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already fertile in expediments, found means to keep up the diverſion, by deviſing, every day, ſome new manoeuvres; but the Inn of the month of March diſturbed our amuſements, and put an end to them till the winter.
Such was the ſchool and ſuch the first eſſay of the young hero, who, ſince, at the head of a new raiſed army, without diſcipline, and almoſt without confidence, has known how to conquer the braveſt troops of Europe, and diſconcert the meaſures of the moſt experienced Generals. Eager to gain the approbation of his young rivals, it was in theſe juvenile plays that be firſt learned the way to conquer; from them ſprung that warlike enthuſiaſm, which afforded the firſt diſplay of his great genius! Kindled into admiration of the heroes of antiquity, their great actions and virtues became his models, and the glory, of ſurpaſſing them the object of his life.
Notwithſtanding the conſtant excerciſe and amuſements of which I have ſpoken, and in which, Bonaparte took ſo active a part, I am fully perſuaded that his constitution ſuffered much from long action, during his firſt years at ſchool. A too cloſe application may perhaps retard more than a long continued repoſe; for, tho' of a form calculated to reſiſt fatigue, and of much natural ſtrength, he had always the appearance of a weak and delicate health.
