. Napoleon aspired to the same distinction, but
with this difference,--instead of going to Rome to receive it, the
pope was brought to Paris to administer it. He suffered much from the
climate of France, which was too severe for his delicate health. The
solicitude of the empress to provide for his comfort was extreme. The
orders of the emperor had provided every thing that could be deemed
necessary; but the observant delicacy of the empress supplied many
wants which might else have been overlooked. Every day she sent to
inquire after his welfare, frequently visited, and sometimes
corresponded with him. The following letter, addressed to him, does
equal credit to her head and to her heart:--

"THE EMPRESS TO HIS HOLINESS PIUS VII.

"Whatever experience of human change the knowledge of our religion
may have taught, your holiness will view, doubtless, not without
astonishment, an obscure woman ready to receive from your hands
the first among the crowns of Europe. In an event so far beyond
the ordinary course, she recognizes and blesses the work of the
Almighty, without daring to inquire into his purposes. But, holy
father, I should be ungrateful, even while I magnified the power
of God, if I poured not out my soul into the paternal bosom of him
who has been chosen to represent his providence--if I confided not
to you my secret thoughts. The first and chief of these is the
conviction of my own weakness and incapacity. Of myself I can do
nothing, or, to speak more correctly, the little I can do is
derived from that extraordinary man with whom my lot is cast.
* * * How many are the difficulties which surround the station to
which he has raised me! I do not speak of the corruption, which,
in the midst of greatness, has tainted the purest minds; I can
rely upon my own, so far as, in this respect, not to fear
elevation. But from a height whence all other dignities appear
mean, how shall I distinguish real poverty? Ah, truly do I feel
that, in becoming empress of the French, I ought also to become to
them as a mother. But of what avail are intentions? Deeds are what
the people have a right to demand of me, and your holiness, who so
well replies to the respectful love of your subjects by continual
acts of justice and benevolence, more than any other sovereign, is
qualified to instruct me. O, then, holy father, may you, with the
sacred unctions poured upon my head, not only aw