755 ReviewMexican Revolution. 750 reliance on the arrival of the supply of provi- Recovering from their panic, and urged by an apprehension for the fate of their capital, the Spaniards seized the earliest opportunity of attacking Mina in his fort; the siege, and the condition of which, and the deplorable state of its brave defenders, the author deli "At the close of the month, information was brought to Mina, that the troops composing the garrison of the Villa de Leon had that morning marched from the town, leaving only a small detachment for its defence. Conceiving that this afforded him a good opportunity to try the character of his recruits, and strike a blow against the enemy, he determined to attack the place. The Villa de Leon is an extensive, populous, and wealthy town, situated in a plain, abounding with wheat fields. After Mina's arrival at Sombrero, the enemy, anticipating an attack on Leon, strengthened its works. Its garrison was likewise augmented to seven hundred men, who were under the command of Brigadier Don Pedro Celestino Negrete, a man famous in the annals of the revolution for acts of depravity and cruelty. The streets leading to the principal square of the town were defended by a traverse composed of a wall, with a ditch on the outside. This work inclosed the buildings, consisting of lofty churches and heavy mansions. The place had hitherto been considered impregnable, having baffled all the efforts of the patriots to take it. From their massive architecture, every house and church was in itself a fortification. Mina, on the evening he received the information, after having taken every precaution to prevent intelligence of his design being conveyed to the enemy, marched from the fort with his division and some Creole cavalry, in all about five hundred men, and a piece of artillery. His intention was to take the enemy by surprise, in the night. On arriving within half a mile of the town, a picquet of the enemy was unexpectedly encountered; it fled, and alarmed the garrison, which, it afterwards appeared, had been strongly reinforced by a division of Linan's army; a circumstance of which Mina was totally ignorant. On arriving near the square, his troops were received by a heavy fire of artillery, and musquetry from the tops of the houses. The attack was made with vigour, but all attempts to carry it failed, the storming parties being overpowered by numbers. The Guard of Honour and regiment of the Union, succeeded, however, in dislodging the enemy from a strong barrack, and took a few prisoners; but they could not force their way any farther. At dawn, the general, finding it impractible to carry the place, drew off his troops, and fell back upon the fort. So well satisfied were the enemy to get rid of him, that they made no attempt to harass him on his retreat. This was the first reverse experienced by the arms of Mina; it was severe: the killed and wounded were nearly one hundred, and among them were several foreigners. Some of the wounded, who could not be brought off, fell into the hands of the enemy, and were immediately put to death; while, on the contrary, the prisoners that Mina had taken were liberated". pp. 1 to 7. "The fort was not calculated to sustain either a formal siege or a vigorous assault. Padre Torres had not sent any of the expected provisions; and a supply for ten days was all that the fort contained. The ammunition also was deficient, but twenty-five boxes remaining. But the most serious evil was, that the third division of the enemy was so posted as to cut off all communication between the garrison and the water in the ravine. It was, however, hoped that this evil would not be seriously felt, as the rainy season had commenced. The only succour which the garrison received from Padre Torres, came about two days previous to the arrival of the enemy, and consisted of sixty cavalry, under the command of Don Miguel de Borja. The whole force of the garrison, including these and a party of the cavalry of Don Encarnacion Ortiz, did not exceed six hundred and fifty. When to these were added the peasantry, who were employed in working parties, and the women and children, the whole number of souls in the fort was about nine hundred. "At day-break of the 31st, the enemy opened a heavy fire of shot and shells, which continued incessantly till dark; their fire being occasionally returned by the fort. This cannonading continued, with little intermission, during the whole of the siege; and on some days, the besiegers discharged from their battery on the hill, as many as six hundred shot and shells. To the besieged, this appeared a useless expenditure of ammunition, unless it was intended to display the great resources and indefatigable exertions of the enemy; for, as the principal buildings were under cover of the conical hill, and the others were in such positions as to be protected by the rocks, and as no one moved from his covert unless compelled by duty, the fire of the enemy was ineffectual, their shot falling harmless among the rocks, or flying entirely over the fort. Indeed, their artillery was so unskilfully served, that it annoyed their own works on the south side. This random firing continued for several days, without any casualty occurring, except among the horses which were roaming about the fort. "The