and inured to the action of the wind and sea, he will be loath to tolerate conquering the elements instead of using them as free agents. Still this feeling will subside, and, weighing every condition, there cannot exist a doubt of the extension of this wondrous application.

That the means of naval warfare will be modified by steam is most evident, but the result of a combat must, as before, depend on the skill, spirit, and discipline of large bodies of men. Though the instances are rare, we have heard of ships being "rayther backward in coming forward;" but the future Admiral will play all the men on his board, for steamers will conduct line-of-battle ships into action, or lead them out, according to the exigence, but the brunt of battle will not be upon the stemers. They may render aid to their own liners, which unwieldy machines are totally helpless and unmanageable when dismasted, and they may pick up such of the enemy as have been winged for them; but they must keep their weather-eye open. The principal objection to steam-vessels approaching within gun-shot at present, is the danger to those vital parts, the paddles, the boilers, and the machinery; but science and art are diligently bent upon lessening the risk, though perhaps it cannot be overcome. We therefore look to the Archimedean screw-the sinking of engines and boilers below the water-line-the gabionic stowage of coal-bunkers about the machinery-and the prospects of voltaic electricity as a motive power, with the greatest interest, since they are grand steps towards making engine-navigation effective in purposes of war. Sir Charles Napier has suggested, and with not less probability than ingenuity, that war-steamers will take the same place in fleets, that cavalry have long done in armies,-holding, he says, the post of honour and of danger. Upon this, Capt. Basil Hall remarks," It is a very important place, no doubt, but it is not one which decides the eventual fate of the war; that is always the work of the infantry. The cavalry protect the flanks, and otherwise help the infantry to get into action with that of the enemy opposed to them, and when these are broken, they cut in upon them, and do much execution. In like manner armed steamers will guard the edges of fleets, tow three-deckers into action, and, when the enemy is discomfited, will come in with desperate effect to reap the iron harvest."

Steam navigation, however, is not to be contemplated in its bellique property only it has directly multiplied the friendly intercourse between distant countries, softened prejudices, diffused knowledge, taught the doctrine of smaller profits and larger consumption, and infused animation into commerce; to the preservation of international peace, and the extension of Christianity. Yet it may be questioned by the philosopher, whether the ultimate benefits likely to occur to this great and happy country, by facilitating conveyance at home, and rendering cheaper the products of foreign countries, may not be counterbalanced by giving rise to new necessities; and by squandering our coals-the very vitals of the country-with additional extravagance. Nous verrons!

LETTERS FROM DUSSELDORF AND BONN DURING THE LATE PRUSSIAN REVIEWS.

BY A MILITARY AMATEUR.

(Concluded from No. 169, page 524.)

Bonn, Sept. 20, 1842.

My last brought me up to the conclusion of the Dusseldorf manœuvres; and, according to promise, I now proceed to describe the yet more extensive military operations which have since taken place in this neighbourhood. I likewise enclose the following sketch of the Prussian Infantry soldier, in the new dress, of which I took a rough outline in the camp at Grimlinghausen.

REFERENCES.

a A brass hollow tube, surmounting the helmet, which can be opened at pleasure, and acts as a ventilator. The helmet, which weighs about 2 lbs., is made of prepared leather, kept clean by rubbing it with a little oil,— the peaks both before and behind rimmed with brass, and a brass plate representing the Prussian Spread Eagle in front,whilst broad brass scales protect the sides of the face, and fasten under the chin.

The coat, rolled up and strapped on the top of

e A calf-skin pack, made to contain the neces-
saries already enumerated.

d Mess-tin, secured on back of the pack.
e The hook attached to the knapsack; and

fand g The pouch and knapsack belts, which
have already been described, and pass un-
der the shoulder-strap, on where is marked
in red cloth the number of the corps to
which the soldier belongs.

H The waist-belt, already mentioned, from which is suspended a short broad Roman sword, the principal use of which is to cut wood, &c., for fuel and other purposes when in the field.-As has been previously remarked, there is no scabbard for the bayonet.

K The pouch.

L The havresack, in which is stowed bread, biscuit, or any loose articles.

The coat, which reaches nearly to the knees, is double-breasted, of blue cloth, with red facings.

The firelock (a percussion) is represented in its most common position-advanced, in the right hand, with arm extended.

