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emaciate in the extreme from the prodigious toils which he had endured. Yet he scarcely allowed himself an hour of relaxation. Questions of vast moment, relative to the settlement of political affairs in Italy, were yet to be adjusted, and Napoleon, exhausted as he was in body, devoted the tireless energies of his mind to the work. His labors were now numerous. He was treating with the plenipotentiaries of Austria, organizing the Italian Republic, creating a navy in the Adriatic, and forming the most magnificent projects relative to the Mediterranean. These were the

political privileges, were ground down by the most humiliating oppression. The inhabitants of the Valteline, catching the spirit of liberty, revolted and addressed a manifesto to all Europe, setting forth their wrongs, and declaring their determination to recover those rights, of which they had been defrauded. Both parties sent deputies to Napoleon, soliciting his interference, virtually agreeing to abide by his decision. Napoleon, to promote conciliation and peace, proposed that the Valtelines should remain with the Grisons as one people, and that the Grisons should confer upon them equal political privi-works in which he delighted, constructing canals, leges with themselves. Counsel more moderate and judicious could not have been given. But the proud Grisons, accustomed to trample upon their victims, with scorn refused to share with them the rights of humanity. Napoleon then issued a decree, saying, "It is not just that one people should be subject to another people. Since the Grisons have refused equal rights to the inhabitants of the Valteline, the latter are at liberty to unite themselves with the Cisalpine Republic." This decision was received with bursts of enthusiastic joy by the liberated people, and they were immediately embraced within the borders of the new republic.

The great results we have thus far narrated in this chapter were accomplished in six weeks. In the face of powerful armies, Napoleon had traversed hundreds of miles of territory. He had forded rivers, with the storm of lead and iron falling pitilessly around him. He had crossed the Alps, dragging his artillery through snow three feet in depth, scattered the armies of Austria to the winds, imposed peace upon that proud and powerful empire, recrossed the Alps, laid low the haughty despotism of Venice, established a popular government in the emancipated provinces, and revolutionized Genoa. Josephine was now with him in the palace of Milan. From every state in Italy couriers were coming and going, deprecating his anger, soliciting his counsel, imploring his protection. The destiny of Europe seemed to be suspended upon his decisions. His power transcended that of all the potentates in Europe. A brilliant court of beautiful ladies surrounded Josephine, and all vied to do homage to the illustrious conqueror. The enthusiastic Italians thronged his gates, and waited for hours to catch a glance of the youthful hero. The feminine delicacy of his physical frame, so disproportionate with his mighty renown, did but add to the enthusiasm which his presence ever inspired. His strong arm had won for France peace with all the world, England alone excepted. The indomitable islanders, protected by the ocean from the march of invading armies, still continued the unrelenting warfare. Wherever her navy could penetrate she assailed the French, and as the horrors of war could not reach ner shores, she refused to live on any terms of peace with Republican France.

Napoleon now established his residence, or rather his court, at Montebello, a beautiful palace in the vicinity of Milan. His frame was

and roads, improving harbors, erecting bridges, churches, naval and military dépôts, calling cities and navies into existence, awaking every where the hum of prosperous industry. All the states of Italy were imbued with local prejudices and petty jealousies of each other. To break down these jealousies, he endeavored to consolidate the Republicans into one single state, with Milan for the capital. He strove in multiplied ways to rouse martial energy among the effeminate Italians. Conscious that the new republic could not long stand alive in the midst of the surrounding monarchies so hostile to its existence, that it could only be strong by the alliance of France, he conceived the design of a high road, broad, safe, and magnificent, from Paris to Geneva, thence across the Simplon through the plains of Lombardy to Milan. He was in treaty with the government of Switzerland, for the construction of the road through its territories; and had sent engineers to explore the route and make an estimate of the expense. He himself arranged all the details with the greatest precision. Ho contemplated also, at the same time, with the deepest interest and solicitude, the empire which England had gained on the seas. To cripple the power of this formidable foe, he formed the design of taking possession of the islands of the Mediterranean. "From these different posts," he wrote to the Directory, we shall command the Mediteranean, we shall keep an eye upon the Ottoman empire, which is crumbling to pieces, and we shall have it in our power to render the dominion of the ocean almost useless to the English. They have possession of the Cape of Good Hope. We can do without it. Let us occupy Egypt. We shall be in the direct road for India. It will be easy for us to found there one of the finest colonies in the world. It is in Egypt that we must attack England.”

