CHAPTERXIX.
1799.
ThesiegeofAcreraised——Attentiontonamesisbulletins——Giganticproject——TheDruses——MountCaramel——Thewoundedandinfected——
Ordertomarchonfoot——Lossofourcannon——ANablousianfiresatBonaparte——ReturntoJaffa——Bonapartevisitstheplaguehospital——
Apotiongiventothesick——Bonaparte’sstatementatSt.Helena.
ThesiegeofSt.Jeand’Acrewasraisedonthe20thofMay.Itcostusalossofnearly3000men，inkilled，deathsbytheplague，orwounds.A
greatnumberwerewoundedmortally.Inthoseveraciousdocuments，thebulletins，theFrenchlosswasmade500killed，and1000wounded，andtheenemy’smorethan15，000.
Ourbulletinsmayformcuriousmaterialsforhistory;buttheirvaluecertainlywillnotdependonthecreditduetotheirdetails.Bonaparteattachedthegreatestimportancetothosedocuments;generallydrawingthemuphimself，orcorrectingthem，whenwrittenbyanotherhand，ifthecompositiondidnotpleasehim.
Itmustbeconfessedthatatthattimenothingsomuchflatteredself—
loveasbeingmentionedinabulletin.Bonapartewaswellawareofthis;
heknewthattoinsertanameinabulletinwasconferringagreathonour，andthatitsexclusionwasaseveredisappointment.GeneralBerthier，towhomIhadexpressedastrongdesiretoexaminetheworksofthesiege，tookmeoverthem;butnotwithstandinghispromiseofsecrecy;
hementionedthecircumstancetotheGeneral—in—Chief，whohaddesiredmenottoapproachtheworks.\"Whatdidyougotherefor？\"saidBonapartetome，withsomeseverity;\"thatisnotyourplace.\"IrepliedthatBerthiertoldmethatnoassaultwouldtakeplacethatday;andhebelievedtherewouldbenosortie，asthegarrisonhadmadeonetheprecedingevening.\"Whatmattersthat？Theremighthavebeenanother.
Thosewhohavenothingtodoinsuchplacesarealwaysthefirstvictims.
Leteverymanmindhisownbusiness.Woundedorkilled，Iwouldnotevenhavenoticedyouinthebulletin.Youcouldhavebeenlaughedat，andthatjustly.\"
Bonaparte;nothavingatthistimeexperiencedreverses，havingcontinuallyproceededfromtriumphtotriumph，confidentlyanticipatedthetakingofSt，Jeand’Acre.InhisletterstothegeneralsinEgypthefixedthe25thofAprilfortheaccomplishmentofthatevent.Hereckonedthatthegrandassaultagainstthetowercouldnotbemadebeforethatday;ittookplace，however，twenty—fourhourssooner.HewrotetoDesaixonthe19thofApril，\"IcountonbeingmasterofAcreinsixdays.\"Onthe2dofMayhetoldJunot，\"Our18and24poundershavearrived.WehopetoenterAcreinafewdays.Thefireoftheirartilleryiscompletelyextinguished.\"Lettershavebeenprinted，dated30thFloreal’（19th.May），inwhichheannouncesto，DuguaandtoPoussielquethattheycanrelyonhisbeinginAcreon6thFloreal（25thApril）.Somemistakehasevidentlybeenmade.\"Theslightestcircumstancesproducethegreatestevents，\"saidNapoleon，accordingtotheMemorialofSt.Helena;\"hadSt.Jeand’Acrefallen，Ishouldhavechangedthefaceoftheworld.\"Andagain，\"ThefateoftheEastlayinthatsmalltown.\"
ThisideaisnotonewhichhefirstbegantoentertainatSt.Helena;heoftenrepeatedtheverysamewordsatSt.Jeand’Acre.OntheshoreofPtolemesgiganticprojectsagitatedhim，as，doubtless，regretfornothavingcarriedthemintoexecutiontormentedhimatSt.Helena.
AlmosteveryeveningBonaparteandmyselfusedtowalktogether，atalittledistancefromthesea—shore.Thedayaftertheunfortunateassaultofthe8thofMayBonaparte，afflictedatseeingthebloodofsomanybravemenuselesslyshed，saidtome，\"Bourrienne，Iseethatthiswretchedplacehascostmeanumberofmen，andwastedmuchtime.Butthingsaretoofaradvancednottoattemptalasteffort.IfIsucceed，asIexpect，Ishallfindinthetownthepasha’streasures，andarmsfor300，000men.IwillstirupandarmthepeopleofSyria，whoaredisgustedattheferocityofDjezzar，andwho，asyouknow，prayforhisdestructionateveryassault.IshallthenmarchuponDamascusand.
Aleppo.Onadvancingintothecountry，thediscontentedwillflockroundmystandard，andswellmyarmy.Iwillannouncetothepeopletheabolitionofservitudeandofthetyrannicalgovernmentsofthepashas.
IshallarriveatConstantinoplewithlargemassesofsoldiers.IshalloverturntheTurkishempire，andfoundintheEastanewandgrandempire，whichwillfixmyplaceintherecordsofposterity.PerhapsIshallreturntoParisbyAdrianople，orbyVienna，afterhavingannihilatedthehouseofAustria.\"AfterIhadmadesomeobservationswhichthesegrandprojectsnaturallysuggested，hereplied，\"What！doyounotseethattheDrusesonlywaitforthefallofAcretoriseinrebellion？HavenotthekeysofDamascusalreadybeenofferedme？
IonlystaytillthesewallsfallbecauseuntilthenIcanderivenoadvantagefromthislargetown.BytheoperationwhichImeditateI
cutoffallkindofsuccourfromthebeys，andsecuretheconquestofEgypt.IwillhaveDesaixnominatedcommander—in—chief;butifIdonotsucceedinthelastassaultIamabouttoattempt，Isetoffdirectly.Timepresses，——IshallnotbeatCairobeforethemiddleofJune;thewindswillthenliefavourableforshipsboundtoEgypt，fromthenorth.ConstantinoplewillsendtroopstoAlexandriaandRosetta.
Imustbethere.Asforthearmy，whichwillarriveafterwardsbyland，Idonotfearitthisyear.Iwillcauseeverythingtobedestroyed，alltheway，totheentranceofthedesert.Iwillrenderthepassageofanarmyimpossiblefortwoyears.Troopscannotexistamoungruins.\"
AssoonasIreturnedtomytentIcommittedtopaperthisconversation，whichwasthenquitefreshinmymemory，and，I，mayventuretosaythateverywordIputdowniscorrect.Imayadd，thatduringthesiegeourcampwas，constantlyfilledwiththeinhabitants，whoinvokedHeaventofavourourarms，andprayedferventlyateveryassaualtforoursuccess，manyofthemontheirknees，withtheirfacestothecity.ThepeopleofDamascus，too，hadofferedthekeystoBonaparte.Thuseverythingcontributedtomakehimconfidentinhisfavouriteplan.
ThetroopsleftSt.Jeand’Acreonthe20thofMay，takingadvantageofthenighttoavoidasortiefromthebesieged，andtoconcealtheretreatofthearmy，whichhadtomarchthreeleaguesalongtheshore，exposedtothefireoftheEnglishvesselslyingintheroadsofMountCarmel.Theremovalofthewoundedandsickcommencedonthe.18thand19thofMay.
Bonapartethenmadeaproclamation，whichfromoneendtotheotheroffendsagainsttruth.Ithasbeenpublishedinmanyworks.Theseasonoftheyearforhostilelandingisthereverydexterouslyplacedintheforeground;alltherestisadeceitfulexaggeration.ItmustbeobservedthattheproclamationswhichBonaparteregardedascalculatedtodazzleanevertoocredulouspublicwereamplificationsoftenridiculousandincomprehensibleuponthespot，andwhichonlyexcitedthelaughterofmenofcommonsense.InallBonaparte’scorrespondencethereisanendeavourtodisguisehisreverses，andimposeonthepublic，andevenonhisowngenerals.Forexample，hewrotetoGeneralDugua，commandantofCairo，onthe15thofFebruary，\"Iwillbringyouplentyofprisonersandflags！\"Onewouldalmostbeinclinedtosaythathehadresolved，duringhisstayintheEast，thustopayatributetothecountryoffables.
——[Theprisonersandflagsweresent.TheTurkishflagswereentrustedbyBerthiertotheAdjutant—CommandantBoyer，whoconductedaconvoyofsickandwoundedtoEgypt.SidneySmithacknowledgesthelossofsomeflagsbytheTurks.TheTurkishprisonerswereusedascarriersofthelittersforthewounded，andwere，forthemostpart，broughtintoEgypt.（Erreurs，tomei.pp.
47and160）]——
Thusterminatedthisdisastrousexpedition.IhavereadsomewherethatduringthisimmortalcampaignthetwoheroesMuratandMouradhadoftenbeeninfaceofoneanother.Thereisonlyalittledifficulty;MouradBeyneverputhisfootinSyria.
Weproceededalongthecoast，andpassedMountCarmel.Someofthewoundedwerecarriedonlitters，theremainderonhorses，mules，andcamels.AtashortdistancefromMountCarmelwewereinformedthatthreesoldiers，illoftheplague，whowereleftinaconvent（whichservedforahospital），andabandonedtooconfidentlytothegenerosityoftheTurks，hadbeenbarbarouslyputtodeath.
Amostintolerablethirst，thetotalwantofwater，anexcessiveheat，andafatiguingmarchoverburningsand—hills，quitedisheartenedthemen，andmadeeverygeneroussentimentgivewaytofeelingsofthegrossestselfishnessandmostshockingindifference.Isawofficers，withtheirlimbsamputated，thrownoffthelitters，whoseremovalinthatwayhadbeenordered，andwhohadthemselvesgivenmoneytorecompensethebearers.Isawtheamputated，thewounded，theinfected，orthoseonlysuspectedofinfection，desertedandlefttothemselves.Themarchwasilluminedbytorches，lightedforthepurposeofsettingfiretothelittletowns，villages，andhamletswhichlayintheroute，andtherichcropswithwhichthelandwasthencovered.Thewholecountrywasinablaze.Thosewhowereorderedtopresideatthisworkofdestructionseemedeagertospreaddesolationoneveryside，asiftheycouldtherebyavengethemselvesfortheirreverses，andfindinsuchdreadfulhavocanalleviationoftheirsufferings.Wewereconstantlysurroundedbyplunderers，incendiaries，andthedying，who，stretchedonthesidesoftheroad，imploredassistanceinafeeblevoice，saying，\"Iamnotinfected——Iamonlywounded;\"andtoconvincethosewhomtheyaddressed，theyreopenedtheiroldwounds，orinflictedonthemselvesfreshones.
Stillnobodyattendedtothem.\"Itisalloverwithhim，\"wastheobservationappliedtotheunfortunatebeingsinsuccession，whileeveryonepressedonward.Thesun，whichshoneinanuncloudedskyinallitsbrightness，wasoftendarkenedbyourconflagrations.Onourrightlaythesea;onourleft，andbehindus，thedesertmadebyourselves;beforeweretheprivationsandsufferingswhichawaitedus.Suchwasourtruesituation.
WereachedTentouraonthe20thofMay，whenamostoppressiveheatprevailed，andproducedgeneraldejection.Wehadnothingtosleeponbuttheparchedandburningsand;onourrightlayahostilesea;ourlossesinwoundedandsickwerealreadyconsiderablesinceleavingAcre;andtherewasnothingconsolatoryinthefuture.Thetrulyafflictingconditioninwhichtheremainsofanarmycalledtriumphantwereplunged，produced，asmightwellbeexpected，acorrespondingimpressiononthemindoftheGeneral—in—Chief.ScarcelyhadhearrivedatTentourawhenheorderedhistenttobepitched.Hethencalledme，andwithamindoccupiedbythecalamitiesofoursituation，dictatedanorderthateveryoneshouldmarchonfoot;andthatallthehorses，mules，andcamelsshouldbegivenuptothewounded，thesick，andinfectedwhohadbeenremoved，andwhostillshowedsignsoflife.\"CarrythattoBerthier，\"
saidhe;andtheorderwasinstantlydespatched.ScarcelyhadIreturnedtothetentwhentheelderVigogne，the（General—in—Chief’sgrooms，entered，andraisinghishandtohiscap，said，\"General，whathorsedoyoureserveforyourself？\"InthestateofexcitementinwhichBonapartewadthisquestionirritatedhimsoviolentlythat，raisinghiswhip，hegavethemanasevereblowonthehead;sayinginaterriblevoice，\"Every—onemustgoonfoot，yourascal——Ithefirst——Doyounotknowtheorder？Beoff！\"
Everyoneinpartingwithhishorsewasnowanxioustoavoidgivingittoanyunfortunateindividualsupposedtobesufferingfromplague.Muchpainsweretakentoascertainthenatureofthediseasesofthesick;andnodifficultywasmadeinaccommodatingthewoundedofamputated.FormypartIhadanexcellenthorse;amule，andtwocamels，allwhichIgaveupwiththegreatestpleasure;butIconfessthatIdirectedmyservanttodoallhecouldtopreventaninfectedpersonfromgettingmyhorse.
Itwasreturnedtomeinaveryshorttime.Thesamethinghappenedtomanyothers.Thecausemaybeeasilyconjectured.
TheremainsofourheavyartillerywerelostinthemovingsandsofTentoura，fromthewantofhorses，thesmallnumberthatremainedbeingemployedinmoreindispensableservices.Thesoldiersseemedtoforgettheirownsufferings，plungedingriefatthelossoftheirbronzeguns，oftentheinstrumentsoftheirtriumphs，andwhichhadmadeEuropetremble.
WehaltedatCaesareaonthe22dofMay，andwemarchedallthefollowingnight.Towardsdaybreakaman，concealedinabushupontheleftoftheroad（theseawastwopacesfromusontheright），firedamusketalmostclosetotheheadoftheGeneral—in—Chief，whowassleepingonhishorse.
Iwasbesidehim.Thewoodbeingsearched，theNablousianwastakenwithoutdifficulty，andorderedtobeshotonthespot.Fourguidespushedhimtowardstheseabythrustingtheircarbinesagainsthisback;
whenclosetothewater’sedgetheydrewthetriggers，butallthefourmusketshungfire：acircumstancewhichwasaccountedforbythegreathumidityofthenight.TheNablousianthrewhimselfintothewater，and，swimmingwithgreatagilityandrapidity，gainedaridgeofrockssofaroffthatnotashotfromthewholetroop，whichfiredasitpassed，reachedhim.Bonaparte，whocontinuedhismarch，desiredmetowaitforKleber，whosedivisionformedtherear—guard，andtotellhimnottoforgettheNablousian.Hewas，Ibelieve，shotatlast.
WereturnedtoJaffaonthe24thofMay，andstoppedthereduringthe25th，26th，27th，and28th.Thistownhadlatelybeenthesceneofahorribletransaction，dictatedbynecessity，anditwasagaindestinedtowitnesstheexerciseofthesamedirelaw.HereIhaveapainfuldutytoperform——Iwillperformit.IwillstatewhatIknow，whatIsaw.
Ihaveseenthefollowingpassageinacertain，work：——\"Bonaparte，havingarrivedatJaffa，orderedthreeremovalsofthe，infected：onebyseatoDamietta，andalsobyland;thesecondtoGaza;andthethirdtoEl—Arish！\"So，manywords，somanyerrors！
SometentswerepitchedonaneminencenearthegardenseastofJaffa.
Ordersweregivendirectlytounderminethefortificationsand，blowthemup;andonthe27thofMay，uponthesignalinggiven，thetownwasinamomentlaidbare.AnhourafterwardstheGeneral—in—Chieflefthistentandrepairedtothetown，accompaniedbyBerthier，somephysiciansandsurgeons，andhisusualstaff.Iwasalsooneoftheparty.Alongandsaddeliberationtookplaceonthequestionwhichnowaroserelativetothemenwhowereincurablyilloftheplague，orwhowereatthepointofdeath.Afteradiscussionofthemostseriousandconscientiouskinditwasdecidedtoaccelerateafewmoments，byapotion，adeathwhichwasinevitable，andwhichwouldotherwisebepainfulandcruel.
Bonapartetookarapidviewofthedestroyedrampartsofthetownandreturnedtothehospital，wherethereweremenwhoselimbshadbeenamputated，manywounded，manyafflictedwithophthalmia，whoselamentationsweredistressing，andsomeinfectedwiththeplague.Thebedsofthelastdescriptionofpatientsweretotherightonenteringthefirstward.IwalkedbytheGeneral’sside，andIassertthatI
neversawhimtouchanyoneoftheinfected.Andwhyshouldhehavedoneso？Theywereinthelaststageofthedisease.Notoneofthemspokeawordtohim，andBonapartewellknewthathepossessednoprotectionagainsttheplague.IsFortunetobeagainbroughtforwardhere？Shehad，intruth，littlefavouredhimduringthelastfewmonths，whenhehadtrustedtoherfavours.Iask，whyshouldhehaveexposedhimselftocertaindeath，andhavelefthisarmyinthemidstofadesertcreatedbyourravages，inadesolatetown，withoutsuccour，andwithoutthehopeofeverreceivingany？Wouldhehaveactedrightlyindoingso——hewhowasevidentlysonecessary，soindispensabletohisarmy;heonwhomdependedatthatmomentthelivesofallwholeadsurvivedthelastdisaster，andwhohadprovedtheirattachmenttohimbytheirsufferings，theirprivations，andtheirunshakencourage，andwhohaddoneallthathecouldhaverequiredofmen，andwhoseonlytrustwasinhim？
Bonapartewalkedquicklythroughtherooms，tappingtheyellowtopofhisbootwithawhipheheldinhishand.Ashepassedalongwithhastystepsherepeatedthesewords：\"Thefortificationsaredestroyed.
