torn into long strips, which were interlaced by their recoil from the dragging of the shot. As the soldiers placed him in a blanket, his sword got entangled, and the hilt entered the wound; Captain Hardinge attempted to extricate it, but the dying man stopped him, saying, He then rode up to the 50th regiment, commanded by majors Napier and Stanhope, who got over an inclosure in their front, and charged most gallantly. The general, ever an admirer of valor, exclaimed, "Well done the fiftieth! well done, my major!"They drove the enemy out of the vil-" It is as well as it is. I had "ather it lage of Elvina, with great slaughter. In this conflict major Napier, advancing too far, was wounded in several places, and taken prisoner; and major Stanhope unfortunately received a mortal wound. should go out of the field with me." And in that manner, so becoming to a soldier, Moore was borne from the fight. General Paget, conformably to his orders, hastened to the right with the Sir John Moore proceeded to the reserve. Colonel Beckwith dashed on 42d, addressing them in these words, with the rifle corps, repelling the ene"Highlanders, remember Egypt."-my, and advancing on their flank. They They rushed on, driving the French before them, till they were stopped by a wall. Sir John accompanied them in this charge, and told the soldiers that he was "well pleased with their conduct." While earnestly watching the progress of the battle, Sir John Moore was struck in the left breast by a cannonball; the shock threw him from his horse with violence. Captain Hardinge perceiving his situation, threw himself from his horse, and took him by the hand; Sir John raised himself with some difficulty, but sat up with a countenance unaltered, gazing intently at the Highlanders warmly engaged in the ranks before him; no sigh betrayed a sensation of pain; but when informed that the 42d were advancing, his countenance immediately brightened. His friend Colonel Graham now dismounted to assist him; and from the composure he assumed, entertained hopes that all would yet be well; but his real situation was soon perceptible; the shoulder was shattered to pieces, the arm hung by a piece of skin, the ribs over the heart broken and bared of flesh, and the muscles of the breast penetrated so far, as nearly to carry one of their cannon; but were at length forced to retire, before a much superior corps, who were moving up the valley. General Paget attacked this corps with the 52d, and some more of the reserve and quickly repelled it. He pressed on to a great distance, dispersing every thing in his front, till the enemy, perceiving their left wing quite exposed, drew it entirely back. The French then advanced upon the centre, where the Generals Manningham and Leith successfully resisted their onset. The ground there being more elevated, and favourable for artillery, the guns were of great utility. An effort was likewise made on the left, which was very unavailing; for the position on that side was strong. But a corps of the French took possession of a village on the road to Betanzos, from which they continued to fire; on which, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholls boldly attacked the village with some companies of the 14th, and beat out the enemy with loss. Light now began to fail, and the French had fallen back on every point; yet the roaring of cannon, and report of musketry, continued till dark. If at this time General Fraser's division had been brought into action along with the reserve, the enemy could hardly have escaped a signal overthrow for the little ammunition Soult had been able to bring up was nearly exhausted, the river Mero, with a full tide, was behind him, and the difficult communication by the bridge of El Burgo was alone open for a retreat. On the other hand, to continue the action in the dark was to tempt fortune, for the c 2 French were still the most numerous, and their ground was strong. The disorder they were in offered such a favourable opportunity to get on board the ships, that Sir John Hope, upon whom the command of the army had devolved, satisfied with having repulsed the attack, judged it more prudent to pursue the original plan of embarking during the night, and this operation was effected without any delay; the arrangements being so complete that neither confusion nor difficulty occurred. The piquets kindling a number of fires, covered the retreat of the columns, and were themselves withdrawn at daybreak, and embarked, under the protection of General Hill's brigade, which was posted near the ramparts of the town. When the morning dawned, the French, observing that the British had abandoned their position, pushed forward some battalions to the heights of St. Lucie, and about midday succeeded in establishing a battery, which playing upon the shipping in the harbour, caused a great deal of disorder among the transports. Several masters cut their cables, and four vessels went ashore; but the troops being immediately removed by the men-of-war's boats, the stranded vessels were burnt, and the whole fleet at last got out of the