On the sailing of the French expedition for Egypt, from Malta, under the
orders of Bonaparte, the fleet was intentionally dispersed in order to
arrive without being noticed; they had no sooner, however, left Malta,
than they learned that Nelson had penetrated their design, and was in
pursuit of them. Expecting every hour to be come up with, and being too
weak to risk a combat, it was the resolution of Bonaparte and the rest
of the illustrious persons on board the _Orient_ to blow her up, rather
than be taken prisoners; but, that the memory of those who perished
might be preserved, and their features known by posterity, Bonaparte
caused the portraits of eighteen to be taken on two sheets of paper,
which were to be rolled up, put in bottles, and committed to the waves:
the names of the persons are,--
_First Drawing._
Desaix,
Berthier,
Kleber,
Dalomieu,
Berthollet,
Bonaparte,
Caffarelli,
Brueys,
Monge.
_Second Drawing._
Rampon,
Junot,
Regnier,
Desgenettes,
Larrey,
Murat,
Lasnes,
Belliard,
Snulkanski.
The portraits were executed in medallions, with India ink; they were
carefully preserved by the famous surgeon, Baron Larrey; and they
adorned his study at Paris till his death.