Memoirs of Napoleon, vol 13 | Page 7

heartily tired of the ceremony, and was very glad when it was over. I
could not admire the foreign uniforms, which were very inferior to ours.
Many of them appeared fanciful, and even grotesque, and nothing can
be more unsoldier-like than to see a man laced in stays till his figure
resembles a wasp. The ceremony which took place two days after,
though less pompous, was much more French. In the retinue which, on
the 12th of April, momentarily increased round the Comte d'Artos,
there were at least recollections for the old, and hopes for every one.
When, on the departure of the Commissioners whom Napoleon had
sent to Alexander to treat for the Regency, it was finally determined
that the Allied sovereigns would listen to no proposition from
Napoleon and his family, the Provisional Government thought it time
to request that Monsieur would, by his presence, give a new impulse to
the partisans of the Bourbons. The Abby de Montesquiou wrote to the
Prince a letter, which was carried to him by Viscount Sosthenes de la
Rochefoucauld, one of the individuals who, in these difficult
circumstances, most zealously served the cause of the Bourbons. On
the afternoon of the 11th Monsieur arrived at a country-house
belonging to Madame Charles de Dames, where he passed the night.

The news of his arrival spread through Paris with the rapidity of
lightning, and every one wished to solemnise his entrance into the
capital. The National Guard formed a double line from the barrier of
Bondy to Notre Dame, whither the Prince was first to proceed, in
observance of an old custom, which, however, had become very rare in
France during the last twenty years.
M. de Talleyrand, accompanied by the members of the Provisional
Government, several Marshals and general officers, and the municipal
body, headed by the prefect of the Seine, went in procession beyond the
barrier to receive Monsieur. M. de Talleyrand, in the name of the
Provisional Government, addressed the Prince, who in reply made that
observation which has been so often repeated, "Nothing is changed in
France: there is only one Frenchman more."
--[These words were never really uttered by the Comte d'Artois, and we
can in this case follow the manufacture of the phrase. The reply
actually made to Talleyrand was, "Sir, and gentlemen, I thank you; I
am too happy. Let us get on; I am too happy." When the day's work
was done, "Let us see," said Talleyrand; "what did Monsieur say? I did
not hear much: be seemed much moved, and desirous of hastening on,
but if what he did say will not suit you (Beugnot), make an answer for
him, . . and I can answer that Monsieur will accept it, and that so
thoroughly that by the end of a couple of days he will believe he made
it, and he will have made it: you will count for nothing." After repeated
attempts, rejected by Talleyraud, Beugnot at last produced, "No more
divisions. Peace and France! At last I see her once more, and nothing in
her is changed, except that here is one more Frenchman." At last the
great critic (Talleyrand) said, "This time I yield; that is realty
Monsieur's speech, and I will answer for you that he is the man who
made it." Monsieur did not disdain to refer to it in his replies, end the
prophecy of M. de Talleyrand was completely realised (Beugnot, vol. ii,
p. 119)]--
This remark promised much. The Comte Artois next proceeded on
horseback to the barrier St. Martin. I mingled in the crowd to see the
procession and to observe the sentiments of the spectators. Near me

stood an old knight of St. Louis, who had resumed the insignia of the
order, and who wept for joy at again seeing one of the Bourbons. The
procession soon arrived, preceded by a band playing the air, "Vive
Henri Quatre!" I had never before seen Monsieur, and his appearance
had a most pleasing effect upon me. His open countenance bore the
expression of that confidence which his presence inspired in all who
saw him. His staff was very brilliant, considering it was got together
without preparation. The Prince wore the uniform of the National
Guard, with the insignia of the Order of the Holy Ghost.
I must candidly state that where I saw Monsieur pass, enthusiasm was
chiefly confined to his own retinue, and to persons who appeared to
belong to a superior class of society. The lower order of people seemed
to be animated by curiosity and astonishment rather than any other
feeling. I must add that it was not without painful surprise I saw a
squadron of Cossacks close the procession; and my surprise was the
greater when I learned from General Sacken that the