nd with which to encounter this vastly superior
force. Upon the other hand, Napoleon's were all veteran troops, and
the French had for a long time been accustomed to victory over the
Prussians. Of Wellington's force fully a half were of mixed
nationalities: Belgians, Dutch, Brunswickers, and Hessians; while his
British division consisted chiefly of young troops, so hastily raised
that a great number of them absolutely fought at Waterloo in the
uniforms of the militia regiments from which they had been drafted.

It seemed, however, a well-nigh desperate enterprise for Napoleon to
attack so greatly superior a force. But he had, in fact, no choice but
to do so; for Russia and Austria were arming, and their forces would
soon be advancing upon France, and it was therefore necessary if
possible to defeat the British and Prussians before they could arrive.
Could he succeed in doing this the enthusiasm that would be excited in
France would enable him vastly to increase his army. In the meantime
his confidence in his own military genius was unbounded, and the
history of his past was contained many triumphs won under
circumstances far less favorable than the present.

During the weeks that elapsed while the three great armies were
assembling and taking up their positions, the troops stationed round
Brussels had a pleasant time of it. The city itself was crowded with
visitors. Here were a number of the wives and friends of the officers
of the various armies. Here were many of the French nobility, who had
abandoned France upon the landing of Napoleon. Here were numbers of
people attracted by curiosity, or the desire of being present at the
theater of great events, together with a crowd of simple
pleasure-seekers; for Europe had for many years been closed to
Englishmen, and as soon as peace had been proclaimed great numbers had
crossed the Channel to visit Paris, and had traveled in Germany,
Italy, and Switzerland.

The news of Napoleon's return to France had occasioned a great scare
among the tourists. A very few days sufficed for the desertion of
Paris and other French towns, and so great was the crowd that the
packet-boats between Calais and Dover were insufficient to carry them.
Many of the visitors to Paris instead of leaving for England made for
Belgium, and were joined there by travelers hurrying back from
Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe; for none could say what
course the events that would follow Napoleon's re