MEMOIRS OF
THE BAEON DE EIMINI.

AT EVERY LIBRARY.

THE PRIMA DONNA:

Her History and Surroundings, from the 17tli to the
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MEMOIES

BARON DE EIMINI

(GRISCELLI DE VEZZANI)

li it n

SECKET AGENT

NAPOLEON III (1850-58) CAVOUR (1859-61) ANTONELLI (1861-62)
FRANCIS II (1862-64) THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA (1864-67)

REMINGTON & CO PUBLISHERS

HENRIETTA STREET COVENT GARDEN

1888
lAll Rights reserved']

CONTENTS.

PART I.

CHAP.

PAGE

Editor's Preface

I. Birth

... 5

II. Soldier

... 10

III. Prisoner

IV. Secret Agent

V. Due de Morny

VI. Fialin de Persigny ...

VII. Bacciochi

VIII. Doctor Conneau

IX. Fould

... 70

X. Saint- Arnaud (Arnaud Leroj)

XI. Baroche

XII. Troplong

... 86

XIII. Collet Maigret

... 88

XIV. Rothschild

... 90

XV. Mouvillon de Glimes

... 96

XVI. Deux Decembre (coup d'etat)

... 99

XVII Comte de Glaves

... 108

XVI 11. The Opera Comique

... 110

XIX. Prince Menschikoff

... 113

XX. Palmerston

... 117

XXI. Miss Howard

... 124

XXII. Duchess Castiglioni

... ]32

XXIII. Countess de Gardonne

... 137

XXIV. The Countess of St. Marsaud

... 146

XXV. Sinibaldi

... 150

XXVI. Morelli, or the Man from Calais .

,.. 153

XXVII. Pianori

... 156

XXVIII. Orsini

... 158

XXIX. Prince Cammerata

... 160

273581

PART II.

CHAP, PAGE

XXX. Cavour 167

XXXI. Victor Emmanuel 175

XXXII. The Ricasoli War and Conspiracy ... 181

XXXIII. Massimo d'Azeglio 187

XXXIV. Farini 192

XXXV. Garibaldi 201

XXXVI. Pius IX.— Antonelli 205

XXXVII. The Sicilian Campaign 221

XXXVIII. Royal Infamies ... 226

XXXIX. The Romagna and Naples Expedition ... 234

XL. Geneva, Brussels, and London 239

XLI. Monsignor Bovieri ... ... ... 243

XLII. Comte de Chambord at Lucerne ... ... 248

XLIII. Travels, Missions (anecdotes) 255

XLIV. Mission to Madrid 267

XLV. Mission to London and Warsaw 273

XLVL The Congress of Malines 279

XLVIL The Congress of Frankfort 283

XLVIIL In Rome 290

XLIX. Espionage in the Tyrol 293

L. Espionage at Florence ... ... ... 297

LI. The Battle of Custozza 805

Conclusion 310

Index ... 311

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

In 1866 I made the acquaintance of a man who was
short and thick-set, with an agreeable, intelligent face,
over which, however, there passed at times, quick as a
flash, a gleam of ferocity.

This man's language was animated and fanciful; his
conversation most agreeable and diverting. He was
intimately acquainted with all the small political secrets,
spoke of the most distinguished men as if he had lived on
intimate terms with them, and related the most detailed
anecdotes about their private life. The groundwork of
his character was a sovereign contempt for all mankind,
whom he looked upon as vile, mean, and capable of the
basest actions to gratify their ambition.

He said frequently that if there were no kings the
nations would soon invent them, because the ambitious
need a king to enable them to reach the desired goals.

" Kings," said he, " are mirrors which reflect the glory
qw'on leur prete» Remove those mirrors, and any number

2 * * ' "J^DITV^'S PREFACE.

of people will at once complain at no longer being able to
gaze at the tinsel in which they are arrayed. The basis
of mankind is made up of vanity and stupidity."

The man who thus spoke was known as the Baron de
Rimini. In a short time I became his indispensable
companion, and the confidence with which I inspired
him was such that he revealed to me all the details
of his past life, and gave me a voluminous manuscript
containing his memoirs. He even drew up a regular deed
of sale. It is this manuscript which I now place before
the public.

I warn the reader that I have not changed a single
word of the author^ s. The style is his own, with all its
imperfections and all its originality.

In the beginning of the year 1867 Baron de Rimini
suddenly disappeared from the little room which he
occupied in the Rue de la rian9ee, Number 51. What
had become of him? I never knew. But some time
afterwards I was summoned before the examining magis-
trate, who, after asking me several questions about the
Baron, ended by demanding the manuscript which he
knew to be in my possession.

I did not deny the fact, but did not see why I should
obey the order to place it in the hands of justice; I even
resisted a threat of seizure.

Later, I was again summoned to the inferior court for
civil causes, and assisted at the nonsuiting of Arthur de
Yezzani, who had illegally used the name of Baron de
Rimini.

I have never been able to understand the motive of the
condemnation, the great care taken to nonsuit, and the

EDITOR'S PREFACE. 8

small concern of police and magistrates at this mysterious
disappearance.

I am convinced that it is only a fresh adventure in our
hero's life, and that at some time I shall receive an explana-
tion of the conduct of the Court.

Meanwhile I publish Baron de Rimini's memoirs up
to 1866, and feel certain that the readers will find therein
ample means of satisfying their curiosity.

CHAPTER L

BIRTH.

I WAS born at Vezzani (Corsica), a little village
lying between the mountains of Tanno and Cali,
nearly in the centre of the island which was the
birth-place of the greatest soldier of modern times.
My family are regarded with well-deserved esteem
throughout the canton. The mayor and the rector
are two Griscellis, kinsmen of mine. Although not a
lawyer, my father was frequently chosen by the
magistrate and the chief justice as an arbitrator in
certain questions of boundaries or family law-suits.
He always managed so well to satisfy both parties
that no appeal was ever made on his decisions.

My mother, an angel of goodness and charity,
much loved throughout the country for her great
kindness to the poor and infirm, and the services
she rendered to all who addressed themselves to her,
was mourned by the entire canton the day she died,
leaving her husband and children in the deepest grief.

My brother was two years old, I was four, and

6 MEMOIRS OF TEE BARON DE RIMINI.

my father twenty-six. "With great self-sacrifice he
remained a widower rather than place his sons in
a stepmother's power. Our grandmother under-
took to bring us up ; she was too fond of us not to
gratify all our childish fancies, a great contrast to
my father, who, while he loved us passionately,
overlooked no action of ours, and corrected our
most trifling faults. My brother, who was gentle
and good, and physically frail and delicate, obeyed
all our father's orders. As for me, I listened to no
one ; my character and nature were indomitable.
At home as well as at the village school, instead of
obeying others I wanted everyone to bend to my will.

Being unable to make me respect her, my grand-
mother sent me to the village school, conducted by
an ex- Quartermaster of the Empire, who, although
he felt a certain affection for his pupils, ruled them
in a military way. Well, I confess with shame that
the former Quartermaster in the grande armee, with
all his punishments and privations, unable to get
the better of me, was forced to go to my father and
own himself beaten, " Because," as he said, " not
only does your son worry me incessantly by his bad
conduct, but he turns the others from their duty,
and woe to the schoolmate who does not obey him
to the letter ! Blows, kicks, and very often bites,
fall like hail upon the child who dares to resist his
caprices."

My good father loved me dearly, but at the reports

BIRTH, 7

of the schoolmaster and ray grandmother he decided
to send me to my uncle, Jean Pierre Baldovini, my
mother's brother, and a shepherd at Pi^tre-Bionchi.
I did not enter my uncle's house as a hired servant,
but to help him look after bis goats and ours, which
formed part of my mother's dowry.

I cannot express the joy I felt in being at full
liberty to act, speak, and play, without hearing some-
one take me to task.

My uncle was very affectionate to me. Never a
reproach ! never a counsel ! All his moralizing con-
sisted in saying — " See how T do. Try to* imitate
me, and before long you will be the first shepherd in
the canton." What a future !

At that time I had no thought of ever seeing
Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Vienna, or Constan-
tinople.

My uncle and I lived six months in the mountains
and six months in the plain — in the summer on the
Sal^ mountain, above the village, in winter in Alesia,
near the Mediterranean.

In these two spots I stayed alternately for six years,
from the time I was nine years old ; and if I had had
the good fortune to be Arago or Bernardin de Saint-
Pierre, I might have willed to posterity works on
astronomy and nature which would have vied with
those of the illustrious secretary of the Academy, and
the no less illustrious author of " Paul and Virginia."
In the mountain as on the plain (except on stormy

8 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

nights), the sky was our cover, the earth our mat-
tress. Ah ! how -many times, seated on a rock or
some tree which the gale had overthrown, did I not
see the stars come out and fade away again.

When T was fifteen my father replaced me by my
brother Ange-Paul, who hoped to gain some strength
in the country air. Besides, my father wanted me
to help him farm.

For the first few days I was well satisfied with the
change. Being with my father was a source of great
happiness to me ; besides, I could meet my former
friends ^and my relations, whom, as a shepherd, I
had seen only at rare intervals. I saw once more
the familiar country side, the church, and listened
to the village bells, which I had not heard since my
departure.

But in spite of all these pleasures there was one
thing which made me forget them and bitterly regret
the days which I had spent with my uncle. It was
the pains which ran through my back, arms, and legs,
during the first days, for our occupation allowed us
but little rest.

We worked all the week, going to the village on
Saturday evening. On Sunday we assisted at divine
service, and in the evening we returned to the farm
with our provisions for the ensuing week.

My brother had grown much stronger during his
stay with our uncle.

BIRTH. 9

My grandmother, who had brought us up, died
and left us the house in which our forefathers had
lived for generations past.

As we could not get on without a woman in the
house, my father, who liad not been willing to give
us a stepmother when we were little lads, persisted
in a resolution he had formed, and forced me, in a
way, to marry one of my cousins, a beautiful young
girl of seventeen, who might have made us happy,
and prevented many extraordinary things which
would never have occurred had she not listened to
her mother's counsels.

She was our relative, she knew that my father
and brother were working for us, and that they
would have helped us to bring up our family. Per-
haps my brother would have remained a bachelor,
had not my wife, an angel of gentleness before her
marriage, become an infernal demon the moment she
was settled in the house. Her sole occupation was
(in accordance with her mother's advice) to strip us
of all she could to give to her family, not to mention
the continual quarrels which she raised between my
father and his two sons.

Fortunately the recruiting time came, and in spite
of the tears and prayers of my relatives, and the
substitute whom they had bought for me, I left to
Join the army. Had it not been for my wife's malice I
should never have gone outside of my native village.

CHAPTER II.

SOLDIER.

Two days after I had drawn the number which made
me a soldier, my father, who had lamented unceas-
ingly, took me aside and said —

" "When are you going ? "

" Why ? " said I, astonished at the way in which he
had divined my thoughts. " I have plenty of time
after the claims of exemption ! "

" You are deceiving your father, my son," said he,
grasping my hand with tears in his eyes.

" That is true, father. I intend to leave this
evening at six o'clock."

" I knew it. A father's eyes see a great deal.
I have already prepared everything for your depar-
ture. Only, to escape the tears and lamentations of
your relations, we will leave at ten instead. The
horses will be waiting for us outside the village."

At ten o'clock precisely my father, my brother,
and I left the house as if we were going to the cafe ;

SOLDIER. 11

then we went separately to the place where my
cousin, Ange-Pierre, was waiting with the horses.

My brother and my cousin, after saying good-bye,
returned home, whilst my father and I started for
Ajaccio, where, on my arrival, I was entered as
Number 7,703 on the register of the 60th regiment of
the line.

The recruiting captain, after examining me, sent
me to Bastia, to the 1st Battalion, 4th Company.
The same day, my father, without shedding a tear,
gave me his blessing and returned home, whilst I
started for Bastia to join my Company.

On my arrival at the barracks a sergeant took me
to the stores to equip me, gave me a knapsack, a
cartridge box, a rifle, etc., took me back to the
barracks a transformed man, and left me at the foot
of the bed in which I was to sleep. A soldier's life
has been so often described by abler pens than mine
that I shall only briefly relate the principal events,
most of them curious, and sometimes tragic, which
concern me personally. They are all strictly true.
The next morning, after fatigue-duty (which all
conscripts have to undergo as soon as they join), I
was taken, without my gun, to a plain where the
drilliug went on. Two Corsicans, Major Riston
and Lieutenant Risbrussi, came up to me and gave
me such good advice about my military future that
I already looked upon myself as a future General,

12 MEMOIRS OF THE BAROJST DE RIMINI.

but tliej also told me that before anything else I
should have to learn to drill in order to be admitted
into the battalion, and to read and write, that I might
master the theory of fighting, and teach others.

Their counsels made so great an impression upon
me that from that day forth I gave myself up entirely
to learning how to handle my gun and studying
military art in all its branches.

Two months later, the drill-instructor, after having
made me drill alone and with my company, allowed
me to join the battalion.

That evening, when I entered the barracks, I
hastened to enrol my name in the regimental school,
where I was to learn French, and in the fencing-
school, where I intended to acquire the art of killing
my fellow-man properly, in accordance with all the
rules of the game, as will unfortunately be seen later
on.

With my insular vivacity and mountaineer's agility
I became in the course of a few months the best
pupil at the fencing-school. The head-master,
Duillestre, an old soldier, who retired shortly after
that, grew so fond of me that he had me made a
corporal, exempted from service, and attached me to
the regimental fencing-school to help him and
take his place when necessary. The regiment
received orders to return to France ; we landed at
Toulon, and went into garrison at Rodez (Aveyron).

SOLDIER. 13

Although exempted from service by order of the
Captain, I performed the duties of Quartermaster
during the entire march, with Adjutant Duchemin
and Quartermasters Santelli, Casanova, etc. Reach-
ing Rodez at mid-day, we obtained the billets at the
Mayor's office, then went to the barracks which the
5th regiment of the line had just vacated. While
waiting for the troops, who were not to arrive before
three o'clock. Quartermaster Santelli invited me to
go to the cafe with him. When we entered we
were obliged, in order to get to a table, to pass two
civilians who were already seated, and who, seeing
Santelli so young, and particularly so slender,
offered him an outrageous insult. They had hardly
uttered the last word before one of them received a
blow on the face. At that moment I had hold of the
chair in which I was about to seat myself. But
seeing that I might use it in another way, I raised it
and struck both of the men, without asking what it
was all about. The guard was called for. Our
soldiers arrived. One of the civilians, who had
received the slap and a blow from the chair, went
up to the corporal and asked him not to arrest us,
although we had begun the affair.

As soon as the soldiers were gone they approached
us, and a duel for the next day was proposed by one
side and accepted by the other.

The reader will pardon me if I enter into all these

U MEMOIRS OF THE BAROJST DE RIMINI.

details ; but as it was mj first duel, and we were
more or less deceived in our antagonists, I think it
worth while to say that Santelli and I accepted this
duel with pleasure, persuaded beforehand that we
were going to fight inexperienced civilians, and that
we could thus get up a reputation as good swords-
men. Our two adversaries thought the same, as
will be seen.

The next day, at six o'clock in the morning,
Santelli and I were awakened and summoned by the
two men of the day before to the gate of the quarter.
Instead of being two they were now three ; I accord-
ingly called Corporal Yersini, a second-rate fencer.

We six left the town together, and went as far as
the river which gives its name to the department
(Aveyron). The preliminaries were soon over.
Quartermaster Santelli and the civilian who had
been struck in the face took off their shirts and
grasped their weapons.

At the first pass, looking at Versini, I remarked
that the Quartermaster, whose adversary was a
skilled duelHst, was as good as dead. Then I
recommended my friend to play close and pru-
dently.

He took no notice of me, however, for I had
hardly finished speaking before he made two full
passes, as in a fencing-lesson, then lunged forward.
His adversary adroitly caught the Quartermaster's

SOLDIER. 15

foil by a semicircular stroke from below and sent it
flying a dozen paces behind him. Then, without
leaving his place — he could have killed Santelli
had he so wished — he lowered his arm, and turning
to his friends, said regretfully —

" It is as I feared ; these are conscripts."

*' Conscripts ! '* cried I, then throwing ray coat,
cap, and shirt on the ground, I added, " Another
conscript, master civilian ! "

As soon as he felt my stroke he saw that he had
quite another arm to deal with. I made the same
pass as Santelli with the difference that my
adversary, while trying to send my weapon a dozen
paces behind him, found it in the centre, clear
through him, a couple of inches above the right
breast. When he fell my foil remained in his
body.

His friend drew it out, sucked the two wounds,
and, helped by the other civilian, took him to the
hospital.

My colleagues and I, to whom I recommended the
strictest silence, returned to the barracks.

I own, to my shame, that I was rather proud of
it all. Santelli and Versini, my pupils, countrymen,
and friends, could not praise me enough.

Four days afterwards the Adjutant called all three
of us and conducted us to the reporting room to the
Colonel. I felt frightened, and my friends were

16 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

afraid for me. My fear and theirs increased when
we entered the Praetorium and saw, contrary to
custom, the General and a gentleman in plain
clothes to whom all the officers showed great
respect, and who, when he came forward, took our
names, surnames, rank, birthplace, etc. When he
heard that we were all Corsicans he turned to
General Durieu, saying —

" Corsicans ! I am not surprised."
Then the General asked us in so many words —
" Which of you murdered a civilian ? "
The word murdered fell like a flash of lightning
into the room, making much more commotion than
the latter would have done amongst the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and the corporals on
duty belonging to the 60th line.

The spectators looked at us silently, stiff with
horror. No one answered.

General Durieu, almost angry, called —
"Griscelli!"

" Here, General," I replied.
«« Why did you not answer before ? "
" Because I have not murdered anyone."
" What, you have not murdered anyone ? And
how about the man whom you killed four days ago
just outside the town ? "

Up to that moment I had been frozen, but a&
soon as I knew what I was accused of doing I

SOLDIER. 17

raised my voice, and, looking steadily at the General,
said —

"Mortally wounded, yes, Greneral ; but not mur-
dered ! " And without waiting to be asked I re-
lated the affair from the time we entered the cafe to
the end of the combat.

When I had finished the General turned to the
gentleman in the white cravat and asked him if I
had told the truth.

" Yes, General," replied the Public Prosecutor.

The General, whom we had all thought very angry,
approached me laughing and said —

" That is right, my man. Here are twenty francs
for you. You know how to make your regiment
respected. The man whom you killed was a quarrel-
some scoundrel, who, while he sponged on the 5th,
killed five of the men belonging to that regiment.
Colonel, put this young Corporal into a crack com-
pany."

Then a change took place which may easily be
imagined. All the officers who had looked upon me
as lost approached to congratulate me.

The Colonel asked me to go to his lodgings. When
we got there he gave me a pair of epaulettes and
twenty francs, counselled me, and particularly praised
me for my discretion. ** Any other man," said he,
" would have told the whole town.**

18 MEMOinS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Santelli and Versini, who, although fond of me,
were jealous of me that day, are now : Santelli,
chief of a squadron of gendarmery in Corsica, and
Versini a Captain in the 20th Rifles of Yincennes ;
and I, who was the hero of so many scenes, must
languish in exile.

Some time after that our regiment went into
garrison at Lyons, whither my reputation as a
duellist had preceded me. But that which com-
pleted my fame as a fencer and a fighter, was a duel
which my regiment had with the 30th (a duel between
two corps) and which deserves being published.

One night, during the roll-call, the voltigeur Gruis
entered the barracks without his sword, and covered
with blood. This man was the confidential servant
of Monsieur Berthelin, the officer on duty.

After the roll-call, before reporting, the latter sum-
moned his servant and made him tell what had
happened. Guis said that while he was in a cafe
(Simon) at the Croix-Rousse seven corporals of the
30th of the line had insulted, disarmed, and beaten
him.

At this tale the Lieutenant, looking at me, told the
company that it was a stain on the regiment, and
particularly on the company of voltigeurs belonging
to the first battalion, and that he would gladly
exchange his gold epaulettes (for two days) for
woollen ones that he might wipe out the stain with

SOLDIER. 19

blood. All the voltigeurs were gathered around the
officer, and waiting for my answer.

" Lieutenant," said I, " you will keep your epau-
lettes. Guis will be revenged by to-morrow night.
After that we shall see."

His eyes sparkled with joy. He took me by the
hand, made me go out into the court-yard, gave me
twenty francs, and assured me that he would see to
everything.

" I give you carte hlanche^^^ said he. " Only revenge
my voltigeurs ! *'

The next day he came to me at the fencing-school,
to tell me that Colonel Lamane counted on me.

" The Colonel ? " said I. " Who told him ? "

" I did, last night at his house. The whole regi-
ment knows about it, and all the officers who were
with me expect something from you as you are a
corporal of voltigeurs."

In the evening, after soup, I took Versini, Casa-
nova, Santelli, and Guis with me, and we went to
the cafe where the latter had been beaten. We had
hardly seated ourselves before the corporals of the
30th came in, and seizing the billiard cues, said —

" Oh I oh ! they have come in numbers."

" What do you mean by numbers ? " asked a
certain Jocquet ; " they are only four. Well, four
blows of my fist and I stretch them all four on the
floor ! "

20 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

At these words the uproar began. Tables, stools,
and billiard cues flew around. At each blow of his
stool Casanova knocked one down. We were left
masters of the cafe. Our adversaries made off with-
out their swords. We took them and spoilt the
sheaths. Meanwhile the guard arrived with police-
men. The mistress of the establishment, who was
an intimate friend of Guis', took our part, saying
that we had been attacked, and that they had ran
away to avoid paying her. The guard contented
themselves with taking the swords of the 30th, and
we were sent back to the barracks, where each
soldier already had his own version of the battle.
They said that some had been killed, some wounded,
etc.

The officer appeared at roll-call, and when we
announced the victory to him his joy knew no bounds.
Without even asking for the details he hastened to
the Colonel, to tell him that the 60th had been
nobly revenged.

There was a great commotion the next day at the
Colonel's reporting-room, whither I was summoned
with the officer in charge of the fencing- school.

As soon as the officers and non-commissioned
officers on duty were at their post, seeing me talking
to the Adjutant, the Colonel called me by name, and
pretending to be very angry, addressed me in these
terms : —

SOLDIER. 21

** What did you do last night ? Ah ! so you think
that you alone have the right to make the regiment
respected ? I hope they will settle you this time, at
any rate. By order of the General of Division, Baron
Aymard, a duel will take place to-morrow between
two corps. Seven fencing-masters of the 30th will
be at Fort Calvaire to-morrow to meet seven fencing-
masters of the 60th (commanded by their officer) to
settle their quarrel by means of the sword."

I confess that while the Colonel was speaking
my eyes flashed with joy, and when he had finished
I cried wildly — " Long live General Aymard ! "
Although the staff were present everyone burst out
laughing.

The Lieutenant-Colonel, Monsieur Courr^ge, who
was very fond of me, gave me twenty francs with
which to drink his health.

''Drink it to-day," said Colonel Lamarre,'* for you
are not sure of being able to do so to-morrow ! "

" I shall drink it now, with the fencing-masters
who are going with me. Colonel, and I am certain
that you will give me some more to-morrow after the
duel."

" Who is going with you ? " asked the Colonel.

" If Lieutenant Bondeville and Sergeant Duillestre,
the senior master, will allow me, I shall choose
Versini (now Captain in the 20th Eifles), Casanova
(discharged, now a justice of the peace), Santelli

22 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

(now chief of a squadron of gendarmery), Simoni
(who died a captain in Africa), Antomarchi (dis-
charged, now mayor of Noesi), Deconsimi (who was
murdered in Corsica), and Gruis, the promoter of the
quarrel."

My -choice was approved.

All that day the two regiments, and, indeed, the
whole garrison, could talk of nothing but the hand-
to-hand fight. Throughout the division everyone
was impatiently waiting for next day to come, when
it would be known which of the two regiments was
the victor.

A great many of my readers will perhaps not
believe these things, and will ask if, in the nineteenth
century, the public can possibly find any pleasure in
such wholesale murder and bloodshed ? I will
answer that the soldier is moved by the honour
of arms alone. Horse-races, where the bets are
publicly made, the rise and fall of stocks, bull-fights,
diplomatic fencing, and the discussions of the two
Chambers are nothing to the trooper. A duel, a
battle alone can rouse him !

The next morning, at precisely six o'clock, four-
teen soldiers, headed by two officers, met on the road
to Fort Calvaire (14th December, 1836), at the Croix-
E/Ousse, for the purpose of killing each other, by
order of General Aymard, and Colonels de Lamane
and Husson, to save the honour of the regiment.

SOLDIER, 23

Arrived on the ground, the two oflScers saluted
each other.

Jocquet of the 30lh and I took our weapons.

He was the first corporal who had struck Guis ;
accordino^lj he was the first champion chosen by his
colleagues.

After a few very guarded passes he parried tierce
and tried to make a lunge, thinking that he had hurt
me mortally ; I made a counter-pass, and putting
ray weapon back to prime with a turn of my wrist,
he killed himself by falling with all his weight on my
blade.

The sapper Millet took his place, with Jocquet*s
weapon, and attacked me furiously.

I hardly had time to ward off his blows. Fortu-
nately for me he did not lunge forward.

He was drenched with perspiration, and we had
as yet accomplished nothing. The officer of the
30th, Monsieur Petit, asked us to rest a moment.
" No ! " said I, and we continued.

Jocquet died parrying tierce. Millet died parry-
ing quarte. With a parry and thrust, pressing his
weapon back and lunging forward against it (as in a
fencing lesson), I planted my sword in his right
breast.

A third, Corporal Martin, undressed and took his
stand opposite me. While Martin was taking Millet's
place, Yersiui and Casanova, without their shirts,

24 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

and a sword in their "hands, insisted upon taking
mine, saying that I had done my share, that I was
tired and that I ought to be relieved. A discussion
arose. During this time Martin and I were resting,
looking at each other without speaking. After a
few words together the two officers decided that
I was to continue until I was either wounded or
killed.

" Killed ! " I said aloud.

Then, as soon as our weapons were crossed, I
drew my feet together, parrying quarte, then lunged
forward with such violence that my blade entered
his body up to the hilt. He fell on his back, and I
went down with him. As I rose he coughed up
some blood into my face ; at the sight of his blood,
the two corpses, and the sound of Millet's groans, I
tore my weapon violently from Martin's chest ; then,
turning to the officer of the 30th —

" Now for another ! " I cried, " now for another !
Here's the butcher ! " For a moment I was quite
mad.

At these cries a commissary of police (Monsieur
Martinet) and a squad of policemen leapt the wall
and put an end to the fight. They disarmed me
forcibly ; Versini and Casanova dressed me and took
me back to the barracks. They shut me up in my
room. Of course, by this time the whole garrison
knew what had happened. Versini stood at my

SOLDIER, 25

door (where half the soldiers had gathered, anxious
to see me) and allowed no one to enter.

A moment later the Lieutenant- Colonel came in.
I rose immediately to salute him. He (Monsieur de
Courrege) congratulated me and told me that the
Colonel had made me a Sergeant in the room of
Duillestre, who had become a veteran. I was to
go to his lodgings to get my galoons and commis-
sion.

Monsieur Bondeville came up and asked me to go
to the officers' quarters. There I met a Captain of
Gendarmery, Meunier, who took me to his house to
introduce me to his family, as he wanted me to give
fencing lessons to his son and his daughter, a charm-
ing child of fifteen.

A year afterwards the regiment received orders
to go to Paris. On reaching the capital the 60th
was lodged in the barracks of Dussine, Sainte-
Genevieve, and Ave-Maria. It was in this last that
the Colonel installed me with the fencing-school, and
where something happened which forced me to leave
the regiment.

Our Surgeon-Major having just retired, was
replaced by Monsieur Allard, head-assistant of
Saint Cyr. This young doctor was accompanied
by his brother, a Sergeant in the same regiment.

When he entered the corps he kept his stripes and
was ordered to the Ave-Maria barracks. He was

26 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

as vain and insolent as his brother was gentle and
modest. He knew everything. He was a master
of fencing, dancing, riding, and so forth. After his
arrival I invited him several times to come to the
school, but in spite of my entreaties he would never
do so.

On the other hand, nearly every day after I had
left he came in, fenced with my pupils, criticized my
method in vulgar language, broke up our foils, and
generally conducted himself like the creature he was.
Of course my pupils told me about it ; I in turn
reported it to Monsieur Bondeville, and pretended
not to notice anything.

The regiment having been in Corsica three years,
half the soldiers were countrymen of mine, and
they could not bear to see anyone try to get the
better of me. The other half were Provencials,
who declared me to be a mere novice compared
with Allard. A very unimportant affair proved the
strength of the two antagonists. While we were
breakfasting a great many things were said against
the officer Ristunier, who, his calumniators said,
stole two pounds of meat every day from the soldiers'
rations to give to a particular lady friend of his.
The most rabid of all was Allard, who came up to
me and demanded if I were ready to deny it. A
smart box on the ear was my reply. Instead of
proposing a duel he went to the Captain to complain,

SOLDIER. 27

and I got eight days' imprisonment. This way of
denouncing a fellow-soldier, instead of offering to
fight him, lost him the good opinion of the entire
regiment.

As soon as I was at liberty again I succeeded
with the utmost difficulty in dragging him to the
duelling ground, which he left on a stretcher.

The new Colonel Roussel (Monsieur de Lamarre
had been made a General at Perigueux) came to me
in the fencing-school and informed me, in my pupils'
presence, that the first duel I fought with my regi-
mental comrades would bring a court-martial upon
me.

Two days after that, thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel
Courrege, I was made head-nurse and baggage-
master at the military hospital at Val-de-Grace.

CHAPTER III.

PEISONEE.

Although my stay in the hospital is quite worth
relating, I hasten to speak of graver matters, that I
may not always speak of myself alone.

Meanwhile, my father, who had corresponded
regularly with me, informed me one day, some time
after I had left the regiment, that my wife was dead.

I did not regret her, so completely had she made
me dislike her. And to prove to my relations that
I had forgotten the woman who had separated us, I
gave her a successor by marrying Mademoiselle
Bechard the very day I was discharged.

Being in Paris without employment, and at
daggers drawn with my wife's family (and on still
worse terms with her), I resolved to return to Corsica
and realize certain moneys coming from my mother's
dowry, and to come back to Paris and get something
to do, as I would not owe my support to my father-
in-law.

PRISONER. 29

So I left my native village, where I had been
welcomed with open arms by my relations — especially
by my father and brother — and started for Paris.

Passing through Lyons I was unlucky enough to
meet Monsieur Meunier and his daughter, to whom
I had once given fencing lessons. Louise and her
father seemed delighted to see me, took me to their
house, and almost forced me to take up my quarters
in the room of young Meunier, who happened to be
travelling.

That evening they took me to the theatre, and the
next day we went to the He d' Amour, where Captain
Meunier had a country house, and where, in spite of
my entreaties, they insisted upon my spending a
fortnight. All men, young and old, who read this
will pity me, for I was left nearly always alone with
a young, pretty, witty, and very sweet girl. No
wonder I could not resist the temptation. She
would take my hands, and say —

" You need not be afraid of speaking to me before
my father. He loves you as much as I do. Indeed, it
is partly his fault that I am so fond of you, for after
you left Paris no day ever passed in which we did
not speak of you. I used to learn your letters by
heart ; and our favourite walk was on the very spot
where you fought that famous duel with the corporals
of the 30th line. My brother would represent the
80th, and I was the 60th, and I nearly always ended

so MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

by getting the upper hand. Our father would laugh
at our warlike games, and explain every particular
of the fight. He would show us just where Jocquet,
Martin, and Millet stood, and what passes you both
made. He always ended by saying : ' What a lucky
thing it was that the fencing-master did not remain
mad.' "

If Joseph turned his back on Potiphar's wife I
am certain that it was because she was old and
ugly. He would not have left his cloak with
Louise.

Days, weeks, and months rolled by — I had forgotten
Paris, my wife — everything ! A malicious woman
whom I had known in the capital, and who knew
me to be a married man, sold me to the Commissary
of Police, who, in spite of the prayers of Captain
Meunier and his daughter, arrested me and took me
to prison.

Examined and tried, I was condemned (without
being prosecuted). Commissary Birberin's hatred
alone procured me two years' imprisonment.
Thanks to Monsieur Charles Abbatucci, deputy,
instead of working out my time at Lyons, I was
transferred to the prison at Poissy. During my
captivity Louise gave birth to a boy and died.

On leaving Poissy I became the nominal director
of the Printers' Courier. It was during Cavaignac's
dictatorship (June, 1848). One morning as I was

PRISONER, 8)

goiDg to the office, Number 5, Rue Ponpde, the porter
stopped me, saying —

** Escape as soon as you can, my friend. The police
have been here and broken open everything, and
have taken the directors Rigol and Froment to the
Prefecture."

I waited until Monsieur Pietri had been nominated
Prefect of Police.

CHAPTER IV.

SECEET AGENT.

After the coup d/etaf, which a witty man has called
the catastrophe, de Maupas' place as Prefect of Police
was taken by Monsieur Pietri, my compatriot and
friend. The same day he arrived in Paris — he came
from Toulouse, where, during the coup d'etat, he had
shown both courage and energy — his title of Corsi-
can had caused him to be called to fill the most im-
portant post in the whole capital. He sent for me^
and on the score of old acquaintance, and all that the
Abbatuccis had told him, begged me to accept em-
ployment as a secret agent.

"You are the only Corsican who knows Paris.
You will receive no orders except from me, and you
will come in by the Cour des Comptes instead of
entering with the others through Rue Jerusalem."

In consequence of all these solicitations, and as I
wished to make a position for myself, I accepted the
more or less delicate functions of a secret agent.

SECRET AGENT. 33

Secret agents, secret police, are, in my eyes — in
mine, who have had the honour to belong to them— •
institutions invented by tyrants eager to procure
funds without control and thirsting for despotism.
Save in certain very rare cases, tho police are oc-
cupied only in watching each other. Some agents
who are ambitious and intelligent invent plots, draw
up the rules of the societies which they have created,
and then, at the moment of action, have the wretches
arrested who have let themselves be enticed away.
And if the society have taken up arms and made a
demonstration, then the instigating agent is made a
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, an oflficer of the
peace, a commissary of police, &c. Several cases,
which I shall choose from many others in order to
make them public, will edify my readers as to the
morality of the secret police. Nevertheless, there
are occasions on which an intelligent secret agent
is indispensable. The following two are amongst
the number : —

A few days after my admission the Prefect of
Police summoned me to him and handed me a note
worded thus : —

" Monsieur le Prefet, — I hasten to tell you that,
in the Faubourg St. Honord, No. — , some wretches
are fabricating an infernal machine with which to

34 MEMOinS OF THE BAHON DE RIMINI.

assassinate the President of the Republic while he is
on his way to the Eljsee.

" (Signed) E. P/'

When I had finished reading it. Monsieur Pietri
said —

"Keep this note; act as you think proper. I
wish to find out what you can do, and if you may
be entrusted with more important missions."

I left the room without any settled plan, and went
straight to the Faubourg St. Honore. Above the
entrance to the house mentioned I saw : " Ten-
roomed apartment to let, 7,000 francs." The means
of visiting the place were right to my hand. I
hastened home to the Eue des Moulins, and dressed
myself very smartly, adding several crosses to my
buttonhole. Then I hied me to the Rue Basse du
Rempart, to a Yeuve Constant, livery-stable keeper.
I ordered a two-horse carriage, with coat-of-arms,
and a coachman and footman with powdered hair,
and bade them take me to the 7,000 franc lodgings.
When I arrived at the house the footman opened the
door, and I told him to announce the Marquis de
Chalet. At this aristocratic name, porter, door-
keeper, footmen, and servants all hastened to the
entrance to see me alight. The porter took a bunch
of keys and mounted the steps first to open the
doors. I went through the apartment, examining

SECRET AGENT. 35

overj detail : salons, bedrooms, kitchen, &c., and
pretending to be enchanted with the premises, gave
a hundred francs earnest-money, then, taking the
porter familiarly by the flap of his coat, I said,
curtly —

"Whose house is this? Who lives underneath?
I warn you that, although I have given the earnest-
money, I will not live here if one of those blood-
drinkers of Badinguet (Napoleon) lodges here, be-
cause I have no fancy for meeting an executioner of
tho Elysee Bourbon on the staircase."

As I spoke the factotum's eyes darted fire, and
before I had ended he threw himself at my feet,
crying —

" Your Excellency, my Lord, my Lord Marquis,"
&c., &c., " why, you are in the house of his Excel-
lency the Minister of his late Majesty King Charles

" What ! " I said. " I am in the house of ?

Go at once and announce me ! Tell him I have just
come from Frohsdorf."

'Trohsdorf ! " repeated the porter; then added:
" It is impossible for me to announce you ; his Ex-
cellency, our master, left yesterday for Laintonge.
Ah ! so you have just seen His Majesty Henry VI.
How many times he rode on my back when he was
small ! And it was I who taught him to ride. Ah !
tell His Majesty, if you are returning to Frohsdorf,

36 MEMOIRS OF TEE BARON DE RIMINI.

that we are working for him, and that before long
the place at the Tuileries will be vacant, for Badin-
guet is to be struck dead beneath our windows when
he is passing on his way to the Elysee Bourbon."

Then, signing to me to follow hira, he led me to a
small room looking out in the street, where five
infantry guns had been placed side by side on a prop
and bound together.

I knew all that I wanted to know. I gave twenty
francs more with which to drink to the health of
Henry V., and was driven in the same carriage to
the Prefecture of Police.

Monsieur Pietri was still at his desk, and as soon
as he saw a gentleman in dress-coat and white
cravat, gloved, and wearing several decorations, he
rose and came towards me, bowing ; but as soon as
he recognized me he threw himself into an arm-chair,
holding his sides with laughter.

"Where the devil are you going dressed like
that?" •

" I have just come back," I said, and told him of
my first police exploit.

Whilst I talked he laughed heartily, and gave me
five hundred francs, saying —

" Bravo ! bravo ! I know now what you can do."

From that day forth he confided all important
matters to me.

That evening oJBScer Lagrange went to Number

SECRET AGENT. 37

35 and arrested three men who were loading the
guns with bullets, and the servants. I never heard
what became of them.

Several months later Monsieur Walewski, then
ambassador to London, sent a ciphered telegram to
Napoleon, informing him that a certain Kelshe, who
had escaped from Lambessa and was in Mazzini's
pay, was coming to Paris to assassinate the Emperor.
His Imperial Majesty immediately sent for the
Prefect of Police, acquainted him with the contents
of the telegram, and asked for an intelligent, devoted,
and energetic agent. Although I was quite new
to the business. Monsieur Pietri mentioned me to
the head of the State, who answered —

*' Bring him to me this evening at the Opera. I
will have you called during an entr'acte.'*

That evening, after the first act, I saw Bacciochi
go in search of Pietri. I was afraid of not being
called.

It was the first time I had had an opportunity of
speaking to a crowned head, and being a Corsican
shepherd I thought a great deal of it.

Whilst I was making these reflections, the acting
aide-de-camp. Count de Montebello, came in search
of me, and led me to the Imperial box, where were
their Majesties, General Montebello, Marshal
Yaillant, and Mesdames de Montebello and de
Bassano, ladies-in-waiting.

as MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

On my entrance Napoleon rose with Monsieur
Pietri and signed to me to follow him.

As I passed behind the Empress she asked the
General —

" Who is that gentleman ? "

'' He is a Corsican ; but I do not know his name.'*

At this reply she burst into a laugh.

I followed His Majesty and Monsieur Pietri to
the terrace which faces Rue Pelletier and Eae
Rosini.

Three chairs stood ready.

The Emperor took one and signed to us to be
seated as near as possible, because we had to speak
in low tones. Then he said —

" Griscelli, I am glad that you are a Corsican ;
men hailing from that island have always been
devoted to my family. I know that you are, other-
wise the Prefect would not have chosen you from
among all his agents. You know that a certain
Kelshe has] come to Paris to try and put an end
to us. This man must be found. And when you
have found him I wish to see him ; after that you
can await my orders."

"I will await your orders if I can, sire."

Pietri, who considered this reply extremely bold,
began to speak. Napoleon stopped him. Then,
looking me in the face —

" Why, and how will you not await my orders ? "

SECRET AGENT. 8d

*' Because, perliaps after I have found Kelshe he
will try to approach too near to your Majesty's
person before I have had time to point him out to
your Majesty."

" In that case, what will you do ? *'

" I shall either blow his brains out or stab him.'*

" That is right," they both answered.

" And how will you manage to find him, seeing
that you do not know him? "

** Nothing easier, sire. The Prefect will give me
his papers this evening, for he was arrested in Paris
when at the garrison. I shall not only have his
age and personal description, but I shall be able to
see what people he frequented."

" Bravo ! " said Napoleon, " I see that you need
no advice. Pietri, give Griscelli all the agents he
asks for."

" I don't want any at all, sire."

" In case of need," said His Majesty. " And see
that he wants nothing."

This was my first interview with the Emperor.

When I left the Opera that evening I could not
help thinking —

" Who would have dreamed, when I was sur-
rounded by our goats, with my old uncle, that one
day I should talk with a crowned head ! And at
the Opera, amongst all that France contains illus-
trious, in science, letters, and art 1 "

40 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

After the Opera we accompanied tlieir Imperial
Majesties to tlie Tuileries, then went to the Prefec-
ture of PoHce to get a thousand francs and look at
Kelshe's papers, which Balestrino, chief of the
municipal police, gave us. Monsieur Pietri made
him believe that His Imperial Majesty intended to
pardon the would-be assassin.

" Pardon him ! " repeated Balestrino, '* why, he is
the most dangerous man I know. The day he was
arrested at the barricade of the Porte-St. -Martin
fourteen agents had the greatest trouble in the
world to get him to the station. He had to be tied.
He is a formidable Hercules ! "

The Prefect replied that he would tell the
Emperor, and Balestrino suspected nothing.

On looking at the papers I saw : *' Five feet seven
inches in height, herculean build, a dangerous man,
lives with his brother at Rue Trancy de Yaugirard.
He goes often to see Desmaret, restaurant -keeper,
in the same street, where he courts the innkeeper's
daughter."

Armed with these particulars and my one thousand
francs, I went back home and lay down in my clothes.
It was three o'clock, and I wanted to get to Rue
Trancy early, hoping to see Kelshe and find out
something.

