Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

2 REMINISCENCES OF FAMOUS GEORGIANS.
existed at this time in European affairs was such as to
lay an imperative emphasis upon an already binding ob
ligation.
Disastrous defeat amid the snows of Russia had now
chilled the Bonapartist hopes. Nor could the frost be
dissipated even by the flames of, Moscow. For, while
they lit the steel of the imperial army, they served to
wither rather than to warm the laurels of Napoleon. But
the Man of Destiny was still upon the throne of Charle
magne, and some lucky move upon the chessboard of
events might yet give him the conquered world of Alex
ander. The decrees of Fate, if already sealed, were still
unsounded; and, whatever might be the momentous issues;
of to-morrow, the exile of St. Helena was as yet unrecog
nized in the victor of Marengo.
Still, the uncertain possibilities combined to make the
gay Parisian capital more than ever the focal center of;
international developments; and, from every point of ob
servation, within the vast arena, whose circuit was the]
round of Christendom, the field-glasses were riveted upon
the Corsican. Besides, the leading powers were all repre-j
sented on the scene by veteran diplomats, some of whom]
were scions of the blood royal.
At such an important crisis, the young republic of the]
western hemisphere could not afford to be less vigilant]
than the effete monarchies of the Old World. Moreover,!
the United States government was experimenting with!
the democratic idea and precedents were now to be estab-f
lished which, if ill-advised or hastily considered, werfc
apt to lay embargoes upon remote future generations andl
might imperil the cause of liberty on both shores of thef
Atlantic.