276 ORDERS AND PREPARATIONS CHAP, and admirals, but it reached its destination at a XVI 1_ time when (for the purpose of this decision) the whole power of the camp at Varna was centred in the English General. Whether meant for the guidance of a council or not, the despatch was addressed to one man — and that man was Lord liaglau. Some may deem it wrong, and may call it a plan of life too closely deriving from times of chivalry ; but it is still the habit of the English gentleman to think that his personal honour is no part of the property of the State, and that even, for what may seem the public good, he ought not to do a violence to his self-respect. He has his code formed in the time of his boyish conflicts or of his early manhood; and if there be fire and strength in Ids nature, he will not depart from it merely because he has become responsible and mature in years. Lord liaglun was of the bodily nature of those whose blood Hushes hot to the face under the sting of an indignant thought ; and if mortal eyes could have looked upon him when he revolved the contents of the despatch, they would have seen him turn crimson in poising the question whether he ought to resist the pressure of the Queen's Government, — and to resist be- cause of mere danger. AVhat the Duke of New- castle meant was to do all he reasonably could to enforce the invasion ; and, so intending, he did honestly in making his order as peremptory as possible ; but if, in any times to come, it shall be intended that an English general commanding ou a foreign service is to exercise his judgment
