OnourarrivalatRastadtIsoonfoundthatGeneralBonapartewasdeterminedtostaythereonlyashorttime.IthereforeexpressedtohimmydecideddesiretoremaininGermany.Iwasthenignorantthatmyerasurefromtheemigrantlisthadbeenorderedonthe11thofNovember，asthedecreedidnotreachthecommissaryoftheExecutiveDirectoryatAuxerreuntilthe17thofNovember，thedayofourdeparturefromMilan.
Thesillypretextofdifficultiesbywhichmyerasure，notwithstandingthereiteratedsolicitationsofthevictoriousGeneral，wassolongdelayedmademeapprehensiveofarenewal，underaweakandjealouspentarchy，ofthehorriblescenesof1796.Bonapartesaidtome，inatoneofindignation，"Come，passtheRhine;theywillnotdaretoseizeyouwhilenearme.Ianswerforyoursafety."OnreachingParisIfoundthatmyerasurehadtakenplace.ItwasatthisperiodonlythatGeneralBonaparte’sapplicationsinmyfavourweretardilycrownedwithsuccess.
Sotin，theMinisterofGeneralPolice，notifiedthefacttoBonaparte;
buthislettergaveareasonformyerasureverydifferentfromthatstatedinthedecree.TheMinistersaidthattheGovernmentdidnotwishtoleaveamongthenamesoftraitorstotheircountrythenameofacitizenwhowasattachedtothepersonoftheconquerorofItaly;whilethedecreeitselfstatedasthemotiveforremovingmynamefromthelistthatIneverhademigrated.
AtSt.HelenaitseemsBonapartesaidthathedidnotreturnfromItalywithmorethan300，000francs;butIassertthathehadatthattimeinhispossessionsomethingmorethan3，000，000.
——[JosephsaysthatNapoleon，whenheexiledforEgypt，leftwithhimallhisfortune，andthatitwasmuchnearer300，000francsthan3，000，000.（SeeErreurs，tomei.pp.243，259]——
Howcouldhewith300，000francshavebeenabletoprovidefortheextensiverepairs，theembellishment，andthefurnishingofhishouseintheRueChantereine？Howcouldhehavesupportedtheestablishmenthedidwithonly15，000francsofincomeandtheemolumentsofhisrank？
Theexcursionwhichhemadealongthecoast，ofwhichIhaveyettospeak，ofitselfcostnear12，000francsingold，whichhetransferredtometodefraytheexpenseofthejourney;andIdonotthinkthatthissumwaseverrepaidhim.Besides，whatdiditsignify，foranyobjecthemighthaveindisguisinghisfortune，whetherhebrought3，000，000or300，000francswithhimfromItaly？Noonewillaccusehimofpeculation.Hewasaninflexibleadministrator.Hewasalwaysirritatedatthediscoveryoffraud，andpursuedthoseguiltyofitwithallthevigourofhischaracter.Hewishedtobeindependent，whichhewellknewthatnoonecouldbewithoutfortune.Hehasoftensaidtome，"IamnoCapuchin，notI"Butafterhavingbeenallowedonly300，000francsonhisarrivalfromtherichItaly，wherefortuneneverabandonedhim，ithasbeenprintedthathehad20，000，000（somehaveevendoubledtheamount）onhisreturnfromEgypt，whichisaverypoorcountry，wheremoneyisscarce，andwherereversesfollowedcloseuponhisvictories.
Allthesereportsarefalse.WhathebroughtfromItalyhasjustbeenstated，anditwillbeseenwhenwecometoEgyptwhattreasurehecarriedawayfromthecountryofthePharaohs.
Bonaparte’sbrothers，desirousofobtainingcompletedominionoverhismind，strenuouslyendeavouredtolessentheinfluencewhichJosephinepossessedfromtheloveofherhusband.Theytriedtoexcitehisjealousy，andtookadvantageofherstayatMilanafterourdeparture，whichhadbeenauthorisedbyBonapartehimself.Myintimacywithboththehusbandandthewifefortunatelyaffordedmeanopportunityofavertingorlesseningagooddealofmischief.IfJosephinestilllivedshewouldallowmethismerit.Inevertookpartagainstherbutonce，andthatunwillingly.ItwasonthesubjectofthemarriageofherdaughterHortense.Josephinehadneverasyetspokentomeonthesubject.BonapartewishedtogivehisstepdaughtertoDuroc，andhisbrotherswereeagertopromotethemarriage，becausetheywishedtoseparateJosephinefromHortense，forwhomBonapartefeltthetenderestaffection.Josephine，ontheotherhand，wishedHortensetomarryLouisBonaparte.Hermotives，asmayeasilybedivined，wereto，gainsupportinafamilywheresheexperiencednothingbutenmity，andshecarriedherpoint.
——[PrevioustohermarriagewithLouis，HortensecherishedanattachmentforDuroc，whowasatthattimeahandsomemanaboutthirty，andagreatfavouriteofBonaparte.However，theindifferencewithwhichDurocregardedthemarriageofLouisBonapartesufficientlyprovesthattheregardwithwhichbehadinspiredHortensewasnotveryardentlyreturned.ItiscertainthatDurocmighthavebecomethehusbandofMademoiselledeBeauharnaishadhebeenwillingtoaccedetotheconditionsonwhichtheFirstConsulofferedhimhisstep—daughter’shand.ButDuroclookedforwardtosomethingbetter，andhisordinaryprudenceforsookhimatamomentwhenhemighteasilyhavebeheldaperspectivecalculatedtogratifyevenamoretoweringambitionthanhis.Hedeclinedtheproposedmarriage;andtheunionofHortenseandLouis，whichMadameBonaparte，toconciliatethefavourofherbrothers—in—law，hadendeavouredtobringabout，wasimmediatelydeterminedon（MemoiresdeConstant）.
InallusiontotheallegedunfriendlyfeelingofNapoleon’sbrotherstowardsJosephine，thefollowingobservationoccursinJosephBonaparte’sNotesonBourrienne：
"NoneofNapoleon’sbrothers，"hesays，"werenearhimfromthetimeofhisdepartureforItalyexceptLouiswhocannotbesuspectedofhavingintriguedagainstJosephine，whosedaughterhemarried.
Thesecalumniesarewithoutfoundation"（Erreurs，tomei.p.244）]——
OnhisarrivalfromRastadtthemostmagnificentpreparationsweremadeattheLuxembourgforthereceptionofBonaparte.ThegrandcourtofthePalacewaselegantlyornamented;andatitsfartherend，closetothoPalace，alargeamphitheatrewaserectedfortheaccommodationofofficialpersons.Curiosity，asonalllikeoccasions，attractedmultitudes，andthecourtwasfilled.Oppositetotheprincipalvestibulestoodthealtarofthecountry，surroundedbythestatuesofLiberty，Equality，andPeace.WhenBonaparteenteredeveryheadwasuncovered.Thewindowswerefullofyoungandbeautifulfemales.Butnotwithstandingthisgreatpreparationanicycoldnesscharacterizedtheceremony.Everyoneseemedtobepresentonlyforthepurposeofbeholdingasight，andcuriositywastheprevailingexpressionratherthanjoyorgratitude.Itisbutrighttosay，however，thatanunfortunateeventcontributedtothegeneralindifference.TherightwingofthePalacewasnotoccupied，butgreatpreparationshadbeenmakingthere，andanofficerhadbeendirectedtopreventanyonefromascending.OneoftheclerksoftheDirectory，however，contrivedtogetuponthescaffolding，buthadscarcelyplacedhisfootonthefirstplankwhenittiltedup，andtheimprudentmanfellthewholeheightintothecourt.Thisaccidentcreatedageneralstupor.Ladiesfainted，andthewindowswerenearlydeserted.
