—­[Metternich (tome ii. p. 346, compare French edition, tome ii. p. 287) says, “Let us hold always the sword in one hand and the olive branch in the other; always ready to negotiate, but only negotiating while advancing.”  Here is Napoleons system.]—­

He had always pretended a love for peace, though he was overjoyed at the idea of continuing a war so successfully commenced, and he directed General Giulay to assure the Emperor of Austria that he was not less anxious for peace than he, and that he was ready to treat for it, but without suspending the course of his operations.  Bonaparte, indeed, could not, without a degree of imprudence of which he was incapable, consent to an armistice; for M. de Giulay, though entrusted with powers from Austria, had received none from Russia.  Russia, therefore, might disavow the armistice and arrive in time to defend Vienna, the occupation of which was so important to the French army.  The Russians, indeed, were advancing to oppose us, and the corps of our army, commanded by Mortier on the left bank of the Danube, experienced in the first engagement a check at Dirnstein, which not a little vexed the Emperor.  This was the first reverse of fortune we had sustained throughout the campaign.  It was trivial, to be sure, but the capture by the Russians of three French eagles, the first that had fallen into the hands of the enemy, was very mortifying to Napoleon, and caused him to prolong for some days his staff at St. Folten, where he then was.

The rapid occupation of Vienna was due to the successful temerity of Lannes and Murat, two men alike distinguished for courage and daring spirit.  A bold artifice of these generals prevented the destruction of the Thabor bridge at Vienna, without which our army would have experienced considerable difficulty in penetrating into the Austrian capital.  This act of courage and presence of mind, which had so great an influence on the events of the campaign, was described to me by Lannes, who told the story with an air of gaiety, unaccompanied by any self-complacency, and seemed rather pleased with the trick played upon the Austrians than proud of the brilliant action which had been performed.  Bold enterprises were so natural to Lannes that he was frequently the only person who saw nothing extraordinary in his own exploits.  Alas! what men were sacrificed to Napoleon’s ambition!

The following is the story of the Bridge of Thabor as I heard it from Lannes:—­

—­[I was one day walking with Murat, on the right bank of the Danube, and we observed on the left bank, which was occupied by the Austrians, some works going on, the evident object of which was to blow up the bridge on the approach of our troops.  The fools had the impudence to make these preparations under our very noses; but we gave them a good lesson.  Having arranged our plan, we returned to give orders, and I entrusted the command of my column of grenadiers to an officer