NAPOLEON BONAPARTE by John S.C. Abbott

8/2/2019 NAPOLEON BONAPARTE by John S.C. Abbott

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NAPOLEONBONAPARTE

BYJOHNS.C.ABBOTT.

Napoleon,findinghisproffersofpeacerejectedbyEnglandwithcontumelyandscorn,anddeclinedbyAustria,nowprepared,withhiswontedenergy,torepeltheassaultsoftheallies.AshesatinhiscabinetattheTuileries,thethundersoftheirunrelentingonsetcamerollinginuponhisearfromallthefrontiersofFrance.ThehostilefleetsofEnglandsweptthechannel,utterlyannihilatingthecommerceoftheRepublic,landingregimentsofarmedemigrantsuponhercoast,furnishingmoneyandmunitionsofwartorousethepartisansoftheBourbonstocivilconflict,andthrowingballsandshellsintoeveryunprotectedtown.Onthenorthernfrontier,MarshalKray,camethunderingdown,throughtheblackForest,tothebanksoftheRhine,withamightyhostof150,000men,likelocustlegions,topourintoallthenorthernprovincesofFrance.Artilleryoftheheaviestcalibreandamagnificentarrayofcavalryaccompaniedthisapparentlyinvinciblearmy.InItaly,Melas,anotherAustrianmarshal,with140,000men,aidedbythewholeforceoftheBritishnavy,wasrushinguponthe

easternandsouthernbordersoftheRepublic.TheFrenchtroops,disheartenedbydefeat,hadfledbeforetheirfoesovertheAlps,orwereeatingtheirhorsesandtheirbootsinthecitieswheretheywerebesieged.FromalmosteverypromontoryonthecoastoftheRepublic,washedbytheChannel,ortheMediterranean,theeyecoulddiscernEnglishfrigates,blackandthreatening,holdingallFranceinastateofblockade.

Onealwaysfindsacertainpleasureindoingthatwhichhecandowell.Napoleonwasfullyconsciousofhismilitarygenius.Hehad,inbehalfofbleedinghumanity,imploredpeaceinvain.Henow,withalacrityandwithjoy,rousedhimselftoinflictblowsthatshouldbefeltuponhismultitudinousenemies.Withsuchtremendous

energydidhedothis,thathereceivedfromhisantagoniststhemostcomplimentarysobriquetoftheonehundredthousandmen.WhereverNapoleonmadehisappearanceinthefield,hispresencealonewasconsideredequivalenttothatforce.

ThefollowingproclamationranglikeatrumpetchargeoverthehillsandvalleysofFrance."Frenchmen!Youhavebeenanxiousforpeace.Yourgovernmenthasdesireditwithstillgreaterardor.Itsfirstefforts,itsmostconstantwishes,havebeenforitsattainment.TheEnglishministryhasexposedthesecretofitsiniquitouspolicy.ItwishestodismemberFrance,todestroyitscommerce,andeithertoeraseitfromthemapofEurope,ortodegradeittoasecondarypower.Englandiswillingtoembroilall

thenationsoftheContinentinhostilitywitheachother,thatshemayenrichherselfwiththeirspoils,andgainpossessionofthetradeoftheworld.Fortheattainmentofthisobjectshescattershergold,becomesprodigalofherpromises,andmultipliesherintrigues."

AtthiscallallthemartialspiritofFrancerushedtoarms.Napoleon,supremelydevotedtothewelfareoftheState,seemedtoforgetevenhisowngloryintheintensityofhisdesiretomakeFrancevictoriousoverherfoes.Withthemostmagnanimoussuperiority


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toallfeelingsofjealousy,heraisedanarmyof150,000men,theveryeliteofthetroopsofFrance,theveteransofahundredbattles,andplacedtheminthehandsofMoreau,theonlymaninFrancewhocouldbecalledhisrival.NapoleonalsopresentedtoMoreautheplanofacampaigninaccordancewithhisownenergy,boldness,andgenius.ItsaccomplishmentwouldhaveaddedsurpassingbrilliancetothereputationofMoreau.Butthecautiousgeneralwasafraidtoadoptit,andpresentedanother,perhapsassafe,butonewhichwouldproducenodazzlingimpressionupontheimaginationsofmen."Yourplan,"saidone,afriendofMoreau,totheFirstConsul,"isgrander,moredecisive,evenmoresure.Butitisnotadaptedtotheslowandcautiousgeniusofthemanwhoistoexecuteit.Youhaveyourmethodofmakingwar,whichissuperiortoallothers.Moreauhashisown,inferiorcertainly,butstillexcellent.Leavehimtohimself.Ifyouimposeyourideasuponhim,youwillwoundhisself-love,anddisconcerthim."

Napoleon,profoundlyversedintheknowledgeofthehumanheart,promptlyreplied."Youareright,MoreauisnotcapableofgraspingtheplanwhichIhaveconceived.Lethimfollowhisowncourse.Theplanwhichhedoesnotunderstandanddarenotexecute,Imyselfwillcarryout,onanotherpartofthetheatreofwar.WhathefearstoattemptontheRhine,IwillaccomplishontheAlps.Thedaymaycomewhenhewillregrettheglorywhichheyieldstome."These

wereproudandpropheticwords.Moreau,wasmoderatelyvictoriousupontheRhine,drivingbacktheinvaders.ThesunofNapoleonsoonrose,overthefieldofMarengo,inablazeofeffulgence,whichpaledMoreau'stwinklingstarintoutterobscurity.Butweknownotwhere,uponthepageofhistory,tofindanactofmoreloftygenerositythanthissurrenderofthenoblestarmyoftheRepublictoone,whoconsideredhimself,andwhowasdeemedbyothers,arival--andthustothrowopentohimthetheatreofwarwhereapparentlytherichestlaurelsweretobewon.Andheknowwheretolookforadeedmoreproudlyexpressiveofself-confidence."IwillgiveMoreau,"saidhebythisact,"onehundredandfiftythousandofthemostbraveanddisciplinedsoldiersofFrance,thevictorsofahundredbattles.Imyselfwilltakesixtythousand

men,newrecruitsandthefragmentsofregimentswhichremain,andwiththemIwillmarchtoencounteranequallypowerfulenemyonamoredifficultfieldofwarfare."

MarshalMelashadspreadhisvasthostofonehundredandfortythousandAustriansthroughallthestrongholdsofItaly,andwaspressing,withtremendousenergyandself-confidenceuponthefrontiersofFrance.Napoleon,insteadofmarchingwithhisinexperiencedtroops,two-thirdsofwhomhadneverseenashotfiredinearnest,tomeettheheadsofthetriumphantcolumnsofMelas,resolvedtoclimbtheruggedandapparentlyinaccessiblefastnessesoftheAlps,and,descendingfromthecloudsoverpath-lessprecipices,tofallwiththesweepoftheavalanche,upontheirrear.Itwas

necessarytoassemblethisarmyatsomefavorablepoint;--togatherinvastmagazinesitsmunitionsofwar.Itwasnecessarythatthisshouldbedoneinsecret,lesttheAustrians,climbingtothesummitsoftheAlps,anddefendingthegorgesthroughwhichthetroopsofNapoleonwouldbecompelledtowindtheirdifficultandtortuousway,mightrenderthepassageutterlyimpossible.EnglishandAustrianspieswereprompttocommunicatetothehostilepowerseverymovementoftheFirstConsul.NapoleonfixeduponDijonanditsvicinityastherendezvousofhistroops.He,however,adroitlyandcompletelydeceivedhisfoesbyostentatiouslyannouncingthe


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veryplanheintendedtocarryintooperation.

Ofcourse,thealliesthoughtthatthiswasafoolishattempttodrawtheirattentionfromtherealpointofattack.ThemoretheyridiculedtheimaginaryarmyatDijon,themoreloudlydidNapoleonreiteratehiscommandsforbattalionsandmagazinestobecollectedthere.ThespieswhovisitedDijon,reportedthatbutafewregimentswereassembledinthatplace,andthattheannouncementwasclearlyaveryweakpretensetodeceive.TheprintshopsofLondonandViennawerefilledwithcaricaturesofthearmyoftheFirstConsulofDijon.TheEnglishespeciallymadethemselvesverymerrywithNapolcon'sgrandarmytoscaletheAlps.ItwasbelievedthattheenergiestheRepublicwereutterlyexhaustedinraisingtheforcewhichwasgiventoMoreau.Oneofthecaricaturesrepresentedthearmyasconsistingofaboy,dressedinhisfather'sclothes,shoulderingamusket,whichhecouldwithdifficultylift,andeatingapieceofgingerbread,andanoldmanwithonearmandawoodenleg.Theartilleryconsistedofarustyblunderbuss.ThisderisionwasjustwhatNapoleondesired.Thoughdwellingintheshadowofthatmysteriousmelancholy,whicheverenvelopedhisspirit,hemusthaveenjoyedinthedeeprecessesofhissoul,themajesticmovementsofhisplans.

OntheeasternfrontiersofFrancetheresurgeup,fromluxuriant

meadowsandvine-cladfieldsandhillsides,themajesticrangesoftheAlps,piercingthecloudsandsoaringwithglitteringpinnacles,intotheregionofperpetualiceandsnow.Vastspursofthemountainsextendoneachside,openinggloomygorgesandfrightfuldetiles,throughwhichfoamingtorrentsrushimpetuously,walledinbyalmostprecipitouscliffs,whosesummits,crownedwithmelancholyfirs,areinaccessibletothefootofman.TheprincipalpassoverthisenormousridgewasthatoftheGreatSt.Bernard.Thetraveler,accompaniedbyaguide,andmountedonamule,slowlyandpainfullyascendedasteepandruggedpath,nowcrossinganarrowbridge,spanningafathomlessabyss,againcreepingalongtheedgeofaprecipice,wheretheeaglesoaredandscreamedoverthefirtopsintheabyssbelow,andwhereaperpendicularwallrosetogiddy

heightsinthecloudsabove.Thepathattimeswassonarrow,thatitseemedthatthemountaingoatcouldwithdifficultyfindafootholdforitsslenderhoof.Afalsestep,oraslipupontheicyrockswouldprecipitatethetraveler,amangledcorpse,athousandfeetuponthefragmentsofgraniteinthegulfbeneath.Ashigherandhigherheclimbedthesewildandruggedandcloud-envelopedpaths,bornebytheunerringinstinctofthefaithfulmule,hisstepswereoftenarrestedbytheroaroftheavalancheandhegazedappalleduponitsresistlessrush,asrocks,andtrees,andearth,andsnow,andice,sweptbyhimwithawfulandresistlessdesolation,fardownintothedimlydiscernedtorrentswhichrushedbeneathhisfeet.AtGod'sbiddingtheavalanchefell.Noprecautioncouldsavethetravelerwhowasinitspath.Hewasinstantlyborneto

destruction,andburiedwherenovoicebutthearchangel'strumpcouldeverreachhisear.Terrificstormsofwindandsnowoftensweptthroughthosebleakaltitudes,blindingandsmotheringthetraveler.Hundredsofbodies,likepillarsofice,embalmedinsnow,arenowsepulchredinthosedrifts,theretosleeptillthefiresofthelastconflagrationshallhaveconsumedtheirwindingsheet.Havingtoiledtwodaysthroughsuchscenesofdesolationandperil,theadventuroustravelerstandsuponthesummitofthepass,eightthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea,twothousandfeethigherthanthecrestofMountWashington,ourownmountain


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monarch.Thissummit,overwhichthepathwinds,consistsofasmalllevelplain,surroundedbymountainsofsnowofstillhigherelevation.

Thesceneherepresentedisinexpressiblygloomyandappailing.Natureinthesewildregionsassumeshermostsevereandsombreaspect.Asoneemergesfromtheprecipitousandcraggyascent,uponthisValleyofDesolation,asitisemphaticallycalled,theConventofSt.Bernardpresentsitselftotheview.Thischeerlessabode,thehighestspotofinhabitedgroundinEurope,hasbeentenanted,formorethanathousandyears,byasuccessionofjoylessandself-denyingmonks,who,inthatfrigidretreatofgraniteandice,endeavortoservetheirMaker,byrescuingbewilderedtravelersfromthedestructionwithwhichtheyareeverthreatenedtobeoverwhelmedbythestorms,whichbattleagainstthem.Inthemiddleofthisice-boundvalley,liesalake,clear,dark,andcold,whosedepths,eveninmid-summer,reflecttheeternalglacierswhichsoarsublimelyaround.ThedescenttotheplainsofItalyisevenmoreprecipitousanddangerousthantheascentfromthegreenpasturesofFrance.Novegetationadornsthesedismalandstorm-sweptcliffsofgraniteandofice.Eventhepinionoftheeaglefailsinitsrarifiedair,andthechamoisventuresnottoclimbitssteepandslipperycrags.Nohumanbeingsareevertobeseenonthesebleaksummits,exceptthefewshiveringtravelers,whotarryforanhour

toreceivethehospitalityoftheconvent,andthehoodedmonks,wrappedinthickandcoarsegarments,whichtheirstavesandtheirdogs,gropingthroughthestormsofsleetandsnow.Eventhewoodwhichburnswithfrugalfaintnessonthehearths,isborne,inpainfulburdens,upthemountainsides,upontheshouldersofthemonks.

