IntheMemorialofSt.Helenaitisstated，inreferencetothe18thFructidor，\"thatthetriumphofthemajorityofthecouncilswashisdesireandhope，weareinclinedtobelievefromthefollowingfact，viz.，thatatthecrisisofthecontestbetweenthetwofactionsasecretresolutionwasdrawnupbythreeofthemembersoftheDirectory，askinghimforthreemillionstosupporttheattackonthecouncils，andthatNapoleon，undervariouspretences，didnotsendthemoney，thoughhemighteasilyhavedoneso.\"
Thisisnotverycomprehensible.Therewasnosecretresolutionofthememberswhoappliedforthethreemillions.ItwasBonapartewhoofferedthemoney，which，however，hedidnotsend;itwashewhodespatchedAugereau;andhewhowishedforthetriumphoftheDirectorialmajority.
HismemoryservedhimbadlyatSt.Helena，aswillbeseenfromsomecorrespondencewhichIshallpresentlysubmittothereader.ItisverycertainthathedidofferthemoneytotheDirectory;thatistosay，tothreeofitsmembers.
——[Barras，LaRevelliere—Lepaux，andRewbell，thethreeDirectorswhocarriedoutthe’coupd’etat’ofthe18thFructidoragainsttheircolleaguesCarnotandBartholemy.（SeeThiers’FrenchRevolution\"，vol.v.pp.114，139，and163.）]——
Bonapartehadsodecidedlyformedhisresolutionthatonthe17thofJuly，wishingtomakeAugereauhisconfidant，hesenttoVicenzaforhimbyanextraordinarycourier.
BonaparteaddsthatwhenBottot，theconfidentialagentofBarras，cametoPasseriano，afterthe18thFructidor，hedeclaredtohimthatassoonasLaValletteshouldmakehimacquaintedwiththerealstateofthingsthemoneyshouldbetransmitted.Theinaccuracyofthesestatementswillbeseeninthecorrespondencerelativetotheevent.InthusdistortingthetruthNapoleon’sonlyobjectcouldhavebeentoproclaimhisinclinationfortheprinciplesheadoptedandenergeticallysupportedfromtheyear1800，butwhich，previouslytothatperiod，hehadwithnolessenergyopposed.
HedecidedlyresolvedtosupportthemajorityoftheDirectory，andtoopposetheroyalistfaction;thelatter，whichwasbeginningtobeimportant，wouldhavebeenlistenedtohaditofferedpowertohim.
AbouttheendofJulyhesenthis’aidedecamp’LaVallettetoParis.
LaVallettewasamanofgoodsenseandeducation，pleasingmanners，plianttemper，andmoderateopinions.HewasdecidedlydevotedtoBonaparte.WithhisinstructionshereceivedaprivateciphertoenablehimtocorrespondwiththeGeneral—in—Chief.
Augereauwent，afterLaVallette，onthe27thofJuly.BonaparteofficiallywrotetotheDirectorythatAugereau\"hadsolicitedleavetogotoParisonhisownprivatebusiness.\"
Butthetruthis，AugereauwassentexpresslytosecondtherevolutionwhichwaspreparingagainsttheClichypartyandtheminorityoftheDirectory.
BonapartemadechoiceofAugereaubecauseheknewhisstaunchrepublicanprinciples，hisboldness，andhisdeficiencyinpoliticaltalent.Hethoughthimwellcalculatedtoaidacommotion，whichhisownpresencewiththearmyofItalypreventedhimfromdirectinginperson;andbesides，Augereauwasnotanambitiousrivalwhomightturneventstohisownadvantage.Napoleonsaid，atSt.Helena，thathesenttheaddressesofthearmyofItalybyAugereaubecausehewasadecidedsupporteroftheopinionsoftheday.Thatwasthetruereasonforchoosinghim.
Bernadottewassubsequentlydespatchedonthesameerrand.Bonaparte’spretenceforsendinghimwas，thathewishedtotransmittotheDirectoryfourflags，which，outofthetwenty—onetakenatthebattleofRivoli，hadbeenleft，bymistake，atPeschiera.Bernadotte，however，didnottakeanygreatpartintheaffair.Hewasalwaysprudent.
Thecrisisofthe18thFructidor，whichretardedforthreeyearstheextinctionofthepentarchy，presentsoneofthemostremarkableeventsofitsshortexistence.ItwillbeseenhowtheDirectorsextricatedthemselvesfromthisdifficulty.IsubjointhecorrespondencerelatingtothisremarkableepisodeofourRevolution，cancellingonlysuchportionsofitasareirrelevanttothesubject.ItexhibitsseveralvariationsfromtheaccountsgivenbyNapoleonatSt.Helenatohisnoblecompanionsinmisfortune.
Augereauthusexpressedhimselfonthe18thFructidor（4thSeptember1797）：——
Atlength，General，mymissionisaccomplished，andthepromisesofthearmyofItalyarefulfilled.Thefearofbeinganticipatedhascausedmeasurestobehurried.
AtmidnightIdespatchedorderstoallthetroopstomarchtowardsthepointsspecified.Beforedayallthebridgesandprincipalplaceswereplantedwithcannon.Atdaybreakthehallsofthecouncilsweresurrounded，theguardsofthecouncilswereamicablymingledwithourtroops，andthemembers，ofwhomIsendyoualist，werearrestedandconveyedtotheTemple.Thegreaternumberhaveescaped，andarebeingpursued.Carnothasdisappeared.’
——[In1824LouisXVIII.sentlettersofnobilitytothosemembersofthetwocouncilswhowere，asitwastermed，’fructidorized’.
——Bourrienne]——
Parisistranquil，andeveryoneisastoundedataneventwhichpromisedtobeawful，butwhichhaspassedoverlikeafete.
ThestoutpatriotsofthefaubourgsproclaimthesafetyoftheRepublic，andtheblackcollarsareputdown.ItnowremainsforthewiseenergyoftheDirectoryandthepatriotsofthetwocouncilstodotherest.Theplaceofsittingischanged，andthefirstoperationspromisewell.Thiseventisagreatsteptowardspeace;whichitisyourtaskfinallytosecuretous.
Onthe24thFructidor（10thSeptember1797）Augereauwrites：
My’aidedecamp’，deVerine，willacquaintyouwiththeeventsofthe18th.HeisalsotodelivertoyousomedespatchesfromtheDirectory，wheremuchuneasinessisfeltatnothearingfromyou.
NolessuneasinessisexperiencedonseeinginParisoneofyour’aidesdecamp’，—（LaVallette）—whoseconductexcitesthedissatisfactionanddistrustofthepatriots，towardswhomhehasbehavedveryill.
ThenewsofGeneralClarke’srecallwillhavereachedyoubythistime，andIsuspecthassurprisedyou.AmongstthethousandandonemotiveswhichhavedeterminedtheGovernmenttotakethisstepmaybereckonedhiscorrespondencewithCarnot，whichhasbeencommunicatedtome，andinwhichhetreatedthegeneralsofthearmyofItalyasbrigands.
MoreauhassenttheDirectoryaletterwhichthrowsanewlightonPichegru’streason.Suchbasenessishardlytobeconceived.
