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

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 1SGG.-Brusses is the Capt.
tai Of Belgium, and is IN the centre Of the most
highly cultivated country in Europe. It has a
thriving population Of 18O 600. Brussels is one Of
the finest cities on the Continent; the houses arc
substantially built Of. stone; the broad, clean
streets in the upper part Of the city are magnif-
cent. The grand Park is the admiration Of every
trave1er-it Is laid out into kind of public gar
den, intersected by beautiful walks, bordered with
trees, and ornamental with handsome statues of
white marble, and filed with numerous fountains
which arc quite refreshing Of q hot summer day
pets, and manufactures of tapestry and lace.
Several thousand female operatives are employed
In the manufacture OF lace-the most Of this deli
cate work is done by the needle which very try
ing to the eyes. In public square is the old
Spanish palaces, with gorgeous tropical adorn-
ments and g9bein tapestry. These palaces were
was under Spanish rule. The museum in the halls
OF the palace contains some une pictures, statues,
interesting and very complete
An hours ride in an open carriage from Brus-
sells, and find myself at Waterloo, celebrated as
which completed the downfall Of Napoleon. An
uncomfortable ambition took possession Of Napo-
s9m in n bis yeoth saF n;sa It would
name and reputation that would have satisfied an
Alexander or Cesar, but not so: Josephine-who
is said he was deSotedly attached to fur. =.
nlsh him with an heir for his mighty empire. In
an evil hour Napoleon permitted ambition to over
faithful Josephine was abandoned, and NAPOLEON t1
demanded in marriage the hand OF Maria Louisa,
a Young Austrian gil not out Of her teens, who
was the daughter Of Emperor Francis of Austria
This unwarrantnble conduct OF Napoleon found no
favor: not even in the eyes of the French nation;
cruelty wronged by one who had sworn to be her
protector, and that the French had gained nothing
BY the alliance with the proud race Of Hapsburg.
From the date Of Napoeon's desertion Of Joseph
inc, Fate turned against him. Now that he was
allied by marriage With the strong power
He decided to make war up upon - tho s,. Dow
erful empire of Russia.
In the summer Of 1872, Napoleon placed himself
Nearly half million Of men marched ont of the
sunny vine-clad hills Of France, destined for the
City Of Moscow. Many Of his wisest military coun-
the ancient Capital of Russia in the winter months
Peace, he exclaimed, s'awaits us beneath the
walls Of Moscow" Fatal delusion This immense
army was to be marched twenty-five hundred miles,
one thousand Of which was through the barren
plains Of Russia This sandy desert furnishes food
tember terrible battle was fought. The French
gained partial victory at the cost of $4,000 men
The Russians lost SC, COO The Russians retired in
dent French. The Russian commander decided not
to hazard his army in the defence Of Moscow. He
well knew the French we're advancing to, their own
destruction, as the rigors Of Russian winter was
near at hand, and the impossibiLty OF the enemy
subsisting such an army in the heart OF hostile
richest and largest cities in Europe. being twenty M |
miles in circumference. It was In the autumn Of
1872 that Napoleon entered the ancient City Of the
and exnltant soldiers. They vainly thought their
suherings were st an end, as they quartered
themselves il, in the gorgeous palaces, splendidly
solder Snpoeen 70 snd %ass SEA-
sstab s bhshed themseves in the palace Of the Krem
When The EN- az
that the inhabitants had deserted their homes he
mad n, forebodngs Of evil Soldiers were stationed in
ri !G hsd %
turned loose 5000 desperadoes from the prisons.
Who were stenthily preparing to convert the splen
destruction OF the invading army. Immense maga-
zines OF powder, shells, and other destructive
occupied Napoleon ana Scattered tered beneaR 3 aSe
houses Which were crowded with the French SOL
dlers. The water pipes were cut, fountains and
render the destruction Of the city complete: even
the elements came to the aid of the demons in
their work Of desoIatioD, for about night an equ-
nochal gale swept over the city. a protracted
torch. AT midnight Napoleon threw himself, s ex-
hausted, on his bed but he was Ill at ease: his
conscience was torturing him; he had deeply
wronged the bosom companion Of his youth; the
eTy % OF ,1ire" resonnded through the streets, the
hames as they burst forth in various sections Of
the city. N ..7 ~-r' - 49, -
Tremendous explosions Of shells and magazines
quake. The Imperial Gusrd OF 10000 mon were
ordered out. These brave soldiers, who were
never known to falter, could not stand before the
terrible fiery foe. Tho french soldiers shot, bay-
oneted, and threw tho incendiaries into the burn-
ing lake of fire, but it did not stop them in their
work Of desclation. Thousands Of men, women
and children were buried beneath the falling
houses and tmbers that had been hurled into the
ar. Napoleon found the palace in which he was
auartered surrounded by flames, and came near 4
oelng swallowed in tho roaring sea Of fire. Such
an 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 crnel
treatment Of Josephine The fire kindled by the
bends IN al portions Of the city, was swept for
three dayo by terrible gale, until Moscow. twenty
mnes IN circumference, was reduced to heaD ~
ruins The burning Of Moscow saved the Russ;an
Elba. 51:its7s N -, - 31'D'-'u5 3 ~
During the Russian campaign the French loat
$4,000 brave soldiers. Nearly one-haK persisted
from cold hunger and fatigue in their disastrous
retreat after the destruction Of Moscow. The loss
OF the Russians, including those who persisted for
the want OF food and shelter, was greater than
that Of the French Seven hundred thousand Iiyns 4
sacrificed in six months campaign and this to !
CRAFTY tho ambition Of one man. Such is war
1t involves in its mad career every conceivable
crime, poisoning the minds and morals Of paEon:
reducing the people to want, sorrow and uiaarv,
And yet there are Minister'S Of the Gospei VINO a-