However，theDirectorydisplayedalltheRepublicansplendourofwhichtheyweresoprodigalonsimilaroccasions.Speecheswerefarfrombeingscarce.Talleyrand，whowasthenMinisterforForeignAffairs，onintroducingBonapartetotheDirectory，madealongoration，inthecourseofwhichhehintedthatthepersonalgreatnessoftheGeneraloughtnottoexciteuneasiness，eveninarisingRepublic."Farfromapprehendinganythingfromhisambition，Ibelievethatweshallonedaybeobligedtosolicithimtotearhimselffromthepleasuresofstudiousretirement.AllFrancewillbefree，butperhapsheneverwill;suchishisdestiny."
Talleyrandwaslistenedtowithimpatience，soanxiouswaseveryonetohearBonaparte.TheconquerorofItalythenrose，andpronouncedwithamodestair，butinafirmvoice，ashortaddressofcongratulationontheimprovedpositionofthenation.
Barras，atthattimePresidentoftheDirectory，repliedtoBonapartewithsomuchprolixityastowearyeveryone;andassoonashehadfinishedspeakinghethrewhimselfintothearmsoftheGeneral，whowasnotmuchpleasedwithsuchaffecteddisplays，andgavehimwhatwasthencalledthefraternalembrace.TheothermembersoftheDirectory，followingtheexampleofthePresident，surroundedBonaparteandpressedhimintheirarms;eachacted，tothebestofhisability，hispartinthesentimentalcomedy.
Cheniercomposedforthisoccasionahymn，whichMehulsettomusic.A
fewdaysafteranoperawasproduced，bearingthetitleofthe’FallofCarthage’，whichwasmeantasanallusiontotheanticipatedexploitsoftheconquerorofItaly，recentlyappointedtothecommandofthe"ArmyofEngland."Thepoetswereallemployedinpraisinghim;andLebrun，withbutlittleofthePindaricfireinhissoul，composedthefollowingdistich，whichcertainlyisnotworthmuch：
"Heros，cheralapaix，auxarts，alavictoire——
Ilconquitendeuxansmillesieclesdegloire."
ThetwocouncilswerenotdisposedtobebehindtheDirectoryinthemanifestationofjoy.AfewdaysaftertheygaveabanquettotheGeneralinthegalleryoftheLouvre，whichhadrecentlybeenenrichedbythemasterpiecesofpaintingconqueredinItaly.
AtthistimeBonapartedisplayedgreatmodestyinallhistransactionsinParis.TheadministratorsofthedepartmentoftheSeinehavingsentadeputationtohimtoinquirewhathouranddayhewouldallowthemtowaitonhim，hecarriedhimselfhisanswertothedepartment，accompaniedbyGeneralBerthier.ItwasalsoremarkedthatthejudgeofthepeaceofthearrondissementwheretheGenerallivedhavingcalledonhimonthe6thofDecember，theeveningofhisarrival，hereturnedthevisitnextmorning.Theseattentions，triflingastheymayappear，werenotwithouttheireffectonthemindsoftheParisians.
InconsequenceofGeneralBonaparte’svictories，thepeacehehadeffected，andthebrilliantreceptionofwhichhehadbeentheobject，thebusinessofVendemiairewasinsomemeasureforgotten.Everyonewaseagertogetasightoftheyoungherowhosecareerhadcommencedwithsomuch’eclat’.Helivedveryretiredly，yetwentoftentothetheatre.
Hedesiredme，oneday，togoandrequesttherepresentationoftwoofthebestpiecesofthetime，inwhichElleviou，MesdamesSt.Aubin，Phillis，andotherdistinguishedperformersplayed.Hismessagewas，thatheonlywishedthesetwopiecesonthesamenight，ifthatwerepossible.ThemanagertoldmethatnothingthattheconquerorofItalywishedforwasimpossible，forhehadlongagoerasedthatwordfromthedictionary.Bonapartelaughedheartilyatthemanager’sanswer.Whenwewenttothetheatreheseatedhimself，asusual，inthebackofthebox，behindMadameBonaparte，makingmesitbyherside.Thepitandboxes，however，soonfoundoutthathewasinthehouse，andloudlycalledforhim.Severaltimesanearnestdesiretoseehimwasmanifested，butallinvain，forhenevershowedhimself.
Somedaysafter，beingattheTheatredesArts，atthesecondrepresentationof’HoratiusCocles’，althoughhewassittingatthebackofaboxinthesecondtier，theaudiencediscoveredthathewasinthehouse.Immediatelyacclamationsarosefromallquarters;buthekepthimselfconcealedasmuchaspossible，andsaidtoapersoninthenextbox，"HadIknownthattheboxesweresoexposed，Ishouldnothavecome."
DuringBonaparte’sstayatParisawomansentamessengertowarnhimthathislifewouldbeattempted，andthatpoisonwastobeemployedforthatpurpose.Bonapartehadthebearerofthisinformationarrested，who：went，accompaniedbythejudgeofthepeace，tothewoman’shouse，whereshewasfoundextendedonthefloor，andbathedinherblood.Themenwhoseplotshehadoverheard，havingdiscoveredthatshehadrevealedtheirsecret，murderedher.Thepoorwomanwasdreadfullymangled：herthroatwascut;and，notsatisfiedwiththat，theassassinshadalsohackedherbodywithsharpinstruments.
Onthenightofthe10thofNivosetheRueChantereine，inwhichBonapartehadasmallhouse（No.6），received，inpursuanceofadecreeofthedepartment，thenameofRuedelaVictoire.Thecriesof"ViveBonaparte！"andtheincenseprodigallyoffereduptohim，didnothoweverseducehimfromhisretiredhabits.LatelytheconquerorandrulerofItaly，andnowundermenforwhomhehadnorespect，andwhosawinhimaformidablerival，hesaidtomeoneday，"ThepeopleofParisdonotrememberanything.WereItoremainherelong，doingnothing，Ishouldbelost.InthisgreatBabylononereputationdisplacesanother.LetmebeseenbutthreetimesatthetheatreandIshallnolongerexciteattention;soIshallgotherebutseldom."Whenhewentheoccupiedaboxshadedwithcurtains.Themanageroftheoperawishedtogetupaspecialperformanceinhishonour;buthedeclinedtheoffer.WhenI
observedthatitmustbeagreeabletohimtoseehisfellow—citizenssoeagerlyrunningafterhim，hereplied，"Bah！thepeoplewouldcrowdasfasttoseemeifIweregoingtothescaffold."
——[AsimilarremarkmadetoWilliamIII.onhislendingatBrixhamelicitedthecomment，"LiketheJews，whocriedoneday’Hosanna！’
andthenext"CrucifyHim！crucifyHim！"]——
Onthe28thofDecemberBonapartewasnamedamemberoftheInstitute，intheclassoftheSciencesandarts.
