when every effort was made by the Chinese authorities to gain time by negociations.

On the arrival of the Allies on the ground intended for the camp, it was found occupied by a large Chinese army, who had hastily thrown up batteries for their defence. Colonel Walker, with Commissary Thompson and a few orderlies, had ridden on at an early hour, to arrange about the camping ground for the army. Mr. Parkes, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. De Norman, and Mr. Bowlby went forward to ascertain the reason of the threatening attitude of the Chinese, not in any way apprehending danger. Captain Brabazon and Mr. Lock followed with a flag of truce, to order them to return.

On their return, the whole party, with several French officers and men, were surrounded by the Chinese : some were cut down, and others were made prisoners; but Colonel Walker, suspecting what was about to occur, called out to those of his companions near him to charge for their lives through the midst of the enemy. At the word of command they bent down to their horses' necks, and spurred their chargers through the Tartar ranks, which gave way before them; and though a fire was opened on them, one dragoon only was wounded. The action instantly commenced; but after lasting two hours, the enemy, unable to withstand the fierce charges of the cavalry, and the hot fire of the Armstrong guns, gave way in all directions, being dreadfully cut up by the Dragoon Guards and Fane's and Probyn's horse.

On the 21st, the Allies, being strengthened by the arrival of 1,000 French troops, again advanced to meet the enemy. General Michel's division was on

the left, and the Cavalry Brigade, and the Marines, and the 2nd Queen's, taking the extreme left. While Sir Hope Grant was riding towards the French, to confer with General Montauban, a furious charge was made towards him and his staff by a large body of Tartar cavalry. The General and his followers, at once galloping to the right and left, disclosed the Armstrong guns, which, as the Tartars came on, yelling furiously, opened a fire, and, aided by the rifles of the 2nd Queen's, emptied many a saddle, and sent the enemy speedily to the right about, with yells of terror and despair. Another body of Tartar cavalry were posted on an eminence which had a sudden fall at the foot of it, with a deep ditch in front. It was evident that they thought the cavalry could not pass this ditch, and that they might easily pick them off with their matchlocks. The 1st Dragoon Guards, however, rode at it and cleared the ditch, one or two men only getting out of the ranks. The dragoons then made a furious charge, and soon put the Tartars to flight. Finally, the Chinese intrenched camp was taken, and their army was driven back towards Pekin, completely broken and disorganised. During these operations nearly six hundred guns were captured by the Allies. The army now advanced towards Pekin, and on the 7th of October the Emperor was informed that unless the prisoners were restored, and one of the gates of the Imperial city was placed in the hands of the Allies, Pekin would be stormed.

These terms were agreed to. On the 13th of October, at noon, possession was taken of the gate by a small body of English and French; the money demanded was paid, and the surviving prisoners were

delivered up others had died under the barbarous treatment received by them. As a punishment to the Emperor, and to show the people the subjection to which the Allies had brought him, his country palace was totally destroyed. After this, the former treaty was fully ratified, and the Allies retired to Tientsin for the winter, ultimately to return to Europe.

CONCLUSION.

We have shown in the preceding pages, as we proposed, what sort of stuff is to be found inside the red coats of Queen Victoria's soldiers, and of the green coats and blue coats too-strong arms, and brave, generous, and dauntless hearts. We have recounted many noble and gallant deeds, but still we feel sure that many more have been done, of which we have received no notice; and we therefore beg the brave men who performed them, when they [see their names omitted in the pages we have written, to believe that it is with regret we have been unable to give their history; but let them be assured, that we shall be truly glad to have the opportunity of so doing when it is brought before us.

We have not spoken of the Militia and Volunteers, of whom England may also well be proud. Many regiments of the former, when war with Russia broke out, directly they heard that the country might require them abroad, volunteered for foreign service; and those who went, showed that they were not inferior to their brethren of the Line.

England's gallant Volunteers, too, have full well shown what perseverance and determination will accomplish; and they have proved to England's foes, that even the threat of invading her sacred shores will unite her sons heart and hand together, and that tens of thousands of rifles, and well-practised eyes, will

1

Well may

En

be prepared to receive her enemies. glishmen be proud of those Volunteers, as they are seen collecting from every side to form armies of no mean proportion; and especially so may that Englishman who feels that in this generation, at all events, he was the FIRST VOLUNTEER-that he laboured against opposition, coldness, and, often, ridicule, to call into existence a corps of Volunteers-that for many months, with admirable perseverance, they drilled and exercised to qualify themselves for offering their services to their Sovereign. Many names now holding various ranks in the present corps of Volunteers, were on the committee assembled by him for forming that corps. The time was not ripe the Government of the day was unwilling to sanction the movement; but the roll was formed, and the services of the body of gentlemen on it offered to her Majesty's Ministers.

The Author, who formed that committee, therefore feels that he may justly lay claim to the honour which many friends are ready to accord to him, of being the first Volunteer of the present generation, and the originator of the present glorious movement :-at the same time that he is anxious to share that honour with those who so long and perseveringly laboured to bring it about. Though not at the moment successful, they must be satisfied when seeing the rich harvest of fruit which the seeds they then planted have produced,

THE END.

BILLING, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, GUILDFOED, SURREY.