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ОТЧЕТЪ О ТРИДЦАТЬ СЕДЬМОМЪ ПРИСУЖДЕНІИ 
other great powers of Europe upon the measures most proper to be adopted, 
not to hasten the catastrophe, but to prevent it, if inévitable from caus- 
ing a general conflagration in Europe. 
A short pause here ensued, after wliich the Emperor abruptly asked 
me, wliat I thought of the state of things in France? Tliere, he said, was 
our real danger, there the mischief was brewing, replete witli péril to us all. 
On one side, nothing but feebleness and indécision — on the other nothing 
but audacity and révolution, — when he read the triumphant progress of 
monsieur de la Fayette, he feit as if a bücket of water had been thrown 
upon bis head (I give liis Imperial Majesty’s exact expression). What did 
they wisli for in that îll fated country? A third mardi to Paris? Was a third 
mardi to Paris possible? 
His Majesty considered any attempt to bring about a reaction in an 
Ultra-royalist sense, as a mere madness. Even if the thing were possible, 
the present people were not the persons to effect it. And if the attempt 
were made and failed, what would be the conséquence? 
Tins state of things, continued the Emperor, is a source of constant 
inquiétude to me. Does the Duke of Wellington keep up any direct inter- 
course witli His Most Christian Majesty? 
I professed myself unable to answer the question. Do not imagine, said 
His Majesty, that I ask this from any belief in the silly stories of English 
interférence so industriously circulated in the French newspapers, but be- 
cause I know the weight, wliich the Duke of Wellingtons opinions always 
have witli His Most Christian Majesty and because of my conviction, that 
at tins moment the counsels of such a man would be invaluable to bim. 
After exhaust ing the subject of France, the Emperor told me, that tliere 
was nothing much more satisfactory to be said of the state of the Low 
Countries. He had received a letter from the Prince of Orange, written in 
the most despondiug strain. His Royal Higliness complained much of the 
irksomeness of his position and of his inability to do any good. To prevent 
a greater degree of evil was the utmost, to wliich he could aspire. 
The Emperor tlien again changed his tlieme and spoke of the new or- 
ganisation of his forces. He informed me, that in consolidating the first and 
second armies, he had more in view an economy of money, than of men. 
He wished to do away witli a number of very extensive staffs, and at the 
same time to render the several corps more complété and more manageable. 
These were the objects he had in view. The casualties of war and sickness 
had so effectually thiuned the ranks of the Army, that no great diminuation 
of n umbers would be necessary in Order to reduce it to the new peace est- 
ablishment. 
