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FULL AND CmCUMSTANTIAL ACCOUNT

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MEMORABLE

BATTLE OF WATERLOO:

THE SECOND RESTORATION OF

roms XVIII;

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ISLA~D OF ST. HBLBNA,

AND EVERY RECENT PARTICULAR RELATIVE TO ms CONDUCT AND MODE OF LIFE IN RlS EXILE.

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AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIRS OF FRANCE,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

OP 'nUl MOST DIIT1NG11I8BED

8irterloo fferoti.

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EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS.

By CHRISTOPHER KELLY, ESQ.

Autlaor qf" THB NEW .AND COMPLETB SVSTlUI J, UNIYBBIIAL GBOGIlDBF," te. ~

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR THOMAS KELLY, 63, PATERNOSTER-ROW,

1817.

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PREFACE.

FEW subjects have ev~r possessed more ~nuine interest, or' excited more uni~ersar attention, than the BATTLE OF WATBRLOO; whether it be regarded with respect to the treason which produced it, the circumstances of desperate valour and individq.al heroism by which it'~ atten~ed, pro the ~mportaDt consequences which have resulted from it.

ScarcelY'had the nati~ns or Europe 'c~~gra~ulated themselves on the happy terrilinaiiq'n or a tedious, expensive, arid sanguinary war, when the demon of Discord, in the person' oflNapd. leon Buonaparte, issued .from his seclusion in the isle of Elba; and, landing- on the shores of France, diWust'd the pestilence of rebellion around himr=-an infatuated army-a deluded populace-disgraced. tbemselves and their country by unexampled treason;-a legitimate prince, recently restored to the dominions of bis ancestors, ,was driven into exile ;-the arrangePlents which the .greatest of sovereigns and· the first of statesmen tJad made forthe repose of the world, were suddenly overthrown ;-~nd the only alternative which remained was tbat of a renewal of hostilities, or a disgraceful submission to a tyrant who bad proved himself regardless of' every tre~ty and of every tie. ' :

The decision of the allies was marked by wisdom and promptitude. Indignant 'at ihe Conican·s attempt to regain by subtlety an empi~e which he had been unable. to defend by arms, they annonnced their determination to avenge the cause of injured justice, and never to, sheatbe the sword till the distnrber of mankind should be driven from the seat 01 bis usurpation.

The conflict which ensued was most tremendous. The usurper and his adherents Iought with the madness of desperation" and tbe fate of Europe seemed to ~ang in trembling suspense between the contending armies. Heaven, however, frowned on the unhallowed attempt of imposing new chains on the human "race. The commanding genius, the cool equanimity; the intrepid gallantry of a WELLINGTON, aided by the consummate discipline aud unparal; leled bravery o( British' troops, and the splendid achievements 01 their allies, 'baffled aU t,be arts and exertions of the foe ;-oonvinced' tbe haughty curiassiers that their boasted armour was Doi proof against the shafts of death ;":""and proved to, the admiring . world that, the imperial guards of France were no longer invincible. Foiled and defeated at every point; 'tbe rebel troops gave way; and their unprincipled leader, abandoning them to the sabres of their triumphant pursuers, fled ignominiously to Paris; there to confirm the Dews of his decisive overthrow, and to sign a second abdication of his self-assumed authority.

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The results of this memorable battle, which has been justly and emphatically styled tIle

salvation of Europe, were equally important and beneficial. Paris, occupied a second time by the allies, was compelled to restore those sumptuous works of art. of which she had plundered the surrounding nations, and which had served to legalize robbery in the e ("s, of hel' I

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PRBFAC8.

inhabitants ;-:-the throne, too long stained by usurpation, was again filled by its lawful pos-

I sessor ;-and' the disgraced and defeated Corsican, who had 80 often cursed the world by his criminal projects, or his actual atrocities, surrendered himself to the British government, and wasjustly doomed to hide hjli guilty head in the obscurity of St. Helena, whils\ WATERLOO, the Scene of his defeat, exhibited an imperishable monument of the retributive justice of God, the brilliant success of the allied armies, and the general peace of 1815.

The history of a battle, 80 astonishing in itself, and 80 magnificent in its results, will be read with avidity by ages yet unborn; but to the.pruem generation, the eootempPlVi., friends, and relatives, of the liying and the fallen heroes of that day, it presellts • IO¥fCe 0( attraction much easier to be imagined than described.

Here the military man will retrace the terrors and the glories of that field on wbich ~e fate of Europe was decided;-the widowed. matron and. the father_ child, surveying ~e ~.le exploits of a husband or a father, will smile exulting through their tears i-the rising. gen .. ration, fixing their eyes on the MEN OF WATERLOO, will catch the patri~c flame wJAic:ta glowed within their breasts i-the friend.of genuine liberty will hail the confed~ armifs

-who forced the sceptre from a tyrant's hands; and El'BRY BaIToN, worthy of the name he bears, will dwell with fond delight on the prominent ci&aracterl" in the paulag seeae, whom he, recognises ·as natives of his own land. '

For these important reasons, the Proprietor has spared no expense-the Editor bas shrunk f"rom no laborious research, to render it worthy of universal patronage. Official papers aD. works of established reputation have been primarily consulted, as historical documents; much QrigiAal information bas been commUDicsted by a gentleman who has actually visited _ the 'fieid of battle, and other parts of the Netherlands i-a rich fund of anecdote has _~.

collected from various authors of unquestionable veracity;-and a 00"" fide abridgJnt;ot of the popular letters from St. Helena 'has been introduced; to convey to the reader an accu",w picture of the retirement, conversations, and pursuits of that adventurer, who, we uust, will never be permitted to quit his present abode till his inordinate ambition is extinguished with his life.

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In order to render the following ~pages as interesting and complete as possible, the affair. qf·France, from ~e seeond U8urpatjQn of Buonapal1e to his deportation from Europe, bave been fully detailed; and biographical 8ketches of the principal Watl'rloo herees, and olber distiaguished characters have been drawn .(rom the most impartial and respectable sour_~ ThE! Editor 8Dd P,.,prietor, therefore, venture to .indulge a confident hope, that the ~ork now respectfully submitted to the British public, will be fonnd superior to any thin, of a similar kind which has been hitherto attempted.

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BATTLE: OF. WATERLOO,

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Fram t1ie Seco~d Usurpation'of NapokCYli Buanaparte to ,," Second Abdication.

THE s~vereign"'llIld ~"tesm~n ass~ble.t'at t~ the only legal title on which his existence depen<Jed:

Clougrea of VienD. blld, elesed their deliberatioD8t aad by appeariDg again in· Franee, with projects of ceDf_ion the former ~d announc~d their departure for their reo and disor~ he' b"" deprived bimself of the protection lpectivecapitals, whell they reeeieed tile uawelcOme of the Jaw. uul haa manifested to the unive ... e ,that intelligence that Buonaparte' Jaad quitted ,&he 'isle of there cali be neither peace DOl' truce witb him. Th. Elba, and bad landed, with an atmed force, 'M FrejU& • poYen eontequently declare, that Napoleon Buon ....

The as~ithment with which, &hiI .... waa at fint parte has placed hilDllelf withont the pale of civil and received was Dat.rally sueeeeded by die mOllt terioas locial relatioDl; and that, as an enemy and disturber apprebensions. The force with .wbieJ& the iDvader had of the tranquillity of the world, he' h .. rendered hilDlanded was certainly feeble and eo~temptible; bnt it self liable to pablic vengeance.

W8I highly probable that the w.cobten1ltd soldiery of " They declare, at the same time, that, firmly reaolv· France would ftock to bis ltandard, and enable him. iog to maintain entire tile treaty of Paris of May 30, ar,in to disturb the tranquillity of Europe. It was 1814, and the dilpoaitiooe sanctioned by that treaty, therefore necessary, by some prompt and deci&iv~ rna- and those which they have resolved on, or shall here. nifealo, to ~yOW their reaolutiou of opposing him with after resolye on, to 'complete and to consolidate it, they their united forcea. The following declaration was aC' will employ all their means, and will unite all their eordinglJ published at Vienoa on the 13th of March: eftbrts, that tbe general peaee~ tbe object of ~ewiahea

of Europe, and tbe constant purpoae of their laboun,

DECLAIU,TIO!f. may not again be troubled, and to proYi~e QgaiDlt

"The powen wbo' have signed the tNaty of Paris, every attempt whicb sball threaten to re-plnnge the. auembled in congress at Vienna, being informed of the world into tbe disorden and miseries of revolutions. eaeape or Napoleon Boonaparte, and of bis eatrance "And, altbough fn1ly penuaded that all France, into France with an armed force, owe it to their own rallying round ica legitimate sovereign, wiJI immedidignity, and the interest of aoeial order, to make a ao. ately annibilate tbis Iut aUempt of a criminal and lemn declaration of tbe sen&imenta which thill event has impotent delirium, all tbe sovereigns of Europe, aniexci&ed ia tbem. mated by tbe same sentiments, and guided,by tbe same

" By th. breaking the eonyenOon which establi.laed principles, deClare, that if, CD1l~jWf~U.:Al}:Qt~~~ IUm ia the &Iuul of Elba, Bao_parte baa dettroyed i thers uould 1:eault from thit event .. y real daager,

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TREATY OF THE ALLIM.

they will be ready to give to the King of France, and baring taken into coDiiderabon the eouequeneel which to the French nation, or to any other goyemment that the inyuion of France by Napoleon Buonaparte, and .ball be attacked, .. soon u the, .~I be a1lec1 upon, the· actual .ituatioa of 'hatfk~8ID, may produce with all the aasistance requiaite to restore public tranquillity; respect to the -aafely 0"( Europe, have resolved, in conand to make a common cause agaiDit all those who junction with his majesty the, &c. &c. to apply to that Ihould undertake to compromise it. important circumstance the principles conaecrated by

"The present deelllJ'lltion, inserted in the reg1ster of the treaty of Chaumont.

the congress assembled at Vienna on the 18th of March, "They have consequently resolyed to renew, by a

1815, lball be made public." : ~, ,', . - \ ~ .01em .. treatY"ligne~ aeparately by each of the four

. pewers with' each of the three othen, the engagement

Soon after the ,publication of this document, au event to preserve, againat every attack, the order of things, occurred at Vienna whieh ~cited a considerabJe~ so -""~Jy. established· in Eurepe, and to- determine tion. Several persees arrived in the villages near u.,o. the JIlqIt effectual mea .. of mi6Uing daat engageSchoenbrunn, the residence or" the little NapoJ~ri. ment, 8S well u of living It all-the ~xtenaioll which Among them was Count Montesquieu, a nephew of tbe the present circumstances so imperioOlly call for. child's goyemess. He contrived to gain ad~i~ce. .' "¥ic1~ 1. The high-contracting parties above meninto the palace, under the pretence of visiting' bis tioned solemnly engage to unite the resources of their aunt; and, having corrupted lOme of the domestics, respective .tales for the purpose of maintaining entire formed tbe plan of carrying off the Bon of Buonaparte. the conditions of the treaty of peace concluded at Paris, The time was fixed, carriages were appointed-to-be;n on-the 80th of-May, 1814; as also the'stipulationl dewaiting, and relays were ordered at every post to the termined upon and signed at the congress of Vienna, frontiel'll of France. with the view to complete the disposition of that treaty.

Fortunately it happened that. some . suspicio~s" Ian- . tn preserv.e .. them, against .all infpDJ8Qlent, and partigoage was overheard by a chamber-maid from one of cularly against tbe designs of Napoleon Buonaparte. the women who attended on the young prince. She For this purpose, they engage, in the spirit of the .e-' immediately hutened to convey her SOIpici()t1s .to the Claiation of t'lre 13th of Mareh last, to direct In comemPeror; while the police" having. pi~'ed ·i~tige.lice mOn, and with' ODe 'aeeord, ehould -tbe case require it, of the whole plot, suWereditto ptocee.ho die last moo- alhh"'~ffOt'ts -agail¥Jthim,: and against all'tbose who'

merit, that all tbeaccemplicea m~bt be:seeoretl.· sboufd'alreadyllatie joined bis (act:ioB,'or shan hereafter

Every thing was now fully prepared. A maid-aervant join it,- in order to foree 'im to desist from' his projects, bad the young Napoleon iu her arms, and, atteaded by aad to render bim unable to disturb in' fo~te the tranone of the principal oonspiraton, was j .. t stepping into quillfty of Eo,., and 'the general peace under the the carriage, whentbe officers made their appearance, protectic)Q of,which the 'rights, the liberty, and ~ndeand the wbole party was arrested. '- ,; .,' ' , pendemte, Of natio" had been recently placed and

The declaration of tbe allied powe .... 'WII8) for 'a cOO- secured. . . .

• iderable time after !ts' promulgation, kept back' from " Art. 2. Although the means destined fol' the attainthe French papel'll; and, when it wu publisbed in them, ment of 80 great and salutary an object ought not to be it was accompanied by a commentary, the 'object of sU.bjected to limitation, and although the high-cenwhich was to prove tbat Talleyrand alone had infused traeting 'parties are t:esolved to devote thereto all those into it. that spirit of personal invective against Buona- means which, in their respective situations, tbey are parte, by which it was diatinguillhed: and it was added, enabled to dispose of, 'they have nevertheless agreed that the allies, having put forth this declaration before to: keep constantly in· the field, each, a force of one they kuew bow be was received in France, _would re- hundred and fifty thousand men complete, including call, or at least not repeat it, wilen they leamt that he cavalry in the proportion of at least one-tenth, and a had entered the metropolis in triumph. Many pel'llons just proportion of artillery, not reckoning garriaoDB; in England were of the same opinion I but the follow- and to employ the same actively and conjointly against ing treaty of the allied powers, signed at Vieumi ou the tbe common enemy.

25th o£ March, as soon as they received the intelligelice "Art. 3. The bigh-contracting parties reciprocally of tbe entry of Buonaparte into Paris, plainly demon- engage DOt to lay down their arms but by common eon-

_ .trated their resolution to drive him out of France. sent, nor before the object of tbe war, designated in

- , the first article of tbe present treaty, shall, have been

"His majesty the kiag or the united king'do~. of • al!8ln.edJ nor until Buonaparte shall have been renderGreat Britain and Ireland, and, his majesty the~ &eo ·S!-c., ~ ~~~utely unable to create distarballce, and '10 )'f.

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DECI.ARATION.

"The underaigned, o.nthe excbange of the ratificatious of the treaty of the 20th of March last, on the part of his court, is bereby commanded to declare, tbat the eigbth article of the aaid treaty, wherein his

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most Christian majeety is invited to accede under certain stipulations, is to be .understood as binding the contracting parties upon principles of mutual security, to a common effort against the power of Napoleon Buonaparte, in pursuance of the third article of the said treaty; but is not to be understood as blading his Britannic .. jesty to prosecute the war, with a vie.w of imposing upon France any particular government.

"However 8Olicitooa the Prince Regent moat be to see his most Christian majesty restored to the throne, and however anxiooa he is to contribute, in conjunction with his allies, to so auepiciooa an event, he neverthele .. deems himself called upon to make this declaration on the exchange of the ratifications, as well in consideration of wlJat is due to his most Christian majesty's interests in France, as in conformity to the principles upon which the British government has invariably regulated its conduct."

The treaty thus ratified, and with this declaration aunexed, was sent back to Vienna; and it appears from an official letter from the Earl of Clllnearty,the British ambassador there, that tbe viell:s and ,intentions of the otber allied powers were the same as tbose of Great Britain; for he expressly states, that "tbe allies are at war for the purpose of obtaining some security for their own independence, and for tbe re-conquest of 'tha peace and permanent tranquillity for which the world has so long panted. They are not even lit war for the greater or less proportion of security whic.b France can afford them of future tranquiIJity, but because France,. under its present chief, is unable to afford tbem any security whatever.

" In this war they do not desire to interfere witb auy legitimate right of tbe Frencb people: they have no design to oppose tbe claim of tbat nation to choose their own form of government, or intention to trench in any respect upon their independence as a great and free people; but they do think tbey have a rigbt, and that of tbe higbest Da~re, to contend against the re-establisbment of an individual as tbe bead of tbe French government, whose past conduct has invariably demon.trated that, in such a situation, he will not Buffer other nations to be at peace; wbose restless ambition, whose thirst for foreign conquest, and whose disregard for the rights and iadepeadenee of otber states, must expose the wbole of Europe to renewed scenes of plunder and

devastation. '

"H~ever general tbe feelings' of the soverergos may he -in' favour of tbe restoration of tbe king, tbey no otherwise seek to influence tbe prceeedings of the Frenes ~n tbe choice of this, or any other dynMty or form of JOvemmeat, than may be essential to the safe'7

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DECLARATION OF TIlE ALLIES.

new hie attempts for poII_IDg hill*lf .C the supreme

power in France. -

" Art. 4. The present treaty being principally applicable to the present circumstances, the stipulatione of the treaty of Chaumont, aud particularly those contained in the sixteentb article of the same, shall be again in force, as soon as tbe object actually in view shall have been attained.

" Art. 6. Wbatever relates to the command of the combined armies, to supplies, &co sball be regulated by a particular conveation.

"Art. 6. The high-contracting parties shall be allowed respectively to accredit to the generals commanding their armies, officers who shall bave the liberty of corresponding witb their governments, for tbe purpose of giving information of military evenQ, and of every tbing relating to the operations of tbe armies.

" Art. 7. The engagements entered into by the present treaty having for their object the maintenance of the general peace, the high-contracting parties agree to invite all tbe powers of Europe to accede to the same.

" Art. 8. The present treaty having 110 other end in yiew but to support France, or any other country which may be invaded, against the enterprises of Buonaparte and his adherents, his most Christian majesty sball be specially invited to accede hereunto; and, ill the event of his majesty's requiring tbe forces stipulated in tbe second. article, to make known 'what asaistance circumstances will allow him to bring forward in furtherance of the object of tbe present treaty."

SEPARATE ARTICLE.

., As circumstances might prevent his majesty the king of tbe united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from keeping constantly m the field the number of troops specified in the second article, it is agreed tbat his Britannic majesty shall have the option, either of furnisbing his contingent in men, or of paying at tbe rate of thirty pounds sterling per annum for each eaY81..,. ... oldier, and twenty pounds per annum for-each infantry-soltilier, that may be wanting to complete tbe

number stipulated in the second article." .

Tbis treaty was sent over to Great Britain to be ratified; and at the same time tbat it was ratified, tbe folowing explanatory declaration was annesed to it on tbe part of the Prince Regent:

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BUONAPARTE'S MANIFESTO,

and pennalleDt franquillity of the net of Europe: melt reasonable security being aB'orded by France in this .espeet, as other states have a legitimate right to claim in tbeir OWD defence, their object will be satisfied; and they .ball joyfully return to that state of peace which will then, and then only, be open to them; and lay down thoee arms, whic~ they have only taken up fop the purpose of acquiring that tranqujJlity so eagerly desired by them, on the part of their respective empires."

On tbe 2d of April~ the Corsican published. a mani-

. festo in justification of his conduct. After adverting to the style of the manifesto of tile allies, of which it userts, that "it provokes the crime of assassination, and is almost unparalleled in the history of the world," it proceeds to state the instances in which the ~eaty of Fontainebleau was violated by the allies and the Bourbons, and by which Napoleon considered himself released from all obligations to observe it.

"The treaty of Fontainebleau has been violated by tbe allied powers, and by the house of Bourbon, in what respect!'! the Emperor Napoleon and his family, and in what regards the interests and rights of the French nation,

" I. The Empress Maria Louisa and her son were to obtain passports, and an escort, to repair to the em~ror; but, in direct violation of this promise, tbe husband aad wife, father and son, were separated under painful circumstances, when the firmest mind has occasion to seek consolation and support in family and domestic affections.

"i. The security of Napoleon, and of bis imperial family and their suite, were guaranteed by all the powers; yet banda of assassins were organized in France under the eyes of tbe French government, and even by its orders, for attacking the emperor, bis brothers, and their wives, in default of the success anticipated from this first branch of tbe plot. An insurrection was prepared at Orgon, on the emperor', route, in order tbat an attempt might be made on his life by some brigands. The Sieur Brulart, an associate of Georges, had been sent as governor to Corsica, in order to make sure of the crime; and, in fact, several detached assassins have anempted, in the Isle of Elba, to gain, by the murder of tbe emperor, the base reward which was promised them.

"3. The duchies of Parma and Placentia were given in fnll property to Maria Louisa, for herself, her son, and their descendants. After a long refusal to put ber in poeeession, the injustice was completed by an absolute 'poliation, under the illusory pretext of an exchange, wflhont valuation, or sovereignty, and without her- coosent. ADd the documents in tbe office of foreign affairs prove tbat it w.. on tbe lolit:itations

and by the intrigues of the Prmee of Bettevento, that Maria Louisa and her son were thus despoiled.

"4. Eugene, the adopted son of Napoleon, was to have obtained a suitable establishment out of France;

but he bas received nothing. .

"6. The emperor had stipulated for the army the preservation of their rewards given them on Monte Napoleon. He had reserved to himself, the power to recompense hip! faithful followers. But every thing has been taken away, and abused by the ministers of tbe Bourbons. M. Bresson, an agent from the army, was despatched from Vienna to assert their claims; but his representations were ineffectual.

"6. The preservation of the property, moveable and immoveable, belonging to tbe emperor's family. was provided for; but an was robbed,-in France by commissioned brigands,-in Italy by the violence of the military chiefs.

.. 7. Napoleon was to have received two millions, and his family two millions five hundred thousand francs per annum. The French government, however, constantly refused to discharge its engagements; and Napoleon would soon have been obliged to disband his' faithful guards, for want of the means ofpayil1g them, had he not found an bonourable resource in the conduct of lome bankers and merchants of Genoa and Italy, who advanced twelve millions, which they had offered to him.

"8. In short, it was not without a cause that it was desirable by every means to remove from Napoleon the companions of his glory, the unshaken sureties of his safety and of his existence. The Island of Elba was assigned to him in perpetuity; but tbe resolution of robbing him of it was, at the instigation of tbe Bourbons, fixed npon by the congress. Had not Providence prevented it, Europe would have seen an attempt made on tbe person and liberty of Napoleon, left hereafter at the mercy of his enemies, and transported, far from his friends and followers, either to St. Lucie or St. Helena, which had been named as his prison.

"And when the allied POWeJ'!II, yielding to the wishes and tbe instigations of the house of Bourbon, condescended to violate the solemn contract, on the faith of which Napoleon iiberated the French nation from its oaths; when be himself, and all the members 'of his family, saw themselves menaced, attacked in their 'persons, in their properties, in their affections, in all the rights stipulated in their favour ias princes, in those even secured by the laws to private citizens,-what conduct was Napoleon to adopt'

"Was he, after enduring &0 many injuries, and supporting so many acts of injustice, to consent to tbe complete violation of the engagements entered into

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with him, and, reaigBing hilPle f penonally to the fate prepared COl' bim, to abandon a'-'o bit wife, his son, bis family, and his faitbful senant., to tbeir frightful destinyt

" Sucb a resolution· seems beyond the eoourance of human nature; and yet Napoleon would have embraced it, if tbe peace and bappinetl8 of France had been the price of this new aacri6ce. He would have elevoted himself for the Freaeh people, from whom, 88 he will declare in the face of Europe. it is bis glory to bold every thing; whose geod sball be the o~iect of all bis endeavours, and to wbom alone be will be answerable for his actions, and devote lns life."

The manife&to tben proceeds to state the causes, arising from the internal stale of France, and tbe errors of tbe Bourbons, which occasioned the return of Napoleon; tbe renunciation by the emperor of all bis former plans of aggrandizement, and bis resolution to abide by the conditions of tbe treaty of Paris. It also deprecates tbe interference of foreign powers in the choice of the French people, and concludes 88 follows:

.. .And now, replaced at tbe head of tbe nation wbich had thrice already lIlacle choice of bim, aod which baa a fourth time designated him by the reception which it h88 given him in bis rapid and triumphant march and arrival, wbat does Napoleon wish from thia nationby wbich, anti for the interest of which, he w_bee to teign'

.. Wltat the Frencb people .. itlh-the independence of France, illternal peace, peace with an nations, and tbe execution of the treaty of Paris, of tbe 30th of May, 1814.

"What is the change, tben, which bas taken place in the state of Europe, and in the hope of that rep08e wbich w .. promised to it' What voice i. raised to deNand assistance, whicb, according to tbe declaration, ought ooly to be given when called for'

"Nothing has been cbanged: if the allied powers return, as it is expected tbey will do, to just and m0- derate sentiment.; if they acknowledge tbat the existence of France, in a respectable and independent alate, 88 far (rotn conquering es from being conquered, from dominating 81 from being subjugated, is necessary to tbe balance of great kingdoms, and to- ihe guarantee of

inferior states, .

" Nothing bas been changed: if, respecting the rights of a great nation wbich desires to respect the rights of all otbers, which, high-minded and generous, has been lowered, but nevel' degraded, they allow it to retake a sovereign, and give itself a constitution and laws suitable to irs manners, its interests, and its wants.

.. Nothing has heen changed: if they do not attempt to constrain France to submit again to a dynuty which

she dislikes, to the feudal cbains whieh He b .. thrown off, and to tbe seignorial 01' eeclesiastical prcetration. rrora wbich abe has emancipated herself; tf they do no& wisb to impose law. 011 her, to interfere witb ber internal concerns, to aaign a fona of government to her, and to give mu&ers IX) her to .. tisfy tbe pleasure or tbe . passions of ber neighbours.

"Nothing h .. been changed: if, when France is oecnpied with preparing the new social compact whi.eb shall guarantee tbe liberty of ber citizens, and the triumph of tbe generous ideas which prevail in Europe, tbey do not force her to withdraw herself from tbose pacific thougbts and means of internal prosperity, to wbich the people and tbeir chief wisb to consecrate themselves in a bappy accordance, and again direct their energies to war.

"Nothing has been cbanged: if, wben tbe French nation only demands to remain at peace witb all Europe, an unjust coalition does not compel it to defend, as it did in 179'.l, its will and its rigbts, its independence, and the sovereign of its choice."

. Two day. afterwards; tbe following circular letter, written by Napoleon bim8e)~ was despatched to the court. of all the allietJ:-

"Paris, April 4, 1816.

.. SIR, MY BROTHER,

" You have no doubt learned in the cool'Be ·of the IIUIt month my return to France, my entrance -into Paris, and tbe departure of the family en the Bourbons. Tbe true nature of these events mU8t now be made known to your majesty. They are the results of an irresistible power; the results of the unanimous wish of a great nation which knows its duties and its rights. The dynasty whicb force bad given to tbe French people was not fitted for it. The Bourbons neither associated with the national sentiments or manners; France has therefore separated herself from them. Her voice called for a liberator. The hopes wbich induced me to make the greatest sacrifices for her have not been deceived. I came; and, from the spot where I first set my foot, tbe love of my people has borne me into the heart of my capital.

"The first wish of my heart is to repay so much affection by the maintenance of an honourable peace. The restoration of the imperial throne was necessary for the happiness of the French people. It is my sincerest desire to render it at tbe same time subservient to tbe maintenance of the repose of Europe. Enough of glory bas sbone by turns on the colours of the various nations. The vicissitudes of fortune have often eoongh occasioned great reverses, followed by greaa successes.

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8

REPORT ON NAPOLEON'S CIRCULAR LEITER.

"A more briUiant arena is DOW' open to sovereigns, and I am the fint to descend ioto it. After having pretented to the world the spectacle of great batdes. it will noW' be more deligbtful to knoW' no other rivalship in future. but that resuh.iog from the advantages of' peace, and no otber struggle but the II8C1'ed one of felicity for our people.

" France hu been pleased to proclaim ,vith candour this noble object of her . unanimous wish. Jealous of her indepeodence, the invariable principle of her policy will be the moat rigid respect for the iodependence of other nations. If such, then, as I trust they are, are tbe persenal sentiments of your majesty, geDeral tranquillity is secured for a long time to come; and justice, seated on the confines of the various states, will, of herself, be sufficient to guard the frontiers.

" NAPOL 11"1'(."

10 consequence of Buonaparte's publishing his ircular letter, the congress at Vieuna deemed it »ro . -r to appoint a committee to examine wbether, after the events that bad passed since the return of Napoleon Buonaparte to France, and in consequence of the documents published at Paris on the declaration which the powers issued .agaiD8t him on the 13th of Marcb, :t would be necessary to proceed to a neW' declaration. The p~itions laid down by Buonaparte, in reference to tbe declaration of the 13th of March, were the following:-

, .. 1. Tbat that declaration, directed against Buonaparte at tbe period of Ilis landing on the coast of France, was witbout application now tbat be had laid hold of the reins of government without open resistance; ana that tbis fact sufficiently proving the wishes of tbe nation, he had not only re-entered into pOS8888ion of his old rights in regard to France, but tbat the question even of tbe legitimacy of his government had ceased rc he within the jurisdiction of tbe powers.

"2. That by otTering to ratify the treaty of Paris, he removedevery ground of war against bim."

The committee of congress were specially cbarged to take into consideration-

"1. Whetber the position of Ruonaparte, in regard to tbe powers of Europe, has changed by the fact of his arrival at Paris, and by the cireumatanC88 tbat aceompanied the first success of his attempt on the throne of France'

"2. Whether the offer to sanction the treaty of Paris of the 31sl of May~ 1814., can determine the power. to adopt a system different from that whicb tbey aoaounced in .the declaration of tbe 13th of March 'I

"3. Whether it be neeeeaary or proper to ptiblUh • new declaration to confirm or modify that of tbe 18th of March 1"

With respect' to the first question, the committee came to this general conclusion, that tbe will of the French people is by no means sufficient to re-eetabliah, in a legal sense, a government preseribed by 801emn engagements whicb that very people entered into with all the powers of Europe; and tbat they cannot, under any pretext, g-iore validity, as against these powers, to tbe right of recalling to tbe tbrone him whose exclusion wu a condition preliminary to every pacific arrangement with France: tbe wish of tbe French' people, even if it were fully ucertained, would not be tbe leu Dull iu regard to Europe, towards re-establishing a power against which all Europe has been in a state of permanent protest from the 31st of March, 1814, to the 13th 'of Marcb, 1810; and, in this view, the position of Buonaparte is precisely at tbis day what it was at those last-mentioned periods.

With respect to tbe second question, the committee observe, that tbe treaty of Paris W'u highly favourable to France, but it was favourable because France agreed to 'give up Buonaparte % Dever, in treating with him, would the allies have eonsented to the conditions whicb they granted to a government, which, wbile offering to Europe a pledge of security aad stability, relieved them from requiring from France the guarantees which tbey bad demanded under~ta former government. This clause, the expulsion of Buonaparte, and tbe con lent of the French to the Bourbon dynasty, the committee observe, is inseparable from tbe treaty of Parill,-to abolish it, is to break tbe treaty: i~ therefore, the return of Buonaparte is with the consent of the French nation, they, by this consent, in fact, declare war again8t Europe; for the state of peace did not exilit between Europe and France, except hy the treaty of Paris, aad tbe treaty of Paris is incompatible with the power of Bnonaparte.

The committee next proceed to observe, that as the French nation,. by again receiving Buonaparte, have, in fact, broken one of tbe most essential articles of the treaty of Paris, tbe question is no longer the maintenance of that treaty, but the making' it afresh; and with wbom is it to be now entered into' The man who, in now offering to sanction tbe treaty of Paris, pretends to substitute bis ~uarantee for tbat of a sovereign ,,·hose loyalty was witbout stain, and benevolence without measure, is the same who, during fifteen years'ravaged and laid waste the earth, to find means of sa-: bsfying bis ambition; who sacrificed millions of victiiDII, aud tbe bappiness of an entire generation, to a system of conquetts; wbOMe truces, little worthy of th.

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TIlEATIES CONCLUDED BY GREAT BRITAIN •

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.... of peace, have 0811 rendered him more, oppres.... e and more odious; who, after haring, by mad enterprises, tir.ed fortune, arBled all Europe against him, and exbausted all tbe means of France, was forced to abanden his projects attd abdicated power, to save some relies 0( existence; who, -at the moment when the nations of Europe were giving themselves up to the hope ef a durable tranquillity, meditated new cataatropbes; and, by a double perfidy towards tbe powers who had too generously spared him, and towards a government which he could not attack without the blackest treason, The allies being thn determiued on war, it was neaurped a throne which he bad reeouneed, and which cessary that no time should be -lost in bringing their he Dever occupied except for the misery of France and troops into the field •. Most of the RU8IiaDs had already the world. Tbis man hu no other guarantee to pro- retired witbin the frontiers of Poland; tbe Prussians pose to Europe tban his word. After the cruel ex peri- and Austrians also had returned to their respective ence of fifteen yean, who would ha .. e tbe courage to couutries. But, as tbe allies were deeply impressed accept this guarantee' who could any loeger respeet with the indispensable neceaity of the most prompt the security wbich it could ofFer' and vigorous measures, it was resolved, that all the

The answer to tbe secomi question concludes in the troops which they were to furnish, and even more than

fonowing terms: . their quotas, should, without the least delay, begin

" Peace witb a government placed in mch hands, and their march towards the frontien of France. The plan composed of such elements, would only be a perpetual of the campaign was similar to that whicb bad been

- .tate of uncertainty, anxiety, and danger. No powp.r pUJ'Bued with such .neceu dnring tbe year 1814; that being·able efFectually to disann it, (he people would en- is, France was to be invaded in eYery direetion,

joy none of the advantages of a true peace; they would But the continental allies could not stir ill this mobe overwhelmed with expenses of all kinds; COtIIl- mentous affair unless Britain subsidized tbem most dence not being able to establish itself any where, in- liberatly. For til. purpose, tbe chancellor 0' the exdustry and commerce would every where languish; ehequer proposed aDd carried witb little opposition die nothing would be stable in political relations; a sullen renewal of the mcome--tax, and a loan to an almost undiscontent would spread over an countries; and, from paralleled extent was also raised. .

day to day, Europe in alarm would expect a new ex- Great Britain also entered into twelve treaties of aeplosioe, The sovereigns have certainly not misunder- cessione, and twenty-five treaaes of subsidy. By tbt' stood the interest of their people, in judg-ing that an treaty of accession with Baden, bis Britannic: majesty open war, with all its inconveniences and all its saeri- engaged in his own name, and in that of bis allies, not ficas, is preferable to such a state of tlJings, aud the to lay down his anna without particafarly taking into measures which the), have adopted have met tile general consideration the interests of the Duke of Baden, and approbation. not to permit the political existence or the duell), to b.

" The opinion of Europe, on this great occasion, is violated. The other treaties of accession were witlt pronounced in a manner very positive and .. ery. solemn; Bavaria, "Denmark, Hanover, the grand Duke of Hesse, never could tbe real sentiments of nations have been the King of the Netherland., Portugal, Sardinia, Saxony, IDore accurately known and more faithfully interpreted Switzerland, Wurtemberg, a:nd the princes and free than at a moment when the representatives of all the towns of Germany. The treaties of Rbsidy were with powen were assembled to consolidate the peace of the the same powers, and by these Baden was to furnish world." sixteen thousand men, Bavaria aixty thousand, Den-

With respeet to the third qUestiOD, whether it is ne- mark fifteen tbousand, Hanover twenty-'8ix thousand ceaary to publish a new declaration, the committee four hundred, tbe grand Duke of Hesse eight thousand, remark, that the preceding observations furnish tbe an- Sardinia fifteen thousand, Saxony eight tbousand, Wurswer to this. It considers, temberg twenty thousand, besidee the troops to be fur-

" J. That tbe decla.ration of the 13tb of March was nisbed by tbe princes and free towns of German,; 10 dictated to the powers by reason. of such evident jus- that Great Britain had at her command upwards of two lice aud such decisive weight, that. none of tile sopbis- hundred thouand troops. They were to be paid at tries by' which it is pretended to be attack~~ !!8l) at all the rate of Ill. 21. per man, far the service of the year

aWect it: , eliding the 6th of April, 1816. It is tOG~ observed.

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"2. That these reasons remain in all their force; and that the changes which have in fad occurred since tbe declaration of tbe 13th of March, have produced no alteration in the position of Boonaparte and of France with regard to the allies :

" 3. That tbe offer to ratify the treaty of Paris eaunot, on any account, alter the disposition of the allies.

"Therefore, the committee is of opinion that it would be useless to publish a fresh declaration."

)0

ADDRESSES OF THE AI.LIED SOVEREIGNS.

t.:lat tilts force is independent of tbe one hundred and fifty thousand men whicb the four great allied powers, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, engaged reIpectively to furnish, There was afterwards entered into a convention of subsidies between Grent Britain and Russia, by which the former engaged to pay the latter, under the head of additional subsidy, tbe sum of 416,666/.

Being now furnished with the .inews of war, the exertions of the continental powers were very great.

'Every road was thronged with soldiers proceeding by forced marches to the Sambre and the Rhine. One corps followed another in rapid succession, and it seemed as if the wbole population of Europe had risen in arms to overwhelm the disturber of their repose, The congress was removed from Vienna to Frankfort, on account of the contiguity of that city to the probable theatre of war.

On the 6th of April, the Emperor Alexander reviewed a numerous body of Russian troops, whom he addressed in tbe foJlowing terms :-

"Wben, in the hour of peril, I IIulDIDoned my People to arms, to combat for the freedom and independence of their country, the whole mass of the youtb, glowing with emulation, tbronged around my standards to bear witb joyful self-denial unusual, hardsbiptlt and heroically resolved to brave death itaelf. 'Cbea the besl strength of the people intrepidly joined tbe ranks of my brave soldiers, and my generals led witb me into battle a b08t of heroes, who have shewn tbemselves wortby of the names of their ancestors, and beirs of their glory. Thus we and our allies; attended by victory, conquered the capital of our inveterate foe. Our banners waved in Paris. Napoleon abandoned hi. authority. Liberty was restored to Germany, security to tbrones, and to the world the hope of a durable peace. Thi. hope bas now vanisbed, and we must again march to tbe combat. A perfidious conspiracy has brougbt back to France tbe man who, for ten successive years, infticted on tbe world indescribable misery. The people, confounded by bis unexpected appearance, have been unable to oppose his armed adberents. Though he, while still at tbe bead of a considerable armed force, declared bis abdication to be a voluntary sacrifice to the happiuess aud repose of France, he now disregards thip, like every other convention. He commands a horde ot perjured soldiers who wish to render war eternal.

"Europe i. again menaced. It cannot permit the man to remain on tbe throne of France, who loud'y proclaimed universal empire to be the object, of hit! continually renewed wars; wbo confounded aU moral principles by hi. unceasing breach of faith, and 1Vho can therefore give the world no security for his peaceable intentions.

" Again,· therefore, arise to tbe combat. France it. self requires our aid, and all Europe ilS allied with u. United with your, ancient companions in victory, and reinforced by the accession of new brethren in arms, you go, brave Prussians! to a just war, with me, with the princes of my family, and with the general. wbo have always led you to conquest.

" The justice of the cause wbich we defend will ensure our success. Arise, then, with God for your support, for the repose of the world, for morality, for your king and your country."

" Brave· warriors! the honour and the glory of tbe great empire, witb whicb Providence has intrusted me! your emperor comes once more to place himself at your bead: he caU. you a second time to tbe defence of humanity and the rights of Europe, which Napoleon, the vile and criminal artificer of fraud, has dared again to menace.' Abusing our clemency, and violating' those treaties which ensured to him a secure asylum, be bas succeeded in frustrating the hopes of tbose nations who bad forgotten his atrocious cruelties and his insatiable ambition. Let us hasten to join the invincible phalanxes of out' allies, and deliver France frOID this scourge of the human race, who once more governs it contrary to the wishes of every .reascneble and peace. able inhabitant of that country.

"Soldiers! the sacred league whicb at present unites all the people of Europe, and which ought to guarantee them from all oppression, we know how to defend, and we will defend it, if necessary, to the last drop of our blood.

" Alexander is among you. You wiJ) always see him choose the path of true honour, that which leads to the happiness of mankind. Tbis will entitle him to your confidence and affection."

This address was received with universal sbouts of " Long live Alexander the Great," and "Deatb to the Tyrant!" ,

The King, of France, in the mean time, proceeded to Abbeville, wbere be arrived, on the 20tb of March, witbout any military escort. Here he designed to wait for the housebold troops whicb followed, commanded by Marshal Macdonald. The dignity and serenity of hili countenance, disarmed the rancour of the Buenapartists, and the inhabitants received him with aeclamations Louis attempted to address them from the

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The followitJg proclamation of tile King of Prussia

• mo worthy of the reader'. attenti~n:-

RETREAT OF LOUIS XVUL

Jl

WIndow of his apartment, but hi. feelings were IIJO completely overpowered, that he was unable to speak: he therefore pretl8ed his hand on bis heart in silence, bowed, and retired.

Tbe military who Jined tbe streets maintained a sullen Bilence. Respect for tbe virtues of the monarcb restrained tbem from insulting him in his misfortunes; but they bad no sooner returned to tbeir barracks tban they entbusiastically shouted, "Vi1'e L'Empereflr!" The king was much fatigued; but, before be could take any repose, Macdonald appeared and intreated him to resume bis journey witbout delay; as, from what he bad seen of the disposition of tbe garrilon, the most unpleasant consequences might ensue, should tbe household troops arrive before be quitted the town. The king, tberefore, immediately set out, tbougb oppressed by much mental and bodily anguisb.

About noon, on the .22«1, he arrived at Lisle, where be had resolved to collect around him all who were atlac~ed to his cause, and await the result of tbe invader'. attempt. But, tbough a considerable number of the illhabitftnts welcomed bim witb entbusiasm, the garrison, which consisted of several regiments, preserved an obstinate silence. The king wished to address them, and endeavour to recall tbem to tbe allegiance wbicb tbey owed tbeir legitimate prince, but be was intreated not to expose himself to unnecessary insult. He then proposed tbat they should be dismissed from Lisle, and permitted to march and join Napoleon, but Manllal Mortier assured him tbat this would be the signal for revolt, and might probably occasion some outrageous attempt against bis pel"lon. .

This officer seems to bave been deceived in tbe character of the garrison, and had acted with great imprudence; 88 it was only a few days before tbat he bad ordered these regiments to return to Lisle, wbence tbey had been recently removed.

Had it not been for this unfortunate measure, Louis migbt bave found a temporary asylum on the French territory; 88 the national guards, the household troops, and the patriotic inbabitants, would bave afforded bim effectual secority.

In tbe course of the day, bi. majesty received the declaration of the congress at Vienna; wbich was im-: mediately placarded on tbe walls, and distributed among the soldiers, tbat tbey might perceive tbe inevitable calamities which their defection would bring on their country. This, however, instead of alarming the troops, or disposing them to return to their duty, fired tbem with indignation, and induced tbem to form the desperate resolution of seizing on the person of tbe king, and carrying him prisoner to the camp of BuoII a parte.

Intelligence now arrived that tbe Duke of .Berri wils approaching with the household troops and two Swiss regiments.. The garrison, on hearing tbis, u. sembled tumultuously, and seemed ready to execute tbeir daring purpose; wben Mortier hastened to bill majesty, and urged his immediate departure. .Accord. ingly, Louis set out for Ostend] and Mortier, baving accompanied him to the gates, returned with the Duke of Orleans to restrain the violence of tbe troops. He. found tbem enraged at being disappointed of tbeir prey. They fiercely attacked tbe Duke of Orleans, and it was witb tbe greatest difficulty that Mortier rescued . bim from tbeir sanguinary fury.

In tbeir journey towards Lisle, tbe household troops passed through Abbeville, where tbe Duke of Berri exposed himself to tbe most imminent danger by bis impetuosity. A regiment of cbasseurs was in garrison in the city. As the duke rode along the ranks, and attempted to recall tbe soldiers to tile loyalty which they owed their lawful sovereign, he was exasperated at the obstinacy witb which they continued to shout "Vive L' Empereur I" and actually struck one of tbe officers who uttered this seditious acclamation. The officer immediately quitted tbe ranks and drew his sword upon bim; but the other oflicers tbrew tbemselves between, and rescued the duke from his attack. The royal party tben deemed it advisable to re80m, their march witbout delay.

On tbeir arrival in tbe vicinity of Lisle, tbey received intelligence of the king'. departure, and resolved not to enter tbe town, hut to direct their course towards tbe frontiers. Many of tbem, however, being unable to support tbe fatigue of tbe march, were dismissed at Betbune; and those who reached tbe frontiers declared to the officers who were desirous to lead them fUJ:ther; that tbey were Frenchmen ;-tbat they bad sufficrently fulfilled tbeir duty to tbeir king ;-that tbeir dearest in .. terests were now at stake, and that no consideration should induce tbem to pass tbe frontiers. . . .

On the 24th, the king arrived at Ostend cQrnpletely exhausted by anxiety, fatigue, and pain. The follow., ing day he publicly attended mass, but his countenanee expressed bodily illness and mental depression, At the close of the service, tbe congregation waited till his ~aje8ty rose to quit the church, and, aR be passed. along tbe aisles, many rendered. him the homage of . their tears. .

The Duke of Bourbon, in the mean time, bastened to La Vendee, to endeavour to rouse the affections of the friends of royalty in that district. Tbeinbabitanta were disposed to second his views, but be had to con. tend with the vigilant administration of Bnonaparte. On his arrival at Beaupriere, he convened tbe inhabi.

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12

PROCEEDINGS AT BOURDEAUX.

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tams, and, power(ully appealing to their feeling., induced them to sanction a proclamation requiring every man from eighteen to fifty yeal'8 of age to arm in the royal cause. A considerable Dumber iUlmediately Bocked to his standard, but unfortunately they were both unarmed and undisciplined, and, before tbey could be rendered effective, the troops of the Corsican advanced against them.

Napoleon's general, however, wishing to avoid 88 much as possible an appeal to arms, despatched a be- 1'aId to the duke, to remonstrate with him on the inatility of opposing his undisciplined levies against the veteran troops which were marching against them, and to offer an amnesty to his foUowers, and passports for himself and all who chose· to accompany him, if he chose to retire. After mature deliberation, the duke was convinced that any resistance which he could oft"er would be in vain; and, baving received a safe coaduet for himself and about forty of his officers, he proceeded to Nantes, wbere be embarked.

It has been already stated, in a preceding chapter, that the inhabitants of the maritime toWDS in France had suffered severely by the protracted wars of ilie revolution. Their population had been thinned; their commerce had been almost annihilated, and they were driven to a state bordering on despair. They therefore welcomed tbe return of tbe Bourbon. with unfeigned joy, and, at Bourdeau in particular, they had testified the m08t unequivocal attachment to their legitimate prince.

. On the 2d of March, the Duke and Duchess of An. gouleme arrived at Bourdeanx, where they were received with accl&mations of joy, and with the benedictions of an immense multitude which bad 888embled from the adjacent towns and villages.

On the 6th, tbe merchants of the city gave a grand tete, at which the duke and duchess were present; but, in tbe midst of the festivities; a courier arrived with despatches announcing the landing of Buonaparte. Unwilling to danip the public joy, hi. royal highness concealed *lie purport of tbe lettens; and, .at midnight, set out for the south, where he imagined his presence might be necessary.

The next QlorniQg the duchess communicated tbe intelligence to the magistrates, and, in the course of the day, it W88 made public. On the following day, all the civil aod military authorities assembled, to aseore the duchess of their inviolable attachment to her family, alidto. renew their oaths of allegiance. The national guards. were called out; houses were opened for the enrolment of volunteers, and the greater part of the inhabitaDts demanded arms, some to defend their Dative City in cue of an attack, and othen to march aPiainat

tile in vaden. The oftic:en of die troop. el tile _ .... 8111e1'ted, tlaat they could aaswer with their lins for the garrison of Bowdeaam and the adjaceat fOl1ll.

When it was announced that the Conicaa had ... vanced to Lyona without oppoaitioo, tile zeal of the national guards and volunteers appeared to iaereue. but . only a few hundreds could be replarly embodied, in colUleqoenee of an unfortunate de6cieaey of araB aDd ammutlition. The loyalty of the troope of the line began '" waver, .. the progt'818 of Napoleon w .. made known, and some of the barraduI already I'88OUllded with cries of sedition. The officers, however, daily wait ed on the duchess, and renewed theil' 888Ul'Ilnces of fidelity; but she remarked that tbe CUIUUlDdaaat of the fort of Blaye, an out.-p08t of eouiderable importance, had not called upon her during lIOIIle days. Orden were lent to require his attendaoee; but two days elapsed withollt his appeariar. A gen'" ... then despatched to eumine the I&a&e of tbe for&reaI, and report the wsposition of tile troops by whom it wu gar .. risoned. He returaed, and atated, that the place ... in an ex.cellent state of defence, "Bat wby," eD41uired the princea, "did.he Dot obey the orden which were tran.miUed to him. se~eI'81 days ago'" "He did lIot answer me on that point," replied the general, " but be will be here to-morrow."

Tbe next day he appeared, and oi"ered a lIigld ap0- logy for his apparent w.obedieoce; and, on being req.ir. eel to reBe" hia oath of allegiance, he muttered IIOIIl8 indistinct sound., with wbich the ducb ... thougbt it pru. dent to appear satis6ed. Sbe, bowever, prepoaed to the governor of Boordeaux that the present eoulluand .. ant of Fort Blaye should be removed, and that he and his garrison sbould be replaced by otbe ... , OD wllom she eoald rely. The governor confessed that such a meuure was desirable, but expressed a fear that it could not be carried into execution. Tbe duchess, how ever, intreated bim to make the attempt.

To have ordered a battalion of regular troops to dispouetlS their brethren, would have given them an opportunity of expressing at once that diaa1rection whicb, it was feared, iliey secredy cherished. The bueiDe811 ..,88, therefore, committed to some natiooal guards; a sufficient number' of who .. ..,ere seD& to occupy the fort for a short time, but Dot enou,h to attempt its reduction. in cue of resistance. This measure, which was adopted after mature deliberation, in all probability, prevented a conaiderable eft"usion of blood. The garrison not only refused admittance to the corps sent to replace ilielD, but immediately avo~ed their sentiments, by hoisting the tri-c:oloured Bag Oil tbe fortress; in cousequence of which tbe utiooal gu!U'ch. returned to Beurdeaua.

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~D. of· ..... "11 at leagtb .iJco,erecJ, ... cl ~veral yolq~ to..,. ",er.·equ_ipped, wbo weJ'8 &JJ~ated by $Ita __ .pjri; .~4 .tao lORdly ~p .. ~",~ tbeir resolution of defeodinl'~' tOWQ to the l!¥it eX'~milY •

. ~'lJJ tJ .. ~.af.·~~.fr~h '~t~Q,Q,' .oud l14.pr~. . .~ ••. ~roaclJ tf ·G,n~ CJa".eI, ~~9.fPp¥ID.a.d- 0( ~ ~_~ fJf ..... ~, .1. .eJJter my I'rQ~~ api,na' .·dl~·""p' ~f·Utl.OMpar,te. pic.q,-¥.e~ lf~r~ vnJ 0!f1 tv tbe ~ ~1~ .• hfl \IIurper of Fra .. ~ his pr.t!l- , .... d1e ~~ ""ltiqb ""fi! .i&,~t~ o~ t~ principel _4-d &0. pEowu,tac,e . ~e. d.i,uolu&i.~ Qf ~~e chllmbe,.. rqfcJ,.; 'b~t __ ,qf ~~ led eCwr a 8b~rt aJ!d i~etfec. I declare, in conseqaen~.#. tb,at. 1l)j: ,t~ .... iewn are tPAI , ........... ·"M. ~·re~ dea.erte4 tot~e enemy, . ,~~ .£rcq t.M !IWI~.! qf,;~t!iblJliollf to &be . .A.a~tQ'''lIil:..~_J.i"og» thehol'Fol'8 ~f a b;om~ q(J~l~~~OWMl"'''' ,alJd._c.v.et1.:fa~J bitrdmeti'.,a~_t.; tM 4_~ ,,~nt for tb, ,~v~~or, ! • .w.q;,wtW~:"';W'f~:~W:~ ~wrpe, ......... 'ber ~r~inltrion to m~cb ~t·~ the

he.I.. .... 1.. .. __ G int on n ..... H...m._&. be_ "f·.tIaa-rti4ot.,· •. d 8tt;aek the fo.8. 1'0 this ~r9-

)V • """it'l'W'll--.-...m,o ... Rtt~a;wr.17P'-' lP't':tW~' 'IV' r,--

¥ .., ••. .., ;~ .~n.. 41t,UW,t· 00 ~~, ~rtjetl· of posal tile gev~l'n9l' "'tongly obj(!ctP..d, on the ground

F .... cblD8~ it becoillti tbe duty 9i:Ml'~f"Mi .. ~u th~ ~t;lte could t'Ol .-Y$' for the fidelity of the troops. in~it;'d",~. ri~"'" . .Loag .i~ r.~~d from their oaths "Then," said she, "tlie national guards and vo)!Wteera to Napoleon, and bound by tbeir vOws to tbeir country .m·be ~.ffi';e$ Tbey .~re e-rer for the combat, ~d

.oj ....._ . ., tWiloMOJl ·4~ ..... ,o~i.u.· in QD t_ "'.'Pllot " ... d bravery I c~n 8.~rely rely." It

thi.": qf:.~~._ : ~." u 4IJtytio. not. ".: IBUWleI'e4 Aha.. if theile' forc~ ~e~pted to pus .

nMt-8r • ., ...... ib . .w·,._··to 0,.. d ..... t 'Mliver, the :gM1'i.._o .wQuJd foIl.aw, an.d, p~aci.ug tbem

"q·~fi·: ~Jlt !br ~ "y. of be&ween' two firee, cut oft' every mao. '!I.~, thea,

t~~f "'~ '" "etIJ.fOIIltkJ· d -&9. ~~ ~ Uapeaiblt,OI 'e"uired d)e dqebess; "to e'lllploy, or

t,mllJl\Y,. ~ .. r"ilt ..... _~ .... ~ even ~ re\y on 'he aeutrality of tbat prr1,ou, for tbe

wbo, forge&fu~.of the d~,pf " .. ~.~ fuNfky'of wbicbYou 80 reee~tly ple«Jged yoa~ln"

~Jw .~:~ __ .Qf f"laiJpoIISible," J1!plied &he govelllOf •. "I will .-fy

K In the 1 .... 1 .PM"~" ·tb e· Fr.ob ar .,.... myseJf," said the beroic prince... . "~Dl~le yoar

~y i~ _ ..... ~ee of their...... ~ ill &heir respective .b;pnc:u." The g9V'tJ:D0I' in ~."r ,.ith.., W..,.. " ... dJ~ly. tile ''"''''' .vain ~\,,,,"e. &be danger by ",hieb $Ilia meMU,. c~",.piaU "pt" I ,,,.v, ,q~li.hed tbe fll"Sent pro. JDigIat be ~UeMe4f. "I did DOt .. k J~Ut air." ~i4 ~ ~"'" "M,", .. tIM P ...... 9f the .lt~ c:ol.. heroic princess. "if tbere 1'001.1 b~ ker. I qalr 1.- ~ ........... '_ "...~, ...... J>t F",QOe r-eqo_you will.obey my orderll."

w~cp .'b.e.y .r..,D4t. w-ill."'. d __ iB .. arobivea, SIte now pro.c:eeded totbe barrack of a ........ of ~ -., p~ 8tbP _''''J. to·dle .co..c_o:of.e iafan&ry, anti, placing he ... elf in ~e ~tre of the ~t. lMIuare, addrwed the tl'oo..- in tbe moat ,uumated Jau-

." P, s. Rariag ~ .... &.II qf .am.r tbe. ,..o.c"~ gaage. She tlfaeribed in glowing co'oura tbe character ~o.n.of ~he ~i ... eo .• ·~h et.-"It,.,.. '_·1DOIDMt aDd .... ip of '" invader, and tbe dang~ with wbich wheo. tlae "'di~ of ~aP9~ ~..... eMere4 France was menaced. ~be reminded tbem of t~ oath

Paria, lam arriyed. &he dep hich d~ me. of alle,aaaee whicla tbey had take .. , and iDtf",ed lbem

I "" ~ ~ pdI&...-der the onIe of abe Dual .... of All- .to .re "" .. the national guards in the bo"o. of COlD"

gouleme, ooeupied in preae"i"g the bonQur aad liberty .bMtior .b. reb.e'"

of '8M part of FI'8A4l8, apel anxiously "aitittg UQtiI the F_diag lbat tbe troops maia~ined a SulleD. sileace, ,at.shall .l>e delivered {10m the RlO8' odiQU '1raDDY she apill addr.ed them, "Will yo" Qot·figbt for the .wbich evsr ·,hl'!8a4e_ a .. _ IM"'o. _ I wiI never daughter of your king'" Cries of "No! no!" re-

.pbmit to Nap9l .... Bu ......... he, 'wlle sou.-ded from every rank. ~ Will you ,ben remain

.1l0D0Qred wi&b &be sitp&ion ef "...WeDt of the .,. .... MIlkel if the national guard and volunteers ... lack the _Ier$three. of France, .,iree to tile bo_qur of heiDg the .rebeld" " No !" they again .exclaimed. Deeply .ffire' vicSiw. 'tf, .he ..... y or his._g. u country, an" . ·fected, tJ,e d .... krst iD~ 4ws; aad aa.k~d, "·WiII

.libertl .. " . yoo. tben, bearay me, and g~ve Ole up to my eqemiea7~'

. . ~l'Io!" Aid .they, "but we do pQt wiab for a ciyil.ar

Animated by ·tbe pi'" .... ...n.ta.ee •. tIlis .and we deI~e that you will qpit FraDCe.~'

.charapion of lia,.n" '" tiM'" redoubled her exer- Notwitbstanding this cruel repQa.e. the priDCleU protions to i"Pire '''eBord .... itb lleDitimelt .. of loyalty, ceeded ~ abe ·barracks of tbe ~her troo.,.: bet ~Io.l.Dd to ptace tile at)' ill a po8tue bf tlefe.~e. A... quence, however, pJ'Q¥ed ioeW"etMal, ftod ~er tean

1. .D

At tltis juncture, M.Laine,:'" ,....w .. , of the dMmber of ~ut_ anU~, ad. publided tile ilIloYt'Utg iDtM ...... -4 1"W19tio p"oclqlllt}QD :~

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13

SURRENDER OF THE DUK.E OF ANGOULEME.

Bowed in nino One oflicer alone yielded to ber a~ iog arguments. "Thia ill too much!" aid be; aad, placing bilWlelf by the side of the duebea, exclaimed, "I will follow yoo wberever you go."

ConYineed tbat resistance would be unavailing, the dum.. wa now *nxioU8 to presene tbe town from pillage. Sbe therefore returned to tbe quay 00 which the guard. and volunteel'B were asaembled. 'ftey received ber with aeelamations, and demanded to be led agaioo tbe foe. Silence WM at length procured, when she thusadd,eu,ed them, "Swear to obat ... !" "We lIWear," tbey unanimously replied., "BraYe Frenchmen!" said she, " faithful Bordel"! I _treat yoo to think no longer of defending the city, the ~ of the

, line will not ~pport yoo, and your exertion. ril be U8eless."

