Finally, there is no doubt but fallen grandeur captivates the imagination. But it is not merely the personal character of Napoleon that is here in question; it is not he who can now be an object of animadversion to generous minds; no more can it be those who, under his reign, have usefully served their country in the different branches of the public administration; but that which we can never brand with too severe a stigma, is the system of selfishness and oppression of which Bonaparte is the author. But is not this deplorable system still in full sway in Europe? and have not the powerful of the earth carefully gathered up the shameful inheritance of him whom they have overthrown? And if we turn our eyes towards our own country, how many of these instruments of Napoleon do we not see, who, after having fatigued him with their servile complaisance, have come to offer to a new power the tribute of their petty machiavelism? Now, as then, is it not upon the basis of vanity and corruption that the whole edifice of their paltry science rests, and is it not from the traditions of the imperial government that the counsels of their wisdom are extracted? In painting in stronger colours, therefore, this fatal government, we are not insulting over a fallen enemy, but attacking a still powerful adversary; and if, as I hope, the Ten Years' Exile are destined to increase the horror of arbitrary governments, I may venture to indulge the pleasing idea, that by their publication I shall be rendering a service to the sacred cause to which my mother never ceased to be faithful. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface, by the Editor Part The First Chapter 1. Causes of Bonaparte's animosity against me Chapter 2. Commencement of opposition in the Tribunate.--My first Persecution on that account.--Fouche Chapter 3. System of Fusion adopted by Bonaparte.--Publication of my Work on Literature Chapter 4. Conversation of my Father with Bonaparte.--Campaign of Marengo Chapter 5. The Infernal Machine.--Peace of Luneville Chapter 6. Corps diplomatique during the Consulate.--Death of the Emperor Paul Chapter 7. Paris in 1801 Chapter 8. Journey to Coppet.--Preliminaries of Peace with England Chapter 9. Paris in 1802.--Bonaparte President of the Italian Republic.--My return to Coppet Chapter 10. New symptoms of Bonaparte's ill will to my Father and Myself.--Affairs of Switzerland Chapter 11. Rupture with England.--Commencement of my Exile Chapter 12. Departure for Germany.--Arrival at Weimar Chapter 13. Berlin.--Prince Louis-Ferdinand Chapter 14. Conspiracy of Moreau and Pichegru Chapter 15. Assassination of the Duke d'Enghien Chapter 16. Illness and Death of M. Necker Chapter 17. Trial of Moreau Chapter 18. Commencement of the Empire Part the Second Chapter 1. Suppression of my Work on Germany.--Banishment from France