had looked for. The light was not only more vivid and conspicuous, but was peculiarly remarkable from its exquisite whiteness. Indeed there seems no great presumption in comparing its splendour to that of the sun; for I am not sure that the eye would be able to look at a disk of such light, if its diameter were made to subtend half a degree. "The next series of experiments was the most interesting and decisive of all. Each of the lights above enumerated, viz. the single Argand burner, the seven Argands, and the French lens, were exposed, one at a time, in company with your light, in order to try their relative brilliancy. "First comparative Experiment. The single Argand burner was first exposed to this comparative ordeal, and nothing could be more pitiable than the figure it cut. Many of the party could not see the Argand light at all; while others could just detect it away in a corner,' as some one described it. It was also of a dusky orange tinge, while your light was of the most intense whiteness.* "Second comparative Experiment.-The seven Argand burners were now substituted in place of the single light. All the party could now see both lights, but the superiority was not much less obvious. I really cannot affix a proportion either as to size or brilliancy; but I should not hesitate to say that your light was at least six or eight times as conspicuous; while in brilliancy, or purity, or intensity of light, (for I know not precisely what word to use to describe the extreme whiteness,) the superiority was even more remarkable. All this which I have been describing was expressed, and appeared to be quite as strongly felt by the rest of the company, to the number, I should suppose, of five-and-twenty or thirty persons, who were all closely on the watch. "Third comparative Experiment.-The next comparative trial was between the French lens and your light. The superiority here was equally undeniable; though the difference in the degree of whiteness was not so remarkable. The French light, however, is so nearly similar to that from the seven Argands, that the comparison of each of them with your light gave nearly the same results, and all equally satisfactory on the score of your discovery. "Final Experiment.-The flashes with which the experiments concluded were very striking, and might, I think, be turned to great account in rendering lighthouses distinct from one another. The revolutions were not effective, and, as I said before, there was no appearance last night of those enormous comets' tails which swept the horizon on the night of the 25th, to the wonder of all who beheld them neither could there be detected the slightest trace of any shadow from the light thrown towards us, and I suspect none will ever be seen, when the moon, whether the night be clouded or not, is of so great a magnitude. : "Such is the best account I can give of what we witnessed; and I need only add, that there seemed to be amongst the company but one opinion of the immense superiority of your light over all the others brought into comparison with it. "I am, &c. "BASIL HALL.'" From the vivid and pervading quality of this light, it becomes a question worth consideration, whether it might not be applied, in a more permanent form, to the purpose so incompletely effected by fire-balls in the defence of besieged fortresses. Might not Drummond lanterns or reflectors be so contrived as to search the defences obliquely, without exposing their disks to the view and aim of the assailants? It is unnecessary to remark that these experiments and testimonies are conclusive as to the principle and practical effects of Lieut. Drummond's discovery. To smooth all difficulties of execution, reduce expense, and divest his plan of technical intricacy, so as to render the superintendence of his lights nearly as simple a task as the trimming of a lamp, are objects which, we have reason to believe, at present engross the attention of that meritorious officer. Of his complete success we have no doubt, and heartily congratulate him upon having conferred a benefit upon his country and mankind. *To many, the rays from the brighter light appeared, when seen with the naked eye, to extend across and envelope the fainter light, though the perpendicular distance between them was twenty-five yards. MEMOIR OF FIELD-MARSHAL COUNT VON DIEBITSCH SABALKANSKI. WHILE we have gathered from public records a portion of the details traced in the following memoir, we acknowledge ourselves still more indebted to communications derived from some of the nearest relatives of its subject. JOHN CHARLES ANTONY VON DIEBITSCH AND NARDEN, is descended from an ancient and noble Silesian family, and was born on their estate at Grossleippe, on the 13th of May 1785. His father, John Ehrenfried von Diebitsch and Narden, had made the campaigns of the Seven Years' War on the staff of Frederick the Great, and, after having been promoted by his successor to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and adjutant on his staff, had retired