The life and letters of Madame Bonaparte ...

Preface

The long, eventful and romantic career of Madame Bonaparte made her one of the most famous women of the country. Her remarkable history covers a period of ninety-four years. Born four years before the organization of the United States government by the original Thirteen States, she lived to see the Union composed of thirtyeight States, with a population of nearly fifty millions. At the time of her birth, Baltimore was a small town of little more than four thousand inhabitants ; she lived to see it a large city of little less than four hundred thousand. Born the daughter of a Baltimore merchant, Elizabeth Patterson became, by her marriage with Jerome Bonaparte, the sister-in-law of the Emperor Napoleon and the half-dozen kings and queens whom the French Caesar placed upon the thrones of Europe. In all respects the equal, and in some

Vlll PREFACE.

the superior of those thus favored, Napoleon

nevertheless excluded her from the imperial

court ; yet, after the Emperor's final downfall,

there remained for her a social career in Europe,

the brilliancy of which has hitherto been but

vaguely described. The recent discovery of her

letters, written to her father during this period

of her social success — when beauties envied her

beauty and wits dreaded her wit, when kings

sought her acquaintance and princes claimed her

friendship — will enable us to give to the world

the true story of the most brilliant years of this

remarkable woman's life. Her letters display an

amazing knowledge of the world, a keen analysis

of men's motives, and an eager pursuit of worldly

honors. This Baltimore girl, married at eighteen

and deserted at twenty, seems to have possessed

the savoir vivre of Chesterfield, the cold cynicism

of Rochefoucauld, and the practical economy of

Franklin.

EUGENE L. DIDIER.

Chapter I

The Patterson Family.— William Patterson, the Father of Mme. Bonaparte. — Childhood and Youth of Elizabeth Patterson. — Jerome Bonaparte visits the United States. — His First Meeting with Miss Patterson. — Their Engagement and Marriage. — Opposition of Napoleon. — Jerome ordered back to France without his Wife — His Hesitation I

Chapter II

Napoleon is proclaimed Emperor. — Formation of the Imperial Court. — Monsieur Jerome is excluded from the Imperial Dynasty. — Monsieur and Madame Bonaparte spend the Winter of 1805 in Baltimore. — A Brilliant Season. — They sail for Europe — Arrival at Lisbon. — Madame Bonaparte not allowed to land. — Jerome leaves her and goes to meet Napoleon. — The Emperor at first refuses to see his Brother. — He declares his Marriage null, and says he will never acknowledge it. — Madame Bonaparte sails for Amsterdam. — She arrives in the Texel Roads and is ordered off. — She goes to England. — Birth of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte. — Mme. Bonaparte returns to the United States. — Napoleon applies to the Pope for a Bull divorcing Jerome from his Wife. — The Pope's Refusal 23

Chapter III

Madame Bonaparte's disappointed Ambition. — Jerome's perfidy con- -^ firmed by his Marriage with the Princess of Wiirtemberg. — Madame Bonaparte's Residence in Baltimore. — The Stuart Portrait. — The Course of Events in France. — Madame Bonaparte again visits Europe. — Her Letters from England and France, 1806-1816 37

Chapter IV

Madame Bonaparte returns to America. — Her Third Visit to Europe. — Pauline Bonaparte. — John Jacob Astor. — An Invitation by the Princess Borghese to visit Italy. — 1819-20 53

Chapter V

Madame Bonaparte's Life in Geneva. — Lady Morgan. — Madame Mere.— Joseph Bonaparte. — The Princess Borghese and Mr. Astor. — Madame Bonaparte in Rome. — Kind Reception. — Proposed Marriage of Jerome to his Cousin Charlotte. — The ex-King of Westphalia. — Pauline Bonaparte. — 1820 67

X CONTENTS.

Chapter VI. Page

Letters from Rome. — Kind Words, but no Money, from the Bonaparte Family. — The Matrimonial Speculation for Jerome. — The Match is approved by all of the Family. — Jerome returns- to America. — Letter from William Patterson upon the Subject of the Marriage. — The Caprices of the Princess Borghese. — Madame Bonaparte's Anxiety about her Son. — She visits Florence. — Last Meeting with her Husband. — Letters from Paris. — 1822 86