TheGovernmentperseveresinmaintainingthesalutarymeasureswhichithasadopted.Ihopeitwillbeinvainfortheremnantofthefactionstorenewtheirplots.Thepatriotswillcontinueunited.
FreshtroopshavingbeensummonedtoParis，andmypresenceattheirheadbeingconsideredindispensablebytheGovernment，IshallnothavethesatisfactionofseeingyousosoonasIhoped.Thishasdeterminedmetosendformyhorsesandcarriages，whichIleftatMilan.
BernadottewrotetoBonaparteonthe24thFructidorasfollows：——
ThearresteddeputiesareremovedtoRochefort，wheretheywillbeembarkedfortheislandofMadagascar.Parisistranquil.Thepeopleatfirstheardofthearrestofthedeputieswithindifference.Afeelingofcuriositysoondrewthemintothestreets;enthusiasmfollowed，andcriesof’VivelaRepublique’，whichhadnotbeenheardforalongtime，nowresoundedineverystreet.Theneighbouringdepartmentshaveexpressedtheirdiscontent.ThatofAllierhas，itissaid，protested;butitwillcutafinefigure.EightthousandmenaremarchingtotheenvironsofParis.Partisalreadywithintheprecincts;undertheordersofGeneralLemoine.TheGovernmenthasitatpresentinitspowertoelevatepublicspirit;buteverybodyfeelsthatitisnecessarytheDirectoryshouldbesurroundedbytriedandenergeticRepublicans.
Unfortunatelyahostofmen，withouttalentandresources，alreadysupposethatwhathastakenplacehasbeendoneonlyinordertoadvancetheirinterests.Timeisnecessarytosetalltorights.
Thearmieshaveregainedconsistency.Thesoldiersoftheinteriorareesteemed，oratleastfeared.Theemigrantsfly，andthenon—
juringpriestsconcealthemselves.NothingcouldhavehappenedmorefortunatelytoconsolidatetheRepublic.
Bonapartewroteasfollows，totheDirectoryonthe26thFructidor：
Herewithyouwillreceiveaproclamationtothearmy，relativetotheeventsofthe18th.Ihavedespatchedthe45thdemi—brigade，commandedbyGeneralBon，toLyons，togetherwithfiftycavalry;
alsoGeneralLannes，withthe20thlightinfantryandthe9thregimentoftheline，toMarseilles.Ihaveissuedtheenclosedproclamationinthesoutherndepartments.IamabouttoprepareaproclamationfortheinhabitantsofLyons，assoonasIobtainsomeinformationofwhatmayhavepassedthere.
IfIfindthereistheleastdisturbance，Iwillmarchtherewiththeutmostrapidity.Believethattherearehereahundredthousandmen，whoarealonesufficienttomakethemeasuresyouhavetakentoplacelibertyonasolidbasisberespected.Whatavailsitthatwegainvictoriesifwearenotrespectedinourcountry.InspeakingofParis，onemayparodywhatCassiussaidofRome：\"OfwhatusetocallherqueenonthebanksoftheSeine，whensheistheslaveofPitt’sgold？\"
Afterthe18thFructidorAugereauwishedtohavehisrewardforhisshareinthevictory，andfortheservicewhichhehadrendered.HewishedtobeaDirector.Hegot，however，onlythelengthofbeingacandidate;
honourenoughforonewhohadmerelybeenaninstrumentonthatday.
CHAPTERIX.
1797.
Bonaparte’sjoyattheresultofthe18thFructidor.——HislettertoAugerean——HiscorrespondencewiththeDirectoryandproposedresignation——ExplanationoftheDirectory——Bottot——GeneralClarke——
LetterfromMadameBacciocchitoBonaparte——AutographletteroftheEmperorFrancistoBonaparte——ArrivalofCountCobentzel——AutographnoteofBonaparteontheconditionsofpeace.
Bonapartewasdelightedwhenheheardofthehappyissueofthe18thFructidor.ItsresultwasthedissolutionoftheLegislativeBodyandthefalloftheClichyanparty，whichforsomemonthshaddisturbedhistranquillity.TheClichyanshadobjectedtoJosephBonaparte’srighttositasdeputyforLiamoneintheCouncilofFiveHundred.
——[HewasambassadortoRome，andnotadeputyatthistime.Whenhebecameamemberofthecouncil，afterhisreturnfromRome，heexperiencednoopposition（BourrienneetsesErreurs，tomei.
p.240）.]——
Hisbrother’svictoryremovedthedifficulty;buttheGeneral—in—Chiefsoonperceivedthattheascendantpartyabuseditspower，andagaincompromisedthesafetyoftheRepublic，byrecommencingtheRevolutionaryGovernment.TheDirectorswerealarmedathisdiscontentandoffendedbyhiscensure.TheyconceivedthesingularideaofopposingtoBonaparte，Augereau，ofwhoseblindzealtheyhadreceivedmanyproofs.TheDirectoryappointedAugereaucommanderofthearmyofGermany.Augereau，whoseextremevanitywasnotorious，believedhimselfinasituationtocompetewithBonaparte.Whathebuilthisarroganceonwas，that，withanumeroustroop，hehadarrestedsomeunarmedrepresentatives，andtorntheepaulettesfromtheshouldersofthecommandantoftheguardofthecouncils.TheDirectoryandhefilledtheheadquartersatPasserianowithspiesandintriguers.
Bonaparte，whowasinformedofeverythingthatwasgoingon，laughedattheDirectory，andtenderedhisresignation，inorderthathemightbesupplicatedtocontinueincommand.
Thefollowingpost—ThermidorianletterswillprovethattheGeneral’sjudgmentonthispointwascorrect.
Onthe2dVendemiaire，yearVI.（23dSeptember1797），hewrotetoAugereau，afterhavingannouncedthearrivalofhis’aidedecamp’asfollows：
Thewholearmyapplaudsthewisdomandvigourwhichyouhavedisplayeduponthisimportantoccasion，andparticipatesinthesuccessofthecountrywiththeenthusiasmandenergywhichcharacteriseoursoldiers.Itisonlytobehoped，however，thattheGovernmentwillnotbeplayingatseesaw，andthusthrowitselfintotheoppositeparty.Wisdomandmoderateviewsalonecanestablishthehappinessofthecountryonasurefoundation.Asformyself，thisisthemostardentwishofmyheart.IbegthatyouwillsometimesletmeknowwhatyouaredoinginParis.
Onthe4thVendemiaireBonapartewrotealettertotheDirectoryinthefollowingterms：
ThedaybeforeyesterdayanofficerarrivedatthearmyfromParis.
HereportedthatheleftParisonthe25th，whenanxietyprevailedthereastothefeelingswithwhichIviewedtheeventsofthe18thHewasthebearerofasortofcircularfromGeneralAugereautoallthegeneralsofdivision;andhebroughtaletterofcreditfromtheMinisterofWartothecommissary—general，authorisinghimtodrawasmuchmoneyashemightrequireforhisjourney.
ItisevidentfromthesecircumstancesthattheGovernmentisactingtowardsmeinsomewhatthesamewayinwhichPichegruwasdealtwithafterVendemiaire（yearIV.）.
