efields of even greater glory
than ever, and to conquests prouder than all his former ones.

The same power of concentrativeness that he so eminently possessed
himself, he imparted, as if by magic, to his Government. Paris was
France; to the capital flocked all whose talent or zeal prompted them
to seek for advancement. The Emperor was not only the fountain of
all honor, but of all emolument and place. So patronage was exercised
without his permission; and none was conferred without the conviction
that some stanch adherent was secured whose friendship was ratified, or
whose former enmity was conciliated.

Thus passed the year that followed his accession to the throne,--that
brilliant pageant of a nation's enthusiasm rendering tribute to the
majesty of intellect. At length the period of inaction seemed drawing to
a close; and a greater activity in the war department, and a new levy
of troops, betokened the approach of some more energetic measures.
Men whispered that the English expedition was about to sail, and
reinforcements of ammunition and artillery were despatched to the coast,
when suddenly came the news of Trafalgar. Villeneuve was beaten,--
his fleet annihilated,--the whole combination of events destroyed; and
England, again triumphant on the element she had made her own, hurled
defiance at the threats of her enemy. The same despatch that brought the
intelligence to Mayence told us to be in readiness for a movement; but
when, or where to, none of us could surmise. Still detachments from
various corps stationed about were marched into the garrison, skeleton
regiments commanded to make up their deficiencies, and a renewed energy
was everywhere perceptible. At last, towards the middle of August, I was
sent for by the general in command of the fortress, and informed that
General d'Auvergne had been promoted to the command of a cavalry brigade
stationed at Coblentz.

"You are to join him there immediately," continued he; "but here is a
note from himself, which probably will explain everything." And with
that he handed me a small sealed letter.

It was the first, save on purely regimental matters, I had ever received
from him, and somehow I felt unusually anxious about its contents. It
ran in these words:--

My dear B.,--His Majesty has just sent for me, and most
graciously esteeming me not yet too old to serve him, has
given me the command of a brigade,--late the Twelfth, now to
be called 'D'