By this time the thunder-cloud of war had gathered and was ready to burst.  Short as the time at his disposal was Napoleon prepared to meet it with his accustomed energy.  Firearms formed one of the most important objects of attention.  There were sufficient sabres, but muskets were wanting.  The Imperial factories could, in ordinary times, furnish monthly 20,000 stands of new arms; by the extraordinary activity and inducements offered this number was doubled.  Workmen were also employed in repairing the old muskets.  There was displayed at this momentous period the same activity in the capital as in 1793, and better directed, though without the same ultimate success.  The clothing of the army was another difficulty, and this was got over by advancing large sums of money to the cloth manufacturers beforehand.  The contractors delivered 20,000 cavalry horses before the 1st of June, 10,000 trained horses had been furnished by the dismounted gendarmerie.  Twelve thousand artillery horses were also delivered by the 1st of June, in addition to 6000 which the army already had.

The facility with which the Ministers of Finance and of the Treasury provided for all these expenses astonished everybody, as it was necessary to pay for everything in ready money.  The system of public works was at the same time resumed throughout France.  “It is easy to see,” said the workmen, “that ‘the great contractor’ is returned; all was dead, now everything revives.”

“We have just learnt,” says a writer who was at Brussels at this time, “that Napoleon had left the capital of France on the 12th; on the 15th the frequent arrival of couriers excited extreme anxiety, and towards evening General Muffing presented himself at the hotel of the Duke of Wellington with despatches from Blucher.  We were all aware that the enemy was in movement, and the ignorant could not solve the enigma of the Duke going tranquilly to the ball at the Duke of Richmond’s—­his coolness was above their comprehension.  Had he remained at his own hotel a panic would have probably ensued amongst the inhabitants, which would have embarrassed the intended movement of the British division of the army.

“I returned home late, and we were still talking over our uneasiness when we heard the trumpets sound.  Before the sun had risen in full splendour I heard martial music approaching, and soon beheld from my windows the 5th reserve of the British army passing; the Highland brigade were the first in advance, led by their noble thanes, the bagpipes playing their several pibrochs; they were succeeded by the 28th, their bugles’ note falling more blithely upon the ear.  Each regiment passed in succession with its band playing.”

The gallant Duke of Brunswick was at a ball at the assembly-rooms in the Rue Ducale on the night of the 15th of June when the French guns, which he was one of the first to hear, were clearly distinguished at Brussels.  “Upon receiving the information that a powerful French force was advancing in the direction of Charleroi.  ’Then it is high time for me to be off,’ he exclaimed, and immediately quitted, the ball-room.”