On the journey Bonaparte conversed about the warriors of antiquity, especially Alexander, Caesar, Scipio, and Hannibal.  I asked him which he preferred, Alexander or Caesar.  “I place Alexander in the first rank,” said he, “yet I admire Caesar’s fine campaign in Africa.  But the ground of my preference for the King of Macedonia is the plan, and above all the execution, of his campaign in Asia.  Only those who are utterly ignorant of war can blame Alexander for having spent seven months at the siege of Tyre.  For my part, I would have stayed there seven years had it been necessary.  This is a great subject of dispute; but I look upon the siege of Tyre, the conquest of Egypt, and the journey to the Oasis of Ammon as a decided proof of the genius of that great captain.  His object was to give the King of Persia (of whose force he had only beaten a feeble advance-guard at the Granicus and Issus) time to reassemble his troops, so that he might overthrow at a blow the colossus which he had as yet only shaken.  By pursuing Darius into his states Alexander would have separated himself from his reinforcements, and would have met only scattered parties of troops who would have drawn him into deserts where his army would have been sacrificed.  By persevering in the taking of Tyre he secured, his communications with Greece, the country he loved as dearly as I love France, and in whose glory he placed his own.  By taking possession of the rich province of Egypt he forced Darius to come to defend or deliver it, and in so doing to march half-way to meet him.  By representing himself as the son of Jupiter he worked upon the ardent feelings of the Orientals in a way that powerfully seconded his designs.  Though he died at thirty-three what a name he has left behind him!”

Though an utter stranger to the noble profession of arms, yet I could admire Bonaparte’s clever military plans and his shrewd remarks on the great captains of ancient and modern times.  I could not refrain from saying, “General, you often reproach me for being no flatterer, but now I tell you plainly I admire you.”  And certainly, I really spoke the true sentiments of my mind.

VOLUME II. —­ 1800-1803

CHAPTER I.

1800.

Bonaparte’s confidence in the army—­’Ma belle’ France—­The convent of Bernadins—­Passage of Mont St. Bernard—­Arrival at the convent—­ Refreshments distributed to the soldiers—­Mont Albaredo—­Artillery dismounted—­The fort of Bard—­Fortunate temerity—­Bonaparte and Melas—­The spy—­Bonaparte’s opinion of M. Necker—­Capitulation of Genoa—­Intercepted despatch—­Lannes at Montebello—­Boudet succeeded by Desaix—­Coolness of the First Consul to M. Collot—­Conversation and recollections—­The battle of Marengo—­General Kellerman—­Supper sent from the Convent del Bosco—­Particulars respecting the death of Desaix—­The Prince of Lichtenstein—­Return