to place us on a height from which we might
move the world. But it was obvious to me, that under those lofty
declarations there was a burning ambition; that if we were to move the
world, it was for him; and that, even then, we were not to move it for the
monarch of France, but for the individual. I saw, that _he_ was then the
dreamer. Yet his dream was the extravagance of genius. In those hopeless
graspings and wild aspirations, I saw ultimate defeat; but I saw also the
nerve and muscle of a gigantic mind. In his pantings after immeasurable
power and imperishable dominion, he utterly forgot the barrier which time
throws before the proudest step of human genius; and that within a few
years his head must grow grey, his blood cold, the sword be returned to
its sheath, and even the sceptre fall from his withering hand. Still, in
our conference, we both spoke the same language of scorn for human
obstacles, of contempt for the narrowness of human views, and of our
resolution to effect objects which, in many an after age, should fix the
eye of the world. But _he_ spoke of immortal things; relying on mortal
conjecture and mortal power. I spoke of them on surer grounds. I felt them
to be the consummation of promises which nothing can abolish; to be the
offspring of power which nothing can resist. The foundation of his
structures was policy, the foundation of mine was prophecy. And when his
shall be scattered as the chaff of the threshing-floor, and be light as
the dust of the balance; mine shall be deep as the centre, high as the
heavens, and dazzling as the sun in his glory."

In another portion of his letter, he adverted to the means by which this
great operation was to be effected.

"I have been for three days on the Vistula, gazing at the march of the
'Grand Army.' It well deserves the name. It is the mightiest mass of power
ever combined under one head; half a million of men. The armies of Persia
were gatherings of clowns compared to this incomparable display of
soldiership; the armies of Alaric and Attila were hordes of savages in
comparison; the armies of ancient Rome alone approached it in point of
discipline, but the most powerful Roman army never reached a fifth of its
number. I see at this moment before me the conquerors of the Continent,
the brigades which have swept Italy, the bayonets and cannon which have
broken down Austria, and extinguished Prussia.--The eagles are now on the
wing for a mightier prey."

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