harbour. General Hill's brigade then embarked from the citadel; but General Beresford, with a rear guard, still kept possession of that work until the 18th, when the wounded being all put on board, his troops likewise embarked. The inhabitants faithfully maintained the town against the French, and the fleet sailed for England. The loss of the English army was never officially returned, but was estimated by Sir John Hope at about eight hundred. "The French loss," says Colonel Napier, "I have no accurate account of. I have heard from French officers that it was above three thousand men; this number, I confess, appears to be exaggerated; but that it was very great I can readily believe. The arms of the British were all new, the ammunition quite fresh, and it is well known that, whether from the peculiarity of our muskets, the physical strength and coolness of the men, or both combined, the fire of an English line is at all times the most destructive known. The na ture of the ground also prevented any movement of the artillery on either side; hence the French columns in their attacks were exposed to a fire of grape which they could not return, because of the distance of their batteries. Thus ended the retreat to Corunna; a transaction which, up to this day, has called forth as much of falsehood and malignity as servile and interested writers could offer to the unprincipled leaders of a base faction, but which posterity will regard as a genuine example of ability and patriotism. From the spot where he fell, the general who had conducted it was carried to the town by a party of soldiers. The blood flowed fast, and the torture of his wound increased; but such was the unshaken firmness of his mind, that those about him judging from the resolution of his countenance that his hurt was not mortal, expressed a hope of his recovery. Hearing this, he looked steadfastly at the injury for a moment, and then said, "No, I feel that to be impossible." Several times he caused his attendants to stop and turn him round, that he might behold the field of battle, and when the firing indicated the advance of the British, he discovered his satisfaction, and permitted the bearers to proceed. Being brought to his lodgings, the surgeons examined his wound, but there was no hope; the pain increased, and he spoke with great difficulty. At intervals he asked if the French were beaten, and addressing his old friend Colonel Anderson, he said, "You know that I always wished to die this way." Again he asked if the enemy were defeated, and being told they were, observed, “It is a great satisfaction to me to know we have beaten the French.' His countenance continued firm, and his thoughts clear; once only, when he spoke of his mother, he became agitated. He inquired after the safety of his friends and the officers of his staff, and he did not even in this moment forget to recommend those whose merit had given them claims to promotion. His strength was failing fast, and life was just extinct, when, with an unsubdued spirit, as if anticipating the baseness of his posthumous calumniators, he exclaimed, "I hope the people of England will be satisfied! I hope my country will do me justice!" The battle was scarcely ended, when his corpse, wrapped in a military cloak, was interred by the officers of his staff in the citadel of Corunna. The guns of the enemy paid his funeral honours, and Soult, with a noble feeling of respect for his valour, raised a monument to his memory.-History of Peninsular War. MARIA OF MEISSEN. MARIA Of Meissen was beautiful even among the beautiful; yet this was not her only or her highest distinction; I look back upon her as one, who presented, on this our miserable earth, the nearest approach to that which the mind conceives of the angelic aspect. To this Maria, Baron Altenberg, then Colonel of a regiment of Saxon cavalry, was very devotedly attached. He visited upon an intimate footing at the house of her father, who was a retired counsellor of state. ria ; be seated; this is the most im- He was absent for two years. Ah! how Maria shone as a betrothed! at no period of her life had she tolerated danglers; but in the society in which she lived, and with her charms, it was impossible to avoid unconsciously inflicting those sad sweet wounds on some which they would vainly cherish to their own hurt and her disturbance; and yet as I look back how wonderfully she ruled the various spirits that came round about her, by single-mindedness, by simplicity, by maiden composure! She seemed a wife in all "serenity of affection," long before she was one. At last Altenberg and his brave dragoons returned. They marched in the month of June, 1813, just after the conclusion of the famous armistice between Napoleon and the allied sovereigns. It was to last two months; and Altenberg urged the father of Maria to consent to their immediate union. If, said Altenberg, we are to have peace, this armistice is the foretaste and spring of it; if not, the war may be long and bloody, and such a quiet breathing time may not soon again recur. The reasons were weighty; and though