enemy undoubtedly flattered himself with the hope of making an easy conquest of the fort, expecting that the first assault would produce a surrender. At two o'clock A. M. on the 5th of August, a spirited attack was made upon the fort, at three points, which were considered assailable: but it failed, and the enemy were compelled to retire, with some loss. In this affair, the general, who commanded in person at the main entrance, displayed his usual intrepidity. With a lance in his hand, he was foremost in withstanding the enemy, and received a slight wound. "But now another circumstance created more serious uneasiness than the assaults of the enemy. The communication with the ra 757 Review-Mexican Revolution. vine, on which the garrison was entirely dependent for water, had been totally cut off, by the third division of the enemy, who had intrenched themselves in an impregnable position close to the watering-place, and who at night posted a chain of videttes along the ravine. Mina, as well as Mareno, had calculated that it was practicable to cover the watering parties from the fort; and to have anticipated this disaster, by preserving water within the fort, was impossible, as there was but one small tank, capable of holding no more than was sufficient for a few hours' supply. As the rainy season had commenced, it had been supposed that the garrison would not suffer for want of water. All these expectations were disappointed; for the watering parties, which were sent out nightly, generally returned without having succeeded in their attempt, or with such a partial supply as was of no adequate use; and although it constantly rained around, yet none fell in the fort. The watering parties were obliged to descend the declivity of a very deep barranca, which rendered it impossible to conduct these sallies with any degree of order, and the enemy were therefore always apprised of their approach to the rivulet, and of course prepared to resist them. Hence no supplies of any consequence could be obtained. Those who have not seen the Mexican barrancas, can scarcely form an idea of the difficulties they present at every step; abounding in immense rocks, precipices, and thick bushes, it is impossible to conduct any military enterprise in them with compactness and order. "The small quantity of water which each individual collected on the first appearance of the enemy, had been soon expended. The only well in the fort, which was at the house of Don Pedro Moreno, had never contained water. All the stagnant water in the crevices around the fort, was consumed; and the horrors of thirst became dreadful. Recourse was had to some wild celery, which lukily grew around the fort: it was plucked at the risk of life; but these were only partial alleviations, for some of the people were four days without tasting a drop of water. "The situation of the garrison was fast approaching to a crisis. The troops at their posts were hourly becoming less capable of exertion, from the severity of their sufferings. Horses and cattle were wandering about, in the greatest distress. The cries of children, calling on their unhappy mothers for water, gave to the scene of suffering peculiar horror. The countenance of the general shewed how deeply he sympathized in the sufferings of his associates: but he cheered them with the hope that the God of nature would not abandon them; he pointed to the heavy clouds with which the atmosphere was loaded, as the source from whence relief would speedily be obtained; and such was the effect Mina's example and consoling observations inspired, that each individual strove to distinguish himself by his superior fortitude under the severity of the general distress. With anxious expectation, they marked the approach of the heavily charged clouds, hoping that the predictions of a supply from them would soon be verified. Every vessel was ready to receive the grateful shower. The women brought out the images of their saints, supplicating their intervention 758 for that relief which heaven only could bestow. The clouds covered the fort: no sound was heard amid the general anxiety of the wretched garrison, save the thunder of the enemy's artillery, whose troops, with savage exultation, looked down on the besieged from their position on the hill. The flattering clouds passed slowly over the fort, the moment was anxiously looked for, which was to ease their sufferings; a few drops fell; anxiety was wrought up to the highest pitch;- but the clouds passed, and burst at a short distance from them! Language is inadequate to describe the emotions of despair which at that moment were depicted on every countenance in the fort. For several days the clouds continued thus to pass, without discharging a single drop on the parched garrison, who had the cruel mortification of seeing their enemies frequently drenched with rain, and the large lake of Lagos constantly in view. Such were the trials experienced at this ill-fated spot. At length, after a lapse of four days, a slight shower fell. Every article capable of containing the desired fluid was in readiness, and in spite of the incessant fire of the enemy, a supply was collected, sufficient to yield a temporary relief to the suffering garrison. A small supply was also collected in reserve."