Constitutional Whig

Description of the retreat of an Army. From Recollections in the Peninsula.

We have before had occasion to speak of the very interesting work from which we make the following extract, and have also published several short passages. The paragraph, below, may serve as a specimen of the author's descriptive style. With similar passages his work is filled; but he commonly makes use of them to introduce some character or scene of a higher grade and deeper interest. He writes with those warm and gallant feelings which strongly attract the attention of his readers; and it is evident from his style that the incidents he relates are not recounted for the mere purpose of adding effect to his narration, but are recalled only because they are associated with subjects of a most interesting nature and with impressions which he cannot forget. He tells his tale with honesty and frankness, as if to an intimate friend; and in the touching descriptions with which his work abounds, he appeals to feelings in his reader similar to his own, as if he doubted not that they were mutual. We would recommend this book again to our readers. It has been recently published in this country, and is worthy of attention.

"Once the enemy retired from the position they had so long occupied in our front [near Lisbon!] and on the 10th about noon our column moved from Bucellas. We marched six leagues, passing through Alhandra, Villa Franca, and Villa Nova, and halted at Carregada. The day was wet and stormy, and the road deep and heavy: but our line of march was all gaiety and animation. To soldiers are retreating always in a moving, but when you do so for the first time, curiosity and pleasure are almost painful.

"Our men at Villa Franca were all busily engaged marking the traces of the French. Here, to the left, was a path worn by their sentries; here again in Latin the main body of their piquet there, to cross it, the road plated--ad tyo gar: natural of soil bags of hion several large regimental gunmen fabs with the plants that once explored the net way, had been aled not Denibov. At the entrance of Villa Franca the streets were barricaded, chests, wine casks and mattresses formed the strong-- :p:irri.'1'. 'r, oao (h; ray Sr,t I muss, a cnlksgrbsl snealh Ihoatheqruters of acrnan or Iaph gerhs there had bean th bnilgt of a f de Llltl'ion,in that neat Ioolcg msnsior "th green winlows, hnd Islged, as appented oy the semhble oyer timn door, a chef det f o or,dor chief of the stal In short, Iook where sd wohd, you saw spot that were yesterd u peole I with your eneanie: in n wearing a duf rent tron, speking a dif forentlingaige, on I rea dy to fight in a diferent cause

"It was late in the evening when we arrived at Carregada, and the town was already filled with our troops, principally artillery and cavalry. The houses and stables were all occupied, and into these last some of our officers and men with great difficulty got admission. By far the greater proportion of us, however, passed this dark and dreary night in the open streets. In a town which had been for weeks deserted by its inhabitants, and so lately evacuated by an enemy, as may readily be supposed, there was no want of dry fuel; and we made large fires without being very scrupulous in the choice of wood; old plank, palings, doors and window shutters were consumed, with very little hesitation. Many of us sent to borrow chairs from those houses already occupied, and sat lounging round our fires till day break. The scene was altogether diverting: we had no cooking, for the baggage was not up. and there was of course nothing to be had in an empty town. A little biscuit and a draught of country wine from a soldier's wooden canteen was my supper: and I leaned back in a chair my corporal had got for me, all cushioned with blue damask, and ornamented with gilding, and attempted, but in vain, to sleep. The continued rain kept my shoulders wet and chilly. while the blazing fire scorched my legs, so that it was impossible to preserve the same posture for five minutes.--At length day came: the cavalry and artillery moved, and in a few minutes I thought myself highly fortunate to get into a room with four other --a room which had once, perhaps, been handsome and comfortable, but had then neither furniture, doors, nor casements."