—­[I alluded to a conversation which I had with Napoleon when we first went to the Tuileries.  He spoke to me about his projects of royalty, and I stated the difficulties which I thought he would experience in getting himself acknowledged by the old reigning families of Europe.  “If it comes to that,” he replied.  “I will dethrone them all, and then I shall be the oldest sovereign among them.”—­Bourrienne.]—­

—­“Ah! so you recollect what I said one day at the Tuileries; but, my dear fellow, I have yet a devilish long way to go before I gain my point.”—­“At the rate, Sire, at which you are going you will not be long in reaching it.”—­“Longer than you imagine.  I see all the obstacles in my way; but they do not alarm me.  England is everywhere, and the struggle is between her and me.  I see how it will be.  The whole of Europe will be our instruments; sometimes serving one, sometimes the other, but at bottom the dispute is wholly between England and France.

“A propos,” said the Emperor, changing the subject, for all who knew him are aware that this ‘a propos’ was his favourite, and, indeed, his only mode of transition; a propos, Bourrienne, you surely must have heard of the departure of Jaubert,

—­[Amedee Jaubart had been with Napoleon in Egypt, and was appointed to the cabinet of the Consul as secretary interpreter of Oriental languages.  He was sent on several missions to the East, and brought back, is 1818, goats from Thibet, naturalising in France the manufacture of cashmeres.  He became a peer of France under the Monarchy of July.]—­

and his mission.  What is said on the subject?”—­“Sire, I have only heard it slightly alluded to.  His father, however, to whom he said nothing respecting the object of his journey, knowing I was intimate with Jaubert, came to me to ascertain whether I could allay his anxiety respecting a journey of the duration of which he could form no idea.  The precipitate departure of his son had filled him with apprehension I told him the truth, viz., that Jaubert had said no more to me on the subject than to him.”—­“Then you do not know where he is gone?”—­“I beg your pardon, Sire; I know very well.”—­“How, the devil!” said Bonaparte, suddenly turning on me a look of astonishment.  “No one, I, declare, has ever told me; but I guessed it.  Having received a letter from Jaubert dated Leipsic, I recollected what your Majesty had often told me of your views respecting Persia and India.  I have not forgotten our conversation in Egypt, nor the great projects which you enfolded to me to relieve the solitude and sometimes the weariness of the cabinet of Cairo.  Besides, I long since knew your opinion of Amedee, of his fidelity, his ability, and his courage.  I felt convinced, therefore, that he had a mission to the Shah of Persia.”—­“You guessed right; but I beg of you, Bourrienne, say nothing of this to any person whatever.  Secrecy on this