ing-ram shook the gates of the metropolis. I depart this night to place myself at the head of the army." These last words seemed to act like an electric shock on the whole Assembly, and no doubt filled many breasts with anxious anticipations of the result of his journey.

"No part of Napoleon's political life," says the author of 'Paul's Letters," "marked as it has always been by the most rapid and extraordinary promptitude of military preparation, affords such a display of activity as the brief interval which occurred between his resuming the imperial sceptre, and resigning it for ever. Although conciliating the Liberalists, and paralysing the Royalists, occupied some time, and although it was necessary to sacrifice several days to show, and to the national love of fanfaronade, he was never an instant diverted from his purpose. While he seemed to be fully occupied with the political discussions of the various parties-with shows and processions, and reviews of children under twelve years old, his more serious preparations for the death-struggle which he expected to encounter, were as gigantic in their character as incessant in their progress." In every quarter the national guards were marching to replace the troops of the line, now destined for active service. Cannon, muskets, and arms of every description were issued from the manufactories with astonishing celerity. The old regiments were recruited; the retired veterans again repaired to

their banners; new levies were instituted; and the martial spirit seemed again to be aroused, and a great part of France converted into an immense camp. Had Murat been enabled to maintain his conquests, there is little doubt, that Napoleon would have made Italy the first scene of his personal warfare, as this would not only have engaged the whole attention of Austria, but caused many of the Russian troops to be detached to his assistance. But by his discomfiture, Bonaparte seemed to be hermetically sealed within the realm of France, menaced as it was by hostile armies on every side, unless by some rapid movement into the enemy's territory at a vulnerable point, he might remove the seat of war to a distance, and thus encourage the ardour of his troops. Excited by hopes of this description, he selected Belgium as the object of his first attack. He trusted that he would be enabled to defeat the armies of England and Prussia in detail before they could be properly concentrated, and that one splendid victory would be sufficient to make the French nation rise en masse, excite the Belgians, his late subjects to revolt, and enable him to hold such an imposing attitude towards the Allies as would endanger the very elements of the Coalition.

Carnot about this this time made a report of the means which France possessed to resist the formidable invasion which now menaced every part of the French frontier. The army, which during the

Bourbon government had been reduced to 175,000 men, was, since the 20th of March, increased to 375,000 combatants, and before the 1st of August, it would amount to 500,000, independent of the national guards, which consisted of a million of armed men. The loss of the 12,000 pieces of cannon by the delivering up of all the strong places, had been supplied; the arsenals, powder-magazines and armouries, were in full activity, and 600,000 musquets remained in store, after arming the national guards and federates. From this immense military force, a Grand Army of 150,000 men was selected to serve under the immediate command of Napoleon, and in this were included 25,000 of the Imperial Guards, and the most devoted regiments of cavalry and infantry. Strong entrenchments were constructed in the mountains of the Vosges; the passes and strong holds of Lorraine were put in the best possible state of defence; the fine military position under the walls of Lyons was much improved; redoubts were erected between the Saone and the Rhone; and all the towns capable of any defence, were strengthened with palisades, redoubts, and field-works. Experienced and devoted generals were selected for the most important commands. Marshal Soult was named Major General of the Grand Army; Ney was ordered to Lisle; Vandamme, Drouet, D'Erlon, Reille, Gerard, and Mouton-deLobau, acted as Lieutenant-Generals; Grouchy,

VOL. XI.

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CHAP. XLV.

now elevated to the rank of Marshal, had the command of the cavalry, with Pajol, Excellman, Milhaud, and Kellerman under him. Suchet was entrusted with the command on the frontiers of Switzerland, while Massena assumed the government of the important fortress of Metz. Marshal Macdonald was strongly solicited to accept an appointment under the new government, but he declined it with disdain.

CHAPTER XLVI.

The Allied Armies prepare to enter France.-Movements of the Austrian and Russian Troops.-Marshal Blucher commands the Prussian Army on the Lower Rhine.-Particular Enumeration of the Army of the Netherlands under the Duke of Wellington. -Amount of the French Forces on the frontiers of Flanders. -Napoleon joins his Army. He issues an animating Address to his Soldiers.-Sudden Advance of the French into Flanders. -Prussian Advanced-Guard driven back.- Capture of Charleroi. Ney advances with the Left Wing towards Quatre Bras, on the Brussels Road.-Napoleon pursues the Prussians to Fleurus.-Alarm at Brussels.-The British Troops advance to Quatre Bras.-Napoleon's Plan for attacking the Allied Armies on the 16th of June.-Sanguinary Battle of Ligny. Critical Escape of Marshal Blucher from Death or Captivity. He is compelled to retire on Wavre, after the most heroic Exertions.-Ney attacks a part of the British Army at Quatre Bras.-Furious Charges of the French Cuirassiers and Lancers.-Heroism of the British and Brunswickers.-The 1st Royals.-42d and 92d Highlanders.-Death of Sir Robert Macara and Col. Cameron.-Singular Contest for the Wood of Bossu.-The French are driven from the Wood by the British Foot-Guards.-Death of Colonels Miller and Thomas.-Prince of Orange taken prisoner, but rescued by a Belgian Corps.Death of the Duke of Brunswick.—Marshal Ney marches in person against Sir James Kempt's Brigade.-Gallant Resistance of the 28th Regiment.-Sir Thomas Picton advances against the Enemy, and puts them to flight.-Loss of both Armies.-The French publish gasconading accounts of the Battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras.-Napoleon advances to attack the Duke of Wellington.-Marshal Grouchy is left to watch the movements of the Prussians.-Retreat of the British.-Exultation of the French.-Napoleon pursues the retreating Army.-