The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French: With a Preliminary View of the French Revolution

by Walter Scott

Overview

Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a prolific Scottish poet and historical novelist who was one of the most popular romantic novelists of the nineteenth century. After studying law at Edinburgh University, Scott first started writing at the age of 25. Having made his name as a poet, he wrote the phenomenally successful novel Waverley in 1814 and was made a baronet in 1820. These volumes, first published in 1827, contain Scott's detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821). Including a detailed review of the French Revolution, Scott focuses on Napoleon's legacy to France and his military genius, purposefully remaining non-partisan and discussing Napoleon's life and achievements without bias. The result of extensive research and correspondence with Napoleon's surviving colleagues, these volumes were extremely successful and remain valuable for the study of Napoleon's life and changing public reaction. Volume 7 covers 1809–1812, including Napoleon's Russian campaign.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108023160
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/02/2010
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - European History
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.20(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER III. French Naval Squadron.Conflicting Statements of Buonaparte and Admiral Gantheaume in regard to it.Battle Of Aboukib on 1st August 1798.Number and Position of the Enemy, and of the EnglishParticulars of the Action. The French Admiral, Brueyes, killed, and his ship, L'- Orient, blown up.The Victory complete, two only of the French Fleet, arid two Frigates, escaping on the morning of the 3d.Effects of this disaster on the French Army. Means by which Napokon proposed to establish himself in Egypt.His Administration in many respects useful and praiseworthyin others, his Conduct impolitic and absurd. He desires to be regarded an Envoy of the Deity, but without success.His endeavours equally unsuccessful to propitiate the Porte.The Fort of El Arish falls into his hands.Massacre of JaffaAdmitted by Buonaparte himselfHis arguments in its defenceReplies to themGeneral Conclusions.Plague breaks out in the French Army. Napoleon's humanity and courage upon this occasion. Proceeds against Acre to attack Djezzar Pacha.Sir Sidney SmithHis characterCaptures a French Convoy, and throws himself into Acre.French arrive before Acre on nth March I799, and effect a breach on the 28A, but are driven back.Assaulted by an Army of Moslems of various Nations assembled without the Walls of Acre, whom they de- feat and disperse.Interesting particulars of the Siege. Personal misunderstanding and hostility betwixt Napoleon and Sir Sidney SmithExplained and accounted for.Buonaparte is finally compelled to raise the Siege and retreat. When Buonaparte and his army were safely landed in Egypt, policy seemed to demand that the navalsquadron, by which they had been escorted, should have been sent back toFrance as soon as possible. The French leader accordingly repeated...

Table of Contents

1. Different views entertained by the English ministers and the Chief Consul, of the effects of the Treaty of Amiens; 2. Increasing jealousies betwixt France and England; 3. Retrospect; 4. Mutual feelings of Napoleon and the British nation, on the renewal of the war; 5. Disaffection begins to arise against Napoleon amongst the soldiery; 6. General indignation of Europe in consequence of the murder of the Duke d'Enghien; 7. Napoleon meditates a change of title from Chief Consul to Emperor; 8. Napoleon addresses a second letter to the King of England personally; 9. Position of the French armies; 10. Relative situations of France and England; 11. Death of Pitt; 12. Ungenerous conduct of Buonaparte to the Duke of Brunswick; 13. Retrospect of the partition of Poland.