Has he done no good to man? Has he always acted Macbeth's part, shedding blood that would

"The multitudinous seas incarnadine?"

Has he never acted a part worthy of that One

"[Whom] murmuring demons hate, [while they] admire?"

Let us peruse it

Come, then, we will open the History of man. together candidly. Let us survey the Soldier narrowly. For, peradventure, he may be like the "Venus de Medicis that expresses different passions according to the points from which it is contemplated."

Man's existence has, indeed, been stormy. Yet our own age tells of a wonderful progress. Not of a progress which, inseparable from our being, must be and therefore is despite of war and war's attendant evils. But of a progress aided in some measure by what appears at first view the source of unmitigated woe. Even as the influence which has dragged down our world to the Sun, has, in our onward course, kept us from illimitable space, where, like the missing Pleiad, we had been lost forever.

To tell how the Egyptian Oziris conquered and civilized,—how the Titans, subduing Greece, never deified by those who thus were freed for a while from the most debasing barbarism;-to consider many such as these, so early that myths have enclouded them;-then to bring forward the unfortunate Sicilian Expedition of the Athenians, as a proof that disaster even is sometimes for the good of a nation;-to note "the retreat of the ten thousand," a grand testimony to man of the power of human energy and endurance;-to point out Decius, an example of exalted patriotism, but one amid myriads;-to recall to mind the many cities founded by Alexander, which, in some measure, compensated for his devastations--to argue from known events that intestine contentions have made a nation greater by nourishing the patriotic spirit;-to cite the instances of numerous states to show how war "consolidated in each of them apart the political union, and, by strengthening the hands of government prepared the way for the progress of Society ;"*-in a word, to detach thus here and there a fact from the past to establish individual principles, must indicate to unprejudiced minds that war, though undertaken unjustifiably, has at times been of signal and lasting benefit to the human race. But, passing over many of this nature, known to every attentive reader of History, we prefer briefly to illustrate our meaning by several connected examples nearer our own times.

*Dugald Stewart.

Consider, first, the beginning of the Christian era. The Roman legions subdued the world. Then in their track followed the refinement of civilization which, counteracting the grossness of the Barbarians, opened the way for the Soldiers of the "Prince of Peace."

Look at this "vast despotism of the Cæsars" several ages later? Corruption, torpor, luxury, every imaginable vice, bore unbounded sway. Then came the terrible invasion from the North. The fierce worshipers of the war-god, Odin, seized the cities and plains of Italy. Europe was doomed to a thousand years of barbarian bondage. But happy for her was this conquest, so dreadful, so complete! Else, had she met with a far worse fate. Else, had the beginning of the "second civilization of mankind”* been deferred—we know not how long. In what manner all this "has produced such lasting and beneficial results to European civilization," history tells truthfully-scholars trace clearly. But time rolled on. Barbarism had accomplished its mission. Its savage hordes must now be checked. Europe-"rudis indigestaque moles"-again needed the warrior's aid. Other important influences, we acknowledge, were here brought to bear. But yet the continued triumphs of Charlemagne over Germanic and Mohammedan invasion, confessedly stand prominent. Most happily for civilization his deeds make him worthy of the title of "Great."

mans.

Still time rolled on. Then bigotry and restlessness eight times spurred on the Crusaders against the overweening tyranny of the MussulThe plains of Asia Minor were whitened with the deads' unburried bones. Europe was decimated! But its medieval darkness vanished before the splendor of Grecian and Moslem civilization. Mind awoke from its Endymion-slumber. Art and Science revived. Society was centralized. Europe was rejuvenated!

But far happier an influence than all this has the world received from the warrior's deeds. A nation's freedom seldom comes save by mighty throes. Yet cheerfully and wisely are they endured; for their end is peace and prosperity. Here despotism's defeat is liberty's victory. Liberty's victory is civilization's triumph. Oppression laid low, causes Humanity to smile. For the enslaved are deaf to the voice of their immortality within, as long as the Sirens of pitiless absolutism chant in their ears this "old Claudian litany:

But let the spell be once broken;-let man once know his rights, and, "knowing, dare maintain," then midst war and confusion must despotisms and tyrannies servilely slink to their doomful dens. This to the Soldier's praise. This to the Soldier's eternal glory! Shall we look to History for proof?

Patriotism, when the very life-blood of the warrior, has once and again opposed invading armies to preserve freedom. She has triumphed! She triumphed, when Miltiades met the Mede at Marathon. She triumphed, when Thebes encountered Lacedæmon on the field of Leuctra. She triumphed, when Alfred routed the Danes at Eddington. She triumphed with Bruce at Bannockburn. Time was, when the proud house of Hapsburg fain thought to crush to lowest bondage the mountain-bred children of Switzerland. Time was, when Spanish inquisitors fain essayed to place the martyr's San Benito upon Holland's hardy burghers. Time was, too, when-strange to tell!-England did forget that England's Sons "never can be slaves." But, the sufferings of the Helvettii;Philip's auto da fé ;-North's infatuation -Say, served they not to raise up nations of heroes? In the blessings, handed down by these same heroes as a legacy for all ages, say! rejoice not now their sons-rejoice not we ourselves with joy ineffable?

