Chapter 6 Chapter Six

The phenomena of life can be divided into countless categories, and all these categories can be divided into the following two categories, one of which is based on content, and the other is based on form.Belonging to this latter category is Petersburg life, and especially salon life, as distinct from country, local, provincial, and even Moscow life. This life is constant. Since 1805 we have been reconciled and broken with Bonaparte, we have created a constitution and abolished it many times, and what Anna Pavlovna's salon and Helene's salon were and are still doing—a As seven years ago, another as five years ago, with Anna Pavlovna one still speaks of Bonaparte's successes with perplexity, and sees that both in his successes and in the treatment of him by the sovereigns of Europe In every appeasement there was a vicious plot, the sole object of which was to cause displeasure and annoyance to the court circle represented by Anna Pavlovna.It was exactly the same at Helen's (Rumantsev himself frequented her and thought she was an extremely intelligent woman), 1808 was exactly the same as 1812, and people still talked excitedly about that great nation and that great character, and deplored the break with France, which, according to those gathered in Helene's salon, should end peacefully.

Recently, after the emperor returned from the army, there has been some uneasiness in these two opposing salon groups, and some mutual accusations have occurred, but the direction of the two groups remains unchanged.The French who participated in Anna Pavlovna's group were limited to the stubborn royalist Lange (1834-1900) who successively proposed the James-Lange theory of emotion.Mainly, therefore, the patriotism shown here is that one should not go to the French theater, thinking that the expenses of maintaining a troupe are worth the expenses of maintaining a legion.They focus on the progress of the battle and spread the news that is most beneficial to our army.In Helen's circle, that of the Rumyantsev faction and the French faction, rumors of war and the cruelty of the enemy were refuted, and Napoleon's various attempts at peace were discussed.In this circle people condemned those who suggested an early order for the evacuation to Kazan of the court girls' school protected by the Empress Dowager.On the whole, the whole thing about the war in Helene's salons began with empty demonstrations and soon ended peacefully, and everything was controlled by the opinion of Bilibin, who was now Helene's wife in Petersburg. A frequent visitor to her (all intelligent people should go to her), he believes that the problem does not depend on gunpowder, but on who invented gunpowder.In these circles people ridiculed cynically and very subtly (though cautiously) at the Moscow frenzy, news of which came with the Tsar's visit to Petersburg.

In Anna Pavlovna's circle, on the contrary, it was celebrated and talked about like Plutarch about great men of old.Duke Vasili, who still holds an important position, has become a link between the two circles.He went to the mabonneamie (his venerable friend) Anna Pavlovna, and also to the dans les salon diplomatique de mafille (his daughter's diplomatic salon), and because of his frequent alternation between one camp and the other, he often Bewildered, said to Helene what should have been said to Anna Pavlovna, or vice versa. -------- ① Plutarch (approximately 46-123), an ancient Greek biographer.

Soon after the Tsar's arrival, Prince Vasili discussed the war with Anna Pavlovna, severely reprimanded Barclay-de-Tolly, but hesitated about whom to appoint as commander-in-chief.One of the guests, usually called unhommedebeaucoupdemerite (man of many virtues), related how he saw Kutuzov, newly appointed commander of the Petersburg militia, preside over a recruiting meeting at the provincial tax office, and then cautiously expressed his From the initial point of view, Kutuzov is a candidate who can meet various requirements. Anna Pavlovna smiled sadly, and pointed out that Kutuzov had done nothing but to annoy the Tsar.

"I said it again and again at the council of nobles," interrupted Prince Vassily, "but no one listened to me. I said that his selection as commander of the militia would displease the Emperor. They didn't listen to me." "It's all a frenzy of disapproval," he went on, "without looking in whose face? And it's all due to our stupid frenzy of wanting to imitate Moscow," said Prince Vasili, momentarily bewildered and forgetful. It was Helene who laughed at the Moscow mania, but Anna Pavlovna should praise it.But he corrected it immediately. "Well, Count Kutuzov, the oldest general in Russia, is it proper to call a meeting at the tax office, etilenresterapoursapeine (his busyness will accomplish nothing)! Can a man who can't jump the horse and whip the whip be appointed commander-in-chief? Yes, dozed off at a meeting, the worst-tempered man! Has he introduced himself enough in Bucharest? I'm not talking about his qualifications as a general. Can an old blind man be appointed at such a time, A complete blind man? Blind general! He can't see. He can play hide-and-seek. . . He can't see at all!"

