The Bonaparte family, in wealth, rank, and influence, was one of the most prominent upon the island. An exasperated mob surrounded their dwelling, and the family narrowly escaped with their lives. The house and furniture were almost entirely destroyed. At midnight Madame Bonaparte, with Joseph, Napoleon, and all the other children who were then upon the island, secretly entered a boat in a retired cove, and were rowed out to a small vessel which was anchored at a short distance from the shore. The sails were spread, and the exiled family, in friendlessness, poverty, and dejection, were landed upon the shores of France. Little did they then dream that their renown was soon to fill the world; and that each one of those children was to rise to grandeur, and experience reverses which will never cease to excite the sympathies of mankind. CHAPTER II. DIPLOMATIC LABORS. 1793-1797 The Allies.--The National Assembly.--Commission of Napoleon.--Marriage of Joseph.--Madame Bonaparte.--Letter from Napoleon.--Louis Bonaparte. --Louis Napoleon.--Anecdote.--Marriage of Napoleon.--Carnot.--Joseph an Ambassador.--Reconquest of Corsica.--Reception in Corsica.--Return to the Continent.--Joseph at Parma.--The Duke and Duchess.--Anecdote. --Eliza Bonaparte.--"Napoleon Dynasty."--Pauline Bonaparte.--Undeserved Reproach.--The Slandered defended.--Joseph at Rome.--The Allies.--The Pope.--General Provera.--Letter from Napoleon.--Republicans in Rome. --Policy of Joseph.--Intrigues of the Allies.--The revolutionary Spirit.--Anecdote.--Joseph in Rome.--The Revolutionists.--Conflict with the dragoons.--Prudence of Joseph.--Duphot's contemplated Marriage.--Invasion of the Palace.--Account of the Insurrection.--Death of Duphot.--Peril of Joseph.--Note to Talleyrand.--Imbecility of the Papal Government.--The Ministers of Tuscany and Spain.--Joseph leaves Rome.--Letter of Talleyrand. It was the year 1793. On the 21st of January the unfortunate and guilty Louis XVI. had been led to the guillotine. The Royalists had surrendered Toulon to the British fleet. A Republican army was sent to regain the important port. Joseph Bonaparte was commissioned on the staff of the major-general in command, and was slightly wounded in the attack upon Cape Brun. All France was in a state of terrible excitement. Allied Europe was on the march to crush the revolution. The armies of Austria, gathered in Italy, were threatening to cross the Alps. The nobles in France, and all who were in favor of aristocratic domination, were watching for an opportunity to join the Allies, overwhelm the revolutionists, and replace the Bourbon family on the throne.