Shepressedmeearnestly，andwithallherknowngrace，toacceptit;butalmostasmuchacaptiveatParisasaprisonerofstate，IwishedtohavetomyselfinthecountrythemomentsoflibertyIwaspermittedtoenjoy.Yetwhatwasthisliberty？IhadboughtalittlehouseatRuel，whichIkeptduringtwoyearsandahalf.WhenIsawmyfriendsthere，ithadtobeatmidnight，ofatfiveo’clockinthemorning;andtheFirstConsulwouldoftensendformeinthenightwhencouriersarrived.
ItwasforthissortoflibertyIrefusedJosephine’skindoffer.
BonapartecameoncetoseemeinmyretreatatRuel，butJosephineandHortensecameoften：Itwasafavouritewalkwiththeseladies.
AtParisIwaslessfrequentlyabsentfromBonapartethanatMalmaison.
WesometimesintheeveningwalkedtogetherinthegardenoftheTuileriesafterthegateswereclosed.Intheseeveningwalkshealwaysworeagraygreatcoat，andaroundhat.Iwasdirectedtoanswer，\"TheFirstConsul，\"tothesentinel’schallengeof，\"Whogoesthere？\"
Thesepromenades，whichwereofmuchbenefittoBonaparte，andmealso，asarelaxationfromourlabours，resembledthosewhichwehadatMalmaison.Astoourpromenadesinthecity，theywereoftenveryamusing.
AttheperiodofourfirstinhabitingtheTuileries，whenIsawBonaparteenterthecabinetateighto’clockintheeveninginhisgraycoat，I
knewhewouldsay，\"Bourrienne，comeandtakeaturn.\"Sometimes，then，insteadofgoingoutbythegardenarcade，wewouldtakethelittlegatewhichleadsfromthecourttotheapartmentsoftheDued’Angouleme.Hewouldtakemyarm，andwewouldgotobuyarticlesoftriflingvalueintheshopsoftheRueSt.Honore;butwedidnotextendourexcursionsfartherthanRuedel’ArbreSec.WhilstImadetheshopkeeperexhibitbeforeusthearticleswhichIappearedanxioustobuyheplayedhispartinaskingquestions.
Nothingwasmoreamusingthantoseehimendeavouringtoimitatethecarelessandjoculartoneoftheyoungmenoffashion.Howawkwardwasheintheattempttoputondandyairswhenpullingupthecornersofhiscravathewouldsay，\"Well，Madame，isthereanythingnewto—day？
Citizen，whatsaytheyofBonaparte？Yourshopappearstobewellsupplied.Yousurelyhaveagreatdealofcustom.Whatdopeoplesayofthatbuffoon;Bonaparte？\"HewasmadequitehappyonedaywhenwewereobligedtoretirehastilyfromashoptoavoidtheattacksdrawnuponusbytheirreverenttoneinwhichBonapartespokeoftheFirstConsul.
CHAPTERXXXIV.
1800.
Warandmonuments——InfluenceoftherecollectionsofEgypt——
FirstimprovementsinParis——Malmaisontoolittle——St.Cloudtaken——ThePontdesArts——BusinessprescribedformebyBonaparte——
Pecuniaryremuneration——TheFirstConsul’svisittothePritanee——
Hisexaminationofthepupils——Consularpensions——TragicaldeathofMiackzinski——Introductionofvaccination——RecallofthemembersoftheConstituentAssembly——The\"canary\"volunteers——TronchetandTarget——LiberationoftheAustrianprisoners——Longchampsandsacredmusic.
ThedestructionofmenandtheconstructionofmonumentsweretwothingsperfectlyinunisoninthemindofBonaparte.Itmaybesaidthathispassionformonumentsalmostequalledhispassionforwar;
——[Takepleasure，ifyoucan，inreadingyourreturns.Thegoodconditionofmyarmiesisowingtomydevotingtothemoneortwohoursineveryday.Whenthemonthlyreturnsofmyarmiesandofmyfleets，whichformtwentythickvolumes，aresenttome.Igiveupeveryotheroccupationinordertoreadthemindetailandtoobservethedifferencebetweenonemonthlyreturnandanother.
NoyounggirlenjoyshernovelsomuchasIdothesereturns！
（NapoleontoJoseph，20thAugust1806——DuCasse，tomeiii.
p.145）.]——
butasinallthingshedislikedwhatwaslittleandmean，sohelikedvastconstructionsandgreatbattles.ThesightofthecolossalruinsofthemonumentsofEgypthadnotalittlecontributedtoaugmenthisnaturaltasteforgreatstructures.Itwasnotsomuchthemonumentsthemselvesthatheadmired，butthehistoricalrecollectionstheyperpetuatethegreatnamestheyconsecrate，theimportanteventstheyattest.WhatshouldhehavecaredforthecolumnwhichwebeheldonourarrivalinAlexandriahaditnotbeenPompey’spillar？Itisforartiststoadmireorcensureitsproportionsandornaments，formenoflearningtoexplainitsinscriptions;butthenameofPompeyrendersitanobjectofinteresttoall.
WhenendeavouringtosketchthecharacterofBonaparte，Ioughttohavenoticedhistasteformonuments，forwithoutthischaracteristictraitsomethingessentialiswantingtothecompletionoftheportrait.Thistaste，or，asitmaymoreproperlybecalled，thispassionformonuments，exercisednosmallinfluenceonhisthoughtsandprojectsofglory;yetitdidnotdeterhimfromdirectingattentiontopublicimprovements;ofalessostentatiouskind.Hewishedforgreatmonumentstoperpetuatetherecollectionofhisglory;butatthesametimeheknewhowtoappreciateallthatwastrulyuseful.Hecouldveryrarelybereproachedforrejectinganyplanwithoutexamination;andthisexaminationwasaspeedyaffair，forhisnaturaltactenabledhimimmediatelytoseethingsintheirproperlight.
ThoughmostofthemonumentsandembellishmentsofParisareexecutedfromtheplansofmenoftalent，yetsomeowetheirorigintocircumstancesmerelyaccidental.OfthisIcanmentionanexample.
IwasstandingatthewindowofBonaparte’s’cabinet，whichlookedintothegardenoftheTuileries.Hehadgoneout，andItookadvantageofhisabsencetoarisefrommychair，forIwastiredofsitting.Hehadscarcelybeengoneaminutewhenheunexpectedlyreturnedtoaskmeforapaper.\"Whatareyoudoingthere，Bourrienne？I’llwageranythingyouareadmiringtheladieswalkingontheterrace.\"——\"Why，ImustconfessI
dosometimesamusemyselfinthatway，\"repliedI;\"butIassureyou，General，Iwasnowthinkingofsomethingelse.IwaslookingatthatvillainousleftbankoftheSeine，whichalwaysannoysmewiththegapsinitsdirtyquay，andthefloodingswhichalmosteverywinterpreventcommunicationwiththeFaubourgSt.Germain;andIwasthinkingIwouldspeaktoyouonthesubject.\"Heapproachedthewindow，and，lookingout，said，\"Youareright，itisveryugly;andveryoffensivetoseedirtylinenwashedbeforeourwindows.Here，writeimmediately：’ThequayoftheEcoledeNatationisto.befinishedduringnextcampaign.’
SendthatordertotheMinisteroftheInterior.\"Thequaywasfinishedtheyearfollowing.
AninstanceoftheenormousdifferencewhichfrequentlyappearsbetweentheoriginalestimatesofarchitectsandtheirsubsequentaccountsImaymentionwhatoccurredinrelationtothePalaceofSt.Cloud.ButImustfirstsayawordaboutthemannerinwhichBonaparteoriginallyrefusedandafterwardstookpossessionoftheQueen’spleasure—house.MalmaisonwasasuitablecountryresidenceforBonaparteaslongasheremainedcontentwithhistownapartmentsinthelittleLuxembourg;butthatConsular’bagatelle’wastooconfinedincomparisonwiththespaciousapartmentsintheTuileries.TheinhabitantsofSt.Cloud，well—advised，addressedapetitiontotheLegislativeBody，prayingthattheirdesertedchateaumightbemadethesummerresidenceoftheFirstConsul.ThepetitionwasreferredtotheGovernment;butBonaparte，whowasnotyetConsulforlife，proudlydeclaredthatsolongashewasattheheadofaffairs，and，indeed，forayearafterwards，hewouldacceptnonationalrecompense.Sometimeafterwewenttovisitthepalaceofthe18thBrumaire.Bonapartelikeditexceedingly，butallwasina，stateofcompletedilapidation.ItboreevidentmarksoftheRevolution.TheFirstConsuldidnotwish，asyet，toburdenthebudgetoftheStatewithhispersonalexpenses，andhewasalarmedattheenormoussumrequiredtorenderSt.Cloudhabitable.Flatteryhadnotyetarrivedatthedegreeofproficiencywhichitsubsequentlyattained;buteventhenhisflatterersboldlyassuredhimhemighttakepossessionofSt.Cloudfor25，000francs.ItoldtheFirstConsulthatconsideringtheruinousstateoftheplace，Icouldtosaythattheexpensewouldamounttomorethan1，200，000francs.Bonapartedeterminedtohavearegularestimateoftheexpense，anditamountedtonearly3，000，000.Hethoughtitagreatsum;butashehadresolvedtomakeSt.Cloudhisresidencehegaveordersforcommencingtherepairs，theexpenseofwhich，independentlyofthefurniture，amountedto6，000，000.Somuchforthe3，000，000ofthearchitectandthe25，000francsoftheflatterers.
