of generosity and compassion, by which
its horrors are mitigated, ought ever to be applauded, encouraged,
and imitated. We ought also to use our best endeavours to deserve this
treatment at the hands of a civilised enemy. Let us be humane in our
turn to those whom the fate of war has subjected to our power: let
us, in prosecuting our military operations, maintain the most rigid
discipline among the troops, and religiously abstain from all acts of
violence and oppression. Thus a laudable emulation will undoubtedly
ensue, and the powers at war vie with each other in humanity and
politeness. In other respects the commander of an invading armament
will always find his account in being well with the common people of the
country in which the descent is made. By civil treatment and seasonable
gratifications, they will be encouraged to bring into the camp regular
supplies of provision and refreshment; they will mingle with the
soldiers, and even form friendships among them; serve as guides,
messengers, and interpreters; let out their cattle for hire as
draft-horses; work with their own persons as day-labourers; discover
proper fords, bridges, roads, passes, and defiles; and, if artfully
managed, communicate many useful hints of intelligence. If great
care and circumspection be not exerted in maintaining discipline, and
bridling the licentious dispositions of the soldiers, such invasions
will be productive of nothing but miscarriage and disgrace: for this at
best is but a piratical way of carrying on war; and the troops engaged
in it are, in some measure, debauched by the nature of the service.
They are crowded together in transports, where the minute particulars of
military order cannot be observed, even though the good of the service
greatly depends upon a due observance of these forms. The soldiers grow
negligent, and inattentive to cleanness and the exterior ornaments of
dress: they become slovenly, slothful, and altogether unfit for a return
of duty: they are tumbled about occasionally in ships and boats, landed
and re-embarked in a tumultuous manner, under a divided and disorderly
command: they are accustomed to retire at the first report of an
approaching enemy, and to take shelter on another element; nay,
their small pillaging parties are often obliged to fly before unarmed
peasants. Their duty on such occasions is the most unmanly part of a
soldier's office; namely, to ruin, ravage, and destroy. They soon yield
to the t