Ibegofyoutoreceivemyresignation，andappointanothertomyplace.NopoweronearthshallmakemecontinueintheserviceafterthisshockingmarkofingratitudeonthepartoftheGovernment，whichIwasveryfarfromexpecting.Myhealth，whichisconsiderablyimpaired，imperiouslydemandsreposeandtranquillity.
Thestateofmymind，likewise，requiresmetomingleagaininthemassofcitizens.Greatpowerhasforalongtimebeenconfidedtomyhands.Ihaveemployeditonalloccasionsfortheadvantageofmycountry;somuchtheworseforthosewhoputnofaithinvirtue，andmayhavesuspectedmine.Myrecompenseisinmyownconscience，andintheopinionofposterity.
Nowthatthecountryistranquilandfreefromthedangerswhichhavemenacedit，Ican，withoutinconvenience，quitthepostinwhichIhavebeenplaced.
Besurethatiftherewereamomentofdanger，IwouldbefoundintheforemostrankofthedefendersoflibertyandoftheconstitutionoftheyearIII.
TheDirectory，judgingfromtheaccountwhichBottotgaveofhismissionthathehadnotsucceededinentirelyremovingthesuspicionsofBonaparte，wrotethefollowingletteronthe30thVendemiaire：
TheDirectoryhasitselfbeentroubledabouttheimpressionmadeonyoubythelettertothepaymaster—general，ofwhichan’aidedecamp’wasthebearer.ThecompositionofthisletterhasverymuchastonishedtheGovernment，whichneverappointednorrecognisedsuchanagent：itisatleastanerrorofoffice.ButitshouldnotaltertheopinionyououghtotherwisetoentertainofthemannerinwhichtheDirectorythinksofandesteemsyou.Itappearsthatthe18thFructidorwasmisrepresentedintheletterswhichweresenttothearmyofItaly.Youdidwelltointerceptthem，anditmayberighttotransmitthemostremarkabletotheMinisterofPolice.
——（WhatanignobletasktoproposetotheconquerorofItaly.）
Inyourobservationsonthetoostrongtendencyofopiniontowardsmilitarygovernment，theDirectoryrecognisesanequallyenlightenedandardentfriendoftheRepublic.
Nothingiswiserthanthemaxim，’cedantarmatogae’，forthemaintenanceofrepublics.Toshowsomuchanxietyonsoimportantapointisnotoneoftheleastgloriousfeaturesinthelifeofageneralplacedattheheadofatriumphantarmy.
TheDirectoryhadsentGeneralClarke——[H.J.G.Clarke，afterwardsMinisterofWarunderNapoleon，1807—1814，acidundertheBourbonsin1816，whenhewasmadeaMarshalofFrance.HewascreatedDuedeFeltrein1819.]——
totreatforpeace，assecondplenipotentiary.BonapartehasoftentoldmehehadnodoubtfromthetimeofhisarrivalthatGeneralClarkewaschargedwithasecretmissiontoactasaspyuponhim，andeventoarresthimifanopportunityofferedforsodoingwithoutdanger.Thathehadasuspicionofthiskindiscertain;butImustownthatIwasneverbyanymeansabletodiscoveritsgrounds;forinallmyintercoursesincewithClarkeheneverputasinglequestiontome，nordidIeverhearaworddropfromhismouth，whichsavouredofsuchacharacter.Ifthefactbethathewasaspy，hecertainlyplayedhispartwell.Inallthepartsofhiscorrespondencewhichwereinterceptedthereneverwasfoundtheleastconfirmationofthissuspicion.Bethisasitmay，Bonapartecouldnotendurehim;hedidnotmakehimacquaintedwithwhatwasgoingon，andhisinfluencerenderedthismissionamerenullity.TheGeneral—in—Chiefconcentratedallthebusinessofthenegotiationinhisowncloset;and，astowhatwasgoingon，Clarkecontinuedamerecipheruntilthe18thFructidor，whenhewasrecalled.
BonapartemadebutlittlecountofClarke’stalents.Itisbutjustice，however，tosaythatheborehimnogrudgefortheconductofwhichhesuspectedhewasguiltyinItaly.\"IpardonhimbecauseIalonehavetherighttobeoffended.\"
Heevenhadthegenerositytomakeinterestforanofficialsituationforhim.TheseamiabletraitswerenotuncommonwithBonaparte.
Bonapartehadtoencountersomanydisagreeablecontrarieties，bothinthenegotiatorsforpeaceandtheeventsatParis，thatheoftendisplayedagooddealofirritationanddisgust.Thisstateofmindwasincreasedbytherecollectionofthevexationhissister’smarriagehadcausedhim，andwhichwasunfortunatelyrevivedbyaletterhereceivedfromheratthisjuncture.Hisexcitementwassuchthathethrewitdownwithanexpressionofanger.Ithasbeenerroneouslyreportedinseveralpublicationsthat\"BacciocchiespousedMarie—Anne—ElizaBonaparteonthe5thofMay1797.ThebrotherofthebridewasatthetimenegotiatingthepreliminariesofpeacewithAustria.\"
Infact，thepreliminariesweresignedinthemonthofApril，anditwasforthedefinitivepeacewewerenegotiatinginMay.ButthereaderwillfindbythesubjoinedletterthatChristineappliedtoherbrothertostandgodfathertoherthirdchild.Threechildreninthreemonthswouldberatherquickwork.
AJACCIO，14th，Thermidor，yearV.（1stAugust1797）.
GENERAL——Suffermetowritetoyouandcallyoubythenameofbrother.Myfirstchildwasbornatatimewhenyouweremuchincensedagainstus.Itrustshemaysooncaressyou，andsomakeyouforgetthepainmymarriagehasoccasionedyou.Mysecondchildwasstill—born.ObligedtoquitParisbyyourorder，——[NapoleonhadwritteninAugust1796toCarnot，torequestthatLucienmightbeorderedtoquitParis;seeIung，tomeiii.
p.223.]——
ImiscarriedinGermany.Inamonth’stimeIhopetopresentyouwithanephew.Afavourabletime，andothercircumstances，inclinemetohopemynextwillbeaboy，andIpromiseyouIwillmakeasoldierofhim;butIwishhimtobearyourname，andthatyoushouldbehisgodfather.Itrustyouwillnotrefuseyoursister’srequest.
Willyousend，forthispurpose，yourpowerofattorneytoBaciocchi，ortowhomsoeveryouthinkfit？Ishallexpectwithimpatienceyourassent.Becausewearepoorletnotthatcauseyoutodespiseus;for，afterall，youareourbrother，minearetheonlychildrenthatcallyouuncle，andweallloveyoumorethanwedothefavoursoffortune.PerhapsImayonedaysucceedinconvincingyouoftheloveIbearyou.——Youraffectionatesister，CHRISTINEBONAPARTE.
——[MadameBacciocchiwentbythenameofMarianneatSt.Cyr，ofChristinewhileonhertravels，andofElizaundertheConsulate.——
Bourrienne.]——
P.S.——Donotfailtoremembermetoyourwife，whomIstronglydesiretobeacquaintedwith.TheytoldmeatParisIwasverylikeher.Ifyourecollectmyfeaturesyoucanjudge.C.B.
ThisletterisinthehandwritingofLucienBonaparte.’
