THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 17

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In publishing a sketch of the Battle of Waterloo, 62 years after its occurrence, you state that it is principally to revive the memory of the youths of this colony in the feats of BritUh armt. Unfortunately you deal with, this great subject in a partial, light. If my. memory is correct, the engagement of Qaatre Bras was not a defeat for Marshal 'Ney, but a drawn battle. Yet had he carried out the instructions of his Great Captain, there is no doubt that he would have been victorious.

You state that Napoleon commanded as fine an army as he ever fought with. Where were his brilliant armies, whose bones lay bleached in Spain and Russia P Historians tell us that the greater part of the army that was engaged in his last battles were principally raw recruits. If there should be any Waterloo heroes still alive, they will tellyou that the words attributed to Wellington, "Up, Guards, and at them," were never used by him, but had their origin in the fertile and brilliant brain of Allison. You write as if Wellington was omnipotent, for you say: — "But now the old Invincibles had advanced to the point which the hero had fixed as their utmost limit." If he was so certain of victory, why did he sacrifice the immense number of men that, by his own account, is recorded, and use the words, " Would to God night were come, or Blucher ?" clearly showing that it was on the numerical strength of Bluchers army that Wellington looked for success. Waterloo affords no test of the generalship of the two warriors. Napoleon never made a strategic movement during the whole battle. On bis part it was a succession of charges, and on Wellington's " Form squares," which are almost impossible to break with cavalry. There cannot be a question that the fate of the day was decided by the Prussian!, not only being known along the French ranks as early as two o'clock to be en route for Waterloo, but appearing in sight as the Old Guards made their grand charge, thereby giving renewed confidence to the English, and causing dismay to the French. To draw comparisons of bravery is impossible. No men, either French or English, could have fought more nobly or determinately. When we consider that .the French had made a forced march to meet Blucher ; had had two days' hard fighting before they met the English on Waterloo, it is surprising that they were enabled to take the offensive. To say what would have been the issue if the Prussians had not arrived on Waterloo, is beyond the pen of the historian to relate. The reserve that Napoleon had, after his last unsuccessful grand charge, was astonishing. The simple fact is, that the French loss on Waterloo itself was trifling in comparison to the British. When we find the Old Guard, under no leader, not only showing a bold front to the English army, staying their progress in their pursuit after their countrymen, and when called upon to surrender, giving back the answer, " The Guard dies, but never surrenders ;" and. then cutting their way through the legions opposed to them — it is impossible to say what these men would have accomplished if commanded by Napoleon, and opposed only by the force that Wellington had on Waterloo. In concluding, you say that Wellington unwillingly consented that the pursuit of the French should be entrusted to Blucher. This may be so. Yet, although the Iron Duke was a great general, he still was a great tyrant ; and the black flag that Prussia hoisted in the pursuit of the French is still to be repaid for. Then will come a day of retribution ! Waterloo unquestionably was lost and won through the force of circumstances. As for the conclusions we have to draw from this decisive engagement, the question that arises is : " Is it necessary for the Press, after the lapse of sixty.two years' uninterruptedpeace, and when the same nation has fought side by side with us against Holy Russia, to stir up bitter animosities that have long since been dead. It used to be a common boast to say one Englishman could beat six Frenchmen, and on the other side of the Channel you would hear the opposite. Do we want to revive this feeling? The great curse of France is her national glory. Is it necessary for us to imitate her ? What would be said if the Scottish Press on the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn gave a laudatory and partial account, simply for the purpose of reviving in the memory of the Scottish youth their forefathers' great feat of arms against the English. Such a course would be considered to be in bad taste and although by some it might be looked upon as revolutionary, yet they have as much right to parade their success as we against the French.

The Fourth Estate exercise an influence on nations that was little dreamt of fifty years ago ; and for that powerful organ to instill into the mind of posterity a spirit of boast and disdain, is likely to lead to consequences unwished for. The great power of an Englishman is his magnanimity of character, his nobleness o£ action even to the vanquished, " that he will strike as soon for a fallen foe, as he would for a soulbound friend." It was this characteristic of our race that caused the First Napoleon to throw himself upon our protection. The Prussians have named two ironclads that they have lately had constructed after their two great recent successes against $he French—

Metz and Sedan — and this has raised a protest from the French Press. We, Sir, have, m this country numbers of good French citizens. Common courtesy demands that we should not insult their feelings by a journalistic recapitulation of our great military successes over them sixty-two years since. There requires no incentives of past victories to urge the rising generation to defend the cause of truth and justice, of right and wrong. Our policy at present is non-interference, and that policy is likely to remain permanent. Yet let that nation beware who strikes at English liberty, for the lion, though he may seem to sleep, is still on. the watch and ready ; and posterity will not disgrace the prowess of their sires. — I am, &c, I. S. Dburt. , [Our Prussian and French friends have now had their fling in return. Notwithstanding all they have said, we hope the day will never come, > when our countrymen — either "English, Scotch, or Paddywhacks " — shall be able to look back, upon the achievements of their forefathers i without experiencing a thrill of patriotic pride.] .