Memoirs of a contemporary; being reminiscences

Front matter

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Chapter II

French Invasion op Holland — ^Amsterdam Surrenders to Pichegru — Attack Upon the Dutch Fleet by Cavalry and Artillery — Pichegru's Insincerity — Moreau and Maria — Pichegru a Political Intriguer — The "Contemporary" first Hears of Ney — News of Marescot — Van M Learns of His Wife's Relations with Marescot — Van M Forgives Her —

Which Angers Her — She Runs away from Him . i $

Chapter III

Arrival in Utrecht— Interview with Grouchy — and with Moreau — Intimacy with Moreau Begins — His Simplicity and Sense of Justice — Campaigning in Men's Clothes once more — Pichegru's Treachery — In Paris with Moreau — A House Purchased in Passy — Collision with Mme. Tallien's Carriage — Visits to Mme. Tallien and Drives with Her : : 27

Chapter IV

MoREAU Appointed Inspector-General of the Army IN Italy — The "Contemporary" Goes with Him to Milan — The Casa Faguani — Enthusiasm of Milanese Society for "Madame Moreau" — The Nature of Her Regard for the General — Spies of the Directory — A Dining-room Comedy of Vengeance — Moreau's Desire to Marry Ida — Moreau and Ney Contrasted — All Women Ordered to Leave the Army — Moreau offers to Resign his Career — Ida Meets old Friends in Lyons — Moreau's Military Successes in 1799 39

Chapter V

Visit to Mlle. Contat — Her Dramatic Roles — Departure from Lyons — M. De La Rue, the Banker — Talleyrand's Indebtedness — His Indifference to Perjury — Talleyrand and the Inquisitive Coachman — His Exile — Carnot Prefers Satan to Him — Audience Granted to Ida — Moonlight Walk with Mme. Tallien — Ney's Exploit at Mannheim — Ida Writes an Ardent Letter to Him and a Cold One to Moreau — and Misdirects the Envelopes — The Result 55

Chapter VI

Beaumarchais — Attempted Suppression of the "Marriage of Figaro" — The Seven of Diamonds — Beaumarchais as a Humorist in Real Life — Dramatic Aspirations of the "Contemporary" — Moreau's Disapproval of Them — First Impressions of Bonaparte — The Conspiracy of the i8th of Brumaire — The New Constitution and the Consuls — Moreau Marries a Friend of Josephine de Beauharnais — A Pair of Shrews .69

Chapter VII

Power of the Bankers and Army Contractors — Their Intrigues — Opulence of the Banker Ouvrard — Festivities at His Estate — A Symposium of Beauty and Brains — Bonaparte's Contempt for Money — Fashionable Dressing Under the Directory — Lucien Bonaparte, Minister of Home Affairs — Chaptal, his Successor — Impudent M. De Montmorency — The Authoress' Fiasco on the Stage of the Theatre- Frangais ........ 83

Chapter VIII

Ney's Private Correspondence During the Campaigns of 1800 — Moreau's Dislike for Ney — Further Theatrical Venture in the Provinces — Death of Kleber — His Caustic Notes upon Bonaparte — Reminiscence of Valmy — Death of Van

M A Theatrical Company in Pawn — Moreau's

Hostility to the First Consul — Bernadotte and the "Butter-pot Conspiracy" — Fouchd Prevents a Duel Between Bonaparte and Moreau ... -95

Chapter IX

Last Meeting with Moreau — He Goes to America after the Cadoudal Plot — Beginning of Intimate Relations with Ney — Characteristics of Talleyrand — Thousand Franc Bank-notes as Curl-papers — Talleyrand's Stupid Wife — Napoleon Crowned King of Italy — The "Contemporary" at Milan— "Fama

vii

Volat" — Amorous Episode with Napoleon — His Way with Women . . . . . * 109

Chapter X

Journey to Innsbruck — Meeting there with Ney — Gardane; Governor of the Pages — Dery," a Chivalrous Escort — The Campaign of 1806 — The Battle of Eylau — In which the "Contemporary'! Rides in a Cavalry Charge — And is Wounded — Interview with Ney after the Battle — Its Cost to France — The "Red Lion" — Return to Paris . . . .123

