FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 360, 23 October 1858, Page 1

FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO.

(From the South Australian Register.) On a fine- afternoon, early in the month of March, 1815, the merchants of London, as they were retiring to their offices from 'Change, were startled by a sound to which for some months they had been unused. Noisy venders of the evening press were astounding and deafening the ears of the citizens with cries of "Second Edition of the Courier ; Bonaparte landed from Elba, in France." At first there w*s a general disregard of the matter as a hoax ; but in a few* minutes Lloyd's was refilled, all the neighbouring coffee-houses were crowded, and the numerous news vender's establishments, mostly mere cupboards in nooks round the Old Exchange and the adjacent lanes and alleys, were besieged by anxious inquirers desirous of learning the actual facts. Many a P.S. was added that evening to mercantile letters, for few by any possibility eonld be the papers which that night, would be transmitted to the country. It was before the age of printing-machines, steamboats, or railroads, and the handpress told off >'ts few hundreds too tardily to satisfy the curiosity of the London public. But the next day, when the news was verified, how mixed and varied were the views which were taken when incredulity gave way to the naked fact. So, after all the results of the loag war, and the apparent permanenc* of peace from the Treaty arising out of the united advance and occupation of Paris in 1814-; and even while that famous Congress of Vienna was settling, as it was hoped for ever, all European difficulties, here was the old troubler of the nations at large ; and the work of years of bloodshed, waste of treasure, and demoralisation of mankind, was to be renewed

; with tenfold energy. The bright face of the contractor, and the anxious looks of the merchant, with the generally expressed conviction of all classes, that there was nothing left for all true lovers of their country but to resume their old position of antagonism, and submit to any privations rather than succumb to France, were sufficient to show that every one felt the crisis involved the honour and the prosperity of Britain. The rapid advance, with unchecked success, of Napoleon, his triumphant re-entry into hi 3 capital, the ardour of his old troops, the apparent satisfaction of the country, the retreat of that despicable lot of Bourbons whose' descendants still drivel over the notion that they can and will rule France, notwithstanding their imbecility — all came in swift succession. When the first feelings of alarm and bewilderment at Vienna subsided, there was one man whose subsequent skill, valour, and decision were to settle Europe in peace for a longer period than centuries had known, and who then at once expressed his opinion that a simultaneous effort must be made to crush this fresh attempt on the liberties of tne world. That man was Wellington. How soon, having arranged a plan of action, and united all Europe in one bond, he repaired to the scene of preparation for the grand trial of strength between himself and the great conqueror of his age, is matter of record. Europe put her armies in motion from every quarter ; the Cossack was arrested on his retreat to his ancient steppes, — the Pole, the Hungarian, the German of every kingdom and duchy, were again aroused to return once more to the south, and in two months 800,000 men were converging to the scene of action. While the geniuß and administrative capacity of Napoleon were concentrating a powerful army to recover his lost power, the Government of our own British Isles was straining every nerve to forward troops and stores to the country which it was evident would become the seat of war ; a loan of sixty millions showed the resources of the country to be still adequate both for aggressive and defensive warfare.

Flanders, the old battle-field of Europe, was marked out as the spot on which the storm would burst. Little more than three months had sufficed to enable the ex-Emperor to place himself at the head of 300,000 men. The old rapidity of action was renewed, and actual war commenced by the passage of the French frontier on the 15th of June; on the 16th, the pressure of the invading armies drove back the allied lines; but on the 17th June, Wellington had concentrated his forces at a position which it has been said he had long before selected.

The bells of thousands of churches in our native land were in quaint and solemn tones calling the scattered inhabitants of the secluded and peaceful valleys and thyme-covered hills, as well* as the denser populations of quiet country towns . and busy cities, to assemble for the worship of God, on the morning of this day, forty- three long years gone by. Although anticipating that hostilities would soon commence, not many had really deemed the catastrophe so near or so decisive. Few who devoutly engaged that day in the services of their various sanctuaries, although fervently imploring, " Give peace in our time, O Lord," had the impression that the strife was so close at hand ; still less that at that same hour the fierce battle which was to decide for years the condition of Europe, had just commenced. How many who then bent in the house of prayer — fathers pioud of their sons, mothers invoking heaven far their protection, wives tenderly trembling for their husbands, affianced brides touchingly sensitive for the fate of those they loved best— felt on the following Sabbath that all which attached them to earth was gone for ever. While the quiet Sabbath of England passed, fearful was the struggle which some of the bravest of her children were enduring iv the chateau of Hugoumont, the farm of La Haye Sainte, and the deep valley and gentle slopes of the field of Waterloo. The closing hours of that dreadful day overthrew any remaining hope of restoring the empire ; and Napoleon, after a few days of vacillation, became the prisoner of the foe he had so long threatened, envied, and affected to despise.

With the new relations happily subsisting, and, despite of lowering clouds, we would hope still to subsist, between Britain and France, there can be no wish in any case to over-estimate the victory, nor to dwell upon its results. The course of England since that eventful day has been one of almost uninterrupted prosperity. Maintaining her influence abroad ; extending her colonial empire ; infusing new vigour into her own constitution by timely and efficient reforms, abandoning what was worn out and useless, and granting greater freedom to the press— that life-blood of a free country; strengthening the municipal right of. the people by increasing and extending their privileges; improving on every hand the social condition of all classes by encouraging the art which beautifies and the science which multiplies the comforts, enjoyments, and luxuries of life. Here, however, we fear our congratulations must end. * Unhappily the fond anticipations founded on the promise*of sovereigns in the hour of their distress, of greater freedom for their people, have been sadly disappointed. France herself seems again manacled in heavier fetters than even the Bourbons indulged the hope, with all their cunning, of fastening upon their country. The audacity and confidence in destiny of the third Napoleon have thrown the blind and senseless bigotry of Charles X. and the finesse and duplicity of Louis Philippe into deep shade. Belgium, under a Prince whose brief English sojourn sufficed to instil into him a love of constitutional freedom ; and the ancient heroism of

the Old Dutch Republic, though in a monarchical costume and with a senile stolidity, alone retain personal or political freedom. Of Germau hopes, frustrated, cheated, and rendered still more distant of realisation by the fears and apprehensions of neighbours who dread the advent of an era in which their power is to be circumscribed, it, is futile to speak. A people like the Germans, had they valued freedom as we esteem it, would have retained their swords in their grasp till the boon had been granted, and they had secured it as a treasured inheritance for their children's children. Spain, degraded Spain ! and Italy, poor miserable Italy ! always excepting the Sardinian oasis, have a deeper, more internal core of disease — ineradicable, but by more potent nostrums than those proffered by her Mazzinis.

Of the hero of that day, whose career so lately closed, all must speak reverently, whether they accord or not with the views which in matters of state he fearlessly upheld. There was in him a decision of character, a calmness of soul, a rectitude of principle, a love of country, and a loyalty to his sovereign, which will ever endear him to his country. We may well rejoice that his spirit still lives in some few who shared his latev triumphs. In the simple soldier-like habits, skilful combinations, and continued success of Sir Colin Campbell in India, we see the results of that heroic example, the same enduring firmness and courage and comprehensive administrative skill, which distinguished the career of the victor at Waterloo.