FOOTNOTES:
[1] There was a species of Malmsey Madeira, the most delicious wine imaginable. The cellar seemed well stocked, and our table consequently was well supplied.
[2] These people were deputies sent from the Provisional Government to treat with the Duke, but I have never made out yet who he of the decoration might have been.
[3] The close Prussian collar, now so well known to the British army, was a novelty to us then: our collars were low, and cut down in front. The cavalry and horse-artillery particularly affected very narrow sloping collars.
[4] This must have been a mistake, for the Duke dates his despatches from Loures on the 30th June, and the headquarters would hardly have been established in a place so utterly destroyed as is here described. Perhaps the place was La Chapelle, which I find in the map. My recollection of the scene here portrayed is quite perfect even now, although not of the name.
[5] This makes it appear that my notes are right, answering with the map as they do.
[6] We did this to be enabled to march more expeditiously and freely, observing this road to be quite clear of troops.
[7] Bourget.
[8] Mistake. They passed at St Germain on the 30th June, and were in position between Plessis Picquet and St Cloud, with reserve at Versailles, on 2d July.—See Duke’s despatch.
[9] Several regiments from America marched through Garges this evening, and took up their station in front—fine corps of veterans, all having served in the Peninsula, and subsequently in America. Many a cheer from old comrades greeted their arrival. It was a soul-stirring sight, the proud march of these well-tried troops into our camp.
[10] Amongst these parties some were of the haut-ton, and I saw many very elegant women. Indeed, amongst the bourgeoise there was no lack of beauty, and in manner much to admire, since they infinitely surpass our countrywomen of the same class in gracefulness of carriage and gentility of address.
[11] Three windmills and an obelisk stand upon the summit next the gap, and a single mill on the isolated hill beyond it. The neighbourhood of Paris may be said to be characterised by the windmills which occupy every height, and thus testify to the sluggish nature of the streams watering the plains by the want of water-power.
[12] The Prussians seize all forage not under escort and for our own use. Had they known this last was not the case, our non-commissioned officer would have availed little.
[13] In English we have no word which will translate.
[14] The cornette.
[15] Le Nôtre had five feet (French) difference of level between one side and the other to remove. There is no accounting for taste.
[16] It once was a garden, but was destroyed by the great fire.
[17] These bergeries are very numerous in the neighbourhood of Paris, where it seems the fashion among the great proprietors to keep flocks of merinos. Almost every chateau has its bergerie and vacherie. We have one here in Stain belonging to M. le Marquis de Livry, as I know to my cost. The bergerie consists of low sheds, forming a square. Within, they are fitted up with low racks for hay. The sheep are kept in these all the winter, and at night during the summer.
[18] I cannot FEEL in public, especially when a showman is telling me in a garbled manner that which would spontaneously flash across the memory if left to one’s self. When we do not feel, we can’t write.
[19] Angélique told me since that Mademoiselle Rose fled to the woods with the rest of the villagers, and only returned when they did.
[20] I suspect a fact I have since remembered must have suggested the idea of charging us with the lead. Finding the horses very ragged when I first joined the troop, I ordered all their manes to be plaited and loaded with lead, of which a sufficiency could have been picked up about the chateau or lawn, or off the ends or remnants of the already cut pipes.
[21] The two reserve troops.
[22] Under the cliffs at the other extremity, near the Barrière de Clichy, is a similar mound, originating, no doubt, in the same way. It is now covered with fine trees, and forms an agreeable object as one approaches the Barrière. Its name (Monceau) perhaps points to its origin.
[23] Early riser as I am, my neighbour here beat me considerably, for I always used to hear him harnessing his horses for work before daylight, which he did with a pretty annoying quantity of noise and chattering.
[24] To me the most interesting part of this mound was its history, rising abruptly as it does so much above the surrounding ground. Is it an enormous barrow, like Silbury, or is it a natural accumulation of alluvium?
[25] It must be remembered that in those days these, as well as many other things quite common in England, were novelties to Englishmen.
[26] The rough journal from which I have with much trouble compiled this copy is here so confused and imperfect as to be of little or no use; and my great auxiliaries—letters to my wife, from which I was enabled to correct or confirm dates, and to make more circumstantial many subjects only mentioned in the journal—I have unwittingly destroyed. During my stay at Stain, too, I wrote by fits and starts. Amongst new scenes of every kind, and new people, the excitement was too great to admit of shutting one’s self up for study or writing. Thus, from the period I have now reached, my means are so few, that it is quite impossible to bring my journal (as I wished) down to our final departure from France—as complete as it might have been.
[27] At three in the morning, when Lord Charles and his companion immediately landed and tried to persuade me to do the same, but I remained on board until daylight.
[28] She cooked for us here.