France, content with thirty years of victories, in vain asked for peace and repose.

The army which had triumphed in the sands of Egypt, on the summits of the Alps, and in the marshes of Holland, was to perish amidst the snows of Russia.

Nations combined against a single man.

The territory of France was invaded.

The orphans of Ecouen, from the windows of the mansion which served as their asylum, saw in the distant plain the fires of the Russian bivouacs, and once more wept the deaths of their fathers.