IRRESOLUTION.

Paris..

Franchesemont is the man of my acquaintance who has the greatest quantity of English spirit, and French esprit: his opinions are always liberal, his intentions always upright, and his wishes always humane. As he joins to the possession of these qualities high rank and an immense fortune, it is no wonder that he is perpetually incited by his friends to enter into pub

played; the foliage throws a chequered shade over the ground beneath, while the distant vistas of the Elysian Fields are seen in that soft and mellow light by which the radiance of the moon is so peculiarly distinguished. After passing through the scenes of gaiety and festivity which mark these favourite scenes of the French people, , we frequently came to small encampments of the allied troops in the remote parts of the grounds. The appearance of these bivouacks, composed of Cossac squadrons, Hungarian hussars, and Prussian artillery, in the ob-lic life, to serve his country in the scurity of moonlight, and surrounded field, or his fellow-citizens in the seby the gloom of forest scenery, was nate. His own ardour seconds their beyond measure striking. The pic- advice; but after ten years' deliberaturesque forms of the soldiers, sleeping tion he has not yet determined whether on their arms under the shade of the he shall pursue the career of arms, or trees, or half hid by the rude huts whether he shall join himself to a party which they had erected for their shel- of patriots, and make himself the dread ter; the varied attitudes of the horses of an encroaching court; nor is he enstanding amidst the waggons by which tirely divided between these pursuits. the camp was followed, or sleeping be- I found him one day cagerly perusing side the veterans whom they had borne Euler; when he declared with emthrough all the fortunes of war; the phasis, that the abstract sciences were dark masses of the artillery, dimly the occupation best adapted to make discerned in the shades of night, or man happy, to engage his mind withfaintly reflecting the pale light of the out irritation, to offer obstacles without moon, presented a scene of the most any great danger of defeat, and to beautiful description, in which the point out results which contained no rude features of war were softened by disappointment. On another occasion, the tranquility of peaceful life: and he was examining Varro and Columelthe interest of present repose was la; and when he informed me that he enhanced by the remembrance of had fully determined to abandon pubthe wintry storms and bloody fields lic life, and to make himself useful to through which these brave men had mankind by the improvement of agripassed, during the memorable cam-culture, an occupation which was of paigns in which they had been engaged. certain benefit to the public, and gave The effect of the whole was increased a zest to domestic enjoyment, I endeaby the perfect stillness which every-voured, with eagerness, to deter him where prevailed, broken only at intervals by the slow step of the sentinel, as he paced his rounds, or the sweeter sounds of those beautiful airs, which, in a far distant country, recalled to the Russian soldier the joys and the happiness of his native land.

from this resolution; but the more I argued the more he persisted in exalting the charms of retirement. Two hours afterwards he burst into my room, and informed me of the landing of Bonaparte. After the first surprise I asked him "What do you mean to

people of Calais repair hither for their evening dance; and such is the force of custom, the fruit remains untouched, and reserved for these occasions.→→→ Every one then takes what he pleases, but carries nothing home beyond what may suffice for his consumption on the

In my walk thither I passed several cottages, and entered some, The inhabitants seemed happy, and to possess some substantial comforts. The greater part of these cottages had a walnut or chestnut tree before them, around which was a rustic seat, and which, as overshadowed by the broad branches and luxuriant foliage, composed a very pleasing image. The manner in which the sod was partially worn under most of them, explained their nightly purpose; or if there yet could be any doubt, the flute and fiddle, pendant in almost every house, spoke a still more intelligible language.