At six o'clock, although it was in the month of
December, I was standing opposite his brother's

SECRET AOENT. 41

house. An hour later a young girl came down stairs,
called a commissioner, and handed him a letter, warn-
ing hitn to give it to no one on the way, but to
deliver it himself. The young girl's injunction ap-
peared to me to be worthy of note. I therefore
followed the bearer of the missive, who traversed
Paris, and only stopped at Mdnilmontant. He rang
at the house of a bourgeois. A man, Kelshe himself,
descended, took the letter, and said to the carrier —

" Thank you. I will go at once. I shall be there
before you."

His voice and appearance made no impression
whatever on me, but if I had no dazed feeling, I re-
marked, on the other hand, as a bad sign, that it
was Friday. As he had told the man who brought
the letter, he came out a moment later, and followed
the E/Ue Menilmontant to the Boulevard du Temple,
where he took a cab and was driven to his brother's
house, going by the Boulevards by the Madeleine,
the Place de la Concorde, the Boulevard des Inva-
lides, E-ue de Vaugirard, etc. As soon as his cab
reached the door the entire family ran precipitately
out, fell on his neck, and made him go in, sending
away the cab.

About two hours later he appeared again, accom-
panied by his brother, and they went to No. 13, Rue
de Trancy, to Desmaret's, the restaurant keeper.
There he was oXso feted. The young girl particularly

42 MEMOinS OF THE BARON DE BIMINI.

did not leave him, and took coffee with the two
brothers, whilst, in a small room adjoining the large
one, I ate a cutlet, which I paid for beforehand.

When they had finished their coffee they went to
Cremieux's, livery-stable keeper, in the Champs
Elysees ; there the two brothers separated, and I
caught Kelshe's parting words —

" Napoleon s police are too stupid to discover me.
They think me stagnating in London. It is useless
for me to stay at Girard's. I shall sleep at home*
Fear nothing. Until to-night ! "

Poor Kelshe, he did not know that his words
would be gathered at that moment by one of Na-
poleon's police-agents, who was charged not to lose
sight of him, and that before long he would have
the unpleasantness of finding himself face to face
with the same man. Although I do not wish to
anticipate, I will say just here that on entering
Desmaret's a dazed feeling came over me with such
force that I nearly fainted. Was it a presentiment
of the drama which was to be enacted several days
later, or what was it ? When I saw Kelshe leave
Cremieux's on horseback and go towards the Tuile-
ries, I ran to the Eue Montaigne (the Imperial
Mews), had a horse saddled, and went to the Place
de la Concorde, where, to my satisfaction, I found
the assassin, sitting a pure-blooded horse like an
accomplished rider. At precisely two o'clock His

SECRET AGENT. 4S

Imperial Majesty, Colonel Fleury, and Captain Merle,
appeared on the spot, having come by the Rue
Eivoli. Kelshe, who was then near the Pont Eoyal,
came galloping up to Napoleon. I was already
behind him, my horse's head touching the crupper
of his, when the Emperor passed near us. In my
left hand I held my horse's reins, the right grasped
the handle of my dagger.

Napoleon glanced at him while he talked to his
aide-de-camp, then continued on his way to the Bois.
Kelshe did not move. His death was not to take
place at the Champs Elysees.

As soon as His Imperial Majesty had passed he
broke into a hard gallop as far as the Arc de
Triomphe. More than thirty riders, including Kelshe
and myself, followed to the lake ; there, wishing to
shake off the crowd which surrounded him, Napo-
leon again started off at a gallop as far as the Porte
Maillot. Then we went to the Pont de Neuilly at a
walk, and the Eoyal party returned to the Tuileries
by the Pare Monceau and the Faubourg St. Honord.
He left us in the Eue de la Paix. It was then four
o'clock.

I shall not relate all the incidents which occurred
during this surveillance, which lasted fifteen days
and fifteen nights; it would only lengthen this
chapter, already too long. But I wish to say that
Kelshe was always kept in sight. I have eaten at the

44 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

same table, often taken coffee in tlie same partition.
Whether on horseback, in carriages, or walking we
were continually meeting, and to such a degree was
the fanatic blinded by the thought of the assassina-
tion that he never once discovered that he was being
watched. All the letters whicb he received from
London and those whicb he himself wrote were un-
sealed, read, and then sent to their address.

At the hour mentioned, while Kelshe, arrayed in
cap, riding-boots, and green jacket, beneath which
something protruded, was making his horse prance,
His Imperial Majesty and Monsieur Fleury entered
the Place de la Concorde. When he saw them
Xelshe went towards them at a triple gallop, and
they, seeing that, went through the Avenue de
I'Etoile as hard as they could. I had time to tell
the jockeys to keep very close to His Imperial
Majesty, and to let no one pass in front of them.
When they arrived at the Bois de Boulogne a
furious chase began. Walls, brooks, and paths
were crossed at full gallop. The pedestrians who
saw us pass told each other that the head of the
State was either mad or drunk.

Alas ! he was neither the one nor the other, but he
was in fear of his life. After three hours of mad
careering, we passed the Porte Maillot to return to
the Tuileries, traversing the Avenue de I'Etoile.
Our horses were white with foam. On entering the

SECRET AGENT. 4&

Avenue Kelshe's horse refused to go any further, in
spite of his rider's whip and spurs. I dashed forward^
and passing the Emperor waved ray hat in the air,
crying, ''Beaten I beaten ! Long live the Emperor !"

His Imperial Majesty turned round, and seeing
the assassin at a distance ordered me to follow him
to the Castle. When he entered his study,
Napoleon, bathed in perspiration, opened a drawer
and gave me five thousand francs, saying —

" Go and rest, we shall need you later on ; and
send Pietri to me."

An hour afterwards I was sound asleep, when
the latter came to the Eue des Moulins to awaken
me, and order me to be at his office at midnight to
arrest Kelshe, dead or alive.

Twelve o'clock was just striking when I presented
myself at the Prefecture, where I was astonished to
find forty agents whom the Chief of Police made me
take to help in arresting Kelshe. After a lively dis-
cussion in the Prefect's presence, during which Bales-
trino complained that he had been kept in ignorance
of the affair, I consented to take two with me, saying
that if they wanted Kelshe dead I did not need anyone.

Hebert, Letourneur, and I left the office with
orders to arrest the assassin, alive or dead. At
exactly six o'clock on another Friday we arrived
at Desmaret's, where our man came every day to
drink his absinthe; we ordered a dinner for six

46 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

persons. At eight o'clock a certain Morelli arrived,
having come from London to help in the Emperor's
hunt ; he asked Desmaret where Kelshe was. He was
told that he would arrive at nine. At the hour named
Kelshe appeared. While he was drinking his glass I
ordered Letourneur to arrest Morelli. Hubert and
I seized Kelshe, who, although there were two of
us, got away and ran through the dining-room, the
salon, and the other rooms, and springing through
a window fell inside the surrounding wall, at one
end of which was a door. Had this door been open
the assassin would have been saved ; but it was
Priday, Desmaret's house bore the number 13, and
I had had his dazed feelings ; blood must be shed ;
his doom was sealed.* J^ot being able to get out
through the door, and feeling that his crime had
been discovered, Kelshe, like a brave man, deter-
mined to sell his life dearly. He stopped and
cocked a pistol ; I did the same. We were thirty
paces from each other; the two shots made one
detonation. He fell bathed in blood — my ball had
entered between the nose, forehead, and right eye,
and had come out behind the left ear; his had
whistled past my head. His accomplice Morelli
ran out at the pistol-shot. While he was jumping
to the wall I broke his left shoulder-blade with my
other pistol.

* Corsicaii superstition.

SECRET AGENT. 47

At exactly ten o'clock we were entering the court-
yard of the Prefecture with a wounded man and a
corpse. Monsieur Pietri fell on my neck, and ran to
break the news at the Tuileriesand to the Ministers,
who, since the first attempt, were all impatiently
awaiting the announcement of this important arrest.

That evening I was the hero of all the Ministerial
salons. The Emperor gave me ten thousand francs ;
de Maupas, Minister, five thousand ; and as to
Monsieur Pietri, his generosity was unbounded.

The Empress kept my daughter at her expense in
the Convent d'Josy until her eighteenth year.

That same day I was attached to the person of
His Imperial Majesty Napoleon III., and entrusted
with his safety.

In confiding this delicate mission to me, Messieurs
de Persigny and Pietri gave me these orders :

" We entrust the Emperor's safety to you. No
matter where His Majesty goes, you are never to
leave him, either in France or abroad. Once outside
the Tuileries, no one, no matter who he may be,
must be allowed to approach the Emperor without
being especially summoned. Here, unless called,
you are not responsible. When you travel in
France, in every place through which you pass
with their Majesties all the police and Gendarmerie
will be under your orders. The Prefects have
received official instructions to that effect."

48 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIM INT.

Sometimes I think it cannot possibly be I, who
was once a Corsican shepherd, living five years
with my uncle amongst the peasants, without seeing
either house or village — in fact, almost a savage.
And now, by some fabulous change, by some ex-
traordinary chance, I can say that I have walked
in the Tuileries with Napoleon, at Windsor with
Queen Yictoria, at Turin with Yictor-Emmanuel,.
at Eome with Pius IX., at Madrid with Queen
Isabella, at Portici with Francis II., at Frankfort
with Francis-Joseph, Maximilian of Bavaria, and a
host of others. Yet it is true. It is the truth, and
nothing but the truth ; two-thirds of France will
support my statement, having seen me at Court.
Besides, there are all the Ministers and dignitaries
whom I saw and spoke with at Paris, Lyons, Mar-
seilles, Bordeaux, Lille, Grenoble, Dieppe, Biarritz,
Saint-Cloud, Fontainebleau, and last, but not least,
every day from the Tuileries to the Bois de
Boulogne.

Well ! the man who saved his Emperor's life,
and much more besides, is now languishing in a
foreign land ; whilst those who insulted, fought,
denounced, arrested, bullied, judged, and condemned
Prince Louis Charles Napoleon are receiving from
the Emperor Napoleon the sums of twenty-five,
thirty, forty, and a hundred thousand francs. Now let
any man say that the Bonapartes are not ungrateful I

CHAPTER V.

DUO DE MOENY.

I SHALL speak neither of the Due de Morny's
mysterious birth nor of his having been an African
officer in his youth, still less of his commercial
enterprises — and particularly that of the Great
Central ! — nor of his performances at the Czar's
Court, so wittily exposed by Peel, after his journey
to St. Petersburg ; but of an occurrence of which
most people are ignorant.

What is certain is that he was accepted as their
son by Count and Countess de Morny, poor gentle-
folk from Auvergne.

Europe still remembers the extraordinary festivi-
ties which took place in the capital of Russia at the
coronation of the Emperor Alexander II.

The entertainment which was most admired,
most dazzling, was, according to all reports, that
given by the Duo de Morny, Envoy Extraordinary

50 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

and representatiye of France, on the occasion of the
historical event which followed the Crimean War.

A few days afterwards the newspapers, describing
the splendour and ceremony of the fete (at which their
Imperial Moscovite Majesties had assisted), an-
nounced that JSTapoleon's proxy was about to marry
a Princess of the Russian Court.

On reading this news the Countess de Lehon,
who certainly had a right to be surprised, wrote the
following letter to her colleague : —

'' MONSIEUE,

" The European papers announce your mar-
riage with a Eussian Princess. I warn you that if
you do not have it denied immediately on receipt of
this I will publish all your letters, which are, as you
know, in my possession, beginning with those con-
cerning the coup d'etat of the 2nd of December,
1851.

''(Signed) Countess de Lehon."

I do not know what effect this missive produced
at St. Petersburg, as I was not there, but it created
an immense sensation at the Tuileries. On receiving
his former friend's letter de Morny had written
these words on the margin : '' Sire, act quickly, or
we shall be the objects of a great scandal."

Then he had sent the letter to His Majesty
Napoleon III. by a special courier. The Emperor

DUG DE MORNY. 51

read it, then summoned Pietri at once, acquainted
him with the contents, and asked for a man who
would go to the Countess de Lehon's house and
take the papers from her by force if he could not by
persuasion.

All the police at the Castle were sent to look for
me. General Ilollin, more fortunate than the others,
found rae sitting on the parapet of the Pont Royal,
took me by the arm, and told rae that all Paris was
searching for me to take me, living or dead, before
His Imperial Majesty. While he talked we reached
the salon used by the aides-de-camp and chamber-
lains on duty, who, when they saw me, all rushed to
the door of the Imperial study to announce my
arrival.

Entering the sanctuary of the head of the State I
found Pietri there alone, standing. His Imperial
Majesty rose, showed me the letter, and asked me
if I thought I should succeed. At this moment an
aide-de-camp handed in a letter addressed to the
Prefect of Police, who hastily opened it and gave it
to the Emperor, who read as follows : —

" Prefect,

" I regret to tell you that the Countess
Lehon, on the announcement of the Count de
Morny's marriage, sold all the papers, letters, etc.,
etc., which concerned the coup d'etat of the 2nd
of December to the Orleanists."

52 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

His Majesty stopped and thought a moment.

" It is too late," exclaimed Pietri.

" Not at all, Prefect."

" And why ? " asked Napoleon, looking at me.

" Because, sire, I do not believe that the Countess
would sell the papers before she received any reply
to her letter."

" I agree with you," replied the Emperor. *' Go
at once," he added, '' and be strong if prudence
avails nothing."

I left the study and started in the direction of the
Champs Elysees. As I was crossing the Tuileries
gardens the Prefect of Police joined me, growling :

" That rascal de Morny ! if he had only been
hanged when he stole those millions ! What made
him trust that gabbler with the Emperor's papers ?
Just think what a position he has placed us in if
those papers are in London now ! We are dis-
honoured in the eyes of the whole world ! If you
lay your hand on that w^oman the Orleanists will
raise a scandal ! And if you don't bring back the
papers what will His Majesty say ? "

"He may say what he likes," I answered,
absently, trying to devise some means of getting the
papers out of the Countess's hands.

Pietri was entirely devoted to Napoleon III., but
he was equally afraid of scandals.

When we reached the door, Pietri left me. I

DUC DE MORNY. 68

ascended the staircase, without any fixed plan of
action, and, being announced, entered the salon and
found myself face to face with the former friend of
the Duke of Orleans. It was then eight o'clock in
the evening.

" What miracle," asked she, when she saw me,
** brings you here at this hour ? "

" I have come for the Count," replied I.

" To make an Ambassador of him ? "

" Oh ! madame, he is as yet somewhat young for
that position ; but we will make him something
«lse meanwhile."

" Never, monsieur ; my son shall accept nothing
from your Government ! "

*' Not even the appointment of Ambassador?" said
I, laughing, as I seated myself near her.

Then she informed me that de Morny had wanted
to take her Leon to Kussia with him, but that Prince
Murat had got the best of him and had his cousin
appointed. During this recital her son came in.
1 told him (for his mother s benefit) that I had come
to take him to a dinner at the Mais on Dor^e.

We left the Countess, but instead of going to the
Boulevard des Italiens I took the young Count to
the Barri^re de TEtoile. As we passed under the
Arc de Triomphe I told the Countess's son that I
wished to speak to him on a most important subject.

As soon as he found himself in the dark his

54 MEMOIBS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

courage deserted him, and instead of waiting for me
to question him, he met me half-way. Taking me
by the arm, he said —

" Where are you taking me ? You have been and
are still a friend of the family. I do not, therefore,
mind telling you that I feel sure that the letter
which has appeared in the newspapers will cause my
mother and me a great deal of trouble. I expect
anything and everything, only regretting my inability
to tell His Imperial Majesty that he has no more
devoted subject than I, and that my mother's
opinions have never been shared by me."

" I am glad. Count, to hear you say that, particu-
larly this evening^ for some wretches have profited
by that very letter to send in a frightful report, and,
in their hatred, they have gone so far as to say that
you had started for London with all the Due de
Morny's private papers, intending to sell them to
the Orleanists."

" Then they lied ! It is false ! utterly false !
All Monsieur de Morny's papers are in a box, in
mamma's bureau ! "

" I was sure of that beforehand, and have come
to you neither for the papers nor the box, but as a
friend to advise you to set your mind at rest and be
quiet. But as you say you should have such
pleasure in being presented to His Imperial Majesty,
I will take you to him at once, not for a visit, but

DUC DE Id on NT. 55

in order that you may categorically deny the false
reports. These secret agents are so infamous that
if you do not refute their first assertion they are
quite capable of sending a couple of reports every
day."

The Prefect of Police, behind us, had not lost a
word of our conversation.

He turned back ; he was in a hurry to speak to
the head of the Government.

As we returned by the Elysee, I went to the Police
Station, and ordered an Inspector to surround the
Countess's house at once, and to let no one either
enter or leave without a permit from either the
Count or myself.

'^Why are you doing that? Have you arrested
mamma ? "

" Your mamma is free. Count, but I don't want
any false agents or zealots to have an opportunity
of fleecing her."

On entering Napoleon's study, whither Pietri had
preceded us, I said —

'' Sire, I have the honour to present to you Count
de Lehon, who wishes to lay his respectful homage
at his august Sovereign's feet, and to announce with
his own lips that de Morny's papers are in the
Countess's room."

At this announcement, somewhat awkwardly made.
His Imperial Majesty looked up, laughing, but when

56 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

he heard the last words he held out his hand to
young Lehon, and made him sit down near him,
saying —

'' Did you see the papers to-day ? "

"Yes, sire; and if your Majesty will allow me
I will go at once and fetch them."

" Thanks, Count ; write a line to the Countess,
and we will send Griscelli with it."

The young fellow sat down at the Emperor s desk
and wrote the following note —

'' Dear Mama,

" I am writing from His Imperial Majesty's
study, where I still am, much moved by the manner
in which His Majesty received me. Please oblige me
by giving our friend Griscelli the box containing
Count de Morny's papers ; the Emperor wishes it,
and your devoted son entreats it.

" (Signed) Count de Lehon."

Provided with this talisman I hastened into the
garden, where Pietri joined me, and asked why I had
had the Countess's house surrounded.

'' I will tell you about it to-morrow," said I.

I left the Prefect at the door once more, and
mounted the stairs rapidly.

When I entered the salon the Countess came to
me, threatening me with her fist, and screaming like
a madwoman.

DUG DE MORN 7, 57

" What have you done with my son ? You have
murdered him ! I am guarded by the police whilst
awaiting my execution I My son, my son I Why
don't you answer ? What have you done with de
Lehon?''

During these reproaches I had remained like a
statue. When she ordered me to speak, for all
answer I gave her the letter. She took it trembling,
and read as far as " give the box."

" Never ! never ! " she cried with such violence
that Pietri, hearing her outside, at once ran up-
stairs, thinking that I was stabbing her. At sight
of Monsieur Pietri, whom she knew, the Countess
ran into her room, vociferating —

" I yield to force. I shall protest before Europe
against this sword-and-spy Government ! "

I followed her into her room, took the box, and
was going to give it to the Prefect, but he said —

" Carry it yourself. I will stay awhile to calm
this madwoman. Only, tell the agents to return to
the station."

When I entered the study with the box. His
Imperial Majesty took it from my hands with a
feverish movement.

" There is no key ! Call the manager of the
Castle, Monsieur Galis."

Just as I was crossing the salon to look for the
manager, Monsieur Pietri arrived with the key.

58 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

When he had opened the box and examined
certain letters the face of the head of the State
grew bright with satisfaction. As soon as he had
finished he offered his hand to Count de Lehon,
saying —

" Count on my affection."

Then turning to Pietri —

"You must come and breakfast with the Empress
to-morrow. You, Griscelli, will present yourself
at ten o'clock."

All three of us went out; it was midnight.
Monsieur Pietri treated us to a supper at Douir's,.
in the Palais Eoyal.

The MoniteuT of the next day announced that
young Lehon had been appointed Referendary, a
few days afterwards Chevalier of the Legion of
Honour, then Deputy, then President of the General
Council of the Ain.

As for me, I received six thousand francs.

De Morny was married. The first persons whom
the couple saw at the Gare du Nord on their return
were M. and Mme. de Lehon. The first time the
President and his wife left their palace, after their
arrival in Paris, they paid a visit to the Countess de
Lehon. That day I told the Prefect of Police that
de Lehon had made fools of us all.

" Add that de Morny was his gabbler's accom-
plice,' replied Pietri.

DUG DE MORNT. 6^

When I was at Baden-Badon, in 1861, Count de
Lehon met me, came to me, and invited me to dine
at Stephani-Bad, where he was staying. Just as he
was leaving for Paris he handed me a letter ad-
dressed to myself, which I at once read. It con-
tained these words —

"MONSIETTE GeISOELLI,

" The service you rendered my family is one
which can never be repaid. I regret not having
more than the enclosed (2,500 francs) at my
disposal. Accept it as a remembrance from the
man who will always be delighted to be able to
please you.

" Your affectionate friend,

" (Signed) Count de Lehon,

" Deputy of the Ain."

CHAPTER VI.

FIALIN DE PEESIGNY.

The personage who gives the title to this chapter
was born near St. Etienne, of very poor parents.
He was baptised under the name of Fialin, drew
lots, and served his time (rising to the grade of
non-commissioned officer) under the name of Fialin.
He was dismissed from the regiment under that
name, without a certificate of good conduct, for
some indelicate action.

On arriving at Paris he boldly introduced himself
to Commander Parquin, a Bonapartist recruiter,
saying that he had been victimized on account of
his Napoleonic opinions. This party leader received
Mm — at that time the Napoleons considered num-
bers only — and sent him to London to the Prince,
who needed partisans with whom to cross the
frontier.

During the Strasburg affair, Fialin, dressed like a
sergeant-major, instead of following the Prince to

FIALIN DE PERSI0N7, 61

the quarter where the artillery was stationed, quietly
went to the stafF of the town, and told General
Voirol that he had been forced to take part in the
plot. His accomplices were all arrested and tried ;
Master Fialin was not even questioned. The Stras-
burg chronicles said that Fialin was an agent of
Louis Philippe.

On leaving Alsatia, which he did at will, he again
went to Paris. His manner of life was somewhat
mysterious. He was known to be poor, and yet hia
pockets were constantly well lined. People declared
that Fialin signed his name every week for services
rendered to the Prefecture of Police !

When Louis Napoleon again presented himself at
Boulogne, in order to overthrow the July Govern-
ment, Fialin, in his sergeant-major's uniform, carried
the cage containing the Imperial eagle.* There he
was arrested, and tried under the name of Fialin,
and condemned to twenty years' imprisonment.
They said in Paris that the Peers had given him the
severest punishment because they had proof that
Fialin had deceived the July Government by send-
ing in false reports. The February Republic opened
the doors of Fort St. Michel for him. He went
straight to Forcy, presenting himself as a martyr
to liberty. His countrymen elected him as the

♦ Which was said to have been trained to alight on Napoleon's-
Iiead, as a sign of the Divine will.

62 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

representative of the people in tlie Constituent
Assembly. His master, his chief in the Boulogne
conspiracy, being also a people's representative, and
staying at the Hotel du Rhin, Fialin sought him
out, and from that day stuck to him like his shadow.
The next day the ex-sergeant of dragoons signed
his name de Persigny.

At the time of the coup d*etat de Persigny was
one of the most active agents. He was given the
custody of the Bourbon Palace, along with Colonel
L'Espinasse.

After the tenth of December Louis Napoleon
married him to Mademoiselle de la Moskova— about
whom people said a great many things — in spite
of the mother's refusal to consent to the match.
The dowry was seven million francs. The other
seven millions, coming from the Lafitte fortune,
belonged to the bride's brother, a lad of seventeen,
who was at boarding-school, Eue d'Enfer, where,
several days after Persigny's wedding, the young
fellow was found dead in his bed.*

The ex-sergeant of dragoons had, therefore, four-
teen millions. The first seven millions he obtained
in spite of the wife's mother s refusal to consent, the
other seven millions he had inherited through death.
Both of these things occurred under the protectorate

* It was reported in the quarter that Zambo had been seen
prowling about the College.

FIA LIN BE PERSIONY. 68

of his friend the Boulogne conspirator, in the nine-
teenth century, in the capital of France !

To be impartial, and in order to be able to add
new facts relative to the hero of this article, I will
add that the illustrious banker, perhaps foreseeing the
miseries which would come to his daughter, married
to a wicked and cruel husband, from whom she was
separated, had left her the legatee of the fourteen
millions until the majority of her children, who,
unless they wished to be disinherited, were to
remain under the sole guardianship of their mother.
Well, notwithstanding this will. His Imperial
Majesty Napoleon III. married Mademoiselle de la
Moskova to his favourite, without the mother's
consent, and under his reign Pietri's and
de Persigny's police took the fourteen millions
away from the banker's daughter by the following
means.

Madame la Princesse de la Moskova, riee Lafitte,
lived a very retired life in her father's house, No.
37, Eue Lafitte, with a young girl named Yictorine,
whom she had brought up. A spy, Delagnan, paid
by Napoleon's two functionaries, introduced himself
into the house under a disguise of seeming modesty
and good morals. Not succeeding in seducing and
carrying off the Princess's only friend, he had her
arrested, and taken to the Madelonnettes.

Her mistress, accompanied by the illustrious poet

64 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMTNL

Beranger, went to Procurer-Greneral Rowland to ask
for her ^protegee, Yictorine was restored to liberty.
Then the Princess, thinking that her ward's beauty
was the reason for all this, married her to Monsieur
Dumont, formerly employed in the Maison Lafitte.

Alas ! the illustrious and honest banker's dauo^h-
ter, that banker from whom Napoleon I. refused a
receipt for four millions, counted without the police..
The very night of the marriage Pietri had Yictorine's
husband carried off as a measure of general safety,
and expelled him from French territory. Mean-
while, all these atrocities did not gain the end of
the ex-sergeant of dragoons; the fourteen millions
were still not in his cash-box. This is what was
done in order to get them there : By the sentence
of complaisant judges the Princess was interdicted
as a madwoman. Lafitte's fourteen millions passed
on to Persigny ! Then William Tell's countrymen
saw the only daughter of the banker, and ex-Presi-
dent of the Ministerial Council, the wife of Prince
de la Moscova, and mother-in-law to Count de Per-
signy, Minister of the Interior, member of Napoleon's
Privy Council, &c., living miserably at Chaux-de-
Fonds (Switzerland) with Yictorine and her husband.
Monsieur Dumont, who worked night and day to
get bread for their former mistress and their owa
family.

CHAPTER VII.

BACCIOCHI.

Monsieur Bacciochi was born at Ajaccio, and claims
to be a kinsman of the Bonapartes. All Corsicans
do. In 1848 he ran away from home to escape
being arrested for debt, and took refuge at Bastia
in the house of a vine-dresser named Catoni. After
Prince Napoleon's election as President of the Re-
public he borrowed two hundred francs of the lawyer
Cartuccia and went to Paris.

A few days later he was installed at the Elys^e,
near his so-called cousin, and was made a Count.

Although utterly devoid of brains, he knew how
to amass a considerable fortune by obtaining his
sovereign master's signature to the following more
or less honest concessions : — The Napoleonic Docks,
the monopoly of the Paris omnibuses, the increase
of hackney cabs by five hundred additional vehicles,
the Vichy waters, the Marseilles Docks, and the

66 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Port of Ajaccio, given to Armand without a sealed
tender.

During the examination of the Mires bankruptcy
it was discovered that Count de Bacciochi had
received a million for services rendered.

On hearing of his Chamberlain's dealings with the
Jew his august cousin made him Superintendent of
Theatres and Director of Music in the Imperial
Chapel.

In his princely opulence as an habitual guest at the
Imperial table he found means to reward his friends
in a befitting manner.

Catonij the vine-dresser of Bastia, is now Inspec-
tor of Theatres, and Chevalier of the Legion of
Honour. A son whom he had by Catoni's servant
was taken to the Tuileries as a body-servant. Now
young Bertora is the Chamberlain's secretary, and
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour,

Lawyer Cartuccia, who lent him the two hundred
francs, was unanimously elected President of the
Senate at the Imperial Court at Bastia.

His friends declare Bacciochi to be worth five
millions.

CHAPTER VIII.

DOCTOR CONNEAU.

Some gossips have said that Doctor Conneau was
once assistant cook to Queen Hortense. I do not
know if it is true. All that I know is that the
Queen of Holland, on her death-bed, made him
promise never to leave her son, and that, except at
rare intervals, Conneau kept his word.

In 1831, when the Prince escaped from Aunenberg
and went to Poland, the doctor was sent to fetch
him back, and was arrested at Augsberg. While he
was being taken to prison he said that he had the
cholera. His gaolers were terrified.

Two days afterwards he brought the fugitive back
to his mother.

Arrested at Strasburg and Boulogne, he always
shared his master s fortunes. When he helped him
to escape from Fort Ham, and was questioned by
the President, he replied —

" I helped him to escape because I love him ! **

68 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

After the Empire he was made successively Head
Physician to the Court, Director of the Chapel of
Ease, and Deputy. He married the painter. Made-
moiselle Pasquelini, whom he had attended profes-
sionally.

With all his good qualities, Dr. Conneau, if he
had lived in Moli^re's time, would certainly have
figured with Harpagon and Fozias, on account of
the weakness which he displayed after the Crimean
war.

Why was it. Doctor Conneau, that with all your
good qualities you could not deny yourself the
ambition of wearing a sword of honour ?

After the Crimean war, during which Generals
MacMahon and Pelissier had made themselves
illustrious, the Irish for MacMahon, and the Nor-
mans for Pelissier, opened subscriptions with the
design to offer each of them a sword of honour.

In the face of this deserving glory our ^sculapius
sent to Corsica for his wife's cousin, and spoke to
him in the following manner —

" You must send in your resignation as member
of the General Council of the Department; the
Prefect will receive orders to nominate me in your
stead. The day of the ballot you must open a sub-
scription for a sword to present to your Emperor's
physician. Here is money with which to buy it,
and for all the necessary expenses."

DOCTOR CONNEAU. 69

Some months afterwards the Moiiitear announced
to its readers that His Imperial Majesty's head
physician, Doctor Conneau, had been unanimously
elected member of the General Council of the
District of Corsica in the room of Monsieur Colom-
bani, whose resignation had been accepted, and
that the electors, in a patriotic outburst, had, when
the vote was carried, voted by acclamation a sword
of honour to the faithful servant of His Imperial
Majesty Napoleon III.

I will add in conclusion that the same number of
the ofl&cial organ contained in the official portion
these words : " Monsieur Colombani, Dockyard
Collector at the Porta, has been appointed financial
receiver at Certi."

CHAPTER IX.

rOULD.

In order to relate the somewhat curious anecdote
concerning the celebrated financier, I must go back
a little, as far as the journey to Dieppe, where it
took place.

After their Imperial Majesties had been united,
they both conceived a great desire to travel in
France — certainly a legitimate desire, if there ever
was one. He was anxious to show the new
Empress to the nation who had given him so many
proofs of almost blind devotion by electing him
Deputy, President of the Republic, and Emperor ;
she was equally anxious for the French to see her
in her new character of Empress, a considerable
change from that of a simple young Spanish girl.

The Cabinet was consulted, and opposed the
journey for the following reasons : —

1st. Two-thirds of the departments were in a
state of siege.

FOULD. 71

2nd. More than 20,000 Frenchmen were either in
prison or exiled.

3rd. The country people did not like the union
with Spain.

His Excellency Saint Arnaud, Minister of War,
combated these arguments ; he wanted the Emperor
to travel through two lines of bayonets.

His Excellency de Maupas, Minister of Police,
also wished the journey to take place, but he
thought that the royal safety should be ensured by
putting in motion the entire gendarmery and police
of France !

These notions were warmly opposed by Fould,
Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Monsieur Pietri and I were summoned to de
Persigny, Minister of the Interior. His Excellency
made us go into his study, and the discussion
began. The Minister of the Interior told us that
their Imperial Majesties wished to travel, they did
not care where, and that they wished the journey
to last a month. We spread out the map of France,
and stopped at Dieppe, a little seaport town in the
Lower Seine. There the Emperor might (ap-
parently) take sea-baths. Dieppe was approved of
the next day in a Cabinet Council.

In a few hours a hundred picked policemen were
dressed in plain clothes ; they were to draw up, two
by two, at all the stations along the route, to excite

72 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

the populace to crowd together and cry " Long live
the Emperor ! Long live the Empress ! Long live
the saviour of France ! " etc., when the Imperial
party passed.

Then they were to repair to Dieppe, take separate
lodgings, and pretend not to know each other,
unless something serious happened. They were to
walk on the beach, bathe, and generally conduct
themselves like people out on a holiday. \

Besides his expenses, each man received 10 francs
full pay per diem. Meanwhile, in order to win over
the townsfolk and neighbourhood, de Persigny left
Paris ten days before the departure of the Court,
carrying with him a whole basketful of crosses and
decorations.

The mayor, his two colleagues, four municipal
councillors, two chemists, the directors of the
hospital, the bank, the Mont-de-Piete,* and nearly
all the rural mayors received the red ribbon.

Fifty thousand francs were distributed amongst
the relief-ojfices, the hospitals, the convents, and
the poor of the district. All the articles at the
Mont-de-Piete were redeemed !

These preparations completed, their Imperial

Majesties, M. and Mdme. de Montebello, General

Fleury, and Tascher de la Pagerie left Paris. At

every station the well-dressed men showed their

* Government pawnshop. /

FOULD. 78

'devotion and strength of lung by shouting through
the whole programme.

In spite of all these expenses and crosses, which
.reached an enormous total, the bourgeoisie of Dieppe
refused to lend their daughters, dressed in white, to
go to the station and offer a bouquet to Mdme. de
Montijo's daughter. They were obliged to take
twenty orphans out of the hospital to perform this
portion of the festive programme.

In 1831, when Louis Philippe entered Dieppe, on
his way to Eu, he was received with an immense
roar of ''Long live the Duchess de Berry! Long
Jive Henry Y. ! Down with Philippe Egalit6 ! "

The compatriots of the great Daguesne still
remembered the benefactions of the elder line, who
left throughout Normandy proofs of generosity
which could never be forgotten.

At six o'clock in the evening, when the Imperial
train entered the station, a formidable vocal ex-
plosion was heard of, ^^ Long live the saviour of
France! Long live,'' etc., etc. The well-dressed
men and the new Chevaliers had indeed earned their
pay!

The Imperial carriage was surrounded by the
young girls, the newly-decorated officials, and
Pietri's sea-bathers, and accompanied through the
town to cries of " Lo7ig live,'' etc., until it reached the
Town Hall. When he entered, Napoleon caught

74 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

sight of de Persigny, and in his popular glee went
straight to the Minister, saying :

'' Listen to those cries of joy ! They have accom-
panied us ever since we left Paris ! You Ministers
do not really know Bonapartist France ! "

"With all his intelligence, the Emperor of the
French had not discovered that Pietri was the
wire-puller, and these cries of joy cost the taxpayers
one million francs, without counting other expenses
connected with fetes, balls, and steeplechases that
the departments incurred in their efforts to welcome
their Sovereign.

On the occasion of a grand performance given by
artists who had been sent for from Paris, the aide-
de-camp on duty, General Montebello, ordered me
to accompany him to the theatre, where he said —

" You must station two of your men underneath
the box. You will stand at the door, and must let
no one enter, be he whom he may, unless he has
been sent for."

An hour later the auditorium of the Dieppe
theatre presented a fairy-like appearance — epau-
lettes and embroidery, united with the fluttering
toilettes of the great ladies who had come from the
capital with the Imperial dignitaries. The agents
of the Prefect of Police were scattered throughout
the theatre.

At the end of the first act a crowd of people made-

FOULD. 75

their way towards the Imperial box. Monsieur
Fould, Monsieur Leroy, Prefect of the department,
and Monsieur Frank Carr^, Chief Justice, came to
the box. I told His Excellency very politely that
my instructions would not allow anyone to enter.

" Police instructions ! " replied the Minister with
disdain, passing the door.

I seized him so violently by the collar of his coat
that he fell back amidst the crowd which filled the
hall, then putting my hand on my dagger, I said —

" If you were not Napoleon's Minister you would
be a corpse."

The music of the second act summoned the
spectators back to their places, but noisy conversa-
tions attracted the attention of the Emperor, who
called the aide-de-camp and inquired the cause. In
a few words I told the General about the affair
before he appeared before their Imperial Majesties.
At the end of the act the promenaders in front of
the Imperial box were still more numerous.
Abbattucci, Pietri, de Morny, and de Persigny,
enemies of Fould, congratulated me as they passed.
Leroy and Frank Carr6 complained to the acting
aide-de-camp, who replied that Monsieur le
Ministre ought to consider himself lucky at having
got off with only a scare.

At the end of the performance I accompanied
their Imperial Majesties to the Town Hall. A crowd

76 MEMOIRS OF THE BAHON DE RIMINI.

at once surrounded me to ask what had happened.
In reply, I went to bed. Then began the gossiping ;
some saying that the Minister had been stabbed
because he wanted to assassinate Napoleon and
proclaim the Comte de Paris; others that Fould
had been murdered by a stranger. Each one had
his own particular story.'

Next day, at twelve o'clock, I was summoned to
the salon where all the great dignitaries were
assembled at a general reception. As soon as His
Imperial Majesty arrived he called me and made me
relate what had happened the evening before. I
did so accurately up to the moment when I had
said, '' You would be a corpse ! '*

" And if the Minister had persisted in entering,
what would you liave done ? " asked the Emperor,
looking at Fould.

'' I should have stabbed him, sire.''

" Bravo ! " cried Marshal Magnan, behind me.

At this the entire assembly burst out laughing.

From that day forth Monsieur Fould dedicated to
me a hatred which only died out five years after-
wards in a hunt at Fontainebleau.

CHAPTER X.

SAINT- ARNAUD (aRNAUD LEROY).

General Saint-Abnaud, after having got his living as
an actor and a fencing-master in London, managed,
more or less honestly, to attain the positions of
Marshal of France, Minister of War, Grand Equerry,
Commander-in-Chief of the Crimean army, etc.
Whilst he was Minister of War he accompanied
the Emperor to Yincennes, where His Imperial
Majesty was reviewing the garrison of the fort and
the Captains who, before being made commanders of
battalions, were going through the riding-school.
After the march past we started to return to the
Tuileries ; while we were passing through the
Faubourg St. Antoine, Napoleon III. called me to
him, and gave me a letter, saying —

" Read that ; you will see what is to be done, and
report to Monsieur Pietri."

After leaving His Imperial Majesty at the bottom
of the small staircase, I opened the letter and
read : —

78 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

" Sire,

" General Athalin, aide-de-camp to the man
whom the people drove from France in 1848, is in
Paris since the day before yesterday. I am assured
that he is recruiting ofl&cers for the Orleanist party.
I warn your Imperial Majesty that if he presents
himself at Vincennes I shall have him shot like a
dog.

" The Commander of the Fort of Vincennes.

" (Signed) db Bouejeoly."

After mastering the contents of this statement I
started at once in the direction of the Palais Royal
to see a certain Dremoulin, ex-valet to General
Athalin, now Prince Jerome's porter, who told me
that his former master, the General, had been
dangerously ill at Colmar for two months past, and
begged me, in order to get more certain news, to go
to ISTumber 45, Rue du Mont- Blanc, where I would
find someone who could furnish it.

On leaving the Palais Royal I went straight to
Number 45, where, indeed, I discovered de
Bourjeoly's report to be a lie from beginning to
end. The General had not been in Paris since the
25th of February, 1848. He had come to France
solely on account of his health, and was now so ill
that a number of Orleanists had left for Colmar to
assist at their friend's funeral.

I will not conceal the fact that I was never so

SAINT-ARNAUD {ARNAUD LEROY.) 79

•delighted at any matter entrusted to me. I was
pleased at being able to say that the General had
deliberately lied to the Emperor.

Armed with this valuable information, which I
took care to have written down, I hied me to the
Prefect of Police, to whom I first gave the General's
report. On reading it Pietri grew crimson with
a,nger.

" Beast of a General ! " said the Prefect ; '' does he
want a place as police-spy ? Do I mix myself up
with his affairs ? Why does he interfere with mine ? "

" To brave the lie given him," said I, handing
tim what I had written.

" Oh 1 good ! very good ! bravo ! " and the
Prefect's face cleared more and more as he read the
counter report.

" Thank you,*' said he, when I told him that I had
had the report from His Imperial Majesty, who had
commanded me to give him an account of it.

" He might take it to the Tuileries this evening,''
added Pietri, " but I want Saint- Arnaud to see it first.
Come to me to-morrow at nine o'clock. We will
go together to see the Minister for War."

The following day, at nine, the Prefect and I
entered the office of Saint-Arnaud, who came forward
to greet us, saying —

" Behold ! the two Corsicans have come to arrest
the Minister for War ! "

80 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

'^ Not to arrest your Excellency, but to make-
you angry," replied Pietri, handing him Greneral
Bourjeoly's report. Marshal Saint- Arnaud, tall, lean,,
of nervous, bilious habit, read the report and broke
out into an extraordinary rage.

" The ingrate ! the traitor ! the cowardly, in-
famous General ! And without Baron Athalin this
wretch would still be sub-Lieutenant Bourjeoly \
Ah, wretch ! you leave for Africa to-morrow, or I
am no longer Minister."

And with a movement of nervous haste he turned
to put the report in his desk.

Monsieur Pietri stretched out his hand to take
it, saying that he must carry it to His Imperial
Majesty. Saint-Arnaud, who was irritated by the
contents of the report, answered the Prefect of
Police somewhat dryly that he, and not the Pre-
fect, was the one to deliver it to the Emperor..
Both rose, ready to stab one another. I boldly
stepped in between, sayiug, in rather a loud voice —

" Pardon me, gentlemen ! but neither of you shall
carry that report to the Emperor ; I, your humble
servant, shall do so ! " My bold sally astonished
them both. " His Imperial Majesty gave it to me
yesterday in your presence, your Excellency ; and it
is I who obtained the reply and should give it up to
him. If I reported it to Monsieur le Prefet, it is in
the interest of the service. If Monsieur le Prefet

SAINT'ARNAUD (ARNAUD LEROY.) 81

gave you an account of it, it was out of deference,
because we have had it in our hands since last
night. Monsieur Pietri might have taken it to His
Imperial Majesty. He preferred not doing so until
to-day, that he might have the pleasure of showing
you both the General's false report and the infor-
mation which I have obtained, and which prove
that the Commander of the Fort of Vincennes is
a calumniator."

