_Saturday_, 6 P.M., 1810.
I told Eugene that you would rather give ear to the vulgar gossip of a
great city than to what I told you; yet people should not be allowed
to invent fictions to make you miserable.
I have had all your effects moved to the Elysee. You shall come to
Paris at once; but be at ease and contented, and have full confidence
in me.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_February 2._--Soult occupies Seville. The Junta takes refuge at
Cadiz.
_February 6._--Guadeloupe surrenders to the English.
_February 7.--Convention of marriage between the Emperor Napoleon
and the Archduchess Marie Louise._
No. 20.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT THE ELYSEE-NAPOLEON.
_February 19, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. I long to see you, but the
reflections that you make may be true. It is, perhaps, not desirable
that we should be under the same roof for the first year. Yet
Bessieres' country-house is too far off to go and return in one day;
moreover I have rather a cold, and am not sure of being able to go
there.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 21.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT THE ELYSEE-NAPOLEON.
_Friday_, 6 P.M., 1810.
Savary, as soon as he arrived, brought me your letter; I am sorry to
see you are unhappy. I am very glad that you saw nothing of the fire.
I had fine weather at Rambouillet.
Hortense told me that you had some idea of coming to a dinner at
Bessieres, and of returning to Paris to sleep. I am sorry that you
have not been able to manage it.
Adieu, dear. Be cheerful, and consider how much you please me
thereby.
NAPOLEON.
No. 22.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.
_March 12, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I trust that you will be pleased with what I have done for
Navarre. You must see from that how anxious I am to make myself
agreeable to you.
Get ready to take possession of Navarre; you will go there on March
25, to pass the month of April.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_April 1.--Civil marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise._
(_Religious marriage, April 2._)
FOOTNOTES
[36] The Empress, with Hortense, had been to dine at Trianon.
[37] General Treasurer of the Crown.
SERIES N
1810
APRIL 2ND--DECEMBER 31ST
(_after the Marriage with Marie Louise_).
"Bella gerant alii, tu, felix Austria! nube."
SERIES N
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 304-310.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Navarre_ 304
_To Malmaison_ 305
No. 1_a_. _It is written in a bad style_ 305
No. 2. Josephine's wishes 305
No. 2_a_. _Two letters_ 306
No. 3. The northern tour of 1810 306
_I will come to see you_ 307
No. 4. _July 8th_ 308
_You will have seen Eugene_ 308
_That unfortunate daughter_ 308
No. 5. _The conduct of the King of Holland_ 308
No. 6. _To die in a lake_ 309
No. 8. _Paris, this Friday_ 309
No. 9. _The only suitable places_ 310
No. 10. Malmaison 310
_The Empress progresses satisfactorily_ 310
No. 1.
LETTER OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.
_Navarre, April 19, 1810._
_Sire_,-I have received, by my son, the assurance that your Majesty
consents to my return to Malmaison, and grants to me the advances
asked for in order to make the chateau of Navarre habitable. This
double favour, Sire, dispels to a great extent the uneasiness, nay,
even the fears which your Majesty's long silence had inspired. I was
afraid that I might be entirely banished from your memory; I see that
I am not. I am therefore less wretched to-day, and even as happy as
henceforward it will be possible for me to be.
I shall go at the end of the month to Malmaison, since your Majesty
sees no objection to it. But I ought to tell you, Sire, that I should
not so soon have taken advantage of the latitude which your Majesty
left me in this respect had the house of Navarre not required, for my
health's sake and for that of my household, repairs which are urgent.
My idea is to stay at Malmaison a very short time; I shall soon leave
it in order to go to the waters. But while I am at Malmaison, your
Majesty may be sure that I shall live there as if I were a thousand
leagues from Paris. I have made a great sacrifice, Sire, and every day
I realise more its full extent. Yet that sacrifice will be, as it
ought to be, a complete one on my part. Your Highness, amid your
happiness, shall be troubled by no expression of my regret.
I shall pray unceasingly for your Majesty's happiness, perhaps even I
shall pray that I may see you again; but your Majesty may be assured
that I shall always respect our new relationship. I shall respect it
in silence, relying on the attachment that you had to me formerly; I
shall call for no new proof; I shall trust to everything from your
justice and your heart.