Chapter VII

Jerome's proposed Marriage abandoned. — Charlotte Bonaparte. — Achille Murat. — Mme. Bonaparte returns to Geneva. — Her Letters from that City during the Autumn of 1822. — Reported Death of Madame Mere. — Jerome's Religious Belief. — Mme. Bonaparte's Literary Friends. — Lamartine. — Mme. de Genlis. — Lady Morgan. — Mme. Bonaparte's Affection for her Son. — Tom Moore. — Wellington. — A French Widow's Sorrow. — Mme. Bonaparte's Views of Matrimony. —1822 107

Chapter VIII

Mme. Bonaparte's Idea of her Son's Rank. — American and European Marriages. — Madame Mere's Will. — Mme. Bonaparte's Disappointment at her forgetting Jerome. — Geneva Boarding-Houses. — Meat and Vegetables versus Mont Blanc et le Lac de Geneve. — The Ennui of Life. — Letters to Lady Morgan. — "So melancholy, that I wished myself dead a thousand times." — Sismondi. — Miss Edgeworth. — 1823 121

Chapter IX

Mme Bonaparte, Napoleon, and Byron. — Albert Galatin. — Letters from Paris. — Extravagance of the Baltimore Merchants.— Robert Morris. — Mme. Bonaparte makes a Will. — Reports of her second Marriage.— Love in a Cottage. — She hopes Jerome will escape all Matrimonial Snares. — He must distinguish himself in Life. — She is pleased with his Diligence at College, but displeased with the Expense of his Education. — Jerome offers to reduce his Expenses. — Mme. Bonaparte deplores the Solitude of a Single Life.— John Jacob Astor.— Miss Astor.— Sismondi.— The Waverley Novels.— 1823 133

Chapter X

lerome and his Father.— The Former defends himself from the Charge of Extravagance at College. — Madame Bonaparte returns to America. — She shares Jerome's Rustication at Lancaster during his Suspension. — The Emperor of Russia and the ex-King of Westphalia. — Madame Bonaparte to Lady Morgan. — America a Region of ennui. —

CONTENTS. XI

PAGB

The Men all Merchants, the Women all Housekeepers and Nurses. — The Dulness of Baltimore. — The Stupidity of its Inhabitants. — Madame Bonaparte sighs for European Society, while Motives of Economy detain her in Baltimore. — Lafayette. — Madame Bonaparte again visits Europe. — Her Residence in Havre. — The Catons. — Mr. Brown, the American Minister to France. — Another Scheme for marrying Jerome. — His Views on the Subject of Matrimony. — Mr. Patterson's Advice to Jerome. — 1824-5 ♦ J 53

Chapter XI

Madame Bonaparte at Havre. — Lafayette. — The Marchioness of Wellesley. — Byron. — Madame Bonaparte at Paris. — Death of Pauline, Princess Borghese. — Letter to Lady Morgan. — Madame Bonaparte sends for Jerome to visit Italy. — Miss Astor. — The Marquis of Wellesley. — Letter from Prince Jerome to his Son. — 1825-6 166

Chapter XII

Jerome joins his Mother in Europe. — They visit Lausanne, Geneva, and the Baths of Aix in Savoy. — Letter from Aix. — " Poor People have no Friends." — Looking after Legacies for Jerome. — Cardinal Fesch. — Young Napoleon. — " Marrying for Idleness " and " Bringing Beggars into the World." — Money covers more Faults than Charity. — Letter from Madame Mere to Jerome. — Louis Bonaparte. — Madame Bonaparte's unfavorable Opinion of her Husband's Family. — Princess Charlotte. — Joseph's Fortune. — Jerome meets his Father. — Affectionate Reception from all the Family. — Letters from Florence. —1826 181

Chapter XIII

Madame Bonaparte in Florence. — Jerome's Patriotism. — The enormous Debts of the Bonaparte Family. — The " Pet Son." — Madame Bonaparte at the Court of Tuscany. — Honored by the Grand Duke. — Prince Jerome's Extravagance. — The Carnival at Rome. — Jerome returns to America. — Madame Bonaparte " feels age coming on." — The Russian Ambassador at Florence. — Death of Prince Demidoff. — His Will. — Charles Bonaparte. — A new Plan for Jerome. — The American Duchess. — 1827-8 196

Chapter XIV

The Announcement of Jerome's Engagement. — Mme. Bonaparte's Opposition. — Congratulatory Letters from the Bonaparte Family. — Jerome's Marriage. — Congratulatory Letter from Princess Charlotte Bonaparte. — Characteristic Letter from Mme. Bonaparte. — The Grave preferable to Baltimore. — Mme. Bonaparte threatens to spend her Income. — The Americans in Europe. — Mme. Bonaparte makes her Will. — Jerome's Allowance is discontinued. — 1829-30 212

