Die digitale Landesbibliothek Oberösterreich

GngNsrhe Sprcrrhe. 
The Burning of Moscow by J. T. Headly. 
When Napoleon first came within sight of Moscow, with its 
domes, and towers, and palaces, he gazed long and thoughtfully 
on that goal of his wishes. Murat was the first to enter the gates, 
with his splendid cavalry; but as he passed along the streets, he 
was Struck by the solitude that surrounded him. Nothing was 
heard but the heavy tramp of his squadrons: a deserted and 
abandoned city was the meagre prize for which such unparalleled 
efforts had been made. 
As night drew its curtain over the plendid capital, Napoleon 
entered the gates, and immediately appointed Mortier governor. 
In his directions he commanded him to abstain from all pillage. 
»For this,« said he, »you shall be answerable with your life. 
Defend Moscow against all, whether friend or foe.« 
The bright moon rose over the mighty city, tipping with 
silver the domes of more than two hundred churches, and pouring 
a flood of light over a thousand palaces, and the dwellings of three 
hundred thousand inhabitants. The weary arm sank to rest; but 
there was no sleep for Mortier's eyes. Not the gorgeous and 
variegated palaces, and their rieh Ornaments, nor the parks and 
gardens, and oriental magnificence that everywhere surroundet 
him, kept him wakeful, but the ominous forebodings that some 
calamity was hanging over the silent capital. 
When he had entered it, scarcely a living soul met his gaze 
as he looked down the long streets; and when he broke open the 
buildings, he found salons, and parlours, and bed-rooms, all für- 
nished and in order, —- but no occupants! This sudden abandonment 
of their homes betokened some secret purpose, yet to be fulfilled. 
The midnight moon was stealing over the city when the cry of 
»Fire« reached the ears of Mortier. The first light over Napoleon's 
faltering empire was kindled, and that most wondrous scene of 
modern times commenced — the Burning of Moscow. 
Mortier, as governor of the city immediately issued his Orders, 
and was putting forth every exertion, when at daylight Napoleon 
hastened to him. Affecting to disbelieve the reports that the 
inhabitants were firing their own city, he put more rigid commands 
on Mortier to keep the soldiers from the work of destruetion. The 
marshal simply pointed to some iron covered houses that had not