The secret history of the court and cabinet of St. Cloud

Front matter

THE

SECRET HISTORY

COURT AND CABINET

Letter I

Buonaparte's political character contrasted with his military education and life — governed by courtiers and favourites. General Duroc — his character — the causes of his advancement — his military exploits in Italy and Egypt, and political missions to Berlin, and St. Petersburgh — visits Madame Bonoeil, a female intriguer — his- blunder in consequence

—the PoUsh Count S tz — his character — dupes Duroc — Duroc's

marriage.

LETTER IL

Joseph Buonaparte — his character as a negotiator — the puppet of Talleyrand. Talleyrand's intrigues, and motives for employing the brothers of Buonaparte. Lucien's embassy to Spain. Joseph's rapacity, connection vs^ith an army contractor, and stock-jobbing. Secret articles of the treaty of Luneville — Buonaparte's offence at them — reproaches Talleyrand. Departure of Lord Whitworth in 1803 — Buonaparte's rage and speech to Talleyrand on the occasion, and violent conduct towards his mother, wife, &c.

Letter III

Debates on the religious concordat — opposed by different factions— Buonaparte's mother, how far instrumental in procuring the restoration of religious worship. Cardinal Gonsalvi and Bishop Bernier — their intrigues and characters. Madame Buonaparte's astonishment on being ordered to attend mass, &c. — her hypocrisy — watched by spies — her mode of passing her time at chapel discovered — regulations in consequence. Conversation at Viscount de Segur"s, on the religious principles of the French — imprudent remark of a young officer' — ^the cause of his transportation to Cayenne.

Letter IV

The assumption of the Imperial dignity, long determined on by Buonaparte — delayed by the rupture with England. His good fortune mistaken for political foresight. The disgrace of Moreau, the murder of the, Duke of Enghien, Pichegru, and Georges, and the treachery towards Mr. Drake, not necessary steps to his elevation. Moreau not dangerous as a rival to Buonaparte — why not assassinated. Honoiu-able conduct of Pichegru, the day before hie d'^at^i. Murat the executioner of the Duke of Enghiep.

B ii CONTENTS.

Letter V

The characters of the principal emigrants well known to the French government — Mehee de la Touche— his perfidy and mgratitude — his mission and intrigues in England — refused the wages of his infamy by Talleyrand. Real, a forgery committed by him in 1788 — strange mixture of society at his house. Madame de Soubray— her severe reproof of Mehee de la Touche. •

Letter VI

Unliappiness of Madame Napoleone on the day of her coronation — discipline of the Coiu-t of St. Cloud entirely military — formation of the household entrusted to Madame Napoleone — consequent embarrassment — extricated by an expedient proposed by De Segur. Madame Napoleone confined — released at the intercession of her daughter.

Letter VII

Religious discussion tolerated — why — remonstrance of Cardinal Caprara on the subject. Two authors transported to Cayenne — Pigault Le Brun owes his escape to Madame Murat — Cardinal Caprara's influence over Buonaparte — defeats a cabal formed against him, and tm-ns it to his ad-

^ vantage — employed by the Pope in his secret negotiations at Paris— teazes Buonaparte, and is confined by him, but obtains his object — ^trick attempted to be played upon him, ends unfortunately for the contrivers.

Letter VIII

Grave dress and puritanical demeanor of the company at Madame Napoleone's last levee previous to meeting the Pope — Buonaparte surrounded by Cardinals and Priests — remark of General Kellerman, occasions his disgrace — conduct of the company on quitting the levee — Princess Borghese's ideas respecting a parrot and an almoner, monkeys and chap, lains.

Letter IX

The reception of Buonaparte as Emperor by the army of England, not flattering — ascribed by him to the adlierents of Pichegru and Moreau — his conduct in consequence — orders a grenadier to be shot, and disbands a regiment. Effect produced on the military by the disti-ibution of the ribands, &c. of the Legion of Honour. The French ports declared to be in a state of blockade by the English — Buonaparte's rage and agitation — fires at some British cruizers — breaks six officers of artillery, and assaults another — quits the camp in disgust.

