Adieu, dear. The weather is very warm, and vegetation has begun; but it will be some days before there is any gra.s.s.

NAPOLEON.

No. 69.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Finckenstein, May 14, 1807._

I realise the grief which the death of this poor Napoleon[25] must cause you; you can imagine what I am enduring. I should like to be by your side, in order that your sorrow might be kept within reasonable bounds. You have had the good fortune never to lose children; but it is one of the pains and conditions attached to our miseries here below. I trust I may hear you have been rational in your sorrow, and that your health remains good! Would you willingly augment my grief?

Adieu, dear.

NAPOLEON.

No. 70.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Finckenstein, May 16, 1807._

I have just received your letter of May 6th. I see from it how ill you are already; and I fear that you are not rational, and that you are making yourself too wretched about the misfortune which has come upon us.

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

No. 71.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.

_Finckenstein, May 20, 1807._

I have just received your letter of May 10th. I see that you have gone to Lacken. I think you might stay there a fortnight; it would please the Belgians and serve to distract you.

I am sorry to see that you have not been rational. Grief has bounds which should not be pa.s.sed. Take care of yourself for the sake of your friend, and believe in my entire affection.

NAPOLEON.

No. 72.

_May 24th.--Dantzic surrenders to Lefebvre after two months'

siege, with 800 guns and immense stores._

TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.

_Finckenstein, May 24, 1807._

Your letter from Lacken just received. I am sorry to see your grief undiminished, and that Hortense has not yet come; she is unreasonable, and does not deserve our love, since she only loves her children.

Try to calm her, and do not make me wretched. For every ill without a remedy consolations must be found.

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

No. 73.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT LACKEN.

_Finckenstein, May 26, 1807._

I have just received your letter of the 16th. I have seen with pleasure that Hortense has arrived at Lacken. I am annoyed at what you tell me of the state of stupor in which she still is. She must have more courage, and force herself to have it. I cannot imagine why they want her to go to take the waters; she will forget her trouble much better at Paris, and find more sources of consolation.

Show force of character, be cheerful, and keep well. My health is excellent.

Adieu, dear. I suffer much from all your griefs; it is a great trouble to me not to be by your side.

NAPOLEON.

_May 28th.--Lefebvre made Duke of Dantzic by Napoleon._

_May 29th._--Selim III. deposed in Turkey by Mustapha IV., his nephew.

_June 1st.--22,000 Spanish troops, sent by Charles IV., join the French army in Germany._

No. 74.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Dantzig, June 2, 1807._

_My Dear_,--I note your arrival at Malmaison. I have no letters from you; I am vexed with Hortense, she has never written me a line. All that you tell me about her grieves me. Why have you not found her some distractions? Weeping won't do it! I trust you will take care of yourself in order that I may not find you utterly woebegone.

I have been the two past days at Dantzic; the weather is very fine, my health excellent. I think more of you than you are thinking of a husband far away.

Adieu, dear; very kindest regards. Pa.s.s on this letter to Hortense.

NAPOLEON.