Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 44

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_Vittoria, November 7._

_My Dear_,--I have been the last two days at Vittoria. I am in good health. My troops are arriving daily; the Guard arrived to-day.

The King is in very good health. I am very busy.

I know that you are in Paris. Never doubt my affection.

NAPOLEON.

_November 10th._--Battle of Burgos. _Soult and Bessieres defeat Spaniards, who lose 3000 killed and 3000 prisoners, and 20 cannon._

_November 12th._--Battle of Espinosa. _Marshal Victor defeats La Romana and Blake, who lose 20,000 men and 50 cannon._

No. 4.

_November 14th._--Third revolution at Constantinople. _Mahmoud IV.

a.s.sa.s.sinated (November 15th)._

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_Burgos, November 14, 1808._

Matters here are progressing at a great rate. The weather is very fine. We are successful. My health is very good.

NAPOLEON.

_November 23rd.--Battle of Tudela. Castanos and Palafox defeated, with loss of 7000 men and 30 cannon, by Marshal Lannes. "The battle of Tudela makes the pendant of that of Espinosa."_--NAPOLEON.

No. 5.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_November 26, 1808._

I have received your letter. I trust that your health be as good as mine is, although I am very busy. All goes well here.

I think you should return to the Tuileries on December 21st, and from that date give a concert daily for eight days.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

Kind regards to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.

_December 3rd.--French voluntarily evacuate Berlin._

_December 4th.--Surrender of Madrid. Napoleon abolishes the Inquisition and feudal rights._ ("_He regards the taking of a capital as decisive for the submission of a whole kingdom; thus in 1814 will act his adversaries, pale but judicious imitators of his strategy._"--Montgaillard.)

No. 6.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_December 7, 1808._

Your letter of the 28th to hand. I am glad to see that you are well.

You will have seen that young Tascher has distinguished himself, which has pleased me. My health is good.

Here we are enjoying Parisian weather of the last fortnight in May. We are hot, and have no fires; but the nights are rather cool.

Madrid is quiet. All my affairs prosper.

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

Kind regards to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.

No. 7.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_Chamartin, December 10, 1808._

_My Dear_,--Yours to hand, in which you tell me what bad weather you are having in Paris; here it is the best weather imaginable. Please tell me what mean these alterations Hortense is making; I hear she is sending away her servants. Is it because they have refused to do what was required? Give me some particulars. Reforms are not desirable.

Adieu, dear. The weather here is delightful. All goes excellently, and I pray you to keep well.

NAPOLEON.

No. 8.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PARIS.

_December 21, 1808._

You ought to have been at the Tuileries on the 12th. I trust you may have been pleased with your rooms.

I have authorised the presentation of Kourakin to you and the family; be kind to him, and let him take part in your plays.