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The Emperor granted her a pension of twelve hundred francs； and took upon
himself the education of her son； the only legacy left her by her
husband。 〃This is the first time；〃 said Napoleon； that I have alighted
to avoid a storm； I had a presentiment that an opportunity of doing good
awaited me here。〃
The loss of the battle of Jena had struck the Prussians with such terror；
and the court had fled with such precipitation； that everything had been
left in the royal residences； and； consequently； on his arrival at
Potsdam； the Emperor found there the sword of the great Frederick； his
gorget； the grand cordon of his order； and his alarm…clock； and had them
carried to Paris； to be preserved at the Hotel des Invalides。 〃I prefer
these trophies；〃 said his Majesty； 〃to all the treasures of the King of
Prussia； I will send them to my old soldiers of the campaign of Hanover；
who will guard them as a trophy of the victories of the grand army； and
of the revenge that it has taken for the disaster of Rosbach。〃 The
Emperor the same day ordered the removal to his capital of the column
raised by the great Frederick to perpetuate the remembrance of the defeat
of the French at Rosbach。＇At Rosbach； November； 1757； the French； under
Prince de Soubise； had been shamefully defeated by Frederick the Great＇
He might have contented himself with changing the inscription。
Napoleon remained at the chateau of Charlottenburg； where he had
established his headquarters； until the regiments of the guard had
arrived from all points； and as soon as they were assembled； orders were
given to put themselves in full uniform； which was done in the little
wood before the town。 The Emperor made his entry into the capital of
Prussia between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning； surrounded by his
aides…de…camp； and the officers of his staff； all the regiments filing
before him in the most perfect order； drums and music at their head； and
the fine appearance of the troops excited the admiration of the
Prussians。
Having entered Berlin in the suite of the Emperor； we arrived at the town
square； in the midst of which a bust of the great Frederick had been
placed。 The name of this monarch is so popular at Berlin； and； in fact；
throughout all Prussia； that on many occasions； when any one by chance
pronounced it； either in a caf？or in any other public place； or even in
private assemblies； I have seen every one present rise； and lift his hat
with an air of the most profound respect and genuine adoration。
When the Emperor arrived in front of the bust； he described a semicircle
at a gallop； followed by his staff； and lowering the point of his sword；
while uncovering his head； was the first to salute the image of Frederick
II。 His staff followed his example； and all the general and other
officers who composed it ranged themselves in a semicircle around the
bust； with the Emperor in the center。 His Majesty gave orders that each
regiment should present arms in defiling before the bust； which maneuver
was not to the taste of some grumblers of the first regiment of the
Guard； who； with moustaches scorched； and faces still blackened with the
powder of Jena； would have better liked an order for lodgings with the
bourgeois than all this parade； and took no pains to conceal their ill…
humor。 There was one； among others； who； as he passed in front of the
bust and before the Emperor； exclaimed between his teeth； without moving
a muscle of his face； but still loud enough to be heard by his Majesty；
〃Damn the bust。〃 His Majesty pretended not to hear； but that evening he
repeated with a laugh the words of the old soldier。
His Majesty alighted at the chateau； where his lodging was prepared； and
the officers of his household had preceded him。 Having learned that the
electoral princess of Hesse…Cassel； sister of the king； was still ill at
the end of her confinement； the Emperor ascended to the apartment of this
princess； and； after quite a long visit； gave orders that she should be
treated with all the deference due to her rank and unfortunate situation。
End