Chapter Chapter 328 · 第328章

Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor

honored by his presence. Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George

of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but

everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him. The proprieties

were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example,

but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and

good-for-nothing. When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s

day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the

Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face

and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old

comedian.”

The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna

by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the

importance of the coming campaign.

When on the following morning the Emperor said to the officers assembled

about him: “You have not only saved Russia, you have saved Europe!” they

all understood that the war was not ended.

Kutúzov alone would not see this and openly expressed his opinion that

no fresh war could improve the position or add to the glory of Russia,

but could only spoil and lower the glorious position that Russia had

gained. He tried to prove to the Emperor the impossibility of levying

fresh troops, spoke of the hardships already endured by the people, of

the possibility of failure and so forth.

This being the field marshal’s frame of mind he was naturally regarded

as merely a hindrance and obstacle to the impending war.

To avoid unpleasant encounters with the old man, the natural method was

to do what had been done with him at Austerlitz and with Barclay at

the beginning of the Russian campaign—to transfer the authority to the

Emperor himself, thus cutting the ground from under the commander in

chief’s feet without upsetting the old man by informing him of the

change.

With this object his staff was gradually reconstructed and its real

strength removed and transferred to the Emperor. Toll, Konovnítsyn, and

Ermólov received fresh appointments. Everyone spoke loudly of the field

marshal’s great weakness and failing health.

His health had to be bad for his place to be taken away and given to

another. And in fact his health was poor.

So naturally, simply, and gradually—just as he had come from Turkey to

the Treasury in Petersburg to recruit the militia, and then to the army

when he was needed there—now when his part was played out, Kutúzov’s

place was taken by a new and necessary performer.

The war of 1812, besides its national significance dear to every Russian

heart, was now to assume another, a European, significance.

The movement of peoples from west to east was to be succeeded by a

movement of peoples from east to west, and for this fresh war another

leader was necessary, having qualities and views differing from

Kutúzov’s and animated by different motives.

Alexander I was as necessary for the movement of the peoples from east

to west and for the refixing of national frontiers as Kutúzov had been

for the salvation and glory of Russia.

Kutúzov did not understand what Europe, the balance of power, or

Napoleon meant. He could not understand it. For the representative of

the Russian people, after the enemy had been destroyed and Russia had

been liberated and raised to the summit of her glory, there was nothing

left to do as a Russian. Nothing remained for the representative of the

national war but to die, and Kutúzov died.