Memoirs of Napoleon — Volume 06 by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne
page 39 of 113 (34%)
page 39 of 113 (34%)
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Citizen Fesch created Cardinal Fesch--Arts and industry--Exhibition
in the Louvre--Aspect of Paris in 1802--The Medicean Venus and the Velletrian Pallas--Signs of general prosperity--Rise of the funds-- Irresponsible Ministers--The Bourbons--The military Government-- Annoying familiarity of Lannes--Plan laid for his disgrace-- Indignation of Lannes--His embassy to Portugal--The delayed despatch--Bonaparte's rage--I resign my situation--Duroc-- I breakfast with Bonaparte--Duroc's intercession--Temporary reconciliation. Citizen Fesch, who, when we were forced to stop at Ajaccio on our return from Egypt, discounted at rather a high rate the General-in-Chief's Egyptian sequins, became again the Abbe Fesch, as soon as Bonaparte by his Consular authority re-erected the altars which the Revolution had overthrown. On the 15th of August 1802 he was consecrated Bishop, and the following year received the Cardinal's hat. Thus Bonaparte took advantage of one of the members of his family being in orders to elevate him to the highest dignities of the Church. He afterwards gave Cardinal Fesch the Archbishopric of Lyons, of which place he was long the titular. --[Like Cambaceres the Cardinal was a bit of a gourmet, and on one occasion had invited a large party of clerical magnates to dinner. By a coincidence two turbots of singular beauty arrived as presents to his Eminence on the very morning of the feast. To serve both would have appeared ridiculous, but the Cardinal was most anxious to have the credit of both. He imparted his embarrassment to his chef: "'Be of good faith, your Eminence,' was the reply, 'both shall appear and enjoy the reception so justly their due.' The dinner was served: one of the turbots relieved the soup. Delight was on every |
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