French, nobly sustained the character it had so dearly earned. It was placed, purposely, by the discerning eye of the Duke of Wellington, in a most important position, which it defended against every attack of the enemy. It was in repelling one of these attacks, on which the fate of that eventful day materially depended, that General Picton received a cannon-ball in the breast, which instantly terminated his glorious career, and stretched him a lifeless corpse on the field of victory. Thus did one of the best and bravest officers in the British service meet the death he courted, in the 58th year of his age, and 44th of his service. To pourtray the military character of this distinguished officer, to trace its peculiar features, and to mark its particular excellencies, far exceed the ability of the feeble hand that has sketched this brief memoir. His private character combined all that was amiable with all that was magnanimous; kind, benevolent, and humane, his soul revolted alike from every thing that was unjust, and every thing that was cruel and oppressive. In his friendship he was ardent, sincere, and constant ; his charity was extensive; his generosity knew no bounds but his ability; merit and distress never sued to him in vain. He was always more ready to confer than willing to receive obligations. During the prosecution instituted against him in England, the inhabitants of Trinidad, anxious to manifest their esteem for his character, and to display their sense of his meritorious conduct as their governor, assembled and voted him a sum of five thousand pounds sterling. It was with the utmost difficulty that a friend, whom he consulted on the subject, could prevail on him to accept this tribute of gratitude; and a fire having consumed Port D'Espagne

some time after, the general, with an eagerness BOOK XV. that evinced his uneasiness under the weight of obligation, instantly subscribed the five thousand CHAP. X. pounds towards the relief of the sufferers.

After bis death, his aid-de camp, Captain Tyler, conveyed his body to Brussels, preparatery to his intended interment in that city; but the Duke of Wellington, under whom General Picton had long fought and bled, ordered Captain Tyler to convey it to England, to be buried by the government in Westminster-abbey. But difficulties were raised; the ministers searched for precedents, but could not find any, and had not the resolution to make one. They need not have feared that every year would have supplied a Picton; and, if it had, they might surely have conjectured that the public would not have grudged the expense of his funeral. So it was, however; and the warmth of sentimental generosity was chilled by the cold dull forms of office. The remains of General Picton, therefore, were consigned to a family-vault at Bayswater; and were attended to their last home by a long train of mournful friends. Even the request of the Duke of Wellington would, it was imagined, have been amply sufficient to justify the ministers in allotting a place to his departed colleague in a public repository for the bones of heroes and of sages. The man who gained the battle of Waterloo, aud decided the fate of a kingdom, ought surely to have commanded a compliance with his request, even were it unreasonable; and a precedent, sanctioned by his name, would never have been called in question by the country but where his request was only to do honor to the memory of an officer who had done honor to his country-to anticipate a refusal was impossible-to receive it revolting.

1815,

BONAPARTE, after his flight from Charleroy, on the 19th of June, proceeded rapidly on his way to Paris; where he arrived about nine o'clock in the evening of the 20th. During his absence, the different parties into which the ministry and chambers were divided had not been idle; but as long as Napoleon was at the head of the armies, they found it impossible to accomplish any thing prejudicial to his interests.

Fouche appeared to be at the head of one of the parties. Another party wished the Duke of Orleans to be at the head of the government. A considerable number were attached to the principies of La Fayette, and desired a republican form of government. There were very few royalists in either chamber. The majority of the chambers, however, were certainly not friendly to Bonaparte, and were only waiting to know the event of the campaign, in order to shew themselves. Bonaparte, before he joined the army, had diligently watched the formation and designs of these parties, and had had several conferences with his brother Lucien and some friends, respecting the measures that would be advisable to adopt in case he should meet with any disasters in the field; but nothing was finally determined upon, although Lucien was of opinion, that if the emperor was unfortunate, he should make use of his constitutional privilege and dissolve the chambers, and thereby deprive his enemies of the power of injuring him.

The inhabitants of Paris had passed two days in painful surmise and trembling expectation; but, in the afternoon of the 20th, it began to be whispered that affairs were not going on well, and that the army had sustained some terrible

disasters.

