[525] Mémoires, iv. p. 257.
[526] Dispatch to Berthier, Mémoires, iv. pp. 445-6.
[527] Jourdan’s Mémoire sur la Guerre d’Espagne, p. 418.
[528] ‘Il y a plus de fatras et de rouages que dans une horloge, et pas un mot qui fasse connaître l’état réel des choses.’ For more hard words see Napoleon to Clarke, Ghiatz, September 2.
[529] See Memoirs of Parquin, who commanded his escort, p. 299. But he states the hour as 11 o’clock, much too early.
[530] For this artillery business see especially the six narratives of artillery officers printed by Major Leslie in his Dickson Papers, ii. pp. 685-97. Also for doings of the 5th Division battery (Lawson’s), Leith Hay, ii. pp. 47-8, and of the 4th Division battery (Sympher’s), Vere’s Marches of the 4th Division, pp. 33-4.
[531] Vere’s Marches of the 4th Division, p. 33.
[532] The traditional story may be found in Greville’s Memoirs, ii. p. 39. Wellington is said to have been in the courtyard of a farmhouse, where some food had been laid out for him, ‘stumping about and munching,’ and taking occasional peeps through his telescope. Presently came the aide-de-camp with Leith’s message. Wellington took another long look through his glass, and cried, ‘By God! that will do!’ his mouth still full. He then sprang on his horse and rode off, the staff following. Another version may be found in Grattan, pp. 239-40: ‘Lord W. had given his glass to an aide-de-camp, while he himself sat down to eat a few mouthfuls of cold beef. Presently the officer reported that the enemy were still extending to their left. “The devil they are! give me the glass quickly,” said his lordship—and then, after a long inspection, “This will do at last, I think—ride off.”’
[533] His nephew, Leith Hay, whose memoir I have so often had to quote, here ii. p. 49.
[534] D’Urban’s unpublished diary gives the fact that he got his order from Wellington personally before Pakenham was reached.