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Recollections of Military Service in 1813,1814,
Recollections of Military Service in 18131814 Author:Thomas Morris General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1845 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million book... more »s for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER V. " The cold shade of the aristocracy !" Antwerp participated largely in the general joy and rejoicing at the successful termination of the war, and the prospect of a lasting peace under the guarantee of the allied sovereigns. The newspapers from England at this time teemed with the most glowing statements of the enthusiasm of all classes of people, and of the numerous and splendid fltes given by the Prince Regent, in honour of his illustrious visitors. If any one had then predicted the astounding events which followed within a few months, he would have been deemed either a fool or a madman. The great Napoleon had, in the mean time, been consigned to the island of Elba, the 'place allotted for his future residence; and where, with the allowance it was stipulated he should receive, he would still be able to play the sovereign on a small scale. His separation from his old and faithful guard, -- which has formed the subject of an excellent painting, -- was thus described at the time in a French paper. " To the Officers of the Old Guard, who were still with him, he spoke in nearly the following words: -- 'My dear friends and comrades, I bid you farewell. During the twenty years that we have acted together, Ihave been satisfied with you. I have always found you in the path of glory. All the powers of Europe have armed against me. A part of my generals have betrayed their duty: France itself has betrayed it. With your assistance, and that of the brave men who remained faithful to me, I have for three years preserved France from civil wars. Be faithful to the new king, whom France has chosen. Be ...« less