CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

PAGE

Introductory Letter

LETTER I.

Bonaparte's political character contrasted with his mili-

tary education and life-Governed by courtiers and

favourites. Général Duroc-His character-The causes

of his advancement-His military exploits in Italy and

Egypt, and political missions to Berlin and St. Peters-

burg-Visits Madame Boncil, a female intriguer

His blunder in consequence. The Polish Count S-tz

- His character-Dupes Duroc - Duroc's marriage. 25

LETTER II.

Joseph Bonaparte His character as a negotiator -

The puppet of Talleyrand. Talleyrand's intrigues, and

motives for employing the brothers of Bonaparte.

Lucien's embassy to Spain. Joseph's rapacity - Con-

nection with an army contractor and stock-jobbing.

Secret articles of the Treaty of Lunéville - Bonaparte's

offence at them - Reproaches Talleyrand. Departure

of Lord Whitworth in 1803-Bonaparte's rage and

speech to Talleyrand on the occasion, and violent

conduct towards his mother, wife, etc.

LETTER III.

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Debates on the religious concordat — Opposed by different
factions - Bonaparte's mother, how far instrumental
in procuring the restoration of religious worship. Car-

34

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dinal Gonsalvi and Bishop Bernier - Their intrigues

and characters. Madame Bonaparte's astonishment

on being ordered to attend Mass, etc.. - Her hypoc-

risy - Watched by spies - Her mode of passing her

time at chapel discovered - Regulations in conse-

quence. Conversation at Vicomte de Segur's on the

religious principles of the French - Imprudent remark

of a young officer the cause of his transportation to

Cayenne

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40

LETTER IV.

The assumption of the Imperial dignity, long determined

on by Bonaparte - Delayed by the rupture with

England His good fortune mistaken for political

foresight. The disgrace of Moreau, the murder of the

Duc d' Enghien, Pichegru, and Georges, and the treach-

ery towards Mr. Drake not necessary steps to his eleva-

tion. Moreau not dangerous as a rival to Bonaparte -

Why not assassinated. Honourable conduct of Pichegru

the day before his death. Murat the executioner of

the Duc d' Enghien

48

LETTER V.

The characters of the principal emigrants well known to

the French Government-Mehée de la Touche-His

perfidy and ingratitude His mission and intrigues

in England Refused the wages of his infamy by

Talleyrand. Réal- A forgery committed by him

in 1788 Strange mixture of society at his house.

Madame de Soubray-Her severe reproof of Mehée

de la Touche

. 56

LETTER VI.

Unhappiness of Madame Napoleon on the day of her cor-

onation-Discipline of the Court of St. Cloud en-

tirely military-Formation of the household entrusted

to Madame Napoleon- Consequent embarrassment -

Extricated by an expedient proposed by De Segur.

Madame Napoleon confined - Released at the interces-

sion of her daughter

63

LETTER VII.

Religious discussion tolerated Why-Remonstrance of

Cardinal Caprara on the subject. Two authors trans-

ported to Cayenne - Pigault-Lebrun owes his escape

to Madame Murat - Cardinal Caprara's influence over

Bonaparte - Defeats a cabal formed against him, and

turns it to his advantage Employed by the Pope in

his secret negotiations at Paris Teases Bonaparte,

and is confined by him, but obtains his object — Trick

attempted to be played on him ends unfortunately for

the contrivers

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71

·

LETTER VIII.

Grave dress and puritanical demeanour of the company

at Madame Napoleon's last levée previous to meeting

the Pope-Bonaparte surrounded by Cardinals and

Priests Remarks of General Kellerman - Occasions

his disgrace Conduct of the company on quitting

the levée Princesse Borghese's ideas respecting a

parrot and an almoner, monkeys and chaplains

LETTER IX.

The reception of Bonaparte as Emperor by the army of

England not flattering - Ascribed by him to the ad-

herents of Pichegru and Moreau His conduct in

consequence Orders a grenadier to be shot, and dis-

bands a regiment. Effect produced on the military

by the distribution of the ribands, etc., of the Legion

of Honour. The French ports declared to be in a state

of blockade by the English-Bonaparte's rage and agi-

tation-Fires at some British cruisers - Breaks six offi-

cers of artillery and assaults another-Quits the camp

in disgust.

79

84

LETTER X.

Count Von Cobenzl advises his Sovereign to assume the
title of Emperor of Austria-His political employ-
ments and character

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His passion for women

Talleyrand's opinion of him-Invited by Bonaparte

to visit the camps of the army of England. Talleyrand's

note proscribing all British agents and Ambassadors.

Bonaparte's arrival at Aix-la-Chapelle- Is met there

by the foreign Ambassadors - Presented with relics of

Charlemagne, and punishes a German professor for

proving them forgeries

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91

LETTER XI.

Bonaparte finds his wife involved in gambling debts and

surrounded by Jews and other creditors-Talleyrand's

mode of settling their demands - Comte de Segur com-

pletes Bonaparte's household establishment - His

character and public employments - His domestic mis-

'fortunes. Character of the members of Bonaparte's

civil list. Methods adopted to augment it with

Prussian and German nobles

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. 97

LETTER XII.

Bonaparte'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 as dan-

gerous in Germany- Why. The Elector of Bavaria-

His character and obligations to Louis XVI. — Gov-

erned by Montgelas, the idol of Illuminati and patron

of Atheists-The progress of illumination in Bavaria

Montgelas concerned in 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 Talleyrand for indemnities - His in-
trigue with the Comtesse de L and the Baroness
de Sz Repulsed by the Princesse of H-
Bonaparte's jealousy - Mistakes the object of Comte

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104