I limit myself to asking from you one favour: it is, that you will
deign to find a way of sometimes convincing both myself and my
_entourage_ that I have still a small place in your memory and a great
place in your esteem and friendship. By this means, whatever happens,
my sorrows will be mitigated without, as it seems to me, compromising
that which is of permanent importance to me, the happiness of your
Majesty.
JOSEPHINE.
No. 1A.
(_Reply of the Emperor Napoleon to the preceding._)
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Compiegne, April 21, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have yours of April 18th; it is written in a bad style.
I am always the same; people like me do not change. I know not what
Eugene has told you. I have not written to you because you have not
written to me, and my sole desire is to fulfil your slightest
inclination.
I see with pleasure that you are going to Malmaison and that you are
contented; as for me, I shall be so likewise on hearing news from you
and in giving you mine. I say no more about it until you have compared
this letter with yours, and after that I will leave you to judge which
of us two is the better friend.
Adieu, dear; keep well, and be just for your sake and mine.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_April 23rd._--Battle of Lerida. Suchet defeats Spaniards.
No. 2.
REPLY OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.
A thousand, thousand loving thanks for not having forgotten me. My son
has just brought me your letter. With what impetuosity I read it, and
yet I took a long time over it, for there was not a word which did not
make me weep; but these tears were very pleasant ones. I have found my
whole heart again--such as it will always be; there are affections
which are life itself, and which can only end with it.
I was in despair to find my letter of the 19th had displeased you; I
do not remember the exact expressions, but I know what torture I felt
in writing it--the grief at having no news from you.
I wrote you on my departure from Malmaison, and since then how often
have I wished to write you! but I appreciated the causes of your
silence and feared to be importunate with a letter. Yours has been the
true balm for me. Be happy, be as much so as you deserve; it is my
whole heart which speaks to you. You have also just given me my share
of happiness, and a share which I value the most, for nothing can
equal in my estimation a proof that you still remember me.
Adieu, dear; I again thank you as affectionately as I shall always
love you.
JOSEPHINE.
No. 2A.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE CHATEAU NAVARRE.
_Compiegne, April 28, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have just received two letters from you. I am writing to
Eugene. I have ordered that the marriage of Tascher with the Princess
de la Leyen shall take place.
To-morrow I shall go to Antwerp to see my fleet and to give orders
about the works. I shall return on May 15th.
Eugene tells me that you wish to go to the waters; trouble yourself
about nothing. Do not listen to the gossip of Paris; it is idle and
far from knowing the real state of things. My affection for you does
not change, and I long to know that you are happy and contented.
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_My Dear_,--I have your letter. Eugene will give you tidings of my
journey and of the Empress. I am very glad that you are going to the
waters. I trust they may do you good.
I wish very much to see you. If you are at Malmaison at the end of the
month, I will come to see you. I expect to be at St. Cloud on the 30th
of the month. My health is very good ... it only needs to hear that
you are contented and well. Let me know in what name you intend to
travel.
Never doubt the whole truth of my affection for you; it will last as
long as I. You would be very unjust if you doubted it.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_July 1st.--Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, abdicates in favour
of his son._
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_Rambouillet, July 8, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have your letter of July 8th. You will have seen Eugene,
and his presence will have done you good. I learn with pleasure that
the waters are beneficial to you. The King of Holland has just
abdicated the throne, while leaving the Regency, according to the
Constitution, in the hands of the Queen. He has quitted Amsterdam and
left the Grand Duke of Berg behind.
I have reunited Holland to France, which has, however, the advantage
of setting the Queen at liberty, and that[38] unfortunate girl is
coming to Paris with her son the Grand Duke of Berg--that will make
her perfectly happy.
My health is good. I have come here to hunt for a few days. I shall
see you this autumn with pleasure. Never doubt my friendship; I never
change.
Keep well, be cheerful, and believe in the truth of my attachment.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_July 9th._--Holland incorporated with the French Empire.
_July 10th._--Ney takes Ciudad Rodrigo, after twenty-five days
open trenches.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_St. Cloud, July 20, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter of July 14th, and note with
pleasure that the waters are doing you good, and that you like Geneva.
I think that you are doing well to go there for a few weeks.
My health is fairly good. The conduct of the King of Holland has
worried me.
Hortense is shortly coming to Paris. The Grand Duke of Berg is on his
way; I expect him to-morrow.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 6.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_Trianon, August 10, 1810._
Your letter to hand. I was pained to see what a risk you had run. For
an inhabitant of the isles of the ocean to die in a lake would have
been a fatality indeed!
