November 14th.—Third revolution at Constantinople.Mahmoud IV. assassinated (November 15th).
November 14th.—Third revolution at Constantinople.Mahmoud IV. assassinated (November 15th).
To the Empress, at Paris.
Burgos, November 14, 1808.
Matters here are progressing at a great rate. The weather is very fine. We are successful. My health is very good.
Napoleon.
November 23rd.—Battle of Tudela. Castaños and Palafox defeated, with loss of 7000 men and 30 cannon, by Marshal Lannes. "The battle of Tudela makes the pendant of that of Espinosa."—Napoleon.
November 23rd.—Battle of Tudela. Castaños and Palafox defeated, with loss of 7000 men and 30 cannon, by Marshal Lannes. "The battle of Tudela makes the pendant of that of Espinosa."—Napoleon.
No. 5.
To the Empress, at Paris.
November 26, 1808.
I have received your letter. I trust that your health be as good as mine is, although I am very busy. All goes well here.
I think you should return to the Tuileries on December 21st, and from that date give a concert daily for eight days.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
Kind regards to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.
December 3rd.—French voluntarily evacuate Berlin.December 4th.—Surrender of Madrid. Napoleon abolishes the Inquisition and feudal rights.("He regards the taking of a capital as decisive for the submission of a whole kingdom; thus in 1814 will act his adversaries, pale but judicious imitators of his strategy."—Montgaillard.)
December 3rd.—French voluntarily evacuate Berlin.
December 4th.—Surrender of Madrid. Napoleon abolishes the Inquisition and feudal rights.("He regards the taking of a capital as decisive for the submission of a whole kingdom; thus in 1814 will act his adversaries, pale but judicious imitators of his strategy."—Montgaillard.)
No. 6.
To the Empress, at Paris.
December 7, 1808.
Your letter of the 28th to hand. I am glad to see that you are well. You will have seen that young Tascher has distinguished himself, which has pleased me. My health is good.
Here we are enjoying Parisian weather of the last fortnight in May. We are hot, and have no fires; but the nights are rather cool.
Madrid is quiet. All my affairs prosper.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
Kind regards to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.
No. 7.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Chamartin, December 10, 1808.
My Dear,—Yours to hand, in which you tell me what bad weather you are having in Paris; here it is the best weather imaginable. Please tell me what mean these alterations Hortense is making; I hear she is sending away her servants. Is it because they have refused to do what was required? Give me some particulars. Reforms are not desirable.
Adieu, dear. The weather here is delightful. All goes excellently, and I pray you to keep well.
Napoleon.
No. 8.
To the Empress, at Paris.
December 21, 1808.
You ought to have been at the Tuileries on the 12th. I trust you may have been pleased with your rooms.
I have authorised the presentation of Kourakin to you and the family; be kind to him, and let him take part in your plays.
Adieu, dear. I am well. The weather is rainy; it is rather cold.
Napoleon.
No.9.
December 22nd.—Napoleon quits Madrid.
December 22nd.—Napoleon quits Madrid.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Madrid, December 22, 1808.
I start at once to outmanœuvre the English, who appear to have received reinforcements and wish to look big.
The weather is fine, my health perfect; don't be uneasy.
Napoleon.
No. 10.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Benavento, December 31, 1808.
My Dear,—The last few days I have been in pursuit of the English, but they flee panic-stricken. They have pusillanimously abandoned the remnant of La Romana's army in order not to delay its retreat a single half day. More than a hundred waggons of their baggage have already been taken. The weather is very bad.
Lefebvre[31]has been captured. He took part in a skirmish with 300 of his chasseurs; these idiots crossed a river by swimming and threw themselves in the midst of the English cavalry; they killed several, but on their return Lefebvre had his horse wounded; it was swimming, the current took him to the bank where the English were; he was taken. Console his wife.
Adieu, dear. Bessières, with 10,000 cavalry, is at Astorga.
Napoleon.
A happy New Year to everybody.
No. 11.
To the Empress, at Paris.
January 3, 1809.
My Dear,—I have received your letters of the 18th and 21st. I am close behind the English.
The weather is cold and rigorous, but all goes well.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
A happy New Year, and a very happy one, to my Josephine.
No. 12.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Benavento, January 5, 1809.
