ctmen or aldermen were
observed to whisper inaudibly to each other, in the background, and to
cough behind their hands solemnly, as at funerals.

At that day no one had yet dared to suggest that Brigadier-General Blank
should accept any military rank lower than that to which his previous
services had entitled him. Anything higher than that--a
Major-Generalship, for instance--he would prefer to waive for the
present, in order not to excite foolish jealousy among the West-Point
men. But it was an act of unexpected condescension, when he finally
consented to take command of a regiment; and it was doubtless this
lowliness of spirit which created some slight embarrassments in his
discharge of the duties of even that command. A man of larger
attainments should not be remanded to duties so small. He it was,
therefore, who, while drilling his battalion, and having given the
preliminary order, "Right about," omitted the final order, "March,"
until most of the men were perched, Zouave-like, upon the high
board-fence which bounded the camp. He it was who, in his school of
instruction, being questioned by the juniors as to the proper "position
of the soldier without arms," responded sternly, that a true soldier
should always have his arms with him; and on being further asked in
regard to the best way to "dress" a line of soldiers, answered with
dignity, that others might prefer fancy colors, but give him the good
old army-blue.

Mr. Pitt was of the opinion, that no man could be really useful to his
country in a position below his powers. It was doubtless a similar
conviction, combined with a sudden illness, so severe that he could not
even admit his surgeon, which led our hero to send in a reluctant
resignation, just before his regiment reached the seat of hostilities.
He enlisted for the war, but he has never yet got to it. He has since,
however, served his country as sutler of a camp of instruction,--where
there is said to be no question as to his profits, though there may be
as to his prices.

Remote as the "Old French War" seems now that epoch of conceited
ignorance. The brilliant career of many militia-trained officers has
more than atoned for the decline and fall of Blank; while the utter
defencelessness of any community, under such military leadership, is a
lesson thoroughly learned by the present generation. Yet that
educational process has been too costly to be repeated. We must use it
while it is fresh, or pay a yet h