Brown's and the Duke of Cambridge's divisions, extends over a large plateau, encamped regiment by regiment, between Aladyn and Devno. The duke's division has marched in from Aladyn, and is now encamped towards the south-western side of the bay. It appears, that notwithstanding the exquisite beauty of the country around Aladyn, it is a hot-bed of fever and dysentery. The same is true of Devno, which is called by the Turks the Valley of Death;' and had we consulted the natives ere we pitched our camps, we assuredly should never have gone either to Aladyn or Devno, notwithstanding the charms of their position and the temptations offered by the abundant supply of water and by the adjacent woods. flcet. The news from the latter has been melancholy. Towards the close of last week the cholera assumed such an alarming character, that both admirals (French and English) resolved to leave their anchorage at Baltschik, and stand out to sea for a cruise. It is almost a pity that the ships were left there so long. On Wednesday morning the Caradoc, Lieutenant Derriman, which left Constantinople with the mails for the fleet and army the previous evening, came up with the English fleet, under Admiral Dundas. The Caradoc was boarded by a boat from the Britannia, and the officer who came on board communicated the appalling intelligence that the flag-ship had lost seventy men since she left Baltschik, and that she had buried ten men that morning. Upwards of 100 men were on "No blame, perhaps, is to be attached to the sick-list at that time. Some of the any oue for neglecting to ascertain whether other ships had lost several men, but not these great natural advantages were counterin the same proportion. The fact is, that balanced by any peculiar sanitary evils. the admiral's ship is over-crowded with Whoever gazed on these rich meadows, supernumeraries. By the last accounts the stretching for long miles away, and borBritannia was healthier, but she had lost dered by heights on which the dense forests altogether eighty-six men by cholera. The struggled, all but in vain, to pierce the British fleet was cruising in two lines, about masses of wild vine, clematis, dwarf acacia, twenty-five miles south-east of Varna, on and many-coloured brushwoods-on the the morning of the 16th. The ships were verdant hill-sides, and on the dancing the Britannia, the Albion,* the London, waters of lake and stream below, lighted the Trafalgar, the Queen, Furious, the up by the golden rays of a Bulgarian sumDiamond (frigate), Rodney, Tribune, Ven-mer's sun-might well think that no Enggeance, and two steamers. Later in the lish glade or hill-top could well be healthier day, the French fleet was observed cruising or better suited for the residence of man. east of Varna about twenty miles. The But these meadows nurture the fever, the accounts from these ships were most de-ague, dysentery, and pestilence in their pressing; but the disease has now been bosom-the lake and the stream exhale deprived somewhat of its virulence. The Ville de Paris has lost more than 200 men. The Montebello, which is in Varna harbour, has lost about the same number. * "It has been found, indeed, that the plan of wide open encampments has answered in checking disease. The British army is now scattered broad-cast all over the country, from Monastir to Varna, a distance of twenty-six or twenty-seven miles. The light division is nominally encamped at Monastir, but the regiments composing it are wide apart from each other, and the division stretches almost from Pravadi to the plains above Monastir. The cavalry brigade, under Lord Cardigan, is encamped close to Kosladschi. Sir De L. Evans's division, which has been tolerably healthy in comparison with Sir George Those marked as above have suffered most from cholera. death; and at night fat unctuous vapours rise up fold after fold from the valleys, and creep up in the dark, and steal into the tent of the sleeper, and wrap him in their deadly embrace. So completely exhausted on last Thursday was the brigade of guards, these 3,000 of the flower of England, that they had to make two marches in order to get over the distance from Aladyn to Varna, which is not more than (not so much, many people say, as) ten miles. But that is not all. Their packs were carried for them. Just think of this, good people of England, who are sitting anxiously in your homes, day after day, expecting every morning to gladden your eyes with the sight of the announcement, in large type, of 'Fall of Sebastopol,' your guards, your corps d'élite, the pride of your hearts, the delight of your eyes, these Anakims, whose stature, strength, and massive bulk you exhibit to kingly visitors as no inapt symbols of your nation, have been so reduced by sickness, disease, and a depressing climate, that it was judged inexpedient to allow them to carry their own packs, or to permit them to march more than five miles a-day, even though these packs were carried for them! Think of this, and then judge whether these men are fit, in their present state, to go to Sebastopol, or to attempt any great operation of war. "The highland brigade is in better condition; but even the three noble regiments which compose it are far from being in good health, or in the spirits in which they set out for Varna. The duke's division has lost 160 men; of these nearly 100 belonged to the guards. In the brigade of guards there were, before the march to Varna, upwards of 600 men sick. The light division has lost 110 or 112 men. Sir De L. Evans has lost 100 men or thereabouts. The little cavalry force has been sadly reduced by death, and the third (Sir R. England's) division, which has been encamped to the north-west of Varna, close outside the town, has lost upwards of 100 men also; the 50th regiment, who were much worked, being particularly cut up. The