4. Break, break, break, At the foot of thy crags, O Sea! But the tender grace of a day that is dead LXXX. THE CHARACTER OF GREENE. HEADLEY. 1. NEXT to Washington, Greene was the ablest com mander in the revolutionary army. In person he was above the middle height, and strongly made. He had a fine face, a florid' complexion, and brilliant blue eyes. His natural expression was frank and benevolent. In battle it assumed a sternness that showed, beneath his easy and gentle manners, a strength of purpose not easily overcome. When highly excited, or absorbed in intense thought, he had a habit of rubbing violently his upper lip with his forefinger. 2. Inured to exposure and toil, his frame possessed a wonderful power of endurance, rendered still greater by an indomitable' will. He rose from the ranks, and became a major-general solely by his own genius and force. Ignorant of military tactics, he applied himself with such diligence to the subject, that he mastered the science in less time than many employ on the rudiments. 3. He had an almost intuitive perception of character. Like Washington, he seemed to take the exact measure of every man who approached him. Many of his actions in the field were based upon this knowledge of his adversaries. 4. In the southern campaign against Cornwallis, his movements were sometimes considered rash by those who judged of them merely from the relative position and strength of the armies. But to him, who could judge more correctly from his knowledge of men's views and character than from their transient movements, what course they would take, his plans appeared the wisest he could adopt. 5. A more fearless man never led an army; and his courage was not the result of sudden enthusiasm or excitement, but of a well-balanced and strong character. He was never known to be thrown from his perfect self-possession by any danger, however sudden; he was as calm and collected when his shattered army tossed in a perfect wreck around him, as in his tent at night. The roar of artillery and the tumult of a fierce battle could not disturb the natural action of his mind; his thoughts were as clear, and his judgment as correct, in the midst of a sudden and unexpected overthrow, as in planning a campaign. 6. This was the secret of his power, and explains why, when beaten, he was never utterly routed. No matter how superior his antagonist, or how unexpected the panic of his troops, he was never, like Gates, driven a fugitive from the field. He possessed qualities seldom found united, -great caution and great rapidity. Nothing escaped his glance; he seemed to forecast all the contingencies that did or could happen. His fortitude was wonderful. All exposures, all privations, all embarrassments, toils, and suf ferings, he bore with a patience that filled his soldiers with astonishment and admiration. 7. The southern army, when he took command, consisted of a mere handful of destitute, undisciplined, and ragged troops. With these he entered the field against one of the best generals of the age, supported by an army of veteran soldiers. With his raw recruits, he immediately began the offensive, and, before his powerful enemy penetrated his plans, smote him a terrible blow at Cowpens.* 6 8. Compelled to retreat, he completely foiled, by a series of skilful manoeuvres and forced marches, every attempt to reach him. Unable to cope with his adversary in the open field, he retired, like the lion, slowly and resolutely. His pursuer was ever kept in view, and could not make a mistake without receiving a blow. 9. He thus led his enemy through the entire State of North Carolina; and the moment he turned, followed him, and dealt him such a staggering blow at Guilford, that he was compelled to a precipitate flight. No sooner was Cornwallis beyond his reach, than he turned upon the enemy's posts in South Carolina, and carrying them one after another, brought the war to Charleston itself. His combinations were admirable, and succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations. 10. The resources of his mind were inexhaustible": there was no plan too hopeless for him to attempt. Without a dollar from government, and penniless himself, he managed to keep an army in the field, and to conquer with it. 11. His soldiers loved him with devotion, and having seen him extricate himself so often from apparently inevitable ruin, they came, at length, to regard him as invincible. Sharing all their toils and dangers, and partaking of all their sufferings, he so won their affections that they would go wherever he commanded. 8 12. His patriotism was of the purest kind. His own reputation and life he regarded as nothing in the cause of freedom. Next to his country he loved Washington; and no mean ambition, or envy of his great leader, ever sullied his noble character. 13. That affection was returned, and the two heroes * CÖŴ PENŞ. A post village in South Carolina, moved side by side, as tried friends, through the revolutionary struggle. He was a man whose like is seldom seen; and placed in any country, opposed to any commander, would have stood first in the rank of military chieftains. 1 FLORID. Flushed with red. 2 IN-DŎM'I-TA-BLE. Not to be subdued; invincible. 8 TACTICS. The science of military and naval movements and positions for battle. 5 CĂM-PAIGN'. The time during which an ariny keeps the field in one year; the movements or operations of an army for a certain time or purpose. MA-NEU'VREŞ (-nú'vurg). Military or naval movements or evolutions. 4 ĮN-TU'I-TIVE. Perceived by the mind 7 IN-EX-HÂUST'I-BLE. That cannot be immediately, without reasoning or testimony. exhausted or spent ; unfailing. | 8 PÃ'TRI-QT-IŞM. Love of one's country. LXXXI. HORATIUS AT THE BRIDGE. MACAULAY. [Thomas Babington Macaulay was born in England, in the year 1800, and died in 1859. In 1830 he became a member of Parliament, and took an active part in the debates on the Reform Bill. He was created a peer of England, with the title of Baron Macaulay of Rothley, in 1857. His writings consist of a history of England, in five volumes, "Lays of Ancient Rome" and other poems, numerous essays, and parliamentary speeches. They are all remarkable for brilliant rhetorical power, animation, energy, and affluence of illustration. The ballad, from which the following is an extract, commemorates a legend of early Roman history. Lars Porsena (pör'sẹ-ną), king of the town of Clusum in Etruria, or Tuscany, having declared war against Rome, suddenly appeared with his army on the opposite bank of the Tiber. The safety of the city depended upon the destruction of the bridge across the river. At this juncture, three Roman citizens volunteered to defend the head of the bridge until it should be demolished.] 1. THE Consul's brow was sad, and the Consul's speech was low, And darkly looked he at the wall, and darkly at the foe. "Their van will be upon us before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, what hope to save the town?" 2. Then out spake brave Horatius, the Captain of the gate: "To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods. 3. "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, with all the speed ye may; I, with two more to help me, will hold the foe in play. In yon strait path a thousand may well be stopped by three. Now, who will stand on either hand, and keep the bridge with me ?” 4. Then out spake Spurius Lartius *. -a Ramnian proud was he: "Lo, I will stand on thy right hand, and keep the bridge with thee." And out spake strong Herminius, of Titian + blood was he: “I will abide on thy left side, and keep the bridge with thee.” 5. "Horatius," quoth the Consul, "as thou sayest, so let it be." 6. Meanwhile the Tuscan army, right glorious to behold, Came flashing back the noonday light, Rank behind rank, like surges bright Of a broad sea of gold. Four hundred trumpets sounded a peal of warlike glee, And spears advanced, and ensigns spread, 7. The Three stood calm and silent, and looked upon the foes, And lifted high their shields, and flew To win the narrow pass; * SPŪ'RJ-US LÄR'TI-VS (-she-us). †TISH'E-AN, |