SuchwasthebarrierwhichNapoleonintendedtosurmount,thathemightfallupontherearoftheAustrians,whowerebatteringdownthewallsofGenoa,whereMassenawasbesieged,andwhowerethundering,flushedwithvictory,attheverygatesofNice.Overthiswildmountainpass,wherethemulecouldwithdifficultytread,andwherenowheelhadeverrolled,orbyanypossibility

couldroll,Napoleoncontemplatedtransportinganarmyofsixtythousandmen,withponderousartilleryandtonsofcannonballs,andbaggage,andallthebulkymunitionsofwar.EnglandandAustrialaughedtheideatoscorn.Theachievementofsuchanenterprisewasapparentlyimpossible.Napoleon,howeverwasasskillfulinthearrangementoftheminutestdetails,asintheconceptionofthegrandestcombinations.Thoughheresolvedtotakethemassofhisarmy,fortythousandstrong,acrossthepassoftheGreatSt.Bernard,yettodistracttheattentionoftheAustrians,hearrangedalsotosendsmalldivisionsacrossthepassesofSaintGothard,LittleSt.Bernard,andMountCenis.Hewouldthusaccumulatesuddenly,andtotheutteramazementoftheenemy,abodyofsixty-fivethousandmenupontheplainofItaly.Thisforce,descending,like

anapparitionfromtheclouds,intherearoftheAustrianarmy,headedbyNapoleon,andcuttingoffallcommunicationwithAustria,mightindeedstrikeapanicintotheheartsoftheassailantsofFrance.

ThetroopswerecollectedinvariousplacesinthevicinityofDijon,readyatamoment'swarningtoassembleatthepointofrendezvous,andwitharushtoenterthedefile.Immensemagazinesofwheat,biscuit,andoatshadbeennoiselesslycollectedindifferentplaces.Largesumsofspeciehadbeenforwarded,tohire


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theservicesofeverypeasant,withhismule,whoinhabitedthevalleysamongthemountains.Mechanicshops,asbymagic,suddenlyrosealongthepath,wellsuppliedwithskillfulartisans,torepairalldamages,todismounttheartillery,todividethegun-carriagesandthebaggage-wagonsintofragments,thattheymightbetransported,onthebacksofmenandmules,overthesteepandruggedway.Fortheammunitionavastnumberofsmallboxeswereprepared,whichcouldeasilybepackeduponthemules.Asecondcompanyofmechanics,withcampforges,hadbeenprovidedtocrossthemountainwiththefirstdivision,andreartheirshopsupontheplainontheotherside,tomendthebrokenharness,toreconstructthecarriages,andremountthepieces.Oneachsideofthemountainahospitalwasestablishedandsuppliedwitheverycomfortforthesickandthewounded.TheforesightofNapoleonextendedeventosending,attheverylastmoment,totheconventuponthesummit,animmensequantityofbread,cheese,andwine.Eachsoldier,tohissurprise,wastofind,ashearrivedatthesummit,exhaustedwithHerculeantoil,ageneroussliceofbreadandcheesewitharefreshingcupofwine,presentedtohimbythemonks.AlltheseminutedetailsNapoleonarranged,whileatthesametimehewasdoingtheworkofadozenenergeticmen,inreorganizingthewholestructureofsocietyinFrance.Iftoilpaysforgreatness,Napoleonpurchasedtherenownwhichheattained.Andyethisbodyandhismindweresoconstitutedthatthissleeplessactivitywastohimapleasure.

Theappointedhouratlastarrived.Onthe7thofMay,1800,NapoleonenteredhiscarriageattheTuileries,saying,"Good-by,mydearJosephine!ImustgotoItaly.Ishallnotforgetyou,andIwillnotbeabsentlong."Ataword,thewholemajesticarraywasinmotion.LikeameteorhesweptoverFrance.Hearrivedatthefootofthemountains.Thetroopsandalltheparaphernaliaofwarwereonthespotatthedesignatedhour.Napoleonimmediatelyappointedaverycarefulinspection.Everyfootsoldierandeveryhorsemanpassedbeforehisscrutinizingeye.Ifashoewasragged,orajackettorn,oramusketinjured,thedefectwasimmediatelyrepaired.Hisglowingwordsinspiredthetroopswiththeardorwhichwasburninginhisownbosom.ThegeniusoftheFirstConsul

wasinfusedintothemightyhost.Eachmanexertedhimselftotheutmost.Theeyeoftheirchiefwaseverywhere,andhischeeringvoicerousedthearmytoalmostsuper-humanexertions.Twoskillfulengineershadbeensenttoexplorethepath,andtodowhatcouldbedoneintheremovalofobstructions.Theyreturnedwithanappallingrecitasloftheapparentlyinsurmountabledifficultiesoftheway."Isitpossible,"inquiredNapoleon,"tocrossthepass?""Perhaps,"wasthehesitatingreply,"itiswithinthelimitsofpossibility.""Forward,then,"wastheenergeticresponse.Eachmanwasrequiredtocarry,besideshisarms,foodforseveraldaysandalargequantityofcartridges.Asthesinuositiesoftheprecipitouspathcouldonlybetrodinsinglefile,theheavywheelsweretakenfromthecarriages,andeach,slunguponapole,

wasbornebytwomen.Thetaskforthefootsoldierswasfarlessthanforthehorsemen.Thelatterclambereduponfoot,draggingtheirhorsesafterthem.Thedescentwasverydangerous.Thedragoon,inthesteepandnarrowpath,wascompelledtowalkbeforehishorse.Attheleaststumblehewasexposedtobeingplungedheadlongintotheabyssesyawningbeforehim.Inthiswaymanyhorsesandseveralridersperished.Totransporttheheavycannonandhowitzerspinelogsweresplitinthecentre,thepartshollowedout,andthegunssunksintogrooves.Alongstringofmules,insinglefile,wereattachedtotheponderousmachinesofwar,to


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dragthemuptheslipperyascent.Themulessoonbegantofail,andthenthemen,withheartygood-will,broughttheirownshouldersintotheharness--ahundredmentoasinglegun.Napoleonofferedthepeasantstwohundreddollarsforthetransporationofatwelve-pounderoverthepass.Theloveofgainwasnotstrongenoughtolurethemtosuchtremendousexertions.ButNapoleon'sfascinationovertheheartsofhissoldierswasamorepowerfulimpulse.Withshoutsofencouragementtheytoiledatthecables,successivebandsofahundredmenrelievingeachothereveryhalfhour.Highonthosecraggysteeps,gleamingthroughthemidst,theglitteringbandsofarmedmen,likephantomsappeared.Theeaglewheeledandscreamedbeneaththeirfeet.Themountaingoat,affrightedbytheunwontedspectacle,boundedaway,andpausedinboldreliefupontheclifftogazeuponthemartialarraywhichsosuddenlyhadpeopledthesolitude.

Whentheyapproachedanyspotofveryespecialdifficultythetrumpetssoundedthecharge,whichre-echoed,withsublimereverberations,frompinnacletopinnacleofrockandice.Animatedbythesebuglenotesthesoldiersstrainedeverynerveasifrushinguponthefoe.Napoleonofferedtothesebandsthesamerewardwhichhehadpromisedtothepeasants.Buttoaman,theyrefusedthegold.Theyhadimbibedthespiritoftheirchief,hisenthusiasm,andhisproudsuperioritytoallmercenarymotives."Wearenottoiling

formoney,"saidthey,"butforyourapproval,andtoshareyourglory."

Napoleonwithhiswonderfultacthadintroducedaslightchangeintotheartilleryservice,whichwasproductiveofimmensemoralresults.Theguncarriageshadheretoforebeendrivenbymerewagoners,who,beingconsiderednotassoldiers,butasservants,andsharingnotinthegloryofvictory,wereuninfluencedbyanysentimentofhonor.Atthefirstapproachofdanger,theywerereadytocuttheirtracesandgallopfromthefield,leavingtheircannoninthehandsoftheenemy.Napoleonsaid,"Thecannoneerwhobringshispieceintoaction,performsasvaluableaserviceasthecannoneerwhoworksit.Herunsthesamedanger,andrequires

thesamemoralstimulus,whichisthesenseofhonor."Hethereforeconvertedtheartillerydriversintosoldiers,andclothedthemintheuniformoftheirrespectiveregiments.Theyconstitutedtwelvethousandhorsemenwhowereanimatedwithasmuchprideincarryingtheirpiecesintoaction,andinbringingthemoffwithrapidityandsafety,asthegunnersfeltinloading,directing,anddischargingthem.Itwasnowthegreatgloryofthesementotakecareoftheirguns.Theyloved,tenderly,themercilessmonsters.Theylavishedcaressesandtermsofendearmentupontheglittering,polished,death-dealingbrass.Theheartofmanisastrangeenigma.Evenwhenmostdegradeditneedssomethingtolove.Theseblood-stainedsoldiers,brutalizedbyvice,amidstallthehonorsofbattle,lovinglyfondledthemurderousmachinesofwar,respondingtothe

appeal"callmepetnames,dearest."Theunrelentinggunwasthesterncannoneer'sladylove.Hekisseditwithunwashed,mustachedlip.Inrudeandroughdevotionhewasreadytodieratherthanabandontheonlyobjectofhisidolatroushomage.Consistentlyhebaptizedthelife-devouringmonsterwithblood.AffectionatelyhenameditMary,Emma,Lizzie.IncrossingheAlps,darknightcameonassomecannoneerswereflounderingthroughdriftsofsnow,toilingattheirgun.Theywouldnotleavethegunaloneinthecoldstormtoseekforthemselvesadrybivouac;but,likebrothersguardingasister,theythrewthemselves,forthenight,uponthe


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bleakandfrozensnow,byitsside.ItwasthegeniusofNapoleonwhichthuspenetratedthesemysteriousdepthsofthehumansoul,andcalledtohisaidthosemightyenergies."Itisnothingbutimagination,"saidoneoncetoNapoleon."Nothingbutimagination!"herejoined."Imaginationrulestheworld."

Whentheyarrivedatthesummiteachsoldierfound,tohissurpriseandjoy,theabundantcomfortswhichNapoleon'skindcarehadprovided.Onewouldhaveanticipatedthereasceneofterribleconfusion.Tofeedanarmyoffortythousandhungrymenisnotalightundertaking.Yeteverythingwassocarefullyarranged,andtheinfluenceofNapoleonsoboundless,thatnotasoldierlefttheranks.Eachmanreceivedhissliceofbreadandcheese,andquaffedhiscupofwine,andpassedon.Itwasapointofhonorfornoonetostop.Whateverobstructionswereinthewayweretobeatallhazardssurmounted,thatthelongfile,extendingnearlytwentymiles,mightnotbethrownintoconfusion.Thedescentwasmoreperilousthantheascent.Butfortuneseemedtosmile.Theskywasclear,theweatherdelightful,andinfourdaysthewholearmywasreassembledontheplainsofItaly.

NapoleonhadsentBertlierforwardtoreceivethedivision,andtosuperintendallnecessaryrepairs,whilehehimselfremainedtopressforwardthemightyhost.Hewasthelastmantocrossthe

mountains.Seateduponamule,withayoungpeasantforhisguide,slowlyandthoughtfullyheascendedthosesilentsolitudes.Hewasdressedinthegraygreatcoatwhichhealwayswore.Artpicturedhimboundingupthecliff,proudlymountedonaprancingcharger.Buttruthpresentshiminanattitudemoresimpleandmoresublime.Eventheyoungpeasantwhoactedashisguidewasentirelyunconsciousofthedistinguishedrankoftheplaintravelerwhosestepshewasconducting.MuchofthewayNapoleonwassilent,abstractedinthoughts.Andyethefoundtimeforhumansympathy.Hedrewfromhisyoungandartlessguidethesecretsofhisheart.Theyoungpeasantwassincereandvirtuous.Helovedafairmaidamongthemountains.Shelovedhim.Itwashisheart'sgreatdesiretohaveherforhisown.Hewaspoorandhadneitherhousenorlandto

supportafamily.NapoleonstrugglingwithallhisenergiesagainstcombinedEnglandandAustria,andwithallthecaresofanarmy,onthemarchtomeetonehundredandtwentythousandfoes,crowdinghismind,withpensivesympathywontheconfidenceofhiscompanionandelicitedthisartlessrecitalofloveanddesire.AsNapoleondismissedhisguide,withanamplereward,hedrewfromhispocketapencilanduponaloosepieceofpaperwroteafewlines,whichherequestedtheyoungmantogive,onhisreturn,totheAdministratoroftheArmy,upontheotherside.Whentheguidereturned,andpresentedthenote,hefound,tohisunboundedsurpriseanddelight,thathehadconductedNapoleonoverthemountains;andthatNapoleonhadgivenhimafieldandahouse.Hewasthusenabledtobemarried,andtorealizeallthedreamsofhismodestambition.Generous

impulsesmusthavebeeninstinctiveinaheart,whichinanhoursofraughtwithmightyevents,couldturnfromthetoilsofempireandofwar,tofindrefreshmentinsympathizingwithapeasant'slove.Thisyoungmanbutrecentlydied,havingpassedhisquietlifeintheenjoymentofthefieldandthecottagewhichhadbeengivenhimbytheruleroftheworld.

