nappe, the scene was grand, but of the most fearful description. On our right was the rear of our troops, on their way to Waterloo. On the hills, to the left, the main body of the French were rapidly advancing; in Genappe, was a body of the enemy's cuirassiers, whose advance the 7th British hussars vainly endeavoured to check, when the Earl of Uxbridge brought up the Oxford Blues and the Life Guards, and drove the cuirassiers back. I had an opportunity of witnessing the whole of this affair, as our regiment was in the rear, and I was compelled, at this time, to stop, to remove some gravel which had got into my boots.

The French flying artillery were close upon us, and their continual discharges, the cracking of the thunder, the vivid flashes of lightning, and the "pelting of the pitiless storm," presented, altogether, a spectacle which few who witnessed will ever forget while living.

As soon as the troops reached that part of the Brussels road, nearest to the farm-house of La Haye-Sainte, the different brigades

filed off to the right or left, to take up their respective positions; and it was now understood that this was to be our battle-field, if the enemy should think proper to engage us.

Our brigade was placed about midway between La Haye-Sainte and Hugamont; the Foot Guards were on our right; the whole of the ground was covered with corn, and the soil of so loose a nature, that, owing to the heavy rain, which continued to fall, we were literally knee-deep in mud. We could perceive the enemy taking up their position opposite to us, at the distance of about a mile and a-half. Their artillery began to play on us, and did some, but not much, damage. One of their large shot killed two of our light company; it struck one of them in the cheek, and the other was killed with the wind of the passing ball, as effectually as if he had been struck by it.

As the storm continued, without any signs of abatement, and the night was setting in, orders were given to pile arms, but no man was on any account to quit his position. Un

CHAPTER VIII.

"But see, the haughty Cuirassiers advance,
The dread of Europe and the pride of France!
The war's whole art-each private soldier knows,
And with a general's love of conquest glows;
Contempt and fury fire their souls by turns,
Each nation's glory in each warrior burns,
Each fights, as in his arm the important day,
And all the fate of his great monarch lay."

ABOUT daybreak, on the morning of the 18th, the rain subsided, and we began to light fires with such materials as we could get from the forest, and with the straw of the corn, which was still standing in considerable quantities. By six o'clock we had a cloudless sky and a powerful sun, under the cheering influence of which, we began to clean our muskets for the coming strife. Having shaved myself and put on a clean shirt, I felt tolerably comfortable, though many around me were complaining much of cramps and agues.

I went as far as the farm-house of La HayeSainte, and obtained some water, and on returning had an excellent view of the arrangements made by the antagonist forces. As the morning wore on, brigade-majors and aides-decamps were riding about, with instructions from the Duke, to each division and brigade, to take up its proper position for the day.

The Foot Guards were on the right of the line, and a portion of them were detached to occupy and defend the château of Hugamont, a post of the utmost importance, as the possession of that by the enemy would have enabled them to turn our right flank; next the Guards, was the 33rd and 69th, which formed one square together, then the 30th and our regiment, the 73rd, formed the next square. Sufficient room was of course left between the squares, to enable the troops to deploy into line when necessary. Immediately on our left was a regiment of Dutch infantry; next to them were other regiments of British infantry. The farm-house was occupied by a strong body of Hanoverians; the left of our

line was formed on the other side of the Brussels road, and the whole extended about a mile and a-half.

Our artillery, which was strong and effective, was very judiciously placed, and did great execution. A brigade of German artillery formed on the ridge, just in front of our brigade, and was taken on the first advance of the cuirassiers. Two divisions of the British, and most of the Nassau troops, were placed in the rear, forming another line; and it was supposed that more than ten thousand of these were killed or wounded, without having the opportunity of firing a shot. The Life Guards and Oxford Blues were in the rear of the squares, and the rest of the cavalry were disposed of in the same way along the lines. The light companies of the different regiments were ordered in front, to co-operate with the Rifles, in skirmishing with the enemy.

As my brother was going on this duty, we shook hands, not supposing it likely that we should both be preserved through such a battle as this promised to be. From this time we