MURAT AT GENOA.
313
Josephine. The most tender and pressing letter of her hus-band, engaged her to set out under the escort of the Aide-de-Camp. But Josephine was very indisposed, and, moreover,thought herself with child; so Joachim, with letters andembroideries for bis general, returned alone to the French head-quarters, which were then at Milan. This veritableanecdote is interesting as indicative of the susceptible dis-position of Napoleon , whom party-calumniators have en-deavoured to misrepresent in everything where misrepre-sentation was not impossible.
Nothing could exceed the joy and enthusiasm with whichthe Republican army was received in the capital of Lom-bardy . Illuminations, feasts, balls,—a perfect scrambleI amongst the ladies who should obtain a French officer for aguest. Murat became the cavaliir scrvfoite of the beauti-ful Countess Ruga—but no scandal. Napoleon alone,j absorbed in the singleness of his affection and passion for hiswife, appeared a real Cato, amidst the universal flirtations.At this juncture, Murat fell ill. Napoleon sent him tobreathe the refreshing air of the mountains of Brescia .The campaign proceeded. At the passage of the Mincio,Murat, at the head of his cavalry, routed the Hungarianhussars, conjoined with three thousand Neapolitan cavalry,who had greatly distinguished themselves throughout thecontest. On this day, Murat, in person, saved several sol-diers who had been made prisoners by the enemy.
Genoa was the focus of many intrigues and operationsin favour of the Austrians. Murat was sent thither byNapoleon ; the Austrian agents were expelled, and a civicguard established to suppress robberies and disorders in theenvirons.
Nearly one hundred sail of merchant vessels were assem-bled in the port of Leghorn , on the point of sailing withEnglish property and under English convoy. A dash was