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relieved the Emperor。

M。 Corvisart; somewhat anxious perhaps; came on Monday instead of
Wednesday; and when he entered Napoleon's room; the latter; who was in
his dressing…gown; ran to him; and taking him by both ears; said; 〃Well;
Monsieur; it seems that if I were seriously ill; I should have to
dispense with your services。〃  M。 Corvisart excused himself; asked the
Emperor how he had been affected; what remedies he had used; and promised
always to leave word where he could be found; in order that he might be
summoned immediately on his Majesty's orders; and the Emperor was soon
appeased。  This event was really of advantage to the doctor; for he thus
abandoned a bad habit; at which it is probable his patients rejoiced。

M。 Corvisart had a very great influence with the Emperor; so much so that
many persons who knew him gave him the soubriquet of doctor of petitions;
and it was very rarely he failed to obtain a favorable answer to his
requests。  Nevertheless; I often heard him speak warmly in favor of M。 de
Bourrienne; in order to impress upon the Emperor's mind that he was much
attached to his Majesty; but the latter always replied; 〃No; Bourrienne
is too much of an Englishman; and besides; he is doing very well; I have
located him at Hamburg。  He loves money; and he can make it there。〃

It was during the year 1811 that Cardinal Fesch came most frequently to
the Emperor's apartments; and their discussions seemed to me very
animated。  The cardinal maintained his opinions most vehemently; speaking
in a very loud tone and with great volubility。  These conversations did
not last more than five moments before they became very bitter; and I
heard the Emperor raise his voice to the same pitch; then followed an
exchange of harsh terms; and each time the cardinal arrived I felt
distressed for the Emperor; who was always much agitated at the close of
these interviews。  One day as the cardinal was taking leave of the
Emperor; I heard the latter say to him sharply; 〃Cardinal; you take
advantage of your position。〃

A few days before our departure for Russia the Emperor had me summoned
during the day; and ordered me to bring from the treasury the box of
diamonds; and place it in his room; and not to go far away; as he had
some important business for me。  About nine o'clock in the evening I was
again summoned; and found M。 de Lavalette; director…general of the post;
in the Emperor's room。  His Majesty opened the box in my presence; and
examined the contents; saying to me; 〃Constant; carry this box yourself
to the count's carriage; and remain there till he arrives。〃  The carriage
was standing at the foot of the grand staircase in the court of the
Tuileries; and I opened it; took my seat; and waited until half…past
eleven; when M。 de Lavalette arrived; having spent all this time in
conversation with the Emperor。  I could not understand these precautions
in delivering the diamonds to M。 de Lavalette; but they were certainly
not without a motive。

The box contained the sword; on the pommel of which was mounted the
regent diamond; the handle also set with diamonds of great value; the
grand collar of the Legion of Honor; the ornaments; hatcord; shoulder…
piece; and buttons of the coronation robes; with the shoe…buckles and
garters; all of which were of immense value。

A short time before we set out for the Russian campaign; Josephine sent
for me; and I went at once to Malmaison; where this excellent woman
renewed her earnest recommendations to watch most carefully over the
Emperor's health and safety; and made me promise that if any accident;
however slight; happened to him; I would write to her; as she was
exceedingly anxious to know the real truth concerning him。  She wept
much; talked to me constantly about the Emperor; and after a conversation
of more than an hour; in which she gave full vent to her emotions;
presented me with her portrait painted by Saint on a gold snuff…box。  I
felt much depressed by this interview; for nothing could be more touching
than to see this woman disgraced; but still loving; entreating my care
over the man who had abandoned her; and manifesting the same affectionate
interest in him which the most beloved wife would have done。

On entering Russia; a thing of which I speak here more according to the
order of my reminiscences than in the order of time; the Emperor sent
out; on three different roads; details of select police to prepare in
advance lodgings; beds; supplies; etc。  These officers were Messieurs
Sarrazin; adjutant…lieutenant; Verges; Molene; and Lieutenant Pachot。  I
will devote farther on an entire chapter to our itinerary from Paris to
Moscow。

A short time before the battle of La Moskwa; a man was brought to the
camp dressed in the Russian uniform; but speaking French; at least his
language was a singular mixture of French and Russian。  This man had
escaped secretly from the enemy's lines; and when he perceived that our
soldiers were only a short distance from him; had thrown his gun on the
ground; crying in a very strong Russian accent; 〃I am French;〃 and our
soldiers had at once taken him prisoner。