Thearmynowpressedforward,withgreatalacrity,alongthebanksoftheAosta.Theywerethreadingabeautifulvalley,richinverdureandbloomingbeneaththesunofearlyspring.Cottages,vineyards,


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andorchards,infullbloom,embellishedtheirpath,whileuponeachsideofthemrose,inmajesticswell,thefir-cladsidesofthemountains.TheAustrianspressingagainstthefrontiersofFrance,hadnoconceptionofthestormwhichhadsosuddenlygathered,andwhichwas,withresistlesssweep,approachingtheirrear.TheFrenchsoldiers,elatedwiththeHerculeanachievementtheyhadaccomplished,andfullofconfidenceintheirleader,pressedgaylyon.Butthevalleybeforethembegantogrowmoreandmorenarrow.Themountains,oneitherside,rosemoreprecipitousandcraggy.TheAosta,crowdedintoanarrowchannel,rushedfoamingovertherocks,leavingbarelyroomforaroadalongthesideofthemountain.Suddenlythemarchofthewholearmywasarrestedbyafort,builtuponaninaccessiblerock,whichrosepyramidallyfromthebedofthestream.Bristlingcannon,skillfullyarrangedonwell-constructedbastions,sweptthepass,andrenderedfurtheradvanceapparentlyimpossible.Rapidlythetidingsofthisunexpectedobstructionspreadfromthevantotherear.Napoleonimmediatelyhastenedtothefrontranks.Climbingthemountainoppositethefort,byagoatpath,hethrewhimselfdownupontheground,whenafewbushesconcealedhispersonfromtheshotoftheenemy,andwithhistelescopelongandcarefullyexaminedthefortandthesurroundingcrags.Heperceivedoneelevatedspot,farabovethefort,whereacannonmightbypossibilitybedrawn.Fromthatpositionitsshotcouldbeplungedupontheunprotectedbastionsbelow.Uponthe

faceoftheoppositecliff,farbeyondthereachofcannon-balls,hediscernedanarrowshelfintherockbywhichhethoughtitpossiblethatamancouldpass.Themarchwasimmediatelycommenced,insinglefile,alongthisgiddyridge...........Andeventhehorses,insuredtotheterrorsoftheGreatSt.Bernard,wereledbytheirridersuponthenarrowpath,whichahorse'shoofhadnevertrodbefore,andprobablywillnevertreadagain.TheAustrians,inthefort,hadthemortificationofseeingthirty-fivethousandsoldiers,withnumeroushorses,defilealongthisairyline,asifadheringtothesideoftherock.Butneitherbulletnorballcouldharmthem.

Napoleonascendedthismountainridge,anduponitssummit,quite

exhaustedwithdaysandnightsofsleeplessnessandtoil,laidhimselfdown,intheshadowoftherock,andfellasleep.Thelonglinefiledcarefullyandsilentlyby,eachsoldierhushinghiscomrade,thatthereposeoftheirbelovedchieftainmightnotbedisturbed.Itwasaninterestingspectacle,towitnessthetenderaffection,beamingfromthecountenancesofthesebronzedandwar-wornveterans,aseveryfoottrodsoftly,andeacheye,inpassing,wasrivetedupontheslenderform,anduponthepaleandwastedcheekofthesleepingNapoleon.

Theartillerycouldbynopossibilitybethustransported;andanarmywithoutartilleryisasoldierwithoutweapons.TheAustriancommanderwrotetoMelas,thathehadseenanarmyofthirty-five

thousandmenandfourthousandhorsecreepingbythefort,alongthefaceofMountAlbaredo.Heassuredthecommander-in-chief,however,thatnotonesinglepieceofartilleryhadpassedorcouldpassbeneaththegunsofhisfortress.Whenhewaswritingthisletter,alreadyhadonehalfofthecannonandammunitionofthearmybeenconveyedbythefort,andweresafelyandrapidlyproceedingontheirwaydownthevalley.Inthedarknessofthenighttrustymen,withgreatcautionandsilence,strewedhayandstrawupontheroad.Thewheelsofthelumberingcarriageswerecarefullyboundwithclothsandwispsofstraw,and,withaxleswelloiled,were


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drawnbythehandsofthesepickedmen,beneaththeverywallsofthefortress,andwithinhalfpistol-shotofitsguns.Intwonightstheartilleryandthebaggage-trainswerethuspassedalong,andinafewdaysthefortitselfwascompelledtosurrender.

Melas,theAustriancommander,nowawokeinconsternationtoasenseofhisperil.Napoleon--thedreadedNapoleon--had,asbyamiracle,crossedtheAlps.Hehadcutoffallhissupplies,andwasshuttingtheAustriansupfromanypossibilityofretreat.Bewilderedbythemagnitudeofhisperil,henolongerthoughtofforcinghismarchuponParis.TheinvasionofFrancewasabandoned.HiswholeenergiesweredirectedtoopeningforhimselfapassagebacktoAustria.Themostcruelperplexitiesagitatedhim.Fromtheverypinnacleofvictory,hewasindangerofdescendingtothedeepestabyssofdefeat.ItwasalsowithNapoleonanhourofintensesolicitude.Hehadbutsixtythousandmen,two-thirdsofwhomwerenewsoldiers,whohadneverseenashotfiredinearnest,withwhomhewastoarrestthemarchofadesperatearmyofonehundredandtwentythousandveterans,abundantlyprovidedwithallthemostefficientmachineryofwar.ThereweremanypathsbywhichMelasmightescape,atleagues'distancefromeachother.ItwasnecessaryforNapoleontodividehislittlebandthathemightguardthemall.Hewasliableatanymomenttohaveadivisionofhisarmyattackedbyanoverwhelmingforce,andcuttopiecesbeforeitcouldreceive

anyreinforcements.Heatenot,hesleptnot,herestednot.Dayandnight,andnightandday,hewasonhorseback,pale,pensive,apparentlyinfeeblehealth,andinterestingeverybeholderwithhisgraveandmelancholybeauty.Hisscoutswereoutineverydirection.Hestudiedallthepossiblemovementsandcombinationsofhisfoes.RapidlyheoverranLombardy,andenteredMilanintriumph.Melasanxiouslyconcentratedhisforces,tobreakthroughthenetwithwhichhewasentangled.HedideverythinginhispowertodeceiveNapoleon,byvariousfeints,thatthepointofhiscontemplatedattackmightnotbeknown.Napoleon,inthefollowingclariontones,appealedtotheenthusiasmofhistroops:

"Soldiers!whenwebeganourmarch,onedepartmentofFrancewas

inthehandsoftheenemy.ConsternationpervadedthesouthoftheRepublic.Youadvanced.AlreadytheFrenchterritoryisdelivered.Joyandhopeinourcountryhavesucceededtoconsternationandfear.Theenemy,terror-struck,seeksonlytoregainhisfrontiers.Youhavetakenhishospitals,hismagazines,hisreserveparks.Thefirstactofthecampaignisfinished.Millionsofmenaddressyouinstrainsofpraise.ButshallweallowouraudaciousenemiestoviolatewithimpunitytheterritoryoftheRepublic?Willyoupermitthearmytoescapewhichhascarriedterrorintoyourfamilies?Youwillnot.March,then,tomeethim.Tearfromhisbrowsthelaurelshehaswon.TeachtheworldthatamaledictionattendsthosewhoviolatetheterritoryoftheGreatPeople.Theresultofoureffortswillbeuncloudedglory,andadurablepeace!"

TheverydayNapoleonleftParis,DesaixarrivedinFrancefromEgypt.Frank,sincere,upright,andpunctiliouslyhonorable,hewasoneofthefewwhomNapoleontrulyloved.DesaixregardedNapoleonasinfinitelyhissuperior,andlookeduptohimwithaspeciesofadoration;helovedhimwithafervoroffeelingwhichamountedalmosttoapassion.Napoleon,touched,bytheaffectionofaheartsonoble,requiteditwiththemostconfidingfriendship.Desaix,uponhisarrivalinParis,foundlettersforhimtherefromtheFirstConsul.Ashereadtheconfidentiallines,hewasstruckwith


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themelancholyairwithwhichtheywerepervaded."Alas!"saidhe,"Napoleonhasgainedeverything,andyetheisunhappy.Imusthastentomeethim."WithoutdelayhecrossedtheAlps,andarrivedatthehead-quartersofNapoleonbutafewdaysbeforethebattleofMarengo.Theypassedthewholenighttogether,talkingovertheeventsofEgyptandtheprospectsofFrance.Napoleonfeltgreatlystrengthenedbythearrivalofhisnoblefriend,andimmediatelyassignedtohimthecommandofadivisionofthearmy."Desaix,"saidhe,"ismysheetanchor."

"YouhavehadalonginterviewwithDesaix,"saidBourriennetoNapoleonthenextmorning."Yes!"hereplied;"butIhadmyreasons.AssoonasIreturntoParisIshallmakehimMinisterofWar.Heshallalwaysbemylieutenant.IwouldmakehimaprinceifIcould.Heisoftheheroicmouldofantiquity!"

Napoleonwasfullyawarethatadecisivebattlewouldsoontakeplace.Melaswasrapidly,fromallpoints,concentratinghisarmy.ThefollowinglaconicandcharacteristicorderwasissuedbytheFirstConsultoLannesandMurat:"GatheryourforcesattheriverStradella.Onthe8thor9thatthelatest,youwillhaveonyourhandsfifteenoreighteenthousandAustrians.Meetthem,andcutthemtopieces.Itwillbesomanyenemieslessuponourhandsonthedayofthedecisivebattlewearetoexpectwiththeentirearmy

ofMelas."Thepredictionwastrue.AnAustrianforceadvanced,eighteenthousandstrong.LannesmetthemuponthefieldofMontebello.Theywerestronglyposted,withbatteriesrangeduponthehillsides,whichsweptthewholeplain.ItwasoftheutmostmomentthatthisbodyshouldbepreventedfromcombiningwiththeothervastforcesoftheAustrians.Lanneshadbuteightthousandmen.Couldhesustaintheunequalconflictforafewhours,Victor,whowassomemilesintherear,couldcomeupwithareserveoffourthousandmen.TheFrenchsoldiers,fullyconsciousoftheoddsagainstwhichtheyweretocontend,andofthecarnageintothemidstofwhichtheywereplunging,withshoutsofenthusiasmrushedupontheirfoes.Instantaneouslyastormofgrape-shotfromallthebatteriessweptthroughhisranks.SaidLannes,"Icould

hearthebonescrashinmydivision,likeglassinahail-storm."Forninelonghours,fromeleveninthemorningtilleightatnight,thehorridcarnagecontinued.Againandagainthemangled,bleeding,wastedcolumnswereralliedtothecharge.Atlast,whenthreethousandFrenchmenwerestrewndeadupontheground,theAustriansbrokeandfled,leavingalsothreethousandmutilatedcorpsesandsixthousandprisonersbehindthem.Napoleon,hasteningtotheaidofhislieutenant,arriveduponthefieldjustintimetoseethebattlewon.HerodeuptoLannes.Theintrepidsoldierstoodinthemidstofmoundsofthedead--hissworddrippingwithbloodinhisexhaustedhand--hisfaceblackenedwithpowderandsmoke--andhisuniformsoiledandtatteredbythelongandterrificstrife.Napoleonsilently,butproudlysmiledupontheheroic

general,andforgotnothisreward.FromthisbattleLannesreceivedthetitleofDukeofMontebello,atitlebywhichhisfamilyisdistinguishedtothepresentday.

Thiswastheopeningofthecampaign.ItinspiredtheFrenchwithenthusiasm.ItnervedtheAustrianstodespair.Melasnowdeterminedtomakeadesperateefforttobreakthroughthetoils.Napoleon,withintensesolicitude,waswatchingeverymovementofhisfoe,knowingnotuponwhatpointtheonsetwouldfall.Beforeday-breakinthemorningofthe14thofJune,Melas,havingaccumulatedforty


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thousandmen,includingseventhousandcavalryandtwohundredpiecesofcannon,madeanimpetuousassaultupontheFrench,buttwentythousandinnumberdrawnupupontheplainofMarengo.Desaix,withareserveofsixthousandmen,wasatsuchadistance,nearlythirtymilesfromMarengo,thathecouldnotpossiblyberecalledbeforethecloseoftheday.ThedangerwasfrightfulthattheFrenchwouldbeentirelycuttopieces,beforeanysuccorcouldarrive.ButthequickearofDesaixcaughtthesoundoftheheavycannonadeasitcameboomingovertheplain,likedistantthunder.Hesprungfromhiscouchandlistened.Theheavyanduninterruptedroar,proclaimedapitchedbattle,andhewasalarmedforhisbelovedchief.Immediatelyherousedhistroops,andtheystartedupontherushtosuccortheircomrades.Napoleondispatchedcourieraftercouriertohurrythedivisionalong,whilehistroopsstoodfirmthroughterrifichours,astheirrankswereplowedbythemurderousdischargesoftheirfoes.Atlastthedestructionwastooawfulformortalmentoendure.Manydivisionsofthearmybrokeandfled,crying"Allislost--savehimselfwhocan."Asceneoffrightfuldisorderensued.Thewholeplainwascoveredwithfugitive,sweptlikeaninundationbeforethemultitudinousAustrians.Napoleonstillheldafewsquarestogether,whoslowlyandsullenlyretreated,whiletwohundredpiecesofartillery,closelypressingthem,pouredincessantdeathintotheirranks.Everyfootofgroundwasleftencumberedwiththedead.Itwasnowthreeo'clockin

theafternoon.Melas,exhaustedwithtoil,andassuredthathehadgainedacompletevictory,leftGen.Zachtofinishthework.Heretiredtohisheadquarters,andimmediatelydispatchedcouriersalloverEuropetoannouncethegreatvictoryofMarengo.SaidanAustrianveteran,whohadbeforeencounteredNapoleonatArcolaandRivoli,"Melasistoosanguine.Dependuponitourday'sworkisnotyetdone.Napoleonwillyetbeuponuswithhisreserve."

