APPENDIX. 207
than himself, over-ruled him: the consequence was the ruin of all their projects, and the subse- quent sacrifice of their lives; and this simply arising from the free agency of man forming a constituent part of the system of action. From hence we may naturally deduce this maxim, that general success is the daughter of su- perior genius, and misfortune the child of impru- dence. These are the principles on which Buona- parte has acted and continues to act. Divide et im- pera is his favourite motto: and by taking every necessary precaution, and by commanding, as it were, the volition and consequent action of the various parts, he in succession overwhelmed Austria and Prussia, and made Russia the tool of his future projects. Yet common minds fancied, that when he had reached the Vistula; Austria and Prussia, by rising in his rear, might cut off his pos- sibility of return, and annihilate him completely; but they forgot to consider, that, Buonaparte wil- lingly encounters every danger but surprise, and against that he invariably takes care to secure him- self.