Chapter XI

Junot's Incipient Madness — Napoleon's Sisters on Thrones — Description of Elisa Bacciochi, Grand Duchess of Tuscany — Ida's Appointment to Her Court — Rebelliousness of the Tuscans Against French Authority — A Soldier-Sultan — The Authoress' Functions at Court — The Hainguerlots, a Fashionable Pair — Prince Bacciochi his Wife's Loyal Subject — "The Little Napoleon" — Audience with Queen Caroline of Naples — Royal Frocks,' Frills, and Small Talk — Murat as an Amateur Tragedian — His Theatrical Bravery . ; . . -135

Chapter XII

The Fatal Russian Expedition — ^Journey to Moscow with Nidia — The French Theatre at Moscow — Burning of the City by the Russians — A Scene of Devastation and Pillage — Unscrupulous Looting by the French Troops — Difficulties in Pasing the Dnieper — Nidia and Ida Shoot some Cossacks — Privations of Women During the Retreat — And Worse — The Breaking Down of the Beresina Bridge — ^A Heartrending Episode — The Last of

viii

Nidia— The " Bravest of the Brave '.!— Did he Beat

the "Contemporary!.'? . ; . . . 147

Chapter XIIL'

Journey to Styria — Louis Bonaparte; King; NoveHst, Poet and Philanthropist — Meeting with Ney in the Champs Elysees — A Private Bachelor's Breakfast with the Marshal — His Tirade against Royalist Intriguers and Flunkey Politicians — A Glimpse at Napoleon's Plebeian Mother — Commercial Depression at the French Metropolis in 18 14 — The Lower Classes Regard Napoleon as the Symbol of the Revolution — Another Campaigning Expedition in Men's Clothes — Elation in Paris over French Victories — While the Allies are Marching upon the Capital 159

Chapter XIV.'

The Capital in Danger — Marie-Louise and the King of Rome leave the Tuileries — King Joseph's Hopeful Proclamation — The Battle of Paris — Marshal Moncey's Gallant Defence — Capitulation — "Our Good Friends the Enemies" — Napoleon Surrounded by the Allies at Fontainebleau — He Attempts Suicide — Signs the Treaty of Abdication — Farewell to His Soldiers in the Courtyard at Fontainebleau — Ida's Resentment Against Ney for Advising the Abdication . . ■ . . -171

Chapter XV

Lazare Carnot; a Real Republican — And an Upright Man — And a Patriotic Citizen — He Compares Napoleon with Caesar and Washington — A Political Breakfast Party — At which the "Contemporary" is Given a Secret Mission — Her Jour-

ix ney to Elba — Reminiscences, by the way, of Napoleon's Journey Thither — How He Escaped Hanging — The Ex-Emperor's Activity as a Landlord — He tells the Authoress of His Dream of a Mediterranean Kingdom — His Status in Exile as a Sovereign — Officials of His Court in Elba . . . .183

Chapter XVI

Ida's Friendship with General Quesnel — His Mysterious Assassination — Napoleon sets Foot in France Again — Ney's Inconsistency Excused — His Defection from the Anti-Napoleon Party — Rejoicings at Lons Le Saulnier over the Emperor's Return — Ney's Meeting with Napoleon — The Marshal Explains His Change of Heart — The Ovation at the Tuileries 195

Chapter XVII

The New Cabinet — Fouch^'s Treachery — Camot Made Minister of Interior — His Noble Motives for Accepting the Portfolio — Fouch^'s Diverting Views as to the Functions of the Police — His "Moderation " — A Private Breakfast with Ney in the Champs Elys^es — Regnault's Apprehension — Hopes of an Alliance with Austria — Political Unrest in Paris — Particulars of the New Constitution — The Grand Ceremony of Its Promulgation — Comments and Criticisms — Napoleon once more Girds His Loins for War — Enthusiasm of the Army — The Capital's Fortifications are Strengthened . . . .207

