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THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE Of Literature, Art, and Science.
Vol. V. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 1, 1852. No. II.
[Illustration: THE LATE MARSHAL SOULT, DUKE OF DALMATIA.]
THE LATE MARSHAL SOULT, DUKE OF DALMATIA.
CONTENTS
MARSHAL SOULT, DUKE OF DALMATIA. THE HOMES OF COWLEY AND FOX. CHERTSEY AND ITS FAMOUS CHARACTERS. TRAUGOTT BROMME ON THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, TEXAS AND THE COLONIES. A VISIT TO THE FIRE WORSHIPPERS' TEMPLE AT BAKU. A NEW PORTRAIT OF CICERO. LORD MAHON'S HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. FAUST OF WITTENBERG AND FUST OF MENTZ. SOME SMALL POEMS. MR. JUSTICE STORY, WITH SOME REMINISCENT REFLECTIONS. COLUMBUS AT THE GATES OF GENOA. FEATHERTOP: A MORALIZED LEGEND. SMILES AND TEARS. FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND THE LATEST MIRACLES. THE SONG QUEEN. LOVE SONG. AUTUMN LINES. THE PUNISHMENT OF GINA MONTANI. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VISION OF CHARLES XI. DIVINATION, WITCHCRAFT, AND MESMERISM. A CHAPTER OF EPITAPHS. THE GOOD OLD TIMES IN PARIS. THE LEGEND OF THE WEEPING CHAMBER. THE BULL FIGHT OF MADRID. THE LADY AND THE FLOWER. AN OLD MAID'S FIRST LOVE. MADEMOISELLE DE CAMARGO. MY NOVEL: BOOK IX. INITIAL CHAPTER. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. REMINISCENCES OF PRINTERS, AUTHORS, AND BOOKSELLERS IN NEW YORK. Noctes Amicæ. Authors and Books THE FINE ARTS Historical Review of the Month Scientific Discoveries and Proceedings of Learned Societies. Recent Deaths. Ladies' Fashions for February.
MARSHAL SOULT, DUKE OF DALMATIA.
On the preceding page is a portrait, and under the head of Recent Deaths, in another part of this magazine, is a sketch of the history of NICHOLAS JEAN DE DIEU SOULT, the last of the great Marshals created by the Emperor Napoleon. He was unquestionably possessed of extraordinary abilities, fitting him for eminence in many and diverse capacities, but it cannot be said that he was of the first rank of illustrious generals, as the world has been led to suppose, chiefly by the masterly but partial delineations of his career in the Peninsula by General Napier. He had a genius for war which qualified him for every position in connection with it but that of leader in the field. The subtle and irreversible decisions of Napoleon followed his astonishingly quick apprehensions of facts, as suddenly as the thunderbolt follows lightning; but Soult, profoundly familiar with all the arts of war, and surpassing any of the great commanders with whom he was associated except only his chief, in the wisdom of his judgments, was yet so slow in his intellectual operations, so destitute of the enthusiasm, passion, and fire, which in high circumstance give an almost miraculous activity to the minds of the first order of men, that he could never have entitled himself to all the precedences he has received in history. Napoleon understood him, and in a few pregnant words addressed to O'Meara, gave that measure of his character which will be adopted as the final opinion of the world. "He is," said Napoleon, "an excellent minister at war, or major general of an army, one who knows much better how to manage an army than to command in chief."
The course of Soult as a citizen, a legislator, and a minister, was not one upon which his best biographers will linger with much satisfaction. The glory he had achieved as one of the lieutenants of Napoleon, in that turbulent and grand career which has no parallel for interest or importance in human history, was his only claim to distinction in politics. His master had an ambition as fair in its proportions as it was vast in its extent, and brought to every purpose the same forces of character and preternatural energy of intelligence; but Soult had no love for civil duties, but little capacity for them, and he accepted place as a gratification of vanity or a means of success in mercenary aims... Continue reading book >>
