634 
evor, performed | miracles,* they broke 
all the English lines,''cayalry and’ int- 
fantry, ‘and’ took’ sixty guns) and 
several stand of colours. The enemy 
thought the battle lost: terror prevailed 
at Brussels. 
“This braye body of horse, not being 
supported, were compelled to halt, and 
confine themselvés to maintaitiug the 
ground they Lad so intrepidly won. Ge- 
neral Bulow’s attack occupied the sixth 
corps, and the greater part of the infantry 
of the guard. The Emperor was im- 
patient to see it at his disposal, in order 
to direct it to the plain to decide the 
viclory. He then felt doubly the want 
of the division of ‘infantry of his guard 
which he had been obliged to detach 
into La Vendée, under the command of 
the intrepid General Brayer. Only four 
battalions were disposable, and yet it 
was of importance that the twelve bat- 
talions of the guard should engage at 
the same time. ‘The unexpected ap- 
iearance’ of Blucher’s first colunins on 
the extreme right, made the cavalry fall 
back, and obliged the Emperor to send 
Géneral Friant to the plain, at the head 
of the four disposable battalions; the 
fottr ‘buttalions followed at an interyal 
of-ten minutes. The guard overthrew 
all it met with. The sun had set. The 
enemy appeared to be forming his rear- 
euard to support his retreat. Victory 
eseaped us. The fourth division of the 
fitst corps, which occupied La Haye, 
aliandoned that village to the Prussians 
after a feeble resistance. Our line was 
broken. ‘The Prussian cavalry inun- 
dated the field of battle. The disorder 
became frightful. The night angmented 
it, and opposed eyery expedient. Had 
it heen day, and the froops could have 
scen the Emperor, they would have ral- 
lidd. The guard effected its retreat in 
good order. The Emperor, with his 
stiff, Jong remained in ilie midst of his 
squares. ‘Those old grenadiers and chas- 
scurs, who had been the modcts of the 
aimy in so many campaigns, covered 
themselves with new glory in the fields 
of Waterlob. Gencral Friant was wound- 
ed; Michael Duhesme and Poret de 
Morvan met a glorious death. Never 
bad the French army fought better than 
on this day: it performed prodigies of 
valour. Had not the first’ and second 
Prussian corps come up, at night, we 
should. have gained the victory, and 
120,000 English and Prussians would 
have been defeated by 60,000 French. 
"LEGION OF HONOUR. 
No comedian ever received the deco- 
4, 
Napoleon’s History of France, 
Fation of the Legion ‘of Honour.’ Ave 
Gretry, Paésicllo; Mehul, and ‘Lesucur, 
our ‘most eclebrated composers, to be 
compared to’singers? Must the proserip- 
tion be extended to David, Gros, Vernet, 
Renaui, and Robert Lefebre, ‘our most 
eminent painters; and even'to Lierange, 
La Place, Berthollet, Monge; Vauquetin, 
Chaptal, Guyton de Morveau,' Jouy, 
Baour’ Lormian, Fontanes, Sisiionui, 
andGuinguené? The French soldier must 
entertain sentiments highly uniworthy’ of 
him before’ a decoration worn by'such 
men cap, on that account, Jose’ any'part 
of its value in his eyes.’ If the Legion 
of Honour were not the recompense! of 
civil as well as military services, 1t would 
cease 10 be the Legion’ of ‘Honour.’ It 
would be a strange piece of presumption 
indeed, in the military, to” pretend! that 
honours should be paid to ‘them only. 
Soldicrs who knew not how to .read/or 
wrile, were proud of bearing, in recom: 
pense for the blood they liad shed, the 
same decoration as was  giveh to dis+ 
tinguished talents in civil life ;/and, ‘on 
the other hand, the latter attached.a 
greater value to this reward of theirla- 
bours, because it was the decdration of 
the brave.— But then, Crescentini?-It 
is true that, in a moment OF erithasiasm, 
just after hearing the fine scenes of Ro- 
meo and Julict, the Emperor gavechim 
the cross of the iron crown., Crescentini, 
however, was of good birth; he petongee 
to the worthy citizens of Bologna, a city 
so dear to Napoleon’s heart, He thought 
it would please the Italians; he was 
mistaken ; ridicule attacked the transae- 
tion; had it been approved by public 
opiuion, he would have given the ¢rogs 
of the Legion of Honour to Talma, 
Saint-Prix, Fleury, Grandmenil, Lais, 
Gardcl, and Elleviou: he refrained {rors 
so doing, out of consideration for the 
weakness and prejudices af the age; 
and he was in the wrong. The Legic 
of Honour was the property of every ote 
who was an honour to his country, stood 
at the head of his profession, and contri- 
buted to the national prosperity ‘and 
glory. Some officers were’ dissatisfied 
because the decoration of the Léevion of 
Honour wasalike foroffieers and soldiers. 
But, if ever it cease to be theireeqmpecnse 
of the Jowest class of the: military; anda 
medal be instituted; through aristodrati- 
cal feelings, to: reward the soldier orif 
ever the civil order be deprived of vit, 
it wiil be ‘the’ Legion: of >Honéur no 
longer. sake oc oot 
RUSSIA. rd Gt els 
Napoleon wished to restore the king- 
dom 
— 
