approach in the face of a superior army was interdicted.

court of St. Petersburgh at the news of the brilliant successes of Suworrow in Italy, the Emperor Paul, indignant that the Germanic states were not actuated by

dent as that with which he was inspired, issued an official notification, addressed to all the members of the Germanic empire, calling upon them to unite their forces with his, and expressing his determination, if properly supported, never to sheath the sword till he had "seen the downfall of the monster which threatened to crush all legal authorities."*

Suworrow, after penetrating into the canton of Schwitz, was at length so conscious of his critical situation, that he determined, a zeal "for the cause of sovereigns" arfor the first time in his life, to retreat. This was accordingly effected in a masterly manner; for although pursued by Lecourbe, and harassed by a column which had been posted for that purpose at Altorf, he succeeded in attaining his object, by withdrawing his troops into the country of the Grisons, with the loss of his wounded, his cannon, and his baggage. No sooner had Massena ascertained that the haughty spirit of Suworrow was preparing to bend to his fate, than, multiplying, as usual, his means by his celerity, he marched with his utmost speed against Korsakow, hitherto kept in check by General Ferino; and, having come up with the allies on the 7th of October, between the Thur and the Rhine, he immediately commenced a terrible attack. The right wing, unable to withstand the shock, immediately gave way; but the left, chiefly composed of emigrants, stood firm, and being led on by the Duke D'Enghein, displayed their wonted valour, and acted as a rear-guard to cover the retreat of their companions in arms; while Bauer, a Russian general, who found his detachment cut off from the

main army, and in imminent danger of being made prisoners, burst through the enemy's infantry, and rejoined his countrymen, after leaving Constance for the third time in the possession of the republicans. Thus ended the conflict of Zurich, continued for fifteen days, and extending over one-half of Switzerland. Within a space of eighty miles in length, and fifty in breadth, there was not a single pass among the mountains, with which the whole country is covered, that had not been disputed in pitched battles, occupied as posts, or traversed by armies. The loss of the allies, in this series of engagements, has been computed at twenty-five thousand men, and that of the French at fifteen thousand, in killed, wounded, and prisoners.

The scale of fortune by this time visibly preponderated on the side of the republicans, who had become once more masters of Switzerland, had retaken St. Gothard, and begun to menace the country of the Grisons. The late victory, achieved in the central part of the armies, afforded an opportunity for the flank to move forward. Accordingly, General Muller once more penetrated into Germany, seized again on Francfort, Manheim, and Heidelburg, and threatened to lay all that portion of the empire under contribution.

In the midst of the rejoicings of the

Scarcely had this sanguine declaration reached those to whom it was addressed, when Suworrow, alike discontented with his allies and his colleagues, having collected the wreck of his army at Coire, ordered the remains of Korsakow's troops, and the corps of Conde, to form a junction with him at that place; and, after some delay, he proceeded to Bohemia, where he spent the winter. Of one hundred thousand men, who had either left Russia with him eight months before, or joined his army within that period, scarcely fifty thousand reached the banks of the Lech. After having thus lost sixty thousand of his best warriors, the veteran field-marshal, overwhelmed with grief and disap

DECLARATION,

Made by his Majesty the Emperor of all the Rus sias, to the members of the German empire.

His imperial majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias, ever animated with zeal for the cause of sovereigns, and wishing to put a stop to the raVages and disorders which have been spread, by the impious government under which France groans, to the remotest countries-being fully determined to despatch his sea and land forces for the support of the sufferers, and to restore royalty tion of that country; to re-establish the ancient in France, without, however, admitting any partiforms of government in the United Netherlands, and in the Swiss Cantons; to maintain the integrity of the German empire, and to look for his reward in the happiness and tranquillity of Europe. Providence has blessed his arms, and hithe enemies of thrones, religion, and social order. therto the Russian troops have triumphed over His majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias, having thus declared his views, and the motives by which he is guided, addresses this declaration to all the members of the German empire, inviting them to unite their forces with his, to destroy their common enemy as speedily as possible, to found on his ruins permanent tranquillity for themselves and their posterity. Should his imperial majesty of all the Russias perceive that they sup port his views, and rally around him, be will, instead of relaxing his zeal, redouble his exertions, and not sheath his sword before he has seen the downfall of the monster which threatens to crush all legal authorities. But, should he be left to himself, he will be forced to recall his forces to his states, and to give up a cause so badly supported by those who ought to have the greatest share in its triumph.

