in a sterner time than ours, was won, and by which,
in even these ease-loving days, it must be maintained.

These sketches appeared originally in the _Melbourne Argus_, and are
republished by the kind consent of its proprietors. Each sketch is
complete in itself; and though no formal quotation of authorities is
given, yet all the available literature on each event described has
been laid under contribution. The sketches will be found to be
historically accurate.

CONTENTS

THE FIGHT OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT
THE HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM
THE GREAT LORD HAWKE
THE NIGHT ATTACK ON BADAJOS
THE FIRE-SHIPS IN THE BASQUE ROADS
THE MAN WHO SPOILED NAPOLEON'S "DESTINY"
GREAT SEA-DUELS
THE BLOOD-STAINED HILL OF BUSACO
OF NELSON AND THE NILE
THE FUSILEERS AT ALBUERA
THE "SHANNON" AND THE "CHESAPEAKE"
THE GREAT BREACH OF CIUDAD RODRIGO
HOW THE "HERMIONE" WAS RECAPTURED
FRENCH AND ENGLISH IN THE PASSES
FAMOUS CUTTING-OUT EXPEDITIONS
MOUNTAIN COMBATS
THE BLOODIEST FIGHT IN THE PENINSULA
THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC
KING-MAKING WATERLOO--
I. The Rival Hosts
II. Hougoumont
III. Picton and D'Erlon
IV. "Scotland for Ever!"
V. Horsemen and Squares
VI. The Fight of the Gunners
VII. The Old Guard
VIII. The Great Defeat

THE NIGHT ATTACK OFF CADIZ

TRAFALGAR--
I. The Strategy
II. How the Fleets Met
III. How the Victory was Won

LIST OF PLANS

THE BATTLE OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT
THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC
THE SIEGE OF BADAJOS
THE BATTLE OF THE NILE
THE BATTLE OF ALBUERA
THE SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO
THE COMBAT OF RONCESVALLES
THE BATTLE OF ST. PIERRE
THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC
THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO
THE ATTACK OF TRAFALGAR

THE FIGHT OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT

THE SCEPTRE OF THE SEA.

"Old England's sons are English yet,
Old England's hearts are strong;
And still she wears her coronet
Aflame with sword and song.
As in their pride our fathers died,
If need be, so die we;
So wield we still, gainsay who will,
The sceptre of the sea.

We've Raleighs still for Raleigh's part,
We've Nelsons yet unknown;
The pulses of the Lion-Heart
Beat on through Wellington.
Hold, Britain, hold thy creed of old,
Strong foe and steadfast friend,
And still unto thy motto true,
'Defy not, but defend.'

Men whisper that our arm is weak,
Men say our blood