CHAPTERI：CORSICATOBRIENNE
1769—1779
Napoleon’sfather，CharlesBonaparte，wasthehonoredprogenitorofthirteenchildren，ofwhomthemanwhosubsequentlybecametheEmperoroftheFrench，bysomecuriousprovisionoffate，wasthesecond。ThattheinfantNapoleonshouldhavefollowedratherthanledtheprocessionissoforeigntothenatureofthemanthatmanyworthypersonsunfamiliarwiththetruefactsofhistoryhavebelievedthatJosephwasapurelyapocryphalinfant，or，assomehavesuggested，merelyanadoptedchild；butthatNapoleondiduponthisoccasioncontenthimselfwithsecondplaceisanincontrovertiblefact。Norisitentirelyunaccountable。Itishardlytobesupposedthatatruemilitarygenius，suchasNapoleonisuniversallyconcededtohavebeen，wouldplungeintothemidstofagreatbattlewithoutfirsthavingacquaintedhimselfwiththepossibilitiesofthefuture。
Areconnoitreofthefieldofactionisthefirstdutyofasuccessfulcommander；andhenceitwasthatNapoleon，notwishingtorushwhollyunpreparedintothebattleoflife，assignedtohisbrotherJosephthearduoustaskoffirstenteringintotheworldtoseehowthelandlay。Josephhavingfoundeverythingtohissatisfaction，NapoleonmadehisappearanceinthelittleislandofCorsica，recentlycomeunderFrenchdominationthe15thdayAugust，1769。Hadhebeenborntwomonthsearlier，wearetold，hewouldhavebeenanItalian。Hadhebeenbornahundredyearslater，itisdifficulttosaywhathewouldhavebeen。Asitwas，hewasbornaFrenchman。Itisnotpleasanttocontemplatewhattheman’sfuturewouldhavebeenhadhebeenbornanItalian，norisiteasytopicturethatfuturewithanyconfidencebornofcertainty。SincethedaysofCaesar，Italyhadnotproducedanygreatmilitarycommander，anditisnotlikelythatthepowerswouldhavechangedtheirscheme，confirmedbysixteencenturiesofobservance，inNapoleon’sbehalf——afactwhichNapoleonhimselfrealized，forheoftensaidinhislatterdays，withashudder：\"IhatetothinkhowingloriousIshouldhavebecomehadIbeenborntwomonthsearlierandenteredtheworldasanItalian。IshouldhavebeenanotherJoseph——notthatJosephisnotagoodman，butheisnotagreatman。Ah!Bourrienne，wecannotbetoocarefulintheselectionofourbirthdays。\"
ItisthetestimonyofallwhoknewhiminhisinfancythatNapoleonwasagoodchild。Hewasobedientandrespectfultohismother，andsometimesatnightwhen，onaccountofsomeindigestiblequalityofhisfoodorothercause，itwasnecessaryforhisfathertomakeaseriesofforcedmarchesupanddownthespaciousnurseryinthebeautifulhomeatAjaccio，holdingtheinfantwarriorinhisarms，certainpremonitionsofhisson’sfuturecareerdawnedupontheparent。Hisanguishwasvoicedincommandingtones；hiswails，likehissubsequentaddressestohissoldiers，wereshort，sharp，clear，anddecisive，norwouldhebrooktheslightesthaltinthesemidnightmarchesuntilthedifficultieswhichstoodinhispathhadbeenovercome。Hisconfidenceinhimselfatthisearlyperiodwasremarkable。Quicktomakeuphismind，hewastenaciousofhispurposetotheveryend。
Itisrelatedthatwhenbarelysevenmonthsold，whilesittinginhisnurse’slap，bymeansofsignswhichshecouldnotfailtocomprehend，heexpressedthedesire，which，indeed，ischaracteristicofmosthealthyChildrenofthatage，topossessthewholeoftheoutsideworld，nottomentionthemoonandothercelestialbodies。
ReachinghislittlehandsoutinthedirectionoftheContinent，lyingnotfardistantoverthewatersoftheMediterranean，hemadethisdemand；andwhile，ofcourse，hisdesirewasnotgrantedupontheinstant，itisthetestimonyofhistorythatheneverlostsightofthatcherishedobject。
AfterprovidingNapoleonwithelevenotherbrothersandsisters，CharlesBonapartedied，andlefthisgoodandfaithfulwifeLetitiatocareforthefuturegreatnessofhisfamily，ataskrenderedsomewhatthemorearduousthanitmightotherwisehavebeenbythelackofincome；butthegoodwoman，whohadmuchofNapoleon’snatureinhermake—up，wasequaltotheoccasion。Shehadhersonstohelpher，andwasconstantlybuoyedupbytheexpresseddeterminationofhersecondchildtoplaceherbeyondthereachofwantinthatfuturedaywhenthewholeworldlaygrovellingathisfeet。
\"Donotworry，mother，\"Napoleonsaid。\"LetJosephandLucienandLouisandJeromeandthegirlsbeeducated；asforme，Icantakecareofmyself。I，whoattheageofthreehavemasteredtheItalianlanguage，haveafuturebeforeme。IwillgotoFrance，andthen——\"
\"Well!whatthen？\"hismotherasked。
\"Nousverrons!\"Napoleonreplied，turningonhisheelandwalkingoutofthehousewhistlingamilitarymarch。
FromthisitwillbeseenthateveninhisinfancyNapoleonhadhisideasastohisfuturecourse。Anotheranecdote，whichistakenfromtheunpublishedmemoirsofthegrandsonofoneofhisCorsicannurses，illustratesinanequallyvividmannerhow，whileamereinfantinarms，hehadapassionforandaknowledgeofmilitaryterms。EarlyonemorningthesilencewasbrokenbytheincipientEmperorcallingloudlyforassistance。Hisnurse，rushingtohim，discoveredthatthepointofapinwasstickingintohisback。
Hastilyremovingthecauseofthedisturbance，sheendeavoredtocomforthim：
\"Nevermind，sweetheart，\"shesaid，\"it’sonlyanastypin。\"
\"Nastypin!\"roaredNapoleon。\"BythereverednameofPaoli，IswearIthoughtitwasabayonet!\"
Itwas，nodoubt，thisearlyrealizationoftheconspicuousparthewastoplayinthehistoryofhistimethatmadetheyouthfulBonapartereservedofmanner，gloomy，andtaciturn，andpronetoirritability。Hefeltwithinhimthegermoffuturegreatness，andsobecameimpatientofrestraint。Hecompletelydominatedthehousehold。Joseph，hiselderbrother，becameentirelysubjecttotheimperiouswillofthefutureEmperor；andwheninfancyNapoleondreamedofthosebattlestocome，Josephwasalwayssummonedtotakeanactivepartintheimaginaryfight。NowhewasthebridgeofLodi，and，lyingflatonhisback，wasforcedtopermithisbloodthirstybrothertogallopacrosshim，shoutingwordsofinspirationtoabandofimaginaryfollowers；againhewasforcedtoposeasasnow—cladAlpforNapoleontoclimb，followedlaboriouslybyLucienandJeromeandtheotherchildren。ItcannotbesupposedthatthiswasalwayspleasingtoJoseph，butheneverfalteredwhenthedemandwasmadethatheshouldact，becausehedidnotdare。
\"Youbringupthegirls，mother，\"Napoleonhadsaid。\"LeavetheboystomeandI’llmakekingsofthemall，ifIhavetosendthemovertotheUnitedStates，whereallmenwillsoonbepotentates，andtheirrulersmerelyservants——chosentodotheirbidding。\"
Once，Josephventuringtoasserthimselfastheeldestson，Napoleonsmiledgrimly。
\"Andwhat，pray，doesthatmean？\"heasked，scornfully。
\"ThatIandnotyouamtheheadofthefamily，\"repliedJoseph。
\"Verywell，\"saidNapoleon，rushingbehindhim，and，byarapidlyconceivedflankmovement，givingJosephagoodsoundkick。\"Howdoestheheadofthefamilylikethefootofthefamily？Don’teverprateofaccidentsofbirthtome。\"
FromthattimeonJosephnevermurmuredagain，butobeyedblindlyhisbrother’sslightestbehest。HewouldhavepermittedNapoleontomowhimdownwithgrape—shotwithoutcomplaintratherthanrebelandincurthewrathwhichheknewwouldthenfalluponhishead。
