worthy of such distinction with the cross of the Legion of Honour, which act is also commemorated by a medal (fig. 11) known by the name of "The oaths of the army,"* because at this time the troops all took the oath of allegiance to their new Emperor.

Among medals not less interesting for other reasons is one (fig. 12) which bears upon its reverse "Descente en Angleterre. "Frappée à Londres en 1804." But the "taking of London" was not destined to add to the triumphs of the great conqueror; this medal is now a very rare curiosity, only to be met with in the cabinets of two or three collectors.†

Another celebrates the masterpiece of modern legislation, the "Code Napoleon." The conception of the design for this medal (fig. 18) is remarkable. On the obverse we have Napoleon attired in the toga of an ancient philosopher, holding a scroll in his right hand; and on the reverse a copy of an ancient sculpture-the statue of Minerva or Pallas, found a few years ago at Velletri and now in the museum of Napoleon.

And here begins the great general European war. Chagrined at seeing his fleets destroyed one after the other as fast as he could form them,-while Austria (who was fully expecting he meant to invade England) prepared to attack France when her ruler should be in London, and accordingly marched into Bavaria,-Napoleon suddenly broke up his camp at Boulogne, proceeded by forced marches across France, passed the Rhine, captured Ulm and Memmingen (fig. 14), and fell like a thunderbolt upon his enemies at Austerlitz. The capitulations are perpetuated by a device well adapted to illustrate the haste the Emperor was in to defeat the Austrians before they could be joined by the Russians and Prussians. In a triumphal car, drawn by two horses at full speed, without arresting his * Serment de l'armée d'Angleterre a l'Empereur Napoleon." + The Napoleon Medals, Edwards, p. viii.

progress, he receives the keys of the two cities, who deliver them in a kneeling posture; and the victory of Austerlitz is commemorated by Jupiter's thunderbolt (fig. 15).

The surrender of Vienna and Presburg, which preceded the battle of Austerlitz, is represented by Napoleon as Hercules receiving the keys from the allegorical figures of the two cities (fig. 16).

The next medal will for ever perpetuate the names of the contending powers: for on one side we see Napoleon's profile, with the inscription-"Bataille d'Austerlitz;" and on the other Alexander I of Russia and Francis II of Austria, the allies against Napoleon.

There is next a medal commemorative of the recovery of the colours at Innsbrück (fig. 17). General Ney, having driven the enemy back, took possession of the capital of the Tyrol and there found the colours which the Tyrolese soldiers had taken from the Republican army. When Germanicus, the Roman general, defeated Arminius and recovered the standards taken by him from the Romans under Varus, a medal was struck in Rome to celebrate that event.* Napoleon copies that design: it is a Roman soldier, erect, holding in his left hand a standard and in his right Victory.

Now comes the peace of Presburg (fig. 18). In the days of ancient Rome the temple of Janus was shut during peace and open during war: so on this medal we have the temple of Janus shut.

By the treaty of Presburg Venice was restored to Italy, which event is perpetuated by a medal with the bridge of the Rialto and "Venise rendu a l'Italie, XXVI Décembre, “MDCCCV.”

To attempt, in a paper of this length, a description of every medal now before you would be impossible; I shall, therefore, only notice those that appear to me most important.

Medallic History of Napoleon Bonaparte, Scargill, p. 51.