such a form as will have no uncertainty with respect to the factswhether with respect to the times, the places, the designation of the movements, by the right or by the left, and the respective situations, which constitute a part of the report. CHARACTER OF ALEXANDER. THE sentiments of this hero, when meditating future conquests, after the subjugation of Asia, evince a splendid instance of greatness of mind and of military eloquence. "Do you imagine," said he to his soldiers (as Quintus Curtius relates), "that, after having, by force of arms, made myself master of two parts of the universe, I can cease to labour in the service of glory, to which I have devoted my existence? Victor utriusque regionis videor ne vobis in excolendâ gloriâ, cui me uni devovi, posse cessaré, &c.'-No; for wherever I shall find an enemy to engage, there shall I consider myself on the theatre of the world, conferring celebrity upon the most obscure corner of the earth. If I be fated to end my career in the expedition, my destiny cannot but be glorious; I am of a race that prefers resplendant fame to protracted years. I am also anxious indelibly to impress upon your minds, that we are now in a country which the exploits of a woman have rendered for ever famous !What cities did Semiramis not found? What nations did she not subdue? What public works did she not cause to be constructed* ? We have not yet equalled a female in glory, and we already begin to be weary of acquiring it."-The following thought was eminently worthy of Alexander's capacious mind†. "I do not measure my life by the vulgar duration of time, but by the extent of my fame; it is the number of my victories, and not that of my years, which constitutes my being; and I may say that I have lived long enough if I count my days by the favours which fortune has showered down upon me." What determined resolution is manifest in the expressions of the Macedonian Chief, when, on his sick-bed, he learns that Darius is marching rapidly against him, formidable in numbers and flushed with hope. "Circumstanced as I am, neither slow remedies nor timid physicians will suit my purpose.-Jt is much better for me to die bravely than * "Nondùm fœminæ gloriam æquavimus et jam nos laudis satietas cepit." +"Ego me metior non ætatis spatio, sed gloriæ; non annos meos sed victorias numero; si numera fortunæ benè computo, diù vixi." "Vel mori strenuè, quam tardè convalescere mihi melius est; suant me noa tam morti, quàm bello remedium quærere." to remain long in a state of convalescence; I am not so solicitous about life as about the success of my arms; and of this I wish the world to be apprized." To allow but few virtues to the illustrious Son of Philip, is an act of glaring injustice towards departed magnanimity, and greatly worthy of classical animadversion; for, “take him all in all," his greatness of soul has never been surpassed; nor was there ever a warrior who took such delight in promoting the arts of peace among the nations who submitted to his arms. This hero caused more cities to be built than the other Asiatic victors had laid prostrate: he greatly enlarged the boundaries of commerce, by ordering it to flow through a great variety of new channels in the vast empire which his valour had won: nor should it be forgotten, that he also opened a mart for philosophy, whence the mind derived an abundant fund of knowledge and consolation. In order to judge fairly of Alexander, it would be decorous to take into consideration his youth, his prejudices, his temptations, his education, (for Aristotle urged him to the dignity of conquest), the manners of the times, and very particularly the amazing success which uniformly awaited on his professional undertakings. He had enlisted fortune under his banners, and she guided him to victory: under such cheering auspices, what mortal would not be occasionally rash? Nor can the poet be accused of dealing much in fiction, when he puts these emphatical expressions into the mouth of the illustrious conqueror: "My arms a nobler victory ne'er gained; And I am prouder to have passed that stream, And I, myself, appear'd the leading god!" Nor is Alexander more entitled to celebrity and praise for the splendid victories which, as a soldier, he obtained over his enemies, than for that more solid one, which he, as a magnanimous prince, obtained over himself, when, respecting the virtue of the young consort of his great rival in arms, he set an example of continence well worthy of imitation. The refined treatment which the Mother of Darius, and all the other princely captives experienced, after their misfortune, will for ever reflect honour on the character of the conqueror; for high wrought humanity is the brightest gem that can adorn the wreath which encircles the warrior's brow. MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE. ON MILITARY KNOWLEDGE. Sir, Dartford, March 2, 1814. I HAVE heard it suggested by some Military Officers that every precedence should be allowed in the disposal of commissions to the gentlemen who have received the benefits of a military education; but I consider such reasoning so unjust to the sons of our gallant veterans, and so injurious to the service, that I cannot avoid offering you my remarks on the subject. Numbers have not had the means, the influence to obtain a military education, though perhaps the orphans of veterans who have been sacrificed in the cause of their country. The time specified by His Majesty's Regulations for officers to remain in the rank of subalterns is sufficient to enable them to perfect themselves in the military art, to that extent