登陆注册
20057500000066

第66章 CHAPTER XVIII. CITOYENNE JOSEPHINE BONAPARTE.(1)

A joyful commotion reigned on the eighth of November, 1797, in the streets and public places of the German fortress of Rastadt. The whole population of the lower classes had gathered in the streets, while the more aristocratic inhabitants appeared at the open windows of their houses in eager expectation of the remarkable event for which not only the people of the whole city, but also the foreign ambassadors, a large number of whom had arrived at Rastadt, were looking with the liveliest symptoms of impatience.

And, indeed, a rare spectacle was in store for them. It was the arrival of General Bonaparte and his wife Josephine that all were waiting for this morning. They were not to arrive together, however, but both were to reach the city by a different route. Josephine, who was expected to arrive first, was coming from Milan by the shortest and most direct route; while Bonaparte had undertaken a more extended journey from Campo Formio through Italy and Switzerland. It was well known already that he had been received everywhere with the most unbounded enthusiasm, and that all nations had hailed him as the Messiah of liberty. There had not been a single city that had not received him with splendid festivities, and honors had been paid to him as though he were not only a triumphant victor, but an exalted ruler, to whom every one was willing to submit. Even free Switzerland had formed no exception. At Geneva the daughters of the first and most distinguished families, clad in the French colors, had presented to him in the name of the city a laurel-wreath. At Berne, his carriage had passed through two lines of handsomely decorated coaches, filled with beautiful und richly adorned ladies, who had hailed him with the jubilant shout of "Long live the pacificator!"

In the same manner the highest honors had been paid to his wife Josephine, who had been treated everywhere with the deference due to a sovereign princess. The news of these splendid receptions had reached Rastadt already; and it was but natural that the authorities and citizens of the fortress did not wish to be outdone, and that they had made extensive arrangements for welcoming the conqueror of Italy in a becoming manner.

A magnificent triumphal arch had been erected in front of the gate through which General Bonaparte was to enter the city, and under it the city fathers, clad in their official robes, were waiting for the victorious hero, in order to conduct him to the house that had been selected for him. In front of this house, situated on the large market-place, a number of young and pretty girls, dressed in white, and carrying baskets with flowers and fruits which they were to lay at the feet of the general's beautiful wife, had assembled.

At the gate through which Josephine was to arrive, a brilliant cavalcade of horsemen had gathered for the purpose of welcoming the lady of the great French chieftain, and of escorting her as a guard of honor.

Among these cavaliers there were most of the ambassadors from the different parts of Germany, who had met here at Rastadt in order to accomplish the great work of peace. Every sovereign German prince, every elector and independent count had sent his delegates to the southwestern fortress for the purpose of negotiating with the French plenipotentiaries concerning the future destinies of Germany. Even Sweden had sent a representative, who had not appeared so much, however, in order to take care of the interests of Swedish Pomerania, as to play the part of a mediator and reconciler.

All these ambassadors had been allowed to enter Rastadt quietly and entirely unnoticed. The GERMAN city had failed to pay any public honors to these distinguished GERMAN noblemen; but every one hastened to exhibit the greatest deference to the French general-- and even the ambassadors deemed it prudent to participate in these demonstrations: only they tried to display, even on this occasion, their accustomed diplomacy, and instead of receiving the victorious chieftain in the capacity of humble vassals, they preferred to present their respects as gallant cavaliers to his beautiful wife and to escort her into the city.

The German ambassadors, therefore, were waiting for Mme. General Bonaparte on their magnificent prancing steeds in front of the gate through which she was to pass. Even old Count Metternich, the delegate of the Emperor of Austria and ruler of the empire, notwithstanding the stiffness of his limbs, had mounted his horse; by his side the other two ambassadors of Austria were halting--Count Lehrbach, the Austrian member of the imperial commission, and Count Louis Cobenzl, who was acting as a delegate for Bohemia and Hungary.

Behind old Count Metternich, on a splendid and most fiery charger, a young cavalier of tall figure and rare manly beauty might be seen; it was young Count Clemens Metternich, who was to represent the corporation of the Counts of Westphalia, and to begin his official diplomatic career here at Rastadt under the eye of his aged father.

