This is part of a series where we’re translating the memoirs of Napoleon’s alleged last mistress, Countess Albine de Montholon. When we last left off, Napoleon was asking Albine whether his civilian frockcoat was green or blue as they were about to board an English ship.
Albine writes:
[this man was wearing a British naval uniform], this Englishman who didn't speak a word of French, this boat rowed by English sailors, finally this material, positive separation from France, all this made me experience something so bitter, that I still feel the impression of it as vividly today.
The Emperor descended into the boat and sat there. We followed him there; not the entire suite, but just the generals, M. de Las-Cases, Mme. Bertrand, me and our children.
The officers and the rest of Napoleon’s suite were transported separately. The Hawk's crew was dismayed; it seemed that we had all become mute ... A solemn scene, which had not the earth as its witness, but the sky, the sea ... and only our dear friends to keep the memory of it!
VIII THE "BELLÉROPHON".
We arrived aboard the Bellérophon the same day that the King made his entry into Paris (July, 15, 1815), the Emperor was received with suitable forms by Captain Maitland. The latter introduced him into the room that would be his destiny, it was that of the captain.
We were very embarrassed and they gave me a room on the deck. The anchor was soon raised and we set sail for Les Sables where Admiral Holcham was commanding the cruiser and was riding in the Superbe.
This admiral immediately went aboard the Bellérophon and put great reserve into the answers he gave to the questions of the Emperor, who, from that moment, became concerned, the events have only too much justified that concern.
However, the admiral affected to give him all sovereign honors, for which he has been very severely blamed since then by his government.
The Emperor accepted a lunch on board the Superbe; we were all invited; the ship had its flags hoisted, the sailors dressed in white, with their long belts, covered all the decks.
It is a beautiful spectacle, especially in the open sea. We know the behavior of English vessels; in this, the Superb observed all forms.
The Emperor visited from the bridge to the bottom of the hold; we followed him. One could not applaud enough the appearance and the details which proved with each step the order and the discipline which reigned on this beautiful vessel.
Ours, now, no longer match theirs, in this respect, the attention to detail of the English navy; moreover, one can only match, but one cannot surpass their order, silence, the discipline of the crews, or the personal dress of the English officers.
I will come back to this subject. Lunch was lovely, very well served. The stern room which was the admiral's living room was well furnished.
A table was covered with marine instruments, maps, albums, watches, all which occupied the Emperor. He was pleased with the admiral in all respects. This admiral has good form and a physiognomy …
To be continued.
Cela fait partie d'une série où nous traduisons les mémoires de la prétendue dernière maîtresse de Napoléon, la comtesse Albine de Montholon.
La dernière fois que nous nous sommes arrêtés, Napoléon demandait à Albine si sa redingote civile était verte ou bleue alors qu'ils s'apprêtaient à monter à bord d'un navire anglais.
Albine écrit:
