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All that was left of them,

Left of six hundred.

6. When can their glory fade?
Oh the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,

Noble Six Hundred !

TENNYSON.

I

41. THE CLAIMS OF ITALY.

WILL leave antiquity out of the question, and speak only of modern times. Is it not a striking spectacle to see Italy always give the signal to the world, always open the way to great things? The first modern epic poet is an Italian-Dante; the first lyric poet is an Italian-Petrarch; the first poet of chivalry is an Italian-Boccaccio; the first painter in the world is an Italian-Raffaelle; the first statuary is an Italian-Michael Angelo; the first vigorous statesman and historian of the revival is an Italian-Machiavelli ; the first philosophical historian is an Italian-Nico; the discoverer of the New World is an Italian-Christopher Columbus; and the first demonstrator of the laws of the heavenly worlds is an Italian-Galileo.

2. You will find a son of Italy standing on every step of the temple of genius ever since the twelfth century. Then, in times nearer to our own, while all other nations are working at the continuation of this immortal gallery, Italy from time to time collects her strength, and presents to the world a colossus surpassing all. Now, even now, the greatest of living artists-the only one, perhaps, who deserves, solely as an art st, the title of a great man-is he not an Italian-Rossini? And lastly, was he not also a son of Italy-that giant who towered above the whole cer

tury, and covered all around him with his light or his shade— Napoleon?

3. In fact, it would seem that when Providence wanted a guide or a leader for humanity, it strikes this favored soil, and a great man springs forth

42. NAPOLEON TO THE ARMY OF ITALY.

[In modern times Napoleon is perhaps the greatest master of military oratory. After numerous victories in his first campaign in Italy he addressed his troops in a brilliant speech, of which we give the following extract:]

"SOLDI

OLDIERS: You have, in fifteen days, gained six victories, taken twenty-one standards, fifty pieces of cannon, several fortresses, made fifteen hundred prisoners, and killed or wounded more than ten thousand men! You have equaled the conquerors of Holland and the Rhine.

2. "Destitute of all necessaries, you have supplied all your wants. Without cannon, you have gained battles!-without bridges, you have crossed rivers!-without shoes, you have made forced marches !-without brandy, and often without bread, you have bivouacked! Republican phalanxes, soldiers of Liberty, alone could have survived what you have suffered !

3. "Thanks to you, soldiers !-your grateful country has reason to expect great things of you! You have still battles to fight, towns to take, rivers to pass. Is there one among you whose courage is relaxed? Is there one who would prefer to return to the barren summits of the Apeunines and the Alps, to endure patiently the insults of these soldier-slaves?

4. "No!-there is none such among the victors of Montenotte, of Millesimo, of Dego, and of Mondovi! My friends, I promise you this glorious conquest; but be the liberators, and not the scourges, of the people you subdue !"

43. NAPOLEON TO THE SOLDIERS AT FONTAINEBLEAU.

THE

HE disastrous campaign of Russia was ended, and Napo leon, by prodigies of genius and courage, had in vain attempted to dispute the possession of France with the Allied Powers. Masters of Paris itself, they imposed upon him the obligation of abdicating, and to receive, in exchange for the throne of France, the Isle of Elba.

2. His farewell to his Old Guard, at the moment of leaving Fontainebleau, is the most touching recorded in history. He looked for a moment upon the troops arrayed in form of battle in the Court of Honor, and on the immense crowds from the neighboring cities who had assembled to assist at this moment of history, and hand it down to their children.

3. The silence reigned supreme; all heads were bowed, and tears coursed down cheeks hardened by the exposure of many battles. If the drums had been draped in mourning, it would have passed as the funeral obsequies of their general.

4. Napoleon, after a keen martial glance on his battalions and old troops, seemed much affected. How many days of battles, of glory and power, this army recalled to him! Where were those who composed it when it swept through Europe, Africa, and Asia? Where were now those countless hosts? And yet those who remained were faithful, and he was going to separate himself from them forever.

5. The army-it was himself! When he would be gone what would it be? He owed all to the sword, and in losing the sword he lost all. For a moment he paused as if he would re-enter the palace. Then he descended the steps, and advanced towards the soldiers. The drums proclaimed military honors; but, imposing silence, he advanced in front of the battalions, and made a sign that he wished to speak.

6. The silence was instantaneous; respiration even seemed suspended while listening to that voice whose full volume seemed concentrated, and deepened, and re-echoed by the high

walls of the palace, until its lowest notes reached the last rank of the Guard.

7. "Officers, sub-officers, and soldiers of my Old Guard, I bid you farewell. During twenty years I have constantly found you on the road of honor and glory. In these latter days, as in those of our prosperity, you have never ceased to be models of fidelity and bravery. With men such as you, our cause had not been lost; but the war would have' been interminable; it would have been civil war, and France would have become more unhappy.

8. "I, then, sacrifice my interests to those of my country. I go: you, my friends, continue to love France; her honor was my only thought; it will always be the object of my heart. Do not deplore my condition. If I have consented to live, it is in order still to continue your glory. I wish to write those great things we have accomplished together. Farewell, my children. I would love to press you all to my heart. at least embrace your general and your flag."

Let me

9. These words overcame the soldiers, and ran trembling through the crowd. General Petit, who commanded the Old Guard, advanced, and Napoleon held him a long time in his embrace. The two captains sobbed audibly, and deep sobbing was heard through all the ranks. The grenadiers wiped their eyes with the back of their hands.

10. "Let the eagles be brought," exclaimed Napoleon. The grenadiers brought him the eagles of the regiments. He took those signs so dear to soldiers, pressed them against his heart, and touched them to his lips. "Dear eagle," he exclaimed, in an accent at once manly and broken, "may this last kiss be impressed on the hearts of all my soldiers. Once more farewell, my old companions."

11. The entire army melted into tears, and nothing was heard but the loud and heavy sobbing of the troops.

LAMARTINE.

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