CHAP. IV.

OWING to comfortable refreshment, and a night of undisturbed sleep, General Butzou awoke in the morning much recovered from the weakness, which subdued him the preceding day.

Thaddeus observed this change with pleasure. Whilst he sat by his bed, ministering to him with the care of a son, he dwelt with a melancholy delight on his reverend features; and listened to his languid voice, with those tender associations of the heart, which are delicious, though they pierce it with anguish.

"Tell me, my dear general," said he, "for I can bear to hear it now; tell me what has befallen my unhappy country since I quitted it."

Every calamity," cried the brave old

man,

man, shaking his head, "that tyranny could devise."

"Well, go on;" returned the count, with a smile, which too truly declared that the composure of his air was assumed; 66 we, who have beheld her sufferings and yet live, need not fear hearing them described! Did you see the king before he left Warsaw? He told me, that he was to be banished to Grodno some time in the last month."

our oppres

"No," replied Butzou, sors took care of that. Whilst you, my lord, were recovering of your wounds in the citadel, I set off for Sachoryn to join prince Poniatowski. In my way thither I met some soldiers, who informed me, that his highness, having been compelled to discharge the troops, was returning to support his brother under the indignities, which the haughtiness of Suwarrow might premeditate. I then directed my steps towards Sendomir, where I hoped to find Wawrzecki with a few faithful

faithful followers; but here too I was disappointed. Two days before my arrival, that general had, according to orders, disbanded the whole party. I now found that Poland was completely in the hands of her ravagers, and I prepared to return. I was shocked and agonized at every step I re-trod. I beheld the shores of the Vistula lined on every side with Russian troops. Ten thousand were posted on her banks, and eighteen thousand amongst the ruins of Prague and Villanow.

"When I approached the walls of Warsaw, imagine, my dear count, how great was my indignation! How barbarous, how unmanly, the conduct of our enemies! Batteries of cannon were erected around the city, which, on the least symptom of discontent, were commanded to level it with the ground.

"On the morning of my arrival, I was hastening to the palace, to pay my duty to the king, when a Russian officer intercepted me, and threatened, that if I attempted

VOL. II.

F

tempted to pass, my obstinacy should be fatal to me, and hazardous to his Majesty; whose confinement, and sufferings were augmented in proportion to the adherents he retained amongst the Poles. Hearing this, I was turning away, overwhelmed with grief and anger, just as the doors of the audience-chamber opened, and the counts Potocki, Kilinski, and se veral others of your grandfather's dearest friends, were led out under a strong guard. I was standing motionless with surprise, when Potocki, perceiving me, held forth his hand. I took it, and, wringing it, in the bitterness of my heart uttered some words, which I cannot remember, but the Russian bade me beware how I again gave way to such injurious warmth.

"Farewell, my worthy general," said the count, "you see we are arrested. We loved Poland too faithfully for her enemies; and for that reason we are to be sent prisoners to Petersburgh. Sharing the fate

of

of Kosciuszko, our chains are our distinction; such a collar of merit, is the most glorious order which the imperial Catharine can bestow :-The knights of St. Stanislaus would reject all other from her hands."--" Sir, I cannot admit of this conversation," cried the officer of the guard; and commanding the escort to proceed,---I lost sight of these illustrious patriots, probably for ever.

"I understood from the few Poles who remained in the citadel, that the good Stanislaus was to be sent on the same dismal journey to Grodno the next day. They also told me, that you had quitted Poland the moment your wounds would allow you to move, that you might avoid the sight of Suwarrow's triumphant entry, which happened on the 9th of November last. On the eighth, I believe, you left Warsaw for England."

"Yes," replied the count, who listened with a breaking heart to this distressing narrative;

F 2