“Whilst this event was occurring on the seashore a pasha had left the field of battle with a corps of about 3000 men in order to throw himself, into the fort of Aboukir.  They soon felt the extremities of thirst, which compelled them, after the lapse of a few days, to surrender unconditionally to General Menou, who was left to close, the operations connected with the recently defeated Turkish army.”]

After the-battle, which took place on the 25th of July, Bonaparte sent a flag of truce on board the English Admiral’s ship.  Our intercourse was full of politeness, such as might be expected in the communications of the people of two civilised nations.  The English Admiral gave the flag of truce some presents in exchange for some we sent, and likewise a copy of the French Gazette of Frankfort, dated 10th of June 1799.  For ten months we had received no news from France.  Bonaparte glanced over this journal with an eagerness which may easily be conceived.

—­[The French, on their return from St. Jean d’Acre were totally ignorant of all that had taken place in Europe far several months.  Napoleon, eager to obtain Intelligence, sent a flag of trace on board the Turkish admiral’s ship, under the pretence of treating for the ransom of the Prisoners taken at Aboukir, not doubting but the envoy would be stopped by Sir Sidney Smith, who carefully prevented all direct communication between the French and the Turks.  Accordingly the French flag of truce received directions from Sir Sidney to go on board his ship.  He experienced the handsomest treatment; and the English commander having, among other things, ascertained that the disasters of Italy were quite unknown to Napoleon, indulged in the malicious pleasure of sending him a file of newspapers.  Napoleon spent the whole night in his tent perusing the papers; and he came to the determination of immediately proceeding to Europe to repair the disasters of France; and if possible, to save her from destruction (Memorial de Sainte Helene)].

“Heavens!” said he to me, “my presentiment is verified:  the fools have lost Italy.  All the fruits of our victories are gone!  I must leave Egypt!”

He sent for Berthier, to whom he communicated the news, adding that things were going on very badly in France—­that he wished to return home —­that he (Berthier) should go along with him, and that, for the present, only he, Gantheaume, and I were in the secret.  He recommended Berthier to be prudent, not to betray any symptoms of joy, nor to purchase or sell anything, and concluded by assuring him that he depended on him.  “I can answer,” said he, “for myself and for Bourrienne.”  Berthier promised to be secret, and he kept his word.  He had had enough of Egypt, and he so ardently longed to return to France, that there was little reason to fear he would disappoint himself by any indiscretion.