Kentucky Gazette And General Advertiser

From the Charleston Courier.

The following brief sketch of Bonaparte, is copied from a late European publication; and in the present dearth of news, may perhaps be deemed worthy of a place in your paper. It does not attempt to depicture the modern King-maker at full length, but the leading features are well preserved. It appears to be drawn by the hand of a master: and every one acquainted with the character of the extraordinary original, will immediately pronounce it to be a striking likeness.

"Possessed from nature of a restless and ambitious soul, he has let slip no opportunity of promoting his interests, and lifting himself up from the lowest rank of life. He has been the child of Fortune, and yet he has left nothing to Fortune that he could effect by his activity and his intrigues. He has triumphed over all his rivals: for in a military government, such as that in which he contended, the chief power often becomes the prize of the most daring and crafty, while other qualities are of no account. His unsocial mind incessantly revolves new schemes of ambition, which he discloses and prosecutes with the most consummate dissimulation. Order, and humanity, and good faith, are continually in his mouth; while in every step in his career, he tramples without regard on these sacred names. Though enthusiastically desirous of the character of a hero, he possesses no liberality of soul; and in all his transactions, in vain do we search for a noble and a generous deed. The cruelties he has committed; are of a new kind in this civilized age; the relation of them would fill the soul with horror. His abilities have occasionally called forth many praises, and much admiration; but a man that in his designs and actions, constantly disregards those principles of justice and uprightness, which regulate the conduct of other men, always appears to possess higher abilities than he actually has:—his actions, having no restraint or barrier, are prompt, for he consults only his power. But divested of principle, his wisdom is only craft, and his bravery is the daring of a robber. By some, he has been compared to the illustrious Cæsar: but he has not the generous nature of that extraordinary man; and his military skill sinks into nothing, before the transcendent genius of the Dictator of Rome. It is difficult to find a resemblance of him, except we go to the countries of the East, where sometimes rise to view those disturbers of the peace of mortals, whose steps are marked by desolation, and in whose dark souls, no pleasing ray of humanity ever shines."