——[MadamedeStaelbrieflymentionthisinterviewinher’ConsiderationssurlaRevolutionFrancaise’\"M.Necker，\"shesays，\"hadaninterviewwithBonaparte，whenhewasonhiswaytoItalybythepassageofMont.St.Bernard，afewdaysbeforethebattleofMarengo，Duringthisconversation，whichlastedtwohours，theFirstConsulmadeaveryfavourableimpressiononmyfatherbytheconfidentwayhespokeofhisfutureprojects.\"——Bourrienne.]——
Iknownothowithappened，butatthetimehedidnotspeaktomeofthisinterview.However，IwascurioustoknowwhatbethoughtofamanwhohadacquiredmuchcelebrityinFrance.Oneevening，whenweweretalkingofonethingandanother，Imanagedtoturntheconversationonthatsubject.M.Necker，\"saidhe，\"appearstomeveryfarbelowhisreputation.HedidnotequaltheideaIhadformedofhim.ItriedallIcouldtogethimtotalk;buthesaidnothingremarkable.Heisanideologist——
——[ThiswasaconstanttermofreproachwithBonaparte.HesetallthemetaphysiciansoftheContinentagainsthimbyexclaiming，\"Jeneveuxpointd’ideologues.\"]——
abanker.Itisimpossiblethatsuchamancanhaveanybutnarrowviews;and，besides，mostcelebratedpeopleloseonacloseview.\"——
\"Notalways，General，\"observedI——\"Ah！\"saidhe，smiling，\"thatisnotbad，Bourrienne.Youareimproving.IseeIshallmakesomethingofyouintime！\"
Thedaywasapproachingwhenallwastobelostorwon.TheFirstConsulmadeallhisarrangements，andsentoffthedifferentcorpstooccupythepointsbehadmarkedout.IhavealreadymentionedthatMurat’staskwastheoccupationofPiacenza.AssoonashewasinpossessionofthattownheinterceptedacourierofGeneralMelas.Thedespatch，whichwasaddressedtotheAulicCouncilofVienna，wasdeliveredtousonthenightofthe8thofJune.ItannouncedthecapitulationofGenoa，whichtookplaceonthe4th，afterthelongandmemorabledefencewhichreflectedsomuchhonouronMassena.Melasinhisdespatchspokeofwhathecalledourpretendedarmyofreservewithinconceivablecontempt，andalludedtothepresenceofBonaparteinItalyasamerefabrication.HedeclaredhewasstillinParis.ItwaspastthreeinthemorningwhenMurat’scourierarrived.Iimmediatelytranslatedthedespatch，whichwasinGerman.Aboutfouro’clockIenteredthechamberoftheFirstConsul，whomIwasobligedtoshakebythearminordertowakehim.Hehaddesiredme;asIhavealreadymentioned，nevertorespecthisreposeanthearrivalofbadnews;butonthereceiptofgoodnewstolethimsleep.Ireadtohimthedespatch，andsomuchwasheconfoundedbythisunexpectedeventthathisfirstexclamationwas，\"Bah！youdonotunderstandGerman.\"Buthardlyhadbeutteredthesewordswhenhearose，andbyeighto’clockinthemorningordersweredespatchedforrepairingthepossibleconsequencesofthisdisaster，andcountermandingthemarchofthetroopsontheScrivia.HehimselfproceededthesamedaytoStradella.
IhaveseenitmentionedinsomeaccountsthattheFirstConsulinpersongainedthebattleofMontebello.Thisisamistake.HedidnotleaveMilanuntilthe9thofJune，andthatverydayLanneswasengagedwiththeenemy.TheconflictwassoterriblethatLannes，afewdaysafter，describingitinmypresencetoM.Collot，usedtheseremarkablewords，whichIwellremember：\"Boneswerecrackinginmydivisionlikeashowerofhailfallingonaskylight.\"
ByasingularchanceDesaix，whowastocontributetothevictoryandstoptheroutofMarengo，arrivedfromEgyptatToulon，ontheverydayonwhichwedepartedfromParis.HewasenabledtoleaveEgyptinconsequenceofthecapitulationofEl—Arish，whichhappenedonthe4thofJanuary1800.Hewrotemealetter，dated16thFloreal，yearVIII.（6thofMay1800），announcinghisarrival.ThisletterIdidnotreceiveuntilwereachedMartigny.IshowedittotheFirstConsul.\"Ah！\"
exclaimedhe，\"DesaixinParis！\"andheimmediatelydespatchedanorderforhimtorepairtotheheadquartersofthearmyofItalywherevertheymightbe.DesaixarrivedatStradellaonthemorningofthe11thofJune.TheFirstConsulreceivedhimwiththewarmestcordiality，asamanforwhomhehadahighesteem，andwhosetalentsandcharacteraffordedthefairestpromiseofwhatmightonedaybeexpectedofhim.
Bonapartewasjealousofsomegenerals，therivalryofwhoseambitionhefeared;butonthissubjectDesaixgavehimnouneasiness;equallyremarkableforhisunassumingdisposition，histalent，andinformation，heprovedbyhisconductthathelovedgloryforherownsake，andthateverywishforthepossessionofpoliticalpowerwasforeigntohismind.
Bonaparte’sfriendshipforhimwasenthusiastic.AtthisinterviewatStradella，DesaixwasclosetedwiththeFirstConsulforupwardsofthreehours.OnthedayafterhisarrivalanorderofthedaycommunicatedtothearmythatDesaixwasappointedtothecommandofBoudet’sdivision.
——[BoudetwasontermsofgreatintimacywithBonaparte，who，nodoubt，wasmuchaffectedathisdeath.However，theonlyremarkhemadeonreceivingtheintelligence，was\"WhothedevilshallIgettosupplyBoudet’splace？\"——Bourrienne.
ThecommandgiventoDesaixwasacorpsespeciallyformedofthetwodivisionsofBoudetandMonnier（Savary，tomei.p.262）.BoudetwasnotkilledatMarengo，stilllessbefore（seeErreurs，tomei.
p.14）.]——
IexpressedtoBonapartemysurpriseathislonginterviewwithDesaix.
\"Yes，\"repliedhe，\"hehasbeenalongtimewithme;butyouknowwhatafavouriteheis.AssoonasIreturntoParisIwillmakehimWarMinister.IwouldmakehimaprinceifIcould.Heisquiteanantiquecharacter.\"Desaixdiedtwodaysafterhehadcompletedhisthirty—thirdyear，andinlessthanaweekaftertheaboveobservations.
AboutthistimeM.CollotcametoItalyandsawBonaparteatMilan.Thelatterreceivedhimcoldly，thoughhehadnotyetgainedthebattleofMarengo.M.CollothedbeenonthemostintimatefootingwithBonaparte，andhadrenderedhimmanyvaluableservices.ThesecircumstancessufficientlyaccountedforBonaparte’scoolness，forhewouldneveracknowledgehimselfunderobligationstoanyone，andhedidnotlikethosewhowereinitiatedintocertainfamilysecretswhichhehadresolvedtoconceal.
——[ThedayaftertheinterviewIhadalongconversationwithM.
CollotwhileBonapartewasgonetoreviewsomecorpsstationedatMilan.M.Collotperfectlyunderstoodthecauseoftheunkindtreatmenthehadexperienced，andofwhichhegavemethefollowingexplanation：
SomedaysbeforetheConsulate——thatistosay，twoorthreedaysafterourreturnfromEgypt，——Bonaparte，duringhisjealousfit，spoketoM.Collotabouthiswife，herlevities，andtheirpublicity.\"Henceforth，\"saidBonaparte，\"Iwillhavenothingtodowithher.\"——\"What，wouldyoupartfromher？\"——\"Doesnotherconductjustifymeinsodoing？\"——\"Idonotknow;butisthisthetimetothinkofsuchathing，whentheeyesofallFrancearefixeduponyou？Thesedomesticsquabbleswilldegradeyouintheeyesofthepeople，whoexpectyoutobewhollydevotedtotheirinterests;andyouwillbelaughedat，likeoneofMoliere’shusbands，ifyouaredispleasedwithyourwife’sconductyoucancallhertoaccountwhenyouhavenothingbettertodo.Beginbyraisingupthestate.
Afterthatyoumayfindathousandreasonsforyourresentmentwhennowyouwouldnotfindone.YouknowtheFrenchpeoplewellenoughtoseehowimportantitisthatyoushouldnotcommencewiththisabsurdity.\"
BytheseandothersimilarremarksM.Collotthoughthehadproducedsomeimpression，whenBonapartesuddenlyexclaimed：\"No，mydeterminationisfixed;sheshallneveragainentermyhouse.I
carenotwhatpeoplesay.Theywillgossipabouttheaffairfortwodays，andonthethirditwillbeforgotten.SheshallgotoMalmaison，andIwilllivehere.Thepublicknowenough，nottobemistakenastothereasonsofherremoval.\"
M.Collotvainlyendeavouredtocalmhisirritation.BonaparteventedatorrentofreproachesuponJosephine.\"Allthisviolence，\"
observedM.Collot，\"provesthatyoustillloveher.Dobutseeher，shewillexplainthebusinesstoyoursatisfactionandyouwillforgiveher.——\"Iforgiveher！Never！Collot，youknowme.IfI
werenotsureofmyownresolution，Iwouldtearoutthisheart，andcastitintothefire.\"Hereangeralmostchokedhisutterance，andhemadeamotionwithhishandasiftearinghisbreast.
