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26 as well as the centre, which Napoleon now commanded, might successfully have been driven back, but on account of the Austrians dividing their troops they were easily routed, and Buonaparte gained a complete victory.

In December, 1809, Napoleon divorced Josephine, to whom he had been married in 1793; he declared this to be a sacrifice made for the good of his country, which demanded an heir; Josephine was to retain the title of Empress, and the Archduchess Maria Louisa was to be the Imperial bride. On the 2d of April, 1810, they were married formally at Paris, in the midst of every attribute of magnificence. On the 20th of April, 1811, a son was born to Napoleon; the event was welcomed by him with all the rapture of paternal affection.

In 1812, Napoleon made preparations for the Russian campaign; and on the 16th May, with his Empress, arrived at Dresden, having there congregated a host of kings before whom to play the tyrant and the superior. The Czar, as a means of conciliation, was invited, but was inaccessible to Napoleon's messenger. Napoleon went to Dantzic, and during fourteen days occupied himself in negociating, finally, without effect, the terms of an arrangement with Russia.

Napoleon now determined to extinguish the