of all his ill-treatment of me. He at first appeared somewhat surprised
at my request, and, after a little hesitation, he said, 'There is a
preliminary condition to be fulfilled; a question has been raised by one
of the members of the Privy Council.'--'What condition, Sire?'--'You must
pledge yourself not to bear arms against me.'--'Does your Majesty suppose
that I can bind myself by such an engagement? My election by the Diet of
Sweden, which has met with your Majesty's assent, has made me a Swedish
subject, and that character is incompatible with the pledge proposed by a
member of the Council. I am sure it could never have emanated from your
Majesty, and must proceed from the Arch-Chancellor or the Grand Judge,
who certainly could not have been aware of the height to which the
proposition would raise me.'--'What do you mean?'--'If, Sire, you prevent
me accepting a crown unless I pledge myself not to bear arms against you,
do you not really place me on a level with you as a General?'

"When I declared positively that my election must make me consider myself
a Swedish subject he frowned, and seemed embarrassed. When I had done
speaking he said, in a low and faltering voice, 'Well, go. Our destinies
will soon be accomplished!' These words were uttered so indistinctly
that I was obliged to beg pardon for not having heard what. he said, and
he repented, 'Go! our destinies will soon be accomplished!' In the
subsequent conversations which I had with the Emperor I tried all
possible means to remove the unfavourable sentiments he cherished towards
me. I revived my recollections of history. I spoke to him of the great
men who had excited the admiration of the world, of the difficulties and
obstacles which they had to surmount; and, above all, I dwelt upon that
solid glory which is founded on the establishment and maintenance of
public tranquillity and happiness. The Emperor listened to me
attentively, and frequently concurred in my opinion as to the principles
of the prosperity and stability of States. One day he took my hand and