-pp. 9 to 15. Three nights after the attempt made by the enemy to enter the fort, Mina, with 240 men, made a sortie on the encampment of Negrete, and carried the redoubt which had been thrown up on the hill. They were, however, compelled to retreat, leaving many killed and wounded on the scene of conflict. Such of the wounded as could not be brought off, fell into the hands of the enemy, who, carrying them in full view of the fort, caused them to be strangled in the sight of their commiserating and enraged comrades. Their bodies, stripped of their clothing, were thrown down the precipice of the barranca to become the food of vultures. Deceived with vain expectations of obtaining relief from sources which had flattered his hopes, Mina, on the night which succeeded the sorties, left the fort with three companions, to seek relief, leaving Colonel Young in command of the garrison. They eluded with difficulty the vigilance of the besiegers, and after some time Mina made several attempts to accomplish his purpose; but the fort was too strictly and strongly guarded, to permit his efforts to command success. "Meanwhile, the enemy prosecuted the siege with vigour. The cannonading was incessant by day, and continued occasionally at night. A few of the besieged were killed, and from the last shower was exhausted, and the sufferings of the garrison, as well from hunger as thirst, again became intolerable. Sever several wounded. The stock of water collected 759 Review-The Welsh Non-conformist's Memorial. days had again elapsed without water. The children were expiring from thirst; many of the adults had become delirious, and had re sorted to the last and most disgusting of all human expedients, to allay for a moment the torments of thirst; while some few, driven to madness, would steal down at night to the rivulet, and, flying from the death of thirst, receive it at the hands of their enemies. At this juncture, a generous trait was manifested by the enemy. They were moved to pity by the dreadful situation of the women, and allowed them to descend and drink the water, but would not permit them to carry any up to the fort. This solitary act of humanity proved, however, but a ruse de guerre,' as the enemy obtained from the women correct information of the state of things in the fort, and finally, on one occa sion observing a large number of them at the watering place, with characteristic perfidy they seized them, and sent them prisoners to the town of Leon. "The besieged were suffering not only the extremity of thirst, but their provisions were nearly all consumed. Every juicy weed around the fort was plucked, and some of the men imagined they found relief from thirst by chewing lead. The soldiers were compelled to subsist partially on the flesh of horses, asses, and dogs. The stench of the animals which had died for want of food, or from the enemy's shot, and of the dead bodies of the enemy which were suffered to lie unburied, was almost insupport able. Large flocks of vultures, attracted by the dismal scene, were constantly hovering over the fort, and fortunately diminished an evil, which otherwise could not have been borne, "Their sufferings having become intolerable, many of the troops deserted, so that not more than a hundred and fifty effective men remained. The ammunition was so far expended as only to admit of occasional firing. The guns had been for some time served with the enemy's shot; which, dug out at night from the rubbish outside of the fort, was fired back to them in the morning." (To be concluded in our next.) REVIEW.-The Welsh Non-conformist's Memorial, or Cambro-British Biography. To which are prefixed, an Essay on Druidism, and Introduction of the Gospel into Britain, &c. By the late Rev. William Richards, LL. D. Edited, with Notes and Illustrations, by John Evans, LL. D. London, 8vo. 1820. Sherwood & Co. pp. 504. 8s. 760 dered to be an admirable critic in the Cambro-British tongue. After the decease of his father, he was baptized, and became a zealous and devout Christian, and spent much of his time and property in the completion of a place of worship which had been previously begun by his father, and afterwards preached in it for some time. He next accepted an invitation to assist Dr. John Ash, at Pershore, and resigned that office to become the pas tor of the Baptist society at Lynn, where, by his studious habits, and sedentary course of life, his constitution becoming much impaired, he was obliged to resign his pastoral charge, and was suspected of heretical pravity, but this suspicion was without foundation. His publications are classed under five heads, viz. historical, biographical, political, controversial, and miscellaneous. His most extensive work was "The History of Lynn," in which is displayed great research, and much general information. Thus much for the author of The Welsh Non-conformist's Memorial. In a dedicatory epistle, Dr. Evans, the editor, gives the following account of the posthumous work now before us: "For years previous to his death, he (Dr. Richards) meditated a work illustrative of the ecclesiastical antiquities of the principality of Wales. The subsequent volume shews what had been accomplished. It is at length, with its final corrections, presented to the public, who wil! him to complete his plan, (a circumstance which, please to