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. I 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 th'e 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 VIII., 

 Carnot, accompanied by six officers of the staff, two cou- 

 riers, and one servant, went to Germany. On the route 

 he inspected the troops echelonne.es between Dijon and 

 Geneva ; he then traversed the cantonments of the Rhine, 

 visited fche fortresses, arranged with the Commander-in- 

 Chief the plan for the next campaign, and returned to 

 Paris. The Treasury had given him 24,000 francs. On 

 his return, he restored 10,680 francs. He was so fearful 

 that the expenditure of 13,320 francs, (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 eclat to my mis- 

 sion ; that in the principal places I was obliged, accord- 

 ing to your orders, to assume a certain appearance ; in 