ambulance corps has been completely crippled by the death of the drivers and men belonging to it; and the medical officers have been called upon to make a special report on the mortality among them. I believe the fact to be, there was rather an unhappy selection of men, and that many of them were old soldiers, rather addicted to free living and spirits; and in Bulgaria drunkenness is death. Sir R. England's division has been moved round the bay, and is now loosely encamped near Lord Lucan's cavalry, on the heights extending from the Fountain to Galata Bournon, and looking across the bay towards Varna. We have still some few men of our army encamped on the north-cast side of the town, on the plains outside the walls. "The French have their cholera camp' between Chatel Tepeh and Medjidji-tahi, about two miles from the town. It is only too extensive and too well filled. Horrors occur here every day which are shocking to think of. Walking by the beach, one sees some straw sticking up through the sand, and scraping it away with his stick, he is horrified at bringing to light the face of a corpse, which has been deposited there, with a wisp of straw around it, a prey to dogs and vultures. Dead bodies rise up from the bottom in the harbour, and bob grimly around in the water, or float in from sea, and drift past the sickened gazers on board the ships-all buoyant, bolt upright, and hideous in the sun. On Friday, the body of a French soldier, who had been murdered (for his neckerchief was twisted round the neck so as to produce strangulation, and the forehead was laid open by a ghastly wound which cleft the skull to the brain), came alongside the Caradoc in harbour, and was with difficulty sunk again. What fond parent or anxious sweetheart, in some pleasant homestead of La Belle France, may now be expecting him and wondering at his silence? Will they ever hear of that poor fellow's fate? A boat's crew go on shore to put a few stones together as a sort of landing-place on the sand; they move a stone, and underneath is a festering corpse again. But there is no use in accumulating the details of scenes like these, which must ever be the terrible attendants on war and pestilence." Let us change the scene: we are glad that we can do so to one that the philanthropic mind will dwell upon with pleasure. Let us turn our attention to one of those brilliant episodes of history in which nations are drawn closer to each other, and the interests of good-will and brotherhood amongst men promoted. It redeems war from detestation to know that it sometimes gives rise to such events. We allude to the fraternisation of princes at Boulogne, which occurred in the month of September. Enormous military preparations had been made in France, and an immense army, under the title of the Camp of the North, was stationed along the coast from Boulogne to St. Omer. The Emperor Napoleon announced his intention of spending nearly the whole of September at the former place, where he was to be visited by the King of Belgium, and the husband of the sovereign of Great Britain, both of whom had been invited to witness a series of grand military manœuvres by the French troops. As the latter were commanded by the emperor, it was justly supposed that the presence of such distinguished visitors would be regarded not only as a compliment to the French monarch, but would also have a healthy influence upon the politics of Europe, by showing what strong sympathies. were evinced by the people of France, England, and Belgium in the course pursued by the great Western Powers. **མས * 2nd of September, the French arrived, at noon, at Sologne, in order to meet and King of the Belgians. He .......ed at once to Dessin's hotel, which Mikea engaged for the occasion. Shortly vwards he received a deputation of poisca, who, clad in pretty chintz dresses and black linsey-woolsey petticoats, testified their loyalty by presenting the emperor with a tine dish of fish. After them the peasantwomen were admitted to an interview with their sovereign, and offered for his acceptauce a magnificent bouquet. A little before two o'clock the King of the Belgians arrived, escorted by a detachment of cuirassiers, and welcomed by a salute of artillery. He was accompanied by his eldest son, the Duke de Brabant, and was immediately conducted by the authorities of the town, and amid the cheers of the people, to Dessin's hotel. The emperor met his royal visitor in the courtyard, when both sovereigns bowed, and Leopold exclaimed: "I am charmed to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce to you my son, the Duke de Brabant." Louis responded with a few kindly words, and took the king and the duke into his private apartment, where they remained together for about three-quarters of an hour. in the Baltic, I ought already to address you in the language of praise; for you have now for two months gaily supported the fatigues and privations inseparable from a similar agglomeration of troops. "The formation of camps is the best apprenticeship to war, because it is the faithful image of war; but it will not profit all if the reasons of the movements to be executed are not brought within the comprehension of every soldier. "A numerous army is obliged to divide itself in order to subsist, so that it may not exhaust the resources of a country; and yet it ought to be able to reunite itself promptly on the field of battle. Here is one of the first difficulties of a great concourse of troops. Every army,' said the emperor, that cannot reunite itself in twenty-four hours, upon a given point, is an army badly placed.' "Ours occupies a triangle, of which St. Omer is the apex, and of which the base extends itself from Ambleteuse to Montreuil. This triangle has a base of eight leagues upon twelve of height, and all the troops can be concentrated in