[145] "Je crois qu'il faut plutôt un mauvais général que deux bons. La guerre est comme le gouvernement—c'est une affaire de tact."—Correspondence Inédite, tom. i., p. 160.
[146] "You appear desirous, citizen-general, to continue to conduct the whole series of the military operations of the present campaign in Italy. The Directory have maturely reflected on this proposition, and the confidence they have in your talents and Republican zeal, has decided this question in the affirmative."—Carnot to Buonaparte, 21st May; Correspondence Inédite, tom. i., p. 202.
[147] Montholon, tom. iii., p. 196.
[148] It has been alleged, that in a farce exhibited on the public stage by authority of Buonaparte, the Pope was introduced in his pontifical dress. This, which could not be looked on as less than sacrilege by a Catholic population, does not accord with the general conduct of Buonaparte. See, however, "Tableau des Premières Guerres de Buonaparte," Paris, 1815, par Le Chevalier Mechaud de Villelle, p. 41.—S.
[149] "The pillage lasted several hours; but occasioned more fear than damage; it was confined to some goldsmiths' shops. The selection of the hostages fell on the principal families. It was conceived to be advantageous that some of the persons of most influence should visit France. In fact, they returned a few months after, several of them having travelled in all our provinces, where they had adopted French manners."—Napoleon, Montholon, tom. iii., p. 200.
"Pavia," said the Emperor, "is the only place I ever gave up to pillage. I had promised it to the soldiers for twenty-four hours; but after three hours I could bear it no longer, and put an end to it. Policy and morality are equally opposed to the system. Nothing is so certain to disorganize and completely ruin an army."—Las Cases, tom. iv., p. 326. See also Botta, tom. v., p. 465; Jomini, tom. viii., p. 137; and Lacretelle, tom. xiii., p. 199.
[150] Montholon, tom. iii., p. 227.
[151] Montholon, tom. iii., p. 227.
[152] "The examples of the Imperial Fiefs and Lugo, though extremely severe, were indispensable, and authorised by the usage of war."—Jomini, tom. viii., p. 156.
[153] Montholon, tom. iii., p. 204; Jomini, tom. viii., p. 140.