AtschoolthesamedefianceofrestraintandcontemptforsuperiorstrengthcharacterizedNapoleon。Here，too，histaciturnnaturehelpedhimmuch。Ifhewereaskedaquestionwhichhecouldnotanswer，hewoulddeclinetospeak，sothathisinstructorswereunabletostatewhetherornothewasinignoranceastothepointunderdiscussion，andcouldmarkhimdownconscientiouslyascontumeliousonly。Henceitwasthathestoodwellinhisstudies，butwasneverremarkablefordeportment。Hisfavoriteplaything，barringhisbrotherJoseph，wasasmallbrasscannonthatweighedsomethirtyoddpounds，andwhichisstilltobeseenontheislandofCorsica。Ofthisheoncesaid：\"I’dratherhearitsreportthanlistentoaGermanband；thoughifIcouldgetthembothplayingatthesametimethere’dbeoneGermanbandlessintheworld。\"
Thisremarkfounditsparallellateronwhen，placedbyBarrasincommandofthedefendersoftheConventionagainsttheattacksoftheSectionists，NapoleonwasaskedthechairmanoftheAssemblytosendthemoccasionalreportsastohowmattersprogressed。Hisreplywasterse。
\"Legislators，\"hesaid，\"youaskmeforanoccasionalreport。Ifyoulistenyouwillhearthereportofmycannon。Thatisallyou’llget，anditwillbeallyouneed。Iamhere。Iwillsaveyou。\"
\"Itisapoortimeforjokes，\"saidarepresentative。
\"Itisaworsetimeforpaperreports，\"retortedNapoleon。\"Itwouldtakemelongertowriteoutalegislativereportthanitwilltocleanoutthemob。Besides，Iwantitunderstoodatthisendofmycareerthatautograph—huntersaregoingtogetleft。\"
Asheturned，Barrasaskedhimastohisintentions。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"heasked。
\"Tomakeanoiseintheworld，\"criedNapoleon；\"aurevoir。\"
Thathehadimplantedinhimtheessentialelementsofagreatfighterhisschool—companionswerenotlonginfindingout。
Whennotmorethanfiveyearsofagehefellinlovewithalittleschoolmate，and，beingjeeredatforhisopenlyavowedsentiments，hethreatenedtothrashthewholeschool，addingtothelittlemaidenthathewouldthrashheraswellunlessshereturnedhislove，alineofargumentwhichcompletelywonherheart，particularlyinviewofthefactthatheprovedhissinceritybyfulfillingthatpartofhisassumedobligationswhichreferredtothesubjugationoftherestoftheschool。Itwasuponthisoccasionthatinreferencetohiscarelessnessofdress，hisschoolmatescomposedtherhyme，\"NapoleondimezzacalzettaFal’amoreaGiacominetta。\"
which，liberallytranslated，means，\"Hi!LookatNap!Hissocksdownofhisshin，IsmakinglovetolittleGiacomin。\"
TothisNapoleon，ontheauthorityoftheMemoirsofhisFather’sHiredMan，retorted：
\"Iwouldadviseyou，benotindiscreet，OrIwillyankYOURsocksrightofyourfeet。\"
Allofwhichgoestoshowthatatnotimeinhisyouthwashetobetrifledwith。Inpoetryorapitchedbattlehewasquiteequaltoanyemergency，andhiscompanionswerenotlonginfindingitout。
SopassedtheinfancyofMr。Bonaparte，ofCorsica。Itwas，afterall，muchliketheextremeyouthofmostotherchildren。Ineverythingheundertookhewasfacileprinceps，andinnothingthathesaidordidisthereevidencethathefailedtoappreciatewhatlaybeforehim。Avisitortothefamilyonceventuredtheremark，\"I
amsorry，Napoleon，foryoulittleCorsicans。YouhavenoFourthofJulyorGuyFawkesDaytocelebrate。\"
\"Oh，asforthat，\"saidNapoleon，\"Iforonedonotmind。IwillmakenationalholidayswhenIgettobeaman，andatpresentIcangetalongwithoutthem。What’stheuseofFourthofJulywhenyoucanshootofffireworkseveryday？\"
Itwasapertinentquestion，thevisitordepartedmuchimpressedwiththeboy’sprecocity，whichwasrendereddoublymemorablebyNapoleon’shumorindischargingfifteenpoundsofwaddingfromhiscannonintothevisitor’sbackashewentoutofthefrontgate。
AttheageofsixNapoleonputasideallinfantilepleasures，andateightassumedallthedignityofthatage。HeannouncedhisintentiontoceaseplayingwarwithhisbrotherJoseph。
\"Iamnolongerachild，Joseph，\"hesaid；\"Ishallnolongerthrashyouinplay。Here—afterIshalldoitinsoberearnest。\"
Whichnodoubtiswhy，in1779，Napoleonhavingstuckfaithfullytohispromise，Josephheartilysecondedhisyoungerbrother’sdemandthatheshouldleaveCorsicaandtakeacourseofmilitaryinstructionatBrienne。
\"IshallnodoubtmissmydearbrotherNapoleon，\"Josephsaidtohismother；\"butIwouldnotstandinthewayofhisadvancement。Lethimgo，eventhoughbyhisdepartureIamdeprivedofallopportunitytoassisthiminhispleasinggamesofwar。\"
CHAPTERII：BRIENNE
1779—1785
Aswehaveseen，theyoungCorsicanwasonlytenyearsofagewhen，throughtheinfluenceofCountMarboeuf，anoldfriendoftheBonapartefamily，hewasadmittedtothemilitaryschoolatBrienne。
ThosewhowerepresentatthehourofhisdeparturefromhomesaythatNapoleonwouldhaveweptlikeanyotherchildhadheyieldedtotheimpulsesofhisheart，andhadbenotdetectedasmileofsatisfactionuponthelipsofhisbrotherJoseph。Itwasthissmilethatdrovealltenderemotionsfromhisbreast。TakingJosephtooneside，herequestedtoknowthecauseofhismirth。
\"Iwasthinkingofsomethingfunny，\"saidJoseph，palingslightlyasheobservedthesternexpressionofNapoleon’sface。
\"Oh，indeed，\"saidNapoleon；\"andwhatwasthatsomething？I’dliketosmilemyself。\"
\"H’m!——ah——why，\"falteredJoseph，\"itmaynotstrikeyouasfunny，youknow。Whatisajokeforonemanisapttobeaseriousmatterforanother，particularlywhenthatotherisofataciturnandirritabledisposition。\"
\"Verylikely，\"saidNapoleon，dryly；\"andsometimeswhatisajokeforthemanofmirthislikewiseintheendaseriousmatterforthatsamehumorousperson。Thismayturnouttobethecaseinthepresentemergency。Whatwasthejoke？IfIdonotfinditahumorousjoke，I’llgiveyouapartingcaresswhichyouwon’tforgetinahurry。\"
\"Iwasonlythinking，\"saidJoseph，uneasily，\"thatitisaverygoodthingforthatlittleferry—boatyouaregoingawayonthatyouaregoingonit。\"
HereJosephsmiledweakly，butNapoleonwasgrimasever。
\"Well，\"hesaid，impatiently，\"whatofthat？\"
\"Why，\"returnedJoseph，\"itseemedtomethatsuchatirelesslittleworkerastheboatiswouldfinditveryrestfultotakeaNap。\"
ForaninstantNapoleonwassilent。
\"Joseph，\"saidhe，ashegazedsolemnlyoutofthewindow，\"Ithankyoufromthebottomofmyheartforthis。Ihadhadregretsatleavinghome。AmomentagoIwasreadytobreakdownforthesorrowofpartingfrommyfavoriteAlp，frommyhome，frommymother，andmylittlebrasscannon；butnow——nowIcangowithaheartsteeledagainstemotion。Ifyouaregoinginforhumorofthatkind，I’mgladI’mgoingaway。Farewell。\"
Withthis，pickingJosephupinhisarmsandconcealinghimbeneaththesofacushions，Napoleonimprintedakissuponhismother’scheek，rushedaboardthecraftthatwastobearhimtofame，andwassoonbutamemoryinthelittlehouseatAjaccio。\"Partingissuchsweetsorrow，\"murmuredJoseph，ashewatchedthelittlevesselboundingovertheturquoisewatersoftheimprisonedsea。\"Ishallmisshim；
buttherearethosewhowaxfatongrief，and，ifIknowmyself，Iamofthatbrand。\"
ArrivedatParis，Napoleonwasnaturallyawe—strickenbythesplendorsofthatwonderfulcity。
\"IshallneverforgetthefirstsightIhadofParis，\"hesaid，yearslater，whenspeakingofhisboyhoodtoMadameJunot，withwhomhewasenjoyingatete—a—teteinthepalaceatVersailles。\"IwonderedifI
hadn’tdiedofsea—sicknessonthewayover，asIhadseveraltimeswishedImight，andgottoheaven。Ididn’tknowhowliketheotherplaceitwasatthattime，yousee。Itwaslikeanenchantedland，aWorld’sFairforever，andthepricesIhadtopayforthingsquitecarriedouttheWorld’sFairidea。Theywereenormous。Wearywithwalking，forinstance，Ihiredafiacreanddroveaboutthecityforanhour，anditcostmefiftyfrancs；butIfellinwithpleasantenoughpeople，oneofwhomgavemeaten—francticketentitlingmetoaseatonaparkbench——forfivefrancs。\"
MadameJunotlaughed。
\"AndyettheyclaimthatbuncoisapurelyAmericaninstitution，\"shesaid。
\"Dame!\"criedNapoleon，risingfromthethrone，andwalkingexcitedlyupanddownthepalacefloor，\"IneverrealizeduntilthismomentthatIhadbeenswindled!Bourrienne，sendFouchetome。Irememberthemandistinctly，andifheliveshehasyettodie。\"
Calmingdown，hewalkedtoMadameJunot’sside，and，takingherbythehand，continued：
\"Andthenthetheatres!Whatrevelationsofdelighttheywere!I
usedtogototheTheatreFrancaiswheneverIcouldsneakawayandhadthemoneytoseatmewiththegodsinthegalleries。Bernhardtwasthenplayingjuvenileparts，andCoquelinhadnotbeenheardof。
Ah!mydearMadameJunot，\"headded，givingherearadelicatepinch，\"thosewerethedayswhenlifeseemedworththeliving——whenoneofataciturnnatureandpronetoirritabilitycouldfindrealpleasureinexistence。Ohtobeunknownagain!\"
Andthen，MadameJunot’shusbandhavingenteredtheroom，theEmperoroncemorerelapsedintoamoodysilence。
ButtoreturntoBrienne。Napoleonsoonfoundthatthereisagulfmeasurablebynocalculabledistancebetweenexistenceasthedominatingforceofafamilyandlifeasanewboyataboarding—
school。Hefoundhispositionreversed，andhebeganforthefirsttimeinhislifetoappreciatethevirtuesofhisbrotherJoseph。HewhohadbeenthevictoriousgeneralcrossingtheAlpsnowfoundhimselftheAlp，withadozenvictoriousgeneralscrossinghim；hewhohadbeenthegunnerwasnowthetarget，andhispresentinabilitytoexpresshisfeelingsinlanguagewhichhistormentorscouldunderstand，forhehadnotyetmasteredtheFrenchtongue，kepthiminastateofbeingwhichmaywellbetermedvolcanic。
\"Isimplyragedwithininthosedays，\"NapoleononcesaidtoLasCasas。\"Icouldhaveswallowedmyfoodrawanditwouldhavebeencookedonitswaydown，Iboiledso。Theytookmeforasnow—cladAlp，when，asamatteroffact，IwasasmallVesuvius，withatemperaturethatwouldhavemadeTabascosauceseemlikeicedwaterbycontrast。\"
Histreatmentatthehandsofhisfellow—studentsdidmuchtoincreasehisirritability，buthekepthimselfwellinhand，bidingthetimewhenhecouldrepaytheirinsultswithinterest。Theyjeeredhimbecausehewasshort——shortofstatureandshortoffunds；
theytwittedhimonbeinganalien，callinghimanItalian，andaskinghimwhyhedidnotseekoutapositioninthestreet—cleaningbureauinsteadofendeavoringtoassociatewithgentlemen。Tothistheboymadeaspiritedreply。
\"Iamfittingmyselfforthat，\"hesaid。\"I’llsweepyourParisianstreetssomeday，andsomeofyouparticleswillgowiththerestofthedustbeforemybroom。\"
Helittleguessedhowpropheticwerethesewords。
Again，theytormentedNapoleononbeingthesonofalawyer，andaskedhimwhohistailorwas，andwhetherornothisgarmentswerethelostsuitsofhisfather’sclients，theresultofwhichwasthat，thoughbornofanaristocraticfamily，theboybecameapronouncedRepublican，andsworeeternalenmitytothehigh—born。Anotherresultofthisattitudetowardshimwasthatheretiredfromthecompanionshipofallsavehisbooks，andhebecameintimatewithHomerandOssianandPlutarch——familiarwiththeriseandfallofemperorsandempires。Challengedtofightaduelwithoneofhisclassmatesforasupposititiousinsult，heaccepted，and，havingthechoiceinweapons，choseanexaminationinmathematics，theonefirstfailinginademonstrationtoblowhisbrainsout。\"Thatisthesaferforyou，\"hesaidtohisadversary。\"Youaresuretolose；buttheafter—effectswillnotbefatal，becauseyouhavenobrainstoblowout，soyoucanblowoutacandleinstead。\"
Whatevercameoftheduelwearenotinformed；butitistobepresumedthatitdidnotresultfatallyforyoungBonaparte，forhelivedmanyyearsaftertheincident，asmostofourreadersareprobablyaware。Hadhenotdoneso，thisbiographywouldhavehadtostophere，andcountlessreadersofourowndaywouldhavebeendeprivedofmuchentertainingfictionthatisevennowbeingscatteredbroadcastovertheworldwithNapoleonasitshero。Hisloveofbookscombinedwithhisfondnessformilitarylifewasnevermorebeautifullyexpressedthanwhenhewrotetohismother：\"WithmyswordatmysideandmyHomerinmypocket，Ihopetocarvemywaythroughtheworld。\"
ThebeautyandsimplicityofthisstatementisnotatallaffectedbyJoseph’sflippantsuggestionthatbythisNapoleonprobablymeantthathewouldreadhisenemiestosleepwithhisHomer，andthenusehisswordtocuttheirheadsoff。Joseph，aswehavealreadyseen，hadbeencompletelysubjugatedbyhisyoungerbrother，anditisnottobewonderedat，perhaps，that，withhisyoungerbrotheratasafedistance，heshouldmanifestsomejealousy，andaffecttotreathissentimentswithanunwarrantedlevity。
ForNapoleon’sself—imposedsolitudeeverythingatBriennearrangeditselfpropitiously。Eachofthestudentswasprovidedwithasmallpatchofgroundwhichhecoulddowithashepleased，andNapoleon’suseofhisallottedsharewascharacteristic。Heconverteditintoafortifiedgarden，surroundedbytreesandpalisades。
\"NowIcanmopeinpeace，\"hesaid——andhedid。
IthasbeensupposedbyhistoriansthatitwasherethatNapoleondidallofhisthinking，mappingouthisfuturecareer，andsomeofthemhavetolduswhathethought。Hedreamedoffuturegloryalways，oneofthemstates；butwhetherupontheauthorityofapalisadeoratiger—lilyisnotmentioned。Othershavegivenushissoliloquiesashepassedtoandfrointhislittleretreatalone，andheardonlybythestarsatnight；butforourselves，wemustbeaccurate，anditisduetothereaderatthispointthatweshouldconfess——havingnostarsinourconfidence——ourentireignoranceastowhatNapoleonBonapartesaid，did，orthoughtwhensittinginsolitudeinhisfortifiedbower；thoughifourcandidimpressionisdesiredwehavenohesitationinsayingthatwebelievehimtohavebeeninParisenjoyingthesightsofthegreatcityduringthoseperiodsofsolitude。Boysareboysinalllands，andaknowledgeofthatpeculiarspeciesofhumanbeings，theboarding—schoolboy，isconvincingthat，givenaprospectoffiveorsixhoursofuninterruptedsolitude，noyouthofproperspiritwouldfailtoavailhimselfoftheopportunitiesthusofferedtoseelife，particularlywithacitylikePariswithineasy\"hooky\"distance。
ItmustalsoberememberedthattheFrenchhadatthistimeabolishedthehereafter，alongwiththeideaofaDeityandallpertainingthereto，sothattherewasnothingbeyondapurelytemporaldisciplineandlackoffundstointerferewithBonaparte’senjoymentofallthepleasureswhichPariscouldgive。Oftemporaldisciplineheneedhavehadnofear，since，itwasperforcerelaxedwhilehewasmasterofhissolitude；asforthelackoffunds，historyhasshownthatthisneverinterferedwiththefulfilmentofNapoleon’shopes，andhencethebeliefthatthebeautifulpictures，drawnbyhistoriansandpaintedbymastersofthebrush，ofNapoleoninsolitudeshouldberevisedtoincludeafewaccessories，drawnfromsuchportionsofParisianlifeaswillreadilysuggestthemselves。
Inhisstudies，however，Napoleonrankedhigh。Hismathematicalabilitiesweresomarkedthatitwasstatedthathecouldsquarethecirclewithhiseyesclosedandbothhandstiedbehindhisback。
\"TheonlycircleIcouldnotsquareatthattime，\"saidhe，\"wasthefamilycircle，beinginsufficientlyprovidedwithincometodoso。I
