Thisnoteshowstheerroroftheoften—repeatedassertion，thatheproposedenteringtheserviceoftheTurksagainstAustria.Hemakesnomentionofsuchathing;andthetwocountrieswerenotatwar.

——[TheScottishbiographermakesBonapartesaythatitwouldbestrangeifalittleCorsicanshouldbecomeKingofJerusalem.I

neverheardanythingdropfromhimwhichsupportstheprobabilityofsucharemark，andcertainlythereisnothinginhisnotetowarranttheinferenceofhishavingmadeit.——Bourrienne.]——

Noanswerwasreturnedtothisnote.Turkeyremainedunaided，andBonaparteunoccupied.Imustconfessthatforthefailureofthisproject，atleastIwasnotsorry.Ishouldhaveregrettedtoseeayoungmanofgreatpromise，andoneforwhomIcherishedasincerefriendship，devotehimselftosouncertainafate.Napoleonhaslessthananymanprovokedtheeventswhichhavefavouredhim;noonehasmoreyieldedtocircumstancesfromwhichhewassoskilfultoderiveadvantages.If，however，aclerkoftheWarOfficehadbutwrittenonthenote，"Granted，"thatlittlewordwouldprobablyhavechangedthefateofEurope.

BonaparteremainedinParis，formingschemesforthegratificationofhisambition，andhisdesireofmakingafigureintheworld;butobstaclesopposedallheattempted.

Womenarebetterjudgesofcharacterthanmen.MadamedeBourrienne，knowingtheintimacywhichsubsistedbetweenus，preservedsomenoteswhichshemadeuponBonaparte，andthecircumstanceswhichstruckherasmostremarkable，duringherearlyconnectionwithhim.MywifedidnotentertainsofavourableanopinionofhimasIdid;thewarmfriendshipI

cherishedforhimprobablyblindedmetohisfaults.IsubjoinMadamedeBourrienne’snotes，wordforword：

OnthedayafteroursecondreturnfromGermany，whichwasinMay1795，wematBonaparteinthePalaisRoyal，nearashopkeptbyamannamedGirardin.BonaparteembracedBourrienneasafriendwhomhelovedandwasgladtosee.WewentthateveningtotheTheatreFrancais.Theperformanceconsistedofatragedy;and’LeSourd，oul’Aubergepleine’.

Duringthelatterpiecetheaudiencewasconvulsedwithlaughter.ThepartofDasniereswasrepresentedbyBatistetheyounger，anditwasneverplayedbetter.Theburstsoflaughterweresoloudandfrequentthattheactorwasseveraltimesobligedtostopinthemidstofhispart.Bonapartealone（anditstruckmeasbeingveryextraordinary）wassilent，andcoldlyinsensibletothehumourwhichwassoirresistiblydivertingtoeveryoneelse.Iremarkedatthisperiodthathischaracterwasreserved，andfrequentlygloomy.Hissmilewashypocritical，andoftenmisplaced;andIrecollectthatafewdaysafterourreturnhegaveusoneofthesespecimensofsavagehilaritywhichIgreatlydisliked，andwhichprepossessedmeagainsthim.Hewastellingusthat，beingbeforeToulon，wherehecommandedtheartillery，oneofhisofficerswasvisitedbyhiswife，towhamhehadbeenbutashorttimemarried，andwhomhetenderlyloved.Afewdaysafter，ordersweregivenforanotherattackuponthetown，inwhichthisofficerwastobeengaged.HiswifecametoGeneralBonaparte，andwithtearsentreatedhimtodispensewithherhusband’sservicesthatday.TheGeneralwasinexorable，ashehimselftoldus，withasortofsavageexaltation.Themomentfortheattackarrived，andtheofficer，thoughaverybraveman，asBonapartehimself—assuredus，feltapresentimentofhisapproachingdeath.Heturnedpaleandtrembled.HawasstationedbesidetheGeneral，andduringanintervalwhenthefiringfromthetownwasveryheavy，Bonapartecalledouttohim，"Takecare，thereisashellcoming！"Theofficer，insteadofmovingtooneside，stoopeddown，andwasliterallyseveredintwo.Bonapartelaughedloudlywhilehedescribedtheeventwithhorribleminuteness.Atthistimewesawhimalmosteveryday.Hefrequentlycametodinewithus.Astherewasascarcityofbread，andsometimesonlytwoouncesperheaddailyweredistributedinthesection，itwascustomarytorequestone’sgueststobringtheirownbread，asitcouldnotbeprocuredformoney.BonaparteandhisbrotherLouis（amild，agreeableyoungman，whowastheGeneral’saidedearmy）usedtobringwiththemtheirrationbread，whichwasblack，andmixedwithbran.

Iwassorrytoobservethatallthisbadbreadfelltotheshareofthepooraidedecamp，forweprovidedtheGeneralwithafinerkind，whichwasmadeclandestinelybyapastrycook，fromflourwhichwecontrivedtosmugglefromSens，wheremyhusbandhadsomefarms.Hadwebeendenounced，theaffairmighthavecostusourheads.

WespentsixweeksinParis，andwewentfrequentlywithBonapartetothetheatres，andtothefineconcertsgivenbyGaratintheRueSt.Marc.

ThesewerethefirstbrilliantentertainmentsthattookplaceafterthedeathofRobespierre.TherewasalwayssomethingoriginalinBonaparte’sbehaviour，forheoftenslippedawayfromuswithoutsayingaword;andwhenweweresupposinghehadleftthetheatre，wewouldsuddenlydiscoverhiminthesecondorthirdtier，sittingaloneinabox，andlookingrathersulky.

BeforeourdepartureforSens，wheremyhusband’sfamilyreside，andwhichwasfixeduponfortheplaceofmyfirstaccouchement，welookedoutformoreagreeableapartmentsthanwehadintheRueGrenierSt.

Lazare，whichweonlyhadtemporarily.Bonaparteusedtoassistusinourresearches.Atlastwetookthefirstfloorofahandsomenewhouse，No.19RuedesMarais.Bonaparte，whowishedtostopinParis，wenttolookatahouseoppositetoours.Hahadthoughtsoftakingitforhimself，hisuncleFesch（afterwardsCardinalFesch），andagentlemannamedPatrauld，formerlyoneofhismastersattheMilitarySchool.Onedayhesaid，"Withthathouseoverthere，myfriendsinit，andacabriolet，Ishallbethehappiestfellowintheworld."

WesoonafterlefttownforSens.Thehousewasnottakenbyhim，forotherandgreataffairswerepreparing.DuringtheintervalbetweenourdepartureandthefataldayofVendemiaireseveralletterspassedbetweenhimandhisschoolcompanion.Theseletterswereofthemostamiableandaffectionatedescription.Theyhavebeenstolen.Onourreturn，inNovemberofthesameyear，everythingwaschanged.Thecollegefriendwasnowagreatpersonage.HehadgotthecommandofParisinreturnforhisshareintheeventsofVendemiaire.InsteadofasmallhouseintheRuedesMarais，heoccupiedasplendidhotelintheRuedesCapucines;

themodestcabrioletwasconvertedintoasuperbequipage，andthemanhimselfwasnolongerthesame.Butthefriendsofhisyouthwerestillreceivedwhentheymadetheirmorningcalls.Theywereinvitedtogranddejeuners，whichweresometimesattendedbyladies;and，amongothers，bythebeautifulMadameTallienandherfriendtheamiableMadamedeBeauharnais，towhomBonapartehadbeguntopayattention.Hecaredlittleforhisfriends，andceasedtoaddresstheminthestyleoffamiliarequality.

