Murat and Lannes , in moments of excitement and of rage,have been seen to dash their embroidered hats upon the sand,and trample them under foot, even in the presence of theirtroops!” But the Turks and Mamalukes soon gave themoccupation, which served, while it lasted, to dissipate thedesolate impression and ennui.
Murat has often been accused of too great a dispositionto close upon his adversaries in hand to hand combats,forgetting that he was the commander, whose orders anddirections were more required than the mere prowess of hisindividual arm. There is some foundation for this charge,but it was only in Egypt that any case occurred in whichsuch might be fairly attached. In the instances whichI have already described as having occurred in Italy againstthe Austrians, the circumstances absolutely required suchexamples to be set by the commander of cavalry in desperatecases, and in charging such superior numbers. My militaryreaders must be well aware that in the use of cavalry, theofficers, and even the chief must be amongst the foremost.It is impossible to prevent the men from bearing rather tooheavily on their bridles, when all the efficacy of a chargedepends on its velocity, unless the officers shame, as itwere, the men in keeping up with them. In skirmishing,however, it is a different thing, and a General of cavalryshould not on such occasions mix himself up singly with theaffray, so as to expose himself to be surrounded and killedwithout advantage. The Mamalukes are individually themost formidable cavalry in the world. Superbly mountedon horses that will stop or turn like a weather cock,—armed with the most excellent sabres, which they know wellhow to use, their pistols lodged more conveniently than inholsters, the principal parts of their own bodies, as well asof their horses defended by armour, Murat felt constantlyinclined to measure swords with them, which he frequently