BLUCHER IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 175, 4 August 1876, Page 13

BLUCHER IN ENGLAND.

The ' Kdlnische Zeitung ' has published a series of letters, which Marshal Blucher addressed to his wife during his campaign of 1813-14, and during his visit to London in the latter year. Bluchers orthography is curious, and might convey some useful hints to the advocates of a phonetic system of spelling ; of grammar he has not the least notion. On the 3rd of June, 1814, he writes from Boulogne (or Boulonge, as he spells the name) : — " Yesterday I dined with the Duke of Klarents on board the ship-of-the-line Imprenabele. I am still deaf from the thunder of the canon, and almost upset by the marks of honour bestowed upon me. If things continue like this I shall turn mad in England. . . . The English come to this place in hundreds to see me, and I am obliged to to shake hands with every one of them. The ladiez quite make love to me. They are the most crack-brained (nerrischste) people I know. I bring a sword and a sabre with me, which have 40,000 thalers' worth of jewels on them. The City of London has likewise presented me with a sword, the Clubs of London have admitted me without ballot, and at Edenburg. in Scotland, they have made me honorary member of their learned society. It will be a wonder if I don't turn mad." His first letter from London is dated 6th of June, 1814 :—": — " Yesterday I landed in England, and I hardly know how it is I still am alive. The people almost tore me to pieces. They took out my horses, and carried me, and thus I came to London. Against my will they took me to the Regent's Castle. The Kegent receired me in a manner not to be described. He hung his portrait, richly set with brilliants, and attached to a dark blue ribbon, round my neck, and said, ' Be sure you hare no truer friend on the earth than myself.' I lodge with him. I must al-o tell you that the King, in spite of my resistance made me a Prince yesterday Your brother is with me and witnesses all that happens to me. The people carry me upon their hands. Whenever they catch sight of me they shout, aud 10,000 of them are together in no time. In uniform I cannot appear at all." On the 12th of June, he writes : — " Unless constantly surrounded by guards and attendants they tear me. If I ride in a carriage they take out the

horses. lam being fatigued in an inhuman manner, am sitting to I three painters at the same time, and hare hardly been able as yet to look around me."