In this connection I recall an anecdote which proves better than anything that could be said the kindness and perfect simplicity of the marshal.  One day it was announced to him that some one whose name was not given wished to speak to him.  The marshal left his cabinet, and recognized his old captain in the French Guards, in which, as we have said, the marshal had been a sergeant.  The marshal begged permission to embrace him, offered his services, his purse, his house; treated him almost exactly as if he had been under his orders.  The old captain was an emigre, and had returned undecided what he would do.  Through the efforts of the marshal his name was promptly struck out of the list of emigres; but he did not wish to re-enter the army, and yet was in much need of a position.  Having supported himself during his emigration by giving lessons in French and Latin, he expressed a desire to obtain a position in the university.  “Well, my colonel,” said the marshal with his German accent, “I will take you at once to my friend M. de Fontanes.”  The marshal’s carriage is soon at the door, and the respectful protector and his protege enter the apartments of the grand master of the university.  M. de Fontanes hastens to meet the marshal, who, I have been informed, made his presentation speech in this style: 

“My dear friend, I present to you the Marquis of ——.

“He was my former captain, my good captain.  He would like to obtain a place in the university.  Ah! he is not a man of nothing, a man of the Revolution like you and me.  He is my old captain, the Marquis of ——­ .”  Finally the marshal closed by saying, “Ah, the good, excellent man!  I shall never forget that when I went for orders to my good captain, he never failed to say:  ’Lefebvre, my child, pass on to the kitchen; go and get something to eat.’  Ah, my good, my excellent captain!”

All the members of the imperial family had a great fondness for music, and especially the Italian; but they were not musicians, and most of them sang as badly as his Majesty himself, with the exception of the Princess Pauline, who had profited by the lessons of Blangini, and sang tolerably well.  In respect of his voice, Prince Eugene showed himself worthy to be the adopted son of the Emperor; for, though he was a musician and sang with fervor, it was not in such a manner as to satisfy his auditors.  In compensation, however, Prince Eugene’s voice was magnificent for commanding military evolutions, an advantage which Count Lobau and General Dorsenne also possessed; and it was consequently always one of these whom his Majesty appointed to command under his orders on great reviews.

Notwithstanding the severe etiquette of the Emperor’s court, there were always a few privileged persons who had the right to enter his apartment, even when he was in bed, though the number was small.  They consisted of the following persons:—­

M. de Talleyrand, vice grand elector; de Montesquiou, grand chamberlain; de Remusat, first chamberlain; Maret, Corvisart, Denon, Murat, Yvan; Duroc, grand marshal; and de Caulaincourt, grand equerry.