night, strewed the way for miles. Never had I conceived, much less witnessed, so awful a scene. I believe that all the dreadful images which the poetic imagination of the great Poussin collected, in his plague of the Philistines, were here united. In one baggage-waggon, which had overturned during the night, an unfortunate soldier's wife, as I have since learnt, with several children, were frozen to death. But why dwell on these horrors; the bare idea of which must make you shudder? Descending the western side of the mountain, by a road many feet deep in mud, we reached the village of Honorias, situated close to a fine oak wood. This part of the mountain is very rich in plants and shrubs; I particularly remarked great quan, tities of black hellebore growing very luxuriantly, The aspect of the country improved as we descended some miles farther towards Nogalis, where we halted for the night. Owing to the number of regiments here, it was with difficulty a house could be procured for the sick and wounded. The village, as usual; was deserted by the in habitants.

The magistrate had behaved very ill towards some part of Sir David Baird's army during the advance; in consequence of which he had been reprimanded, if not chastised, in the manner he deserved; he had therefore fled on hearing of our return. Here, as well as at Villa Franca,

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some rations of salted beef and rum were issued to the soldiers. As early as possible on the 4th, the troops quitted Nogalis. The road wound for some miles along the serpentine course of a rapid stream, which passes through the last-mentioned village. The ground under foot was as bad as any we had passed; and many of the men were still mi ́serably provided with shoes, notwithstanding a large quantity had been issued at Villa Franca.

4

After several miles of gradual descent, we arrived within sight of a noble bridge, of three arches, resembling an aqueduct, which unites the sides of a deep ravine, and carries the road over the stream before-noticed. As I had heard a great deal from several officers of the strength of this ravine, and the impossibility of the enemy's bringing their guns over, if the bridge should be blown up, I took a hasty sketch of it, which I now inclose. The structure itself reminded me strongly of the Peasebridge, near Dunbar, which you well know. Near this place we met about three hundred armed Spaniards, who were waiting to cross after the British troops.

On this bridge was an engineer-officer, directing the operations of a party of pioneers and artificers, digging a mine for the destruction of the centre arch. We soom passed two villages; named Constantine and Sobradelo,

which iskirt each side of the road:ooThe country here abouts is very fertile, and richly covered with finę ank woods. Sir David Baird and Lord William Bentinck were reconnoitring its positions as we passed. Several regiments halted in these hamlets; but it was thought better to anove our convoy on to Largo,to be out of the way in case of an engagement; After two leagues, we came to a village, and stopped some hours to refresh the sick, and the horses of the waggon-train,daTowards midnight we proceeded, and came in here this morning.The sick are now well lollged in a convent. The route from Nogalis was marked by the same spectacles as the preceding day's. I had the curiosity to count the dead horses and mules for the space of two leagues, and at a moderate calculation their value amounted to more than twenty thousand pounds. I am sorry to find that this sad necessity has, in a great measure, arisen from want of shoes. Our march has been so rapid, that there has been no time to hammer new ones, although in most towns in Spain iron bars are plenty enough. I am not a little surprized how the French cavalry can pursue ours, as they must of course suffer the same distress. Horse-shoes, as they are made in England, are so extremely heavy, that no dragoon can well carry more than four; but if we were to adopt the kind of thin, light shoes I have seen used by the Turkish farriers, they might carry double the number. It would be very convenient,

too, if every dragoon could occasionally shoe his own horse, which is not a very difficult operation.But my friend Wylde is just setting off, and I must conclude. He is conducting three officers of Bonaparte's Imperial Guard to Corunna. They are good-looking men, with enor mous mustachios, clad in scarlet jackets, most gorgeously adorned with gold lace; but their manners and address completely betray the rank which they held in society before the revolution. They are all members of the Legion of Honor. Once more, farewel.

LETTER LE.

AN OLD LICENTIATE AT LUGO HIS PHILIPPIC AGAINST THE ENGLISH. —ARRIVAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE.—HUSSAR SHOT AT VILLA FRANCA FOR MARAUDING.—LIEUT.-GENERAL FRASER'S DIVISION RECALLED FROM SOBRADO. ARMY TAKES UP A POSITION IN FRONT OF LUGO. -BATTLE OFFERED TO SOULT-HE DECLINES IT.-BRITISH RE`TIRE.—GUITTIREZ.—BETANZOS.—BRAVERY AND SPIRIT DISPLAYED

BY THE STRAGGLERS. THE TROOPER.

Corunna, 11th January, 1808.

THE morning I entered Lugo, I met two officers then setting off for Corunna. As I was unprovided with any quarters, they advised me to take up my lodgings in the house which they were their to quit, adding, that the possessor of it had treated them with great hospitality, and that they were persuaded I should be very comfortable there.

I was made happy by this assurance, as I had not had my clothes off for several nights. Indeed, after leaving