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t definite views upon the progress of the war。 People felt in Moscow that something was wrong； and that it was difficult to know what to think of the bad news； and so better to be silent。 But a little later； like jurymen coming out of their consultation room； the leaders reappeared to give their opinion in the club； and a clear and definite formula was found。 Causes had been discovered to account for the fact—so incredible； unheard…of； and impossible—that the Russians had been beaten； and all became clear； and the same version was repeated from one end of Moscow to the other。 These causes were： the treachery of the Austrians； the defective commissariat； the treachery of the Pole Przhebyshevsky and the Frenchman Langeron； the incapacity of Kutuzov； and （this was murmured in subdued tones） the youth and inexperience of the Emperor； who had put faith in men of no character and ability。 But the army； the Russian army； said every one； had been extraordinary； and had performed miracles of valour。 The soldiers； the officers； the generals—all were heroes。 But the hero among heroes was Prince Bagration； who had distinguished himself in his Sch？ngraben engagement and in the retreat from Austerlitz； where he alone had withdrawn his column in good order； and had succeeded in repelling during the whole day an enemy twice as numerous。 What contributed to Bagration’s being chosen for the popular hero at Moscow was the fact that he was an outsider； that he had no connections in Moscow。 In his person they could do honour to the simple fighting Russian soldier； unsupported by connections and intrigues； and still associated by memories of the Italian campaign with the name of Suvorov。 And besides； bestowing upon him such honours was the best possible way of showing their dislike and disapproval of Kutuzov。
“If there had been no Bagration； somebody would have to invent him；” said the wit； Shinshin； parodying the words of Voltaire。
Of Kutuzov people did not speak at all； or whispered abuse of him； calling him the court weathercock and the old satyr。
All Moscow was repeating the words of Prince Dolgorukov： “Chop down trees enough and you’re bound to cut your finger；” which in our defeat suggested a consolatory reminder of former victories； and the saying of Rostoptchin； that French soldiers have to be excited to battle by high…sounding phrases； that Germans must have it logically proved to them that it is more dangerous to run away than to go forward； but that all Russian soldiers need is to be held back and urged not to be too reckless！ New anecdotes were continually to be heard on every side of individual feats of gallantry performed by our officers and men at Austerlitz。 Here a man had saved a flag； another had killed five Frenchmen； another had kept five cannons loaded single…handed。 The story was told of Berg； by those who did not know him； that wounded in his right hand； he had taken his sword in his left and charged on the enemy。 Nothing was said about Bolkonsky； and only those who had known him intimately regretted that he had died so young； leaving a wife with child； and his queer old father。
Chapter 3
ON THE 3RD OF MARCH all the rooms of the English Club were full of the hum of voices； and the members and guests of the club； in uniforms and frock…coats； some even in powder and Russian kaftans； were standing meeting； parting； and running to and fro like bees swarming in spring。 Powdered footmen in livery； wearing slippers and stockings； stood at every door； anxiously trying to follow every movement of the guests and club members； so as to proffer their services。 The majority of those present were elderly and respected persons； with broad； self…confident faces； fat fingers； and resolute gestures and voices。 Guests and members of this class sat in certain habitual places； and met together in certain habitual circles。 A small proportion of those present were casual guests—chiefly young men； among them Denisov； Rostov； and Dolohov； who was now an officer in the Semyonovsky regiment again。 The faces of the younger men； especially the officers； wore that expression of condescending deference to their elders which seems to say to the older generation； “Respect and deference we are prepared to give you； but remember all the same the future is for us。” Nesvitsky； an old member of the club； was there too。 Pierre； who at his wife’s command had let his hair grow and left off spectacles； was walking about the rooms dressed in the height of the fashion； but looking melancholy and depressed。 Here； as everywhere； he was surrounded by the atmosphere of people paying homage to his wealth； and he behaved to them with the careless； contemptuous air of sovereignty that had become habitual with him。
In years； he belonged to the younger generation； but by his wealth and connections he was a member of the older circles； and so he passed from one set to the other。 The most distinguished of the elder members formed the centres of circles； which even strangers respectfully approached to listen to the words of well…known men。 The larger groups were formed round Count Rostoptchin； Valuev； and Naryshkin。 Rostoptchin was describing how the Russians had been trampled underfoot by the fleeing Austrians； and had had to force a way with the bayonet through the fugitives。 Valuev was confidentially informing his circle that Uvarov had been sent from Petersburg to ascertain the state of opinion in Moscow in regard to Austerlitz。
In the third group Naryshkin was repeating the tale of the meeting of the Austrian council of war； at which； in reply to the stupidity of the Austrian general； Suvorov crowed like a cock。 Shinshin； who stood near； tried to make a joke； saying that Kutuzov； it seemed； had not even been able to learn from Suvorov that not very difficult art of crowing like a cock—but the elder club members looked sternly at the wit； giving him thereby to understand that even such a reference to Kutuzov was out of place on that day。
Count Ilya Andreitch Rostov kept anxiously hurrying in his soft boots to and fro from the dining…room to the drawing…room； giving hasty greetings to important and unimportant persons； all of whom he knew； and all of whom he treated alike； on an equal footing。 Now and then his eyes sought out the graceful； dashing figure of his young son； rested gleefully on him； and winked to him。 Young Rostov was standing at the window with Dolohov； whose acquaintance he had lately made； and greatly prized。 The old count went up to them； and shook hands with Dolohov。
“I beg you will come and see us； so you’re a friend of my youngster’s … been together； playing the hero together out there。… Ah！ Vassily Ignatitch … a good day to you； old man；” he turned to an old gentleman who had just come in； but before he had time to finish his greetings to him there was a general stir； and a footman running in with an alarmed countenance； announced： “He had arrived！”
Bells rang； the stewards rushed forward； the guests； scattered about the different rooms； gathered together in one mass； like rye shaken together in a shovel； and waited at the door of the great drawing…room。
At the door of the ante…room appeared the figure of Bagration； withou