——[JosephBonaparteinhisNotessays，\"ItisfalsethatMadameBonaparteevercalledherselfChristine;itisfalsethatsheeverwrotetheletterofwhichM.deBourrienneheregivesacopy.\"ItwillbeobservedthatBourriennesaysitwaswrittenbyherbrotherLucien.Thisisanerror.TheletterisobviouslyfromChristineBoyer，thewifeofLucienBonaparte，whosemarriagehadgivensuchdispleasuretoNapoleon.（SeeErreurs，tomei.p.240，andIung’sLucien，tomeip.161）.]——
GeneralBonapartehadbeennearamonthatPasserianowhenhereceivedthefollowingautographletterfromtheEmperorofAustria：
TOMONSIEURLEGENERALBONAPARTE，GENERAL—IN—CHIEF
OFTHEARMYOFITALY.
MONSIEURLEGENERALBONAPARTE——WhenIthoughtIhadgivenmyplenipotentiariesfullpowerstoterminatetheimportantnegotiationwithwhichtheywerecharged，Ilearn，withasmuchpainassurprise，thatinconsequenceofswervingcontinuallyfromthestipulationsofthepreliminaries，therestorationoftranquillity，withthetidingsofwhichIdesiretogladdentheheartsofmysubjects，andwhichthehalfofEuropedevoutlypraysfor，becomesdayafterdaymoreuncertain.
Faithfultotheperformanceofmyengagements，IamreadytoexecutewhatwasagreedtoatLeoben，andrequirefromyoubutthereciprocalperformanceofsosacredaduty.Thisiswhathasalreadybeendeclaredinmyname，andwhatIdonotnowhesitatemyselftodeclare.If，perhaps，theexecutionofsomeofthepreliminaryarticlesbenowimpossible，inconsequenceoftheeventswhichhavesinceoccurred，andinwhichIhadnopart，itmaybenecessarytosubstituteothersintheirsteadequallyadaptedtotheinterestsandequallyconformabletothedignityofthetwonations.
TosuchalonewillIputmyhand.Afrankandsincereexplanation，dictatedbythesamefeelingswhichgovernme，istheonlywaytoleadtososalutaryaresult.Inordertoacceleratethisresultasfarasinmelies，andtoputanendatoncetothestateofuncertaintyweremainin，andwhichhasalreadylastedtoolong，I
havedeterminedtodespatchtotheplaceofthepresentnegotiationsComtedeCobentzel，amanwhopossessesmymostunlimitedconfidence，andwhoisinstructedastomyintentionsandfurnishedwithmymostamplepowers.Ihaveauthorisedhimtoreceiveandaccepteverypropositiontendingtothereconciliationofthetwopartieswhichmaybeinconformitywiththeprinciplesofequityandreciprocalfitness，andtoconcludeaccordingly.
Afterthisfreshassuranceofthespiritofconciliationwhichanimatesme，Idoubtnotyouwillperceivethatpeaceliesinyourownhands，andthatonyourdeterminationwilldependthehappinessormiseryofmanythousandmen.IfImistakeastothemeansI
thinkbestadaptedtoterminatethecalamitieswhichforalongtimehavedesolatedEurope，IshallatleasthavetheconsolationofreflectingthatIhavedoneallthatdependedonme.WiththeconsequenceswhichmayresultIcanneverbereproached.
IhavebeenparticularlydeterminedtothecourseInowtakebytheopinionIentertainofyouruprightcharacter，andbythepersonalesteemIhaveconceivedtowardsyou，ofwhichIamveryhappy，M.leGeneralBonaparte，togiveyouhereanassurance.
（Signed）FRANCIS.
Infact，itwasonlyonthearrivaloftheComtedeCobentzelthatthenegotiationswereseriouslysetonfoot.BonapartehadallalongclearlyperceivedthatGalloandMeerweldtwerenotfurnishedwithadequatepowers.HesawalsoclearlyenoughthatifthemonthofSeptemberwere，tobetrifledawayinunsatisfactorynegotiations，asthemonthwhichprecededithadbeen，itwouldbedifficultinOctobertostrikeablowatthehouseofAustriaonthesideofCarinthia.TheAustrianCabinetperceivedwithsatisfactiontheapproachofthebadweather，andinsistedmorestronglyonitsultimatum，whichwastheAdige，withVenice.
Beforethe18thFructidortheEmperorofAustriahopedthatthemovementwhichwaspreparinginPariswouldoperatebadlyforFranceandfavourablytotheEuropeancause.TheAustrianplenipotentiaries，inconsequence，raisedtheirpretensions，andsentnotesandanultimatumwhichgavetheproceedingsmoreanairoftriflingthanofseriousnegotiation.Bonaparte’soriginalideas，whichIhaveunderhishand，wereasfollows：
1.TheEmperortohaveItalyasfarastheAdda.
2.TheKingofSardiniaasfarastheAdda.
3.TheGenoeseRepublictohavetheboundaryofTortonaasfarasthePo（Tortonatobedemolished），asalsotheimperialfiefs.
（ConitobecededtoFrance，ortobedemolished.）
4.TheGrandDukeofTuscanytoberestored.
5.TheDukeofParmatoberestored.
CHAPTERX.
1797.
Influenceofthe18thFructidoronthenegotiations——Bonaparte’ssuspicionofBottot——Hiscomplaintsrespectingthenon—erasureofBourrienne——Bourrienne’sconversationwiththeMarquisofGallo——
BottotwritesfromParistoBonaparteonthepartoftheDirectoryAgentsoftheDirectoryemployedtowatchBonaparte——Influenceoftheweatherontheconclusionofpeace——RemarkableobservationofBonaparte——Conclusionofthetreaty——TheDirectorydissatisfiedwiththetermsofthepeace——Bonaparte’spredilectionforrepresentativegovernment——OpiniononBonaparte.
Afterthe18thFructidorBonapartewasmorepowerful，Austrialesshaughtyandconfident.Venicewastheonlypointofrealdifficulty.
AustriawantedthelineoftheAdige，withVenice，inexchangeforMayence，andtheboundaryoftheRhineuntilthatriverentersHolland.
TheDirectorywishedtohavethelatterboundary，andtoaddMantuatotheItalianRepublic，withoutgivingupallthelineoftheAdigeandVenice.ThedifficultieswerefelttobesoirreconcilablethatwithinaboutamonthoftheconclusionofpeacetheDirectorywrotetoGeneralBonapartethataresumptionofhostilitieswaspreferabletothestateofuncertaintywhichwasagitatingandruiningFrance.TheDirectory，therefore，declaredthatboththearmiesoftheRhineshouldtakethefield.ItappearsfromtheFructidoriancorrespondence，whichhasbeenalreadygiven，thatthemajorityoftheDirectorythenlookeduponapeacesuchasBonaparteafterwardsmadeasinfamous.