Gateshina, September 15, (O. S.) 1799"

The war in Italy, which had languished while the operations of the principal armies were prosecuted in Switzerland, was now renewed with undiminished vigour. No sooner had the Austrian army under Melas advanced into the neighbourhood of Coni, and prepared to lay siege to that for tress, than General Championnet, collecting his whole force, which amounted to twenty-five thousand men, marched to Savigli ano to give him battle. On the morning of the 4th of November, the two armies formed in the plain, and the action commenced by a furious attack directed against the column of General Grenier by General Ott, which forced the republicans to retreat towards Genola. On every other part of the line, the attack of the Austrians was made with equal energy and success, and the approach of night again saved the French army from ruin. The siege of Coni was now prosecuted with vigour, and on the 2d of January the French commander agreed to capitulate, when two thousand five hundred republicans became prisoners of war.

served to compensate the sovereigns of EuThe success of the allied arms in Italy rope for the losses they had this year sus

SUWORROW RIMINISKI ITALISKI (ALEXANDER) was born in the year 1730, and descended from an ancient family. His father, who had been a general, and afterwards became a senator, intended him for the magistracy; but young Suworrow, aspiring only to arms, entered into the service of his country, as a common soldier, in 1746, and in the seven years' war against Prussia, advanced, step by step, to the rank of colonel. During the campaigns in Poland, from 1769 to 1772, he obtained increased renown, and the order of Newski was conferred upon him by Catharine II. for the distinguished part he performed in effecting the dismemberment of that state. His successive victories over the Turks, at Silistria and Kinburn, obtained for him the orders of St. George and St. Andrew; and his successes over the Tartars exalted him to the rank of commander-in-chief, in the service of his imperial mistress. In 1789 he was employed at the head of a detached body of Prince Potemkin's army, acting in concert with the Austrian general, the Prince of Cobourg, against the Turks, and on the 21st of July gained, with him, the battle of Forhani; but, on the 22d of September, the general of the Austrian army having suffered himself to be surrounded by that of the grand vizier, one hundred thousand strong, Suworrow, who had only ten thousand men, fell unexpectedly upon the Turks, and, after a terrible conflict, remained master of the field of battle. but at length the capricious Paul reinstated him "My friends," cried he to the soldiers on this in his favour; and in the year 1799 the command occasion, "do not look at the eyes of the enemy, of the Austro-Russian army was confided to the but look at their breasts; it is there you must hero of Ismail. While fighting on the plains of strike." This victory, gained near the river of Italy, and opposed to inferior numbers, the Riminisk, obtained him the surname of Riminiski, achievements of the veteran general seemed to and the title of Count of the Roman empire. justify the partiality of his sovereign, and the exWhile acting under the command of Prince Po-pectation of Europe; but no sooner had he entered temkin, he was ordered to storm and carry the Ottoman fortress of Ismail, which had withstood a siege of seven months, and still defied all the efforts of General Gudowitsch. On the third day after his arrival before the city, he assembled his troops, and concluded an address, calculated to inflame their military ardour to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, in these terms:-" Soldiers! provisions are dear!-no quarter!" The attack was then made; twice the Russians were repulsed and driven back, with terrible slaughter; but the third effort was successful, the city fell, and 20,000 Turks were put to the sword. This victory he announced to the empress in these laconic terms: "Madam, the proud Ismail is at your feet." In his first wars, after taking the town of Toutoukai, his despatch was equally brief: "Glory to God! praise to Catharine!" said Suworrow; "the town is taken, and I am in it!" In 1792 he carried Warsaw, and in the capital of Poland repeated the sanguinary scenes of Ismail. For this victory, which laid at the feet of his sovereign that devoted country, he was rewarded with the title of field-marshal; and the empress, in a letter addressed to the victorious marshal, and written by her own hand, said: "You know, general, hat I do not promote any one before his turn, but you have made yourself field-marshal by the conquest of Poland."

After the death of Catharine, Suworrow fell into disgrace at court, for venturing to condemn the love of innovation displayed by her successor; VOL. I. 20

25

upon the mountainous regions of Switzerland, than his laurels began to wither, and at the close of the campaign of 1799, the sun of his military renown set, never more to rise. On his return to Russia in January, 1800, he was coldly received by the emperor, and died on the 18th of My, in the same year, at his estate of Polendorff, in Esthonia, at the age of seventy-one. The Emperor Alexander has erected to him a statue, to which, on its inauguration, Suworrow's ancient companions in arms paid the military honours that he would have received himself, and Prince Constantine pronounced his eulogium.