mighthavesucceededbetterhadnotJoseph’sappetitegrowntoofastforthestrengthofmypocket；thatwastheonlyrespect，however，inwhichIeverhadanydifficultyinkeepingupwithmydearelderbrother。\"Itwashere，too，thathelearnedtheinestimablyimportantmilitaryfactthattheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsisinastraightline；andthathehadfullymasteredthatfactwasoftenpainfullyevidenttosuchofhisschoolmatesasseemedtoforcehimtomeasurewithhisrightarmthedistancebetweenhisshoulderandtheendsoftheirnoses。Norwasheutterlywithoutwit。Askedbyacribbingcomradeinexaminationwhatacorollarywas，Napoleonscornfullywhisperedback：
\"Amathematicalcamelwithtwohumps。\"
InGermanonlywashedeficient，muchtotheirritationofhisinstructor。
\"Willyoueverlearnanything？\"askedM。Bouer，theGermanteacher。
\"Certainly，\"saidNapoleon；\"butnomoreGerman。IknowtheonlywordIneedinthatlanguage。\"
\"Andwhat，pray，isthat？\"
\"Surrender；that’sallI’lleverwishtosaytotheGermans。ButlestIgetitwrong，praytellmetheimperativeformofsurrenderinyournativetongue。\"
M。Bouer’sreplyisnotknowntohistory，butitwasprobablynotonewhichtheMasterofEtiquetteatBriennecouldhaveentirelycommended。
SohelivedatBrienne，thoroughlymasteringthescienceofwar；
acquiringamilitaryspirit；makingnofriends，butcommandingultimatelythefearsomerespectofhisschool—mates。Oneortwoprivateinterviewswithlittlearistocratswhojeeredathimforhisancestryconvincedthemthatwhilehemightnothavehadillustriousancestors，itwasnotunlikelythathewouldintimedevelopillustriousdescendants，andthejeeringsandsneeringssoonceased。
TheclimaxofBonaparte’scareeratBriennewasin1784，whenhedirectedasnowballfightbetweentwoevenlydividedbranchesoftheschoolwithsucheffectthatoneboyhadhisskullcrackedandtherestwerelaidupforweeksfromtheirwounds。
\"Itwasawonderfulfight，\"remarkedNapoleon，duringhiscampaigninEgypt。\"ItookgoodcarethatanoccasionalmissentballshouldbowloffthehatofM。Bouer，andwheneveranyparticularlyaristocraticaristocrat’sheadshoweditselfabovetheramparts，anavalanchefelluponhisfacadewithadull，sickeningthud。IhaveneverseenanAmericancollegefootballgame，butfromallIcanlearnfromaccountsinthePariseditionsoftheAmericannewspaperstheeffectsphysicalinourfightandthatgameareaboutthesame。\"
In1784，shortlyafterthisepisode，NapoleonleftBrienne，havinglearnedallthatthoseinauthoritytherecouldteachhim，andin1785heappliedforandreceivedadmissiontotheregulararmy，muchtothereliefofJoseph。
\"IfhehadflunkedandcomebacktoCorsicatolive，\"saidJoseph，\"I
thinkIshouldhaveemigrated。Ilovehimdearly，butI’mfonderofmyself，andCorsica，largeasitis，istoosmalltocontainNapoleonBonaparteandhisbrotherJosephsimultaneously，particularlyasJosephisdistinctlywearyofbeingusedasanunderstudyforagorybattle—field。\"
CHAPTERIII：PARIS——VALENCE——LYONS——CORSICA
1785—1793
ThefeelingamongthelargerboysatBrienneatNapoleon’sdeparturewasmuchthesameasthatexperiencedbyJosephwhenhissoonto—be—
famousbrotherdepartedfromCorsica。Thesmallerboysregrettedhisdeparture，sinceithadbeenoneoftheirgreatestpleasurestowatchNapoleondiscipliningtheupperclassmen，butBonapartewasasgladtogoastheeldersweretohavehim。
\"Brienneisgoodenoughinitsway，\"saidhe；\"butwhat’stheuseoffightingchildren？It’smerelyawasteoftimecrackingayoungster’sskullwithasnowballwhenyoucangooutintotherealworldandletdaylightintoaman’swholesystemwithafewouncesofgrape—shot。\"
HehadwatcheddevelopmentsatParis，too，withthekeenestinterest，andwassufficientlyfar—seeingtoknowthatthetroublesoftheKingandQueenandtheiraristocraticfriendsbodedwellforamanfondofamilitarylifewhohadsenseenoughtobeontherightside。Thatittookanabnormaldegreeofintelligencetoknowwhichwastherightsideinthosetroublousdayshealsorealized，andhencehecultivatedthattaciturnityandpronenesstoirritabilitywhichwehavealreadymentioned。
\"Ifithadnotbeenformytaciturnity，Talleyrand，\"heobserved，whenintheheightofhispower，\"Ishouldhavegotitintheneck。\"
\"Gotwhatintheneck？\"askedTalleyrand。
\"Theguillotine，\"rejoinedtheEmperor。\"Itwasthefreedomofspeechwhichpeopleofthosesanguinarydaysallowedthemselvesthatlandedmanyafineheadinthebasket。Asforme，Isimplyheldmytonguewithbothhands，andwhenIweariedofthatIcalledsomeoneintoholditforme。IfIhadfilledthenewspaperswith’InterviewswithNapoleonBonaparte，’andarticleson’WhereisFranceat？’withmonographsintheleadingreviewseverymonthon’WhyIamwhatIam，’andallsuchstuffasthat，I’dhavecondensedmycareerintooneortwoyears，andendedbyhavingmyheaddivorcedfrommyshouldersinamostcommonplacefashion。Taciturnityisabigthingwhenyouknowhowtoworkit，andsoispronenesstoirritability。Thelatterkeepsyoufrommakingfriends，andIdidn’twantanyfriendsjustthen。TheywereluxurieswhichIcouldn’tafford。Youhavetolendmoneytofriends；youhavetogivethemdinnersandcigars，andsendbonbonstotheirsisters。Afriendinthosedayswouldhavemeantbankruptcyoftheworstsort。
Furthermore，friendsembarrassyouwhenyougetintopublicoffice，andtrytomakeyouconspicuouswhenyou’dinfinitelyprefertosawwoodandsaynothing。Itookmylonelinessstraight，andthatisoneofthereasonswhyIamnowtheEmperorofFrance，andyourmaster。\"
BeforeenteringthearmyayearataParisianmilitaryschoolkeptBonapartebusy。There，asatBrienne，hemadehisinfluencefelt。
Hefoundhisfellow—pupilsatParislivinginastateofluxurythatwasnotinaccordwithhisideasastowhatasoldiershouldhave。
Whetherornothisnewschool—mates，afterthetime—honoredcustom，tossedhiminablanketonthefirstnightofhisarrival，historydoesnotsay，butBonapartehadhardlybeenattheschoolaweekwhenhecomplainedtotheauthoritiesthattherewastoomuchluxuryintheirsystemforhim。
\"Cadetsdonotneedfeather—bedsandeider—downquilts，\"hesaid；
\"andasforthesumptuousviandswehaveservedatmealtime，theyareutterlyinappropriate。I’dratherhaveaplateofBostonbakedbeansorsteamingbuckwheatcakestoputmymindintothatstatewhichshouldcharacterizethethinkingapparatusofasoldierthanadozenoftheboucheesfinancieresandlobsterNewburgsandothermade—
disheswhichyouhaveonyourmenu。Made—dishesanddelicatebeveragesmakeonemellowandgenialofdisposition。Whatweneedisthekindoffoodthatwilldestroyouramiabilityandputusinaframeofmindcalculatedtomakewillingtokillourbestfriends——
nay，ourownbrothersandsisters——ifoccasionarises，withasmilingface。Lookatme。IcouldkillmybrotherJoseph，dearasheistome，andnevershedatear，andit’sbuckwheat—cakesandwafflesthathavedoneit!\"
Likewiseheabhorreddancing。
\"Awaywithdancingmen!\"hecried，impatiently，atonetimewhenintheheightofhispower，tohisMinisterofWar。\"SupposewhenIwascrossingtheAlpsmysoldiershadbeenofyourdancingsort。HowfarwouldIhavegotifeverytimethebandplayedatwo—stepmygrenadiershaddroppedtheirgunstopirouetteoverthosesnow—whitewastes？Letthediplomatsdothedancing。Forsoldiersgivemementowhomthepolkaisaclosedbookandthewaltzanabomination。\"
Holdingtheseviews，henaturallyfailedtowinthesympathyofhisfellowsattheParisschoolwho，youngnoblesforthemostpart，couldnotunderstandhispointofview。So，havingnothingelsetodo，heappliedhimselfsolelytohisstudiesandtoreflection，anditwasthehappiestmomentofhislifeuptothattimewhen，havingpassedhisexaminationsforentrancetotheregulararmy，hereceivedhiscommissionasasecondlieutenant。
