AnorderwhichhadbeenissuedonourarrivalinCairoforwatchingthecriersofthemosqueshadforsomeweeksbeenneglected.AtcertainhoursofthenightthesecriesaddressprayerstotheProphet.Asitwasmerelyarepetitionofthesameceremonyoverandoveragain，inashorttimenonoticewastakenofit.TheTurks，perceivingthisnegligence，substitutedfortheirprayersandhymnscriesofrevolt，andbythissortofverbaltelegraph，insurrectionaryexcitementwastransmittedtothenorthernandsouthernextremitiesofEgypt.Bythismeans，andbytheaidofsecretemissaries，whoeludedourfeeblepolice，andcirculatedrealorforgedfirmansoftheSultandisavowingtheconcordbetweenFranceandthePorte，andprovokingwar，theplanofarevolutionwasorganisedthroughoutthecountry.
　　Thesignalfortheexecutionofthisplanwasgivenfromtheminaretsonthenightofthe20thofOctober，andonthemorningofthe21stitwasannouncedatheadquartersthatthecityofCairowasinopeninsurrection.TheGeneral—in—Chiefwasnot，ashasbeenstated，intheisleofRaeuddah：hedidnothearthefiringofthealarm—guns.Herosewhenthenewsarrived;itwasthenfiveo’clock.Hewasinformedthatalltheshopswereclosed，andthattheFrenchwereattacked.AmomentafterheheardofthedeathofGeneralDupuis，commandantofthegarrison，whowaskilledbyalanceinthestreet.Bonaparteimmediatelymountedhishorse，and，accompaniedbyonlythirtyguides，visitedallthethreatenedpoints，restoredconfidence，and，withgreatpresenceofmindadoptedmeasuresofdefence.
　　Heleftmeatheadquarterswithonlyonesentinel;buthehadbeenaccuratelyinformedofthesituationoftheinsurgents;andsuchwasmyconfidenceinhisactivityandforesightthatIhadnoapprehension，andawaitedhisreturnwithperfectcomposure.ThiscomposurewasnotdisturbedevenwhenIsawapartyofinsurgentsattackthehouseofM.
　　Esteve，ourpaymaster—general，whichwassituatedontheoppositesideofEzbekye’hPlace.M.Estevewas，fortunately，abletoresisttheattackuntiltroopsfromBoulaccameuptohisassistance.
　　Aftervisitingalltheposts，andadoptingeveryprecautionarymeasure，Bonapartereturnedtoheadquarters.Findingmestillalonewiththesentinel，heaskedme，smiling，"whetherIhadnotbeenfrightened？"——
　　"Notatall，General，Iassureyou，"repliedI.
　　——Itwasabouthalf—pasteightinthemorningwhenBonapartereturnedtoheadquarters，andwhileatbreakfasthewasinformedthatsomeBedouinArabs，onhorseback，weretryingtoforcetheirentranceintoCairo.Heorderedhisaidedecamp，Sulkowsky，tomounthishorse，totakewithhimfifteenguides，andproceedtothepointwheretheassailantsweremostnumerous.ThiswastheBab—el—Nasser，orthegateofvictory.CroisierobservedtotheGeneral—in—ChiefthatSulkowskyhadscarcelyrecoveredfromthewoundsatSalehye’h，andheofferedtotakehisplace.Hehadhismotivesforthis.Bonaparteconsented;butSulkowskyhadalreadysetout.Withinanhourafter，oneofthefifteenguidesreturned，coveredwithblood，toannouncethatSulkowskyandtheremainderofhispartyhadbeencuttopieces.Thiswasspeedywork，forwewerestillattablewhenthesadnewsarrived.
　　MortarswereplantedonMountMokatam，whichcommandsCairo.Thepopulace，expelledfromalltheprincipalstreetsbythetroops，assembledinthesquareoftheGreatMosque，andinthelittlestreetsrunningintoit，whichtheybarricaded.Thefiringoftheartilleryontheheightswaskeptupwithvigourfortwodays.
　　AbouttwelveoftheprincipalchiefsofCairowerearrestedandconfinedinanapartmentatheadquarters.Theyawaitedwiththecalmestresignationthedeaththeyknewtheymerited;butBonapartemerelydetainedthemashostages.TheagaintheserviceofBonapartewasastonishedthatsentenceofdeathwasnotpronounceduponthem;andhesaid，shrugginghisshoulders，andwithagestureapparentlyintendedtoprovokeseverity，"Youseetheyexpectit."
　　Onthethirdtheinsurrectionwasatanend，andtranquillityrestored.
　　Numerousprisonerswereconductedtothecitadel.InobediencetoanorderwhichIwroteeveryevening，twelvewereputtodeathnightly.ThebodieswerethenputintosacksandthrownintotheNile.Thereweremanywomenincludedinthesenocturnalexecutions.
　　Iamnotawarethatthenumberofvictimsamountedtothirtyperday，asBonaparteassuredGeneralReynierinaletterwhichhewrotetohimsixdaysaftertherestorationoftranquillity."Everynight，"saidhe，"wecutoffthirtyheads.This，Ihope，willbeaneffectualexample."
　　Iamofopinionthatinthisinstanceheexaggeratedtheextentofhisjustrevenge.
　　SometimeaftertherevoltofCairothenecessityofensuringourownsafetyforcedthecommissionofaterribleactofcruelty.AtribeofArabsintheneighbourhoodofCairohadsurprisedandmassacredapartyofFrench.TheGeneral—in—ChieforderedhisaidedecampCroisiertoproceedtothespot，surroundthetribe，destroythehuts，killallthemen，andconducttherestofthepopulationtoCairo.Theorderwastodecapitatethevictims，andbringtheirheadsinsackstoCairotobeexhibitedtothepeople.EugeneBeauharnaisaccompaniedCroisier，whojoyfullysetoutonthishorribleexpedition，inhopeofobliteratingallrecollectionoftheaffairofDamanhour.
　　Onthefollowingdaythepartyreturned.ManyofthepoorArabwomenhadbeendeliveredontheroad，andthechildrenhadperishedofhunger，heat，andfatigue.Aboutfouro’clockatroopofassesarrivedinEzbekye’hPlace，ladenwithsacks.Thesackswereopenedandtheheadsrolledoutbeforetheassembledpopulace.IcannotdescribethehorrorIexperienced;butImustneverthelessacknowledgethatthisbutcheryensuredforaconsiderabletimethetranquillityandeventheexistenceofthelittlecaravanswhichwereobligedtotravelinalldirectionsfortheserviceofthearmy.
　　ShortlybeforethelossofthefleettheGeneral—inChiefhadformedthedesignofvisitingSuez，toexaminethetracesoftheancientcanalwhichunitedtheNiletotheGulfofArabia，andalsotocrossthelatter.TherevoltatCairocausedthisprojecttobeadjourneduntilthemonthofDecember.
　　BeforehisdepartureforSuez.BonapartegrantedthecommissarySucyleavetoreturntoFrance.Hehadreceivedawoundintherighthand，whenonboardthexebec’Cerf’.Iwasconversingwithhimondeckwhenhereceivedthiswound.Atfirstithadnoappearanceofbeingserious;
　　butsometimeafterhecouldnotusehishand.GeneralBonapartedespatchedavesselwithsickand—wounded，whoweresupposedtobeincurable，tothenumberofabouteighty.All，enviedtheirfate，andwereanxioustodepartwiththem，buttheprivilegewasconcededtoveryfew.However，thosewhowere，disappointedhad，nocauseforregret.Weneverknowwhatwewishfor.CaptainMarengo，wholandedatAugustainSicily，supposingittobeafriendlyland，wasrequiredtoobservequarantinefortwenty—twodays，andinformationwasgivenofthearrivalofthevesseltothecourt，whichwasatPalermo.Onthe25thofJanuary1799allonboardtheFrenchvesselweremassacred，withtheexceptionoftwenty—onewhoweresavedbyaNeapolitanfrigate，andconductedtoMessing，wheretheyworedetained.