Chapter XVIII

The Last Campaign — Ida follows Ney to Waterloo — His Heroism in the Battle — Calmness of Napoleon — The Retreat — Camilla, Another Military Woman

— Is Wounded and taken Care of by the Authoress — The Return to Paris — Carnot's Irrational Hopefulness — He Resists Napoleon's Dethronement Single-handed — The "Contemporary's" Last Interview with Ney — Camilla's Recovery and Disappearance 221

Chapter XIX

Banishment of Carnot — Ney's Intended Departure to the United States — He is Arrested at Bessonis — His Chivalrous Refusal to Attempt Escape — A Plot to Rescue Him — The Court-Martial Declares Itself an Incompetent Tribunal — Ney is Tried Before the House of Peers — Condemned — And Shot — Ida sees Him Going to His Execution — Her Vow of Amendment at His Bier — Conclusion . .229

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Ida Saint -Elme (la " Contemporaine ") in 1828 . . . Frontispiece "^ From a rare lithograph

FACING PAGE

Amsterdam Towards the Zuyder Zee 3

From an old print

Brussels 8 '

General Kellermann 11

Drawn by Bomteville and engraved by Claesens

General Grouchy 13 .

From Rouillard's painting {Historical Gallery of Versailles)

General Pichegru 17

A drawiftg from Steuben''s oil portrait {Historical Gallery of Versailles)

General Victor Moreau 21

From a paintitig at Versailles

Utrecht 37 "

Facsimile of an old Ettglish print

Stage Coach of the Napoleonic Era 29 ""

Madame Tallien 35

From an engraving by Leguay

Bernadotte, King of Sweden 40

Engraved by Portman

General Joubert 5*

Engraved after the portrait by Bouchot

Mademoiselle Contat, the actress 57

From an old French print

Maurice de Talleyrand, the "Abbe Maurice de Perigord " . . 63

Barras 66

Engraved from a drawing by Raffet

Pierre Auguste de Beaumarchais . . . 70

xiii xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING PAGB

Cambaceres, Second Consul 78

Fro7n an engraving by Bonneville

Lebrun, Third Consul 79

Drawn by Lacauchie, engraved by Monin

Elizabeth, Lady Holland 86

Lucien Bonaparte 90

General Kleber 100

F'rom an oil portrait by Ansian

Marshal Ney 113

Prom the painting by Langlois

"The Contemporary " during the Campaign of 1S06 . . . 126

General Junot, Duke d'Abrantes ° . 135

From the painting by Raver at

Pauline Bonaparte, Prince Borghese 137

From the engraving by Madame Fotirnier

Princess Elisa Bacchiochi, Sister of Napoleon .... 139

Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, Sister of Napoleon . . . 142

From an engraving by Hopwood

Joachim Murat, King of Naples 145

Reproduction of an old London print

Burning of Moscow in 1 81 2 151

From a rare old French engraving

Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland 159

Fouche, Duke d'Otranto 163

Engraved by Wolff after Girardcfs drawing

Letitia Bonaparte, Mother of Napoleon 165

The King of Rome, Napoleon's son 173

Engraved by Dossebnann

Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain 176

Napoleon bidding his soldiers farewell at Fontainebleau before

going to Elba 180

Marshal Cambronne 193

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xv

PACING FAGB

Regnault de Saint- Jean-d'Angely 199

Count Caulaincourt • . . 207

Madame de Stael 215

From an oil painting in a private collection

Cambronne at Waterloo • 223

Ida Saint -Elme, (the " Contemporary ") • 228

General Augereau 232

Marshal Moncey, Duke de Conegliano 233

Chapter I The Authoress ' Descent Her Birth And Childhood

EARLY AMAZONIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS — MARRIAGE AT

THE AGE OF TWELVE WITH VAN M HIS POLITICAL

AFFILIATIONS — REMOVED TO FRANCE — CAPTAIN MARE-

THE FIRST DOWNWARD STEP — DEPARTURE FOR PARIS

VAN M JOINS THE ARMY THE "CONTEMPORARY"

DONS MALE ATTIRE — AND WITNESSES THE BATTLE OF

VALMY RETURN TO HOLLAND ATTENTIONS FROM

GENERAL GROUCHY.