JustthentheanxiouseyeoftheFirstConsulespiedthesolidcolumnsofDesaixenteringtheplain.Desaix,plunginghisspursintohishorse,outstrippedalltherest,andgallopedintothepresenceofNapoleon.Ashecastaglanceoverthewildconfusionanddevastationofthefield,theexclaimedhurriedly,"Iseethatthebattle

islost.IsupposeIcandonomoreforyouthantosecureyourretreat.""Bynomeans,"Napoleonrepliedwithapparentlyasmuchcomposureasifhehadbeensittingbyhisownfireside,"thebattle,Itrust,isgained.Chargewithyourcolumn.Thedisorderedtroopswillrallyinyourrear."Likearock,Desaix,withhissolidphalanxoftenthousandmen,mettheon-rollingbillowofAustrianvictory.AtthesametimeNapoleondispatchedanordertoKellerman,withhiscavalry,tochargethetriumphantcolumnoftheAustriansinflank.Itwastheworkofamoment,andthewholeaspectofthefieldwaschanged.Napoleonrodealongthelinesofthoseontheretreat,exclaiming,"Myfriends,wehaveretreatedfarenough.Itisnowourturntoadvance.RecollectthatIaminthehabitofsleepingonthefieldofbattle."Thefugitives,reanimatedby

thearrivalofthereserve,immediatelyralliedintheirrear.Thedoublechargeinfrontandflankwasinstantlymade.TheAustrianswerecheckedandstaggered.AperfecttornadoofbulletsfromDesaix'sdivisionswepttheirranks.TheypouredanansweringvolleyintothebosomsoftheFrench.AbulletpiercedthebreastofDesaix,andhefellandalmostimmediatelyexpired.Hislastwordswere,"TelltheFirstConsulthatmyonlyregretindyingis,tohaveperishedbeforehavingdoneenoughtoliveintherecollectionofposterity."Thesoldiers,whodevotedlylovedhim,sawhisfall,andrushedmoremadlyontoavengehisdeath.Theswollentideof


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uproar,confusion,anddismaynowturned,androlledinsurgingbillowsintheoppositedirection.HardlyonemomentelapsedbeforetheAustrians,flushedwithvictory,foundthemselvesoverwhelmedbydefeat.Inthemidstofthisterrificscene,anaidrodeuptoNapoleonandsaid,"Desaixisdead."Butamomentbeforetheywereconversingsidebyside.Napoleonpressedhisforeheadconvulsivelywithhishand,andexclaimed,mournfully,"Whyisitnotpermittedmetoweep!Victoryatsuchapriceisdear."

TheFrenchnowmadethewelkinringwithshoutsofvictory.IndescribabledismayfilledtheAustrianranksaswildlytheyrushedbeforetheirunrelentingpursuers.Theirroutwasutterandhopeless.Whenthesunwentdownoverthisfieldofblood,aftertwelvehoursofthemostfrightfulcarnage,ascenewaspresentedhorridenoughtoappalltheheartofademon.Morethantwentythousandhumanbodieswerestrewnupontheground,thedyingandthedead,welteringingore,andineveryconceivableformofdisfiguration.Horses,withlimbstorntheirbodies,werestrugglinginconvulsiveagonies.Fragmentsofgunsandswords,andofmilitarywagonsofeverykindwerestrewedaroundinwildruin.Frequentpiercingcries,whichagonyextortedfromthelaceratedvictimsofwar,roseabovethegeneralmoaningsofanguish,which,likewailingsofthestorm,fellheavilyupontheear.Theshadesofnightwerenowdescendinguponthisawfulsceneofmisery.Themultitudeof

thewoundedwassogreat,thatnotwithstandingtheutmostexertionsofthesurgeons,hourafterhourofthelongnightlingeredaway,whilethousandsofthewoundedandthedyingbitthedustintheiragony.

Ifwarhasitschivalryanditspageantry,ithasalsorevoltinghideousnessanddemoniacwoe.Theyoung,thenoble,thesanguinewerewrithingthereinagony.Bulletsrespectnotbeauty.Theytearouttheeye,andshatterthejaw,andrendthecheek,andtransformthehumanfacedivineintoanaspectuponwhichonecannotgazebutwithhorror.FromthefieldofMarengomanyayoungmanreturnedtohishomesomultilatedasnolongertoberecognizedbyfriends,andpassedawearylifeinrepulsivedeformity.Mercyabandonsthe

arenaofbattle.Thefranticwar-horsewithironhooftramplesuponthemangledface,thethrobbingandinflamedwoundsthesplinteredbones,andheedsnottheshriekoftorture.Crushedintothebloodymirebytheponderouswheelsofheavyartillery,thevictimofbarbaricwarthinksofmother,andfather,andsister,andhome,andshrieks,andmoans,anddies;hisbodyisstrippedbythevagabondswhofollowthecamp;hisnakedmangledcorpseiscoveredwithafewshovels-fullofearth,andleftasfoodforvulturesandfordogsandheisforgottenforever--anditiscalledglory.Hewholoveswar,forthesakeofitsexcitements,itspageantry,anditsfanciedglory,isthemosteminentofallthedupesoffollyandofsin.Hewholoatheswar,withinexpressibleloathing,whowilldoeverythinginhispowertoavertthedireandhorrible

calamity,butwhowill,nevertheless,inthelastextremity,withadeterminedspirit,encounterallitsperils,fromloveofcountryandofhome,whoiswillingtosacrificehimselfandallthatisdeartohiminlife,topromotethewellbeingofhisfellow-man,willeverreceivethehomageoftheworld,andwealsofullybelievethathewillreceivetheapprovalofGod.Washingtonabhorredwarinallitsforms,yethebravedallitsperils.

ForthecarnageofthefieldofMarengo,Napoleoncannotbeheldresponsible.UponEnglandandAustriamustrestalltheguiltof


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thatawfultragedy.Napoleonhaddoneeverythinghecoulddotostoptheeffusionofblood.Hehadsacrificedtheinstinctsofpride,inpleadingwithahaughtyfoeforpeace.Hispleawasunavailing.ThreehundredthousandmenweremarchinguponFrancetoforceuponheradetestedKing.ItwasnotthedutyofFrancetosubmittosuchdictation.Drawingtheswordinself-defense,Napoleonfoughtandconquered."TeDeumLaudamus."

ItisnotpossiblebutthatNapoleonmusthavebeenelatedbysoresplendentavictory.HeknewthatMarengowouldbeclassedasthemostbrilliantofhisachievements.Theblowhadfallenwithsuchterribleseveritythatthehaughtyallieswerethoroughlyhumbled.Melaswasnowathismercy.Napoleoncoulddictatepeaceuponhisownterms.Yetherodeoverthefieldofhisvictorywithasaddenedspirit,andgazedmournfullyupontheruinandthewretchednessaroundhim.Ashewasslowlyandthoughtfullypassingalong,throughtheheapsofthedeadwithwhichthegroundwasencumbered,hemetanumberofcarts,heavilyladenwiththewounded,tornbyballs,andbullets,andfragmentsofshells,intomosthideousspectaclesofdeformity.Astheheavywheelslumberedovertheroughground,gratingthesplinteredbones,andbruisingandopeningafreshtheinflamedwounds,shrieksoftorturewereextortedfromthevictims.Napoleonstoppedhishorseanduncoveredhishead,asthemelancholyprocessionofmisfortuneandwoepassedalong.Turning

toacompanion,hesaid,"Wecannotbutregretnotbeingwoundedliketheseunhappymen,thatwemightsharetheirsufferings."Amoretouchingexpressionofsympathyneverhasbeenrecorded.Hewhosaysthatthiswashypocrisyisastrangertothegenerousimpulsesofanobleheart.Thisinstinctiveoutburstofemotionnevercouldhavebeeninstigatedbypolicy.

Napoleonhadfearlesslyexposedhimselftoeveryperilduringthisconflict.Hisclotheswererepeatedlypiercedbybullets.Ballsstruckbetweenthelegsofhishorse,coveringhimwithearth.Acannon-balltookawayapieceofthebootfromhisleftlegandaportionoftheskin,leavingascarwhichwasneverobliterated.

BeforeNapoleonMarchedforItaly,hehadmadeeveryeffortinhispowerfortheattainmentofpeace.Now,withmagnanimityaboveallpraise,withoutwaitingforthefirstadvancefromhisconqueredfoes,hewroteagainimploringpeace.UponthefieldofMarengo,havingscatteredallhisenemieslikechaffbeforehim,withthesmokeoftheconflictstilldarkeningtheair,andthegroansofthedyingswellinguponhisears,layingasidealltheformalitiesofstate,withheartfeltfeelingandearnestnesshewrotetotheEmperorofAustria.Thisextraordinaryepistlewasthuscommenced:

"Sire!Itisonthefieldofbattle,amidthesufferingsofamultitudeofwounded,andsurroundedbyfifteenthousandcorpses,thatIbeseechyourmajestytolistentothevoiceofhumanity,

andnottosuffertwobravenationstocuteachothers'throatsforinterestsnottheirown.Itismyparttopressthisuponyourmajesty,beingupontheverytheatreofwar.Yourmajesty'sheartcannotfeelitsokeenlyasdoesmine."

Theletterwaslongandmosteloquent."Forwhatareyoufighting?"saidNapoleon."Forreligion?ThenmakewarontheRussiansandtheEnglishwhoaretheenemiesofyourfaith.Doyouwishtoguardagainstrevolutionaryprinciples?ItisthisverywarwhichhasextendedthemoverhalftheContinent,byextendingtheconquests


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ofFrance.Thecontinuanceofthewarcannotfailtodiffusethemstillfurther.IsitforthebalanceofEurope?TheEnglishthreatenthatbalancefarmorethandoesFrance,fortheyhavebecomethemastersandthetyrantsofcommerce,andarebeyondthereachofresistance.IsittosecuretheinterestsofthehouseofAustria!LetusthenexecutethetreatyofCampoFormio,whichsecurestoyourmajestylargeindemnitiesincompensationfortheprovinceslostintheNetherlands,andsecuresthemtoyouwhereyoumostwishtoobtainthem,thatis,inItaly.Yourmajestymaysendnegotiatorswhitheryouwill,andwewilladdtothetreatyofCampoFormiostipulationscalculatedtoassureyouofthecontinuedexistenceofthesecondarystates,ofallwhichtheFrenchRepublicisaccusedofhavingshaken.Upontheseconditionspaceismade,ifyouwill.Letusmakethearmisticegeneralforallthearmies,andenterintonegotiationsinstantly."

AcourierwasimmediatelydispatchedtoVienna,toconveythislettertotheEmperor.Intheevening,BourriennehastenedtocongratulateNapoleonuponhisextraordinaryvictory."Whatagloriousday!"saidBourrienne."Yes!"repliedNapoleon,mournfully;"veryglorious--couldIthiseveningbuthaveembracedDesaixuponthefieldofbattle."

Onthesameday,andatnearlythesamehourinwhichthefatal

bulletpiercedthebreastofDesaix,anassassininEgyptplungedadaggerintothebosomofKleber.Thespiritsoftheseillustriousmen,theseblood-stainedwarriors,thusunexpectedlymetinthespirit-land.Theretheywandernow.Howimpenetrablethevailwhichshutstheirdestinyfromourview.Thesoullongsforclearervisionofthatfar-distantworld,peoplebytheinnumerablehostofthemightydead.ThereNapoleonnowdwells.Doesheretainhisintellectualsupremacy?Dohisgeneralsgatheraroundhimwithloveandhomage!Hashispensivespiritsunkdownintogloomanddespair,orhasitsoaredintocloudlessregionsofpurityandpeace!Themysteryofdeath'Deathalonecansolveit.Christianity,withitsloftyrevealings,shedsbutdimtwilightupontheworldoffdepartedspirits.AtSt.HelenaNapoleonsaid,"OfallthegeneralIeverhad

undermycommandDesaixandKleberpossessedthegreatesttalent.InparticularDesaix,asKleberlovedgloryonlyasthemeansofacquiringwealthandpleasure.Desaixlovedgloryforitself,anddespisedeveryotherconsideration.Tohimrichesandpleasurewereofnovalue,nordidheevergivethemamoment'sthought.Hewasalittleblack-lookingman,aboutaninchshorterthanmyself,alwaysbadlydressed,sometimesevenragged,anddespisingalikecomfortandconvenience.Envelopedinacloak,Desaixwouldthrowhimselfunderagunandsleepascontentedlyasifreposinginapalace.Luxuryhadforhimnocharms.Frankandhonestinallhisproceedings,hewasdenominatedbytheArabsSultantheJust.Natureintendedhimtofigureasaconsummategeneral.KleberandDesaixwereirreparablelossestoFrance."

Itisimpossibletodescribethedismay,whichpervadedthecampoftheAustriansafterthisterribledefeat.Theywereentirelycutfromallretreat,andwereatthemercyofNapoleon.AcouncilofwarwasheldbytheAustrianofficersduringthenight,anditwasunanimouslyresolvedthatcapitulationwasunavoidable.Earlythenextmorningaflagoftrucewassenttothehead-quartersofNapoleon.TheAustriansofferedtoabandonItaly,ifthegenerosityofthevictorwouldgrantthemtheboonofnotbeingmadeprisonersofwar.Napoleonmettheenvoywithgreatcourtesy,and,according


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tohiscustom,statedpromptlyandirrevocablytheconditionsuponwhichhewaswillingtotreat.Thetermsweregenerous."TheAustrianarmies,"saidhe,"mayunmolestedreturntotheirhomes;butallofItalymustbeabandoned."Melas,whowaseightyyearsofage,hopedtomodifytheterms,andagainsentthenegotiatortosuggestsomealterations."Monsieur!"saidNapoleon,"myconditionsareirrevocable.Ididnotbegintomakewaryesterday.Yourpositionisasperfectlycomprehendedbymeasbyyourselves.Youareencumberedwithdead,sick,andwounded,destituteofprovisions,deprivedoftheeliteofyourarmy,surroundedoneveryside,Imightexacteverything.ButIrespectthewhitehairsofyourgeneral,andthevalorofyoursoldiers.Iasknothingbutwhatisrigorouslyjustifiedbythepresentpositionofaffairs.Takewhatstepsyoumay,youwillhavenootherterms."Theconditionswereimmediatelysigned,andasuspensionofarmswasagreedupon,untilananswercouldbereceivedfromVienna.