　　BeforeheconceivedtheresolutionofattackingtheTurkishadvancedguardinthevalleysofSyria，BonapartehadformedaplanofinvadingBritishIndiafromPersia.Hehadascertained，throughthemediumofagents，thattheShahofPersiawould，forasum，ofmoneypaidinadvanceconsenttotheestablishmentofmilitarymagazinesoncertainpointsofhisterritory.Bonapartefrequentlytoldmethatif，afterthesubjugationofEgypt，hecouldhaveleft15，000meninthatcountry，andhavehad30，000disposabletroops，hewouldhavemarchedontheEuphrates.HewasfrequentlyspeakingaboutthedesertswhichweretobecrossedtoreachPersia.
　　Howmany，timeshaveIseenhimextendedontheground，examiningthebeautifulmapswhichhehadbroughtwithhim，andhewouldsometimesmakemeliedowninthesamepositiontotracetomehisprojectedmarch.
　　Thisremindedhimofthetriumphsofhisfavouritehero，Alexander，withwhomhesomuchdesiredtoassociatehisname;but，atthesametime，hefeltthattheseprojectswereincompatiblewithourresources，theweaknessoftheGovernment;andthedissatisfactionwhichthearmyalreadyevinced.Privationandmiseryareinseparablefromalltheseremoteoperations.
　　ThisfavouriteideastilloccupiedhismindafortnightbeforehisdepartureforSyriawasdeterminedon，andonthe25thofJanuary1799
　　hewrotetoTippooSaibasfollows：——
　　Youareofcoursealreadyinformed，ofmyarrivalonthebanksoftheRedSea，withanumerousandinvinciblearmy.EagertodeliveryoufromtheironyokeofEngland，Ihastentorequestthatyouwillsendme，bythewayofMascateorMocha，anaccountofthepoliticalsituationinwhichyouare.IalsowishthatyoucouldsendtoSuez，orGrandCairo，someableman，inyourconfidence，withwhomI
　　mayconfer.
　　——[Itisnottrue，ashasoftenbeenstated，thatTippooSaibwrotetoGeneralBonaparte.Hecouldnotreplytoaletterwrittenonthe23thofJanuary，owingtothegreatdifficultyofcommunication，theconsiderabledistance，andtheshortintervalwhichelapsedbetweenthe25thofJanuaryandthefalloftheEmpireofMysore，whichhappenedonthe20thofAprilfollowing.ThelettertoTippoSaibcommenced"Citizen—Sultan！"——Bourrienne]——
　　CHAPTERXVII.
　　1798—1799.
　　Bonaparte’sdepartureforSuez——Crossingthedesert——PassageoftheRedSea——ThefountainofMoses——TheCenobitesofMountSinai——DangerinrecrossingtheRedSea——Napoleon’sreturntoCairo——MoneyborrowedatGenoa——NewdesignsuponSyria——DissatisfactionoftheOttomanPorte——PlanforinvadingAsia——Giganticschemes——GeneralBerthier’spermissiontoreturntoFrance——Hisromanticloveandtheadoredportrait——Hegivesuphispermissiontoreturnhome——LouisBonaparteleavesEgypt——ThefirstCashmereshawlinFrance——
　　Interceptedcorrespondence——DepartureforSyria——FountainsofMessoudish——Bonapartejealous——Discontentofthetroops——El—Arishtaken——AspectofSyria——Ramleh——Jerusalem.
　　Onthe24thofDecemberwesetoutforSuez，wherewearrivedonthe26th.Onthe25thweencampedinthedesertsomeleaguesbeforeAd—
　　Geroth.Theheathadbeenverygreatduringtheday;butaboutelevenatnightthecoldbecamesosevereastobepreciselyinaninverseratiotothetemperatureoftheday.Thisdesert，whichistherouteofthecaravansfromSuez，fromTorandthecountriessituatedonthenorthofArabia，isstrewedwiththebonesofthemenandanimalswho，foragespast，haveperishedincrossingit.Astherewasnowoodtobegot，wecollectedaquantityofthesebonesforfuel.MongehimselfwasinducedtosacrificesomeofthecuriousskullsofanimalswhichhehadpickeduponthewayanddepositedintheBerlinoftheGeneral—in—Chief.Butnosoonerhadwekindledourfiresthananintolerableeffluviumobligedusto，raiseourcampandadvancefartheron，forwecouldprocurenowatertoextinguishthefires.
　　Onthe27thBonaparteemployedhimselfininspectingthetownandportofSuez，andingivingordersforsomenavalandmilitaryworks.Hefeared—
　　whatindeedreallyoccurredafterhisdeparturefromEgypt——thearrivalofsomeEnglishtroopsfromtheEastIndies，whichhehadintendedtoinvade.Theseregimentscontributedtothelossofhisconquest.
　　——[SirDavidBaird，withaforceofabout7000mensentfromIndia，landedatCosseirinJuly1801.]——
　　Onthemorningofthe28thwecrossedtheRedSeadry—shod，togototheWellsofMoses，whicharenearlyamyriametrefromtheeasterncoast，andalittlesoutheastofSuez.TheGulfofArabiaterminatesatabout5，000
　　metresnorthofthatcity.NeartheporttheRedSeaisnotabove1，500
　　metreswide，andisalwaysfordableatlowwater.ThecaravansfromTorandMountSinaialwayspassatthatpart，——[IshallsaynothingoftheCenobitesofMountSinai，asIhadnotthehonourofseeingthem.NeitherdidIseetheregistercontainingthenamesofAli，Salah—Eddin，IbrahimorAbraham，onwhichBonaparteissaidtohaveinscribedhisname.IperceivedatadistancesomehighhillswhichweresaidtobeMountSinai.
　　Iconversed，throughthemediumofaninterpreter，withsomeArabianchiefsofToranditsneighbourhood.TheyhadbeeninformedofourexcursiontotheWells，andthattheymighttherethanktheFrenchGeneralfortheprotectiongrantedtotheircaravansandtheirtradewithEgypt.Onthe19thofDecember，beforehisdeparturefromSuez，Bonapartesignedasortofsafeguard，orexemptionfromduties，fortheconventofMountSinai.ThishadbeengrantedoutofrespecttoMosesandtheJewishnation，andalsobecausetheconventofMountSinaiisaseatoflearningandcivilisationamidstthebarbarismofthedeserts.——Bourrienne.]——
　　eitheringoingtoorreturningfromEgypt.Thisshortenstheirjourneynearlyamyriametre.AthightidethewaterrisesfiveorsixfeetatSuez，andwhenthewindblowsfreshitoftenrisestonineortenfeet.
　　WespentafewhoursseatedbythelargestofthespringscalledtheWellsofMoses，situatedontheeasternshoreoftheGulfofArabia.
　　Wemadecoffeewiththewaterfromthesesprings，which，however，gaveitsuchabrackishtastethatitwasscarcelydrinkable.
　　ThoughthewateroftheeightlittlespringswhichformtheWellsofMosesisnotsosaltasthatofmanywellsduginotherpartsofthedeserts，itis，nevertheless，exceedinglybrackish，anddoesnotallaythirstsowellasfreshwater.
　　BonapartereturnedtoSuezthatsamenight.Itwasverydarkwhenwereachedthesea—shore.Thetidewascomingup，andthewaterwasprettyhigh.Wedeviatedalittlefromthewaywehadtakeninthemorning;wecrossedalittletoolowdown;wewerethrownintodisorder，butwedidnotloseourselvesinthemarshesashasbeenstated.Therewerenone.
　　Ihavereadsomewhere，thoughIdidnotseethefact，nordidIhearitmentionedatthetime，thatthetide，whichwascomingup，wouldhavebeenthegraveoftheGeneral—in—Chiefhadnotoneoftheguidessavedhimbycarryinghimonhisshoulders.Ifanysuchdangerhadexisted.
　　allwhohadnotasimilarmeansofescapemusthaveperished.
　　Thisisafabrication.GeneralCaffarelliwastheonlypersonwhowasreallyindanger，forhiswoodenlegpreventedhissittingfirmlyonhishorseinthewater;butsomepersonscametohisassistanceandsupportedhim.
