The individuals whom I had to observe in Hamburg gave me much less trouble than our neighbours at Altona.  The number of the latter had considerably augmented, since the events of the war had compelled a great number of emigrants who had taken refuge at Munster to leave that town.  They all proceeded to Altona.  Conquered countries became as dangerous to them as the land which they had forsaken.  The most distinguished amongst the individuals assembled at Altona were Vicomte de Sesmaisons, the Bailly d’Hautefeuille, the Duchess of Luxembourg, the Marquis de Bonnard, the Due d’Aumont (then Due de Villequier), the wife of Marshal de Brogue and her daughter, Cardinal de Montmorency, Madame de Cosse, her two daughters and her son (and a priest), and the Bishop of Boulogne.

Bonaparte stayed long enough at Berlin to permit of the arrival of a deputation from the French Senate to congratulate him on his first triumphs.  I learned that in this instance the Senatorial deputation, departing from its accustomed complaisance, ventured not to confine itself to compliments and felicitations, but went so far as to interfere with the Emperor’s plan of the campaign, to speak of the danger that might be incurred and finally to express a desire to in passing the Oder, see peace concluded.  Napoleon received this communication with a very bad grace.  He thought the Senators very bold to meddle with his affairs, treated the conscript fathers of France as if they had been inconsiderate youths, protested, according to custom, his sincere love of peace, and told the deputation that it was Prussia, backed by Russia, and not he, who wished for war!

All the German Princes who had taken part against Napoleon fled to Altona after the battle of Jena with as much precipitation as the emigrants themselves.  The Hereditary Prince of Weimar, the Duchess of Holstein, Prince Belmonte-Pignatelli, and a multitude of other persons distinguished for rank and fortune, arrived there almost simultaneously.  Among the persons who took refuge in Altona were some intriguers, of whom Fauche-Borel was one.  I remember receiving a report respecting a violent altercation which Fauche had the audacity to enter into with Comte de Gimel because he could not extort money from the Count in payment of his intrigues.  Comte de Gimel had only funds for the payment of pensions, and, besides, he had too much sense to suppose there was any utility in the stupid pamphlets of Fauche-Borel, and therefore he dismissed him with a refusal.  Fauche was insolent, which compelled Comte de Gimel to send him about his business as he deserved.  This circumstance, which was first communicated to me in a report, has since been confirmed by a person who witnessed the scene.  Fauche-Borel merely passed through Hamburg, and embarked for London on board the same ship which took Lord Morpeth back to England.

—­[Louis Fauche-Borel (1762-1829), a Swiss who devoted himself to the cause of the Royalists.  As Louis stepped on the shore of France in 1814, Fauche-Borel was ready to assist him from the boat, and was met with the gracious remark that he was always at hand when a service was required.  His services were however left unrewarded]—­

CHAPTER VIII.