This change, after time for reflection, arose, as often happened with him, from observations I had made to him, and which he had at first angrily repulsed.

After the peace of Amiens the First Consul, wishing to send an ambassador to England, cast his eyes—­for what reason I know not—­on General Andreossi.  I took the liberty of making some observation on a choice which did not appear to me to correspond with the importance of the mission.  Bonaparte replied, “I have not determined on it; I will talk to Talleyrand on the subject.”  When we were at Malmaison in the evening M. de Talleyrand came to transact business with the First Consul.  The proposed appointment of an ambassador to England was mentioned.  After several persons had been named the First Consul said, “I believe I must send Andreossi.”  M. de Talleyrand, who was not much pleased with the choice, observed in a dry sarcastic tone, “You must send Andre ‘aussi’, I Pray, who is this Andre?”—­“I did not mention any Andre; I said Andreossi.  You know Andreossi, the general of artillery?”—­“Ah! true; Andreossi:  I did not think of him:  I was thinking only of the diplomatic men, and did not recollect any of that name.  Yes, yes; Andreossi is in the artillery!” The general was appointed ambassador, and went to London after the treaty of Amiens; but he returned again in a few months.  He had nothing of consequence to do, which was very lucky for him.

In 1802 Jerome was at Brest in the rank of ’enseigne de vaisseau’—­[A rank in the navy equivalent to that of our lieutenant.]—­He launched into expenses far beyond what his fortune or his pay could maintain.  He often drew upon me for sums of money which the First Consul paid with much unwillingness.  One of his letters in particular excited Napoleon’s anger.  The epistle was filled with accounts of the entertainments Jerome was giving and receiving, and ended by stating that he should draw on me for 17,000 francs.  To this Bonaparte wrote the following reply:—­

I have read your letter, Monsieur l’Enseigne de Vaisseau; and I am waiting to hear that you are studying on board your corvette a profession which you ought to consider as your road to glory.  Die young, and I shall have some consolatory reflection; but if you live to sixty without having served your country, and without leaving behind you any honourable recollections, you had better not have lived at all.

Jerome never fulfilled the wishes of his brother, who always called him a little profligate.  From his earliest years his conduct was often a source of vexation to his brother and his family.  Westphalia will not soon forget that he was her King; and his subjects did not without reason surname him “Heliogabalus in miniature.”