WhenthisviolentparoxysmhadsomewhatsubsidedM.Collotwithdrew;
butbeforehewentawayBonaparteinvitedhimtobreakfastonthefollowingmorning.
Atteno’clockM.Collotwasthere，andashewaspassingthroughthecourtyardhewasinformedthatMadameBonaparte，who，asIhavealreadymentioned，hadgonetoLyonswithoutmeetingtheGeneral，hadreturnedduringthenight.OnM.Collot’sentranceBonaparteappearedconsiderablyembarrassed.Heledhimintoasideroom，notwishingtobringhimintotheroomwhereIwaswriting.\"Well，\"
saidBonapartetoM.Collot，\"sheishere.\"——\"Irejoicetohearit.
Youhavedonewellforyourselfaswellasforus.\"——\"ButdonotimagineIhaveforgivenher.AslongasIliveIshallsuspect.
Thefactis，thatonherarrivalIdesiredhertobegone;butthatfoolJosephwasthere.WhatcouldIdo，Collot？IsawherdescendthestaircasefollowedbyEugineandHortense.Theywereallweeping;andIhavenotahearttoresisttearsEugenewaswithmeinEgypt.Ihavebeenaccustomedtolookuponhimasmyadoptedson.Heisafinebravelad.Hortenseisjustabouttobeintroducedintosociety，andsheisadmiredbyallwhoknowher.
Iconfess，Collot，Iwasdeeplymoved;Icouldnotendurethedistressofthetwopoorchildren.’Shouldthey，’thoughtI，’sufferfortheirmother’sfaults？’IcalledbackEugeneandHortense，andtheirmotherfollowedthem.WhatcouldIsay，whatcouldIdo？Ishouldnotbeamanwithoutsomeweakness.’——
\"Beassuredtheywillrewardyouforthis.\"——\"Theyought，Collottheyought;forithascostmeahardstruggle.\"AfterthisdialogueBonaparteandM.Collotenteredthebreakfast—parlour，whereIwasthensitting.Eugenebreakfastedwithus，butneitherJosephinenorHortense.IhavealreadyrelatedhowIactedthepartofmediatorinthisaffair.NextdaynothingwaswantingtocompletethereconciliationbetweentheConquerorofEgyptandthecharmingwomanwhoconqueredBonaparte.——Bourrienne.]——
Onthe13ththeFirstConsulsleptatTorrediGalifolo.Duringtheeveningheorderedastaff—officertoascertainwhethertheAustrianshadabridgeacrosstheBormida.Areportarrivedverylatethattherewasnone.ThisinformationsetBonaparte’smindatrest，andhewenttobedverywellsatisfied;butearlynextmorning，whenafiringwasheard，andhelearnedthattheAustrianshaddebouchedontheplain，wherethetroopswereengaged，heflewintoafuriouspassion，calledthestaff—
officeracoward，andsaidhehadnotadvancedfarenough.Heevenspokeofbringingthemattertoaninvestigation.
FrommotivesofdelicacyIrefrainfrommentioningthedameoftheofficerherealludedto.
Bonapartemountedhishorseandproceededimmediatelytothesceneofaction.Ididnotseehimagainuntilsixintineevening.Inobediencetohisinstructions;IrepairedtoSanGiuliano，whichisnotabovetwoleaguesfromtheplacewheretheengagementcommenced.InthecourseoftheafternoonIsawagreatmanywoundedpassingthroughthevillage，andshortlyafterwardsamultitudeoffugitives.AtSanGiulianonothingwastalkedofbutaretreat，which，itwassaid，Bonapartealonefirmlyopposed.IwasthenadvisedtoleaveSanGiuliano，whereIhadjustreceivedacourierfortheGeneral—in—Chief.Onthemorningofthe14thGeneralDesaixwassenttowardsNovitoobservetheroadtoGenoa，whichcityhadfallenseveraldaysbefore，inspiteoftheeffortsofitsillustriousdefender，Massena.IreturnedwiththisdivisiontoSanGiuliano.Iwasstruckwiththenumericalweaknessofthecorpswhichwasmarchingtoaidanarmyalreadymuchreducedanddispersed.Thebattlewaslookeduponaslost，andsoindeeditwas.TheFirstConsulhavingaskedDesaixwhathethoughtofit，thatbraveGeneralbluntlyreplied，\"Thebattleiscompletelylost;butitisonlytwoo’clock，wehavetimetogainanotherto—day.\"IheardthisfromBonapartehimselfthesameevening.WhocouldhaveimaginedthatDesaix’slittlecorps，togetherwiththefewheavycavalrycommandedbyGeneralKellerman，would，aboutfiveo’clock，havechangedthefortuneoftheday？ItcannotbedeniedthatitwastheinstantaneousinspirationofKellermanthatconvertedadefeatintoavictory，anddecidedthebattleofMarengo.
Thatmemorablebattle，ofwhichtheresultswereincalculable，hasbeendescribedinvariousways.Bonapartehadanaccountofitcommencednolessthanthreetimes;andImustconfessthatnoneofthenarrativesaremorecorrectthanthatcontainedinthe’MemoirsoftheDukeofRovigo’.
TheEmperorNapoleonbecamedissatisfiedwithwhathadbeensaidbytheFirstConsulBonaparte.Formypart，nothavinghadthehonourtobearasword，IcannotsaythatIsawanyparticularmovementexecutedthisorthatway;butImaymentionherewhatIheardontheeveningofthebattleofMarengorespectingtheprobablechancesofthatevent.AstothepartwhichtheFirstConsultookinit，thereader，perhaps，issufficientlyacquaintedwithhischaractertoaccountforit.Hedidnotchoosethataresultsodecisiveshouldbeattributedtoanyothercausethanthecombinationsofhisgenius，andifIhadnotknownhisinsatiablethirstforgloryIshouldhavebeensurprisedatthesortofhalfsatisfactionevincedatthecauseofthesuccessamidstthejoymanifestedforthesuccessitself.ItmustbeconfessedthatinthishewasveryunlikeJourdan，Hoche，Kleber，andMoreau，whowereeverreadytoacknowledgetheservicesofthosewhohadfoughtundertheirorders.
WithintwohoursofthetimewhenthedivisionscommandedbyDesaixleftSanGiulianoIwasjoyfullysurprisedbythetriumphantreturnofthearmy，whosefate，sincethemorning，hadcausedmesomuchanxiety.
Neverdidfortunewithinsoshortatimeshowherselfundertwosuchvariousfaces.Attwoo’clockalldenotedthedesolationofadefeat，withallitsfatalconsequences;atfivevictorywasagainfaithfultotheflagofArcola.Italywasreconqueredbyasingleblow，andthecrownofFranceappearedintheperspective.
Atsevenintheevening，whenIreturnedwiththeFirstConsultoheadquarters，heexpressedtomehissincereregretforthelossofDesaix，andthenheadded，\"LittleKellermanmadealuckycharge.Hediditatjusttherightmoment.Wearemuchindebtedtohim.Youseewhattriflingcircumstancesdecidetheseaffairs.\"
ThesefewwordsshowthatBonapartesufficientlyappreciatedtheservicesofKellerman.However，whenthatofficerapproachedthetableatwhichwereseatedtheFirstConsulandanumberofhisgenerals，Bonapartemerelysaid，\"Youmadeaprettygoodcharge.\"Bywayofcounter—
balancingthiscoolcomplimentheturnedtowardsBessieres，whocommandedthehorsegrenadiersoftheGuard，andsaid，\"Bessieres，theGuardhascovereditselfwithglory.\"Yetthefactis，thattheGuardtooknopartinthechargeofKellerman，whocouldassembleonly500heavycavalry;
andwiththishandfulofbravemenhecutintwotheAustriancolumn，whichhadoverwhelmedDesaix’sdivision，andhadmade6000prisoners.
TheGuarddidnotchargeatMarengountilnightfall.
NextdayitwasreportedthatKellerman，inhisfirstfeelingofdissatisfactionatthedrycongratulationhehadreceived，saidtotheFirstConsul，\"Ihavejustplacedthecrownonyourhead！\"Ididnothearthis，andIcannotvouchforthetruthofitshavingbeensaid.I
couldonlyhaveascertainedthatfartthroughBonaparte，andofcourseIcouldnot，withpropriety，remindhimofathingwhichmusthavebeenveryoffensivetohim.However，whethertrueornot，theobservationwascirculatedabout，verballyandinwriting，andBonaparteknewit.HencethesmalldegreeoffavourshowntoKellerman，whowasnotmadeageneralofdivisiononthefieldofbattleasarewardforhischargeatMarengo.
