dates are men altogether distinct in their habits of | sans, thousands whom Bonaparte had employed in thinking from the voters whom they are to repre- his extended system of espionage and commercial resent. They are considered as politicians by profes-gulation; hundreds, also, of a higher class, selected sion, as men belonging to a class entitled exclu- generally for talent, activity, and lack of principle, sively to be chosen, and who, when chosen, relieve who have now lost their various posts, as Mauris, their electors from all further trouble in watching or Prefets, Sous-prefets, Commis, and so forth-all of directing their political conduct. The electors may whom would find their interest in a civil war. And assemble in their organic colleges, and may give what will restrain the factions from pushing the their suffrages to a candidate for the Chamber of crisis to this extremity? Only a jealous fear of the Representatives; but it will be in the same manner allies, whose occupation of the fortresses in the as they might choose a person to repair the town- north of France will, in that case, prove her best seclock, when almost all the voters are ignorant of curity; or perhaps the slender chance, that the the means which the artist is to adopt for its regu- members of the representation may be wise enough lation, and probably some of them cannot tell the to sacrifice their mutual feuds to the general weal, hour by the dial-plate when the machine is put in and remember that they are summoned to wage order. On the contrary, the class in England upon their contest with the arms of courtesy, and not to whom the election of parliament devolves, are push political debate into revolutionary frenzy. I trained to their task by long habit, by being free-leave them, therefore, with a sincere wish that they holders, members of common councils, vestries, may not forget, in the vehemence of their internal and other public bodies, or by hearing affairs of a dissensions, the duty which they owe to a distracted public nature discussed upon all occasions, whether public, which they may at pleasure involve in a civil of business or pleasure, and are thereby habituated war by their mutual violence, or save from that to consider themselves as members of the body po- dreadful crisis by their temper and moderation. litic. Though, therefore, many may be seduced by You must not expect from me any general view interest, biased by influence, or deluded by pre- of French manners, or habits of society; and it is judice, there will be found among the mass of the the less necessary, as you will find ample means of British electors, taken generally over the kingdom, forming your judgment in the very spirited and acute a capacity of judging of the fitness of their represen- work of Mr. John Scott, published during the pretatives, a distinct power of observing with attention ceding year. I am inclined to think, that while he their conduct in their high office; and they possess has touched the French vices and follies with enough means also, collectively speaking, of making their of severity, he may not in some instances have done own opinion heard and respected, when there is full justice to the gallant, amiable, and lively dispopressing occasion for it. sition, by which, in spite of an execrable education, I do not mention this difference between the in- and worse government, that people are still widely habitants of the two countries, as a reason for re-distinguished from other nations on the continent. fusing to France the benefits of a free representation, But the ingenious author had prescience enough to but to show, that, for some time at least, it cannot discover the latent danger of the royal government have the salutary effect upon the political horizon of of 1814, when it was disguised and disowned by the that country which arises from the like institution members of that government themselves; nor has in our own, where there exists an intimate and gra- he in these affairs omitted an opportunity to plead duated connexion between the representative and the cause of freedom, religion, and morality, against electors, a general diffusion of political knowledge, that of tyranny, infidelity, and licentiousness. I and a systematic gradation from the meniber of par- ought also to mention the Travels in France in the liament to the lowest freeholder;-where, in short, years 1814-15, the joint production of two young there is a common feeling between the representa- gentlemen, whose taste for literature is hereditary; tive and his constituent, the one knowing the na- and I am informed, that another ingenious friend, ture of the power delegated, as well as the other (Mr. S- -n of Edinburgh,) whose extreme asdoes that which he receives, and both, though dif-siduity in collecting information cannot fail to renfering in extent of information, having something like common views upon the same subject. It may be long ere this general diffusion of political information takes place in France. It will, however, follow, if time is allowed for it by years of peace, and of that good order which promotes quiet and general discussion