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away
every thing that opposed them. In short, I was delighted with the
cleanliness, military order, and excellent appointments of the men
generally, and I was particularly struck with the handsome features of
the Duke of Brunswick, whose fine, manly figure, as he galloped across
the field, quite realized my beau ideal of a warrior. The next time I saw
the Duke of Brunswick was at the dress ball, given at the
Assembly-rooms in the Rue Ducale, on the night of the 15th of June. I
stood near him when he received the information that a powerful
French force was advancing in the direction of Charleroy. "Then it is
high time for me to be off," said the Duke, and I never saw him alive
again. The assembly broke up abruptly, and in half an hour drums were
beating and bugles sounding. The good burghers of the city, who were
almost all enjoying their first sleep, started from their beds at the alarm,
and hastened to the streets, wrapped in the first things they could find.
The most ridiculous and absurd rumours were rapidly circulated and
believed. The most general impression seemed to be that the town was
on fire; the next that the Duke of Wellington had been assassinated; but
when it was discovered that the French were advancing, the
consternation became general, and every one hurried to the Place
Royale, where the Hanoverians and Brunswickers were already
mustering.
About one o'clock in the morning of the 16th, the whole population of
Brussels seemed in motion. The streets were crowded as in full day;
lights flashed to and fro; artillery and baggage-wagons were creaking in
every direction; the drums beat to arms, and the bugles sounded loudly
"the dreadful note of preparation." The noise and bustle surpassed all
description; here were horses plunging and kicking amidst a crowd of
terrified burghers; there lovers parting from their weeping mistresses.

Now the attention was attracted by a park of artillery thundering
through the streets; and now, by a group of officers disputing loudly the
demands of their imperturbable Flemish landlords; for not even the
panic which prevailed could frighten the Flemings out of a single stiver;
screams and yells occasionally rose above the busy hum that murmured
through the crowd, but the general sound resembled the roar of the
distant ocean. Between two and three o'clock the Brunswickers
marched from the town, still clad in the mourning which they wore for
their old duke, and burning to avenge his death. Alas! they had a still
more fatal loss to lament ere they returned. At four, the whole
disposable force under the Duke of Wellington was collected together,
but in such haste, that many of the officers had not time to change their
silk stockings and dancing shoes; and some, quite overcome by
drowsiness, were seen lying asleep about the ramparts, still holding,
however, with a firm hand, the reins of their horses which were grazing
by their sides. About five o'clock, the word "march" was heard in all
directions, and instantly the whole mass appeared to move
simultaneously. I conversed with several of the officers previous to
their departure, and not one appeared to have the slightest idea of an
approaching engagement. The Duke of Wellington and his staff did not
quit Brussels till past eleven o'clock; and it was not till some time after
they were gone, that it was generally known the whole French army,
including a strong corps of cavalry, was within a few miles of Quatre
Bras, where the brave Duke of Brunswick first met the enemy:
"And foremost fighting--fell."
Dismay seized us all, when we found that a powerful French army was
really within twenty-eight miles of us; and we shuddered at the thought
of the awful contest which was taking place. For my own part, I had
never been so near a field of battle before, and I cannot describe my
sensations. We knew that our army had no alternative but to fly, or
fight with a force four times stronger than its own: and though we
could not doubt British bravery, we trembled at the fearful odds to
which our men must be exposed. Cannon, lances, and swords, were
opposed to the English bayonet alone. Cavalry we had none on the first
day, for the horses had been sent to grass, and the men were scattered

too widely over the country, to be collected at such short notice. Under
these circumstances, victory was impossible; indeed, nothing but the
stanch bravery, and exact discipline of the men, prevented the foremost
of our infantry from being annihilated; and though the English
maintained their ground during the day, at night a retreat became
necessary. The agony of the British, resident at Brussels, during the
whole of this eventful day,