Napoleon Bonaparte: Mighty emperor, brilliant tactician, ruthless dictator, and writer of… romantic letters? Napoleon was a prolific letter writer, having written over 75,000 missives over the course of his life, many of which were delivered to his various lovers. He wrote as he did all things, with passion and conviction, and fire in his belly. Here then, is one of his romantic letters, written to his beloved Josephine.

From: Napoleon Bonaparte
To: Josephine

Dec. 29, 1795
I awake all filled with you. Your image and the intoxicating pleasures of last night, allow my senses no rest.
Sweet and matchless Josephine, how strangely you work upon my heart.
Are you angry with me? Are you unhappy? Are you upset?
My soul is broken with grief and my love for you forbids repose. But how can I rest any more, when I yield to the feeling that masters my inmost self, when I quaff from your lips and from your heart a scorching flame?
Yes! One night has taught me how far your portrait falls short of yourself!
You start at midday: in three hours I shall see you again.
Till then, a thousand kisses, mio dolce amor! but give me none back for they set my blood on fire.

What a way to say “last night was great!” Napoleon speaks from the heart, of his heart, and the scorching flame that is his love for Josephine. This, one of his most eloquent romantic letters, will forever stand as one of my favorites.

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