Napoleon's Letters to Josephine, 1796-1812
deign to find a way of sometimes convincing both myself and my
_entourage_ that I have still a small place in your memory and a great
place in your esteem and friendship. By this means, whatever happens,
my sorrows will be mitigated without, as it seems to me, compromising
that which is of permanent importance to me, the happiness of your
Majesty.
JOSEPHINE.
No. 1A.
(_Reply of the Emperor Napoleon to the preceding._)
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Compiegne, April 21, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have yours of April 18th; it is written in a bad style.
I am always the same; people like me do not change. I know not what
Eugene has told you. I have not written to you because you have not
written to me, and my sole desire is to fulfil your slightest
inclination.
I see with pleasure that you are going to Malmaison and that you are
contented; as for me, I shall be so likewise on hearing news from you
and in giving you mine. I say no more about it until you have compared
this letter with yours, and after that I will leave you to judge which
of us two is the better friend.
Adieu, dear; keep well, and be just for your sake and mine.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_April 23rd._--Battle of Lerida. Suchet defeats Spaniards.
No. 2.
REPLY OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.
A thousand, thousand loving thanks for not having forgotten me. My son
has just brought me your letter. With what impetuosity I read it, and
yet I took a long time over it, for there was not a word which did not
make me weep; but these tears were very pleasant ones. I have found my
whole heart again--such as it will always be; there are affections
which are life itself, and which can only end with it.
I was in despair to find my letter of the 19th had displeased you; I
do not remember the exact expressions, but I know what torture I felt
in writing it--the grief at having no news from you.
I wrote you on my departure from Malmaison, and since then how often
have I wished to write you! but I appreciated the causes of your
silence and feared to be importunate with a letter. Yours has been the
true balm for me. Be happy, be as much so as you deserve; it is my
whole heart which speaks to you. You have also just given me my share
of happiness, and a share which I value the most, for nothing can
equal in my estimation a proof that you still remember me.
Adieu, dear; I again thank you as affectionately as I shall always
love you.
JOSEPHINE.
No. 2A.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE CHATEAU NAVARRE.
_Compiegne, April 28, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have just received two letters from you. I am writing to
Eugene. I have ordered that the marriage of Tascher with the Princess
de la Leyen shall take place.
To-morrow I shall go to Antwerp to see my fleet and to give orders
about the works. I shall return on May 15th.
Eugene tells me that you wish to go to the waters; trouble yourself
about nothing. Do not listen to the gossip of Paris; it is idle and
far from knowing the real state of things. My affection for you does
not change, and I long to know that you are happy and contented.
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.
_My Dear_,--I have your letter. Eugene will give you tidings of my
journey and of the Empress. I am very glad that you are going to the
waters. I trust they may do you good.
I wish very much to see you. If you are at Malmaison at the end of the
month, I will come to see you. I expect to be at St. Cloud on the 30th
of the month. My health is very good ... it only needs to hear that
you are contented and well. Let me know in what name you intend to
travel.
Never doubt the whole truth of my affection for you; it will last as
long as I. You would be very unjust if you doubted it.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_July 1st.--Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, abdicates in favour
of his son._
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_Rambouillet, July 8, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have your letter of July 8th. You will have seen Eugene,
and his presence will have done you good. I learn with pleasure that
the waters are beneficial to you. The King of Holland has just
abdicated the throne, while leaving the Regency, according to the
Constitution, in the hands of the Queen. He has quitted Amsterdam and
left the Grand Duke of Berg behind.
I have reunited Holland to France, which has, however, the advantage
of setting the Queen at liberty, and that[38] unfortunate girl is
coming to Paris with her son the Grand Duke of Berg--that will make
her perfectly happy.
My health is good. I have come here to hunt for a few days. I shall
see you this autumn with pleasure. Never doubt my friendship; I never
change.
Keep well, be cheerful, and believe in the truth of my attachment.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_July 9th._--Holland incorporated with the French Empire.
_July 10th._--Ney takes Ciudad Rodrigo, after twenty-five days
open trenches.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_St. Cloud, July 20, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter of July 14th, and note with
pleasure that the waters are doing you good, and that you like Geneva.
I think that you are doing well to go there for a few weeks.
My health is fairly good. The conduct of the King of Holland has
worried me.
Hortense is shortly coming to Paris. The Grand Duke of Berg is on his
way; I expect him to-morrow.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 6.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_Trianon, August 10, 1810._
Your letter to hand. I was pained to see what a risk you had run. For
an inhabitant of the isles of the ocean to die in a lake would have
been a fatality indeed!
