One row of houses would be converted into a battery by the French; the opposite one would be used by the Spaniards for the same object. Thus every house almost belched forth shot. The air was darkened by the horrid contest; but the Spaniards would not yield-they would die, but while they lived they would fight. For eleven days and nights this slaughter was carried on it was butchery, but the Spaniards thought not of yielding. At length the French were compelled step by step to fall back: Agostina animating the ranks as the successes were gained. At last, on the morning of the 17th of August, the French, worn out with the determination of the citizens, raised the siege, and at early dawn marched to Pampeluna. What a glad sight that must have been for the inhabitants! Well might they rejoice at the victory which they had gained under such adverse circumstances. The commandant, Palafox, honoured the brave men who had perished, and rewarded as he best could the handful of brave men who had survived. But what hon

our or reward could he give Agostina-she who had literally snatched the city from the hands of the French? Palafox bade her name any honour or reward that she desired, and it should be granted her. She modestly desired that she might be allowed to retain the rank of engineer, and to have the privilege of wearing the arms of Saragossa! The rest of the days of this brave and enduring woman were passed in honourable poverty; in 1826 she died-none more noble or ennobled.

Lady Sale,

THE HEROINE OF AFGHANISTAN.

SIR ROBERT PEEL, in the House of Commons, referring to the incidents of the Afghan War, said: "I never should excuse myself, if in mentioning the name of Sir Robert Sale I did not record my admiration of the character of a woman who has shed lustre on her sex-Lady Sale, his wife. I hold in my hand a memorandum of events which occurred in the neighbourhood of Cabul, from the 7th of November, written by Lady Sale; and a document more truly indicative of a high, a generous, a gallant spirit, I never read."

Sir Robert Peel was not the man to make wild and baseless statements. Never had the nation, however, as much reason to believe his word as when he pronounced that eulogium upon Lady Sale. The testimony, so generous and distinguished, was more than borne out by the facts. Lady Sale was in every sense a nobly courageous woman. She was the daughter of George Wynch, Esq., and granddaughter of Alexander Wynch, formerly Governor of Madras; on her mother's side she was a relative of Archbishop Seckar, who was not less distinguished by his piety than his learning. Florentia Wynch received her education in London, where every facility at the command

of her parents were placed at her disposal, and which were earnestly embraced by her. The excellent natural endowments she possessed, seconded by her industry and perseverance, enabled her to make in a short period great progress in her studies. On the 16th May 1809 she was married to Sir Robert Sale, who subsequently became so distinguished as the commander of the regiment in which he then held a commission. Soon after their marriage, Florentia accompanied her husband to India, where, during his protracted residence, she was not only his companion in danger, but his trusted councillor. The education of her five daughters, with which Providence had blessed her, was her own care and delight; their subsequent lives attesting its thoroughness and practical completeness. Her position in India as the wife of Sir Robert Sale would have commanded distinguished respect, but her known excellence of character, her strong commonsense, and knowledge of military affairs, under any circumstance would have secured the affection and admiration of those with whom she came into contact. One of Lady Sale's daughters married Captain Sturt, of the Engineers, who gave promise in his too short career of a life of brilliance and excellence. But war, inexorable war, is no respecter of persons.

The incidents which led to the dangers through which Lady Sale was called to pass, were occasioned by the desire of the English in India to assist the Afghan, Shah Shujah, to recover his throne. He was opposed by Dost Mahommed, who was a man of great courage and resolution, and was, as a result, the man of the people's choice. Shah Shujah had repre

sented to the English that could he only enter Afghanistan aided by them, he and they would be received with acclamation. When his request was granted, and a considerable military force marched with him, they soon found that, instead of being looked upon with pleasure by the inhabitants, they were deemed intruders, and their numbers and power only prevented their being expelled from the kingdom. The Afghans did, however, show their animus by refusing to supply the troops with food, either for themselves or their horses.

Of course, once having entered upon the task, it would have been opposed to all precedent to have retired without effecting the contemplated object. But to do this it was necessary to resort to arms. Dost Mahommed was not disposed to relinquish his hopes without a struggle. The first engagement of any moment resulted in the conquest of the fortress of Ghuznee, on the highway to Cabul. The opposing Afghans lost also a considerable quantity of camels and horses. Dost Mahommed's brother was taken prisoner, which induced many of his followers to join the Shah. The fortress of Ghuznee was taken on the 23d of July 1839, when the main body of the attacking force proceeded to Cabul, two regiments being left at Ghuznee. At this time Dost Mahommed was a wanderer, with few if any followers.

In the autumn of 1840, all was so quiet that it was not deemed needful longer to maintain the army in Afghanistan to support the then reigning monarch, Shujah-Ool-Mulk. A portion of it, therefore, returned to the Bengal provinces, while the other remained in various strongholds, and at Cabul chiefly. Dost Mahommed deemed it wise to surrender himself to

the party in power; he was kindly received, and sent to his family. Dost Mahommed's son, Akbar Khan, was not so disposed; he maintained his liberty to plot and work vengeance. Sir William Macnaghten, to whom his father had surrendered, he destroyed with his own hand.

In the October of 1841, after a friendly and generous intercourse with the natives, Sir Robert Sale, with the 13th Light Infantry and the 35th Native Infantry, left Cabul for the provinces. His progress through the country and engagements with the natives were full of imminent dangers, but he finally arrived at Jellalabad, which he was enabled to defend.

Lady Sale, who was left at Cabul, had the misery to learn of her husband's dangers-that he had been wounded, and that it was impossible to render him any assistance. And they themselves began to dread similar treatment, from the reports which day by day reached them, and the difficulty experienced in obtaining provisions. Their worst fears were realised on the morning of the 2d of November, when a general outbreak took place in Cabul. Sir Alexander Burnes, who was killed by the Afghans, was amongst the first victims; the women and children of his house were not spared by the blood-thirsty natives. Information of these proceedings was sent to the Shah, Captain Sturt being the messenger; when he entered the palace, a young Afghan stabbed him in three places, and then made his escape. The wounded officer was placed in a palanquin, and then sent back to Cabul. Lady Sale, on learning this fresh disaster, immediately started on foot to meet the melancholy procession, and order the wounded man to be conveyed to her