94

HIS CIVIL REGULATIONS.

and render them subservient to his ulterior objects, by converting those Italian States which had been the enemies, into the allies of France. Uniting the policy of the most consummate statesman, with the skill and abilities of the greatest commander, the conquests of his arm were secured by the wisdom and policy of his political measures. Under his auspices, two confederate republics were formed in Italy, on the model of the French constitution. The states on the north of the Po, formed one federative government, under the name of the Transpadane Republic, and those on the south of the Po, another, called the Cispadane Republic; both of which contained an estimated population of more than four millions. These governments were considered as possessing ample means for defending themselves against their neighbours, and the French Republic was to be their protectress against the hostile designs of Austria. This arrangement was calculated to establish the influence of France in Italy upon the surest foundation; as the safety of these new governments would depend upon their adhering faithfully to their alliance with France, the co-operation of which could alone defend them from the hostile armies of the house of Austria.

It was calculated also that in prosecuting the war with Austria, France would be able to draw supplies, and receive the active co-operation of these sister republics in Italy, established under her auspices, and dependant upon her for protection.

To give effect and permanency to this political revolution, it was necessary that a moral revolution should also be put in operation, that the minds of the people might be better fitted for these changes in their governments. It was necessary that they should be enlightened, their prejudices overcome, popular principles inculcated, and an enthusiasm excited in favour of republican institutions. The prejudices of the people against the French, were also to be removed, and their attachment conciliated. To accomplish these objects

Bonaparte makes a display of republican virtues; cautiously avoids all ostentation, and in this respect put himself on a footing of perfect equality with persons of ordinary standing in society. This conduct, with the exertions made to inform the people, and conciliate their attachment to republican institutions, and the solicitude which Bonaparte manifested to establish and consolidate republics in Italy, contributed greatly to render him popular and extend his influence with the Italians. The politicians, and the enlightened portion of the population, by these regulations, were reminded of those free Institutions, which once dawned so auspiciously upon their country, under whose genial influence the arts and sciences revived, commerce spread its wings, and every thing was prosperous and flourishishing they had long wished for the return of these halcyon days; and the arrangements adopted, and the animating sound of the words "equality and liberty," although there might be nothing but sound, revived their hopes, and presented to their imaginations in vivid images, the charms of those glorious epochs of freedom, which adorn the annals of their country.

Whilst Bonaparte was occupied in humbling the pope, and in establishing his civil regulations in Italy, the house of Austria, alarmed for its own security, was making great warlike preparations: but the object of the war was changed; it was no longer a struggle for the empire of Italy, but for that of Austria itself. The latter commenced the war to chastise and humble the French republicans, and drive the leaders of the republican armies into that obscurity from which they had emerged, and to teach the nation to respect monarchy and nobility, to reverence, "venerable Institutions," and to subscribe to the good old fashioned doctrine of passive obedience and the divine right of kings; but instead of annihilating the French armies, they had rendered them invincible; instead of driving their leaders into obscurity, they had made them conquerors and heroes; instead of blotting out France

96

AUSTRIA PREPARES FOR WAR.

from the map of nations, they had produced an explo> sion of patriotism and national feeling, which occasioned such an expansion as threatened to swallow up all Europe. They had commenced the war to conquer a neighbouring country; but were now obliged to continue it, to defend their own.

Taking advantage of the universal alarm which pervaded the Austrian States, and of that sentiment of patriotism, which even in despotic governments, is roused by any imminent danger that threatens national existence, their exertions were extensive, and surprisingly successful. Apprehending a formidable invasion, and considering every thing at stake, the whole resources of the empire were put in requisition. The Archduke Charles, who had succeeded in compelling the armies of the Republic to evacuate Germany, whereby he had acquired some celebrity, and every other commander having been defeated, was selected as the only man calculated to conduct the war against Bonaparte. This appointment, being generally popular, tended to stimulate the ardour of the people, and inspire confidence in the success of the approaching campaign.

The phlegm of the Germans being overcome, their fears awakened and their loyalty and patriotism aroused, they flocked from all quarters to the standard of the prince, to defend their country; and as they were told, their liberty. Although the people were in a state of feudal vassalage, the most serious appeal was made to the patriotism of the nation: the people were told, that not only their independence but their liberty was in danger from the French republicans, who trampled upon the laws of God and man; and this was so often repeated and so solemnly proclaimed, that the sagacious Germans began to think it was really so, and seemed to suppose, that the people had an interest in this tremendous contest between the kings, princes and nobility of Europe on the one side, and the people of France on the other. Whilst borne down by the

INVASION OF GERMANY DETERMINED ON.

97

weight of feudal despotism, and the accumulated oppressions of many centuries; whilst they could not make a movement, without hearing the clanking of their chains, they became alarmed for their liberty. They were told that they were free, and although bound hand and foot, they really thought that they were. Without any hand in the government, without any voice in the election of their rulers, without any rights or privileges but what their despotic governors might be disposed to allow them, nearly one half of their earnings taken by the government under the name of taxes, their persons forcibly dragged into service to fight the battles of their rulers, and often sold like cattle to neighbouring states as were the poor Hessians to Britain during the revolutionary war-all people thus oppressed and degraded were alarmed for the loss of their liberties and their rights. What wonderful sagacity! But the honest Germans ought not to be a subject of ridicule; having never breathed the air of freedom, nor tasted the sweets of liberty, they knew not what it was to be free, and were ignorant, that, politically speaking, they were slaves. They knew that they had a country, and although it was not the land of freedom, it was the place of their homes and of their firesides; and it is not surprising, that they should have been anxious to defend them; or that a spirit of loyalty and patriotism should have been excited even in a despotic state, when its very existence was at stake.

An immense army was rapidly collected, which under the command of the Archduke Charles, took the field early in the spring of 1797.

In the meantime, neither Bonaparte nor the government of the Republic, were unattentive to the approaching campaign. From the success of her armies in Italy, the government determined to invade Germany from that quarter, in preference to doing it from the Rhine ; and great exertions were made to furnish supplies and reinforcements to the armies of Italy. Bo

98

COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN.

naparte having completed his civil regulations, resumed the direction of military operations; his plan of the campaign was to march with his forces formed in sev eral divisions directly to Vienna, to overwhelm the power of Austria, and dictate peace at the Capital. The operations of the French were characterized by their usual boldness, celerity and success; the enemy were every where defeated and driven from every position and defile they attempted to defend, and compelled to retreat, from place to place, and from post to post, with the greatest rapidity. So rapid was the advance of the French that the Imperialists had no time to fortify those places which admitted of defence, or to establish themselves in any military positions.

Having gained the heights which commanded Gradisca, general Bernadotte summoned the commandant to surrender in ten minutes, or in case of refusal, the garrison would be put to the sword! The governour capitulated, and three thousand prisoners, ten pieces of cannon, and eight standards fell into the hands of the victors.

Soon after the commencement of operations, Bonaparte was joined by a reinforcement from the army of the Rhine, which under general Kellerman, by a hardihood and perseverance almost unequalled, surmounting all obstacles, in the rigour of the winter, had succeeded in passing the barrier of the Alps; and this march, the longest and most difficult ever performed in so rigorous a climate and season, was accomplished without experiencing any delay, and without its being known, or even suspected by the enemy. Like the Carthaginian veterans, the Republican troops encountered successfully the climate and the elements, and overcame the frozen resistance of the Alps.

After various movements and many minor engagements, in which the French in almost every instance were successful, a great and decisive action was fought. at Tarvis. This action was fought on a height above the clouds, which commanded an extensive view of