s word of command. His school was among the Turks, and he
fights _a la Turque_."

"I should like him the better for it. That dash and daring is the very
thing for success."

"Ay, ay--edge and point are good things in their way. But they are the
temptations of the general. Frederick's maxim was--The bullet for the
infantry, the spur for the dragoon. The weight of fire is the true test of
infantry, the rapidity of charge is the true test of cavalry. The business
of a general is manoeuvring--to menace masses by greater masses, to throw
the weight of an army on a flank, to pierce a centre while the flanks were
forced to stand and see it beaten; these were Frederick's lessons to his
staff: and if Clairfait shall go on, with his perpetual hand to hand work,
those sharp Frenchmen will soon learn his trade, and perhaps pay him back
in his own coin. But, Halt squadron. Dress--advance in parade order."

While I was thus taking my first tuition in the art of heroes, we had rode
through a deep ravine, from which, with some difficulty, we had struggled
our way to a space of more level ground. Our disorder on reaching it,
required all the count's ready skill to bring us into a condition fit for
the eye of this formidable Austrian. But before we were complete, a group
of mounted officers were seen coming from a column of glittering lances
and sabres, resting on the distant verge of the plain. My friend
pronounced the name of Clairfait, and I was introduced to the officer who
was afterwards to play so distinguished a part in the gallant and
melancholy history of the Flemish fields. I had pictured to myself the
broad, plump face of the Walloon. I say a countenance, darkened probably
by the sultry exposure of his southern campaigns, but of singular depth
and power. It was impossible to doubt, that within the noble forehead
before me, was lodged an intelligence of the first order. His manners were
cold, yet not uncourteous, and to me he spoke with more than usual
attention. But when he alluded to the proceedings of the day, and was
informed by Varnhorst that the time appointed for his movement was come, I
never saw a more rapid transition from the phlegm of the Netherlander to
the vividness of the man of courage and genius. Waiting with his watch in
his hand for the exact moment appointed in the brief despatch, it had no
sooner arrived than the word was given, and his whole force, composed of
Austrian light infantry and cavalry, moved fo