their leader; for soldiers are liberal in such cases, and readily ascribe to the talents of their general not only what fortune has effected, but much, also, of what their own gallantry has achieved. Napoleon's confidence was also heightened by this continued success, and that self-exaggeration which formed the most prominent feature in his character, was naturally fostered into active strength, and tended, no doubt, to augment for a time some of the most essential elements of force belonging to his army. His manner also began, about this period, to be more strongly affected by his rising fortunes than had before been visible. Every victory that he gained diminished in something his republican frankness; the thee and thou were entirely laid aside, and the reserved air of conscious superiority was gradually assumed, not yet in the haughty and imperial style of after days, but in the mysteriously tranquil manner that might best befit "the man of destiny ;" and, backed by a wonderful career of victory, even this produced effect.

During the two months of repose that followed on the fourth act of the Italian Campaign, we find both parties engaged in preparing for the ultimate struggle which was rapidly approaching. The period beyond which Mantua could not possibly hold out was now drawing near, and it was an imperative duty on the part of the Austrians to use every effort for the relief of a fortress on which the fate of Lombardy still rested. The Republic was also bound to strain every nerve to secure the prize for which so many battles had been fought and so many victories gained, for it was still evident that a single defeat on the Adige would deprive them of all the fruits of the campaign: the end of the next act will shew how far either of the parties acted up to their duties on this occasion.

In Italy, circumstances were daily becoming more favourable to the Austrians. The French troops, left without food or pay, notwithstanding the immense sums levied on the country, were guilty of great excesses, and Vial's brigade even mutinied at this period; while the authorities continued their usual extortions, and thus cooled the ardour of their friends and strengthened the

hands of their enemies. The government of Venice, conscious that they would not be spared if France prevailed, assembled troops in the capital, but did not venture to employ them in support of the cause on which they knew that their own safety depended. Napoleon was bolder; being fully aware of their sentiments, he seized on the fortress of Bergamo by open force. Many of the nations engaged against France during the course of the long wars that arose out of the Revolution found brave soldiers to fight their battles in the field, but few, indeed, were those who found themselves ruled over by governments possessed of sufficient courage and character to act with energy and decision at the proper time and place; and the small republican governments displayed, in their humble way, far more of trembling and temporising timidity than their more powerful neighbours.

The insolent demands of France had obliged the Pope to break off all negotiations with the Republic, to recall the 15,000,000 livres that were already on their way to the French head-quarters, and to continue his military preparations. It was generally believed that Naples was willing to aid the Roman government, if a favourable opportunity-that is, an opportunity offering a prospect of success without any chance of danger -should present itself. And yet it was the consciousness of existing danger which inspired the Neapolitan government with this hostile feeling, without also inspiring it with the necessary courage to strike a bold blow for safety and honour.

The court of Turin continued neutral, suspected by the French, and conscious, like all the other Italian states, that its ruin would not be long delayed if the Austrians were ultimately defeated. The French Directory, aware of their total want of popularity, were becoming every day more anxious for peace, in order to establish themselves in the good opinion of the nation. And as they intended to exchange the Italian conquests against Belgium and the left bank of the Rhine, they discouraged all revolutionary proceedings in Italy. Napoleon, however, was not so desirous of peace, and seemed now to display more revolutionary zeal than

3

he had done in the early part of the campaign; he allowed Bologna, Ferrara, and the duchy of Modena, to form themselves into a republic, called the Cispaden, and would have been equally liberal to the Lombards, had not the Directory interfered; the Milanese were obliged, therefore, to content themselves with their provisional government.

Much has been said of Napoleon's success in ingratiating himself with the Italians, and even with their clergy, during these periods of military inactivity. Such things could not fail to be said and written a million of times over, however the case might really have stood. His iron hand rested for twenty years on Europe; he was dreaded and allpowerful, had thousands of flatterers who were allowed to speak, while those who entertained sentiments unfavourable to him were forced to be silent. He wrote a few complimentary letters to men of science, which were widely circulated, and produced, no doubt, some effect; on the other hand, his abruptness of manner, totally devoid of courtesy and elegance, was long remembered in the best circles of Italian society.

We shall illustrate the probability of the pretended popularity by a couple of simple facts that historians have neglected to record. When

the

The belligerent parties made at this time some attempt to terminate the war. The English government

sent Lord Malmesbury with pacific overtures to Paris, but as he insisted on the restoration of Belgium to Austria, he was soon ordered to leave France. The Directory, on their part, despatched General Clerke into Italy for the purpose of negotiating a general armistice, preparatory to the assembling of a congress. The general had some conferences at Vicenza with Baron Vincent, aide-de-camp of the Emperor of Austria, who was willing to agree to a local but not to a general armistice; and as General Clerke had no power to accede to these terms, his negotiation also failed. We now find, however, that mission, for he was further directed this was not the sole object of his to act the noble part of a spy, and report on the conduct and sentiments of Napoleon, and of the principal officers of his army, the rapid rise of ready inspired the Directory with the youthful conqueror having alsome alarm. The general was evidently no unerring observer, for, after bestowing great praise on Napolcon's conduct as a commander, he proceeds to say, that "nothing need be apprehended from him; that he is sincerely attached to the constitution, and never likely to take any steps against the liberties of the Republic.' He adds, however, that "General Buonaparte has his faults, and is too lavish of the lives of the soldiers; that he does not always speak to the military men who approach him in the measured terms that become his character, and is often harsh, impatient, and imperious."

