The Irish standard., 1904-08-20

conceived many plans, but never
had it in my power to execute any
held the helm with vigorous hand
but the fury Of the waves was create,
than any force could exert in re-
sisting them and l prudently yielded
rather than incur the risk of sinking
through stubborn opposition. Thus
ut the commencement of my rise, dur
ing the consulate, my sincere friends
and warm partisans frequently asked
me, with the best intentions and as
guide for their own conduct, what
point l was driving at, and I always
answered that did not know. They
were surprised, probably dissatisfied,
and yet spoke the truth
subsequently, during the empire
when there was less familiarity, many
faces seemed to put the same ques-
Ftion tonne, and might still have
given theasame reply.
Il surrounded.myse with that halo
of mystery which ipleases and inter
ests the multitude, gives birth to
speculations, which occupy the public
mind, and finally affords opportunities
| for those sudden and brilliant dis
closures which exercise such import
| ant influence. 1t was this very prin-
ciple that accelerated my unfortunate
| march to Moscow. Had 1 been more
deliberate might have averted every
evil, but 1 could not delay and atfc
time for comment. With my career
already traced out, with my ideas
formed for the future, it was neces-
sary that my movement and my sue
cess should seem, as it We're, super
natural"
when I:acquired the supreme di.
| rection of affairs it was wished that I
might become a Washington. Words
cost nothing, and no doubt those who
We're so ready to express the wish
did so without any knowledge Of
times, places, persons or things. Had
been in America 1 would willingly
have been Washington, and 1 should
have had little merit in so being, for
LIDO not see how Il could reasonably
have acted otherwise. But had Wash
irgtOn been in France, exposed to dis
cordSwithin and invasion from with
out, would have defed him to have
been what he was in America at
beast "lfe would have been fool to
attempt it and would only have pro.
longed the existence of evil. For my
own part, 1 could only have been "a
crowned Washington. 1t was only in
a congress of kings, in the midst of
kings yielding or subdued, that
could become SO. Then and there
alone Il could successfully display
Washington's moderation, disinterest-
edness and wisdom. could not
reasonably attain to this but by means
Of the universal dictatorship. To this
l aspired. Can that be thought a
crime?"
lie recalled the campaign of Water
loo and the fate which overlook him
there with the calmness Of a man
discoursing upon the events of other
times.
''The opening of my campaign was
we'll managed and proved most sue
ccssful. I should have surprised the
enemy in detail but that a desert
from among our generals gave him
timely notice Of my plans.
~ gained the brilliant victory of
Ligny, but my lieutenant robbed me
of its fruits. Finally I triumphed
even ut Waterloo and was immediate
ly hurled into the abyss. Yet I must
confess that all these strokes of fate
distressed me more than they sur
prised me. I felt the presentiment Of
an unfortunate result. Not that this
in any way Influenced my determine
tions and measures, but the forebod
ing certainly haunted my mind.
There is a great difference of opin-
ion," continued the emperor, "as to
what I ought to have done. Many
were of opinion that I ought to have
fought to the last. Others said that
fortune had abandoned me; that Wa
terloo had closed my career of arms
forever. My own opinion is that
ought to have died at Waterloo, per-
haps a little earlier. Had I died at
Moscow I should probably have had
the reputation Of the greatest con-
queror ever known. But the smiles
Of fortune were at an end. I exper-
fenced little but reverses afterward;
hitherto had been unconquered. I
ought to have died at Waterloo. The
misfortune is that when man seeks
the NEST for death he cannot find it.
Men were killed around me, before,
behind, everywhere, but no bullet for
me-"
During the retreat from Waterloo
Napoleon was prevented from throw
ing himself upon the English bayo-
nets by Marshal Soult. And this was
but one of his many attempts at self
destruction.
Mothers Vacation.
You have been busy for some time
nv dear girl, planning your vacation: