Suspension of hostilities—­Letter to the Consuls—­Second Occupation of Milan—­Bonaparte and Massena—­Public acclamations and the voice of Josephine—­Stray recollections—­Organization of Piedmont—­Sabres of honour—­Rewards to the army of the Rhine—­Pretended army of reserve—­General Zach—­Anniversary of the 14th of July—­Monument to Desaix—­Desaix and Foy—­Bonaparte’s speech in the Temple of Mars—­ Arrival of the Consular Guard—­The bones of marshal Turenne—­ Lucien’s successful speech—­Letter from Lucien to Joseph Bonaparte—­ The First Consul’s return to Paris—­Accidents on the road—­ Difficulty of gaining lasting fame—­Assassination of Kleber—­ Situation of the terrace on which Kleber was stabbed—­Odious rumours —­Arrival of a courier—­A night scene—­Bonaparte’s distress on perusing the despatches from Egypt.

What little time, and how few events sometimes suffice to change the destiny of nations!  We left Milan on the 13th of June, Marengo on the 14th, and on the 15th Italy was ours!  A suspension of hostilities between the French and Austrian armies was the immediate result of a single battle; and by virtue of a convention, concluded between Berthier and Melas, we resumed possession of all the fortified places of any importance, with the exception of Mantua.  As soon as this convention was signed Bonaparte dictated to me at Torre di Galifolo the following letter to his colleagues: 

     The day after the battle of Marengo, citizens consuls, General Melas
     transmitted a message to our advance posts requesting permission to
     send General Skal to me.  During the day the convention, of which I
     send you a copy, was drawn up, and at night it was signed by
     Generals Berthier and Melas.  I hope the French people will be
     satisfied with the conduct, of their army. 
                                             (Signed) Bonaparte

The only thing worthy of remark in this letter would be the concluding sentence, in which the First Consul still affected to acknowledge the sovereignty of the people, were it not that the words “Citizens Consuls” were evidently foisted in with a particular design.  The battle was gained; and even in a trifling matter like this it was necessary that the two, other Consuls should feel that they were not so much the colleagues as the subordinates of the First Consul.

We returned to Milan, and our second occupation of that, city was marked by continued acclamations wherever the First Consul showed himself.  At Milan the First Consul now saw Massena for the first time since our departure for Egypt.  Bonaparte lavished upon, him the highest praises, but not higher than he deserved, for his admirable, defence of Genoa.  He named him his successor in the command of the army of Italy.  Moreau was on the Rhine, and therefore none but the conqueror of Zurich could properly have succeeded the First Consul in that command.  The