385 



LIVES OF THE POLISH HEROES. 



PLUTARCH somewhere relates that a stranger, on passing the pillar 

 erected on the spot where the three hundred Spartans fell at Thermo- 

 polyae, expressed his surprise at seeing it unadorned by an inscription. 

 Their names and the manner of their death, said a Lacedemonian, live 

 in the grateful recollection of a whole people. One of the first lessons 

 of memory that our mothers teach us, is to repeat them by heart. Such 

 an example is. indeed, worthy the imitation of the Polish mothers of 

 the present day and equally imperishable will be the names o those 

 brave spirits who so nobly offered themselves up to martyrdom in the 

 cause of Polish liberty and independence. 



Every thing connected with this unhappy but heroic land, continues 

 to excite, as it should do, the most intense feeling of curiosity and 

 interest. The sketches I have supplied, are not I hope, uninteresting 

 in themselves ; but they will, I am sure, come with an additional charm 

 upon the reader, when he finds they treat of Polish character and 

 Polish adventure. 



SOWENSKI, GENERAL OP BRIGADE. 



Joseph Sowenski, descended of a noble though impoverished family, 

 was born in Poland in 1779. At a very early age he manifested an 

 inclination for the profession of arms ; and as Poland possessed at that 

 time no special military school, the young Sowenski was sent to pro- 

 secute his studies at one of the first military academies in the Prussian 

 dominions. 



Already at that period he had evinced a marked predilection for 

 mathematics, when, therefore, it became necessary to select the branch 

 of the service to which he would in future devote himself, his choice 

 fell on the artillery, and he accordingly entered the school of that arm. 



On completing his course of studies, which he had prosecuted with 

 the most indefatigable activity, his zeal, his capacity, and perseverance, 

 elicited the admiration of his instructors, who recommended him for a 

 commission in the foot artillery. As Poland at the time was without a 

 political existence, possessing neither army nor generals, she had no 

 means of rendering the talents of her sons useful. Sowenski, in 

 consequence, entered the Prussian service. 



During the campaign of 1809, Sowenski displayed in the presence 

 of the enemy, an intrepidity equal to the capacity he had given proofs 

 of at school ; there were few better acquainted with the theory of his 

 arms, and none evinced more sang froid when it became necessary to 

 come to practice in the field. Prussia was then at war with a formid- 

 able adversary. The French were advancing, preceded by the terror 

 of their name and the brilliant reputation of Napoleon. The recollec- 

 tion of his recent conquests, had spread demoralization through the 

 Prussian ranks. But the confidence of Sowenski was not shaken ; and 

 although his personal and political sympathies were all for the enemy, 

 he not only faithfully fulfilled all his military duties, but displayed a 

 daring bravery, that attracted the attention of the French themselves. 

 On this occasion he was decorated by the king with the cross of Com- 

 mander of the Order of Merit, a decoration rarely given to subaltern 

 officers. 



M. M. No. 82. 2 D 



