om Napoleon. Their princes preferred the plain silver star of
French honour to their richest orders. At that time the genius of
Napoleon still appeared to have dazzled or subdued every one. Equally
munificent to reward as prompt and terrible to punish, he appeared like
one of those great centres of nature, the dispenser of all good. In many
of the Germans, there was united with this feeling that of a respectful
admiration for a life which was so completely stamped with the
marvellous, which so much affects them.

But their admiration was a consequence of victory, and our fatal retreat
had already commenced; already, from the north to the south of Europe,
the Russian cries of vengeance replied to those of Spain. They crossed
and echoed each other in the countries of Germany, which still remained
under the yoke; these two great fires, lighted up at the two extremities
of Europe, were gradually extending towards its centre, where they were
like the dawn of a new day; they covered sparks which were fanned by
hearts burning with patriotic hatred, and exalted to fanaticism by
mystic rites. Gradually, as our disaster approached to Germany, there
was heard rising from her bosom an indistinct rumour, a general, but
still trembling, uncertain and confused murmur.

The students of the universities, bred up with ideas of independence,
inspired by their ancient constitutions, which secure them so many
privileges, full of exalted recollections of the ancient and chivalrous
glory of Germany, and for her sake jealous of all foreign glory, had
always been our enemies. Total strangers to all political calculations,
they had never bent themselves under our victory. Since it had become
pale, a similar spirit had caught the politicians and even the military.
The association of the _Friends of Virtue_ gave this insurrection the
appearance of an extensive plot; some chiefs did certainly conspire, but
there was no conspiracy; it was a spontaneous movement, a common and
universal sensation.

Alexander skilfully increased this disposition by his proclamations, by
his addresses to the Germans, and by the distinction which he made in
the treatment of their prisoners. As to the monarchs of Europe, he and
Bernadotte were as yet the only ones who marched at the head of their
people. All the others, restrained by policy or feelings of honour,
allowed themselves to be anticipated by their subjects.

This infection even penetrated to the grand army;