him;" and at last he died, Field-marhal Suworoff Rymnikski, count of the empire.

Similar would be the fruits, if the like probation were used in the British line. Were Englishmen to serve, before they issued orders; were they disciplined in the field, before they attempted to marshal an army; did they pass through as regular a military practice as British seamen do a naval one, the ensign of England would fly as proudly as her flag.

The rudiments of a soldier's duty were instilled into the young Prince Bagration, as soon as his opening faculties could apprehend their use. All eyes were turned to the growing fame of the great Suworoff. Though descended of a noble Swedish family, and only transplanted into Russia in . the beginning of the last century, yet his forefathers had deserved well of the Tzars, and been endowed with lands and peasants, and the imperial friendship. Alexander Suworoff, the hero of Rymnikski, proved himself alike worthy of the country whence he sprung, and of that to which he was now attached; he conquered her enemies and covered her with glory. To such a conspicuous example of martial achievement, the young Bagration looked with rapturous admiration. The events of the brilliant campaign of 1762 were yet alive in the memory of the veterans who surrounded the prince. The prowess of the brave Suworoff, and his gallant brother in arms, the renowned prince Volkonsky, was a model which they delighted to hold up to his imitation.

Instead of leading their illustrious pupil to the illuminated theatres of Moscow, to lose his senses in the gayeties of scenick enchantment; instead of dissipating his mind by female assemblies, and sparkling promenades; they immersed themselves with him in a remote apartment of his paternal palace, where he travelled with Alexander to the Indian shores, scaled the Alps with Hannibal, and accompanied Cesar through the vast forests of Gaul. Turenne and Montecuculi, with the great Condé, made his heart glow. Charles of Sweden fired him with ambition; and Peter the Great made him grasp his little sword, and glory in belonging to his empire.

Thus was this young hero brought to understand the merits of his future master in arms; thus was he taught to follow with his mind and heart the narratives of his preceptors, as they recounted the various achievements of their adored Suworoff: his campaigns against the confederates of Poland, his victories on the Danube, and his conquests in the Crimea. Thus was he attempered to meet him with all the enthusiasm of an ingenuous and martial heart, when that famous commander returned to Moscow from the subjugation of the Nogoy Tatars in the year 1784.

Few persuasions were necessary to induce Marshal Suworoff to enroll the young prince under his command. They left Moscow together; and instead of the eastern luxuries which might have attended the march of so extensive a conqueror, he beheld a simplicity which reminded him of the days of Phocion or of Cincinnatus. The manners of Suworoff were adopted by every officer who wished to gain his favour, or acquire renown. He rose at four in the morning throughout the year; winter or summer making no difference to his robust constitution, rendered so by toil and temperance. A heap of fresh hay was his bed, with a truss for a pillow, and his cloak for a coverlid. His dress was simple, srtrictly military, and put on in a few seconds; and his meals were despatched with a haste that precluded luxury. He hardly ever devoted more than an hour to walking, after which he sat down to transact the official duties of the day. He read letters and reports, dictated answers, gave orders, and then applied himself to a general inspection that all were properly executed. The small portion of

leisure he enjoyed was devoted to reading; but like Alexander's choice of the Iliad, his studies were all directed towards the history and progress of arms. However strict he was with his soldiers, whether in discipline, or in almost incredible marches and enterprise, they regarded him with an affection bordering on idolatry. Rigorous in the field that all should do their duty to the utmost, their necessary wants and comforts were the constant objects of his care. This perfect picture of a soldier Bagration resolved to copy. He saw that Suworoff's military career had been one long and uniform course of triumphs; inflamed with a generous emulation to become all he admired, the love of his country, and an ambition to contend in arms for her glory, became the ruling principle of his life; and to that, like the youthful Hannibal, he determined to consecrate all the faculties of his soul, all the strength of his manhood.

Such was the spirit with which this brave young prince followed his veteran leader through the dangers of many a hard fought field. The banks of the Dneiper, the Limon, and the Rymnick, can bear witness to the ardour of his maiden sword. Bender and Belgrade bowed to the Russian arms; and Ismael, defended by a strong garrison, fell to the ground. So fearful a lesson of war long dwelt on the memory of our young hero. He shuddered at the moment when he leapt the wall, and saw it lie in blood before him; and almost regretted that he was born a prince and a soldier.

The laurels of that desolated city were yet green on their brows, when they were called into Poland, and there swept the country with fire and sword, until Warsaw submitted to their arms. The effusion of human blood is so horrible, even to those accustomed to see it shed, that Bagration beheld with wonder, while his own tears flowed, that the destroyer of Ismael could weep over the fate of Warsaw. The capitulation of that ruined capital being signed, Field-marshal Suworoff made his entry into it, attended by his generals and the rest of his army. Bagration was all attention. At nine they passed the bridge on horseback. Suworoff was received by the magistrates of the city clothed in black. The president presented to him the keys, with a brief address. The field-marshal took them, pressed them to his lips, and then holding them up towards heaven, he said: “ Almighty God, I render thee thanks that I have not been compelled to purchase the keys of this place as dear as- -" turning his face towards the burning relicks of Praga, his voice failed him, and his cheeks were bedewed with tears.

