come over with all the best Spanish troops from Monte Video. August 9th.-This day, the deserter, who was taken on the 1st, was shot, in the presence of the garrison, pursuant to the sentence of the general court-martial. It was expected that the Spaniards would attempt a rescue; nothing particular, however, occurred, excepting that during the execution one of the sentinels was knocked down at his post. The officer of the guard came to his assistance, and was stabbed in the back very dangerously. The man who committed this outrage was immediately seized, after receiving several bayonets in his body. He evinced considerable hardihood, and even while the surgeon was dressing his wounds, seemed to set every one at defiance. We suspected that he was an emissary from the Spaniards; but he said that he would sooner suffer death than discover from whence he came, and only informed us that he was a Spaniard, and not a resident of Buenos Ayres. August 10th. We were informed that the enemy was now within two hours' march of the city, with a train of artillery. An officer being sent to look out from one of the towers, reported that he saw a considerable force near the town, with Spanish colours flying. Soon afterwards the Spanish General sent in his aid-de-camp (Quintiana) with a flag of truce. He had a great drum beating before him; this unusual mode of procession made some of us smile. He brought us a summons to surrender; demanding an immediate answer, and saying that General Liniers was ready to enter the town, at the head of a numerous army, and that he should only allow fifteen minutes. Our General returned for answer, that he should not surrender, but would meet him at the point of the bayonet. The enemy advanced that night as far as the park, where we had a guard, consisting of a serjeant, corporal, and twenty privates, (this park is situated at the N. W. end of the town,) who all, excepting two, were put to death in a shocking manner, their bodies being cut and mangled, and afterwards thrown naked on the beach. We had several skirmishes during the night, in which Captain Ogilvie, of the artillery, and several of the men, were wounded. August 11th.—Early this morning the enemy had taken possession of a number of houses, from which he commenced a brisk fire of musketry, which galled our men severely. This kind of warfare was kept up the whole day without intermission. We had many killed and wounded. August 12th. Soon after daylight a heavy fire commenced on both sides, which was continued for some hours, when the Spaniards attempted to make a charge up one of the streets, but we gave them such a reception with our guns, loaded with grape and canister shot, as compelled them to make a hasty retreat, with considerable loss. Towards the middle of the day our men began to fall very fast, particularly those at the guns. They were picked off from the tops of the houses, which were occupied by the enemy, who kept up such an incessant fire of musketry, that it became impossible for the men to stand to their guns. We lost three officers almost at the same time. One was Captain Kennett of the royal engineers; he was shot dead by the General's side. At intervals the enemy's cavalry made attempts to charge, but they were always repulsed with loss. However, about two o'clock the retreat was sounded, and our General ordered a flag of truce to be hoisted. His motive was, that he saw it would be only sacrificing the remainder of his men to hold out longer against an enemy six times his own number: the hospitals at this time being so full of wounded that no more could be received; and, ultimately, the Spaniards were sure to gain a victory over us by dint of numbers. Never shall I forget the scene which followed the hoisting of the flag of truce, and the advantage gained over us : about 4000 ragamuffins rushed into the square, brandishing their knives, threatening us with destruction. The savages paid no regard to our flag of truce, and were firing in all directions. The whole of our little army was arranged within the square of the castle, and all our guns double shotted, expecting every moment to come to close quarters with bayonets and knives, (most of the Spaniards being armed with the latter, which they use with great dexterity.) Previously to this, the General had ordered us not to allow the men to fire a shot without his express orders, but it was with the utmost difficulty that the General himself could prevent it; the officers being obliged to use force to remove the men from the guns. The poor fellows were in the greatest state of excitement, and bitterly lamented not being allowed to continue the action. Some of them, with tears in their eyes, requested most earnestly to be permitted to die with arms in their hands. I believe a set of men were never more ready to sacrifice their lives for their King and country, than the brave men who composed our little army on that day. 2 Towards eight o'clock the Spanish General sent in his aid-de-camp, and finding we were determined not to surrender at discretion, he acceded to the terms which our General proposed. About four o'clock the remains of our little army marched out of the castle, with the honours of war. We hung down our heads sorrowfully, and instead of carrying our swords erect, we dropped them by our sides. We arrived at the Cabildo, and delivered up our arms. This was the most distressing scene I ever beheld, there was scarcely a dry eye amongst us; some of the men, when they came to deliver up their muskets, broke them against the ground, oursing the day they ever took them in their hands. On the approach of the Spaniards, Lieut. M- of the seventy-first grenadiers, was ordered out with the picket, being first for duty. On leaving the cas- Before our poor fellows were conducted tle, he shook hands with us all, saying, to their prison, our gallant General came "Are not these fine fellows ?" (al- forward, and in an affecting manner reluding to his picket.) "We will show turned them his thanks for their uniform them sport." In about two hours he good conduct, and expressed his happiwas no more, being killed in the skir-ness that every man had behaved like a mish: the men defended his body, and hero on that day; and he hoped that brought it