there are inftances of courage, which I conceive to require more strength of mind than the other, and in which the present age appears to me exceedingly defective. We will touch on fome of them, after we have pointed to the virtues that should adorn the Military character.

It seems natural to imagine, that Effeminacy would intimidate and unman her votaries, in the camp, and in the field. Yet the fact is different, with regard to many that are bred in the utmost softness and delicacy. It is but fair to own, that the greatest fops have been often found among the bravest men. We likewife know, that nothing can exceed the intrepidity of those favage nations, where it is. the mode for every man to paint and decorate himself in the most fantastic manner, and, except when engaged in war or hunting, to indulge the last degree of floth. Undoubtedly there are in many perfons fecret springs of refolution, whe◄

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ther native or acquired, which the most relaxing forms of life cannot destroy, or yet prevent from acting with wonderful elafticity on particular occafions. Το whatever cause it be owing, Cowardice in battle is probably a species of dishonour that will feldom be incurred by our British youth, under leaders in whom they place a confidence.

With how much pleasure could we tell of the laurels they have often reaped, in contending against the enemies of their country! With what peculiar fatisfaction, I had almost faid Pride, could we expatiate on the daring enterprises, and aftonishing exertions, both of our fleets and armies in the laft ever-memorable war! Above all the reft, how would imagination glow at the remembrance of that Young Man, "Who" (in the nobly emphatic words made ufe of by an admiring and grateful Nation, when the voted a Monument to his Memory) "furmountVOL. II.

"ing, by ability and valour, all obsta"cles of Art and Nature, was flain in the "moment of victory, at the head of his "conquering troops, in the arduous and "decifive battle against the French army 66 near Quebec, fighting for their capital "of Canada !"-Glorious and inestimable fuffrage infpired by fentiment, and beftowed with fervour, as well as expreffed with force and dignity! A fuffrage reechoed by every voice, and felt by every heart to this day! A fuffrage which the future fons of Britain will read with tender veneration, and which fo well became an occafion that will fhed luftre on her annals to the latest pofterity! Happy land, that gave birth and education to the Youth, who thus died in the arms of Victory, as he had lived in the bofom of Virtue ! General Wolfe was not lefs virtuous than brave. His fobriety, his gravity, his ftrict attention to military difcipline, his ardent thirst after knowledge, after those branches of it more efpecially that were

connected with his profeffion, had marked him out an object of public esteem and reliance, before that last and most distinguished opportunity of proving to the world, how completely he deserved them. With what emulation ought his example to inflame our young men of the army! Or will they chuse rather to forget him like Voltaire, who, in recording the very engagement now mentioned, is pleased to suppress the name of Wolfe?

But we have not the smallest doubt, that many of them are perfons of honour and capacity, no less than of spirit and refolution. We could point to one of this clafs, who is known, by his very numerous acquaintance, to unite in his fingle character the best qualities of the foldier, of the gentleman, of the scholar, of the friend, of the man of hospitality without show, of the man of piety without pretence, who is bigoted to no fect, but not afhamed before any company to

worship the Almighty at home after having worshipped him in his temple. Where is the man who can withold his refpect from fuch a character? Were there a wretch fo worthlefs as to deride it -the amiable Oughton would be the first to do him good.

Of the greater part in the fame profeffion, what fhall we fay? How debauched, profane, and frivolous! We have been told, that no other army in Europe is difhonoured by fo many profligates, and triflers, as the British. If this be true, what a reproach to our country! Were it the fashion for the troops of other nations to neglect the forms of piety and decency, we should lefs wonder at the behaviour of many amongst our own. But that is by no means the cafe. We should wonder at it yet lefs, did not their Sovereign fet them fo different a pattern. At least it might be expected, that our officers of rank would show a