WhentheFirstConsulcontemplatedthebuildingofthePontdesArtswehadalongconversationonthesubject.Iobservedthatitwouldbemuchbettertobuildthebridgeofstone.\"Thefirstobjectofmonumentsofthiskind，\"saidI，\"ispublicutility.Theyrequiresolidityofappearance，andtheirprincipalmeritisduration.Icannotconceive，General，why，inacountrywherethereisabundanceoffinestoneofeveryquality，theuseofironshouldbepreferred.\"——\"Write，\"saidBonaparte，\"toFontaineandPercier，thearchitects，andaskwhattheythinkofit.\"Iwroteandtheystatedintheiranswerthat\"bridgeswereintendedforpublicutilityandtheembellishmentofcities.TheprojectedbridgebetweentheLouvreandtheQuatre—Nationswouldunquestionablyfulfilthefirstoftheseobjects，aswasprovedbythegreatnumberofpersonswhodailycrossedtheSeineatthatpointinboats;thatthesitefixeduponbetweenthePontNeufandtheTuileriesappearedtobethebestthatcouldbechosenforthepurpose;andthatonthescoreofornamentPariswouldgainlittlebytheconstructionofanironbridge，whichwouldbeverynarrow，andwhich，fromitslightform，wouldnotcorrespondwiththegrandeurofthetwobridgesbetweenwhichitwouldbeplaced.\"
WhenwehadreceivedtheanswerofMM.PercierandFontaine，weagainhadaconversationonthesubjectofthebridge.ItoldtheFirstConsulthatIperfectlyconcurredintheopinionofMM.FontameandPercier;however，hewouldhavehisownway，andthuswasauthorisedtheconstructionofthetoywhichformedacommunicationbetweentheLouvreandtheInstitute.ButnosoonerwasthePontdesArtsfinishedthanBonapartepronouncedittobemeanandoutofkeepingwiththeotherbridgesaboveandbelowit.OnedaywhenvisitingtheLouvrehestoppedatoneofthewindowslookingtowardsthePoutdesArtsandsaid，\"Thereisnosolidity，nograndeuraboutthatbridge.InEngland，wherestoneisscarce，itisverynaturalthatironshouldbeusedforarchesoflargedimensions.ButthecaseisdifferentinFrance，wheretherequisitematerialisabundant.\"
Theinfernalmachineofthe3dNivose，ofwhichIshallpresentlyspeakmoreatlength，wasthesignalforvastchangesinthequarteroftheTuileries.ThathorribleattemptwasatleastsofarattendedbyhappyresultsthatitcontributedtotheembellishmentofParis.ItwasthoughtmoreadvisablefortheGovernmenttobuyandpulldownthehouseswhichhadbeeninjuredbythemachinethantoletthembeputunderrepair.AsanexampleofBonaparte’sgrandschemesinbuildingImaymentionthat，beingonedayattheLouvre，hepointedtowardsSt.Germainl’Auxerroisandsaidtome，\"ThatiswhereIwillbuildanimperialstreet.ItshallrunfromheretotheBarriereduTrone.Itshallbeahundredfeetbroad，andhavearcadesandplantations.Thisstreetshallbethefinestintheworld.\"
ThepalaceoftheKingofRome，whichwastofacethePontdeJenaandtheChampdeMars，wouldhavebeeninsomemeasureisolatedfromParis，withwhich，however，itwastobeconnectedbyalineofpalaces.Theseweretoextendalongthequay，andweredestinedassplendidresidencesfortheAmbassadorsofforeignsovereigns，atleastaslongasthereshouldbeanysovereignsEuropeexceptNapoleon.TheTempleofGlory，too，whichwastooccupythesiteoftheChurchoflaMadeleine，wasneverfinished.Iftheplanofthismonument，provedthenecessity.
whichBonapartefeltofconstantlyholdingoutstimulantstohissoldiers，itsrelinquishmentwasatleastaproofofhiswisdom.HewhohadreestablishedreligiousworshipinFrance，andhadrestoredtoitsdestinationthechurchoftheInvalides，whichwasforatimemetamorphosedintotheTempleofMars，foresawthataTempleofGlorywouldgivebirthtoasortofpaganismincompatiblewiththeideasoftheage.
TherecollectionofthemagnificentNecropolisofCairofrequentlyrecurredto.Bonaparte’smind.Hehadadmiredthatcityofthedead，whichhehadpartlycontributedtopeople;andhisdesignwastomake，at，thefourcardinalpointsofParis，fourvastcemeteriesontheplanofthatatCairo.
BonapartedeterminedthatallthenewstreetsofParisshouldbe40feetwide，andbeprovidedwithfoot—pavements;inshort，hethoughtnothingtoograndfortheembellishmentofthecapitalofacountrywhichhewishedtomakethefirstintheworld.Nexttowar，heregardtheembellishmentofParisasthesourceofhisglory;andheneverconsideredavictoryfullyachieveduntilhehadraisedamonumenttotransmititsmemorytoposterity.He，wantedglory，，uninterruptedglory，forFranceaswellasforhimself：Howoften，whentalkingoverhisschemes，hashenotsaid，\"Bourrienne，itisforFranceIamdoingallthis！AllIwish，allIdesire，theendofallmylaboursis，thatmynameshouldbeindissolublyconnectedwiththatofFrance！\"
Parisisnottheonlycity，norisFrancetheonlykingdom，whichbearstracesofNapoleon’spassionforgreatandusefulmonuments.InBelgium，inHolland，inPiedmont，inallItaly，heexecutedgreatimprovements.
AtTurinasplendidbridgewasbuiltoverthePo，inlieuofanoldbridgewhichwasfallinginruins.
HowmanythingswereundertakenandexecutedinNapoleonsshortandeventfulreign！ToobviatethedifficultyofcommunicationbetweenMetzandMayenceamagnificentroadwasmade，asifbymagic，acrossimpracticablemarshesandvastforests.Mountainswerecutthroughandravinesfilledup.Hewouldnotallownaturemorethanmantoresisthim.OnedaywhenbewasproceedingtoBelgiumbythewayofCivet，hewasdetainedforashorttimeatLittleGivet，ontherightbankoftheMeuse，inconsequenceofanaccidentwhichhappenedtotheferry—boat.
HewaswithinagunshotofthefortressofCharlemont，ontheleftbank，andinthevexationwhichthedelayoccasionedhedictatedthefollowingdecree：\"AbridgeshallbebuiltovertheMeusetojoinLittleCivettoGreatGivet.Itshallbeterminatedduringtheensuingcampaign.\"Itwascompletedwithintheprescribedtime：InthegreatworkofbridgesandhighwaysBonaparte’schiefobjectwastoremovetheobstaclesandbarrierswhichnaturehadraisedupasthelimitsofoldFrancesoastoformajunctionwiththeprovinceswhichhesuccessivelyannexedtotheEmpire.ThusinSavoyaroad，smoothasagarden—walk，supersededthedangerousascentsanddescentsofthewoodofBramant;thuswasthepassageofMontCenisapleasantpromenadeatalmosteveryseasonoftheyear;thusdidtheSimplonbowhishead，andBonapartemighthavesaid，\"TherearenowmyAlps，\"withmorereasonthanLouisXIV.said，\"TherearenownoPyrenees.\"
——[Metternich（tomeiv.p.187）saysonthissubject，’Ifyoulookcloselyatthecourseofhumanaffairsyouwillmakestrangediscoveries.Forinstance，thattheSimplonPasshascontributedassurelytoNapoleon’simmortalityasthenumerousworksdoneinthereignoftheEmperorFranciswillfailtoaddtohis.]——
SuchwastheimplicitconfidencewhichBonapartereposedinmethatIwasoftenalarmedattheresponsibilityitobligedmetoincur.