of political rights. A freeholder, who suffered free-quarters from pandours and cossacks twice in one year, has scarce tranquillity of mind sufficient to attend to theoretical privileges and maxims of state. But if called upon repeatedly to exercise his right of suffrage, he will gradually begin to comprehend the meaning of it, and to interest himself in the conduct of the representative to whom he gives his voice. Thus, as freemen make a constitution, so a free constitution, if not innovated upon, and rendered ineffectual, will in time create a general and wholesome freedom of spirit amongst those who have to exercise the privileges which it bestows. Did such a general feeling now exist in France, we should not have to apprehend the desperate results which may attend the struggle of two parties only intent upon their own factious interests a nobility and clergy, on the one hand, eager to resume privileges inconsistent with general freedom, and on the other, a turbulent oligarchy of considerable talent and little principle, prepared to run the race of the Brissotins in 1792, and to encounter all the risks with which it was proved to be attended. To the dangers of this collision of steel and flint, is to be added that which arises from the quantity of tinder and touch-wood, which lies scattered around to catch and foster every spark of fire;-an army dishonoured and discontented, bands of royalists, half-organized soldiers, half-voluntary parti der his Journal interesting, intends to give it to the public. To such works I may safely refer you for an ample description of Paris, its environs, public places, and state of manners. I should willingly have endeavoured to form my own views of the state of French society, as well as of their politics; but the time has been altogether unfavourable, as the persons of fashion in Paris have either retired to the country, or live in strict seclusion from foreigners, upon principles which it is impossible not to respect. The strangers, therefore, who now occupy this capital, form a class altogether distinct from the native inhabitants, and seek for society among each other. It was very different, I am told, upon the former entry of the allied troops, which for some time the Parisians regarded more as a pacification than a conquest. The Russian and Prussian officers were then eagerly sought after, and caressed by the French nobility; and the allied monarchs, on entering the Parisian theatres, were received with the same honours as in their own. But this is all over. The last cast was too absolute for victory or ruin, and the dye has turned up against France. One class of Frenchmen lament the event of the war as a national misfortune; and even those who have the advantage of it, feel that, in its cause, progress, and conclusion, it will be recorded as a national disgrace. "You own yourself," said I to a lively French friend, a great anti-imperialist, as he writhed his face and shrugged when he passed a foreign officer,-"you own yourself, that they only treated your countrymen as they have merited.""Very true-and the man that is hanged has no This pledge has been amply redeemed by Mr. Simpson's lively and interesting Visit to Flanders." more than his deserts-but I don't like to look at the hangman." Kalouga and Beresina, where the spear of the mighty was first broken. Besides the notice of these public characters, my stay in Paris was made happy by the society of many friends, both in the civil and military departments. You know my inherent partiality for the latter class, when they add gentle manners and good information to the character of their profession; and I can assure you, that as there never was a period when our soldiers were more respected for discipline and bravery, so the character of the British officers for gallantry and humanity, for general information, and for the breeding of gentlemen, never stood higher than at the capture of Paris. In such society, whatever secret discontents might in reality exist, Paris was to us like a frozen lake, over whose secret and fathomless gulphs we could glide without danger or apprehension; and I shall always number the weeks I have spent here among the happiest of my life. Amid this dereliction, you must not suppose that we sojourners in Paris suffer solitude for want of good society. The extended hospitality of the Duke of Wellington, and of Lord and Lady Castlereagh, has afforded rallying points to the numerous English strangers, who have an opportunity of meeting, in their parties, with almost all the owners of those distinguished names, which for three years past have filled the trumpet of fame. Our minister, whose name will be read with distinction in this proud page of our annals, and to whose determined steadiness in council much of the success of 1814 is unquestionably due, occupies the palace of Pauline Bourghese, now that of the British embassy. The Duke of Wellington lives in a large hotel at the corner of the Rue des Champs Elysées, furnished most elaborately by some wealthy courtier of Napoleon. Among its chief ornaments, is a very fine picture of the ex-emperor, and a most excellent