•At last one of them said to the others, "My brethren, let us pray to dur Father who is in Heaven: perhaps he will take pity upon us in this ou distress."

And they consented; and they prayed to their Father who is in Heaven

And when they had prayed he who had said "let us pray," said also, "My brethren, who knows but we may be able to do together that which none of us were able to do alone."

And they arose and strove together against the rock; and the rock yielded to their efforts and they pursued their way in peace.

The Traveller is Man, the Journey is Life, the Rock is the Misery which we encounter at every step of our way.

-No man alone is able to remove this rock, but Gon bas so apportioned the weight of it, that it never arrests those who travel and strive together,

Уистов.

RECOLLECTIONS

OF A

GOVERNMENT EMISSARY.

COMPILED BY THE EDITOR,

CHAP. IV.

Origin of Astley's. Astley outwitting Napoleon. The Corn Law Riots. Attack on the Ministers' Houses. A great man's gratitude. The Field of Waterloo. General Gourgaud, a Bonapartist intriguer.

Very few who have visited the highly finished little Theatre in the Westminster Road, known as Asiley's," can have any idea of the early career of the father of that Equestrian Amphitheatre, or of the humble appearance of the first Circas." Old Astley, father of the late Mr. Astley, was originally Riding Master to "Elliott's Light Horse," now the 15th Dragoons, and so much liked was be by all the officers of the regiment that he was permitted to keep a riding ground at Stangate, where he gave lessons 40 beginners, and occasionally performed, with his wife and children, a few leats of horsemanship, to which the public were admitted at a small charge. At the time I am now writing of (1813) his re

giment was quartered at Kensington, and the Westminer Election wat going on in all its glory. In those days it was the general cus tom to allow the Hastings when done with, to be pulled to pieces and carried away by the mob, as their perquisites: many a fight were the cousequences of this permission, for some of the erections on these occasions cost as much as two or three thousand pounds to mean booty. Astley being a mau of daring, collected as many of the regiment as he possibly could and surrounded the Husungs on the last day of the election. As soon as it was over they made a rush upon the buildings and carried the greater portion of them away, in the teeth of the mob: these they conveyed to the riding ground in the Westminster Road, at that period situated in the midst of fields and lanes, and were there regaled by Astley to their hearts content. With the poles and planks of the Westminster Hastings was the original Astleys" constructed: previous to that every thing bad been carried on in large tents.

There is also another avecdote of old Astley which deserves mens tion as it shews the fertility of his mind fin expedients. During the intervals of peace on the continent be frequently paid a pro fessional visit to Paris, and netted considerable sums with his stud. This was resented by the Patis managers, particularly as he occa sionally performed small vandevilles in a building after his horsemauship in the open air. One day an order came from Napoleon, through the Prefet, to discontinue his performing in a theatre or other building. But the old dragoon was not to be done: he soon knocked together a moveable stage which be raised upon the backs of some twenty of his horses, and on this his little company per formed while the audience were seated under a shed facing, it and of course the novelty of the thing drew crowds to his "circus," so that this persecution was the best thing that could have happened to him.

In the early part of 1815 the establishment of prohibitory duties op foreign corn caused serious disturbances throughout the metrq. which were only quelled by the intertetence of the military. Immense mobs paraded the principal streets during the night, carrying bludgeons, torches, &c., to the great terror of the peaceably disposed. This lasted for some time, but at length, they became more daring and threatened to destroy the houses of the obnoxious ministers. These latter became, of course, rather uneasy and most of them obtained a file of soldiers for their protection. Lord Sidmouth, however was not easily daunted: of a haughty and domi neering disposition, he would not allow for a moment, that a handful of rabble could in any way discompose him, and accordingly rejected all offers of protection from the Horse Guards. He declared that with his own domestics he would defend his house against any mob: but unfortunately when he came to muster his forces and arms he found that not one of his servants understood the most or dinary use of a musket or pistol, and as to himself and two sons they had never fired at any thing beyond a few partridges. In

this dilemma he thought of me, who, as Captain in the Volunteer corps, he supposed must know something of gunpowder and ramrods,

It was on Tuesday the seventh of March that bis Lordship came into my room and asked me if I thought I could manage to drill and take the command of his sons and domestics. I assented, of course, and the same evening went to his house in Spring Gardens to inspect his household forces. They could muster only three fowling pieces and one blunderbuss, with a few pistols and a rusty cutlass or two: I therefore dispatched an order to our armourer at the depôt for some muskets, powder and slugs, To drill my little troop, consisting of eight, was the next task and a troublesome one it was too however after two hours work at load, prime, present, &c., with divers marchings up and down the great hall, I got them into something like training. The first watch for the night was then set and plaus devised for our defence. At the farthest end of the entrance-hall was a double flight of stairs meeting above on a spacious landing from which doors opened, right and left, into the various sleeping apartments. On this landing-place I stationed the watch, as it commanded a good view of the large fan-light over the door through which I expected the attack would be made, The servants slept in a room opposite the one allotted me, and it was unanged that if anything occurred, his Lordship and sons were to be called; they were then to divide the servants amongst ilete, in three rooms, whilst I was to be stationed at the head of the staircase, and calling one at a time from each room, direct their fire. Nothing occurred that night beyond some imaginary alarms: our guaid ones or twice mistaking the roll of a hackney coach for a mob rushing up the street. At five in the morning I went home, dressed, weat to morning drill and thence after breakfast to the Honic Cf.ce: at three went once more to the parade ground, and at seven took up my post in his Lordship's house. I made up my mind for an attack that night, for I observed as I came along, numerous groups of desperate looking men, many arned with bludgeons, and all in low, deep conversation. The authorities had also information to the same effect and again pressed his Lordship to accept some aid from the military, but which he again relused. We amused ourselves till nine with drill and at about half past heard a shout and a desperate ush, that made some of my little band quake. The mob came tumultuously on carrying a great number of torches and links which had the effect of a general illumiination and at the same time enabled us to see all that was going on in the street. We were scarcely at our posts when the house was surrounded. After a few moments passed in consultation there a rush up the steps and inmediately half a dozen crow-bars and sledge Lamn.is were brought to hear upon the doorhinges. It was a fearful time, for had they gained an entrance nothing could have saved us: but we kept our eyes fixed on the door and when 1 fancied it gave way a little I passed the words "make ready"-"present." The hinges and bolts however proved true and there was scon a cessation of the blows. 'The fanlight