——[Ofthisconfidencethefollowinginstructionsforme，whichhedictatedtoDuroc，affordsufficientproof：——
\"1st.CitizenBourrienneshallopenallthelettersaddressedtotheFirstConsul，Vol，andpresentthemtohimthreetimesaday，oroftenerincaseofurgentbusiness.Thelettersshallbedepositedinthecabinetwhentheyareopened.Bourrienneistoanalyseallthosewhichareofsecondaryinterest，andwritetheFirstConsul’sdecisiononeachletter.Thehoursforpresentingthelettersshallbe，first，whentheConsulrises;second，aquarterofanhourbeforedinner;andthird，atelevenatnight.
\"2d.HeistohavethesuperintendenceoftheTopographicaloffice，andofanofficeofTranslation，inwhichthereshallbeaGermanandanEnglishclerk.EverydayheshallpresenttotheFirstConsul，atthehoursabovementionedtheGermanandEnglishjournals，togetherwithatranslation.WithrespecttotheItalianjournals，itwillonlybenecessarytomarkwhattheFirstConsulistoread.
\"3d.HeshallkeeparegisterofappointmentstoofficesunderGovernment;asecond，forappointmentstojudicialposts;athirdforappointmentstoplacesabroad;andafourth，forthesituationsofreceiversandgreatfinancialposts，whereheistoinscribethenamesofalltheindividualswhomtheFirstConsulmayrefertohim.
Theseregistersmustbewrittenbyhisownhand，andmustbekeptentirelyprivate.
\"4th.Secretcorrespondence，andthedifferentreportsofsurveillance，aretobeaddresseddirectlytoBourrienne，andtransmittedbyhimtothehandoftheFirstConsul，bywhomtheywillbereturnedwithouttheinterventionofanythirdparty.
\"6th.Thereshallbearegisterforallthatrelatestosecretextraordinaryexpenditure.Bourrienneshallwritethewholewithhisownhand，inorderthatthebusinessmaybekeptfromtheknowledgeofanyone.
\"7th.Heshalldespatchallthebusinesswhichmaybereferredtohim，eitherfromCitizenDuroc，orfromthecabinetoftheFirstConsul，takingcaretoarrangeeverythingsoastosecuresecrecy.
（Signed）\"BONAPARTE，FirstCouncil.
\"Paris，13thGerminal，yearVIII.
\"（3d.April1800.）\"]——
Officialbusinesswasnottheonlylabourthatdevolveduponme.IhadtowritetothedictationoftheFirstConsulduringagreatpartoftheday，ortodecipherhiswriting，whichwasalwaysthemostlaboriouspartofmyduty.IwassocloselyemployedthatIscarcelyeverwentout;andwhenbychanceIdinedintown，Icouldnotarriveuntiltheverymomentofdinner，andIwasobligedtorunawayimmediatelyafterit.Onceamonth，atmost，IwentwithoutBonapartetotheComedieFrancaise，butI
wasobligedtoreturnatnineo’clock，thatbeingthehouratwhichweresumedbusiness.Corvisart，withwhomIwasintimatelyacquainted，constantlyexpressedhisapprehensionsaboutmyhealth;butmyzealcarriedmethrougheverydifficulty，andduringourstayattheTuileriesIcannotexpresshowhappyIwasinenjoyingtheunreservedconfidenceofthemanonwhomtheeyesofallEuropewerefiled.SoperfectwasthisconfidencethatBonaparte，neitherasGeneral，Consul，norEmperor，evergavemeanyfixedsalary.Inmoneymatterswewerestillcomrades：I
tookfromhisfundswhatwasnecessarytodefraymyexpenses，andofthisBonaparteneveronceaskedmeforanyaccount.
Heoftenmentionedhiswishtoregeneratepubliceducation，whichhethoughtwasillmanaged.Thecentralschoolsdidnotpleasehim;buthecouldnotwithholdhisadmirationfromthePolytechnicSchool，thefinestestablishmentofeducationthatwaseverfounded，butwhichheafterwardsspoiledbygivingitamilitaryorganisation.InonlyonecollegeofParistheoldsystemofstudywaspreserved：thiswastheLouis—le—Grand，whichhadreceivedthenameofPritanee.TheFirstConsuldirectedtheMinisteroftheInteriortodrawupareportonthatestablishment;andhehimselfwenttopayanunexpectedvisittothePritanee，accompaniedbyM.LebrunandDuroc.Heremainedthereupwardsofanhour，andintheeveninghespoketomewithmuchinterestonthesubjectofhisvisit.
\"Doyouknow，Bourrienne，\"saidhe，\"thatIhavebeenperformingthedutiesofprofessor？\"——\"you，General！\"——，\"Yes！andIdidnotacquitmyselfbadly.Iexaminedthepupilsinthemathematicalclass;andI
recollectedenoughofmyBezouttomakesomedemonstrationsbeforethem.
Iwenteverywhere，intothebedroomsandthedining—room.Itastedthesoup，whichisbetterthanweusedtohaveatBrienne.Imustdevoteseriousattentiontopubliceducationandthemanagementofthecolleges.
Thepupilsmusthaveauniform.Iobservedsomewellandothersilldressed.Thatwillnotdo.Atcollege，aboveallplaces，thereshouldbeequality.ButIwasmuchpleasedwiththepupilsofthePritanee.
IwishtoknowthenamesofthoseIexamined，andIhavedesiredDuroctoreportthemtome.Iwillgivethemrewards;thatstimulatesyoungpeople.Iwillprovideforsomeofthem.\"
OnthissubjectBonapartedidnotconfinehimselftoanemptyscheme.
AfterconsultingwiththeheadmasterofthePritanee，hegrantedpensionsof200francstosevenoreightofthemostdistinguishedpupilsoftheestablishment，andheplacedthreeoftheminthedepartmentofForeignAffairs，underthetitleofdiplomaticpupils.
——[ThisinstitutionofdiplomaticpupilswasoriginallysuggestedbyM.deTalleyrand.]——
WhatIhavejustsaidrespectingtheFirstConsul’svisittothePritaneeremindsmeofaveryextraordinarycircumstancewhicharoseoutofit.
AmongthepupilsatthePritaneetherewasasonofGeneralMiackzinski，whodiedfightingunderthebannersoftheRepublic.YoungMiackzinskiwasthensixteenorseventeenyearsofage.Hesoonquittedthecollege，enteredthearmyasavolunteer，andwasoneofacorpsreviewedbyBonaparte，intheplainofSablons.HewaspointedouttotheFirstConsul，whosaidtohim，.\"Iknewyourfather.Followhisexample，andinsixmentheyoushallbeanofficer：Sixmonthselapsed，andMiackzinskiwrotetotheFirstConsul，remindinghimofhispromise.Noanswerwasreturned，andtheyoungmanthenwroteasecondletterasfollows：
Youdesiredmetoprovemyselfworthyofmyfather;Ihavedoneso.
YoupromisedthatIshouldbeanofficerinsixmonths;sevenhaveelapsedsincethatpromisewasmade.WhenyoureceivethisletterI
shallbenomore.IcannotliveunderaGovernmenttheheadofwhichbreakshisword.
PoorMiackzinskikepthiswordbut，toofaithfully.AfterwritingtheabovelettertotheFirstConsulheretiredtohischamberandblewouthisbrainswithapistol.AfewdaysafterthistragicaleventMiackzinski’scommissionwastransmittedtohiscorps，forBonapartehadnotforgottenhim.AdelayintheWarOfficehadcausedthedeathofthispromisingyoungmanBonapartewasmuchaffectedatthecircumstance，andhesaidtome，\"ThesePoleshavesuchrefinednotionsofhonour
PoorSulkowski，Iamsure，wouldhavedonethesame.\"
AtthecommencementoftheConsulateitwasgratifying，toseehowactivelyBonapartewassecondedintheexecutionofplansforthesocialregenerationofFranceallseemedanimatedwithnewlife，andeveryonestrovetodogoodasifitwereamatterofcompetition.