The white trousers, in which this "echantillon" is represented, are strapped down under the boot

h

C 2

Taken individually, the soldier, thus equipped, has a most military, warlike air; but, when seen "en masse," in close column, the effect is imposing in the extreme, completely conveying to the mind an idea of the Macedonian Phalanx of old. But-what is far better than mere appearance-the men themselves, without exception, allow that the new dress is infinitely preferable, in every respect, for convenience and comfort, to the old one; and in such cases the soldier is always the best judge of improvements as well as defects; as who better than the wearer can tell where the shoe most pinches ?

*

*

Sept. 3rd. I attended the levee held at Benrad, about half-way between Dusseldorf and Cologne, when all the foreign officers, who had now arrived in great numbers, after being presented to their Majesties the King and Queen of Prussia, sat down to a splendid déjeûner.

The Queen, who was most affable, and had something agreeable and appropriate to say to everybody, addressed us in French; whilst to our officers, His Majesty spoke in capital English, and in the frank and open style of a soldier. He expressed his pleasure at the number of red-coats present; and on somebody observing that they amounted to sixty, replied," that he only regretted it was not six hundred!" In short, his attention to our countrymen was most marked and flattering, and only exceeded by the reception he gave to a noblelooking old veteran-General Croissard, a man who had, for the last sixty years, in almost every army in Europe*, served the cause of legi

* The Author subsequently received from General Croissard himself the following sketch of his life and services; and though the old gentleman would never acknowledge his age, he stated that he first commenced the career of arms in the service of France, his native country, as far back as the year 1785, when he entered as Second Lieutenant in the Legion of Maillebois, with which he served in Holland. From hence he returned to France, and entered the Artillery. At the Revolution he emigrated, and, joining the Bourbon Princes in Germany, served as a Lieutenant on their staff. On the dispersion of their forces, he joined the staff of the Dutch Service, and made the campaign under the Duke of York. He remained with the Dutch till the occupation of Holland by the French in 1795, when he enlisted under the banners of Austria, and occupied various grades in the Imperial Army for the space of eighteen years, during which period he was actively engaged in seven or eight campaigns, and likewise served as a volunteer in Russia. In 1808 he was employed as "Chargé d'Affaires" in Spain, and witnessed a good deal of the hard fighting which took place in the Peninsula between 1808 and 1811, when he was recalled. Always faithful to the cause of legitimacy, he, on the alliance of Austria with Napoleon, left the land of his adoption,-entered as a Colonel in the Russian Army, with which he served in the campaigns of 1812-13-14, and the beginning of 1815, when, after the restoration of the Bourbons, he received the rank of MajorGeneral in the French Army, and, as such, in 1823, accompanied the Duke d'Angoulême in his expedition to Spain. But this was apparently fated to be his last 86 'passage d'armes." Still,

"Like Achates, faithful to the tomb,"

he, at the second revolution-of 1830-once more abandoned his country, and again found an asylum in Austria, where he has ever since resided, till, roused by the sound of the trumpet, this fine old specimen of the "ancien régime," covered with years, wounds, and honours, once more mounted his charger, and came on the banks of the Rhine to witness a mimic warfare in a locality so replete to him with glorious recollections of bygone times, and where he no doubt fought o'er again in idea the numerous battles of his younger years.

timacy, and who now, at the advanced age of nearly ninety years, had come all the way from Vienna, to witness-perhaps for the last timea scene which must forcibly have recalled his former campaigns and achievements.

The first appearance of this old warrior attracted universal attention. Although weighed down with years as well as honours, (for I counted sixteen decorations suspended from his breast,) his carriage was still soldierlike and martial; and, as he advanced towards the King, with his little green coat, "à la Napoleon,”—his white small-clothes,-"chaussé’d” in huge well-polished jack-boots, armed with hunting-spurs,-a small three-cornered cocked hat, and feather, under his arm, he looked the very prototype of the soldier of the olden school; and we might, as we opened out right and left for his passage, have fancied it was the Great Frederick himself, just risen from the cerements of the grave, and come to beat up the quarters of his worthy descendant and suc

cessor.

The King did not await his approach, but, hastening forward, seized and shook him heartily by the hand,-addressed him in the most cordial and friendly manner, and, as the old General, quite overcome by such kindness, retired with a quivering lip and the tear in his eye, His Majesty was heard to pronounce the following words,-"Enfin, mon cher Croissard, il est heureux que nous puissions trouver de la consolation dans nos souvenirs!"

