no means conduce to peace, earnestly opposed such a condition.  He carried his point; Mantua capitulated, and the result is well known.  Yet he was not blind to the hazards of war; while preparing, during the blockade, an assault on Mantua, he wrote thus to the Directory:  “A bold stroke of this nature depends absolutely for success on a dog or a goose.”  This was about a question of surprise.

Bonaparte was exceedingly sensitive to the rumours which reached him respecting Carnot and Berthier.  He one day said to me:  “What gross stupidity, is this?  It is very well to say to a general, ’Depart for Italy, gain battles, and sign a peace at Vienna;’ but the execution that is not so easy.  I never attached any value to the plans which the Directory sent me.  Too many circumstances occur on the spot to modify them.  The movement of a single corps of the enemy’s army may confound a whole plan arranged by the fireside.  Only fools can believe such stuff!  As for Berthier, since you have been with me, you see what he is—­he is a blockhead.  Yet it is he who does it all; it is he who gathers a great part of the glory of the army of Italy.”  I told him that this erroneous opinion could not last long; that each person would be allowed his merit, and that at least posterity would judge rightly.  This observation seemed to please him.

Berthier was a man full of honour, courage, and probity, and exceedingly regular in the performance of his duties.  Bonaparte’s attachment to him arose more from habit than liking.  Berthier did not concede with affability, and refused with harshness.  His abrupt, egotistic, and careless manners did not, however, create him many enemies, but, at the same time, did not make him many friends.  In consequence of our frequent intercourse he had contracted the friendly practice of speaking to me in the second person singular; but he never wrote to me is that style.  He was perfectly acquainted with the disposition of all the corps, and could name their commanders and their respective forces.  Day or night he was always at hand and made out with clearness all the secondary orders which resulted from the dispositions of the General-in-Chief.  In fact, he was, an excellent head of the staff of an army; but that is all the praise that can be given, and indeed he wished for no greater.  He had such entire confidence in Bonaparte, and looked up to him with so much admiration, that he never would have presumed to oppose his plans or give any advise.  Berthier’s talent was very limited, and of a special nature; his character was one of extreme weakness.  Bonaparte’s friendship for him and the frequency of his name in the bulletins and official despatches have unduly elevated his reputation.  Bonaparte, giving his opinion to the Directory respecting the generals employed in his army, said, “Berthier has talents, activity, courage, character—­all in his favour.”  This was in 1796.  He then made an eagle of him; at St. Helena he called him a goose.  He should neither have, raised him so high nor sunk him so low.