Poverty of the Bonapartes at this period—Heroism of Letizia—Exertions of Napoleon on behalf of his family—He returns to Ajaccio on furlough—Pauline Bonaparte—Napoleon in Paris—His visit to Marianna at Saint-Cyr—Lucien returns to Ajaccio—The Revolution in Corsica—Return of Paoli—Napoleon and Louis at Auxonne—Death of Archdeacon Bonaparte—Napoleon a candidate for the lieutenant-colonelcy of the National Volunteers of Ajaccio and Talano—Humours of a Corsican election—Affray at Ajaccio—Napoleon returns to Paris—Character of Marianna—She leaves Saint-Cyr with Napoleon for Corsica—Adventure with the sans-culottes of Marseilles.

ABSTRACT

Although Carlo Bonaparte had been a far from satisfactory husband, he had always been a kind and affectionate one, and Letizia grieved for him sincerely. His children felt his death severely, too, and, in after years, always spoke and wrote of him in terms of esteem and affection. His good-nature, his handsome face, his elegant dress, and his reputation for personal courage, had all appealed to their youthful imaginations, and they were not old enough to understand the ceaseless labour and anxiety which his vanity and extravagance had imposed upon their devoted mother.