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It was in this way that Napoleon rested after the toils of the most arduous campaigns mortal man had ever passed through. The Austrians were rapidly recruiting their forces from their vast empire, and now began to throw many difficulties in the way of a final adjustment. The last conference between the negotiating parties was held at Campo Formio, a small village about ten miles east of the Tagliamento. The commissioners were seated at an oblong table, the four Austrian negotiators upon one side, Napo leon by himself upon the other. The Austrians demanded terms to which Napoleon could not

accede, threatening at the same time that if Na- condemn the negotiator who sacrifices the interpoleon did not accept these terms, the armies of est and repose of his country to military ambiRussia would be united with those of Austria, tion." Napoleon, cool and collected, sat in siand France should be compelled to adopt those lence while these sentiments were uttered. Then less favorable. One of the Austrian commission- rising from the table he took from the sideboard ers concluded an insulting apostrophe, by saying, a beautiful porcelain vase. "Gentlemen," said "Austria desires peace, and she will severely he, "the truce is broken; war is declared. But

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remember, in three months I will demolish your
monarchy as I now shatter this porcelain." With
these words he dashed the vase into fragments
upon the floor, and bowing to the astounded ne-
gotiators, abruptly withdrew. With his accus-
tomed promptness of action he instantly dispatch-
ed an officer to the Archduke, to inform him that
hostilities would be re-commenced in twenty-four
hours; and entering his carriage, urged his
horses with the speed of the wind, toward the
head-quarters of the army. One of the conditions
of this treaty upon which Napoleon insisted, was
the release of La Fayette, then imprisoned for his
republican sentiments, in the dungeons of Olmutz.
The Austrian plenipotentiaries were thunder-
struck by this decision, and immediately agreed
to the terms which Napoleon demanded.
next day at five o'clock the treaty of Campo For-
mio was signed.

Directory replied, "Austria has long desired to swallow up Italy, and to acquire maritime power It is the interest of France to prevent both of these designs. It is evident that if the Emperor acquires Venice, with its territorial possessions, he will secure an entrance into the whole of Lombardy We should be treating as if we had been conquered. What would posterity say of us if we surrender that great city with its naval arsenals to the Emperor. The whole question comes to this: Shall we give up Italy to the Austrians? The French government neither can nor will do so. It would prefer all the hazards of war."

Leap

Napoleon wished for peace. He could only obtain it by disobeying the orders of his governThe ment. The middle of October had now arrived. One morning, at daybreak, he was informed that the mountains were covered with snow. The terms which Napoleon offered the Aus- ing from his bed, he ran to the window, and saw trians in this treaty, though highly advantageous that the storms of winter had really commenced to France, were far more lenient to Austria, than on the bleak heights. "What! before the midthat government had any right to expect. The dle of October!" he exclaimed: "what a counDirectory in Paris, anxious to strengthen itself try is this! Well, we must make peace." He against the monarchical governments of Europe shut himself up in his cabinet for an hour, and by revolutionizing the whole of Italy and found- carefully reviewed the returns of the army. ing there republican governments, positively for- can not have," said he to Bourrienne, bade Napoleon to make peace with Austria, un- than sixty thousand men in the field. Even if less the freedom of the Republic of Venice was victorious I must lose twenty thousand in killed recognized. Napoleon wrote to the Directory and wounded. And how, with forty thousand, that if they insisted upon that ultimatum, the can I withstand the whole force of the Austrian renewal of the war would be inevitable. The monarchy, who will hasten to the relief of Vi

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The armies of the Rhine could not advance to my succor before the middle of November, and before that time arrives the Alps will be impassable from snow. It is all over. I will sign the peace. The government and the lawyers may say what they choose."

This treaty, extended France to the Rhine, recognized the Cisalpine Republic, composed of the Cispadane Republic and Lombardy, and allowed the Emperor of Austria to extend his sway over several of the states of Venice. Napoleon was very desirous of securing republican liberty in Venice. Most illustriously did he exhibit his anxiety for peace in consenting to sacrifice that desire, and to disobey the positive commands of his government, rather than renew the horrors of battle. He did not think it his duty to keep Europe involved in war, that he might secure republican liberty for Venice, when it was very doubtful whether the Venetians were sufficiently enlightened to govern themselves, and when, perhaps, one half of the nation were so ignorant as to prefer despotism. The whole glory of this peace redounds to his honor. His persistence in that demand which the Directory enjoined, would but have kindled anew the flames of war. During these discussions at Campo Formio,

every possible endeavor was made which the most delicate ingenuity could devise, to influence Napoleon in his decisions by personal considerations. The wealth of Europe was literally laid at his feet. Millions upon millions in gold were proffered him. But his proud spirit could not be thus tarnished. When some one alluded to the different course pursued by the Directors, he replied, "You are not then aware, citizen, that there is not one of those Directors whom I could not bring, for four thousand dollars, to kiss my boot." The Venetians offered him a present of one million five hundred thousand dollars. He smiled, and declined the offer. The Emperor of Austria, professing the most profound admiration of his heroic character; entreated him to accept a principality, to consist of at least two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, for himself and his heirs. This was indeed an alluring offer to a young man but twenty-five years of age, and who had but just emerged from obscurity and poverty. The young general transmitted his thanks to the Emperor for this proof of his good-will, but added, that he could accept of no honors but such as were conferred upon him by the French people, and that he should always be satisfied with whatever they might be disposed to offer.