Whilst I was talking Monsieur Pietri tried his
best not to laugh. When I had finished Saint-
Arnaud said —

" Brigand of a Corsican, you deserve to be shot
by the guard ! "

" I am certain that your Excellency will think
twice before giving such an order ! "

" Ah ! yes ; I had forgotten the dagger you
showed Fould." Then taking out a superb Arabian
poignard, " But we have such things too ! " said
Saint- Arnaud, laughing, and shaking Pietri's hand.
Then he gave me his dagger and purse, saying, " I
wish all the Prefect's employes were like you."

I requested the Prefect to make His Excellency
the Minister acquainted with the second report.
, The perusal of this second sheet calmed the
Minister to such a degree that he stretched out
both hands to the Prefect, with the two reports,
and burst out laughing.

82 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

"And without this brigand of a Oorsican we
should have fought like two street porters ! "

He gave me his purse without counting what was
in it, and an African dagger of great beauty.
Monsieur Pietri proposed that we should all go to
the Tuileries together. The Marshal agreed, and
we all three rode in the same carriage as far as the
entrance to the Pont-Royal, where I got out, the
other two going to see Napoleon III. A moment
later the Chamberlain on duty, de Gricourt, called
me and ushered me into the Imperial study, where
the two above-mentioned dignitaries already were.
His Imperial Majesty ordered me to repeat what
had taken place at the War Office. I gave a very
precise account ; whilst I was speaking my three
hearers laughed heartily. At the end I threw the
purse and the dagger on the Imperial table.
Napoleon picked up the purse and counted twenty-
seven Napoleons, then said to Pietri —

" And what will you give ? "

" All I have with me."

He had twenty- three Napoleons.

The Emperor added fifty from his cash-box,
which made two thousand francs. Then he took
the Arabian dagger and asked for mine (which was
a superb Corsican stiletto).

" Which do you prefer ? "

SAINT-ARNAUD {ARNAUD LER07.) 83

" The Corsican stiletto, sire, because I know
what it can do ! "

From that day forth the Marshal seemed to take
a special interest in me ; and when he left for the
Crimea I accompanied him as far as Fontainebleau.

That evening's Moniteur announced that General
Bourjeoly had been placed at the disposal of the
Governor of Algeria.

Six years later, in 1859, I was sitting tranquilly
in a room in the Hotel Victoria, at Geneva, when
the major-domo came to beg me to move my
luggage out, as he was forced to change my room,
a traveller having arrived who wanted two rooms
on the first floor. I told him that I did not want
to change, as my money was as good as anyone
else's.

The General, who was behind the hotel-keeper,
presented himself to view, and said in his soldier-
like way —

*' Very well, you will be kicked out if you won't
go of your own accord ! "

" And then they will shoot me like a dog I
General de Bourjeoly ! "

An hour later Baron Athalin's false denunciator
was on his way to Lyons.

CHAPTER XI.

BAEOOHE.

Monsieur Bakochb, a Parisian lawyer, was one of
the first to offer his services in the Napoleonic
cause. In turn Procuror- General and Minister,
President of the Assembly charged to draw up the
new Constitution, President of the State Council,
and Government orator, he passed from the Chan-
cellorship of the Exchequer to the Home Office,
and is now Administering Justice. For a long time
he boasted of having been one of the Deputies who
demanded the trial of Minister Guizot.

On the 2nd of December, although he had long
before that sold himself to the President of the Re-
public, when he heard of the coup d/etat and the arrest
of his colleagues, he immediately hid himself in his
cellar, ordering the servants to say that he had gone
into the country. It was not until the evening of
the 4th, after he had heard from the lips of his
wife and sons that the President had put down the

BAROCHE. 85

revolt, that he consented to emerge from his hiding-
place, where he had slept two nights.

On the morning of the 5th he threw himself at
Napoleon's feet and vowed eternal fidelity to him.
He was made President of the Government Com-
mission.

It was Baroche who announced to his august
master the results of the votes for the Presidency
and the Empire.

When the Mires affair was made known Baroche's
eldest son was discovered to be implicated to the
extent of two hundred thousand francs, received
for services rendered !

At this news Baroche hastened to his Sovereign
to offer his resignation.

The Emperor refused, ordering the son, who was
Secretary-General to the Ministry of Agriculture,
to be deprived of office and sent beyond the frontier
for two years.

The other son was made Keceiver- General of a
department, so that he might get along without
Mires !

CHAPTER XII.

TROPLONG.

This great magistrate of the Empire was a plain
Attorney-Greneral at Bastia (Corsica) at tlie time His
Royal Highness the Duke of Orleans journeyed
thither. His young and very beautiful wife {nee
Girard) attached herself to the Royal Prince, acted as
his cicerone, and did not leave him alone until she had
obtained the nomination for her husband of Presi-
dent of the Court of Justice.

In 1848 she repaired to Paris, and settled at
Cremieux, saying — like all Corsicans — that she was
a kinswoman of Louis Blanc. And Madame Trop-
long, still beautiful, did not depart from the waiting-
room of the Minister of the Republic until her
husband had been nominated Chief Justice of the
Paris Court. After the Chief Justice's election
Madame Troplong knocked at the door of Pietri, the
Bacchiochis and the Casabiancas, and did not cease
intriguing until the day on which her husband was

TROPLONO. 87

called to the Court of Appeal. After the Empire
the Justice's wife (still passably beautiful) haunted
the Elys^e until she had become the first Presidentess
of the Senate.

Later, Madame Troplong wanted to be an
Academician's wife. But she is no longer young,
and it is doubtful if her husband's talents would
suffice to gain for him the votes of the immortals.
Now Madame la Presidente, installed at the
Luxembourg, dreams of being made a Duchess.
But, alas ! the title has not yet come.

CHAPTER XIII.

COLLET MAIGRET.

The chameleon who forms the subject of this
chapter was secretary to Du Jarry, Louis Philippe's
Minister, before the revolution of 1848. In this
capacity he was renowned for his ultra-Philippist
opinions. The day following the February episode
the Eepublic contained no more rabid Republican
than he. He founded a newspaper at Lyons, and
the arguments with which he had attacked the
Republicans, when Royalty was in the ascendant, he
vomited forth with even more cynicism against his
former chiefs and early benefactors. Ledru-Rollin,
who he took care should see his paper, wishing to
reward this new neophyte's zeal, made him Sub-
Prefect at Bedarieux. During the Presidential
elections he forsook the fading star of his party, and
attached himself to that of Louis Napoleon.

During the coup d'itat the first sound of firing
found him in the cellar of Monsieur Salamon, the

COLLET MAIORET. 89

Engineer of the Department, and he did not emerge
until three days later, when he had been assured that
everything was once more in order. Then he
seized his reporter's pen and drew up an account of
the events in which he proved that, thanks to his
energy and strategic measures, the Republicans and
Socialists had been crushed at all points by the cry
of, " Long live Napoleon I Long live the saviour of
France ! " The Minister of the Interior, de Morny,
summoned him to Paris to become Secretary-
General to the Prefecture of Police. By regularly
visiting the great men of the day, and much cringing,
he got himself appointed Director of the General
Safety of the Empire. The first report he made to
the Emperor was aimed at Pietri, his former friend,
chief, and benefactor. The Prefect of Police found
it out, and, being a Corsican, he had no rest until
he obtained his dismissal from office for certain
irregularities in the handling of the secret funds.
Solely that he might steal without check, he was
made Receiver-General of the Finances of the Jura.
At the time of the Mires overthrow it was discovered
that the ex-Director-General of Imperial Safety had
given receipts to a Jew for the sum of two hundred
thousand francs, coming from the sale of telegrams
containing State secrets. This time he was dis-
missed for good and all.

CHAPTER XIV.

EOTHSOHILD.

A FEW days after the elections of the tenth of
December, 1851, three men were sitting at a table
at the Elysee — Napoleon, the President of the
Republic, Rothschild, the banker, and Yictor Hugo,
the poet and people's representative. While stoop-
ing the latter let fall a paper.

" These are the verses of a young girl who asks
Monsieur the President of the Republic to pardon
her father confined at Clichy."

" Head of the State though I am, I can do nothing
in this case," replied Napoleon. " Where debts are
concerned the Baron is more powerful than I."

" Read us the verses, if you please," said the Jew
to the great poet, " then, if you desire it, I will do
all that is necessary."

The verses were pronounced to be admirable.

Next day Mademoiselle Geffrotin left the convent
where her father had placed her before his incarcera-

ROTHSCHILD. 91

tion so that she should not be left alone, and went
to the house at Clichy to fetch him whom a stranger
had liberated. They went back joyously to their
modest lodging. But oh ! what a surprise ! Every-
thing was changed I The old furniture and curtains
had been replaced by furniture from Boule^s, and
the curtains were of French muslin. Everything in
old Geffrotin's room was of velvet and red damask.
In the young girl's chamber white silk and green
damask velvet abounded. To all this the unknown
had added a bundle of banknotes to the amount of
ten thousand francs. Questioned by the father and
daughter, the old servant said that a gentleman had
come in the morning with a van, furnished the house,
and left the banknotes for her to give her master
without saying another word.

" It is he ! " cried the released prisoner. ** I
knew quite well, when I was organizing the Society
of the tenth of December, that if I spent my savings
for Louis Napoleon the President of the Republic
would reimburse me with heavy interest. Long
live Napoleon ! " again repeated the old soldier of
the first French Empire.

I say " old soldier of the first French Empire '*
because the young girl's father was formerly a cap-
tain in Napoleon I.'s army ; from 1815 to 1830 he
had refused to serve the Blancs, as he called the
Bourbons ; but at sight of the tricoloured flag he

92 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

ha"d again entered the ranks, gone through a cam-
paign in Africa, and then retired.

When Louis Napoleon arrived in Paris the old
Captain became, with General Piat, one of the
organizers of the Society of the tenth of December.
His purse being much smaller than his Napoleonic
enthusiasm, he had been forced to run into debt, and
had given bills to a certain Lehonith, a red-hot
Orleanist, who thought he had performed a political
action the day on which he had the equally rabid
Bonapartist shut up at Clichy.

Ten months after the occurrences recounted above
Mademoiselle Geffrotin gave birth to a male child.
At the sight of the creature and the sound of its
cries the old soldier sprang to the cradle and
demanded in a stentorian voice —

" Tell me the name of the father or I will strangle
it!"

"Monsieur de Rothschild," answered the mother.

" Rothschild ! . . . Ah ! I have it now ! . . .
This gilded furniture, these banknotes, this luxury
were the price of my honour ! And I, old fool that
I am, who thought that it was he I I might have
known ; he does not look at all like the other one !
He has the face and manner of a German Baron ! "

Captain Geffrotin took his hat and cane and
repaired to the Stock Exchange^ Going up the
staircase of that temple of finance he saw Baron

ROTHSCHILD. 98

Rothschild talking amidst a group of exchange
brokers. The old soldier went forward, and calling
him aside, told him the object of his visit.

" A child I a child ! Whose father I am ? " said
the Jew. " Come, no more blackmailing ! "

He had not finished before he received a frightful
blow in the face.

The police arrested Geffrotin and took him to the
manager of the Stock Exchange (Monsieur Hubeau).
Without examining him, this gentleman, as soon as
he heard that the prisoner had dared to strike the
money-king, sent him to the Conciergerie, where,
three days afterwards, he was summoned by Monsieur
Ehau, the examining magistrate, to be questioned.

At the first words the Captain stopped the magis-
trate, saying —

" Write that I shall kill Baron Rothschild the
first day I regain my liberty for having dishonoured
my daughter. I will sign nothing else."

The examining magistrate had him taken to
prison, and hastened to give Baroche, the Attorney-
General, an account of the prisoner s declaration.

Two hours afterwards Captain Geffrotin reached
his home at Montmartre. His old servant announced
that his daughter had been summoned to the banker's.
Without sitting down Geffrotin hastened to the Rue
Florentin and went to the room which his daughter
had just entered.

94 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

The Procuror-General was in the Croesus' sanc-
tuary with the Baron.

As soon as the girl-mother came in Rothschild
gave her his hand, made her sit down by him, and
asked —

" What day was the child born ? "

" The twenty-second of October."

" Ha ! let me see ! " said the Baron, drawing a
memorandum-book from his pocket, *' this date
corresponds exactly with the twenty-second of
January. Now read, Procuror-General. That day
Mademoiselle Geffrotin went to the Ely see. Kow,
I ask her, is Napoleon, Victor Hugo, or am I the
father of your child ? Leave my house, you dis-
reputable girl, and tell your dullard of a father that
we will have him taken to Cayenne the first time he
dares to speak to us ! "

'^ Then I will go to Cayenne to-day," said the
Captain, entering, and he seized the Jew by the
throat with a vigorous hand, crying, " Ah !
scoundrel ! so you dishonour young girls and
then have their fathers put in prison ! "

Baroche seized Geffrotin, and leading him to the
door, said —

" Go home quickly ; I take everything upon
myself."

Father and daughter descended the staircase
with different feelings — the father glad at having

ROTHSCHILD. 95

squeezed the windpipe of the man who had got him
three days' imprisonment ; the daughter humiliated
by the affront she had received. On leaving the Rue
Florentin, and before returning to Montmartre, they
both stopped at the Elysee, which Geffrotin entered
in order to tell Persigny, then the factotum of the
President of the Republic, all that had happened to
him from the time he went to Clichy up to the
present moment.

When they reached home, Number 9, Place de la
Mairie, Montmartre, the father and daughter found
ten thousand francs and a title-deed for an annuity
of one thousand francs, with these words —

" I desire the child to be called Solomon ! "

CHAPTEE XV.

MOUVILLON DE GLIMES.

M0UVILL013 DE Glimes — although a Spaniard by birth,
he was educated in France — was Don Carlos' Am-
bassador to St. Petersburg. At the fall of this un-
crowned king he became intimate with Countess de
Montijo, a young widow, who shared his political con-
victions. They went all over Italy, France, Germany,
England, Belgium, etc., together, accompanied by
young Eugenie. All three stopped at the same
hotels, shared the same apartments, and ate at the
same table.

People seeing them pass, would say — "Father,
mother, and daughter."

On their dear Eugenie's marriage, Madame de
Montijo left for Madrid, and de Glimes became a
financier. He founded at Glichy-la- Garonne a limited
joint- stock company, with a capital of six million
francs, and called it. Chemical Products, He assumed

MOU VILLON DE QLIMES. 97

the qualification of chemist, and laid hold of the title
of manager.

Is it credible — and yet it is the pure truth — that
a Spaniard, without management, without employes,
without having had a single share printed, was able
to get the shares up to from thirty to thirty-five
francs premium, exchange-brokers' quotations,
thanks to a pressing recommendation coming direct
from the steps of the Throne ?

To oblige the young Queen, Napoleon's partisans
and many of the castle employes took shares in the
Chemical Products,

General Schram fr. 80,000

General Fleury „ 25,000

Chamberlain Tascher de la Pagerie ... „ 30,000

Deputy Belmontet „ 20,000

Deputy Husson „ 15,000

Colonel Thirion „ 12,000

General Vaudrey „ 10,000

Manager Gelis „ 10,000

Employe Griscelli „ 72,000

Employe Alessandri „ 10,000

Employe Bertora „ 5,000

Monsieur de Bassano „ 25,000

Monsieur de Pierre ,, 25,000

Monsieur de Lourmel „ 25,000

Monsieur de "Wagner „ 25,000

The Banker Vallet, passage Saunier ... „ 450,000

98 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

The Banker Leveque, Rue de la Yictoire f r. 600,000
„ 5, Exchange Agent Gouin ... „ 150,000

Total fr 1,539,000

One million five hundred and thirty-nine thousand
francs. The very day the Montijo's lover stole this
sum Count Mouvillon de Glimes crossed the Pyre-
nees and repaired to Madrid, rejoining his former
companion.

A complaint was at once lodged with Chaix-
d'Estange, then Procuror-General, who transmitted
it to Monsieur Camusat de Busseroles, Examining
Judge, that the latter might begin an inquiry. But,
alas ! notwithstanding the power of the injured sub-
scribers, who asked for de Glimes' arrest and extra-
dition, a still greater power put a stop to it all —
complaint, witnesses' evidence, etc., etc. A short
while after that Monsieur Ohaix became a Senator,
and Monsieur Camusat was made a Councillor.

The Mouvillon trial had been buried without hope
of resurrection !

CHAPTER XVI.

DEUX DEOEMBRE (OOUP d'^TAT).

The same thing might be said of the author of this
coujp d'etat that was said by all Europe : '' Ho did
too much good to deserve being badly spoken of, but
he did too much evil to deserve being well spoken of.'*

Considering the many opinions expressed by the
many writers who have described this anniversary of
Austerlitz, I require a great deal of boldness to
enable me to venture on this page of political history.
But do not fear, oh, reader ! I have only the boldness
of my position, and as such, I shall not add one more
page of history to the many we already have. It is
simply the report of a secret agent, who has had
the sad privilege of being an actor and at the same
time a spectator of this unique deed in the world's
history.

The intelligent reader will, no doubt, remember
the proposal of the questors Baze, Parent, Leflo, etc.,
who wanted to replace the executive power in the

100 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

command of the enemy in Paris. It is this memo-
rable day wliicli made our national historian ex-
claim, " The Empire is made ! " and which gave
birth to the coiijp d'etat of the 2nd of December.

If Monsieur Baze's demand had been voted for^
the shooting and a new 18th Bruraaire would have
begun at once. The troops had their orders, car-
tridges had been distributed, and the horses were
saddled. Saint-Arnaud (Minister for War) was
waiting outside the doors of the Assembly, surrounded
by the acting aides-de-camp, ready to receive their
master's orders.

When the Assembly rose, Saint-Arnaud proceeded
to the Elysee. Monsieur de Maupas and Monsieur de
Morny were summoned to the Prince President's
study. When the deliberation was over, de Maupas
was in possession of the suspects, and the 2nd of
December had three godfathers.

On reaching the Prefecture, the Prefect of Police
immediately summoned as many agents as there were
men to be watched, and without letting one know
what the other was doing, he gave each man the
following order : — '* You are to follow Monsieur

, Deputy, day and night. You must know

where he goes, what he does, and the names of his
visitors. You are to obey no orders except mine.
Every night, when he is safe in bed, you are to

DEUK DECEMBRE {COUP D'ETAT). 101

bring me a full report.'' The next day all these re-
ports were taken to the President of the Republic.

On the other hand, Messrs. Baze and Co. were
conspiring too. They drew up lists of suspects,
<jliose the officers of the National Guard, and fixed
upon the mayoralty of the 10th arrondissement as
the rallying point around which their party were to
assemble and proclaim an Orleanist Government.
Unfortunately for them. Monsieur de Maupas was
quite aware of all their plots. The Eepublican
party alone, in spite of the discontent of the masses
and the complaints of the Press, remained quiet.

On the 1st of December every report submitted by
the agents announced that all the parties had agreed
to unite in sending the head of the Republic to
Vincennes and proclaiming his fall.

To mask the coup d'^etat, the evening of the same
day was taken up by a concert which the Prince
President gave at the Presidential house, and to
which he had invited all that France contained of
the most renowned in science and art. The
illustrious Felicien David was having his Desert per-
formed. The rooms were crowded to overflowing.
It was a huge success.

At the moment when Louis Napoleon was about
to leave his room and join the assembly, a young
Legitimist Deputy (Monsieur de Kendrel) entered

102 MEMOIBS OF TEE BARON BE BIMINI.

and announced to him that a revolution was being
prepared by the Republicans and Orleanists, by
which they meant to seize the President of the Re-
public and shut him up at Yincennes.

He answered —

" Thank you for your warning. Go back to the
concert. We will speak of it to-morrow."

Another Deputy, Casablanca, who, during the con-
cert, accidentally entered the study of the head of
the State, and there saw the plans of the conspiracy
(inadvertently left out), was surprised by the
Prefect of Police. Being asked to put his name to
the proclamations, he refused, and was arrested and
shut up in a room until next day. De Morny, one
of the heroes of the drama which was to be enacted
during the night, had been to the opera for the pur-
pose of showing himself.

A witty lady having asked him —

" Is it true that the House is to be swept clean ? "

" Yes," replied the future Minister of the Interior
with equal wit, " and I have kept my place by the
broomhandle."

At midnight, the concert being over, everything
around the Elysee sank into darkness. A single
lamp in the study of the President of the Republic
lighted a little table, around which were gathered
the four actors in the piece which was to be played
during the next few days : Louis Napoleon, de

DEUX DECEMBRE {COUP D'ETAT). 108

Morn J, Saint- Arnaud, and de Maupas. Persigny, de
Beville, Edgard Ney, and another, whom the reader
will divine, were in a room next to the study.

General Magnan was summoned. But at the first
mention of a coup d^etat, wishing to obliterate the
memory of his treachery in the Strasburg skirmish,
he rose and said —

" Gentlemen, I agree to everything. I will sign
everything. But as the Minister for War is present,
I need know one thing only : that I shall receive my
orders five minutes before action."

While Magnan was going out the President of the
Republic called me, ordered me to follow the General
and not leave him until further instructions.

As soon as the decrees were signed, Colonel de
Beville immediately started for the printing-office,
wLither a company of Paris Guards had already gone
tc watch the workmen whilst they printed the pro-
cUmations which were to change the form of govern-
m9nt, by being posted throughout France on the
2iid December, 1851<

Prince Napoleon, President of the Republic lie
aad sworn to respect, opened a cupboard and took
Tom it four packets. The first he gave to de
Iklorny ; this packet contained 500,000 francs, plus
tie nomination of Minister of the Interior. The
lew functionary took them, then went to take
pssession of his post, whither he ordered a com-

104: MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

fr.

20,000 each.

„

10,000

6,000

4,000

ions 55

2,000

5 5J

1,000

pany of Vinceanes infantry to guard him. The
second packet was given to de Maupas ; it contained
the list of all the representatives, generals, men of
letters, and party chiefs who were to be arrested,
besides 500,000 francs. /

The third packet, more voluminous, was handed
to Saint- Arnaud. To the 500,000 francs for himself
was added a list of the sums mentioned below :
Generals of Divisions
Generals of Brigades
Colonels of Regiments
Staff-Colonels
Commanders of Battalions
Captains of Companies
Lieutenants and Sub-Lieu-
tenants

Adjutant Non-Commissioned

Officers

Corporals and Cavalrymen of

corresponding rank

Soldiers, Drummers, and

Trumpeters

All these sums came from the 50,000,000 which
the head of the State had forced the Bank oi
France to advance. The governors of this estabJ
lishment consented on condition that they might bd
given the right to augment their capital to 60(
millions of francs ; this right was accorded to them

400

150

DEUX DECEMBRE {COUP D'JBTAT). 105

The fourth packet, the smallest, was opened ; it
contained only 100,000 francs, which were dis-
tributed to the aides-de-camp, the employes and
servants. I confess to having received as my share,
from de Persigny's hands, the sum of 2,500 francs.

Paris, which had gone to bed a Republic, woke up
an Empire ! But an Empire which had violated
Oath, Constitution, Universal Suffrage, Laws, etc. ;
which had arrested, imprisoned, transported, or
exiled one-half of France. The other half was
either gagged or in a state of siege.

All the Deputies who had been watched for days
past were either at Mazas or Fort Ham.

Towards ten o'clock the majority of the repre-
sentatives of the Orleanist party had gathered
at their usual place. They had proclaimed
the fall of the President, appointed a Provi-
sory Government, and a Commander-in-Chief of
the Public Forces. A brigade of police, with a
company of Vincennes Infantry, invaded the hall,
arrested all the members, and took them at the
point of the bayonet to the Bonaparte Barracks,
Quai, St. Orsay.

Some other meetings which took place shared the
same fate. All the newspapers were stopped.

The printing houses of the Republican papers
were searched. That night Prince Napoleon left
the Elysee and crossed Paris by the quays as far as

106 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

the Town Hall. Then, passing through the Boule-
vards de la Bastille as far as the Madeleine, he was
met everywhere by cries of : '' Long live the
Eepublic ! '* During the night of the 2nd, barri-
cades went up as if by enchantment in the populous
quarters — the Faubourgs Saint- Antoine, Saint-
Denis, Saint-Martin, Rue Grenetat. Some of them
were formidable.

At break of day Baudin, Deputy for Paris,
presented himself at the barricade in the Faubourg
Saint- Antoine, and showing his representative's
scarf, ordered the sentinel to let him pass. A
bullet in the breast was the answer.

This shot was the signal for the carnage to
begin.

At the Elysee the horses were saddled and
harnessed. The postillions were in the saddle.
The remainder of the fifty millions which had been
taken from the Bank were watched over by General
Roquet, who was ready to cross the frontier.
Flying columns crossed the capital in every direc-
tion, sowing death and terror. Everything was in
motion. The great Captain's nephew alone was
quietly seated in his study, smoking a cigar. And
when, at intervals, some Staff-Officer appeared ta
tell him that such and such a barricade was im-
pregnable he invariably answered —

" Execute my orders ! "

DEUX DECEMBRE {COUP D'ETAT), 107

His orders were to raze Paris rather than to
imitate Charles X. and Louis Philippe.

The French, at fifty years interval, have seen and
borne two Napoleons. The first, on the 2nd of
December, 1802, broke up the Coalition at Auster-
litz, and said to his soldiers —

" I am pleased with you."

The second, on the 2nd December, 1851, broke up
the Press, killed liberty, cut the throats of women
and children in Paris, and said to his generals —

" Burn the capital ! "

A great poet said —

" Des deux Napoleon les gloires sont egales,
Fort bien chacun le sait ; ce ne sont faits nouveaux :
D'Europe le premier prenait les capitales ;
Le second aux Fran9ais prenait leurs capitaux ! "

If these verses do not contain everything^ it is
impossible better to describe the actions of the two
Napoleons.

CHAPTER XVII.

OOMTE DE GLAVES.

This young Count was also a Spaniard. In 1848 lie
lived at No. 20, Eue de la Madeleine. Being a
grandee and very rich, he lived well, having a box
at the Opera and the Italiens ; he was one of the
lions of the Jockey Club. His house, which was
elegantly furnished, was the rendezvous of the
cream of French aristocracy. Monsieur de dimes,
Madame de Montijo, and the future Empress were
his very assiduous visitors.

The gossips of the quarter declare that the young
Duchess de Theba often went there.

Some time after the Imperial wedding, while
leading a quadrille, the noble Castilian slipped and
fell on the Tuileries floor, and fractured his left leg.
The music stopped at once, and the dancers ceased.
The Empress hastened to the injured man, and,
with a burst of kindness, insisted upon having an

COMTE DE GLAVES. 10^

apartment prepared for him in the palace of the
Kings of France.

One evening Napoleon went to the Empress's
apartment. She was not there. Returning to his
own room the Emperor passed the sick man's
apartments, whence issued joyous bursts of laughter.

Two hours later a police agent took possession of
de Glaves, crippled as he was, and conducted him to
the Spanish frontier. He hinted to him that the
French empire was from that time forth closed to
him.

Some years ago the Empress of the French
thought she would like once more to see the house
in which the Duchess de Theba had passed her
youth. There, one reception day, the former
Tuileries dancer (Count de Glaves) tried to introduce
himself. But Count de Lagrange (by order of his
master) forbade him to enter.

Next morning the Spanish newspapers announced
that the Chamberlain Lagrange had said —

" If you pass the door I have orders to blow
your brains out ! "

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE OPEEA COMIQUE.

I SAID, and with knowledge of the case, in Chapter
YII. that the secret police is an institution created
bj tyrants that they may have the right to raise
millions from the taxpayers under the name of
secret funds, etc., etc.

This chapter will bring back sad memories to
many Parisian families, but it will enlighten many
people on the subject of this mob of agents who
are occupied only in watching each other, or in
playing the infamous part of hired plotters that
they may keep the masses in the state of discon-
tentment so necessary to men of their calling, and
which enables them to pose before the blind Grovern-
ment as indispensable.

France and Paris will remember what perfect
calm reigned throughout the French Empire during
the Crimean war. All parties had joined hands to
combat the Hussian colossus. The police busied

THE OPERA COMIQUE, 111

itself in sowing tares where nought but peace was
seen, and concord and industry. They marked
out as the goal of their manoeuvres two large
factories into which flowed French and foreign
orders. In obedience to superior orders, two plot-
ting spies got themselves accepted as workmen.
One, named Lagrange, under the alias of Jules,
entered the Rene-Caille factory, Quai Billy; the
other, Platot, under the name of Martin, was
admitted into the iron-chair and arm-chair factory,
Barriere de TEtoile. These two agents had orders
to be of model exactness in their work. They were
to agitate politically during meals and on fete days
only. They were not to return to the prefecture
until midnight on Sundays to receive new instruc-
tions and money, and to make their report. They
were to pay for drinks for those who allowed them-
selves to be ensnared. They were to communicate
with one another openly to make their dupes believe
that they were on the brink of a great revolution,
and that Napoleon and the Spanish lady were to be
put out of the way once for all either by assassina-
tion or by forcible abduction. As soon as the
agents obtained enough signatures to make the
Court and timid people believe 'that the parties
were conspiring, they gave their victims rendezvous
at the Opera Comique on a day of performance by
command.

112 MEMOIBS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Their Imperial Majesties arrived at eight o'clock ;
the arrests began at nine. Before the play was
over Pietri's police had incarcerated no less than
fifty-seven workmen belonging to the above-men-
tioned factories.

The hired plotter Lagrange is now Commissary of
Police and Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Platot, who allowed himself to be arrested and
condemned under the name of Martin, is now
Central Commissary at Orleans. And now let
anyone say that the police is not useful in France,
and that the fourteen millions of the secret fund are
not well spent !

CHAPTER XIX.

PEINCE MENSCHIKOFF.

While the Imperial Court was at Fontainebleau a
grand stag-hunt took place, the meet being in the
midst of the forest at the Puits du Roi. At the
hour fixed by the head of the Government more than
a hundred riders appeared, armed and equipped ct la
Louis XVI. More than five hundred horsemen,
who had not been invited to the Imperial hunt, but
were allowed to assist at it (not in official dress),
also arrived on the spot in order to take part in an
amusement which disciples of St. Hubert alone can
appreciate.

When the general guard and the first huntsman
(Marshal Mynan) had started the stag, their Imperial
Majesties, the guests, and all the riders went
forward at a triple gallop through an avenue fol-
lowing the hounds.

A blond young man, a graceful rider, who
managed his thoroughbred horse with consummate

lU MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

skill, was noticed by all the hunters, whom he soon
left behind, riding rapidly into the very midst of the
guests, trying to reach His Imperial Majesty
Napoleon.

I followed him, and, in order to avoid a scandal,
contented myself with keeping very near him, but
coming across a diagonal avenue he sprang into it
at full speed, trying to arrive before His Majesty
on a plain which was already in sight. Not knowing
this bold stranger's intentions I followed him, and
joining him amidst cries from the spectators of :
'* He will catch up with him " — '' He won't catch
up with him," with one hand I seized his horse's
reins, and with the other held a pistol before his
face, saying —

'' Where are you going, monsieur ? Who are
you?"

" I do not see why I should inform you," replied
the stranger.

He tried to shake me off, threatening me with his
whip, but I put a pistol to his head, saying —

" If you do not stop your horse at once I will
blow your brains out."

He nearly fell from the saddle.

Fould and Meuwerkerke, who were behind us,
seeing the pistol, cried out —

"Don't kill him!"

At the approach of the two dignitaries my young

PRINCE MENSCniKOFF, 115

man recovered his Muscovite arrogance, and ex-
claimed that I no doubt wanted to murder him in
order to plunder him.

Then Monsieur Fould said to the stranger —

" Compose yourself, monsieur ; no one will be
murdered here, but monsieur is charged to guard
His Imperial Majesty, and we have all noticed that
you are trying to get to the Emperor. You have
been prevented because no one knows you, and you
cannot have been oflGicially invited since you are not
in full-dress."

" I received no invitation because my Ambassador,
with whom I dined yesterday, has not yet been able
to present me at Court since the Court is at
Fontainebleau. I am Prince Menschikoff ! "

At this name Napoleon's dignitaries bowed, and
Fould told me that he would be responsible for the
young Russian.

" I am sorry. Prince," said I, " for what has
occurred, but my orders are to let no one approach
His Majesty unless I know him. Being a slave to
my orders — as Monsieur Fould will tell you — I
cannot, in spite of your name, allow you to approach
His Majesty unless the Emperor sends for you."

At this juncture General Fleury appeared on the
scene, having been sent by the Emperor. Fould
told him of the adventure in a few words. I heard
him say to the General —

116 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

** That devil of a Corsican doesn't know anything'
but his orders ! Now he wants to get us into
another war with the Czar ! ''

That evening, when they were hunting by torch-
light, I saw the young Russian talking familiarly
with the Emperor and Count Bacciochi.

After it was over Fould summoned me to his
study and said —

'' Monsieur Griscelli, the Menschikoff affair to-day
has explained the Dieppe incident. You were right
and I was wrong.

" I thank your Excellency," said I, going out.

Next day the Muscovite Prince knocked at my
door and thanked me for my conduct of the day
before, as it had procured him a most pleasant
evening and an invitation for the whole hunting
season. He became the lion of the rejoicings at
Fontainebleau and Compi^gne, and on his return to
Paris he gave me his pistols and hunting knife.

CHAPTER XX.

PA.LMERSTON,

Shortly before the declaration of the war in the
Crimea the Queen of England's Prime Minister came
himself to Paris, in order personally to settle the
basis of the expedition with His Imperial Majesty.
Whilst he was entering the Palace with the English
Ambassador (Lord Cowley), the Emperor was
passing through the gate of the Royal Bridge, on his
way to St. Cloud. As Queen Victoria's representa-
tives could not be received at the Tuileries, they
followed to St. Cloud, which His Imperial Majesty
reached some time before they did.

Napoleon, Walewsky, and de Lourmel had already
entered the Castle, and were preparing to walk in
the park, when our attention was attracted to the
gate, through which a carriage was trying to pass, in
spite of the sentry. By order of the Emperor I went
up, and recognizing Lord Cowley, told him politely

118 MEMOIBS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

that no one was allowed to enter the park while His
Majesty was there.

" Oblige me by telling him tliat I am here with
Lord Palmerston," said the Ambassador.

On hearing Lord Palmerston's name His Imperial
Majesty said to me, laughingly —

" You must be our Chamberlain. Ask them to
come in."

It was the first time I had seen Albion's JSTestor.
I offered him my hand, which he took while getting
out of the carriage, and I conducted them both to the
door of the salon, where Walewsky received them to
present them to the Sovereign of France. At four
o'clock we all left the Oastle of St. Cloud and
returned to the Tuileries.

Some years later, when a discussion 'arose as to
the mode of government of the Danubian Princi-
palities, and His Imperial Majesty went with
Walewsky to the Isle of Wight, JN'apoleon was
lodged in a separate pavilion, facing the Queen's
Palace. To the satisfaction of the chief of the
London police, I had myself stationed two Scotch
sentinels with orders to let no one pass without a
permit from me.

Two hours after the interview between Queen
Victoria and Napoleon, Messrs Walewsky, de
Persigny, Lord Paget, and Lord Palmerston pre-

PALMERSTON. 119

sented themselves at the door, asking to see the
Emperor. The Highlanders crossed bayonets, and
cried —

" You can't enter without a pass I "

" But we are Ministers, and must see his Imperial
Majesty."

" I must obey orders."

I came up, and at a word from me the gentlemen

were allowed to enter. When they came out again

♦

Palmerston asked me to follow him. When he
reached his study he thanked me for having pro-
cured him the pleasure of seeing Napoleon twice.

In 1861, when I published my " Revelations," I
was in London, in the house of His Eminence
Cardinal Wiseman.

George Bowyer, a Member of Parliament, having
spoken to Lord Palmerston about me, the latter re-
quested him to bring me to his reception on Thurs-
day evening.

The Prime Minister of Great Britain was greatly
surprised to see in his drawing-room the secret
agent of Saint- Cloud and the Isle of Wight. He
asked me to stay until the reception was over, as he
wished to talk with me. A number of noblemen and
members of the House of Commons, seeing me with
the head of the Catholic party, congratulated me on
the courage and energy which I had shown in my

120 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

pamphlet, which had given rise to much discussion
in the House, the question having been brought for-
ward by Lord Normanby.

At midnight George Bowyer and I were ushered
into the great English statesman's study. Ten or
twelve persons were present. I was seated between
Lord Palmerston and my Mentor.

The head of the Foreign Office turned to me and
said —

" So you have come to England to convert us all
to Papacy ? Your pamphlet has occasioned most
extraordinary polemics ! But a great many people
who have just come from Italy say that you have
exaggerated the facts."

"My lord," said I, ''I have only come to London
because it is the capital of the one country where
one can write the truth without trembling. I am
not trying to convert, I only seek to make things
clear. And, my lord, what proves to me that I
have hit the nail on the head is the fact that the
Turin Cabinet, with all its salaried organs, has as
yet commissioned no one to defend it. And I know
that those same organs were forbidden to mention
the subject."

One of those present, whose name I did not know,
exclaimed —

" But I was in Italy in 1846, and have just come

PALMERSTOIT, 121

back from there. I consider the change advan-
tageous."

At this English argument, forgetting that I was
surrounded by great men, I asked —

*' In what province of Italy were you ? '*

George Bowyer took hold of my arm, for I had
begun to gesticulate.

" At Parma," said my adversary.

Then, notwithstanding the presence of His Grace,
I answered —

" Either you were blind in 1846, or you are so
now. Let our hearers decide the point." And,
without pausing, I said almost angrily — " Before
the usurpation of the Sardinian King, the Duchy of
Parma was governed by the Duchess de Bourbon.
Being Eegent, she had Ambassadors, Consuls, a
Chamber of Deputies, a State's Council, and
Ministers. All the strangers who passed through
Parma stayed there for at least a while. Although
T am not here to lecture on political economy, I do
not exaggerate when I say that all these people
spent at least one hundred thousand francs a week.
Well, gentlemen, do you know what is spent now?
Exactly one franc fifty centimes per day ! Because
those who made the money circulate so freely have
been sent away, and are replaced by the porter who
opens and shuts the door of the ducal palace. This,

122 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

gentlemen, is only one side of the picture. Here is
the other : In 1859 there was not a single exile,
and the prisons were almost empty ; in 1861 the
prisons are full to overflowing, and ostracism is the
order of the day. And the peasant who formerly
paid five francs in taxes now pays fifty ! "

Lord Palmerston, who had not lost a word of my
picture, said —

" I believe all you say, but our newspapers and
our agents at Turin and Eome have told us nothing
like it."

" Your newspapers," said I, " have sold them-
selves to the revolution, and your Minister at Turin
only sends you information procured by the Pied-
montese Ministers."

At these words, spoken in rather a loud tone, the
Prime Minister rose. George Bowyer and I took our
leave out of regard for the friend of Pius IX.
Palmerston accompanied us as far as the door.
Then, with truly Corsican boldness, I asked —

" Will your Grace permit me to ask one question
before I go ? "

" What is it ? " said Palmerston.

"How long will Yictor Emmanuel be King of
Italy?"

** As long as his money lasts."

These were the last words which I was destined
to hear from the lips of the man whose death was a

PALMERSTON. 12a

great misfortune. I do not know what he really
thought of the opinions which I had expressed with
so much energy and so little education.*

* The theories exposed by the author are not very well grounded,
but it may be remarked that they are exactly those which the
Catholic party were trying to spread amongst the ignorant popula-
tions of Italy. This is explained by the fact that Baron de Rimini
was at that time in the service of the Catholic party.

CHAPTER XXI.

MISS HOWARD.

On a certain foggj evening, such as there are in
London, a man was walking up and down in
the Haymarket. He was a little over five feet in
height, with very short legs, long body, livid face,
small eyes, moustaches, coat buttoned all the way
up, and carrying a loaded cane in his hand. Had it
not been for his hat the passers-by might have
taken him for a policeman. All at once a door
opened and gave passage to an elegantly dressed
lady whose wide crinoline nearly upset our hero.
Holding on to a pillar of the Theatre Royal, he
exclaimed —

" What, Madame ! alone so late ? and in such bad
weather ! "

And without waiting for an invitation he followed
the lady. They passed Leicester Square, Prince's
Street, and Charlotte Street, until they came to
Number 277, Oxford Street, where the English-

MISS HOWARD. 125

woman stopped, rang verj loudly, and entered
a riclily-furnished drawing-room.

The man had followed her into the apartment.

Then Miss Howard, taking him for a good-
natured policeman, took out her purse and offered
him two shillings.

" Madame ! money I to me ! "

" And who are you ? "

" I am Prince Louis Napoleon."

Next day the conspirator of Strasburg and
Boulogne, the escaped prisoner from Fort Ham,
recalled himself to the minds of his partisans by
sending them English gold with which to conspire
against the Government which had twice let him off
with his life. From that day forth the misery which
weighed on Admiral Yerhuel's son was dispelled
by Miss Howard's bank notes. That evening the
gambler at Tam-Tall noticed that the lucky cheat at
lansquenet was missing at the green table.

Shortly after the Revolution of February, Prince
Napoleon, taking a name which did not belong to
him, introduced himself to the provisional Govern-
ment and asked to serve the Republic. One word
from Lamartine sufficed to send the audacious man
back to the other side of the Channel.

A few electors sent him to the Assembly as a
representative of the people ; then the French, by
seven millions of votes, made him President of the

126 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

Republic. When the moment arrived for him to
yield his power to another, he strangled the Republic
during the night of the 22nd of December, im-
prisoned all that France held that was great, gagged
the rest, and made himself Dictator, without control.
Then, beneath the pressure of the sword, the electors
made him Emperor.

During his presidency he made Miss Howard
come to Paris, and rented a mansion for her in the
Rue de Ciry, Number 14.

Miss Howard, who had given Napoleon eight
millions at the time of his election, looked upon
herself and was looked upon as the future Empress.
But Albion's daughter counted without the man,
who " when he speaks, lies ; when he is silent,
conspires."

One fine day Napoleon sent Miss Howard to
Havre, accompanied by his accomplice Mocquard,
promising to come and fetch her, the next Sunday.
On Saturday the traitor married de Montijo's
daughter.

While taking breakfast on the morning of the
day on which she was to receive the visit of the
man who owed hef everything, Miss Howard read
about the marriage ceremony in the Journal Official,
She hastily left the Hotel Frascati, had a locomotive
brought out for her, and arrived at her house in
Paris, where the strangest sight met her gaze.

MISS HOWARD. 127

Furniture, cusliions, paper, notes, letters, contracts —
the first'was all broken up, the second were ripped to
pieces, and the remainder stolen I Monsieur Pietri,
warned by a telegram from Mocquard, went to
Number 14, Rue Cirj. With his own ears he heard —
^nd several others heard as well as he — the outraged
Englishwoman call Napoleon a murderer, swindler,
and thief.