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Chapter XV

Birth of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, Jr.— Congratulations from the Family. — Kind Words.— Mme. Bonaparte and Gortschakofi — Lamar- ; tine. — Her Departure from Florence. — Letter from Geneva. — Financial Affairs.— Princess Galitzin.— Mme. Bonaparte's Jewels. — Dying of Ennui— ." I am tired of Life.''— Mme. Bonaparte and Mr. Dundas.— Countess Guiccioli.— Letter from Paris.— Duchess d'Abrantes.— Letter from Mr. Patterson.— At Home Again.— 1831-33 229

Chapter XVI

Madame Bonaparte's Return to America.— Foreign Finery.— Her Mature Beauty.— Death of William Patterson.— His Singular Will.— His ' Costume and Literary Taste. — Madame Bonaparte revisits Europe. —Letter to Lady Morgan.— Solitary Life in Paris.— Death of Cardinal Fesch, also of the Princess Charlotte and the Duchess d'Abrantes. — Count Demidoff and the Princess Mathilde. — Madame Bonaparte at the Springs.— Her Brilliant Conversation.— 1834-48 243

Chapter XVII

The French Revolution of 1848. — Napoleon III. — Letter to Lady Morgan. — Madame Bonaparte announces herself an Imperial Bonapartist and hopes the Prince President may become Emperor. — Her Views of Republics. — Her Obscure Life in Baltimore. — Her Fortune. — Chateaubriand. — Letter of Jerome Bonaparte to Napoleon III. — The Emperor's Reply. — Mr. Bonaparte visits France. — He dines with the Emperor. — He is declared a Legitimate Son of France. — Opposition of his Father. — He resigns his American Citizenship. — Another Letter from the Emperor. — He proposes to create Mr. Bonaparte Duke of Sartene. — Prince Napoleon opposes the Advance of his Brother. — Decision of Legitimacy from the French Court, but Deprivation of Imperial Rank. — Mr. Bonaparte's Indignant Letter to the Emperor. — Death of Prince Jerome, ex-King of Westphalia. — His Will. — \

Madame Bonaparte claims the Fulfilment of her Marriage Contract. — Eloquent Appeal of Berryer. — Madame Bonaparte loses her Case. — 1848-60 251

Chapter XVIII

Madame Bonaparte's Last Days in Baltimore. — European Reminiscences. — Her Fortune and how it was accumulated. — Her Business Habits. — Her Parsimony. — Generosity to Relatives. — Her Regular Life. — Her Beauty and Vanity. — Anecdotes at the Springs. — Her Religious Views. — Her Carpet-bag. — Her Trunks of Ancient Finery. — Her Interest in European Politics. — Marshal Bertrand. — Napoleon regrets the Shadow he casts upon Madame Bonaparte. — Her last Illness and Death.— Her Funeral.— Her Will.— 1861-1879 261

THE LIFE AND LI 7717.5

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Birth Fi tii n; D E n

Mad; t

The

Ma

THE LIFE AND LETTERS

MADAME BONAPARTE.

Chapter I

The Patterson Family. — William Patterson, the Father of -Mme. Bonaparte. — Childhood and Youth of Elizabeth Patterson. — Jerome Bonaparte visits the United States. — His First Meeting with Miss Patterson. — Their Engagement and Marriage. — Opposition of Napoleon. — Jerome ordered back to France without his Wife. — His Hesitation.

William Patterson, the founder of the Patterson family of Baltimore and the father of Madame Bonaparte, was born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, on the first of November, 1752. His father was a small farmer with a large family ; his mother was Elizabeth Peoples ; and they were both descended from a mixture of English and Scotch families that had settled in Ireland after the conquest of that country. After a plain education, William was sent by his parents to Philadelphia when but fourteen years old. He arrived in that city in the month of April, 1766, and entered the counting-house of an Irish shipping merchant. The industry of the young clerk was remarkable ; early and late he was at his post, acquiring those methodical habits of business and that spirit of commercial enterprise which distinguished him through life. This penniless and homeless boy was to become one of the merchant princes of America, and the friend of Washington, La Fayette, Carroll, and Jefferson.