General Clausel's troo.,. were now dra"n 'up oa the

otber Bide of the river. The national goard. aod YO- The troope ..... r a. ..... CIa ... new •• 1 4e

Iuneeers, 88 'if actuated by one impulse, 6red on them city, and were reeeiYed by die prill. wildt· .

a yolley. Fortunately, however, it did DO esecatiea, tion.; the nation., guard .. IMDilled in liIe~, -. and was not returned. "You bave s"orn to obey me," nolwitbetandiBg the ueiT ..... feel., wtaich .n ..... to exclaimed tbe prince... "Remain faitbful to you exist, a few Iton ... before, in at'"" 01 £0_ XVDL, oath. I will be answerable to tbe king and to Frauce an ilDlMIIH ~d ... lDbW .......... pa. .. wei. for your fidelity. The sacrifice wbich I demand of you come tbe (oree. of ~ ..,.,.... .

, is as terrible to me 88 to yourael~es; but'it .,tbe only The Duke of A ......... ill ...... o,a", w. ee-

mean of saving the city from destruction." copied in tbe eoutIlem depatme_ where fortone

The duchess had no'sooner retired to the ",lad than .eemed, for It while, to _Ie OD .. ........ Some a berald was despatched to General Clausel, request. regimenta of the line followed b. wi'" an appeanaee ing him ie suspend his attack. He readily consented, of unfeigned attaebmeot, alUl h. -1 IIOOn iDel'I .. ed and guaranteed the safety of tbe city. The princess to upwards of lix thoaaand mh. 'Ilia 6nt ... eoaater prepared for ber departure on the following night. Bat witb the Conicaa'a troops pmea .ueeeur.t_ bat, the ne" ala ...... SUCceeded every moment, and many of the 80ldien being letIueed from. thit llllegianee, .... nayolunteen were irritated almost to madoese. Crowds of mero.. cor". of tbe eaemy adflMlei" ... _ bint OIl people now ran through the streets, denouncing ven- every .ide, he was ander the neeeesity of eaJl'eotleriog geance against the adherents of Boonaparte; and it was to General Gilly.' Hia (oreet Itoweftl', wu euGieientJy deemed necessary to confine tbe troops to their bar~ respeetable to e ....... hont)urabJe.temta. A. universal racks. " amnen, waa .greated. Tbe liye. nd proper.y of his

Tbe best friend. of the Bourbons now bastened to adherenta were &"*M'teed, and the duke reeerved a the ducbes8, and intreated her to depart immediately. ""e con.oy to Cotta, wbere be WM to emllark (or Bag_ She saw the propriety of their 'request, and the same, I~nd or Spain.

evening embarked on board a small vessel which tbe Tbe dub bad no IOOner eomme.eed his journey than English consul bad stationed in the river' for her ae-. General Gro~chy alTiftd, and UBumed tbe command commodation." Gf Buon.parte's troope. Conceiving that the former

No sooner W81 ber departure intimated, tban many c01Dlllander had DeeMed his' po .. en, be would not of the inhabitants followed her to tlie .bore, earnestly soWer the doke to proceed te tile place of hill destin .. intre_ting ber to remain. Tbey then begged her to ~ lion" till he bad despatebed a ronrier to Paris for toatoW' on tbem some token' of ber regard, which they .tractio .... ' Napoleoo could not ret.e to accede to tbe might treB8UI'e up with fond remembrance; and they terma whicb had beea granted by General Gilly, withretired, satimed and thankful, when ber sbawl, her on~ exposing himself to general opprobrium; bot, with 'ribands, and her featben, were cut iato pieees, and dis- his anal aabtilty, be seiztMI the opporhlnity of girin~ a tributed, among tbem. colour of genemaity to what wM merely an act of jus-

The next morning the follo"ing proclamation was tiee. He wrote the fol"~ng tetter to Oro.cby, and.

found placarded Oft the "all.:- without aUndinr td tile eonveotion alnady cooeloded.

.. Braye Bordelail !

" Your fidelity it well known to me. Your .nliniited devotion does not permit yon to'foNIIM •• y d .... but my attachment for yoo aDd for eYery French .... dinocts me to foresee it. The prol~ngation or my _, in your city might aggraftte eireublllm:etr, ud briar down upon you the weight .r yeogeance. I heve not tbe courage to behold Frencbmen .Ilhappy" ad to .. tbe cauae of dleir mWortnes.

.. I leave you, brave BenleJail! deeply pe ...... ted with the ItIDthnents you haft eXpnMed, and ..... you that they shan .. faitltfnlly .r ......... to tile tinge Soon, witb 'Goers _i.tuce, .nd uMer' happier ao. spices, you .hall witneel my gnIiIa" aM daat .r ... prince wholD you love. .

(Signed)

.. M .. au. TnazSA."

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NAPOLEON'S ADDRESS ro-ms MILITARY."

"OountGrouehy,-Tbe ordinance of iIIe king, dated llah:h 6, and. tbe decl ... ation, Biped by his ministers on the 13th, at Vienna, might authorise me to treat the Duke of Angouleme 88 that ordiDance and that dec lalion 'p"eposed to treat me aDd my family; but, adhering to tbe VieWB which'ibduced me to order &hilt the mem~I" ef the Bourbon family should be pennitted to It If particularly wortby of notice, that, in tbis adit"tlve France without molestation, my'intention is, tbat dress, the Corsican artfully. attributes bis SUCcet18 to the you should give orden. for conducting tbe Duke of An- love of the people, and represents his 80ldien merely as ~deme to Celte, "bere be shall be embarked" and auxiliaries. A few days afterwards, this was tbus noticed tbat you 'watcb over bis safety And protect him from all in the :&loniteur.-" Wben Napoleon set foot on the terbad treatment. 'You wiD merely take care to recover ritory of France, by whom ."u be followedf-By a th :inn~'."hich.b88 been removed· from tbe public ~andful oC faithful soldiers. His name alone was an 'chettft, ·.ad to· require the Dab of'Aagoaleme to en- umy. To whom did be first present himself1 To the gage bi ..... lf to procure the restitution of the crOWD- old companioos of h!s glory, to the reginlents of the diamond., whieb are the property of the nation •. You line, to armed bands'l-No! but to the cultivators of will also make known to bim tbe eoaetments of the the lud,-to the inbabitants, who flocked from all parts I..,.. fiC; tire . uatieaal ~. which· are 'reoewed, to tbrow themselves on his march,-to the municipal ..

• and which apply to the JDelDbe ... of the family of' Beur- ties,-to the public functionaries,-to the united popubon who may~"""'the French territory. You will, in lation of every age and 8ex, which pr~ed arounsl ·him. _, 'name, t ..... ·tIle 'bationallJuarU for. 'the pa&riotism This population was permitted to coUnt b.is feeble baH· abtl zeal which they. bave manifested, and the attacb- to approach biB person,' to ;listeR too his 'discOurseJte ... ~ftt which they have shewa to me in these important celltllin tbe object of bia: enterprise, and tbe me8.118

eifea1lJllituee& which be pOllSessed; and it 'wali fl'Olll1hese. people that

I; '. . .••.• (8'igned) "NAPOLEON." the first cries of' Vwe L'.Erapereur!' proceeded. He

I' ' •. i . . .. . .. as acknowledged by the people before be &let a Bingle

But we mlllt uow return to the transaCUoDs at Paria. soldier. The historian will. record.tHis·truth. He wiD The day ~er •• retum to tbe Th.illeri.., Buonaparte mark it 8s.tbe distinctivecbaracter of tbepre8elJt t'evoordered all the sohtien to ... emble in theP'ace du Ca- lotion, and the true cause and explanation of a SUCeetlll

t'ouael. He was reeei.ed by them with the most enthu- :witho,..t opposition." .

.• iutic acclamation.; and, having paseed through the It was certainly true that tbe deluded pHsalds weN ranks, and noticed every individnal wha.e person be too well disposed to weicome tbe return of the tyrant ; recognised, he formed tbem i.to a .... e, .nd. addre .. : but it is. equally true, that, from the sbore 0" Oaolles, ed tbem 8IJ follows: "here tbe first crowd of spectators assembled, .to .Gre..

nQble, wbere the disaB"eetion of the troops 'ensured tbe success of the invader's enterpriSe, tbe popuJatio. which crowded upon him, contained "0 pttblic foao,imaary, no .i"i8'er of religion, and but a _ery small number· of proprieton. The crowd co.-.isted of' tbe lowest claMes of aociety, whO' are gene.raJly pleued witb every change, and to whose opinion lit&l~ co ..... quenee can be attaebed.

As Buonaparte was concluding his address, Genera.

Cambronne, aDd the officers of tbe battaliou ,from the Isle of Elba, appeared, with the ancient eagles of the guard.' Napoleon observed them, aDd said to the 801- diel'&-

"These are the oiicers uf th. baUaliou that _y.

I .oced~ to. ifB snbelance; but made the absurd and illegal deaaalid, that hie Boyal High ..... should en~ to insist on tbe nwti&ution of the crowD-jewe'" which tile king had takeu from Paris :

I

" Sofdiers! I landed in France with onl, six hundred men, because I calculated .poD lbe affection of my people, and on tbe ~membnnee of my veteran troOps. I was not de.ceived in m, expectation. Soldien! I tbank 10u. Glory 1ike that whicb we are about to acquire is every tbiAg to tbe nation, aDd' to you!' My glory it, that I have known and esteemed yoo!

" Soldiers! tbe. throne of the Bourbons w .. illegitimate, because it was raised' by the hands of strangers; because it ... ,l'OIMlribeci.." tbe voice of the people declared .in all our national usem.,lies; because, in a word, 'it of'end a guarantee .only to the interests of a lew indivicl_ wh .. aJTOgIlDt preteDli0D8 were op-

,

16

posed to onr rights. 801di .. f the. _periaI tbrone only can secure the rights of tbe people.. BDd, above all, the first of our interesta-our glory.· Soldiers! we are now to march to drive from our. territories theM princes, auxili.~etI to strangers: &he nation will not 0011 secood us in our protestations, but will follow our impulse. Tbe French people and I calculate UPOIJ ynu. We will Dot interfere with the concerns of foreign natioDs, . but w:oe to those who shall interfere with ours!"

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16

LOYALTY Oi' M. D'Afl1tY.

..,..,aDied _ hi my miI6Ort:un.. Eyery illliiyjdual among tIaem ia my friend. fiey are dear to my heart! -Every tilDe I belteld them ia my retil'emeot. tbey bntugIat befon my eyM the tlifferent regimen .. of the army; for among daese six Iru.dred Waye fello..., are .-eo fl'OlD "MY re~t.. They haYe reQiled to my JUeIIloty day. of which eYh tbe metROry is dear; for they .. e all cmere4 wiah honOlll'idMe 6Cua plied ill memorable kttl.. Ia 10YAlg tltem, it· w .. you, 801- diers, the whole Frencb army, that I loved. They bring yOIl back your eagles. Let them serve you a& a mHying point. In giving them to the guanla, I preNDt them &0 tbe wllole army.

" TreMOIt, _ a Iel'ies of unfortunate eYen., bad ~ the ... o a melancholy veil, but, thanb to -the i't'e.m people, BDd to you, tbey now re-appear re.~odeot in aU dieir A'iory. Swear tbat they shall -w.y. be fWe&INIt wherever tlte iaterests of the eouDtry naB require them, aad that traitors, ad those w. would •• to invade OIIr territory, .hall Dever endure ah ... ·.ight."

" We ewear it!" exeliUmed all the troope with ODe -entbUBiuaic 'acclamalioL

. The <'!eJ"81Dony beiag conclHed, BuonttpRlie infonn.. M.D'Aft'ry, coIoRel of. Swills guaM., that he eItoald reriew bis' troepe on the foUowiag day. The eeleael coldly l'eplied, tbat he should do bis duty, uti .. idadrew. He iDllllediately aaembled hil officen, iaformed them of the intimatiOD which be had received, and Peqateeted dtair.mice; wben they all replied witlaout .... itatiou, "Do what duty prescribes."

Tblt lieD day sOIDe regiments were drawn up in the 8CJU8re of·" ·Oarousel, and Bupnaparte, at the bead of bis Itaif, approacbed to review them. .As lie paaaed «long the ranks,' 1M mi.ed tbe S"i8l, and deapatcbed an aide-de-eamp to tbeir coIoaeI, requiring his imme.d_ attendance with bis &roo... " I acknowledge only -tbe ordetll of tbe king," aid tbe colonel, and the aidede-esmp return. ~b the m88118ge. Napoleon bit his tips with yenti., but made no remark, aud the re-

",iew was couoluded. '

The coloMI wae now Dl'dered to appear at the TlauU. leries, 'He aft»rliugiy we.t, aDd, ae be entered the halt of the marsbala, two offieel'8 demanded bis sword. lie immediately retreated a few &tepa. aDd, drawiug it from tbe scabbard, exclaimed, "Let &be braYefit of yoq take it!"

Disconcerted by ibis unexpected rea_nce, ike officers permitted him to pau, and he was introduced to tbe presence of Napoleon.

"Why," fiercely demanded tbe Comean, • ba",e you dMoooyed my orders t"

"Beau.e I acbowlMre .... , ... a..abaniJ ~ .tI.tI

king aud of abe C8DC~

"Do you know to who .. you ~t".

" Yes, I am addressing Geeeral Buoaaparte."

" Y QU are adchessing tbe Emperor of the French, ud in tbat cberacter I COUlID&.d you to repair to the lIftWU'e of the Car4Mllel, with your trGOpils &ba& I _, review them."

" Gelleral! I have already informed you- that I will receive the ord'en of tbe kiPI alooe, &0 wbom I haY. sworD allegiaDce."

"Yeu &oak the I8IDe oath to me fin years .0'" "Yes; butyoarabdication r~l~d IIIe ti-8IDdaa&oa&Ia." " I would haYe you recollect yelU'llelf."

" Yon will pl~ &0 recollec& that I beIo.., &0 tile can.&oD&"

" I will reduce them to 8UbJDiuioa."

" h wiD DOt be _y &0 reduce three h ......... daoasaud mea,wbo are ,_ved w lose their li .. __ tbaP their Hilerty."

" Yet you were re4aced by tM ~"

" And. w~ were relieMCl by Willi_ Tell." "Enoup," Ai .. ~~ _~ JUJIMlf

&0 one of bis mini&ten.

It was witb the rreUe8t Mkmu .... u,h,.' the o8icen who thronled &he aparllaeDi had 1M.d to.tb;s eft· ve.-.aiioa, aad they aU aa&icipNed _ if. weaW en4 ia the aFreit oJ Me D'.A.llfy. FrOID IIletWes of pelio,r • however, the colonel was permitted tQ .... ; ... 11, after several fl'uitiess atteaap&a w seduce tJaem from tbeir allegiance, tbe Swiss were allowed to returD to

their native OQQD&ry. .

The aUrea of the cOlUlcil of II&at,e ",as ~pally entitled to notice, OIl account oJ the caution whicb it pve the usurper for the regulation of bis future CODduet, and the cooditioDs on ww.:b alQue it eagaged 19 SIIPport him.

" The council ef a&ate, iD naumi. their fUDc~ consider it their duty to avow tbe principles which form the rule el their opiniona, and of their conduct.

"Tbe aovereiguty reats ia the people. The pnple are the ooIy lOurce of leaitiuuUe power.

"The empe~r is called to guaraatee anew, by fresh inatitutiona, for whieh be baa .pledged bilDlelf iu bia proclamatiou to the army, .and to the nation,. all ,tile liberal prillciples, iPdividual liberty. and the ecpWity of rigbtl, tbe liberty of the preu. th. aboliC.iou of abe ceD8Ol'llbip, the freedolD of worsbip, the voUQg of taxes aDd laws by tbe rept'esentative8 of &he natUua freely elected, the inviolability. of oaQoqal PrQpertl of ,every origin, the independence ud irremovability of the lribUIlals, the re&pOll8ibilityoC the lDiDiMers, aad of aU the epa&a of pewer.

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LIBERTY OF THE PRESS UNDER llUONAPARTE.

J?

" For tbe more effectual pl'8ltenation of the ri~ . a {raMI of tbe people could dispose of the crGw'_', tha~. and obligations of the people aad of tbn mOQlU'cb, the would 80Q1l _ppen to U8, which bappe.ned to the R~ aational ioatitulions shall be viewed i8 a grand .. em· man people, after the reign of the first emperor; we, ltlyof the repreeentatives, already anaouneecl by tbe should bave. for chiefs Boue bllt IIQIdien; and the emperor.", reigDing family, would be .. wdered, 88 .oon u it ceased te be agreel\l1le. to the .eI\tellitee b, whoRt K Wall surrounded."

This pfu-agraph gave great ()ft'e~ to &he am.,y" To be 8tigm.at~ed witb tb, tid. of .ellilea \\'WI ·RlO~ th .. tbeyeQuld beJr. "b j8 ... itlqoQ.able term o()( coo. te-"I"'" »aid IJOIQ' of Ih, runc.. w Napoleon, .~ t.h. public levee.' "They Ql'e tblt clefendeaw of ~he nation." Buenaparte, t.b... apP'l~" '0, . commanded tba, ,be pubJic:ation aboud be .. ilKed, and the editora SUQlIJ1Q1ted. "fore tbe 'ribu",l. : lie IIOOn pereeived, haweyer. lba. he had adl)pted tbls nuuu..., at _0 improper tiQle; and tlte followi .. g renwbble pilrapapb appeared i. the MC)Di&eUJ' of tb,e ant Dlorntng.

"The fiftb volume of 'be ee.or wu y_erday per. ... jtt~ to be IQJd, w~t naakiDr anJ alteratiOll ia ,_

tut. BI thia judieioua mea-ma .r ,penment, til. author hall lost the intereat of beiag tIwoght • vidim, a eertain .peclllater die prOal of a,a.ft'eputfOWI editioa, aad lbe wOl'k all the ebanos of a pra'hibited book."

To th. l118enion the editor lIoldly replied, tIQ-ougll the ~edium of the public prints, - in . &b.e {QUo ....

. . .

To tlJiIJ addretl8' Buonapatte replied, .. Princes are tbe 6rst citizens of tbe state, Their authority is .ote or less extended, according' to the interests of tbe nations whom tbey govero. The sovereignty itself • 6Bly hereditary, becaue the welfare of the people requires 'it. Departing from thill principle, I know no legitimacy.

" I bave reoollb<led tbe idea of tbe gratKI -empire, of wbicb during fifteen years I had ht founded the baaia. Hendeforth the bappiness ud the eoMolidatloa of the Frenoh empire mall otcupy aU my &llourbts."

, Is thie the language of blm, "ho hut a tweh'emonth belere hlld said to the leg_tiYe aaaembly, "I am the throne; the alation ia nriae, aad' tile I'epre.entatioo of tbe people i. veflted in me." Had he learned such uae.. fullessons in the scbool of adYertHty.&hathe "at teany transform" into-.,.uiocic PMCt!, l'eoogniling tbe rights of the aation. apd only d.irieg t6 reign I)y tfleir will, aad fer ,heir felioity' No, no; unchuged ill priacipJe and dispoaitloB, be onl,8SSU1Ded til •• ppooruee for the !nO.ent J anxious by Sattery arid pl"Omi .. to re-seat himself firmly on the throne of France, that, at a coon.ieat opporWoit,., be might again'trample on the I1bertiee of an infatuated people, and lead hill ruffian anniflll to new IceDes of _laughter an41 deeolation.

Intelligence "as now received from Vie .... , that Maria Louisa had formally reDoanced the title of Empreu; and, to give u 1HIeqaiYocsl proof that .he wu final I, tlinaiaed from her hWl'band. had laid .ide the green .livery of BaoHparte'. family, and bad appeared in public: in the livety of PIU'IQa. fbil .... fatal eonfl'aditliOD to the f'alaehooda whieh had been dill8&o III_ted retpeding her return, andai"orded the most inC0ntrovertibie proof, that the Emperor of A.tria wee decidedly beetile to the cause of his abandoned jIJOn·inlaw.

A few da,. after his .,..,Iic en.,. into P ..... ., Duo. n.parae remcw.ell all the 1'e8tr.ietieM "lIieh the miDiatera of Louis bad laid en the Jiberty of &he press, and dismissed the ceMOn, te whotn eYe.ry ,....wet, .... every article in all the jo ....... ".. •• b.lJitaed -previo ... to its publieatioD. But. whilst &lie pel'lple _ FPlltce ClOn.idered tllia 1'fMI8IIQre ... the ._ decisi", •. .,... that Napoleon bad a_clon.eill all ideas,of ~ po"er~ tile edilol'll -of a publieation caU4td "Lt ee... Mar," were brought belore the CribuoaJa ... haVing publiahed the feIlowieg libel on &he }ft • ...,. M:1f

2.

term.:- .

" The joarnaJI haye ... ~ounoed that the fifth volume of the Ceusor had beeD seized; bpt tbat. on maUire deliberation, the authoritiflll bad allowed it to be ex. poeed te sale. It ia &rue, that tbia volu... hu beea seized by the police, bat it ia laJae that it hu beeD restored. They will neither give it up, nor PJ'OMllute it .. before the tribanals, although the editona haye in .. treated to be replaced in tile pOBle88ioD ef their property, or to be brougllt to uial.

" Y Oft will be pleased to giv" II.G credit ao wUt the jeurnals may assert, either of the work 01' 01 its authora, ~"'U8e the liberty of tbe presa aj .. DO Jorur.er.

"I have the hoaow to ~ ate. -

" Ca. COIB'TL

If P.s. We beg 10U to give tbi8le&U1' tbe gRIIteBt poI.ible publicity."

A detailed accoaut of the affair was ~lJtJ7 ti~ in 1I ~~ bl ~e .,&b.0lW IJi ~e c.osor"ome utincAs k~ lI'W.lIltlyb, "I1'~~abJe ",*he reader:-

,Alter ~ribiag tlJe e .... wJli~ll ~l&ey hfad lIl.ads to __ • the llo.w~ to a ,d_y.~ry of the f. policy by .bidt ~y ,,~ ..... ~y alieDatiD&' the. aft"eetioD8 ef clte people, ... the .-e-' with ..bleb ~1"ad after .. w.-dJ .. po.ut.ed ~ .... of :&IJe f&Jling gov~"Dment, iD

-E .

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18

LIBERTY OF TIlE PRESS UNDER BUONAPARTE.

opposition to tbe dreaded return of Buonaparte, the editoJ'B observe, "As long as tbe government had no enemy to combat, we defended the law. which it had given us, and pointed out the rocks on which it might etrike; but, 88 seon as it was attacked, we supported it as much as was in our power. A few days after tbe entrance of BooDBparte into Paria, we were summoned before the minister of police, from whom, instead of the reproaches or punishment which we expected, we received a very gracious reception, and were cordially thanked for the benefits which we bad rendered to the country by our bold and independent .writing&. Fouche eeaeladed by offering 08 tbe editorship of the MoDiteor, a journal that had always been distinguished, and must have continned to be characterized, by itB Sattery of tbe court. The minister, however, had mistaken his mea,. and ,the oWer was receilfed witb 'ibe indignation that it merited, wben Fouche, eager , to' prevent all nnple8l8ot esplanation, hastily dismissed 'bs, adviaiog WI to reSect OD his proposal at leisure. Eight da,1 had scarcely elapaed, when we I'(!ceived another iuvitatio .. from the minister of, police. We were intradaced iut.o his~ ..... and foo'" the minister alone. He requeeted us to ta'ke .a.walk in the 81lrden, aad the follo"iug is the 8ube4uce' of the coavenation that passed

between UI:- '.: .

. ,

" Fnche.-Gentlemen! you have rendered t'Onsiderable services to France, and you have it in your power to reDder mil greater, at a moment when it is attempted to secure the triumpb nf the tier. etat against tbe privileged. But the emperor will uOt act as tbe late gov.emment did. The laus took pleasure in debaaing thoee men .who defended. liberal 'ideas ; tbe emperor, on the contrary, w~bes only. to reward them. lIe has desired me to uk wbat 'frill 'be mOllt agreeable to you •.

. "o..pte.-Sir! we are sensible of tbe marks of attention ~hich you wish to shew us, If tbe emperor·be desiro1lfl to do any thing for U8, Jet him leave to U8 that objeCt which we are anxious to retain; let him give 011 a good government, and render France free and happy. That is the only tbing tbat canflaUer us, and the only tbiDg that -we ean venture to accept.

".FOIfcWo-Doubtiess he will render France free; but that need not prevent Jlim from rewarding deae"ing i~dividuals. Redect, gentlemen, wbat will be agreeable to you,

44 Dunoyer (J1u!_ colleague Df M. Compte) • .....sir! if tbe emperor .wish to do something tbat is agreeable to us, he "ill suft"er U8 peaceably to continue our labours. ._ "Foue1t~.-Tbere ·i., not the least intention of preventing it; -Bat the press 'being'entirely free, and eaeh being at liberty to follow hili inclinatiOll, witbout dan. ger, and to pursue tbe eanie eeurse as yoGl'Belves, you

will no longer have tbe merit of boldness, and your work will lose a great part of ita interest. Bend., you unll flot al",ay, htlt'e me; arul, laotHwr free the preu '.fAay be, aa able aiaitter unll way,firad wuax' to prevent that frOfll being ",riltea tDhicl he dou "ot app1'ooe.

"COtIIpte.-When this able minister shall appear,

we sball see-

" FoucM.- You are advocates, are you not' " Drmoyer a"d COtIIple.- Yes, sir!

"Fouche.-You are adYOC&tes! Consider, gentlemen, "bat"i11 be agreeable to you.

" D_oyer.-Sir! we bave avowed our intentions, and ( do not think we shaH alter tbem.

" FOlfChe.- The magistra~y does not, in general, aecord witb young people. We have juat appoiDted a great number of prefects. The nominations have been hastily made; and, among the number, eome have been admitted wllo lJel'Yed under the old imperial governmen'-"eak me. ;-4hele appoibttile ... have produced a bad effect.

" COtllp~.-That is true, eir!

"FncAe.-We could have wisbed lor perIOu who bad taken no part in the former me ...... ~ eo .... sider, gentiemeD, what will be agreeable to yoo.

"COIIlpte.-Sir; we are really overpowered' witla your obliging oWe .... but we cannot amI oonelves of

them. .

"FoueAe.-I tbink literary person. generaHy prefer such plileel as leue them 'time to pnMI8CUte tbeir studies. I beg, tberefore, gentlemen, you will reflect upo.

what will be agreeable to you. ..,..

" The oWeJ'B which bad beeu made to us did not pre. vent the printing of the iifth volume of the Ceuettr. It W88 to appear'on the 6tla of·April. While it W88 preparing for publieation, M; MeMe called upon me. • Do you know,' said he, with apparent emotion, 'whitt has been done" 'No; what is the matterf' 'Your fifth yolume haa been seized; and 1 Clome to request you, intbe name of the prefect of the poliee, tbat you will go to bim, and endeavour to arrange' tbis affilir.' 'Is that all' I tbought it was something ~oneerning the welfare of die nation. ' I see what is the inatter; we have a,. able minister who 1m000ihott1 to prevertt uy thing from' b~iag tmtien ~hich IUJ 'doe. not approve, notwithstanding the entire liberty of the preMo His excellency's oWer. are DOW perfectly intelligible.'

"Me Meh~e baa· scarcely entered before a second messenger anived, who urged me, in tbe most pressing mll'ftner,' to 'go immediately to the prefecture of the p0- lite.' l.ptomi8ed·1 would, and'ocoordingly weot.

. ~ Tbe·;prefect,· who appeared to be perfectly calm .. hea-I eDtered his elotet, sudenl, assumed an appear-

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.ABOLITION OF THE SLA \'E-TBADE.

19

anee of despair. Holding bis bead between bis bands, and traversing tbe room witb rapid strides, he uttered nothing but monosyllables or disjointed phrases.

" O! gentlemen I-what have you done" No-never could I have tbougbt it of you. RobeapierreMarat would not have done such a thing,-Good God! at a moment when France is besieged ~y eight bundred thousand enemies!

" C01Ilpte.-Mr. Prefect, will you hue the goodne&8 to hear me" The volume which you haye eaueed to be seized contain~ either· error. or cnllUl& If it contain •. only errors, you' have eight or IBn journals at your command, who inay easily refute them; if it conta~ crimes, you ought not to speak to us with asperity, yoP ought to bring us to trial. .

" TAe Prtif'ect.-No, never could I have expected it from you-I, who would have. auwered for you as' for my own 800--0, ,ir! what you haye done is aboJlli.. uable!! .

"Coapte.-I repeat what I have said, Mr. Prefect.

If we have reasoned badly, wtl may be refated-if. we are guilty, we ought to be punished. Do not,. however, ilbagine t~t I am the dupe of what hu. taken plaee, The miDister of police tbougbt ,to sed~ce,. h,. his pra., and the oWe~ wbich be made; he ",u,lll!ceive~ If be supposes that his menaces will have 8IJY greater tWeet, he will. still find· himsel.f deceived., ~ JDay make the experiment, if be pleu_ B-., before tryiog i~ I mU8~ inform you, tbat, under the last reign, we weremenued "jth .... ~.,.on by faDatic:s, and we "erid~d. tbeiT three'" alld their. dagg~n; I qow :tell' you that we llquadJy'deride "'e bayObetB aod the 8C8ft'olds,of

Buonapane; ' ..

" T48 ~r..pfect.-.AJt! I see it plainly. You wisb for maJ;tyrdom,: ~ut yc>u ~iU ·not obtain it.

!' Ccmepte.-& much tbe w9l'Be, Mr. Prefect.

" The ,P"'!fect.---:Yoad."u,.M. Mebee; you hear him

ask fC1r mart)rclQlQ! ." " .; ,

. ":C01Ilpte.-No, I do not, seek i~; oeither would I

fear it. '

"TIe Prefeet.-Ah! what have you. done' And wbat will tbey say at Ghent" To attaCk the proeeediDga of governmellt at tbe v.ery juneture wbell i~ is ne- "lMl>ERJAL DECREE FOR THE ABOLITION 0' THE SLAVE-

ces.iary everyone should 1'&11, roupd it~. TRADE.

" Comple.-Tbere is no QtQer raeaD8 .. ow of rallyiog "NAPOLEON, Emperor of the Frene". We have

Frenchmen round the go"etnm~Dtt ex~ept by sincerely decreed, and do decree, as follows:

designing to do good, and by aeli,g witb ·frankness. "Article I. From tbe date ,of the publication of the

Since the arrival of Napol~OD, h~we"cr, Rot an act has' present decree, tbe trade in-negroes is abolished., No ,been d6teI'll¥oed ~PQb but· what is ~n~y t~ good expecJ,ition sball be allowed for tbis commerce, either aense, and teodiqg. eyi!ien4b 19 i.,.. d_u~~n.. It. bas, in tbe ports of France, or in those of our colonies, been justly aaserted thal the g~,e"DmeQt Itdv¥1~ OI;lJy .. "2. There shall not be introduce-d t~ be sold in onr with ita enemies, . : ,... .. .'. ,:', '_ ',> : ,col~"ies any Dt'gr~ the produce of this t.rade, whether

"The J>rife,ct~P.er~ ... ' jffe, ~y ,'~ und~~a¢: French 9!Joreign... '

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eacb other. Come with me to the minister, aDd we will endeavour to arrange tbis bU8ine8lo

" COfItpte.~ caoDot gO tbere, sir!

"TAe Prtifect.-Yet, the minister is attached to Jiberty.

". Compte.- Y ea, but it is liberty after tbe manner of M. Fouche, and I really do not admire it.

"Tie Prtifect.- V ery well; I sball go . tbere aI()ne then. Do you be-here this e¥ening, at fiye o'clock.

", At the appointed time, I repaired to the prefecture of the police, when the diacoune turned chidy upon .me suppressions tbat were to be made in tbe Dew volume. I eensented to sacrifice a few pauages, upon the exprea eooditiob tha~ the pnblic sbou~d be made acquainted with tbe seizure and tbe suppressio .... ~his condition seemed to displease_; but I pel'listed in de. manding it, because we would not co-operate in deluding tbe public by falsely persuadiQJ. them that· th~l enjoyed the liberty of the preas. . As lbe, p'~etec~ bad, directed the'lleizure of the volume by the order of tbe mini,ter, a~d, . as be hiuI .ot wlQ8elf. read i~. it '!U settled that I should go· next Blorni~g .to M. P-, with M. L__,.., tQ determine upon wha. JNl888Iea should be supprea~~ But,. not ~e"" acquaioted with M. p-, I tbougbt, after a little .r~8e~ioll, ~bat it ~ould bebeUe~. to forego this iDt~r.view. ,,All hope of eeneiliation ~ein&' tbus at an: e,nd, the1 has~lJ~ to a~o .... ee in the journals tlult tbe volume wbich ha.d ,be~1J ee;,zed wu restored to ·us. This decl!f.l1l~o~ ~as contradicted, first of ~U by a hand-bill, 'aBel ~fte"".rds. by,a circular, ",hi,:' #~ p~{ioe di(l .01 seize •. ,At le!,gth th,y' gafe us our vql~t;, when ~~)',I8W that it w~ no l,o~ger p088ible to .impose upon the pub~ic~ I oOu¥bt, ~o add, that, during, o~r .di8cwisio~ the prefect ,r~peatedl~ oS:ere4 us an iod!lDlnity for the If)$8.~e. had sustained, ;'"

Anxious to acquire pop~l.,ri~y jn th.e. ~ri~" ~.~u",t.i:Qn of his a1I8irs, Buonaparte thougbt prQper, to put ,~ ler:mination to tbe slave-trade, whicb, by the. treaty witll Loais, was. to have continued five yean; arid' tb~ following decree W88 accordingly passed for its abolition:-

~.,_--------------~-----

DlUREE RELATiVE TO EDUCA"rIOI'.

"!J. AnY'ihfraction of tbis decree shall be punished with the confiscation of tbe ship and cargo, which shan be prenouneed by out courttf and tribunals,

"4. However, tbe ship-owners ",110, before tbe publication of the present decree, shall have fitted out expeditions for the trade, may sell th~ product in Our colonia

Q 6. Our ministers are charged ",jlh the execution 'of tbe present decree.

" NAPOL£ON.

.. By'the emperor, tbe minister secretary of state,

H The Duke of B,USA.50."

Anot'hef: de~t~ contained several regulations ealeulilted tb relieve the oppressions occasioned by tbe hml. reun/~. These, next to the conl!lcription, *ere the greatest grievances Imposed upon the people by Bnona« parte'. late government, and tile promise of the aboli. don of both .Il~ the gtaDd boon by wbicb tile Bourboa. obtained popularity on their re-entrance into France. It bu ".-elldy been lItated~ however, that tlle pledge fOr lbe -abolition of the d1'OitJ,.etmiI w.. imptudently given, and could Dot be redeemed; and, botwith"'ndfng tbt! .re.istance of the people, this odious tax conlinued t~ be 1evied. Napoleon wu therefore furnitbed .lth an OppO~trity' of gainmg much ctt!dit, by tbe earl, attention "'~ic;h he seemed to pay to the interem

f)f the people. '

A short time afterward., Carbot addteB8ed a memotial to 'Bbonapa'tte, desean~ng on tbe advantages of elementary i~trnetion, "lIen bestowed on lire lower claases of society, and stating diat tlJere we", in France lwo Diillioll8 of ebildren destitute of pri ... lry edutation. -I do .. ot speak," "Y8 be, " of that education wbich forma balf-pbilosophers, or m!'1l 01 the wortd, bat 8utb only u wm form good attiaau an. moral 'men, by 'communicating tbe elements of itldispensable knowledge, good habits, 'and respect for tbe laws. " He conetudes his memorial with a just eulogiQOl on Dr. Ben and Mr. Lancaster, whOle system he •• 11. to be adopted in France.

Napoleon immediately _ued the following' decree:

, "NAPOl.BON, E'IIIper()f' of ,TIe Freacl, te.

"CoDsidering tbe importance of education for improving tbe state of society,-coll8idering that the methods hitherto adopted in France have not attained 'llat degree of perfection wbicb it is p088ible to reach, arn1 '''esiring to place tbis branch 'of' oilr institutions Oft a ,level with the intelligence of :tb~ '«ge, we laue deereed,

and do decree, as f"nows :

, ." Article 1. Our minister ~ the i'flierior sbaD invite around him tbe persons wbo desert., to be '('lObIaked,

88 to the best methods 0( primary education ;-be shall examine and decide on those methods, and direct the experiment or such as shall appear preferable.

"2. There .hall be opened at Paris alt experimental scbool of primary education, 10 organized 88 to &erva (or a model, and to become a normal school to (orm primary teaehers,

"3. After satisfactory results sball baye been obtained frOID tbis aebool, our minister of the interior shall propoee to UI the meamres ealeulated to enablt' aJI tbe departments to enjoy the adHntAge. of the new methods wbie1a aball hue been adopted."

But, ,,1u1. Napoleon was th1I8 endeavouring to aequire tbe esteem o( the nation by tbese popular acta, it wu soflicieIitly 'obvioue to tlHlse no had an opportuaity of observing him, that he wu in bimseiC eompletely miserable. Notwithstanding tlle aceldmatioll8 of ~be popula~e, the h~mage ,of the conatituted Gutbonties, the servility of bis (avourites, and the insane attachment of tbe ...... y, be was abstracted and rettleas. His C()ndact' ita tbe council was evid8Dlly rettraiDed; bis natural :IOquacity bad f~rsaken him; and be only appeared' confident when .urtounded by hi. troop& He wall often deteded sbedding in eeeret tean of ~ and "ex.lion, ud tbe sighl wbicb eacaped !Um proved tile grief of Ilia mind. His pride Waf tortured by tbe thougllt that t~ confederated 8Overeign. dildained eve. to liofice b. overtur .. of pea~; and it W'8II with nnspeakable .. Dgoi .... that he contrasted tbe contempt wilb ",hicb' tb~y DOW treated bim, with 'be aWeetioa whiCb some of them 1",41 once expretMd,.and the humility witb wbicb others bad acknowledged theawel,. .. it)debted _"'bim for tbe p_ion of their crow ..

Notwithstanding his penonal feelings, however, he continuea the most YigoroUII preparations (or the approacllittg ~D1Ht. Eve..,.eon". made to iucrease the number of his regular troops, aDd the followiog energetic proelauatiOD wu addl'ell8ed eo the army:-

., So14i~! you earneedy wislted for your emperor.

He i. arrived. You ",.e snpported him witb atl your etlbrts. Rally with all poaible despateh around your standards, tbat10u _y be 1'e8dy to defend your coontry againet netniee who are desirous 0( regulating our Dational colours, imposing soYereigos upon os, and dictating 0... ~ll8titatiCMlS. Under"eM cil'cumstaDees, it is tbe duty 01 f!'Vf!!ry F'reachman, .. read,. aee .. tomed to war, to join the imperial tltan'ard. Let us present a fi'ontier of bnea to OUt' enemies, aDd prove to them drat we are at .. ,. the .....

fI Soldien !-W1tether yoa lIave obtained unfimitecl or limited ladoap., or whether you JaR" reeeive4

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ORDER .FOIl EJIBOI)YING THE NA'I'IONAL GUARDS.

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•

ra_ at the h ... 0( lite 'bri4gel ;-n.ry IIlOUlltaM wall 811rmoanted by a battery, and the din of warlike prepuaaion J'eIOGIlded lrem the Mltbent 1JowIHIarit!8 to the MtMiiterruean •

OIl hil 8 ... 1aadiBs' m Fraace, Buoaeparte had pro__ to give ahe Frettcll i. eoD8titation eettSGlUIDt widl dleir wisbee, and fttyoaNbie to abeir.lihme&, He eoeontiarl1 appeiB" • cemmitBiott to draw "p the rorm of a eoMtitution to be nbmitted to ahe ehoiee m tlte

" The Prince of ECIt.VHL." Htioa. But, after the memben of tbat eommi88iGft

had oeeupied tlretnlelTeli some time on this important

n. n __ pM. wen ..., erde .. to be embo- subject, it oceerred to tIIem, that Napoleon's prom_ .., aDd dilkibueed ..,.. tile diWenot ~ of would M best ful811ed if the pilla of the eGbmtatiO'll ·FNDce.. TItRe t~ one bUlld __ d aM...,. ..... 61 DOt emanate from any eommiaioD formed by bi ...

a.-, .-cia COIIIIiai.., of.-rea h twenty IDeo, eell, but IImt th eleetoral colter- .Itoald nominate .

were ~ecI to.he -..ippied fer ""in, Obe per88It ma elleb departJlle'ftt to prepare the outli .. .,

making a total or two.alieo. two IMmd .. ad aay.. of the constitutional charter. To this propoeal BUOfta'" ......... d .. fony 101-' Had _.parte been parte I18Sented, and measures were ordered to be taken able to have called this imme .. t.ody into action,.. accordingly.' But, in the mean time, his situation beeame

lID han iailled a _f6cieat )JCIftiOa tJi ... hut mto more emi~1 eTery dey. 'The aDi~ were already adyanc-

their nnb, he might haye bid defiance to aU iar 011 aU .fttes, aM, Joe, befbre thle eomm_ionen

.i_ Pert......." .. owe .... , for the .. I'-'e. E.ope, could have been appointed, ami the ueceaary doeu-

",oJ.t tla .. were 8&tacMd to their I.einua priII_, tnn.-u .. to the depare.a", 1IoIciI .. ",O'Uld

-. eoaaeqaeDtJ,. rendeted litde or DO _n_ .. the I, ..... e bepa, ami bact tIME taeed H-

auee eI the ....... la __ eI the ......... ea .. tbe .. ¥naee bad ..., .. taW ro nt, &Ire "..-

pilrda ,.r • .,.,ri1y refaaed to be embodied; in otINI..... CGIlf_. ".ald .... __ eel, the neearc. fbi'

dMJ ... Id DOt ....-cb MyoocI til ..... prwiace; • ...., .. 00 the ~- ~uhl no& haft 1Nte. pnwicW'_t and in many places wben they were foreeII ...... , with tile ............ Ity. The Con ... threlGre- de'_' .. 4 _ t. dete" at e..,. t .. mi." and, be- ... n.e.I, in oppMioa to the •• iee of _ny 01 hit We- tile b .... ioa laM proceeded IHD)" ...... 6-om frieMt, to oWer to the MCtptanee of the Htieia, • ~

. t_ ewa ~ eW!frJ lold_ batI _,........ · .. u_ digMte4 by tbeflnt cemlllilsieoen, Bar

ID t.et, .carcciy a teath paR of tIM __ r ord8led to by .tJ.a. wbo been appointed by the de-

tie embodied wen ever .8IlftII1.... partIna~ b. priacipaJly "wn up by him8elf. .

l'he .w U.,pa of &I.e , ~ to the The ad., ~ tb. ftIOlwiiCIU excited pat diHe8-

.tandard of Buonaparte, and a nume ...,... teat. .. _**I,.. blingthe ... bimny meat~" whieh

... .".,. ,...«1 at IiiB .~ widl wbiGlt _ hoped, by b_ diiIiat'.ndutd th arper'1 former .dministraticm.

IOlDe brilliant action at ..__t of the no- k ... a fteIetioo ., die RI4JIt »olema pt'ftIiIIe. It ..,..

~ eitIa ... d: .... _t ~ i i .. the alii.. tIOI • __ tatiD. fIa-.d by the peorte: Oft tfte con-

Great ~" .. f!i -~. war ........ ployed in. ..." &lrey DOt penuittAld either tt) alter or modify

fortifying the heights of Montmartre, Chaumont, ad a were eondaedo .. Ih approvll or

Meai- .. .., in ., fIf· .... ;. *-gIl this· rejectioa of tbe ....

......... .... agly 0 Illy Canot,. eateat..... 'file ..... i •• f.l.o_ hai iblpO'h!tl to IMn .. " crime,

to ...... alMl d~ aM __ .. Orcte .. werealio that be lIael ,aw. • COIlacitutiGft tG th fft..m, and not

issued for _peetiDg aad' cornpleti. tIM! fo~ fIIOCII,." i , Jet die cqeet fJf teeir idolatry,

of all ..., .m. ... towa.. Leen, 8oi.ou, Saina.Qaea- after ba .-bo .. ~ "at Ie die people alone be-

ain, LeieN, Gaile, \ti"1, I..ugt.,_d <:."8 Thierry, . ...,.. tile rigtlUf t'beeeiug their own cherter, adopted were placed in a respectable state of defence. cWe..,. the eGIIIJIIIuct fII tile fInIer ~fl!I'IIIment, and grzw Id.

~ JU.j._ cbe V "IQ!, al; -bJe* 011 ill 1M t .. na u'llae Trencfr,"

....,. ....... hI n .... ~ e"" r,e ."._ ..,..a i g ",riler, .... d imagined tht the

Dagle. Many hundred workmen were daily.' ,ta,... a..., .. lIai 1. hlWe beeR eonvofted ftw lome

in the fortificatiGa8 • LyOlle, ucla "'011 " .. 'Pared other ,.p"~ ~ to eXllllliDe a list ., yttfel, Illi til., .. .".... eYe" .' , h ... the JIN8'- of tbe allies. the NpNIII ...... .r • gPelWf 118fi41ll WO'Ilf'd' tflere hve Every defile w .. strictly gu.cW~"" .. weR ..... d *ptjlpilep ., dfmlltmg with tfre lOt<creip

~. ·F

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,... ~, if J'O'II' w.,.... ... heal., aad ,OU

.. ia fit to ...., MIIl8 .. d joja the anay! T.

chit you vMcI.,. hoaoUr, , ..... eoutry, and ,ear

.....,..,t

" With "' ... repnteehee woald you Det haYe Clause to o"",hel. a., 1n!N 0.- fine CI8U8try apia to be ra.,.ect 'y theM aeltlielll who. 1f1tJ 10 OReIl vallquiahed, _d w .... &he foreiper to ionde •• d obliterate France (rom the map of Europe.

(Signed)

ACT, ADDmONAL TO THE

•

&Jafit riglaal, ad privilegee, and welfare of their co ... tituen ... "

The important document now brought forward wu unaccountably termed" A,. AdditiOflGlAct to tie ConditrUiou 1[/' t1ae E.pire." Although, by the various artiel.. of tbie act, tbe objectionable part of Buonaparte's former despotic government was either removed or rendered ineffectual, yet he appeared to a .. ume, as the basis of his present charter. tbose very constitutions of which the French had 80 loudly and so justly complained. This gave considerable o8"ence, and tbe very name of the" Adduioul Act," when he bad pledged himself to give a Dew constitution to the nation, alienated the affections of tbouand. "ho bad bitherto been attacbed to hill cause. Tbat the reader may fOIJD a clear idea of tbis famous act, we sball inaert it at lengtb:-

~CT ADDITIONAL TO THB CO!fSTITUTION. 01' THE EMPIRE. • NAPOLBON, 6y llae grace qf God _ tie Coull,..

I.tio,." EMperor 'If IIH Freach, to all preme' mad to co.u, greeting.

" Since we were called, fifteen yean ago, to the goYernment of the state by tbe wiabes of Franc., we endeavoured, at variona tim.., to improve tbe c0nstitutional forma, according to the wan .. and d.ir .. of tbe nation, and profiting by tbe leasons of experi~nce. . The constitutions of the empire were th .. tonned of a

,series of aets whicb were sanctioned by tbe acceptance .of the people. It wall tben' oar object to organize •

grand federative European syaem, wltieb we bad adopted .s conformable to the _.,irit of the age, and favourable to tbe progrees of cirilizatioB. In order to complf'te tbie, and to give it aU the elltent aad _bility of wbicb it was susceptible, we JK*poDed the .... bJisbmeot of many interaal iaetitutiou more puticularly destined to protect the liberty of the citize.... Heaeeforward our only object ie to increase the proeperit} of France, by tbe confirmation of public liberty. From this reaul .. tbe neeel8ity of various i.portaat modi~tions of the constitution., the,.eJItItu cOUldta, and other acts which govero tbe empire. For these causes, wishing, 00 tbe ooe haad, to retain of the past what WH good and .. Iutary, and on th~ other, to reDder tbe coDstitutions of our empire in every tbing coaformable . to. the national wishes and " .. .., as well .. to tile .tate

of peace which we desire to maiDtaia with Europe, we have resolved to prop088 to the people a aeries of arrangementa tending to modify and improve i .. ~ tntional aet8, to strengthen the righ.. of cit_. by • very guaraDtee, to give the representative system i .. whole exle ... ion, to invest the iDtermediale bodiea witb the desirable r .. pectabilit, aDd power,-in a word, to

combine the high.' degree of political liberty and i~ dividual security, with the foroe and cenValization necessary for causing tbe independence of the French people to be respected by foreigne ... , and necessary to tbe dignity of our crown. In consequence, the followiog article8,10rmiog ao act lIupplementary to the coastitutioo8 of tbe empire, llball be 8ubmitted to the free aod solemn acceptance of all ci&i&eaa througbout &Ja. wbole exteot of Fraoce."

TITLE I.

" Art. 1. The coDBtitutioM of tbe empire, particularly the constitutional act of tbe 22d Frimaire, year 8; tbe .aal .. cOfU1Ilta of the I" •• d 16 Tbennidor, year 10; and of tbe 28 F1oreal, year 12, sball be modi6ecl by the arrangemeD" whicb follow. All other arrangements are confirmed and maintained.

"2. The legislative power ia ellerciaed by tbe emperor and two cham ben.

.. 3. The first chamber, called the chamber of pee .... i8 bereditary.

".. The emperor appoints iIB memhen, who are irrevocable, tbe, and their ...... deacendanh, from one eldest BOn to aDother. The number of peen is unli. mited. Adoption does Dot transmit, to him wbo ill ita object, the dignity of the peerage'. Peers take their seaU at twenty-one years of age, but bave no deliberate

voice till twenty-five. .

"6. The arch-chaDcellor of the empire is preeiden& of tbe chamber of peers, or, in certaiD C8881, a member of the chamber speeially designated by tbe emperor.

" f). The members of tbe Imperial family, ia hereditary order, are pee .... of right. They take their seata at eigbtMD ,ean of age, but have no deliberate yoiee till tweDty-one.

" 7. The 8eCODd ehamber, called that of repreaeDCIltives, is elected by tbe people.

"8. I.. memben are sis huadred aDd tweDt,-oiDe in Dumber.' They IB_ be twea&y-five yean old at leaet.

"9. Tbeir ,...idaD& i. appoiDted by the ehamber, at the openiOK of the first ..-ion. He retain. biB fODCtioo till the renewal of the chamber. Hil nomination ;. submitted to the approbatioD of the emperor.

" 10. Tbis cbamber verifi .. tlte powers of i .. memben, and pronoaDeei OIl the validity of contested elections.

.. 11. Its membera receive lor travelli.., ellpe...., and .during tbe _i08, the peyappointed by the CODBtitueDt .. embly.

" 12. The, are indefiaitely re-eligible •

M 13. The dtamber of rep ....... uv. ia aDuNi, renewed .very five y .....

•

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CONSTlTVTIOmf' OF' FRA~E.

•

.. }.(. No member 01 eitbe .. ebamher- eaD be arrested, ·except for .ome capital aime; nor pl'08eeuted. ~ia 'any criminal or eoITeCltional maUer'during a seSsion, but in virtue., of a reeolution of the chamber of whicb be fol'lD8 apart.

.. 15. None ean be arrelted or detained for debt, from the date or convocation of the _ion, or for (orty da,. afterwa"" .

" 16. In crimioal or correctional matters, peers are judged by their own cbamber, according to prescribed forms.

" 17. The office of peer and representative _ oompatible with all otber public functioDa, except those of matten of aCcouDt; prefect and sub-prefecta are, bow-

enr, inel~ble. .

" 18. The emperor sends to tbe chambers min_ten . and counaellors of state, who sit there to take.part in the debates, but have no deliberative voice unless tbey are peers or elected by the people.

" ~9. Thus ministers, the members of eitber cbamher, or sitting tbere by mi.ion from government, give to the chambers such information as is deemed aeeesI18ry, wben its publicity does not comptomise the interest of the slate.

. "20. The sittings of the two chambers are public. The,. may, however. go into secret committees, tbe peers on tbe demand of ten. and the representatives on tbe demand of twenty-five membe... Government .may also require secret committees, 'when it has commuoications to make. 10 all other e8MI, deliberation and vote can ooly be in public lIIittiDg.

" 21. The eUIPf'ror may prorogue, adjourn, and dissolve the cha.uber of representatives. The ·proclama. .tion which pro.ouoees the d_lutioD con yokes tb electoral colleges' fOr a Dew election;' and fixes the meetillg of representativt!ll witlain six months at tbe

. furthest.

.. 22. During the recess of _ions o( tlte chamber of representatives, or in C8Ie of ita diasolutioo, the chamber of peen caDoot meet.

.. 23. The propoeal of laws originates' with tlae. royemment; the chambers ean propose amendme •• ; if these amend menta are not adopted by government, the chambers are bound to vote on tbe law, 8ach .. it W88 proposed.

.. 24. The cha.ben have the power of ipvitiog roveralDent to propose a law' OR a determinate object, and to draw np wbat it appears to tbem . proper to ioaen in the la". This chua may be made ·by either chamber.

. .. 26. Wben a bill is ad0'Pted in either chamber, it is carried to the other J aad, if chere appl'Oftd, it is carried to the emperor.

"26. No wiiaen dileOune, ex~ptiriA'T.porla 0( com.mtteea, .ot of niinisters on . laws, and accouna, e8n be I read in eit~er ebaillber.". .

. .

TITI.E 1I.--oP ELBCTORAL COLLEeu, AIm 'I'BB .0 •• o.

. .

"Zl. The electoral colleges of departmenC8 and arron-

di~ements ar~ maintained, . with tbe (~1I0wiDg. modifications •

.. 28.. Tlie cantonal asaembliee"ilI anDuall,.. fill up all the vacancies iD electoral coDegeaby election ..

"29. DatiDg from 1814, a member of the claamber or peers appoiDted by the empuor shall be president for life, and irremoveable, of every electoral college ef departmeat.

"30. Dating from the same period, the electOral eoIlege of each departmeDt shan appoint, among the members of every college of arrondissement, the president and two vice-presidents. For that purpose. the lQeeting of the departmental college shall precede tbat of tbe college of arrondissement by a {ortnight.

.. 31. The college. of department aud arroodiaaemeot sball appoint the number of repNieatati .. s bect for each in the table adjoined.

" 32.. The representatives may be chOMa indiaeriminately from the whole extent of Franee. Every college of department or arrODd_emellt whicb shall choose a member· out of ita bounds, shall appoint a supplemeDlar, 'member, who DlUBt be taken from the dep~ Bleat er .arrondissement •

" 33. Manufacturing and commercial induatry and property .hall have special repr .. entativea. . The elee: tiou of colDmercial and manufaeturiog representatives shall be- ... de by tbe electoral college. of departmeul, from a list of eligible persons, drawa - up by the chamben of COJDlDerC8 and the CODSulta&ive chamhere united."

TITLE m.--op TllATIOR.

.. 84. General direct laxes, whetlaer on land- or moveabl .. , are voted only for one year: indirect taxes ma,. be'voted for several yean. In cate of the dissolutioll of the chamber of representatives, the taxes voted in the preeeding _ioD are coatiaued till tbe next meeting. of' the cbamber •

.:~.36. No. tax, direct or indirect, ia moDey or kiud, can be levied,. no loaa contracted, no ioscription in tbe great book of tbe public debt can be made, no domaill alieualed or sold, no levy .of men ·for the arm,. ~rdered. , no porUou of territory exchanged, but iB Yirtae. of a

law. '.

.. 36. No propoeition of tax, loan, or levy of me.D, eall be made but to tbe cbamber of represeDtatives.

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"31 ....... lite ...... bet IIHIIIt M l.d. in the irst ilst.ce, &he general bad~ of th. Mate, CDDW. ing a view of the receipts, ami the pmpoeal of tile funds assigned for the year, to each department of serviet f alio De aecout ef the receip. and expense. of tbe year, or of preeediag yean."

Trn.B IV.--oP IIl1'OSTBRS, AND OP ItESPONSlBILITY.

'II"Y V.--09 t'e ... DlCtU JIOWD.

"61. Tbe ... peror appoiat& all judgu. ,...,..-e irremonahle, and for life, fro. the ...... of their appointment; bat the nominatio. of j_ic. of peace and judges of commerce shall take place as formerly. Tite exiet;.g. judges, appeinted by tbe emperor, in tenb8 ef iIIe ............. , .. of tt.e l~ October. 1807. and wbom be shall think proper to retain; .. I receive proYw, •• for life before the lit JanDary aext.

• ora. The ~ of jane. ia .ain_cd.

" 53. The discuuioD8 on clliminal trials ,ball be ,.blio.

" 64. Military otreneea alODe shall be tried by mili-

tary triIHII.... .

"Me All otber offences. even thOle t:01IIRlittecf by Dlil_y taea, .... witb. the jurildietioo of ciTil trihuBBle •

4' i6. All tM ~imes ad o&.eea whidl were appropriated for trial to tbe high I_perial COtIrt, ad of whielt this act dee. not relerva the trial to tbe ebamber of peen, .hall be broagllt before tbe ortlinary tribuala.

"67. The _pemr .... tile right of pardeIt, even in correctional cases, and of granting aame.tift.

"68. Int..-praca&ioos filii laws .temanded by the court ~ ~tion eball be A"iftll in tIae fwm of a law."

'" 38. All die ada ef goyeram_ 111_ be ooauterlig_ &y a. ........ office.

~,._ 'fila miniatelll Aftl respouiWe fbr .. of govern-

"Dt 1Iico- b, tba., .. weD lUI for the ue...wo of tlte ...

"40. They may be accused by tbe chamber "'"PN....wi.., .ul· ... iBd· hr tI.t of.~ ....

.. .tI. K'Very "ismr, aDd 8'HI'J eomman"nt of

'.nqed force t.y land or ee~ _ay be 8eCueetl by tbe ___ .. representatiHll, aDd tried by that of peers.

......... ~ tbe _ety 81' Iwnour of tbe nation. :

~ .

"a Tbe _m_ of peen. ill til. eue, exercises

it diloreti ..... pGIt'ft'. ei"l7 ill "iog tk offence 01' mitigating the punish me ...

.... IlefoN p1aein, a lDiIlister in aee.atielt. the ~ ef repreaeatatit'e. ma.t declare .. there is glGDDd for exalliiniag· tIte charge.

"44.. TbiJ. declaratial ~ _ly.l,8 ... do on the N.,.-t of a committee of lixty. "wn by lot. Thia co.miuee moat make its report in tea da,., or 1OODeI', after ita nominatien.

. .. 46. Whft the chamber ~es ihere ia gt'QUIId for iDqairy, it lDay call t" miDilJCer before tbem CO demand .explaoatioas, at Ieut witbin ten da,. after ahe repert fII the ~itree.

"46. In 110 oth. Cl88 can minUten ·m.o81ot·1M IUmmoned or ordered by the chambers.

"47. When the chamber of representatives baR prononnced tbat there is ground for enquiry against a miDilter, a .... coDllllMtee ofaixty drawn by lot is Iotmed. wIto are to JIlab a new ~port on. tIM placingr in BeCU.atio.. .,his toftllaittee mak ... its report tett deys ..... ita appoiDlmellt. '

" 48. 'Ilte plaeing in Qccusatioa itt not to be .decidecl till ten days after tbe report is read and distrintN.

. "49. 'ft& acc_ation being proftOUncefJ. the mambet- appeiDta 8Ye .,rite membel'lt to proBeoote 'he eflarge

~ tbe -peers. .

.• 10. 'De snefttr-fifth article of the censtitutionel act ef the I2d Frimaite, year 8. importing that the agents of govemmeut can only be prosecuted in- "irtH". thdsifHl· oftlle eounm Mltate, dall be modited by a It",.".