bust of the same personage. It is a thing to remember, that I have seen in that hotel, so ornamented, the greatest and the bravest whom Europe can send forth, from Petersburgh to Cadiz, assembled upon the invitation of the British General, and yielding to him, by general assent, the palm of military pre-eminence. In mentioning those whose attentions rendered the residence of the British at Paris pleasant and interesting, I ought not to forget Lord Cathcart, whose situation as ambassador to the Russian court gave him opportunities of gratifying the curiosity of his countrymen, by pre-peace of Europe. senting them to the Emperor, who has of late played such a distinguished part in European history, and by making them known to such men as Barclay de Tolli, Platoff, Czernicheff, and other heroes of In a short time, it is imagined, the greater part of the foreign troops will be withdrawn towards their own countries, or to the occupation of the fortresses they are to hold in guaranty. It will then be seen whether the good intentions of the king, and the general desire of the country for peace, will be sufficient to maintain the public tranquillity of France amid the collision of so many angry passions; and there will, at the worst, remain this consolation, that if this restless people should draw the sword upon each other, effectual precautions have been taken by the allies to prevent them from again disturbing the With the hope of speedily rejoining the beloved circle round the fire-side, and acting, in virtue of my travelled experience, the referee in all political disputes, I am ever your affectionate friend, PAUL. APPENDIX, NO. 1. RELATION De ce que Napoleon Bonaparte a fait et dit dans la journee du 18 Juin, 1915, pendant et apres la Bataille de Waterloo; redigee sur les depositions de Jean-Baptiste de Coster, qui lui servit de guide dans cette journée. JEAN-BAPTISTE DE COSTER, Agé d'environ 53 ans, n au village de Corbeek-loo près de Louvain, depuis 33 ans habite le pays Wallon. Il a 5 pieds 10 pouces, et est d'une complexion assez robuste, I. est intelligent, et répond avec une grande apparence de vérité aux questions qu'on lui fait. Il s'exprime avec facilité, et comprend très-bien le Français. avant, vint se placer vis-a-vis de la maison de Coster, a une partée de fusil de La Belle Alliance. Il resta dans cette seconde station jusqu'à sept heures. C'est dans ce moment, que le premier, il aperçut, au moyen de sa lunette, les Prussiens arriver. Il en fit part à son aide-de-camp qui, ayant également dirige sa lunette de leur côté, les vit aussi. Quelques minutes apres, un officier vint lui annoncer que le corps de Bulow approchait; Bonaparte lui répondit qu'il le savait bien, et donna des ordres pour que sa Garde fit un mouvement sur le centre de l'armée Anglaise. Laimeme, se portant de nouveau en avant, et au galop. il alla se placer avec son état-major, dans un ravin form par la chausste, à moitié chemin de La Belle Alliance à La Haye Sainte. Colle position fut la troisième et la dernière. Bonaparte et sa suite avaient couru de grands dangers pour De Coster occupait, avant l'invasion de Napoléon, un petit ca- arriver à ce ravin; un boulet emporta meme le pommeau de la Da:et, avec deux bonniers (environ six arpens) de terre. A l'ap-selle d'un de ses officiers, sans toucher, ni lui, mi son cheval. proche de l'armée française, le 17, il se retira, avec sa famille, Bonaparte se contenta de lui dire froidement qu'il fallait se tenir composée de sa femme et de 7 enfans, dans le bois de l'abbaye dans le ravin. d'Awyiers, on il passa la nuit du samedi au dimanche. A six Il y avait dans cet endroit, des deux côtés de la ronte, une betheures du matin, il sortit du bois pour se rendre à l'église, et de là, terie; s'apercevant qu'un des canons de celle de gauche ne faisut à la maison de son frère, situe à Planchenoit, Il y trouva trois pas bon feu, il descendit de cheval, monta sur la crète du chemin, généraux français qui lui demandèrent s'il habitait le pays depuis et s'avança jusqu'à la troisième pièce, dont il rectifia le jeu, penlong-tems, et s'il connaissait bien les environs. Sur sa réponse dant que les boulets et les balles sifflaient autour de lui. I revint affirmative, l'un d'eux l'envoya à Napoleon, accompagné d'un tranquillement, les mains dans les poches de sa redingotte, se redomestique, et avec une lettre. mettre au milieu de ses officiers. Etant dans cette position, il vit les huit bataillons de la vieille Garde, à qui il avait donné ordre d'enfoncer le centre de l'arme Anglaise, se porter sur la Haye Sainte. Trois de ces batailions furent detruits sous ses yeux, en traversant la chaussée, par le feu de la ferme et des batteries; néanmoins les Français s'en rendirent maitres, et les Hanovriens qui l'occupaient, furent obligea de se rendre, faute de muntion. Pour soutenir la Garde à pied, Bonaparte fit avancer sa Garde à cheval, composée de huit à neuf regimens. Il attendait avec la plus vive anxiété le résultat de cette charge, lorsqu'il vit cette sur lequel est situfe la Haye Sainte. Cette tentative fut la dernière; en voyant sa vieille Garde de triste, il perdit tout espoir, et