The sixth victim was still wanting. | lass, and every now and then fired his but was quickly supplied by lot, from numbers who were now emulous of so ennobling an example. The keys of the city were then delivered to Sir Walter, who took the six prisoners into his custody; and ordering the gates to be opened, gave charge to his attendants to conduct the remaining citizens, with their families, through the camp of the English, while he, with this little band of patriots, passed into the presence of the king, to hear from his lips, their awful doom. To the eternal honour of Phillippa, the queen of Edward, through her intercession, the lives of these virtuous citizens were spared. ANECDOTE OF SIR SYDNEY SMITH. "THE part of the coast that we were upon, at the time what I am going to tell you about happened, was well wooded and marshy, and the enemy had thrown up some masked batteries within close range of us; but, as they never seemed likely to do any good with them (and I gave the fellows fair chances enough), I determined to land and spike their guns, and drive them away somewhere else; and this I did without much trouble, by falling upon them suddenly with two or three boat-loads of blue-jackets. As the rascals, however, were scampering off they fell in with a strong detachment of their party on the march; and, thus reinforced, returned in double quick time, and without our seeing them until they were close upon us, to recover their guns, most of which were old useless pieces that had been taken from the Turks, and were at least a century old. "There was nothing now for us to do, as we had spiked the guns, but to 'cut and run' from their overwhelming numbers, and they began to pepper away at us most unmercifully. It was a good joke, nevertheless, and so my chaps seemed to think it; for, strange to say, after the rush was over, the soldiers never attempted to overtake us, but contented themselves with popping at us from behind the trees; and Jack, seeing this, followed their example, and also played at bo-peep,' and taunting hem with cowardice, flourished his cut pistol at them in defiance. The scene was, however, soon changed, by a superior officer riding up at full gallop, and ordering a party round to cut off our retreat to the boats. I was afraid my men would not perceive this, and it was impossible for me to give them any warning of their danger; for, unluckily, at the outset I had taken it inte my head to trip up a Russian officer; and, when I was obliged to run away, on some fierce green-coated gentlemen coming to his rescue, the enemy had got betwixt me and my men, and I had no other means of escaping their clutches but by climbing up into a tree, which I did as nimbly as I could, and, perching myself on one of the boughs, had the satisfaction of seeing that my lads had been 'wide awake to the move,' and were pulling foot and cracking on to their boats, with loud shouts of laughter, and in all the glee imaginable; and they reached their boats and shoved off just as the Russians arrived at the spot and expected to catch them. But Jack was more up to trap than I thought for; and although I could not see the water from where I was, yet I knew very well they were safe by their cheering." "But I'm surprised, sir," said I, at their leaving you in the lurch-it was so unlike-" "Ah! have patience a moment," replied the admiral, interrupting me. "I, too, wondered at their not making a stand; and so I afterwards learned they certainly would have done, but that they found my gig was already gone, and therefore concluded I had seized some favourable moment, and was making a dash in another unguarded quarter, by way of drawing off the attention of the troops while they were getting into their boats. So they shoved off, as I said before, and laid on their oars while one of my officers pulled round a point of land to look after me. But I was not so nobly occupied as they did me the honour to suppose. By the bye, now Ithink of it,” said Sir Sidney, bending over from the sofa, and pointing with his finger towards me, "all the boats pulled round the point, and to this it was owing that I was not made prisoner; for the soldiers, thinking, perhaps, that they were going to land again, and not know ng exactly what to make of it, were marched off in the direction they were taking; and I lost no time in dropping from the tree, and hastening as fast as I could to the place where we landed, not supposing, of course, that the boats would go away without me, any more than I could conceive at the time, why the troops had started off in such a hurry. But now I'm coming to the point-the best of the joke"-said the kind and cheerful old admiral, smiling, and seeming as much amused at the recollection