first moment, which is almost the most favourable, will be lost; when he has determined, he will immediately repent his choice, and contrast the difficulties he encounters with a fanciful picture of the advantages attending an opposite conduct; too keen of sight not to perceive the absurdity of his adhe-way. e its too impartial to subscribe entirely to any creed-too anxious to be right, to bear the idea of being wrong, and too ingenuous and too sensitive to be blind to his own mistakes, he will often err, and always regret: his behavour will be a tissue of rash action and more fatal inactivity; he will gradually lose his own confidence, and inspire the contempt of others. When applied to conduct, the work of a too subtle mind resembles the effects of a mean spirit, and the world are better satisfied with a solution which furnishes a gratification to malevolence, than one which supposes a refinement of intelleet, They conceive themselves entitled to distrust him who does not seem unsuspicious of himself, whilst they respect the undeviating line of strong stupidity, and suppose reasons for a behaviour which proceeds from the want of them. What then shall withstand the man, who, to a tolerable understanding and a sagacious percep- | world, they have at least the art of aption, joms boldness of decision? He will repair errors, whilst a man of nicer tact, but less firmness, is content to avoid them; and having once fixed his own plan, he will leave the rest to fortune.

BOULOGNE.

About a mile from Calais, is a beautiful avenue of the finest walnut and chestnut trees I have ever seen in France. They stand upon common land, and ofcourse, are public property. In the proper season of the year, the

I entered no house so poor, and met with no inhabitant so inhospitable, as not to receive the offer either of milk, or some sort of wine; and every one seemed to take a refusal as if they had solicited, and had not obtained, an act of kindness. If the French are not the most hospitable people in the

pearing so. I speak here only of the peasantry, and from first impressions.

The rent of one of these cottages, of two floors and two rooms on each, is thirty-five livres. They have generally a small garden, and about one hundred yards of common land between the road and the house, on which grows the indispensible walnut orchestnut tree. The windows are glazed, but the glass is usually taken out in summer. The walls are generally sea-stone, but are clothed with grapevines, or other shrubs, which, curling around the casements, render them shady and picturesqne. The bread

is made of wheat meal, but in some cottages consisted of thin cakes without leven, and made of buck-wheat. Their common beverage is a weak wine, sweet and pleasant to the taste. In some houses it very nearly resembled the good metheglin, very common in the northern counties of England. Eggs, bacon, poultry, and vegetables, seemed in great plenty; and, as I understood, composed the dinners of the peasantry twice a week at least. I was surprised at this evident abundance in a class in which I should not have expected it. Something of it, I fear, must be imputed to the extraordinary profits of the smuggling which is carried on along the coast.

seldom as possible at inns, and as often as possible in the houses of the humbler farmers, and the better kind of peasantry. About fifteen miles from Calais my horse and myself were looking out for something of this kind, and one shortly appeared about 300 yards on the left side of the road. It was a cottage in the midst of a garden, and the whole surrounded by a hedge, which looked delightfully green and refreshing. The garden was all in flower and bloom. The walls of the cottage were robed in the same livery of Nature. I had seen such cottages in Kent and in Devonshire, but in no other part of the world. The inhabitants were simple people, small farmers, having about ten or fifteen acres of land. Some grass was immediately cut for my horse, and the coffee which I produced from my pocket was speedily set before me, with cakes, wine, some meat, and cheese the French peasantry having no idea of what we call tea. Throwing the windows up, so as to enjoy the scenery and fresh

After a light dinner, in which with some difficulty I procured fish, and with still more had it dressed in the English mode, I mounted my horse and proceeded on my journey on the road to Boulogne. I had now my first trial of my Norman horse; he fully answered my expectations, and almost my wishes. He had a leisurely lounging walk, which seemed wellness of the garden; sitting upon one suited to an observant traveller. It is well known of Erasmus, that he wrote the best of his works, and made a whole course of the Classics, on horseback; and I have no doubt but that I could have both read and written on the back of my Norman. To make up, however, for this tardiness, he was a good-humoured, patient, and surefooted beast; but would stretch out his neck now and then to get a passing bite of the wheat which grew by the road side. I wished to get on to Boulogne to sleep, and therefore tried all his paces; and found his trotting scarcely tolerable by human feeling.