Born with great talents and vivacity, General Suworrow possessed considerable information, and spoke several languages with facility. He possessed, in a superior degree, boldness, activity, and the art of inflaming the troops, and attaching them to his destiny; but, as a general, he has been reproached with shallow combinations, manœuvres more rapid than wise, and with having used victory to satiate revenge. It is difficult to mention this singular character without mixed emotions of admiration and horror: in the appellations of Riminiski and Italiski, we pay respect to the conqueror of the Turks and of Moreau; but it is impossible to contemplate the hero of Warsaw and Ismail, without deeply deploring the sanguinary scenes which were there transacted, and which will long remain to throw the dark shade of inhumanity over the most illustrious actions of the life of Suworrow.

tained in other quarters; but on the whole, sia damped the future expectations of the the campaign was less auspicious in its court of Vienna, and laid the foundation of conclusion than at its commencement. those melancholy disasters which awaited And the defection of the autocrat of Rus- the common cause.

CHAPTER XI.

CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT: Policy of Bonaparte-Introduction of the Institutions of civilized Society into Egypt-New Form of Government-Insurrection at Cairo-Dessaix's Expedition into Upper Egypt -Bonaparte's Expedition into Syria-Surrender of El Arisch to the French-Surrender of Jaifa -Charges preferred by Sir Robert Wilson against Bonaparte (note)-Battle of Corsum-The me morable Siege of St. Jean d'Acre-Battle of Mount Tabor-Victory over the Angel Mahdi-Siege of Acre raised-Retreat of the French Army across the Desert to Cairo-Signal Victory obtained over the Turks at Aboukir-Bonaparte abandons his Army, and returns to France.

WHILE a new coalition was formed | nition, and all the instruments of war were against France in Europe, her army in the transported in the germes, or water-wagons, east, shut out from all communication with stationed on its streams. the native country since the disastrous battle of the Nile, was employed in the reduction of Egypt. This task proved infinitely more difficult than had been anticipated; for the Mamelukes, although unacquainted with the modern system of warfare, were expert in the exercise of the cimiter, managed their horses with great dexterity, and exhibited a degree of courage and perseverance, not to be surpassed by the veteran troops of the old continent: while the number of the enemies of the invaders was about to be increased by a declaration of war upon the part of the Ottoman Porte. The most dreadful adversary, however, proved to be the plague; the terror of which was so great, even on the part of those who faced death daily in the field of battle, that Desgenettes, the physician at the head of the French medical staff, resorted to stratagem, and endeavoured to conceal the particular malady under the name of an inflammatory fever, until the existence of the contagion could no longer be denied; when, braving all its horrors, he innoculated himself with the distemper in the face of the army, and thus affected to contemn that disease which he could not subdue.

1

No sooner had the battle of the pyramids placed Grand Cairo, the capital of Egypt, in possession of Bonaparte, than he hastened to constitute this important station the centre of his military operations. From hence, he despatched General Dessaix, in pursuit of Murad Bey, into Upper Egypt; while the army under his own command 2brahim Bey into the desert. His next concern was to establish a formidable flotilla on the waters of the Nile, which river he began to consider in the light of a great military road; and provisions, ammu

*See page 228.

Notwithstanding the original injustice of the expedition, it cannot be doubted, that the French general endeavoured to compensate, as a legislator, for the wrongs committed and the miseries inflicted by him as a warrior. With this view he established a severe discipline among his troops, and took proper measures to supply the markets with abundance from the Delta, which alone furnishes the resources and the delicacies of two hemispheres. He at the same time introduced many of the improvements of civilization; and among his first efforts of this nature, is to be mentioned the establishment of a public library. A chemical laboratory was next erected; a new liquor, resembling brandy in strength and flavour, was distilled from the date fruit; substitutes were found for wine and beer; while saltpetre, so necessary for the purposes of war, was refined by a new and improved process; hydraulic machines for the purposes of civil life were constructed; windmills for grinding corn, hitherto unknown to the inhabitants, were erected, and biscuit and bread obtained for the first time by the French soldiery in Egypt. While Cairo thus began to rival the cities of Europe in point of convenience, literature and the sciences were cultivated, and a learned society was formed on the model of the French Institute, of which all the savans, or learned men, who had accompanied the expedition, and even many of the general officers, were eager to become members.

