THE COMTE A. DE LA CHAPELLE.
Collaborator and Friend of the Emperor Napoleon III.
A private photograph, lent for this work by the
Vicomte de La Chapelle.
the aid of a rope, and he showed his much-lacerated hands as evidence of the truth of his assertion. My father was once discussing with Napoleon III. the question of the Marshal’s generally assumed treachery, when the Emperor said: “Pas traître, pas traître; mais, mais!”—accompanying the two last words with a significant shake of the head and a very serious look.
My father often had confidential talks with the Emperor, sometimes for hours together, and at such times Napoleon would get the Count to relate his adventures and experiences in the various countries which he had visited. These little stories greatly interested and diverted the Emperor, and aroused his old enthusiasm.
Some time before the death of Napoleon III. determined efforts were made to bring about a restoration of the Empire, and my father and a few—very few—others were let into the secret.[143] I remember, as a small boy, my father concealing in the lining of the hat which he wore when travelling important documents entrusted to him by the Emperor for transmission abroad, especially to Paris. At the same time my father was “shadowed” everywhere by the detectives of the French Republic, and subjected to the greatest annoyance. The propaganda for the restoration of the Empire continued even after the Emperor’s death.
When, after his release from captivity at Wilhelmshöhe, the Emperor arrived in this country, in March, 1871, he was very short of money, and through my father’s untiring efforts large sums were raised for His Majesty and for the Restoration propaganda. I mention this because it was falsely reported that the Emperor had left France taking a great deal of money with him. As a matter of fact, when the Emperor reached Chislehurst his finances were at a very low ebb. In my father’s own words, “Il était très gêné” (he was very short of cash).
The Prince Imperial, as many are probably aware, was an excellent swordsman. He attended regularly at Bertrand’s fencing academy, in Warwick Street, Regent Street, where the courteous maître d’armes, a fencer of the old school, used to put the Prince through his lessons with much dignity and infinite ceremony. M. Bertrand passed away long since; but there may still be seen in the academy over which he so worthily presided a bust of the Prince, his foils, his épées de combat, and other of his weapons, which, on one occasion, the veteran professor, with pathetic solemnity, allowed me to handle when I was a favoured pupil many years ago.
The Prince was also a first-rate rider, and my father has often told me with what agility the imperial youth would vault into the saddle. It was really this cleverness in mounting which cost him his life when he and his party were surprised by the Zulus on June 1, 1879. Lieutenant Carey (who, whatever may be said to the contrary, was in command of the ill-fated reconnoitring-party) gave the order to mount, and the Prince, in attempting to vault into the saddle, put a great strain either on the flap or the girth, with the result that it gave way, and the Prince fell to the ground. By this time the Zulus were close upon him, but were checked in their advance by two of the troopers (who had not “bolted”), until they were both killed by assegais. Then our dear, brave little Prince drew his sword, and, with a skilled fencer’s natural instinct, endeavoured to ward off the spears, which were now thrown at only a few yards’ distance. With his sword he contrived to deflect some of the assegais, but they came so rapidly and numerously that ultimately he was struck in one of his eyes and pierced in various places. I need say no more.
The exuberant spirits of the Prince Imperial may be illustrated by this little story: One day, at Camden Place, he invited my father to a bout at singlestick. The result of a very unequal match was that in a few minutes the Prince so belaboured my father that he was black and blue all over his body, and scarcely able to move for three or four days! My father often laughed over this incident, but my mother was very angry with the Prince.
Comte de La Chapelle’s Letters to Napoleon III.[144]
The “Subscription” Assured.
To His Majesty the Emperor.
Undated.
Sire,
I do not know how to express to your Majesty how grieved I am because of the mishap which has occurred, and of which I am the involuntary cause.
