Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/532

 494 Readmgs in European History industries are striking root in our own soil and are driving English commerce far from our shores. Our products now equal theirs and will soon compete with them in all the markets of the world. Religion has resumed its sway, but exhibits itself only in acts of humanity. Adhering to a wise policy of toleration, the ministers of different sects who worship the same God do themselves honor by their mutual respect ; and their rivalry confines itself to emulation in virtue. Such is our situation at home. 432. Impa- tience of the soldiers to invade Eng- land in August, 1805. (From Constant's Memoirs.) II. Boulogne and Austerlitz After the rupture of the Peace of Amiens, Napoleon collected an army at Boulogne with the declared pur- pose of making a descent upon England. After some months of preparation and waiting, the soldiers became very impatient to attempt the undertaking, in spite of the many difficulties which had become apparent. Soldiers and sailors were burning with impatience to embark for England, but the moment so ardently desired was still delayed. Every evening they said to themselves, " To-morrow there will be a good wind, there will also be a fog, and we shall start." They lay down with that hope, but arose each day to find either an unclouded sky or rain. One evening, however, when a favorable wind was blow- ing, I heard two sailors conversing together on the wharf and making conjectures as to the future. " The emperor would do well to start to-morrow morning," said one. " He will never have better weather and there will surely be a fog." " Yes," said the other, "only he does not think so. We have now waited more than fifteen days, and the fleet has not budged. However, all the ammunition is on board, and with one blast of the whistle we can put to sea." The night sentinels came on, and the conversation of the old sea wolves stopped there. But I soon had to acknowl- edge that their nautical experience had not deceived