se tournant vers Bertrand, il lui dit: "à present c'est fini; sau Napol on avait pass la nuit dans la ferme le Caillou et en était parti à six heures. De Coster le trouva dans la ferine nomme Rossum, où il arriva à 8 heures, et fut de suite présent à Bonaparte, qui se tenait debout, dans une chambre d'environ 20 pieds de long sur 16 de large, au milieu d'un grand nombre d'othciers de son état-major. Bonaparte lui demanda s'il était bien instruit des localités du pays, et s'il voulait lui servir de guide. De Coster ayant répondu d'une manière satisfaisante. Napol on lui dit qu'il l'accompagnerait, en ajoutant: "parlez-moi, mon ami, avec franchise, et comme si vous étiez avec vos enfans." La ferme Rossum est situé près de celle nommée la Belle Al-lite de son armée anéantie en un instant, en montant le cotenu liance. L'Empereur s'y arreta jusqu'à près de midi. Pendant ce tems, De Coster etait gard à vue, dans la cour de la ferme, par un soldat de la garde, qui, en se promenant avec lui, l'instruisit des forces de l'armée, et lui dit qu'ils étaient, en passant les fion-vons nous." tières, 150,000 hommes, dont 40,000 de cavalerie, parmi lesquels étaient 9000 cuirassiers, 7000 hommes de la jeune garde, et 8 à 9000 de la vieille. Ce meme soldat louait beaucoup la bravoure que les Anglais avaient dploye aux Quatre Bras. Il admirait particulièrement Fintrépide sang-froid des Montagnards cossais, qui ne bougeaient, disait-il dans son langage militaire, que lorsqu'on leur mettait la balonnette au derrière. Il était huit heures et demie. Sans prendre aucune mesure, sans donner aucun ordre, et mettant tous ses soins à éviter les Prussiens, Bonaparte, accompagné de son état major, se mit à galoper jusqu'à Genappe, en longeant la chaussée à une certaine distance dans les terres. Seulement en passant devant une hatterie de 14 pièces, qui était près de l'observatoire, il ordonna qu'avant de l'abandonner, on tirat 14 coups de chaque pièce. Lorsqu'il arriva à Genappe, il était neuf heures et demie. L'u sons et de canons, qu'il lui fallut une heure entière pour la traver ser lui et son tat-major, en longeant les maisons qui ne conte naient plus d'habitans. Il n'y avait cependant pas d'autre chemin à prendre, à cause que la gauche était occupée par les Prussions, et qu'il n'y avait pas d'autre pont que celui de Genappe pour traverser la rivière qui y passe. Pendant que De Coster se tenait ainsi dans la cour de la ferme, Bonaparte le fit appeler, à trois reprises diffrentes, pour lui de-nique rue qui forme ce village, était tellement encombrée de caismander des renseignemens sur les cartes du pays, qu'il consultait constamment. Il le questionna principalement sur la distance des differentes villes du Brabant au champ de bataille, et lui fit dire quelles étaient les villes qu'il avait vues dans sa jeunesse. De Coster en nomma quatorze, ce qui parut faire plaisir à Bonaparte. Il témoigna aussi beaucoup de satisfaction d'apprendre que De Coster était flamand, et parlait également bien le flamand et le wallon. Il lui recommandait sur-tout de ne lui donner que des renseignemens certains, et de répondre aux choses dont il ne serait pas assuré, en haussant simplement les épaules. Il répétait souvent ces instructions, en ajoutant que s'il réussissait, sa ré-pied le reste du chemin jusqu'à Charleroy; c'est-à-dire, a-peu-près compense serait cent fois plus forte qu'il ne pouvait l'imaginer. I l'affranchit aussi de toute marque particulière de respect, lui disant que sans ôter le bonnet de nuit qu'il portait, il n'avait qu'à saluer en mettant la main au front. A midi Bonaparte sortit avec son état-major, et se plaça sur une hauteur à côté de la chausse, à une très petite distance en arrière de la ferme, d'out il dominait tout le champ de bataille. On vint bientôt lui dire que l'attaque de la ferme et du chateau d'Hougoumont, qu'il avait fait commencer à 11 heures, n'avait pas eu de succès. A une heure la bataille devint générale. Bonaparte resta dans cette première station, avec tout son état-major, jusqu'à cinq heures. Il était à pied, et marchait constamment en long et en large, quelquefois les bras croisés, le plus souvent les mains derrière le dos, en tenant les pouces dans les poches de sa redingotte, couleur d'ardoise. Il avait les yeux fixés sur la bataille, et tirait alternativement sa montre et så tabatière. De Coster, qui était à cheval près de lui, remarqua plusieurs fois sa montre. Bonaparte, s'apercevant qu'il prenait aussi du tabac, et qu'il n'en avait plus, lui en donna à plusieurs reprises. Lorsqu'il vit que ses tentatives pour enlever la position du château d'Hougoumont avaient été vainement réitérées, il prit un cheval, quitta à cinq heures la ferme Rossum, et se portant en De Coster pense que ce qui a empêche cette tentative de réus sir, etait un mur dout le chateau est interieure nent entoure, et qu'une haie, qui forme une première enceinte exterieure, cachait aux Français. 