e
strongest proofs of his regard. The dinners which followed, though
always large and stately, were made short, for the emperors wished to
be alone as quickly and as long as possible. The Czar was full of
curiosity. How did Napoleon win victories? How did he rule men? What
were his family relations? How did he regulate his inner life? The
Emperor was full of good humor: he told again and again the tale of
his victories, and expounded the principles on which he had won them;
he explained with candor and in detail the structure and workings of
his administrative machine; he opened his heart, and told how its
strings had been wrung by the death of the "Little Napoleon," the
eldest son of Queen Hortense.

In such pleasant converse the hours of ease rolled swiftly by, and
then the work of negotiation began once more. Where differences
appeared, Napoleon evaded close discussion and passed to other
matters. Next morning early, the Czar would receive a carefully
worded, concise note on the points at issue, together with an
argument. Sometimes he replied in writing, more frequently not. When
they met again, Napoleon sought, or appeared to seek, a compromise,
and never in vain. The council of ministers, in which there was not a
single man of force except Talleyrand, received the conclusions from
time to time, and elaborated the details.

CHAPTER V

THE TREATY OF TILSIT[11]

[Footnote 11: References as before. Further: Lefebvre:
Histoire des cabinets de l'Europe. Tatistcheff: Alexandre Ier
et Napoleon. Ranke: Hardenberg und die Geschichte des
Preussischen Staates von 1793-1813. Pingaud: Les Francais en
Russie et les Russes en France.]

Two Equal Empires -- Central Europe and the Orient -- Prussia as
a Second-rate Power -- The Grand Duchy of Warsaw and the Kingdom
of Westphalia -- Napoleon and Frederick William -- Queen Louisa
of Prussia -- The Meeting of Napoleon and Louisa -- Courtesy and
Diplomacy -- The Bitterness of Disappointment -- The Last Plea --
Prussia's Humiliation -- The Parting of the Emperors --
Alexander's Disenchantment -- Napoleon's Gains and Losses.

By such hitherto unknown simplicity and address diplomacy at Tilsit
was rendered most expeditious. The negotiations were complete, the
treaties drawn up, and the signatures affixed on July seventh. There
were three different documents: a treaty of peace, a series of seven