not in a very orderly way, from Gera; some of whom had geese, or other poultry in their hands, for which it was more than probable they had not paid.

We very soon found, that the kindness of our friend, the chasseur, in providing us with a protector, was by no means a superfluous precaution. Many of the soldiers whom we met, no sooner saw the countryman, who was conducting our baggage on the wheelbarrow, than they exclaimed, "A qui ces coffres? qu'on les ouvre tout suite." On these occasions, our chasseur interposed and said, "Non non! camarade, ces coffres sont à moi; ils sont du moins sous ma protection +." This answer generally elicited some indication of discontent; such as, "Pardi! camarade, tu es fort heureux. Je parie qu'il y des tresors dedans ‡." A very unfounded conjecture, and which only arose from the circumstance of their not being given up to be plundered. The chasseur not only protected our property, but seemed by no means unwilling that we should add to it; for he begged that we would help ourselves to any articles in the baggagewaggons, which might strike our fancy. The countryman took him at his word, and enriched his wheelbarrow with several articles of linen; but I contented myself with taking a brass button out of a small box, which was lying on the ground, and which I long preserved as a memorial of the day's adventure.

Having informed the chasseur, that I was an Englishman, he conversed with me very freely; and I perceived, that many of his comrades, who had at first passed by without accosting us, when they heard from him that I was an Englishman, turned back, saluted me courteously, and seemed pleased at being able to talk with me: "Ah! Monsieur est Anglois, à ce que j'apprens. Pour moi, j'aime les Anglois. Après tout, Monsieur, il n'y a que deux nations; la notre, et vous autres Anglois. A ça, Monsieur, ne trouvez-vous pas qu'il faut que le Roi de Prusse soit bien fou pour oser nous declarer la guerre ? Il auroit du être bien content que l'Empereur le laissât regner dans son Berlin. Mais n'importe : C'est tant mieux pour nous. Combien y a-t-il d'ici à Berlin, Monsieur? Croyez-moi, Monsieur, nous y serons avant qu'il soit peu §." I had sometimes half a

To whom do these boxes belong? Let them be opened immediately. + No, comrade; these boxes belong to me, at least they are under my protection.

Ha! comrade, you are a lucky fellow. I would lay any wager they contain a treasure.

You are an Englishman, Sir, from what I learn. I like the English. After all, Sir, there are but two nations in the world; the French and you

dozen of these personages conversing with me at once; and when one left me, his place was soon supplied by another.

In several places, a board had been put up, on which was inscribed, in French and German,-" Fürstl! Reussisch neutrales territorium."-" Pays neutre, appartenant au Prince de Reuss *." And I remember two or three French soldiers, who had for some time been staring at this inscription, turned round to me, and said, "Monsieur, qu'est ce que cela veut dire? Je croyois que nous étions en Allemagne, et voilà que tout d'un coup nous nous trouvons en Russie +." I endeavoured to explain to my querist, that he was not in the dominions of the Emperor of Russia, but in those of a much less powerful potentate, the Prince of Reuss. "Le Prince de Reuss! Ma foi, c'est la premier fois que j'entends parler de ce Prince la. Ab, ha! je sais ce que vous voulez dire, Monsieur; c'est un de ces petits princillons, qu'on trouve partout en Allemagne, et sur lesquels l'Empereur d'Allemagne n'a aucun pouvoir! Pardi, nous n'avons point de tels gens chez nous. L'Empereur y mettroit bientôt ordre, Allez. Il n'y rien de tel chez vous non plus, Monsieur; n'est ce pas ? Ah, je le crois bien; vous êtes trop sages pour cela, vous autres Anglois ."

I have thought it right to detail these short but authentic specimens of the numerous dialogues in which I bore a part before we reached Gera. Most of the soldiers, who conversed with me, paid many compliments to the English, and seemed to draw a marked distinction between them and every other nation. It is difficult to say, whether their enthusiastic attachment to their leader, their contemptuous detestation of the Prussians, or their confidence as to the

English. Don't you think, Sir, that the King of Prussia must have lost his senses to dare to declare war? He might have been satisfied that the Emperor should let him reign in his city of Berlin. But it does not signify; it is all the better for us. How far is it from this to Berlin? Depend upon it, Sir, we shall be there before long.

• This is neuter country, belonging to the Prince of Reuss.

Sir, What is the meaning of that? I thought we were in Germany, and all of a sudden we find ourselves in Russia.

The Prince of Reuss! Faith, that is the first time I ever heard of such a prince. Ah, ha! I know what you would be at. You mean one of those petty princes who are to be met with all over Germany, and over whom the Emperor of Germany has no power. Faith, we have no such people. The Emperor would soon say to them, "Begone!" There are no such people in your country either. Is it not so? I don't doubt it. You English have too

much sense for that.

successful result of the campaign, were most predominant. I was led to infer, from the general tone of their remarks, that they thought it would be as easy to advance to Berlin, as to return to Paris.

When we arrived near Gera, our chasseur gave each of us a tolerably broad hint, that he expected some indemnity for having quitted his corps, in order to protect us and our baggage. He seemed tolerably satisfied with a Frederick d'or, which was given to him by each of us; and when we parted, I added some silver, which I believe induced him to see our baggage deposited safely at the principal inn. We ourselves were conducted to the house, at which the Grand Duke of Berg had his head-quarters; and after ascending the staircase, found ourselves in a kind of antichamber, in which there were a number of French officers in various uniforms. Mr Regel was first ushered into the Grand Duke's apartment; and, as soon as he quitted it, I was introduced.