4000 hommes se trouvaient à l'abri derrière ce mur. contre lequel les balles Françaises venaient frapper. De Genappe, il se dirigea sur les Quatre Bras, en pressant de nouveau le pas, toujours dans la crainte que les Prussions ne le prvinssent. Il fut plus tranquille lorsqu'il cut pass ce dernier endroit, et même, arrivé à Gossely, il descendit de cheval et fit a une lieue. Il traversa Charleroy & cheval, à deux heures et demie environ, et entra dans une prairie nommée Marcenelle, de l'autre coté de la ville. La, on lui fit un grand feu, et on lui apporta deux verres et deux bouteilles de vin, qu'il but avec ses officiers. Il ne prit aucune autre nourriture. On répandit sur la praine un sac d'avoine que les chevaux mangèrent tout brids. A cing heures moins un quart, après avoir pris un autre guide, (à qui on donna le cheval dont s'était servi De Coster,) il remonta à cheval, fit à De Coster une inclination de tête, et partit. Bertrand remit à De Coster pour tout salaire, un Napoleon simple et disparut également, ainsi que tout l'état-major, laissant seul De Custer, qui fut oblige de revenir chez lui à pied. Pendant tout le tems qu'il avait passé avec Bonaparte, De Coster ne fut aucunement mal traité; seulement, lorsque dans la fuite, ils furent arrivés aux Quatre Bras, un des officiers, s'étant aperçu qu'un second guide qu'ils avaient avec eux, s'etait vade, attacha, par mesure de precaution, la bride du cheval de De Cos ter à la selle du sien. Depuis le moment qu'il avait commencé sa retraite jusqu'à son arrivée dans la prairie de Marcenelle, Bonaparte ne s'était arrêté nulle part, et n'avait parlé à personne. Il n'avait pris aucune nourriture depuis qu'il était sorti de la ferme Rossum, et même, à ce que pensé De Coster, il n'avait rien pris depuis six heures du matin. Les dangers de la bataille ne paraissaient nullement l'émouvoir. De Coster, que la peur agitait beaucoup, se baissait friquemment sur le cou de son cheval pour éviter les boulets qu'il entendait siff ler au-dessus de tête. Bonaparte lui en témoigna plusieurs fois du mécontentement, en lui disant que ces mouvemens faisaien that the attack on the farm and chateau of Hougoumont, which he had ordered to commence at eleven o'clock, had not succeeded.* croire à ses officiers, qu'il était atteint, il ajoutait qu'il n'éviterait pas plus les boulets en se couchant qu'en se tenant droit. Pendant le bataille, il lui arriva souvent de rendre justice à la bravoure de l'armee qui lui était opposée; il loua principalement les Chevaux-Gris écossais, et exprimait du regret de les voir tant souffrir, pendant qu'ils manoeuvraient si bien, et qu'ils maniaient si adroitement le sabre. Jusqu'à cinq heures et demie, il avait conservé le meilleur espoir, et répétait à chaque instant que tout allait bien. Ses Generaux paangeaient avec lui cet espoir. Au reste il a montre pendant toute l'action le même calnie et le même sang-froid, satis mani-horseback near him, frequently remarked his watch. Bonaparte, fester jamais d'humeur, et parlant toujours avec une grande doccur à ses officiers. Il n'a été dans aucun moment en danger d'être pris, ayant eu, même à la troisième station, ou il était le plus près de l'ennemi, 12 pièces de canon et 3000 grenadiers de sa garde autour de lui. Il ne fit aucun usage de l'observatoire construit six semaines avant la bataille Dans la fuite a les ingenieurs Hollandais. recevait assez fréquemment des nouvelles de l'arme, par des officiers qui étaient parvenus á échapper à la poursuite des alliés, La maison de De Coster ayant servi au bivouac des Français, les portes et les fenêtres, et tous le bois qu'elle contenait, furent brules. Le loyer qu'il payait était de 100 franes; le proprietaire, après l'avoir réparée l'a louée à un autre pour 125 franes. De Coster demeure maintenant au hameau de Joli-Bois, sur la chaussce entre Waterloo et Mont Saint Jean. Cette relation a été rédigée à Waterloo, le 8 Janvier, 1816, à l'auberge de Jean De Nivelles, d'après les réponses de De Coster aux questions qui lui furent faites. Elle lui a été relue le lendemain, et corrig e sur ses observations. A Bruxelles, le 12 Janvier, 1816. TRANSLATION OF APPENDIX NO. I. RELATION Of what was done and said by Napoleon Bonaparte in the At one o'clock the battle became general. Bonaparte remained in his first station, with all his stat, till five o'clock. He was on foot, and walked constantly backwards and forwards, sometimes with his arms crossed, but more frequently with his hands behind his back, and with his thumbs in the pockets of his slatecoloured great coat. He had his eyes fixed on the battle, and took out alternately his watch and snuff box. De Coster, who was on perceiving that he also took snuff, and that he had no more, frequently gave him some. When he saw that his attempts to carry the position of the chateau of Hougoumont had been vainly reiterated, he took a horse, quitted the farm of Rossum at five o'clock, and, moving forward, placed himself opposite to the house of De Coster, at the distance of a gun-shot from La Belle Alliance. He remained in the second station till seven o'clock. It was at that moment that he first perceived, by means of his glass, the arrival of the Prussians; he mentioned it to his aid-de-camp, who, having directed his glass towards them, saw them also. Some minutes afterwards, an officer came to inform him that the corps