, June 15, 1807._
_My Dear_,--I write you only a line, for I am very tired, by reason of
several days' bivouacking. My children have worthily celebrated the
anniversary of the battle of Marengo.
The battle of Friedland will be as celebrated for my people, and
equally glorious. The entire Russian army routed, 80 pieces of cannon
captured, 30,000 men taken or slain, 25 Russian generals killed,
wounded, or taken, the Russian Guard wiped out. The battle is worthy
of her sisters--Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena. The bulletin will tell you
the rest. My loss is not considerable. I out-manoeuvred the enemy
successfully.
Be content and without uneasiness.
Adieu, dear; my horse is waiting.
NAPOLEON.
You may give this news as official, if it arrives before the bulletin.
They may also fire salvoes. Cambaceres will make the proclamation.
No. 78.
_June 16th.--Koenigsberg captured by Soult--"what was left to the
King of Prussia is conquered."_
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Friedland_, _June 16, 1807_, 4 P.M.
_My Dear_,--Yesterday I despatched Moustache with the news of the
battle of Friedland. Since then I have continued to pursue the enemy.
Koenigsberg, which is a town of 80,000 souls, is in my power. I have
found there many cannon, large stores, and, lastly, more than 160,000
muskets, which have come from England.
Adieu, dear. My health is perfect, although I have a slight
catarrh caused by bivouacking in the rain and cold. Be happy and
cheerful.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 17th.--Neisse, in Silesia, with 6000 men, surrenders to the
French; also_
_June 18th--Glatz._
No. 79.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Tilsit, June 19, 1807._
This morning I despatched Tascher to you, to calm all your fears. Here
all goes splendidly. The battle of Friedland has decided everything.
The enemy is confounded, overwhelmed, and greatly weakened.
My health is good, and my army is superb.
Adieu, dear. Be cheerful and contented.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 21st.--Armistice concluded at Tilsit._
No. 80.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Tilsit, June 22, 1807._