Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-08-09

Iron the London New Monthly Magazine,
Memoirs Of the Duke Of Rorigo, (M. .Sduary, J
scritten by himself; illustrative of the History
of the Emperor Napoleon. Vol. /. Parts l. 81
H. Svo.
1t is quite unnecessary to remind our readers
thas General Savary, Duke of Rovigo, was not
only the confident and adviser of Napoleon, and
the agent of his will, but in his quality of Minis
ter of Police, was admitted into knowledge of
state and personal secrets, which cannot but throw
much light upon the public acts Of the Emperor's
reign. HIS habits ofthlnkng and his motives of
artion, may be expected TO be fully made known
by an individual like Savary, to whom every thing
was unveiled and though the period lending with
the capitulation OF Niehbourg) which this volume
embraces, does not allow the Due de Rovigo to
display great deal of the peculiar materials for
the history of Napoleon which he exclusively pos
sesses, the two parts of tho work which have just
appeared, abound in striking and brilliant details,
anccdote, and dnformation. The Dukes Memoirs
possess much ofthc dignity and importance of
history: and will take their enduring place in all
historical Libraries, when the other perishable Me-
moirs of the day shall have sunk into oblivion
We quote the authors Preface.
have been accused of having been the sat
elite OF the Emperor, and of being still.
If by this charge is understood my having
discovered that the commissions which shook the
world, were only the struggles of the principles
OF the Revolution against those of the aristoc-
racy of Europe ifby this charge is meant that
have sent no limits to the sense of my duties
confess myself 10 have been the satellite of Ma
poleon.
6 Ii the recollection Of former benefits in the
tine OF calamity il the refusal to abandon my So
reregn after his fall if endurance ofpersona ex-
lie for wishing to share his captivity; if fearless
ness in having the hatred Of his enemies, who had
once been his slaves if honouring his memory
now that he is more is to te'a satellite, / am
q n of
" That great man honoured me with his conf
derce; was near his person in the field Of battle
was in the secret councils of his cabinet he has
gwen me the highest proofs of consideration,
might almost say of affection and could l. or ought
|, to have acknowledged all this otherwise than
by by unbounded devotion to him Loaded as
was with bis benefits and irtrusted with his Sc
crets, was it possible for me to assume the office
OF censor III the moment of danger, and blame in
stead of aiding him? 1t is convenient and easy,
though not very honorable, to act the part of a
censor. But this is not the office / have select
ed and my readers need not, therefore, expect to
lind III these Memoirs long crtiques or grave po-
iitical dsquistions | have endesyoured to write
simply as have acted
Some persons have endeavoured to calumni-
ate the fine and noble character of the Emperor,
and the reas on is plan-he has no longer any gifts
to besow ; but if in eulogizing him they could at
tho same time court individuals now in power, how
him, and recover the memories they seem at PIE
sent to have lost
"The Emperor has been represented as man
greedy of war; and this notion, which will soon
be found to be false, passes for true, in the
minds ofmauy unprejudiccd and thinking persons;
trust that the perusal ofthese memoirs will tend
tn cnlightcn them on the subject Napoleon re-
quired peace above all things he was chief Of a
dynasty VIII ieh had sprung out OF conquest 81 which
pea &C alone could consolidate
" / have endeavourcd torepresent the Emperor
as he was, and as knew him to be; but it has
been my more especial aim to make known the
motive OF his political actions.
81 have passed rapidly over the details of Bat
ties and other military operations not because
thought them destitute Of interest but because Sc.
vcral able Off GERS have already accomplished that
task, with talent and genius worthy of the illus
trious name which sheds its ustre over all the fol-
lowing pages.
81 know not whether an author is obliged to
state 10 the public his motives for writing but
have objection to declare mine.
While the Emperor was captive at st. Hcle-