ment, we request the reader to peruse this note with particular attention, as in the subjoined state secret will be

crowds (paid by Pasquier), as if yielding to the wishes of the multitude, condescendingly appeared at the balcony, accompanied by his coadjutor, the wily Prince of Benevento. Some courageous persons, however, indignant on witnessing such disgraceful parade, addressed, from the middle of the crowd, just and severe reproaches towards the unfrocked priest; but Talleyrand, dead to every feeling of shame, raising himself upon his crooked foot, only looked with smiles, towards his Muscovite pupil, who could not, however, repress his astonishment at the language he heard.

Such was the scene the Parisians daily witnessed in front of the Hotel Talleyrand; while the senators, instigated by the seeming popular enthusiasm, and tampered with by the ci-devant priest and Nesselrode, offered up their vows to Alexander, in presence of those two wily ministers, who in the end triumphed, in causing the expulsion from the throne to be pronounced against Napoleon and every branch of his family. Nor was that all, even generals, who had basked in the sun-shine of their benefactor's glory, voluntarily precipitated themselves forward, and professed their humble submission to the will of the triumvirate. Those were followed by many of the prefects and public functionaries, who became partners in the preconcerted defection.

In this manner did a renegade bishop, a diminutive ministerial secretary, and a weak Czar, appropriate to themselves that famous coalition, and become the absolute arbiters of future events.

At the period in question, the diplomacy of England, which had been regarded as the very soul of the coalition, was no longer consulted, except for the sake of form and politeness. Thus, Talleyrand, at the expense of Lord Castlereagh, was regarded as the most consummate statesman in Europe, while the French press, being completely under his control, sanctioned the pre-eminent station he had thus usurped.

We will now proceed to record the fatal consequences resulting from the cool indifference manifested by the representatives of England.

On the 1st of April, Talleyrand received a courier from the Count de Lille (Louis XVIII.), in whose despatches the latter strenuously entreated, or, to use a more appropriate term, meanly supplicated, that the former would cause him to be proclaimed King of France. By way of recompense, he insured him an act of oblivion for all former crimes, adding the most unlimited promises of dignities and fortune: six hours after the arrival of that express, Talleyrand assembled the senate, and the Count de Lille received his brevet of King of France.

However, notwithstanding such conclusive proceedings, Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza, penetrated the grand mystery, and obtained a private audience of the Emperor Alexander. Having presented a faithful, though disgusting picture of the flagrant hypocrisy and baseness of the Count de Lille, when placed in competition with the claims and innocence of the King of Rome, the autocrat began to waver in his decisions, and was at length overcome by the just remarks of Caulaincourt. But, from a secret and

found developed all the duplicity of this transaction, and the flagitious conduct of Talleyrand, one of the most deceptive, base, and iniquitous of human characters.

The act of abdication, signed by the Emperor, was as follows:

abominable manœuvre, the French people were bereft of their last hope; Austria becon. the victim of her overweening confidence, and England was punished for her unaccountable and most impolitic indifference.

Count Nesselrode, who was present during that interview, retired from the presence unobserved, and in great haste. He instantly despatched a letter to Laborrie, then secretary of the provisional government, and the complete creature of Talleyrand, in which he stated that all was lost, as the arguments of the Duke of Vicenza had completely turned the balance in Napoleon's favour! On receiving such information, Talleyrand, always fertile in artifice and deceit, thus expressed himself to Laborrie; " Procure, at whatsoever price it may cost, a printed copy of the declaration, which was yesterday so forcibly and with such reluctance extorted from the Emperor Alexander, in favour of the Bourbons, then instantly return hither and accompany me home.

Laborrie, with the rapidity of lightning, speeded to Le Normand, the printer, and procured a proof sheet scarcely corrected. During that interval, Alexander, fatigued, or completely overcome by Caulaincourt, and perhaps blushing for his want of faith towards Austria, turning to Nesselrode, who had re-entered the chamber, addressed him in these terms. "Upon my honour, M. Nesselrode, I yield to the just representations of M. de Caulaincourt, and we must absolutely adhere to his proposals." Scarcely, however, had Alexander uttered those words than the door was opened, and Talleyrand entered with Laborrie, exclaiming, "Sire, there are ten thousand impressions of of your declaration in favour of the Bourbons already placarded throughout all the streets of Paris; it is, therefore, impossible for you to retract."-"Yes, sire," reiterated the perjured Laborrie; "see, here is one of the proofs which has just been taken down from the corner of the street, in order that you may be convinced." On hearing those words, and a proof of the existence of the document being laid before his eyes, turning with great emotion to Caulaincourt, the Emperor exclaimed: "You hear what has transpired, M. de Caulaincourt; I am truly sorry, but it is too late"

Thus, by means of the most shameful deception, and with the aid of a damp, dirty sheet of printed paper, as yet unpublished to the world, three of the leading powers of Europe were completely juggled, and the most unlooked for restoration of the Bourbons effected.

