第 6 节
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stood。'
the career of both had been marked by signal victory; Napoleon had
carried his triumphant legions across the stupendous Alps; over the north
of Italy; throughout Prussia; Austria; Russia; and even to the foot of
the Pyramids; while Wellington; who had been early distinguished in
India; had won immortal renown in the Peninsula; where he had defeated;
one after another; the favourite generals of Napoleon。 He was now to
make trial of his prowess against their Master。
Among the most critical events of modern times the battle of Waterloo
stands conspicuous。 This sanguinary encounter at last stopped the
torrent of the ruthless and predatory ambition of the French; by which so
many countries had been desolated。 With the peace which immediately
succeeded it confidence was restored to Europe。
CHAPTER X。
1815
Interview with LavalletteProceedings in the French Chambers
Second abdication of NapoleonHe retires to Rochefort; negotiates
with Captain Maitland; and finally embarks in the 'Bellerophon'。
One of the first public men to see Napoleon after his return from
Waterloo was Lavallette。 〃I flew;〃 says he; 〃to the Elysee to see the
Emperor: he summoned me into his closet; and as soon as he saw me; he
came to meet me with a frightful epileptic 'laugh。 ‘Oh; my God!' he
said; raising his eyes to heaven; and walking two or three times up and
down the room。 This appearance of despair was however very short。 He
soon recovered his coolness; and asked me what was going forward in the
Chamber of Representatives。 I could not attempt to hide that party
spirit was there carried to a high pitch; and that the majority seemed
determined to require his abdication; and to pronounce it themselves if
he did not concede willingly。 'How is that?' he said。 'If proper
measures are not taken the enemy will be before the gates of Paris in
eight days。 Alas!' he added; 'have I accustomed them to such great
victories that they knew not how to bear one day's misfortune? What will
become of poor France? I have done all I could for her!' He then heaved
a deep sigh。 Somebody asked to speak to him; and I left him; with a
direction to come back at a later hour。
〃I passed the day in seeking information among all my friends and
acquaintances。 I found in all of them either the greatest dejection or
an extravagant joy; which they disguised by feigned alarm and pity for
myself; which I repulsed with great indignation。 Nothing favourable was
to be expected from the Chamber of Representatives。 They all said they
wished for liberty; but; between two enemies who appeared ready to
destroy it; they preferred the foreigners; the friends of the Bourbons;
to Napoleon; who might still have prolonged the struggle; but that he
alone would not find means to save them and erect the edifice of liberty。
The Chamber of Peers presented a much sadder spectacle。 Except the
intrepid Thibaudeau; who till; the last moment expressed himself with
admirable energy against the Bourbons; almost all the others thought of
nothing else but getting out of the dilemma with the least loss they
could。 Some took no pains to hide their wish of bending again under the
Bourbon yoke。〃
On the evening of Napoleon's return to Paris he sent for Benjamin
Constant to come to him at the Elysee about seven o'clock。 The Chambers
had decreed their permanence; and proposals for abdication had reached
the Emperor。 He was serious but calm。 In reply to some words on the
disaster of Waterloo he said; 〃The question no longer concerns me; but
France。 They wish me to abdicate。 Have they calculated upon the
inevitable consequences of this abdication? It is round me; round my
name; that the army rallies: to separate me from it is to disband it。
If I abdicate to…day; in two days' time you will no longer have an army。
These poor fellows do not understand all your subtleties。 Is it believed
that axioms in metaphysics; declarations of right; harangues from the
tribune; will put a stop to the disbanding of an army? To reject me when
I landed at Cannes I can conceive possible; to abandon me now is what I
do not understand。 It is not when the enemy is at twenty…five leagues'
distance that any Government can be overturned with impunity。 Does any
one imagine that the Foreign Powers will be won over by fine words? If
they had dethroned me fifteen days ago there would have been some spirit
in it; but as it is; I make part of what strangers attack; I make part;
then; of what France is bound to defend。 In giving me up she gives up
