tempt. M. Mézèires catches at an asser- has vanished on the winds. The memotion of Sir William Temple's respecting rials of both meet the mind in every recolEnglish impatience of privation, as con- lection, institution, and feeling of the people. firming General Foy's assertion that the Yet no existing representative of either is courage of English soldiers depends upon to be detected among the living varieties of abundance of beef and superabundance of the national character. Is France one rum. Now we apprehend that even French-great Père La Chaise, where, in the midst men scarcely possess the same physical or of the monuments of conquerors and legismental energies when fainting with inani-lators, the walks are traversed by holiday tion as when healthfully fed; indeed we groups come to amuse themselves with the know upon good authority that

"No Tartar e'er was fierce and cruel Upon the strength of water-gruel Though nothing can resist his force, If first he rides, then eats his horse:" but we think the battle of Talavera might go far to prove that English soldiers, when nearly starved to death, fight quite as well as other troops in the same condition, and

not much worse than well-fed Frenchmen. Dr. Wolff's mistakes are of a different kind, and with mention of one or two of

sculptures and interscriptions; a region of the dead, where all that is high and historic is dust, and where all that still breathes the breath of life is frivolous, nameless, and formed only to be forgotten?

any

to

But, without urging this impression to a nation on friendly terms with our own, extent injurious to the good feeling due it is equally undeniable and curious, that, since the war, the production of remarkable public characters in France has been rare or rather that all those who can have any them we conclude. This critic, after plac- hope to be remembered are the fruit of the ing Lady Morgan at the head of English Republic and the Empire. Political disturpoetesses-above Joanna Baillie, we be- bance, public pressure, and, above all, a lieve-tells us that her father Mr. Owenson national war, have been in all lands the (the actor) ruined himself by his passion great exciters of a national mind. Nature for the theatre; that Wordsworth's poetry is impartial, and there probably is not is admired by "the million" and censured much original difference in the abilities and only by superior judges; and that Crabbe's nerve of any people of Europe. All deTales of the Hall are written in Alexandrines! pends on the time, the impulse, and the

ART. VII. Vie Politique de Maréchal
Soult, par Alexandre Sallé.
Paris.
1834. 8vo.

It is impossible to deny that the French are a vivid people, exhibiting from time to time extraordinary ardor and activity, and singularly capable of exerting a beneficial, or a hazardous, influence on Europe, according to the direction of those qualities. But it must be owned, that the splendors of the national character are exceedingly periodical; that, if one age is dazzled by their cometary brilliancy, or thrown into alarm by their eccentric course, the cometary interval follows, and we have to look long and long in vain, for the returning effulgence of the phenomenon. To the observer of France at the present day, no trace of the France of the preceding quarter of a century is discoverable. A universal mediocrity has usurped the space once filled by the wild but prominent and powerful forms of public character, under the stimulus of political change. The daring vigor of the Republic is gone, the stern but splendid ambition of her Empire

leader. Italy was once the great warrior of Europe. Spain then entered the field, and was the universal model of arms. Switzerland followed, and for her day was the unrivalled champion. The feeblest states in succession flourished in the front of European history. The languor, effeminacy and ignorance of the Portuguese were once activity, manliness, and knowledge. Under the inspiration of their Henries and their Albuquerques, their land was too narrow for their heroism, and they grasped alike at the empire of India and Africa. The empty and masquerading Venetians were once the lords of European and Asiatic commerce, the boldest navigators, the most enterprizing warriors, and the most profound and powerful statesmen of their age. Even from the fogs and morasses of Holland a spirit rose, which entering into the sluggish frame of the Dutchman, made him, for the time, the ardent soldier, the unwearied discoverer, and the sagacious and fearless patriot. The days of glory have come, and gone, over all in succession; but not as the sun ascends and goes down on all. A finer and more incalculable influence has regulated the greatness of nations. The shooting of a meteor, stooping suddenly from the depth of midnight, and pouring radiance over some peculiar

