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WATERLOO.

Three volumes of tales and sketches of considerable graphic interest, have lately been published under the title of “Stories of Waterloo.”  The first inquiry will naturally be whether they throw any new lights on the ever-memorable struggle.  The details of the day are vividly sketched, and as they must be familiar to all our readers, the following excellent general observations will be appreciated:—­

“No situation could be more trying to the unyielding courage of the British army than their disposition in square at Waterloo.  There is an excited feeling in an attacking body that stimulates the coldest, and blunts the thought of danger.  The tumultuous enthusiasm of the assault spreads from man to man, and duller spirits catch a gallant frenzy from the brave around them.  But the enduring and devoted courage which pervaded the British squares, when, hour after hour, mowed down by a murderous artillery, and wearied by furious and frequent onsets of lancers and cuirassiers; when the constant order—­’Close up!—­close up!’ marked the quick succession of slaughter that thinned their diminished ranks; and when the day wore later, when the remnants of two, and even three regiments were necessary to complete the square which one of them had formed in the morning—­to support this with firmness, and ’feed death,’ inactive and unmoved, exhibited that calm and desperate bravery which elicited the admiration of Napoleon himself.

“There was a terrible sameness in the battle of the 18th of June, which distinguishes it in the history of modern slaughter.  Although designated by Napoleon ‘a day of false manoeuvres,’ in reality there was less display of military tactics at Waterloo than in any general action we have on record.  Buonaparte’s favourite plan was perseveringly followed.  To turn a wing, or separate a position, was his customary system.  Both were tried at Hougomont to turn the right, and at La Haye Sainte to break through the left centre.  Hence the French operations were confined to fierce and incessant onsets with masses of cavalry and infantry, generally supported by a numerous and destructive artillery.

“Knowing that to repel these desperate and sustained attacks a tremendous sacrifice of human life must occur, Napoleon, in defiance of their acknowledged bravery, calculated on wearying the British into defeat.  But when he saw his columns driven back in confusion—­when his cavalry receded from the squares they could not penetrate—­when battalions were reduced to companies by the fire of his cannon, and still that ‘feeble few’ showed a perfect front, and held the ground they had originally taken, no wonder his admiration was expressed to Soult—­’How beautifully these English fight!—­but they must give way!’”

The closing scene is then described with great animation:—­