The

Every one hastened towards the Thuilleries, anxiously enquiring what was the news. The most alarming reports were circulated, and the whole city was in the utmost confusion. Late in the evening, three carriages, covered with dust, entered the courts of the palace of the Elysée, and the gates were immediately closed behind them. crowd pressed forward to see who were in them. General Drouet descended from the first, and advancing to a friend that stood by, took him by the hand and said, " we are all done for!" The third carriage now drew up, in which was Napoleon. He alighted, and rushing up the stairs, entered the apartments of the palace, without speaking a word, or looking at a single person. As he approached the door of the saloon he suddenly stopped, and casting a look of anguish on Drouet, exclaimed, "Dishonored! disgraced!" He then threw himself on a sofa, and rising again, he entered his cabinet. Having takes some refreshment, which was a little soup, he ordered his secretary, M. St. Didier, to write to the Duke of Bassano (Maret,) and to the Count Regnault de St. Jean D'Angeley, requiring their immediate presence. He again threw himself in his clothes on the sofa, and ordering one of his pages to wake him as soon as the ministers arrived, fell asleep. In the interval, an interesting interview took place between M. St. Didier and General Drouet, during which Drouet gave St Didier the following particulars of the battle of Waterloo:

"After the first advantages, at Charleroy," said the general," and the brilliant affair of Fleurus, we lost every thing, from two evident

causes, to which a third might be added, which was more strongly felt, but not so well proved. The first of these causes is the inflexibility of the emperor, who, at the end of two days of victory, was desirous of astonishing the world, of giving confidence to France, and spreading consternation over Europe, by a third decisive triumph. This was a sublime but frantic project, which must necessarily enthrone the conqueror in the opinion of the world, or, if vanquished, lead him to a scaffold :-a project which was seen into by the prudent Wellington, and which he disconcerted by leading on its heroic and extravagant author to the very gulf in which his power, his influence, and almost his very glory, were to expire. In reality, the third battle, which we call the battle of Mount St. Jean, from the name of the village which was the principal scene of action, and which the enemy will call the battle of Wa terloo, from another village occupied by the English, or that of La Belle Alliance, from the name of a castle which was occupied as the head-quarters of Blucher:-this third action, after balancing the victory by turns, which made it, (if I may use the expression) fly backward and forward from the French colours to those of the allies, from noon till eight in the evening, has demonstrated how the negative quality, patience, could disconcert the combinations of a rash and impetuous general. Here then is the second cause of our defeat. The prudent conqueror of Salamanca, of Thoulouse, of Vittoria, by a manoeuvre worthy his immortal genius (though it was purchased with the loss of some of his choicest troops,) constrained the fiery victor of the Pyramids, of Marengo, of Austerlitz, of Friedland, of Jena, to lower his humbled laurels before those whom he had so often vanquished. I shall attribute the third cause of our defeat to intrigue, to corruption, to treason. These, united together, have produced mistrust, misintelligence, fear, and disorder. History will search into these sources, which I can but point out; but to which the allies (whose bravery I am nevertheless very ready to admit), and above all the private enemies and the personal competitor of Bonaparte, undoubtedly owe their success. Let them make haste to secure their triumph, and to make the best use of their victory, for the lion is not dead, but only wounded."

When the ministers arrived, and Napoleon awaked, the night was far advanced. As the secretary placed himself at the table, to take notes of the proceedings, Napoleon remarked his paleness and agitation. "What!" said he, "Drouet has been informing you of the affair. An evil which may be repaired is not a great one, and, even if it were irreparable, we should submit with becoming resignation. Sit down and write."

CHAP. I.

1815.

The bulletin of the battle of Mount St. Jean BOOK. XVI was now drawn up. Napoleon dictated the greater part of it, and then gave it to Regnault to correct. The emperor now paced the room with rapid strides, biting his nails, and taking snuff every moment. The correction of the bulletin was finished. Maret had a cold and reserved air; Regnault was more affected. He stood at the table, unconsciously drawing lines with his pencil on the bulletin which lay before him. Now and then he raised his eyes, and regarded Napoleon with a look of anxiety, pity, and affection. The emperor continued to pace the room with more rapid steps; at length he suddenly stopped. "Well! this bulletin?" he exclaimed.

"Here it is corrected," answered the count. "Let us see," said the emperor.

Regnault began to read it. The emperor frequently interrupted him. "It was gained! it was gained! The victory was mine." When the bulletin was concluded, he added, with a sigh, "It is lost! and with it my glory.'

Count Regnault." You can oppose fifty victories against one defeat."

The Duke of Bassano.-" This defeat is decisive; the emperor is right."

The Emperor." They are not accustomed to conquer; they will abuse their victory."

The Duke." Those to whose cowardice Wellington's bravery has given a triumph, are more your enemies than the English and Prussians."

