第11章

Itisnecessaryalsotostudythelocation，sothatmyapartmentsmayfacenorthandsouth，inorderthatImaychangemyresidenceaccordingtotheseason。

IwishtheapartmentsIoccupytobeashandsomelyfurnishedasmysmallapartmentsatFontainebleau。

IwishmyapartmentstobeverynearthoseoftheEmpress，andonthesamefloor。

Finally，Iwishapalacethatwouldbecomfortableforaconvalescent，orforamanasageapproaches。Iwishasmalltheater，asmallchapel，etc。；andaboveallgreatcareshouldbetakenthattherebenostagnantwateraroundthepalace。“

TheEmperorcarriedhispassionforbuildingtoexcess，andseemedmoreactive，moreeagerintheexecutionofhisplans，andmoretenaciousofhisideas，thananyarchitectIhaveeverknown。Nevertheless，theideaofputtingthepalaceoftheKingofRomeontheheightsofChaillotwasnotentirelyhisown，andM。Fontainemightwellclaimtohaveoriginatedit。

ItwasmentionedthefirsttimewhilediscussingthepalaceofLyons，whichinordertopresentahandsomeappearanceM。Fontaineremarkedshouldbesituatedonanelevationoverlookingthecity，as，forexample，theheightsofChaillotoverlookedParis。TheEmperordidnotappeartonoticeM。Fontaine\'sremark，andhadtwoorthreedayspreviouslygivenordersthatthechateauofMeudonshouldbeputinaconditiontoreceivehisson，whenonemorninghesummonedthearchitect，andorderedhimtopresentaplanforembellishingtheBoisdeBoulogne，byaddingacountryhouseonthesummitofChaillot。“Whatdoyouthinkofit？“addedhe，smiling；“doesthesiteappearwellchosen？“

OnemorninginthemonthofMarch，theEmperorbroughthissontoareviewontheChamp-de-Mars；hewasreceivedwithindescribableenthusiasm，thesincerityofwhichwasundoubted；anditcouldeasilybeseenthattheseacclamationscamefromtheheart。

TheEmperorwasdeeplymovedbythisreception，andreturnedtotheTuileriesinamostcharmingframeofmind，caressedtheKingofRome，coveredhimwithkisses，anddilatedtoM。Fontaineandmyselfontheprecociousintelligencedisplayedbythisbelovedchild。“Hewasnotatallfrightened；heseemedtoknowthatallthosebravemenweremyfriends。“OnthatdayheheldalongconversationwithM。Fontaine，whileamusinghimselfwithhisson，whomheheldinhisarms；andwhentheconversationturnedonRomeanditsmonuments，M。FontainespokeofthePantheonwiththemostprofoundadmiration。TheEmperoraskedifhehadeverlivedatRome；andM。Fontainehavingrepliedthatheremainedtherethreeyearsonhisfirstvisit，hisMajestyremarked，“ItisacityIhavenotseen；Ishallcertainlygotheresomeday。Itisthecitywhosepeopleformerlywerethesovereignsoftheworld。“AndhiseyeswerefixedontheKingofRomewithpaternalpride。

WhenM。Fontainehadleft，theEmperormademeasigntoapproach，andbeganbypullingmyears，accordingtocustomwheningoodhumor。Afterafewpersonalquestions，heaskedmewhatwasmysalary。“Sire，sixthousandfrancs。“——“AndMonsieurColin，howmuchhashe？“——“Twelvethousandfrancs。“——“Twelvethousandfrancs！thatisnotright；youshouldnothavelessthanM。Colin。Iwillattendtothat。“AndhisMajestywaskindenoughtomakeimmediateinquiries，butwastoldthattheaccountsfortheyearweremadeout；whereupontheEmperorinformedmethattilltheendoftheyear，M。leBaronFain——[BorninParis，1778；attendedNapoleoninhiscampaignsasSecretaryoftheRecords；wrotememoirsofthelastthreeyearsofNapoleon\'sreign；died1837。]——

wouldgivemeeachmonthoutofhisprivypursefivehundredfrancs，ashewishedthatmysalaryshouldequalthatofM。Colin。

CHAPTERXI。

AftertheEmperorleftthearmyandcommitted，aswehaveseen，thecommandtotheKingofNaples，hisSicilianMajestyalsoabandonedthecommandintrustedtohim，andsetoutforhisstates，leavingPrinceEugeneattheheadoftheforces。TheEmperorwasdeeplyinterestedinthenewshereceivedfromPosen，wherethegeneralheadquarterswereinthelatterpartofFebruaryandbeginningofMarch，andwheretheprincevice-kinghadunderhisordersonlytheremainsofdifferentcorps，someofwhichwererepresentedbyaverysmallnumberofmen。

Moreover，eachtimethattheRussiansappearedinforce，therewasnothingtobedonebuttofallback；andeachdayduringthemonthofMarchthenewsbecamemoreandmoredepressing。TheEmperorconsequentlydecidedattheendofMarchtosetoutatanearlydayforthearmy。

ForsometimeprevioustheEmperor，muchimpressedbyMalet\'sconspiracyduringhislastabsence，hadexpressedtheopinionthatitwasdangeroustoleavehisgovernmentwithoutahead；andthejournalshadbeenfilledwithinformationrelativetotheceremoniesrequiredwhentheregencyofthekingdomhadbeenleftinthehandsofqueensintimespast。AsthepublicwellknewthemeansfrequentlyadoptedbyhisMajestytofosterinadvanceopinionsfavorabletoanycourseofconductheintendedtopursue，noonewassurprisedtoseehimbeforeleavingconfidetheregencytotheEmpressMarieLouise，circumstancesnothavingyetfurnishedhimtheopportunityofhavinghercrowned，ashehadlongdesired。TheEmpresstookthesolemnoathatthepalaceoftheElysee，inpresenceoftheprinces，greatdignitaries，andministers。TheDukeofCadorewasmadesecretaryoftheregency，ascounselortoherMajestytheEmpress，togetherwiththearch-chancellor；andthecommandoftheguardwasconfidedtoGeneralCaffarelli。

TheEmperorleftSaint-Cloudonthe15thofApril，atfouro\'clockinthemorning，andatmidnightofthe16thenteredMayence。OnhisarrivalhisMajestylearnedthatErfurtandthewholeofWestphaliawereinastateofthedeepestalarm。Thisnewsaddedincrediblespeedtohismarch，andineighthourshewasatErfurt。HisMajestyremainedbutashortwhileinthattown，astheinformationthathetherereceivedsethismindatrestastotheresultofthecampaign。OnleavingErfurttheEmperorwishedtopassthroughWeimarinordertosalutethegrandduchess，andmadehisvisitonthesamedayandatthesamehourthattheEmperorAlexanderwentfromDresdentoToeplitzinordertovisitanotherDuchessofWeimar(thehereditaryprincess，hersister)。

ThegrandduchessreceivedtheEmperorwithagracewhichenchantedhim，andtheirconversationlastednearlyhalfanhour。Onleaving，hisMajestysaidtothePrincedeNeuchatel，“Thatisanastonishingwoman；

shehastheintellectofagreatman。“TheDukeaccompaniedtheEmperorasfarastheboroughofEckhartsberg，wherehisMajestydetainedhimtodine。

NOTEBYCONSTANT——HisMajesty\'shousehold，reorganizedinpartforthiscampaignof1813，wascomposedofthefollowingpersons:

Grandmarshalofthepalace，theDukeofFrioul。

Grandequerry，theDukeofVicenza。

Aides-de-camp:GeneralsMouton，CountdeLobau；Lebrun，DukedePlaisance；GeneralsDrouot，Flahaut，Dejean，Corbineau，Bernard，Durosnel，andAogendorp。

Firstordinanceofficer，ColonelGourgaud。

Ordinanceofficers:BarondeMortemart，BaronAthalin，M。Beranger，M。deLauriston；MessieursBaronsDesaix，Laplace，anddeCaraman；MessieursdeSaintMarsan，deLamezan，Pretet，andPailhou；therewasalsoM。

d\'Aremberg，butatthistimehewasaprisonerinthetownofDantzic。

Firstchamberlainandmasterofthewardrobe，theCountofTurenne。

Prefectofthepalace，BarondeBeausset。

Quartermasterofthepalace，BarondeCanouville。

Equerries，BaronsVanLenneps，Montaran，anddeMesgrigny。

Privatesecretaries，BaronMounierandBaronFain。

Clerks，MessieursJouanneandProvost。

Secretaryinterpreters，MessieursLelorgue，Dideville，andVouzowitch。

Directorofthetopographicalbureau，BaronBaclerd\'Albe。

Geographicalengineers，MessieursLameauandDuvivier。

Pages，MessieursMontarieu，Devienne，SaintePerne，andFerreri。

TheEmperorhadhisheadquartersonthesquareofEckhartsberg。Hehadonlytworooms，andhissuitesleptonthelandingandthestepsofthestaircase。Thislittletown，transformedinafewhoursintoheadquarters，presentedamostextraordinaryspectacle。Onasquaresurroundedbycamps，bivouacs，andmilitaryparks，inthemidstofmorethanathousandvehicles，whichcrossedeachotherfromeverydirection，mingledtogether，becameentangledineveryway，couldbeseenslowlydefilingregiments，convoys，artillerytrains，baggagewagons，etc。

Followingthemcameherdsofcattle，precededordividedbythelittlecartsofthecanteenwomenandsutlers，——suchlight，frailvehiclesthattheleastjoltendangeredthem；withtheseweremaraudersreturningwiththeirbooty，peasantspullingvehiclesbytheirownstrength，cursingandswearingamidthelaughterofoursoldiers；andcouriers，ordinanceofficers，andaides-de-camp，gallopingthroughallthiswonderfullyvariegatedanddiversifiedmultitudeofmenandbeasts。

