MAID OF SARAGOZA.

of bullets; for here the Saragozans fought their invaders hand to hand while the French took possession of one side, the citizens maintained the other, disputing every inch of ground between them. The walls which separated the houses were pulled down, and this long street was thus converted into two immense forts. Loop-holes were opened for musketry, embrasures were broken through the front walls, and cannon brought up from within, which spread destruction from side to side. Every expedient practised in more regular sieges was tried in succession; mines and counter-mines were carried below the pavement, and exploded underneath the opposite houses. The dead lay in heaps between the combatants, threatening a pestilence more terrible than the sword. Every church and convent-nay, every building capable of defence, became a military position. Priests were seen defending their altars, and pouring out their blood at the foot of the cross. Among the most conspicuous of these was Padre Santiago Sass, who took the lead in every hazardous enterprise. Females rivalled the most undaunted of their fellow-citizens. The Portilla was saved by the gallantry of Augustina Saragoza, a fine young woman, who, when none else survived in the battery, snatched a match from the hands of a dead artilleryman, and renewed the fire on the besiegers."

The convent of Sta Engracia gives name to one of the gates of Saragoza, to which it stands contiguous.

I

On the 3rd of August the French opened a tremendous fire on Sta Engracia, which soon burst into flames. Seizing the advantage, they pushed on two strong columns, which, after a most desperate conflict, gained possession of the quarter of Sta Engracia, from whence they immediately summoned the inhabitants to surrender. The proposal and the reply were equally laconic :

Proposal" Quartel General, Sta Engracia.
"La capitulacion."

Answer" Quartel General, Saragoza.

"Guerra al cuchillo.

The answer is rendered by Lord Byron,

"War even to the knife;"

"PALAFOX."

an energetic expression of determination, which will longer endure in the poetry of Lord Byron than the city and site of the event be known among men.

Such was the success of these enthusiastic exertions, that the enemy were driven into a narrow circuit; the citizens gradually regained the greater part of their town; and Lefebvre, having set fire to the quarter of Sta Engracia on the night of the 13th of August, withdrew his troops from the contest, leaving the defenders to enjoy the triumph of their patriotism.