TInE "v.,.....c)I' ~ .. arrs OF CITtJ:aM.

If 68. All FNltclnwen aN- &qUIll ill the eye o( the law, wbetber for ewtribatioo to taxee and pabJic burdeM, or for admission to eivjf fM' military elllploymeBtL

"6&. Wo OM, under 8D)' pretext, eaa be withdrawn front tIIej~ _ped to him "y_ .

"61. • one aln be proeecute4, an-ested, detailted. or exileti, t.& i.· eaes- pl'M'ide. for b,-Iaw, and aecotdiar to the pnBcribed Ionos.

"62. Liberty of worship is guaranteed to all.

" 68. AU property .,.,._d or Be1Und in?irtue of Ute la.., aad all debts of the etate. 81'& lftviohlbte.

"64. Every citizen bas a wight t1& print aatt publWa ... tMoghis. 8D sipi-, thenI, widtout any preYi .. cen- 80rdip, liable, hewever, 8~r paWie8tion, &0 Jept re-,ouMility, by trial "y jury, 8MI) where there i1 pMtDd only f ... the application af & cornelio ... } pe."'.

"66. The right of petitioning is secured to all the cUizen80 Eyery petition i1 indm.1_ PditiOll8 may be atldnaed eicber to" tbe gO"e1'IMMnt .., to tbe two chambers; nevenbel_,."" the latter must Uso be eRCidetl 'Tb the ereper •• ' They slraM M pIIeMItted to the chambers allder the guarantee of a member who .ecomme1Ml8 tile petition. They are ,.btfcly read, and, if tbe chaJDbfn take tbeta ioto coDlliIh!rMioo, til., are laid before the emperor by tbe pl'8lident.

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CONSTlroTIONS OF' FRANCE.:

"88. Nofortre., DOr portion of territory, can be deelared in a state of siege, bot in case of invasion by a Ioreip force, or of civil broile. In the former case, the declaAtioll is made by an act of the government. In the latter, it can only be done by the law. However, should the two chambers not then be sitting, the act of tbe government declaring the state of siege must be'converted into a plan of law within a fortnight after the meeting of the chambers.

"67. The French nation moreover declares, that, in tbe delegation 'Wbich' it has made and makes of its powe .... it has not meant, and does not mean, to'give a right to propose the reinstatement of the Bourbons, or any prince of that family on the throne, even in case of tbe extinctioa of tbe imperial dyn~ty; nor the rigbt of re-establishing either tbe ~ncient feudal nohiIity, orthe feudal or seignorial rights or titles, or any privileged or predominant religion; nor tbe power to alter the irrerocability 'of the sale of the national doDtains; it for.maJly interdicts to tbe government, the chambers, and the eitizens, all propositions on that 80b.: ject..-..Givea at Paris, April22, 1816.

(Signed) " NAPOLBOlf.

"By the emperor, ,

"The mi.u.ter aecretary of' et8te,

, (Signed) .. The Doke of BASSAKO."

Thi8 additional act 'was off~red to the acceptance or ftjection of the French people. Eyery Frencbman, wbo' bad attained to years of maturity" was invited to ioacribe his vote for or against it, in registers whicb were opened in every town and district. These votes were td be collected, 'and tbe grand result published at the Champ de Mai, wbich was convened on the 28th of May. The "T7IIy and 1tmJY were also invited to deliberate on the act, aod to transroit tbeir'vote. of approvalor diMent.

Louis XVIII .. with his little circle of faithfnl adherents, was now at Ghent, whence he issued several proelamations, wllich were the theme of ridicule among the myrmidons of 'Buonaparte, or were only deemed important as they were'coDoected with the operations of the allies.

Tbe proclamation of the 12th of April is, however, particularly entitled to notice, on account of the moderation which it breathes, 'and the &.0",.1 which Jt con. wne respecting the reenliltion of tbeallies to re-establi.b the legitimate sovereign on the throne of France:'

"G1&ettt, April 12, 1815-

" At the moment wben we are aboot to place our.. Iv .. amid our people, we couider that we owe them,

, 2. I

in the face of Eurbpe, a formJ d~c'''ration of onr in-

tentions.' ,

"' When Heaven and tbe nation recalled us to the tbrone, we solemnly pledged ourselves before God, to forget past injuries, and to labour without intermission for tbe bappiness of our subjects. The descendunts of St. Louis have never betrayed either ileaveu or their country.

"Already had our people recovered, tbrough our care, plenty at home, peace abroad, and the esteem of all nations ;-already bad the tbrone, weakened' by so many sbocks, begun to be firmly established, when treason compelled us to quit our capital, and to sf'ei. refuge on 'the confines of our stat ell. Europe, however, has taken up anos.-Europe, faithful to its tre~: ties, will recognise no other king of France except onrselves.-Twelve hundred thousand men are about to march, to secure tbe repose of the world, and, a second time, to deliver our fine country. "

'" In this posture oC atrairs, a man, whose entire Itrength ia at present made up of artifice and delusion, endeavours to lead astray the spirit of the nation by bis faliacioull promises, to raise it against its sovereign, and to drag it along witb him into the aI)Y88, as if so acco~;' pJisb his frightful prophecy of 1814 :-' If 1 fall, it sball be known bow mucb tbe overthrow of a great

man costs.' ,

"Amid the alarms wflich tbe present peri's of France have revived in ol1r hearts, the crown, which we have . never looked upon tiut 88 tbe power of doing good, would to our eyes bave lost all its. charms, and we should have returned witb pride to the ,f'xilein which twenty years of our life were spent in dreaming of the happiness of the French people, if our country \l'er~ not menaced for the future with all the calamities which bad been terminated by our restorat!on,-and, if we were not the guarantees for France, to tl.e otller sO\'ereigns, Tbe sovereigns who now affor~ so stront{ a mark of tbeir affection cannot be abused hy the cabinet of Bnonaparee, wltb the Macbiavelism of which ti,e; are perfectly aware. United by the friendship and hi~ terests ~f their people, they march' without hesitatioa to the glorious end where Heaven has placed the general peace and happiness of nations. ' ' ,

.. Thorougbll convinced, in spite of all the tricks of a policy now at its last extremity,' that the French nation has not made itself an accomplice in the altf-flIp" of tbe army, and that the small number of Frenchmen who bave been led astray must soon be sensible of their error, they regard Fiance as their ally. Wbtrever tbey shall flo'd the French people' faithful, the fields will be respected, the labourer protected. and tbe poo~ .uccoured. They will reserve the weight of the war

·G

Digitized by Go?sIe

bad more tJaaD balf that .. her. 'I\ree' h ..... ed th~ Aaatriau were ~eadJ'te peDe"'" iato ~ two hwuIred aid tweaty-ftve tJ.o1l88'" Il __ W

alaat lUInooed to &he fl'OD&iea, and .. eGI'p8 • Pr_ia~ ecNapri8i~ ill the whole twe ...... reiiI an. thirty •• thoasaDd 1DeD, were rea4ly to en .. Fraue ill vario_ direetiona. I( to tJ.ee we Md 1he cea ...... from the diWerent ..... of Gennuy • ....,.... to OM hundred and fifty &housaad IMa, it will .,.,.. .... a

lDiUjoD of ddie... were uDder __ dI. dpftM

p811MIU o( &ermiaau.c tbe uaurpatioD o( .....

Nor were &hese __ merel, fermidaWe oa MClGUIII of their imaae ... Dmabe ... s .. , were ... .,.....W b, the __ reaowaeci gene'" of die age J ..... 01 wIIota l1a4 aheady fo.bt 1Ueceed'a1l, ..- tbe CorsiaD" aad otIIen had acquiretl eqaal repataeioo by YU4iulWtg .very manhal wbo Iuut Mea oppeeed ..

&It.... Priace Schw w.. ap,..ed to &he

chief CONmalMl of the A viae .... er hit .-

den Field •• abal Belleavde, ad Geaenk F'" Viaeeat, aDd Biaaelai. The 8""'DI were h_e4 bJ tile grand Duke CoDa.Dtine, leOOItded ., OeD .... Barclay d. Tolly, Langeron, and Saekeb. The heroic Blucber beaded the Pruuianl with General. Kleitt, Y orek, and Bulo,,; and the British and Belgiau were com......t.d bJ the Duke ef 'tV eltingtoll, .. iaed by tbe Pri_. of Ora", the Duke .• BnH.swick, GeDeraI. Pietoa, Bere8ford, Clinton, and lD8Dy other omcera

of ebliabtd eelebri.tJ. n. eeati .. atIII ICWeHigu

aJao v.d oaee more to &eke the teW in penea, ..

their prenace miP* .. dae .D&laUliMa .f aMir ,.. lpective a.oop..

Buoaa,.ne,W laiuular .. IMMHIM tIto..- .. _

the &oatie ... to oppc.e awai- daia 0""""", f ....

The .tioDal pardi, iadeed, ia reall'Ve, .. 0QIlt.

in, to two millio .. of meat be " .. w.ll re that

tbere w.. IWIe proItability 01 iupiriDg t wi ....

in his eanse. The additional ad had wealr.eaed his ..

pulerit" and demoyed It. in8aeace. It w late,

bowever, to retract. The C08&ee& IIIIIIt. he .. te«n .

and his ooly hope nated OR tit. ,_ibility of ..... brilliaat eaterpn. which migJd eat eft' tJae MftOeecI cobunua of dleaBiea, and ~1 carryio, the ...... the enemy'. eountry, eneourage the diea8'eeted to ti .... OD hisUde.

HiI emi ..... were DO. active)y ~cd ill all paN of Bum~ ..... ttiag iateUigeDoe of ., ... of public epiDion,. ad 1Ja. p~ .. of ...... IOvereipa. or eseea_1 hit ..... t eN .. n. A~ B ... sels, two of his agents were detected under circumsta .... ~ Judicrou.

At the botel Bellev.., a Freocla '-iI,,,.. U'NIted, iQ ceDMqp~' gf .. diIOovery Ibu, a 1M .... w ...

JlHPAJtAUO. OF THE ,'IJES.

to let ,t-laU QII ........... w., .&Mir ....

refuse to return to their allegiuc. .

" Thia .. ,.trictiQD, direded by pnMI.ace, WGUli lenalb'>' amict wt, if eur peeple were leu DOwo to _; 00" wbatever tlae feaJ'8 "'I be witla which it ill 8Dd .. voured to iWlpire tbem with ",peel 10 Our deeigna, "i.u:e our alliell make war ooly "Dlt re6ell, our people have nothing to dread; and we rejoice to thiak that dleir a1feetioo for us _all not have been altered . b_y a .11 abseoce, DOl' by the alulDDies of libelle .... Dor I»y the prolPiees of the chief of a lactioG, too woeU eoavineed of his weakoeae aot to car. &hole wbo ar.tendy witJb bis destructioa.

"On 'our ret!lm t.o our ~iaaJ, a return wbieh we eon.ider to be Dear at haH, our find cue.W M to reco ... peo.e vnoWl a.izea., who haye devoted them.elv .. ·to the aoo4 eause, IUld to laboar to balliU .'eIl &he very appe¥Ulce of tILoae cliIut ... which lila, hay. withdrawn froaa DI 80me of the Freach people.

(Signed) .. LovJa."

•

About dais time a cirCUlDlta.ace Q('.eurrc4 which,

though productive of DO polt&ical coDlequeaat, lOut have been peculiarl, pteful to tbe Ceelinp of Leuia. In eo ... ameratiea of bis public entry iato bill ea,itai, on 'May 3, 1814 and tbe loyal attubment whicb tlte national guard had expreued towards him, the king bad deelared tbat on tbe anB.,enaryof tbat day. be wo~d cOPlmit bimself.. their protection, and they "one should perform tbe duty of the Thuillenel. Wllen 'tbe 3d of May approacbed, tbirty younW men 0( relIPectable lamilie., and belonging to the oational guard, aeeretly left Pari., and effected their eaeape to Ghent; wbere tbey Concealed tbemselv.. aill ,b. morning of the 3d, when they unexpectedly appeared before tbeir eoloael, the Count D'Al1oi&, aDd demanded the fulfilment of the king'. promise. The prince imaaediatel, Condncted them to his august brother, wbo was moved • ven to teen, at tbis proof of their affection. lie," cbeerfully acceded to tlaeir request, and, baYing d" miaed bi. hODlehold troop .. (or the d81, the venerable DlODaub, though in exile, bad the pleasure te see himlelf lurro1lnded and protected ., the pard. of hie

capital. .

, The warlike PJeparatiODt of the allies were co __ without iDterm_ioD. . WheD Louis int took up hit abode at Gbent, the British troops in BelgiUm di4 Dot CODBitt of more than fifteeD tho_n. lDeD, &he Be1&iao force did DOt equal tbat Dumber, and the Prusa.Ums in Luxembwgh, and the vicinity of Cleves and Julien. ~ly exceeded forty th01l8ftDd. Before tbe middle of JUDe. l!owever, the British fQl'ct w.. aoameated to .aty thouaantl meD, aPcl tbe king of lb. Natberlada

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,. ~ OF mONAPARTB'8 E~IES •

. ~4lIei i. the £ollar. of. their dog, contaUting some inle- yielded to .... of his paro.-. d ,..w., Mlct ·acreating 'acts relative to the !date. This .a~imal was to cused tbe minister 8f boIdiDg a traitorous _m ..... lave been despatched witla It-. se"ant 08 the followiag tioB with Lou XVlIL Cambaeer .. &e8k DQ 1IOtic.e 'Gl

lia, .. courier eztrlJDTaiJUlire.· ',' . . .: thilt accuaboD, but peaistecJ i. oppGllit8a .. the

: A short time aC~erwards, at you. lady 8f oondition decree; aDd 1he uurper, aftv _ W .........

. arrived at the same hotel with a suite ~f domesti.. eoDlenied to a proposition .f .. _ii~ wWch ... As ODe of her hOWiebold p88Sed along the aaloon of the maJHled all emi ...... t.G re ... wi&hila ' •• -lit ... laotel, he was ~ by all officer aa an eDtiMary of present thelllRlvea befG1'8 80lIl8 e •• il autlaerity. ill"... Boonaparte. Information was immediately giv~n to the case. a free par4Gn .... paated; bat ~I .. 1.0 ...... police, and proper pel'8OD8 were despatehed to inYesti- or reeDed to avail t.h81118e1vts of &1M ~ .en ,.. pte tbe aWait. A. the officers entelled tbe lady'. apart- Disbable with.d.t1a.

ment, they obeerved a man in a peasantts dreu, comilll In .vera! parts of ~e, .. ot.IeNCi .. W _ .. ~ut of ber chamber witb a brown foal undes bis arm. formed, the meillbesa of w)rielt ............ " .. ~ On perceivi.r the unwelcome visitors, be haatily de- ·crate· all tlleir .eau to &be propapticNa eI ae.I pri .. 8Cended the .staircue, singini " five llenry Quat1'e I" ciple&;-to 8U:ppOI1 the public spirit durint tk pr __ and, keeping. Lis richt eye in an enquiriBg. iirecti.. crisis, and to.".. aU HoNen;-te raaiataiB ,..wover his shoulder. . On the officers enterio, the lady's secnrity in tbe interior, and, to ,..... to all ,..... ia room, she instautly tore in pieces a letter, ~bich proYed, the proyiue .bicla .... ht be dlreateJMd.'" fentra or on unitigg the fragments, tG be a- despatch frum all domestic fees. T8 • .,101 all &hefr. in ..... 8M ... ageDt of the Freneh govemment.. It is hardly oec:ea- dit to keep eaeb oCher in the J.ia.e Q( .. d.y ...... sary t8 add tbat the lady and. bel' aUtDdants "ere .pro- priaee and bia eoullUy ~8 Mar s.eGO., .fttuMIJ perly disposet o£ . aad premptl;r at $be' first Fequieitiea of tINt puWie ... . The seemiO&' peuaat, QD. beioa secured, attempted thority ~ defeat aU plots apiu& &be eontllitu_ aM to give his loaf to a woman who was begiag' in the the ·emperor,.....a&MI t.G lead eaell other .-...l __ street; but the .meers, 8USpeehng from his solicitude ance anti ,..ot~ioa." Bao.a,-te ehetwht ahat 8OJII8. to iet rid of his bread, ~8t tbere was 80IDetlUag more tbilll of thi. kind .,hi be ilrourbl foJRlld i& P •• ; tbaa usual in the affail', seiud the Joaf, aDd, '00 break- and according1y despatched secret emi ... riel. in., .... ing it, discovered 8e .. e'" letters for pari., ODe of"hic" suburbs of SL Antoine and St. Marceau, the inbabit~88 directed to BueD8f8rte hilO8elf. . ants of which. W Ided .. pro_, .... ,. in: aU :the

France, is the .lI:\ea .. timet was agitated lty iner"';D3 most san~uiaal')' .and diftgnC8ful He8. of the reYeluo.oontents, apd many 8f the departments broke out tlon, to mduce tbem to enter into 8iIDiliar CGlliedee into op ... iD8urrec:tien.. In Laopedoc. Bretagae, and ratiOD&

ADjoUt. llumeroaa armed bande appeared. and een- Thi. scheme PJOved successful.. Fifteen tbousaad teDded with vari~ .. 8Uecea apinat die forcea of the men enrolled themse1ves, and demanded 1U'Dl8; and, to ~utper.. render the affair 88 publie 8S ~ible, a cia, w .. _p.. Alarmed by these QCClIJTenees, tUld diseovering that, pointed iD which tbey were to be revi.woo in lite .cean even in Paris, an extensive eelTespondeaCle W88 carried ef the Tltuilleries.

on with .the Bourbons, Napoleea one day propoaed at Accordin,ly, on the Utb of May, th •• dnp ef the the COUDCiJ, a dolJli~iJiary visit through the eapital, &0 people, in a thousand different and disgustil ... hebita, IeU'ch for- papers aod .uapected pel'8OD8. Tbia despetic marched into the courts of tbe palace; and, OD N""'_ . measure, which weuli have reminded the people of 1e01l a,pearing in froat of the liDe, an 8rator deputed tbe wont paried. of the rev.olutioll', wu stroagly.. from their bod, addressed him to tbe'(ollewiag "'80& : poaed b, tbe Duke of Otranto. Buonapar&8, iacensed at his OppositioD, deaan~d his :p«tfoIio. "There it ta," replied tbe duke, "but· I will DOt a .. lwer for your life to-morrow." Tbi. menace atartIed tile ColBic:an, wbo, after a mOJllellt'. eo .. ideration, returned &be portfolio with an apology for' his· halltiness.

Be then propesed that tbe puaisbmeDt of death should be denoaaeed ageiasi every eDJ~t.. Here, however, Cambaceres interfered, aDd _ned that a decree .. uDnecessarily c:r.uel and unjos&, weold _cite the indignation of Franee' ... 11 of &rope. Buo ........ again

"Sire!

"We received tbe BourbollS with iudil'ereace and apathy, because we love not kinp imposed upoa us ),1 the enemy. We received ),ou witb enlhusia...., hMaUle ybu are the object of the national .oice, the eNfeb" of tbe country, and because we expect froID you a glorious independeoc:e aad juclieiods nenm. We have come, OIl lbe ,r~casie., to IMl. a teed .. of our 8l'IIIII, Ollr ~ our blood, lOt tbe safety of the cap .. l.

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!8 FEDERATES OF ST. ANTOINE, Iteo'

,

" The greater part of 118 bave COmbatted under your orde.... We are almoat all old defeuden of oor coon-

. try. Oor coon try may, therefore, confidently place ...... in the hands of thoee wbo have shed their blood in her eause. Give to 08, sire! artIl8 in ber name. We lIWear, in yoor presence, to figbt only in bur coontry'. _use and in yoan. Weare not the tools of any party. nor tbe agenWof any faction. We only wish to prese"e the Dational honour, and to render the en:trance of the enemy into tbi. capital impracticable, in the event of ita being menaced witb a new iusult. Conqoerors, by oar own courage and your genius, we .halll'elnme our toils witb pleasure and alacrity; and we shall be better able to appreciate the blessings of peace, when we shall obtain, as the price of twentyAve yean of sacrifiCes, a liberal coDltitotion and the monarcb of our cheiee,

"Sire! you will triumph. We 'rejoice by anticipation at a victory 10 legitimate, and at the glorious and permanent tranquillity which will result from it. Yes, .ire, we haye an a88uranee tbat when our enemies shall renoonce the, cbimerical hope of prescribing laws to 118, you will love peace as you love glory. We shall be..iDdebted to you fGr liberty and bappinesa; and all France, now ready to figbt, if necessary, will love you as a good king, after admiring you as the greUel' of warrion."

To tbis harangue the Conican replied-'

" Soldien and federates! I returned to France alone, bacause I reckoned on the afFection of tbe peasants tbrough tbe whole of France, and the artw,.ns of the principal cities. My expectations bave not been de-

ceived. . '. '

" Confederated soldiers! I see you around me with pleasure. You have robust arms and brave hearts. I accept your offen, an~ will give you a~s. You shall form the light troops of tbe Parisian national guard, to whicb, in conjunction with you, I commit the defence

of my capital. .

"Tranquil as to tbe result of t,h,e contest, I shall proceed to tbe frontier. to manoeuvre the anny, and to defend our territory, if tbe allied sovereigns shall dare to attack it. The honour of the French, tbe rights of the people, and my throne, are under your protection, and under that of the people of the country and ~be villageL We will cause the national sovereignty and i~de~ndeDce to be respected." ..

Thi. reply'was received witb loud and repeated acclamatioDS. and tbe federates_ned, proud of the honour wbich had beea con upon tbem. Tbe ptional friend. of liberty, however, augured ill, when

her eause was committed to IDclt defenden. And .... the soldien did not heaitate to expre118 tbeir aston.'" ment and indignation. "Behold," .. id BOme of the..., "th~ masters of our ma."ter! Wbere i. tbe great N .. poleen , We DO longer recognise tbe conqueror of Euro~he emperor whose coort Wal composed of the kings of Spain and Naples, of Saxony and Bavaria, of W urtemberg and Westphalia. We see ooly the emperor of a mob I"

The deputations from the electoral colleges, in tbe mean time, arrived but slowly, and the lists of vot. frorn several of the departments bad not yet been received: but as the impatience of the public began to be 10udlyexPreMed, and as Buonaparte himself w. anxious to join the army on the frontien, the assembly of the Cbamp de Mai was appointed to be held on

tbe nintb of June. .

The Cbamp de Mai, or Champ de Man, i. a large plot of ground in front of tJae military scbool, bordered OD each .ide with ayenues of trees. which extend from the aebool almost to the banb of tbe Seine. In the early period. of tbe French monarchy, the general ... sewLlies of the nation were held in this place. T1a. object. of those meeting. were to frame new laws, to lay the complaint. of the people before the king, to adjust dift"erellcel among tbe barons, and to review the national fore_ It..... called the Champ de Man, because the 8I8embly ~k place in the montb of March. In ~e middle of the eighth century, Pepin transferred it to the month of May, as a milder and more eonvenient seaSon. . After this, it W8S .. lied either the Cbamp de Man or tbf! Champ de ·Mai.

"Never did a .festival more national," "18 one of th.

Paris joornals, " or 'a 8pectacle at once 80 solemn and touching, attrac;t the attention of the French peopleevery tbing tllat could interest and elente the soulthe prayen; of religion...:.tbe compact of a rreat people with theirsoYereign-France, represented by the select of her citizens, agriculturists, merchants, magistrates, and warriors, collected around the throne-all excited the most ardent enthusiasm of which tbe most memorable epochs hue left os tbe recollection." Yet tbis was the tentA coostitution which had been presented and accepted in a 8imilar manner.- The tbrone appean to baye been erected in the centre of a semicircular indosure, twO-thirds of wllich formed, on tbe right and left, grand.~mphitbeatres, in which fifteen thoDland persons were seated. Buonaparte baving taken hie seat, mass was celebrated by the Arcbhi.bop of Tours, Cardinal Bayanne, aod four other bisbops. A deputation of five lfundred members of tbe electoral colleges then advanced to the foot of the throne, and were presented· by the arch-chancellor. M. Duboys D' Angers (one ot

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TIlE ClIAl\IP DE MARS.

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the members, ud representative or tbe department of tbeir promises. Ti&hee, feudal right., privileges, every the Maine and Loire) thee pronounced tbe follo"ing tbing that wu odioUll to ua, were too evidently tb. address in tbe name of the Frencb people: fond objects of their tbought., when one of them, ~ console tbe impatience of the present, auored hia confidants, 'tbat be would auwer to them for tbe future.' Every thing shal~ be aUempted, every &hing executed, to repel so ignominious a yok~. We deelare it to nations: may -their chieta hear u81 If they accept your offen of peace, &he French people will look to your vigoroUll, liberaJ, and paternal administration for groulHla of consolation for tbe eacri6ces made to obtaiu peace; but, if we are left no choice between war and dWgraee, tbe wbole country "ill rWe for war. Tbe nation is prepared to relieve YOIl from tbe too moderate oWen 70. have perhaps made in order to save Europe from a De" convulsion. Every Frenchman is a soldier: victory will. follow your eagles; and our enemi., wlao rely GIl oar di,isioDll, willlIOOu regret baving provoked .... "

" Sire I tbe Frencb people bad decreed the crown to you; you deposed it witbo~t tbeir conBent; its suffrage8 bave jUll& imposed upon you the duty of resuming it. A new contract is formed between the nation and your majesty. Collected from all points of tbe empire around the tableB of tbe law on wbicb we are about to inscribe the wisb of the people-in tbis wisb, which is tbe- only legitimate source of power, it is impossible for us not to utter tbe voice of France, of whicb we are the immediate orgaus,-not to say, in the presence of Europe, ~o the augUst chief of tbe nation, wbat it expects from bimt and wbat be is to expect from it.

" Wbat is tbe object of the league of tbe allied kings, with that warlike prepvation by wbich tbey alarm Europe, and afflict hUUUlDity' By wbat act, wbat Violation, bave we prorcked tbeir vengeance, or given cause for their aggreMion' Han we, since peace was concluded, endeavoured to give them laws' We merely wisb to make and to follow tbose wbicb are adapted to our manners. We will no' bave the cbief whom our enemies would give WI; and we will bave bim whom tbey wish U8 not to have. Tbey dare to proscribe you penonaIly; you, sire, who, so often muter of 'their capitals, generoUllly consolidated their tottering tbrones. This batred of our enemies adds to our love for you. Were tbey to proacribe tbe moat obscure of our citiuu, it would be our duty to defend him witb the same eDergy. He would be, like you, under the mgis of French law and Freneh power. They menace UB witb invasion! And yet contracted within frontiers whicb nature bas not imposed UPOD us, and which, long befere your reign, victory and e'Ven peace bad eJLtended, we haye not, from .. peet to veatie. wbicb you bad not signed, bat whicb you bad offered to obsene, soagbt to paa that DalTOW boundary.

- " Do tbey ask for g_raDtee.' Tbey bave them all, in our instituhoas, and in tbe will of t.Ite French people beeeeferth aaited to youra. Do tbey not dread to remind us of a .tate of things lately so diJkr~nt, but wbicb may still be re-produced' It would not be the fint time that we bave eoequered all Eurepe armed against U8. Because France wish. to be France, must .be be degraded, torn, dismembered; and must the fate of Polaad be reserved for us, It is v",- to oog.. ceal insidious designs under tbe sole pretence of ~ rating you from us, in order to give uti .... ten with wbom we bave nothing in common. Tbeir preaeoce cHatroyed all the illusion. attached to tbeir aame. They could not beline our oatbs, neitl~er could we rely OD

!J. '

At the coDcluioll of tbis addreu, 'be "hole Champ de Man resoDllded with cries of" Vive la NatiDfl! ViN L'E.perew I" At tbie mOQleDt the areb-chancellor proclaimed, tbat the lUlditional act to the constitution of tbe empire had been accepted almost unanimously, tbe number of negative ,.olea being only foUl' ' tboUHDd two. hundred and six. The herald tben declared, in the DaI8e of tbe emperor, that the act wu accepted by tbe }'rencb people. Beoneparte, thea seating himseJf OD aDother throne, wINch wu in tbe ceatre, and overlooked tbe 888em6ly, spoke in tbe following terma:-

"Gentlemen, electors of the colleges of tbe departments and districts ;-gent)emen, deputies of the army aDd navy, to .Cbe Cbamp de Mai :

"Emperor, con8U}, or JIOldier, I derive an from the people. 10 proeperity, in ad,.ersity, en tbe field of battle, ill council, 00 tbe tbrone, and in exile, France bu been tbe sole and coutant object of my tIIoughts and actions. Like the king of Athens, I sacrificed myself for Iny people, in tbe hope - of realiziog- the

, .

promise given to preae"e to France ber natural inte-

grity, her honours, and ber rights. Iodignation at seeing those sacred rigbts, acquired by twenty yean of victory, disavowed and lost for ever; the cry of Frencb honour tarnished, and tbe wish. ef tbe nation, bave replaced me upon tbat tbrone wbich is dear to me, because it is tb. palladium of tbe independence, the bonour, and the ,igbts Qf tbe people.

"Fre~chme8, ill traveraing, amidst t~e pul»lic joy. the different prOYiDCe8 of the empire to reacb !AT capital, I Iuld reason to. reI,. on a lasting peace. Nations are bound by treaties concluded bv their R"Qvemmeu~

·H -

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TilE CHAMP DE MARS.

whatever they may be. My thoughts were then all occupied with the means of establishing our liberty by a constitution conformable to the will and interests of the people. I eonroked the Champ de Mai. I soon learned that the princes who have disregarded all principles, who have trampled on the sentiments and dearest interests of so many nations, wish to make war against us. They meditate the increasing of the kingdom of the Netherlands, by giving it 8S barriers all our northern frontier-places, and the conciliation of the differences which still exist amongst tbem, by dividing Lorraine and Alsace.

" It was now necessary to provide for war. But, before personally encountering the hazard of battles, my first care has been to constitute the nation without delay. The people bave accepted tbe act which I have presented to tbem. Frenchmen, when we shall have repelled these unjust aggressions, and Europe sball be convinced of what is due to the rights and independence of twenty-eight millions of people, a solemn law, drawn up in the forms required by the constitutional act, shall combine together the different dispositions of our constitutiOlili now dispersed.

" Frenchmen, you are about to return to your departments; inform the citizens that circumstances are grand! that with union, energy, and perseverance, we shall return victorious from this contest. of a great people against their oppressors; tbat future generations will severely scrutinize our conduct; and that a nation has lost all, when she has lost her independence. Tell them, that foreign kings whom I han raised to the throne, or who owe to me the preservation of their 'crowns, who all, during my prosperity, sought my' alliance and the, protection 'of the French people, now direct their blows against my person. Did I not perceive tbat it is the country they wish to injure, I would place at their mercy this existence, against which they show themselves so much incensed. But tell the citizens, that while the French people preserve towards me the sentiments of love, of which they have given me 80 many proofs, the rage of our enemies will be powerless.

"Frenchmen, my wish is that of the people; my rights are theirs; my honour, 'my glory, my happiness, can be no other than the honour, the glory, and the happiness of France."

This harangue produced all the effect which was intended and desired. Shouts of enthusiasm rent the air, and it was long before order could be restored.

At length the Grand Almoner approached the throne, and, kneeling, presented the New Testament to Buenaparte, who took the oath in the following terms: "I

swear to observe the constitntiolll of .... empire, and to cause them to be observed."

The areh-chaneellor then advanced to the throne, and prononnced the oath of obedience to the constitutions, and fidelity to the emperor. The whole assembly repeated with one voice, " We swear it ! "

Te Deum having been sung, Napoleon laid aside tbe imperial mantle, and, rising from tbe throne, addressed the military 8S follows :-

" Soldiers of the national guard of the empire! Sol. diers of the land and sea forces! To your hands I confide the imperial eagle with the national colours. Swear to defend it at the expense of your blood against the enemies of France, and of this throne. Swear that it shall always be your rallying signal."

Loud and universal cries of " We swear it," immediately resounded through the enclosure. In the midst of these acclamations, Buonaparte proceeded to the other throne in tbe middle of the Cbamp de Mars. The troops marched in battalions and squadrons, and surrounded the throne. He then, as colonel of tbe national and imperial guard, presented to each its eagle, and said,-

"Soldiers of the national guards of Paris! Soldiers of the imperial guards! I confide to you the national eagles, and the national colours. Yon swear to perish, if necessary, in defending them against the enemies Of the country and the throne." The wbole army, drawn up in close order around him, replied, witb repeated exclamations of, "We swear it."

The drum rolled, and silence was restored.

" You swear," continued Napoleon, "never to acknowledge any other rallying sign." Again tbe cries of " We swear it," resounded on every side. " You soldiers of the national guard of Paris swear never to suffer foreigners again to roll ute by their presence the capital of the great nation!" The most enthusiastic shouts of " We swear it," burst from every rank, and were prolonged by the immense multitude who surrounded the enclosure.

The drum once more beat, and a considerable time elapsed before order could be restored. "And you soldiers of the imperial guards," said the Corsican, ". swear to surpass yourselves in the campaign about to open, and to die rather than suffer foreigners to dictate laws to the country." The acclamations of .. 'We swear it," were now repeated a thousand times by every voice. In vain tbe drum again rolled. Its sound was drowned by the shouts of the deluded multitude.

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, ACCOUNT OF LANJUINAIS.

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The troops were DOW ordered to defile before Napoleon, 'nd, during two houFS, wb1ch were occupied in the procession of the numerous battalions, tbe aeelamatiOI18 were eoJitinued witb little or no jntermission.

Previous to tbe meeting of tbe Cbamp de Mai, some friends of liberty and their country had waited on BuolIapane, and represented to' him that it was in bia power to make tbe ceremonies of, tbat day a permanent blessiug to France, and tbe foundation of hi. own immortal hoaour. The aHies bad declared tbat they made war en him alorie. Their overwhelming armies were pressing toward the frontiers, and the most sanguine mind could not anticipate a favourable result. If, therefore, before tbe assembled nation, he were voluntarily to abdicate the power wbirh he had &0 recently resumed, and offer liimself a wilIingsacrifice for the salntion of bis country, he would retire into private life, followed by tbe btessingt' of tbe people; bis memory would eYer 'in in their grateful recollections, and bis name would be enrolled ill tbe brigbtest pages of history.

To this prop0881 the u8urper replied, tbat be was willing to make every sacrifice' for tbe welfare of France, but tbat tbis was utterly impouible. He stated that the army would be indignant at the mention of such appa't!ot humiliation, aDd that his abdication would be tbe signal for tumult and civilw.ar. Tbe allies, be said, had deeper and lI!0re dangerous projects in view. They were,Ies8, anxio1\s':(or ,bis deposition, than for tbe disgrace anti 'dismemberment of France. His resignation would noi 811'reet tII.ir progre8B, but would merely deprive the ,filmy of 'their cht)Sen leader, weaken the means of .~e,"~bd expoae the 'couiltl'y to accumulated evifll. ' ,', ,.

On the fotlo"in~r day the chamber of representatives commenced its sittings. The 6rst business was to el~ct a prE'8ideht, llHdtb~ 'cboiee 'fell on Lanjuinais, who was well known fur his attachment 'to constitutional liberty, and rot' hill uaiform: upp08;&ion to every despo-

tic a~ or Buonapiltt~. '

This person, before the revolution, was all; adveeate ... d :preft!8k'ol"oh~tin6tl'-law~ 'He W3S' 'a deputy of the .rs-elaUo'tlle sta:tes:i~ .. er.al, and one of the roonde'tt of tirejarobih"c1ab, t'bough never disgraced by tbe atroeities·of tbat.vil~ society. In August, 1789, he shewed ,bat, ·.bough he w~ \t' friend to tbe c •• se of liberty, be was not: in~ilt.ea to u"ite,with the disclpl~ of 8uarchy~ for be,MlHnty ()ppl)l!Ied.:.eque'stra~ ef thi! J1"!pet'ty er:th'e 'clergy., ~et h~ \'nUl tbe' 'p8I1100 "Who .proposed the abolition of ".If titl~. Wh~" the r~ign of terror com~ed." lie-aflied b'imself .ith th~ moderate party. Oi,die°l~th,of'De~mber, 1192, lie'spoke i. fevour of .. iii :xvti lind' ~l!"dtid Jhat eo.usel and. tbe niean"

. ":,"Im! .bouhi ,ti~ gJ;8n~ 'rto:~ifn; Onthe 26th of

the same menth be again appeared as the advocate 0" that unfortunate prince. He exposed the injustice and atrocity of a trial in Which' the enemies of Louis were at once aecnsers, witnesses, jurymen, and judges; nor would he quit tbe tribune, although he W88 a.ailed with the most vehement outcries, and his voice W88 repeatedly drowned by the most diabolical threats of revenge. Having been deluded into the idea that Louis was guilty, be voted on the nominal appeal, tbat he should be imprisoned until the eoeclusice of peace,

and then banished. '

He now distinguished himself by his bold opposition to all the sanguinary deeds which marked tbis period of the revolution. On one occasion, be kept possession of tbe tribune, though several of the members of the Mountain party attempted to drag bim thence witb violence. They exclaimed dlat he was suspected, and demanded tbat he should resign. " I hare, I believe;' said he, "hitherto shewn some courage and energy; expect then from me neither resignation nor suspension. Know thata victim which, adorned with ftowers, is dragged to the altar, is not insulted by the sacri&Cing priest. You talk of sacrificing my' power' What an , abuse of words! Sacrifices ought to be free, and you are not so." At tbis meeting, he 'was eondemned to imprisonment; but, eluding the vigilance of the irndP. anile 'who guarded him, he 'escaped the fate in wliicb all bill colleagues were IIOO~ if1volved~ He W88 now out-lawed, and' remained a fugitive and prbscrib~d until 1796, wben he' was recalled, anel appointed pre:sident of the' 'legislative 'MSembly. In ibis situation he opposed every law againsttbe reJatlOOs:of emigrant8; and e.,ery deor~ wbicb seemed unnecessarily sever';. In 1800,' be' became one' of the conservative 'senate, and strenuously opposed the despotic measures of Buonaparte, In 1802, before the Corsican was made 6rst consul for life, a project W88 entertained by his partisans to raise him to the imperial dignity at once; and R{pderer made Ii speech to 9O'llftd the conservative senate 0" this point. I.anjuinais J'ept~ to him, and e,xelaimed, tbat .. Whoever he 'wlts that would take upon Uihlself the title e{ .EMperor, be' would consider him H an enemy to his cm,ntry and a ul'IUt'per." Marshal Ketterman immediately drew his sword, and enquired, "whom he meant to stig;nalme as an usurper'" adding, "that if he meant tlte Fm.t"<Amsul, Ite would run him through 'the body:!~ fie Benate interposed, but Lanjuinais 'persisted i" his 'declftffttHtn' 'without n"aming any person: 'His firmness and' eloquence produced so much effect on tbe senate, that it '\VIIS thought ad visable to drop the .,tan for tbe present. 'When Buonaparte wa~ to' be made empcl1W ... Lft~ldi0818 violently orpmr~~' it, aMi eX'CI~Rie~," Wbat! a~ 'you' 'so deg""clcd as Ito

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, I

•

A MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE.

give JOur COUDtry a _ter takeD from a race of men .0 tgaoaiJtiou, tbat the Romans disdained to ute them .ven .. ,1mJu'" He wu .a.o the autbor of tbe celebrated procel",btU, wbich pronounced the dethronement of Buonaparte, "beq the allies entered Parla in J81L

AI, on theee aecounts, La.juinaia bad incurred the

, hatred of Buonaparte, it w .. expected tbat be would Dot be disposed to ratify the choice of the representative.. CODrinced, however, tbat it wu not yet hi8 policy to break with tbe chambers, he stifl'd his resentment, and the note informing him of tbe nomination was returned, after some delay, with the laconic addition, "I approve."

It wu supposed tbat, on the next day, tile 8 ... io08 would'haye been opened by a speecb from tbe tbrone, and an occurrence then took place, which scelDtl ~o haYe been enveloped in my.tery. A Saxon gentleman of distinction, named Sabia, gaioed admittance to the han of representatiyes, iD expectation of meetiog with Buonaparte; bot, on learning that die .... ioD would not be opeoed until the next day, be quitted the place, and, .. be turned tnto a neighbouring street, accidentally sUpped and fen; "hen a quantity of fulminating silver exploded in bia pocket, and lacerated him in a dreadful manner. '

Be was immediately taken before the police, and it w .. recollected that five yean before be had been apprebendad (or an attempt OD the life of Boonaparte. For th. be had been confined in tbe castle of Vineenoes, until the eotry of the allies into Paris. The accouot whicb ... gave of bimielf w_ eootradietory; but be remaioed ao resolute in tbe determination whicb he bad takeo, that, a eonsiderable time after hill arrest, when he w .. interrogated in order to discover whetber be could be liberated without any danger te Napoleon, be ingenuously ayowed tbat he bad by no meana renounced bie design.

In a succeeding examination he Aid, " that he bad long been an eothaai .. t from a loye of bis country. That while the French government appeared to be 'the cause of tbe oppreaion of Germany, be sbewed hinrself it. um-elentiag eoemy, and attempted the life of B~onaparte. But that since Suon1 bad paaaed uoder the yoke of the coogrea of Vienna, hi. rage bad tarned against the anthon of thi. new degrada&ioo. That he Sed from bia country with tbe avowed .t~ip of .eeking .. istance {rom abroad. That he arrJnd ill Paris provided witb recipes and inveotions of destruction, wbich he wished to get adopted io Fraoee as even more ~urdero_ than tbe DlUai implementa of warfare. By means of (ulminathlg silver, be supposed tbat be _d discovered the secret of makiDg rocket. even more

formidable than thou of Congreye. He oft"ered tho. secret to tbe war-minister, aod left io the office one of his boxes of fulmioating silver, whicb be ,,_bed. sbould be s .. bjected to experimeot, and he alway. carried in his pocket a considerable quantity of thie dangerou. IlUbataace."

This account was dee .. d UDtati8factory. The pr0- ject whicb be had formerly oooceived and aImo.t ex~ cuted .gaiat Buonaparte, and his quiuing tbe ball a 1000 as be w .. informed that be would not be preeent uatil the next day. threw eoMiderable suspicion on h. intentiooe, and be "u detained in prillon till the aeeond abd_tion of Napoleoo.

Tbe termination of the bu8ine. rendered the wbole yet more my.terioua. A few days before tbe entran~ of tbe allied tl'OOpl iDto Paris he was set at liberty, and. on the following morning, be threw bimself from the parapet of the bridge of Low. XVL into the Seine. Immediate ... _nee was procared, but all attempt. to restore ahimation were ioet'ectaal.

Tbe day after this penon w .. takea into custody.

Buooaparte went in .tate to the palace of repreaentatifet. to open the session of the chambers. The oatil of fidelity to the emperor and the coD8&i&ution hario!, Men takea, NapoleoD uneovered himMll a momentafterwards covered J,imself, aod' aaid-

"Gentlemen of tho cbamber of peen, aod gentlemen of th. chamber ef repreaentatiyea!

"Within tbe I_t tbree months, exiltiog .ireulD.tancel. and the eonfideoce of the nation, haye again ioyested me with unlimited aatbority. The present day will bebold the fulfilment of the wisb dearest to my heart. I am 80W goiDg to commeace a co_tnaional mODarcby.

" Morea" are too weak to iuaure future eYelllrl; it ia 80Iely the legal iD8titutiooa which 4etermine the deatinies of nations. Monarchy. nec .... .., to .'rance, to guarantee the liberty. the independence, and the right. of ..... people.

" ~r conatitution aDd l.w. bave been scattered; ODe of our m08t important occupationa will be, to eoIleet tbem into a solid bod,., and to bring the whol" maida the reach of every mind. This work will recommeod the present age to tbe gratitude of future generatiooa. It is my wiah tIIat France should enjoy all ~ibl. liberty; I lay JH*iltle, bece.ue anarcby alwa,. resolves itself ioto an abeolute government. A formidable coalition of kioga threatens 0111' indepeodence; tlaeir armi .. are approaching our frontiera.-Tbe frigate La Melpomene h_ been 'attacked and captured ia the Mediterraoean, after a sanguinary action with an ERg. lish .hip of seYenty-(our guns. Blood baa been ....

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CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES.

in time of peace. !-:Our enemies reckon on our internal divisions. They excite and foment a civil war. Assemhlages have been formed, and communications are carried en with Ghent, in the same manner as with Coblentz tn 1792. LegiAlative measures are, therefore, become indispensably necessary; and I place my ~onfidence, without reserve, in your patriotism, your wisdom, and youF attachment to my person.

"The liberty of the press is inherent in our present eoastitutiou ; nor can any change be made in it, without altering OUl' whole political system; but it must be subject to legal restrictions, more especially in the present state of tbe nation. I therefore recommend this important matter to your serious consideration.

" My ministers will inform you of the situation of our affairs. The finances would be in a satisfactory state, except from the increaae of expense which tbe present circumstances render necessary; yet· we might face every thing, if the receipts contained in the budget could all be realized within tbe year. It is to the means of arriving at tbis result tbat my minister of finanees w ill direct your attention.

" It is possible that tbe first duty of princes may soon call me to fight for tbe country. Tbe army and myself will do our duty. Do you, peers and represeatatives, give to the nation an example of confidence, energy, and patriotism; and, like tbe Roman senate, swear to die rather than survive the dishonour and degradation of France. Tbe sacred cause of the country shall yet

triumph!" .

Soon after the opening of'tbe chamber of representatives, it was abundantly evident that they were actuated by a very different spirit from what had ever before appeared among them during the former reign of Buonaparte; and that, in fact, they regarded him only in the light of the chief magistrate of the state, whom they were not bound to obey, or even respect, except as he conscientiously discharged the duties of his office.

Nor were the representatives more disposed to flatter the army. On the motion of Carnot, that, to add to the glory and enthusiasm of the armies, the chamber slaould decree tbat they had deserved well of their country, a strong opposition to it was manifest; and a motion for adjourument was carried, on tbe ground that hitberto they had not done any thing to deserve tbanks. But the feelings of the chamber of representatives towards Buonaparte were marked in a still more decided manner, when Felix Lepelletier rose and stated, that be was about to propose an act of national equity

and justice. '

M. Feli:c Lepelletier.-" I. am about to propose an act of national equity and justice. There is not one of

us but considers the 1st of March as the clay of the salvation of the country. In vain tbe monarchs of Europe pretend to change our sentiments, as, if a nation were not its own master. But, gentlemen, before the departure of the emperor, you will assure him, that you will unite all your efforts, all those of the French people, to his generous exertions for the salvation of the country; and; since adulation and flattery have decreed to a prince, who was neither invited nor expected by the French nation, the fair title of THl:: DESIRED, do not you tbillk-[murmurs]-do 110t you think it but just to decree also a title to the man, who, almost without means, confiding iu the sentiments of the nation, landed alone on the - Ist of March, to rescue U8 from slavery and the feudal system ~ I demand, therefore, that you declare him THE SAVIOUR OF THE COUNTRY.[Cries from all quarte1'8 for the order qt'tlle day.]I demand that at the same time you publish an address to the French people," [Here tbe uprOUtl' became 80 violent, that the preliclent was obliged to ring his bell .everal time8.]

M. Dttpin.-" Yes, you are here to preserve, to assist our legitimate emperor" by all the meaas in your power; but would you suffer the poisoned breatb of Battery to find its way already within these walls'l"-[Cmatinued uproar.]

The Prniclent.-cc Though the assembly manifests.a desire to avoid the discussion of the proposal tbat bu been just made, 1 am obliged to put it to the vote," On this the whole assembly rose to pass to the order of the day.

From tbese proceedings of the chamber of representatins, it is evident that they were strongly opposed to Buonaparte's resumption of his former power. Some of the members went much further, and indicated in pretty plain language, that, in tbeir opinion, all titles ought to be abolished, and the government brought as near as possible to the simplicity of a republic: these sentiments, bowever, were by no means prevalent.

In the sitting of tbe 13th of June, the exposition of the minister of the interior was laid before the chamber of representatives. At all times these annual e:rpods were to be regarded with scruple and distrust; and it is not to be supposed that, at tbis period, they would be strictly conformable to the trutb. This, however, is a curious and interesting document, as pointing out the' hopes of Buonaparte, and the meesures wbicb he had adopted, as proofs of his altered principles and conduct, and as conducive to render him popular. In tbia view of it, we· shall notice the m08t prominent and im-

portant parts. .. . r ~ ~ .J

~fter dwelling on the aU'!'''~izC!(j t¥~~~~re peace, and the iDju.lice of the allies in their meditated

EXPOSE OF BUONAPARTE'S MlNLSTER.

attack against France, the repm proceeds to· notice· the- minable negotiation. cOIDmenced' by- tbe ... t ~ royalist and republican· parties. The former era NpI'8- lHOt with· the court ef Rome, and to Pe-e8tabliab. upeu aented as by DO means DU1D6fOUII 01' formidable. As m the- baei& of the omacordfll, the libertieB of the Gallian tbe republicans, "converted from old errum- of whieb· church.

experience made them feel too severely the emel JuRISPIlUDBNC&-Tbil artiele of the report was ese~ets, tbey see in· the emper.or. only the protector of tn-mel), sbort. The mioiller merely stated, the. tboae tbe liberal ideas which they hPeo at all, times them- ciYil judges who felt theDlleIYei unworthy of tb_ .elves professed, and which 6XC8S1H18 alone haM pre-: functions, had tiona just.ice by abdieating their eiic.; yented them from hitherto seeing realized." and that, al fur as ~cted the adminiltration of the

The first head of the upOlJilion. related. to the com- criminal law, tbe 81tabliabment of tbe trial hy jury mun8lo It represented, tbat, undee tbe BourbolUl, the .eft'y day merioocl new approbation; but tbat, io the communal administratioDs had been· almoat totally I mean time. some Qrganieal i..mtutiona were neo8ll88l"J' abandoned, and the communal funds dilapidated by ; to reg.tlate the duties and dimiBM the labours of thOM the journey. of the priDC88; the restoration. of the judicial citiBeDs.

woods to the emigrants, &c. &c. I It WH impoeaible to follow 1\1. Ie Cemte Beguault

Tbe second head related. to &be hospi~ ""hich bad. ; through aU tbe detaill whicb be fumiebed on tbe jmalso suffered mucb in eonsequence of loeing ODe of. • portaDt topio of. the W'AP DBPA-IlTKan. The Jle8Ult is, their principal lUOu~es by the restoration of propert, tbat, on tbe Il!1t of Aipril, 181~ the anny coosisted of to emigraotl, with which they bad been endowed by four bundred and fifty tboU88Pd men, exeluiva of one lO1emn law80 hundred and fifty tbous8nd pri&oners, all veteran sol.

Under tbe bead of WORKS, the upOie ltatecl that dian, and of one hundred aod fifteen thousand conthey should be resumed, but, in future, tbe, .hould be scripts of the levy of 1816, of wbicb forty-five tbousand esclusively reserved for Frsnee, . only ont of one hundted anti- sixty thousand b .. d been

With respect to MUUJlACTutmS, tbey w.et'e said to be raised. Tbe last gevernment, at OO4.'e prodi~al and ftnuPiebing. The manufacture of sugar from the beet- llvm'iciouB, alarmed at· its own atrength, and eMentially root, in spite of· all tbe efforts made to destroy, it, pro- hostile to· the al'my, had taken- every possible means of mised shortly to render Europe ittdependent of the diminishing it.

New World for that article; &ad the indigu procured Tbe orator then- described the various oflprlWiona to

from woad already rivalled that of India. whicb the army bad been ex-posed, particularly by tbe

Under the title of bSTRUCT10K8, it WIUI stated Wat, introduction of the emigrant", and wbicb bad reduced though tbe number both of scholars and college. had its number to one hundred and seventy-five thousand been diminisbed, yet the university of Paris bad. still . men. . Since the 20th of Marcb last, i~ nuwber had under iis direction three hundred and twenly,.6we tnou- heeu raised to tbree hundred and seventy-five tllOusand .. nd fiv. hundred and fifty-four pupil .. ; and the Ly- . oombatante of every deseriptionj and, before tbe lat eeom displayed tbe best IIpirit.. of August, it w~uld amount to five bundred thousand,

PUBLIC WOIlSRIP.-In speakillg of the clergy., the . independent of the national ~uards.

minillter did not attempt to disguise the errers they THE btPBRlA" GUARD.-" This surest bulwark of the committed under tbe lut government, in giv.ing way, tbrone in times of war, and its finest ornament in time from the lure of a restitution of churob property, to tbe of peace," had a separate' artiele allotted to it in tbe ioftoence of emigrant&, in Itigmatizing lUI plunderers official repom The minimr condemned the injustice the owne,. of national property, w.boae titles had been with wbich it wa .. treated by tbe last government, and lIeCognised as legitimate by the Pope himself; and in announced diat it alteady amounted to forty lh~uaand attempting, in tbe name of the Almighty, who&e ser- men.

1!&Ilts they are, to light up tbe ftames of civil war among Tbe 10fJ8e& in the ARTILLERY had been in a great I81!D. The emperor, however, was always dispoaed to measure repaired; tlley were eeeasioeed chiefly by preted and even f&Yoar the minis&en of tbe ehureb, ao treachery, alHl especially the delivering up of all tbe long M they confiDed tbemaelvel withia tbe bounds of strong places, by order of the Count D' ATtois, in his their. duty, Mad had already conferred on tfte curet. capacity of lteu&enant-general of tbe kingdom. By an augmentation of one bundred and fifty fraao., whicb tbis single act, France had lost twelve thousand pieces bacI been Y8inly prom_d to them by the lut govern.. of canDOR, mostly 01 brastJ, tbe value ~f which was ment. Tbe emperor was, besides, the bnly BeVft'eign estimated at two bundred millions of francs. This loa, wlao, having no furtllel' intereeta to atI'lnge with the ~ever, bad been entirely supplied ; the &neuall,- maPope, had it in WI power to pill an end to tboet ioter- gaziDes of powder, and al'lllOliell, . were ia ftdl activity;

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IfO'lIlv.1!'8 lOB. BEGlNNmG T1IE. 1f AB.

ud, aRer haying arqaed the _oaaI guartJ _d ..... : lae «MIld gain a d._lJe victo., OYfll' them, it woofd ill cia&ionl, Ibe. w-Guld· rem_ iD tlae marzine. six hunt- 'aU probability dispirit the rest. and diasoh'e the confedred tho ... ad masket&. deraey: eapeeially might these consequences be ex-

MILITARY EnENDITUR&-Tbe administrative detaila peelled, if he eould defeat the Britiah ...... y. England on this aubjeet w4lr. little HSeeptible ef abridgement. ,waa the soul of tbe confederacy: her 8pirit aDimated, Th.minister, howe •• r, _rted that tbe nee .... 1'1 funda ber money IlUppotted it: if, tberefo,"", her army were would be t!88il, provided. and no new taxes be required. i .f~ she weald Dot be willing, and perba.,. migbt

The MABIO preseDted cooaidenble NIIOUI'08II, not- : BOt. be able, to keep tegetber tbe allies. :Besidell, under withatanding the eyils produced b, areaebery, wbicb. ,the Bake of Wellington, sbe had .. embled a very bad not, however, cast any atain upoa· ibt honour. : large fuNe, eo_tiog' 0' her beet troops,: if, tfienrore,

It ia no~ e88Y to conjecture the reason, that- induced : tIaia geoeraJ, on wbom abe prided henelf, and' tb.

BuoDaparte to be 80 unwilling to anDOUDC8 tbe'cer&aiaty : army, yielded to the pr. of NepofeoD and die IUof h08tilitie._ and the absolule nec:eaity. ahat aiated' perioMy of French soldiel'lltt the people of England of his putting bi ..... lf at the head of his. armi.. sa would pNbably i_t on peaee, even though the Endelay in aeu.iog ou' from Paris for th. J?W'P8II8, bas g1iab min....,. were lltill desiro ... of war.

beeo auppeaecl to originate froot m. appMAnsion that There were lltill otber motiYflll for 'beginning the atthe wepublican party would take adva.age of hia a~ tack before the reat of, the allre. were eome up. France unee, aad either depoee bi.. altogether, ~ greatlJ : evidently had lese of ahat tbitdnees for military glory curtail bis autbority. And it must be eonfeeaed that 'than ahe dilpla,ed during hia former reign. Now bI his- situation was one of extreme diSiculty and huard. wbat mea ... would abe 10 probably be re-animated by Against France tbere were collected more OomeJ'Oua III'- : thoee '"lings aa by ft signal victory gained by bim , mies tban had e"er naarched against a single opponent: The co .... tt no doubt, would be obatinate. Between and these armif!8-cOtl8isted,. for the IIlG8t part, of the mea) . the Pru.iBn8 and tbe Frencb &here existChl a most and were headed by tbe generala, wbo had already deadly hatred; a hatred of a penonal, 88 well 88 of a once conquered France, and driven him froID bill throne. natio •• I, eharaeter. Blocher, wbo commanded the Nad France, therefore, been even unanimous and 1Ie8- PrWl8ians, it W88 well knoWD, was pre-eminent in thie Ieus in his support, tbere would still bue been ample batred: eNr einee the battle of Jena, be had sworn to ground .. for apprehension. We have already atated, free his ceuntry. During the campaigns of una and however, that, in &OlDe of the departments, tbe adhe- 1814, he had accomplished tbis· object, and had retelireDts of the Bourbons were nomero_ and' actl'V8;' in &ted' on France' some of the eyila ",hieb sbe bad inflictothl'r districtll the people were lukewarm ;.and aeareely ed 08· Pru.. Bat Buoneparte, die scour,e of Pro..

in any part wu there a positive and i.etiYe diapoaition sill, ".,nMP retamed, rendering, at Ie .. t for We time, in favour 1)f bi_11. What, then, would be his fate, if all BI_her'. exertions aod 8UCeese of little avail. It may hie. 6nt efforts were u88Deeesaful t Would not he be well be auppoeed, dterefore, that Blucher entered into ,

dri~n from hie throne' And, if he were .Ucee.ftl', the new eont88~ r ved that tbe fate of Boonaparte

had he Dot ftMOn to apprehend tbat hi. authority would sbouldt no" be ed for ever, and that Fnnee should

8till be cramped by tbe eoDltitotionalistst Wa it not be amply pUDished (01' her perfidy. ID tbese feelinp evident that they regarded him with a jealoU8 eye; and be waa, followed by almost eftty man under hi. comonly endured him because he waa a skilful general, not mand;. for 8caree1y a single Pnusian soldier existed beeause he was the monareb of their choice' hat wlnlt had priyatewrong&,infticted, by the French to

It was, boweyer, neee.ary that· be sbould quit Paris, J'eftIDI8o woo.e cottage had llOt been deetroy~d faDd put himself at tbe head of b. armi... He had, who. laud' haa Dot been laid waste 'l-whose mother, indeed, declared that he would Dot strike the 6nt blow: or wife,. or _ter, bad not been insulted? On the other tbat, if war were to break out, the blame of Jaerjnning baad, the Freach hated those wbonl they had tbus init shoald rest 'entirely with the alii .. ,: that France must jUNd: and, to this source of' ha~d were added other&. be iD_ed before he would Ubsbeatb tbe swcml. Theee ID the 6nt plaoe, they remembered the ioyasion of deelarationa were Qlade in the hope of rousing the Frallee by the Duke of Bnluwick in tbe bepning of Frueh people; but this hope proving 9ain, he did not' the reyolution; they recollected his manifesto; tbe jtNlp it prudeat to 1088 .. y advantage he might gain, eyils with wbich it threatened France! In tbe s.merely that be might be able to appeal to ElII'Op8 as eond place, they caned to mind tbat France bad been the pe..,. attacked. overran by the PrU88ians In 1814; and this Dational

91 di. allies, onl~ .. Pra.iaott and the Englilh amon. they &lOW tbeoght titer had' an opportunitY. to

..... aa',.' on. tile fro"1'8'ef Fra.ee. If, therefore, wipe..... G I'

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throne at tbe solemn sitting, when your majesty, laying down the extraordinary power wbich you exercised, proclaimed the commencement of a constitutional monarcby.