region below the sweeping of the gale glories of the field have been anticipated, and over some peculiar tract of the measureless how feebly, after all, they protect their posocean, and rousing it in its strength, while sessor from public ingratitude, and from none can tell "whence it came or whither the keen vexations that beset the declining it goeth;" the brilliancy of the aurora, at years of him who has lived only for the one while flooding the hyperborean world breath of popularity. But in whatever poiut with light and colors dipt in Heaven, at of view they may be taken, there can be another deserting the north and kindling but one impression of the talent, daring, the equator with living glories; or any and intensity of purpose, of which the huother image of fitful and fantastic power or man mind is capable, and of which the sublustre, that lives and vanishes by moments,ject of this rapid memoir forms the example. awakened from what source we know not, Nicholas Jean de-Dieu Soult, was born and acting altogether beyond human di- at St. Amand, in the district of Tarn, on rection, would be the truer emblems of the the 29th of March, 1769, a year made megreat influential causes of national renown. morable by the birth of the three greatest The life of the eminent French soldier generals of modern times; Napoleon havwhose name heads this article, is written in ing been born on the 15th of the following the spirit of party, and with the palpable August; and Wellington, the conqueror of determination to break down, for his offen- both Soult and Napoleon, being also born ces to party, the reputation which he has in 1569. His origin was humble, but not earned by a long life of public services. degrading. He was the son of a steward, Without feeling any unnecessary respect or village notary, who had served, and who, for the habits, personal or political, of Mar- though he had not risen higher than the shal Soult, we may predict that this attempt rank of a serjeant, seems to have been a will be altogether iueffectual beyond the hour. man of education and integrity; at least Party is always either blind or frenzied, possessing sufficient of both to be taken either incapable of seeing facts in their true into the confidential employment of one of light, or wildly bent on fabricating them into the neighboring nobles, the Marquis de the extravagant shapes, and dyeing them Dulac. Young Soult thus received prowith the glaring and discordant hues, bably more than the usual advantages of which a disordered imagination loves. But French education; but nature had destinSoult's fame has been built on a foundation ed him for a soldier. The army was the which, with every Frenchman on earth, is favorite path to honors in all times of alone equivalent to immortality. He is the France. Its popularity had become more living representative of the glories, sad and striking since the American war, and in fatal as they were, of the conquering time 1785 the son of the notary, who if he had of France. Second, was he only, if sec- remained in his village might have been a ond, to Napoleon in military skill; and he notary to this hour, set his foot upon the will no sooner be laid where neither friend- first step of that ascent which led him to ship nor emnity can break his slumbers, the rank of Marshal of the Empire, Prime than all France will be weaving wreaths, Minister, and, more eminent and envied sculpturing trophies, and making harangues, distinction still, fixed him among the names over the last and proudest name of her that live in the light of French renown. "grand army," the departed Genius of French war.

The

The activity and intelligence of the young soldier were no sooner called into We shall give, as a matter of curiosity, a exercise than they attracted notice. sketch of the really extraordinary, indefat-war had scarcely commenced, when Soult igable, and brilliant soldiership of this re- was raised by Marshal Luckner to the markable personage. The time will come rank of a regimental officer. In 1791, he when details of such a career may form was appointed second lieutenant of grenasome of the most interesting features of hu- diers in the battalion of the Upper Rhine. man history. If the world should have the All was republicanism at this period, and wisdom to make peace the universal policy, republicanism was all clubs: the new offithe annals of a warrior like Soult will be cer saw his way, flourished in the club of regarded, like the annals of a being of the regiment, and declared his civic opinanother region of existence, some spirit of ions in the first-rate common-place of rerestless vigor and vividness whose only publican oratory. "Let all Frenchmen purpose was to exhibit his faculty of dis- stand together," was the sentiment, "united tinction and destruction. Should the world, by the bands of law, and the ties of fraterunwarned by the follies and miseries of the nity. Let us remain under arms to defend past, again plunge into war, such a career the freedom we have conquered. Let us may show how long and how powerfully the remember that the tyrants would rivet our