Letter X

Count Cobentzel advises his sovereign to assume the title of Emperor of Austria — his political employments and character — his passion for women — Talleyi'and's opinion of him — invited by Buonaparte to visit the camps of the army of England. Talleyrand's note, proscribing all British, agents and ambassadors. Buonaparte's arrival at Aix la Chapelle — ^is met there by the foreign ambassadors — ^jiresented with relics of Charlemagne, and punishes a German professor for proving them forgeries.

Letter XI

Buonaparte finds his wife involved in gambling debts, and surrounded by Jews and other creditors — Talleyr^d's mode of settling their demands

CONTENTS. iii

—Count de Segur completes Buonaparte's household establishment— his character, and public emplojments — his domestic misfortunes. Character of the members of Buonaparte's civil list — methods adopted to augment it with Prussian and German nobles.

Letter XII

Buonaparte's intention to seize on the empire of Germany — his secret treaties with the petty German Princes at Mentz — the French revolution not looked on us dangerous in Germany — why. The Elector of Bavaria — his character and obligations to Loui-s XVI — governed by Montgelas, the idol of illuminati, and patron of atheists — ^the progress of illumination in Bavaria — Montgelas concerned m the plot against Mr. Drake —his character.

Letter XIII

Attendance of German Princes and Princesses on the Empress Josephine at Mentz, and rich presents to her — bribery and corruption openly practised there — disappointment of the German Princes — high price demanded by Talle^Tand for indemnities — his intrigue with the Countess de

L andtiie Baroness de S z — repulsed by the Princess of H

Buonaparte's jealousy — mistakes the object of Count de L ge's attention to the Empress Josephine — his proceedings in consequence.— The avarice of the Empress.

Letter XIV

Former intimacy of the writer with Madame Napoleone and her daughter — tlieir friendly behaviour on his first introduction to them smce their elevation — subsequent change— the writer declines the oiler of a pubhc situation — arrested — interview with General Mmat — sentenced to be transported to Cayenne on the report of Fouche, but protected by Princess Louis — cause of Fouche's enmity — ^liis infamous character, and unbomided authoritj^ — the oubliettes, his invention — his immense property — Buonaparte's reasons for employing him.

Letter XV

The poverty and dependent situation of the foreign Ambassadors at Paris — invited by Talleyrand to a diplomatic dinner — his manoeuvre to obtain their declarations i-especting the pretended correspondence of Mr. Drake — servility of the Danisli and American ambassadors — theis characters — Baron de Dreyer's reasons for wishing to maintain his situation. Count de Haugwitz — his birth, political life, and character.

Letter XVI

The writer accepts an invitation from Princess Louis Buonaparte to dinner — The conquest of Great Britain the subject of conversation — different opinions respecting the proper mode of treating the inhabitants when vanquished. Imprudent observations of Marquis de F — exiled to Blois in consequence, and saved from severer punishment only by tlte interference of Princess Louis — her good-natm-e — character of Louis.

Letter XVII

Violent. debates in the Sacred College, on the journeyof the Pope to France — the members bribed by Cardinal Fesch. Birth of Cardinal Fesch — his life and adventures — his marriage, and desertion of his wife — ^lieiiv CONTENTS.

application to the Pope — his libertinism and adventure at Lyons — his wealth, dignities, and expectations. '

LETTER XVIIL

The Margrave of Baden made an Elector by the intrigues of Talleyrand and Baron Edelsheim. Character and political life of Edelsheim. Haughty and indecent conduct of Buonaparte to the Elector at Mentz — • secret treaty signed there. The vanity and affected consequence of Edelsheim played on and exposed by Talleyrand — his fondness for orders of knighthood — fawns on Buonaparte, to obtain admission into the Legion of Honour.

Letter XIX

The journey of the Pope to France unfavourable to the cause of religion. The restoration of Christianity the most popular act of Buonaparte's government — the opinion of the people respecting the act of inauguration by the Pope — their faith in his infallibility shaken. Manners and character of the Pope — promises made to him by Buonapai-te not performed — refuses to admit De Lalande to see him — De Lalande's atheism — enmity between him and Talleyrand. The Pope's aversion to Fouche — FoucLe s impious conduct at Lyons.

