recalled； to Bonaparte's mind some singular recollections of his boyhood。
At a given signal all the columns closed and approached the throne。 Then
Bonaparte； rising； gave orders for the distribution of the eagles； and
delivered the following address to the deputations of the different corps
of the army：
Soldiers； Soldiers！ behold your colours。 These eagles will always
be your rallying…point！ They will always be where your Emperor may
thank them necessary for the defence of his throne and of his
people。 Swear to sacrifice your lives to defend them； and by your
courage to keep them constantly in the path of victory。Swear！〃
It would be impossible to describe the acclamations which followed this
address； there is something so seductive in popular enthusiasm that even
indifferent persons cannot help yielding to its influence。 And yet the
least reflection would have shown how shamefully Napoleon forswore the
declaration he made to the Senate； when the organic 'Senatus…consulte'
for the foundation of the Empire was presented to him at St： Cloud： On
that occasion he said； 〃The French people shall never be MY people！〃
And yet the day after his Coronation his eagles were to； be carried
wherever they might be necessary for the defence of his people。
By a singular coincidence； while on the 2d of December 1804 Bonaparte was
receiving from the head of the Church the Imperial crown of France； Louis
XVIII。； who was then at Colmar； prompted as it were by an inexplicable
presentiment； drew up and signed a declaration to the French people； in
which he declared that he then； swore never to break the sacred bond
which united his destiny to theirs； never to renounce the inheritance of
his ancestors； or to relinquish his rights。
CHAPTER XXX。
1805
My appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary at HamburgMy interview
with Bonaparte at MalmaisonBonaparte's designs respecting Italy
His wish to revisit BrienneInstructions for my residence in
HamburgRegeneration of European societyBonaparte's plan of
making himself the oldest sovereign in EuropeAmedee Jaubert's
missionCommission from the Emperor to the EmpressMy conversation
with Madame Bonaparte。
I must now mention an event which concerns myself personally； namely； my
appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary； to the Dukes of Brunswick and
Mecklenburg…Schwerin； and to the Hanse towns。
This appointment took place on the 22d of March 1806。 Josephine； who had
kindly promised to apprise me of what the Emperor intended to do for me；
as soon as she herself should know his intentions； sent a messenger to
acquaint me with my appointment； and to tell me that the Emperor wished
to see me。 I had not visited Josephine since her departure for Belgium。
The pompa and ceremonies of the Coronation had； I may say； dazzled me；
and deterred me from presenting myself at the Imperial Palace； where I
should have been annoyed by the etiquette which had been observed since
the Coronation。 I cannot describe what a disagreeable impression this
parade always produced on me。 I could not all at once forget the time
when I used without ceremony to go into Bonaparte's chamber and wake him
at the appointed hour。 As to Bonaparte I had not seen him since he sent
for me after the condemnation of Georges； when I saw that my candour
relative to Moreau was not displeasing to him。 Moreau had since quitted
France without Napoleon's subjecting him to the application of the odious
law which has only been repealed since the return of the Bourbons； and by
virtue of which he was condemned to the confiscation of his property。
Moreau sold his estate of Gros Bois to Bertliier； and proceeded to Cadiz；
whence he embarked for America。 I shall not again have occasion to speak
of him until the period of the intrigues into which he was drawn by the
same influence which ruined him in France。
On the evening of the day when I received the kind message from Josephine
I had an official invitation to proceed the next day to Malmaison； where
the Emperor then was。 I was much pleased at the idea of seeing him there
rather than at the Tuileries； or even at St。 Cloud。 Our former intimacy
at Malmaison made me feel more at my ease respecting an interview of
which my knowledge of Bonaparte's character led me to entertain some
apprehension。 Was I to be received by my old comrade of Brienne； or by
His Imperial Majesty？ I was received by my old college companion。
On my arrival at Malmaison I was ushered into the tentroom leading to the
