English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 2 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 2 (of 2)
Ashton, John
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Caricatures and cartoons
‘In hinting at what we conceive to be the fact, however, we are bound
by regard for truth; our business is not to apologize for Buonaparte;
but, so far as may be done within the brief limits of a newspaper, to
analyze, and faithfully describe, him. The factions, also, which he was
compelled to crush, and whose overthrow obtained for him the gratitude
of his country, still threatened a resurrection when the compressing
force should be withdrawn. Hence were pretexts furnished on behalf
of despotism of which men, more enlightened, and better constituted,
than Buonaparte, might not soon have discovered the fallacy. Raised
to empire at home, his ambition sought for itself fresh aliment; and
foreign conquest was at once tempting and easy.
‘Here the natural reflection will obtrude itself--what might not this
extraordinary being have effected for the happiness of mankind, and for
his own everlasting fame and grandeur, had he used but a moiety of the
force, or perseverance, in generous efforts to relieve the oppressed
which he wasted in rendering himself the monopolist and patron of
oppression! But he had left himself no resource. He had extinguished
liberty in France, and had no hold upon his subjects, but their love
of military glory. Conquest, therefore, succeeded to conquest, until
nothing capable of subjugation was left to be subdued. Insolence,
and rapacity, in the victor, produced, among the enslaved nations,
impatience of their misery, and a thirst for vengeance. Injustice
undermined itself, and Buonaparte, with his unseasoned empire, fell
together, the pageant of a day.
‘His military administration was marked by strict and impartial
justice. He had the art, in an eminent degree, of inciting the
emulation, and gaining the affections of his troops. He was steady and
faithful in his friendships, and not vindictive, on occasions where it
was his power to be so with impunity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account