按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
family which had occupied it for so many ages。 Bonaparte fully felt the
delicacy of his position； but he knew how to face obstacles； and had been
accustomed to overcome them： he； however； always proceeded cautiously； as
when obstacles induced him to defer the period of the Consulship for
life。
Bonaparte laboured to establish iii France not only an absolute
government； but； what is still worse； a military one。 He considered a
decree signed by his hand possessed of a magic virtue capable of
transforming his generals into able diplomatists； and so he sent them on
embassies； as if to show the Sovereigns to whom they were accredited that
he soon meant to take their thrones by assault。 The appointment of
Lannes to the Court of Lisbon originated from causes which probably will
be read with some interest； since they serve to place Bonaparte's
character in； its true light； and to point out； at the same time； the
means he disdained not to resort to； if he wished to banish his most
faithful friends when their presence was no longer agreeable to him。
Bonaparte had ceased to address Lannes in the second person singular； but
that general continued the familiarity of thee and thou in speaking to
Napoleon。 It is hardly possible to conceive how much this annoyed the
First Consul。 Aware of the unceremonious candour of his old comrade；
whose daring spirit he knew would prompt him to go as great lengths in
civil affairs as on the field of battle； Bonaparte； on the great occasion
of the 18th Brumaire； fearing his reproaches； had given him the command
of Paris in order to ensure his absence from St。 Cloud。
After that time； notwithstanding the continually growing greatness of the
First Consul； which； as it increased； daily exacted more and more
deference； Lannes still preserved his freedom of speech； and was the only
one who dared to treat Bonaparte as a comrade； and tell him the truth
without ceremony。 This was enough to determine Napoleon to rid himself
of the presence of Lannes。 But under what pretest was the absence of the
conqueror of Montebello to be procured？ It was necessary to conjure up
an excuse； and in the truly diabolical machination resorted to for that
purpose； Bonaparte brought into play that crafty disposition for which he
was so remarkable。
Lannes； who never looked forward to the morrow； was as careless of his
money as of his blood。 Poor officers and soldiers partook largely of his
liberality。 Thus he had no fortune； but plenty of debts when he wanted
money； and this was not seldom； he used to come； as if it were a mere
matter of course； to ask it of the First Consul； who； I must confess；
never refused him。 Bonaparte； though he well knew the general's
circumstances； said to him one day； 〃My friend； you should attend a
little more to appearances。 You must have your establishment suitable to
your rank。 There is the Hotel de Noailleswhy don't you take it； and
furnish it in proper style？〃 Lannes； whose own candour prevented him
from suspecting the artful designs of others； followed the advice of the
First Consul The Hotel de Noailles was taken and superbly fitted up。
Odiot supplied a service of plate valued at 200；000 francs。
General Lannes having thus conformed to the wishes of Bonaparte came to
him and requested 400；000 francs； the amount of the expense incurred； as
it were； by his order。 〃But；〃 said the First Consul； 〃I have no money。〃
〃You have no money！ What the devil am I to do； then？〃
But is there none in the Guard's chest？ Take what you require； and we
will settle it； hereafter。〃
Mistrusting nothing； Lannes went to the treasurer of the Guards； who made
some objections at first to the advance required； but who soon yielded on
learning that the demand was made with the consent of the First Consul。
Within twenty…four hours after Lannes had obtained the 400；000 francs the
treasurer received from the head commissary an order to balance his
accounts。 The receipt for the 400；000 francs advanced to Lannes； was not
acknowledged as a voucher。 In vain the treasurer alleged the authority
of the First Consul for the transaction。 Napoleon's memory had suddenly
failed him； he had entirely forgotten all about it。 In a word； it was
incumbent on Lannes to refund the 400；000 francs to the Guards' chest；
and； as I have already said； he had no property on earth； but debts in
abundance。 He repaired to General Lefebre； who loved him as his son； and
to him he related all that had passed。 〃 Simpleton；〃 said Lefebvre； 〃
why did you not come to me？ Why did you go and get into debt with that
…？ Well； here are the 400；000 francs； take them to him； and let him
go to the devil！〃
Lannes hastened to the First Consul。 〃What！〃he exclaimed； 〃is it
possible you can be guilty of such baseness as this？ To treat me in such
a manner！ To lay such a foul snare for me after all that I have done for
you； after all the blood I have shed to promote your ambition！ Is this
the recompense you had in store for me？ You forget the 13th Vendemiaire；
to the success of which I contributed more than you！ You forget
Millesimo： I was colonel before you！ For whom did I fight at Bassano？
You were witness of what I did at Lodi and at Governolo； where I was
wounded； and yet you play me such a trick as this！ But for me； Paris
would have revolted on the 18th Brumaire。 But for me； you would have
lost the battle of Marengo。 I alone； yes； I alone； passed the Po； at
Montebello； with my whole division。 You gave the credit of that to
Berthier； who was not there； and this is my rewardhumiliation。 This
cannot； this shall not be。 I will〃 Bonaparte； pale with anger；
listened without stirring； and Lannes was on the point of challenging him
when Junot； who heard the uproar； hastily entered。 The unexpected
presence of this general somewhat reassured the First Consul； and at the
same time calmed； in some degree； the fury of Lannes。 〃Well；〃 said
Bonaparte； 〃go to Lisbon。 You will get money there； and when you return
you will not want any one to pay your debts for you。〃 Thus was
Bonaparte's object gained。 Lannes set out for Lisbon； and never
afterwards annoyed the First Consul by his familiarities； for on his
return he ceased to address him with thee and thou。
Having described Bonaparte's ill…treatment of Lannes I may here subjoin a
statement of the circumstances which led to a rupture between the First
Consul and me。 So many false stories have been circulated on the subject
that I am anxious to relate the facts as they really were。
Nine months had now passed since I had tendered my resignation to the
First Consul。 The business of my office had become too great for me；
and my health was so much endangered by over…application that my
physician； M。 Corvisart； who had for a long time impressed upon me the
necessity of relaxation； now formally warned me that I should not long
hold out under the fatigue I underwent。 Corvisart had no doubt spoken to
the same effect to the First Consul； for the latter said to me one day；
in a tone which betrayed but little feeling； 〃Why； Corvisart says you
have not a year to live。〃 This was certainly no very welco