Paris Soult

Napoleon repulsed her rudely; and Soult hastened, as fast as horses could carry him, to Paris.
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Soon after Napoleon's arrival in Paris Soult sought an interview with him, and though it is not known what passed between them, the latter, in a few days, was appointed major-general, and published another order of the day, which showed a wonderful change he had undergone respecting the "adventurer and usurper."He fought at Fleurus and Waterloo, but not with the energy of his younger days.On the second restoration of the Bourbons he was put on the proscribed list, and, fearing he should be brought to trial, published a justification of himself, in which he referred to Napoleon in disparaging terms-an act that must forever be a stain on his character. Exiled with other French generals, he retired to Dusseldorf, in Russia, [sic] where he remained three years, employed chiefly in preparing his memoirs, which, on his death, will probably be given to the world.In 1819 he was permitted to return to Paris, and the next year received again his marshal's baton.
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But Soult had served under Massena in Genoa and knew how to endure.With his army thinned by the demands of Napoleon and constant desertion, in the midst of a murmuring population, he bore up with a constancy that fills the mind with wonder and admiration.To his requests for help Napoleon at last replied: "I have given you my confidence, I can do nothing more."Never was confidence more worthily bestowed; and though left in such peril, Soult continued to dispute bravely the country over which he retreated from Bayonne, and at Orthez burst on the enemy with such impetuosity that he had well-nigh gained the victory.Retiring, fighting as he went, he at length intrenched himself at Toulouse, and here, after Napoleon's abdication, though before the news had reached him, fought the famous battle of Toulouse. Each side claimed the victory; but, according to English historians themselves, Wellington's loss was far greater than Soult's; and the latter was ready next morning to begin the fight, while the former was not.As the two armies thus stood menacing each other, the news of Napoleon's abdication arrived.Soult, however, not having received authentic and full information of the terms of the abdication, refused to make any change in his operations, except to grant an armistice till farther reports could be received.Even if Napoleon had abdicated, he did not know that the Bourbons would be reinstated, or that the army should not retain its present hostile attitude.In the uncertain state of affairs the two leaders again prepared for battle, but the useless waste of blood was spared by orders from the Minister of War; and Soult delivered up is command to the Duke of Augouléme.As before remarked, he struck the last blow and fired the last cannon-shot for Napoleon and the Empire. His conduct at Waterloo has caused many remarks and subjected him to some heavy accusations.But the most that can be made of it is that he did not act with his accustomed vigor.At Waterloo he was not the hero of Austerlitz. Soult has committed many errors; and it could not well be otherwise.A life passed in such an agitated political sea as his has been must now and then exhibit some contradictions and inconsistencies.But these minor faults are buried beneath his noble deeds; and his blood so freely shed on so many battle-fields for France, the great talents he has placed at the service of his country, and the glory with which he has covered her armies, will render him dear to her long after his eventful life has closed. The Duke of Dalmatia is now seventy-seven years of age; and though he has resigned his office of Minister of War, he is still President of the Council, and takes an active part in the political affairs of France. Nothing shows more plainly the ridiculous self-conceit of English historians in drawing a parallel between Wellington and Bonaparte merely because the former won the battle of Waterloo, or rather was Commander-in-Chief when it was won, than this long struggle between him and Soult in Spain.The French marshal showed himself a match for him at any time; nay, beat him oftener and longer than he was beaten.The advantage, if any, was on the side of the French marshal; for while he possessed equal coolness and prudence, he carried greater force in his onsets.Yet who would think of drawing a parallel between Soult and Napoleon with the least intention of making them equal; Wellington was no ordinary general; and he receives all the merit he deserves when put beside Soult as an equal.Pitted against each other for years, they were so nearly balanced that there seems little to choose between them; but to place either beside Napoleon as his equal excites a smile in any but an Englishman.