M is said to represent the human face without the two eyes. By adding these, we get O m O, the Latin homo, " man." Dante, speaking of faces gaunt with starvation, says:

Who reads the name For man upon his forehead, there the M Had traced most plainly.

This letter has been very curiously coupled with Napoleon I., and it is interesting to note its relation to Napoleon III.:

MacMahon, duke of Magenta, his most distinguished marshal, and, after a few months, succeeded him as ruler of France (1873-1879).

Malakoff (Duke of), next to MacMahon his most distinguished marshal.

Maria of Portugal was the lady his friends wanted him to marry, but he refused to do so.

Maximilian and Mexico, his evil stars (1864-1867).

Menschikoff was the Russian general defeated at the battle of the Alma (September 20, 1854).

Michaud, Mignet, Michelet and Merimee were distinguished historians in the reign of Napoleon III.

Moitke was his destiny.

Montholon was one of his companions in the escapade at Boulogne, and was condemned to imprisonment for twenty years.

Montijo (Countess of), his wife. Her name is Marie Eugenie, and his son was born in March; so was the son of Napoleon I.

Morny, his greatest friend.

Magenta, a victory won by him (June 4, 1859).

Malakoff. Taking the Malakoff tower and the Mamelon-vert were the great exploits of the Crimean war (September 8, 1855).

Mamelon-vert. (See above.)

Mantua. He turned back before the walls of Mantua after the battle of the Mincio.

Marengo. Here he planned his first battle of the Italian campaign, but it was not fought till after those of Montebello and Magenta Mahignano. He drove the Austrians out of this place.

Metz. the " maiden fortress," was one of the most important sieges and losses to him in the Franco-Prussian war.

Milan. He made his entrance into Milan, and drove the Austrians out of Marignano. Mincio (The battle of the), called also Solferino, a great victory. Having won this, he turned back at the walls of Mantua (June 24, 1859). Montebello, a victory won by him (June, 1859).

*** The Mitrailleuse was to win him Prussia, but it lost him France. March. In this month his son was born; he was deposed by the National Assembly, and was set at liberty by the Prussians. The treaty of Paris was March 30, 1856.

Savoy and Nice were annexed in March, 1860. May. In this month he made his escape from Ham. The great French Exhibition was opened in May, 1855.

By far his best publication is his " Manual of Artillery."