Hamburg, and not to two unknown individuals—­another inconvenience attending black cabinets.  At my suggestion the Prince of Ponte-Corvo gave orders for putting a stop to the clandestine business at Eschburg.  The two agents were taken to Hamburg and their conduct inquired into.  They were severely punished.  They deserved this, however, less than those who had entrusted them with such an honourable mission; but leaders never make much scruple about abandoning their accomplices in the lower ranks.

But for the pain of witnessing vexations of this sort, which I had not always power to prevent, especially after Bernadotte’s removal, my residence at Hamburg would have been delightful.  Those who have visited that town know the advantages it possesses from its charming situation on the Elbe, and above all, the delightful country which surrounds it like a garden, and extends to the distance of more than a league along the banks of the Eyder.  The manners and customs of the inhabitants bear the stamp of peculiarity; they are fond of pursuing their occupations in the open air.  The old men are often seen sitting round tables placed before their doors sipping tea, while the children play before them, and the young people are at their work.  These groups have a very picturesque effect, and convey a gratifying idea of the happiness of the people.  On seeing the worthy citizens of Hamburg assembled round their doors I could not help thinking of a beautiful remark of Montesquieu.  When he went to Florence with a letter of recommendation to the Prime Minister of the Grand Duke of Tuscany he found him sitting at the threshold of his door, inhaling the fresh air and conversing with some friends.  “I see,” said Montesquieu, “that I am arrived among a happy people, since their Prime Minister can enjoy his leisure moments thus.”

A sort of patriarchal simplicity characterises the manners of the inhabitants of Hamburg.  They do not visit each other much, and only by invitation; but on such occasions they display great luxury beneath their simple exterior.  They are methodical and punctual to an extraordinary degree.  Of this I recollect a curious instance.  I was very intimate with Baron Woght, a man of talent and information, and exceedingly amiable manners.  One day he called to make us a farewell visit as he intended to set out on the following day for Paris.  On Madame de Bourrienne expressing a hope that he would not protract his absence beyond six months, the period he had fixed upon, he replied, “Be assured, madame, nothing shall prevent me getting home on the day I have appointed, for I have invited a party of friends to dine with me on the day after my return.”  The Baron returned at the appointed time, and none of his guests required to be reminded of his invitation at six months’ date.

Napoleon so well knew the effect which his presence produced that after a conquest he loved to show himself to the people whose territories he added to the Empire.  Duroc, who always accompanied him when he was not engaged on missions, gave me a curious account of Napoleon’s journey in 1807 to Venice and the other Italian provinces, which, conformably with the treaty of Presburg, were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.