Afterthe13thofVendemiaireM.deBourriennesawBonaparteonlyatdistantperiods.InthemonthofFebruary1796myhusbandwasarrested，atseveninthemorning，byapartyofmen，armedwithmuskets，onthechargeofbeingareturnedemigrant.Hewastornfromhiswifeandhischild，onlysixmonthsold，beingbarelyallowedtimetodresshimself.

Ifollowedhim.Theyconveyedhimtotheguard—houseoftheSection，andthenceIknownotwhither;and，finally，intheevening，theyplacedhiminthelockup—houseoftheprefectureofpolice，which，Ibelieve，isnowcalledthecentralbureau.Therehepassedtwonightsandaday，amongmenofthelowestdescription，someofwhomwereevenmalefactors.Iandhisfriendsranabouteverywhere，tryingtofindsomebodytorescuehim，and，amongtherest，Bonapartewasappliedto.Itwaswithgreatdifficultyhecouldbeseen.Accompaniedbyoneofmyhusband’sfriends，IwaitedforthecommandantofParisuntilmidnight，buthedidnotcomehome.NextmorningIreturnedatanearlyhour，andfoundhim.Istatedwhathadhappenedtomyhusband，whoselifewasthenatstake.Heappearedtofeelverylittleforthesituationofhisfriend，but，however;determinedtowritetoMerlin，theMinisterofJustice.I

carriedtheletteraccordingtoitsaddress，andmettheMinisterashewascomingdownstairs，onhiswaytotheDirectory.Beingingrandcostume，heworeaHenriIV.hat，surmountedwithamultitudeofplumes，adresswhichformedasingularcontrastwithhisperson.Heopenedtheletter;andwhetheritwasthathecaredaslittlefortheGeneralasforthecauseofM.doBourrienne’sarrest，herepliedthatthematterwasnolongerinhishands，andthatitwasnowunderthecognisanceofthepublicadministratorsofthelaws.TheMinisterthensteppedintohiscarriage，andthewriterwasconductedtoseveralofficesinhishotel.

Shepassedthroughthemwithabrokenheart，forshemetwithnonebutharshmen，whotoldherthattheprisonerdeserveddeath.FromthemshelearnedthatonthefollowingdayhewouldbebroughtbeforethejudgeofthepeaceforhisSection，whowoulddecidewhethertherewasgroundforputtinghimonhistrial.Infact，thisproceedingtookplacenextday.

HewasconveyedtothehouseofthejudgeofthepeacefortheSectionofBondy，RueGrange—sue—Belles，whosenamewasLemaire.Hiscountenancewasmild;andthoughhismannerwascold，hehadnoneoftheharshnessandferocitycommontotheGovernmentagentsofthattime.Hisexaminationofthechargewaslong，andheseveraltimesshookhishead.

Themomentofdecisionhadarrived，andeverythingseemedtoindicatethattheterminationwouldbetoplacetheprisonerunderaccusation.

Atseveno’clockbedesiredmetobecalled.Ihastenedtohim，andbeheldamostheartrendingscene.Bourriennewassufferingunderahemorrhage，whichhadcontinuedsincetwoo’clock，andhadinterruptedtheexamination.Thejudgeofthepeace，wholookedsad，satwithhisheadrestingonhishand.Ithrewmyselfathisfeetandimploredhisclemency.Thewifeandthetwodaughtersofthejudgevisitedthissceneofsorrow，andassistedmeinsofteninghim.Hewasaworthyandfeelingman，agoodhusbandandparent，anditwasevidentthathestruggledbetweencompassionandduty.Hekeptreferringtothelawsonthesubject，and，afterlongresearchessaidtome，"To—morrowisDecadi，andnoproceedingscantakeplaceonthatday.Find，madams，tworesponsiblepersons，whowillanswerfortheappearanceofyourhusband，andIwillpermithimtogohomewithyou，accompaniedbythetwoguardians."Nextdaytwofriendswerefound，oneofwhomwasM.Desmaisons，counsellorofthecourt，whobecamebailforM.deBourrienne.Hecontinuedundertheseguardianssixmonths，untilalawcompelledthepersonswhowereinscribedonthefatallisttoremovetothedistanceoftenleaguesfromParis.Oneoftheguardianswasamanofstraw;theotherwasaknightofSt.Louis.Theformerwasleftintheantechamber;thelattermade，every—evening，oneofourpartyatcards.ThefamilyofM.deBourriennehavealwaysfeltthewarmestgratitudetothejudgeofthepeaceandhisfamily.ThatworthymansavedthelifeofM.deBourrienne，who，whenhereturnedfromEgypt，andhaditinhispowertodohimsomeservice，hastenedtohishouse;butthegoodjudgewasnomore！

Thelettersmentionedinthenarrativewereatthistimestolenfrommebythepoliceofficers.

Everyonewasnoweagertopaycourttoamanwhohadrisenfromthecrowdinconsequenceoftheparthehadactedatan，extraordinarycrisis，andwhowasspokenofasthefutureGeneraloftheArmyofItaly.Itwasexpectedthathewouldbegratified，ashereallywas，bytherestorationofsomeletterswhichcontainedtheexpressionofhisformerverymodestwishes，calledtorecollectionhisunpleasantsituation，hislimitedambition，hispretendedaversionforpublicemployment，andfinallyexhibitedhisintimaterelationswiththosewhowere，withouthesitation，characterisedasemigrants，tobeafterwardsmadethevictimsofconfiscationanddeath.

The13thofVendemiaire（5thOctober1795）wasapproaching.TheNationalConventionhadbeenpainfullydeliveredofanewconstitution，called，fromtheepochofitsbirth，"theConstitutionofYearIII."Itwasadoptedonthe22dofAugust1795.Theprovidentlegislatorsdidnotforgetthemselves.Theystipulatedthattwo—thirdsoftheirbodyshouldformpartofthenewlegislature.ThepartyopposedtotheConventionhoped，onthecontrary，that，byageneralelection，amajoritywouldbeobtainedforitsopinion.Thatopinionwasagainstthecontinuationofpowerinthehandsofmenwhohadalreadysogreatlyabusedit.

ThesameopinionwasalsoentertainedbyagreatpartofthemostinfluentialSectionsofParis，bothastothepossessionofpropertyandtalent.TheseSectionsdeclaredthat，inacceptingthenewconstitution，theyrejectedthedecreeofthe30thofAugust，whichrequiredthere—

electionoftwo—thirdsTheConvention，therefore，founditselfmenacedinwhatitheldmoatdear——itspower;——andaccordinglyresortedtomeasuresofdefence.Adeclarationwasputforth，statingthattheConvention，ifattacked，wouldremovetoChalons—sur—Marne;andthecommandersofthearmedforcewerecalledupontodefendthatbody.

The5thofOctober，thedayonwhichtheSectionsofParisattackedtheConvention，iscertainlyonewhichoughttobemarkedinthewonderfuldestinyofBonaparte.

Withtheeventsofthatdaywerelinked，ascauseandeffect，manygreatpoliticalconvulsionsofEurope.ThebloodwhichflowedripenedtheseedsoftheyouthfulGeneral’sambition.Itmustbeadmittedthatthehistoryofpastagespresentsfewperiodsfullofsuchextraordinaryeventsastheyearsincludedbetween1795and1815.Themanwhosenameserves，insomemeasure，asarecapitulationofallthesegreateventswasentitledtobelievehimselfimmortal.

LivingretiredatSenssincethemonthofJuly，IonlylearnedwhathadoccasionedtheinsurrectionoftheSectionsfrompublicreportandthejournals.Icannot，therefore，saywhatpartBonapartemayhavetakenintheintrigueswhichprecededthatday.Hewasofficiallycharacterisedonlyassecondaryactorinthescene.TheaccountoftheaffairwhichwaspublishedannouncesthatBarraswas，onthatveryday，Commander—in—

chiefoftheArmyoftheInterior，andBonapartesecondincommand.

