A FAMILY 07 Kn^GS. 25B

Between Friedland and Eckmiihl, where he defeated the
Austrian Archduke Charles (1809), two years elapsed. Then
came the check at Essling, which proved that he who was
giving the thrones of Europe to his brothers and followers,
was not invincible. The serious check at Essling, however,
was avenged by the triumphant day at Wagram, when Na-
poleon once more overthrew his old adversaries, the Aus-
trians. Of victories, he had no more for three years. In
the course of that period occurred his marriage with Maria
Louisa, and his renewed offer of amity with England, which
was again declined.
Thereupon commenced the downfall of the Empire, by the
expedition against Kussia, — the march to Moscow, and the
flight to Paris. In 1812, Napoleon beat the Russians at
Champ Sacr6 and Moscowa ; but ruin followed. It was
stayed for a while by the five victories of 1813, gained at
Liitzen and at Wurschen, over the Eussians and Prussians ;
at Dresden and at Wachau, over the same enemies and the
Austrians ; and at Hanau, over the Austrians and Bavarians.
But his enemies were bent on dethroning him, and the
Allies entered France. Upon that territory he won (in 1814)
the victories of Champ- Aubert over the Russians, of Mont-
Mirail over those and their Prussian Allies, of Montereau
over the Wiirtembergers, and of Craone over the forces of
Bussia and Prussia. But these victories were rendered
nugatory by the defeat of divisions of his army where Na-
poleon could not be present. The Allies entered Paris ; and
the Emperor, retiring to Eontainebleau, saw one by one flail
away from him, — all, save a faithful few, of those warriors
whose deeds in arms he had rewarded by kingly fortunes.
