The Traveller's Library Volume 22 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ...is conquered, and must be organised. He is the conqueror, not of men indeed, but of the country. It is then allowable to stop, and await the early and dreaded Russian winter. Vitepsk will be an excellent cantonment. The course of the Dwina and Borysthenes will mark the French line. The siege artillery will go to Riga, on which last position the left of the army will rest. Vitepsk, to which Nature has given woods, and to which he, Napoleon, will give walls, will serve as an entrenched camp in the centre. The right wing will extend to Bo-Bruisk, of which it must take possession, and blockhouses must be constructed along the whole line. Thus encamped, nothing will be wanting to the army. Besides the magazines of Dantzic, Vilna., and Minsk, Courland and Samogitia will contribute their share. Thirty-six immense ovens are to be erected, which will turn out at once 30,000 lbs. of bread. So much for material wants. Hovels spoil the square of the palace; they must be knocked down, and the rubbish carried off. The town is empty; the richest men and most elegant females of Vilna and Warsaw are to be invited to pass the winter there. A theatre is to be built; and, for its opening, Talma and Mdlle. Mars will come to Vilna, as they went to Dresden. So much for luxury. Half an hour was enough to run over this plan; and it being once settled in his head, Napoleon takes ofi' his sword, throws it on a table, then addressing the King of Naples, who has just come in, --" Murat," says he, "the first campaign of Russia is finished; let us set up our eagles here. I must look round me, and rally. Two great rivers mark our position; let us form a square, cannon at the angles, and inside, so that we may have a cross-fire everywhere. 1813...