em weak. Still, the
successes were various. The Spaniards had a foothold from which it was
not easy to expel them, and were in possession of resources, in arms
and material, derived from the mother country, with which the
republicans found it no easy matter to contend. But they did contend,
and this, with the right upon their side, was the great guaranty for
success. What the Colombians wanted in the materials of warfare, was
more than supplied by their energy and patriotism; and however slow in
attaining their desired object, it was yet evident to all, except
their enemies, that the issue was certainly in their own hands.

For two years that the war had been carried on, the casual observer
could, perhaps, see but little change in the respective relations of
the combatants. The Spaniards still continued to maintain their
foothold wherever the risings of the patriots had been premature or
partial. But the resources of the former were hourly undergoing
diminution, and the great lessening of the productions of the country,
incident to its insurrectionary condition, had subtracted largely from
the temptations to the further prosecution of the war. The hopes of
the patriots naturally rose with the depression of their enemies, and
their increasing numbers and improving skill in the use of their
weapons, not a little contributed to their endurance and activity. But
for this history we must look to other volumes. The question for us is
confined to an individual. How, in all this time, had La Pola redeemed
her pledge to the Liberator--how had she whom he had described as the
"guardian genius of Bogota," adhered to the enthusiastic faith which
she had voluntarily pledged to him in behalf of herself and people?

Now, it may be supposed that a woman's promise, to participate in the
business of an insurrection, is not a thing upon which much stress is
to be laid. We are apt to assume for the sex a too humble capacity for
high performances, and a too small sympathy with the interests and
affairs of public life. In both respects we are mistaken. A proper
education for the sex would result in showing their ability to share
with man in all his toils, and to sympathize with him in all the
legitimate concerns of manhood. But what, demands the caviler, can be
expected of a child of fifteen; and should her promises be held
against her for rigid fulfillment and performance? It might be enough
to answer that we are writing a sober history. T