ChapterI
Fromthecloseoftheyear1811intensifiedarmingandconcentratingoftheforcesofWesternEuropebegan, andin1812theseforces—millionsofmen, reckoningthosetransportingandfeedingthearmy—movedfromthewesteastwardstotheRussianfrontier, , 1812, theforcesofWesternEuropecrossedtheRussianfrontierandwarbegan, thatis, , frauds, treacheries, thefts, forgeries, issuesoffalsemoney, burglaries, incendiarisms, andmurdersasinwholecenturiesarenotrecordedintheannalsofallthelawcourtsoftheworld, butwhichthosewhocommittedthemdidnotatthetimeregardasbeingcrimes.
Whatproducedthisextraordinaryoccurrence? Whatwereitscauses? ThehistorianstelluswithnaiveassurancethatitscauseswerethewrongsinflictedontheDukeofOldenburg, thenonobservanceoftheContinentalSystem, theambitionofNapoleon, thefirmnessofAlexander, themistakesofthediplomatists, andsoon.
Consequently, itwouldonlyhavebeennecessaryforMetternich, Rumyantsev, orTalleyrand, betweenaleveeandaneveningparty, tohavetakenproperpainsandwrittenamoreadroitnote, orforNapoleontohavewrittentoAlexander: "MyrespectedBrother, IconsenttorestoretheduchytotheDukeofOldenburg"—andtherewouldhavebeennowar.
