HAMBURGH TAKEN BY DAVOUST.

37

other hand, the French entered it by the advice of the Danes, their allies, which is strongly demonstrative of that retribution on the part of Heaven, which holds out a most striking lesson to rival states and cities. About 10,000 troops of Denmark had marched to the vicinity of Hamburgh, for the purpose of making common cause with the troops of the allies; but owing to the political discussions of the Danish cabinet with England and Sweden, a change took place; the Danes declared for France, and entered into the views of Vandamme, who bombarded Hamburgh. It will be unnecessary to enter into all those atrocities, nay, unparalleled acts of enormity and violent outrage, committed by the French against those brave men who dared to stand forth in the cause of patriotism; neither is it requisite to describe minutely the tyrannical and oppressive government of Davoust in 1813. This person, so distinguished for his ferocity and cruelty, burned and demolished 1500 houses. About 1600 families were stripped of their beds; the sick and helpless nay, as a refinement of cruelty, the very inmates of hospitals, the deranged, blind, and bed-ridden, were hurried away, and turned out to the rude blasts, and that in the middle of a severe winter, in order to make way for the accommodation of those myrmidons who

38

FRENCH ATROCITIES.

had accompanied him to accomplish the work of devastation and destruction. Many Rachels, alas! were seen weeping for their children, and would not be comforted; and deeds of horror were then committed, which will ever remain an indelible stain on the French character in the faithful page of history.

The buildings, or, rather, mass of ruins, between Hamburgh and Altona, which we saw shortly after this event, were in a most frightful state. The bank was plundered of silver coin and bars to the amount of 700,000l.; in short, the most heart-rending scenes took place, and every thing that the greatest tyranny that the most most satanic and vindictive imagination could possibly devise, was employed to wring tears and lamentations from the inhabitants, rob them of their privileges, and plunder them of their property. The population was thus reduced from 120,000 to 40,000; all sacred rites were treated with open contempt, every religious and moral precept despised, thousands reduced to starvation, and the most diabolical expedients had recourse to, by this satellite and instrument of that restless individual who was the Scourge of the civilised world, in order to accomplish that revenge which he was resolved should be visited on the citizens of this free and ancient city. In a word, the name of Davoust is, and

DESCRIPTION OF ALTONA.

39

ever will be, justly held here in the greatest possible execration.

Altona is a cheerful place; it contains 35,000 inhabitants, and the present governor is a nephew of Marshal Blucher.* Several handsome houses are on a mall in the upper part of the town, where are charming walks. The public gardens, which are laid out with taste, look down on the river, and are crowded in the evenings of summer, when the views of the Elbe, especially at sunset, are highly beautiful. The taxes are greater than at Hamburgh, the place being considered more fashionable for residence. There is one imposed on the canine species: the name of the owner of the animal is duly entered in a register, and a number marked on its collar, so that in case of accident occurring, the owner may be traced and held responsible for it. This arose from Prince Christian, the present heir apparent to the Danish throne, having been, on one occasion, attacked by a dog here. The town is inclosed with gates, which, when they were first erected, thirteen years ago, yielded a revenue of 57,500 marks during one year, from the duties exigible at them. Of all the objects in this quarter most striking to a contemplative mind, is the sacred spot near it,

*This venerable warrior was born at Rostock, in 1747.

40

KLOPSTOCK'S TOMB.

where the ashes of the immortal Klopstock are deposited, whose name will descend to the latest posterity as that of a Christian bard-one whose moral worth was in no respect inferior to his poetical genius.

Leaving Hamburgh.

CHAP. II.

Woods. Prussia.

Price of posting.— Roads.

Lenzen.

-

Boit

zenberg.-Dress of peasants. State of crops.- Lubthen. Perleberg. Storks. -Kletzke.- Chateaux.-Kuritz. - Fair. - Peasantry.Travelling machines. - Optical deception.

Fehrbellin.

State of roads.

Henningsdorf. - River Havel. mous stones. Remarks.— Arrival at Berlin.

AMONG other arrangements preparatory to leaving Hamburgh, we engaged a servant who could speak the Russian language. The agreement was expressed in writing, and copies of it exchanged, a precaution that ought strongly to be recommended to travellers, in order to prevent those disputes which too often arise when the parties make only a verbal contract. We also purchased a light barouche and fire-arms; and having provided ourselves with passports, proper money, &c. set out on the morning of the 10th of June. For three horses we paid 13 marks 8 skillings, or 18s. sterling, for fifteen miles ; and it should be observed, that the expense, on departing from this place, is greater than at any future stages.