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would lead us too far。〃
From the time of his return from Moscow； his Majesty occupied himself
with unequaled activity in seeking means to arrest the invasion of the
Russians； who； having united with the Prussians since General Yorck's
defection； constituted a most formidable mass。 New levies had been
ordered。 For two months he had received and utilized the innumerable
offers of horses and cavalry made by all the towns of the Empire； by
official bodies； and by rich individuals holding positions near the
court； etc。 The Imperial Guard was reorganized under the brave Duke de
Frioul； who was alas！ a few months later to be torn from his numerous
friends。
In the midst of these grave occupations his Majesty did not for a moment
lose sight of his cherished plan of making Paris the most beautiful city
of the world； and not a week passed without interviews with architects
and engineers； who presented estimates； made reports； etc。
〃It is a shame；〃 said the Emperor one day； while inspecting the barracks
of the guard； a species of black and smoke…begrimed shed； 〃it is a
shame；〃 said he to M。 Fontaine； 〃to make buildings as frightful as those
of Moscow。 I should never have allowed such a building to be erected。
Are you not my chief architect？〃
M。 Fontaine excused himself by pointing out to his Majesty that he was
not responsible for the buildings of Paris； as although he had the honor
of being chief architect of the Emperor； it was for the Tuileries and the
Louvre alone。
〃That is true；〃 replied his Majesty； 〃but could there not be built here；〃
pointing to the quay； 〃in place of this wooden dockyard； which produces
such a bad effect； a residence for the Italian minister？〃
M。 Fontaine replied that the plan was very feasible； but that it would
require three or four millions。
The Emperor then seemed to abandon this idea； and turning his attention
to the garden of the Tuileries； perhaps in consequence of the conspiracy
of General Malet；gave orders to arrange all the entrances to the palace
so that the same key might serve for all the locks； 〃and this key；〃 his
Majesty added； 〃should be put in charge of the grand marshal after the
doors were closed for the night。〃
A few days after this conversation with M。 Fontaine； the Emperor sent to
him and M。 Costaz the following note； a copy of which fell into my hands。
His Majesty had that morning visited the buildings of Chaillot。
〃There is yet ample time to discuss the construction of the palace
for the King of Rome。
I do not wish to be led into foolish expenditures； I should like a
palace not so large as Saint…Cloud； but larger than the Luxemburg。
I wish to be able to occupy it after the sixteenth million has been
expended； then it will be a practicable affair。 But if a more
expensive building is attempted； it will result like the Louvre；
which has never been finished。
The parks are first to be considered； their boundaries determined
and inclosed。
I wish this new palace to be somewhat handsomer than the Elysee； and
although that cost less than eight millions； it is one of the most
beautiful palaces of Paris。
That of the King of Rome will rank next to the Louvre； which is
itself a magnificent palace。 It will be； so to speak； only a
country seat for one residing in Paris； for of course the winters
would be passed at the Louvre or the Tuileries。
I can with difficulty believe that Saint…Cloud cost sixteen
millions。 Before inspecting the plan； I wish it to be carefully
examined and discussed by the committee on buildings； so that I may
have the assurance that the sum of sixteen millions will not be
exceeded。 I do not wish an ideal residence； but one constructed for
my own enjoyment； and not for the pleasure of the architect alone。
Finishing the Louvre will suffice for his glory； and when the plan
is once adopted； I will see that it is executed。
The Elysee does not suit me； and the Tuileries is barely
inhabitable。 Nothing will please me unless it is perfectly simple；
and constructed according to my tastes and manner of living； for
then the palace will be useful to me。 I wish it constructed in such
a manner that it may be a complete 'Sans Souci'； ＇Frederick the
Great's palace in the country near Berlin。＇ and I especially
desire that it may be an agreeable palace rather than a handsome
garden；two conditions which are incompatible。 Let there be
something between a court and a garden； like the Tuileries； that
from my apartments I may promenade in the garden and the park； as at
Saint…Cloud； though Saint…Cloud has the inconvenience of having no
park for the household。
It is necessary also to study the location； so that my apartments
may face north and south； in order that I may change my residence
according to the season。
I wish the apartments I occupy to be as handsomely furnished as my
small apartments at Fontainebleau。
I wish my apartments to be very near those of the Empress； and on
the same floor。
Finally； I wish a palace that would be comfortable for a
convalescent； or for a man as age approaches。 I wish a small
theater； a small chapel； etc。； and above all great care should be
taken that there be no stagnant water around the palace。〃
The Emperor carried his passion for building to excess； and seemed more
active； more eager in the execution of his plans； and more tenacious of
his ideas； than any architect I have ever known。 Nevertheless； the idea
of putting the palace of the King of Rome on the heights of Chaillot was
not entirely his own； and M。 Fontaine might well claim to have originated
it。
It was mentioned the first time while discussing the palace of Lyons；
which in order to present a handsome appearance M。 Fontaine remarked
should be situated on an elevation overlooking the city； as； for example；
the heights of Chaillot overlooked Paris。 The Emperor did not appear to
notice M。 Fontaine's remark； and had two or three days previously given
orders that the chateau of Meudon should be put in a condition to receive
his son； when one morning he summoned the architect； and ordered him to
present a plan for embellishing the Bois de Boulogne； by adding a country
house on the summit of Chaillot。 〃What do you think of it？〃 added he；
smiling； 〃does the site appear well chosen？〃
One morning in the month of March； the Emperor brought his son to a
review on the Champ…de…Mars； he was received with indescribable
enthusiasm； the sincerity of which was undoubted； and it could easily be
seen that these acclamations came from the heart。
The Emperor was deeply moved by this reception； and returned to the
Tuileries in a most charming frame of mind； caressed the King of Rome；
covered him with kisses； and dilated to M。 Fontaine and myself on the
precocious intelligence displayed by this beloved child。 〃He was not at
all frightened； he seemed to know that all those brave men were my
friends。〃 On that day he held a long conve