The instructions that have been reproduced here are by no means inferior, are indeed superior, to many similar arrangements by which he had gained victories in the past. His supposed instructions during the day were also in no way inferior to the commands he had given in previous battles, but were much the same as usual. But these instructions are supposed to be inferior, simply because Borodino was the first battle in which Napoleon was not victorious. The finest and profoundest combinations seem very poor, and every military student can criticise them with a consequential air, when the battle has not been won by means of them; and the stupidest combinations will seem exceedingly ingenious, and serious writers will fill volumes in proving their excellence, when the battle that followed chances to have been a victory.
The plan composed by Weierother at Austerlitz was a model of perfection in its own line, but it has yet been condemned, and condemned for its very perfection, for its over-minuteness in detail.
At Borodino Napoleon played his part as the representative of supreme power as well, or even better, than he had done at previous battles. He did nothing likely to hinder the progress of the battle; he yielded to the most sensible advice; he was not confused, did not contradict himself, did not lose his presence of mind, nor run away from the field of battle, but with his great tact and military experience, he performed calmly and with dignity his role of appearing to be in supreme control of it all.
XXIX
On returning from a second careful inspection of the lines, Napoleon said.
‘The pieces are on the board, the game will begin to-morrow.’
He ordered some punch, and sending for Beausset began talking of Paris with him, discussing various changes he intended to make in the Empress’s household, and surprising the prefect by his memory of the minutest details of court affairs.
He showed interest in trifles, jested at Beausset’s love of travel, and chatted carelessly, as some renowned, skilful and confident surgeon will often chat playfully while he tucks up his sleeves and puts on his apron, and the patient is being bound down on the operating-table. ‘I have the whole business at my finger-tips, and it’s all clear and definite in my head. When I have to set to work, I will do it as no one else could, but now I can jest, and the more serenely I jest the more calm and confidence and admiration for my genius you ought to feel.’
After emptying a second glass of punch, Napoleon went to seek repose
742 WAR AND F E A C E
before the grave business which, as he imagined, lay before him next day.
He was so preoccupied with what lay before him that he could not sleep, and in spite of his cold, which got worse with the damp of evening, 1 he got up at three o’clock, went out into the principal compartment of the tent, sneezing violently. He asked whether the Russians had not re- • treated. He was told that the enemy’s fires were still in the same places. He nodded approval.
The adjutant on duty came into the tent.
‘Well, Rapp, do you think we shall do good business to-day?’ he said to him.
‘Without doubt, sire!’ answered Rapp.
Napoleon looked at him.
‘Do you remember what you did me the honour to say at Smolensk?’ said Rapp: ‘the wine is drawn, it must be drunk.’
Napoleon frowned, and sat for a long while in silence, his head in his hand.
‘This poor army, it has greatly diminished since Smolensk. La fortune ■ est une franche courtisane, Rapp. I have always said so, and I begin to feel it; but the Guard, Rapp, the Guard is intact?’ he said inquiringly.
‘Yes, sire,’ replied Rapp.
Napoleon took a lozenge, put it in his mouth, and looked at his watch. He was not sleepy, and morning was still far off; and there were no instructions to be drawn up to get through the time, for all had been already given, and were even now being put into execution.
‘Have the biscuits and the rice been distributed to the regiments of the Guard?’ Napoleon asked severely.
‘Yes, Sire.’
‘The rice, too?’