My Dear,—I write you a line. The English are in utter rout; I have instructed the Duke of Dalmatia to pursue them closely (l'épee dans les reins). I am well; the weather bad.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 13.
To the Empress, at Paris.
January 8, 1809.
I have received yours of the 23rd and 26th. I am sorry to see you have toothache. I have been here two days. Theweather is what we must expect at this season. The English are embarking. I am in good health.
Adieu, dear.
I am writing Hortense. Eugène has a daughter.
Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 14.
To the Empress, at Paris.
January 9, 1809.
Moustache brings me your letter of 31st December. I see from it, dear, that you are sad and have very gloomy disquietudes. Austria will not make war on me; if she does, I have 150,000 men in Germany and as many on the Rhine, and 400,000 Germans to reply to her. Russia will not separate herself from me. They are foolish in Paris; all goes well.
I shall be at Paris the moment I think it worth while. I advise you to beware of ghosts; one fine day, at two o'clock in the morning.
But adieu, dear; I am well, and am yours ever,
Napoleon.
"Berthier, incapable of acting a principal part, was surprised, and making a succession of false movements that would have been fatal to the French army, if the Emperor, journeying night and day, had not arrived at the very hour when his lieutenant was on the point of consummating the ruin of the army. But then was seen the supernatural force of Napoleon's genius. In a few hours he changed the aspect of affairs, and in a few days, maugre their immense number, his enemies, baffled and flying in all directions, proclaimed his mastery in an art which, up to that moment, was imperfect; for never, since troops first trod a field of battle, was such a display of military genius made by man."—Napier.
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages278-295.)
Events of 1809.
January 7th.—King and Queen of Prussia visit Alexander at St. Petersburg.January 12th.—Cayenne and French Guiana captured by Spanish and Portuguese South Americans.January 13th.—Combat of Alcazar. Victor defeats Spaniards.January 14th.—Treaty of Alliance between England and Spain.January 16th.—Battle of Corunna. Moore killed; Baird wounded.January 17th.—English army sails for England.January 22nd.—King Joseph returns to Madrid.January 27th.—Soult takes Ferrol (retaken by English, June 22nd).February 21st.—Lannes takes Saragossa.February 23rd.—English capture Martinique.March 4th.—Madison made President of United States.March 29th.—Soult fights battle of Oporto. Spaniards lose 20,000 men and 200 guns. Gustavus Adolphus abdicates throne of Sweden.April 9th.—Austrians under Archduke Charles cross the Inn, enter Bavaria, and take Munich.Napoleon receives this news April 12th, and reaches Strasburg April 15th.April 15th.—Eugène defeated on the Tagliamento.April 16th.—And at Sacile.April 19th.—Combat of Pfafferhofen. Oudinot repulses Austrians, while Davoust wins the Battle of Thann.Napoleon joins the army.April 20th.—Battle of Abensberg. Archduke Louis defeated. Austrians take Ratisbon, and 1800 prisoners. Poles defeated by Archduke Ferdinand at Baszy.April 21st.—Combat of Landshut; heavy Austrian losses. Austrians under Archduke Ferdinand take Warsaw.April 22nd.—Battle of Eckmühl. Napoleon defeats Archduke Charles.April 23rd.—French take Ratisbon.April 25th.—King of Bavaria re-enters Munich.April 26th.—French army crosses the Inn.April 28th-30th.—French force the Salza, and cut in two the main Austrian army—"One of the most beautiful manœuvres of modern tactics" (Montgaillard).April 29th.—Combat of Caldiero. Eugène defeats Archduke John.May 3rd.—Russia declares war on Austria, and enters Galicia.May 4th.—Combat of Ebersberg. Massena defeats Austrians, but loses a large number of men.
January 7th.—King and Queen of Prussia visit Alexander at St. Petersburg.
January 12th.—Cayenne and French Guiana captured by Spanish and Portuguese South Americans.
January 13th.—Combat of Alcazar. Victor defeats Spaniards.
January 14th.—Treaty of Alliance between England and Spain.
January 16th.—Battle of Corunna. Moore killed; Baird wounded.
January 17th.—English army sails for England.
January 22nd.—King Joseph returns to Madrid.
January 27th.—Soult takes Ferrol (retaken by English, June 22nd).
February 21st.—Lannes takes Saragossa.
