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be allowed to make the observation； his Majesty had what might be called
a kind of mania on the subject of marriage。 We were now settled at the
Tuileries； which the Emperor had not left since the 20th of November when
he had returned from Saint…Cloud； and which he did not leave again until
his departure for the army。 His Majesty often presided over the
deliberations of the council of state； which were of grave interest。 I
learned at that time； in relation to a certain decree； a circumstance
which appeared to me very singular。 The Commune of Montmorency had long
since lost its ancient name； but it was not until the end of November；
1813； that the Emperor legally took away the name of Emile which it had
received under the republic in honor of J。 J。 Rousseau。 It may well be
believed that it had retained it so long simply because the Emperor's
attention had not been directed to it sooner。
I do not know but I should ask pardon for relating so trivial an event；
when so many great measures were being adopted by his Majesty。 In fact；
each day necessitated new dispositions； since the enemy was making
progress at every point。 The Russians occupied Holland under the command
of General Witzengerode； who had opposed us so bitterly during the
Russian campaign； already； even； the early return to Amsterdam of the
heir of the House of Orange was discussed； in Italy Prince Eugene was
holding out only by dint of superior skill against the far more numerous
army of Bellegarde； who had just passed the Adige； that of the Prince
von Swarzenberg occupied the confines of Switzerland； the Prussians and
the troops of the Confederation were passing the Rhine at several points。
There remained to the Emperor not a single ally； as the King of Denmark；
the only one who had until now remained faithful； had succumbed to the
northern torrent； and concluded an armistice with Russia； and in the
south all the strategy of Marshal Soult barely sufficed to delay the
progress of the Duke of Wellington； who was advancing on our frontiers at
the head of an army far more numerous than that with which we could
oppose him； and which； moreover； was not suffering from the same
privations as our own。 I remember well to have heard several generals
blame the Emperor at that time； because he had not abandoned Spain； and
recalled all his troops to France。 I make a note of this； but； as may
well be believed； am not willing to risk my judgment on such matters。
At all events； it is evident that war surrounded us on every side； and in
this state of affairs； and with our ancient frontiers threatened； it
would have been strange if there had not been a general cry for peace。
The Emperor desired it also； and no one now holds a contrary opinion。
All the works which I have read； written by those persons best situated
to learn the exact truth of these events； agree on this point。 It is
known that his Majesty had dictated to the Duke of Bassano a letter in
which he adhered to the basis of the proposal for a new congress made at
Frankfort by the allies。 It is also known that the city of Mannheim was
designated for the session of this new congress； to which the Duke of
Vicenza was to be sent。 The latter； in a note of the 2d of December；
made known again the adhesion of the Emperor to the original principles
and summary to be submitted to the Congress of Mannheim。 The Count de
Metternich； on the 10th； replied to this communication that the
sovereigns would inform their allies of his Majesty's adhesion。 All
these negotiations were prolonged only on account of the allies； who
finally declared at Frankfort that they would not consent to lay down
their arms。 On the 20th of December they openly announced their
intention to invade France by passing through Switzerland； whose
neutrality had been solemnly recognized by treaty。 At the period of
which I speak； my position kept me； I must admit； in complete ignorance
of these affairs； but； on learning them since； they have awakened in me
other remembrances which have powerfully contributed to prove their
truth。 Every one； I hope； will admit that if the Emperor had really
desired war； it is not before me he would have taken the trouble to
express his desire for the conclusion of peace； as I heard him do several
times； and this by no means falsifies what I have related of a reply
given by his Majesty to the Prince of Neuchatel； since in this reply he
attributes the necessity of war to the bad faith of his enemies。 Neither
the immense renown of the Emperor nor his glory needs any support from
me； and I am not deluding myself on this point； but I ask to be allowed
like any other man to give my mite of the truth。
I have said previously； that when passing through Mayence the Emperor had
convened the Corps Legislatif for the 2d of December； but by a new decree
it was postponed until the 19th of that month； and this annual solemnity
was marked by the introduction of unaccustomed usages。 In the first
place； as I have said； to the Emperor alone was given the right of naming
the president without the presentation of a triple list； as was done in
former times by the senate； moreover； the senate and the council of state
repaired in a body to the hall of the Corps Legislatif to be present at
the opening of the session。 I also remember that this ceremony was
anticipated with more than usual interest； since throughout Paris all
were curious and eager to hear the address of the Emperor； and what he
would say on the situation of France。 Alas； we were far from supposing
that this annual ceremony would be the last。
The senate and the council of state； having taken the places indicated to
them in the hall； the Empress； arrived； and entered the reserved gallery；
surrounded by her ladies and the officers of her household。 At last the
Emperor appeared； a quarter of an hour after the Empress； and was
introduced with the accustomed ceremonials。 When the new president； the
Duke of Massa； had taken the oath at the hands of the Emperor； his
Majesty pronounced the following discourse：
〃Senators； Councilors of State； Deputies from the Departments to the
Corps Legislatif：
Brilliant victories have made the French arms illustrious in this
campaign； but unexampled defections have rendered these victories
useless。 Everything has turned against us。 Even France would be
in danger were it not for the energy and union of the French people。
Under these momentous circumstances my first thought was to summon
you。 My heart felt the need of the presence and affection of my
subjects。
I have never been seduced by prosperity； adversity will find me
above the reach of its attacks。 I have many times given peace to
nations； even when they had lost all。 On a part of my conquests I
have erected thrones for kings who have now abandoned me。
I have conceived and executed great plans for the happiness of the
world。 Both as a monarch and a father I feel that peace adds to the
security of thrones and of families。 Negotiations have been entered
into with the Confederated Powers。 I have