Warmedbythecontest，hethusbelievesinsuccess.Themanplacedinrearoradvancingwithreinforcements，havingnothingoftheexcitementofthestruggle，seesonlythelongandincreasingcolumnofwounded，stragglers，andperhapsoffliers.Heseeshiscompanionfallwithoutbeingabletoanswerthefire.Heseesnothingofthecorrespondinglossoftheenemy，andheisapttotakeamostdespondingviewofthesituation.ThusEnglishmenreadingtheaccountsofmenwhofoughtatWaterlooaretooreadytodisbelieverepresentationsofwhatwastakingplaceintherearofthearmy，andtothinkThackeray’slife—likepictureinVanityFairofthestateofBrusselsmustbeoverdrawn.Indeed，inthisverybattleofWaterloo，Zietenbegantoretreatwhenhishelpwasmostrequired，becauseoneofhisaidesdecamptoldhimthattherightwingoftheEnglishwasinfullretreat."Thisinexperiencedyoungman，"saysMuffling，p.248，"hadmistakenthegreatnumberofwoundedgoing，orbeingtaken，tothereartobedressed，forfugitives，andaccordinglymadeafalsereport."Further，reservesdonotsaymuchoftheirpartor，sometimes，nopartofthefight，andfewpeopleknowthatatleasttwoEnglishregimentsactuallypresentonthefieldofWaterloohardlyfiredashottillthelastadvance.
TheDukedescribedthearmyastheworstheevercommanded，andsaidthatifhehadhadhisPeninsularmen，thefightwouldhavebeenovermuchsooner.ButtheDuke，stickingtoideasnowobsolete，hadnopickedcorps.Eachman，trustinginandtrustedbyhiscomrades，foughtunderhisownofficersandunderhisownregimentalcolours.
Whatevertheydidnotknow，themenknewhowtodie，andattheendofthedayaheapofdeadtoldwhereeachregimentandbatteryhadstood.]——
thecareerofbothhadbeenmarkedbysignalvictory;NapoleonhadcarriedhistriumphantlegionsacrossthestupendousAlps，overthenorthofItaly，throughoutPrussia，Austria，Russia，andeventothefootofthePyramids，whileWellington，whohadbeenearlydistinguishedinIndia，hadwonimmortalrenowninthePeninsula，wherehehaddefeated，oneafteranother，thefavouritegeneralsofNapoleon.HewasnowtomaketrialofhisprowessagainsttheirMaster.
AmongthemostcriticaleventsofmoderntimesthebattleofWaterloostandsconspicuous.ThissanguinaryencounteratlaststoppedthetorrentoftheruthlessandpredatoryambitionoftheFrench，bywhichsomanycountrieshadbeendesolated.WiththepeacewhichimmediatelysucceededitconfidencewasrestoredtoEurope.
CHAPTERX.
1815
InterviewwithLavallette——ProceedingsintheFrenchChambers——
SecondabdicationofNapoleon——HeretirestoRochefort，negotiateswithCaptainMaitland，andfinallyembarksinthe’Bellerophon’.
OneofthefirstpublicmentoseeNapoleonafterhisreturnfromWaterloowasLavallette."Iflew，"sayshe，"totheElyseetoseetheEmperor：hesummonedmeintohiscloset，andassoonashesawme，hecametomeetmewithafrightfulepileptic’laugh.`Oh，myGod！’hesaid，raisinghiseyestoheaven，andwalkingtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom.Thisappearanceofdespairwashoweververyshort.Hesoonrecoveredhiscoolness，andaskedmewhatwasgoingforwardintheChamberofRepresentatives.Icouldnotattempttohidethatpartyspiritwastherecarriedtoahighpitch，andthatthemajorityseemeddeterminedtorequirehisabdication，andtopronounceitthemselvesifhedidnotconcedewillingly.’Howisthat？’hesaid.’IfpropermeasuresarenottakentheenemywillbebeforethegatesofParisineightdays.Alas！’headded，’haveIaccustomedthemtosuchgreatvictoriesthattheyknewnothowtobearoneday’smisfortune？WhatwillbecomeofpoorFrance？IhavedoneallIcouldforher！’Hethenheavedadeepsigh.Somebodyaskedtospeaktohim，andIlefthim，withadirectiontocomebackatalaterhour.
