Note 8 — MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE, EXILE, AND CONVERSATIONS, OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Time, which explains all things, has shewn the little springs which brought about one of our greatest catastrophes. I received the following particulars from one who acted a part in the events of the day:—
On hearing that Napoleon had arrived at the Elysée from Waterloo, Fouché flew to the dissatisfied and suspicious Members of the Chambers exclaiming, “To arms! He has returned desperate, and is about to dissolve the Chambers and seize the dictatorship. We cannot endure the restoration of tyranny.” He then hastened to the best friends of Napoleon. “Are you aware,” said he, “what a terrible fermentation has risen up against the Emperor among certain deputies? We can only save Napoleon by facing them boldly, by showing them the full power of our party, and how easily the Chambers may be dissolved.”
The friends of Napoleon, easily duped in this sudden crisis, failed not to follow, perhaps even to overstep, the suggestions of Fouché, who now returned to the distrustful party and said, “You“You see his best friends are agreed on this point: the danger is urgent: and in a few hours there will be no remedy. The Chambers will be no more, and we shall be very culpable in letting slip the only opportunity of opposing him.” Thus the permanence of the Chambers, the forced abdication of the Emperor, and the downfall of a great empire, were brought about by petty intrigue, by ante-chamber report and gossip. Ah, Fouché! how well the Emperor knew you, when he said, that your ugly foot was sure to be thrust into every body’s shoes.