when she has predicted new triumphs for
him."

Napoleon was greatly annoyed by a prediction
insolently made by Nepomuceine Lemercier;
who, disapproving of his departure
from Bepublican principles, had sent back to
him the cross of the Legion of Honour; and
as he took leave of the Emperor, remarked,
"You are amusing yourself by re-making the
bed of the Bourbons; well, I predict that
you will not sleep in it ten years." By a singular
coincidence, Napoleon's career was ended
in nine years and nine months from the day
the prediction was made.

Poor Josephine was destined to many little
mortifications to which her vanity and love
of admiration exposed her. Amongst others,
was one brought about oddly enough. Picard,
the manager and author, had produced a
new piece, bearing the startling title of " The
woman of Forty-Five;" the whole drift of
which was to ridicule a person of that age
who strives to avert the injuries of age by
means of dress.

The whole Court sat to see this unlucky
piece, in agonies at its inappropriate sallies;
while the Empress could with difficulty conceal
her annoyance. One of her ladies, of
whom she asked her opinion of the new piece,
contrived to elicit from her a smile of approbation
by a ready reply.

"I cannot be a fair judge of the piece,"
said she with rather a bitter smile; "it
would be well to hint to Picard to have it
played in future only before women of
twenty-five."

"I think, madam," replied the lady, " those
might be included as audience who look only
that age."

Josephine, in the midst of her occupations
of parade, pleasure, and study to play at court
well, received daily a courier from Napoleon
at Boulogne. In the evening she generally
communicated part of the information she received
from the Emperor to her assembled
guests in terms dictated to her by him, but
conveying by no means the exact truth of
events.

In particular, the version with which she
amused the company of the frightful tempest
which endangered the French flotilla was
extremely far removed from the fact.

An intimate friend of Admiral Bruix
(who commanded the flotilla) then at Aix-la-Chapelle,
received a courier at the same
time as the Empress, giving a very diiferent
detail of the circumstances. The letter was
written by a naval officer, almost a stranger
to the Admiral; but who, knowing the interest
his friend took, was anxious to explain
to him, at once, the cause of the disgrace
which had fallen on the distinguished naval
commander. The letter ran as follows,
and is a curious document when compared
with the current report, that "an imprudence
on the part of the Admiral had nearly caused
great disasters; but the fleet had braved
the fury of the tempest, and nothing could
equal the enthusiasm of the men as to which
should first set foot on the British shores." The
Emperor's letter, read by Josephine, ended by
relating a comic scene, in which he reproached
himself for being half killed with laughter to
see his Minister of Marine tumble into the
water in attempting to cross a plank. "It
will be said, nay, published everywhere, that
your friend is in the wrong: do not believe
it, it is not true; if I should lose my name
and my command I would still repeat that it
is false. The other morning, as he mounted
his horse, the Emperor announced his intention
of reviewing the naval squadron: he
gave orders that the position of the vessels,
which formed the line, should be changed,
being desirous, as he said, to pass them in
review out at sea. After these commands he
went to take his usual walk, accompanied by
Roustan, (his Mameluke servant), desiring
that all should be ready by the time of his
return. These orders were transmitted to
Admiral Bruix, who answered very quietly:
'The review cannot take place to-day: therefore
let nothing be changed.'

"The Emperor, soon after this, returned to
the port and enquired if all was ready; the
answer of the Admiral was then reported to
him. He had it repeated to him twice, and
stamped his foot on the ground as he listened;
rage flashed from his eyes, and he commanded
that the Admiral should be instantly sent for;
but so impatient was he, that he would not
wait till he arrived. He met him half way
from his post: the staff of the Emperor
paused and formed a circle behind him in
solemn silence, for Napoleon had seldom
before been seen in so tremendous a passion.

"'Monsieur l'Amiral,' said he in a stifled
voice, 'why are not my orders executed?'

"'Sire,' replied Admiral Bruix, with respectful
firmness, ' a frightful storm is on the
point of bursting over us. Your Majesty may
observe the indications of it as clearly as
myself. Will you then expose the lives of so
many brave men?'

"'Monsieur,' replied the Emperor, more and
more irritated, ' I gave a command; once
again, I ask you, why it was not executed? I
take the consequences on myself—your part
is to obey.'

"' Sire, I shall not obey,' said the Admiral.

"'Monsieur, you are insolent!'

"As the Emperor uttered these words, he
advanced towards the Admiral with his
riding-whip in his hand, in a menacing attitude.
The Admiral drew back a step, clapped
his hand to his sword, and, turning deadly
pale, said—

"'Sire—beware what you do!'

"Every one that saw this scene shuddered
with terror. The Emperor, in an immovable
attitude with his hand still raised holding
his whip, fixed his eyes on the Admiral;
who did not move from the position he had
assumed. At length Napoleon suddenly