but again the answer of the directory was remarkable for con-taining no mention of his name, nor allusion to his services. For some time he had been the object of dread and consequently of defamation to the royalists, who, after succeeding in corrupting generals on the frontier, and creating a strong party in the legislative councils, had invaded with their influence even the directory. Finding the general of the army of Italy inflexible in his principles, as well as invincible in war, they had assailed him by misrepresentations, in the hope of lowering him in the esteem of the public, and the confidence of the government. At one time it was affirmed that his pretended victories were real defeats; at another that it was his design, after securing the devotion of the army to his person, to overthrow the government by military force. As it was not unreasonable to suspect that to the influence of these calumnies, which, on former occasions he had despised, might probably be traced the long and cruel neglect of his brave army, the sense of injustice so indignantly expressed in his letter to general Clarke, glanced doubtless at the conduct of the executive. And as, either in justice to the memory of his nephew or to the feelings of Bonaparte, Clarke had the letter published in the Moniteur, it is not improbable the directors requited the allusions of the general, by the invidious omission observable in their answer to the address of his aide de camp (22).

It is true the flag which Bonaparte bore in his hand, when heading the charge at the bridge of Arcola, was presented to him by the government. But this proceeding was not suggested by the directory. It originated in the popular branch of the legislature; and the same compliment having been paid to Augereau, it could hardly be esteemed more than an act of simple justice to the commander in chief (23).

As it was known to the besiegers, that the garrison of Mantua was weakened by sickness and desertion, and discouraged by constant repulse and disappointment; that a frightful mortality prevailed in the hospitals, and that the troops had long been on halfallowance, Bonaparte entertained, as he had written to Carnot, sanguine hopes that Wurmser would be forced to surrender before the Emperor could form another army in Italy. But in this expectation he was grievously deceived. The prize for which he had so often fought, and the value of which, difficulty of acqui

sition appeared to enhance, was not to be gained without further hardship and heaps of carnage. Rapid marches where yet to be performed, mighty numbers to be encountered, and desperate battles to be won, before the flag of republican France waved over the towers of this modern Ilium.

Comparing this campaign with those against Beaulieu and Wurmser, it may be affirmed, that if the merit of a victorious general be estimated by the difficulties which he overcomes, Bonaparte deserves higher praise for his triumph at Arcola, than for the most brilliant of his previous exploits. In his former contests, his difficulty consisted in a relative deficiency of numbers. At Arcola, to this, in an aggravated degree, was added the discouragement of his troops, wearied out by sickness and incessant battles, oppressed by a sense of neglect and hardship, and by the unusual calamity of a severe check, under his own conduct. Yet, by a bold and original operation, to the conception of which every mind but his own was a stranger, he obtained a victory over the discontent and despair of his own army, and over the numbers and confidence of the enemy.

Perhaps, had this not been his first campaign; had his prudence been consummated by experience, he would have directed Andreossi as soon as the bridge at Ronco was finished, to prepare one for passing the Alpon at its mouth; in which case, Alvinzi would have been defeated the first day, and his destruction been complete.

December 1796 and January 1797.

Bonaparte's domestic feelings-He goes to Milan-Josephine visits GenoaHis chagrin His felicity-The painter Legros-Bonaparte's two new aides de camp-Madame Muiron-Bonaparte renews the war against the swindlers 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 reopen negotiations with Rome-Determines to use military force-Assembles troops at BolognaPuts 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 failsAlvinzi gets in motion-Number of his troops-His plan of operations—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 VeronaMovement of Alvinzi on the upper Adige, and of Provera on the loweruncertainty 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 Legnago-Marches through Padua to Treviso-Massena drives Bayalitch 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.

Having witnessed the battles and triumphs of Bonaparte in the marshes of Arcola, and his combats and success in the mountains

of the Adige, the reader will not be indisposed to contemplate for a moment his private life and domestic feelings.

Soon after returning to Verona, he visited the posts of the blockading army, and then repaired to Milan in the fond hope of meeting his beloved Josephine. But she, either from excessive love of gaiety or from coquettish caprice, foibles from which, with all its virtues, her character was not free, had notwithstanding her husband's late letters announcing his intention of paying her a visit, accepted an invitation from certain magnificoes of Genoa, and was gone on a pilgrimage of pleasure to that proud city. His surprise and mortification were extreme upon finding on his arrival at Milan, that his wife had left there. In a letter he wrote her on the occasion, these feelings were strongly expressed, but without the least harshness; his reproaches, which are those of tenderness not resentment, being conveyed in that tone of magnanimity, with which it appears injuries terminating in himself, invariably inspired his language:

"I arrived at Milan at three o'clock. Quitting every thing else, I hastened to your apartment to see you and clasp you in my arms; when lo! you were gone! You pass from city to city, from festival to festival; you fly from me at the moment of my approach. You care no more for your dear Napoleon. You loved him only from caprice, and from inconstancy you disregard him.

"Accustomed to dangers, I am acquainted with the remedy for the crosses and ills of life. The misery I experience is incalculable. Had I a right to count on it?

"I shall be here until the 29th: do not disarrange your plans. Follow pleasure; felicity was made for you. The world will rejoice if it can make you happy. Your husband only is wretched; he is truly wretched."

A letter of the next day, the 28th, breathes the same affectionate chagrin.

"I have received the courier Berthier sent to Genoa. You had not time to write to me; that I can easily conceive. Surrounded by pleasure and amusements, you would have been wrong to make the slightest sacrifice for me. Berthier has been so good as to show me your letter to him. It is not my intention that you should alter your plans, or interrupt the parties of pleasure that are offered you. I am not worth such a sacrifice. The happiness or misery of a man you love not, cannot be expected to interest you.

"For me, it is my destiny and the object of my life, to love you only, to make you happy, and in nothing to oppose your inclinations. Be happy, do not reproach yourself, nor take concern about a man whose life depends on yours and whose sole pleasure consists in your felicity. I am wrong to require of you love like mine. Can we expect lace to weigh like gold? When I devote to you all my wishes, all my thoughts, and every instant of my existence, I obey the ascendancy which the charms of your character and person have established over my unhappy heart. If I have not the qualities to captivate you, it is not your fault. But at least I deserve from Josephine regard and esteem, for I love her alone, and I love her to madness.

"Adieu Josephine, adorable woman adieu. May fate concentrate upon me, the cares and sorrows of our common lot, and bestow on you uniform prosperity and happiness. Who better deserves it? And when it shall be too well proved, that you can no longer love me, my grief shall be confined to my own breast, and I will be satisfied with the power of being useful to you.. "I open my letter to send you one kiss. Ah, Josephine! Josephine!" (1)

By these letters the fair wanderer was speedily recalled, and the happiness of the victorious general, after her return, is described by an officer of his suite as having been perfect. "The general in chief was then in all the ecstacy of married life. Madame Bonaparte was full of charms, nor could all the anxieties of command, nor the cares of governing Italy, prevent her husband from yielding himself up to domestic bliss" (2).

It appears that the hard service to which he had been exposed in the late contest with Alvinzi, and particularly a contusion which he suffered in the battle of Arcola, had considerably affected his already enfeebled health (3). Consequently the few days of comparative repose which were allowed him at Milan, were not less serviceable to his health than they were delightful to his heart. Here it was that Legros, who subsequently became celebrated as a painter of his battles, executed his first portrait of Bonaparte. He was represented on the bridge of Lodi, with a flag in his hand, leading on the grenadiers in their decisive charge. Bonaparte, who dedicated to love all the time which he could spare from duty, was unwilling to give a moment to the artist. So that the only thing like a sitting that could be obtained, was after break