As we walked along the streets, and crossed the numerous bridges over the
canals and branches of the river, we found all the houses lit up, by order,
as I learned, of the French marshal. The rain descended in torrents,
sparkling past the lights, while the city was a desert, with one dreadful
exception; for we were waylaid at almost every turn by groups of starving
lunatics, their half--naked figures and pale visages glimmering in the
glancing lights, under the dripping rain; and, had it not been for the
numerous sentries scattered along the thoroughfares, I believe we should
have been tom to pieces by bands of moping idiots, now rendered ferocious
from their sufferings, in consequence of the madhouses having been cleared
of their miserable, helpless inmates, in order to be converted into
barracks for the troops. At all of these bridges sentries were posted,
past which my conductor and myself were franked by the sergeant who
accompanied us giving the countersign. At length, civilly touching his
cap, although he did not refuse the piece of money tendered by my friend,
he left us, wishing us good--night, and saying the coast was clear.

We proceeded, without farther challenge, until we came to a very
magnificent house, with some fine trees before it. We approached the door,
and rung the doorbell. It was immediately opened, and we entered a large
desolate, looking vestibule, about thirty feet square, filled in the centre
with a number of bales of goods, and a variety of merchandise, while a
heavy wooden stair, with clumsy oak balustrades, wound round the sides of
it. We ascended, and, turning to the right, entered a large well furnished
room, with a table laid out for supper, with lights, and a comfortable
stove at one end. Three young officers of cuirassiers, in their superb
uniforms, whose breast and back pieces were glittering on a neighbouring
sofa, and a colonel of artillery, were standing round the stove. The
colonel, the moment we entered, addressed my conductor: