The Sun.
London, England, 1838-08-20 00:00:00

MARSHAL BERTHIER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
beg to trouble you with a few observations, in con-
sequence of an expression relating to the late Marshal Ber_
thier, which you have published in connection with the memoir
of Marshal Soult. Yuu say that the encouragement given to
the latter by Napoleon, "gave attno3ance to Berthier, a vain
and inefficient man." lam at a loss to imagine the source
from which you have derived this idea, and I take upon myself
to assert that this description of the Prince of Neufchatel and
\Vagram is wholly incorrect. It is true that, in the conver_
cations between Napoleon and Dr. O'Meara, the Emperor is
ssid to have spoken slightingly of him, and gave him credit
only for being " en excellent commis;" but it may be fairly
surmised that the Emperor was somewhat piqued at the reports
which had so long prevailed, that he had been much indebted
for his successes to the talents of Betthier. The greatest
men in all ages have had their weaknesses, but the reputation
of Napoleon needed no assistance by detracting from the
merits of those who shared his glories, for the world has
stamped him, beyond dispute, as the greatest genius of mo-
dern times.

But, had Marshal Berthier been the man you describe, it
involves a contradiction not very easily explained. It is suf-
ficiently notorious that, with Napoleon, the road to honour
and fame depended solely upon merit, and therefore it would
be difficult to account for" a vain and inefficient man"becoming
Marshal of France, Prince of Neufchatel and \Vagram, Major-
General of the Grand Army, Vice- Constable of France, Grand
Hunter, &e. Berthier did not occupy the same ostensibly
active positions as some other generals, being always by the
side of Napoleon, from the period of the days of Lodi and
Marengo to the conclusion of the great continental scar in
1814 ; and in this capacity he is mentioned in the bulletins—
" The Emperor, accompanied by his faithful companion in
arms, Marshal Berthier," &c.

Sir, I aril an old soldier, arid was present in the' Italian war,
and afterwards at some of the great events of the northern
campaigns, and I repeat that Marshal Berthier was well known
to be a most talented and superior general. Whether in the
field, or in the office of Minister of War, his active services
were appreciated, and are not likely to be forgotten, by those
who were participators in thatgigantic struggle. But in fact, Sir,
the man who was considered worthy of being at the right hand
of Napoleon, in the most stirring and momentous periods the
world ever knew, must either be very different to your de-
scription of him, or the Emperor, in the patronage of Marshal
Berthier, must hare indulged in a freak of partiality in every
may unaccountable, especially as its duration exceeded a period
of twenty years.

I am but little versed in your language, and have therefore
availed myself of the services of an English friend, who has
undertaken to express my protest against what I must consider
a signal error.—l am, Sir, your most ohedie fit servant, _

LOUIS DUMONT.
P. S.—Marshal Ney had a very different •pinion of the
abilities of Berthier to the one expressed in your news-
paper ; and of which there is plenty of evidence upon record.
New Angel Hotel, Doncaster, Aug. 18, 1838.

Mr. Wiltshire's friends have taken place, and have evinced a
YA RM 0 UTII ELECTION.—SeveraI meetings of
determination to return him again as their Member. This is
being done without the lion. Gentleman's knowledge, he being
on the Continent. —Norwich Met cury.
BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, AUG. 17.—Our
Sugar Market has been very steady through the week, and a
moderate business has been transacted, principally by the re-
finers, who, although they have recently found it their interest
to purchase extensively in London, take any choice lots offered.
The: show of samples is very icdifferent, and the grocers,
finding but few to suit then), either in quality or price, have
been exceedingly languid.—Bristol Mercury.
LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, AUG. 18.—The
sales of to-day were som'wbat larger than those of
yesterday, about 3,500 bags having been sold. American
descriptions have commanded full prices, and in some in-
stances a slight advance was obtained. 200 Bahia, Bd. to
84d. ; 300 Pernams, BV. to Rid. ; 200 Maranham,
84d. to
Pd. ; 30 Egyptian, 104 d. ; 300 Surat, 44d. to sd. ; 2,4"
American, sad. to 7d. ; total, 3,500.
CA MERIVELL FAIR.-_.Q 0 Saturday, pursuant to
ancient custom, this ()pular suburban carnival commenced.
The attractions were as numerous as on former occasions, con-
sisting principally of Wombwell's Menagerie, Richardson's
Theatre, Scowton's Pavilion, Clarke's Amphitheatre, &c. &c.
Mr. Betty, jun., only son of the once celebrated_
Master Betty (the Young Roscius), who first appeared at
Covent-garden Theatre on the Ist of December,
1804, and-
at that time created the greatest sensation ever known in history since the days of Garrick, has, it appears,
adopted the stage as a profession, although in affluent
circumstances. He will commence his performances in th.o
provinces.