EverycircumstanceconcurredtofavourthegoodintentionsoftheFirstConsul.Vaccination，which，perhaps，hassavedasmanylivesaswarhassacrificed，wasintroducedintoFrancebyM.dLiancourt;andBonaparte，immediatelyappreciatingthe’valueofsuchadiscovery，gaveithisdecidedapprobation.AtthesametimeacouncilofPrizeswasestablished，andtheoldmembersoftheConstituentAssemblywereinvitedtoreturntoFrance.ItwasfortheirsakeandthatoftheRoyaliststhattheFirstConsulrecalledthem，butitwastopleasetheJacobins，whomhewasendeavouringtoconciliate，thattheirreturnwassubjecttorestrictions.AtfirsttheinvitationtoreturntoFranceextendedonlytothosewhocouldprovethattheyhadvotedinfavouroftheabolitionofnobility.Thelistsofemigrantswereclosed，andcommitteeswereappointedtoinvestigatetheirclaimstotheprivilegeofreturning.
FromthecommencementofthemonthofGerminalthereorganisationofthearmyofItalyhadproceededwithrenewedactivity.ThepresenceinParisofthefinecorpsoftheConsularGuard，addedtothedesireofshowingthemselvesoffingayuniforms，hadstimulatedthemilitaryardourofmanyrespectableyoungmenofthecapital.TakingadvantageofthiscircumstancetheFirstConsulcreatedacorpsofvolunteersdestinedforthearmyofreserve，whichwastoremainatDijon.Hesawtheadvantageofconnectingagreatnumberoffamilieswithhiscause，andimbuingthemwiththespiritofthearmy.Thisvolunteercorpsworeayellowuniformwhich，insomeofthesalonsofPariswhereitwasstillthecustomtoridiculeeverything，obtainedforthemthenicknameof\"canaries.\"
Bonaparte，whodidnotalwaysrelishajoke，tookthisinveryillpart，andoftenexpressedtomehisvexationatit.However，hewasgratifiedtoobserveinthecompositionofthiscorpsafirstspecimenofprivilegedsoldiers;anideawhichheacteduponwhenhecreatedtheorderlygendarmesinthecampaignofJena，andwhenheorganisedtheguardsofhonourafterthedisastersofMoscow.
IneveryactionofhislifeBonapartehadsomeparticularobjectinview.
Irecollecthissayingtomeoneday，\"Bourrienne，Icannotyetventuretodoanythingagainsttheregicides;butIwillletthemseewhatI
thinkofthem.To—morrowIshallhavesomebusinesswithAbrialrespectingtheorganisationofthecourtofCassation.Target，whoisthepresidentofthatcourt，wouldnotdefendLouisXVI.Well，whomdoyouthinkImeantoappointinhisplace？Tronchet，whodiddefendtheking.Theymaysaywhattheyplease;Icarenot.\"
——[Onthis，asonmanyotheroccasions，thecynicismofBonaparte’slanguagedoes，notadmitofaliteraltranslation.]——
Tronchetwasappointed.
NearlyaboutthesametimetheFirstConsul，beinginformedoftheescapeofGeneralMack，saidtome，\"Mackmaygowherehepleases;Iamnotafraidofhim.ButIwilltellyouwhatIhavebeenthinking.TherearesomeotherAustrianofficerswhowereprisonerswithMack;amongthenumberisaCountDietrichstein，whobelongstoagreatfamilyinVienna.
Iwillliberatethemall.Atthemomentofopeningacampaignthiswillhaveagoodeffect.TheywillseethatIfearnothing;andwhoknowsbutthismayprocuremesomeadmirersinAustria.\"TheorderforliberatingtheAustrianprisonerswasimmediatelydespatched.ThusBonaparte’sactsofgenerosity，aswellashisactsofseverityandhischoiceofindividuals，werealltheresultofdeepcalculation.
ThisunvaryingattentiontotheaffairsoftheGovernmentwasmanifestinallhedid.IhavealreadymentionedthealmostsimultaneoussuppressionofthehorriblecommemorationofthemonthofJanuary，andthepermissionfortherevivaloftheoperaballs.AmeasuresomethingsimilartothiswastheauthorisationofthefestivalsofLongchamps，whichhadbeenforgottensincetheRevolution.Heatthesametimegavepermissionforsacredmusictobeperformedattheopera.Thus，whileinpublicactshemaintainedtheobservanceoftheRepublicancalendar，hewasgraduallyrevivingtheoldcalendarbyseasonsoffestivity.Shrove—Tuesdaywasmarkedbyaball，andPassion—weekbypromenadesandconcerts.
CHAPTERXXXV
1800.
TheMemorialofSt.Helena——LouisXVIII.’sfirstlettertoBonaparte——Josephine，Hortense，andtheFaubourgSt.Germain——
MadameBonaparteandthefortune—teller——LouisXVIII’ssecondletter——Bonaparte’sanswer——ConversationrespectingtherecallofLouisXVIII.——Peaceandwar——Abattlefoughtwithpins—GenoaandMelas——
RealisationofBonaparte’smilitaryplans——IronicallettertoBerthier——DeparturefromParis——InstructionstoLucienandCambaceres——JosephBonaparteappointedCouncillorofState——
Travellingconversation——AlexanderandCaesarjudgedbyBonaparte.
Itsometimeshappensthataneventwhichpassesawayunnoticedatthetimeofitsoccurrenceacquiresimportancefromeventswhichsubsequentlyensue.ThisreflectionnaturallyoccurstomymindnowthatIamabouttonoticethecorrespondencewhichpassedbetweenLouisXVIII.andtheFirstConsul.ThisiscertainlynotoneoftheleastinterestingpassagesinthelifeofBonaparte.
ButImustfirstbegleavetomakeanobservationonthe’MemorialofSt.
Helena.’ThatpublicationrelateswhatBonapartesaidrespectingthenegotiationsbetweenLouisXVIII.andhimself;andIfinditnecessarytoquoteafewlinesonthesubject，inordertoshowhowfarthestatementscontainedintheMemorialdifferfromtheautographlettersinmypossession.
AtSt.HelenaNapoleonsaidthatheneverthoughtoftheprincesoftheHouseofBourbon.Thisistruetoacertainpoint.HedidnotthinkoftheprincesoftheHouseofBourbonwiththeviewofrestoringthemtotheirthrone;butithasbeenshown，inseveralpartsoftheseMemoirs，thathethoughtofthemveryoften，andonmorethanoneoccasiontheirverynamesalarmedhim.
——[TheMemorialstatesthat\"AletterwasdeliveredtotheFirstConsulbyLebrunwhoreceiveditfromtheAbbedeMontesquieu，thesecretagentoftheBourbonsinParis.\"Thisletterwhichwasverycautiouslywritten，said：——
\"Youarelongdelayingtherestorationofmythrone.Itistobefearedyouaresufferingfavourablemomentstoescape.YoucannotsecurethehappinessofFrancewithoutme，andIcandonothingforFrancewithoutyou.Hasten，then，tonametheofficeswhichyouwouldchooseforyourfriends.\"
Theanswer，Napoleonsaid，wasasfollows：——
\"Ihavereceivedyourroyalhighness’letter.Ihavealwaystakenalivelyinterestinyourmisfortunes，andthoseofyourfamily.YoumustnotthinkofappearinginFrance;youcouldonlyreturnherebytramplingoverahundredthousanddeadbodies.Ishallalwaysbehappytodoanythingthatcanalleviateyourfateandhelptobanishtherecollectionofyourmisfortunes.\"——Bourrienne.]——
Thesubstanceofthetwolettersgiveninthe’MemorialofSt.Helena’iscorrect.Theideasarenearlythesameasthoseoftheoriginalletters.
Butitisnotsurprisingthat，afterthelapseofsolonganinterval，Napoleon’smemoryshouldsomewhathavefailedhim.However，itwillnot，Ipresume，bedeemedunimportantifIpresenttothereaderliteralcopiesofthiscorrespondence;togetherwiththeexplanationofsomecuriouscircumstancesconnectedwithit.
ThefollowingisLouisXVIII’sletter：——
February20，1800.
SIR——Whatevermaybetheirapparentconduct，menlikeyouneverinspirealarm.Youhaveacceptedaneminentstation，andIthankyouforhavingdoneso.Youknowbetterthananyonehowmuchstrengthandpowerarerequisitetosecurethehappinessofagreatnation.SaveFrancefromherownviolence，andyouwillfulfilthefirstwishofmyheart.RestoreherKingtoher，andfuturegenerationswillblessyourmemory.YouwillalwaysbetoonecessarytotheStateformeevertobeabletodischarge，byimportantappointments，thedebtofmyfamilyandmyself.