Mr. ——, instead of going to Cowes on Friday, as had been arranged, was obliged to spend the day in the City, and he sent word to me in the evening to inquire whether he might present himself before your Majesty on the following day, and whether I could accompany him. As for me, believing that he was going away, and thinking that I had two or three days’ time, I went to Belgium, and only returned yesterday evening.
As Mr. —— did not find me, he thought that he ought to wait for me, and it was only this morning that I was able to get this explanation. He is annoyed to think that your Majesty waited for him. He again repeated to me what he had intended to say himself to your Majesty on the subject of the subscription. He only requires a few more days to complete his business connected with the railways. “And then,” he said, “I shall carry out my promises to a large extent, and you can, in presenting my humble respects and excuses to the Emperor, give the assurance to His Majesty that I and my friends ...” [The concluding words are undecipherable.]
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
Anxious Moments, but “Good Results” hoped for.
To His Majesty the Emperor.
August 6, 1872.
Sire,
I have been very busy taking various measures, but I regret to say that for some weeks past I have encountered obstacles which seem likely to delay the realization of promises.
In a number of instances the impression produced by the [war] loan has cooled the ardour which had been first shown, and has deferred the engagements; in other cases I have to combat the animosity or the actions of people who, after having had relations with the Empire, have had the indelicacy to borrow on their own account and to speculate on their relations with the Emperor.
Thus I am obliged to reassure myself of the co-operation of those who were most inclined to subscribe large amounts. I must confess to your Majesty that these matters cause me anxious moments, and the disappointments which I meet with would discourage me if I did not summon all my energy and call to mind that it is absolutely necessary for me to attain the object proposed.
Finally, Mr. —— is expected in London on Saturday next, and as soon as I have been able to see him I shall telegraph to inquire on what day your Majesty could receive him.
I am still in hope that all promises in this direction will be fulfilled, and that, with his co-operation and that of his friends, we shall obtain good results.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
£10,000 Available for the Emperor, in Instalments of £2,000.
To His Majesty the Emperor.
Undated.
Sire,
I have this morning imparted to Mr. —— the idea which your Majesty had the kindness to express in a telegram, and I explained, moreover, how urgent it seemed to me to procure funds for the French Press.
Mr. —— replied that he would certainly bring to a happy conclusion the combination entered into by himself and some friends, in order to realize a substantial subscription, but that he still required a little time.
“Nevertheless,” he added, “I can already place at the Emperor’s service a sum of 250,000 francs [£10,000], as an instalment of the subscription which I and my friends are collecting, but I should desire that this amount be [? payable] by instalments of 50,000 francs [£2,000] each, at intervals of a few days.”
Mr. —— will leave for Paris on Saturday next, to remain there eight days, and if your Majesty would kindly at once send his orders, the address of his offices is....
As for me, I shall await your Majesty’s decision as to whether I should go to Cowes or remain in London.
Your Majesty will, perhaps, think that [our] success is still far from being equal to what was looked for; but, notwithstanding all [the] steps taken, and all my zeal, more time is required than I had expected; this worries me very much.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
M. Rouher receives £2,000 for the Emperor.
To His Majesty the Emperor.
September 8, 1872.
Sire,
M. Rouher has received the 50,000 francs [£2,000] announced, and since the Emperor will be back at Camden Place on October 1, I shall have the honour to explain the situation to your Majesty.
Mr. —— has received his picture of the Battle of Sedan, and he asks me to inquire of your Majesty whether he would be allowed to have it taken to Camden Place for inspection by the Imperial Family.
Having been obliged to give up the publication of the “International,” I have made arrangements to begin next week the publication of a little daily paper, in English and French, with the title “Paris and London News.”
The principal object which I aim at is to resuscitate the “Telegraphic Despatch,” begun last year, but appealing to the English and French public, as well as to the Press.
I shall remain anonymous in order not to be annoyed in France, and in order to lend more force to my pathetic telegrams.
In order to keep the secret I have acquired a little printing-office ... for pamphlets and books.
