camp was picturesque and grand. From our elevated position, immediately
in front, we commanded a wide and extensive plain, intersected by two
important rivers, the Nive and the Nivelle. On the right, the lofty
Pyrenees, with their grand and varied outline, stood forth conspicuously
in a blue, cloudless sky; on our left was the Bay of Biscay, with our
cruisers perpetually on the move.

We witnessed from the camp, one night about twelve o'clock, a fight
at sea, between an English brig and a French corvette, which was leaving
the Adour with provisions and ammunition. She was chased by the brig,
and brought to action. The night was sufficiently clear to enable us
to discover distinctly the position of the vessels and the measured
flash of their guns. They were at close quarters, and in less than
half an hour we discovered the crew of the corvette taking to their
boats. Shortly afterwards the vessel blew up with a loud explosion.
We came to the conclusion that sea-fighting was more agreeable than
land-fighting, as the crews of the vessels engaged without previous
heavy marching, and with loose light clothing; there was no manoeuvring
or standing for hours on the defensive; the wounded were immediately
taken below and attended to, and the whole affair was over in a pleasingly
brief period.



THE UNIFORM AND BEARING OF THE FRENCH SOLDIER


The French infantry soldier averaged about five feet five or six in
height; in build they were much about what they are now, perhaps a little
broader over the shoulder. They were smart, active, handy fellows,