Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-11-07
MARSHAL MURAT.

MARSHAL MURAT.
The acts and history of this Frenchman
have lain in a state of quiet from the time
of his decease until of late, and until Head
ley treated upon it was almost unknown.
"March 25th, 1867, was born, the infant
from which grew that mighty chieftain
whose name heads this column. He was
son of q tavern keeper, who had large
family. of whom Joachim the hero, was the
most noted. In his early career he exhib-
tied those characteristics which made him
what he was in after life. His parents
desired that he should be priest, yet ma
ture destined him for another sphere Of
action. His fiery, boundless. tempestuous
mind could never be held within proper
bounds for such an Office, and his parents
might as we'll have attempted to change the
course of the sun, as TO attempt to enforce
priestly rules upon such spirit as his. The
army seemed the place where his impetuous
spirit found a situation. that harmonized
with his nature and he joined it; yet, in
times of peace his mind was dormant. and
he thirs,ed for a situation where he could
act in harmony with his feelings. A field
was at length opened, when the revolution
commenced, and the agitation of the people
of France, afforded fuel for such fires of
nature as burned within his breast. He
Joined eagerly in the excitement of the
time, and although only 81 years of age,
he appeared a veteran in the cause he es.
poused During the reign of terror he was
a violent republican. He rose from Lieu
tenant to Captain and Major. In 1895
he aided Napoleon in quelling the sections:
the latter, when he was appointed to com,
mand the army of Italy, made him mem,
Der of his personal staff. Here, beside the
rising Corsican. commenced his brilliant
career. His personal appearance was Pc
culiarIy attractive. and his costume ex-
tremely fanciful, at the time he was in CON-
mand of the army. His form was tall and
finely proportioned-his tread like that Of
knights face striking and noble, while
his piercing glance, few men could bear.
This was Murat on foot: but place him
on horseback. and he was more imposing.
He never mounted a steed that was not
worthy of the boldest knight of ancient
days, and his incompatible seat made both
horse and rider an object of universal ad'
miration. The English invariably condemn
the theatrical costume he always wore, as
an evidence of folly, but it was in perfect
keeping with his character. He was moi
man of deep thought, and compact mind
but resembled an oriental in his tastes, anc
loved everything gorgeous and imposing
He usually wore q rich Polish dress, will
the collar ornamented with gold brocade-
ample pantaloons, scarlet or purple, ano
embroidered with gold-boots of yellow
leather, while a straight damond-hiltet
sword, like that worn by the ancient Ro
mans, hanging from girdle of gold bro
cade completed his dashing exterior.
He had heavy black whiskers, and long
black locks, which streaming overh his shout
ders contrasted singularly with his fiery
blue eve. On his head he wore three.cor
nered chapeau, from which rose a magnifi
cent white plume that bent under its profu
sion of Ostrich feathers; while beside il
and in the same gold band, lowered away
splendid heron plume. Over all this bril-
liant costume, he wore in cold weather ;
pelisse of green velvet, lined and fringet
with the cosliest sables. Neither did h
! forget his horse in this gorgeous apparel
ling: but had him adorned with the rio
Turkish stirrup and bride, and almost &C
vered with azure colored trappings. Ha
;; all this inery been piled on diminutiv
. man, or an Indifferent, rider, it would hav
appeared ridiculous; but on the splendi
: charger and still more majestic figure {
Murat, with his lofty bearing, it seemed a
in place and keeping.
To see Mura, decked out in this extravi
. CANT costume al a review, might create
smile, but whoever once saw The galy.ci
: parisoned steed with its commanding rid'
5 in front of battle, plunging like thunde
bolt through the broken ranks, or watche
the progress of that towering white plum
,, as floating high over the tens of THOUSAND
q that struggled behind il, constant mark
!, the balls that whislled like hailstones arour
il, never felt like smiling again at him.
Especially would he forget those glide
trappings when he saw him return from
charge. with his diamon-hilted sword dro
ping with blood, his gay uniform riddle
with balls, and singed and blackened wi