Fall Reading List

My library is starting to overflow.

This is my new stack of fall Napoleon reading.

The summer went by so quickly. I immersed myself in books about wizards and vampires....but I am back to my usual book list. This pile is from my favorite old book store. They have access to someones Napoleonic library...each time I visit I see books I have never seen before. I am starting with Madame de Stael's Ten Years of Exile. I want to read what she thinks of Napoleon in her own words.

Napoleon Maxim

Tragedy excites the soul,

and elevates the heart.

It ought to and should create heros.

Finale

Roughly translated: Then take this kiss of dear love betrothed.

The gentleman who sent these cards clearly loved Napoleon and loved the idea of a romantic postcard series. Very nice. I hope they did become engaged!

Heading to the Big Kiss

Roughly translated: It is necessary that a kiss seal our solemn promise.

It is a very easy to think card three is just like card two. I did want to point out that my originals are very pretty. The Emperor's cape has gold printed throughout.

Translation today: The pledge that you want if it is necessary.

Hmmmm. This postcard sender is clearly sending a message to his girlfriend in Venice.

Your Heart

Rough translation:

For your heart to mine always attached.

The Things I Do For You

It's amazing what purchases I can justify because I have this Napoleon blog.

"I need these. They would make for an interesting post."

Well, that's the conversation usually taking place in my head when I see vintage postcards.

This set is so interesting because it was mailed to one special lady in Venice in September 1906. I can't tell who the sender is but there is no doubt the signature is a man's. He mailed them one at a time to Mademoiselle Eugenie. Hmmmm. (Eugenie is such a Napoleon era name.) I can only guess that these were postcards sent to woo her.

So I'll share all five of the cards over the next few days.

This one roughly translated says:

Since distance calls you to duty and war.

Napoleon Maxim

In order to take

we must learn to give.