"Tbe chief bases of that monarchy, the protectress of liberty, equality, and the heppinese of, the people, have been recognised by your majesty, who, rising above aU scruples, as anticipating all wishes, have declared that the care of collecting our scattered constitutions, and of arranging them, was one of the most important occupations reserved for the legislature. Faithful to its mission, tbe chamber of deputies will perform the task thus devolved upon it: it requests that, to Satisfy the public wish, as well as the wishes of your majesty, national deliberation sbould rectify, as speedily as possible, any tbing defective or imperfect that ,be urgency of our situation Dlay have produced, or left to exist, in our constitutions eensidered as a whole.

"But, at the same time, sire, the chamber of representatives will not sbow itself less anxious to proclaim its sentiments and its principles as to the terrible contest which threatens to cover Europe with blood. In tbe train of disastroWl events, France inva-de(l'; appeared for a moment listened to, as to the establi·shment of a constitution, only to see herself almost immediately subjected to a royal charter emanating from absolute power, to an ordinance of reform always revocable in its nature, and which, not having tbe expressed. assent of tbe people, could never be considered as obligatory on the nation.

"Resumiognow tbe exercise of her rights, raJlying around tbe bero whom her confidence anew investl· with tbe government of the state, France is astonished and afBicted at seeing some sovereigns in arms call her to account for an internal cbange, which is tbe result of the national will, and which attacks neither the relations existing witb otber governments, nor their security. France cannot admit the distinctions with tbe aid of wbich the .eoalesced powers endeavoured to cloak their aggression. To attack tbe monarcb of its choice, is to attack the independence of the nation. It is armed as one mao to defend that independence, and to repel, without exception, every family and every prince whom men shall dare to wish to impose upon it. No ambitious project enters the thoughts of the French people; the will even of a victorious prince will be inslIjficie1&t to draw on the nation beyond the limits of its own tkfence: but to guard its territory, to maintain its liberty,

its honour, its dignity, it is ready for any sacrifice"

'f Wby are we 'not still permitted to hope, sire, that these warlike pr.eparations, formed perhaps by the irritation of pride, and by allusions wbich Ge~ry day mUla

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ADDRESS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.

The feelings of tbe French. and English towards each other were different; they were not so savage: but they prompted them in nearly an equally strong manner to wish for combat. The French had been repeatedly defeated by the English in Spain: the English had fint proved to Europe that the Corsiean's invincible troop' could be repeatedly beaten, aDd effectually resisted ;-their disasters in Spain might be regarded 88 tlie grand source of all tbeir otber calamities. French vanity, indeed, easily found a cause for their defeats in tke Peninsula: there they fougbt under great disadyantages; (be people harassed their operations] they were obliged to fight not only against the English, Spanish, and Portuguese armies, but also against the wbole population. Besides, the operations of Buonaparte 'in other quarters prevented him from supplying tbe war in Spain as he ought, and as it required: and, above all, he was not there in person.

The English, also, were eager for the battle in the Netherlands. Under the Duke of Wellington, they had beaten the French armies led on by their most celebrated marshals: but now they would be afforded an opportunity of beating Buonaparte himself. After what they had done, and with tbeir confidence in the duke, they could not doubt what would be the issue j but still they were anxious for the combat.

Such were the mouves and objects wbich induced :Buonaparte to resolve on immediately quitting Paris ; and sueh were the feelings of the hostile armies towards eacb other. Buonaparte allo considered the sceue of approaching action as in a high degree favourable to him. The Belgians still retained their attachment to the French, which certainly had not been weakened by their union with Holland: if, therefore, he should be decidedly "ictorious in the first battle, he bad reason to bope tbat &he people of the Netberlands would rise in his favour j-and that their example, preceded by a great victory, would tous. in France itself a more enthusiastic feeling than had as yet displayed itself.

The day before Napoleon left Paris, deputations frOID the chamber of peers and the chamber of representatives waited upon him. The address of the former, and Buonaparte's reply to it, presented nothing remarkable: but the address of the chamber of representatives, and the reply to that, deserve insertion, 8& affording additional proofs of the boldness of the representatives j of tbe ideas of liberty which they entertained; of tbe hopes respecting the issue of the contest which they indulged j and of the feelings and principles which Buonaparte tbought proper to express on this occasion.

.. Sire,-The chamber of representatives received with profeund emotion the words which-proceeded from the

....

NAPOLEON'S DEPARTURE FROM PARIS.

weaken, may still dispene before the want of a peace necessary to all the natioDa of Enrope, and which .haJl restore to your majesty a spouse, to the French the heir of a throne' But blood has already Bowed; the signal of combat, prepared agaiast the independence and liberty of France, has been given in the name of a people who carry to the highest pitch the enthusiasm of liberty and independence. Doubtless, among the communications which your majesty promises us, the chambers will find proofs of the efforts you have made to maintain the peace of the world. If all these efforts must remain useless, may the calamities of war fall upon those who shall have provoked them.

"The chamber of representatives only waits for the documents announced to it, in order to contribute with all its power to the measures which the success of .0 legitimate a war will require. It delay. pronouncing its resolves only till it knows the wants and resources of the state; and while your majesty, opposing to the most unjust aggression the valour of the national ar .. rnies and the force of your geDius, will seek in victory. 'The same nigbt Buonaparte set out from Paris, and only one mean of attaining a durable peace, the cham- the operations of the French army, 88 soon 88 he joined ber of representatises will deem that it marches towards it, were extremely prompt, and marked by tbat mi1ithe same object, by incessantly labouring on the com- tary talent for which he was distinguished. At the pact, of which the improvement must cement the union same time, three large armies, one from Laon, at the of the people and the throne, and strengthen, in the head of which was the Corsican himself; that of the eyes of Europe, by the amelioration of our institu- Ardennes, commanded by General Vandamme; and tions, the guarantee of our engagements." that of the Moselle, UDder the command of General Girard, breaking up from their respective cantonments by a simultaneous and admirably executed movement, united on the frontiers of Belgium.

"'Mr. President, and gentlemen deputies of the The 14th was the annivenaryof Napoleon'. victorie.

chamber of representatives, at Marengo and Friedland; and it W88 ·supposed tbat

"I recognise with satisfaction my own sentiments in be 'Would have fixed on this day to have commenced those which you express to me. In these weighty eir- bostilities; but, though he was extremely attached to cumatances my thougbts are absorbed by the imminent fortunate day', yet, in this instance, he showed that war, to tbe success of which are attached the iadepend- prudence weighed more with him tban this attachment; ence and the honour of France. for, on the 14th of June, be could not have begun hos-

" I will depart this night to place myself at the head tilities with any chance of success. He therefore conof my armies; the movements of the ... difFerent hostile tented himaelf with issuing the following address to corps render my presence there indispensable. During hi~ troops ;-

my absence, I shall see with pleasure a commission appointed by each chamber ~ngaged in deliberating' on our constitutions.

"The con8titutio~ iJ our rallying-point; it must be our pole-star in these stormy moments, All public discu_ion, tending to diminish, directly or indirectly, the confidence which should be placed in its enactments, will be a misfortune to the state; we should then find ourselves at sea, without a compass and without a rudder. The crisis in which we are placed is great, J.et us not imitate tbe conduct of tbe lowcr empire, which, pressed on all sides by barbarians, made itself the

3.

laughing-stock of posterity, by occupying itself with abstract discussions at the moment when the battering' ram was .haking the gates of the city.

'f Independently of the legislative measures required by the circumstances of the interior, you will probably deem it useful to employ yourselves on organic laws destined to put th,e constitution in motion. Tbey may be the object of your public labours witbout any inconvenience.

"The sentiments expreased in your address sufliciently demonstrate to me the attachment of the chamber to my person, and all tbe patriotism with which it is animated, In all aWain my march shall be straigbt forward and firm. Assist JJ¥l to save the country •. }o'irst represen_tative of the people, I have contracted the engagement, which I renew, of employing in more tranquil times all the prerogatives of the crown, and the little experience I have acquired, in seconding you ia t)&e lUlJelioration of our constitutions."

To this addresa, Napoleon reptied,-

GENERAL ORDER.

"Avemu, June 14, 1815.

" Soldien I-This day is the anniversary of Marengo and of Friedland, which twice decided tbe destiny of Europe. . Then, as after AUlterUtz, 88 after Wagram, we were too generous! We believed in the protestations and in the oaths of princes whom we left on the - throne! Now, however, coalesced among themselves, they would destroy the independence and the most sacred rights of France. They have commenced the most unjust of aggressions. Let us march, then, to

." 'G '1

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COMMENCEMENT OF I10STlLITiES.

meet them. Are they and we no longer the same men'

"' Soldiel'll! at· Jena, against these same PruSsianll, now 80 arrogant, you were one against three, and at Montmirail one against six!

"' Let those among you who have been prisoners of the English, detail to yoo the bulb, and the frlgbihil miseries which they suffered!

"The Saxons, tile Belgia:Js, the Hanonriafl8, the soldie.,. of the confederation of tHe Rhine, lament that they are compelled to lend their arms to the cause of princes, the enemies sf justice and tbe rights of all nations; they know tbat this coalition i" insatiable. After haviog devoured twelve millions of Poles, twelve millions of Italians, one miflion of Sl1XoiIS, kix millions of Belgians, it muat devour the states of the second

rank of Germany. .

"' Tbe madmen! a moment of prosperlty blinds them.

The oppression and humiliation of tbe French people are beyond their power. If they enter France, they will there find thoir tomb.

" Soldiers! we have forced marches to make, battles to fight, dangers to encounter; but, with steadiness, victory will be oure i-the rights, the bonour, the happiness of the country wiJI he re-conquered!

" To every Frenchman who has a heart, the moment is arrived to conquer or nerish,

~Signed) "NAPOLEON."

The Duke of Wellington, notwitbstanding he had used bis best endeavours to learn tbe arrival of Buenaparte at bis army as soon IlII it took place, was certainly not early informed of tbat event, and yet it wu of the utmost cOllsequence tbat he should be so; for, in consequence of the want of provisions, and especially of forage, he had found it necessary to disperse his army very mucb. The British cavalry were as far oft' as tbe banks of the Dender; tbe Prussians occupied the line of the Sambre, and, consequently, were nearest the enemy. As it was impossible to know at what point Buonaparte would commence tbe attack, it Willi neeeslIary, also, on tbis account, to spread the British and Prussian forces over a wide space: they were, however, so posted, as to afford the means of quick combination and mutual support.

The Duke of Wellington's bead-quarters were at Brussels, and certainly the appearance of tbe French upon tile Sambre was an unexpected piece of intelligence there. The advance of Buoaaparte was 88 bold as it was sudden. The second corps attacked tlte outposts of the Prussians, drove them in, pursued tbem, crossed the Sambre, and advanced for tbe purpose of ioterceptin, tbe Prussian garrison at Charleroi, At the

same time, tbe ligilt cavalry or the Frencll fotlowing the second corps as far as M:lfchienne-iui-potit, turned to the rlgbt, after crdssiilg the Sambre, and pushed along tbe left bank as far as Charleroi. In consequence of this rapid and unexpected movement, Charleroi was taken before the Prussians had time to destroy tbe bridge. Tbe third division 'occupied tbe road to Namur, and the rest of tbe ariny w('te stationed between Charleroi and Gosse lies. the Prussian garrison of Charleroi retired on Fleures, where Blucher was concentrating his army. On the morning of the 16th, tbe French troops, which had hitherto remained on tbe right of the Sambre, crossed tLat river.

As soon as this was effected, nuonaparte determined to attack the PrussiaDs and British at the same time. The left wing of bis army, consisting of tbe lirst and seeond corps, and of (our divisioDs of cavalry, wu now under tbe command of Marshal :Ne». Buonaparte directed bim to march upon Brussels by the way of Gosselies and Frasnes, wbile tbe centre and tbe rigbt wing, witb the imperial guard!!, under the immediate command of Napoleon, marcbed to tbe right towards Fleures against Blucher.

The intelligence of Buonaparte's movements reaehed Brussels on the evening of the 15th, at which time tbe Duke of Wellington and most of his officers were at a ball given by the Duchess of llichhlOnd. Orders were immediately issued tbat tbe garrison of Brussels should move out to meet the enemy; and, at tbe same time, the cavalry, artillery, and guards, who were stationed at Enghien, were directed to move in tbe same direction. Among tbe first to muster in Brusae's, were the forty-second and ninety-second Highland regiments, which bad become great favourites in thai city. They were so domesticated in the houses where tbey were quartered, tbat it was no uncommon tbiog to see a Highland soldier taking care of the children, or keeping the shop of his host, 'fhey tbus gained on tbe af;. fections of tbe honest Flemings, who bad been so little accustomed to experience .such mildness and good behaviour iii soldiers, tbat tbey could not believe tbe, would be a match for tbe ferocious troops of Buonaparte; and they grieved to think that men to whom tbe, had become 80 attached, should be exposed to tbe almost certain destruction to which they were marcbing. the Bigblanders, however, soon proved that, jftbey were gentle as lambs in their quarters, tbey were fierce and unconq.uerable as lions in the field. They assembled with tbe utmost alacrity to the well-known martial air " Come to me, and I will give you fle.sh,"--an inritatioD to tbe wolf and to the raven, for which tbey were going

to prepare an ample feast. •

The alarm excited in Drussels, on this oecaaion, 1181

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CONfusION AT BRUSSELS.

•

D~en tbus detlcribed by all intetelltirig +t~itei', 1t1io ,VAs 8ft ~,e-witn4!SI of the liCe"t!i wliich be relates:

. "It wits past aildnight, and profound repose seemed te 'te~glt (jver BrusSels; wben ~uddeilly the drUIDS beat to Armi"; bltd the loud taU bf the trtllnpet iVas heard ft()ri-l e~ery jja ... t of tbe cit~. It ilJ inipOl!lSible to describe the effect of these sounds, beard in the IIn~rice of tbe night. If e were riot IbttA" left itt doubt of the truth. A se~nd courier had arrived from Blucher; the attack had b~tlbine serious] the enemy were in eonslderable fortti; they bad bibh Chai-feroi, and had gained eome ad"imtate over the PrU~iftir8, and oak- troops were ordered to lnateb immediately to slJ~port tbem: instantly every place resoundetl wlth ttuirtl«1 preparations, There

• wily rio1a house id wHich nillitllrY were not quartered, and; consequently, tbe ",bole town was one universal scene of bustle: tlie soldiers were seen asilembling from all patt4 it) tbe Pltice Royaie, witli tlieir iuiapsaeks upon tbeir backs; som~ taking lei\V'e Of their wiYes and cbildren ; others sitting down nneoncernedly ripon the pavement, waiting fdr their codltades; others sleeping upon pacb of straw, surrounded by all the (fin of war; while bat-horses and baggage-waggons were loading, artlUt!ry and commissariat trainS barnessioOg, officers ridiiJg in all directions, carta clattering, chargers iieiglting, bugles sounding, drums beating, and coiours flying •

" A ludicrous contrast to this martial scene, was presented by a long procession of carls coming quietly in, ali usual, frdll1 Hie conntry to market, filled with old Flemisli worrien, wlio looked irresistibly comic, seated among their plies of hibbliges, baskets of green pe~, eurly potatoes, and strawberries, tot~lIy ignorant ()f the cause bi' all these warlike preparations; and gazing at the scene a:tdOhd them witb griping wonder, ail t~ey jogged merrily along, one afte·r atJOtb'er; th'rough the Place Royale, amidst th~ crowds of solltiers, and tlie cbnfQ8ion or bagglige-waggolls."

AtJ(;tber writer make~ tbe follbwing reiniitltli on the

stllte of die city, attlie ";.st itiaT01: .

" Etery tio,ute wfes the scene or adil!7lB, not ihe leu tender and 8orfo1Yful on' 8ccoiJlit of the s'flortness of tbe iritlthitcy that bad preceded them, The young men that bad ndt been very prdvident, were in a flutter, tryiDg att sorts bf expedients to procure a few necessaries ror tb~ ti1ar~h. Relatkms and intimate friends, beldn{tihg" to aiiJlirel"!i reglmen~, hurried togetller rot an instant, to llfia'k(j l1ands~ and charge each otlier with short c·onfilhHiiial commissioes, to be discharged by the lutVivor.

" AS the troops were colleding aM railing into their ranb, tile 8pectn~fil wit's tri09t pecuUar and impressive. The da'tklfess gave way' rUlie, as tile first light of a

t

summer-morning brol:e .lliro'u#h tti~ edg~ of the 8ky; but the candles still continued to shine through the windows, sbowing tbat no person had been at rest durin·g the night; and their pale hue, as the morning advanced, gate a melancboly character to tbe look of the streets, eorresponding' with the general feeling of the spectators, who crowded to see fl'8l1ant men gO forth to deatb. The ligbt ,vu scarcely sufficient to discover features, before the march commenced ;-feathent, flags, and bayonet-points, wer-tl all tbat could be seen. They went on and off, and gathered and formed, in a hazy obscurity; Mounted officers emerged rapidly from the deep sbadows tbat lay in the distances: loud cries were heard, causing a confusion, tbat soon," however, settled itself into military regularity. Women wbo bad bidden farewell at home, could not be satisfied, but came forth, and stood, in sligllt neglected clothing, at the corners by whicb they knew their friends would pass,-almost asllamed of tbeir· own feelings, but unable to resist tbe wisb to gain one more look, and receive another presSure of the hand. Our officerS spealt witb enthusiasm of the signs of affection sbown to tbem at this affecting moment by the Brussels hosts and hostesses, A friend of Jiiine was embraced by bis landlord at tbe instant of parting, and made to promise, that, if allY accident should s~nd bim tiack to Brussels, he would return to the boasil where be bad been long and kindly ~Jitemilled. The ~romise was kepi: one day only intervened before the officer made his appearance again at the door of this good Citaen. He presented himself bleeding, exhausted, and in agolfy: his inviter received bim with opef armS ;-' Now,' said he, , you bave made Die your friend (or ever, for j"OO have observed your promise, and have shown that you relied on my sincerity.' Every possible attention was extended to the wounded officer for the several months of' his slow recovery, and there W8$ as much delicacy ill the manner of these attentiolls;.as lIe'artiness in lhe disposition by wliich they were dictated.

"The rapid inarch was lobg and painful. The officers, tliough th~y knew that tbe enemy had attacked tlte PrulJSialis, did not think that tbey were 00 their road to imniediaie battle, Bbt Buell wlit the (act. Tile divisions of our army were at this time an making their, way to the point of concentratlon fixed upon by their commander: the whole dreedful machine was now in motion,-lIo one part comprehending its relation ill tbe others, but tbe eye ()f tbe moyer superintending and ..

understanding alt." ,

The Duke of WeDiagtoD; accompanied by his staff, and some squadrons of ligtif cavalry, proceeded, on fon gallop, to a farm calJed Quatre Bras, on the road. to Gosselie.. This position was of the ulJ!lost impOR-1·

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from loa of blood, aad wu eanied (rom the Geld. The next .mot officer, however, aaumed the com-. mand; for not a man thought of retreating or yielding. Again the laocen precipitated themselves on the Sco&. tish beroes; and it was not until the regiment wu reduced to less than a tenth of ita original Damber, .. the enemy was pnt to Sight.

The Prince of Orange, adYIIDciog too lv, in the u. -Jonr of the contest, was 8urrounded aad made prilOner; but. battalion of Belgiau, seeing hi8 danger, haatened.

to his relief, and rescued him from the enemy. Th .... prince immediately tore oW the iugai. of h. order, and threw it among the &oldien, exclaiming, "There, my brave fellows! 'yon have all deee"ed it." They accordingly fastened the .tar to their coloun, and ex .. claiming, "The Prince for eYer!" 8Wore to defend it to tbe last drop of their blood. At tbis moment they were expoaed to a galling &re, and moy of tbem fen while

in tbe act of pronouncing thia loyal oath •.

Under the protection of tbeir numerous .eavaJry and artillery, the French succeeded in forcing tbe Briti81l positions, and penetrated to the village of Quatre B .... The gallant Wellington, however, contemplated theit approach without disUlay and without apprebenaioB He stationed himaelf in an open part of the plain, exposed to tbe hottest fire, wbere be could be distinctly seen by both armies, 'and there i88ued his orden with as mucb coolness and precision, aa if bis troops had been plUJ8ing before him at a review.

Some squadrons of Bruuwick cavalry bad in vaiD attempted to stem the enemy's progre.. They rapidly retreated along the bigb road tbrougb the village, and were closely punued by Napoleon's cui ..... ien. wben the ninety .. econd regiment, wbich lined a ditch bordering the road, poured on the Freneh, wbo were alm08& at the muzzles of their guns, an unexpected volley, which destroyed every man in tbe direction of their fire, and made a comple~ chum between the front and rear ranks of the squadrons which were galloping by. The few who were in advance proceeded to tbe spot on whicb tbe Duke of Wellington was posted, and rusbed on bim and bis ata&'; but they were, to a mao, either killed 01' taken. The rear of the enemy disconcerted by this unexpected reception, turned their hones and Sed. Tbe ninety-second now leaped from the ditch to charge in their turn. As they rose, a tremendous volley was poured upon them by a IIl88II of French infantry at a little distance. The staft' of tbe regimental colours was completely shattered, and tbe euign "Jio supported it was sbot tbrougb the beart. The British infantry, however, cheered and advanced. A liUle furtber on waa a bouse, with a garden on the opposite side of the road. These were occupied by the Conican' •.

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BATI'LE O}' QUATRE BRAS.' ",

suce, as it was situated at tbe intersection of tbe roads from Charleroi to Bruasela, aud from NiveUes to Namur, by which Lord Wellington communicated with the Prussiaa army at Sombref. A detachment under the Prince of Weimar had retreated hither on the preceding evening, having been driven from the ground whicb it occupied between Quatre Bras and F ..... ~; but, being subsequently reinforced by the Prince of Orange, it was again enabled to resume its former position.

On bis arrival at Quatre Bras, Lord Wellington ordered tbe troops of tbe Prince of Weimar to fan back and join bim, wbile he awaited the arrival of the regiments from Brussels, and prepared to repel the attack which he expected the enemy to make.

The fint and second corpa of tbe French army, under the command of Ney, were ordered to advan~e on Quatre Bru, and attack the position of the Britisb, while Buonaparte, in penon, directed bis whole re~ning force upon tbe Pru88iana. Ney executed his orders with great precision, and, leaving the fint corps at Frasne, advanced to the combat with the second, and u only the second and fifth divisiou of the British army had arrived, succeeded in making a coDljde.,.ble imprel8ion.

Taking advantage of tbeir numerical superiority, the French attacked some battalions who were separated from the main body, aad almost completely destroyed them. A corps of Belgians waa ordered to advance with the forty-tlecond Higbland regiment to support a detachment which was vigorously pushed by tbe French. Whether occasioned by the ardour witb whicb the British l'UIhed to the figbt, or the slowne .. with which tbe

. Belgians followed, the two battalion. were separated.

An ambush of French I'nceb, who were concealed by some hedges and higb standing com, and wbo could not be discovered till they were close on the Britiah, suddenly rushed upon them. Colonel Macara ordered the regiment, which was advancing in column, to form itself into a. square; but, in performing this evolution, two companies were left out, when tbe lancers charged llpon tbem, and in. moment overwbelmed tbem. En. couraged by tbis .ucces., they charged on the squar~, and, thClllgb repulsed witb 1088, succeeded in cutting down great numbers of the Highlanden, among whom was the gallant colonel.

The command W8S now Bssumed by Lieutenot.. eolonel Dick, altbougb he,had received a wound in tbe shoulder from a musket-bullet, He rallied tbe regiment, formed tbem into a smaller square, and awaited another attack. The lancers again rusbed desperately on tbem, and,. altbough once more repulsed, did CODtlderable execution. The lieutenant-colonel fainted

. BATTLE OF QUATRE BRAS.

eroo.,., w~o, QIldel' coYer of the enclosure and the walls, The French were up~ only dri'eD from every poeitiou kept up a Coutant 6re'on the BritiSb 88 tbey approach- wbich. they had gained, but tbe wbole of .their line ,,8ft ed. Thf' impetuQ8ity of tbe ninety-second regimeD~ Intimidated, and could with ditliculty p~rve itlelf W88 Dot to be rea~ned; tbe gard.en and .the house from being broken. Ney, p~rceiving the duger .. were speedIly cleared, and the enemy. p~,u~d' to tbe which he W88 expoeed, sent in haste for the 61'11t corps; .. kirt of a wood But, in this short space, ,they h~ but he found, to hi. utter uto .... hment, that Buona- 81ISfained a 1088 of three hundred men. Four com- parte flad aJready employed it at Sotnbref, to enable mimding' ofticen were succeuively wounded and cU- him to carry the pqsition of the Prusian ..

ried off the 6~d, and the regime~' W88 now ~para~d The,manbal's COOIternabOn at thie UCovery w .. exfrom tbe res~ of the line, and compelled, though m_ treme J IS aJl bis plllD' wefe deranged, and the da,

.r reluctantly, to retire. '. appeared to be inevitably lost: but, recalling his self-

The tbirty-tbird regiment, in tbe mean time, aftel' po8IIeI8ion, he brought the whole of the reserve of the lufFering severely from tbeenemy's artillery, WIS broken second corps into action, aad led them bimlelf to tbe by a cbarge of CftYftlry, and driven into the wood of cbarge. The French cui .... ie .. advanced with great Bossu with immense loss. Tbe French followed tbem courage, but tbey were uuble to withstand the cool witb impetuosity, and were rapidly inaking tbemselves intrepidity of ~he Brit.b troops, aad, reeeiviag a gallniuten of tbe wood, wben tbe (irst di"ision of .the ing Sre fro~ some iofantry who lined &be wood, they

guards fortunately arrived on tbe field of ~ttle. They turned their horaes and fled. .

had mar41hed nearly twelve bours witbont intermission, Tbe twentJ-eighth regimeot wu DOW attacted by a and, thougb exhausted with hunger and fatigue, tbey numerous body of cuirassi,era aad laacers, and, beiag immediately formed into Ii .. e, arrested tbe progress of formed into a sq¥Bfe, colUinued tcJ 6te, at the _8 tbe enemy, and !-fro"e him again into the plaiD. But, tiQJe, from three .id ... on ODe o( wbich the lancer. ~npenetratiqg thro..,h the forest, tbeir line had become presen~d tbemaelves, and, on ~e two othen, .the cuiirregular a~d )JrokeD,' and, on eD;l~r~Dg: i!l.\~ tb~, open . J'8IIrie.... Ip v~. tIw .. alvall'J' . J:epeat.edly· and despeground, .they .nd a divi.ion of French infantry drawn rately charged upoo th_. As the froot raab were up ready to receive them. FlusLed with success, the pierced by the nb~ or lances of tbeir honemeo, their ,u~rds waited nO$ to re-form tbeir line, bat darted for- places w,re immediat4ply .upplied, aad, u their DUIAwarda t,9 the ~ew combat,; and tbe French, imaginior ben deere8Md, the square,."as gradually dimini.beCl ; that tbey should e.lily repulse 10 irregular an attack, but oot ,for a -.omen! were tlJey dieorder~; oot ene reaaily engaged them. The contest, tbough shert, W88 opening W88 left for tbe eaYalry to penetrate, and at very severe, The French recoiled from tbe shock, length, by their ince88aut and deliberate Sre, they sueand were pursued up .the rising grollDd~ when t~~ ceeded in ~pletely repulsing tbe enemy. Soy .... I, cavalry. of Ney, perceiving tbat the British divisioa FreDcb squadrons, however, lltill hovered round tbem, was unsupported, cbarged upon tbem. AU. atte~pts and it would bave. heen dauger0u8 to bave deployed. to form a square·were in vain, and their only safety They therefore advancfKl ill sqQare apiPst a ..... of consisted in a rapid retreat to tbe forest. This they infautry, and, iu a'felY 1D0uaenq, penetl'8ted'their ce .... bappily effected, tbough with BO~e loss j and, baving tre, and routed tbew.1 then deploying, they cbarged ra1lied in tbe wood, tb~y po~~ ~n the cavalry, whicb in liae, and cleared the wbole froBt of a hOlt of .• kirpursuf!4 them, a destruc;tive 6re, wbich not ouly cbeok- Dlishers, which covered tbe retreat of tbe main ~y. ed thelr prol;ress, but BOon sent them in disorder fioaa Tbe French were now thrown ioto complete ~nrU8ioD. tbe 6eld. ' '. . . Th, b&ggage,' the camp-follo"'e..., aad the wounded

The guards again adyjanced to tbe attack of the iD- wbo had beeo seDt j~to tbe rear,' conCeived *"at th. fa n try'. wbic.h had. now occupied its former poeition. fate of the da)' wi.. decided, and retreated .. rapidl, . Again the enemy ~88 unable to stand before tbem; and .. possible to,nrds Chatleroi.

once m~re pusbing on too fill' in tbe eagem_ of pur- Gener.1 RoWfeI's divillion af cairalaiera then PNeeDtluit, tile cavalry rusbed on tbem as before. and drove ed itself, and·held tht Brh_1t advanced ttoopa io cbeek, tbem back to tb~ torest. A corps of Brunswickel'll n~w till the infantry had' ti_e to' nally. These formed into joined the British, and advancing togetber, tbey 6 .. ally squares, and retired ." 'far 88 Ftasne,' wbere tbey again compelled the enemy to retreat. baited •. The B{itjsh, bowever, promptly·puf.ued, and

The Duke of Wellington, 'n tbe mean time, thougb endeafouredby 8d~al determined cbarg ... to carr; coneiderably outnumbered by the enerpy, bad obsti- tbe heights, but the French fougbt with a d_pention, nately contested every inch of ground. By the arrival wbicb maint;aiaed tbeir .,_itioo. Tbe engagement COIlof the guards he was enabled to act on ~e oWensive. . tinued witb .various .Ucc:es8 uotil the clCMle of day; wbe.

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BATTLE OF QUATRE BRAS.

the 6rst eo.". of the French army, of whic" Bu~naparte had made no use, returned to Frasn~. and the British cavalry arrived from Niuove. it "u no" too late for either party to avail tbemaelves of their reinforcements. and they bivouacked on tbeir respective positions.

This battle. tbough attended with no decisive result. reftected tbe bighest credit on the British arms. Ddring tbe greater part of the day, the Duke of Wellington contended againet an immenee superiority of numbers. His artillery had not arrived, and at no time had be more than a few squadrons to oppoee to the crowd of cuil'lUllliers and lancers wbo' galloped round the British squares, and aYBiled themselves of the slightest disorder to break in upon and overwhelm tbe infantry. The divisiona, alao, were separately engaged, and advanced to the combat fatigued by a long and rapid march, and witbout having taken any refreshment since the preceding day.

The loss on both aides wu prodigioua, and nearly eftua1. The allies acknowledged a Ie. of nearly (our ·thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and the French a Ie. of four tboUland two hundred. The Dllmbel' o( prisoners, on either aide, was inconsiderable.

Among the killed of the allied army was the Duke of Brunswick, who (ell as be was gallantly beading faie troops in a desperate charge. He had reeently returned from England to take poeseesion of the domi.nioM of his ancestors, and, ·ou tbe first intelligence of tbe landing of Buonaparte, bad hastened with bis black bll8Sars, and otber regiments, to join tbe armies of the allies. He led in person every charge of cavalry during this memorable day. He was scar('e'1 engaged wben a ReVere wound caused him, for a moment, to retire to .the ri!IW; a baadkerehief was bound over it, and be returned to his men, wbo were be~inning to waver, and led them back to tbe charge. Two slight wounds, which he afterwards received, were disregarded; lind,' after tbat, another dangeronll one checked not bis ardODr; and it was IIOt until the corps of the enemy to .wllic.>h be was now opposed was dispersed, tbat be 'Would permit a dressing to be applied. Tbis was • carcely completed, wben tbe enemy again adrenced in force, and threatened to overwhelm one" of the British divisions. He again placed himself at the head of his men, and led them on to a more desperate charge than they had yet attempted, when a musket-bullet passed through his bridle-hand into hi. breast, Bnd caused hi. death in a few minutes.

When tbe Corsican moved with bis centre and ri2'bt wing against Blucher, be imagined that be left to Ney a more easy task tban hi. own; and tbat tbe manhal would 6nd no difficulty in pushing on to Bru88el!!, be~re tbe Briti.b army could be concentrated in Rufficieut

force to oppoee him. To himself he relefVed tbe task of coping with Blucher, and by his overtbrow cutting off all communication between the Prussian and Britisb armies, and compelling each to seek safety in unconnected movements. The Prussian veteran was strongly posted to receive bis inveterate foe. H~ army occupied a line where three villages, built upon broken and unequal ground, served each as a separate redoubt, defended by infantry, and well furnisbed witb artillery. His right wing oceapied tbe village of St. Amand, his centre was posted at Ligny, and bis left at Sombref:

All tbese hamlets are strongly built, and contain several housee, with large court-yards and orcbarda, each of which is capable of being converted into a station of defence. The ground behind these vilJages forma an ampbitheatre of some elevation, in front of which is a deep ravine, edged by straggling thickets of trees. The_villages were in front oftbe ravine; and masses of infantry were stationed bebind each, to reinforce tbe defenders as circumstances might require. In this posieiou Blucher bad assemb,ed tbree corps of his army, amounting to eigbty thousand men. But the fourth corps, commanded by Bulow, being in distant cantonments between Liege and Hannut, bad not arrived at tbe point of concentration. The force of tbe assailants is stated in tbe Pruss ian despatches at one hundred and thirty thousand men. But, as Ney had at least tbirty thousand soldiers under him at Quatre Bras, it does not seem that tbe troops under Buonaparte's. immediate command at tbe battle of Ligny, even including a strong reserve, which consisted of tbe 61'lIt entire division, could exceed one bundred thousand men. Tbe forces, therefore, actually engaged on botb sides,

might be nearly equal. .

Fired by. sentiments of tbe most inveterate bostility, the ordinary rules of war, whicb, on other occasions, afford some mitigation of its horrors, were renounced upon botb .sides, Tbe Prussians declared their purpose to' give and re('eive no quarter; and two of the French divisions- hoisted the black ftag, as an intimation of a similar intention •

The morning was employed in reconnoitring tbe ground, and making tbe necessary difJpositions; but, at tbree o'clock in tbe afternoon. tbe engagement commenced by a furious cannonade, under cover of wbich the tbird corps of the French army, commanded by Vandamme, attacked tbe village of St. Amand. They were received by tbe Prussians with the most determined resistance, in despite of whicb tbey succeeded in (,lIrrying the villag-e at the point of the bayonet, and f'stllblisbed themselves in the church and church-yard The Prussians made the most desperate efforts to recover posse. ion of tbis village, whicb was tbe key of

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sible to surmount the difliculties attending a long march through bad roads and a difficult country. In the mean time, Buonaparte brought the engagement to a decision, by one ot those skilful lind bold manoeuvres which had 80 often proved successful on former occasions.

Being now possessed of tbe village of Ligriy, wbich fronted the centre of tbe Prussian line, he concentrated upon tbat point tbe imperial guards, whom be ~ had hitherto kept in reserve. Eight battalions of these veteran troops, formed into one column, supported by. four squadrons of cavalry, two regiments of cuirassiers, and tbe horse-grenadiers of tbe guard, traversed tbe village of Ligny at tbe paule cAarg-e, threw themselves into tbe ravine, and began to ascend the heights, under a dreadful volley of musketry frOID the Prnssians.: Notwithstanding the eWeet of this' fire, they continued to advance against the Pm.ian line, - and made sucb an impression upon tbe masses of wbicb it consisted, as tbreatened to break through the centre of their army, and tbus cut, off the communication between the two' wings; the French cavalry, at the same time, charged

and drove back that of the Prossians. '

Ai tbis crisis, the cause of Europe bad nearly suffered a momentoul loss intbe deeth or captivity of tbe beroic Blucher. Tbis ve*-n had himself beaded an unlJUCceaa{ul charge against the French cavalry; and his hone being shot under blm in tbe retreat, be WtlS stlmned 'by die fall, aDd both the fugitives and pursuers passed over him as he lay on the ground; an adjutant threw himself down beside- bis general, to share bis fate; aud tbe first use wbicb the Marshal made of bis recovered recollection was, to conjure his faithful attendant ratber to sboot him tban to permit him to fall alive into the hands of the French, The Prussian CA.ftlry, in tbe mean time, bad rallied, charged, and, in their turn, repulsed the French, wbo again galloped pallt-the marshal, as he lay on tbe ground, - covered with the cloak of his adjutant. He wa. then diaeugaged and remounted, and proceeded to organize the retreat, .... hieh was now become a measure of indispensable nec:cuity.

Tbe ProssiaD artillery, bei.ng dispersed alOllg the front or an extended line, could not be eRilily withdrawn, and several pieces fell into the hands of the .French. Blucher's official despatch limits tbe number of guns thus lost to fifteen, which Napoleon, in hill UBoal guconading style. extends to fifty. But the infantry, retiring regularly, and in masses impenetrable to the cavalry of the pursuers, amply preserved tbat cba~ rader of diseipline, by whit'b tbey had heen so higbly celebrated in the t'ampailtna of the preceding year.

. In their retreat, whrch tbey continued during th. night, tbey took tbe din!ctien of TilIy)--\nd, the next

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BATTLE OF LIGNY.

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their right-wing, Blucber put himself at tile bead of a battalion i. person, and impelled them 00 the French with such success, that one end of the village was again occupied; and the Prussians regained possession of that part of tbe heights bebind it, which, in eonse.,Dence of Vandamme's success, tbey bad been forced

to abandon. •

rho' village of Ligny, attacked and defended with the .. me fury aod inveteracy, was repeatedly lost and regained, each party being alternately reinforced from .aates of infantry, disposed bebind tbat part of the yillage which they respectively occupied. ,Several hoaaes inclosed with court-yards, formed each a separate redoubt. wbicb was furiously attacked by tbe one party, and obstillate(y maintained by tbe otber. It is impossible to describe tbe fury 'tith which tbe troops onboeh sides were animated, Each soldier appeared to be avenging his own personal quarrel; and the slaughter was in proportion to tbe length and obstinacy of a five hoors' combat, fougbt band to band, within the crowded and narrow streets of a village.

. There wu also a tremendous cannonade on both sides tbrough the wbole of tbe afternoon. But, in tb'is species of warfare, the loss of tbe Pro_ian. waa mueh beavier than that of their alltagonists, their ~asses being drawn up in an expo,,~tI situation upon the ridge and sides of the heigbts behind the, vitlaget1l, while those of the French were shelter d by the winding hollow8

of the lower grounds. '

Whil", tbis sanguinary €ontest continued; Buonaparte seemed to doubt of its ultimate' success. To ensure the takiDg of St. Amand, he ordered tbe first corps of infantry, which W88 stationed near Frasnes, with a division of tbe second corps commanded by' Girard, and designed to be a reserve either to bis own army or to that of Mal'llhal Ney, to move to the right to assist in the attack •. ' Of this movement Ney complained heavily in a letter to Fouche, as baving paralyzed his etrorts, and Dearly exposed his troops to destruction.

Tbe reinforcement, as it bappened, was unnecessary, 80 far aa tbe flrst corps WR8 concerned; for, obout seven o'eloek, Vandamme had, after repeated eWorts, surmounted tbe resistance of the Prnssians at St. Amand; and Girard bad taken poMession of Ligny. Sombref, upon the left of the Prussian line, was still successfully defended by the Saxon general, Thielman, agaill8t MaJ'IIbal Grouchy; and tbe Prussians, thoug'h driven from the l'iIlages in front of the amphitheatre of hills, atill maintained their position Bpon the lreights tbemaelve8, impatiently t'XPf'cliog to be sueeoered, either by the Englitlh, 01' by their own fourth divisiOR under Bulow. But the Duke of Wellington wa.'actively en. gaged at Quatre Braa; and Bulow had Amnd it impos-

BATTLE OF LlGNY.

morniDg, were followed by General Tblehnan with the of We1liogton. But this would _e been to abaadOit left wing, who, after evacuating the village of Som- Ney to imminent danger; siace, if be w. unable, OD breI, which be had maintained during the whole of tb~ tbe preceding clay, to make any impl'el8iou Ob the 1'8. preceding day, formed tbe rear-guard of Blucher's of the British army alene, it wu not probable that he anny. Being at length joined by tbe fourtb corps, could witbstand them, when mpported by their mai. under General Bulow, the Prussian army was once body. and joined by powerful reinforeemeufIL In the more coacentrated in the neighbourhood of tl,e village supposed event of Ney's defeat, Buona~'_ rear of Wavre, ten miles behind tbe scene of their former would bave been exposed to a victoriOUB .Eogliah anny. defeat; and the utmost exertioos were used to place it wbile he knew, by esperieaee, bow speedily Blucb ... in a condition for renewing the confl.iet. could rally his troo.,. eyen after a seyere deleat. He

In this engagement, the Pru.ssians IOBt upwards of tberefore resolved to direet bis wbole force agaiDst tbe twenty thoU88lld men, with forty pieces of cannon, aud Engli8b, leaving only Grouchy and Vaadamme, willi seV'eral colours. The Frach bulletins confess a Ios.q about twenty-fivetho1WlDd men, to hang upoa the rear of three thousand men, but tbe actual number wu at of Blncber; and, by punuing biB retreat from Somlnef least (our thou.as great. . to Wavre, to oceupy his attention, and pre"ent him , The most exaggerated atatementa were immediately from· taking any share in tbe expected action. traDBIDitted to Paris. ManhaI Soult, in· a despatch to It is probable tbal Napoleon expected to find tbe EngDaYoust,. says, "Tbe emperor has succeeded in .epa- lish army upon the ground which it had occupied during rating the line of the allies. Wellington and Blucher tbe 16tb. But tbe tnOTe&Dent of his own forces from .... ed theruelvea with difficulty. Tbe eft'ect' was tbe.- St. Amand and Lipy to Frasn., had oceapied a space tricaJ. In an instqt the firing ceaaed, and tbe enemy of time which was Dot unemployed by .. Due of W88 routed in all directions." Wellington. The retreat .... already commenced; and

Anotb.er ~.~pa~~h,.sp~~ing.gC .be .two battles, says, the position ~t Quatre Bras wu, about eleven iB tile .. Tbe noble lord must haye been confounded. Whole' forenoon; only eccupied·'.by II rear,.g4llU'df' sufficiendy bands of prisoner. are taken. TIley do no& know what .trong to protect the retrograde mOYelfteDt of the Briis become of tbeir commanders. The route is complete b.b.

on this side, and J bope we -ball not hear again of tbe The Brit_b troops bad scarcely ooDlDianeed their Prussians for some time, even. if ,"ey should ever be march when the m888el of the ebaray began to appear. able to rally. As for tbe English, wesball see now Their advanced-guard consisted of laneen and cuir88- wbat will become of them. The emperor is there!" sien, the latter of "bom were all arrayed in- armour.

The eV.9nts which we have just recorded bad. a mate- The front cnirallS is in the Corm of • pigeon's breast, 118 rial influence on the plans of tbe g~ral8 on both 88 te effectually turn off a Bl .. k~bot, except fired

sides. While the Duke of Wellington was. propoaing within twenty yards. The back cuirasais_made to fit •

to follow 11ft bis advantage at Qwltre Br~,. by attacking the back. They weigh from nine to ten POUDda each,

Ney at Frasues, be received :intelligence, on tbe morn- according to the size of the man, and are stoft'ed in-

ing of the 17th, that Blucher bad been defeated on tbe side witb a pad. They fit on by a kind of tMh-scaled preceding day, and was in full retreat. This le~ the clasp, and are put off and on in an instant. The men

duke no alternative but to fall back to such a corree- have heJmeta like the English horse-guards, straigbt

pending pOfition 88 might maintain his lateral comma- long swords and plAtol., bnt no carbin., and, if -there

nicatioal witb. the right wing. of the Prussiails; sinee, to ia a good horse to be found, they are sure tD bave it.

bave remained in advance, would have given Buon... They are all picked men, must be five feet seveR in-

parte an opportunity either. to have placed his.army be- clles French' (above six (eet Engl.h), haye served in

twixt those of England'and PruMia, or to have turned tbree campaign&, have been twelve years in the ser-

bia whole force against tbe Duke's arlDY, whieh ". in- vice. and of a good character •.

ferior in nambers, The British CGmmuder,.- therefore, In close action they were protected from tbe .. bres reeelred upon retreating towards Bl'UlSels; a move- of tbeir antagonists by tbeir armour, except the blow toeot w~icb be accomplished in. the most perfect order,· (eJ) on the neek or limbs; but the shape and weight of the rear being protected by the cavalry under tbe gal_ tba, cuirass necessarily impeded the motion of their lant Earl of Uxbridge. arma, arid rendered tbem. far inferior to the Britisb in

Buonaparte had also taken his retlOlution. The de- tbe dexterous use of the sabre.

teat of tbe Pruseians would enable him, if be thougbt The day was extremely stormy, the rain feU in torproper, to punue them witb hia whoJe army, excepting rents, the roads were almost impauabl~, and tbe OpeD thOlle troops under Ney, who were in front of the Duke country could not be &ravened even by the canlry.

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LETTFrR' FROM LORD ,UXBRIDGE.

00 tbis aecount the Frencb were unable' to':hiitaM the 'hWIIIUs. The impetUoeity' and the 'weight of the lifeflaDb of die retiring army, aed confl,ned all ,liei, eAr.. guardst 'however, eanied all 'before them. Whilst J to tbe e8ntre, wbicb proceeded on the higb' r~.,'" excBlpate my own regiment, I am delighted in being

Several .kirmi8bee took place witb' v*~' '."lCreErM, , .. ble to ,blear testimony 10 the gallant conduct, of the

uotil the rear of the'Britia"'~'my atrwed at,~ma'ppe. f~er. " ' " ,

Lord Uxbridge baited on a plain beyond the town, and; '" Be not ubeuy~ my broth~r-081cen; 'you had ample retJ()lved 'to,at~k the enemy'. icJU8dron8 88 they is:iued opportunity, ~f which'you gallabtly avai~ed yourselves, froin the place. TIle seventh huSian were ordered'to Of'MeDgiag yb\iJ'8~~es Od tDelSth for the failure of commence the atteck. :They a,ecordingly charged :"i,th' ,tbe.,17tb r 'llIId; 'a,fte¥I aR, .. 'whllt'regiment" aDd whjch of impetuosity OIl tile French; 'but; with thait.small: htines,u8; inilinth1aur .. '_ ~rtain of: succeis.' Be assured aod ligbt 'al1lll, they ~ere dn~b~e'to mab 8n1 itDpreS- ,that,·1 Il10' ;Woltd! Of' beiO'g joUr: boioneY, and: t,*~ you

,ion OD the beavy4rmed troops to whick th.,y,*ere op- possess my utmost confldenee, .

posed. They .".ere repulied in SOiDe diaOtder, -aod' , "Your .. ncere friend,

with consid~rable 1081. Again they ,rallied aod r~tln;i- . (Signed)' " " ~ ANGLESE.l; L~ut.-Gen."

ed to the cbarge; bot the massi.,e columns of'the enemy " " , '

remaiued unbn)ken. 'lhe heay; boUaehold~troop" were A. the Duke of Wellingroli did nb. wiSh to bring ok

BOW bI'ought forWard, and' ordered to' cbarge at foil a gene.,d ''ehpgement, 'he cobte'nted' himself \vith the .peed,and to .trike only, at the ,limbs. The 'French, check which the ~tre .. y's 'cavalry ~ad 're~et-iVed; and were diemayed at tliil novel mod6 of attack, and 'fI~d! ~ontinued bis retreat without furtber molesta~ion ~o,tbe with p~ipitatiOn: ",. , , r , " , enfrntJ~' of the fored of Smguie., the appearance of

This .ir prOdu~d 'the following tetter (rom LOrd' 'which' fj·tbus deticribed by 8Ditdtnired poet':~, '

Uxbridge (afterWardS ereate4 M~u" of Anglesea) to " " ,,: ';; ',':' ,

the oflieen of the se.eutb, "hie" was 'bis own' regl- .. TIl, ',,-, ark SoIat-"', "I .

ment..' ~ .. I Wbere &be ",n beeell's "-1 .

~ I' }' or 1111U11 ~ ieape BflIUad.

Wkia bird! ai..r darbome' 0&1' Htwen., .,I8cli .... aad far it pallia ~.

Of ..,....!,.......,_..

8te.t' .,IaD~ de.e 'TIl '~IDI irefy ,

The ad1'eII~ foot-tile ~ .,e, P., ........ i ...... '

And ~,~ __ tpjleltr)' of 1ef,"j:I; , Slrew'd on tbe bH,h~d IrOllllll recelRl, .Heir ~all, DOr Air, _ rat ....

•

" BrttM6u, June 2,. 1816.

"My DBA.' BROTHER-O."tCEIUI,-It hits been ~t8ted to me, that a rePort injurious to tile teputation or OUT regiment has goDe abroad, and I, therefore; do not lose a moment in addresSing'you oil ~he s.ubject. Tbe report must take its origin: from the' _flair whicb took place wit'=' the advanced-guard of tbe French cayalry near Gemappe, on the l~tb, "ben" ordered the seventh to cover tbe retreat.. '~I was wiflryoU'1' and JaW ahe conduct of eyery individual, tbere is no ODe more capable or speaking to the fact tban I am. .As tl\e lancers pressed us hard, I ordered you (upon a priD~iple I ever did and &ball act upon) not to wait to be attacked, but to faJ~' upon them. The attack was' gallantly led by the oftieers; but it failed, because thelancers stood. firm, and had their fla~b ~oinpletely 'secured, and were b,acked by a great mass or cavatrY'~ The regi. ment ,was repulsed,. but did not' ,mn away.' No-it rallied immediately, and I l'enewed"thd ,attack. ' It again failed" from tbe ~me ca!ls~. I~ retired in' perrect order, although it bad sustained ilb severe a loss ; but you had rbro~n th6 lancers Into confusion, who, being in motion, I then made an attack upon' them with tbe life-guards, who certainly'made a 'tery, handsome charge, and completely succeeded, This ifI the .plain truth. However lightly I tbiok ofIancers, under ordinary circumstances, I am of opinion that, posted as they

, were, they bad a most decided advantage over tbe 4.

At five o'clOck, the British'army arrived at its des-tined 'pOSition; a .... d-oecupfed· ... risittg ground, baving in its' ft.ont a' geht)~ dectivity. Tile extremity of tbe right wing "u potted at Metke 'Draine. ' 'Ttae eneleeed eOU!!tty and 'deep rii~i,ne8' 'r~ubd thi. ·tilJag~ defended the 'right flank, : and rendered it" Impossible lor tbe enemy to turn it. ':10 ~be ceht~ of tile right, 'was the Chateau de Goumont, ot RoogmiMoot, It hous~ of the' old, Fleuiish architecture, having 'a tower' ,and 'battlem~Dt8. on' one side' was a taTge tarm-yard,' and, on tbe other, a gai"d~n fenced by' a' brick';'waUJ ' TfJe' bonsc was loop-holed 'aiadiJtr~nglY' occupied i theghrden and orchard ''!ere 'lined -':ifh'light' troops, ahd':ihe 'vo~, before tbe, house, was defeilde'~ by' some ',C:omps,!ies or die g'uards. Tlie'troht or the rig~f." which {Vtts, throwll back to avoid a ravine which wouhf'othentise 'have exposed it, consisted of tbe $econd : and, foortb E,nglish divisions, the third and sixth .Hanoverians, lind the first of tbe Netherlands, onder the command df Lord Hill. The ceutre was composed of the C'OTpS of'the Prince of

·M

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46

L~ COSTE SEIZED BY THE FRENCH.

Orange, supported by the regiments of Brunswick and him, if be was well acqua,ioted with· tbe local.li, .. - Naaaut witb the guards under Gene.raJ Cooke, on the tion of tbe country, aud if he would·be.\aiawuidet La right, and General AI ten'. ~ivision on the left. In COIte having answered bim satisf.et4""i1y~ .Buonaparte frollt waa the farm of La Haye Sainte, wbich w .. oeeu- . told bim. be would ~pllny hi.." addi .. g-" Speak pied in considerable 'force. The road from G,emappe frankly with me, my frie~~ .. as if you were with yOtH' to Brussel. ran through .the middle of the centre. Tbe c;hildren:'

left wing, comprising the divisiona of Generals Picton, While Napoleon remaiued at the farm. La Coste W1UI .Kempt, and Lambert, extended to the left of Ter la closely watched by one of . the guards, who, whilst Haye, the defiles of which defended the extremity of walking with him, informed him of the force of tbe the left, and prevented it from being turned. The French army, and told him; tbat, upon p888ing tbe rreater part of the cavalry Wal pOlted in tbe rear of frontiers, tbey had an army of one hundred and fifty the left of the centre. tbound men, of which forty tbousand were cavalry,

Separated by a valley varying from balf to tbree- among wbicb were nine thousand cuirasaien, seven quarte1'8 of a mile iD breadth, were other heigbts fol- thousand of the new, and eight or nine tbousand' of lowing the aiDuosit)' of tbose on whicb tbe British tbe old, guards. This soldier praised mucb tbe bravery troops were posted. Tbe advanced guard of tbe enflmy displayed by tbe Britisb at Quat ... Bl'aIJ, .and partiCIIreached these beights in tbe evening of tbe 17th, and larly admired tbe ttaagfroit/. of the Scotch Higbl.nde ....

some sligbt akirmiahes took place between the out- Durinll tbis time, Buonaparte bad La Coste called

posta., three different times, too~ta!n informatio,D aa to, tbe

Tbe nigbt "aI stormy and tempestuous; the rain maps of tbe country, wbich he co~tantly coesuhed, descended in torr~nta, and the 80ldien were up to tbeil' He questioned him chiefly upon the dia&anc:e of several knees in mud. Many of tbe officers, wbo had not yet tOWDa of Brabant from the field of bai.th~, and .... ade been able to chaage their ·ball-dresses, laid tbemselves bim explain tbose he bad seen in bis youth. La Cosle down to rise no more; as their limbs were so complete- named fourteen, wbich appeared to please BUOBaparte:

Iy stiffened by the. cold and wet, that they were unable he seemed very mucb satisfied to find tbat La Coste to move. Few plaees could be found lufficiently free was Flemish, and tbat he 'spoke the language: be adfrom mud to light a fire, and, when the fire was ligbted, vised bim, above all. to give only well -a utben .. ted the rain, whicb continued to pour down, immediately information, and not to answer f~ t~iPtP of,'!fhicb he

extinguished it. was uncertain. .

But, if tbe nigbt wel'e terrible to tbe soldierswbo Before any of tbe French troops were placed in tbe

were inured to the inclemency of tbe weather, it was position. which tbey were to occupy, Napoleon ascendstill more dreadful to the inbabitants of tbe villageR in ed a neighbouring eminence, and carefully examined tbe rear of tbe French army. It bad always been Buo- every feature of tbe sUf1'oundi,ng coun.try. Not an innaparte's po\iry, when 110 much depended on tbe he- equality of the ground, not a hedge escaped him. He roism ~f bis troopa, to relax the st>verity of his dialCi- was employed in tbis preparation during four .01' five pline, and to permit them to indulge in the most hours, and every observation was carefully noted in a shameful excesaes. They oow abandoned tbemselves map, whicb be held in his hand.

to more than usual atrocities. Every bouse "aI pi 1- Tbe space occupied by the two armies waa tbe smallest laged; the property wbich could not be removed "'aI in extent of front, compared with tbe numbers engaged, wantonly destroyed, and tbe terrified inbabitants fled in tbe recollection of military men, Tbe British line in despair to the adjacent w~ds. did not extend more tban a mile and a half in length,

Notwitbstanding the torrent-III of rain imd tbe depth nor tbe French line more tban two miles. Tbis may of tbe roads, tbe Corsican was enabled to bring up hi. partly account for tbe immense 1088 sustained by each whole army, together witb three bundred pieces of ar- part]. and particularly for tbe destruction eecasioned tillery. He was apprehensive that the British would by tbe artillery.

retire in the nigbt; and, when he RaW them at tbe dawn About nine 0'810ck tbe rain began to abate, and, at or day occupying tbe position of the preceding even- eleven, tbe French were ready to advance to the attack. ing, be exclaimed with emotion, "Ab, 1 have tbem, Their left wing was commanded by Jerome Buonapartej then, these English!" the centre by Generals Erion aud Reille, aod the rigbt

A farmer, Darned La Coste, who lived at the bouse by Count Lobau. The imperial guard was in reserve. called Belle Alliance, was seized by the French, and The leaders of the hostile armies were acknowledged earried to Buonaparte, who was then at a farm called to be tbe greatest generals of the agE'. Buouaparte bad RoIeum. On hi. being introduced, the Corsican allked often confel8ed that tbe Duke of Wellington was Ihl)

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calQpaign, or till tbe seeds of diue ... iOll were sown alQong the allies. As the troopS of tbe reepe~ti.e armies advanced to their po8itioD8, Buonaparte aseeotled an obeervatory, which baa been recently erected by order

of the kiag of the :Netherlands, preparatory to a trigonometrical sOl"vey of the country. }o'rom this 'Pot he .. commanded tbe whole of both linea. H~ WIUI particularly struck. wjth tbe fine appearance of some of the Britisb troops. "How steadily,.- said be to .bi. aid~ de-camp, "tbe.e troops tak.e their ground!, How beautifully tbose cavalry form! Obeerve tboae grey borse! (tbe Scotch Grey.). Are they Dot noble troops' Yet,

in half an bour, I shall cal tbem to pieeee,"

Lord WelliDgton bad despatcbed a courier on tbe preceding evening to Mal1lhal Blucber, stating tlJat he expected to be attacked, and desiring the eo-operation of as many diyisioD8 as he could spare. Tb~ Marshal promised to be with him inpel'lOD, au4 pro~ed that, should the French army declin, the eQmbat, tbe combined British and Pruseiaa woe,. .bpuld be~ome the

... naot&. i ,

When the ,French troops were all drawn -up on the opposite heigb... one of the Duke of Wellington's oticen expressed BOlDe alarm, and wisbed that the PrU8llians wenharrim.' "Tbe roads are heavy," replied the Britisb here. "They caD not be here before two or threeo'cloc:k, b~tmy brave fellows will keep double that force at bay until tben."

About eleven o'clock the cannonade commenced, and BOOn beame general through tbe whole of the JiBe. At half-put elevea, the left wing of the French advanced agaioat the datM. of Hougoumont. The battalions which occupied t.he wood in front defended thelDllelyes with great gallantry againat the overwhelming numben that preseed upon tbem; but, after many repeated attacb, the Freneh penetrated to the bouse. The English were now, reinforced by the seeeed bri· gade of guards, who, occupying the cAatttJII, and lining tbe orchard and walls, resisted every attempt to dislodge them.' 'The 'French fereed their way to the very doora of tbe olaateo", ,but _ere tbere ieceived with 80 well-directed a fire that they retreated in confusion, or perished beaeath the bayonet. Again tbey penetrated, and again were forced back. In le8ll than half a~ bour fineen hundred men perished in tbe orchard, which did not comprise more lhan four acr ..