ButBonaparte，fromthemomenttheVenetianinsurrectionbrokeout，perceivedthatVenicemightbeusedforthepacification.Bonaparte，whowasconvincedthat，inordertobringmatterstoanissue，VeniceandtheterritorybeyondtheAdigemustfallbeneaththeHapsburgsceptre，wrotetotheDirectorythathecouldnotcommenceoperations，advantageously，beforetheendofMarch，1798;butthatiftheobjectionstogivingVenicetotheEmperorofAustriawerepersistedin，hostilitieswouldcertainlyberesumedinthemonthofOctober，fortheEmperorwouldnotrenounceVenice.InthatcaseitwouldbenecessarytobereadyontheRhineforanadvanceinGermany，asthearmyofItaly，ifitcouldmakeheadagainsttheArchdukeCharles，wasnotsufficientlystrongforanyoperationsonagrandscale.Atthisperiodtheconclusionofpeacewascertainlyverydoubtful;itwasevenseriouslyconsideredin，whatformtheruptureshouldbenotified.
TowardstheendofSeptemberBottot，Barras’secretary，arrivedatPasseriano.HewasdespatchedbytheDirectory.Bonaparteimmediatelysuspectedhewasanewspy，comeonasecretmission，towatchhim.Hewasthereforereceivedandtreatedwithcoolness;butBonaparteneverhad，asSirWalterScottasserts，theideaoforderinghimtobeshot.
ThatwriterisalsoinerrorwhenhesaysthatBottotwassenttoPasserianotoreproachBonaparteforfailingtofulfilhispromiseofsendingmoneytotheDirectory.
BonapartesoongaveBottotanopportunityofjudgingofthekindofspiritwhichprevailedatheadquarters.Hesuddenlytenderedhisresignation，whichhehadalreadyseveraltimescalledupontheDirectorytoaccept.HeaccusedtheGovernment，attable，inBottot’spresence，ofhorribleingratitude.Herecountedallhissubjectsofcomplaint，inloudandimpassionedlanguage，withoutanyrestraint，andbeforetwentyorthirtypersons.
Indignantatfindingthathisreiterateddemandsfortheerasureofmynamefromthelistofemigrantshadbeenslighted，andthat，inspiteofhisrepresentations，conveyedtoParisbyGeneralBernadotte，LouisBonaparte，andothers，Iwasstillincludedinthatfatallist，heapostrophisedM.Bottotatdinneroneday，beforefortyindividuals，amongwhomwerethediplomatistsGallo，Cobentzel，andMeerweldt.TheconversationturnedupontheDirectory.\"Yes，truly，\"criedBonaparte，inaloudvoice，\"Ihavegoodreasontocomplain;and，topassfromgreattolittlethings，look，Iprayyou，atBourrienne’scase.Hepossessesmymostunboundedconfidence.Healoneisentrusted，undermyorders，withallthedetailsofthenegotiation.Thisyouwellknow;andyetyourDirectorywillnotstrikehimoffthelist.Inaworditisnotonlyaninconceivable，butanextremelystupidpieceofbusiness;forhehasallmysecrets;heknowsmyultimatum，andcouldbyasinglewordrealizeahandsomefortune，andlaughatyourobstinacy.AskM.deGalloifthisbenottrue.\"
Bottotwishedtooffersomeexcuse;butthegeneralmurmurwhichfollowedthissingularoutburstreducedhimtosilence.
TheMarquisdeGallohadconversedwithmebutthreedaysbefore，intheparkofPasseriano，onthesubjectofmypositionwithregardtoFrance，ofthedeterminationexpressedbytheDirectorynottoerasemyname，andoftheriskItherebyran.\"Wehavenodesire，\"continuedhe，\"torenewthewar;wewishsincerelyforpeace;butitmustbeanhonourableone.
TheRepublicofVenicepresentsalargeterritoryforpartition，whichwouldbesufficientforbothparties.Thecessionsatpresentproposedarenot，however，satisfactory.WewanttoknowBonaparte’sultimatum;
andIamauthorisedtoofferanestateinBohemia，withatitleandresidence，andanannualrevenueof90，000florins.\"
IquicklyinterruptedM.deGallo，andassuredhimthatbothmyconscienceandmydutyobligedmetorejecthisproposal;andsoputatonceanendtotheconversation.
ItookcaretolettheGeneral—in—Chiefknowthisstory，andhewasnotsurprisedatmyreply.Hisconviction，however，wasstrong，fromallthatM.deGallohadsaid，andmoreparticularlyfromtheofferhehadmade，thatAustriawasresolvedtoavoidwar，andwasanxiousforpeace.
AfterIhadretiredtorestM.Bottotcametomybedroomandaskedme，withafeignedsurprise，ifitwastruethatmynamewasstillonthelistofemigrants.Onmyreplyingintheaffirmative，herequestedmetodrawupanoteonthesubject.ThisIdeclineddoing，tellinghimthattwentynotesofthekindherequiredalreadyexisted;thatIwouldtakenofurthersteps;andthatIwouldhenceforthawaitthedecisioninastateofperfectinaction.
GeneralBonapartethoughtitquiteinexplicablethattheDirectoryshouldexpressdissatisfactionattheviewhetookoftheeventsofthe18thFructidor，as，withouthisaid，theywoulddoubtlesshavebeenovercome.
Hewroteadespatch，inwhichherepeatedthathishealthandhisspiritswereaffected——thathehadneedofsomeyears’repose—thathecouldnolongerendurethefatigueofriding;butthattheprosperityandlibertyofhiscountrywouldalwayscommandhiswarmestinterests.Inallthistherewasnotasinglewordoftruth.TheDirectorythoughtasmuch，anddeclinedtoaccepthisresignationinthemostflatteringterms.
Bottotproposedtohim，onthepartoftheDirectory，torevolutioniseItaly.TheGeneralinquiredwhetherthewholeofItalywouldbeincludedintheplan.Therevolutionarycommissionhad，however，beenentrustedtoBottotinsoindefiniteawaythathecouldonlyhesitate，andgiveavaguereply.Bonapartewishedformorepreciseorders.Intheintervalpeacewasconcluded，andtheideaofthatperilousandextravagantundertakingwasnolongeragitated.Bottot，soonafterhisreturntoParis，wrotealettertoGeneralBonaparte，inwhichhecomplainedthatthelastmomentshehadpassedatPasserianohaddeeplyafflictedhisheart.HesaidthatcruelsuspicionshadfollowedhimeventothegatesoftheDirectory.Thesecruelsuspicionshad，however，beendissipatedbythesentimentsofadmirationandaffectionwhichhehadfoundtheDirectoryentertainedforthepersonofBonaparte.
Theseassurances，whichwerepreciselywhatBonapartehadexpected，didnotavailtolessenthecontemptheentertainedfortheheadsoftheGovernment，nortochangehisconvictionoftheirenvyandmistrustofhimself.Totheirallegedaffectionhemadenoreturn.BottotassuredtheheroofItalyof\"theRepublicandocility\"oftheDirectory，andtoucheduponthereproachesBonapartehadthrownoutagainstthem，anduponhisdemandswhichhadnotbeengranted.Hesaid：
\"Thethreearmies，oftheNorth，oftheRhine，andoftheSambre—et—
Meuse，aretoformonlyone，thearmyofGermany.——Augereau？Butyouyourselfsenthim.ThefaultcommittedbytheDirectoryisowingtoyourself！Bernadotte？——heisgonetojoinyou.Cacault？——heisrecalled.Twelvethousandmenforyourarmy？——theyareontheirmarch.
