A selection from the letters of Madame de Rémusat to her husband and son, from 1804 to 1813.

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

MADAME DE KEMUSAT.

A SELECTION

Contents

I. To M. de Eemusat at Aix-la-Chapelle II. To M. de Remusat at Aix-la-Chapelle

III. To M. de Remusat at Aix-la-Chapelle

IV. To M. de Remusat at Aix-la-Chapelle V. To M. de Remusat at Aix-la-Chapelle

I

TO M. DE REMUSAT, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

Paris, 10 Frudidor, Year XII.

{Tuesday, August 28, ISO4.)

Thanks for your little note from Pont St. Maxence.* It was an agreeable surprise, for I had not hoped to hear from you so soon. We are rejoicing over your splendid weather ; I wish from my heart that this journey might be all enjoyment for you, and that I could take as my share the annoyances and the ennui you must needs experience. Take care of your health, avoid over-fatigue, and try to amuse yourself ; I want to think that you are happy. Write whenever you are able, and tell me how you are received. I saw Corvisartf yesterday, on his return from Aix-la-Chapelle ; he wondered he had not come across you on his journey ; it is true that he traveled post-haste night and day. He told me

* M. de Remusat was on his way to join the Empress at Aix-la-Chapelle, in order to accompany the Emperor on his progress through the Rhine Provinces. The Empire had been established, but the Imperial household was not yet formed. The coronation was not to take place until December. The Emperor did not return to St. Cloud until October 12, 1804 (20 Vendemiaire, Year XIII.). Pont St. Maxence is the chief place of a canton in the department of the Oisc, and was formerly a post-town.

\ Corvisart was a friend of Mme. do Remusat, and her physician. 1 that the roads are bad tlie other side of Liege ; you will be traveling over them to-morrow, and I shall be jolted all daylong. Pray be very prudent ; remember to how many persons you are necessary, and that to me life would be nothing without you.

On Sunday I went to 2i.fete at M. de Yalence's,'^ where I met Madame de Montesson ; Lavalette f was there too, and I questioned him closely about the state of the roads. I can not say he relieved my mind, and those wretched Rhine roads are always before me. By-the-by, although I felt bored and out of spirits at tliis^e^^, I could not help smiling a moment at the thought of your expression of countenance, if in the midst of the verses addressed by the actors of the Comedie Frangaise to Mme. de Valence, and to Mme. de Montesson and all her family, you could have heard Mile. Emilie Contat :|: singing the praises of the Prefect, and informing you in very second-rate meter that one must not be surprised at meeting with a Maecenas in the reign of an Augustus. All the company present were very gracious toward us and applauded warmly. Tears came to my eyes, and I embraced Mile. Contat. The verses might be poor stuff, but they were -about you, and harmonized with my secret thoughts. I dined yesterday at Mme. de Souza's,* to meet the Corps

* General de Valence had married the daughter of Mme. de Genlis. He was distantly related to Mme. de Montesson, the widow of the Duke of Orleans, who was grandfather to Louis Philippe.

f M. de Lavalette, Director-General of the Post.

X The name of Contat has been borne by three actresses of unequal celebrity. The first, Louise Contat, who was born in 1*760 and died in 1813, took the roles of the grandes Coquettes, and in 1V84 created the part of Susan in the " Mariage de Figaro." Her sister, Emilie Contat, mentioned above, was born in 1784, and died in 1846. For thirty years she played the soubreites at the Theatre Fran9ais with the greatest success. Her niece, Anialrie Contat, acted the same parts, but made no mark. The Prefect alluded to is, of course, M. de Eerausat, Prefect of the Palace.

* Mme. de Souza, previously Mme. de Flahault, is known as the author of some successful novels. She was pretty, clever, and rather scheming. Her father was an official, and she had been married, first, to M. de Labillarderie de

CHARLES AND ALBERT. 3

Diplomatique. The poor ambassadress was anxious and distressed. Slie implored me to tell you what occurred; you will notice it or not, as you think fit. She invited Mme. and M. de Talleyrand to dinner. The former declined at once. He made no reply until Monday morning, when he sent word that, having some guests dining at his own house, he could not accept her invitation. Mme. de Souza knows as a fact that he specially invited his company. This throwing down of the gauntlet, as it were, is the first incivility he has ventured on in public, and she is consequently excessively annoyed. When I parted from her she was bent on writing to the Emperor. She probably hopes that you will mention the affair ; do as you like about this. I have just heard that your minister is to join you at Aix. Everything indicates that this Court journey will be a long one. General Murat thinks that the Empress will not be allowed to accompany the Emperor, and that the latter will only return here a short time before the coronation. But surely your services will be required at the same time, and could you not point this out ?

