luence of
Toulon upon Buonaparte's fortunes was incalculable. Throughout life he
spoke of the town, of the siege and his share therein, of the
subsequent events and of the men whose acquaintance he made there,
with lively and emphatic interest. To all associated with the capture
he was in after years generous to a fault, except a few enemies like
Auna whom he treated with harshness. In particular it must not be
forgotten that among many men of minor importance he there began his
relations with some of his greatest generals and marshals: Desaix,
Marmont, Junot, Muiron, and Chauvet. The experience launched him on
his grand career; the intimacies he formed proved a strong support
when he forced himself to the front. Moreover, his respect for England
was heightened. It was not in violation of a pledge to hold the place
for the Bourbon pretender, but by right of sheer ability that they
took precedence of the Allies in command. They were haughty and
dictatorial because their associates were uncertain and divided. When
the Comte de Provence was suggested as a colleague they refused to
admit him because he was detested by the best men of his own party. In
the garrison of nearly fifteen thousand not a third were British.
Buonaparte and others charged them with perfidy in a desire to hold
the great fort for themselves, but the charge was untrue and he did
not disdain them, but rather admired and imitated their policy.

CHAPTER XVIII.

A Jacobin General.

Transformation in Buonaparte's Character -- Confirmed as a
French General -- Conduct of His Brothers -- Napoleon's
Caution -- His Report on Marseilles -- The New French Army
-- Buonaparte the Jacobin Leader -- Hostilities with Austria
and Sardinia -- Enthusiasm of the French Troops --
Buonaparte in Society -- His Plan for an Italian Campaign.

[Sidenote: 1793-94.]

Hitherto prudence had not been characteristic of Buonaparte: his
escapades and disobedience had savored rather of recklessness. Like
scores of others in his class, he had fully exploited the looseness of
royal and early republican administration; his madcap and hotspur
versatility distinguished him from his comrades not in the kind but in
the degree of his bold effrontery. The whole outlook having changed
since his final flight to France, his conduct now began to reveal a
definite plan--to be marked by punctilious obedience, sometimes even
by an almost puerile caution. His f