——[Napoleonseemstohavereallyconsideredthisnominationasagreathonour.Hewasfondofusingthetitleinhisproclamations;
andtothelasttheallowanceattachedtotheappointmentfiguredintheImperialaccounts.HereplacedCarnot，theexiledDirector.]——
Heshowedadeepsenseofthishonour，andwrotethefollowinglettertoCamus;thepresidentoftheclass：
CITIZENPRESIDENT——Thesuffrageofthedistinguishedmenwhocomposetheinstituteconfersahighhonouronme.Ifeelwellassuredthat，beforeIcanbetheirequal，Imustlongbetheirscholar.Iftherewereanywaymoreexpressivethananotherofmakingknownmyesteemforyou，Ishouldbegladtoemployit.Trueconquests——theonlyoneswhichleavenoregretbehindthem——arethosewhicharemadeoverignorance.Themosthonourable，aswellasthemostuseful，occupationfornationsisthecontributingtotheextensionofhumanknowledge.ThetruepoweroftheFrenchRepublicshouldhenceforthbemadetoconsistinnotallowingasinglenewideatoexistwithoutmakingitpartofitsproperty.
BONAPARTE.
TheGeneralnowrenewed，thoughunsuccessfully，theattempthehadmadebeforethe18thFructidortoobtainadispensationoftheagenecessaryforbecomingaDirector.Perceivingthatthetimewasnotyetfavourableforsuchapurpose，hesaidtome，onthe29thofJanuary1798，"Bourrienne，Idonotwishtoremainhere;thereisnothingtodo.Theyareunwillingtolistentoanything.IseethatifIlingerhere，I
shallsoonlosemyself.Everythingwearsouthere;mygloryhasalreadydisappeared.ThislittleEuropedoesnotsupplyenoughofitforme.I
mustseekitintheEast，thefountainofglory.However，Iwishfirsttomakeatouralongthecoast，toascertainbymyownobservationwhatmaybeattempted.Iwilltakeyou，Lannes，andSulkowsky，withme.IfthesuccessofadescentonEnglandappeardoubtful，asIsuspectitwill，thearmyofEnglandshallbecomethearmyoftheEast，andIwillgotoEgypt.
Thisandotherconversationsgiveacorrectinsightintohischaracter.
Healwaysconsideredwarandconquestasthemostnobleandinexhaustiblesourceofthatglorywhichwastheconstantobjectofhisdesire.HerevoltedattheideaoflanguishinginidlenessatParis，whilefreshlaurelsweregrowingforhimindistantclimes.Hisimaginationinscribed，inanticipation，hisnameonthosegiganticmonumentswhichalone，perhaps，ofallthecreationsofman，havethecharacterofeternity.Alreadyproclaimedthemostillustriousoflivinggenerals，hesoughttoeffacetherivalnamesofantiquitybyhisown.IfCaesarfoughtfiftybattles，helongedtofightahundred——ifAlexanderleftMacedontopenetratetotheTempleofAmmon，hewishedtoleaveParistotraveltotheCataractsoftheNile.Whilehewasthustorunaracewithfame，eventswould，inhisopinion，soproceedinFranceastorenderhisreturnnecessaryandopportune.Hisplacewouldbereadyforhim，andheshouldnotcometoclaimitaforgottenorunknownman.
CHAPTERXII.
1798.
Bonaparte’sdeparturefromParis——Hisreturn——TheEgyptianexpeditionprojected——M.deTalleyrand——GeneralDesaix——ExpeditionagainstMalta——MoneytakenatBerne——Bonaparte’sideasrespectingtheEast——Monge——Non—influenceoftheDirectory——MarriagesofMarmontandLaValette——Bonaparte’splanofcolonisingEgypt——Hiscamplibrary——Orthographicalblunders——Stockofwines——Bonaparte’sarrivalatToulon——MadameBonaparte’sfallfromabalcony——Executionofanoldman——Simon.
BonaparteleftParisforthenorthonthe10thofFebruary1798——buthereceivednoorder，thoughIhaveseeniteverywheresostated，togothere——"forthepurposeofpreparingtheoperationsconnectedwiththeintendedinvasionofEngland."Heoccupiedhimselfwithnosuchbusiness，forwhichafewdayscertainlywouldnothavebeensufficient.
Hisjourneytothecoastwasnothingbutarapidexcursion，anditssoleobjectwastoenablehimtoformanopiniononthemainpointofthequestion.Neitherdidheremainabsentseveralweeks，forthejourneyoccupiedonlyone.Therewerefourofusinhiscarriage——himself，Lannes，Sulkowsky，andI.Moustachewasourcourier.Bonapartewasnotalittlesurprisedonreading，inthe’Moniteur’ofthe10thFebruary，anarticlegivinggreaterimportancetohislittleexcursionthanitdeserved.
"GeneralBonaparte，"saidthe’Moniteur’，"hasdepartedforDunkirkwithsomenavalandengineerofficers.Theyhavegonetovisitthecoastsandpreparethepreliminaryoperationsforthedescent[uponEngland].ItmaybestatedthathewillnotreturntoRastadt，andthatthecloseofthesessionoftheCongressthereisapproaching."
Nowforthefacts.BonapartevisitedEtaples，Ambleteuse，Boulogne，Calais，Dunkirk，Furnes，Niewport，Ostend，andtheIsleofWalcheren.
Hecollectedatthedifferentportsallthenecessaryinformationwiththatintelligenceandtactforwhichhewassoeminentlydistinguished.
Hequestionedthesailors，smugglers，andfishermen，andlistenedattentivelytotheanswershereceived.
WereturnedtoParisbyAntwerp，Brussels，Lille，andSt.Quentin.Theobjectofourjourneywasaccomplishedwhenwereachedthefirstofthesetowns."Well，General，"saidI，"whatthinkyouofourjourney？Areyousatisfied？Formypart，IconfessIentertainnogreathopesfromanythingIhaveseenandheard."Bonaparteimmediatelyanswered，"Itistoogreatachance.Iwillnothazardit.IwouldnotthussportwiththefateofmybelovedFrance."OnhearingthisIalreadyfanciedmyselfinCairo！
OnhisreturntoParisBonapartelostnotimeinsettingonfootthemilitaryandscientificpreparationsfortheprojectedexpeditiontothebanksoftheNile，respectingwhichsuchincorrectstatementshaveappeared.Ithadlongoccupiedhisthoughts，asthefollowingfactswillprove.
InthemonthofAugust1797hewrote"thatthetimewasnotfardistantwhenweshouldseethat，todestroythepowerofEnglandeffectually，itwouldbenecessarytoattackEgypt."InthesamemonthhewrotetoTalleyrand，whohadjustsucceededCharlesdeLacroixasMinisterofForeignAffairs，"thatitwouldbenecessarytoattackEgypt，whichdidnotbelongtotheGrandSignior."Talleyrandreplied，"thathisideasrespectingEgyptwerecertainlygrand，andthattheirutilitycouldnotfailtobefullyappreciated."Heconcludedbysayinghewouldwritetohimatlengthonthesubject.
HistorywillspeakasfavourablyofM.deTalleyrandashiscontemporarieshavespokenillofhim.Whenastatesman，throughoutagreat，long，anddifficultcareer，makesandpreservesanumberoffaithfulfriends，andprovokesbutfewenemies，itmustbeacknowledgedthathischaracterishonourableandhistalentprofound，andthathispoliticalconducthasbeenwiseandmoderate.ItisimpossibletoknowM.deTalleyrandwithoutadmiringhim.Allwhohavethatadvantage，nodoubt，judgehimasIdo.
InthemonthofNovemberofthesameyearBonapartesentPoussielgue，underthepretenceofinspectingtheportsoftheLevant，togivethefinishingstroketothemeditatedexpeditionagainstMalta.