\"Nowwe’reoff!\"hesaidtohimself，ashesurveyedhimselfinthemirror，afterdonninghisuniform。
\"Itdoesnotsetverywellintheback，\"remarkedoneofthemaidsofthepensioninwhichhelived，glancinginatthedoor。
\"Itdoesnotmatter，\"returnedBonaparte，loftily。\"AslongasitsetswellinfrontI’msatisfied；foryoushouldknow，madame，thatatruesoldiernevershowshisback，andthatisthekindofamilitarypersonIam。Afalsefrontwoulddoforme。Iamnotinsoldier，whichinafter—yearsitwillinterestyoutoremember。Whenyouarewritingyourmemoirsthiswillmakeaninterestinganecdote。\"
FromthisitistobeinferredthatatthistimehehadnothoughtofMoscow。ImmediatelyafterhisappointmentBonaparterepairedtoValence，wherehisregimentwasstationedandwhereheformedastrongattachmentfortheyoungdaughterofMadameduColombier，withwhom，historyrecords，heatecherriesbeforebreakfast。Thiswashissoledissipationatthattime，buthisfelicitywassoontobeinterrupted。HisregimentwasorderedtoLyons，andBonaparteandhislovewereparted。
\"Dutycallsme，mydear，\"hesaid，onleavingher。\"IwouldstayifIcould，butIcan’t，and，onthewhole，itisjustaswell。IfI
stayedIshouldmarryyou，andthatwouldneverdo。Youcannotsupportme，norIyou。Wecannotliveoncherries，andasyetmyallowanceisaningrowingone——whichistosaythatitgoesfrommetomyparent，andnotfrommyparenttome。Therefore，myonlylove，farewell。Marrysomeoneelse。Thereareplentyofmenwhoarefondofcherriesbeforebreakfast，andthereisnoreasonwhyonesoattractiveasyoushouldnotfindalover。\"
Theunhappygirlwassilentforamoment。Then，withanill—
suppressedsob，shebadehimgo。
\"Youareright，Napoleon，\"shesaid。\"Go。Gowheredutycallsyou，andifyougettiredofLyons——\"
\"Yes？\"heinterrupted，eagerly。
\"Tryleopards!\"shecried，rushingfromhisembraceintothehouse。
Bonaparteneverforgavethisexhibitionofflippancy，thoughmanyyearsafter，whenhelearnedthathisformerlove，whohadmarried，ashehadbadeherdo，andsuffered，wasfacetofacewithstarvation，itissaid，ontheauthorityofoneofhisex—valet’smemoirs，thathesentheraboxofcandiedcherriesfromoneofthemostexpensiveconfectionery—shopsofParis。
AfterabriefsojournatLyons，NapoleonwassummonedwithhisregimenttoquellcertainpopulartumultsatAuxonne。Therehedistinguishedhimselfasahandlerofmobs，andlearnedafewthingsthatwereofinestimableadvantagetohimlater。Speakingofitinafter—years，heobserved：\"Itismyopinion，mydearEmperorJoseph，thatgrape—shotistheonlypropermedicineforamob。Somepeopleprefertoturnthehoseonthem，butnoneofthatforme。Theyfearwaterastheydodeath，buttheygetoverwater。Deathismorepermanent。I’veseenmanyarioter，maderespectablebyagoodsoaking，returntothefrayafterhehaddriedout，butinallmyexperienceIhaveneverknownamanwhowasoncepuncturedbyadischargeofgrape—shotwhotookanyfurtherinterestinrioting。\"
Aboutthistimehebegantoregulatehistaciturnity。Onoccasionshehadopinionswhichheexpressedmostforcibly。In1790，havinggonetoaneveningreceptionatMadameNeckar’s，heelectrifiedhishostessandherguestsbymakingaspeechofsomefivehundredwordsinlength，toolongtobequotedhereinfull，butsofullofimportanddeliveredwithsuchanairofauthoritythatLaFayette，whowaspresent，paledvisibly，andMirabeau，drawingMadamedeStaeltooneside，whispered，tremblingwithemotion，\"Whoisthatyoungperson？\"
Whetherthisnewlyacquiredtendencytobreakinuponthereservewhichhadhithertobeenthesalientfeatureofhisspeechhadanythingtodowithitornotwearenotaware，butshortlyafterwardsNapoleondeemeditwisetoleavehisregimentforawhile，andtoreturntohisCorsicanhomeonfurlough。Ofcourseanaffectingscenewasenactedbyhimselfandhisfamilywhentheywereatlastreunited。Letitia，hisfondmother，wepttearsofjoy，andJoseph，shakinghimbythehand，rushed，overcomewithemotion，fromthehouse。Napoleonshortlyafterfoundhimweepinginthegarden。
\"Whysosad，Joseph？\"heinquired。\"AreyousorryIhavereturned？\"
\"No，dearNapoleon，\"saidJoseph，turningawayhisheadtohidehistears，\"itisnotthat。Iwasonlyweepingbecause——because，inthenatureofthings，youwillhavetogoawayagain，and——the——theideaofpartingfromyouhasforthemomentupsetmyequilibrium。\"
\"Thenwemustproceedtorestoreit，\"saidNapoleon，and，takingJosephbytherightarm，hetwistedituntilJosephsaidthathefeltquiterecovered。
Napoleon’sstayatCorsicawasquiteuneventful。Fearinglestbygivingwaytoloveoffamily，andsittingandtalkingwiththemintheluxuriouslyappointedparlorbelow—stairs，heshouldimbibetoostrongaloveforcomfortandease，andthusweakenhissoldierlyinstincts，aswellasbreakinuponthattaciturnitywhich，aswehaveseen，wasthekeynoteofhischaracter，hehadsetapartforhimselfasmallroomontheatticfloor，wherehespentmostofhistimeundisturbed，andatthesametimemadeJosephsomewhateasierinhismind。
\"Whenhe’sup—stairsIamcomparativelysafe，\"saidJoseph。\"IfhestayedbelowwithusIfearIshouldhaveareturnofmynervousprostration。\"
Meantime，Napoleonwaspromotedtoafirstlieutenancy，andshortlyafter，duringtheReignofTerrorinParis，havingoncemoreforthemomentyieldedtoanimpulsetospeakoutinmeeting，hedenouncedanarchyinunmeasuredterms，andwasarrestedandtakentoParis。
\"Itwasafortunatearrestforme，\"hesaid。\"ThereIwasinCorsicawithbarelyenoughmoneytopaymywaybacktothecapital。
Arrested，theStatehadtopaymyfare，andIgotbacktoactivepoliticalscenesonafreepass。Asforthetrial，itwasafarce，andIwastriumphantlyacquitted。Thejurywasoutonlyfifteenminutes。IhadsolittletosayformyselfthatthejudgesbegantodoubtifIhadanyideasonanysubject——or，asoneofthemsaid，havingnoheadtomention，itwouldbeuselesstotryandcutitoff。
Hencemyacquittalandmyfeelingthattaciturnityisthemotherofsafety。\"
ThencametheterribleattackofthemobupontheTuileriesonthe20thofJune，1792。NapoleonwaswalkinginthestreetwithBourriennewhentheattackbegan。
\"There’snothinglikealamp—postforanoccasionlikethis，itbroadensone’sviewsso，\"hesaid，rapidlyclimbingupaconvenientpost，fromwhichhecouldseeallthatwenton。\"Ididn’tknowthatthiswastheroyalfamily’sreception—day。DoyouwanttoknowwhatIthink？\"
\"Mummistheword，\"whisperedBourrienne。\"Thisisnotimetohaveopinions。\"
\"Mummmaybetheword，butwateristhebeverage。Mummistoodry。
Whatthiscrowdneedsisagoodwettingdown，\"retortedBonaparte。
\"IfIwereLouisXVI。I’dturnthehoseonthesetramps，andkeepthematbayuntilIcouldgetmylittlebrasscannonloaded。WhenI
hadthatloaded，I’dletthemhaveafewballshotfromthebat。
Thisiswhatcomesofbeingabornking。Louisdoesn’tknowhowtotalktothepeople。He’sallrightforastate—dinner，butwhenitcomestoamass—meetingheisnotinit。\"
AndthenastheKing，togratifythemob，puttheredcapofJacobinismuponhishead，themanwhowasdestinedbeforemanyyearstooccupythethroneofFranceletfallanejaculationofwrath。
\"Thewretches!\"hecried。\"Howlittletheyknow!They’veonlygivenhimanotherhattotalkthrough!They’llhavetodotheirworkalloveragain，unlessLouistakesmyadviceandtravelsabroadforhishealth。\"