By the time he reached his majority he was established in business for himself, and in a few years was recognized as one of the rising young merchants of the country. At the beginning of the American Revolution he was actively engaged in the shipping business in Philadelphia, with an extensive European and West India trade. With that keen business tact and enterprising spirit which never failed him, he put all his fortune into two vessels, which he loaded with suitable cargoes and despatched to France, investing the proceeds in arms and ammunition, which he saw would be required for carrying on the war of Independence. He embarked on one of the vessels himself, and on his re- - turn stopped at the island of St. Eustatius in the month of February, 1776. He was persuaded to remain there for the purpose of collecting war material to be shipped to America, and sent his vessel forward to Philadelphia, where it arrived in March. The valuable cargo of pow- . der was just in time, for Washington's army was be- '-- fore Boston and had hardly sufficient ammunition to fire even a salute. This was the first of a number of similar successful ventures, and the name of William Patterson soon became a familiar one both in the American army and in Congress.

After remaining at St. Eustatius eighteen months, he found that the Dutch government, however willing, was not able to protect the American trade against the British, and he removed to Martinique in the autumn of 1777. Here he continued for a few months the business so successfully begun at St. Eustatius ; but in the summer of 1778 he prepared to return home. He sailed about the last of June with a small fleet, and arrived in Baltimore in July, bringing with him, as the result of two years' commercial speculation, one hundred thousand dollars in gold and merchandise. One-half of this sum was invested in real estate in the rising town where he was now permanently established. This property, together with all subsequent purchases of real estate in the city of Baltimore and in the State of Maryland, Mr. Patterson retained until his death ; for he made it an invariable rule never to speculate in land, but to buy only for safe investment. The other half of the amount brought from the West Indies — fifty thousand dollars — he put into the shipping business, and soon became the leading merchant of the place, and, in a few years, the wealthiest citizen of the State — perhaps of the United States — except Charles Carroll of Carrollton.'* As soon as he made money he invested it in real estate, and at the time of his death, in 1835, he was one of the largest real estate owners in Maryland.

* So .stated in a letter from Jefferson to Livingston, 1804.

Soon after establishing himself in Baltimore, Mr. Patterson married Dorcas Spear, a lady of high social position, and a fair representative of the Maryland women of her day ; and from this time he rarely left his home and business.

u I always considered it a duty to my family," he said, toward the close of his long life, "to keep them as much as possible under my own eye, so that I have seldom in my life left Baltimore, either on pleasure or business. Ever since I had a house it has been my invariable rule to be the last up at night, and to see that the fires and light were secured before I retired myself, from which I found little risk from fires and managed to have my family keep regular hours. What I possess is solely the product of my own labor. I inherited nothing of my forefathers, nor have I benefited anything from public favors or appointments."

In the same reminiscences he referred also to the fact that he had rarely undertaken public duties : "I have never sought for offices of honor or profit, and when I have in any way acted in a public capacity, it was from the consideration that every citizen should contribute more or less to the good of society when he can do it without too much loss or inconvenience to himself." The few such offices he held were generally of a character fitted to his peculiar talents. When the Bank of Maryland was established at Baltimore, in 1790 — the first bank ever chartered south of Philadelphia — William Patterson was chosen its first president. When, during the war of 1812, a committee of supplies was formed j

for the protection of Baltimore, then threatened by British invasion, he was appointed a member of it, and worked zealously and effectively. Finally, when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was chartered, William Patterson was appointed one of its first directors, and although then in his eightieth year, he took an active part in the affairs of the company which did so much in developing Baltimore's commercial prosperity.

This outline of her father's life shows us in what position and under what influences Elizabeth Patterson passed* he» childhood. She was born on the sixth of February, 1785. Even as a young girl she displayed that extraordinary beauty, wit, and fascination of manner which was destined to make her life so strange, interesting, and romantic. She was educated chiefly by ner mother, and from the beginning showed great natural gifts, especially an unusually retentive memory. When only ten years old she was familiar with the best English poetry, and could repeat by heart her favorite books, Young's " Night Thoughts" and Rochefoucauld's " Maxims." Mr. Patterson's position made his daughter sure of success as soon as she appeared in general society, even without her growing reputation for wit and beauty ; and by the time she was eighteen, Elizabeth Patterson was a recognized belle of Baltimore — • the most beautiful woman in a city always famous for its beautiful women. But, beautiful as she was and great as was her local celebrity, who could have imagined the astonishing career that was before her ? It was hardly possible to conceive that this young girl, who had never left her father's home, was destined by her suddenly developed ambition to disturb the plans of the greatest conqueror of modern times, to produce a rupture between a pope and an emperor — destined, though a deserted wife, to become a brilliant leader at foreign courts, to eclipse the most renowned beauties, and to excel the greatest wits. Yet this destiny, impossible as it seemed, was already opening before her.