Next morning when she awoke, Miss Howard was
saluted by Messieurs Fould and Floury by the title
of Countess de Beauregard. At the same time they
handed her the title-deeds of an estate bearing the
same name which stands on the Versailles road.

Some months later the new Countess left France
and established herself at Florence, where she had a
splendid palace built on the banks of the Arno. She
married a rascal who made her pay dearly for her
youthful souvenirs.

In 1865 she wished to see Paris once more.
Every day, at the hour which Napoleon and the
Empress were leaving the Tuileries, Miss Howard
appeared, arrayed in a splendid toilette, in a turn-
out^ which surpassed any other in the capital. Sho
drove herself, and with consummate skill. Miss
Howard amused herself by keeping pace with and
passing the Imperial carriage.

Several days after a performance at the Italiens,
during which the Englishwoman, covered with

128 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

diamonds, and sitting in a box just opposite, had
passed her time examining through her opera-glass
the woman who had stolen her PoUon from her,
Miss Howard suddenly disappeared. This extra-
ordinary occurrence was not caused by the police,
and I will not repeat the incredible tales which
were circulated on the subject. I am inclined to
believe that Miss Howard was strangled. Several
circumstances have caused me to give credence to
this version of the affair. I hope that some day
the veil which shrouds this mystery will be torn
aside, and feel certain that the discovery will then

be made that it was the doing of '.*

The following is Countess de Beauregard's cor-
respondence : —

" I acknowledge, by these presents, having
received from H.M. the Emperor Napoleon the sum
of one million francs in full payment and complete
discharge of all my rights and interests in the
domain of Civetachoray on the frontier of Ancona
(Papal States).

'* E. H. DE BEAUREaAED.

« Paris, 25th March, 1853."

" MONSIEUE MOCQUAED,

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt, up
to the 1st January, 1854, of the sum of 50,000

* Editor's Note. — Baron de Rimini's story conforms exactly to
the reports discovered amongst the Tuileries papers.

MISS HOWARD. 129

francs, which I have charged you to collect every
month.

" E. H. DE Beauregaed.

" Paris, 31st January, 1854.

" Note. — The payments of 50,000 francs began
on the 1st June, 1853. The first three were made
by M. Gilles."

" Note of the sums paid hy the Emperor to Miss Howard
from the 24ith March, 1853, to the 1st January ^
1855.

" 1st January, 1855, payment of 50,000 fr.
" Therefore the month of November is not in-
cluded.

"I promised three millions, plus the costs of
settling for de Beauregard, which I formerly
valued at 500,000 at most. I have given :
1,000,000 on the 24th March, 1853, as in the

receipt.
1,500,000 on the 31st January, 1854.
1,415,000 in State bonds.
585,000 in payments of 50,000 a month, dating

'' from the 1st of January, 1855.
950,000 in payment of 50,000, dating from the 1st
of January, 1853, to the 1st of January,
1855.

5,449,000"

130 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

" Chateau de Beauregard, July 28tli, 1855.

" My Dear Friend,

" The 24th July has now arrived, and I
see with pain that the engagements entered into
with me have not been carried out (when I doubted,
I wondered, but now I can no longer believe) ;
indeed, I have thought, and think now, that there
must be some mistake ; why make me sufPer ?

*' If matters must be thus, I would have done
better to keep the six millions instead of the
3,500,000 francs which were to be paid to me
on demand at the end of the year 1853, and
that is why I begged the Emperor to tear up the
first cheque {two million Jive hundred thousand francs).
My heart bleeds at my being forced to write this,
and if my marriage contract were not drawn up in
its present form, and I had not a child, I would not
take this step, which has become a duty. The
Emperor has too kind a heart to allow a woman
whom he has loved so tenderly to remain in a false
position in which he himself would not care to be
placed ; you know my position, you are my guardian,
and I address myself to you in a twofold capacity.
I made a mistake the other day in writing to His
Majesty, for he says in one of his letters, dated
May 1st, ' To-morrow I will give Gilles a cheque for
the three million five hundred thousand francs.'
So he has nothing to do but to calculate 50,000

MISS HO WARD. 181

since the 1st Juno, 1853, the interest and 50,000
from January to October. I pray to God that it
may no more be a question of money between me
and him, who have quite another feeling for him in
my heart. I embrace you tenderly, the same as I
love you.

" Your affectionate

" E. H. DE Beaueegaed.
" I implore you not to keep this letter ; you can
read it to His Majesty if you think proper, and
burn it immediately after. I saw Mdme. Mocquard
on Monday at four o'clock ; she was ill the other
<iay."

CHAPTER XXII.

DUCHESS CASTIGLIONI.

Shoetlt after the Imperial marriage the newspapers
announced with great ceremony the arrival of an
Italian lady of extraordinary beauty. Her admirers
hastened to write their names in the visiting-book of
the incomparable Castiglioni. For a word from her
they ruined themselves ; for a touch of her hand
they cut each other's throats. The concert and
theatre managers sent her boxes ; the Ministers and
high dignitaries offered their salons ; the Court sent
a permission to sit in the presence of Royalty. The
new Ninon, who had refused everything else, accepted
the Tuileries invitation for an official ball. On her
entrance the dancers stopped, the music ceased play-
ing, all the spectators remained rooted with admira-
tion at the appearance of this divinity. The ladies
hid their faces as the Italian advanced ; the Empress
alone, the hostess, came forward to greet the Coun-
tess, gave her her hand, and led her to a seat near the

DUCHESS CASTIQLIONI. 183

throne. By order, Strauss's orchestra began a waltz.
Napoleon, who had done nothing but admire the
Castiglioni, approached the throne, requested His
Highness Duke Ernest of Saxe-Coburg to dance with
the Empress, and gallantly offered the Duchess his
hand. They took a few turns only, then His Impe-
rial Majesty and his partner promenaded together,
talking rather familiarly during the remainder of
the dance.

The day after, whilst we were returning from the
Bois do Boulogne, General Fleury ordered me to join
him in the waiting-room at eight o'clock in the even-
ing. While he was talking to me the blood rushed
so violently into my eyes that I was forced to put my
hand over them. In obedience to the aide-de-camp's
orders I was at the salon at eight o'clock. Seeing
me arrive before the time named, the Emperor asked
me what I wanted.

*' To speak to you, sire ; " and following him into
his study, I said, " Sire, the aide-de-camp on duty
ordered me to be here at eight o'clock, but I came at
seven, because I am anxious to know where we are
going."

" And why ? " inquired Napoleon.

" Because, sire, while General Fleury was telling
me to be here at eight I felt my blood circulate
more quickly, as if something tragic were going to
take place."

134: MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI,

" We are going to the Hotel Beauveau, and you
may feel assured that nothing tragic will happen."

" God grant it, sire ! "

While we were talking Fleury arrived, and we
started.

When we were on the Castiglioni's steps I went
close to the General and whispered —

''Attention! General, we are in the house of an
Italian."

The door was opened by a maid-servant, who, not
seeing me, ushered the Emperor and the General
into the salon, and returned to the landing where I
had remained.

She clapped her hands three times; a man instantly
appeared, coming I know not whence, and went to-
wards the drawing-room. But before he had reached
the door he was dead. A downward dagger-stroke
had pierced his heart.

At the sound of his fall and the shrieks of the
maid-servant the General came out from the salon,
seized the girl, closed her mouth, and shut her up in
the broom closet, whilst I dragged the corpse to
another closet. Then the aide-de-camp imprisoned
the beauty in her own room and hastily left with the
Emperor, signing to me to wait. A few instants
later he came back accompanied by the agent Zambo,
with two carriages. Into one of these we put the dead

DUCHESS CASTIGLTONI, 185

man and the servant, leaving them to the care of the
agent, who took them I know not where.

When I entered the Emperor's study, whither I at
once repaired on leaving the Beauveau mansion, I
found Napoleon sitting, leaning his elbow on the
table, his head resting on his hand. When he saw
me he raised his eyes, then said with a pained ex-
pression —

" More blood ! Who knows, perhaps the unfor-
tunate creature was the servant's lover."

" Servants' lovers do not carry recommendations
like these about with them," said I, laying before him
a four-barrelled revolver and stiletto with poisoned
point.

He examined them attentively, particularly the
blade of the dagger, gave me three thousand francs,
and told me to keep the matter secret.

Duchess Oastiglioni was conducted to the Italian
frontier. She went immediately to Milan, to Count
Arese, told him all, and threatened to publish the
Emperor if they did not allow her to return to Paris.

A fortnight later the newspapers of the capital
contained an account of a fete which the beautiful
Castiglioni had given in the Beauveau mansion, a
fete at which all France assisted.

In 1865, at Florence, the day of Dante's birthday,
whilst I was walking in the Place des Messieurs,

186 MEMOIRS OF THE BAROK DE RIMINI.

near the old palace, a two-horse open carriage passed
so near me that I was forced to step aside. The
occupants — two ladies — signed to the coachman to
stop, and insisted upon my getting in. They took me
to No. 40, Via Maggia, to their palace, a gift from
the King of Italy, where I dined.

These ladies were the beautiful Castiglioni and
her servant of the Hotel Beauveau.

Editor's Note. — In Marcli, 1868, the Duchess was still living
in Florence. At that time she was seriously ill.

CHAPTER XXIIL

COUNTESS DE GARDONNE.

Parisians, and those in tlie Seine-et-Oise depart-
ment, no doubt still remember the famous camp of
Satorj, the manoeuvres which took place there, and
•especially the distribution of Bologna sausage and
champagne which the President of the Republic
had given to the army to make them shout " Long
live the Emperor ! " They will also remember the
punishments inflicted by General Changarnier on
the soldiers who did not cry " Long live the Re-
public ! ''

During one of the last reviews held by Louis
Napoleon at Satory, prior to the Crimean War, a
gentleman of about forty, and a young and pretty
lady in a phaeton drawn by two superb horses,
persisted, in spite of the agents' orders, in trying to
follow the staff, whereas all the other carriages had
stopped just outside the camp. As the head of
the State wished to have a cavalry charge before the

138 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

march-past, the acting aide-de-camp, General
Koquet, ordered me to have the field cleared, to avoid
all accidents. I went up to the gentleman in the
phaeton to ask him to obey the authorities' orders.
He replied that I could mind my business. In
answer, I had him arrested by two policemen and
conveyed to the Versailles police-station. After the
review, the Court having left by train for St. Cloud,
I wended my way towards the quarter with Captain
Rozan (now a Colonel at Toulouse), to free the
individual whom the police had carried there.

When Eozan and I went into the courtyard we
were somewhat surprised to learn that the gentle-
man had refused to get out of his carriage, whilst
the lady had visited the rooms, the kitchens, etc.
Going up to the phaeton, I told the prisoner that
he was free to go where he pleased. He began to
cry out against tyranny ; I interrupted him saying —

" If you add another word I shall make you get
out of the carriage, have you handcuffed, and taken
to Paris."

" I will say no more, only allow me to give you
my card," and he handed me, in exchange for mine,,
his card, on which I read, " Monsieur Feischeter,,
Editor and Proprietor of the Official Journal
Aheille Du Nord, State Councillor and Member of
the Imperial Council of His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor of Russia," etc., etc. His titles and official

COUNTESS DE GAIWONNE. 139

position near the Czar astonished me in a man who
cried out against tyranny.

After dining with the Colonel I went by train
to Paris, and the Rue des Moulins. Whilst I was
taking my key from the porter a young girl of
eighteen seized me by the arm, and leading me to a
carriage which stood at the door, begged me so
pressingly to go to her mistress. Countess de
Gardonne, who was waiting impatiently for me,
that I could not do otherwise than get into the
carriage, which started off at a gallop and conveyed
me to Number 80, Rue de la Pepiniere. Before we
got there, pretty Ernestine, to whom I paid some
court during the drive, acquainted me with many
things which I was to hear during the course of the
evening.

The moment I got out of the carriage, a footman,
holding a torch, met me and conducted me to a
richly-furnished drawing-room, where the lady of
Versailles shook hands with me, begged my pardon
for having had me carried off by a young girl, and
led me to a boudoir, in which silk, gold velvet,
and damask were' harmoniously blended. There,
making me sit down very close to her, she called
her Ernestine, embraced her for having brought me,
and told her to bring in champagne and biscuits.
When it was served Madame de Gardonne said,
with an expression which I shall never forget —

140 MEMOIRS OF THE BAUON DE RIMINI.

" Grant me a favour, Monsieur, and count on my,
eternal gratitude."

" I grant it beforehand, if possible."

" Well, then, do not fight Monsieur Feischeter,
and I will do anything you ask me, anything, for
my life and my husband's depend on this duel."

" I will do anything for you," I cried, kneeling
before her ; " but I cannot disgrace myself. If
this duel ruins your future I will let Feischeter kill
me."

^' No ! the duel must not take place, because, if it
does, people will say that Monsieur Feischeter
fought, not with a servant of the Emperor, but
with Madame de Gardonne's lover. Ah ! my posi-
tion is very critical ! I was married at twenty, my
husband stayed only two days with me, then went
to St. Petersburg, where he is employed at Court.
He told me to receive all distinguished Russians
who asked to see me. Besides, I am under the
protection of old Kisseleff, who is seventy-one, and
who, for twenty thousand francs a year, makes me
receive his secret correspondence, which is all
addressed to me, and which I take to him. As to
Councillor Feischeter, I met him this morning at
the Embassy, and he begged me to accompany hira
to Versailles to see the museum, which we were to
visit during the afternoon. You know what really
happened."

COUNTESS DE GAR DONNE. 141

Of all this feminine talk only one sentence had
struck me, ** I receive the secret correspondence of
the Russian Embassy I "

A sudden thought had just occurred to me, a
bright thought, which I immediately found in words.

" Countess," said I, '* I have discovered the only
way to prevent the duel, and which will at the same
time double both our salaries. Russia gives you
twenty thousand francs for taking in a few letters
which are of no importance. Now, as I am a secret
agent, I see all the private correspondence of the
Prefects. I place it at your disposal ; in exchange,
you will give me the Russian Ambassador s."

Before I could finish the Countess cried —

" You have saved me ! "

She ordered more biscuits and champagne.

The next morning at seven o'clock I awoke
Pietri to tell him that I would bring him the
Russian correspondence during the day. He rose,
looked hard at me, and said —

" I know that you can do a great many things,
but I do not believe that you will ever be able to
bring me that Russi^fn correspondence."

While we were talking about the Countess the
footman handed in a letter from the Czar's Ambas-
sador, requesting the Prefect of Police to fix an
hour at which he could see him about an important
matter. He replied that he would be at the

142 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Embassy at half-past eight. Knowing all the
particulars, the Prefect of Police preferred taking
me to Kisseleff to making the old man come to the
Prefecture. At the announcement of his arrival
the Ambassador and his entire staff came out to
receive us.

Monsieur Feischeter was there, and at the
Ambassador's request he told the Prefect all the
disagreeable things which had happened to him the
day before at Satorj. I answered, instead of
Monsieur Pietri, addressing Feischeter —

" What would you do if I went to the shores of
the Neva in a carriage whilst His Imperial Majesty
the Czar was reviewing, and when the acting aide-
de-camp ordered you to clear the ground because
His Imperial Majesty had commanded a cavalry
charge ? "

" I should do as you did, Monsieur," and he held
out his hand.

" Then you will not fight ? " asked Pietri and
Kisseleff.

'' Yes, we will, indeed," I answered ; '^ if the
Councillor of State agrees, we will fight this even-
ing, at six o'clock, at Douir's, Palais Eoyal.''

" Accept ! accept ! " cried the others.

I left the Prefect at the Embassy and directed
my steps at once towards the Eue de la Pepiniere.
The Countess was awaiting me impatiently, first to

COUNTESS DE GAR DONNE, 143

know the result of the duel, which preoccupied her
the most, then to give me Kisseleff's letter. I told
her all that had happened at the Embassy, not
forgetting the dinner.

** I shall be there," said she; "he will invite me.
Here is the letter, hurry and get it read, open it
<jautiously, and bring it back to me at once that I
may send it to its destination."

I hastened to the Tuileries, where I expected to
:find the Prefect. He was with the Emperor, to
whom he had reported all the incidents which had
taken place at the Prefecture. When I was
announced, Pietri came out, took the letter, and
returned to His Imperial Majesty. Monsieur
Tibery, head clerk of the Post Office, accomplished
in unsealing and resealing letters, was at once
summoned. When the operation had been per-
formed. Napoleon made me go into his study, gave
me the letter, ordering me to lose no opportunity of
cultivating the precious acquaintance of Kisseleff's
jprotegee. An hour later I had returned to Countess
de Gardonne with the letter which she had entrusted
to me. It had been so cleverly handled that she did
not believe it to have been opened at all.

After the dinner at Douir's we all went to the
Opera. In his satisfaction. Monsieur Pietri had
placed at our disposal a box facing the Imperial
one. During the entire performance their Imperial

144 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON' DE RIMINI,

Majesties did not cease looking through their opera-
glasses at our box. The Countess, Feischeter, and
Ponschkine, the Attache, returned their gaze.
Monsieurs Gaffori and Domerque, Secretaries of
the Prefect of Police, and I looked at no one.

Monsieur Pietri wrote several sham letters to the
Prefects of France, which arrived addressed to me.
I hastened to carry them to the Countess. She
transmitted them to Kisseleff, who, after having
read them, increased her salary and cautioned her
to neglect no means of cultivating my valuable
acquaintance.

This manoeuvring lasted two months, and was a
source of infinite pleasure to the Countess and
myself. Count de Nesselrode, Chancellor of
Eussia, believed so firmly in the false information
which he received concerning the state of France
that he himself wrote to the Countess, sending her
a necklace worth twelve thousand francs. He also
charged her to cultivate the friendship of the
Tuileries employe I Ah ! if he had guessed that the
man who had had the talent to wring the truth from
St. Petersburg in exchange for lies from Paris was
only a former Corsican shepherd ! But it occa-
sioned much unpleasantness between His Excellency
Monsieur Drouyn de TLhuys, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, and Monsieur de Castaljar, Ambassador to
St. Petersburg.

COUNTESS DK GARDONNE. 145

Thanks to the Countess's letters, His Imperial
Majesty Napoleon always knew what was passing at
St. Petersburg several days before his Minister.
He learned also that Menschikoff had been sent to
Constantinople, the passage of the Pruth, etc., and
he always knew beforehand all that Kisseleff had to
tell him. Monsieur Drouyn de TLhuys complained
of these indiscreet anticipations on the part of the
French Ambassador at St. Petersburg. He re-
proached him for knowing nothing, or having a
double correspondence. The Ambassador replied
sharply, and reproached the Minister for having
sent someone to Eussia to spy on him. After
having exchanged many letters they both sent in
their resignation. His Imperial Majesty accepted
the Ambassador's and refused the Minister s.

On the declaration of war between the two Courts
Kisseleff went away, taking with him all the Attaches
and Madame de Gardonne. I accompanied her to
the Gare du Nord. "What tears ! what regrets at
leaving Paris !

" I shall never see you again," were her last
words, and she threw her arms around my neck.
She spoke truly, for one month later the terrible
frosts of Eussia had deprived me of a friend.

In 1863, when Prince Czartoryski sent me on a
mission to Warsaw, I could not resist the desire to
visit her tomb at St. Petersburg.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE COUNTESS OF ST. MARSAUD.

After the opera, when I was going home, General
TEspinasse, the Emperor's aide-de-camp, called me
and gave me orders to inform the Prefect of Police
that he and his colleague at Versailles were to take
precautionary measures for the next day. as the
Court wished to shoot over the Sarcley ponds. The
following day, at five o'clock in the morning, two
post-carriages conveyed His Imperial Majesty, His
Excellency Saint- Arnaud, de Persigny, I'Espinasse,
Lord Cowley, E. Ney, and Fleury to the house of
the Keeper of Woods and Forests. At eight o'clock
they wished to begin shooting, but not a gendarme,
not a police agent, appeared on the horizon. Per-
signy stamped with impatience, and blamed me
because the public forces did not arrive. I answered
His Excellency that I had transmitted the orders
given me last night, but I drew his attention to the

THE COUNTESS OF ST. MARSAUD. 147

fact that the emploi/es of Paris and Versailles, being
obliged to come either by rail or on foot, could not
yet have arrived. I added that if the Garde General
would give me a boat with two good rowers the
hunt might begin at once.

Ten minutes later the first reports attracted the
whole population of the surrounding country, together
with the men entrusted to keep order. The mounted
gendarmes and agents appeared on the spot, and
placed themselves as I ordered. At times I was
obliged to near the bank when it became necessary
for me to speak to the gendarmes and police com-
missaries on His Imperial Majesty's service. The
Prefect of the Seine-et-Oise, who appeared at this
juncture, accompanied by his wife and daughter,
both remarkably beautiful, taking me for a boatman,
ordered me to take him in my boat to the Emperor.
I answered that I could admit no one with me, and
that he might not approach the Emperor unless
summoned. The functionary's rage was unbounded.
He insulted me, threatening me with his fists, and
declaring that I should be arrested and driven from
the ponds.

But his rage increased when he saw that I paid no
attention to him, and continued tranquilly by the
bank, controlling the service.

At midday the sportsmen united to partake of a
light collation at the house of the Keeper of Woods

148 MEMOIRS OF THE BAUON BE RIMINI.

and Forests. Two hours afterwards they embarked
again, and the shooting began once more.

The Prefect de Saint-Marsaud presented his
respects to Napoleon and was invited to sit down at
the Imperial table. I was standing at the door of
the dining-room when Monsieur Sequin came up,,
and, by order of the Emperor, told me to get some-
one to take my place and to join the party at
luncheon.

I felt considerably elated when I saw myself
seated opposite the Prefect's wife and daughter.

When the shooting began again I was behind His
Imperial Majesty when Monsieur de Saint-Marsaud
asked me as politely as he had previously been
coarse to take him in my boat with his wife and
daughter.

" Monsieur le Prefet," I answered, " I regret it
very much, but it is quite impossible without an
order from His Imperial Majesty, and to prove that
I bear you no ill-will, I will ask him for you."

The Emperor, who had heard what we said,
turned to me and said —

" If it does not interfere with the service, take
them in."

At four o'clock everyone drove away except the
General and myself. Our places were occupied by
the Prefectess and her daughter, whom the Emperor
placed by his side.

THE COUNTESS OF ST, MARSAUD. 149

The next day I was obliged (by order) to fetch
them at Versailles and conduct them to Villeneuve-
TEstang, where Napoleon and Tascher de la Pagerie
were awaiting them, whilst the Prefect was summoned
to the Minister of the Interior. "When the ladies
alighted at the gate of the Imperial dwelling His
Imperial Majesty offered his arm to the mother ; the
daughter took that of the ofiBcer of the palace. They
all went into the castle, but the young lady soon
came out again, telling me to take her to the farm to
get some new milk. Two hours afterwards I con-
ducted the ladies back to Versailles, and went to
Paris. Four days afterwards I went to fetch made-
moiselle alone. "When she confided her to me her
good mother assured me that she bitterly regretted
not being able to accompany her daughter but ....
she felt indisposed, and hoped that His Imperial
Majesty, who was so kind, would excuse her. . . .

That evening the Momteur announced that Mon-
sieur de Saint-Marsaud had been made a Chevalier
of the Legion of Honour, and Madame de Saint-
Marsaud a lady-in-waiting to the Princess Mathilde.
Mademoiselle de Saint-Marsaud has since married
Monsieur Carruel de Saint-Martin, who was created
a Count by His Imperial Majesty when the contract
was signed.

CHAPTER XXV.

SINIBALDI.

One day, whilst I was in the office of the Prefect of
Police, General Flemy, aide-de-camp to the Emperor,
entered distractedly.

" His Majesty is waiting for you," said he to the
Magistrate as he appeared.

" The deuce ! " replied Pietri ; '' I have just begun
a report, and I want to finish it." Then recollect-
ing himself, " Take Griscelli with you. General. If
it is anything which concerns him His Imperial
Majesty will entrust it to him. If my presence is
indispensable he can come and fetch me in your
carriage."

Monsieur Fleury and I started for the castle.
General Fleury, although he lost twenty - five
thousand francs at roulette at Baden-Baden, and
gambled away three hundred thousand francs which
the Emperor had given him to buy horses with,,
nevertheless remained Napoleon's confidant. On
reaching the waitiog-room the General entered the

SINIBALDI. 151

Emperors study and signed to me to follow him.
His Imperial Majesty showed me a telegram which
he had received from London, informing him that an
Italian, Sinibaldi, had arrived in Paris with criminal
intentions. The telegram added that Sinibaldi would
stop under the name of Peters at the Hotel Mira-
beau, Eue de la Paix.

I took the telegram from His Imperial Majesty's
hands, assuring him that I would see to it.

" Are you armed? '' asked the Emperor.

" Yes, sire."

" Here are a thousand francs. Go quickly and be
prudent, and give Pietri an account of the result."

When I left the Imperial room I went down the
Rue St. Honore without any fixed plan. Passing by
a wine merchant's a sudden idea struck me, and I
immediately put it into execution. I asked the
owner of the establishment for two bottles, which I
had filled, one with cognac and the other with wine;
then I went straight to the hotel where the suspected
man was stopping. In reply to my inquiry the
porter said that Monsieur Peters, from London, was
in No. 6. I went upstairs, opened the door of No.
6, and found myself in the presence of a man of from
thirty to thirty-five years. He was writing; near
him, on a table, lay his pistols and a dagger. I
went towards him, saying that I was permitted
by the hotel proprietor to offer samples of my wares
to new comers. To these advances he replied —

152 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

" I am an Englishman, and want nothing. Leave
me alone !"

And, rising, he tried to reach his weapons. I
stopped him by putting my stiletto against his
breast, saying —

" You lie ! You are Sinibaldi, Italian, not Eng-
lish ! Make no resistance or you are a dead man."

" I am not an Italian, I am English, and I shall
send a protest to my Ambassador."

" So much the better for you if you are English ! "
replied I. " You must come with me to the police
office."

I kicked the door. A waiter appeared. I ordered
him to lock the door of the room and put the key in
my pocket ; then I went downstairs with Sinibaldi,
always holding him by the collar with one hand, my
stiletto in the other. I took him in this manner to
the Prefect of Police, who was still in the office where
I had left him. I gave him the London telegram
and told him the rest, putting Sinibaldi into his
hands. The police-officer Lagrange, to whom I gave
the key, ran to the Italian's room and brought back
to the Prefect of Police, besides the arms, papers
which proved that Sinibaldi had come from London
with the intention of assassinating the Emperor.

He was at once taken to Mazas, and the next
morning he was found hanged {vQ^idi ^poisoned).

CHAPTER XXVL

MOEELLT, OB THE MAN FROM CALAIS.

At midnight, when I was sleeping quietly, my porter,
Monsieur Bosquet, of No. 22, Rue des Moulins,
brought me a paper which an orderly of the Minister
of the Interior had given him, and which directed
me to go immediately to the office. I rose hastily
and went to No. 101, Rue Grenelle St. Germain.
The usher on duty, Henri, conducted me to Billant's
room. He was in bed, and Pietri was with him,
seated in an armchair.

When he saw me the Minister ordered me to start
at once for Calais. He gave me a thousand francs,
and told me to present myself at the Prefecture,
where I would find the Prefect of the department,
who had orders to give me. On arriving at the Gare
du Nord,a locomotive and one carriage only started by
order of the Government. At seven o'clock, as I was
stepping into the Calais station, a gentleman (Victor
Duhamel, Prefect) took me by the arm and made me

154 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

enter the buffet. There, while we took coffee, he told
me that a man, whose name was unknown, would
alight at nine o'clock and start for Paris with the
intention of assassinating the Emperor. " I have
His Excellency's orders to show him to you," said
Monsieur Duhamel.

" And I to watch him," I answered the Prefect of
Pas-de- Calais. At the hour named a barque appeared
in the port. Armed with the description given me by
Monsieur Victor Duhamel, I became the shadow of
one of the two passengers who had disembarked, and
who, as soon as he had landed, went precipitately to
the station, but the Paris train had left.

At twelve o'clock he left Calais, at four we
arrived together at the Gare du Word and took
rooms in the Rue Montmartre, like travellers whom
chance has thrown together in a cab or a railway
carriage. He had told me that he was an Italian^
coming to visit the capital. I told him that I was
from Marseilles, and traveller for a firm who dealt
in Bordeaux wine.

For two days, from two till four o'clock, we
walked together. As he always wanted to prowl
around the Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, as
far as the Arc de Triomphe, I abstained from pre-
venting his taking that favourite walk. The Court
were starting for Biarritz, I knew it. One evening
while we were dining at the hotel I expressed my

MOHELLI, OR TEE MAN FROM CALAIS, 155

regret at being obliged to leave birn, as I must
return to Bordeaux. He looked at me and said —

** Good ! I shall go to Bayonne."

The next day we were walking in the Quinconse.

Morning and evening (as in Paris) I was absent
from the hotel, ostensibly on business. But in
reality I was reporting to the then Prefect,
Monsieur Haussmann.

The eve of their Majesties' passage, at ten o'clock
at night, I took a walk with my friend on the shores
of the Gironde. The Prefect of Bordeaux passed,
and informed me that their Imperial Majesties were
nearly there, and that it was time to

The next day a man with a dagger in the back
of his neck was taken out of the river and carried
to the Morgue just as the Imperial party were
crossing the town on their way to Biarritz. A few
days after that Monsieur Haussmann was made
Prefect of the Seine (he is still that). He has also
been made Senator and decorated with the Grand
Cross. Monsieur Duhamel became a States' Coun-
cillor, Deputy, and so forth, as a reward for his
services in this unfortunate affair.

As for me, I lost my dagger, which remained at
Bordeaux in the hands of justice as a proof of the
murder of Silvani, of Perrugia !

CHAPTER XXVII.

PIANOEI.

This wretched Pianori, who was a shoemaker by
profession, arrived in Paris and lodged in the Eue
de la Galande. Being unable to speak French, and
finding no work, he fell into the most abject misery.
In the same house lived one of those scoundrels
whom I branded in Chapter XXI. under the name
of hired plotters. He resolved to make Pianori his
victim, feeling sure that this same victim would
make his fortune. The spy began by pitying
Pianori, gave him money, paid for his food, and
particularly his drink, and, when he was drunk,
incited him against Napoleon.

The emyloye from the Prefecture gained such an
ascendancy over the Italian, that the latter, thinking
he had found a beneficent angel, would have thrown
himself into the Seine rather than disobey the
benefactor who fed and lodged him without making
him work. The day of the criminal attempt,

PIANORI. 157

Pianori, drunk with absinthe, was taken by the
agent to the Champs Elys^es ; a revolver was placed
in his hands, and he fired three times at Napoleon.
He was arrested, tried, and condemned to death.
The day of his execution, at six o'clock in the
morning, just at the moment when Pianori' s head
was falling into the basket, the Moniteur announced
to its readers that Hebert had been made a Chevalier
of the Legion of Honour as a reward for his ex-
ceptional services.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

OESINI.

This chapter, which I shall devote to the hero of
bombshells, will not be long. Everyone has heard
of the trial. It is said that Orsini used to be the
Grand Master of a Masonic Lodge in Italy. In my
eyes he was only a petty conspirator, a miserable
assassin, a man without any decency of character.
He came to Paris to assassinate Napoleon. Instead
of that, however, he contented himself with buying
a horse and riding with the head of the State every
day. He had some bombs made, and sent for two
unfortunate countrymen of his to throw them
amongst the crowd.

The night of the crime he was satisfied to look on
as an amateur. As soon as his murderers had sown
death and desolation around the Imperial carriages,
Orsini returned home, and went to bed quietly like
a grocer of the Marais.

OnSINI. 159

Arrested in bed, he turned informer, and betrayed
all the men concerned in the plot.

This is the hero whose partisans published his
memoirs, and for whom subscriptions were raised,
as well as for his sister, who poses as a martyr to
liberty.

A number of police agents were decorated, many
victims perished. The Prefect of Police and the
Minister of the Interior sent in their resignation.
The Orsini affair brought the laws for public safety
into existence.

CHAPTER XXIX.

PRINCE CAMMERATA.

After tlie formation of the Council of State of the
new Empire a Meeting Extraordinary was held at
the Tuileries, under the presidency of His Imperial
Majesty, for the purpose of providing the laws for
the general safety. A young member of the Council,
of Italian origin, a Prince of the Blood, and kins-
man of the head of the Government, rose and made
an eloquent improvised speech against the law,
which he said was draconian. His concise style,
skilfully conceived, and delivered with fire, created
a great sensation. Although he had spoken against
them all, the young Prince was applauded by
Napoleon and the entire assembly.

From that day forth Prince Cammerata was the
lion of all the official, ministerial, and civil enter-
tainments. His lofty mind, his knowledge, his
polished manners, his kinship with the potentate^

PRINCE CAMMERATA. 161

his position and rank won admiration for him ; but
that which had won all hearts everywhere he went
was his modesty.

Amongst men, savants sought his society ; amongst
women, the Empress Eugenie was remarked for the
preference she gave him at all the Tuileries
assemblies. It was at one of these fetes that the
unfortunate Prince, having on his arm the woman
who knew so well how to monopolize him under
pretext of speaking Italian, was unfortunate enough
to say to his sovereign, " I love you ! " a speech which
would no doubt have been deemed innocent if it
had been uttered in secret, but which was im-
prudent because heard by the maids-of-honour. It
was a public boldness ! Montijo's daughter hastened
to her Emperor-spouse, like a wounded hyaena, to
demand vengeance. Prince Cammerata was given
up on the spot to the agent Zambo, who conducted
the Councillor of State to his apartment and blew
his brains out from behind with a pistol.

Monsieur Pietri and I, informed of what had
happened, hastened to the Prince, but when we
arrived he was dead.

The Prefect of Police threw himself down by the
body of his friend and wept like a child. In a few
moments he rose again. I had not shed a single
tear. We closed the door and went to the Tuileries,

162 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

where thej were still dancing. Going into the
porter s room we heard that Zambo had been there
and left again a few minutes earlier.

Monsieur Pietri and I returned to the Prefecture,
whilst the Prince's murderers continued to dance at
the Tuileries. That morning, when I arose, I had
a feeling of dazzlement. An hour later, with no
other thought than how to revenge my benefactor s
friend, I presented myself at Monsieur Pietri' s,
and asked him for a passport to London. He
looked me full in the face, then said —

" Go, I understand. Do not let your revenge
cool."

" Count on me. If I meet him I — "

He embraced me, and gave me a thousand francs.
Fifty hours afterwards I had returned; Zambo,
stabbed and unrecognizable, was lying under
"Waterloo Bridge.

The London police, in spite of their cleverness,
were never able to identify the body (a bottle of
corrosive fluid had burnt his face), nor to discover
the perpetrator of the crime.

About a fortnight after the Tuileries ball I had
accompanied their Imperial Majesties to St. Cloud,
and was walking in the courtyard, when Napoleon
called to me from a window, and ordered me to
go to the salon. When I came into his presence

PRINCE CAMMERATA. 168

His Imperial Majesty asked me, before the
Empress —

" Do you know London ? "

" Yes, sire."

" When were you there ? "

" When your Imperial Majesty sent me there
Tvith a letter to Monsieur de Persigny."

" But you have been there since then ? " He
looked me in the face as he spoke.

'* Yes, sire," I replied, looking at him with equal
intensity, " the day Monsieur Pietri gave me a
passport."

" Sempre la Vandetta ! " said Napoleon.

*' Sono GorsOy^^ I replied.

After the departure of Pietri, my benefactor, as I
could not get along with his successor (Boitelle), I
left for the Island of Corsica, where the villagers
received me with marks of great joy. I had left
them a shepherd, in their eyes I was now a great
man ! What is more, I had gone away with twenty-
five francs in my pocket, and now returned with a
hundred and thirty thousand. Two days after that
I bought all the property belonging to Vitali,
Justice of the Peace, and paid him forty thousand
francs down I

Two months later, Count Cavour, Minister to the

164 MEMOIRS OF TEE BARON DE RIMINI.

King of Sardinia, on the advice of Monsieur Pietrf,
summoned me to Turin, where he attached me to
his person as a political agent.

Although I have not related half as much as I
would like to have done, I hasten to end this first
part and begin the second, which embraces the
whole Italian question from 1859 to 1866.

MEMOIES OF THE BAEON DE EIMINI.

PAET 11.

CHAPTER XXX.

CAVOUR.

As I have had the honour of saying in the first part
of these memoirs, the unfortunate Orsini affair
which brought mourning into many families was
fatal both to my benefactor, Monsieur Pietri, and
myself. We left Paris, the Court and the Emperor,
whom we loved sincerely, and to whom we were
equally devoted. The new Prefect of Police,
Boitelle, who had his creatures to find places for,
did not wait for the resignation of several of his
predecessor's proteges; he dismissed them all im-
mediately on his entrance into office.

When he put himself at the head of the army
which was to deliver the Italians from the yoke of
Austria, Napoleon III. again placed his former
Prefect of Police near his person. Monsieur Pietri,

168 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

who was devoted to the Bonapartes to the point of
self-sacrifice, accepted the new position which was
offered him, although it was almost humiliating.
The position he occupied near the Sovereign in
Italy might have been filled bj any commissary of
police. I followed him to Turin, where we waited
to see the French flag appear, when we were to
begin service again.

As soon as the Turinese heard that the confidant
of the Emperor of the French was in their city, all
the statesmen (Oavour at the head) whom the
capital of Piedmont contained hastened to con-
gratulate Monsieur Pietri.

In consequence of a conversation between Count
Cavour and Monsieur Pietri, it was decided that, as
I could not serve the Emperor without Boitelle's
consent, I was to enter Count Cavour's service, with
the same privileges, emoluments, and so forth that I
had had in Paris.

On my arrival in Turin I took lodgings at an
hotel in the Hue Neuve. Next day at nine o'clock
I proceeded to the Foreign Office, armed with a
letter from Monsieur Pietri.

More than twenty visitors were awaiting their
turn to be interviewed by the extraordinary man
who at that time had the eyes of all Europe turned
upon him.

Some had come to give an account of their mis-

CAVOUR. 169

Bion, others were solicitors ; others, again, desired
private information concerning the vast conspiracy
designed to arouse a people which had been dulled,
brutalized, enslaved, and tyrannized over since 1815.
Twice already that people had made a vain attempt
to shake off the yoke of the House of Hapsburg;
twice they had paid for their love of liberty in fines
and vexation of spirit.

When I gave my name to the footman, although
«ach new-comer had been seated without regard to
the time of his arrival or distinction of rank or
title, he invited me to enter the secretaries' room.

*' I have His Excellency's orders to admit you.
He has asked about you several times since yester-
day."

I expected to be ushered into some huge drawing-
room study, like those of the potential Ministers of
France, where gold, silk, and mirrors reign supreme.
What was my surprise to find myself in a small
room !

A table, four chairs, and a heap of portfolios were
the only furniture of Cavour's attaches. Minghetti,
Artour, and Nigra were writing at the same desk.

They offered me the only vacant chair.

I had hardly seated myself before a man between
forty and forty-five years of age, short in stature
and moderately stout, wearing spectacles and a small
fringe of chestnut- grey beard, appeared at a door.

170 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

and, calling me by name, signed to me to ap-
proach.

When I found myself face to face for the first
time with the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Con-
gress which had the courage to lay down the law for
the future kingdom of Italy, I remembered the con-
versation which I had had, also for the first time,,
with the Emperor on the terrace of the Opera
House.

My feelings had changed radically since that time,
for I experienced no emotion whatever, so frequent
had been my interviews with the potentates of the-
day.

He examined me from head to foot, then said —

" Your countryman. Monsieur Pietri, has assured
me that no one could second me better than you in
my work during the crisis which is now imminent.
You know men and matters. You are devoted and
energetic, and not afraid of desperate measures.
This is the information which I have concerning^
you. You speak Italian ; you are the man I need.
Come to see me this evening at nine o'clock."*

Exactly at the hour named I entered the study of

the man for whom the Italians — who had burnt him

in efl&gy a few years before — professed an immense

reverence.

♦ Contrary to the custom of all other Ministers, who leave their
offices at four o'clock, the Turinese Ministers return to theirs at
nine o'clock every evening.

OAVOUR. 171

A word, an order from Cavour in Italy in 1859,
1860, 1861 was executed, cost what it might, as if
it had been a command from Divine Providence.

We sat down opposite each other. After a
moment of silence he began —

" You must leave for Modena in a few days,
passing through Parma, and going as far as
Bologna. You will see Veggezo at Parma, Cantelli
at Modena, Carbonieri and Zini at Bologna. You
must also visit Marquis Pepoli. These gentlemen^
whom I have made heads of committees in their
provinces, will hear what you have to say ; you will
receive their information. It is necessary that the
Italians rise in mass at the first signal to back the
army and chase their tyrants out of Italy with fire
and sword. Monsieur Pietri gave you five hundred
francs a month and gratuities. I shall do the same.
You will address your correspondeuce, always in
French, to my house in the Rue d'Alfieri. I wish all
Italy to be one vast conspiracy. Tell the Directors
of Committees that if I consent to admit into our
band any great names, the rank of oflficer or chief of
a squadron must be given to the old military men."

This was the substance of the first interview
which I had with the President of the King's
Council, who was soon to take the title of ** First
Soldier of the Independence ! "

At midnight we left the ojQBce together, well satis-

172 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

fied with each other. He said he was pleased with
my knowledge, and I was delighted with the advan-
tageous position which he had promised me. On
leaving me in the Rue Neuve, the Minister told me
to be at his study the next morning at nine o'clock
to receive his first orders and the first quarter's
salary, which he was to pay beforehand. And as
this is the first time I have spoken of pay, I will
say, once for all, that the men belonging to the
Imperial Government never gave me an order with-
out asking, " Are you armed ? " whereas Cavour,
when he gave me any command, always inquired,
*' Do you need money ? "

Two days sufficed for me to find out the men
whom I was to watch, and talk to them. I sent
in a report of them which was so clear and full,
giving such a just idea of the character and political
views of these three statesmen, that Count Cavour
expressed his entire satisfaction.

