e expressions
purposely attenuated and smoothed down, those long phrases apparently
spun out mechanically and always after the same pattern, a sort of soft
wadding or international buffer interposed between contestants to lessen
the shocks of collision. The reciprocal irritations between States are
already too great; there are ever too many unavoidable and regrettable
encounters, too many causes of conflict, the consequences of which are
too serious; it is unnecessary to add to the wounds of interest the
wounds of imagination and of pride; and above all, it is unnecessary to
amplify these without reason, at the risk of increasing the obstacles of
to-day and the resentments of to-morrow.--With Napoleon it is just the
opposite: his attitude, even at peaceful interviews, remains aggressive
and militant; purposely or in-voluntarily, he raises his hand and the
blow is felt to be coming, while, in the meantime, he insults. In his
correspondence with sovereigns, in his official proclamations, in his
deliberations with ambassadors, and even at public audiences,[1295] he
provokes, threatens, and defies.[1296] He treats his adversary with a
lofty air, insults him often to his face, and charges him with the most
disgraceful imputations.[1297] He divulges the secrets of his private
life, of his closet, and of his bed; he defames or calumniates his
ministers, his court, and his wife;[1298] he purposely stabs him in the
most sensitive part. He tells one that he is a dupe, a betrayed husband;
another that he is an abettor of assassination; he assumes the air of a
judge condemning a criminal, or the tone of a superior reprimanding an
inferior, or, at best, that of a teacher taking a scholar to task. With
a smile of pity, he points out mistakes, weak points, and incapacity,
and shows him beforehand that he must be defeated. On receiving the
envoy of the Emperor Alexander at Wilna,[1299] be says to him:

"Russia does not want this war; none of the European powers are in favor
of it; England herself does not want it, for she foresees the harm it
will do to Russia, and even, perhaps, the greatest... I know as well
as yourself, and perhaps even better, how many troops you have. Your
infantry in all amounts to 120,000 men and your cavalry to about 60,000
or 70,000; I have three times as many.... The Emperor Alexander is badly
advised. How can he tolerate such vile people around him--an Armfeld, an
intriguing, depraved, rascally fellow, a ruin