proaches Verona-Takes post at Caldiero-Bonaparte resolved to attack

him-Action of Caldiero-Bonaparte repulsed—Retires to Verona-Cha-

grin and murmurs of the troops-His effort to encourage them-Noble

conduct of the sick and wounded-Desperate position and distress of Bo-

naparte―His letter to the directory-His greatness of soul-Sagacity and

secrecy of his resolution-He marches for Ronco-Dejection of the troops

-He passes the Adige, and enter the marshes of Arcola-The confidence

of the army revived-Movement of Massena and Augereau—The former

clears the left and causeway; the latter repulsed at the bridge of Arcola—

Bonaparte renews the attack in person-Fails-Gallantry and devotion of

Lannes-Heroism and death of Muiron-Danger and rescue of Bonaparte-

Alvinzi disconcerted by the first day's action-Bonaparte withdraws across

the Adige for the night to Ronco-The second day-Massena defeats one

column af the Austrians and Augereau another -The action of the second

day successful-Bonaparte again retires to Ronco-Throws a bridge across

the mouth of the Alpon-The third day-Forward movement of Alvinzi—

Dispositions of Bonaparte—Repulse of general Robert on the centre cause-

way-Bonaparte attacks with the 32nd-Rescues Robert, and destroys

the Austrian column-Massena on the left hand repulses Alvinzi with great

slaughter-Augereau passes the mouth of the Alpon-Death of the aide

de camp Elliot-Bonaparte resolves to give battle on the plain-His stra-

tagems-Defeats Alvinzi in a pitched battle-Marches to Villa Nova—

Enters a convent-Saves two of his wounded men-Returns in triumph.

to Verona-Rescues Vaubois who had been surprised and beaten-Com-

parative loss of the two armies-Bonaparte's report to the directory-

Letters to Josephine, Madame Muiron, general Clarke, and Carnot-He

attacks Davidowich, and drives him into the Tyrol-Places Joubert in

command of Vaubois' division-Returns to Verona-Abortive movements

of Alvinzi-He retreats behind the Brenta-Presentation of the colours to

the directory-Merit of Bonaparte in this contest.
381.

CHAPTER XX.

December 1796 and January 1797.

Bonaparte's domestic feelings-He goes to Milan-Josephine visits Genoa-

His chagrin—His felicity-The painter Legros-Bonaparte's two new aides

de camp-Madame Muiron-Bonaparte renews the war against the swind-

lers in his army-His letters and menaces-His conduct in relation to the

new republics-Suppresses the revolt of Grafagniana-The congress of

Reggio-Bonaparte acknowledged as the founder of the Cispadan republic

-His letter to the president-Venice-Bonaparte occupies the citadel of

Bergamo His letter and concession to Battaglia—His compliment to the

Italian clergy-Delicacy of his position-Impression of his language and

character on the Italians-His vain efforts to re-open negotiations with

Rome-Determines to use military force-assembles troops at Bologna-

Puts himself at their head-Obstinacy of the Pope-Manfredini-Efforts

of the directors to make peace with Austria-They send general Clarke

with overtures into Italy-Bonaparte disapproves the measure-Clarke

fails-Alvinzi gets in motion-Number of his troops-His plan of opera-

tions-His letter communicating one from the Emperor to marshal

Wurmser-It is intercepted-Number and distribution of Bonaparte's

army-Advance of Alvinzi to the Brenta, and of Provera to the lower

Adige-Bonaparte orders Victor to march back to the Adige, and returns

to Verona-Massena gains the combat of St. Michel-Gallantry of general

Brune and the 75th-Bonaparte withdraws Massena to the right bank of

the Adige at Verona-Movement of Alvinzi on the upper Adige, and of

Provera on the lower-Uncertainty of Bonaparte at Verona-Marches

against Alvinzi—Joins Joubert at Rivoli―The plateau of Rivoli-Battle

of Rivoli-Defeat of the Austrians-Provera effects the passage of the

lower Adige-Augereau defeats his rearguard, and burns his bridge—

Provera Marches upon Mantua, and Bonaparte to intercept him-Sortie

of Wurmser-Battle of the Favorita—Wurmser repulsed, and Provera

defeated and taken-Joubert pursues and disperses the army of Alvinzi

-Takes Trent and penetrates to the Lavis-Augereau returns to Porto

Legnano Marches through Padua to Treviso-Massena drives Baya-

litch back to the Piave-General result of the battles of Rivoli and the

Favorita The colours presented to the directory by Bessières-Conduct

of Bonaparte.

420

CHAPTER XXI.

The last of January, and February 1797.

War with the Pope-Intercepted despatches of cardinal Busca-Bonaparte

recalls Cacault from Rome-Assembles a column of troops at Bologna—

Leaves Verona for that place, and stops before Mantua-His interview

with general Klenau-His generosity to Wurmser-Gratitude of the latter

-Surrender of Mantua-Strength of the garrison-Bonaparte vindicates

Wurmser's character-Arrives at Bologna-His proclamation and mani-

festo-General Victor invades the Roman territory-Bonaparte joins him

at Imola-Marches to Castel Bolognese-Affair of the Senio-Capture

of Faenza-Clemency and prudence of Bonaparte-Converts the inhabit-

ants into friends-Takes Ancona and Loretto-Enters Macerata-Pro-

gress of Victor-Consternation of the Pope-Sues for peace-Bonaparte's

compassion for the emigrant French priests-Conferences at Tolentino-

Terms of the treaty-Bonaparte's culpable weakness in not insisting on

the abolition of the inquisition-His moderation compared with the wishes

of the directory—His letter to the Pope, sent by his aide de camp Junot—
Victor and Lannes visit Rome-Bonaparte devotes himself to the public
service-His letter to general Joubert—His remarkable conference with
the Neapolitan envoy-Infamy of the latter-The republic of San Marino
--Augereau presents the colours of Mantua to the directory-The cha-
racter of that ceremony-Bonaparte returns to Mantua-Reviews the
divisions of Bernadotte and Delmas-Prepares for invading Germany-
Repairs and undermine the fortifications of Mantua-The frescos of
Titian-Complimentary letters from the directory to the generals-Their
invidious neglect of Serrurier-Their motives-Bonaparte's portraits of his
principal generals.
467

OF THE

EMPEROR NAPOLEON.

CHAPTER I.

From 1769 to 1785.

Corsica Birth of Napoleon - His family — Circumstances attending his birth-Anecdotes of his infancy-His father, a deputy of the nobles to Versailles in 1779-Places him at the military school of Brienne-Anecdotes respecting him while at Brienne-Pichegru his comrade and tutor — His admiration for Turenne- His early transfer to the school of Paris — The Chevalier Keralio's opinion and report of him— Admiration of his instructors at Paris-His favourite authors-Anecdotes in regard to him while at the school of Paris-Noticed by the Abbé Raynal-Death of his father-His comrades at school-Examined by La Place-Receives his first commission as second lieutenant of Artillery-Joins his regiment at Valence, in Dauphiné— His character at the time.

The island of Corsica, though known from the earliest ages, of considerable extent, and adjacent to the coasts of Italy and France, had been the scene of few memorable events, when it became the birth place of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was born at Ajaccio, on the 15th of August, 1769 (1). His father was distinguished for eloquence and liberality; his mother respected for the pride of virtue, and the prudence of an independent spirit.

As the exertion of power awakens our wonder, its origin excites our curiosity. After contemplating the actions of great men, we are pleased to trace the course of their parentage; as travellers leave the currents of rivers to explore their sources, in untrodden wilds, in the clefts of rocks, and in barren mountains. In compliance with this general inclination, the following particulars

VOL. I.

1