——[IfSavary’sstorybecorrect，andhewasthenaidedecamptoDesaix，andBourrienneacknowledgeshisaccounttobethebest，theinspirationofthechargedidnotcomefromtheyoungKellerman.
SavarysaysthatDesaixsenthimtotellNapoleonthathecouldnotdelayhisattack，andthathemustbesupportedbysomecavalry.
SavarywasthensentbyNapoleontoaspotwherehewastoldhewouldfindKellerman，toorderhimtochargeinsupportofDesaix.
DesaixandKellermanweresoplacedastobeoutofsightofeachother（Savary，tomei.pp.279—279）.Thiers（tomei，p.445）
followsSavary.
ItmayherebementionedthatSavary，inhisaccountofthebattle，expresslystatesthathecarriedtheorderfromBonapartetoKellermantomakethischarge.Healsomakesthefollowingobservationsonthesubject：——
AfterthefalloftheImperialGovernmentsomepretendedfriendsofGeneralKellermanhavepresumedtoclaimforhimthemeritoforiginatingthechargeofcavalry.Thatgeneral，whoseshareofgloryissufficientlybrillianttogratifyhismostsanguinewishes，canhavenoknowledgeofsopresumptuousapretension.Ithemorereadilyacquithimfromthecircumstancethat，aswewereconversingonedayrespectingthatbattle，Icalledtohismindmyhavingbrought，tohimtheFirstConsul’sorders，andheappearednottohaveforgottenthatfact.IamfarfromsuspectinghisfriendsofthedesignoflesseningthegloryofeitherGeneralBonaparteorGeneralDesaix;theyknowaswellasmyselfthattheirsarenamessorespectedthattheycanneverbeaffectedbysuchdetractions，andthatitwouldbeasvaintodisputethepraiseduetotheChiefwhoplannedthebattlewastoattempttodepreciatethebrilliantsharewhichGeneralKellermanhadinitssuccessfulresult.Iwilladdtotheaboveafewobservations.
\"FromthepositionwhichheoccupiedGeneralDesaixcouldnotseeGeneralKellerman;hehadevendesiredmetorequesttheFirstConsultoaffordhimthesupportofsomecavalry.NeithercouldGeneralKellerman，fromthepointwherehewasstationed，perceiveGeneralDesaix’sdivision;itisevenprobablethathewasnotawareofthearrivalofthatGeneral，whohadonlyjoinedthearmytwodaysbefore.Bothwereignorantofeachother’sposition，whichtheFirstConsulwasaloneacquaintedwith;healonecouldintroduceharmonyintotheirmovements;healonecouldmaketheireffortsrespectivelyconducetothesameobject.
\"ThefateofthebattlewasdecidedbyKellerman’sboldcharge;hadit，however，beenmadepreviouslytoGeneralDesaix’sattack，inallprobabilityitwouldhavehadaquitedifferentresult.Kellermanappearstohavebeenconvincedofit，sinceheallowedtheAustriancolumntocrossourfieldofbattleandextenditsfrontbeyondthatofthetroopswehadstillinlinewithoutmakingtheleastattempttoimpedeitsprogress.ThereasonofKellerman’snotchargingitsoonerwasthatitwastooseriousamovement，andtheconsequencesoffailurewouldhavebeenirretrievable：thatcharge，therefore，couldonlyenterintoageneralcombinationofplans，towhichhewasnecessarilyastranger\"（MemoirsoftheDukeofRovigo，tomei.
pp.218—280）.]——
M.Delaforet，thePostmaster—general，sometimestransactedbusinesswiththeFirstConsul.Thenatureofthissecretbusinessmayeasilybeguessedat.
——[When.M.DelaforetwasreplacedsoonafterthisbyLavalette，Napoleonorderedthediscontinuanceofthepracticefolloweduntilthenofallowingletterstobeopenedbysubordinateofficials.
Thisrightwasrestricted，asinEngland，totheMinister.Howeverbadthispractice，itwaslimited，notextended，inhisreign.SeeMineval，tomeiii.pp.60—62，andLavalette，tomeii.p.10.]——
OntheoccasionofoneoftheirinterviewstheFirstConsulsawaletterfromKellermantoLasalle，whichcontainedthefollowingpassage：\"Wouldyoubelieve，myfriend，thatBonapartehasnotmademeageneralofdivisionthoughIhavejustplacedthecrownonhishead？\"Theletterwassealedagainandsenttoitsaddress;butBonaparteneverforgotitscontents.
WhetherKellermandidordidnotgivethecrownofFrancetotheFirstConsul，itisverycertainthatontheeveningofthebattleofMarengohegavehimasupper，ofwhichhisfamishingstaffandtherestofuspartook.Thiswasnoinconsiderableserviceinthedestituteconditioninwhichwewere.WethoughtourselvesexceedingfortunateinprofitingbytheprecautionofKellerman，whohadprocuredprovisionsfromoneofthosepiousretreatswhicharealwayswellsupplied，andwhichsoldiersareverygladtofallinwithwhencampaigning.ItwastheconventdelBoscowhichonthisoccasionwaslaidundercontribution;andinreturnfortheabundanceofgoodprovisionsandwinewithwhichtheysuppliedthecommanderoftheheavycavalrytheholyfatherswereallowedaguardtoprotectthemagainstpillageandtheotherdisastrousconcomitantsofwar.
AftersupperwasovertheFirstConsuldictatedtomethebulletinofthebattle.WhenwewerealoneIsaidtohim，\"General，hereisafinevictory！YourecollectwhatyousaidtheotherdayaboutthepleasurewithwhichyouwouldreturntoFranceafterstrikingagrandblowinItaly;surelyyoumustbesatisfiednow？\"——\"Yes，Bourrienne，Iamsatisfied.——ButDesaix！Ah，whatatriumphwouldthishavebeenifIcouldhaveembracedhimto—nightonthefieldofbattle！\"
AsheutteredthesewordsIsawthatBonapartewasonthepointofsheddingtears，sosincereandprofoundwashisgriefforthedeathofDesaix.Hecertainlyneverloved，esteemed，orregrettedanymansomuch.
ThedeathofDesaixhasbeenvariouslyrelated，andIneednotnowstatethatthewordsattributedtohiminthebulletinwereimaginary.Neitherdidhedieinthearmsofhisaidedecamp，Lebrun，asIwrotefromthedictationoftheFirstConsul.Thefollowingfactsaremorecorrect，oratalleventsmoreprobable：——thedeathofDesaixwasnotperceivedatthemomentittookplace.Hefellwithoutsayingaword，atalittledistancefromLefebre—Desnouettes.Asergeantofbattalionofthe9thbrigadelightinfantry，commandedbyBarrois，seeinghimextendedontheground，askedpermissiontopickuphiscloak.Itwasfoundtobeperforatedbehind;andthiscircumstanceleavesitdoubtfulwhetherDesaixwaskilledbysomeunluckyinadvertency，whileadvancingattheheadofhistroops，orbytheenemywhenturningtowardshismentoencouragethem.However，theeventwassoinstantaneous，thedisordersocomplete，andthechangeoffortunesosudden，thatitisnotsurprisingthereshouldbenopositiveaccountofthecircumstanceswhichattendedhisdeath.
EarlynextmorningthePrinceofLiechtensteincamefromGeneralMelaswithnegotiationstotheFirstConsul.ThepropositionsoftheGeneraldidnotsuitBonaparte，andhedeclaredtothePrincethatthearmyshutupinAlessandriashouldevacuatefreely，andwiththehonoursofwar;
butonthoseconditions，whicharewellknown，andbywhichItalywastobefullyrestoredtotheFrenchdomination.ThatdaywererepairedthefaultsofScherer，whoseinertnessandimbecilityhadparalysedeverything，andwhohadfled，andbeenconstantlybeaten，fromtheAdriatictoMontCenis.ThePrinceofLiechtensteinbeggedtoreturntorenderanaccountofhismissiontoGeneralMelas.Hecamebackintheevening，andmademanyobservationsonthehardnatureoftheconditions.
\"Sir，\"repliedtheFirstConsul，inatoneofmarkedimpatience，\"carrymyfinaldeterminationtoyourGeneral，andreturnquickly.Itisirrevocable！KnowthatIamaswellacquaintedwithyourpositionasyouareyourselves.Ididnotbegintolearntheartofwaryesterday.YouareblockedupinAlessandria;youhavemanysickandwounded;youareinwantofprovisionsandmedicines.Ioccupythewholeofyourrear.Yourfinesttroopsareamongthekilledandwounded.Imightinsistonharderconditions;mypositionwouldwarrantmeinsodoing;butImoderatemydemandsinconsiderationofthegrayhairsofyourGeneral，whomI
respect.\"
Thisreplywasdeliveredwithconsiderabledignityandenergy.IshowedthePrinceout，andhesaidtome，\"Theseconditionsareveryhard，especiallythatofgivingupGenoa，whichsurrenderedtousonlyafortnightago，aftersolongasiege.\"ItisacuriousfactthattheEmperorofAustriareceivedintelligenceofthecapitulationandrestitutionofGenoaatthesametime.
