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SERIES E
1804

Everywhere the king of the earth found once more, to put

a bridle on his pride, the inevitable lords of the sea."—BIGNON, v. 130.

LETTER

SERIES E

(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 232-237.)

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No. 3. Aix-la-Chapelle

No. 2. The waters

All the vexations

Eugène has started for Blois

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No. 4. During the past week

The day after to-morrow
Hortense

I am very well satisfied

No. 5. Its authenticity.
Arras, August 29th

I am rather impatient to see you

No. 6. T.

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LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO

THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING HIS
JOURNEY ALONG THE COAST, 1804.

EVENTS OF 1804.

February 15th.-The conspiracy of Pichegru.

Moreau arrested,

Pichegru (February 28th), and Georges Cadoudal (March 9th).
March 21st.-Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.

April 6th.-Suicide of Pichegru.

April 30th.-Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor.
May 4th.-Tribune adopts the proposal.

May 18th.-The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon.

May 19th.-Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessières, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier.

July 14th.-Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.

No. I.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.

Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804.

Madame and dear Wife,-During the four days that I have I have always been either on horseback or

from you

been away
in a conveyance, without any ill effect on my health.

M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring yourself.

The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of

our gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lostmen and merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was grand: the shore sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm, everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having had a romantic and epic dream-a circumstance which might have reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments left me any other need but that of sleep.

[Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861, communicated by M. Chambry.]

No. 2.

NAPOLEON.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

Boulogne, August 3, 1804. My Dear,-I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone. Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you from there.

Eugène has started for Blois.

Je te couvre de baisers.

NAPOLEON.

No. 3.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

Calais, August 6, 1804.

My Dear, I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start to-night for Dunkirk, I am in very fair health, and satisfied

with what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.

Eugène has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at Plombières.

I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My very best love. NAPOLEON.

No. 4.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-Chapelle.

Ostend, August 14, 1804.

My Dear, I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious, and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat special fête. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how soon you expect to end your baths.

I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugène is still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the Congo. I am writing to scold her.

My best love to all.

No. 5.

NAPOLEON.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.

Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804.

Madame and dear Wife,-I have just reached Arras. I shall stay there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am

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