the enemy. The principal part of the French force was assembled at Lintz, with the intention of advancing along the great road upon the south of the Danube. One division, however, under Marshal Davoust, crossed the Ems at Stayer,, marched towards Wahidoffen, in pursuit of the Austrians, who had retired in that direction; and for the purpose also of turning the Russian army, if it should attempt to maintain itself in the strong position upon the heights of Saint Polten.

In this situation of affairs, the emperor endeavoured by negociation to avert the evils with which he was menaced. He saw the allied army compelled to retire before a superior force; the second division of the Russians was still at a distance; and it was evident that in a few days Bonaparte would become master of his capital. The Count de Guilay was accordingly directed to repair to the head-quarters of the French at Lintz, and to propose an armistice, in order that negociations might be commenced for a general peace. The answer of Bonaparte was concise and imperious. He demanded, as the price of an armistice, that the Russian forces should return home, that the Hungarian levies should be disbanded, and that the Austrian troops should withdraw from the duchy of Venice and the Tyrol. This reply was immediately communicated to the Emperor. It was evident that to accede to such terms would be to place the imperial crown at the mercy of Bonaparte. He resolved therefore still to struggle with the difficulties of his situation; to trust to the support of his allies, to the fortune of his house, and to the affection and zeal of his people. In such circumstances," said the emperor, nothing remains for me but to rely upon those. great and unexhausted resources which I find in the hearts, in the prosperity, in the loyalty, and the strength of my people, and in the yet undiminished force of my high allies and friends, the emperor of Russia and king of Prussia; and to persist in this first firm and intimate connexion, till the emperor of the French, with that moderation which is the brightest gem in the crown of a great monarch, shall consent

to conditions of peace consistent with the honour and independence of a mighty state."

In the mean time the principal force of the enemy advanced by Ems and Amstetten to the abbey of Moelk. This abbey overlooks the Danube, standing upon an elevated situation on the banks of that river. The position, naturally strong, was fortified by the Roman emperors as a barrier against the incursions of the barbarians. Bonaparte removed his headquarters to the Moelk on the 9th of November. In the mean time the Russians had retired to St. Polten. At Krems, not far from that place, there is a bridge over the Danube. It is the last bridge above the city of Vienna. Bonaparte had detached a considerable force over the river under the command of Marshal Mortier, who was ordered to march with the utmost expedition for the purpose of seizing and destroying this bridge. If this operation had been successful, the Russians would have been compelled to retire to Vienna, and Marshal Mortier's division, marching along the northern bank of the Danube, would have taken up a position opposite to that city. By this manoeuvre, the communication with the se. cond division of Russians advancing under General Buxhovden, would have been completely intercepted. It was of the utmost importance to the allies to inticipate this movement of the French, and their situation was fortunately favourable for that purpose. The course of the Danube forms itself at this place into an extensive curve, with the convex side extending towards the north. It was necessary therefore for Marshal Mortier, who was upon the left bank of the river, to take a considerable compass in order to arrive at Krems, while the allies could reach the same point in a direct line. Every moment, however, was important: from Saint Polten, therefore, the Russians marched with the utmost expedition towards Krems; and having passed the river immediately destroyed the bridge. This operation was scarcely accomplished before Marshal Mortier appeared, and falling with great spirit upon the Russian outposts, in the neighbourhood

of Diernstein, drove them in upon the main army. It was now evening, and the situation of the allies, who were closely pressed upon the side of Stein, became extremely critical. It was necessary to force the French from their position. Accordingly, at day-break on the following morning, the Russian army, having formed itself into three columns, advanced against the French lines with the utmost impetuosity and fury. The French, after a sharp conflict, was every, where routed. Great numbers were slain; many escaped into the vessels which had been collected in the river; and about 2000 men, with a great proportion of officers, were taken prisoners. This victory, so important in the present situation of the army, was obtained without any considerable loss of men on the part of the Russians. There fell, however, in the heat of the engagement, the Austrian field-marshal Schmidt, a veteran officer of great bravery and merit, whose death was sincerely and deeply regretted.

CHAP. XXIX.

ALARM AT VIENNA-ARRIVAL OF BONAPARTE AT MUNICH -PASSAGE OF THE INN-CRITICAL SITUATION OF THE ALLIES-CONDUCT OF PRUSSIA BONAPARTE ENTERS VIENNA REJECTS THE OVERTURES OF THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR ARRIVAL OF THE ALLIED EMPERORS AT OLMUTZ-STRATAGEM OF BONAPARTE-HIS RETREATBATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ TREATY OF

ARMISTICE

PRESBURG.

VIENNA was now left entirely without defence. The court, the nobility, and all those who could provide the means of flight, had abandoned the city. The utmost agitation and confusion prevailed, and the public anxiety increased with the accounts which were daily and hourly received of the rapid advance of the enemy. But when the people were informed that the Russian army, which thay had regarded as their sole and last defence, had passed the Danube, and left the capital to its fate, they abandoned themselves to despair.

Every precaution, however, was taken by the government to preserve the public tranquillity, and to calm the apprehensions of the multitude. A proclamation was issued by the commissary of the court, the Court de Wrbna, in the name and by the order of the emperor, who, after assisting at the Hungarian diet, had tired to Brunn in Moravia. His majesty, from the regard which he felt for the safety of his faithful subjects of Vienna, and from his desire to free them as far as possible from the miseries of war, had determined not to attempt the defence of his capital. The inhabitants were assured that the utmost confidence might be placed in the discipline of the French army; and that they need enter

tain no fear of becoming the victims of military license : they were exhorted to conduct themselves individually with the utmost regularity and order, and were informed that his majesty, far from approving a misplaced zeal, which might expose to danger the lives and property of the citizens, would severely punish the slightest disorder.' A deputation, with Prince Sinzendorf at its head, was at the same time ordered to repair to the French camp, for the purpose of informing the commander, that the Austrian troops had entirely withdrawn from Vienna, that the inhabitants were prepared to surrender the city without resistance, and that they relied upon the generosity of their conquerors. The deputies were received by Prince Murat with attention and respect; and after a short conference, in which they obtained the strongest assurances of protection, they returned to Vienna. Prince Murat, in consequence of the arrangements which had been made, immediately entered the city, and his troops were conducted to the quarters which had been assigned for their accommodation.

The Austrian force which had retired from Vienna upon the approach of the enemy amounted to about 10,000 men. They had crossed the Danube, and had proceeded towards Moravia, for the purpose of forming a junction with the Russians. In order to secure the retreat of this corps, and of the Russian division which had passed the Danube at Krems, the Prince of Aversberg was directed to destroy the bridge at Vienna. He had given the necessary orders for this purpose; when a French officer sent by Murat rode up in great haste, and informed him that a treaty of peace was signed between France and Austria. The prince, not suspecting a falsehood, immediately revoked the orders which he had issued; and it was not till Murat himself arrived at the head of a considerable body of cavalry, and took possession of the bridge, that he discovered the deception. The advantage obtained by this unworthy falsehood, and the unpardonable credulity of the Prince of Aversberg, exposed General Kutusow's army to the