ThetreatywithSardinia？——itisratified.Bourrienne？——heiserased.
TherevolutionofItaly？——itisadjourned.AdvisetheDirectory，then：I
repeatit，theyhaveneedofinformation，anditistoyoutheylookforit.\"
Theassertionregardingmewasfalse.ForsixmonthsBonapartedemandedmyerasurewithoutbeingabletoobtainit.Iwasnotstruckoffthelistuntilthe11thofNovember1797.
JustbeforethecloseofthenegotiationBonaparte，disgustedattheoppositionanddifficultieswithwhichhewassurrounded，reiteratedagainandagaintheofferofhisresignation，andhiswishtohaveasuccessorappointed.WhataugmentedhisuneasinesswasanideaheentertainedthattheDirectoryhadpenetratedhissecret，andattributedhispowerfulconcurrenceonthe18thFructidortothetruecause——hispersonalviewsofambition.Inspiteofthehypocriticalassurancesofgratitudemadetohiminwriting，andthoughtheDirectoryknewthathisserviceswereindispensable，spieswereemployedtowatchhismovements，andtoendeavourbymeansofthepersonsabouthimtodiscoverhisviews.
SomeoftheGeneral’sfriendswrotetohimfromParis，andformypartI
neverceasedrepeatingtohimthatthepeace，thepowerofmakingwhichhehadinhisownhands，wouldrenderhimfarmorepopularthantherenewalofhostilitiesundertakenwithallthechancesofsuccessandreverse.Thesigningofthepeace，accordingtohisownideas，andinoppositiontothoseoftheDirectory，thewayinwhichhejusthaltedatRastadt，andavoidedreturningtotheCongress，and，finally，hisresolutiontoexpatriatehimselfwithanarmyinordertoattemptnewenterprises，sprungmorethanisgenerallybelievedfromtherulingideathathewasdistrusted，andthathisruinwasmeditated.HeoftenrecalledtomindwhatLaVallettehadwrittentohimabouthisconversationwithLacuee;andallhesawandheardconfirmedtheimpressionhehadreceivedonthissubject.
Theearlyappearanceofbadweatherprecipitatedhisdetermination.Onthe13thofOctober，atdaybreak，onopeningmywindow，Iperceivedthemountainscoveredwithsnow.Thepreviousnighthadbeensuperb，andtheautumntillthenpromisedtobefineandlate.Iproceeded，asIalwaysdid，atseveno’clockinthemorning，totheGeneral’schamber.Iwokehim，andtoldhimwhatIhadseen.Hefeignedatfirsttodisbelieveme，thenleapedfromhisbed，rantothewindow，and，convincedofthesuddenchange，hecalmlysaid，\"What！beforethemiddleofOctober！Whatacountryisthis！Well，wemustmakepeace！\"WhilehehastilyputonhisclothesIreadthejournalstohim，aswasmydailycustom.Hepaidbutlittleattentiontothem.
Shuttinghimselfupwithmeinhiscloset，hereviewedwiththegreatestcareallthereturnsfromthedifferentcorpsofhisarmy.\"Hereare，\"
saidhe，\"nearly80，000effectivemen.Ifeed，Ipaythem：butIcanbringbut60，000intothefieldonthedayofbattle.Ishallgainit，butafterwardsmyforcewillbereduced20，000men——bykilled，wounded，andprisoners.ThenhowopposealltheAustrianforcesthatwillmarchtotheprotectionofVienna？ItwouldbeamonthbeforethearmiesoftheRhinecouldsupportme，iftheyshouldbeable;andinafortnightalltheroadsandpassageswillbecovereddeepwithsnow.Itissettled——Iwillmakepeace.VeniceshallpayfortheexpenseofthewarandtheboundaryoftheRhine：lettheDirectoryandthelawyerssaywhattheylike.\"
HewrotetotheDirectoryinthefollowingwords：\"Thesummitsofthehillsarecoveredwithsnow;Icannot，onaccountofthestipulationsagreedtofortherecommencementofhostilities，beginbeforefive—and—
twentydays，andbythattimeweshallbeoverwhelmedwithsnow.\"
Fourteenyearsafter，anotherearlywinter，inamoresevereclimate，wasdestinedtohaveafatalinfluenceonhisfortunes.Hadhebutthenexercisedequalforesight！
Itiswellknownthat，bythetreatyofCampo—Formio，thetwobelligerentpowersmadepeaceattheexpenseoftheRepublicofVenice，whichhadnothingtodowiththequarrelinthefirstinstance，andwhichonlyinterferedatalateperiod，probablyagainstherowninclination，andimpelledbytheforceofinevitablecircumstances.Butwhathasbeentheresultofthisgreatpoliticalspoliation？AportionoftheVenetianterritorywasadjudgedtotheCisalpineRepublic;itisnowinthepossessionofAustria.
Anotherconsiderableportion，andthecapitalitself，felltothelotofAustriaincompensationfortheBelgicprovincesandLombard，whichshecededtoFrance.AustriahasnowretakenLombard，andtheadditionsthenmadetoit，andBelgiumisinthepossessionoftheHouseofOrange.
FranceobtainedCorfuandsomeoftheIonianisles;thesenowbelongtoEngland.
——[AfterwardstobecededbyhertoGreece.Belgiumisfree.]——
RomulusneverthoughthewasfoundingRomeforGothsandpriests.
AlexanderdidnotforeseethathisEgyptiancitywouldbelongtotheTurks;nordidConstantinestripRomeforthebenefitofMahometII.Whythenfightforafewpaltryvillages？
ThushavewebeengloriouslyconqueringforAustriaandEngland.AnancientStateisoverturnedwithoutnoise，anditsprovinces，afterbeingdividedamongdifferentborderingStates，arenowallunderthedominionofAustria.Wedonotpossessafootofgroundinallthefinecountriesweconquered，andwhichservedascompensationsfortheimmenseacquisitionsoftheHouseofHapsburghinItaly.Thusthathousewasaggrandisedbyawarwhichwastoitselfmostdisastrous.ButAustriahasoftenfoundothermeansofextendingherdominionthanmilitarytriumphs，asisrecordedinthecelebrateddistichofMathiasCorvinus：
\"Bellageruntalli，tofelixAustrianube;
NamquaeMarsallis，dattibiregnaVenus.\"
[GladAustriawinsbyHymen’ssilkenchainWhatotherStatesbydoubtfulbattlegain，AndwhilefierceMarsenrichesmeanerlands，ReceivespossessionfromfairVenus’hands.\"]
TheDirectorywasfarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththetreatyofCampo—
Formio，andwithdifficultyresistedthetemptationofnotratifyingit.
AfortnightbeforethesignaturetheDirectorswrotetoGeneralBonapartethattheywouldnotconsenttogivetotheEmperorVenice，Frioul，Padua，andthe’terrafirma’withtheboundaryoftheAdige.\"That，\"saidthey，\"wouldnotbetomakepeace，buttoadjournthewar.Weshallberegardedasthebeatenparty，independentlyofthedisgraceofabandoningVenice，whichBonapartehimselfthoughtsoworthyoffreedom.Franceoughtnot，andneverwillwish，toseeItalydelivereduptoAustria.