twenty-four hours upon any point of the triangle whatsoever. These movements can be effected with facility, if the soldier is accustomed to march -if he carries with ease his provisions and The next morning (Sunday) they pro- ammunition-if cach chef de corps maintains ceeded in an open carriage to Boulogne, on the march the severest discipline-if the escorted by a detachment of the imperial different columns which direct themselves guards, and halted at the emperor's hotel at by different routes have well reconnoitred the Capecure. A grand military mass was to ground, and never cease to maintain a comhave been solemnised at the camp, and the munication with each other-in fine, if each tricolour fluttered over the temporary chapel army does not obstruct the march of the in which the service of the day was to be other, notwithstanding the immense hinperformed. The little building resembled a drance of a great number of horses and rustic lodge, and in the centre of it stood vehicles. The troops once arrived at the the altar, decorated with flowers, and fur-place indicated, it is necessary that they nished with the silver candlesticks and other plate used in the Roman catholic ritual. The signal of assembling was given by the roll of drums and the shrill braying of trumpets, and immediately immense bodies of men, the contingents from the second and third camps, came marching over the hills. The heat, however, was so great, that the emperor and his royal guests did not care to brave it, and the ceremony proceeded without them. In the evening the following proclamation, dated the previous day, was issued by the emperor to his troops : "Soldiers!-In coming to take the command of that army of the north, a division of which has so recently distinguished itself should understand each other, that they should protect themselves by a military position, and bivouac. "This is what you are about to be called upon to put in practice. Without at present speaking of the engagements and manœuvres of military tactics, you see how all is linked together in the art of war, and how much the most simple detail must contribute to the general success. "Soldiers! the experienced chiefs whom I have placed at your head, and the devotion which animates you, will render the command of the army of the north easy to me. You will be worthy of my confidence, and, if circumstances should exact it, you will be ready to respond to the appeal of our country. "NAPOLEON. "Boulogne, Sept. 2." The King of the Belgians and his son embarked on Sunday evening, and returned home, in consequence of the presence of the former being required in his own dominions by urgent business. They were accompanied to the steam-boat by the emperor, and their departure caused much regret to the people and the English visitors of Boulogne, who were estimated at 15,000. The following day (Monday) the King of Portugal, accompanied by his brother, the Duke of Oporto, arrived at Boulogne by | special train from Paris. The emperor received his visitors in the vestibule of the hotel, and escorted them to the apartments prepared for their reception. In the afternoon the illustrious party drove to the camp at Houvault, to inspect the troops. On their arrival there, a great body of troops turned out, and marched past the royal carriages in slow and quick time. The word of command, loud and wild as an Arab warcry, might be heard all along the line, and the officers galloped up and down in that apparently frantic excitement which is peculiar to the French. The young King of Portugal was delighted with the grand spectacle around him, which revealed the might and majesty of France, and was an earnest of the gigantic force the allied powers could raise to resist oppression. As the royal party drove along the line, they were received by shouts of Vive l'Empereur! the officers of the various regiments giving their soldiers the signal when to raise their sturdy voices. Napoleon was also received with enthusiasm by the spectators, chiefly English, whom he repaid by repeated smiles and bows. The inspection over, the royal party alighted from their carriages, and the emperor took the King of Portugal, first into the tent of a captain, and then into that of a common soldier; in both of which he explained the contrivances adopted for the comfort of the troops. This mark of condescension was received by the soldiers with great delight, and as the royal party re-entered the carriages, the air rang with acclamations. Amongst the Englishmen present were Lord Ranelagh and Colonel Knox, with whom the emperor conversed freely. Indeed, his whole demeanour was extremely frank and winning; and at times, when the gens d'armes tried to keep back the people, he said: "Let them come in and stand where they please." Much to the surprise and disappointment of the good folks of Boulogne, the young King of Portugal left the same day that he arrived, and proceeded by the railway to Brussels, amid the thunders of a military salute. With the morning of the next day (the 5th) came the consort of the Queen of England. The weather was brilliant; the sky cloudless; and the whole population of Boulogne seemed to have poured forth to welcome Prince Albert to the town. About half-past ten the royal yacht, Victoria and Albert, with the tricolour floating at the fore, and the royal standard at the main, was seen rounding the point on the Capecure side of the harbour. She was followed by the Black Eagle and the Vivid, both with colours dressed. The emperor, attended by a group of officers and aides-de-camp, left his hotel, and went down to the quay to receive his illustrious visitor. As the royal yacht entered the harbour, she was received with the roar of artillery and the enthusiastic shouts of the dense masses of spectators. The prince bowed repeatedly to the multitudes; and