FortunewasagainstmeatSt.Jeand’Acre.ImustreturntoEgypttopreserveitfromtheenemy，whowillsoonbethere：InafewhourstheTurkswillbehere.Letallthosewhohavestrengthenoughriseandcomealongwithus.Theyshallbecarriedonlittersandhorses.\"Therewerescarcelysixtycasesofplagueinthehospital;andallaccountsstatingagreaternumberareexaggerated.Theperfectsilence，completedejection，andgeneralstuporofthepatientsannouncedtheirapproachingend.Tocarrythemawayinthestateinwhichtheywerewouldevidentlyhavebeendoingnothingelsethaninoculatingtherestofthearmywiththeplague.Ihave，itistrue，learned，sincemyreturntoEurope，thatsomepersonstouchedtheinfectedwithimpunity;nay;thatotherswentsofarastoinoculatethemselveswiththeplagueinordertolearnhowtocurethosewhomitmightattack.ItcertainlywasaspecialprotectionfromHeaventobepreservedfromit;buttocoverinsomedegreetheabsurdityofsuchastory，itisaddedthattheyknewhowtoeludethedanger，andthatanyoneelsewhobraveditwithoutusingprecautionsmetwithdeathfortheirtemerity.Thisis，infact;thewholepointofthequestion.Eitherthoseprivilegedpersonstookindispensableprecautions;andinthatcasetheirboastedheroismisamerejuggler’strick;ortheytouchedtheinfectedwithoutusingprecautions，andinoculatedthemselveswiththeplague，thusvoluntarilyencounteringdeath，andthenthestoryisreallyagoodone.
Theinfectedwereconfided，ithasbeenstated，totheheadapothecaryofthearmy，Royer，who，dyinginEgyptthreeyearsafter，carriedthesecretwithhimtothegrave.Butonamoment’sreflectionitwillbeevidentthattheleavingofRoyeraloneinJaffawouldhavebeentodevotetocertaindeath;andthatapromptand，cruelone，amanwhowasextremelyusefultothearmy，andwhowasatthetimeinperfecthealth.
Itmustberememberedthatnoguardcouldbeleftwithhim，andthattheTurkswerecloseatourheels.Bonapartetrulysaid，whilewalkingthroughtheroomsofthehospital，thattheTurkswouldbeatJaffainafewhours.Withthisconviction，wouldhehavelefttheheadapothecaryinthattown？
RecoursehasbeenhadtosuppositionstosupportthecontrarybelieftowhatIstag.Forexample，itissaidthattheinfectedpatientswereembarkedinshipsofwar.Therewerenosuchships.Wherehadtheydisembarked，whohadreceivedthem;whathadbeendonewiththem？.Noonespeaksofthem.Others，notdoubtingthattheinfectedmendiedatJaffa，say，thattherearguardunderKleber，byorderofBonaparte，delayeditsdepartureforthreedays，andonlybeganitsmarchwhen.
deathhadputanendtothesufferingsoftheseunfortunatebeings，unshortenedbyanysacrifice.Allthisisincorrect.Norear—guardwasleft——itcouldnotbedone.Pretenceismadeofforgettingthattherampartsweredestroyed，thatthetown——wasasopenandasdefencelessasanyvillage，sothissmallrear—guardwouldhavebeenleftforcertaindestruction.Thedatesthemselvestellagainstthesesuppositions.Itiscertain，ascanbeseenbytheofficialaccount，thatwearrivedatJaffaon24thMay，andstayedtherethe25th，26th，and27th.Weleftitonthe28th.Thustherear—guard，which，accordingtothesewriters;
left—onthe29th，didnotremain，evenaccordingtotheirownhypothesis，threedaysafterthearmytoseethesickdie.Inrealityitleftonthe29thofMay，thedayafterwedid：HerearetheverywordsoftheMajor—
General（Berthier）inhisofficialaccount，writtenundertheeyeandunderthedictationoftheCommander—in—Chief：——
ThearmyarrivedatJaffa，5thPrairial（24thMay），andremainedtherethe6th，7th，and8th（25th—27thMay）.Thistimewasemployedinpunishingthevillage，whichhadbehavedbadly.ThefortificationsofJaffawereblownup.Alltheirongunsoftheplacewerethrownintothesea.Thewoundedwereremovedbyseaandbyland.Therewereonlyafewships，andtogivetimetocompletetheevacuationbyland，thedepartureofthearmyhadtobedeferreduntilthe9th（28thMay）.Klebersdivisionformedtherear—guard，andonlyleftJaffa，onthe10th（29thMay）.
TheofficialreportofwhatpassedatJaffawasdrawnupbyBerthier，undertheeyeofBonaparte.Ithasbeenpublished;butitmayberemarkedthatnotawordabouttheinfected，notawordofthevisittothehospital，orthetouchingoftheplague—patientswithimpunity，istherementioned.Innoofficialreportisanythingsaidaboutthematter.Whythissilence？Bonapartewasnotthemantoconcealafactwhichwouldhaveaffordedhimsoexcellentandsoallowableatextfortalkingabouthisfortune.Iftheinfectedwereremoved，whynotmentionit？Whybesilentonsoimportantanevent？Butitwouldhavebeennecessarytoconfessthatbeingobligedtohaverecoursetosopainfulameasurewastheunavoidableconsequenceofthisunfortunateexpedition.
Verydisagreeabledetailsmusthavebeenenteredinto;anditwasthoughtmoreadvisabletobesilentonthesubject.
ButwhatdidNapoleon，himselfsayonthesubjectatSt.Helena？Hisstatementtherewastothefollowing，effect：——\"Iorderedaconsultationastowhatwasbesttobedone.Thereportwhichwasmadestatedthatthereweresevenoreightmen（thequestionisnotaboutthenumber）sodangerouslyillthattheycouldnotlivebeyondtwenty—fourhours，andwouldbesidesinfecttherestofthearmywiththeplague.Itwasthoughtitwouldbeanactofcharitytoanticipatetheirdeathafew，hours.\"
Thencomesthefableofthe500menoftherearguard，who，itispretended，sawthemdie！ImakenodoubtthatthestoryofthepoisoningwastheinventionofDen————.Hewassbabbler，whounderstoodastorybadly，andrepeateditworse.Idonotthinkitwouldhavebeenacrimetohavegivenopiumtotheinfected.Onthecontrary，itwouldhavebeenobediencetothedictatesofreason.Whereisthemanwhowouldnot，insuchasituation，havepreferredapromptdeath，tobeingexposedtothelingeringtorturesinflictedbybarbarians？Ifmychild，andIbelieveI
lovehimasmuchasanyfatherdoeshis;hadbeeninsuchastate;myadvicewouldhavebeenthesame;ifIhadbeenamongtheinfectedmyself，Ishouldhavedemandedtobesotreated.
SuchwasthereasoningatSt.Helena，andsuchwasthe，viewwhichheandeveryoneelsetookofthecasetwentyyearsagoatJaffa.
OurlittlearmyarrivedatCairoonthe14thofJune，afterapainfulandharassingmarchoftwenty—fivedays.TheheatsduringthepassageofthedesertbetweenEl—ArishandBelbeisexceededthirty—threedegrees.Onplacingthebulbofthethermometerinthesandthemercuryrosetoforty—fivedegrees.ThedeceitfulmiragewasevenmorevexatiousthanintheplainsofBohahire’h.Inspiteofourexperienceanexcessivethirst，addedtoaperfectillusion，madeusgoadonourweariedhorsestowardslakeswhichvanishedatourapproach;andleftbehindnothingbutsaltandaridsand.Intwodaysmycloakwascompletelycoveredwithsalt，leftonitaftertheevaporationofthemoisturewhichhelditinsolution.Ourhorses，whoraneagerlytothebrackishspringsofthedesert，perishedinnumbers;aftertravellingaboutaquarterofaleaguefromthespotwheretheydrankthedeleteriousfluid.
BonaparteprecededhisentryintothecapitalofEgyptbyoneofthoselyingbulletinswhichonlyimposedonfools.\"Iwillbringwithme，\"
saidhe，\"manyprisonersandflags.IhaverazedthepalaceoftheDjezzarandtherampartsofAcre——notastoneremainsuponanother，Alltheinhabitantshaveleftthecity，bysea.Djezzarisseverelywounded.\"
IconfessthatIexperiencedapainfulsensationinwriting，byhisdictation，theseofficialwords，everyoneofwhichwasanimposition.
