By a singular chance Desaix, who was to contribute to the victory and stop the rout of Marengo, arrived from Egypt at Toulon, on the very day on which we departed from Paris.  He was enabled to leave Egypt in consequence of the capitulation of El-Arish, which happened on the 4th of January 1800.  He wrote me a letter, dated 16th Floreal, year VIII. (6th of May 1800), announcing his arrival.  This letter I did not receive until we reached Martigny.  I showed it to the First Consul.  “Ah!” exclaimed he, “Desaix in Paris!” and he immediately despatched an order for him to repair to the headquarters of the army of Italy wherever they might be.  Desaix arrived at Stradella on the morning of the 11th of June.  The First Consul received him with the warmest cordiality, as a man for whom he had a high esteem, and whose talents and character afforded the fairest promise of what might one day be expected of him.  Bonaparte was jealous of some generals, the rivalry of whose ambition he feared; but on this subject Desaix gave him no uneasiness; equally remarkable for his unassuming disposition, his talent, and information, he proved by his conduct that he loved glory for her own sake, and that every wish for the possession of political power was foreign to his mind.  Bonaparte’s friendship for him was enthusiastic.  At this interview at Stradella, Desaix was closeted with the First Consul for upwards of three hours.  On the day after his arrival an order of the day communicated to the army that Desaix was appointed to the command of Boudet’s division.

—­[Boudet was on terms of great intimacy with Bonaparte, who, no doubt, was much affected at his death.  However, the only remark he made on receiving the intelligence, was “Who the devil shall I get to supply Boudet’s place?”—­Bourrienne.

The command given to Desaix was a corps especially formed of the two divisions of Boudet and Monnier (Savary, tome i. p. 262).  Boudet was not killed at Marengo, still less before (see Erreurs, tome i. p. 14).]—­

I expressed to Bonaparte my surprise at his long interview with Desaix.  “Yes,” replied he, “he has been a long time with me; but you know what a favourite he is.  As soon as I return to Paris I will make him War Minister.  I would make him a prince if I could.  He is quite an antique character.”  Desaix died two days after he had completed his thirty-third year, and in less than a week after the above observations.

About this time M. Collot came to Italy and saw Bonaparte at Milan.  The latter received him coldly, though he had not yet gained the battle of Marengo.  M. Collot hed been on the most intimate footing with Bonaparte, and had rendered him many valuable services.  These circumstances sufficiently accounted for Bonaparte’s coolness, for he would never acknowledge himself under obligations to any one, and he did not like those who were initiated into certain family secrets which he had resolved to conceal.