the religion of his country, let him wear it in his bosom for his crucifix to rest upon.»> Note 13. Stanza Ixiii. « When once the pestilence had begun, it was impossible to check its progress, or confine it to one quarter of the city. Hospitals were immediately established, there were above thirty of them; as soon as one was destroyed by the bombardment, the patients were removed to another, and thus the infection was Before finally dismissing the enchanted cavern of carried to every part of Zaragoza. Famine aggravated Don Roderick, it may be noticed, that the legend octhe evil; the city had probably not been sufficiently curs in one of Calderon's plays, entitled, La Virgin del provided at the commencement of the siege, and of Sagario. The scene opens with t'.e noise of the chase, the provisions which it contained, much was destroyed and Recisundo, a predecessor of Roderick upon the in the daily ruin which the mines and bombs effected. Gothic throne, enters pursuing a stag. The animal asHad the Zaragozans and their garrison proceeded acsumes the form of a man, and defies the king to enter cording to military rules, they would have surrendered the cave, which forms the bottom of the scene, and before the end of January; their batteries had then engage with him in single combat. The king accepts been demolished, there were open breaches in many the challenge, and they engage accordingly, but withparts of their weak walls, and the enemy were already out advantage on either side, which induces the Genie within the city. On the 30th above sixty houses were to inform Recisundo, that he is not the monarch for blown up, and the French obtained possession of the whom the adventure of the enchanted cavern is remonasteries of the Augustines and Les Monicas, which served, and he proceeds to predict the downfall of the adjoined each other, two of the last defensible places Gothic monarchy, and of the christian religion, which left. The enemy forced their way into the church; shall attend the discovery of its mysteries. Recisundo, every column, every chapel, every altar, became a point appalled by these prophecies, orders the cavern to be of defence, which was repeatedly attacked, taken, and secured by a gate and bolts of iron. In the second part retaken: the pavement was covered with blood, the of the same play we are informed, that Don Roderick aisles and body of the church strewed with the dead, had removed the barrier and transgressed the prohibiwho were trampled under foot by the combatants. Intion of his ancestor, and had been apprised by the prothe midst of this conflict, the roof, shattered by repeat-digies which he discovered of the approaching ruin of ed bombs, fell in; the few who were not crushed, after his kingdom. a short pause, which this tremendous shock and their own unexpected escape occasioned, renewed the fight with rekindling fury: fresh parties of the enemy poured in; monks, and citizens, and soldiers came to the defence, and the contest was continued upon the ruins, and the bodies of the dead and the dying.» Yet, seventeen days after sustaining these extremities, did the heroic inhabitants of Zaragoza continue their defence; nor did they then surrender until their despair had extracted from the French generals a capitulation, more honourable than has been granted to fortresses of the first order. Who shall venture to refuse the Zaragozans the eulogium conferred upon them by the eloquence of Wordsworth?-« Most gloriously have the citizens of Zaragoza proved that the true army of Spain, in a contest of this nature, is the whole people. The same city has also exemplified a melancholy, yea, a dismal truth, -yet consolatory and full of joy,-that when a people are called suddenly to fight for their liberty, and are sorely pressed upon, their best field of battle is the floors upon which their children have played; the chambers where the family of each man has slept (his own or his neighbour's); upon or under the roofs by which they have becu sheltered; in the gardens of their recreation; in the street, or in the market-place; before the altars of their temples, and among their congregated dwellings, blazing or up-rooted. < The government of Spain must never forget Zaraza for a moment. Nothing is wanting to produce the same effects everywhere, but a leading mind, such as that city was blessed with. In the latter contest this has been proved; for Zaragoza contained, at that time, bodies of men from almost all parts of Spain. The narrative of those two sieges should be the manual of every Spaniard. He may add to it the ancient stories of Numantia and Saguntum; let him sleep upon the book as a pillow, and, if he be a devout adherent to Note 14. Conclusion. Stanza ii. And smiled like Eden in her summer dress;- I have ventured to apply to the movements of the French army that sublime passage in the prophecies of Joel, which seems applicable to them in more respects than that I have adopted in the text. One would think their ravages, their military appointments, the terror which they spread among invaded nations, their military discipline, their arts of political intrigue and deceit, were distinctly pointed out in the following verses of Scripture: 2. « A day of darknesse and gloominesse, a day of clouds and of thick darknesse, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong, there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3. « A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behinde them a desolate wildernesse, yea, and nothing shall escape them. 4. «The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horsemen, so shall they runne. 5. « Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battel array. 6. « Before their face shall the people be much pained: all faces shall gather blacknesse. 