" It is impossible," said he, " to describe them
better. Rattazzi, always hunting a Ministry ; Brof-
ferio, an honest Republican, who refuses all office
that he may have the right to bawl in the Chamber;
Lolar de la Marguerite, unable to become anything
of consequence, and demanding that everyone shall
go to mass, keep the feast-days, and submit to the
Pope. To-morrow," added he, " you will accompany

CAVOUn, 173

me to Genoa. His Royal Highness Prince de Carig-
nan and I are going to meet the Emperor."

" Yes, your Excellency," said I ; ** but I warn
you that I do not wish to take part in any oflBcial
rejoicing at which the Imperial Court will be pre-
sent."

"Ah! I understand. Come to Genoa all the
same ; there you can do as you like."

On the approach of the French army Victor
Emmanuel had appointed his cousin Lieutenant-
General of the Kingdom, and had gone to the camp
with General de Lamarmora, Minister for War. It
was in his place that His Highness Prince de Carig-
nan went to the Port of Genoa to welcome the
Emperor of the French, who had adopted the
modest title of General-in-Chief of the Franco-
Italian armies.

The disembarkment took place amidst a display
of enthusiasm difficult to describe. The Staff and
the entire army marched past on a carpet of flowers.
The soldiers were laden with flowers and oranjres ;
the officers had wreaths. The municipal authorities
and the gardeners of the marble city were already
preluding to the victories of Magenta and Sol-
ferino.

After spending twenty-four hours in rejoicings at
Genoa, the French staff went to Alexandria, whither
the Italian Minister sent a secret agent who was to

174 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

report to him every gesture and action of tlie
General-in-Chief J his surroundings, and the persons
who came to visit him. This watch lasted during
the entire campaign. I will add, to show the
morality of the affair, that the Italian agent ob-
tained all the information he wanted from Monsieur
Hirvoy, Napoleon III.'s commissary, an ex-bankrupt
hat manufacturer, in return for a few small gifts and
some disorderly pleasure parties.

CHAPTER XXXI.

VICTOR EMMANUEL.

Those who took even a slight interest only in the
affairs of the day will still remember the reception
at the Tuileries on the 1st of January, 1859, when
Napoleon III. said to His Excellency Monsieur
Hubner, the Austrian Ambassador —

" I profess, my dear Hubner, the greatest esteem
for your young and chivalric Emperor; but
your tyrannical Government is a disgrace to the
century ! "

These Imperial words, uttered in the presence of
the representatives of every European nation, re-
sounded at Vienna like a thunderclap. On leaving
the official audience, the diplomatists hurried to
report to their respective chiefs the incident of the
first day of the year, and the quasi declaration of
war between France and Austria. War might be
expected in the spring.

The King of Piedmont, who was totally unable to

176 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

take an interest in anything but women, champagne,
and hunting, said at the reception held by him on
the same day, and in the presence of the two
Chambers, that the year 1859 would be fertile in
changes for Italy, that the Italians, seconded by a
powerful ally, were to prepare for combat, suffering,
and sacrifices to the Independence, the liberty of
their country, and the unity of the Italian kingdom.

The evening of these warlike harangues on the
part of the two crowned heads I started for Parma.
Cantelli, chief promoter of the uprising, was waiting
for me at the station to take me to his house. This
chief, although a grand seigneur and apparently
full of eagerness for the unity of his native land^
only inspired me with mediocre confidence on
account of his antecedents.

He had been Mayor in 1848 ; dismissed from
office and condemned to death at the return of the
Bourbons, he accepted his would-be executioners*
pardon in 1850, and once more allied himself to
them.

Being an old hand in all the artifices of Cabinet^
Count Cantelli, noticing my reserve, spoke to me
frankly about it. I replied as frankly that he was
right.

We parted two days later the best friends in the
world, and I must own that since then he haa
served his cause as Deputy, Minister, and Prefect

VICTOR EMMANUEL. 177

with unshaken zeal and devotion against the
Duchesse de Bourbon, who once saved his life, and
paid 80,000 francs deficit which the Mayor of 1848
had left behind him in the municipal funds at
Parma.

At Modena I was received by Carbonieri and
Zini, an ex-professor at Genoa. They had returned
to their native land for the purpose of conspiring
against Francis IV., Duke of Modena, who had
pardoned them both a few years previously. From
Modena I proceeded to Bologna. Pepoli, a kins-
man of Napoleon through Murat, invited me to stay
at his house. This young Marquis thought that his
relationship with the reigning families of Paris and
Berlin ought to have made him a Grand-Duke, at
the very least. But his secretary, more wise than
Murat's grandson, explained to him that nowadays
a Grand-Duke must be able, in case of necessity,
to conduct his own correspondence, his official
speeches, etc., himself. Yielding to these considera-
tions. Marquis Pepoli contented himself with being
a simple Deputy, and, on occasion, special commis-
sioner in the provinces, as at Padua.

The revolutionary committees of Parma, Modena,
and particularly Bologna, were being regularly and
rapidly organized. I received an order from Count
Cavour, to whom I reported every day, to go to
Tuscany, where Eicasoli and Boncompagni were

178 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

directing the uprising. These two men, who re-
ceived me very cordially, surprised me. Baron
Ricasoli was a descendant of some of the first
Florentine nobles, decorated with the order of
Marie-Therese of Austria, an intimate friend of the
reigning Duke, an Austrian daring his entire
political life, except for two days in 1848, when he
became a Republican with Mordini, Guerazzi, and
Montenelli de Ciprioni, whom he betrayed by
bringing back Leopold across the frontier, whom
his new friends and the people of Florence had
expulsed.

Monsieur Boncompagni surprised me still more.
He was the representative of the Sardinian Govern-
ment.

He had been asked for by the Court of Tuscany as
an acquaintance, a friend, and an Ambassador. He
had sworn fidelity and sincerity. He had, like his
colleague Eicasoli, betrayed and trampled on all.

The Austrian Government, informed by their
agents of all our secret proceedings — the organiza-
tion of revolutionary committees, the engagement
of volunteers throughout the Peninsula, under the
orders of Garibaldi, who, forgetful of Charles Albert's
injustices, had hastened to place his sword at the
disposal of Victor Emmanuel, and the regular
arming of the Sardinian army — ordered General
Giulay to send two of his Staff-Officers to Turin

VICTOR EMMANUEL. 179

with a declaration of war during the next twenty-
four hours unless the volunteers and the Pied-
montese army were disbanded.

On the aiTival of the two envoys the King sum-
moned his Council, and on the advice of his Ministers
replied that he could not accept any of the proposals
from Vienna.

During the deliberation I received an order from
the Count to prepare a manifestation for Giulay's
aides-de-camp. Hardly had they left the Castle
before a crowd of gamins began to greet them with
cries of : " Hurrah for Italy ! Hurrah for Indepen-
dence ! Down with Austria ! Down with our execu-
tioners ! Down with the tyrants ! " Before they
had reached the station the gamins had attracted
more than twenty thousand persons.

On my return from the station I was warmly
complimented by the Minister, who shut himself up
in his study to compose the following telegram : —

" Sire,

" The two Austrian envoys have just been
accompanied to the railway station by the popula-
tion of Turin to cries of ' Hurrah for Italy ! Hurrah
for Independence ! Down with Austria ! Down with
our executioners ! Down with the tyrants ! '

" (Signed) Cavoub."

Two hours afterwards he sent for me to read the

180 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

answer : " Prince Napoleon and I embark to-morrow
evening at Marseilles. Marshals Canrobert and l^iel
will arrive by way of Luga. General MacMabon
will rejoin me witb 40,000 Africans at Grenoa, where
Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers will disembark to-day."
When I had finished it the Count asked —
" What do you think of this telegram ? "
" Your Excellency," said I, " it is the execution
of the second article signed at Plombieres by the-
two parties ! Next comes the third, since the first
was carried out long ago."

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE EICASOLI WAE AND CONSPIRACY.

Some days later His Higliness Prince de Carignan,
Count de Cavour, General de Lamarmora, Rattazzi,
and I left for Genoa to welcome the powerful allies.
His Imperial Majesty, Prince Napoleon, Marshal
Vaillant, and a crowd of Generals, Colonels, and
Orderly Officers disembarked to the sound of bells,
the firing of cannon, and the frenzied cries of an
entire population who had thronged to the harbour
to salute France, who was sacrificing her money and
her blood that she might free a nation which, under
the First Empire, had shared in her glories and
triumphs, and, from 1815 to 1850, her reverses and
humiliations as well.

I hope I am mistaken, but I believe that some
day, led by the men who govern her, this kingdom
of twenty-four millions of inhabitants, which we
founded, will turn against us and requite us with
ingratitude.

182 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Pride prevented my assisting oflScially at any
reception, /e^e, or ball given at Genoa in honour of
the French army. To avoid finding myself face to
face with those whom I had served, and with whom
I had even been too intimately connected, I con-
tented myself by following in a private capacity the
principal actors of the great military drama which
began at Montebello to the sound of the cannon,
and ended at Yillafranca with a pen stroke.

Mingling with the crowd, I saw, as I had already
seen, that the King of Piedmont, Victor Emmanuel,
had only the title, and that the promoter and executor
of public opinion was really the man whom the
Emperor of the French summoned to Plombieres,
and whom he never ceased to consult from the
moment of his entry into Genoa until the battle
of Solferino.

When Kapoleon established his headquarters at
Alexandria and the Minister returned to Turin, I
received the order to leave for Florence with a
certain number of carabineers, dressed as civilians,
to make an arrangement with Ricasoli and Boncom-
pagni, who were pressing the Cabinet of Turin to
act, because, as they said, the people were tired of
waiting, now that they felt themselves backed up
by the French.

In a deliberation which I held with the heads of
the sections at the quarters of the directors of the

THE RICASOLI WAR AND CONSPIRACY, 183

plot, we decided unanimously that my eighty Pied-
montese should scatter the next morning through
the principal squares of the city, and try to arouse
the passers-by.

When the Florentines were ripe for revolt they
were to assemble before the Pitti Palace and cry :
" Down with Leopold ! Down with the Duke I Long
life to Italy I Long life to Independence ! "

This converging movement was executed like
a military manoeuvre, and when the crowd had
gathered in the Place du Chateau, Ricasoli, who
had himself opened the doors to him in 1848,
mounted the staircase rapidly, presented himself
to the reigning »Dake, and, in the name of the
people who demanded his abdication, requested him
to leave at once.

Instead of putting himself at the head of his
army — 15,000 men — and charging the vile mob, the
Duke asked his executioners for an escort beyond
the frontier of his States. An hour later the Sar-
dinian flag was floating on every building in the
city of the Medicis.

All the banks were pillaged. My agents, who
had come from the Alps in sabots, so to speak, were
walking about the Casino like lords two days after-
wards.

Those who felt that they would never be anything
installed themselves, on their own authority, at the

184 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

post and telegraph offices, the Ministers' offices, the
Prefecture, the Mayors' offices, etc. Fortunately the
heroes of the barricades in Eome, Milan, Genoa,
Leghorn, etc., came, by Cavour's order, to replace
those who had thought fit to remain in Florence
under the administration of Eicasoli, who had made
himself Governor General of Tuscany, and Bon-
compagni, who had created himself the King of
Piedmont's Commissioner.

The Provisionary Government was as follows : —

Monsieur Boncompagni, President of the Council
and Kiug's Commissioner.

Monsieur le Baron Eicasoli, Minister of the
Interior. ^

Monsieur Fabrizzi, Chief Justice.

Monsieur Corsi, President of the Board of Trade.

Monsieur Silvagnoli, Director of Public Instruc-
tion.

Monsieur Peruzzi, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Monsieur Bianchi, Chief Secretary to the Council.

As there was neither army nor navy, there was
neither Minister for War nor Lord of the Admiralty.

At four o'clock in the afternoon the city of Florence
was as quiet, as indifferent, as on the day before. The
Corsican shepherd, who had received six thousand
francs for his twenty-four hours' job, said to him-
self—

" Who could ever believe that Boncompagni, the

THE RICASOLI WAR AND CONSPIRACY, 185

Grand Duke's esteemed Minister, who went bowini^
up the staircase of the Pitti Palace, would reign there
as master after having ousted the Sovereign by
treachery ! Who, too, could believe that Baron Rica-
soli, who went in 1849 to fetch back the Grand Duke
after he had been driven from Tuscany by the revo-
lution, and who received the Cross of Marie-Th^r^se
for this deed, was the same man who, now a traitor,
has just driven the Grand Duke away ! "

The revolution in Tuscany ended, I received orders
from Count Cavour to go with my agents to Parma.

The committee of Parma, composed of Santelli,
St. Yitali, Melussi, David, and Torregiani, came to
meet me as soon as they heard that I was approach-
ing the town. At a cafe at St. Hilare we made our
plans for barricading the whole town. Mattei,
the Chief of Police, and General Trotti, who com-
manded ten thousand men, with whom he might have
fired grape-shot into us, had sold themselves to the
Turin Government and made no attempt to prevent
anything.

The Grand Duchess Marie de Bourbon, awaking
one fine morning, found herself surrounded by revo-
lutionists, had her carriage brought out, and wended
her way to Mantua, to place herself under the pro-
tection of the Austrian cannons.

Count Cantelli, the Mayor of Parma in 1848, con-
demned to death for having raised an insurrection.

186 MEMOIjRS of the BARON DE RIMINI,

and for having appropriated eighty thousand francs
of the municipal funds, had been pardoned by the
Grand Duchess. As an acknowledgment of so much
generosity, Cantelli again became a conspirator, in
1859, to try and dethrone his benefactress.

In the Duchy of Modena things went on as at
Florence and Parma. Messieurs Carbonieri, Zini,
Mayer, and Chiesi were the leaders who received me
and whom I had to obey.

The Duke of Modena, instead of marching against
the insurgents, crossed the Po, and went over to the
Austrian bayonets.

CHAPTER XXXIIL

MASSIMO d'aZEGLIO.

Whilst I was on my way to the Duchy of Parma
with my staff to make arrangements with Count
Cantelli, and to Modena to fulfil the mission I have
just spoken of, Victor Emmanuel was appointing his
cousin, the Prince of Savoy, Lieutenant-General of
the kingdom, and placing himself and his array,
which was encamped at Saint-Moritz, under the
orders of the Emperor of the French, who had
modestly assumed the title of Generalissimo of the
Franco-Italian armies. I may add that this double
title did not prevent the mighty ally from being
watched by Cavour's agents as long as he stayed in
Italy. In return for several more or less permissible
favours, Hyrvoi, Inspector of the Imperial Camp,
although paid from the French budget, never failed
to report to my agents anything that took place in
the tent of the French commander.

While the army was working to the front, whip-

188 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

ping the Ausfcriaus at Castigio and Montebello, and
preparing the way for th^ victories of Magenta and
Solferino, the police and the committees organized
by Cavour were dethroning the kinglets of Central
Italy. The French army was making giant strides
towards Northern Italy.

At Montebello, Palestro, Magenta, and Solferino
brilliant victories crowned the flags of the two
nations. The peace of Yillefranca came to cool the
enthusiasm of the army, and leave unfinished l^apo-
leon*s programme : " Itali/ free from the Aljps to the
Adriatic' '

On hearing this news Count Cavour sent me with
Massimo d'Azeglio into Romagna, then he tendered
his resignation and retired to Geneva. Hattazzi
replaced him, while I directed my steps, accompanied
by the King's representative, to Bologna, which city
had at the instigation of Pepoli's committees driven
out the clerical authorities, lowered the arms of the
Pope's soldiers, and put Italian ones in their place.

I accompanied this Commissioner, who re-entered
the city on a carpet of flowers. Flags with Savoyard
devices united with velvet and silk, draped by the
Homagnols, to show their joy. The entire city was
in a state of excitement difficult to describe. Shouts,
songs, music, could be heard in the streets, where
the Bolognese might now walk freely without fear
of the Austrian police, who had been tyrannizing

MASSIMO DWZEGLIO. 189

over them since 1815. "VVhcn night arrived a mob
of people, most of them revohitionists who had been
freed during the day, rushed through the streets
crying, " I lumi ! " (lights !)

The windows lighted up as if by enchantment, and
if perchance any good citizen disobeyed the Pied-
montese revellers, he was then and there taken to
prison, and often his house was pillaged.

Encouraged by the almost universal obedience
they met with throughout the city, the Bologna
sans culottes proceeded to the Bishop's Palace. His
Eminence, Monsignor Viale, a countryman of mine,
was then a Cardinal, and occupied the Archiepiscopal
Palace. Being the author of the concordat, he was
openly hated by the revolutionists, who, to punish
him for his clerico-Bourbonic principles, screamed
"J lumi ! " in chorus at his door.

Seeing that His Eminence did not obey, they
climbed the railings of the courtyard, and advanced
towards the staircase, as if to enter the house.

I was with Monsignor. Being a countryman of his,
I had been to pay my respects to him, and had re-
mained to dinner. But — and herein lies the spy's
real talent — I had also sneaked into the enemy's camp.

I went to the head of the stairs with a pistol in one
hand and a dagger in the other, and addressed them :

" So this is the use you make of your liberty the
first day it is given you ? You wish to force one

190 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

of God's ministers to rejoice in your saturnalia !
Is that what you call liberty ? I am a Frenchman,
and I tell you now that the Emperor shall know
to-morrow how you have behaved to-day, and the
fine use you make of your freedom, to restore to
you which he broke your chains. And I warn you,
besides, that the first man who mounts these steps
will have his head broken, and the second will be
stabbed."

At these words a great many of them began to
beat a retreat ; but, as in all affairs of this kind, the
leaders cried out that it was a disgrace to the city
of Bologna for them to draw back before one
Frenchman, and to allow one palace only to be
without lights when all the rest were illuminated.
At this they all turned back, by common accord,
and began to ascend. But at the report of my
pistol even the boldest retreated with such quick-
ness and disorder, so frightened were they, that over
a hundred Bolognese were left on the ground.
Then every servant the Cardinal had rushed down-
stairs, some with sticks, others with shovels and
tongs, the Suiss with his lance. In an instant all
those who had been eager to pillage the Arch-
bishop's Palace were flying in every direction
through the city. His Eminence, who stood laugh-
ing at one of the windows, called his footmen and
said —

MASSIMO D'AZEGLIO. 191

" All ! if your compatriots of Eomagna had done
'v\'hat you have done this evening, they would still
be Christians devoted to the Holy Church, whereas
now they are possessed of Satan. For, remember,
my children, that it is the honest man's cowardice
which inspires courage in rogues I "

The next morning d'Azeglio and all his asso-
ciates laughed at the affair, which occasioned the
most irritating articles in the European Press.
The revolutionary journals attacked the Cardinal
violently for having turned a deaf ear to the popular
demand, saying that he hated progress and light.
They called him a Sanfedist, a codino, a retrograde,
etc.

The others defended the Prince of the Church
warmly, openly attacked the revolutionary leaders,
who wanted to force others to follow in their foot-
steps, and said that had it not been for the courage
of a French officer the Archiepiscopal Palace would
Jiave been pillaged, and His Grace murdered.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

FARINI.

I EECEIYED an order from Eattazzi to go for the
time to Modena, and there place myself at the dis-
posal of Farini, the Dictator, ex-Medical Director
of Eoman Prisons. He was a man of iron, a
creature who faltered at no deed which might prove
to Europe that the Duke of Aosta, Francis lY., had
governed his subjects like a tyrant, and that the
people of Modena had driven him away in order to
put themselves in the hands of Victor Emmanuel.

One day, while I was in his study, he was in-
formed that Colonel Auviti, an ex-aide-de-camp to
the Due de Bourbon, had been arrested and taken
to prison. He burst into a terrible rage, ordering
Curletti, Agent of Police, to go at once and have the
unfortunate Colonel given up to the populace.

That day Auviti was dragged to the public square,
with a rope around his neck, and decapitated. His
head was placed on a pyramid, in the presence of

FARTNL 193

sixty tliousand people and a garrison of five
thousand soldiers. And to show its pleasure at
this atrocious deed, the evening paper announced to
its readers that Davidi, who had cut off the head
and placed it on the pyramid, had been made
Director of Prisons.

The then Director of Prisons was made Post-
master General in the room of a ducal partisan ; and
Curletti, who had given the order for the Colonel's
execution, was created Chevalier of Saint Maurice.

His Majesty Napoleon, on hearing of this revolt-
ing iniquity, ordered his Consul, Monsieur Paltri-
meri, to demand either satisfaction or his passport.

Finding that his powerful ally was so enraged.
Doctor Farini mounted a horse, galloped through
the streets of Parma at the head of the army, and
arrested one hundred and twenty-seven people
whom he accused of being guilty of Auviti's
murder. But the hundred and twenty-seven guilty
men entered the prison by one door at four o'clock
in the afternoon, and the new Director (Davidi) let
them out by another at midnight. Not one was
examined. Not one was condemned. The French
Government expressed itself satisfied.

What I have just related may give some idea of
Farini's character. I will now reveal how he filled
the posts of Administrator and Piedmontese Pro-
Consul.

194 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

When lie took possession of the Duchy of Moden a,
instead of occupying the Ducal Palace he installed
himself at the Hotel Saint Marc, where he welcomed
without distinction all the men who had a certain
influence over the people, and invited them to his
table. In ten days his bill amounted to seven
thousand francs. The landlord, Monsieur Ferrari,
exchanged his bill for a colonelcy on the Staff ! The
reader must not think this a fabrication — the nomi-
nation of a man who put off his kitchen apron to don
gold epaulettes ! Mezzacapo, the General's father,
went to sleep one night with his coachman's whip by
his bedside, and woke up next morning a Lieutenant-
Colonel, aide-de-camp to his son, General Mezzacapo,
commander at Bologna. And Baron E-icasoli paid
a carriage bill of six thousand francs with a com-
mission as private secretary, in the person of
Celestino Bianchi.

These two bills, so strangely paid by two in-
credible nominations, have been published by the
Italian papers and never denied. Finding his ac-
commodation at the hotel insufficient, the new
Dictator established himself in the apartments of the
Duke of Modena, Prince of Aosta, Francis IV^.,
and the doctor's wife occupied the Duchess's bed.

That night and the next day were passed in
emptying the closets, drawers, sideboards, etc.,
that they might appropriate, in the name of Farini,

FARINL 195

all that was found marked for Francis, the letters
standing for both names. Nothing was changed
except the silver marked with a crown. That was
melted I

All the Duchess's wardrobe was appropriated and
worn by Madame Farini and her daughter.

That of the Grand Duke was handed over to
Baron Riciardi, son-in-law and secretary to the
Dictator.

The cellar, which contained samples of all the
wines and liqueurs of Europe, was emptied by his
guests during the elections.

The stables, pheasantries, and preserves were
sacked and pillaged by the Piedmontese, who
flocked in swarms, filling all the situations, replacing
old servanjbs, who were sent away after fifteen and
twenty years of service without wages, without a
place to go to, often without a shelter for the night.

Two days after that Farini made up the Cabinet.
Those who had accompanied him from Turin and
eaten at his expense at Colonel Ferrari's hotel got
the best places : Mayr at the Home Office ; Chuisi at
the Supreme Court; Frappoli at the War Office;
Barromes at the Exchequer ; Visconti- Venosta ;
Recordi, Head of the Cabinet. Mayr and Venosta
were ex-servants of Mazzini ; Frappoli was Gari-
baldi's friend.

In consequence of the reports which he received

196 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

from the Venetian patriots and his own agents the-
Dictator was very uneasy, as all the information
tended to prove that an armed attack would be
made by the ex-Duke, who desired to expel the
Piedmontese from his Duchy. Now, Farini had at
his disposal only a few carabineers belonging to the
police. The Dictator profited by the occasion to
discover what I could do, and asked me to go to
Sanguinetto, where the Duke of Modena was
reviewing the army which he had so untimely
employed at Solferino, instead of using it to regain
his Duchy. My mission was to discover what there
was to fear.

That same evening I crossed the Po, but instead
of going directly to Sanguinetto, where the Duke
was, I wended my way to Yerona, where were all
his partisans who had preferred exile to staying at
Modena under the Government of Victor Emmanuel.
Committing myself to the good genius of police
agents, I entered a cafe in the Place Bras, where
all the enemies of the revolution were wont to
gather. I sat down at a table occupied by five
individuals already deep in the politics of the day,
and who debated in French, although they were all
Italians. One of them, an old man, with white
hair, was pleading for liberty against all ; he was
eloquent, but he had no more knowledge of the
revolution than the little he had picked up at

FARINL 197

Turin by reading Cavour's newspapers. He was an
emigrant, pardoned by amnesty after the treaty of
Villafranca. Seeing that the others either did not
answer, or digressed from the subject, listening
attentively the while, I gave several signs of
impatience. They all looked at me, questioned me,
and inquired whether I was French or Italian, and
what I thought of their discussion.

" I am a Frenchman," said I. Then, looking at
the aged orator, I combated his views with such
powerful arguments that they all congratulated me.

" You must be a Legitimist ? " said my adversary.

" Yes, monsieur. My father died at Quiberon.
I was wounded at the Tuileries in 1830, and I still
say, ' Long live the Bourbons ! ' and the more I
travel through Europe, the more I study constitu-
tional Governments, the more do T love the descen-
dant of Saint Louis, Henry V., King of France by
the grace of God, and the more do I detest your
chattering tribunes, real drinkers of blood, ambitious
of other people's money, which they try to steal,
instead of earning some by the sweat of their brows.
I have very little to say about actual politics. France
was free and happy under the Bourbons. To-day
she is a miserable slave under the sabre of a bastard
of the Bonapartes. Central Italy was quiet, pro-
gressing peacefully, rich in soil, arts, and monu-
ments, under the paternal Government of the

198 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Princes of Lorraine, Aosta, and Bourbon ; for two
months past she has been a prey to the spirit of the
devil ; Garibaldi, the adventurer, Cialdini, the man
of iron, are killing her, prostituting her, dishonour-
ing her ! Instead of churches and the Saviour's
cross, nothing is to be seen now but barracks and
daggers, and the revolutionists of the gallant King,
who also, alone, has more than eighty bastards ! "

When I had ended my speech, one of the listeners,
Count de Molza, Chamberlain to the Duke of Modena^
invited me to his house, where there was a recep-
tion. There he introduced me to all the exiled
areopagus. Forly, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Giacobassi, Minister of the Interior ; Dibuoi,
Superintendent of Police ; and Saccozzi, General-in-
Chief of the Modenese army, all shook hands with
me, and, by touching upon pretty nearly every
subject, I managed so well that old Saccozzi took
me for a superior officer, and begged me to accom-
pany him next day to Sanguinetto, where he was to
review the troops which the Prince of Aosta wished
to see before leaving for Vienna.

Two days later I had the honour of being pre-
sented to the Duke, who was at the head of his little
army. He thanked me for my visit, invited me to
dine, and kept me there two days to assist at the
reviews and manoeuvres ; then he took me to Yerona,

FARINL 199

where he made me stop at the same hotel as himself
(Les trois Couronnes).

Nearly all the officers had accompanied us for the
purpose of offering to their Sovereign a banquet,
during which I was so eloquent, and unmasked the
Italian Revolution so entirely. I was so severe on
Victor Emmanuel and Cavour, and particularly on
Farini, calling him hangman, thief, usurper, that
every man there insisted on shaking hands with
Cavour's secret agent, thinking him to be Count do
Fausiale, a French officer and red-hot Legitimist.

When I went back to Farini I took with me two
officers and the Duke's physician. I had persuaded
them that they had only to show themselves in order
to produce a reaction against the Piedmontese.

Two days afterwards a Major and two Captains
followed the others, certain that their predecessors
were already masters of the place.

They were all arrested and sent out of the Duchy.
The evening following the arrests I was summoned
to a grand official gathering at the palace. They were
all astonished at my performance.

Henceforth nothing was decided without my
having taken part in the discussion, and my advice
was frequently followed, as in the elections of
representatives.

In accordance with the notes which I had given

200 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

the Dictator, lie issued a circular to all tlie Syndics
concerning the elections, and couched somewhat
in this style : —

" The elections for the representatives of the
nation must be over on the 1st of next October,
and, to avoid disorder, we command the Mayors and
heads of Committees to proceed with the greatest
energy, and to conform to the following rules : —

" 1st. The Mayors and heads of Committees are
to go to the priests of the parishes and take by
force, if they do not give them up willingly, the
registers containing all the electors' names. They
will make out a ticket for each name, putting Yes or
No against the name of the Deputy whom they wish,
to sit in the Chamber.

" 2nd. The tickets will be placed in the urn and
entrusted to the care of the Hoyal carabineers.

" 3rd. There must be the utmost possible unani-
mity in the eyes of Europe.

*' 4th. The counting of votes will be performed
by the Justice of the Peace publicly, in the presence
of the people."

All the elections and annexations which were
made in Italy in 1859-60-61, were carried througli
as above.

After the election of the representatives, Rattazzi,
finding his task somewhat too heavy, yielded his
place to Cavour, who summoned me to Turin.

CHAPTER XXXV.

GARIBALDI.

All the great writers of Europe have written
about Garibaldi. I shall certainly not attempt the
biography of Mazzini's friend after Alexandre Dumas.
I am writing my memoirs without any pretence of
being literary, and shall narrate only what came
under my personal observation.

During Eattazzi*s administration the Duchies of
Parma and Modena, as well as Romagna, were
united by the Dictator Farini under one Government.

These provinces, as well as Tuscany, governed by
Eicasoli, were annexed to Piedmont as soon as
Cavour resumed his place at the helm of State.
The Milanese, which had been conquered by the
French sabres, was also given to Piedmont. This
microscopic State, to quote the expression of the
Austrian General, which had only four millions of
inhabitants before the war, then had fifteen millions.
All this did not quench the burning ambition of the

202 MBMOIUS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

Sardinian King's Minister. He procured men, arms,
and vessels for Garibaldi, tlie revolutionist par ex-
cellence, who disembarked in Sicily.

It was then that he thought of making Garibaldi
reappear. During the war of 1859 the Piedmontese
journals had proclaimed him victor at Yaresa and
Como. It may be remarked just here that he
entered these' towns two days after the departure of
the Austrians. When the war was over Garibaldi
came to Turin to make arrangements with the
Government about the Sicilian expedition. Cavour,
whose appetite was insatiable, favoured the Gari-
baldian projects, encouraged them, and furnished
all that was necessary : men, arms, ships, and war
material.

Eight hundred men chosen from amongst the
bravest of the regular army, well equipped, and
two vessels of Eubattino were placed at the
General's disposal, together with the two hundred
volunteers, who belonged for the most part to the
body of Alpine hunters, commanded by Bixio, Turu,
and others. Some of them were strangers, Belgians
even.

At the news of this expedition France demanded
explanations. While he was ordering Admiral
Parsano to protect Garibaldi's landing in Sicily,
Cavour wrote to Thouvenel that Garibaldi had
resigned his appointment of Sardinian General and

GARIBALDI. 20a

Piedmontese Deputy ; that he had seized Rubattino's
ships in the port of Genoa, and had put out to sea
on his own account, sailing for some unknown point.

I cannot say whether Napoleon was really satisfied
with these explanations, or only pretended to be,
but it is certain that the ships used by Garibaldi
were bought by the Piedmontese Government.

The deed of sale was drawn up by Bodini, lawyer,
62, Rue du V6, and signed by Rubattino, for him-
self; General Saint-Frond, for the King; Medici,
for Garibaldi ; Ricciardi, for Farini.

When all was ready on board they weighed anchor.
That day the Genoa newspapers (by order of Cavour)
announced that a handful of adventurers, led by
Garibaldi, had forcibly possessed themselves of
Rubattino's ships in the harbour, sailed away,
and were steering towards the Levant. Meanwhile
Garibaldi was making for Sicily, where he already
had emissaries (Crispi, Lafarina, etc.). He stopped
at Fort Telamon to complete his store of powder,
guns, sabres, etc. By order of Fanti, Minister, the
commander of the fort gave him all he wanted.
So, on one and the same day, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs declared to Europe that Garibaldi was an
adventurer, whilst the Minister for "War furnished
him with all the necessary materials with which to
seize Sicily.

As soon as the clerico-Bourbonic party of France

204 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI,

heard of the Italian hero's landing in Sicily, fearing 1
lest he should renew his campaign of 1849 in Rome,
they crowded to that city under the orders of a \
French General to protest against the Imperial
Government and defend the Papacy, which no one
was attacking. Remembering what I had done for
Cardinal Yiale at the time of my journey with
Massimo d'Azeglio to Romagna, Count Oavour sent
me to Rome with orders to use all my talent to
worm myself into the good graces of the College of
Cardinals and find out what the Sanfedists might
be plotting against France and Italy.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

PIUS IX. ^ANTONELLI.

The mission confided to me by Count Cavour was
arduous, difficult, dangerous even in an ultra-clerical
city, where the Sanfedists had their headquarters.

On my arrival in the Eternal City I carried to
Cardinal Milesi, formerly Legate at Bologna, the
letter which his colleague, Cardinal Viale, had given
me in that town, as will be remembered. At sight
of his friend's recommendation, Cardinal Milesi, a
nephew and former minister of Pius IX., received
me with much kindness, assuring me that I was
welcome in Rome, and that the Holy Father and
the Cardinals had often spoken of the man who had
saved the Cardinal- Archbishop from the hands of
the revolutionists. He offered to present me to
Antonelli, who would be delighted to see me.

I thanked the Sovereign Pontiff's nephew without
accepting his offer, and went to visit the tombs of

206 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI,

the Apostles ; then I returned home. A young
man had followed me throughout mj walk.

Next day I went to the Pincio, where a magni-
ficent view of the seven hills of the Eternal City
can be obtained, and was again followed by the
same young man. He was an agent of Antonelli,
to whom Cardinal Milesi had announced my arrival,
and who, on learning that I had refused to see him,
had grown somewhat defiant, and hastened to put
me in the hands of one of his bloodhounds.

But there is a proverb which says : "Two linings
don't make a coat." Spy against spy; if one of
them finds out the other, that other will be beaten.
That I might better deceive Antonelli' s agent, my
first visit was to the tomb of the Apostles Peter
and Paul; then I went through the churches. I
avoided crowds, and if, on occasion, I entered into
conversation with anyone whilst walking or visiting
the churches, or at the cafe, I at once began to
praise the Roman Government, and pitilessly lashed
the Piedmontese Consuls.

After a week of this play I received one morning
an order to present myself at the Place Montecitorio,
where lived the Governor, or Prefect of Police.
The functionary who had summoned me was
Monsieur Porqualoni, chief of the Pope's police.
He received me with friendliness, made me sit down
near him, and asked to see my papers.

PWS IX.'-ANTONELLI, 207

*' Pure formality," said he, " because we know-
that if you have not come to serve the Holy Father,
at any rate you have not come to do him ill."

" Would to Heaven I were only twenty years
old ! " cried I; ** I should not have waited until to-
day to adopt the Papal uniform. Your cause is
mine, and that of all other honest men. Catholic
or otherwise."

Whilst I was speaking there entered without
knocking a man of about fifty, very ugly, very fat,
and afflicted with two terrible ruptures, which pre-
vented him from walking with ease.

"Monsignor," said the Chief of Police to the
new-comer, " I have the honour to present to you
Monsieur Griscelli, the man of whom we have some-
times spoken."

Knowing that I was in the presence of a Roman
dignitary, I bowed low. Monsieur Matteucci
examined me from head to foot, then said —

"You do not appear to be curious. Being a
Corsican, you must be a Catholic also. No man
comes to Rome without a wish to speak with His
Holiness ; they offer to conduct you to him, and
you refuse ! "

" I refused because I have nothing to offer, and
nothing to ask. I would be grieved to make the
Vicar of Jesus Christ lose a single moment on my
account when he might be with those who can give
and receive."

208 MEMOIRS OF THE BABON DE RIMINI.

"Nevertheless, you must come with me to the
Cardinal, who desires to see you."

" If His Excellency requires me I will go at once."

Cardinal Antonelli receives officially at the Vati-
can, where his apartments are situated beneath
those of the Holy Father, but he obligingly sees
people at his own house, opposite the Quirinal. It
was, therefore, in the latter mansion that I had the
honour of being presented to him for the first time
by the Prefect of Police. He rose at our approach,
looked at me carefully from head to foot, and asked
me what had brought me to Home.

" The wish to see the seat of Catholicity, her
Ministers, and His Holiness," I replied.

"And if the Holy Father needed your services
would you refuse them ? "

" I do not know, your Eminence, what services I
could perform for the Holy Father. I am too old
to enlist with the Pontifical zouaves."

" It is not a question of making you a soldier.
Your experience, your energy, and the place you
filled near Napoleon III. have made you an extra-
ordinary agent of the secret police ; such, at least,
are the reports which we have received from Paris.
It is this experience which we should like to make
use of against our enemies, who are also yours, as
you said at the Governor's. If you will engage
yourself — *'

PIUS rX.—ANTONELLI. 209

" My experience and devotion are yours, your
Eminence ; dispose of me at all times for the service
of the Holy Father."

** For several months a vile newspaper has been
published in Rome, in which the editors, with
diabolical wit, tear to pieces the Roman Govern-
ment, the Vicar of Christ, his Ministers, his employes^
the Holy Church, and so forth. Nothing is held in
respect by these sons of Satan. It is this paper
which we are trying to seize, and cannot find. We
want to ask you to look to it, as we feel certain
beforehand that you will succeed."

** I thank your Eminence for your good opinion,"
said T, *' but I am in Rome for the first time, and
know no one here. As yet I am only acquainted
with the Dome and the Pont St. Ange. What day
is this newspaper issued ? "

*' Every Wednesday we receive one by post, with-
out knowing either where it is printed or whence it
comes. The Governor thinks that it is printed in
the Transtevere, but not one of our fifteen hundred
agents has been able to find it out,** replied the
Cardinal.

** Before it has appeared twice more your Excel-
lency shall have a copy that has not been posted."

*' That is impossible," exclaimed the Prefect of
Police. *'My agents have explored the Trans-
teveria, house by house, and have found nothing ! "

210 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

From that day forth I was no longer watched in
Rome.

On leaving Antonelli's house I sent a report to
Turin of what I had already done in E-ome. Count
Cavour wrote to me to go to Count Turio, the Sar-
dinian Consul, living at Number 28, Rue des
Bourguignonns, where I would find my instructions.
At midnight, in accordance with an arrangement
which we had made at the Cafe Lepri, Rue de Con-
dotti, the Consul and I met on the Pincio ; he gave
me my letters. Count Cavour sent me two thousand
francs and an order to sacrifice the bearer of the news-
paper, Monsieur Ranzi, who went every Tuesday to
Civita-Yecchia, as the paper was printed in Tuscany
and arrived every Tuesday by the Imperial packet.

The poor devil was sacrificed in the following
manner : — Two days later, that is on a Tuesday, I
went to the Cardinal to ask for an energetic agent
devoted to the College of Cardinals, and whom I
should need for the day. His Excellency gave me
an officer of the Pontifical carabineers, Egli, whom
I attired as a civilian and took with me to Civita-
Vecchia, a seaport town where passengers and
letters are landed for the Roman States. As soon
as the ship entered the harbour it was boarded by
A young man of twenty-five, who had come up in a
row-boat, and who was also from Rome.

PIUS IX.^ANTONELLI. 211

A moment afterwards he appeared with a package.
One of the Pope's custom-house officers was with
him. They both landed, without waiting for the
sanitary inspection, and went to the railway station.

At mid-day we arrived in Rome, and the officer
and I took a cab. I followed the young man as far
as E-ue Ripetta, Number 75. There he got out,
paid, and went upstairs, while I hastened to the
Vatican to announce my discovery to His Excel-
lency, who at once summoned the lieutenant on
guard and told him to go with the carabineers to
the place which I had mentioned. Half-an-hour
afterwards the officer returned with two hundred
•copies of the terrible pamphlet (most of them
ready for the post) and laid them at the feet of the
Sovereign Pontiff's Minister, who could not restrain
his joy at the sight. He sent for Messrs. Matteucci
and Pasqualini, to show them that their agents were
either unfit for office or in the pay of the Roman
Committee.

When 1 returned home that night I found Egli,
who had orders to accompany me to the Cardinal's,
no matter how late it might be, as he wished to talk
with me before retiring.

When His Eminence saw me he told me that the
Holy Father thanked me, that he wished to see me,
and had sent me two hundred Roman crowns
^1,120 fr.). For his part, the Cardinal gave me

212 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

a hundred crowns (560 fr.), and asked me how
I had managed, in three days, to ferret oat what his
fifteen hundred agents had not been able to discover
in two months.

" Your Eminence was kind enough to tell me that
the newspaper came on Wednesday only, so I
thought that it must come by the mail. When I
saw the paper I was convinced that the revolutionists
did not print a sheet like that in Rome."

" We ought to have thought of that ; but the
agents from the Prefecture persisted in saying that
it was printed in the Transtevere."

In a short time I was able to keep my promise.
The guilty people were arrested, and expelled from
the Papal States.

The intelligent reader will, I hope, understand
that having rendered such signal service to the
Roman Government, I needed nothing more to win
the entire confidence of the Roman Ministers.

In obedience to Cardinal Antonelli's orders, the
next day, at exactly twelve o'clock, I presented
myself at the Vatican. When I gave my name a
clerk conducted me to a salon which served as an
ante-chamber to a smaller room, where the Yicar of
Christ held his audiences.

A moment later Monsignor Borromeo, grand-
nephew to the illustrious Archbishop of Milan,
entered, and requested me to follow him.

PIUS IX.—ANrONELU. 218

When I found myself in the presence of Pius IX.
I wished to bend and kiss his foot, but he held out
his hand to me. Antonelli, de Merode, Stella,
Borromeo, Talbot, and Hobenloke were present.
At a sign from the major domo I seated myself on
a stool placed a few paces from the Pope. After
several political questions on the men and affairs of
Italy, the Holy Father asked me —

*' What do the Piedmontese say of me ? "
'• The Piedmontese, most Holy Father, do not
believe that the hand which blesses them from the
throne of truth can be the same which signed the
punishment of the Christians of Perrugia."

The Holy Father made a movement, then asked —

" And Antonelli, what do they say of him ? '*

** They say, most Holy Father, that His Eminence

came to Eome very poor and lonely, after 1840, and

that to-day he and all his brothers are millionaires

in the same city."

The Pope began to laugh, and asked me what
they said of de Merode.

** They say. Holy Father, that Monsignor de
Merode sacrifices his large fortune to the good of
the Church, and that he would give his life for the
Sovereign Pontiff, but that he confuses questions
instead of explaining them."

*'It is well," said Pius IX., rising; "I knew
that, but no one had dared to tell me it."