... All my plans, but altogether the desire to be of use, which I trust your Majesty will pardon me.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
The Count in Contact with “Influential Persons of all Countries.”
To His Majesty the Emperor.
September 15, 1872.
Sire,
Having returned to London, I hasten to place myself at your Majesty’s disposal.
In compliance with the request made, I called on M. Rouher on Thursday morning, the 12th inst., to ask him at what time he would receive Mr. ——. I was told that he had not arrived, and that the date of his arrival was not known.
At Mr. ——’s request, I returned the next day, the 13th, but was no more successful than the previous day, so that Mr. —— left Paris without being able to comply with the letter which your Majesty had the kindness to write him, and in which your Majesty expressed the wish that he should spend the 12th with M. Rouher. He wished to know to-day what he ought to do.
M. de ——, an intimate friend of a relation of mine, has sent me a booklet, which I enclose for your Majesty. He is the author of it, and he would be glad, when publishing another edition shortly, to insert any rectification which might be pointed out.
During my stay in Paris my business in connection with railways brought me into contact with influential persons of all countries, and I was convinced that solid progress had been made in favour of our cause, and that people were looking forward to the future. A crisis is believed to be inevitable in connection with the interest on the loans,[145] and this is thought to be the rock which will wreck M. Thiers’s boat.
The propaganda against the Empire is prosecuted at Paris, and as for us, we do not seem to have any organization.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
“Fully Subscribed.”
To His Majesty the Emperor.
September 17, 1872.
Sire,
Mr. —— gives orders by this evening’s post to pay to-morrow a sum of 50,000 francs [£2,000] at M. Rouher’s, and in a few days’ time he will pay 200,000 francs [£8,000]; the remainder of the subscription will be paid as soon as his business with the “Era” is terminated.
I am busy with various matters which I hope will have good results, and as soon as I have succeeded I will hasten to inform the Emperor. May your Majesty deign to accept the homage of my profound respect and my perfect devotion!
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
P.S.—The funds of Mr. ——’s subscription will be paid in Paris through the intermediary of Mr. ——, his agent.
Payment Delayed.
To His Majesty the Emperor.
Undated.
Sire,
M. ——, agent to M. —— at Paris, has several times called on M. Rouher without being able to see him. It seems that he is in the country.
The paying of the funds is consequently delayed, which is not our fault. I will ask them to see about it again.
The picture of the Battle of Sedan, with the report of the Prince of Prussia, has been bought by M. ——, and as the Government has caused the photographic negatives to be broken, I have suggested that the picture should be reproduced in London on a large scale, and that copies should be distributed in France.
If the Emperor does not disapprove of the project, it will be carried out as soon as the picture reaches London.
In a few days’ time several persons who have promised to subscribe will have returned to town, and I shall call on them and remind them of their promises.
I have several times been tempted to go to Cowes to have the honour to present my respects to the Emperor, but have feared to be troublesome.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
A “Subscription,” not a “Loan.”
To His Majesty the Emperor.
Undated.
Sire,
Mr. —— having sent for me and asked me whether, because of a letter received from the Emperor, he ought to change what had been arranged between us with regard to payments, I replied that I did not know, but that it seemed to me that in the letter the purchase of newspapers had been mentioned, and that he would be able to settle the question at the rendezvous at M. Rouher’s to which he is invited for September 12.
He then added: “I shall arrange to pay a larger amount at one time for the needs of the cause and the purchase of newspapers.”
I take the liberty of again repeating to your Majesty that it is here only a question of subscription, and not a loan; and if I dwell on this point it is because I desire to make it plain that I have never departed from the letter of the mission confided to me.
I intend leaving London for five or six days, but if your Majesty had any command or instructions for me, I should be happy to get a telegram, and to delay my departure, which was to be to-morrow, Saturday, evening.
