ts of
the Grecian republics with each other, that the discipline was
learned which gave Alexander and the Macedonian phalanx the empire of
Asia; and in the protracted struggles of the Anglo-Saxons, first with
each other in the Heptarchy, and then with the Danes and Normans in
defence of their coasts, that the foundation was laid of the energy
and perseverance which have given the British race their present
eminence and dominion among men.

"It has been often observed," says Montesquieu, "that our armies
generally melt away under the fatigue of the soldiers, while
those of the Romans never failed to preserve their health by it.
The reason is, that their fatigues were _continued_; whereas our
soldiers are destroyed by passing from a life of almost total
inactivity to one of vehement exertion--the thing of all others
most destructive to health. Not only were the Roman soldiers
accustomed, during war, to incessant marching, and fortifying of
the camps, but in peace they were daily trained to the same
active habits. They were all habituated to the military step,
that is, to go twenty miles, and sometimes twenty-four, in five
hours. They did this bearing burdens of sixty pounds. They were
daily trained to run and leap with their whole equipment on; in
their ordinary drills the swords, javelins, and arrows were of a
weight double of that used in war, and the exercises were
continued."--C. 2.

There can be no doubt that this passage both explains much of the
astonishing conquests of the Roman legions, and furnishes ample
subject for reflection to a modern observer. The constant employment
of these troops in the construction of great public works, as
highways, bridges, harbours, or the like, was at once the best
security for the health of the soldiers and the circumstance, of all
others, which rendered their maintenance tolerable to the people. If
we examine the inscriptions found in all parts of the world, where
Roman remains are to be met with, we shall find that they were raised
by the hands of the legions. It was their persevering and incessant
toil which formed the magnificent highways, which, emanating from the
Roman Forum, extended to the furthest extremity of the empire. The
prodigious labour required for these great undertakings; the vast
bridges and viaducts which required to be constructed; the mountains
to be levelled; morasses and v