Andwhentothisisaddedtheneighingofhorses，bellowingofcattle，rumblingofwheelsoverthestones，criesofthesoldiers，soundsfromtrumpets，drums，fifes，andthecomplaintsoftheinhabitants，withhundredsofpersonsalltogetheraskingquestionsatthesametime，speakingGermantotheItalians，andFrenchtotheGermans，howcoulditbepossiblethathisMajestyshouldbeastranquilandasmuchathiseaseinthemidstofthisfearfuluproarasinhiscabinetatSaint-CloudortheTuileries？Thiswasneverthelessthecase；andtheEmperor，seatedbeforeamiserabletablecoveredwithakindofcloth，amapspreadbeforehim，compassandpeninhand，entirelygivenuptomeditation，showednottheleastimpatience；anditwouldhavebeensaidthatnoexteriornoisereachedhisears。Butletacryofpainbeheardinanydirection，theEmperorinstantlyraisedhishead，andgaveorderstogoandascertainwhathadhappened。

Thepowerofthusisolatingone\'sselfcompletelyfromallthesurroundingworldisverydifficulttoacquire，andnoonepossessedittothesamedegreeashisMajesty。

Onthe1stofMaytheEmperorwasatLutzen，thoughthebattledidnotoccurtillnextday。Onthatday，atsixo\'clockintheevening，thebraveMarshalBessieres，DukeofIstria，waskilledbyacannon-ball，justatthemomentwhen，mountedonaheight，wrappedinalongcloakwhichhehadputoninordernottoberemarked，hehadjustgivenordersfortheburialofasergeantofhisescort，whomaballhadjustslainafewstepsinfrontofhim。

FromthefirstcampaignsinItalytheDukeofIstriahadhardlylefttheEmperoratall；hadfollowedhiminallhiscampaigns；hadtakenpartinallhisbattles，andwasalwaysdistinguishedforhiswell-provedbravery，andafranknessandcandorveryrareamongthehighpersonagesbywhomhisMajestywassurrounded。HehadpassedthroughalmostallgradesuptothecommandoftheImperialGuard；andhisgreatexperience，excellentcharacter，goodheart，andunalterableattachmenttotheEmperor，hadrenderedhimverydeartohisMajesty。

TheEmperorwasmuchmovedonlearningofthedeathofthemarshal，andremainedsometimesilentwithbenthead，andeyesfastenedontheground。Atlasthesaid，“HehasdiedlikeTurenne；hisfateistobeenvied。“Hethenpassedhishandoverhiseyesandwithdrew。

ThebodyofthemarshalwasembalmedandcarriedtoParis，andtheEmperorwrotethefollowinglettertotheDuchessofIstria:

“MYCOUSIN，——

Yourhusbandhasdiedonthefieldofhonor。Thelosssustainedbyyouandyourchildrenisdoubtlessgreat，butmineisgreaterstill。

TheDukeofIstriahasdiedamostgloriousdeath，andwithoutsuffering。Heleavesastainlessreputation，therichestheritagehecouldhavelefthischildren。Myprotectionisassured，andtheywillalsoinherittheaffectionIboretheirfather。Findinalltheseconsiderationssomesourceofconsolationinyourdistress，andneverdoubtmysentimentstowardsyou。

Thisletterhavingnootherobject，IpraythatGod，mycousin，mayhaveyouinhisholykeeping。

NAPOLEON。“

TheKingofSaxonyrearedamonumenttotheDukeofIstriaontheexactspotwherehefell。ThevictorysolongdisputedinthisbattleofLutzenwasonthataccountonlythemoregloriousfortheEmperor，andwasgainedprincipallybytheyoungconscripts，whofoughtlikelions。

MarshalNeyexpectedthisofthem；forbeforethebattlehesaidtohisMajesty，“Sire，givemeagoodmanyofthoseyoungmen，IwillleadthemwhereverIwish。Theoldbeardedfellowsknowasmuchaswe，theyreflect，theyaretoocoldblooded；buttheseintrepidchildrenknownodifficulties，theylookstraightbeforethem，andneithertotherightnorleft。“

Infact，inthemidstofthebattle，thePrussians，commandedbythekinginperson，attackedthecorpsofMarshalNeywithsuchfurythatitfellback，buttheconscriptsdidnottakeflight。Theywithstoodthefire，ralliedbyplatoons，andflankedtheenemy，cryingwithalltheirmight，“Vivel\'Empereur。“TheEmperorappeared；andrecoveringfromtheterribleshocktheyhadsustained，andelectrifiedbythepresenceoftheirhero，theyattackedintheirturnwithincredibleviolence。HisMajestywasastonished。“Inthetwentyyears，“saidhe，“IhavecommandedFrencharmiesIhaveneverwitnessedsuchremarkablebraveryanddevotion。“

Itwasindeedatouchingsighttoseethoseyouthfulsoldiers，althoughgrievouslywounded，somewithoutanarm，somewithoutaleg，withbutafewmomentsofliferemaining，makingalasteffort，astheEmperorapproached，torisefromtheground，andshoutwiththeirlatestbreath，“Vivel\'Empereur。“TearsfillmyeyesasIthinkofthoseyouths，sobrilliant，sostrong，andsocourageous。

Theenemydisplayedthesamebraveryandenthusiasm。ThelightinfantryofthePrussianguardwerealmostallyoungmenwhosawfireforthefirsttime；theyexposedthemselvestoeveryhazard，andfellbyhundredsbeforetheywouldrecoilastep。

Innootherbattle，Ithink，wastheEmperorsovisiblyprotectedbyhisdestiny。Ballswhistledaroundhisears，carryingawayastheypassedpiecesofthetrappingsofhishorse，shellsandgrenadesrolledathisfeet，butnothingtouchedhim。Thesoldiersobservedthis，andtheirenthusiasmrosetothehighestpitch。

Atthebeginningofthebattle，theEmperorsawabattalionadvancingwhosechiefhadbeensuspendedfromhisofficetwoorthreedaysbeforeforsomeslightbreachofdiscipline。Thedisgracedofficermarchedinthesecondrankwithhissoldiers，bywhomhewasadored。TheEmperorsawhim，andhaltingthebattalion，tooktheofficerbythehand，andplacedhimagainattheheadofhistroop。Theeffectproducedbythisscenewasindescribable。

Onthe8thofMay，atseveno\'clockintheevening，theEmperorenteredDresden，andtookpossessionofthepalace，whichtheEmperorofRussiaandKingofPrussiahadquittedthatveryevening。AshortdistancefromthebarrierstheEmperorwassalutedbyadeputationfromthemunicipalityofthattown。

“Youdeserve，“saidhetothesedeputies，“thatIshouldtreatyouasaconqueredcountry。Iknowallthatyouhavedonewhilethealliesoccupiedyourtown；Ihaveastatementofthenumberofvolunteerswhomyouhaveclothed，equipped，andarmedagainstme，withagenerositywhichhasastonishedeventheenemy。IknowtheinsultsyouhaveheapedonFrance，andhowmanyshamelesslibelsyouhavetosuppressortoburntoday。IamfullyawarewithwhattransportsofjoyyoureceivedtheEmperorofRussiaandtheKingofPrussiawithinyourwalls。Yourhousesarestilldecoratedwiththegarlands，andwestillseelyingontheearththeflowerswhichtheyounggirlsscatteredintheirpath。Nevertheless，Iamwillingtopardoneverything。Thankyourkingforthis；itishewhosavesyou，andIpardonyouonlyfromloveofhim。Sendadeputationtoentreathimtoreturntoyou。Myaide-de-camp，GeneralDurosnel，willbeyourgovernor。Yourgoodkinghimselfcouldnotmakeabetterselection。“

AssoonasheenteredthecitytheEmperorwasinformedthatapartoftheRussianrear-guardsoughttoholditsgroundinthenewtown，separatedfromtheoldbytheriverElbe，andhadfallenintothepowerofourarmy。

HisMajestyimmediatelyorderedthateverythingshouldbedoneinordertodriveoutthisremnantoftheenemy；andduringanentiredaytherewasacontinuedcannonadingandshootinginthetownfromonebanktotheother。BulletsandshellfelllikehailonthespotoccupiedbytheEmperor。Ashellstruckthewallsofapowder-magazinenotfarfromhim，andscatteredthepiecesaroundhishead，butfortunatelythepowderdidnotignite。AfewmomentsafteranothershellfellbetweenhisMajestyandseveralItalians；theybenttoavoidtheexplosion。TheEmperorsawthismovement，andlaughinglysaidtothem，“Ah，coglioni！nonfamale。“——

[Ah，scamps！don\'tbehavebadly。“]——

Onthe11thofMay，inthemorning，theRussianswereputtoflightandpursued，theFrencharmyenteringthecityfromallsides。TheEmperorremainedonthebridgethewholeday，watchinghistroopsastheyfiledin。Thenextdayatteno\'clocktheImperialGuardunderarmswereplacedinlineofbattleontheroadfromPirnatoGrossGarten。TheEmperorreviewedit，andorderedGeneralFlahauttoadvance。

TheKingofSaxonyarrivedaboutnoon。Onmeetingagain，thetwosovereignsalightedfromtheirhorsesandembracedeachother，andthenenteredDresdenamidgeneralacclamations。

GeneralFlahaut，whohadgonetomeettheKingofSaxonywithapartoftheimperialGuard，receivedfromthisgoodkingthemostflatteringtestimonialsofappreciationandgratitude。ItisimpossibletoshowmorecordialityandfriendlinessthantheKingofSaxonydisplayed。TheEmperorsaidofhimandhisfamilythattheywereapatriarchalfamily，andthatallwhocompriseditjoinedtostrikingvirtuesanexpansivekindnessofmannerwhichmadethemadoredbytheirsubjects。HisMajestypaidthisroyalpersonagethemostaffectionateattentions，andaslongasthewarlastedsentcourierseachdaytokeepthekinginformedoftheleastcircumstance:Hecamehimselfasoftenaspossible，and，infact，constantlytreatedhimwiththatcordialityhesowellknewhowtodisplayandtorenderirresistiblewhenhechose。