My journey is connected with the reappearance of my paper; for I was obliged to give up the plans of the “International,” partly because promises have not been kept, and partly in order to separate myself from a circle which might have injured our cause.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
Telegram to “Comte de Pierrefonds.”[146]
From Count de La Chapelle to Comte de Pierrefonds, Marine Hotel, Cowes (Isle of Wight).
Have seen Mr. ——, and have arranged matters with him. Shall write particulars by next post.
Received telegram. Could not meet yet Mr. ——. Shall endeavour to see him to-night, and shall telegraph his answer.
“Before long I will give you the Highest Mark of Confidence.”—Napoleon III.
To His Highness the Prince Imperial of France.
March, 1873.
Monseigneur,
Being entirely deprived of the happiness of seeing your Highness, I take the liberty of addressing these few words to you.
His Majesty the Emperor was kind enough to count on my devotion, and until a few days ago[147] I was honoured by His friendship and His valued confidence.
I loved the Emperor with all my soul. He commanded my life, and He knew it.
One month before the terrible catastrophe which has so grievously befallen us, the Emperor pronounced these words: “Before long, dear M. de La Chapelle, I will give you the highest mark of confidence which I can give you.” I bowed. I felt myself the happiest of men; I felt that I could do anything if the Emperor commanded. These kind words I shall always guard in my memory, and I have long since vowed that I would be to the son what I had desired to be to the father.
Thus you see, Monseigneur, that, happen what may, whether or not I shall be allowed to see you often, you will always find me ready to abandon everything, and place my devotion and my humble services at your disposal, only too happy if your Majesty will deign to accept them.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
Comte de Clary to the Comte de La Chapelle.
Camden Place, Chislehurst, December 30, 1871.
Dear Friend,
I have duly received your letter, and I at once handed the enclosure to the Empress. Her Majesty read it with interest, and thanks you. Moreover, she charges me to tell you that if during your stay in Paris, you should hear anything of interest, she would be pleased to hear of it. Au revoir, dear friend. Please present my respects to Mme. de La Chapelle, and accept my sincerest wishes on the occasion of the New Year. It is terribly cold here.
Very affectionately yours,
(Signed) Comte de Clary.
From the Same to the Same.
Camden Place, Chislehurst, January 1, 1872.
Just a line, dear friend, to let you know that the Empress and the Prince Imperial will be most happy to see you to-morrow, Sunday, in the afternoon. Till to-morrow. And I shall be very happy to shake hands with you.
Yours faithfully,
Comte de Clary.
Conversation with the Prince Imperial.
March 9, 1873.
The Prince said to me:
“I know what great confidence the Emperor placed in you, and I know how fond he was of you. I know how devoted you were to him. Not everybody here likes you; but, as for me, do not forget that I feel for you the same attachment that my father did, and I hope that you will often come to see me and speak to me of my poor father.”
Then we went on to discuss the situation. The Prince confided to me certain secrets regarding the organization of the party; then he asked me what the intentions of his father might have been on this or that point.
I answered.
“Well, then,” he said, “I shall act in the same way when the opportunity occurs, and, as regards what is now going on, I intend to make a complete change in a year’s time, and to take the initiative myself, which is my due.”
After having given an account to the Prince of the plans of my friends, finances, and the elections, he repeated that he depended on me ... and I was to come and see him often.
(Signed) A. de La Chapelle.
Letter from Émile Zola to the Comte de La Chapelle.
Médan, July 15, 1892.
Dear Sir,
I thank you heartily for your kindness in sending me the reply which you were good enough to send to the question of the “Figaro.”
It is calculated to make me feel very proud, and I assure you that I am greatly touched because of the solid support which it gives to the historical portion of my work.[148] I shall always be extremely grateful to you.
Believe me, Sir,
Very truly and cordially yours,
(Signed) Émile Zola.
THE EMPEROR’S LETTER TO M. ROUHER.[149]
Chislehurst,
le 12 J., 1871.