I inclose a letter for the Empress, and one for you from Charles,* who shed tears on reading your message to him. He is tenderly attached to you, and I love him the more for it. He prefers you to every one ; and he is right, for you are very lovable, and my happiness is great when by your side. Our little Albert f is better. You may be sure that

Flahault, and afterward to M. de Souza, a distinguished and honorable Portuguese, who represented his country as ambassador to France. Her intimacy with Mme. de Remusat was increased by the fact that both ladies resided very near each other in the Rue du Marche d'Aguesseau. She survived her husband and passed her old age in penury, partly occasioned by her passion for lotteries.

* My father, Charles rran9ois Marie de Remusat, was born on March 14, 1797. He was at this time seven years old.

•f- Albert de Remusat, Mme. de Remusat's second son, was born in 1802. Neither mind nor body ever attained a full development. He died in 1830, at the age of eight-and-twenty, but with the appearance of a sickly child of ten or twelve. As I have stated in the Preface to this work, I have suppressed

4 LETTERS OF MADAME BE RtMUSAT.

he knows where you are, and says, ^'■Papa is gone awayP Alas ! yes, lie is gone, and I must not look as yet for his return ; it seems so far off that I can not think of it without tears. How hard it is to be separated, when we are so happy together! But since it must be so, let us try to arrange matters in such a way that we need not part again. I feel a sweet conviction that, after this period of storms and agitation, our remaining years will pass calmly away, and that our life will be peaceful and happy. I picture to myself a pretty place in the country, where we could educate our children ; a kind and beloved friend, wliose side I should scarcely ever leave ; and la cava liherta. How delicious ! Let us labor for so sweet a future, and I possess already the surest guai-antee of the happiness I anticipate, if you will only take good care of yourself. Adieu. My mother and Alix* embrace you.

Wednesday^ 11 Fruclidor.

Don't forget poor Mme. de Grasse f and little D'Houdet6t.:j: Give me an answer also about Latouche-Treville's letmost of those passages in the Letters in which his mother refers to him and speaks of her anxiety on account of his weak state of health. She was as much engrossed by his unfortunate condition as by the brilliant promise of her elder son. But it seems to me that public attention should rather be called to the latter.

* Alix de Vergennes, the sister of Mme. de Eemusat, had married General de Nansouty.

f Mme. de Grasse, whose maiden name was also De Grasse, was the wife of an emigre. She had only recently come to Paris with an introduction to my grandmother, who received her kindly, and afterward became her friend. She was petitioning for the restoration of some property confiscated during the Revolution. Although a strong Royalist, she wished for an appointment as Page for her eldest son. He did not, however, obtain it, and entered the army through the school of St. Cyr. He was lieutenant-colonel of dragoons in 1830, and sent in his resignation. He and my father were comrades throughout all their youth, and more especially in childhood, and their friendship only ceased at my father's death in 1860.

\ This little D'Houdetot is Henri d'Houdetot, a grandson of Mme. d'Houdctot. He wished to be a Page, and died in the army.

31. DE SOUZA. 5

tcr, for M. de Yilleblanche's * mother wants to take the opportunity of Avriting directly to the Emperor whicli their misfortune affords.

TO M. DE REMUSAT, AT ATX-LA-CHAPELLE.

Paris, Z^ Frudidor^ Year XII.

{Saturday, September 1, ISO4.)

Mon ami., to-day is Saturday. I awoke sad, remembering that it is a week since you left me, and that I must not count the days if I wish to bear the remainder of your absence patiently. My grief is increased by just a little anxiety, which will, I hope, have been removed by the time you receive this letter, as I shall then have had one from you. I am expecting to hear from you to-morrow about that wretched road from Liege to Aix-la-Chapelle, that Corvisart says is so dreadfully bad. He told me you would have to get out of the carriage and walk, and I fear that perhaps you did not do so. Perhaps you have forgotten the journey that engrosses my thoughts and are ready for another. For my sake and your own, pray be careful. You w^ill see M. de Souza to-day, the 14th ; he is to present his letters of credit ; gloomily enough, I fancy. Between ourselves, he dislikes M. de Talleyrand, and is quite inclined to take leave of us. His wife is very anxious, and begs you will not mention what I wrote to you at her request, because she has changed her mind on the subject. She begs only that you will let me know what sort of reception M. de Souza has met with, and whether any

* The mother cf our cousin, the ruined emigre, M. de Villeblanclie, had married Latouche-Treviile. The admiral of that name had just died at Toulon, where he was in command of the fleet, which was afterward put under the orders of Villencuve and beaten at Trafalgar.