No objection was maintained. This is perfectly fair to say on July 24th.But on July 29 Kutuzov was crowned duke.Conferring the title of duke may mean getting rid of it, so Prince Vasily's opinion is still correct, although he is not in a hurry to express it at this time, but on August 8, General Saltykov, Arakcheyev, A committee of Vyazimidinov, Lopkhin and Kochubey met to discuss war matters.The committee agreed that the unfavorableness of the war stemmed from the lack of a unified command. Although the members of the committee knew that the emperor did not appreciate Kutuzov, after a brief consultation, they still recommended that Kutuzov be appointed commander-in-chief.Therefore, on that very day Kutuzov was appointed full-fledged commander-in-chief of the entire army and the areas occupied by individual units.

On August 9, Prince Vasili again met l'hommedebeaucoupdemerite (a man of many virtues) at Anna Pavlovna's. Prince Vasily of l'hommedebeaucoupdemerite had been courting Anna Pavlovna of late, and was hoping for an appointment as superintendent of a girls' school.He came into the drawing room beaming like a victor who had achieved his goal. "Ehbien, voussavezlagrandenouvelle? Leprince Koutouzoffestmarechal. All differences are settled. I am so happy, so happy!" said Prince Vasily. "Enfin voilaunhomme," he kept saying, looking round with significant seriousness at all those in the drawing-room. Although L'hommedebeaucoupdemerite intended to find a job, he couldn't help reminding Prince Vasily of the remarks he had made. (This was rude in Anna's drawing-room both to Prince Vasily and to Anna Pavlovna, who had already learned the news with pleasure; but he could not bear it.)

"Maisonditqu'ilestaveugle, mon prince? "③ He reminded Prince Vasily of what he had said. "Allezdonc, ilyvoitassez," said Prince Vasily, in a low, rapid voice, coughing, with which he used to solve all difficulties. "Allezdonc, ilyvoitassez," he repeated. "I am glad," he went on, "that His Majesty has given him full powers over the whole army and all the districts--a power which no commander-in-chief has ever had. This is the second master .” After he finished speaking, he showed a triumphant smile. -------- ①French: Well, do you know a big news?Kutuzov has become a marshal.

② French: After all, it is a talent. ③French: But I heard he was blind, duke? ④French: Uh, nonsense, he can see quite clearly, don't worry. "I hope so, I hope so," said Anna Pavlovna. L'hommedebeaucoupdemerite (the man of many merits), who was still a novice in court society, in order to flatter Anna Pavlovna, excused her previous opinion on the argument by saying: "It is said that His Majesty is reluctant to grant Kutuzov this authority. Onditqu'ilrougitcommeunedemoisellealaquelleonliraitJoconde, enluidisant: 'lesouverainetlaPatrievousdecernentcethonneur'." "Peut—etrequelecoeurn'etaitpasdelapartie." Anna Pavlovna said.

-------- ①French: It is said that when he said to him: "The king and the motherland give you this honor", he blushed like a girl who heard the recitation of "Jocond". ("Joconte", La Fontaine's first verse story, is considered a bad work.). ②French: Maybe not quite to his liking. "Oh no, no," said Prince Vasily, vehemently in favor of Kutuzov, and now he was not giving in to anyone.According to Prince Vasili, Kutuzov was not only excellent in person, but everyone adored him. "No, it's impossible, because the emperor appreciated him very much before." He said.

"I hope that Prince Kutuzov," said Anna Pavlovna, "has the real power and won't let anyone make trouble—desbatonsdanslesroues." Prince Vasili immediately understood who this person was referring to.He whispered: "I am sure that Kutuzov proposed that the crown prince should not remain in the army. This is a necessary condition, Voussavezcequ'iladital'empereur (do you know what he said to the emperor)?" Prince Vasili repeated what seemed to be Kutuzov's original words to the emperor: "If the crown prince misbehaves, it is inconvenient for the minister to punish him. On the contrary, it is inconvenient to reward him for his merits. Ah! This is a very smart man, Duke Kutuzov, jeleconnaisdelonguedate. ( I've known him for a long time.)" "They even said," said l'hommedebeaucoupdemerite, who had not yet known the court's manners, "that the duke also made a necessary condition; that the king himself should not come to the army." As soon as the man had finished speaking, Prince Vasili and Anna Pavlovna turned their backs for a moment, sighed at his childishness, and exchanged a melancholy look.