k in making the most of their situation. Finally, among
the soldiers still under arms, the dread of a nickname, by which they
themselves ridiculed their comrades who had fallen into disorder,
retained some influence.

But after leaving Malodeczno, and the departure of Napoleon, when winter
with all its force, and doubled in severity, attacked each of us, there
was a complete dissolution of all those associations against misfortune.
It was no longer any thing but a multitude of isolated and individual
struggles. The best no longer respected themselves; nothing stopped
them; no speaking looks detained them; misfortune was hopeless of
assistance, and even of regret; discouragement had no longer judges to
condemn, or witnesses to prove it; all were its victims.

Henceforward there was no longer fraternity in arms, there was an end to
all society, to all ties; the excess of evils had brutified them.
Hunger, devouring hunger, had reduced these unfortunate men to the
brutal instinct of self-preservation, all which constitutes the
understanding of the most ferocious animals, and which is ready to
sacrifice every thing to itself; a rough and barbarous nature seemed to
have communicated to them all its fury. Like savages, the strongest
despoiled the weakest; they rushed round the dying, and frequently
waited not for their last breath. When a horse fell, you might have
fancied you saw a famished pack of hounds; they surrounded him, they
tore him to pieces, for which they quarrelled among themselves like
ravenous dogs.

The greater number, however, preserved sufficient moral strength to
consult their own safety without injuring others; but this was the last
effort of their virtue. If either leader or comrade fell by their side,
or under the wheels of the cannon, in vain did they call for assistance,
in vain did they invoke the names of a common country, religion, and
cause; they could not even obtain a passing look. The cold inflexibility
of the climate had completely passed into their hearts; its rigour had
contracted their feelings equally with their countenances. With the
exception of a few of the commanders, all were absorbed by their
sufferings, and terror left no room for compassion.

Thus it was that the same egotism with which excessive prosperity has
been reproached, was produced by the excess of misfortune, but much more
excusable in the latter; the first being voluntary, and the last
compulsive; the first a crime of