WhentheFirstConsulreturnedtoMilanhemadeSavaryandRapphisaidesdecamp.TheyhadpreviouslyservedinthesamerankunderDesaix.TheFirstConsulwasatfirstnotmuchdisposedtotakethem，allegingthathehadaidesdecampenough.ButhisrespectforthechoiceofDesaix，addedtoalittlesolicitationonmypart，soonremovedeveryobstacle.
Thesetwoofficersservedhimtothelasthourofhispoliticalcareerwithunfailingzealandfidelity.
IhaveseennothingintheMemoirsoftheDuedeRovigo（Savary）aboutmyhavinghadanythingtodowithhisadmissiontothehonour.Icanprobablytellthereasonwhyoneofthetwoaidesdecamphasrisenhigherthantheother.RapphadanAlsatianfranknesswhichalwaysinjuredhim.
CHAPTERII.
1800.
Suspensionofhostilities——LettertotheConsuls——SecondOccupationofMilan——BonaparteandMassena——PublicacclamationsandthevoiceofJosephine——Strayrecollections——OrganizationofPiedmont——Sabresofhonour——RewardstothearmyoftheRhine——Pretendedarmyofreserve——GeneralZach——Anniversaryofthe14thofJuly——MonumenttoDesaix——DesaixandFoy——Bonaparte’sspeechintheTempleofMars——
ArrivaloftheConsularGuard——ThebonesofmarshalTurenne——
Lucien’ssuccessfulspeech——LetterfromLucientoJosephBonaparte——
TheFirstConsul’sreturntoParis——Accidentsontheroad——
Difficultyofgaininglastingfame——AssassinationofKleber——
SituationoftheterraceonwhichKleberwasstabbed——Odiousrumours——Arrivalofacourier——Anightscene——Bonaparte’sdistressonperusingthedespatchesfromEgypt.
Whatlittletime，andhowfeweventssometimessufficetochangethedestinyofnations！WeleftMilanonthe13thofJune，Marengoonthe14th，andonthe15thItalywasours！AsuspensionofhostilitiesbetweentheFrenchandAustrianarmieswastheimmediateresultofasinglebattle;andbyvirtueofaconvention，concludedbetweenBerthierandMelas，weresumedpossessionofallthefortifiedplacesofanyimportance，withtheexceptionofMantua.AssoonasthisconventionwassignedBonapartedictatedtomeatTorrediGalifolothefollowinglettertohiscolleagues：
ThedayafterthebattleofMarengo，CITIZENSCONSULS，GeneralMelastransmittedamessagetoouradvancepostsrequestingpermissiontosendGeneralSkaltome.Duringthedaytheconvention，ofwhichI
sendyouacopy，wasdrawnup，andatnightitwassignedbyGeneralsBerthierandMelas.IhopetheFrenchpeoplewillbesatisfiedwiththeconduct，oftheirarmy.
（Signed）BonaparteTheonlythingworthyofremarkinthisletterwouldbetheconcludingsentence，inwhichtheFirstConsulstillaffectedtoacknowledgethesovereigntyofthepeople，wereitnotthatthewords\"CitizensConsuls\"
wereevidentlyfoistedinwithaparticulardesign.Thebattlewasgained;andeveninatriflingmatterlikethisitwasnecessarythatthetwo，otherConsulsshouldfeelthattheywerenotsomuchthecolleaguesasthesubordinatesoftheFirstConsul.
WereturnedtoMilan，andoursecondoccupationofthat，citywasmarkedbycontinuedacclamationswherevertheFirstConsulshowedhimself.
AtMilantheFirstConsulnowsawMassenaforthefirsttimesinceourdepartureforEgypt.Bonapartelavishedupon，himthehighestpraises，butnothigherthanhedeserved，forhisadmirable，defenceofGenoa.
HenamedhimhissuccessorinthecommandofthearmyofItaly.MoreauwasontheRhine，andthereforenonebuttheconquerorofZurichcouldproperlyhavesucceededtheFirstConsulinthatcommand.Thegreatblowwasstruck;buttheremightstilloccuranemergencyrequiringthepresenceofaskillfulexperiencedgeneral，wellacquaintedwiththecountry.Andbesides，wecouldnotbeperfectlyatease，untilitwasascertainedwhatconditionswouldbeadheredtobytheCabinetofVienna，whichwasthenentirelyundertheinfluenceoftheCabinetofLondon.
Afterourreturnfromthebattlethepopularjoywasgeneralandheartfeltnotonlyamongthehigherandmiddleranksofsociety，butinallclasses;andtheaffectionevincedfromallquarterstotheFirstConsulwasunfeigned.Inwhatatoneofsinceritydidhesaytomeoneday，whenreturningfromtheparade，\"Bourrienne，doyouheartheacclamationsstillresounding？ThatnoiseisassweettomeasthesoundofJosephine’svoice.HowhappyandproudIamtobelovedbysuchapeople！\"
DuringourstayatMilanBonapartehadarrangedanewgovernmentforPiedmont;hehadeversincecherishedthewishtounitethatrichandfertilecountrytotheFrenchterritorybecausesomePiedmonteseprovinceshadbeenpossessedbyLouisXIV.ThatmonarchwastheonlykingwhomtheFirstConsulreallyadmired.\"If，\"saidheoneday，\"LouisXIV.hadnotbeenbornaking，hewouldhavebeenagreatman.Buthedidnotknowmankind;hecouldnotknowthem，forheneverknewmisfortune.\"HeadmiredtheresolutionoftheoldKing，whowouldratherburyhimselfundertheruinsofthemonarchythansubmittodegradingconditions，afterhavingcommandedthesovereignsofEurope.IrecollectthatBonapartewasextremelypleasedtoseeinthereportswhichheorderedtobemadethatinCasal，andinthevalleysofPignerol，Latour，andLuzerne，therestillexistedmanytracesoftheperiodwhenthosecountriesbelongedtoFrance;andthattheFrenchlanguagewasyetpreservedthere.Healreadybegantoidentifyhimselfwiththepast;andabusingtheoldkingsofFrancewasnotthewaytoconciliatehisfavour.
TheFirstConsulappointedforthegovernmentofPiedmontaCouncilwhich，asmaynaturallybeimagined;hecomposedofthosePiedmontesewhowerethedeclaredpartisansofFrance.HestatedasthegroundsofthisarrangementthatitwastogivetoPiedmontanewproofoftheaffectionandattachmentoftheFrenchpeople.HeafterwardsappointedGeneral.
DupontPresidentoftheCouncil，withthetitleofMinister—ExtraordinaryoftheFrenchgovernment.IwillherementionasecretsteptakenbyBonapartetowardstheoverthrowingoftheRepublic.InmakingthefirstdraughtofGeneralDupont’sappointmentIhadmechanicallywritten，\"Minister—ExtraordinaryoftheFrenchRepublic.\"——\"No！no！\"saidBonaparte，\"notoftheRepublic;sayoftheGovernment.\"
OnhisreturntoParistheFirstConsulgavealmostincredibleproofsofhisactivity.Thedayafterhisarrivalhepromulgatedagreatnumberofdecrees，andafterwardsallottedtherewardstohissoldiers.HeappointedKellermanGeneralofdivisionwhich，oneveryprincipleofjustice，heoughttohavedoneonthefieldofbattle.Hedistributedsabresofhonour，withthefollowinginscription，highlycomplimentarytohimself：——
\"BattleofMaringo，——[speltforsometime，Idonotknowwhy，as，Maringo——Bourrienne]——commandedinpersonbytheFirstConsul.
——GivenbytheGovernmentoftheRepublictoGeneralLannes.\"
SimilarsabreswherepresentedtoGeneralsVictor，Watrin，Gardanne，andMurat;andsabresoflessvaluetootherofficers：andalsomusketsanddrumsticksofhonourtothesoldiersanddrummerswhohaddistinguishedthemselvesatMarengo，orinthearmyoftheRhine;forBonapartetookcarethattheofficersandmenwhohadfoughtunderMoreaushouldbeincludedamongthosetowhomthenationalrewardswerepresented.HeevenhadamedalstrucktoperpetuatethememoryoftheentryoftheFrencharmyintoMunich.ItisworthyofremarkthatwhileofficialfabricationsandexaggerateddetailsoffactswerepublishedrespectingMarengoandtheshortcampaignofItaly，byafeignedmodestythevictoriousarmyofMarengoreceivedtheunambitioustitleof’ArmyofReserve’.BythisartificethehonouroftheConstitutionwassaved.
