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grief he experienced in the death of General Desaix。 He said； 〃France
has lost one of her bravest defenders； and I one of my best friends； no
one knew how much courage there was in the heart of Desaix； nor how much
genius in his head。〃 He thus solaced his grief by making to each and all
a eulogy on the hero who had died on the field of honor。
〃My brave Desaix；〃 he further said； 〃always wished to die thus；〃 and then
added； almost with tears in his eyes； 〃but ought death to have been so
prompt to grant his wish？〃
There was not a soldier in our victorious army who did not share so just
a sorrow。 Rapp and Savary； the aides…de…camp of Desaix； remained plunged
in the most despairing grief beside the body of their chief； whom they
called their father； rather to express his unfailing kindness to them
than the dignity of his character。 Out of respect to the memory of his
friend； the general…in…chief； although his staff was full； added these
two young officers in the quality of aides…de…camp。
Commandant Rapp （for such only was his rank at that time） was then； as he
has ever been； good； full of courage； and universally beloved。 His
frankness； which sometimes bordered on brusqueness； pleased the Emperor；
and I have many times heard him speak in praise of his aide…de…camp； whom
he always styled； 〃My brave Rapp。〃 Rapp was not lucky in battle； for he
rarely escaped without a wound。 While thus anticipating events； I will
mention that in Russia； on the eve of the battle of La Moskwa； the
Emperor said； in my presence； to General Rapp； who had just arrived from
Dantzic； 〃See here； my brave fellow； we will beat them to…morrow； but
take great care of yourself。 You are not a favorite of fortune。〃〃That
is；〃 said the general； 〃the premium to be paid on the business； but I
shall none the less on that account do my best。〃
Savary manifested for the First Consul the same fervid zeal and unbounded
devotion which had attached him to General Desaix； and if he lacked any
of the qualities of General Rapp； it was certainly not bravery。 Of all
the men who surrounded the Emperor； no one was more absolutely devoted to
his slightest wishes。 In the course of these memoirs； I shall doubtless
have occasion to recall instances of this unparalleled enthusiasm； for
which the Duke de Rovigo I was magnificently rewarded； but it is just to
say that he did not bite the hand which rewarded him； and that he gave to
the end； and even after the end； of his old master （for thus he loved to
style the Emperor） an example of gratitude which has been imitated by
few。
A government decree； in the month of June following； determined that the
body of Desaix should be carried to the Hospice of St。 Bernard； and that
a tomb should be erected on that spot； in the country where he had
covered himself with immortal glory； as a testimonial to the grief of
France； and especially that of the First Consul。
CHAPTER V。
The victory of Marengo had rendered the conquest of Italy certain。
Therefore the First Consul； thinking his presence more necessary at Paris
than at the head of his army； gave the command in chief to General
Massena； and made preparations to repass the mountains。 On our return to
Milan； the First Consul was received with even more enthusiasm than on
his first visit。
The establishment of a republic was in accordance with the wishes of a
large number of the Milanese； and they called the First Consul their
Savior； since he had delivered them from the yoke of the Austrians。
There was； however； a party who detested equally these changes； the
French army which was the instrument of them； and the young chief who was
the author。 In this party figured a celebrated artist； the singer
Marchesi。
During our former visit； the First Consul had sent for him； and the
musician had waited to be entreated； acting as if he were much
inconvenienced； and at last presented himself with all the importance of
a man whose dignity had been offended。 The very simple costume of the
First Consul； his short stature； thin visage； and poor figure were not
calculated to make much of an impression on the hero of the theater； and
after the general…in…chief had welcomed him cordially； and very politely
asked him to sing an air； he replied by this poor pun； uttered in a tone
the impertinence of which was aggravated by his Italian accent： 〃Signor
General； if it is a good air which you desire； you will find an excellent
one in making a little tour of the garden。〃 The Signor Marchesi was for
this fine speech immediately put out of the door； and the same evening an
order was sent committing the singer to prison。 On our return the First
Consul； whose resentment against Marchesi the cannon of Marengo had
doubtless assuaged； and who thought besides that the penance of the
musician for a poor joke had been sufficiently long； sent for him again；
and asked him once more to sing； Marchesi this time was modest and
polite； and sang in a charming manner。 After the concert the First
Consul approached him； pressed his hand warmly； and complimented him in
the most affectionate manner； and from that moment peace was concluded
between the two powers； and Marchesi sang only praises of the First
Consul。
At this same concert the First Consul was struck with the beauty of a
famous singer； Madame Grassini。 He found her by no means cruel； and at
the end of a few hours the conqueror of Italy counted one conquest more。
The following day she breakfasted with the First Consul and General
Berthier in the chamber of the First Consul。 General Berthier was
ordered to provide for the journey of Madame Grassini； who was carried to
Paris； and attached to the concert…room of the court。
The First Consul left Milan on the 24th； and we returned to France by the
route of Mont Cenis； traveling as rapidly as possible。 Everywhere the
Consul was received with an enthusiasm difficult to describe。 Arches of
triumph had been erected at the entrance of each town； and in each canton
a deputation of leading citizens came to make addresses to and compliment
him。 Long ranks of young girls； dressed in white； crowned with flowers；
bearing flowers in their hands； and throwing flowers into the carriage of
the First Consul； made themselves his only escort； surrounded him；
followed him； and preceded him； until he had passed； or as soon as he set
foot on the ground wherever he stopped。
The journey was thus； throughout the whole route； a perpetual fete； and
at Lyons it amounted to an ovation； in which the whole town turned out to
meet him。 He entered； surrounded by an immense crowd； amid the most
noisy demonstrations； and alighted at the hotel of the Celestins。 In the
Reign of Terror the Jacobins had spent their fury on the town of Lyons；
the destruction of which they had sworn； and the handsome buildings which
ornamented the Place Belcour had been leveled to the ground； the hideous
cripple Couthon； at the head of the vilest mob of the clubs； striking
the first blow with the hammer。 The First Consul detested the Jacobins；
who； on their side； hated and feared him； and his constant care was to
destroy their work； or； in other w