provisional solicited permission to confiscate cergovernment of Milan tain portions of the property belonging to the clergy and nobility, they requested leave to seize the whole of the church plate for the immediate use of the state. This last request was granted to the full; but no sooner was the treasure collected, than the spoilers, who might possibly have expected some slight share for their trouble, were directed to account for the produce to a French commissioner, and then to pay the amount into the military chest of the French army. In this manner were the clergy conciliated. Our other fact is one respecting which every idle traveller in Italy may still satisfy himself. Near every town which

Napoleon had also been accused or suspected of some acts of peculation, but of these Clerke acquits him entirely. The civil authorities attached to the army he describes as dishonest, worthless, and rapacious in the extreme; and even as Napoleon found them at the commencement of his career, so he left them at the termination of his reign, as continental

happened to be the seat of a military Europe can testify to its cost. The

government or commission, the country people point out, even to this day, some spot as the place where the "French shot all peasants who were condemned by the military tribunals."

well-known fact furnishes an ample refutation of the praise so lavishly bestowed upon him for ably regulating the commissariat and financial department of the army.

COUNSEL MAL-À-PROPOS.

"You may replenish my cup, Mrs. Proby," said Mr. Bradford to his housekeeper, who was performing her wonted duties at the breakfasttable, "I could relish another slice of that broiled ham, too. You don't think it will do me any harm ?"

"Harm! I assure you I am quite glad to see you so hearty, sir."

"And I certainly do not see wherefore I should not have my indulgences. At any rate I can afford them; have neither 'kin nor kith,' as they say, that is, none whom I care for, or who, I suspect, care for me, whatever regard they may have for my money. But they may be disappointed after all. Eh, Mrs. Proby?"

An odd humour he is in this morning, thought the dame; and then, without seeming to notice the last remark-much as it excited her curiosity-anxious as she was to ascertain its import, she replied,

"Why, to be sure, sir, if you cannot have your indulgences, who should? For my part, I think you would be to blame not to enjoy as many as you can. And you can, as you well observe, not only afford them, but have no one's will except

your own to consult."

"Very true; thanks to my oldbachelorship for my independence. Still, even that independence is not without its alloy-at least, I almost begin now to fancy so. Hang it! after all, one likes to have some one to care for. Were it not that my cousin Ellingham's family are such a strange, untoward set--don't you think they are, Mrs. Proby? Did you ever see such a conceited, extravagant puppy as that Tom Ellingham ? However, that is no business of mine: if his father can afford to make a harum-scarum fine gentleman of him, and fine folks of all the rest, so much the better. They are all much wiser than me, I dare say, only they must not look to me to be their banker. To say the truth, they seem to think they are doing me a favour by allowing me the opportunity of bestowing upon them

with my own hands what they think would be theirs after my death."

How far honest Mr. Bradford was justified in this sprightly tirade against the Ellinghams; whether he either overrated his own liberality, or their unworthiness of it, it is not necessary for us to inquire into very strictly. Certain it is, that although she thought proper to dissemble her satisfaction, his remarks were not particularly disagreeable to Mrs. Proby, who was aware that these cousins did not regard her with much goodwill. In fact, some of them had gone so far as to insinuate, that she was so attached not only to Mr. Bradford and to his interests, but to his name; that she desired nothing better than to exchange her own for it. Now, if she did entertain any idea that way tending, it probably originated in their incautious, not to say unceremonious betrayal of their own suspicions, and was afterwards cherished by her, out of the laudable desire of proving to the world their excessive foresight. The reader must not call upon us for an explanation of this doubtful point; because, instead of vindicating Mrs. Proby, we have to attend to the colloquy at the breakfast-table.

"Really, sir, it is astonishing how they have contrived to do so long as they do, even with your generous assistance. Why, there's Miss Ellingham's and her sisters' finery alone must cost a tolerable income, and all to no purpose, too, for not one of them seems likely to get a husband. And Mr. Thomas, again! racketing about every where-now up to town, now post haste down into the country; riding, coursing, hunting, horse-racing, curricle-driv ing! Upon my word, generosity towards such people is only a premium as you to extravagance. However, observe, sir, their goings-on need be no concern of yours."

"Most certainly, Mrs. Proby, I am not one of those who sympathise with genteel distresses, with folks who 'must' live in a certain style, no matter who pays for it; and who will

man, indeed; a woman of spirit, one of your dashers; still I very much question whether she would, with all her good qualities, have been exactly the wife for me. I have, as you have doubtless long ago found out, my little oddities and humours, Mrs. Proby; and although-that is speaking hypothetically-I should have no objection to a wife who could awe people, I should wish to be excepted from the number. To be a good manager is, no doubt, an excellent recommendation in a wife, but her husband ought to find her manageable also."

believe that that ugly anonymous
letter might be traced to the E.'s.
However, it did not disturb my ease
much, for nothing was further from
my thoughts than any matrimonial
views in that quarter. Had it taken
any effect at all, it might have proved
a very different one from what was
intended. It is, therefore, perhaps
quite as well that I paid no attention
to it. Mrs. Dareall was certainly a
very fine woman-a very fine wo-