Deeds that Won the Empire

The tales here told are written, not to glorify war, but to nourish patriotism. They represent an effort to renew in popular memory the great traditions of the Imperial race to which we belong.

The history of the Empire of which we are subjects--the story of the struggles and sufferings by which it has been built up--is the best legacy which the past has bequeathed to us. But it is a treasure strangely neglected. The State makes primary education its anxious care, yet it does not make its own history a vital part of that education. There is real danger that for the average youth the great names of British story may become meaningless sounds, that his imagination will take no colour from the rich and deep tints of history. And what a pallid, cold-blooded citizenship this must produce!

War belongs, no doubt, to an imperfect stage of society; it has a side of pure brutality. But it is not all brutal. Wordsworth's daring line about "God's most perfect instrument" has a great truth behind it. What examples are to be found in the tales here retold, not merely of heroic daring, but of even finer qualities--of heroic fortitude; of loyalty to duty stronger than the love of life; of the temper which dreads dishonour more than it fears death; of the patriotism which makes love of the Fatherland a passion. These are the elements of robust citizenship. They represent some, at least, of the qualities by which the Empire, 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 is cold, And that our hearts no longer speak That clarion note of old; But let the spear and sword draw near The sleeping lion's den, Our island shore shall start once more To life, with armed men." --HERMAN CHARLES MERIVALE.