caused a note to be handed to the French minister at Stockholm,
complaining of the "indecent and ridiculous insolence which _Monsieur
Buonaparte_ had permitted to be inserted" in that official journal.

The cabinets of London, Petersburg, and Stockholm were parties in a
league which had avowedly the following objects: to restore the
independence of Holland and Switzerland: to free the north of Germany
from the presence of French troops: to procure the restoration of
Piedmont to the King of Sardinia; and, finally, the evacuation of Italy
by Napoleon. Until, by the attainment of these objects, the sway of
France should be reduced to limits compatible with the independence of
the other European states, no peace was to be signed by any of the
contracting powers; and, during several months, every means was adopted
to procure the association of Austria and Prussia. But the latter of
these sovereigns had the misfortune at this time to have a strong French
party in his council, and, though personally hostile to Napoleon, could
not as yet count on being supported in a war against him by the hearty
goodwill of an undivided people. Austria, on the other hand, had been
grievously weakened by the campaign of Marengo, and hesitated, on
prudential grounds, to commit herself once more to the hazard of arms.

Alexander repaired in person to Berlin, for the purpose of stimulating
the King of Prussia. The two sovereigns met in the vault where the great
Frederick lies buried, and swore solemnly, over his remains, to effect
the liberation of Germany. But though thus pledged to the Czar, the King
of Prussia did not hastily rush into hostilities. He did not even follow
the example of the Austrian, whose forbearance was at length wholly
exhausted by the news of the coronation at Milan, and the annexation of
Genoa to the empire of France.

The government of Vienna no sooner heard of this new aggrandisement,
than it commenced warlike preparations, rashly and precipitately,
without making sure of the co-operation of Berlin, or even waiting until
the troops of Russia could perform the march into Germany. But this
great fault was not the greatest. The Emperor haughtily demanded that
the Elector of Bavaria should take the field also; nay, that he should
suffer his army to be entirely incorporated with the Austrian, and
commanded by its chiefs. The Elector, who had a son travelling in
France, resisted anxiously and strenuously. "On my knees," he wr