to his patrimonial estates, when he was induced to accept the superintendence of the manufactory of arms at Toula, from which appointment he was subsequently raised to the rank of major-general. By a first marriage he had two sons, one of whom is at this day a colonel in the Russian service; and by a second, three daughters, and a third son, the individual, with whose fortunes we shall proceed exclusively to engage the reader's attention. In his earliest years, John Von Diebitsch displayed not only an ardent thirst for information, but so singularly retentive a memory, that, when but in his fourth year, he was capable of resolving arithmetical questions with greater readiness than most adults. His first rudiments of knowledge were acquired from a village schoolmaster, whose capabilities soon proved insufficient for the stripling's ardent intellect; his parent, therefore, a man of no mean attainments, was compelled to undertake the duty of an instructor, and evinced his fitness for the office by guiding the mind of his pupil in those paths of geographical, historical, and mathematical knowledge, to which he sacrificed even the hours of daily recreation. No pursuit, however, so excited young Diebitsch's ardour as that memorable episode in the annals of his native country-the Seven Years' War; and hence undoubtedly arose his early predilection for a military life. It was natural that his teacher, himself a soldier, as well as a sharer in the exploits of the first soldier of his age, should foster this predilection, and avail himself of so auspicious an occasion for exhibiting the theories of physical and mathematical science in the perfection of their practice. As he advanced in years, the youth felt anxious for a society more congenial with his favourite pursuits, and his father, at length yielding to his importunities, removed him to Berlin, with a view to procure his admission into the corps of Cadets. This occurred in 1797. His age, however, which was not much beyond twelve years, threw such difficulties in the way, as nothing but the perseverance of the youth himself, combined with his attainments, of which he gave the most unexpected proofs when under examination, could have overcome. But the mere wearing of a sword and military frock, though it gratified his pride, had no value in his eyes except as the first step towards distinction: he devoted himself with singlehearted assiduity to an arduous course of regular study; and raised himself into notice among his comrades by the rapidity of his progress in acquiring military knowledge, and into respect with his superiors by the exemplary regularity of his conduct and his amiable deportment. In the course of two years he became a subaltern officer in the corps, and, soon afterwards, was honoured with an ensign's sword. In the mean time, his father had accepted a major-generalship on the staff of Paul of Russia, upon whose personal intercession, the King of Prussia allowed young Diebitsch to resign his commission as a second-lieutenant, in the early part of 1801. He had quitted the corps of Cadets in the preceding year, and it is a curious fact, that, on this occasion, he should have inscribed U. S. JOURN. No. 30. MAY 1831. G the undermentioned lines in the album of his favourite tutor, Bardeleben, one of the council to his Prussian Majesty. Ja, vergehen muss, vergehen Wenn die Freundschaft noch besteht. Yes! Papal Rome and Mahmoud's pride (!) And from their waste the smoke ascend His relinquishment of the Prussian service was accompanied by the sincere regret of his superiors and tutors, and he carried with him an honourable testimonial to his character and uncommon attainments, under the hand of Gen. Von Rüchel, the commandant of the corps of Cadets. From Berlin, he proceeded to Stettin with his father, who had come to that city for the purpose of conveying his sister and himself to Russia, and thence embarked for St. Petersburgh, where they arrived shortly after the accession of the Emperor Alexander. The elder Diebitsch's merits were not unknown to that sovereign, and the best proof he could afford of his esteem, was the permitting his son to make choice of the regiment in which he would be posted. The result was an ensign's commission in the Semenoff regiment of Grenadier Guards, which Alexander had commanded when Grand-duke. Diebitsch at once determined upon becoming a Russian in word as well as in deeds, mastered the peculiar difficulties of the language so as to speak and write it like a native, and thus identified himself with his brother soldiers. His first active service was to attend the Emperor's coronation at Moscow, whence he returned with his regiment to garrison duty at St. Petersburgh; here he devoted every leisure hour he could spare from military avocations to scientific and professional pursuits, until the war of 1805 called him to the field of battle, and raised him to a lieutenancy. The sanguinary day of Austerlitz was the dawn of his martial feats; but here he was doomed to