　　——[Bonaparteextricatedhimselfastheothersdidfromtherealdangerheandhisescorthadrun.AtSt.Helenahesaid，"Profitingbythelowtide，IcrossedtheRedSeadry—shod.OnmyreturnIwasovertakenbythenightandwentastrayinthemiddleoftherisingtide.Iranthegreatestdanger.InearlyperishedinthesamemannerasPharaohdid.ThiswouldcertainlyhavefurnishedalltheChristianpreacherswithamagnificenttestagainstme."
　　——Bourrienne.]——
　　OnhisreturntoCairotheGeneral—in—ChiefwishedtodiscoverthesiteofthecanalwhichinancienttimesformedajunctionbetweentheRedSeaandtheNilebyBelbeis.M.Lepere，whowasamemberoftheEgyptianInstitute，andisnowinspector—generalofbridgesandhighways，executedonthespotabeautifulplan，whichmayconfidentlybeconsultedbythosewhowishtoformanaccurateideaofthatancientcommunication，andthelevelofthetwoseas.
　　——[SinceaccuratelyascertainedduringtheprogressoftheworksfortheSuezCanal.]——
　　OnhisarrivalatthecapitalBonaparteagaindevotedallhisthoughtstotheaffairsofthearmy，whichhehadnotattendedtoduringhisshortabsence.TherevenuesofEgyptwerefarfrombeingsufficienttomeetthemilitaryexpenditure.TodefrayhisownexpensesBonaparteraisedseveralconsiderableloansinGenoathroughthemediumofM.James.TheconnectionofJameswiththeBonapartefamilytakesitsdatefromthisperiod.
　　——[JosephBonapartesaysthatthefathersofNapoleonandofM.
　　Jameshadlongknownoneanother，andthatNapoleonhadmetJamesatAutun.（’Erreurs’，tomei，p.296）.]——
　　SincethemonthofAugusttheattentionofGeneralBonapartehadbeenconstantlyfixedonSyria.TheperiodofthepossiblelandingofanenemyinEgypthadnowpassedaway，andcouldnotreturnuntilthemonthofJulyinthefollowingyear.Bonapartewasfullyconvincedthatthatlandingwouldtakeplace，andhewasnotdeceived.TheOttomanPortehad，indeed，beenpersuadedthattheconquestofEgyptwasnotinherinterest.Shepreferredenduringarebelwhomshehopedonedaytosubduetosupportingapowerwhich，underthespeciouspretextofreducingherinsurgentbeystoobedience，deprivedherofoneofherfinestprovinces，andthreatenedtherestoftheempire.
　　OnhisreturntoCairotheGeneral—in—ChiefhadnolongeranydoubtastothecoursewhichthePorteintendedtoadapt.ThenumerousclassofpersonswhobelievedthattheOttomanPortehadconsentedtoouroccupationofEgyptweresuddenlyundeceived.It，wasthenaskedhowwecould，withoutthatconsent，haveattemptedsuchanenterprise？Nothing，itwassaid，couldjustifythetemerityofsuchanexpedition，ifitshouldproducearupturebetweenFrance，theOttomanempire，anditsallies.However，fortheremainderoftheyearBonapartedreadednothingexceptanexpeditionfromGazaandEl—Arish，ofwhichthetroopsofDjezzarhadalreadytakenpossession.Thisoccupationwasjustlyregardedasadecidedactofhostility;warwasthuspracticallydeclared."Wemustadoptanticipatorymeasures，"thoughtNapoleon;
　　"wemustdestroythisadvancedguardoftheOttomanempire，overthrowtherampartsofJaffaandAcre，ravagethecountry，destroyallherresources，soastorenderthepassageofanarmyacrossthedesertimpracticable."ThuswasplannedtheexpeditionagainstSyria.
　　GeneralBerthier，afterrepeatedentreaties，hadobtainedpermissiontoreturntoFrance.The’Courageuse’frigate，whichwastoconveyhimhome，wasfittingoutatAlexandria;hehadreceivedhisinstructions，andwastoleaveCairoonthe29thofJanuary，tendaysbeforeBonaparte’sdepartureforSyria.Bonapartewassorrytopartwithhim;
　　buthecouldnotenduretoseeanoldfriend，andonewhohadservedhimwellinallhiscampaigns，dyingbeforehiseyes，thevictimofnostalgiaandromanticlove.Besides，Berthierhadbeenforsometimepast，anythingbutactiveinthedischargeofhisduties.Hispassion，whichamountedalmosttomadness，impairedthefeeblefacultieswithwhichnaturehadendowedhim.Somewritershaverankedhimintheclassofsentimentallovers：bethisasitmay，thehomagewhichBerthierrenderedtotheportraitoftheobjectofhisadorationmorefrequentlyexcitedourmerrimentthanoursensibility.
　　OnedayIwentwithanorderfromBonapartetothechiefofhisstaff，whomIfoundonhiskneesbeforetheportraitofMadameVisconti，whichwashangingoppositethedoor.Itouchedhim，tolethimknowIwasthere.Hegrumbledalittle，butdidnotgetangry.
　　Themomentwasapproachingwhenthetwofriendsweretopart，perhapsforever.Bonapartewassincerelydistressedatthisseparation，andthechiefofhisstaffwasinformedofthefact.AtamomentwhenitwassupposedBerthierwasonhiswaytoAlexandria，hepresentedhimselftotheGeneral—in—Chief."Youare，then，decidedlygoingtoAsia？"saidhe.——"Youknow，"repliedtheGeneral，"thatallisready，andIshallsetoutinafewdays."——"Well，Iwillnotleaveyou.IvoluntarilyrenounceallideaofreturningtoFrance.Icouldnotenduretoforsakeyouatamomentwhenyouaregoingtoencounternewdangers.Herearemyinstructionsandmypassport."Bonaparte，highlypleasedwiththisresolution，embracedBerthier;andthecoolnesswhichhadbeenexcitedbyhisrequesttoreturnhomewassucceededbyasincerereconciliation.
　　LouisBonaparte，whowassufferingfromtheeffectsofthevoyage，wasstillatAlexandria.TheGeneral—in—Chief，yieldingtothepacificviewsofhisyoungerbrother，whowasalsobeginningtoevincesomesymptomsofnostalgia，consentedtohisreturnhome.Hecouldnot，however，departuntilthe11thofMarch1799.IfelttheabsenceofLouisverymuch.
　　OnhisreturntoFranceLouispassedthroughSens，wherehedinedwithMadamedeBourrienne，towhomhepresentedabeautifulshawl，whichGeneralBerthierhadgivenme.This，Ibelieve，wasthefirstCashmerethathadeverbeenseeninFrance.LouiswasmuchsurprisedwhenMadamedeBourrienneshowedhimtheEgyptiancorrespondence，whichhadbeenseizedbytheEnglishandprintedinLondon.Hefoundinthecollectionsomelettersaddressedtohimself，andtherewereothers，hesaid，whichwerelikelytodisturbthepeaceofmorethanonefamilyonthereturnofthearmy.
　　Onthe11thofFebruary1799webeganourmarchforSyria，withabout12，000men.Ithasbeenerroneouslystatedthatthearmyamountedtoonly6000：nearlythatnumberwaslostinthecourseofthecampaign.
　　However，attheverymomentwewereonourwaytoSyria，with12，000men，scarcelyasmanybeingleftinEgypt，theDirectorypublishedthat，"accordingtotheinformationwhichhadbeenreceived，"wehad60，000
　　infantryand10，000cavalry;thatthearmyhaddoubleditsnumbersbybattles;andthatsinceourarrivalinEgypt，wehadlostonly300men.
　　Ishistorytobewrittenfromsuchdocuments？
　　Wearrived，aboutfouro’clockintheafternoon，atMessoudiah，or，"theFortunateSpot."Herewewitnessedakindofphenomenon，whichwasnotalittleagreeabletous.MessoudiahisaplacesituatedonthecoastoftheMediterranean，surroundedwithlittledunesofveryfinesand，whichthecopiousrainsofwinterreadilypenetrate.Therainremainsinthesand，sothatonmakingwiththefingersholesoffourorfiveinchesindepthatthebottomoftheselittlehills，thewaterimmediatelyflowsout.Thiswaterwas，indeed，ratherthick，butitsflavourwasagreeable;anditwouldhavebecomeclearifwecouldhavesparedtimetoallowittorestanddeposittheparticlesofsanditcontained.