TheFirstConsulhadnotviolatedit.Ifhehadmarchedtothefield，andstakedeverythingonachanceitwasmerelyaccidentally，forhecommandedonlyan\"ArmyofReserve，\"whichneverthelesshehadgreetedwiththetitleofGrandArmybeforeheentereduponthecampaign.ItisscarcelyconceivablethatBonaparte，possessingashedidanextraordinarymind，shouldhavedescendedtosuchpitifulartifices.
——[Thiers（tome.vi.，p.70）saysthetitleGrandeArmeewasfirstgivenbyNapoleontotheforcepreparedin1805forthecampaignagainstAustria.TheConstitutionforbadtheFirstConsultocommandthearmiesinperson.Hencethetitle，\"ArmyofReserve，\"
givestotheforcewhichfoughtMarengo.]——
EvenforeignersandprisonerswereobjectsofBonaparte’sdesigningintentions.Irecollectoneeveninghissayingtome;\"Bourrienne，writetotheMinisterofWar，andtellhimtoselectafinebraceofpistols，oftheVersaillesmanufacture，andsendthem，inmyname，toGeneralZach.Hedinedwithmeto—day，andhighlypraisedourmanufactureofarms.Ishouldliketogivehimatokenofremembrance;besides，——the，matterwillbetalkedofatVienna，andmayperhapsdogood！\"
AssoonasthenewsofthebattleofMarengoreachedParisLucienBonaparte，MinisteroftheInterior，orderedpreparationsforthefestival，fixedforthe14thofJuly，incommemorationofthefirstFederation.Thisfestivalandthatofthe1stVendemiaireweretheonlyonespreservedbytheConsularGovernment.Indeed，inthosememorabledays，whentheRevolutionappearedinitsfairestpointofview，FrancehadneverknownsuchjoyasthattowhichthebattleofMarengogaverise.Still，amidstallthispopulartransporttherewasafeelingofregret.ThefameofDesaix，hisheroiccharacter，hisdeath，thewordsattributedtohimandbelievedtobetrue，causedmourningtobemingledwithjoy.Itwasagreedtoopenasubscriptionforerectinganationalmonumenttohismemory.Areflectionnaturallyariseshereuponthedifferencebetweentheperiodreferredtoandthepresenttime.Francehasendowedwithnearlyamillionthechildrenofoneofhergreatestoratorsandmosteloquentdefendersofpublicliberty，yet，forthemonumenttothememoryofDesaixscarcely20，000francsweresubscribed.
DoesnotthisformasingularcontrastwiththepatrioticmunificencedisplayedatthedeathofGeneralFoy？ThepitifulmonumenttoDesaix，onthePlaceDauphins，sufficientlyatteststhewantofspiritonthepartofthesubscribers.Bonaparte，whowasmuchdissatisfiedwithit，gavethenameofDesaixtoanewquay，thefirststoneofwhichwaslaidwithgreatsolemnityonthe14thofJuly.
OnthatdaythecrowdwasimmenseintheChamp—de—MarsandintheTempleofMars，thenamewhichatthattheChurchoftheInvalidesstillpreserved.LuciendeliveredaspeechontheencouragingprospectsofFrance，andLannesmadeanappropriateaddressonpresentingtotheGovernmenttheflagstakenatMarengo.Twomorefollowed;onefromanaidedecrampofMassena，andtheotherfromanaidedecampofLecourbe;
andafterthedistributionofsomemedalstheFirstConsulthendeliveredthefollowingaddress：——
CITIZENS！SOLDIERS！——TheflagspresentedtotheGovernment，inthepresenceofthepeopleofthisimmensecapital，attestatoncethegeniusoftheCommanders—in—ChiefMoreau，Massena，andBerthier;themilitarytalentsofthegenerals，theirlieutenants;andbraveryoftheFrenchsoldiers.
Onyourreturntothecamptellyourcomradesthatforthe1stVendemiaire，whenweshallcelebratetheanniversaryoftheRepublic，theFrenchpeopleexpecteitherpeaceor，iftheenemyobstinatelyrefuseit，otherflags，thefruitoffreshvictories.
AfterthisharangueoftheFirstConsul，inwhichheaddressedtothemilitaryinthenameofthepeople，andascribedtoBerthierthegloryofMarengo，ahymnwaschanted，thewordsofwhichwerewrittenbyM.deFontanesandthemusiccomposedbyMehul.Butwhatwasmostremarkableinthisfetewasneitherthepoetry，music，noreventhepanegyricaleloquenceofLucien，——itwasthearrivalattheChamp—de—Mars，aftertheceremonyattheInvalides，oftheConsularGuardreturningfromMarengo.IwasatawindowoftheEcole—Militaire，andIcanneverforgetthecommotion，almostelectrical，whichmadetheairresoundwithcriesofenthusiasmattheirappearance.ThesesoldiersdidnotdefilebeforetheFirstConsulinfineuniformsasatareview.Leavingthefieldofbattlewhenthefiringceased，theyhadcrossedLombardy，Piedmont，MontCenis，Savoy，andFranceinthespaceoftwenty—ninedays.
Theyappearedwornbythefatigueofalongjourney，withfacesbrownedbythesummersunofItaly，andwiththeirarmsandclothingshowingtheeffectsofdesperatestruggles.Doyouwishtohaveanideaoftheirappearance？YouwillfindaperfecttypeinthefirstgrenadierputbyGerardatonesideofhispictureofthebattleofAusterlitz.
Atthetimeofthisfete，thatistosay，inthemiddleofthemonthofJuly，theFirstConsulcouldnothaveimaginedthatthemoderateconditionshehadproposedafterthevictorywouldnotbeacceptedbyAustria.Inthehope，therefore，ofapeacewhichcouldnotbutbeconsideredprobable，he，forthefirsttimesincetheestablishmentoftheConsularGovernment，convokedthedeputiesofthedepartments，andappointedtheirtimeofassemblinginParisforthe1stVendemiaire，adaywhichformedthecloseofoneremarkablecenturyandmarkedthecommencementofanother.
TheremainsofMarshalTurenne;towhichLouisXIV.hadawardedthehonoursofannihilationbygivingthemaplaceamongtheroyaltombsinthevaultsofSt.Denis，hadbeentornfromtheirgraveatthetimeofthesacrilegiousviolationofthetombs.Hisbones，mingledindiscriminatelywithothers，hadlonglaininobscurityinagarretoftheCollegeofMedicinewhenM.LenoircollectedandrestoredthemtotheancienttombofTurenneintheMusseedesPetitsAugustins.Bonaparte—
resolvedtoenshrinetheserelicsinthatsculpturedmarblewithwhichthegloryofTurennecouldsowelldispense.Thiswashowever，intendedasaconnectinglinkbetweenthepastdaysofFranceandthefuturetowhichhelookedforward.HethoughtthatthesentimentsinspiredbythesolemnhonoursrenderedtothememoryofTurennewoulddisposethedeputiesofthedepartmentstoreceivewithgreaterenthusiasmthepacificcommunicationshehopedtobeabletomake.
However，thenegotiationsdidnottakethefavourableturnwhichtheFirstConsulhadexpected;and，notwithstandingalltheaddressofLucien，thecommunicationwasnotheardwithoutmuchuneasiness.ButLucienhadpreparedaspeechquitetothetasteoftheFirstConsul.
AfterdilatingforsometimeontheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoobtainpeacehedeploredthetergiversationsofAustria，accusedthefatalinfluenceofEngland，andaddedinamoreelevatedandsolemntone，\"Attheverymomentwhen，theConsulswereleavingthePalaceoftheGovernmentacourierarrivedbearingdespatcheswhichtheFirstConsulhasdirectedmetocommunicatetoyou.\"HethenreadanotedeclaringthattheAustrianGovernmentconsentedtosurrendertoFrancethethreefortressesofUlm，Philipsburg，andIngolstadt.Thiswasconsideredasasecurityforthepreliminariesofpeacebeingspeedilysigned.Thenewswasreceivedwithenthusiasm，andthatanxiousdayclosedinawayhighlygratifyingtotheFirstConsul.
WhilstvictoryconfirmedinItalythedestiniesoftheFirstConsul，hisbrothersweremoreconcernedabouttheirownintereststhantheaffairsofFrance.TheylovedmoneyasmuchasBonapartelovedglory.AletterfromLucientohisbrotherJoseph，whichIshallsubjoin，showshowreadytheyalwaysweretoturntotheirownadvantagethegloryandfortuneofhimtowhomtheywereindebtedforalltheirimportance.Ifoundthisletteramongmypapers，butIcannottellwhyandhowIpreservedit.
