care not for Dutch, Danes, Huguenots, or Hanoverians, and Cumberland will find to his cost that the Irish are stubborn foes to contend with."

"I am sure," said Lord Thomond, "it will be a fearful battle, and mentioning my cousin O'Shaughnessy has reminded me of news which I received from Ireland respecting his family. As you are all aware, on his death his first cousin, Colman O'Shaughnessy, who is a Catholic priest, became Chief of Cineal Aodh, and intends taking law proceedings against Sir Thomas Prendergast for the recovery of Gortinsiguara."

"I fear," said the Earl of Roscommon, "he has little chance of succeeding, being a Catholic, and in my opinion, unless King James is restored, an O'Shaughnessy will never reside there again.”

"I am under the same impression, my Lord," said Conor O'Shaughnessy, "but if we are victorious to-morrow it will be a severe blow to George, Elector of Hanover, who styles himself King of England."

After conversing in this manner for an hour or so, the Count de Thomond retired, as he was anxious to have a few hours' sleep before morning. Shortly after, Captain Forster took leave of the Earl of Roscommon, and proceeded to his tent, accompanied by Conor O'Shaughnessy. As they approached, they heard the bells of the fine old Gothic cathedral of Tournay, tolling the hour of eleven.

"Captain," said Conor O'Shaughnessy, breaking the silence they had hitherto maintained, "it is now about an hour since Lord Thomond left the Earl of Roscommon's tent."

"About that," said the Captain, "as he left shortly after ten; but as the night is yet young, and as you have been assigned no post, I wish you to spend a few hours with me."

When they entered the tent, O'Shaughnessy said—

"Captain, it is difficult to say how many of our great army may survive the coming engagement, but as regards myself I have a presentiment that my days are numbered; yes, I feel I am to fall tomorrow."

"Come, cheer up Conor, and do not give way to despondency; banish melancholy, and be a man! Why should you, who have taken part in so many glorious exploits in which the French would have been cut to pieces were they not assisted by the old Brigade, think of death on the eve of a battle in which our countrymen are resolved to a man to humble the presumptuous pride of Cumberland? Remember the sufferings of your family, and that the Chief of your sept is now no more. It is your duty to revenge the many wrongs he suffered by the usurpa

tion of William of Orange. Remember how our countrymen are persecuted, and that the present Chief of your family, being a priest of our Church, cannot take up arms against the Elector, or join us exiles, who endeavour by the assistance we give the French to weaken the power of the English nation. Nay, the laws in force in Ireland are such that he cannot, in consequence of his religion, even assert his right to Gortinsiguara, though for centuries it was the patrimony of his fathers."

"Captain, I will fight in this battle, which I feel sure will be my last, with the same spirit and determination I had when a Rapparee, combating in the cause of the late King James II. in Ireland. I fear not death, and do not shudder, though I know my end is at hand. What matters it when I die? The inheritance of the O'Shaughnessys has been snatched from them, and bestowed upon an apostate family by a Dutch usurper. But why should I dwell on this melancholy subject now? If we defeat this German Prince, who is styled by our enemies Duke of Cumberland, it will be a terrible blow to his father's interests, and most favourable to King James's cause. You know well, Captain, that were it not for the persecutions that are carried on against our religion at home, and the usurpation of the House of Hanover, an Irish Brigade would never have been heard of in France. I know well that unless James III. is restored, an O'Shaughnessy will never again possess Gortinsiguara, or enjoy the many privileges which they inherited from father to son, since the reign of Milesius to the time of the tyrant Henry VIII."

"Conor," said Captain Forster, "I never for a moment doubted your courage, for when a boy I often heard my father speak favourably of you. I merely wish to raise your spirits, as I never before saw you so depressed, or heard you speak of death."

"Oh, Captain, I know you do not doubt my courage, but I am perfectly resigned to die. I have grown old in foreign service, and live among strangers. Of course there are many of my countrymen in the Brigade who are my friends, but not one of the companions of my childhood who followed the fortunes of the late King James, for they have all fallen in the different battles in which the Brigade has been engaged. Even yourself, Captain, whom I esteem so much, is, strictly speaking, a stranger to me, as you were a mere child when I left Ireland. When I look back on my past life, I am surprised at the number of my friends who have fallen in battle since the death of my old commander, Donal Bran, and consequently as I am the only survivor, I do

not care how soon I fall, But even if I die in a foreign land, I am sure Nicholas Power of Park-na-attinagh will raise a slab to my memory in the chapel of my ancestors at Kilmacduach."

Shortly after, Conor O'Shaughnessy retired to his tent, and Captain Forster, having thrown himself on his pallet, soon fell into a deep slumber.

In a few hours after, Captain Forster was aroused by the great commotion in the camp. About half-past three o'clock King Louis XV. arose, and having hastily dressed himself, breakfasted. Count d'Argenson sent a messenger to Marshal Saxe to know his latest orders. The Marshal informed him that all the necessary arrangements had been already made, and that there was nothing to prevent his Majesty from taking the field. On receiving this reply, the King and Dauphin, followed by their magnificent suites, wound down the picturesque slope adjoining the river, and having crossed the bridge entered the camp. It was five o'clock when the King started. He was enthusiastically received by the soldiers, and shouts of Dieu protege la France and Vire le Roi greeted him everywhere he appeared. Having crossed the Scheldt, he halted at Notre Dame de Bois, to observe the movements of the enemy. Marshal Saxe made the most of the strong position which he occupied, and added considerably to the strength of the approach to the bridge of Calonne, by the construction of a tete de pont, which now glistened with cannon. This gave the French complete control over the passage of the Scheldt, for it was Saxe's intention to fight the enemy with that river in his rere, as in case of defeat he could throw it between himself and the foe.

