or even that of the poor soldier perishing in
the bogs. But Guynemer was known to all. There were few who had not
seen him in the sky, whether blue or cloudy, bearing on his frail
linen wings some of their own faith, their own dreams, and all that
their souls could hold of trust and hope.

It was for them all, whether infantrymen or gunners or pioneers,
that he fought with the bitter hatred he felt for the invader, with
his youthful daring and the joys of his triumphs. He knew that the
battle would end fatally for him, no doubt, but knowing also that
his war-bird was the instrument of saving thousands of lives, and
seeing that his example called forth the noblest imitation, he
remained true to his idea of self-sacrifice which he had formed a
long time before, and which he saw develop with perfect calm.

Full of modesty as a soldier, but fully conscious of the greatness
of his duties, he possessed the national qualities of endurance,
perseverance, indifference to danger, and to these he added a most
generous heart.

During his short life he had not time enough to learn bitterness,
or suffering, or disillusionment.

He passed straight from the school where he was learning the
history of France to where he himself could add another page to it.
He went to the war driven by a mysterious power which I respect as
death or genius ought to be respected.

He was a powerful thought living in a body so delicate that I, who
lived so close beside him, knew it would some day be slain by the
thought.

The poor boy! Other boys from every French school wrote to him
every day. He was their legendary ideal, and they felt all his
emotions, sharing his joys as well as his dangers. To them he was
the living copy of the heroes whose exploits they read in their
books. His name is constantly on their lips, for they love him as
they have been taught to love the purest glories of France.

_Monsieur le depute_, gain admittance for him to the Pantheon,
where he has already been placed by the mothers and children of
France. There his protecting wings will not be out of place, for
under that dome where sleep those who gave us our France, they will
be the symbol of those who have defended her for us.

Major Brocard.

These letters roused the enthusiasm of the C