Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/508

 freedom from greed 470 Readings 171 European History perfect intimacy with him. " So," said he, " when we learned that the new general was about to pass through the city, I immediately proposed to introduce my comrades to him, and to turn my former connection with him to the best account. I hastened to meet him full of eagerness and joy. The door of the apartment was thrown open, and I was on the point of rushing toward him with my wonted familiarity ; but his attitude, his look, the tone of his voice suddenly deterred me. There was nothing offensive either in his appearance or manner, but the impression he produced was sufficient to prevent me from ever again attempting to encroach upon the distance that separated us." Bonaparte's Napoleon's generalship was characterized by the skill, energy, and purity of his military administration ; his con- stant dislike of peculation of any kind, and his total dis- regard of his own private interest. " I returned from the campaign in Italy," said he, "with but three hundred thou- sand francs in my possession. I might easily have carried off ten or twelve millions and have kept it for my own. I never made out any accounts, nor was I ever asked for any. I expected, on my return, to receive some great national reward. It was publicly reported that Chambord was to be given to me, and I should have been very glad to have had the chateau ; but the idea was set aside by the Directory. I had, however, sent back to France at least fifty millions for the service of the state. This I imagine was the first instance in modern history of an army contributing to main- tain the country to which it belonged instead of being a burden to it." The young and rather inexperienced General Bonaparte had to lead his ill-equipped troops against the combined armies of Austria and of the king of Sardinia. His sue-' cess was, nevertheless, immediate ; and after the opening victories in the mountains separating France from Pied- mont, he found himself in a position to cheer his troops by the following proclamation :