February 23rd.—English capture Martinique.
March 4th.—Madison made President of United States.
March 29th.—Soult fights battle of Oporto. Spaniards lose 20,000 men and 200 guns. Gustavus Adolphus abdicates throne of Sweden.
April 9th.—Austrians under Archduke Charles cross the Inn, enter Bavaria, and take Munich.Napoleon receives this news April 12th, and reaches Strasburg April 15th.
April 15th.—Eugène defeated on the Tagliamento.
April 16th.—And at Sacile.
April 19th.—Combat of Pfafferhofen. Oudinot repulses Austrians, while Davoust wins the Battle of Thann.Napoleon joins the army.
April 20th.—Battle of Abensberg. Archduke Louis defeated. Austrians take Ratisbon, and 1800 prisoners. Poles defeated by Archduke Ferdinand at Baszy.
April 21st.—Combat of Landshut; heavy Austrian losses. Austrians under Archduke Ferdinand take Warsaw.
April 22nd.—Battle of Eckmühl. Napoleon defeats Archduke Charles.
April 23rd.—French take Ratisbon.
April 25th.—King of Bavaria re-enters Munich.
April 26th.—French army crosses the Inn.
April 28th-30th.—French force the Salza, and cut in two the main Austrian army—"One of the most beautiful manœuvres of modern tactics" (Montgaillard).
April 29th.—Combat of Caldiero. Eugène defeats Archduke John.
May 3rd.—Russia declares war on Austria, and enters Galicia.
May 4th.—Combat of Ebersberg. Massena defeats Austrians, but loses a large number of men.
No. 1.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Donauwoerth, April 17, 1809.
I arrived here yesterday at 4A.M.; I am just leaving it. Everything is under way. Military operations are in full activity. Up to the present, there is nothing new.
My health is good.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 2.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Enns, May 6, 1809, Noon.
My Dear,—I have received your letter. The ball that touched me has not wounded me; it barely grazed the tendon Achilles.
My health is very good. You are wrong to be uneasy.
My affairs here go excellently.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
Kind regards to Hortense and the Duke de Berg.[32]
May 8th.—Eugène crosses the Piave, and defeats Archduke John.
May 8th.—Eugène crosses the Piave, and defeats Archduke John.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Saint-Polten, May 9, 1809.
My Dear,—I write you from Saint-Polten. To-morrow I shall be before Vienna; it will be exactly a month to the day after the Austrians crossed the Inn, and violated peace.
My health is good, the weather splendid, and the soldiery very cheerful; there is wine here.
Keep well.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
May 13th.—French occupy Vienna, after a bombardment of thirty-six hours.May 17th.—Roman States united to the French Empire.May 18th.—French occupy Trieste.May 19th.—Lefebvre occupies Innsbruck.May 20th.—Eugène reaches Klagenfurt.May 21st-22nd.—Battle of Essling. A drawn battle, unfavourable to the French, who lose Marshal Lannes, three generals killed, and 500 officers and 18,000 men wounded. The Archduke admits a loss of 4200 killed and 16,000 wounded.May 22nd.—Meerveldt with 4000 men surrenders at Laybach to Macdonald.May 25th.—Eugène reaches Leoben in Styria, and captures most of the corps of Jellachich.May 26th.—Eugène joins the army of Germany, at Bruck in Styria.
May 13th.—French occupy Vienna, after a bombardment of thirty-six hours.
May 17th.—Roman States united to the French Empire.
May 18th.—French occupy Trieste.
May 19th.—Lefebvre occupies Innsbruck.
May 20th.—Eugène reaches Klagenfurt.
May 21st-22nd.—Battle of Essling. A drawn battle, unfavourable to the French, who lose Marshal Lannes, three generals killed, and 500 officers and 18,000 men wounded. The Archduke admits a loss of 4200 killed and 16,000 wounded.
May 22nd.—Meerveldt with 4000 men surrenders at Laybach to Macdonald.
May 25th.—Eugène reaches Leoben in Styria, and captures most of the corps of Jellachich.
May 26th.—Eugène joins the army of Germany, at Bruck in Styria.
No. 4.
May 12th.—Soult evacuates Portugal. Wellington crosses the Douro, and enters Spain.
May 12th.—Soult evacuates Portugal. Wellington crosses the Douro, and enters Spain.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Schoenbrunn, May 12, 1809.
