Page:Awful phenomena of nature -- snow storms, third of March and twenty-third April, 1827.pdf/22

 price of all sorts of provisions rose almost for dearth: even water was sold in the streets London.

In this season of distress, many wretched families must have perished by cold and hunger, had not those of opulent fortunes been inspired with a remarkable spirit of compassion and humanity. Nothing can redound more to the honour of the English nation, than did those instances of benevolence and well-conducted charity which were then exhibited.

The following description of the melancholy situation of the French army, after the passage of the Beresina, is extracted from a small pamphlet, written by a German officer, in the service of Russia, which has been published at St. Petersburgh:—

"A rigorous cold now perfected their misery—no longer capable of supporting the severity of their sufferings, arms and baggage were thrown away. The greater part, without shoes or gaiters, had enwrapt their legs in pieces of blankets, and twisted old hats round their feet. Each endeavoured to secure his head and shoulders from the cold with whatever covering he could find; some with old sacks and mats, others with the skins of animals recently flayed—happy those who were possessed of scraps of