library。 How I was astonished at the good…natured familiarity with which
he received me！ This extraordinary man displayed； if I may employ the
term； a coquetry towards me which surprised me； notwithstanding my past
knowledge of his character。 He came up to me with a smile on his lips；
took my hand （which he had never done since he was Consul）； pressed it
affectionately； and it was impossible that I could look upon him as the
Emperor of France and the future King of Italy。 Yet I was too well aware
of his fits of pride to allow his familiarity to lead me beyond the
bounds of affectionate respect。 〃My dear Bourrienne；〃 said he； 〃can you
suppose that the elevated rank I have attained has altered my feelings
towards you？ No。 I do not attach importance to the glitter of
Imperial pomp； all that is meant for the people； but I must still be
valued according to my deserts。 I have been very well satisfied with
your services； and I have appointed you to a situation where I shall have
occasion for them。 I know that I can rely upon you。〃 He then asked with
great warmth of friendship what I was about； and inquired after my
family； etc。 In short； I never saw him display less reserve or more
familiarity and unaffected simplicity； which he did the more readily；
perhaps； because his greatness was now incontestable。
〃You know；〃 added Napoleon； 〃that I set out in a week for Italy。 I shall
make myself King； but that is only a stepping…stone。 I have greater
designs respecting Italy。
It must be a kingdom comprising all the Transalpine States； from Venice
to the Maritime Alps。 The union of Italy with France can only be
temporary； but it is necessary； in order to accustom the nations of Italy
to live under common laws。 The Genoese； the Piedmontese； the Venetians；
the Milanese； the inhabitants of Tuscany； the Romans； and the
Neapolitans； hate each other。 None of them will acknowledge the
superiority of the other； and yet Rome is； from the recollections
connected with it； the natural capital of Italy。 To make it so； however；
it is necessary that the power of the Pope should be confined within
limits purely spiritual。 I cannot now think of this； but I will reflect
upon it hereafter。 At present I have only vague ideas on the subject；
but they will be matured in time； and then all depends on circumstances。
What was it told me； when we were walking like two idle fellows； as we
were； in the streets of Paris； that I should one day be master of France
my wishmerely a vague wish。 Circumstances have done the rest。 It is
therefore wise to look into the future； and that I do。 With respect to
Italy； as it will be impossible with one effort to unite her so as to
form a single power； subject to uniform laws； I will begin by making her
French。 All these little States will insensibly become accustomed to the
same laws； and when manners shall be assimilated and enmities
extinguished； then there will be an Italy； and I will give her
independence。 But for that I must have twenty years； and who can count
on the future？ Bourrienne； I feel pleasure in telling you all this。 It
was locked up in my mind。 With you I think aloud。〃
I do not believe that I have altered two words of what Bonaparte said to
me respecting Italy； so perfect； I may now say without vaniy； was my
memory then； and so confirmed was my habit of fixing in it all that he
said to me。 After having informed me of his vague projects Bonaparte；
with one of those transitions so common to him； said； 〃By the by；
Bourrienne； I have something to tell you。 Madame de Brienne has begged
that I will pass through Brienne； and I promised that I will。 I will not
conceal from you that I shall feel great pleasure in again beholding the
spot which for six years was the scene of our boysh sports and studies。〃
Taking advantage of the Emperor's good humour I ventured to tell him what
happiness it would give me if it were possible that I could share with
him the revival of all recollections which were mutually dear to us。 But
Napoleon； after a moment's pause； said with extreme kindness； 〃Hark ye；
Bourrienne； in your situation and mine this cannot be。 It is more than
two years since we parted。 What would be said of so sudden a
reconciliation？ I tell you frankly that I have regretted you； and the
circumstances in which I have frequently been placed have often made me
wish to recall you。 At Boulogne I was quite resolved upon it。 Rapp；
perhaps； has informed you of it。 He liked you； and he assured me that he
would be delighted at your return。 But if upon reflection I changed my
mind it was because；