214 MEMOIBS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

The replies which I had made to the Pope were
the subject of conversation for two days throughout
the whole city of Rome. The Roman organ of the
16th of March, 1861, said that I had failed in tact.

That eveniug I dined with Monsignor Matteucci^
governor of the city. Several Roman dignitaries
were present, amongst others Cardinal Altieri,
Superintendent of Public Instruction, who invited
me to visit him at Sapienza. "When I arrived at the
Government College at Sapienza Cardinal Altieri
made me the following speech —

" My son, I thank you for all you have done for our
Holy Church. You saved the life of a prince of the
faith, an old minister of God, Cardinal Viale-Prela,
at Bologna. On arriving in the Holy City you
rendered a signal service to all of God's servants
by arresting that revolutionary propagator of
infamous lies, who infected and perverted the whole
city, and sowed discord in every household. But as
long as evil exists, nothing has been done. While
those two Neros, Napoleon and Garibaldi, live there
can be neither peace nor happiness for the Catholic
religion and for humanity ! The first, that arch-
hypocrite, is strangling us whilst he declares he is
embracing us ; he allows us to be plundered. The
people of Romagna are revolted, and he boldly pre-
tends that he is supporting and protecting us.
Garibaldi has sworn to exterminate us. In 1849

PIUS JX,—ANTONRLLI. 215

we were obliged to fly to Gaeta, otherwise be would
have butchered us. See what he is doing in Sicily.
He has declared war against all priests. The
brotherhoods and convents are given up to the fana-
tical partisans of this new Julian the apostate. If
these two Satans no longer existed all would again
become quiet — peace and happiness would reign in
the bosom of families. The Divine power which
directed you to the seat of Catholicity, my son, has
marked you with its finger as the man who is to
save us. Listen, we have here two good Christians
who will devote themselves to God's happiness,
asking only to strike. But they are ignorant, they
have never been outside of Rome ; neither of them
knows these wretches who are bound for hell ! We
thought of you, my son, not to expose your precious
life, but to direct these men, to guide and lead
them."

Cardinal Altieri, minister of the Holy Church,
was simply asking me to have the Emperor of the
French and the Italian hero murdered. I replied
that I was devoted to the most Holy Father body
and soul, but before I consented I would like to
reflect, and especially to know the men whom the
Roman Government wished to entrust to my care.

I had scarcely finished before the two worthies
made their appearance.

** Here they are," said Prince Altieri.

216 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

These two bandits, whom the College of Cardinals
had taken out of prison, were Ortoli, who had spent
twelve years in gaol for murder, and Mariani, who
had been six years in prison for murder and theft.

After scanning us, Ortoli said, in Italian : " Mi
faccia il piacere di farmi vedere questi due bir-
banti ; li ammazzo tutti i diae per avere il denaro
che mi hanno promesso." (" Oblige me by showing
me the two brigands ; I will murder them both to
get the money they have promised me.") He had
been promised five hundred thousand francs for
Napoleon and one hundred thousand for Garibaldi.

When the Cardinal sent them away he gave them
a handful of crowns, an act of generosity which I
blamed, saying that the wretches would forget
everything now that their purses were full. But
they remembered sure enough, for they ran off
quickly to amuse themselves with certain damsels,
and told everyone who would listen that the College
of Cardinals were going to give them all the money
they wanted for assassinating two men.

The Roman police, ordinarily so ticklish about
nothing, closed their eyes to the scandalous conduct
of these two vagabonds. Fortunately for the inhabi-
tants of the Eternal City, the French police were
watching these two barefaced rascals, and arrested
them. General Goyon, aide-de-camp to the
Emperor, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of

riUS IX.—ANTONELLI. 217

Occupation, ordered a trial, which was at once
begun by Monsieur Bellot de la Vigne, Chief of the
Gendarmery Squadron (now Commander of a Legion
at Marseilles). Eight witnesses were called: Messieurs
Matricola, merchant; Cesarini, merchant; Vincenzi,
doctor ; Renzi, photographer ; Petti, sergeant-major
20th Light Cavalry : Guartella, sergeant-major 4Brd
Line; Mattei, sergeant 43rd Line; Bertin, sapper
43rd Line.

All these witnesses, deserving of belief, swore on
oath that Ortoli and Mariani had uttered the lan-
guage for which they had been arrested. The
Roman citizens, who several days before had seen
the members of the Roman Committee arrested and
sent out from their families, awaited impatiently the
opening of the trial and the condemnation of Altieri's
two agents. But to their great astonishment they
learned that everything had been hushed up, and that
the prisoners had crossed the Neapolitan frontier,
thanks to Cardinal Antonelli's omnipotence.

At Rome I undertook a still more important
affair. The Governor Prefect of Police told me
one day that the Cardinal-Minister expected me that
evening at his private house, behind the Quirinal, at
eight o'clock.

I knew already that Antonelli received his trusty
S^nfedists only at night at his own house.

218 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

When I appeared at the hour fixed for the recep-
tion I was ushered into a salon crowded with gems
in the way of pictures, statues, medallions of every
kind (except those of our Saviour and the Virgin
Mary).

His Eminence came forward to greet me, and
made me pass into a large room already occupied by
fifteen persons. I had noticed some of them at the
Cafe du Cours, at Saint Peter's. Their names were
not known to me.

When the Cardinal had taken his seat, he said —
*' Gentlemen, this is the agent who discovered the
pamphlet, and he will be the man (if he so desires)
to discover the famous revolutionary Committee."
They all looked at me, and someone said —
'^ To have discovered the man who distributed the
papers, and to discover the revolutionary Committee
in the short time he has been in Eome, he must be
one of them ! "

He was not mistaken, but my answer was ready.
Rising and standing before His Eminence Antonelli,
I replied —

" It would be useless for me to ask with whom I
now find myself, since we are all devoted to the same
cause. I am not the only man who is a partisan of
the Piedmontese; but, on the other hand, the
agents paid by the College of Cardinals are threefold
deserving of punishment : first, for not having dis-

PIUS rX,—ANTONELLI. 21^

covered the pamphlet ; secondly, for not discovering
the Committee; thirdly, for not being able to
discover in myself, who have been in Rome a whole
fortnight, a Piedmontese agent."

The reader may imagine that those words pro-
duced an effect amongst the Cardinal's spies, who
all flattered themselves that they were clever in their
profession and capable of sifting out the greatest
mysteries. The Minister broke up the meeting,
keeping me back to inform me that he must have
the revolutionary Committee, as it would serve as a
pretext for dismissing his spies, who cost a great
deal and did nothing !

I promised to give him a full report in a few
days.

Leaving the Quirinal I went to the Rue Bourguig-
nonne to the Sardinian Consul, to send a ciphered
despatch to Turin detailing what had taken place
at the meeting which we had just held, and asking
for orders. The Turin Cabinet commanded me
to give up the members of the Committee on condi-
tion that they should be exiled beyond the Roman
frontier.

On the 19th of March, by my order, the Com-
mittee of the city got up a pacific manifestation to
celebrate Saint Joseph's, Garibaldi's, and Maz-
zini's birthdays, which manifestation lasted two or

220 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RlMlNI.

three hours, during which the proselytes walked
about.

The leaders, who composed the directing Com-
mittee, were arrested and exiled from the territory.
Tibvestralli, Riguelti, Mastriola, Pittoni, Silvani, and
San-Angelis retired to Florence, where they were
sheltered at the expense of Tuscany, and continued
to spread propaganda against the Government of
Eome by order of the Sardinian Grovernment. When
the Government of Piedmont invaded the Marches
and Umbria it was the members of the Committees,
with commissions in their pockets, who guided the
armies of Cialdini and Fanti to the usurpation of
Perrugia, Sinigaglia, Ancona, etc.

The evening on which these arrests took place
Antonelli summoned me to the Vatican, com-
plimented me, and gave me from the Holy Father
six hundred francs. These two affairs, joined to
others attributed to me, gave me the reputation of
being a most extraordinary agent.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN.

{Retrospective View of Garibaldi,)

Immediately after the arrest of the two assassins I
went, by order of Cavour and Altieri, to the
kingdom of Sicily, where I raust pause a moment in
order to complete Garibaldi's portrait before speak-
ing of the King, the Queen, and Count Trapani.

Although he had apparently retired from politics
after the treaty of Villafranca, when Cavour placed
before Parliament a plan for the transfer of Nice to
France, Garibaldi mounted the tribune, and in a
speech full of bitterness, overflowing with rancour
against France, attacked and condemned Cavour s
policy. But after the sitting he shook hands with
the Minister, as well as with Cialdini, Sirtari,
and Tepli, his future Generals. From there he went
to Genoa, embarked on the vessels which had been
purchased for him by the Government, and landed
a few days later at Marseilles. In spite of Persano's

222 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

vigilance he was attacked by two Neapolitan vessels,
which killed four of the regular army of Sardinia,
and sunk the two ships which had conveyed him
thither.

Admiral Persano, who, by order of Cavour, had
followed the expedition to protect it, and, if neces-
sary, fight with it, landed, went to the General's
headquarters, and addressed to the Sicilian people a
proclamation in the name of Yictor Emmanuel.

Then he sent the following despatch to Turin
from on board the ship Adelaide on the 16th of May,
I860:—

" Garibaldi has landed at Marsala with a thousand
men. Crispi received him at the head of the
populace. Lafarina is at Palermo. I am going
there to protect him. Send men and arms to
Palermo."

Next day Garibaldi started for the capital of the
island. Arrived at Catalafimi, six thousand Nea-
politans, commanded by officers who had sold
themselves to Piedmont, pretended to resist him.
At the first report of the gans the Commander-in-
Chief, who had just received the price of his
treachery, ordered a retreat on Palermo. At the
moment when Garibaldi appeared on the Carleoni,
Cavour' s emissaries, who had entered the place and
formed a provisional Government, posted up pro-
clamations against the Bourbon dynasty. It was

THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN, 223

the first spark of the revolution, the call to arms
and the signal for insurrection. Suddenly the dis-
guised Piedinontese spread through the city, inciting
the Palerraitans to rise, and to send deputations to
the chief of the men who had just landed.

General Lanza, who commanded the city in the
name of the King of Sicily, instead of putting him-
self at the head of his twenty-five thousand soldiers
and crushing the insurgents, sold himself for the
moderate sum of one million francs, then shut up
his troops in the citadel.

Two officers of great merit. Colonels Bosco and
Vanvekel, hastened to place themselves at the head
of a battalion, and helped by the conservative
citizens, succeeded in breaking down several barri-
cades, but Lanza, being bought, ordered them to
cease firing. He then summoned Bosco before a
Court-Martial, had him arrested and confined on
board an English vessel. The battalion commanded
by Bosco, seeing that their loved chief did not return,
rose up, crying *' Treachery ! " Then a horrible
sight, which history will never allow to be forgotten,
passed before Lanza's eyes. The heroes who had
razed the barricades, who would have put the re-
volutionists to flight, who defended their King, who
would not betray their Sovereign, were disarmed
and shot by the bought traitors.

Two days after this human butchery the in-

224 3fEM0IRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

famous Lanza brought out his twenty-five thousand:
men before a handful of pirates. I will add just
here that Lanza, alone of all the Neapolitan
Generals, had joined Filangieri in forcing the King
to disband the four Swiss regiments ! '' Where are
you, brave Swiss ! A single one of your regiments
would have suflS.ced to crush Garibaldi and his
mercenaries ! " said the Sicilians during the combat.
Master of Palermo, Garibaldi made himself
Dictator, and formed his Cabinet. The brother of
the assassin Orsini w as appointed Minister for War,
and began to encourage voluntary enlistment. But
he soon discovered that instead of an army of
soldiers he had only an army of pillagers and
vagrants whom the revolution had brought to light.
Being unable to reduce them to any kind of dis-
cipline, he sent them on board the Leghorn, The
Piedmontese Cabinet camped them at Pontedora
(Tuscany), under the command of Nicotera, to
whom Ricasoli, the Governor, had promised forty
thousand francs. This camp made Rome uneasy.
France insisted upon its being broken up. That
was done. A regiment of the Line, Nicotera at the
head, arrived several days later in Leghorn ; he ap-
peared in a red shirt, and embarked for Palermo.
The Tuileries and the Vatican declared themselves
satisfied, and yet not a man had left Pontedora.

THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN. 225

The regiment sent to Palermo belonged simply to
the regular army. Persano again telegraphed :

" I have seen the Dictator. He thanks the King's

Government for the men and arms brought to him

by Nicotera from Leghorn.

** Persano.
" 16th May, 1860."

The men, money, and arms which the Turin
Cabinet had sent the adventurer permitted him to
form an army corps of four divisions. The first
was commanded by Bixio, formerly a Genoese
sailor ; the second by Medici, chief of the barricades
at Milan ; the third by Ristori, an old sailor from
Palermo ; and the fourth by Cosenz, once chief of
the barricades at Leghorn. No one must be sur-
prised that Garibaldi took his Generals from the
lower classes ; the Dictator Farini and General Fanti
took theirs from amongst the coachmen and hotel
waiters. All these strange nominations were con-
firmed officially, to the detriment of many veteran
Colonels, by the Government of the libertine King.
We will leave Sicily, pillaged and sacked by the
Dictator's hordes, and return to Rome, where I
spent some time after the arrest and exile of the
Roman Committee.

CHAPTER XXXYITI.

EOYAL INFAMIES.

The same evening on whicli the Holy Father had
congratulated me on having relieved him of the
revolutionary Committee, the King of Naples,
through his representative, Count de San-Martino,
summoned me to Naples to entrust an important
mission to me.

The Turin Cabinet not only consented to my de-
parture for Naples, but sent with me two agents,
Brimbilla and Eemetilla, with orders to enrol Brim-
billa in the Pontifical army, and take Remetilla with
me to Naples, where the Marquis of Yillamarina
was awaiting me.

With the consent of the College of Cardinals and
General de Lamoriciere I left for Naples with Count
Croel des Pres, Envoy to King Francis II.

All is confusion in this city. The Ministers are
sending in their resignations, the officers and
soldiers are deserting, the employes are sold to the

ROYAL INFAMIES. 227

revolution; the young Sovereigns, totally inex-
perienced, yield to their fate. Count de Trapani,
an energetic and somewhat Jesuitical man, at-
tempted to come to an understanding with Rome,
in the hope of discovering some means of saving
the Neapolitan monarchy. Unfortunately, the
clerico-Bourbonic party, since the day on which
the Ste. Ampoule was buried beneath the walls of
the Bastille, have never had a real man amongst
them. The people alone give birth to such, with
liberty. The tyrannical party have never had other
heroes than the knights of the dagger and the
chemists of poison. It is to one of these instru-
ments that the Court of Naples, agreeing with the
Vatican, look to be saved. Count de Trapani,
the King's uncle, bloodthirsty like his brother King
Bomba, having learned through Antonelli of my
arrival in Naples, and knowing through the police
that I had stopped at the Belle Venise Hotel, sent
his secretary. Count de la Croel des Pres, to ask me
to fix an hour in which to speak with me on
important business which concerned us both. I
told the secretary that any hour would suit me, as
1 had no occupation.

" If you like," said the Count's messenger, ** His
Highness will be here at eight o'clock this^evening."

'' Let it be at eight o'clock, then.''

Precisely at the hour named, on the 14th of May,

228 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

1860, His Highness Count Trapani, uncle to a King,
brother to a King, and brother-in-law to the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, knocked at mj door at the Hotel
de la Belle Yenise, kept by Pedro tti. The Emissary
of the Court spoke to me of what I had done in
Rome. He knew everything, and uttered pretty
nearly the same words with which Prince Altieri
had tried to induce me to assassinate Garibaldi. I
told him that it was impossible for me to accept such
a mission alone without reflection.

"What do you mean by alone,'' said Trapani,
" when Ortoli and Mariani ask nothing better than
to execute your orders ? "

" Ortoli and Mariani," I replied, " are in the hands
of Napoleon's police, and they will not let them go
except to the scaffold.''

*' Yes," said Trapani, " if those men had been
arrested in Paris ; but they were arrested in Rome,
and Cardinal Antonelli commands there. All he had
to do was to speak to Goyon in order to have them
restored to liberty, and to-morrow, at twelve o'clock,
Ortoli and Mariani will be liere,^^

" If the men arrive here to-morrow I shall leave
the next day for Palermo."

Enchanted with my promise, the Count went to
Portici, where I was to go that evening to be intro-
duced to their Majesties, and I, still more enchanted,
immediately hastened to the Marquis of Villamarina,

ROYAL INFAMIES. 229

the Sardinian King's Minister, to whom I related
all that had just happened. Villamarina ordered
me to accept, and to start for Palermo, and gave me
a letter of recommendation to Admiral Persano.
An intelligent agent can at the same time be in
receipt of money from Oavour, the Pope, the King
of Naples, and he can travel from Naples to Palermo
at the expense of Garibaldi, whom he has been sent
to assassinate. This, in fact, was my case, and if the
Ultramontane papers accuse me of falsehood I might
prove it to Europe, which will read this work, by
Napoleon III., Emperor of the French ; Victor Em-
manuel, King of Italy ; Drouyn de TLhuys, Senator;
Nigra, Ambassador to Paris ; Arthom, First Secre-
tary of the Parisian Embassy ; Count Borromeo,
Italian Deputy ; Visconti Venosti, Italian Minister ;
Garibaldi; Crispi, Italian Deputy; Colonel Cenni,
Italian Deputy; General Bixio, Italian Deputy;
Admiral Persano, Italian Deputy ; and Villamarina,
Prefect (Milan), that I have told the truth, and
nothing but the truth 1

That evening, at eight o'clock. Count Trapani
introduced me to the young Sovereigns of Sicily.
The King is a thin and puny individual, brought up
by priests ; he looks like an unfrocked monk. The
young Queen is extraordinarily beautiful, and full
of manly vivacity, as she proved at Gaeta. I was
kindly received. The Ministers Caraffa and Ajosta

230 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

were present with Generals Saverino and Piannelli.
The conversation was lively and witty. Not a word
was uttered concerning my mission. I was very
severe on the rascally Generals and functionaries
who had sold themselves to the revolutionists for a
pittance, and said to the King —

" Sire, unless God comes to your aid I can see
nothing but sad trials awaiting you — it is the lot of
all Sovereigns. But if anyone ever proposes to you
to desert your city of Naples, have the man shot at
once who is coward enough to propose such a thing
to you."

" But," said the courtiers, " what if a revolution
were to break out in the streets ? "

" If a revolution broke out in the streets," I re-
plied, " I should go to Fort St. Elma, and before
twenty-four hours had elapsed people should be
able to say ' Naples was there ! ' "

" That is my opinion," said the future heroine of
Gaeta.

The others remained silent.

On leaving the salon to go to the King's study,
where I had been summoned, I said to Trapani —

" You are surrounded by traitors ; you are lost."

I prophesied only too truly.

Francis II., unable to say anything else, thanked
me for my zeal for his crown, and added that I was
to settle with his uncle about my mission.

ROTAL INFAMIES, 231

I received arms, ammunition, powder which did
not detonate, daggers, and false passports. Fur-
nished with these I went to the Piedmontese Am-
bassador, Count de Villamarina, and informed him
of the criminal designs of the Naples Bourbons.
He, in turn, informed me that Count de Cavour
approved beforehand of my acceptance and my
journey to Sicily, and, to prove it, gave me a letter
of recommendation to the Commander of the Fleet,
Admiral Persano.

Ortoli and Mariani arrived in Rome, travelling:
post, at exactly twelve o'clock. At one o'clock,
furnished with false passports, arms, poisons, and a
written promise in the Count's own handwriting, in
which he pledged himself to give Ortoli and Mariani
one hundred thousand francs each if they assas-
sinated Garibaldi, we left by the mail packet for
Palermo. I had taken the name of Courletti, Ortoli
that of Carbonieri, and Mariani that of Capafiqui.

Two days later we landed at Palermo. On our
arrival I went to see Admiral Persano, who had
warned Crispi of our arrival.

The next morning we were arrested, handcuffed,
and taken to the citadel. A few moments later
Garibaldi and Crispi arrived to examine us in a
room which contained about two hundred persons.
All this business was a farce, but necessary to save
my reputation and impose on the people of Palermo.

232 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

The two members of the Government seated them-
selves on chairs placed near a table and made us
approach and give our names. We were handcuffed
and escorted by a picket of soldiers with loaded guns
and bayonets. The officer in command had a naked
sabre, and held me by the arm.

'* What is your name ? " demanded Crispi, address-
ing me.

" Before answering one word of all the questions
it may please you to ask me, I insist on having my
handcuffs removed, otherwise I shall tell you nothing.
A defence must be as free as an accusation, and I
appeal to the illustrious General, the father of
Liberty."

" Yes, remove their handcuffs," said the General.

" Hurrah for Liberty ! Hurrah for Garibaldi ! ''
cried the surrounding populace.

When he had our handcuffs removed the General
ordered the soldiers to shoot down the first one of
us who attempted to escape. Then Crispi wanted
to begin our examination, but I asked him, in my
turn, by what right he questioned me.

'' By the right I have to question assassins who are
going to be shot," replied the dictator's secretary.

Shot ! Then, not knowing if I myself had not
been entrapped, in spite of my recommendation to
Admiral Persano, I cried —

*' Shot ! and by what right ? What have we

ROYAL INFAMIES. 288

done ? What is our crime ? And if we are assas-
sins, where are the people whom we have as-
sassinated ? "

" You are conspirators," said Crispi, white with
rage.

** Where are the judges ? Were you condemned
without judges every time you conspired ? Paler-
mitans, do you hear the language of your apostles
of Independence ? Shot ! shot ! "

The Palermitans who were behind us cried out —

" Judges, give them judges I We are not Bour-
bons, we are Liberals ! "

Urged by these cries, General Garibaldi ordered
us to be conducted on board the Washington,
which was anchored in the harbour. During the
journey, Ortoli, who had trembled during the dis-
cussion, tried to escape ; a soldier of the escort
shot him in the back. As soon as Mariani got on
board he leapt into the sea and drowned himself.

Thus ended the heroes of the Holy Office and the
Bourbons of Naples. As to the Corsican shepherd,
the agent of the revolution, who had been frightened
for one instant, he was given one of the best places,
ate with the ship's officers during the passage from
Palermo to Genoa, and two days later gave an
account of all his frolics to Count Cavour at Turin.

CHAPTER XXXTX.

THE ROMAGNA AND NAPLES EXPEDITION".

Instead of shutting himself up at Fort St. Elma
and acting with vigour, Francis II. listened to his
Ministers, who had already sold themselves to
Piedmont. They imprisoned him at Gaeta, whence
he was to emerge only after losing his crown and
kingdom.

I was told to accompany the King to Florence,
where he was going to show himself to the Tuscans.

Accompanied by a troop of well-dressed men (like
those whom Pietri gave me for Napoleon, at Dieppe),
I procured a triumphal entry for the gallant King
at Leghorn and Florence. It was in the latter city
that, after an oflB.cial ball, the King, entering his
chamber, found no less than three ladies, whom the
somewhat officious zeal of Zigola and St. Froud,
his aides-de-camp, had brought there.

The day following this it was decided to in-
vade in force. All the revolutionists who had
remained at Pontedora penetrated into the Ponti-

THE ROM AG N A AND NAPLES EXPEDITION. 285

fical territory, having at their head the members of
the Koman Committee, whom Antonelli, it will be
remembered, had had arrested and sent out of
Rome. Messieurs Sant Angeli and Silvestrelli
marched on Perrugia ; Mastricula and Fottoni
marched on Urbino ; and Tittani and Silvani
swooped down on Pesaro.

The Piedmontese, commanded by the King, were
waiting to enter the States of the Church until the
cities had broken out into insurrection, and the
Commissioners of these cities appealed to them.
But as soon as it was known that Napoleon, being
at Chamberg, had authorized Cialdini to fight
Garibaldi, who was marching on Rome from
Naples, they crossed the frontier, took possession
of Perrugia, Pesaro, Ancona, etc. ; and although I
do not intend to write a history of this campaign, in
which the Piedmontese were four times as numerous
as Lamoriciere's soldiers, I wish to expose a fact
which will call down the well-merited blame of
all honourable people.

At the moment when General the Marquis of
Pimodan, commanding a division of Pontifical
zouaves, was charging a Piedmontese column, a
soldier behind him struck him dead. This soldier
was an agent of Cavour, who had been engaged in
Rome. This stroke of business done, the soldier
deserted into Cialdini's camp, and was made a

236 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

sergeant of carabineers at Milan. The King of
Italy, when lie passed through the town, decorated
Brambilla with the medal for military valour.

I left the King at Florence as I had to go to
I^aples. My mission was to combat any influences
which might turn Garibaldi from Piedmontese in-
terests. I found Naples in the most incredible state
of disorder. The King, the Queen, and a few
servants, instead of going to Fort St. Elma, as I had
advised them, and firing grape-shot into the city,
had followed the perfidious counsel of Liborio Ro-
mano, the man of Piedmont, and shut themselves up
in G-aeta, whence they issued dethroned to follow the
road to exile. The camp of Caserte was in a still
more incredible state of disorder. The army swarmed
with public women. The nights were passed in
orgies; Garibaldi, who had been activity itself, was
no longer recognizable. When he was not exhibiting
himself in public in order to satisfy his love for popu-
larity, he divided his time between the table, women,
and Dumas, who never left him. Thanks to this
line of action, the kingdom of Naples was left to the
tender mercies of such men as Mazzini, Mario, Saffi,
Conforti, Scialoia, de Cardona, Imbriona, Tefano,
etc., etc. The first three wanted to proclaim a
Republic, the others thought only of employing the
coffers of the State, and obtaining for themselves
offices and dignities with large emoluments.

A single example will show what I mean. If

THE ROM AG N A AND NAPLES EXPEDITION. 287

Garibaldi, as Dictator, contented himself with a
modest salary of ten francs a day, his friends did not
exhibit the same disinterestedness.

Monsieur Bartheni, the Dictator's secretary, who,
before the expedition into Sicily in 1860, was a simple
doctor at Genoa, No. 35, Rue Neuve, is now a
Staff Colonel, and worth fourteen million francs !
Questioned in Parliament by one of his surgical
colleagues, a Deputy like himself, on the origin of
this sudden fortune, he answered, in the Session of
June 7th, 1862, that four millions had been given
him by Adami and Co., for the grant of the Calabrian
railroads, and that he had amassed the remainder on
the Stock Exchange.

Before this state of affairs, which I explained at
length to Cavour, the latter could not hesitate with-
out failing in his programme, for it was not possible
that such an occasion might arise again for the com-
pletion of the Italian unity. Sure of the Roman
revolutionists' aid, and counting on Napoleon's
promise, the Turin Cabinet decided to invade,
and turn their troops in the direction of Naples.
They announced that they wished to fight Garibaldi,
but were in reality resolved to embrace him as soon
as they met him.

I was still at Naples when Garibaldi and the gallant
King made their entry into the city, amidst a stupor
caused by the comedy which they had enacted on
meeting each other.

238 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

Farini, the ex-Dictator, installed liimself at
Naples witli the same powers as at Modena, but
at the end of a month he became discouraged.
Prince de Carignan, Nigra, Ponzo de St. Martin,
and Cialdini himself were broken against the energy
of the Neapolitans. They all wanted to be Italians.

Disgusted with what I saw, I felt the need of a
little rest, which was not surprising after the agitated
life which I had led for several years. The death of
Count Cavour, the only man whom I considered
capable of surmounting all the difficulties to be
encountered in this new state of things, restored me
to liberty. Those who succeeded to his power,
Ricasoli, Rattazzi, Peruzzi, etc., inspired me with
only moderate confidence. Perhaps I had seen them
too near. Besides, T must admit that the experience
which I had acquired had singularly modified my
ideas. I saw Piedmont force herself everywhere,
at Milan, Modena, Parma, Florence — keeping her
footing by brute strength alone. The Piedmontese
were looked upon everywhere as strangers, because,
it must be owned, they behaved everywhere as if they
were conquerors.

The incessantly recurring embarrassments of the
Italian Government, the discontent every day more
manifest in the annexed provinces, and the bad state
of the finances, even now, after so many years have
passed, are not calculated to upset my convictions.

CHAPTER XL.

GENEVA, BRUSSELS, AND LONDON.

On leaving Turin, after Count Cavour's death, I went
to Geneva. On the shores of the much-loved lake,
amongst the Swiss patriots, in the only corner of
Europe where one can breathe the breath of liberty,
I began to write my first pamphlet, entitled, '' The
Truth about the Men and Things of the Kingdom of
Italy. Revelations,^' And, in order to give it a
certain importance, I took the title of secret agent of
Cavour, without, however, signing either my initials
or my name.

This pamphlet, corrected by Monsignor Mermillod,
made an extraordinary noise in Europe. Inquiries
were held in Paris, in London, in Brussels, and in
Madrid on the infamies which I had exposed and the
manner in which the Duchies had been annexed by
Piedmont.

But before reaching that point I had to undergo
a great many disappointments. Not a printer in

240 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

Geneva would print my pamphlet, so Monsignor
Mermillod sent me to Lyons with a letter of recom-
mendation to Monsieur Chousens, a lawyer, living at
33, Place Bellecourt. He welcomed me very cordially,
and introduced me to the Legitimist Committee,
composed of Leopold Gaillard, Malezieux, Yincent de
Saint-Bonnel, de Saint-Yictor, the Abbe des Eozieres,
Jonne, and the Abbe Morin. All these gentlemen con-
gratulated me, begged me to persist in my resolu-
tion, and gave me money for my journey to Paris,
together with a letter to the Abbe Sisson, proprietor
of the Friend of Belgium, The Lyons printers had
refused to print my work, as had those in Switzer-
land, the only difference being that the former feared
a lawsuit with the Government, whereas the latter
refused lest they should cause a popular uprising.
The Paris Committee, Messrs. Janicot, of the Gazette
de France, Garnier and de Riancey, of the Uniony
Coquille, of the World, all journalists, and Count de
Came, Broglie, Benoist d'Azy, received me with
the same kindness shown me by the members of the
Lyons Committee. Unfortunately, in Paris, sur-
rounded by shoals of Government agents, men tremble
even more than they do in the provinces. Not one
of the partisans of Divine Right would undertake to
introduce me to a printer. Acting on their advice,
I went to Brussels, and, with my manuscript under
my arm, introduced myself to Monsieur Paul Neve,

GENEVA, BRUSSELS, AND LONDON. 241

of the Brussels News. No sooner had he looked over
my pamphlet than he ordered his printer to throw o£P
4,000 copies. Its success was immense. In less
than two hours the entire edition was sold. During
my stay in Brussels I came in contact with all the
most illustrious men of the Catholic party, and was
well received everywhere. Counts de Theux, de
Merode, Dumortier, SchoUart, d'Arenberg, Paul
Neve, and many others invited me to dine with them.
Several ecclesiastics followed their example. His
Eminence Monsignor Cardinal Sterckx invited me
to his house at Malines, where he entertained me for
a week. The immense success of this pamphlet
induced the clerical party to send me to London to
have it translated into English.

On the advice of the Holy Father's legate, Ludo-
wiski, now Bishop of Posen, the Belgian Committee
sent me to London with a letter for His Eminence
Cardinal Wiseman. After reading his colleague's
communication, the Prince of the Church installed
me in his house, received me at his table, and pro-
cured a translator for my pamphlet. His Eminence
helped me with all his power and knowledge to
correct the proof-sheets, and send them to Scotland,
Ireland, and throughout England.

During his exile in Eome the King of Sicily
created me a Baron, and sent me, with my titles of
nobility, a letter written by his own hand.

242 MJEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE BIMINI.

The Roman Court, stimulated bj the Court of
Naples, sent me through His Eminence Cardinal
Antonelli the sum of 5,000 francs.

After a two months' stay in London, at Cardinal
Wiseman's, I left His Eminence. I went into his
house a simple shepherd, and left there a Baron.
The diploma sent me by the King from Rome, and
given me by the Cardinal, bears the name : '' Gris-
celli. Baron de Rimini."

From that day forth the name of my forefathers
was replaced by that of " Monsieur Arthur Baron
de Rimini."

I left for Switzerland, where I wrote a letter to
Lord Palmerston, which Monsieur Wyss, of Berne,
printed, and another letter to Victor Emmanuel,
which I had printed at Freiburg. These two letters
form part of a pamphlet which I published at
Brussels, and which bears the title " Off With all
Masks!''

CHAPTER XLL

MONSIGNOR BOVIEEI.

Whilst I was at Berne, enjoying the sight of the
mountains, I received a letter from Monsignor
Bovieri, the Holy Fathers Nuncio at the Swiss
Confederation, inviting me to visit him at Lucerne,
where the Nuncio lives, whilst all his colleagues
stay at Berne, the seat of the Federal Council. I
accepted Monsignor s invitation without having the
slightest idea what he could have to say to me. He
welcomed me very kindly, invited me to dinner that
evening, and while we were at table explained the
reason for his invitation.

" Baron de Eimini," said he, " I have received
letters from Rome highly in praise of your energy
in unmasking the enemies of the Holy Church, and
of your devotion to the Sovereign Pontiff. I must
confess that, in spite of the services which you
rendered us at Bologna and in Rome, your mission
to Palermo raised some suspicions, because there

244 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

were people who said that if you had been looked
upon as one of us, with the instructions which you
had, you would certainly have been shot. But the
works which you have since published against the
Piedmontese have removed all fear from our minds,
and force us to place unlimited confidence in the
man who renders services such as those to our
cause."

"Monsignor," said I, "if the people who calum-
niated me in Eome had been at Palermo and seen
me handcuffed, escorted by soldiers in Garibaldi's
presence, if they had heard me speak then they
would not now accuse me. I was not to have been
shot any more than the other two, although we
were guilty of wishing to assassinate Garibaldi.
But who could prove it ? We arrived one evening,
and were arrested the next morning. We had not
even seen the city. If Ortoli was shot, it was
because he tried to escape. But I own with regret,
Monsignor, that the men surrounding the College of
Cardinals are mean brigands and blood-drinkers
when they speak of Liberals and Republicans. No !
a thousand times no, your Eminence, the Liberals
and Republicans of to-day are not the sons of the
Republicans of '93. Robespierres, Marats, and
Dantons no longer exist. Those who cannot see
this are wilfully blind. Look at the Italian revolu-
tion, of which I do not approve, against which I

MONSIGNOR BOVIERL 245

fought, and which I shall oppose as long as I live ;
in what way does it resemble the French revolu-
tion ? They are two extremes. The French Repub-
licans guillotined their King, butchered their priests,
massacred the people, and swam in blood. Thousands
of victims passed before the revolutionary tribunals
and mounted the scaffold without evidence, without
trial, without defence, the majority without even
being questioned. The Italian Republicans ask only
to expulse strangers, and to be allowed a little
liberty ; but they have no scaffold, no massacres,
no revolutionary tribunals, no trials, no beheaded
sovereigns, and no butchered priests."

"What you say is quite true," said the Papal
Nuncio, " but we are afraid that they will succeed in
sending us out of Rome, as in 1849."

" As long as the French flag floats over Fort St.
Ange the Holy Father s Government have nothing
to fear.''

" May God grant it," replied Monsignor Bovieri,
more or less convinced by the praise which I had
bestowed on his enemies.

Then he showed me a letter from Cardinal
Antonelli, which described the sufferings and em-
barrassments of the Roman Government. They
had no money, and no one would interest himself in
trying to procure any for them.

" Baron de Rimini," said the Cardinal, " who

246 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON VE RIMINI.

comes from London, who recoils at nothing, and wha
triumphs over the greatest difficulties, could he not
undertake to return to England in our cause and
seek out some Christian who would open an account
with us with security? Thanks to his acquaint-
ances, it must be easy for him."

" I accept willingly," I replied ; " and hope
before long, with God's help, to succeed. Write to
His Eminence Antonelli to send immediately to
Cardinal Wiseman, in London, the papers which
will be indispensable, stating the interest to be paid,
the security they are prepared to offer, the amount
desired, and the length of time for which they wish
to borrow."

JSText day I passed through Bale, Mulhouse^
Strasburg, the Luxemburg, and Belgium, and em-
barked at Ostend for London.

Cardinal Wiseman, seeing me return, and knowing^
besides what had brought me, appeared delighted,
and again offered me room and a seat at his table in
his palace at Number 8, York Place, Portman
Square.

The neglect of the College of Cardinals to send
me what was necessary, although His Eminence had
written from London, made me lose a month in the
capital of " perfidious Albion," where the heat
suffocated me.

At length the papers arrived, and Monsieur

MONSIONOR BOVJERL 247

Charles Devaux, a banker, whose counting-house
was opposite London Bridge, on the entreaties of
the Cardinal, who was his confessor, lent the sum of
twelve million francs to the Sovereign Pontiff for
ten years at five per cent, interest on the security of
the Pontifical State.

As soon as the millions had started for Rome
Cardinal Wiseman gave me two thousand francs for
my travelling expenses, and charged me to carry
some sealed papers to the Comte de Chambord, who
had taken up his residence in the pretty town of
Lucerne. I never accepted a mission with greater
pleasure, and the reader will understand this since
I was exchanging the suffocating heat of London
for the cool Swiss air, and returning to Monsignor
Bovieri with the pleasure of having confirmed the
Vatican's former good opinion of me ; besides, and
this was by no means the least of my reasons for
being satisfied, I was about to have the honour of
finding myself in the presence of the Comte de
Chambord, Henry V., the representative of Divine
Right.

CHAPTER XLII.

COMTE DE CHAMBORD AT LUCERNE.

I TOOK leave of Cardinal "Wiseman, who had heaped
kindnesses upon me, and whom I shall remember as
long as I live, I wish that he could see this and
know that I am no ingrate. When I got out of the
railway carriage I was surprised to see Monsignor
Bovieri, the Papal ISTuncio, and his secretary, who
were waiting to take me to the Nunciature, where an
apartment had been made ready for me, thanks to
the care of the representative of the Holy See.

I expressed my gratitude at the most kind recep-
tion of a poor unknown man by a Prince of the
Church.

" What do you mean by unknown ? Why, Baron
de Rimini has been warmly recommended by the
Bishop of London, and you have at Lucerne His
Highness the Prince and a crowd of Frenchmen who
have been anxiously awaiting you ever since the
receipt of the telegram announcing your arrival ! "

COMTE DE CHAMBORD AT LUCERNE. 249

A Prince of the Church had announced by tele-
gram to Henri of France, the head of the Bourbons,
that Baron de Rimini had left for Lucerne. As the
Corsican shepherd had disappeared before Baron de
Eimini, upon my word I was not surprised.

On entering the Nunciature with the whole staff
of the Embassy I found the Count de Charette,
Commander of the Pontifical zouaves, whom I had
already seen in Rome with General de Lamoriciere.
He shook hands warmly. Then he said —

" His Highness wishes to see you at once."

Monsignor Bovieri accompanied us to the Due de
Bordeaux, whom we found in a salon, surrounded
by a crowd of the inhabitants of the noble Faubourg
St. Germain. Several of them — Messrs. De la Roche-
foucauld, Pozzo di Borgo, de Chevigny, Bourbon
Chains, de Runeville, de Charette, de Mounier, de
Poli — had already seen me in Rome, and shook
hands with me. His Highness, before whom I went,
and bent the knee, took me by the hand and made me
sit on his left. He congratulated me on my energy in
being the first to unmask the Sardinian King and
his Ministers.

After acquainting himself with the contents of the
letters which I brought him from London, Monsignor
de Bordeaux again turned towards me, shook my
hand affectionately, and invited me to dine with
him the next day. An hour later I left with

250 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

Monsignor Bovieri, witli whom I supped. There
was neither dinner nor reception at the Count de
Chambord's that evening.

The next day, at exactly six o'clock, we entered
the salon where I had been received the day before.
Monsignor Bovieri, Chancellor Bortoli, and I went
to pay our respects to His Eoyal Highness of
France, who on this occasion was surrounded by a
crowd of ladies who had come from Paris expressly
for the purpose of offering their congratulations
and devotion to the head of the elder branch, the
grandson of Charles X. — to him, in a word, whom
the illustrious author of the " Genius of Chris-
tianity" called the child of a miracle.

A few seconds later the officers on duty
exclaimed —

"Take your places, ladies and gentlemen. His
Eoyal Highness is served ! "

Over fifty guests seated themselves, taking the
places marked with their names. I had the honour
to find myself placed between the illustrious Berryer
and Victor Laprade, an orator and a poet. Although
there were neither toasts nor speeches, the conver-
sation was none the less brilliant and witty.

Nearly all the preux chevaliers of Castelfidardo
had accompanied the Commander of the Pontifical
zouaves, who after the dinner was to celebrate his
union with the Duchess of Fitz- James, an angel of

COMTE DE CHAMBORD AT LUCERNE. 251

candour, talent, and virtue, who, alas I was called
away from her inconsolable relations and friends
only too soon afterwards !

An immense number of the first families in
France had taken Lucerne by assault, as it were,
in their eagerness to salute the King by Divine
right.

Whilst we were at dessert a few cries were heard,
under His Highness's windows. These were suc-
ceeded by shouts of : " Down with the Whites !
Down with the Bourbons ! " followed by, " Long
live the Republic ! Long live Garibaldi ! Hurrah for
Italy!"

Nearly all the guests rose. Monseigneur de
Chambord alone remained seated, and begged the
company to pay no attention to the disturbance.

But as everyone was only too anxious to show his
or her devotion, they all cried .that it was an insult
which France could not and would not tolerate.

Whilst the old Legitimists gathered around His
Royal Highness and the ladies, I went downstairs
with Count Bourbon de Chains, Mal^zieux, Coun-
cillor of the Lyons Court, Baron de Saint-Front,
and Viscount de Renneville. I saw, as I stood in
the doorway of the hotel, a young man who was
calling out more than the others, and a man of
about forty-five, whom I immediately recognized as
the paid instigator of the hurly-burly which a few

252 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

French emigrants were trjing to raise. Without
looking to see if the others were following me, I
ran into the midst of the yelling crowd, seized the
leader by the collar, knocked him down, and placed
the barrel of my pistol at his head, saying —

" If you move, you vile wretch, I will blow your
brains out ! "

All the others took to their heels. The blond
young man alone came towards me as if to snatch
away the pistol. I stretched him at my feet with a
blow from my fist, and was about to stab him, when
Councillor Malezieux seized my arm, and calling me
by name, said —

" Do not kill him, perhaps he is a Frenchman."

" Yes, we are French," they both said, as they
got up.