"Ipassedthedayinseekinginformationamongallmyfriendsandacquaintances.Ifoundinallofthemeitherthegreatestdejectionoranextravagantjoy，whichtheydisguisedbyfeignedalarmandpityformyself，whichIrepulsedwithgreatindignation.NothingfavourablewastobeexpectedfromtheChamberofRepresentatives.Theyallsaidtheywishedforliberty，but，betweentwoenemieswhoappearedreadytodestroyit，theypreferredtheforeigners，thefriendsoftheBourbons，toNapoleon，whomightstillhaveprolongedthestruggle，butthathealonewouldnotfindmeanstosavethemanderecttheedificeofliberty.
TheChamberofPeerspresentedamuchsadderspectacle.ExcepttheintrepidThibaudeau，whotill，thelastmomentexpressedhimselfwithadmirableenergyagainsttheBourbons，almostalltheothersthoughtofnothingelsebutgettingoutofthedilemmawiththeleastlosstheycould.SometooknopainstohidetheirwishofbendingagainundertheBourbonyoke."
OntheeveningofNapoleon’sreturntoParishesentforBenjaminConstanttocometohimattheElyseeaboutseveno’clock.TheChambershaddecreedtheirpermanence，andproposalsforabdicationhadreachedtheEmperor.Hewasseriousbutcalm.InreplytosomewordsonthedisasterofWaterloohesaid，"Thequestionnolongerconcernsme，butFrance.Theywishmetoabdicate.Havetheycalculatedupontheinevitableconsequencesofthisabdication？Itisroundme，roundmyname，thatthearmyrallies：toseparatemefromitistodisbandit.
IfIabdicateto—day，intwodays’timeyouwillnolongerhaveanarmy.
Thesepoorfellowsdonotunderstandallyoursubtleties.Isitbelievedthataxiomsinmetaphysics，declarationsofright，haranguesfromthetribune，willputastoptothedisbandingofanarmy？TorejectmewhenIlandedatCannesIcanconceivepossible;toabandonmenowiswhatI
donotunderstand.Itisnotwhentheenemyisattwenty—fiveleagues’
distancethatanyGovernmentcanbeoverturnedwithimpunity.DoesanyoneimaginethattheForeignPowerswillbewonoverbyfinewords？Iftheyhaddethronedmefifteendaysagotherewouldhavebeensomespiritinit;butasitis，Imakepartofwhatstrangersattack，Imakepart，then，ofwhatFranceisboundtodefend.Ingivingmeupshegivesupherself，sheavowsherweakness，sheacknowledgesherselfconquered，shecourtstheinsolenceoftheconqueror.Itisnottheloveoflibertywhichdeposesme，butWaterloo;itisfear，andafearofwhichyourenemieswilltakeadvantage.AndthenwhattitlehastheChambertodemandmyabdication？Itgoesoutofitslawfulsphereindoingso;ithasnoauthority.Itismyright，itismydutytodissolveit."
"Hethenhastilyranoverthepossibleconsequencesofsuchastep.
SeparatedfromtheChambers，hecouldonlybeconsideredasamilitarychief：butthearmywouldbeforhim;thatwouldalwaysjoinhimwhocanleaditagainstforeignbanners，andtothismightbeaddedallthatpartofthepopulationwhichisequallypowerfulandeasily，ledinsuchastateofthings.AsifchanceintendedtostrengthenNapoleoninthistrainofthought，whilehewasspeakingtheavenueofMarignyresoundedwiththecriesof’Vivel’Empereur！’Acrowdofmen，chieflyofthepoorandlabouringclass，pressedforwardintotheavenue，fullofwildenthusiasm，andtryingtoscalethewallstomakeanoffertoNapoleontorallyroundanddefendhim.Bonaparteforsometimelookedattentivelyatthisgroup.’Youseeitisso，’saidhe;"thosearenotthemenwhomIhaveloadedwithhonoursandriches.Whatdothesepeopleoweme？I
foundthem——Ileftthem——poor.Theinstinctofnecessityenlightensthem;thevoiceofthecountryspeaksbytheirmonths;andifIchoose，ifIpermitit，inanhourtherefractoryChamberswillhaveceasedtoexist.Butthelifeofamanisnotworthpurchasingatsuchaprice：I
didnotreturnfromtheIsleofElbathatParisshouldbeinundatedwithblood：Hedidnotliketheideaofflight.’WhyshouldInotstayhere？’herepeated.’Whatdoyousupposetheywoulddotoamandisarmedlikeme？IwillgotoMalmaison：Icanlivethereinretirementwithsomefriends，whomostcertainlywillcometoseemeonlyformyownsake.’
