The previous text is here.
English translation.
power. The Emperor, by giving titles, created a conservative aristocracy representing the benefits of the revolution - those of national rights. He annulled the old system, which had long since become oppressive to the people.
A legislator may set an example where distinctions are respected, granted to only those who evince merit. This is progress. To annihilate the old distinctions which are part of our culture is to create enemies when we could benefit from them instead. Respected were the prerogatives that were so long the right of birth. Such was the system of the Emperor. If the new nobility were willing to unite with that of the old against the people, who could have foreseen that? By this treason, many men of all sort of titles have become of little value in France.
More in line with the people, the aristocracy in England is still powerful. The Empire, which had been so powerful, would not have been crushed, if the marshals, if the great ones of that time had not withdrawn themselves at the time of our humiliations, or if their voices were elevated to defend the interests of the people.
Love and respect would still surround them. They should not have disgraced or ignored their glorious times. Instead, slander prevailed. We had insensibly detached ourselves from all the remembrances of the past. We did not want any more to remember. The people alone, who had received the benefits, did not forget what had been done for them .
But trusting in its new defenders, who had courageously occupied themselves since the return of the Bourbons to show their eloquent respect for the interests which the Empire had always striven for. The people created the revolution of July. It was their talents and their patriotism that ensured their result. The liberals, repulsed from the court of Charles X, had been constantly received with kindness, with -
To be continued.
Hortense’s explanation why she broke the law is here.
The memoirs so far are available here.