The journal of Elizabeth Lady Holland (1791-1811) Volume 2 (of 2)Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady
History
The journal of Elizabeth Lady Holland (1791-1811) Volume 2 (of 2)
Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady
Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady, 1770-1845 -- Diaries
‘Went to the Review. In front of the Thuilleries were drawn up the
Grenadiers of the Consular Guard, who had followed Bonaparte to
Marengo, and had from their conduct in that memorable battle been
compared by Berthier to a redoubt of granite. On ye remaining sides of
the square were drawn up other troops. In the centre of the _place_
were stationed the officers of the _État Major_ on horseback, whose
uniforms and accoutrements were splendid to the greatest degree.
A beautiful cream-coloured Spanish horse, adorned with crimson
velvet, magnificently embroidered in gold, was held in readiness for
Bonaparte. A sudden burst of martial music, issuing from a profusion of
instruments, proclaimed his descent from the Palace. He wears no plume.
He is distinguished by the quietness of his deportment, the pensiveness
of his aspect, and by the paleness of his countenance, which thought
and watchfulness have worn. He was attended by his Mameluke. Mounted
on his docile charger, he galloped thro’ the ranks. The air resounded
with acclamations of applause, to which he seemed insensible. His
attention was confined to the troops. When he passed the colours he
saluted with a singular propriety of manner. After having rapidly
inspected the difft. corps, he rode to the centre of the ground, where
he prescribed the evolutions of the day, which took up very little
time. Nothing can exceed the precision and intelligence with which
the whole manœuvre is conducted. I particularly remarked the fine
appearance of the Pioneers, who, as well as the Grenadiers, seem to be
picked men. The flying Artillery is much to be admired, but the horses
of the Dragoons, altho’ active, were inferior in beauty to those which
are commonly purchased for the English Cavalry.’...
‘One of the party had been in the society of the First Consul, where
General Lannes was present, subsequent to the villainous attempt made
in the Rue Nicaise. B. observed that when the circumstance took place
he was a great way off in imagination, that the explosion had been
heard by him without reflection, and that he was first excited to
attend by Lannes, who was with him. General Lannes explained by saying
that he thought at the time, by the breaking of the glasses, that
musketry might be firing at them. ‘Lannes,’ said B., ‘you are not of
the Institute; if you were, you would have known that it was the air
contained within my carriage which broke the windows of it.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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