This imposing ceremony was performed on the 2d of December, 1804, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in the midst of all that was splendid and illustrious in the Capital of France. With a view to show his power rather than to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Pope, either temporal or spiritual, Napoleon summoned Pius VII. to be in attendance on the day of his inauguration at Paris. In compliance with this, the unresisting Pope left Rome on the 5th of November, and blessed the Emperor and Empress, and also consecrated the diadems. Napoleon, however, placed the crown on his own head, and then on the head of Josephine, who received it kneeling on a cushion at the foot of the altar steps. We are told that “throughout the ceremonial his aspect was thoughtful; it was on a stern and gloomy brow that with his own hands he planted the symbol of successful ambition and uneasy power, and the shouts of the deputies present, sounded faint and hollow amidst the silence of the people.” [Illustration: THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON.] THE FIRST CORPS CROSSES THE MAINE. Admiral Villeneuve in engaging in the disastrous battle of Trafalgar, spoiled the great plan of descending upon England. The illustrious Pitt took means to avert the storm which menaced the British Isles. A treaty of alliance was signed by Russia and Austria, and the third coalition against France was formed. Napoleon gave orders for breaking up the camp at Boulogne; and, whilst a portion of the army commenced their march toward Strasburg, Marshal Bernadotte issued orders to occupy the fortresses of Hameln and Nienburgh, with the 19th regiment of the line. General Marunno was at the same time ordered to break up his camp at Zeist, to quit Holland and ascend the Rhine, arriving upon the Maine with the First corps of the army, to take part in any subsequent operations.--_September 17, 1805._ [Illustration: THE FIRST CORPS CROSSING THE MAINE.] THE FOURTH CORPS AT DONAWERTH. Napoleon had crossed the Rhine with his army. The left wing, composed of the corps under Marshal Bernadotte, and of that under General Marmont, with the Bavarian army, set out on the 1st and 2d of October for Weissenburg. Marshal Davoust, leaving Neckarels, followed the road to Meikumlh, Ingelfrugen, Chreilsheim, Drinkelspuhl, Frembdingen, Œttingen, and Haarburg. Marshal Soult advanced upon the Danube. Ney, leaving Stuttgart, followed the road to Nattheim. Marshal Lannes quitted Ludwisburg, and directed his march towards Nordeingen. On the 6th of October the army held the following positions:-- Bernadotte at Weissenburg. Davoust at Altingen upon the Wernitz. Soult, master of the bridge of Munster, at the gates of Donawerth. Ney at Kossingen. Lannes at Neresheim. And the cavalry, under Murat, along the Danube.