Against foes who had thrust their columns far from their base, Napoleon now, as in 1800, determined to deal a crushing blow.

On the part of the Austrians we notice the same misplaced confidence, the same lack of timely news, and the same inability to understand Napoleon's plan until his dispositions are complete; while his strategy and tactics in 1805 recall to one's mind the masterly simplicity of design, the subtlety and energy of execution, which led up to his triumph in the plains of Piedmont.
Meanwhile the allies were dissipating their strength.

A Russian corps, acting from Corfu as a base, and an English expedition from Malta, were jointly to attack St.Cyr in the south of Italy, raise the country at his rear and compel him to surrender.

This plan was left helplessly flapping in the air by a convention which Napoleon imposed on the Neapolitan ambassador.

On September 21st Talleyrand induced that envoy to guarantee the neutrality of the kingdom of Naples, all belligerents being excluded from its domains.