AfewdaysafterhisarrivalatDresdenhisMajestyheldalongconversationwiththeKingofSaxony，inwhichtheEmperorAlexanderwastheprincipalsubjectofconversation。

Thecharacteristicsandfaultsofthisprincewerefullyanalyzed；andtheconclusiondrawnfromthisconversationwasthattheEmperorAlexanderhadbeensincereintheinterviewatErfurt，andthatitmusthavebeenverycomplicatedintrigueswhichhadthusledtotheruptureofalltheirtreatiesoffriendship。“Sovereignsaremostunfortunate，“

saidhisMajesty；“alwaysdeceived，alwayssurroundedbyflatterersortreacherouscounselors，whosegreatestdesireistopreventthetruthfromreachingtheearsoftheirmasters，whohavesomuchinterestinknowingit。“

ThetwosovereignsnextspokeoftheEmperorofAustria。HisMajestyappearedprofoundlygrievedthathisunionwiththeArchduchessMarieLouise，whomhedidallinhispowertorenderthehappiestofwomen，shouldhavefailedinproducingtheresulthehadanticipated，ofobtainingforhimtheconfidenceandfriendshipofherfather。“ItisperhapsbecauseIwasnotbornasovereign，“saidtheEmperor；“andnevertheless，Ishouldthinkthatthiswouldbeanadditionalinducementtothefriendshipofmyfather-in-law。IshallneverbeconvincedthatsuchtiesarenotstrongenoughtoobtaintheallianceoftheEmperorofAustria；for，infact，Iamhisson-in-law，mysonishisgrandson，heloveshisdaughter，andsheishappy；how，then，canhebemyenemy？“

OnlearningofthevictoryofLutzen，andtheentranceoftheEmperorintoDresden，theEmperorofAustriahastenedtosendM。deBubnatohisson-

in-law。Hearrivedontheeveningofthe16th；andtheinterview，whichhisMajestyimmediatelygranted，lasteduntiltwohoursaftermidnight。

Thisledustohopethatpeacewasabouttobeconcluded，andweconsequentlyformedathousandconjectures，eachmoreencouragingthantheother；butwhentwoorthreedayshadpassedaway，andwestillwitnessedonlypreparationsforwar，wesawthatourhopeswerecruellydeceived。ThenitwasIheardtheunfortunateMarshalDurocexclaim，“Thisislastingtoolong！Wewillnoneofusoutliveit！“Hehadapresentimentofhisowndeath。

DuringthewholeofthiscampaigntheEmperorhadnotamomentofrepose。

Thedayspassedawayincombatsormarches，alwaysonhorseback；thenightsinlaborsinthecabinet。Inevercomprehendedhowhisbodycouldenduresuchfatigue，andyetheenjoyedalmostcontinuouslythemostperfecthealth。TheeveningbeforethebattleofBautzenheretiredverylate，aftervisitingallthemilitaryposts，and，havinggivenallnecessaryorders，sleptprofoundly。Earlynextmorning，the20thofMay，movementsbegan，andweawaitedatheadquarterswitheagerimpatiencetheresultsofthisday。Butthebattlewasnotovereventhen；andafterasuccessionofencounters，alwaysendinginourfavor，althoughhotlycontested，theEmperor，atnineo\'clockintheevening，returnedtoheadquarters，tookalightrepast，andremainedwithPrinceBerthieruntilmidnight。Theremainderofthenightwaspassedinwork，andatfiveo\'clockinthemorninghewasonhisfeetandreadytoreturntothecombat。ThreeorfourhoursafterhisarrivalonthebattlefieldtheEmperorwasovercomebyanirresistibledesireforsleep，and，foreseeingtheissueoftheday，sleptonthesideofaravine，inthemidstofthebatteriesoftheDukeofRagusa，untilhewasawakedwiththeinformationthatthebattlewasgained。

Thisfact，whichwasrelatedtomeintheevening，didnotastonishmeintheleast；forIhavealreadyremarkedthatwhenhewascompelledtoyieldtothenecessityofsleep，thatimperiouswantofnature，theEmperortookthereposewhichwassonecessarytohimwhenandwherehecould，likeatruesoldier。

Althoughtheresultwasdecided，thebattlewascontinueduntilfiveo\'clockintheevening。Atsixo\'clocktheEmperorhadhistenterectednearasolitaryinn，whichhadservedasheadquartersfortheEmperorAlexanderduringthetwoprecedingdays。Ireceivedorderstoattendhimthere，anddidsowithallspeed；buthisMajesty，nevertheless，passedthewholenightreceivingandcongratulatingthechiefgenerals，andworkingwithhissecretaries。

AllthewoundedwhowereabletomarchwerealreadyontheroadtoDresden，whereallnecessaryhelpawaitedthem。Butonthefieldofbattlewerestretchedmorethantenthousandmen，Frenchmen，Russians，Prussians，etc。，——hardlyabletobreathe，mutilated，andinamostpitiablecondition。TheunremittinglaborsofthekindandindefatigableBaronLarreyandthemultitudeofsurgeonsencouragedbyhisheroicexampledidnotsufficeeventodresstheirwounds。Andwhatmeanscouldbefoundtoremovethewoundedinthisdesolatecountry，whereallthevillageshadbeensackedandburned，andwhereitwasnolongerpossibletofindeitherhorsesorconveyances？Musttheythenletallthesemenperishaftermosthorriblesufferings，forlackofmeanstoconveythemtoDresden？

ItwasthenthatthispopulationofSaxonvillagers，whoitmighthavebeenthoughtmustbeembitteredbythehorrorsofwar，——inseeingtheirdwellingsburned，theirfieldsravaged，——furnishedtothearmyanexampleofthesublimesentimentswhichpitycaninspireintheheartofman。

TheyperceivedthecruelanxietywhichM。Larreyandhiscompanionssufferedconcerningthefateofsomanyunfortunatewounded，andimmediatelymen，women，children，andevenoldmen，hastilybroughtwheelbarrows。Thewoundedwerelifted，andplacedonthesefrailconveyances。TwoorthreepersonsaccompaniedeachwheelbarrowallthewaytoDresden，haltingifbyacryorgestureeven，thewoundedindicatedadesiretorest，stoppingtoreplacethebandageswhichthemotionhaddisplaced，ornearaspringtogivethemwatertoallaythefeverwhichdevouredthem。Ihaveneverseenamoretouchingsight。

BaronLarreyhadananimateddiscussionwiththeEmperor。Amongthewounded，therewerefoundalargenumberofyoungsoldierswithtwofingersoftheirrighthandtornoff；andhisMajestythoughtthatthesepooryoungfellowshaddoneitpurposelytokeepfromserving。HavingsaidthistoM。Larrey，thelattervehementlyexclaimedthatitwasanimpossibility，andthatsuchbasenesswasnotinkeepingwiththecharacterofthesebraveyoungconscripts。AstheEmperorstillmaintainedhisposition，LarreyatlengthbecamesoangrythathewentsofarastotaxtheEmperorwithinjustice。Thingswereinthisconditionwhenitwaspositivelyprovedthattheseuniformwoundscamefromthehastewithwhichtheseyoungsoldiersloadedanddischargedtheirguns，notbeingaccustomedtohandlingthem。WhereuponhisMajestysawthatM。

deLarreywasright，andpraisedhimforhisfirmnessinmaintainingwhathe，knewtobethetruth。“Youareathoroughlygoodman，M。deLarrey，“

saidtheEmperor。“IwishIcouldbesurroundedonlywithmenlikeyou；

butsuchmenareveryrare。“

CHAPTERXII。

WehadnowreachedtheeveofthedayonwhichtheEmperor，stilldeeplyaffectedbythelosshehadsustainedinthedeathoftheDukeofIstria，wastoreceiveablowwhichhefeltperhapsmostkeenlyofallthosewhichstruckdeepintohisheartashesawhisoldcompanionsinarmsfallaroundhim。ThedayfollowingthatonwhichtheEmperorhad，withBaronLarrey，thediscussionwhichIrelatedattheendoftheprecedingchapterwasmadememorablebytheirreparablelossofMarshalDuroc。TheEmperor\'sheartwascrushed；andindeednotoneofusfailedtoshedsinceretears——sojustandgoodwashe，althoughgraveandsevereinhismannertowardspersonswhomthenatureoftheirdutiesbroughtintocontactwithhim。ItwasalossnotonlytotheEmperor，whopossessedinhimatruefriend，but，Idaretoassert，alsotothewholeofFrance。

HelovedtheEmperorwithapassionatedevotion，andneverfailedtobestowonhimhisfaithfuladmonitions，althoughtheywerenotalwaysheeded。ThedeathofMarshalDurocwasaneventsogrievousandsototallyunexpected，thatweremainedforsometimeuncertainwhethertobelieveit，evenwhentheonlytooevidentrealitynolongerpermittedustoremainunderanydelusion。