Itisinteresting，inasmuchasitshows，theopinionthatfamilyoffuturekingsentertainedoftheirownsituation，andofwhattheirfatewouldhavebeenhadBonaparte，likeDesaix，fallenonthefieldofMarengo.Itis，besides，curioustoobservethe，philosopherLuciencausingTeDeum，tobechantedwiththeviewofinfluencingthepublicfunds.AtalleventsIcopyLucien’sletterashewroteit，givingthewordsmarkedinitalics[CAPS]andthenumerousnotesofexclamationwhichdistinguishtheoriginal.
MYBROTHER——Isendyouacourier;IparticularlywishthattheFirstConsulwouldgivemenoticeofhisarrivaltwenty—fourhoursbeforehand，andthathewouldinformMEALONEofthebarrierbywhichhewillenter.Thecitywishestopreparetriumphalarchesforhim，anditdeservesnottobedisappointed.
ATMYREQUESTaTeDeumwaschantedyesterday.Therewere60，000
personspresent.
TheintriguesofAuteuilcontinue.
——[Thisintrigue，socalledfromTalleyrandoneofitsheads，livinginthesuburbofAuteuil，arosefromthewishofmanyofthemostinfluentialmentobepreparedincaseofthedeathofNapoleoninanyactioninItaly：Itwassimplyacontinuationofthesamecombinationswhichhadbeenattemptedorplannedin1799，tillthearrivalofBonapartefromEgyptmadethepartychoosehimastheinstrumentfortheoverthrowoftheDirectors.Therewaslittlesecrecyabouttheirplans;seeMiotdeMelito（tomeip.276），whereJosephBonapartetellshisfriendsallthatwasbeingproposedincasehisbrotherfell.CarnotseemstohavebeenthemostprobablechoiceasleaderandreplacerofBonaparte.Intheaboveletter\"C————，\"standsforCarrot，\"LaF————\"forLaFayette，the\"HighPriest\"isSieyes，andthe\"friendofAuteuil\"isTalleyrand;
seeIung’sLucien，tomei.p.411.ThepostscriptseemstorefertoawretchedscandalaboutCaroline，andLucien;seeIung’sLucien，tomei.pp.411，432—433.ThereadershouldremarktheretentionofthisandotherdocumentsbyBourrienne，whichformsoneofthechargesbroughtagainsthimfartheron.
——IthasbeenfounddifficulttodecidebetweenC————andLaF————.
Thelatterhasproposedhisdaughterinmarriagetome.Intriguehasbeencarriedtothelastextreme.IdonotknowyetwhethertheHighPriesthasdecidedforonepartyortheother.IbelievethathewouldcheatthembothforanOrleans，andyourfriendofAuteuilwasatthebottomofall.ThenewsofthebattleofMarengopetrifiedthem，andyetnextdaytheHighPriestcertainlyspentthreehourswithyourfriendofAuteuil.Astous，hadthevictoryofMarengoclosedtheFirstConsul’scareerweshouldnowhavebeanProscribed.
YourletterssaynothingofwhatIexpectedtohear.IhopeatleasttobeinformedoftheanswerfromViennabeforeanyone.IamsorryyouhavenotpaidmebackforthebattleofMarengo.
Thefestivalofthe14thofJulywillbeverygratifying.Weexpectpeaceasacertainty，andthetriumphantreturnoftheFirstConsul.
Thefamilyisallwell.YourwifeandallherfamilyareatMortfontaine.NeyisatParis.WhydoyoureturnwiththeFirstConsul？
Peace！andItaly！Thinkofourlastinterview.Iembraceyou.
（Signed）LUCIEN.
Onthemarginiswritten——
P.S.——ReadtheletteraddressedtotheConsul，andgiveittohimAFTER
YOUHAVECAREFULLYCLOSEDIT.
Forwardtheenclosed.MadameMuratneverlodgedinmyhouse.Herhusbandisafool，whomhiswifeoughttopunishbynotwritingtohimforamonth.
（Signed）LUCIENBONAPARTE
Bonaparte，confirmedinhispowerbythevictoryofMarengo，remainedsomedayslongeratMilantosettletheaffairsofItaly.HedirectedonetofurnishMadameGrassiniwithmoneytopayherexpensestoParis.
Wedepartedamidsttheacclamationsoftheinhabitants，andtooktheroadtoTurin.TheFirstConsulstoppedatTurinforsomehours，andinspectedthecitadel，whichhadbeansurrenderedtousinpursuanceofthecapitulationofAlessandria.InpassingoverMontCenisweobservedthecarriageofMadameKellerman，whowasgoingtomeetherhusband.
BonaparteonrecognizingtheladystoppedhiscarriageandcongratulatedheronthegallantconductofherhusbandatthebattleofMarengo.
OnourarrivalatLyonswealightedattheHoteldesCelestins，andtheloudacclamationsofanumerousmultitudeassembledroundthehotelobligedBonapartetoshowhimselfonthebalcony.NextdayheproceededtotheSquareofBellecour，where，amidsttheplauditsofthepeople，helaidthefirststoneofsomenewbuildingsdestinedtoeffaceoneofthedisastersoftheRevolution.
WeleftLyonsthateveningandcontinuedourjourneybywayofDijon.
Onourarrivalinthattownthejoyoftheinhabitantswasverygreat.
Ineversawamoregracefulandcaptivatingsightthanthatwhichwaspresentedbyagroupofbeautifulyoungfemales，crownedwithflowers，whoaccompaniedBonaparte’scarriage，andwhichatthatperiod，whentheRevolutionhadrenewedalltherepublicanrecollectionsofGreeceandRome，lookedlikethechorusoffemalesdancingaroundthevictorattheOlympicgames.
Butallourjourneywasnotsoagreeable.Someaccidentsawaitedus.
TheFirstConsul’scarriagebrokedownbetweenVilleneuve—le—RoiandSens.Hesentacouriertoinformmymotherthathewouldstopatherhousetillhiscarriagewasrepaired.Hedinedthere，andwestartedagainatsevenintheevening.
Butwehadotherdisasterstoencounter.Oneofouroff—wheelscameoff，andasweweredrivingataveryrapidpacethecarriagewasoverturnedonthebridgeatashortdistancefromMontreau—Faut—Yonne.TheFirstConsul，whosatonmyleft，felluponme，andsustainednoinjury.Myheadwasslightlyhurtbystrikingagainstsomethingswhichwereinthepocketofthecarriage;butthisaccidentwasnotworthstoppingfor，andwearrivedatParisonthesamenight，the2dofJuly.Duroc，whowasthethirdinthecarriage，wasnothurt.
IhavealreadymentionedthatBonapartewasrathertalkativewhentravelling;andaswewerepassingthroughBurgundy，onourreturntoParisfromMarengo，hesaidexultingly，\"Well，afewmoreeventslikethiscampaign，andImaygodowntoposterity.\"——\"Ithink，\"repliedI，thatyouhavealreadydoneenoughtosecuregreatandlastingfame.\"——
\"Yes，\"resumedhe，\"Ihavedoneenough，itistrue.InlessthantwoyearsIhavewonCairo，Paris，andMilan;butforallthat，mydearfellow，wereItodieto—morrowIshouldnotattheendoftencenturiesoccupyhalfapageofgeneralhistory！\"
OntheverydaywhenDesaixfellonthefieldofMarengoKleberwasassassinatedbyafanaticalMussulman，namedSoleimanHaleby，whostabbedhimwithadagger，andbythatblowdecidedthefateofEgypt.
——[\"Thisfellahwas，atmost，eighteenortwentyyearsofage：hewasanativeofDamascus，anddeclaredthathehadquittedhisnativecitybycommandofthegrandvizier，whohadentrustedhimwiththecommissionofrepairingtoEgyptandkillingthegrandsultanoftheFrench[Bonapartebeingprobablyintended].Thatforthispurposealonehehadlefthisfamily，andperformedthewholejourneyonfootandhadreceivedfromthegrandviziernoothermoneythanwhatwasabsolutelyrequisitefortheexigenciesofthejourney.OnarrivingatCairohehadgoneforthwithtoperformhisdevotionsinthegreatmosque，anditwasonlyontheeveofexecutinghisprojectthatheconfidedittooneofthescherifsofthemosque\"（DucdeRovigo’sMemoirs，tome1.p.367）]——
ThuswasFrance，onthesameday，andalmostatthesamehour，deprivedoftwoofhermostdistinguishedgenerals.Menou，asseniorincommand，succeededKleber，andtheFirstConsulconfirmedtheappointment.FromthatmomentthelossofEgyptwasinevitable.
IhaveafewdetailstogiverespectingthetragicaldeathofKleber.
