to the period of its reception:  It is certain that Bonaparte at this time wished for war.  He was aware that the Cabinet of Vienna was playing with him, and that the Austrian Ministers expected some political convulsion in Paris, which they hoped would be favourable to the Bourbons.  He therefore asked for reinforcements.  His army consisted of 35,900 men, and he desired it to be raised to 60,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry ready for the field.

General Desaix, profiting by the preliminaries of Leoben, came in the end of July to visit the scene of the army of Italy’s triumphs.  His conversations with Bonaparte respecting the army of the Rhine were far from giving him confidence in his military situation in Italy, or assurance of support from that army in the event of hostilities commencing beyond the mountains.  It was at this period that their intimacy began.  Bonaparte conceived for Desaix the greatest esteem and the sincerest friendship.

—­[Desaix discontented with the conduct of affairs in Germany, seceded from the army of the Rhine, to which he belonged, to join that of Napoleon.  He was sent to Italy to organise the part of the Egyptian expedition starting from Civita Vecchia.  He took with him his two aides de camp, Rapp and Savary (later Duc de Rovigo), both of whom, on his death, were given the same post with Bonaparte.]—­

When Desaix was named temporary commander of the force called the army of England, during the absence of General Bonaparte, the latter wrote to the Directory that they could not have chosen a more distinguished officer than Desaix; these sentiments he never belied.  The early death of Desaix alone could break their union, which, I doubt not, would eventually have had great influence on the political and military career of General Bonaparte.

All the world knows the part which the General-in-Chief of the army of Italy took at the famous crisis of the 18th Fructidor; his proclamation, his addresses to the army, and his celebrated order of the day.  Bonaparte went much into detail on this subject at St. Helena; and I shall now proceed to state what I knew at the time respecting that memorable event, which was in preparation in the month of June.

CHAPTER VIII.

1797.

The royalists of the interior—­Bonaparte’s intention of marching on Paris with 25,000 men—­His animosity against the emigrants and the Clichy Club—­His choice between the two parties of the Directory—­ Augereau’s order of the day against the word ’Monsieur’—­Bonaparte wishes to be made one of the five Directors—­He supports the majority of the Directory—­La Vallette, Augereau, and Bernadotte sent to Paris—­Interesting correspondence relative to the 18th Fructidor.

Bonaparte had long observed the struggle which was going on between the partisans of royalty and the Republic.  He was told that royalism was everywhere