Beside,
between Belgium and France twelve thousand British troops had been
stationed in the strong places, in accordance with the terms of the
treaty of Fontainebleau and an agreement made with her allies after
the fall of Napoleon.
The streets of Brussels were ablaze with bright colors. Staff-officers
in the uniforms of a number of nationalities dashed through the
streets, followed by their orderlies. Now and then two or three
general officers, riding at a slower pace and engaged in earnest talk,
passed along, while the pavements were occupied by crowds of men and
officers in all the varieties of British, Dutch, Belgian, Brunswick,
Hanoverian, Hessian, and Prussian uniforms. Although Belgium had cast
in her lot with the allies the people were by no means unanimous in
their sympathies; and, indeed, the majority, from their similarity
both in religion and tongue to the French, sympathized with them
rather than with the allies, who were for the most part both
Protestant and foreigners.
Those who entertained these sentiments, however, kept them to
themselves, while the rest fraternized to the best of their power with
the troops, many of whom were quartered in the town. As for
amusements, there were for the officers the theaters and an opera,
while many of the ladies staying in Brussels kept almost open houses;
races and athletic sports were got up for the men.
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