The true northerner., 1896-03-11
BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS.

most honorable occupation for nations Is
the contributing to the extension of hu-
man knowledge. The true power of the
French Republic should henceforth be
made to consist in not allowing single
new idea to exist without making IL a
part of its 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 Bonaparte 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 Bourrienne, his secretary, he
said: 'Bourrienne, l do not wish to re-
main here; there is nothing to do. They
the Directory are unwilling TO listen to
anything l see that IL 1 linger here,
shall soon lose myself. Everything wears
out here; my glory has already disap-
peared. This little Europe does not sup
plv enough of it for me. l must seek it in
the East. the fountain of glory. However,
j wish first to make a tour along the
coast, TO ascertain by my own observa-
tion what may be attempted. will take
you, Lannes, and Sulkowsky with me. II
the success of descent on England appear
doubtful, as l suspect it will, the Army
of England shall become the Army of the
East; 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, Ii 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 whim, and
made as though he would invade the Brit
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, Ambleteuse, Boulogne,
Calais, Dunkirk, Furncs, Newport, Os-
tend, and the Isle of Waloheren; 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-reachine
gaze and comprehension Of great things
His vision flashed over the European land
scape like gloam of light. At twenty
eight he had already discerned that the
best way to afflict 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, "is a molchill
There have never been great empires AMI
revolutions except in the East where
there are 600, 600, 900 men," Tho Direct
ory readily assented to his wishes. 1t Il
in evidence that that body was more than
willing TO have the ambitious commander
out Of Europe.
On the 18th of April 1898, Napoleon
was appointed General-in-Chief Of the
Army of the East. Virtually he was to gc
where he would, and accomplish what he
could. The matter once determined, bs
brought everything to results with tbs