Letter XX

Buonaparte's mother the favourite of the Pope — family parties invited to meet him — ceremony observed on such occasions. Superstition of Madame LK:titia Buonaparte — ^lier fondness for rehcs — buys the shoulderbone of St. John the Baptist — robbed of her relics — Foucl'^ applied to — who discovers pieces of them all in the possession of a favovu-ite servant — the rest found on Madame Genlis, who had bought them of a priest — the priest ai-rested — claims the protection of Madame Lsetitia — threatened with the rack, and confesses his imposture.

LETTER XXL

Decrease in the population of Paris not to be lamented — ^the crimes committed there not suffered to be published. The system of espionage. Immense number of spies — how paid. Buonaparte's private spies imder the direction of Duroc. Dispute between Fouclie and Talleyrand. Ducroux employed as a spy by Buonaparte and Fouche on each other — ^liis blunder and execution.

LETTER XXIL

The Pope's manner of passing his time at Paris — great stress laid on his performing the ceremony of inauguration, and sacrifices intended to have been made, had he refused — all promises to him disregarded — his blind partiality for Buonaparte. Caprara dissuades Buonaparte from being crowned by the Pope as King of Italy.

LETTER XXIII.

King and Qiieen of Naples — their firm and dignified conduct. Chevalier Acton — ^liis birth — political character — enemy of the French Revolution. Neutrality of Naples violated. The removal of Acton insisted on by the French government. Marquis de Gallo — ^his public employments — a favourite with Buonaparte^— suspected of being tainted with modern philosophy. The Neapolitan Revolution in 1799 favoured by the Nobles. Character of the Marquis de Gallo.

CONTENTS.

LETTER XXIV.

Buonaparte and all his family married by the Pope — ^his corn-tiers and grand functionaries by the Cardinals — their regular attendance at mass and vespers — trick of Salmatoris to expose their hypocrisy — is pvmished. FoucLc's visit to the Imperial chapel — his discovery there. The indifference of the common people to religious worship — the miUtary compelled to attend mass — singular occurrence in consequence, and injustice of Buonaparte.

LETTER XXV.

Seizure of Sir George Rumbold — intended to have been tortured and put to death — why not — Rheinhard officially disavows the outrage — is disgraced in consequence — his political life and character. Bourrienne — his employment under Buonaparte— his dispute with him, and imprisonment — released and pensioned — his extortions and stock-jobbing — his character.

LETTER XXVL

Joseph Buonaparte's retired mode of life at Paris — his hospitality at Morfontaine — amusements there, and freedom allowed to the guests. Montaigne, a yovuig poet, a visitor there — his drunkenness — writes a poem against it. Madame Joseph's gallantries — duel between her gallants. Eugenius de Beauharnois forbidden the house of Joseph. Madame Miot detected by her husband in an intrigue with Captain d'Horteuil — the gallant beats Miot, who begs pardon — Miot's infamous life and character.

LETTER XXVIL

Conduct of the King of Spain — his weak character. The present the age of upstarts. The Prince of Peace — his former occupation — his want of talents — cause of his advancement — his intrigue witli the Queen, and favour with the King — weakness and ignorance of his administration — disgrace, and misfortunes produced by it. Gravina — his character and ambition — his military exploits — intrigue with an opera girl — his marriage -mania involves him in a disagreeable scrape.

LETTER XXVIIL

Vicious morals, gross manners, and open corruption of the Court of St. Cloud. Anecdotes. Merlin of Douai — his public employments — infamous character, and great wealth.

LETTER XXIX.

Immense number of Buonaparte's household troops — -regularly paid, and strictly disciplined — their privileges, &c. Military reviews — their use — less frequent since Buonaparte's coronation. Number of military posted in and near Paris. Army of Invalids — their prejudices — how employed. Mode of enforcing payment of taxes at Paris. Houses of the invalids — their reading-rooms, libi-aries, &c. — their licentiousness and crimes — screened from punishment by the orders of Buonaparte. Rabais, a horse grenadier — his amours and debaucheries — accused before Thuriot, and acquitted — his intrigue with Madame Thuriot — discovered by her jealousy — Thuriot applies in vain for redress. Rabais's intrigue with Madame Bachiocchi — denounced by Thuriot — arrest and punishment of Rabais — curious effects discovered in his trunk — Thuriot's rage and violence in consequence — his employment and crimes.