Thesearethecircumstancesunderwhichthisfataleventoccurredwhichspreadconsternationthroughoutthearmy:TheEmperorwaspursuingtherearguardoftheRussians，whocontinuallyeludedhim，andhadjustescapedforthetenthtimesincethemorning，afterhavingkilledandtakenprisonerslargenumbersofourbravesoldiers，whentwoorthreeshellsdugupthegroundattheEmperor\'sfeet，andcausedhimtoexclaim，“What！aftersuchbutcherynoresult！noprisoners！thosementherewillnotleavemeanail。“Hardlyhadhefinishedspeakingwhenashellpassed，andthrewachasseurofthecavalryescortalmostunderthelegsofhisMajesty\'shorse。“Ah，Duroc，“addedhe，turningtowardsthegrandmarshal，“fortuneprotectsusto-day。“——“Sire，“saidanaide-

decamp，rushing，upatagallop，“GeneralBruyereshasjustbeenkilled。“

“MypoorcomradeofItaly！Isitpossible？Ah！itisnecessarytopushon，nevertheless。“Andnoticingontheleftanelevationfromwhichhecouldbetterobservewhatwaspassing，theEmperorstartedinthatdirectionamidstacloudofdust。TheDukeofVicenza，theDukeofTreviso，MarshalDuroc，andgeneralofengineersKirgenerfollowedhisMajestyclosely；butthewindraisedsuchacloudofdustandsmokethattheycouldhardlyseeeachother。SuddenlyatreenearwhichtheEmperorpassedwasstruckbyashellandcutinhalf。HisMajesty，onreachingtheplateau，turnedtoaskforhisfield-glass，andsawnoonenearhimexcepttheDukeofVicenza。DukeCharlesdePlaisancecameup，hisfaceshowingamortalpallor，leanedtowardsthegrandequerry，andsaidafewwordsinhisear。“Whatisit？“vehementlyinquiredtheEmperor；，whathashappened？“——“Sire，“saidtheDukeofPlaisance，weeping，“thegrandmarshalisdead！“——“Duroc？Butyoumustbemistaken。Hewashereamomentagobymyside。“Severalaides-de-camparrived，andapagewithhisMajesty\'sfield-glass。Thefatalnewswasconfirmed，inpartatleast。TheGrandDukeofFrioulwasnotyetdead；buttheshellhadwoundedhiminthestomach，andallsurgicalaidwouldbeuseless。Theshellafterbreakingthetreehadglanced，firststrikingGeneralKirgener，whowasinstantlykilled，andthentheDukeofFrioul。

MonsieursYvanandLarreywerewiththewoundedmarshal，whohadbeencarriedintoahouseatMarkersdorf。Therewasnohopeofsavinghim。

TheconsternationofthearmyandhisMajesty\'sgriefonthisdeplorableeventwereindescribable。Hemechanicallygaveafewordersandreturnedtocamp，andwhenhehadreachedtheencampmentoftheguard，seatedhimselfonabenchinfrontofhistent，withloweredheadandclaspedhands，andremainedthusfornearlyanhourwithoututteringaword。

Sinceitwasneverthelessessentialthatordersshouldbegivenforthenextday，GeneralDrouotapproached，——[CountAntoineDrouot，chiefofartilleryoftheguard，bornatNancy，1774；foughtascaptainatHohenlinden，1800；distinguishedhimselfatWagram(1809)andBorodino(1812)；madegeneralofdivisionatBautzen，1813；wenttoElbaascommanderoftheguard，andwasbytheEmperor\'ssideatWaterloo；diedin1847。HewasaProtestant，andwasoftenseenduringheavyfiringreadinghisTestamentcalmly。]——

andinavoiceinterruptedbysobsaskedwhatshouldbedone。“To-

morrow，everything，“repliedtheEmperor，andsaidnotawordmore。

“Poorman！“exclaimedtheoldwatchdogsoftheguard；“hehaslostoneofhischildren。“Nightclosedin。Theenemywasinfullretreat；andthearmyhavingtakenitsposition，theEmperorleftthecamp，and，accompaniedbythePrincedeNeuchatel，M。Yvan，andtheDukeofVicenza，repairedtothehousewherethegrandmarshalhadbeenconveyed。Thescenewasterrible。TheEmperor，distractedwithgrief，repeatedlyembracedthisfaithfulfriend，endeavoringtocheerhim；buttheduke，whowasperfectlyconsciousofhiscondition，repliedonlybyentreatiestohaveopiumgivenhim。AtthesewordstheEmperorlefttheroom；hecouldnolongercontrolhisemotions。

TheDukedeFriouldiednextmorning；andtheEmperororderedthathisbodyshouldbeconveyedtoParis，andpacedunderthedomeoftheInvalides——

[OneithersideoftheentrancetothesarcophagusofporphyrywhichholdsthemortalremainsofthegreatEmperor，restDurocandBertrand，whoinlifewatchedoverhimasmarshalsofhisPalace-

TRANS。]——

Heboughtthehouseinwhichthegrandmarshaldied，andchargedthepastorofthevillagetohaveastoneplacedinthespotwherehisbedhadstood，andthesewordsengravedthereon:

“HEREGENERALDUROC，DUKEOFFRIOUL，GRANDMARSHALOFTHEPALACEOFTHEEMPERORNAPOLEON，MORTALLYWOUNDEDBYASHELL，DIEDINTHEARMSOFHISFRIEND，THEEMPEROR。“

Thepreservationofthismonumentwasimposedasanobligationontheoccupantofthehouse，whoreceiveditasagiftwiththisconditionannexed。Thepastor，themagistrateofthevillage，andtheonewhoacceptedthisgift，weresummonedtohisMajesty\'spresence；andhemadeknowntothemhiswishes，whichtheysolemnlyengagedtofulfill。HisMajestythendrewfromhisprivypursethenecessaryfunds，andhandedthemtothesegentlemen。

Itiswellthatthereadershouldknowhowthisagreementsosolemnlymadewasexecuted。ThisorderoftheRussianstaffwillinformhim。

“Acopyofareceiptdatedthe16th(28th)ofMarchstatesthattheEmperorNapoleonhandedtoHermann，pastorofthechurchatMarkersdorf，thesumoftwohundredgoldnapoleonsforthepurposeoferectingamonumenttothememoryofMarshalDuroc，whodiedonthefieldofbattle。HisExcellencyPrinceRepnin，Governor-GeneralofSaxony，havingorderedthatadeputyfrommyofficebesenttoMarkersdorfinordertobringthesaidsumanddeposititwithmeuntilitisfinallydisposedof，mysecretary，Meyerheim，ischargedwiththismission，andconsequentlywillgoatoncetoDlarkersdorf，and，asanevidenceofhisauthority，willpresenttoMinisterHermanntheaccompanyingorder，andtakepossessionoftheabovementionedsumoftwohundredgoldnapoleons。ThesecretaryMeyerheimwillaccounttomealonefortheexecutionofthisorder。

AtDresdenthis20thofMarchllstofApril)，1814。

(Signed)BARONDEROSEN。“

Thisorderneedsnocomment。AfterthebattlesofBautzenandWurschen，theEmperorenteredSilesia。Hesawoneveryoccasioncombinedarmiesofthealliesputtoflightbeforehisownineveryencounter；andthissight，whileflatteringhisvanityexceedingly，alsogreatlystrengthenedhiminthebeliefthathewouldsoonfindhimselfmasterofarichandfertilecountry，wheretheabundantmeansofsubsistencewouldbeofmuchadvantageinallhisundertakings。Manytimesadayheexclaimed，“Howfararewefromsuchatown？WhendowearriveatBreslau？“Hisimpatiencedidnotpreventhimmeanwhilefromoccupyinghismindwitheveryobjectwhichstruckhisattention，asifhewerefreefromallcare。Heexaminedthehouses，onebyone，ashepassedthrougheachvillage，remarkedthedirectionofriversandmountainranges，andcollectedthemostminuteinformationwhichtheinhabitantscouldorwouldgivehim。Onthe27thofMay，hisMajesty，whennotmorethanthreedaysmarchfromBreslau，metinfrontofalittletowncalledMichelsdorfseveralregimentsofRussiancavalrywhoheldtheroad。TheywerequiteneartheEmperorandhisstaffbeforehisMajestyhadevenperceivedthem。ThePrincedeNeuchatel，seeingtheenemysonear，hastenedtotheEmperor，andsaid，“Sire，theyarestilladvancing。“——

“Well，wewilladvancealso，“repliedhisMajesty，smiling。“Lookbehindyou-“AndheshowedtheprincetheFrenchinfantryapproachinginclosecolumns。AfewdischargessoondrovetheRussiansfromthisposition；

buthalfaleagueoraleaguefartherwefoundthemagain，andthismaneuverwasagainandagainrepeated。TheEmperor，perceivingthis，maneuveredaccordingly，andinpersondirectedwiththegreatestprecisionthetroopsastheyadvanced。Hewentfromoneheighttoanother，andthoroughlyinspectedthetownsandvillagesontherouteinordertoreconnoitertheirposition，andascertainwhatresourceshecouldobtainfromthecountry；and，asaresultofhisattentivecareandindefatigableoversight，thescenechangedtentimesaday。Ifacolumnemergedfromadeepravine，awood，oravillage，itcouldtakeimmediatepossessionofaheight，sinceabatterywasfoundalreadyinpositiontodefendit。TheEmperorindicatedeverymovementwithadmirabletact，andinsuchamannerthatitwasimpossibletobetakenatadisadvantage。

Hecommandedonlythetroopsasawhole，transmittingeitherpersonally，orthroughhisstaffofficers，hisorderstothecommanderofthecorpsanddivisions，whointheirturntransmittedorhadthemtransmittedtothechiefsofbattalions。AllordersgivenbyhisMajestywereshort，precise，andsoclearthatitwasnevernecessarytoaskexplanations。

