In striking contrast to the faint-hearted measures of the allies was the timely energy of Napoleon in bringing up reinforcements.  These were drawn partly from Mortier’s corps in Pomerania, now engaged in watching the Swedes, who made a truce; partly from the Bavarians and Saxons; but mostly from French troops already in Central Germany, their places being taken by Italians, Spaniards, Swiss, and Dutch.  In France a new levy of conscripts was ordered—­the third since the outbreak of war with Prussia.  The Turks were encouraged to press on the war against Russia and England; and a mission was sent to the Shah of Persia to strengthen his arms against the Czar.  To this last we will now advert.

For some time past Napoleon had been coquetting with Persia, and an embassy from the Shah now came to the castle of Finkenstein, a beautiful seat not far from the Vistula, where the Emperor spent the months of spring.  A treaty was drawn up, and General Gardane was deputed to draw closer the bonds of friendship with the Court of Teheran.  The instructions secretly issued to this officer are of great interest.  He is ordered to proceed to Persia by way of Constantinople, to concert an alliance between Sultan and Shah, to redouble Persia’s efforts against her “natural enemy,” Russia, and to examine the means of invading India.  For this purpose a number of officers are sent with him to examine the routes from Egypt or Syria to Delhi, as also to report on the harbours in Persia with a view to a maritime expedition, either by way of Suez or the Cape of Good Hope.  The Shah is to be induced to form a corps of 12,000 men, drilled on the European model and armed with weapons sold by France.  This force will attack the Russians in Georgia and serve later in an expedition to India.  With a view to the sending of 20,000 French troops to India, Gardane is to communicate with the Mahratta princes and prepare for this enterprise by every possible means.

We may note here that Gardane proceeded to Persia and was urging on the Shah to more active measures against Russia when the news of the Treaty of Tilsit diverted his efforts towards the east.  At the close of the year, he reported to Napoleon that, for the march overland from Syria to the Ganges, Cyprus was an indispensable base of supplies:  he recommended the route Bir, Mardin, Teheran, Herat, Cabul, and Peshawur:  forty to fifty thousand French troops would be needed, and thirty or forty thousand Persians should also be taken up.  Nothing came of these plans; but it is clear that, even when Napoleon was face to face with formidable foes on the Vistula, his thoughts still turned longingly to the banks of the Ganges.[129]