In War 



character of the men who remain those 

 cantons who sent forth mercenary troops 

 from those who kept their own for their 

 own upbuilding. Perhaps for other rea- 

 sons than this Lucerne is weaker than 

 Graubunden, and Unterwalden less virile 

 than little Appenzell. In any event, 

 the matter is worthy of consideration ; 

 for this is absolutely certain, just in 

 proportion to its extent and thorough- 

 ness is military selection a cause of de- 

 cline. 



Holland has become a nation of old 

 men, rich, comfortable, and unprogres- 

 sive. Her sons have died in the fields 

 of Java, the swamps of Achin, wherever 

 Holland's thrifty spirit has built up 

 nations of slaves. It is said that Batavia 

 alone has a million of Dutch graves. 

 The armies of Holland to-day are re- 

 cruited in every port. Dutch blood is 

 too precious to be longer spilled in her 

 enterprises. 



61 