Mon cher Monsieur Rouher,
Je vous écris pour vous faire faire la connaissance de Mr. de La Chapelle, littérateur distingué, qui a publié un récit très bien fait de la campagne de 1870, et qui m’a donné des preuves de dévouement dont je suis fort touché.
Recevez la nouvelle assurance de ma sincère amitié,
Napoléon.
Translation.
Chislehurst,
June 12, 1871.
My dear Mr. Rouher,
I am writing in order that you may make the acquaintance of M. de La Chapelle, a distinguished littérateur, who has published a very admirable account of the campaign of 1870, and who has given me proofs of devotion which have greatly touched me.
Receive this new assurance of my sincere friendship,
Napoléon.
M. Pietri’s Lettres Révélatrices.
The Man was Colonel Baron Stoffel.
And Colonel Stoffel was the French Military Attaché at Berlin from 1866 until 1870.
This clear-headed artillery officer, ever on the alert, saw what would inevitably happen sooner or later, and he bombarded his Government with warning reports, which were either pigeon-holed by Ministers, after a perfunctory glance at their contents, or perused and treated as waste-paper. Those who assume (which I do not, and never shall) that Napoleon III. was, as a Ruler, as black as his detractors have painted, and continue to paint, him, will now learn for the first time that, while in the highest military circles Stoffel’s repeated warnings of Prussia’s preparations for war were scoffed at, and he himself regarded by many at the Tuileries as a bird of ill omen, the Emperor attached the utmost importance to his Military Attaché’s reports,[150] insisted, through M. Pietri, upon being kept fully informed of what was being done by Prussia, and did his best to prepare his forces for the struggle which he, like Stoffel, foresaw in the near future. We know all this now, and how we know it I will presently show. As, however, Stoffel[151] is the hero of this chapter, his personality must not be neglected.
His career was a remarkable one. From 1862 until 1865 he was prosaically employed in superintending the excavations at Alise, which had been begun in 1861 by that enthusiastic archæologist, Napoleon III. In 1860 Stoffel, then an artillery Captain in garrison at Auxonne, saw for the first time Mont Auxois. He went over the ground, Cæsar’s “Commentaries” in hand, and noticed how closely the locality tallied with the description given of it by the conqueror of Gaul. Shortly afterwards Stoffel published in the “Moniteur” (August 6 and 7, 1860) “Une Étude sur l’Emplacement d’Alesia,” which attracted the attention of the Emperor, who was then working upon his “Histoire de Jules César,” a work of which he himself said, one day, he wrote very little, owing to his somewhat slight knowledge of Latin.
Stoffel was rewarded by being made Chef d’Escadrons and Officier d’Ordonnance to the Emperor. In 1862 the Commission de la Topographie des Gaules published Stoffel’s “Étude” through the medium of the imperial printing-office. Stoffel showed that Cæsar’s statements were absolutely accurate, and that the whole army of Vercingetorix might well have been located on Mont Auxois and not have lacked a water-supply. In 1866 Stoffel became Military Attaché at Berlin.
At the Tuileries, one morning, the Emperor, accosting Stoffel, said: “General Bourbaki assures me that you take an exaggerated view of the qualities of the Prussian General Staff, and that you do not sufficiently recognize the abilities of our own Staff.” Stoffel, a very outspoken man, replied: “Sire, the General is deceived. In order to form a correct opinion of the Prussian and the French Staffs, one must have seen both of them.... Supposing there were two pictures of Rubens, one measuring six feet and the other eight feet——” Here he was stopped by the Empress, who, seeing that he was warming to his subject, began talking to him, so that Stoffel had to break off what he was saying to the Emperor in order to listen to the Empress! And nothing more was said about the respective merits of the Prussian and French General Staffs.