was

▪*

over the door next drew their attention, which having very slight iron bars offered easy access. In a moment the glass was shiver'd by a shower of stones, and, one or two huge fellows mounted up with hammers to break the bars. At the sight of the first head through the broken fan-light I raised my piece and sent a bullet whizzing close to the rioter's ear who dropped from his exalted but dangerous post, in double-quick time. No one ventured to take his place, but several lighted torches were long in at thự breach: fearful of the fire I order'd my troop to pour a volley iuto the street, but over the heads of the people as well as they conld. This seemed to stagger them and a clearance was soon etfected in the dangerous vicinity of the door; the noise of our shots brought a picket of men and a lieutenant from the Horse Guards where a strong force was kept under arms all night, and they coming up at double quick pace with Layonets fixed, cleared the entire street without firing a single shot. That was the last of he rioting and I gave up my command a few nights afterwards, loaded with the praises and thanks of my Lord Sidmouth. He requested me most particularly to tell him if there was anything in which he could serve me as he would do so with great plea sure, I said that I had a family the eldest of which was a boy and should wish to see him provided for. "Very good;" rephed his Lordship, there's nothing just now, but when there occurs any minor vacancy here, just let me know and it shall be your sous." Two months after this I waited upon him, as there was the desired vacancy, and was told that he felt extremely sorry, but he had promised it that very morning to his Coachman's son! I took good care not to trouble him again. So much for a Minis ter's gratitude!

My next employment was in the month of June of that year, (1815) when I was sent off with despatches to Lord Wellington, then with the British Headquarters at Brassels waiting for the arrival of the Prussian army of co-operation. This was just the >work I liked, and I was in great hopes of seeing some military operations. But I was too late. I left Londou on the 15th and arrived at the Belgian capital, by way of Harwich and Østend, on the night of the ever-memorable 18th, just in time to hear the last of the straggling shots, and to meet Wellington a victor. Brussels, as may be imagined, was in a state of the atmost confusion, and densely crowded. Having fulfilled my massion and deing at liberty, I paid a visit the next day to the field of battle, and a more awful, bloody and heart-rending scene I never witnessed, and trust never shall again. I met hundreds of poor wretches being conveyed to hospital with broken limbs, tructured skuils and dreadful gashes in all parts of their bodies: there were literally waggin -loads of them, and their groaning as they passed along was truly : mournful. To the honor of our troops be it known that the wounded of both armies, English and' French, were alike caved lor; they were carried off as they offered, without any discrimination, The approaches to the Plains of Waterloo were swarming with every

description of human beings, women and children seeking their husbands and fathers; camp-followers and jews looking for plunder; soldiers removing armis, ammunition, colors and dead bodies of officers couriers flying along at a gallop, with orders to the different regiments: horses without riders; dragoons without horses-all combined to form a scene of intense and melancholy excitement. It was near gun-set when I arrived on the scene of action and the surrounding heights were tinged with the rays of departing light, which seemed to fling a more than wonted hue of blood upon the objects around. There were the ruins of the windmill from whence Napoleon bad given his last orders and had seen them executed in vain. There was the wood on the left, from which the Prussians emerged late in the day there were the few vestiges of the farmhouses where our Lancers bad formed so often, and to which they were so often driven back. Before me, in the centre of the Plains, I easily perceived where our gallant infantry, formed in squares, had stood the repeated, fearful charges of the French Chasseurs and the sweeping desolation of the enemy's artillery The spot was distinguishable by the immense heaps of slain that formed perfect ramparts of a square form. Beyond that the long line of dead dragoons and horses pointed out the spot where our noble Guards had made the charge which decided the fortune of Napoleon. I did not quit the plains till late at night when the moon was well up, and during my ride back to Brussels the numerous couriers 1 met, and the sound of the many bugles in the distance, told me that our troops were moving. In the morning our army had disappeared and were on the road to Paris.

Amongst the many curious characters which my duties brought me in contact with, was General Gourgand, a violent Bonaparuist, and a great enemy to everything english. He had accompanied Napoleon to Saint Helena where his intriguings soon brought him under the displeasure of the Governor, and he was finally sent to England. Even there he would not live quietly, but must needs mix himself up with the politics of the day: though he could speak but a lew words of english be attended all the radical meetings of note, and used every endeavour to spread discontent and disloyalty amongst the easily excited populace. A King's special warrant was placed in my hand to arrest and convey him out of the Kingdom, but having warning of it he kept to his house and only went ont at dark. To seize him I had recourse to stratagem, for I was loath to take him in the streets, knowing him to be well armed and of twice my strength. I went to his house one foggy morning in the spring of 1815 when 1 knew he had just returned from a dinner-party at Holland House and knocking gently at the door, gave the servant who opened it, a letter which I said was from Lord Holland. I had three Bowstreet officers with me who followed at short distances, aud had orders to run to the door as soon as I was inside. My ruse sueceeded the girl took the letter, told me to wait inside, and went upstairs with it. As soon as her back was tuned I let in my men and ran softl, up the stains followed close by them. I rushed