GeneralDesaix，whomBonapartehadmadetheconfidantofallhisplansattheirinterviewinItalyafterthepreliminariesofLeoben，wrotetohimfromAffenbourg，onhisreturntoGermany，thatheregardedthefleetofCorfuwithgreatinterest."Ifever，"saidhe，"itshouldbeengagedinthegrandenterprisesofwhichIhaveheardyouspeak，donot，Ibeseechyou，forgetme."Bonapartewasfarfromforgettinghim.
TheDirectoryatfirstdisapprovedoftheexpeditionagainstMalta，whichBonapartehadproposedlongbeforethetreatyofCampo—Formiowassigned.
Theexpeditionwasdecidedtobeimpossible，forMaltahadobservedstrictneutrality，andhadonseveraloccasionsevenassistedourshipsandseamen.Thuswehadnopretextforgoingtowarwithher.Itwassaid，too，thatthelegislativebodywouldcertainlynotlookwithafavourableeyeonsuchameasure.Thisopinion，which，however，didnotlastlong，vexedBonaparte.ItwasoneofthedisappointmentswhichmadehimgivearoughwelcometoBottot，Barras’agent，atthecommencementofOctober1797.
InthecourseofananimatedconversationhesaidtoBottot，shrugginghisshoulders，"MonDieu！Maltaisforsale！"Sometimeafterhehimselfwastoldthat"greatimportancewasattachedtotheacquisitionofMalta，andthathemustnotsufferittoescape."AtthelatterendofSeptember1797Talleyrand，thenMinisterofForeignAffairs，wrotetohimthattheDirectoryauthorizedhimtogivethenecessaryorderstoAdmiralBrueysfortakingMalta.HesentBonapartesomelettersfortheisland，becauseBonapartehadsaiditwasnecessarytopreparethepublicmindfortheevent.
Bonaparteexertedhimselfnightanddayintheexecutionofhisprojects.
Ineversawhimsoactive.Hemadehimselfacquaintedwiththeabilitiesoftherespectivegenerals，andtheforceofallthearmycorps.Ordersandinstructionssucceededeachotherwithextraordinaryrapidity.IfhewantedanorderoftheDirectoryherantotheLuxembourgtogetitsignedbyoneoftheDirectors.MerlindeDouaiwasgenerallythepersonwhodidhimthisservice，forhewasthemostconstantathispost.
Lagarde，theSecretary—General，didnotcountersignanydocumentrelativetothisexpedition，Bonapartenotwishinghimtobeinformedofthebusiness.HetransmittedtoToulonthemoneytakenatBerne，whichtheDirectoryhadplacedathisdisposal.Itamountedtosomethingabove3，000，000francs.Inthosetimesofdisorderandnegligencethefinanceswereverybadlymanaged.Therevenueswereanticipatedandsquanderedaway，sothatthetreasuryneverpossessedsolargeasumasthatjustmentioned.
ItwasdeterminedthatBonaparteshouldundertakeanexpeditionofanunusualcharactertotheEast.Imustconfessthattwothingscheeredmeinthisverypainfulinterval;myfriendshipandadmirationforthetalentsoftheconquerorofItaly，andthepleasinghopeoftraversingthoseancientregions，thehistoricalandreligiousaccountsofwhichhadengagedtheattentionofmyyouth.
ItwasatPasserianothat，seeingtheapproachingterminationofhislaboursinEurope，hefirstbegantoturnseriousattentiontotheEast.
Duringhislongstrollsintheeveninginthemagnificentparktherehedelightedtoconverseaboutthecelebratedeventsofthatpartoftheworld，andthemanyfamousempiresitoncepossessed.Heusedtosay，"Europeisamole—hill.TherehaveneverbeengreatempiresandrevolutionsexceptintheEast，wherethereare600，000，000men."Heconsideredthatpartoftheworldasthecradleofallreligious，ofallmetaphysicalextravagances.Thissubjectwasnolessinterestingthaninexhaustible，andhedailyintroduceditwhenconversingwiththegeneralswithwhomhewasintimate，withMonge，andwithme.
MongeentirelyconcurredintheGeneral—in—Chief’sopinionsonthispoint;andhisscientificardourwasincreasedbyBonaparte’senthusiasm.
Inshort，allwereunanimouslyofoneopinion.TheDirectoryhadnoshareinrenewingtheprojectofthismemorableexpedition，theresultofwhichdidnotcorrespondwiththegrandviewsinwhichithadbeenconceived.NeitherhadtheDirectoryanypositivecontroloverBonaparte’sdepartureorreturn.ItwasmerelythepassiveinstrumentoftheGeneral’swishes，whichitconvertedintodecrees，asthelawrequired.HewasnomoreorderedtoundertaketheconquestofEgyptthanhewasinstructedastotheplanofitsexecution.BonaparteorganisedthearmyoftheEast，raisedmoney，andcollectedships;anditwashewhoconceivedthehappyideaofjoiningtotheexpeditionmendistinguishedinscienceandart，andwhoselabourshavemadeknown，initspresentandpaststate，acountry，theverynameofwhichisneverpronouncedwithoutexcitinggrandrecollections.
Bonaparte’sordersflewlikelightningfromToulontoCivitaVecchia.
WithadmirableprecisionheappointedsomeforcestoassemblebeforeMalta，andothersbeforeAlexandria.HedictatedalltheseorderstomeinhisCabinet.
InthepositioninwhichFrancestoodwithrespecttoEurope，afterthetreatyofCampo—Formio，theDirectory，farfrompressingorevenfacilitatingthisexpedition，oughttohaveopposedit.AvictoryontheAdigewouldhavebeenfarbetterfarFrancethanoneontheNile.FromallIsaw，Iamofopinionthatthewishtogetridofanambitiousandrisingman，whosepopularityexcitedenvy，triumphedovertheevidentdangerofremoving，foranindefiniteperiod，anexcellentarmy，andthepossiblelossoftheFrenchfleet.AstoBonaparte，hewaswellassuredthatnothingremainedforhimbuttochoosebetweenthathazardousenterpriseandhiscertainruin.Egyptwas，hethought，therightplacetomaintainhisreputation，andtoaddfreshglorytohisname.
Onthe12thofApril1798hewasappointedGeneral—in—ChiefofthearmyoftheEast.
ItwasaboutthistimethatMarmontwasmarriedtoMademoisellePerregaux;andBonaparte’saidedecamp，LaValletta，toMademoiselleBeauharnais.
——[SirWalterScottinformsusthatJosephine，whenshebecameEmpress，broughtaboutthemarriagebetweenhernieceandLaVallette.Thisisanotherfictitiousincidentofhishistoricalromance.——Bourrienne.]——
ShortlybeforeourdepartureIaskedBonapartehowlongheintendedtoremaininEgypt.Hereplied，"Afewmonths，orsixyears：alldependsoncircumstances.Iwillcolonisethecountry.Iwillbringthemartistsandartisansofeverydescription;women，actors，etc.Wearebutnine—
and—twentynow，andweshallthenbefive—and—thirty.Thatisnotanoldage.Thosesixyearswillenableme，ifallgoeswell，togettoIndia.
GiveoutthatyouaregoingtoBrest.Saysoeventoyourfamily."I
obeyed，toprovemydiscretionandrealattachmenttohim.
Bonapartewishedtoformacamplibraryofcabineteditions，andhegavemealistofthebookswhichIwastopurchase.Thislistisinhisownwriting，andisasfollows：
CAMPLIBRARY.
