On one occasion he ordered his camp-bed to be displayed for the inspection of the English officers. In two small leather packages were comprised the couch of the once mighty ruler of the Continent. The steel bedstead which, when folded up, was only two feet long, and eighteen inches wide, occupied one case, while the otter contained the mattress and curtains. The whole was so contrived as to be ready for use in three minutes. MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V15, by Bourrienne [nb15v10.txt]3565 In 1812 Jerome was given the command of the right wing of the Grand Army in its advance against Russia, but he did not fulfil the expectations of his brother, and Davoust took the command instead. Every king feels himself a born general: whatever else they cannot do, war is an art which comes with the crown, and Jerome, unwilling to serve under a mere Marshal, withdrew in disgust. In 1813 he had the good feeling and the good sense to refuse the treacherous offer of the Allies to allow him to retain his kingdom if he joined them against his brother, a snare his sister Caroline fell into at Naples. Having returned to private life solely on account of Fouche's presence in the Ministry, I yielded to that consolation which is always left to the discontented. I watched the extravagance and inconsistency that were passing around me, and the new follies which were every day committed; and it must be confessed that a rich and varied picture presented itself to my observation. The reintroduction of much that was bad in the old system (one country even going so far as to re-establish torture), the steady attack on liberty and on all liberal ideas, Wurtemberg being practically the only State which grumbled at the tightening of the reins so dear to Metternich,--all formed a fitting commentary on the proclamations by which the Sovereigns had hounded on their people against the man they represented as the one obstacle to the freedom and peace of Europe. MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V16, by Bourrienne [nb16v10.txt]3566 Every one cannot be an atheist who pleases Grew more angry as his anger was less regarded I do not live--I merely exist Strike their imaginations by absurdities than by rational ideas Those who are free from common prejudices acquire others COMPLETE MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, by Bourrienne [nb17v10.txt]3567