Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
philosopher, and ran and threw his arms around his neck, and begged him
immediately to draw out his class. The President of the University, in a
very eulogistic address to the young general, said, "Charles the Great
laid the foundations of this University. May Napoleon the Great give it
the completion of its glory."
Having quelled the insurrection, in flames and blood, the only way in
which, by any possibility it could have been quelled, Napoleon turned
proudly again, with his little band, to encounter the whole power of the
Austrian empire, now effectually aroused to crush him. The dominions of
Venice contained three millions of souls. Its fleet ruled the Adriatic,
and it could command an army of fifty thousand men. The Venetians though
unfriendly to France preferred neutrality. Beaulieu had fled through
their territories, leaving a garrison at Mantua. Napoleon pursued them.
To the remonstrances of the Venetians he replied: "Venice has either
afforded refuge to the Austrians, in which case it is the enemy of
France, or it was unable to prevent the Austrians from invading its
territory, and is consequently too weak to claim the right of
neutrality." The government deliberated in much perplexity, whether to
throw themselves as allies into the arms of France or of Austria. They
at last decided, if possible, to continue neutral. They sent to Napoleon
twelve hundred thousand dollars, as a bribe or a present to secure his
friendship. He decisively rejected it. To some friends who urged the
perfect propriety of his receiving the money, he replied:
"If my commissary should see me accept this money, who can tell to what
lengths he might go." The Venetian envoys retired from their mission
deeply impressed with the genius of Napoleon. They had expected to find
only a stern warrior. To their surprise they met a statesman, whose
profoundness of views, power of eloquence, extent of information, and
promptness of decision excited both their admiration and amazement. They
were venerable men, accustomed to consideration and power. Napoleon was
but twenty-five. Yet the veterans were entirely overawed by his
brilliant and commanding powers. "This extraordinary young man," they
wrote to the senate, "will one day exert great influence over his
country."
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