HIBERNIAN MAGAZINE, OR Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge. FOR JUNE, 1811. With this Month's Publication we give an elegant Representation of FIELD-MARSHAL BERESFORD. GEN. BERESFORD. Emulation and a love of fame are the mainsprings and motives of whatever is great in military achievements; the exploits of Homer's heroes elicited alike the heroism of Alexander and of Charles the 12th, equal in heroism, though not in good fortune. The present time, or European crisis, is in military talents of the highest order, and of its best concomitant, the most signal GOOD FORTUNE, PECULIARLY AUSPICIOUS to these United Realms we have seen the TRIPLE ALLIANCE of the ROSE, the THISTLE; and the SHAMROC, hurl discomfiture, dismay, and defeat, on those hosts of banditti that had, like their precursors, the Huns and the Pandals, spread desolation from the shores of the Mediterranean to those of the Baltic ;-we have seen the Soults, the Junots, the Massenas, the Mortiers, and the long etcetera of those valorous chiefs (distinguished by ducal appellatives of honor, as the Squires of Alsatia were formerly squired into distinction) hide, like "little stars," their diminished heads at Maida, at Vimiera, at Talavera, at Barossa, and at Albuera; the last reflects a double and transcendant lustre on Ireland, in the persons of two of her most distinguished sons, Lord, WELLINGTON and Marshal BERESFORD; nor can it possibly detract from the credit of the latter, that his military merit and his military fame emanate from the almost unparalled genius of the former, who appears to possess the rare union of the characteristic, yet opposite excellence of a Fabius and a Marcellus; (the former denominated the shield, the latter, the buckler of Rome) never was before seen a prudence so consummate with a valour so heroic ; caution and circumspection, with enterprize and activity: nor is this a digression from our principal subject, Marshal Beresford, because, in adverting to the victories of the PUPIL, it is natural to recur to the MASTER: Marshal Beresford has (in common with several of those great military characters whose exploits in various parts of the world have raised so 20 high high the military fame of these united, nations) been bred under the imme- | diate example and guidance of Lord Wellington, who, incontestibly, is one of the greatest military characters of the present, or any preceding age. It is truly said by Johnson, that "The Senate's thanks, the Gazelle's For this, the rapid Greck, o'er "For this, the steady Romans' shook the world." and those that have heard or read the noble and appropriate eulogium of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the vote of thanks to Marshal Beresford, will admit the poetic truth of the above quotation. The Thanks of both Houses of Par liament to GENERAL BERESFORD, Was, in the House of Lords, moved by Lord Liverpool, and agreed to nem, con, in the House of Commers, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, in substance, expressed himself as follows:-"Whether we were to judge from the declarations of the contending parties, or from the history of Enrope, it was obvious that never within so short a time were gamed victories to numerous and of so dicisive and desperate a nature. It was unnecessary to enter into the previous services of the gallant General, who was the object of the present motion: his military talents were those in which the spirit, of a daring and enterprizing nature, was con.. bined with consummate prudence, and were sufficiently testified upon former occasion: it is in this exalted cornbination our present military servants, so much excelled not only those of France in her present day, but those of their own country in the most plorious æra of her past celebrity: General Beresford had indeed shown himself worthy of co-operating with Lord Wellington: His glory extended itself beyond that which usually marked the career of a victorious General, for the exercise of personal prowess was a character in it: His hand, which had levelled to the earth the body of an enemy, was checked, though at a crisis of general irritation, by the impulse of tenderness, and he only defended himself from a foe whom he could have easily destroyed: The field was a scene of dreadful carnege-in one part were to be heard the victorious shouts of the combined armies, and in another part were to be seen the hasty ruin of the bayonet." To (eneral Beresford were also voted the thanks of the CoRTES: On reading the dispatches, and the presentation of one of the standards taken from the enemy, Terreras, one of the members exclaimed, “I cannot contain the joy of my heart !— THOU HAST CONQUERED! my country! thou hast conquered, and this victory is the fo crunner of £ture victories."--The vote of thanks to Cheval B. the officers, and all dr ucos, was approved of by accia nation, a circumstance the mare noticeable because it demonstrates that their enthusiasm in the cause Lust be great, when it overcame the characteristic gravity and deliberation peculiar to Spaniards :-this may scem trifling, but I like to find good auguries in every thing when I wish the cause well. Sir William Carr Beresford's ac- speaking of the results of this glorious count of the battle of Albuera, emi-day, his conformity to the instrucnently attests the heroism, and I now tions of Lord Wellington, thereby believe, the invincibility of the Spa- indirectly and deferentially ascribing nish nation: certain it is that a just the signal successes of the day to his discernment of the real character of Lordship; this conduct of Sir Wm. nations is as essential in great political is as honorable to him as the victory conjunctures, as it is in the intercourse itself: whilst this liberality and good of common life between man and understanding continues between our man; but a false estimate of a nation superior officers, victory must and in toto, is in a politician, either foolish will be the order of the day in the or fatal; and it is a fact, not less Peninsula. The other trait adverts true than