1.ARTSANDSCIENCE.——Fontenelle’sWorlds，1vol.LetterstoaGermanPrincess，2vols.CoursesoftheNormalSchool，6vols.TheArtilleryAssistant，1vol.TreatiseonFortifications，3vols.TreatiseonFireworks，1vol.
2.GEOGRAPHYANDTRAVELS.——Barclay’sGeography，12vols.Cook’sVoyages，3vols.LaHarpe’sTravels，24vols.
3.HISTORY.——Plutarch，12vols.Turenne，2vols.Conde，4vols.
Villars，4vols.Luxembourg，2vols.Duguesclin，2vols.
Saxe，3vols.MemoirsoftheMarshalsofFrance，20vols.PresidentHainault，4vols.Chronology，2vols.Marlborough，4vols.PrinceEugene，6vols.PhilosophicalHistoryofIndia，12vols.
Germany，2vols.CharlesXII.，1vol.EssayontheMannersofNations，6vols.PetertheGreat，1vol.Polybius，6vols.
Justin，2vols.Arrian，3vols.Tacitus，2vols.TitusLivy，Thucydides，2vols.Vertot，4vols.Denina，8vols.
FrederickII，8vols.
4.POETRY.——Osaian，1vol.Tasso，6vols.Ariosto，6vols.
Homer，6vols.Virgil，4vols.TheHenriade，1vol.
Telemachus，2vols.LesJardin，1vol.TheChefs—d’OeuvreoftheFrenchTheatre，20vols.SelectLightPoetry，10vols.LaFontaine.
5.ROMANCE.——Voltaire，4vols.Heloise，4vols.Werther，1vol.
Marmontel，4vols.EnglishNovels，40vols.LeSage，10vols.
Prevost，10vols.
6.POLITICSANDMORALS.——TheOldTestament.TheNewTestament.TheKoran.TheVedan.Mythology.Montesquieu.TheEspritdesLois.
Itwillbeobservedthatheclassedthebooksofthereligiouscreedsofnationsundertheheadof"politics."
TheautographcopyoftheabovelistcontainssomeofthoseorthographicalblunderswhichBonapartesofrequentlycommitted.WhethertheseblundersareattributabletothelimitedcourseofinstructionhereceivedatBrienne，tohishastywriting，therapidflowofhisideas，orthelittleimportanceheattachedtothatindispensableconditionofpoliteeducation，Iknownot.Knowingsowellashedidtheauthorsandgeneralswhosenamesappearintheabovelist，itiscuriousthatheshouldhavewrittenDuceclingforDuguesclin，andOceanforOssian.ThelattermistakewouldhavepuzzledmenotalittlehadInotknownhispredilectionfortheCaledonianbard.
BeforehisdepartureBonapartelaidinaconsiderablestockofBurgundy.
ItwassuppliedbyamannamedJames，ofDijon.ImayobservethatonthisoccasionwehadanopportunityofascertainingthatgoodBurgundy，wellrackedoff，andincaskshermeticallysealed，doesnotloseitsqualityonaseavoyage.SeveralcasesofthisBurgundytwicecrossedthedesertoftheIsthmusofSuezoncamels’backs.WebroughtsomeofitbackwithustoFrejus，anditwasasgoodaswhenwedeparted.JameswentwithustoEgyptDuringtheremainderofourstayinParisnothingoccurredworthyofmention，withtheexceptionofaconversationbetweenBonaparteandmesomedaysbeforeourdepartureforToulon.HewentwithmetotheLuxembourgtogetsignaturestotheofficialpapersconnectedwithhisexpedition.Hewasverysilent.AswepassedthroughtheRueSainteAnneIaskedhim，withnootherobjectthanmerelytobreakalongpause，whetherhewasstilldeterminedtoquitFrance.Hereplied，"Yes：Ihavetriedeverything.Theydonotwantme（probablyalludingtotheofficeofDirector）.Ioughttooverthrowthem，andmakemyselfKing;butitwillnotdoyet.Thenobleswillneverconsenttoit.Ihavetriedmyground.Thetimeisnotyetcome.Ishouldbealone.ButIwilldazzlethemagain."Ireplied，"Well，wewillgotoEgypt;"andchangedtheconversation.
——[LucienandtheBonapartistsofcoursedenythatNapoleonwishedtobecomeDirector，ortoseizeonpoweratthistime;seeLucien，tome1.p.154.Thiers（vol.v.p.257）takesthesameview.
Lanfrey（tomei.p.363）believesNapoleonwasatlastcompelledbytheDirectorytostartandhecreditsthestorytoldbyDesaixtoMathieuDumas，orrathertothewifeofthatofficer，thattherewasaplottoupsettheDirectory，butthatwhenallwasreadyNapoleonjudgedthatthetimewasnotripe.Lanfrey，however，ratherenlargeswhatDumassays;seeDumas，tomeiii.p.167.SeealsotheveryremarkableconversationofNapoleonwithMiotdeMelitojustbeforeleavingItalyforRastadt："Icannotobeyanylonger.I
havetastedthepleasuresofcommand，andIcannotrenounceit.Mydecisionistaken.IfIcannotbemaster，IshallquitFrance（Miot，tomei.p.184）.]——
ThesquabblewithBernadotteatViennadelayedourdepartureforafortnight，andmighthavehadthemostdisastrousinfluenceonthefateofthesquadron，asNelsonwouldmostassuredlyhavewaitedbetweenMaltaandSicilyifhehadarrivedtherebeforeus.’
——[SirWalterScott，withoutanyauthority，statesthat，atthemomentofhisdeparture，Bonaparteseemeddisposedtoabandonthecommandofanexpeditionsodoubtfulandhazardous，andthatforthispurposeheendeavouredtotakeadvantageofwhathadoccurredatVienna.Thismustberankedintheclassofinventions，togetherwithBarrasmysteriousvisittocommunicatethechangeofdestination，andalsotheostracismandhonourableexilewhichtheDirectorywishedtoimposeonBonaparte.——Bourrienne.]——
ItisuntruethatheeverentertainedtheideaofabandoningtheexpeditioninconsequenceofBernadotte’saffair.ThefollowinglettertoBrueys，datedthe28thofApril1798，provesthecontrary：
SomedisturbanceswhichhavearisenatViennarendermypresenceinParisnecessaryforafewdays.Thiswillnotchangeanyofthearrangementsfortheexpedition.IhavesentordersbythiscourierforthetroopsatMarseillestoembarkandproceedtoToulon.Ontheeveningofthe30thIwillsendyouacourierwithordersforyoutoembarkandproceedwiththesquadronandconvoytoGenoa，whereIwilljoinyou.
Thedelaywhichthisfresheventhasoccasionedwill，Iimagine，haveenabledyoutocompleteeverypreparation.
WeleftParisonthe3dofMay1798.TendaysbeforeBonaparte’sdepartureforEgyptaprisoner（SirSidneySmith）escapedfromtheTemplewhowasdestinedtocontributemateriallytohisreverses.Anescapesounimportantinitselfafterwardscausedthefailureofthemostgiganticprojectsanddaringconceptions.Thisescapewaspregnantwithfutureevents;afalseorderoftheMinisterofPolicepreventedtherevolutionoftheEast！
WewereatToulononthe8th.BonaparteknewbythemovementsoftheEnglishthatnotamomentwastobelost;butadversewindsdetainedustendays，whichheoccupiedinattendingtothemostminutedetailsconnectedwiththefleet.
