WAR INEVITABLE. SIR, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! Gentlemen It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. may cry, Peace, peace; but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Heaven! I know not what course others may take; but, as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! PATRICK HENRY. THE SENSES. SAY, what is it, Eyes, ye see? And the harvests of the year. Tell me, Ears, what have ye heard? Tell me, busy Hands, I pray, We are servants to the will." Still keep peace and love in view. WASHINGTON TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS, BEFORE THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. SOLDIERS, the eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us; and we shall have their blessings and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny meditated against them. Let us, therefore, animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a freeman contending for liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth. Liberty, property, life, and honor, are all at stake. Upon your courage and conduct rest the hopes of our bleeding and insulted country. Our wives, children, and parents, expect safety from us only; and they have every reason to believe that Heaven will crown with success so just a cause. The enemy will endeavor to intimidate by show and appearance; but remember they have been repulsed on various occasions by a few brave Americans. Their cause is bad; their men are conscious of it; and, if opposed with firmness and coolness on their first onset, with our advantage of works, and knowledge of the ground, the victory is most assuredly ours. Every good soldier will be silent and attentive, wait for orders, and reserve his fire until he is sure of doing execution. THE PAPER KITE. - A FABLE. ONCE on a time, a paper kite In vain it tried to soar away; NEWTON. AMERICA UNCONQUERABLE, MY LORDS, you can not, I venture to say you can not, conquer America. Your armies in the last war effected every thing that could be effected, and what was it? My lords, you can not conquer America. What is your present situation there? We do not know the worst; but we know that in three campaigns we have done nothing, and suffered much. As to conquest, therefore, my lords, I repeat, it is impossible. You may swell every expense and every effort still more extravagantly; pile and accumulate every assistance you can buy or borrow; traffic and barter with every little pitiful German prince, that sells and sends his subjects to the shambles of a foreign country: - your efforts are for ever im'potent and vain; doubly so from this mercenary aid on which you rely; for it irritates, to an incurable resentment, the minds of your enemies, to overrun them with the sordid sons of rapine and of plunder, devoting them and their possessions to the rapacity of hireling cruelty. If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms, never never! never! EARL OF CHATHAM. In the Diagram at the head of this piece the figure on the left hand represents the attitude to be assumed at the passage "If I were an American,” &c.; the figure on the right hand represents the attitude for the closing "never the arm having been brought down with energy. The first e in were, also in therefore, has the sound it has in her. THE LOBSTERS. —A FABLE. As a young lobster roamed about, Look," said the younger; "is it true Can with its startling brilliance vie; A dingy aspect to present.' 66 Proud, heedless fool!" the parent cried; "Know'st thou the penalty of pride? The tawdry finery you wish Has ruined this unhappy fish. The hue so much by you desired Nor seek to change by going to pot." 4 PUNCH. |