No. 10 To the Empress, at Mayence
November 6, 1806, 9 P.M.
Yours to hand, in which you seem annoyed at the bad things I say about women; it is true that I hate intriguing women more than anything. I am used to kind, gentle, persuasive women; these are the kind I like. If I have been spoilt, it is not my fault, but yours. Moreover, you shall learn how kind I have been to one who showed herself sensible and good, Madame d’Hatzfeld. When I showed her husband’s letter to her she admitted to me, amid her sobs, with profound emotion, and frankly, “Ah! it is indeed his writing!” While she was reading, her voice went to my heart; it pained me. I said, “Well, madame, throw that letter on the fire, I shall then have no longer the power to punish your husband.” She burnt the letter, and seemed very happy. Her husband now feels at ease; two hours later he would have been a dead man. You see then how I like kind, frank, gentle women; but it is because such alone resemble you.
Adieu, dear; my health is good.
Napoleon.
November 6th and 7th.—Blucher and his army (17,000 men) surrender at Lubeck to Soult, Murat, and Bernadotte.
November 8th.—Magdeburg surrenders to Ney, with 20,000 men, immense stores, and nearly 800 cannon.