Marshal Davoust, and the third division entered Berlin. This honor was
the recompense for the glorious part which these brave troops had taken
in the battle of Jena. A favor so simple, rivalling in that respect the
oak leaf chaplet of the Romans, intoxicated the soldiers who received
it, and they swore to be to the Emperor, what the Tenth Legion was to
Cæsar.
He visited the vault where the remains of Frederic were deposited in a
coffin of cedar-wood, encased in another of brass, without ornament or
pompous inscription. Napoleon forbade the passage of the colors, eagles
and cannon taken from the Prussians, over the place where the ashes of
the illustrious monarch reposed lest it might distress his shade, or
seem an insult to his tomb.
The memorable spoils of which we have spoken in giving an account of
Napoleon’s visit to Frederic’s grave, were received in Paris with wild
delight, and deposited with much pomp in the _Hotel des Invalides_,
under guard of the veterans. Amongst these were yet alive 900 who had
borne arms against Frederic, and they received with gratitude, presents
which in their old age renewed remembrances of the army and its immortal
chief. Like the warriors of Sparta, they were proud of being surpassed
by their children.
[Illustration: THE SWORD OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.]