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master； it is at least right that we should choose him。〃 I was not an
eye…witness of this incident； but I heard the Emperor himself relate it
to Dr。 Corvisart； with some remarks upon the good sense of the masses；
who； according to the opinion of his Majesty and his chief doctor； had
generally formed very correct opinions。
CHAPTER XXVII。
His Majesty the Emperor passed the month of January； 1806； at Munich and
Stuttgard； during which； in the first of these two capitals； the marriage
of the vice…king and the Princess of Bavaria was celebrated。 On this
occasion there was a succession of magnificent fetes； of which the
Emperor was always the hero； and at which his hosts tried； by every
variety of homage； to express to this great man the admiration with which
his military genius inspired them。
The vice…king and vice…queen had never met before their marriage； but
were soon as much attached to each other as if they had been acquainted
for years； for never were two persons more perfectly congenial。 No
princess； and indeed no mother； could have manifested more affection and
care for her children than the vice…queen； and she might well serve as a
model for all women。 I have been told an incident concerning this
admirable princess which I take pleasure in relating here。 One of her
daughters； who was quite young； having spoken in a very harsh tone to her
maid； her most serene highness the vice…queen was informed of it； and in
order to give her daughter a lesson； forbade the servants to render the
young princess any service； or to reply to any of her demands； from that
time。 The child at once complained to her mother； who told her gravely
that when any one received； like her； the care and attention of all
around them； it was necessary to merit this； and to show her appreciation
by consideration and an obliging politeness。 Then she required her to
ask pardon of the 'femme de chambre'； and henceforward to speak to her
politely； assuring her that by this means she would always obtain
compliance with all reasonable and just requests she might make。
The child obeyed； and the lesson was of such benefit to her that she
became； if general report is to be believed； one of the most accomplished
princesses of Europe。 The report of her perfections spread abroad even
to the New World； which contended for her with the Old； and has been
fortunate enough to obtain her。 She is at this time； I think； Empress of
Brazil。
His Majesty the King of Bavaria； Maximilian Joseph； then about fifty
years of age； was very tall； with a noble and attractive physiognomy and
fascinating manners。 Before the Revolution he had been colonel of an
Alsatian regiment in the service of France； under the name of Prince
Maximilian； or Prince Max as the soldiers called him； and stationed at
Strasburg； where he left a reputation for elegance and chivalrous
gallantry。 His subjects； his family； his servants； everybody； adored
him。 He often took long walks through the city of Munich in the morning；
went to the market； inquired the price of grain； entered the shops； spoke
to every one； especially the children； whom he persuaded to go to school。
This excellent prince did not fear to compromise his dignity by the
simplicity of his manners； and he was right； for I do not think any one
ever failed to show him respect； and the love which he inspired lessened
in no wise the veneration which was felt for him。 Such was his devotion
to the Emperor； that his kindly feelings extended even to the persons who
by their functions approached nearest to his Majesty； and were in the
best position to know his needs and wishes。 Thus （I do not relate it out
of vanity； but in proof of what I have just said） his Majesty the King of
Bavaria never came to see the Emperor； that he did not take my hand and
inquire first after the health of his Imperial Majesty； then after my
own； adding many things which plainly showed his attachment for the
Emperor and his natural goodness。
His Majesty the King of Bavaria is now in the tomb； like him who gave him
a throne； but this tomb is still a royal tomb； and the loyal Bavarians
can come to kneel and weep over it。 The Emperor； on the contrary
＇Constant wrote this before the return； in 1840； of the ashes of
Napoleon to rest on 〃the banks of the Seine； amid the French people
whom he loved so well；〃 where in a massive urn of porphyry； and
beneath the gilded dome of the Invalides； in the most splendid tomb
of the centuries； sleeps now the soldier of Lodi； Marengo；
Austerlitz； Wagram； and Waterloo。TRANS。＇
The virtuous Maximilian was able to leave to a worthy son the scepter
which he had received from him who perished an exile at St。 Helena。
Prince Louis； the present King of Bavaria； and to…day perhaps the best
king in Europe； was not so tall as his august father； neither was his
face so handsome； and； unfortunately； he was afflicted with an extreme
deafness； which made him raise his voice without knowing it； and in
addition to this his utterance was impeded by a slight stammering。 This
prince was grave and studious； and the Emperor recognized his merit； but
did not rely upon his friendship。 This was not because he thought him
wanting in loyalty； for the prince royal was above such suspicion； but
the Emperor was aware that he belonged to a party which feared the
subjection of Germany； and who suspected that the French； although they
had so far attacked only Austria； had ideas of conquest over all the
German powers。
However； what I have just stated in regard to the prince royal relates
only to the years subsequent to 1806； for I am certain that at that epoch
his sentiments did not differ from those of the good Maximilian； who was；
as I have said； full of gratitude to the Emperor。 Prince Louis came to
Paris at the beginning of this year； and I saw him many times at the
court theater in the box of the prince arch…chancellor； where they both
slept in company and very profoundly。 This was also such a habit with
Cambaceres； that when the Emperor asked for him； and was told that
monseigneur was at the theater； he replied； 〃Very well； very well； he is
taking his siesta； let us not disturb him！〃
The King of Wurtemburg was large； and so fat that it was said of him God
had put him in the world to prove how far the skin of a man could be
stretched。 His stomach was of such dimensions that it was found
necessary to make a broad； round incision in front of his seat at the
table； and yet； notwithstanding this precaution； he was obliged to hold
his plate on a level with his chin to drink his soup。 He was very fond
of hunting； either on horseback； or in a little Russian carriage drawn by
four horses； which he often drove himself。 He was fond of horseback
riding； but it was no easy task to find a mount of size and strength
sufficient to carry so heavy a burden。 It was necessary that the poor
animal should be progressively trained； and in order to accomplish this
the king's equerry fastened round the horse a girth loaded with pieces of
lead； increasing the weight daily till it equalled that of his Majesty。
The king was despotic