7. " They shall run like mighty men, they shall climbe the wall like men of warre, and they shall march every one in his wayes, and they shall not break their ranks. 8. «Neither shall one thrust another, they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword they shall not be wounded. 9. « They shall run to and fro in the citie: they shall run upon the wall, they shall climbe up upon the houses: they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 10. «The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble, the sunne and the moon shall be dark, and the starres shall withdraw their shining.» In verse 20th also, which announces the retreat of the northern army, described in such dreadful colours, into a «< land barren and desolate,» and the dishonour with which God afflicted them for having « magnified themselves to do great things,» there are particulars not inapplicable to the retreat of Masséna; Divine Providence having, in all ages, attached disgrace as the natural punishment of cruelty and presumption. Note 15. Conclusion. Stanza vii. The rudest sentinel, in Britain born, dulged themselves in parading their bands of music, Note 17. Conclusion. Stanza x. dismissed them at the gallop, and, putting himself at the head of the mounted artillerymen, ordered them to fall upon the French, sabre in hand. This very uns In the severe action of Fuentes d'Honoro, upon Sch May, 1811, the grand mass of the French cavalry attacked the right of the British position, covered by two guns of the horse-artillery, and two squadrons of ca1 valry. After suffering considerably from the fire of Gave his poor crust to feed some wretch forlorn. the guns, which annoyed them in every attempt at ; Even the unexampled gallantry of the British army formation, the enemy turned their wrath entirely toin the campaign of 1810-11, although they never wards them, distributed brandy among their troopers fought but to conquer, will do them less honour in his- and advanced to carry the field-pieces with the despe tory than their humanity, attentive to soften to the ut-ration of drunken fury. They were in no ways checked most of their power the horrors which war, in its by the heavy loss which they sustained in this dans, mildest aspect, must always inflict upon the defence- attempt, but closed, and fairly mingled with the British less inhabitants of the country in which it is waged, cavalry, to whom they bore the proportion of ten ta and which, on this occasion, were tenfold augmented one. Captain Ramsay (let me be permitted to name a by the barbarous cruelties of the French. Soup-gallant countryman), who commanded the two gun kitchens were established by subscription among the officers, wherever the troops were quartered for any length of time. The commissaries contributed the heads, feet, etc. of the cattle slaughtered for the sol-pected conversion of artillerymen into dragoons contr diery; rice, vegetables, and bread, where it could be had, were purchased by the officers. Fifty or sixty starving peasants were daily fed at one of these regimental establishments, and carried home the relics to their famished households. The emaciated wretches, who could not crawl from weakness, were speedily employed in pruning their vines. While pursuing Masséna, the soldiers evinced the same spirit of humanity; and, in many instances, when reduced themselves to short allowance, from having out-marched their supplies, they shared their pittance with the starving inhabitants who had ventured back to view the ruins of their habitations, burnt by the retreating enemy, and to bury the bodies of their relations whom they had butchered.— Is it possible to know such facts without feeling a sort of confidence, that those who so well deserve victory are most likely to attain it?-It is not the least of Lord Wellington's military merits, that the slightest disposition towards marauding meets immediate punishment. Independently of all moral obligation, the army which is most orderly in a friendly country, has always proved most formidable to an armed enemy. Note 16. Conclusion. Stanza viii. buted greatly to the defeat of the enemy, already de Note 18. Conclusion. Stanza x. Wild from his plaided ranks the yell was given. during the desperate contest in the streets of the vi The gallant Colonel Cameron was wounded mortally called Fuentes d'Honoro. He fell at the head of s native Highlanders, the 71st and 79th, who raise. a dreadful shriek of grief and rage. They charge with irresistible fury, the finest body of French grea The French conducted this memorable retreat with diers ever seen, being a part of Buonaparte's selecti much of the fanfarronade proper to their country, by guard. The officer who led the French, a man rema-kwhich they attempt to impose upon others, and per-able for stature and symmetry, was killed on the haps on themselves, a belief that they are triumphing The Frenchman who stepped out of his rank to take in the very moment of their discomfiture. On the 30th aim at Colonel Cameron, was also bayoneted, pierced March, 1811, their rear-guard was overtaken near Pega with a thousand wounds, and almost torn to pieces by by the British cavalry. Being well posted, and conceiv- the furious Highlanders, who, under the command of ing themselves safe from infantry (who were indeed Colonel Cadogan, bore the enemy out of the contesand many miles in the rear), and from artillery, they in-ground at the point of the bayonet. Massena pays f countrymen a singular compliment in his account of the attack and defence of this village, in which he says, the British lost many officers, and Scotch. Note 19. Conclusion. Stanza xiv. O who shall grudge him Albuera's bays, Who brought a race regenerate to the field, Temper'd their beadlong rage, their courage steel'd. able manner in which these opinions have