have listened, but understood not a word. Mynheer salaams, wipes his front, and stands, mouth half-open, attending the applause due to his exertions, and our reply to his statements, whatever they may be. Petit Jean comprehends the dilemma, steps forward with a military salute, places himself again in an attitude, and, whilst Mynheer stares and seems to envy his self-possession, requests permission of messieurs les officiers to explain what M. l’Adjoint would wish to say, and goes off at score--“M. Evenpoel only expresses the sentiments of the whole commune when he assures messieurs les officiers that the arrival of the brave English has diffused throughout its population the most lively joy. Les Anglais are a people as generous as they are brave, and M. l’Adjoint rests satisfied that under the protection of M. le Commandant the peaceful tranquillity of the commune will remain undisturbed.” Here, at a glance from Petit Jean, M. Evenpoel and the whole cortège salaam together, repeating with one consent, “Mais c’est vrai--c’est vrai! Oui, M. le Commandant, c’est vrai çà!” Petit Jean resumes. “_But_, M. le Commandant, we sensibly regret the poverty of our commune, and are _au déséspoir_ that Milor Wellington should have sent his brave soldiers to so miserable a place--a place so incapable of affording them the good cheer (bon traitement) that they so richly merit, whilst the surrounding country abounds in rich and populous villages, fully adequate to lodge them comfortably (convenablement) and to supply all their wants. It was only _l’année passée_ that this poor commune was oppressed and impoverished by being obliged to provide for a corps of Prussians during several months. These people, undisciplined and _bien méchants_, plundered us all without restraint, and wantonly consumed our whole substance--hardly leaving wherewithal to support our miserable existence. Thus ruined and impoverished, M. le Commandant, we feel assured, will see that, in spite of our good wishes, we are in an impossibility of supplying the immense rations of forage, &c., here demanded;” and here, taking off his chapeau and making a most profound salaam, he again flourishes before us the obnoxious sheet of foolscap, whilst M. l’Adjoint, beginning to fidget, indicates an inclination to renew his harangue amidst a general buzz of approbation, and a reiteration of “C’est vrai, mon commandant, c’est bien vrai.” M. le Commandant silences them by observing, “That a soldier must obey orders--that it is for his general to think and investigate--that Milor Wellington, or those acting for him, had no doubt sufficiently informed themselves as to the resources of the country before they ordered troops thither--that, having done so, right or wrong, these troops must live--that it is evident from the good case of all present, particularly of M. le Maire, that the commune did produce something to eat and drink;--consequently, the gentlemen are invited to allow