（Signed）Louis.
TheFirstConsulwasmuchagitatedonthereceptionofthisletter.
ThoughheeverydaydeclaredhisdeterminationtohavenothingtodowiththePrinces，yethehesitatedwhetherornoheshouldreplytothisoverture.Thenumerousaffairswhichthenoccupiedhismindfavouredthishesitation.JosephineandHortenseconjuredhimtoholdouthopetotheKing，asbysodoinghewouldinnowaypledgehimself，andwouldgaintimetoascertainwhetherhecouldnotultimatelyplayafargreaterpartthanthatofMonk.Theirentreatiesbecamesourgentthathesaidtome，\"Thesedevilsofwomenaremad！TheFaubourgSt.Germainhasturnedtheirheads！TheymaketheFaubourgtheguardianangeloftheroyalists;butIcarenot;Iwillhavenothingtodowiththem.\"
MadameBonapartesaidshewasanxiousheshouldadoptthestepsheproposedinordertobanishfromhismindallthoughtofmakinghimselfKing.Thisideaalwaysgaverisetoapainfulforebodingwhichshecouldneverovercome.
IntheFirstConsul’snumerousconversationswithmehediscussedwithadmirablesagacityLouisXVIII.’spropositionanditsconsequences.
\"ThepartisansoftheBourbons，\"saidhe，\"aredeceivediftheysupposeIamthemantoplayMonk’spart.\"Herethematterrested，andtheKing’sletterremainedonthetable.IntheinterimLouisXVIII.wroteasecondletter，withoutanydate.Itwasasfollows：
Youmusthavelongsincebeenconvinced，General，thatyoupossessmyesteem.Ifyoudoubtmygratitude，fixyourrewardandmarkoutthefortuneofyourfriends.Astomyprinciples，IamaFrenchman，mercifulbycharacter，andalsobythedictatesofreason.
No，thevictorofLodi，Castiglione，andArcola，theconquerorofItalyandEgypt，cannotprefervaincelebritytorealglory.Butyouarelosingprecioustime.WemayensurethegloryofFrance.
Isaywe，becauseIrequiretheaidofBonaparte，andhecandonothingwithoutme.
General，Europeobservesyou.Gloryawaitsyou，andIamimpatienttorestorepeacetomypeople.
（Signed）LOUIS.
ThisdignifiedlettertheFirstConsulsufferedtoremainunansweredforseveralweeks;atlengthheproposedtodictateananswertome.I
observed，thatastheKing’sletterswereautographs，itwouldbemoreproperthatheshouldwritehimself.Hethenwrotewithhisownhandthefollowing：
Sir——Ihavereceivedyourletter，andIthankyouforthecomplimentsyouaddresstome.
YoumustnotseektoreturntoFrance.Todosoyoumusttrampleoverahundredthousanddeadbodies.
SacrificeyourinteresttothereposeandhappinessofFrance，andhistorywillrenderyoujustice.
Iamnotinsensibletothemisfortunesofyourfamily.Ishalllearnwithpleasure，andshallwillinglycontributetoensure，thetranquillityofyourretirement.
（Signed）BONAPARTE.
Heshowedmethisletter，saying，\"Whatdoyouthinkofit？isitnotgood？\"HewasneveroffendedwhenIpointedouttohimanerrorofgrammarorstyle，andIthereforereplied，\"Astothesubstance，ifsuchbeyourresolution，Ihavenothingtosayagainstit;but，\"addedI，\"Imustmakeoneobservationonthestyle.Youcannotsaythatyoushalllearnwithpleasuretoensure，etc.\"Onreadingthepassageoveragainhethoughthehadpledgedhimselftoofarinsayingthathewouldwillinglycontribute，etc.Hethereforescoredoutthelastsentence，andinterlined，\"Ishallcontributewithpleasuretothehappinessandtranquillityofyourretirement.\"
Theanswerthusscoredandinterlinedcouldnotbesentoff，anditlayonthetablewithBonaparte’ssignatureaffixedtoit.
Sometimeafterhewroteanotheranswer，thethreefirstparagraphsofwhichwereexactlyalikethatfirstquoted;butfarthelastparagraphhesubstitutedthefollowing\"Iamnotinsensibletothemisfortunesofyourfamily;andIshalllearnwithpleasurethatyouaresurroundedwithallthatcancontributetothetranquillityofyourretirement.\"
Bythismeanshedidnotpledgehimselfinanyway，noteveninwords，forhehimselfmadenoofferofcontributing，tothetranquillityoftheretirement.Everydaywhichaugmentedhispowerandconsolidatedhispositiondiminished，hethought，thechancesoftheBourbons;andsevenmonthsweresufferedtointervenebetweenthedateoftheKing’sfirstletterandtheansweroftheFirstConsul，whichwaswrittenonthe2dVendemiaire，yearIX.（24thSeptember1800）justwhentheCongressofLunevillewasonthepointofopening.
SomadaysafterthereceiptofLouisXVIII.’sletterwewerewalkinginthegardensofMalmaison;hewasingoodhumour，foreverythingwasgoingontohismind.\"HasmywifebeensayinganythingmoretoyouabouttheBourbons？\"saidhe.——\"No，General.\"——\"Butwhenyouconversewithheryouconcuralittleinheropinions.TellmewhyyouwishtheBourbonsback？
Youhavenointerestintheirreturn，nothingtoexpectfromthem.Yourfamilyrankisnothighenoughtoenableyoutoobtainanygreatpost.
Youwouldbenothingunderthem.ThroughthepatronageofM.deChambonasyougottheappointmentofSecretaryofLegationatStuttgart;
buthaditnotbeenforthechangeyouwouldhaveremainedallyourlifeinthatorsomeinferiorpost.Didyoueverknowmenrisebytheirownmeritunderkings？Everythingdependsonbirth，connection，fortune，andintrigue.Judgethingsmoreaccurately;reflectmorematurelyonthefuture.\"——\"General，\"repliedI，\"Iamquiteofyouropinionononepoint.Ineverreceivedgift，place，orfavourfromtheBourbons;andI
havenotthevanitytobelievethatIshouldeverhaveattainedanyimportantAppointment.ButyoumustnotforgetthatmynominationasSecretaryofLegationatStuttgartprecededtheoverthrowofthethroneonlybyafewdays;andIcannotinfer，fromwhattookplaceundercircumstancesunfortunatelytoocertain，whatmighthavehappenedinthereversecase.Besides，Iamnotactuatedbypersonalfeelings;
Iconsidernotmyowninterests，butthoseofFrance.Iwishyoutoholdthereinsofgovernmentaslongasyoulive;butyouhavenochildren，anditistolerablycertainthatyouwillhavenonebyJosephine：Whatwillbecomeofuswhenyouaregone？Youtalkofthefuture;butwhatwillbethefuturefateofFrance？Ihaveoftenheardyousaythatyourbrothersarenot——\"——\"Youareright，\"saidhe，abruptlyinterruptingme.\"IfIdonotlivethirtyyearstocompletemyworkyouwillhavealongseriesofcivilwarsaftermydeath.MybrotherswillnotsuitFrance;youknowwhattheyare.Aviolentconflictwillthereforeariseamongthemostdistinguishedgenerals，eachofwhomwillthinkhimselfentitledtosucceedme.\"——\"Well，General，whynottakemeanstoobviatethemischiefyouforesee？\"——\"DoyouimagineIdonotthinkofit？Butlookatthedifficultiesthatstandinmyway.Howaresomanyacquired—
rightsandmaterialresultstobesecuredagainsttheeffortsofafamilyrestoredtopower，andreturningwith80，000emigrantsandtheinfluenceoffanaticism？Whatwouldbecomeofthosewhovotedforthedeath，oftheKing——themenwhoactedaconspicuouspartintheRevolution——thenationaldomains，andamultitudeofthingsthathavebeendoneduringtwelveyears？Canyouseehowfarreactionwouldextend？\"——\"General，needIremindyouthatLouis，inhisletter，guaranteesthecontraryofallyouapprehend？Iknowwhatwillbeyouranswer;butareyounotabletoimposewhateverconditionsyoumaythinkfit？Grantwhatisaskedofyouonlyatthatprice.Takethreeorfouryears;inthattimeyoumayensurethehappinessofFrancebyinstitutionsconformabletoherwants.