Vi CONTENTS.

LETTER XXX.

The writer visits Lucien Buonapax-te at his country seat — Lucien's valuable collection of pictures — his hospitality and eng'aging manners contrasted virith those of Napoleone and Joseph — his liberality — anecdotes — his republicanism — his vices compared w^ith those of Napoleone — his immense Avealth, how acquired — instance of his generosity and perversity.

LETTER XXXL

Reasons for not incorporating the Batavian republic with the French empire — partition treaty of Holland offered by France to Prussia — why declined. Buonaparte displeased wth the Batavian government — violates its neutrality — remonstrance of Count Markofl, how answered by Buonaparte — his determination to change the form of government in Holland —difficulty of finding fit magistrates — Holland not kttely productive of great men — Admiral de Winter — his character — political connections and employments — Generals Daendeis and Dumonceau — their lives and characters.

LETTER XXXII.

Buonaparte advises Prussia of his intention to change the form of government in Holland — chief magistra: es thought of — young Prince of Orange — Elector of Bavaria — Buonaparte's inoeasing displeasure with the Batavian directory — intended to make his brother Stadtholder. Schimmelpennuick — his education — want of talents — apolitical connections and opiiiions — his embassy to France — bribes Talle\Tand to procure him the appointment of Grand Pensionaiy — his character — Madame Schimmelpenninck — her talents and amiable manners — Schimmelpenninck's female friends of the Palais Royal.

LETTER XXXIII.

Buonaparte's cool reception at Milan — ascribed by him to the intrigues of England and Russia — measures of security adopted. Frequency of conspiracies in France since the revolution — Buonaparte's reasons for concealing them — Plot of Charlotte Encore — attempts to stab Buonaparte — ^{irevented by Duroc — expires on the rack, refusing to name her accomplices — their plan and names how discovered.

LETTER XXXIV.

All women forbidden to approach Buonaparte without permission — a female servant of Cardinal Fesc.h, whom Buonaparte had sediw^ed, attempts to poison him— discovered and poisons herself — plot to assassinate him at Milan — his agitation on the discovery — speech of one of 'the conspirators, who stabs himself — the others torn to pieces on the rack — proceedings in conseqtience of tliis conspiracy. Buonaparte an object of ridicide in Italy — league of generals against him — its object — the generals disgraced.

LETTER XXXV.

Vanity and caprice of Buonaparte — his rage, on the Emperor of Germany's refusing to become a member of the Legion of Honour — his threat, and violent conduct td the Austrian ambassadoi- — determines to incorporate the Ligiu'ian republic with France — Salicetti, the Frenclv minister at Genoa — his birth — employments — a terrorist— recommends

CONTENTS. vii

Buonapai'te to Barvas — displeases him by his familiarity. Liicien Buonaparte intended to have been made Sovereign of the LjgiirliiU republic — vsrhy not — the chang-e of govei-iiment how etTected — the Doge and Ligui'ian Deputation do homag-e to Bu-onaparte Jis sovereig-n at Milan — their gi-ief and indignation — The Pa triotic Robbers — stop Salicetti, and seize his papers — Patrioi ic Avengers.

LETTER XXXVI.

Exchange of orders of knighthood between Buonaparte and sovereign princes. Foreign ambassadois invited to his coronation at Milan — some decline to attend. Expenses of the journey to Milan, and coronation — General Joiu-dan — Ins marriage, and military appointments — cause of his enmity to Pichegru — his military and political exploits— his quarrel with Massena — his character.

LETTER XXXVIL

Conservative Senate, its heterogeneous composition — character of its members. Senatorial Commission of Personal Liberty — its members — Lenoir Laroche, Boissy d'Anglas, Sers — their" lives and character. Senatorial Commission of the Liberty of the Press — Garat and Roederer its principal members — pedantry and inhumanity of Garat — an enemy to the liberty of the press — Rosderer unprincipled and profligate — rejected by all factions — employed first by Buonaparte — his nicest — his wealth, Hbertinism, and foppery.