The daily parade and acclamations in favour of Alexander continued to increase; the question then was, who should see, who should speak to the Emperor of all the Russias? In short, his name resounded from every tongue; nor can it be denied but the Czar, buoyed up by the wily Talleyrand, played his part with infinite éclat, and proved himself a passably good comedian upon that occasion.

From the period in question, Russia took a mortgage upon the [For continuation of Note, see page 122.]

"The allied powers having proclaimed that the Emperor Napoleon was the sole obstacle to the re-establishment of peace in Europe, the Emperor, faithful to his oath, declares, that he renounces, for himself and his heirs, the thrones of France and Italy, and that there is no personal sacrifice, even life itself, which he is not ready to make for the interests of the French people."

It is asserted, in the excellent work of Colonel Kock, the veracity of which has in no one instance been questioned, that, after the signature of the above instrument, Napoleon appeared as if eased of a weighty burthen; that he conversed familiarly, and as a simple citizen, with the general officers of his court, respecting the events of the Revolution, as if he had been a stranger to them; in short, that his manner was calm, and that he displayed, the most noble and dignified resignation.

realm of France, which uniformly submitted to its will and influence, as every subsequent measure completely evinced.

It was in consequence of this that Count de Rochechouart, the emperor of Russia's aide-de-camp, received orders to remain in Paris, for the sole purpose of continuing in the service of Louis le Désiré, by whom he was shortly after named commandant of the capital, that he might watch every transaction upon the spot; and the Marquis of Montpezat, another favourite with Alexander, received similar commands. He pretended to become, in every sense of the word, a Frenchman; and in that manner continued at Paris, together with many others, acting as spies for the Autocrat upon the actions of the king, as well as the proceedings of the government and nation at large. Those individuals, gained over by Russia and her means, who had been conducted to Paris, together with such Frenchmen as were previously bought over to her interest, uniting their joint efforts, struggled who should engage himself most in the Russian cause, whereof one proof will suffice by way of example for the rest.

Count Hulot, brother-in-law of the late general Moreau, assuming the uniform, boots, cockade, and sash of a Russian officer, presented himself to Alexander, Talleyrand, &c. thus accoutred, openly declaring that he no longer desired to rank a Frenchman, and therefore adopted the Russian name, upon which Alexander appointed him one of his aides-de-camp. Shortly after, it was decided that Hulot would prove of greater utility to the cause of Russia by remaining at Paris as an observer of passing events, wherefore, with the acquiescence of Louis XVIII. he was restored to the rank of a French general, named member of the legion of honour, and appointed secretary-general of that institution. By such means, he was enabled to forward the most precise details respecting all the generals and officers of the French army, and pursue with effect his machinations in favour of Alexander, grand autocrat of all the Russias.

CHAP. V.

Elba selected as the Asylum for Napoleon-He feels dissatisfied with the Terms of his Abdication-Situation of the Empress-Napoleon swallows a deadly Potion-Ingratitude towards Maria Louisa and Napoleon-Dispersion of the Imperial Family-The Emperor of Austria's Interview with his Daughter and Grandson-Roustan, the Mameluke-The Emperor's Farewell to the old Guard at Fon tainbleau-Journey to Saint Raphau and Embarkation for ElbaHis Landing and Reception-Reasons adduced by Napoleon for making Choice of the Island of Elba, and interesting Conversations between the Emperor and Lord Ebrington, &c.

THE allied powers could hardly have presumed to hope that Napoleon would be induced to make so absolute a sasacrifice of the imperial dignity. The Duke of Vicenza, however, presented to them the act of Abdication, signed by Napoleon, and hostilities were instantly suspended; after which nothing could interrupt the final negotiations. The coalesced sovereigns, from the first moment, declared that the Emperor should retain the rank, title, and honours appertaining to crowned heads. A promise had also been made to designate for him an independent residence; and there was no obstacle to the execution of those designs.

In the choice of an asylum the Potentates at first wavered between Corfu, Corsica, and the Island of Elba; but they ultimately decided in favour of the latter; and, in regard to pecuniary matters, the sovereigns manifested every desire to treat Napoleon and his family with the greatest generosity, and even anticipated what Napoleon's negotiators conceived they ought to demand. An establishment in Italy was, therefore, assigned to the Empress Maria Louisa and her son; incomes were granted to all the members of the Imperial family, neither were the Empress Josephine or Prince Eugène, Napoleon's adopted son, forgotten. The more liberal those promises were, the more they appeared to gratify the vanity of the allied princes. The Emperor Alexander even carried his generosity so far as to take into consideration the few aidesde-camp, generals, and servants, composing Napoleon's military suite and domestic establishment. He proposed