ExcitedbyallIhadjustwitnessed，itwasdifficultformetorefrainfrommakingtheobservation;buthisconstantreplywas，\"Mydearfellow，youareasimpleton：youdonotunderstandthisbusiness.\"Andheobserved，whensigningthebulletin，thathewouldyetfilltheworldwithadmiration，andinspirehistoriansandpoets.
OurreturntoCairohasbeenattributedtotheinsurrectionswhichbrokeoutduringtheunfortunateexpeditionintoSyria.Nothingismoreincorrect.TheterminsurrectioncannotbeproperlyappliedtothefoolishenterprisesoftheangelEl—MahdiintheBohahire’h，ortothelessimportantdisturbancesintheCharkyeh.ThereversesexperiencedbeforeSt.Jeand’Acre，thefear，orrathertheprudentanticipationofahostilelanding，weresufficientmotives，andtheonlyones，forourreturntoEgypt.WhatmorecouldwedoinSyriabutlosemenandtime，neitherofwhichtheGeneralhadtospare？
CHAPTERXX.
1799.
MuratandMoaradBeyattheNatronLakes——BonapartesdepartureforthePyramids——SuddenappearanceofanArabmessenger——NewsofthelandingoftheTurksatAboukir——Bonapartemarchesagainstthem——TheyareimmediatelyattackedanddestroyedinthebattleofAboukir——InterchangeofcommunicationwiththeEnglish——SuddendeterminationtoreturntoEurope——Outfitoftwofrigates——
Bonaparte’sdissimulation——HispretendedjourneytotheDelta——
GenerousbehaviourofLanusee——Bonaparte’sartifice——HisbadtreatmentofGeneralKleber.
BonapartehadhardlysetfootinCairowhenhewas，informedthatthebraveandindefatigableMouradBeywasdescendingbytheFayoum，inordertoformajunctionwithreinforcementswhichhadbeenforsometimepastcollectedintheBohahire’h.InallprobabilitythismovementofMouradBeywastheresultofnewshehadreceivedrespectingplansformedatConstantinople，andthelandingwhichtookplaceashorttimeafterintheroadsofAboukir.MouradhadselectedtheNatronLakesforhisplaceofrendezvous.TotheselakesMuratwasdespatched.TheBeynosoonergotnoticeofMurat’spresencethanhedeterminedtoretreatandtoproceedbythedeserttoGizehandthegreatPyramids.Icertainlyneverheard，untilIreturnedtoFrance，thatMouradhadascendedtothesummitofthegreatPyramidfortheproposeofpassinghistimeincontemplatingCairo！
NapoleonsaidatSt.HelenathatMuratmighthavetakenMouradBeyhadthelatterremainedfour—and—twentyhourslongerintheNatronLakes：Nowthefactis，thatassoonastheBeyheardofMurat’sarrivalhewasoffTheArabianspieswerefarmoreserviceabletoourenemiesthantous;wehadnot，indeed，asinglefriendinEgypt.MouradBey，onbeinginformedbytheArabs，whoactedascouriersforhim，thatGeneralDesaixwasdespatchingacolumnfromthesouthofEgyptagainsthim，thattheGeneral—in—ChiefwasalsoabouttofollowhisfootstepsalongthefrontierofGizeh，andthattheNatronLakesandtheBohahire’hwereoccupiedbyforcessuperiortohisown，retiredintoFayoum.
BonaparteattachedgreatimportancetothedestructionofMourad，whomhelookeduponasthebravest，themostactive，andmostdangerousofhisenemiesinEgypt.AsallaccountsconcurredinstatingthatMourad，supportedbytheArabs，washoveringabouttheskirtsofthedesertoftheprovinceofGizeh，BonaparteproceededtothePyramids，theretodirectdifferentcorpsagainstthatableanddangerouspartisan.He，indeed，reckonedhimsoredoubtablethatliewrotetoMurat，sayinghewishedfortunemightreserveforhimthehonourofputtingthesealontheconquestofEgyptbythedestructionofthisopponent.
Onthe14thofJulyBonaparteleftCairoforthePyramids.HeintendedspendingthreeorfourdaysinexaminingtheruinsoftheancientnecropolisofMemphis;buthewassuddenlyobligedtoalterhisplan.
ThisjourneytothePyramids，occasionedbythecourseofwar，hasgivenanopportunityfortheinventionofalittlepieceofromance.SomeingeniouspeoplehaverelatedthatBonapartegaveaudiencestothemuftiandulemas，andthatonenteringoneofthegreatPyramidshecriedout，\"GlorytoAllah！GodonlyisGod，andMahometishisprophet！\"Nowthefactis，thatBonaparteneverevenenteredthegreatPyramid.Heneverhadanythoughtofenteringit：——IcertainlyshouldhaveaccompaniedhimhadhedonesoforIneverquittedhissideasinglemomentinthedesertHecausedsomepersontoenterintooneofthegreatPyramidswhileheremainedoutside，andreceivedfromthem，ontheirreturn，anaccountofwhattheyhadseen.Inotherwords，theyinformedhimtherewasnothing，tobeseen！
Ontheeveningofthe15thofJuly，whileweweretakingawalk，weperceived，ontheroadleadingfromAlexandria，anArabridinguptousinallhaste.HebroughttotheGeneral—in—ChiefadespatchfromGeneralMarmont，whowasentrustedwiththecommandofAlexandria，andwhohadconductedhimselfsowell，especiallyduringthedreadfulravagesoftheplague，thathehadgainedtheunqualifiedapprobationofBonaparte.TheTurkshadlandedonthe11thofJulyatAboukir，undertheescortandprotectionofEnglishshipsofwar.ThenewsofthelandingoffromfifteentosixteenthousandmendidnotsurpriseBonaparte，whohadforsometimeexpectedit.Itwas，notso，however，withthegeneralsmostinhisfavor;whoseapprehensions，forreasonswhichmaybeconjectured，hehadendeavouredtocalm.HehadevenwrittentoMarmont，who，beinginthemostexposedsituation，hadthemorereasontobevigilant，intheseterms：
ThearmywhichwastohaveappearedbeforeAlexandria，andwhichleftConstantinopleonthe1stoftheRamadhan，hasbeendestroyedunderthewallsofAcre.If，however，thatmadEnglishman（Smith）
hasembarkedtheremainsofthatarmyinordertoconveythemtoAboukir，Idonotbelievetherecanbemorethan2000men.
HewroteinthefollowingstraintoGeneralDugua，whohadthecommandofCairo：
TheEnglishCommander，whohassummonedDamietta，isamadman.ThecombinedarmytheyspeakofhasbeendestroyedbeforeAcre，whereitarrivedafortnightbeforeweleftthatplace.
AssoonashearrivedatCairo，inaletterhedespatchedtoDesaix，hesaid：
Thetimehasnowarrivedwhendisembarkationshavebecomepracticable.Ishalllosenotimeingettingready.Theprobabilities，however，are，thatnonewilltakeplacethisyear.
Whatotherlanguagecouldhehold，whenhehadproclaimedwhenafter，theraisingofthesiegeofAcre，thathehaddestroyedthose15，000menwhotwomonthsafterlandedatAboukir？
NosoonerhadBonaparteperusedthecontentsofMarmont’sletterthanheretiredintohistentanddictatedtome，untilthreeinthemorning，hisordersforthedepartureofthetroops，andfortherouteshewishedtobepursuedduringhisabsencebythetroopswhoshouldremainintheinterior.AtthismomentIobservedinhimthedevelopmentofthatvigorouscharacterofmindwhichwasexcitedbyobstaclesuntilheovercamethem——thatcelerityofthoughtwhichforesaweverything.Hewasallaction，andneverforamomenthesitated.Onthe16thofJuly，atfourinthemorning，hewasonhorsebackandthearmyinfullmarch.
Icannothelpdoingjusticetothepresenceofmind，promptitudeofdecision，andrapidityofexecutionwhichatthisperiodofhislifeneverdesertedhimongreatoccasions.
WereachedOuardan，tothenorthofGizeh，ontheeveningofthe16th;
onthe19thwearrivedatRahmalianie’h，andonthe23datAlexandria，whereeverypreparationwasmadeforthatmemorablebattlewhich，thoughitdidnotrepairtheimmenselossesandfatalconsequencesofthenavalconflictofthesamename，willalwaysrecalltothememoryofFrenchmenoneofthemostbrilliantachievementsoftheirarms.
