SIR ROBERT THOJMAS WILSON 141 



the other passengers, at the house on the road where we 

 daily stopped for refreshment. 



Uj)on one occasion, I remember, he had with him a 

 companion who had distinguished himself both in the 

 fiekl and in the senate. He had long been the Radical 

 Member for the Borough of Southwark ; and from his 

 brave and active qualities as a General, Buonaparte — in 

 one of his bulletins — had designated him as a brigand — a 

 sure proof of some signal cause he had given to call forth 

 that great chiefs notice. 



After doing especial service in raising, forming, and 

 commanding the Lusitanian Legion, he was attached to 

 the Emperor Alexander's staff in the Russian campaign, 

 and with that potentate entered Paris in LSI 4. But 

 the military career of this gallant and enterprising officer 

 is too well known, as well as his participation in effecting 

 the escape of the condemned Lavalette from his dungeon 

 in the Conciergerie, for me to descant upon. 



At the time I speak of he was under a cloud — if the 

 displeasure of his sovereign, who had exercised his 

 prerogative by erasing his name from the Army List, for 

 the part he had taken in the funeral of Queen Caroline, 

 deserve that appellation. 



If there were one man more than another who, by his 

 exploits during the war, both in the Peninsula and on the 

 Continent of Europe, had most delighted me, and in 

 whose treatment I felt the deepest sympathy, which I 

 believe was common to the whole nation, it was this 

 chivalrous and high-minded gentleman. It was there- 

 fore with no little gratification I took his proffered hand, 

 and received his marked attention at the dinner-table. 