Onthe29thofMay，notknowinghowfarontheroadtoBreslauitwasprudenttoadvance，hisMajestyestablishedhimselfonalittlefarmcalledRosnig，whichhadbeenpillaged，andpresentedamostmiserableaspect。AstherecouldbefoundinthehouseonlyasmallapartmentwithaclosetsuitablefortheEmperor\'suse，thePrincedeNeuchatelandhissuiteestablishedthemselvesaswellastheycouldinthesurroundingcottages，barns，andeveninthegardens，sincetherewasnotsufficientshelterforall。ThenextdayafirebrokeoutinastablenearthelodgingoftheEmperor。Therewerefourteenorfifteenwagonsinthisbarn，whichwereallburned。Oneofthesewagonscontainedthetravelingtreasurychest；inanotherweretheclothesandlinenbelongingtotheEmperor，aswellasjewelry，rings，tobaccoboxes，andothervaluableobjects。Wesavedveryfewthingsfromthisfire；andifthereservecorpshadnotarrivedpromptly，hisMajestywouldhavebeenobligedtochangehiscustomarytoiletrulesforwantofstockingsandshirts。TheSaxonMajord\'Odeleben，whohaswrittensomeinterestingarticlesonthiscampaign，statesthateverythingbelongingtohisMajestywasburned；andthatitwasnecessarytohavehimsomepantaloonsmadeinthegreatesthasteatBreslau。Thisisamistake。Idonotthinkthatthebaggage-

wagonwasburned；butevenifithadbeen，theEmperorwouldnotonthataccounthaveneededclothing，sincetherewerealwaysfourorfivecompletesuitseitherinadvanceorintherearoftheheadquarters。

InRussia，whentheorderwasgiventoburnallcarriageswhichlackedhorses，thisorderwasrigorouslyexecutedinregardtothepersonsofthehousehold，andtheywereconsequentlyleftwithalmostnothing；buteverythingwasreservedwhichmightbeconsideredindispensabletohisMajesty。

Atlengthonthe1stofJune，atsixo\'clockinthemorning，theadvanceguardenteredBreslau，havingatitsheadGeneralLauriston，andGeneralHogendorp，whomhisMajestyhadinvestedinadvancewiththefunctionsofgovernorofthistown，whichwasthecapitalofSilesia。ThuswasfulfilledinpartthepromisetheEmperorhadmadeinpassingthroughWarsawonhisreturnfromRussia:“Igotoseekthreehundredthousandmen。SuccesswillrendertheRussiansbold。IwilldelivertwobattlesbetweentheElbeandtheOder，andinsixmonthsIwillbeagainontheNiemen。“

Thesetwobattlesfoughtandgainedbyconscripts，andwithoutcavalry，hadre-establishedthereputationoftheFrencharmy。TheKingofSaxonyhadbeenbroughtbackintriumphtohiscapital。TheheadquartersoftheEmperorwereatBreslau；oneofthecorpsofthegrandarmywasatthegatesofBerlin，andtheenemydrivenfromHamburg。Russiawasabouttobeforcedtowithdrawintoitsownboundaries，whentheEmperorofAustria，actingasmediatorintheaffairsofthetwoalliedsovereigns，advisedthemtoproposeanarmistice。Theyfollowedthisadvice；andastheEmperorhadtheweaknesstoconsenttotheirdemands，thearmisticewasgrantedandsignedonthefourthofJune，andhisMajestyatoncesetoutonhisreturntoDresden。Anhourafterhisdeparturehesaid，“Ifthealliesdonotingoodfaithdesirepeace，thisarmisticemaybecomeveryfataltous。“

Ontheeveningofthe8thofJune，hisMajestyreachedGorlitz。Onthatnightfirebrokeoutinthefaubourgwheretheguardhadestablisheditsquarters；andatoneo\'clockoneoftheofficialsofthetowncametotheheadquartersoftheEmperortogivethealarm，sayingthatallwaslost。

Thetroopsextinguishedthefire，andanaccountwasrenderedtheEmperorofwhathadoccurred。Idressedhiminallhaste，ashewishedtosetoutatbreakofday。“Tohowmuchdoesthelossamount？“demandedtheEmperor。“Sire，tosevenoreightthousandfrancsatleastforthecasesofgreatestneed。“——“Lettenthousandbegiven，andletitbedistributedimmediately。“TheinhabitantswereimmediatelyinformedofthegenerosityoftheEmperor；andasheleftthevillageanhourortwoafter，hewassalutedwithunanimousacclamations。

Onthemorningofthe10thwereturnedfromDresden。TheEmperor\'sarrivalputanendtomostsingularrumorswhichhadbeencirculatedtheresincetheremainsofGrandMarshalDurochadpassedthroughthecity。ItwasassertedthatthecoffincontainedthebodyoftheEmperor；

thathehadbeenkilledinthelastbattle，andhisbodymysteriouslyconcealedinaroomofthechateau，throughthewindowsofwhichlightscouldbeseenburningallnight。Whenhearrived，somepersonsperfectlyinfatuatedwiththisideawentsofarastorepeatwhathadalreadybeenreported，withtheaddedcircumstancethatitwasnottheEmperorwhowasseeninhiscarriage，butafiguremadeofwax。Nevertheless，whennextdayheappearedbeforetheeyesofallonhorsebackinameadowinfrontofthegatesofthecity，theywerecompelledtoadmitthathestilllived。

TheEmperoralightedattheMarcolinipalace，acharmingsummerresidencesituatedinthefaubourgofFriedrichstadt。Animmensegarden，thebeautifulmeadowsofOsterwiseonthebanksoftheElbe，inadditiontoanextremelyfinelandscape，renderedthissojournmuchmoreattractivethanthatofthewinterpalace；andconsequentlytheEmperorwasmostgratefultotheKingofSaxonyforhavingprepareditforhim。ThereheledthesamelifeasatSchoenbrunn；reviewseverymorning，muchworkduringtheday，andfewdistractionsintheevening；infact，moresimplicitythandisplay。Themiddleofthedaywasspentincabinetlabors；andduringthattimesuchperfecttranquillityreignedinthepalace，thatexceptforthepresenceoftwosentinelsonhorsebackandvidettes，whichshowedthatitwasthedwellingofasovereign，itwouldhavebeendifficulttoimaginethatthisbeautifulresidencewasinhabitedevenbythesimplestprivatecitizen。

TheEmperorhadchosenforhisapartmentstherightwingofthepalace；

theleftwasoccupiedbythePrincedeNeuchatel。Inthecenterofthebuildingwerealargesaloonandtwosmalleroneswhichservedasreceptionrooms。

Twodaysafterhisreturn，hisMajestysentorderstoParisthattheactorsofthe“Comedy“TheaterfromParisshouldspendthetimeofthearmisticeatDresden。TheDukeofVicenza，chargedintheinterimwiththedutiesofgrandmarshalofthepalace，wasorderedtomakeallnecessarypreparationstoreceivethem。HecommittedthisdutytothecareofMessieursdeBeaussetanddeTurenne，towhomtheEmperorgavethesuperintendenceofthetheater；andahalltobeusedforthispurposewaserectedintheorangeryoftheMarcolinipalace。Thishallcommunicatedwiththeapartments，andcouldseatabouttwohundredpersons。Itwaserectedasifbymagic，andwasopened，whileawaitingthearrivaloftheFrenchtroupe，withtwoorthreerepresentationsgivenbytheItaliancomediansoftheKingofSaxony。

TheactorsfromPariswere:Fortragedy，MessieursSaint-PrixandTalmaandMademoiselleGeorges。

Forcomedy:MessieursFleury，Saint-Fal，Baptistetheyounger，Armand，Thenard，Michot，Devigny，MichelotandBarbier；MesdamesMars，Bourgoin，Thenard，EmilieContat，andMezeray。

ThemanagementofthetheaterwasgiventoM。Despres。

Alltheseactorsarrivedonthe19thofJune，andfoundeveryarrangementmadefortheircomfort，——tastefullyfurnishedlodgings，carriages，servants，everythingwhichcouldenablethemtoagreeablyenduretheennuiofaresidenceinaforeignland，andprovetothematthesametimehowhighlyhisMajestyappreciatedtheirtalents；anappreciationwhichmostofthemrichlymerited，bothonaccountoftheirexcellentsocialqualities，andthenobilityandrefinementoftheirmanners。

ThedebutoftheFrenchtroupeatthetheateroftheOrangerytookplaceonthe22dofJune，inthe\'GageureImprevue\'，andanotherpiece，thenmuchinvogueatParis，andwhichhasoftensincebeenwitnessedwithmuchpleasure，\'LaSuited\'unBalMasque\'。

AsthetheateroftheOrangerywouldhavebeentoosmallfortherepresentationoftragedy，thatwasreservedforthegrandtheaterofthecity；andpersonswereadmittedonthoseoccasionsonlybycardsfromtheCountofTurenne，noadmissionfeebeingcharged。

AtthegrandtheateronthedaysoftheFrenchplay，andalsointhetheaterattheMarcolinipalace，thefootmenofhisMajestyattendedupontheboxes，andservedrefreshmentswhilethepiecewasbeingplayed。

ThisishowthedayswerespentafterthearrivaloftheactorsoftheFrenchtheater。

Everythingwasquietuntileighto\'clockinthemorning，unlessacourierarrived，orsomeaide-de-campwasunexpectedlysummoned。Ateighto\'clockIdressedtheEmperor；atnineheheldhislevee，whichallcouldattendwhoheldashigharankascolonel。Thecivilandmilitaryauthoritiesofthecountrywerealsoadmitted；theDukesofWeimarandd\'Anhalt，thebrothersandnephewsoftheKingofSaxony，sometimesattended。Nextcamebreakfast；thentheparadeinthemeadowsofOsterwise，aboutonehundredpacesdistantfromthepalace，towhichtheEmperoralwayswentonhorseback，anddismountedonarriving；thetroopsfiledbeforehim，andcheeredhimthreetimeswiththeircustomaryenthusiasm。TheevolutionswerecommandedsometimesbytheEmperor，sometimesbytheCountofLobau。Assoonasthecavalrybegantodefile，hismajestyre-enteredthepalaceandbegantowork。ThenbeganthatperfectstillnessofwhichIhavespoken；anddinnerwasnotserveduntillate，——sevenoreighto\'clock。TheEmperoroftendinedalonewiththePrincedeNeuchatel，unlesstherewereguestsfromtheroyalfamilyofSaxony。Afterdinnertheyattendedthetheater，whentherewasaplay；

andafterwardstheEmperorreturnedtohiscabinettoworkagain，eitheraloneorwithhissecretaries。

