point is of grew importance.  The English would do him an ill turn, for they are well aware that my views are directed against their possessions and their influence in the East.”—­“I think, Sire, that my answer to Anedee’s worthy father is a sufficient guarantee for my discretion.  Besides, it was a mere supposition on my part, and I could have stated nothing with certainty before your Majesty had the kindness to inform me of the fact.  Instead of going to Hamburg, if your Majesty pleases, I will join Jaubert, accompany him to Persia, and undertake half his mission.”—­ “How! would you go with him?”—­“Yes, Sire; I am much attached to him.  He is an excellent man, and I am sure that he would not be sorry to have me with him.”—­“But . . .  Stop, Bourrienne, . . . this, perhaps, would not be a bad idea.  You know a little of the East.  You are accustomed to the climate.  You could assist Jaubert . . . .  But. . . . .  No. daubert must be already far off—­ I, fear you could not overtake him.  And besides you have a numerous family.  You will be more useful to me in Germany.  All things considered, go to Hamburg—­you know the country, and, what is better you speak the language.”

I could see that Bonaparte still had something to say to me.  As we were walking up and down the room he stopped; and looking at me with an expression of sadness, he said, “Bourrienne, you must, before I proceed to Italy, do me a service.  You sometimes visit my wife, and it is right; it is fit you should.  You have been too long one of the family not to continue your friendship with her.  Go to her.

—­[This employment of Bourrienne to remonstrate with Josephine is a complete answer to the charge sometimes made that Napoleon, while scolding, really encouraged the foolish expenses of his wife, as keeping her under his control.  Josephine was incorrigible.  “On the very day of her death,” says Madame de Remusat “she wished to put on a very pretty dressing-gown because she thought the Emperor of Russia would perhaps come to see her.  She died all covered with ribbons and rose-colored satin.”  “One would not, sure, be frightful when one’s dead!” As for Josephine’s great fault—­her failure to give Napoleon an heir—­he did not always wish for one.  In 1802, on his brother Jerome jokingly advising Josephine to give the Consul a little Caesar.  Napoleon broke out, “Yea, that he may end in the same manner as that of Alexander?  Believe me, Messieurs, that at the present time it is better not to have children:  I mean when one is condemned to role nations.”  The fate of the King of Rome shows that the exclamation was only too true!]—­

“Endeavour once more to make her sensible of her mad extravagance.  Every day I discover new instances of it, and it distresses me.  When I speak to her—­on the subject I am vexed; I get angry—­she weeps.  I forgive her, I pay her bills—­she makes fair promises; but the same thing occurs over and over again.  If she had only borne me a child!  It is the torment of my life not to have a child.  I plainly perceive that my power will never be firmly established until I have one.  If I die without an heir, not one of my brothers is capable of supplying my place.  All is begun, but nothing is ended.  God knows what will happen!  Go and see Josephine, and do not forget my injunctions..”