I have seen some who even appeared to consider this singular act of courage a means of making their court.  I can easily understand also that with many their admiration for his Majesty silenced all repugnance, for the same reason that we do not scruple to eat from the plate, or drink from the glass, of a person whom we love, even though it might be considered doubtful on the score of refinement; this is never noticed because love is blind.  The dish which the Emperor preferred was the kind of fried chicken to which this preference of the conqueror of Italy has given the name of poulet a la Marengo.  He also ate with relish beans, lentils, cutlets, roast mutton, and roast chicken.  The simplest dishes were those he liked best, but he was fastidious in the article of bread.  It is not true, as reported, that he made an immoderate use of coffee, for he only took half a cup after breakfast, and another after dinner; though it sometimes happened when he was much preoccupied that he would take, without noticing it, two cups in succession, though coffee taken in this quantity always excited him and kept him from sleeping.

It also happened frequently that he took it cold, or without sugar, or with too much sugar.  To avoid all which mischances, the Empress Josephine made it her duty to pour out the Emperor’s coffee herself; and the Empress Marie Louise also adopted the same custom.  When the Emperor had risen from the table and entered the little saloon, a page followed him, carrying on a silvergilt waiter a coffee-pot, sugar-dish and cup.  Her Majesty the Empress poured out the coffee, put sugar in it, tried a few drops of it, and offered it to the Emperor.

The Emperor drank only Chambertin wine, and rarely without water; for he had no fondness for wine, and was a poor judge of it.  This recalls that one day at the camp of Boulogne, having invited several officers to his table, his Majesty had wine poured for Marshal Augereau, and asked him with an air of satisfaction how he liked it.  The Marshal tasted it, sipped it critically, and finally replied, “There is better,” in a tone which was unmistakable.  The Emperor, who had expected a different reply, smiled, as did all the guests, at the Marshal’s candor.

Every one has heard it said that his Majesty used great precautions against being poisoned, which statement must be placed beside that concerning the cuirass proof against bullet and dagger.  On the contrary, the Emperor carried his want of precaution only too far.  His breakfast was brought every day into an antechamber open to all to whom had been granted a private audience, and who sometimes waited there for several hours, and his Majesty’s breakfast also waited a long time.  The dishes were kept as warm as possible until he came out of his cabinet, and took his seat at the table.  Their Majesties’ dinner was carried from the kitchen to the upper rooms in covered, hampers, and there was every opportunity of introducing poison; but in spite of all this, never did such an idea enter the minds of the people in his service, whose devotion and fidelity to the Emperor, even including the very humblest, surpassed any idea I could convey.