The Queen is better, and I hope her health will be re-established. Her
husband is in Bohemia, apparently not knowing what to do.
I am fairly well, and beg you to believe in my sincere attachment.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_August 21st._--Swedes elect Marshal Bernadotte Crown Prince of
Sweden.
_August 27th._--Massena takes Almeida.
No. 7.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_St. Cloud, September 14, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have your letter of September 9th. I learn with pleasure
that you keep well. There is no longer the slightest doubt that the
Empress has entered on the fourth month of her pregnancy; she is well,
and is much attached to me. The young Princes Napoleon are very well;
they are in the Pavillon d'Italie, in the Park of St. Cloud.
My health is fairly good. I wish to learn that you are happy and
contented. I hear that one of your _entourage_ has broken a leg while
going on the glacier.
Adieu, dear. Never doubt the interest I take in you and the affection
that I bear towards you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_September 27th.--Battle of Busaco._ Like Ebersburg, another of
Massena's expensive and unnecessary frontal attacks. He loses 5000
men, but next day turns the position of Wellington, who continues
to retire.
No. 8.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.
_Paris, this Friday._
_My Dear_,--Yours to hand. I am sorry to see that you have been ill; I
fear it must be this bad weather.
Madame de la T---- is one of the most foolish women of the Faubourg. I
have borne her cackle for a very long time; I am sick of it, and have
ordered that she does not come again to Paris. There are five or six
other old women that I equally wish to send away from Paris; they are
spoiling the young ones by their follies.
I will name Madame de Makau Baroness since you wish it, and carry out
your other commissions.
My health is pretty good. The conduct of B---- appears to me very
ridiculous. I trust to hear that you are better.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT GENEVA.
_Fontainebleau, October 1, 1810._
I have received your letter. Hortense, whom I have seen, will have
told you what I think. Go to see your son this winter; come back to
the waters of Aix next year, or, still better, wait for the spring at
Navarre. I would advise you to go to Navarre at once, if I did not
fear you would get tired of it. In my view, the only suitable places
for you this winter are either Milan or Navarre; after that, I approve
of whatever you may do, for I do not wish to vex you in anything.
Adieu, dear. The Empress is as I told you in my last letter. I am
naming Madame de Montesquiou governess of the Children of France. Be
contented, and do not get excited; never doubt my affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 6th._--Wellington reaches the lines of Torres Vedras.
_November 9th._--Opening of St. Quentin Canal at Paris.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Fontainebleau, November 14, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. Hortense has spoken to me
about it. I note with pleasure that you are contented. I hope that you
are not very tired of Navarre.
My health is very good. The Empress progresses satisfactorily. I will
do the various things you ask regarding your household. Take care of
your health, and never doubt my affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 11.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
I have your letter. I see no objection to the marriage of Mackau with
Wattier, if he wishes it; this general is a very brave man. I am in
good health. I hope to have a son; I shall let you know immediately.
Adieu, dear. I am very glad that Madame d'Arberg[39] has told you
things which please you. When you see me, you will find me with my old
affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 3rd._--English take Mauritius.
FOOTNOTES
[38] So _Collection Didot_, followed by Aubenas. St. Amand has "ton
infortunee fille."
[39] Josephine's chief maid-of-honour.
SERIES O
1811
"Nun steht das Reich gesichert, wie gegruendet,
Nun fuehlt er froh im Sohne sich gegruendet.
* * * * *
Und sei durch Sie dies letzte Glueck beschieden--
Der alles wollen kann, will auch den Frieden."
--GOETHE (_Ihro der Kaiserin von Frankreich Majestaet_).
SERIES O
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 311-312.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _The New Year_ 311
_More women than men_ 311
_Keep well_ 311
No. 2. Birth of the King of Rome 311
_Eugene_ 311
No. 4. _As fat as a good Normandy farmeress_ 312
No. 1.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Paris, January 8th, 1811._
I have your New Year's letter. I thank you for its contents. I note
with pleasure that you are well and happy. I hear that there are more
women than men at Navarre.
My health is excellent, though I have not been out for a fortnight.
Eugene appears to have no fears about his wife; he gives you a
grandson.
Adieu, dear; keep well.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_February 19th._--Soult defeats Spaniards at the Gebora, near
Badajoz.