The commander-in-chief, already occu pied by so many objects of importance, arising out of the organization of an army and the government of a new empire, did not disdain to associate his labours with those of men of science. He visited, examined, and speculated on the design and ori

to acknowledge the authority of the grand seignior, whose dominions he had usurped, and to intimate to the divan, that the usual tribute should be collected and remitted to Constantinople.

gin of the principal pyramid; he surveyed and reopened the canal between Alexandria and Rhamanieh; and traced through the desert the course of the ancient canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. But of what service have these gigantic projects been to the present generation, and what utility will be derived from them by posterity to compensate for the mass of misery inflicted upon the unoffending inhabitants of Egypt by the French invaders? It was long a problem whether the discovery of a new continent by Columbus had been advantageous to mankind; and it is to be hoped, that no one, under pretext of playing the hero, will hereafter indulge in the pernicious revery of destroying or rendering miserable the present race, in the vague hope of conferring happiness on countries yet uncivilized, and millions yet un-pect of sharing the booty of a victorious

born.

Amidst the splendour of arts and arms, the interests of commerce were not forgotten. A trading company was established, for the purpose of exchanging the natural productions of Egypt for those of other countries; the merchants were protected, and the imposts levied on commodities of all kinds, rendered fixed and certain. Nor was Bonaparte deficient in that policy, which the western conquerors have been careful to exhibit in the east; he expressed an outward respect for all the doctrines of Islamism; he assisted, along with the offieers of his staff, at the grand festivals in honour of the prophet: he paid the utmost attention to the mufti and imans, and began to be designated by the venerable appellation of ALI!* Nor did he fail at first

Wishing to instil a belief of his immediate intercourse with the divinity, Bonaparte, in an address to the cherifs, imans, and orators of the mosque, enjoins them to inculcate into the minds of the people, " that those who become his enemies shall find no refuge either in this world or

the next."

While the Mahometans were treated with great respect, the Copts and Greeks, so long condemned to ignominy, were taught to look for better days. Schools were established, as in Europe, for the instruction of their children; marriages were encouraged between the French and the natives: and the condition of the women, always so degrading among the uncivilized, was greatly ameliorated. To supply the loss of men by sickness and the sword, Greeks, Copts, and Arabs, and even some Mamelukes, were invited into the service of France, and being allured by the pros

general, they readily attached themselves to his fortune. A novelty in politics was at the same time attempted; and for the first time since the days of Mahomet, a deliberative assembly was formed of Mussulmen representatives, divans were established in each of the fourteen provinces of Egypt, and the people were invited to send members to the national assembly at Cairo, where Berthollet and Monge, two men of science, acted as commissioners on behalf of the French, while Abdallah Keykaori, an Arabian prince, exercised the functions of president.*

from above, human efforts are of no avail against me."(42)

(42) It is necessary here to caution the American reader against placing implicit belief in the authenticity of this and other proclamations attributed to Napoleon by British writers. On no subject has so much mistake existed as in regard to his conduct in Egypt. Many charges which were made against him in English books have since been proved to be unfounded; and the gross nature of these falsehoods is calculated to throw suspicion upon many other assertions, which have not been positively disproved.

"Is there a man so blind," says he, " as not to *The system of government for the provinces see that all my operations are conducted by destiny? Instruct the inhabitants that ever since the was comprehended in the following orders :world has existed, it was written, that after hav- Head-quarters, Cairo, 9th Thermidor, Year 6, (27th July, 1798.) ing overcome the enemies of Islamism, and de"Article I. There shall be in each province stroyed the cross, I should come from the furthest parts of the West, to fulfil the task which has been of Egypt, a divan, composed of seven persons, imposed upon me. Make them see that in the se-charged to watch over the interests of the province, L cond book of the Koran, in more than twenty pas- to inform me of every grievance, to prevent the sages, that which has happened was foreseen, and contests which arise between the different villages, that that which shall take place has already been to keep a steady eye over the turbulent and sediexplained; let those, then, whom the fear of our tious, to punish them by calling in a military force arms alone prevents from pronouncing impreca- under the French commander, and to enlighten tions, now change their dispositions; for in offer- the people as often as it shall be found requisite. "Article II. There shall be in each province ing prayers to heaven against us, they solicit their own condemnation; let the true believers then an aga of the Janissaries, who shall constantly present vows for our success. I could call to ac-reside with the French commandant. He shalı count each individual amongst you for the most have with him a company of armed men, natives secret sentiments of his heart; for I know every of the country, with whom he shall proceed, thing, even that which you never communicated; whenever his services may be necessary, to mainand the day will come when all the world shall tain good order, and to keep every one in tranquil. witness, that as I act in consequence of orders ❘lity and obedience.

