Letter to Joséphine - May 1800

From the Correspondence of Napoleon

Martigny,
May 18th, 1800,

I've been here for the last three days, in the middle of Valais and the Alps, in a convent of Bernardins. One never sees the sun: do judge if we are comfortable! I’d like to see you complain, you who is in Paris in the middle of pleasures and good company.

The army heads to Italy; we are in Aosta, but the Saint Bernard offers many hardships to vanquish.

I have written you often. As for Mademoiselle Hortense, when she will be a great lady, we will write to her; today she is too small: one does not write to children.

This poor Mrs. Lucien has then died? She has suffered greatly. Her husband must be sad. I pity him. To lose one's wife, it is to lose if not glory, at least happiness.

A thousand pleasant things to Hortense, and a thousand sweetnesses to Joséphine.

—Bonaparte