The main purpose of my journey being rather to see the manners of the people, than the brick and mortar of the towns, I had formed the resolution to seek the necessary refreshment as

chair and resting a leg upon the other; alternately pouring out my coffee, and reading a pocket-edition of Thomson's Seasons, I enjoyed one of those me-r ments which give a zest to life; I felt happy, and in peace, and in love with all around me.">

I reached Boulogne about sun-set, and was much pleased with its vicinity. On each side of the roady and at different distances, from two hundred yards to a mile, were groves of trees, in which were situated some ancient chateaux. Many of them were indeed in ruins from the effects of the Revolution. Upon entering the town, I enquired the way to the Hotel d'Angleterre, which is kept by an Englishman of the name of Parker, Bonaparte having specially exempted him from the edicts respecting aliens. I had a

the congress of Prague. Metternich insisted that Austria should have the half of which were only demanded in order to be Italy, and made other exorbitant conditions, refused. As soon as she had got her army ready, Austria declared against France. After the victory of Dresder. I was supe rior, and had formed the pro,.ct to deceive then to cross the Elbe, at Wittenberg, and the enemy by marching towards Magdeburg

good supper, but an indifferent bed, and the close situation rendered the heat of the night still more oppressive. Mr. Parker himself was absent, and had left the management with a young Frenchwoman, who would not suffer me to write uninterrupted, and seemed to take much offence that I did not invite her to take her seat at the sup-march upon Berlin. Several divisions of per-table. I believe I was the only male traveller in the inn; and flattery, and even substantial gallantry, is so natural to French women, that they look to it as their due, and conceive themselves injured when it is withholden.*

Napoleon in Exile; or, a Voice from St Helena. The opinions and reflections of Napoleon on the most important events of his life and Government in his own words.By BARRY E., O'MEAHA, Esq. his late Surgeon. 2 Vols-Con tinued.

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the army were occupied in these maœuvres, when a letter was brought to me from the

King of Wirtemberg, announcing that the and to the amount of eighty thousand men, Bavarian army had joined the Austrians, were marching towards the Rhine, under the command of Wrede; that he, being compelled by the presence of that army, was obliged to join his contingeut to it, and that Mentz would soon be invested by a hundred thousand men,"

"This unexpected defection entirely. changed the plan of the campaign, and all the preparations made to fix the war between the Eibe and the Oder, became

useless. At Leipsic, afterwards, I was victorious on the 16th, and should have succeeded on the 18th, had not the whole of the Saxon army, which occupied

one of the most important positions in the line, deserted to the enemy, with a train of

When

sixty pieces of cannon, which were immediately turned against the French. Notwithstanding this, the field of battle remained in possession of the French, and "Had it not been for that fatal sus- the allies made a retrogade movement on pension of arms, in 1813, to which I was the same day. During the night I ordered induced to consent by Austria, I should the army to retire upon our supplies behind have succeeded. The victories of Lutzen the Ister. The defection of some other and Wurtzen had restored confidence in German corps afterwards, and the premathe French forces. The King of Saxony ture blowing up of the bridge at Leipsic, was triumphantly brought back to his cap-caused the most disastrous effects. ital; one of the corps of the French army the army had passed the Saale, it should was at the gates of Berlin, and the enemy have rested to recover from its fatigues, had been driven from: Hamburgh. The and receive ammunition and other supplies Russian and Prussian armies preparing to from Erfurth. Intelligence, however, arpass the Vistula, when the cabinet of Aus- rived, that the Austro-Bavarian army under tria, acting with its characteristic perfidy, Wrede, had arrived on the Mein by forced advised the suspension of hostilities, at a marches, and it was necessary to march time when it had already entered into en-against it. Wrede was driven from his tered into engagements with Russia and Prussia; the armistice was only a delusion to gain the time necessary to make preparations, it being intended to declare against France in May. The unexpected successes obliged it to act with more circumspection. It was necessary to gain more time, and negociations went on at

position at Hanaw, completely beaten, and himself wounded. Conferences afterwards took place at Francfort, and proposals for peace were offered on condition that I should renounce the protectorate of the confederation of the Rhine, Poland, and the departments of the Elbe; but that France should be preserved in her limits