LETTER XXXVIII.

Turkish empire preserved by the mutvial jealousies of Austria, France, and Russia — its weakness and anarchy — political intrigues at Constantinople — the neutrality of the Porte more useful t]ian its alliance — intrigue of the Brissot faction in 1792, to engage it in a war with Austria — counteracted by coimt de Choiseul Gouffier, tlien French ambassador there — De Semonville sep.t on an embassy thither, in 1793, with. rich presents — made prisoner by the Austrians — the Sultan declares war against France — peace concluded — Sebastiani's mission to Egypt and Syria — General Brune appointed ambassador to the Poi-te — his character — Ms vices — political intrigues, and military emploj'- ments.

LETTER XXXIX.

Brune's numerous suite — of what composed — real object of his mission avowed by Talle}Tand — Markoff remonstrates. Count Italinski — his character — warns the Divan against Brune — libelled by him in the Moniteur. Brune's reception at Constantinople — his chagi-in — demands his recal, upon the Porte's refusal to acknowledge Buonaparte as emperor. Joubert, a bearer of a letter from Buonaparte to the Grand Signior — his education and emplojTnents. Young men educated at the expense of the French government in foreign countries — for wliat purpose. Joubert's interview with the Sultan — how obtained — its result — his second message, and failure. French emissaries in Austria, Hungary, and Servia — French Officers in the service of Czerni Georg'e and and Paswan Oglou. Brune quits Constantinople — appointed to the command of the army of observation opposite the English coast — his instructions — his wealth, ostentation, and vanitv.

viii CONTENTS.

LETTER XL.

Madame de C n — ^her fashionable parties — her marriage with count

de C n disputed — character of count de C n — his physiognomical pursuits — trick played on him — purchases Madame de C ^n

from a Circassian merchant, and sends her to be educated in France—

his death — Madame de C n's numerous suitors and gallants — her

pretended brother — her own story — birth and splendid christening of

the son of count de P 1. Villetard — his crimes and violence —

his sacrilege and infamous conduct at Loretto — treachery and hypocrisy. Cardinal de Bellois — his birth — governed by his grand vicaries.

Treilhard steals Madame de C n's gold plates — his political life.

Madame Francois de Nantes — ^her theft, gambling, and prostitution.

LETTER XLL

111 temper of Buonaparte on Ms return from Milan — from what arising — his violence and insolence to the Prussian and Saxon ambassadors. Restoration of ancient etiquette a desirable point to insist on from Buonaparte. His conduct to the army of England — Captain Fournois stabs himself on being struck by him — his proceedings in consequence- Discipline and spirit of the French troops — instance of heroism in a private soldier. General Savary — his character, birth, and employments.

LETTER XLII.

The Bank of France ordered by Buonaparte to furnish him with a million and a half sterling at two hours notice — alarm of the public — run upon the bank — notes paid in copper coin— the people grow clamorous 1— many arrested, and transported to Cayenne — total stagnation of trade — some Jews offer to purchase the notes at discount — are transported — arrangement for resuming payment — amount of notes in circulation at the time of stopping, and of specie in the bank — shock given to its credit — attempted to be supported by tyranny — suspicion and severity of the police — anecdotes.

LETTER XLIIL

Rapacity and extortions of French officers in Hanover — ^bribe Madame Buonaparte for their appointment — General Mortier — his birth — ^military appointments — mean addresses to Buonaparte — ^his marriage — his lady's gallantries — splendid christening of his child — his wealth and character — a great favourite with Buonaparte. Bernadotte — his birth, political intrigues, military exploits and violence — sent ambassador to Vienna — his insolent coiiduct there — bribed by Buonaparte on his assuming the Imperial dignity — his bai'barities and merciless extortions — his character.

LETTER XLIV.