Bonapartedrewupthataccount.Thewholeofthemanuscriptwasinhishandwriting，anditexhibitsallthepeculiarityofhisstyleandorthography.Hesentmeacopy.

Thosewhoreadthebulletinofthe13thVendemiaire，cannotfailtoobservethecarewhichBonapartetooktocastthereproachofsheddingthefirstbloodonthemenhecallsrebels.Hemadeagreatpointofrepresentinghisadversariesastheaggressors.Itiscertainhelongregrettedthatday.Heoftentoldmethathewouldgiveyearsofhislifetoblotitoutfromthepageofhishistory.HewasconvincedthatthepeopleofParisweredreadfullyirritatedagainsthim，andhewouldhavebeengladifBarrashadnevermadethatSpeechintheConvention，withthepartofwhich，complimentarytohimself，hewasatthetimesowellpleased.Barrassaid，"Itistohisableandpromptdispositionsthatweareindebtedforthedefenceofthisassembly，aroundwhichhehadpostedthetroopswithsomuchskill."Thisisperfectlytrue，butitisnotalwaysagreeablethateverytruthshouldbetold.BeingoutofParis，andatotalstrangertothisaffair，Iknownothowfarhewasindebtedforhissuccesstochance，ortohisownexertions，inthepartassignedtohimbythemiserableGovernmentwhichthenoppressedFrance.

HerepresentedhimselfonlyassecondaryactorinthissanguinarysceneinwhichBarrasmadehimhisassociate.Hesenttome，asalreadymentioned，anaccountofthetransaction，writtenentirelyinhisownhand，anddistinguishedbyallthepeculiaritiesof——hisstyleandorthography.

——[JosephBonaparte，inanoteonthispeerage，insinuatesthattheaccountofthe13thVendemiairewasneversenttoSens，butwasabstractedbyBourrienne，withotherdocuments，fromNapoleon’sCabinet（Erreurs，tomei.p.239）.]——

"Onthe13th，"saysBonaparte，"atfiveo’clockinthemorning，therepresentativeofthepeople，Barras，wasappointedCommander—in—chiefoftheArmyoftheInterior，andGeneralBonapartewasnominatedsecondincommand.

"TheartilleryforserviceonthefrontierwasstillatthecampofSablons，guardedsolelyby150men;theremainderwasatMarlywith200

men.ThedepotofMeudonwasleftunprotected.TherewereattheFeuillansonlyafewfour—pounderswithoutartillerymen，andbut80，000

cartridges.ThevictuallingdepotsweredispersedthroughoutParis.

InmanySectionsthedrumsbeattoarms;theSectionoftheTheatreFrancaishadadvancedpostsevenasfarasthePontNeuf，whichithadbarricaded.

"GeneralBarrasorderedtheartillerytomoveimmediatelyfromthecampofSablonstotheTuileries，andselectedtheartillerymenfromthebattalionsofthe89thregiment，andfromthegendarmerie，andplacedthematthePalace;senttoMeudon200menofthepolicelegionwhomhebroughtfromVersailles，50cavalry，andtwocompaniesofveterans;heorderedthepropertywhichwasatMarlytobeconveyedtoMeudon;causedcartridgestobebroughtthere，andestablishedaworkshopatthatplaceforthemanufactureofmore.HesecuredmeansforthesubsistenceofthearmyandoftheConventionformanydays，independentlyofthedepotswhichwereintheSections.

"GeneralVerdier，whocommandedatthePalaisNational，exhibitedgreatcoolness;hewasrequirednottosufferashottobefiredtillthelastextremity.InthemeantimereportsreachedhimfromallquartersacquaintinghimthattheSectionswereassembledinarms，andhadformedtheircolumns.HeaccordinglyarrayedhistroopssoastodefendtheConvention，andhisartillerywasinreadinesstorepulsetherebels.

HiscannonwasplantedattheFeuillanstofiredowntheRueHonore.

Eight—pounderswerepointedateveryopening，andintheeventofanymishap，GeneralVerdierhadcannoninreservetofireinflankuponthecolumnwhichshouldhaveforcedapassage.HeleftintheCarrouselthreehowitzers（eight—pounders）tobatterdownthehousesfromwhichtheConventionmightbefiredupon.Atfouro’clocktherebelcolumnsmarchedoutfromeverystreettounitetheirforces.Itwasnecessarytotakeadvantageofthiscriticalmomenttoattacktheinsurgents，evenhadtheybeenregulartroops.ButthebloodabouttoflowwasFrench;itwasthereforeforthesemisguidedpeople，alreadyguiltyofrebellion，toembruetheirhandsinthebloodoftheircountrymenbystrikingthefirstblow.

"Ataquarterbeforefiveo’clocktheinsurgentshadformed.Theattackwascommencedbythemonallsides.Theywereeverywhererouted.Frenchbloodwasspilled：thecrime，aswellasthedisgrace，fellthisdayupontheSections.

"Amongthedeadwereeverywheretoberecognizedemigrants，landowners，andnobles;theprisonersconsistedforthemostpartofthe’chouans’ofCharette.

"NeverthelesstheSectionsdidnotconsiderthemselvesbeaten：theytookrefugeinthechurchofSt.Roch，inthetheatreoftheRepublic，andinthePalaisEgalite;andeverywheretheywereheardfuriouslyexcitingtheinhabitantstoarms.Tosparethebloodwhichwouldhavebeenshedthenextdayitwasnecessarythatnotimeshouldbegiventhemtorally，buttofollowthemwithvigour，thoughwithoutincurringfreshhazards.TheGeneralorderedMontchoisy，whocommandedareserveatthePlacedelaResolution，toformacolumnwithtwotwelve—pounders，tomarchbytheBoulevardinordertoturnthePlaceVendome，toformajunctionwiththepicketstationedatheadquarters，andtoreturninthesameorderofcolumn.

"GeneralBrune，withtwohowitzers，deployedinthestreetsofSt.

NicaiseandSt.Honore.GeneralCartauxsenttwohundredmenandafour—

pounderofhisdivisionbytheRueSt.Thomas—du—LouvretodebouchinthesquareofthePalaisEgalite.GeneralBonaparte，whohadhishorsekilledunderhim，repairedtotheFeuillans.

"Thecolumnsbegantomove，St.RochandthetheatreoftheRepublicweretaken，byassault，whentherebelsabandonedthem，andretreatedtotheupperpartoftheRuedelaLoi，andbarricadedthemselvesonallsides.

Patrolsweresentthither，andseveralcannon—shotswerefiredduringthenight，inordertopreventthemfromthrowingupdefences，whichobjectwaseffectuallyaccomplished.

"Atdaybreak，theGeneralhavinglearnedthatsomestudentsfromtheSt.

Genevievesideoftheriverweremarchingwithtwopiecesofcannontosuccourtherebels，sentadetachmentofdragoonsinpursuitofthem，whoseizedthecannonandconductedthemtotheTuileries.TheenfeebledSections，however，stillshowedafront.TheyhadbarricadedtheSectionofGrenelle，andplacedtheircannonintheprincipalstreets.Atnineo’clockGeneralBeruyerhastenedtoformhisdivisioninbattlearrayinthePlaceVendome，marchedwithtwoeight—pounderstotheRuedesVieux—

Augustins，andpointedtheminthedirectionoftheSectionLePelletier.