NapoleonleftParisforthiscampaignonthe7thofMay.ThebattleofMarengowasfoughtonthe14thofJune.ThusinfiveweeksNapoleonhasscaledthebarrieroftheAlps:withsixtythousandsoldiers,mostofthemundisciplinedrecruits,hehadutterlydiscomfitedanarmyofonehundredandtwentythousandmen,andregainedthewholeofItaly.ThebosomofeveryFrenchmanthrobbedwithgratitudeandpride.Onewildshoutofenthusiasmascended

fromunitedFrance.NapoleonhadlaidthefoundationofhisthronedeepintheheartoftheFrenchnation,andtherethatfoundationstillremainsunshaken.

NapoleonnowenteredMilanintriumph.Heremainedtheretendays,busyapparentlyeveryhour,bydayandbynight,inre-organizingthepoliticalconditionofItaly.Theseriousandreligioustendenciesofhismindaredevelopedbythefollowingnote,whichfourdaysafterthebattleofMarengo,hewrotetotheConsulsinParis:"To-day,whateverouratheistsmaysaytoit,IgoingreatstatetotheToDeumwhichistobechantedintheCathedralofMilan.**TheTeDeum,isananthemofpraise,sunginchurchesonoccasionofthanksgiving.Itissocalledfromthefirstwords"TeDeum

laudamus,"TheeGodwepraise

AnunworthyspiritofdetractionhasvainlysoughttowrestfromNapoleonthehonorofthisvictory,andtoattributeitalltotheflankchargemadebyKellerman.Suchattemptsdeservenodetailreply.Napoleonhadsecretlyandsuddenlycalledintobeinganarmy,andbyitsapparentlymiraculouscreationhadastoundedEurope.Hehadeffectuallydeceivedthevigilanceofhisenemies,soastoleavethementirelyinthedarkrespectinghispointofattack.Hehadconveyedthatarmywithallitsstores,overthepathlesscragsoftheGreatSt.Bernard.LikeanavalanchehehaddescendedfromthemountainsupontheplainsofstartledItaly.HehadsurroundedtheAustrianhosts,thoughtheyweredoubledhisnumbers,

withanetthroughwhichtheycouldnotbreak.Inadecisivebattlehehadscatteredtheirranksbeforehim,likechaffbythewhirlwind.Hewasnoblysecondedbythosegeneralswhomhisgeniushadchosenandcreated.Itisindeedtrue,thatwithouthisgeneralsandhissoldiershecouldnothavegainedthevictory.MassenacontributedtotheresultbyhismatchlessdefenseofGenoa;Moreau,byholdinginabeyancethearmyoftheRhine;Lannes,byhisironfirmnessontheplainofMontebello;Desaix,bythepromptnesswithwhichherushedtotherescue,assoonashiscarcaughtthefar-offthundersofthecannonofMarengo;andKellerman,byhis


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admirableflankchargeofcavalry.ButitwasthegeniusofNapoleonwhichplannedthemightycombination,whichrousedanddirectedtheenthusiasmofthegenerals,whichinspiredthesoldierswithfearlessnessandnervedthemforthestrife,andwhich,throughtheseefficientagencies,securedtheastoundingresults.

Napoleonestablishedhistriumphantarmy,nowincreasedtoeightythousandmen,intherichvalleyofthePo.HeassignedtotheheroicMassenathecommandofthistriumphanthost,andorderingallthefortsandcitadelswhichblockedtheapproachesfromFrancetobeblownup,setout,onthe24thofJune,forhisreturntoParis.Inre-crossingtheAlps,bythepassofMt.Cenis,hemetthecarriageofMadameKellerman,whowasgoingtoItalytojoinherhusband.Napoleonorderedhiscarriagetobestopped,andalighting,greetedtheladywithgreatcourtesy,andcongratulatedheruponthegallantconductofherhusbandatMarengo.Ashewasridingalongoneday,Bourriennespokeoftheworld-widerenownwhichtheFirstConsulhadattained.

"Yes,"Napoleonthoughtfullyreplied."Afewmoreeventslikethiscampaign,andmynamemayperhapsgodowntoposterity."

"Ithink,"Bourriennerejoined,"thatyouhavealreadydoneenoughtosecurealongandlastingfame."

"Doneenough!"Napoleonreplied."Youareverygood!ItistruethatinlessthantwoyearsIhaveconqueredCairo,Paris,Milan.ButwereItodieto-morrow,halfapageofgeneralhistorywouldbeallthatwouldbedevotedtomyexploits."

Napoleon'sreturntoParis,throughtheprovincesofFrance,wasasceneofconstanttriumph.Thejoyofthepeopleamountedalmosttofrenzy.Bonfires,illuminations,thepealingofbells,andthethundersofartilleryaccompaniedhimalltheway.Longlinesofyoungmaidens,selectedfortheirgraceandbeauty,formedavenuesoflovelinessandsmilesthroughwhichhewastopass,andcarpetedhispathwithflowers.HearrivedinParisatmidnightthe2dof

July,havingbeenabsentbuteightweeks.

TheenthusiasmoftheParisianswasunboundedandinexhaustible.Dayafterday,andnightafternight,thefestivitiescontinued.ThePalaceoftheTuilerieswaseverthrongedwithacrowd,eagertocatchaglimpseofthepreserverofFrance.Allthepublicbodieswaiteduponhimwithcongratulations.Bellsrung,cannonthundered,bonfiresandilluminationsblazed,rocketsandfire-works,inmeteoricsplendorfilledtheair,bandsofmusicpouredforththeirexuberantstrains,andunitedParis,throngingthegardenoftheTuileriesandfloodingbackintotheElysianFields,renttheheavenswithdeafeningshoutsofexultation.AsNapoleonstoodatthewindowofhispalace,witnessingthisspectacleofanation's

gratitude,hesaid,"Thesoundoftheseacclamationsisassweettome,asthevoiceofJosephine.HowhappyIamtobebelovedbysuchapeople."Preparationswereimmediatelymadeforabrilliantandimposingsolemnityincommemorationofthevictory."Letnotriumphalarchberaisedtome,"saidNapoleon."Iwishfornotriumphalarchbutthepublicsatisfaction."

ItisnotstrangethatenthusiasmandgratitudeshouldhaveglowedintheardentbosomsoftheFrench.InfourmonthsNapoleonhadraisedFrancefromanabyssofruintothehighestpinnacleof


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prosperityandrenown.Foranarchyhehadsubstitutedlaw,forbankruptcyawell-replenishedtreasury,forignominiousdefeatresplendentvictory,foruniversaldiscontentasuniversalsatisfaction.TheinvadersweredrivenfromFrance,thehostilealliancebroken,andtheblessingsofpeacewerenowpromisedtothewar-harassednation.

DuringthiscampaigntherewaspresentedaveryinterestingillustrationofNapoleon'swonderfulpowerofanticipatingtheprogressofcomingevents.Bourrienne,oneday,justbeforethecommencementofthecampaign,enteredthecabinetattheTuileries,andfoundanimmensemapofItaly,unrolleduponthecarpet,andNapoleonstretcheduponit.Withpins,whoseheadsweretippedwithredandblacksealing-wax,torepresenttheFrenchandAustrianforces,Napoleonwasstudyingallthepossiblecombinationsandevolutionsofthetwohostilearmies.Bourrienne,insilence,butwithdeepinterest,watchedtheprogressofthispincampaign.Napoleon,havingarrangedthepinswithredheads,whereheintendedtoconducttheFrenchtroops,andwiththeblackpinsdesignatingthepointwhichhesupposedtheAustrianswouldoccupy,lookeduptohissecretary,andsaid:

"DoyouthinkthatIshallbeatMelas?"

"Why,howcanItell!"Bourrienneanswered.

"Why,yousimpleton,"saidNapoleon,playfully;"justlookhere.MelasisatAlexandria,wherehehashishead-quarters.HewillremainthereuntilGenoasurrenders.HehasinAlexandriahismagazines,hishospitals,hisartillery,hisreserves.PassingtheAlpshere,"stickingapinintotheGreatSt.Bernard,"IfalluponMelasinhisrear;IcutoffhiscommunicationswithAustria.ImeethimhereinthevalleyoftheBormida."Sosaying,hestuckaredpinintotheplainofMarengo.

Bourrienneregardedthismaneuveringofpinsasmerepastime.Hiscountenanceexpressedhisperfectincredulity.Napoleon,perceivingthis,addressedtohimsomeofhisusualapostrophes,inwhichhe

wasaccustomedplayfullytoindulgeinmomentsofrelaxation,suchas,Youninny,Yougoose;androlledupthemap.Tenweekspassedaway,andBourriennefoundhimselfuponthebanksoftheBormida,writing,atNapoleon'sdictation,anaccountofthebattleofMarengo.AstonishedtofindNapoleon'santicipationsthusminutelyfulfilled,hefranklyavowedhisadmirationofthemilitarysagacitythusdisplayed.Napoleonhimselfsmiledatthejusticeofhisforesight.

TwodaysbeforethenewsofthebattleofMarengoarrivedinVienna,EnglandeffectedanewtreatywithAustria,forthemorevigorousprosecutionofthewar.BythisconventionitwasprovidedthatEnglandshouldloanAustriatenmillionsofdollars,tobearno

interestduringthecontinuanceoftheconflict.AndtheAustriancabinetbounditselfnottomakepeacewithFrance,withouttheconsentoftheCourtofSt.James.TheEmperorofAustriawasnowsadlyembarrassed.HissenseofhonorwouldnotallowhimtoviolatehispledgetotheKingofEngland,andtomakepeace.Ontheotherhand,hetrembledatthethoughtofseeingthearmiesoftheinvincibleNapoleonagainmarchinguponhiscapital.He,therefore,resolvedtotemporize,and,inordertogaintime,sentanembassadortoParis.TheplenipotentiarypresentedtoNapoleonaletter,inwhichtheEmperorstated,"Youwillgivecreditto


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everythingwhichCountJulienshallsayonmypart.Iwillratifywhateverheshalldo."Napoleon,promptinaction,anduniformedofthenewtreatybetweenFerdinandandGeorgeIII.,immediatelycausedthepreliminariesofpeacetobedrawnup,whichweresignedbytheFrenchandAustrianministers.ThecabinetinVienna,angrywiththeirembassadorfornotprotractingthediscussion,refusedtoratifythetreaty,recalledCountJulien,senthimintoexile,informedtheFirstConsulofthetreatwhichboundAustrianottomakepeacewithouttheconcurrenceofGreatBritain,assuredFranceofthereadinessoftheEnglishCabinettoenterintonegotiations,andurgedtheimmediateopeningofaCongressatLuneville,towhichplenipotentiariesshouldbesentfromeachofthethreegreatcontendingpowers.Napoleonwashighlyindignantinviewofthisduplicityandperfidy.Yet,controllinghisanger,heconsentedtotreatwithEngland,andwiththatviewproposedanavalarmistice,withthemistressoftheseas.TothispropositionEnglandperemptorilyrefusedtoaccede,asitwouldenableFrancetothrowsuppliesintoEgyptandMalta,whichislandEnglandwasbesieging.ThenavalarmisticewouldhavebeenundeniablyfortheinterestsofFrance.Butthecontinentalarmisticewasasundeniablyadversetoherinterests,enablingAustriatorecoverfromherdefeats,andtostrengthenherarmies.Napoleon,fullyconvincedthatEngland,inhe[rinaccessibleposition,didnotwishforpeace,andthatheronlyobject,inendeavoringtoobtainadmittancetotheCongress,

wasthatshemightthrowobstaclesinthewayofreconciliationwithAustria,offeredtorenounceallarmisticewithEngland,andtotreatwithherseparately.ThisEnglandalsorefused.

ItwasnowSeptember.Twomonthshadpassedinthesevexationsandsterilenegotiations.Napoleonhadtakeneverystepinhispowertosecurepeace.Hesincerelydesiredit.Hehadalreadywonallthelaurelshecouldwishtowinonthefieldofbattle.ThereconstructionofsocietyinFrance,andtheconsolidationofhispower,demandedallhisenergies.Theconsolidationofhispower!ThatwasjustwhatthegovernmentofEnglanddreaded.TheconsolidationofdemocraticpowerinFrancewasdangeroustokingandtonoble.WilliamPits,thesoulofthearistocraticgovernmentofEngland,determinedstill

toprosecutethewar.FrancecouldnotharmEngland.ButEngland,withherinvinciblefleet,couldsweepthecommerceofFrancefromtheseas.Foxandhiscoadjutorswithgreateloquenceandenergyopposedthewar.Theireffortswere,however,unavailing.ThepeopleofEngland,notwithstandingalltheeffortsofthegovernmenttodefamethecharacteroftheFirstConsul,stillcherishedtheconvictionthat,afterall,Napoleonwastheirfriend.Napoleon,insubsequentyears,whilereviewingthesescenesofhisearlyconflicts,withcharacteristiceloquenceandmagnanimity,gaveutterancetothefollowingsentimentswhich,itisascertainasdestiny,thattheverdictoftheworldwillyetconfirm.

