On the 15th of May, 1796, Napoleon made his entry into Milan, amidst the
acclamations of the populace; his troops passing under a triumphal arch.
From that day the Italians adopted the tri-colored ensign--green, red
and white.
Napoleon remained only a few days in Milan, where he received d’Este,
natural brother of the Duke of Modena, who came to solicit the
protection of the French army. Buonaparte treated with the Duke of
Modena as he had done with the Duke of Parma.
In taking the command of the army in Italy, Napoleon, notwithstanding
his extreme youth, inspired the soldiers, and even the old officers
themselves, with absolute confidence.
The accompanying engraving is copied from a fresco painted by Andrea
Appiani, who was commissioned to portray in the vice-regal palace at
Milan the pageants of Napoleon. Thirty-five are there painted in oil,
after the manner of Grisaille. This subject has been engraved by the
best artists of Milan; it is rare and much sought after by amateurs.
[Illustration: ENTERING MILAN.]
“WHAT A LESSON FOR MAN!”
In Italy, after the battle of Bassano, Napoleon, followed by his staff
rode over the field. The moon shed her light upon that scene of horror,
and the profound silence of the night was disturbed only by the sad
cries of the wounded, and the dismal groans of the dying. All at once a
dog that had been lying on a dead body, came forward whining, running
back and forth, seemingly divided between the desire of avenging the
death of his master, and the fear of allowing the body to become cold.
Napoleon stopped; his soul was stirred by the faithful friendship of the
animal compared to the neglect with which the other victims were
treated, and he remained absorbed in profound meditation.
“What a lesson for man!” at last he cried.
The incident was so deeply impressed upon his mind that twenty-five
years after, he spoke of it again on the rock of St. Helena.
[Illustration: WHAT A LESSON FOR MAN.]