of it as he no doubt was at the time it occurred. "I had lost my way," he continued, "and, moreover, found myself suddenly brought up all standing by an extensive swamp. In this dilemma, as I stood gazing about me undecided for the moment how to act, I spied a great Russian ignorant boor of a soldier at a little distance from me, preparing to wade across; and innocently enough-I don't know now what could have possessed me to do such a thing-I sung out in a commanding tone-I could speak sufficient for that-Here, you sir, carry me over, there's a good fellow.' No sooner said than done. The giant-he really was an enormous chap-came up to me, and, stooping quietly down, told me to get on his back, which I did instanter, and away he marched with me. 'Are you one of the fine fellows' (I called ourselves the enemy) who gave the enemy such a warming just now?' 'Yes,' answered he; and added, carelessly, our colonel was in hopes of taking the English commander-they say he is the cause of more mischief to us than all the Swedes put together.' "This was capital," added Sir Sydney, "shouldn't you have thought so?" 'And what do you think about it yourself?' I asked him. 'I don't think about it at all-I don't care whether he is or not,' was the dogged answer. 'But how is it, my lad, you are not with your comrades?' 'I was ordered to fetch some water for an officer that was cut down by an Englishman.' I thought I should have died laughing. I did give the man a tap on the head, I believe. And did you not take the water to him?' I demanded. No; he was gone with the rest before I got back.' And you were in no hurry to follow?' I said, as we reached the other side of the swamp, and he again stooped down for me to dismount. 'In no hurry whatever, friend,' he answered drily. I gave him a small coin that I had in my pocket, and which he put into his pouch without moving a muscle of his countenance, and with the same indifference he had manifested from the beginning; he then very leisurely walked off to join his companions, and I made the best of my way to the beach, which I fortunately reached at the moment my gig was pulling past in search of me. The Russian boor-this I was told by the officer who rode down, when we chanced to meet a a long time afterwards at Stockholm, where he was an attache to the embassy -the Russian boor, on mentioning the trifle I had given him, and the service he had rendered for it, was so laughed at by his comrades, that, the story coming to the ear of his chief, he sent for him and questioned him, and was at once convinced that the great simple creature must have carried the admiral himself, as the officer expressed himself in relating the incident to me. "And why the deuce,' inquired his commander,' didn't you take him prisoner, and bring him along with you? I never thought at all about it,' said the man, scratching his big rough head.” SURPRIZE AND MASSACRE AT SUM MANPORE. MAJOR-GENERAL WOOD, of the Company's army, detached ten companies from the troops under his command; five to Summanpore and five to Persah, two desolate and deserted villages, some few miles from the extensive forests of the Nepaul territory-forests which, even to look at, strike the beholder with awe. In the recesses of these dreary woods, dwelt every beast that is unfriendly to man; and, behind them, if not in ambush within their range, lay an insidious and savage enemy, inured to war, noted for stratagems and craft, and who loathed the sight of a white soldier. The position taken up by these detachments was very judiciously chosen, and was by nature a strong and tenable post against the most formidable foe, being surrounded by a deep ditch, with high and abrupt banks. Only one nar row road ran through this place, over which a temporary bridge, made of boughs and mud, was thrown. Across this only inlet, in the rear of the encampment, was a gradually-rising ground, on which the detachments wisely posted two six-pounders, with the artillery and a strong piquet. These parties were, of course, thus placed for the purpose of watching the enemy, in order that the detachments might not be surprised. nently so, of course, if the latter are taken by surprise. The confusion and disorder on these occasions is awfully terrific and appalling; the consternation is beyond the power of words to describe; and the massacre is, in general, enormous. The first panic puts the whole mass in motion; some running one way, some another; some dash headlong into the very arms of danger; and others, in their endeavour to escape, rush wildly on their comrades' bayonets. Many a brave man fell in this sad affair: wives were bereaved of their husbands, and children of their parents; for but few, as I said before, survived