After 80me time, the house and out-buildings were set 00 fire, aDd • lUoat dreadful scene ensued. In one part the combat raged with unabated fury, although both pllrties were enveloped with .... es, )0 anotber, the Brit!lh, after haying repu .... d the enemy, were unwilling to quit tbeir station, although tbe tames were advancing towards them, ad the buildif~oreaote&fffl[e

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TACTICS OF WELLINGTON AND BUONAPARTE •

• ecobd general iD the world, and this ackDOwl~dgment W8& always followed by the lamentatio. that he·bad not yet had the good (ortune to .iDeet him in bat~le. When be set out from Paria to place· bimaelf at tbe head of bis troops, almoat bis last words to his friends were, "~hat he was at last going to measure swonL& with this Wellington, of whom he bad DO deubHhat he shoald give a good aoeount."

The Duke had succ:euigely vanquiBhed all the French manhals who had been oppoaed to him, and now, fo'r the fint time, found himself confronted with their muter. Never, in the annals of modem warfare, had two general. of equal reputation met on' the field, or two whose system of tactics was so e.tirely different.

The plan of Buonaparte was simple, but grand. The wbol. weigbtof his army was direeted on one point, either woere hill op~nent seemed to be weakest, or where 8uceesa must be followed by tbe annibilation of the foe. To accomplish his favourite objedll, he besitated Dot to sacrifice regiments, diyisions, or wbole armies. Wben one co..,.. retired in confusion, another was iilstantly ordered to occupy its place. "Forward, forward," was the only reply to every intelligence of repulse; an.d it must be acknowledged, that his calculations were Wlually cornet, and his effol1llsucceutul.

Tbe .. ystem of the' Duke of Wellington was diametrically opPosite. Anxious to spare the blood of his aoldiera, he U8ually awaited the attack of his enemy. No temporary or partiR I su~ could induce him to eompromiee the safety of hi. army: but his penetrating eye detected tbe fint error, or the firat :indeeision of the foe, and, with a promptitude 88 characteristic 811 his previous coolness, he availed hilD8elf of the criaica1 juncture, and secured tbe victory.

Tbt'tle rflnowned generals "ere now opposed to eacb other for tbe fint ome. The reputation which each bad previously gained, tbe rivalry which exitted between them, and the almost uniform SUCce&8 which had attendttd their different .ystems, were powerful incentives to extraordinary exertions. Nor had they now to contend for mere penonal glory; the one had to secure bis usurped dignities-tbe othet to give repose to a bleed-

ing world. •

Napoleon bad I'U8hed· on with all his aacc:umulated force, lUI the 188t eR'ort of despair. No new levies were at band to repair hie 100000t'tl. Victory alone could obtain reinforcements; and, if he were severely repulsed in this engagement, his mio was sealed for ever. On the other hand, if succea attended bim, the enthusiasm of tbe French would agaiD be roUled: thousands would flock to his standard; the country which he now invaded would declare in his favour, and he would he enabled to protract the· war until winter cloeed tbe

. . DEATH 'OrSlll T. Pl('''OON., .

to crush the .. in its 'ruius, In oue of 'die ·tJn~ibga ola.gibg: ....... Tbey pioed· til. heigbt,. Rod prelled tbe wo~nded of botlr parties, who ,yere· iDdiecrimioately on, .... nd to carry tIMt p-i~; . Sir Tbbft~ Picton heaped tegether, perished by tbe moeHemble deatb. immediately a,rm ..... hi. _riaion' iUo a .ofia .quare, Their .hrian and groane echoed thrOugh tbe.ooct, .adl a~dcecl, .. tile ..... ; Appalled by the boldbat tbe eombatante were too fiercely engaged ·to lend D_'b£ tbi8 _une, "'e FreDell. helitated, fired'oae

them any ... tance, and tbey were left ~ pem ia tbe 901ley,.nd NtftJat..a. -. ' ... .:

conflagration. .. ... On' 1hi8 ocea. ... ,. Sir noma.. PiotoD reeeiYed a

The e1tat~n .as now reduced ·to· a IRere .... 11, ~nd muket-ball in his temple, and expirecJ'1ti .... a·attogthe .·rench were enabled to .pproac1l it "db gnater gI&.' Mt8r hia .... uted I.fall, it wa.4IIiito.ered 'daat facility; buif a. oRea ae they' peRetrated widaia tbe be bad:: received a. woa_ in. the' Itip, on tbe 16th, wan.,. they were reymlsed: by the ".yooet. aad at wbieb he bad ooaeealed fnMn alt acept .. Yalef, and fengtlt, being foiled in all tbeir atte....,..,: and bavi1ag "bicb- had _umed a _rio...,eel fCH' want of aargisofFered an' inidlense lou, they retrea&ed to the main cal .... tuee.

body. The Btilisb had tec8ived orden Dot to panue This meritorioa otleer bed beea forty.five ye .... in 'them beyond a certain point, and eoDtented themeelYei tb.. army. The fint aetiq .. rftce ill which be was

• nth still maintaining the poet which they had ao DObiy ~mplo"'", .in tbe Welt-I __ , .. here IJe... KIlt .. efencfect. . with bis "giaeel (tile mty-eigh.) Ga the breakiag .. Had the 'FreBeh beea able to gain pmaeaion of th. out of die reyolatiOllftry..... T'ere he dietiagniahed pesition, aJHI to haye plaated their artiIlerj precillely at 'imselt upoa every OCOMion, ... partie.arly at the the ·angle which it omIpied, they wonld haft.. eapeare of 8t. Laeie, aad spee4"y ron from the rank lDanded tbe whole of the Doke of WellingtAn'. lin-. of captain·to tJ.t of Hellte ... "'oneL.

and tbeir ,fire "ould baye evried' deetruetion.throagb . In 1797, ie' w ... appointed 'Pyenor of Tribidad: the Britisb' army. 'fte reader wiU ~ perceire .and, tbough in that situ.ti~D. be .... ·aeeued of Gwhy t~is was selected .. "the 8nt objed ·of auaek, aDd trelDe .. verity, tbe ~ .. tiob .wali COIDplete1y rebuW wby that attaek w .. ·eoalinlled with .ach ebRina",. . by the verdic& of a Brit_ .j.,.., a~d the iDhabitaDta

When BuoBaparte was eonviaeeti that he bad _I~ of Trinidad "ere 10 ... Dlible of the. beneSta which tbey ed in his design upGb lIoogou......,. the fire of C8Ilf. had reeeiyed under :hie .a ... i .... ticm, ~, ~ .. hi. non and musketry becinne more,fetrible.· ColulD_Of .. qaiUiag the isla.d~ ,bey _oted hi •. Jiv-e tlaoaiaDti Freneh infantry and eft'"'.y. pNCeded .by a .formidab1e· po_ds,· as a teltimon.y of tbeir _eepa Dud gratitude. artill~ry, advaaeed &0. all poine:., .... ded the .m~· Some time after thi4 a da:eadful fire red.ted alae capital nenee on "hid. 1U BriUah were Mationed, aDd preeif. ef .the _1.tI to IS_ A sabacriptiOil "'u opell8d (or pitated themael ... 4)Il their....... In vai. tile Frencb. tlte aatoduaate iohabi_te, ..,d PidoD illUDediately artillery mowed down e..-e!nab. of.tllieir oppOoen... retOmed 'theftve tbobtalld pGlJnd., wbicb he bad re-

The cbasms ",ere iDltand,' fiUed, ud 'DOt 'a' f_ 01, ceived from tbem. .

ground W88 'oet. ": Wbat· heave .. oope! ~ es.eMime4· After a la.,. of 80Dle 18." he ~ employed ill the 'Baonaparte to hi.· ~ . "It ia a 'pity to destroy. them; i e~~ to Walcheren, aad, 01) the faPtore of FI.b. hut I .hall defeat tbem at I ... !! The.BritiBh '*"~ .ing,. "dB .ppoiDted gev ...... of .daa~ plac~; an attack tbeir fire 'Unul the eoemy ~ad approaebecl widai •. a few: of ~ fOYfr.: whiebpro~.d ~ ~tive to the Britisb -paee., and tbea, with 0Il.·well-directe4 "olley~.leBIl" .. my.,compeU.d.him to relil,lCl"W. ~i8 poIIt, and retdl'D

whole equadrons 01 the ft-eoch. :O*e'r uoop', h9W'r· to Eaglaad. '. . .. .

-ever; sucoeeded, and tbe eoemy. prelHd oQ; to c-... He bad ~ nUIO"8l'e~, w~fl".be was apPQinted

and more destrnctiye oombat. .. ' .' ':.. to .tlie eomm_ .of. a ciivi8ioQ.· in die Duke, of WeliiDg.

. The principal ...... es of tbe Frencb .. elle! now direct- ton's army in tbe Peninsula, and "as tbe favqorite 'comed 00 tbe left of the Britillb, "here.the ,diy.iIIi~. of peDioo of. tbe bellO i.·h1oOS&.ofLtbe. bat;tl~ of tbat proGenera" Ploton alid Kempt were .... tw. .. NapoleoQ~. tracted war •. In tbe ~tl~ .• £ ,Vitt~rja, his division object in this attack ". to torn.the leff. 0( the_'li~(I, 8us&1lined. for more than four bours, an unequal contest and,. by 'iieparating daem from the Ptnw",·.4JQ~ . off agaiost the _in body of the French; ~rmy, and retlu, rUtreat of Lolld .Welliogton ill tb. direc.w...: The ceived, at the c:lose of 'be e,u,agem"~t, the warmest $c(Jtrisb ·regi.ente !di8playtid all (Ile. beroism. by whicb ackoowledgment .. fro. t~ cf)IAIq!lJlder:-in-chief.

'he~' had 'een disuognisbed jn the. battle ~f the 16tlr. It was' a. the peNOnal sol~itatic»n of tbe Duke thJlt sIMI tlu8tain~d 1be·pril1cipal brull& of tbe attack. . beaceepled tb~ commancl of a d,Iis,on [n.the c.ampalgn , .. ~. SlY(Jok colaima of..the enemy advanced .ulldel'.. of the Netherland., ,,·here .. be ter~inated ~is military

~ltiDg 6re from tbe;. Bruit artillery, ·wi4bou~ ;die- exploits aDd" mortal ex.iMe~. .. ",

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A'lTA<'K. GN LA: If AYE S"'I~'J'E -.

. Bot, to res\UJle the thread of OlD ..... ~a.-A. 'YCJ- :p.onaparte .now change~ ~e, P1li~. of hi&. a~~ckt I~. ,of two thoOl!l8nd,-men bore doyp' en tbe poBitioa and. bringing.' 0;. a fOl'mid~bJe ~~J. of fr.eu. :tr~ occupied "y tbe ninety-aecond rtlgiment., wbic~, from directefl tb.~ to ~ack the. f<\rm of La Haye S~~tft ~ ~ it. had ,1U8tained on the 1«?th,. 1\ .. d,"-.,pUing Tb., w. a ~ of: equal jmpor~a.ct: .~itla tb~,P'tfIi#QI' 8re!t~.w~ it:1uui Dq1V.~en e~p~e~, ~'" red.oced;to ¢,I:IoI,Jg~D1G~ or that of Ter ~a.Ha)'!e~ If ~6 Cor .. ''1P ~ .. df,e~ Iq~ TIJQi lit~l~ but heroic, ~~pli shrank ~ ~ ~~(.qI i¥lre, be; :W9u,1d/~ft~:the. Br~ not f~ ~I\ ~neqwa1 COIJf.e$t •. , ;They' did 'no~ ~'E;" ;~, line, and cut oft" the rf?ueat of IJ:.ord W CJli_DgtQII ~& ••

(QI' the &If.a4~,, b_., fqrqlipg,~tbe~lvea, into ~in~" -.d r~d.~ ~! .:. '. .' '! '. i,

pnientipg'-"8rmW,~U$:c~~frqptfl ~b8rged~" I, .Both partiealf~" ~~9 iPl~I·.I\~ti of'. tb~ PO~4if>B,.,_ column with such impetu08ity that they pier<;ed'IM\e mad~!,~ 'qt~ !~~~~llJI, tbe.)OIJe:~ '~rry., ,Qd thtt centre, w!JeD tbe Sepich Greyll" prp~t,ip" ilt,-~ ... c;qqfu- OJ~r.AO,~~ ~t •• !AI,the, r.~,iYe b~~·1ftl'C lioD, dashed ill a~ .~he I ~qiQg .. ,I](~e ~ .. cr..r~_ ""~R'f!sJ;,pr; ,IflI!$ro.y.e4;, fhtsb 'reinforf;e~nt4lj~I'1teJJ~ cheered ,~b o"r, '!duJ., f";~~JWt .ffJIM~V~l.~' ~~,p'~ied.- tbe~., plae~ ap~ ,,€or·,·QR\rar_dal~ ,q.

. ,abet: die eaemy 'JlVttfe,' ~!fl"qiIJP,.:Wtt~;IW~~fn'c.~ktP bswr;~hf!,f9n1\\c$:CjU~ilJ~Il,~it}l, ver~rtWA\lItfa4. s~e ...

,ri.OlJers.. r '.' ,",,!,,;, Ij 01' Ii: ,: .. I : ')!' "").1".1 'I:'·i::~ A",1w'lJtt~tt IJJIHlJ~\iAo P(I1-be a~li"'~'f'~4\~

A ,eolumn .af. : ~cb. ,OV..ah.yllli"!W1I!'" ~r.m a.adJh~.F~n~ M~r:m¥t,~ t,1t.e farDh IUfcl,,,,,~~ at their .• ad, ,.J)W .llcl.aP4~'rbf.!.h",;mli"),*id",~~r;.m.. it. Yet, under these.r~ir~IllS~ 'IJ¥ '(J~".;Le,i fantry. ',Tbe Seokb Gl'te~' ¥-.'~~D,4~i ~. ~#in gi~~ lVhi£ll.ocp¥pit¥\,4t~p$iDUed tQ ulUd ~Plael'ee r.einforded .by:,,: lwi~!9f hWf, ~~lIll ... 4 "''' with ~."h,"~;'fPRiolll!wq~e'P'l'iP9D 1tM'f_· ... Pf.ili. 8IOIIt ~rAladf .. le~agtl~t' Q,qw. : ~k pl~ ; The" iGh iW defeJMI6f83Wltr4l<JummilM,d,. . ,.'~: ::" . I. ' 1 pieJl8bMleaJirauealQ£ .he!FteoeJ;(pY'e.t,h .. ~decidpd . N~On.iia.lMIJy'~ed .be. .• dvall~ W,JJict-!,It. adv~tage o.ter, the' English, .b9 ~q)(r p~ly, sP;M. ~ bd now; ~ ",4, .pr~"R': ~ w4h.iRl""Wo·lUjIfft &he. ne~k. Or, limm..·pf 'hwr ~p..D.enW;. .N9#lillg, ,h~". ofinfa~9 .a..q ~.Iry, .~ked· ~e. ~~f'l 'Which ever, could resist the determined ,=~t q( &b~,Brit .... , w".~",'~x~e4., .~Tbe first b~lion.tMt'hl!~t»Uft": a~, 'after a &on __ !iI~u.iury tWnftict, the c.n"",iJlra 'ere4,. p~.~ellP,ed by ,.~ior .DuPl" ... 'fJ8H! :~a, ~ Uu'ned ,t'beil'~ _ . iled. Thfl.8laoghter w .. the. aud ~ :C.onipaD, conaideriug the victory lIN .. ..., .,.. ~dfuJ.! b11ch"Br.itjsb bad sv~t: orden not '0, punue .,a~~eA a, courier to Pari, wi~ ~ int~JJigeD~. tI~ tb-. 'be,." ,ibes; and'th., aaa&&e ..... r~t of ~be tk..¥r"""'Wi»D.· . '. ); "j '1 '~ .ht!.:}',e~~* refuge io lbe, ~I' ~f ~heir inra.try. ; Had ,he. 'BOw: hr~u,h~ forw~"', .. ~R 4j~:r.'!IH!f;vj!".of :u.In,ahi.'.ve,· ties fort~lq. and one hu ... dred gel ~rYt.;M wai~d ~until' the Bri&ish ",0"': bad I t..eb ftAlt: Fr$t .... ~- !osttheir't",tes. ", ~' tbroWA .into eoufp,eloD, by tbe 'r~ of bi •• rtillAr~ et .:,4.i thifl,:.od·Clf,·tbe:"JJgftff~ent Sir Williaml»ou. the furw ... chargu of his foot-aol.tiera" it mig~t !_v. ~y led·~i.:kigkde agaih8t,the ,p.)Jj.,lance.r8, _ad ~ ~pouible, even for lhe Duke. 9! Wel.h.itPID to dheolled :tlteimi_ti!lK:tWe d'*ks oll.the Britis" inlu., ·llav8. rettored ,~e fortune, of tJae ,day.' But, £ollpwing tI'J.! ·}few.l·wah a: ... re,,tUndly, Dr' a ,~o",'.IJOC~ up bis adnniages too hastily, and _~lfceh'i~$:-4J.,.Hbe CJh.-tgEtj.)_t!.!~ JillJpe.ou.,V~Q~I\·,of Wq pf ,ws;.".in MW J.vW8 of ,the,d.o~ covld·.l1ot, r'list.~Jw. .~fq_'of ments hurrying,tbem a..t> fariPltb~ pp'fltuitt, be.lfijU9,," .. ·canlry, 'be ordered tbe", ~ ,ad9a~ alJd:.Clllllrg~ fotwanltl.ttIn.e •• "BPIy~:aide-d~r.-p,tor~in upon~he;qlJtre4){ the allies. " "I " '11 ." ., ",i tlMir . ~ I'MItneis •• 1·Sb)....ue..ed . a ,Mwl,.ttIo",b_: fitlld ~ 'Tbe.IaIlC61'8. and ~irJlSil.elj8'.rualre4. 00 ,." th~ fte~ ~ wltlant .,,~ "M'exetecliltgl"a.f'tti .d,,~ 't~~Jpm ... and prec:ipitate~ tbn .. ~I~"·pll.~.~~j,,_ 1NidI,,;lbo __ «t.III.,11 ....... dkllio .k.l "e~ra'U.I"" 'sft_hee,. .! few bN~,. w~o. wf)"e alow O~H'w"'~ .. nabl. to, es:tricatel iPeifl ·:Al ,dl~ ill.at ... ~flA( ! ia, lhei.t. evQiution .. werei"s«-Ildy eQt ftQ ~~:~ ~"

lan~ "PfrI'tIia llim:1\t -lull *pdeL; :~if, WjlU_ll!~" . wbell8vet. tbfl Iqbar •. were io.-m~c.I, the 8,U'lmy,:.C)OqJd.

. daet Ilia·~ , cWride41.,~. He _1J.>QUt,a : pi_r~~, : rM~ pC) impressio .... In vaiA tbe Freaoo: ClJv,.Jn;· ...

L.i.tl",atdt,l~ '''.,illi t8e ad:of'givinA' ,bf_!Jdd." fended by their armour, walked tbeir horses ro"",- '"' IUde",Wlub,. t(,.,~eJi'Qt, tQ. his, wire aad .6t~iIYt. "belJ Briei~ ~""~ aMd' .dashed ,~) J.b~; fllilJl~~'$: ~p~,qg ; dtllapce"lOame~api: aa.WWtlana", tJpe'8~! His ilii' .... ,1,.. .. n·tbflyI8l'ri'~4;'!~nl.1 ~~o~~~~r,tm~.f\ ~J ~. ~.tyidg.·~1l .... af_.of, bf.'bo~ -p'er~ 'f,ew !OI':ftbe. r~Mfl,o'_,-:IlJ¥l·,~lct "1t~!)S~ft~ with seven wounds •. ·~ft".f~UWae\w~e .• efpui~y Jed . dI ... ~h!_, iby, reqe~riDtr .(..- tiliih~f14b~,.qp~ tD!.,u.b: d.troetiob ef.""GlMeI.lPe~afIed. >l14.el.itut, .bile. tIl~, ... ill1Pod,,~,i~:'~ qb~:P",'lIIe.~"_ UeIb ... ,'~e:"~,'was.",eade4J:t'" :P.,JisbH&MeQls ~w.e" .1- ~r.~ tb"y,~.W If~"f,l, ~¥l"'~~.I"'~Iu.,.;tfte:

IPoslf~rdlr ~lft,.to-).,ieca!by,,,,,e: brjg*~,;tt'1ii,r this d~, T~.~I~·jr,W,epifl~ ?f1tfI.iA .~ ~f~ _1.rWJeffieot,liad·Jed.oapi_therq., ',II! 'l-; .: .. ' , ;"".M,~RaW!~,..toJMJ¥lf'_W'1ljl 'G'}I'Hl 'JHIl'/~"'I""!~

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GALLANTRY OF THE BRI'I'ISH TROOps,

Otber squadrons' of Frencb cavalry penetrated :,be- the ~ ('hUt flte 'British dragoons coming up,- an tween the squares, and charged on t"e position whieh awful flCene of ('onfilsion ensued. The ftttiltery'of'tlie the dnke .and his staWoccupied. It was tbeir'evidellt two armie,s''.''as still opposed, and roure~If(,ittb a,,'~{'~object to signalize themselves by the deat' or 'capture sant terreftt tif rouud and gr&f,e-sbof. i,' Slf~denJr th of 1 he British hero. H is personal escort wils obiig~ ilh:llery would wheel round, and m'assi~e' cef.iiiuts 6f in. to be continually on tbe alert, and .Ii. ft~q'QentJy flt'tttry ~ould advance, and eitber ~ng1tge'in'''cl~~'ru~ el08e1y engaged with the enemy. ' siUade. or make a destructive charge with die bayonet;

The Britisb cavalry now advanced and dUlrged the Wfrile, in tile rear of tbe aliied inf'tDtry,'the cavitlty"o( euiraaiers, laocers, and chasseurs,' who b',",,' ren(>trated the two armies mMutai..-d a gallaut i" ddObtfill

tbe 'iile, and the battle was contested man ,to man. cOmbat." :.. ,'. : r" ' )

Bnonaparte was now eonvineed thftt he had COIDmit- The tbirtieth regiment 8uStftined se~ral clrargt'-s 0'

.d a Iftnd error; and tbe wbol~ centre of bis in'antry the eairaaien. Defended by their breut-pl~t~s; th~t was &roaght forward to a.1st, and,' if- poesible, to dis- ~lIoped up to the yery'beyonetB of the infantry, boping engage the CI1nlry. A close column of French ae- tbat some opening might he made through'which, they eordingly"re.ed forward, overpowered ali res_alice, might penetrate; but. in no instance. did tbeY'8ucl'eetl a""'marched on to attack tbe yntageor Mont 8t.Jefth. in making the le88tj .. p~n.' 'Theo beftemen'had' no jg·the rear of tbe British p08iricm. ' . 'ROOner' pSssed tban tbe:regl'*lent ar1n deployed 'int. ~ 'Ote· Duke f)( Wenington we ~ctly aware of tbe line. that ifa fire might· tie 'inere extended a1HI effettual. aititahituatiOll in"wllicb be .aII D~:plaeed, atad, pre- They bad IK:8reel, compiefed ,tbe uolution, 'when the een'i~g himself .~ereyer tbe dan~rw~ inOs~ imm~ command 11'88 again given,·" Jteform .quare; prepare to Dent..- led on itt 'person seyeral,_ee.h'e darges. re~ei\l'e cavalry.'" 11Je whole'were pl'OIltnste' on their When'any of tbesquarH appeared to WaTer, lie threw bre"ts;· to let tlie iron shower of tbe artillery fly o.ver, himself, into tbe 'lbidst of them, 'and; by a re" :.vords, and' erect ,in'llB iostant, ~'ben the caoDon ~d, and re.animated, and ("6n6noed tbeir !courage., At length' th't:aYaI..y eharged. '

he succeeded ill arresting' .tbe progress of the e~my; " Unable to' break in upon the square b; open force, aN ",resting from them aU the advantages they I.ltd a eelDm8ild1,,~' officer or' cuirMSiel'8 tned a rir.se th pined. They ~'ere. driri!1f from the eminence wliit:b 9t1~"e; Ile'lo"e~d bia sword' to Gene~J Balket. Se-

. ,. • e " r •

tbey had carried; the farm of La Heye WIl8 retaken; ,'eral of rbe ofD~et*B called oU", " SIr, '''fIY'rlttn-eru/er.''-

aad :the combatants: again occupied the positions which ,. Be pni.· AND :PUtE," was tlte prOmptly obeyed answer. they liad: 1r~ld ilt tbe eommencement of the affair; ex- The geoerafjustly'suspected an offer ofleurrebder'to a eept that' Buonaparte's IrOOpe continued to occupy a body,of infantry flxed to the "pot i~ a. deftinsiTe posilImall mound on the left of the road from Brussels to lion, by a bod, of caVAlry. who bad tfle '.011 of gaICharleroi, and (rom ,.,t,icb ·they· could not he djslG~ed, loping otl' will.' all the plain open be"ul th_ The till the -grand adv1\~ce ~f the British army at the eloee ~olley sent the colonel' and bis coi .... icm; sa .... 1, of die' f'ngagemenf."· . about, with a Jeugb of deriliion from the meD -be had

The duke now found it extremely difficult to restrft;" meant to cut to 'pietes; alMl 'meQY a ring frolll their tbe impetuosity of Ilis troops, Wberevpr he ftppearNlf ball",- upon the bal'k-piece& of the mails.

he was bailed with eothusillfltic shottts, and his soI- This gallant brigade w .. bonou~ with .. Yenl Yisila diers, tired of mnding for so mftoy hours exposed to (rom tbe illustrious commander-in-ebief. ' In .0'" be iRa murderous fire. and tbeir energies confined to merely ~red, ." ~ lieN lOne' ~ The .. weI' ~ "tbat driring back tbe squadrons whi~h rushed upon tbem, 'two-thirds of tbeir number were down, .. d, that the .. ,Iy demanded to be led against tile foe. t. Not yet, rest were *0 exhausted, tbat lea" to retire,· eYen for a not yet, my brave fello ... 's!" wftS the dtike's reply. sllort time, was most dP.tirable; and _e of the foreign f' Be Gno a little longer; you sball have at tbem by corps, "'ho bad not suffered,· to tan tbeir place. Geand by." . neral Halket was told that the issue depended on the

The attack on Hougoumont had recommenced, and IInflin('hing wont of the British troops; and tbat eve. eo.tinued during tbe day. but the French were nnable a cha~e of pleee was hazardous in the extreme. He to obtain even a momentary pOllle.ion of it. Bringing immediately replied witb eoe~, " Bflowgl, .y lord, f'4,,,,,ard, howeyer, some etronr bodies of infantry and ft1e Bland Aere till 'he la' ••• fall,."

Qvalry, they made a circuit mund tbe cltatHltl,- and The first footiruards were, for a ebol1 time, almoat ad.abced to the 'emioeace by wbit-h it W88 commanded. separated from tbe rest of the army, and 8Urroanded Here. 88 io the eentre, their cavalry boldty penetrated by the French caval!')', who repeatedly cbarged on the .. nares, and, for. Ihort tim ... ., appeared masters of every aide of the l4luue at oac:e. TheiCr I~ w. COIn-

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AN.ECI1O'rES· OF LORD'\VBLLINGTON.

aequ~ntry ioimense; but; tliougfl the 8Oldiel1rl-al'idly (eU, QO ebftin wsi fbr a= ItiOment left; "'lf1re,tll'es'were 'clbscd, and de Square gradually ~iriJiuislted, uor ~ould tbey haTe lIurrenderetl·tt;bn~1t cut! Off=tb ,tbe' I ll8'f'lna h. At ledgtb ft,e fl*i~h eil~ahy ad ~1tced te tbe'ir. wlier, while the intrepidity or'the allies -prevlmM in aU paris of the field, and tbe- Ftench' ·were· dri"en back to tbeir· f.,rmer

pOI(tio~H; with' -prodigious IMS. " , ., ". .

, Aft uninterro~; series ·of atta&s IIOW commenced &hrougbtbe wbole ~iire, btlt chieOy on 'the centre, sometimes wkh ~infa"fry(at 'Gther' times with cayal.." and ~iooally with both united; white nearly three hun. drecl piee. or artiffery played on . all parts of tbe British, po8ition~· ·The drnage wes 'truly awful; yet it would bue 'been' pater ba;J"ndt tile eartb been 80 completely eo.ked'witlt riwt. ·1, Oil dtii aceoubt tbe bid .. n'e~er bo~ded al«*g." "beft 1he gMuild .·dry. nf' .bells arad frequentty buried··themselveA, and, whelt they exploited, ;produeed DO other effect than tltrowtag

11; a foantaio'of' mM. . ' . .

The battl~ had no~ ra~d ,,:itb unabllted ffIrJ nearly ~it. ho~l'I!I; at .. ct· iIIJbt)8t . 'O"~~ltIird of theall~ troeps were-'killed or·wounded'. ;:1'he ·Prussian", flO Jong expected, . .tict'DOt yet _!riYt>;':an\l tont Wellington heg.. .. to 'fear that tb~y bad Men 8mMed 'by t~ French corp.

wllieh 'haef been 'leR to wRttb14flem. .:1:,..,.

Tile duke'. l'etIe'rve" ,,~ Bew~ .~I ·i ... 1l~01l.: whiff! fh(lee ~ BuOft8parte were Dot' ,et' Ikoegbt lOtwsrd. The braTe 'Seotcb 'division Wfllr reduced from lihi·thou~ sand to leRi th81l two thounnd! mE-D. -The sisth division bad 'been 'almost destroyed witbout flt'ing a gun. Tbe Ipirihl ()f .tlle lIo1dienr bf'gan to .droop, and it re~ired the utlftOllt exertion of dIe omcen to prevent·them from yietding-'to despair~ Thf'Y disdaibM tbe idea of ret!'.eating, and were eager to be It>d against 1he foe: but tbu8 to stand and ,be murdet-ed· .... iththM·te8istance "'8S more tban tile,. ('ould bear,,,;'TIiel,t*ete tired of haviol! hothing to oc~ry tb~ir attention bot the' d~ftd(ul roar of the artillery; 't.he f_1d1 of t~eir (ompanidnR, and the. lameDtable cries ,of tbe wounded •. Ail· indifFerence to life was rapidly 'spreading throo~b their 'nlob, and the British 'eommaDdn WftS in' a 8t~e of the IlltMt atixiJ>m suspense, convinced ,tliat~· elrtea tlie Prol8i_us arrived within' auoibi!t hG~; "tbe' baUte .mast be ineYitably'JOst. Yet; he •• 'perfeetly cool' .. lid collected; and, while one regiment ~nt;n~ed iflrlll at its VOIIt, he wouJd not resign tbe: t'ODteit •.. An aide..de-c,uop now came witb tbe informatiOn tbit the' fiftb tlivilion .... _hoost destroyed. and that it was impossible for them eny longer to maintain t!.eir ground. "I canDot help it," he replied, " they muet keep tbeir ground witb myeelf to tbe la8t Ulan. Would to God I that night or Blueher were come .... '.

GenerafTh! Laney 'noW"'feft ... be· .... teading·badt> to the charge ~·battalien.ef ilauoveri8lls....a. h.a,beea: thrown into 'f'b&foSion. I 'lie conceived- ·tbat -hiS wo ..... was mortal, end, 8stbe seldiers . eagerly l'osbedfer •. ward. to carry him to the ,~ar; be desired.them;fD leave him to bis fate; adding, tllal tb~ should not __ Ie that time oli . bitn, which 1birgbt' be' employed. iia assiating lOahY t"'Bye fellowif' ""0' migbt b!t. en ... d agai":.lO fight their country's b1attl~ I, I.l . . , ... ' .',

: They' obeyed aud redreth hut'tbe ')I," IDomiDg be W88 found yet lividg, attd"bis:~rieD" ht'gaD to .eDter .. tain hopes of bie l'eOOf'eJlY." :rtu!56.!bo"_' however, were fallacious; aod be died;iIJ 'a few clay .. probably.

IIlartyr to bis own diaintereltedllMB. :,' , .

- ·ne penroo of the Duke of WeUiligten·".J.J'epe..t-

edt, 'expflBed to tlie' great ctanprs. . WIiI .. ~e:. __

(J.h.be centre' eI the' bigb oad iD ftOilt of·M~·~

Jean;, ~veral guns were Inelled against him,: di •• iIk guided ... he' was by biB suite, an~ the moveuae.. of

tbt\l odicerS ,bout bim.· ' :

. The hallii·repeateily·1nzed a .tree on the. rig"'baod of tbe road; Which ~ee hOW bean hi. Dame •.. " That'. good praCtice:, ·oMetved, ~h .. duke to one of .his suite. "1 think tbey,fii-e betterth ... in Spaid." 'Ridi~g up to •· .. e einety .. fifthTegm.en(, "beo'inlioiat of the·lite, aad ey.. died' exptHltlng- a ronnidable charge of cayalry. he Sttid,: ~8tand "'st, uinety..fiftb-we ~ DOt.. be beat-what will tbey say io England !"

., 0.. anotber oetdiOll, wheu .aDY of tJae;. I.e.t and br .. _· men had fallea, aad the event of tillt aetioo "eemed douhtful eyen to thoMe who remaiaed; h~.said; with the cool nelS of a .peotator9 who wes' -hoI4m, !rollle well-contested .port-'~N8ver,miDd; we'JI ~ .... battle yet." To aoother regiment,' tben c&.el,:.' en~gM, be ued a eommen: sporto., espre.~; : u,H..-d poUnding ,hi., gentlemeu ;.Iet' • .ee· ,,·ho "'i11 f poud

longellt." . .

. Sir William Delaocey,.etniek by a &peat ball, leU from: .... bene " Leue, me ' to die," be, aid to tboae who came to_ist .iin;;·~ altltDd to tbe chke.~

Sir Alexander Gor4oll received Ilia .moi1il1 wOUDd, while eXp"tulaaing . ~idI tbe eommalidc .. in-chief bil the perso .... danger to which lie was ex .... ing him8eK OM of 'he duke's aid~e .. calDp was eent· aIF to a ~.raI ot brigade iD anotber put of the field,. with" hI~ .of impch18nee. In "tuminA!, :be: was shot through the lungs; but, .. if .upp~rted bjttlte-Nselu. non to pf'l'form his duty,. be rede up ~t4"~ ·Duke of Weltiugto .. , deliYE'red the nawer to hilrlm-se, .d then dropped dowD deed, from bis bone.

Captaill Curzon, of tbe 69th, the fourtb sen or Lord St-and.ale, au aide-de--camp. to the .Juke ..... sent witb Lord Marcb on a .ervice of impol:bUace.,wJaea. a mf';!

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. s&nlck,hiJD.,OD:tIM ., .. t •. Aa:he .fell frlJ.n' bi. At th. ID~Dt • ~i~e~ .i .. teJ1iMp~ "t,"

1IorM. he aieetieQaa.J,.~.iua"" ., Good b1'- Mareb." Pr_~ weJ'e opeqing, 00 b~ rig~~.~Ik:~~.~ Ia. nia.... Doble friend reeder~d 'laim e,ve,.y. p~ible ewog bW rear. He. lap~e-rer, d.reg.ard~~ tbe,,,.pprt, a.btuce.; tb~ tide of life .ebped (1UIt, . .A~t1,ia jUI\cture ."ftirulillg tkat: tb •.• rew~~~~!~~~. ~~r.M\9. ~~" a 1IlOvemeDt of the 'reacb c'_"'ea.~e.,eoed to ata tbaD Qrqaciay'a~; aod'eveo aJu.~ .• ,e~ "~ea~ tack •. baltalidll of N.,...11 trpo.,., bear.i~e .• ~ 00 ".,.....amp. whobro.bt ~be . .iIJ.~lIigeD~ ~AI ~e. "bieb be lay; ,lMd Man:~'piWlCeiyjlJg tbe danier.:'~ wiall.~id'tYI ... 9dd~Ag;Jb.""tiW~IH~UfQRP~; .

• hich they +~e' e~, l\aIJ'iJ,. ~pured.w form. After.o peremptory Aq' ~w"' •. ~"""'" f!i. ~

them into .quare. Aa he w,a tbus e.y~, a!1~ 'ania asb.m~~ .. t9, bare h!aea m~~~ "~\eIIb;;~f c_ed

IMtipS' .tIre .... ldie rs . to "ai, "i~ finnne. 'h~'exPftC~ed tQW!lFd~,:tb.; .. P,....D Y~,,,,;, .... :DN"i~~ .. auaail, ·Carzon II\ed hit. hea4. .~ltd •.. wjt~ ... : d,yiog .tbe4e,~e.pt. up a !ibarp·fire~$:t~, .. , ~y:wr~~1 b .... br,exclaUntid, " W.ell. dpQe., MItJ'«:b; that'. righ" ed.ar e~o",h &0 be ei~k~Il~.,Or,,,~,,~~~,,,, .y'In..efel~. well doae; w.eu.'deMt~': '. :; ' .• ->: In 10 iqui tI~ .... w.,;er"JJaqw. •.. ~AA4~eiy~

Buonaparte was equaU"..-onithed ~ad ch"'fi~.w. by Ii furiqqa _tlfck :OIl,~.~:Of. ~,:·Pr~ ... '; ~t &be''''_u.te.r_iMaacse o£ thClt.Bri~.trOOf.8o n •. ina of the 'i¥eJa.·,ufp8 .... :de;t~.!O.~.;.~i. 'nf4~ ..... tlj _I: ilnuW i.:: .... epiPc:bea.fNIR,hia "a~ abodt, Amil Man"_" G"u~by,~.I! g .... ~~!"~er..J pet:_:yjolenlly. fftl.8i. ,up. a .p ....... IYId tbr.Qwi.,g the motbeQ' 'lIxp~. ~"~"W··~ ~I.; l$T.:w.. .• P~.D, ... ··&Om him. .~ T .... b ,Eng'''''. are,4e~j"'" bt: ex.. Gea~"'l.eb,.lo1er"aDnounc:ect ~ 8f:fi,,,, of. ~ou~bl' ..... ; ".will ahe)'!. DeFer be beatea 3" .: A.~'" aa4 ,a.. b4t "'as aUadriDg t.b!it CQ~,;,_,,~p'. f~ afterwards he added," I shall der-aUb"m:yet.;··~tlqugh intelligence he also .pread am~ •. ~,~~,~~:a; lIe

ia·lia: ... :pity to .deetroy:"cb.;~~~,~,..":: Bt\.~n rode.ftl"C the line. . .! : •. : '!:' .. : ., :,:.'

tUnaed'to Sonlt. ,'U How· admirably. th_E~liab 6IJh~1 . ~o -hl.me CaD be attribeeed .t~ ~ P.r .... ~ wi. Je'"

bGc,·tbey must ~ give w"y.~. SouIa, '.".11 ,... 8Pf8~ .pec~ to ~ «Jelay of tlleir ,",i~.I •.. ~ :rri.n~ ~t ",d

et'l~erience of ·Bri.~ ~Cou.rage and ·Ii~ r~pli4d, put hi- army in motiQ" at· .. .,ak;o( ~y .... :~. ~ of

that ," rae dbultted whether'tlley wHW ~tetr ~ .. e ,.aylr Domel anJi Palow 'were to 'Dl!lr~ by:St. I,auabert,. oe"JV.b1i~ .iod.ignantly .. ked Napo1oont J 'f!~ .. cupy a position th~re .D~er CQY~r. 9f.i~tt' for.,· ,leu' 8ite,: .dtey ..... iIl au4fer dl~m8eJ.ea, ~ ~. ·("Alt· l~:piceotlcf Frit.cl\ermqltt, . a~~, ~e tIM; ." ..... " ~: tJt~ .. rBJr. ,,~en first." . . .v ' " i. !;; , I;;.! 1/-:;;0): ~ m",e". al\9uldapp'1U: fa.vq .. ~~ ~i~e""~,,, ',.,'I'ba·£Jo""aQ'. auacks were,now .F."o~bl~!;awhhe " .. to.~~,e pp:the.rig~. 8ank of.IM '\Detpy. by hapD ·ao: ellpOlle hi..-lf to "'e' ,bi~.t .. QfJltl:,. ,ire. Obailq, .ad.Tbiel.DlUl to foUow slowly, aDel ai'Ol'd·au&:.o daOugIa:th. accounts which have been pllblwbbd.of tM ~our iD cue of need, But the first two of these. c~rp' d~peration with which he 1I$0ught. evel; dlJnger, and hJ¥l.~qe~:p"cacl.oll. the e.&" aide of ~~e'liv~~l)lltt .at _'appuent'cletfirmiDaaian w.di8:.~ tbe.:field4,.,e·alto- Wa,re; they had.to CJ'0IIt by fl narrow bridge. :ands IJi «etlu~1' nfounded~' ... : . I • I : .... ; ":' ", h: . : I : add. to the del.,. which thUt !l~eaari1, occaaioued,t'_'

: BaonepM'ie ' ..... QOIll8Dfplac.ed, wiah; ,. "tern! c:ouate- h~u~ in the atreet .leadi~g:~ .i~ had p~en .e.t ~D fir. naee. tlte ,borr.ibl&see •• 18f; alaagbtel' :.wllidla ,r_nted by .tb~ . FreDell ; ~,tba~ Jhe infanf;ry!~d wi~ 4iJli. itaelf to bi. view. The more numerous the Uhstaclea culty, the cavall'1 ars~ "l'till~ry with. Rip. cre.aL~f', a.~~ "fiicl1 p'8len~ed. t~emMlv .. , ~"e mACe cia. 'o"t~acy the am",uDitioa w~ 'C~mp~lled to wait ~ll ,he ~r-::~q _tiDed: ~ .iocrease.'·, He becalDe. ·i~ ... ' ... ; ~ . exti.pished •. The pusage, tpo, ~1. :t~e. ,t~,,~ .p.f: ~t, uDforeseeit,Jiacultieat ud .. fill' ·fntln: r.ri"~!I'o)pl$b LaQlh~rt,.·_f"i.:-mo'4l d~lt t~ .. ho~r.lJe~:e~~f':f.l. tbl'8DreliUtieelaD .army' whic"'l1ep~d"bMR«U_,-.'On- ed; ~.t~ wJieq R ,,~tutlf-put fqadn ~e ~"Q!NI. 8de*ce1in'him,lhe ee .. d dot _p')O.rldow ... f~l~ oaly'.~"o:bripdes pf Bulow.' .. C9fW1·AwI.;~i~jtfl." ~e aftd· to gift -:ders to nilUloh'fo"ard~ldtaqe "vi'" ~ItWpll.R!._icb."fl8.~~igoe.d, l~~m.I·' .,' ':. , .' .

1IIe Iiayouet,--to ca~.by,:.terbi.: Her;Wu,6epeatMt, ,.TIt,. d~isive )IlqmIJ~t. "...,.; C,ORl~" ~~~ 'W'II~ ,o~.!l1J tntbna"'&om.diffitrftt'painl~;tlaatlhe,d~!.8Dt'" i~~"'t. ·Jo .. ~ I_.;:~d t.b.e !g~"'" r~~I~ed iJP!D~" him. and tlaatthe tmoPJ ·a!pp.,ed!rtorhe 41_ ... .e;, ,"Wy. &~,begin.:t.h~ Iltplck.~itb:.t~e ~ .... w~icb.tbey hoi Ilia· Gol, rep.,.. ''_,:: F~at(.u :JMt_d.f~ 1tfi4, ~ ,hand. Tb.eir ... y. ":a& ·~hr~h. ~e f.or:88'. of ·~netal·.eathim ~orinatiod t~~be.ilhld.Q".maio~iJl So,iglt~,· ~ a.r;.et ~ng .f .Jl¥)~ "~ .thirty. ,bonb.:poeitioa,.·beibg dreadr.tly.:IlliDQ,.d.,bYt.,:Bal",y~ "1l~41t0fftll,: .By. 1904 fottune,·the ~ut "bo guided and requested·.inllttucdQIl8 "o,.·£d)~t ifjJ, "_u,""erq* thfm,l W. a ,"Do of.;mplJl.t1i~n orw~8l'3' .ageeity; I\n~r fir~'~,J.elIa_ at'"'" lluI./Jatleiy /" ,aaid.dte Qoretlling ins.ad. of .tol8i.g .. o,.t. of.the f~.t: at Frit.:lier,IPont, wretch, . and turaW' his'back·QD the aidetd..cllJhP; wlJa \I"prf1POHd:te de~D~fdQto tit,. vlllJey low~r dolt'D, bnpag~t. lIte .. ~, .' i ,.). " . J' • '. i, ':: : . ~ and come out ill a direction toward. PlaDche~oitt· n~l,

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9n the rear of the French l'eIerves. "Then," said he, geney and tbat they bad neYer diaappointed bi. ex" we ahall take them all." . pectations. He alated that the enemy, greatly dimi-

The moment at which they arrived, was truly criti- nished in numbers, conld oWer no effectual resistance, cal: nor .can we refted, withont shuddering, how much, and that they had nothing to encounter but an artilat this moment, depended on the knowledge and fide- Jery, "hieb w~ indeed formidable, but which they lity of a single peasant; wbo, had be been less disposed would Q88ily ~arry with the bayonet. To tbese obserto serve the a1ties, or less inteJ1igent, might easily have vations they replied with one general shout of " Vive led tbem into a hellow way impall88ble to their cannon. L'EfApereur!" which "as distinctly heard as far as the

When Napoleon was at length convinced that the Britiah lines.

corps which be had so obstinately taken for that of The allies now eoneeived tbat Buonaparte was about Marshal Grouchy, consisted of Prussians, he felt the to attack them in person. He tbought proper, how~itical situation in which he was now placed; but, as' ever, to remain under shelter 01 the rising bank, while he did not believe that the main body of the PrUBlLians his deyoted guards defiled before bim under tbe comcould come 'up for some hours, he hoped that success mand of Ney, and ascended tbp eminence.

was yet in his pOWP.r. He therefore resolved to attack The decision of the battle, the fate of Europe, now tbe weakest part of the Britisb line with his whole. depended upon tbese troops. The fire of tbe allies concentrated force, and thus endeavour to defeat the abated; and, with indescribable ieelings, they contemDuke' of Wellington before his reinforcements could plated tbe approach of those cbosen battalions, who arrive. Accordingly, leaving the sixth. COl'p8 to keep had been 80 Jeog the terror of Europe, and who had tb.e Prussians in check, be brougbt forward the whole never yet been vanquished. The pause, bowever, was of the cavalry of the imperial guard, and directed it on but for a moment. Every cannon opened at once on the centre of tbe British position, The shock, for tbe the foe, aad swept away entire ranb. But as tbose in moment, wu irresistible; the allied troops gave way; front fell, others instantly ru.hed forward to fill up tbe the heights were carried, and several guns were taken chasms, and, with 8tem and unbroken front, the impe-

by the French. The Duke of Wellington, however, rial guard still continued to advance. .

hastened to the spot, and placed himself at the head Some BruDSwickers fil'lt attempted to oppoee them: of some English and Brunswicken. He addressed to but, after an obstinate reailltance, they were defeated them a few sentences, which he well knew would In- witb immense slaughter. The French penetrated witbin ftame tbeir ardonr, and led them against the enemy, the linea; and, for a short apace, the Yictory was more wbo, Bushed ",ith success, were adv8.bcing to the very than doubtful.

rear of his lines. . Suddenly tbe victory was wrested In a hollow of the ground, directly in front of the from tbeir grasp. The artillery whicb they bad taken French, and sbeltered from the fire of tbeir artillery, W38 hastily abaudoned, and they Sed with preeipita- lay a regiment of the British guards. :ebe Duke of tion. Wellington bad placed himself on a ridge behind them,

At this period, tbe Prinee of Orange received a 01.... and, on the imperial guard adYancing within a hunket-ball in his shonlder, as he was rallying lome of his dred yards, he suddenly exclaimed, " Up, gouds, and troops who had shrunk from the impetuous attack of at them." The unexpected appearance of this fine the French. In a previoWl ltage of the combat be had body of men startled the Freneh battalions, and they been hurried away by the ardour of tbe fight, 8.bd suddenly paused; but immediately recovering themtaken prisoner; but a battalion of hill troops rushing to selves, they advanced more rapidly, while their artilhis aDistance, immediately·effected his rescue. lery filed off to the rigbt and tbe left. Tbey then ap-

The troops of Count Lobau bad, in -the mean time, proached witbin twenty yardl of tbeir opponents, and repulsed the advanced-goard of the Prussians, and were in the act of rushing upon them with tbe bayonet; driven them back into tbe woods.' Animated by this wben a volley was poured upon them by the British, success, and at tbe same time sensible how necessary which literally knocked them backward with its shock. it wa for him to avail himself of it, Napoleon put A second volley tbrew tbem into greater confusion, himself at tbe head of his guard, consisting of fiftee:n and, before they could either deploy or manoeuvre, the bundred men, and made one last desperate e60rt on British eneered and rushed upon them with such impethe centre of the British.~ He led them on till he came tuosity, that they lIuddenly turned, and fled in tbe to a hollow part oftbe road, where be stopped under utmost confusion.

a ravine, protected from the fire of tbe Britisb artillery. The Duke of Wellington, perceiving tbe disorder of Here he addressed his troops. He reminded them how the French, and the advance of the Prussians on their often he had relied on thea- valour in cases of emer- right tlank, immediately commanded the_JJritish trooIJ>8

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COMPLETE VICTORY OF TilE ALLIES.

to form line, and assume the offensive. The whole line formed four deep, and, supported by the cavalry and artillery, rushed down the slopes and up the corresponding bank, driving before them the flying French, whose confusion became eaeh moment more irretrievable. The tirralleurs of tbe imperial guard attempted to cover the retreat; but they were charged by the British cavalry, and literally cut to pieces. -

Just as the English army had deployed into line for the general charge, the sun beamed out, as if to shed his setting glories upon the conquerors of that eventful day. Fatigue and diminution of numbers, even wounds, were forgotten, when the whole line, supported by tbe cavalry and artillery, were ordered to charge. Headed by the Duke of Wellington himself with his hat in his hand, the troops advanced with the utmost spirit al,!d rapidity •.

Tbe French fought with desperation, hut all their efforts were in vain: their first line was llpeedily thrown back on the second, and hotti became united in one tide of general and undistinguished flight. BaggageWaggODS, artillery-carts, guna overthrown, and all the impediments of a hurried flight, encumbered the field as well as the caulleway, witbout mentioning tbe thick-

"strewn corpses of tbe slain, and the bodies of the Atill more. miserable wounded, who, in vairr, implored compUllion, as fugitives and punlUers drove headlong over them in the agony of fear or the ecstacy of triumph. All tbe gUDs which were in line along the Frencb position, to tbe number of one bundred and fifty, fell into the immediate possession of tbe alliec-

The last effort of the Corsican's troops, and their entire defeat, are tbus beautifully described by Walter Scott" in his "Field of Waterloo:"-

"

.. On came tire wbirlwiDd-like tbe 11Ilo1, Bul fier~eet IWcrep of tempest blast~

OD _ tbe whirlwiad-lteel «lealDJ breke Like li«btDID« tbrou«h the rolling Imoke,.

Tbe war was wak'd anew.

Three hundred canDon-molltha roar'd loud, And from tbeir tbroats, wllh 8alh aDd douet,

Tbeir showen of iron threw.

Beneath their lire, in full career; Rusb'd on tbe pODderous cuirassier, Tbe laDcer cOllcb'd bis ruthle .. spear And hurrylDg aa to havoc near,

The cohorts' e~1e8 ftew.

In ODe dark torrent, broad and .trong, Tbe advanclD« onset roll'd along,

Forth barbinger'd by fierce acclaim, ThaI, from the sbroud of Imoke and ftame PeaI'd wildly the imperial Dame.

But, on tbe Britisb heart were 100t

The terron of the chargin« hOlt,

For DOt an eye tbe storm that view'd CbaD«'d itsllrolld «lallCe of fortitude,

Nor WBI ODe forward footslep staid, As dropp'd the dying aDd tbe dead. Fast as tbeir ranks the tbunders tear, Fast tbey renew'd eaclP serried lIquare, ADd, ·on the wouDded and tbe slain, CIOI'd tbeir diminisb'd fllt!l agalD,

Till, from 'beir line, scarce spean'-len,,1Is three, Emer«in« from the -smoke they lee

Helmet, and plume, aDd panoply,- .

Tben wak'd their lire at oa~1 Each musketeer's revolving knell, As fast, aa re«ularly, fell,

AI, wben Ibey prac\ise to didplay Tbeir diacipline on festal day.

TheD down weat belm and lance, DOWD were tbe eD«le baDDen lent,

DOWD reding 8teed. and riders weD', Corslets were pien'd,.and pennons reat I

And, to augmeDt tbe fray,

_ . Wbeel'd fall lIpiDl' tbeir stag«erin« flaDk., Tbe ED«lisb honemen's foamiD« raaks

Forc'd tbeir resistless way.

TbeD to tbe musket-knelllUci:eeds

The dasb of .,vorda-tbe Deigb of steedaAa.pliea the smitb his ~langiDg trade, Aplnllt tbe ~uif1188 raDg the blade;

ADd, wbile amid their close array,

The weU·se"'d can DOD rent tbeir way; And, while amid tbeir IC&tter'd band Rag'd the fierce rider'. bloody brand; Recoil'd ia commOD rOUI and fear,

Lancer, and guard, and ~uirassier, Horsemen aDd foot,_ mlugled host, Their leaden falleD, their 8taDdards 1011."

The last gun fired was a French howitzer, wbich W88 turned upon the retreating army, and discharged by Captain Campbell, aide-de-camp to General Adam, with bis own hand, who lIad thus the bon our of conchiding the battle of Waterloo. The march and advance of the Prussians crossed the van of tbe British arilly, after they bad attacked the French position, about the farm-house of La Belle Alliance, an!1 there the Duke of Wellington and Prince Blucher accidentallyanet, and congratulated each other upon their jointsuccess. Here, too, tbe victorious allies of both countries exchanged military greeting,-tbe Prussians baiting their regimental band to play" God save the King," wldle the British returned the compliment with tbree cheers to the honour of Prussia. Marsbal Blucher tben gave orders .that every man and horse in his army capsblo of action should press upon the rear of tbe fugitives, without giving tbem a moment's time to rally.

It W8S now half-past nine at night; and the moon arose with more than ordinary splendour. The van of the Prussian army accelerated its march, and the French were pursued without intermission, and became absolutely disorganized. The Prussians put no limit to their revenge, and listened to no cries of mercy: tbeil light-horse, always formida.ble nil such occaUOI\8,

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NARROW ESCAPE 01-' BUONAPARTE.

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macJe a fearful and indiacriminate slaughter, scarcely interrupted even by the temptation of plundering tbe baggage with which the roads were choaked, and unchecked by an attempt at resistance. The road was covered with cannon, caissons, carriages, baggage, arms, and wrecks of every kind. Those of the enemy who had attempted to repose for a time, and had not expected to be so quickly pursued, were driven from more than nine biyouacks. In ,ome villages, theyattempted to maintain themselves; but, as soon as they heard the beating of the Prussian drums, or the sound of the Prusaian trumpet, they either fled or threw themselves into the houaes, where they were cut down or made prisoners. The Brunswick cavalry, tbongh tbey had borne their full share in all the fatiguell of the day, intreated permission to join in the porauit. The destruction on the field of battle had not, in tbeir opinion, sufficiently atoned for the death of their beloved prince. Tbeytherefdre eagerly headed the chase, and their ferocity knew no bounds. Not. man whom they could sacrifice to the manes of their leader was

• spared. As'tbey charged through Gemappe, General Duchesme, who then commanded tbe rear-guard of the French, was standing at the gate of an inn. _ One of the Brunswick black hU88lU'8, perceiving that he was a superior odieer, rdde up to him, and instantly cut him down, exclaiming, "The Cluke {ell the day before yeilterday, and now thou shalt bite the duat."

Bnonaparte had remained in the ravine under the British lines, until be bad witnessed the defeat of his hitherto invincible guards; be tben hastily retired to his former position near the farm of La Belle Alliance. Here be beheld, with mingled rage and de8pair, the superb charge of tbe wbole British line, the feeble resistance whioh his troops opposed, and the irremediable confusion which 8G soon pervaded his whole army. During the day, except when he had yielded to momentary paroxysms of rage at tbe unconquerable obl>tinacy of the Britisb, be had been cool and eolleeted, and bad fought tbe battle with more than ordinary skill. But he now seemed to be deprived of tbe powers of recollection, and stood an image of horror and despair. Some indistinct and incollerent expressions of admiration of his devoted guard, or of)ndignation at tbe cowardi~e of tbe rest of bis troops, alone shewed that he breathed. . In vain his officers applied to him for orders; in vain one meuenger after another enquired wbat was to be done in dift'erent parts of tbe field. He regarded them not. "My guard, my faithful guard!" be exclaimed. A moment afterwards be added, " Ah I they are thrown mto confusion! the game is indeed lost!" He was now surrounded and borne away by crowds of fugitives.

For a few moments he sought refuge, with a few of his officerS, in the cottage of a sbepherd, near La Belle Alliance; but, as the Prussian husa&nl had began to scour the field in every direction, be thought proper to abandon bis army to their fate, and to seek his own safety in the most rapid fligbt.

As the Corsican aDd his suite issued from the cottage, and galloped aerosa the .plain to reach some of hia retinue, tbey saw several parties of PrU8$ian hue.sars busily employed in reveDging the calamities of their coun.try. They were not perceived, and Napoleon was conducted to one of his carriages. He drove furiously towards Gemappe. Having arrived tbere he found the stroets completely thronged witb carriages of all descriptions. Tbey were all obliged to pass over one bridge, and, in their haste to effect their escape, they irqpedcd each other's progress, and produced the most dreadful confusion. For more than an hQur he remained entangled in the crowd, _ which resisted every effort to open a paseage. Every moment new crowds af fugitive&, cal'8lry, infantry, guns, baggage-waggons, and carriages of every description, rushed into the place, increased the tumult, and rendered {be passage of the bridge impracticable.

To complete the horror of th., scene, tbe PruuiaDs now approached. Tbeir sbouts were plainly heard, mingling with the .brieks of the lDiserable wretcbes wbo were perishing under their sabres.

The streets were bastily barricadoed, and every preparation which despair or terror could suggest was made for a last defence. The Prussians, however, soon broke through every obstacle, and entered the town at full speed.

Buonaparte'a carriage W81 soon recognised, and tbe conquerors dasbe.d at it, in the hope of taking the Corsican bimself. Tbe coachman and the postillion were making a desperate attempt to force their way through the throng. The Prussian officer, wbo beaded the foremost troop, called to the coachman to stop, but he only lashed his horses with increasing,violence. Tbe hussars then cut down the postillion, and killed tbe leaders, wbile the sabre of their officer brought the coachman from bis box at one blow. He then deemed hia prize secure: but, as he opened tbe door, Napoleon escaped from the opposite side, and, before the PrU88iali could pass round the carriage, he had mounted a horse, and was lost in the tbrong. In his baste he dropped bis bat, bis sword, arid his mantle, which were found by the side of the carriage in the road.