I am despatching the brother of the Duchess of Montebello to let you know that I am master of Vienna, and that everything here goes perfectly. My health is very good.
Napoleon.
No. 5.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Ebersdorf, May 27, 1809.
I am despatching a page to tell you that Eugène has rejoined me with all his army; that he has completely performed the task that I entrusted him with; and has almost entirely destroyed the enemy's army opposed to him.
I send you my proclamation to the army of Italy, which will make you understand all this.
I am very well.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
P.S.—You can have this proclamation printed at Strasburg, and have it translated into French and German, in order that it may be scattered broadcast over Germany. Give a copy of the proclamation to the page who goes on to Paris.
May 28th.—Hofer defeats Bavarians at Innsbruck.
May 28th.—Hofer defeats Bavarians at Innsbruck.
No. 6.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Ebersdorf,May 29, 1809, 7P.M.
My Dear,—I have been here since yesterday; I am stopped by the river. The bridge has been burnt; I shall cross at midnight. Everything here goes as I wish it, viz., very well.
The Austrians have been overwhelmed (frappès de la foudre).
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 7.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Ebersdorf May 31, 1809.
Your letter of the 26th to hand. I have written you that you can go to Plombières. I do not care for you to go to Baden;it is not necessary to leave France. I have ordered the two princes to re-enter France.[33]
The loss of the Duke of Montebello, who died this morning, has grieved me exceedingly. Thus everything ends!!
Adieu, dear; if you can help to console the poor Maréchale, do so.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
June 1st.—Archduke Ferdinand evacuates Warsaw.June 6th.—Regent of Sweden proclaimed King as Charles XIII.
June 1st.—Archduke Ferdinand evacuates Warsaw.
June 6th.—Regent of Sweden proclaimed King as Charles XIII.
No. 8.
To the Empress, at Strasburg.
Schoenbrunn, June 9, 1809.
I have received your letter; I see with pleasure that you are going to the waters at Plombières, they will do you good.
Eugène is in Hungary with his army. I am well, the weather very fine. I note with pleasure that Hortense and the Duke of Berg are in France.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
June 10th.—Union of the Papal States to France promulgated in Rome.June 11th.—Napoleon and all his abettors excommunicated.June 14th.—Eugène, aided by Macdonald and Lauriston, defeats Archduke Ferdinand at Raab.
June 10th.—Union of the Papal States to France promulgated in Rome.
June 11th.—Napoleon and all his abettors excommunicated.
June 14th.—Eugène, aided by Macdonald and Lauriston, defeats Archduke Ferdinand at Raab.
No. 9.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Schoenbrunn, June 16, 1809.
I despatch a page to tell you that, on the 14th, the anniversary of Marengo, Eugène won a battle against the ArchdukeJohn and the Archduke Palatine, at Raab, in Hungary; that he has taken 3000 men, many pieces of cannon, 4 flags, and pursued them a long way on the road to Buda-Pesth.
Napoleon.
June 18th.—Combat of Belchite. Blake defeated by Suchet near Saragossa.
June 18th.—Combat of Belchite. Blake defeated by Suchet near Saragossa.
No. 10.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Schoenbrunn, June 19, 1809, Noon.
I have your letter, which tells me of your departure for Plombières. I am glad you are making this journey, because I trust it may do you good.
Eugène is in Hungary, and is well. My health is very good, and the army in fighting trim.
I am very glad to know that the Grand Duke of Berg is with you.
Adieu, dear. You know my affection for my Josephine; it never varies.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
July 4th-5th.—French cross Danube, and win battle of Enzersdorff.July 5th-6th.—Pope Pius VII. carried off from Rome by order of Murat; eventually kept at Savona.July 6th.—Battle of Wagram.The most formidable artillery battle ever fought up to this date (900 guns in action). The Austrians had 120,000 men, with more guns and of larger calibre than those of the French.
July 4th-5th.—French cross Danube, and win battle of Enzersdorff.
July 5th-6th.—Pope Pius VII. carried off from Rome by order of Murat; eventually kept at Savona.
July 6th.—Battle of Wagram.The most formidable artillery battle ever fought up to this date (900 guns in action). The Austrians had 120,000 men, with more guns and of larger calibre than those of the French.