to tell the tale of woe. We afterwards learned, from the Nepaulese, that no men ever fought better. One captain of the Honourable Company's artillery_fired six shots, after the whole of his European and native gunners had been cut down at their guns. This officer's name was Matthews, and he was one of the few who escaped from this dreadful carnage. Lieutenant Charles Smith, of the old 15th regiment, native infantry, fought gallantly, but was obliged to fly, being nearly left alone. A strange incident Thus situated, the detachments were permitted to remain in peace and unmoÎested, for a considerable time. This apparent disregard, on the part of the crafty Nepaulese, of so hated a foe, who, they must have known, were lingering on the frontiers of their country, and watch ing their every movement, would have created, in some breasts, a suspicion that more malignant or subtle plans were in preparation than at first appeared, and that the opportunity was only wanting to put them in execution. Unfortunately, however, the detachments entertained no such apprehensions, but attributed this neglect and apparent indifference of the enemy to their fear of attacking them in their strong hold, and to their resolution not to venture from their hiding-happened to this brave officer. He was places. This delusive conclusion lulled them into the most distressing apathy, arising from the notion entertained by them of their perfect security: they abated in their usual vigilance, and the necessary watchfulness was neglected— | so important in all situations, but more especially on outposts and piquets-situations of high trust, on the strict performance of the duties of which the lives of thousands frequently depend. The lives of almost every man composing the ten companies of which I speak, fell a sacrifice to the fancied security in which they reposed. Both detachments were surprised and cut to pieces before they could even fly to their arms; and, out of about 800 men, not above fifty escaped. The attack on the part of the enemy was so judiciously planned, that their grand object was to cut off our troops from their firelocks, and their plan was so well executed, that they succeeded for a considerable time in so doing. The carnage that ensued was dreadful. The attacking party, on a dark night, has a decided advantage over the party attacked, and pre-emi a remarkably stout and heavy man, and could not swim; but, strange to say, he crossed a ditch some fourteen feet wide and ten feet deep; but how, he knows not. I have, in the course of my military life, been told of things I had myself done while in action, of which I was quite unconscious. I am therefore of opinion that, when in action, and the danger imminent, the mind is so intent upon the preservation of life, that you know not what you do. Poor Smith often related this fact to me, with the assurance that all he could recollect was, that he sunk to the bottom, and made a desperate plunge to the opposite bank; but how he ascended the steep bank, or whether he was assisted or not, he never knew. Captain Sibley, of the Company's service, fell on this occasion, gallantly endeavouring to rally his panicstruck little force. He fell a victim to his zeal. LONDON:-Printed by JoSEPH LAST, No. 3, Edward-street, Hampstead-road.-Published by WILLIAM MARK CLARK, 17, Warwick-lane, Covent-garden; and may be had, by order, of Paternoster-row; J. PATTIE, Brydges-street, all Booksellers in town and country. only line of retreat was across one solitary bridge, weakly defended, and that it was every moment expected that this bridge would be destroyed by the ice, and all communication cut off with the capital and the left bank of the Vistula, it will be seen that nothing could have been more perilous than the position of the Polish army. IN the glorious struggle which un-lected that, in the event of defeat, their happy Poland had with Russia, in 1831, to regain her former independence, few events shed more lustre on the arms of those devoted people than the battle of Grochow, upon which place they had fallen back, after successfully having withstood the Russian forces at Wawer. The position was strong; their right rested on the Vistula and the marshes the left upon a pine-wood, which was the key of their position-and the front of their line, covered as it was with marshes and ditches, presented obstacles difficult to be overcome, notwithstanding the intense frost had rendered them passable. Again, Warsaw, at the distance of half a league, as a place of support and grand depôt, offered immense advantages to a defensive army; but, on the other hand, when it is recolVOL. III. The situation, on the other hand, of the Russians, was extremely strong, resting likewise