Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-11-01
TDe Constitutional Salbfg.


History Of Lse Expedition 10 Russia, undertaken bv m
! Emperor Napoleon an The gear 1879. BIZ Genera
Count Philip De Segur In two volumes 3yo. with
/ Map and i've EnSravIngs. London: Trental and
i Wurtz, &c. 1895
We took up the volumes of the Count de sceur and "a
pidy glanced the contents antcrauy tle b.vopd
the horrid detaies with which we were already familiar
Notwithstanding the noise they have made Paris through
out France, and indeed all Contineuft Our
sentiments nave, In certain been realized in this
work we found much with which we are already familiar
nut we found that is perfectly US and we be-
eve TO all, except the gallant and unfortunate men who
escaped destruction amS; the SHOWS and s,eppes of Rus
STA; and in peruSng the narrative perfectly asc-
mated and spell bound by the charm ofthr
position and by the Painful and interest ;u
fused into IT. The widest o lions ina snation sink into
nothing compared with the dreadful realities of this
memorable expeditions; and these realities
brought SO forcbly before terrible uctrc of
cry, desolation and death, alternating with the most yb
ul atrocities, the sublime courage and the mos,
devotion SO wildly portrayed, When add that these
volumes EXHIBIT information of the highest Importance to
tne statesman, the warrior, the philosopher, and the mo-
ralist rs we'll as the reader for the qualification of
r'os'ty, is possible to say more in THEN p.aise?
oegur supplies vast mass of the interesting
ana valuable detas with respect Elk Enpe or Of
France. Napoeon-his thoughts-hs opinions his dis
cissions with his generalS-his occuputions-hs paicv-
has rcsoutIons-his opcationshis violent ag,atons of
mindhiS misgivingshis dar and uverv iun hold
uess-his bodily nfrriiies- his mental agouv- his fail
inss-hlS errors-nnd his mighty heroic, unique deeds
are all brought successfully under review; and the volnes
in
1917 and OF hiSeadiu cverses viii become familiar rs
household words to every child in France; and will doubt
less be handed down poseIitv as faithful history of
the astonishing and most importan, events in the
mails of the world.
i:uonaparte was unquesopably-all things considered
the most extraordinary man that existed. When
we think of the Of his life the moment rat
he drew breath IN an island of the Mediterranean till Inc
expired, exile rock in the African Ocean, our nos
tive assured knowledge hardly secure us against
suspicion that the whole is splendid visiona Of
up " tlp= 1nlu INST StDr
know all the events to nave taken place within the perod
ut our existence of them almost TO transcend the
limits of belief What for example will poscriiy say of
the escape from Eba- the second expulsion the oubous
and the reesabshmrnt of imperial dynasty without
firing shot shedding drop of blood? The career OF
nis man raises our enthusiasts, engages minds, and
cites curiosity. We begin study his life and we are
mpeIied on tfcm volume 10 Volume with additional
dour and though some of his actions NAV disgust us as
criminal and others lessen him capcious absurd vet
we like TO become familiar with the whole
We have read much of Napoleon BIZ, j, is in Scpur'e
work that we have transcript of the mcuta dis
tress-the overwhelming agony of the ambitious
naughty and daring leader of the French In it, as i'm
mirror, we remark that this mighty genius aud conqurro
gained some of his laurels with bursting heart Indeed
IN d3l2 not few of them have the result of
that courage which flows FROM deSpar-of ,bat courarr
winch makes even the feeble strong. Yet emperor had
almost always the power Of conceaing his mental emotions
and ms msivings from his most immediate attendants his
counseors and his generals; especially from his
Even when disappointed his bulletins genera y pourtraved
victory and the prospect Of the conquest of Russia Thus
the Willy warrior seems to have bndolded his troops Off
GERS, and soldiers, the French nation Europe nav the
world Butdeeas aud time, the revealcr of scorers and
the loss OF his magnificent army, length reluctantly
Vciied the melancholy TRUTH that Buonpac sdefcaied
he painful which are about to extract from
Segs work depict tile mind one Of the greatest Of men
under different asprctsin public and in fvaein
and in scEncsSin the face of his troops and in the nte-
ror OF ms tent-n tie zenith of his glory, after his
star had been ecpscd in the hour victory and in that
OF deieatm triumph and in despair; and thew also shov,
how dearly this ambitious hero paid for some of the duc
lions which will immoaiize his name when his aiJiuas
his errors, and his forgotten But il is time 10
come to the work before ms
Scgnrs volumes divided books and CHAPTERS and
me WORK Is Illustrated by map of the countries between
Paris and Moscow showing route of the French army
IN the DISASTROUS campaign of i82-hy view Of the pas-
sage OF the Niemenand by iosrabe portrnits of Napo
leon' AeXanier Murat, and Nry. Count Paul Philip de
Sesr son OF the distinguished Count Lewis Philip de Sc
CUR, andiS himself well known and celebrated character
lie is one of the chevaies Of order Of ST. Lewis and
Is commander of the order of the Legion of Honour &c.
lie has long been the service of his country, has
tehe tnan once bled III her For time he
prisoner Of war in the ncighbnuhood of Moscow but
was exchanged at the peace of I TIe aItewa rd rar-
clpatcd in tic i'll Spain and IN 1912 after having
been promoted to the rank of General Of Brigade. he
made the Russian campaign this capacity seems to
have enjoyed advantageous opportunities of observing
all The motions and knowing all the resolutions of
peria master. He shared in the subsequent affairs of
the French army, acquired fresh laureIs, was named
one of the UarectqIr Camp de Teiat Major General DE-
FArmce+ The dedication of ihe work to the Vctans of
ne fana Army rs written with great feeling and spirit,
and in mastery style.
We cannot find room for the opinions Of NaIoleons best
friends and ministers, respecting the invasion Of Russia
WINE he himself yet in Paris, though hrs armies were
moving forwards TO their destination Their discussions
had no effect. Even PoGia iOwsk whom the expedition
appeared to hold out the prospect Of throne, generously
united his eScons With the Empcros ministers, in the at
tempt to demonstrate its danger. The hardy and deter
ermnet sovereign eIuded their objections and
at length silenced them all by this extraordinary conclu-
sion:
"Do YOU dread the wor, cDdangering my lifc' 1t
was thus that IN the times Of conspiracy, attempts were
made 10 Tighten about Georges; he was every
where 10 be found or my track: lat wrcchcd being
vas 10 fire at me. Wc suppose he had! lie would
at the utmost have killed my djdc-de ramp! but 10 kill
the was impossible! Had at that time accomplished
the DEGREES of fate2 feel myself rnpelcd towards
goa of which am ignorant. As soon as I shall have
reached IT, so shall no longer be of seryice-au
atom will then suffice 10 put me down; but till hcn all
human efforts can avail nothing against nc. Whether
am IN Paris. with the army is, therefore, quite in
different. When my hour is come, a fever. or fall
from my horse in hunting viii kill me as eGcctuay as
bulet our days are registered"