Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia

by L. Mühlbach

  CHAPTER X.

  NAPOLEON'S ENTRY INTO BERLIN.

  The city of Berlin had not exhibited for many years so festive andlively a spectacle as on the morning of the 27th of October. An immensecrowd was moving across the Palace Place, Broad Street, and the Linden,toward the Brandenburg Gate, and forming in line on both sides of thestreet. Thousands of boys and youths climbed the linden-trees, thatstand in two rows in the middle of this thoroughfare, causing the treesto move to and fro under their heavy burden, and gazed with eyes full ofcuriosity from their lofty position on the bustle reigning beneath.Through the crowd hundreds of busy figures were gliding, standing stillhere and there, and addressing the people in low and impressive tones;now and then, however, they did not content themselves with mere words,but to some handed pieces of money, and whispered, "Drink the emperor'shealth, in order that your throats may be prepared, when he makes hisentry, to shout in stentorian tones, '_Vive l'Empereur_!'"

  These liberal adherents of Napoleon were agents of the French police,already fully organized in Berlin--the hirelings of General Clarke, whowas now governor of the capital, and treated the subjugated inhabitantswith all the haughtiness and scorn of a triumphant conqueror.

  Many tears were shed in the city during these days--many imprecationsuttered, but only secretly and in a low voice, for the people could notventure to provoke the anger of the victor, but had to bear whateverburdens he imposed on them. The odds were too heavy; the army wasdefeated; the king with his court had fled; the higher functionaries hadeither concealed themselves or loudly declared their willingness to takethe oath of allegiance to the Emperor of the French, and to serve him astheir master.

  What remained, therefore, for the poor inhabitants of Berlin but tosubmit? All had deserted them; even the governor had escaped, and hislieutenant, the Prince von Hatzfeld, seemed to have no other task thanto admonish them to be quiet and obedient, and to implore them toundertake, utter, and even think nothing that might be distasteful tothe new French government; but to bow willingly and cheerfully to everything that the conqueror might demand.

  The citizens, therefore, had bowed to their fate; they had submittedsilently, and now hastened to the Linden and the Brandenburg Gate towitness the entry of the emperor. Not only the citizens and the peoplegenerally desired to witness this entry--the higher classes, and eventhe ladies, were anxious to do so. Every one felt that a greathistorical event was to transpire, and eagerly desired to behold thecelebrated man who was hated and admired at the same time; who wascursed as an enemy, and yet glorified on account of his heroic deeds.The streets and trees were filled with spectators; and the windows ofthe splendid buildings, from the ground-floor up to the attic, werecrowded, and even the roofs had been opened here and there for thepurpose of obtaining more room.

  The Linden exhibited a most imposing and brilliant spectacle; still itseemed as though the crowd were to celebrate a funeral pageant, and asthough they had come as mourners for such an occasion. Nowhere joyousfaces were to be seen--nowhere were heard outbursts of mirth, or thosegay, amusing remarks with which the populace of Berlin seldom fail toseason a festival. The faces of the people were grave and gloomy; andthe ladies, standing at the open windows, were not festively adorned,but wore black dresses, and black veils fell from their heads.

  Suddenly the bells on all the steeples commenced ringing, and thebooming of artillery announced to the spectators, who had patientlyawaited this moment from eleven o'clock in the morning till four in theafternoon, that the emperor was approaching the Brandenburg Gate fromCharlottenburg. The thousands assembled maintained a breathless silence;even the trees did not move, for the restless boys who had climbed themseemed petrified with astonishment at the extraordinary spectacle. Themen, who were now entering the gate, were not such soldiers as thepeople of Berlin had hitherto been accustomed to see. They were notfine-looking, neat young men in handsome uniforms, with bright leatherbelts, stiff cravats, and well-powdered pigtails, but soldiers ofstrange and truly marvellous appearance. Their complexion wasdark-brown, and their eyes flashing as dagger-points. Instead of wigsand pigtails, they wore gaudily-colored turbans; instead ofclose-fitting uniforms, wide red trousers and dark jackets, richlyembroidered with gold; curved sabres were hanging at their sides, andtheir small, vigorous, and agile forms harmonized perfectly with theirsplendid Arabian steeds, on which these sons of the desert, theemperor's Mamelukes, were mounted.

