ever the nodus may be. Does Broughton,
after pummelling and beating Slack, lift up a black eye to Jove and
thank him for the victory? And if ten thousand boxers are to be so
heard, why not one? And if Broughton is to be grateful, what is Slack to
be?

"By the list of disabled officers (many of whom are of rank) you may
perceive, sir, that the army is much weakened. By the nature of this
river the most formidable part of the armament is deprived of the power
of acting, yet we have almost the whole force of Canada to oppose. In
this situation there is such a choice of difficulties, that I own
myself at a loss how to determine. The affairs of Great Britain, I know,
require the most vigorous measures; but then the courage of a handful
of brave men should be exerted only where there is some hope of a
favourable event. The admiral and I have examined the town with a view
to a general assault: and he would readily join in this or any
other measure for the public service; but I cannot propose to him
an undertaking of so dangerous a nature, and promising so little
success.... I found myself so ill, and am still so weak, that I begged
the general officers to consult together for the public utility. They
are of opinion that they should try by conveying up a corps of 4000
or 5000 men (which is nearly the whole strength of the army, after the
points of Levi and Orleans are put in a proper state of defence) to draw
the enemy from their present position, and bring them to an action. I
have acquiesced in their proposal, and we are preparing to put it into
execution."

So wrote the General (of whose noble letters it is clear our dear scribe
was not the author or secretary) from his headquarters at Montmorenci
Falls on 2nd day of September; and on the 14th of October following,
the Rodney cutter arrived with the sad news in England. The attack had
failed, the chief was sick, the army dwindling, the menaced city so
strong that assault was almost impossible; "the only chance was to fight
the Marquis of Montcalm upon terms of less disadvantage than attacking
his entrenchments, and, if possible, to draw him from his present
position." Would the French chief, whose great military genius was known
in Europe, fall into such a snare? No wonder there were pale looks in
the City at the news, and doubt and gloom wheresoever it was known.

Three days after this first melancholy intelligence, came the famous
letters announcing that wonderful c