it is astonishing, that Bo. to the valour and steadiness of the naparte has, in all his measures rela- 57th regiment, which getting into tive to Spain, acted on a real con- line, and finding part of General tempt of the Spanish character! in Lumley's brigade (Spanish) in their so doing, he has broke the egg in his front, instead of allowing the Spapocket; there is not a nation on niards to continue the action, rushed earth in which all the constituent between them and the French! Sir qualities of genuine heroism unite William states that the slain were and combinate so highly as in the highly as in the found in ranks occupying the same Spanish nation: the history of agesground on which they stood in the attests this. Early in the present action: after the action the 57th contest, the sieges of Gerona and was commanded by the Adjutant, as Saragossa vied with those of Nu- was General Lumley's brigade by a mantia and Saguntum, so memorable Captain of the 48th, and the 2d regt. in the contests of Harthage: to elicit by a Captain of six month's standand rekindle the latent heroin of ing!-It is with pleasure and with the Spaniards it was only wanted to pride that the writer of this article apply the electrical principle of con- reverts to his opinion expressed four genial spirits, and hence, a Welling-years since, in various publications, ton, a Beresford, a Doyle, a Lurley, a Myers, &c. &c. have, by their example, awakened and aroused to vigorous and effective act the inherent heroism of the Spanish character. Sir William's account of the battle of Albuera is a model of military detail, and is like those of Xenophon, Polybius, and Cæsar, characterized by plainess, precision, and perspicuity; the scene of action, and the varied military movements are represented in the most lively manner: the merits of the officers and men are extolled, whilst those of their distinguished General are become (to the reader) the more conspicuous as they are less dilated on:-but there are two traits in this memorable detail well worthy especial observation : of our ultimate success, and that of our allies; nor is this political prescience mentioned through vanity; but to the useful and important end of encouraging hope and confidence, even under unpromissing aspects of affairs, and it is every loyal and patriotic persons duty so to do; the more so, because hope, courage, and confidence are always productive of good, whether GENERALLY or IN DIVIDUALLY. Much has been said by that sct of politicians, stiled oppositionists, about our having been the means, by exciting Europe against the domineering and destroying influence of France, of raising Bonaparte to his present (as was said of Satan) "bad pre-eminence;" this is all false rea Sir William repeatedly expresses, insoning, (if it deserve the name of reasoning, reasoning, and is not rather the pretence of party) the result must have been, to France, the same, that of anarchy terminating in despotism, a despotism the very worst of its kind: We are, rather, under an obligation to Napoleon, who has thrown into our hands" the ships, the Colonies, and the commerce of France, and all her ANNEXED ALLIES or ALLIES annexed;" and above all, has, as in Spain and Portugal been the means of setting up the British military character in suth a lustre that the victories of Cressy, Poictiere, Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ranillies, fade before those recent achievements of English, Scotch and Irish, in Egypt, Sicily, and Spain ! becoming heroes from our native examplars) the words of Julius Cæsar "Veni, Vidi, Vici," And may our Wellingtons, Beres fords, and Doyles never cease to appropriate and exemplify it, for the honour and glory of Great Britain and Ireland, and the preservation of Europe! -00 Alderman J. C. Beresford has resigned his scat in Parliament, as Representative for the co. Waterford, in favor of his illustrious relative, so that the Irish nation may now evince their gratitude and respect by chusing to represent it in the Senate, HIM, that has so well REPRESENTED and exemplified our national character. istics in the field, heroism, and honour! THE CHATEAU OF ROUSSILLON. -000 (Continued from Page 201.) JULIE found her mother alone, for Francois had not yet returned; and Madame St. Hypolite, though some what uneasy, was not agitated, naturally supposing that the brother and sister were together under shelter of some shepherd's hut. Of the military life of Marshal Beresford, the glorious and numerous circumstances are on record and universally known the rise of the Marshal in the service has been as rapid as his progress in all the essentials of a great commander :-in 1794, we find him Lieut.-Colonel of the 88th regiment of foot, (or Connaught Rangers) and in 1803, he was created Knight of the Bath and Major-General of said regiment, which he still leads to victory and fame. The French Imperial Eagles lately taken in Spain will inflict a severe mortification on the common enemy: Marshal B. has clipped their soary pinions and fixed them to the earth the capture of these Eagles will be as sorely felt in the way of disgrace and humiliation as those taken by the Parthians in the overthrow of Crassus; or by the Germans, in the defeat of Varus, and his legions; but, with this difference, they will never be reclaimed, re- "How much I have to thank you stored, or recovered!-Wiry stroc! for, kind Sir!" exclaimed Medaine, for the rest, as valour is very laconic, addressing the unknown; “perhaps and more accustomed to action than you will allow my son an oppor verbosity, we shall conclude by ap-tunity of showing our gratitude, by plying to the heroes of Britain, becoming his guest while you stay in Scotland, and Ireland, and their co- Roussillon, and taking him for your edjutors of Portugal and Spain, (fast guide in any future ramble.?' Julie's hurried address quickly explained the cause of her re-appearance with a stranger; and while she was yet speaking, the entrance of Francois (who had taken a different path from his sister,) terminated every other alarm. |