CHAPTER XIX.

Rumours of war—The rival dinner tables—“Slender Billy”—Bonaparte’s trickery—Spanish violence—Wellington with the hounds—French and English aspects—The outsides of the nations 352

State of feeling in France—Rocket practice—The Prince Regent’s hobby—The Mayor’s ball—The flag-of-truce 362

Army supplies—Offending villages—Symptoms of work—Arrival of the Duke d’Angoulême—The bridge across the Adour—Wellington and his Chief Engineer—His activity 377