"And Frenchmen from Lyons, like you. Coun-
cillor," added the middle-aged man, addressing
Monsieur Malezieux.

" Who are you ? what are you doing here ? "
asked the Legitimist Magistrate.

" I am Primorin, ex-Commissary of Police at
Lyons, whom one of Napoleon's agents caused to be
dismissed several years ago. This young man is
the child of Mademoiselle Meunier and a Corsican
whom I had arrested at Lyons as a bigamist, and
who, now serving the Emperor, had the Law of
Suspects enforced against me."

COAfTE DE CHAMBORD AT LUCBBNE. 25S

" But who paid you to grossly insult a French
prince."

" No one, monsieur. We were in a cafe, and
seeing a great many people go in, and being
somewhat heated with wine, we began to shout
under the windows."

Monsieur Malezieux gave twenty francs to the
ex-Commissary, who had indeed arrested me, as
will be remembered, and whom I had had kicked
out of oflfice (at the time of the Prince President's
journey to the South) by the Prefect, Monsieur
Vincent, now a Senator.

I told the young man to come to me the next day
at the Nunciature.

When we returned to the Comte de Chambord's
salon all the guests, the ladies first, congratulated
me warmly on my energy — to such an extent,
indeed, that up to the celebration of the wedding I
was the hero of the hour.

The next morning, at eight o'clock, the young
shouter of the day before was announced. I imme-
diately made him come in and sit down.

In reply to my questions he told me that his
mother had died when he was born, and he had
been brought up by his grandfather, who had died
of cholera. Then he sold the little there was .left
and came to Switzerland as clerk in a library, but
he was now without employment.

254 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

I asked him if lie would be glad to know his
father.

" Oh, yes, sir ! "

I gave him a hundred francs, asking him to send
for his papers from Lyons, and promised him that
if he would be good I would get him a place.

I had hardly finished before he threw his arms
around my neck and kissed me — embraces which I
returned with interest, thanking God and Monsieur
Malezieux for having prevented me from killing my
own child.

CHAPTER XLIIL

TRAVELS, MISSIONS (aNECDOTES).

Two days later I took leave of His Royal Higlmess
Henry of France, and Monsignor Bovieri, and started
(by the latter's command) for Baden-Baden, where
I was to meet Cardinal G-rassellini, who was coming
from Rome on a mission to the Queen of Naples.
Just as I was stepping into the railway carriage,
the young fellow from Lyons came up with tears in
his eyes, saying —

** Oh, are you going, sir? And what will become
of me, who am so fond of you ! "

** You will come to me at Munich as soon as you
get your papers, my boy,'' said I, holding out my
hand to him. He seized it and covered it with
kisses.

The illustrious orator Berryer, who was also
starting for Baden-Baden, seeing the young fellow,
asked me —

" Is that young man deploring his past life ? "

256 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

" On the contrary," said I, " he is rejoicing ; he
wants to come with me and earn his living in a
situation which I am to procure for him."

The whistle of the locomotive put an end to the
conversation, and the express brought us in the
evening to the land of roulette.

"We stopped at the Hotel de la Eeine d' Angleterre,
where Cardinal Grrassellini had kindly engaged
rooms for me.

That evening, at table d^hote, my surprise may be
imagined when I found myself seated between
Count Bacciochi, the Emperor's Chamberlain, and
de Saint Albin, librarian to the Empress.

Bacciochi' s astonishment was as great as mine had
been, particularly when he saw the Roman Prince
take my arm after dinner, requesting me to act as
his cicerone in the salon. After losing a few
napoleons. Monsieur Berryer left Germany; the
Cardinal and I proceeded to Augsburg to visit Her
Majesty the Queen of Sicily, to whom His Eminence
had been sent by the Sovereign Pontiff, to persuade,
her to return to Kome to her husband, and thus
put a stop to the calumnies which the enemies of
the dynasty were endeavouring to spread through-
out Europe.

The Bishop of the city had engaged rooms for us
at the Hotel des Trois Eois. The day following

TRAVELS, MISSIONS {ANECDOTES), 257

our arrival we were presented to the heroine of
Gaeta in the Ursuline Convent.

The ecclesiastic authorities of the city accom-
panied us. When we entered the convent the
almoner and all the sisters of the establishment
advanced with great ceremony to the door to
welcome the Prince of the Church, and offer him
holy water. Then we reached the convent chapel,
to the glorious strains of the Veni Creator and the
Te Deum.

At the end of the ceremony we were ushered into
a richly-furnished salon. We had only barely seated
ourselves before '' The Queen " was announced.
Maria Sophia came forward, escorted by her brother,
a Colonel in the 4th Light Cavalry, Prince de Taxis,
aide-de-camp to the King, Prince Saint Ignazio,
Chamberlain to the Queen, accompanied by several
ladies attached to her person.

She was too much surrounded for a recluse. She
thanked the Cardinal for his visit, and bowed to all
those who were present at the audience, saying a
few kind words to each with charming grace.

" Oh, you here? " said the Queen, when my turn
came to be presented.

"Yes, your Majesty," said I; ''presented at
Portici and Naples by your uncle, His Highness de
Trapani, I vowed fidelity to you; here at Augsburg,

258 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

presented by His Eminence, I renew my oath,
regretting that I was not killed at Graeta in the act
of opposing such cowardice and treachery."

*'T thank you," replied the Queen, giving me her
hand to kiss.

When the audience was over the Queen's brother
took me to his house, with Prince de Taxis,
where he introduced me to his wife, a young woman
possessing rare beauty, but who, by the side of her
husband, looked almost too small. She was quite
the wittiest woman in Bavaria. During the week
we spent at Augsburg she exacted with infinite
grace a daily visit from me.

On the evening of our arrival the Queen invited
lis all to dine at the Town Hall.

She had on her right the Cardinal, and on her
left the Bishop of the Diocese, Monsignor Pancrace.
Opposite her sat her sister-in-law, on whose right
sat Baron de Rimini, the Cardinal's secretary on
her left. The conversation was in French, as the
Italians did not speak German, and the Germans
were unacquainted with the language of Dante.

The next day I was invited to spend the day
with His Royal Highness the brother of the Queen
of Sicily at his country-seat near the Danube,
where I heard from the lips of the heroine the
following story, which I think worth publishing, to
show the confidence reposed in me by the lofty

TRAVELS, MISSIONS {ANECDOTES). 259

personages who admitted me to their circles, and
the way in which many German Princes marry as
their hearts alone dictate. The Queen had just
reminded the assembled company that I had advised
her husband to fire on Naples rather than give up
the city.

The Queen had scarcely finished before a woman's
beautiful hand stretched out under the table and
shook mine. I heard a voice say —

*' You are Baron de Rimini, of whom my husband
and I have so often spoken to Her Majesty."

'* Yes, madame," I replied ; " and to the honour
I feel in being allowed to touch your hand, pray
join that of informing me to whom I have the
pleasure of speaking ? "

" To Her Highness the wife of Max of Bavaria,
Colonel in the 4th Light Cavalry, Her Majesty's
sister-in-law, nee Muller, and who wishes to talk a
little with you about Italian affairs."

*' Your Highness's invitation is an order to your
very humble servant," said I, bowing again.

Dinner was scarcely over before Max of Bavaria's
wife rose from table with the intention of approach-
ing me. I, too, rose as quickly as possible, and
went to meet her. She again held out her hand to
me. I touched it with very visible respect, but she
took my arm without further formality, and led me
into the salon, near the window. There we seated

260 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

ourselves, and she asked me a number of questions
on the men and affairs of Italy. The Pope,
Antonelh, de Merode, Victor Emmanuel, Oavour,
Garibaldi, Magenta, Solferino, Marsala, Palermo,
Naples, and Gaeta were all passed in review.

During our conversation, or rather our discussion.
His Eminence the Bishop of Pancrace, the Burgo-
master, the Queen, leaning on the arm of His
Highness the Prince of Taxis, and followed by His
Highness her brother, the lucky husband of my
illustrious and witty interrogator, closed around u&
in a circle, without, however, taking part in the
discussion.

When the Queen saw that all that her sister-in-
law had asked had been more or less answered, sho
proposed that we should go out for a turn on the
ramparts, a delightful walk, planted with trees,
from which one can see a lovely panorama of the
kingdom of Bavaria.

The Queen of Sicily descended first, on the arm
of His Highness the Prince of Taxis ; Prince Max,
his wife, and I followed. The rest were behind
us. As soon as we reached the ramparts, near the
Munich station, I took the liberty of addressing a
question to Prince Max's wife.

" Will your Highness honour me by telling me in
what part of Germany lies the town in which you
first saw the light ? My ignorance prevents my

TRAVELS, MISSIONS {ANECDOTES), 261

being able to discover the name of Muller among so
many reigning families."

The married couple looked at me and laughed.

" Why, Baron," answered the charming Princess,
** my father was not a Sovereign; he was only a
Major in the army of His Majesty of Bavaria, and
the town in which I was born is Ratisbon."

Then, with a look of love, and a transport which
no pen could describe, she took her husband's arm,
saying —

*' Although I am young my life is a little romance."

" A happy romance," I suggested.

" Yes, very happy," pressing close to the Prince,
*' and I will gladly relate it to you if you will
promise not to print it."

" Oh ! your Highness," said I, bowing ; " who
would dare to write a novel which the Stael has not
written?"

" You flatter me. Baron, when you ascribe to me
the talent of the author of Gorinne, but I prefer
raising our children and looking after the household
to occupying myself with literature."

" I am certain your Highness could do both."

" No ; I would rather tell you my romance than
write it."

" I thank your Highness a thousand times before-
hand."

" Dine with us to-morrow. The Prince has invited

262 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE MIMINI.

the CardiDal. After dioner they are goiog to the-
convent to see the Queen about some Roman affairs.
We will stay at home, and I shall entertain you by
telling you my story."

During this walk on the ramparts of Augsburg a
great many people noticed that Her Sicilian Majesty
pressed somewhat too near her cavalier, and that
other bonds than those of simple gallantry existed
between Maria Sophia and the Prince of Taxis.

Next day, after the dinner at the Queen's brother's,
the Princess fulfilled the promise she had made me.
After her husband and the Cardinal had started for
the convent we sat down to a tete-a-tete on the
lounge, and Her Highness began —

'' I was born at Ratisbon. ^ My father, a Major in
the King's army, died when I was barely twelve
years old. My good mother, whom you know,
became a widow at the age of twenty-nine. Although
poor, she might have married again, but she had
thoughts for no one beyond her only daughter, and'
living for her alone, would not place her under the-
authority of a step-father. After the death of my
father we sold all that was not necessary and came-
to Munich, where we settled.

"My mother lived in a very retired manner, and
occupied herself with my education. I studied hard
to please her. I made great progress, particularly
in the study of music and singing. The day of the-

TRAVELS, MISSIONS (ANECDOTES). 26S

general distribution of prizes my mother almost
died with joy when she saw her daughter laden
with wreaths. All the high nobility of the capital
congratulated her. That same day the Director of
the Theatre Royal at Munich came to see her, and
after a great deal of parleying, it was settled that
he should give me lessons every day in my mother s
presence, and that I was not to appear upon the
stage until the day of my debut But I had to
promise to go every evening to the theatre, occupy-
ing a box which he placed at our disposal, so that I
might study the stage, and the language and
gestures of the acting artists.

*' Two months later an advertisement announced
the first appearance of Mdlle. X, a Major's daughter,
who, in order to support her mother, had become
an artist. The theatre was overflowing. The Court
and the greater part of the nobility were there. As
soon as I had sung a few notes I was much ap-
plauded. At the end of the first act I was con-
ducted by the Director to the Eoyal box. My
mother, who had not left me, fainted on leaving
their Majesties' presence. His Highness Prince
Max supported her, and accompanied us behind the
scenes, where I had a dressing-room.

" During the second and the last acts the applause
was kept up even more vigorously. Artists who
had never seen me, instead of being jealous of my

264 MEMOIRS OF THE BAEON BE MIMINI.

triumph, came to congratulate me, and accompanied
me to the door. His Highness, whom I did not
know, went with us, giving his arm to my mother,
as far as our house. There, in a little uncarpeted
room, he threw himself at mj feet. Next day we
were all three here, at Augsburg, at the Hotel des
Trois Eois. The Prince had rooms on the second
floor, and my mother, who had not let me out of
her sight, announced to me on going to bed that
His Highness wished to marry me.

" I leave you to imagine what the newspapers
and the public said about us. Prince Louis Max,
who lunched and dined with us, told us one day
that he had received an order from the King, from
his father, and the Minister for War to return to
Munich. We accompanied him, my mother and I,
as far as the station, and although the purity of my
conscience kept me free from all self-reproach,
when I saw him get into the railway-carriage with-
out embracing me (he only shook hands with us), I
felt as if I should faint. My good mother kissed
me, and said : ' Fear nothing, my daughter, your
husband will return.'

" I was the cause of the Prince's sudden recall.
The King did not wish him to marry me, and it was
owing to his entreaties that the Prince consented to
leave me on condition that the King would make
me a Countess, and his father would give me a

TRAVELS, MISSIONS {ANECDOTES). 265

dowry. The King gave the title, and His Highness
contributed four hundred thousand florins. When
he had it all in his hand the Prince came back to
Augsburg, summoned Monsignor Bishop Pancrace,
and that evening we were married ! When the
Court and nobility heard of our marriage they re-
fused to recognize us.

" We continued to live at Augsburg. My hus-
band, who was a Colonel in the Fourth Regiment of
Light Cavalry, was obliged to go every day to
Munich. My good mother and I used to meet him
at the station every evening.

" We had been leading this life for four years
when one day, as we were sitting on a bench on the
ramparts, a gentleman saw our child playing with
his nurse, and stopped to speak to him.
" * What is your name, my young friend ? '
** * My name is Louis, the same as papa s,'
answered my son, boldly.

'* ' And what does your papa do ? '
** • My papa is a Colonel of cavalry, monsieur.'
** * Ah, a Colonel of cavalry I ' Then, after a
moment's reflection, the gentleman drew the child to
him, embraced him, and asked him, * What are you
going to do when you grow up ? '
** * 1 shall serve the King, like papa.'
"Then the gentleman turned to me, and rising,
said : * Mademoiselle, I congratulate you on your
brother's precocity.'

266 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

** ' He is mj son, monsieur.'

" ' Then, if I am not mistaken, you are the wife of
His Highness Prince Louis Max.'

" ' Yes, monsieur, and that is his son.'

" Next day, while we were at the same place, I saw
several carriages rolling along the ramparts. When
the first carriage reached my favourite bench it
stopped, the door opened, and the gentleman of the
day before alighted, accompanied by several ladies-
and gentlemen. Coming up to me, he said —

" ' I wish to present the Queen to you.'

" A gentleman had seized Louis, and was smother-
ing him with kisses, calling him his son. It was my
father-in-law." Her Highness stopped and looked
at me. " The remainder is not worth repeating."

This remainder which the Princess would not tell
me was, that from that day she was admitted to the
Bavarian Court, where nothing is done without her
opinion being asked. Whilst I had the honour of
visiting her at Augsburg many of the King'»
Ministers called on her or wrote to her for advice.

The Queen of I^aples having consented to return
to Rome, the Cardinal and I left for Munich. Tha
Cardinal stopped at the Nunciature, and I at the
hotel near the Royal post-office, not far from the
famous brewery where His Majesty goes every
evening like a simple peasant and drinks his mug
of beer.

CHAPTER XLIV.

MISSION TO MADRID.

As at Augsburg, the civil and military authorities
called on the Cardinal. The Nuncio (Prince Chigi),
the Minister of the Interior (Neumans), and His
Majesty the King gave official dinners in his honour.
I had the honour to be present at the first two. The
Cardinal alone was invited to the King's banquet.
His chaplain, his secretary, and myself were only
asked to the reception which was held afterwards,
at which we were pretty well received, but during
which I talked to no one besides Baron de Feiste-
mester, His Bavarian Majesty's secretary, who con-
firmed Princess Louis Max's story.

Some days later we passed through Switzerland
and France, and embarked at Marseilles. The day
of our arrival in Rome I had the pleasure of talking
with His Eminence Cardinal Antonelli and Ferraris^
the Minister of Finance. They both thanked me for
my zeal,' and congratulated me on the manner ia

268 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

which I had negotiated the Pontifical loan in London.
I replied that their praise should be bestowed on His
Eminence Cardinal Wiseman, not on me, and the
next day, in the Holy Father's presence, I repeated
the same thing.

Francis II., knowing that I was in Rome, and
learning from Cardinal Gressallini that I had been at
Augsburg, sent his secretary. General Saverino, to
summon me to him at the Farnese Palace. I went,
and there in the presence of Generals Ulloa, de
Clary, Counts Trani, de Trapani, Prince Pignatelli,
Baron Cetti, and Prince Iscio, I reminded him of
what I had told him at Portici. He asked me news
of Italy ,^ France, and Germany. I answered that
His Majesty of Italy had been ruined by his pro-
Consuls, and France by Napoleon ; but that Germany
was on the look-out for some man who would help
her to drain off the kinglets who were acting the
tyrant. On a sign from the ex-King of Naples, the
courtiers all retired, except Count de Trapani. The
latter then addressed me, and congratulating me on
having procured money for the Holy Father by
means of a loan of fourteen millions of francs, begged
me to go to Spain where I could place some bonds
of the Gaeta loan. On my assenting, he gave me a
letter of recommendation to Count de San Martino,
the Ambassador of Naples at Madrid, and a thousand
francs for my journey. The Roman Court, although

MISSION TO MADRID. 201)

they had come into possession of fourteen millions,
2fave me only three thousand francs. I confess that
this mission was accepted with pleasure, as it pro-
cured for me the advantage of visiting the laud of
Ignatius de Loyola at the expense of the Bourbons.

"When I left Rome I was given a mass of letters
of recommendation : for the Queen, for the King,
the Spanish Grandees, Father Claret, and the cele-
brated Sister Patrocinio.

On my arrival in Madrid I was entertained at the
house of Count de San Martino, Ambassador of the
King of Naples (without a kingdom), who, mistaking
Baron de Eimini for a person of rank, presented me
to the Court and the Ministers, and accompanied me
to the celebrated Convent of Alcantara, to see the
all-powerful Patrocinio with her fabulous chemise.*

The celebrated Sister received the Ambassador
and myself with a certain ceremony, which, in her
quahty of Superior of the convent, she did not think
necessary for the reception of a Minister.

She asked me numberless questions about the
Pope, the Cardinals, and many statesmen. When

* Sister Patrocinio — an intriguer by nature — was once, as
a canteen woman, condemned to a year's imprisonment for theft.
She had the boldness to convince Father Claret, the favoured con-
fessor to the Queen, that the Virgin of Toledo had appeared to her
in prison, and said — ** Patrocinio, before long you will leave this
place pardoned, and heaped with honours. God gives you the might
to heal all the ills of the great who consent to wear devoutly the
chemise which you now have on."

^70 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

tlie Minister told her what I had done for the clerico-
Bourbonic cause, and the reason for mj journey to
Spain, she said —

" The day after to-morrow you may bring me one
hundred thousand francs' worth of bonds of the Gaeta
Loan. I will give you a cheque on the convent
bank."

In ten days, thanks especially to Father Claret
and his friend Patrocinio, I had disposed of fifteen
hundred thousand francs' worth of bonds.

It is with this dirty garment, which I have seen
and touched, that Father Claret and Sister Patro-
cinio govern Spain. The Queen feels such devotion
for Sister Patrocinio's shirt that she has never been
without it during her confinements.

In 1864, in the convent directed by Sister
Patrocinio, besides twenty-seven young girls who
had been disgraced, there were no less than sixteen
descendants of Spanish Grandees who were in an
interesting condition. As may be imagined, it
created great excitement throughout Spain. To
screen the real culprits, the King and Father Claret,
the sacristan, Don Jose Malrina, was accused and
arrested. They poisoned him, saying that he had
committed suicide in order to escape punishment.

I then went to see Marshal Narvaez, with whom
I had had several interviews after his marriage to
Mademoiselle Tascher during his exile in Paris. I

MISSION TO MADRID. 271

looked him up, and explained to him the aim of my
visit. He listened without interrupting me, and
said as soon as I had finished —

** The cause of the Bourbons in Naples is lost
for want of men. The poor King had around him
nothing but cowards and traitors. I will speak in
his favour to my banker Monsieur Yargas, Number
2, Place de I'Hotel de Ville, who is also Queen
Christina's banker. If he sees the possibility of
doing anything he will do it. Come again to-
morrow, and I shall give you his answer."

The next day he informed me that the banker
Yargas would take Gaeta bonds to the amount of
one million fifteen hundred thousand francs at
sixty francs.

When I announced this news to the representa-
tive of Francis II. he nearly fell backwards.

" Why, it is impossible ! " said he ; '' how the
devil did you manage it ? I tell you this business
is absolutely incredible to me."

In reply I took Count de San Martino with me
to the banker Yargas, with whom he signed the
deed by which the King was to receive at Rome,
through the banker Torlonia, the sum of nine
hundred thousand francs in return for the deposit
of one million five hundred francs' worth of bonds
of the Gaeta loan. Banker Yargas made six hundred
thousand francs by this transaction !

272 MEMOIBS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

On hearing of this unhoped-for result, Prince
Pignaletti wrote me an autograph letter, congratu-
lating me in the name of his master the King, and
requesting me to go to Paris, Number 5, Rue
Taitbout, to the ex-Ambassador Canofari, with
whom I would find orders for another mission
entrusted to my zeal and devotion. I left Madrid
for Paris.

CHAPTER XLV.

MISSION TO LONDON AND WARSAW.

When I presented myself at the Marquis of Cano-
fari's he acquainted me with the orders which he
had received from the Farnese Palace in Rome.

I was to go to London, and there use my utmost
endeavours to negotiate a loan on the Farnese Palace,
which the King consented to mortgage for the sum
of two million francs.

I went to London with full powers to negotiate.
To tell the truth, I did not expect to succeed. As
I was walking in Regent Street one evening I was
accosted by Carreras, a rich Spanish merchant,
who owns two large tobacco shops in Regent and
Prince's Streets. Carreras invited me to dine at
his house, and asked me what had brought me ta
London.

" I have come to look for money, and am ready
to offer as security the Farnese Palace, which the
King wishes to mortgage."

274 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

" Oh ! the deuce ! If you had come the day before
yesterday I could have settled your business in a
couple of hours. To-day it is impossible, I am
cleaned out ; I have just loaned four millions to the
Bey of Tunis. But I can get your loan settled with
Mr. Holloway, the chemist. Come to my shop in
Prince's Street to-night ; Holloway will be there
from seven to eight o'clock, and we can talk."

At my first word the Englishman said —

" I will lend all the King asks in return for a
morto^aofe on the beautiful Farnese Palace."

I succeeded in obtaining this loan without
Cardinal Wisemans aid. On leaving Carreras I
dispatched a telegram to Marquis Canofari request-
ing him to send an agent from the King with the
title-deeds and the written authority to borrow.
Six days later Count Francis de Latour, first aide-
de-camp to Francis II., arrived from Rome.
Twenty-four hours after his arrival an order for
two million francs, minus the commission of two
thousand francs, was sent from the counting-house
of Mouriet, the banker, and addressed to the banker
Torlonia, at Rome, to be paid on sight to the ex-
King of Sicily.

After visiting the Princes of Orleans, to whom
Monsieur Latour remitted letters from Rome, the
King's messenger and myself embarked for Belgium.
Before reaching Paris we went through Ostend,

MISSION TO LONDON AND WARSAW. 275

Bruges, Malines, Anvers, Liege, Brussels, Mons,
Tournay, Lille, and Amiens. I only slept in Paris,
and went the next day to Versailles, where I
stopped at the Hotel Comte de Toulouse, under the
name of Baron de Rimini. The police and gen-
darmes never guessed that they had at Versailles the
man who had so often commanded them at the
Sartory manoeuvres.

One evening, whilst I was dining, a gentleman
with a Polish accent sat down at my table and
asked me if I knew Baron de Rimini.

" I am he," said I ; " what can I do for you ?
Who sent you ? "

For all answer he placed in my hands a letter
from Prince Czartoryski, requesting me to go to his
house. He de St. Louis, Paris. The Pole Jabloniski
dined with me. Then we left by rail, and at eight
o'clock in the evening I was knocking at the door of
the Hotel Lambert. The Polish Prince received me
at once, and asked me to accept the mission of ac-
companying Jabloniski, who was carrying the sum
of one hundred thousand francs to the insurrectional
committee. Without having any responsibility, my
duty was to go with him to Warsaw, to Archbishop
Felinski, with whom he was to deposit the sum in
return for a receipt, and to obtain the utmost
possible information as to the progress of affairs.

The Polish agent and I left the next day. Like

276 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON' DE RIMINI.

all the outlaws of his country, he was proud, brutal,,
and insolent. No sooner had we passed the French
frontier than lie began to assume commanding airs,
and when we reached the Mayence station, where
he wished to stop, he ordered me to carry his bag I
I looked him from head to foot, and told him to
carry his bag himself, that Prince Czartoryski bad
sent me to Poland as his companion, and not as his
servant, and that, besides, if one of us had to be
valet, I was accustomed to command and not to
obey. He carried his bag to the hotel himself. But
from that moment misunderstanding took the place
of friendship and esteem. We each took a room,
and dined apart. While the waiter was serving me
I asked him w^here the telegraph-office was. When
I had finished I took my hat and went towards the
station to send a telegram. The Pole followed me
— his manner had changed. He asked me if 1 was
telegraphing to Paris.

" Yes," said I, looking hard at him ; " the Prince
shall know in an hour's time that I will not go to
Warsaw."

" And why ? "

" Because I have never travelled with masters — "

** Oh ! Baron, I beg your pardon. The designs
you attribute to me never even entered my head."

I made him implore me a great deal, then con-
sented at last to relent, and we returned to the

MISSION TO LONDON AND WARSAW, 277

hotel, but instead of going to bed we started for
Wiesbaden. Two hours later the Pole Jabloniski
won eighty-five thousand francs at roulette. The
next day, in spite of ray opposition, and notwith-
standing the prayers and entreaties of several Poles,
he insisted upon playing again. At exactly three
o'clock he had only one note of a thousand francs
left, out of the hundred and eighty-five thousand.
He folded it square and placed it on zero. The
croupier turned the wheel, and announced 27. He
had not quite uttered the word before a report was
heard. The wretched Jabloniski's head fell bleeding
on the green cloth. An hour later the play began
again, to make other victims. The Commissary of
Police in charge of the gambling-rooms gave me the
following certificate at my request —

" I, the undersigned. Commissary of the tables at
Wiesbaden, certify that the said Jabloniski killed
himself bij a pistol-shoty after having lost all the
money which he had won the day before — that is,
eighty-five thousand francs — plus the hundred
thousand francs which he had in his pocket-book.
I moreover certify that Baron de Rimini, who came
with him, and several Poles did their utmost to
prevent him from playing.

'' (Signed) Muller."

That evening, whilst this certificate was on its
way to Paris, I continued my journey to Poland.

278 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RTMINI.

On arriving at Warsaw I learned that Arclibisliop
Felinski, to whom I was to give an account of my
mission, and ask for information, had been arrested
the day before, by order of the Czar, and taken to
St. Petersburg, thence to Siberia. Fearing the
same fate, I only asked a few questions indirectly,
and found that the insurrection was not general,,
but that agents were at work who were getting
people killed in order to obtain money from the
committees of Turin and Zurich.

To prevent suspicion, I asked for a guide wha
spoke French, and had myself taken to the Catholic
cemetery. There, in a little path on the right, I
fell on my knees on a stone, on which I read with
tears in my eyes : " Here lies the Countess de Gar-
donne, regretted and mourned by her inconsolable
husband."

That evening I was on my way to Posen, Berlin,,
Frankfort, and Paris.

CHAPTER XL VI.

THE CONGRESS OF MALINES.

Tbb evening of my arrival I went to Prince Czar-
toryski, who, as the reader knows, had been informed
of the catastrophe which had happened to his agent.
He received me coldly, saying that I ought to have
prevented him from gambling. At this reception I
took up my hat. The Prince then said, with a cer-
tain annoyance —

" Finish giving an account of your mission."

" I have no account to give to people who loll in
drawing-rooms while their partisans are getting killed
in the effort to recover their independence I '*

"Monsieur,'* said the Prince, shutting the door in
my face, " I shall report your conduct to the Holy
Father."

** Eeport it to the devil," said I, in a rage, going
downstairs.

I had received orders from the Court of Rome to

280 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

place myself at the disposal of Prince Chigi, the
Apostolic JSTuDcio.

His Eminence Monsignor Chigi, whom I had
known in Eome and Munich, saw me as soon as I
arrived, and commanded me to go to Malines to
assist at the Catholic Congress which His Eminence
the Primate of Belgium had instituted in his diocese,
to combat heresy and procure for the Ultramontanes
a pulpit tribunal from which the Italian revolution
could be destroyed.

Two days later I entered the palace of His Grace
Cardinal Sterckx, at Malines.

This Father of the Church welcomed me, and in-
vited me to dinner, during which meal nothing was
discussed except the Italian question. When we
rose from table he shook me affectionately by the
hand, saying —

" I am very happy, Baron de Rimini, to find in
you such a knowing auxiliary in the matters which
the Congress purpose to discuss with reference to
the spoliations which Yictor Emmanuel has com-
mitted to the prejudice of the legitimate Princes of
our Holy Church. From to-day, your plate will
always be laid here at six o'clock in the evening
and eleven in the morning. I only regret being
unable to give you a room in the palace. Take
one in some hotel in the town at the expense of the
Congress, and give your address to the secretaries.

THE CONGRESS OF M ALINES, 281

I shall see you again to-morrow,'* added the Primate
of Belgium.

** To-morrow," I repeated, going to the Hotel de
la Cigogne.

In the morning, as on the preceding evening, after
coffee, the Cardinal Primate of Belgium and I held
discussions on the Sardinian King, Garibaldi, and
the Piedmontese pro-Consuls.

I had been lodged four days by the Sanfedists at
the expense of St. Peter's pence when Monsignor
Sterckx sent for me to communicate the contents of
a letter from Rome.

This letter, written in His Eminence Antonelli's
hand, informed me that I had been replaced at the
Catholic Congress by Monsignor Nardi, auditor of the
Rota of Austria. By way of consolation, the Car-
dinal said that he was going to send me to the Con-
gress of Frankfort, though not officially, regretting
his inability to let me stay at Malines, where I should
have been able to enlighten the members of the
Papist areopagus by my knowledge of Italian men
and matters.

Although I was no longer one of the chosen ones,
I assisted at the meetings, which were presided over
by Baron de Gerlache, Chief President of the Court
of Cassation and President of the Society of Saint
Vincent de Paul, a true believer, and an honest,
upright man. There I saw and heard the advocates

282 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI.

of temporal power, and the enemies of progress and
advanced ideas.

But I will frankly confess that the majority of the
illustrious orators who spoke at Malines were not
themselves altogether in accordance with the views
at the Vatican. Following the example of the elders
of '93, who took Coblentz for Paris and the Rhine
for the Seine, and of their sons, who took Rome and
the Tiber for their capital and their national river,
they took Belgium for their country, but they
profited by this retrograde tribunal to launch ana-
themas on the men and affairs of their country, and
to undermine the constitution of their Government,
solely that they might air their eloquence for a brief
space.

"When I had heard Montalembert, Felix, Dechamps,.
Leopold Gaillard, and Dupanloup, I left Malines to*
go to Frankf orb with a letter to the King of Bavaria,,
which Monsignor Mardi had given me.

CHAPTER XLVir.

THE CONGRESS OF FEANKPOET.

What reflections might not be made at this juncture
bj a futile writer ! The Corsican shepherd sent
officially to the Congress of the Knights of the
Confederation !

What would those old aristocrats of Germany
have said could they have guessed that the clerico-
Bourbonic Envoy, the man whom the head of the
House of Hapsburg received so cordially under the
name of Baron de Rimini, in the presence of so many
Princes, Dukes, Barons, and so forth, was no other
than the secret agent of Cavour, Napoleon, and I
know not how many beside I

While I write these lines I ask myself whether I
am asleep or awake !

On reaching Frankfort-on-the-Main, a rich and
flourishing city, magnificently situated in the midst
of a garden, I went to the Bavarian Embassy, where

284 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI,

the King received me, complimented me on my
mission, and had me driven to the Hotel de Bruxelles
(near the south station), where all his military retinue
were lodged at the expense of the State, and with
whom I stayed as long as the Congress lasted.

His Royal Highness Prince de Taxis and Baron
Feistemester settled me in a room near them, in
consideration o£ my former acquaintance with them,
when I made the journey with Cardinal Gressellini.
The other attaches, Ministers, Generals, Chamberlains,
Secretaries, etc., welcomed me in the kindest manner
at dinner. The next day they came separately to
call upon me in my room. Two days after that
Baron Offeman, private secretary to H.I.M. and
E,.C. the Emperor of Austria, came to tell me that
his august master had granted me an audience at
twelve o'clock the next day. At the hour named I
introduced myself to the acting aide-de-camp, Comte
de Crenneville, who presented me to Francis Joseph.
The head of the House of Hapsburg received me
with rather marked kindness, considering the
presence of the petty potentates of the Germanic
Confederation. He asked me news of liome, Italy,
the Holy Father, and Antonelli.

He then summoned his secretary, Baron Offeman,
commanding him to place every day at my disposal
the report of the daily sittings, that I might in turn
report them to Rome.

THE CONGRESS OF FRANKFORT, 285

Then, taking my hand, he added with inex-
pressible charm of manner —

** I much regret, Baron, that you cannot assist at
the meetings, that you might judge for yourself
what is said at Frankfort, and energetically deny
the infamies attributed to us. It is even said that
we wish to join ourselves to France in order to
crush Italy."

** Sire," I replied, "I do not need to be present;
your Imperial Majesty's secretary informs me of
everything each evening with marvellous exactness.
And even if he did not tell me a word I would
believe your Majesty's declarations a thousand
times sooner than if I assisted at the deliberations
of the Assembly."

Other visitors, like myself, were waiting for an
audience. I left the palace, Count de Crenneville
accompanying me as far as the courtyard, inviting
me to dine next day at five o'clock at the Imperial
table.

I shall not speak of the dinner, nor of the official
reception which took place immediately afterwards ;
but I will relate a little episode which cannot fail
to interest my readers.

After the Imperial receptions, and as soon as
conversation had begun to flow freely, His Imperial
Highness Prince de Metternich, His Highness the
Due de Nassau, and His Highness Prince de Taxis

286 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

meeting me in the salon, asked me to^go witli them
to Wiesbaden.

*'To Wiesbaden?" said I. *' Why not go to
Homburg ? "

" We are obliged to go to Wiesbaden, to be near
Johannisberg, where His Imperial Majesty intends
dining to-morrow evening, and where Her Highness
the Princess expects us," replied Prince de Metter-
nich.

Two days later we entered the Kursaal at Wies-
baden, the Princes to play trente et quarante, I to
walk about.

When the play ceased Prince de Metternich had
lost 25,000 francs, the Due de Nassau 27,000 francs,
and the Prince de Taxis, the lucky admirer of the
Queen of Naples, had won 33,000 francs.

We spent the night at the Hotel de Paris, and
the bill next morning, defrayed by the winner, was
2,000 francs.

At break of day a post chaise was conveying us
to Johannisberg. The day was spent in examining
the cellars of the castle, the estate, and the woods
belonging to Prince de Metternich.

At five o'clock we went to the railway station
to meet the Emperor of Austria, the King of
Saxony, the Grand Duke of Saxony, who embraced
the Princess on their arrival, and their suite. We

THE CONGRESS OF FRANKFORT, 287

returned at once to the salon, where a richly de-
<;orated table awaited us.

The host and hostess did the honours in a
manner worthy of their position.

Daring the dinner I was seated opposite the
Grand Duke of Baden ; I saw him lean towards the
Emperor, and say something in a low voice, as he
looked at me.

He had hardly finished before they both burst
into a laugh, which was, of course, caught up by all
present.

I alone did not laugh, and with truly Corsican

boldness took the liberty of saying to the Monarch —

'* Believe me, sire, I regret bitterly not knowing

the reason for so much mirth, because, if I did, I

should not be the only one who is not laughing."

" And yet it is you about whom we are laughing,"
replied Francis Joseph.

*' Then I should have laughed for two, sire."
"Well, then," said His Imperial Majesty, "tell
us about your duel at Carlsruhe."

I rose at once and bowed to the assembled
company.

" Last year," said I, ''in His Highness the Grand
Duke of Baden's beautiful capital, whilst Renz, who,
thanks to the generosity of his august Sovereign,
has the richest equestrian company in Europe, was

288 MEMOinS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

giving his last performance at the Champ-de-Mars»
the horse of one of the actresses who were competing
for the gold cup (a gift from His Highness), reared,
fell on the race-course, and jumped over the ropes,
unseated his rider, and dragged her several yards.
She was in a pitiable state, for her foot had remained
in the stirrup. Several officers followed her at
full speed, but instead of trying to stop the
furious horse they amused themselves by looking
under the unfortunate woman's petticoats. I stopped
the horse, and turning to the officers, said angrily :
' If I were your Sovereign I would make you eat
grass instead of ornamenting your shoulders with
new insignia ! '

" Renz arrived on the spot at almost the same
moment, took the horsewoman, whose name was
Palmela, and conducted her to her hotel.

" That evening, whilst I was dining, several officers
came to demand satisfaction, or a retraction of
what I^had said about them. Although alone, I
accepted their challenge. When the officers were
gone Fasked for two seconds, but no one was will-
ing to second me against the officers of the country.

" Renz and his head riding-master accepted, and
went with me the next morning, at six o'clock, to
the spot agreed upon.

" At the first pass my adversary sank to the
ground. As his comrade was taking his place the

THE CONGRESS OF FRANKFORT. 289

carabineers appeared, arrested us, and conducted us
back to the town, where, thanks to His Highness's
generosity, we were restored to liberty."

** And Palmela ? " asked several of my hearers.

** Palmela, gentlemen, whom I thought to have
won over to my side, forbade me to visit her while
she was ill. The first day she was able to leave the
house she called on me with her Director. Giving
me her hand, ' I have come to thank you for having
stopped my horse on the day of that unfortunate
ride,' she said. * But I cannot thank you for that
duel, because I detest duellists. After this, monsieur,
I shall not be able to appear on any stage without
being hissed.'

" ' Mademoiselle,' said I, opening the door for her,
' if such a thing ever happens to you I will have
myself killed in order to raise a statue to you.' "

That evening we all returned to Frankfort.

CHAPTER XLYIII.

IN EOME.

The Congress over, I hastened to thank His Imperial
Majesty of Austria, His Majesty the King of Bavaria,
and their aides-de-camp for all the kindnesses they
had shown me ; then I took the train for Rome,
passing through Paris, Marseilles, and Civita-
Vecchia. On arriving in Rome I went to Cardinal
Antonelli, who congratulated me on my travels and
the success of my loans.

" Take some good rooms and rest awhile," said
he, " you must need it. When you wish to talk
with me come to the Qairinal ; here there is always
a crowd of people asking favours, who prevent us
from talking as long as I should like."

When I left the Vatican I went to dumber 35, Rue
Ripetta, where I took lodgings for three months,
with the firm intention of taking an absolute rest,
which I greatly needed after my stormy life.

If I were an artist I should give a pompous

IN ROME. 291

description of the Yatican, Great St. Mary's, the
"Colosseum, Nero's Theatre, and the Capital. Un-
fortunately my profession is what you know it to
be ; and I was horribly bored in the Eternal City,
amongst the cowls, the hoods, and the brown robes
tied with rope. Nearly all of the year '64 passed in
this manner. Fancy me, activity itself, condemned
to the far niente like the Naples lazzaroni ! Even
if I had been able to get up a conspiracy — but there
was not a conspirator to bring forward. The
Piedmontese, still looked upon by the Roman
Court as the enemies of God and of the -Church,
passed through the Pontifical States like shooting
stars.

The Garibaldians, Mazzinians, Unitarians, and
the Eoman Committee were all dead, or made
believe to be so. The Directing Committee of
Florence had got up parleys with France, and
recommended their adherents at Eome to remain
•calm. "The evacuation of the French troops
depends entirely upon your conduct," said they.
■*' Keep quiet, be patient ! The moment is ap-
proaching when you will be masters of your own
destinies. The smallest movement, the slightest
manifestation, would only serve as a pretext to
Napoleon for prolonging the occupation indefi-
nitely."

All this was calculated to reduce the most

292 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

indolent of agents to desperation. I sometimes
saw Antonelli, de Merode, and Berardi, of the
Eoman Government, and Counts de Trapani, de
Trani, and Prince Pignetelli, of the Bourbon party.
They paid me regularly.

When the Convention of the 15th September was
signed the two Governments gave me to under-
stand that their means no longer permitted them to
afford extra expenses, and that Napoleon was
raising a revolution amongst them in order to
rid himself of them.

The Austrian Ambassador, Baron de Hubner,
whom I had known in Paris when he was at
Napoleon s Court, proposed a mission to me. It
was to go through Piedmont as far as Venice. I
accepted with pleasure an opportunity of emerging
from the apathy in which I was plunged.

Messieurs the Baron de Tanneberg, Lieutenant
to the Emperor, and the Chevalier Frank, Chief of
Police, were so well satisfied with the information
which I delivered to them at Yenice that they
begged me to remain there as Comptroller.

CHAPTER XLIX.

ESPIONAGE IN THE TYROL.

Being a Frencliman, it was very easy for me to do
them a service. All the Yenetians, thinking me on
their side, confided in me without my having to use
any artifice to gain their confidence.

Chevalier Frank doubled my pay the third month
after I had entered on my functions, and privately
attached me to his ojfice. I never used to go to
the Prefecture. I would write to him, sending the
letters through the post-office, or go to see him at
his house, Number 14, Place de TEglise, St.
Guillaume.

Several missions were confided to me, at Verona,
Padua, Mantua, etc.

On my return from these excursions I was always
well rewarded. One day the Chevalier Frank showed
me a report from the Emissary of Trent, who wanted
^n intelligent agent to discover a supply of arms
which had been brought into the Tyrol. On the

294 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

invitation of the Chief of Police I left Yenice for
Trent. In this form the Commissary of Police
assured me that an Italian who had secret com-
munications with the Tyrol had brought in a
number of guns and had them on Austrian territory.

