1830.] Constant' s Memoirs of Buonaparte. 181 



leon's personal use were forced to undergo a rough noviciate before they were 

 suffered to enjoy the distinction of carrying their imperial master. They were 

 trained to remain perfectly steady under tortures of every description; to 

 receive blows about the head ; drums were beat, pistols and crackers fired 

 in their ears ; flags were waved before their eyes ; clumsy packages, 

 and sometimes even sheep and pigs, were thrown between their legs. None 

 of the animals were deemed sufficiently trained, till the emperor could, with- 

 out the least difficulty, pull them up short at full gallop, which was his favo- 

 rite pace. 



" So constant was Napoleon to his old habits, that the shoemaker who fur- 

 nished him when emperor was the same that had been employed by him when 

 a student at the military college of Brienne. For a considerable time his 

 boots and shoes were made according to the measure originally taken : this 

 being at last found too small, I was one day ordered to summon the worthy 

 tradesman to take fresh measure of his imperial customer. On arriving at 

 his shop, I found that Napoleon's protege had been dead some time, and that 

 a booby of a son had succeeded him in his business. The son, though he had 

 worked for the emperor, had never seen him, and was thunderstruck at the 

 summons to appear before his majesty. To encourage him, I gave him my 

 advice as to the mode in which he was to present himself; the costume which 

 he was' to adopt, and other equally important particulars. At length, be- 

 dizened in a full suit of black, sword, hat, &c., he made his appearance at the 

 Tuileries. On entering the emperor's apartment, he made a low bow, and 

 stopped short in a state of ludicrous embarrassment. ' What's this ?' said 

 the emperor, f you were not my shoemaker at the Military College ?' ' No, 

 please your Majesty, Emperor, and King ; my father had that honor.' ' And 

 why is he not here now ?' ' Sire, Emperor, and King, because he is dead.' 

 ' How much do you charge for your shoes?' ( Please your Majesty, Emperor, 

 and King, your Majesty pays eighteen francs a pair.' ' 'Tis rather dear.' 

 ' Sire, Emperor, and King, your Majesty, if you please, may pay them even 

 dearer.' f Napoleon laughed heartily at his confusion, and ordered the worthy 

 professor of the last to take his measure, which he accordingly did, but not 

 till an unlucky salaam had somewhat deranged the adjustment of his sword, 

 which became entangled between his legs, and threw him on his knees and 

 hands. 



^ " Napoleon was fond of quick replies : he could bear contradiction, but inva- 

 riably turned away from those who addressed him with hesitation or embar- 

 rassment. The following anecdote will sufficiently prove that a ready and 

 well-timed answer was an infallible passport to his favour. 



" At a grand review, which, on a particular occasion took place on the 

 square of the Carrousel, the emperor's horse suddenly reared, and during his 

 exertions to keep the animal steady, the rider parted company with his hat. 

 A lieutenant, having picked it up, advanced in front of the line, and presented 

 it to Napoleon. ' Thank you, captain,' said the emperor, still occupied in 

 patting the neck of his steed. ' In what regiment, Sire ?' immediately de- 

 manded the officer. The emperor, considering his features attentively, and 

 perceiving his own mistake, replied with a smile, f The question is a propos ; 

 in the guards.' In a few days the newly-appointed captain received an 

 official notification of the promotion for which he was indebted solely to his 

 presence of mind, but which his bravery and long services had merited. 



(< When Napoleon was with the army, I always slept in his tent, on a small 

 carpet, or on a bearskin, in which he was accustomed to wrap himself up in 

 his carriage. When these objects were not to be had, I endeavoured to pro- 

 cure a little straw. I recollect having once rendered an important service to 

 the King of Naples, by dividing with him a bundle of straw destined for my 

 bed. In the morning, breakfast was usually prepared in the emperor's tent, 

 served in the space of five minutes, and removed at the expiration of a quarter 

 of an hour. Berthier breakfasted and dined every day with Napoleon : the 

 dinner never lasted longer than eight, or ten minutes. ' To horse,' the em- 



