n to hear of the effects of war: 15,000
Russians had been bivouacked above the town for a week. Buonaparte
advanced with his troops, on which they retired, but troops do not walk
up and down the earth like lambs, but rather like roaring lions, seeking
whom they may devour; however, here let us insert once for all the
account I have invariably received from sufferers throughout the whole
Theatre of war--that the conduct of the Russians and French was widely
different; the former generally behaving as well as could possibly be
expected, and pillaging only from necessity; the latter seem to have
made havoc and devastation their delight. They might perhaps act on
principle, conceiving that it was better for the treasure and good
things of the land to fall into their hands than the enemy's.

At a little shabby inn at Guignes where we breakfasted Buonaparte had
slept. The people described him dressed "comme un perruquier" in a grey
great-coat; he clattered into the house, bustled about, went to his room
early, and appeared again at 9 the next morning, but "J'en reponds bien"
that he was not sleeping all that time. If from Guignes we traversed a
country where we heard of war, at Meaux we began to see the
effects--before a picturesque gateway we descended to cross the bridge
over a stone arch which had been blown up. Shot-holes marked the wall,
and within the houses were well bespattered with musket balls. It was
the first visible field of battle we had crossed, and to heighten the
interest, while we were looking about and asking particulars of the
people, up came bands of Russian troops of all descriptions, Cossacks
included, 1,500 having just entered the town invalided from Paris on
their return home. To be sure, a more filthy set I never beheld. The
country is pretty well stocked with Cossack horses; they were purchased
at a very cheap rate--from 25 shillings to 50 a piece. We have had
several of them in our carriage, and find them far more active and rapid
than the French, though smaller and more miserable in appearance. My
conversation with the Russians (for I made it a point to speak to
everybody) was rather laconic, and generally ran thus, "Vous Russe, moi
Inglis"--the answer, "You Inglis, moi Russe, we brothers"--and then I
generally got a tap on the shoulder and a broad grin of approbation
which terminated the conference.

You know the chief event which occurred at Meaux was the explosion of
the powder magazines by th