Fortune however always asserts her supremacy in war, and often from a slight mistake such disastrous consequences flow that in every age and every nation the uncertainty of arms has been proverbial. Napoleon’s march upon Madrid in 1808 before he knew the exact situation of the British army is an example. By that march he lent his flank to his enemy. Sir John Moore seized the advantage and though the French emperor repaired the error for the moment by his astonishing march from Madrid to Astorga, the fate of the Peninsula was then decided. If he had not been forced to turn against Moore, Lisbon would have fallen, Portugal could not have been organized for resistance, and the jealousy of the Spaniards would never have suffered Wellington to establish a solid base at Cadiz: that general’s after-successes would then have been with the things that are unborn. It was not so ordained. Wellington was victorious, the great conqueror was overthrown. England stood the most triumphant nation of the world. But with an enormous debt, a dissatisfied people, gaining peace without tranquillity, greatness without intrinsic strength, the present time uneasy, the future dark and threatening. Yet she rejoices in the glory of her arms! And it is a stirring sound! War is the condition of this world. From man to the smallest insect all are at strife, and the glory of arms which cannot be obtained without the exercise of honour, fortitude, courage, obedience, modesty and temperance, excites the brave man’s patriotism and is a chastening corrective for the rich man’s pride. It is yet no security for power. Napoleon the greatest man of whom history makes mention, Napoleon the most wonderful commander, the most sagacious politician, the most profound statesman, lost by arms, Poland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and France. Fortune, that name for the unknown combinations of infinite power, was wanting to him, and without her aid the designs of man are as bubbles on a troubled ocean.
Nº. 1. Vol. 6.
click here for larger image.
Explanatory
Sketch
of the
CATALONIAN OPERATIONS
1813-14
with the Plan of a
position at
CAPE SALOU
proposed by
GENL. DONKIN
to
SIR S. MURRAY.
London, Pubd. by T. & W. BOONE, 1840. Drawn by Col. Napier
Nº. 2. Vol. 6.
click here for larger image.
Explanatory
Sketch of
SOULT’S OPERATIONS
to relieve
PAMPELUNA
July 1813
BATTLE OF THE 28th.
Enlarged
London, Pubd. by T. & W. BOONE, 1840. Drawn by Col. Napier
Nº. 3. Vol. 6.