The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

P(NOTES TO DON RODERICK.
of the eattle slaughtered for the soldiery; rice, vegetables, and briida
where it could be had, were purchased by the officers. Fifty or sixty
starving peasants were daily fed at one of these regimental establishments, and carried home the relics to their famished households. The
emaciated wretches, who could not crawl for weakness, were speedily
employed in pruning their vin'es. Is it possible to know such facts with.
out feeling a sort of confidence, that those Who so well deserve victory
are most likely to attain it?-It is not the least of Lord Wellington's
military merits, that the slightest disposition towards marauding iheets
immediate punishment. Independently of all modern obligation, the
army which is most orderly in a friendly country, has always proved
most formidable to an armed enemy.
NOTE III.
-- vain-glorious Fugitive!
The Fren'ch conducted this memorable retreat with much of thefanfaronnade proper to their country, by which they attempt to impose
upon others, aEnd perhaps on themselves, a belief that they are triumphs
ing in the very moment of their discomfiture. On the 3bth May, 18 1,
their rear-guard was overtaken near Pega by the British cavalry. Being
well posted, and conceiving themselves safe from infantry'who were,
indeed, many miles in the rear), and from artillery, they indulged thernm
selves in parading their bands of music, and actually performed "God
save the King." Their minstrelsy was, however, deranged by the undesired accompaniment of the British horse-artillery, on whose part in the
concert they had not calculated. The surprise was sudden, and the
rout complete; for the artillery and cavalry did execution upon them
for about four miles, pursuing at the gallop as often as they got beyond
the range of the guns.
NOTE IV.
Vainly thy squadrons hide Assuava's plain,
And front the flying thunders as they roar,
With frantic charge and tenfold odds, in vain I
In the severe action of Fuentes d'Honoro, upon 5th'May, 1811, the
grand mass of the French cavalry attacked the right of the British posi.
tion, covered by two guns of the horse-artillery and two squadrons of
cavalry. After suffering considerably from the fire of the guns, which
annoyed them in every attempt to formation, the army turned their
wrath entirely towards them, distributed brandy among their troopers,
and advanced to carry the field-pieces with the desperation of drunken
fury. They were in no ways checked by the heavy loss which they
sustained in this daring attempt, but closed, and fairly mingled with
the British cavalry, to whom they bore the proportion of ten to one.
Captain Ramsay, who commanded the two guns, dismissed them at
the gallop, and, putting himself at the head of the mounted artillery.
men, ordered them to fall upon the French, sabre in hand. This very
unexpected conversion of artillerymen into dragoons contributed greatly
to the defeat of the enemy; and the, appearance of some small reinforcements of the enemy put them to absolute rout. A colonel of
major of their cavalry, and many prisoners (almost all intoxicated) remamed in our possession.
NOTE V.
And what avails thee that, for Cameron slain,
Wild from his plaided ranks the yell was givenThe gallant Colonel Cameron was wounded mortally during the despe.
rate contest in the streets of the village called Fuentes d'Honoro. He
fell at the head of his native Highlanders, the 71st and 79th, who raised
a dreadful shriek of grief and rage. They charged, with irresistible fury,
the finest body of French grenadiers ever seen, being a part of Buona-.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"''L'~L~ — -~-LY