The carriage was afterwards brought to England by tbe officer into whose bands it fell, and is now exbi .. bited in a museum, in Piccadilly. This vehicle was built at Brussele to convey Buonaparte on his memo-

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rable expedition to Russia. It travelled as far as Maseow, and was alm08t the only equipare which escaped in bis disastrous retreat. It afterwards carried &he Corsican .to Dresden, and brought him back a second time in disgrace to France. After bis abdication, it conveyed him to tbe shores of the Mediterranean, and was shipped with him for Elba, where it was there used in all his excursions round the island. When he planned his second usurpation, his troops were pennitted to take neither equipage nor baggage, but his favourite

_ travelling-cariiage was carefully shipped, and landed 'Ilt Cannes. His journey to Paris was chiefly performed in it, nor would be quit it, although tbe state-earriages were despatcbed frOID Paris to convey him in triumph to tbe Thuilleries. When he departed to join bis armies in the north of France, this carriage again accompanied him, and, in his disgraceful fligbt from WaterIoo, it fell into the hands of his triumphant enemies.

It nearly resembles a fashionable English travellingearriage, thougb with a greater appearance of heaviness. Its colour is dark blue, bordered with gold, and ornamented with the imperial at"DlS of France. The lamps bave a curious appearance, orre is at each corner, "nd another in tbe centre of_ the back, which illuminates the inside of the carriage.

The interior presents the most perfect specimen of elegance and convenience which can be conceived. It is a complete office, bed-chamber, dressing-room, eating-room, and kitchen. Packed up in tbe most ingenious way, are a complete breakfast-service for tea, coffee, and chocolate, including a spirit-lamp; sandwich-

. service, consisting of plates, knives, forks, spoons, salt, pepper and mustard boxes, decanter and gla8SeI; a dressing-case, containing every article for tbetoilette; a complete .... ardrobe; a bedstead, bed, and mattras8; and all 80 arranged as to be found in an instant. , . .

Leaving, for a while, Napoleon to pursue his flight towards Paris, we shall lay' before the reader the ofIi· eial accounts of that memorable and imeortan& battle, the outline of which bas been previously given :-

THE ENGLISH ACCOUNT.

" Waie,.loo June 191", 1815.

"My LoRD,

"Buonaparte, having collected the first, second, third, fourth, and sixth, corps of the French army, and the imperial guards, and nearly all the cavalry, on tbe Sambre, and between that river and tbe Meuse, between tbe 10th and the 14th of the month, advanced, on the 15th, and attacked tbe Prussian posts at Tbuin and Lobez on the Sambre, at day-light in the morning.

" I did not hear of these events till the evening of

the 15th, and I immediately ordered the troops to prepare to march; and afterward. to march to the left, 88 800n as I had intelligence from other quarters to prove that the enemy's movement upon Charleroi was the real attack.

" The enemy drove the Prassian posts from the Sambre on that day; and General Ziethen, who commanded the corps which had been at Charleroi, retired upon Fleurus; and Marshal Prince Blucher concentrated the Prussian army upon Sombref, holding the villages ot St. Amand and Ligny in front of his position.

"The enemy continued his march along the road from Charleroi towards Brussels, and, on the 8aoJe evening, the 15th, attacked a brigade of the army of the Netherlands, under the Prince de Weimar, posted at Frasne, and forced it. back to the farm-houle on the same .road, called Les Quatre Bras.

." Tbe Prince of Orange immediately reinforced this brigade with another of the same division, under General Perponcher, and, in the morning early, regained part of the ground which had been lost, so as to have the command of the communication leading from Nivelles and Brussels, with Marsbal Blucher's position.

" In the mean time, I had directed tbe wbole army to march upon Les Ql1atre Bras, and the fifth division under Lieutenant-general Sir Thomas Picton arrived Ilt about half-past two in the day, followed by the corps of troops under the Duke of Brunswick, and afterwards by the Cf'ntingent of Nassau.

" At this time the enemy commenced 8D attack upon Prince Blucher .... ith his wbole force, excepting' the fint and second corps; and a corps of cavalry under General Kellerman, with which he attacked our post at Les Quatre Bras.

" The Prussian army maintained their position with their usual gallantry and peneverance, against a great disparity of numbers, &s tbe fourth corplt of their army, under General Bulow, bad not joined, and I waS not able to assist them as I wished, as I was attacked myself, and the troops, the cavalry in- particular, which

had a long distance to march, had not arrived. .

" We maintained our position also, and completely defeated and repulsed all tlla, enemy's attempts to get possession of it. The enemy repeatedly attacked us with a large body of infantry and cavalry, supported by a numerous and powerful artillery; he made several charges with the cavalry upon our infantry, but all were repulsed in tbe steadiest manner. In tbis affair, his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Brunswick, and Lieutenant-general Sir Thomas Picton, and Major-general Sir James Kempt, and Sir Denis Pack, who were engaged from the commencement of' the 'enemy's attack, highly distinguished themselves,

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B~'fTLE OF WATERLOO.

.. well as Lieutltnant-general Cbarles Baron Alten, Major-genera! Sir C. Halket, Lieutenant-general Cooke, and Major-generale Maitland and Byng, as they sueeeasively arrived. The troops of tbe fifth division, and those of the Brunswick eorps, were long and severely engaged, and condueted themselves with the utmost gallantry. I mnst particularly mention tbe tweBtyeighth, forty-second, seventy-ninth, and nioety-second regiments, and 'the battalion of Hanoverians.

" Our 1088 was great, as your lo~hip will perceive by the enclosed return; and I have particularly to regret bis Serene Highness tbe Duke of Brunswick, who fell, fighting gallantly, at tbe head of his troops.

"Although Marshal Bluc~e r- bad maintained bis po.ition at Sombref" be still found himself much weakened by the severity of the contest ia which he had been engaged; and, as the fourth corps bad not arrived, he determined to fall back, and concentrate his army upon Wavre; and he marched in the night after tbe action was over.

"Tbis 'movement of the marshal's rendered neces.ary a corresponding one' Oil my part; and I retired from tbe fann of Quatre Bras upon Gemappe, and thence upon Waterloo the, next morning, the 17th, at ten o'clock.

" The enemy made no eWort' to pursue Marsbal Blucher. .Dn the contrary, a patrol which I sent to SOIDbref in the morning, found all quiet, and "the enemy's YideUes fell back as the patrole advanced. Neither did be attempt to molest our march to the rear, altbougb made i. tbe. middle of the day, excepting by following, with a large body of cavalry brougbt from bis right, the cavalry under the Earl of Uxbridge.

"This gave Lord Uxbridge an opportunity of charging them with the first Life-Guards, upon their debouche from the village of Gemappe, upon wbicb occasion hi. lordsbip has declared himself to be well satisfied with that regiment.

" The position which I took up, in (rontof Watetloo, crossed tbe bigh roads from Charleroi and Nivelles, and bad its right tbrown back to a ravine near Merke Braine, which Wb occupied; and its left extended to a heiglit above the hamlet Ter-la-Haye, which was likewise occupied. In front of the right centre, and near the Nivelles road, we occupied the house and garden of Hougoumont, which covered the return of that Rank; and, in front of the left centre, we occupied the farm of LaHaye Sainte. By our left we communicated WIth Marshal Prinee Blucher, at Wavre, through Ohain, and the marshal bad promised me that, in case we mould be attacked, he would support me with one or

mere corps, as might be necessary. .

"The eDemy collected his army, wi~ the e:aception

6. ' ' .

67

of the third co.,., which bad been leDt to obterve Ma ... bal Blucher, on a range of heights in our frODt, in, tbe course or the nigbt of tbe 17th, 'and yesterday morning; and, at about ten o'c1oc'k, be commenced a furious attack upon our POit at Hougoumont. I had occupied tbat post with a detachment from General, Byog's brigade of Guard., which was in position in its rear; and it was for some time under tbe command of niemenant-celonel Macdonald, and afterwards of Cslonel Home; and I am bappy to add, that it W88 maintamed throughout tbe day with the utmost gallantry by tbese brave troops, notwitbstanding tbe repeated eWorts of large bodies of the eoemy to obtain p0ssession of .iL

"Th.is attack upon the rigbt of our centre was accompanied by a very heavy cannonade upon our wbole line, which was destined to support the repeated attack..s of cavalry and infantry occasionally mixed, but sometimes separate, which were made upon it. In one ot:.. these, tbe enemy carried the farm-house of La ~ye Sainte, 88 the detachment of the light battalion of tbe legion which occupied it had expended all its ammunition, andthe eoemyoccupied tbe only communication tbere was witb tbem.

"The enemy repeatedly charged' our infantry with his cavalry, but these attacks w~e uniformly unsuc~ell8fnl, and they aWorded opportunities to our cavalry to charge, i,n one of which, Lord E. Somerset's brigade, consisting of tbe Life-Guards, Royal Horse-Guards, and First Dragoon-Guards, higbly distinguished themselves; as did that of Major-general Sir W. Ponsonby, ' baving taken maDY prisoners and an eagle.

" These attacks were repeated till about seven in the evening, wben t\le enemy made a desperate effort, with the cavalry and infantry, supported by the fire of artillery, to force our left centre near the farm of La Haye Sainte, which, after a severe contest, was defeated; and, having o.bserved that the troops retired from tbe attack in great confusion, and that the march of Getae- . ral Bulow's cor.,. by Frichemont upon Plancbeooit an.d La Belle Alliance, had begun to take eWec!; a"d, as I could perceive tbe fire of his cannon, and as Marshal Prince Blucher hod joined in person, with a corps of bis army to tbe left of sur line by Ollain, I determined to attack the enemy, and immediately advanced the whole line of infautry, supported by the cavalry and artillery. Tbe attack succeeded in every point; the enemy was forced from bis position on tbe heights, and fled in .tbe utmost confusion, leaving behind him, as far as I could judge, one hundred and .ftj~y piece, '1' cannOlI, with their amm,ooition, which fen into our hands.

" I ceutinued the pursuit till long' after dark, and ,the~ discontinued it, only on accoUD~ of the fatirue,9r'

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.BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

our ttoops, who had been e'nraged during twelye hours, and beeaose I found myself 00 the same road with Manhal Blucher, wbo assured me of his iutention to foUow the enemy throughout the night: he has sent me word tbis morning, that he had taken listy pieces of eaDDOn belonging to the imperial guard, and se,eral carriages, baggage, &e. belonging to Buonaparte, in Gemappe.

"I propose to mo,e, tbis morning, upon NiYelles, and not to discontinue my operations.

" Your lordsbip will observe, that sucb a desperate action could not be fougbt, a~d sucb ,advantages eould not be gained, without great 1088; and, I am sorry to add, that our's has been immense. In Lieutenantgeneral Sir Thomas Picton, his majesty has sustained th~ 1088 of an officer who has frequently distinguished himself in bis Benice; and he fen, gloriously leading his division to a charge with bayonets, by which one of the most serious attacks made by the enemy on our p0- sition was defeated.

"The Earl of Uxbridge, after havn.g successfully got through tbis arduous day, received a wound, by almost the last sbot 6red, which will, I am afraid, deprive his majesty for some time of his services.

A Hi. Royal Highness tbe Prince of Orange distinguished himself by bis 'gallantry and conduct till he received a wound from a musket-ball through the • boulder, which obliged him to quit the6eld.

A It gi,es me tbe greatest satisfaction to assure yonr lordship, that the army _ever, upon any occasion, conducted itself better, The division of guards, under Lieutenant-general Cooke, who is Beyerely wounded, Major-general Maitland, and Major-general Byng, set an example which was followed by all; and there is no officer, nor description of troops, that did not behave well.·

A I must, however, particularly mention., for his royal

- highness's approbation, Lieutenant-general Sir H. Clin'ton; Major.general Adam; Lieutenant-general Charles Baron Alten, severely wounded; Major.general Sir Colin Balket, severely wounded; Colonel Ompteda; Colonel Mitchele, commanding a brigade of the fourth division; Major-generals Sir James Kempt and Sir Denis Pack; Major-general Lambert; Major-general Lord E. Somerset; Major-general Sir W. Ponsonby; Major-general Sir C. Grant, and Major-general Sir H. Vivian; Major-general Sir O. Vandeleur; Major-generaI Count Dornberg. I am also particularly indebted to General Lord Hill, for his assistance and conduct upon this, as upon all former occasions.

A The artillery and engineer departments were conducted much to my satisfaction by Colonel Sir G. Wood, and Colonel Smyth; and I had e,ery reuon to be ' ....

tis6ed with the condud of the Adjutant-general ~orgeneral Barnes, who was wounded, and of the Quarter_ . master-general, Colonel Delancy, who was killed by a cannot-shot in the middle of the action. This officer is a seriop.8 1088 to his majesty's service, and to me at this moment. I was likewise mnch indebted to the assistance of Lieutenant-colonel Lord- Fitzroy Somel1let, who was severely wounded, and 01 the officei'll composing my personal staff, who have sufFered Be,erely in this action. Lieutenant-colonel the honourable Sir Alesander Gordon, who h88 died of his wounds, was a most promising officer, and is .a aerious loss to his majelty'. service.

A General Kruse, of-the Nassau service, likewise conducted himself much to my satisfaction,. as did General Trip, commanding the heavy bripde of cavalry, Ilnd General Vanhope, commanding a brigade of infantry of the king of the Netherlands.

"General Pozzo di Borge, GeD~ral Baron Vincent, General Muflling, and General Ala .... , were in the 6eld during tbe action, and rendered me every assistance in their power. Baron Vincent is wounded, but I hope not Beverely; and General pozzo di Borgo received a contusion.

A I should not do justice to my feelings, or to Marshal Blucher and the Prussian army, ,if I did not attribute the successful result of this arduoD8 day to the cordial and timely assistance received from them •

" The operation of General Bulow upon the enemy'_ flank, was a most decisive one; and, even if I bad not found myself in a situation to make the attack which produced tbe 6n8.I result, it would ha,e forced the enemy to retire, if his atlacks sbould have failed, and would have prevented bim from taking advantage of them, if they should nnfortunately haee succeeded.

A I s~nd, with this despatch, two eagles. taken by the troops in this action, which Major Percy will ha.ve the bonour of laying at the feet of his Royal Highness. I beg leave to recommend him to your lordship'. protection.

" 1 have the bonour, &c.

(Signed) A WBLLINGTO •• "

THE PRUSSIAN ACCOUNT.

~ It W88 on tbe 16th of this month, that Napoleon, after having collected, on the 14th, five corps of his army, and the se,eral corps of the guard, between Maubeuge and Beaumont, commenced ~tilities. The points of concentration of the four Prusslan corps, were Fleurus, Namur, Ciney, and Hannut; the situation of which made it possible to unite the army in one of these points, in twenty-four boun.

Diqitized byGoogI~

BA Tl'LE OF LIGNY.

"0. the 16th, Napoleon advaneed by Thuin, upon' the two bank. of the Sambre, against Cbarleroi. Ge,Denl Ziethen had eolleesed the firat eorpe Dear FleuruB, and had, on that day, a very warm action with

• tbe enemy, who, after baving taken Charleroi. directed his march upon Fleurus. General Ziethen maintained himself in his position near that place.

"Field-mlU'lJhal Blucher intending to fight a great battle with the enemy as soon as poaible, the ether three corps of the PrUSIJian army were cooeequently directed upon Sombref, a league and a half from Fleuros, where the second and third corps were to arriYe on the 16th, and tbe fourth corps on the 16th.

"Lord WeJlington had united hi. army between Ath , and Nivelles, which enabled him to assist Field-manhal Blucher, in ~ the battle should be fought on the 16th. '

Jun 16.-BATrLE OF LIGNY.

"The Pruasian army W88 posted on the height. between Brie and Sombre(, and beyond the lut place, and occupied with a large force the tillages of St. Amand and Ligny, situated in it. front. Meantime only three corps of the army had' joined; the fourtb, which 1VU stationed between Liege and Hannut, had been delayed in itII march by several 'eircUlll8tance8, and wee not yet come up. Neverthele88y Field-manhal Blucher re.olved to give battle, Lord Wellington having already put in motion to Apport him a strong division of his army, a8 well .. bis whole reserve stationed in tJie eDyirooa of BnJ88eJs, and the fourth corps of the Prossian army being al80 on the point of arriving.

'" The battle began at three o'clock in the afternoon.

The enemy brought up .boYe.one hundred and thirty thousand men. The Prussian army was eighty thousand strong. The village of St. Amand was the fint point attacked by the en~my, who carried it, after a vigorous resistance.

"He then directed his efforts against Lipy. Th. is a large village, IOlidly built, situated on a rivulet of the same name. It was there that a CODtest began which may he cob8idered as ODe of the moat obstinate leeorded in history. VilJages have often been taken and retaken: but here the combat continued for five hours in the villages tbemselves; and tbe movements forwarda or backwarde were confined to a very narrow apace. 00 both sides fresh troops continually came up. Each army had be~ind the part of the' yillage wbicb it occupied great masses of infantry, whicb maintained tbe CGmbat, and were continoalJy renewed by reinforcements which they received from their rear, as weU as from the heights on tbe right and left. About two

hundred cannon were directed &0. both lidei agaiD8t tbe yillage, which was ou fire in several places at once. From time to time, the combat exteDded' through ,lae line, the enemy hmng allO direeted numerdua troope agaiD8t the tbird' corpa ; however, tbe main cootest ". near Lipy. Thing. seemed to take a favourable tunt for the PJ'U88ian troope, a ..... of the vilJage of Sf. Amand baving heeu retaken by a battalion commanded by the Field-manhal himaelf; in consequeflce of which advantage we bad regained a height, wbich had been abandoned aftet" the loss of St. 'Amand. Neverthele:u, the battle continued about Lipy with the aame fury. The iMae teemed ~ depend Oft the arri .. 1 of {be English troops, or on tbat of the fourth corps of tbe Prussian army; in fact, the arriyal of this I .. t division would have afforded tbe Field-manhal the meaoa of making, immediately, with the rigbt wing, an attaek, frOm which ' great SUCce118 might be expected: but' news arrived tba& the EngJieh division destined to support us, W8I Yiolently attacked by a corpe of tbe }'rench 81'1JlY, and that it was with great difficulty it had maintained itself in its poSition at Quatre Bras. The fourth cor.,. of the army did net appear, 80 that we were forced to maintain alone the contest with an army greatly superior in DUm.. ben. The evening was already modi advanced, and' tbe combat about Ligny continned with unremitting fury, and the .. me equality of euccefll; we invoked, but in vain, the arrival of tbose ,ueeoOI'B which were 80 necessary; the danger became every bour more urgent; all the diviaions were engaged, or had already been 10, and tbere was not"auy corp. at band able to support them. Suddenly a division of the enemy's infantry, wbicb, by favour of the night, had made-a circuit round tbe village witbout being obsereed, at the same time that some regiments of cuiraasiera had forced the p ... age on the other eide, took in the rear the main body of our army, which was poeted behind the hou.sea. This surprise, on tbe part of tbe enemy, was decisive, especially at the moment wl,len our cavalry, a1eo potted on a heigbt behind tbe village, was repulsed by tbe enemy'. cavalry ir.-repeatedattacb.

" Our infantry posted near Ligny, though fore·d to retreat, did not suffer itlelf &0 be dilcouraged, either by being surprised by tbe ent'my in the darkne&l, a circumstance whieh exaggentes in tbe mind of man the dangera to wbich be finds himself exposed, or, by the idea of seeing itself Inrroundedon all sides. Formed in maaea, it coolly repulsed all tbe attacks of the cavalry, and retreated in good order upon tile heigbta, wbeDce it continued its retrograde movement upon Tilly. In coD&equenC8 of tbe sudden irruption of tbe enemy's cayalry, several of our cannon, in their precipitate retreat, had taken directions which

Digitized b;G<?ogle

BA'M'LE OF THE 18th.

ied them to defiles, in which they necesMl'ily fell into disorder; in' this manner, fifteen pieces fell into the

. bands of the enemy. At the distance of a quarter of • league from the field of battle, the anny formed again. The enemy did not venture to pursue it. The village of Brie remained in our possession during the nigbt, 88 well as Sombref, where General Thielman bad fought with the third corps, and whence he, at day-break, slowly began to retreat towards Gembloux, where the fourth corps, under General Bulow, had at length arrived dunng the night. The first and second corps proceeded in the morning behind tbe defile of Mount St. Guibert. Our loss in killed and wounded was great; tbe enemy,. however, took from us no priBOners, except a part of our wounded. Tbe battle was lost, but not our honour. Our soldiers fobght witb a bravery_ which equalled eyery expec tation; tbeir fortitude remained wsbaken. because every one retained hie confidence in his own strength. On this day Fieldmarshal Blucher had encounte_red tbe greatest dangers. A charge of cavalry; led on by bimself, had failed. While that of the enemy was vigorously pursuing, a musket-shot struck the fleld-marshal'a horse: the animal, far from being stopped in his career by this wound, began to gallop more furiowily till it dropped down dead. The field-marsbal, stunned by tbe violent fall, !ay entangled under the horse. The enemy's euirassiers, following up their advantage, ad-vanced: our last horseman had already pilBsed by the field-marshal, an adjutant alone remained with him, and had just aligbted, resolved to share his fate. Tbe danger was great, but Heaven watched over us. The enemy, pursuing tbeir cbarge, pllMf'ti rapidly by the field-marslJal without seeing him: the next moment, a second charge of our cavalry baving repulsed them, tbey again passed by him with the same precipitation, not perceiving bim, any more tban they bad done tbe first time. Theu, but not without difficulty, 'the field-marshal was disengaged from under the dead horse, and he immediately mounted a dragoon-horse.

~', On tbe 17tb, in the evening, ~be Prussian U'loy concentrated itself. in tbe environs of Wavre. Napoleon put himself in motion against Lord "'ellington upon the great road l~ading from Charleroi to Brussels. An English division maintained, on tbe same day, near Quartre Bras, a very severe contest with the enemy. Lord Wellington had taken a position on the road to Brussels, having his right wing leaning upon BraineJa-Leud, the centre near Mont St. Jean, and the left wing against La Haye Sainte. Lord Wellington wrote to the Field-marshal, that he was resolved to accept the battle in tbis position, if the Field-marshal would IUpport him with two corps of his arIDY •. The Field-

,

marsbal promised to come ",ith his whole army:· be even proposed, in case Napoleon should ))()t '8t&ack, that the allies themselves, with their whole united force, should attack bim the next day. This may serve to sbew ho'f little the battle of the 16th had disorganized the Prussian army, or weakened its moral .trength. Thus ended the day of tbe 17th.

BA'M'LE OF THE 18m.

"At break of day, the Prussian army again began to move. The fourth and second corps marched by St. Lambert, where tbey were to take a position, covered by the forest, near Frichemont, to take the enemy in the rear when tbe moment should appear favourable. Tbe first corps was to operate by Ohain, on the right flank of the enemy .. The third corps was to follow slowly, in order to afford succour in case of need. Tbe battle began about ten o'clock in the morning. Tb~ English army occupied tbe heights of. Mont ·St.· Jean; that of the Frencb was on the heithts before Plancbenoit: tbe former was about eig.hty thousand strong; the enemy had above one hundred and tllirty thousand. In a short time, the battle became general along' tbe whole line. It seems tbat Napoleon had the design to throw the left wing upon tbe centre, and thus to effect the separation of the English army from the Pruss ian, which he believed to be retreating upon Maestricbt. For this purpORe he had placed the greatest part of hie reserve in the centre, against bis right wing. and upon this point he attacked with fury. Tbe English army fougbt with a valour which it is impossible to surp888. The repeated charges of the old guard. were bafiled by tbe intrepidity of the Scotch regiments; and at every charge the French cavalry were overthrown by the English cavalry. But the superiority of tbe enemy in numbers was too great; Napoleon continually brought forward considerable masses. and with· whatever firmness tbe English troops maintained themselves in their position, it was not possible but that such heroic exertions must have a limit.

"It was half-past four o'clock. The excessive difficulties of tbe passage by the defile of St.. Lambert had. cOllsiderably retarded the lUatch of the Prussian columns, 80 that only two brigades of the fourth corps had arrived at tbe covered position which was 888ignecl

to them, The decisive moment was come; there was not an instant to be lost. The generals did not sufFer

it to escape. They resolved immediately to begin the attack witb the troops which tbey bad at hand. Gene- - ral Bulow, tberefore, with two brigades and _ corps of cavalry, advanced rapidly upon the rear of the enemy.

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I

DECISIVE VICTOJlY.

. .' . ~

.hi "mg. 1'he e~my did ,ot Jose bis presence of enemy. The rin of the arD'I,y accelerated i .. march.' mind; hoe instantly- tumed his reserve against us, and The French being pursued withont intermission, were' • murderous conftictbegap on that side. The combat ab80luteiy d~organized. -The causeway presented the r~l1laipedlon, uncertain, 'while the battle with the appearance of an immense shipwreck; it was covered English army still continued with the same violence, wIth an innumera})le quantity tif cannon, caissons, car-

~ Towards sil' ,o'clock in t~e evening, we received riages, baggage, arms, and wrecks of e1ety kind.

Jbe ,n,ews ~at ,Ge,n,eral Thielm~n. w,ith t,he ,third corps. 1hose of the enemy who had attempted to repose for a .w~ flt(ac~ed ~el\r Wavre by a v_~ri eonsiderable' corps: time, and had not expected to be so quickly pursued, qf t~e enemy, "n~ that they were already disputing tbe i were driven from more than nine bivouacs. In Borne p()88essiop 9f tbe town, The Field-marshal, however.: viUages' they attempted to maintain themselves; but, did ,notflqffer himself to be :disturbed ,by this news: it: as sOon as theyheard the beating of our drums, or the .,,~ on .t~e !'Ipot .~b~re he was, and no 'wbere else. that: sound C!f the trum~t, they either fled or threw themthe affair was to bedecided, A conflict, continually selves into the houses, where they were cut down or ~uppqr~~tl ,.~y .the san~e obstinaey, and kept up by! .. ade pri~oners. '.It was moo~Jight, which greatly fa- 4~ .troops, ,c:o~ld "lone ensqre the 'victory, ~~d if it' .voured tbe p,ursuit; (or the whole march was but a con~~r:~ o~!~ed here, any rE;verse s~stai~~d,~ear Wavre· tinued chase, eitlier in the corn-fields or the bousee • ..,.. of Iiule c:omfequence. The columns, therefore, "At Gemappe, the enemy bad intrenched bimself ,.eQptiJ)oed tbeir mov""nent8. ,It was balf 'an -hour p&.st with cannon and overturned-caerlagess at our approach,

, .. eren, .and the i!l8~e of .the )~a~tie w,as still uncertain. we suddenly heard in the town a great noise and a mo'11;~~ ,~hf)le of the fourth corps, and a part of tbe se- tion of carriages; at the entrance we were exposed t. C:f)~. p~~e)" ~peral Pvlch, .had su~cess'ively come 'up. a brisk fire of musketry; ?Ve replied by .ome cannonT~e ,F,ench, tr~ps f,?ught with desperate fury: how- shot, followed by Ii ~uT1'a", and, '~n' an instant after, ever, some uncertainty was perceived ~n, their ,mo~e- the to~n ~as' ours. ' 'It' was here that, among many lP,e1J's,: .~d,;t,~as .. oJ>~.e"ed, tbat, sp~e, p,i,e~~ of ,cannon other equipages, the carriage 'of ,Napoleon was taken; were r~treating. At t,his ~om~nt the first columns of be bad jUst Jeft if to mount on horseback, aad, in bia dae c,?"p8 of,'~e,!e~1 Ziet~en .arr~v~~ 0,0 'tbe',pOints ,'of ,hurry, bad forgotten"his sw'ord and hat. Thu. the attack, near the village of Smouben, on tbe enemy'. affairs continued ti11 break of day. About forty thour.ig~t.flank, ,ud i~",ta,ntly, cb~r,ed. Tbis moment de- sand men, in the most complete disorder, the remain. ffided the defeat of ,be elie,~y. ,~is ii~bt ,wing w~ 'of the whole army, La~e' Saved themselves, retreating

. "~ken in three places] he abandoned I bis positions. through Charleroi, partly without arms, and carrying Our troops rus~ed for,!~r.d at tbe pall de, char:ge, and ,with them only twenty-seven' pieces of their numerous __

, .• ttl'<:~ed hi~ on an ~id~ ,while, at tbe same time, the 'artillery. .. .

wbole English line advanced. ' , •• The enemy, in hi. flight, has pasaed '.11, his for-

U Circumstances were extremely favourable to the tresses, 'tbe only defence of hiS, frontip.NI~' which are

attack formed by the" Pr1J_ian army; the ground rose no;" passed by our armies.' ,

ja an amphitheatre, so that our artillery could freely , U At' three o'clock,. Napoleon had despatched from

epeu its fire from tbe summit of a great many heights the field of battle a courier to.'Paris, with the news that

•. whieb rose gradually above each other, and, in the in- victory was no longer doubtful i a few hours a~r, he .lerval. of which .he troops descended into the plain, had no longer any arlDY left. We have not yet 'an -formed into brigades, aud in thegreatest order; while exact account of tbe eneoiy'slos~i; it is enough tQ know 'frMh corps continual,ly unf~lded tbemselves, issuing that two-thirds of the whole were killed, woundeil, 'or ,irpm the fo,elt on the height behind us. The enemy, prisoners: among the latter are Generals Monton, Du,bl>wever, still preserved means to retreat, till 'the vil- hesme, and Compans. Up 'to, this time, about three .lege of Planchenoit, which he had on his rear, and hundred cannon, and above five hundred caiasoD8, are

wbich was defended, by the guard, was, after several in our hands. '

, .sanguinary attacks, carried by storm. From that time " Few victories have been so complete; and tbere i •

• 11e retreat became a rout, which soon spread tbrolJt!b certainly no example that an army, two days after , the w~ol. French army, and, in its dreadful confusion, losing a battle, engaged in sucb an action, and so glohurrying away every tbing that attempted to stop ia, riously maintained it; Honour be to troops capable o( ,,800n 888umed the appearance of the flight of an army 110 much firmness and valour! In the middle of tbe ,Gf, J,arbarian .. ' It was half-past nine. The Field-mar- position occupied by the French army. and exaCl.Y , ..... 1 aaembled all tbe superior officers, and gave orders upon tbe height, is a farm, called La Belle AlIia~ • .. to .nd th. lut b.orae and the I .. t man in punDit of the Tbe march of all the Prussian columns waS directed

~ .Q

Digitized by Google

THE BELGIAN ACCOUNT.

towards this farm, which WIUI visible from every side. It WIUI_ there that Napoleon was during the battle: it was thence tbat he gave his orders, that he flattered himself with the hopes of Yictory; and it was there .that hill ruin was decided. There, too, it was, that, by a happy chance, Field-marshal Blucher and Lord Wellington met in the dark, and mutually saluted each

other as victors. ,

" In commemoration of the alliance which now subsists' between the English and Prussian nations, of the union of tbetwo armies, and their. reciprocal confidence, the Field-marshal desired, that this battle should bear the 'name of La Belle .Alliance.

" By the order of Field-marshal Blucher.

" General GREISEIU.U."

THE BELGIAN ACCOUNT.

Head-Quarter" Nwelle" 17th JU'IIe, 1816, Two i" tke morni1lg.

" Very early on the morning of the 15th, the Pros-

.• ian army was attacked in its position, which it abandoned, and retired from Charleroi, by Gosselies, as far as the environs of Fleurus. As 800n as I was apprised of this attack, I gave the necessary orders to the corps of troops under my command. In consequence of wbat took place in the Pruasian army, the battalion of Orange NaasRu, which, together with a battery of light artillery, occupied the village of Frasne, were attacked at five o'clock in the evening of the 16th. These troops maintained themselves in their position on the height ortbi. village, called QuaWe Bras, and at a short distance from the road. The skirmishing ceased opon this point at eight o'clock in tbe ev't!ning.

" As soon as I was informed of this attack, I gave ordets for the third division, 8S well as to two English

. divisions, to move upon Nivelles; and to the second, to maintain the position of Quatre Bras. Only a part of tbe second division was enabled to move thitber _mediately, in consequence of the brigade, under dIe orders of Major-genell8l Byland, not being able to leave Nivelles prior to the arrival of other troops at tbat place.

"The firing of the tirailleurs commenced at five o'clock yesterday morning on this point, and wa~ kept up on both sides until mid-day, without any result, About two o'clock the attack became much more severe, especially 01} the part of the cavalry and artiJJery. The brigade of light cavalry, under tbe command of General Van Merlen, was not able to come up before foar o'aeck; previous to w~ch time I had no cavalry to

oppORe to the enemy. Seeing of bow great impertanee it was to preserve tbe positio~ on the heights of tbe road, called Quatre Bras" I W88 fortunate in maintaining them against an enemy who was in every respect superior to me in force.

" Having been attacked by tbe two French corps, commanded by Generals D'Erlon and ReiJIe, and hav~ ing succeeded in checking them, the Duke of Wellington had time to assemble a sufficient force to foil the projects of the enemy. The result of tbis attack has been, tbat, .after a very obstinate contest, whicb lasted till nine o'clock in the evening, we not only checked the enemy, but even repulsed' him.

" The Prussian army, whicb was also attacked yesterday, maintained its principal position; and there is no doubt, that Napoleon, with very considerable forces, will direct an attack upon the wbole line.

"Oor troops bivouacked upon 'the field of battle, whither I shaU immediately proceed, in expectation of the probability tbat Napoleon will'endeavour to execute to-day the project of yesterday. The Duke of Wellington has concentrated upon tbis point as many troops as he was able to colleet,

" I experieneea lively pleasure in being able to announce to your majesty, that your troops, and the infantry and artiHery in particular, fougbt with great courage.

"Circumstances baving prevented my receiving the reports from the different corps concerning their loss, I am unable to acquaint you with it: but I shall have the honour of doing it as soon as possible.

(Signed) . "WILLIAJI, Prince of Orange."

B"",el" Jne 22, 1816.

~ After the battle of the 16th, of which I had the honour of giving an account to yoor majesty on the 17tb, at two in the morning, from the head-quarters at NiveJJes, the Duke of Wellington, keeping hi. line witb the Prussian army, made a movement in the morning, the result of wbich was, that the army found itself in position upon the heigbts in front of Waterloo, where it bivouacked; the enemy's cavalry, whicb followed the movements of the army, was in different attacks repulsed with loss by the British cavalry.

"On the 18th, at day-break, we discovered tbe enemy in our front: at ten o'clock he sbewed a disposition to attack. The army of Buonaparte was composed of the first, second, third, fourth, and sixth, corps, the Imperial Guards, nearly tbe whole of his cavalry, and a train of artillery, consisting of many hundred pieces of cannon. About eleven o'clock, the bnemy unmasked a .mall J:}attery, under tbe cover of

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TIlE HANOyERt~ ACCOUNT.

the fire o( which; hie tirailJeura advanced against oar rig-bt wjng, and, immediately after, his attack was directed agaioat a farm surrc;»unded with cope~wood, whicb was situated a ahort way in front of this wing, and on tbe left of the road leading to Nivelles. The enemy made the moet furious, but fruidea, attacks, to possess himself of this farm. At noon, the cannonade became nolent; and, before balf-past twelve, the battle was extended alon, the whole line. The Frencb re-

. peatedly attacked our two wings; but, as their principal object was to pierce the right of our centre, tbey emllloyed all tbeir means to accomplish it. Some columns Ct' tbe enemy's cavalry advanced boldly against us: bot, notwithstanding the inconceivable violence with wbich they renewed tbeir a.ttacks, from three o'clock in tbe afternoon until tbe end of the battle, they never 8ucceeded in making onr line waver. The enemy was constantly repulsed, as well from the fire of the squares as by the cbarges of our cavalry: it is jmpossible to depict to yonr majesty the fury with wbiclL tbey Cought, especially duriog the last aix hours.

" I was unfortunate in not being able to see the end of tbis glorious and important battle, having received, half an hour before the defeat of the enemy, a ball through my. left shoulder, which compelled me to quit tbe field of battle.

" It is with the moat lively satisfaction that. I am able to inform your majesty, that your troopa, of all ~, have {ought with the greateat courage. In the charges of cavalry, the brigade of carabineers attracted partienlar notice. The division of LieuteDant-general Chasse waa not engaged until late; and, as I was not personaUy able to qnit ~he centre, I bad placed it, (or tbe day, nnder the ordera of General Lord Hill, commanding the second corps of the army. I have beard tbat this di.,iaion Iikewise·conducted itself with much bravery, aod that Lientenant-general Cbasse, as also the two commandera of brigades, very satisfactorily acquitted theJDlelves of their duty.

" I cannot, at this moment, make any detail to your majesty of the 1088 we have sustained, not having received the retum.. I am obligedt nevertheless, with the most profound regret, to atate tbat it i'~ eonsiderable,

" I bave charged my adjutant, Van Hooft, to traoamit this repo~ to your majesty. I take the liberty of recommending him to your favouraole consideration.

. (Si&"ned) "WILLIAM, Prince of Orange."

THE HANOVERIAN ACCOUNT.

BY GBNERAL ALTBlf.

"The troope broke up from their cantonments on the Dight of the 1001, and proceeded toward. Gemappe.

•

Tbe hereditary Prince of Orange" under whose eomOland my division had been placed, took a position at Quatre Braa, at tbe Interseetion of the roada from MODS to Namur, and from Charleroi to Bl'U88els.

" The Frencb had divided tbeir force, and attacked Marshal Blucher and the Duke of Wellington on tile same day. As soon as tbe design of the enemy w. perceived, a position was' assigned to us between Quatre Braa and Sarte a MaveJine, with our right wing at tbe former village, and the latter occupied by our left. Our troops marched to their poSition under a moat violent cannonade from the enemy. The wood of Boaa, on the rigbt of Quatre Bras, was the scene of tbe most obstinate contention, and "as carried and retaken several times.

"The principal efforts of the enemy were directed "'ns& uur left wing, and the battalion of Liineburg was detacbed to drive him out of the .,mage of Pierremont in our front. The commission was executed by Lieutenant-colonel Kl~nke with great courage and skill; tbe yillage was carried, and our troops maintained tlJemselves in it, notwitbstanding the incessant and farious attacks of the French: The en~my's infantry no" aftvanced in great force, against "hom I opposed tbe battalioD8 of Grubenbagen, Osnabrnch, and Bremen, with the artillery of the German legion. The French were repulsed, and retired in conf1l8ion.

"Tbe enemy's cavalry now made se.,eral desperate charges on our right, but the determined bravery of our troops prevented them from being broken. Tbe land wehr ef Liineburg, under Colonel Von Ramdobr, particularly distingniahed itself in this affair. It petmitted tbe cuirassiera to approach witbin thirty paees, and then peured on them a steady and well-directed fire, by whicb they were dri.,en back "ith great lou.

" We successfully maintained onr IK-ition; but the Pruuians having s1l8tained a severe check on onr left, we were compelled to fall back apon Gemappe on the 17th. In effecting this movement, my division formed the rear-gaard. The enemy presenting themselves in great force in the afternoon, we continued our retreat to Mont St. Jean, on tbe road to BrulSel ..

. "The army of the Duke of Wellington was concentrated here, with the left wing at tbe village of Fricbemont, and tbe right on the road from BruMela to Ni- . veDes. The road from Gemappe to Br1l88els intenecteci the centre, wbere my division was poeted, Tbe second light battalion of the King's German Legion occupied tbe farm of La Haye Sainte, in front of the left of my position. A company af .Hano.,erian yagera, and two cClmpanies of Englisb Guards, were posted at the chatellu of Hougoumont, and a small wood before it, . aDa in front of tbe right wing •

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64

mE HANOVERIAN ACOOUNT.

" The infantry of tbe Prince of Orange was so placed of the army, led on by Boonaperte in penon, wen that tbe battalions might form into' squares, or deploy directed.

into line as circumstances mia-ht require, and a suffi- 44 At this critical moment, the Pl'WI8iao general, Voa cient space was left between tbem for tbe manoeuvres Bulow, hastened to our assistance with thirty tbousand of the cavalry and artillery, which w;re posted in tbe men, and attacked the ~nemy in his flank. The day rear. General Hill, with the reserve, was at Merke was soon our own. The enemy Sed in evety direction, Braine, and cevered tbe road from NiveJles to Brussels, and abandoned tbe greater part of bis artiUery. Tw~ and beyond tbis road were some corps of cavalry to hundred pieces of cannon, and several eagles, were observe tbe motions of the enemy. taken, and, although the number of prisoners cannot

U At one o'clock th,e enemy's riilemen attacked the yet be accurately stated, it amounts to &e'Ve~1 thouwood in front of our right, and a severe contest ensued. sands.

This position was of great importance, and, could the ' " Tbe glory of these two dRyS has been purch~d enemy have carried it, aud gained possession of tbe witb the loss of the greatpr part.of ol1r most distinguis~heights, our right flank would bave been endangered.: ed officers, among whom are 'Colonels Von Ompteda, S,!ong·columns of infantry, supported by artillery, ad- i Du Plat, Von 'Wurmb, and Von Langrehr. Tbe baftavanced upon this.position, which was bravely defended! lions of Bremen, Ltineburg, \' erden, Grubenbagen, r

by tlte British·guards. I and the Duke of York, deserve the bighest praise. A

"The battle now became general tbrougb tbe wbole, favourable report bas alsobeen made to me of many of lin'e. A numerous artillery wa. directed upon tbe cen-' the brigades of Landwehr, 'fhat of O,snabrucb, under ve, under cover .of which an immense column of in-' Count-Munster,' fought against ·Napoleon."s Imperial fantry advanc~d upon the road of Gemappe, but it was .guard, and threw them into confusion."

repulsed by the second light battalion, the eightb bat-

talion of the line of the German Legion, and the bana-

lion of ·Ltlneburg. The French cavalry next advanced with'such impetuosity as to drive in our ligbt troops, and penetrate to the' brow ef.tbe bill among the squares. This ground they maintained,· notwithstanding every

-'opposition, -till the .British cav.alry came up, and com'pletely repulsed them •.

"Tbe>nre .f· artillery now became more tremendous, end 'W8I 'COIltinu:ed with a violence wbich the oldest IIOIdiel'8 Dever' before witnessed. "The attacks of tlte French infantry and cavalry w~e incessant, and direct. ed . on various points. Beonaparte . was reselsed to pierce the C8atre, and open for himself a way to. Brus!leIs. He every.moment advanced nearer to us, and tootinually brGught up fresh troops. His artillery

. played on 'our squares at the distance of one hundred -and fifty paeea; but not a single battalion yielded, the dead· were thrust aside, and the ranks were immediately closed. Some of the regiments waited not to receive the auaek, but, rushing ontbe enemy, repulsed. him in disorder.

"tAt length, ·weakened by so- many ·repeated and ; mnrdel'ous attacks, and several of the battalions beipg l.nee.rly cut to pieees, Illy dirisien.was compelled to ran :. back; bUl it retired in' good order, -and cheerfully ad-

"~ed again at the command of the Duke of Wellington. That iIIUstriOU8 hero ,,8S an eye-witne88 of our eooduct; he was uniformly found wbere the danger

"wu'm08t·immiDeot, and thll Prince of Orange displayed a valour wortLy of his noble aneestors. It was against .. division that the principal efi'orts of tbe maia body

mE SPANISH ACCOUNT:

" The Iieatenaut-geaerel of the: Royal Armie&, Don Miguel, de Alava, minister plenipotentiary of his Majesty..in Holland, has addressed to his Exce:llency DOll Pedro Cevallos, first secretary of 8~te, the 'followinl'

letter e-« .

"'Most Excellent-Sir,

".The short splK'e of time that has intervenedrbetween the departure of the last post and ,tbe victory of tbe 18th, has not allowed me to write· to. your Excellency so diffusely as I could bave wisbed ; and although the army is at tbis moment on the pointof,marcbiog, and I also am going to set out for tJie Hague, to deliver my credentials, which 1 did not reeeive till tbis JPOnl- . iqg; nevertheless, I will give your Excellency some details respecting tbis important event, wb~b, possibly, may bring. us to the end of the war much 8OOne rt han we had any reason to expect.

.U I informed your Excellency, under date of the 16th instant, that Buonaperte, marcbing from Maubeuge and PhiJippeville, had attacked tbe Prussian posts on the Sambre, .and that, after driving them from Charleroi, he had ente~.ed that city ou the 15th.

" On tbe 16th, 'he Duke of W elli~gton ordered his army to assemble on tbe point of Quatre' Bras, wbere the road. cross from Namur to Nivelles, and {rom Br~-

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'l'HE SPANISH ACCOUNT.

.... to Charleroi; and he hilDlelf proceeded to tbe

lalDe point, at seven in tbe morning. .

" On his arrival, be fouod tbe Hereditary Prince of Orange, witb a division of bis own anny, bolding tbe enemy in check, tiU the other' divisions of the army were collected.

" By this time, the British division under General Picton bad arrived, witb wbich the duke kept up an 'unequal conteSt with more than thirty thousand of the enemy, witbout losing an incb of ground •. The British guards, several regimeDis of infantry, and the Scotch brigade, covered tbemselves with glory.on tbis day; and Lord Wellington told me, on tbe following day, that be never saw bis troops bebave better during the nomber of yean be bad commanded them.

" Tbe French cuirassiers Buffered very considerable 1U88; for, confiding in tbeir brease-plates, they approacbed 80 near· tbe Britisb squares, tbat tbey killed lOme officers of tbe forty-second' regiment witb their .word.; but tbose valiant men, without giving way, kept up 80 strong a fire, that tbe wbole ground W88 eerered with the cui ..... iers and tbeir horses. In tbe mean time, the troOps kept coming up; and the nigbt put an end to the contest in this quarter.

" During tbis time Buonaparte was figbting "ith the remainder of his forees agaiD8t Marshal Blucber, with whom be had commeaced a sanguinary action at five in the afternoon; from wbich time, till nine.in the erening, he was cOD8tandy repulaed by the Pnuiaians, with great 1088 on both sides. But, at that moment, he made hie caYalry cbarge with so mueh vigour, that they broke the Pro.ian line of infantry, and introduced disorder and confusion throughout.

" Whether Buopaparte did not perceive this circumstance, or that he bad experienced a great 1088; or, what is more probable, ihat Marshal Blucher had ree8tablished the battle, tbe faca is, that he derived no adYantage whatever from this aWair, and that he left the Prossians quiet during the whole of the night of

the 16tb. .

. " Lord Wellington, who, by the morning of tbe 17th', had collected the whole of hia army in the poeition of Quatre Bras, was combining hia me.ures to attack tbe enemy, wben he received a despateh from Manbal Blucber, communicating to him the events or the preceding day, together with 'he incident that bad snatehed tbe victory out of his hands; adding, tbat tbe Ioes be bad experienced was of such a nature, that he was forced to retreat to Wam, on our left, "bere tbe corps of Bulow would unite "ith bim, and· tbat on tbe 19tb he would be ready for an,. a8"air he might wish to undertake.

If In cOD8efluence of this,. Lord WellinstoD was 6.

obliged immediate),. to retreat; and this he eft'ected witb 80 much .kill, that the enemy did not dare to interrupt· bim. He took up • poeition on Braine Ie Lead, in front of the great wood of Soi,nes, as be had previooaly determined, and placed hie bead-qujU'te1'8

in Waterloo. .

" I joined the army on tbat morning, though I had received no oreIe ... to this eft'ect, beeaase I believed tbat I should thu. best sene his Majesty, and at tbe same time fulfil your Excellency'. directions; and tbia determination has afforded me tbe aatis"faction of haviDg been present at the most important batde that .... been fought for many 'centuries, in its cODsequences, ita duration, and tile talents of tbe cbiefs wbo commaaded on both sides, and because the peace of the world, and tbe future security of all Europe, may be said to

bavedepended on ita reenlt. .

" Tbe position occupied by his lord.hip was very good; but to"arde the centre it had various' weak' pojDla, which required good troops to guard them, and mucb science and skill on tbe part of the general-incbief. These qualificatioD8 were, bowever, suftioiendy found in the British troops and their illustrious com-. mander; and it may b. 888erted, without offence to anyone, tbat to them ~elongs the chief part, or all the glory of tbis memorable day.

" On the right of the positiOD, and a little in advance, W88 a country-bouse, tbe importand! of which Lord Wellington quickly perceived, because tbe position eoald not be attacked on tbat .ide witbout carrying it, and it might tberefore be 'considered 88 ita key.

" The duke confided this important po~nt to three companies of the English guards, under the command of Lord Saltoun, and laboured during tbe nigbt of tbe 17th in fortifying it • well 88 possible, covering ita garden, and a wood wbich served .. ita park, wida N .... u troops, as sharp-eboote ....

" At half-past ten, a movement W88 obsened in the enemy's line, and many officers were J8en coming from and going to a particular point, where there was a very conaiderable corps of infantry, wbich we afterwards understood to be the imperial guard; here was Buona .. parte in person, and from this point issued all the orders. In the mean time, the enemy's masses were forminr, and every thing announced the approacbing combat, whicb began at half-pasl eleven, tbe enemy attacking desperately witb one of bis corps, and with his uualsbou.., the country-boose on tbe right.

" The Nassau troops found it nece&sary to abandon tbeir post: but tbe enemy met such resistance in the bouse, that, though tht:y surrounded it on tbree sides, and attacked it witb the utmost bravery, they were compelled to desist from their enterprise, leaving a

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"

THE SPANISH A.CCOUNT.

great n .... ber of kiJIed aad wounded. Lord Welling- IDOre tban three hundred pie~. of artillery, "hieD ton IleDt fresb ERgli.t. troops, "ho reeorered tbe wood made horrid ravages in our line, and killed.aad "ouaded and garden. and tbe combat ceased for the pr.ent on namerous 06icers, artillerists, and hon.,., ill the weakest

thia side. . part of the pollitioa.

" Tbe enemy t.en opened a horrible ire of artillery '" The enemy, aware of this destruction, made a.

from more tbail two hundred pieces, under covel' of cbarge with tbe whole cavalry of bis guard, which took which Buoaaparte mad~ a general attaek from tbe 8Ot1le pieces of cannon tllat could not be withdrawn i centre to the rigbt, with infantry .ad cavalry in sucb but tbe duke, wbo was at this poiat, charged them numbers, tbat it required all the .kill of hia lordship to with tbree battalion. of English and tbree of BruD8- post his troops, and all the good qualities of the latter wickers, aad rompelled them in a moment to abandon to resist the attack. the artillery, thougb we were unable to withdraw thelD

" Genera) Picton, who wu with his diviBion on the for waut ci honea; nor did they dare to advance to road from Bl'l1S8els to Charleroi, advanced with tbe recover tbem.

bayonet to receiu them; but waa,unfortunately killed " At last, about seven in the evening, Buonaparte at the moment wben tbe enemy, appaIJed by the atti- made a final effort, and potting himself at the head of tude of this 4_ivision, fired, and tbell tied. his guards, attacked the above poiDt of the English

" The English life-guards tben charged with the position with sueh vigour, that be drove back the Brunegreatest bravery, and tbe forty-niRth aad ODe haodred wick en who occupied part of it;.and, for a moment. aDd fifth French regiments lost theil' reepective eagles the victory was undecided, and eYeD more than doubtill this charge, togethe:r "ith two or three thousand foi. The duke, who felt that the moment W88 IDOI1& criprisoners. A column of cavalry, at "hose head were tical, spoke to tbe BruMwick troops with that 1UICeIl.the cuirassiers, adnnced to charge tbe life-guards, ancy .bicb a great geoeral pOMell8e8, made them r.tura and thus- save tbeir infantry; but the gllatds received to the charge, and putting himself at their head, ap. them with the utmost valoor, and the most sanguinary restored the combat, exposing him .. lf to ever.,. kiad of conflict of canlry that ever was witneased now took persenal danger.

place. " Fortunately at this moment he pereeived the fire or

U The Freneh eniraaaien were completely beaten, in . Marshal Blucher, who was attacking tbe enemy's right spite of tbeir cuirasses, by troops wbo bad no defence witb his usual impetuosity; and the moment of deeisive of tbe kind; and. they lost one of their eagles in tbilt attack being come, the duke put bimself at lite head of confiict, which was taken by tbe heavy English cavalry tbe English foot-guarda, spOke a few word~ to them. tailed the Royals. which were answered' by a general hurrah. a.d his

" Intelligeuee bOW arrived tbet the Pro.iall corps of Grace himself leacliRg .them on with bie bat in hi.

Bulow bad reaehed St. Lamhert, and tbat Prince Bla- hand, they eagerly ruwed forward to -eome toelose eher, with anotber corps under tbe command of General adient with tbe imperial. guard. But tbe latter begftll a Zietben, was adnncing with all haste to take part in retreat, which was 800n converted into the most comthe combat, leaTing tbe otber two in Wavre, wbicb had plete rout enr witneaed by military men. Entire cosuffered mucb in tbe battle of the 16th, at Fleuros. lumns, tbrowing dOWD their arms and eartoucb-bexes, The arrival of these troops was absolutely neeessary, in tbat they might escape the better, fled in the utrumt consequence of the forees of tbe enemy being now disorder from the field, and abandoned to us nearly ID6re tban triple ours, and our 10811 having been horrid one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon. Tbe rout at .during an unequal combat, from half-past eleven in the Vittoria w .. Bet comparable to this, and it only resemmorning ti1l flve in tbe afternoon. bles it, inasmuch, as on both occasrODII, the French ....

" Buonaparte, wbo did Dot beHeve tbem to be so all tbe train of artillery and stores of the army, as weU near, aud "ho reckoned upon destroying Lord Wel- aa all tbe baggage.

Iington before tbeir arrival, perceived that he bad fruit- "The Duke followed the enelAY 88 far as Gemappe, lessly lost more than five hours, and tbat, in the critical whet-e he found the illustrious Blucher, and both emposit,iOD in which he would soon be placed, tbere re- braced in the most eordial manner, on the principal mained no otber resource but tbat of desperately at- road to Cbarleroi; but, finding bimself in the 88l11e tacking the weak part of tbe British position, and thus, position witb tbe Pruuian., and that his army stood iB if possible, beat the duke before bis own rigbt W88 need of rest after 80 dreadful a struggle, be left to Blutamed and attacked by the Pru88ians. '. cher the charge eC following up the enemy, .who pro.-

" Henceforward, therefore, tbe wbole was a repeti- mised that he would not leave them a moment of rest.. tion (Of attacks bv cavalry and infantry, supported by He is DOW plt1'8aing them, and ye.eterda~ 1M .00II, he

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,

._ ..... ed Charleroi, "' ...... h. _..ted to preeeetI ._t Dight, and eoDtiDge tb. chaee-.

• This • the .u .... 08 of what took place OD this .. morable .y; but tbe oo1l8eCJueDeeB 01 the a6ir .... toO eyideot ~r me Ie decaiu you- iD stating them.

. "BaoDapme, DOW totteriDg on bis usurped- throne, 1rithout I80lIIey aDd witbeut troope. to recruit his annie&, ... reeeived a mortal blow, and, aeeordiDg to the laopage of' the prisoners, DO other fe&01lYee i& left him, ~ than to cut his OWO- throat.'

"It is said that he had DeTer been knOWD to expose .is penon 80 mucb, and that be seemed to seek death, that be migbt Dot turn ... a defeat fraU'gbt with ncb fatal eomequencee.

"I illfonned your Excellency, UDder date of tbe 16tb, tbat his man(l!uYre appeared to me extremeJy daring ill tbe face of 80ch geReral8 as Blucher and tbe Duke. The event bas fully jU8tified my prediction. For this reason, I conceive tbat his necuting -it has arisen DleTely from despair, at tbe appearance o! the innumerable troop' wbo were about to attaek him on every &ide, and in order to Itrike one of his customary blo"t before tbe Ruaiaoit and AU8triant came up.

II His military reputation is lost for eYer; and, on this eecasion, tbere is ~o treason OD tbe part -of tbe allies, nor bridges blown up before ~heir time, on whieb to throw the blame: aft tbe tbame will fan apoa hi .... lf. Numeriealiluperiority, superiority of artillery, all was in his fuour; and his haYing C01DDlelreed the attack, proves tbat be bad sufficient mean. to- execute it.

II In sbort, this talisman, whose ehann had 80 long operated on tbe Frencb military, bas be; .. completely dasbed to pieces. Buonaparte bas for ever lost the reputation of being invincible; and, beneefonrard, this cbaracter will belong to an bonourable man, who, far from employing tbi8 glorious title iu disturbing and enslaving Europe, will convert it into an instroment of bel' felicity. and in procuring for her that peace which tbe HO much requires.

H The 1088 of the Britisb is dreadful, aoo of the whole mUitary staff, the Duke and myself alone remaiDed alltoucbed in our person8 and borses.

"The Duke of Brunswick WAS killed on the 16th, and tbe Prince of Orange ana bis ceusin, the Prinee of Nassau, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington, received two baHs. The Prince of Orange distinguished himself extremely; but, unfortunately, although his wound it not dangerous, it will deprive tbe army of bis important services for some time, and possibly be may lose the use of bisleft arm.

"Lord Uxbridge, general of ~aY8lry, received a wound at tbeelose of tbe action, wbich made the ampatation of his right leg neceaar.y: tbit is an irreparable

-.,

Ie., for it will.be .tiftieult to Gnd another cldef te lead en the .. valry with the same courage and skill.

"'Tbe duke". unable to refrain from sbedding tetn . on witnessiDg tbe death of 80 IDany brave an41 bODourabJe men, and the lou-of so many friends and .itbful companions. Nothing bot the importance of tbe triumph can cootpeD8Bte fOr a 1088 so dreadful.

H This mOrBing he has preceeded to NiYenee, aod, to-morrow, be win advance to Mone, whence he will. immediately eater France. The weather caooot be heUer.

.. I cannot close this deepateh without stating to your excellency, for tlae informatioD of hia lIlajeety, tlau CaptaiD Do.. Nicholas de Mino_ir, of Doy]e'. regiment, and ci w.om I before spoke to yeur excelleney, as well as of his deetinatio. in the army, conduded himself yesterday with. the greatest valour and propriety. He was wounded when tbe NM88n troope were driven &om the garden; yet he rallied them, aad led them back to tbeir post. Doring the action, be had a borse wouaded under bim, and, by his fermer eGDdact, as well as by his behaviour on this .y, be lDeri18lrom his ~esty some proof of biB satisfaction.

" Thi. officer is well known in the war.o()ffiee, .. well as to General Dou keef de Zayu, WH haa duly appreciated bis merits.

II God preterve your excellency many years,

(Signed) "MIGUEL DE ALAVA

"Bruue18, 20th of Jrt7U!, 1815."

II P. S. Tbe number of prisoners annot be stat~ for they are brillging in great numbers every moment. There are many generals amoDg the prisoners; among whom are the Count de Lobau, aide-de-camp to Boonaparte, and Cambrone, who accompanied him to Elba."

THE FRENCH ACCOUNT.

Pari., JftfN 21.

II On the momiDg of the 16th, the army oocupiecl the

following poeition :- .

"The left wing', commanded by the Manhal Duke of Elcbingeu, and consisting of tbe first and second corps of infantry, and the seeend of eavalry, oecupied the position. of F1"B8ne.

H The rigbt wing, commanded by Manba} Grouclay, and CQmp~ed of the tbird and fourth ('Orr of infantry, and the tbird corps of cavalry, oeeupied tbe "eights i .. the rear of Flearu.

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THE FRENcH ACCOUNI'.

"The emperor's head-qaarten were at Cbarlel'oi, wbere were the Imperial guard and the sixth corpe. The left wing bad orders to march upon Lea Quatre Bra, aod the right upon Sombref The emperor ad'flluced to Fleurus with bis J'eIIe"e.

