mmeasurably to the security of St.
Petersburg. On the other hand it is almost as impossible to doubt that
Alexander pledged himself not to interfere with those ambitious designs
as to the Spanish Peninsula, which Napoleon was ere long to develop, and
which were destined ultimately to work his ruin.

In a word, there seems to be little doubt that Napoleon broached at
Tilsit the dazzling scheme of dividing the European world virtually
between the two great monarchs of France and Russia: and that the Czar,
provided he were willing to look on, while his Imperial brother of the
West subjected Spain, Portugal and England to his yoke, was induced to
count on equal forbearance, whatever schemes he might venture on for his
own aggrandisement, at the expense of the smaller states of the North of
Europe, and, above all, of the Ottoman Porte.

[Footnote 56: Kosciusko himself subsequently disavowed any knowledge of
the production.]

[Footnote 57: Afterwards first Earl Granville.]

CHAPTER XXII

British Expedition to Copenhagen--Coalition of France, Austria,
Prussia, and Russia, against English Commerce--Internal affairs of
France--The Administration of Napoleon--his Council of
State--Court--Code--Public Works--Manufactures--Taxes--Military
Organisation--The Conscription.

Napoleon, having left strong garrisons in the maritime cities of Poland
and Northern Germany, returned to Paris in August, and was received by
the Senate and other public bodies with all the triumph and excess of
adulation. The Swedish King abandoned Pomerania immediately on hearing
of the treaty of Tilsit. In effect the authority of the Emperor appeared
now to be consolidated over the whole continent of Europe. He had
reached indeed the pinnacle of his power and pride;--henceforth he was
to descend; urged downwards, step by step, by the reckless audacity of
ambition and the gathering weight of guilt.

The English government, being satisfied that the naval force of Denmark
was about to be employed for the purposes of Napoleon, determined to
anticipate him, while it was yet time, and to send into the Baltic such
a fleet as should at once convince the court of Copenhagen that
resistance must be vain, and so bring about the surrender of the vessels
of war (to be retained by England, not in property, but in pledge until
the conclusion of a general peace), without any loss of life or
compromise of honour. Twenty-seven sail of the