“ But while things were going on successfully in Germany under his command, the French under Bonaparte were everywhere victorious in Italy, and were rapidly advancing toward the heart of Austria; and when Charles was sent there to check their progress, the victorious young general, imitating the words of Cæsar, could say, “Hitherto I have had to combat armies without a commander; now I have to combat a commander without an army.” Charles was compelled to conclude the preliminary treaty of Leoben, April 18, 1797, which was soon followed by the peace of Campo Formio. ”

“ In 1805 he commanded the Austrian army in Italy against Masséna, but his victory at Caldiero (Oct. 29-31) was of little avail, as Napoleon after the surrender of Ulm was rapidly advancing toward Vienna. The hasty retreat of the archduke Ferdinand to Bohemia, and the battle of Austerlitz, compelled Francis to the peace of Presburg (Dec. 25) . Charles was now made generalissimo of all the Austrian armies, and minister of war, with unlimited power, which he used for the reorganization of the forces of the empire and the creation of a strong reserve and militia. ”

“ Bad health compelled him in March, 1800, to resign his command to Kray, and to retire to Bohemia. He was not yet restored when he had to hasten again to the defence of the empire of his brother, which, by the admirable marches of Napoleon over the Alps and of Moreau through Germany, was brought to the brink of ruin. ”