easures, three
thousand men were transported to the isle of Walcheren; but while here
they were attacked by an enemy more fatal than the sword--disease. The
British troops were soon seized with the dreadful endemic fever of the
country; nearly one half of them were swept away by it, and the greater
part of the remainder carried its effects with them to the grave. At
length, about one month after the treaty of Vienna, the few remaining
troops that were still left alive were directed to demolish the defences
and basin of Flushing; and this done they were ordered to re-embark.
This expedition, which had originated with Lord Castlereagh, cost
England 10,000 men, with not a little money, and not a little credit. It
brought disgrace on his memory, in which Lord Chatham, who had the chief
military command, and Admiral Sir Richard Strachan largely partakes. It
was conceived in imbecility, and with imbecility carried forward,
whence its signal failure. It was soon after the British had evacuated
Walcheren that Napoleon returned to Paris; when, in a speech before the
submissive and admiring _corps legislatif_, he told them that, except
Spain and Portugal, the continent of Europe was in a happy peace.

DISSENSIONS IN THE CABINET.

The untoward course of events on the continent, the disastrous issue of
the British war, and various other causes, produced violent dissensions
in the British cabinet. So violent was the strife between Lord
Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, that it led to a duel on Putney Heath, when
the latter was severely wounded Before this duel took place they had
resigned office; and the Duke of Portland followed their example, on
account of age and infirmity. The ministers that remained in office
after these three resignations were reduced almost to despair, scarcely
knowing where to look for a new leader, and for two new colleagues. At
length, however, after negociations with Earl Grey and others, which
failed, Mr. Perceval took the place of the Duke of Portland--who by this
time was dead--adding thereby the office of first lord of the treasury
to that which he held as chancellor of the exchequer. The Marquess
Wellesley was recalled from his Spanish embassy to take charge of the
foreign department; while Lord Liverpool was transferred from the home
department to that of war and the colonies, Mr. Ryder being appointed
his successor. Finally, Lord Palmerston was appointed under-secretary
at war, in the room of Sir