Maria never urged them, yet was it easy for her father in her very silence to discover her wishes. He consented. I remember, the night before Altenberg's regiment marched for some distant and active service, meeting him at her father's at a private concert. He was himself a very fine performer on several instruments; a man of exquisite taste; felt music deeply; but did not, ever, either by words of extravagance, or passionate gestures, betray his feelings; on the contrary, he was a man of calm, composed, governed manners. He bore the very highest reputation as an enterprising, intelligent commander of horse with his general; while his cool, patient, equable temper, his mild but firm discipline, had universally endeared him both to the officers and men who had the good fortune to serve under him. -Such a man was Altenberg. That evening, after Maria had given two or three sweet airs, I heard him say to her, "Maria, we march to-morrow : have you ever heard this little song? Listen." She still stood by him at the instrument-they two together. So low he sung, that no ears but mine caught the words; to the rest of the company it seemed but as something rehearsed low, merely a trial or attempt. Ah, me! how well I remember it! his tones, his accompanying touch, and the expression It was quite vain to attempt a private of his fine manly eyes as they turned wedding. All that was done to secure tenderly upon her. She hung her love- it failed. Before sunrise, on the aply head. I could see the quick man- pointed morning, the sexton, no ways tling of her cheek with honest blushes. reluctant, was forced to open the doors She was about to go when he had fi- of the small Lutheran church in the subnished. I heard him say," Stay, Ma-urb, in which the ceremony was to take place, and in less than one hour it was converted into a vast and verdant bower, gay with flowers and fragrant with perfume. When the simple procession of Maria's wedding reached the gate of the Garden of Graves, in which the church stands, twelve virgins of Meissen met it, with baskets of flowers in their hands, and they walked before the bride up the avenue of limes, strewing flowers in her path, and singing a holy hymn. The Church was crowded. According to the custom in Saxony, the fair locks of Maria were adorned with a coronal of virgin roses, and never did a lovelier bride or worthier bridegroom | approach the altar. At last they came forth, and the bells rung merrily out, and the sun shone. How very bright it shone! Home they drove through blessings followed by blessings. As they passed the quarter of the troops, Altenberg's second in command had prepared him a parade of honour. His brave dragoons were drawn up dismounted, and saluted him with those swords peacefully dropped before him, with which there was scarce a man among them not ready to defend him or Maria to the death. Soon after, the regiment of Altenberg was moved into Dresden. How soon, how immediately did Maria fall into the nappy, home-loving, domestic wife! The one great holiday passed, she put off the bride- was friend, companion, help. "Oh that it may so end!" she replied. "Oh that I might have you all to myself in so sweet a home! I like not these wars-I like not this Napoleon. Don't you remember, my dear Frederic, those beautiful passages we read together the other evening in Wallenstein? those achings of the heart of Max Piccolomini after peace and love-that mourning dissatisfaction with which he looks back on the blood and toil in the path he has been treading-those vivid pictures, or visions rather, of countries through which he passed ere war had reached them ?" He replied in the very words of the dramatist— "Most gladly would I give the blood-stain'd Every hour during this period there were troops arriving and departing ; parades, reviews; streets, squares, walks, full of uniforms, and feathers of all colours waving in the wind. One day we met the emperor as we returned home from the picture gallery: Maria had never yet seen him. He was coming up the street of Pirna on horseback, at a foot-pace, several yards ahead of his small suite. He seemed absorbed in thought. Just as they approached, his horse fell with him. Altenberg ran forward to his assistance. He had already disengaged himself, At the period of which I treat, that and stood perfectly still and calm. The great enigma, Napoleon, was in Dres- animal lay some minutes, before Altenden. He had taken up his residence in berg, with the assistance of one of Nathe gardens of Count Marcolini, a se-poleon's equerries, could make it rise. questered spot of shade and beauty, in the suburb of Frederickstadt. During the whole period of the armistice, there was a glitter and a tumult in the city that very ill accorded with Maria's notions of life; but there was peace in the apartments of Altenberg, peace in the sound of his voice, and in the whispers of her own bosom. Contrary to his usual temper, the emperor manifested no impatience, took no interest in his charger, nor noticed those who were assisting. With a marble cheek, and pressed lips, and a fixed