What strange things we live to see and hear! I do think that during the period I have been in the world, more strange, wonderful, improbable (and what once would have been deemed impossible) events have occurred than the whole history of the world, since Noah landed on Mount Ararat down to 1789, could furnish altogether. Not the least strange amongst these is the general order just published to the British army by Wellington, calling upon commanding officers to give every assistance required by the French farmers or cultivateurs in getting in the harvest! In consequence, English soldiers and French peasants are seen everywhere side by side, sickle in hand, or binding sheaves, &c.--the invader and the invaded alike peaceably occupied, and reciprocating kind offices one with the other. ’Tis a goodly sight, truly. Further good consequences are very perceptible in our village. All mistrust and dislike of each other are at an end; and our people are now quite on an intimate and friendly footing with the peasantry. Many an amicable little knot may be seen of an evening sitting at their doors enjoying at once the cool air, their pipes, and the pleasures of conversation, or rather of trying to understand each other. Some of the villagers have already picked up a little English, and our men a little French. The gayest of the latter occasionally mix in the rustic dance; and although rather rough and bearish in their manner of swinging the girls about, yet are they sought after as partners, the pretty _paysanne_ who has for her partner _un canonier_ evincing in her look and manner a degree of satisfaction not to be mistaken. Already symptoms of jealousy have made their appearance among the young _paysans_, and I have consulted M. Bonnemain on the subject, expressing my fears lest it might disturb the harmony already subsisting. “A bah! n’y a pas de danger!--n’importe, n’importe,” is always his answer; and accordingly neither I nor my officers have observed anything like a diminution of friendship among the males. These French girls are clever creatures. They have hearts and flattering tongues for all. It is a pleasing sight of an evening to see our people returning frolicking home from the fields, with the loaded carts, the cargoes of which all are busily assisting in stowing away in the _grenier_--soldiers, _paysans_, and _paysannes_.