important advantages already gained, by a pursuit of this fresh body of troops through a difficult country. 12. In this decisive battle, nearly equal numbers appear to have been engaged. The English, however, possessed this immense advantage-they were all veterans-while not more than half the French army were of the same description. This circumstance would lead to an opinion that some motive, not well explained, must have existed to induce Montcalm to hazard a general action before he was joined by Bougainville. The French regulars, who do not appear to have been well supported by the militia or Indians, were almost entirely cut to pieces. On the part of the English, the loss was by no means so considerable, as the fierceness of the action would indicate. The killed and wounded were less than six hundred men; but among the former, was the commander in chief. This gallant officer, of whom the most exalted expectations had very justly been formed; whose uncommon merit and singular fate have présented a rich theme for panegyric to both the poet and storian, received, in the commencement of the action, a ball in his wrist; but without discovering the least discomposure, wrapping a handkerchief around his arm, he continued to encourage his troops, 13. Soon afterwards, he received a shot in the groin. This painful wound he also concealed, and was advancing at the head of the grenadiers, when a third bullet pierced his breast. Though expiring, it was with reluctance he permitted himself to be conveyed into the rear, where, careless about himself, he discovered, in the agonies of death, the most anxious solicitude concerning the fate of the day. Being told that the enemy was visibly broken, he reclined his head from extreme faintness, on the arm of an officer standing near him; but was soon aroused with the distant sound of "they fly! they fly!" "Who fly ?" exclaimed the dying hero. On being answered "the French," "Then," said he, "I depart content;" and almost immediately expired in the arms of victory. "A death more glorious," adds Mr. Belsham, "and attended with circumstances more picturesque and interesting, is no where to be found in the annals of history." What were the words of Wolfe when told the French were filed? 14. With less of good fortune, but not less of heroism, expired the equally gallant Montcalm. The same love of glory, and the same fearlessness of death, which in so remarkable a manner distinguished the British hero, were not less conspicuous in the conduct of his competitor for victory and for fame. He expressed the highest satisfaction ou hearing that his wound was mortal; and when told he could survive only a few hours, quickly replied, "So much the better; I shall not then live to see the surrender of Que bec." The first days after the action were employed by general Townshend in fortifying his camp, cutting a road up the precipice, for the conveyance of his heavy artillery to the batteries on the heights, and making the necessary prepa rations for the siege of Quebec. But before his batterie: were opened, the town capitulated, on condition that the in habitants should, during the war, be protected in the free ex ercise of their religion, and the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving their future destinies to be decided by the general peace. ALEXANDER SELKIRK. Lines supposed to have been written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary abode in the island of Juan Fernandez. 1. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; I am lord of the fowl and the brute. That sages have seen in thy face? 2. I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone; What were the words cf Montcalm on being told his wound was mortal? The beasts that roam over the plain, 3. Society, friendship, and love, In the ways of religion and truth; 4. Religion! what treasure untold 5. Ye winds, that have made me your sport Convey to this desolate shore, Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. Though a friend I am never to see. 6. How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compar'd with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift winged arrows of light. 7. But the sea fowl is gone to her nest, The beast is laid down in his lair; Evon here is a season of rest, And mercy, encouraging thought, And reconciles man to his lot. BONAPARTE'S CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA. 1. THE year 1812 will stand as an epoch in history, distinguished by the commencement of a war, which was ultimately productive of events, such as Europe had never witnessed since the descendants of Japhet first spread themselves over her ample domain. When we consider the elevated rank of some of the persons concerned in the tremendous military drama, the extraordinary talents of others, the magnitude of the events, and the importance of the final catastrophe-this clash of contending nations may be denominated the war of giants. 2. The Russian emperor, disdaining any longer to submit to the restrictions of the continental system established by the ruler of France, resolved to assert the independence, and extend the commerce of his empire, by opening his ports to the ships of all nations. This magnanimous resolution gave rise to a war between France and Russia, of which the first campaign was attended with a destruction of the human spe cies unexampled in modern history. Towards the end of June, the emperor of the French entered the Russian do minions with an army of nearly three hundred thousand men, in the highest state of equipment and discipline. With this tremendous force he compelled the Russians to abandon their fortified camp at Drissa, and after being victorious in the battles of Mohilow and Poltosk, as well as in several other actions, he burned the large city of Smolenskow. Still proceeding into the interior of Russia, he remained master of the field at the sanguinary battle of Borodino; but the carnage was almost incredible, and the loss on both sides nearly When did the war between Russia and France commence ?-What was the number of the French army that entered Russia ?-What Important battles were fought on their way to Moscow ? equal. A view of the ensanguined scene is said to have drawn from the French emperor this exclamation, "Never has there been seen such a field of battle." 3. After this bloody victory, the emperor of the French advanced to Moscow. On the 15th of September he entered that capital, and fixed his head quarters in the Kremlin, the ancient and magnificent palace of the czars. But the city having been set on fire by the Russians, the invader found himself in the midst of smoking ruins. Until this critical moment, the military career of the French emperor had displayed an unvaried scene of splendid success. The crimson wing of victory had fanned his banners; and most of the nations of Europe regarded his arms as invincible. Accustomed so long to the smiles of fortune, he scarcely supposed that she would ever frown; and when he sat down on the throne of the czars, he never thought of the abyss that was opening under his feet. 4. Napoleon was no sooner master of Moscow, than he offered peace to the emperor Alexander, who magnanimously rejected his proposals. The invader now saw the impossibility of procuring supplies for his troops during the severe. season which was approaching. The Russian forces in the mean while daily increased in number, fresh troops arriving from different quarters; and the winter set in both somewhat sooner and with greater severity than usual. In these circumstances, Napoleon began his retreat on the 18th of October, exposed to the incessant attacks of the Russians. In these bloody encounters, the French were generally defeated; the severity of the season in that rigorous climate, in conjunction with hunger and fatigue, being more destructive, than the sword, their once formidable army was nearly annihilated; and their retreat exhibited a scene of slaughter and loss, to which history scarcely affords any parallel. 5. From comparing a variety of documents, it appears that there perished of the French between eighty and ninety thousand, besides above a hundred and sixty thousand that were made prisoners; so that this disastrous retreat cost Napoleon nearly two hundred and fifty thousand men, forty When did Bonaparte enter Moscow ?-How was his offer of peace. treated by Alexander ?-What induced Bonaparte to leave Moscow ? -When did he leave it?-How many men did he lose in his retreat from Moscow ? |