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chains the faster for our having broken flank of the French line exposed, and all them," &c. concluding, of course, with, was visibly on the point of ruin. At this "Let us live free or die for the cause of the moment Soult galloped up to the general, country." The sentiment was popular, and who was doubtful whether he should throw it gained its reward. The regiment ap- himself into the midst of the enemy's pointed him by acclamation, adjutant, ranks, or die by his own sword. "What which was soon followed by his promotion are you about, general," he exclaimed, to a company. Soult now rapidly distin- you going to die because those fellows run guished himself. His conduct in an affair away? Go after them, and bring them against the Germans, next year, was so back, it will be much better to beat the enconspicuous that he was put into the tem-emy along with them." Marceau's spirit porary command of two battalions appoint- revived. He took the advice, rallied his ed to a difficult position in the hill country battalions, charged the Austrians in turn, of the Rhenish frontier. Hache, a man of drove them before him, and retrieved his military genius, had no sooner put himself share of fame in one of the most memoraat the head of the army of the Moselle, ble battles of the war. than, with an evident sense of his value, he Promotion still followed the career of immediately attached Soult to his staff, this son of fortune. In the third year of and employed him to conduct the attack of the republic, (1795,) Soult at the age of one of the fortified camps of the enemy. twentyfive, was general of brigade. JourThe selection was justified by its success. dan's memorable and unfortunate The lines were stormed, the enemy's col-paign in the valley of the Danube taught ors taken, and the chief part of the oppos- the French the new lesson of defeat. ing corps made prisoners. Soult commanded the advanced guard on The French army had scarcely plunged the invasion, and was perpetually engaged into the Palatinate, when Soult was raised with the Austrians in the retreat. to a rank not only of the most confidential Dutingen he exhibited his intrepidity at a nature, but giving the fullest opportunity period when the army seemed to have been for the display of those talents which were in despair. Soult, with some battalions, to form the future marshal. He was ap- was posted to cover the retreat. The pointed head of the staff of the advanced Austrian cavalry charged and swept away guard of the army. A large portion of the every thing before it. Soult was directed first French successes was due to the rapid by the general in chief to give up his posirise of the officers. Promotion was at once tion and follow the troops. But the perils the cause and the effect. Intrepidity, in- of a too sudden movement were so forcibly telligence, and ardor, were sure of their re- represented to Jourdan, that he listened ward. The gallant son of a ploughman to his brave general of brigade's entreaties might aspire to the highest honors of the that he might be suffered to remain. The most dazzling life that ever inflamed the attack commenced and was resisted till vanity, ambition or patriotism of man. The night-fall. The troops lay on their arms; son of the Marquis Dulac's steward was the Austrians renewed their attack at daynow in sight of the foremost prizes of mili- break. They were again repelled and the tary fame. Within five years, he had start- struggle continued at intervals during the ed from the ranks into the command of a day. The object had been now gained, division. Within the last of those years, and, during the second night, Soult quietly 1794, he was successively lieutenant-colo- withdrew his posts and passed the Danube, nel, adjutant-general, and colonel. In the without the loss of a man. The prodigious celebrated battle of Fleurus, which broke losses of the French troops in the flight the power of Austria in the Netherlands, before the archduke, which more deserved the young Colonel made himself remarka- the name of a massacre than a defeat, ble by an instance of that coolness of judg-placed the merits of an officer like Soult in ment, which is perhaps the rarest, yet the the most conspicuous point of view. The most important, of all qualities for com- army, like all armies, possessed an abunmand. As the day advanced, an Austrian dance of those headlong and daring spirits, division made a desperate charge on the which rush into danger, as the horse into battalions of the Ardennes, forming the de- the battle. But now was the time for tached corps of Marceau, whose death, higher qualities, for deliberate judgment, some time afterwards, caused such gen- clearness of view, and that steadiness of eral lamentation. The French gave way, military determination, which resists while and Marceau, though one of the most gal-resistance is possible, and knows nothing of lent men in France, was in consternation. despair. Those admirable qualities for The flight of the battalions had left the soldiership evidently characterized this

great officer from the beginning, and as ries." He put this important principle in much signalized even his last disastrous action with great skill, and the subsequent campaign in the presence of the British conduct of the Austrian staff was a model army and its pre-eminent general, by resolute resistance, and an indefatigable spirit of yielding to necessity alone, as when he was in the full tide of success, driving the Austrians like deer, through the plains of Germany.