  Behind them came another corps. It consisted of tall, broad-shoulderedmen, looking as formidable as Cyclops, with bearded, bronzed faces;their heads covered with high bear-skin caps; their breasts veiled bylarge leather aprons, reaching down to their knees; on their shouldersenormous hatchets, flashing in the sun like burnished silver. And behindthese sappers came the famous grenadiers of the guard, infantry as wellas cavalry; next, the riflemen of Vincennes, in their green uniforms;and, finally, the bands playing merry airs. The drum-major hurled hisenormous cane with its large silver head into the air, and thesoul-stirring notes of the "Marseillaise" resounded through the spaciousstreet. Hitherto nobody in Berlin had been permitted to play or singthis forbidden melody, with which France had formerly accompanied herbloodiest orgies; only secretly and softly had the people hummed it intoeach other's ears; the most stringent orders, issued by the police, hadbanished it from the concert-halls as well as from the streets. Theemperor, perhaps, was aware of this, and it was probably for this reasonthat he had ordered it to be played; or, perhaps, the son of therevolution, on making his entry into the capital of a "king by the graceof God," wished to remind the people, by this hymn of the terrorists,that it was unnecessary to be born under a royal canopy in order to weara crown and to be the anointed of the Lord.

  But no one listened to this proscribed and fearful melody. All thethousands in the streets, on the trees, at the windows, and on theroofs, were paralyzed with amazement, and looked wonderingly at the neworder of things. They who had hitherto seen and known only proudofficers, mounted on horseback, staring at every citizen withsupercilious glances, and chastising their men for every trifle--theywho had always received the impression that army officers were exaltedpersonages, to whom they had to bow, who never ought to walk on foot, orcarry any burden whatever--now saw before them the officers of theimperial guard differing but slightly from the privates, and not only onfoot, like them, but carrying heavy knapsacks on their backs; and, whatcaused still greater astonishment, here and there kindly chatting withtheir men during the march.

  But suddenly there arose a tremendous commotion between the pillars ofthe Brandenburg Gate, and the host of marshals and generals, resemblinga star-spangled avalanche, entered the city. Nothing was to be seen butgolden epaulettes, orders glittering with diamonds, embroidereduniforms, and long white ostrich-plumes. Not on them, however, were theeyes of the crowd fixed; they gazed only at that grave, pale man, whorode by himself at the head of the dazzling suite. He wore no orders, nogolden epaulettes, no ostrich-plumes. Plain and unpretending was hisgreen uniform with its white facings; unadorned was his smallthree-cornered hat. He sat carelessly and proudly on his magnificentcharger, which, prancing and rearing, seemed to greet the crowd. Therider's features were as immovable as if made of stone; his eyesoccasionally, however, bent a piercing glance on the multitude, and thengazed again into vacancy--the living emperor was transformed once moreinto one of the marble triumphators of ancient Roman history. Heacknowledged, in a cold and indifferent manner only, theconstantly-repeated shouts of "_Vive l'Empereur_!" with which the boysin the trees, the hired men in the streets, and the agents of thepolice, saluted him at every step. To him these cries seemed to be theusual and indispensable musical accompaniment to the step of his horse;he did not take notice of it when he heard it in his progress; he missedit only when it did not rend the air.

  The emperor rode on, moody, quiet, and cold; but scrutinizing and vividwere the glances which the marshals and the rest of his suite cast inall directions. They seemed to be anxious to observe the inhabitants,an
d to greet the lovely women who were adorning the windows of thehouses like garlands of flowers. But those beautiful women did notreturn their salutations, and the victorious generals saw what they hadrarely seen--that the ladies did not accept their homage--that theylooked down on them with grave, mournful mien--nay, that most of thosecharming faces were bathed in tears, not such as well from joy, but fromgrief and anger.

  Napoleon had taken as little notice of the jubilant cheers of the crowdas of the tears of the ladies. He rode on, absorbed in his reflections,toward the royal palace. The bells of the cathedral--in the lower vaultsof which the remains of the royal family were reposing; in the upperhalls of which the solemn wedding ceremonies of the kings and princesand princesses of Prussia had always been celebrated--greeted withjoyous notes the triumphant enemy, and the doors of the palace opened tohim. In the brilliant halls in which formerly the submissive vassals andfunctionaries of the king had done homage to their sovereign, were nowassembled the same persons, as well as the officers and cavaliers of thecourt, to receive the French emperor as their sovereign and master.There were in those halls seven ministers of the king, the members ofthe municipality of Berlin, with the two burgomasters; the highdignitaries of the clergy of both confessions, and the officers of thedifferent tribunals; the members of the royal household, headed by theking's master of ceremonies, Count von Neale. And all these gentlemenhad come to present their respects to the man who had routed their army,driven their king and queen from the capital, and transformed their cityinto a French prefecture.

  The broad folding-doors opened, and the grand marshal walked through thehalls, crying in a ringing voice, "His majesty the emperor!" A profoundand solemn silence ensued. The eyes of all were turned toward the doorby which the emperor was to enter. He appeared on the threshold, asimpassive as ever. But the silence continued; the shouts of "_Vivel'Empereur_!" which had greeted Napoleon in the streets, had notpenetrated within the white hall, where the statues of the Hohenzollernswere standing. But this silent greeting, which might seem too much tothe ancestors of the king, did not satisfy the little soul of the proudconqueror. The grand marshal approached to introduce the master ofceremonies, Count von Neale, and to inquire whether the latter would beallowed to present the several dignitaries to his majesty.

  "Ah," exclaimed Napoleon, "you are the Count von Neale, whose daughteris so enthusiastic and warlike an Amazon.[19] The women of Berlin,headed by your queen, were bent upon having war; behold the result! Youought to keep your family in bounds, sir; you ought not to permit yourchildren to indulge in such senseless military tirades. Assuredly, I donot want war--not that I am distrustful of my own strength, but becausethe blood of my subjects is too precious to me, and because it is myfirst duty to shed it only for their honor and security. The populationof Berlin is only a victim of the war, while the instigators of thehostilities between France and Prussia have escaped. But I willhumiliate and impoverish the court-aristocracy, who dared to oppose me,and make them beg their bread in foreign lands."

  [Footnote 19: The French police had captured, a few days previous to thecommencement of the war, a letter, written by the young Countess vonNeale, containing the following passage: "Napoleon does not want war; hemust be compelled to wage it." Napoleon had read this letter.]

  The Count von Neale, pale and trembling, stammered a few unintelligiblewords and intended to withdraw, withered and crushed by the emperor'sanger. But the searching eyes of Napoleon were firmly and steadfastlyfixed on him, and, as if guessing his innermost thoughts, he said, in acold, disdainful voice, "Remain and do your duty!" The Count von Neale,therefore, was obliged to stay; he had to introduce to the emperor theofficials and dignitaries, after the chancellor had previously presentedto him the seven ministers of Prussia.

  The persons ordered to appear at this audience had formed in line onboth sides of the white hall, and the emperor walked slowly across thewide apartment, while the Count von Neale, who was immediately behindhim, announced in aloud voice the names and positions of those standingin the first line.

  "Sire," he said, pointing to two gentlemen, adorned with costly goldenchains, standing in front of the line, "sire, the two burgomasters andthe members of the municipality of Berlin."

  "I know these gentlemen," said Napoleon, and his face assumed a milderair. "Both of you belonged to the deputation that wished to present tome at Potsdam the keys of Berlin. You assured me at that time that therumors which had been circulated with regard to this city were entirelyunfounded; that the citizens and the mass of the people had been opposedto the war, and that there was not one sensible man who had not clearlyforeseen the dangers threatening the country. I have now seen at myentry that you were right; the good people of this city are not to blamefor this war, and only a handful of old women and young officers broughtabout this mischief. The visit of the Emperor Alexander is the cause ofthe events which have proved so disastrous to Prussia; and next, thechange which that visit produced in the feelings of the queen, who, froma timid and modest lady, was quickly transformed into a restless andwarlike Amazon. She suddenly insisted on having a regiment of her own,and on being present at the meetings of the council of state; shedirected the affairs of the government so skilfully as to bring it in afew days to the verge of ruin. I shall assuredly know how to distinguishthose who instigated the war from those who tried to avoid it. I shallchastise the former and reward the latter. Had your king not been soweak--had he not allowed himself to be led by a faction which, obliviousof the true welfare of the state and of the sovereign, did their best toexasperate him against me, he would not be where he is. But my enemiesendeavored to intimidate him, and managed to frighten him by all sortsof demonstrations. You, gentlemen of the municipality, ought to havetaken steps to inform the king correctly of the opposition of thecitizens of Berlin to a war with France. You will take care now topreserve good order in the capital."