"Hethendescribedwithcomplacencyandevenwithasortofgaietythisnewkindoflife.Afterwards，discardinganideawhichsoundedlikemereirony，hewenton.’IftheydonotlikemetoremaininFrance，whereamItogo？ToEngland？Myabodetherewouldberidiculousordisquieting.
Ishouldbetranquil;noonewouldbelieveit.Everyfogwouldbesuspectedofconcealingmylandingonthecoast.AtthefirstsignofagreencoatgettingoutofaboatonepartywouldflyfromFrance，theotherwouldputFranceoutofthepaleofthelaw.Ishouldcompromiseeverybody，andbydintoftherepeated"Beholdhecomes！"Ishouldfeelthetemptationtosetout.Americawouldbemoresuitable;Icouldlivetherewithdignity.Butoncemore，whatistheretofear？Whatsovereigncan，withoutinjuringhimself，persecuteme？TooneIhaverestoredhalfhisdominions;howoftenhastheotherpressedmyhand，callingmeagreatman！Andastothethird，canhefindpleasureorhonourinhumiliationofhisson—in—law？Wouldtheywishtoproclaiminthefaceoftheworldthatalltheydidwasthroughfear？Astotherest，Ishallsee：Idonotwishtoemployopenforce.Icameinthehopeofcombiningourlastresources：theyabandonedme;theydosowiththesamefacilitywithwhichtheyreceivedmeback.Well，then，letthemefface，ifpossible，thisdoublestainofweaknessandlevity！Letthemcoveritoverwithsomesacrifice，withsomeglory！Letthemdoforthecountrywhattheywillnotdoforme.Idoubtit.To—day，thosewhodeliverupBonapartesaythatitistosaveFrance：to—morrow，bydeliveringupFrance，theywillprovethatitwastosavetheirownheads.’"
Thehumiliatingsceneswhichrapidlysucceededoneanother;andwhichendedinNapoleon’sunconditionalsurrender，maybebrieflytold.AssoonaspossibleafterhisarrivalatParisheassembledhiscounsellors，whenhedeclaredhimselfinfavourofstillresisting.Thequestion，however，was，whethertheChamberswouldsupporthim;andLafayettebeingtreacherouslyinformed，itissaidbyFouche，thatitwasintendedtodissolvetheChambers，usedhisinfluencetogetthechamberstoadoptthepropositionshelaidbeforethem.Bythesetheindependenceofthenationwasassertedtobeindanger;thesittingsoftheChamberweredeclaredpermanent，andallattemptstodissolveitwerepronouncedtreasonable.Thepropositionswereadopted，andbeingcommunicatedtotheChamberofPeers，thatbodyalsodeclareditselfpermanent.WhatevermighthavebeentheintentionsofBonaparte，itwasnowmanifestthattherewerenolongeranyhopesofhisbeingabletomakehiswillthelawofthenation;aftersomevacillation，therefore，on22dJunehepublishedthefollowingdeclaration：
TOTHEFRENCHPEOPLE
FRENCHMEN！——Incommencingwarformaintainingthenationalindependence，Ireliedontheunionofallefforts，ofallwills，andtheconcurrenceofallthenationalauthorities.Ihadreasontohopeforsuccess，andIbravedallthedeclarationsofthepowersagainstme.Circumstancesappeartomechanged.IoffermyselfasacrificetothehatredoftheenemiesofFrance.Maytheyprovesincereintheirdeclarations，andreallyhavedirectedthemonlyagainstmypower.Mypoliticallifeisterminated，andIproclaimmysonunderthetitleof：
NAPOLEONII.，EMPEROROFTHEFRENCH.
