a hundred thousand Frenchmen, whom I knew my com panions in glory and labor? They are dead!"

The morning of the famous battle of Austerlitz, he vividly initiates his army into the inspirations of his strategy:

"The Russians mean to turn my right, and will present me their flank.

"Soldiers, I will direct myself all your battalions. I will keep away from the firing, if, with your wonted bravery, you carry disorder and confusion into the enemy's ranks. But, if the victory should be for a moment doubtful, you will see me rush to fall in the front of the conflict. Then is all over with the honor of the French infantry, the first in the world. This victory will end your campaign. Then the peace which I will make will be worthy of France, of you, and of me!"

What grandeur in these last words!

His discourse after the battle is a master-piece of military eloquence. He is pleased with his soldiers. He goes among them. He reminds them what they have overcome, what they have achieved, what will be said of them. Not a ( word of the chiefs. The Emperor and the soldiers, France in the perspective, peace for their recompense, glory for their reminiscence. What an opening, and what an ending!

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Soldiers, I am pleased with you; you have decorated your eagles with immortal glory. An army a hundred thousand strong, commanded by the Emperors of Russia and of Austria, has been, in less than four hours, either cut to pieces or dispersed; such as have escaped your sword are drowned in the marshes.

"Forty stand of colors the banners of the imperial guard of Russia, one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, twenty generals, over thirty thousand prisoners, are the result of this day, for ever memorable. That infantry, so much vaunted and superior in numbers, has not been able to withstand your shock, and henceforth you have no rivals to dread.