_February 28th._--French occupy Duchy of Oldenburg, to complete
the line of the North Sea blockade against England. This
occupation embitters the Emperor of Russia and his family.
_March 10th._--Mortier captures Badajoz after a siege of 54 days.
_March 20th._--Birth of the _King of Rome_--"a pompous title
buried in the tomb of the Ostrogoths."
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Paris, March 22nd, 1811._
_My Dear_,--I have your letter. I thank you for it.
My son is fat, and in excellent health. I trust he may continue to
improve. He has my chest, my mouth, and my eyes. I hope he may fulfil
his destiny. I am always well pleased with Eugene; he has never given
me the least anxiety.
NAPOLEON.
_April 4th._--Battle of Fuentes d'Onoro. Massena attacks English,
and is repulsed.
_June 18th._--Wellington raises siege of Badajoz, and retires on
Portugal.
_June 29th._--French storm Tarragona, whereupon Suchet created
Marshal.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_Trianon, August 25th, 1811._
I have your letter. I see with pleasure that you are in good health. I
have been for some days at Trianon. I expect to go to Compiegne. My
health is very good.
Put some order into your affairs. Spend only L60,000, and save as much
every year; that will make a reserve of L600,000 in ten years for your
grandchildren. It is pleasant to be able to give them something, and
be helpful to them. Instead of that, I hear you have debts, which
would be really too bad. Look after your affairs, and don't give to
every one who wants to help himself. If you wish to please me, let me
hear that you have accumulated a large fortune. Consider how ill I
must think of you, if I know that you, with L125,000 a year, are in
debt.
Adieu, dear; keep well.
NAPOLEON.
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_Friday_, 8 A.M., 1811.
I send to know how you are, for Hortense tells me you were in bed
yesterday. I was annoyed with you about your debts. I do not wish you
to have any; on the contrary, I wish you to put a million aside every
year, to give to your grandchildren when they get married.
Nevertheless, never doubt my affection for you, and don't worry any
more about the present embarrassment.
Adieu, dear. Send me word that you are well. They say that you are as
fat as a good Normandy farmeress.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 25th-26th._--Battle of Murviedro and capture of Sagunto:
Blake and O'Donnell heavily defeated by Suchet.
_December 20th._--Senatus Consultus puts 120,000 conscripts (born
in 1792) at disposal of Government for 1812.
_December 26th._--Suchet defeats Spanish, and crosses Guadalaviar.
SERIES P
1812
"'Tis the same landscape which the modern Mars saw
Who march'd to Moscow, led by Fame, the siren!
To lose by one month's frost, some twenty years
Of conquest, and his guard of grenadiers."
--BYRON (_Don Juan_, canto x. stanza 58).
SERIES P
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 312-315.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. Konigsberg 312
No. 2. _Gumbinnen_ 313
1812.
Montgaillard sums up his tirade against Napoleon for the Russian
campaign by noting that it took the Romans _ten_ years to conquer
Gaul, while Napoleon "would not give _two_ to the conquest of that
vast desert of Scythia which forced Darius to flee, Alexander to
draw back, Crassus to perish; where Julian terminated his career,
where Valerian covered himself with shame, and which saw the
disasters of Charles XII."
_January 9th._--Suchet captures Valencia, 18,000 Spanish troops,
and 400 cannon. The marshal is made Duke of Albufera.
_January 15th._--Imperial decree ordains 100,000 acres to be put
under cultivation of beetroot, for the manufacture of indigenous
sugar.
_January 19th._--Taking of Ciudad Rodrigo by Wellington.
_January 26th._--French, under General Friand, occupy Stralsund
and Swedish Pomerania.
_February 24th._--Treaty of alliance between France and Prussia;
the latter to support France in case of a war with Russia.
_March 13th._--Senatus Consultus divides the National Guards into
three bans, to include all capable men not already in military
service. They are not to serve outside France. A hundred cohorts,
each 970 strong, of the first ban (men between 20 and 26), put at
disposal of Government.
_March 14th._--Treaty between France and Austria; reciprocal help,
in need, of 30,000 men and 60 guns. The integrity of European
Turkey mutually guaranteed.
_March 26th._--Treaty between Russia and Sweden. Bernadotte is
promised Norway by Alexander.
