This is part of a series of letters by Napoleon’s stepdaughter Hortense to her brother Eugene. When we last left off, Napoleon had taken Berlin.
Hortense writes:
[Mainz], Sunday, the 7, December 1806,
You make me a compliment, my dear Eugene, about my trip and I'm really afraid that it won't happen anytime soon (2); I am very indecisive on what I should do.
The King already believes me in Berlin (3); the Emperor wrote to me from Posen, the 29th: he said to me that he’d be completely
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(3) Louis, leaving his army to Marshal Mortier, had returned to La Haye the 24th of November, 1806.
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very happy to see me, but that our departure is delayed, given that he must make a trip to Poland where he will be occupied for a few days (1).
He’s telling me to wait and that it won't be long, but I'm afraid it won't work out for everyone. Finally, as ”someone” will not be pleased with me (2), I am determined I must wait again.
M. de Talleyrand left Berlin for Posen, which is a good sign. The Emperor tells the Empress that the Russians are fleeing and that his troops are at the gates of Warsaw (3).
I do believe there will be an affair with the Russians that will end it all, but it may be a while yet until that happens.
General Duroc, whom the Emperor sent to the King of Prussia, told his wife that he saw the beautiful eyes of the Queen of Prussia bathed in tears, that the King was very sad and that he did not want anything to do in conformity with what the Emperor wanted.
Louise and William of Prussia.
He is now at the mercy of the Russians and can only do as ordered. Opinions are divided here on the King of Poland; it is said that the Emperor may wish to put his brother who bears his name there; others name Murat; since there is no doubt that it matters more than a little. Leaving from here he said, from what I
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(1) See the letter from Napoleon to Hortense, Posen, 29 November, 1806, in the Memoirs of Queen Hortense, 358. - Napoleon left Berlin the 25th of November for the winter campaign that would win Warsaw and Friedland. The projected trip for Joséphine and Hortense never took place.
(2) An allusion to King Louis.
(3) Letters from Napoléon to Joséphine, 206 and 208, - From Mescritz, the 27th, 2 hours after midnight, the Emperor would say: "The Russians fled", At noon on the 20th, from Posen, he added: "My troops are at the gates of Warsaw"
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heard, that it was a beautiful kingdom, but that it was a bit far and he would wait and see if it would undoubtedly be his lot (1). People with ambition are very happy; they don't seem like us, but also they don't love each other like we do.
Farewell, I kiss you and so does little Napoleon.
HORTENSE.
P.S. Among other commissions that I beg you to do for me is to send me crepe sometime, but only white, because it is the only one used. On the other hand, I have just made a small purchase of vests and very beautiful cashmeres which I will send you; you may already have some in Italy; however, they are said to be more beautiful here.
When you find small mosaics or other stones good for making small gifts, you will send them to me; the smaller they are, the more beautiful they are. So there you have my grand efforts of the moment. These little gifts are very fashionable here; I gave a little heart of emerald to the hereditary princess of Hesse-Darmstadt (2); she is very close to Princess Auguste and we have talked a lot about her together. I will write to my sister-in-law tomorrow. For today, please kiss her for me.
The Empress will go to Mannheim and she’ll leave immediately the maid who must go with
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(1) On Murat and his desire for the throne of Poland, Frédéric MASSON, Napoleon and his family, IV, 92.
(2) Wilhelmine-Louise, born September 10, 1788, daughter of Charles-Louis, Prince Elector of Bade, who married, on June 19, 1804. Louis, was the hereditary prince of Hesse-Darmsstadt. She was the cousin of the princess Auguste.
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Mme. Frangeau. If you are worried about your wife’s pregnancy, you could write to Lavallette to get Mme. Frangeau right away, because you don't have to be embarrassed about it and we can very well move forward, especially if she is very pregnant. The Empress had a layette (linen?) made for the guard to wear. Farewell, because I’ve gone on enough for today.
HORTENSE.
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Cela fait partie d'une série de lettres de la belle-fille de Napoléon Hortense à son frère Eugène. Lors de notre dernière interruption, Napoléon avait pris Berlin.
Hortense écrit:
According to this letter, Napoleon wanted a visit from his wife and stepdaughter but that he just had to make a brief stop in Poland. Those of us well acquainted with this story know that Napoleon’s visit to Poland has massive ramifications. Napoleon was thunderstruck by a Polish beauty who was thenceforth thrown at Napoleon somewhat against her will to try and get Napoleon to fight for the liberation of Poland. This woman, Marie Walewska, becomes pregnant with Napoleon’s child, after falling in love with him as well.
Marie Walewska.
This pregnancy is the last thing to make Napoleon decide on divorce. Very shortly after, Hortense’s oldest son, Napoleon Charles, would be no more which only cemented this resolution. Without this Polish liaison, there is a solid chance that Napoleon would not have invaded Russia in 1812 or even have made the fatal marriage to Marie Louise. This is a real turning point.
In the chart below, the victorious general and Emperor has Mars transiting his 10th house of career where he has the natal placement of Mars also. His emotions will be on display (Moon on ascendant) as he falls for a pretty girl.
Pluto (death) is transiting Napoleon’s 4th house of home (Moon) where we find the natal placement of the asteroid Juno - which is associated with marriage and cheating, interestingly enough. This is when the marriage of Napoleon and Josephine really ends. Napoleon’s weakness regarding women was his undoing and the chart may reflect that.
Selon cette lettre, Napoléon voulait la visite de sa femme et de sa belle-fille, mais qu'il venait de faire un bref arrêt en Pologne. Ceux d’entre nous qui connaissent bien cette histoire savent que la visite de Napoléon en Pologne a des ramifications massives.
Napoléon a été frappé par une beauté polonaise qui a été lancée contre Napoléon un peu contre sa volonté pour essayer de faire battre Napoléon pour la libération de la Pologne.
Cette femme, Marie Walewska, tombe enceinte de l'enfant de Napoléon, après être également tombée amoureuse de lui. Cette grossesse est la dernière chose à faire décider Napoléon par divorce. Très peu de temps après, le fils aîné d'Hortense, Napoléon Charles, ne serait plus ce qui ne faisait que cimenter cette résolution.
Sans cette liaison polonaise, il y a de fortes chances que Napoléon n'aurait pas envahi la Russie en 1812 ou même fait le mariage fatal avec Marie Louise. C'est un vrai tournant.
Dans le tableau ci-dessous, le général victorieux et l'empereur ont Mars en transit dans sa 10e maison de carrière où il a également le placement natal de Mars. Ses émotions seront exposées (Lune en ascendant) alors qu'il tombe amoureux d'une jolie fille. Pluton (mort) transite par la 4ème maison de Napoléon (Lune) où nous trouvons le placement natal de l'astéroïde Junon - qui est associé au mariage et à la tricherie, ce qui est assez intéressant. C'est à ce moment que le mariage de Napoléon et Joséphine prend fin. La faiblesse de Napoléon en ce qui concerne les femmes était sa perte et le tableau peut le refléter.
