ANECDOTES OF A DETENU. 21 



exception of that of Cambaceres, was the most celebrated artiste of 

 the day. Napoleon seldom remained more than twenty minutes, or 

 half an hour at table, and the instant he rose all the guests departed. 

 ft When I dine with Fanny Beauharnois," said Lauragais, " I cannot 

 help thinking that I am exactly in the situation of Lazarus picking 

 up the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table. At her cousin, 

 the emperor's banquets, I endure the punishment of Tantalus, sur- 

 rounded with luxuries, and deprived of the power of enjoying them. 

 The difference between Napoleon and Fanny is this : the one is a 

 potentate, and the other is a tate en pot (a dirty scullion, or saucepan- 

 scraper.) 



A Proverb falsified by Napoleon. The emperor, when much 

 pleased with a favourite, would sometimes show his satisfaction by 

 pulling his ear in a playful manner. While conversing with Junot, 

 in the presence of other generals, the emperor seized the duke by his 

 ear, and pulled it with more violence than he probably intended. 

 " Diable ! " exclaimed Junot, " you seem to think that I have a sow's 

 ear." " Come, come," said Napoleon good-naturedly, " don't be 

 offended. We will falsify the old proverb, and convert the sow's ear 

 into a silk purse." He then presented Junot with a purse containing 

 an order for 500,000 francs ; which, however, it is necessary to state, 

 he had provided himself with for the purpose of rewarding his 

 faithful marshal, who had just arrived from La Rochelle immediately 

 after the convention of Cintra. 



Corn conducive to Patriotism. During the war in Russia, in 1812, 

 the King of Naples gave orders to General Nausouty, who com- 

 manded a division of cavalry, to charge the enemy. The horses being 

 worn out with hunger and fatigue, the attack was unsuccessful. 

 Murat having complained to General Nausouty, the latter answered, 

 " I don't know how it is, sire, but the horses possess no patriotism. 

 Our soldiers fight pretty well even when they are without bread, but 

 the horses will absolutely do nothing unless they get their oats." 



A Common Occurrence. After the passing of the celebrated Berlin 

 decree, it became totally impossible to procure any colonial produce, 

 and consequently the price of sugar, coffee, &c. was raised so exor- 

 bitantly, that these articles were sold at the rate of from six to twelve 

 shillings a pound. At this period Napoleon's treasury was nearly 

 exhausted. " I want twelve millions of francs," said the emperor to 

 his minister of finance. " It is out of my power to give you that 

 sum," replied the Duke de Gae'te ; " but if your Majesty will grant 

 twelve licenses in order to permit a similar number of merchants to 

 proceed to England and bring back colonial produce, I can obtain 

 the sum in twenty-four hours." The licenses were granted, and the 

 money was obtained j it is a well known fact, that the minister also 

 pocketed twelve millions of francs, as he sold the licenses for twice 

 the amount that had been agreed upon. The merchant, although 

 allowed to import colonial merchandize, was, of necessity, obliged to 

 sell it, in consequence of the extortion, at a proportionate rate. The 

 Parisians, notwithstanding the vigilance of the police, wrote lam- 

 poons, and published caricatures against Napoleon and his minister. I 

 was present at one of the minor Parisian theatres to witness the per- 