behold the Muscovite eagle laid prostrate; an untoward introduction to so early a noviciate in arms. His own company was involved in the heat of the conflict, during which a spent ball lodged in the palm of his right hand; he was observed to bind the wound quietly with his handkerchief, remove his sword into his left hand, and, regardless of pain and loss of blood, to rally his men, who had been bereft of their leaders by the fortunes of the day, and lead them out of the field, upon general orders being given for the army's retreat. Diebitsch's gallantry on this occasion was rewarded by Alexander with a sword of honour, bearing the words, "Conferred for bravery." The unfortunate issue of this battle brought the campaign to a sudden close, and the disappointment of the soldier was rendered still more bitter by the affliction which he endured as a son, on learning that his mother had breathed her last shortly before his return to St. Petersburgh. In 1807, the Russian hosts were again in the field; a new opportunity of distinguishing himself presented itself on the plains of Eylau and Friedland; and in both actions his conduct was so exemplary, as to induce the Emperor to raise him to a captaincy over the heads of his brother-officers, and honour him with the Order of St. George of the Third Class; to which the Prussian Sovereign soon afterwards added the order of "Merit." Thus had Diebitsch scarcely reached his twenty-second year, when four distinct acknowledgements of meritorious service had been conferred upon him. From this period until the eventful year 1812, his chief employment consisted in sedufously prosecuting those studies which, conjointly with the aptitude of his natural talent, were to form the corner-stone of his rapid advancement. Napoleon was already on the march with his myriads towards the Russian frontier, when young Diebitsch, resting his claim on his attainments and former services, solicited a post on the general staff. This request was granted, and, with it, the rank of a lieutenant-colonel, in which character he was attached to the division under the orders of his old and esteemed friend Gen. Wittgenstein. From this point we may date the commence ment of his more brilliant career. His station on the staff placed within his reach abundant opportunities of acquiring quick-sightedness, caution, and experience; qualities, in the absence of which, the most consummate theoretical acquirements are but of indifferent value and restricted usefulness. Wittgenstein's corps was pitted against the superior force under Oudinot, and speedily constrained to fall back from Wilkomirz upon a position, in which it was enabled both to cover the Russian capital and obstruct the investment of Riga. In this position he had to contend against the combined efforts of the Dukes of Tarentum and Reggio, with both of whom it was an object of the deepest moment to possess themselves of the great northern inlet to St. Petersburgh. The Russian commander, however, skilfully contrived to interpose between the two lines of his adversaries' movements, to maintain his ground upon the Dwina, and, in the conflicts of Jacubowo, Obojarzina, and Kliastizza, to bridle the impetuosity as effectually as he had baffled the skill of his assailants. The French were driven back upon Polozk, and whilst honours were heaped upon the victor, Diebitsch, the life and soul of his état-major, was not forgotten. A major-generalship and the ribbons of more than one order were his reward. Towards the close of October, Wittgenstein received sufficient reinforcements to enable him, as a step towards forming a junction with the Finnish corps under Gen. Stringel, to act upon the offensive; accordingly, he advanced against Polozk, expelled the French, of whom Marshal St. Cyr had taken the command, from that town, and obliged them to recross the Dwina, after a sanguinary action, in which Diebitsch, by gallantly forcing and maintaining a bridge at the head of 3000 raw peasantry, entirely disconcerted the French plan of attack, and, by this service, is considered to have decided the issue in favour of the Russian arms; in fact, it was on this spot that he earned his commission of Major-General. The severe conflicts of Czasnicki and Smoliani subsequently contributed to the precipitate retreat of the enemy, who were pursued by Wittgenstein to Studzianka, and were unable to prevent Parthonneaux's division from falling into his hands. The French and their Allies were now flying in all directions; the Prussian corps alone remained together to cover them in their retreat, and upon Gen. Diebitsch devolved the painful duty, not only of measuring weapons with his own countrymen, but of entering his native land as a victorious adversary. It is needless to say, that he acquitted himself in this trying circumstance with a caution and delicacy to which his natural sovereign has since rendered ample justice; indeed, they pointed him out soon afterwards as the fittest individual who could be selected to open and