some rations of salted beef and rum were issued to the soldiers. As early as possible on the 4th, the troops quitted Nogalis. The road wound for some miles along the serpentine course of a rapid stream, which passes through the last-mentioned village. The ground under foot was as bad as any we had passed; and many of the men were still miserably provided with shoes, notwithstanding a large quantity had been issued at Villa Franca.

After several miles of gradual descent, we arrived within sight of a noble bridge, of three arches, resembling an aqueduct, which unites the sides of a deep ravine, and carries the road over the stream before-noticed. As I had heard a great deal from several officers of the strength of this ravine, and the impossibility of the enemy's bringing their guns over, if the bridge should be blown up, I took a hasty sketch of it, which I now inclose.The structure itself reminded me strongly of the Pease bridge, near Dunbar, which you well know. Near this place we met about three hundred armed Spaniards, who were waiting to cross after the British troops.

On this bridge was an engineer-officer, directing the operations of a party of pioneers and artificers, digging a mine for the destruction of the centre arch. We soon passed two villages, named Constantine and Sobradelo,

I

which skirt each side of the road. The country hereabouts is very fertile, and, richly covered with fine oak woods. Sir David Baird and Lord William Bentinck were reconnoitring its positions as we passed. Several regiments halted in these hamlets; but it was thought better to move) our convoy on to Lugo, to be out of the way in case of an engagement. After two leagues, we came to a village, ands stopped some hours to refresh the sick; and the horses of the waggon-train. Towards midnight we proceeded, and came in here this morning. The sick are now well lodged in a convent. The route from Nogalis was marked by the same spectacles as the preceding day's. I had the curiosity to count the dead horses and mules for the space of two leagues, and at a moderate calculation their value amounted to more than twenty thousand pounds. I am sorry to find that this sad necessity has, in a great measure, arisen from want of shoes. Our march has been so rapid, that there has been no time to hammer new ones, although in most towns in Spain iron bars are plenty enough. I am not a little surprized how the French cavalry can pursue ours, as they must of course suffer the same distress. Horse-shoes, as they are made in England, are so extremely heavy, that no dragoon can well carry more than four; but if we were to adopt the kind of thin, light shoes I have seen used by the Turkish farriers, they might carry double the number. It would be very convenient,

too, if every dragoon could occasionally shoe his own horse, which is not a very difficult operation.But my friend Wylde is just setting off, and I must conclude. He is conducting three officers of Bonaparte's Imperial Guard to Corunna. They are good-looking men, with enormous mustachios, clad in scarlet jackets, most gorgeously adorned with gold lace; but their manners and address completely betray the rank which they held in society before the revolution. They are all members of the Legion of Honor. Once more, farewel.

LETTER LI.

AN OLD LICENTIATE AT LUGO-HIS PHILIPPIC AGAINST THE ENGLISH. -ARRIVAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE. HUSSAR SHOT AT VILLA FRANCA FOR MARAUDING.-LIEUT.-GENERAL Fraser's DIVISION RECALLED FROM SOBRADO.-ARMY TAKES UP A POSITION IN FRONT OF LUGO. -BATTLE OFFERED TO SOULT HE DECLINES IT. BRITISH RETIRE. GUITTIREZ.-BETANZOS.-BRAVERY AND SPIRIT DISPLAYED BY THE STRAGGLERS. THE TROOPER.

Corunna, 11th January, 1808.

THE morning I entered Lugo, I met two officers then setting off for Corunna. As I was unprovided with any quarters, they advised me to take up my lodgings in the house which they were then to quit, adding, that the possessor of it had treated them with great hospitality and that they were persuaded I should be very comfortable there.

I was made happy by this assurance, as I had not had my clothes off for several nights. Indeed, after leaving

Villa Franca, men and officers, and even horses, had generally lodged together in any hovel or barn they could possibly enter. Therefore, after arranging some business, I repaired to the house before-mentioned, belonging to a canon of the cathedral. My friends had set off, and on entering, I was accosted in an angry tone by a female, who asked me what I wanted. On explaining the motives of my visit, she retired to call her master, who soon after appeared. I now met with a very different reception indeed, from what I had been taught to expect. He began by acquainting me that a letter had just been received from the Marquis de la Romana, at Orense, informing the Junta of Lugo that the English were deserting their cause, and retiring to their ships.

The old man said, that nothing could be more cowardly or ungenerous than such a conduct; and that no words could express the astonishment and indignation which the knowledge of this circumstance had created in the breasts of the people of Lugo; that they were, in consequence, determined no longer to have any connection with us; and that the Marquis, with his handful of men, would still show what could be done by brave and determined Spaniards.

By way of answer to this philippic, I mentioned the