　　Itwasacuriousspectacletobeholdusalllyingprostrate，diggingwellsinminiature;anddisplayingalaughableselfishnessinourendeavourstoobtainthemostabundantsource.Thiswasaveryimportantdiscoverytous.Wefoundthesesand—wellsattheextremityofthedesert，anditcontributed，innosmalldegree，torevivethecourageofoursoldiers;besides，whenmenare，aswasthecasewithus，subjecttoprivationsofeverykind，theleastbenefitwhichaccruesinspiresthehopeofanewadvantage.WewereapproachingtheconfinesofSyria，andweenjoyedbyanticipation，thepleasurewewereabouttoexperience，ontreadingasoilwhich，byitsvarietyofverdureandvegetation，wouldremindusofournativeland.AtMessoudiahwelikewisepossessedtheadvantageofbathinginthesea，whichwasnotmorethanfiftypacesfromourunexpectedwater—supply.
　　WhilstnearthewellsofMessoudiah，onthewaytoEl—Arish，IonedaysawBonapartewalkingalonewithJunot，ashewasofteninthehabitofdoing.Istoodatalittledistance，andmyeyes，Iknownotwhy，werefixedonhimduringtheirconversation.TheGeneral’scountenance，whichwasalwayspale，had，withoutmybeingabletodivinethecause，becomepalerthanusual.Therewassomethingconvulsiveinhisfeatures——awildnessinhislook，andheseveraltimesstruckhisheadwithhishand.
　　AfterconversingwithJunotaboutaquarterofanhourhequittedhimandcametowardsme.Ineversawhimexhibitsuchanairofdissatisfaction，orappearsomuchundertheinfluenceofsomeprepossession.Iadvancedtowardshim，andassoonaswemet，heexclaimedinanabruptandangrytone，"So！IfindIcannotdependuponyou.——Thesewomen！——Josephine！
　　——ifyouhadlovedme，youwouldbeforenowhavetoldmeallIhaveheardfromJunot——heisarealfriend——Josephine！—andI600leaguesfromher——
　　yououghttohavetoldme.——Thatsheshouldthushavedeceivedme！——’Woetothem！——Iwillexterminatethewholeraceoffopsandpuppies！——Astoher——divorce！——yes，divorce！apublicandopendivorce！——Imustwrite！
　　——Iknowall！——Itisyourfault—yououghttohavetoldme！"
　　Theseenergeticandbrokenexclamations，hisdisturbedcountenanceandalteredvoiceinformedmebuttoowellofthesubjectofhisconversationwithJunot.IsawthatJunothadbeendrawnintoaculpableindiscretion;andthat，ifJosephinehadcommittedanyfaults，hehadcruellyexaggeratedthem.Mysituationwasoneofextremedelicacy.
　　However，Ihadthegoodfortunetoretainmyself—possession，andassoonassomedegreeofcalmnesssucceededtothisfirstburst，IrepliedthatIknewnothingofthereportswhichJunotmighthavecommunicatedtohim;
　　thatevenifsuchreports，oftentheoffspringofcalumny，hadreachedmyear，andifIhadconsidereditmydutytoinformhimofthem，Icertainlywouldnothaveselectedforthatpurposethemomentwhenhewas600leaguesfromFrance.IalsodidnotconcealhowblamableJunot’sconductappearedtome，andhowungenerousIconsidereditthusrashlytoaccuseawomanwhowasnotpresenttojustifyordefendherself;thatitwasnogreatproofofattachmenttoadddomesticuneasinesstotheanxiety，alreadysufficientlygreat，whichthesituationofhisbrothersinarms，atthecommencementofahazardousenterprise，occasionedhim.
　　Notwithstandingtheseobservations，which，however，helistenedtowithsomecalmness，theword"divorce"stillescapedhislips;anditisnecessarytobeawareofthedegreeofirritationtowhichhewasliablewhenanythingseriouslyvexedhim，tobeabletoformanideaofwhatBonapartewasduringthispainfulscene.However，Ikeptmyground.
　　IrepeatedwhatIhadsaid.Ibeggedofhimtoconsiderwithwhatfacilitytaleswerefabricatedandcirculated，andthatgossipsuchasthatwhichhadbeenrepeatedtohimwasonlytheamusementofidlepersons;anddeservedthecontemptofstrongminds.Ispokeofhisglory."Myglory！"criedhe."IknownotwhatIwouldnotgiveifthatwhichJunothastoldmeshouldbeuntrue;somuchdoIloveJosephine！
　　Ifshebereallyguiltyadivorcemustseparateusforever.Iwillnotsubmittobealaughing—stockforalltheimbecilesinParis.IwillwritetoJoseph;hewillgetthedivorcedeclared."
　　Althoughhisagitationcontinuedlong，intervalsoccurredinwhichhewaslessexcited.Iseizedoneofthesemomentsofcomparativecalmtocombatthisideaofdivorcewhichseemedtopossesshismind.
　　Irepresentedtohimespeciallythatitwouldbeimprudenttowritetohisbrotherwithreferencetoacommunicationwhichwasprobablyfalse.
　　"Thelettermightbeintercepted;itwouldbetraythefeelingsofirritationwhichdictatedit.Astoadivorce，itwouldbetimetothinkofthathereafter，butadvisedly."
　　TheselastwordsproducedaneffectonhimwhichIcouldnothaveventuredtohopeforsospeedily.Hebecametranquil，listenedtomeasifhehadsuddenlyfeltthejusticeofmyobservations，droppedthesubject，andneverreturnedtoit;exceptthataboutafortnightafter，whenwewerebeforeSt.Jeand’Acre，heexpressedhimselfgreatlydissatisfiedwithJunot，andcomplainedoftheinjuryhehaddonehimbyhisindiscreetdisclosures，whichhebegantoregardastheinventionsofmalignity.IperceivedafterwardsthatheneverpardonedJunotforthisindiscretion;andIcanstate，almostwithcertainty，thatthiswasoneofthereasonswhyJunotwasnotcreatedamarshalofFrance，likemanyof，hiscomradeswhomBonapartehadlovedless.ItmaybesupposedthatJosephine，whowasafterwardsinformedbyBonaparteofJunot’sconversation，didnotfeelparticularlyinterestedinhisfavour.
　　Hediedinsaneonthe27thofJuly1813.
　　——[HoweverindiscreetJunotmightonthisoccasionhaveshownhimselfininterferinginsodelicateamatter，itisprettycertainthathissuspicionswerebreathedtonootherearthanthatofBonapartehimself.MadameJunot，inspeakingoftheill—suppressedenmitybetweenherhusbandandMadameBonaparte，saysthatheneverutteredawordeventoherofthesubjectofhisconversationwith，theGeneral—in—ChieftoEgypt.ThatJunot’stestimony，however，notwithstandingthecountenanceitobtainedfromBonaparte’srelations，oughttobecautiouslyreceived，thefollowingpassagefromtheMemoirsoftheDuchessed’Abrantes，vol.i.p.250，demonstrativeofthefeelingsofirritationbetweentheparties，willshow：
　　"JunotescortedMadameBonapartewhenshewenttojointheGeneral—
　　in—ChiefinItaly.IamsurprisedthatM.deBourriennehasomittedmentioningthiscircumstanceinhisMemoirs.Hemusthaveknownit，sincehewaswellacquaintedwitheverythingrelatingtoJosephine，andknewmanyfactsofhighinterestinherlifeatthisperiodandsubsequently.HowhappensittoothathemakesnomentionofMademoiselleLouise，whomightbecalledher’demioselledecompagnie’ratherthanher’femmedechambre’？AttheoutsetofthejourneytoItalyshewassuchafavouritewithJosephinethatshedressedlikehermistress，ateattablewithher，andwasinallrespectsherfriendandconfidante.