Eachdayitwasthesamething，unless，whichwasveryrarelythecase，fatiguedbeyondmeasurebythelaborsoftheday，theEmperortookafancytosendforMadameGeorgesafterthetragedy。Thenshepassedtwoorthreehoursinhisapartment，butnevermore。

SometimestheEmperorinvitedTalmaorMademoiselleMarstobreakfast。

Oneday，inaconversationwiththisadmirableactress，theEmperorspoketoherconcerningherdebut。“Sire，“saidshe，inthatgracefulmannerwhicheveryoneremembers，“Ibeganveryyoung。Islippedinwithoutbeingperceived。“——“Withoutbeingperceived！“repliedhisMajestyquickly；“youaremistaken。Beassuredmoreover，Mademoiselle，thatI

havealways，incommonwithallFrance，highlyappreciatedyourwonderfultalents。“

TheEmperor\'sstayatDresdenbroughtwealthandabundance。Morethansixmillionfrancsofforeignmoneywerespentinthiscitybetweenthe8thofMayand16thofNovember，ifonecanbelievethestatementspublishedonSaxonauthorityofthenumberoflodgingsdistributed。Thissojournwasaharvestofgold，whichkeepersofboarding-houses，hotels，andmerchantscarefullyreaped。Thoseinchargeofmilitarylodgingsfurnishedbytheinhabitantsalsomadelargeprofits。AtDresdencouldbeseenParisiantailorsandbootmakers，teachingthenativestoworkintheFrenchstyle。EvenbootblackswerefoundonthebridgesovertheElbe，crying，astheyhadcriedonthebridgesoftheSeine，“Shineyourboots！“

Aroundthecitynumerouscampshadbeenestablishedforthewounded，convalescents，etc。Oneofthese，calledtheWestphaliancamp，presentedamostbeautifulscene。Itwasasuccessionofbeautifulsmallgardens；

thereafortressmadeofturf，itsbastionscrownedwithhortensias；hereaplothadbeenconvertedintoaterrace，itswalksornamentedwithflowers，likethemostcarefullytendedparterre；onathirdwasseenastatueofPallas。Thewholebarrackwasdeckedwithmoss，anddecoratedwithboughsandgarlandswhichwererenewedeachday。

Asthearmisticewouldendonthe15thofAugust，thefeteofhisMajestywasadvancedfivedays。Thearmy，thetown，andthecourthadmadeextensivepreparationsinorderthattheceremonymightbeworthyofhiminwhosehonoritwasgiven。AlltherichestandmostdistinguishedinhabitantsofDresdenviedwitheachotherinballs，concerts，festivities，andrejoicingsofallsorts。Themorningbeforethedayofthereview，theKingofSaxonycametotheresidenceoftheEmperorwithallhisfamily，andthetwosovereignsmanifestedthewarmestfriendshipforeachother。Theybreakfastedtogether，afterwhichhisMajesty，accompaniedbytheKingofSaxony，hisbrothersandnephews，repairedtothemeadowbehindthepalace，wherefifteenthousandmenoftheguardawaitedhiminasfineconditionasonthemostbrilliantparadesontheChamp-de-Mars。

Afterthereview，theFrenchandSaxontroopsdispersedthroughthevariouschurchestoheartheTeDeum；andatthecloseofthereligiousceremony，allthesebravesoldiersseatedthemselvesatbanquetingtablesalreadyprepared，andtheirjoyousshoutswithmusicanddancingwereprolongedfarintothenight。

CHAPTERXIII。

Theentiredurationofthearmisticewasemployedinnegotiationstendingtoatreatyofpeace，whichtheEmperorardentlydesired，especiallysincehehadseenthehonorofhisarmyrestoredonthefieldsofLutzenandBautzen；butunfortunatelyhedesireditonlyonconditionstowhichtheenemywouldnotconsent，andsoonthesecondseriesofourdisastersrecommenced，andrenderedpeacemoreandmoreimpossible。Besides，fromthebeginningofnegotiationsrelativetothearmistice，whoselimitwehadnownearlyreached，theemperorAlexander，notwithstandingthethreebattleswonbyNapoleon，wouldlistentonodirectproposalsfromFrance，exceptonthesoleconditionthatAustriashouldactasmediator。Thisdistrust，asmightbeexpected，didnottendtoproduceafinal。

reconciliation，and，beingtheconqueringparty，theEmperorwasnaturallyirritatedbyit；nevertheless，underthesegravecircumstancesheconqueredthejustresentmentcausedbytheconductoftheEmperorofRussiatowardshimself。TheresultofthetimelostatDresden，liketheprolongationofoursojournatMoscow，wasagreatadvantagetotheenemy。

Allhopesofapeacefuladjustmentofaffairsnowhavingvanished，onthe15thofAugusttheEmperororderedhiscarriage；weleftDresden，andthewarrecommenced。TheFrencharmywasstillmagnificentandimposing，withaforceoftwohundredthousandinfantry，butonlyfortythousandcavalry，asithadbeenentirelyimpossibletorepaircompletelytheimmenselossofhorsesthathadbeensustained。ThemostseriousdangeratthattimearosefromthefactthatEnglandwasthesoulofthecoalitionofRussia，Prussia，andSwedenagainstFrance。Hersubsidieshavingobtainedherthesupremecontrol，nothingcouldbedecidedwithoutconsultingher；andIhavesincelearnedthatevenduringthepretendednegotiationstheBritishgovernmenthaddeclaredtotheEmperorofRussiathatunderthecircumstancestheconditionsofthetreatyofLunevillewouldbefartoofavorabletoFrance。Allthesecomplicationsmightbeexpressedinthesewords:“Wedesirewar！“Warwasthenwaged，orratherthescourgecontinuedtodesolateGermany，andsoonthreatenedandinvadedFrance。Ishould，moreover，callattentiontothefactthatwhatcontributedtorenderourpositionextremelycriticalincaseofreverseswasthatPrussiawagedonusnotsimplyawarofregulararmies，butthatithadnowassumedthecharacterofanationalwar，bythecallingoutoftheZandwehrandZandsturmwhichmadethesituationfarmoredangerousthanagainstthetacticsofthebestdisciplinedarmy。Tosomanyothercomplicationswasaddedthefear，soononlytoowelljustified，ofseeingAustriafromaninoffensiveandunbiasedmediatorbecomeadeclaredenemy。

Beforegoingfarther，IdeemitbesttoreferagaintotwoorthreeoccurrencesIhaveinadvertentlyomittedwhichtookplaceduringourstayatDresdenprevioustowhatmightbecalledthesecondcampaignof1813。

ThefirstofthesewastheappearanceatDresdenoftheDukeofOtranto，whomhisMajestyhadsummoned。

HehadbeenveryrarelyseenattheTuileriessincetheDukeofRovigohadreplacedhimasministerofgeneralpolice；andInoticedthathispresenceatheadquarterswasagreatsurprisetoeveryone，ashewasthoughttobeincompletedisgrace。ThosewhoseektoexplainthecausesofthesmallesteventsthinkthathisMajesty\'sideawastoopposethesubtleexpedientsofthepoliceunderM。Fouchetothethenall-powerfulpoliceoftheBarondeStein，thearmedheadofallthesecretpartieswhichwereformingineverydirection，andwhichwereregarded，notwithoutreason，astherulersofpopularopinioninPrussiaandGermany，and，aboveall，inthenumerousschools，wherethestudentswereonlyawaitingthemomentfortakinguparms。TheseconjecturesastoM。

Fouche\'spresenceatDresdenwerewithoutfoundation。TheEmperorinrecallinghimhadarealmotive，whichhe，however，disguisedunderaspeciouspretext。HavingbeendeeplyimpressedbytheconspiracyofMalet，hisMajestythoughtthatitwouldnotbeprudenttoleaveatParisduringhisabsenceapersonsodiscontentedandatthesametimesoinfluentialastheDukeofOtranto；andIheardhimmanytimesexpresshimselfonthissubjectinamannerwhichleftnoroomfordoubt。Butinordertodisguisethisrealmotive，theEmperorappointedM。FouchegovernoroftheIllyrianprovincesinplaceofCountBertrand，whowasgiventhecommandofanarmy-corps，andwassoonafterappointedtosucceedtheadorableGeneralDurocinthefunctionsofgrandmarshalofthepalace。WhateverthejusticeofthisdistrustofFouche，itisverycertainthatfewpersonsweresowellconvincedofthesuperiorityofhistalentsasapoliceofficerashisMajestyhimself。SeveraltimeswhenanythingextraordinaryoccurredatParis，andespeciallywhenhelearnedoftheconspiracyofMalet，theEmperor，recallingintheeveningwhathadimpressedhimmostdeeplyduringtheday，endedbysaying，“ThiswouldnothavehappenedifFouchehadbeenministerofpolice！“Perhapsthiswasunduepartiality；fortheEmperorassuredlyneverhadamorefaithfulanddevotedservantthantheDukeofRovigo，althoughmanyjestsweremadeinParisoverhiscustomofpunishingbyafewhoursimprisonment。

PrinceEugenehavingreturnedtoItalyatthebeginningofthecampaigninordertoorganizeanewarmyinthatcountry，wedidnotseehimatDresden；theKingofNaples，whohadarrivedonthenightofthe13thor14thAugustpresentedhimselftherealmostalone；andhiscontributiontothegrandarmyconsistedofonlythesmallnumberofNeapolitantroopshehadleftthereonhisdepartureforNaples。

