Note 180 — BOOK THE THIRD 1812-1815

Mr. Fazakerley, a man of accuracy and veracity, soon after seeing Napoleon at Elba in 1814 or 1815, related to me the following admission of that extraordinary man, and has frequently alluded to or repeated it since. He said that in all prudence he ought to have made peace immediately after the victories of Bautzen and Lutzen, and before the great battle of Leipsic. “Mais,” continued he, “je me croyois assez fort et je me suis trompé. C’etoit là assurément le moment de faire la paix, aussi l’aurois-je faite si je ne m’avois pas cru plus fort que je ne l’etois en effet.” A singular admission, especially for one not apt to be candid in acknowledging his errors.—V.H.