  "Sire," ventured the first burgomaster, in a timid and humble voice,"your majesty has seen to-day, from the enthusiasm of the citizens, whatspirit is animating them."

  The emperor bent a rapid, inquiring glance on him, and seemed not tohave heard his words. "As a matter of course," said Napoleon, in a loudand angry voice, "no more windows must be broken by the mob! You have tosee to it that such brutalities do not occur again. My brother the Kingof Prussia ceased to be king on the day when he did not cause PrinceLouis Ferdinand to be hung for instigating the mob to break the windowsof his ministers."

  Napoleon walked on without giving time to the burgomaster for a reply orjustification; and when the Count von Neale presented to him the membersof the tribunals, his brow was serene, and his face assumed the gentle,winning air which always exercised so irresistible an influence on thoseon whom the sunshine of his imperial kindness shed its rays.

  The emperor conversed with these gentlemen about the peculiarities ofthe administration of justice in Prussia, and listened to their repliesand explanations with polite attention.

  "Your administration of justice seems to contain many excellentfeatures," said he, musingly. "Your laws have a splendid foundation ofequality, and cannot be arbitrarily perverted and abused to shield wrongand injustice. I am astonished that, with this code of Frederick II. inyour hand, you were not able to render harmless and silence forever allthose seditious and revolutionary spirits that recently infested Berlin,and now have made Prussia so unhappy. But, instead of suppressing thisagitation in time, you looked on idly, while miserable scribblers andjournalists, influenced by women, constantly added fuel to the fire. Ihave been told of a contemptible journal in this city which is said tohave preached war against France with a rabid fanaticism. You ought tohave silenced the madman who edited it. Why did not you do so?"

  "Sire, the laws of our country do not permit us to suppress the freeexpression of opinion, and the discussion of public affairs. So long asthe periodicals, newspapers, and other publications, do not attack theexisting laws, or incite the people to riots, high-treason, or sedition,we are not all
owed to interfere with them. Every citizen has the rightto utter his opinion publicly and frankly, provided he does so in adecent and lawful manner."

  "That is to say, you have a free press," exclaimed Napoleon, "and grantto every outsider the right of speaking of things, about which he doesnot know any thing. With a free press no monarchy can be maintained,especially in times of danger and convulsions. You see whither yourso-called free discussion of public affairs has carried you! Yourjournalists preached war, and nothing but war; they irritated thepeople, and made the king believe that they were the organs of publicopinion, while, in fact, they were but the echoes of the officers of theguard, and of the foolish women who were bent on having war. Your queenhas used the newspapers as a weapon to exasperate and excite herhusband. Like Marie Antoinette of France, and Marie Caroline of Naples,Louisa of Prussia has become the evil genius of her country. The Turksare perfectly right in keeping their women imprisoned. It is the bestthat can be done." He nodded to the gentlemen, and, passing on, allowedthe Count von Neale to present to him the dignitaries of the Church.

  "The members of the clergy, I believe, ought to be content with me,"said Napoleon, with a smile, which embellished his features as with asunshine of grace and sweetness. "It was I who restored the Church inFrance; hence, I need not tell you how important and indispensable Ibelieve religion and the Church to be for the welfare of nations. Greattasks and great duties are intrusted to the hands of the clergy.Endeavor to fulfil them faithfully, gentlemen. Above all, avoid meddlingwith politics. Pay exclusive attention to your own affairs, and do asthe gospel commands you: 'Render unto Caesar the things which areCaesar's.'"

  He turned toward Mr. Erman, counsellor of the supreme consistorialcourt, and dean of the French congregation, and cast a piercing glanceon the venerable, white-haired clergyman.

  "You, above all, sir, should not forget those words," said Napoleon, ina loud voice. "For you are a Frenchman, and it is your duty, therefore,wherever you may be, to educate faithful and devoted subjects to yourcountry. You might have done a great deal of good in this city by yourcommanding talents and eloquence. You ought to have opened the eyes ofthe population as to their true interests and the misery thatnecessarily would be entailed on them by a war against France. Youfailed to do so; you were silent while the fanatical war-faction wasclamoring; and while the reckless pranks of the officers of the guardwere intimidating good and sagacious patriots. I know very well that youare not to be blamed for those excesses, but you ought to have tried toprevent them. I know the faction whose fanaticism against France hasdone so much mischief. I know that the queen was at the head of it. AsMarie Antoinette once gained over to her side the lifeguards at thatcelebrated banquet, Louisa did the same with the officers of thePrussian guard. She is, therefore, responsible for the savage war-criesand the crazy arrogance of the officers. This woman, who has become asfatal to her people as was Helen to the Trojans--this woman is the onlycause of the disasters of Prussia!"

