Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]

ΤΟ

THE ROYAL MILITARY CHRONICLE.

APRIL, 1811.

LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.

STANTEM NE PRORUAS COLUMNAM.

In the Anthologia, or collection of Greek epigrams, there is one so peculiarly fine, at once so condensed in its meaning, and so compacted in its expression, that it is a real matter of regret to the writer of this, that he has it not in his power verbally to quote it. The substance of it, however : riefly as follows:

"Here lies Cleom

knew what fate av

..an; a soldier and a PROPHET, who therefore im in the field of battle; yet, in obedience to the command of his country, he went, fought, and fell !—Stranger, this is his tomb."

This translation is made from memory; the book is not before the writer of this, nor, in his present situation, accessible. The above epigram, however, speaks for itself; it has that commanding energy, in which the Greek writers abound, and that intrinsic majesty of thought, that it needs not any peculiar dress to recommend it. Nothing is so near to my wishes as to infuse a love of solid and elegant literature into the army. No condition of life affords so much leisure, and in no condition of life would such learning be more useful. You would soon find the fruit of it, not only in a new fund of occupation, which only springs anew as you exhaust it; but in that added dignity of mind, that increased self-estimation, which are the best roots of all that is good and great. True' heroism is a principle and not an impulse.

To return, however, to our subject. It must be unnecessary to enforce the application of the above epigram to Sir John Moore. His opinions are as well known as his illustrious fate. He remained in Spain a willing and knowing victim to a stern sense of his pub lic duty. Not only the ministers of the day, but unfortunately even the whole English nation, were in total ignorance of the

A

« ZurückWeiter »