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ATKINSON'S CASKET
Or Gems of Literature, Wit and Sentiment
Philadelphia, June, 1832ANECDOTES OF NAPOLEON
(From an unpublished MS.)Napoleon drew a circle around him wherever he moved, which none ever entered without being fixed by its fascination. When he returned to the Tuileries after the invasion from Elba, his soldiers evinced their attachment to him in the most enthusiastic manner. A crowd of officers rushed upon him in an instant he was carried off his legs his hat fell off, and he was borne upon the shoulders of the eager multitude up the great stair-case into his apartments, where he was welcomed by some ladies of his former court; one of whom, the most beautiful of the party, in a transport of delight, threw her arms around his neck, and burst into tears.
With his officers he usually laid aside the Emperor and indulged himself in every familiarity, such as boxing their ears, and other means of endearment. Hobhouse gives two or three pleasant instances of these friendly tokens. On one occasion, a soldier, at a review, shouted "Vive L'Empereur!" The whole line being silent, when Napoleon went up to him, and asking him how many champions he had served, added, "how happens it you have not been promoted?" The soldier answered "On m'a fait la queue trois fois pour la croix" "Eh bien" replied the Emperor, "je te donne la queue" and giving him a slap in the face, conferred upon him the cross of the Legion of Honor. At his first interview with General Rapp since his return, he gave him that sort of blow vulgarly called a punch in the stomach, crying, "What, rogue, were you going to kill me" alluding to this general's being named by the king to a military division when the Emperor came from Elba.
Napoleon was fond of knowing all the little, scandalous anecdotes relative to his courtiers, and he took a particular pleasure in jeering husbands on the adventures of their wives. The masked ball was his favorite amusement. He never failed to ascertain beforehand the disguise to be assumed by those with whom he wished to intrigue, and as he knew all the tales of scandal of his court, he took a secret pleasure in teasing the ladies, and alarming their husbands and lovers.
Maria Louisa had always the most unfeigned attachment for her husband. When her marriage with Napoleon was proposed, she was flattered with the idea of captivating the hero of Europe, although he had twice obliged here to fly from Vienna: she had voluntarily consented to the marriage, and not, after the manner of princesses, sacrificed herself to reasons of state and great political interests.
The Emperor was extremely fond of his son, he took him in his arms, kissed him, and carried him to a looking-glass, where he made all kind of grimaces to divert him. The young prince was always much diverted by looking at the people in the garden of the Tuileries, who frequently collected under the windows to get a sight of him. When he saw a person passing by with a petition, he cried, and allowed his attendants no rest until it was brought to him, and he never failed to present to his father, every morning at breakfast, all that he had collected on the preceding day. The supposition of the young prince having been occasionally flogged is entirely erroneous. He was, like his father, restless and impatient. One day when he had thrown himself on the ground crying loudly and refusing to listen to any thing his governess said, she closed the windows and drew down the blinds. The child, astonished at this, immediately rose, forgot the subject of his vexation, and asked her why she shut the windows? "I did it, lest you should be heard" said Madam de Montesquieu (the Governess) "Do you think the people of France would have you for their prince, were they to know that you throw yourself into fits of passion?" "do you think anyone heard me, (he inquired) I should be very sorry if they did. Pardon me, Madame Quieu" as he always called her, "I shall never do so again."
In Napoleon's campaign to Germany, Maria Louisa was Regent of France, and Joseph was appointed President of the Council of Regency.
Negotiations for peace were carrying on at Dresden; the preliminaries were even agreed upon and drawn up, when a few imprudent words from Maret (Duke of Bassano) changed Napoleon's determination of signing. "Sire," said Bassano, as he presented the pen which was to insure the tranquillity of Europe, for once it may be said that you do not give peace, but that you receive it." The Emperor at that moment fancied he saw all the glory of his life eclipsed and he threw down the pen in a fit of anger, declaring that he would sign nothing. The battle of Leipsic took place a few days afterwards, and was followed by the detection of the allies.
The Empress and her son were then in Paris, surrounded by the brave National Guard. She was environed by perfidious advisers, who all combined to urge her departure. She resisted for a considerable time; her own family had presented her with a noble example in the person of Maria Theresa. Like her, she wished to take her son in her arms, and pass through the streets of the capital, to animate the zeal of the national guard, and encourage the few troops who still remained there. On the arrival of the allies, the Empress proceeded to Blois with the court. When Napoleon departed for Elba, her advisers dissuaded her from joining her husband. It was finally determined that she should join her father at Rambouillet. She was received with more coolness than she expected by Francis II, who had no fault to reproach her with except a letter, which she wrote him at Napoleon's dictation. A residence was assigned for at Schoenbrunn, as a sort of banishment, where she was frequently visited by her sisters, but seldom by the father and the Empress. Maria Louisa would never consent to a divorce from Napoleon, although every art was tried to induce her to submit to that dishonorable act.
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