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INTRODUCTION.
the glorious successes of our arms under the immortal Nelson, and what eye shed not a tear for his irreparable loss?[1]
If then, we, as a commercial nation, feel so elated with military success, how much more exalted must the sentiments of a professedly military nation be towards the hero who has extended the French empire and the terror of the French name to both the extremities of Europe, and laid the whole continent at the feet of France.
The present, indeed, is the most splendid period of their history, for France is not only mistress of the destinies of Europe,
- ↑ Success was only wanting to render the battle of Talavera one of the most glorious in our history. The conduct of Lord Wellington had, for its precedent, the uniform practice of Buonaparte, and the basis of every victory atchieved by Lord Nelson, rapidity of movement, an apparent contempt of danger, and a resolution to attack the enemy if the shadow of the possibility of success appeared in the contest; for British valour always surpasses itself on great emergencies. Lord W. completely succeeded, but his allies, on whom he had a right to count, basely deserted their duty, and one of the most gallant generals of our nation, as if the fault was his, became "the slander of little tongues."