Customandhabitwouldgivethemapowerwhichitwouldnotbeeasytodestroy;andevensupposingsuchadesignwereentertained，itcouldnotbeaccomplished.IhaveheardyousayitiswishedyoushouldactthepartofMonk;butyouwellknowthedifferencebetweenageneralopposingtheusurperofacrown，andonewhomvictoryandpeacehaveraisedabovetheruinsofasubvertedthrone，andwhorestoresitvoluntarilytothosewhohavelongoccupiedit.Youarewellawarewhatyoucallideologywillnotagainberevived;and——\"——\"Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay;
butitallamountstonothing.Dependuponit，theBourbonswillthinktheyhavereconqueredtheirinheritance，andwilldisposeofitastheyplease.Themostsacredpledges，themostpositivepromises，willbeviolated.Nonebutfoolswilltrustthem.Myresolutionisformed;
thereforeletussaynomoreonthesubject.ButIknowhowthesewomentormentyou.Letthemmindtheirknitting，andleavemetodowhatI
thinkright.\"
Everyoneknowstheadage，’Sivispacemparabellum’.HadBonapartebeenaLatinscholarhewouldprobablyhavereverseditandsaid，’Sivisbellumparapacem’.WhileseekingtoestablishpacificrelationswiththepowersofEuropetheFirstConsulwaspreparingtostrikeagreatblowinItaly.AslongasGenoaheldout，andMassenacontinuedthere，BonapartedidnotdespairofmeetingtheAustriansinthosefieldswhichnotfouryearsbeforehadbeenthescenesofhissuccess.HeresolvedtoassembleanarmyofreserveatDijon.Wheretherewaspreviouslynothinghecreatedeverything.Atthatperiodofhislifethefertilityofhisimaginationandthevigourofhisgeniusmusthavecommandedtheadmirationofevenhisbitterestenemies.Iwasastonishedatthedetailsintowhichheentered.Whileeverymomentwasengrossedbythemostimportantoccupationshesent24，000francstothehospitalofMontSt.Bernard.Whenhesawthathisarmyofreservewasforming，andeverythingwasgoingontohisliking，hesaidtome，\"IhopetofallontherearofMelasbeforeheisawareIaminItalythatistosay，providedGenoaholdsout.ButMASSENAisdefendingit.\"
Onthe17thofMarch，inamomentofgaietyandgoodhumour，hedesiredmetounrollChauchard’sgreatmapofItaly.Helaydownuponit，anddesiredmetodolikewise.Hethenstuckintoitpins，theheadsofwhichweretippedwithwax，someredandsomeblack.Isilentlyobservedhim;andawaitedwithnolittlecuriositytheresultofthisplanofcampaign.Whenhehadstationedtheenemy’scorps，anddrawnupthepinswithredheadsonthepointswherehehopedtobringhisowntroops，hesaidtome，\"WheredoyouthinkIshallbeatMelas？\"——\"HowthedevilshouldIknow？\"——\"Why，lookhere，youfool！MelasisatAlessandriawithhisheadquarters.TherehewillremainuntilGenoasurrenders.HehasinAlessandriahismagazines，hishospitals，hisartillery，andhisreserves.CrossingtheAlpshere（pointingtotheGreatMontSt.
Bernard）IshallfalluponMelas，cutoffhiscommunicationswithAustria，andmeethimhereintheplainsofScrivia\"（placingared，pinatSanGiuliano）.FindingthatIlookedonthismanoeuvreofpinsasmerepastime，headdressedtomesomeofhisusualcompliments，suchasfool，ninny，etc.，andthenproceededtodemonstratehisplansmoreclearlyonthemap.Attheexpirationofaquarterofanhourwerose;
Ifoldedupthemap，andthoughtnomoreofthematter.
Fourmonthsafterthis，whenIwasatSanGiulianowithBonaparte’sportfolioanddespatches，whichIhadsavedfromtheroutwhichhadtakenplaceduringtheday，andwhenthatveryeveningIwaswritingatTorrediGalifolothebulletinofthebattletoNapoleon’sdictation，Ifranklyavowedmyadmirationofhismilitaryplans.Hehimselfsmiledattheaccuracyofhisownforesight.
TheFirstConsulwasnotsatisfiedwithGeneralBerthierasWarMinister，andhesupersededhimbyCarnot，——[TherewerespecialreasonsfortheappointmentofCarnot，BerthierwasrequiredwithhismasterinItaly，whileCarnot，whohadsolongruledthearmiesoftheRepublic，wasbetterfittedtoinfluenceMoreau，atthistimeadvancingintoGermany.CarnotprobablyfulfilledthemainobjectofhisappointmentwhenhewassenttoMoreau，andsucceededingettingthatgeneral，withnaturalreluctance，todamagehisowncampaignbydetachingalargebodyoftroopsintoItaly.BerthierwasreappointedtotheMinistryonthe8thofOctober1800，——averyspeedyreturnifhehadreallybeendisgraced.]——
whohadgivengreatproofsoffirmnessandintegrity，butwho，nevertheless，wasnofavouriteofBonaparte，onaccountofhisdecidedrepublicanprinciples.Berthierwastooslowincarryingoutthemeasuresordered，[duplicatedlineremovedhereD.W.]andtoolenientinthepaymentofpastchargesandinnewcontracts.Carnot’sappointmenttookplaceonthe2dofApril1800;andtoconsoleBerthier，who，heknew，wasmoreathomeinthecampthanintheoffice，hedictatedtomethefollowingletterforhim：——
PARIS，2dApril1800.
CITIZEN—GENERAL，——Themilitarytalentsofwhichyouhavegivensomanyproofs，andtheconfidenceoftheGovernment，callyoutothecommandofanarmy.DuringthewinteryouhaveREORGANISEDtheWarDepartment，andyouhaveprovided，asfarascircumstanceswouldpermit，forthewantsofourarmies.Duringthespringandsummeritmustbeyourtasktoleadourtroopstovictory，whichistheeffectualmeansofobtainingpeaceandconsolidatingtheRepublic.
Bonapartelaughedheartilywhilehedictatedthisepistle，especiallywhenheutteredthewordwhichIhavemarkedinitalics[CAPS].BerthiersetoutforDijon，wherehecommencedtheformationofthearmyofreserve.
TheConsularConstitutiondidnotempowertheFirstConsultocommandanarmyoutoftheterritoryofFrance.Bonapartethereforewishedtokeepsecrethislong—projectedplanofplacinghimselfattheheadofthearmyofItaly，which，hethenforthefirsttimecalledthegrandarmy.I
observedthatbyhischoiceofBerthiernobodycouldbedeceived，becauseitmustbeevidentthathewouldhavemadeanotherselectionhadhenotintendedtocommandinperson.Helaughedatmyobservation.
OurdeparturefromPariswasfixedforthe6thofMay，or，accordingtotherepublicancalendar，the16thFlorealBonapartehadmadeallhisarrangementsandissuedallhisorders;butstillhedidnotwishittobeknownthathewasgoingtotakethecommandofthearmy.Ontheeveofourdeparture，beinginconferencewiththetwootherConsulsandtheMinisters，hesaidtoLucien，\"Prepare，to—morrowmorning，acirculartotheprefects，andyou，Fouche，willpublishitinthejournals.SayIamgonetoDijontoinspectthearmyofreserve.YoumayaddthatIshallperhapsgoasfarasGeneva;butyoumustaffirmpositivelythatIshallnotbeabsentlongerthanafortnight：You，Cambaceres，willpresideto—
morrowattheCouncilofState.InmyabsenceyouaretheHeadoftheGovernment.Statethatmyabsencewillbebutofshortduration，butspecifynothing.ExpressmyapprobationoftheCouncilofState;ithasalreadyrenderedgreatservices，andIshallbehappytoseeitcontinueinthecourseithashithertopursued.Oh！Ihadnearlyforgotten——youwillatthesametimeannouncethatIhaveappointedJosephaCouncillorofState.ShouldanythinghappenIshallbebackagainlikeathunderbolt.IrecommendtoyouallthegreatinterestsofFrance，andI
trustthatIshallshortlybetalkedofinViennaandinLondon.\"
Wesetoutattwointhemorning，takingtheBurgundyroad，whichwehadalreadysooftentravelledunderverydifferentcircumstances.