ThehouseofElfyBey，whichBonaparteoccupiedatCairo，andinwhichKleberlivedafterhisdeparture;hadaterraceleadingfromasalontoanoldruinedcistern，fromwhich，downafewsteps，therewasanentranceintothegarden.TheterracecommandedaviewofthegrandsquareofElBeguyeh，whichwastotherightoncomingoutofthesalon，whilethegardenwasontheleft.ThisterracewasBonaparte’sfavouritepromenade，especiallyintheevenings，whenheusedtowalkupanddownandconversewiththepersonsabouthim，Ioftenadvisedhimtofillupthereservoir，andtomakeitlevelwiththeterrace.Ievenshowedhim，byconcealingmyselfinit，andcomingsuddenlybehindhim，howeasyitwouldbeforanypersontoattempthislifeandthenescape，eitherbyjumpingintothesquare，orpassingthroughthegarden.HetoldmeIwasacoward，andwasalwaysinfearofdeath;andhedeterminednottomakethealterationIsuggested，which，however，heacknowledgedtobeadvisable.Kleber’sassassinavailedhimselfofthefacilitywhichIsooftenapprehendedmightbefataltoBonaparte.
IshallnotatoptorefutealltheinfamousrumourswhichwerecirculatedrespectingKleber’sdeath.WhentheFirstConsulreceivedtheunexpectedintelligencehecouldscarcelybelieveit.Hewasdeeplyaffected;andonreadingtheparticularsoftheassassinationheinstantlycalledtomindhowoftenhehadbeeninthesamesituationasthatinwhichKleberwaskilled，andallIhadsaidrespectingthedangerofthereservoir——
adangerfromwhichitisinconceivableheshouldhaveescaped，especiallyafterhisSyrianexpeditionhadexcitedthefuryofthenatives.Bonaparte’sknowledgeofKleber’stalents——thefactofhishavingconfidedtohimthecommandofthearmy，andtheaidwhichheconstantlyendeavouredtotransmittohim，repelledatoncethehorriblesuspicionofhishavinghadtheleastparticipationinthecrime，andthethoughtthathewasgratifiedtohearofit.
ItisverycertainthatBonaparte’sdislikeofKleberwasasdecidedasthefriendshiphecherishedforDesaix.Kleber’sfameannoyedhim，forhewasweakenoughtobeannoyedatit.HeknewthemannerinwhichKleberspokeofhim，whichwascertainlynotthemostrespectful.DuringthelongandsanguinarysiegeofSt.Jeand’AcreKlebersaidtome，\"ThatlittlescoundrelBonaparte，whoisnohigherthanmyboot，willenslaveFrance.Seewhatavillainousexpeditionhehassucceededininvolvingusin.\"Kleberoftenmadethesameremarktoothersaswellastome.
IamnotcertainthatitwaseverreportedtoBonaparte;butthereisreasontobelievethatthosewhofoundittheirinteresttoaccuseothersdidnotspareKleber.
Kleber，whowasasincererepublican，sawanddreadedforhiscountry’ssakethesecretviewsandinordinateambitionofBonaparte.Hewasagrumblerbynature;yetheneverevinceddiscontentinthedischargeofhisdutiesasasoldier.Hesworeandstormed，butmarchedbravelytothecannon’smouth：hewasindeedcouragepersonified.OnedaywhenhewasinthetrenchatSt.Jeand’Acre，standingup，andbyhistallstatureexposedtoeveryshot，Bonapartecalledtohim，\"Stoopdown，Kleber，stoopdown！\"——\"Why;\"repliedhe，\"yourconfoundedtrenchdoesnotreachtomyknees.\"HeneverregardedtheEgyptianexpeditionwithafavourableeye.Hethoughtittooexpensive，andutterlyuselesstoFrance.Hewasconvincedthatinthesituationinwhichwestood，withoutanavyorapowerfulGovernment，itwouldhavebeenbettertohaveconfinedourattentiontoEuropethantohavewastedFrenchbloodandmoneyonthebanksoftheNile，andamongtheruinedcitiesofSyria.
Kleber，whowasacool，reflectingman，judgedBonapartewithoutenthusiasm，athingsomewhatrareatthattime，andhewasnotblindtoanyofhisfaults.
BonaparteallegedthatKlebersaidtohim，\"General，youareasgreatastheworld！\"SucharemarkisindirectoppositiontoKleber’scharacter.
Hewastoosinceretosayanythingagainsthisconviction.Bonaparte，alwaysanxioustokeepEgypt，ofwhichthepreservationalonecouldjustifytheconquest，allowedKlebertospeakbecauseheactedatthesametime.HeknewthatKleber’ssenseofmilitarydutywouldalwaystriumphoveranyoppositionhemightcherishtohisviewsandplans.
Thusthedeathofhislieutenant，farfromcausingBonaparteanyfeelingofsatisfaction，afflictedhimthemore，becauseitalmosttotallydeprivedhimifthehopeofpreservingaconquestwhichhadcostFrancesodear，andwhichwashiswork.
ThenewsofthedeathofKleberarrivedshortlyafterourreturntoParis.BonapartewasanxiouslyexpectingaccountsfromEgypt，nonehavingbeenreceivedforaconsiderabletime.ThearrivalofthecourierwhobroughtthefatalintelligencegaverisetoascenewhichImayrelatehere.Itwastwoo’clockinthemorningwhenthecourierarrivedattheTuileries.InhishurrytheFirstConsulcouldnotwaittorouseanyonetocallmeup.Ihadinformedhimsomedaysbeforethatifheshouldwantmeduringthenightheshouldsendformetothecorridor，asIhadchangedmybedchamberonaccountofmywife’saccouchement.Hecameuphimselfandinsteadofknockingatmydoorknockedatthatofmysecretary.Thelatterimmediatelyrose，andopeningthedoortohissurprisesawtheFirstConsulwithacandleinhishand，aMadrashandkerchiefonhishead，andhavingonhisgraygreatcoat.Bonaparte，notknowingofthelittlestepdownintotheroom，slippedandnearlyfell，\"WhereisBourrienne？\"askedhe.ThesurpriseofmysecretaryattheapparitionoftheFirstConsulcanbeimagined.\"What;General，isityou？\"——\"WhereisBourrienne？\"Thenmysecretary，inhisshirt，showedtheFirstConsulmydoor.Afterhavingtoldhimthathewassorryathavingcalledhimup，Napoleoncametome.Idressedinahurry，andwewentdownstairstomyusualroom.Werangseveraltimesbeforetheyopenedthedoorforus.Theguardswerenotasleep，buthavingheardsomuchrunningtoandfrofearedwewerethieves.Atlasttheyopenedthedoor，andtheFirstConsulthrewonthetabletheimmensepacketofdespatcheswhichhehadjustreceived.Theyhadbeenfumigatedandsteepedinvinegar.WhenhereadtheannouncementofthedeathofKlebertheexpressionofhiscountenancesufficientlydenotedthepainfulfeelingswhicharoseinhismind.Ireadinhisface;EGYPTISLOST！
CHAPTERIII.
Bonaparte’swishtonegotiatewithEnglandandAustria——
Anemigrant’sletter——Domesticdetails——Thebell——ConspiracyofCeracchi，Arena，Harrel，andothers——Bonaparte’svisittotheopera——Arrests——RarielappointedcommandantofVincennes——TheDucd’Enghien’sfoster—sister——The3dNivoise——FirstperformanceofHaydn’s\"Creation\"——Theinfernalmachine——Congratulatoryaddresses——
Arbitrarycondemnations——M.Tissoterasedfromthelistofthebanished——M.Truguet——Bonapartes’hatredoftheJacobinsexplained——
Therealcriminalsdiscovered——JustificationofFouche——ExecutionofSt.RegentandCarbon——Caesar，Cromwell，andBonaparte——ConversationbetweenBonaparteandFouche——Pretendedanger——Fouche’sdissimulation——Lucien’sresignation——HisembassytoSpain——WarbetweenSpainandPortugal——DinneratFouche’s——TreacheryofJosephBonaparte——AtrickupontheFirstConsul——Athreedays’coolness——
Reconciliation.
ThehappyeventsofthecampaignofItalyhadbeencrownedbythearmistice，concludedonthe6thofJuly.Thisarmisticewasbrokenonthe1stofSeptember，andrenewedafterthebattleofHohenlinden.OnhisreturnfromMarengoBonapartewasreceivedwithmoreenthusiasmthanever.Therapiditywithwhich，inacampaignoflessthantwomonths，hehadrestoredthetriumphoftheFrenchstandard，exciteduniversalastonishment.HethenactivelyendeavouredtoopennegotiationswithEnglandandAustria;butdifficultiesopposedhimineverydirection.Hefrequentlyvisitedthetheatre，wherehispresenceattractedprodigiousthrongsofpersons，alleagertoseeandapplaudhim.
