. St. Nicholas [serial] . d darkened. In June, 1812, itburst. Napoleon crossed the river Niemenwith half a million men. To cross that river,in arms, was to break the peace. France andRussia were at war. During the spring months of 1812 the Em-peror had drunk deep of power; and Philip,too, from the Emperors cup had drunk deepof glory. For, though on the eve of a warthat was to embroil all Europe, Napoleonsought, first, to dazzle all Europe with hissplendor, his resources, and his power. Sixhundred thousand men followed the imperialeagles — the mightiest army since the days ofAlexander. He set o
. St. Nicholas [serial] . d darkened. In June, 1812, itburst. Napoleon crossed the river Niemenwith half a million men. To cross that river,in arms, was to break the peace. France andRussia were at war. During the spring months of 1812 the Em-peror had drunk deep of power; and Philip,too, from the Emperors cup had drunk deepof glory. For, though on the eve of a warthat was to embroil all Europe, Napoleonsought, first, to dazzle all Europe with hissplendor, his resources, and his power. Sixhundred thousand men followed the imperialeagles — the mightiest army since the days ofAlexander. He set out for the war encom-passed by glittering soldiers, and attended byprinces and kings. At Dresden he spent threeweeks in a blaze of display, marshaling hishost. Receptions, festivals, levees, audiences,balls, reviews, shows, and ceremonials crowdedeach other in dizzy succession; everywhere or-ders gleamed and diamonds blazed; and wherehe who once had starved himself as a sub-lieu- i89s0 A BOY OF THE FIRST EMPIRE. 535 •. tenant now held state as a monarch, sovereign came less regularly; anxiety and rumors filledprinces flocked to do honor to this Marvel the air. None knew what to believe; andof the Age, and vassal kings stood as suppli- though from the heart of Russia Napoleon ruledants in the palace of him whom men called France, the people of France were uneasy, and The New Agamemnon. wished their Emperor were back again, with Amid all this homage, Napoleon kept his all the brave Frenchmen whom he had led tohead. While the French served him with the , and the Allies with adulation, he But to Philip, dividing his time between his sought to give no visible sign - of superiority; he could evensee the funny side of it one day Philip the page,delaying an answer he shouldhave brought with speed, metthe Emperors impatient de-mand : How then, you page !what are your legs for ? Whyare you late ? True to his habit, Philipstraightway told the truth. Sire, he replie
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Keywords: ., bookauthordodgemar, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1873
