However, it, was not long before I had experience of a courtier’s revenge, for two days after this circumstance, that is to say, on the 13th of May, on entering my cabinet at the usual hour, I mechanically took up the ‘Moniteur’, which I found lying on my desk.  On glancing hastily over it what was my astonishment to find that the Comte Ferrand had been appointed Director of the Post-office in my stead.  Such was the strange mode in which M. de Blacas made me feel the promised gratitude of the sovereign.  Certainly, after my proofs of loyalty, which a year afterwards procured for me the honour of being outlawed in quite a special way, I had reason to complain, and I might have said ’Sic vos non vobis’ as justly as Virgil when he alluded to the unmerited favours lavished by Augustus on the Maevii and Bavii of his time.

The measures of Government soon excited complaints in every quarter.  The usages of the old system were gradually restored, and ridicule being mingled with more serious considerations, Paris was speedily inundated with caricatures and pamphlets.  However, tranquillity prevailed until the month of September, when M. de Talleyrand departed for the Congress of Vienna.  Then all was disorder at the Tuileries.  Every one feeling himself free from restraint, wished to play the statesman, and Heaven knows how many follies were committed in the absence of the schoolmaster.

Under a feeble Government there is but one step from discontent to insurrection, under an imbecile Government like that of France in 1814, after the departure of M. de Talleyrand, conspiracy has free Scope.  During the summer of 1814 were initiated the events which reached their climax on the 20th of March 1815.  I almost fancy I am dreaming when I look back on the miraculous incapacity of the persons who were then at the head of our Government.  The emigrants, who, as it has been truly said, had neither learned nor forgotten anything, came back with all the absurd pretensions of Coblentz.  Their silly vanity reminded one of a character in one of Voltaire’s novels who is continually saying, “Un homme comme moi!” These people were so engrossed with their pretended merit that they were blind to everything else.  They not only disregarded the wishes and the wants of France; which in overthrowing the Empire hoped to regain liberty, but they disregarded every warning they had received.

I recollect one circumstance which was well calculated to excite suspicion.  Prince Eugene proposed going to the waters of Plombieres to join his sister Hortense.  The horses, the carriages, and one of the Prince’s aides de camp had already arrived at Plombieres, and his residence was prepared; but he did not go.  Eugene had, no doubt, received intimation of his sister’s intrigues with some of the individuals of the late Court of Napoleon who were then at the waters, and as he had determined to reside quietly at the Court of his father-in-law; without meddling with public affairs, he remained at Munich.  This fact, however, passed off unnoticed.