Excerpt from Knickerbocker, Vol. 19: Or, New-York Monthly Magazine

Tun early part of the nineteenth century beheld military fame carried to a higher point perhaps than any other period since the earth was formed. The French revolution taking place the latter part of the eighteenth century, seemed to prepare the way for torrents of blood; for revolutions, and heart-stirring events and changes, which shook the nations of Europe as with an earthquake. Distinguished military captains made their appearance in rapid succession. Dou mourier and Pichegru astonished the world by the rapidity of their con quests and the splendor of their achievements. So high was their renown in arms, that other aspirants for glory in war had little hopes of reaching, much less of surpassing and eclipsing it.

But subsequently their names were almost forgotten in the noise which that of bonaparte raised through the world, carrying with it dismay to the nations bordering on France. Their splendid exploits were soon overshadowed by the dazzling glory which accompanied his footsteps. He rose rapidly through all the grades of military honor, till he became Genera], field-marshal, First Consul, Consul for three years, Consul for life, and finally Emperor 'of the French. His battles were numerous, and his victories for a long time kept pace with them, ) and his conquests great and surprising. His power accumu lated rapidly, and threatened the subjugation of all Europe. Great Britain alone, separated from France by the Straits of Dover, and pro tested. By her wooden walls escaped his inroads, and her soil the tracks of 'the Grand Army. Although long menaced by immense preparations on the opposite coast, and the hostile array of the army of invasion, ' the shores and clifl's of those famed Islanders, ' as he termed the English, were never visited by his eagles, and felt not the feet of his standard-bearers. He was much chagrinned that he could not gain the ascendancy over that nation, and bring this ancient enemy, and sometimes the conqueror of France, submissive to his feet. It was an object which lay near his heart, and which, being effected.

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