Regard, for instance, this wretched war.  Uncertain in Champagne, it becomes daring under Dumouriez, unbridled under the brigands who fought the Vendeeans, methodic under Pichegru, vulgar under Jourdan, skilled under Moreau, rash under Bonaparte.  Each general has put the seal of his genius on his career, and has given life or death to his army.  From the commencement of his career Bonaparte has developed an ardent character which is irritated by obstacles, and a quickness which forestalls every determination of the enemy.  It is with heavier and heavier blows that, he strikes.  He throws his army on the enemy like an unloosed torrent.  He is all action, and he is so in everything.  See him fight, negotiate, decree, punish, all is the matter of a moment.  He compromises with Turin as with Rome.  He invades Modena as he burns Binasco.  He never hesitates; to cut the Gordian knot is always his method.

Bonaparte could not endure to have his conduct predicated; and enraged at seeing his campaigns depreciated, his glory and that of his army disparaged,

—­[The extraordinary folly of the opposition to the Directory in throwing Bonaparte on to the side of the Directory, will be seen by reading the speech of Dumolard, so often referred to by Bourrienne (Thiers, vol. v. pp. 110-111), and by the attempts of Mathieu Dumas to remove the impression that the opposition slighted the fortunate General. (See Dumas, tome iii. p. 80; see also Lanfrey, tome i. pp. 257-299).]—­

and intrigues formed against him in the Club of Clichy, he wrote the following letter to the Directory:—­

   To the president of the executive directory.

   I have just received, Citizens-Directors, a copy of the motion of
   Dumolard (23d June 1797).

This motion, printed by order of the Assembly, it is evident, is directed against me.  I was entitled, after, having five times concluded peace, and given a death-blow to the coalition, if not to civic triumphs, at least to live tranquilly under the protection of the first magistrates of the Republic.  At present I find myself ill-treated, persecuted, and disparaged, by every shameful means, which their policy brings to the aid of persecution.  I would have been indifferent to all except that species of opprobrium with which the first magistrates of the Republic endeavour to overwhelm me.  After having deserved well of my country by my last act, I am not bound to hear myself accused in a manner as absurd as atrocious.  I have not expected that a manifesto, signed by emigrants, paid by England, should obtain more credit with the Council of Five Hundred than the evidence of eighty thousand men—­than mine!  What! we were assassinated by traitors—­upwards of four hundred men perished; and the first magistrates of the Republic make it a crime to have believed the statement for a moment.  Upwards of four hundred