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that the Concordat was signed freely and without compulsion by his
Holiness； in presence of the cardinals assembled at Fontainebleau。 It is
an atrocious calumny which some one has dared to make that； on the
reiterated refusal of the Pope； the Emperor placed in his hand a pen
dipped in ink； and seizing him by the arm and hair； forced him to sign；
saying that he ordered it； and that his disobedience would be punished by
perpetual imprisonment。 The one who invented this absurd fabrication
must have known little of the Emperor's character。 A person who was
present at this interview； the circumstances of which have been so
falsified； related them to me； and is my authority on the subject。
Immediately on his arrival at Fontainebleau； the Emperor paid a visit to
the Holy Father； who returned it next day； remaining two hours at least；
and during this time his Majesty's manner was calm and firm； it is true；
but full of respect and kind feeling for the person of the venerable
Pope。 A few stipulations of the proposed treaty alarmed the conscience
of the Holy Father； which the Emperor perceived； and without waiting for
any arguments declared that he would renounce them； and every scruple
remaining in the mind of the Holy Father being thus satisfied； a
secretary was called； who drew up the articles； which the Pope approved
one by one； with most paternal benignity。
On the 25th of January； after the Concordat was definitely settled； the
Holy Father repaired to the apartments of her Majesty the Empress； and
both of the contracting parties appeared equally well satisfied； which is
a sufficient proof that neither treachery nor violence had been used。
The Concordat was signed by the august parties in the midst of a
magnificent assemblage of cardinals； bishops； soldiers； etc。 Cardinal
Doria performed the duties of grand master of ceremonies； and it was he
who received the signatures。
A countless number of congratulations were given and received； pardons
asked and obtained； and relics； decorations； chaplets； and tobacco…boxes
distributed by both parties。 Cardinal Doria received from his Majesty
the gold eagle of the Legion of Honor。 The great eagle was also given to
Cardinal Fabricio Ruffo； Cardinal Maury； the Bishop of Nantes； and the
Archbishop of Tours received the grand cross of the order of the Reunion；
the Bishops of Evreux and Treves； the cross of officers of the Legion of
Honor； and finally the Cardinal of Bayonne and the Bishop of Evreux were
made senators by his Majesty。 Doctor Porta； the Pope's physician； was
presented with a pension of twelve thousand francs； and the
ecclesiastical secretary who entered the cabinet to copy the articles of
the Concordat received a present of a magnificent ring set with
brilliants。
His Holiness had hardly signed the Concordat before he repented of it。
The following was related to Marshal Kellerman by the Emperor at Mayence
the last of April：
〃The day after the signing of the famous Concordat of Fontainebleau； the
Pope dined in public with me； but in the night he was ill； or pretended
to be。 He was a lamblike； honest； and truly good man； whom I highly
esteemed and loved； and who had some regard for me I am sure。 Would you
believe it； he wrote me a week after signing the Concordat that he much
regretted having done so； that his conscience reproached him for it； and
urged me earnestly to consider it as of no effect。 This was owing to the
fact that immediately after leaving me he had fallen into the hands of
his usual advisers； who made a scarecrow out of what had just occurred。
If we had been together I could easily have reassured him。 I replied
that what he demanded was contrary to the interests of France； and
moreover； being infallible； he could not have made a mistake； and his
conscience was too quick to take the alarm for him to have done wrong。
〃In fact； compare the condition of Rome formerly with what it is to…day。
Paralyzed by the necessary consequences of the Revolution； could she have
risen again and maintained her position？ A vicious government as to
political matters has taken the place of the former Roman legislation；
which； without being perfect； nevertheless contributed to form great men
of every kind。 Modern Rome has applied to its political government
principles better suited to a religious order； and has carried them out
in a manner fatal to the happiness of the people。
〃Thus charity is the most perfect of Christian virtues； it is necessary
to give charity to all who ask it。 This form of reasoning has rendered
Rome the receptacle of the dregs of all nations。 One sees collected
there （so I am told； for I have never visited it） all the idlers of the
earth； who come thither to take refuge； assured of finding an abundant
support with much to spare。 And thus the papal territory； which nature
has destined to produce immense wealth from its situation under a
favorable sky； from the multiplicity of streams with which it is watered；
and above all from the fertility of the soil； languishes for want of
cultivation。 Berthier has often told me that large tracts of country may
be traversed without perceiving the impress of the hand of man。 The
women even； who are regarded as the most beautiful of Italy； are
indolent； and their minds evince no activity even in the ordinary duties
of life。 The inhabitants have all the languor of Asiatic manners。
〃Modern Rome limits itself to preserving a certain pre…eminence by virtue
of the marvelous works of art which it contains； but we have greatly
weakened this claim。 Our museum is enriched by all the masterpieces
which were a source of so much pride； and soon the magnificent edifice of
the Bourse which is to be erected at Paris will eclipse all those of
Europe； either ancient or modern。
〃France before all。
〃Viewed from a political standpoint； how would the papal government in
these days appear compared with the great kingdoms of Europe？ Formerly
mediocre men succeeded to the pontifical throne at an age in which one
breathes well only after resting。 At this period of life routine and
habit are everything； and nothing is considered but the elevated
position； and how to make it redound to the advantage of his family。
A pope now arrives at sovereign power with a mind sharpened by being
accustomed to intrigue； and with a fear of making powerful enemies who
may hereafter revenge themselves on his family； since his successor is
always unknown。 In fine； he cares for nothing but to live and die in
peace。 In the seat of Sixtus V。
＇Sixtus V。； originally Felix Peretti； born at Montalto； 1525； and
in 1585 succeeded Gregory XIII。 as pope。 He was distinguished by
his energy and munificence。 He constructed the Vatican Library； the
great aqueduct； and other public works； and placed the obelisk
before St。 Peter's。 Died 1589。 ＇
how many popes have there been who have occupied themselves only with
frivolous subjects； as little advantageous to the best interests of
religion as fruitful in inspiring scorn for such a government！ But that
would lead us too far。〃
From the time of his return from Moscow； his Majest