The Queen is better, and I hope her health will be re-established. Her
husband is in Bohemia, apparently not knowing what to do.
I am fairly well, and beg you to believe in my sincere attachment.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_August 21st._--Swedes elect Marshal Bernadotte Crown Prince of
Sweden.
_August 27th._--Massena takes Almeida.
No. 7.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.
_St. Cloud, September 14, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have your letter of September 9th. I learn with pleasure
that you keep well. There is no longer the slightest doubt that the
Empress has entered on the fourth month of her pregnancy; she is well,
and is much attached to me. The young Princes Napoleon are very well;
they are in the Pavillon d'Italie, in the Park of St. Cloud.
My health is fairly good. I wish to learn that you are happy and
contented. I hear that one of your _entourage_ has broken a leg while
going on the glacier.
Adieu, dear. Never doubt the interest I take in you and the affection
that I bear towards you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_September 27th.--Battle of Busaco._ Like Ebersburg, another of
Massena's expensive and unnecessary frontal attacks. He loses 5000
men, but next day turns the position of Wellington, who continues
to retire.
No. 8.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.
_Paris, this Friday._
_My Dear_,--Yours to hand. I am sorry to see that you have been ill; I
fear it must be this bad weather.
Madame de la T---- is one of the most foolish women of the Faubourg. I
have borne her cackle for a very long time; I am sick of it, and have
ordered that she does not come again to Paris. There are five or six
other old women that I equally wish to send away from Paris; they are
spoiling the young ones by their follies.
I will name Madame de Makau Baroness since you wish it, and carry out
your other commissions.
My health is pretty good. The conduct of B---- appears to me very
ridiculous. I trust to hear that you are better.
Adieu, dear.
NAPOLEON.
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT GENEVA.
_Fontainebleau, October 1, 1810._
I have received your letter. Hortense, whom I have seen, will have
told you what I think. Go to see your son this winter; come back to
the waters of Aix next year, or, still better, wait for the spring at
Navarre. I would advise you to go to Navarre at once, if I did not
fear you would get tired of it. In my view, the only suitable places
for you this winter are either Milan or Navarre; after that, I approve
of whatever you may do, for I do not wish to vex you in anything.
Adieu, dear. The Empress is as I told you in my last letter. I am
naming Madame de Montesquiou governess of the Children of France. Be
contented, and do not get excited; never doubt my affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 6th._--Wellington reaches the lines of Torres Vedras.
_November 9th._--Opening of St. Quentin Canal at Paris.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Fontainebleau, November 14, 1810._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. Hortense has spoken to me
about it. I note with pleasure that you are contented. I hope that you
are not very tired of Navarre.
My health is very good. The Empress progresses satisfactorily. I will
do the various things you ask regarding your household. Take care of
your health, and never doubt my affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 11.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
I have your letter. I see no objection to the marriage of Mackau with
Wattier, if he wishes it; this general is a very brave man. I am in
good health. I hope to have a son; I shall let you know immediately.
Adieu, dear. I am very glad that Madame d'Arberg[39] has told you
things which please you. When you see me, you will find me with my old
affection for you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 3rd._--English take Mauritius.
FOOTNOTES
[38] So _Collection Didot_, followed by Aubenas. St. Amand has "ton
infortunee fille."
[39] Josephine's chief maid-of-honour.
SERIES O
1811
"Nun steht das Reich gesichert, wie gegruendet,
Nun fuehlt er froh im Sohne sich gegruendet.
* * * * *
Und sei durch Sie dies letzte Glueck beschieden--
Der alles wollen kann, will auch den Frieden."
--GOETHE (_Ihro der Kaiserin von Frankreich Majestaet_).
SERIES O
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 311-312.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _The New Year_ 311
_More women than men_ 311
_Keep well_ 311
No. 2. Birth of the King of Rome 311
_Eugene_ 311
No. 4. _As fat as a good Normandy farmeress_ 312
No. 1.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT NAVARRE.
_Paris, January 8th, 1811._
I have your New Year's letter. I thank you for its contents. I note
with pleasure that you are well and happy. I hear that there are more
women than men at Navarre.
My health is excellent, though I have not been out for a fortnight.
Eugene appears to have no fears about his wife; he gives you a
grandson.
Adieu, dear; keep well.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_February 19th._--Soult defeats Spaniards at the Gebora, near
Badajoz.
_February 28th._--French occupy Duchy of Oldenburg, to complete
the line of the North Sea blockade against England. This
occupation embitters the Emperor of Russia and his family.
_March 10th._--Mortier captures Badajoz after a siege of 54 days.
_March 20th._--Birth of the _King of Rome_--"a pompous title