——[AsM.deBourriennegivesnodetailsofthebattle，thefollowingextractfromtheDuedoRovigo’sMemoirs，tomei，p.167，willsupplythedeficiency：
\"GeneralBonaparteleftCairointheutmosthastetoplacehimselfattheheadofthetroopswhichhehadorderedtoquittheircantonmentsandmarchdowntothecoast.
WhilsttheGeneralwasmakingthesearrangementsandcominginpersonfromCairo，thetroopsonboardtheTurkishfleethadeffectedalandingandtakenpossessionofthefortofAboukir，andofaredoubtplacedbehindthevillageofthatnamewhichoughttohavebeenputintoastateofdefencesixmonthsbefore，buthadbeencompletelyneglected.
\"TheTurkshadnearlydestroyedtheweakgarrisonsthatoccupiedthosetwomilitarypointswhenGeneralMarmont（whocommandedatAlexandria）cametotheirrelief.Thisgeneral，seeingthetwopostsinthepoweroftheTurks，returnedtoshuthimselfupinAlexandria，wherehewouldprobablyhavebeenblockadedbytheTurkisharmyhaditnotbeenforthearrivalofGeneralBonapartewithhisforces，whowasveryangrywhenhesawthatthefortandredoubthadbeentaken;buthedidnotblameMarmontforretreatingtoAlexandriawiththeforcesathisdisposal.
\"GeneralBonapartearrivedatmidnightwithhisguidesandtheremainingpartofhisarmy，andorderedtheTurkstobeattackedthenextmorning.Inthisbattle，asintheprecedingones，theattack，theencounter，andtheroutwereoccurrencesofamoment，andtheresultofasinglemovementonthepartofourtroops.ThewholeTurkisharmyplungedintotheseatoregainitsships，leavingbehindthemeverythingtheyhadbroughtonshore.
\"Whilstthiseventwasoccurringontheseashoreapashahadleftthefieldofbattlewithacorpsofabout3000meninordertothrowhimself，intothefortofAboukir.Theysoonfelttheextremitiesofthirst，whichcompelledthem，afterthelapseofafewdays，tosurrenderunconditionallytoGeneralMenou，whowaslefttoclose，theoperationsconnectedwiththerecentlydefeatedTurkisharmy.\"
Afterthe—battle，whichtookplaceonthe25thofJuly，BonapartesentaflagoftruceonboardtheEnglishAdmiral’sship.Ourintercoursewasfullofpoliteness，suchasmightbeexpectedinthecommunicationsofthepeopleoftwocivilisednations.TheEnglishAdmiralgavetheflagoftrucesomepresentsinexchangeforsomewesent，andlikewiseacopyoftheFrenchGazetteofFrankfort，dated10thofJune1799.FortenmonthswehadreceivednonewsfromFrance.Bonaparteglancedoverthisjournalwithaneagernesswhichmayeasilybeconceived.
——[TheFrench，ontheirreturnfromSt.Jeand’AcreweretotallyignorantofallthathadtakenplaceinEuropefarseveralmonths.
Napoleon，eagertoobtainIntelligence，sentaflagoftraceonboardtheTurkishadmiral’sship，underthepretenceoftreatingfortheransomofthePrisonerstakenatAboukir，notdoubtingbuttheenvoywouldbestoppedbySirSidneySmith，whocarefullypreventedalldirectcommunicationbetweentheFrenchandtheTurks.
AccordinglytheFrenchflagoftrucereceiveddirectionsfromSirSidneytogoonboardhisship.Heexperiencedthehandsomesttreatment;andtheEnglishcommanderhaving，amongotherthings，ascertainedthatthedisastersofItalywerequiteunknowntoNapoleon，indulgedinthemaliciouspleasureofsendinghimafileofnewspapers.Napoleonspentthewholenightinhistentperusingthepapers;andhecametothedeterminationofimmediatelyproceedingtoEuropetorepairthedisastersofFrance;andifpossible，tosaveherfromdestruction（MemorialdeSainteHelene）.
\"Heavens！\"saidhetome，\"mypresentimentisverified：thefoolshavelostItaly.Allthefruitsofourvictoriesaregone！ImustleaveEgypt！\"
HesentforBerthier，towhomhecommunicatedthenews，addingthatthingsweregoingonverybadlyinFrance——thathewishedtoreturnhome——thathe（Berthier）shouldgoalongwithhim，andthat，forthepresent，onlyhe，Gantheaume，andIwereinthesecret.HerecommendedBerthiertobeprudent，nottobetrayanysymptomsofjoy，nortopurchaseorsellanything，andconcludedbyassuringhimthathedependedonhim.\"Icananswer，\"saidhe，\"formyselfandforBourrienne.\"Berthierpromisedtobesecret，andhekepthisword.HehadhadenoughofEgypt，andhesoardentlylongedtoreturntoFrance，thattherewaslittlereasontofearhewoulddisappointhimselfbyanyindiscretion.
Gantheaumearrived，andBonapartegavehimorderstofitoutthetwofrigates，the’Muiron’andthe’Carree’，andthetwosmallvessels，the’Revanche’andthe’Fortune’，withatwomonths’supplyofprovisionsforfromfourtofivehundredmen.Heenjoinedhissecrecyastotheobjectofthesepreparations，anddesiredhimtoactwithsuchcircumspectionthattheEnglishcruisersmighthavenoknowledgeofwhatwasgoingon.
HeafterwardsarrangedwithGantheaumethecoursehewishedtotake.Nodetailsescapedhisattention.
Bonaparteconcealedhispreparationswithmuchcare，butstillsomevaguerumourscreptabroad.GeneralDueua，thecommandantofCairo，whomhehadjustleftforthepurposeofembarking，wrotetohimonthe18thofAugusttothefollowingeffect：
IhavethismomentheardthatitisreportedattheInstituteyouareabouttoreturntoFrance，takingwithyouMonge，Berthollet，Berthier，Lannes，andMurat.Thisnewshasspreadlikelightningthroughthecity，andIshouldnotbeatallsurprisedifitproduceanunfavourableeffect，which，however，Ihopeyouwillobviate.
BonaparteembarkedfivedaysafterthereceiptofDugua’sletter，and，asmaybesupposed;withoutreplyingtoit.
Onthe18thofAugusthewrotetothedivanofCairoasfollows：
Isetoutto—morrowforMenouf，whenceIintendtomakevariousexcursionsintheDelta，inorderthatImaymyselfwitnesstheactsofoppressionwhicharecommittedthere，andacquiresomeknowledgeofthepeople.
Hetoldthearmybuthalfthetruth：
ThenewsfromEurope（saidhe）hasdeterminedmetoproceedtoFrance.IleavethecommandofthearmytoGeneralKleber.Thearmyshallhearfrommeforthwith.AtpresentIcansaynomore.
ItcostsmemuchpaintoquittroopstowhomIamsostronglyattached.Butmyabsencewillbebuttemporary，andthegeneralI
leaveincommandhastheconfidenceoftheGovernmentaswellasmine.
IhavenowshownthetruecauseofGeneralBonaparte’sdepartureforEurope.Thiscircumstance，initselfperfectlynatural，hasbeenthesubjectofthemostridiculousconjecturestothosewhoalwayswishtoassignextraordinarycausesforsimpleevents.ThereisnotruthwhateverintheassertionofhishavingplannedhisdeparturebeforethebattleofAboukir.Suchanideanevercrossedhismind.HehadnothoughtwhateverofhisdepartureforFrancewhenhemadethejourneytothePyramids，norevenwhenhereceivedthenewsofthelandingoftheAnglo—Turkishforce.
AttheendofDecember1798BonapartethuswrotetotheDirectory：\"WearewithoutanynewsfromFrance.NocourierhasarrivedsincethemonthofJune.\"
SomewritershavestatedthatwereceivednewsbythewayofTunis，Algiers，orMorocco;butthereisnocontradictingapositivefact.AtthatperiodIhadbeenwithBonapartemorethantwoyears，andduringthattimenotasingledespatchonanyoccasionarrivedofthecontentsofwhichIwasignorant.Howthenshouldthenewsalludedtohaveescapedme？
——[DetailsonthequestionofthecorrespondenceofNapoleonwithFrancewhilehewastoEgyptwillbefoundinColonelIung’swork，LucienBonaparte（Paris.Charpentler，1882），tomei.pp.251—274.