Thesewordswereprophetic，forbarelytwomonthslaterthesecondandmostterribleandportentousattackuponthepalacetookplace——
anattackwhichNapoleonwitnessed，ashehadwitnessedthefirst，fromaconvenientlamp—post，andwhichfilledhimwithdisgustandshame；anditwasuponthatnightofriotandbloodshedthathegaveutterancetooneofhismostfamoussayings。
\"Bourrienne，\"saidhe，aswithhisfaithfulcompanionshelaboriouslyclimbedthefiveflightsofstairsleadingtohishumbleapartment，\"Ihatethearistocrats，asyouknow；andto—dayhasmademehatethepopulaceaswell。Whatistherelefttolike？\"
\"Alas!lieutenant，Icannotsay，\"saidBourrienne，shakinghisheadsadly。
\"What，\"continuedNapoleon，\"isthegoodofanything？\"
\"Igiveitup，\"returnedBourrienne，withasigh。\"Ineverwasgoodatriddles。WhatISthegoodofanything？\"
\"Nothing!\"saidNapoleon，laconically，ashetookoffhisuniformandwenttobed。
CHAPTERIV：SARDINIA——TOULON——NICE——PARIS——BARRAS——JOSEPHINE
1793—1796
GreatnessnowbegantodawnforNapoleon。Practicallypenniless，inagreatandheartlesscity，eventhelowerclassesbegantoperceivethatherewasonebeforewhomtherelayabrilliantfuture。
Restaurateurs，laundresses，confectioners——alltrustedhim。AninstanceoftheregardpeoplewerebeginningtohaveforhimisshowninthepatheticinterviewbetweenNapoleonandMadameSansGene，hislaundress。
\"Hereisyourwash，lieutenant，\"saidshe，afterclimbingfiveflightsofstairs，basketinhand，tothemiserablelodgingofthefutureEmperor。
Napoleonlookedupfromhisbooksandcountedtheclothes。
\"Thereisonesockmissing，\"saidhe，sternly。
\"No，\"returnedSansGene。\"Halfofeachsockwaswashedaway，andI
sewedtheremaininghalvesintoone。Onegoodsockisbetterthantwobadones。Ifyoueverlosealeginbattleyoumayfindtheoddonehandy。\"
\"HowcanIeverrepayyou？\"criedNapoleon，touchedbyherfriendlyact。
\"I’msureIdon’tknow，\"returnedMadameSansGene，demurely，\"unlessyouwillescortmetotheCharityBall——I’llbuythetickets。\"
\"And，pray，whatgoodwillthatdo？\"askedBonaparte。
\"ItwillmakeLefebvrejealous，\"saidMadameSansGene，\"andmaybethatwillbringhimtothepoint。Iwanttomarryhim，but，encouragehimasIwill，hedoesnotpropose，andasinrevisingthecalendarthegovernmenthasabolishedleap—year，Ireallydon’tknowwhattodo。\"
\"Icannotgototheball，\"saidNapoleon，sadly。\"Idon’tdance，and，besides，Ihaveloanedmydress—suittoBourrienne。ButIwillflirtwithyouonthestreetifyouwish，andperhapsthatwillsuffice。\"
Itishardlynecessarytotellthereaderthattherusewassuccessful，andthatLefebvre，thusbroughttothepoint，marriedMadameSansGene，andsubsequently，throughhisownadvancement，madehertheDuchessofDantzig。TheanecdotesufficestoshowhowwretchedlypoorandyethowfullofinterestandusefultothoseabouthimNapoleonwasatthetime。
InFebruary，1793，achangeforthebetterinhisfortunesoccurred。
Bonaparte，incooperationwithAdmiralTurget，wasorderedtomakeadescentuponSardinia。WhatimmediatelyfollowedcanbestbetoldinBonaparte’sownwords。\"Mydescentwasallright，\"hesaidafterwards，\"andIhadtheSardinesallreadytoputinboxes，whenTurgethadafitofsea—sickness，losthisbearings，andleftmeinthelurch。TherewasnothingleftformebuttogobacktoCorsicaandtakeitoutofJoseph，whichIdid，muchtoJoseph’sunhappiness。
ItwaswellforthefamilythatIdidso，forhardlyhadIarrivedatAjacciowhenIfoundmyoldfriendPaoliwrappingCorsicaupinabrown—paperbundletosendtotheKingofEnglandwithhiscompliments。ThisIresisted，withtheresultthatourwholefamilywasbanished，andthosefoolsofCorsicansbrokeintoourhouseandsmashedallofourfurniture。Theylittleknewthatthatfurniture，ifinexistenceto—day，wouldbringmillionsoffrancsascuriosifsoldatauction。ItwasthusthatthefamilycametomovetoFranceandthatIbecameinfactwhatIhadbeenbybirth——aFrenchman。IfIhadremainedaCorsican，Paoli’streacherywouldhavemademeanEnglishman，towhichIshouldneverhavebecomereconciled，althoughhadIbeenanEnglishmanIshouldhavetakenmorerealpleasureoutofthebattleofWaterloothanIgot。
\"AfterthisIwasorderedtoToulon。TheFrenchforcesherewerecommandedbyGeneralCartaux，whohadlearnedthescienceofwarpaintingportraitsinParis。HeoughttohavebeencalledGeneralCartoon。HebesiegedTouloninamostimpressionisticfashion。He’dbombardandbombardandbombard，andthenleavethepublictoguessattheresult。It’sallwellenoughtobeanimpressionistinpainting，butwhenitcomestowarthepublicwantmoredecidedeffects。WhenIgotthere，asabrigadier—general，IsawthatCartauxwaswastinghistimeandammunition。HisideaseemedtobethatbyfiringcannonalldayhecouldsodeafentheenemythatatnighttheFrencharmycouldsneakintoToulonunheardandcapturethecity，whichwas，tosaytheleast，unscientific。IsawatoncethatCartauxmustgo，andIsoonmanagedtomakelifesounbearableforhimthatheresigned，andamannamedDoppet，aphysician，wasplacedincommand。DoppetwasworsethanCartaux。Wheneveranybodygothurthe’dstopthewarandprescribefortheinjuredman。Ifhecouldhaveprescribedfortheenemythey’dhavediedingreaternumbersIhavenodoubt，but，liketheidiothewas，hepractisedonhisownforces。Besides，hewasmoreinterestedinsurgerythanincapturingToulon。Healwaysgavetheambulancecorpstherightofline，andIbelievetothisdaythathisplanofroutingtheEnglishinvolvedasuddenrushuponthem，takingthembysurprise，andthesubsequentamputationoftheirlegs。Theworstfeatureofthesituation，asIfoundit，wasthatthesetwomen，fallingbackupontheirrightsasmysuperiorofficers，refusedtotakeordersfromme。
Icalledtheirattentiontothefactthatrankhadbeenabolished，andthatinFranceonemanwasnowasgoodasanother；buttheywerestubborn，soIwrotetoParisandhadthemremoved。ThencameDugommier，whobackedmeupinmyplans，andToulonasaconsequenceimmediatelyfellwithadull，sickeningthud。\"
ItwasduringthissiegethatBonapartefirstencounteredJunot。
Havingoccasiontowriteanotewhileunderfirefromtheenemy’sbatteries，Napoleoncalledforastenographer。Junotcametohim。
\"Doyouknowshorthand？\"askedthegeneral，asabombexplodedathisfeet。
\"Slightly，\"saidJunot，calmly。
\"Takethismessage，\"returnedthegeneral，coolly，dictating。
JunottookdownBonaparte’swords，butjustashefinishedanotherbombexplodednearby，scatteringdustandearthandsandalloverthepaper。
\"Confoundedboors，interruptingagentlemanathiscorrespondence!\"
saidBonaparte，withanangryglanceatthehostilegunners。\"I’llhavetodictatethatmessagealloveragain。\"
\"Yes，general，\"returnedJunot，quickly，\"butyouneedn’tmindthat。
Therewillbenoextracharge。It’sreallymyfault。Ishouldhavebroughtanumbrella。\"
\"Youareanoblefellow，\"saidNapoleon，graspinghishandandsqueezingitwarmly。\"Intheheydayofmyprosperity，ifmyprosperityevergoesa—haying，Ishallrememberyou。Yourname？\"
\"Junot，General，\"wasthereply。
Bonapartefrowned。\"Ha!ha!\"helaughed，acridly。\"Youjest，eh？
Well，Junot，whenIamJupiterI’llrewardyou。\"
Lateron，discoveringhiserror，BonapartemadeamemorandumconcerningJunot，whichwasthefirstlinkinthechainwhichultimatelyboundthestenographertofameasamarshalofFrance。