eye, he stood lost to all that was passing around him; until one of his led horses was brought up from the rear of the escort, which, with the same abstracted air, he slowly mounted, and then proceeded forward at a walk, buried deep "If," (what a word that if is!)" if," said Altenberg, "this armistice should end in a general and happy understand-in some gloomy reflections. ing; if the French retire beyond the Rhine, and this detestable war and unnatural alliance cease, I will resign, Maria, and take that farm of Ulrich's, near Meissen. It is a pretty peaceful spot, and quite large enough for hapiness." "He We were all very much struck with this incident. Maria was, for the whole evening, remarkably depressed. did not look," she said, "like a man of our earth: he seemed like the subject of some cold spell, destined to the work of death and woe for a season. He is our ally," she added, "but his friend- | Maria call aloud, and I ran to her at ship has brought to our beautiful Saxony the window. "He is well, lady; and the cup of trembling. Oh, Altenberg! the heavy horse will not lie half a my heart misgives me." league off to-night," replied a soldier of his corps, leading a wounded horse in company with this escort. Maria ran into her chamber, staid a few minutes, and came out again smiling through scarce dried tears. "My love," he replied, taking her hand affectionately in his, " you must not be so weak: remember, you are the wife of a soldier, and you must not indulge in vague and idle fears. If, and remember there is the same Providence upon the most confused field of battle as in the most secure and peaceful hamlet, if I am taken from you, you will not be left alone." On the night of the 15th the French ambassador returned from Prague; the emperor left Dresden for Silesia, and war was no longer doubtful. The morning of the 24th brought to Maria the first dreaded separation from her Altenberg. I visited her from time to time throughout the day. It was ru moured in the city, that the combined armies of Russia and Austria were advancing from the frontiers of Bohemia in prodigious strength; and that the French and Saxon force left for the protection of Dresden was quite unequal to any effectual resistance, though it was well known they would make a brave effort to defend Dresden. The day was long, blank, never ending. Here mustered a detachment-there rumbled a train of waggons; here galloped an orderly-there moved a working party; but no news from the advanced posts-nothing known, but that the enemy was advancing. Maria struggled to be calm, and with success; but she was quite unequal to conversation. I called on her the next morning at an early hour: she had evidently not slept, and looked very ill. Nothing more was known than the day before. Every minute she rose-every minute she walked to the window, and seemed much distressed and very nervous at the ticking of the clock-and it sounded very solemn the hand of the clock moved on, tick-tick--tick, a voice unnoted when we are happy and at ease: but in periods of silent trial, when fear and hope, doubt and suspense are our companions, each vibration reaches to the heart's core. In the afternoon some prisoners were sent in-fierce-looking bushy-bearded cossacks. "Is Baron Altenberg well?" I heard Before the dawn of day on the 26th was heard that heart-depressing sound with which we peaceful citizens of Germany are too well and too painfully acquainted-the report of cannon in the direction of Pirna. The sound was dull, and seemed more distant than it was; but it fell heavy upon Maria's heart, and she walked up and down the room in silence. After a while the firing became louder, quicker, and musketry might be distinguished, There was a cry, "The Prussians are in the Grossen Garten!" The inhabitants were clasping their hands in the street, and resigning themselves to the most terrible apprehensions. At the very moment when they expected to see the allies within the walls in arms, and the city at their mercy, column upon column poured over the bridges on the Elbe, and Napoleon, that stern child of destiny, rode smiling at their head; and on every side was heard again, "Vive Napoleon !"-" Vive l'Empereur !"Safety and victory seemed identified with his presence; and Maria, that feared him, and had shuddered at him, thought of Altenberg, and waved her white handkerchief from the window, and cried aloud, “Vive Napoleon!" The dispositions of the emperor were soon made, and at the end of about three hours the enemy completed theirs, and made their grand attack. The whole city shook-the cannonade was awful-hundreds of cannon were in hot and incessant play-no pause-death in every discharge-death in every echó ; and it lasted on-on-hour after hour. No news from the field, though slightly-wounded men, with bandaged arms and heads, came dropping into the city fast towards evening. Maria and I were at the window: as a party passed by, a shell fell among them; and a young grenadier of the imperial guard, with a bandaged arm, was slain before our eyes in that place that seemed so safe. From this moment |