recollect, that, had Providence permitted in humble submission to the will of God, was the subject of prayer during his last illness,) imperfections, at present discernible, would never have appeared. Posthumous productions are received with eandour. A discerning public is not wanting in liberality." "It is a treasure of biography: I was deter Like the mined that it should see the light. Sibylline leaves, I have gathered the sketches together with an hallowed vigilance." The title of the book appears to us DR. RICHARDS, the author, was born incorrect, because it conveys the idea in Pembrokeshire, in the year 1749, of a finished or complete work, whereas and died on the 13th September, 1818. the volume contains only detached From his infancy he was distinguished parts of an intended whole, and the for his love of knowledge, his dili-editor has not attempted to complete gence, and seriousness. He received the work by supplying the deficient his education for the office of the links in either the biographical or hisChristian ministry in the Baptist aca- torical chain. Therefore, we should demy at Bristol, where he continued have preferred a title nearly as follows: two years. The Bible was his favourite study; but to this he did not confine himself. He became acquainted with the best authors, was well versed in civil and ecclesiastical history, and was consi LL.D. 'Materials for a Welsh Non-conformist's Memorial, &c. &c. collected by the late Rev. Wm. Richards, Edited, with Notes and Illustrations, by John Evans, LL. D.' 761 Review-The Welsh Non-conformist's Memorial. 762 The first of these sketches is that of Vavasor Powell. In making these remarks, we have no wish to withhold from Dr. Evans the praise he merits by bringing the "This eminent and ever-memorable Camcontents of this volume before the pub-bro-Briton, Vavasor Powell, was a native of lic. While we regret that Dr. Richards did not live to finish his own work, Dr. Evans has our best thanks for presenting it to the public in its present shape. He has rendered an ceptable service to the religious world, and has imbodied more literary information than we expect, or usually find, in works professedly religious. ac We proceed to give the reader some idea of the contents of this book. After a dedication and preface by the Editor, we arrive at the part written by Dr. Richards, which commences with a "Sketch of Druidism," which we regret our limits do not suffer us to examine at length. Dr. Richards is more favourable to Druidical institutions than most writers have been, who have made this subject their study. The doctrine of transmigration has been held by several Christians. The Bards espoused the doctrine of One God, the Creator and Governor of the universe, and pervading all space; of whom the idea of a locality of existence was deemed unworthy. Propitiatory sacrifice was a part of their religion, but their human sacrifices were criminals; and this system he compares with the execution of criminals in the present day. Add to these, the Bards generally embraced Christianity at its first promulgation; and it does not appear, from any accounts which have been transmitted to us, that they ever disgraced their profession. Radnorshire, of no mean origin or ignoble descent, being related to some of the best families in that country, and also in those of Montgomery and Salop. He was brought up to very liberal education, first in that country, learning from his childhood, and received a and afterwards at Jesus College, in Oxford, where he is said to have made considerable proficiency in the learned languages, and other and went into orders in the Established Church branches of literature. He was born in 1617, some time before 1640." He soon became an itinerant puritan preacher. "He frequently preached at two or three places in a day, and was seldom two days in the week throughout the year, out of the pulpit; nay, he would sometimes ride a hundred miles in a week, and preach in every place where he might have admittance." "Even "He was as early as the year 1651, the Christians in Wales, The reign of Charles the Second was still more unpropitious to religious. liberty. On the 28th of April, 1660, he was apprehended, and from that time he was confined, with the exception of some very short intervals, till death liberated him from the Fleet prison on the 27th October, 1670, in the 53d year of his age. The Appendix contains "Hints on Primitive Christianity;" "Reflections on Allegorical Preaching;" which last we recommend to the attention of young Ministers. "Wickliffe and his followers." "Sketch of Michael Servetus." "Account of the original State of the Sacred Writings ;" and an Introduction and Postscript, by the Editor. Whatever is connected with the Next we are presented with "An Account of the first Introduction of the Gospel into Britain; with a cursory view of the State of Christianity among the ancient Britons from that period to the time of Pelagius," which is followed by "Some Account of Morgant, commonly called Pelagius;" and this is succeeded by "A Sketch of the State of Christianity in Wales, from the time of Pelagius to that of Wick-ginal inhabitants of this Island, and liffe." To the period of the Reformation, the author, had he lived, would have brought down his account. The principal part of the work is next in the order of succession, and bears the title of "Cambro-British Biography, or Sketches of several Welsh Non-conformists of the Seventeenth Century," &c. No. 30.