The presentation ended with a splendid déjeûner; after which the party broke up, to meet on the following day at Cologne, there to witness the brilliant fête which was to take place previous to the commencement of the "Grossen Maneuvres," and whose object was, to commemorate the laying of the foundation-stone, marking the restoration and completion of the noble cathedral, which for so many ages has been left in an incomplete and unfinished state.

After a variety of ceremonies, processions, &c., foreign to the military nature of this letter, and which lasted during the greater part of the morning, the King, from an elevated platform, erected under the walls of the holy pile, addressed the immense multitude there assembled in the following words*:

"I avail myself of this moment to bid all those dear guests heartily welcome, who, as members of the different Cathedral-Architectural Associations, have assembled from all parts of our German land, to celebrate this day. Inhabitants of Cologne! great events are occurring amongst you. This, as you all feel, is no ordinary edifice. It is the work of the feeling of brotherhood of all Germans, of all creeds. When I think on this, my eyes fill with tears of joy; and I thank the Almighty that I have lived to see this day.

"Here, where the foundation-stone is laid, there, at the same time

This literal translation was kindly furnished by a friend, a first-rate German scholar; and though given in less elegant language than what appeared in the Times, follows much more closely the wording of the original. Will it be credited, that this excellent speech, breathing forth such an unbounded spirit of patriotism and universal toleration, should have met with cavillers? and, it is to be regretted, amongst a profession which ought to confine itself to its vocation, and leave the subtle points of religious controversy to priests and "book-learned clerkes."

with those towers, shall arise the most splendid gates in the universe. Germany builds them: may they be to Germany, by the grace of God, the gates to a new, great, good era! May all that which is evil, false, untrue, and, therefore, not German, remain far from them. May the dishonourable undermining of the unity of German Princes and nations, -the attacks on the peace of all creeds and all ranks,-never find their way through these portals of honour! May that spirit never more penetrate hither which once arrested the erection of this temple and the consolidation of our Fatherland!

"The spirit which builds these gates is the same which, nine-andtwenty years ago, burst our chains, and averted the disgrace of our country, and the alienation of these banks; the same spirit which, fructified, as it were, by the blessing of the last of the three great Princes, my departed father showed to the world, two years since, that it still existed in all its youthful vigour. It is the spirit of German: unity and strength: May the gates of the Cathedral of Cologne be to this spirit as portals of triumph! May this spirit raise-may this spirit complete--the edifice!

"And may this great work tell to the latest generations of a German land, great, mighty, and bloodlessly enforcing peace, by the union of its Princes and its people,-of a Prussia, happy in the splendour of its great Fatherland and in its own prosperity,-of the brotherhood of differing creeds, who perceive that they are one and alike in the eyes of the Divine Creator!

"May God grant that the Cathedral of Cologne may tower forth over this town-over Germany-through ages rich in human, rich in Divine peace, unto the end of time.-(Interruption by loud acclamations.)

"Gentlemen!-Inhabitants of Cologne!-Your city is privileged by this edifice above all others, and this she has worthily acknowledged. To-day, this self-gratulation beseems her. Shout with me; and amidst this shout will I strike the strokes on the foundation-stone! Shout forth with me the ancient cry that rent the air a thousand Alaaf Cologne!'"

years since

The weather, which, until this period, had continued fine, now suddenly changed. A heavy shower came on, which dispersed the assembled multitudes, and drove the military part of the spectators for shelter to a spacious tent, erected for the occasion, close to the cathedral, where we found a magnificent déjeûner, or rather dinner, laid out-it is said for six hundred guests,-and which amidst oceans of champagne, burgundy, and the lighter though no less inspiring vintages of the Rhine and Moselle, was kept up till an advanced hour in the afternoon, when we all dispersed; some departing for Bonn, to be in readiness for the next morning's review, though I believe the greater number-and I must confess myself as appertaining to this less zealous set-preferred resting, after the toils and pleasures of the day, in any hole or corner where they could find space to bivouac for the night, in the over-crowded towns of Cologne or its purlieus*.

* The hotels were so full, that mattresses were put, for the accommodation of strangers, on the landing-places of the stairs. Straw, for the same purpose, was spread in the passages; and the cost of a garret for the night was five or six dollars.