This part of a series translating the memoirs of Albine de Montholon, the rumored last mistress of Napoleon. When we last left off Napoleon and his companions had started sailing towards their destination - wherever that would be.
Albine writes.
I have often thought of this Medusa, which has since been wrecked under the command of Captain Ponet's successor. He already knew, this good captain, that he would not keep his command and introduced us to his successor, M. de Chaumareyx, the one who was going to replace him; these officers on board with whom we dined or chatted perished, almost the entire crew (1).
On the 9th, the Emperor descended to the ground to visit the island of Aix; he was greeted with transports of enthusiasm by the navy students. On the 10th, the officers of the garrison at La Rochelle came to bid farewell to the Emperor.
What goodbyes! These were the last signs of devotion and regret from the loyal French! On the 12th we were told that the Emperor was landing on the island of Aix; we followed him there immediately. He had not yet decided on the course to take to avoid the English fleet and go to America.
(1) Duroys de Chaumareyx sank with the Medusa on the Banc d'Arguin in 1816. This sinking is notorious.
VI THE ISLAND OF AIX
During our stay on the island of Aix, General Lallemand returned from the mouth of the Gironde where he had gone on the 12th. He had conferred with Captain Baudin (1) who commanded the corvette, the Bayadere.
This captain offered to take the Emperor to America and to assume responsibility for the expedition. American ships made the same proposition. The Emperor hesitated, Prince Joseph agreed and went on an American ship.
The ensigns of the School of the Isle of Aix were responsible for transporting the Emperor in a boat that they maneuvered themselves.
(1) Baudin was then captain. He left the ship after the departure of Napoleon and founded a trading house in Le Havre. After the revolution of 1830, he resumed naval service and, as a rear admiral, ordered the bombing of Saint-Jean-d'Ulloa (1838). Vice-admiral in 1840, maritime prefect of Toulon until 1847, Baudin received the baton of admiral of France in 1854, a few days before his death.
The voyage was endurable and it was the best we could do. But I do not know what clever genius presided over the decision making; we were constantly in a state of hesitation and every moment made everything more unworkable.
There was talk of getting on a Danish ship offered by Lieutenant Besson; this ship belonged to his brother-in-law.
The Emperor had to go to Pointe des Sables to embark there. He had designated during the night the persons who were to accompany him. We were to go to America. The trip was long; it was a little harsh. Men alone could go.
My husband, however, agreed to take me. I asked Mme. Bertrand to take my son with her; she promised me she would take care of him and I was dressed all night as a man, ready to embark.
Once on board this ship, they would’ve had to keep me. M. de Résigny, who was staying with us, laughed a lot at my costume. I could only wear a coat, hussar pants, my husband's old uniform.
The day before, Mme. Bertrand had asked me to try it on, - we were staying in the same house, she on the first floor and I on the ground floor; with its beautiful and high -
To be continued.
Cette partie d'une série traduisant les mémoires d'Albine de Montholon, la dernière maîtresse (?) de Napoléon. La dernière fois que nous nous sommes arrêtés, Napoléon et ses compagnons avaient commencé à naviguer vers leur destination - où que ce soit.
Écrit Albine.
Let’s look at the transits around the time that Albine is describing above. Neptune (illusion) and Uranus (disruption) are transiting Albine’s loaded with planets natal chart area of identity - near her ascendant which is in Sagittarius.
Albine presents herself in these memoirs as ultra fearless and confident. This goes along with her Sun in the 1st house in Sagittarius (Jupiter/fire).
…
Examinons les transits à peu près au moment décrit par Albine ci-dessus. Neptune (illusion) et Uranus (perturbation) transitent par Albine, chargée de planètes, la zone d'identité de la carte natale - près de son ascendant qui est en Sagittaire.
Albine se présente dans ces mémoires comme ultra intrépide et confiante. Cela va de pair avec son Soleil dans la 1ère maison du Sagittaire (Jupiter / feu).
We recently published a letter by Charles Montholon where he was writing to his wife as if she were the only thing in his life. That reminded me of his Sun (his own self) in the 7th house of partnership (Libra/Venus).
Saturn (bondage) is transiting Charles’ Pluto (death/transformation) in his first house of identity (Aries/Mars). Mars is transiting Charles’ natal Mars in the 2nd house (Taurus/Venus/Money) in Aries (Mars). This natal Mars is in difficult aspects with Neptune (illusion), Mercury (communications), Uranus (Revolution), Saturn (constriction) and he has a harmonious aspect with that Sun in the 7th house of others. Charles is the only person in this Napoleon saga astrology exploration with chart as obviously painful as mine (so far). We also both have our Sun in the 7th house. Charles is associated with Napoleon and a wife who was quite dominant. This Mars transit could be like dumping fuel on the fire of a lot of frustration for him.
Nous avons récemment publié une lettre de Charles Montholon où il écrivait à sa femme comme si elle était la seule chose de sa vie. Cela m'a rappelé son Soleil (son propre moi) dans la 7e maison de partenariat (Balance / Vénus).
Saturne (esclavage) transite Pluton de Charles (mort / transformation) dans sa première maison d’identité (Bélier / Mars). Mars transite Mars natal de Charles dans la 2ème maison (Taureau / Vénus / Argent) en Bélier (Mars). Ce Mars natal est dans des aspects difficiles avec Neptune (illusion), Mercure (communications), Uranus (Révolution), Saturne (constriction) et il a un aspect harmonieux avec ce Soleil dans la 7e maison des autres.
Charles est la seule personne dans cette exploration de l'astrologie de la saga Napoléon avec une carte aussi évidemment douloureuse que la mienne. Nous avons également tous les deux notre Soleil dans la 7e maison. Charles est associé à Napoléon et à une femme assez dominante. Ce transit vers Mars pourrait être comme jeter du carburant sur le feu de beaucoup de frustration pour lui.
Napoleon’s Sun is transiting his 8th house (Pluto/transformation). That Sun just transited Venus opposition Pluto - that can reinforce the spotlight on a Pluto theme. Pluto also transits Napoleon’s 4th house (Moon/emotions) in sensitive Pisces (Neptune). His family life and home are being utterly destroyed.
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Le Soleil de Napoléon transite par sa 8ème maison (Pluton / transformation). Ce Soleil vient de transiter Vénus opposition Pluton - qui peut renforcer le projecteur sur un thème Pluton. Pluton transite également la 4e maison de Napoléon (Lune / émotions) en Poissons sensibles (Neptune). Sa vie de famille et sa maison sont complètement détruites.