IwasintheEmperor\'sapartmentwhentheKingofNaplesentered，andsawhimforthefirsttime。Ididnotknowtowhatcausetoattributeit，butInoticedthattheEmperordidnotgivehisbrother-in-lawascordialawelcomeasinthepast。PrinceMuratsaidthathecouldnolongerremainidleatNaples，knowingthattheFrencharmytowhichhestillbelongedwasinthefield，andheaskedonlytobeallowedtofightinitsranks。TheEmperortookhimwithhimtotheparade，andgavehimthecommandoftheImperialGuard；andamoreintrepidcommanderwouldhavebeendifficulttofind。Laterhewasgiventhegeneralcommandofthecavalry。

Duringthewholetimeofthearmistice，spunoutratherthanfilledwiththeslowanduselessconferencesoftheCongressofPrague，itwouldbeimpossibletodescribethevariouslaborsinwhichtheEmperoroccupiedhimselffrommorningtillevening，andoftenfarintothenight。Hecouldfrequentlybeseenbendingoverhismaps，making，sotospeak，arehearsalofthebattleshemeditated。Nevertheless，greatlyexasperatedbytheslownessofthenegotiationsastotheissueofwhichhecouldnolongerdeludehimself，heordered，shortlybeforetheendofJuly，thateverythingshouldbepreparedandinreadinessforajourneyheintendedmakingasfarasMayence。HemadeanappointmenttomeettheEmpressthere；andasshewastoarriveonthe25th，theEmperorconsequentlyarrangedhisdeparturesoastoarriveonlyashorttimeafter。Irecallthisjourneyonlyasafact，sinceitwassignalizedbynothingremarkable，excepttheinformationtheEmperorreceivedatthistimeofthedeathoftheDukeofAbrantes，whohadjustsuccumbedatDijontoaviolentattackofhisformermalady。AlthoughtheEmperorwasalreadyawarethathewasinadeplorablestateofmentalalienation，andmustconsequentlyhaveexpectedthisloss，hefeltitnonethelesssensibly，andsincerelymournedhisformeraide-decamp。

TheEmperorremainedonlyafewdayswiththeEmpress，whomhemetagainwithextremepleasure。Butasimportantpoliticalconsiderationsrecalledhim，hereturnedtoDresden，visitingseveralplacesonhisroute，andthe4thofAugustwereturnedtothecapitalofSaxony。

Travelerswhohadseenthisbeautifulcountryonlyinatimeofpeacewouldhaverecognizeditwithdifficulty。Immensefortificationshadmetamorphoseditintoawarliketown；numerousbatterieshadbeenplacedinthesuburbsoverlookingtheoppositebankoftheElbe。Everythingassumedawarlikeattitude，andtheEmperor\'stimebecamesocompletelyandentirelyabsorbedthatheremainednearlythreedayswithoutleavinghiscabinet。

Nevertheless，inthemidstofthepreparationsforwarallarrangementsweremadetocelebrateonthe10thofAugusttheEmperor\'sfete，whichhadbeenadvancedfivedays，because，asIhavepreviouslyobserved，thearmisticeexpiredpreciselyontheanniversaryofSaint-Napoleon；and，asmaybereadilyinferredfromhisnaturalpassionforwar，theresumptionofhostilitieswasnotanadditiontohisfetewhichhewouldbelikelytodisdain。

TherewasatDresden，ashadbeencustomaryatParis，aspecialrepresentationatthetheaterontheeveningbeforetheEmperor\'sfete。

TheactorsoftheFrenchtheaterplayedtwocomediesonthe9thatfiveo\'clockintheevening；whichrepresentationwasthelast，astheactorsoftheFrenchComedyreceivedordersimmediatelyafterwardstoreturntoParis。ThenextdaytheKingofSaxony，accompaniedbyalltheprincesoftheroyalfamily，repairedatnineo\'clockinthemorningtotheMarcolinipalace，inordertopayhisrespectstotheEmperor；afterwhichagrandmorningreceptionwasheldaswasthecustomattheTuileries，andareview，atwhichtheEmperorinspectedapartofhisguard，severalregiments，andtheSaxontroops，whowereinvitedtodinebytheFrenchtroops。OnthatdaythecityofDresdenwithoutmuchexaggerationmighthavebeencomparedtoagreatdining-hall。Infact，whilehisMajestywasdininginstateatthepalaceoftheKingofSaxony，wherethewholefamilyofthisprincewasassembled，theentirediplomaticcorpswasseatedatthetableoftheDukeofBassano；BaronBignon，envoyfromFrancetoWarsaw，feastedallthedistinguishedPolespresentinDresden；CountDarngaveagranddinnertotheFrenchauthorities；GeneralFrianttotheFrenchandSaxongenerals；andBarondeSerra，ministerfromFrancetoDresden，tothechiefsoftheSaxoncolleges。Thisdayofdiningswasconcludedbyasupperfornearlytwohundredguests，whichGeneralHenriDurosnel，GovernorofDresden，gavethateveningatthecloseofamagnificentballattheresidenceofM。deSerra。

OnourreturnfromMayencetoDresdenIlearnedthattheresidenceofGeneralDurosnelwastherendezvousofallthehighestcirclesofsociety，bothSaxonandFrench。DuringtheabsenceofhisMajesty，thegeneral，takingadvantageofthisleisure，gavenumerousfetes，amongothersonetotheactorsandactressesofFrenchComedy。Irecallinthisconnectionanamusinganecdotewhichwasrelatedtomeatthetime。

Baptistejunior，withnolackeitherofdecorumorrefinement，contributedgreatlytotheamusementoftheevening，beingpresentedunderthenameofmyLordBristol，Englishdiplomat，enroutetotheCouncilofPrague。Hisdisguisewassoperfect，hisaccentsonatural，andhisphlegmsoimperturbable，thatmanypersonsoftheSaxoncourtwerecompletelydeceived，whichdidnotintheleastastonishme；andI

therebysawthatBaptistejunior\'stalentformystificationhadlostnothingsincethetimewhenIhadbeensohighlydivertedatthebreakfastsofColonelBeauharnais。Howmanyeventshadoccurredsincethattime。

TheEmperor，seeingthatnothingcouldlongerdelaytheresumptionofhostilities，hadconsequentlydividedthetwohundredthousandmenofhisinfantryintofourteenarmycorps，thecommandofwhichwasgiventoMarshalsVictor，Ney，Marmont，Augereau，Macdonald，Oudinot，Davoust，andGouvionSaint-Cyr，PrincePoniatowski，andGeneralsReynier，Rapp，Lauriston，Vandamme，andBertrand，。ThefortythousandcavalryformedsixgranddivisionsunderthecommandofGeneralsNansouty，Latour-

Maubourg，Sebastiani，Arrighi，Milhaud，andKellermann；and，asIhavealreadysaid，theKingofNapleshadthecommandoftheImperialGuard。

Moreover，inthiscampaignappearedforthefirsttimeonourfieldsofbattletheguardofhonor，aselecttrooprecruitedfromtherichestandmostdistinguishedfamilies，andwhichhadbeenincreasedtomorethantenthousandmen，dividedintotwodivisionsunderthesimpletitleofregiments；oneofwhichwascommandedbyGeneralCountofPully，andtheother，ifIamnotmistaken，byGeneralSegur。Theseyouths，butlatelyidlersgivenuptoreposeandpleasure，becameinashorttimemostexcellentcavalry，whichsignalizeditselfonvariousoccasions，notablyatthebattleofDresden，ofwhichIshallsoonhaveoccasiontospeak。

ThestrengthoftheFrencharmyhasbeenpreviouslystated。Thecombinedarmyofthealliesamountedtofourhundredandtwentythousandinfantry，anditscavalrytohardlylessthanonehundredthousand，withoutcountingareservearmycorpsofeightythousandRussians，inreadinesstoleavePolandunderthecommandofGeneralBeningsen。Thustheenemy\'sarmyoutnumberedoursintheproportionoftwotoone。

Atthetimeweenteredintothiscampaign，Austriahadjustdeclaredwaropenlyagainstus。Thisblow，althoughnotunexpected，strucktheEmperordeeply，andheexpressedhimselffreelyinregardtoitbeforeallpersonswhohadthehonortoapproachhim。M。deMetternich，Ihavehearditstated，hadalmostcertainlyforewarnedhimofthisinthelastinterviewsthisministerhadatDresdenwithhisMajesty；buttheEmperorhadbeenentirelyunabletobringhimselftothebeliefthattheEmperorofAustriawouldmakecommoncausewiththecoalitionofthenorthagainsthisowndaughterandgrandson。FinallyalldoubtsweresolvedbythearrivalofCountLouisdeNarbonne，whowasreturningfromPraguetoDresden，asbearerofadeclarationofwarfromAustria。EveryoneforesawthatFrancemustsooncountamongitsenemiesallthecountriesnolongeroccupiedbyitstroops，andresultsjustifiedthispredictiononlytoowell。Nevertheless，everythingwasnotlost，forwehadnotyetbeencompelledtotakethedefensive。

CHAPTERXIV。

Warrecommencedbeforenegotiationswerefinallybroken，fortheDukeofVicenzawasstillincommunicationwithM。deMetternich。TheEmperor，ashemountedhishorse，saidtothenumerousgeneralssurroundinghimthathenowmarchedtoconquerapeace。ButwhathopecouldremainafterthedeclarationofwarbyAustria，andaboveall，whenitwasknownthatthealliedsovereignshadincessantlyincreasedtheirpretensionsinproportionastheEmperorgrantedtheconcessionsdemanded？TheEmperorleftDresdenatfiveo\'clockintheafternoon，advancingontheroadtoKoenigstein，andpassedthenextdayatBautzen，whereherevisitedthebattlefield，thesceneofhislastvictory。TherethekingofNaples，whodidnotwishroyalhonorstoberenderedhimself，cametorejointheEmperorattheheadoftheImperialGuard，whopresentedasimposinganappearanceasinitspristinedays。