GeneralVachet，withacorpsof’tirailleurs’，marchedonhisright，readytoadvancetothePlaceVictoire.GeneralBrunemarchedtothePerron，andplantedtwohowitzersattheupperendoftheRueVivienne.

GeneralDuvigier，withhiscolumnofsixhundredmen，andtwotwelve—

pounders，advancedtothestreetsofSt.RochandMontmartre.TheSectionslostcouragewiththeapprehensionofseeingtheirretreatcutoff，andevacuatedthepostatthesightofoursoldiers，forgettingthehonouroftheFrenchnamewhichtheyhadtosupport.TheSectionofBrutusstillcausedsomeuneasiness.Thewifeofarepresentativehadbeenarrestedthere.GeneralDuvigierwasorderedtoproceedalongtheBoulevardasfarastheRuePoissonniere.GeneralBeruyertookupapositionatthePlaceVictoire，andGeneralBonaparteoccupiedthePont—

au—Change.

"TheSectionofBrutuswassurrounded，andthetroopsadvanceduponthePlacedeGreve，wherethecrowdpouredinfromtheIsleSt.Louis，fromtheTheatreFrancais，andfromthePalace.Everywherethepatriotshadregainedtheircourage，whiletheponiardsoftheemigrants，armedagainstus，haddisappeared.Thepeopleuniversallyadmittedtheirerror.

"ThenextdaythetwoSectionsofLsPelletierandtheTheatreFrancaisweredisarmed."

TheresultofthispettycivilwarbroughtBonaparteforward;butthepartyhedefeatedatthatperiodneverpardonedhimforthepast，andthatwhichhesupporteddreadedhiminthefuture.Fiveyearsafterhewillbefoundrevivingtheprincipleswhichhecombatedonthe5thofOctober1795.Onbeingappointed，onthemotionofBarras，Lieutenant—

GeneraloftheArmyoftheInterior，heestablishedhisheadquartersintheRueNeuvedesCapucines.Thestatementinthe’ManuscritdeSainteHelene，thatafterthe13thBrumaireheremainedunemployedatParis，isthereforeobviouslyerroneous.Sofarfromthis，hewasincessantlyoccupiedwiththepolicyofthenation，andwithhisownfortunes.

Bonapartewasinconstant，almostdaily，communicationwitheveryonetheninpower，andknewhowtoprofitbyallhesaworheard.

Toavoidreturningtothis’ManuscritdeSainteHelene’，whichattheperiodofitsappearanceattractedmoreattentionthanitdeserved，andwhichwasverygenerallyattributedtoBonaparte，Ishallheresayafewwordsrespectingit.IshallbrieflyrepeatwhatIsaidinanotewhenmyopinionwasasked，underhighauthority，byaministerofLouisXVIII.

Noreaderintimatelyacquaintedwithpublicaffairscanbedeceivedbythepretendedauthenticityofthispamphlet.Whatdoesitcontain？

Factspervertedandheapedtogetherwithoutmethod，andrelatedinanobscure，affected，andridiculouslysententiousstyle.Besideswhatappearsinit，butwhichisbadlyplacedthere，itisimpossiblenottoremarktheomissionofwhatshouldnecessarilybethere，wereNapoleontheauthor.Itisfullofabsurdandofinsignificantgossip，ofthoughtsNapoleonneverhad，expressionsunknowntohim，andaffectationsfarremovedfromhischaracter.Withsomeelevatedideas，morethanonestyleandanequivocalspiritcanbeseeninit.Professedcoincidencesareputclosetounpardonableanachronisms，andtothemostabsurdrevelations.Itcontainsneitherhisthoughts，hisstyle，hisactions，norhislife.Sometruthsaremimedupwithaninconceivablemassoffalsehoods.SomeformsofexpressionusedbyBonaparteareoccasionallymetwith，buttheyareawkwardlyintroduced，andoftenwithbadtaste.

IthasbeenreportedthatthepamphletwaswrittenbyM.Bertrand，formerlyanofficerofthearmyoftheVistula，andarelationoftheComtedeSimeon，peerofFrance.

——[’ManuscritdeSainteHelened’unemaniereinconnue’，London.

Murray;Bruxelles，DeMat，20Avril1817.Thisworkmeritsanote.

Metternich（vol，i.pp.312—13）says，"AtthetimewhenitappearedthemanuscriptofSt.HelenamadeagreatimpressionuponEurope.

ThispamphletwasgenerallyregardedasaprecursorofthememoirswhichNapoleonwasthoughttobewritinginhisplaceofexile.ThereportsoonspreadthattheworkwasconceivedandexecutedbyMadamedeStael.MadamedeStael，forherpart，attributedittoBenjaminConstant，fromwhomshewasatthistimeseparatedbysomedisagreement.AfterwardsitcametobeknownthattheauthorwastheMarquisLullindeChateauvieux，amaninsociety，whomnoonehadsuspectedofbeingabletoholdapen：Jomini（tomei.p.8

note）says."Itwillberemarkedthatinthecourseofthiswork[hislifeofNapoleon]theauthorhasusedsomefiftypagesofthepretended’ManuscritdeSainteHelene’.Farfromwishingtocommitaplagiarism，heconsidersheoughttorenderthishomagetoacleverandoriginalwork，severalfalsepointsofviewinwhich，however，hehascombated.Itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtorewritethesepagesinotherterms，buttheyappearedtohimtobesowellsuitedtothecharacterofNapoleonthathehaspreferredtopreservethem."InthewillofNapoleonoccurs（seeendofthiswork）："Idisavowthe’ManuscritdeSainteHelene’，andtheotherworksunderthetitleofMaxims，Sentences，etc.，whichtheyhavebeenpleasedtopublishduringthelastsixyears.Suchrulesarenotthosewhichhaveguidedmylife：Thismanuscriptmustnotbeconfusedwiththe’MemorialofSaintHelena’.]——

CHAPTERIV.

1795—1797

OnmyreturntoParisImeetBonaparte——HisinterviewwithJosephine——Bonaparte’smarriage，anddeparturefromParistendaysafter——

PortraitandcharacterofJosephine——Bonaparte’sdislikeofnationalproperty——LettertoJosephine——LetterofGeneralColli，andBonaparte’sreply——BonaparterefusestoservewithKellerman——

Marmont’sletters——Bonaparte’sordertometojointhearmy——MydeparturefromSensforItaly——InsurrectionoftheVenetianStates.

Afterthe13thVendemiaireIreturnedtoParisfromSens.DuringtheshorttimeIstoppedthereIsawBonapartelessfrequentlythanformerly.

Ihad，however，noreasontoattributethistoanythingbutthepressureofpublicbusinesswithwhichhewasnowoccupied.WhenIdidmeethimitwasmostcommonlyatbreakfastordinner.Onedayhecalledmyattentiontoayoungladywhosatoppositetohim，andaskedwhatI

thoughtofher.ThewayinwhichIansweredhisquestionappearedtogivehimmuchpleasure.Hethentalkedagreatdealtomeabouther，herfamily，andheramiablequalities;hetoldmethatheshouldprobablymarryher，ashewasconvincedthattheunionwouldmakehimhappy.I

alsogatheredfromhisconversationthathismarriagewiththeyoungwidowwouldprobablyassisthimingainingtheobjectsofhisambition.

Hisconstantly—increasinginfluencewithherhadalreadybroughthimintocontactwiththemostinfluentialpersonsofthatepoch.HeremainedinParisonlytendaysafterhismarriage，whichtookplaceonthe9thofMarch1796.Itwasaunioninwhichgreatharmonyprevailed，notwithstandingoccasionalslightdisagreements.Bonapartenever，tomyknowledge，causedannoyancetohiswife.MadameBonapartepossessedpersonalgracesandmanygoodqualities.