of Bulow was approaching; Bonaparte answered, that he knew it, and gave orders that his guards should make a movement on the centre of the English army. He himself, again moving forward at the gallop, went and placed himself, with his staff, in a ravine formed by the causeway, half way between La Belle Alliance and La Haye Sainte. This was his third and last position. Bonaparte and his suite had been in great danger before arriving at this ravine: a ball even carried away the pommel of the saddle of one of his officers, without either touching him or his horse. Bonaparte merely told him coldly, that he ought to keep within the ravine. There were at this place batteries on both sides of the road. Perceiving that one of the guns of the battery on the left was not making a good fire, he alighted from his horse, mounted on the height at the side of the road, and advanced to the third gun, the firing of which he rectified, while cannon and musket balls were whistling around him. He returned with tranquillity, with his hands in the pockets of his great coat, and took his place among his officers. In this position, he saw the eight battalions of the old guard, to whom he had given orders to penetrate the centre of the English army, advance upon La Haye Sainte. Three of these battaliong were destroyed before his eyes, while crossing the causeway, by the fire from the farm-house and batteries; nevertheless the French made themselves masters of them, and the Hanoverians who occupied them were obliged to surrender for want of ammunition. To support his foot-guards, Bonaparte brought forward his horseguards, composed of eight or nine regiments. He was waiting with the utmost anxiety the result of this charge, when he saw this elite of his army annihilated in an instant, while ascending the bank on which La Haye Sainte is situated. This was the last attempt: when he saw the old guard destroyed, he lost all hope; and, turning to Bertrand, said, "All is now over-let us save ourselves." Before the invasion of Bonaparte. De Coster occupied a little inn, with about six acres of ground. On the approach of the French army on the 17th, he retired with his family, composed of his wife and seven children, into the wood of the abbey of Awyers, where he spent the night between the Saturday and Sunday. At six in the morning, he left the wood to go to church, and from thence to the house of his brother, situated at Planchenoir. He It was half an hour past eight. Without taking any measure,found there three French generals, who asked him if he had lived without giving any orders,-and thinking only of escaping the long in the country, and if he was well acquamted with the neigh- Prussians, Bonaparte, accompanied by his staff, set off at full bourhood. On his answering in the affirmative, one of them sent speed for Genappe, following the line of the causeway at a certain ham to Napoleon, accompanied by a domestic, and with a letter.distance in the fields. Once only, in passing a battery of fourteen Napoleon had passed the night in the farm-house of Caillou, guns, he ordered, before abandoning it, fourteen shots to be fired and had left it at six o'clock. De Coster found him in the farm from each gun, house called Rossum, where he arrived at eight o'clock, and was immediately presented to Bonaparte,, who was standing in a room about 20 feet long and 16 broad, in the middle of a great many officers of his staff. Bonaparte asked him if he was well acquainted with the localities of the country, and if he was wil ling to act as his guide. De Coster having given a satisfactory answer, Napoleon told him that he should accompany him, add ing, Speak to me, my friend, with frankuess, and as if you were among your children." i It was half past nine o'clock when he arrived at Genappe. The single street which forms this village was so choked up with caissons and cannon, that it took a whole hour for him and his staff to get through it, passing along the houses, which were now void of inhabitants. There was, however, no other road to take, because the left was occupied by the Prussians, and there was no other bridge but that of Genappe for crossing the river. From Genappe he directed his course towards Les Quatre Bras, pressing on with renewed haste, and always in the appre The farm of Rossum is situated near that called La Belle Alli-hension of being prevented by the Prussians. When he had ance. The emperor stopped there till almost noon. During this passed this last place he was more tranquil; and when he arrived time, De Coster was kept in view, in the court-yard of the farm, at Gossely, he even lighted from his horse, and went the rest of by a soldier of the guard, who, while walking with him, informed the way to Charleroi (that is to say, nearly a league) on foot. He him of the strength of the army, telling him that it consisted, on passed through Charleroi on horseback, at about half past two in passing the frontiers, of 150,000 men, of whom 40,000 were cavalthe morning, and went into a meadow called Marcenelle, beyond ry, among which latter troops were 9000 cuirassiers, 7000 of the the town. There a large fire was made