No. 11.
July 7th.—St. Domingo surrenders to the English.
July 7th.—St. Domingo surrenders to the English.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Ebersdorf,July 7, 1809, 5A.M.
I am despatching a page to bring you the good tidings of the victory of Enzersdorf, which I won on the 5th, and that of Wagram, which I won on the 6th.
The enemy's army flies in disorder, and all goes according to my prayers (voeux).
Eugène is well. Prince Aldobrandini is wounded, but slightly.
Bessières has been shot through the fleshy part of his thigh; the wound is very slight. Lasalle was killed. My losses are full heavy, but the victory is decisive and complete. We have taken more than 100 pieces of cannon, 12 flags, many prisoners.
I am sunburnt.
Adieu, dear. I send you a kiss. Kind regards to Hortense.
Napoleon.
No. 12.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Wolkersdorf,July 9, 1809, 2A.M.
My Dear,—All goes here as I wish. My enemies are defeated, beaten, utterly routed. They were in great numbers; I have wiped them out. To-day my health is good; yesterday I was rather ill with a surfeit of bile, occasioned by so many hardships, but it has done me much good.
Adieu, dear. I am in excellent health.
Napoleon.
July 12th.—Armistice of Znaim. Archduke Charles resigns his command.
July 12th.—Armistice of Znaim. Archduke Charles resigns his command.
No. 13.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
In the Camp, before Znaim, July 13, 1809.
I send you the suspension of arms concluded yesterday with the Austrian General. Eugène is on the Hungary side, and is well.Send a copy of the suspension of arms to Cambacérès, in case he has not yet received one.
I send you a kiss, and am very well.
Napoleon.
You may cause this suspension of arms to be printed at Nancy.
July 14th.—English seize Senegal. Oudinot, Marmont, Macdonald made Marshals.
July 14th.—English seize Senegal. Oudinot, Marmont, Macdonald made Marshals.
No. 14.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Schoenbrunn, July 17, 1809.
My Dear,—I have sent you one of my pages. You will have learnt the result of the battle of Wagram, and, later, of the suspension of arms of Znaim.
My health is good. Eugène is well, and I long to know that you, as well as Hortense, are the same.
Give a kiss for me to Monsieur, the Grand Duke of Berg.
Napoleon.
No. 15.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Schoenbrunn, July 24, 1809.
I have just received yours of July 18th. I note with pleasure that the waters are doing you good. I see no objection to you going back to Malmaison after you have finished your treatment.
It is hot enough here in all conscience. My health is excellent.
Adieu, dear. Eugène is at Vienna, in the best of health.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
July 28th.—Battle of Talavera.Wellington repulses Victor, who attacks by King Joseph's order, without waiting for the arrival of Soult with the main army. Wellington retires on Portugal.July 29th-31st.—Walcheren Expedition; 17,000 English land in Belgium.
July 28th.—Battle of Talavera.Wellington repulses Victor, who attacks by King Joseph's order, without waiting for the arrival of Soult with the main army. Wellington retires on Portugal.
July 29th-31st.—Walcheren Expedition; 17,000 English land in Belgium.
No. 16.
To the Empress, at Plombières.
Schoenbrunn, August 7, 1809.
I see from your letter that you are at Plombières, and intend to stay there. You do well; the waters and the fine climate can only do you good.
I remain here. My health and my affairs follow my wishes.
Please give my kind regards to Hortense and the Napoleons.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
August 8th.—Combat of Arzobispo. Soult defeats the Spaniards.August 15th.—Flushing surrenders to the English.
August 8th.—Combat of Arzobispo. Soult defeats the Spaniards.
August 15th.—Flushing surrenders to the English.
No. 17.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Schoenbrunn, August 21, 1809.
I have received your letter of August 14th, from Plombières; I see from it that by the 18th you will be either at Paris or Malmaison. The heat, which is very great here, will have upset you. Malmaison must be very dry and parched at this time of year.
My health is good. The heat, however, has brought on a slight catarrh.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 18.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Schoenbrunn, August 26, 1809.
I have your letter from Malmaison. They bring me word that you are plump, florid, and in the best of health, I assureyou Vienna is not an amusing city. I would very much rather be back again in Paris.