been retracted. The success of this plan, with all its important consequences, we owe to the indefatigable exertions of Field-Marshal Beresford. Note 20. Conclusion. Stanza xvii. a race renown'd of old, Whose war-cry oft has waked the battle-swell. the warlike family of Græme, or Graham. Nothing during the war of Portugal seems, to a distinct observer, more deserving of praise, than the self-said, by tradition, to have descended from the Scottish devotion of Field-Marshal Beresford, who was contented chief, under whose command his countrymen stormed to undertake all the hazard of obloquy which might the wall built by the Emperor Severus between the have been founded upon any miscarriage in the highly friths of Forth and Clyde, the fragments of which are important experiment of training the Portuguese troops still popularly called Græme's Dyke. Sir John the to an improved state of discipline. In exposing his Græme, « the hardy, wight, and wise,» is well known military reputation to the censure of imprudence from as the friend of Sir William Wallace. Alderne, Kilthe most moderate, and all manner of unutterable casyth, and Tibbermuir, were scenes of the victories of lamnies from the ignorant and malignant, he placed at the heroic Marquis of Montrose. The pass of Killystake the dearest pledge which a military man had to crankie is famous for the action between King Wil offer, and nothing but the deepest conviction of the liam's forces and the Highlanders in 1689, high and essential importance attached to success can be supposed an adequate motive. How great the chance of miscarriage was supposed, may be estimated from It is seldom that one line can number so many hethe general opinion of officers of unquestioned talents roes, and yet more rare when it can appeal to the and experience, possessed of every opportunity of in-glory of a living descendant in support of its ancient formation; how completely the experiment has suc-renown. Where glad Dundee in faint huzzas expired. ceeded, and how much the spirit and patriotism of our The allusions to the private history and character of ancient allies had been under-rated, is evident, not only General Graham may be illustrated by referring to the from those victories in which they have borne a distin-cloquent and affecting speech of Mr Sheridan, upon the guished share, but from the liberal and highly honour-vote of thanks to the victor of Barrossa. The Field of Waterloo: А РОЕМ. Though Valois braved young Edward's gentle hand, With Europe's chosen sons in arms renown'd, Yet not on Vere's bold archers long they look'd, Nor Audley's squires nor Mowbray's yeomen brook'd They saw their standard fall, and left their monarch bound. AKENSIDE. TO HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, PRINCESS OF WATERLOO, ETC., ETC., ETC. The following Cerses are most respectfully Inscribed, No opening glade dawns on our way, Our woodland path has cross'd; And the straight causeway which we tread Unvarying through the unvaried shade, II. A brighter, livelier scene succeeds And corn-fields glance between; Plies the hook'd staff and shorten'd scythe :-(1) But when these ears were green, Placed close within destruction's scope, Full little was that rustic's hope Their ripening to have seen! And, lo, a hamlet and its fane III. Fear not the heat, though full and high To shade us spreads a green-wood bough. And sinks so gently on the dale, In easier curves can flow. Brief space from thence, the ground again, Forms an opposing screen, The soften'd vale between Slopes smooth and fair for courser's tread; Nor fosse nor fence are found, Save where, from out her shatter'd bowers, Rise Hougoumont's dismantled towers. IV. Now, seest thou aught in this lone scene On these broad spots of trampled ground, And where the earth seems scorch'd by flame, V. So deem'st thou-so each mortal deems, Of that which is from that which seems: But other harvest here Than that which peasant's scythe demands, Was gather'd in by sterner hands, With bayonet, blade, and spear. Fell thick as ripen'd grain; The corpses of the slain. VI. Ay, look again-that line so black And close beside, the harden'd mud From yonder trenched mound? VII. Far other harvest-home and feast, Through rolling smoke the demon's eye Distinguish every tone That fill'd the chorus of the fray- And the last sob of life's decay VIII. Feast on, stern foe of mortal life, Vain hope!-that morn's o'erclouded sun Heard the wild shout of fight begun Ere he attain'd his height, And through the war-smoke volumed high Still peals that unremitted cry, Though now he stoops to night. For ten long hours of doubt and dread, Still down the slope they drew, Nor ceased the storm of shell and shot; Of skill and force, was proved that day, IX. Pale Brussels! then what thoughts were thine, (2) When ceaseless from the distant line Continued thunders came! Each burgher held his breath to hear Of rapine and of flame. What ghastly sights were thine to meet, Points to his prey in vain, X. On! On!» was still his stern exclaim, My Guard-my chosen-charge for France, Loud answer'd their acclaiming shout, In action prompt, in sentence brief- XI. On came the whirlwind-like the last On came the whirlwind-steal-gleams broke But on the British heart were lost Till from their line scarce spears' length three, As when they practise to display Then down went helm and lance, And to augment the fray, Wheel'd full against their staggering flanks, Then to the musket-knell succeeds Lancer and guard and cuirassier, Their leaders fall'n, their standards lost. XIII. Then, WELLINGTON! thy piercing eye This crisis caught of destiny. The British host had stood That morn 'gainst charge of sword and lance, As their own ocean-rocks hold stance, But when thy voice had said « Advance !» O thou, whose inauspicious aim |