THE FIGHTS FOR MANTUA The circumstances which recalled Bonaparte to the banks of the Mincio were indeed serious.

The Emperor Francis was determined at all costs to retain his hold on Italy by raising the siege of that fortress; and unless the French commander could speedily compass its fall, he had the prospect of fighting a greatly superior army while his rear was threatened by the garrison of Mantua.

Austria was making unparalleled efforts to drive this presumptuous young general from a land which she regarded as her own political preserve.

Military historians have always been puzzled to account for her persistent efforts in 1796-7 to re-conquer Lombardy.

But, in truth, the reasons are diplomatic, not military, and need not be detailed here.