326 Afenioirs of Gustavus Adolphus IV. King of Sweden. 
France,” repled the king. General 
Brune did not attempt to answer this re- 
mark, and Gustavus proceeded; ‘* Ge- 
neral, have you forgotten that you have a 
fawful king?” 
“ IT do not even know (Brune ventured 
to say), if such a one exists.” 
“How, (exclaimed the king), #f he ex- 
ists? you all know that he does. He is 
exiled, unhappy; but he is your lawful 
king, and his rights are unquestionably 
sacred. He only wishes to assemble his 
united subjects round his standard.” 
“¢ Where is that standard?” enquired 
the general. The king made a quick re- 
ply; “If no where else, you will always 
find it with me.” Iam told (rejoined 
Brune), that he has abdicated his rights 
to the Duke d’Angouleme. 
« F know of no such abdication, (said 
the king), on the contrary Louis the 
Eighteenth has issued a proclamation, 
a pledge of his sentiments towards his 
people, to which Monsieur and all the 
princes of the blood have given their con- 
sem. Do you know that proclama- 
ron f? 
“No; (hastily replied the general), [ 
know nothing of it, upon my honour.” 
“Then, (said the king), the Duke de 
Pienne, Marschal des Camps, in the ser- 
vice of his Majesty, is here, and it is 
ikely he has a copy of it with him; I will 
order him to be called, and you shall sce 
the proclamation.” As the king spoke, 
he observed the great embarrassment, 
nay anxiety and dread which agitated the 
countenance of the general, and, in com- 
passion to his distress, he stopped from 
givmg the proposed order, and added, 
“ but perhaps this would occasion too 
much notice!” 
“Yes, (cried the relieved general), 
bat if your Majesty would send it to me 
¥n a cover, to the outposts, I would read 
it inyself, and iy officers should also 
see it,” 
The king proceeded.—‘ In this pro- 
clamation, Louis the Eighteenth pro- 
mises to all military persons who wish to 
return to their duty, to retain them in 
their rank and honours. Do you sup- 
pose, general, that the present state of 
aifairs in France can last long ?” 
“ Every thing is liable to change,” 
plied Brune.” 
¢ Don’t you think (resumed his Majes- 
ty,) that Providence who has hitherto 
permitted you so many successes, can 
put a stop tothem, for the sake tee lniaees 
god mercy °” 
The generat answered, “ But it may 
te= 
[May 1, 
happen that persons who mean well, act 
according to their conviction even against 
the decrees of Providence.” 
“ T suppose, then, (said the king) that 
you premise yourself a continuance of 
success at any rate! But can you seri- 
duily think that your good fortune is be- 
yond the control of fate ?’—Vhe general 
making no reply to this, his Majesty re- 
sumed ;—‘ If you had it in your choice 
to serve your lawful king, or the cause 
you now have embraced, what would you 
do? Answer:me sincerely.” 
Here the General] looked down, rubbed 
his forehead, and said—‘* That is a ques- 
tion that requires some consideration.” — 
“ To me it seems, (said the king,) that 
you ought not to want mueh time to de- 
cide. Tell me only whether you would 
prefer returning to your duty, or would 
contnrue to defend the principles ne 
have e adopted?” 
‘“‘ In regard to that; (faultered out the 
general), yes, I shall defend those princi- 
ples—lI shall do my duty for the present.” 
«Do you know (asked the king,) that 
Bonaparte’ has proposed to the king of 
France to treat with him on his rights? 
—This is the greatest proof that he could 
give, of hisacknowledging those tights.” 
“Tam senotant about that,” replied 
the general. 
“Bat do you know, (added his Majes~ 
ty,) that the king has constantly refused 
it; and said, as Francis the First did, 
We have lost ever ‘y thing except our ho- 
nour!’ General Brune echoed these 
last words with something like enthusi- 
asm; and the king continued.“ Liknow 
the King of France imtimately; and he 
deserves to be known for his great and 
excellent qualities. You, general, canne- 
ver have a quiet mind; for what will be 
your situation should all be changed?” 
The general’s heroic transport still con- 
tinued, and he replied; ‘“ I shall then die 
an hohdurable deaths, sword in_ hand. 
As a military man, I am exposed to such 
a fate every moment,. The question is 
not to die, bat to die as one ought.” 
“ That depends upon the attending 
circumstances, (replied the king); and 
surely, seneral, there exists a happiness 
whicl: consists in peace of mind; the con- 
sequence of having fulfilled our duties, — 
and acted according to the dictates of 
conscience! Bonaparte can never know 
that calm rest of the soul. He might 
have spared himself many crimes, and 
made his name gloriously immortal if he 
had restored the throne to the king. He 
may gain fortuitous honour, much cele< 
brity, 