OnthejourneyBonaparteconversedaboutthewarriorsofantiquity，especiallyAlexander，Caesar，Scipio，andHannibal.Iaskedhimwhichhepreferred，AlexanderorCaesar.\"IplaceAlexanderinthefirstrank，\"
saidhe，\"yetIadmireCaesar’sfinecampaigninAfrica.ButthegroundofmypreferencefortheKingofMacedoniaistheplan，andabovealltheexecution，ofhiscampaigninAsia.OnlythosewhoareutterlyignorantofwarcanblameAlexanderforhavingspentsevenmonthsatthesiegeofTyre.Formypart，Iwouldhavestayedtheresevenyearshaditbeennecessary.Thisisagreatsubjectofdispute;butIlookuponthesiegeofTyre，theconquestofEgypt，andthejourneytotheOasisofAmmonasadecidedproofofthegeniusofthatgreatcaptain.HisobjectwastogivetheKingofPersia（ofwhoseforcehehadonlybeatenafeebleadvance—guardattheGranicusandIssus）timetoreassemblehistroops，sothathemightoverthrowatablowthecolossuswhichhehadasyetonlyshaken.BypursuingDariusintohisstatesAlexanderwouldhaveseparatedhimselffromhisreinforcements，andwouldhavemetonlyscatteredpartiesoftroopswhowouldhavedrawnhimintodesertswherehisarmywouldhavebeensacrificed.ByperseveringinthetakingofTyrehesecured，hiscommunicationswithGreece，thecountryhelovedasdearlyasIloveFrance，andinwhosegloryheplacedhisown.BytakingpossessionoftherichprovinceofEgyptheforcedDariustocometodefendordeliverit，andinsodoingtomarchhalf—waytomeethim.
ByrepresentinghimselfasthesonofJupiterheworkedupontheardentfeelingsoftheOrientalsinawaythatpowerfullysecondedhisdesigns.
Thoughhediedatthirty—threewhatanamehehasleftbehindhim！\"
Thoughanutterstrangertothenobleprofessionofarms，yetIcouldadmireBonaparte’sclevermilitaryplansandhisshrewdremarksonthegreatcaptainsofancientandmoderntimes.Icouldnotrefrainfromsaying，\"General，youoftenreproachmeforbeingnoflatterer，butnowI
tellyouplainlyIadmireyou.\"Andcertainly，Ireallyspokethetruesentimentsofmymind.
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon，V4，1800
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneMemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V5
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS：
CHAPTERI.toCHAPTERVIII.，1800—1803
CHAPTERI.
1800.
Bonaparte’sconfidenceinthearmy——’Mabelle’France——TheconventofBernadins——PassageofMontSt.Bernard——Arrivalattheconvent——
Refreshmentsdistributedtothesoldiers——MontAlbaredo——Artillerydismounted——ThefortofBard——Fortunatetemerity——BonaparteandMelas——Thespy——Bonaparte’sopinionofM.Necker——CapitulationofGenoa——Intercepteddespatch——LannesatMontebello——BoudetsucceededbyDesaix——CoolnessoftheFirstConsultoM.Collot——Conversationandrecollections——ThebattleofMarengo——GeneralKellerman——SuppersentfromtheConventdelBosco——ParticularsrespectingthedeathofDesaix——ThePrinceofLichtenstein——ReturntoMilan——SavaryandRapp.
Itcannotbedeniedthatif，fromthe18thBrumairetotheepochwhenBonapartebeganthecampaign，innumerableimprovementshadbeenmadeintheinternalaffairsofFrance，foreignaffairscouldnotbeseenwiththesamesatisfaction.Italyhadbeenlost，andfromthefrontiersofProvencetheAustriancampfireswereseen.Bonapartewasnotignorantofthedifficultiesofhisposition，anditwasevenonaccountoftheseverydifficultiesthat，whatevermightbetheresultofhishardyenterprise，hewishedtoescapefromitasquicklyaspossible.Hecherishednoillusions，andoftensaidallmustbestakedtogainall.
ThearmywhichtheFirstConsulwaspreparingtoattackwasnumerous，welldisciplined，andvictorious.
His，withtheexceptionofaverysmallnumberoftroops，wascomposedofconscripts;buttheseconscriptswerecommandedbyofficerswhoseardourwasunparalleled.Bonaparte’sfortunewasnowtodependonthewinningorlosingofabattle.Abattlelostwouldhavedispelledallthedreamsofhisimagination，andwiththemwouldhavevanishedallhisimmenseschemesforthefutureofFrance.Hesawthedanger，butwasnotintimidatedbyit;andtrustingtohisaccustomedgoodfortune，andtothecourageandfidelityofhistroops，hesaid，\"Ihave，itistrue，manyconscriptsinmyarmy，buttheyareFrenchmen.FouryearsagodidI
notwithafeeblearmydrivebeforemehordesofSardiniansandAustrians，andscourthefaceofItaly？Weshalldosoagain.ThesunwhichnowshinesonusisthesamethatshoneatArcolaandLodi.IrelyonMassena.IhopehewillholdoutinGenoa.Butshouldfamineobligehimtosurrender，IwillretakeGenoaintheplainsoftheScrivia.WithwhatpleasureshallIthenreturntomydearFrance！MabelleFrance.\"
Atthismoment，whenapossible，nay，aprobablechance，mightforeverhaveblastedhisambitioushopes，heforthefirsttimespokeofFranceashis.Consideringthecircumstancesinwhichwethenstood，thisuseofthepossessivepronoun\"my\"describesmoreforciblythananythingthatcanbesaidtheflashesofdivinationwhichcrossedBonaparte’sbrainwhenhewaswrappedupinhischimericalideasofgloryandfortune.
InthisfavourabledispositionofmindtheFirstConsularrivedatMartignyonthe20thofMay.MartignyisaconventofBernardins，situatedinavalleywheretheraysofthesunscarcelyeverpenetrate.
ThearmywasinfullmarchtotheGreatSt.Bernard.InthisgloomysolitudedidBonapartewaitthreedays，expectingthefortofBard，situatedbeyondthemountainandcoveringtheroadtoYvree，tosurrender.Thetownwascarriedonthe21stofMay，andonthethirddayhelearnedthatthefortstillheldout，andthattherewerenoindicationsofitssurrender.Helaunchedintocomplaintsagainstthecommanderofthesiege，andsaid，\"Iamwearyofstayinginthisconvent;
thosefoolswillnevertakeBard;Imustgomyselfandseewhatcanbedone.Theycannotevensettlesocontemptibleanaffairwithoutme！\"
Heimmediatelygaveordersforourdeparture.
ThegrandideaoftheinvasionofItalybycrossingMontSt.BernardemanatedexclusivelyfromtheFirstConsul.Thismiraculousachievementjustlyexcitedtheadmirationoftheworld.TheincredibledifficultiesitpresenteddidnotdauntthecourageofBonaparte’stroops.Hisgenerals，accustomedastheyhadbeentobravefatigueanddanger，regardedwithoutconcernthegiganticenterpriseofthemodernHannibal.
Aconventorhospice，whichhadbeenestablishedonthemountainforthepurposeofaffordingassistancetosolitarytravellers，sufficientlybespeaksthedangersofthesestormyregions.ButtheSt.Bernardwasnowtobecrossed，notbysolitarytravellers，butbyanarmy.Cavalry，baggage，limbers，andartillerywerenowtowendtheirwayalongthosenarrowpathswherethegoat—herdcautiouslypickshisfootsteps.Ontheonehandmassesofsnow，suspendedaboveourheads，everymomentthreatenedtobreakinavalanches，andsweepusawayintheirdescent.
Ontheother，afalsestepwasdeath.Weallpassed，menandhorse，onebyone，alongthegoatpaths.Theartillerywasdismounted，andtheguns，putintoexcavatedtrunksoftrees，weredrawnbyropes.
IhavealreadymentionedthattheFirstConsulhadtransmittedfundstothehospiceoftheGreatSt.Bernard.Thegoodfathershadprocuredfromthetwovalleysaconsiderablesupplyofcheese，bread，andwine.Tableswerelaidoutinfrontofthehospice，andeachsoldierashedefiledpasttookaglassofwineandapieceofbreadandcheese，andthenresignedhisplacetothenext.Thefathersserved，andrenewedtheportionswithadmirableorderandactivity.
TheFirstConsulascendedtheSt.Bernardwiththatcalmself—possessionandthatairofindifferenceforwhichhewasalwaysremarkablewhenhefeltthenecessityofsettinganexampleandexposinghimselftodanger.
Heaskedhisguidemanyquestionsaboutthetwovalleys，inquiredwhatweretheresourcesoftheinhabitants，andwhetheraccidentswereasfrequentastheyweresaidtobe.Theguideinformedhimthattheexperienceofagesenabledtheinhabitantstoforeseegoodorbadweather，andthattheywereseldomdeceived.
