next letter will probably be either from an encampment amongst the Norwegian hills, or from on board a transport bound for the shores of Denmark. Here, or there, ever while above ground (and beneath it too, witness the mines!) I remain your faithful friend.

LETTER XLIX.

Gottenburg, July, 1808.

То

'O me all the world seems asleep, or engaged in mysteries in which I am to be no partaker. It is not sufficient that I am perplexed by political suspences, but private anxieties are to add to my disagreeables. Why are you all so silent? Perhaps you will say, that owing to the information of my last, you did not write, because you expected I would now be on the wing, and letters might not readily reach me! Being good enough to make your apology for a first transgression of the sort, I shall proceed to my other disappointments.

A suspence of nearly two months did not decide the destination of the British troops. Negotiations, and various other occurrences, all a riddle to us poor by-standers, suddenly unfurled the English canvas, and the whole fleet, with its brave freight, were again under way for Great Britain! Sir John Moore had left Gottenburg for Stockholm on the fourteenth of June, and returned hither incognito on the first of July ; he went immediately on board the Victory, and he and the whole fleet sailed for England on the fourth.

These events have struck a general consternation into all people. The mystery seems to threaten an unhappy disclosure; and where we before saw smiling faces, we now meet gloom and suspicion. My northern campaign being thus cropt in the bud, I shall hope for a more propitious commencement on the shores of Spain, which, I understand, is now the destination of the Victory and her squadron. I was on board a transport for some time, but being told they were going direct for the Spanish coast, I relanded; rather wishing to make England in my way, and to join the British troops when disembarked at their foreign destination.

Since their departure my chagrin has been a little dispersed by the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess d'Angoulême. They came hither from Prussia, accompanied by the Queen of France and their suite; and mean to remain till preparations are made to receive them in England. I was immediately presented by the Comte de Damas. These interesting remains of the once splendid court of Versailles affected me much. I was received with affability and dignity; but as the interview was not a short one, the cold formalities of ceremony were most condescendingly waved by these august personages, (not the less royally great, in being heroically so, under misfortune :) the illustrious wife of Louis XVIII. conversed with cheerfulness and freedom; and the Duke talked with me on every popular subject, in the most engaging manner. The Duchess, the lovely daughter of the beautiful and unhappy Antoinette, is extremely interesting. She is fair, and very like the Bourbons. Her eyes are mild; and, in their slow and gentle turns, carry such an expression of tender melancholy, that it is impossible to look on her without partaking her feelings.

Her whole air breathes the same sentiments; the very tones of her voice, all tell of the woes she has suffered; that she is the daughter, the last of the offspring of the murdered King and Queen of France.

As I frequently repeated my visit by the desire of His Royal Highness, I saw this interesting Princess in a thousand charming lights, and perceived, that though she was sad, she was not gloomy; that her melancholy was of a temper rather to endear than to distress: and it seems to have had its full effect upon her amiable husband. She conversed with me as he did, making me sit by them as a friend; and during these conferences with which they honoured me, I had every opportunity of appreciating the value of her really fine understanding and angelic heart. Cruel as has been her lot, she has found sweet are the uses of adversity; for in no rank of life did I ever meet with more intelligence, sound judgment, and dignified piety, than in the Duchess d'Angoulême.

The Duke is in every respect worthy of so inestimable a treasure. His mind is as excellent as it is amiable; and while I took from him the commands with which he honoured me for England, I was happy thus to unite my respect for the Prince, with the devoted affection of a friend.

I have just received a most flattering invitation from the Swedish Commander in Chief on the frontiers of Norway, to join him there, where every attention will be shown me, and my military passion fully