108 CARNOT. 
man; never did their unhallowed breath try to tarnish 
the virtues of the son, of the husband, or of the father ; 
as to disinterestedness especially, both friends and ene- 
mies were always agreed. J might therefore on this 
point remain content with the two instances I have given. 
There is another, however, which it is desirable to rescue 
from oblivion ; the memory of Carnot does not require it, 
but I have a slight hope that, by being reminded of it, . 
some ministers may feel arrested in their prodigalities, 
and certain parties from indulging their avarice ! 
After the 18th Brumaire, the projected operations for 
the army of reserve imperiously required that Moreau 
should without delay send one of his divisions to the 
army of Italy. The direct intervention of ‘the Minister 
of War did not appear too much to carry so important a 
- negotiation to a successful conclusion. In execution of 
an order of the Consuls, of the 15th Floreal, year VIU., 
Carnot, accompanied by six officers of the staff, two cou- 
riers, and one servant, went to Germany. On the route 
he inspected the troops échelonnées between Dijon and 
Geneva; he then traversed the cantonments of the Rhine, 
visited the fortresses, arranged with the Commander-in- 
Chief the plan for the next campaign, and returned to 
Paris. The Treasury had given him 24,000 frances. On 
his return, he restored 10,680 francs. He was so fearful 
that the expenditure of 13,320 franes, (or £550,) for ten 
persons making a long journey should appear too much, 
that he sent in a detailed report, excusing himself as if 
he had been prodigal. The following was his letter to 
the Consuls: “You will have the goodness to remark 
that you have desired me to give some éclat to my mis- 
sion; that in the principal places I was obliged, accord- 
ing to your orders, to assume a certain appearance ;. in 
