Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 26

Adieu, dear; I have received a letter from M. Napoleon; I do not believe it is from him, but from Hortense. Kindest regards to everybody.

NAPOLEON.

_November 2nd.--Kustrin surrenders, with 4000 men and 90 guns, to Davoust._

No. 9.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.

_Berlin, November 2, 1806._

Your letter of October 26th to hand. We have splendid weather here.

You will see by the bulletin that we have taken Stettin--it is a very strong place. All my affairs go as well as possible, and I am thoroughly satisfied. One pleasure is alone wanting--that of seeing you, but I hope that will not long be deferred.

Kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and to the little Napoleon.

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

No. 9A.

From the Memoirs of Mademoiselle d'Avrillon (vol. i. 128).

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.

_Berlin, Monday, Noon._

_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. I am glad to know that you are in a place which pleases me, and especially to know that you are very well there. Who should be happier than you? You should live without a worry, and pa.s.s your time as pleasantly as possible; that, indeed, is my intention.

I forbid you to see Madame Tallien, under any pretext whatever. I will admit of no excuse. If you desire a continuance of my esteem, if you wish to please me, never transgress the present order. She may possibly come to your apartments, to enter them by night; forbid your porter to admit her.

I shall soon be at Malmaison. I warn you to have no lovers there that night; I should be sorry to disturb them. Adieu, dear; I long to see you and a.s.sure you of my love and affection.

NAPOLEON.

No. 10.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.

_November 6, 1806_, 9 P.M.

Yours to hand, in which you seem annoyed at the bad things I say about women; it is true that I hate intriguing women more than anything. I am used to kind, gentle, persuasive women; these are the kind I like.

If I have been spoilt, it is not my fault, but yours. Moreover, you shall learn how kind I have been to one who showed herself sensible and good, Madame d'Hatzfeld. When I showed her husband's letter to her she admitted to me, amid her sobs, with profound emotion, and frankly, "Ah! it is indeed his writing!" While she was reading, her voice went to my heart; it pained me. I said, "Well, madame, throw that letter on the fire, I shall then have no longer the power to punish your husband." She burnt the letter, and seemed very happy. Her husband now feels at ease; two hours later he would have been a dead man. You see then how I like kind, frank, gentle women; but it is because such alone resemble you.

Adieu, dear; my health is good.

NAPOLEON.

_November 6th and 7th.--Blucher and his army (17,000 men) surrender at Lubeck to Soult, Murat, and Bernadotte._

_November 8th.--Magdeburg surrenders to Ney, with 20,000 men, immense stores, and nearly 800 cannon._

No. 11.

_November 9th.--Napoleon levies a contribution of 150 million francs on Prussia and her allies._

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.

_Berlin, November 9, 1806._

_My Dear_,--I am sending good news. Magdeburg has capitulated, and on November 7th I took 20,000 men at Lubeck who escaped me last week. The whole Prussian army, therefore, is captured; even beyond the Vistula there does not remain to Prussia 20,000 men. Several of my army corps are in Poland. I am still at Berlin. I am very fairly well.

Adieu, dear; heartiest good wishes to Hortense, Stephanie, and the two little Napoleons.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_November 10th.--Davoust occupies Posen. Hanover occupied by Marshal Mortier._

No. 12.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.

_Berlin, November 16, 1806._

I received your letter of November 11th. I note with satisfaction that my convictions give you pleasure. You are wrong to think flattery was intended; I was telling you of yourself as I see you. I am grieved to think that you are tired of Mayence. Were the journey less long, you might come here, for there is no longer an enemy, or, if there is, he is beyond the Vistula; that is to say, more than three hundred miles away. I will wait to hear what you think about it. I should also be delighted to see M. Napoleon.

Adieu, my dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

I have still too much business here for me to return to Paris.