against France, began to overspread the political horizon. England persisted in her demands, and the Emperor was forced to accede to a precipitate opening of the campaign. Having made the necessary arrangements, he left Paris on the 24th of September, and arrived at Strasbourg on the 27th, where he awaited the arrival and concentration of the troops that were to form the grand army that he intended to conduct into Germany.
Ourspace will not allow us to enumerate or describe the battles of Napoleon. He had long proposed to himself the conquest of Europe-of the world; and his victories hitherto added intenseness to his purpose; but by the irretrievable disasters of the Russian campaign, this was effectually placed beyond his grasp. The tide of conquest had ebbed, never to return. The spell which had bound the nations was dissolved. He was no longer the Invincible. The weight of military power, which had kept down the spirit of nations, was removed, and their long-smothered sense of wrong and insult broke forth like the fires of a volcano. Bonaparte might still, perhaps, have secured the throne of France; but that of Europe was gone.
After the battle of Paris, he was obliged to sign the unqualified resignation of the throne, but he retained the title of Emperor, with Elba for his residence. He shortly after embarked for that island, and on his arrival there his mind was immediately applied to completing the fortification of his capital, improving the public roads, and adding to the agricultural resources of the island.
When the Emperor received the visits of strangers, which often happened, he entered freely into conversation. He frequently spoke of his last campaign, of his views and hopes, the defection of his marshals, the capture of Paris, and his abdication, with great earnestness; exhibiting, in rapid succession, traits of