6 LETTERS OF MADAME DE RJ&MUSAT.

gracious expressions have been bestowed on liira, or all have been reserved for M. de Lima.*

You will also tell me, for mj own information, whether you were satisfied with your reception, whether the Empress spoke of me, whether she still likes me, and was glad to see you ; and I will tell you that Charles is well, and Albert much as usual. This is all my news, for I have not been out for a week ; I have been rather unwell and have nursed myself. To-day, however, I mean to throw off my laziness, and pay a visit to Cambaceres ; then I shall return to a home which is dull to me now, and go to bed early. My mother says I am very tiresome, and she is right ; at the beginning of a separation one feels acutely how easy it is to become accustomed to happiness. When we are happy, we enjoy our blessings as a matter of couree; our days slip by and we do not appreciate them ; we are spendthrifts, and set no value on our possessions. But when happiness departs, then we discover its height and depth by the weariness and sorrow to which it leaves us. This is my experience ; and I reproach myself when I have lost you for not having oftener remembered what happiness it was to pass my life at your side.

What else can I tell you ? I know nothing, and there is no news except that there is some grumbling at the alteration of the coinage. As I have just finished reading Daniel, f I shuddered at the repetition of a measure which occasioned so many troubles to Philippe le Bel, but we have progressed in our education since those days. There will be some clamor and nothing more.

I have seen Mme. de Grasse, who, on her knees, asks for

* Mme. de Souza feared that M. de Talleyrand's enmity might cause her husband to lose his post as Portuguese ambassador to Paris ; and in fact this occurred.

f Father Daniel, a Jesuit, born in 1649, was the author of a History of France in seventeen volumes. He published an abridged edition in nine small volumes. The work is little read at the present day.

PETITION TO TEE "-PREFECT:' 7

your good offices, and Mme. Parseval-Deschenes,"^ who begs you to mention lier son to the successor of Latouche-Treville as soon as he is ap]3ointed, if you have an opportunity, direct or indirect, of doing so. Give me an answer about M. de Yilleblanche. Every one in Paris considers M. de Cercey the only suitable person for the place. Meanwhile he has gone to Nantes to join his ship.

You will let me know if you are soon about to start off again, and whether I am to send my letters through the post, or to Maret's. I saw M. de yesterday. His daughter-in-law has arrived in a pitiable state ; she has constant convulsions, and causes great anxiety to her family. Alas ! what is life to her now, and why do they wish her to retain it ?

Adieu. I am ashamed of the pctqfes f I have written, but I am too melancholy to be pleasant ; I can think of nothing but that horrid road, and I am longing for a letter to set me at ease. I am writing to Deschamps, X because I want him to write to me about you. Adieu ; I love you, now and always. M. Bertrand * desires to be remembered to you.

Pray ask M. de Talleyrand if he ever regrets his former traveling companions, and remind him that he promised accounts of his journeys to Mme. Devaines | and Mme. de Talhouet,^ and that I claim my share.

* Mme. Parseval-Dcschenes, widow of a farmer-general of taxes, was through her husband first cousin of Mme. de Bastard, Her son, Ferdinand Parseval, was in the navy and died an admiral.

f Petoffes, an expression commonly used in the family, signifying gossip, scandal, etc. It is a Proven9al word, and is met with in Mme. de Sevigne's letters. \ Deschamps, secretary to the Empress.

* M. Bertrand (Dominique), formerly a merchant, secretary of the Council of Commerce, was an intimate friend of my grandfather. He was a clever, well-informed, and thoughtful man, and very intimate with M. de Talleyrand, at whose house he afterward took up his abode. He died about 1818.

II Mme. Devaines (Mile. Racine) was the widow of the Academician, philosopher, and Councilor of State, and mother of M. Devaines who died a peer of France. The latter and M. Guizot married two sisters, Pauline and Henrictte Dillon. The mother was considered a clever woman, kept a good table, and was surrounded by a circle of distinguished men.

■^ Mme. de Talhouet was a Creole, and very intimate with Mme. Bonaparte, who had appointed her Lady-in-Waiting.

LETTERS OF MADAME DE RMUSAT.

III

TO M. DE EEMUSAT, AT AIX-LA-CIIAPELLE.

Paris, Monday, 16 Fructidor, Year XII. {September 3, ISO If).

A THOUSAND tlianks for tlie kind exactitude which has relieved me from deep anxiety ! I received your letter yesterday, Sunday, at six o'clock ; I had been expecting it all day, and I needed it, for my imagination was busy with the bad roads from Aix-la-Chapelle, and I could not repress tears of joy when I saw your handwriting. Pray continue to let me have a line now and then to set my mind at ease. I really require it, for my health is not good enough to bear up against anxiety, and your absence has tried me very much. I heard through the Archchancellor that the Emperor is only to arrive at Aix * to-day, and that you will set out again on Thursday, at latest. Do try, if possible, to obtain the nominations for young De Grasse and D'Houdetot, and to wind up Mme. de Grasse's business — the poor woman is in a pitiable condition.

