CHAPTER XII.

From the 5th of June to the 3d of July 1796.

Causes of Bonaparte's return to Milan, and to the right bank of the Po-The quarrel with Rome-Armistice with Naples-Alarm of the Pope-The executive commissaries-The extent of their powers-The Directors adopt the policy of Bonaparte-His occupations at Milan-Converts the blockade of the castle into a siege-His correspondence-His attention to the family of general Laharpe-Insurrection of the Imperial Fiefs-Atrocities of the Barbets-Suppressed and punished-Bonaparte writes to the Senate ct Genoa-The Senate promises to comply with his demands-His proclama、 tion to the inhabitants of the Tyrol-He dismantles the fort of FuentesThe expeditions to Bologna, and Leghorn-He goes to Modena—Reduces the fort of Urbino-Enters Bologna-Releases the cardinal legate on his parole-An example of ecclesiastical honour-Disposition of the Bolognese -Their reception of Bonaparte-The Spanish Jesuits-Overtures of the Pope-Armistice of Bologna-Faux pas of the commissaries-Bonaparte joins the column of general Vaubois-The armistice of Brescia ratified— Bonaparte writes to the Grand Duke of Tuscany-Marches upon Leghorn— Arrests the Tuscan governor-The English cruisers, and merchant vessels escape from the harbour-The English merchandize seized-Vaubois appointed governor of Leghorn-Bonaparte visits his relative the AbbéRepairs to Florence-Dines with the Grand Duke-Visits the galleries of the Fine Arts, and of Anatomy--The castle of Milan surrenders-Bonaparte returns to Bologna-Thence to Roverbello-Revolt of Lugo-Suppressed by Augereau.

The affairs which engaged Bonaparte's attention during this second occasion of absenting himself from the front of his army, are deserving of attention, as much on account of their multiplicity, as of their importance. The time proposed for his absence

212

THE LIFE OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.

accompanied by Murat with a detachment of hus followed by Lannes with a corps of twelve hundred f he reached Brescia at midnight of the day, in the morni he had left Verona.

He felt great confidence in his generals, and unbor on the troops. The spirit and activity of Massena, rience in mountain warfare, fitted him admirably the line of the Adige, and the ground he had tak into the Tyrol. The prudence and firmness of well adapted to the conduct of a rigorous bloc him, Bonaparte entertained the flattering hope the Castle of Milan and the fortress of Man Austrian columns could pour down from the whole force disembarrassed and active, uni to use his own expressive language, "befo how many battles were to be fought, wha mounted, and what perils overcome !"

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Joy

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enouncing of the French

ime, to defend ices and the alalmost exhausted

ges of the reformaplexity and nations head of the catholic Fe kings and people of Scouraging their favour, nce, which was naturally ive in the southern states of Saded by the wing of superen the general intelligence of

e was so much more circumspiritual sway, that, sharing the les of the Dukes of Parma and Ive made overtures for peace to Bo

a detachment of hussars

s of twelve hundred gre of the day, in the morning

generals, and unbound activity of Massena, with ed him admirably for ground he had taken in

e and firmness of Ser a rigorous blockade flattering hope, of portress of Mantua, lown from the Tyr and active, united on age, "before M fought, what di come !"

of a confiding disposition on the part of the directors, which appeared in such agreeable contrast with the jealousy and ingratitude they had just before been thought to discover, must naturally have affected the fervent and susceptible mind of Bonaparte with grateful emotions, and inclined him to serve them with a zeal proportioned to the firmness with which he had expostulated against their folly, and the candour with which they had besought his aid. With this sentiment, a professional and patriotic anxiety to see the armies of the Rhine in motion, no doubt, concurred, in bending his high spirit to the instrumentality which his letter proffers, and in blinding his powerful discernment, to its demerit.

It is thus that strong and noble characters, are beguiled into weakness or betrayed into crime. Against the undisguised approaches of vice they are amply fortified; but when it comes in the shape of some generous emotion or benevolent sentiment, it finds the passage to their hearts unguarded, and before they have time to sift their thoughts, or reflect upon the probable consequences of their actions, involves them in error or precipitates them into guilt. As men often do good from bad motives, so from good ones they sometimes do evil.

But so repugnant was this odious proceeding to Bonaparte's general disposition, that he had not finished his letter, before he endeavoured to allay that very appetite for plunder, to which he had just been ministering mercenary stimulants. "The truth is," he wrote, "that in the affair of Peschiera, Beaulieu basely deceived the Venetians; he asked them for a passage for fifty men, and then took possession of the place." In the end, accordingly, though the subject was again referred to in the correspondence, the money was not exacted either by way of loan or indemnification.

The intelligence of the unavailing debates which had been held with the French General, and of his army being in possession of Verona, caused great sensation and alarm at Venice. Instead of the victorious invaders being behind the broad Po, or on the distant Alps, the tricolored flag floated on the Adige; and a war of democratical opinions and republican cannon, was approaching the proud but powerless palace of the Doges. The Austrian party in the senate, or that which, under the guise of neutrality, had favoured the success of the imperial arms, and had hitherto predominated in the state, lost their ascendancy; and the party