WAR ON THE CONTINENT.

At the commencement of this year, Alvinzi, the Austrian general,
re-enforced with 50,000 troops, made great efforts to recover the
fortune of the war. In this he was aided by the pope, who raised troops
for his support. But again Alvinzi had the temerity to divide his
forces; the principal division marching, under his own command, by
the old route from the Tyrol, and the other taking a circuit down the
Brenta, to relieve Mantua. In order to impede his progress Napoleon
posted himself at Rivoli, on a lofty plain above the Adige, between that
river and the Alpine Montebaldo. In this position he was attacked
by Alvinzi; but the Austrian general was repulsed on all sides, and
compelled to take refuge in flight. The other division of the Austrian
army fought its way to the walls of Mantua, but Wurmser sought in vain
to form a junction with it; and in February Mantua was captured by
Napoleon. The conqueror's vengeance next fell upon his holiness the
pope. Not tarrying even to receive the sword of Wurmser, Napoleon headed
his legions and marched towards Rome. Within eight days one half of the
states of the church were conquered, and the pope had no hope but in
submission. The conqueror granted him political existence, on condition
that he should cede to the republic Wignon, Venaissin, and the legations
of Bologna, Ferrara, and Romagna: he was compelled to pay, also, a
contribution of thirty millions, and to give up more works of art.

The directory saw that another victory would place Austria at its feet;
and in order to ensure this consummation, Bernadotte was dispatched with
30,000 men to re-enforce Napoleon, while Hoche was sent to supersede
Pichegru, on the lower Rhine. Napoleon crossed the Alps early in March;
and he was opposed by the Archduke Charles. But opposition was vain; for
his legions were yet incomplete, and unable to withstand his victorious
enemy. The French penetrated on the one side into Tyrol, and on the
other over the Paive, towards the Carinthian passes. Victory followed
victory; and the conquerors entered Klagenfurt and Laubach, and stood in
Tyrol, at the foot of the Brenner mountains. The main army, driving the
Austrians before them, finally marched into Leoben; and the archduke
retreated as far as Styria. The enemy was now only thirty-six leagues
from the Austrian capital; and the inhabitants were seized with terror
and consternation. But here the victories of Napoleon we