herself; she avows her weakness; she acknowledges herself conquered; she
courts the insolence of the conqueror。 It is not the love of liberty
which deposes me; but Waterloo; it is fear; and a fear of which your
enemies will take advantage。 And then what title has the Chamber to
demand my abdication? It goes out of its lawful sphere in doing so; it
has no authority。 It is my right; it is my duty to dissolve it。〃
〃He then hastily ran over the possible consequences of such a step。
Separated from the Chambers; he could only be considered as a military
chief: but the army would be for him; that would always join him who can
lead it against foreign banners; and to this might be added all that part
of the population which is equally powerful and easily; led in such a
state of things。 As if chance intended to strengthen Napoleon in this
train of thought; while he was speaking the avenue of Marigny resounded
with the cries of 'Vive l'Empereur!' A crowd of men; chiefly of the poor
and labouring class; pressed forward into the avenue; full of wild
enthusiasm; and trying to scale the walls to make an offer to Napoleon to
rally round and defend him。 Bonaparte for some time looked attentively
at this group。 'You see it is so;' said he; 〃those are not the men whom
I have loaded with honours and riches。 What do these people owe me? I
found themI left thempoor。 The instinct of necessity enlightens
them; the voice of the country speaks by their months; and if I choose;
if I permit it; in an hour the refractory Chambers will have ceased to
exist。 But the life of a man is not worth purchasing at such a price: I
did not return from the Isle of Elba that Paris should be inundated with
blood: He did not like the idea of flight。 'Why should I not stay
here?' he repeated。 'What do you suppose they would do to a man disarmed
like me? I will go to Malmaison: I can live there in retirement with
some friends; who most certainly will come to see me only for my own
sake。'
〃He then described with complacency and even with a sort of gaiety this
new kind of life。 Afterwards; discarding an idea which sounded like mere
irony; he went on。 'If they do not like me to remain in France; where am
I to go? To England? My abode there would be ridiculous or disquieting。
I should be tranquil; no one would believe it。 Every fog would be
suspected of concealing my landing on the coast。 At the first sign of a
green coat getting out of a boat one party would fly from France; the
other would put France out of the pale of the law。 I should compromise
everybody; and by dint of the repeated 〃Behold he comes!〃 I should feel
the temptation to set out。 America would be more suitable; I could live
there with dignity。 But once more; what is there to fear? What
sovereign can; without injuring himself; persecute me? To one I have
restored half his dominions; how often has the other pressed my hand;
calling me a great man! And as to the third; can he find pleasure or
honour in humiliation of his son…in…law? Would they wish to proclaim in
the face of the world that all they did was through fear? As to the
rest; I shall see: I do not wish to employ open force。 I came in the
hope of combining our last resources: they abandoned me; they do so with
the same facility with which they received me back。 Well; then; let them
efface; if possible; this double stain of weakness and levity! Let them
cover it over with some sacrifice; with some glory! Let them do for the
country what they will not do for me。 I doubt it。 To…day; those who
deliver up Bonaparte say that it is to save France: to…morrow; by
delivering up France; they will prove that it was to save their own
heads。'〃
The humiliating scenes which rapidly succeeded one another; and which
ended in Napoleon's unconditional surrender; may be briefly told。 As
soon as possible after his arrival at Paris he assembled his counsellors;
when he declared himself in favour of still resisting。 The question;
however; was; whether the Chambers would support him; and Lafayette being
treacherously informed; it is said by Fouche; that it was intended to
dissolve the Chambers; used his influence to get the chambers to adopt
the propositions he laid before them。 By these the independence of the
nation was asserted to be in danger; the sittings of the Chamber were
declared permanent; and all attempts to dissolve it were pronounced
treasonable。 The propositions were adopted; and being communicated to
the Chamber of Peers; that body also declared itself permanent。 Whatever
might have been the intentions of Bonapart