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That is to say； personages of high rank were admitted； who had this right
on account of their duties； or by the special favor of the Emperor； and I
can assert that this favor was much envied。 It was granted generally to
all the officers of the imperial household； even if they were not on
duty； and every one remained standing； as did the Emperor also。 He made
the tour of all the persons present； nearly always addressed a remark or
a question to each one； and it was amusing to see afterwards； during the
whole day； the proud and haughty bearing of those to whom the Emperor had
spoken a little longer than to others。 This ceremony usually lasted a
half…hour； and as soon as it was finished the Emperor bowed and each
retired。
At half…past nine the Emperor's breakfast was served； usually on a small
mahogany stand； and this first repast commonly lasted only seven or eight
minutes； though sometimes it was prolonged； and even lasted quite a long
while。 This； however； was only on rare occasions； when the Emperor was
in unusually good…humor； and wished to indulge in the pleasure of a
conversation with men of great merit； whom he had known a long while； and
who happened to be present at his breakfast。 There he was no longer the
formal Emperor of the levee； he was in a manner the hero of Italy； the
conqueror of Egypt； and above all the member of the Institute。 Those who
came most habitually were Messieurs Monge； Berthollet； Costaz
（superintendent of crown buildings）； Denon； Corvisart； David； Gerard；
Isabey； Talma； and Fontaine （his first architect）。 How many noble
thoughts； how many elevated sentiments； found vent in these conversations
which the Emperor was accustomed to open by saying； 〃Come； Messieurs； I
close the door of my cabinet。〃 This was the signal； and it was truly
miraculous to see his Majesty's aptitude in putting his genius in
communication with these great intellects with such diversities of
talent。
I recall that； during the days preceding the Emperor's coronation； M。
Isabey attended regularly at the Emperor's breakfast； and was present
almost every morning； and strange； too； it did not seem an absurd thing
to see children's toys used to represent the imposing ceremony which was
to exert such a great influence over the destinies of the world。 The
intelligent painter of his Majesty's cabinet portraits caused to be
placed on a large table a number of small figures representing all the
personages who were to take part in the ceremony of the coronation； each
had his designated place； and no one was omitted； from the Emperor to the
Pope； and even to the choristers； each being dressed in the costume he
was expected to wear。
These rehearsals took place frequently； and all were eager to consult the
model in order to make no mistake as to the place each was to occupy。 On
those days； as may be imagined； the door of the cabinet was closed； and
in consequence the ministers sometimes； waited awhile。 Immediately after
the breakfast the Emperor admitted his ministers and director generals；
and these audiences； devoted to the special work of each minister and of
each director； lasted until six o'clock in the evening； with the
exception of those days on which his Majesty occupied himself exclusively
with governmental affairs； and presided over the council of state； or the
ministerial councils。
At the Tuileries and at Saint…Cloud dinner was served at six o'clock； and
the Emperor dined each day alone with the Empress； except on Sunday； when
all the family were admitted to dinner。 The Emperor； Empress； and Madame
Mere only were seated in armchairs； all others； whether kings or queens；
having only ordinary chairs。 There was only one course before the
dessert。 His Majesty usually drank Chambertin wine； but rarely without
water； and hardly more than one bottle。 To dine with the Emperor was
rather an honor than a pleasure to those who were admitted； for it was
necessary； to use the common expression； to swallow in post haste； as his
Majesty never remained at table more than fifteen or eighteen minutes。
After his dinner； as after breakfast； the Emperor habitually took a cup
of coffee； which the Empress poured out。 Under the Consulate Madame
Bonaparte began this custom； because the General often forgot to take his
coffee； she continued it after she became Empress； and the Empress Marie
Louise retained the same custom。
After dinner the Empress descended to her apartments； where she found
assembled her ladies and the officers on duty； and the Emperor sometimes
accompanied her； but remained only a short while。 Such was the customary
routine of life in the palace at the Tuileries on those days when there
was neither the chase in the morning； nor concert nor theater in the
evening； and the life at Saint…Cloud differed little from that at the
Tuileries。 Sometimes rides were taken in coaches when the weather
permitted； and on Wednesday； the day set for the council of ministers；
these officials were invariably honored by an invitation to dine with
their Majesties。 When there was a hunt at Fontainebleau； Rambouillet； or
Compiegne； the usual routine was omitted； the ladies followed in coaches；
and the whole household dined with the Emperor and Empress under a tent
erected in the forest。 It sometimes happened； though rarely； that the
Emperor invited unexpectedly some members of his family to remain to dine
with him； and this recalls an anecdote which should have a place in this
connection。 The King of Naples came one day to visit the Emperor； and
being invited to dine； accepted； forgetting that he was in morning dress；
and there was barely time for him to change his costume； and consequently
none to return to the Elysee； which he then inhabited。 The king ran
quickly up to my room； and informed me of his embarrassment； which I
instantly relieved； to his great delight。 I had at that time a very
handsome wardrobe； almost all the articles of which were then entirely
new； so I gave him a shirt； vest； breeches； stockings； and shoes； and
assisted him to dress； and fortunately everything fitted as if it had
been made especially for him。 He showed towards me the same kindness and
affability he always manifested； and thanked me in the most charming
manner。 In the evening the King of Naples； after taking leave of the
Emperor； returned to my room to resume his morning dress； and begged me
to come to him next day at the laysee； which I did punctually after
relating to the Emperor all that had occurred； much to his amusement。
On my arrival at the Elysee I was immediately introduced into the king's
apartments； who repeated his thanks in the most gracious manner； and gave
me a pretty Breguet watch。
＇Abraham Louis Breguet； the celebrated watchmaker； was born at
Neuchatel； 1747； died 1823。 He made numerous improvements in
watches and in nautical and astronomical instruments。＇
During our campaigns I sometimes had occasion to render little services
of the same nature to the King of Naples； but the question was not then；
as at Saint…Cloud； one of silk stockings； for more than once on the
bivouac I shared with him a bundle of straw；