I AM a daughter of Count Leopold Ferdinand Tolstoy, who was bom in 1749 at the castle of Werbom, on the seigneurial estate of Krustova, in Hungary. Himself was a son of Samuel Leopold de Tolstoy, Duke of Cremnitz, and of Catherine Vevoy, Countess Thuroz. My grandmother was the mother of the Polish starost Beniowski, Upon the decease of my grandfather, whose widow soon followed him to the grave, my father took arms in the Austrian service with his uncle Beniowski, he having attached himself to the fortunes of Archduke Charles of Lorraine. My father was then nineteen years of age. Outraged, however, at the unjust treatment to which he was subjected, he made his way to Russia where he was soon joined by Beniowski, and where this

I nobleman was honoured with an exalted charge by the Empress. Beniowski did his utmost to bring about a match between his nephew and a very rich Russian lady of great family. But my father's heart became engaged in another quarter. He eloped with the daughter of the governor of Pressburg, Ida Kornewitz, fleeing with her across the Russian border.

My father's only patrimony was his ancestral name of Tolstoy, which was one of great renown. He offered it to his lady-love. But Ida refused to allow him to make this sacrifice. Only for a brief moment did she surrender to the embraces of the youth for whom she had relinquished home and country, but whose future she would not consent to prejudice. Tearing herself away from the illusions of love, she separated from the world forever, and devoted the remainder of her days to the service of God. Leopold, unable to shake her resolve, escorted her to the abbey of Novgorod. He then returned to Saint Petersburg, where his uncle Beniowski lavished a truly paternal affection upon him.

Resuming the plans of marriage he had entertained for his nephew's benefit, he tried to persuade him to take the hand of the only daughter of Count Penski, whose dowry would amount to a million roubles. Leopold's only condition was that he should first make the acquaintance of the lady whose happiness was to be entrusted to him. An interview was arranged. But at the sight of the ungainly figure and very uncomely face of the countess, who was to be his wife, the heir of the Tolstoys manifested a decided repugnance to the prospective marriage. The young lady was too ugly. Neither entreaties, threats, nor anything availed to influence my father's inflexible will, and in order to escape incarceration he was obliged to make a rapid flight. From Saint Petersburg he betook himself to Dantsic, where he embarked for Hamburg. From Hamburg he went w

Q

tS3 o o to Amsterdam, finally reaching The Hague in 1774. Here his name opened the doors of the Dutch nobility to him, and the stadholder's court as well.

My father was then twenty-five years old. His tall, shapely figure, the picturesque Hungarian dress to which he always remained faithful, his ardent gaze, the beauty of his features, and the qualities of his mind and heart were easily sufficient to account for the violent passion soon conceived for him by a daughter of one of the oldest and wealthiest of Holland's noble houses, which passion was returned by the handsome foreigner.

My mother, then eighteen years of age and an orphan, had been endowed with great beauty by nature. The highest and most complete sort of education had developed her mentally and brought out her finest moral traits. She was heiress to an income of sixteen hundred thousand florins, to be left her by an old maiden-aunt, who, however, imposed a certain condition. In the event of her niece marrying, the husband must change his name to his wife's. Otherwise Mademoiselle van Aylde Jonghe would forfeit all claim to the succession, and the entire legacy would go to charitable institutions.

Count Tolstoy was far too deeply enamoured of the lady to hesitate between the happiness to be derived from the union and mere considerations of family pride. He therefore resigned the illustrious name of his forefathers to assume the other.