Bonaparte，whoworehisgraygreatcoat，andhadhiswhipinhishand，appearedsomewhatdisappointedatnotseeinganyonecomefromthevalleyofAortatoinformhimofthetakingofthefortofBard.Ineverlefthimforamomentduringtheascent.Weencounterednopersonaldanger，andescapedwithnootherinconveniencethanexcessivefatigue.
OnhisarrivalattheconventtheFirstConsulvisitedthechapelandthethreelittlelibraries.Hehadtimetoreadafewpagesofanoldbook，ofwhichIhaveforgottenthetitle.
Ourbreakfast—dinnerwasveryfrugal.Thelittlegardenwasstillcoveredwithsnow，andIsaidtooneofthefathers，\"Youcanhavebutfewvegetableshere.\"——\"Wegetourvegetablesfromthevalleys，\"hereplied;\"butinthemonthofAugust，inwarmseasons，wehaveafewlettucesofourowngrowing.\"
Whenwereachedthesummitofthemountainweseatedourselvesonthesnowandsliddown.Thosewhowentfirstsmoothedthewayforthosewhocamebehindthem.Thisrapiddescentgreatlyamusedus，andwewereonlystoppedbythemudwhichsucceededthesnowatthedistanceoffiveorsixhundredtoisesdownthedeclivity.
Wecrossed，orratherclimbedup，MontAlbaredotoavoidpassingunderthefortofBard，whichclosesthevalleyofAorta.AsitwasimpossibletogettheartilleryupthismountainitwasresolvedtoconveyitthroughthetownofBard，whichwasnotfortified.Forthisoperationwemadechoiceofnight，andthewheelsofthecannonandcaissons，andeventhehorses’feet，beingwrappedinstraw，thewholepassedquietlythroughthelittletown.Theywere，indeed，underthefireofthefort;
however，itdidnotsocompletelycommandthestreetbutthatthehouseswouldhaveprotectedthemagainstanyveryfatalconsequences.Agreatpartofthearmyhadpassedbeforethesurrenderofthefort，whichsocompletelycommandsthenarrowvalleyleadingtoAortathatitisdifficulttocomprehendthenegligenceoftheAustriansinnotthrowingupmoreefficientworks;byverysimpleprecautionstheymighthaverenderedthepassageofSt.Bernardunavailing.
Onthe23dwecamewithinsightofthefortofBard，whichcommandstheroadboundedbytheDoriaBalteaontherightandMontAlbaredoontheleft.TheDoriaBalteaisasmalltorrentwhichseparatesthetownofBardfromthefort.Bonaparte，whoseretinuewasnotverynumerous，crossedthetorrent.Onarrivingwithingunshotofthefortheorderedustoquickenourpacetogainalittlebridle—pathontheleft，leadingtothesummitofMontAlbaredo，andturningthetownandfortofBard.
Weascendedthispathonfootwithsomedifficulty.Onreachingthesummitofthemountain，whichcommandsthefort，Bonapartelevelledhistelescopeonthegrass，andstationinghimselfbehindsomebushes，whichservedatoncetoshelterandconcealhim，heattentivelyreconnoiteredthefort.Afteraddressingseveralquestionstothepersonswhohadcometogivehiminformation，hementioned，inatoneofdissatisfaction，thefaultsthathadbeencommitted，andorderedtheerectionofanewbatterytoattackapointwhichhemarkedout，andfromwhence，heguaranteed，thefiringofafewshotswouldobligetheforttosurrender.HavinggiventheseordershedescendedthemountainandwenttosleepthatnightatYvree.Onthe3dofJunehelearnedthattheforthadsurrenderedthedaybefore.
ThepassageofMontSt.Bernardmustoccupyagreatplaceintheannalsofsuccessfultemerity.TheboldnessoftheFirstConsulseemed，asitwere，tohavefascinatedtheenemy，andhisenterprisewassounexpectedthatnotasingleAustriancorpsdefendedtheapproachesofthefortofBard.Thecountrywasentirelyexposed，andweonlyencounteredhereandthereafewfeebleparties，whowereincapableofcheckingourmarchuponMilan.Bonaparte’sadvanceastonishedandconfoundedtheenemy，whothoughtofnothingbutmarchingbackthewayhecame，andrenouncingtheinvasionofFrance.TheboldgeniuswhichactuatedBonapartedidnotinspireGeneralMelas，thecommander—in—chiefoftheAustrianforces.
IfMelashadhadthefirmnesswhichoughttobelongtotheleaderofanarmy——ifhehadcomparedtherespectivepositionsofthetwoparties——ifhehadconsideredthattherewasnolongertimetoregainhislineofoperationsandrecoverhiscommunicationwiththeHereditaryStates，thathewasmasterofallthestrongplacesinItaly，thathehadnothingtofearfromMassena，thatSuchetcouldnotresisthim：——if，then，followingBonaparte’s’example，hehadmarcheduponLyons，whatwouldhavebecomeoftheFirstConsul？Melaswouldhavefoundfewobstacles，andalmosteverywhereopentowns，whiletheFrencharmywouldhavebeenexhaustedwithouthavinganenemytofight.Thisis，doubtless，whatBonapartewouldhavedonehadhebeenMelas;but，fortunatelyforus，MelaswasnotBonaparte.
WearrivedatMilanonthe2dofJune，thedayonwhichtheFirstConsulheardthatthefortofBardwastaken.ButlittleresistancewasopposedtoourentrancetothecapitalofLombardy，andtheterm\"engagements\"
canscarcelybeappliedtoafewaffairsofadvanceposts，inwhichsuccesscouldnotbeforamomentdoubtful;thefortofMilanwasimmediatelyblockaded.MuratwassenttoPiacenza，ofwhichhetookpossessionwithoutdifficulty，andLannesbeatGeneralOttatMontebello.
Hewasfarfromimaginingthatbythatexploitheconqueredforhimselfafutureduchy！
TheFirstConsulpassedsixdaysatMilan.OnthedayafterourarrivalthereaspywhohadservedusverywellinthefirstcampaigninItalywasannounced.TheFirstConsulrecollectedhim，andorderedhimtobeshownintohiscabinet.——\"What，areyouhere？\"heexclaimed;\"soyouarenotshotyet！\"——\"General，\"repliedthespy，\"whenthewarrecommencedI
determinedtoservetheAustriansbecauseyouwerefarfromEurope.
Ialwaysfollowthefortunate;butthetruthis，Iamtiredofthetrade.
Iwishtohavedonewithit，andtogetenoughtoenablemetoretire.
IhavebeensenttoyourlinesbyGeneralMelas，andIcanrenderyouanimportantservice.Iwillgiveanexactaccountoftheforceandthepositionofalltheenemy’scorps，andthenamesoftheircommanders.
IcantellyouthesituationinwhichAlessandrianowis.YouknowmeIwillnotdeceiveyou;but，Imustcarrybacksomereporttomygeneral.
YouneednotcareforgivingmesometrueparticularswhichIcancommunicatetohim.\"——\"Oh！astothat，\"resumedtheFirstConsul，\"theenemyiswelcometoknowmyforcesandmypositions，providedIknowhis，andhebeignorantofmyplans.Youshallbesatisfied;butdonotdeceiveme：youaskfor1000Louis，youshallhavethemifyouservemewell.\"Ithenwrotedownfromthedictationofthespy，theandthenamesofthecorps，theiramount，theirpositions，namesofthegeneralscommandingthem.TheConsulstuckpinsinthemaptomarkhisplansonplacesrespectingwhichhereceivedinformationfromthespy.WealsolearnedthatAlexandriawaswithoutprovisions，thatMelaswasfarfromexpectingasiege，thatmanyofhistroopsweresick，andthatbewantedmedicines.Berthierwasorderedtodrawupforthespyanearlyaccuratestatementofourpositions.
TheinformationgivenbythismanprovedsoaccurateandusefulthatonhisreturnfromMarengoBonaparteorderedmetopayhimthe1000Louis.
ThespyafterwardsinformedhimthatMelaswasdelightedwiththewayinwhichhehadservedhiminthisaffair，andhadrewardedhimhandsomely.
Heassuredusthathehadbiddenfarewelltohisodiousprofession.TheFirstConsulregardedthislittleeventasoneofthefavoursoffortune.
InpassingthroughGenevatheFirstConsulhadaninterviewwithM.
Necker.