of strategy. Remaining at the head of the army opposed to Moreau until he had successively led it across the Neckar, and the difficult country between that river and the Danube, he suddenly turned on his antagonist at the passage of the river, and, after fighting a most gallant action, in which he at one time turned the French right, and would have thrown the whole army into confusion, but for the firmness of the centre, he crossed the Danube, and placed his troops in safety.

Here the war paused, for the blow was to be struck in another quarter. Jourdan had pressed forward along the valley of the Maine, to turn the right of the Germans, under Wartensleben. That of ficer continued his retreat according to the orders of the Archduke, slowly converging towards his position on the Danube, and followed by Jourdan, with the eagerness of assured victory. But the time for teaching him a fatal lesson was come. On the 20th

was

The campaign of 1796 was a campaign of giants; its magnitude of plan, the vast ness of the forces employed, its expenditure of national means, and its tremendous succession of slaughters, seem to belong to the age of fable. England commenced the year by a triple alliance with Austria and Russia, and by raising a loan of thirtyone millions sterling, of which three millions were given to Austria to equip her army for the field. France began by sending Hache, at the head of an army of 100,000 men, into the Vendee. Moreau and Jourdan commanded on the Rhine, at the head of 150,000. The Archduke and Wurmser defended the entrance of Germany, at the head of 175,000 of which 40,000 were the first cavalry of Europe. In Italy, Napoleon, with an army of August the Archduke, leaving Latour, of 40,000, was preparing to attack Beau- with 35,000 men, to defend Austria against lieu, at the head of 50,000. The first Moreau, brought 28,000 into Wartenssuccesses of the French were brilliant. leben's lines. The united force was near They drove all the Austrian corps back 63,000. The enemy, exhausted by long from the frontiers, stripped them of their marches and losses in the field, scarcely magazines, cannon, and arms, and threat-amounted to 45,000. The attack ened the hereditary states. Within six commenced without delay. The great weeks, from the commencement of the problem of tactics, which consists in concampaign, the Austrians were reduced by centrating a force against the enemy until a third of their original force, and the the actual inferiority of the assailants is French armies covered the country from changed into superiority on the point atStutgard to the Lake of Constance, a line tacked, was completely solved, and the of 150 miles. bloodiest and most decisive campaign of But the hour of retribution was at hand. the war commenced its most sanguinary By one of those singular changes of cir-scene. Within two days of his arrival, cumstances, which operate so powerfully the Archduke gave the order to drive in the in war, the French at this moment aban- French advanced guard, under Bernadotte, doned the principle on which they had so posted at the foot of the mountains. The often conquered-that of combining their struggle was severe, but, in a few hours, attacks upon separate portions of the ene- the French were compelled to retire my's army, and thus overwhelming it in through the gorges of the country in their detail. The Austrians, at the same mo- rear. The Archduke, with a vividness ment, abandoned their old principle of con- new to the national character, and which centric movements, combined their forces, he seemed to have learned from the fiery and impinged upon the separate corps of activity of Napoleon, now turned to throw the French. The fortune of the campaign himself, with his victorious troops, on the instantly and totally changed. The Arch- main body under Jourdan. He found the duke, in those Memoirs, which so strikingly French general strongly posted; but the vindicate the fame of this great warrior, confidence of the Austrians in their young tells us, that the purpose of this plan was general was at its height; they rushed "to retreat slowly, disputing every inch of through all difficulties, the heavy fire of ground, without hazarding a general en- a numerous artillery - the obstructions of gagement, until the two retiring armies a wild and rocky country and the more were so near that he could fall with supe- formidable obstacles of battalions and rior force upon one or other of his adversa-squadrons, who felt that retreat through a

