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THIS MONTH'S OBJECT
The Roi de Rome's cradle
The Aiglon (eaglet) ready soar skywards towards immortal glory: such is the symbolism adorning the Roi de Rome's luxurious cradle offered by the City of Paris in celebration of the birth of imperial heir.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS AGO
On 27 February, 1854, the composer Robert Schumann, in a fit of depression, threw himself into the Rhine - he was later rescued safe and sound. Schumann had for many years been plagued by mental problems, during which he suffered visual and auditory hallucinations. Aware of his worsening state, he asked to be placed in a psychiatric hospital at Endenich on 4 March. He was to die two years later, on 29 July, 1856, although in lucid periods during that time he was to compose certain piano pieces, notably the Canon on F. H. Himmel's An Alexis send ich dich, in B-flat major (1854); Thema, in B-flat major (1854); the piano accompaniement to Paganinni's Capriccios; and Variations on an original theme (1854).
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO
In the night of 7 to 8 Ventôse, An XII (26 to 27 February, 1804), general Pichegru was arrested.
On 8 Ventôse, An XII (27 February, 1804), the First Consul gave the order seal Paris off:
"The First Consul orders that at seven o'clock in the evening the gates of Paris should be shut. Anyone who wishes to enter may enter freely; noone may be allowed to leave until six o'clock tomorrow morning. The only exceptions to this present order are the mail coaches, and they will be ordered to spread the word that the only reason the gates were closed that night was to prevent Georges and forty or so brigands from escaping.
The governor of Paris [Murat] and the Préfet de police [Dubois] will execute this present order immediately. "
Correspondance, Order n° 7 571
On 10 Ventôse, An XII (1 March, 1804), Bonaparte recounted briefly to Soult, the Commandant of the Camp in Saint-Omer, the arrest of Pichegru and the measures taken to capture Georges Cadoudal and his accomplices:
" […] He could not use either his pistols or his dagger. He fought with his fists for half an hour with three or four elite gendarmes. […] I had the gates of Paris closed and sentries put on the walls. I have had a law passed condemning to death anyone who hides Georges and his companions. It says in the law that are sixty of them, because the depostions report that; but in my opinion, I think that there aren't more than thirty or forty of them."
Correspondance, letter n° 7 577
Wishing you an excellent, Napoleonic, week!
Peter Hicks
Historian and Web editor
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THIS WEEK:
Press review
- Web article on Florence Nightingale's lesser known Jamaican rival during the Crimean War, Mary Seacole, recently voted greatest black Briton
Recently published
- Wellington's Army in the Peninsula 1809–14 (Battle Orders 2), by Stuart Reid
- Wellington's Peninsula Regiments (2): The Light Infantry (Men-at-Arms 400), by Mike Chappell
What's on
- Exhibition: The Albums of Napoleon III
- Commemoration: 9th annual commemorative ceremony for the anniversary of the death of the Prince Imperial
- Talk: Can you play it more sarcastically? Music from the Crimean War, by Andrew Lamb
- Exhibition: Napoleon and the sea, a dream of Empire, Paris
- Exhibition: Art booty in the Napoleonic period. The "French gift" to Mainz, 1803
- Exhibition: Napoleon and the Jouy Cloth
The monthly titles
- This month's book: The Politics of Religion in Napoleonic Italy: The War Against God, 1801-1814, by Michael Broers
- This month's painting: Justice and Divine Vengeance pursuing Crime, by Prud'hon
- This month's article: The History of Lord Seaton's Regiment, (The 52nd Light Infantry) at the Battle of Waterloo - Chapter V, by William Leake
- In the Collectors Corner, The Roi de Rome's cradle
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