Men have not forgotten that Buonaparte once denounced love as a
hurtful passion from which God should protect his creatures; and they
have, for this, among other reasons, pronounced him incapable of
disinterested affection. But it is also true that he likewise
denounced Buttafuoco for having, among other crimes committed by him,
"married to extend his influence"; and we are forced to ask which of
the two sentiments is genuine and characteristic. Probably both and
neither, according to the mood of the man. Outward caprice is, in
great natures, often the mask of inward perseverance, especially among
the unprincipled who suit their language to their present purpose, in
fine disdain of commonplace consistency. The primitive Corsican was
both rude and gentle, easily moved to tears at one time, insensate at
another; selfish at one moment, lavish at another; and yet he had a
consistent character. Although disliking in later life to be called a
Corsican, Napoleon was nevertheless typical of his race: he could
despise love, yet render himself its willing slave; he was fierce and
dictatorial, yet, as the present object of his passion said, "tenderer
and weaker than anybody dreamed."[56]
[Footnote 56: The best references for the history of
Josephine de Beauharnais are Masson: Joséphine de
Beauharnais, 1763-1796, and Joséphine, impératrice et
reine; Hall: Napoleon's letters to Josephine; Lévy:
Napoléon intime; together with the memoirs of Joseph,
Bourrienne, Ducrest, Dufort de Cheverney, and Rémusat.]