Bonaparte，whoseattentionwasconstantlyoccupiedwithhisarmy，madeaspeechtothesoldiers，whichIwrotetohisdictation，andwhichappearedinthepublicpapersatthetime.Thisaddresswasfollowedbycriesof"TheImmortalRepublicforever！"andthesingingofnationalhymns.
ThosewhoknewMadameBonaparteareawarethatfewwomenweremoreamiableandfascinating.Bonapartewaspassionatelyfondofher，andtoenjoythepleasureofhersocietyaslongaspossiblehebroughtherwithhimtoToulon.Nothingcouldbemoreaffectingthantheirparting.OnleavingToulonJosephinewenttothewatersofPlombieres.IrecollectthatduringherstayatPlombieressheincurredgreatdangerfromaseriousaccident.Whilstshewasonedaysittingatthebalconyofthehotel，withhersuite，thebalconysuddenlygaveway，andallthepersonsinitfellintothestreet.MadameBonapartewasmuchhurt，butnoseriousconsequencesensued.
BonapartehadscarcelyarrivedatToulonwhenheheardthatthelawforthedeathofemigrantswasenforcedwithfrightfulrigour;andthatbutrecentlyanoldman，upwardsofeighty，hadbeenshot.Indignantatthisbarbarity，hedictatedtome，inatoneofanger，thefollowingletter：
HEADQUARTERSTOULON，27thFloreal，yearVI.（16thMay1798）.
BONAPARTE，MEMBEROFTHENATIONALINSTITUTE，TOTHEMILITARY
COMMISSIONERSOFTHENINTHDIVISION，ESTABLISHEDBYTHELAWOF
THE19THFRUCTIDOR.
Ihavelearned，citizens，withdeepregret，thatanoldman，betweenseventyandeightyyearsofage，andsomeunfortunatewomen，inastateofpregnancy，orsurroundedwithchildrenoftenderage，havebeenshotonthechargeofemigration.
Havethesoldiersoflibertybecomeexecutioners？Canthemercywhichtheyhaveexercisedeveninthefuryofbattlebeextinctintheirhearts？
Thelawofthe19thFructidorwasameasureofpublicsafety.Itsobjectwastoreachconspirators，notwomenandagedmen.
Ithereforeexhortyou，citizens，wheneverthelawbringstoyourtribunalswomenoroldmen，todeclarethatinthefieldofbattleyouhaverespectedthewomenandoldmenofyourenemies.
Theofficerwhosignsasentenceagainstapersonincapableofbearingarmsisacoward.
（Signed）BONAPARTE.
ThislettersavedthelifeofanunfortunatemanwhocameunderthedescriptionofpersonstowhomBonapartereferred.Thetoneofthisnoteshowswhatanideahealreadyentertainedofhispower.Hetookuponhim，doubtlessfromthenoblestmotives，tostepoutofhiswaytointerpretandinterdicttheexecutionofalaw，atrocious，itistrue，butwhicheveninthosetimesofweakness，disorder，andanarchywasstillalaw.Inthisinstance，atleast，thepowerofhisnamewasnoblyemployed.Thelettergavegreatsatisfactiontothearmydestinedfortheexpedition.
AmannamedSimon，whohadfollowedhismasterinemigration，anddreadedtheapplicationofthelaw，heardthatIwantedaservant.Hecametomeandacknowledgedhissituation.Hesuitedme，andIhiredhim.Hethentoldmehefearedheshouldbearrestedwhilstgoingtotheporttoembark.Bonaparte，towhomImentionedthecircumstance，andwhohadjustgivenastrikingproofofhisaversiontotheseactsofbarbarity，saidtomeinatoneofkindness，"Givehimmyportfoliotocarry，andlethimremainwithyou."Thewords"Bonaparte，General—in—ChiefoftheArmyoftheEast，"wereinscribedinlargegoldlettersonthegreenmorocco.WhetheritwastheportfolioorhisconnectionwithusthatpreventedSimonfrombeingarrestedIknownot;buthepassedonwithoutinterruption.Ireprimandedhimforhavingsmiledderisivelyattheillhumourofthepersonsappointedtoarresthim.Heservedmefaithfully，andwasevensometimesusefultoBonaparte.
CHAPTERXIII.
1798.
Departureofthesquadron——ArrivalatMalta——Dolomieu——GeneralBarguayd’Hilliers——Attackonthewesternpartoftheisland——
Caffarelli’sremark——DeliveranceoftheTurkishprisoners——Nelson’spursuitoftheFrenchfleet——Conversationsonboard——HowBonapartepassedhis，time——QuestionstotheCaptains——Propositionsdiscussed——Morningmusic——Proclamation——AdmiralBrueys——TheEnglishfleetavoidedDangerouslanding——Bonaparteandhisfortune——Alexandriataken——Kleberwounded——Bonaparte’sentranceintoAlexandria.
Thesquadronsailedonthe19thofMay.TheOrient，which，owingtoherheavylading，drewtoomuchwater，touchedtheground;butshewasgotoffwithoutmuchdifficulty.
WearrivedoffMaltaonthe10thofJune.WehadlosttwodaysinwaitingforsomeconvoyswhichjoinedusatMalta.
TheintriguesthroughoutEuropehadnotsucceededincausingtheportsofthatislandtobeopenedtousimmediatelyonourarrival.BonaparteexpressedmuchdispleasureagainstthepersonssentfromEuropetoarrangemeasuresforthatpurpose.Oneofthem，however，M.Dolomieu，hadcausetorepenthismission，whichoccasionedhimtobebadlytreatedbytheSicilians.M.Poussielguehaddoneallhecouldinthewayofseduction，buthehadnotcompletelysucceeded.Therewassomemisunderstanding，and，inconsequence，someshotswereinterchanged.
BonapartewasverymuchpleasedwithGeneralBaraguayd’Hilliers’
servicesinItaly.HecouldnotbutpraisehismilitaryandpoliticalconductatVenicewhen，scarcelyayearbefore，hehadtakenpossessionofthatcitybyhisorders.GeneralBaraguayd’Hilliersjoineduswithhisdivision，——whichhadembarkedintheconvoythatsailedfromGenoa.
TheGeneral—in—Chieforderedhimtolandandattackthewesternpartoftheisland.Heexecutedthisorderwithequalprudenceandability，andhighlytothesatisfactionoftheGeneral—in—Chief.Aseverypersoninthesecretknewthatallthiswasamereform，thesehostiledemonstrationsproducednounpleasantconsequences.Wewishedtosavethehonouroftheknights——thatwasall;fornoonewhohasseenMaltacanimaginethatanislandsurroundedwithsuchformidableandperfectfortificationswouldhavesurrenderedintwodaystoafleetwhichwaspursuedbyanenemy.TheimpregnablefortressofMaltaissosecureagainsta’coupdemain’thatGeneralCaffarelli，afterexaminingitsfortifications，saidtotheGeneral—in—Chief，inmypresence，"Uponmyword，General，itisluck：thereissomeoneinthetowntoopenthegatesforus."
BycomparingtheobservationofGeneralCaffarelliwithwhathasbeenpreviouslystatedrespectingtheprojectoftheexpeditiontoEgyptandMalta，anideamaybeformedofthevalueofBonaparte’sassertionatSt.
