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character。
The reader； if curious to learn beforehand in what spirit these Memoirs
are written； will perhaps read with interest this passage of a letter
that I wrote to my publisher：
〃Bourrienne had； perhaps； reason for treating Napoleon； as a public
man； with severity。 But we view him from different standpoints； and
I speak only of the hero in undress。 He was then almost always
kind； patient； and rarely unjust。 He was much attached to those
about him； and received with kindness and good nature the services
of those whom he liked。 He was a man of habit。 It is as a devoted
servant that I wish to speak of the Emperor； and in no wise as a
critic。 It is not； however； an apotheosis in several volumes that I
wish to write： for I am on this point somewhat like fathers who
recognize the faults of their children； and reprove them earnestly；
while at the same time they are ready to make excuses for their
errors。〃
I trust that I shall be pardoned the familiarity； or； if you will； the
inappropriateness of this comparison； for the sake of the feeling which
dictates it。 Besides； I do not propose either to praise or blame； but
simply to relate that which fell within my knowledge； without trying to
prejudice the opinion of any one。
I cannot close this introduction without a few words as to myself； in
reply to the calumnies which have not spared； even in his retirement； a
man who should have no enemies； if； to be protected from malice； it were
sufficient to have done a little good； and no harm to any one。 I am
reproached with having abandoned my master after his fall； and not having
shared his exile。 I will show that； if I did not follow the Emperor； it
was because I lacked not the will but the power to do so。 God knows that
I do not wish to undervalue the devotion of the faithful servants who
followed the fortunes of the Emperor to the end。 However； it is not
improper to say that； however terrible the fall of the Emperor was for
him； the situation （I speak here only of the personal advantages）； in the
island of Elba； of those who remained in his service； and who were not
detained in France by an inexorable necessity； was still not without its
advantages； and it was not； therefore； my personal interests which caused
me to leave him。 I shall explain hereafter my reasons for quitting his
service。
I shall also give the truth as to the alleged abuse of confidence； of
which； according to others； I was guilty in respect to the Emperor。
A simple statement of the mistake which gave rise to this falsehood；
I trust； will clear me of every suspicion of indelicacy； but if it is
necessary to add other proofs； I could obtain them from those who lived
nearest to the Emperor； and who were in a condition to both know and
understand what passed between us； and lastly； I invoke fifty years of a
blameless life； and I can say： 〃When I was in a situation to render great
services； I did so； but I never sold them。 I could have derived
advantages from the petitions that I made for people； who； in consequence
of my solicitations； have acquired immense fortunes； but I refused even
the proper acknowledgment which in； their gratitude （very deep at that
time） they felt compelled to offer me； by proposing an interest in their
enterprises。 I did not seek to take advantage； for my own benefit； of
the generosity with which the Emperor so long deigned to honor me； in
order to enrich or secure places for my relatives； and I retired poor
after fifteen years passed in the personal service of the richest and
most powerful monarch of Europe。〃
Having made these statements； I shall await with confidence the judgment
of my readers。
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PRIVATE LIFE OF NAPOLEON
CHAPTER I。
I shall refer to myself very little in these memoirs； for I am aware the
public will examine them only for details concerning the great man to
whom fortune attached me for sixteen years； and whom I scarcely quitted
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