Everything was in motion throughout France, so that it was augured, should the allies persist in the designs announced of making war on Napoleon, and violate the frontiers of France, the fruits of such an attempt on the rights of the nation would stimulate the population to make any sacrifice for the maintenance of national independence and the honour of the throne.
Every day fresh offerings were deposited on the altar of the country, and new corps of volunteers, equally numerous and formidable, were established under the names of lancers, partizans, federates, mountain chasseurs, tiralleurs, &c. During the month of May, Napoleon having lost all hope of preserving peace, had been meditating upon a plan for the ensuing campaign. Two projects principally engaged his attention, the first was to remain on the defensive, and by that means throw the odium of aggression upon the allies,-the second was to attack the allies before they could be in readiness to resist him He finally determined to interpose his forces in one mass between the armies of Wellington and Blucher, from which he anticipated great results, when opposed with 120,000 excellent troops to two hosts numbering together only 190,000. Under Blucher were 110,000, nearly all Prussians. Wellington lad 80,000. One-fourth of his army were raw Belgian and Hanoverian levies, on which little reliance could be placed; but the horse and foot guards, the German legion, and several of the most distinguished Peninsular regiments were present. The allied generals remained inactive, and on the 15th of June, the French crossed the frontier, and moved on Charleroi, which the Prussians evacuated at their approach. Marshal Ney, with 146,000, moved on to Quatre Bras, while Napoleon himself, with 72,000, marched against the main Prussian army at Ligny Napoleon awaited some time the approach of Ney, whom he had directed, after
