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For all its splendor, the Imperial Court had its moments of pure farce. There was, for instance, the famous rabbit shoot organized by the indispensable Berthier. Like a good staff officer, Alexandre had ensured that everything needful was provided. There were beaters, a sumptuous luncheon, regiments of gunbearers, and, most important of all, hundreds of rabbits specially imported for the occasion. However, one small point of detail had escaped poor Berthier’s attention; he had purchased tame rabbits instead of wild ones. Thus, when Napoleon advanced to do slaughter, his intended victims, mistaking him for the keeper who fed them their daily lettuce, with one accord began to race towards the startled Emperor. Vainly did the