General Bourbaki was as optimistic as Stoffel, fortified by his knowledge of facts and his prescience, was the reverse. Two years before the war the General, as Chef de Mission, followed the Prussian army manœuvres along the Rhine. He could not help noticing the rapid fire of the Prussian infantry, but his only official comment was this very inept one: “The needle-gun (fusil à aiguille) is certainly a formidable weapon, but in other matters we have nothing to learn from the Prussians!” Bourbaki was a brave soldier, but a corporal of the Scots Guards could have taught him much that would have been very useful to him.
One day, after the war, when the wounds of France were still open, as Stoffel was lunching at a Paris restaurant, Bourbaki entered, saw Stoffel, and, with tears in his eyes, said: “Ah, Colonel, I deceived the Emperor, but unintentionally. Had we listened to you we should have escaped our misfortunes. As a loyal soldier, I ask you to forgive me!” This showed a noble heart, certainly; but all the mischief had been done.
Not long after the death of the Emperor, Marshal Lebœuf, who, I remember, had been present at the imperial obsequies, again made his way to Chislehurst, mainly, it would seem, to perform an act of duty, for Colonel Stoffel (who chanced to be visiting England at the time) saw the Marshal[152] kneeling at the Emperor’s tomb, contritely murmuring, “Pardon, Sire!”
While the war was still raging, the “Times” printed some extracts from Stoffel’s reports, and in its editorial columns expressed the opinion—which all military experts must have endorsed—that it was a puzzle how anyone who had read those documents could ever have dreamt of plunging France into a conflict with Prussia.
Had Colonel Stoffel’s warnings been acted upon by the Ministers of Napoleon III., France, in all likelihood, would have been saved from her disasters, and the Prince Imperial have been the reigning Emperor to-day. After all his great services, how was Stoffel treated? Thiers dismissed him from the army on some frivolous pretext!
M. Pietri’s Letters to Stoffel.[153]
Biarritz, September 27, 1866.
My dear Stoffel,
The Emperor has read the report which you sent to the Ministry of War. He waited for it two or three days, and was obliged to send for it. You did well to tell me about it. His Majesty, before receiving it, dictated to me the following questions, in all of which the Emperor is particularly interested:
1. How are the officers of the [German] Landwehr selected and named?
2. Where do they come from?
3. How many of them are there in each battalion of infantry and in each squadron?
4. Where are the horses for the squadrons of the Landwehr obtained?
5. Is the uniform of the Landwehr the same as that of the army? Or in what respects do the uniforms differ?
6. How much does the knapsack of the infantry weigh?
7. How many hospital-men per battalion follow into the battle-field?
8. How are the parks of artillery organized?
9. How are the requisite horses obtained?
The Emperor dictated to me all these questions for you somewhat hurriedly, and I think he will have others connected with them which you will be able to put and decide yourself, principally concerning the organization of the Landwehr. You have doubtless heard that His Majesty is greatly occupied with the question of increasing our military forces by the formation in France of a Landwehr system. All the information which you can send on these points will be welcomed [by the Emperor].
* * * * *
Compiègne, November 21, 1866.
My dear Friend,
I thank you for the interesting details which you have sent me. I perused them with much pleasure, and read them to the Emperor, for whom they arrived very à propos. The Commission for the Reorganization of the Army has begun its labours, and His Majesty has found in your letter ideas and appreciations upon certain members of this Commission which could not easily have been given to him viva voce; whilst, coming from afar, in a private letter, these opinions contained nothing disagreeable; moreover, it was not possible to question their sincerity. Several meetings [of the Commission] have already been held, at which there was more or less verbiage—many ridiculous ideas, and especially an immense quantity of blagues on the part of a misunderstood General T——,[154] and of our Cousin.[155] The Emperor made them all come to Compiègne and work hard. At last they left yesterday, and will meet again a week hence. In the interval they will study the Emperor’s plan [which was ultimately adopted].
* * * * *
That, in general, is the scheme which is about to be studied in detail. I wished to send it to you, but only thirty copies were printed, and the Emperor is very niggardly over them. Before closing my letter I will ask him if he will send you a copy, and if he consents you will find it enclosed.
