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 10 HISTORY OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.

which it threw me subsides only to give place to sorrow and apprehension. You persist, then, in the resolution to re-es- tablish the throne of France, and yet not to restore those who were deposed by the revolution, but to seat yourself thereon What power, you ask-what grandeur-and above all, what advantage-in this design? And, for my part, I venture to reply, what obstacles present themselves to its success-how great the sacrifices which must be made before its accom- plishment can be secured-how far beyond calculation the consequences, should it be realized ! But let us admit that your purpose docs succeed, will your views terminate with the founding of a new empire? Will not your power, opposed, as to a certainty it must be, by the neighbouring states, draw you into a war with them? This will probably end in their ruin. Will not their neighbours, beholding these effects, combine in turn for your destruction? While abroad sueli is the state of things, at home how numerous the envious and discontented-how many plots to disconcert and con- spiraeies to punish! Kings will despise you as an upstart, the people will hate you as an usurper, your equals as a tyrant; none will comprehend the utility of your elevation, all will assign it to ambition or to pride. Doubtless, there will not be wanting slaves who will cringe to your power, until backed by another, which they esteem a more formidable influence, they will seek to elevate themselves on your ruin. Fortunate also beyond hope, if steel—if poison !-a wife, a friend, dare not give pause to alarmed imagination on images so dreadful. This brings me to myself, a subject about which my concern would be small indeed if I only were interested. But with the throne, will there not likewise arise the desire of new alliances? Will you not consider it necessary, by new family ties, to provide for the more effectual security of that throne ? Oh! whatever such connexions might be, could they prove, like those formed at first in propriety, and which affections the most tender lave since consecrated! I stop at this per- spective, which fear-must I say love-traees in an appalling futurity. You have alarmed me by your ambitious flight: restore my confidence by your return to moderation."