MISCELLANIES. 
the peace of the world, and the 
future security of all Europe, 
may be said to have depended on 
its result. 
“The position occupied by his 
Lordship was very good; but to- 
wards the centre it had various 
weak points, which required good 
troops to guard them, and much 
science and skill on the part of 
the general-in-chief. These qua- 
lifications were, however, to be 
found in abundance in the Bri- 
tish troops and their illustrious 
Commander ; and it may be as- 
serted, without offence to any 
one, that to them both belongs 
the chief part, or all the glory of 
this memorable day. 
“On the right of the position, 
and a little in advance, was a 
country-house, the importance 
of which Lord Wellington quickly 
perceived, because without4it the 
position could not be attacked on 
that side, and it might there 
fore be considered as its key. The 
Duke confided this important 
point to three companies of the 
English. guards. under the com- 
_mand of Lord Saltoun, and Ja- 
boured during the night of the 
17th in fortifying it as. well 
as possible, lining its garden, 
and a wood which served as its 
park, with Nassau troops and 
sharp-shooters. 
“ At half past 10 a movement 
was observed in the enemy’s line, 
and many officers were seen com- 
ing from and going to a particu- 
lar point, where there was a very 
considerable corps of infantry, 
which we afterwards under- 
stood to be the Imperial Guard ; 
here was Buonaparte in person, 
and from this point issued all 
the orders. In the meantime 
555 
the enemy’s masses were form- 
ing, and every thing announc- 
ed the approaching combat, 
which began at half past ele- 
ven, the enemy attacking with 
one of his corps and with his 
usual shouts the country-house 
on the right. , 
“The Nassau troops found 
it necessary to abandon their 
post; but the enemy met such 
resistance’ in the house, that 
though they surrounded it on 
three sides and attacked it most 
desperately, they were compelled 
to desist from their enterprise, 
leaving a great number of killed 
and wounded on the spot. Lord 
Wellington sent fresh English 
troops, who recovered the wood 
and garden, and the combat 
ceased for the present on this 
side. 
«The enemy then opened a 
horrible fire of artillery from more 
than 200 pieces, under cover of 
which Buonaparte made a general 
attack from the centre to the 
right with infantry and cavalry, 
in such numbers that it required — 
all the skill of his lordship to 
post his troops, and all the good 
qualities of the latter to resist the 
attack, 
“General Picton, who was 
with his division on the road from 
Brussels to Charlerci, advanced 
with the bayonet to receive them; 
but was unfortunately killed at 
the moment when the enemy, ap- 
palled by the attitude of this divi- 
sion, fired and then fled. 
«« The English Life Guards then 
charged with the greatest vigour 
and the 49th and 105th French 
regiments lost their eagles in this 
charge, together with from 2 
to 3,000 prisoners. A column 
