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THIS MONTH'S OBJECT
The Austerlitz or 'Maréchaux' Table
A formal piece of furniture progaganda made in memory of the famous victory at Austerlitz, the Austerlitz Table was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806. Made over the period 1808 to 1810, this masterpiece from the Sèvres Manufactory was created by a 'dream team' of artists of the Empire period.
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO
In the night of 12/13 Pluviôse, An XI (1/2 February, 1803), no fewer than 164 personnes died of flu in Paris; a further 142 expired on 13/14, and 147 passed away 14/15. The Parisians followed the details of the epidemic, with deaths per arrondissement, in the press. Even though this was an important outbreak, it was nowhere near as bad as that to come in 1810.
The reports by the Ministry of Justice (Pluviôse, An XI) noted that bakers had been forced to diminish the number of bakings in the day because of the drop in demand. 14 Pluviôse, the Préfet de la Seine called a council of doctors in order to establish a plan of action to deal with the flu epidemic.
3,400 people were to die in the course of February 1803 (note 1, p. 351, Reinhardt, Un hiver à Paris sous le Consulat, Editions Tallandier, 2002
The Argus of 16 Pluviôse, An XI (5 February, 1803) announced to its English-speaking readers that ""Mme de Staël's novel has been translated into English; the price is twenty four shillings". The novel in question was Delphine, published in France in 1802. Considered as very avant-garde, this novel or rather biography was the first female narrative of the Romantic movement. Its dwelling on matters of the soul and the heart was seen as very modern and it caused a great deal of passionate discussion on both sides of the Channel.
12 Pluviôse, An XI (1 February, 1803), the journal Publiciste noted that thegovernment had adopted a new formula for the headed paper upon which bills were published. Bills now began with the words "Le gouvernement de la République" (the Government of the Republic), and no longer with "les Consuls de la République" (the Consuls of the Republic). The new wording was used for the first time in the bill or arrêté of 3 Pluviôse, An XI (23 January, 1803), regarding the new organisation of the Institut National.
Publiciste, 13 Pluviôse, An XI
13 Pluviôse, An XI (2 February, 1803), at the Théâtre français de la République (rue de la Loi), the First Consul was present at the performance of Cinna: police informers noted that the public applauded particularly warmly the parts of the play which could be interpreted as favourable to the government, and that the actor playing Maxime omitted the following four lines (Act II, Scene I):
Le bonheur peut conduire à la grandeur suprême ;
Mais pour y renoncer il faut la vertu même,
Et peu de généraux vont jusqu'à dédaigner,
Après un sceptre acquis, la douceur de régner.
('Happiness may lead to supreme grandeur;
But to renounce happiness requires virtue itself.
And few generals have ever gone as far as refusing
Themselves the pleasure of reigning, once having grasped the sceptre')
A police report of 17 Pluviôse, An XI (6 February, 1803) noted that General Moreau, who had never concealed his strong opposition to the Légion d'honneur, had awarded a "saucepan of honour" to his cook, for his culinary talents - indeed had regularly received the praised of the general's table guest. On the said occasion, the general is said to have exclaimed: "My word, you have outdone yourself today; as proof of my satisfaction, I award you a saucepan of honour."
Wishing you an excellent, Napoleonic, week!
Peter Hicks
Historian and Web editor
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THIS WEEK:
Press review
- Two online articles: Wellington and Tipu Sultan
Just published
- The Napoleonic Wars (3): The Peninsular War 1807-1814 (Essential Histories 17), by Gregory Fremont-Barnes
- The Peninsular War 1807-1814: A Concise Military History, by Michael Glover
- Wellington invades France: The Final Phase of the Peninsular War, 1813-1814, by Ian Robertson
What's on
- Television: Napoleon's lost army, a documentary (and article) on the find at Vilnius
- Fair: Napoleonic Fair, London
- Exhibition: Napoleon and Alexander I in Hildesheim (Germany)
- Exhibition: The first Italian Republic, 1802-1805
- Exhibition: Seat of Empire
The monthly titles
- Book of the Month: Napoleon's Medaillen, by Lisa Zeitz and Joachim Zeitz
- This month's picture, Jupiter and Thetis by Ingres
- Article of the Month, Drouot, 'Sage of the Grande Armée', by Jacques Juillet
- In the Collectors Corner, The Austerlitz or 'Maréchaux' Table<<
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