[70] "The conduct of your father grieves me to the heart: his disorder alone can account for it. When you are grown up you will pay his debt and your own."--_Documens Hist._, tom. iii., p. 326; and _Moniteur_, July 23, 1810. "When Napoleon received the news of his brother's abdication, he was struck with astonishment: he remained silent for a few moments, and after a kind of momentary stupor, suddenly appeared to be greatly agitated. His heart was ready to burst, when he exclaimed, 'Was it possible to suspect so mischievous a conduct in the brother most indebted to me.' When I was a mere lieutenant of artillery, I brought him up with the scanty means which my pay afforded me I divided my bread with him; and this is the return he makes for my kindness!' The Emperor was so overpowered by his emotion, that his grief was said to have vented itself in sobs."--SAVARY, tom. ii., part ii., p. 239. [71] Napoleon acknowledged at St. Helena, that the "annexation of Louis' kingdom to his own was a measure which contributed to ruin his credit in Europe."--LAS CASES, tom. ii., p. 307. CHAPTER LIII. _Gustavus IV. of Sweden is Dethroned and succeeded by his Uncle--The Crown Prince killed by a fall from his horse--Candidates proposed for the Succession--The Swedes, thinking to conciliate Napoleon, fix on Bernadotte--Buonaparte reluctantly acquiesces in the choice--Parting Interview between Bernadotte and Napoleon--Subsequent attempts of the latter to bind Sweden to the policy of France--The Crown Prince unwillingly accedes to the Continental System--Napoleon makes a Tour through Flanders and Holland--returns to Paris, and takes measures for extending the Continental System--Seizure of the Valois--Coast along the German Ocean annexed to France--Protest by the Czar against the appropriation of Oldenburg--Russia allows the importation, at certain Seaports, of various articles of British Commerce--Negotiations for Exchange of Prisoners between France and England; and for a general Peace, broken off by Buonaparte's unreasonable Demands._ [Sidenote: GUSTAVUS IV. OF SWEDEN DETHRONED.] In the destruction of the kingdom of Holland, a new sceptre, and that of Napoleon's own forming, was broken, as he wrenched it out of the hands of his brother. In the case of Sweden, and in hopes of ensuring the patronage of the French Emperor, or averting his enmity, a diadem was placed on the brows of one, who, like Napoleon himself, had commenced his career as a soldier of fortune.