Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 58

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._--Ma.s.sena 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 Ma.s.sena'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 Ca.n.a.l 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.