han I can
always say for those about them. We have too many Italians, and even
Frenchmen, at our German courts. They are republicans to a man; and, by
consequence, every important measure is betrayed. I can perceive, in the
manoeuvres of the enemy's general, that he must have been acquainted with
my last despatch from Berlin; and, I am so thoroughly persuaded of the
fact, that I mean to manoeuvre to-morrow on that conviction. The order
from Berlin is, that I shall act upon his flanks. Within two hours after
daylight I shall make a push for his centre; and, breaking through that,
shall separate his wings, and crush them at my leisure. One would think,"
said he, pausing, and looking round him with the exaltation of conscious
power, "that the troops had overheard us, and already anticipated a
victory."

The sight from the knoll, where we drew our bridles, was certainly of the
most striking kind. The fires, which at first I had seen glittering only
on the mountain tops, were now blazing in all quarters; in the cleared
spaces of the forest, on the heaths and in the ravines: the heaps of
fagots gathered for the winter consumption of the cities, by woodmen of
the district, were put in requisition, and the axes of the pioneers laid
many a huge larch and elm on the blaze. Soldiers seldom think much of
those who are to come after them; and the flames shot up among the
thickets with the most unsparing brilliancy. Cheerfulness, too, prevailed;
the sounds of laughter, and gay voices, and songs, arose on every side.
The well-preserved game of this huge hunting-ground, the old vexation of
the French peasant, now fell into hands which had no fear of the galleys
for a shot at a wild boar, or bringing down a partridge. The fires
exhibited many a substantial specimen of forest luxury in the act of
preparation. No man enjoys rest and food like the soldier. A day's
fighting and fasting gives a sense of delight to both, such as the man of
cities can scarcely conceive. No epicure at his most _recherche_ board
ever knew the true pleasure of the senses, equal to the campaigner
stretched upon the grass, until his supper was ready, and then sitting
down to it. I acknowledge, that to me that simple rest, and that simple
meal, often gave a sense of enjoyment which I have never even conceived in
the luxuries of higher life. The instantaneous sleep that followed; the
night without a restless moment; the awaking with all my powers refreshed,
and yet w