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While at Montebello, transacting the affairs of his victorious army, Josephine presided with most admirable propriety and grace, over the gay circle of Milan. Napoleon, who well understood the imposing influence of courtly pomp and splendor, while extremely simple in his personal habiliments, dazzled the eyes of the Milanese with all the pageantry of a court. The destinies of Europe were even then suspended upon his nod. He was tracing out the lines of empire, and dukes, and princes, and kings were soliciting his friendship. Josephine, by her surpassing loveli

ness of person and of character, won universal admiration. Her wonderful tact, her genius, and her amiability vastly strengthened the influence of her husband. "I conquer provinces," said Napoleon, "but Josephine wins hearts." She frequently, in after years, reverted to this as the happiest period of her life. To them both it must have been as a bewildering dream. But a few months before, Josephine was in prison, awaiting her execution; and her children were literally begging bread in the streets. Hardly a year had elapsed since Napoleon, a penniless Corsi

that Napoleon clung so faithfully and confidingly to her. "Truly," he said, "I have something else to think of than love. No man wins triumphs in that way, without forfeiting some palms of glory. I have traced out my plan, and the finest eyes in the world, and there are some very fine eyes here, shall not make me deviate a hair's breadth from it."

A lady of rank, after wearying him one day with a string of the most fulsome compliments, exclaimed, among other things, "What is life worth, if one can not be General Bonaparte," Napoleon fixed his eyes coldly upon her, and said, "Madame! one may be a dutiful wife, and the good mother of a family."

The jealousy which the Directory entertained of Napoleon's vast accession of power induced them to fill his court with spies, who watched all his movements and reported his words. Joseph

can soldier, was studying in a garret in Paris, hardly knowing where to obtain a single franc. Now the name of Napoleon was emblazoned through Europe. He had become more powerful than the government of his own country. He was overthrowing and uprearing dynasties. The question of peace or war was suspended upon his lips. The proudest potentates of Europe were ready, at any price, to purchase his favor. Josephine reveled in the exuberance of her dreamlike prosperity and exaltation. Her benevolent heart was gratified with the vast power she now possessed of conferring happiness. She was beloved, adored. She had long cherished the desire of visiting this land, so illustrious in the most lofty reminiscences. Even Italy can hardly present a more delightful excursion than the ride from Milan to the romantic, mountain-embowered lakes of Como and Maggiore. It was a bright and sunny Italian morning when Napoleon, with his bliss-ine, frank and candid and a stranger to all artiful bride, drove along the luxuriant valleys and the vine-clad hill-sides to Lake Maggiore. They were accompanied by a numerous and glittering retinue. Here they embarked upon this beautiful sheet of water, in a boat with silken awnings and gay banners, and the rowers beat time to the most voluptuous music. They landed upon Beautiful Island, which, like another Eden, emerges from the bosom of the lake. This became the favorite retreat of Napoleon. Its monastic palace, so sombre in its antique architecture, was in peculiar accordance with that strange melancholy which, with but now and then a ray of sunshine, ever overshadowed his spirit. On one of these occasions Josephine was standing upon a terrace with several ladies, under a large orange-tree, profusely laden with its golden treasures. As their attention was all absorbed in admiring the beautiful landscape, Napoleon slipped up unper- | real thoughts." ceived, and, by a sudden shake, brought down a shower of the rich fruit upon their heads. Joseph-ly against the surrender of Venice to Austria. ine's companions screamed with fright and ran; but she remained unmoved. Napoleon laughed heartily and said: "Why, Josephine, you stand fire like one of my veterans." "And why should I not?" she promptly replied, “am I not the wife of their general?"

fice, could not easily conceal her knowledge or her thoughts. Napoleon consequently seldom intrusted to her any plans which he was unwilling to have made known. "A secret," he once observed, "is burdensome to Josephine." He was careful that she should not be thus encumbered. He would be indeed a shrewd man who could extort any secret from the bosom of Napoleon. He could impress a marble-like immovableness upon his features, which no scrutiny could penetrate. Said Josephine in subsequent years, “I never once beheld Napoleon for a moment perfectly at ease-not even with myself. He is constantly on the alert. If at any time he appears to show a little confidence, it is merely a feint to throw the person with whom he converses, off his guard, and to draw forth his sentiments; but never does he himself disclose his

The French Government remonstrated bitter

Napoleon replied. "It costs nothing for a handful of declaimers to rave about the establishment of republics every where. I wish these gentlemen would make a winter campaign. You little know the people of Italy. You are laboring under a great delusion. You suppose that liberty can do great things to a base, cowardly, and superstitious people. You wish me to perform miracles. I have not the art of doing so. Since coming into Italy I have derived little, if any, support from the love of the Italian people for liberty and equality."