The Count." The republicans will lament, but they will endeavour to profit from the circum

59

stance."

The Emperor." They will do well; at least, the glory and liberty of the country will remain untouched. If the royalists should prevail, it is only from their being supported by the strangers."

The Duke." The courage of the royalists, is in the head of Wellington and in the arm of Blucher."

The Count. "That which is most pressing is to stop Wellington and Blucher."

The Duke." How? the army no longer exists, and the frontier is uncovered."

The Count." The frontier is uncovered, but the army exists; nothing more is requisite than to rally it."

The Emperor." The army will rally of itself; we must re-organise it, and repair its losses."

The Duke."Can you depend on Marshals Soult and Grouchy ?"

The Emperor.-" Let the ministers be convoked forthwith. I wish the chambers to be made acquainted with every thing this very night." The Duke." The parties are about to put themselves in motion."

The Count." The parties, in motion for a considerable time past, are about to recognise -each other, to measure their strength, and to make attempts."

The Emperor." So much the better their masks will fall off, and the public will know them; as for me, I have long since.-Call the ministers. A report must be drawn up :-the truth must be told. If all patriotism, if all honor, be not dead, will the chambers refuse me men and money?"

The Duke." They will speak of sparing the water and the engine, when the house is on fire."

The Count." A dictatorship has been foolishly objected to. It is the measure which, at this day, would save every thing."

The Emperor." I have commenced a constitutional monarchy.-Convoke the ministers." The Duke." No dictatorship! but at the same time no indignities!-If we are attacked we will defend ourselves."

The Emperor." Ah, my old guard! will they defend themselves like thee?"

Regnault now took his leave, but Maret remained with the emperor, who, notwithstanding his fatigue, gave audience to Cambacéres, Decrés, Caulincourt, and the two Carnots, who hastened to him as soon as they heard of his arrival, and eagerly proffered their services. The dictatorship was again discussed. Some of the ministers were of opinion that something should immediately be done, and urged Napoleon to dissolve the cl.ambers, and proclaim himself dictator. His brother Lucien insisted upon the measure, as indispensably necessary, as he knew the parties would set themselves to work, the moment they heard of the extent of the disasters, to overturn the throne; but Napoleon would not consent. The danger of the chambers proceeding to extremities against him, and even depriving him of the crown, was hinted. To this he would not listen for a moment. He affirmed that the thing was impossible; and that they could not so soon forget the oath which they had taken to him. At all events, the truth should be fairly told them; he would put their fidelity and patriotism to the test, and he did not doubt that ke should afterwards be able to foil any attempt which they might make against him.

In the mean time the chambers met. Anxiety and fear sat on every countenance. The funds sunk five per cent. M. de la Fayette being made acquainted with what was agitating at the palace, repaired immediately to the chamber of repre

sentatives; and the president having taken the chair, he mounted the tribune.

"Gentlemen," said be, " for the first time, during many years, you hear a voice which the old friends of liberty may yet recognize. The country is in danger, and you alone can save it.

"The sinister reports which have been circulated during the last two days are unhappily confirmed. This is the moment to rally round the national colours-the tri-coloured standard of 1789,-the standard of liberty, equality, and public order. It is you alone who can now protect the country from foreign attacks and internal dissentions. It is you alone who can secure the independence ar d the honor of France.

"Allow a veteran in the sacred cause of freedom, and a stranger to the spirit of faction, to submit to you some resolutions, which the dangers of the present crisis demand. I am assured that you will feel the necessity of adopting them: "Art. I. The chamber declares that the independence of the nation is menaced.

nent.

II. "The chamber declares its sittings permaAll attempts to dissolve it shall be considered high-treason. Whosoever shall render himself culpable of such an attempt shall be considered a traitor to his country, and condemned as such.

III. "The army of the line and the nationalguards who have fought, and still fight, for the liberty, the independence, and the territory of France, have merited well of the country.

IV. "The minister of the interior is invited to assemble the principal officers of the Parisian national guard, in order to consult on the mears of providing it with arms, and of completing this corps of citizens, whose tried patriotism and zeal offer a sure guarantee for the liberty, prosperity, and tranquillity of the capital, and for the inviolability of the national representatives.

V. "The minister of war, of foreign affairs, of police, and of the interior, are invited to repair to the hall of the assembly."

These propositions were adopted without deby. "In a few moments, gentlemen," said a member. "the chamber might be dissolved." The resolutions were then transmitted to the house of peers, and directed to be circulated through all the departments.