conduct a negotiation with the Prussian commander. Previously, however, Gen. D'York, whose force constituted the third column, or rear-guard, of the feeble remnant of the French army, had been driven out of Mietau, and on the 27th of December following, forced to evacuate Memel; from this place Diebitsch kept close upon his heels, having an internal presentiment that the Prussian possessed secret instructions, which would justify him in seeking the first favourable opportunity of arresting any farther effusion of blood. The uncertainty, in this respect, called for the exercise of much discretion; Diebitsch made his dispositions accordingly, and, indeed, with so happy an effect, that, although at the head of no more than 1800 horse, he deceived D'York into an impression that, when he was signing the celebrated capitulation of the 30th of December 1812, the whole corps of Wittgenstein stood before him. It subsequently appeared that D'York had no instructions from his cabinet, but acted, on this occasion, upon his individual responsibility, and a personal conviction that a close alliance with Russia would best conciliate the interests with the avowed prepossessions of their common country. For this service Diebitsch received the cordial thanks of the Emperor Alexander, accompanied by the insignia of the Order of St. Anne, of the first class; and he entered Berlin with the rank of Quarter-Master-General. Here was no slender proof, that if he had been blessed with those op the undermentioned lines in the album of his favourite tutor, Bardeleben, one of the council to his Prussian Majesty. Ja, vergehen muss, vergehen Wenn die Freundschaft noch besteht. Yes! Papal Rome and Mahmoud's pride (!) His relinquishment of the Prussian service was accompanied by the sincere regret of his superiors and tutors, and he carried with him an honourable testimonial to his character and uncommon attainments, under the hand of Gen. Von Rüchel, the commandant of the corps of Cadets. From Berlin, he proceeded to Stettin with his father, who had come to that city for the purpose of conveying his sister and himself to Russia, and thence embarked for St. Petersburgh, where they arrived shortly after the accession of the Emperor Alexander. The elder Diebitsch's merits were not unknown to that sovereign, and the best proof he could afford of his esteem, was the permitting his son to make choice of the regiment in which he would be posted. The result was an ensign's commission in the Semenoff regiment of Grenadier Guards, which Alexander had commanded when Grand-duke. Diebitsch at once determined upon becoming a Russian in word as well as in deeds, mastered the peculiar difficulties of the language so as to speak and write it like a native, and thus identified himself with his brother soldiers. His first active service was to attend the Emperor's coronation at Moscow, whence he returned with his regiment to garrison duty at St. Petersburgh; here he devoted every leisure hour he could spare from military avocations to scientific and professional pursuits, until the war of 1805 called him to the field of battle, and raised him to a lieutenancy. The sanguinary day of Austerlitz was the dawn of his martial feats; but here he was doomed to behold the Muscovite eagle laid prostrate; an untoward introduction to so early a noviciate in arms. His own company was involved in the heat of the conflict, during which a spent ball lodged in the palm of his right hand; he was observed to bind the wound quietly with his handkerchief, remove his sword into his left hand, and, regardless of pain and loss of blood, to rally his men, who had been bereft of their leaders by the fortunes of the day, and lead them out of the field, upon general orders being given for the army's retreat. Diebitsch's gallantry on this occasion was rewarded by Alexander with a sword of honour, bearing the words, "Conferred for bravery." The unfortunate issue of this battle brought the campaign to a sudden close, and the disappointment of the soldier was rendered still more bitter by the affliction which he endured as a son, on learning that his mother had breathed her last shortly before his return to St. Petersburgh. In 1807, the Russian hosts were again in the field; a new opportunity of distinguishing himself presented itself on the plains of Eylau and Friedland; and in both actions his conduct was so exemplary, as to induce the Emperor. to raise him to a captaincy over the heads of his brother-officers, and honour him with the Order of St. George of the Third Class; to which the Prussian Sovereign soon afterwards added the order of " Merit." Thus had Diebitsch scarcely reached his twenty-second year, when four distinct aclcum legements of meritorious service had been conferred upon him period until the eventful year 1812, his chief employment lously prosecuting those studies which, conjointly wit natural talent, were to for the corner-stone of h Napoleon was already the march with his frontier, when young Dtsch, resting his |