Men of letters patronised bj^ Buonaparte — some obscure writers in England and Ireland pensioned by him — literary mission to England intended — Buonaparte's liberal rewards to his panegyrists — examples — great number of works dedicated to him — more by Germans and Italians than by the French — Spanicetti and Ritterstien, genealogists of Buonaparte, magnificently rewarded by him — vast number of pictures, statues and busts representing his person and exploits. Schumaker, a German artist, executes a model of a tomb for Buonaparte — ^how remunerated.

CONTENTS. it

LETTER XLV.

Misery and poverty of the French people — wretchedness of the ci-devant nobles, and returned emigrants — their employments — anecdotes — grea^ number of suicides.

LETTER ZLVI.

Different opinions respecting Buonaparte's private character — apparent attachment to his wife — his proposed divorce from her, and marriage ■ with a Russian Princess — his intrigue with Mademoiselle. George — her insolent conduct. Chaptal — his former occupation — political intrigues and employments — his wealth and character.

LETTER XLVIL

Miserable state of Spain — ignorance and presumption of the Prince of Peace — the Prince of Asturias endeavours to remove him — ^receives a deputation from the Spanish nobles — Character of the Princess of Asturias. The Prince of Peace informed of their plans — his" measures in consequence — tries to conciliate the Prince and Princess — is repulsed. Character of Herman, secretary to the Frencli embassy in Spain — the Prince of Peace — his illiberal prejudices — not liked by the Fi'ench government — Herman's intrigue with a girl in the suite of the Princess of Astiu'ias — ^his discovery in consequence. Plan of the Prince and Princess — disclosed by the French ambassador to the favourite — consequent proceedings — the Duke of Montemar interferes — ^liis speech to the king — note of the Prince of Astiu'ias to the king — their reconciliation.

LETTER XLVin.

The Prince of Peace places spies round the Prince and Princess of Asturias — his insolent conduct to them — indignation of the Spanish nobles — the lustory of Don Carlos written by order of the favourite — burnt by the queen's confessor — dissimulation of the Frencli ambassador, Beurnonville — immense sums paid by Spain to France — deranged state of the Spanish finances — intrigue of Beurnonville to obtain a subsidy — the Prince and Princess of Asturias disavow his assei'tions — ^jnmished in tlie persons of their favourites — ^revolution and change of dj-nasty expected in Spain — sovereignties intended for Buonaparte's brothers — Beurnonville's birth and character — his political and military employments.

LETTER XLIX.

Madame Buonaparte's fears of her brothers-in-law — their powers dmnng Napoleone's absence — his policy. Supposed consequence of Buonaparte's death. New military manners — General Liebeau — his birth, vulgarity, and character — description of a military wedding — Colonel Frial — his birth and character — disputes about their respective pretensions to the Imperial crown among the military members of the party— a common subject of discussion and dispute among tlie military in general.

LETTER L.

Madame Chevalier — her person and manners — her early prostitution, and first entrance on the stage — her husband joins the Jacobin clubs, and is imprisoned as a terrorist. First appearance of Madame Chevalier

X CONTENTS.

on the Hamburgh stage— riot in consequence^her gallantries and ava* rice — employed by one of Talle5rrand's female agents to go to Russia — her intrigues with the Emperor Paul — her cruelty and avarice — procures the cruel treatment of the Sardinian secretary — number of hef victims — her insinuation, cunning, and eErontery — anecdotes. Female political incendiaries and intriguers sent by tlie French government to Vienna, St. Petersburgh, and Berlin. Two ladies intended ibr the P of W and D of Y their persons and accomplishments.

LETTER LI.

Submission of America to the mandates of France. View^s of France on the American Continent — foments the disagreement between Spain ' and the United States — captures and plunders American ships — condemns all neutral ships trading with St. Domingo. General i*******^ French ambassador to the U***'** S***** — discontented with President J******** — why — birth of T*******' — his political intr.gues, and mili-

. tary exploits — horrors committed by him in La Vendee — his letter to the National Convention — arrested as a Terrorist — -writes Memoirs of the Vendean war. Anecdote of Buonaparte. Wealth of T*******— his conceit, and character.

LETTER LII.