hostile land was all but ruin. The Ger- French general was preparing to commence mans came up to the charge with shouts the attack on what he conceived a portion and national songs. The enemy, startled of the antagonist army, he suddenly found at the sudden daring of the men whom they himself enveloped in the whole. The had so long seen only in retreat, made but French line was assailed at once in front a feeble resistance; their flank was turned, and flank. One of the most desperate their centre was forced; the desperate battles of cavalry that occurred during the valor of Ney alone, in command of the rear-war closed this bloody conflict. Wartensguard, rescued the army from finding its leben, at the head of the Austrian horse, grave in the memorable position of Amberg. had crossed the river, and was driving the All was now confusion in the French French light troops and cavalry before him. camp. To advance was impossible, to Jourdan saw his retreat on the point of remain was hopeless. The only alterna- being cut off, and threw forward his whole tive was to retreat with the greatest speed. line of cavalry. The Austrian squadrons Those who have ever accompanied the were at first brought to a stand by this march of armies, and who know the waste, movement. But the reserve of cuirassiers, the tumult, and the spoil, in their move- rushing down, took the French in the ment even through the most pacific country moment of pursuit, broke through them, can alone conceive what must have been trampled them with merciless slaughter, the wretchedness of the march which now and sent the remainder flying for shelter awaited the unfortunate French army, behind the line of infantry. Jourdan now through the long ranges of mountains cov- saw that all was lost, and that his only hope ering the country from the Naab to the was in an instant retreat. The order was Maine the incumbrance of the artillery given, and the infantry plunged into the in the ravines, the blocking-up of the road shelter of the forest; this battle delivered by the wagons, the crowd of wounded, Germany. who must be carried or abandoned to a Thenceforward the only hope of the miserable death by exposure and hunger, French general was in the rapidity of his the frantic excesses of the troops, indig-retreat. It was made at immense sacrinant at defeat, and glad to throw off all fices. Before he reached the banks of the subordination; the flight all day, the few Lahn, he lost 122 pieces of cannon caphours of disturbed rest at night, on the bare tured in the towns on his advance, and 143 rocks, and in the beds of rivulets, that the of his own. On the Lahn he gladly halted, first cloud which swept across the hills filled up his broken ranks with 25,000 men might turn into torrents; the agonies of under the command of the celebrated Marhopeless famine, thirst, and disease; the ceau, and was forced to give battle to his fever of unhealed wounds, the fury of intox- pursuers. The Archduke gave a few hours ication; the letting loose, in those hours of to the arrangement of his assault, attacked recklessness and despair, every evil passion him with indefatigable intrepidity, forced of the human heart. Of all the scenes of the passage of the Lahn, and assaulted him human terror, the scene fullest of the images of wretchedness, guilt, and outrage, is the march of a routed army, with a bold and unsparing enemy at its heels.

with such desperation, that night alone saved his army. On preparing to renew the attack in the morning, the French position was found abandoned. A remarkDuring six unspeakable days and nights, ably dense fog had covered Jourdan's Jourdan's army wound its slow way through movements, and saved his retreating colthe mountains, with the Archduke thun-umns from havoc, in that most critical and dering in its rear. On emerging from the anxious of all manoeuvres, a retrograde mountains at Wurtzburg, Jourdan made an march in sight of a victorious enemy. effort to recover the honor of France, by The whole Austrian cavalry was instantly waiting for the Austrian columns advanc-pushed forward in pursuit. The French ing from the ravines. The occasion was judiciously chosen, for the pursuers, rushing down from the mountains, were liable to be attacked in their disorder, while the French had time to recover their steadiness, and choose their points of attack. But the Austrians were inflamed with victory, and their shock was irresistible. Superior tactics too were again combined with superior intrepidity. The Archduke outmanœuvred Jourdan, and while the

were soon overtaken struggling through the woods, and though the defensible nature of the country protected the retiring army, their retreat was a perpetual battle. Thus harassed for three bloody days, losing troops, cannon, and ammunition at every step, they at length reached Altenburg, a position rendered memorable by the fall of Marceau in command of the rear-guard. In a bold attempt to face the Austrians, he was wounded and taken prisoner. His gallant