Reasons of health induced the young couple to leave the foggy climate of Holland for the sunny skies of Italy. Thus it was in Tuscany that I first saw the light of day, in one of the most charming districts of the Arno, on the 26th of September, 1778,

I learnt to speak the French, Dutch, and Italian languages at the same time. I made rapid progress in them all as I grew up. My father, besides, established a riding ring, a fencing floor, and a tennis court on his property, I was barely six when I went for wild gallops on my Hungarian pony, with my parents on either side closely watching me. My father also gave me instructions in fencing, and was very proud of the skill I showed in that art. The day I matriculated, amid the plaudits of all our friends, assembled for the auspicious event, my joy knew no bounds. With my pad still on my body and my gauntlets on my hands, and flourishing my foil, my heart beat terribly fast when my mother took off my mask to kiss me. I threw myself into her arms bursting into tears.

I was but nine when, cruel fate depriving us of our fortune through a crisis in the East Indies, we returned to Holland. Soon after this my father died. Two years went by before my mother had overcome her grief enough to attend to her daughter's further education. But little Elzelina — this was my name — was happily constituted. My mind, tired of idleness, began to roam in quest of new sensations. It was easy enough to find them. My mother, full of confidence in the prudence and discretion of her precocious child, saw nothing improper in allowing me to take long rides about the estate where we lived. I must hasten to add that although I was only eleven years old, I was big enough to pass for fourteen. In face and figure I was almost a woman. But as far as sense went I was still an infant.

A year later I was a wife. My marriage was attended by somewhat romantic circumstances.

Every morning I used to go out on horseback, accompanied by our old groom, William. One day, in the course of my ride, I met a very agreeable young man. He bowed and spoke to me, I learnt that his name

was M. van M , and that he was the son of a wealthy

landowner of that neighbourhood. For several days we continued to meet in the same manner. My mother raising objections, I ceased from meeting M. van M on horse-back, but granted him appointments, twice a week, in a little arbour, at the bottom of the garden, without my mother's knowledge. At these innocent trysts I gave my new friend lessons in Italian, and extended my own knowledge of Dutch through conversations with him in that language. However, M. van

M soon conceived a strong, deep, and sincere passion

for me, of the kind peculiar to his nation. He was then twenty-three, and his intentions were honourable. Before long he acquainted me with his resolve to ask my mother for my hand in marriage. I had never thought of marriage, the indissoluble tie which, according to the church, only death can sever. At the age of twelve life seems so very long ! I entertained some doubts on the subject at first, and felt tempted to decline, but my

vanity was flattered; I liked M. van M very well,

and gave him permission to apply to my mother.

She, although looking upon my suitor very favourably, was opposed to the match because of my extreme youth. The young man's father, on his side, categorically forbade the union on account of the disparity in our fortunes. Hereupon my friend suggested that we should elope to Gelderland, where a Protestant minister could easily be found who would marry us. I consented, quite proud of being run away with like a grown up person. The plot succeeded, but alas ! the very evening

of our flight my lover's father caught us ! M van M

persistently reiterated his firm intention of marrying me, declaring that I had entrusted myself to his honour. Nobody should separate us, he said, nor should prevent us from becoming man and wife. His father finally yielded upon condition that I should remain in my mother's care until the day of the wedding. So I returned, and after all formalities had been fulfilled, was married in the new house of worship of the Reformed Church, at Amsterdam.

I was under thirteen, but my figure was already fully developed, so that I looked at least sixteen. I am now no larger than I was then, and in fact have not grown since my marriage. But unfortunately my brain was very far from being mature. I required a firmer and sterner guide than the husband to whom the law and my own consent had bound me for all time. Why did he trust so blindly in the wisdom and circumspection of a child? Had he not done so, I should not now be regretting the misfortunes and mistakes of more than twenty-five years.