for him, and two glasses young guard, and 8 to 9000 of the old guard. This soldier bestow and two bottles of wine were brought, which he drank with his ed great praise on the bravery which the English had displayed at officers; he took no other refreshment. A sack of oats was scatQuatre Bras. He particularly admired the intrepid sang froid of tered on the ground, which the horses ate. bridled as they were. the Scotch Highlanders," who would not budge," said he, in his At a quarter before five, after having taken another guide, (who military phrase," but when the bayonet was put to their poste- received the horse which De Coster had used.) Bonaparte again mounted his horse, made an inclination of his head to De Coster, and went away. Bertrand gave De Coster a single Napoleon, which was all he received, and disappeared likewise, as did the whole staff, leaving De Coster alone, who was obliged to return home on foot. While De Coster thus remained in the court yard of the farm lanse, Bonaparte made him be called three different times, to ask him information as to the maps of the country, which he was incessantly consulting. He questioned him chiefly on the distance of the different towns of Brabant from the field of battle, and made him say what were the towns he had seen in his youth. De Coster named fourteen, which seemed to please Bonaparte. He expressed also much satisfaction on hearing that De Coster was a Fleming, and that he spoke the Flemish and Walloon languages equally well. He recommended to him above all, to give nothing imt certain information, and to answer to things of which he was not assured, merely by shrugging his shoulders. He frequently repeated these intimations, adding, that if he succeeded, his (De Coster's) reward should be a hundred times greater than he could imagine. He freed him also from any particular mark of respect, telling him, that, without taking off the night-cap which he wore, he had only to salute by putting his hand to his forehead. At noon, Bonaparte went out with his staff, and placed himself on an eminence by the side of the causeway, at a very little distance in the rear of the farm, from whence he had a view of the whole field of battle. Persons very soon came to tell him, During the time that he had passed with Bonaparte. De Coster was not in any respect ill treated: only when, in their flight, they had arrived at Les Quatre Bras, one of the officers, who perceived that a second guide whom they had with them had made off, tied, by way of precaution, the bridle of De Coster's horse to the saddle of his own. Bonaparte, from the moment he began his retreat till he arrived in the meadow of Marcenelle, did not stop anywhere, and did not speak to anybody. He had taken no nourishment since leaving the farm of Rossum, and, as De Coster thinks, he had not even taken any thing since six o'clock in the morning. * De Coster thinks, that what hindered this attempt from succeeding, was a wall which surrounds the chateau in the inside. and which was concealed from the French by a hedge which surrounds it on the outside. Four thousand men found shelter behind this wall, while it was struck by the French balls. 68 APPENDIX II. He did not appear at all moved by the dangers of the battle. De Coster, who was much afraid, often stooped on his horse's neck to shun the balls which he heard whistling over his head. Bonaparte repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction at this, telling him, that these movements made the officers believe he was hit ;and added, that he would not shun the balls any better by stooping down than by keeping upright. During the battle, he had frequent occasion to do justice to the bravery of the army which was opposed to him. He chiefly praised the Scotch Grays, and expressed regret at seeing them suffer so much, while they manoeuvred so well, and handled the sabre so dexterously. Till half past five he retained good hopes, and repeated every instant that all went well. His generals partook of these hopes. It may be added, that during the whole action he displayed the same calmness and sang froid, that he never manifested any illhumour, and spoke always with great gentleness to his officers. He never was at any time in danger of being taken; having had, even at the third station where he was nearest the enemy De Coster's house having been used by the French in their bi- APPENDIX, NO. II. ACCOUNT OF THE DEFENCE OF HOUGOUMONT, DURING THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, ON THE 18TH OF JUNE, 1815. BY THE RIGHT HON. SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART. It appears to me, that the battle of Waterloo is the greatest | Colonel Macdonnell, occupied the house and garden; those of event recorded in history. We all know the important results which have already taken place, owing to the victory we there obtained. Had it been the reverse, it is impossible to calculate the mischief that would have followed. It is not easy keeping together an unsuccessful alliance; and the expenses of a protracted war might have proved ruinous to the financial system of Great Britain, which at present experiences