Napoleon’s return.--His enthusiastic reception.--Makes mighty efforts to restore the military power of France.--Duke of Wellington arrives in Brussels, and takes the command of the allies.--Belgium.--Napoleon leaves Paris.--Drives in the Prussian outposts.--Ney attacks the Prince of Orange.--Wellington marches to his assistance.--Battle of Quatre Bras. A few months passed away--Europe was apparently at rest--its military attitude was gradually softening down--and all the belligerent powers, weary of a state of warfare that, with slight intermission, had lasted for a quarter of a century, enjoyed the repose which the overthrow of Napoleon’s power had produced. But this state of quietude was delusory--it was the treacherous calm that precedes a tempest. Untamed by adversity, that ambitious spirit was gathering strength for another effort--France was ready to receive him--past victories would thus be rendered useless--Europe convulsed again--and none could foresee what strange events the descent of Napoleon might produce. No recorded career parallels that of Napoleon Buonaparte; and in the history of kings and conquerors, the strangest story was his own. He seemed the shuttlecock of Fortune--and she placed him “on a pinnacle of pride merely to mark her own mutability.” Hurled from the sovereignty of half the world, his star had lost its ascendancy, apparently to rise no more,--when, by the happiest accident, his voyage from Elba was uninterrupted[288]--his landing unopposed--an enthusiastic welcome everywhere was given to the intruder--legions congregated at his bidding--the empire was offered and accepted--and the first intelligence of his descent was closely followed by a formal acknowledgment of his restoration to the sovereignty of France. Napoleon landed in the Var on the 1st of March, and on the 19th he slept in the palace of Fontainbleau. Louis had abandoned the capital, and in a few hours the dynasty of the Bourbons seemed forgotten. None opposed the return of the exile--his decrees were absolute, his wishes were anticipated. The splendour of military parade delighted the soldiery, while the theatric glitter of a _champ de Mai_ was admirably adapted to catch the fancies, and win the momentary attachment of a gay and thoughtless people. The whole pageant, in scenic effect, was suited for those whom it was designed to lure--and on the 17th of April, Napoleon was formally restored to that empire, from which the same “sweet voices” had, but a few months before, so formally deposed him.