The life of Napoleon Buonaparte, emperor of the French. By Sir Walter Scott.

LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. 215
fluence to bring up the troops into action where or independent fortress. Napoleon, returning at
their presence was most required the head of his victorious forces, surrounded and
Alvinzi's error, which was a very gross one, attacked with fury the troops of Provera, while the
consisted in supposing that no more than Joubert's blockading army compelled the garrison, at the
inconsiderable force was stationed at Rivoli, and in bayonet's point, to re-enter the besieged city of
preparing, therefore, to destroy him at his leisure; Mantuna. Provera, who had in vain, though with
when his acquaintance with the French celerity of much decision and gallantry, attempted the relief
movement ought to have prepared him for the pos- of Mantua, which his Inperial master had so much
sibility of Bonaparte's night-march, by which, bring- at heart, was compelled to lay down his arms with
ing up the chosen strength of his army into the po- a division of about five thousand men, whom he had
sition where the enemy only expected to find a still united under his person.'The detached corps
feeble force, he was enabled to resist and defeat a which he had left to protect his bridge, and other
much superior army, brought to the field upon dif- passes in his rear, sustained a similar fate. Thus,
ferent points, without any just calculation on the one division of the army, which had commenced
means of resistance which were to be opposed; the campaign of January only on the 7th of that
without the necessary assistance of cavalry and ar- month, were the prisoners of the destined conqueror
tillery; and, above all, without a preconcerted plan befere ten days had elapsed. The larger'army,
of co-operation and mutual support. The excel- commanded by Alvinzi, had no better fortune.
lence of Napoleon's manceunres was well supported They were close pursued from the bloody field of'
by the devotion of his generals, and the courage of Rivoli, and never were permitted to draw breath
his soldiers. Mass6na, in particular, so well se- or to recover their disorder. Large bodies were
conded his general, that afterwards, when Napo- intercepted and compelled to surrender, a practice
leon as emperor conferred on him the title of duke, now so frequent among the Austrian troops, that it
he assigned him his designation from the battle of ceased to be shameful.
Rivoli. Nevertheless, one example is so peculiar as to
Almost before this important and decisive victory deserve commemoration, as a striking example of
was absolutely gained, news arrived which required the utter consternation and dispersion of' the Austhe presence of Bon;iparte elsewhere. On the very trians after this dreadful defeat, and of the confident
same day of the battle, Provera, whom we left and audacious promptitude which the French offimanoeuvring on the Lower Adige, threw a bridge cers derived firom their unvaried success. Rlend, a
of pontoons over that river, where the French were young officer, was in possession of the village
not prepared to oppose his passage, and pushed called Guarda, on the lake of the same name, and,
forward to Mantua, the relief of which fortress he in visiting his advanced posts, he perceived some
had by stratagem nearly achieved. A regiment of Austrians approaching, whom he caused his escort
his cavalry, wearing white cloaks, and resembling to surround and make prisoners. Advancing to the
in that particular the first regiment of French hus- front to reconnoitre, he found himself close to the
sars, presented themselves before the suburb of head of an Imperial column of eighteen hundred
St George, then only covered by a mere line of men, which a turning in the road had concealed till
circumvallation. The barricades were about to be. he was within twenty yards of them. "Down with
opened without suspicion, when it occurred to a your arms!" said the Austrian commandant; to
sagacious old French sergeant, who was beyond which Rend answered with the most ready boldthe walls gathering wood, that the dress of this ness, "Do you lay down your arms! I have (leregiment of white cloaks was fresher than that of stroyed your advanced guard, as witness these
the French corps, called Berchini's, for whom they prisoners-ground your arms, or no quarter." And
were mistaken. He communicated his suspicions the French soldiers catching the hint of their leader,
to a drummer who was near him; they gained the joined in the cry of " Ground your arms." The
suburb, and cried to arms, and the guns of the Austrian officer hesitated, and proposed to enter
defences were opened on the hostile cavalry whom into capitulation; the Frenchman would admit of no
they were about to have admitted in the guise of terms but instant and immediate surrender. The
friends. dispirited Imperialist yielded -sp his sword, and
About the time that this incident took place, commanded his soldiers to imitate his example.
Bonaparte himself arrived at Roverbella, within But the Austrian soldiers began to suspect the
twelve miles of Mantua, to which he had marched truth; they became refractory, and refiused to obey
with incredible dispatch from the field of battle at their leader, whom Rend addressed with the utmost
Rivoli, leaving to Mass6na, Murat, and Joubert, apparent composure. "You are an officer, sir, and
the task of completing his victory, by the close a man of honour-you know the rules of war —you
pursuit of Alvinzi and his scattered forces. have surrendered-you are therefore my prisoner,
In the meanwhile, Provera communicated with but I rely on your parole-Here, I return your sword
the garrison of Mantua across the lake, and con.- -compel your men to submission, otherwise I direct
certed the measures for its relief with WVurmser. against you the division of six thousand men who
On the 16th of January, being the morning after the are under my command." The Austrian was utterly
battle of Rivoli, and the unsuccessful attempt to confounded, betwixt the appeal to his honour and
surprise the suburb of St George, the garrison of the threat of a charge from six thousand men. He
Mantua sallied from the place in strength, and took assured Rena he might rely on his punctilious cornpost at the causeway of La Favorita, being the pliance with the parole he had given him; and
only one which is defended by an inclosed citadel, speaking in German to his soldiers, persuaded then