memoirs of napoleon bonaparte, v14-第6章
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One of the most important struggles of modern times was now about to
commencea struggle which for many years was to decide the fate of
Europe。 Napoleon and Wellington at length stood opposite one another。
They had never met； the military reputation of each was of the highest
kind；
＇For full details of the Waterloo campaign see Siborne's History
of the War in France and Belgium in 1815； giving the English
contemporary account； Chesney's Waterloo Lectures； the best English
modern account； which has been accepted by the Prussians as pretty
nearly representing their view； and Waterloo by Lieutenant…Colonel
Prince Edouard de la Tour d'Auvergne （Paris； Plon； 1870）； which may
be taken as the French modern account。
In judging this campaign the reader must guard himself from looking
on it as fought by two different armies…the English and the
Prussian…whose achievements are to be weighed against one another。
Wellington and Blucher were acting in a complete unison rare even
when two different corps of the same nation are concerned； but
practically unexampled in the case of two armies of different
nations。 Thus the two forces became one army； divided into two
wings； one； the left （or Prussian wing） having been defeated by the
main body of the French at Ligny on the 16th of June； the right （or
English wing） retreated to hold the position at Waterloo； where the
left （or Prussian wing） was to join it； and the united force was to
crash the enemy。 Thus there is no question as to whether the
Prussian army saved the English by their arrival； or whether the
English saved the Prussians by their resistance at Waterloo。 Each
army executed well and gallantly its part in a concerted operation。
The English would never have fought at Waterloo if they had not
relied on the arrival of the Prussians。 Had the Prussians not come
up on the afternoon of the 18th of June the English would have been
exposed to the same great peril of having alone to deal with the
mass of the French army； as the Prussians would have had to face if
they had found the English in full retreat。 To investigate the
relative performances of the two armies is lunch the same as to
decide the respective merits of the two Prussian armies at Sadowa；
where one held the Austrians until the other arrived。 Also in
reading the many interesting personal accounts of the campaign it
most be remembered that opinions about the chance of success in a
defensive struggle are apt to warp with the observer's position； as
indeed General Grant has remarked in answer to criticisms on his
army's state at the end of the first day of the battle of Shiloh or
'Pittsburg Landing。 The man placed in the front rank or fighting
line sees attack after attack beaten off。 He sees only part of his
own losses； am most of the wounded disappear； and he also knows
something of the enemy's loss by seeing the dead in front of him。
Warmed by the contest； he thus believes in success。 The man placed
in rear or advancing with reinforcements； having nothing of the
excitement of the struggle； sees only the long and increasing column
of wounded； stragglers； and perhaps of fliers。 He sees his
companion fall without being able to answer the fire。 He sees
nothing of the corresponding loss of the enemy； and he is apt to
take a most desponding view of the situation。 Thus Englishmen
reading the accounts of men who fought at Waterloo are too ready to
disbelieve representations of what was taking place in the rear of
the army； and to think Thackeray's life…like picture in Vanity Fair
of the state of Brussels must be overdrawn。 Indeed； in this very
battle of Waterloo； Zieten began to retreat when his help was most
required； because one of his aides de camp told him that the right
wing of the English was in full retreat。 〃This inexperienced young
man；〃 says Muffling； p。 248； 〃had mistaken the great number of
wounded going； or being taken； to the rear to be dressed； for
fugitives； and accordingly made a false report。〃 Further； reserves
do not say much of their part or； sometimes； no part of the fight；
and few people know that at least two English regiments actually
present on the field of Waterloo hardly fired a shot till the last
advance。
The Duke described the army as the worst he ever commanded； and said
that if he had had his Peninsular men； the fight would have been
over much sooner。 But the Duke； sticking to ideas now obsolete； had
no picked corps。 Each man； trusting in and trusted by his comrades；
fought under his own officers and under his own regimental colours。
Whatever they did not know； the men knew how to die； and at the end
of the day a heap of dead told where each regiment and battery had
stood。＇
the career of both had been marked by signal victory； Napoleon had
carried his triumphant legions across the stupendous Alps； over the north
of Italy； throughout Prussia； Austria； Russia； and even to the foot of
the Pyramids； while Wellington； who had been early distinguished in
India； had won immortal renown in the Peninsula； where he had defeated；
one after another； the favourite generals of Napoleon。 He was now to
make trial of his prowess against their Master。
Among the most critical events of modern times the battle of Waterloo
stands conspicuous。 This sanguinary encounter at last stopped the
torrent of the ruthless and predatory ambition of the French； by which so
many countries had been desolated。 With the peace which immediately
succeeded it confidence was restored to Europe。
CHAPTER X。
1815
Interview with LavalletteProceedings in the French Chambers
Second abdication of NapoleonHe retires to Rochefort； negotiates
with Captain Maitland； and finally embarks in the 'Bellerophon'。
One of the first public men to see Napoleon after his return from
Waterloo was Lavallette。 〃I flew；〃 says he； 〃to the Elysee to see the
Emperor： he summoned me into his closet； and as soon as he saw me； he
came to meet me with a frightful epileptic 'laugh。 ‘Oh； my God！' he
said； raising his eyes to heaven； and walking two or three times up and
down the room。 This appearance of despair was however very short。 He
soon recovered his coolness； and asked me what was going forward in the
Chamber of Representatives。 I could not attempt to hide that party
spirit was there carried to a high pitch； and that the majority seemed
determined to require his abdication； and to pronounce it themselves if
he did not concede willingly。 'How is that？' he said。 'If proper
measures are not taken the enemy will be before the gates of Paris in
eight days。 Alas！' he added； 'have I accustomed them to such great
victories that they knew not how to bear one day's misfortune？ What will
become of poor France？ I have done all I could for her！' He then heaved
a deep sigh。 Somebody asked to speak to him； and I left him； with a
direction to come back at a later hour。
〃I passed the day in seeking information among all my friends and
acquaintances。 I found in all of them either the greatest dejection or
an extravagant joy； which they disguised by feigned alarm and pity for
myself； which I repulsed with great indignation。 Nothing favourable was
to be expected from the Chamber of Representatives。 They all said they
wished for liberty； but； between two enemies who appeared ready to
destroy it； they preferred the foreigners； the friends of the Bourbons；
to Napoleon； who might still have prolonged the struggle； but that he
alone would not find means to save them and erect the edifice of liberty。
The Chamber of Peers presented a much sadder spectacle。 Except the
intrepid Thibaudeau； who till； the last moment expressed himself with
admirable energy against the Bourbons； almost all the others thought of
nothing else but getting out of the dilemma with the least loss they