But not always has instant victory crowned the patriotic warrior. Ofttimes have been heard the wailings of despair :—so unlike the shouts of jubilee!—so dissonant from the songs of prosperity! "Freedom shrieked-as Kosciusko fell!" Gallic arms again laid waste the "Eternal City," as Garibaldi,fled for life to the massy fastnesses of the Apennines. "Leagued Oppression" cruelly rejoiced, as Gorgey cast his bleeding country at the feet of the Autocrat.

But is that the end? "Has all this gallant blood gushed forth in vain?" Must now freedom and human progress cower forever before the Cossack? Not thus. For, see! in the workings of the past "Providence to accomplish his designs is prodigal of courage, virtues, and sacrifices." See! it is only after a host of noble hearts have fallen into despair, that the triumph comes. But it does come at last! God "makes a step, and ages have rolled away!" Then behold. As continued droppings of water loosen the huge stone upon the mountain's side, that now one blow hurls it from the foundation, so the remembrance of former strivings and the gratings of bondage slowly undermine old abuses, until another struggle of humanity sends them to their doomed destruction. This is the "part" of the citizen-soldier. Though his labored moles roll back the huge tide-wave of time, not forever do they keep it there. On it soon

comes, with accumulated, redoubled power, submerging thrones, principalities, tyrannies, despotisms, in one, unfathomable depth of ruin!

So must it now and ever be. The ensanguined field has long nourished the seed of hope, and now no human power can resist the upheavings of mighty nature's growth.

As history shows these illustrious achievements of the warrior, so she points to this, his noble character. Noble-for, the offspring of war, it has grown into the perfect statue of peace. Born in the wild woods of Germany, cradled in the ferocity of feudalism, nourished by the violence of anarchy, it manfully opposed the barbarian fury of the middle ages; and, smoothing the rugged pathway of human progress, became the "glory of Europe," and her hope forever. The gorgeousness of its primordial greatness has perished! Yet, the gentler humanities of life will ever delight to ponder upon the fostering care of Knight-errantry, and sing to the praise of Chivalry. Herein admire we the Paladin's character-a character unique, yet uniform; wild, yet refined; contradictory, yet consistent; a temple, uniting Doric strength with Corinthian beauty, whose well nigh every column and cornice cause us to wonder and to admire.

Long ere the name of Knight was heard, the warrior's bravery stood before the world, a noble model for imitation. Nor was it unheeded. The moral courage of a Socrates, of a Cicero, of a Regulus, is immortal. But the signet of true valor was stamped upon Chivalry's sons, when the pure, the innocent, the unfortunate, the helpless, looked to their armipotence for protection from overweening oppressors. Has the world heheld

their gallantry in vain?

Long ere the clash of tournaments were heard, clemency to the vanquished foe was made the warrior's praise. The "attribute to God himself" became the poet's theme. Men of peace caught the song. But the mercy that "is twice blessed" chants no human voice more sweetly, more purely, more nobly, than the minstrel of knight-errantry. Chants he to the world in vain?

But more ennobling has been the soldier's character. Valor had been violence; lenity had been ferocity, without honor and justice. Honor dignifies; justice deifies. Honor, pure, scrupulous, manly, heroic! Justice, calm, dignified, refined, impartial! Where find ye these oftener than in the warrior? Where more conspicuously than in the true cavalier? Stand these forever before the world in vain ?

Yet gentler has been the soldier's character. Gentler; for he has honored, cherished, protected, the gentleness of humanity. From savage

debasement to patriarchal respect; from feudal isolation to knightly reverence, we reach the grand climacteric of her moral and social life-time. Here we pause. Though ever so truthfully the historian write; though ever so eloquently the orator speak; though ever so divinely the poet sing; unwritten, unspoken, unsung, were woman's praise and woman's worth. And now, the amenities of civilized life, the noble sentiment, the polite intercourse, the nice punctilio, the refined deference, the pure respect, the chaste admiration, which make woman what she is, trace back their ancestry to the romantic time of gothic and feudal chevaliers.

This more than this-to the praise of chivalry. Upon it have after ages looked with gratitude and with admiration. With gratitude; for all take therefrom life-long blessings. With admiration; for it stands forth a statue of the true warrior. Throw round, now, the drapery with which time has so oft adorned it; firmness, scorning at peril; energy, laughing at impossibility; generosity, unmindful of self; enthusiasm, rising to sublimity; friendship, nourished amid hate; devotion, prodigal of life; magnanimity, worthy of Deity. Then, say! stands it not forth a far nobler statue? Will man gaze unmoved? Will the world feel, and not act? Breathe, now, into that statue the breath of life. There he stands, an active, living reality! Glorious power-" tremendous power," is his! Eternity alone can measure his deeds. Omniscience alone can know his might.

Inexplicably, yet palpably radiate forth from the page of History the achievements of these Dii Majores in human progress.

Glance to the time when Hampden, the Orator, the Statesman, the Soldier, his country's hope and leader, with his life-bood proved himself that country's defender and martyr. Hampden died! But he lived again. For, soon one, like

To chide the winds, and save the Trojan race."

With might with might of iron-will-saved he them;--for omnipotence came from Heaven. Let, now, sectarists sneer at "cant," as they may--let factionists denounce "sword-law," as they may ;-let monar chists rave at "regicide," as they may;-yet, even when "the king-becoming graces" of England's Protector are forgotten, human progress with human liberty will

VOL. XVIII.

"In this conjunction still on Britain smile,
The greatest leader, and the greatest isle."

* Macbeth, Act 4: Se. 3.

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