seeing the emperor standing a little in advance of his staff, a glance of recognition passed between them, and they simultaneously raised their hats, and exchanged several bows. As the Victoria and Albert came alongside, a carpeted gangway was thrown on board, and Prince Albert ran briskly ashore, and raising his hat, advanced to the emperor. The latter shook hands with the prince very warmly, and addressed several friendly expressions to him. On approaching the open carriage which brought the emperor to the quay, a difficulty arose as to who first should enter it. Napoleon insisted that his guest should do so; but the prince hesitated to take precedence of the emperor. The latter, however, would not yield, and the prince entered the carriage first, which soon after drove slowly off, escorted by the cent-gardes, whose brilliant uniforms, consisting of helmet and cuirass, light blue coats, jack-boots, and leather breeches, added to the gaiety of the scene. From the quay to the emperor's hotel at Capecure, the streets were densely crowded, and every window was well filled with fashionablydressed women, who gave an enthusiastic welcome to the distinguished visitor. It is said the people seemed extremely gratified, but too intent on seeing the prince to cheer as a thoroughly English crowd would have | He added, with peculiar emphasis, that it done. was his earnest hope that the entente cordiale, so auspiciously exhibited that day, would long continue to exist between the two countries of France and Great Britain. This brief address gave much pleasure to the emperor, who handed his royal highness into the carriage, and they both returned to Boulogne. At four o'clock the emperor and the prince mounted on horseback, and, attended by their suites, proceeded to the camps at Ambleteuse, Wimereux, and Houvault. The princes rode side by side, followed at a short distance by the leading personages of their staffs, the troops falling into line with astonishing rapidity as the royal cortége approached. Leaving the camp near the column, the royal party rode through the streets, amidst the enthusiastic congratulations of the people, and returned to the imperial hotel. The Thursday was passed by the emperor and prince in mutual civilities, and in the evening a grand ball was given at the Tintelleries, and attended by many thousands of persons, both French and English. But the great event occurred on Friday. It was the representation of a battle upon the line of road between Boulogne and Calais, in which the actors were 25,000 French soldiers, one half of whom were commanded by the emperor in person, and the other by General de Schramm. The latter was supposed to threaten Boulogne from the direction of Calais, while the former took up a position to resist any further advance of the supposed enemy. The next day (Wednesday), September the 6th, a grand military review took place at the camp of Helfaut, in honour of Prince Albert. The emperor and his distinguished visitor arrived on the ground at eleven in the morning. After taking some refreshment they visited the huts, and admired the tasteful decorations, the sculpture, and the little gardens with which the soldiers had adorned the camp. The royal party then mounted their horses and rode slowly to The fight opened with the artillery on both the Bruyères, a magnificent plateau over- sides, which was kept up heavily for some looking the town and churches of St. Omer. time. After an interval, the long lines of The number of soldiers assembled amounted Schramm's corps, drawn up upon the oppoto 25,000. The emperor and the prince, on site height, broke into columns, and slowly arriving on the field, were saluted by a dis- fell back towards Calais. The emperor, dicharge of twenty-one guns, fired from one recting his attack continuously from his of the batteries. The emperor was attired right, and pressing forward with his cavalry, in his usual costume, the full uniform of a succeeded in turning his opponent's left. lieutenant-general of division, and rode his General de Schramm thereupon changed his favourite chesnut charger. The prince wore front, so as to face this flank movement, still, the cocked hat and blue undress coat of a however, retreating. The manoeuvres exfield-marshal, with the star of the order of tended over a distance of three or four miles, the garter. They first rode together along and of course embraced an infinite number the front line of infantry, and were saluted of details into which it is impossible to enter. by the soldiers lowering the ensigns as they The sham fight terminated on the fine open proceeded. The troops afterwards slowly slope of a height four miles distant from the defiled before them, and the cavalry ex-point at which it had commenced. Schramm's ecuted some dashing charges. The prince regarded them with a scrutinising eye, and the emperor apparently directed his attention to various points in connexion with the equipment and training of the various arms of the service. The review over, the prince rode forward, and, addressing the officers in French, expressed the gratification he had derived from witnessing the admirably-executed evolutions which had been gone through, and his warm approval of the soldierlike appearance and military bearing of the men. corps holding the ridge, made a last stand against their opponents, who, steadily debouching from the woods below, at length drove them from their position. At halfpast eleven it was all over, and the emperor conducted his illustrious guest to breakfast. The departure of Prince Albert took place at eleven o'clock at night, under circumstances of a most brilliant and picturesque character. The emperor saw him on board, and after a cordial farewell, the Victoria and Albert steamed away towards Portsmouth, and was soon lost in the darkness. |