not make him forget the young velite who had dined with him in Poland. This memory of the commonest soldier, if he had shown any remarkable traits, or performed any deeds of valour, had a wonderful effect on the troops. Each one felt that he was directly under the eyes of his sovereign and commander. He saw and remembered all that was done, and skill and daring would not go unrewarded. Slight as it may seem, next to the veneration his genius and deeds inspired, this was the grand secret of the strange power he had over his troops.

The chasseurs always surrounded Napoleon's person during a campaign. It was necessary they should be ready at a moment's warning, for the movements of this ubiquitous being were sudden as lightning. When starting for the army he generally departed from St. Cloud, in the middle of the night or at one or two o'clock in the morning, and sometimes made two hundred and fifty miles in twenty-four hours. Often he would stop for several hours to dictate dispatches, but at the words " allons, the carriage to horse, gentlemen," there was "mounting in hot haste," and away they dashed in a headlong gallop. An aide-de-camp was always stationed on horseback at the left side of the door of the carriage, and an ecuyer at the right-the officers of ordnance, pages, piqueurs holding the horses by the head. Roustan, the Mameluke, and the domestics followed close after the carriage. Twenty-four mounted chasseurs of the Guard completed the cortege, which swept like a tempest along the road. In this manner he would go twenty, thirty, and sometimes nearly forty miles without halting. When he stopped all flung themselves from their horses at once, except the chasseurs, who remained in the saddle. But if he left the carriage, half of them immediately dismounted, and fixing their bayonets to their carbines, presented arms, and stood facing outward around him. But none of the officers left their places unless he permitted it. When he wished to observe the enemy through his glass, the number of the Guard was doubled and formed in a square about him. This square adapted itself to his movements, enlarging or

PRESENTATION OF THE EAGLE.

contracting itself, but never coming nearer than twentyfive or thirty steps to his person.

When he distributed favours to his Guard, such as grades, titles, or decorations, unless it was immediately after a victory, every one knew that some serious affair was on hand. The review of the regiments of the Guard recently arrived, or harangues to his troops, was a certain prelude to an approaching battle. These harangues always produced a magical effect; but nothing perhaps excited so wild enthusiasm as the presentation of the eagle to a new regiment of the Guard. On the day of the ceremony, the regiment with its arms and uniforms in perfect order, marched to the place appointed, and formed into three close columns, the three fronts turning towards the centre-the space for the fourth being reserved for the superior officers and the suite of the Emperor. As soon as the latter appeared, the officers put themselves in advance in a single rank, so that he approached alone. By the simplicity of his dress he became more conspicuous, and presented a striking contrast to the brilliant uniforms of his officers, which were sprinkled over with decorations, and embroidered with silver and gold. After receiving the orders of the Emperor, the Prince of Wagram, in his office of Major-general, dismounted, and caused the colours to be taken from their case and unfolded them before the troops. The drums then beat the march, and Berthier advancing, took the eagle from the hands of the officer and approached several steps towards Napoleon. The latter uncovering himself, saluted the banner; and removing the glove from his right hand, lifted it towards the eagle, and in a solemn and distinct voice, said, "Soldiers, I confide to you the French eagle; I commit it to your valour and patriotism. It will be your guide and rallying point. You swear never to abandon it. You swear to prefer death to the dishonour of seeing it torn from your hands. You swear it?" The last words were pronounced with sudden energy, and in a moment the swords of the officers shook in the air, and "Yes, yes, we swear it," rolled in one prolonged shout along the lines.

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The bands of music then struck in, and "Vive l'Empe reur" was repeated in frenzied accents over the field. In 1806, the Guard was composed of 15,656 men.

CHAPTER IV

Creation of a regiment of Polish Lancers-The Old Guard at Eylau-Campaign of 1807--Treaty of Tilsit--The Interview of Napoleon with Alexander-His influence over him-The Old Guard in Spain--Miraculous dispatch of Napoleon when he heard of the confederacy in Germany against him-His rapid ride.

THE utter overthrow of the Prussian armies at Jena and Auerstadt did not wring a peace from the king. Russia had formed an alliance with him, and her troops were already on the march for the frontiers of his kingdom. To meet this new enemy, Napoleon pushed on into Poland, where he designed to take up his winter quarters. This unhappy country received him with open arms, hoping, through his instrumentality, once more to have a national existence. At the outset a Polish guard of honour was formed, which, together with the squadron of the Imperial Guard, was to look to the security of the Emperor's person. Its fidelity and zeal suggested to Napoleon the idea of incorporating into the Old Guard a corps of light cavalry, composed entirely of Poles. A decree to that effect was issued, and four squadrons of lancers were joined to the cavalry.

Before the winter set in there was a short campaign, in which the Russians were forced to retire; but the roads were in such a horrible state that the pursuit was slow and painful. The cavalry horses sunk up to their knees, and could only move on a walk. The artillery stuck in the mud and snow, and could not be pushed forward. Napoleon put forth

GROUP OF THE OLD GUARD.

THE FOOT GRENADIER, THE CHASSEUR, THE POLISH LANCER, THE CUIRASSIER, AND MAMELUKE.