-VOL. III. principality of Wales, appears to us particularly interesting. The Welsh are the direct descendants of the ori among them must be sought the knowledge of our early antiquities. Their personal character, their simplicity and integrity, tend to increase this interest. We receive, with pleasure, any additional information respecting them; and we recommend this volume as a valuable accession to the stores of religious biography. 2 C 767 Coronation of His Majesty George the Fourth. nating the public offices were either begun or renewed with ardour. The artisans and labourers who appeared, were dressed in their best attire; all business appeared to be suspended, and London exhibited indications of a general holiday. Between three and four o'clock, some ladies and gentlemen appeared in the costume of the Court, walking from Bridge-street towards Westminster Hall. About four o'clock, the line of coaches was full, on the eastern side of the division from Parliament-street to Charing-Cross. On the other side it extended only to the Horse Guards. Soon after four, when it became known that her Majesty's coach was making ready, a large concourse collected round her house; and on her appearance about five, she was greeted with loud cheers from a vast multitude. The course which she took, was through Great Stanhope-street, Park-lane, Hyde Park Corner, the Green Park, St. James's Park, Bird Cage Walk, and along Prince's-street, to Dean's Yard. The crowd everywhere collecting as she passed, became at length comparatively immense, and the soldiers on every occasion presented arms with the utmost promptitude and respect. Her carriage, which was drawn by six horses, passed the outer barrier without any obstruction, and proceeded to the King's Arms Tavern, nearly opposite the door of Westminster Hall, where it made a stand, as if hesitating how to proceed. 768 nutes had elapsed, she returned to her carriage; and, having ordered it to be thrown open, rode off amidst the shouts of multitudes, the hisses of a few, and the astonishment of all. The following account of her Majesty's reception at the door of Westminster Hall, is generally considered to be correct: Lord Hood having desired admission for her Majesty, the door-keepers drew across the entrance, and requested to see the tickets. Lord Hood-I present you your Queen; surely it is not necessary for her to have a ticket. Door-keeper-Our orders are to admit no person without a Peer's ticket. Lord Hood-This is your Queen: she is en titled to admission without such a form. The Qucen, smiling, but still in some agitation, Lord Hood-1 have a ticket. Lord Hood now drew from his pocket a Peer's ticket for one person; the original name in whose of Wellington" substituted. favour it was drawn was erased, and the name Door.keeper-This will let one person pass, but no more. Lord Hood-Will your Majesty go in alone? Her Majesty first assented, but did not per severe. her Majesty admission? Door-keeper-We only act in conformity with our orders. Her Majesty again laughed. Lord Hood-Then you refuse the Queen admission? A door-keeper of superior order then came forward, and was asked by Lord Hood, whether any preparations had been made for her Majesty! He answered respectfully in the negative. Lord Hood-Will your Majesty enter the Abbey without your Ladies? Her Majesty declined. Lord Hood then said, that her Majesty had het. ter retire to her carriage. It was clear no pro vision had been made for her accommodation. Her Majesty assented. Some persons within the porch of the Abbey laughed, and uttered some expressions of disrespect. Lord Hood-We expected to have met at least with the conduct of gentlemen. Such conduct is neither manly nor mannerly. Hood's arm, and followed by Lady Hood and She was preceded by constables back to the platform; over which she returned, entered her carriage, and was driven off amidst reiterated shouts of applause and disapprobation. Alighting from her carriage, her Majesty proceeded on foot, leaning on the arm of Lord Hood, accompanied by Ladies Hood and Hamilton, to demand admission at the Hall door. The officer on guard requested to see her ticket. She replied, that she had none; and that, as Queen of England, she thought a ticket unnecessary. He expressed his sorrow, but said, his orders were to admit no one without a ticket, and that, being peremptory, they must be obeyed. On finding access thus denied, they proceeded to the door of the Duchy of Lancaster, behind the Champion's stable; but here they found it shut. They then turned round, and, leaving the carriage behind, proceded to demand admission at another entrance; but this also was in vain. After about twenty mi-heighten the combined effect of dignity In Westminster Hall, his Majesty's throne was placed at the southern extremity of the building, immediately under the fine window on that side, and erected on a spacious platform, which extended over the site lately occupied by the Courts of King's Bench and Chancery. It was superbly gilt, upon a ground of rich crimson velvet, and placed under a canopy decorated with every thing that could |