triumphal arches were erected, tournaments were held in pleasant mockery
of the middle ages, and wreaths and garlands offered by beautiful ladies
to this clement chief, with fantastical mottoes and posies announcing
that his laurels should be immortal! Why have my ungrateful countrymen
in America never erected statues to this general? They had not in all
their army an officer who fought their battles better; who enabled them
to retrieve their errors with such adroitness; who took care that their
defeats should be so little hurtful to themselves; and when, in the
course of events, the stronger force naturally got the uppermost, who
showed such an untiring tenderness, patience, and complacency in helping
the poor disabled opponent on to his legs again. Ah! think of eighteen
years before and the fiery young warrior whom England had sent out to
fight her adversary on the American continent. Fancy him for ever pacing
round the defences behind which the foe lies sheltered; by night and by
day alike sleepless and eager; consuming away in his fierce wrath and
longing, and never closing his eye, so intent is it in watching; winding
the track with untiring scent that pants and hungers for blood and
battle; prowling through midnight forests, or climbing silent over
precipices before dawn; and watching till his great heart is almost worn
out, until the foe shows himself at last, when he springs on him and
grapples with him, and, dying, slays him! Think of Wolfe at Quebec,
and hearken to Howe's fiddles as he sits smiling amongst the dancers at
Philadelphia!

A favourite scheme with our ministers at home and some of our generals
in America, was to establish a communication between Canada and New
York, by which means it was hoped New England might be cut off from
the neighbouring colonies, overpowered in detail, and forced into
submission. Burgoyne was entrusted with the conduct of the plan, and he
set forth from Quebec, confidently promising to bring it to a
successful issue. His march began in military state: the trumpets of
his proclamations blew before him; he bade the colonists to remember the
immense power of England; and summoned the misguided rebels to lay down
their arms. He brought with him a formidable English force, an army of
German veterans not less powerful, a dreadful band of Indian warriors,
and a brilliant train of artillery. It was supposed that the people
round his march would rally to the Royal cause and standard