Such a tribute of humanity did indeed deserve the encomiums which Prince Cobourg has always expressed for his character; and causes every feeling heart to sympathize with the following farewell letter which his highness wrote to Suworoff.

"General-I must quit you on Friday, to take upon me my new command in Hungary; and no circumstance of my departure so afflicts me as my separation from such a worthy and inestimable friend. I know how to value your elevated character. Our friendship has been formed by circumstances of the greatest importance; and on every occasion I have had reason to admire you as a hero, and to love you as a man. Judge then yourself, my incomparable master, of the regret I suffer in separating myself from a man who has so many claims upon my particular regard and attachment. You alone can console me by preserving that affection with which you have already honoured me; and I protest to you, that frequent assurances of your friendship are absolutely necessary to my happiness. I cannot bear the thought of taking a personal leave of you, and in the avowal of this sentiment, I appeal to those in your own breast. I most solemnly declare that I feel for you the most ardent friendship; and I trust that you will grant me the continuation of yours, which has been, to the present moment, the delight of my military life. Be assured of a re

turn of my mast lasting acknowledgment. You will ever be the most cherished friend that heaven has granted me; for no one has an equal claim to the high regard with which I am your excellency's most humble servant,

PRINCE COBOURG.

After these brilliant campaigns, in which this veteran leader had subdued kingdoms, the prince Bagration returned with him to St. Petersburg, and there partook of all the honours so richly bestowed by the empress, on those who asserted her rights and extended her empire.

In 1799, our hero accompanied the Field Marshal into Italy; and there formed a junction with general Melas at Valeggio. Suworoff took on himself the chief command of both armies; and immediately adopted the proper measures to push forward, and form the blockades of Mantua and Peschiera. Bagration had now passed the regular gradations in the army; and though yet not more than eight and twenty, had deservedly attained the rank of general. Shortly after the dispositions relative to the blockade were made, he, at the head of his detachment, came up with the French, and beat them near Cremona; taking four hundred prisoners and some cannon. Strange effects of war; that the natives of the banks of the Seine and of the Volga, should march over many a league, to meet at last on the Po, for the purposes of mutual destruction !

Brescia was next taken. Our young hero, along with general Vuckassavich, penetrated the mountains and drove the enemy from Tonale to Edolo; descended the valley of the Oglio, and pushed to the northern extremity of the Lake of Iseo. Thus, as the heads of the vallies on the two slopes of the great Alps were secured, the left flank of their Swiss army and the right flank of their army in Italy were supported; and those of the enemy in the same countries, were turned. The inhabitants of the various towns, finding these advantages brought about by the skill and bravery of the young Bagration, rose upon the French; and victory followed the imperial standards wherever they flew. The prince and some Austrians were sent to Parma to rescue the Pope, whom the enemy were carrying to France; but the information had arrived too late. When they arrived there, the unfortunate Pius the Sixth was already far out of their reach. Disappointed in this enterprise, they directed their force against a large body of republicans who lay at some distance; and after a long march across a country flooded with continual rains, Bagration had the satisfaction to drive the enemy back to Lecco with considerable loss.

Moreau now took the field against the allied armies, and stationed his troops along the opposite bank of the Adda to that occupied by the imperialists and Russians. Marshal Suworoff, confiding in the intrepidity of his favourite generals, Vuckassovich and Bagration, unable to turn the French line, resolved to force it; as to conquer the Milanese, was of the greatest importance to the issue of the campaign. The two generals, accordingly, as a first measure, succeeded in making themselves masters of a flying bridge, which the enemy had neglected completely to destroy. Having quickly repaired it, they marched their men across the river, and took a position at Brivio. So important was the situation, that it is surprising Moreau did not see the necessity of guarding it with picquets. Similar dispositions were made with the rest of the combined army, till the whole of it was transported to the best point of attack. The consequences were evident. A formidable battle took place, and the enemy retired towards Milan. They were pursued ; but the obscurity of the night, and the fatigue of the victors favoured their retreat. The reduction of Milan immediately

followed; and, in the course of a few days, marshal Suworoff and his brave compeers entered the capital of Lombardy in triumph.

By surprising the passage of the Adda at Brivio, the line of communication was destroyed between the centre and left of the French; the latter, thus cut off, had general Vuckassovich upon its right flank; and on its left, prince Bagration, who carried the bridge of that place, and forced the enemy to take to flight. He then supported Vuckassovich, compelled the French general Serrurier to lay down his arms, and he and his men (to the amount of three thousand) became prisoners of war. Serrurier, as a mark of respect to his valour and probity, was permitted to return into France on his parole that he would not serve during the war. Bagration admired this brave officer, who having been a lieutenant colonel under Louis XVI. had so preserved his honour unsullied from the cruelty or avidity of the republican generals, as to go by the name of the virgin of

the army.

