Star.
London, England, 1827-07-16 00:00:00

HIS FIRST ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

After Bonaparte's first successful campaign in Italy (where the
command was his lofty for marrying, in 1794, Madame Beau-
harnob, who was connected with Barras and Tanen) it is stated:
His style In addressing the Convention was, at thie period,
maw modest and skiple,' led therefore more impressive, than Ake
isendmp' bidelmeikajis which he afterwards used in his bid-
ledos. ills self.opinlincperhaps, was not risen so high as wont.'
sit him to use the sesquipedalian words end violent metaphors Se.
which he afterwards Seems to bate given a pretenses. We insp.
realest also, that the young victor was honourably analogs to es.
cure for such Offscen as distinguished themselves, the preferment
which their services entitled them to. He urges the prom;
dam aids brethren in arms in almost every one of his dispatches,
a cordon net only just and generous, but also highly politic. Were
his recommendation Successful, their General bad the gradtude due
for the benefit ; were they overlooked, thanks equally belonged tei
him for his good wishes, and the resentment for the slight ittacisod
itself to the Government, who did not give effect is them. If
Booaparte spoke simply and modestly of his own achlevemeotes
the bombast which he spared was liberally dealt out to the Cm.
malign by an orator named Daubermesnit, who invokes ail bard;
from Tynan' and Osslan, dawn to the author of the Matseinals
hymn—all painters, Ross Applies to David—all musicians, frons.l
Orpheus to the author es(the Chant els depart, to sing, paint, and
compose music upon the achievements of the General and army of
Italy. With better tide, a medal of Bonaparte was struck in the
*erecter of the conqueror of the battle of Monte Nate. The
face is extremely thin, with lank hair; a striking contrast to the
ea* square countenance exhibited on his later coins. On the re.
verse, Victory, bearing a palm breech. a wreath of laurel, and a
naked sword, is seen flints over the Alps. This medal we notice
as the first of the splendid series which records the victories and
honours of Napoleon, and which was designed by Droop as a Ca-
llum to the genius of his patron. ,
Previous to the battle of Lodiirit is observed, chute encourage
the ardour of his &rely, Boaapute circulated an address, in which,
complimenting the army on the victories they bad gained, he de-
sired them at the mine time to consider nothing as wan so Meg as
the Austrians held Milan, and while the ashes of • those who had
conquered the Tarquin& were soiled by the presence of the anemias
of Basseville. It would appear that classical allusions are *bet
familiar to the French soldiers, or that, without,belogliere birthed
than othecs of their rank, they are pleased with being snploresd
understand them. They probably considered the oratory of their
groat leader as soldier.like words, aad' words Of-exceeding good.
command. The English soldier addiessid in such flights of alto
quince, would either have laughed at them, or supposed that he had
got a crazed play-actor put over him instead of a General. Bet
there is this peculiar trait in the French character, that they are
wining to take every thing of a complimentary hied in the manner
in which it seems to be meant. They appear to have made that
bargain with themselves on many points, which the audience usually
do in a Theatre—to accept of the appearance of things for the
reality. They never inquire whether a triumphal arch is of stone
or of wood; whether a scuicheon is of solid metal, or only gilt;
or whether a speech, of which the tendency is flattering to their
national unity, contains genuine eloquence, or only tumid extrava-
pace. All thoughts were therefore turned to Italy.
When the Austrian General at the end of the fifth campaign sur-
rendered Mantua to the conquering French, after recording several
anecdotes honourable to the generosity of Bonaparte, it is stated—
But the young victor paid a still more delicate ind nobir-mindet
compliment, in declining to be personally present whetithe veteran
Wurmser had the mortification to surrender his sword, with his
garrison of twenty thousand men, ten thousand pf whom were At
for service. This self-denial did Napoleon as much credit nearly as
his victory, and must not be omitted in a narrative, whirl, often
called to stigmatise his ambition and its consequences, should not be
the less ready to observe marks of dignified andlonourable feeling.
The history of this remarkable man more frequently reminds us of
the romantic and improbable victories imputed to the heroes of the
romantic ages, than of the spirit of chivalry attributed to them ;
but in this instance Napoleon's conduct towards Wirrasser may be
justly compared to that of the Black Prince to his Royal prisoner,_
King John of Franco.