ItseemsmostprobablethatNapoleonwasinoccasionalcommunicationwithhisfamilyandwithsomeoftheDirectorsbywayofTunisandTripoli.ItwouldnotbehisinteresttolethisarmyorperhapsevenBourrienneknowofthedisastersinItalytillhefoundthattheyweresuretohearofthemthroughtheEnglish.Thiswouldexplainhisaffectedignorancetillsuchalatedate.Onthe11thofAprilBarrasreceivedadespatchbywhichNapoleonstatedhisintentionofreturningtoFranceifthenewsbroughtbyHamelinwasconfirmed.Onthe26thofMay1799threeoftheDirectors，Barras，Rewbell，andLaReveillier—Lepeaux，wrotetoNapoleonthatAdmiralBruixhadbeenorderedtoattempteverymeansofbringingbackhisarmy.Onthe15thofJulyNapoleonseemstohavereceivedthisandotherletters.Onthe20thofJulyhewarnsAdmiralGantheaumetobereadytostart.Onthe11thofSeptembertheDirectorsformallyapprovedtherecallofthearmyfromEgypt.ThusatthetimeNapoleonlandedinFrance（onthe8thOctober），hisintendedreturnhadbeenlongknowntoandapprovedbythemajorityoftheDirectors，andhadatlastbeenformallyorderedbytheDirectory.
Atthemostheanticipatedtheorder.Hecannotbesaidtohavedesertedhispost.Lantrey（tomei.p.411）remarksthattheexistenceandreceiptoftheletterfromJosephdeniedbyBourrienneisprovedbyMiot（thecommissary，thebrotherofMiotdeMelito）
andbyJosephhimself.TalleyrandthankstheFrenchConsulatTripoliforsendingnewsfromEgypt，andforlettingBonaparteknowwhatpassedinEurope.SeealsoRagusa（Marmont），tomei.p.441，writingon24thDecember1798：\"IhavefoundanArabofwhomIamsure，andwhoshallstartto—morrowforDerneThismeanscanbeneedtosendalettertoTripoli，forboatsoftengothere.\"
AlmostallthosewhoendeavourtoavertfromBonapartethereproachofdesertionquotealetterfromtheDirectory，datedthe26thofMay1799.
Thislettermaycertainlyhavebeenwritten，butitneverreacheditsdestination.Whythenshoulditbeputuponrecord？
ThecircumstanceIhavestatedabovedeterminedtheresolutionofBonaparte，andmadehimlookuponEgyptas，anexhaustedfieldofglory，whichitwashightimehehadquitted，toplayanotherpartinFrance.
OnhisdeparturefromEuropeBonapartefeltthathisreputationwastottering.Hewishedtodosomethingtoraiseuphisglory，andtofixuponhimtheattentionoftheworld.Thisobjecthehadingreatpartaccomplished;for，inspiteofseriousdisasters，theFrenchflagwavedoverthecataractsoftheNileandtheruinsofMemphis，andthebattlesofthePyramids，andAboukirwerecalculatedinnosmalldegreetodazzle;theimagination.CairoandAlexandriatoowereours.Finding.
thatthegloryofhisarmsnolongersupportedthefeeblepoweroftheDirectory，hewasanxioustoseewhether：hecouldnotshareit，orappropriateittohimself.
AgreatdealhasbeensaidaboutlettersandSecretcommunicationsfromtheDirectory，butBonaparteneedednosuchthing.Hecoulddowhathepleased：therewasnopowertocheckhim;suchhadbeenthenatureofhisarrangementsanleavingFrance.Hefollowedonlythedictatesofhisownwill，andprobably，hadnotthefleetbeendestroyed;hewouldhavedepartedfromEgyptmuchsooner.Towillandtodowerewithhimoneandthesamething.ThelatitudeheenjoyedwastheresultofhisverbalagreementwiththeDirectory，whoseinstructionsandplanshedidnotwishshouldimpedehisoperations.
BonaparteleftAlexandriaonthe5thofAugust，andonthe10tharrivedatCairo.HeatfirstcirculatedthereportofajourneytoUpperEgypt.
Thisseemedsomuchthemorereasonable，ashehadreallyentertainedthatdesignbeforehewenttothePyramids，andthefactwasknowntothearmyandtheinhabitantsofCairo.Uptothistimeoursecrethadbeenstudiouslykept.However，GeneralLanusse，thecommandantatMenouf，wherewearrivedonthe20thofAugust，suspectedit.\"YouaregoingtoFrance，\"saidhetome.Mynegativereplyconfirmedhissuspicion.ThisalmostinducedmetobelievetheGeneral—in—Chiefhadbeenthefirsttomakethedisclosure.GeneralLanusse，thoughheenviedourgoodfortune，madenocomplaints.Heexpressedhissincerewishesforourprosperousvoyage，butneveropenedhismouthonthesubjecttoanyone.
Onthe21stofAugustwereachedthewellsofBirkett.TheArabshadrenderedthewaterunfitforuse，buttheGeneral—in—Chiefwasresolvedtoquenchhisthirst，andforthispurposesqueezedthejuiceofseverallemonsintoaglassofthewater;buthecouldnotswallowitwithoutholdinghisnoseandexhibitingstrongfeelingsofdisgust.
ThenextdaywereachedAlexandria，wheretheGeneralinformedallthose，whohadaccompaniedhimfromCairothatFrancewastheirdestination.
Atthisannouncementjoywaspicturedineverycountenance.
GeneralKleber，towhosecommandBonapartehadresignedthearmy，wasinvitedtocomefromDamiettatoRosettetoconferwiththeGeneral—in—
Chiefonaffairsofextremeimportance.Bonaparte，inmakinganappointmentwhichheneverintendedtokeep，hopedtoescapetheunwelcomefreedomofKleber’sreproaches.Heafterwardswrotetohimallhehadtosay;andthecauseheassignedfornotkeepinghisappointmentwas，thathisfearofbeingobservedbytheEnglishcruisershadforcedhimtodepartthreedaysearlierthanheintended.ButwhenhewroteBonapartewellknewthathewouldbeatseabeforeKlebercouldreceivehisletter.Kleber，inhislettertotheDirectory，complainedbitterlyofthisdeception.Thesingularfatethatbefellthisletterwillbeseenbyandby.
CHAPTERXXI
1799.
OurdeparturefromEgypt——Nocturnalembarkation——M.ParsevalGrandmaison——Oncourse——Adversewinds——FearoftheEnglish——
Favourableweather——Vingt—et—un—Chess——WelandatAjaccio——
Bonaparte’spretendedrelations——Familydomains——Wantofmoney——
BattleofNovi——DeathofJoubert——Visionaryschemes——Purchaseofaboat——DeparturefromCorsica——TheEnglishsquadron——Ourescape——
TheroadsofFrejus——OurlandinginFrance——TheplagueortheAustrians——Joyofthepeople——Thesanitarylaws——Bonapartefalselyaccused.
Wewerenowtoreturntoourcountry——againtocrossthesea，toussopregnantwithdanger——Caesarandhisfortunewereoncemoretoembark.
ButCaesarwasnotnowadvancingtotheEasttoaddEgypttotheconquestsoftheRepublic.Hewasrevolvinginhismindvastschemes，unawedbytheideaofventuringeverythingtochanceinhisownfavourtheGovernmentforwhichhehadfought.ThehopeofconqueringthemostcelebratedcountryoftheEastnolongerexcitedtheimagination，asonourdeparturefromFrance.OurlastvisionarydreamhadvanishedbeforethewallsofSt.Jeand’Acre，andwewereleavingontheburningsandsofEgyptmostofourcompanionsinarms.Aninconceivabledestinyseemedtourgeuson，andwewereobligedtoobeyitsdecrees.
Onthe23dofAugustweembarkedonboardtwofrigates，the’Muiron’
——[NamedafterBonaparte’saidedecampfilledintheItaliancampaign]——
and’Carrere’.Ournumberwasbetweenfourandfivehundred.Suchwasoursquadron，andsuchtheformidablearmywithwhichBonapartehadresolved，ashewrotetothedivanofCairo，\"toannihilateallhisenemies.\"Thisboastingmightimposeonthosewhodidnotseetherealstateofthings;butwhatwerewetothinkofit？WhatBonapartehimselfthoughtthedayafter.
ThenightwasdarkwhenweembarkedinthefrigateswhichlayataconsiderabledistancefromtheportofAlexandria;butbythefaintlightofthestarsweperceivedacorvette，whichappearedtobeobservingoursilentnocturnalembarkation.
——[Thehorsesoftheescorthadbeenlefttorunlooseonthebeach，andallwasperfectstillnessinAlexandria，whentheadvancedpostsofthetownwerealarmedbythewildgallopingofhorses，whichfromanaturalinstinct，werereturningtoAlexandriathroughthedesert.
Thepicketrantoarmsonseeinghorsesreadysaddledandbridled，whichweresoondiscoveredtobelongtotheregimentofguides.