　　"Thejourneywaslong，muchtoolongforJunot，thoughhewasverymuchinlovewithMademoiselleLouise.Buthewasanxioustojointhearmy，fortohimhisGeneralwasalwaysthedearestofmistresses.Junothasoftenspokentome，andtomealone，ofthevexationsheexperiencedonthisjourney.HemighthaveaddedtohiscircumstantialdetailsrelativetoJosephinetheconversationheisreportedgohavehadwithBonapartetoEgypt;butheneverbreathedawordonthesubject，forhischaracterwasalwaysnobleandgenerous.ThejourneytoItalydidnotproducetheeffectwhichusuallyarisesfromsuchincidentsincommonlife;namely，acloserfriendshipandintimacybetweentheparties.Onthecontrary，MadameBonapartefromthatmomentevincedsomedegreeofill—humourtowardsJunot，andcomplainedwithsingularwarmthofthewantofrespectwhichhehadshownher，inmakinglovetoher’femmedechambre’beforeherface."
　　Accordingto’Erreurs（tomei.pp.4，50）JunotwasnottheninSyria.Onl0thFebruaryNapoleonwasatMessoudiah.JunotonlyarrivedfromEgyptatGazaonthe25thFebruary.Madamed’Abrantes（ii.32）treatsthisconversationasapocryphal."This（ananecdoteofherown）isnotanimaginaryepisodelikethat，forexample，ofmakingapersonspeakatMessoudiahwhoneverwasthere."]——
　　OurlittlearmycontinueditsmarchonEl—Arish，wherewearrivedonthe17thofFebruary.Thefatiguesexperiencedinthedesertandthescarcityofwaterexcitedviolentmurmursamongstthesoldiersduringtheirmarchacrosstheisthmus.Whenanypersononhorsebackpassedthemtheystudiouslyexpressedtheirdiscontent.Theadvantagepossessedbythehorsemenprovokedtheirsarcasms.Ineverheardtheverseswhichtheyaresaidtohaverepeated，buttheyindulgedinthemostviolentlanguageagainsttheRepublic，themenofscience，andthosewhomtheyregardedastheauthorsoftheexpedition.Neverthelessthesebravefellows，fromwhomitwasnotastonishingthatsuchgreatprivationsshouldextortcomplaints，oftencompensatedbytheirpleasantriesforthebitternessoftheirreproaches.
　　ManytimesduringthecrossingoftheisthmusIhaveseensoldiers，parchedwiththirst，andunabletowaittillthehourfordistributionofwater，piercetheleathernbottleswhichcontainedit;andthisconduct，soinjurioustoall，occasionednumerousquarrels.
　　El—Arishsurrenderedonthe17thofFebruary.Ithasbeenerroneouslystatedthatthegarrisonofthisinsignificantplace，whichwassetatlibertyonconditionofnotagainservingagainstus，wasafterwardsfoundamongstthebesiegedatJaffa.IthasalsobeenstatedthatitwasbecausethemencomposingtheEl—ArishgarrisondidnotproceedtoBagdad，accordingtothecapitulation，thatweshotthematJaffa.Weshallpresentlyseethefalsehoodoftheseassertions.
　　Onthe28thofFebruaryweobtainedthefirstglimpseofthegreenandfertileplainsofSyria，which，inmanyrespects，remindedusoftheclimateandsoilofEurope.Wenowhadrain，andsometimesrathertoomuch.Thefeelingswhichthesightofthevalleysandmountainscalled.
　　forthmadeus，insomedegree，forgetthehardshipsandvexationsofanexpeditionofwhichfewpersonscouldforeseetheobjectorend.Therearesituationsinlifewhentheslightestagreeablesensationalleviatesallourills.
　　Onthe1stofMarchwesleptatRamleh，inasmallconventoccupiedbytwomonks，whopaidusthegreatestattention.Theygaveusthechurchforahospital.ThesegoodfathersdidnotfailtotellusthatitwasthroughthisplacethefamilyofJesusChristpassedintoEgypt，andshowedusthewellsatwhichtheyquenchedtheirthirst.
　　——[Ramleh，theancientArimathea，issituatedatthebaseofachainofmountains，theeasternextremityofwhichiswashedbythePersianGulf，andthewesternbytheMediterranean.——Bourrienne.]——
　　Thepureandcoolwaterofthesewellsdelightedus.
　　WewerenotmorethanaboutsixleaguesfromJerusalem.
　　IaskedtheGeneralwhetherhedidnotintendtodirecthismarchbythewayofthatcity，socelebratedinmanyrespects.Hereplied，"Ohno！
　　Jerusalemisnotinmylineofoperations.Idonotwishtobeannoyedbymountaineersindifficultroads.And，besides，ontheotheraideofthemountainIshouldbeassailedbyswarmsofcavalry.IamnotambitiousofthefateofCassius."
　　WethereforedidnotenterJerusalem，whichwasnotdisturbedbythewar.
　　AllwedidwastosendawrittendeclarationtothepersonsinpoweratJerusalem，assuringthemthatwehadnodesignagainstthatcountry，andonlywishedthemtoremainatpeace.Tothiscommunicationnoanswerwasreturned，andnothingmorepassedonthesubject.
　　——[SirWalterScottsays，speakingofBonaparte，thathebelievesthatlittleofficerofartillerydreamedofbeingKingofJerusalem.
　　WhatIhavejuststatedprovesthatheneverthoughtofsuchathing.The"littleofficerofartillery"hadafarmoresplendiddreaminhishead.——Bourrienne.]——
　　WefoundatRamlehbetweentwoandthreehundredChristiansinapitiablestateofservitude，misery，anddejection.OnconversingwiththemI
　　couldnothelpadmiringhowmuchthehopeoffuturerewardsmayconsolemenunderpresentills.ButIlearnedfrommanyofthemthattheydidnotliveinharmonytogether.Thefeelingsofhatredandjealousyarenotlesscommonamongstthesepeoplethanamongstthebetter—instructedinhabitantsofrichandpopulouscities.
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　1799.
　　ArrivalatJaffa——Thesiege——BeauharnaisandCroisier——Fourthousandprisoners——Scarcityofprovisions——Councilsofwar——Dreadfulnecessity——Themassacre——Theplague——Lannesandthemountaineers——
　　BarbarityofDjezasi——ArrivalatStJeand’Acre，andabortiveattacks——SirSidneySmith——DeathofCaffarelli——Durocwounded——
　　Rashbathing——InsurrectionsinEgypt.
　　OnarrivingbeforeJaffa，wheretherewerealreadysometroops，thefirstperson.ImetwasAdjutant—GeneralGresieux，withwhomIwaswellacquainted.Iwishedhimgood—day，andofferedhimmyhand."GoodGod！
　　whatareyouabout？"saidhe，repulsingmewithaveryabruptgesture;
　　"youmayhavetheplague.Peopledonottoucheachotherhere！
　　"ImentionedthecircumstancetoBonaparte，whosaid，"Ifhebeafraidoftheplague，hewilldieofit."Shortlyafter，atSt.Jeand’Acre，hewasattackedbythatmalady，andsoonsankunderit.
　　Onthe4thofMarchwecommencedthesiegeofJaffa.Thatpaltryplace，which，toroundasentence，waspompouslystyledtheancientJoppa，heldoutonlytothe6thofMarch，whenitwastakenbystorm，andgivenuptopillage.Themassacrewashorrible.GeneralBonapartesenthisaidesdecampBeauharnaisandCroisiertoappeasethefuryofthesoldiersasmuchaspossible，andtoreporttohimwhatwaspassing.Theylearnedthataconsiderablepartofthegarrisonhadretiredintosomevastbuildings，asortofcaravanserai，whichformedalargeenclosedcourt.BeauharnaisandCroisier，whoweredistinguishedbywearingthe’aidedecamp’scarfontheirarms，proceededtothatplace.TheArnautsandAlbanians，ofwhomtheserefugeeswerealmostentirelycomposed，criedfromthewindowsthattheywerewillingtosurrenderuponanassurancethattheywouldbeexemptedfromthemassacretowhichthetownwasdoomed;ifnot，theythreatenedtofireonthe’aidesdecamp’，andtodefendthemselvestothelastextremity.Thetwoofficersthoughtthattheyoughttoaccedetotheproposition，notwithstandingthedecreeofdeathwhichhadbeenpronouncedagainstthewholegarrison，inconsequenceofthetownbeingtokenbystorm.Theybroughtthemtoourcampintwodivisions，oneconsistingofabout2500men，theotherofabout1600.