Discontent of Buonaparte's Italian subjects — their miserable condition — oppressed and plundered by French generals and governors. Menou — his birth and infamous character. Fate of the nobility who have joined the French Revolution. Melzi-Eril seduced by French philosophers — approves of the French Revolution — appointed Vice-president of the Italian Republic — his chagi-in on Buonaparte's assuming the sovereignty — is refused leave to retire to Spain — Attempts suicide by poison.

LETTER LIIL

The foreign ambassadors hesitate to salute Cambaceres and Le Brun, Serene Highnesses — Buonaparte insists — they bribe Talleyrand, who obviates the difficulty. Cambaceres bribes Talleyrand, and is created a

Prince. Madame B s, a female intriguer -and tool of Talleyrand,

alarms the Bavarian minister Cetto^he conducts this petty intrigue. Cambaceies — his birth — infamous character — raised to the consulate by Buonaparte — his wealth and titles — his brother.

LETTER LIV.

King of Sweden hated by Buonaparte' — national character of the Swedes — cause of Buonaparte's hatred — Baron Ehi-ensward constantly insulted by him — orders issued to imprison the Baron for expressing his sentiments. Education and character of Baron Ehrensward. King- of Sweden writes to Buonaparte on the seizure of the Duke of Enghien — recalls Ehrensward, and orders a court mourning. General Caulincourt and iifty4>anditti hired to seize the King of Sweden' — intentions of the French Government, if their plot had succeeded — their plan to partition the Swedish territory. Character of the King of Sweden and his counsellors. D'Ehrenheim. Count de Fersen — his attachment and fidelitj^ to the royal family of France — refused admission to the Congress of Radstadt by Buonaparte. Baron d'Armfeldt — the friend of Gustavus III — ^appointed guardian of the present King — sent ambassador to Italy

CONTENTS. xi

—outlawed — stakes refuge in Russia, and serves with distinction under Suwarrow — recalled to his country, and restored to liis dignities — his military talents and spirit.

LETTER LV.

Buonaparte dreads the liberty of the press — all foreign printers and booksellers under the control of his police — emissaries employed to travel to collect literary intelligence — number of French newspapers before and during the Revolution — i-educed by Buonaparte — under the sole direction of Barrere — foreign papers and publications prohibited under severe penalties. Examples of severiiy — official presses established to forge foreign papers — dangerous to question the veracity of tlie Moniteui\ Anecdote.

LETTER LVL

Prince of Borghese — his birth — ;joins the Revolution — ^liis meanness and pride — marries Madame Le Clerc's fortune — her vices — despises her husband — her curious request to Buonaparte. Buonaparte exacts chastity from his sisters-in-law — sudden disappearance of Princesses Joseph's and Louis's gallants. Princess Louis visits Madame Ney — a midnight occxu-rence during her stay — she is placed under the care of Madame Murat — discovers a singular intrigue — arrangements in consequence — Princess Louis's maids confined by the police — one of them pregnant by Louis.

LETTER LVIL

Different sensations of the army of England on being ordered to march for Germany — company of performers sent from Paris to amuse them — pla}'s and ballads written for the occasion — great effect produced by them — the Grenadier's Adieu, a ballad written by three authors profusely rewarded by Buonaparte. Stanzas on the rumour of a war with Austria — distributed to the company at Madame Joseph's. Other poetasters how rewarded. Curious blunder at Madame Talleyrand's. Anecdote of an ancient Tyrant.

LETTER LVIII.

Portugal forced from her neutrality by her connexion with Spain — Poi*- tuguese plenipotentiary at Paris in 1797 imprisoned in the Templeextravagant demands of France on Portugal supported by the Prince of Peace — unmerciful plunder of Portugal by France. General Lasnes — his birth — former emplo3anents, and infamous character — his mission to Portugal a punishment for robbing the miUtary chest — his insolent manners at the Court of Lisbon — smuggles — quits his post, and returns without apology — demands a change of ministry — is recalled. General Junot — his birth — military appointments and exploits — his tyranny and corruption while Governor of Paris — ^liis connexion with a gang of robbers — anecdote of his swindling. Fitte, his infamous character — emigrates to England — cheats the English ministry — procures the murder of his brother and sister.