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The Austrians； who committed a mistake in over…extending their line；
lost 20；000 men as prisoners； besides a large number in killed and
wounded。 There was no day； perhaps； on which Napoleon showed more
military genius or more personal courage。 He was in the hottest of
the fight； and for a long time exposed to showers of grapeshot。…
Editor of 1836 edition。＇
On that day ＇the type＇ of French honour； Macdonald； who； after achieving
a succession of prodigies； led the army of Italy into the heart of the
Austrian States； was made a marshal on the field of battle。 Napoleon
said to him； 〃With us it is for life and for death。〃 The general opinion
was that the elevation of Macdonald added less to the marshal's military
reputation than it redounded to the honour of the Emperor。 Five days
after the bombardment of Vienna； namely； on the 17th of May； the Emperor
had published a decree； by virtue of which the Papal States were united
to the French Empire； and Rome was declared an Imperial City。 I will not
stop to inquire whether this was good or bad in point of policy； but it
was a mean usurpation on the part of Napoleon； for the time was passed
when a Julius II。 laid down the keys of St。 Peter and took up the sword
of St。 Paul。 It was； besides； an injustice； and； considering the Pope's
condescension to Napoleon； an act of ingratitude。 The decree of union
did not deprive the Pope of his residence； but he was only the First
Bishop of Christendom； with a revenue of 2；000；000。
Napoleon while at Vienna heard of the affair of Talavera de la Reyna。 I
was informed； by a letter from headquarters； that he was much affected at
the news； and did not conceal his vexation。 I verily believe that he was
bent on the conquest of Spain； precisely on account of the difficulties
he had to surmount。 At Talavera commenced the celebrity of a man who；
perhaps； would not have been without some glory even if pains had not
been taken to build him up a great reputation。 That battle commenced the
career of Sir Arthur Wellesley； whose after…success； however； has been
attended by such important consequences。
＇The battle of Talavera took place on the 28th of July； twenty…two
days after the fatal defeat of the Austrians at Wagram。＇
Whilst we experienced this check in Spain the English were attempting an
expedition to Holland； where they had already made themselves masters of
Walcheren。 It is true they were obliged to evacuate it shortly after；
but as at that time the French and Austrian armies were in a state of
inaction； in consequence of the armistice concluded at Znaim； in Moravia；
the news unfavourable to Napoleon had the effect of raising the hopes of
the Austrian negotiators； who paused in the expectation that fresh
defeats would afford them better chances。
It was during these negotiations； the termination of which seemed every
day to be farther distant； that Napoleon was exposed to a more real
danger than the wound he had received at Ratisbon。 Germany was suffering
under a degree of distress difficult to be described。 Illuminism was
making great progress； and had filled some youthful minds with an
enthusiasm not less violent than the religious fanaticism to which Henry
IV。 fell a victim。 A young man formed the design of assassinating
Napoleon in order to rid Germany of one whom he considered her scourge。
Rapp and Berthier were with the Emperor when the assassin was arrested；
and in relating what I heard from them I feel assured that I am giving
the most faithful account of all the circumstances connected with the
event。
〃We were at Schoenbrunn；〃 said Rapp； 〃when the Emperor had just reviewed
the troops。 I observed a young man at the extremity of one of the
columns just as the troops were about to defile。 He advanced towards the
Emperor； who was then between Berthier and me。 The Prince de Neufchatel；
thinking he wanted to present a petition； went forward to tell him that I
was the person to receive it as I was the aide de camp for the day。 The
young man replied that he wished to speak with Napoleon himself； and
Berthier again told him that he must apply to me。 He withdrew a little；
still repeating that he wanted to speak with Napoleon。 He again advanced
and came very near the Emperor； I desired him to fall back； telling him
in German to wait till after the parade； when； if he had anything to say；
it would be attended to。 I surveyed him attentively； for I began to
think his conduct suspicious。 I observed that he kept his right hand in
the breast pocket of his coat； out of which a piece of paper appeared。
I know not how it was； but at that moment my eyes met his； and I was
struck with his peculiar look and air of fixed determination。 Seeing an
officer of gendarmerie on the spot； I desired him to seize the young man；
but without treating him with any severity； and to convey him to the
castle until the parade was ended。
All this passed in less time than I have taken to tell it； and as every
one's attention was fixed on the parade the scene passed unnoticed。 I
was shortly afterwards told that a large carving…knife had been found on
the young man； whose name was Staps。 I immediately went to find Duroc；
and we proceeded together to the apartment to which Staps had been taken。
We found him sitting on a bed； apparently in deep thought； but betraying
no symptoms of fear。 He had beside him the portrait of a young female；
his pocket…book； and purse containing only two pieces of gold。 I asked
him his name； but he replied that he would tell it to no one but
Napoleon。 I then asked him what he intended to do with the knife which
had been found upon him？ But he answered again； 'I shall tell only
Napoleon。''Did you mean to attempt his life？'‘Yes。'‘ Why？'‘I can
tell no one but Napoleon。'
〃This appeared to me so strange that I thought right to inform the
Emperor of it。 When I told him what had passed he appeared a little
agitated； for you know how he was haunted with the idea of assassination。
He desired that the young man should be taken into his cabinet； whither
he was accordingly conducted by two gens d'armes。 Notwithstanding his
criminal intention there was something exceedingly prepossessing in his
countenance。 I wished that he would deny the attempt； but how was it
possible to save a man who was determined to sacrifice himself？ The
Emperor asked Staps whether he could speak French； and he answered that
he could speak it very imperfectly； and as you know （continued Rapp） that
next to you I am the best German scholar in Napoleon's Court； I was
appointed interpreter on this occasion。 The Emperor put the following
questions to Staps； which I translated； together with the answers：
〃‘Where do you come from？''From Narremburgh。'‘What is your father？'
‘A Protestant minister。'‘How old are you？'‘Eighteen。''What did
you intend to do with your knife？'‘To kill you。''You are mad； young
man； you are one of the illuminati？''I am not mad； I know not what is
meant by the illuminati！''You are ill； then？''I am not； I am very
well。''Why did you wish to kill me？''Because you have ruined my
country。''Have I done you