I left the Commissary and the town of Trent, and
had myself conveyed to Sora. After passing two
days here without obtaining the slightest clue, I
started to return to the Commissioner. As I was
passing through a street I heard a voice say —

''Do hurry, here's someone coming. It is the
Frenchman who is surveying the railroads."

I had represented myself at the inn as a railroad
engineer.

" If it is he we can come out ; he has nothing in
common with the Austrian police."

Then two men came through a doorway, following
the same road that I had taken, and I heard them
say —

" These four guns make up the forty we have to
dispose of. Major Tolozzi, who came with ma
as far as the lake, did not dare to go back to the
town because of those scoundrelly spies."

As they passed near me, one of them said —

" Buona sera, amico " (Good evening, friend).

I pretended not to hear.

" If you wait for an answer you will wait a good
while," observed the other man.

ESPIONAGE IN THE TYROL. 295

" Why ? " asked the first.

" Because he can't speak Italian," said the second,
who, although a Lombard, was established at Sora.

The man who had wished me good evening was
from Desanzano.

After keeping along the Imperial road until they
were some ten or twelve yards outside the walls,
they turned to the right and disappeared in a kind
of valley. I retraced my steps and warned the Com-
missary of Police at Sora, whom I took with me to
the place where I had left the two individuals ; two
agents were with him. I advised him to follow the
suspected men at a distance until they came to the
place of deposit, which could not be far off. Then,
with rapid steps, I continued on my way to Trent.

The next morning, when I entered the office of
the Commissary of Police, I found the Commissaries
from Sora, who were full of joy at having discovered
the store, comprising forty-two guns, thirty-seven
sabres, powder, cartridges, etc., and at having ar-
rested the two men.

These two worthies could not understand how I
had managed to ferret out the depository in two
days, when they had been looking for it for a month
past and had discovered no trace of it.

A couple of hours after that I arrived at Venice
with the arms and ammunition, which the Commis-
sary of Sora carried to the Prefecture. I will add,

296 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

in justice to him, that although I was not present, he
told the Emperor's Lieutenant that he had only
executed my orders. He was given two hundred
florins (500 fr.), and fifty florins for each of his
agents (250 fr.), in all seven hundred and fifty francs.
When I went that evening to see the Chief of Police
he gave me one thousand florins (2,500 fr.) from
Baron Tanneberg. This affair, therefore, cost the
Government of Vienna three thousand two hundred
and fifty francs. All that was found in the house
in which the arms were secreted did not amount to
this sum. It is but veracious to say that the Aus-
trian Government may allow their soldiers to die of
hunger, while their spies ride in carriages.

CHAPTER L.

ESPIONAGE AT FLORENCE.

During my stay in Venice I bad the honour several
times of seeing the Comte de Chambord, his nephew,
Prince Robert of Parma, and his brother-in-law, the
Dake of Modena, and they all invariably received
me with kindness, especially if they heard I had been
playing the Piedmontese some good turn.

The year 1866 went by swiftly, and every day an
attack by Victor Emmanuel was expected. Major
Tolozzi, a Garibaldian officer, threw himself with a
handful of red-shirts into the Tyrol, but unsup-
ported by his party he was crushed.

This attack by the Garibaldians opened up a new
field to journalists. Those of the Piedmontese
Minister (who were under French pressure) main-
tained that the advanced party wished to furnish
Austria with arms and force her to violate the
treaty of Villafranca by marching on Rome. The
Republican journals attacked the Government in-

298 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI,

cessantly, because they left their brothers the Vene-
tians to languish in chains. Reports from several
agents whom we had sent to Turin and Florence
pointed out an unusual bustle at the "War- Office and
amongst the Garibaldian Committee. Even the
journals hinted that the second campaign was about
to begin on the banks of the Po. All these rumours
at length obtained such credit at Vienna that the
Minister for War wrote directly to the Governor to
assure himself of the facts, and send him an official
report^of them.

One evening the Emperor's Lieutenant summoned
me to his palace and ordered me to set out imme-
diately for Florence. I was to write nothing con-
jectural, to report nothing except what I had seen
and touched myself. My letters were to be entrusted
to no one except certain persons whom he himself
would send from Venice every Sunday, and on the
Sundays on which I had nothing positive to state
I was only to say, " There is nothing new."

With the practice I had had in certain matters,,
and these instructions, the reader will understand
that I was to use every means of finding out all that
was official in the newspaper articles and the reports
of the secret agents.

When I left the room, the Governor, Baron de Tan-
neberg, gave me one thousand florins (2,500 fr.)
and a letter of credit for two thousand florins (5,000'

ESPIONAGE AT FLORENCE. 299

fr.) on the firm of Fenzi, banker, No. 1, Place des
Seigneurs, Florence.

*' Here is money enough to keep you for some
time in Florence. Go to Milan, Turin, Genoa, and
even Naples, if necessary, in order to ascertain the
true state of affairs.

** I will do my utmost to please your Excellency,'*
said I; ** but I think that the best thing I can do
will be to remain in Florence, the seat of govern-
ment. Anything I may hear elsewhere would have
no official value unless it had passed through the
Ministerial offices."

" Do as you like,*' replied Baron Tanneberg ; " but
where am I to tell the agent to meet you on Sunday?'*

" Tell him to be in the principal church in the
city, near the font, at exactly twelve o'clock a.m.
He will know me by the words, ' Who said that ? '
which I will utter as I pass on his left."

Two days after that I was passing listlessly amidst
the crowd which swarmed in the Casino, the mag-
nificent promenade on the banks of the Arno, a short
distance outside the city. I had taken rooms at No.
17, Via Calsaioli, and dined at the table d^Jiote at the
Hotel de I'Etoile, taking coffee and reading the
papers at the Grand Cafd de I'Etoile de I'ltalie^
whilst I waited for something to happen.

The few political men whom I saw told me nothing
beyond what I could read every day in the daily

300 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

papers. Two thouglits haunted me : the first was,
How can I obtain admittance to the War Office? the
second was, How can I scrape acquaintance with
Cairoli, a Deputy, and the Colonel and very soul
of the hero of Caprera ? I knew Crispi, but I
also knew that he was too discreet to confide any
grave matter to me, who had never served his party.
I also knew Greneral Pettinengo, Minister for War,
with whom I was connected during Cavour's admin-
istration when he was at the head of the Ammunition
Department under Minister Fanti ; but one cannot
go to a Minister for War and say, without preamble,
*' Show me your plans of campaign ! "

I had been in Florence a month, and had three
times said, " There is nothing new." One night at
the Grand Cafe de I'Etoile de I'ltalie a young officer
and three civilians seated themselves at my table.
They were somewhat heated by wine. One of the
civilians gave the lie to the officer, and supplemented
it with a blow on the face. Instead of blaming him,
his two companions approved of his conduct. I told
them that they werq scoundrels to side three against
one. The man who had administered the slap
stretched out his hand to present me with one;
a stroke over the fingers with my cane, and another
on the head made him keep his distance. Some
gentlemen and officers came up, asking the reason
of the quarrel. The young officer, seeing himself

ESPION'AGE AT FLORENCE. 801

surrounded by the officers, his friends, drew his
sword to kill the man who had struck him, but his
friends prevented him. Then the uproar became
general. Two guardians of the peace, led by a police
officer, came up to arrest us. All the people in the
cafe opposed this, saying —

" We will prevent their being arrested unless we
are told why. It is true that slaps and blows from
a cane have been exchanged, but there are means to
settle it otherwise than in a court of justice."

Then the police officer, addressing me as the eldest
of the four, asked me to tell him how it had happened.

When I had done all the officers present shook
hands with me. The civilian who struck the officer
was arrested, and the others, myself included, gave
their names to the policeman. The officer who had re-
ceived the blow was named Cristofini, and was private
secretary to the Minister for War. When the police
were gone, and calm had been restored, the young
Sub-Lieutenant Cristofini thanked me; the other
two civilians, who were merchants of Pistria, made
a public apology and begged him to get their friend
out of prison, as he was of good family, and drink
alone had driven him to commit an action which his
former life belied.

The person who had administered the slap was
restored to liberty the following day. The young
secretary and I became inseparable. On the fifth

302 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON BE RIMINI,

Sunday Baron Tanneberg's agent was able to take
back to the Government a circumstantial report of
the preparations whicb the Italian Government were
making to attack Austria in her quadrilateral.

The active party were secretly recruiting men and
sending them to Como and Pescara. As soon as
they thought themselves of sufficient strength to
attack and force the hand of the Ministry, Colonels
Corti and Cairoli presented a plan of battle to
Pettinengo, Minister for War, and asked him if the
King's Government would or would not co-
operate with the regular army.

This military plan (a copy of which I made from
memory after reading and examining it, and which
was already in the hands of the Vienna Cabinet) ran
thus —

" Venetian Attack :
" The first Army Corps will cross the Po at
Polesella, march on Padua and cut off all railway
communication between Venice and Verona.

" The second Army Corps will cross the Mincio
at Valleggio, march on Villafranca and cut off the
railway communication between Verona and
Mantua.

" The third Army Corps will make the circuit of
the Lake of Garda, will march on Lova and cut off
communications between Verona and Trent.

The fourth Army Corps will leave Como and

ESPIONAGE AT FLORENCE. 803

€nter the Tyrol bj the Pas du Cheval, marching on
Bolzono. If the Government seconds us they will
send the fleet into the Adriatic."

In consequence of the summons of Garibaldi's
two Lieutenants, the Minister at Florence preferred
accepting war with Austria to having a struggle
with the Nation.

Then formidable preparations were made, and
the Treaty of Alliance with Prussia was concluded.
The Italian Government called out all the Reserves,
organized a Volunteer Corps in every Commune,
and decreed a forced tax of seven hundred millions
of francs to meet the expenses of war.

The Sunday following all these preparations the
Austrian factotum answered my " Who said that ? "
with : *' Leave this evening, and return."

When I got outside the church I hastened to
banker Fenzi's to get my money, and that evening
I crossed the Po, in a boat, to Brexello, instead of
going over the pontoon-bridge between Lago Oscuro
and the Madalena.

When I reached Venice, which city I had not
seen for seven months, the year 1866 was begin-
ning, amidst sounds of war, treaties, declarations of
neutrality, and so forth. Each Power was speaking
through official notes.

The Emperor's Lieutenant, Baron Tanneberg,

304 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

and Chevalier Frank, Chief of Police, thanked me
for my successful performance, and told me tliat the
Minister for "War at Vienna had (on receiving the
plan of the Italian Campaign) ordered them to give
me a reward of four hundred florins (one thousand
francs).

CHAPTER LI.

THE BATTLE OF OUSTOZZA.

This entirely military chapter contains but few
police tricks, and should not be written by an agent
who is only at home amidst plots, conspiracies,
tricks, deceit, and so forth. Nevertheless, while
finishing the account of the last months spent in
the service of His Imperial Majesty Francis Joseph,
I cannot do otherwise than speak of the battle of
Custozza, my departure from Venice, and the
arrival of the French and Piedmontese Commis-
sioners.

The Italian Government, too feeble to attack the
quadrilateral, waited until Austria had coma to
blows with Prussia in Silesia. Then, and only
then, in spite of her blustering, they massed the
corps of the regular army.

The first corps, commanded by Durando, who was
at Milan, advanced by Bergamo and Brescia, and

306 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

drew up in eclielons along the Mincio, from Peschiera
to Treviano.

The second and third corps, which had their
general quarters under the ramparts of Piacenza,
were led bj the King and Delia Eocca.

The fourth corps, which was under the command
of Cialdini, was massed along the Po from Mirandola
to Ferrari.

His Highness the Archduke Albert, Commander-
in-Chief of the Lombardo- Venetian Army, was
staying quietly at his palace in Yerona, contenting
himself with gathering around the city about forty
thousand men. The greater part of the Austrian
forces were in Germany. The eighty thousand
men who were in Venice were scattered in the
fortresses of Peschiera, Mantua, and the towns of
Padua, Vicenza, Trevise, Conegliano, Udino, etc.

Two days before the battle the Governor of
Venice sent me to the Prince's head-quarters with
a letter from Vienna. After having read this letter,
which I have always thought contained something
about me, the Prince asked me if I felt able to go
to the Mincio, towards Vallegio, and find what the
Italians were doing.

''Most willingly, your Highness," I replied.

« Very well, then, go," said the Commander-in-
Chief of the army which all Europe was to salute
on the morrow as the victor at Custozza.

THE BATTLE OF CUSTOZZA. 807

Monsieur Ziegler and I mounted horses and
started off at full speed on the road to Villafranca,
memorable for the interview between the two
Emperors after the battle of Solferino (1859).

Half-way through the town we turned to the
right as far as Vallegio, a village standing on a
height, whence can be seen a portion of Lombardj.
Before us, on the right, stretched General Durando's
Army Corps, and opposite, between the Mincio, which
flowed at our feet, and Treviano, was encamped
Pianelli's division. A little to the left, lav the
troops of the King and General Delia Rocca. With
the aid of our field glasses we were able to count
the long files of soldiers.

We left our horses in the hands of a carabineer,
then clambered down the steep cliffs to get a
sight of the whole surface of the river. We saw
to our surprise that the Italian engineers had
thrown five bridges across, over which the troops
had already begun to pass. With a single battery
of artillery the Austrians could have prevented their
passage.

Some said that the Archduke preferred waiting
under the walls of Verona, that he might whip
them more easily. Others affirmed that His High-
ness Prince Albert was waiting to be attacked on
the Po, and not on the Miocio, where the Pied-
montese had been beaten in 1848.

308 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

After watching a whole division march into
Venetia, whither others would soon follow them,
the Commissary and I mounted our horses again,
and hastened at full speed to Verona, without once
stopping.

His Highness was about to sit down at table
when his aide-de-camp told him of our return.

" Tell them to come in here," said the Archduke.
Seeing us covered with dust, " Sit down," said
he, " and take some wine."

When he heard that the Mincio had been crossed
by the Italians, he commanded his aide-de-camp to
telegraph to the heads of the corps which were
quartered at Padua, Trevise, and Yicenza to
advance on Yerona, and to summon all the Generals
commanding in the town. Then he sat down tran-
quilly to his dinner, without showing the least
emotion. When we had finished our bottle he had
one hundred florins given to each of us, and told us
that we might go.

The next day at seven o'clock the Archduke
Albert left his palace with a brilliant staff, as on
parade day, passed through the gate of Mantua,
and took the road to Yillafranca, where fifty
thousand of his men were massed. The Pied-
montese, to the number of ninety-three thousand,
occupied an impregnable position at Yallegio, on
the heights of Rivoli. At the first sound of the

TEE BATTLE OF CUSTOZZA. 309

cannon the Archduke Albert placed himself at the
head of his army, marched forw^ard, pierced the
centre of the braggarts commanded by the gallant
King, crushed Durando's right wing, then turned
on the left wing, which he overthrew.

A few hours later the gallant King recrossed the
Mincio somewhat more quickly than he had crossed
it the first time, and left to the tender mercies of
the Austrians eighteen thousand prisoners, seven
thousand dead, and thirty thousand guns, with
knapsacks, horses, ammunition, etc. On his side
the hero of Caprera had six thousand volunteers
killed and wounded, and had not succeeded in
getting into the Tyrol. These were the results of
the battle of Custozza, a veritable prelude to that of
Lissa.

Unfortunately for the Court of Vienna, the in-
<;apacity and cowardice of the Generals commanding
in Germany prevented their emulating the victories
of Prince Albert and Admiral Tegethof. They
were forced to offer peace, ceding Yenetia to
France. This last comedy played by Napoleon
ended in a treaty of amnesty signed by Prussia,
Austria, and Italy after a hundred thousand men
had been massacred.

If these potentates had begun by signing before
they fought, what blood, what tears would their
subjects not have been spared !

810 MEMOIRS OF THE BARON DE RIMINI.

When I left Yenetia and the chiefs who knew sa

well how to reward, I went to Paris. A week

afterwards His Highness Prince de Metternich^

Austrian Ambassador to the French Government,

made his first secretary write me the folio wing^

Ifitfpr *

" Paris, 26th Sept., 1866.

"His Imperial Highness Prince de Metternich
desires me to inform you that he has received
from his Government the sum of two thousand
francs to be handed to you any day it may please
you to call at the Chancellor's office.

" Accept, monsieur, the assurance of my entire
esteem."

CONCLUSION.

Nowadays authors never write for glory. Yielding
to the force of example, I have written these
memoirs in order to try and get back some of the
money which the illustrious de Glimes swindled me
out of. Meanwhile, I like to think that these pages
will not be entirely thrown away on those who read
them.

Our ancestors used to say : " If the King only
knew ! " I say to-day : *' If the people could only
see crowned heads as near as I have seen them, how
disgusted they would be ! "

INDEX.

Abbatucci, Monsieur Charles,

30, 32, 75.
Ajosta, 230.
Albert, Archduke, 306, 807,

308, 309.
Albin, M. de Saint, 256.
Alessandri, 97.
Alexander II., Emperor, 49.
Allard, M., 25, '26.
Altieri, Cardinal, 214, 215, 217,

221, 228.
Angeli, Sant, 235.
An torn arch i, 22.
Antonelli, 205, 206, 208, 210,

212, 213,217,220,227,228,

235, 242, 245,246,267,281,

284, 290, 292.
Aosta, Prince of, 194, 198.
Arenberg, Count d', 241.
Armand, 66.
Arthom, 229.
i^rtour, 169.

Athalin, General, 78, 83.
Austria, Emperor of, 284, 286,

290.
Auviti, Colonel, 192, 193.
Aymard, Baron, 21, 22.
Azeglio, Massimo d', 188, 191,

204.

Bacciochi, 37.

Bacciochi, Monsieur (afterwards

Count de), 65, 66, 116, 256.
Baden, Grand Duke of, 287.
Baldovini, Jean Pierre, 7.
Balestrino, 40, 45.
Baroche, Monsieur, 84, 85, 93,

94.
Barronies, 195.
Bartheni, M., 237.
Bassano, Madame de, 37.
Bassano, M. de, 97.

Baudin, 106.

Bavaria, King of, 282, 284, 290.

Bavaria, Prince Louis Max of,

259, 260,261,262,264, 265,

266.
Bavaria, Princess Louis Max of

(nee Miiller). 259, 260, 261,

262, 263, 264, 265, 266.
Baze, 99, 100, 101.
B^chard, Mademoiselle, 28.
Berrjer, 250, 255, 256.
Beluiontet, 97.

312

INDEX,

Beranger, 64.

Berardi, 292.

Berry, Duchess de, 73.

Berthelin, Monsieur, 18.

Berlin, 217.

Bertora, Q,Q, 97.

Beville, Colonel de, 103.

Bianchi, J84, 194.

Billant, 153.

Birberin, Commissary, 30.

Bixio, 202, 225, 229.

Bodini, 203.

Boitelle, 163, 167, 168.

Bomba, King, 227.

Boncompagni, 177, 178, 182,

184.
Bordeaux, Due de, 249.
Borgo, Pozzo di, 249.

BorromeOjMonsignor, 212,213,

229.
Bortoli, Chancellor, 250.
Bosco, Colonel, 223.
Bosquet, M., 153.
Bondeville, Lieutenant, 21, 25,

26.
Bourbon, Grand Duchess Marie

de, 185, 186.
Bourbon, Duchess de, 121, 177.
Bourbon, Due de, 192, 198.
Bourjeoly, General de, 78, 79,

80, 83.
Bovieri, Monsignor, 243, 245,

247, 248, 249, 250, 255.
Bowyer, George, 120, 121, 122.
BrimbiUa, 226, 236.
Brofferio, 172.
Busseroles, M. Camusat de, 98,

Cairoli, 300, 302.
Came, Count de, 240.
Cammerata, Prince, 160, 161.
Canrobert, Marshal, 180.
Canofari, Marquis of, 272, 273,

274.
Cantelli, 171.
Cantelli, Count, 176, 185, 186,

187.
Carbonieri, 171, 177, 186.
Cardona, de, 236.
Carafifa, 229.
Carreras, 273, 274.
Carr6, M. Frank, 75.
Cartuccia, 65, 66.
Carignan, Prince de, 173, 181,

2(38.
Casanova, Quartermaster, 13,

19, 20, 21,23, 24.
Casabianca, 102.
Castaljar, M. de, 144.
Castiglioni, Duchess, 132, 133,

134, 135, 136.
Catoni, 65, QQ.
Cavaignac, 30.
Cavour, Count, 163, 168, 169,

170, 171,172,177,179,180,

181, 184, 185, 187,188,197.
199,200, 201, 202,203, 204,
205,210, 221, 222,229,231,
233,235,237,238,239,283,
300.

Cenni, 229.

Cesarini, 217.

Cetti, Baron, 268.

Charette, Count de, 249.

Chains, M. Bourbon, 249, 251.

Charles X., 35, 107.

Charles, Albert, 178.

Chalet, Marquis de, 34.

Changarnier, General, 137.

Chaix d'Estange, M., 98.

Chambord, Count de, 247, 249,
250, 251, 253, 297.

Chevigny, M. de, 249. •

Chiesi, M., 186.

Chigi, Prince, 267, 280.

Chousens, M., 240.

Chusi, 195.

Cialdini, 198, 221, 235, 238, 306.

Ciprioni, Montenelli de, 178.

Claret, Father, 270.

Clary, General de, 268.

Colombani, Monsieur, 69.

INDEX.

818

€ollet, Maigret, 88, 89.

Coiiforte, 23U.

Constant, Veuve, 34.

Conncau, Doctor, 67, Ct^^ 69.

€orti, 302.

Corsi, M., 184.

Cosenz, 225.

Coquiile, 240.

Courrege, M. de, 21, 25, 27.

Cowley, Lord, 117, 146.
Creniieux, 42.

Crenneville, Count de, 284, 285.
Crispi, 203, 222,229, 231, 232,

233, 300.
Cristofini, 301.
Curletti, 192, 193.
Czartoryski, Prince, 145, 275,

276, 279.

Dante, 135.

David, Felicien, 101, 185.

Davidi, 193.

Dechamps, 282.

Deconsimi, 22.

Delagnan, 63.

Delia Rocca, General, 306, 307.

Desmaiet, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46.

Devaux, M. Charles 247.

Dibuoi, 198.

Domerque, M., 144.

Don Carlos, 96.

Douir, 143.

Dremoulin, 78.

Dnchrmin, Adjutant, 13.

Duillestre, 12, 21, 25.

Du Jarry, 88 .

Dumas, Alexandre, 201.

Dumas, 236.

Dumont, M., 64.

Dumont, Viclorine, 64.

Dumorticr, Count, 241.

Duliamel, Victor, 153, 154, 155.

Dnpanloup, 282.

Durando, General, 305, 307,

309.
Durieu, General, 16, 17.

Egli, 210, 211.
Empress Eugenie, The,
133, 144, IGl, 163.

132,

Espinasse, Colonel T, 62, 146.

Fabrizzi, M., 184.

Fanti, 203, 225, 300.

Farini, 192, 193, 194,195,196,

199,201,225, 238.
Fausiale, Count de, 199.
Feischeter, M., 138, 140,142,

144.
Feistemester, Baron de, 267,

284.
Felinski, Archbishop, 275, 278.
Felix, 282.
Fenzi, ^^99, 303.
Ferrari, 194, 195, 267.

Fettoni,235.

Filangieri, 224.

Fit z- James, Duchess of, 250.

Fleury, Colonel, 43, 44, 72,

97, 115, 127, 133, 134, 146,

150.
Forly, 198.
Fould, 71, 75, 76, 81, 114, 115,

116, 127,
Francis II., 48, 226, 230, 284,

268, 274.
Francis IV. (Duke of Aosta),

192, 194, 195.

314

Francis IV. (Duke of Modena),

177.
Francis Joseph, 48, 284, 287,

305.

INDEX.

Frank

Chevalier, 292, 293,.
304.
Frappoli, 195.
Froment, 31.

Gaffori, M., 144.
Gaillard, Leopold, 240, 282.
Galis, Monsieur, 57.
Gardonne, Countess de, 139,

140, 141, 143, 144, 145.
Garibaldi, 178, 195, 198, 201,

202,203, 214,221,222, 224,

228,229,231,233,235,236,

237, 244.
Gamier, 240.
Geffrotin, Captain, 90, 91, 92,

9;^, 94, 95.
Geffrotin, Mademoiselle, 90, 91,

92, 93, 94, 95.
Gelis, Manager, 97.
Gerlache, Baron de, 281.

Giacobassi, 198.

Gilles, M., 129, 130.

Giulay, General, 178, 179.

Giraud, 42.

Glaves, Comte de, 108, 109.

Glimes, Mouvillon de, 96, 98,.

108, 310.
Gouin, 98.

Goyon, General, 216, 228.
Grassellini, Cardinal, 255, 256,.

262, 266, 267, 268, 284.
Gricourt, de, 82.
Gnartella, 217.
Guerazzi, 178.
Guis, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23.

Haussman, M., 155.

Hebert, 157.

Hebert, 45, 46.

Henri, 153.

Henry IV., 35.

Henry V., 73, 197.

d'Hilliers Baraguav, Marshal,

180.
Hirvey, M., 174.
Hohenloke, 213.
Holland, Queen of, 67.

Holloway, Mr., 274.

Howard, Miss (Countess de

Beauregard), 125, 126, 127^

128, 129, 130, 131.
Hubeau, M., 93.
Hubner, Baron de, 292.
Hubner, M., 175.
Hugo, Victor, 91, 94.
Husson, Colonel de, 22.
Husson, Deputy, 97.
Hyrvoi, 187.

Ignatius de Loyola, 269.
Imbriona, 236.

Isabella, Queen, 48.
Iscio, Prince, 268.

Jabloniski, 275, 276, 277.
Janicot, Messrs., 240.
Jerome, Prince, 78.

Jocquet, 19, 23, 30.
Jonne, 240.

INDEX.

315

Kelshe, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42,

43, 44, 45, 46.
Kendrel, M. de, 101.

Kisseleff, 140, 142, 148, 144,
145.

Lafarina, 203, 222.
Lagrnnge, Chevalier, 111, 112.
Lagrange, Count de, 109.
Lagrange, Officer, 36, 152.
Lamane, Colonel de, 15, 17, 19,

20, 21, 22.
Laniarre, Colonel, 21, 27.
Lamarmora, General de, 173,

181.
Lamartine, 125.
Lamoriciere, General de, 226,

235, 249.
Lanza, General, 223, 224.
Laprade, Victor, 250.
Latour, Count Francis de, 274.
Ledru-Eollin, 88.

Leflo, 99.

Lehon, Count de, 53, 54, 55,

56, 57,58, 59.
Lehon, Countess de, 50, 51, 52,

53, 54, 55, 56, 57.
Leroy, M., 75.
Letourneur, 45, 46.
Leveque, 97.
I'Lhuys, M. Droujn de, 144,

145, 229.
Lorraine, Prince of, 198.
Louis Philippe, 61, 73, 88, 107.
Lourmel, M. de, 97, 117.
Ludowiski (Bishop of Posen),

241.

MacMahon, General, 68, 180.
Magnan, Marshal, 76, 103.
Mayr, 195.
Malezieux, 240 251, 252, 253,

254.
Malrina, Don Jose, 270.
Marguerite, Lolar de la, 172.
Mariani, 216, 217, 228, 231,

233.
Mario, 236.

Martin, Corporal, 23, 24, 30.
Martin, Ponzo de St., 238.
Martinet, Monsieur, 24.
Mastricula, 235.
Mastriola, 220.
Mattei, 185, 217.
Matteucci, Monsignor, 207, 211,

214.
Matricola, M., 217.
Maupas, M. de, 32, 47, 71, 100,

101, 102, 104.
Maximilian of Bavaria, 48.
Mazziui, 37, 195, 201, 236.

Medici, 203, 225.

Melussi, 185.

Menchikoflf, Prince, 115, 145.

Merle, Colonel, 43.

Mermillod, Monsignor, 239, 240.

Merode, Monsignor de, 213,.

241, 292.
Metternich, Prince de, 285, 286,

310.
Meunier, Louise, 25, 29, 80,

252.
Meunier, Monsieur (Captain of

Gendarmery), 25, 29, 30.
Mezzacapo, 194.
Milan, Archbishop of, 212.
Milesi, Cardinal, 205, 206.
Millet, 23, 24, 30.
Minghetti, 169.
Mir^s, 66, 85, 89.
Mocquard, Madame, 131.
Mocquard, 126, 127, 128.
Modena, Duke of, 186, 194, 196,
198.

:316

INDEX.

Moliere, 68.
Molza, Count de, 198.
Montalembert, 282.
Montebello, Count de, 37.
Montebello, General, 37, 72, 74,

75.
Montebello, Madame de, 37, 72.
Montijo, Eugenie de, 96, 108,
Montijo, Mdme. de, 73, 96, 108.
Mordini, 178.
Morelli, 46.
Morin, Abb6, 240.

Morny, Count de, 49.
Morny, Countess de, 49.
Morny, Due de, 49, 50, 52, 53,

54, 55, 58, 75, 89, 100, 102,

103.
Moskova, Madame la Princesse

de la {nee Lafitte), 63, 64.
Moskova, Mademoiselle de la,

62, 63.
Mounier, M. de, 249.
Murat, Prince, 53, 177.
Mynan, Marshal, 113.

Naples, King of, 226.

Naples, Queen of, 255, 286.

Napoleon I., 64, 91.

Napoleon III., 37, 38, 39, 40,
42,43, 44, 45, 46,47,48,50,
51, 52, 54,55,56,57,58,61,
62, 63, 65, 69,70,71,72,74,
75, 76, 77,79,80,81,82,84,
85, 90, 91, 92, 94, 97, 101,
102,103, 105, 113, 114, 115,
116, 117, 118, 125, 126,127,
133, 134,135, 137, 142,143,
144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149,
150, 151, 154, 155,158,160,
162, 163, 167,173, 174,175,
177, 180, 181, 182, 187, 203,

208, 214, 229,234, 235,237,

283, 291, 292.
Napoleon, Prince Louis Charles,

48, 181.
Nardi, Monsignor, 281, 282.
Narvaez, Marshal, 270.
Nassau, Due de, 285, 286.
Nesselrode, Count de, 144.
Neumans, 267.
Neve, M. Paul, 240, 241.
Ney, E., 146.
Nicotera, 224.
Niel, Marshal, 180.
Nieuwerkeike, 114.
Nigra, 169, 238.
Normanby, Lord, 120.

Oflfeman, Baron, 284.
Orleans, Princess of, 274.
Orleans, Duke of, 53, 56.

Orsini, 158, 159, 167, 224.
Ortoli, 216, 217, 228, 231, 233,
244.

Pagerie, Tascher de la, 72, 97,

149.
Paget, Lord, 118.
Palmerston, Lord, 118, 119,

120, 122, 242.
Palmela, 289.
Paltrimeri, 193.
Pancrace, Monsignor, 258, 265.
Parent, 99.

Parkin, Commander, 60.

Parma, Prince Eobert of, 297.

Pasquelini, Mademoiselle, 6S.

Pasquelini, M., 211.

Patrocinio, Sister, 269, 270.

Pedrotti, 228.

Peel, 49.

Pelissier, General, 68.

Pepoli, Marquis, 171, 177, 188.

INDEX.

817

Persano, Admiral, 202, 222,

225,229,231.
Persigny, Fialin de, 47, 60, 61,

62, 63, 64, 71, 72, 74, 95,

105, 146, 163.
Peruzzi, M., 184.
Petit, M., 23.
Petti, 217.

Pettinengo, General, 300, 302.
Pianori, 156, 157.
Piannelli, General, 230.
Piat, General, 92.
Pierre, M. de, 97.
Pietii, Monsieur, 31, 32, 34, 36,

37, 38,39,40,45, 47, 51,52,

55, 57, 58, 63, 71, 75, 79,

80,81, 82,89, 112,127,141,
142, 143, 144,150, 151, 153,
161, 162, 163,164,167,168,
170, 171, 234.

Pignatelli, Prince, 268, 272,
292.

Pimodan, General, the Marquis^
of, 235.

Pittoni, 220.

Pius IX., 48, 122, 205, 213,

Platot, 111, 112.

Poli, M. de, 249.

Ponschkine, 144.

Porqualoni, 206.

Pres, Count Croel de, 226, 227.

Kanzi, M., 210.

Rattazzi, 172, 181, 188, 192,

200, 201, 238.
Recordi, 195.
Remetilla, 226.
Renneville, Viscount de, 251.
Renz, 287,288.
Renzi, 217.
Riancey, de, 240.
Ricasoli, Baron, 177, 178, 182,

183, 184,185,194, 201, 224,

238.
Riciardi, Baron, 195, 203.
Rigol, 31.
Riguelti, 220.
Rimini, Baron de, 2, 3.

Risbrussi, Lieutenant, 11.
Riston, Major, 11.
Ristori, 225.
Ristunier, 26.

Rochefoucauld, M. de la, 249.
RoUin, General, 51.
Roquet, General, 106, 138.
Rothschild, Baron, 90, 92, 93,

94.
Roussel, Colonel, 27.
Rowland, Procurer-General, 64.
Rozan, Captain, 138.
Rozieres, Abbe des, 240.
Rubattino, 202, 203.
Runeville, M. de, 24.9.

Saccozzi, General, 198.

Saffi, 236.

Saint-Arnaud, General, 71, 77,

79, 80, 81, 100, 102, 104,

146.
Saint-Bonnel, Vincent de, 240.
Saint-Frond, General, 203.
Saint-Front, Baron de, 251.
Saint Ignazio, Prince, 257.
Saint-Marsaud, M., 147, 148,

149.

Saint-Marsaud, Mdme., 147,

148, 149.
Saint-Marsaud, Mdlle., 147^

148, 149.
Saint-Martin, M. Carruel de^

149.
Saint-Maurice, Chevalier, 193.
Saint-Pierre, Arago de, 7.
Saint-Pierre, Bernardin de, 7.
Saint- Victor, de, 240.
Salamon, M., 88.

318

INDEX.

San-Angelis, 220.
San-Martino, Count de, 226,

268, 269, 271.
Santelli, Quartermaster, 13, 14,

15, 18, 19, 21.
Santelli, 185.

Saverino, General, 230, 268.
Savoy, Prince of, 187.
Saxe-Coburg, Duke Ernest of,

133.
Saxony, King of, 286.
Saxony, Grand Duke of, 286.
Schollart, Count, 241.
Schram, General, 97.
Scialoia, 236.

Sicily, King of, 221, 223, 229,

241.
Sicily, Queen of (Maria Sophia),

221,229,256,257, 258, 259,

260, 262.
Silvagnoli, M., 184.
Silvani, 155, 220, 235.
Silvestrelli, 235.
Simoni, 22.
Sinibaldi, 151, 152.
Sirtari, 221.
Sisson, Abbe, 240.
Stella, 213.
Sterckx, Cardinal, 241, 280,

281.
St. Vitali, 185.

Talbot, 213.

Tannebercr, Baron de, 292, 296,

298, 299, 302, 303.
Tascher, Mdlle., 270.
Taxi«, Prince de, 257, 258, 260,

262, 284, 285, 286.
Tefano, 236.
Tegethof, Admiral, 309.
Tepli, 221,

Theba, Duchess de, 108, 109.
Theux, Count de, 241.
Thirion, Colonel, 97.
Thouvenel, 202.
Tibvestralli, 220.
Tibeiy, M., 143.

Tittani, 235.

Tolozzi, Major, 294, 297.

Torregiani, 185.

Torlonia, 274.

Trani, Count, 268, 292.

Tiapani, Count de, 221, 227,

228, 229, 23u, 257, 268, 292.
Troplong, 86, 87.
Troplong, Madame (nee Girard),

86, 87.
Trotti, General, 185.
Turn, 202.
Tario, Count, 210.
Tuscany, Duke of, 228.

Ulloa, General, 268.

Vaillant, Marshal, 37, 181.

Vallet 97.

Vanvekel,' Colonel, 223.
Vargas, M., 271.
Vaudrey, General, 97.
Veggezo, 171.
Yerhuel, Admiral, 125.

Versini, Corporal, 14, 15, 18,
19, 21, 23, 24.

Vezzani, Ange- Pierre, 11.

Vezzani, Ange-Paul, 8.

Vezzani, Griscelli de (Baron de
Rimini), 2, 16, 38, 39, 56,
58, 59, 97, 116, 123, 128,

INDEX.

819

150,207,241,242,243,245,
24.S, 24y, 258, 259, 261, 2G9,
275, 277, 280, 283, 284.

Viale, Monsijrnor, 189, 190,
191, 204, 205.

Victoria, Queen, 48, 117, 118.

Victor Emmanuel, 48, 122,
173, 178, 182, 187, 192,196,
199, 222, 229, 242, 280, 297.

Vigne, M. Bellot de la, 217.
Villaniarina, Marquis of, 226,

228, 229, 231.
Vinccnzi, 217.
Vincent, M., 253.
Visconti-Venosta, 195, 229.
Vitali, 163.
Voirol, General, 61.

Wagner, M. de, 97.
Walewski, Monsieur, 37, 117,
118.

Wiseman, Cardinal, 241, 242,

246, 247, 248, 268, 274.
Wyss, M., 242.

Zambo, 62, 134, 161, 162.
Ziegler, M., 307.

Zini, 171, 177, 186.

AT ALL LIBBABIES.

MEMOIRS OF COUNT HORACE DE VIEL CASTEL:

A Chronicle of events, Po'itical aad Social, during the Reigm of Napoleon III. Years

1851—1864. Including the Coup d'Etal, the Emperor's Marriage with Mademoiselle

de Montijo, Visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Paris. &c. Together with

Anecdotes and Gossip of the Imperial Family and Court.

Translated and Editei uy Charles Bousfield. 2 vols, demy Svo., SOs.

From the "TIMES," January 31, 1888.

"The Memoirs of M. de Viel Ca=?tel are extremely amusing because they are
excessively personal. He is emphatically what the French call amauvaise langue ;
hH has a marvellous /Zatr for scandalous anecdote-i, which we may be sure lose nothing
in the telliag ; with a malicious memory which seems never ta have been at fault. No
doubt, ia the vend Court of the Second Bmpire, he found subjects euough for his
cynical humour ; and if h^, had beea coastrained to defend actions for linel, he could
probably in most cases have made a plausible defence. At all eveut^, it would have
bf^en dang-erous to put iiim in the witness-box, and drive him to stir the mud in self-
defence under severe cross-examiuati in. What makes his memoirs such ntertaitiing
readin'JT is that he his uoc only a good memory for bad st a-ies, but that in hi-s rapid
portraiture he shows something of the power, of the shrewd iusight, and of the graphic
wife of a Saint-Simon.

** When we say that he spares no one, of course among the many hundred characters
he touches ofE there are rare exceptions to prove the rule. Considering that he had
but indifferent reason for being grateful, on the whole he treats the Kmperor well.
He has nothing to .say in praise of his morals— quite the reverse -but he hizlily com-
mends his courai:e, his reserve an I his constancy. H ■ tails many anecdote-! to illus-
trate the msoMcian^ fatalism of the sileat man of destiny, who lelived his lite to be
charmed so long as his mission was una -complished. The Emperor lived i i a circle of
parasites and flatterer^, whose selfishness he saw through, but who-e services were so
far indispensable that he could do no better by dismissing them. Ace rding to the
CouTit — and we have litle doubt that he is right— the Emperor could <mly make his
exalted station endurable by falling back on the consolations of a cynical pessimism.
Thefrienis whose fortunes he liad made were ready to throw him over t-hould the
wind change. Tiie army was not to be trusted; the electo • ite was proverbially fickle.
As for the nearest Princes of h s blood, he hated and was heartiiy ashamed of them.
They fleeced him freely; they caballed against him, and always encouraged their
coteries to abuse him. M. de Viel Ca-jtel lets down the Princess Mathilde lightly,
though he does not cure to draw a veil over her domestic scandals; she was for long
his patroness, and he had the run of her table.

" One of the most interest ng things in the volumes is Colonel I'Espinasse's report of
how he carried out the Coup d'Etat as a =oldier who understood nothing but his orders.
Vi(l Castel asked him if he would really have executed his threat of shooting the
Deputies had they persisted in resistance. ' Most certa nly,' he replied ; ' my head
was at stake, and I was n t goinir to lose it through weak play.' When the President
had been assur<'d in his place by the Coupd'Etat an.l the plebiscite, eager candidates for
office rallied round him with patriot c unanimity. Patronage, then and afterwards,
was indiscriminately prostiuted, partly from the Pre-ident's easy disposition, so long
as his personal interests w re not touched ; partly because corrupt men c >uld only be
retained by corrupticm. In every chapter we come on scandalous examples of the
waste of the national wealth. With the single exception of Saint-Arnaud, Mr. King-
lake himself has not i-pokeo so sc ■thiui'ly as Viel Castel of tue President's confidants
and immediate entourage. He declares Saint-Arnaud to have been a spendthrift, over-
whelmed with debts; but subsequently, when alladin? to the Marshal's death, he
tones down the translation of Kinglake's vie orag&use into ' a restless and rather
adventurous life,' and sajs that the Marshal's last years more than compensated for
the wildness of his \ outh.

"The Count writes tiironghout with the consistent animositv to England of a jealous
and narrow-minded Frenchman. He assures us that, through the entente cordiale,
while accepting State hospita ities at Windsor and rtturnieg them at Compiegne and
the Tuileries, the Emperor was reiilly playing us false and looking forward to the war
of revenge. He critic zes the action of our statesmen from the most malevoL nt point
of view, and confirms himself in his credulous belief of English impotence with trans-
parently ai ocryphal utterances.

" What he has to tell about the Crimean war will be read with interest in relation
to Mr. Kinglake's recent volumes. It seems that at one time the Emperor's departure
was actually settled, and was only a question of days. Whaf made him reconsider his
resolution was the attitude of Prince J^iome, who desired to act as Re.ent in his
absence. In that event, the .Vlinistry threatened to resign, so the Eniperor decided to
remain at the he m. Of course there are many sketches of social and literary cele-
brities. He talks of About and Prince Napoleon, when they were supposed to have
laid their heads together to compose a manifesto, as mixing like the waters of two
common sewers ; and the epitaph on Eugene t^ue is that his death is a scandal the less,
as he was a mediocre i^riter without morality or conviction, and a disri putable
individu>tl in every sense Perhaps in that instance we are not so much incined as in
some others to blame Viel Castel for acting up to his maxim of de mortms nihil nisi
malum.

"Through the scandals are scattered curious and piquant revelations."

REMINGTON & CO., Henrietta Street, Covknt Garden.

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