Therehavebeenvariousotherversionsofthisanecdote，butthisistheonlycorrectone，andisnowpublishedforthefirsttimeontheauthorityofM。leComtedeB——，whosegrandfatherwasthebassdrummeruponwhosedrumJunotwaswritingthenowfamousletter，andwhowasafterwardsennobledbyNapoleonforhisservicesinEgypt，where，onedark，drizzlynight，hefrightenedawayfromBonaparte’stentafiercebandofhungrylionsbypoundingvigorouslyuponhisinstrument。
AboutthistimeNapoleon，whohadbeenspellinghisnameinvariousways，andparticularlywitha\"u，\"asBuonaparte，decidedtosettlefinallyupononeformofdesignation。
\"Peoplearebeginningtobotherthelifeoutofmewithrequestsformyautograph，\"hesaidtoBourrienne，\"anditisjustaswellthatI
shouldsettleonone。IfIdon’t，they’llwantmetowriteoutacompletesetofthem，andIhaven’ttimetodothat。\"
\"Buonaparteisagood—lookingname，\"suggestedBourrienne。\"ItisbetterthanBonaParte，asyousometimescallyourself。IfyousettleonBonaParte，you’dhavereallythreenames；andasyoudon’twritesocietyverseforthecomicpapers，what’stheuse？NewspaperreporterswillrefertoyouasNapoleonB。ParteorN。BonaParte，andthepublichatesamanwhopartshisnameinthemiddle。Parteisagoodnameinitsway，butit’stooshortandabrupt。Fewmenwithshort，sharp，decisivenameslikethatevermaketheirmark。
LetitbeBuonaparte，whichissortofhigh—sounding——itmakesamouthful，asitwere。\"
\"IfIdropthe’u’theautographwillbeshorter，andI’llgaintimewritingit，\"saidNapoleon。\"ItshallbeBonapartewithout’u。’\"
\"Humph!\"ejaculatedBourrienne。\"Bonapartewithoutme!Ilikethat。
MightaswelltalkofDr。JohnsonwithoutBoswell。\"
BonapartenowwenttoNiceaschiefofbatallioninthearmyofItaly；buthavingincurredthedispleasureofasuspicioushomegovernment，hewasshortlysuperseded，andlivedinretirementwithhisfamilyatMarseillesforabrieftime。Herehefellinloveagain，andwouldhavemarriedMademoiselleClery，whomheafterwardsmadeQueenofSweden，hadhenotbeensowretchedlypoor。
\"This，mydear，\"hesaid，sadly，toMademoiselleClery，\"isthebeastlypartofbeingtheoriginalancestorofafamilyinsteadofadescendant。I’vegottomakethefortunewhichwillenrichposterity，whileI’dinfinitelypreferhavingarichunclesomewherewho’dhavethekindnesstodieandleavemeamillion。There’sJoseph——luckyman。He’sgoneandgotmarried。Hecanaffordit。Hehasmetofallbackon，butI——Ihaven’tanybodytofallbackon，andso，forthesecondtimeinmylife，mustgiveuptheonlygirlIeverloved。\"
WiththesewordsNapoleonleftMademoiselleClery，andreturnedtoParisinsearchofemployment。
\"Ifthere’snothingelsetodo，IcandisguisemyselfasaChinamanandgetemploymentinMadameSansGene’slaundry，\"hesaid。\"There’snodisgraceinwashing，andinthatwayImaybeabletoprovidemyselfwithdecentlinen，anyhow。ThenIshallbelongtothelaunderedaristocracy，astheEnglishhaveit。\"
ButgreaterthingsthanthisawaitedNapoleonatParis。FallinginwithBarras，amemberoftheConventionwhichruledFranceatthistime，helearnedthatthefeelingfortherestorationofthemonarchywasdailygrowingstronger，andthattheroyalistsofPariswereagreatmenacetotheConvention。
\"They’llmobusthefirstthingweknow，\"saidBarras。\"Thememberslooktometosavethemincaseofattack，butImustconfessI’dliketosubletthecontract。\"
\"Giveittome，then。I’mtemporarilyoutofajob，\"saidNapoleon，\"andthelifeI’mleadingiskillingme。Ifitweren’tforTalma’skindnessinlettingmeleadhisarmiesonthestageattheOdeon，withaturnatscene—shiftingwhentheyarenotplayingwardramas，I
don’tknowwhatI’ddoformymeals；andevenwhenIdogetasandwichaheadoccasionallyIhavetosendittoMarseillestomymother。Givemeyourcontract，andifIdon’tsaveyourConventionyouneedn’tpaymearedfranc。Ihatearistocrats，andIhatemobs；
andthisbeinganaristocraticmob，I’llgointotheworkwithenthusiasm。\"
\"You!\"criedBarras。\"Amanofyoursize，orlackofit，savetheConventionfromamoboffiftythousand？Nonsense!\"
\"DidyoueverhearthatlittleslangphrasesomuchinvogueinAmerica，\"queriedNapoleon，coldlyfixinghiseyeonBarras——\"aphrasewhichinFrenchruns，’Petit，maisOMoi’——or，astheyhaveit，’Little，butOMy’？Well，thatisme。{1}Besides，ifIamsmall，thereislesschanceofmybeingkilled，whichwillmakememorecourageousinthefaceoffirethanoneofyourbiggermenwouldbe。\"
\"Iwillputmymindonit，\"saidBarras，somewhatwonoverbyNapoleon’sself—confidence。
\"Thanks，\"saidNapoleon；\"andnowcomeintothecafeandhavedinnerwithme。\"
\"Saveyourmoney，Bonaparte，\"saidBarras。\"Youcan’taffordtopayforyourowndinner，muchlessmine。\"
\"That’spreciselywhyIwantyoutodinewithme，\"returnedNapoleon。
\"IfIgoalone，theywon’tservemebecausetheyknowIcan’tpay。
IfIgoinwithyou，they’llgivemeeverythingthey’vegotonthesuppositionthatyouwillpaythebill。Come!Enavant!\"
\"Vousetesunbouchonnier，vraiment!\"saidBarras，withalaugh。
\"Awhat？\"askedNapoleon，notfamiliarwiththeidiom。
\"Acorker!\"explainedBarras。
\"Verygood，\"saidNapoleon，hisfacelightingup。\"Ifyou’llorderabottleofBurgundywiththebirdIwillshowyouthatIamlikewisesomethingofanuncorker。\"
ThisreadinessonNapoleon’spartinthefaceofdifficultycompletelycapturedBarras，andasaresulttheyoungadventurerhadhisfirstrealchancetomakeanimpressiononParis，where，onthe13thVendemiaire（orOctober4，1795），heliterallyobliteratedtheforcesoftheSectionists，whosesuccessintheirattackupontheConventionwouldhavemeanttherestorationoftheBourbonstothethroneofFrance。PlacedincommandofthedefendersoftheConvention，Napoleonwithhiscannonsweptthemobfromthefourbroadavenuesleadingtothepalaceinwhichthelegislatorssat。
\"Don’tfireovertheirheads，\"saidhetohisgunners，asthemobapproached。\"Bringourargumentsrightdowntotheircomprehension，andrememberthatthecomprehensionofaroyalistislargelyaffectedbyhisdigestion。Therefore，gunners，letthemhaveitthere。IftheseassassinswouldescapeappendicitistheywouldbetteravoidthegrapeIsendthem。\"
Theresultistoowellknowntoneeddetaileddescriptionhere。
SufficeittosaythatBonaparte’sattentionstothedigestiveapparatusoftheriotersweresoeffectivethat，intokenoftheirappreciationofhisservices，theConventionsoonafterwardsplacedhimincommandoftheArmyoftheInterior。
HoldingnowthechiefmilitarypositioninParis，Bonapartewasmuchcourtedbyeveryone，buthecontinuedhissimplemanneroflivingasofyore，overlookinghislaundryandotherbillsasunostentatiouslyaswhenhehadbeenapoorandinsignificantsubaltern，anddailywaxingmoretaciturnandpronetoirritability。
\"Youarebecominggloomy，General，\"saidBarrasonemorning，asthetwomenbreakfasted。\"Itistimeforyoutomarryandbecomeafamilyman。\"
\"Peste!\"saidNapoleon，\"manoffamily!Ittakestoolong——itistedious。Familiesaredelightfulwhenthechildrenaregrownup；butIcouldnotenduretheminastateofinfancy。\"
\"Ah!\"smiledBarras，significantly。\"ButsupposeItoldyouofaplacewhereyoucouldfindafamilyreadymade？\"
Napoleonatoncebecameinterested。
\"Ishouldmarryit，\"hesaid，\"fortrulyIdoneedsomeonetolookaftermyclothing，particularlynowthat，asamanofhighrank，myuniformsholdsomanybuttons。\"
ThusithappenedthatBarrastooktheyoungherotoareceptionatthehouseofMadameTallien，whereheintroducedhimtothelovelywidow，JosephinedeBeauharnais，andhertwobeautifulchildren。
\"Thereyouare，Bonaparte，\"hewhispered，astheyenteredtheroom；