Every conceivable temptation was at this time presented to entice Napoleon into habits of licentiousness. Purity was a virtue then and there almost unknown. Some one speaking of Napoleon's universal talents, compared him with Solomon. "Poh," exclaimed another, "What do you mean by calling him wiser than Solomon. The Jewish The treaty of peace signed at Campo Formio, king had seven hundred wives and three hundred Napoleon immediately sent to Paris. Though concubines, while Napoleon is contented with one he had disobeyed the positive commands of the wife, and she older than himself." The corrup- Directory, in thus making peace, the Directors tion of those days of infidelity was such, that the did not dare to refuse its ratification. The vicladies were jealous of Josephine's exclusive in- torious young general was greatly applauded by fluence over her illustrious spouse, and they ex- the people, for refusing the glory of a new camerted all their powers of fascination to lead him paign, in which they doubted not that he would astray. The loftiness of Napoleon's ambition, have obtained fresh laurels, that he might secure and those principles instilled so early by a moth- peace for bleeding Europe. On the 17th of Noer's lips as to be almost instincts, were his safe-vember Napoleon left Milan for the Congress at guard. Josephine was exceedingly gratified, Rastadt, to which he was appointed, with plenisome of the ladies said, "insufferably vain," potentiary powers. At the moment of leaving

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

8ddressed the following proclamation to the Cisalpine Republic: "We have given you liberty. Take care to preserve it. To be worthy of your destiny make only discreet and honorable laws, and cause them to be executed with energy. Favor the diffusion of knowledge, and respect religion. Compose your battalions not of disreputable men, but of citizens imbued with the principles of the Republic, and closely linked with its prosperity. You have need to impress yourselves with the feeling of your strength, and with the dignity which befits the free man.

Di

vided and bowed down by ages of tyranny, you
could not alone have achieved your independence.
In a few years, if true to yourselves, no nation
will be strong enough to wrest liberty from you.
Till then the great nation will protect you."

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Napoleon, leaving Josephine at Milan, traveled rapidly through Piedmont, intending to proceed by the way of Switzerland to Rastadt. His journey was an uninterrupted scene of triumph. Illuminations, processions, bonfires, the ringing of bells, the explosions of artillery, the huzzas of the populace, and above all the most cordial and

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THE TRIUMPHAL JOURNEY.

warm-hearted acclamations of ladies, accompanied him all the way. The enthusiasm was indescribable. Napoleon had no fondness for such displays. He but slightly regarded the applause of the populace.

"It must be delightful," said Bourrienne, "to be greeted with such demonstrations of enthusiastic admiration." "Bah!" Napoleon replied; this same unthinking crowd, under a slight change of circumstances, would follow me just as eagerly to the scaffold."

with an expression of habitual meditation, which
reveals nothing of what is passing within. In
that thinking head, in that daring mind, it is im-
possible not to suppose that some designs are
engendering, which will have their influence on
the destinies of Europe." Napoleon did not re-
main long at Rastadt, for all the questions of
great political importance were already settled,
and he had no liking for those discussions of
minor points which engrossed the attention of
the petty German princes, who were assembled
He accordingly prepared for
at that Congress.
his departure.

In taking leave of the army he thus bade adieu
"Soldiers! I leave you to-mor-
to his troops.
In separating myself from the army I
row.
am consoled with the thought that I shall soon
meet you again, and engage with you in new
enterprises. Soldiers! when conversing among
yourselves of the kings you have vanquished, of
the people upon whom you have conferred lib-
erty, of the victories you have won in two cam-
paigns, say, 'In the next two we will accomplish
still more.""

Traveling with great rapidity, he appeared and vanished like a meteor, ever retaining the same calm, pensive, thoughtful aspect. A person, who saw him upon this occasion, thus described his appearance: "I beheld with deep interest and extreme attention that extraordinary man, who has performed such great deeds, and about whom there is something which seems to indicate that his career is not yet terminated. I found him much like his portraits, small in stature, thin, pale, with an air of fatigue, but not as has been reported in ill-health. He appeared to me to listen with more abstraction than interest, as Napoleon's attention was already eagerly diif occupied rather with what he was thinking of, than with what was said to him. There rected to the gorgeous East. These vast kingis great intelligence in his countenance, along | doms, enveloped in mystery, presented just the

VOL. IV.-No. 19.-C

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