_April 7th._--The English take Badajoz by assault. "The French
General, Philippon, with but 3000 men, has been besieged thrice
within thirteen months by armies of 50,000 men" (_Montgaillard_).
_April 24th._--Alexander leaves St. Petersburg, to take command of
his Grand Army.
_May 9th.--Napoleon leaves Paris for Germany._
_May 11th._--Assassination of English Prime Minister, Perceval.
_May 17th-28th.--Napoleon at Dresden; joined there by the Emperor
and Empress of Austria, and a fresh_ "parterre _of kings"._
_May 28th._---Treaty of Bucharest, between Turkey and Russia. The
Pruth as boundary, and Servia restored to Turkey. This treaty, so
fatal to Napoleon, and of which he only heard in October, was
mainly the work of Stratford de Redcliffe, then aged twenty-five.
Wellington, thinking the treaty his brother's work, speaks of it
as "the most important service that ever fell to the lot of any
individual to perform."
No. 1.
_June 12th._--Suchet defeats an Anglo-Spanish army outside
Tarragona.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_June 12th, 1812._
_My Dear_,--I shall always receive news from you with great interest.
The waters will, I hope, do you good, and I shall see you with much
pleasure on your return.
Never doubt the interest I feel in you. I will arrange all the matters
of which you speak.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 16th._--Lord Liverpool Prime Minister of England.
_June 18th._--United States declares war against England
concerning rights of neutrals.
_June 19th._--The captive Pope (Pius VII.) brought to Fontainebleau.
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_Gumbinnen, June 20th, 1812._
I have your letter of June 10th. I see no obstacle to your going to
Milan, to be near the Vice-Reine. You will do well to go _incognito_.
You will find it very hot.
My health is very good. Eugene is well, and is doing good work. Never
doubt the interest I have in you, and my friendship.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_June 22nd.--Napoleon from his headquarters, Wilkowyszki, declares
war against Russia. His army comprised 550,000 men and 1200
cannon, and he held sway at this epoch over 85,000,000 souls--half
the then population of Europe._
_June 24th._--French cross the Niemen, over 450,000 strong.[40] Of
these 20,000 are Italians, 80,000 from Confederation of the Rhine,
30,000 Poles, 30,000 Austrians, and 20,000 Prussians. The Russian
army numbers 360,000.
_June 28th._--French enter Wilna, the old capital of Lithuania.
_Napoleon remains here till July 16th, establishing a provisional
government, and leaving his Foreign Minister, Maret, there._
_July 12th._--Americans invade Canada.
_July 18th._--Treaty of peace between England and Sweden; and
between Russia and the Spanish Regency at Cadiz.
_July 22nd._--_Battle of Salamanca_ (Arapiles). Marmont defeated
by Wellington, and badly wounded. French lose nearly 8000 men and
5000 prisoners; English loss, 5200. The Spanish Regency had
decided to submit to Joseph Bonaparte, but this battle deters
them. French retire behind the Douro.
_July 23rd._--Combat of Mohilow, on the Dneiper. Davoust defeats
Bagration.
_July 28th._--French enter Witepsk.
_August 1st._--Treaty of alliance between Great Britain and
Russia. English fleet henceforward guards the Gulf of Riga. Combat
of Obaiarzma, on the bank of the Drissa. Marshal Oudinot defeats
Wittgenstein. Russians lose 5000 men and 14 guns.
_August 9th._--Battle of Brownstown (near Toronto). Americans
defeated; surrender August 16th with 2500 men and 33 guns to
General Brock.
_August 12th._--Wellington enters Madrid.
_August 17th-18th.--Battle and capture of Smolensk. Napoleon
defeats Barclay de Tolly; Russians lose 12,000, French less than
half._
_August 18th._--Battle of Polotsk, fifty miles from Witepsk, down
the Dwina. St. Cyr defeats Wittgenstein's much larger army, and
takes 20 guns. (St. Cyr made marshal for this battle, August
27th.)
_August 19th._--Combat of Volontino-Cova, beyond Smolensk. Ney
defeats Russians.
_August 27th._--Norway guaranteed Sweden in lieu of Finland by
Russia.
_August 28th._--Interview at Abo, in Finland, between Alexander,
Bernadotte, and Lord Cathcart (English ambassador). Decided that
Sweden shall join the crusade against France, and that Moreau be
imported from U.S.A. to command another army.
_August 29th._--Viazma, burnt by Russians, entered by the French.