COPENHAGEN AND MARENGO 279 



steed, and its name was Copenhagen. Of his 

 other horses we read but little. 



Marengo, Napoleon's favourite mount, was, 

 according to one historian, a pure white stallion ; 

 according to another a cream-coloured gelding. 

 In Vernet's famous picture of Napoleon crossing 

 the Alps we are shown a snow-white horse, and 

 Meissonnier shows us a snow-white horse too, so 

 most likely this animal actually was quite white. 

 The resting-place of Marengo's remains is the 

 Museum of the United Services, in London. 



In an age when attempts are made to over- 

 throw almost every established historical record, 

 and when we are even informed quite gravely 

 that Joan of Arc was not burnt at the stake at all, 

 but that the victim was some other woman — a lady 

 of rank, who out of compassion for the poor 

 Pucelle was at the last moment prompted to sacri- 

 fice herself in her place ! — it is not surprising that 

 sceptics should exist who would have us believe 

 that Napoleon's horse was not called Marengo. 



What is it, precisely, that prompts this section 

 of modern searchers after "positive truth " to cast 

 doubts upon so many of the minor historical in- 

 cidents ? For, as a reviewer recently observed, 

 it is hardly worth the while of any serious historian 

 to waste time in refuting such misstatements. 



Sir Charles Napier owned a mare that he prized 

 greatly. Its name was Molly, but it does not 

 appear to have performed any exceptional feats 



