PRIVATE MEMOIRS
OF THE
COURT OF NAPOLEON,
AND OF SOME
PUBLICS EVENTS
OF THE
IMPERIAL REIGN,
FROM 1805 TO THE FIRST OF MAY 1814;
TO SERVE AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE
HISTORY OF NAPOLEON.
BY L. F. J. D E BAUSSET,
FORMER PREFECT OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING
Text originally published in 1828 under the same title.
Pickle Partners Publishing 2011, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Publishers Note
Although in most cases we have retained the Authors original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern readers benefit.
AMERICAN EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Private Anecdotes of the Court of Napoleon furnished by M. de Bausset, have already obtained great currency and repute in Europe. They are partially known to the American public through the articles which have been devoted to them in the British journals, and in the American Quarterly Review. They possess a peculiar interest and value, since no other writer, whose situation was such as to warrant confidence in his statements, has undertaken to lay open the domestic life and character of Napoleon, and exhibit the organization of his extensive and splendid court. M. de Bausset was Prefect of the Imperial palace; the principal attendant on the Emperor at his repasts, and in the private drawing-room, and his companion during some of his most remarkable progresses and military expeditions. He was a shrewd and close observer. He relates what he saw and heard with minuteness and poignancy. He earnestly studied and has curiously described the tastes, feelings and habits of the extraordinary man whom he served. Nor does he confine himself to the monarch; many of the most illustrious generals and politicians with whom he necessarily had familiar intercourse, are introduced into his Memoirs he treats also in much detail of the momentous events or revolutions which signalized the period embraced in his narrative.
In offering the present complete translation, it is proper to mention that a part of the original French, about one half, has already been rendered into English, and incorporated in a London work bearing a different title. But the London selections are merely garbled extracts; the version is imperfect and inaccurate; the most instructive and amusing part of the Memoirs remains untouched, and the name of the author is mysteriously suppressed. Besides, the rest of this 'anonymous compilation is of a nature to throw an air of fiction over the whole. Such are the considerations by which the American editor was incited to the task that he has assiduously, though diffidently executed. He was encouraged, too, not only by the intrinsic evidence of authenticity which he found in the Anecdotes, but by private information confirming the general correctness of them, and which is worthy of all reliance. He has been enabled to insert a note, drawn from an unquestionable source, which rectifies M. de Bausset's account of the removal of the Empress Maria Louisa and Napoleon's ministers from Paris on the approach of the Alliesa measure of which the origin and motives should be fully known, as it had very important consequences.
Contents
PREFACE.
I WILL speak as little as possible of the events of my life; particularly as they are of that ordinary nature, as may happen to anyone. The revolution has effected such changes in the situation of all, that, unless connected with the great events of history, it would be ridiculous in any one to give details of his private life, however agitated it may have been. I do not think that a sufferer by the earthquake at Lisbon, would occupy himself in recounting his misfortunes to a neighbour, a victim, as well as himself, to the general disaster. I have wished for my own satisfaction to draw up an account of the events I witnessed during ten years, and do it free from the spirit of party, and with a frankness hostile to no one. If in the recital of the troubles of Spain, I have spoken with severity of the favourite (Godoi,) it is from no other motive than to make known the truth.
I am not ignorant that the world is often unjust towards celebrated persons. Friends exalt their virtues and are unwilling to allow any remark upon their failings; while, on the contrary, enemies are only anxious to display the latter, and treat all praise as exaggeration. Both are in the wrong, as there is perhaps no one, of whom some good may not be said; and if it is difficult to find perfection among men, it is perhaps still more so to see total depravity. I do not write history but merely notes for history.
Let those who would blame feelings of gratitude; forbear to read these pages. I wish for readers, who, free from prejudice, judge only after having read. I particularly call upon those, who have the good sense, to live with books, as with the greater part of those they meet in society, and who know how to enjoy what is useful, interesting, or amusing, without examining too minutely that which is open to criticism and censure. Books have this further advantage, that they can be laid aside the moment they cease to please, whilst a number of considerations force us to listen to men whose conversation fatigues us.
In other words; I censure the opinions of no one. If the recollection of benefits received is too openly displayed in this feeble narration, I hope that the indulgence I beg will be granted me.
The tomb has closed upon all the passions of that epoch, and without the fear or desire of awakening them, I can relate what I have seen, since I speak of what has gone by.
PRIVATE ANECDOTES OF THE COURT OF NAPOLEON.
CHAPTER I.
Ceremonies of the Interior of the Palace,Rising and Breakfast of the Emperor.Expenditure of the Imperial Household.Anecdotes relating to the Concordat, the Consulship, and the Coronation.Napoleon, on becoming Consul, promotes the election of Pius VII. Conversation of Madame de Brignol with Cardinal Consalvi.Madame de Caraman.Napoleon and M. de Chteaubriand.
I WAS appointed Prefect of the Palace on the 1st of February, 1805, two months after the coronation, which marked the return to the principles of monarchical government. The duties which were assigned to me, consisted of a personal attendance, and a superintendance over part of the household, under the direction of the Grand Marshal.
Every morning at nine o'clock, the Emperor quitted his private apartment, dressed for the day.
The public functionaries were the first admitted, and Napoleon delivered his orders for the day.
Immediately afterwards, those who possessed the grandes entres were admitted. They were composed of persons of the highest rank, and who had the right from their office, or by some special favour.
The officers of the imperial household, who were not on duty, had equally the advantage of being admitted. Many people who appear now to have forgotten it, then attached a very high value to the enjoyment of so flattering a distinction. Napoleon addressed himself to every one successively, and heard with kindness all that each wished to say. His round finished, he bowed, and all withdrew. It often happened, however, that some were desirous of a private audience; these waited until the rest had retired, and then again approaching the Emperor, were left alone with him, and obtained their wish.
