and I told you I would make you repent it." The general instantly recollected him; and in admiration threw his arms round his neck, beg ged his pardon, and gave him a commission.

AT the siege of Namur by the allies, there were in the ranks of the company commanded by captain Pincent, in colonel Frederic Hamilton's regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel. There happened between these two men a dispute about an affair of love; which, ou some aggravations, grew to an irreconcileable hatred. Unnion being Valentine's superior, took all opportunities even to strike his rival, and profess the ill-will which excited him to it. The other bore this without resistance, but frequently said he would die to be revenged of his tyrant. They had spent whole months in this manner, one injuring, and the other complaining, when they were both ordered on the attack of the castle, where the cor poral received a shot in the thigh, and fell: the French pressing on, and as he expected to be trampled to death, he called out to his enemy, “Ah, Valentine! can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran to him; and in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took him upon his back, and brought him through the

danger as far as the abbey of Salsine, where a cannon ball took off his head: his body fell under his enemy whom he was carrying off. Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose tearing his hair, and then threw himself on the bleeding carcass, crying, "Ah Valentine! was it for me, who have so barbarously used thee, that thou hast died? I will not live after thee." He could not be forced from the body; but was removed with it bleeding in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades who knew their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed; but the next day, still calling on Valentine, and lamenting his cruelties to him, he died in agonies of remorse.

128

LETTER VIII.

ON HUMANITY.

AN officer cannot acquire the military virtues, but in proportion as he practises the moral ones. Among the latter, Humanity holds the first rank, and gives a lustre to all the rest.

WAR, that expedient to which the vices and follies of mankind originally prompted them for the arbitration of their contradictory interests and opinions, appears in its most terrible form when unchecked in its excesses by the interference of this amiable virtue.--Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, having met with very great resistance in besieging the town of Nesle; as soon as it surrendered to him, he ordered the inhabitants to be put to the sword, the com manding officer to be hung on the ramparts, and the whole town to be set on fire. Then, looking on these atrocities with the greatest coolness, he said to one of his attendants, "Such fruit does the tree of war bear."

HAPPILY however for the world, the heroes of military story have not always been of such

principles. "Brave men," said Henry the Fourth of France, 66 are the last to advise war, but the first to go into the field when it is determined upon." He answered some who wished him to break off a treaty of capitulation, that it was a thing against nature, and barbarous, to make war from the mere love of war; and that a prince should never refuse a peace, unless it was extremely disadvantageous to his country... "There would be fewer wars in the world," added he,, "if every sovereign, would visit his military hospitals the day after a battle.”

THE duke of Marlborough observing a soldier leaning pensively on the butt of his firelock just after a victory had declared itself in favour of the British arms at the battle of Blenheim, accosted. him thus: "Why so sad, my friend,, after so glorious a victory!" It may be glorious," replied the fellow; "but I am thinking that all the biood I have spilt this day has only earned me fourpence." To the credit of humanity, it may be recorded, that the duke turning aside, a tear was observed to fall from his cheek.

A SINGLE feature of humanity has often gained a hero greater honour and applause, than

* A PRIVATE Soldier's daily pay at that time.

the most brilliant and dazzling achievements. The battles of Arbela, of Zama, and of Pharsalia, were less glorious for Alexander, Scipio, and Cesar, and have rendered their names less dear to posterity, than the opportunities of generosity which they effectually afforded to their respective heroes*.

PLUTARCH relates that one of the principal citizens of Athens having been taken prisoner by

* ALEXANDER having conquered Darius, king of Persia, at Arbela, took a vast number of prisoners; and among others, the wife and mother of Darius. According to the laws of war, he might have made slaves of them: but he had too much greatness of soul to make a bad use of his victory; he therefore treated them as queens, and shewed them the same attention and respect as if he had been their subject; which Darius hearing, said that Alexander deserved to be victorious, and was alone worthy to reign in his stead.

IN the battle of Pharsalia, Cesar, as he rode about, cried, "Spare the citizens!" nor were any killed, but such as continued to make resistance. After the battle, le permitted every man of his own army to save one of the contrary: and at last gave leave to all whom he had not yet pardoned, to return in peace to Italy, to enjoy their estates, honours, and commands. When he heard of the death of Pompey, which was caused by the villany of others, he was so far from exulting, that he burst intë tears, and punished his murderers.