486

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI

I

the enemy. But, on the 11th of September, he descriedthe Russians drawn up on a good and strong position.Murat could not refrain from attacking them, althoughMarshal Mortier remonstrated against the inutility of losinga man in the capture of positions, which the enemy neverintended to retain. Mortier was right, I must allow; but,Murat insisting, he was compelled to yield, and lost twohundred of the “ young guard.” Indignant at this “ wantonsacrifice,” the Marshal wrote to the Emperor , requesting tobe replaced in his position by some other Marshal, andDavoust took the opportunity to cast blame upon the Kingof Naples. But the Emperor sided with his brother-in-law,and passed a well-merited eulogium upon his general con-duct, to which he justly attributed great part of the successwhich, in so many campaigns, had crowned his arms.

While these Marshals of France were proffering to theEmperor their complaints of the impetuosity of his brother-in-law, Murat arrived upon the heights which overlook thecity of Moscow . At the sight of this celebrated city of 1gilded domes, placed on the confines of Europe and Asia ,the King of Naples felt his heart dilate within him. Hethrew off his dusty, dirty clothes, and, dressing himself ina splendid Polish costume, mounted on a beautiful Arab !covered with costly trappings, he made his entry into thesuburbs of Moscow, where, meeting with Russian officers,duly appointed, and the chiefs of the Cossacks , he signedan armistice between them and the vanguard he com-manded, to give time for the evacuation of the city by theRussian troops. During two hours Murat was in the midstof the Cossacks and their chiefs, who paid him every pos- ]sible mark of respect and admiration. When addressing Ihim they styled him “ My Hetman.” Delighted with these §expressions of benevolence and approbation, Murat gave Ivent to his natural disposition to generosity and munificence. «