The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-11-06

way--go To New-England.-I London
Ncm Monthly Mdgd2mc.
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From the Utica Sentinel
Letters frOm P,ussid.-One, wholly
unacquained with the military art, can
only wonder, when he views the i'm
mensc Notifications of Magdebure, al the
height of the walls, the depth of the ditch
es, and the strength of the towers and
bastlon, and sigh at the thought that hui
man ambition, and vice, and folly, should
render such works necessary. He can
not regard them with the eye ofthe mil
ltary engineer, who sees with scientific
rapture, the order and connection of the
various parts, and finds them full ofreg-
ularty and beauty. the side to-
wards the Elbe, is simply a high wall,
the city being here sufficiently defended
by the river, and by a strong citadel on
the opposite side, nearly opposite the
centre of the town. On this part Of the
rampant, which is the east side of the
town, is a wall commanding fine view
of the Elbe and of the country on the on
posite bank of the river. On the south
side are several lines ofditches and walls,
with various intcrSGctions) each rising
above the other to the principal wall
next the town, which is perpendicular, of
a height not less than 50 feet, connected
with which are a number OF towers and
bastlons. Entrance to the city is under
arches of stone or brick, which pass
through the wall, though in winding di-
rcctlon, and show It's immense thickness
and strength.-CannonS are planted
here and there, and balls and bombs pill
cd up in different places, as if in prepare
ton for no distant combat. Access to
the works on the north side is not allow
ed, for what reason am unable to discoy-
er; probable as being the weakest point,
and, consequently, giving the least adj
vantageouS idea Of the strength of the
place.
Atevery turn you meet a soldier, the
Government having here a force OF "a
bout 5000 men, equal to at least one-hali
OF the whole male population ofthe place.
They are generally well built, strong,
fine looking men, and the Prussian SOL
diery is, undoubtedly, among the best i'll
Europe. The uniform, of grey under
dress, with blue coats, faced with red has
IA martial aspect, the effect ofwhichis fur
Their aided bymustachios. The govern
ment furnishes them with clothes, ra-
ton of bread, and sixpence day, which
must suffice for all other expenses. Pnls-
STA depends on her military alone for po-
litical influence, but whether il is wise
To cripple the energies of the country,
by keeping up an immense force, may
well be doubted. 1t may be SAID, it is
true, that ii is not to provide for the un-
certain cOntlngence of war, but to give
weight to present negotiations. But |
can with difficulty believe ii to be a bad
political calculation to trust for security
to the increased prosperity, and conse-
quenlly increased strength, Of the coun-
try, which could not but be the result of
removing one-half or two-thirds of the
burden of its military establishments,
still leaving sufficient to provide for any
emergency, and giving time to call in
10 action, with effect, its whole dispo-
sable physical force. England has
been called the national ally Of Prussia,
and il is probably presumed, that in the
event of war with either of the other
great powers, its 'sincws' would be
furnished by the former.--But this is
rather degrading dependence, which
might be avoided by giving increased
activity to the springs of wealth.
There is nothing in Magdcbura which
excitcs "A livclicr interest than its celc-
DRAFTED prison. Who has not read the
story of Trenck, and sympathised with
the sullerings OF Lafayette! This dun
geon (for il can be called by no other
name) is situated without the walls Of
the city, and its appearance supports its
character, of being one of the strongest
prisons in Europe. Ii is entirely under
ground, and from the exterior, nothing
is visible but a stone gate, on which are
some rudely carved figures, represents
ing guards. Even this is within an out
ter wall and ditch, and the passage to
il is over a bridge, which would, in case
the prison were in use, be formed into
aw-bridge. The entrance TO this gate
is through another al n litle distance,
where the descent begins, for all the
works are entirely below the surface
of the ground. My guide and myself
clne 10 this outer gate, which was LOCK-