The Russian enterprise, the most gigantic, perhaps, that the genius of man ever conceived since the conquest of India by Alexander, now absorbed universal attention, and defied the calculations of reason.  The Manzanares was forgotten, and nothing was thought of but the Niemen, already so celebrated by the raft of Tilsit.  Thither, as towards a common centre, were moving men, horses, provisions, and baggage of every kind, from all parts of Europe.  The hopes of our generals and the fears of all prudent men were directed to Russia.  The war in Spain, which was becoming more and more unfortunate, excited but a feeble interest; and our most distinguished officers looked upon it as a disgrace to be sent to the Peninsula.  In short, it was easy to foresee that the period was not far distant when the French would be obliged to recross the Pyrenees.  Though the truth was concealed from the Emperor on many subjects, yet he was not deceived as to the situation of Spain in the spring of 1812.  In February the Duke of Ragusa had frankly informed him that the armies of Spain and Portugal could not, without considerable reinforcements of men and money, hope for any important advantages since Ciudad-Rodrigo and Badajoz had fallen into the hands of the English.

Before he commenced his great operations on the Niemen and the Volga Napoleon made a journey to Dantzic, and Rapp, who was then Governor of that city, informed me of some curious particulars connected with the Imperial visit.  The fact is, that if Rapp’s advice had been listened to, and had been supported by men higher in rank than himself, Bonaparte would not have braved the chances of the Russian war until those chances turned against him.  Speaking to me of the Russians Rapp said, “They will soon be as wise as we are!  Every time we go to war with them we teach them how to beat us.”  I was struck with the originality and truth of this observation, which at the time I heard it was new, though it has been often repeated since.

“On leaving Dresden,” said Rapp to me, “Napoleon came to Dantzic.  I expected a dressing; for, to tell you the truth, I had treated very cavalierly both his custom-house and its officers, who were raising up as many enemies to France as there were inhabitants in my Government.  I had also warned him of all that has since happened in Russia, but I assure you I did not think myself quite so good a prophet.  In the beginning of 1812 I thus wrote to him:  ’If your Majesty should experience reverses you may depend on it that both Russians and Germans will rise up in a mass to shake off the yoke.  There will be a crusade, and all your allies will abandon you.  Even the King of Bavaria, on whom you rely so confidently, will join the coalition.  I except only the King of Saxony.  He, perhaps, might remain faithful to you; but his subjects will force him to make common cause with your enemies.  The King of Naples,” continued Rapp, “who had the command of the cavalry, had been to Dantzic before the Emperor.  He did not seem to take a more favourable view of the approaching campaign than I did.  Murat was dissatisfied that the Emperor would not consent to his rejoining him in Dresden; and he said that he would rather be a captain of grenadiers than a King such as he was.”