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ex…elector； but by dint of skill and diplomacy Madame Brede succeeded in
reconciling them。 It has been proved； in fact； that M； de Nostitz did
not appropriate the funds deposited with him； but used them for other
purposes than the arming of a free corps。 M。 de Nostitz is beyond doubt
the most zealous； ardent； and capable of the three chiefs。 I do not know
him personally； but I know he is one of those men best calculated to
obtain unbounded influence over all with whom he comes in contact。 He
succeeded in gaining such dominion over M。 Stein； the Prussian minister；
that the latter placed two of his secretaries at the disposal of Baron de
Nostitz to prepare under his direction the pamphlets with which Germany
is flooded； but I cannot too often repeat；〃 continued M。 Gentz； 〃that the
hatred against the French avowed by these various societies is simply an
accidental thing； a singular creation of circumstances； since their prime
object was the overthrow of the government as it existed in Germany； and
their fundamental principle the establishment of a system of absolute
equality。 This is so true that the question has been earnestly debated
amongst the members of the Tugendverein of proclaiming the sovereignty of
the people throughout Germany； and they have openly declared that the war
should not be waged in the name of the governments； which according to
their belief are only the instruments。 I do not know what will be the
final result of all these machinations； but it is very certain that by
giving themselves an assumed importance these secret societies have given
themselves a very real one。 According to their version it is they alone
who have decided the King of Prussia to openly declare himself against
France； and they boast loudly that they will not stop there。 After all；
the result will probably be the same as in nearly all such cases；if
they are found useful they will be promised wonderful things in order to
gain their allegiance； and will be abandoned when they no longer serve
the intended purposes； for it is an entire impossibility that reasonable
governments should lose sight of the real end for which they are
instituted。〃
This is； I think； an exact summary； not of all M。 Gentz said to me
concerning the secret societies of Germany； but of what I recall； and I
also remember that when I gave the Emperor an account of this
conversation； his Majesty deigned to give most earnest attention； and
even made me repeat certain parts； which； however； I do not now remember
positively。 As to the Carbonari； there is every reason to think that
they belonged by secret ramifications to the German societies； but as I
have already said； I have not been able to obtain exact information as to
them。 Nevertheless； I will endeavor to repeat here what I heard
concerning the initiation of a Carbonari。
This story； which may perhaps be only imaginary； struck my attention
deeply。 Moreover； I give it here with much hesitation； not knowing
whether some one has not already profited by it； as I was by no means the
only auditor of this narration。 I obtained it from a Frenchman who lived
in the north of Italy at the time my conversation with M。 Gentz occurred。
〃A French officer； formerly attached to General Moreau； a man of
enthusiastic but at the same time gloomy and melancholy character； left
the service after the trial instituted against his general at Paris。 He
took no part in the conspiracy； but unalterably attached to republican
principles； this officer； whose tastes were very simple； and who
possessed an ample competence； left France when the Empire was
established； and took no pains to disguise his aversion to the head of an
absolute government。 Finally； although of most inoffensive conduct； he
was one of those designated under the name of malcontents。 After
traveling several years in Greece； Germany； and Italy； he settled himself
in a little village in the Venetian Tyrol。 There he lived a very retired
life； holding little communication with his neighbors； occupied in the
study of natural science； given up to meditation； and no longer occupying
himself； so to speak； with public affairs。 This was his position； which
appeared mysterious to some persons； at the time the institution of the
ventes of the Carbonari were making such incredible progress in most of
the Italian provinces； especially in those on the borders of the
Adriatic。 Several notable inhabitants of the country； who were ardent
Carbonari； conceived the plan of enrolling in their society this French
officer； whom they knew； and being aware of his implacable resentment
against the chief of the Imperial government； whom he regarded as a great
man； in fact； but at the same time as the destroyer of his beloved
republic。 In order not to rouse the supposed susceptibilities of this
officer； they organized a hunting…party to meet in the locality where he
usually took his solitary rambles。 This plan was adopted； and so well
carried out that the intended meeting took place apparently by chance。
The officer did not hesitate to engage in conversation with the hunters；
some of whom he already knew； and after some desultory remarks the
conversation turned on the Carbonari； those new votaries of secret
liberty。 The magic word liberty had not lost its power to stir to its
depths the heart of this officer； and consequently produced upon him the
exact effect they desired； by awaking enthusiastic memories of his youth；
and a joy to which he had long been a stranger； and consequently when
they proposed to add his name to the brotherhood which was now around
him； no difficulty was experienced。 The officer was received； the secret
signs and words of recognition were given him； and he took the oath by
which he engaged to be always and at every hour at the disposal of his
brethren； and to perish rather than betray their secrets； and was then
initiated and continued to live as in the past； but expecting every
moment a summons。
The adventurous character of the inhabitants of the Venetian Tyrol afford
a striking contrast to the character of the inhabitants of Italy； but
they have in common suspicious natures； and from suspicion to revenge the
descent is rapid。 The French officer had hardly been admitted； than
there were found among them some who condemned this action； and regarded
it as dangerous； and there were some who even went so far as to say that
his being a Frenchman should have been a sufficient impediment； and that；
besides； at a time when the police were employing their best men to
uncover all disguises； it was necessary that the firmness and constancy
of the newly elected should be put to some other proof than the simple
formalities they had required。 The sponsors of the officer； those who
had； so to speak； earnestly desired him as a brother； raised no
objections； being perfectly satisfied as to the correctness of their
choice。
This was the state of affairs when news of the disaster of the French
army at Leipzig were received in the neighboring provinces of the
Adriatic； and redoubled the zeal of the Carbonari。 About three months
had passed since the reception of the French of