in, and the next day after the they would conduct themselves with that capitulation, we buried him with mili- fortitude, which became soldiers in adtary honours. The rascally Spaniards versity, as they had ever done in prospelted us the whole time we were paying perity. The approbation of their comour last tribute of respect to the memory mander calmed their agitation. of our brave comrade, which so enraged our men, (though without arms) that it was with difficulty we could restrain them from falling upon them. The officers followed poor M- to his grave, which was truly that of a soldier, being outside the town, for he was not allowed After we had signed our parole, I rethe rites of sepulture in consecrated turned to the castle, with several other ground, being a heretic. Here was an officers. They crowded us into a small instance of war, stripped of all its im- room, placing sentries, annoying us the posing glitter. As we laid our poor gal-whole of the night, by attempting to steal lant friend in his humble grave, he had the genuine tribute of our sincere feelings. We deeply mourned the loss of our brave fellow-soldier. During the attack of this day, a number of friars were observed upon the churches, making signals to the Spaniards with small white flags. We pointed a gun now and then, and struck the cathedral, and these priests disappeared. what few things we had left. We were glad when daylight appeared, as it relieved us in some measure from our unpleasant situation; for we never closed our eyes during the night, expecting every moment to have a knife plunged into us. A grenadier of the seventy-first, during the attack, observed a Spaniard, with a long red feather, every now and then popping his head out of a window, and The next morning a Spanish merchant firing upon the English, then withdraw- (at whose house I had lived when he had ing himself till again ready to fire. One possession of the town), sent his son, inof this man's shots fell very near the gre-sisting on my coming to his house imnadier, who picked it up, put it into his own musket, in addition to the charge, and when the Spaniard appeared again from his hiding-place, fired, and shot him dead. mediately. I went accordingly, and was received with the warmest welcome, being desired to consider his house my home. I met here two English officers, the commissary-general and his assistant, who manner. This was the first night for some time past that I had taken off my sword, and had lain down on a comfortable bed. had been received in the same hospitable | bility of their dispersing, I thought it better to make an attempt to escape to my lodgings if possible; I therefore disguised myself as a Spaniard, passed through the mob, and reached my apartments undiscovered. This was no difficult thing to accomplish, as I had always been taken for a Spaniard, who had entered the English service, since their ar account I was a marked person, particularly among the lower class, who considered me as a traitor. After having been made a prisoner, I was in daily danger of being murdered; whenever I went out, I had generally a pistol or a knife presented to by breast. They even came to my bed-room window, which fronted the street, two nights together, which obliged me to move into a back room to sleep and I was advised to confine myself to the house. The Cabildo now put us off from day to day, with the idea that we were to be embarked on board the English transports, still lying off the town, as soon as the provisions could be got ready. How-rival in the Rio de la Plata. On this ever, one morning, to our great surprise, we found that the transports had sailed, having been ordered away by Liniers, who threatened to make prizes of them if they remained longer off Buenos Ayres. We now began strongly to suspect that it was not the intention of the Spaniards to allow us to return to England, agreeably to the capitulation. A short time after, our suspicions were realized by Liniers causing a letter to be published, denying that a capitulation ever existed; we were likewise informed, confidentially, by some respectable Spaniards, who were friends to the English, that the Cabildo never intended we should leave the country from the time we were taken prisoners, but that we should be sent into the interior. We frequently visited our poor men in prison, who were on the eve of being removed up the country. When they were informed of it, the only reply they made was, They hoped their country would not forget them.' They hung about us, and were much distressed, and parted from us in despair. A few nights before they left Buenos Ayres, some malicious persons caused an alarm to be spread, that the English had broken out of prison. The Spanish soldiers were immediately called out, and in the confusion shot some of the inhabitants, supposing them to be our people. A servant of one of our officers was dragged out of his master's lodgings, and murdered in a most brutal manner, and his master would have shared the same fate could they have found him. A rascal of a Spaniard, who resided a few doors from me, publicly declared that he remembered me living at Buenos Ayres some time back, and that he went to school with me; that he knew my brother, who was an officer in the Spanish service, and was killed at Quilmes, in opposing our landing. This latter circumstance he attempted to confirm, saying," I was in mourning for him." I wore at this time black crape round my arm, for the melancholy loss of my dear brother John at Trafalgar. One day a cowardly assassin darted at me with a knife, but a brother officer with me warded off the blow. The villain bade me take care of myself; indeed my commanding officer was obliged to pledge himself to the authorities that I was a British officer, and had accompanied him on the expedition from England, A PRACTICAL BULL. Ar the close of the American war, as a noble Lord of high naval character was returning home with his family, after About this time I also had a narrow various escapes from danger, he was escape; being on a visit to a house in detained a day at Holyhead, by contrary the same street where I lodged, the winds. Reading in the summer-house mob observed me at the window, imme- of an inn, he heard the well-known