——["EugenewasnotmorethanfourteenyearsofagewhenheventuredtointroducehimselftoGeneralBonaparte，forthepurposeofsolicitinghisfather’ssword，ofwhichheunderstoodtheGeneralhadbecomepossessed.Thecountenance，air，andfrankmannerofEugenepleasedBonaparte，andheimmediatelygrantedhimtheboonhesought.Assoonastheswordwasplacedintheboy’shandstieburstintotears，andkissedit.Thisfeelingofaffectionforhisfather’smemory，andthenaturalmannerinwhichitwasevinced，increasedtheinterestofBonaparteinhisyoungvisitor.MadamedeBeauharnais，onlearningthekindreceptionwhichtheGeneralhadgivenherson，thoughtitherdutytocallandthankhim.BonapartewasmuchpleasedwithJosephineonthisfirstinterview，andhereturnedhervisit.Theacquaintancethuscommencedspeedilyledtotheirmarriage."——Constant]——

——[Bonapartehimself，atSt.Helena，saysthathefirstmetJosephineatBarras’（seeIung’sBonaparte，tomeiii.p.116）.]——

——["NeitherofhiswiveshadeveranythingtocomplainoffromNapoleon’spersonalmanners"（Metternich，vol.1p.279）.]——

——[MadamedeRemusat，who，toparaphraseThiers’sayingonBourriennehimself，isatrustworthywitness，forifshereceivedbenefitsfromNapoleontheydidnotweighonher，says，"However，Napoleonhadsomeaffectionforhisfirstwife;and，infact，ifhehasatanytimebeentouched，nodoubtithasbeenonlyforherandbyher"（tomei.p.113）."BonapartewasyoungwhenhefirstknewMadamedeBeauharnais.InthecirclewherehemethershehadagreatsuperioritybythenamesheboreandbytheextremeeleganceofhermannersInmarryingMadamedeBeauharnais，Bonapartebelievedhewasallyinghimselftoaverygrandlady;thusthiswasonemoreconquest"（p.114）.ButinspeakingofJosephine’scomplaintstoNapoleonofhisloveaffairs，MadamedeRemusatsays，"Herhusbandsometimesansweredbyviolences，theexcessesofwhichIdonotdaretodetail，untilthemomentwhen，hisnewfancyhavingsuddenlypassed，hefelthistendernessforhiswifeagainrenewed.Thenhewastouchedbyhersufferings，replacedhisinsultsbycaresseswhichwerehardlymoremeasuredthanhisviolencesand，asshewasgentleanduntenacious，shefellbackintoherfeelingofsecurity"（p.206）.]——

——[MiotdeMelito，whowasafollowerofJosephBonaparte，says，"Nowomanhasunitedgomuchkindnesstosomuchnaturalgrace，orhasdonemoregoodwithmorepleasurethanshedid.Shehonouredmewithherfriendship，andtheremembranceofthebenevolenceshehasshownme，tothelastmomentofhertooshortexistence，willneverbeeffacedfrommyheart"（tomei.pp.101—2）.]——

——[Meneval，thesuccessorofBourrienneishisplaceofsecretarytoNapoleon，andwhoremainedattachedtotheEmperoruntiltheend，saysofJosephine（tomei.p.227），"Josephinewasirresistiblyattractive.Herbeautywasnotregular，butshehad’Lagrace，plusbelleencorequelabeaute’，accordingtothegoodLaFontaine.Shehadthesoftabandonment，thesuppleandelegantmovements，andthegracefulcarelessnessofthecreoles.——（Thereadermustrememberthattheterm"Creole"doesnotimplyanytaintofblackblood，butonlythattheperson，ofEuropeanfamily，hasbeenbornintheWestIndies.）——Hertemperwasalwaysthesame.Shewasgentleandkind.]——

Iamconvincedthatallwhowereacquaintedwithhermusthavefeltboundtospeakwellofher;tofew，indeed，didsheevergivecauseforcomplaint.Inthetimeofherpowershedidnotloseanyofherfriends，becausesheforgotnoneofthem.Benevolencewasnaturaltoher，butshewasnotalwaysprudentinitsexercise.Henceherprotectionwasoftenextendedtopersonswhodidnotdeserveit.Hertasteforsplendourandexpensewasexcessive.Thispronenesstoluxurybecameahabitwhichseemedconstantlyindulgedwithoutanymotive.WhatsceneshaveInotwitnessedwhenthemomentforpayingthetradesmen’sbillsarrived！Shealwayskeptbackone—halfoftheirclaims，andthediscoveryofthisexposedhertonewreproaches.Howmanytearsdidsheshedwhichmighthavebeeneasilyspared！

Whenfortuneplacedacrownonherheadshetoldmethattheevent，extraordinaryasitwas，hadbeenpredicted：Itiscertainthatsheputfaithinfortune—tellers.Ioftenexpressedtohermyastonishmentthatsheshouldcherishsuchabelief，andshereadilylaughedatherowncredulity;butnotwithstandingneverabandonedit：Theeventhadgivenimportancetotheprophecy;buttheforesightoftheprophetess，saidtobeanoldregress，wasnotthelessamatterofdoubt.

Notlongbeforethe13thofVendemiaire，thatdaywhichopenedforBonapartehisimmensecareer，headdressedalettertomeatSens，inwhich，aftersomeofhisusuallyfriendlyexpressions，hesaid，"LookoutasmallpieceoflandinyourbeautifulvalleyoftheYonne.IwillpurchaseitassoonasIcanscrapetogetherthemoney.Iwishtoretirethere;butrecollectthatIwillhavenothingtodowithnationalproperty."

BonaparteleftParisonthe21stofMarch1796，whileIwasstillwithmyguardians.HenosoonerjoinedtheFrencharmythanGeneralColli，thenincommandofthePiedmontesearmy，transmittedtohimthefollowingletter，which，withitsanswer，Ithinksufficientlyinterestingtodeservepreservation：

GENERAL——Isupposethatyouareignorantofthearrestofoneofmyofficers，namedMoulin，thebearerofaflagoftruce，whohasbeendetainedforsomedayspastatMurseco，contrarytothelawsofwar，andnotwithstandinganimmediatedemandforhisliberationbeingmadebyGeneralCountVital.HisbeingaFrenchemigrantcannottakefromhimtherightsofaflagoftruce，andIagainclaimhiminthatcharacter.ThecourtesyandgenerositywhichIhavealwaysexperiencedfromthegeneralsofyournationinducesmetohopethatIshallnotmakethisapplicationinvain;anditiswithregretthatImentionthatyourchiefofbrigade，Barthelemy，whoorderedtheunjustarrestofmyflagoftruce，havingyesterdaybythechanceofwarfallenintomyhands，thatofficerwillbedealtwithaccordingtothetreatmentwhichM.Moulinmayreceive.

Imostsincerelywishthatnothingmayoccurtochangethenobleandhumaneconductwhichthetwonationshavehithertobeenaccustomedtoobservetowardseachother.Ihavethehonour，etc.，（Signed）COLLI.

CEVA.17thApril1796.

Bonaparterepliedasfollows：

GENERAL——Anemigrantisaparricidewhomnocharactercanrendersacred.Thefeelingsofhonour，andtherespectduetotheFrenchpeople，wereforgottenwhenM.Moulinwassentwithaflagoftruce.

Youknowthelawsofwar，andIthereforedonotgivecredittothereprisalswithwhichyouthreatenthechiefofbrigade，Barthelemy.

