CHIME OF BELLS.

311

Vandyke, is the only one it possesses of that

master.

The wind was excessively high as I gained the outside; when, about to take my departure, I was astonished by the rush of music over my head, and at first was quite puzzled to think whence it proceeded. I found out at last, that it was the chime of the bells, disturbed by the gushes of wind that caused the variation of sound which bewildered me. The Burghof shows great antiquity. In the year 1580, a body of English and Flemish under the command of Admiral Sir John Morris, burned the suburbs, entered this city, pillaged, and finally set it on fire in many places, -it now belongs to Belgium.

After completing my inspection, I was at the station house by five, time enough to meet the last train passing on its return from Antwerp to Brussels. We shot rapidly over the level tract of Mountplaiser, and soon arrived at our destination. I descended, and after repassing the Port of Lacken, made my way to the hotel, where I enjoyed my comfortable dinner; and, before going to rest to make all sure, engaged a place in the Namur diligence for Waterloo on the morrow.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Diligence to Waterloo-Brussels in the morning-Thoughts on the past-Napoleon-State of Europe-Two armiesBall in Brussels-Commander-in-chief vindicated-Forest of Ardennes Results of Quatre Bras and Ligny-17th June-Village of Waterloo-Marquis of Anglesea's leg— Monuments in the church-Well known guide-Positions -Field of battle-Buonaparte's despairing words - Last order-Reflections from the Lion's Mound.

WATERLOO.

12th.

I DESCENDED to the salle à manger and speedily discussed breakfast. Walked down the street close by mine Inn to the bureau des diligences, and stepped into one about to depart for the

The grave

"Place of skulls,

of France, the deadly Waterloo !"

We drove through the Port of Namur, and having emerged from the outlets of the city, the road led us up a steep hill; from the summit of which I obtained a delightful prospect. Sleeping

BRUSSELS IN THE MORNING.

in the calm freshness of morning, lay,

313

"pale

Brussels." The jar of war no longer frighted

her streets; there was

No mounting in hot haste the steed,

No mustering squadron, no clattering car,

Went pouring forward with impetuous speed,

And swiftly forming in the ranks of war.

The misty veil of night not yet entirely dissipated, mingled with the dusky clouds that floated in masses over my head, and I could discover faint traces of etherial blue, gleaming in the vacancies left by the breaking of the gloomy pall. The city lay beneath,-houses and streets in uniform lines, churches lifting their towers, and raised high over all, the lofty spire of the Hotel de Ville looked like the monarch of the forest, so straight and taper.

My companions were not very communicative. A lady kept munching some biscuits, and I believe the gentleman who sat beside me was asleep. However, I was so wrapt up in my own meditations, as to rejoice in being allowed to ponder on them undisturbed. Need I say they were connected with the object of my visit?

As Waterloo is, or ought to be, the chief object of interest to the British subject, on this portion of the Continent, no person should visit Brussels without viewing the plain on which was decided the greatest battle of modern times. And cold, indeed,

must be the heart that will not glow with enthusiasm, when he recollects that by British prowess was the force of Napoleon checked, and, by the interposition of England, the kingdoms of Europe kept in their just balance.

Ambition was the idol of Napoleon. War-that fearful engine which becomes the last resource of a nation, and, as has been well observed, should never be resorted to till all others have proved of no avail-war was the ladder by which the restless spirit of Bonaparte raised itself. It is certainly true that he extended the territories of France, and, by giving constant employment to his subjects, prevented those relapses into revolution which have manifested their evil spirit more than once since his decline. Naturally restless, and impatient of control, the Frenchman must be employed, to be kept from mischief. Had Napoleon been content with his first acquisitions, and directed the minds of his subjects to those mechanical pursuits in which they excel, he would not have to answer for the horrors he had caused, the property expended, the blood lavished on his vain and empty victories-productive of destruction to the realms of Europe, and ending in ruin to himself.

As the positions and expectations of the opposing armies, and the posture of affairs at the time, tend much to heighten the interest of a visit to the scene of their display, I trust I may not incur the charge of tediousness by giving an account.

STATE OF EUROPE-TWO ARMIES. 315

The news of the exiled Emperor's having escaped from Elba, caused a chord to vibrate which thrilled through the heart of Europe. It reverberated from the shield of Mars, and, at the fearful sound, wide flew the gates of Janus. They had but just been closed after a period of much bloodshed; and, ere the surviving heroes of the Peninsula and of Egypt had recounted to their families and friends the escapes and dangers of one campaign, they were summoned to another.

Napoleon had collected round his standard the veterans to whom he was most dear by the remembrance of a hundred victories; the restless spirits, who loathed the thought of a monarchythe old, who wished for plunder-the young, thirsting for glory; and, in addition, the multitude, who had crowded the British prisons, and Russian dungeons, now came flocking to his feet,-their former bravery having received a new impetus, from fancied or inflicted injuries.

It was no easy matter to procure, almost at a moment's notice, a force sufficiently effective to oppose an army of 150,000 men, the greater number of whom were inured to war, and all eager for battle. Britain rallied her English sons; the light-hearted child of Erin "rushed to the field, as though he were summoned to a banquet ;" and the hardy Caledonian whetted his claymore, and denounced woe to the chief of France. Prussia sent forth her troops, full of valour, but unaccustomed