In 1815, Vandamme said to Marshal d'Ornano, one day, on ascending the staircase of the Tuileries together: "My dear fellow, that devil of a man (speaking of the Emperor) fascinates me in a way I cannot account for.

I, who don't fear either God or the devil, when I approach him I tremble like a child.

He would make me dash through the eye of a needle into the fire!" ("Le General Vandamme," by du Casse, II., 385).] [Footnote 1141: Roederer, III., 356.

(Napoleon himself says, February 11, 1809): "I, military! I am so, because I was born so; it is my habit, my very existence.

Wherever I have been I have always had command.