ThepresentMinisterswillprovisionallyformtheCounciloftheGovernment.TheinterestwhichItakeinmysoninducesmetoinvitetheChamberstoformwithoutdelaytheRegencybyalaw.
Uniteallforthepublicsafety，thatyoumaycontinueanindependentnation.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
ThisdeclarationwasconveyedtoboththeChambers，whichvoteddeputationstothelateEmperor，acceptingthisabdication，butintheirdebatesthenominationofhissontothesuccessionwasartfullyeluded.
TheChamberofRepresentativesvotedthenominationofaCommissionoffivepersons，threetobechosenfromthatChamber，andtwofromtheChamberofPeers，forthepurposeofprovisionallyexercisingthefunctionsofGovernment，andalsothattheMinistersshouldcontinuetheirrespectivefunctionsundertheauthorityofthisCommission.ThepersonschosenbytheChamberofRepresentativeswereCarnot，Fouche，andGrenier，thosenominatedbythePeersweretheDukeofVicenza（Caulaincourt）andBaronQuinette.TheCommissionnominatedfivepersonstotheAlliedarmyforthepurposeofproposingpeace.Theseproceedingswere，however，renderedoflittleimportancebytheresolutionofthevictorstoadvancetoParis.
Napoleon’sbehaviourjustbeforeandimmediatelyafterthecrisisiswelldescribedbyLavallette."Thenextday，"heobserves，"IreturnedtotheEmperor.HehadreceivedthemostpositiveaccountsofthestateoffeelingintheChamberofRepresentatives.Thereportshad，however，beengiventohimwithsomelittlereserve，forhedidnotseemtomeconvincedthattheresolutionwasreallyformedtopronouncehisabdication，Iwasbetterinformedonthematter，andIcametohimwithouthavingtheleastdoubtinmymindthattheonlythinghecoulddowastodescendoncemorefromthethrone.IcommunicatedtohimalltheparticularsIhadjustreceived，andIdidnothesitatetoadvisehimtofollowtheonlycourseworthyofhim.Helistenedtomewithasombreair，andthoughhewasinsomemeasuremasterofhimself，theagitationofhismindandthesenseofhispositionbetrayedthemselvesinhisfaceandinallhismotions.’Iknow，’saidI，’thatyourMajestymaystillkeepthesworddrawn，butwithwhom，andagainstwhom？Defeathaschilledthecourageofeveryone;thearmyisstillinthegreatestconfusion.NothingistobeexpectedfromParis，andthecoupd’etatofthe18thBrumairecannotberenewed.’——’Thatthought，’hereplied，stopping，’isfarfrommymind.Iwillhearnothingmoreaboutmyself.
ButpoorFrance！’AtthatmomentSavaryandCaulaincourtentered，andhavingdrawnafaithfulpictureoftheexasperationoftheDeputies，theypersuadedhimtoassenttoabdication.Somewordsheutteredprovedtousthathewouldhaveconsidereddeathpreferabletothatstep;butstillhetookit.
"Thegreatactofabdicationbeingperformed，heremainedcalmduringthewholeday，givinghisadviceonthepositionthearmyshouldtake，andonthemannerinwhichthenegotiationswiththeenemyoughttobeconducted.HeinsistedespeciallyonthenecessityofproclaiminghissonEmperor，notsomuchfortheadvantageofthechildaswithaviewtoconcentrateallthepowerofsentimentsandaffections.Unfortunately，nobodywouldlistentohim.SomemenofsenseandcourageralliedfoundthatpropositioninthetwoChambers，butfearswayedthemajority;andamongthosewhoremainedfreefromitmanythoughtthatapublicdeclarationofliberty，andtheresolutiontodefenditatanyprice，wouldmaketheenemyandtheBourbonsturnback.Strangedelusionofweaknessandwantofexperience！Itmust，however，berespected，forithaditssourceinloveoftheircountry;but，whileweexcuseit，canitbejustified？Thepopulationofthemetropolishadresumeditsusualappearance，whichwasthatofcompleteindifference，witharesolutiontocry’LonglivetheKing！’providedtheKingarrivedwellescorted;foronemustnotjudgeofthewholecapitalbyaboutone—thirtiethpartoftheinhabitants，whocalledforarms，anddeclaredthemselveswarmlyagainstthereturnoftheexiledfamily.
