1827,] Note* for the Month. <J9 



went was first talked of, that the idea of a " battle" was allegorical a 

 metaphor intended to typify the havock and destruction that (on the anni- 

 versary day of Waterloo, the 18th of June) was expected to be made in 

 the " Royal Gardens," by the company at supper. The " carnage" 

 being supposed to point to the hosts of fowls, ducks, and pigeons (not to 

 speak of tongues, lobsters, and legs of lamb) that would be devoured ; 

 and the ' firing" to be really nothing more than the continued feu de 

 joi e p p"__>< pop" produced by the incessant opening of soda-water 

 and ginger-beer bottles. The clashing of two thousand pairs of knives 

 and forks, it was imagined, would aptly enough represent especially 

 when eked out by the jingling of spoons the give and take music atten- 

 dant on a " charge of sabres or with bayonets;" and the too clamorous 

 guests marched oii^ from time to time, to the watch-house, would act the 

 part, to the life, of " prisoners taken on the occasion." All this suspicion of 

 " allegory," however, was matter of mistake. When the night " big 

 with the fate" of Mr. Gye, the member of parliament, and his friends 

 arrived, it was found to be the REAL battle at the expense of, Heaven 

 knows how many pounds of gunpowder fired off that was to be per- 

 formed ; and perhaps, as we are rather pressed for room, we can hardly 

 convey, to those of our readers if there be any such who have not 

 visited the " gardens," a more just impression of the interest of the scene, 

 than by presenting them with some passages of the " bill" premising 

 that all the expectations which that document holds out may be taken to 

 be realized to the uttermost. 



The " entertainments commence," exactly at nine o'clock, with a 

 comic opera called Actors al Fresco ; after which the " BATTLE OF WA- 

 TERLOO takes place" in front of the " fire-work tower;" the "shrubs, 

 &c." having been te removed and cleared away for that purpose." The 

 scene forms " an exact representation of the field of Waterloo," (which 

 the gardens of Vauxhall are demonstrated to possess incomparable advan- 

 tages for realizing) vis. " La Belle Alliance on the right of the centre 

 of the British line :" " in the rear of their left, a small wood," &c. : 

 " all erected in the same relative situations as on the plains of Waterloo." 

 The battle then commences by " Buonaparte ordering the troops on the 

 left to attack the wood and chateau of Hougomont !" The assault (of 

 course) is " most furious and sanguinary," The walls of the gardens of 

 Hougomont are " loop-holed by the British troops," and every means 

 of defence adopted!" During the struggle, an interesting scene occurs. 

 The " French cavalry'' make a " desperate rush, to surround the Duke 

 of Wellington .'" fortunately, they are " prevented by a quick movement 

 of our troops" who form a diamond square, " which encompasses him, 

 and baffles all their attempts." At this moment the fight having lasted 

 full seven minutes victory begins to declare for the allies; as " the 

 French line" is *' making a quick movement through the wood" from 

 "the right of the hill, the Prussian flag is suddenly seen waving!" 

 the troops of Bulow "cover the British:" and "their united forces" 

 (with incredible celerity) begin to put the French to the route !" The 

 consequences of a single waver are such as might be expected. A 

 " general attack of cavalry and infantry is made !" The enemy is forced 

 to retreat in disorder ! " And the whole becomes a complete scene of 

 havoc and slaughter; during which various accidents occur in parti- 

 cular that of an ammunition waggon blowing up ! which is drawn over 