TheyatfirstthoughtthatamisfortunehadhappenedtosomedetachmentinitspursuitoftheArabs.WiththesehorsescamealsothoseofthegeneralswhohadembarkedwithGeneralBonaparte;sothatAlexandriawasforatimeinconsiderablealarm.Thecavalrywasorderedtoproceedinallhasteinthedirectionwhencethehorsescame，andeveryonewasgivinghimselfuptothemostgloomyconjectures，whenthecavalryreturnedtothecitywiththeTurkishgroom，whowasbringingbackGeneralBonaparte’shorsetoAlexandria（MemoirsoftheDuedeRovigo，tomei.p.182）.
Nextmorning，justaswewereonthepointofsettingsail，wesaw.
comingfromtheportofAlexandriaaboat，onboardofwhichwasM.
ParsevalGrandmaison.Thisexcellentman，whowasbelovedbyallofus，wasnotincludedamongthepersonswhose，returntoFrancehadbeendeterminedbytheGeneral—in—Chief.InhisanxietytogetoffBonapartewouldnothearoftakinghimonboard.ItwillreadilybeconceivedhowurgentweretheentreatiesofParseval;buthewouldhavesuedinvainhadnotGantheaume，Bionge，Berthollet，andIintercededforhim.WithsomedifficultyweovercameBonaparte’sresistance，andourcolleagueoftheEgyptianInstitutegotonboardafterthewindhadfilledoursails.
IthasbeenerroneouslysaidthatAdmiralGantheaumehadfullcontrolofthefrigates，asifanyonecouldcommandwhenBonapartewaspresent.
Onthecontrary，Bonapartedeclaredtotheadmiral，inmyhearing，thathewouldnottaketheordinarycourseandgetintotheopensea.\"KeepclosealongthecoastoftheMediterranean，\"saidhe，\"onthe，Africanside，untilyougetsouthofSardinia.Ihavehereahandfulofbravefellowsandafewpiecesofartillery;ifthe.EnglishshouldappearI
willrunashore，andwithmy，party，makemywaybylandtoOran，Tunis，orsomeotherport，whencewemayfindanopportunityofgettinghome.\"
This，washisirrevocabledetermination.
Fortwenty—onedaysadversewinds，blowingfromwestornorth—west，droveuscontinuallyonthecoastofSyria，orinthedirectionofAlexandria.
Atonetimeitwasevenproposedthatweshouldagainputintotheport;
butBonapartedeclaredhewouldrather，braveeverydangerthandoso.
Duringthedaywetackedtoacertaindistancenorthward，andintheeveningwestoodtowardsAfrica，untilwecamewithin，sightofthecoast.Finallyafternolessthantwenty—onedaysofimpatienceanddisappointment，afavourableeastwindcarrieduspastthatpointofAfricaonwhichCarthageformerlystood，andwesoondoubledSardinia.
Wekeptverynearthewesterncoastofthatisland，whereBonapartehaddeterminedtolandincaseofourfallinginwiththeEnglish，squadron.
From，thencehisplanwastoreachCorsica，andtheretoawaitafavourableopportunityofreturningtoFrance.
Everythinghadcontributedtorenderourvoyagedullandmonotonous;and，besides，wewerenotentirelywithoutuneasinessastothestepswhichmightbetakenbytheDirectory，foritwascertainthatthepublicationoftheinterceptedcorrespondencemusthaveoccasionedmanyunpleasantdisclosures.Bonaparteusedoftentowalkondecktosuperintendtheexecutionofhisorders.Thesmallestsailthatappearedinviewexcitedhisalarm.
ThefearoffallingintothehandsoftheEnglishneverforsookhim.
Thatwaswhathedreadedmostofall，andyet，atasubsequentperiod，hetrustedtothegenerosityofhisenemies.
However，inspiteofourwell—foundedalarm，thereweresomemomentsinwhichwesoughttoamuseourselves，or，touseacommonexpression，tokilltime.Cardsaffordedusssourceofrecreation，andeventhisfrivolousamusementservedtodevelopthecharacterofBonaparte.Ingeneralhewasnotfondofcards;butifhedidplay，vingt—et—unwashisfavouritegame，becauseitismorerapidthanmanyothers，andbecause，inshort，itaffordedhimanopportunityofcheating.Forexample，hewouldaskforacard;ifitprovedabadonehewouldsaynothing，butlayitdownonthetableandwaittillthedealerhaddrawnhis.Ifthedealerproducedagoodcard，thenBonapartewouldthrowasidehishand，withoutshowingit，andgiveuphisstake.If，onthecontrary，thedealer’scardmadehimexceedtwenty—one，Bonapartealsothrewhiscardsasidewithoutshowingthem，andaskedforthepaymentofhisstake.Hewasmuchdivertedbytheselittletricks，especiallywhentheywereplayedoffundetected;andIconfessthateventhenwewerecourtiersenoughtohumourhim，andwinkathischeating.Imust，however，mentionthatheneverappropriatedtohimselfthefruitoftheselittledishonesties，forattheendofthegamehegaveupallhiswinnings，andtheywereequallydivided.Gain，asmayreadilybesupposed，wasnothisobject;buthealwaysexpectedthatfortunewouldgranthimanaceoratenattherightmomentwiththesameconfidencewithwhichhelookedforfineweatheronthedayofbattle.Ifheweredisappointedhewishednobodytoknowit.
Bonapartealsoplayedatchess，butveryseldom，becausehewasonlyathird—rateplayer，andhedidnotliketobebeatenatthatgame，which，Iknownotwhy，issaidtobeararesemblancetothegrandgameofwar.
AtthislattergameBonapartecertainlyfearednoadversary.ThisremindsmethatwhenwewereleavingPasserianoheannouncedhisintentionofpassingthroughMantua.
Hewastoldthatthecommandantofthattown，IbelieveGeneralBeauvoir，wasagreatchess—player，andheexpressedawishtoplayagamewithhim：GeneralBeauvoiraskedhimtopointoutanyparticularpawnwithwhichhewouldbecheckmated;adding，thatifthepawnweretaken，he，Bonaparte，shouldbedeclaredthewinner.Bonapartepointedoutthelastpawnontheleftofhisadversary.Amarkwasputuponit，anditturnedoutthatheactuallywascheckmatedwiththatverypawn.Bonapartewasnotverywellpleasedatthis.Helikedtoplaywithmebecause，thoughratherabetterplayerthanhimself，Iwasnotalwaysabletobeathim.
Assoonasagamewasdecidedinhisfavourhedeclinedplayinganylonger;preferringtorestonhislaurels.
ThefavourablewindwhichhadconstantlyprevailedafterthefirsttwentydaysofourvoyagestillcontinuedwhilewekeptalongthecoastofSardinia;butafterwehadpassedthatislandthewindagainblewviolentlyfromthewest，andonthe1stofOctoberwewereforcedtoentertheGulfofAjaccio.Wesailedagainnextdaybutwefounditimpossibletoworkourwayoutofthegulf.WewerethereforeobligedtoputintotheportandlandatAjaccio.Adversewindsobligedustoremainthereuntilthe7thofOctober.ItmayreadilybeimaginedhowmuchthisdelayannoyedBonaparte.Hesometimesexpressedhisimpatience，asifhecouldenforcetheobedienceoftheelementsaswellasofmen.Hewaslosingtime，andtimewaseverythingtohim.
Therewasonecircumstancewhichseemedtoannoyhimasmuchasanyofhismoreseriousvexations.\"Whatwillbecomeofme，\"saidhe，\"iftheEnglish，whoarecruisinghereabout，shouldlearnthatIhavelandedinCorsica？Ishallbeforcedtostayhere.ThatIcouldneverendure.I
haveatorrentofrelationspouringuponme.\"Hisgreatreputationhadcertainlyprodigiouslyaugmentedthenumberofhisfamily.Hewasoverwhelmedwithvisits，congratulations，andrequests.Thewholetownwasinacommotion.Everyoneofitsinhabitantswishedtoclaimhimastheircousin;andfromthe—prodigiousnumberofhispretendedgodsonsandgoddaughters，itmighthavebeensupposedthathehadheldone—fourthofthechildrenofAjaccioatthebaptismalfont.
BonapartefrequentlywalkedwithusintheneighbourhoodofAjaccio;andwheninalltheplenitudeofhispowerhedidnotcounthiscrownswithgreaterpleasurethanheevincedinpointingouttousthelittledomainsofhisancestors.
Whilewewereat，AjaccioM.FeschgaveBonaparteFrenchmoneyin，exchangeforanumberofTurkishsequins，amountinginvalueto17，000
francs：ThissumwasallthattheGeneralbroughtwithhimfromEgypt.
Imentionthisfactbecausehewasunjustlycalumniatedinletterswrittenafterhisdeparture，andwhichwereinterceptedandpublishedbytheEnglish：Ioughtalsotoadd，thatashewouldneverforhisownprivateuseresorttothemoney—chestofthearmy，thecontentsofwhichwere，indeed，neverhalfsufficienttodefraythenecessaryexpenses，heseveraltimesdrewonGenoa，throughM.James，andonthefundshepossessedinthehouseofClary，16，000，25，000，andupto33，000francs.
