Retrospect of French Literature—History. 
‘Gauls had now nothing but their name to 
lose, and this also they lost, when they 
were overpowered by the barbarians!” 
The connexion between Italy, and 
Charles Martel, Pepin, Charlemagne, 
Hugh Capet, Philip Augustus, Louis XI, 
Charles VIII. and Louis XII. fill the re- 
mainder of the first volume; which 
having been written previously to the 
usurpation of Bonaparte, is replete with 
principles favorable to liberty. It con- 
clades with a picture of the human mind 
at this interesting epoch. 
The other four volumes, are conduc- 
ted by General Servan, the friend of the 
celebrated Madame Roland, on precisely 
the same plan. The second and third 
occupy the whole of the interval, until 
the death of Louis XV., and a picture of 
the seventeenth century, terminates the 
latter of these. 
The two last, however, are by far 
the most interesting, because they con- 
tain the first authentic history of those 
campaigns which ended in the conquest 
of Italy, and the advancement of Bona- 
parte. The military rank of the histo- 
rian; the knowledge of the facts and the 
personages introduced by him, at ac- 
‘quaintance with official documents, ad- 
ded to a knowledge of what occurred 
during his own administration, are all 
calculated to render him a fit person, to 
undertake such asubject. We of course 
however, must make allowances for the 
impulse under which the account of the 
wars in Italy was written, and the pre- 
sent deplorable state of the French press. 
Here follows a short account of the 
author, who has been always viewed 
with jealousy by Bonaparte. 
Geueral Joseph Servan is descen- 
ded from a noble parliamentary family op 
Daupbiné, and his brother, who like 
his progenitors, had addicted himself to 
the study of the law, acquired great ce- 
lebrity as advocate-general of the Par- 
liament of Grenoble. Josep, of whom 
we now treat, received a liberal educa- 
tion, and being resolved to dedicate 
himself to the profession of arms, studied 
the military art, as a branch of science, 
and acquired just wotions relative to the 
theory of war, After this he became, 
in succession, an officer of infantry, and 
engineers. 
Gleviee acquired considerable reputa- 
tion, he was appointed to what was then 
considered as a very honourable situa- 
tion : that of governor to the King’s* pa- 
* Louis XVI. 
Montury Mac., No. 180, 
647 
ges: but as he had studied the history of 
the Ancient Republics, and attributed 
their virtues, their happiness, and their 
glory, to the free nature of their govern- 
ment; he viewed with horror the despo- 
tism that then prevailed in France, and, 
like many other enlightened Frenchmen, 
panted for a change, but not for such a 
change as has occurred. It is but little 
wonder therefore, that his conduct and 
his sentiments should have given uni- 
brage, during the existence of a monar- 
chy, at one time eminently jealous of 
innovation; he was accordingly dismis- 
sed from his employment. 
Nosooner did the revolution take placé, 
and the sentiments professed by Servan 
begin to triumph, than he was nomina- 
ted colonel of one of the regiments of 
national guards of Paris, and acyuired 
the friendship of the Girondists. De- 
grave, who was at the head of the war 
department, having requested an’ assis- 
tant im 1792, Servan was recommended 
by Brissot, who had become attached to 
him, in consequence of his principles, 
and particularly on account of a publica- 
tion written by him, and entitled “ Le 
Soldat Citoyen,” (The Citizen-Sohlier), 
which at once indicated zealous patriot« 
ism, and considerable talents. On the 
resignation of the minister in May, he 
succeeded him, notwithstanding a per- 
sonal aversion on the part of the king, 
who dissembled his repugnance. 
Soon after this, the menacing attitude 
assumed by the court of Vienna, deter- 
mined some members of the government 
of that day, to recur to decisive mea. 
sures ; and Servan, without debating the 
Subject at the council-board, proposed 
to the National Assembly, the formation 
of a camp of twenty thousand men, ui- 
der the walls of Paris, which was adopt- 
ed with enthusiasm. ‘This decree, toge- 
ther with another for repressing the re- 
fractory clergy, as they were then called, 
proved exceedingly disagreeable to Louis, 
XVI. who resolved to refuse his sanc- 
tion, without which they could not have 
the force of law. Being determined 
‘however to temporize, his Majesty dé- 
clined to declare himself.on this subject 
from day to day, and at length, after an 
interview between the queen and Dumou- 
riez, Servan, Roland, and Clavieres, 
were dismissed. But this event, added 
not a little to the popularity of the ni- 
nisters ; for the assembly decreed “ that 
they carried with then the regret of the 
nation,” 
On this Servan, who had atrained the 
40 rank 
