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！
during the whole of that time。 Notwithstanding； I ask permission to say
a few words as to my childhood； and the circumstances which made me valet
de chambre of the Emperor。
I was born Dec。 2； 1778； at Peruelz； a town which became French on the
annexation of Belgium to the Republic； and which then belonged to the
Department of Jemmapes。 Soon after my birth at the baths of Saint Amand；
my father took charge of a small establishment called the Little Chateau；
at which visitors to the waters were boarding； being aided in this
enterprise by the Prince de Croi； in whose house he had been steward。
Business prospered beyond my father's hopes； for a great number of
invalids of rank came to his house。 When I attained my eleventh year；
the Count de Lure； head of one of the chief families of Valenciennes；
happened to be one of the boarders at the Little Chateau； and as that
excellent man had taken a great fancy to me； he asked my parents
permission that I should become a companion to his son； who was about。
the same age。 My family had intended me for the church； to gratify one
of my uncles； who was Dean of Lessine； a man of great wisdom and rigid
virtue； and thinking that the offer of the Count de Lure would not affect
my intended destination； my father accepted it； judging that some years
passed in a family so distinguished would give me a taste for the more
serious studies necessary to fit me for the priesthood。 I set out；
therefore； with the Count de Lure； much grieved at leaving my parents；
but pleased also at the same time； as is usual with one at my age； with
new scenes。 The count took me to one of his estates near Tours； where I
was received with the greatest kindness by the countess and her children；
with whom I was placed on a footing of perfect equality。
Unfortunately I did not profit very long by the kindness of the count and
the lessons。 I was taught at his house； for hardly a year had passed at
the chateau when we learned of the arrest of the king at Varennes。 The
count and his family were in despair； and child as I was； I remember that
I was deeply pained at the news； without knowing why； but doubtless
because it is natural to share the sentiments of those with whom you
live； when they treat you with as much kindness as the count and countess
had treated me。 However； I continued to enjoy the happy freedom from
care natural to youth； till one morning I was awakened by a loud noise；
and was immediately surrounded by a great number of people； none of whom
I knew； and who asked me countless questions which I could not answer。
I then learned that the count and his family had emigrated。 I was
carried to the town hall； where the same questions were renewed； with the
same fruitless result； for I knew nothing of the intentions of my late
protectors； and could only reply by a flood of tears when I saw myself
abandoned and left to my own resources； at a great distance from my
family。
I was too young then to reflect on the conduct of the count； but I have
since thought that his abandonment of me was an act of delicacy on his
part； as he did not wish to make me an emigre without the consent of my
parents。 I have always believed that； before his departure； the count
had committed me to the care of some one； who subsequently did not dare
to claim me； lest he should compromise himself； which was then； as is
well known； exceedingly dangerous。 Behold me； then； at twelve years of
age； left without a guide； without means of support； without any one to
advise me； and without money； more than a hundred leagues from my home；
and already accustomed to the comforts of a luxurious life。 It is hardly
credible that in this state of affairs I was regarded almost as a
suspect； and was required each day to present myself before the city
authorities for the greater safety of the Republic。 I remember well that
whenever the Emperor was pleased to make me relate these tribulations of
my childhood； he never failed to repeat several times； 〃the fools；〃
referring to these same city authorities。 However that may be； the
authorities of Tours； coming to the conclusion； at last； that a child of
twelve was incapable of overthrowing the Republic； gave me a passport；
with the injunction to leave the city within twenty…four hours； which I
proceeded to do with a hearty good…will； but not without deep grief also
at seeing myself alone； and on foot； with a long journey before me。
After much privation and many hardships I arrived at last in the
neighborhood of Saint…Amand； which I found in the possession of the
Austrians； and that it was impossible for me to reach the town； as the
French surrounded it。 In my despair I seated myself on the side of a
ditch and was weeping bitterly； when I was noticed by the chief of
squadron； Michau；
＇I afterwards had the happiness of obtaining for him； from the
Emperor； a position he wished； as a place of retirement； having lost
the use of his right arm。 CONSTANT。＇
who afterwards became colonel and aide…de…camp to General Loison。 Michau
approached me； questioned me with great interest； and made me relate my
sad adventures； which touched him deeply； while he did not conceal his
inability to send me back to my family。 He had just obtained leave of
absence； which he was going to spend with his family at Chinon； and
proposed to me to accompany him； which invitation I accepted with
gratitude。 I cannot say too much of the kindness and consideration shown
me by his household during the three or four months I spent with them。
At the end of that time he took me to Paris； where I was soon after
placed in the house of M。 Gobert； a rich merchant； who treated me with
the greatest； kindness。
I lately visited M。 Gobert； and he recalled to me that； when we traveled
together； he gave up to me one of the seats of his carriage； upon which I
was permitted to stretch myself out and sleep。 I mention this
circumstance； otherwise unimportant； to show the kindness he always
showed me。
Some years later I made the acquaintance of Carrat； who was in the
service of Madame Bonaparte while the general was absent on the Egyptian
expedition。 Before relating how I came to enter her household； it is
proper to mention how Carrat himself came into her service； and at the
same time narrate some anecdotes in regard to him； which will show what
were the pastimes of the inhabitants of Malmaison at that date。
Carrat happened to be at Plombieres when Madame Bonaparte
＇ Madame Bonaparte； nee Marie Joseph Rose Tascher de la Pagerie；
was born in Martinique； 1763； became the widow of Viscount Alexander
de Beauharnais； 1794； married Napoleon Bonaparte March； 1796； became
Empress May 18； 1804； was divorced Dec。 16； 1809； died at Malmaison；
May 20； 1814。 TRANS。＇
went there to take the waters。 Every day he brought her bouquets； and
addressed to her little complimentary speeches； so singular and so droll；
that Josephine was much diverted； as were also the ladies who accompanied
her； among whom were Mesdames de Cambis and de Criguy； and especially
her own daughter Hortense； who was convulsed at his oddities。 The truth
is； he was exceedingly amusing； by reason of a certain simplicity and
originality of character； which； however； did not prevent him from being
a person of intelligence； and his eccentricities did not displease Madame
Bonaparte。 A sentimental scene took place when this excellent lady left
the springs。 Carrat wept； bemoaned himself； and expressed his lasting
grief at not being able to see Madame Bonaparte daily； as he had been
accustomed； and Madame Bonaparte was so kind…hearted that she at once
decided to carry him to Paris with her。 She taught him to dress hair；
and finally appointed him her hair…dresser and valet； at least such were
the duties he had to perform when I made his acquaintance。 He was
permitted a most astonishing freedom of speech； sometimes even scolding
her； and when Madame Bonaparte； who was extremely generous and always
gracious towards every one； made presents to her women； or chatted
familiarly with them； Carrat would reproach her。 〃Why give that？〃 he
would say； adding； 〃See how you do； Madame； you allow yourself to jest
with your domestics。 Some day they will show you a want of respect。〃
But if he thus endeavored to restrain the generosity of his mistress
towards those around her； he did not hesitate to stimulate her generosity
towards himself； and whenever he took a fancy to anything； would simply
say； 〃You ought to give me that。〃
Bravery is not always the inseparable companion of wit； and Carrat gave
more than once proof of this。 Being endowed with a kind of simple and
uncontrollable poltroonery； which never fails in comedies to excite the
laughter of the spectators； it was a great pleasure to Madame Bonaparte
to play on him such pranks as would bring out his singular want of
courage。
It should be stated； first of all； that one of the greatest pleasures of
Madame Bonaparte； at Malmaison； was to take walks on the road just
outside the walls of the park； and she always preferred this outside
road； in spite of the clouds of dust which were consta