"PittwasthemasterofEuropeanpolicy.Heheldinhishandsthe

moralfateofnations.Buthemadeanilluseofhispower.Hekindledthefireofdiscordthroughouttheuniverse;andhisname,likethatofErostratus,willbeinscribedinhistory,amidstflames,lamentations,andtears.Twenty-fiveyearsofuniversalconflagration;thenumerouscoalitionsthataddedfueltotheflame;therevolutionanddevastationofEurope;thebloodshedofnations;thefrightfuldebtofEngland,bywhichallthesehorrorsweremaintained;thepestilentialsystemofloans,bywhichthepeopleofEuropeareoppressed;thegeneraldiscontentthatnowprevails--allmustbeattributedtoPitt.Posteritywillbrandhim


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asascourge.Themansolaudedinhisowntime,willhereafterberegardedasthegeniusofevil.NotthatIconsiderhimtohavebeenwillfullyatrocious,ordoubthishavingentertainedtheconvictionthathewasactingright.ButSt.Bartholomewhadalsoitsconscientiousadvocates.ThePopeandcardinalscelebrateditbyaTeDeum;andwehavenoreasontodoubttheirhavingdonesoinperfectsincerity.Suchistheweaknessofhumanreasonandjudgment!Butthatforwhichposteritywill,aboveall,execratethememoryofPitt,isthehatefulschool,whichhehasleftbehindhim;itsinsolentMachiavelism,itsprofoundimmorality,itscoldegotism,anditsutterdisregardofjusticeandhumanhappiness.Whetheritbetheeffectofadmirationandgratitude,ortheresultofmereinstinctandsympathy,Pittis,andwillcontinuetobe,theidoloftheEuropeanaristocracy.Therewas,indeed,atouchoftheSyllainhischaracter.Hissystemhaskeptthepopularcauseincheck,andbroughtaboutthetriumphofthepatricians.AsforFox,onemustnotlookforhismodelamongtheancients.Heishimselfamodel,andhisprincipleswillsoonerorlaterruletheworld.ThedeathofFoxwasoneofthefatalitiesofmycareer.Hadhislifebeenprolonged,affairswouldtakenatotallydifferentturn.Thecauseofthepeoplewouldhavetriumphed,andweshouldhaveestablishedaneworderofthingsinEurope."

Austriareallydesiredpeace.ThemarchofNapoleon'sarmiesupon

ViennawasanevilmoretobedreadedthaneventheconsolidationofNapoleon'spowerinFrance.ButAustriawas,byloansandtreaties,soentangledwithEngland,thatshecouldmakenotpeacewithouttheconsentoftheCourtofSt.James.Napoleonfoundthathewasbuttriffledwith.Interminabledifficultieswerethrowninthewayofnegotiation.Austriawastakingadvantageofthecessationofhostilities,merelytorecruitherdefeatedarmies,that,soonastheapproachingwinterhadpassedaway,shemightfall,withrenovatedenergies,uponFrance.ThemonthofNovemberhadnowarrived,andthemountains,whitenedwithsnow,weresweptbythebleakwindsofwinter.Theperiodofthearmisticehadexpired.Austriaappliedforitsprolongation.Napoleonwasnolongerthustobeduped.Heconsented,however,toacontinuedsuspension

ofhostilities,onconditionthatthetreatyofpeaceweresignedwithinforty-eighthours.Austria,believingthatnosanemanwouldmarchanarmyintoGermanyinthedeadofwinter,andthatsheshouldhaveabundanttimetoprepareforaspringcampaign,refused.ThearmiesofFrancewereimmediatelyonthemove.TheEmperorofAustriahadimprovedeverymomentofthistransientintervalofpeace,inrecruitinghisforces.Inpersonhehadvisitedthearmytoinspirehistroopswithenthusiasm.Thecommandoftheimperialforceswasintrustedtohissecondbrother,theArchdukeJohn.Napoleonmovedwithhisaccustomedvigor.ThepoliticalnecessitiesofParisandofFrancerendereditimpossibleforhimtoleavethemetropolis.Heorderedonepowerfularmy,underGeneralBrune,toattacktheAustriansinItaly,onthebanksofMincio,

andtopressfirmlytowardVienna.Intheperformanceofthisoperation,GeneralMacdonald,inthedeadofwinter,effectedhisheroicpassageovertheAlpsbythepassoftheSplugen.Victoryfollowedtheirstandards.

Moreau,withhismagnificentarmy,commencedawintercampaignontheRhine.BetweentheriversIserandInnthereisanenormousforest,manyleaguesinextent,ofsombrefirsandpines.Itisadrearyandalmostuninhabitedwilderness,ofwildravines,andtangledunder-brush.Twogreatroadshavebeencutthroughthe


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forest,andsundrywoodmen'spathspenetrateitatdifferentpoints.Inthecentrethereisalittlehamlet,ofafewmiserablehuts,calledHohenlinden.Inthisforest,onthenightofthe3dofDecember,1800,Moreau,withsixtythousandmen,encounteredtheArchdukeJohnwithseventythousandAustriantroops.TheclocksuponthetowersofMunichhadbutjusttolledthehourofmidnightwhenbotharmieswereinmotion,eachhopingtosurprisetheother.Adismalwintrystormwashowlingoverthetreetops,andthesmotheringsnow,fallingrapidly,obliteratedalltracesofapath,andrendereditalmostimpossibletodragthroughthedriftstheponderousartillery.Bothparties,inthedarkandtempestuousnight,becameentangledintheforest,andtheheadsoftheircolumnsinvariousplacesmet.Anawfulsceneofconfusion,conflict,andcarnagethenensued.Imaginationcannotcompasstheterriblesublimityofthatspectacle.Thedarkmidnight,thehowlingsofthewintrystorm,thedrivingsheetsofsnow,theincessantroarofartilleryandofmusketryfromonehundredandthirtythousandcombatants,thelightningflashesoftheguns,thecrashofthefallingtreesastheheavycannon-ballssweptthroughtheforest,theflounderingofinnumerablehorsemenbewilderedinthepathlesssnow,theshoutofonset,theshriekofdeath,andtheburstofmartialmusicfromathousandbands--allcombinedtopresentasceneofhorrorandofdemoniacenergy,whichprobablyeventhislostworldneverpresentedbefore.Thedarknessoftheblackforest

wassointense,andthesnowfellinflakessothickandfastandblinding,thatthecombatantscouldwithdifficultyseeeachother.Theyoftenjudgedofthefoeonlybyhisposition,andfiredattheflashesgleamingthroughthegloom.Attimes,hostiledivisionsbecameintermingledininextricableconfusion,andhandtohand,bayonetcrossingbayonet,andswordclashingagainstsword,theyfoughtwiththeferocityofdemons;forthoughtheofficersofanarmymaybeinfluencedbythemostelevatedsentimentsofdignityandofhonor,themassofthecommonsoldiershaveeverbeenthemostmiserable,worthless,anddegradedofmankind.Astheadvancingandretreatinghostwaveredtoandfro,thewounded,bythousands,wereleftonhill-sidesandindarkravines,withthedriftingsnow,crimsonedwithblood,theironlyblanket;thereinsolitude

andagonytomoanandfreezeanddie.Whatdeath-scenestheeyeofGodmusthavewitnessedthatnight,inthesolitudesofthatdark,tempest-tossed,andblood-stainedforest!Atlastthemorningdawnedthroughtheunbrokenclouds,andthebattleragedwithrenovatedfury.Nearlytwentythousandmutilatedbodiesofthedeadandwoundedwereleftuponthefield,withgorylocksfrozentotheiricypillows,andcoveredwithmoundsofsnow.AtlasttheFrenchwerevictoriousateverypoint.TheAustrians,havinglosttwenty-fivethousandmeninkilled,wounded,andprisoners,onehundredpiecesofartillery,andanimmensenumberofwagons,fledindismay.ThisterrificconflicthasbeenimmortalizedbythenobleepicofCampbell,whichisnowfamiliarwherevertheEnglishlanguageisknown.

"OnLinden,whenthesunwaslow,Allbloodlesslaytheuntroddensnow,AnddarkaswinterwastheflowOrIser,rollingrapidly."ButLindensawanothersight,Whenthedrumsbeatatdeadofnight,CommandingfiresofdeathtolightThedarknessofherscenery."&c.

TheretreatingAustriansrusheddownthevalleyoftheDanube.Moreaufollowedthunderingattheirheels,plungingballsandshellsintotheirretreatingranks.ThevictoriousFrenchwerewithinthirty


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milesofVienna,andthecapitalwasinastateofindescribabledismay.TheEmperoragainsentimploringanarmistice.Theapplicationwaspromptlyaccededto,forNapoleonwascontendingonlyforpeace.Yetwithunexempledmagnanimity,notwithstandingtheseastonishingvictories,Napoleonmadenoessentialalterationsinhisterms.Austriawasathisfeet.HisconqueringarmieswerealmostinsightofthesteeplesofVienna.TherewasnopowerwhichtheEmperorcouldpresenttoobstructtheirresistlessmarch.Hemighthaveexactedanytermsofhumiliation.Butstillheadheredtothefirsttermswhichhehadproposed.MoreauwasurgedbysomeofhisofficerstopressontoVienna."Wehadbetterhalt,"hereplied,"andbecontentwithpeace.Itisforthatalonethatwearefighting."TheEmperorofAustriawasthuscompelledtotreatwithouttheconcurrenceofEngland.Theinsurmountableobstacleinthewayofpeacewasthusremoved.AtLuneville,JosephBonaparteappearedastheembassadorofNapoleon,andCountCobentzelastheplenipotentiaryofAustria.Thetermsofthetreatyweresoonsettled,andFrancewasagainatpeacewithalltheworld,Englandaloneexcepted.BythistreatytheRhinewasacknowledgedastheboundaryofFrance.TheAdigelimitedthepossessionsofAustriainItaly;andNapoleonmadeitanessentialarticlethateveryItalianimprisonedinthedungeonsofAustriaforpoliticaloffences,shouldimmediatelybeliberated.TherewastobenointerferencebyeitherwiththenewrepublicswhichhadsprungupinItaly.They

weretobepermittedtochoosewhateverformofgovernmenttheypreferred.Inreferencetothistreaty,SirWalterScottmakesthecandidadmissionthat"thetreatyofLunevillewasnotmuchmoreadvantageoustoFrancethanthatofCampoFormio.ThemoderationoftheFirstConsulindicatedatoncehisdesireforpeaceupontheContinent,andconsiderablerespectforthebraveryandstrengthofAustria."AndAlison,incautiousbutsignificantphrase,remarks,"TheseconditionsdidnotdiffermateriallyfromthoseofferedbyNapoleonbeforetherenewalofthewar;aremarkablecircumstance,whenitisrememberedhowvastandadditionthevictoriesofMarengo,Hohenlinden,andtheMincio,hadsincemadetothepreponderanceoftheFrencharmies."

Itwas,indeed,"aremarkablecircumstance,"thatNapoleonshouldhavemanifestedsuchunparalleledmoderation,undercircumstancesofsuchaggravatedindignity.InNapoleon'sfirstItaliancampaignhewascontendingsolelyforpeace.Atlastheattainedit,inthetreatyofCampoFormio,ontermsequallyhonorabletoAustriaandtoFrance.OnhisreturnfromEgypt,hefoundthearmiesofAustria,threehundredthousandstrong,inalliancewithEngland,invadingtheterritoriesoftheRepublic.Heimploredpeace,inthenameofbleedinghumanity,uponthefairbasisofthetreatyofCampoFormio.Hisfoesregardedhissupplicationastheimploringcryofweakness,andtreateditwithscorn.WithnewvigortheypouredtheirtempestsofballsandshellsuponFrance.NapoleonsealedtheAlps,anddispersedhisfoesatMarengo,likeautumnleavesbefore

theAlps,anddispersedhisfoesatMarengo,likeautumnleavesbeforethegale.Amidthesmokeandthebloodandthegroansofthefieldofhisvictory,heagainwroteimploringpeace;andhewroteintermsdictatedbythehonestandgushingsympathiesofahumaneman,andnotinthecoldandstatelyformsofthediplomatist.Crushedashisfoeswere,herosenotinhisdemands,butnoblysaid,"IamstillwillingtomakepeaceuponthefairbasisofthetreatyofCampoFormio."Histreacherousfoes,togaintimetorecruittheirarmies,thattheymightfalluponhimwithrenovatedvigor,agreedtoanarmistice.Theythenthrewallpossible


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embarrassmentsinthewayofnegotiation,andprolongedthearmisticetillthewindsofwinterweresweepingfiercelyoverthesnow-coveredhillsofAustria.TheythoughtthatitwasthentoolateforNapoleontomakeanymovementsuntilspring,andthattheyhadalongwinterbeforethem,inwhichtoprepareforanothercampaign.Theyrefusedpeace.ThroughstormsandfreezinggalesanddriftingsnowsthearmiesofNapoleonmarchedpainfullytoHohenlinden.ThehostsofAustriawereagainrouted,andweresweptaway,asthedriftedsnowfliesbeforethegale.TenthousandFrenchmenliecoldindeath,theterriblepriceofthevictory.TheEmperorofAustria,inhispalaces,heardthethunderingsofNapoleon'sapproachingartillery.Heimploredpeace."ItisallthatIdesire,"saidNapoleon;"Iamnotfightingforambitionorforconquest.IamstillreadytomakepeaceuponthefairbasisofthetreatyofCampoFormio."

