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the Emperor。 There was an immense distance between the grand marshal of
the palace and the simple valet de chambre of his Majesty； and yet the
marshal was reprimanded for a wrong done to the valet de chambre。
The Emperor showed the utmost impartiality in meting out justice in his
domestic affairs； and never was the interior of a palace better governed
than his； owing to the fact that in his household he alone was master。
The grand marshal felt unkindly toward me for sometime after； but； as I
have already said； he was an excellent man； his bad humor soon passed
away； and so completely； that on my return to Paris he requested me to
stand for him at the baptism of the child of my father…in…law； who had
begged him to be its godfather； the godmother was Josephine； who was kind
enough to choose my wife to represent her。 M。 le Duke de Frioul did
things with as much nobility and magnanimity as grace； and afterwards I
am glad to be able to state in justice to his memory； he eagerly seized
every occasion to be useful to me； and to make me forget the discomfort
his temporary excitement had caused me。
I fell ill at Valladolid with a violent fever a few days before his
Majesty's departure。 On the day appointed for leaving； my illness was at
its height； aid as the Emperor feared that the journey might increase； or
at any rate prolong； my illness； he forbade my going； and set out without
me； recommending to the persons whom he left at Valladolid to take care
of my health。 When I had gotten somewhat better I was told that his
Majesty had left； whereupon I could no longer be controlled； and against
my physician's orders； and in spite of my feebleness； in spite of
everything； in fact； had myself placed in a carriage and set out。 This
was wise； for hardly had I put Valladolid two leagues behind me； than I
felt better； and the fever left me。 I arrived at Paris five or six days
after the Emperor； just after his Majesty had appointed the Count
Montesquiou grand chamberlain in place of Prince Talleyrand； whom I met
that very day； and who seemed in no wise affected by this disgrace；
perhaps he was consoled by the dignity of vice…grand elector which was
bestowed on him in exchange。
CHAPTER XIV。
The Emperor arrived at Paris on the 23d of January； and passed the
remainder of the winter there； with the exception of a few days spent at
Rambouillet and Saint…Cloud。
On the very day of his arrival in Paris； although he must have been much
fatigued by an almost uninterrupted ride from Valladolid； the Emperor
visited the buildings of the Louvre and the rue de Rivoli。
His mind was full of what he had seen at Madrid； and repeated suggestions
to M。 Fontaine and the other architects showed plainly his desire to make
the Louvre the finest palace in the world。 His Majesty then had a report
made him as to the chateau of Chambord； which he wished to present to the
Prince of Neuchatel。 M。 Fontaine found that repairs sufficient to make
this place a comfortable residence would amount to 1；700；000 francs； as
the buildings were in a state of decay； and it had hardly been touched
since the death of Marshal Sage。
His Majesty passed the two months and a half of his stay working in his
cabinet； which he rarely left； and always unwillingly； his amusements
being； as always； the theater and concerts。 He loved music passionately；
especially Italian music； and like all great amateurs was hard to please。
He would have much liked to sing had he been able； but he had no voice；
though this did not prevent his humming now and then pieces which struck
his fancy； and as these little reminiscences usually recurred to him in
the mornings； he regaled me with them while he was being dressed。 The
air that I have heard him thus mutilate most frequently was that of The
Marseillaise。 The Emperor also whistled sometimes； but very rarely； and
the air； 'Malbrook s'en va…t…en guerre'； whistled by his Majesty was an
unerring announcement to me of his approaching departure for the army。
I remember that he never whistled so much； and was never so gay； as just
before he set out for the Russian campaign。
His Majesty's； favorite singer were Crescentini and Madame Grassini。
I saw Crescentini's debut at Paris in the role of Romeo； in Romeo and
Juliet。 He came preceded by a reputation as the first singer of Italy；
and this reputation was found to be well deserved； notwithstanding all
the prejudices he had to overcome； for I remember well the disparaging
statements made concerning him before his debut at the court theater。
According to these self…appointed connoisseurs； he was a bawler without
taste； without method； a maker of absurd trills； an unimpassioned actor
of little intelligence； and many other things besides。 He knew； when he
appeared on the stage； how little disposed in his favor his audience
were； yet he showed not the slightest embarrassment； this； and his noble；
dignified mien； agreeably surprised those who expected from what they had
been told to behold an awkward man with an ungainly figure。 A murmur of
approbation ran through the hall on his appearance； and electrified by
this welcome； he gained all hearts from the first act。 His movements
were full of grace and dignity； he had a perfect knowledge of the scene；
modest gestures perfectly in harmony with the dialogue； and a countenance
on which all shades of passion were depicted with the most astonishing
accuracy； and all these rare and precious qualities combined to give to
the enchanting accents of this artist a charm of which it is impossible
to give an idea。
At each scene the interest he inspired became more marked； until in the
third act the emotion and delight of the spectator were carried almost to
frenzy。 In this act； played almost solely by Crescentini； this admirable
singer communicated to the hearts of his audience all that is touching
and； pathetic in a love expressed by means of delicious melody； and by
all that grief and despair can find sublime in song。
The Emperor was enraptured； and sent Crescentini a considerable
compensation； accompanied by most flattering testimonials of the pleasure
he had felt in hearing him。
On this day； as always when they played together afterwards； Crescentini
was admirably supported by Madame Grassini； a woman of superior talent；
and who possessed the most astonishing voice ever heard in the theater。
She and Madame Barilli then divided the admiration of the public。
The very evening or the day after the debut of Crescentini； the French
stage suffered an irreparable loss in the death of Dazincourt； only sixty
years of age。 The illness of which he died had begun on his return from
Erfurt； and was long and painful； and yet the public； to whom this great
comedian had so long given such pleasure； took no notice of him after it
was found his sickness was incurable and his death certain。 Formerly
when a highly esteemed actor was kept from his place for some time by
illness （and who deserved more esteem than Dazincourt？）； the pit was
accustomed to testify its regret by inquiring every day as to the
condition of the afflicted one； and at the end of each representat