Adieu, dear. Twice a week I listen to the comedians (bouffons); they are but very middling; it, however, passes the evenings. There are fifty or sixty women of Vienna, but outsiders (au parterre), as not having been presented.
Napoleon.
No. 19.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Schoenbrunn, August 31, 1809.
I have had no letter from you for several days; the pleasures of Malmaison, the beautiful greenhouses, the beautiful gardens, cause the absent to be forgotten. It is, they say, the rule of your sex. Every one speaks only of your good health; all this is very suspicious.
To-morrow I am off with Eugène for two days in Hungary.
My health is fairly good.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 20.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Krems, September 9, 1809.
My Dear,—I arrived here yesterday at 2A.M.; I have come here to see my troops. My health has never been better. I know that you are very well.
I shall be in Paris at a moment when nobody will expect me. Everything here goes excellently and to my satisfaction.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 21.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Schoenbrunn, September 23, 1809.
I have received your letter of the 16th, and note that you are well. The old maid's house is only worth 120,000[34]francs; they will never get more for it. Still, I leave you mistress to do what you like, since it amuses you; only, once purchased, don't pull it down to put a rockery there.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 22.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Schoenbrunn, September 25, 1809.
I have received your letter. Be careful, and I advise you to be vigilant, for one of these nights you will hear a loud knocking.
My health is good. I know nothing about the rumours; I have never been better for many a long year. Corvisart was no use to me.
Adieu, dear; everything here prospers.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
September 26th.—Battle of Silistria; Turks defeat Russians.
September 26th.—Battle of Silistria; Turks defeat Russians.
No. 23.
October 14th.—Treaty of Vienna, between France and Austria.
October 14th.—Treaty of Vienna, between France and Austria.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Schoenbrunn, October 14, 1809.
My Dear,—I write to advise you that Peace was signed two hours ago between Champagny and Prince Metternich.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
October 19th.—Mortier routs Spaniards at Oçana.
October 19th.—Mortier routs Spaniards at Oçana.
No. 24.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Nymphenburg, near Munich, October 21, 1809.
I arrived here yesterday in the best of health, but shall not start till to-morrow. I shall spend a day at Stuttgard. You will be advised twenty-four hours in advance of my arrival at Fontainebleau.
I look forward with pleasure to seeing you again, and I await that moment impatiently.
I send you a kiss.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 25.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Munich, October 22, 1809.
My Dear,—I start in an hour. I shall be at Fontainebleau from the 26th to 27th; you may meet me there with some of your ladies.
Napoleon.
November 25th.—Disappearance of Benjamin Bathurst, erroneously thought to have been murdered by the French, really by robbers.December 1st.—Capture of Gerona and 200 cannon by Augereau.December 16th.—French Senate pronounce the divorce of Napoleon and Josephine.December 24th.—English re-embark from Flushing.
November 25th.—Disappearance of Benjamin Bathurst, erroneously thought to have been murdered by the French, really by robbers.
December 1st.—Capture of Gerona and 200 cannon by Augereau.
December 16th.—French Senate pronounce the divorce of Napoleon and Josephine.
December 24th.—English re-embark from Flushing.
"Josephine, my excellent Josephine, thou knowest if I have loved thee! To thee, to thee alone do I owe the only moments of happiness which I have enjoyed in this world. Josephine, my destiny overmasters my will. My dearest affections must be silent before the interests of France."—Bourrienne'sNapoleon.[35]
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages295-304.)
December, 1809, to April 2, 1810.
No. 1.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
December 1809, 8P.M.
My Dear,—I found you to-day weaker than you ought to be. You have shown courage; it is necessary that you should maintain it and not give way to a doleful melancholy. You must be contented and take special care of your health, which is so precious to me.
If you are attached to me and if you love me, you should show strength of mind and force yourself to be happy. You cannot question my constant and tender friendship, and you would know very imperfectly all the affection I have for you if you imagined that I can be happy if you are unhappy, and contented if you are ill at ease.
Adieu, dear. Sleep well; dream that I wish it.
Napoleon.
No. 2.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Tuesday, 6 o'clock.
The Queen of Naples, whom I saw at the hunt in the Bois de Boulogne, where I rode down a stag, told me that she left you yesterday at 1P.M.in the best of health.
Please tell me what you are doing to-day. As for me, I am very well. Yesterday, when I saw you, I was ill. I expect you will have been for a drive.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Trianon, 7P.M.