\"thereisthefamilycomplete——onewife，oneson，onedaughter。Whatmorecouldyouwant？Itwillbeyoursifyouaskforit，forMadamedeBeauharnaisisverymuchinlovewithyou。\"
\"Ha!\"saidNapoleon。\"Howdoyouknowthat？\"
\"Shetoldmeso，\"returnedBarras。
\"Verywell，\"saidNapoleon，makinguphismindontheinstant。\"I
willseeifIcaninvolveherinamilitaryengagement。\"
Which，astheworldknows，hedid；andonthe9thofMarch，1796，NapoleonandJosephinewereunited，andthehappygroom，writingtohismother，announcinghismarriageto\"theonlywomanheeverloved，\"said：\"SheistenyearsolderthanI，butIcansoonovercomethat。TheopportunitiesforafastlifeinParisareunequalled，andIhaveanideathatIcancatchupwithherinsixmonthsiftheConventionwillincreasemysalary。\"
CHAPTERV：ITALY——MILAN——VIENNA——VENICE
1796—1797
AfterahoneymoonoftendaysNapoleonreturnedtowork。AssumingcommandofthearmyofItaly，hesaid：\"Iamatlastinbusinessformyself。Keepyoureyesonme，Bourrienne，andyou’llwearbluegoggles。You’llhaveto，you’llbesodazzled。WewillsetoffatonceforItaly。Thearmyisinwretchedshape。Itlacksshoes，clothes，food。Itlackseverything。Idon’tthinkitevenhassense。Ifithaditwouldstrikeforlowerwages。\"
\"Lowerwages？\"queriedBourrienne。\"Youmeanhigher，don’tyou？\"
\"NotI，\"saidBonaparte。\"Theycouldn’tcollecthigherwages，butiftheirpaywasreducedtheymightgetitonceinawhile。Wecanchangeallthis，however，byinvadingItaly。Italyhasallthingstoburn，fromstatuarytoLeghornhats。InthreemonthsweshallbeatMilan。Therewecanatleastprovideourselveswithfinecollectionsofoil—paintings。Meantimeletthearmyfeedonhopeandwrapthemselvesinmeditation。It’spoorstuff，butthere’splentyofit，andit’scheap。Onholidaysgivethepoorfellowsextrarations，andifhopedoesnotsustainthem，cheerthemupwithpromisesofdrink。
TellthemwhenwegettoItalytheycandrinkinthesceneryinunstintedmeasure，andmeanwhilekeepthebandplayingmerrily。
There’snothinglikemusictodriveawayhunger。Iunderstandthatthelamentedking’sappetitewasseriouslyaffectedbytheMarseillaise。\"
Tohissoldiershespokewithequalvigor。
\"Soldiers，\"hesaid，\"sartoriallyspeaking，youareapoorlot；butFrancedoesnotwantatailor—madearmyatthisjuncture。Wearenotabouttogoondressparade，butintogrim—visagedwar，andthepatchesonyourtrousers，ifyoupresentaboldfronttotheenemy，needneverbeseen。Youarealsohungry，butsoamI。Ihavehadnobreakfastforfourhours。TheRepublicowesyoumuch；butmoneyisscarce，andyoumustwhistleforyourpay。Theemigreshavegoneabroadwithallthecirculatingmediumtheycouldlaytheirhandson，andtheGovernmenthasmuchdifficultyinmaintainingthegoldreserve。Formypart，Ipreferfightingforglorytowhistlingformoney。Fightingisthebetterprofession。Youaremen。Leavewhistlingtoboys。FollowmeintoItaly，wheretherearefertileplains——plainsfromwhosepregnantsoiltheolivespringsattherateofamillionbottlesayear，plainsthroughwhoselovelylengthsthereflowriversofChianti。FollowmetoItaly，wherethereareopulenttownswithclothing—storesoneveryblock，andchurchesgalore，withtheirpoor—boxesburstingwithgold。Soldiers，canyouresistthealluringprospect？\"
\"Vivel’Empereur!\"criedthearmy，withonevoice。
Napoleonfrowned。
\"Soldiers!\"hecried，\"Rememberthis：youaremakinghistory；
therefore，praybeaccurate。IamnotyetEmperor，andyouareguiltyofananachronismofamostembarrassingsort。Somemenmakehistoryinawarmroomwithpenandink，aidedbyguide—booksandcollectionsofanecdotes。Leaveanachronismsandinaccuraciestothem。Forourselves，wemustcarveitoutwithourswordsandcannon；wemustrubricateourpageswithourgore，andpunctuateourperiodswithourbayonets。Letitnotbesaidbyfutureagesthatweheldourresponsibilitieslightlyandwerecarelessoffacts，andtothatenddon’trefertomeasEmperoruntilyouaremorefamiliarwithdates。WhenwehavefinishedwithItalyI’lltakeyoutothelandwheredatesgrow。Meanwhile，resteztranquille，astheysayinFrench，andbreathealltheairyouwant。Francecanaffordyouthatinunstintedmeasure。\"
\"ViveBonaparte!\"criedthearmy，takingtherebukeingoodpart。
\"Nowyou’reshouting，\"saidNapoleon，withasmile。\"You’reagoodarmy，andifyoustickbymeyou’llweardiamonds。\"
\"Wehaveforgottenonething，\"saidBarrasafewdayslater，ontheeveofNapoleon’sdeparture。\"Wehaven’tanycasusbelli。\"
\"What’sthat？\"saidNapoleon，whohadbeensobusywithhispreparationsthathehadforgottenmostofhisGreekandLatin。
\"Causeforwar，\"saidBarras。\"Wherewereyoueducated？IfyouaregoingtofighttheItaliansyou’vegottohavesomeprincipletofightfor。\"
\"That’spreciselywhatwearegoingtofightfor，\"saidNapoleon。
\"We’reabankruptpeople。We’regoingtogetsomeprincipaltosetusupinbusiness。WemaybeabletofloatsomebondsinVenice。\"
\"True，\"returnedBarras；\"butthat，afterall，ismerehighwayrobbery。\"
\"Well，allI’vegottosay，\"retortedNapoleon，withasneer——\"allI’vegottosayisthatifyourDirectorycan’tfindsomethingintheattitudeofItalytowardstheRepublictotakeoffenceat，thesooneritgoesoutofbusinessthebetter。I’llleavethatquestionentirelytoyoufellowsatParis。Ican’tdoeverything。Youlookafterthecasus，andI’lltakecareofthebelli。\"
Thisplanwasadopted。TheDirectory，afterdiscussingvariouscausesforaction，finallydecidedthatanattackonItalywasnecessaryforthreereasons。First，becausethealliancebetweenthekingsofSardiniaandAustriawasamenacetotheRepublic，andmustthereforebebroken。Second，theAustriansweretooneartheRhineforFrance’scomfort，andmustbedivertedbeforetheyhaddrunkallthewineofthecountry，ofwhichtheFrenchwereveryfond；and，third，HisHolinessthePopehadtakenlittleinterestinthenowinfidelFrance，andmustthereforebehumiliated。Thesewerethereasonsforthewarsettleduponbythegovernment，andastheywereassatisfactorytoNapoleonasanyothers，hegavetheorderwhichsetthearmyofItalyinmotion。
\"Howshallwego，General？\"askedAugereau，oneofhissubordinates。
\"OvertheAlps？\"
\"Notthistime，\"returnedNapoleon。\"Itistoocold。Thearmyhasnoear—tabs。We’llskirttheAlps，andmaybetheskirtwillmakethemwarmer。\"
Thisthearmyproceededatoncetodo，andwithinamonththefirstobjectofthewarwasaccomplished。
TheSardiniankingwascrushed，andthearmyfounditselfinpossessionoffood，drink，andclothestoasurfeit。Bonaparte’sprideathissuccesswasgreatbutnotover—weening。
\"Soldiers!\"hecried，\"youhavedonewell。SohaveI。HannibalcrossedtheAlps。Wedidn’t；butwegotherejustthesame。Youhaveprovidedyourselveswithfoodandclothes，anddeclaredadividendfortheTreasuryofFrancewhichwillenabletheDirectorytobuyitselfanewhatthroughwhichtoaddressthepeople。Youhavereasontobeproudofyourselves。Patyourselvesonyourbackswithmycompliments，butrememberonething。OurticketsaretoMilan，andnostop—oversareallowed。Therefore，donotasyetrelaxyourefforts。Milanisanimperialcity。Theguide—bookstellusthatitscathedralisabeauty，theplaceisfullofpictures，andtheopera—housefinishedin1779isthelargestintheworld。Itcanbedoneintwodays，andthehotelsaregood。Canyou，therefore，sleephere？\"
\"No，no!\"criedthearmy。
\"Then，\"criedNapoleon，tighteninghisreinsandliftinghishorseontoitshind—legsandholdinghisswordaloft，\"AMilan!\"
\"Howlikeastatuehelooks，\"saidLannes，admiringly。