WhilealltheContinentwasnowatpeacewithFrance,Englandalone,withindomitableresolution,continuedthewar,withoutallies,andwithoutanyapparentoravowedobject.France,comparativelypowerlessupontheseas,couldstrikenoblowswhichwouldbefeltbythedistantislanders."Oneverypoint,"saysSirWalterScott,"theEnglishsquadronsannihilatedthecommerceofFrance,crippledherrevenues,andblockadedherforts."ThetreatyofLunevillewassignedthe9thofFebruary,1801.Napoleonlamenting,thecontinuedhostilityofEngland,inannouncingthispeacetothepeopleof

France,remarked,"Whyisnotthistreatythetreatyofageneralpeace?ThiswasthewishofFrance.Thishasbeentheconstantobjectoftheeffortsofhergovernment.Butitsdesiresarefruitless.AllEuropeknowsthattheBritishministerhasendeavoredtofrustratethenegotiationsatLuneville.InvainwasitdeclaredtohimthatFrancewasreadytoenterintoaseparatenegotiation.ThisdeclarationonlyproducedarefusalunderthepretextthatEnglandcouldnotabandonherally.Sincethen,whenthatallyconsentedtotreatwithoutEngland,thatgovernmentsoughtothermeanstodelayapeacesonecessarytotheworld.Itraisespretensionscontrarytothedignityandrightsofallnations.ThewholecommerceofAsia,andofimmensecolonies,doesnotsatisfyitsambition.AlltheseasmustsubmittotheexclusivesovereigntyofEngland."

AsWilliamPittreceivedthetidingsofthisdiscomfitureofhisallies,indespairingdespondency,heexclaimed,"FoldupthemapofEurope.Inneednotagainbeopenedfortwentyyears."

Whilethesegreataffairswereinprogress,Napoleon,inParis,wasconsecratinghisenergieswithalmostmiraculouspower,indevelopingalltheresourcesofthemajesticempireunderhiscontrol.Hepossessedthepowerofabstractiontoadegreewhichhasprobablyneverbeenequaled.Hecouldconcentrateallhisattentionforanylengthoftimeupononesubject,andthen,layingthatasideentirely,withoutexpendinganyenergiesinunavailinganxiety,couldturntoanother,withallthefreshnessandthevigorofanunpreoccupiedmind.Incessantmentallaborwastheluxuryofhis

life."Occupation,"saidhe,"ismyelement.Iambornandmadeforit.IhavefoundthelimitsbeyondwhichIcouldnotusemylegs.IhaveseentheextenttowhichIcouldusemyeyes.ButIhaveneverknownanyboundstomycapacityforapplication."

TheuniversalityofNapoleon'sgeniuswasnowmostconspicuous.Therevenuesofthenationwerereplenished,andallthetaxesarrangedtothesatisfactionofthepeople.TheBankofFrancewasreorganized,andnewenergyinfusedintoitsoperations.Severalmillionsofdollarswereexpendedinconstructingandperfectingfivemagnificent


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roadsradiatingfromParistothefrontiersoftheempire.Robbers,thevagabondsofdisbandedarmies,infestedtheroads,renderingtravelingdangerousintheextreme."Bepatient,"saidNapoleon."Givemeamonthortwo.Imustfirstconquerpeaceabroad.Iwillthendospeedyandcompletejusticeuponthesehighwaymen."Averyimportantcanal,connectingBelgiumwithFrance,hadbeencommencedsomeyearsbefore.TheengineerscouldnotagreerespectingthebestdirectionofthecuttingthroughthehighlandswhichseparatedthevalleyoftheOisefromthatoftheSomme.Hevisitedthespotinperson:decidedthequestionpromptly,anddecideditwisely,andthecanalwaspressedtoitscompletion.HeimmediatelycausedthreenewbridgestobethrownacrosstheSeineatParis.HecommencedthemagnificentroadoftheSimplon,crossingtheruggedAlpswithabroadandsmoothhighway,whichforageswillremainadurablemonumentofthegeniusandenergyofNapoleon.IngratitudeforthefavorshehadreceivedfromthemonksoftheGreatSt.Bernard,hefoundedtwosimilarestablishmentsfortheaidoftravelers,oneonMountCenis,theotherontheSimplon,andbothauxiliarytotheconventontheGreatSt.Bernard.Concurrentlywiththesemajesticundertakings,hecommencedthecompilationofthecivilcodeofFrance.TheablestlawyersofEuropeweresummonedtothisenterprise,andthewholeworkwasdiscussedsectionbysectionintheCouncilofState,overwhichNapoleonpresided.ThelawyerswereamazedtofindthattheFirstConsulwasasperfectlyfamiliar

withallthedetailsoflegalandpoliticalscience,ashewaswithmilitarystrategy.

Bourriennementions,thatoneday,aletterwasreceivedfromanemigrant,GeneralDurosel,whohadtakenrefugeintheislandofJersey.Thefollowingisanextractfromtheletter:

"Youcannothaveforgotten,general,thatwhenyourlatefatherwasobligedtotakeyourbrothersfromthecollegeofAutun,hewasunprovidedwithmoney,andaskedofmeonehundredandtwenty-fivedollars,whichIlenthimwithpleasure.Afterhisreturn,hehadnotanopportunityofpayingme,andwhenIleftAjaccio,yourmotherofferedtodisposeofsomeplate,inordertopaythedebt.

TothisIobjected,andtoldherthatIwouldwaituntilshecouldpaymeatherconvenience.PrevioustotheRevolution,Ibelievethatitwasnotinherpowertofulfillherwishofdischargingthedebt.Iamsorrytobeobligedtotroubleyouaboutsuchatrifle.Butsuchismyunfortunatesituation,thateventhistrifleisofsomeimportancetome.Attheageofeighty-six,general,afterhavingservedmycountryforsixtyyears,Iamcompelledtotakerefugehere,andtosubsistonascantyallowance,grantedbytheEnglishgovernmenttoFrenchemigrants.Isayemigrants,forIamobligedtobeoneagainstmywill."

Uponhearingthisletterread,Napoleonimmediatelyandwarmlysaid,"Bourrienne,thisissacred.Donotloseamoment.Sendthe

oldmantentimesthesum.WritetoGeneralDurosel,thatheshallimmediatelybeerasedfromthelistofemigrants.WhatmischiefthosebrigandsoftheConventionhavedone.Icanneverrepairitall."Napoleonutteredthesewordswithadegreeofemotionwhichhehadrarelybeforeevinced.Intheeveningheinquired,withmuchinterestofBourrienne,ifhehadexecutedhisorders.

ManyattemptsweremadeatthistimetoassassinatetheFirstConsul.ThoughFrance,withthemostunparalleledunanimitysurroundedhimwithadmiration,gratitude,andhomage,therewereviolentmenin


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thetwoextremesofsociety,amongtheJacobinsandtheinexorableRoyalists,whoregardedhimasintheirway.Napoleon'sescapefromtheexplosionoftheinfernalmachine,gotupbytheRoyalists,wasalmostmiraculous.

Ontheeveningofthe24thofDecember,NapoleonwasgoingtotheOpera,tohearHaydn'sOratoriooftheCreation,whichwastobeperformedforthefirsttime.Intenselyoccupiedbybusiness,hewasreluctanttogo;buttogratifyJosephine,yieldedtoherurgentrequest.Itwasnecessaryforhiscarriagetopassthroughanarrowstreet.Acart,apparentlybyaccidentoverturned,obstructedthepassage.Abarrelsuspendedbeneaththecart,containedasdeadlyamachineascouldbeconstructedwithgun-powderandallthemissilesofdeath.Thecoachmansucceededinforcinghiswaybythecart.Hehadbarelypassedwhenanexplosiontookplace,whichwasalloverParis,andwhichseemedtoshakethecitytoitsfoundations.Eightpersonswereinstantlykilled,andmorethansixtywerewounded,ofwhomabouttwentysubsequentlydied.Thehousesforalongdistance,oneachsideofthestreet,werefearfullyshattered,andmanyofthemwerenearlyblowntopieces.Thecarriagerockedasuponthebillowsofthesea,andthewindowswereshatteredtofragments.Napoleonhadbeenintoomanyscenesofterrortobealarmedbyanynoiseordestructionwhichgunpowdercouldproduce."Ha!"saidhe,withperfectcomposure;"weareblown

up."Oneofhiscompanionsinthecarriage,greatlyterrified,thrusthisheadthroughthedemolishedwindow,andcalledloudlytothedrivertostop."No,no!"saidNapoleon;"driveon."WhentheFirstConsulenteredtheOperaHouse,heappearedperfectlycalmandunmoved.Thegreatestconsternation,however,prevailedinallpartsofthehouse,fortheexplosionhadbeenheard,andthemostfearfulapprehensionswerefeltforthesafetyoftheidolizedNapoleon.Assoonasheappeared,thundersofapplause,whichshooktheverywallsofthetheatre,gaveaffectingtestimonyoftheattachmentofthepeopletohisperson.Inafewmoments,Josephine,whohadcomeinherprivatecarriage,enteredthebox.Napoleonturnedtoherwithperfecttranquillity,andsaid,"Therascalstriedtoblowmeup.WhereisthebookoftheOratorio?"

NapoleonsoonlefttheOperaandreturnedtotheTuileries.Hefoundavastcrowdassembledthere,attractedbyaffectionforhisperson,andanxietyforhissafety.Theatrocityofthisattemptexciteduniversalhorror,andonlyincreasedthealreadyalmostboundlesspopularityoftheFirstConsul.DeputationsandaddresseswereimmediatelypouredinuponhimfromParisandfromallthedepartmentsofFrance,congratulatinghimuponhisescape.ItwasatfirstthoughtthatthisconspiracywastheworkoftheJacobins.TherewereinParismorethanahundredoftheleadersoftheexecrableparty,whohadobtainedasanguinarynotorietyduringthereignofterror.TheywereactivemembersofaJacolinClub,aviolentandvulgargatheringcontinuallyplottingtheoverthrow

ofthegovernment,andtheassassinationoftheFirstConsul.Theywerethoroughlydetestedbythepeople,andthecommunitywasgladtoavailitselfofanyplausiblepretextforbanishingthemfromFrance.Withoutsufficientevidencethattheywereactuallyguiltyofthisparticularoutrage,inthestrongexcitementandindignationofthemomentadecreewaspassedbythelegislativebodies,sendingonehundredandsixtyofthesebloodstainedculpritsintoexile.ThewishwasearnestlyexpressedthatNapoleonwouldpromptlypunishthembyhisowndictatorialpower.Napoleonhad,infact,acquiredsuchunboundedpopularity,andthenationwassothoroughlyimpressed


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withasenseofhisjustice,andhiswisdom,thewhateverhesaidwasdone.He,however,insistedthatthebusinessshouldbeconductedbytheconstitutedtribunalsandundertheregularformsoflaw."Theresponsibilityofthismeasure,"saidNapoleon,"mustrestwiththelegislativebody.Theconsulsareirresponsible.Buttheministersarenot.Anyoneofthemwhoshouldsignanarbitrarydecree,mighthereafterbecalledtoaccount.Notasingleindividualmustbecompromised.Theconsulsthemselvesknownotwhatmayhappen.Asforme,whileIlive,Iamnotafraidthatanyonewillbekilled,andthenIcannotanswerforthesafetyofmytwocolleagues.Itwouldbeyourturntogovern,"said,he,smiling,andturningtoCambaceres;"andyouarenotasyetveryfirminthestirrups.Itwillbebettertohavealawforthepresent,aswellasforthefuture."Itwasfinally,aftermuchdeliberation,decidedthattheCouncilofStateshoulddrawupadeclarationofthereasons,fortheact.TheFirstConsulwastosignthedecree,andtheSenatewastodeclarewhetheritwasorwasnotconstitutional.ThuscautiouslyNapoleonproceedundercircumstancessoexciting.Thelaw,however,wasunjustandtyrannical.Guiltyasthesemenwereofothercrimes,bywhichtheyhadforfeitedallsympathy,itsubsequentlyappearedthattheywerenotguiltyofthiscrime.Napoleonwasevidentlyembracedbythisuncertaintyoftheirguilty,andwasnotwillingthattheyshouldbedenouncedascontriversoftheinfernalmachine."Webelieve,"saidhe,"thattheyare

guilty.Butwedonotknowit.Theymustbetransportedforthecrimeswhichtheyhavecommitted,themassacresandtheconspiraciesalreadyprovedagainstthem."Thedecreewaspassed.ButNapoleon,stronginpopularity,becamesoconvincedofthepowerlessnessandinsignificanceoftheseJacobins,thatthedecreewasneverenforcedagainstthem.TheyremainedinFrance.Buttheywereconsciousthattheeyeofthepolicewasuponthem."Itisnotmyownperson,"saidNapoleon,"thatIseektoavenge.Myfortunewhichhaspreservedmesooftenonthefieldofbattle,willcontinuetopreserveme.Ithinknotofmyself.Ithinkofsocialorderwhichitismymissiontore-establish,andofthenationalhonor,whichitismydutytopurgefromanabominablestain."Totheinnumerableaddressesofcongratulationandattachmentwhichthisoccurrenceelicited

Napoleonreplied."IhavebeentouchedbytheproofsofaffectionwhichthepeopleofParishaveshownmeonthisoccasion.Ideservethem.Fortheonlyaimofmythoughts,andofmyactions,istoaugmenttheprosperityandthegloryofFrance.Whilethosebanditticonfinedthemselvestodirectattacksuponme,Icouldleavetothelawsthetaskofpunishingthem.Butsincetheyhaveendangeredthepopulationofthecapitalbyacrime,unexampledinhistory,thepunishmentmustbeequallyspeedyandterrible."

Itwassoonproved,muchtothesurpriseofNapoleon,thattheatrociousactwasperpetratedbythepartisansoftheBourbons.ManyofthemostprominentoftheLoyalistswereimplicatedinthishorribleconspiracy.Napoleonfeltthathedeservedtheirgratitude.

