Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 17

No. 2. _The waters_ 233 _All the vexations_ 233 _Eugene has started for Blois_ 234

No. 3. _Aix-la-Chapelle_ 234

No. 4. _During the past week_ 235 _The day after to-morrow_ 235 _Hortense_ 235 _I am very well satisfied_ 235

No. 5. Its authenticity 236 _Arras, August 29th_ 236 _I am rather impatient to see you_ 236

No. 6. _T._ 237 _B._ 237

LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING HIS JOURNEY ALONG THE COAST, 1804.

EVENTS OF 1804.

_February 15th._--The conspiracy of Pichegru. Moreau arrested, Pichegru (_February 28th_), and Georges Cadoudal (_March 9th_).

_March 21st._--Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.

_April 6th._--Suicide of Pichegru.

_April 30th.--Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor._

_May 4th.--Tribune adopts the proposal._

_May 18th.--The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon._

_May 19th.--Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Ma.s.sena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessieres, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier._

_July 14th._--Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.

No. 1.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.

_Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804._

_Madame and dear Wife_,--During the four days that I have been away from you I have always been either on horseback or in a conveyance, without any ill effect on my health.

M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring yourself.

The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of our gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lost--men and merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was grand: the sh.o.r.e sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm, everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having had a romantic and epic dream--a circ.u.mstance which might have reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments left me any other need but that of sleep.

NAPOLEON.

[_Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861, communicated by M. Chambry._]

No. 2.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

_Boulogne, August 3, 1804._

_My Dear_,--I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone.

Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you from there.

Eugene has started for Blois.

_Je te couvre de baisers._

NAPOLEON.

No. 3.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

_Calais, August 6, 1804._

_My Dear_,--I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.

Eugene has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at Plombieres.

I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My very best love.

NAPOLEON.

No. 4.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

_Ostend, August 14, 1804._

_My Dear_,--I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious, and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat special fete. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how soon you expect to end your baths.

I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugene is still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the Congo. I am writing to scold her.

My best love to all.

NAPOLEON.

No. 5.