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Boulogne to visit the fleet； and to review the troops who were already
assembled in the camps provided for the army with which he proposed to
descend on England。 I have preserved a few notes and many recollections
of my different sojourns at Boulogne。 Never did the Emperor make a
grander display of military power； nor has there ever been collected at
one point troops better disciplined or more ready to march at the least
signal of their chief； and it is not surprising that I should have
retained in my recollections of this period details which no one has yet；
I think； thought of publishing。 Neither； if I am not mistaken； could any
one be in a better position than I to know them。 However； the reader
will now judge for himself。
In the different reviews which the First Consul held； he seemed striving
to excite the enthusiasm of the soldiers； and to increase their
attachment for his person； by assiduously taking advantage of every
opportunity to excite their vanity。
One day； having especially noticed the excellent bearing of the Thirty…
sixth and Fifty…seventh regiments of the line； and Tenth of light
infantry； he made all the officers； from corporal to colonel； come
forward； and； placing himself in their midst； evinced his satisfaction by
recalling to them occasions when； in the past under the fire of cannon；
he had remarked the bearing of these three brave； regiments。 He
complimented the sub…officers on the good drilling of the soldiers； and
the captains and chiefs of battalion on the harmony and precision of
their evolutions。 In fine； each had his share of praise。
This flattering distinction did not excite the jealousy of the other
corps of the army； for each regiment had on that day its own share of
compliments； whether small or great； and when the review was over； they
went quietly back to their quarters。 But the soldiers of the Thirty…
sixth； Fifty…seventh； and Tenth； much elated by having been so specially
favored； went in the afternoon to drink to their triumph in a public
house frequented by the grenadiers of the cavalry of the Guard。 They
began to drink quietly； speaking of campaigns； of cities taken； of the
First Consul； and finally of that morning's review。 It then occurred to
the young men of Boulogne； who were among the drinkers； to sing couplets
of very recent composition； in which were extolled to the clouds the
bravery and the exploits of the three regiments； without one word of
praise for the rest of the army； not even for the Guard； and it was in
the favorite resort of the grenadiers of the Guard that these couplets
were sung！ These latter maintained at first a gloomy silence； but soon
finding it unendurable； they protested loudly against these couplets；
which they said were detestable。 The quarrel became very bitter； they
shouted； heaped insults on each other； taking care not to make too much
noise； however； and appointed a meeting for the next day； at four o'clock
in the morning； in the suburbs of Marquise； a little village about two
leagues from Boulogne。 It was very late in the evening when these
soldiers left the public house。
More than two hundred grenadiers of the Guard went separately to the
place of meeting； and found the ground occupied by an almost equal number
of their adversaries of the Thirty…sixth； Fifty…seventh； and Tenth。
Wasting no time in explanations； hardly a sound being heard； each soldier
drew his sword； and for more than an hour they fought in a cool；
deliberate manner which was frightful to behold。 A man named Martin；
grenadier of the Guard； and of gigantic stature； killed with his own hand
seven or eight soldiers of the Tenth。 They would probably have continued
till all were massacred if General Saint…Hilaire； informed too late of
this bloody quarrel； had not sent out in all haste a regiment of cavalry；
who put an end to the combat。 The grenadiers had lost two men； and the
soldiers of the line thirteen； with a large number of wounded on both
sides。
The First Consul visited the camp next day； and had brought before him
those who had caused this terrible scene； and said to them in a severe
tone： 〃I know why you fought each other； many brave men have fallen in a
struggle unworthy of them and of you。 You shall be punished。 I have
given orders that the verses which have been the cause of so much trouble
shall be printed。 I hope that； in learning your punishment； the ladies
of Boulogne will know that you have deserved the blame of your comrades
in arms。〃
However； the troops； and above all the officers； began to grow weary of
their sojourn at Boulogne； a town less likely； perhaps； than any other to
render such an inactive existence endurable。 They did not murmur；
however； because never where the First Consul was did murmuring find a
place； but they fumed nevertheless under their breath at seeing
themselves held in camp or in fort； with England just in sight； only nine
or ten leagues distant。 Pleasures were rare at Boulogne； the women；
generally pretty； but extremely timid； did not dare to hold receptions at
their own houses； for fear of displeasing their husbands； very jealous
men； as are all those of Picardy。 There was； however； a handsome hall in
which balls and soirees could easily have been given； but； although very
anxious to do this； these ladies dared not make use of it。 At last a
considerable number of Parisian beauties； touched by the sad fate of so
many brave and handsome officers； came to Boulogne to charm away the
ennui of so long a peace。 The example of the Parisian women piqued those
of Abbeville； Dunkirk； Amiens； and soon Boulogne was filled with
strangers； male and female； who came to do the honors of the city。 Among
all these ladies the one most conspicuous for style； intellect； and
beauty was a Dunkirk lady； named Madame F； an excellent musician；
full of gayety； grace； and youth； it was impossible for Madame Fnot
to turn many heads。 Colonel Joseph； brother of the First Consul；
General Soult； who was afterwards Marshal； Generals Saint…Hilaire and
Andre Ossy； and a few other great personages； were at her feet； though
two alone； it is said； succeeded in gaining her affections； and of those
two； one was Colonel Joseph； who soon had the reputation of being the
preferred lover of Madame F。 The beautiful lady from Dunkirk often
gave soirees； at which Colonel Joseph never failed to be present。 Among
all his rivals； and certainly they were very numerous； one alone bore him
ill…will； this was the general…in…chief； Soult。 This rivalry did no
injury to the interests of Madame F； but like a skillful tactician；
she adroitly provoked the jealousy of her two suitors； while accepting
from each of them compliments； bouquets； and more than that sometimes。
The First Consul； informed of the amours of his brother； concluded one
evening to go and make himself merry in the little salon of Madame F；
who was very plainly domesticated in a room on the first floor in the
house of a joiner； in the Rue des Minimes。 In order not to be
recognized； he was dressed as a citizen； and wore a wig and spectacles。
He took into his confidence General Bertrand； who was alrea