Never was prisoner more charmed with his change of abode。  This poor
fellow; who seemed to have been forced to take arms against his will in
the service of the enemies of his country; arrived at the French camp;
called himself the happiest of men in finding again his fellow…
countrymen; and pressed the hand of all the soldiers with an ardor which
delighted them。  He was brought to the Emperor; and appeared much over…
awed at finding himself in the presence of the King of the French; as he
called his Majesty。  The Emperor questioned him closely; and in his reply
he declared that the noise of the French cannon had always made his heart
beat; and that he had feared only one thing; which was that he might be
killed by his compatriots。  From what he told the Emperor it appeared
that he belonged to that numerous class of men who find themselves
transplanted by their family to a foreign land; without really knowing
the cause of their emigration。  His father had pursued at Moscow an
unremunerative industrial profession; and had died leaving him without
resources for the future; and; in order to earn his bread; he had become
a soldier。  He said that the Russian military discipline was one of his
strongest incentives to desert; adding that he had strong arms and a
brave heart; and would serve in the French army if the general permitted。
His frankness pleased the Emperor; and he endeavored to obtain from him
some positive information on the state of the public mind at Moscow; and
ascertained from his revelations; more or less intelligent; that there
was much disturbance in that ancient capital。

He said that in the street could be heard cries of; 〃No more of Barclay!

     'Prince Michael Barclay de Tolly; born in Livonia; 1755; of
     Scottish extraction; distinguished himself in wars against Sweden;
     Turkey; and Poland; 1788 and 1794; and against the French; 1806;
     commanded Russian army against Napoleon in 1812; until superseded;
     after battle of Smolensk; by Kutusoff; and commanded the right wing
     at Borodino; afterwards commanded at Bautzen and Leipsic; died
     1818'

Down with the traitor!  dismiss him!  Long live Kutusoff!〃  The merchant
class; which possessed great influence on account of its wealth;
complained of a system of temporizing which left men in uncertainty; and
compromised the honor of the Russian arms; and it was thought
unpardonable in the Emperor that he had bestowed his confidence on a
foreigner when old Kutusoff; with the blood and the heart of a Russian;
was given a secondary position。  The Emperor Alexander had paid little
attention to these energetic complaints; until at last; frightened by the
symptoms of insurrection which began to be manifest in the army; he had
yielded; and Kutusoff had been named generalissimo; over which important
event there had been rejoicings and illuminations at Moscow。  A great
battle with the French was talked of; enthusiasm was at its height in the
Russian army; and every soldier had fastened to his cap a green branch。
The prisoner spoke with awe of Kutusoff; and said that he was an old man;
with white hair and great mustaches; and eyes that struck him with
terror; that he lacked much of dressing like the French generals; that he
wore very ordinary clotheshe who could have such fine ones; that he
roared like a lion when he was angry; that he never started on a march
without saying his prayers; and that he crossed himself frequently at
different hours of the day。  〃The soldiers love him because they say he
so much resembles Suwarrow。  I am afraid he will do the French much
harm;〃 said he。  The Emperor; satisfied with this information; dismissed
the prisoner; and gave orders that he should be allowed the freedom of
the camp; and afterwards he fought bravely beside our soldiers。  The
Emperor made his entrance into Gjatsk with a most singular escort。

Some Cossacks had been taken in a skirmish; and his Majesty; who was at
this time very eager for information from every quarter; desired to
question these savages; and for this purpose had two or three brought to
his headquarters。  These men seemed formed to be always on horseback; and
their appearance when they alighted on the ground was most amusing。
Their legs; which the habit of pressing their horses' sides had driven
far apart; resembled a pair of pincers; and they had a general air of
being out of their element。  The Emperor entered Gjatsk; escorted by two
of these barbarians on horseback; who appeared much flattered by this
honor。  I remarked that sometimes the Emperor could with difficulty
repress a smile as he witnessed the awkward appearance made by these
cavaliers from the Ukraine; above all when they attempted to put on airs。
Their reports; which the interpreter of the Emperor had some difficulty
in comprehending; seemed a confirmation of all his Majesty had heard
concerning Moscow。  These barbarians made the Emperor understand by their
animated gestures; convulsive movements; and warlike postures; that there
would soon be a great battle between 

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