512 
tents of this to paper, with the little 
embellishments which paper receives 
from the pen, will not fail to produce 
an enbanced effect. 
My best attention and skill have 
been employed in putting our notes in 
order; and, as all the particulars, all 
* the minutize of description, lie strictly 
within the province of truth, and as 
many: details have credit, also, due to 
them, for interest as well as novelty, 
it is hoped that the work will merit 
some portion of public approbation 
and esteem. I must say, at least, 
that my thoughts, my ideas, are not 
those of common place ; if they should 
not be thought calculated to support 
the dignity of authorship, it is because 
Iam no writer by profession; if they 
evince the clear and lively conceptions 
of a soldier, they will, I trust, be con- 
sidered as perfectly apposite to the 
occasion. 
Qualified by much experience, and 
a knowledge of fortune’s variations, I 
have formed an excellent lesson and 
motto, for myself, in the words 
* Honneur et Patrie.’ I depend more 
on a strict regard to originality and 
variety, by which the whole work is 
certainly distinguished, than on all the 
materials for producing striking effects, 
which can result from the manifold 
qualities of the most elaborate com- 
position. 
If industry is of high importance to 
human society, if Jarge dealings in 
commerce can bestow a sort of influ- 
ence, or political power, it is but natu- 
ral and just that my family and 
numerous relations should have a 
claim to the praise of serving their 
country, in proportion to their means. 
I met with no discouragements to 
discountenance my engaging in com- 
mercial pursuits, and £ might have 
given my friends satisfaction, and 
proved skilful and successful in 
promoting my own interest, had [ 
inclined thereto; but the ardour of 
youth had an irresistible effect, and 
the military line proved a temptation 
to which I could not but accommodate 
myself, -as exactly suitable to my un- 
concealed sentiments. For eighteen 
years, I can honestly declare, that I 
faithfully. endeavoured to discharge 
the duties of a soldier, according to 
the measure of my abilities. In this 
great concern,.[ conducted myself on 
the principle of not spilling the blood 
of a fellow citizen, and of not en- 
gaging in a foreign service. 
1 
Travels and Adventures of the Brothers Bacheville 
[Jan. 1, 
It was in the eleventh year of the 
Republic that I first began my career 
in arms. From that time till 1807, 
when I was admitted into the guards, 
Italy was the arena wherein I com- 
bated. So many accounts, at large, 
have been given, so many particulars 
specified, relative to that country, 
that E shall not employ my pen in de- 
scribing it. . 1 shall, however, recite 
one adventure which befel me there ; 
which aflorded me, at the same time, 
amusement and concern. 
I was returning to Paris with some 
of my comrades, intended, like my- 
self, to form a part of the guard, and 
we were halting at Pazzaro. Llodged 
in the house of a lady I was ac- 
quainted with, and who expressed 
for me a degree of kindness which 
was near costing me dear. It was 
about two in the morning,. when 
heard a mysterious rap at my door. 
A taste for romantic adventures iben 
~bespoke strongly the character of my 
mind; and, on this occasion, my zealk 
became mere than ever conspicuous, 
Accordingly, in the spirit of this prin- 
ciple, (virtue, perhaps, beginning te 
be a vice, and wisdom giving place to 
folly,) I rushed towards the door, with 
a degree of pride and pleasure not 
easy to describe. My hand, which I 
stretched out in the dark, was then 
suddenly seized by another hand of a 
very masculine force. I started back 
and grasped my sabre, sensible to my. 
situation, but collected, and not sink- 
ing under it with any horror. There 
was occasion for courage and equani- 
mnity, as I had to parry two violent 
strokes of a poinard, aimed by one 
who very mal-apropos called me his 
rival. He then made a precipitate 
retreat, but could not escape a cut 
which I gave him across the body. 
He lay rolling on the staircase, with 
terrible groans, when I called for a 
light, and found my assassin to be a 
stout handsome monk, ascertained by 
the servants, when with loud outeries, 
they raised him up, to be the director 
of madame. « 
It will be readily conceived, that I 
departed without taking leave; but, 
though much affected with the afflicting 
situation in which my sot-disant rival 
was involved, I should have consi- 
dered it as unmanly not to inform my- 
self of the issue of this adventure. — In 
fact, I learned, to my great satisfae- 
tion, that.the monk was not dead, and. 
that he still continued to oe 
the 