. " Tbe columns of Manhal Groucby being in march, perceived, after haviDg passed Fleuru., tbe enemy's army, CQmmanded by Field-marshal Blucber, occupyiDg with its left tbe beights of the mill of B_y, tbe village of Sombref, aud extending its cavalry a great way forward on tbe road to Namur; its rigbt "as at St. Amand, and oecupied tbat large village in great foree, having before it a ravine wbich formed its poeition.

"The em~ror reconnoitred the strength· and the positiona of the enemy, and resolved ,to attack ioamediately. It became neceuaryto change front, tbe right iu advance, an" pivoting upou "'eurU8.

"General Vandamme marcbed upon St. Amand, GeDeral Girard upon Lipy, and Manhal Groucby upon Sombref. Tbe fourtb division of tbe second corps, commabded by General Girard, marched in reserve behind tb. corps of General Vandamme. Tbe guard was drawn np on the heights of Fleuros, as "ell as tbe cnira.iers of General Milbaud.

"At tbree in the ... afternoon, these dispositiolUl were 6nisbed. Tbe di~on of General !.efol, forming part of tbe corps of General Vandamme, was first engaged, and made itself master of St. Amand, wbence it drove out tbe enemy at the point of tbe bayonet. It kept its ground during tbe wbole of tbe engagement, at tbe burial-ground and steeple of St. Amand; but tbat village, "bich is very extensive, was tbe tbeatre of various combats during the evening; the wbole corps of General Vandamme was there engaged, and the euemy fougbt there in considerable force.

" General Girard, placed as a re&e"e tp tbe corps of General Vandamme, turned the village by its rigbt, and fought there witb his accustomed valoor. The respective forces were sopporte~ on both sides by about fifty

pieces of cannon each. .

"On tbe rigbt, General Girard came. into .CtiOR witb tbe fourtb corps, at tbe village of Lipy, which was taken and retaken several times.

" Marshal Groucby, on the extreme right, and General Pajol, fought at tbe village of Sombref. The enemy shewed from eighty to ninety thousand men, and a great number of cannOD.

"At Beven o'clock, we .wer. muten of all the villages situated ou the bank 'of tbe ravine whicb covered tbe e8emy'. ~iti.n; but he still occupied witb allhi. masses tbe heights of tbe mill of Bussy.

" Tbe emperor returned with bis guard to tb~ village o!' Ligny; General Girard directed General. Pecheux

to debooch with wlaM remained of the I't8ene, almost all the troo.,. baving been engaged in tbat .. illag-t>.

" Eight baUali0D8 of the guard debouched with fixed bayonet., and behind tJiem four aqoadrona of th~ guards, &he cuiraaaiers of General Delort, those of ~ nn Milhaud, and tbe gre.adiers of the horse-guarda. The old guard attacked "ith tbe bayonet tbe enemy's columna which were OD &he beights of Boasy,' and, . iD' an instant, covered tbe field of battle witb dead.. TIle, squadron of the guard attacked and broke a aquare,' and the cuirauiers reput.ed tbe eDemy in all directio ... At half-put nine o'clock we had forty pieces of cannon, several carriagea, ooloul'8, imd prisoners, and 'the enemy sought .. rely in a precipitate retreat. At ten o'clock the battle was finished, and we found ounelves muten of tbe field of baUle.

"General }.utzow, a partisan, was taken prisoner.

The prisonen "ure us, that Field-marshal Blucher was wounded. The 80"er of tbe' Pl'U8Iian army". destroyed in tbi. batde. Its 1081 could not be lea thau fifteen thousand men. Our'. " .. three tho ..... d killed and wounded.

"On tbe left, Manhal Ney had marched on Lea Qua.. tre BrM with a diviaion which cut in pieces au Englisb corps that was stationed tbere; but, being attacked by the Prince of Orange witb twenty-five thousand men, partly Englisb, partly Hano9'erians in tbe pay of EDgland, be retired upon his position at Frasoe. There a multiplicity of combats took place; tbe eDemy obstinatelyendeavoured to force it, but in vain, The Duke of Elcbingen waited for tbe first co"_' which did not arrive till Dight; be confined himself to maintaining bis pOsition. In a square auacked by the eigbth regiment of cui ..... rers, the coloul'8 of the sixty-ninth regiment of English infantry CeU into our baDds. The Duke of Brunswick was killed. The Prince of Orange has been wounded. We are 8881Jred that the enemy bad many penons and geDeral. of note killed or wounded. We estimate tbe lou of tbe English at fr~m four to five tboUsand men. 00 oor side it WII8 very oolUliderable, it amounts to four thousand two hundred killed or ~ounded. . The combat ended "ith tbe approach of night. Lord Wellington then evacuated Lea Quatre

Bru. and proceeded to Gemappe. .

.. In tbe morning 'of the 17tb, the emperor repaired to Lea Quatre Bras, whence be marcbed to attack tbe EagJisb army: be drove it to the entrance of tbe forest of Soignee with the left wing and the reserve. The right wiog advanced by Sombref in pursuit of Field .. marshal Blucher, wbo was going towards Wavre, where be appeared to wish to take a poejtion~

"At ten o'clock in the evening tbe English army 0ccupied Mont St. Jean "iib its centre, end was in posi-

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THE FRENCH ACCOUNT.'

tion -before the forest of Soigne8: 'it would have required . three houn to attack it; we were d.erefore obliged to postpone it till the next day.

" The bead-quarten of the emperor were eaablisbed at tbe farm of Oaillon, near Plancbenoit. The l'ain fell in torrents.· Th..., on the 16th, the left wing, the rigbt, and t!.e reserve, were eqaaHy engaged, at a distance of .abou't two leagaell."

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J. .'.' :.0.

BATTLE OF ¥ONT ST./BA.N.

" At nine in the 1D0miDg, the l'ain having somewbat abated, the Grilt corpe put itself in motion, and placed itself with the left on the road to Bl'UlSels, and opposite the village of Mont St. Jean, whicb appeared the centre of the eDemy's poaition. The seeond corps leaned its right upon the road to Bl'U88els, and its left npon a small wood, within cannon ... hot of the English army. The cuirassiers were in resel'Ve behind, and the guards in ~rve upon the beights. The sixth corps, with tbe eaYairy of General D' Aamont, under the 'order of Count Lobau, waa destined to proceed in tbe real' of our right to oppoae a Prussian corps, which appeared 10 have escaped ·Marshal GrODchy, and to inteDd to fall upon our right Sank; an iDtention whicb bad been made known to us by our reports, and by the letter of a Pr088ian general, eneloaing an order of battle, and "hieh was taken by oar light .tm&ps.

'" The troops were full of ardour. We estimated the force of the English army at eighty thousand meu. We .uppoaed that the Pruasian CC:rps, which might be in line towards the right, might be fifteen thousand men •.. The enemy's force then waa upward. of uinety thousand men; our'. less numeroas.

"At noon, all tbe preparations being terminated, -Priuee Jerome.' commanding a division of the second corps, and delltioed to form the extreme left of it, advanced apon tbe wood of which tbe enemy occupied a part. The cannonade began. The enemy supported, with thirty pieces of cannon, the troops he had sent to keep the wood. We made also, 011 oor side, dispositions of artillery. At one o'clock, Prince Jerome waa IMItel' of all the wood, and the wbole ElIglisb army fell back behind a curtain. Count D'Erlon then attacked the village of ' Mont St. Jean, and supported hill attack with eighty pieces of cannon, which ml18t bave occasioned great IOIIJ to the English anny. All our efforts were made on the opposite eminence. .A brigade of the fiNt division of Count D'Erlon took the village of Mont St. Jean; a second brigade waa charged by a co.". of English cavalry, which occasioned it moch 10&8. At the same moment a division of . English

6. '

eavaJry eharged the battery of Count D'El'lon by it. right, and dilOrganized several pieces; but tbe cui ..... .eN of. General Milbaud charged tbat division, tbree regiments bf which we~ broken and cut op.

". It waS tbree in tbe afternoon. Tbe empero! made the guard advance to place it in tbe plain upon tlte ground which the fint corps had occupied at the outset of the battle; tbis .,orps being re~yin: advance. The Pru.ian division wbose movement had been foreseen, tllen engaged witb the light troopa of Count LOban, spreading its fire upon our wbole right flank. It waa expedient, before undertaking any thiog elsewhere, to wait for the event of th.8 attack. Hence, all the means in reserve were ready to succour Count Lobaa, and overwhelm tbe PrlUl8ian corps when it should have advaneed.

H Thill done, the emperorJlad the design of leading' an attaek upon tbe village of Mont St. Jean, from wbicb we expected decisive saCC8t18; bat, by a movement of impatience, so frequent io our military annals, and which haa often been 80 fatal to 118, the cavalry of reserve haviDg pe~eived·a retrograde mo.ement made Ity the English to sbelter themselvell from OUI' batteriel, from which they had nWered -eo. much, crowned the heightll of Mont St. Jean, and c~ilfed the infiuttry. Tbis movement, which, made in proper time, and supported by the reeerVel, ml18t ha.e decided the daYt made in an isolated Dinner, and, before the affair 0. tbe right wall terminated, became fatal.

" Having no means of countermanding it, tbe enelDJ sbewing many Di888e8 of cavalry. and infantry, and our two di.isiona of cui ..... iers being engaged, all our cavalry ran at tbe same moment to support tbeir eomrades. There, for three bours, uumerollll:charges were made, which enabled U8 to penetrate several squares, and to take sis standards of the-light infantry, an ad.vantage out of proportion with the lOll which our' cavalry experienced by the grape-shot and mnsket-firing. It W88 impoasible to dispose of our reserves of infantry until we bad repulsed the Sank-at~ck of th~ PrUIIian corps. This attack always prolonged itself perpendicularly upon our right Sank. The emperor sent tbither General Duhesme with the yOUDg guard, aad se.eral batteries of reserve. The enemy waa kept in cheek, repulsed, and fell back~be had exhausted his force80 and we had nothing more to fear, 'l'bia waa tile moment tbat indicated for an attack upon the centre of the enemy. As the coirassiers ·bad sutl'ered by the grapeshot, we sent four battalions of the middle-guard to protect tbem, to keep the position, and, if possible, disengage and draw back into the plain a part of our

cavalry. .

"Two other bauaJions "ere sent to k ~otheDllleo~vI.e

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.THE FRENCH ACCOUNT.

iD f~rce Dpon the extreme left of the diyieioo, wWch battle,. remained in the power of tile enemy. It".. had manoeuvred upon our flanks, in erder not to ~ve iBlpos.ible to. wait for tbe troepa 011 OUf rigbt; nery any uoeuine88 on tbat. side-dle reet was disposed in ooe knows wbat the brave.& army in tbe world is when reserve, part to occupy the ellli .. enee in rear of Moat tbus mixed and du-ow. ioto confUlion, and when ita St. Jean, and, part upon tbe ridge'in rear of the field organization no looger exiits.

eI baule, whieh formed our position of retreat. "The emperor CI"088ed the 8ambre at Charleroi, at

"In this state of: aftairs, the battle WIUI gained; we five o'clock in the morning of the 19th. PbiJippevilJe eeeapied all tbe positions, which the eneOly bad pos- and Avesnes have been given u the points of re-uaioD. IJe88ed at ~e outset of the battle. Our cavalry having Prince Jerome, General Morand, and other genera.., been too soon and ill employed, we eould DO longer -have there already rallied a part of the &rIDY. Mar. hope for decisive success; but Marsbal Grouchy, har- shal Grouchy, with the cor.,. on the right, is moving ing learned the mOTementofthe.Pr ... ian corps, marched on the lower SRDlbre.

upon the rear of it, ensured us a signal success on the " The loss of the enemy must· haYe bea very great, next day. After eight hours' fire aad charges of in- if we may judge from the number of iltandards ". fantry and cavalry, all the army saw with joy tbe vic- have taken froa them, and from the retrograde meva. tory gained, and the field of baule in our power. ments which they have made ;---ours cannot· becalcD-

" At half-after eight o'clock, the four battalions of lated till after the troops shall have been eolleeted, &he middle guard, who had been sent to the ridge qn Previous to the confusion which took place, we had aI- . • he otber side of Mont St. J~a~, to support the cuiras- ,eady experienced a very considerable loa&, partieu.siers, being greatly annoyed by the grape-shot, endea- larly in our cavalry, so fatally, though 80 bravely, enroured to carry 'he batteries with Ibe bayonet. At the gaged. Notwithstandiog' these 1088e8,this brave cavalry end of the day, a charge directed against their flank, constandy kept the position it had taken from the Eng ..

. 1" seTeral Englisb squadrbns, put tbem incJisorder.1ish, and. only abandoned it when the tumlilt and dis- . The fugitives recrossed tbe ravine. Seyeral regiments, order of the field of battle forced it. ID the midst. of ,!hich were near at hand, seeing some troops belonging' tile night, and tbe obstacles which encumbered tlleir to the guard in confusioB, believed it W88 the old. route, it could Rot preserve .. organization. .

~uard, and, in consequence. fled in disorder. Cries' "The artillery W88 as usua] covered with glory. The (If AU is IOBt, the guard if drive'll back, were b"ard on carriagea belonging to the heacl"1uartel'8 remained' itl every side. The soldiers even pretend that on many their ordinary positieD; DO retrpgrademovemeat being points ill-disposed persoDII cried out, Save ,0110 can. judged necessary. In the ~e ef the night tlaey feU

1I0weyer ·this may be, a complete paDic at o n ce spread into t1&e enemy's hands. .'

itself througbout the whole field of battl~ land the " Such W88 the rewlt ~f tbe battle gf 110., St. Jean, &roop8 threw themaelTe8 in tbe greates& disorder 011 the 80 glQrio ... f~r the Frencb araUes, and yet 80 fatal." . line of communication; soldiers,· taauoneer., caiseeas,

. all pressed to ,this, point; the old guard, which was in teaerve, was infected, and was itself hurried alolli.

" In an instant, the whole arGlY was nothing bot a HARSHAL ~y's A.CCOl1NT, IN A. LBTTEB TO !'DB DUD .mass of confusion; all tbe soldiers, of all arlWl, were JDixed p~~le, and it was utterly impossible to ¥:Irm • single cor~ The enemy, who perceived this 8SiQDishing confusion, immediatelyattackE!d with their cavalry, aDd increued the djsorder; ~nd such was the confusion, owing to night coming 00, that itwas impoaibIe to rally the troops, and point out to tbem their error. Tirus terminated the battle, a day of falae maDmuvres was rectified, the greatest sueee .. ensured for the next day, yet all was lost by a moment of panic tenor. Even the body-guard drawn up by the side of the emperor, was disorganized and overthrown by an overwhelming force, and the .. e was then nothing else to be done but to follow the torrent. Tbe parks of re- 88ne, all the baggag'e which had not repassed the &ambre, in ahort e,ery thiDg that was 011 the field of

0, OTRA.NTO.

"M. LE Due

"The most false and defamatory repo .... have been publicly circu~te,d for 60IDe days, respecting the conduct whicb I haee pursued during this sbott and unfortuoate campaign. The journals have' repeated tbeae odious calu~Dies, and app~ar to Iend ·them credit. After ~ving fought d~riDg tw1itnty-five years for my couDt~y, ~fter huing shed my blood for its glory and indepeudeaee, an attempt is made to ~cuse me of treason;.ao.d maliciously to mark·me Out.to.the people, and the army itself, as the autbor of the disaster it has just exp(frieo.ced~

"Compelled: to break N1enee, while it is always painful to speak of oneself, and partifIlit!ll to re-~ . Digitized bY'-.:JuOgit:::

MABSHAL NEY'8 ACOO17NT.

71

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.hDlUlitt, I ad.dreM m)'M1I to yoa, ajr~ as the pl'fti- e8brta, notwitbatanding the mtrepidily and deyolion of dent .0( the provisional goverrunen&, ia order to lay my treope, .. .,.tld .ot do more _maintain Diyaelf before YOIl a brief and faithful relatiOil of the ev.... i. my paaition till the clOl8 of the 'day. Abont Dille I ba,e wi&Daaed. On tbe Ilt .. of June, I reeeiYed all o'cleek, tile fira'~ ..... W'U returoed toIme bftbe em .... onler from the minilter of war to repair to the imperial ror, to whom it t.d heen of . no setrice. Th1l8 weD,,heed-qUIlrten. I bad no CblDJDand, and bad 80 in,"- 6ft or thirty tbousaad mett were ab.olntely paraI~ lDatioo upon the fome aDd cempGlitiou of the army. _ were idly ,.....ded, during .e whole of tbe ·b ..... Neither the eDtperor nOl' h. minister bed given me any from tbe rigbt to the left, and the left to the' right,

previo.. laiDt, &om wbiM I coliid aaticipate tbat I without firing a .hOt. .'

.bollId be employed Ha t.M present campaip; I was " I caDDOt belp suspending th .. e details for a m~ COIIIMlquandl "~8D uDprepued_ W'itbout honea, with- ment, to call your aUe.tioD to aU the me •• ., Oo~ out equipage, and withODt money; aDd I was obliged que,Dc. ofth. falM movement, and, inge.enil; ef,·th.

to borroW' the. Dece.ary eXpellletI of my journey. I bad disposition during .e whole' of tbe day. By"'" arrini ,on the 12th, at Laoo, OD tbe 18tb at AVe8nes, fatality, for example, did tbe eBlpel'Ol', insteael oldn. aad, on the 14th, at Beaumont. I purcbased, In tbis ing all biB fore. &pi ... Lord WeHington, who wdcff ' 1M, city, t"o bOr&el from alae Duke of Treviso, with bave been taken unawares, and eould not bave refta~ whieb I preeeeded on the 16th, to Charleroi, aeeom- eolllider thia attaek .. aeeondary' Hd,.. eoulcl the panied by my first aide-de-camp, the oafy o8Icer I bad emperor, after tbe' p..agoe of "'e Saaalwe, eOn~e it' witb ~e. J arrived at the memeat wben tbe enemy, JMlMible to fight two battleS on tbe same'day" Ia·wlt attacked by our light troops, was retreating upon to opp68e forces doable 001'8, and to do what the .... FI~UI'QJ and Go.elia.. . . . tary mea 'who were witnel8ell of it .... searcely' y.

o " TIle· ellJperor immediately ordered me to put my- eemprehend. Instead of this, bad be left a corps: dt .. If at &he head of the 'rat aad 8eCODd eorpe of infantry, «JbserraCion to wateh the Praaaiaa8, and marched widI co .... ded by Lieuteunt-Genenls d'Erlon and Reille, his mtMJt powerful mauet to support me, tim Eng_h 0( .e -div.ioas of light eavalry of Lieatenan&.GeDeral army would und«Jubtedly have been destroyed betweft Piee, Qf the div.jon of light eavalry of the guArd under Le8 Qnatre' Bras and Gemappe; and tbat' poaMoff, tbe coJpJD8Dd of Lieu&ellanta-General Lefebvre Des- which separated the two allied armies, beiltg ODee in lIO.,at .... &1 Celbert, and' of two diyisiooe of eavalry our power, would bave aiforded tbe emperor a. OPPO"" ef ~Bt Valm" formiag altogether eight diYmons of tunityof oattlankiDg tbe rigllt of the PrWlliaolll, and of iafaQlry ad fOllr of t.A.va1ry. Witb theM troop&, a part Ct'U8hing them in their tam. The rnenl opinion in of !,bieh oDly I bad .. yet under '.Y' im.-ediate eom- Franee, and e8peeiaUy 'n·tbe aftDy, ~ tbat the empem:and, I ponued the eD8mY, aDet foreecl hina to eta- ror would bave bent his whole eftOn ... ., aenilailate ,n. euate Goaeliee, Fraaoe, Millet, aad HeppiegnieB. tbe English army;· abd eircam. .... ces were fitvoanbl. There I took up a position for the nigbt, with the ex- for tile aeeemplie ... ent of neb . a project: but ;,_ eeption of the fil'8t corps, whicb was still at MarcbieoneB, ordered it otbenrile.

and which did Dot joio me until the fonowiDg day. '" '08 the 17tb, tbe army marcbed in the direction 01

" 00 the 16tb, I ... ordered to attack tbe E.gl.h in Moot sa. Jean. '.'

their position at Lea· Qaaue Brat. We '8dvaneM . to- ! .. On the 18tb, tbehattle eommeneed at ODe o'clock, wardt the enemy with aD· _ .. DIiMRi diftieult to be aDd tbongh tbt! bulletin whieh details it makes DO metldeaerib6d. &thing could reeilt Our impetuOlity. The' tiOb of me, it·is Dot neee.ary (or me to say that I was battle became general, aad victory was De longer doabt- engaged in it. LienteDaDt-Genenl Count Drouet 'bas fal; wbea,· atJl. moment that I iotended tG bring up already spoken or that ~e in the cbambt!r of ·pee ..... dae 6_ corps of iDfan~, whieb bad been left. by me.n His narration d accurate, witb tbe exeertion ·ttf'·ltOlllle· rete"e at Pra.ne, I learned that the emperor bad diB- import6nt file .. whicb be bas p888ed over iD silence,-or poeed of it, without acquainting me of tbe cireum- of wbich be was ignorant, ami whieb it is Dew my duty "'He, 88 well as of the division of 'Ginrd of tbe to ditdose. About seven o'cJoet in tbe eveniDg~ after secood co...,., that be migbt direet them upon St. the most dreadful carnage wbich I hare eyer witna.ed, Amend, and to etrngtheD hia left wblg, whieb was General Labedeyere came t& lIIe With .. m..age from warmly eagared with tbe Pru.i..... The .hock which the emperor, that Ma1'8balGrooehY'had am.ed·ou ear tb.ie iDieUigence geve me eonf01l0ded me. Having ~ right, and attacked the left of .... e unitetl English and ander my command ooly three dm.ions, instead of tbe PrUIIians. Thil general 08lcer, in ri4ing along· 'tbe eigbt npon wbieh I calculated, I was obliged~ to Fe- I'hles, spread tbis iDtelligenee amMtg tb~, IOld~ .ounce '&he hepes of victory; and, in spite of'a11 my whOle eOlirage and deyotion remam.d' uUlb.ken, aod

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who gave new proofs of them at that moment, notwithstanding the fatigue with whicb they were n,hausted. Wh!lt was my astonishment, (I sbould ratber say indigaatioD,) when I learned, immediately afterwards, that. 80 far from Marshal Groucby baving arrived to our support, as tbe wbole army bad been 888ured, between forty and fifty thousand Prussians were attacking our extreme right, and 'forcing it to retire !

" Whetber the emperor was deceived with regard to the time when the marsbal could support him, or wbether the &dvance ot the manbal was retarded by tbe efforts of the enewy longer than was calculated upon, toe tact is, tbat at the moment when his arrival was announced t~ us, he was still only at Wavre upon tbe Dyle, which to oa was tbe same as if be had been a hundred leagues from the field of ~attle.

, "A short time afterwards, I saw four regiments of the middle a-uard advancing, led on by the emperor. With these troops he wished to renew the attack, and to penetrate the centre of the enemy. He ordered me to lead them on. Generals, officers, and soldiers, all displayed the greatest intrepidity; but tbis body of troops W88 too weak long to resist the forces opposed to it by the enemy, and we were soon compelled to renounce the hope wbich this attack had for a few moments inspired. General Friant was struck by a ball at my side, and I myself had my horse killed, aod fell under it. The brave men wbo have survived this terrible battle, will, I trust, do me tbe justice to state, that they saw me on foot, with sword in hand, during tbe whole of the evening, and that I was one of tbe last who quitted t~e scene of carnage at tbe moment when retreat could no longer be prevented. At the same time, the Prussians continued their offensive movements, and our right sensibly. gave, way. The English abo advanced in tbeir turn. There ye* remained to us four aquares of the old guard, to protect our retreat. These brave grenadiers, tbe flower of , the army, forced snccessively to retire, yielded ground foot by foot, ulltil finally overpowered by numbers, tbey were almost completely destroyed. From tbat moment tbe retrograde Qlovement W88 ,decided, and the army formed nothiog' but a confused mau. There was not, however, a total rout, nor tbe cry of Save wAo can, 88 has been calumniously stated in the, bulletin. As for myself, being constantly in the rear-guard, whicb I followed on foot, laavinl[ had all my hones killed, worn out with fatigue, ClOvered with contusions, and baving' no longer streDgth to walk, lowe my life to a corporal, wbo supported me ill the march, and did not .abandon me during the reueat. At eleven at night, I met Lieutenant-Genetal ~febvre Desnouettes; aod one pf his officers, Major Schmidt, had the renerosity to giye me tbe only home

tbat remained to bim. In tbis manner I alTived- at Marchieone-au-Pont, at four o'clock in tbe morning, alone, witbout any officers of my staw, ignorant of tbe fate of tbe emperor, of whom, before tbe end of tbe battle, I bad entirely lost sigbt, and who, I had reason to believe, was either killed or taken prisoner. General Pampbile Lacroix, chief of the staR' of the second corps, wbom I found in tbis city, baVing told me tbat tbe empe!or was at Cbarleroi, I supposed that bi8 majesty intended to place himself at tbe head of Marshal Groucby's corps, to cover tbe Sambre, 'and to facilitate to the troops the means of rallying near AVe&nes; and with this persuasion I proceeded to Beaumont; but parties of cavalry following U8 too closely, and having already intercepted the roads of Maubeuge and Philippeville, I became sensible of the total impossibility of arresting a single soldier on that point to oppose tbe progress of the victorious enemy. I continued my march upon AVe8nes, where I could obtain no intelligence concerning the emperor.

" In this state of things, baving no intelligence of hill majesty, nor of the major-general, the disorder incre ... ing every instant, and, with tbe exception of some veterans of tbe regiments of the guard and of the line, everyone pursuing bis own inclination, I determined to proceed immediately to Paris by St. Quentin, and d. close, as quickly as poesible, the true state of a88m to the 'minister of war, that he might send IOID~ fresh troops to meet' the army, and rapidly adopt the measur .. which circumstances required. At my arrival at BolJl'\o get, tbree leagues from Paris, I,learned that the emperor bad passed through that place at nine o'clocl:in the morning.

" Such, M. Ie Duc, is a faithful bistory of this calamit008 campaign.

" I now ask tbOie wbo have survived tbat flne and . numerons army, how I can be accused of the disasten of whicb it has been tbe victim, and of wbich our military annals furnisb no example. I bave, it is sai.t, be .. trayed my country-I wbo, to serve it, have shewn a zeal which I have perhaps 'carried too far; but this calumny is not and cannot be supported by any fact or any presumption. Whence have these odioaa reports, wbich spread with frightful rapidity, ariseot If, in the inquiries wbich I have made on this subject, I 'bad not feared almost as mucb to discover as to be ignorant of the trutb, I should declare that every circumstance proves that I have been basely deeeived, and tbat it i. attempted to cover, under the veil of treason, the errol'll and extravagancies of this campaign; errors which have not been avowed in the bulletins thal have appeared, aad against which I have in vain raised tbat voice of truth wbicb I will ,et cause to resouD~ In the

Digitized .Coogle

MARSHAL DE GROUCHY'S ACCOUNT.

&Mfther of peen. . J expect from tbe justice of your ncenellcy, and from your kindneu to me, tbat you witl eeuse this letter to be. inserted in the journals, aod give it tbe greateRt possible publicity.

" I renew to your excellency, &e..

" Marsbal Prince of the MOIKw A. " PaN, JU1Ie 26th, 1815."

M.1aSHAL DB GROUCHY'S ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR AT WAVRE.

,

" Diuat, Jae 20111, 1815.

" It waa not till after seven in the evening' of tbe 18tb ef June tbet I received the letter of tbe Duke of Dalmatia, nich directed me to march on St. Lambert, and to attack General Bulow. I fell in with tbe eDemy .. I W88 marching on Wavre. He WaR immediately driven into Wane; and General Vandamme's corps attacked that towll, and was wamly engaged. The portion of Wavre on tbe right of the Dyle was carried; but mucb "iflculty WaR experienced in debouching on the other .ide. General Girard W88 woonded by a ball in tbe breast, wbile endeavouring to carry the mill of Bielge, in order to paM tbe river, but in which he did not succeed, and Lieutenant-general Aix had been killed in the attack on the town. In th. 8tate of tbinga, being impatient to co-operate with your majeaty'8 army on tlra& important day, I detached .everal corpa to force the paeaage of tbe Dyle, and mareh again8t Bulow. The corps of Vandamme, in tbe mean time, maintained tbe atlack on Wavre, and. on tbe miIJ, whence tbe enemy showed an intention to deboucb, but wbich I did Rot eoeeeire be was capable of effecting. I arrlved at Limale, passed the river, and the heigbta were carriM by tbe diriaion of Vicbery and the cavalry. Night did ftot permit U8 to advance further, and I no longer beard the cl1'lloon on tbe aide where your majeaty wu

eD~ed. .

"I baited in this lituation until..Jay-ligllt. Wane and Bielge were occupied by tbe Pl'U88iao8, who, at three in the morning of tbe 18th, attacked in tbeir turn, wiahin~ to take adYantage of the difficult position in wbich I was, and expecting to drive me into the drile, aoc! take tbe artillery wbich had debouched, and make me repau the Dyle. Their efforts were fmitle88. The Pru.ians were repulsed, and the yiIJage of BieJge _btl. The brave General Penaey was killed.

"General Vandamme tben paased one of his dimiool!l by Bielge, and carried witb ease the beigbta of Wane, Md, along the whole of my line, tbe 8UCCe&ll W88 complete. 1 "as in frent of Roziel'lle, preparing to march

6.

78

00 Bruae18 when I reeeired the sad intelligence of tbe lou of the baUle of Waterloo. The officer who brought it informed me, that your majesty W88 retreating on the Sambre, witbout being able to indicate any particular point on which I should direct my march, I ceued &0 purane, and began my retrograde movement. Tbe retreatillg enemy did not think of following' Ole. Learning that the edemy bad already pHlied tbe Sam-. bre, aud WaR on my. flank, and Dot being sufficiently strong to make a dinnion in favour of your m.j~y, without compromising tbe army wbich I commanded, I marched on Namur. At tbis moment, tbe coluRln8 in tbe rear were attacked. Tbat of the left made a retregrade movement BOOner than wu expected, which endangered for a moment tbe retreat of the left; but good dispoaitions 800n repaired every thing, and two pieoea which had been taken, were recovered by the brave twentieth dragoon.., who, besides, took an bowiqer from the enemy. We entered Namur without 1088. The loog defile wbich extends .from this place to Dinant, in which only a Bingle column can march, and the embarranment ariaing from tbe numerous tran.porta of wounded, rendered it nec8M8l'Y to hold fen a consi. derable time the town,- in which 1 bad not the meaDII of blowing up the bridge. I intru8ted the defence of Namor to General Vandamme, wbo, witb hia UBUal i ... trepidity, maintained himself there till eigbt ill the e.,.ening; so that nothing w .. left bebind~ and I eceu-

pied DinRnt. .

" Tbe enemy h88 loat lOme tboueanda of men in' t.e attack on NlllDur, where the cont.,.t waa very obetinateJ tbe troops baYe performed their duty in a manlier wet .. tby of praise.

(Signed)

" DB GaOtJORv." .-

To_these o8icial accounta we shall eubjoin tbe foUowiDl'

ULATION BY A FDNOII OJ'Plwa,

which the great poet Walter Scott has pronounced t. be " an i7lcomparable biatory of tbe battle, and, indeed, the only authentic narrative of all the incident. of the battle of Waterloo :"-

"Tbe army of the North, on ita arrival ·at BeauinoDt, joined that of the Ardenne., eoannanded by Vandamme, wboae bead-quarten were at FDI'II.,.. n. anny of tbe Moselle, UDder Geoeta{ Girard, qaiUin, Metz by forced marcbee, debouched in tbe l181Be period by Pbilippe"ille, and .broaKlit i_If likewi8e intoliM. Tba8 tbe army 01 the :Nortb COIl ... d of five corpe of infantry, under the command of tbe Liem.oant.geae. ral. D'Erlw, BeiUe, Valld.nne, Giranl, and, the Connt

·r

Digi~Zed by Google

RELATION BY A FRENCH Ol-"FlCBIt ••.

de Lobau. The cavlilry, commoded in chief by MarIhal Grouchy, WIll divided into four corps, under the ordem of General. Pajol, Excelmos, Milhaud, and Kellerman.

a The imperial guard, which "II composed of twenty tboaaand men, formed the nucleus of this)ine army, which was followed by a considerable materiel of artillery, perfectly well equipped, and in tbe beat possible eonditioD, II, well as a great lIlany pontcone, Beside the battering-train attached to eacb division, every eo1'p8 of tbe army bad .ita park of reserve. The guards, in particular, had a magnificent artillery, almOit wbolly eompoaed of new piecea.

a These ehosen troops, migbt amonnt to abont one hnndred and' fifty thousand effective men, of which tw,eoty thousand were cavalry, accompanied with three hundred pieces of ordnance. But, already in the interior of tbeir own country, tbe troopa evinced a want of discipline, which constituteB,tbe strength of armies,

.' and the secmty of the cauntries to wbich they belong.

a Regardl_ of their unbappy countrymen, who manff.ted. tbe greateat zeal to fumisbing every kind of aubsistence in tbeir power, the French soldiers treated them with the moet cruel rigour, and considered plun-

, der .. one of their most incontestable privileges, and -.de a sort of merit in giving themselvea up to every Ip8ciea of escell.

ie Every where they sacked tbe bOUlea; and, nnder pretext of searching for provisioDS, bunt open the door.:, broke open tbe cloaets, ill-treated the peMants, and .. ized upon whatever they ehose, 'They bad taken the field,' they .aid, ' and tbe war cOuld not be carried 'on' without them;' consequently every thing was allowed them, and tbey gave a full scope to their taste for plunder-a taste wbich can only be compared, for the rangea committed during a ten yeam' war, to tbe excumioDl of barbarous bordes npon the lands of their Jlejghboun. In this manner, roaming from house to honae, from granary to pnary, from one cellar to another, the IOldiel'll returned to tbeir camp loaded with plunder, after ha,ing barbaroualy deatroyed wbat they cOuld not carrr away. The peasant considered himself unUlualll' fortunate, if, after enduring all sorts ., abuae and ill-treatment, he escaped their vengeance, by leavillg his all &0 their discretion.

"'To tb. infaaaoul pillage, the greater part of the e8leen oppoaecl but a feeble r8lliBtance; nay, tbeyeyen tol.fated it, under the read, excuae, ' We mUlt not b. too .evere: tbe soldier mut live.' And, wbilst the IOldier had his IUb.istence, it may be ellily coneeived the officer had an abund.aCt, od " .. only perplexed by the ditfcult,. of choice.

• Do we recogniae bere, it may "e uked, the frank

and loyal character of tbe . Frencb ofticer' CertaiDJy not. But let not tbe French name be disgraced in tbe eatimation or posterity, because the ofticem of Buooaparte were not those of Turenne and Villeroi. In t~. midst of tbis berd of lawle.. and unprincipled devas. tators, there were, not wanting maliy men of bonour and principle, "ho lamented over tbis frightful d ... order, and who served with profound regret in thia rebellious army, but wbo endeavoured to pemu.de them. selves tbat _it W&l tbeir duty to defend their country under aNY leader. A principle of military honour kept them firm to their poet. They were indifferent to Napoleon, but they were attached to France.

" Norwaa it, perha.., possible to reprell thoae d .. ordem in an army which had been formed to tbe. by tbe habit and example oT twenty ye8l'l!l. It was, in fact, by tbis s)'ltem of brigandage, that Napoleon had succeeded in 80 firmly attatbing the loldiem to his nam. aud cause.

"The country which the troopa were travel'lling, eevered with "beat already browning, promised a luxuriant harvest: but tbis abundance existed in vain; w" to the fieldl through wbich WII the pusage of th. army; and atill more 80 to those which became the pOlition of a camp. In a few moment&, tbe labour and gift of tbe year were trodden under foot by men and homes, or tom up' by the roota for fodder.

" The interior of the army was distracted by inte8- tine divisions and anarcby. It seemed as if the dif. ferent corpa were animated with a hatred of each other •. od that open war existed between them. Above all, there WII no agreement between 'he cbiefs. .

"When a commandant of a column, or a regiment, arrived at the place which it WIUl to occupy, be seized upon whatever was found there, without any regard &0 wlio migbt come after him. A guard WII placed UpOD those hous .. whicb furnished oy suppli., and, with. out aDy other rigbt than that of being the first oeeopied, every share was denied. Frequently, indeed, tbey fell upon the sentriee, and a disgraceful' CtJn8ict ensued. In thil manner a Dumber of men were wouad. ed, and lOme were actually killed.

a The i_perial guard condueted thellll8lves "ith great arrogane~ toward.. the o,ther troopa, and were particularly hated by them; and, for the disdain which theysbowed towards others, tbey were themaelveB pe .... secuted in their tum, whenever they were not .troDI' enough to give tbe law.

a The cavah~, in like manner, insulted the infantry with eYery kind of outrage; and the iDfa,try menaeed the eanlry with their bayonew, and aft'ected to deapise them. Such was the condition of lbe army which wu marched upon the frontiel'll to protect and clefeDd &b.

I,

Digitized 'bY Goog Ie

, ,

llELATION BY A FRENCH OFFIeER.

~itizens: they had put thein in a condition not to dread die presence of a most feroeioWl enemy.

"In tbis state "tbey proceeded by forced marches: the weather; altbough constantly showery, had nevertheless been tolerably fine, so that the roads did not hopede the marcb of tbe artillery and cairiages. The movements were eJFeeted with a celerity bordering upon precipitation. It was evidently tlie intentioa to surprise tbe enemy by an unexpected appearance, and tbese rapid marcbes rendered a sudden irruption into BelgiulP higbty probable.

"Orrtbe 14tL tbe wbole army was found united in line upon the extreme frontier; and·the uncertainty wbich had hitberto subsisted respecting tbe intention of the manceuvres, caused the publication of a proclamation,

, wbicb was inserted in the order of tbe day, and read at the bead of eacb regiment.

"This proclamation was received witb transpo .... of joy and loud acclamations by the multitude of ignorant so).. dien, to wbom a few high-sounding words wbich they do Dot understand, seem tbe yery height of eloquence. The proclamation itself wean the same stamp with all tbe other productions of Napoleon, and only diJFen from them in greater extravagance and absnrdity. Wboever weighed the incoberent declamation of that vain-glorious prophet, looked on it witb pity. Meanwbile it increased tbe public inquietude by laying open tbe wl)ole extent of the dangen which Buonaparte intended to brave. The chiefs, however, were delighted

- with the precision of their ro~es, and recognised the presence of the great •• in thOlle scientific colDbi-

.nations, by which all the masses of the army, after encumbering eacb other's march, seemed all at once to rise from the ground, and find themselves ranged' in Jine by the eft'ect of magic. Such is the power of 'pre-

possession. '

"On tbe 16th, at break of day, tbis anay brob up for the Belgic territory. The seeoad division attacked the Pro.ian outposts, and pursued them as far as Marcbienne-au-Pont; the cavalry of this body bad to cbarge 8eyeral corps of infantry diJFerent times, wbieb they drove bsek; took some hundreds of prisoners, and the Pruasians were obliged to recl'Oll8 the Sambre. The light cavalry of the centre followed tbe second division on the road to Cbarleroi, aud, cbasing away in diJferent cbarges such of the enemy as they met, drove the wbole to tbe other side. Wbile namerou. sharp-shooten defended the approach to the bridge, the Prusiaus were employed in rendering it imp_ble, in order to retard our march, and aft'ord them time to evacuate ,tbe city; bat being too closely pushed, they were unable to destroy it eJfectually, and our men 800D remoYed all difficulties to their paaage oyer it. About nOOB

'16

their work was completed, and, tbe ligbt e&nlry took possession of Charleroi.

" The second corps, in the mean time, baying eJfec& ed a passage lower down the river at Mdrchienne, advanced upon GosBelies, a large town upon the opp~ite side of tbe river, and 1brough which was a road ... Brussels. Tbe object of this movement was to prevent tbe PrU88ians from retiring upon this' point, wbeu they should be driven from Charleroi by tbe attack which was then proceeding. The Pl'U88ians, thWl fereed in front, and anticipated upon our flank, retired upon Fleuras, where they began to occupy tbemselvee, ia concentrating,their army.

'" Whilst the Pruuians were employed in this operation, they had to sustain themselyes agaiDst the repeated attacks ef our divisions, wbo unceasingly interrupted them whilst taking tbeir position.

" The presence of Boonaparte so electrified tbe French troope, that the divisions, as fut as tbey arriYed, Jhrew themaelyea upon tbe enemy w-itb such irresistible impetuosity, as to bear down eyery thing before them. They scarcely discharged a DftJ8ket, but, with fixed bayonets, dashed into the thickest of the enemy'. maaes.

" The squadrona of Napoleon's bedy-guard made Ie-'feral charge. upon the Pl'U8lian infantry; in one of - which, General Letert, Colouel of the dragoons of the guard, received a mortal wound. The French finally 8ucceeded in driving the enemy from all hi. poeitioD8 on'the Sambre.

~ Towardl night the combat ceased; and BUODaparte, after haying left the third corps on its route toward. ' Namar, and the seeeud at Goeselies upon the road tQ J' Brussels, returned to Cbarleroi as his head-quarte rs. :_ The remainder of tbe army occupied the surroundingl villages. Tbe results of these dift'erent' engagements were a thousand prisoners, the passage of tbe Sambre; and the poII8I8ion of Charleroi and its magazine&.

" But it was a still more tignal advantage, that it co .... firmed the courage of the troop. by suecess. Napoleon availed himself of this succ:eu, and of its fruits, accord-

ing 10 bis usual system.' '

"The prisoners were paraded witb the artifi~ of a proe'eII8ion at a th_tre, by the eft'ect of which a few bands, carefully repeated, and .ystematically re-intredoced, app~ to be an army. Thus tbe prisone... were marebed in preaence of diJFerent divisions from the front to the rear. The air' resounded witb the cries of Vive l'E.peretlr! and the soldiers believed eyery tbing dooe in this aWlpicious commencement of tbe campaign. IQ the beginning of this day, the PrU88ian army, cODsisting of four corps, were encamped on theline of tbe Sam. bre; they fell back to their points of eoncentratioDt

Digitized by Goog Ie.

ltELATION BY A FRENCH OFFICE!.

1'Iearaa, " .. ur, Ciac1, and Hannut. The principal corpa engaged with us was tbat of General Zeith.n. T_ general was a& Flea.,.., wbere It. received us bravely.

" Blucher was infol'Dled of these events in the coone of tbe afternoon, aDd immediately ordered bis other tJaree COl'pe (tbolle at Namur, Cincy, and Hannut) to adYanC8 by a forced march to Sombref, about four mile. from FlearWl, where be intended to put himself at their head, and giye us battle on the following day.

I' • "The whole of the French army W811 now in the terri-

tory of :Belgium, in the midst of the Dew subjects of tbe kingdom of tbe Netbetherlaods, who welcomed UII with aeclamatious, .. tbeir deli "erers, and 8118erted that they ooly waited for our arrival to rise 811 mClUe iD

favour of our cause. .

"We found, in fact, a few groups of pe ... nts at the entranee of the villages we pused through, wbo came to meet UI with eri. of Vive l'E_pertJllrl they did Qot appear however to be animated by • sinGere enth.i.... ; and, to speak freely, they rather relembled hired crien, thab citizeu, wbo were ansio ... to .:i.prees their nalleatimenll.

"They received uaas conquerors, whose good-will it ... ~ .... ry to conciliate; or lather, they were the .• ieads of the 1Itro .... party, and dteir exclamationa ."i_Dtly meaat ·tb .. : 'We are willing to be French IIIIbjectll, if your bayoDefa gin til. law. Do not plunder .... do not range oar Selda, but trell UIt .. your countrymen.'

. "TIMIe sapplicatioDl, bowe"er, were dilreprded; and DOtwiq.taadia, the coDSdeDce oar soldien g .... e to t..... frieadly deIJoDltnWODs, tbey treated them as their ID08t deeided eumies: deYl.taUon and rapioe every where marked the Dlll'cb of the army. No

, BOOner bad tbe troopl taken up a temporary pomtioD in tbe Deighbourhood of lIODle village, than th.y .,.heel like a torrent apon the ill-fated hoUl.; provisions, driak, furniture, and clotb.., all dilappeared in an in.taDt. A village near wbich they had encamped, wben they quitted it the next IOOrniDg, preMnted 001, a ,,_ heap of ruins, around which lay diapened, aU that W .. ved as tIa. furnitare cI the ho .....

.. '111. surrounding eouatry, whiclt .Ie fOr tbe mc.a part eoYered with COrD, _e. to ha"e been d.tNyecl by a bail-ltorm; and the plac. wbere the bi"ou .... 6 .... had been IUde,. remained black,. and. aeattered oYer the .. adows aad con-fields, now reduced to .tubbl., ap. peared like pl808ll atraek with ligbtnia,.

"The i_tant tbe troop. departed, ttle 'iababilaDta, oyer.lIelmed with terror, the WOIDeD diaol,.. .. ia tean, tile childre_ .... fnaked 8IMI .. ized with horror, eJMrged in IWII'DII from their biding-pIMeB, and ran •• er their

devuta&ed &elds, to neoga;'" the .... rlOU ute .... wbich coutituted &heir property, and to collect ..... wreek.

"We DOW learned, tbat th.e Pru .. iaa out-pol'" • tbough on tbeia: guard, were surprised; and that, far from eXfJflcting an aggression 10 basty and 80 serious, the alliell were illtending, in the course of a few day .. to enter the French territory.

"The inhabitants themselves were thunder-struck at our appE'al'8Dce, at a time when tbey thought us employed in securing our own frontien from invaaion. Tbey spoke very ill of the PruMians, wbom tbey represented 18 .... ry exlDra.ollate, and who daily ill-treated thedl.

"FroID these reports, which conveyed no positive inM.a&ioD, efery one' formed bi. own. opinion upoa. the probable result of the campaign. The general idea w.., tlaat .. aUied army not beiog united, could not eWeet ita concelltration; tbat the divided corps, sharply plll'lued, and turned on every side, would make but a feeble defeDce. That Lord Wellington would be totally diaeoncerted by. this unexpected movement, anti that all his pl8D8 for the campaip "ould be rendered aborbye •

" Besides tbie, tlte troo,. :bad such eDtire confidence in Boonaparte, whoae combination. were cODsidered .. cartaiD as &bey were admirable, that notbing W81 DOW dlougbt of but the d8lltruction of the English, or a precipitate embarkation, a speed,. arrival upon the Rbiue, amids& the shoag of the Belgians, risen in DUI8B, aDd eager for the .pportu.D.ity of rejoining their old ClOIIlpanion. in U1DIo

"At three o'clock, on the morning of the 16tb, the columu whicb remained on the right bank of the Sambra, put tbemlelvea in motion, and p88led the river, wbtm the whole army advanced forward. The COlDmand of the left wiDg, consisting of the firat and lieeeed divisions of infantry, and four corps of CaTaJry, w .. given &0 Manlaal Ney, who bad arrived lbe preceding .... eniDg at head-quarters, aDd received orden to marcia by Goueliea and Frunea on the road to lhuueIs.

"The ceDtre, compoeed of the third, fourth, and mtb di"iliou, the r88e"e, apd a numeroUi body of cavalry, forming tbe Ill ... of the army, directed itselC dpOn Fleurulo Maabal Grouchy, with tbe cavalry of" PlVol, and .ome battalioDl of foot, manceuvred towards the village of Sombref, Oil the road to Namur •

" They 100D diHo"ered the Pruuian army; the chief ._.. of wbich appeared ia close columns, crowning the uplaocl lev,is that s~uDd tbe mill of BUlli, Bad .&retching iD ampbidaeatre tbrougb the whole I..,tb of •• lopUta' bill, ill front of which w ... deep

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·:

•..

llBLATION BY }\ FRENOH·Om<ms. raYiae, t~ ·"ith tbicJut.,. "at; estended in. trollt of the whole liare. . Ita rigIafI r~ted on tbe TiUage of S .. Amaod, its ~Dtre at. Lipy,. aDd its left stretched be- 1~lld tlte relUlh of tbe eye to"ards Sombref, Gembloux, a,nd the NarDOI' road. 411 tlaeae .,.illage., which are large, and buiJt on ulJeven and brobn ground, 8I:e in front of the ravine, and were lined with infantry. Having duly recognis~ the poeition, B~oDaparte ordered tbe luitable disp«l8itiooa to attack it. His mind, hie eye, his wbole deportment, were now on fire.

" The fir" corp6, wbich made a poeitionof ou~ left, together !itb two di.,.ifliolUJ of beavy cavalry, ~u poeted in the rear of the village of Frunea, a liWe to the rigbt of the high road to Bro.eIa, 8O·U to be in readine&& to move towards any poiDt iD wbicb it might be wanted. The tlird corpa w .. direetedin eolulDDIJ

of attack upon 'the viU.,. of Sa. Amaud. ,

"ThefoUTt" advaDced UPOD Lig.y, ha~i ... &he.gaard. the mIl corp" aod a numerous (4valryin reserve. Manbal Groucby, with the diriaiOlll8 on the rigbt, ....... his'advaDce towarchl Sombre£. "Tbe :third co .... begao. tlte fire in attacking tbe village of St. ADlaDd, where it "_e4 with an obttiJaate ""tance. ,. It carri.cl.it,., _a. ever, at tbe point of tbe bayonet, but waa ~. charged b, tbe enemy, and compelled to ab .. don it.

"In the meaa time, tbe fourth cotp8 prMipitated itaelf witb great alacrity upon Lipy, and a deeperate conflict W88 commenced upon this point.. Each party fought witb tbe greaieat ,ob.tio&q, aad _ a long time tbere appeared no tbougbt of ,ielding ell

either side~ , ' , .

"At the same IDOment, our twQ "inge bad come to the eogagemeut witb the oppoeite wi"&" o.f.tbe enemy; our right, direc&ing iCllelf &pi_ the --1 at Scabref,

whibto~r leftadvaDced againSt F~. .: -: ,

"Every part of both lU'JDies (with the esception of Al" , .. rve) wall tbOl engaged; the "ir therefore ".. n,,, general, and the caonoaade, increasing ewery in• taDt; roared in tremendoQII horror aloug tbe lines.

" The cou.bat ".. bpt up ~8 both sides with equal obatinacy: It is illlpoeaible .., form an idea of tbe fury wh~ch animated tbe ~91dien of the two parti .. &gainat eacb oth8l'1 it &ee1D~ as if each of thea bad a.penoaaI iujory te reveog~, aad bad found iu bis adYe....., hill, most implacable enemy. The French would·giv.e DO qDarterJ the Pruaaians, they said, had vowed to .a-acre all tbe French tbat sheuld fall into tbeir Itands: &b .. _nac:ee were partic;ularJy addreued to tU gu.,d, agaiaet wbom tbey appeared to bave an u .... COIDIIIRn .pite, In flUll, on both side, the ........ "'. awfnl ill th e:Jtr~.

"Th" ~iU~ wllich formed tbe theatre of action were tab. and ",tabn several tilll. with a honible 7.

batc1tery;,.boee,of 8t..A.8lmd .. Lip)' .peeially,

were diapu&ed ,,,,ith .intillCible ~bdnaCy. _

" The French'be.ater: ooIMriPed to lodge th ..... I .. in tbe daurcb-yard ;of St. Amand. and' tG __ ~iD theme aelnl there,' ill .pite of the', Npeated attempts of the PrnaIiaDS to dillodge ·tlte... But there -was ODe te~ . ble.lIlOIDent. where tbe .uccese ..... 10 dODbtful,on that point that Buonaparte sent· in' all haste for, the en.

corpe to reiDforee tlaem. r ' :

"The left, wing, "hieb wai now 'sbarply enpged with the Engli.hai.rmy, apinst which it had the,advantage,' aDd had driven them from the heigh .. of Frau .. ' to the farm of Qaatre Draa, ·"bere tbey bad taken a position, foond itIIelf COD!Iidenbly w,eakeDe41. But what bad aearlY'.ca~ tile total 10. of the ~~ . was the imprudeace of Buonaparte in, not apprising ___ hal Ney of'bia hayi.g· withdrawn a pan of b"

troop.. ,

" The ant corps had set olf about ... hoar to _cit tonrds St. Anaaod, whea .. Eagli.b _,., to which the Prince' of Orange bad .brougbt nlllllero_ reiaforee.. ments, took egaiB .in, turn .the ..r_v., ,ad vigoroul, , repulsed oor riflemen and the ee1u ..... .Q( attack which followed them. ·The· Eagliah~ cavalry, .hie .. w ... formed aloo, tbe B~-roacJ, 'ooe.piei.tlte'w~l. border of an,ut.eDliY. woOd. ~niche tleft.of'·it.

.. AJonr,the "hoIe ,I.ngth ·of,tb. t.Order' tllen "..

a hollow road, whicb had tbe appe8r8nee of a ra1tin8; . and plain .. :covered. with: rye of. a·toIerable 'sise se,.,. rated ·tJUs ...... from alie w~. !the right, of "hich ,... occ ... pied by tlte Frencb" to a certaia exU.t., '0 a .000' IIItlM tb .. ; 'plaihs'lNre cenrered witli ...merous batta-· lions formed in squares, I!IUpponecl by. a formidable, cavalryf' who: adna_ , .. ida great CIMlidettee, !8Dd threatened to force ~u~ Hoe. 0... troops ep~ i ..... timidated, aDd reeeiled- witb a sen of ;.mic., .. :

"The aorQen ... w.aa very,pr.sing, _.it _ •. ..,...' sary to liuten the reaer~.. Manhal.·,N.y,.Iiow:ever, ",bo w .. little alarmed ,at, tbeM attempa.". he reli .... on die fint corps, ,ent 88 order fortliem to ...... eh iD •. stan&ly to tbe spot, and to cbUJJe the enemy. But what ".. bis astoniabment &ad confneion, when be fou •• that Buonaparte.bad otbenrise·dilpose.d of .beml

" He immediat8ly otdered· the eighth,and tb~ eleve •• : coil'888iers, -wbo happened t.e be at hand~ to charge the fint battaliou. This", " •. executed with the greate.t resolution; bat these hI&taIiou, beilig ..,. p0rtetl from bebiad with dte infaDtry whiob filled the wood, were enabled to open sueb a tenibla fire uponus, that our con..ien, beiag repelled iu their attempt·, to pierce them, were obliged to make a wheel round; and, .. always bappeaa in Iaeh CMeI, retired in .. ueJa disorder.

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RELATION BY A FRENCH OmCEL

" It w .. in this charge, whieb, howeyer unlort,!nate, the Tillage., but the Pn.w. 11m retained their poIi"as executed with the grea .. brnery, that a cui..... tion. behind the tavinetl. .onaparte had all aloag

, .er of the e1eventb regimeDt teok a eolonr of the Eng- manGeuv."d 10 .. to be enabled to make a .addeD moYe_It 8ixty..foartlt regiment. The retrograde mo.-ment Inent upon the rear of the ravine; he .w tbat the which ".. now eeDlibt,. beginnior, and the multitude oee8liou ".. now at band, and he instantly directed 0( "ounded eoIdien whotb ...... tlaemtel .... iato the hie imPf'l'ial guard, and all hil,rese"e, upon the viI .. '_',' begsD to e.cite.. obviou terror amonpt their )age of Lip,..

telilrad.. "This bold and skilful movement had for itt objeet

Ie The "aggonen, the servants, ·tlae aUendanas of the to aeparate the rigbt of the Prussians from tbe rest of "p of 811 kiDd., ... ed themaelve& "ith preeipitation; their army, and tbas to intercept it from making a reand, .ee .... naieating their panic to all they met, BOOn treat upon Namur.

eloged ., tbe .. d to Charleroi. The rollt, iDdeed, .. The guard" .IUpported by a strong cavalry and iii ·th. l*Dt, '(Ney'. command,) ".. beginning ·to be po"erful artillery, inetaDtly pressed forward to tbe ra .. to .. pld.;,'e"ery 'oDe was ftying ia cenfusioo; aDd tbe vine, which they cleared amidIC a shower of bait., and ery of. llae ~ J t/ae __ , I "81 geDe~. the combat became dreadful. But nothing could "ith-

:~ The .vih however, w .. not, i. fact, ., great .. itlltand tbe impetaoeity of the French grenadien, who .,peared, . aDd tlaenifcJre c ,.... repaired. Manhal Ney, cut their way 'with the moe& horrible cam., our c&the bra" .. t amoog'St the' bra .. ~ "" not to be daUllted valry cbarging at tbe sametima 00 all sides. At .. eoa(otIaded by • '''igbt d_ter.· General Ro ... ard, lenlflb, after tbe moet obstioate defence, tbe Pro.iaDB .. w. lIis diviU .. eai"';'rt, h .. teoed ia a long tI'DI ; were driven back, .. nd left UI inasten of the field of ie"!lbe frollt of tile Eapah, and .....-ured tbe fug£- Hule, covered with tbe dead, the dying, the wounded, tif'81 . by his praeoee, .. d, in, a euu.iderahle degree; I8mQ pI'i8Oners, and a few field-pieces. 1'he guard. ~tabl.hed" .... immediately poMetsed thelDlel,es of tbe Ilopel aDd ". ",Our ,i • .....,., .. liiagtheir pGIIitiob upon the heigbtt upland. wllieh were eVBCuated, and our cav.lry pur- 01 Fraa_, "ere CiMtpeHed &0 a_don all tbonghta of sued the fugitives. During this decisive' operation at a more forward IDONmeat, they coafioed themee'.a, Ligny, the tbird eerpa'were endeavouring 'to em'piGY

, tberefere,: to maialeiaing their' p .... at pmitica, and'in tbe Pi- ... ian right wing, in order to diyert their atte ....

ala. tlaeysaeeeeded.. . . lion from what bad palled. But tbey readily sa"

" Such was the ef'eet of Napoleon'. withdtawinr the threugb our df!8ign, and effected their retreat to Gemtnt ups fmm' Marsbal Ney. And tbe ... corps W81 blous: and Naniur.

as, .... _ to the emperor, .. it wunld haye been eWee- "Tbe Frencb army prepared to pusb their IUCcest J tal· 10 Manh.. Nay, .. -it wall merely employed in but tbe approacb of night, and tbe fatignet of tbe day, IlUll'ehing and retUNing. prevented it. They contented tbeOllelvee,. therefore.

"cla·tIIe ·bieaDtime the ire ceatinaed with inereaaed with taking 'poaelllion of an tbe Pl'1JIUIian poebi, and, Yivacit.y.aloag 'lae whole Ii .. alfd pu1icularry towards at t~n o'clock, tbe fire had ceas~ along the whole line. Ligny, wbere the grnter part 0' botb annies were .... "A .. riety of extravagant repon. were cireulated in "mb1ed, and..,.. wbich, tberefore, each d;rected ias ,oar army r.peeting this battle. Marabal Blucher had, principal e8'otta. The caanonade, iadeed, beVel' re- ia faet, a bone killed under bim; be W81 stunned by lued for aD iutaDt; and our IU1iIlery, u far' as I 'the fall, and surrounded by Frencb cuirUliera; it w .. eaald' form 8 jadgmsnt from what I .. w, made a mOlt to abe darkn .. of the nigbt alone he owed his safety. ".-fal hayoc in the Prasaian·coIumbl, which, being But, notwitb.tanding, tbe Pnus.ianl must bue le.erely polled in t8181811 OD lbe opposite·. ridge of bills, Rbd ,suJt'ered; their 1011 wu never known, nor even attend. upon plat.". just below our baUen811 and position, ed to io our orden. On the left, wbere tbe Eng.iIIa ...... ed us a fJoint-blank 'aim' at 1_ than half-eaDnon were engaged, both parties maintained their ground

...... -, • . ' al,Kl tbeir positions. : ..