The first six months went by to the complete happiness of us both. The travelling for pleasure which according to the Dutch custom is the sequel to every marriage was over, and we were settling down to a quiet domestic life when rumours of war and the news of the revolution spreading in France turned our thoughts in another direction. The revolutionary turmoil was agitating Belgium as well as France. My husband had large estates in Belgium, and was one of the opponents of the royalist party in Holland. Nothing more natural, therefore, than for him to ardently espouse the principles enounced in the Declaration of the Rights of Man. He did his utmost to make me share his views and to kindle his own enthusiasm in me. I was easily converted,

for I had no decided political opinions. Van M

spoke to me of love of country and of the blessings of liberty which were soon to be the heritage of all nations. His warm, convincing language quickly aroused the same sentiments in my receptive bosom that were glowing in his.

While my husband was shut up in his study with long despatches brought by frequent messengers, I would go for considerable rides on horseback, or else would indulge my taste for reading, or would write letters to my mother. This manner of living suited me. Whenever I felt in a mood for love-making I would go to my husband in his study. I would scold him for neglecting me. I would even pretend to doubt his love. He always succeeded in justifying himself very readily, and our little arguments would end in a way that speedily drew us as close together as ever in the bonds of mutual attachment.

One evening, as we were sitting in a pavilion on our estate which was near the roadside, we were surprised by the sudden appearance of M. van Daulen, one of my

husband's most intimate friends. Van M had a

long talk with him, at the end of which he informed me that next morning we should leave the country, only to return with the future liberators of Holland, the soldiers of the French Republic. The journey upon which I was about to set forth, and the importance it gave me in my own eyes as to the events in which my husband would no doubt play a great part, all this excited my imagination. I at once began to pregare for our departure. All was in readiness that same night, and early the next morning we left in a post-chaise.

A relative of my husband, General Daendels, was serving with the French colours, and it was him we were

to join. Van M owned large estates in the vicinity

of Brussels, on the road to Antwerp, so that I soon found myself comfortably established in a fine country mansion near the gates of the Belgian capital.

Upon this estate we spent two months. We received visits from a number of young men who were friends of my husband, and who were as enthusiastic in favour of the French Revolution as himself. In spite of his youth

van M was held in high esteem in society. He

owed this less to his immense wealth than to his personal qualities, to the devotion he showed for his country, to the single-hearted liberality with which he gave his fortune to the cause he believed in. Some of the most agreeable men of our circle tried to captivate me, but they one and all failed. I have never been attracted except by superior worth, and when I looked about me at this time I saw no one of eminent moral attributes. My heart therefore remained free.

Towards the end of August, 1792, we left our house near Brussels and started for Lille. My husband proposed to stay for some time in that town in order to gather information there as to the cause of events before penetrating further into France. In Lille preparations were going forward to resist the siege which threatened that town. It actually occurred soon after our departure, and redounded greatly to the credit of the inhabitants. At first we were not able to find access to the place at all. We were obliged to take lodgings at an inn on the outskirts of one of the suburbs. General Daendels, a cousin of my husband, came to visit us in our modest abode as soon as he was apprised of our arrival. He was accompanied by several French officers. I will mention one only, young Marescot, an engineer officer, who later on became a lieutenant-general and a member of the Institute of France. M. de Marescot had a prepossessing exterior, and appeared to be gifted with the qualities that usually evoke respect or interest. During the whole length of our relative's visit the officers with him frequently turned unmistakable looks of admiration upon me. But I singled out Marescot from among them all.

My husband's fortune and rank, his determination to forsake his coimtry rather than abjure his political opinion, my youthfulness, and my personal appearance, made us the subject of much attention and curiosity. We were very soon given a proof of the sympathy we inspired by the eagerness with which some French officers exerted themselves to find us lodgings in the centre of the town and to escort us there them-

THE TOWN HALL. BRUSSELS

{From ail Old German Pritit)

selves. In a few days every house in Lille was open to us. My husband's activity in the cause of liberty in the Netherlands brought him into daily contact with the officers of the French army. The result was that I was perpetually meeting Marescot. He was then but a plain captain, but owing to his proved talents, his bravery, and his amiable disposition he was just as highly considered as other officers who were older, or were his superiors in military rank, I must confess that I felt embarrassed and abashed in his presence, and that at the same time I experienced sensations of mingled pleasure and uneasiness. I was always glad to see him, but nevertheless the anticipation would always give me a feeling of trepidation.