TheimmensenumberofletterswhichwereatthistimeaddressedtotheFirstConsulisscarcelyconceivable.Theycontainedrequestsforplaces，protestationsoffidelity，and，inshort，theywerethosepetitionarycircularsthatareaddressedtoallpersonsinpower.Theseletterswereoftenexceedinglycurious，andIhavepreservedmanyofthem;amongtherestwasonefromDuroselBeaumanoir，anemigrantwhohadfledtoJersey.ThislettercontainssomeinterestingparticularsrelativetoBonaparte’sfamily.ItisdatedJersey，12thJuly1800，andthefollowingarethemoatremarkablepassagesitcontains：
Itrust;General，thatImay，withoutindiscretion，intrudeuponyournotice，toremindyouofwhat，Iflattermyself，youhavenottotallyforgotten，afterhavinglivedeighteenornineteenyearsatAjaccio.Butyouwill，perhaps，besurprisedthatsotriflinganitemshouldbethesubjectoftheletterwhichIhavethehonourtoaddresstoyou.Youcannothaveforgotten，General，thatwhenyourlatefatherwasobligedtotakeyourbrothersfromthecollegeofAutun，fromwhencehewenttoseeyouatBrienne，hewasunprovidedwithmousy，andheaskedmefortwenty—fivelouis，whichIlenthimwithpleasure.Afterhisreturnhehadnoopportunityofpayingme，andwhenIleftAjaccioyourmotherofferedtodisposeofsomeplateinordertopaythedebt.TothisIobjected，andtoldherthatI
wouldwaituntilshecouldpaymeatherconvenience，andprevioustothebreakingoutoftherevolutionIbelieveitwasnotinherpowertofulfilherwishofdischargingthedebt.
Iamsorry，General，tobeobligedtotroubleyonaboutsuchatrifle.Butsuchismyunfortunatesituationthateventhistrifleisofsomeimportancetome.Drivenfrommycountry，andobligedtotakerefugeinthisisland，whereeverythingisexceedinglyexpensive，thelittlesumIhavementioned，whichwasformerlyamatterofindifference，wouldnowbeofgreatservicetome.
Youwillunderstand，General，thatattheageofeighty—six，afterservingservedmycountrywellforsixtyyears，withouttheleastinterruption，notcountingthetimeofemigration，chasedfromeveryplace，Ihavebeenobligedtotakerefugehere，tosubsistonthescantysuccourgivenbytheEnglishGovernmenttotheFrenchemigrant.IsayemigrantbecauseIhavebeenforcedtobeone.
Ihadnointentionofbeingone，butahordeofbrigands，whocamefromCaentomyhousetoassassinateme，consideredIhadcommittedthegreatcrimeinbeingtheseniorgeneralofthecantonandinhavingtheGrandCrossofSt.Louis：thiswastoomuchforthem;ifithadnotbeenforthecriesofmyneighbours，mydoorwouldhavebeenbrokenopen，andIshouldhavebeenassassinated;andIhadbuttimetoflybyadoorattheback，onlycarryingawaywhatIhadonme.AtfirstIretiredtoParis，buttheretheytoldmethatI
coulddonothingbutgointoaforeigncountry，sogreatwasthehateentertainedformebymyfellow—citizens，althoughIlivedinretirement，neverhavinganydiscussionwithanyone.Thus，General;IhaveabandonedallIpossessed，moneyandgoods，leavingthematthemercyofwhattheycallthenation，whichhasprofitedagooddealbythis，asIhavenothingleftintheworld，notevenaspottoputmyfooton.Ifevenahorsehadbeenreservedforme，General，Icouldaskforwhatdependsonyou，forIhavehearditsaidthatsomeemigrantshavebeenallowedtoreturnhome.Idonotevenaskthisfavour，nothavingaplacetorestmyfoot.And，besides，Ihavewithmehereanexiledbrother，olderthanIam，veryillandinperfectsecondchildhood，whomIcouldnotabandon.
Iamresignedtomyownunhappyfate，butmysoleandgreatgriefisthatnotonlyImyselfhavebeenill—treated，butthatmyfatehas，contrarytothelaw，injuredrelationswhomIloveandrespect.I
haveamother—in—law，eightyyearsold，whohasbeenrefusedthedowerIhadgivenherfrommyproperty，andthiswillmakemedieabankruptifnothingischanged，whichmakesmemiserable.
Iacknowledge，General，thatIknowlittleofthenewstyle，but，accordingtotheoldform，Iamyourhumbleservant，DUROSELBEAUMANOIR.
IreadthislettertotheFirstConsul，whoimmediatelysaid，\"Bourrienne，thisissacred！Donotloseaminute.Sendtheoldmantentimesthesum.WritetoGeneralDuroselthatheshallbeimmediatelyerasedfromthelistofemigrants.WhatmischiefthosebrigandsoftheConventionhavedone！Icanneverrepairitall.\"BonaparteutteredthesewordswithadegreeofemotionwhichIrarelysawhimevince.IntheeveningheaskedmewhetherIhadexecutedhisorders，whichIhaddonewithoutlosingamoment.ThedeathofM.Frothhadgivenmealessonastothevalueoftime！
AvailingmyselfoftheprivilegeIhavealreadyfrequentlytakenofmakingabrupttransitionsfromonesubjecttoanother，accordingastherecollectionofpastcircumstancesoccurstomymind，Ishallherenotedownafewdetails，whichmaynotimproperlybecalleddomestic，andafterwardsdescribeaconspiracywhichwasprotectedbytheverymanagainstwhomitwashatched.
AttheTuileries，wheretheFirstConsulalwaysresidedduringthewinterandsometimesapartofthesummer，thegrandsalonwassituatedbetweenhiscabinetandtheRoominwhichhereceivedthepersonswithwhomhehadappointedaudiences.Wheninthisaudience—chamber，ifhewantedanythingorhadoccasiontospeaktoanybody，hepulledabellwhichwasansweredbyaconfidentialservantnamedLandoire，whowasthemessengeroftheFirstConsul’scabinet.WhenBonaparte’sbellrungitwasusuallyforthepurposeofmakingsomeinquiryofmerespectingapaper，aname，adate，orsomematterofthatsort;andthenLandoirehadtopassthroughthecabinetandsalontoanswerthebellandafterwardstoreturnandtotellmeIwaswanted.Impatientatthedelayoccasionedbythisrunningabout，Bonaparte，withoutsayinganythingtome，orderedthebelltobealteredsothatitshouldringwithinthecabinet;andexactlyabovemytable.NextmorningwhenIenteredthecabinetIsawamanmounted—uponaladder.\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"saidI.\"Iamhangingabell，sir.\"IcalledLandoireandaskedhimwhohadgiventheorder.
\"TheFirstConsul，\"hereplied.Iimmediatelyorderedthemantocomedownandremovetheladder，whichheaccordinglydid.WhenIwent，accordingtocustom，toawakentheFirstConsulandreadthenewspaperstohimIsaid，\"General，Ifoundamanthismorninghangingabellinyourcabinet.Iwastolditwasbyyourorders;butbeingconvincedtheremustbesomemistakeIsenthimaway.Surelythebellwasnotintendedforyou，andIcannotimagineitwasintendedforme：whothencoulditbefor？——\"WhatastupidfellowthatLandoireis！\"saidBonaparte.\"Yesterday，whenCambacereswaswithme，Iwantedyou.
LandoiredidnotcomewhenItouchedthebell.Ithoughtitwasbroken，andorderedhimtogetitrepaired.Isupposethebell—hangerwasdoingitwhenyousawhim，foryouknowthewirepassesthroughthecabinet.\"
Iwassatisfiedwiththisexplanation，thoughIwasnotdeceived，byit.
ForthesakeofappearancehereprovedLandoire，who，however，haddonenothingmorethanexecutetheorderhehadreceived.HowcouldheimagineIwouldsubmittosuchtreatment，consideringthatwehadbeenfriendssinceourboyhood，andthatIwasnowlivingonfulltermsofconfidenceandfamiliaritywithhim？
BeforeIspeakoftheconspiracyofCeracchi，Arena，Topino—Lebrun，andothers，ImustnoticearemarkmadebyNapoleonatSt.Helena.Hesaid，orisallegedtohavesaid，\"ThetwoattemptswhichplacedmeinthegreatestdangerwerethoseofthesculptorCeracchiandofthefanaticofSchoenbrun.\"IwasnotatSchoenbrunatthetime;butIamconvincedthatBonapartewasinthemostimminentdanger.IhavebeeninformedonunquestionableauthoritythatStapssetoutfromErfurthwiththeintentionofassassinatingtheEmperor;buthewantedthenecessarycourageforexecutingthedesign.Hewasarmedwithalargedagger，andwastwicesufficientlynearNapoleontohavestruckhim.IheardthisfromRapp，whoseizedStags，andfeltthehiltofthedaggerunderhiscoat.OnthatoccasionBonaparteowedhislifeonlytotheirresolutionoftheyoung’illuminato’whowishedtosacrificehimtohisfanaticalfury.Itisequallycertainthatonanotheroccasion，respectingwhichtheauthoroftheSt.Helenanarrativeobservescompletesilence，anotherfanatic——moredangerousthanStepsattemptedthelifeofNapoleon.