Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-20


Of Madame de Staels considerations OF the
principal events of The French Reyolu-
Gon, vols. 8vo.
NoIV.
The cratic elements of anarchy and fac
ton were now combined by the powerful
CHEMISTRY of Napoleon into one solid mass
Of despotisnI. WELDING the sceptre Of
Charlemagne and St. Louis-radient with
the glories of the victorious republick-at
length reducing continental Europe to pro-
vincial dependence on his will, and carry
ing terror to the ocean queen--he seemed
to concentrate the fame of all earlier he
roes, and to leave nothing for ambition to
desire. But the same passions which had
stimulated the revolutionary adventurer,yet
rioted in the breast Of the mighty emperor.
Conquest pursued conquest with emulous
rapidity-invasion was anticipated by sub
mission. AT last the eagle displayed his
rushing wings" over the wilds ofthe north,
and the tri-coiored Gag waved from the
raniparts ofimperial Moscow. But it wa
we'd over desolation and ruin-Over that
monument of self-inHicted misery which
valieut people had erected to commence
rate their patriotism, their injuries andltheir
vengeance. Hither the destinies in whom
he trusted led their victim, and here they
deserted him.
The improper proli1ity which we have
INDUCED, prevents that particular survey
OF Bonaparte's subsequent fortunes which it
would be desirable to make, with so philo.
sophicaI guide as the Baroness de Stael.
Her great authority now confirms the opin-
ion which judicious persons have long en-
tertained, respecting the circumstances and
consequences Of the restora tion of the Rour-
bon dynasty in 1914. The present king of
France was, according to this doctrine, ae-
sompanied in his retirement by people who
infused into bis naturally discerning mind
beliefthat;he revolution, instead of being
las it certainly was an event for which ma
ny centuries Of oppression and expanding
knowledge had prepared the way, was on
ly a factious encroachment on the rights Of
bis race. Delu'ted by this fallacy, he ex-
pected, on recovering his throne, TO find
things assuming their old relations, allow
ed nothing to the change in pubick OPT
MON, and listened to only the parasites who
preached security to his throne 1t is now
proved that Bonaparte's return from Elba
was confidently prophesied throughout the
nation, but was represented to Louis XVIII
asa wild impossibility by the flatterers who
interposed themselves between the ear of
the monarch and the voice of truth He
stunned the reflection that by cherishing
the military spirit, Bonaparte had created
strong interest in his favor, and that the
entry Of foreign armies into France would
inevitably identify their oppossr with the
champion Of her independence. Nothing
can show more clearly the force of circum-
stances than that a man whose life had been
devoted to establishing tyranny, should
ever be regarded as the defender of free
dom. The second restoration OF Louis
XVIII, brought with il sounder policy
than that which had marked his former re-
turn, and il may be hoped that his errors
found at Waterloo The same tomb which en-.
closes the power Of his gigantic oppressor.
The character of Napoleon is so stupen-
dous subject, that Madame de Stael no
where presepts il to single view. We
may collect from her illustrations of il. that
his abilities, both in politics and war, were
frst rate; that his tyranny was not so much
the result of natural cruelty AS eta profound
contempt for mankind, and an indifference
70 their welfare that of his manners, ego
tism was the distinctive feature; and that
much of bis success is ascribable to his
quick perception OF circumstances Her
last glance at this pageant Of greatness, is
toward the conclusion of part 9Th. differ.
ent opinions may be entertained Of his ge-
Mus aud Of his qualities there is about this
man something enigmatical, which pro-
longs curiosity. Every one represents him
under different eolors, and each may be
right, according to the point of view from
which he beholds him those who would
concentrate his portrait in few words,
would give only false idea of'him. To At
, tain some general result, We must pursue
different ways: il IS labyrinth, but la