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scepter； had also considerably increased the hereditary estates of the
elector of Saxony。 The good people of Dresden； during the week we passed
there； treated the French more as brothers and compatriots than as
allies。
But it was nearly ten months since we had left Paris； and in spite of all
the charms of the simple and cordial hospitality of the Germans； I was
very eager to see again France and my own family。
CHAPTER III。
It was during the glorious campaign of Prussia and Poland that the
imperial family was plunged in the deepest sorrow by the death of the
young Napoleon； eldest son of King Louis of Holland。 This child bore a
striking resemblance to his father； and consequently to his uncle。 His
hair was blond； but would probably have darkened as he grew older。 His
eyes； which were large and blue； shone with extraordinary brilliancy when
a deep impression was made on his young mind。 Gentle； lovable； and full
of candor and gayety； he was the delight of the Emperor； especially on
account of the firmness of his character； which was so remarkable that；
notwithstanding his extreme youth； nothing could make him break his word。
The following anecdote which I recall furnishes an instance of this。
He was very fond of strawberries； but they caused him such long and
frequent attacks of vomiting that his mother became alarmed； and
positively forbade his eating them； expressing a wish that every
precaution should be taken to keep out of the young prince's sight a
fruit which was so injurious to him。 The little Napoleon； whom the
injurious effects of the strawberries had not disgusted with them； was
surprised to no more see his favorite dish； but bore the deprivation
patiently； until one day he questioned his nurse； and very seriously
demanded an explanation on this subject； which the good woman was unable
to give； for she indulged him even to the point of spoiling him。 He knew
her weakness； and often took advantage of it； as in this instance for
example。 He became angry； and said to his nurse in a tone which had as
much and even more effect on her than the Emperor or the King of Holland
could have had； 〃I will have the strawberries。 Give them to me at once。〃
The poor nurse begged him to be quiet； and said that she would give them
to him； but she was afraid that if anything happened he would tell the
queen who had done this。 〃Is that all？〃 replied Napoleon eagerly。 Have
no fear； I promise not to tell。〃
The nurse yielded； and the strawberries had their usual effect。 The
queen entered while he was undergoing the punishment for his self…
indulgence； and he could not deny that he had eaten the forbidden fruit；
as the proofs were too evident。 The queen was much incensed； and wished
to know who had disobeyed her； she alternately entreated and threatened
the child； who still continued to reply with the greatest composure；
〃I promised not to tell。〃 And in spite of the great influence she had
over him； she could not force him to tell her the name of the guilty
person。
Young Napoleon was devoted to his uncle； and manifested in his presence a
patience and self…control very foreign to his usual character。 The
Emperor often took him on his knee during breakfast； and amused himself
making him eat lentils one by one。 The pretty face of the child became
crimson； his whole countenance manifested disgust and impatience； but his
Majesty could prolong this sport without fearing that his nephew would
become angry； which he would have infallibly done with any one else。
At such a tender age could he have been conscious of his uncle's
superiority to all those who surrounded him？ King Louis； his father；
gave him each day a new plaything； chosen exactly to suit his fancy： but
the child preferred those he received from his uncle； and when his father
said to him； But； see here； Napoleon； those are ugly things； mine are
prettier。〃〃 No；〃 said the young prince； 〃they are very nice； my uncle
gave them to me。〃
One morning when he visited his Majesty； he crossed a saloon where amid
many great personages was Prince Murat； at that time； I think； Grand Duke
of Berg。 The child passed through without saluting any one； when the
prince stopped him and said； 〃Will you not tell me goodmorning？〃〃No；〃
replied Napoleon； disengaging himself from the arms of the Grand Duke；
〃not before my uncle the Emperor。〃
At the end of a review which had taken place in the court of the
Tuileries； and on the Place du Carrousel； the Emperor went up to his
apartments； and threw his hat on one sofa； his sword on another。 Little
Napoleon entered； took his uncle's sword； passed the belt round his neck；
put the hat on his head； and then kept step gravely； humming a march
behind the Emperor and Empress。 Her Majesty； turning round； saw him； and
caught him in her arms； exclaiming； 〃What a pretty picture！〃 Ingenious
in seizing every occasion to please her husband； the Empress summoned M。
Gerard； and ordered a portrait of the young prince in this costume； and
the picture was brought to the palace of Saint…Cloud the very day on
which the Empress heard of the death of this beloved child。
He was hardly three years old when； seeing his shoemaker's bill paid with
five…franc pieces； he screamed loudly； not wishing that they should give
away the picture of his Uncle Bibiche。 The name of Bibiche thus given by
the young prince to his Majesty originated in this manner。 The Empress
had several gazelles placed in the park of Saint…Cloud； which were very
much afraid of all the inhabitants of the palace except the Emperor； who
allowed them to eat tobacco out of his snuff…box； and thus induced them
to follow him； and took much pleasure in giving them the tobacco by the
hands of the little Napoleon； whom he also put on the back of one of
them。 The latter designated these pretty animals by no other name than
that of Bibiche； and amused himself by giving the same name to his uncle。
This charming child； who was adored by both father and mother； used his
almost magical influence over each in order to reconcile them to each
other。 He took his father by the hand； who allowed himself to be thus
conducted by this angel of peace to Queen Hortense； and then said to him；
〃Kiss her； papa； I beg you；〃 and was perfectly overjoyed when he had thus
succeeded in reconciling these two beings whom he loved with an equal
affection。
How could such a beautiful character fail to make this angel beloved by
all who knew him？ How could the Emperor； who loved all children； fail to
be devoted to him； even had he not been his nephew； and the godson of
that good Josephine whom he never ceased to love for a single instant？
At the age of seven years； when that malady； the croup； so dangerous to
children； snatched him from his heart…broken family； he already gave
evidence of remarkable traits of character； which were the foundation of
most brilliant hopes。 His proud and haughty character； while rendering
him susceptible of the noblest impressions； was not incompatible with
obedience and docility。 The idea of injustice was revolting to him； but
he readily submitted to reasonable advice and rightful autho