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chine of battle, — to exercise invincible patience- -infallible 

 foresight — prompt and unerring decision — vigilant and unre- 

 mitting presence of mind — rapid and overwhelming activity, 

 — to perceive the opportunity of attack — the means of re- 

 treat — the moment of victory. To be careless of ease — in- 

 sensible to danger — enamoured of heroism — wedded to glory. 

 These are not virtues to be obtained by occasional or uncer- 

 tain exertion : but like all other virtues, they cannot be con- 

 fided in, until they are practised as if by instinct ; and inter- 

 laced with the very fibres of the constitution, by the power 

 of habit. Let us turn our eyes on the two arbiters of the 

 world — with what gigantic strides have their minds advanced 

 intheir tremendous science, from the bridge of Lodi to the 

 field of Mojaysk ; from the modest dawning of Assye, to the 

 noontide splendour of the Arapiles. * 



It is not among ministers or statesmen I would seek for an 

 illustration of the advantages that flow from the power of 

 habit. The routine of office — the wiles of diplomacy — and 



* The language of Metaplior is exhausted in following the achievements of Lord 

 Wellington. The glories of Vittoria have since been added to his fame, " Like a new 

 morning risen on mid-day." — Another interval has elapsed — the days of Roncevalles ! St. 

 Jean De Luz ! Bayonne! Orthes! Toulouse! have followed each other in rapid succes- 

 sion — we can but name them and be silent. — At the time of writing this essay there were 

 two names ivlone of moment in tiie world — Napoleon and AVellington. What changes 

 have a few short months produced — how many heroes have arisen to Europe— how many 

 entitled to rank as her arbiters. Yet he who first inspired their triumphant exertions 

 still maintains his proud pre-eminence ; while of his mighty competitor, we are reduced 

 to exclaim, like Ossian, at the grave of the warrior, " With three strides all thy pos» 

 sessions are compassed, Oh thou that wast so great before !" 



