The French Revolution and First Empire (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1874. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... long mustered. At the peremptory command of the Jacobin Government, this was at once directed against the invaders, who did not know what an invasion meant. The Duke of York, assailed with vigour and Sept. 8, 1793. skill, was compelled to raise the siege of Dunkirk; and, to the astonishment of Europe, the divided forces of the halting and irresolute Coalition began to recede before the enemies, who saw victory yielded to them, and who, feeble soldiers as they often were, were nevertheless fired by ardent patriotism. As the autumn closed the trembling balance of-j Refortune inclined decidedly on the side of the Eepub-Satc" lie. The French recruits, hurried to the frontiers in abroadTM1 masses, became gradually better soldiers, under the influence of increasing success. Carnot, l a man of Carnot great but overrated powers, took the general direction Hocheof military affairs; and though his strategy was not sound, it was much better than the imbecility of his foes. At the same time, the Generals of the fallen Monarchy having disappeared, or, for the most part, i Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot was born in 1753, and brought up to be an engineer. He distinguished himself in his profession, and at the crisis of 1793 was made Minister of War, and became one of the Members of the Committee of Public Safety. His energy was above praise; but though it has been said of him that ' he organised victory, ' his military schemes were often unsound. He was, however, the only member of the Committee whose hands were, in some degree, free from the stain of blood. In after life he was exiled, opposed the Empire, supported it in the hour of danger, distinguished himself for his defence of Antwerp, and served as Minister of the Interior during the Hundred Days. He outlived Wate...