In the house of peers, Carnot, the minister of the interior, appeared with a message from the emperor, informing them, that upon his arrival the emperor had convoked a council of ministers;" that after having destroyed the elite of the Prussian army at Fleurus, the army had fought a great battle "two days after," within four leagues of Brussels; that the allied army had been "beaten throughout the day, and six English standards taken." That the day was decided, when, upon the approach of night, "some disaffected per

sons spread an alarm," which the presence of his majesty could not recover; the consequences of which had been, "disasters which could not be arrested." That the army was assembling under the walls of Avesnes and Philippeville; and, in short, that his majesty had returned to Paris, to confer with his ministers, in order to supply the army with materiel, and to consult the chambers about what measures were necessary in the present emergency. At this moment, the message from the house of representatives was received, which was immediately read. Silence succeeded the reading of this last message. Thibadeau proposed a secret committee to consider the message. Laour Maubourg insisted that it should be public. After some discussion, wherein Boissy d'Anglas stated, that it was absurd," when the country was in danger, and the national independence memaced," to delay business by attending to forms, "applicable only to ordinary tinues;" it was resolved to take the message into immediate consideration. Resolutions, similar to those voted in the other house, were immediately agreed to.

Count Regnault St. Jean d'Angeley having Deen sent with a message from the emperor to Le chamber of representatives, similar to that ent to the other house, informed them, that ast as he left the council, a Moniteur, conaining the bulletin of the battle, was put into his ands. "Read the bulletin," exclaimed some of he members; but this was decided against, as being an indirect way of obtaining that information from the ministers which they were to denand from the ministers. Time passing, and the ministers not making their appearance, great impatience was expressed on that account. A meinper moved that the chiefs of the national-guard be ent for, and that it be armed, and that the miisters should, a second time, be invited, (com azided, commanded, cried several members,) to epair to the hall. A second message was sent ;Had your first message commanded thein," aid a member, "you would have been obeyed.” t was then proposed to appoint a commander to he national-guard, but which was negatived by A call for the order of the day. It was proposed to suspend the sitting. "No! no!" exclaimed the members. At length the minisers appeared, and Davoust, as minister-of-war, nformed them that it was reported, by "disaffected persons," that the emperor had directed him to march a body of troops to surround the assembly. He assured them that it was false, and that the account proceeded from the same ource as that which asserted that General TraFot was returned from La Vendée to Paris. This account quieted their fears, and was received with pplauses.

CHAP. I.

after the accounts of the battle of Waterloo had BOOK XVI reached them. These, however, were only the public acts. In secret there were springs in motion which were to produce still more extraordinary and important deliberations and events.

Meanwhile, the citizens of Paris anxiously awaited the result of the impending struggle; and vast numbers assembled on the walls, on the quays, and on the Boulevards. The whole population of the suburbs was in motion, and as they were known to be in the interest of Bonaparte, a violent commotion was expected. The chambers, however, had taken the necessary precaution of assembling the national-guards, under General Durosnel, who immediately adopted measures for preventing any tumult in the capital. On the evening of the 21st, the following order of the day was issued by the general to the nationalguards.

"Weighty circumstances require active service on the part of the national-guard. The lieutenant-general, second in command, trusts that it will display that character of wisdom and firmness which it has manifested at all times, by preventing agitators from disturbing, under any pretext, the tranquillity of the capital, at the moment when the chambers are deliberating on the means of saving the country, and it is necessary that their deliberations should be calm; in consequence, the posts of the national-guard there shall be doubled, and the service shall last there for twenty-four hours, as at all the other posts.

"The chiefs of legion will hold in reserve, in every district of mayoralty, fifty men, commanded by a captain, ready to proceed wherever they may be required, and furnish patroles, day and night, destined to disperse all groupes whatever: the national-guard will recollect how much this service, performed with zeal and intelligence, has contributed, at critical moments, to prevent the calamities which could not fail to result from the shock of parties.

"The members of the national-guard are also invited not to quit their uniforms when employed about their own affairs; they know that this, without fatiguing them, has the advantageous effect of exhibiting the guard every where in readiness to repress disorder, and to collect promptly a force sufficient to put down mischief.

"All the general posts must send out patroles day and night to secure tranquillity, dissipate assemblages, and arrest agitators.

"The lieutenant-general, second in command confides to the zeal and patriotism of the nationalguards the execution of all these measures.

(Signed) "COUNT DUROSNEL.'

We shall now return to the proceedings at the

1815.