If，contrarytothelawsofwar，youauthorisesuchanactofbarbarism，alltheprisonerstakenfromyoushallbeimmediatelymaderesponsibleforitwiththemostdeplorablevengeance，forI

entertainfortheofficersofyournationthatesteemwhichisduetobravesoldiers.

TheExecutiveDirectory，towhomtheselettersweretransmitted，approvedofthearrestofM.Moulin;butorderedthatheshouldbesecurelyguarded，andnotbroughttotrial，inconsequenceofthecharacterwithwhichhehadbeeninvested.

Aboutthemiddleoftheyear1796theDirectoryproposedtoappointGeneralKellerman，whocommandedthearmyoftheAlps，secondincommandofthearmyofItaly.

Onthe24thofMay1796Bonapartewroteto，Carnotrespecting，thisplan，whichwasfarfrombeingagreeabletohim.Hesaid，"WhetherIshallbeemployedhereoranywhereelseisindifferenttome：toservethecountry，andtomeritfromposterityapageinourhistory，isallmyambition.IfyoujoinKellermanandmeincommandinItalyyouwillundoeverything.GeneralKellermanhasmoreexperiencethanI，andknowshowtomakewarbetterthanIdo;butbothtogether，weshallmakeitbadly.

IwillnotwillinglyservewithamanwhoconsidershimselfthefirstgeneralinEurope."

NumbersoflettersfromBonapartetohiswifehavebeenpublished.

Icannotdenytheir，authenticity，norisitmywishtodoso.Iwill，however，subjoinonewhichappearstometodifferalittlefromtherest.Itislessremarkableforexaggeratedexpressionsoflove，andasingularlyambitiousandaffectedstyle，thanmostofthecorrespondenceherealludedto.BonaparteisannouncingthevictoryofArcolatoJosephine.

VERONA，the29th，noon.

Atlength，myadoredJosephine，Iliveagain.Deathisnolongerbeforeme，andgloryandhonourarestillinmybreast.TheenemyisbeatenatArcola.To—morrowwewillrepairtheblunderofVaubois，whoabandonedRivoli.IneightdaysMantuawillbeours，andthenthyhusbandwillfoldtheeinhisarms，andgivetheeathousandproofsofhisardentaffection.IshallproceedtoMilanassoonasIcan：Iamalittlefatigued.IhavereceivedlettersfromEugeneandHortense.Iamdelightedwiththechildren.IwillsendyoutheirlettersassoonasIamjoinedbymyhousehold，whichisnowsomewhatdispersed.

Wehavemadefivethousandprisoners，andkilledatleastsixthousandoftheenemy.Adieu，myadorableJosephine.Thinkofmeoften.WhenyouceasetoloveyourAchilles，whenyourheartgrowscooltowardshim，youwiltbeverycruel，veryunjust.ButIamsureyouwillalwayscontinuemyfaithfulmistress，asIshalleverremainyourfondlover（’tendreamie’）.Deathalonecanbreaktheunionwhichsympathy，love，andsentimenthaveformed.Letmehavenewsofyourhealth.Athousandandathousandkisses.

ItisimpossibleformetoavoidoccasionallyplacingmyselfintheforegroundinthecourseoftheseMemoirs.Ioweittomyselftoanswer，thoughindirectly，tocertainchargeswhich，onvariousoccasions，havebeenmadeagainstme.SomeofthedocumentswhichIamabouttoinsertbelong，perhaps，lesstothehistoryoftheGeneral—in—Chiefofthearmyof—Italythantothatofhissecretary;butImustconfessIwishtoshowthatIwasnotanintruder，noryetpursuing，asanobscureintriguer，thepathoffortune.IwasinfluencedmuchmorebyfriendshipthanbyambitionwhenItookapartonthescenewheretherising—gloryofthefutureEmperoralreadyshedalustreonallwhowereattachedtohisdestiny.ItwillbeseenbythefollowingletterswithwhatconfidenceIwasthenhonoured;buttheseletters，dictatedbyfriendship，andnotwrittenforhistory，speakalsoofourmilitaryachievements;andwhateverbringstorecollectiontheeventsofthatheroicperiodmuststillbeinterestingtomany.

HEADQUARTERSATMILAN，20thPrairial，yearIV.（8thJune1796）.

TheGeneral—in—Chiefhasorderedme，mydearBourrienne，tomakeknowntoyouthepleasureheexperiencedonhearingofyou，andhisardentdesirethatyoushouldjoinus.Takeyourdeparture，then，mydearBourrienne，andarrivequickly.Youmaybecertainofobtainingthetestimoniesofaffectionwhichareyourduefromallwhoknowyou;andwemuchregretthatyouwerenotwithustohaveashareinoursuccess.Thecampaignwhichwehavejustconcludedwillbecelebratedintherecordsofhistory.Withlessthan30，000

men，inastateofalmostcompletedestitution，itisafinethingtohave，inthecourseoflessthantwomonths，beaten，eightdifferenttimes，anarmyoffrom65to70，000men，obligedtheKingofSardiniatomakeahumiliatingpeace，anddriventheAustriansfromItaly.Thelastvictory，ofwhichyouhavedoubtlesshadanaccount，thepassageoftheMincio，hasclosedourlabours.TherenowremainforusthesiegeofMantuaandthecastleofMilan;buttheseobstacleswillnotdetainuslong.Adieu，mydearBourrienne：

IrepeatGeneralBonaparte’srequestthatyoushouldrepairhither，andthetestimonyofhisdesiretoseeyou.

Receive，etc.，（Signed）MARMONT.

ChiefofBrigade（Artillery）andAidedecamptotheGeneral—in—Chief.

IwasobligedtoremainatSens，solicitingmyerasurefromtheemigrantlist，whichIdidnotobtain，however，till1797，andtoputanendtoachargemadeagainstmeofhavingfabricatedacertificateofresidence.

MeanwhileIappliedmyselftostudy，andpreferredreposetotheagitationofcamps.ForthesereasonsIdidnotthenaccepthisfriendlyinvitation，notwithstandingthatIwasverydesirousofseeingmyyoungcollegefriendinthemidstofhisastonishingtriumphs.Tenmonthsafter，IreceivedanotherletterfromMarmont，inthefollowingterms：——

HEADQUARTERSGORIZIA

2dGerminal，yearV.（22dMarch1797）.

TheGeneral—in—Chief，mydearBourrienne，hasorderedmetoexpresstoyouhiswishforyourpromptarrivalhere.Wehaveallalonganxiouslydesiredtoseeyou，andlookforwardwithgreatpleasuretothemomentwhenweshallmeet.IjoinwiththeGeneral，mydearBourrienne，inurgingyoutojointhearmywithoutlossoftime.

Youwillincreaseaunitedfamily，happytoreceiveyouintoitsbosom.IencloseanorderwrittenbytheGeneral，whichwillserveyouasapassport.Takethepostrouteandarriveassoonasyoucan.WeareonthepointofpenetratingintoGermany.Thelanguageischangingalready，andinfourdaysweshallhearnomoreItalian.

PrinceCharleshasbeenwellbeaten，andwearepursuinghim.Ifthiscampaignbefortunate，wemaysignapeace，whichissonecessaryforEurope，inVienna.Adieu，mydearBourrienne：reckonforsomethingthezealofonewhoismuchattachedtoyou.

（Signed）MARMONT.

BONAPARTE，GENERAL—IN—CHIEFOFTHEARMYOFITALY.

Headquarters，Gorizia，2dGerminal，yearV.

ThecitizenBourrienneistocometomeonreceiptofthepresentorder.

（Signed）BONAPARTE.