　　IwaswalkingwithGeneralBonaparte，infrontofhistent，whenhebeheldthismassofmenapproaching，andbeforeheevensawhis’aidesdecamp’hesaidtome，inatoneofprofoundsorrow，"Whatdotheywishmetodowiththesemen？HaveIfoodforthem？——shipstoconveythemtoEgyptorFrance？Why，inthedevil’sname，havetheyservedmethus？"
　　Aftertheirarrival，andtheexplanationswhichtheGeneral—in—Chiefdemandedandlistenedtowithanger，EugeneandCroisierreceivedthemostseverereprimandfortheirconduct.Butthedeedwasdone.Fourthousandmenwerethere.Itwasnecessarytodecideupontheirfate.
　　Thetwoaidesdecampobservedthattheyhadfoundthemselvesaloneinthemidstofnumerousenemies，andthathehaddirectedthemtorestrainthecarnage."Yes，doubtless，"repliedtheGeneral—in—Chief，withgreatwarmth，"astowomen，children，andoldmen——allthepeaceableinhabitants;butnotwithrespecttoarmedsoldiers.Itwasyourdutytodieratherthanbringtheseunfortunatecreaturestome.Whatdoyouwantmetodowiththem？"Thesewordswerepronouncedinthemostangrytone.
　　Theprisonerswerethenorderedtositdown，andwereplaced，withoutanyorder，infrontofthetents，theirhandstiedbehindtheirbacks.
　　Asombredeterminationwasdepictedontheircountenances.Wegavethemalittlebiscuitandbread，squeezedoutofthealreadyscantysupplyforthearmy.
　　OnthefirstdayoftheirarrivalacouncilofwarwasheldinthetentoftheGeneral—in—Chief，todeterminewhatcourseshouldbepursuedwithrespecttothemthecouncildeliberatedalongtimewithoutcomingtoanydecision.
　　Ontheeveningofthefollowingdaythedailyreportsofthegeneralsofdivisioncamein.Theyspokeofnothingbuttheinsufficiencyoftherations，thecomplaintsofthesoldiers——oftheirmurmursanddiscontentatseeingtheirbreadgiventoenemieswhohadbeenwithdrawnfromtheirvengeance，inasmuchasadecreeofdeath;inconformitywiththelawsofwar，hadbeenpassedonJaffa.Allthesereportswerealarming，andespeciallythatofGeneralBon，inwhichnoreservewasmade.Hespokeofnothinglessthanthefearofarevolt，whichwouldbejustifiedbytheseriousnatureofthecase.
　　Thecouncilassembledagain.Allthegeneralsofdivisionweresummonedtoattend，andforseveralhourstogethertheydiscussed，underseparatequestions，whatmeasuresmightbeadopted，withthemostsinceredesiretodiscoverandexecuteonewhichwouldsavethelivesoftheseunfortunateprisoners.
　　（l.）ShouldtheybesentintoEgypt？Coulditbedone？
　　Todoso;itwouldbenecessarytosendwiththemanumerousescort，whichwouldtoomuchweakenourlittlearmyintheenemy’scountry.How，besides，couldtheyandtheescortbesupportedtilltheyreachedCairo，havingnoprovisionstogivethemonsettingout，andtheirroutebeingthroughahostileterritory，whichwehadexhausted，whichpresentednofreshresources，andthroughwhichwe，perhaps，mighthavetoreturn，（2.）Shouldtheybeembarked？
　　Whereweretheships？——Wherecouldtheybefound？Allourtelescopes，directedovertheseacouldnotdescryasinglefriendlysailBonaparte，Iaffirm，wouldhaveregardedsuchaneventasarealfavouroffortune.
　　Itwas，and——Iamgladtohavetosayit，thissoleidea，thissolehope，whichmadehimbrave，forthreedays，themurmursofhisarmy.Butinvainwashelplookedforseaward.Itdidnotcome.
　　（3.）Shouldtheprisonersbesetatliberty？
　　TheyworldtheninstantlyproceedtoSt.Jeand’Acretoreinforcethepasha，orelse，throwingthemselvesintothemountainsofNablous，wouldgreatlyannoyourrearandright—flank，anddealoutdeathtous，asarecompenseforthelifewehadgiventhem.Therecouldbenodoubtofthis.WhatisaChristiandogtoaTurk？ItwouldevenhavebeenareligiousandmeritoriousactintheeyeoftheProphet.
　　（4.）Couldtheybeincorporated，disarmed，withoursoldiersintheranks？
　　Hereagainthequestionoffoodpresenteditselfinallitsforce.Nextcametobeconsideredthedangerofhavingsuchcomradeswhilemarchingthroughanenemy’scountry.WhatmighthappenintheeventofabattlebeforeSt.Jeand’Acre？Couldweeventellwhatmightoccurduringthemarch？And，finally，whatmustbedonewiththemwhenundertherampartsofthattown，ifweshouldbeabletotakethemthere？Thesameembarrassmentswithrespecttothequestionsofprovisionsandsecuritywouldthenrecurwithincreasedforce.
　　Thethirddayarrivedwithoutitsbeingpossible，anxiouslyasitwasdesired，tocometoanyconclusionfavourabletothepreservationoftheseunfortunatemen.Themurmursinthecampgrewloudertheevilwentonincreasing——remedyappearedimpossible——thedangerwasrealandimminent.Theorderforshootingtheprisonerswasgivenandexecutedonthe10thofMarch.Wedidnot，ashasbeenstated，separatetheEgyptiansfromtheotherprisoners.TherewerenoEgyptians.
　　Manyoftheunfortunatecreaturescomposingthesmallerdivision，whichwasfiredonclosetotheseacoast，atsomedistancefromtheothercolumn，succeededinswimmingtosomereefsofrocksoutofthereachofmusket—shot.Thesoldiersrestedtheirmusketsonthesand，and，toinducetheprisonerstoreturn，employedtheEgyptiansignsofreconciliationinuseinthecountry.They，cameback;butastheyadvancedtheywerekilled，anddisappearedamongthewaves.
　　Iconfinemyselftothesedetailsofthisactofdreadfulnecessity，ofwhichIwasaneye—witness.Others，who，likemyself，sawit，havefortunatelysparedmetherecitalofthesanguinaryresult.Thisatrociousscene，whenIthinkofit，stillmakesmeshudder，asitdidonthedayIbeheldit;andIwouldwishitwerepossibleformetoforgetit，ratherthanbecompelledtodescribeit.Allthehorrorsimaginationcanconceive，relativetothatdayofblood，wouldfallshortofthereality.
　　Ihaverelatedthetruth，thewholetruth.Iwaspresentatallthediscussions，alltheconferences，allthedeliberations.Ihadnot，asmaybesupposed，adeliberativevoice;butIamboundtodeclarethat.
　　thesituationofthearmy，thescarcityoffood，oursmallnumericalstrength，inthemidstofacountrywhereeveryindividualwasanenemy，wouldhaveinducedmetovoteintheaffirmativeofthepropositionwhichwascarriedintoeffect，ifIhadavotetogive.Itwasnecessarytobeonthespotinordertounderstandthehorriblenecessitywhichexisted.
　　War，unfortunately，presentstoomanyoccasionsonwhichalaw，immutableinallages，andcommontoallnations，requiresthatprivateinterestsshouldbesacrificedtoagreatgeneralinterest，andthatevenhumanityshouldheforgotten.ItisforposteritytojudgewhetherthisterriblesituationwasthatinwhichBonapartewasplaced.Formyownpart，I
　　haveaperfectconvictionthatbecouldnotdootherwisethanyieldtothedirenecessityofthecase.Itwastheadviceofthecouncil，whoseopinionwasunanimousinfavouroftheexecution，thatgovernedhim，IndeedIoughtintruthtosay，thatheyieldedonlyinthelastextremity，andwasoneofthose，perhaps，whobeheldthemassacrewiththedeepestpain.
