The life of Napoleon Buonaparte, emperor of the French. By Sir Walter Scott.

LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. 5 -
one million was ever paid), to enable Bernadotte to system, and to declare war against England. The
take possession of his new dignity with becoming British government were fully sensible of the consplendour. straint under which Sweden acted, and, so far fiom
To bring the affairs of Sweden to a close for the acting hostilely towards that kingdom, did not seem
present, we may here add, that, though that nation to make any perceptible change in the relations
were desirous to escape the renewal of the desper- which had before subsisted between the countries.
ate and hopeless struggle with France, they were In the meantime, Bernadotte and Napoleon, for
most unwilling, nevertheless, to lose the advantages a time, veiled under the usual forms of courtesy
of their commerce with England. The conduct of their mutual dislike and resentment. But the Crown
tide national business soon devolved entirely upon Prince could not forgive the emperor for an atthe Crown Prince, the age and infirmities of the king tempt to lord it over him like a superior over a
not permitting him to conduct them any longer. It vassal, and compelling him, notwithstanding his enbecame Bernadotte's, or, as he was now named, treaties, to distress his subjects, and to render his
Charles John's difficult and delicate task, to endea- government unpopular, by sacrificing a lucrative
vour at once to propitiate France, and to find ex- trade. Napoleon, on the other hand, was incensed
cuses which might dispose Bonaparte to grant some that Bernadotte, whose greatness he considered as
relaxation on the subject of the continental system. existing only by his own permission, should affect
But as it was impossible for the Prince of Sweden to differ in opinion from him, or hesitate betwixt
to disguise his motive for evading a cordial co-opera- obliging France and injuring Sweden.
tion iu Napoleon's favourite measure, so the latter, On other occasional differences betwixt the soveabout three months after the accession of his former reigns, it appeared that there was no eager desire
companion in arms to supreme power, grew impa- on the part of the Crown Prince of Sweden to
tient enough to overwhelm the Swedish minister, oblige the Emperor of France. Repeated denmands
Baron Lagerbjelke, with a tirade similar to his for sailors and soldiers to be engaged in the French
celebrated attack on Lord Whitworth. He dis- service, were made by Napoleon. These Bernacoursed with the utmost volubility for an hour and dotte always contrived to evade, by referring to the
a quarter, leaving the astonished ambassador scarce laws of Sweden, as a limited monarchy, which did
an opening to thrust in a word by way of observation, not permit him, like the absolute Majesty of Dendefence, or answer. "'Do they believe in Sweden mark, to dispose of her sailors at pleasure; and by
that I am to be so easily duped? Do they think.I enlarging on the nature of the Swedes, who, bold
will be satisfied with this half state of things? Give and wVilling soldiers at home, were too much atme no sentiments! it is from facts we form our opi- tached to their own climate and manners, to endure
nions. You signed the peace with me in the be- those of any other country. In these, and such like
ginning of the year, and engaged yourself then to excuses, no one could read, more readily than Nabreak off all communication with Britain; yet you poleon, a fixed resolution on the part of his old
retained an English agent till late in the summer, companion in arms, not to yield to the influence of
and kept the communication open by way of Got- France in any point in which he could avoid it.
tenburg. Your small islands are so many smuggling And though an outward show of friendship was
magazines; your vessels meet the English and ex- maintained between the countries, and even bechange freights. I have not slept an hour to-night tween the sovereigns, yet it was of that insincere
on account of your affairs; yet you ought to suffer kind which was sure to be broken off on the slightme to take repose, I have need of it. You have est collision of their mutual interests. It remained,
vessels in every port in England. You talk of the however, undisturbed till the eventful year.of 1812.
necessity of buying salt, forsooth. Is it for salt you -We return to the affairs of France.
go into the Thames?-You talk of suffering, by su- The emperor undertook a tour through the properseding the trade. Do you not believe that I vinces of Flanders and Holland, with his young
suffer? That Germany, Bordeaux, Holland, and empress, with the view of enforcing his views and
France suiffer? But it must all be ended. You purposes in church and state. In the course of this
must fire on the English, and you must confiscate journey, one or two remarkable circumstances took
their merchandise, or you must have war with place. The first was his fiurioi:s reproaches to the
France. Open war, or constant friendship-this is clergy of Brabant, who, more migorous papists than
my last word, my ultimate determination. Could in some other catholic countries, had circulated
they think in Sweden that I would modify my sys- among their congregations the ball of excommunicatem, because I love and esteem the Prince Royal? tion fulminated by the pope against Napoleon. The
Did I not love and esteem the King of Holland? He provocation was certainly considerable, but the
is my brotherl, yet I have broken with him: I have mode of resenting it was indecently violent. He
silenced the voice of nature to give ear to that of was especially angry that they appeared without
the general interest" These, and many violent ex- theircanonical dresses."You call yourselves priests,"
pressions to the same purpose, Bonaparte poured he said; "where are your vestments? Are you
out in an elevation of voice that might be keard in attorneys, notaries, or peasants? You begin by
the adjoining apartments. forgetting the respect due to me; whereas, the prinThe emperor's remonstrances, transmitted by the cipl'e of the christian church, as these gentlemen
ambassador, were seconded at the court of Stock- (turning to the protestant deputies) can teach you,
helm by the arguments of Denmark and Russia; is, as they have just professed, to render unto C esar
and the Crown Prince was at last obliged to give the the things which are Caesar's. BElt yonl-yoll will
national adherence of Sweden to the continental not pray for your sovereign, because a Rolnish
nor,. vt. _i.
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