The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-07
Sketches of Travel.
LETTER NUMBER XVI.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1S66.-Bruseels Is Inc Capl-
tal of Belgium, and is N the centre of the most
highly cultivated country in Europe. 1t has
thriving population of 1SO 600. Brussels is one OF
the finest cities on the Continent; the houses are
substantially built Of stone; the broad, clean
streets in the upper part OF the city are masnlh-
cent. The grand Park is the admiration of every
traveller is laid out into kind of public gar
den intersected by beautiful walks, bordered with
trees and or,lamented with handsome statues Of
white marble, and filed with numerous fountains,
which arc quite refreshing of q hot summer day.
Brussels is celebrated for it's worldrenowned car
pets, and manufactures of tapestry and lace.
Several thousand female operatives are employ ed
in the manufacture Of lace-the most OF this deli
cate work is done by the needle which is very try
ing to tho Dyes. In public square is the old
Spanish palaces, with gorgeous tropical adorn-
raents and gobelin tapestry. These palaces were
occupied by the Spanish Governors, when Belgium
was under Spanish rule. The museum in tho halls
of the palace contains some tine pictures statues,
etc. The Museum Of Natural History IL quite
interesting and very complete.
AN hours ride in an open carriage from Brus-
sells and find myself at Waterloo, celebrated as
the scene of the great battle OF 18th June, 1875
which completed the downfall Of Napoleon. An
uncomfortable ambition took possession OF Napo-
Icon in his youthful military career. It would
seem he had won for himself and his empire q
name and reputation that would have satisfied an
Alexander or Cesar, but not so. Joseph ne-who
had ever been his guardian angel, and to whom it
is said he was devotedly attached-failed to fur
nish him With an heir for his mighty empire. In
m evil hour Napoleon permitted ambition to over
ride love, humanity and justice. The true anu
faithful Josephine was abandoned, and Napoleon
demanded in marriage che hand OF Maria Louisa,
a young Austrian girl, not out Of hor teens, who
was the daughter Of Emperor Francis, of Austria.
This unwarrantable conduct OF Napoleon found no
favor, not even in the eyes Of tho French nation;
they felt that the warm-hearted Josephine was
cruelty wrongcd by one who had sworn to be her
protector and that the French had gained nothing
by the alliance with tho proud race Of Hapsburg.
From tho date of Napoleons desertion OF Joseph
inc, Fate turned against him. New that he was
allied by marriage with the strong powor
He decided to make war upon the pow
erful empire of Russia.
In the summer of 1872 Napoleon placed himself
ut the head Of the finest army ever raised in Franco
sunny vine-clad hills of France, destined for the
City of Moscow. Many of his wisest military coun-
sellors warned him against an attempt to invade
the ancient Capital of ltussia in the winter months
walls of Moscow" Fatal delusion This immense
army vas to be marched twenty-five hundred miles,
one thousand OF which was through the barron
plains of Russia. This sandy desert furnishes food
for neither man nor beast In the month OF Sop
tember terrible battle WAS fought. The French
gained partial victory at the cost Of 1000 men.
The Russians lost so 900. The Russians retired in
good order, pursued by the victorious and conf
dent French. The Russian commander decided not
to hazard his army in the defonce of Moscow He
well knew the French were advancing to their own
destruction, as the rgOrs OF Russian wlntcr was
near ut hand, and the inpossibihty of tho enemy
subsisting such On army in the heart OF hostile
country. Moscow was at that tmo one OF the
richest and largest cities in Europe. being twenty
miles in circumference. It was in the autumn Of
1912 that Napoleon entered the ancient City OF the
Czars. "Moscow Moscow!" shouted the eXcitcd
and;exultant soldiers. They vainly thought their
tsufferings were at an end, as they quarterod
themselves in the gorgeous palaces, splendidly
furnished with everything requisite to mako
weary soldier comfortable. Napoleon and staff
established themselves in the palace of the Krem-
lin, which was the imperial seat of the ancient
Russian Monarchs. When the Emperor discovered
had forebodings of evil Soldiers were stationed III
an portions of tho city to guard against fire or
sudden surprise. The Emperor Alexander had
turned loose Is 600 desperadoes from the prisons,
did metropolis into internal machine, for the
destruction Of the invading army. Immense maga-
zines Of powder, shells, and other destructive
engines OF war, were placed under the palace
occupied by Napoleon, and scattered beneath the
houses which were crowded with the French sol
diers. The water pipes were cut, fountains and
fre engines destroyed; nothing was left undonc to
render tho destruction of the city complete; even
the elements came to the aid OF the demons in
their work of desolation for about night an equi-
noctial gale swept over the city,. protracted
drought had prepared the wooden houses for the
torch. At midnight Napoleon threw himself, en-
hausted, on his bed, but he was i'll at ease; his
conscience was torturing him; he had deeply
wronged the bosom companion OF his youth; tho
cry of fire" resomded through the streets the
Heavens were Illuminated by the volumes of
liames as they burst forth in various sections of
the city.
Tremendous explosions OF shells and magazines
of powder shook tho doomed city like an earth
quake. The Imperial Guard of 10000 were
ordered out. These bravo soldiers, who were
never known to falter, could not stand before the
onctcd, and threw the inceudiaries into the buri-
ing lake Of fire, but it did not stop them in their
work of desolaton. Thousands of nlun, women
and children wero buried beneath tho falling
houses and timbers tEat had been hurled into the
air. Napoleon found tho palace in which he was
uuartcrcd surrounded by 1iameS and came near
being swallowed in tho roaring seR OF fire.. Such
IN event would have saved him years OF pain and
anguish. Perhaps his life was spared, that he
might have time to repent in SORROW of his cruel
treatment of Josephine. The fire kiudled by tho
lends in all portions Of the city, was swept tor
three days by terrible gale, until Moscow, twenty
ruins. The burning of Moscow saved the RUSSIAN
Empire, and banisliud Napoleon to the Island OF
Elb0.
During the Russian campaign the French lost
$50, 200 bravo soldiers. Nearly one-half persisted
rom cold, hunger and fatigue in their disastrous
'etreat aftor the destruction of Moscow. The loss
If the Russians, including those who pcrishcd for
he want Of food and shelter, was greater than
hat of the French. Seven hundred thousand lives