cavalry； and the Emperor did not even find it necessary to use his
Guards； while those of the Emperor Alexander was almost entirely
destroyed in protecting the retreat； or rather the flight； of the
Russians； who could escape from the pursuit of our soldiers only by the
bridge of Friedland； a few narrow pontoons； and an almost impassable
ford。
The regiments of the line in the French army covered the plain； and the
Emperor； occupying a post of observation on a height whence he could
overlook the whole field of battle； was seated in an armchair near a
mill； surrounded by his staff。 I never saw him in a gayer mood； as he
conversed with the generals who awaited his orders； and seemed to enjoy
eating the black Russian bread which was baked in the shape of bricks。
This bread； made from inferior rye flour and full of long straws； was the
food of all the soldiers； and they knew that his Majesty ate it as well
as themselves。 The beautiful weather favored the skillful maneuvers of
the army； and they performed prodigies of valor。 The cavalry charges
especially were executed with so much precision that the Emperor sent his
congratulations to the regiments。
About four o'clock in the afternoon； when the two armies were pressing
each other on every side； and thousands of cannon caused the earth to
tremble； the Emperor exclaimed； 〃If this continues two hours longer； the
French army will be left standing on the plain alone。〃 A few moments
after he gave orders to the Count Dorsenne； general of the foot
grenadiers of the Old Guard； to fire on a brick…yard； behind which masses
of Russians and Prussians were intrenched； and in the twinkling of an eye
they were compelled to abandon this position； and a horde of
sharpshooters set out in pursuit of the fugitives。
The Guard made this movement at five o'clock； and at six the battle was
entirely won。 The Emperor said to those who were near him； while
admiring the splendid behavior of the Guard； 〃Look at those brave
fellows； with a good…will they would run over the stone…slingers and pop…
guns of the line； in order to teach them to charge without waiting for
them； but it would have been useless； as the work has been well done
without them。〃
His Majesty went in person to compliment several regiments which had
fought the whole day。 A few words； a smile； a salute of the hand； even a
nod； was sufficient recompense to these brave fellows who had just been
crowned with victory。
The number of the dead and prisoners was enormous； and seventy banners；
with all the equipments of the Russian army； were left in the hands of
the French。
After this decisive day； the Emperor of Russia； who had rejected the
proposals made by his Majesty after the battle of Eylau； found himself
much disposed to make the game on his own account； and General Bennigsen
consequently demanded an armistice in the name of his Emperor； which his
Majesty granted； and a short time after a treaty of peace was signed； and
the famous interview between the two sovereigns held on the banks of the
Niemen。 I shall pass over rapidly the details of this meeting； which
have been published and repeated innumerable times。 His Majesty and the
young Czar conceived a mutual affection from the first moment of their
meeting； and each gave fetes and amusements in honor of the other。 They
were in inseparable in public and private； and passed hours together in
meetings for pleasure only； from which all intruders were carefully
excluded。 The town of Tilsit was declared neutral； and French； Russians；
and Prussians followed the example set them by their sovereigns； and
lived together in the most intimate brotherhood。
The King and Queen of Prussia soon after joined their Imperial Majesties
at Tilsit； though this unfortunate monarch； to whom there remained hardly
one town of the whole kingdom he had possessed； was naturally little
disposed to take part in so much festivity。 The queen was beautiful and
graceful； though perhaps somewhat haughty and severe； which did not
prevent her being adored by all who surrounded her。 The Emperor sought
to please her； and she neglected none of the innocent coquetries of her
sex in order to soften the heart of the conqueror of her husband。 The
queen several times dined with the sovereigns； seated between the two
Emperors； who vied with each other in overwhelming her with attentions
and gallantries。 It is well known that the Emperor Napoleon offered her
one day a splendid rose； which after some hesitation she accepted； saying
to his Majesty with a most charming smile； 〃With Magdeburg； at least。〃
And it is well known also that the Emperor did not accept the condition。
The princess had among her ladies of honor a very old woman； who was most
highly esteemed。 One evening as the queen was being escorted into the
dining…hall by the two Emperors； followed by the King of Prussia； Prince
Murat； and the Grand Duke Constantine； this old lady of honor gave way to
the two latter princes。 Grand Duke Constantine would not take precedence
of her； but entirely spoiled this act of politeness by exclaiming in a
rude tone； 〃Pass； madame； pass on！〃 And turning towards the King of
Naples； added； loud enough to be heard； this disgraceful exclamation；
〃The old woodcock！〃
One may judge from this that Prince Constantine was far from exhibiting
towards ladies that exquisite politeness and refined gallantry which
distinguished his august brother。
The French Imperial Guard on one occasion gave a dinner to the guard of
the Emperor Alexander。 At the end of this exceedingly gay and fraternal
banquet； each French soldier exchanged uniforms with a Russian； and
promenaded thus before the eyes of the Emperors； who were much amused by
this impromptu disguise。
Among the numerous attentions paid by the Russian Emperor to our own；
I would mention a concert by a troop of Baskir musicians； whom their
sovereign brought over the Niemen for this purpose； and never certainly
did more barbarous music resound in the ears of his Majesty； and this
strange harmony； accompanied by gestures equally as savage； furnished one
of the most amusing spectacles that can be imagined。 A few days after
this concert； I obtained permission to make the musicians a visit； and
went to their camp； accompanied by Roustan； who was to serve as
interpreter。 We enjoyed the pleasure of being present at a repast of the
Baskirs； where around immense wooden tubs were seated groups consisting
of ten men； each holding in his hand a piece of black bread which he
moistened with a ladleful of water； in which had been diluted something
resembling red clay。 After the repast； they gave us an exhibition of
shooting with the bow； and Roustan； to whom this exercise recalled the
scenes of his youth； attempted to shoot an arrow； but it fell at a few
paces； and I saw a smile of scorn curl the thick lips of our Baskirs。 I
then tried the bow in my turn； and acquitted myself in such a manner as
to do me honor in the eyes of our hosts； who instantly surrounded me；
congratulating me by their gestures on my strength and skill； and one of
them； even more enthusiastic and more amicable than the others； gave me a
pat on the shoulder which I long remembered。
The day succeeding this famous concert； the treaty of peace between the
three sovereigns was signed； and his Majesty made a visit to the Emperor
Alexander； who received him at the head of his guard。 The Emperor
Napoleon asked his illustrious ally to show him the bravest grenadier of
this handsome and valiant troop； and when he was presented to his
Majesty； he took from his breast his own cross of the Legion of Honor；
and fastened it on the breast of the Muscovite soldier； amid the
acclamations and hurrahs of all his comrades。 The two Emperors embraced
each other a last time on the banks of the Niemen； and his Majesty set
out on the road to Koenigsberg。
At Bautzen the King of Saxony came out to meet him； and their Majesties
entered Dresden together。 King Frederick Augustus gave a most
magnificent reception to the sovereign who； not content with giving him a
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