ckly.--However, I would rather have died." He
wanted to write to his wife; and he wrote to her, with a steady hand,
these words:--"MY DEAR FRIEND,--The battle was decided three days
ago.--I have had both legs carried off by a bullet--that rascal
Bonaparte is always lucky. They have performed the amputation as well as
possible. The army has made a retrograde movement, but it is not
occasioned by any reverse, but from a manoeuvre, and in order to approach
General Blucher.--Excuse my scribbling.--I love you, and I embrace you
with all my heart. I have charged Rapatel to finish."--Immediately after
this, he said, "I am not without danger, I know it well; but if I die,
if a premature fate hurry me from a beloved wife and child--from my
country, which I have wished to serve in spite of itself; do not forget
to say to the French, who shall speak of me, that I die with the regret
of not having accomplished my projects--To free my country from the
frightful yoke that oppresses her;--to crush Bonaparte-every species of
war, every possible means, were laudable. With what joy would I have
consecrated the little talent I posses to the cause of humanity. My
heart belonged to France."

At seven o'clock, the sick man finding himself alone with Mr Svinine,
said to him, with a faint voice, "I must absolutely dictate a letter to
you."--Mr Svinine took up the pen, and sighing, traced the few following
lines, dictated by Moreau.

* * *

"SIRE,--I sink into the tomb with the same sentiments of respect,
admiration, and devotion with which your Majesty has always inspired me,
since I have had the happiness of approaching your person."

"In pronouncing these last words, the sick man stopped short and shut
his eyes. Mr Svinine waited, thinking that Moreau was deliberating on
the sequel of the letter--Vain hope--Moreau was no move."

[40] "Well, my good woman;--You expect the Emperor, don't you?" 'Yes,
Sir; I hope we shall have a sight of him.' "Well, my good woman, what do
you folks say of the Emperor?" 'That he is a great villain.' "Eh, my
good woman; and what do you yourself say?" 'Shall I tell you frankly,
Sir, what I think?--If I were the captain of the ship, I would only take
him on board to drown him.'

[41] "The Commissaries, on arriving at Calade, found him with his head
leaning on his two hands, and his face bathed in tears. He told them
that people decidedly aimed at his life; and that the mistress of the
inn, who had not known