The Blood of the Nation 



tion has ever seen. It is doubtless true 

 that warlike traditions are most persist- 

 ent with nations most frequently en- 

 gaged in war. But the traditions of 

 war and the physical strength to gain 

 victories are very different things. 

 Other things being equal, the nation 

 which has known least of war is the 

 one most likely to develop the " strong 

 battalions" with whom victory must 

 rest. 



What shall we say of England and 

 her hundred petty wars " smouldering " 

 in every part of the globe ? 



Statistics we have none, and no evi- 

 dence of tangible decline that English- 

 men will not indignantly repudiate. 

 Besides, in the struggle for national 

 influences, England has had many ad- 

 vantages which must hide or neutralize 

 the waste of war. In default of facts 

 unquestioned, we may appeal to the 

 poets, letting their testimony as to the 



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