The mangled and lifeless bodies were even then stripped of every covering-every thing of the smallest value was already carried off. The road between Waterloo and Brussels, which passes for nine miles through the thick shades of the Forest of Soignies, was choaked up with scattered baggage, broken waggons, and dead horses. The heavy rains and the great passage upon it, had rendered it almost impassable, so that it was with extreme difficulty that the carriages containing the wounded could be brought along. The way was lined with unfortunate men who had crept from the field, and many, unable to go farther, lay down and died :-holes dug by the road side, served as their graves, and the road, weeks after the battle, was strewed with the tattered remains of their clothes and accoutrements. In every village and hamlet,on every road,-in every part of the country, for thirty miles round, wounded soldiers were found wandering; the wounded Belgic and Dutch stragglers exerting themselves to the utmost to reach their own homes. So great were the numbers of the wounded, that, notwithstanding the most active and unremitting exertions, the last were not removed from the field of battle into Brussels till the Thursday following.

It is impossible for words to do justice to the generous kindness, and unwearied care and attention, which the inhabitants of Brussels and Antwerp, and the whole of the Belgic people, exerted towards these poor sufferers. Nor should the humanity shown by the British soldiers themselves be unnoticed. The wounded of our army, who were able to move, employed themselves in tying up the wounds and admi

nistering to the wants of their suffering enemies*-a striking and noble contrast to the brutality with which the French had treated our prisoners.†

The desolation which reigned on the scene of action, cannot easily be described. The fields of high standing corn were trampled down, and so completely beaten into the earth, that they had the appearance of stubble. The ground was completely ploughed up in many places with the charge of the cavalry, and the horses' hoofs, deep stamped into the earth, left the traces where many a deadly struggle had been. The whole field was strewed with the melancholy vestiges of war and devastation-soldiers' caps pierced with many a ball, and trodden under footeagles that had ornamented them-badges of the legion of honour-cuirasses - fragments of broken arms, belts and scabbards innumerable-shreds of tattered cloth, shoes, cartridge boxes, gloves, highland bonnets, feathers steeped in mud and gore-French

It is pleasing to add the testimony of a foreigner. "The British regiments of infantry, which displayed such intrepid valour in the battle of the 18th, gave, after the action, the most affecting and sublime example ever offered to nations. They were seen (forgetting their own wounds, and hardly escaped from the sword of the enemy), proceeding to afford all the succour in their power to those who had just endeavoured to cut them down, and who, in their turn, had fallen on the field of destruction. The conduct of the English army is mentioned with admiration, as uniting the heroism of valour, to the heroism of humanity." Editor.

We forbear to dwell upon the horrid details of the merciless barbarity with which the French treated our prisoners; besides being stripped and plundered, exposed to the severest privations, and the grossest insults, many of our bravest officers, whose names respect for the feelings of their surviving friends forbids us to mention, were actually murdered in cold blood, after surrendering up their swords; such diabolical cruelty would be incredible, and for the sake of humanity, we would gladly doubt its truth, had we not incontrovertible proofs from many eye-witnesses of these brutal murders. Vide letters from an officer of the Life Guards and of Light Dragons,

novels, and German Testaments-scattered music belonging to the bands-packs of cards, and innumerable papers of every description, that had been thrown out of the pockets of the dead, by those who had pillaged them. French love-letters, and letters from mothers to their sons, and from children to their parents, were scattered about in every direction. Amongst the thousands that we examined, it was however remarkable, that we found only one English letter. It was from a soldier's wife to her husband.

Upon this field were performed deeds of valour as heroic as any which swell the page of history, which will for ever be buried in oblivion. Of those who performed them, many rest in the bed of honour, and those who survive, will never relate the story of their own achievements. Modesty is ever the concomitant of true courage; and thus actions, which could they have been witnessed, would have been the theme of an applauding world, are now unknown and unadmired. It is scarcely possible to notice the merits of any individual without injustice to others. It is difficult to say who were bravest, when all were brave; and who were greatest, amongst an army of heroes.

Never was there an attack more tremendous, nor a resistance more firm, unshaken and triumphant. The French army, infuriated by despair, animated by the promised plunder of Brussels, and filled with perjured traitors, who had betrayed their king and country, and who knew that their lives and fortunes depended on success, fought, from first to last, with the desperation of madness. But they could not wrest victory from the hands of the British. In

every land and in every clime, wherever the French have appeared as oppressors, the British have sprung forward as deliverers-they have sought foreign lands, not as enemies but as friends-they have fought and conquered, not to destroy, but to save. It is but a few years since the late arrogant Ruler of France made the boast that he would invade this country--scatter its armies-dethrone its monarch-and march his victorious troops into its capital. His threats have recoiled upon himself; England has answered him not by words, but by deeds.-His country is invaded-his armies are scattered-he is himself dethroned, and the victorious troops of England are in his capital! It is to them we are indebted that he comes to our shores-not as a tyrant, but as a suppliant, not as a conqueror, but as a captive. It is to them we owe our preservation--our very existence as a nation our dearest liberties, and our proudest glories. Wounded thousands of that brave army are now enduring in lingering pain and confinement, the sufferings they have received in the service of their country. During years of hardships they have braved for her, in foreign lands, the dangers and the horrors of war. They have triumphed in many a well-fought field-they have sought every changing scene where honour was to be gained, or glory to be won. who, at this triumphant moment, does not feel it his proudest boast to be an Englishman!-Who can refuse a tribute of regret to the brave who have perished! What heart does not swell with gratitude to that gallant army, whose heroic valour has raised their country to the highest pitch of glory, and to whom we are indebted, that while other nations sank

Oh!

beneath the yoke of despotism, and basely crouched at the feet of the Tyrant, England alone proudly defended her own rights-singly maintained the long and glorious contest-broke the spell which bound the kingdoms of Europe in ignominious slavery--and finally restored to the world, Peace, security, and independence!

"England! be still, even to thy latest times,

"The nurse of Heroes, and the scourge of crimes;
"Still may thy patriot Sons, where'er they roam,
"Diffuse abroad the rights they boast at home;
"Still unseduc'd by glory's vain increase,

"Make war thy pathway to the shrine of Peace;
"Still guard the rights of Freemen against Slaves,

"And rule, with Heaven's approval-proudly rule the waves!"

London, Aug. 7, 1815.

T. MOORE

This day is Published, Illustrative of this Work,

A SERIES OF SPIRITED ETCHINGS, In Outline, but sufficiently Shadowed to give the Effect of the Original Designs of Captain GEORGE JONES, by MITAN, COOK, and TURNER, forming a Collection of Historical Military Engravings; their Subjects consist of general Views, and critical Movements in the Battle, the most Striking Individual Acts of Heroism, Gallantry, Incidents, &c. having connexion with the Operations of this Memorable Campaign.

AN HISTORICAL MAP,

Or Travelling Guide over the Scite of

The Campaign in the Netherlands,

ON A LARGE SCALE.

On which is distinctly shown, every Wood, River, Town, &c. with the several Positions, Cantonments, Bivouacs, Lines of Advance, Retrogrades, Retreats, Flights, &c. of the French, Prussians, and English, with much historical information.

Engraved and Coloured in the best manner.-Price, Plain 7s. 6d. Coloured 10s. 6d. in a Travelling Case 13s.

The Publisher begs to state, that from the correct delineation of the Roads, &c. This Map forms the best Travelling Guide, to this interesting spot that now exists, independent of its other interest. The Outlines have been traced on the spot by a Gentleman of great knowledge and skill before it was Engraved.