TheodiousmannerinwhichIwasthenharassed，Iknownotwhy，onthepartoftheGovernmentrespectingmycertificateofresidence，renderedmystayinFrancenotveryagreeable.Iwaseventhreatenedwithbeingputonmytrialforhavingproducedacertificateofresidencewhichwasallegedtobesignedbyninefalsewitnesses.Thistime，therefore，I

resolvedwithouthesitationtosetoutforthearmy.GeneralBonaparte’sorder，whichIregisteredatthemunicipalityofSens，answeredforapassport，whichotherwisewouldprobablyhavebeenrefusedme.Ihavealwaysfeltastrongsenseofgratitudeforhisconducttowardsmeonthisoccasion.

NotwithstandingthehasteImadetoleaveSens，thenecessaryformalitiesandprecautionsdetainedmesomedays，andatthemomentIwasabouttodepartIreceivedthefollowingletter：

HEADQUARTERS，JUDENBOURG，19thGerminal，YearV.（8thApril1797）.

TheGeneral—in—Chiefagainordersme，mydearBourrienne，tourgeyoutocometohimquickly.Weareinthemidstofsuccessandtriumphs.TheGermancampaignbeginsevenmorebrilliantlythandidtheItalian.Youmayjudge，therefore，whatapromiseitholdsouttous.Come，mydearBourrienne，immediately——yieldtooursolicitations——shareourpainsandpleasures，andyouwilladdtoourenjoyments.

IhavedirectedthecouriertopassthroughSens，thathemaydeliverthislettertoyou，andbringmebackyouranswer.

（Signed）MARMONT.

Totheaboveletterthisorderwassubjoined：

ThecitizenFauveletdeBourrienneisorderedtoleaveSens，andrepairimmediatelybyposttotheheadquartersofthearmyofItaly.

（Signed）BONAPARTE.

IarrivedattheVenetianterritoryatthemomentwhentheinsurrectionagainsttheFrenchwasonthepointofbreakingout.ThousandsofpeasantswereinstigatedtoriseunderthepretextofappeasingthetroublesofBergamoandBrescia.IpassedthroughVeronaonthe16thofApril，theeveofthesignatureofthepreliminariesofLeobenandoftherevoltofVerona.EasterSundaywasthedaywhichtheministersofJesusChristselectedforpreaching"thatitwaslawful，andevenmeritorious，tokillJacobins."DeathtoFrenchmen！——DeathtoJacobins！astheycalledalltheFrench，weretheirrallyingcries.AtthetimeIhadnottheslightestideaofthisstateofthings，forIhadleftSensonlyonthe11thofApril.

AfterstoppingtwohoursatVerona，Iproceededonmyjourneywithoutbeingawareofthemassacrewhichthreatenedthatcity.WhenaboutaleaguefromthetownIwas，however，stoppedbyapartyofinsurgentsontheirwaythither，consisting，asIestimated，ofabouttwothousandmen.

Theyonlydesiredmetocry’ElvivaSantoMarco’，anorderwithwhichI

speedilycomplied，andpassedon.WhatwouldhavebecomeofmehadI

beeninVeronaontheMonday？Onthatdaythebellswererung，whiletheFrenchwerebutcheredinthehospitals.Everyonemetinthestreetswasputtodeath.Thepriestsheadedtheassassins，andmorethanfourhundredFrenchmenwerethussacrificed.ThefortsheldoutagainsttheVenetians，thoughtheyattackedthemwithfury;butrepossessionofthetownwasnotobtaineduntilaftertendays.OntheverydayoftheinsurrectionofVeronasomeFrenchmenwereassassinatedbetweenthatcityandVicenza，throughwhichIpassedonthedaybeforewithoutdanger;andscarcelyhadIpassedthroughPadua，whenIlearnedthatothershadbeenmassacredthere.Thustheassassinationstravelledasrapidlyasthepost.

IshallsayafewwordsrespectingtherevoltoftheVenetianStates，which，inconsequenceofthedifferenceofpoliticalopinions，hasbeenviewedinverycontradictorylights.

ThelastdaysofVenicewereapproaching，andastormhadbeenbrewingformorethanayear.AboutthebeginningofApril1797thethreateningsymptomsofageneralinsurrectionappeared.ThequarrelcommencedwhentheAustriansenteredPeschiera，andsomepretextwasalsoaffordedbythereceptiongiventoMonsieur，afterwardsLouisXVIII.ItwascertainthatVenicehadmademilitarypreparationsduringthesiegeofMantuain1796.Theinterestsofthearistocracyoutweighedthepoliticalconsiderationsinourfavour.On，the7thofJune1796GeneralBonapartewrotethustotheExecutiveDirectory：

TheSenateofVenicelatelysenttwojudgesoftheirCouncilheretoascertaindefinitivelyhowthingsstand.Irepeatedmycomplaints.

IspoketothemaboutthereceptiongiventoMonsieur.ShoulditbeyourplantoextractfiveorsixmillionsfromVenice，Ihaveexpresslypreparedthissortofruptureforyou.Ifyourintentionsbemoredecided，Ithinkthisgroundofquarreloughttobekeptup.

Letmeknowwhatyoumeantodo，andwaittillthefavourablemoment，whichIshallseizeaccordingtocircumstances;forwemustnothavetodowithalltheworldatonce.

TheDirectoryansweredthatthemomentwasnotfavourable;thatitwasfirstnecessarytotakeMantua，andgiveWurmserasoundbeating.

However，towardstheendoftheyear1796theDirectorybegantogivemorecredittothesincerityoftheprofessionsofneutralitymadeonthepartofVenice.Itwasresolved，therefore，tobecontentwithobtainingmoneyandsuppliesforthearmy，andtorefrainfromviolatingtheneutrality.TheDirectoryhadnottheninreserve，likeBonaparte，theideaofmakingthedismembermentofVeniceserveasacompensationforsuchoftheAustrianpossessionsastheFrenchRepublicmightretain.

In1797theexpectedfavourablemomenthadarrived.TheknellofVenicewasrung;andBonapartethuswrotetotheDirectoryonthe30thofApril：

"IamconvincedthattheonlycoursetobenowtakenistodestroythisferociousandsanguinaryGovernment."Onthe3dofMay，writingfromPalmaNuova，hesays："IseenothingthatcanbedonebuttoobliteratetheVenetiannamefromthefaceoftheglobe."

TowardstheendofMarch1797theGovernmentofVenicewasinadesperatestate.Ottolini，thePodestaofBergamo，aninstrumentoftyrannyinthehandsoftheStateinquisitors，thenharassedthepeopleofBergamoandBrescia，who，afterthereductionofMantua，wishedtobeseparatedfromVenice.Hedrewup，tohesenttotheSenate，alongreportrespectingtheplansofseparation，foundedoninformationgivenhimbyaRomanadvocate，namedMarcelinSerpini;whopretendedtohavegleanedthefactshecommunicatedinconversationwithofficersoftheFrencharmy.Theplanofthepatrioticpartywas，tounitetheVenetianterritoriesonthemainlandwithLombardy，andtoformofthewholeonerepublic.TheconductofOttoliniexasperatedthepartyinimicaltoVenice，andaugmentedtheprevailingdiscontent.Havingdisguisedhisvaletasapeasant，hesenthimofftoVenicewiththereporthehaddrawnuponSerpini’scommunications，andotherinformation;butthisreportneverreachedtheinquisitors.Thevaletwasarrested，hisdespatchestaken，andOttolinifledfromBergamo.ThisgaveabeginningtothegeneralrisingoftheVenetianStates.Infact，theforceofcircumstancesalonebroughtontheinsurrectionofthoseterritoriesagainsttheiroldinsulargovernment.GeneralLaHoz，whocommandedtheLombardLegion，wastheactiveprotectoroftherevolution，whichcertainlyhaditsoriginmoreintheprogressoftheprevailingprinciplesoflibertythaninthecrookedpolicyoftheSenateofVenice.Bonaparte，indeed，inhisdespatchestotheDirectory，statedthattheSenatehadinstigatedtheinsurrection;butthatwasnotquitecorrect，andhecouldnotwhollybelievehisownassertion.

