The Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart: Life of Napoleon Buonaparte

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R.Cadell, 1835 - France

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Page 15 - The patience with which you support your hardships among these barren rocks is admirable, but it cannot procure you glory. I am come to lead you into the most fertile plains that the sun beholds — Rich provinces, opulent towns, all shall be at your disposal — Soldiers, with such a prospect before you, can you fail in courage and constancy ?" This was showing the deer to the hound when the leash is about to be slipped.
Page 352 - They were escorted to the sand-hills to the south-east of Jaffa, divided there into small bodies, and put to death by musketry. The execution lasted a considerable time, and the wounded, as in \hejusillades of the Revolution, were dispatched with the bayonet.
Page 327 - The Mamelukes advanced with the utmost speed, and corresponding fury, and charged with horrible yells. They disordered one of the French squares of infantry, which would have been sabred in an instant, but that the mass of this fiery militia was a little behind the advanced guard. The French had a moment to restore order, and used it. The combat then in some degree resembled that, which nearly twenty years afterwards, took place at...
Page 173 - the learned in Italy did not enjoy the consideration to which they were entitled — they lived retired in their laboratories and libraries, too happy if they could escape the notice, and consequently the persecution of kings and priests. It is now no longer thus — there is no longer religious inquisition nor despotic power. Thought is free in Italy. I invite the literary and scientific persons to consult together, and propose to me their ideas on the subject of giving new life and vigour to the...
Page 168 - ... forced marches. When they arrive at their bivouac, it is not to take their repose, as might be expected, but to tell each his story of the battle of the day, and produce his plan for that of to-morrow; and many of them think with great correctness on military subjects. The other day I was inspecting a demi-brigade, and as it filed past me, a common chasseur approached my horse, and said, ' General, you ought to do so and so.
Page 385 - ... the countries which he had left behind, than the part which he was to play in that to which he was hastening. At length, they ventured to stand northward, and on the 30th September, they entered, by singular chance, the port of Ajaccio in Corsica, and...
Page 324 - Mamelukes, mounted on the finest Arabian horses, and armed with pistols, carabines, and blunderbusses, of the best English workmanship — their plumed turbans waving in the air, and their rich dresses and arms glittering in the sun. Entertaining a high contempt for the...
Page 290 - ... distance. His look had the same character. When he thought himself closely observed, he had the power of discharging from his countenance all expression, save that of a vague and indefinite smile, and presenting to the curious invest!gator the fixed eyes and rigid features of a bust of marble.
Page 418 - By what art is it that you have been able to captivate all my faculties, and to concentrate in yourself my moral existence ? It is a magic, my sweet love, which will finish only with my life. To live for Josephine — there is the history of my life. I am trying to reach you, — I am dying to be near you. Fool that I am, I do not perceive that I increase the distance between us. What lands, what countries separate us! What a time before you read these weak expressions of a troubled soul in which...
Page 53 - Apennines ; you have overthrown and dispersed all that dared to oppose your march. Piedmont, rescued from Austrian tyranny, is left to its natural sentiments of regard and friendship to the French. Milan is yours ; and the republican standard is displayed throughout all Lombardy. The dukes of Parma and Modena are indebted for their political existence only to your generosity. The army, which so proudly menaced you, has had no other barrier than its dissolution to oppose your invincible courage.

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