nds of
Virtue_, whose principle was hatred of the French, and whose object was
their complete expulsion from Germany. But Napoleon was still
victorious, and the Prussian afraid to commit himself. Besides, the
justice, the mildness, and the military reputation of Macdonald had
completely gained the affection of his troops. They said "they had never
been so happy as when under the command of a Frenchman." In fact, as
they were united with the conquerors, and shared the rights of conquest
with them, they had allowed themselves to be seduced by the all-powerful
attraction of being on the side of the victor.

Every thing contributed to it. Their administration was directed by an
intendant and agents taken from their own army. They lived in abundance.
It was on that very point, however, that the quarrel between Macdonald
and Yorck began, and that the hatred of the latter found an opening to
diffuse itself.

First of all, some complaints were made in the country against their
administration. Shortly after, a French administrator arrived, and
either from rivalry or a spirit of justice, he accused the Prussian
intendant of exhausting the country by enormous requisitions of cattle.
"He sent them," it was said, "into Prussia, which had been exhausted by
our passage; the army was deprived of them, and a dearth would very soon
be felt in it." By his account, Yorck was perfectly aware of the
manoeuvre. Macdonald believed the accusation, dismissed the accused
person, and confided the administration to the accuser; Yorck, filled
with spite, thought henceforward of nothing but revenge.

Napoleon was then at Moscow. The Prussian was on the watch; he joyfully
foresaw the consequences of that rash enterprise, and it appears as if
he yielded to the temptation of taking advantage of it, and of getting
the start of fortune. On the 29th of September, the Russian general
learned that Yorck had uncovered Mittau; and either from having received
reinforcements, (two divisions had actually just arrived from Finland,)
or from confidence of another kind, he adventured himself as far as that
city, which he retook, and was preparing to push his advantage. The
grand park of the besiegers' artillery was about to be carried off;
Yorck, if we are to believe those who were witnesses, had exposed it, he
remained motionless, he betrayed it.

It is said that the chief of his staff felt indignant at this treachery;
we are assured that he represented to his