"Onthe23dIreturnedtotheElysee.TheEmperorhadbeenfortwohoursinhisbath.Hehimselfturnedthediscourseontheretreatheoughttochoose，andspokeoftheUnitedStates.Irejectedtheideawithoutreflection，andwithadegreeofvehemencethatsurprisedhim.’WhynotAmerica？’heasked.Ianswered，’BecauseMoreauretiredthere.’Theobservationwasharsh，andIshouldneverhaveforgivenmyselfforhavingexpressedit;ifIhadnotretractedmyadviceafewdaysafterwards.Hehearditwithoutanyapparentill—humour，butIhavenodoubtthatitmusthavemadeanunfavourableimpressiononhismind.IstronglyurgedonhischoosingEnglandforhisasylum.
"TheEmperorwenttoMalmaison.HewasaccompaniedthitherbytheDuchessedeSt.Leu，Bertrandandhisfamily，andtheDucdeBassano.
Thedaythathearrivedthereheproposedtometoaccompanyhimabroad.
Drouot，’hesaid，’remainsinFrance.IseetheMinisterofWarwisheshimnottobelosttohiscountry.Idarenotcomplain，butitisagreatlossforme;Inevermetwithabetterhead，oramoreuprightheart.Thatmanwasformedtobeaprimeministeranywhere.’Ideclinedtoaccompanyhimatthetime，saying，’Mywifeisenceinte;Icannotmakeupmymindtoleaveher.Allowmesometime，andIwilljoinyouwhereveryoumaybe.IhaveremainedfaithfultoyourMajestyinbettertimes，andyoumayreckonuponmenow.Nevertheless，ifmywifedidnotrequireallmyattention，Ishoulddobettertogowithyou，forIhavesadforebodingsrespectingmyfate."
"TheEmperormadenoanswer;butIsawbytheexpressionofhiscountenancethathehadnobetterauguryofmyfatethanIhad.However，theenemywasapproaching，andforthelastthreedayshehadsolicitedtheProvisionalGovernmenttoplaceafrigateathisdisposal，withwhichhemightproceedtoAmerica.Ithadbeenpromisedhim;hewasevenpressedtosetoff;buthewantedtobethebeareroftheordertothecaptaintoconveyhimtotheUnitedStates，andthatorderdidnotarrive.Weallfeltthatthedelayofasinglehourmightputhisfreedominjeopardy.
"Afterwehadtalkedthesubjectoveramongourselves，Iwenttohimandstronglypointedouttohimhowdangerousitmightbetoprolonghisstay.Heobservedthathecouldnotgowithouttheorder.’Depart，nevertheless，’Ireplied;yourpresenceonboardtheshipwillstillhaveagreatinfluenceoverFrenchmen;cutthecables，promisemoneytothecrew，andifthecaptainresisthavehimputonshore，andhoistyoursails.IhavenodoubtbutFouchehassoldyoutotheAllies.’——
’Ibelieveitalso;butgoandmakethelasteffortwiththeMinisterofMarine.’IwentoffimmediatelytoM.Decres.Hewasinbed，andlistenedtomewithanindifferencethatmademybloodboil.Hesaidtome，’IamonlyaMinister.GotoFouche;speaktotheGovernment.Asforme，Icandonothing.Good—night.’Andsosayinghecoveredhimselfupagaininhisblankets.Ilefthim;butIcouldnotsucceedinspeakingeithertoFoucheortoanyoftheothers.Itwastwoo’clockinthemorningwhenIreturnedtoMalmaison;theEmperorwasinbed.Iwasadmittedtohischamber，whereIgavehimanaccountoftheresultofmymission，andrenewedmyentreaties.Helistenedtome，butmadenoanswer.Hegotup，however，andspentapartofthenightinwalkingupanddowntheroom.
"Thefollowingdaywasthelastofthatsaddrama.TheEmperorhadgonetobedagain，andsleptafewhours.Ienteredhiscabinetatabouttwelveo’clock.’IfIhadknownyouwerehere，’hesaid，’Iwouldhavehadyoucalledin.’Hethengaveme，onasubjectthatinterestedhimpersonally，someinstructionswhichitisneedlessformetorepeat.