TheDirectorywouldpreferthechancesofawartochangingasinglewordofitsultimatum，whichisalreadytoofavourabletoAustria.\"
Allthiswassaidinvain.Bonapartemadenoscrupleofdisregardinghisinstructions.IthasbeensaidthattheEmperorofAustriamadeanofferofaveryconsiderablesumofmoney，andevenofaprincipality，toobtainfavourableterms.Iwasneverabletofindtheslightestgroundforthisreport，whichreferstoatimewhenthesmallestcircumstancecouldnotescapemynotice.ThecharacterofBonapartestoodtoohighforhimtosacrificehisgloryasaconquerorandpeacemakerforeventhegreatestprivateadvantage.Thiswassothoroughlyknown，andhewassoprofoundlyesteemedbytheAustrianplenipotentiaries，thatIwillventuretosaynoneofthemwouldhavebeencapableofmakingtheslightestoverturetohimofsodebasingaproposition.Besides，itwouldhaveinducedhimtoputanendtoallintercoursewiththeplenipotentiaries.PerhapswhatIhavejuststatedofM.deGallowillthrowsomelightuponthisodiousaccusation.Butletusdismissthisstorywiththerest，andamongthemthatoftheporcelaintray，whichwassaidtohavebeensmashedandthrownattheheadofM.deCobentzel.
Icertainlyknownothingofanysuchscene;ourmannersatPasserianowerenotquitesobad！
Thepresentscustomaryonsuchoccasionsweregiven，andtheEmperorofAustriaalsotookthatopportunitytopresenttoGeneralBonapartesixmagnificentwhitehorses.
BonapartereturnedtoMilanbywayofGratz，Laybach，Thrust，Mestre，Verona，andMantua.
AtthisperiodNapoleonwasstillswayedbytheimpulseoftheage.Hethoughtofnothingbutrepresentativegovernments.Oftenhashesaidtome，\"Ishouldliketheeraofrepresentativegovernmentstobedatedfrommytime.\"HisconductinItalyandhisproclamationsoughttogive，andinfactdogive，weighttothisaccountofhisopinion.Butthereisnodoubtthatthisideawasmoreconnectedwithloftyviewsofambitionthanasinceredesireforthebenefitofthehumanrace;for，atalaterperiod，headoptedthisphrase：\"IshouldliketobetheheadofthemostancientofthedynastiescfEurope.\"WhatadifferencebetweenBonaparte，theauthorofthe’SouperdeBeaucaire’，thesubduerofroyalismatToulon;theauthoroftheremonstrancetoAlbitteandSalicetti，thefortunateconquerorofthe13thVendemiaire，theinstigatorandsupporteroftherevolutionofFructidor，andthefounderoftheRepublicsofItaly，thefruitsofhisimmortalvictories，——andBonaparte，FirstConsulin1800，Consulforlifein1802，and，aboveall，Napoleon，EmperoroftheFrenchin1804，andKingofItalyin1805！
CHAPTERXI.
1797
Effectofthe18thFructidoronthepeace——ThestandardofthearmyofItaly——HonoursrenderedtothememoryofGeneralHocheandofVirgilatMantua——Remarkableletter——InpassingthroughSwitzerlandBonapartevisitsthefieldofMorat——ArrivalatRastadt——LetterfromtheDirectorycallingBonapartetoParis——IntriguesagainstJosephine——GrandceremonyonthereceptionofBonapartebytheDirectory——Thetheatres——ModestyofBonaparte——Anassassination——
Bonaparte’sopinionoftheParisians——HiselectiontotheNationalInstitute——LettertoCamus——Projects——Reflections.
Thedayofthe18thFructidorhad，withoutanydoubt，mainlycontributedtotheconclusionofpeaceatCampoFormio.Ontheonehand，theDirectory，hithertonotverypacificallyinclined，afterhavingeffecteda’coupd’etat’，atlengthsawthenecessityofappeasingthediscontentedbygivingpeacetoFrance.Ontheotherhand，theCabinetofVienna，observingthecompletefailureofalltheroyalistplotsintheinterior，thoughtithightimetoconcludewiththeFrenchRepublicatreatywhich，notwithstandingallthedefeatsAustriahadsustained，stillleftherapreponderatinginfluenceoverItaly.
Besides，thecampaignofItaly，sofertileingloriousachievementsofarms，hadnotbeenproductiveofgloryalone.Somethingofgreaterimportancefollowedtheseconquests.Publicaffairshadassumedasomewhatunusualaspect，andagrandmoralinfluence，theeffectofvictoriesandofpeace，hadbeguntoextendalloverFrance.
Republicanismwasnolongersosanguinaryandfierceasithadbeensomeyearsbefore.Bonaparte，negotiatingwithprincesandtheirministersonafootingofequality，butstillwithallthatsuperioritytowhichvictoryandhisgeniusentitledhim，graduallytaughtforeigncourtstobefamiliarwithRepublicanFrance，andtheRepublictoceaseregardingallStatesgovernedbyKingsasofnecessityenemies.
InthesecircumstancestheGeneral—in—Chief’sdepartureandhisexpectedvisittoParisexcitedgeneralattention.ThefeebleDirectorywaspreparedtosubmittothepresenceoftheconquerorofItalyinthecapital.
ItwasforthepurposeofactingasheadoftheFrenchlegationattheCongressofRastadtthatBonapartequittedMilanonthe17thofNovember.
ButbeforehisdeparturehesenttotheDirectoryoneofthosemonuments，theinscriptionsonwhichmaygenerallybeconsideredasfabulous，butwhich，inthiscase，werenothingbutthetruth.Thismonumentwasthe\"flagoftheArmyofItaly，\"andtoGeneralJoubertwasassignedthehonourabledutyofpresentingittothemembersoftheExecutiveGovernment.
Ononesideoftheflagwerethewords\"TotheArmyofItaly，thegratefulcountry.\"Theothercontainedanenumerationofthebattlesfoughtandplacestaken，andpresented，inthefollowinginscriptions，asimplebutstrikingabridgmentofthehistoryoftheItaliancampaign.
150，000PRISONERS;170STANDARDS;550PIECESOFSIEGEARTILLERY;
6OOPIECESOFFIELDARTILLERY;FIVEPONTOONEQUIPAGES;NINE64—GUN
SHIPS;TWELVE32—GUNFRIGATES;12CORVETTES;18GALLEYS;ARMISTICE
WITHTHEKINGOFSARDINIA;CONVENTIONWITHGENOA;ARMISTICEWITHTHE
DUKEOFPARMA;ARMISTICEWITHTHEKINGOFNAPLES;ARMISTICEWITHTHE
POPE;PRELIMINARIESOFLEOBEN;CONVENTIONOFMONTEBELLOWITHTHE
REPUBLICOFGENOA;TREATYOFPEACEWITHTHEEMPEROROFGERMANYAT
CAMPO—FORMIO.
LIBERTYGIVENTOTHEPEOPLEOFBOLOGNA，FERRARA，MODENA，MASSA—
CARRARA，LAROMAGNA，LOMBARD，BRESCIA，BERGAMO，MANTUA，CREMONA.