on the Vistula and the marshes, enclosed by woods, the ground in front of which was most favourable for the play of their artillery. Thus the Polish artillery was opposed to a force not only three times more numerous, but also occupying a position that gave them every advantage. The Polish general was therefore reduced to the 2 U necessity of either becoming the assail- | detachment fell in with the Russians at ant, with a very inferior force, or of witnessing a combat of artillery, in which his own must inevitably be destroyed. On the morning of the 20th, the Russian general commenced an artillery action, which lasted the whole day. The Polish divisions were deployed in two lines; the 4th rested upon Grochow, and formed the right wing; the 3rd formed the centre, and was posted to the right of the pine-wood-the 1st division occupying its left; the 2nd was posted in the second line, and the cavalry in the rear as a reserve: a part of this line, with a battery of horse artillery, was distributed upon their extreme left, and occupied the hills in front of Kawenczyn. At twelve, the Russians attempted to carry the pine-wood; their efforts were principally directed against the left side, defended by the brave 4th of the line and the 5th. Both sides fought with that fury which national animosity can alone inspire. At last the Russians were driven out of the wood with immense slaughter, many of their regiments being reduced to mere skeletons. Diebitsch saw that, in spite of his formidable artillery, he was not in sufficient force to carry the Polish position; he was therefore reduced to the necessity of awaiting the arrival of Szachowski's corps. On the following day a short suspension of arms ensued, to bury Nieporent; but, too weak to impede their advance, they, in consequence, fell back upon Bealolenka, where they found in line General Malachowski's division, composed of two regiments and six pieces of cannon. Suddenly, Szachowski's corps took the direction of Nieporent, instead of marching upon Kobylka, to effect its junction with the grand army, which, by this latter movement, was rendered now extremely difficult. On the other hand, the Polish general, alarmed for Praga, which this movement of the army seemed to menace, immediately covered the route between Bealolenka and Praga. Had he have left it open, and occupied Konty-Groddzeskie, a very strong position, the whole of Szachowski's corps would have been cut off and destroyed, had it hazarded even a demonstation upon Praga. However, Szachowski's Russian corps, 15,000 strong, with sixty pieces of artillery, was approaching Bealolenka, the remainder of his corps remaining at Pultusk and Lomza. To hold him in check, General Malachowski had only Jankowski's division of cavalry, a brigade of infantry, composed of six battalions, and one battery of horse artillery, and six pieces of foot artillery. One battalion of the 6th of the line occupied Bealolenka; the cavalry was deployed on the right of that village, and on its left, towards the wood, two battalions of the 2nd of the In the mean time Szachowski's divi-line were posted; the skirts of the wood sion was rapidly approaching; on the 23rd, he had reached the bridge of Zegrze upon the Narew, which was only defended by the 4th battalion of the 8th regiment, detached from the garrison of Modlin; but the ice being sufficiently strong to allow the Russian general to cross the river with his infantry, the Poles were obliged to fall back. Thus the entire Russian corps crossed the Narew and advanced upon Nieporent. The Russian field-marshal was so apprehensive that his corps might be cut off by the Polish army, that he sent out to meet it a brigade of lancers and two battalions of infantry. the dead. Early on the morning of the 24th, the Polish general Jankowski's division of cavalry, with the 3rd battalion of the 6th of the line, was detached, in order to reconnoitre Szachowski's corps: this were occupied by another battalion of the same regiment; the left wing was supported by two squadrons of Mazary's, and the right, by two battalions of the 6th. The action commenced about three o'clock, P.M. The enemy's masses were directed upon Bealolenka, which, after three repulses, he carried. Three regiments of Russian hussars then debouched from that village, and made a furious charge upon the Polish battalions posted between it and the woods. The Russians advanced with the greatest impetuosity and intrepidity; but they were steadily received, and gallantly repulsed. Exposed both in front and flank to a tremendous and well-directed fire, both of infantry and artillery, their loss was immense. Notwithstanding this check, the Russians began to press the Polish battalions very hard; and |