. A few other officers of our army, and
many from other countries, enjoyed the same privilege. The
operations, which were interesting and instructive, culminated in
an assault upon and the capture of Limoges. The next day the corps
was reviewed in the streets of the city. The general-in-chief and
his staff and suite rode along the line at full speed. The head
of the cavalcade, consisting of the French and American generals,
and a few other officers of high rank, came out in good order.
The others were much disordered, and so covered with dust that the
uniforms of all nations looked very much alike. The ceremony was
terminated at the public square, where the cavalry was formed along
one side, and the opposite was occupied by high officials and
prominent citizens of the town. The charge of the squadrons across
the square, halting at command within a few feet of the reviewing
general, was a fine exhibition of discipline and perfect control.

After the review the general-in-chief made a long address to his
assembled officers, explaining in much detail the important lessors
taught by the manoeuvers. He closed with a feeling allusion to
his own mental and physical strength and vigor, which had been so
fully displayed in the last few days, and which were still at the
service of his beloved France. But the gallant old soldier was
retired, all the same, at the end of the year. Republics seem to
have much the same way of doing things on both sides of the ocean!

A pleasing incident occurred at one time during the manoeuvers.
At the hour of halt for the midday rest a delicious repast was
served at the beautiful home of the prefect of the department,
between the two opposing lines. The tables were spread in lovely
arbors loaded with grapes. When the dejeuner was ended, speeches
were made by the distinguished prefect and the gallant general-in-
chief, to which, as senior of the visiting officers from foreign
countries, I was called upon to respond. Thus suddenly summoned
to an unwonted task, I was much too prudent to address the guests
in a language which they all understood. But by a free use of the
words and phrases which are so common in the military language of
France and of this country, linked together by as little Anglo-
Saxon as possible, I made a speech which was warmly received, and
which, after careful revision with the aid of a highly accomplished
French officer who had been educated in England as well as