PARTOFTHEVERONESE，CHIAVENA，BORMIO，THEVALTELINE，THEGENOESE，THEIMPERIALFIEFS，THEPEOPLEOFTHEDEPARTMENTSOFCORCYRA，OFTHE
AEGEANSEA，ANDOFITHACA.
SENTTOPARISALLTHEMASTERPIECESOFMICHAELANGELO，OFGVERCINO，OFTITIAN，OFPAULVERONESE，OFCORREGGIO，OFALBANA，OFTHE
CARRACCI，OFRAPHAEL，ANDOFLEONARDODAVINCI.
Thuswererecapitulatedonaflag，destinedtodecoratetheHallofthePublicSittingsoftheDirectory，themilitarydeedsofthecampaigninItaly，itspoliticalresults，andtheconquestofthemonumentsofart.
MostoftheItaliancitieslookedupontheirconquerorasaliberator—
suchwasthemagicofthewordliberty，whichresoundedfromtheAlpstotheApennines.OnhiswaytoMantuatheGeneraltookuphisresidenceinthepalaceoftheancientdukes.BonapartepromisedtheauthoritiesofMantuathattheirdepartmentshouldbeoneofthemostextensive;
impressedonthemthenecessityofpromptlyorganisingalocalmilitia，andofputtinginexecutiontheplansofMari，themathematician，forthenavigationoftheMinciofromMantuatoPeschiera.
HestoppedtwodaysatMantua，andthemorrowofhisarrivalwasdevotedtothecelebrationofamilitaryfuneralsolemnity，inhonourofGeneralHoche，whohadjustdied.HisnextobjectwastohastentheexecutionofthemonumentwhichwaserectingtothememoryofVirgil.Thus，inoneday，hepaidhonourtoFranceandItaly，tomodernandtoancientglory，tothelaurelsofwarandtothelaurelsofpoetry.
ApersonwhosawBonaparteonthisoccasionforthefirsttimethusdescribedhiminaletterhewrotetoParis：——\"WithlivelyinterestandextremeattentionIhaveobservedthisextraordinaryman，whohasperformedsuchgreatdeeds，andaboutwhomthereissomethingwhichseemstoindicatethathiscareerisnotyetterminated.Ifoundhimverylikehisportraits——little，thin，pale，withanairoffatigue，butnotofill—health，ashasbeenreportedofhim.Heappearstometolistenwithmoreabstractionthaninterest，andthathewasmoreoccupiedwithwhathewasthinkingofthanwithwhatwassaidtohim.Thereisgreatintelligenceinhiscountenance，alongwithwhichmaybemarkedanairofhabitualmeditation，whichrevealsnothingofwhatispassingwithin.
Inthatthinkinghead，inthatboldmind，itisimpossiblenottobelievethatsomedaringdesignsareengenderingwhichwillhavetheirinfluenceanthedestiniesofEurope.\"
Fromthelastphrase，inparticular，ofthisletter，onemightsuspectthatitwaswrittenafterBonapartehadmadehisnamefearedthroughoutEurope;butitreallyappearedinajournalinthemonthofDecember1797，alittlebeforehisarrivalinParis.
Thereexistsasortofanalogybetweencelebratedmenandcelebratedplaces;itwasnot，therefore，anuninterestingspectacletoseeBonapartesurveyingthefieldofMorat，where，in1476，CharlestheBold，DukeofBurgundy，daringlikehimself，fellwithhispowerfularmyundertheeffectsofHelvetianvalour.BonapartesleptduringthenightatMaudon，where，asineveryplacethroughwhichhepassed，thegreatesthonourswerepaidhim.Inthemorning，hiscarriagehavingbrokendown，wecontinuedourjourneyanfoot，accompaniedonlybysomeofficersandanescortofdragoonsofthecountry.BonapartestoppedneartheOssuary，anddesiredtobeshownthespotwherethebattleofMoratwasfought.Aplaininfrontofthechapelwaspointedouttohim.AnofficerwhohadservedinFrancewaspresent，andexplainedtohimhowtheSwiss，descendingfromtheneighbouringmountains，wereenabled，undercoverofawood，toturntheBurgundianarmyandputittotherout.\"Whatwastheforceofthatarmy？\"askedBonaparte.——\"Sixtythousandmen.\"——\"Sixtythousandmen！\"heexclaimed：\"theyoughttohavecompletelycoveredthesemountains！\"——\"TheFrenchfightbetternow，\"saidLannes，whowasoneoftheofficersofhissuite.\"Atthattime，\"
observedBonaparte，interruptinghim，\"theBurgundianswerenotFrenchmen.\"
Bonaparte’sjourneythroughSwitzerlandwasnotwithoututility;andhispresenceservedtocalmmorethanoneinquietude.HeproceededonhisjourneytoRastadtbyAixinSavoy，Berne，andBale.OnarrivingatBerneduringnightwepassedthroughadoublefileofwell—lightedequipages，filledwithbeautifulwomen，allofwhomraisedthecryof\"Longlive，Bonaparte！——longlivethePacificator！\"Tohaveaproperideaofthisgenuineenthusiasmitisnecessarytohaveseenit.
ThepositioninsocietytowhichhisserviceshadraisedhimrendereditunfittoaddresshiminthesecondpersonsingularandthefamiliarmannersometimesusedbyhisoldschoolfellowsofBrienne.Ithought，thisverynatural.
M.deCominges，oneofthosewhowentwithhimtothemilitaryschoolatParis，andwhohademigrated，wasatBale.Havinglearnedourarrival，hepresentedhimselfwithoutceremony，withgreatindecorum，andwithacompletedisregardoftherespectduetoamanwhohadrenderedhimselfsoillustrious.GeneralBonaparte，offendedatthisbehaviour，refusedtoreceivehimagain，andexpressedhimselftomewithmuchwarmthontheoccasionofthisvisit.Allmyeffortstoremovehisdispleasurewereunavailingthisimpressionalwayscontinued，andheneverdidforM.deComingeswhathismeansandtheoldtiesofboyhoodmightwellhavewarranted.
OnarrivingatRastadt——[TheconferencefortheformalpeacewiththeEmpireofGermanywasheldthere.ThepeaceofLeobenwasonlyonemadewithAustria.]——
BonapartefoundaletterfromtheDirectorysummoninghimtoParis.Heeagerlyobeyedthisinvitation，whichdrewhimfromaplacewherehecouldactonlyaninsignificantpart，andwhichhehaddeterminedtoleavesoon，neveragaintoreturn.SometimeafterhisarrivalinParis，onthegroundthathispresencewasnecessaryfortheexecutionofdifferentorders，andthegeneraldespatchofbusiness，herequiredthatauthorityshouldbegiventoapartofhishousehold，whichhehadleftatRastadt，toreturn.
HowcoulditeverbesaidthattheDirectory\"keptGeneralBonaparteawayfromthegreatinterestswhichwereunderdiscussionatRastadt\"？Quitethecontrary！TheDirectorywouldhavebeendelightedtoseehimreturnthere，astheywouldthenhavebeenrelievedfromhispresenceinParis;
butnothingwassodisagreeabletoBonaparteaslongandseeminglyinterminablenegotiations.Suchtediousworkdidnotsuithischaracter，andhehadbeensufficientlydisgustedwithsimilarproceedingsatCampo—
Formio.