SoonafterIlefthim，fullofanxietyrespectinghisfate，myheartoppressedwithgrief，butstillfarfromsuspectingtheextenttowhichboththerigouroffortuneandthecrueltyofhisenemieswouldbecarried."
Allthemorningofthe29thofJunethegreatroadfromSt.Germainrungwiththecriesof"Vivel’Empereur！"proceedingfromthetroopswhopassedunderthewallsofMalmaison.Aboutmid—dayGeneralBecker，sentbytheProvisionalGovernment，arrived.HehadbeenappointedtoattendNapoleon.FoucheknewthatGeneralBeckerhadgrievancesagainsttheEmperor，andthoughttofindinhimwillingagent.Hewasgreatlydeceived，fortheGeneralpaidtotheEmperoradegreeofrespecthighlytohishonour.Timenowbecamepressing.TheEmperor，atthemomentofdeparture，sentamessagebyGeneralBeckerhimselftotheProvisionalGovernment，offeringtomarchasaprivatecitizenattheheadofthetroops.HepromisedtorepulseBlucher，andafterwardstocontinuehisroute.UpontherefusaloftheProvisionalGovernmenthequittedMalmaisononthe29th.NapoleonandpartofhissuitetooktheroadtoRochefort.HesleptatRambouilletonthe29thofJune，onthe30thatTours，onthe1stofJulyhearrivedatNiort，andonthe3dreachedRochefort，onthewesterncoastofFrance，withtheintentionofescapingtoAmerica;butthewholewesternseaboardwassovigilantlywatchedbyBritishmen—of—warthat，aftervariousplansanddevices，hewasobligedtoabandontheattemptindespair.Hewaslodgedatthehouseoftheprefect，atthebalconyofwhichheoccasionallyshowedhimselftoacknowledgetheacclamationsofthepeople.
DuringhisstayhereaFrenchnavalofficer，commandingaDanishmerchantvessel，generouslyofferedtosomeofNapoleon’sadherentstofurtherhisescape.HeproposedtotakeNapoleonalone，andundertooktoconcealhispersonsoeffectuallyastodefythemostrigidscrutiny，andofferedtosailimmediatelytotheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Herequirednoothercompensationthanasmallsumtoindemnifytheownersofhisshipforthelossthisenterprisemightoccasionthem.ThiswasagreedtobyBertranduponcertainstipulations.
Ontheeveningofthe8thofJulyNapoleonreachedFouras，receivingeverywheretestimoniesofattachment.HeproceededonboardtheSaale，oneofthetwofrigatesappointedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoconveyhimtotheUnitedStates，andsleptonboardthatnight.Veryearlyonthefollowingmorninghevisitedthefortificationsofthatplace，andreturnedtothefrigatefordinner.Ontheeveningofthe9thofJulyhedespatchedCountLasCasesandtheDukeofRovigotothecommanderoftheEnglishsquadron，forthepurposeofascertainingwhetherthepassportspromisedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoenablehimtoproceedtoAmericahadbeenreceived.Anegativeanswerwasreturned;itwasatthesametimesignifiedthattheEmperorwouldbeattackedbytheEnglishsquadronifheattemptedtosailunderaflagoftruce，anditwasintimatedthateveryneutralvesselwouldbeexamined，andprobablysentintoanEnglishport.LasCasesaffirmsthatNapoleonwasrecommendedtoproceedtoEnglandbyCaptainMaitland，whoassuredhimthathewouldexperiencenoill—treatmentthere.TheEnglishship’Bellerophon’thenanchoredintheBasqueroads，withinsightoftheFrenchvesselsofwar.
Thecoastbeing，aswehavestated，entirelyblockadedbytheEnglishsquadron，theEmperorwasundecidedastothecourseheshouldpursue.
Neutralvesselsand’chasse—marees’，mannedbyyoungnavalofficers，wereproposed，andmanyotherplansweredevised.
Napoleondisembarkedonthe12thattheIsleofAixwithacclamationsringingoneveryside.Hehadquittedthefrigatesbecausetheyrefusedtosail，owingeithertotheweaknessofcharacterofthecommandant，...完整阅读请扫描二维码下载丁香书院APP免费看：