同类推荐
  • The Coming Race

    The Coming Race

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 閫外春秋

    閫外春秋

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 长乐六里志

    长乐六里志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 小奢摩馆脞录

    小奢摩馆脞录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 辩中边论颂

    辩中边论颂

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 夏末之无言

    夏末之无言

    夏末一直走不出失恋的阴影,自顾自活在与顾言的回忆里。。。一次美丽的邂逅,一段虐心的故事,一个悲情的结局。夏末开始的固执与最后的释然放手,顾言开始的温柔与最终的绝情背叛,以及严寒这个坏学生始料未及的闯入,一段青春的秘密让三个人成长。。。
  • 绯色豪门:枭宠秘密情人

    绯色豪门:枭宠秘密情人

    谁说每个女明星背后都有人包养?她就是自立自强!某大boss傲娇的说道:“女人我养你!”孟歆柠嘴角抽搐:“你有那么好心?说吧,看在你养我的份上。”某大boss强势的宣布,“不准你跟别的男人有结婚;不准你动情的看着别的男人;不准让别的男人近身。除了我之外。”孟歆柠:“……”洛少,剧情需要懂吗?将就一点吧。
  • 被误读的信托:信托法原论

    被误读的信托:信托法原论

    本书从比较法的角度探讨了英美国家的信托制度在我国的法律、社会及文化环境下应该有的生命力。本书不仅从理论上探讨信托法的原理,更从实务角度分析了信托的运作以及可能产生的纠纷及其解决办法,既介绍了英美国家的案例,也分析了我国现有的有关信托纠纷的案例,尤其提供了信托文件的文本,并详细分析其重要条款,给信托司法介入提供了便利。本书另一个重要特点是通过生活中的实例分析了民事信托在我国民众生活中的重要性、必要性、可操作性及其可能实施的广阔空间,鲜明地提出和反复论证了民事信托就是商事信托的基础、商事信托的原则大都是从民事信托原则发展起来的观点。
  • 她和他的自述

    她和他的自述

    她和他有着不同的生活环境,不同的价值观,更有不同的生活概念。可是却因为一份26分的数学卷子碰在了一起。一个爱性如命的女生,和一个什么都兼麻烦的男生,最终,他们的能走到一起吗?答应总是在不断变化中……
  • 妖兽尊

    妖兽尊

    挨了一顿暴打,他重生了。重生前他是一名外姓仆役,窝窝囊囊、畏畏缩缩;重生后,他是一代妖血兽尊,身负妖血,座下战兽无双!妖血让他肉身强悍、灵识敏锐,妖元让他灵力延绵、久战不衰,妖丹让他战意滔天、战力澎湃,妖瞳让他焚尽万敌、驱役鬼神!魔龙:炼狱之中走出的火之炎龙,“龙”中的霸主,无敌的存在!雷使:雷电刷刷刷,刷爆万物!蟋螽:抱住敌人,吃掉他!血鸦:血瞳凝视之处,死神降临!燃我妖族之血,驱我无双战兽,蛮荒大陆,任我横行!
  • 大神请接招:学渣校草

    大神请接招:学渣校草

    他是每天都会被自己帅醒的男神校草,臭美自大且无良,挥挥手,桃花朵朵开,其乐无穷。唯与她势不两立。她是每天都要盘点几次身家的贪财女生,强势霸道且邪恶。她来这所学校的目的就来拯救这个学渣校草的。拿人钱财,替人追男,这套校草出浴照,应该能卖个好价钱吧!
  • 灾厄始祖

    灾厄始祖

    拜天天崩,拜地地裂;敬神神死,祭仙仙灭;不死不灭,天地不容。拥有仙祖意识和灾厄之躯的杜少陵,为了三界众生,不得不拼了老命地提升自己的实力。杜少陵:没办法,我一懈怠,整个三界都要跟着陪葬啊。且看无敌的杜少陵如何在三界之中成就自己的至尊之位。
  • 谁说异能很厉害

    谁说异能很厉害

    为了一个女生去泡另一个女生,结果被人家男朋友报复,在生死的边缘赵尘觉醒了异能,被虐无数次后得到异能还是被虐了,说好我是主脚呢?我赵尘要换个打开方式…
  • 滴血铭

    滴血铭

    一将成名万骨枯!强者的崛起之路充满着无数的鲜血、无尽的杀戮。穿越的莫天得绝世传承,练至上剑法。一剑灭天,敌者强势又如何,灭之!仇者强大又如何,杀之!人活两世且能碌碌无为。生,会当凌绝顶,死,亦为鬼雄也。
  • 校园恋爱笔记

    校园恋爱笔记

    这是一篇纪实性的文章,2008年的新学期,在滨海港城的一所高中里,上演了这么一幕。作者心情沉重的键入每一个汉字。谨以此书怀念流逝的青春,忘各位学弟学妹不要走向早恋的道路。