My Dear,—I have just received your letter. Savary tells me that you are always crying; that is not well. I trust that you have been for a drive to-day. I sent you my quarry. I shall come to see you when you tell me you are reasonable, and that your courage has the upper hand.
To-morrow, the whole day, I am receiving Ministers.
Adieu, dear. I also am sad to-day; I need to know that you are satisfied and to learn that your equilibrium (aplomb) is restored. Sleep well.
Napoleon.
No. 4.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Thursday, Noon, 1809.
My Dear,—I wished to come and see you to-day, but I was very busy and rather unwell. Still, I am just off to the Council.
Please tell me how you are.
This weather is very damp, and not at all healthy.
Napoleon.
No. 5.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Trianon.
I should have come to see you to-day if I had not been obliged to come to see the King of Bavaria, who has just arrived in Paris. I shall come to see you to-night at eight o'clock, and return at ten.
I hope to see you to-morrow, and to see you cheerful and placid.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 6.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Trianon, Tuesday.
My Dear,—I lay down after you left me yesterday;[36]I am going to Paris. I wish to hear that you are cheerful. I shall come to see you during the week.
I have received your letters, which I am going to read in the carriage.
Napoleon.
No. 7.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Paris, Wednesday, Noon, 27th December 1809.
Eugène told me that you were very miserable all yesterday. That is not well, my dear; it is contrary to what you promised me.
I have been thoroughly tired in revisiting the Tuileries; that great palace seemed empty to me, and I felt lost in it.
Adieu, dear. Keep well.
Napoleon.
No. 8.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Paris, Sunday, December 31, 10A.M., 1809.
My Dear,—To-day I have a grand parade; I shall see all my Old Guard and more than sixty artillery trains.
The King of Westphalia is returning home, which will leave a house vacant in Paris. I am sad not to see you. If the parade finishes before 3 o'clock, I will come; otherwise, to-morrow.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 9.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Thursday Evening, 1810.
My Dear,—Hortense, whom I saw this afternoon, has given me news of you. I trust that you will have been able to see your plants to-day, the weather having been fine. I have only been out for a few minutes at three o'clock to shoot some hares.
Adieu, dear; sleep well.
Napoleon.
No. 10.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Friday, 8P.M., 1810.
I wished to come and see you to-day, but I cannot; it will be, I hope, in the morning. It is a long time since I heard from you. I learnt with pleasure that you take walks in your garden these cold days.
Adieu, dear; keep well, and never doubt my affection.
Napoleon.
No. 11.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Sunday, 8P.M., 1810.
I was very glad to see you yesterday; I feel what charms your society has for me.
To-day I walked with Estève.[37]I have allowed £4000 for 1810, for the extraordinary expenses at Malmaison. You can therefore do as much planting as you like; you will distribute that sum as you may require. I have instructed Estève to send £8000 the moment the contract for the Maison Julien shall be made. I have ordered them to pay for yourparureof rubies, which will be valued by the Department, for I do not wish to be robbed by jewellers. So, there goes the £16,000 that this may cost me.
I have ordered them to hold the million which the Civil List owes you for 1810 at the disposal of your man of business, in order to pay your debts.
You should find in the coffers of Malmaison twenty to twenty-five thousand pounds; you can take them to buy your plate and linen.
I have instructed them to make you a very fine porcelain service; they will take your commands in order that it may be a very fine one.
Napoleon.
No. 12.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Wednesday, 6P.M., 1810.
My Dear,—I see no objection to your receiving the King of Westphalia whenever you wish. The King and Queen of Bavaria will probably come to see you on Friday.
I long to come to Malmaison, but you must really show fortitudeand self-restraint; the page on duty this morning told me that he saw you weeping.
I am going to dine quite alone.
Adieu, dear. Never doubt the depth of my feelings for you; you would be unjust and unfair if you did.
Napoleon.
No. 13.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Saturday, 1P.M., 1810.
My Dear,—Yesterday I saw Eugène, who told me that you gave a reception to the kings. I was at the concert till eight o'clock, and only dined, quite alone, at that hour.
I long to see you. If I do not come to-day, I will come after mass.
Adieu, dear. I hope to find you sensible and in good health. This weather should indeed make you put on flesh.
Napoleon.