Helena：
"ThecaptureofMaltawasnotowingtoprivateintrigues，buttothesagacityoftheCommander—in—chief.ItookMaltawhenIwasinMantua！"
Itisnotthelesstrue，however，thatIwrote，byhisdictation，amassofinstructionsforprivateintrigues.NapoleonalsosaidtoanothernoblecompanionofhisexileatStHelena，"Maltacertainlypossessedvastphysicalmeansofresistance;butnomoralmeans.Theknightsdidnothingdishonourablenobodyisobligedtodoimpossibilities.No;buttheyweresold;thecaptureofMaltawasassuredbeforeweleftToulon."
TheGeneral—in—ChiefproceededtothatpartoftheportwheretheTurksmadeprisonersbytheknightswerekept.
Thedisgustinggalleyswereemptiedoftheiroccupants：Thesameprincipleswhich，afewdaysafter，formedthebasisofBonaparte’sproclamationtotheEgyptians，guidedhiminthisactofreasonandhumanity.
Hewalkedseveraltimesinthegardensofthegrandmaster.Theywereinbeautifulorder，andfilledwithmagnificentorange—trees.Weregaledourselveswiththeirfruit，whichthegreatheatrenderedmostdelicious.
Onthe19thofJune，afterhavingsettledthegovernmentanddefenceoftheisland，theGeneralleftMalta，whichhelittledreamedhehadtakenfortheEnglish，whohaveverybadlyrequitedtheobligation.ManyoftheknightsfollowedBonaparteandtookcivilandmilitaryappointments.
Duringthenightofthe22dofJunetheEnglishsquadronwasalmostcloseuponus.ItpassedataboutsixleaguesfromtheFrenchfleet.Nelson，wholearnedthecaptureofMaltaatMessinaonthedaywelefttheisland，saileddirectforAlexandria，withoutproceedingintothenorth.
Heconsideredthatcitytobetheplaceofourdestination.Bytakingtheshortestcourse，witheverysailset，andunembarrassedbyanyconvoy，hearrivedbeforeAlexandriaonthe28thofJune，threedaysbeforetheFrenchfleet，which，nevertheless，hadsailedbeforehimfromtheshoresofMalta.TheFrenchsquadrontookthedirectionofCandia，whichweperceivedonthe25thofJune，andafterwardsstoodtothesouth，favouredbytheEtesianwinds，whichregularlyprevailatthatseason.TheFrenchfleetdidnotreachAlexandriatillthe30thofJune.
Whenonboardthe’Orient’hetookpleasureinconversingfrequentlywithMongeandBerthollet.Thesubjectsonwhichtheyusuallytalkedwerechemistry，mathematics，andreligion.GeneralCaffarelli，whoseconversation，suppliedbyknowledge，wasatonceenergetic，witty，andlively，wasoneofthosewithwhomhemostwillinglydiscoursed.
WhateverfriendshiphemightentertainforBerthollet，itwaseasytoperceivethathepreferredMonge，andthathewasledtothatpreferencebecauseMonge，endowedwithanardentimagination，withoutexactlypossessingreligiousprinciples，hadakindofpredispositionforreligiousideaswhichharmonisedwiththenotionsofBonaparte.OnthissubjectBertholletsometimesralliedhisinseparablefriendMonge.
Besides，Bertholletwas，withhiscoldimagination，constantlydevotedtoanalysisandabstractions，inclinedtowardsmaterialism，anopinionwithwhichtheGeneralwasalwaysmuchdissatisfied.
BonapartesometimesconversedwithAdmiralBrueys.Hisobjectwasalwaystogaininformationrespectingthedifferentmanoeuvres，andnothingastonishedtheAdmiralmorethanthesagacityofhisquestions.
Irecollectthatoneday，BonapartehavingaskedBrueysinwhatmannerthehammocksweredisposedofwhenclearingforaction，hedeclared，afterhehadreceivedananswer，thatifthecaseshouldoccurhewouldordereveryonetothrowhisbaggageoverboard.
Hepassedagreatpartofhistimeinhiscabin，lyingonabed，which，swingingonakindofcastors，alleviatedtheseverityofthesea—
sicknessfromwhichhefrequentlysufferedmuchwhentheshiprolled.
Iwasalmostalwayswithhiminhiscabin，whereIreadtohimsomeofthefavouriteworkswhichhehadselectedforhiscamplibrary.Healsofrequentlyconversed，forhourstogether，withthecaptainsofthevesselswhichhehailed.Heneverfailedtoaskwhencetheycame？whatwastheirdestination？whatshipstheyhadmet？whatcoursetheyhadsailed？Hiscuriositybeingthussatisfied，heallowedthemtocontinuetheirvoyage，aftermakingthempromisetosaynothingofhavingseentheFrenchsquadron.
Whilstwewereatseaheseldomrosebeforeteno’clockinthemorning.
The’Orient’hadtheappearanceofapopuloustown，fromwhichwomenhadbeenexcluded;andthisfloatingcitywasinhabitedby2000individuals，amongstwhomwereagreatnumberofdistinguishedmen.Bonaparteeverydayinvitedseveralpersonstodinewithhim，besidesBrueys，Berthier，thecolonels，andhisordinaryhousehold，whowerealwayspresentatthetableoftheGeneral—in—Chief.Whentheweatherwasfinehewentuptothequarter—deck，which，fromitsextent，formedagrandpromenade.
Irecollectoncethatwhenwalkingthequarter—deckwithhimwhilstwewereinSicilianwatersIthoughtIcouldseethesummitsoftheAlpsbeautifullylightedbytheraysofthesettingsun.Bonapartelaughedmuch，andjokedmeaboutit.HecalledAdmiralBrueys，whotookhistelescopeandsoonconfirmedmyconjecture.TheAlps！
AtthementionofthatwordbytheAdmiralIthinkIcanseeBonapartestill.Hestoodforalongtimemotionless;then，suddenlyburstingfromhistrance，exclaimed，"No！IcannotbeholdthelandofItalywithoutemotion！ThereistheEast：andthereIgo;aperilousenterpriseinvitesme.ThosemountainscommandtheplainswhereIsooftenhadthegoodfortunetoleadtheFrenchtovictory.Withthemwewillconqueragain."
OneofBonaparte’sgreatestpleasuresduringthevoyagewas，afterdinner，tofixuponthreeorfourpersonstosupportapropositionandasmanytoopposeit.Hehadanobjectinviewbythis.Thesediscussionsaffordedhimanopportunityofstudyingthemindsofthosewhomhehadaninterestinknowingwell，inorderthathemightafterwardsconfidetoeachthefunctionsforwhichhepossessedthegreatestaptitude：ItwillnotappearsingulartothosewhohavebeenintimatewithBonaparte，thatintheseintellectualcontestshegavethepreferencetothosewhohadsupportedanabsurdpropositionwithabilityoverthosewhohadmaintainedthecauseofreason;anditwasnotsuperiorityofmindwhichdeterminedhisjudgment，forhereallypreferredthemanwhoarguedwellinfavourofanabsurditytothemanwhoarguedequallywellinsupportofareasonableproposition.Healwaysgaveoutthesubjectswhichweretobediscussed;andtheymostfrequentlyturneduponquestionsofreligion，thedifferentkindsofgovernment，andtheartofwar.Onedayheaskedwhethertheplanetswereinhabited;onanother，whatwastheageoftheworld;thenheproposedtoconsidertheprobabilityofthedestructionofourglobe，eitherbywaterorfire;atanothertime，thetruthorfallacyofpresentiments，andtheinterpretationofdreams.
IrememberthecircumstancewhichgaverisetothelastpropositionwasanallusiontoJoseph，ofwhomhehappenedtospeak，ashedidofalmosteverythingconnectedwiththecountrytowhichwewerebound，andwhichthatableadministratorhadgoverned.NocountrycameunderBonaparte’sobservationwithoutrecallinghistoricalrecollectionstohismind.