PendingthevacillationoftheVenetianSenate，ViennawasexcitingthepopulationofitsStatesonthemainlandtoriseagainsttheFrench.TheVenetianGovernmenthadalwaysexhibitedanextremeaversiontotheFrenchRevolution，whichhadbeenviolentlycondemnedatVenice.HatredoftheFrenchhadbeenconstantlyexcitedandencouraged，andreligiousfanaticismhadinflamedmanypersonsofconsequenceinthecountry.Fromtheendof1796theVenetianSenatesecretlycontinueditsarmaments，andthewholeconductofthatGovernmentannouncedintentionswhichhavebeencalledperfidious，buttheonlyobjectofwhichwastodefeatintentionsstillmoreperfidious.TheSenatewastheirreconcilableenemyoftheFrenchRepublic.ExcitementwascarriedtosuchapointthatinmanyplacesthepeoplecomplainedthattheywerenotpermittedtoarmagainsttheFrench.TheAustriangeneralsindustriouslycirculatedthemostsinisterreportsrespectingthearmiesoftheSombre—et—MeuseandtheRhine，andthepositionoftheFrenchtroopsintheTyrol.Theseimpostures，printedinbulletins，werewellcalculatedtoinstigatetheItalians，andespeciallytheVenetians，toriseinmasstoexterminatetheFrench，whenthevictoriousarmyshouldpenetrateintotheHereditaryStates.

ThepursuitoftheArchdukeCharlesintotheheartofAustriaencouragedthehopeswhichtheVenetianSenatehadconceived，thatitwouldbeeasytoannihilatethefeebleremnantoftheFrencharmy，asthetroopswerescatteredthroughtheStatesofVeniceonthemainland.WherevertheSenatehadtheascendency，insurrectionwassecretlyfomented;wherevertheinfluenceofthepatriotsprevailed，ardenteffortsweremadetounitetheVenetianterrafirmatotheLombardRepublic.

Bonaparteskillfullytookadvantageofthedisturbances，andthemassacresconsequentonthem，toadopttowardstheSenatethetoneofanoffendedconqueror.HepublishedadeclarationthattheVenetianGovernmentwasthemoattreacherousimaginable.TheweaknessandcruelhypocrisyoftheSenatefacilitatedtheplanhehadconceivedofmakingapeaceforFranceattheexpenseoftheVenetianRepublic.OnreturningfromLeoben，aconquerorandpacificator，he，withoutceremony，tookpossessionofVenice，changedtheestablishedgovernment，and，masterofalltheVenetianterritory，foundhimself，inthenegotiationsofCampoFormio，abletodisposeofitashepleased，asacompensationforthecessionswhichhadbeenexactedfromAustria.Afterthe19thofMayhewrotetotheDirectorythatoneoftheobjectsofhistreatywithVenicewastoavoidbringinguponustheodiumofviolatingthepreliminariesrelativetotheVenetianterritory，and，atthesametime，toaffordpretextsandtofacilitatetheirexecution.

AtCampoFormiothefateofthisrepublicwasdecided.ItdisappearedfromthenumberofStateswithouteffortornoise.Thesilenceofitsfallastonishedimaginationswarmedbyhistoricalrecollectionsfromthebrilliantpagesofitsmaritimeglory.Itspower，however，whichhadbeensilentlyundermined，existednolongerexceptintheprestigeofthoserecollections.WhatresistancecouldithaveopposedtothemandestinedtochangethefaceofallEurope？

EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon，V1，1797

byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneMemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte，V2

byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel，LateRoyalArtillery1891

CONTENTS：

ChapterV.toChapterXIV.1798

CHAPTERV

1797.

Signatureofthepreliminariesofpeace——FallofVenice——MyarrivalandreceptionatLeoben——Bonapartewishestopursuehissuccess——

TheDirectoryopposeshim——HewishestoadvanceonVienna——MovementofthearmyoftheSombre—et—Mouse——Bonaparte’sdissatisfaction——

ArrivalatMilan——WetakeupourresidenceatMontebello——Napoleon’sjudgmentrespectingDandoloandMelzi.

IjoinedBonaparteatLeobenonthe19thofApril，thedayafterthesignatureofthepreliminariesofpeace.ThesepreliminariesresembledinnorespectthedefinitivetreatyofCampoFormio.ThestillincompletefalloftheStateofVenicedidnotatthattimepresentanavailablepreyforpartition.Allwasarrangedafterwards.WoetothesmallStatesthatcomeinimmediatecontactwithtwocolossalempireswagingwar！

HereterminatedmyconnectionwithBonaparteasacomradeandequal，andthoserelationswithhimcommencedinwhichIsawhimsuddenlygreat，powerful，andsurroundedwithhomageandglory.InolongeraddressedhimasIhadbeenaccustomedtodo.Iappreciatedtoowellhispersonalimportance.Hispositionplacedtoogreatasocialdistancebetweenhimandmenottomakemefeelthenecessityoffashioningmydemeanouraccordingly.Imadewithpleasure，andwithoutregret，theeasysacrificeofthestyleoffamiliarcompanionshipandotherlittleprivileges.Hesaid，inaloudvoice，whenIenteredthesalonwherehewassurroundedbytheofficerswhoformedhisbrilliantstaff，"Iamgladtoseeyou，atlast"——"Tevoiladonc，enfin;"，butassoonaswewerealonehemademeunderstandthathewaspleasedwithmyreserve，andthankedmeforit.IwasimmediatelyplacedattheheadofhisCabinet.

IspoketohimthesameeveningrespectingtheinsurrectionoftheVenetianterritories，ofthedangerswhichmenacedtheFrench，andofthosewhichIhadescaped，etc."Carethou’nothingaboutit，"saidhe;

——[Heusedto’tutoyer’meinthisfamiliarmanneruntilhisreturntoMilan.]——

"thoserascalsshallpayforit.Theirrepublichashaditsday，andisdone."Thisrepublicwas，however，stillexisting，wealthyandpowerful.

ThesewordsbroughttomyrecollectionwhatIhadreadinaworkbyoneGabrielNaude，whowroteduringthereignofLouisXIII.forCardinaldeBagin："DoyouseeConstantinople，whichflattersitselfwithbeingtheseatofadoubleempire;andVenice，whichgloriesinherstabilityofathousandyears？Theirdaywillcome."

InthefirstconversationwhichBonapartehadwithme，IthoughtIcouldperceivethathewasnotverywellsatisfiedwiththepreliminaries.HewouldhavelikedtoadvancewithhisarmytoVienna.Hedidnotconcealthisfromme.BeforeheofferedpeacetoPrinceCharles，hewrotetotheDirectorythatheintendedtopursuehissuccess，butthatforthispurposehereckonedontheco—operationofthearmiesoftheSambre—et—

MeuseandtheRhine.TheDirectoryrepliedthathemustnotreckononadiversioninGermany，andthatthearmiesoftheSambre—et—MeuseandtheRhinewerenottopassthatriver.Aresolutionsounexpected——

adeclarationsocontrarytowhathehadconstantlysolicited，compelledhimtoterminatehistriumphs，andrenouncehisfavouriteprojectofplantingthestandardoftherepublicontherampartsofVienna，oratleastoflevyingcontributionsonthesuburbsofthatcapital.