. "Our own troopt, on the other hand, carefully posted' $1 The death of tbe Duke of Brunswick "al an-

iB the lliDuOIities 01 the ground, anel at the foot of the nODnced, killed f~ tbe fire of tbe division commandlam., 'were, comparatively, little expo.ed to tbe Pro... ed by Jerome BUOB8parte; and allO of ~neral Hill . • ian .niHery; wbich ·i ..... made more 'noise than EtWect, Tbe fil'llt intelligenoe was coofirmed the following day, _. reminded "very' military man ,of' tlle ferociiotM and urged our French g~nerals to interweave, for tbe ",ltiakera and co,""ly beHtll,-t.be 1t'arlike dreea, and purpOie of currying favour with tlte ex-king of Westi.uipiflc:aot minda, of tbe·Prulliaa QftIcera.· . pb8lia, lO'me unbecomiog pleasantries OD the fatality

M About leven in the eveDing, we were m8lte~ of that teemed to pW'lue tbe unfortunate duke, whu,

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BBLATION BY A FRENCH OmCBB.

, .. OiD eeIIIIDbt OppoeitiOD with the ecmqueror of his ..._, W'U coDdeamed to die byh. hand. ADd tbe blUer, they augured hence, W'U again called to be his lUecessor. It w .. added, that Jerome hi ... lf had been muck by a spent ballet. We "ill not stop~to examine the truth of a fad of 10 jririal importuee: but it is· obHmlble that this IOI't of shot never Hach .. any but great penonagelJ, whoee valour it .. interesting to en~ce. Every ODe agre~ that Buonapartebad obtained his end in separating the Pr .. iana aod the Engliah; and that, having so much weakened the former, he had

DOW only to encounter tbe latter. ,

"It w8B to realize the hope of exterminating the Enrlish, that, on the 17th, at day-break, 9u~aparte, leaving behind him the' third aDd fourth corps, t0gether with the cavalry of General Pajo], u,nder comIDIUld of Manhal Groucby, to watch tbe Pl'I8ians, marched with bia reeerve, ud the .ixth corpI, tvwardl Quatre Bras.

" The English appeared to occupy the I8ID8" p_tiODs M OD the day precediog; and the French armY'1'8maineel tiU eleven o'clock in the forenoon, -.bserring·them, ad waiting for the tI'OOpI from the right, wbole arrival .... de].ayed by heavy rains and. ~ almd.t i~. practicable.

"~Bgemeng were made for the attack, ud the united corps adnneed in front of battle, aloog the heights of Fraanel, when it wu pel'ftiYed that tbe Eoglisb bad mao(8uvred so as' to _k their retreat. The froope we .. " 00 the pleili, at the eDtrance of the wood, and on the road, were O8ly a strong rear-gnard to cover tbe aame. Buonaparte let GUt ia 'panuit of them witb bis canJry, and all tit ....... y urged ",mucb

.. BrU8881.. _

" During this rapid 1B8I'Cb, the ardoar of the troope -W'U incredible; they." only in the apert .8ad weDregalated. retreat of tbe En"'''', ~ total rout, .hich .... t terminate by' their embarkatioD. Already they were prom.i. tli8111118I".. that tltey would DO more make a stand, but that, giving up to their own resoun., they would puh 00, abaadonilJlt Bru..ela to us, and regain their ....... 1. with all poaible expedition.

.. Tbe artillery, infantry, apcl carriages, filed along wiab gTeIlt emblU'l'Ulment aDd precipi&atiOD. in the high road, COt'ered with a tbick mud, wbile the canlry marched by the sidea, acroa corn-field., wbid were every where very beautiful, and which they reduced

to QWlure. _

"The hones .plunged up to the belly into this black .. il, wbich was softened and extremely adhesive, aad could not be detached without great difficulty; which materially retarded tbe march, and rendered it extrelDe]y painful. O~ the road were found several EDg-

li,h cau,mu, which had beeD abandoned, aDd' eamage. with broken wheel&'

"We p.-ecJ. over the field or ..... e of Quaan ~ which wu coYered with dead b6di., and 'With WMe'" on wbicb ... also fouad a tolerable Dumber of wounded French who had not beeu earried 0&: We could bere jndge how' deetractive'the affair bad been to both parties; bat, aceordi.ng to appearaneel, tbe I~ of the ElIglish had been mucb greater thaD oan. Tile plaia .. which .eparated tbe wood "here th.y were pOIted, f..om the higb road, aDd panieufaaty th. bord~ or tbis wood and the hollow road' bef«e me.tioned, were concealed from view by beaPl' of dead bodi.., tb. greateBt part of which were 8cotcla. Their coelu .... particularly attracted tbe attention of die Frencb IIGI" die..., "bo called ,them 1tJ1U-cttlotte,.

" BuODapute, with 'his adY8ncied-guard, punned tbe English till lli .. ht, aDd did not bait till be alTl"ed lit tbe -(orett ef SoignieB, where ttiey opposed to him a resistance which be despaired of overcoming that day. After eannoDadiDIJ, and hlll'8l8ing tbem, 88 long 88 -tbe day-ligbt permitted him, h. eauaed hi. troOpl,to take up a poIitioD, and fiSH hiI had-quarten at the' ru,a. of Caillou, near P1ancheaeit.

"The principal _.. fA· tbe army encalPpe.d at <i.mappe, ad in tbe Ileigltbourhood, of &bat .IIII8lI towD. The night wu mmeado .. ; a eoUiDaal' raiu, which feU io tonenll, made the troope' .afFer cruelly. wbo were bivouaebd in the midst of'tbe mud, and.: wet com--ftelds, and bad not time to COUltruct the ..... selyes aheher. Bat if tbis, oipt was terrible te th. soldien, how, lIUIeb wone ".. it to the dIltOnnDate In .. babitaagof the'eoontry, 'who; oyerwhelmed ttitb' ter • rort had quiued their boUlll, which were giyen up to . all kiDda of rapine.

" It W8I geaerally IlUppoeed that tbe Eng]ish would uail tbelJUl8l.,. of the night te cOntinue their retre~t, and no one bad tire least doubt but we .hou]d anive at BrIIIIela the next day; thus they amused themsetvea with couiderill8tbe campaign as at an end, U tlt~ already belie.ed thelDtle]t'es mellen of that towb, aoc1 that Marehal Grouchy, who' they supposed would hali tbat'night at Nama" eould not fail to arrive" at Liege; at tbe .ame time that, Baoi.aparte entered tbe capital Df the Netherland ...

" So .... ,oi-dUaftt deeerten, wlio 'Were no better tbo spies. asaared .. that the Belgiu' army W88 on.y wm.:

ing ,_ an oogagement to COlDe over io a body to ou. aide, but tbat, 88 their inclination. were known, the,' bad been always kept in the rear, since the eommene .. ' meot of bostilities; tbat it W88, nevertheless, b~lievec.. tbey would unexpectedly rise upon tbe Pruui8D" against wbom they had a mortal aDtipathy.~ - I -

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'RELATION BY A ·J'RENCH ... OFFICEB.

.. ~' Oar fint IIDrpriie; .. the day da"ped, wtI8' to see " Tbe head-quarte ... of-t_ Duke Gf; W .. JIingtoIl wte that tbe Englis.b, iOltead of retiring, bad reaumed their at Waterloo, in tbe real' of all hi •. I;'ea, and tbe line. poaiI'oo,: and lleelbedi teloived to delend it.· BOOba- were so established as. to in ..... c~ aad to cover·.the

Par&e, who bad no apprebeosioo during tbe night, but roadl of BrUlSel. and Niyell'8~. :'. . ,

*,: &he, would eacape the pUDllhment which be de- " Sc:.reely bad ·tbe French t1'QOpl all .... embled, wben .iped for them, " .. ··aDimatell. with a IaOBt senllib1e BuolUlpaa1e, :19 .... " .... ~tiolled ·on·j. biJIoe~ ai&uattld

, jby,: at eeeidg the. at thai ... pOlt;. be waa' too .fond. of u a ver.y abort diltan~, ·fllOlll tbe ·pIace where he. had ahe game of war" aod thoagh~ that he played it too 1ll1ept,. QD ihe rjgh&, of ·tbe ;road, near t~e farm of'La ,..n to .ave ,aDl plea&ure in a I8me only abandoned Belle Alliance, whence hilt ClQUld discov.r all the move· JD ltim~ He~. DOt retain.the exprellion of his feel- men", .. ent an order to commence the action: he w. iog. ao .... around him.-" Brave]" said he, "the walking' alone, witla his _IDS cl'OIIed upon, his breHt, English I-All I I haYe lliem, tben~tbese English I" in front, and at a .hQrt eli.tance from his staff, wlto . I:" Be DOW lautened up, with all that imprudent ~ were ranged in a line behind bim. The day w. stormy; .-ieDC8 which clulra.cterizea him, the march of all the anel there fell, "iatervall, a few .bowen, wbich·we ...

. ~JU.88 in the rear; and, witbout. any other informa- not of long continpance. This weather coatinued dur.ion than wbat hil ~ye afForde.d him,oo:-without knowing iog the day.

either the potrition or the forcea of his enemy~witbeut .« The seeond corps wu plaeecl on the left, aad

• MCertai.ning that the Pruuian army w8Iheld in check Ularched apiDlt the farm of HougoDJDOnt. The fi~ h, Martbal Grouchy, he relOlved &0 aUaek &hem on rested ita left upon the higb road, and exteaded. towards lIIe .pot. '. . the' centre. The liKth occupied the right. The guard "The Freneh army, which consisted of four corps of remained. in reserve v.ponthe beighta. The caFalr, iufantly, including the gUU'd,' and of three cor,. of wu dirided between tbe dii"erent points,.' but" :tbe

' .• 01..,.· Cor~ an effeeave force 'of 08e hundred and ItI'Ongest colua'nl' Gc tbose tnM)P' occupied. the, t •• twenty, thoU88nd men. Abeut ten'iil the morning' of winge, aod .particularly the righL, . ,.. . ... dlw da" (tile 18th of June,) lhe wbole of tbiB torce "Towar"s noon, the fint discharge 'of .cannoD, ~ ......... bled 'ia . adlYaate.of PlancbenoiL . Tfle posi_ loanded froID :tbe Freaeb lines, .and nQIDeJ'01lS ritemen ,&ioa wu upo~ &". emlo8Dotl, parallel to two·oppoaite detached tbemeelves in order tocomlbence·"he tcUQQ. ,~, o~c\lpied by .tbe .Euc1i8h ,army,· the English The left attaeked tbe farm of HougoUJDeltt,"lthe bujklJl~ri.take,a tbejrpoeition upob IOIIleplGte,,1IZ situated ing. of wbich.!had been loeped by the i*fan'ryd1bo ipiunnC8 of the '0te8t·,of Soignfea., ' occupied them .in pat force, and who fought wjtb et• , f', Towardll. &he .,..tre ."f &hie line, .which was upon tremeobstinacy.. Tbe battaliena and Iqnadrons .m .... ell,¥.pn* St. J8IQ, in the rear.of the mollBl, ad, around ad ... , the': .1lIIIe8', _'ioned :bebiod this: f8T"'~ and

1\Ie f~rm Qf the .ame DIlIq8, we. perceived lOme strong wllo I8IIi toatin~ly reiDforcemen~ to it. ,. "

and d~ep ~au .. 01 infantryc tbey crowned a VHt pia- " The engagement loon grew lJerious upon the right; tea .. or platform of ground, \ .. hich,ex&ended iteelf on andthe-clm'lre;,acinneing.gradaaly&o,foJlowtbe mO'f8- lJotb sides aJang tbJl edg.e of tbe f~J'elt; bua the line, ·I8BDt:of the tlro' winp, . and to act in concert with ~. appearance, at lellJt. cliatioiahed in depth .. it ex. thelb;' an exttemely beavy firing wHopeued along.t.be ~ended. and WH coyered witb -batteries.; whOle :of the line; the airair WH become general,' aDd " 'Ifl'he ligbt of the EDgI .. h "''''J. eJ(tendeditself upon prom_, ,from' th.e commencement, to be ve~ bot and tl1e yiDage of Merke BraiD, having in Croaa of it the farm Sf'noUl.·, , .

of Hougoamont, surrounded with intenected ravines; '. '~After an honr's .urderoul "ClODftict, dari .. which their left lfU exteuded ,to",arda W .... re, aOO:"81 covered tbe artillery and DlWIketry of both sid. were Be"" ~D front by a ravine ~a the farm of La Hays Sainte. in tile moit gallant style, the Englilh appeared. to re-

"We could Dot fonolllt'this line with our eyes through tire a little,' aDd tbe Preach ara:aY'Pressed ita approachesc ita whole extent; but it appeared to terminate bebind . the artill"" advanced in front throughout the whole &be village of Smouben, wbare w88 the . position of the liDe, and the columns followed it.

Brunswick troops. GeneraUy apeaking, with tbe ex- " Our 'tl'9ops were tb .. all engaged by degrees, noa eepti~ of the great p""~tJU ja and about Mont St. without suffering great l088el, amidst the difticultiea of Jean, which formed tbe centre of the English line, we an une.en ground, hilly, and intersected by boll.ows, laW but a few troopl; but naturally .upposed wbat the deep ditcbes, and ravines, where tbey"ere stopped at event. aftenr'ards jUltifted, that they were Itationed, evert step by freah m ... es, wbicb, being eoncealed by Uld thereby concealed, in the gorges which separated the ground, were Dot pereei,ed till they fen upo ..

•. e 8m from &he forelt, and the Corelt itaeJ£ th~m.

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81

"Every tOOt 0( "round ,..as dieputed, .. and' only stadeli and dan~ the Freach army w .. sensibly

yielded, 00 either .id~, when all meaD8 of ~nce gailting ground. _

",ere exhausCed: the _I., billocks, the mOllt i..... '" The .oppot1. die two ·Britieh ",iogs beiDg carried, considerable hollow., were bften taken and retak~n we paasecJ tbe ravine~ and adftnced aRlidK a deluge several times. Repeated ~hargea of cavalry ","re ear- . at ball. and gtape-ahOL A &troDA' col •• n approached -

, ried . into e~~lItiob J the field of hattie wa heaped Mont 8L Jean, wben_ a tetrific fire W8I pouring. Tbe witb dead botlies; and the firing, instead of relaxing Freneh caYalry, at the _.De time, rushed to can). the in the least, WId iO«fUing cobtinuall, in vioteace. gUD8 on die plain8; hnt was charged in it. tUl'n by the:

" The eembat was sustained on both sides with equl enemy'a hGl'lle, wllo "ueel in a bodylrom the bollows fury; the defence " .. as - obstinate _ the attack wu where they had lain in ambuPCBde, and the slaughter impetuous. In a ahort time it w. announced, that became tenible. ,Neitber side receded ODe step; fre.h very strong columns were· marching, the bayonet in columns reinforced tbem; tbe charge W88 repeated. ' front, upon Mont St. Jean, at the _me time that the Thretl timM the French wel'e on the point of forcing nvalryof tbe wings were to charge the batteries, which the p08itioDll, and three times they were driven back.

appeared to be but little proteded.· This grand moY.,.. "Tbese ..... 1tB, made witbout intel1'Uptioo, and with

ment, from tbe result of whicb 110 much might be ex- all the impetuosity wbicb distiaguisbeil the Freocb, . peeted, was impatiently waited (or; but the obstinate caused the enemy considerable loa, and obliged hi .. persereranee of the English in maintaining their pOlio- to make the greatest efforts of resistanc~. Lord Wel .. tion in the vmages which ii_keel their wiogs, retard.. Iington exposed bimeelf coD_erably; ... , io order ed it. , to he able to direct aU hill meus in persdn, tbrew him-

" They 8UcceMlvely sent bat4lllioD8 towards tbe f81'1D8' .. If frequently into the midst of the cODftict, to show of Bougoomoot and La Haye Sainte, wbich were 88 himself to h~ .oldie..." and inspire them witb con6 .. frequently driven back by our"cavalry; yet thoae vil- deuce by hitl pr&.nce. The Priaee of Orange. who Iages, tbougb preesed with unparalleled vigour, still was in the rigbt wing, ...... wounded at the bead of bil

defended themaelv... Eager to drive the enemy from troops. "

Hougoumoot, ,..ho appeared reaolved not to retire, "'e "If, bowever, witne • .., worthy of credit, may be deteFidined to .et ftre to it, at the8ame time aending a believetl, the English were very near being forced. It reinforoement agt'inl' La Haye Sainte, 'wbich W8 carried b. also been confidently U8el'too, that tile gTeatest dillafter a mOlt lang11inary contest, order P"'Yailed in their rear fo.. !lOme tilDe, and tbat

" The English artillery mB"e dreadful havoe in our th~ir carriagee ",ere made to. telrograde precipitately, ranks: we were 80 completely exposed, that tbeir wbich 61tfd dn the Bru8llleis road with great confusion,

'rock ... plllled e8llily through all the lines. and fen in tnDidft a general panic. '.

tbe midst of our equip., which'W811 placed behibd "Bat., be that .. it 'will, it is not Jeas certain, that on the road, and i. environs. A number of shells they repiJlsed, witb an iD8urmountable firnuie_. 'all our allO burst amongst them, and rendered it indiepensable attempts, and succeeded in rendel'ing them - fruitless, for the train to retire to a grealer distance. Tbis was by concealing from our observation the d~gement ~ot effected ",itbout considerable disorder, w.hieh w.. and fean, wbicb linch furious atlacks, 80 often and 80

clearly pel'ftived by the English. obstinately repeated, certainly inspired.

M Our artillery re-epened their fire with equal viv... "At the same iD8tant as tbey be8an to be sensibly

aiy; hut probably wiab much leu eft"eet, 88 tbeir Ib888eII alarmed, there was also in tbe Fren~h army a besi. - 'could only be levelled agaiD8t by approximation, being tion and e't'ideut uneasin8l8; Bome battalions tbat, bad

- almost entirely m_ked by tbe inequalities of the been overthrown retreated; great numbers of wounded'

ground. Tbe ,unremiuing thunder of more thad six detached dlem.elves from the columns, and spread hundred pi~ces - of artillery; the fire of the battalioDs ideM of the greatest uncertainty respecting ,the i.ue of and light troops; the frequent expl06ion of eai.ons, tbe battle; and a profound silence had succeeded to blow!! up by shells which reached them; the hi.... the acelamatioD8 of the soldiers, who had made lure of jog of balls and grape-shot; tbe clash of arms; the victory.

tumoltuo.. I'oar of the cbarges, and .houls of the "With tbe exception of the infantry of tbe guard, 8Oldiery-ali created an effect of sound, which the the ",bole of the troops were see. to be exposed to the pen ,!,ould in nio auemp' to describe; and all this most niUl'derons fire; the action was still kept up with ",ithin a narrow space, the two armies being eIoIJe to the same violence, bot without any important resulL each otber, and their respective lines contracted into . "It was' DOW near seven o'clock: Buonaparte, who the .hortest poaaible length. HoWever, in spite of 0)).. hitherto bad remained whe ... he was first stationed, aJMI

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RELATION BY A }tUNCH OFFICER.

whence be could .ee aU that paued, wa contemplatiDg, ntw shock, in expectation of the arrival of Marshal " with a ferocipua .apect, the hideoua ilpec&acle of .uch Groucby's divisions, wbich were coDtiDually anticipated;

a borrid butcbery. The more tbe difficultie. increased, 'the report was even .pread in tbe army that tbey were , the more obstinate he ..... He became angry at these already in line.

uDforeaeen obstacles; and, far from fearing to puab too "It results from the accoun~, that part of Marsbal far the trial of an army, wbOle CoDfidence in bi~ was Blucber's army, which; after tbe battle of tbe 16th, bad unbouDded. he continued to send fresh troops, and to carefully ceneentrated itself near Wavre, had concealgive the orde ... to advenee, to c1w.rge 6ayonel, &0 carry ed its march from Mal1lbal Groucby; and tbat after every thiDg. Several times he was informed that dif- being rejoined by the fourtb Pruesian corps under Geferent points of the IlI'my were in a perilou situatioD; neral Bulow, had witb great expedition re-approac;hed and that the troops appeared to giye up: bnt his only tbe Englisb' liee, to co-operate with the Duke of Wel-

aOBwer was-F01Vard! ftmDard I lington. , ,

" ODe general sent bim intelligence, that he was in "Ma ... hal Grouchy had, in fact, pursued the Pros-

a p08ition whicb could Dot be kept, being mowed down sians closely in tbeir retreat upon Wavre, agd had in by ~ ~atter1' 'He .. ked of him, at the same time, tbat place attacked the portion of their army whicb re,,)o:at he should do to withdraw himself from the des- mained tbere. He W88 fighting, at the very time tbat tructive fire of tbis battery. Storm. it! he replied, we were also engaged, against sonle small corps, wbich and turned his back on the aide-de-camp, be mwtook for tbe wbole of tbe Prnssian army, over

" A British officer, who wa wounded, and a prisoner, which he continned to gaiD signal advantagee. \

. wu brougllt before him. He endeavoured to obtaiD "These corps, however, being favoured by the diftl-

IOlne infomlation from bim, and asked, among other culties of a mountainous eountry, opposed, bim with a

thiags, what was tb. force of tbe Englisb army' The resistance obstinate enougb, if 'lot to arreat his march,

officer told him that it was very numeroUl, and that it at le .. t to retard it considerably. Tbey thus succeeded

lIad jut received a reinforcement of sixty tbousand in engaging bim at a sutBcient distance from the place

men. • So mucb the better,' said be; • tbe more tbere where the businUl W88 really to be deoided, and thus

ue, tbe more we shall beat.' He .ent ofF several prevented his baying any abare in tbat decision. For

.. tarett .. with d"patcbtl, which be dictated to a se- tbis reaioD be w .. of no _islance to ua; and thus lhe cretary, and repeated .. feral time., • See tbat he does English reeeired a considerable reinforcemeDt, whqse

. not forget to .. y every wbere that tbe victory is mioe.' inteneDtion, whicb they well knew bow to value, and

II It W88 at tbis epoch, and at the moment ,..ben all whicb was also fereseen, enabled them not only to be his enterprises bad completely miscarried, that it was fearleas of our most vigorous attempts, but to resume al1nonnced to bim, that some Prnaian columns bad against us tbe ofFensive, and sbortly to overpower us. appea~d on our rigbt tank, and were menacinr our They tberefore re-a88umed an entire confidence; and, rear; but he would not give any' credit to tbis report, calcUlating their dispositions from the favourable ciraDd replied several times, that tbele pretended Prus- cumstances wbich presented tbem .. lv,., tbey resisted siaDl were notbing else tban tbe corps of Grouchy. with all their strength, and with an ardour iDcessantly He even .ent back witb ill-humour ineral of tbe aides- renewed ..

de-camp, wll'o succeaifely brought him.theee tidings. "It is, besides, evident, that this operatioD bad been 'Go along: said he, • you haYe been frigbtened; ap- concerted between tbe two commandeR-in-cbief, and proach witbout fear to tbe columDl wbicb have appear- tbllt tbe Engiish defended their position with a steadied, and you will be convinced that tbey are those of neBS so insuperable, only to give time to tbe Prul8ians Groucby.' for efFecting tbis combined movement; on wbicb de-

"After so positive an au.wer, several of tbem, in pended tbe success of tbe battle, the commencement

confusion for their mistake, returned witb confidence of wbich tbey hourly expected. ' •

t~wards the Prul8ian advanced corps, and, not .. ith- " Buonaparte, who, in despite of all, appeared to standing the warm fire wbicb tbeee directed against bave no doubt concerning the speedy arrival of Marthem, approached' so near as to run the risk. of being abal Grouchy, and wbo, uDdoubtedly, penuaded himself killed or made prisoners. ' tbat be pressed closely on the PrUlllian army, judged

"'It was necel8ary, tberefore, to yield to evidence, with 'a detemUnation wbich nothing could alter, tbat and it W88, besides, impossihle any loager to mistake tbe. moment for deciding tbe day W88 arrived. He acthe tl'Uth of what was stated, wben tbese colllm'os; cordingly formed a fourth column of attack, composed filing oft' u thoey arrived, made a fierce attack on our almost entirely of the guard, and, after sending off to right. Part of the sixtb corps wu lent to support tbi. every point instructions for .upporti~r tbis mOYement

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RELATION BY A I'RENCH OmCER.

on which the victory depended, directed it at the plU . of 'tbe train cut away the traces of tbe Iaones; the ina cAtJ'tge on Mont SL Jeep. . fantry, cavalry, all kinds of troop. mixed and confound-

"These old warriors rnahed upon the plain witbtbe ed together, no longer presented the'appearance of any intrepidity ODe might expect from them: the whole thing but ~o uoformed mUB, Jfhich nothing could atop, army resumed ita vigour, the fire was again lighted up and which was tying in disorder aloog the high road along tbe line, the guard made seyeral chargeB, but and acrOl8 the fields: a crowd of carriages on the sides their efforts were constantly repulaed; beiolf destroyed of the road, followed the monment with precipitation. by a formidable artillery, which appeared to multiply. jostliog altogether, and blockiug liP the road to such.

" These invincible grenadiers beheld tbeir ranks shat- degree, tbat tbere was no longer any paaaing.

tered by the grape-ahot; they c~osed them, however, "Neverthele88, no cry of Save WM CaR I was to be ·with great coelness, still marching on withont being in- heard, and this general rout was the consequence of a timidated; nothing arr~. their progress, but death spontaneoua movement, the canaes ·o( which a,re unor aeriona wounds; but tbe hour of defeat was come; known, or which it would be very difficult to 888lgn, if' enormona muses of infantry, supported by an immense it were Dot natural, to auribute tbem to the account cavalry, to w,hich we could no longer oppoee any, our which the soldier knew how to render to himself, of own being entirely destroyed, poured upon tbem with the perilous position in which we were placed.

fury, and, surrounding theln on all sides, summoned "The French soldier is never like almost all thoee them tQ surrender: 'TI&e pard aet1eT .. rrellder-tley of other nations, entirely p888ive; he ob8erves, he ~ die,' was their answer. F~m that time no more quarter BODS, and, in no case, does he yield a blind obedience was giYen them, almost the whole fell, fighting like to his chiet8, so as to neglect submit~ng their operadesperadoes, beneath the strokes of sabres, of ef bayo- tioos to his own judgment; no point ~f direction had oets: this horri~le mll8SllC1'e continued as long as tbeir been given, aod there was no word of command to be resistance, but, at leogtb, overpowered by forces ..astly heard; the general and other chiefs, lost in the crowd, superior, and discouraged ~esidea, from opposing tbem- and hurried on by it, were separated from their corps ; selves in vain to certain destruction, they quitted their there did not exist a single battalion in the rear of ranb, and fell back ip disorder to their first positions, which they conld rally; and, since notbing had been ,!itb the design, no doubt, of there rallying again. provided to insure a reasonable retreat, how could they

" During these events in tbe centre, the PrWl8ian co- struggle against 80 complete a rout, such a one as was . lumns having arrived on our right, co.tinged to ad- never heard of, hitherto in the French army, already rance, and to press with ardour tbe few troops that assailed by so many disasters.

were fouod on that point; a cannonading and a brisk "The guard, tnat immoveable phalanx, which, in fire of musketry were heard in tbe ,_, of our line, tbe greatest disasten, had always been the. ~Iyiog and approached nearer and nearer; oUr troops sU8tain- point of the army, and had served it as a rampart, the ad the combat. long as po88ible, bot they gradually guard,( in fine, tbe terror of the enemy, had been aplost ground. " At.l.t our right wing retrogra~ed seMi- palled, and was flying, dispersed among tbe multitude. bly, and the PrU88ians, who were turning it, were on Every one UGW prepared to save himself as he could; the point of bunting on the high road, when the report they pushed, tbey, crowded; groups, more or Ie .. nnw. cil'culated that the guard had been rep"lsed, and merons, formed, and passively followed those by which that ita battalions, scattered and reduced to a small they were preceded.

number, were seeo" to retire with precipitation. A ge- " Some not daring to deviate froUl tbe high road, atneral panic now spread itself throughout th, army, tJ'mpted to force themselves a passage through the who dispersed in aU directions, and sought their safety carriages, witb which it wai eorered r others directed, in the most precipitate Bight: ia vain did Buonaparte their course to the right or left, as fancy guided; fear collect together, for one last effort, a few battalioJUJ of exaggerates every danger, and night, which was now the young and old guard, who bad not yet given w~y, gaining upon them, witbout being very dark, coutri- _

and ·conducted them once more against tbe enemy, who. buted greatly to increase the disorder. .

had already i.ued ell .... &om their positions; all "The enemy, perceiving tbe confused Sigbt of tbe was ineffectual; intimidated by what w. passing around army, instantly detached a large body of cavalry in them: and overwhelmed by numbel'll, this feeble re- .pol"BUit. While some squadrons, proceeding along the serve w. apeedily oYertbrown. road; fell suddenly on the medical station&, which had . "At ~ period ,the wbole army, as if moved by one not time to be prepared for ,hi. assault, other forDlid, impulae, abandoned their positions, and retired like a able columns advanced on our flanks.

torrent; the gunners quitted their pieces, the soldiel'll "The carriages of the Buon.parte .family, seized near

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the farm-boUlI in which Napoleon had lodged, became vancing to the right, he had looked fonvant witb hope almost the first booty of tbe Pru .. ians, together witb a for the . event; but, on percei.ing tbat Napoleon main-· .quantity of otber baggage. All tbe cannon whicb bad tained against all evidence tbat Groucby was marching been formed into batteries, remaining on tbe ground into line, and that be caused tbis false intelligence to where tbey had been used, as well as the cai880nl whicb be 08teDtatioUlly circulated tbroughout the ranks, he belonged to tbem, fell at tbe same time into the enemy's imputed to him the design of imposing en his troops, hands. In lell than-half an hour all the ",atenelof aad of inspiring tbem with a confidence prejudicial to

the army had vaniabed. tbeir aafety.

"The English and Pru.ians having completely ef- "From tbat time bis opinion changed, and he no

feeted their junction, tbe two commandel'l, Wellington longer acted with the same coolne88 and aelf-pone.ion: and Blucher, met at the farm of La Belle Alliance, and it must be avowed, bo.ever, tbat no reproach was concerted the meana of following up tbeir good for- made againat him by the army on bis change of contune. The Euglish bad sufrered materially in the con- duct, and his bravery was never suspected; be merely flict. T4eir cavalry, in particular; beiug exhausted partook tbe general anxiety and discouragement. It with fatigue, would hare found it difficult to bave fol- WBI, indeed, obvious, that, from the opening of tbe lowed up tbe French witb sufficient vincity to prevent calDpaign, he appeared profoundly dil8atisfied, but dill·tbeir rallyil1g; but tbe Pru .. ian can.ry being fresh, simulated his feelings in presence of the public.

, bastened its advance,. and pressed cloaely upon os, " Between him and Buonaparte, tbere exiated a cer-

withont allowing UI a moment's relaxation. mia misUDdet'8tanding, and a kind of r'eciprocal die.

II The maa of fogitiJes rapidly paaed over the space tro.t very difficult to fatbom, but Dot tbe leas obvious. of two leagues, which ,divides Gemappe from the field There ia every reason to believe, too, that he entertainof action; and arrived at that small town, moat of tbem ed a jealo .. y of Marsbal Groucby •. Sucb di88eb8iou hoping that fbey .bould be able to halt there for the between the principal chiefs, must Dece88arily bave nigbt. Witb tbe intent of opp08ing the enemy', pro- confined the course of tbeir operationa, and disturbed greu, they hastened to accumulate carriages in tbe road, tbe unity of their plans.

and to barricade tbe entrance of the principal atreet. "A great number of persons stated tbat they had

II Some pieces of artillery were formed into a bat- seeD Buonaparte in the midst of tbe crowd, and per. tery, bivouacs were establiahed in the town and its fectly distinguished him by his grey cloak and pievicinity, and the soldiers dispersed themselves among" bald horae.

the houseR in seareh of food and lodging. But scarcely "Tbis story W88 tbe true one. Wben the last battawere these disp08itions formed, .... hen the enemy ap- lions o.f the guard were overthrown, Buonaperte was peared. A few cannon-sbot, fired at the cavalry 88 it burried away with tbem, surrounded on all. sides by came in view, spread a general consternation. The the enemy, into a cyder-orchard, near the farm of camp instantly broke up, each individual took to flight, Caillon. There he was met by two cavaliers of the and the tumultuous retreat was resumed with increased guard, who conducted bim tbrougb .the Pru88ia. parconfusion and embarra88~nt. ties that were &ClOuring tbe country, but who, forttl-

"Dining, these movements, the fate of Buonaparte nately (or him, were all employed in stopping and WM unknown. Some asserted tbal he bad fallen in plundering tbe equipag~ In many plaC811 be W88 . the combat. When this intelligence was stated to a known and recognised, and often heard th. whi.per, general officer, he replied in the worda of Megret, 'The Emperor !-the Emperor "-worda of alarm, after Charles the Twelfth was killed at Frederick- wbich caused bis in.tant removal from the apot wbere-

\ atadt, 'TAw endB the tragedy!' It was atated by ever beard.

ethers, tbat, after charging several times at tbe bead "After a fligbt, harassed by the enemy tbrough the of bis guards, be ·was dismounted and taken prisoner. whole night, the sad relics of our army arrived about The aame uncertainty prevailed as'to the fate of Mar- day-break, part of them at Cbarleroi, and the rest at sbal Ney, of the major-general, and of moat of the Marchienne au Poat, wbere they baste ned to repaas tbe principal generals. Sambre. The remaining equipages, impeded by their

• Tbe former, who had under bis particular cOmmand gradual accumulaticni on tbe two roads which lead to tbe the first and aecond corps, had pel'BOnaily directed'the bridges of Cbarleroi and Marchienne, were overtaken by different attacks at the centre; and had been con.tutly the Pro88ian., abandoned by tbeir train and drivers, and tn tbe heat of the battle, thus the last cannon aDd .. ilitary-earriage fell into the

" It seem tbat, to the nry instant wben it became power of the enemy, who took, at th. 88108 time, a eertaiD that it was not Grouch(. corps·wbich W88 ad. considerable number of prisooen.

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.RELATION BY A FIlENCH OmCER.

fC The Sa~bre once eressed by' tbe frac~on of our ,., On.his llITival at the gates, he was obliged to sob,. army, we expected to be able to halt, and bivouam were mit to the humilianon of being interrogated by a guard, utablished in the orchards and meadow. on the- right be(ore whom he hid aside his quality, and who did bank of the river; but an alarm W88 given, tbat the not allow bim admission till he was - at length J'eoogPrussians were at band. Witbout waiting orders, withA nised by the governor, who was called upon to ideotify out attempting to destroy tbe bridges, without making him. As soon as he had entered with his litde suite, a single recognizance, the Gight re-eemmeneed with all the barriers were closed.

its disorder: the whole started at once, and each indi~ " A short time afterwards, orders were issued to dis;.

vidual directed his 'steps be knew not whither. perse the collection of soldiers which every moment

"At a short distance from Charleroi, there are two increased around the city. It being rumoured among roads, one leading to A"esnes, the -other to Philippe- tbem tbat their illu'noru emperor W88 at length found, ville. Having no instructions 88 to the route' they were and that he W88 in the pl&ce, they considered it 'heir to pU11lue, and .not seeing any of their chiefs, the army duty to encamp around him,- flattering themselves Iike_re divided itself into two parties, the most consider- wise, that, through his peoteeting care,' the fortress able of which took the road by which they bad eome, would at length be opened to them.

and which led to AvesDes; the other party directed "Buonaparte, however, was perfectly aware thahnch

their mareh 'towards PLilippeville. - a eollectiea of troops might attract the enemy towards

." A eonsiderable number, cut off from tile rest, with this point, and eaaBe his asylum to be disCovered; ... no other design than that of escaping the enemy's ea- therefore sent orders to them to' conti~ue their route. "Iry, threw th~msehres in~o the large wooel. in tbe But baving, as an able general, profoundly analyzed neighbourhood. In tbis manner did the army become the means of acting on the .oro} of hi. troops aftel', a more and more dispers,ed, and almost entirely disap- defeat, in order to insd1'e speedy obedience to his compeered. • . mand, he adopted a ~tratage .. , the, result of:whidl

" It was this last road which Buonaparte bad .chose. .was certain. A few emiSsaries, -issuing (rom the town, for his retreaL Once more did he desert his army, ran ·to.ard. the .. camp in great confusion, crying oot, without making a single effort to rally it, in tbe midllt 'Save )'8uftel,es, here- Come the Cossacks; make of,dangen which he seemed to delight in, aggravating haste"here come the Couacks!' It may easily be'iotastill more by delivering them up to anarchy, and a to'tal ~ tbat more was not requisite, and that the troops

dissolution. instantly disappeared.

"Wandering at random, and issuing iq crowds from " This mob of expelled wretcbel! were tbe persons,

the woods, thousands of straggling soldiers, .pread who, in despairing accents, ad overwbelmed with- anthe~lves over the fi.;lds, and -.rried with them alarm guish, circulated· the lamentable news, daat their em-

, and consternation. . peror W1!s blockaded in Philippeville.- This was con-

"The unfortnnate inhabitants were confounded to sidered as a positive fact, nor had any penon aloDg learn, almost at the same moment, the .8Ucces8 and irte- the roads ,to Mezieres and Laen' the sagacity to conparable defeat of the French army, and to find them- elude. that it was· notbing lDOI'e than a well-concerted aelves the prey of an enemy, whom a victory, torn from plan invented by Napoleon to covet tile march oDwhich their grasp, had rendered truly ferocious, a' a mement, b. security depended.

too, when they were rejoiciug to see the tbeatre of· "Fortunately, however, the public, miud ... as not war remoying to a distance from them.. . leng Gppr_d by the inauspicious rumour of an event

"The strong places every where shnt them gates, 80 fatal. Buon.parte left - Philippevi1le. after resting and repelled by force the fugitives who presented them- some: hours there, ad proceeded- to .Me&ieres. • At t1te .. 1 .. 811 for admiasion, obliging them to fall back into approach .of night; he passed by the wall. Of Baeroi, the neighbouring eommunellt where they COIDIQitted. where it was believed that he would remain. Gr-:at'

every kind of exc~ .1 numl»ersof tile inhabitants lSCended the rampam" and

"~t W8B in his quality of fugitive, dlat Baonaparte, he had the paill to hear bi~J{ bailed with shouts of, more coulUBed and less ooofident than all the rest, raN I'B,apererw! 88 leng as he 'COIItin1Jed in tight: came to request adm_ioe to Philippe"ille; he stood he ther.efore deemed it prudent &0 take advantage of in Reed of the protection of the nmparls of that place the night in making the best of his'way, and ilet out to C9DC881 him from the active pOl'8uit of the Pl'UllBiaos, as soon as pouible. A few only of tile officers who. who had tl'acked him with great caution, and who h~ auellded him, together with the small number of tbose already despakbed towards this point omnel"OO8 1*- of Ii. Buite who had survived the disaster, eoten:d the

Des, inte whose hand. he' expected to faU. . town;. two 01' tbree 1I0I'IIe8 were all tiaatremainecr, me

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RELATION BY A :rB.ENCH OFFICER.

arriagee or every delcriptiou llaving fallea into tbe Ilaod. of lb. enemy.

"Tbe Iarge body of the army, which bad directed ita course ~ards AvesDes and Laon, felt the stroagest uneHiness for the fate of tbetr emperor; and in this direction, more pIlrticu1arly, tbey were entirely ignorant t)f what had befallen him. Convinced, 88 he was Dot amongst them, tbat he must have sunk on tbe field of honour, where he bad led 80 lOany brave men to deatb, they mourned over the frigbtful destiny reserved for a person so higbly valued by them. But on hearing of his arrival at Paris, ill full health and vigout,eternal disgrace l-bow is the indignation to be. de. seribed, wbich could not fail to impress tbeir minds"

"Since the battle of Ligny, all communication with &be rigbt of tbe army bad been cut off, we were' per. fectly ignorant of wbat bad become of thel)), and the 1D0st unp!easantrumouJ'8 were circulated respecting abem. Where, then, W88 tbis fine army, recruited from abe wrecks of many brilliant armi" tbat Buonaparte had ~reacly aaerificed'

, "It would have seemed tha~ enraged at .eeing a few thousand brave fellows who had escaped his fury,

'he bad iasued from hill retreat. only to devour the reat.

Bat tbe faults thal he committed ougbt rather to be attributed to bi.want of Ik"l, aetompanied by an extraordibaryruha .... atid to his incorrigible manner of advancing 'W'ith a blind confidence, without any plan. and witbout calculating on any cotl&ingency. '

. "It w. evidently from a knowledge of tbis system of W'U'fi.re. thet tbe bostile generals laid the snare for him, into which he plunged himself witb sucb a lamentable aecority; for whatever' foreign journals may say on this .abject, .nth a view, DO doubt, to raise tbe glory of their geaerals, and the courage of their troops, it is evident that tbep08ition of.. Mont St. JeaD bad been reconDoitred, desigDed, and prepared, al the .pot where it was proposed to arrest the progress of NapoleoD, and give bim battle.

"A man mut be like Boonaparte himlelf, aot to pereeive this. Tbe retreat of the Englis' e.vidently calculated upon so IItl'Ong a position: the oblltiuey with whieh tbey maintained themeel".s in it; tlte facilityof lIla.king In an.imlllenae foreit, troops, and artillery; and, mOl'e tban aN, the batteri .. they had tbroWD ap, 'and wbich weI'e 'Very apparent, would have' in .. spired any other general with'a dilltrust well-folmded. or woold at least have made bim fear, tbat flais anangement, in steed ,of being a poSitioD arising from circumstance&, bad been the effect "r deliberate cboice.

" What ought &till to con6rm this luspicioD waS, the COD8trUcUOD of an oMervatory of wood, wbich had been ereeted liD & hillook .CUte·in froBt of the foreM,

. from whicb, 'W'ith a good ria.., wblltever WI.I pauitlg upou tbe plain, .. rar as the Sambre, could be d~ vered, and wbicb, evidently deaigned for' the pul'pole of aploring our movemeDta, could Dot have heeD erected in the lpace of twenty-foar hoon.

"Witb all these )Jypothelee, did not prudence require tbe examina~ of the ground, and of the eaemy'. p08itions' would the IDOIt inexperienced genenl have ventured an attack before baving insured a communication witb bls rigbt wing, or, at least, being appri.ed of tbe result of its operations' besides, sup.,.. ing even tbat tbe Englisb should be forced, a tbing which could nof be done witbuut considerable 10'" wllftt great advantage could reasonably be expectecl, since they bad in their rear a forest, oCCUp_yiDg an ex .. tent of fifteen leaguee in lengtll, and five in breadtb' OL1gbt not the road running' througb it to be cOD8id«ed 8JJ a very narrow defile, wbere ten tboDland men, and a few pieces of artillery, could euily keep the greateK . forces tn cbeck' W 88 it then indispenaable to attack in front a position naturally very strong' or WIll tbere

an utter impOS&ibility in turning it 'I .

" Such' considerations would naturally bave presentecl tbemselvee to the mind of a man the least .kilful in tbe art of war; but Buonaparte was resoleed to .. ee notbing upon Mont St. Jean but a numer01Ul rear-guard, already intimidated, who put a good face upon it merely to' give time .to tbe different carriagei'! to defile througJa tbe forest. He firmly believed, that be was Dot about to fight a battle, but to follow up bit! pursuit, He woold neither believe his own eyetl, not listen to 'be advice of some of tbe generals, ."ho recommeodecl him to allow the English to effeCt quietly their evacuation of the forest, or, at least, to wait till the next day for the attack upon' them, if they should not have effected it.

" Sea~ely bad bis troops come in sight, barastled .. they were witb the continual rains, thlln, without allowing a momeDl of repose, he made them rush on .tbe enemy. Persuaded that nothing could resiat tbem, he made the .. a&tack in froot an i.pregnable position, aud. disdaimng tu haYe recourse to a few ~ana!Uvres, in order to ren4er the approach Ie. dangeroua, expoled them with cruel ipdUfer.eaee &0 the ~estructive fire of numerous batteries.

"In a abort time he bechle.angry at tbe relistance opposed to bim; aoel relOlriDg, ,in his delirium, to force the enemy'. line, be pushed. on die wbole of his ca .. valry, and obliged tbem to c:harge at all bazards. In Ie. than an hoar it disappeared, having been overwbelm«Ml by the English caval~y, or mowed dowD by tbeir artll" leryp Thus bad be deprived biDll8elf of the mea .. of. following ~p the panuit, yd he eyen proyed vie&orioUle

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RELA'IlON BY A FRENCH OFFICER.

-'nstead of gaining experience from tile enormous part of Desaix, and it. ia beyond a doullt that victory Jon he sustained, respecting the strength and designs would have been ours. )Jut he w'as at too great a d,isof the enemy, and taking' means to prevent tile total tance from the Beene of action, to have made sti import. min of Iris army, he descended furiously from the ant a figure in it. Thia consideration ia a further aggrastation where he had been directing the operations, vation of the unaccountable errors of which )Juonaparte placed himself at the head of his guards, apd persist- was guilty at Moot SL Jean, as he was not, by any ed in demanding' of them things impossible" until, at eireumeteuees, compelled to attempt 10 abruptly an lengtll,o~erthroW1l and lost in the mass which o"e~ affair of such consequence; and 88, instead of reducing

•• helmed them, they seemed to ~anish, and escaped this right wing to an absolute nullity, by neglecting to , from his handi in the midst of the carnage.' make good his communications with it, he might, with-

" From that moment all was lost, and the destnlction, out inconvenience, have waited until its junction had of the army was so inuch the more inevitable, 88 its been effected.

right was turned, and no prorision was made for its "A single day, perllapa a few hours, would have retreat, WIlo would believe tllat Buonaparte was the been sufficient (or the attainment of this essential obonly man who did Dot perceive the dangers that me- jed; every probability of SUcceR8 would have been in naeed him' He still determined on pushing forward; our. favour. Nor, in this circumstance, caD· the occurand actnally collecte~ all his remaining force to repeat rences which happened, be attributed to unforeseen hia attempts upon tbe eentre, Inconceivable folly! He misfortune; since it. is evident, that, without the poseherished the hope of overturning witb a few batta- -seaion of any precise information concerning tbe march lions tb08e forces which had withstood his wbole army! of Gronchy's corps, and, of the difficulties it encoun-

A And this ii' the man who is esteemed lite gTeate8t tered, the measures adopted were such as would have '!Ieftf!Tttlof tIe age! Undoubtedly he is so, if, to gain been used, bad it been ascertained that the whole battles, it is ooly oecessary to shed the blood of thou- Prussian army was fully occupied by that corps, or nnds, by making them fush agailUlt eacb other with- that it was impossible for any tbing to prevent their co.. O1It calculation. Yet it cannot be doubted that Buona- operation. or to impede their movements.

parte has sbown at Mont St. Jean die extent of his "The battle of Mont SL Jean was one of" tbe most capacity; victory was there so mucb needed by him, sanguinary that was ever fought; The French army, that he certainly brought hia full powers into action. composed of one hundred and twenty tbousand men,

"Thus we find ourselves reduced to tbe alternative, after performing prodigies of valour, was almost eneither of allowing thet he owes all II is victories to ehaaee, . tirely destroyed;· two hundred pieces of cannon, all the or tbat his intenectsllad forsaken him during tile battle caissons and carriages, fell into tbe hands of the enemy, of the eighteenth of June; for Ilis combinations on that as well as an immense Dumber of prisoners. More day can only be considered as well-conceived, by im- than twenty thousand dead bodies of Frenchmen coputing to him the decided intention of causing bis army vered the field of battle, horribly mutilated by grape to be massacred. Such,' at least, is the judgment and musketry. The English likewise experienced a formed by some generals, whose ability to appreciate great loss, though less considerable than ~hat of the ~Ilem is unquestionable, who, even during tile contest, French, OR account of tbe advantageous position 'they being unable to recover from their astonishment, or to occupied. The whole number of killed, however, in .repress their indignation, exclaimed aloud, • Surely this the allied armies, was computed at twenty thousand.

man is beside himself! What will he do' His head "Every circumstance induces us to believe, that,

;. turned !' in tbe begmning, the two armies were of the same

" There are some, however, wbo are of opinion, that, force; but the English army was in reality much the setting aside every thing relative to the dispositions of strongest, -because they waited for us within their eotbe grOUlliJ, the manner in which he directed the at-. trenchments; and they b'ecame still more 80 by the tacks, and the movements which be ordered to be exe- co-operation of the. 'Prusaians f:lt the moment wheD the euted, bore a Dear resemblance to what occurred at affair was just about to be decided,

Marengo; so that, if suddenly, at tbe moment when "It was not difficult to foresee the consequences of the victorious English forsook their positions to fall tbis· battle, and nobody doubted, but that, in a very upon us, a formidable column commanded by a Desaix short time, the allies would be in the capital of France.

,had s,pruug from the ground, it is probab)e tJiat the l'Io~ing could, aftf;r this, stop or arrest their progress.

affair 'would have turned in our favour.' The French arlllY, thOllgb partly rallied near Laon and

"If, therefore, ~Iarshal Grouchy had appeared at Rheims, was too much enfeebled to oppose their march J this inatantt he would in reality have performed the and' they did IIOt fail to arrive quickly under the wal,18 .

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~RESTING ANECJ;>OTES.

of Paris, where they met with "some resistance, onty in consequence of the arrival of the corps forming tile

right of the French army. .

U This right wing, which was supposed to be lost, .had retreated with great good fortune by the way Qf Na~ur, and" after marching eight 'days in the midst of the allies, and 'on a parallel with them, bad effected, contrary to all probability, its junction with tbe rest of the army, witbout experiencing any material loss.

"Seventy thousand men were therefore concentrated before Paris, and threatened to defend tbat capital. But what w88 80 small a force able to eiFect against the combined forces of aU Europe, now rapidly advancing towards this central point' After a resistance o( a few days, highly terrifying to the inhabitants, whose safety was grea~y endangered by it, tbe obstinacy of the troops was overcome. They had resolved on holding out to tbe last extremity, and conceived themselree entitled to demand tbe greatest sacrifices.

" In gradually disposiQg them to accept a capitulation, and in thus extorting from them tbeir consent to evacuate Paris, France gained in reality a signal victory, the advautagea resulting frol)1 wbicb are beyond calculation. It is tbis likewise, whic6 in all prohability preserved tbe capital from destruction,

, " The battle of Mont St. Jean, by oecasioning the occupation of Paris, and the re-establishment of legi-

, timate authority in France, bas been the mean of terminating the frightful struggle in wbich Buonaparte had involred us. Undoubtedly, the. speedy destruction of so lDany tbousands of men is a most horrible catastrophe ; ,but if, ou tbe other band, .it be considered 81 tbe prompt and unexpected issue of a dreadful "ar, to the ravages of wbicb all France was about to be given up for an incalculable period of time, there is reason to believe, that it is in reality tbe least fatal oceurrence wbich could possibly befal us, in the melancholy situation to whicb we were reduced.

"Supposing, however, that France had been unanimous in ber efforts, it would have been impossible for her to resist the force or all Europe united against her. She must necessarily bave fallen after a defence of greater or less length, more or less destructive, but, at all 'events, most disastrous to herself. The decisive reluits of the battle of Mont St. Jean, therefore, have • pared her, if not aU the evils, at least a great part of the horrors and calamities into whicb she would have been plunged. had she become the theatre of IUl active and sanguinary war."

ErlTOpe, we sh~n now subjoin some fl.flecdotu, which could Bot bave been previous1y introduced, without breaking tbe thread of our narration, but whicb are certainly too valuable and interesting to be passed over in silence,

Having thus laid before our readers all tbe oiicial and well-authenticated accounts of that memorable b.attle, the resuk of which has been th~ -.,alvatioJl, "

THE imKE OF WELLINGTON.

In the morning of tbe 16tb of June,the Duke of' Wellington and bis staff had advanced, by ten o'clock, near Quatre Bras; Here tbey were soon reeognised by .the French, who immediately directed their artillery to tbe spot wbich theyoccupied; Such, bowever, wal the' undaunted brav~ry of the duke, that he w~uld not quit his situation till he bad ' completely reconnsitred the e~emy., One of bis aides-de-camp respectfully hinted ,that be exposed himself too much. "I am aware of it," replied the gaHant bero, ,U but I must die, OJ" see wl)at they are about."

On the 17tb, about three o'clock, bis grace, accompanied by his staff, rode into a part of the field close to the "mage of ~atre Bras. He halted a (ew yarda in front of tbe 'ninety-second regjment, exposed to • severe fire of round and grape-sbot. . His countenance was perfectly serene, tbough thoughtful, and he surveyed, with the mOillt fixed attention, different parts of tbe field where "the arrows of death" were flying in all directions; repeatedly pulling out bis watch, as if 'calculating on 'the arrival of bis reinforcements. Tbe '.bot, in tbe mean time, was bounding along and plungin&, into the ground on aU sides of him; and. one gentleman witb 'whom he bad just been conversing, 100t his arm by a_ cannon-ball. The wounded officer was iJ;llmediately removed,' but this circumstance prodnced uo change in the duke's position.

'During the engagement, an officer of a battalion. wbich was elese behind Lord Wellington, observing tbe sudden approach of a large column of French infantry; exclaimed, aloud, "There is a body of them!" His lordship gently turned bis hone in the direction to whicb the officer pointed, and replied, U Yes, there u a considerable number, indeed." Then, witbout raising , his voice, he said," Colonel, you must charge," The charge was accordingly made, and bllppily proved sue.eessful, though the greatellt part of this brave battalion were doomed to return no more ..

In visitiDg different corps of his Q.rmy, tbe dlJke " .. frp.quently received witb shouts of impatieD~e to be led on against the foe, The brave ninety-fifth regiment, s~ing an immense body of French infantry approaching ",bile their commander was at hand, eagerly exclaimed, U Let us at tbem, my lord; let us attac~ them." _, Not y~t," replied his grace, " not yet, my brave fel- 10Wl! i but you IJWI bave at iJ:lelP,. very ~n,"

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INTERESTING ANECDOTES.

It h8ll been j_ly obaernd by a oontemporary historian, that" wherever danger w. moat iinminent, there the Duke of Wellington was uniformly present;" charges that required unusual desperatioll were led ~n by hiruelf; and no sooner did he perceive any of his squares begin to faulter, than he placed himself in tbe midst of them, and there awaited the enemy's attack.

"If such a trai~ JI "Y" Mr. Whitbread: "were reeorded in history, as having oceurred ten centuries ago, with 1!.hat emotioDs of admiration and generous enthusiasm would it 'be read I To see a commander, of his eminence, throw himself into a hollow square of infantry as a secure refuge, till the rage and torrent of the attack was past; and tbat not once only, 'but twice or thrice in the' course of the battle, proved that his confidence was placed not in anyone particular corps, but in the whole British army. In that mutual confidence lay the power and strength of the troops. The Duke of Wellington knew be was safe when be thus trusted liilll8elf to the fidelity and valour of his men; and they knew and felt that the sacred charge thus confided to them, eould never be wrested from their hand .. "

Wbile the veteran Blucher was engaged in tbe pur.uit of the French, after the decisive victory of Mont Ilt. Je~n, the Duke of Wellington· slowly led his army over the field of battle. The terrific noise which had to recently burst on the ear was heard no more; all was husbed, save when the groans of the wounded, or the shrieks of the dying interrupted the _ silence of the night. The moon, rising in peerless majesty, shed a pale and mournful light on tbe affecting scene. When the duke oontemplated the piles of lifeless bodies whi~h lay on every side, and thought, how many brave fellows had been 18erificed on this eventful day, and how many hearts even ~ news of, his victory would sadden, the sternness of the soldier was forgotten in the feelingl' of the man, and he burst into aftoodoftears.

"How di1ferel)t," says an interesting writer, "were tbe feelings which hia opponent displayed on similar oeeasiQqs 1 When a body of recruits joined the French army, the usual expression of Buonaparte w.., 'Ah! ther~ ill .ore food for. the ca1UlOJl.~ ·As he rode over the scene of contention, after one of his most .. ngni .. nary victories, ,while the dead and the dying were trampled on at evelJ step, he betrayed net a single emotion of pity, but, tllming to QUe of his officers, he Aid, with a smile, 'My faith! there is a jine ,CQ7IIIC1ItPtion l' "

. His visit to the fie,ld of battle a4er the vietory of Pruseian Eylaa, is thus described by ru. confidential

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, "It W88 piercingly oold. Some of the dying yet breathed, The immense heaps of dead bodies, and the black cavities whieh the blood had made_in the snow, formed a dreadful contrast. The officers of the staff' were deeplyaWecte,l. The emperor alone contemplated this horrible scene w;thout emotion. I pushed my honre some paces before hi" as I felt anxious to observe him in a situation so. interesting. You would have thought that he was devoid of all human aWections. Not one transient glance of pity beamed from his cold and impe~trable countenance. He spoke of tbe events of the precedin, enning with the,utmost indifference, As be passed before a gr.up of RUlSian grenadiers, who had fallen together in def~nding the position assigned to them, the horse gf oDe of his aides-de-camp started. Tbe emperor perceived it, and eoolly remarked, 'That bone is a cDfDord.' "

The following aneedo~ of 'his lordsbip's d~p'lifle is related by a Scotch gentleman, to whom the public ar~ indebted for a work replete with interest:

Seeing some Higbla~d soldiers lying asleep at Pe- ' ronne, in tbe open air at midnigbt, our author .. ked one of tbem if it were not usual to receive billets on the inhabitants for quarten' 'Na, sir,' he replied,' we seldom trouble them for .billets. They ca' this bivOllacaflg, you see.' 'It does not teem very agreeable; whatever they may call i~.-How do the inhabitants of the country treat you" ,-Ow! gailies; particularly we that are Seotch: We' ha' but to show out petticoat, as the English ea' it,-an' we're ay w~1 respected.' 'Were you. in the battle of Waterloo" 'Aye, 'deed W88 I, and in Quatre Bras beside. I got a skelp wi' a bit 0' a shell at Waterloo.' 'And were all your comrades who are asleep also wounded "-' Aye ware

h I ' H' "

t ey,..-some mare, some ess, ere sane 8 em

wakening, wi' our speeking.'

A robust soldier 1'Cl8e slowly frolb bis hard restingplace, shrugging his shoulders, and stretching hia joiots, as if his bones ached. H~ said not a word on 'seeing a stranger, but deliberately placed himself by. the side of the fint speaker. "1 continued the' conversation (says tbe narrator) for some time, and heard with interest the particulars of the death of • brave officer, for whose fate I had been much concern;' ed, in consequence of knowing his closest conn ex ions. This lamented person belonged to tbe regiment in 'which theae men were' privates ;-they said he was the fint who. fell in their rauks on tbe 16th,--and, by two or three ho~ely ex.pressioos, eonvinced Jqe how highly he had been esteemed." .

The Scotchmen, having but little incitement to retorn to their bard couch, became inclined to talk, particularly when the~ learned what part ofGS~and OUl'I

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