sound diately collected round the door, and of bullets whistling by him; he looked insisted on my coming out. The lady of out of the window, and saw two gentlethe house wished to conceal me; but as men who were charging their pistols they now begun to thunder at the door again, and as he guessed that they had with great violence, and I saw no proba- | been shooting at a mark upon the door, . miles of Petersfield, the young officer pulled out some bread and cheese from a bundle, and invited his fellow travellers to eat. During the repast he entertained them with sea phrases, which induced the admiral jocosely to ask him many simple questions relating to nautical tactics; among others he demanded how sailors could see at night, and whether they were not compelled to tie the ship he rushed out, and very civilly remon- | When they had proceeded within a few strated with them on the imprudence of firing at the door of a house, without having previously examined whether any one was within side. One of them immediately answered in a tone which at once proclaimed his disposition and country, "Sir, I did not know you were within there, and now I do not know who you are; but if I have given offence I am willing," said he, holding out the ready charged pistols, "to give you the satis-to a tree or post until next morning? The faction of a gentleman,—take your choice." With his usual presence of mind, the Noble Lord seized hold of both the pistols, and said to his astonished countryman, "Do me the justice, Sir, to go into that summer-house, shut the door, and let me have two shots at you, then we shall be upon equal terms, and I shall be quite at your service to give or receive the satisfaction of a gentleman." There was an air of drollery and of superiority in his manner which at once struck and pleased the Hibernian. "Upon my conscience, Sir, I believe you are an honest fellow," said he, looking him earnestly in the face, "and I have a great mind to shake hands with you. Will you only just tell me who you are?" The nobleman told his name-a name dear to every Briton and every Irishman! "I beg your pardon, and that's what no man ever accused me of doing before," cried the gallant Hibernian, " and had I known who you were, I would as soon have shot my own soul, as have fired at the door. But how could I tell who was within side?" "That is the very thing of which I complain," said his Lordship. His candid opponent admitted the justice of the complaint as soon as he understood it, and he promised never more to be guilty of such a practical bull. SIR ROGER CURTIS. THIS admiral having received orders while in London, to take command of a squadron at Portsmouth, travelled, for despatch, without servants, plainly dressed, in the mail coach. As it frequently happens in this sort of conveyance, the passengers were unknown to each other, and Sir Roger found himself in company with a young man, who proved, by his uniform, to be a mate of one of the East Indiamen then lying at the Motherbank. mate was not backward in bestowing a few hearty oaths upon the ignorance and lubberly lingo of the Admiral, who laughed heartily at the joke; and he not only bore the rough observations of the sailor with good humour, but the contemptuous grins of his fellow passengers. On their arrival at Portsmouth, the admiral shook hands with the mate, and went on board his ship. The same day Sir Roger came on shore in his broad gold-laced hat and uniform: he was attended by several of his bargemen, and while walking up Point-street, he met his late fellow passenger, the mate of the Indiaman. Before the latter could recover from his surprise, Sir Roger accosted him with, "What cheer, messmate, you see I am not the lubber you took me for; but come, as I break fasted out of your locker this morning, you shall splice the main brace with me this evening; then you may square your yards and run before the wind to the Motherbank." The mate, with astonishment, apologised as well as he was able, for the liberty he had taken with the admiral, who soon released him from his embarrassment, and advised him, over a bottle, never to be decoyed in future by false colours, but to look sharply at the mould and trim of every vessel he met, before he suffered her to surprise him. REPARTEE. A CAPTAIN that had a wooden leg booted over, had it shattered to pieces by a cannon-ball. His men cried out, “A surgeon, a surgeon for the captain." "No, no," said he, "a carpenter will serve my turn." London:-Printed by JOSEPH LAST, 3, Edward. street, Hampstead-road; and published by W. M. CLARK, 19, Warwick-lane, Paternosterrow; J. PATTIE, 17, High-street, Bloomsbury, and may be had, by order, of all Booksellers in town and country. [VIEW OF THE SCENE OF ACTION.] NOTWITHSTANDING the unpromising | state of affairs at the commencement of the year 1809, the British ministry was determined neither to abandon the cause of Europe in its demonstrations on the Peninsula, nor to alter the course it had hitherto pursued respecting this war. Accordingly, Sir Arthur Wellesley was appointed to the command of the British army, and active preparations were made for a new campaign. He sailed from Portsmouth on the 15th of April, and arrived at Lisbon on the 22nd of the same month. This event turned the tide of affairs, and commenced a new era in the war. "His appointment gave unity of action and purpose to the British and Portuguese forces, and at once put a stop to those unfortunate jealousies and distractions, which had already ocVOL. I. curred but too frequently between the leaders of the allied armies." The British army, after quitting their head-quarters at Lisbon, halted at Pombal, on the 1st of May, and reached Coimbra on the 2d. Here they passed through an acclaiming multitude, to the Augustine monastery of Santa Cruz; and Sir Arthur Wellesley, after appointing his head-quarters, and making the necessary arrangements, reviewed the army on the fine plain below the city, on the 6th of May. "The force was distributed into seven brigades of infantry of the line, two brigades of German infantry, one brigade of guards, and one of light cavalry. In the organization of this force, four of the best Portuguese battalions were incorporated with British brigades. Marshal 3 A |