The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1895-05-04
BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS.

BAIlLE of IiE II RAMlDS.
most honorable occupation for nations is
the contributing to the extension of hui
man knowledge. The true power of the
French Republic should henceforth be
made to consist in not allowing a single
new idea to exist without making it a
part of it's property" For some time after
this, Napoleon was wont to sign himself,
Member Of the National Institute.
Such ceremonies as those attending his
reception in Paris were always regarded
by Bonaparto as so much mummery-
quite necessary in the makeup of glory;
but very cheap. Not a month elapsed be-
fore the General became restless to a de-
gree. To Bourriennc, his secretary, he
said: "Bourrionno, i do not wish to re-
main here; there Is nothing to do. They
the Directory are unwilling to listen to
anything. l see THAT if l linger here, l
shall soon lose myself. Everything wears
out here; my glory has already disap-
peared. This little Europe does not sup
ply enough of it for me. l must seek it in
the East, the fountain of glory. However,
/ wish first to make a tour along the
coast, to ascertain by my own observa-
ton what may be attempted. l will take
you, Lannes, and Sulkowsky with me. If
the success of IA descent on England appear
doubtful, as l suspect 1t will, the Army
Of England shall become the Army of the
East; l will go to Egypt"
Bonaparte was now made commander of
the new army, which was alleged to be in
tended for an invasion of England. On
the whole, it seems that he never seriously
contemplated a descent on the English
coast. He was too prudent for that. But
he lent himself to the popular within, and
made nc thoDuh bp uonld invade tho Rrit-
ish Isles. The Directory, meanwhile, gave
him no orders. 1t had already come to
pass that he did much as he pleased. On
the 10th of February, 1898, he set out
from Paris with his secretary, his aide
~Sulkowsky, and General Lannes. He
went to Etaples, Amblcteuse, Boulogne,
Calais, Dunkirk, Furnes, Newport, Os-
tend, and the Isle of Walcheren; and then
%returned to Paris by Antwerp, Brussels,
Lille, and St. Quentin. Everywhere on
the journey he showed the greatest activ-
ity and discernment. His glance shot into
every situation. He informed himself of
the conditions existing along the coast,
but did not prosecute the scheme of inva-
sion.
The superiority of Napoleon over the
men of his epoch lay in his far-reaching
gaze and comprehension of great things.
His vision flashed over the European land,
scape like a CLEAN of light. At twenty,
eight he had already discerned hat the
best way to atflict Great Britain was by
destroying her influence in the East. Out
of this notion sprang his project of con.
quering Egypt. Beyond Egypt lay al
Asia. Europe" said he, sis IA molehill.
There have never been great empires and
revolutions except in the East, where
there are GOO, 600, 900 men," The Direct
DRY readily assented to his wishes. 1t i:
in evidence that that body was more thai
willing to have the ambitious commands
out of Europe.
On the 18th of April, 1898, Napoleon
was appointed Generals n-Chief of the
Army Of the East. Virtually he was to e
where he would, and accomplish what hi
could. The matter once determined, HI
brought everything to results with TIT
greatest rapidity. He made Toulon tn
rendezvous for his army and fleet. H
gathered to his standard a retinue of tn
learned, mostly members of the Institute
He would disseminate the civilization o
the West in the effete Orient. En- route
be would conquer Malta, still nominal.
under the dominion of the knights. Tina
done, he would debark at Alexandria
overthrow the dominion of the Mamaluk
Boys, and conquer and c~olonize the Liant
of the Pharaohs.
Admiral Brueys was called to the com
mand of the fleet. Napoleon ordered hi
equipage to be prepared as for a conqueror
q governor, a man of letters. He made u
an extensive list of books for his camp Ii
brary. and in doing SO spelled Du Guescli