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avec l'idée d'une médiation. On leur a prouvé par les negotiations de Ryswik, &c., &c., que dans tous les cas les plein pouvoirs des Ministres des puissances belligérantes avaient été purement et simplement remis à ceux de la cour médiatrice; mais jusqu'au moment où j'écris ils ne sont rendus.

Je soupçonne tres-fort que ces plein pouvoirs mystérieux, qui ne doivent être produits qu'en plein Congrès, contiendront quelque désaveu direct ou indirect, explicite ou tenté, de la médiation de l'Autriche. Je le soupçonne et je le désire de tout mon cœur ; car une insulte pareille nous fournirait un excellent moyen pour une déclaration de guerre préalable et instantanée.

Voila, monsieur, l'état des choses tel qu'il est ce soir. Il est inutile d'ajouter que ce n'est que par pur décence que dans une situation pareille on attendra l'arrivée du 10 d'août.

A moins que la veille de ce jour Bonaparte déclare tout-à-coup que ses armées évacueront l'Allemagne, et que sa retraite commencera dés le lendemain, je n'entrevois plus la possibilité d'un accommodement. Je n'ai que le tems pour vous assurer du dévouement bien sincère, &c., &c.

GENTZ.

Diaries-August 3rd.-I dined to-day with the Chancellor Hardenberg, who had a very large party to celebrate the King of Prussia's birthday. The tone and drift of the conversation was so extraordinary and unsatisfactory, that as soon as I could get away, I

rode over to Peterswalde to see Pozzo di Borgo, and to talk with him about it. He was at a loss to account for it; but he assured me that as far as he knew, and he thought he knew all that was to be known on the subject, things were going on just as we could desire, and that Prussia was as stout as ever. this assurance I was obliged to be content.

With

The birthday was celebrated also by a ball at Landeck, to which I went with Rumbold and Campbell. It was not very well attended, for every one is in a state of anxiety as to the issue of the negotiation, and little disposed for pleasure. However, there were two or three pretty women there; and although the company was not very brilliant, or in very high spirits, yet, as the life we lead at head-quarters— independent of its political interest-is the most stupid that can be imagined, we resolved to make the most of our evening's recreation, and the opportunity it afforded us of a little flirtation with the ladies, whose society we now so rarely enjoy.. Accordingly, we danced and waltzed, and had yet another dance and waltz, until sunlight poured in upon us.

We then breakfasted, and afterwards rode home over the mountains by way of Silberberg, stopping there to look at the fortress, which is one of considerable strength, and especially to see the place where Semple was confined, and of which he complained so bitterly. I have often had far worse quarters myself, and I fancy that the idea of imprisonment was the greatest hardship he had to bear. The Commandant, who seemed a pleasant sort of a man, told us several

stories of Semple's outbursts of violent temper; but as he did not himself consider him a spy, but a good honest foolish fellow who would soon be set at liberty, he did what he could, he said, to pacify him and to recommend patience.

The country all around is wondrously beautiful and picturesque; and our ride in the cool early hours of a fine summer's morning after our Terpsichorean exertions of the previous night, was very refreshing, and quite set us up for the day.

5th.-A fresh cargo of English travellers have found their way to this place; amongst the rest, Morley junior, of the British Coffee House. He fags hard, he says, nine months in the year, and allows himself three for recreation. Usually, his annual excursion is to the highlands of Scotland, or the mountains of Wales. But this But this season, he says, he felt inclined to try the mountains of Silesia. If pleasure be his only object in coming hither-which some are disposed to doubt I fancy he will regret that he did not keep to Wales and Scotland, at least till next year. However, I have warned him of Silberberg and the clutches of the French, and he hopes to contrive to keep out of them both.

To-day, 7th, I gave a dinner to all the English assembled here, and hoped to dispel for an hour or two a little of the general uneasiness that exists. But it turned out a stupid affair. The guests, though Rumbold and I did our best to stir them up, did not amalgamate well, and the question of peace or war, which now occasions considerable anxiety, was, I believe,

uppermost in most persons' thoughts. As the time draws nearer for its decision, so does agitation increase, and there are not wanting those who would be heartily glad to hear that the armistice was prolonged.

In the course of the day, a report was spread that Soult had defeated Wellington in a great battle; and so much did this gain credit, that even Prince Czartoriski and Radzivill, who came to me in the evening, were inclined to believe that the report was not, as I affirmed it to be, a mere device of the enemy to serve his own objects. A courier afterwards came in from Prague, and brought me letters from Gentz and Addington. Mackenzie also arrived from Berlin, and letters from Sir Charles and from home.

Lieut-Gen. Sir Charles Stewart to George Jackson, Esq. Berlin, August 5th, 1813.

DEAR JACKSON,

I hope to rejoin you at head-quarters on the 9th. I have had your letters and also Lord Cathcart's and Addington's. You are all very sanguine; God send your expectations may be realized.

I send you a despatch Lord Cathcart has written me on the subject of the Russian German Legion. I am not aware that I interfered in my inspection of that corps, further than reporting on its efficiency; and as no British officer had seen it, I flattered myself that the service I engaged in would have been approved of. I certainly recommended, and should

still recommend, that the Legion be immediately. taken into the service of Great Britain for the electoral dominions.

The Crown Prince has been well received throughout his tour, rather as a conqueror after his victories, than as a Prince who is yet to be crowned by his exploits. He was well satisfied with Woronzow's division. Their performances were excellent; the Light Horse Artillery quite perfect, but the whole in a sad plight for want of new clothing.

The Prince intends to fix his head-quarters at Oranienburg or Potzdam; and I fervently hope that when the moment arrives he will fulfil the expectations that are universally cherished. Everywhere the language is warlike; but I can discover, both from the Crown Prince's sentiments and those with whom I have conversed, that a strong opinion is prevalent that the negotiation will still be protracted. I will not dwell on this, as I shall so soon be able to talk with you at large upon it. Pray make my compliments to all friends at head-quarters.

Believe me ever, &c., &c.,

CHARLES STEWART, Lieut.-Gen.

Extract of Letter from H. U. Addington, Esq., to
George Jackson, Esq.

"I wish I could send you

There has been a considerable

"Prague, August 6th.

more ample details.

degree of movement

in the army of Bohemia lately. In short, the several states of Austria are throughout on the qui vive.

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