In the summer of 1803, Jerome Bonaparte landed at New York, where honors of every kind were lavished upon the young brother of the First Consul of France. Upon hearing of Jerome's arrival in the United States, Commodore Joshua Barney, who had a year or two before been in the French navy and served with Captain Bonaparte in the West Indies, invited him to visit Baltimore. The invitation was accepted, and in September the young officer arrived there with his suite. The commodore not only entertained his visitor at his own house, but made him the lion of the day in general society. The leading people of the city made him their guest, and he was present at every form of entertainment.

It was at the fall races that Jerome saw, for the first time, Miss Elizabeth Patterson, then in all the early bloom of her wonderful beauty. The impulsive young Frenchman was fired at once. He declared, enthusiastically, that he had never beheld so lovely a being before. A few days afterward he was introduced to her at the house of the Honorable Samuel Chase, one of the Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Commodore Barney's father-in-law.

MADAME BONAPARTE. J

Jerome soon became madly in love with the fascinating girl, and, forgetting France, Napoleon, future prospects and all else, determined to marry her. The young lady, dazzled by so brilliant an alliance, was equally eager for the match, and in a few weeks after their first acquaintance Captain Bonaparte and Elizabeth Patterson were engaged. Mr. Patterson, who knew that young Bonaparte was a minor, entirely dependent upon his brother, the First Consul, saw the great risk his daughter would run by marrying a Frenchman under the legal age, without the consent of his legal guardians. Theiefore, in order to break off the engagement quietly and without violence, he sent his daughter to Virginia, hoping that absence would conquer the sudden affection of the young lovers. But the experiment was useless. After a short visit Elizabeth returned to Baltimore, the acquaintance was immediately renewed, and on the 29th of October, 1803, a license was obtained from the Baltimore County Court for the young couple's marriage.

In less than a week after the issuing of the license, a warning letter was sent to Mr. Patterson, informing him that Captain Bonaparte only wanted to secure a home for himself until he could return to France, when he will be the first " to turn your daughter off, and laugh at her credulity."

This had its effect, and he once more used his authority to break off the engagement — but this time again without success. In spite of the warning of friends, in spite of the remonstrance of her father, Miss Patterson had determined to marry, declaring that "she would rather be the wife of Jerome Bonaparte for an hour, than the wife of any other man for life."

Finding her so resolute in the matter, Mr. Patterson at length gave a reluctant consent. He took all the necessary precautions to give the union both a religious and official sanction. The ceremony took place on Christmas eve, 1803, and was performed by the Right Reverend John Carroll,. Bishop of Baltimore, afterward Archbishop, and the first Primate of the Catholic Church in America. The marriage contract* was drawn up by Alexander J. Dallas, who was afterward Secretary of the Treasury, and the wedding was witnessed by M. Sotin, the French Consul at Baltimore, by Alexander Le Camus, Jerome's secretary and afterward Minister of Foreign Affairs of the kingdom of Westphalia, by the Mayor of Baltimore, and other leading citizens. A gentleman who was present on the occasion said : " All the clothes worn by the bride might have been put in my pocket. Her dress was of muslin, richly embroidered, of extremely fine texture. Beneath her dress she wore but a single garment."

* The following extracts from the marriage contract establish the fact that the Patterson family looked for possible trouble from the union :

" Article I. — In case of any difficulty being raised relative to the validity of the said marriage either in the State of Maryland or the French Republic, the said Jerome Bonaparte engages, at the request of the said Elizabeth Patterson and the said William Patterson, or either of them, to execute any deed necessary to remove the difficulty, and to confer on the said union all the character of a valid and perfect marriage according to the respective laws of the State of Maryland and of the French Republic.

" Art. IV. — That if the marriage should be annulled either on demand of the said Jerome Bonaparte or that of any member of his family, the said Elizabeth Patterson shall have a right in any case to one-third of the real, personal, and mixed property of her future husband."

Shortly after his marriage, Jerome and his wife visited Washington, where they were entertained by General Turreau, the French Minister, and enjoyed for several weeks the gayety of the national capital ; later they made a long tour to the Northern and Eastern States, and in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Albany, and elsewhere, met with one continual round of hospitality and brilliant entertainment.

