Memoirs, Letters, and Miscellaneous Papers Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... 1800-1809. LAST YEARS IN VIENNA. Twice I was chosen and very nearly ordered to take command of our army in Italy against Bonaparte. They sought me, as it were, in my bed, where laziness kept me away from all base efforts required to succeed in such directions. Each time I learned that the four pensioners who have lost us that beautiful land, were preferred before me. Enchanted that I was thought of to save it, I felt a momentary pang at the fall of the visions of victory in which I had let myself indulge. But I have the good sense to grasp eagerly and give up tranquilly whatever expectation promises, so that it does not cost me very much to be deprived of it. I have myself to blame, moreover, for not having made all the needful applications. The first time, a woman made me promise I would take no steps to command the army of Italy. I consented because, at that time, I chose to give the name of baseness to what I might really have done very nobly. I heard afterwards that the grand vizir Thugut, Austrian prime minister expected this very thing. I was not his man; I would never have allowed an adjutant to be given to me to govern me; I would never have let my plan of campaign be made by puppies and postilions, who, carrying news from the army to the vizir, shut themselves up with him in his vaulted den of intrigue, concocted operations, and returned to the army with orders that they themselves had given. Though I might not have had full success, I will answer for it that the enemy would not have had much either, and the spirit of our army would have been preserved. All this, however, did not prevent me from offering my services later, to serve with whom, or even under whom they chose; nor did it hinder me from expecting and awaiting a...