HehadinterposedtosavethemfromthefuryoftheJacobins.Againsttheremonstrancesofhisfriends,hehadpassedadecreewhichrestoredonehundredandfiftythousandofthesewanderingemigrantstoFrance.Hehaddoneeverythinginhispowertoenablethemtoregaintheirconfiscatedestates.Hehadbeeninallrespectstheirfriendandbenefactor,andhewouldnotbelieve,untiltheproofwasindisputable,thattheycouldthusrequitehim.ThewilyFouche,however,draggedthewholematterintolight.Theprominentconspiratorswerearrestedandshot.Thefollowingletter,writtenonthisoccasionbyJosephine,totheMinisterofPolice,strikingly


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illustratesthebenevolenceofherheart,andexhibitsinaveryhonorablelightthecharacterofNapoleon.

"WhileIyettrembleatthefrightfuleventwhichhasjustoccurred,Iamdistressedthroughfearofthepunishmenttobeinflictedontheguilty,whobelong,itissaid,tofamilieswithwhomIoncelivedinhabitsofintercourse.Ishallbesolicitedbymothers,sisters,anddisconsolatewives,andmyheartwillbebrokenthroughmyinabilitytoobtainallthemercyforwhichIwouldplead.IknowthattheelemencyoftheFirstwhobelong,itissaid,tofamilieswithwhomIoncelivedinhabitsofintercourse.Ishallbesolicitedbymothers,sisters,anddisconsolatewives,andmyheartwillbebrokenthroughmyinabilitytoobtainallthemercyforwhichIwouldplead.IknowthattheelemencyoftheFirstConsulisgreat--hisattachmenttomeextreme.Thechiefofthegovernmenthasnotbeenaloneexposed;anditisthatwhichwillrenderhimsevere,inflexible.Iconjureyou,therefore,todoallinyourpowertopreventinquiriesbeingpushedtoofar.Donotdetectallthosepersonswhohavebeenaccomplicesinthisodioustransaction.LetnotFrance,solongoverwhelmedinconsternation,bypublicexecutions,groananew,beneathsuchinflictions.Whentheringleadersofthisnefariousattemptshallhavebeensecured,letseveritygiveplacetopityforinferioragents,seduced,astheymayhavebeenbydangerousfalsehoodsorexaggeratedopinions.Asawoman,

awife,andamother,Imustfeeltheheartrendingsofthosewillapplytome.Act,citizenminister,insuchawaythatthenumberofthesemaybelessened."

ItseemsalmostmiraculousthatNapoleonshouldhaveescapedtheinnumerableconspiracieswhichatthistimewereformedagainsthim.ThepartisansoftheBourbonsthoughthatifNapoleoncouldberemoved,theBourbonsmightregaintheirthrone.Itwashisresistlessgeniusalone,whichenabledFrancetotriumphovercombinedEurope.HisdeathwouldleaveFrancewithoutaleader.Thearmiesofthealliescouldthen,withbloodystrides,marchtoParis,andplacethehatedBourbonsonthethrone.Franceknewthis,andadoreditspreserver.MonarchicalEuropeknewthis,andhencealltheengergies

ofitscombinedkingswerecentreduponNapoleon.Morethanthirtyoftheseconsipraciesweredetectedbythepolice.Londonwasthehot-housewheretheywereengendered.Air-gunswereaimedtoNapoleon.Assassinsdoggedhimwiththeirponiards.Abomb-shellwasinvented,weighingaboutfifteenpounds,whichwastobethrowninathiscarriage-window,andwhichexplodingbyitsownconcussion,wouldhurldeathoneveryside.Theconspiratorswereperfectlyrecklessofthelivesofothers,iftheycouldonlydestroythelifeofNapoleon.Theagentsoftheinfernal-machinehadthebarbaritytogetayounggirlfifteenyearsofagetoholdthehorsewhodrewthemachine.Thiswastodisarmsuspicion.Thepoorchildwasblownintosuchfragments,thatnopartofherbody.exceptingthefeet,couldafterwardsbefound.AtlastNapoleonbecamearoused,

anddeclaredthathewould"teachthoseBourbonsthathewasnotamantobeshotatlikeadog."

OnedayatSt.Helena,ashewasputtingonhisflannelwaistcoat,heobservedLasCasaslookingathimverysteadfastly.

"Well!whatisyourExcellencythinkingof?"saidNapoleon,withasmile.

"Sire,"LasCasasreplied,"inapamphletwhichIlatelyread,I


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founditstatedthatyourmajestywasshieldedbyacoat-of-mail,forthesecurityofyourperson.IwasthinkingthatIcouldbearpositiveevidencethatatSt.Helenaatleast,allprecautionsforpersonalsafetyhavebeenlaidaside."

"This,"saidNapoleon,"isoneofthethousandabsurditieswhichhavejustmentionedisthemoreridiculous,sinceeveryindividualaboutmewellknowshowcarelessIamwithregardtoself-preservation.Accustomedfromtheageofeighteentobeexposedtotheconnon-ball,andknowingtheinutilityofprecautions,Iabandonedmyselftomyfate.WhenIcametotheheadofaffairs,Imightstillhavefanciedmyselfsurroundedbythedangersofthefieldofbattle;andImighthaveregardedtheconspiracieswhichwereformedagainstmeassomanybomb-shells.ButIfollowedmyoldcourse.Itrustedtomyluckystar,andleftallprecautionstothepolice.IwasperhapstheonlysovereigninEuropewhodispensedwithabody-guard.Everyonecouldfreelyapproachme,withouthaving,asitwere,topassthroughmilitarybarracks.MariaLousiawasmuchastonishedtoseemesopoorlyguarded,andsheoftenremarkedthatherfatherwassurroundedbybayonets.Formypart,IhadnobetterdefenseattheTuileriesthanIhavehere.Idonotevenknowwheretofindmysword,"saidhe,lookingaroundtheroom;"doyouseeit?Ihave,tobesure,incurredgreatdangers.Upwardofthirtyplotswerefoundagainstme.Thesehavebeenprovedbyauthentictestimony,

withoutmentioningmanywhichnevercametolight.Somesovereignsinventconspiraciesagainstthemselves;formypart,ImadeitarulecarefullytoconcealthemwheneverIcould.ThecrisismostserioustomewasduringtheintervalfromthebattleofMarengo,totheattemptofGeorgeCadoudalandtheaffairoftheDukeD'Enghien"

Napoleonnow,withhisaccustomedvigor,tookholdoftherobbersanandmadeshortworkwiththem.TheinsurgentarmiesofLaVendee,numberingmorethanonehundredthousandmen,andfilledwithadventurersanddesperadoesofeverykind,weredisbandedwhentheirchiefsyieldedhomagetoNapoleon.Manyofthesemen,accustomedtobandittiwarfare,tooktothehighways.Theroadsweresoinfestedbythem,thattravailingbecameexceedinglyperilous,anditwas

necessarythateverystage-coachwhichleftParisshouldbeaccompaniedbyaguardofarmedsoldiers.Toremedyastateofsocietythusconvulsedtoitsverycentre,specialtribunalswereorganized,consistingofeightjudges.Theyweretotakecognizanceofallsuchcrimesasconspiracies,robberies,andactsofviolenceofanykind.ThearmedbandsofNapoleonsweptoverFrancelikeawhirlwind.Therobberswereseized,tried,andshotwithoutdelay.Orderwasatoncerestored.ThepeoplethoughtnotofthedangerouspowertheywereplacinginthehandsoftheFirstConsul.Theyaskedonlyforacommander,whowasableandwillingtoquellthetumultofthetimes.SuchacommandertheyfoundinNapoleon.Theyweremorethanwillingtoconferuponhimallthepowerhecoulddesire."Youknowwhatisbestforus;""saidthepeopleofNapoleon."Direct

uswhattodo,andwewilldoit."Itwasthusthatabsolutepowercamevoluntarilyintohishands.Underthecircumstancesitwassonaturalthatitcanexcitenosuspicion.HewascalledFirstConsul.ButhealreadyswayedasceptermoremightythanthatoftheCaesars.ButsixteenmonthshadnowelapsedsinceNapoleonlandedatFrejus.InthattimehehadattainedthethroneofFrance.Hehadcausedorderandprosperitytoemergefromthechaosofrevolution.ByhismagnanimityhehaddisarmedRussia,byhisarmieshadhumbledAustria,andhadcompelledcontinentalEuropetoacceptanhonorablepeace.Hemeritedthegratitudeofhiscountrymen,andhereceived


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itinoverflowingmeasure.Throughalltheseincidents,soeventfulandsofullofdifficulty,itisnoteasytopointtoasingleactofNapoleon,whichindicatesamaliciousoranungenerousspirit.

"Ifearnothing,"saidNapoleonatSt.Helena,"formyrenown.Posteritywilldomejustice.ItwillcomparethegoodwhichIhavedonewithfaultswhichIhavecommitted.IfIhadsucceededIshouldhavediedwiththereputationofbeingthegreatestmanwhoeverexisted.FrombeingnothingIbecame,bymyownexertions,themostpowerfulmonarchoftheuniverse,withoutcommittinganycrime.Myambitionwasgreat,butitrestedontheopinionofthemasses.Ihavealwaysthoughtthatsovereigntyresidesinthepeople.Theempire,asIhadorganizedit,wasbutagreatrepublic.Calledtothethronebythevoiceofthepeople,mymaximhasalwaysbeenacareeropentotalentwithoutdistinctionofbirth.ItisforthissystemofequalitythattheEuropeanoligarchydetestsme.AndyetinEnglandtalentandgreatservicesraiseamantothehighestrank.Englandshouldhaveunderstoodme."

TheFrenchRevolution,"saidNapoleon,"wasageneralmovementofthemassofthenationagainsttheprivilegedclasses.Thenobleswereexemptfromtheburdensofthestate,andyetexclusivelyoccupiedallthepostsofhonorandemolument.Therevolutiondestroyedtheseexclusiveprivileges,andestablishedequalityof

rights.Alltheavenuesofwealthandgreatnesswereequallyopentoeverycitizen,accordingtohistalents.TheFrenchnationestablishedtheimperialthrone,andplacedmeuponit.ThethroneofFrancewasgrantedbeforetoHughCapet,byafewbishopsandnobles.Theimperialthronewasgiventome,bythedesireofthepeople."

JosephBonapartewasofveryessentialservicetoNapoleoninthediplomaticintercourseofthetimes.Lucienalsowasemployedinvariousways,andthewholefamilyweretakenundertheprotectionoftheFirstConsul.AtSt.HelenaNapoleonutteredthefollowinggraphicandtruthfuleulogiumuponhisbrothersandsisters:"Whatfamily,insimilarcircumstances,wouldhaveactedbetter?Every

oneisnotqualifiedtobeastatesman.Thatrequiresacombinationofpowerswhichdoesnotoftenfalltothelotofanyone.Inthisrespectallmybrothersweresingularlysituated;theypossessedatoncetoomuchandtoolittletalent.Theyfeltthemselvestoostrongtoresignthemselves.blindlytoaguidingcounselor,andyettooweaktobeleftentirelytothemselves.ButtakethemallinallIhavecertainlygoodreasontobeproudofmyfamily.Josephwouldhavebeenanhonortosocietyinanycountry,andLucienwouldhavebeenanhonortoanyassembly;Jerome,asheadvancedinlife,wouldhavedevelopedeveryqualificationrequisiteinasovereign.Louiswouldhavebeendistinguishedinanyrankorconditionoflife.MysisterElizawasendowedwithmasculinepowersofmind;shemusthaveprovedherselfaphilosopherinher

adversefortune.Carolinepossessedgreattalentsandcapacity.Pauline,perhapsthemostbeautifulwomanofherage,hasbeenandwillcontinuetotheendofherlife,themostamiablecreatureintheworld.Astomymother,shedeservesallkindsofveneration.Howseldomissonumerousafamilyentitledtosomuchpraise.Addtothis,that,settingasidethejarringofpoliticalopinions,wesincerelylovedeachother.Formypart,Ineverceasedtocherishfraternalaffectionforthemall.AndIamconvincedthatintheirheartstheyfeltthesamesentimentstowardme,andthatincaseofneed,theywouldhavegivenmeeveryproofofit."


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Theproudoldnobility,whomNapoleonhadrestoredtoFrance,anduponmanyofwhomhehadconferredtheirconfiscatedestates,manifestednogratitudetowardtheirbenefactor.Theyweresightingforthere-enthronementoftheBourbons,andforthereturnofthegoodoldtimes,whenalltheofficesofemolumentandhonorwerereservedforthemandfortheirchildren,andthepeoplewerebuttheirhewersofwoodanddrawersofwater.Inthemorning,asbeggars,theywouldcrowdtheaudience-chamberoftheFirstConsulwiththeirpetitions.Intheeveningtheydisdainedtohonorhisleveeswiththeirpresence.TheyspokecontemptuouslyofJosephine,ofherkindnessandherdesiretoconciliateallparties.TheycondemnedeverythingthatNapoleondid.He,however,paidnoheedtotheirmurmurings.Hewouldnotcondescendeventopunishthembyneglect.Inthatmostloftypridewhichinducedhimtosaythat,inhisadministrationhewishedtoimitatetheelemencyofGod,heendeavoredtoconsultfortheinterestsofall,boththeevilandtheunthankful.Hisfamewastoconsist,notinrevenginghimselfuponhisenemies,butinaggrandizingFrance.

AtthistimeNapoleon'sestablishmentattheTuileriesratherresem

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NAPOLEON BONAPARTE by John S.C. Abbott

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