which should be possessed by an officer holding a company, and therefore the not having received a military education can never be a plea, founded upon the principles of justice, for excluding the relatives of our heroes from equally becoming ornaments of their country as those who may have the benefits of fortune and military education. An access to the army should be opened as widely to the sons and relatives of officers, as practicable, they have an irresistible claim for such privilege, and, from the precepts instilled into them during their tender years, are the best adapted to fill with honour military situations. According to the present system of disposing of military commissions, I admit that the wishes of a few can only be attended to, but an alteration might be effected without much difficulty whereby the numbers now waiting for commissions might be satisfied. If the relatives of deserving officers, when there are not vacancies in the line, were presented with Ensigncies in the Militia, and their services therein taken into the scale of length of service, it would be a measure highly acceptable to the army, and productive of much good. I should not wish to see any but the relatives of acknowledged deserving officers so favoured-but such an accommodation would meet general satisfaction. CH. Correspondence from the Theatres of War. St. Palais*, Feb. 22, 1814.—OUR Generals are continually on horseback, and St. Palais is a town and district of France, in the department of the Lower Pyrennees, which, with the town and district of St. Jean Pied de Port, forms nearly the whole of the late province of Navarre. St. Palais is seated on the river Bidouse, 15 miles S. E. of Bayonne. Lon. 1, 4, West. lat. 43, 21, North. the whole army anticipating the glory of gathering laurels on the banks of the Seine, and wandering amidst the purple vineyards of degenerated France. A few days ago an accident happened which has created a deep sensation in the army. Lord Wellington and Sir Rowland Hill were taking a reconnoissance, attended by their Aides-de-Camp, when a shot from a French battery, probably intending a favour to one or more of the party, passed by the head of the Marquis, and, striking the horse on which Sir Rowland Hill was mounted, killed the noble animal on the spot;-both the horse and his rider fell: and those officers who were present describe their consternation with great feeling, on seeing that excellent General, one of the pillars of the British army, and a man estimable from his private worth, swept, as they supposed, from his honourable course in an hour of comparative security: their apprehensions were, however, happily relieved by ascertaining that the General, although stunned by the fall, had received no serious injury: his escape was wonderful, the ball having struck the horse's shoulder, passed through his body, and between the knees of Sir Rowland. Some rumours of peace gain credit here, but our army is not yet sufficiently tired of the "trumpet's clangor and the fife's shrill note" to receive these tidings with satisfaction; and we know in England they sometimes "cry peace when there is no peace at all." Calmhout, March 11, 1814.-I have scarcely yet recovered from the surprise and consternation which an unexpected calamity naturally leaves on the mind of a soldier; and I now write with feelings still agitated by the disastrous events of the 9th. I know not what may be the general opinion entertained of our attack and failure at Bergen-op-Zoom, in England; and we soldiers, particularly when on service, think little of the wisdom or prudence of any military operation; our whole idea is how to carry it into effect so as to produce results the most beneficial to our country, and glorious to her arms. In fact, were the mass of an army to become reasoners and politicians, it would infallibly weaken the necessary, and sometimes blind ardour, which renders them so brave in the field; and, until an officer attains the rank of Brigadier-General, he should act, and leave thinking to his commanding officers. I am led into these reflections from a supposition which obtrudes itself upon me, that there will not want croakers, in England, to condemn the attack of Bergen-op-Zoom; but there is a reply for all such; that is, what is the military man without enterprize? and must he not sometimes attempt exploits which appear impracticable to common minds? No heroic deed can excel many which Britons have already achieved; and why are we to be outdone by those who have gone before us? It is true, in this business, we have drenched our laurels in blood, and the carnage of the day will cause many a British father to plant the cypress ; yet is it not better to fall embalmed in the tears of our country, or bear about with us honourable testimonials of having suffered in her cause, than spend our youth in talking of the exploits of others? I will, nevertheless, own to you that the number of those friends now no more, in whose society so many happy hours have glided by, hangs heavy on my heart; and, as I look upon a brother officer languishing with pain or mutilated with wounds, I am oppressed by a feeling that would, perhaps, better become the venerable father of my native parish than the rough soldier who yet hopes to see many a field fought and won. Poor Col. Mercer fell whilst gallantly leading on his men to the attack, and is much regretted by us all: the death of no officer with this army could be more lamented.-Our loss both in men and officers has been excessive.-Our prisoners experienced very humane treatment from the Governor of the fortress. |