A great public festivity took place to which my husband and I were invited. I was the cynosure of all eyes and the centre of attraction, but in the midst of all the compliments and the flattery, I could not conceal the fact that I was impressed only by the homage of him whom my heart had chosen. Thenceforth a secret understanding was established between myself and Marescot, which progressed very rapidly, and which I at first innocently believed was founded vipon ordinary good feeHng. I was scarcely fifteen years old. I was far from my mother's care. My husband exercised no control whatever over my conduct. I was too yoimg to be without any guides but my own judgment and my inexperienced heart.

Thus, lulled in safety, I was really hastening towards destruction. The uncertainty of the future, the pain of the separation, — that I already dreaded, — and the fear of some day hearing of his death in battle, drew me more and more to him in whom I at last became completely infatuated. I was deeply in love with him before I knew whether it was love or not. When I realized the true state of affairs it was too late to go back. The fatal step was already taken.

lO

Marescot at length went away leaving me with grief and remorse for companions.

The French troops were gaining victories everywhere.

Van M and General Daendels being charged with

an important mission, we left suddenly for Paris. But in the world of the great capital I was no more able to enjoy peace and happiness than I had been at Lille after Marescot's departure. I saw all the celebrities of the day; I was received in circles where Revolutionary equality often vied in ostentation with the old aristocracy. But there was nothing to please me in these gatherings. The men showed that they were rude and uneducated; their compliments were coarse; the addresses they paid me were for the most part unendurable. I gratified as far as I could my inclination for a solitary life in the large mansion we were occupying in the Rue de Bourbon, whose garden, touching upon the quay, was a delightful sojourn. Ever since Marescot had left me I had never been able to recover my tranquillity of mind or my peace of heart. I would shed tears all day. I deeply repented my fault while ravished at the receipt of the rare letters written by my friend from headquarters.

There was no friend whom I might have confided in and asked for counsel. Neglected by my husband, who gave himself up entirely to public affairs, I could not but comipare his coldness with the impassioned tenderness that burned in Marescot's letters. I thought of nothing but the happy day which would bring my friend back to me.

The most disastrous news now reached Paris in quick succession; the entrance into France of the Prussians, unlucky engagements, the reduction of Longwy, the capitulation of Verdun, and the voluntary death of the valiant commandant of that fortress. My husband left the capital to join the army with General Dumouriez, and I decided to share my husband's perils in the war

MEMOIRS OP A CONTEMPORARY ii

for which he had volunteered. I put aside the garments of my sex, and assumed the dress of a man. I witnessed the battle of Valmy from close quarters. At seven o'clock in the morning, as soon as the fog was dissipated, the Prussians deployed along the heights of la Lune, their cavalry taking the Chalons road, fifty or sixty cannon being massed in front. The French and Prussian artillery exchanged intermittent volleys. During the morning two of our powder waggons exploded, which gave rise to some momentary confusion. About noon the enemy grouped his infantry in three close columns, and threatened an attack upon Valmy. This movement was executed with remarkable precision. General Kellermann's troops then also formed in three columns, although in a less orderly manner than the Prussians. General Beurnonville advanced to support the troops in Valmy. Shouts of "Long live the nation!" rang along the whole line. The soldiers were fired with enthusiasm. This shouting and a brisk cannonade made the enemy apprehensive, and they thereupon retired in good order. I was so fortunate as to be present on that memorable day, which French history celebrates as the battle of Valmy, the first exploit of the Republican army. If the inferiority in number of the French indicated the chance of a reverse, the courage and skill of their leaders promised them victory. General Kellermann is still before my eyes, waving his hat on the point of his sword, and giving orders for a bayonet charge upon the Prussians.