The reciprocal irritations between States are already too great; there are ever too many unavoidable and regrettable encounters, too many causes of conflict, the consequences of which are too serious; it is unnecessary to add to the wounds of interest the wounds of imagination and of pride; and above all, it is unnecessary to amplify these without reason, at the risk of increasing the obstacles of to-day and the resentments of to-morrow .-- With Napoleon it is just the opposite: his attitude, even at peaceful interviews, remains aggressive and militant; purposely or in-voluntarily, he raises his hand and the blow is felt to be coming, while, in the meantime, he insults.

In his correspondence with sovereigns, in his official proclamations, in his deliberations with ambassadors, and even at public audiences,[1295] he provokes, threatens, and defies.[1296] He treats his adversary with a lofty air, insults him often to his face, and charges him with the most disgraceful imputations.[1297] He divulges the secrets of his private life, of his closet, and of his bed; he defames or calumniates his ministers, his court, and his wife;[1298] he purposely stabs him in the most sensitive part.

He tells one that he is a dupe, a betrayed husband; another that he is an abettor of assassination; he assumes the air of a judge condemning a criminal, or the tone of a superior reprimanding an inferior, or, at best, that of a teacher taking a scholar to task.

With a smile of pity, he points out mistakes, weak points, and incapacity, and shows him beforehand that he must be defeated.

On receiving the envoy of the Emperor Alexander at Wilna,[1299] be says to him: "Russia does not want this war; none of the European powers are in favor of it; England herself does not want it, for she foresees the harm it will do to Russia, and even, perhaps, the greatest...