And now I have to communicate two matters to you by the Emperor’s order.
1. To send you the enclosed packet containing papers relating to the war budgets of Prussia and of France. The Emperor has been struck by the relatively small amount of the Prussian war budget as compared with that of France, and also by the figures for the maintenance of two armies almost equal in number. His Majesty wishes you to compare the figures now sent to you with the amounts which in Prussia are allocated to the same object as with us, in order to see what economic ameliorations may be made in our administrative system. Your report upon this subject will be of the greatest use to His Majesty, who has appointed a subcommission, formed of members of the Commission, and charged with the study of the administrative and economic details, discipline, etc., etc.
2. Could you procure the new rifle which has been submitted to the King of Prussia?[156] The Emperor wishes you to do all that is possible to get one. Let me know if you have need of means for that purpose. I am not directed to mention this to you; but should you require any [funds], I will set about getting you some.
We have been at Compiègne a week. We had one essentially military evening, which was attended by twenty-four members of the Commission, yet was very gay and pleasant. If you want to know the names of some of the ladies, les voici: the sweet and beautiful Mme. de Chasseloup-Laubat[157]; Mme. Lejeune; the little Palikaos,[158] the eldest of whom is charming; the little Bruats,[159] etc., etc.; and Mlle. de Lagrenée, to whose memory I recalled you, thinking that it would be agreeable to you.... I have become a sportsman enragé, and I am going to ask to be admitted into the vénerie.[160]... The Emperor continues very well, better than ever.... Your offer to send some books is accepted [by the Emperor]. Select the most interesting, and send them to me—with your bill. Duperré[161] sends you a thousand remembrances.
Paris,
January 3, 1867.
M. le Lieutenant-Colonel!
(That looks exceedingly well.)
... I am sending this letter through the Foreign Office. It will reach you slower than by the ordinary post, but more surely.[162] “Chi va piano, va sano; chi va sano, va lontano.”[163] This is a proverb, and proverbs are the wisdom of nations.
You asked me in your last letter to tell you exactly the kind of rifle the Emperor wanted a specimen of. His Majesty has no choice. He wants a specimen of a rifle which might be adopted by the Prussian army; or to know the state of perfection to which the old rifle has been brought—supposing that steps have been taken to modify it. In a word, His Majesty wishes to be au courant of the armament of the Prussian army. You need not, then, concern yourself with the various specimens which may be offered [to the military authorities], but only with the rifle which might be adopted....
* * * * *
The cost of the army will be diminished rather than increased, but you will find that the patriotism of our speakers will consider the expense still too heavy, and that they will do their best to create the belief that the French people are governed by buveurs de sang.[164] What fun the Prussians will make of us and the esprit militaire of the valiant French nation!...
... The Emperor continues in excellent health.... His Majesty directs me to put the four following questions to you:
1. What is the weight of the Prussian knapsack? What does it contain?
2. What is the weight of the Prussian cavalry saddle, and what weight does the horse carry beyond the weight of the rider?
3. How is the Prussian soldier shod? Does he wear boots, or shoes and gaiters?
4. Is the uniform of the Landwehr provided by the State, or paid for by the man who wears it?
Paris,
December 27, 1867.
My dear Stoffel,
Your two letters greatly interested me. What you tell me of the state of opinion and the ideas of the Prussians does not surprise me. I have always been among those who think that we are detested on the other side of the Rhine, and it has not been necessary for me to read the journals and pamphlets published in Germany. Although the German pamphlets are ... little read in France, we hear a long, dull buzz much resembling hostile clamours.... I believe we shall not seek vain pretexts to make war; but if we are obliged to make it, we shall not have a moment’s hesitation....
I read to the Emperor the greater part of your opinions on the feelings of the Prussians towards us....
Paris,
January 8, 1868.
