His style in addressing the Convention was, at this period, more modest and simple, and therefore more impressive, than the figurative and bombastic style which he afterwards used in his bulletins. His self-opinion, perhaps, was not risen so high as to permit him to use the sesquipedalian words and violent metaphors, to which he afterwards seems to have given a preference. We may remark also, that the young victor was honourably anxious to secure for such officers as distinguished themselves, the preferment which their services entitled them to.[113] He urges the promotion of his brethren in arms in almost every one of his despatches,--a conduct not only just and generous, but also highly politic. Were his recommendations successful, their general had the gratitude due for the benefit; were they overlooked, thanks equally belonged to him for his good wishes, and the resentment for the slight attached itself to the government, who did not give effect to them. If Buonaparte spoke simply and modestly on his own achievements, the bombast which he spared was liberally dealt out to the Convention by an orator named Daubermesnil, who invokes all bards, from Tyrtæus and Ossian down to the author of the Marseillois Hymn--all painters, from Apelles to David--all musicians, from Orpheus to the author of the _Chant du départ_, to sing, paint, and compose music, upon the achievements of the General and Army of Italy.[114] With better taste, a medal of Buonaparte was struck in the character of the Conqueror of the battle of Montenotte. The face is extremely thin, with lank hair, a striking contrast to the fleshy square countenance exhibited on his later coins. On the reverse, Victory, bearing a palm branch, a wreath of laurel, and a naked sword, is seen flying over the Alps. This medal we notice as the first of the splendid series which records the victories and honours of Napoleon, and which was designed by Denon as a tribute to the genius of his patron. FOOTNOTES: [84] Napoleon, Memoirs, tom. iii., p. 91. [85] Victor Amadeus III. He was born in 1726, and died in 1796. [86] "The Neapolitan army was 60,000 strong; the cavalry was excellent."--NAPOLEON, _Memoirs_, tom. iii., p. 134. [87] Viz. in April, 1794.--See Napoleon, Memoirs, tom. iii., p. 28. [88] Napoleon states his fighting force, fit for duty, at about 30,000 men.--Montholon, tom. iii., p. 140; Jomini, tom. viii., p. 59, at 42,400. [89] Las Cases, tom. i., p. 162. [90] This reminds us of the liberality of the Kings of Brentford to their Knightsbridge forces-- _First King._ Here, take five guineas to these warlike men. _Second King._ And here, five more, which makes the sum just ten. _Herald._ We have not seen so much the Lord knows when!--S.