OnpassingtheislandofCandiahisimaginationwasexcited，andhespokewithenthusiasmofancientCreteandtheColossus，whosefabulousrenownhassurpassedallhumanglories.HespokemuchofthefalloftheempireoftheEast，whichboresolittleresemblancetowhathistoryhaspreservedofthosefinecountries，sooftenmoistenedwiththebloodofman.Theingeniousfablesofmythologylikewiseoccurredtohismind，andimpartedtohislanguagesomethingofapoetical，and，Imaysay，ofaninspiredcharacter.ThesightofthekingdomofMinosledhimtoreasononthelawsbestcalculatedforthegovernmentofnations;andthebirthplaceofJupitersuggestedtohimthenecessityofareligionforthemassofmankind.Thisanimatedconversationlasteduntilthefavourablenorthwinds，whichdrovethecloudsintothevalleyoftheNile，causedustolosesightoftheislandofCandia.
ThemusiciansonboardtheOrientsometimesplayedserenades;butonlybetweendecks，forBonapartewasnotyetsufficientlyfondofmusictowishtohearitinhiscabin.Itmaybesaidthathistasteforthisartincreasedinthedirectratioofhispower;andsoitwaswithhistasteforhunting，ofwhichhegavenoindicationuntilafterhiselevationtotheempire;asthoughhehadwishedtoprovethathepossessedwithinhimselfnotonlythegeniusofsovereigntyforcommandingmen，butalsotheinstinctforthosearistocraticalpleasures，theenjoymentofwhichisconsideredbymankindtobeamongsttheattributesofkings.
Itisscarcelypossiblethatsomeaccidentsshouldnotoccurduringalongvoyageinacrowdedvessel——thatsomepersonsshouldnotfalloverboard.Accidentsofthiskindfrequentlyhappenedonboardthe’Orient’.Onthoseoccasionsnothingwasmoreremarkablethanthegreathumanityofthemanwhohassincebeensoprodigalofthebloodofhisfellow—creaturesonthefieldofbattle，andwhowasabouttoshedriversofiteveninEgypt，whitherwewerebound.WhenamanfellintotheseatheGeneral—in—Chiefwasinastateofagitationtillhewassaved.Heinstantlyhadtheshiphove—to，andexhibitedthegreatestuneasinessuntiltheunfortunateindividualwasrecovered.Heorderedmetorewardthosewhoventuredtheirlivesinthisservice.Amongstthesewasasailorwhohadincurredpunishmentforsomefault.Henotonlyexemptedhimfromthepunishment，butalsogavehimsomemoney.Irecollectthatonedarknightweheardanoiselikethatoccasionedbyamanfallingintothesea.Bonaparteinstantlycausedtheshiptobehove—tountilthesupposedvictimwasrescuedfromcertaindeath.Themenhastenedfromallsides，andatlengththeypickedup—what？——thequarterofabullock，whichhadfallenfromthehooktowhichitwashung.WhatwasBonaparte’sconduct？Heorderedmetorewardthesailorswhohadexertedthemselvesinthisoccasionevenmoregenerouslythanusual，saying，"Itmighthavebeenasailor，andthesebravefellowshaveshownasmuchactivityandcourageasifithad."
Afterthelapseofthirtyyearsallthesethingsareasfreshinmyrecollectionasiftheywerepassingatthepresentmoment.InthismannerBonaparteemployedhistimeonboardtheOrientduringthevoyage，anditwasalsoatthistimethathedictatedtomethefollowingproclamation：
HEADQUARTERSONBOARDTHE"ORIENT，"
the4thMessidor，yearVI.
BONAPARTE，MEMBEROFTHENATIONALINSTITUTE，GENERAL—IN—CHIEF.
SOLDIERS——Youareabouttoundertakeaconquesttheeffectsofwhichoncivilisationandcommerceareincalculable.TheblowyouareabouttogivetoEnglandwillbethebestaimed，andthemostsensiblyfelt，shecanreceiveuntilthetimearrivewhenyoucangiveherherdeathblow.
Wemustmakesomefatiguingmarches;wemustfightseveralbattles;
weshallsucceedinallweundertake.Thedestiniesarewithus.
TheMamelukeBeyswhofavourexclusivelyEnglishcommerce，whoseextortionsoppressourmerchants，andwhotyranniseovertheunfortunateinhabitantsoftheNile，afewdaysafterourarrivalwillnolongerexist.
ThepeopleamongstwhomwearegoingtoliveareMahometans.Thefirstarticleoftheirfaithisthis："ThereisnoGodbutGod，andMahometishisprophet."Donotcontradictthem.BehavetothemasyouhavebehavedtotheJews——totheItalians.Payrespecttotheirmuftis，andtheirImaums，asyoudidtotherabbisandthebishops.
ExtendtotheceremoniesprescribedbytheKoranandtothemosquesthesametolerationwhichyoushowedtothesynagogues，tothereligionofMosesandofJesusChrist.
TheRomanlegionsprotectedallreligions.YouwillfindherecustomsdifferentfromthoseofEurope.Youmustaccommodateyourselvestothem.Thepeopleamongstwhomwearetomixdifferfromusinthetreatmentofwomen;butinallcountrieshewhoviolatesisamonster.Pillageenrichesonlyasmallnumberofmen;
itdishonoursus;itdestroysourresources;itconvertsintoenemiesthepeoplewhomitisourinteresttohaveforfriends.
ThefirsttownweshallcometowasbuiltbyAlexander.Ateverystepweshallmeetwithgrandrecollections，worthyofexcitingtheemulationofFrenchmen.
BONAPARTE.
Duringthevoyage，andparticularlybetweenMaltaandAlexandria，IoftenconversedwiththebraveandunfortunateAdmiralBrueys.
Theintelligenceweheardfromtimetotimeaugmentedhisuneasiness.
Ihadthegoodfortunetoobtaintheconfidenceofthisworthyman.
Hecomplainedbitterlyoftheimperfectmannerinwhichthefleethadbeenpreparedforsea;oftheencumberedstateoftheshipsofthelineandfrigates，andespeciallyofthe’Orient’;ofthegreatnumberoftransports;ofthebadOutfitofalltheshipsandtheweaknessoftheircrews.Heassuredmethatitrequirednolittlecouragetoundertakethecommandofafleetsobadlyequipped;andheoftendeclared，thatintheeventofourfallinginwiththeenemy，hecouldnotanswerfortheconsequences.Theencumberedstateofthevessels，theimmensequantityofcivicandmilitarybaggagewhicheachpersonhadbrought，andwouldwishtosave，wouldrenderpropermanoeuvresimpracticable.Incaseofanattack，addedBrueys，evenbyaninferiorsquadron，theconfusionanddisorderamongstsogreatanumberofpersonswouldproduceaninevitablecatastrophe.Finally，iftheEnglishhadappearedwithtenvesselsonly，theAdmiralcouldnothaveguaranteedafortunateresult.Heconsideredvictorytobeathingthatwasimpossible，andevenwithavictory，whatwouldhavebecomeoftheexpedition？"Godsend，"hesaid，withasigh，"thatwemaypasstheEnglishwithoutmeetingthem！"Heappearedtoforeseewhatdidafterwardshappentohim，notintheopensea，butinasituationwhichheconsideredmuchmorefavourabletohisdefence.