Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Regency -- England
A treaty between the Allied Powers and Napoleon was signed on the
11th of April. By its articles, after his solemn renunciation for
himself, and his descendants, of the Sovereignty of France and Italy,
it was stipulated that Napoleon, and Maria Louisa, should retain
their rank and titles for life, and that all the branches of his
family should also possess the title of Princes: that the Island of
Elba should form a separate principality, to be held by him in full
sovereignty and property for life; that there should be granted to
him an annual revenue of six millions of francs,[17] with reversion
of one million to the Empress, and that, to the members of his
family, a revenue of two and a half millions of francs should be
assigned. That the Duchies of Parma, Guastalla, and Placentia should
be granted in full sovereignty to the Empress, with succession to
her son and descendants. That the property possessed by Napoleon in
France, as Domain, should form a capital not exceeding two millions
of francs, to be expended in gratifications to persons according to
a list given in by him; that free passage should be given to all of
the family, and their suites, who chose to establish themselves out
of France, and an escort of 1,200 or 1,500 of the Imperial Guard to
Napoleon himself, to the place of embarkation; and that he should be
allowed to take with him, and retain, 400 men, as his guard.
[Footnote 17: There was an Epigram made on this allowance--
"Celui qui dévora de Nombreux bataillons
Qui nagea dans le sang, qui vécut dans la crime,
Na de rente que six millions,
Ce n'est pas un sou par victime."]
There were a few other Articles to the treaty which was signed by
the Ministers of the Allied Powers--England dissenting and refusing
signature to the assignment of Elba to Napoleon, and that of the
Italian Duchies to Maria Louisa.
And so for a time he fades away, but many, very many Frenchmen
thought, and spoke, lovingly of Papa Violette, and Caporal Violette,
and hugged themselves with the idea, "En printemps il reviendra:" a
prophecy which we know was fulfilled. Bunches of violets similar to
the illustration on the preceding page were freely sold in France,
and my reader will find that it contains portraits of the Emperor,
Maria Louisa, and the King of Rome.
But he was supposed to be safely caged at Elba, and the Caricaturists
held high revel over his downfall. I should have liked to have
reproduced some of them, but I have already done so in another
book.[18] Monsieur, the French King's brother, afterwards Charles
X., made his public entry into Paris, and was received with every
demonstration of joy by the inhabitants.
[Footnote 18: "English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon
I.," by John Ashton.]
CHAPTER XIV.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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