CHAPTER XXVII. 1812. Changeableness of Bonaparte's plans and opinions-Articles for the 'Moniteur' dictated by the First Consul-The Protocol of the Congress of Chatillon-Conversations with Davoust at Hamburg- Promise of the Viceroyalty of Poland-Hope and disappointment of the Poles-Influence of illusion on Bonaparte-The French in Moscow- Disasters of the retreat-Mallet's conspiracy-Intelligence of the affair communicated to Napoleon at Smolensko-Circumstances detailed by Rapp-Real motives of Napoleon's return to Paris-Murat, Ney, and Eugène-Power of the Italians to endure cold-Napoleon's exertions to repair his losses-Defection of General York-Convocation of a Privy Council-War resolved on-Wavering of the Pope-Useless negotiations with Vienna-Maria Louisa appointed Regent. CHAPTER XXVIII. 1813. Riots in Hamburg and Lübeck-Attempted suicide of M. Konning- Evacuation of Hamburg-Dissatisfaction at the conduct of General St. Cyr-The Cabinets of Vienna and the Tuileries-First appearance of the Cossacks-Colonel Tettenborn invited to occupy Hamburg-Cordial reception of the Russians-Depredations-Levies of troops- Testimonials of gratitude to Tettenborn-Napoleon's new army-Death of General Morand-Remarks of Napoleon on Vandamme-Bonaparte and Gustavus Adolphus-Junction of the corps of Davoust and Vandamme- Reoccupation of Hamburg by the French-General Hogendorff appointed Governor of Hamburg-Exactions and vexatious contributions levied upon Hamburg and Lübeck-Hostages. CHAPTER XXIX. 1813. Napoleon's second visit to Dresden-Battle of Bantzen-The Congress at Prague-Napoleon ill- advised-Battle of Vittoria-General Moreau Rupture of the conferences at Prague-Defection of Jomini-Battles of Dresden and Leipsic-Account of the death of Duroc-An interrupted conversation resumed a year after-Particulars respecting Poniatowski-His extraordinary courage and death- His monument at Leipsic and tomb in the cathedral of Warsaw. CHAPTER XXX. 1813 Amount of the Allied forces against Napoleon-Their advance towards the Rhine-Levy of 280,000 men-Dreadful situation of the French at Mayence-Declaration of the Allies at Frankfort-Diplomatic correspondents-The Duc de Bassano succeeded by the Duke of Vicenza -The conditions of the Allies vaguely accepted-Caulaincourt sent to the headquarters of the Allies-Manifesto of the Allied powers to the French people.-Gift of 30,000,000 from the Emperor's privy purse-Wish to recall M. de Talleyrand-Singular advice relative to Wellington-The French army recalled from Spain-The throne resigned Joseph-Absurd accusation against M. Laine-Adjournment of the Legislative Body-Napoleon's Speech to the Legislative Body-Remarks of Napoleon reported by Cambacérès. CHAPTER XXXI. 1813. The flag of the army of Italy and the eagles of 1813-Entrance of the Allies into Switzerland-Summons to the Minister of Police- My refusal to accept a mission to Switzerland-Interviews with M.