"The letter further stated that the Bishop or Archbishop of Tours had conducted himself like an angel. Du sang nous en avons tous dans nos veines, was the opening of his speech, et que nous en devons répandre puisque la dernière goutte, etc., etc. It stated further that when the Bishops took up the address to the throne they commenced in the following words—Sire, nous vous apportons nos têtes! Upon which the Emperor actually started, surprised at hearing himself addressed in words which were suited to a Nero or a Caligula."
Meanwhile Napoleon, having failed to bend the Church of Rome to his will, was preparing for another campaign against terrestrial powers. He had started a conscription and was raising an army of 400,000 men, with which he hoped to regain something of his lost prestige in the eyes of the world. Apart from troops, he had to acquire horses for his cavalry and for this end some expedient had to be devised. The methods which he adopted were in accordance with the rest of his policy.
"Bold, indeed, as well as singular, was his plan. A conscription of horses would have been too violent, certainly too straightforward a proceeding, but still it was only by some measure of that nature that his object could be attained. That which was determined upon was the voluntary presentation of horses to the Emperor, a plan which obviated the necessity of paying anything, whereas, in a case of conscription, some sum, however inadequate, must have been fixed upon as a sort of regulation price.
"The example was set by the Senate, then followed by the city of Paris and all the authorities. The papers teemed with fulsome statements of the "presents" made to the Emperor. Monsieur A. had sent his son, fully equipped; Monsieur B. had sent two horses, which the Emperor had graciously accepted, etc., etc. If this fashion had been confined to those whose situation rendered it incumbent upon them to prove their zeal for the Emperor's service, there would have been no great harm; no one would have felt much pity for this slight sacrifice on the part of those who were basking in the sunshine of Court favour. Far, however, was the measure from being limited to courtiers; its operation was universal. The stables of every individual were visited, their horses examined and practically seized….
"A friend of mine was so indignant at having his stables inspected that he boldly refused to allow his horses to be taken out, declaring that if the Emperor insisted upon having them, he would give them poison. I heard of only one other case of resistance. A man whose horses were to be taken away, inquired, with unprecedented temerity, 'Is this compulsory?'
"'No!—Ah, no!' was the emphatic reply.
"'Then if it is voluntary, it rests with me?'
"'Mais certainement! But we advise you to send them!'
"'May I then demand payment?' he next inquired.
"'Mais certainement!' was again the assurance which he received. He might have payment at a subsequent date—they could not say exactly when, but they advised him not to demand it.