done that important work so well, and with so little bloodshed.  Had the sections prevailed,—­and it was feared that they would,—­the anarchy of the worst days of the Revolution would have resulted.  But this decisive action of the young officer, intrusted with a great command, put an end for forty years to the assumption of unlawful weapons by the mob.  There was no future insurrection of the people against government till Louis Philippe was placed upon the throne in 1830.  Napoleon here vindicated not only the cause of law and order, but the Revolution itself; for in spite of its excesses and crimes, it had abolished feudalism, unequal privileges, the reign of priests and nobles, and a worn-out monarchy; it had proclaimed a constitutional government, in the face of all the European despotisms; it had asserted that self-government was a possibility, even in France; it had inspired the whole nation with enthusiasm, and proclaimed the Republic when hostile armies were ready to march upon the soil of France and restore the Bourbons.  All the impulses of the Revolution were generous; all its struggles were heroic, although it was sullied with crimes, and was marked by inexperience and follies.  The nation rallied around a great idea,—­an idea which is imperishable, and destined to unbounded triumph.  To this idea of liberty Napoleon was not then unfaithful, although some writers assert that he was ready to draw his sword in any cause which promised him promotion.

The National Convention, which he saved by military genius and supreme devotion to it, had immortalized itself by inspiring France with heroism; and after a struggle of three years with united Christendom, jealous of liberty, dissolved itself, and transferred the government to a Directory.

This Directory, in reward of the services which Napoleon had rendered, and in admiration of his genius, bestowed upon him the command of the army of Italy.  Probably Josephine, whom he then married, had sufficient influence with Barras to secure the appointment.  It was not popular with the generals, of course, to have a young man of twenty-six, without military prestige, put over their heads.  But results soon justified the discernment of Barras.

At the head of only forty thousand men, poorly clad and equipped and imperfectly fed, Napoleon in four weeks defeated the Sardinians, and in less than two years, in eighteen pitched battles, he destroyed the Austrian armies which were about to invade France.  That glorious campaign of 1796 is memorable for the conquest of Piedmont and Lombardy, and the establishment of French supremacy in Italy.  Napoleon’s career on the banks of the Po was so brilliant, unexpected, and startling, that his nation was filled with equal astonishment and admiration.  Instead of predicted ruin, there was unexampled victory.  The enthusiasm of the French was unbounded.  Had Napoleon died at the Bridge of Lodi, he would have passed down in history as a Judas Maccabaeus.  In this campaign