To impress the Egyptians with a high they marched against the insurgents with idea of the power and importance of their several pieces of artillery in their train. new masters, the anniversary of the esta-The mosques, where the disaffected had blishment of the republic was celebrated at taken their stations, and from which a galCairo with uncommon splendour. At this ling fire was directed against the soldiery, festival the native spectators were gratified were soon forced, when a terrible combat with the appearance of an Arabian sentence ensued, in which the force and intrepidity in honour of the prophet,* and the ceremo- of the French were heightened by feelings ny was concluded with races, after the man- of indignation. Cannon, placed on the citaner of the ancient games, and was follow- del, and on several of the adjoining emied by a superb illumination, such as had nences, were discharged against the town, never before been witnessed in Cairo. In and the great mosque, and other stations of imitation of the Turkish governors and the the insurgents, were burned, while those ancient kings, Bonaparte also assisted at who escaped from the flames perished the annual ceremony which takes place at either by the bullet or the bayonet. These the opening of the Nile, on which occasion sanguinary scenes continued throughout he bestowed alms upon the poor, and in- the whole of the 21st and 22d of October, vited the principal inhabitants to a splendid and order was not restored till the 23d, entertainment. when the cherifs and principal residents supplicated the clemency of Bonaparte, and obtained a general pardon.

In the mean time, Dessaix was employ

But the deeply-rooted hostility of the Turks to the invaders was not to be overcome, either by the hypocrisy of Bonaparte and his followers, or by all the blandish-ed, in Upper Egypt, in the arduous undertak ments and parade of which they were masters; for no sooner had the grand seignior determined to avenge the outrage committed on his dominions, and given orders to expedite a firman against the infidels, than the capital of Egypt became suddenly disaffected, and a new and untried species of danger was about to be experienced from a conspiracy formed in a city, the population of which has been estimated at half a million.(43)

The insurgents, instigated by their priests, and the adherents of the expatriated beys, having assembled early in the morning of the 21st of October, 1798, exhibited many unequivocal marks of discontent. General Dupuy, the commandant of the city, who had advanced at the head of a small force to disperse the malcontents, was assassinated by a number of the rioters, and several officers shared the same fate. In this extremity, orders were given to beat the generale; on which, the French troops flew to arms, and forming in moveable columns,

"Article III. There shall be in every province an intendant, charged with the collection of the Miri and the Saddaur; and generally of all the revenues, which belonged heretofore to the Mamelukes, and which appertain at present to the republic; he shall have with him the necessary number of agents.

“Article IV. There shall always be with the said intendant, a French agent, for the purpose of corresponding with the administrator of finances, and ensuring the execution of such orders as he may receive, and for acquiring a perfect knowledge of the system of administration.

(Signed) "BONAPARTE." * « There is no God but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet."

(43) Volney estimates the population at only one-half of this number.-Travels in Egypt, vol. i.

D. 237.

ing of expelling Murad Bey from the Said. After sailing on the Nile for a considerable distance, the French general arrived at Siut, but the Arabs and Mamelukes dispersed at his approach. At length, he came up with the main body at Sedimen, consisting of about three thousand Mamelukes, and from eight to ten thousand Arabs. On the 16th of October, at sunrise, the French troops, formed into a square column, and flanked by platoons, advanced along the verge of the inundation, which, at that time, flowed from the Nile. Murad Bey, not waiting to be attacked, ordered his troops to advance and surround the division of the enemy; on every side, they were repulsed by the musketry and field-pieces of the French, when the most intrepid of the Mamelukes, despairing of breaking the division, rushed with great fury upon one of the platoons on the flank; but here again, finding their efforts to be unavailing, numbers of them advanced to the very point of the bayonet, and flung at the French soldiers those arms with which they had so frequently endeavoured in vain to penetrate their iron rampart. The ground was in a moment covered with sabres, pistols, lances, and carbines; while multitudes of the heroes, by whom they were so lately wielded, fell in the unequal combat. At this moment, fresh detachments of Mamelukes advanced to the field of action, and performed prodigies of valour, fighting the enemy man to man. Murad, in the mean time, with a presence of mind and a degree of crowned the adjacent hills with cannon, skill that bespoke the warrior, having immediately unmasked his batteries, and opened a destructive fire: on this Dessaix, conscious that a retreat to his boats would