My dear Stoffel,
You should have received through the Foreign Office my last letter, containing twelve hundred francs [£48], and informing you that another sum is being sent from the same source.[165] You will find in this envelope the bank-note [for 1,000 francs = £40] referred to, which will be, I believe, the last you will receive. The prodigality of César Romain[166] will stop there, and if we had not any other resources there would be nothing for us to do but to ask M. Plon to give us a bed in the hospital which he intends to build in memory of the conqueror of the Gauls and of his historian [Napoleon III.]....
I urged you in my last letter to send all the information which you can obtain, and not to omit using for that purpose the “crowns” you will be able to get the Embassy to advance. His Majesty would like to have to-day a complete report upon a new system of mobilization adopted by Prussia, by which she will be able to put all her troops on a war footing in nine days. Possibly you have already sent such a report; send another in more detail....
Paris,
March 22, 1868.
My dear Stoffel,
... What you told me in your last letter is quite just, as far as Germany is concerned, but I do not, like you, expect to see the Emperor reconcile himself easily to events which might happen, as he has done, or been forced to do, up to now. The conditions have changed, and if we have submitted to events against which it was impossible to oppose any obstacles, to-day we are ready to face, with calmness and confidence, those [events] which may be produced, and we have only to act in regard to our interests.... We must be in a state of constant observation, and work indefatigably to make ourselves the strongest.
It is necessary, in this connection, to render justice to Marshal Niel. Since he has been at the [War] Ministry he has accomplished veritable tours de force, and from this time, by the admissions of the most difficult, of the most prudent, and even of the timorous [or “scrupulous”], we can say that we are ready for all events.
... I have read to the —— [? Emperor] several extracts from your letters.
Paris,
May 28, 1868.
My dear Stoffel,
I have read, and caused to be read—and that with the greatest interest on my part and also on the part of the persons to whom I communicated them—the letters which you have sent me for some time past, and which I have not yet answered.... You appear to be highly thought of at the Ministry of War, where your Reports are appreciated in a manner very flattering to you.... I have seen one or two of these reports when with the Emperor, who always follows with the greatest attention the questions treated in your Reports.... All the details which you give upon the [Prussian] army, and everything connected with it—armaments, fortifications, etc.—are a very useful thermometer to consult, indicating very clearly the degree of temperature in which we find ourselves.
Your private letters are of an equally appreciable interest. Your relations with the B—— family[167] place you in a magnificent position, and you have a hundred times more advantages than the most wary diplomatist to observe and seize, in the family life, a crowd of tints which should enable you to judge soundly of the hopes which they form for the future, and of the degree of confidence or of fear which they have of the success of their plans. In my opinion, they [the Prussians] have taken a step in advance by the meeting of the Custom-house Parliament [Parlement douanier]. M. de B—— [168] has tried to restore the prestige of Prussia, which had begun to weaken, by remounting his war-horse, in order to repel the foreigner who wished to mix himself up in their affairs, and by appealing to German patriotism....
* * * * *
I am happy to tell you to-day that our military situation is superb. Never have we had so many resources—never a finer army. If you receive the “Moniteur,” you will have been able to read Marshal Niel’s report upon our armament and the quality of our rifles. This has been published in the official journal in answer to the reports circulated in Germany, and noted by you, which tended to create the belief that we had not obtained the results which we had expected from our rifles. At Châlons they are practising assiduously with the new rifle,[169] and as the men are much pleased with it, they apply themselves thoroughly to practising with and taking care of it.
... All these military exercises, joined to the other summer déplacements, do the Emperor much good....
* * * * *
I have given to the Emperor the various maps which you sent me. They are very acceptable to His Majesty, who desires you to continue to forward everything new which you may find, and which is worth the trouble of sending. It is understood that you keep an account of all your expenses. The small atlases which you have sent for the Prince are excellent for teaching him geography, and the Emperor has given them to General Frossard.[170] If there are any others, you can buy them.