Europe and Napoleon 497 cannon, twenty generals, and above thirty thousand pris- oners are the fruits of this ever-memorable battle. Their infantry, so celebrated and so superior to you in numbers, has proved unable to resist your charge, and henceforth you have no rivals to fear. Thus in less than two months the third coalition is con- quered and dissolved. Peace cannot be far off ; but, as I promised my people before crossing the Rhine, I will con- clude it only upon terms consistent with my pledge, which shall secure not only the indemnification, but the reward, of my allies. Soldiers, when the French people placed the imperial crown upon my head I trusted to you to enable me to main- tain it in that splendor of glory which could alone give it value in my estimation. But at that moment our enemies entertained the design of tarnishing and degrading it; and the iron crown, which was gained by the blood of so many Frenchmen, they would have compelled me to place on the head of my bitterest foe, — an extravagant and foolish pro- posal, which you have brought to naught on the anniversary of your emperor's coronation. You have taught them that it is easier for them to defy and to threaten than to subdue us. Soldiers, when everything necessary to the security, the happiness, and the prosperity of our country has been achieved, I will return you my thanks in France. Then will you be the objects of my tenderest care. My people will receive you with rapture and joy. To say to me, " I was in the battle of Austerlitz," will be enough to authorize the reply, "That is a brave man." Napoleon. Headquarters at Austerlitz, December 3, 1S05. III. Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire In no country of Europe were the effects of Napo- Napoleon's leon's policy more striking and permanent than in Ger- J-^^" many. The cession of the left bank of the Rhine to