The Milanese being entirely in the possession of the combined armies, the best dispositions were made to surround the enemy. Conformably with this plan, marshal Suworoff determined to attack both the French flanks at the same instant. Moreau sustained the shock with impregnable firmness, and overthrowing the advanced posts of the imperialists, drove them by Marengo towards St. Juliano. Prince Bagration, who was marching from Novi with five Russian battalions towards the Po, came up with the flying Austrians, and rallying them, did not hesitate to stand the brunt of a pursuing enemy. He formed the united corps into two lines, faced the enemy, and under a burst of inspiring martial musick, charged them with fixed bayonets, and put them to the route. Turin, Carmagnola, Pignerol, Suza, Ferrara, and Ravenna, opened their gates to the conquerors; and thus did the brave Russians, in one week, carry their arms from the Scrivia to the Stura and the Dora, nay to the very frontiers of France!

General Macdonald now advanced from South Italy to reenforce Moreau, hoping, that, with their united armies, they might recover the Milanese, and drive the allies back. Suworoff foresaw this, and knowing how to accommodate his measures to the circumstances around him, he anticipated Macdonald, and came up with him near Placentia. It was night when the marshal arrived, and granting his troops only a few hours repose, he formed them in order of battle. They were drawn up in three columns, prince Bagration leading the vanguard. The conflict was long and obstinate; but Macdonald was beaten and wounded. Enraged at this discomfiture, at the very first movement he made towards the fulfilment of his mighty design, he resolved to take a speedy revenge. He was at the head of at least thirty thousand men, and the allies had no more. His line lay behind the Trebia, which divided him from the victors, now doubly fatigued by conquest and the preceding forced march. Aware of this advantage, the republicans advanced suddenly across the river and pushed back the Russian out-posts. The whole of the French army passed over and opened a heavy fire on the allies, attempting by a strong effort to turn their flanks. After a short but vigorous contest, the right was nearly overpowered, when prince Bagration, seeing its danger, came up, outflanked in turn the hostile column, fell upon it with an impetuous charge, dispersed it on all sides, took its cannon, and many prisoners, amongst whom were four general officers. Macdonald, routed in all quarters, was obliged to sound a hasty retreat, and once more leave the field to his conquerors.

The retiring of Macdonald into Tuscany, the retreat of Moreau into the defiles of the Appenines, and the re-union of marshal Suworoff with general Bellegarde upon the banks of the Bormida, changed the war of battles into that of blockades and of sieges. The advantages which Suworoff expected from these successes, were the conquest of Tuscany, and the capture of Alessandria, Tortona, and Mantua. These plans being ardently seconded by Bagration, and the other generals under his command, were effected; and the field marshal had the satisfaction to receive the keys of the three cities. Meanwhile, the grand duke of Tuscany and his subjects, rising upon the republicans, Macdonald was obliged to evacuate the country, confessing that the French had ruined the inhabitants by their requisitions; and, strange to tell, he offered them, as a compensation for such robbery, the fruits of their pillage. But, at any rate, it was a great triumph on the part of suffering Italy, to be able to demand such restitution from the ravager.

Prince Bagration, at the head of the vanguard of the principal army of the allies, gained ground on the Appenines on the road to Genoa; and having pushed his advanced post to near Gavi, invested the fort of Serraville; and by the vigour of his fire forced the garrison to surrender. By gaining this castle, which stands on a high bank of the Scrivia, he commanded the whole valley, to which this fortress is the key. The acquisition of so important a post in the mountains, determined Suworoff to watch Moreau and his colleague Joubert, from Novi, where he fixed his head quarters. Soon after this disposition, the terrible battle of Novi took place. The French were drawn up to great advantage on the heights; but Suworoff, unaccustomed to temporise, and knowing how to find in danger an opportunity for victory, at nine o'clock in the morning attacked them in front. The extreme acclivity of the mountains, and the incessant fire of the French, rendered abortive this act of desperate valour. The Russians were repulsed with loss; but for six hours they renewed the assault; and though beaten back each time, yet each time they pushed on with redoubled force and intrepidity. Rosenberg, Derfelden, and Bagration, after prodigies of valour, and great slaughter of their men, were obliged to lead back their troops. But again, after an hour's breathing, they renewed the charge at four o'clock, and ascended the mountain on their hands and knees, under a fire that swept like the lava of Etna. Victory now hovered over the Russians; general Melas with his fresh battalions arrived to their support, and after a desperate conflict the heights were taken, the French driven from their posts, and rolling down the declivities in heaps of wounded and dying, covered the plain beneath with blood and carnage. Eight thousand republicans were killed, and four thousand made prisoners. The allies also paid dear for the victory, having lost seven thousand of their bravest troops.

Italy being cleared of the enemy, it was thought expedient that the Russians, by whom so hard fought a service was done, should carry their conquering arms into Switzerland; and there reap new laurels for themselves, and safety for the inhabitants. Bagration received this news with rapture. On reading the orders, he turned to one of his aid-de-camps, and said: "My long wish will now be gratified. I shall see the brave descendants of the brother heroes of the glorious William Tell. May the liberty of this virtuous people be as immortal as the memory of that heroick man !" Generals Massena and Jourdan commanded the French troops in Switzerland. Soon the gallant Bagration, who was attached to the division of general Korsakoff, had an opportunity to pay the homage of his heart in the