such difficulties, not withstanding the immense savings which were effected, in consequence of the successful termination of that dreadful conflict. The battle of Zama is the only event in history that can be put in comparison with that of Waterloo. There, two disciplined armies, under two great generals, were opposed to each other, and the conflict, it may be said, terminated the rivalship between Rome and Carthage. But the results of even that great battle were greatly inferior to those of Waterloo, on which depended, not only the fate of two rival nations, but of Europe, and of the world at large. It is singular that the modern, like the ancient Hannibal, should have laid the foundation of his military fame in Italy, and the modern Scipio in Spain. Having visited the field of battle, I became anxious to collect detailed information regarding the transactions which had taken, place there. The defence of Hougoumont, in particular, struck me as being of peculiar importance; and having applied to some distinguished officers who were employed in that service, by their aid, and from a personal inspection of the place, I have been enabled to draw up the following short account of the circumstances connected with its defence. I am happy in this opportunity of contributing to do justice to the British Guards, who there so gallantly maintained the character they have long enjoyed, for firmness, intrepidity, and valour. THE ACCOUNT. When the Duke of Wellington had fixed on the ground, where he resolved to await the attack of the French army, he found, on the right of his position, an old Flemish mansion, called Gomont, or Hougoumont, by defending which, it appeared to him that much advantage might be derived. The buildings consisted of an old tower and chapel, and a number of offices, partly surrounded by a farm-yard. There was also a garden, enclosed by a high and strong wall, and round the garden a wood, or orchard, and a hedge, by which the wall was concealed. The necessary steps were taken to strengthen these means of defence, by loop-holing, or perforating the walls, for the fire of musketry, and erecting scaffolding to give the troops within an opportunity of firing from the top of the wall. These judicious measures greatly assisted the successful defence that was afterwards made against such reiterated and desperate attacks. On the evening of the 17th, the following troops were allotted for the defence-1. The second brigade of guards, commanded by Major-General Sir John Byng; and, 2. The light companies of the first brigade. The force was disposed of as follows: The light companies of the Coldstream and Third Guards, under Lieutenant the first regiment occupied the wood to the left; these were under The action commenced at thirty-five minutes past eleven The force of the enemy employed in making the attack was very great. It consisted of the whole of the second corps, under to 30,000 men, was formed into three divisions. The division com the command of the Count de Reille. This corps, which amounted soon driven back (about half past twelve) with great loss. A manded by Jerome Bonaparte commenced the attack, but was most desperate attack was next made by the division of General Foy, who succeeded in gaining great part of the wood, and had nearly surrounded the house; but four companies of the Cald stream, and two of the third regiment, moving promptly down and attacking them, they were driven back with immense slaugh ter, and some prisoners were taken from them. Several other attempts were made by the enemy against this post during the course of the day, until their general retreat; but they did not obtain any advantage, In a most determined and gallant attack, made be of the gate of the farm-yard, but they were all killed; and at no tween twelve and one o'clock, an officer and a few men got inside period of the day was the communication cut off. Re-enforce ments of men and ammunition were sent in whenever they were requisite. The attack against the position of Hougoumont lasted. on the whole, from twenty-five minutes before twelve, until a little past eight at night. At several periods during the day, re-enforcements from the Coldstream, and the third regiment of Guards, were sent down to the support of the light companies, employed in the defence of the house, garden, and wood. The latter was repeatedly occu Late in the evening, when the second corps had been as com pletely beaten, as the first corps had been on the left, Bonaparte ordered forward the Imperial Guards, and part of that fine body of men was directed against Hougoumont. When part of the third regiment of Guards was sent into the wood before one o'clock, Colonel Hepburn of that corps superse sion to join his battalion, where he again distinguished himself. ded Lord Saltoun, who, having but few men left, obtained permis Colonel Woodford of the Coldstream, who went with the re forcement into the house, was senior to Colonel Macdonnell, but in consideration of that officer's gallant conduct, Colonel Wood ford refused taking the command, and each undertook the de fence of a particular portion of the post they occupied. |