It was not without feelings of anxiety that I found myself in the presence of this distinguished personage. I found him standing near a table, on which there was spread a very large map of Germany. Small wooden pegs, thrust through circular pieces of cork, (at least so they seemed to me), were inserted into the names of various places on the map, whilst others were lying loose upon it for the same purpose. I should be very ungrateful if I ever forgot the kind, frank, and prepossessing manner in which his Highness received me. He was dressed in a kind of red velvet habit, bordered with gold; and as soon as I contemplated his open and expressive countenance, I felt relieved from all embarrassment. After bowing slightly, he begged that I would advance, and told me I had nothing to fear; that he should merely put some questions to me, which he requested I would answer as correctly as possible. These interrogatories so much resembled those which afterwards were put by Napoleon, that it would be superfluous to state them in detail; but I recollect that he seemed very anxious to know where Marshal Möllendorf was.

Having ascertained the very few particulars, which I was enabled to state, in regard to the numbers, position, and rumoured intentions of the Prussian army, he concluded by assuring me, that he had no doubt of the correctness of what I had stated; that he believed I was the person whom I had represented myself to be; and that he was therefore the more sorry, that it was out of his power to supply me with passports for proceeding on my journey, but that he was willing to do me the only service he could, by sending me to Auma, to be examined by his Majesty the Emperor and King, who, he had no doubt, on hearing my story, would do me that favour, which, had it

been in his own power, he would himself most willingly have grant

ed.

It is impossible to describe how much I felt astonished at this declaration, and how much I was confounded by the unexpected prospect of being thus brought into the presence of the greatest man of the age. Before I had recovered myself, the Grand Duke had rung the bell, and given some orders to his servant; in consequence of which, an officer in (I think) a green uniform entered the room. "Count," said the Grand Duke, "this is a young English gentleman, who has been stopped at the advanced posts." The officer immediately addressed me in English; and, after putting two or three unimportant questions, turned round to the Grand Duke, and said, "Yes, I see he is evidently an Englishman." "Well, Count," said Murat, << as you are going to Auma at any rate, you will be so good as to take this gentleman and his travelling companion with you in the carriage, and cause them to be examined by his Majesty the Emperor and King; telling him, at the same time, that they have already been examined by me, and that nothing occurred, which induced me to form any surmise to their prejudice." He then nodded to me very graciously; and, after bowing profoundly, I left the apartment, accompanied by the officer, and remained in the antichamber, whilst he went to inquire about the carriage and horses.

I soon learned that this gentleman was Count Frohberg, (or Mountjoy), grand veneur to the King of Bavaria, who stood very high in the confidence and good graces both of his own Sovereign and of Napoleon.

Whilst waiting for his return, I saw the Grand Duke pass through the antichamber, clad in a sumptuous uniform, with many stars, and leading to a repast a Lady, who, I was informed, was a Princess of Reuss. He stopped for a few minutes, and spoke to a Prussian officer, who had been taken prisoner, I believe, at the battle of Saalfield. I was not able to hear very distinctly what passed; but I understood him to be taxing the Prussians with temerity, in having attacked a French corps with a very inferior number; adding, that although the Prussians might not love the French, they at least ought to esteem them. After this short conversation, the Grand Duke made a slight inclination of the head, and followed the Princess into the other apartment.

Count Frohberg soon afterwards returned, and informed us, that the carriage was ready. We immediately got into it, and set out for

Auma.

I found my new companion very kind-hearted and intelligent, a little sanguine and hasty in his temper, but evidently most suscepti

ble of gratitude and friendship. His countenance was pale, but animated. Our conversation was chiefly carried on in English; and he inquired with much eagerness after his British friends *. Before we had been many minutes in the carriage, he asked me whether I was acquainted with Lady Louisa Manners, (the present Countess of Dysart), accompanying his inquiry with a cordial encomium. I was unable at that time, (though now more fortunate,) to answer that question in the affirmative; but asked the Count in return, whether he knew her Ladyship's son-in-law, my intimate and excellent friend, Colonel Duff, (now Earl of Fife.) As soon as I mentioned, that I was a friend of Colonel Duff's, he shook me by the hand with the greatest warmth; and our common regard for my distinguished countryman, (a regard in which all who know him so largely sympathize), not only created a link of attachment between us, but mainly tended to render his exertions in my behalf more cordial and more unremitting.

We met, in the dark, a long row of waggons and artillery, at a narrow part of the road, where two carriages could not well pass abreast; and our carriage was obliged to draw up in a field, until these waggons and other conveyances had proceeded. It was in vain that my friend, the Count, dismounted angrily from the carriage, and authoritatively desired the drivers to draw up on one side, and allow our carriage to pass, telling them who he was, where he was going, and that he was expected to sup with the Emperor. They coolly laughed at all his earnestness; and one of them told him, that he was afraid his supper would be very cold before he got to his journey's end.

The Count did not recover his good humour, until some time after we had quitted the scene of our detention. The spectacle around us was most interesting. A number of fires were kindled in various directions, around which we perceived the French soldiers singing, shouting, sleeping, or cooking their victuals.

The Count was remarkably communicative; but without attempting to detail many interesting facts which he narrated, I cannot avoid recording one speech of his, which remained deeply impressed upon my mind.

I mentioned, that I had left the Prussian army in as high spirits, and as confident of victory, as the French; and that I therefore

I had the satisfaction of being presented to his amiable widow, when at Munich, in 1816. The Countess informed me, that her husband had alluded to this adventure, and expressed much kindness towards me; and she was so obliging as to present to me a ring, which had belonged to him.