　　AfterthesiegeofJaffetheplaguebegantoexhibititselfwithalittlemorevirulence.Welostbetweensevenandeighthundred，menbythecontagionduringthecampaignofSyria’
　　——[SirWalterScottsays，thatHeavenseatthispestilenceamongstustoavengethemassacreofJaffa]——
　　DuringourmarchonSt.Jeand’Acre，whichwascommencedonthel4thofMarch，thearmyneitherobtainedthebrillianttriumphsnorencounteredthenumerousobstaclesspokenofincertainworks.NothingofimportanceoccurredbutarashskirmishofGeneralLanneswho，inspiteofcontraryorders，fromBonaparte，obstinatelypursuedatroopofmountaineersintothepassesofNabloua.Onreturning，hefoundthemountaineersplacedinambushingreatnumbersamongstrocks，thewindingsofwhichtheywerewell，acquaintedwith，whencetheyfiredcloseuponourtroops;whosesituationrenderedthemunabletodefendthemselves.Duringthetimeofthisfoolishanduselessenterprise;especiallywhilethefiringwasbrisk，Bonaparte，exhibitedmuchimpatience，anditmustbeconfessed，hisangerwasbutnatural：TheNablousianshaltedattheopeningsofthemountaindefiles.BonapartereproachedLannesbitterlyforhavinguselesslyexposedhimself，and"sacrificed，withoutanyobject，anumberofbravemen."Lannesexcusedhimselfbysayingthatthemountaineershaddefiedhim，andhewishedtochastisetherabble."Wearenotinaconditiontoplaytheswaggerer，"repliedNapoleon.
　　InfourdayswearrivedbeforeSt.Jeand’Acre，wherewelearnedthatDjezzarhadcutofftheheadofourenvoy，Mailly—de—Chateau—Renaud，andthrownhisbodyintotheseainasack.Thiscruelpashawasguiltyofagreatnumberofsimilarexecutions.Thewavesfrequentlydrovedeadbodiestowardsthecoast，andwecameuponthemwhilstbathing.
　　Thedetails：ofthesiegeofAcrearewellknown.Althoughsurroundedbyawall，flankedwithstrongtowers，andhaving，besides，abroad—anddeepditchdefendedbyworksthislittlefortressdidnotappearlikelytoholdoutagainstFrenchvalourandtheskillofourcorpsofengineersandartillery;buttheeaseandrapiditywithwhichJaffahadbeentakenoccasionedustooverlookinsomedegreethecomparativestrengthofthetwoplaces，andthedifferenceoftheirrespectivesituations.AtJaffawehadsufficientartillery：atSt.Jeand’Acrewehadnot.AtJaffawehadtodealonlywithagarrisonlefttoitself：atSt.Jeand’Acrewewereopposedbyagarrisonstrengthenedbyreinforcementsofmenandsuppliesofprovisions，supportedbytheEnglishfleet，andassistedbyEuropeanScience.SirSidneySmithwas，beyonddoubt，themanwhodidusthegreatestinjury.
　　——[SirSidneySmithwastheonlyEnglishmanbesidestheDukeofWellingtonwhodefeatedNapoleoninmilitaryoperations.ThethirdEnglishmanopposedtohim，SirJohnMoore，wascompelledtomakeaprecipitateretreatthroughtheweaknessofhisforce]——
　　MuchhasbeensaidrespectinghiscommunicationswiththeGeneral—in—
　　Chief.Thereproacheswhichthelattercastuponhimforendeavouringtoseducethesoldiersandofficersofthearmybytemptingofferswerethemoresingular，eveniftheywerewellfounded，inasmuchasthesemeansarefrequentlyemployedbyleadersinwar.
　　——[AtonetimetheFrenchGeneralwassodisturbedbythemastoendeavourtoputastoptothem;whichobjectheeffectedbyinterdictingallcommunicationwiththeEnglish，andsignifying，inanorderoftheday，thattheirCommodorewasamadman.This，beingbelievedinthearmy，soenragedSirSidneySmith，thatinhiswrathhesentachallengetoNapoleon.Thelatterreplied，thathehadtoomanyweightyaffairsonhishandstotroublehimselfinsotriflingamatter.Hadit，indeed，beenthegreatMarlborough，itmighthavebeenworthyhisattention.Still，iftheEnglishsailorwasabsolutelybentuponfighting，hewouldsendhimabravofromthearmy，andshowthemasmellportionofneutralground，wherethemadCommodoremightland，andsatisfyhishumourtothefull.——
　　Editorofl836edition.）]——
　　AstotheembarkingofFrenchprisonersonboardavesselinwhichtheplagueexisted，theimprobabilityofthecircumstancealone，butespeciallythenotoriousfactsofthecase，repellthisodiousaccusation.IobservedtheconductofSirSidneySmithcloselyatthetime，andIremarkedinhimachivalricspirit，whichsometimeshurriedhimintotriflingeccentricities;butIaffirmthathisbehaviourtowardstheFrenchwasthatofagallantenemy.Ihaveseenmanyletters，inwhichthewritersinformedhimthatthey"wereverysensibleofthegoodtreatmentwhichtheFrenchexperiencedwhentheyfellintohishands."
　　LetanyoneexamineSirSidney’sconductbeforethecapitulationofEl—
　　Arish，andafteritsrupture，andthentheycanjudgeofhischaracter.
　　——[Napoleon，whenatSt.Helena，inspeakingofthesiegeofAcre，said，——SidneySmithisabraveofficer.HedisplayedconsiderableabilityinthetreatyfortheevacuationofEgyptbytheFrench.HetookadvantageofthediscontentwhichhefoundtoprevailamongsttheFrenchtroopsatbeingsolongawayfromFrance，andothercircumstances.HemanifestedgreathonourinsendingimmediatelytoKlebertherefusalofLordKeithtoratifythetreaty，whichsavedtheFrencharmy;ifhehadkeptitasecretsevenoreightdayslonger，CairowouldhavebeengivenuptotheTurks，andtheFrencharmynecessarilyobligedtosurrendertotheEnglish.HealsoshowedgreathumanityandhonourinallhisproceedingstowardstheFrenchwhofeltintohishands.HelandedatHavre，forsome’sotttice’ofabethehadmade，accordingtosome，togotothetheatre;otherssaiditwasforespionage;howeverthatmaybe，hewasarrestedandconfinedintheTempleasaspy;andatonetimeitwasintendedtotryandexecutehim.ShortlyafterIreturnedfromItalyhewrotetomefromhisprison，torequestthatIwouldintercedeforhim;but，underthecircumstancesinwhichhewastaken，Icoulddonothingforhim.Heisactive，intelligent，intriguing，andindefatigable;butIbelievethatheis’mezzopazo’.
　　"ThechiefcauseofthefailureatAcrewas，thathetookallmybatteringtrain，whichwasonboardofseveralsmallvessels.
　　Haditnotbeenforthat，IwouldhavetakenAcreinspiteofhim.
　　Hebehavedverybravely，andwaswellsecondedbyPhillipeaux，aFrenchmanoftalent，whohadstudiedwithmeasanengineer.TherewasaMajorDouglasalso，whobehavedverygallantly.TheacquisitionoffiveorsixhundredseamenasgunnerswasagreatadvantagetotheTurks，whosespiritstheyrevived，andwhomtheyshowedhowtodefendthefortress.Buthecommittedagreatfaultinmakingsorties，whichcostthelivesoftwoorthreehundredbravefellowswithoutthepossibilityofsuccess.ForitwasimpossiblehecouldsucceedagainstthenumberoftheFrenchwhowerebeforeAcre.Iwouldlayawagethathelosthalfofhiscrewinthem.HedispersedProclamationsamongstmytroops，whichcertainlyshooksomeofthem，andIinconsequencepublishedanorder，statingthathewasread，andforbiddingallcommunicationwithhim.Somedaysafterhesent，bymeansofaflagoftruce，alieutenantoramidshipmanwithalettercontainingachallengetometomeethimatsomeplacehepointedoutinordertofightaduel.Ilaughedatthis，sadsenthimbackanintimationthatwhenhebroughtMarlboroughtofightmeIwouldmeethim.Not，withstandingthis，Ilikethecharacteroftheman."（VoicesfromSt.Helena，vol.4，p.208）.]——
　　Allourmanoeuvres，ourworks，andattacksweremadewiththatlevityandcarelessnesswhichover—confidenceinspires.Kleber，whilstwalkingwithmeonedayinthelinesofourcamp，frequentlyexpressedhissurpriseanddiscontent."Thetrenches，"said，he，"donotcomeuptomyknees."
