It was time to prepare for war, with a vengeance. On March 25 a treaty had been concluded at Vienna between Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, binding themselves to maintain the Treaty of Paris, to keep each 150,000 men in the field, and not to leave off until Napoleon had been rendered harmless. British gold had to be lavishly employed: the King of Würtemberg receiving from our Government 117. 25. for cach man, to the number of 29,000, which he bound himself to bring into the field.' But the campaign in Belgium was to be a short one. We all know it, and its glorious end, at Waterloo. The news of that victory flew as never news flew before, for on the 22nd inst. was published the following official bulletin: 'Downing Street, June 22, 1815. 'The Duke of Wellington's Dispatch, dated Waterloo, the 19th of June, states that on the preceding day Buonaparte attacked, with his whole force, the British line, supported by a corps of Prussians; which attack, after a long and sanguinary conflict, terminated in the complete overthrow of the Enemy's Army, with the loss of ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY PIECES of CANNON, and Two EAGLES. During the night, the Prussians under Marshall Blücher, who joined in the pursuit of the Enemy, captured SIXTY GUNS, and a large part of Buonaparte's BAGGAGE. The Allied Armies continued to pursue the enemy. Two French Generals were taken.' Although jubilant exceedingly, the nation hardly yet comprehended the value of that victory; in fact, in reading the immediate contemporary comments thereon, there seems to be a dread of Napoleon's powers of resource and recuperation, and the illuminations which followed were Times, June 1, 1815. not so enthusiastically described as on some other occasions. One caricaturist seems to have been gifted with prescience, for before the victory became known he had produced a caricature which was called 'A Lecture on Heads,' as Delivered by Marshalls Wellington and Blucher' (artist unknown, June 21, 1815), which shews these heroes dealing death and destruction on the French all round them, making the heads fly all over the place. Blücher shouts out, Blister 'em, Fire 'em, shoot 'em, Kick 'em, Lump 'em, Thump 'em, whack 'em, smack 'em.' Wellington sings Bold as Hector or Macbeth, Ri tol, lol, la. Where's the Fun like meeting Death, Tol de ridy Tol de ray. Monkey's Allowance, more Kicks than Dumplings. A Farce Perform'd with Great Eclat at the National Theatre in the Netherlands,' is the title of a not particularly good picture by an unnamed artist in June 1815. It represents Napoleon, with his hands tied behind him, getting Monkey's Allowance' from the principal sovereigns of Europe. WELLINGTON (sings whilst kicking him). I buffet away on the plain, Sir; BLÜCHER. And I'll assist your Worship's fist, AUSTRIA. And I'll have a Thump, Although he's so plump, 1 George Alexander Stevens gave the famous 'Lecture on Heads, circa 1753 or 1764, by which it is said that here and in America he cleared nearly 10,000/, PRUSSIA. And we'll make such a woundy racket, HOLLAND. We'll ramp, we'll swear RUSSIA AND SWEDEN. We'll tear-oh rare, LOUIS XVIII. I warrant we'll pepper his jacket. 'R. Ackermann's Transparency on the Victory of Waterloo' is said to be by Rowlandson, and is without date. It, doubtless, was got up on the news of that great battle, but it is a very weak production. It simply represents Napoleon between Wellington and Blücher: the latter meets him with artillery, the former pursues him on horseback. Of course his crown has tumbled off. It is not an artistic picture by any means, but, doubtless, it evoked the enthusiasm of the masses, who were intoxicated with joy at the famous victory. After the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon hastened to Paris, and, tired and covered with dust as he was, he immediately met his Ministers, and told them the extent of his disasters. They laid the intelligence before the Houses of Legislature, and on the morning of June 22 Napoleon received a deputation from the Chamber, who submitted to him that 'the state of war in which France was involved concerned much less the nation than himself, and that the Assembly had the means at command, if he would act so disinterested a part as to restore to it freedom of action according as circumstances might dictate.' This was a pretty broad hint to Napoleon to abdicate, and he took it as such, and sent the following reply: 'Frenchmen! When I began the war to uphold national independence, I relied on the union of all efforts, all wills, and on the co-operation of all national authorities. I was justified in anticipating success, and I braved all the declarations of the Powers against my person. Circumstances seem to be changed. I offer myself as a sacrifice to the hatred against France. May your enemies prove sincere, and may it appear that they wage war against me alone! My political life is terminated. I proclaim my son, under the title of Napoleon II., Emperor of the French. The present Ministers will form the Council of the Provisional Government. The interest which I take in my son induces me to invite the Chambers to organize a Regency without delay, by a special law. Unite for the general safety, and to secure national independence. At the Palace of the Elysée, the 22 June, 1815. NAPOLEON. The 'Times,'' as usual, must speak bitter things of the fallen foe, and, anent his abdication, says, 'The wretch, with the blood of so many thousands on his head, seemed to carry about him all the coolness of that apathy which is part of his physical constitution; and so degraded and demoralised are the Parisian populace, that they could see the butcher of their race without the least emotion. He is, however, spoken of in the journals, and in the debates> without any share of that respect which but lately was attached to his name. After his former abdication, he was invariably termed the Emperor"; but now he is called nothing but plain Napoleon.' 1 CHAPTER LIX. NAPOLEON A PRISONER SENT TO THE ISLE OF AIX-NEGOTIATIONS FOR SURRENDER-GOES ON BOARD THE BELLEROPHON.' NAPOLEON retired to Malmaison, but was not long there before General Becker came to him and informed him that he was appointed by the Provisional Government to command the troops detailed for his protection. Napoleon knew the meaning of this message, but even being made a prisoner by his own soldiery did not quell his spirit. But the presence of Napoleon at Malmaison embarrassed the Government, and Becker had orders to convey Napoleon with all speed to the Isle of Aix. Accordingly they set out, and reached Rochefort on July 3, where he remained until the 8th, when he embarked on board the 'Saale' frigate, but without any hope of getting to sea, because of the blockade of the port by the 'Bellerophon' and other English men-of-war. He occasionally landed on the Isle of Aix; but all hopes of reaching America seem to have been abandoned, as Las Cases and Savary were sent on board the 'Bellerophon' to inquire of Captain Maitland whether he knew anything of the passports Napoleon expected from the British Government, and whether any opposition would be offered to his sailing to the United States. Captain Maitland replied that he knew nothing of the intentions of his Government, but he certainly could not allow any ship-of-war to leave the |