Dear Margaret,

I'm not surprised that you visited Lannes' tomb many times and have no doubt that he'd have held his own in a debate with Hugo and Carnot as one of the few soldiers who failed to be overawed by Napoleon. I will read the 'Emperor's Friend' sometime soon as Lannes must have had quite a personality to withstand stormy imperial responses and gain Napoleon's respect. After all, there were plenty of strong minded soldiers and politicians who were charmed, intimidated or captivated by Napoleon to the extent that they failed to stand up to him sufficiently.

Although I sometimes wonder if he wouldn't have preferred a spot in the Marshals' Quarter in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, I think he certainly deserved his place of honour in the Pantheon among the greatest men and women of France.

Regards,

Dave