The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-08-28
FIELD OF WATERLOO.
BY WASHISGTuN IRVING.

have spoken heretofore with some lc-
witty Of the contrast that exists between
the English and French character, ut it
deserves more serious consideration
They are the two great nations OF modern
times most d ametrically opposed, and
most worthy of each others rivalry; cs-
s,nlially distinct in their characters, X
ceiling in opposite qualities, and reflect
ing lustre on each other by their very op-
position. In nothing is this contrast more
srkingly ovinced than in their military
conduct. For ages have they been con-
tfndng, and for ages have they crowded
ca h others history with acts OF splendid
heroism. Take the Battle of Waterloo,
Tor instance, the last and most memorable
trial Of their rival prowess. Nothing
could surpass the brilliant daring OH the
one side, and the stca!fast enduring on the
other. The French cavalry broke like
waves on the compact squares OF English
infantry. They were seen sa1loping
round those serried walls of men, seek
ing in vain for an entrance: tossing their
arms in the air, in the heat of their cnthu-
slasm, and Drawing the whole front of bat
tie. The British troops, OH the other
hand, forbidden to move or fire, stood
firm and enduring, The columns were
ripped up by cannonry; whole rows
were swept down at a shot; the survivors
closed their ranks, and stood firm. In this
way many columns stood through the
pelllng OF the iron tempest without firing
shot, without any action to st thei.
blood, or excite their spirit. Death thin'd
their ranks, but could not shake their
souls.
A beautiful instance Of the quick and
generous impulses TO which the French
are prone, is given in the case of French
cavalier, in the hottest of the action, char
gng furlously upon a British officer, but
percelvlng in the moment of assault that
his adversary had lost his sword-arm,
dropping the point Of his sabre, and cour-
teously riding on. Peace be with that
generous warrior; whatever were h fate.
If he went down in the storm Of battle
with the laundering fortunes of his chief
tam, may the turf of Waterloo grow green
above his grave! and happier far would be
the late OF such spirit, TO sink amidst the
tempest, unconscious Of defeat; than to
survive, and mourn over the bl:ghtcd lau-
rels Of his country.
In this way the two armies fought
long and bloody day. The French with
enthusiastic valor, the English with cool,
lnileXlble COURAGE, until Fate, as if to
leave the question of superiority still un-
decided between two such adversares,
brought up the Prussians to decide the
fortunes Of the field.
1t was several years alterward, that |
vlslter the field OF Waterloo The plough
share has been busy with its oblivious
Iabors, and the frequent harvest had nearly
obllterated The veslgcs of war. Still the
blackened ruins Of Hoguemont stood,
monumental pile, TO mark the violence of
this vehement struggle. Its broken walls,
pierced by bullets, and shattered by explo-
slon>, showed the deadly strife that had
taken place within; when Gaul and Britain
hemmed in between narrow walls, hand
to hand, foot to foot, fought from garden
to courtyard, from court yard to chamber
with intense and concentrated rivalship.-
Columns of smoke turned from this vor-
tex OF battle as from volcano: lit was,'
said my guide, like little hell on earth
Not far off, two or three board spots Of
rank, un"holesome green still marked the
place where these rival warriors, after the
fierce and filful struggle, slept quietly to-
gether in the lap af their common mother
earth. Over all the rest of the field, peace
had resumed its sway. The thoughless
whistle of the peasant lloated on the air,
instead of the trumpet's clamor: the team
slowly labored up the hillside, once sha-
ken by the hoois Of rushing squadrons,
and wide fields of corn waved peacefully
over the soldiers graves, as summer seas
dimple over the place where many tall
ship lies buried.