In those who have seen the world the truth of Napoleon’s reproach excites little astonishment.  In a country which, according to biographies and newspapers, abounds with extraordinary men, a woman of much talent—­(Madame Roland.)—­said, “What has most surprised me, since the elevation of my husband has afforded me the opportunity of knowing many persons, and particularly those employed in important affairs, is the universal mediocrity which exists.  It surpasses all that the imagination can conceive, and it is observable in all ranks, from the clerk to the minister.  Without this experience I never could have believed my species to be so contemptible.”

Who does not remember Oxenstiern’s remark to his son, who trembled at going so young to the congress of Munster:  “Go, my son.  You will see by what sort of men the world is governed.”

CHAPTER VI.

1797.

Napoleon’s correspondence—­Release of French prisoners at Olmutz—­ Negotiations with Austria—­Bonaparte’s dissatisfaction—­Letter of complaint from Bonaparte to the Executive Directory—­Note respecting the affairs of Venice and the Club of Clichy, written by Bonaparte and circulated in the army—­Intercepted letter of the Emperor Francis.

During the time when the preliminaries of Leoben suspended military operations, Napoleon was not anxious to reply immediately to all letters.  He took a fancy to do, not exactly as Cardinal Dubois did, when he threw into the fire the letters he had received, saying, “There! my correspondents are answered,” but something of the same kind.  To satisfy himself that people wrote too much, and lost, in trifling and useless answers, valuable time, he told me to open only the letters which came by extraordinary couriers, and to leave all the rest for three weeks in the basket.  At the end of that time it was unnecessary to reply to four-fifths of these communications.  Some were themselves answers; some were acknowledgments of letters received; others contained requests for favours already granted, but of which intelligence had not been received.  Many were filled with complaints respecting provisions, pay, or clothing, and orders had been issued upon all these points before the letters were written.  Some generals demanded reinforcements, money, promotion, etc.  By not opening their letters Bonaparte was spared the unpleasing office of refusing.  When the General-in-Chief compared the very small number of letters which it was necessary to answer with the large number which time alone had answered, he laughed heartily at his whimsical idea.  Would not this mode of proceeding be preferable to that of causing letters to be opened by any one who may be employed, and replying to them by a circular to which it is only necessary to attach a date?