On the ioth of February, 1804, Mr. Patterson addressed a letter to the Honorable Robert R. Livingston, American Minister to France, upon the subject of the marriage; from the following extract it will be seen what view he took of it :

. . . . " I can assure you with truth, that I never, directly 6r indirectly, countenanced or gave Mr. Bonaparte the smallest encouragement to address my daughter ; but, on the contrary, resisted his pretensions by every means in my power consistent with discretion. Finding, however, that the mutual attachment they had formed for each other was such that nothing short of force and violence could prevent their union, I with much reluctance consented to their wishes."

He goes on to say that, the marriage having taken place, it was his duty, as well as his inclination, to protect the interests of his daughter, and to endeavor to reconcile the Bonaparte family to the match. With this view, he asks Mr. Livingston to furnish the First Consul with copies of letters on the subject written to Mr. Livingston, by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State at Washington. He begs the Minister to advise him of the result of his communications with the Bonaparte family, and whether the marriage will meet with their approbation or not.

Nor were letters the only means which he employed. To watch over his daughter's interests, Mr. Patterson soon after despatched his son, Robert, to France, The trouble anticipated by the anxious father was not long in coming. Even during the bridal tour alarming news arrived. Robert Patterson reached Paris on the nth of March, 1804. On the next day, he informed his father that immediately upon his arrival he had waited upon the American Minister, who was using every exertion to reconcile the First Consul to Jerome's marriage, but that Napoleon was highly incensed with his brother. Robert went on to say that for the present it would be much better for Jerome to remain in America ; but that, if he should decide to return to France, his wife should by all means accompany him. The result of the interview with Mr. Livingston was, he said, "of an alarming and desponding nature."

In passing through London, on his way to Paris, Robert had obtained letters of introduction from Miss Monroe, the daughter of James Monroe, who was at that time American Minister to England, to Madame Louis Bonaparte, who had been Miss Monroe's schoolmate at Madame Campan's Academy, at Paris. The latter was a sister of M. ^enet, who had been Minister of the French Republic to the United States during the administration of Washington, and married the daughter of De Witt Clinton. Madame Campan was on very intimate terms with the family of the First Consul, and

MADAME BONAPARTE. II

it was expected that her influence would be useful in favor of Madame Jerome Bonaparte.

Among the friends of the Patterson family at that time in Paris was Captain Paul Bentalou, of Baltimore, who had served with distinction in Count Pulaski's legion of cavalry during the American Revolution. This gentleman acted as interpreter in the interview between Robert Patterson and Lucien Bonaparte, which took place on the 14th of March, 1804.

"Tell Mr. Patterson," said Lucien, " and let his father know, that our mother, myself, and the whole family, with one voice and as heartily as I do, highly approve of the match. The Consul, it is true, does not for the present concur with us, but he is to be considered as isolated from the family. Placed on the lofty ground on which he stands as the first magistrate of a great and powerful nation, all his actions and ideas are directed by a policy with which we have nothing to do. We still remain plain citizens, and as such, from all we have learned of the young lady's character and the respectability of her friends, we feel highly gratified with the connection. They should not in the least be hurt by the displeasure of the Consul. I myself, although of an age to be my own master, and occupying distinguished places under the Government, I have also, by my late marriage, incurred his displeasure, so that Jerome is not alone. But as, when we marry, we are to consult our own happiness and not that of another, it matters not who else is or is not to be displeased. Our present earnest wish is that Jerome may remain where he now is, and take the proper steps to become as soon as possible a citizen of the United States." Here Capt. Bentalou informed Lucien that Jerome would have to swear fidelity to the United States and renounce all titles of nobility.

" Very well," Lucien retorted, "Jerome must do all that ; he must go through that novitiate. The dignified attainment of the citizenship of the United States is well worth it. His situation is much preferable to ours. We are yet on a tempestuous sea, and he is safely moored in a safer and incomparably happier harbor. He must positively change his mode of living, and must not, as he has hitherto done, act the part of a prince of royal blood ; must not think himself anything more than he really is, and to strive as soon as possible to assimilate himself to the plain and uncorrupted manners of your incomparable nation, of which we shall all rejoice to see him a worthy member. We are now making arrangements to provide genteelly for him. We wish him to live on equal footing with your most respectable citizens, but never beyond any of them.''

With the view of establishing Jerome in the United States, an income of twenty thousand dollars a year was mentioned as a suitable allowance, while a town and country residence were contemplated.