第17章 Chapter 16 May 1804: France Has An Emperor

Napoleons dream had become a fact. Hes Napoleon the first, the Emperor of France! It happened three days ago. It was cleverly done. He was hunting deer in the forest outside Paris. While he was away, parliament met. And parliament decided to invite him to be Emperor. "It was a complete surprise to our noble Consul, the news papers said. "He accepts this honour proudly; not for himself, but for France."

An Emperor of course, needs an imperial family. They must have a higher rank than ordinary dukes and counts. So Napoleons brothers (except Lucien) became imperial princes, and their wives became imperial princesses. Hortense and Eugene received the same honour; they are prince Eugene and Prince Hortense now.

But Napoleons sisters received no imperial rank. Nor did his mother. She isnt in France. She went to Italy as soon as the royal duke was shot. She has been living there with Lucien. An emperor also needs an imperial army. So he gave the special rank of "marshal" to Jean and to seventeen other generals. Since ancient times, French kings have given this rank to their greatest soldiers.

This morning there was a ceremony in the armys own church, the Dome des Invalides. A special place was kept for the Empress and the princesses and the marshals wives. It was up above the ordinary seats. So we had a good view. The church was full of army officers. The marshals sat in front in their blue and gold uniforms. Beyond them, a gold throne stood in a raised place. And an archbishop in a red Robe was ready to welcome the Emperor.

I recognized the archbishop. It was Napoleons uncle Fesch. I first met him at Julies marriage, but he had no work then. Now hes one of the heads of the Church in France, and he is getting very fat. When Napoleon came in with his ministers, he gave us a surprise. He was wearing a dark green uniform, with no marks of rank at all. Everyone stood, and he walked slowly up to his throne.

The archbishop opened the ceremony. Then it was the Emperors turn. He was standing all on our knees. Even the archbishop was on his knees in front of the throne. Napoleon spoke clearly and well, and his last words demanded a reply: "Promise that you will serve France with all your power! Promise that you will never forget the Rights of Man!"

And everyone answered with one voice: "We promise!" I couldnt talk to Julie at the ceremony. She was sitting beside the Empress; my own seat was at the end of the line. But she visited me later, and she was looking rather unhappy. "How is the wife of Marshal Bernadotte?" she asked with a weak smile.

I bowed. "Im very well, thank you, Princess Julie," I replied. "and how are you?" Princess Julie was almost in tears. "I couldnt sleep last night," she said. "If Napoleon dies without a son, my Joseph becomes the next emperor. Think of that! We already have to leave our house. We have to live in that uncomfortable Luxembourg Palace. But if Joseph becomes an emperor ----. "She threw her arms around my neck. "Desiree, Im only a silk merchants daughter. I cant be an empress!"

"Julie," I said. "You should be ashamed of yourself. A daughter of Francois Clary is worth a dozen empresses." We talked for an hour and she gave me all Napoleons news. I went with her to her carriage. Jean-Baptistcs carriage arrived at the same moment. Some strange young men in the street began to shout: "Vive Bernadotte! Vive Bernadotte!"

He looked at them coldly. Then he answered: "Vive IEmpereur!" And we went into the house. At lunch he said: "Those are Fouches men outside. The Emperor has told his Minister of Police to watch his marshals. Our lives are watched, and our letters too. Remember that." I thought about it. Then I told him Julies news. "Napoleon wants to be crowned this winter. In the church of Notre dame(Mother of God, Virgin Mary)."

Jean laughed. "He wants to be crowned! Who will crown him? His uncle Fesch?" "No," I said. "An archbishop isnt important enough for our Emperor. He wants the Pope to crown him." Jean almost dropped his glass of wine. "Thats ---" He stopped and shook his head. "Thats no possible. Kings go to the Pope. He doesnt come to them." "Napoleon will bring him here by force, if necessary. Joseph says so." "Desiree, " Jean said slowly, "Im not a friend of the church of Rome. Im a soldier of the revolution. But I would never bring the old gentleman here in winter. Its a long way from Rome to Paris. There will be snow. And the roads are terrible." "That wont worry Napoleon," I said. "He has found an old crown, and we all have to help with the ceremony. What will be my part in it, I wonder?"