The allied army comprised English and Hanoverians, under the Duke of Cumberland, Dutch under the Prince de Waldeck, and Austrians under the old Marshal, Von Koenigsec, who was entrusted with the command by the States General, that he might check the impetuosity of these young Princes. The allies advanced in three columns. The first, composed of cavalry, by the road to Mons, along the road of Venzon; the second, infantry, marched through the village of Venzon, and the

third over the plain between Fontenoy and Antoine. As soon as all the troops were under arms, Marshal Saxe, who was greatly exhausted from the vigorous exertions he had to undergo on the eve of battle, which were too much for him, suffering, as he was, under such an acute disease, was carried on an osier litter through the ranks, to give the necessary orders. He was loudly cheered as he passed along by the soldiers, who could not but admire the courage and determination of a man who, though an invalid, could act the part of a General. As the officers were about to depart for the respective posts assigned to them, the Count raised himself in his litter, and pointing to the English army enthusiastically exclaimed

'Monsieurs, I have but prepared for you the road to victory, but regret exceedingly I cannot lead you myself. Alas! my health will not permit me to do so, but you need no guidance. Monsieurs, none know better how to tread the road that leads to glory; you have only to advance, and I know the result!"

As Marshal Saxe concluded, all the English cannon were brought to bear on the French, the Duke of Cumberland having previously ordered his artillery to open fire on the enemy. The French guns replied quickly, and the cannonading was kept up until nine o'clock, when the English advanced to assault Fontenoy, where they were twice repulsed by Monsieur de la Vauguyon.

When the cannon of the allies opened on the French, Captain Forster, having first grasped the hand of Conor O'Shaughnessy, hastened to join his regiment. The Count de la Mark rode to Antoin, to take command there, and the loud cheers of the Piedmontese troops greeted his arrival. In a few minutes after, the brave Marshal Duke de Noailles embraced his nephew the young Duke de Grammont, whose impetuosity at the battle of Dettingen had proved so fatal to the French army. He had scarcely parted from the embrace of his affectionate uncle, when both his legs were shot off by a cannon ball, the first which had taken effect on the French lines. The Duke was then hastily carried to the rere, where he expired in an hour after. His uncle the Marshal, though he loved his nephew as much as if he was his son, on seeing him mortally wounded, at once rode off in the direction of Fontenoy, resolved to single out the Duke of Cumberland, and by his death avenge that of his nephew. The English and Hanoverians now made a terrific assault on Fontenoy, determined to carry all before them. A fearful engagement was the result; the firing on both sides was incessant, and the booming of the cannon deafening. The English and Hanoverian troops displayed great bravery, and several of the French fell before

their impetuous charges. The French, however, encouraged by the example of their officers, fought with equal valour, and the English troops were obliged to retreat before them. The victors now gave expression to their delight by loud cheers, which so exasperated the English soldiers, that they returned to the conflict with renewed vigour, and pressing forward en masse, made an irresistible charge on Fontenoy, which was by this time enveloped in flames, and a scene of the most dreadful carnage. The firing was kept up with such unabated spirit by the French, that they were now almost without ammunition, and the Duke de Noailles was obliged to despatch several messengers to Marshal Saxe for a fresh supply. None, however, came, and the victorious English, who were ably assisted by their Hanoverian allies, resolutely pressed forward. By this time the French ammunition was entirely exhausted, but they still continued to give all the resistance in their power to the English with their sabres and bayonets. Messengers were again despatched to Marshal Saxe to crave the required ammunition, and to tell him that, unless he immediately complied, the English would, in a short time, be masters of Fontenoy; but his only answer was, that he could not do so at present, and that they should fire with powder alone to keep up the appearance of a defence, until he would be able to relieve them. In a short time after the ammunition arrived, when the French opened a heavy fire on their enemies, with such effect that the latter had again to retreat in confusion from Fontenoy. While the English were being defeated here, the Duke of Cumberland, who had ordered an assault on the Wood of Barri, which, like that of Fontenoy, proved unsuccessful, determined to attack the French centre. This was a daring resolution, for, as the assault on Fontenoy and Barri had proved unsuccessful, the English were still exposed to a rapid and galling cross fire from the right and left of the French army; and in order to attack the centre, the Duke of Cumberland should pass between these two fires. While passing through the village of Venzon, great numbers of the English were mowed down by the French artillery. Another great disadvantage under which the English laboured was, that no more than twenty men could march abreast. However, their courage was such, that they continued to press forward with the greatest coolness and determination. By this move the Duke of Cumberland lost several of his bravest men. Those of his troops who were so fortunate as to escape filed off to the left, and formed line, though still exposed to the deadly fire of the enemy. They did so more from instinct than from order, knowing well that their safety depended on forming themselves into one solid mass. This body then advanced to