  His voice rolled like thunder through the hall; his eyes flashed fire,and all the beholders, seized with dismay, turned pale and cast downtheir eyes. Only old Counsellor Erman's face betrayed no fear oranxiety. He looked at the emperor with a grave and almost angry air, andhis voice interrupted the ominous stillness which had followedNapoleon's words.

  "Sire," he said, loud enough to be heard by every one, "your majestysays that the queen is the only cause of the disasters of Prussia--thatshe brought about the war, and excited and instigated the evil passionsof the reckless! Sire, that is not true! The queen is as generous as sheis virtuous!"

  The assembly felt as if thrilled by an electric shock--all fixed theireyes timidly and anxiously on Napoleon--every one held his breath tohear his reply, and felt already in advance the most profound compassionfor the unhappy old man who would be crushed with the victor's wrath.But the emperor was silent. Only for a moment his eyes flashed--and hisglances seemed to pierce through the old man. Napoleon said nothing. Heseemed not to have heard Erman's words, but turned with perfectcomposure toward the Catholic clergy, to converse with them about theinterests of their Church. He appeared, however, wearied; passed in amore hurried manner to the rest who were introduced to him, andevidently hastened to finish the audience. He then greeted the assemblywith a nod and left the hall, followed by the grand marshal and his twochamberlains.

  For an instant all remained immovable: Every one felt as if a brilliantmeteor had flitted past him, and as if his vision were too much dazzledto be able to see any thing else. Then, however, all turned their eyesonce more to Erman, who stood at his place, calm and smiling, and lookedalmost compassionately at those who had hitherto called themselves hisfriends, but were not courageous enough now to approach him, and avoidedmeeting his glances. He then quietly turned, and, followed by the otherclergymen, walked toward the door. But those who had stood before himhad also commenced leaving the hall, and in consequence the passage wascrowded. Erman suddenly saw himself in the midst of the throng, thatslowly moved onward, but it was apparently no mere accident that thecrowd was densest around him. Some hastily seized his hand; otherswhispered to him: "Flee! conceal yourself!" Others again gazed at himwith eyes full of tenderness and emotion, and murmured: "We thank you inthe name of all the faithful!" But constantly the low words of "Flee!conceal yourself!" were repeated. But the venerable man looked with acalm, proud smile at those who surrounded him, and said in a loud andfirm voice, "I will not flee! I will not conceal myself!"

  Just at the moment when Erman, followed by his timid friends and secretadmirers, was about to cross the threshold, a loud voice was heard toexclaim, "Counsellor Erman!"

  "Here I am," he replied, turning around, as well as all the rest.

  A low murmur of horror pervaded the assembly; their faces turned pale,and their brows were clouded. The moment so much feared had apparentlycome--Erman could not escape, or conceal himself; for he who had calledout his name was none other than Duroc, the emperor's grand marshal, whohad evidently been sent by his master. Those who hitherto had been soanxious to leave the hall, and thronged so eagerly round the courageousold man, now stood still, and the grand marshal walked through theopened ranks directly toward him. Every one seemed to hold his breath tolisten, and even to stop the pulsations of his heart, to hear the orderfor Erman's arrest.

  The grand marshal now stood before Erman, who had seen him coming, andadvanced a step to meet him. Duroc bowed, and said in a loud voice, "Hismajesty the emperor has ordered me to invite Counsellor Erman, of thesupreme consistorial court, to dine with him to-morrow at noon. Hismajesty desires me to tell you that he is anxious to make theacquaintance of a man who is so faithful and courageous a servant of theroyal family, and endowed with sufficient magnanimity and boldness todefend the absent and accused. His majesty has instructed me to assureyou that, far from disapproving your conduct, he highly esteems andadmires it, for the emperor knows how to appreciate every thing that ishigh-minded and noble."