MT. 31.] WAR IN GERMANY. 437 



had been decisive, however, what possibility was there 

 of Bonaparte keeping his tSte du pout, and being en- 

 abled to rebuild his bridges ? * The Austrian bulletin 

 is universally admitted to be a fabrication. Stahrem- 

 berg (who has never been much elated with the news) 

 denied it from the first; and Lord Liverpool told 

 Scarlett the other day that they knew it to be a 

 French fabrication. This seems to be rather a re- 

 finement. 



" If the victory has not been so decisive as of itself 

 to turn the fortune of the campaign, it should seem 

 that upon a series of subsequent operations Bonaparte 

 is much more likely to get the better in the majority 

 of instances. But it is no small thing, and I am sure 

 quite unexpected, to have seen any doubt arise upon 

 the subject. 



" What a pity it is that we had not a large army 

 in the Adriatic at the time, or even now ! The talk 

 of sending one somewhere continues ; and I know 

 that General Leith has received orders to go to Chat- 

 ham (I think) and report himself to General Hope. 

 Some weeks ago its destination was certainly the 

 north of Germany. I suppose now they are waiting 

 for the event of the approaching battle. 



" The cries of the winter are wearing fast away, 

 and I daresay the kind of apathy which always suc- 

 ceeds is already begun. I am confident Wardle is dis- 

 covered to be no wizard, and that Cobbett is seriously 



* In reference to the war on the Danube, and the capture of Vienna 

 by the French in May 1809. 