I am delighted that the Empress received you so well. I should like you to have nothing but pleasure on your journey, and would willingly keep all tlie disagreeables for myself. . . .

I have no news for you. There are some miserable rumors of war, and of conspiracies on the eve of explosion. As for your trvpot,^ it continues to be rather stupid, and I have not been there since your departure, but I have seen Maherault. X He told me that Mile. Georges had asked for

* The Emperor joined the Empress at Aix-la-Chapelle on 15 Fructidor, Year XII., that is, on September 2, 1804.

f Voltaire's name for the Comedie Fran9aise.

X Maherault, brother-in-law to Legouve, the author of " Le Merite des Femmes," had a place in the department of Public Education, and was Government Commissioner at the Theatre Fran9aisc. lie was prematurely struck with,

MME. DE SOUZA. 9

leave of absence in order to go to her dying father, but it seems that he must have recovered rapidly, for she is acting at Amiens. I was not aware that the ladies of the comj)any would be permitted to absent themselves thus. I went to Le Yacher yesterday about your Court suit, and from all I saw I thinlv the new costume will be very expensive. Try, at any rate, to obtain the Presidency of your Electoral College,* that we may contrive to make our way a little. I saw the Minister of Finance about your nephew. He has no directorship to give away, because he has made up his mind henceforth to choose the directors from among the inspectors. But, by taking a place as inspector, a directorship may be had afterward. I am going to tell your sister f this, and she shall dictate my reply.

I have told you of all Mme. de Souza's troubles ; she has suddenly warmed again toward me. She is anxious and dissatisfied, and has good reason for believing that M. de Lima will remain here, while M. de Souza has a great desire to leave Paris. She wished, at first, that you should interfere, but has happily changed her mind, and is now waiting for the Emperor's return. Say nothing, therefore, about lier vexation, and write to me in such a way about the audience

paralysis, but lived to a fairly advanced age. His son was a Councilor of State, and the present Academician, M. Ernest Legouve, has written a charming sketch of him.

* My family owned an estate in the Haute-Saone. My grandfather wished to be, and in fact became, President of the Electoral College of Vesoul. The Presidents were appointed, both under the Empire and under the Government of the Restoration, by the Emperor and the King. Their duties were to superintend and direct electoral operations, and they were sometimes proposed by the Government as candidates for the votes of the electors.

f Mme. de Foresta, the sister of M. de Remusat, died in Provence in 1825. Her eldest son, for whom she sought a financial directorship, was, at his death, a Councilor of the Court at Ais. A brother of his, the Marquis de Foresta, who died in 1858, played a considerable part in the Legitimist party. I give .numerous family details in these early pages, in order to show the tone of the correspondence, and restrict myself, further on, to subjects of more general interest.

given to tlie Portuguese, that I may repeat what you say. The affection she shows for me has made Gallois my friend again ; * he is once more quite attentive.

Adieu ; I must leave you for Charles's lessons. He is very well, and loves you as much as ever. Albert knows your handwriting. When I show him a letter from you, he says, " Papa ! " and kisses it. I hope soon to give him a fresh letter to kiss.

I don't know whether General Duroc is to be told of an accident that happened to his wife.f Do not speak to him on the subject unless he has already heard of it. . Yesterday, Sunday, she was driving in a buggy with her brother, and was thrown out, hurting her head a little. I have just sent to inquire. She has been bled and feels well this morning. There is not the slightest cause for anxiety. For Heaven's sake, don't get yourself thrown out on those wretched roads ! Come back well and strong, for my health, my happiness, and my life depend on yours. My mother sends you her love, and says we are a tiresome pair.

Do not forget Halma.ij: I inclose a letter from Uustan * that I opened without looking at the address.

* M. Gallois was a former Girondist, who had remained a Liberal. His enlightened mind and an intimate acquaintance with England had attached him to Lord Lansdowne and his friends. He was very fond of Mme. de Souza, and remained intimate with her to the end. He was Mailre des Comptes, and died in 1828.

f Mme. Duroc, Duchess de Frioul, was by birth Mile, Hervas. After the death of Duroc, she became Mme. Fabvier.

X The Abbe Halma, librarian to the Empress, was tutor to my father, who was not sent to school until the following year.

* The Emperor's Mamaluke.

PAINS OF ABSENCE. ■ 11