men they had never seen before, without preface or apology, with eager questions. Strangers conversed together like friends-every body addressed each other without hesitation, and English reserve seened no longer to exist. It is impossible to imagine the strong overpowering anxiety of being so near such eventful scenes, without being able to learn what is really passing. To know that within a few miles such an awful contest is deciding to hear even the distant voice of war-to think that in the roar of every cannon, your brave countrymen are falling, bleeding, and dying-to dream that your friends, even those dearest to you, may be the victims to endure the long and protracted suspense -the constant agitation--the fluctuating hopes, and doubts, and fears-no-none but those who have felt what it is, can conceive or understand it. For three days, this state of suspense had lasted. Continual vague and contradictory reports, and rumours of evil, were brought in, during the whole of Sunday, which only served to increase the general anxiety. At length, between nine and ten in the evening, some wounded officers arrived on horseback from the field, bringing the dreadful news, that the battle was lost! and that Brussels was actually in the possession of the French! This was corroborated by fugitives from Brussels, who affirmed they had seen the French in the town; and one gentleman declared he had been pursued by them, half way to Malines. It was even asserted, that the French had entered Malines: later accounts tended to confirm |