to demand the General's watch and money, but a private of the 7th, who was less scrupulous and exalted in his ideas, did the General that favor before he reached the British lines. Grisdale gave the sash, sword, and pistols, to his Colonel, (Leigh) to have them transmitted to his beloved Commander, the Prince of Wales. Grisdale has recently been raised to the rank of corporal, as the first step only of more considerable promotion.He is an exceedingly well made, well looking man : his countenance is ruddy and expressive, and strongly indicates that he possesses that intrepid spirit which should, at all times, distinguish the Briton and the soldier. He is a native of Gracestock, in Cumberland; his age is twenty-four. He has a mother living, to whom he is most affectionately attached; and where filial piety exists, we seldom look for human courage in vain.

Notwithstanding this coup d'eclat, it seemed destined that our retreat should be attended with every possible disadvantage that Nature could throw in our way. The weather was so inclement, that the oldest Galician living, does not remember so severe a season. Wind, rain, and even hail, pelted around us; and to add to our distresses, the greater part of the officers had lost their cloaks, great coats, and linen, as the muleteers to whose care they were confided, had all scampered to the mountains on the approach of the French cavalry, and left 200 of their mules to be quietly plundered by the enemy! Now, whether this mishap arose from the suggestions of fear,

or hatred, or knavery, is yet undetermined. Some of our dragoons endeavoured to drive those independent animals forward, but even the stroke of the sabre had no effect, when their masters had forsaken them. Unhappily, they were not linguists, like Balaam's appendage, and could not, or would not, comprehend the British word of command. Between Benevente and Astorga, and Villa Franca, and Lugo, the retreating army were literally compelled to cut a passage through the snow!

THE SPANISH LADIES.

THE Spanish ladies, in general, are petite, but lively, and by no means subject to those ungenerous restrictions in social agency that they were in more remote times.-Their conversation is witty and agreeable, and their eyes both black and brilliant, yet the contour of the face is not peculiarly striking; their similitude to the Portuguese is very apparent.

Coming out of the church of Astorga, where I had been to witness the celebration of High Mass, I perceived a bona Dea of more than ordinary interest, tripping gracefully on a narrow path that meandered through the ordure of the streets, in blue satin pantoufles; she was followed by an old attendant, or duenna, who carried a large rosary on her arm, and looked as devout as

Saint Ursula, in penance. The younger female appeared to be made of "metal more attractive," and not wholly unwilling to be a sinner in ambush-ever and anon, she lifted up the angle of the veil that concealed her beauty, and seemed to reconnoitre my person from under the pent-house of her eye; when she darted a glance of such fierce captivation, as might fascinate a trout in the

stream.

On her fair breast a sparkling cross she wore,

Which Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore.

Having some leisure, I slipped two pistorines into the old woman's hand (which appeared to open, and receive the douceur, as it were by instinct). She understood my meaning, and allured me with her fan, to follow her: I obeyed her signals, until we arrived at a house in a narrow street, which I saw my charming incognita enter, as light as a fairy: the ancient lady continuing her silent instructions, I followed them up stairs, into a spacious, but comfortless apartment: decorated with the portraits of an adust Bruno, and a noviciate nun a few chairs, an immense marble slab, with massy gilt feet, a sofa, a chafing dish with the residuum of coals, yet warm, and a crucifix, and Salvator Mundi affixed in a niche of the wall.

I made my apology to the lady, in French, which luckily she understood perfectly well; and after desiring me to be seated, spoke thus, before the duenna:-" Senhor, you are a stranger, and a friend, and in such characters you are en

titled to my respect; but as I perceive, by the nonchalance of your manner, that you may be inclined to think too lightly of my decorum, I must inform you that I have limits to my civilities: although I am not a sworn enemy to refined gallantry (here the duenna gave me a nod of encouragement); were there no fools enamoured of beauty, female reputation would not have suffered in the contemplation of the moralist; by giving them the custody of what they are unable to appreciate, their vanity becomes paramount, and the world hears that faux pas, which adds not to the health of the listener, while it abridges the circulation of joy. Discretion is the attribute of man, and although it is made but a minor virtue in the catalogue, it is frequently the guardian of all the rest; with it, the sensibilities of love are never outraged; but without it, the finer threads of the heart become unravelled, and all its delicate texture falls to ruin!

"I have often pondered on the declaration of the French Censor- Sans la discretion, la société civile n'est qu'une fatigue et un embarras; car il faut etre toujours attentif sur soi, pour ne rien laisser echapper devant des personnes indifferentes, qui en pourroient faire un mauvais usage, soit en relevant ce qu'on leur confie, ou en y ajoutant de leur chef des circonstances a quoi l'on n'a jamais pense ?

At the conclusion of this polished quotation, she gracefully beckoned the ancient Sybil from the viranda, to retire, and prepare some chesnuts and Malaga for the Cavalier. As the she-dragon of reputation receded, she gave me a kind of flying.

courtesy, or Parthian salute: signifying, by the movement of her head, a species of congratulation at my excellent good fortune.

"You may be surprised, Senhor," continued the Donna," at this condescension; but I view you in the light of a national deliverer!-You are a soldier and an Englishman, and must be noble and liberal by inheritance; (here I bowed my head, and, I believe, blushed.) I am a widow: my late husband was a Knight of the Holy Ghost— a Castilian by birth, and his honor was as spotless as Alpine snows! How proud he would have been. to have congratulated a magnanimous ally within his own walls! That is a charming topaz on your ring, Senhor; the Princess of Monaco had its twin-brother. I think it might fit my fingerwith your permission-bien obligé-Oh! fidon."(Here the MS. was obliterated.)

While quartered at the convent of Sobrado, we had frequently occasion to use the influence of the Monks, in procuring some essential requisites for the sick; and to smooth and further our designs, we often visited the church during mass. On one of these events, a gentleman, attached to the Commissariat, observed an old woman, who was watching him with more than common attention. As the devotees were retiring, she came up to the Officer, and tapping him gently on the shoulder with her fan, enquired, with a look of indescribable archness, "if he was a Christian?" "A Christian, Madam!" quoth he, " certainly. Have you not seen me at "Ah! Senhor," replied the peery in

mass ?”