　　Besiegingartillerywas，ofnecessity，required：wecommencedwithfieldartillery.Thisencouragedthebesieged，whoperceivedtheweaknessofourresources.Thebesiegingartillery，consistingonlyofthreetwenty—
　　fourpoundersandsix，eighteenpounders，wasnotbroughtupuntiltheendofApril，andbeforethatperiodthrewassaultshadtakenplacewithveryseriousloss.Onthe4thofMayourpowderbegantofailus.Thiscrueleventobligedustoslackenourfire.Wealsowantedshot;andanorderofthedayfixedapricetobegivenforallballs，accordingtotheircalibre，whichmightbepickedupafterbeingfiredfromthefortressorthetwoshipsoftheline，the’Tiger’and’Theseus’，whichwerestationedoneachsideoftheharbour：Thesetwovesselsembarrassedthecommunication，betweenthecampandthetrenches;butthoughtheymademuchnoise，theydidlittleharm.Aballfromoneofthem;killedanofficerontheeveningthesiegewasraised.
　　Theenemyhadwithinthewallssomeexcellentriflemen，chieflyAlbanians.Theyplacedstones，oneovertheother，onthewalls，puttheirfirearmsthroughtheinterstices，andthus，completelysheltered，firedwithdestructiveprecision.
　　Onthe9thofAprilGeneralCaffarelli，sowellknownforhiscourageandtalents，waspassingthroughthetrench，hishandrestingashestoopedonhiship，topreservetheequilibriumwhichhiswoodenleg，impaired;
　　hiselbowonlywasraisedabovethetrench.Hewaswarnedthattheenemy’sshot，firedcloseuponusdidnotmissthesmallestobject.
　　Hepaidnoattentiontoanyobservationofthiskind，andinafewinstantshiselbowjointwasfractured.Amputationofthearmwasjudgedindispensable.TheGeneralsurvivedtheoperationeighteendays.
　　Bonapartewentregularlytwiceadaytohistent.Byhisorder，addedtomyfriendshipforCaffarelli，Iscarcelyeverquittedhim.Shortlybeforeheexpiredhesaidtome，"MydearBourrienne，besogoodastoreadtomeVoltaire’sprefaceto’EspritdesLois’."WhenIreturnedtothetentoftheGeneral—in—Chiefheasked，"HowisCaffarelli？"I
　　replied，"Heisnearhisend;butheaskedmetoreadhimVoltaire’sprefacetothe’EspritdeLois’，hehasjustfallenasleep."Bonapartesaid，"Bah！towishtohearthatpreface？howsingular！"HewenttoseeCaffarelli，buthewasstillasleep.Ireturnedtohimthateveningandreceivedhislastbreath.Hediedwiththeutmostcomposure.Hisdeath.
　　wasequallyregrettedbythesoldiersandthemenofscience，whoaccompaniedus.Itwasajustregretduetothatdistinguishedman，inwhomveryextensiveinformationwasunitedwithgreatcourageandamiabledisposition.
　　Onthe10thofMay;whenanassaulttookplace，Bonaparteproceededatanearlyhourtothetrenches.
　　——[SirSidneySmith，inhisOfficialreportoftheassaultofthe8thofMay，saysthatNapoleonwasdistinctlyseendirectingtheoperation.]——
　　Croisier，whowasmentionedonourarrivalatDamanhourandonthecaptureofJaffa，hadinvaincourteddeathsincethecommencementofthesiege.LifehadbecomeinsupportabletohimsincetheunfortunateaffairatJaffa.HeasusualaccompaniedhisGeneraltothetrenches.
　　Believingthattheterminationofthesiege，whichwassupposedtobenear，wouldpostponeindefinitelythedeathwhichhesought，hemountedabattery.Inthissituationhistallfigureuselesslyprovokedall，theenemy’sshots."Croisier，comedown，Icommandyou;youhavenobusinessthere，"criedBonaparte，inaloudandimperativetone.Croisierremainedwithoutmakinganyreply.Amomentafteraballpassedthroughhisrightleg.Amputationwasnotconsidered，indispensable.Onthedayofourdeparturehewasplacedonalitterswhichwasbornebysixteenmenalternately，eightatatime.IreceivedhisfarewellbetweenGazaandEl—Arish，where，hediedoftetanus.Hismodesttombwillnotbeoftenvisited.
　　ThesiegeofSt.Jeand’Acrelastedsixtydays.Duringthattimeeight—
　　assaultsand—twelvesortiestookplace.Intheassaultofthe8thofMaymorethan200menpenetratedintothetown.Victorywasalreadyshouted;
　　butthebreachhavingbeentakeninreversebytheTurks，itwasnotapproachedwithoutsomedegreeofhesitation，andthemenwhohadenteredwerenotsupported.Thestreetswerebarricaded.Thecries，thehowlingsofthewomen，whorantroughthestreetsthrowing，accordingtothecustomofthecountry，dustinthe，air，excitedthemaleinhabitantstoadesperateresistance，whichrenderedunavailing，thisshortoccupationofthetown，byahandfulofmen，who，findingthemselvesleftwithoutassistance，retreatedtowardsthebreach.Manywhocouldnotreachitperishedinthetown.
　　DuringthisassaultDuroc，whowasinthetrench，waswoundedintherightthighbytheasplinterfromashellfiredagainstthefortifications.Fortunatelythisaccidentonlycarriedawaythefleshfromthebone，whichremaineduntouched.Hehadatentincommonwithseveralother’aidesdecamp’;butforhisbetteraccommodationIgavehimmine，andIscarcelyeverquittedhim.Enteringhistentonedayaboutnoon，Ifoundhiminaprofoundsleep.Theexcessiveheathadcompelledhimtothrowoffallcovering，andpartofhiswoundwasexposed.Iperceivedascorpionwhichhadcrawledupthelegofthecamp—bedandapproachedveryneartothewound.Iwasjustintimetohurlittotheground.ThesuddenmotionofmyhandawokeDuroc.
　　Weoftenbathedinthesea.SometimestheEnglish，perhapsaftertakingadoubleallowanceofgrog，wouldfireatourheads，whichappearedabovewater.Iamnotawarethatanyaccidentwasoccasionedbytheircannonade;butaswewerebeyondreachoftheirguns，wepaidscarcelyanyattentiontothefiring.Itwasseenasubjectofamusementtous.
　　HadourattackonSt.Jeand’Acrebeenlessprecipitate，andhadthesiegebeenundertakenaccordingtotherulesofwar;theplacewouldnothaveheldoutthreedays;oneassault，likethatofthe8thofMay，wouldhavebeensufficient.If，inthesituationinwhichwewereonthedaywhenwefirstcameinsightoftherampartsofAcre;wehadmadealessinconsiderateestimateofthestrengthoftheplace;ifwehadlikewisetakenintoconsiderationtheactiveco—operationoftheEnglishandtheOttomanPorte;ourabsolutewantofartilleryofsufficientcalibre;ourscarcityofgunpowderandthedifficultyofprocuringfood;wecertainlyshouldnothaveundertakenthesiege;andthatwouldhavebeenbyfarthewisestcourse.
　　TowardstheendofthesiegetheGeneral—in—ChiefreceivedintelligenceofsometriflinginsurrectionsinnorthernEgypt.Anangelhadexcitedthem，andtheheavenlymessenger，whohadcondescendedtoassumeaname，wascalledtheMahdi，orElMohdy.Thisreligiousextravagance，however，didnotlastlong，andtranquillitywassoonrestored.AllthatthefanaticMahdi，whoshroudedhimselfinmystery，succeededindoingwastoattackourrearbysomevagabonds，whoseillusionsweredissipatedbyafewmusketshots.