arrived for the officers to dispose of their horses without
delay. This was necessarily done at an enormous loss; and on the
morning of the 28th, we set forward towards the point of
embarkation. But, alas! in the numbers allotted for the
trans-Atlantic war, we found ourselves grievously disappointed,
since, instead of the whole division, only two regiments, neither
of them surpassingly numerous, were directed to move; it was not
our business, however, to question the wisdom of any measure
adopted by our superiors; and we accordingly marched on in as
high spirits as if we had been followed by the entire Peninsular
army.

The remainder of our journey occupied two days, nor do I often
remember to have spent a similar space of time with greater
satisfaction; our route lay through some of the most fertile
districts in France, passing Chateau Margaux, famous for its
wine, with other places not inferior to it either in richness of
soil or in beauty of prospect. The weather was delightful, and
the grapes, though not yet ripe, were hanging in heavy bunches
from the vines, giving promise of much wealth to come; the hay
season had commenced, and numerous groups of happy-looking peasants
were busy in every field; in short, it was a march upon which I shall
never look back without pleasure.

LA MOE.--AT SEA

The close of the first day's progress brought us to a village
called La Moe, beautifully situated within view of the majestic
waters of the Garonne. Here, for the first time since we quitted
Bayonne, were we quartered upon the inhabitants--a measure which