on the subject.  At all events the fact is, that when he sent for me I took the precaution of providing myself with a night-cap, conceiving it to be very likely that I should be sent to sleep at Vincennes.  On the day appointed for the interview Rapp was on duty.  I did not conceal from him my opinion as to the possible result of my visit.  “You need not be afraid,” said Rapp; “the First Consul merely wishes to talk with you.”  He then announced me.

Bonaparte came into the grand salon where I awaited him, and addressing me in the most good-humoured way said, “What do the gossips say of my preparations for the invasion of England?”—­“There is a great difference of opinion on the subject, General,” I replied.  “Everyone speaks according to his own views.  Suchet, for instance, who comes to see me very often, has no doubt that it will take place, and hopes to give you on the occasion fresh proofs of his gratitude and fidelity.”—­“But Suchet tells me that you do not believe it will be attempted.”—­“That is true, I certainly do not.”—­“Why?”—­“Because you told me at Antwerp, five years ago, that you would not risk France on the cast of a die—­that the adventure was too hazardous—­and circumstances have not altered since that time.”—­“You are right.  Those who look forward to the invasion of England are blockheads.  They do not see the affair in its true light.  I can, doubtless, land in England with 100,000 men.  A great battle will be fought, which I shall gain; but I must reckon upon 30,000 men killed, wounded, and prisoners.  If I march on London, a second battle must be fought.  I will suppose myself again victorious; but what should I do in London with an army diminished three-fourths and without the hope of reinforcements?  It would be madness.  Until our navy acquires superiority it is useless to think of such a project.  The great assemblage of troops in the north has another object.  My Government must be the first in the world, or it must fall.”  Bonaparte then evidently wished it to be supposed that he entertained the design of invading England in order to divert the attention of Europe to that direction.

From Dunkirk the First Consul proceeded to Antwerp, where also he had assembled experienced men to ascertain their opinions respecting the surest way of attempting a landing, the project of which was merely a pretence.  The employment of large ships of was, after rang discussions, abandoned in favour of a flotilla.

—­[At this period a caricature (by Gillray) appeared in London. which was sent to Paris, and strictly sought after by the police.  One of the copies was shown to the First Consul, who was highly indignant at it.  The French fleet was represented by a number of nut-shells.  An English sailor, seated on a rock, was quietly smoking his pipe, the whiffs of which were throwing the whole squadron into disorder.—­Bourrienne.  Gillray’s caricatures should be at the reader’s side during the perusal of this work, also English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I., by J. Ashton Chatto:  and Windus, 1884.]—­

After visiting Belgium, and giving directions there, the First Consul returned from Brussels to Paris by way of Maestricht, Liege, and Soissons.