IcanbearwitnessthatinEgyptIneversawhimtouchanymoneybeyondhispay;andthatheleftthecountrypoorerthanhehadentereditisafactthatcannotbedenied.InhisnotesonEgyptitappearsthatinoneyear12，600，000francswerereceived.Inthissumwereincludedatleast2，000，000ofcontributions，whichwereleviedattheexpenseofmanydecapitations.BonapartewasfourteenmonthsinEgypt，andheissaidtohavebroughtawaywithhim20，000，000.Calumnymaybeverygratifyingtocertainpersons，buttheyshouldatleastgiveitacolouringofprobability.Thefactis，thatBonapartehadscarcelyenoughtomaintainhimselfatAjaccioandtodefrayourpostingexpensestoParis.
OnourarrivalatAjacciowelearntthedeathofJoubert，andthelossofthebattleofNovi，whichwasfoughtonthe15thofAugust.Bonapartewastormentedbyanxiety;hewasinastateofutteruncertaintyastothefuture.FromthetimeweleftAlexandriatillourarrivalinCorsicahehadfrequentlytalkedofwhatheshoulddoduringthequarantine，whichhesupposedhewouldberequiredtoobserveonreachingToulon，theportatwhichhehaddeterminedtoland.
Eventhenhecherishedsomeillusionsrespectingthestateofaffairs;
andheoftensaidtome，\"Butforthatconfoundedquarantine，Iwouldhastenashore，andplacemyselfattheheadofthearmyofItaly.Allisnotover;andIamsurethatthereisnotageneralwhowouldrefusemethecommand.ThenewsofavictorygainedbymewouldreachParisassoonasthebattleofAboukir;that，indeed，wouldbeexcellent.\"
InCorsicahislanguagewasverydifferent.Whenhewasinformedofourreverses，andsawthefullextentoftheevil，hewasforamomentoverwhelmed.Hisgrandprojectsthengavewaytotheconsiderationofmattersofminorimport，andhethoughtabouthisdetentionintheLazarettoofToulon.HespokeoftheDirectory，ofintrigues，andofwhatwouldbesaidofhim.Heaccountedhisenemiesthosewhoenviedhim，andthosewhocouldnotbereconciledtohisgloryandtheinfluenceofhisname.AmidstalltheseanxietiesBonapartewasoutwardlycalm，thoughhewasmoodyandreflective.
Providingagainsteverychanceofdanger，hehadpurchasedatAjaccioalargelaunchwhichwasintendedtobetowedbythe’Hetciron’，anditwasmannedbytwelveofthebestsailorstheislandcould——furnish.Hisresolutionwas，incaseofinevitabledanger，tojumpintothisboatandgetashore.Thisprecautionhadwell—nighproveduseful.
——[SirWalterScott，atthecommencementofhisLifeofNapoleon，saysthatBonapartedidnotseehisnativeCityafter1793.
Probablytoavoidcontradictinghimself，theScottishhistorianobservesthatBonapartewasnearAjaccioonhisreturnfromEgypt.
Hespenteightdaysthere.——Bourrienne.]——
AfterleavingtheGulfofAjacciothevoyagewasprosperousandundisturbedforoneday;butonthesecondday，justatsunset，anEnglishsquadronoffourteensailhoveinsight.TheEnglish，havingadvantageofthelightswhichwehadinourfaces，sawusbetterthanwecouldseethem.TheyrecognisedourtwofrigatesasVenetianbuilt;butluckilyforus，nightcameon，forwewerenotfarapart.WesawthesignalsoftheEnglishforalongtime，andheardthereportofthegunsmoreandmoretoourleft，andwethoughtitwastheintentionofthecruiserstointerceptusonthesouth—east.UnderthesecircumstancesBonapartehadreasontothankfortune;foritisveryevidentthathadtheEnglishsuspectedourtwofrigatesofcomingfromtheEastandgoingtoFrance，theywouldhaveshutusoutfromlandbyrunningbetweenusandit，whichtothemwasveryeasy.ProbablytheytookusforaconvoyofprovisionsgoingfromToulontoGenoa;anditwastothiserrorandthedarknessthatwewereindebtedforescapingwithnoworseconsequencethanafright.
——[HereBourriennesaysinanote\"WheredidSirWalterScottlearnthatwewereneitherseennorrecognised？Wewerenotrecognised，butcertainlyseen，\"ThisiscorroboratedbythetestimonyoftheDuedeRovigo，who，inhisMemoirs，says，\"IhavemetofficersoftheEnglishnavywhoassuredmethatthetwofrigateshadbeenseenbutwereconsideredbytheAdmiraltobelongtohissquadron，astheysteeredtheircoursetowardshim;andasheknewwehadonlyonefrigateintheMediterranean，andoneinToulonharbour，hewasfarfromsupposingthatthefrigateswhichhehaddescriedcouldhaveGeneralBonaparteonboard\"（Savary，tomei.p.226）.]——
DuringtheremainderofthenighttheutmostagitationprevailedonboardtheMuiron.Gantheaumeespeciallywasinastateofanxietywhichitisimpossibletodescribe，andwhichitwaspainfultowitness：hewasquitebesidehimself，foradisasterappearedinevitable.HeproposedtoreturntoCorsica.\"No，no！\"repliedBonaparteimperiously.\"No！
Spreadallsail！Everymanathispost！Tothenorth—west！Tothenorth—west！\"Thisordersavedus;andIamenabledtoaffirmthatinthemidstofalmostgeneralalarmBonapartewassolelyoccupiedingivingorders.Therapidityofhisjudgmentseemedtogrowinthefaceofdanger.Theremembranceofthatnightwillneverbeeffacedfrommymind.Thehourslingeredon;andnoneofuscouldguessuponwhatnewdangersthemorrow’ssunwouldshine.
However，Bonaparte’sresolutionwastaken：hisordersweregiven，hisarrangementsmade.Duringtheeveninghehadresolveduponthrowinghimselfintothelongboat;hehadalreadyfixedonthepersonswhoweretosharehisfate，andhadalreadynamedtomethepaperswhichhethoughtitmostimportanttosave.Happilyourterrorswerevainandourarrangementsuseless.BythefirstraysofthesunwediscoveredtheEnglishfleetsailingtothenorth—east，andwestoodforthewished—forcoastofFrance.
The8thofOctober，ateightinthemorning，weenteredtheroadsofFrejus.Thesailorsnothavingrecognisedthecoastduringthenight，wedidnotknowwherewewere.Therewas，atfirst，somehesitationwhetherweshouldadvance.Wewerebynomeansexpected，anddidnotknowhowtoanswerthesignals，whichhasbeenchangedduringourabsence.Somegunswereevenfireduponusbythebatteriesonthecoast;butourboldentryintotheroads，thecrowduponthedecksofthetwofrigates，andoursignsofjoy，speedilybanishedalldoubtofourbeingfriends.Wewereintheport，andapproachingthelanding—place，whentherumourspreadthatBonapartewasonboardoneofthefrigates.Inaninstanttheseawascoveredwithboats.Invainwebeggedthemtokeepatadistance;wewerecarriedashore，andwhenwetoldthecrowd，bothofmenandwomenwhowerepressingaboutus，therisktheyran，theyallexclaimed，\"WeprefertheplaguetotheAustrians！\"
WhatwereourfeelingswhenweagainsetfootonthesoilofFranceIwillnotattempttodescribe.Ourescapefromthedangersthatthreatenedusseemedalmostmiraculous.Wehadlosttwentydaysatthebeginningofourvoyage，andatitsclosethehadbeenalmosttakenbyanEnglishsquadron.Underthesecircumstances，howrapturouslyweinhaledthebalmy，airofProvence！Suchwasourjoy，thatwewerescarcelysensibleofthedishearteningnewswhicharrivedfromallquarters.Atthefirstmomentofourarrival，byaspontaneousimpulse，weallrepeated，withtearsinoureyes，thebeautifullineswhichVoltairehasputintothemouthoftheexileofSicily.
Bonapartehasbeenreproachedwithhavingviolatedthesanitarylaws;
but，afterwhatIhavealreadystatedrespectinghisintentions，I
presumetherecanremainnodoubtofthefalsehoodofthisaccusation.
AlltheblamemustrestwiththeinhabitantsofFrejus，whoonthisoccasionfoundthelawofnecessitymoreimperiousthanthesanitarylaws.Yetwhenitisconsideredthatfourorfivehundredpersons，andaquantityofeffects，werelandedfromAlexandria，wheretheplaguehadbeenragingduringthesummer，itisalmostamiraclethatFrance，andindeedEuropeescapedthescourge.