WearrivedatGorlitzonthe18th，wheretheEmperorfoundtheDukeofVicenza，whowasreturningfromBohemia。HeconfirmedthetruthofthereporthisMajestyhadalreadyreceivedatDresden，thattheEmperorofAustriahadalreadydecidedtomakecommoncausewiththeEmperorofRussiaandtheKingsofPrussiaandSwedenagainstthehusbandofhisdaughter，theprincesswhomhehadgiventotheEmperorasapledgeofpeace。ItwasalsothroughtheDukeofVicenzathattheEmperorlearnedthatGeneralBlucherhadjustenteredSilesiaattheheadofanarmyofonehundredthousandmen，and，inviolationofmostsacredpromises，hadseizedonBreslautheeveningbeforethedayfixedfortheruptureofthearmistice。ThissamedayGeneralJomini，Swissbybirth，butuntilrecentlyintheserviceofFrance，chiefofstafftoMarshalNey，andloadedwithfavorsbytheEmperor，haddesertedhispost，andreportedattheheadquartersoftheEmperorAlexander，whohadwelcomedhimwithdemonstrationsofmostintensesatisfaction——

[BaronHenriJomini，authorofthecelebratedtreatiseontheartofwar，wasbornintheCantondeVaud，1779；aide-de-camptoNey，1804；distinguishedhimselfinseveralbattles，andonhisdesertionwasmadelieutenant-generalandaidetoEmperorAlexander；died1869。]——

TheDukeofVicenzagavetheparticularsofthisdesertion，whichseemedtoaffecthisMajestymorethanalltheothernews。Hetoldhim，amongotherthings，thatwhenGeneralJominihadenteredthepresenceofAlexander，hefoundthismonarchsurroundedbyhischiefs，amongwhomMoreauwaspointedouttohim。ThiswasthefirstinformationtheEmperorhadreceivedofGeneralMoreau\'spresenceattheenemy\'sheadquarters。TheDukeofVicenzaadded，thatwhentheEmperorAlexanderpresentedGeneralJominitoMoreauthelattersalutedhimcoolly，andJominirepliedonlybyaslightinclinationofhishead，andretiredwithoututteringaword，andtheremainderoftheeveningremainedingloomysilenceinacornerofthesaloonoppositetothatoccupiedbyGeneralMoreau。ThisconstrainthadnotescapedtheEmperorAlexander\'sobservation；andthenextmorning，ashewasmakinghistoilet，headdressedMarshalNey\'sex-chiefofstaff:“GeneralJomini，“saidhe，“whatisthecauseofyourconductyesterday？ItseemstomethatitwouldhavebeenagreeabletoyoutomeetGeneralMoreau。“——“Anywhereelse，Sire。“——“What！“——“IfIhadbeenbornaFrenchman，likethegeneral，Ishouldnotbeto-dayinthecampofyourMajesty。“WhentheDukeofVicenzahadfinishedhisreporttotheEmperor，hisMajestyremarkedwithabittersmile，“IamsurethatwretchJominithinkshehasperformedafineaction！Ah，Caulaincourt，thesedesertionswilldestroyme！“

PerhapsMoreau，inwelcomingGeneralJominisocoldly，wasactuatedbythethoughtthatwerehestillservingintheFrencharmyhewouldnothavebetrayeditwitharmsinhishand；andafterallitisnotanunusualthingtoseetwotraitorseachblushfortheother，deludingthemselvesatthesametimeinregardtotheirowntreachery，notcomprehendingthatthesentimentstheyfeelarethesameasthosetheyinspire。

Howeverthatmaybe，thenewswhichM。deCaulaincourtbroughtcausedtheEmperortomakesomechangesinhisplansforthecampaign。HisMajestyentirelyabandonedtheideaofrepairinginpersontoBerlin，ashehadexpressedhisintentionofdoing，and，realizingthenecessityofascertainingfirstofallthecontemplatedoperationsofthegrandarmyofAustria，commandedbythePrinceofSchwarzenberg，penetratedintoBohemia；butlearningthroughthecouriersofthearmyandhisspiesthateightythousandRussiansstillremainedontheoppositesidewithaconsiderablebodyoftheAustrianarmy，heretracedhisstepsafterafewengagementsinwhichhispresencedecidedthevictory，andonthe24thwefoundourselvesagainatBautzen。HisMajestyfromthisplacesenttheKingofNaplestoDresden，inordertorestorethecourageoftheKingofSaxonyandtheinhabitantswhentheyshouldfindtheenemyatthegatesoftheircity。TheEmperorsentthemtheassurancethattheenemy\'sforceswouldnotenter，sincehehadreturnedtodefenditsapproaches，andurgedthematthesametimenottoallowthemselvestobedismayedbyanysuddenorunexpectedattackmadebyisolateddetachments。Muratarrivedatamostopportunemoment，forwelearnedlaterthatconsternationhadbecomegeneralinthecity；butsuchwastheprestigeattachedtotheEmperor\'sassurancesthatalltookcourageagainonlearningofhispresence。

AftertheKingofNapleshadgonetofulfillthismission，ColonelGourgaudwascalledduringthemorningintotheEmperor\'stent，whereI

thenwas。“IwillbetomorrowontheroadtoPirna，“saidhisMajesty；

“butIshallhaltatStolpen。Asforyou，hastentoDresden；gowiththeutmostspeed；reachitthisnight。InterviewonyourarrivaltheKingofNaples，Durosnel，theDukeofBassano，andMarshalGouvionSaint-Cyr；

reassurethemall。SeealsotheSaxonministerGersdorf。Saytohimthatyoucouldnotseethekingbecauseyousetoutinsuchhaste；butthatIcanto-morrowbringfortythousandmenintoDresden，andthatIampreparingtoenterwithallthearmy。Nextdayyouwillseethecommandantoftheengineeringcorps；youwillvisittheredoubtsandthefortificationsofthetown；andwhenyouhaveinspectedeverything，youwillreturnquicklyandmeetmeatStolpen。Reporttomeexactlytherealstateofaffairs，aswellastheopinionofMarshalSaint-CyrandtheDukeofBassano。Setout。“Thecolonelleftimmediatelyatagallop，thoughhehadeatennothingasyetthatday。

Thenexteveningateleveno\'clock，ColonelGourgaudreturnedtotheEmperor，afterperformingalltherequirementsofhismission。MeanwhilethealliedarmyhaddescendedintotheplainofDresden，andhadalreadymadesomeattacksupontheadvanceposts。ItresultedfrominformationgivenbythecolonelthatwhentheKingofNaplesarrived，thecity，whichhadbeeninastateofcompletedemoralization，nowfeltthatitsonlyhopewasintheEmperor\'sarrival。

Intruth，hordesofCossackswerealreadyinsightofthefaubourgs，whichtheythreatenedtoattack；andtheirappearancehadcompelledtheinhabitantsofthesefaubourgstotakerefugeintheinteriorofthecity。“AsIleft，“saidColonelGourgaud，“Isawavillageinflameshalfaleaguefromthegreatgardens，andMarshalGouvionSaint-Cyrwaspreparingtoevacuatethatposition。“Butafterall，“saidtheEmperoreagerly，“whatistheopinionoftheDukeofBassano？“——“Sire，theDukeofBassanodoesnotthinkthatwecanholdouttwenty-fourhours。“——“Andyou？“——“I，Sire？IthinkthatDresdenwillbetakento-morrowifyourMajestyisnotthere。“——“Icanthenrelyuponwhatyoutellme？“——

“Sire，Iwillanswerforitwithmyhead。“

ThenhisMajestysummonedGeneralHaxo，andsaidtohim，hisfingeronthemap，“VandammeisadvancingbywayofPirnabeyondtheElbe。TheeagernessoftheenemyinpenetratingasfarasDresdenhasbeenextreme。

Vandammewillfindhimselfinhisrear。Iintendtosustainhismovementwithmywholearmy；butIamuneasyastothefateofDresden，andamnotwillingtosacrificethatcity。Icanreachitinafewhours，andI

shalldoso，althoughitgrievesmemuchtoabandonaplanwhichifwellexecutedmightfurnishthemeansofroutingallthealliesatoneblow。

HappilyVandammeisstillinsufficientstrengthtosupplementthegeneralmovementbyattacksatspecialpointswhichwillannoytheenemy。

Orderhim，then，togofromPirnatoGhiesubel，togainthedefilesofPeterswalde，andwhenintrenchedinthisimpregnableposition，toawaittheresultofoperationsunderthewallsofDresden。Ireserveforhimthedutyofreceivingtheswordsofthevanquished。Butinordertodothisitisnecessarythatheshouldkeephiswitsabouthim，andpaynoattentiontothetumultmadebytheterrifiedinhabitants。ExplaintoGeneralVandammeexactlywhatIexpectofhim。Neverwillhehaveafineropportunitytogainthemarshal\'sbaton。“

GeneralHaxosetoutinstantly；andtheEmperormadeColonelGourgaudreenterhisapartment，andorderedhimtotakeafreshhorse，andreturntoDresdenmorequicklythanhehadcome，inordertoannouncehisarrival。“Theoldguardwillprecedeme，“saidhisMajesty。“Ihopethattheywillhavenomorefearwhentheyseethat。“

Onthemorningofthe26ththeEmperorwasseatedonhishorseonthebridgeofDresden，andbegan，amidcriesofjoyfromboththeyoungandoldguard，tomakedispositionsfortheterriblebattlewhichlastedthreedays。