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！
in moderation was very good for the Emperor's health； for I never saw him
in better condition than during the very time the English journals took
pleasure in describing him as ill； and perhaps by these false statements
were contributing to still further improve his health。
CHAPTER X。
On the 19th of January the Emperor sent to inform the Empress that he was
to hunt in the wood of Grosbois； and would breakfast with the Princess de
Neuchatel； and requested that her Majesty would accompany him。 The
Emperor ordered me also to be at Grosbois in order to assist him in
changing his linen after the hunt。 This hunting…party took place
according to announcement； but to the unbounded amazement of the entire
suite of the Emperor； just as we were on the point of re…entering our
carriages； instead of taking the road to Paris； his Majesty gave orders
to proceed to Fontainebleau。 The Empress and the ladies who accompanied
her had nothing except their hunting costumes； and the Emperor was much
diverted by the tribulations their vanity underwent in being unexpectedly
engaged in a campaign without toilet equipments。 Before leaving Paris
the Emperor had given orders that there should be sent in all haste to
Fontainebleau all that the 〃Empress could need； but her ladies found
themselves totally unprovided for； and it was very amusing to see them
immediately on their arrival expedite express after express for objects
of prime necessity which they ordered should be sent posthaste。
Nevertheless； it was soon evident that the hunting…party and breakfast at
Grosbois had been simply a pretext； and that the Emperor's object had
been to put an end to the differences which had for some time existed
between his Holiness and his Majesty。 Everything having been settled and
prearranged； the Emperor and the Pope signed on the 25th an agreement
under the name of Concordat； of which this is the purport：
〃His Majesty； the Emperor and King； and his Holiness； wishing
to settle the differences which had arisen between them； and provide
for difficulties which have unexpectedly arisen in regard to various
affairs of the church； have agreed on the following articles as
forming a basis for a definite arrangement。
ART。 1。 His Holiness will exercise the pontificate in France； and
in the Kingdom of Italy； in the same manner and under the same
regulations as his predecessors。
2。 The ambassadors； ministers； and charges d'affaires to the Holy
Father； and the ambassadors； ministers； and charges d'affaires from
him to foreign powers； will enjoy the immunities and privileges of
members of the diplomatic corps。
3。 The domains possessed by the Holy Father； and which have not
been alienated； shall be exempt from all kinds of impost； they shall
be administered by his agents or representatives。 Those which have
been alienated shall be replaced to the value of two million francs
of revenue。
4。 During the six months which usually follow the notification of
appointments made by the Emperor to the archbishoprics and
bishoprics of the Empire and the Kingdom of Italy the Pope shall
perform the canonical institution in conformity with the Concordat；
and by virtue of the present agreement； previous information
concerning which shall be given by the archbishop。 If six months
shall expire without the Pope having performed this institution； the
archbishop； and in his absence； where his duties are concerned； the
senior bishop of the province； shall proceed to the institution of
the aforementioned bishop； to the end that a see shall never be
vacant more than one year。
5。 The Pope shall appoint in France and in the Kingdom of Italy to
ten bishoprics； which shall later be designated by mutual agreement。
6。 The six suburban bishoprics shall be re…established； and shall
be appointed to by the Pope。 The property now held shall be
restored； and similar measures taken in regard to that already sold。
On the death of the bishops of Anagni and Rieti； their dioceses
shall be united with that of the six bishops aforesaid； in
conformity with the agreement between his Majesty and the Holy
Father。
7。 In respect to the bishops of the Roman States； unavoidably
absent from their dioceses； the Holy Father shall exercise his right
of bestowing bishoprics 'in partibus'。 He shall give them a pension
equal to the revenue they formerly enjoyed； and their places in the
sees thus vacated shall be supplied； both in the Empire and the
Kingdom of Italy。
8。 His Majesty and His Holiness will agree on some opportune
occasion as to the reduction to be made in the bishoprics of
Tuscany； and the province of Genoa； as well as those to be
established in Holland； and the Hanseatic departments。
9。 The propaganda； the penitential court； and the court of
archives shall be established in the place of residence of the Holy
Father。
10。 His Majesty pardons freely the cardinals； bishops； priests； and
laity who have incurred his disgrace in consequence of certain
events。
11。 The Holy Father agrees to the above resolutions in
consideration of the existing condition of the church； and his
confidence that his Majesty will grant his powerful assistance to
the needs of the church； which are so numerous in the times in which
we live。〃
NAPOLEON。 PIUS VII。
Fontainebleau； 25 January； 1813。
It has been attempted by every possible means to throw odium on the
conduct of the Emperor in this affair。 He has been accused of having
insulted the Pope； and even of having threatened him； all of which is
most signally false。 Everything was arranged in the most agreeable
manner。 M。 Devoisin； bishop of Nantes； an ecclesiastic who was highly
esteemed by the Emperor； and was his favorite mediator； in the frequent
points of difference which arose between the Pope and his Majesty； had
come to the Tuileries on the 19th of January； and after being closeted
with the Emperor for two hours； had left for Fontainebleau。 And it was
immediately after this interview that the Emperor entered his carriage
with the Empress in hunting costume； followed by the whole suite；
similarly attired。
The Pope； forewarned by the Bishop of Nantes； awaited his Majesty； and as
the most important points had been discussed and arranged in advance； and
only a few clauses accessory to the main body of the Concordat remained
to be decided； it was impossible that the interview should have been
otherwise than amicable； a truth which is still more evident when we
reflect on the kind feelings of the Holy Father towards the Emperor；
their friendship for each other； and the admiration inspired in the Pope
by the great genius of Napoleon。 I affirm then； and I think with good
reason； that the affair was conducted in a most honorable manner； and
that the Concordat was signed freely and without compulsion by his
H